The Reporter

14/08/2026

Cabinet has rejected BTL’s proposed acquisition of SMART/Speednet, but the Social Partners say the decision does not end the regulatory, financial and accountability questions surrounding the controversial transaction.

In a late announcement Thursday, August 13, Cabinet said that after reviewing available information and considering views expressed by stakeholders and the public, it had reached an informed position that it “does not support the proposed acquisition.”

13/08/2026

It is ostensibly “all of us or none of us” for Belize's Social Partners, which have told the Government that any Cabinet meeting over BTL's proposed Speednet acquisition must include representatives from all four groups.

The position follows an invitation from the Government for only the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) to meet with Cabinet on Thursday, August 13.

It is ostensibly “all of us or none of us” for Belize's Social Partners, which have told the Government that any Cabinet meeting over BTL's proposed Speednet acquisition must include representatives from all four groups.The position follows an invitation from the Government for only the Belize C...

13/08/2026

Belize Telemedia Limited says its network can accommodate approximately one million users but currently serves only 225,000—a capacity gap at the centre of its business case for acquiring Speednet.

BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga says adding Speednet's approximately 100,000 customers would still leave the combined customer base using only slightly more than 30 percent of BTL's existing network capacity.

Belize Telemedia Limited says its network can accommodate approximately one million users but currently serves only 225,000—a capacity gap at the centre of its business case for acquiring Speednet.BTL Chairman Markhelm Lizarraga says adding Speednet's approximately 100,000 customers would still le...

13/08/2026

Organized labour is preparing to take its opposition to BTL's proposed acquisition of SMART to the streets, with an NTUCB demonstration and rally set for Tuesday, August 18.

Organized labour is preparing to take its opposition to BTL's proposed acquisition of SMART to the streets, with an NTUCB demonstration and rally set for Tuesday, August 18.The planned action—which also is connected to a Friday, August 14th, show of support by wearing black—marks an escalation i...

06/08/2026

"A licensee shall not enter into or give effect to any agreement, arrangement or understanding which has the purpose or has, or is likely to have, the effect of significantly lessening competition in any market for the supply of telecommunication services or of any product used in connection with telecommunication services." — Section 42(4), Belize Telecommunications Act.

"A licensee shall not enter into or give effect to any agreement, arrangement or understanding which has the purpose or has, or is likely to have, the effect of significantly lessening competition in any market for the supply of telecommunication services or of any product used in connection with te...

06/08/2026

Public Utilities Commission (PUC) says it will not prejudge Belize Telemedia Limited's proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited (SMART), as business groups, independent senators and opposition legislators intensify calls for scrutiny of the transaction under the Telecommunications Act.

Public Utilities Commission (PUC) says it will not prejudge Belize Telemedia Limited's proposed acquisition of Speednet Communications Limited (SMART), as business groups, independent senators and opposition legislators intensify calls for scrutiny of the transaction under the Telecommunications Act...

06/08/2026

Belize's passport ranks 50th in the world in the latest Henley Passport Index, published on July 16, placing it among 199 passports assessed for global travel freedom and marking a modest improvement over last year.

31/07/2026

Current price-control regulations could discourage investment, reduce product availability and place smaller importers at a competitive disadvantage, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has warned.

Current price-control regulations could discourage investment, reduce product availability and place smaller importers at a competitive disadvantage, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has warned.The BCCI, the country's leading private-sector advocacy organization, is calling on the....

31/07/2026

The investigation into procurement at Belize's Ministry of Defence has largely focused on whether taxpayers paid too much for imported military boots. Jaime Marin, proprietor of the local manufacturer Umbraland, argues that the larger question is whether the Government is failing to use its own purchasing power to develop domestic industry.

The investigation into procurement at Belize's Ministry of Defence has largely focused on whether taxpayers paid too much for imported military boots. Jaime Marin, proprietor of the local manufacturer Umbraland, argues that the larger question is whether the Government is failing to use its own purc...

31/07/2026

Transport costs continued to drive inflation in Belize, rising 13.6 percent in June compared with the same month last year as higher fuel prices, bus and taxi fares, and international airfares pushed the country's overall inflation rate to 4.6 percent.

Transport costs continued to drive inflation in Belize, rising 13.6 percent in June compared with the same month last year as higher fuel prices, bus and taxi fares, and international airfares pushed the country's overall inflation rate to 4.6 percent.According to the Statistical Institute of Belize...