Evangelical Association Slams BTL Deal, Warns of Telecom Monopoly

A sharply worded press release issued late this evening by the National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) has added a new and forceful voice to the growing controversy surrounding the proposed acquisition involving Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL).  In the release, dated January 9, the NEAB said it was “shocked” by what it described as a highly questionable proposed acquisition of Speednet (SMART), Nexgen, Centaur, and Southern Cable Network, warning that the transaction appears to be riddled with conflict-of-interest concerns and a lack of public consultation or disclosure.  The association argued that the proposed deal, if completed, would effectively create a telecommunications monopoly in Belize—an outcome it labeled unethical and harmful to the public interest. The NEAB questioned how the acquisition would benefit Belizeans and concluded that it would not, asserting instead that it could lead to increased corruption and reduced accountability in a critical national sector.  The late-evening statement also placed the proposed acquisition within a broader social context, pointing to rising violent crime and calling for a reassessment of the country’s moral and ethical direction. The NEAB joined calls for an immediate pause to the process and demanded transparency, saying such steps are urgently needed and “the right thing to do”.  The release was signed by NEAB President Santie Valencia, along with the association’s national executive team, signaling what appears to be an institutional position rather than an individual opinion, as public debate over the proposed BTL acquisition continues to intensify.