Sugar Cane Farmers Ordered to Pay Over $500K for 2021 BSI Blockade

A recent court ruling has found the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), Pablo Burgos, and Canuto Alpuche jointly responsible for blockading the entrances of Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) and its subsidiary, Belize Cogeneration Energy Limited (BCEL), in late 2021.  The court ruled that the blockade interfered with BSI’s operations, causing financial losses. As a result, the BSCFA, Pablo Burgos, and Canuto Alpuche have been ordered to pay a little over five hundred and twenty thousand dollars in damages, plus 6% interest annually from January 1, 2022. Interestingly, a claim by BSI for losses due to cane deterioration was rejected.  Meanwhile, the court found that Belize Cogeneration Energy Limited (BCEL) also suffered losses due to the blockade, but it failed to take reasonable steps to minimize its damages by not using a reserve supply of bagasse (a fuel source). Consequently, the court reduced BCEL’s claim, leaving the BSCFA, Pablo Burgos, and Canuto Alpuche liable to pay close to forty-three thousand five hundred dollars in damages, plus 6% interest annually from January 1, 2022.  Love News understands that Fortunato Gonzalez and Doroteo Correa Jr were released from the claims and are entitled to have their legal costs paid by BSI.  The entire case arose from farmers demanding the renegotiation of their commercial agreement with BSI/ASR and claims of unpaid Fairtrade premiums.