Tensions Flare Outside BTL as Tracy Panton Protests Smart Acquisition

Tensions flared outside Belize Telemedia Limited’s headquarters yesterday as Opposition Leader Tracy Panton and a group of UDP supporters gathered while the company’s Board of Directors considered the proposed purchase of Speednet Communications Limited.  Panton and her supporters were not granted access to the building. During the confrontation, some members of the group could be heard threatening to damage BTL’s front door if they were not allowed inside.  Police officers later arrived to maintain order and were also met with threatening remarks from some members of the gathering.  Amid the commotion, Panton gave an interview in BTL’s parking lot, where she renewed the Opposition’s objections to the proposed acquisition and again called for an independent evaluation of Speednet.  

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “The Government has a super majority and in my view they continue to betray the people of this country and it is important that the Belizean people know that we will continue if it’s how many of us come out we will continue to stand up for what is right, what is fair and what is just.”

Reporter:  When do you organize to do more? 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “Well, we’re waiting for the official decision.”

Reporter: You expect that they will put out a release? 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “They have to. They must absolutely have to put out a release. I have a meeting scheduled with the unions for the 6th of this month,  later this week, the meeting was already set up for us to talk about where we can have mutual collaboration and certainly this is going to be one of the issues that we are going to be discussing at that meeting on the 6th.”

BTL maintains that an independent valuation has already been conducted. According to the company, the valuation was carried out by Moore Belize LLP and verified by the firm’s international partners in Brazil.  Panton and the UDP, however, continue to argue that additional disclosure and scrutiny are necessary because public funds are tied to BTL through the Government and the Social Security Board.