The Cabinet’s Masked Coup: Executive Overreach in Real Time

By: Omar Silva I Editor-Publisher

National Perspective Belize Digital 2026

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

Belize City: Wednesday 21st January 2026

A National Perspective Belize Investigative Feature

On the surface, the Briceño Administration appears to be conducting standard consultations on the proposed $170 million BTL–Speednet consolidation. But peel back the political theater, and what we see is a calculated executive coup against constitutional order, led squarely by Prime Minister John Briceño and his handpicked BTL Chairman Mark Lizarraga.

Cabinet now claims it is “awaiting final consultations” before announcing a decision on the acquisition. This is deliberate constitutional deception. The public must understand: Cabinet has no lawful authority to approve the sale or merger of major telecommunications entities. These powers reside in Parliament, not the Executive.

BTL is not a private corporation in name only. It is governed by Acts of Parliament, including the Telecommunications Act, the Public Utilities Commission Act, and the Belize Telemedia Limited (Acquisition) Act, all of which embed safeguards requiring legislative oversight when public assets are altered or transferred.

The Chairman’s Arrogance: “I Sit at the Pleasure of the Prime Minister”

During a post-Cabinet interview with News5, Mark Lizarraga — now widely seen as the corporate face of the deal — was asked whether he would resign amid growing pressure from social partners.

His response?

“I sit at the pleasure of the Prime Minister. If the Prime Minister thinks I am not doing his job, that is something for him, not the social partners.”

This single sentence exposed the entire charade. The Chairman of BTL no longer serves the Belizean people — he serves one man: Prime Minister Briceño.

BTL is constitutionally structured to serve public interests, not personal loyalty. That the Chairman openly declares allegiance to a political figure—while presiding over a deal involving hundreds of millions in public assets and possible family enrichment—is nothing short of a constitutional crisis in slow motion.

Who Really Benefits? The Briceño and Ashcroft Nexus

According to commentary by economic analyst Leonard Brackett, the structure of the deal is scandalous. The supposed acquisition of Speednet (SMART), Sentaur Central Cable Vision is not just a "merger for efficiency"—it’s a financial shell game that could directly benefit the Briceño family, Ashcroft interests, and unknown insider stakeholders:

• Total Deal Value: $170 million BZD
• Ashcroft/Waterloo’s SMART Share: 77.5% = $62 million
• Briceño Family Share: 22.5% = $18 million
• Jaime Briceño: 16.73% = $13.384 million
• Renan Briceño: 5.77% = $4.616 million

In addition to this, Central Cable Vision’s stake—rumored to be connected to Briceño’s and Lizarraga’s interests—remains undisclosed but may exceed $90 million.

This is state-sanctioned enrichment, not national development. The people of Belize must ask: How can the Prime Minister’s family be part of a company that the people are being forced to buy?

The Flip-Flop of Ownership: “BTL Belongs to the People” – When Convenient

When it suits them, BTL is described as a private company. When accountability is demanded, it’s “not a government entity.” But now, with public assets at stake, Lizarraga invokes the populist line:

“BTL is owned by the people of Belize, so any benefit… will benefit the people.”

This is reverse psychology weaponized for privatization. Public ownership does not mean Cabinet can act unilaterally. If it belongs to the people, then only Parliament—as the constitutional voice of the people—can approve such a transaction.

What the Law Says: The Telecommunications Act and Parliamentary Oversight

Belize’s Telecommunications Act (CAP. 229) defines the obligations of licensees, competition rules, and merger implications. Under Section 23 (1):

"A licensee shall not assign or transfer its licence, or a significant interest therein, without the prior written approval of the Public Utilities Commission, and in cases of national interest, with the concurrence of the Minister and ratification by the National Assembly."

This clearly requires parliamentary ratification for acquisitions that affect public interest, market structure, and ownership concentration.

Moreover, under Section 14 (4):

“The Commission may, with the approval of the Minister, prohibit any consolidation or merger that may substantially lessen competition…”

Yet the Chairman’s plan is explicitly to eliminate duplication and consolidate market players—essentially admitting the move is anti-competitive.

This isn’t just unconstitutional. It’s legally prohibited unless Parliament intervenes. Cabinet cannot rewrite the law. Not even the Prime Minister can bypass a statute.

The Social Partners Must Not Blink

As of this week, the NTUCB, SSB, Communications Workers Union, and other civil stakeholders have called for Lizarraga’s resignation and for full disclosure of the deal’s beneficiaries.

They must now take the next step:

Demand a halt to the acquisition unless and until:

1. Full disclosure of ownership stakes is made public.
2. A formal debate is held in Parliament.
3. An independent financial and legal audit is conducted.
4. A constitutional motion is tabled to clarify the limits of Cabinet power.

What Is At Stake: Not Just BTL – But Belizean Democracy

If this deal is allowed to proceed behind closed doors, it will set a dangerous precedent: that a sitting Prime Minister can restructure an entire industry, use public money to enrich his inner circle, and then hide behind Cabinet authority.

This is not efficiency. This is economic dictatorship.

The people of Belize are not pawns in a family business empire.

• They are citizens.
• They are shareholders.
• And they must demand a vote.