The judgment is in — and the verdict is historic.

🗞️ EDITORIAL:

For the first time in Belize’s legal history, the High Court has awarded damages for “interference with economic interests.” The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and two farmers, Pablo Burgos and Canuto Alpuche, now owe ASR/BSI over $520,000 and BELCOGEN $43,456, plus 6% annual interest from January 1, 2022 — and court costs.

But here’s the gut punch: they won’t be the ones paying it.

Because of an indemnity signed by Prime Minister John Briceño in 2021, the Belizean taxpayer will foot the bill — likely over $1 million when interest and costs are tallied.

The Briceño Gamble That Backfired

When the 2021 blockade happened, the government scrambled to keep the peace, whispering reassurances to the BSCFA that “we’ll cover you if this goes bad.”

Now, the reckoning is here — and the government has left Belizeans with two ugly outcomes:

• Pay ASR/BSI and BELCOGEN out of the public purse, rewarding a foreign multinational for suing Belizeans in Belizean courts.
• Or break the indemnity promise and let farmers sink under crushing debt.

Either way, the Briceño government owns this mess — and there is no escaping it now.

The Senator’s Gavel

Adding salt to the wound, ASR/BSI’s attorney is Senator Hector Guerra — handpicked by Briceño himself.

A sitting senator stood in court and won a judgment against Belizean farmers, opening the door for taxpayers to pay damages.

This isn’t just a conflict of interest.

It’s the government’s top legal fiddle playing ASR’s tune.

A Legal Precedent That Will Haunt Belize

This ruling isn’t just a bill. It’s a legal precedent.

From now on, anyone who “interferes with economic activity” — from protesters to unions — risks being dragged to court and hit with crushing damages.

What message does this send?

That corporate losses outweigh people’s rights.

That protest equals punishment.

Farmers in the Crosshairs

And yes — the BSCFA is not blameless.

Their leadership allowed this blockade, and their decades of infighting have made them too divided to negotiate effectively, too reactive to plan strategically.

But they never imagined that their “ally” — the government — would sign away their protection with one hand, and arm ASR with the other.

The Bottom Line

Belizeans must now ask:

• How did a PUP administration, claiming to be “for the people,” turn into the collection agent for ASR?
• How can a government-appointed senator prosecute a case that forces the public to pay a multinational’s damages?
• How much longer will taxpayers bankroll the cost of weak leadership, corporate greed, and farmer disunity?

The court has spoken. The bill is coming.

And this isn’t just a sugar issue anymore — it’s a Belize issue.