The Belize National Teachers Union held a Council of Management meeting today
– but at news time – we were unable to find out from the union what
is the decision going forward. But in Guatemala, those teachers aren’t
playing. Thousands of them have shut down all major roadways demanding a 16%
pay increase. And in Melchor those major roadways meant shutting down the bridge
between Belize and Guatemala.
General Manager of the Border Management Agency Gonzalo Rosado told us that
no vehicles were allowed to pass into Belize form the Guatemalan side today.
According to our reports, only pedestrians, specifically, only students from
Guatemala studying in Belize were allowed to cross. This has affected trade
and tourism. Specifically, tour busses from Belize heading to Tikal have encountered
difficulties according to Rosado. He stressed that the border is open and operational.
But that doesn’t count for much when the other side is effectively closed.
The teachers have also blocked the roadways connecting Guatemala with Honduras,
El Salvador and Mexico in a deliberate attempt to cripple the tourism industry
and in so doing, starve its government of revenue.
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