Jules, thanks for that, and we turn now to the teachers charged for obstructing traffic yesterday.

The President of the BNTU, Nadia Caliz is currently at the police station in Belmopan after the department tried to bring charges against her for inciting violence after yesterday's protest. However, those charges weren't levied since the other members of the union reportedly threatened to amplify their industrial action. Instead, Nadia Caliz, alongside two attorneys, is meeting with the Commissioner of Police to sort out the matter.

But several teachers in Dangriga were issued with charge sheets after their protest became rowdy yesterday morning. At least three attorneys have since taken up their case and one of them, Norman Rodriguez, spoke with us over the phone about the charges his clients are facing.

Norman Rodriguez, Attorney:
"Now we have 11 teachers and they may be more in the near future who will be added to that list who have been summoned to appear next Wednesday, the 11th day of June 2025 before the Dangriga Magistrate's Court to answer to the allegations of unlawful assembly."

"They have been summoned and they have to answer to that next Wednesday so I will be there with them and I join other attorneys, Ms Sharon Pitts is one, and I believe attorney Banner will be assisting with this and others will be coming on board because what these teachers are asking for is not only for them, what they deserve. But for the whole country."

And one of the teachers - who is also the secretary of Stann Creek branch of the union - says she has yet to be charged since the police can't find her. But Ifasina Efunyemi insists that she and the other members did nothing wrong and explains that they are planning to plead not guilty.

Ifasina Efunyemi, Secretary, BNTU Stann Creek Branch:
"They haven't criminally charged me yet, apparently they're hunting for me."

Jules Vasquez:
"So are you in hiding?"

Ifasina Efunyemi, Secretary, BNTU Stann Creek Branch:
"I'm not in hiding but they can't find me."

Jules Vasquez:
"But how do you feel knowing you're a wanted person and they want you for certain charges?"

Ifasina Efunyemi, Secretary, BNTU Stann Creek Branch:
"How do I feel? Maybe I could use the word disappointed because I am law abiding citizen. I am a warrior for the people and everybody who knows me knows that."

"It is an outrage that they would now take a stance against me when I have been fighting and speaking up on their behalf as well as my own."

Jules Vasquez:
"Have you all been apprised of what charges you'll face?"

Ifasina Efunyemi, Secretary, BNTU Stann Creek Branch:
"Yes, they're saying that we unlawfully assembled. That's the charge, unlawful assembly."

Jules Vasquez:
"And how do you plan to plea?"

Ifasina Efunyemi, Secretary, BNTU Stann Creek Branch:
"Not guilty."

Jules Vasquez:
"But it seemed like you all were unlawfully blocking the road."

Ifasina Efunyemi, Secretary, BNTU Stann Creek Branch:
"We were not unlawfully assembled. We were right there like any other citizen who is entitled to be on any public thoroughfare. We were right there with the police officers, standing around and talking. That is not illegal. And we have to protect the vehicles. We will leave it there so that someone could come and take the wheels and take the battery and take whatever they want? No man."

"The main one is the unlawful assembly and some of the teachers are also being charged for impeding the police and assault. And there are a few that also received traffic violation tickets."

Jules Vasquez:
"do you feel this is a deliberate act with directives from the state that, you know, we need to make those teachers feel?"

Ifasina Efunyemi, Secretary, BNTU Stann Creek Branch:
"Yes I believe that strongly. If you listen to all these different political leaders that spoke to the media yesterday and even when you look at what has been said over the past week and a half, and then all of a sudden these summons got distributed. Late night, they were banging down teachers' doors, teachers that have to get up in the morning to go to work. Late at night, after 11, they are banging on the doors of teachers to issue these summons. Imagine that. And how is that not a direct act against teachers by the state?"

As you heard, they are expected to appear in court next week Thursday. As for Caliz, we will keep following for more developments.