And as a labor unionist, when asked about the changes made to the RECONDEV board, Waight explained that the new chair is her sister, Myrna Waight. Waight replaces Brian Mira, who had come under scrutiny, while the rest of the board remains the same.
The NTUCB president explained that while her sister does support the PUP, she has no ties to the Mira family.
Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"I will have to be a little bit biased on that, and I'll be very biased. The chair is now my sister, Myrna Waight, daughter of Samuel Waight."
Reporter:
"But she doesn't have any link to the Miras?"
Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"No."
Reporter:
"Because people are claiming that..."
Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"Wow, you see. No, she is not married to anyone. Her name is Myrna Waight, daughter of Samuel Waight. And she is a retired teacher from Belmopan, and yes, I will have to say that she does campaign for the PUP-that's her prerogative. But yes, I think when the Prime Minister said the board, I don't know if he meant every single member of the board, because as far as I know, the board did not do anything wrong. If he wanted to remove what was seen as the issue, which would have been Brian Mira, then that is what he should have done only. But I think for any institution, you want continuity, so I don't think it would make sense to remove everybody from the board because you don't have any continuity, but that's my personal opinion. The question I have to be fair to answer is to say that is my sister. I'm very proud of my sister. She has been doing well as a member of the board, and now she is the chair of the board."
Trade Union Union Leader Says Suspended Ministers Should Remain on Leave
The media also asked Waight about the audit currently being done at the Ministry of Defense. Ministers Florencio Marin and Oscar Mira were put on a three-month leave, but what if the audit takes longer than that? Well, Waight believes the former ministers should remain on leave.
Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"If it extends beyond 3 months, they should keep them on leave. They have to show to the citizens of this country that when it comes to the limited resources, the financial resources we have, that it's being taken seriously how it is executed when it comes to these contracts. So, for us to take them serious that they want to make meaningful change, they have to make sure that happens. If it extends more than 3 months, they have to be off for more than 3 months."
"My problem would not have been if you already had a business that supplied that product before coming into government, before your relative came into government, before you even got that contract. The thing is that it is not logical that you get a contract for products that you just opened a business for when there are persons who have been in that business for many years, probably decades, that would not have had that opportunity. So, it does show that something is not right. There may be some level of nepotism or fleecing money from the public purses, so there is concern. But again, we have to look at what products were received. The entire investigation has to be given to us. While we did not take part or call for members to take part in the rally that the UDP had was one, because it's a political rally-no matter how you frame it, it's a political rally-and two, we would want to see what are the results of the investigation. NTUCB does not jump up because of emotions; we have to jump up when it comes to facts."
Jules Vasquez Nominated for Regional Defender of Media Freedom Award
Channel 7's News Director Jules Vasquez has been nominated for the CMIA-CBU Caribbean Defender of Media Freedom Award, a regional honour recognizing outstanding journalism and contributions to protecting press freedom across the Caribbean. Wesley Gibbings and the Media Institute of the Caribbean are also nominated for the award, which is presented by the Center for Media Integrity of the Americas and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union. The selection committee cited Vasquez's more than three decades of investigative journalism, highlighting his fearless reporting, commitment to holding those in power accountable, and his resilience in the face of legal challenges, political pressure, and personal attacks. The winner will be announced during the opening ceremony of the 57th Caribbean Broadcasting Union Annual General Assembly on August 18 in Georgetown, Guyana.
Cayo Police Arrest Suspect in Retail Cocaine Bust
And finally tonight, police have also made another retail-grade cocaine bust, this one in the Cayo district over the weekend. ASP Stacy Smith explained:
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Police have formally arrested and charged 37-year-old Santos Ramirez of Bullet Tree Falls Village for the offense of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. The arresting officer reported that on 16th of July 2026, he was on patrol in the Bullet Tree Falls Village when his attention was drawn to Santos, whose conduct aroused that officer's suspicion. Mr. Santos was detained, and a search of his person resulted in the discovery of a bag containing suspected crack cocaine, which, when weighed, it amounted to 9.2 grams."
Santa Elena Operation Yields Illegal Firearm and Ammunition
And then in Santa Elena, another police operation led to the detention of a man for an illegal firearm and ammunition. ASP Smith told us what police found.
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Police have formally arrested and charged 37-year-old Simon Baitman of Santa Elena Town, Cayo, for the offense of kept ammunition without a gun license. The arrest of Baitman follows the execution of an intelligence-led operation at the residence of Baitman, Friday 17th July, for illegal firearm and ammunition. A search on Baitman's person resulted in the discovery of four rounds of 9mm ammunition, and given that he is not the holder of a gun license, he was subsequently charged for kept ammunition without being the holder of a gun license."
