March 30, 2019

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

ICJ education campaign hosted in San Pedro ahead of the April national referendum
Former Ambassador and Minister of Foreign Affairs Assad Shoman and Jordan Craig from the Citizens for the Defence of Sovereignty held an informational session with islanders regarding the Guatemalan claim to Belize ahead of the national referendum on whether to take the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Themed ‘Ya Da Fi We Belize,’ the presentation took place at the Central Park on Wednesday, March 27th, and explained why Belizeans should consider taking the matter to the ICJ, and most importantly, the assertion that Belize will have a stronger case over Guatemala if the dispute is taken before the court.

Marco Gonzalez Archeological Site Celebrates Spring Equinox
Well over 175 people gathered at the Marco Gonzalez Archeological Reserve Site to celebrate the Spring Equinox on the morning of Saturday, March 24th. Making the five-plus mile drive south of San Pedro Town, families, friends, residents and tourists alike walked the quarter-mile boardwalk to the Main Plaza of the site where the ceremony and festivities were held. The event, coordinated by the Board of Directors for the Belizean non-profit Marco Gonzalez Maya Site Ambergris Caye LTD, was complete with a Maya blessing ceremony, costumed individuals, Mestizo dancers, interactive exhibits, refreshments and more.

More golf carts arrive on the island
Another batch of brand-new golf carts (18) was seen arriving on the island on Tuesday, March 26th inside shipping containers. With the ongoing issue of traffic on the island, residents are increasingly concerned that these additional golf carts are an unnecessary addition to the saturation of motor vehicles on the island. The golf carts are allegedly for a rental company in town, which contradicts what Mayor Daniel Guerrero stated in November 2017. According to the Mayor, no more golf cart rental companies would be allowed to increase their fleet.

2019 Child Stimulation Month culminates with Preschool Expo in San Pedro
The island preschoolers culminated their Child Stimulation Month activities with a Preschool Expo under this year’s theme: “Hug me, Listen to me, Read with me, Help me Grow!” at the Central Park in San Pedro Town on Thursday, March 27th. The event saw a large crowd of island residents and students enjoying fun-filled activities. The Preschool Expo 2019 began shortly after 9am with a short ceremony. After that, children along with their parents had the chance to enjoy a variety of fun. There were options to paint, color, play games, read books and even dress up as a favorite superhero or princess.

Ambergris Today

Ministry Of Labor Offers On-Line Job Recruitment Services
The Ministry of Labor, Local Government and Rural Development has recently established a Labor Market Information System, for the proper management of the regime for the free movement of skills within Belize. This activity is an integral component of an efficient Labor Market. The implementation of the system was as a result of collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Human Development.

Misc Belizean Sources

Sub-grantees of The Trust for the Americas project on Open Data and Open Governance
Congratulations to the eight sub-grantees of The Trust for the Americas project on Open Data and Open Governance – University of Belize Technocrats, Belize High School, Corozal Junior College (Official), Ya'axché Conservation Trust, The Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Belize Audio Visual Industry Association (BAVIA), Child Development Fund, and Wildlife Conservation Society. All the sub-grantees received US$5,000 each in seed funding to design local solutions to improve government service delivery.

Jankunu Productionz presents "Belize Rewind"
Belize Rewind, the play about the history of Belize, is coming to San Pedro on Friday, April 12th. Jankunu Productions will be performing the musical at the Paradise Theatre.

Submission of Information/Data Relating to the Use of and/or Elimination of Gillnets
There is still time to add your voice! The Government of Belize has extended its submission period for the public to present information relating to gillnets. There is power in speaking up and the destructive nature of gillnets is an issue we cannot ignore. If we fish sustainably, we can always fish!

Visiting the CJC Business Expo 2019
The CJC Business Expo was Friday at the CCC Compound. This Business expo is held every year, for public to come out and enjoy each informational booth. This event is organized by the different classes of CCC and CJC each. But, each they come up with differnt Business and Science booth inforamtion. It has to be original and the must creativity.

Christafari in San Pedro
Announcing the well-known Christian Reggae Band, Christafari, will be coming to San Pedro for a FREE concert on April 1 at Sacachipsa, starting at 7:30pm.

Xavier Primary School cultural day
Friday, Xavier Primary School held their cultural day.

Nazarene School Playground Installation
What a glorious day for a celebration. The Rotary Club of Corozal hosted members of several Canadian Rotary Clubs, schools and Foundations that donated playground equipment to the Corozal area. The play equipment was shipped to Belize and reassembled on site by teachers, Rotarians, and young students. The students paid for their way here and gave up vacation time to work hard sweating in the Belize sun. As Rotarians, we are called to service and in Corozal, we find that a focus on the children is paramount to the future of Belize. As you know play is a vital part of the health and wellbeing of children. This playground gives them a safe area to burn up excess energy. The dusty yard at the Nazarene schools was transformed into a wonderful play area for the children in just a few days. We have one more playground being installed. Watch here for the update.

Ascenthium: Road to Wacken
Ascenthium's getting ready for their trip to Panama, and they're Road to Wacken concert is just 2 weeks away. They'll be performing at the Civic Center in Belize City on Friday, April 12th. They'll have a couple of surprise opening bands.

Poster competition with Oceana
During Reef Week 2019, Oceana Belize partnered with Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association to host a poster competition targeting mainly students ages 10-16. Congratulations to our two first place winners: Jiselle Babb from Mary Hill RC School and Anyon Muñoz from Sarteneja La Inmaculada RC School! The two first place winners were chosen, one from the fishing communities and one from the rest of the Corozal district. Special thanks to the Department of Youth Services who donated school supplies to the initiative.

Channel 7

Griga Fisherman Executed in Home - Killers Came From City
A Dangriga fisherman was executed last night inside his home. 49 year old Carlos Reyes and his worker were at his house when gunmen entered the house and shot them - killing Reyes. Reyes' relatives were a few houses down when the shooting happened. Courtney Weatherburne has more. Yesterday evening at 6:15, the quiet of Dangriga Town was shattered by gunshots.As the police processed the scene, a crowd gathered and curiously looked on from a distance. Those gunshots came from Carlos Reyes's Citron Street house, he was shot and killed inside. Reyes was along with his worker when a gunman pounced on them.

Cops Say Teenagers Killed Frutos
3 male minors and 1 man, 22 year old Christian Pineda were arraigned today for Kevin Frutos's murder.  They were taken to the Belmopan Supreme court and 7news was there to capture them as they exited court.   But because they are minors, two of them aged 17, and one of them 16,  we can't show their faces.  Now, Frutos went missing on Friday March 22nd. It is believed he was killed that same night, and his body dumped near the George Price Boulevard in Belmopan. We spoke to Frutos's brother who was at court when the accused killers were taken to court. He was surprisingly calm and even said he forgave them. Here is that interview.

Another Man On Motorbike Killed
Another motorcycle rider has been killed in a traffic accident.  19 year old Luis Enrique Cruz becomes the fourth person to be killed while driving a motorbike in less than a week.   It happened yesterday evening at a few minutes before 7:00.  The teenager collided into an oncoming mid sized SUV on Loma Luz Boulevard in Santa Elena town almost on front of La Pasadita Bar.   59 year old Eric Flowers was driving that SUV when he says Cruz lost control of his Li Fan motorbike and rammed into the side of the SUV.

Toddler Drowns When Dorey Capsizes
A three year old was rushed to the KHMH today after a terrible mishap in the Mopan river.  It happened when his family was crossing the river in Esperanza Village.  Reports say that David Landero and his wife Amy Cunil were crossing the river with three  children in the dorey when it sank.  They quickly grabbed two of the kids - but a third - a three year old - was swept away in the currents.   Someone on the river bank pulled him out and tried to administer CPR - but without any success.

Former ICJ President Explains Court's Inner Workings
Tonight we have part two of our interview with former president of the ICJ, Judge Stephen Schwebel. We asked him about the inner workings of this unique court where 15 judges all give their input into final decisions. It the Belize - Guatemala dispute does go to court, it will take as many as 5 years before a judgment is rendered. And two years of that would be spent presenting oral arguments and written submissions. Judge Schwebel has led that process and explained it to Jules Vasquez: Judge Stephen Schwebel served 19 years on the ICJ, three of them as president.

Police Make Contraband Bust in San Victor, Smugglers' Paradise
San Victor Village in the Corozal District is one of the top contraband hotspots in the country, and that was proven today in an early morning raid when police conducted a major operation and came up with a huge bust of beers and soda's.   Between 5:00 and 7:30 am, Corozal and Orange Walk police searched a residence and found 128 cases of Suprerior, Tecate and Dos Equis beers, along with two cases of large coke, and a 15 horsepower outboard motor.   In the search of an abandoned home, they found a 16 gauge shotgun and 16 guage  cartridges.   One well known smuggler is detained pending investigation for uncustomed goods, whilst the shotgun and cartridges were labeled as found property.

One Week of No Classes At Holy Angels
There were no classes again today at Holy Angels Primary School in Pomona. Instead the teachers and parents stood by the roadside most of the day asking for donations. Viewers will remember that the classrooms at this school are in deplorable conditions - there are rats, bats, termites and holes in the floorboards. We passed them on the road today and found out how it was going. The teachers say they are doing their part.  Rose Avila - Teacher" "What we're doing is that we are trying to do our part to try to assist in helping to repair our school..."

Cops Find Almost Two Pounds of Weed Stashed In City House
Tonight, 26 year-old Mark Smith, 46 year-old Sherman Fitzgibbon, and 27 year-old Kimberly Arnold are out on bail after they were taken to court for allegedly being in possession of a sizable quantity of weed.  At around 5:45 this morning, police searched a house at #41 Victoria Street.  In the yard, they found a white plastic bucket stuffed with 695 grams - or just over 1 and a half pounds - of weed.  The cops charged all three for drug trafficking.

SIB Says GDP Grew in Fourth Quarter
Earlier this week, the Statistical Institute of Belize released their latest assessment on how the country's economy is performing. They say that in the last quarter of 2018, Belize's gross domestic product increased by 1.3% when compared to the same time period of 2017. The SIB says that for the last 3 months of 2018, the stand-out performance of the banana and livestock industries allowed for that 1.3% growth in the economy. At a press conference on Wednesday, Statistician Jacqueline Sabal discussed the bottomline in these and the other industries which also contributed to that growth in the 4th quarter. Here's what she had to say:

High Hopes for U-17 Team
Tonight, Belize's Under 17 National Football Team is finishing up their travel to Tampa, Florida. In 3 days, they will be competing in the qualifier rounds of the CONCACAF U-17 championships. The team has been training for over a year now, and they believe that team Belize has a fair chance of advancing to the the next round of the tournament. 7News met the team at the airport this morning, and here's what the FFB's Technical Development Director had to say about the preparation of these talented young footballers over the past few months:

Real Russian Ballet in Belize
Russian Ballet is the pinnacle of creative dance - and this weekend it's coming to Belize. The show features legitimate, international prima ballerinas, and it's a once in a lifetime opportunity for any fan of dance to see masters oof their craft perform for very affordable prices. We learned more today:.. Tickets are $30 for general - which is upstairs, $60 for reserved and $110 for premium.

Senator's Scattershot Allegation Shows Somebody's Lying In Senate Chamber
Yesterday in the Senate, Labour Senator Elena Smith caused a commotion when she threw a scattershot  allegation that has all sides "clearing shoal" tonight.  .  She was talking about cyberbullying and referred to the case where a teacher from Orange Walk was forced to resign after nude pictures of her were circulated.  She lamented that one of her own senate colleagues was accused of "sharing the pictures with the public and making rude comments about that teacher."  So, who was she referring to?  Well, she didn't get specific, and tonight all 14 senators are saying "it wasn't me!"

Channel 5

The Great Stars of Russian Ballet to Perform in Belize
Here’s something for this weekend. The Bliss Center for the Performing Arts is preparing to put on a show like no other. On Sunday three world-renowned ballet performers will put on a unique show at the Bliss. Principal dancer Alexander Volchkov of Russia will lead the group in what is expected to be an extraordinary performance. Communications Officer at the National Institute of Culture and History Neil Hall told us more.

Amandala

Barrow’s last stand
Prime Minister, Dean O. Barrow will stop at nothing to get the “yes” to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) vote that he has been desperately and relentlessly seeking to ensure. Just when many Belizeans are getting tired of the coercive ads and the repetitive babble of an ICJ one-sided education campaign, the Prime Minister pulled off what appears to be his final “yes” ICJ pitch when he engaged a former retired ICJ judge to provide an opinion on the Guatemalan claim that would paper over the deficiencies of the government’s national education campaign and make Belizeans feel less fearful about putting the fate of the country in the hands of a panel of foreign ICJ judges.

Atlantic International Bank Limited (AIBL) goes belly up
This week, Belize got the disquieting news of the closure of another bank, Atlantic International Bank Limited (AIBL). Last year, the doors of Choice Bank, another offshore bank, were closed, and now, just several months later, the troubled AIBL has gone belly up. AIBL, fortunately, is not related to one of Belize’s biggest banks, Atlantic Bank Limited.

Jordan Lorenzo, 22, murdered in Gungulung
At about 6:00 yesterday morning, Wednesday, a brazen gunman or gunmen crossed a “London Bridge” in the Gungulung area in Lake Independence and went into a house, where they opened fire on two young men who were sleeping. After the barrage of gunshots interrupted the peaceful Wednesday morning, two men were seen, by neighbors who were alarmed by the gunshots, walking back on the “London Bridge” to M&M Street, from the direction of the house. The men then disappeared from the scene.

2 shot in Dangriga tonight; 1 dead and 1 critical
At about 8:00 tonight, two men who were walking on Riverside Street in Dangriga were shot. One died immediately on the scene, and the other is in a critical condition in the Southern Regional Hospital. Police are on the scene trying to establish the identities of the victims. The motive for the shooting is not known.

PM Barrow shuts door in the face of diaspora Belizeans
The private member’s bill, sponsored by the area representative for Caribbean Shores, Hon. Kareem Musa, (PUP) that would have amended the Representation of the People’s Act and allowed for diaspora Belizeans to vote in the ICJ referendum, forgoing the two month-residency requirement, was dead on arrival when it was introduced on the floor of the House shortly before midnight on Tuesday night. The Bill made it onto the order paper for Tuesday’s business at the House of Representatives meeting when the budget debate was in its second and final day, but it was voted down by the members of the government side, following a division during which parliamentarians voted individually.

The budget debate that never was
Belize politicians and elected area representatives are a strange bunch. Every year they gather in the chambers of the National Assembly under the premise that they will debate the government appropriation bill (the budget). But they never debate the figures presented in the budget by the Prime Minister. After spending the better part of 12 hours tuned in to the “budget debate,” I signed off, not knowing much more than when I started the assignment to cover the budget debate. Now I need a copy of the budget book to help me make sense of it.

Corozal F.A. Youth Tournaments update
nother successful weekend! This week marks our seventh week of the ongoing Youth U-Tournaments at the Ricalde Stadium, hosted by the Corozal Football Association (CFA) under the auspices of the Football Federation of Belize (FFB). It has been seven productive weeks, all teams/clubs giving their utmost best and looking forward to be the champions of the tournament. We are grateful to the Corozal community for its continued support to football.

Mayor Belize City Dominoes Tournament Week 2 results
Here are the results from Week Two of the Tournament, which took place on Sunday, March 24, at Long Island Bar. All teams participated, and all games concluded with the winners reaching 3000 points. The results are as follows: Outlaws (3000) over River Side (2916); Back Yard (3075) over Truckers (2539); House Bottom (3024) over Ground Fighters (2454); Grabs (3018) over Third World (1997); Dirty Rebels (3018) over Another World (2989); and Mopan Street (3000) over Mango Tree (2298).

Nissan Arana (Elite), Kaya Cattouse (Female) and Shayle Paredes (Junior) are winners of the 38th Belmopan Cycling Classic
It was an all-Belizean field of 100 riders that took part in the 38thh Belmopan Cycling Classic on Sunday, March 24 – 71 Elite/Masters, 5 Females, and 24 in the Junior/Youth category. The Elite/Masters race went from Belmopan to Belize City and back, for 100 miles, and some 47 of the 71 starters completed the race, 42 of them inside the 30-minute limit after the winner. All 5 Females finished their 60-mile ride from Belmopan to Gracie Rock and back; and 20 of the 24 Juniors completed the same 60-mile journey as the Females.

Belmopan Invaders are FFB National Beach Soccer Champions 2019
The Football Federation of Belize’s (FFB) National Beach Soccer Championship 2019 was held yesterday in Hopkins Village, where the third place and championship finals were followed by the issuing of trophies and awards. In the 3rd Place match, Seine Bight Christ Warriors won, 4-2, over Dangriga Beach Soccer. Kenyon Martinez (5’, 26’ & 28’) and Devin Guzman (29’) did the scoring for Seine Bight, while Kareem Haylock (13’) and Carlos Bent (23’) tallied for Dangriga.

Editorial: (You need to) get over your problem, Minister
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, in his hour- and-a-half long presentation on the 2019-2020 budget to the House of Representatives, dedicated the first half hour of his time to countering the presentations of two former ministers of education from the Opposition in the House, Honorable Cordel Hyde and Honorable Said Musa. Those two representatives had spent considerable time pointing out what they saw as weaknesses in the 2019-2020 budget, and the Deputy Prime Minister felt they deserved some correction.

https://amandala.com.bz/news/20-years-misinformation/
Dear Editor, The United Nations has decreed that “no country’s borders shall be altered by war” and “a people have a right to self-determination”. Guatemala knows this and realizes that the world will not accept an invasion of Belize. The only way for Guatemala to get a piece of Belize is through the ICJ, and our leaders look like they wish to help in this matter. The tables have turned and now the ICJ is better for Guatemala than for us.

Romel Cuello on banning single-use plastics
Dear Editor, As a large importer of disposable items in Belize, my business enterprise is being affected by the decision of GOB to ban single-use plastics in the country. I can only imagine how the owners of the factories that produce these items in Belize feel. GOB will also feel the heavy loss in duties and taxes. Plastics are an integral part of society. Why? Because they are very useful and very cheap. As in everything else, every action has a reaction. Plenty usage begets plenty waste.

20 years of misinformation
Dear Editor, Those who pushed for the deal to build the dams on the Macal River, three politicians and a senator, have no shame as to what their actions have cost the people along the Macal and Belize Rivers. The water in the Macal River is polluted and people shouldn’t drink it or swim in it. Many of the fish in the river have high levels of mercury which affects the central nervous system and is most dangerous to children and pregnant women. There is still no workable dam break early warning system.

The Belize PEACE Movement’s response to the PM’s press conference
Dear Editor, The Belize PEACE Movement issues the following statement in response to the PM’s press conference earlier today. It is not lost on the Movement that the PM is big on “optics” and today’s press conference was, among other things, apparently concocted in an attempt to influence precisely that. Today’s show was essentially an affront to Belizeans everywhere. In keeping with his government’s patent arrogance, it was revealed to be nothing more than a last ditch effort to attempt to regain the considerable support they have lost as a result of Belizeans becoming better informed due to gaining a greater expanse of information, albeit not due to any effort put forth by the Referendum Unit.

Was the 1859 Treaty valid?
In doing my research on the 1859 treaty I made some observations that would challenge the validity of the 1859 treaty as follows: 1. 1n 1492, Columbus discovered the New World and claimed it for Spain, and in 1493, Pope Alexander VI proclaimed in the Papal Bull that Spain had exclusive rights to colonize the western hemisphere, which includes Central America. Spain thereby had sovereignty over Belize since 1493. 2. There was no such thing as “no man’s land” or “vacant land” (terra nullius) between Mexico and Guatemala that the British occupied, claimed and owned. Britain recognized and accepted the sovereignty of Spain over Belize and consequently, in the 1783 Treaty of Versailles and the 1786 Convention of London, Spain granted Britain usufruct rights to cut logwood between the Hondo and Sibun Rivers.

Follow the money to the ICJ
I want history to forever record my stance on the issue of whether Belize should vote on Referendum Day to submit its claim to the ICJ as we near the 10th April deadline and as we see all the propaganda being spewed and the money rolling out. I have learnt that it is always good to follow the money and it’s always good to check who the people are either paying the money, running after the money or hiding the money. Money has lots of power, more power than a vote, because money can buy a vote, it can buy people’s conscience, people’s integrity and people’s grandma (as the saying goes).

The night the NAYs had it
It must be the first time in the history of Belize that the Nays had it in the House of Representatives. The final score was 17 NAYs (UDP) and 11 AYEs (PUP). It would not have happened if the Speaker of the House was compliant, was like the pastor in the Senate. The Prime Minister and his deputy squirmed, but not all the latter’s piety nor the former’s wit, could save them from facing the Rules of the House. The NAYs had it, and no amount of power can make them “lure back…cancel half a line…nor all (their) tears wash out a word “ of how they voted that fateful night they turned their backs on the rights of Belizeans living abroad.

The ICJ decision is destroying Belize
Belize City, March 25, 2019– Belizeans are supposed to vote April 10, 2019 in a referendum on the question – “Do you agree that any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize relating to land and insular territories and to any maritime areas pertaining to these territories should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement and that it determine finally the boundaries of the respective territories and areas of the Parties?” YES or NO? This is the most important decision that Belizeans will make in our short history as a nation-state. Why? Guatemala has, or is going to claim either all of Belize’s territory, or at least 53% of the country – from the Sibun River in the middle of the country to the Sarstoon River in the South, if a majority of Belizean citizens vote yes to submit the claim to the ICJ.

UB student, 26, missing since Friday, found decomposing
The search for University of Belize student Kevin Frutos, 26, of Bullet Tree, Cayo District, who was reported missing since 9:30 Friday night, came to a sad conclusion this morning. Police told us that they were called to an area on George Price Boulevard, near Our Lady of Guadalupe High School in Belmopan, where they found a body buried in a shallow grave. Police said the body was in a state of decomposition and it appeared that there had been attempts to burn it.

Imports Up 6.8% in February 2019
Latest statistics released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) say that Belize imported nearly $146 million worth of goods in February 2019, an increase of $9.2 million (6.8%) over the $136.8 million worth of goods we imported in February 2018. The SIB reported that “minerals and lubricants”, because of greater importation of diesel and kerosene,”surged by almost $9 million, from $17.5 million in February 2018 to $26.5 million in February 2019.” The report states that imports in the category, Manufactured Goods, went up “by $3.9 million, from $17.4 million to $21.3 million, with increased purchases of corrugated steel rods, steel structures and tires”, the category, Chemical Products, saw an increase in imports “by $3.9 million, from $10.6 million in February 2018 to $14.5 million in February 2019...

Josue Ortiz, Bella Williams’ accused killer, pleads guilty to manslaughter
Josue Ortiz, a resident of Belmopan who has been on remand for the murder of Bella Regina Williams, 34, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the Supreme Court before Justice Antoinette Moore. Mitigation pleas will be made on his behalf by his attorney, after which he will be sentenced. Ortiz told the Supreme Court during his trial that on the night of July 24, 2016, he was socializing – dancing and drinking — at the La Cabana nightclub in Belmopan, along with a woman known to him as Gina.

Belizean accused of Cancun robberies captured in Mexico
Amado Gonzalez, 47, a Belizean living in Cancun, Mexico, whom Mexican police accuse of being the leader of a gang of robbers that was robbing people at gas stations in Chetumal, Cancun, and Bacalar, has been captured and is now in the custody of the Mexican police. The details of the arrest were not revealed. According to the Mexican media (online newspaper reports), Mexican authorities, after investigating many armed robberies at hotels, gas stations, pharmacies, and convenience stores in Chetumal and in Cancun, had identified the Belizean as the leader of the bandits and had issued a warrant for his arrest.

The Reporter

Bus Association Angry Over Foreign Runs
The Belize Bus Association is up in arms over revelations from two leaked letters that surfaced last week showing that Minister of Transport Edmond Castro approved bus runs into Belize for two foreign bus companies, a Guatemalan and a Mexican company, which the association says is detrimental to Belizean bus operators.

Editorial – March 29th, 2019
For decades Guatemala has been resisting the idea of going to the ICJ to test her territorial claim against Belize. When she finally relented, she wanted to submit her claim under a protocol known as ex aequo et bono,which would allow her to introduce the question of compensation for Britain’s alleged failure to help build a dirt road to the sea.

POLICE HUNT SUSPECTS IN DANGRIGA HOMICIDE
Police have issued alerts to formation commanders to ask them to be on the lookout for two men from Belize City, wanted for questioning in Thursday night’s shooting in Dangriga which left one man dead and another in critical condition. Sources say that Police were alerted by the sound of gunshots on South Riverside Street just after 6:00pm.

4 People Charged For The Murder Of Kevin Frutos
The Reporter has been able to confirm that four persons have been charged in Belmopan for the murder of UB student Kevin Frutos, 26. Frutos’ body was found Wednesday morning in a shallow grave off the George Price Boulevard. His throat had been cut and sources say an attempt had been made to burn his body. We’ll have names and pictures of those charged as soon as that information is released.

Morgue Malfunction Causes Public Outrage
A bereaved family from Seine Bight Village, Stann Creek, whose grief was doubled when their loved one’s remains reportedly started to decompose at the Southern Regional Hospital Morgue before they received it for burial, is in the process of filing a complaint with the Ministry of Health while contemplating other action.

Orchid Bay Investors Claim Development is a SCAM
The Reporter was contacted this week by disgruntled investors who claim they were scammed out of money by a company marketing a real estate development in northern Belize. The unhappy investors believe the development is another Sanctuary Bay case of fraud, however, the developers have assured the Reporter that all its business is in order and has no knowledge of the complaints against the company.

Esperanza Family Escapes Tragedy
A family which lives on the West bank of the river in Esperanza Village in the Cayo District narrowly escaped unthinkable tragedy this morning when their three year old son, Mark David Landero, 3, almost died during what should have been a routine crossing of the river in their canoe.

Breaking Belize News

The Time for Action is Now!
By The National Student Union of Belize: To the students and people of Belize, I am writing to you on behalf of the students of this country that are down trodden, the ones that are voiceless, the ones that are faceless, the ones that are deliberately forgotten and set aside for selfish and unworthy reasons, and certainly the ones that are shouting for help from across the Maya Mountains […]

Belize & the International Community – The Cost of Saying No to ICJ
By Delroy Cuthkelvin: In his most recent Press Conference on the ICJ Referendum, Prime Minister Right Honorable Dean Barrow defended the rights of Belizean citizens to say No to the ICJ and asserted that doing so would NOT […]

Man 21, and 3 minors charged for murder of Kevin Frutos
Four young men were today charged for the brutal murder of promising UB student, Kevin Frutos. […]

2 Guatemalans busted with illegal firearm in Benque Viejo
Police have arrested and charged two Guatemalan nationals for the crime of kept unlicensed firearm and […]

Police seize contraband and illegal firearm in Orange Walk
This morning, officers conducted a joint police operation and seized (128) cases of can beers, (2) […]

NO to Government Issues and Corruption; YES to a Peaceful Solution of the Guatemalan Dispute
By Andre Pitts: We are now only a few days away from the historic ICJ Referendum in which Belizean will have the honor – and the stress – of participating in. As is the case with all other matters of national significance […]

Teen loses life in motorcycle accident
A 19-year-old Luis Cruz, a resident of San Ignacio town, lost his life last night […]

Dangriga police investigating shooting that left one dead, one critical
Police in Dangriga are investigating the murder of Belizean fisherman, Carlos Reyes. Around 6:15 last […]

Business Senator not impressed with BTL’s profits
Business Senator Mark Lizarraga, condemned the Government of Belize (GOB) this week for the nationalization […]

PM Barrow Defends Patriotism of Belizeans who Vote No to ICJ
By Delroy Cuthkelvin: Prime Minister Right Honorable Dean Barrow’s leadership on the ICJ matter has been outstanding and conducive to national unity in the midst of a debate that, by its very nature, tends to be divisive. Such was the case once again at his press conference yesterday. […]

Mexico and Belize host 1st activities of IX Technical and Scientific Cooperation Programme 2019-2020
The Belize Bureau of Standards and the Statistical Institute of Belize are the first two […]

Belizeans can travel without a passport to Chetumal and Bacalar for Easter week
Belizeans planning to travel to Chetumal and Bacalar in Mexico can now enjoy easier access […]

John Mencias is new CEO of BEL
The Central Bank of Belize needs a new Chairman of the Board, after the previous […]

2-year-old rushed to hospital after canoe capsizes in river
A two-year-old was rushed to the San Ignacio community hospital this morning after the canoe […]

Stars of the Russian Ballet coming to Belize
Belize is one of a select few countries in the region that will get […]

Preliminary inquiry for man charged for murder/rape of 17 old month baby to begin in May
Everal Martinez, 22, one year on from the first emergence of a case that […]

Carlos Reyes succumbs to gunshot injuries in Dangriga
Sometime around 7 last night, there was a shooting in Dangriga, Stann Creek. Carlos […]

LOVE FM

4 charged for murder of UB student
Three University of Belize (UB) students have been murdered in 2019. Masaki Yanai was killed while coming to aid his father who was being robbed in the family yard in Belize City. Dwayne Cummings was killed in Orange Walk Town after a basketball game. Sadly, the body of a student was found on Wednesday morning. 26 …

Audubon Launches 2nd Edition of historical Cockscomb Book
The Belize Audubon Society manages seven protected areas across the country. Approximately 20 miles on the Southern Highway, the roads open up to pristine mountainous views. At the base of the mountains after you take a trek for several miles past Maya Center Village and the Tiger Fern Waterfall and trails, the story of the …

Veteran says they took his dog after they abused him
An American citizen and veteran who is currently living in the Toledo District is alleging he was abused by the authorities. Guillermo Ortiz says he was detained by the police and was incarcerated for two weeks at the Belize Central Prison without being charged. Ortiz says he has employed the services of an attorney and …

Another person perishes in motorcycle accident
There were six road fatal traffic accidents reported last week. Unfortunately, another person has fallen victim to a motorcycle accident. On Thursday night in Santa Elena, Luis Enrique Cruz was riding his red Li Fan motorcycle on Loma Luz Boulevard when the fatality occurred. The police say that at 6:00 p.m., 59 year old Eric Flowers …

Neighbor Breaks Neighbor’s Jaw over Loud Music
The police department in Cayo raided a farm in Succotz Village. At 6:35 a.m., on Thursday, police visited the farm and found 20 year old Bryant Nolberto Ramirez, a Guatemalan farmer of Bario Fayabun, Melchor De Mencos, Guatemala and 18 year old Libny Janeth Saquic Aldana, another Guatemalan national. The officers found a 16 gauge …

Blogs

A Taste of Nature: Gaïa Riverlodge serves up fresh eats
Every meal we ate at Gaïa during our three-night stay was full of flavor and bright with fresh vegetables and fruits. From a platter of fresh fruit to start off breakfast, with a side of gorgeous, fresh-squeezed orange juice, to some of the crunchiest, tastiest sautéed vegetables accompanying our meats and starches, we were in foodie heaven. Being in the Cayo District, where fruits and vegetables grow in abundance, it’s no surprise that every meal at Gaïa is literally farm to table! We certainly savored every bite.

Spring has Sprung at Marco Gonzalez Maya Site
Nothing like a ritual of bringing in the new spring season to pull you out of the winter doldrums. And here on San Pedro we got to collect as a community and indulge fully in a refreshing ceremony filled with incense burning, dancing, anointing with water and prayers offered by an authentic Yucatan priest. The weather lately couldn’t have been more perfect leaving the grounds of the Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Reserve prime for the trekking of so many visitors at one time. The most rustic and beautiful raised walking trail was made from remains of an old nearby dock donated after the last hurricane blew through. Signage strategically placed along the trail to notify visitors of different flora, both dangerous and healing as well as some history of the dig site and of course artifacts and ancient building sites that are being excavated. For a history buff like me, well, I was in heaven!

The Heron's Rest
If you are looking for a quaint little get away here on Ambergris Caye, the Heron’s Rest just might be your spot. It is tucked in on the Lagoon side of the Caye, just a couple miles north of the bridge. Diane, the owner of this gem, invites you into her home away from home to make you feel oh so comfortable. Her attention to detail is meticulous. She has thought of everything. Once you arrive, you are greeted with 2 hammocks floating in the wind overlooking the beautiful gardens.

International Sources

THE TOP PLAYERS FROM 2019-20 CNLQ
"Belize’s Woodrow West was also up to the task in CNLQ, making 20 saves on top of 13 clearances in 381 minutes of action. " There is no question that 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League Qualifying delivered a number of exceptional single game performances, but there were a certain number of players who excelled over the course of the four matches.

Business Meets Pleasure: Visit This Belize Overwater Coworking Space
As more and more people work remotely, destinations are adapting accordingly. Yesterday Belize’s Tourism Board announced the opening of the country’s first-ever overwater bungalow coworking space on Tobacco Caye. A tiny private island ten miles off the coast of Belize, this destination is the perfect Caribbean getaway where you can also get work done — an ideal spot for entrepreneurs, freelancers and digital nomads. I spoke to Karen Bevans, the director of tourism for the Belize Tourism Board to find out more about Tobacco Caye and how it blends business and leisure, also known as “Belizesure” on the island. Read on to learn about the features of the co-working space, activities on the island and also the competition where you could win an all-expenses-paid, five-day trip for two to Belize.

Climate change helped destroy these four ancient civilisations
Ignorant, malign and evil. This is some of the unapologetically harsh criticism directed at climate change deniers by Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her point is as simple as it is blunt: “Climate change undermines the enjoyment of the full range of human rights – from the right to life, to food, to shelter and to health. It is an injustice that the people who have contributed least to the causes of the problem suffer the worst impacts of climate change.” The Mayan civilization in Mesoamerica lasted for some 3,000 years. Their empire was spread throughout the Yucatan Peninsula and modern-day Guatemala, Belize, parts of Mexico, and western Honduras and El Salvador. Agriculture was the cornerstone of Mayan civilization, with great cities being built as the population grew.

Videos

March 29, 2019

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

BEL hosts public consultation for the ESIA Report for Caye Caulker connection to the National Electricity Grid
On Thursday, March 21st a public consultation was held for Belize Electricity Limited’s (BEL) Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Report regarding the interconnection of Caye Caulker to the national electricity grid. Over 90 residents attended the session conducted by the Department of Environment (DOE) at the Caye Caulker Roman Catholic Primary School. Since 2016, BEL has been engaging with DOE, the community, environmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure their involvement in the plan.

NEBL rolls into its eleventh week; San Pedro Tiger Sharks defeat Mirage/Smart Hurricanes
Five games took place around the country in the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tournament, from Thursday, March 21st to Saturday, March 23rd. The San Pedro Tiger Sharks took on the Mirage/Smart Hurricanes, landing an 80-75 victory. Despite this win, the island team remains in fifth place with a total of 12 points, and with playoffs approaching, their next games are crucial. Prior to the Tiger Sharks’ game, on Thursday, March 21st, Verdes travelled to the Capital City of Belmopan to face Team Bandits.

SPHS Sharks win NSSSA softball sub-champs
The San Pedro High School Sharks won the sub-championship at the National Secondary Schools Sports Association’s (NSSSA) softball championships, hosted by the Independence High School over the weekend. The Sharks qualified for the nationals by winning the Northern regionals, and in Game One Friday afternoon, Sueny Vasquez allowed no hits, struck out 7 batters, but walked 7 as she led the SPHS girls to a 3-1 win against the 2-times defending champions – the Edward P. Yorke High School girls.

San Pedro Invaders lose 7-0 against Orange Walk Gladiators
For the seventh week of the National Amateur Women’s League Tournament (NAWL) Closing Season 2019, the San Pedro Invaders hosted the Orange Walk Gladiators at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town on Saturday, March 23rd. The island team fought hard for the home victory, but at the end of the match, it was a clear victory for the visiting team with a 7-0 score point.

Holiday Hotel to host Masquerade Ball Fundraiser
The Masquerade ball is back! Under the theme: “A Journey Under the Sea,” this year’s Masquerade Fundraiser will be held at the San Pedro Holiday Hotel on Saturday, April 6th. Proceeds for this event will benefit Hope Haven Children’s Shelter & SHINE Community Center and American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES). For a $65 admission fee, attendees will receive a welcome drink, a stack of game chips, access to the dessert table and passed hors d’oeuvres throughout the night.

Caye Caulker Men recovering from chopping attack
A Caye Caulker resident, 48-year-old Lahji Rosado, continues medical care in Belize City after he and his brother 69-year-old Julian Rosado were severely chopped and stabbed on Thursday, March 14th. Both were rushed to Belize City’s Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where Lahji’s injuries were observed to be worse than Julian’s. The following day, Julian was discharged, but his brother remains hospitalized. The alleged assailant, 30-year-old Ephrain Pook was captured by police and charged with two counts of Attempted Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm, Maim, and Dangerous Harm.

San Pedro’s athletes top the 7th annual English Caye Channel Swim Challenge
Twelve swimmers participated in the 7th annual English Caye Channel Swim Challenge held on Sunday, March 17th. The 1.6-mile swim aims to raise awareness of conservation issues in conjunction with Reef Week 2019. It is also an opportunity to showcase the swimming talent in Belize. San Pedro’s athletes did exceptionally well this year, with Brandon Santos, Jordan Santos and Kian Ancona Trejo placing first, second and third respectively.

San Pedro Town Public Library hosts storybook movie day
As part of Child Stimulation Month, San Pedro Town Public Library (SPTL) hosted a movie day for island preschoolers on Thursday, March 21st and Friday, March 22nd. Under this year’s theme: “Hug me, Listen to me, Read with me, Help me Grow!” the youngsters have participated in a host of fun-filled activities with the objective to bring awareness of the importance of early childhood development and education at the preschool level.

Ambergris Today

Pre-School Teachers Host Early Childhood Expo
Child Stimulation Month is coming to an end and teachers and students from all across have been busy carrying out fun activities throughout the month of March. Today, Wednesday, 27 March 2019, Pre-School teachers participated in an Early Childhood Expo which was held at the San Pedro Central Park. There were different booth from Reading Stations, Arts and Crafts, Music and so much more. Students, teachers and parents enjoyed fun games and activities throughout the day. Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

BTB Scholarship Opportunities For 2019
The Belize Tourism Board is once again offering scholarship opportunities under its scholarship program. Interested applicants for Tourism Programs commencing August 2019 for Full - time Students for the following degrees:

Weak El Niño Conditions Could Prolong Caribbean Drought Situation
According to The Barbados-based Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), weak El Niño conditions are forecasted to persist, chances of drought continuation and recurrent dry spells during this transition period between the dry and wet season are increased. El Niño, which is associated with a band of warm ocean water that develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, is described as one of the most important weather-producing phenomena on earth.

“Dimelo” Music Video By El Criminal Ft. Nes-T
It is without a doubt there is a lot of local talent in San Pedro, especially when it comes to the music area. Today we are proud to share with you the latest music video by local Sanpedranos and brothers Guillermo and Nestor Rivero.

Misc Belizean Sources

Wildtracks Emergency Appeal
Please help us raise the US$1,500 for immediate emergency costs - replacing the manatee water pump and operational costs associated with emergency care for Sandy, the newest orphaned manatee calf. All donations will be very much appreciated! The Wildtracks Team - both manatee and monkey crews, have pulled together to give Sandy 24 hour care during her critical first days - and she's responding well. She is gradually increasing her milk intake and is starting to ill out as the extra fluids address her dehydration.

Ministry of Labour Offers On-line Job Recruitment Services
The Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development has recently established a Labour Market Information System, for the proper management of the regime for the free movement of skills within Belize. This activity is an integral component of an efficient Labour Market. The implementation of the system was as a result of collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Human Development. The Labour Management Information System will expertly match vacancies with suitable and available candidates in real time and in a way that is more efficient and inclusive.

Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce on Boledo Lottery Agents Concerns
The Lotteries Committee and the ministry with responsibility for Investment, Trade and Commerce, in response to media sources circulating a complaint from a purported Lottery Agent, would like to share the information below: The Lotteries Committee and Government of Belize awarded, through a competitive tender process, an exclusive ten-year lotteries license to Brads Gaming Company Limited located on #2 Farmers Market, Belize City, Belize on April 16th, 2010. The main objectives were to increase the efficiency in which the lottery is administered and operated, and to work towards the elimination of unregulated and illegal sale of lottery. The license granted is to promote, hold and conduct the Government Lotteries, namely, “Boledo Lottery”, “Jackpot Lottery” and “Ordinary Lottery”.

International Court of Justice President answers tough questions
Summary of Former ICJ President Judge Stephen Schwebel's opinion of 2019

Statement by the Rt. Hon. Dean O. Barrow, Prime Minister
Press Conference on the ICJ Referendum

Belize Signs CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement to Preserve Trade Interest with the UK
Last week, CEO of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce, Mr. Duane Belisle, along with the Directorate General for Foreign Trade (DGFT), joined eight other CARIFORUM Countries along with the UK’s Minister for Trade Policy, Mr. George Hollingbery, in signing the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement. The Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Kingdom preserves existing preferential trade terms and safeguards current and future trade flow between the countries of the region and the UK. The Agreement lays out a framework that eliminates barriers and tariffs on goods exported to the UK. Subsequently, the Caribbean states will continue to gradually cut import tariffs on most of the region’s imports from the UK.

Submission Period Extended for Public to Submit Information in Relation to Gillnets
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration advises the public that it is extending the period for submissions relating to the use of gillnets in Belize’s waters to April 26th, 2019. The purpose of this information-gathering exercise is to obtain wide stakeholder views and input pertaining to current gillnet usage, which will inform the consideration of socio-economic and environmental impacts in relation to fisher folk, the fisheries resources, and marine ecosystems. The information obtained through this form will be compiled and utilized by the Gillnet Taskforce, with the aid of an independent consultant, to supplement the execution of an in-depth assessment of the benefits, risks, threats and impacts of gillnets.

AMIGOS ( Optometry Students from Pacific University in Oregon ) in Corozal
Mayor Rigo Vellos and the Corozal Town Council extend thier heartfelt appreciation to AMIGOS ( Optometry Students from Pacific University in Oregon ) and BCVI for their valuable contribution to the people of Corozal. Hundreds of Corozaleños benefitted and received free eye examination and glasses from this initiative. Special mention to Mrs Sagrario Clarke and Mrs Judy Wilson for their valuable support.

Weekend Events taking place in Corozal Town
Busy week. Come out and enjoy! Corozal Flava me seh!!!

Beauty Bites Beast
Ellen Snortland will be showing her film "Beauty Bites Beast" at the Corozal Civic Center on *(Note Date Changed to) Sunday, March 31st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Beauty Bites Beast flips ideas about female helplessness, as women and other at-risk folks undertake the transformative experience of learning verbal, emotional and physical empowerment based self-defense. How often can you say with certainty that a movie will save lives? This one already has!

Chan Chen Clean Up Campaign
RED CROSS SPONSORED - Chan Chen Clean Up Campaign - Sunday, March 31st at 9:00 a.m. Meet at the Chan Chen Community Center. Let's Keep Corozal Safe and Clean!

FCD EYG Installs Garbage Drums
The FCD Environmental Youth Group celebrated World Water Day with a river clean up, and they also installed garbage drums along the Mopan in Succotz. Thanks, FCD EYG! Hopefully the drums will be used, which will free them up to concentrate on other important community service projects. "Today FCD Environmental Youth Group while conducting a river cleanup camping along the Mopan River in commemoration of world water day they installed garbage drums. This is part of an MOU signed with the Village Council where FCD Environmental Youth Group adopted one mile of the river bank. The much needed drums where installed in key areas to alleviate the problem of improper garbage disposal by people who visit the Mopan River.

HERO’S WELCOME FOR OUR PROTECTORS
The Belize Protectors returned home triumphantly on Tuesday afternoon, March 26, to a wave of admirers and well wishers after winning the 120 mile Baker 2 Vegas Relay Competition in the United States. And the BTB, Proud Gold Sponsor of the team, was there to welcome them during a short ceremony held at the Queen Street Police Station compound following a vehicle parade through the principal streets of Belize City.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Bumblebee, Dog's Way Home, A Vigilante, Dragon, the Hidden World

BTB Scholarship Opportunities for 2019
The Belize Tourism Board is once again offering scholarship opportunities under its scholarship program. Interested applicants for full time Tourism Programs commencing August 2019 can apply for the following degrees:

Incident involving a school Bus on a school trip to Caracol from Paraiso Government School
The Institute of Archaeology (IA) can clarify that there was an incident involving a school Bus on a school trip to Caracol from Paraiso Government School. One of our officers was at Caracol and observed that one bus arrived at the site at approximately 11:30 am and requested assistance from the site personnel and tour guides at the site. Two vehicles went to retrieve the remaining passengers that were on the second bus and brought them to Caracol so they could still get to visit the site. The IA officer then made his way out where he encountered a school bus parked on the side of the road upon entering Guacamayo Bridge. Our Officer made a stop to inquire about the situation and spoke with the bus driver. The driver explained he encountered some mechanical issues and decided to park the bus on the side of the narrow road to make way for traffic.

BELIZE YUCATEC MAYA(MÁASEWAL) VS THE BRITISH
1788 - The Maya attack on woodcutters at the New River with Bows and Arows. 1790-1801 - The Maya continue attacking the logging camps 1802- Some troops where order to "be send up river to punish the Indians who are commiting depredations upon the mahogany workers . " 1839 - Maya were force back by the British . By 1839 some Maya had retreated into the forests around San Ignacio but they continue fighting . 1847- The Maya Social War (Caste War) starts in Southern Mexico . Many people migrated to Belize including Maya people. 1848- The last reported attack by Maya using Bows and Arrows in North Western Belize. 1849 - The Maya state of the cross Chan Santa Cruz was proclaim by a group of Yucatec Maya who became known as the Cruzoob Maya . 1860- The Maya living in Yalbac where joined by other Maya groups coming because of the Caste war conflict.

Channel 7

PM Swings For The Fences With Updated Opinion From Judge Schwebel
Last night we took you to the US state of Vermont to meet former President of the ICJ, Judge Stephen Schwebel. He's the co-author of what is considered to be the authoritative legal opinion on the Belize's - Guatemala territorial dispute which was produced in 2001. But, some have said that the opinion is 18 years old, and the international case law it relies upon could have evolved since then. And that's why the Prime Minister went back to Schwebel to get his updated perspective on the dispute.

What Would George Price Do?
And in making his appeal to voters, the PM referred to the fact that all three living Prime Ministers of Belize, himself, Said Musa and Manuel Esquivel support a yes vote. But what about that paragon of patriotism George Price? What would he have done? Well, the PM turned to a document that historian Assad Shoman dug out of the British archives to illustrate Price's feelings on the ICJ:.. Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "National Hero and Father of the Nation George Price was just as certain before he died. Assad Shoman handed me a piece of evidence that he copied from the National Archives in England..."

"What If"� the CJ Grants The PUP An Injunction?
Of course, all those plans for the "Yes" vote to win on April 10th. could go by the wayside if the PUP succeeds in its legal challenge to the referendum. Their arguments for an injunction staying the referendum will be heard before the Chief Justice on Monday. The press asked the PM "what if": Reporter: "If the court decides to grant the injunction being sought, would you abide by the court's decision and postponed the referendum?"

Lisa's Lawyering Fees
And, of course, appearing in court representing the government, will be former PUP Foreign Minister Lisa Shoman. Her support of the "Yes" campaign when her party is saying "No" - has earned her all kinds of criticism. Today the press asked the Prime Minister who's paying:.. Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "Yes, we have retained Miss Shoman's law firm and of course we are paying her as we would pay any other lawyer. Quite frankly, given how much work she is doing and how much master of mistress of the brief, I personally feel we are not paying her enough, but let me not encourage her."

Help For Holy Angels
Turning now to other news, Education Minister Patrick Faber today said that government will try to help with the deplorable situation Holy Angels RC school in Pomona. As we showed you on Monday, the school is in an advanced state of decay - leading to rat and bat infestations - amongst other misfortunes. Because of this and the associated health risks, parents are keeping their children home. And while the fault lies with Catholic Management - ultimately, the buck stops at the state - which has to find a way to keep the school open. Today, Education Minister Patrick Faber told us what he plans to do:..

Bad News For Banking Sector - AIBL Winding Down
Atlantic International Bank is winding up its operations - and it has turned to the Central Bank to help it to make an orderly closure. It's a major event for the offshore banking sector, because Atlantic International had the biggest portfolio and the biggest staff amongst international or offshore banks. This comes after the bank was hit hard in November of 2018 when the Federal Trade Commission in the US named it in a civil complaint against a land scam operation, Sanctuary Belize.

City Man Critical After Gunshot To Chest
Tonight, 38 year-old Lawrence Simpson, a resident of Belize City, is hospitalized at the KHMH from a gunshot injury to the chest. He opened his door last night expecting to find a visitor; instead, he came face to face with a gunman who tried to kill him. Police say that he, his wife, and their children were at home, when someone shouted for him from the outside. He opened his backdoor to gunfire. This morning, police told us that his is currently in a critical condition at the KHMH.

Gungulung Murder Drug Related
Police also shared details about yesterday's early morning murder - the first in 3 weeks in Belize City. As we reported, sometime early in the morning, 22 year-old Jordan Lorenzo, a Dangriga resident, was shot and killed as he slept, while 17 year-old Rakeem Cruz, also from Dangriga was shot. The cops told us today that at this time, they have reason to suspect that Cruz and Lorenzo were gunned down in a drug transaction gone sideways:

Four Held For Frutos Murder
Police still have a number of men detained for the murder of San Ignacio resident, 26 year old Kevin Frutos. As we reported, he went missing last week Friday. He was last seen in the company of three men who he met while drinking at a Belmopan bar. Frutos - we should note - had just gotten paid that day. And police say robbery was the motive for his murder Here's more form today's press conference:..

Three Students Murdered: UB Take Stock
Frutos joins Dwayne Cummings and Masaki Yanai as the 3 UB students who have been killed in the last 6 weeks. It is a major concern for the University, and so, the history club students hosted a safety and security forum this afternoon at the Belmopan Jaguar auditorium. Of course you can't talk about safety and security without the police so the students invited Commissioner Chester Williams to give the keynote address and also to listen to students and give feedback as to how their concerns can be addressed. Here is more from the event.

Minors Committed Arson?
Last night, we told you about the distress of the Belize City businesswoman, Marta Ramirez. She'd been operating her snack shop at the corner of La Croix Boulevard and Balan Street for 9 years. But when she closed up on Tuesday evening, she returned several hours later to she found it burning. As you will remember, she was sure that someone set the fire, and today police confirmed that they are on the verge of making an arrest for arson. Here's the spokesperson had to say at today's press briefing:

Tour Guides, Taking a Lick
Last week, we took you to the Fort Street Tourism Village for the latest complaints coming from the local tour operators. According to the government, last year, the tourism sector hit a milestone with over a million cruise visitors. But that boon in business is not trickling down to the local tour operators who sell their tours outside the gates of the Tourism Village. They say that it's been worsening for several years now, and according to them, the big tour companies have stifled their business ventures, even resorting to propaganda and scare tactics.

Feeding Program For Schools
"Empty crocus bag cyaah stand up" - we all know that old creole wisdom- and that;s why the Ministry of Education is funding feeding programs in certain areas including Dangriga and the Southside of Belize City. But, they can't feed everyone, but feeding school children is - and feeding them well - is a major priority. And now the Ministries of Health and Education have come up with the "National Menus for Schoolfeeding Programs." It's a list of menus top offer schools instruction on what to prepare and how to do it most nutritionally. It was launched today with much fanfare at the Marion Jones Stadium - and here's what we heard:..

Has Belize Researched Guatemala Enough?
Going back now to the Yes to the ICJ Press conference that the Prime Minister hosted today, we had some questions for the presenters. One of the biggest fears we've heard from those in the public is that Guatemala may have a hidden card up its sleeve. Ambassador Alexis Rosado should know. He has done years of research on the issue - dating back to 1997 when he was at the British High commission in the UK.

Why Then Would Guate Go to Court?
So, if Guatemala has no cards hidden up its sleeve, and if Belize has such an airtight case, then, why are they going to court at all? After all, no one goes to court to lose, do they? That's what we asked today:... Reporter: "There is concern in the public that there is no way these people are going to court with manifestly as you all claimed no prospect of success. They must have a secret weapon or some document of some type that has been lost to history which Belize is unaware of which would sink the Belize case irrevocably."

And If We Vote No?
But, despite all those assurances, there's a good section of the population, maybe even a majority that still doesn't trust - and plan to vote no on April 10th. Former Foreign Minister Lisa Shoman says that if you vote "no" - she feels the issue will one day come right back to the ICJ - while the Prime Minister says that Belize could experience major fallout amongst its diplomatic friends:

Senate Debates Budget
Turning now to the senate, today the senators got their turn to discuss and respond to the presentation of 2019/2020 budget. We start off with Business senator Mark Lizarraga who had a lot to say about what he calls a "no consultation, tax and spend budget." Here is a snippet of his comments. Lizarraga also went into detail about the inconsistencies in the budget. Here is an excerpt of that section of his speech.

Channel 5

AIBL Folds after Eighteen Years in Offshore Banking Sector
There are new details tonight in respect of the crisis at the Atlantic International Bank Limited.  We can confirm that AIBL has started a voluntary winding up and representatives from [...]

PM Barrow Introduces a New Legal Opinion by Former I.C.J. President
Prime Minister Dean Barrow presented the latest legal opinion on the Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute.  It comes on the heels of another put forward recently by the Bar Association which commissioned [...]

Judge Stephen Schwebel Weighs in on the Belize/Guatemala Claim
While it can be argued that Judge Schwebel is essentially rehashing what has been posited in the 2001 legal opinion, PM Barrow went on to say that it is Schwebel’s [...]

“We are subjects to the rule of law” – PM on Pending Supreme Court Decision
On Monday, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin will preside over a constitutional challenge brought by the People’s United Party.  The legality of the Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala, signed in [...]

Regardless of a ‘No’ Vote, Belizean Voters are Still Patriotic
The Prime Minister’s campaign has been to promote a ‘yes’ vote come April tenth. It is also the position of former foreign minister Lisa Shoman, who shared the stage with [...]

Senate Approves Barrow’s 2019/2020 Budget
Following its passage in the House of Representatives, the budget for 2019/2020 went to the Senate floor today. Debate in the upper house started with a robust statement from private [...]

Did a Parliamentarian Share Teacher’s Nude Pics?
Earlier in the year a female teacher at Muffle College High School in Orange Walk Town was asked to resign after nude pictures of her were circulated. The teacher resisted [...]

Senators Clash over B.T.L.’s Investments
During his budget presentation, Private Sector Senate Mark Lizarraga touched on Belize Telemedia Limited and Belize Electricity Limited, both companies nationalized by the government.  Senator Lizarraga reminded the government of [...]

2 Detained for City Murder
Police say two persons are detained and being questioned about the murder of twenty-two-year-old Jordan Lorenzo and the shooting of minor, Rakeem Cruz. The two Dangriga residents were inside a [...]

Several Detained for UB Student’s Murder
On Wednesday we reported on the gruesome killing of U.B. Student Kevin Frutos. The twenty-six-year-old went missing on Friday and his body was discovered in a shallow grave around eight-thirty [...]

Shooting Victim in City is Critical
A Belize City man is in the hospital in a critical condition after he was shot inside his home on Pelican Street in Belize City on Wednesday night. Police say [...]

2 Brothers in O.W are Charged with Attempted Murder
Police say that they have charged two brothers for attempted murder in Orange Walk. The incident happened on Saturday, February twenty-third when the Diaz brothers entered a man’s property where [...]

Students Stage an Impromptu Protest in Support of Terminated Teachers
Over a hundred students from the Bishop Martin High School staged an impromptu protest this morning as the situation at the high school continues to deteriorate. Four teachers, whose employment [...]

Who’s Responsible for Mess at Bishop Martin High School?
Four teachers, namely: Avid Briceño, Manuel Tzul, Emil Quetzal and Carmen Trejo were issued with letters from the Board asking them to leave the school compound immediately on Wednesday. According [...]

M.O.E. says “Infrastructure and Maintenance” are Commitments of the Catholic Management
On Wednesday we shared the good news that Holy Angels is getting some help. The school still needs more support to get things in order. And as you heard, the [...]

Investigation Update into Accidents
As many as six persons died over the weekend in separate traffic accidents across the country. Police are preparing to charge two persons in respect of the couple that killed [...]

Thieves Clean Out Small Business and Then Set it on Fire
Thieves wiped out a small business and then set it on fire in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Marta’s Snack Shop was located on the corner of Lacroix and [...]

Small Tour Guides Ramp Up the Pressure against Big Tour Operators
Small tour guides are ramping up their protest at the lack of jobs even though, the B.T.B. continues to report significant increases in tourist arrivals. Today at the ITVET Compound [...]

Fight over Woman Leads to Stabbing in Seine Bight
A dispute over a woman led to bloodshed in Seine Bight on Tuesday. Police say that a couple was walking when they came under attack by a man. The perpetrator [...]

National Menu for School Feeding Programmes is Launched
The Ministries of Education and Health say that they want to see more healthy meals in the schools across Belize. As a part of the initiative, a national menu for [...]

UB Holds Safety and Security Forum
UB President Clement Sankat, today issued a statement on the murder of business students, Kevin Frutos. The twenty-six-year-old from Bullet Tree was found along the George Price Boulevard in Belmopan [...]

The Reporter

Bus With School Children Runs Off Road In Cayo
According to Police sources, a Morales Bus carrying students on a class trip experienced some failure in its brake system on the Caracol Road and ran off the road. Because two buses were travelling together, the other bus went to drop off passengers and is expected to return for the children.

Frutos’s Family Gets Strange Phone Call Similar To Anny Young’s Family
The Reporter has been able to confirm that a body was found a short while ago on the George Price Boulevard near Our Lady of Guadalupe High School. Multiple sources have claimed that the body has been positively identified as that of Kevin Frutos, missing UB student.

Shooting In Gungulong Area – 1 Dead, 1 Critical
There are reports that two men were shot earlier this morning in the Gungulong area of Belize City. He has been identified only as a resident of Dangriga.

Breaking Belize News

Another young man loses his life in motorcycle accident
Luis Cruz lost his life tonight in a traffic accident in Santa Elena town, Cayo. […]

Motorcycle driver involved in yet another deadly traffic accident
A short while ago a motorcycle and a vehicle was involved in a traffic accident […]

UB mourns the loss of another student
The University of Belize (UB) is mourning its third student for this year that lost […]

2 men shot in Dangriga
Reports reaching our news desk are that two men were shot minutes ago in Dangriga Town. […]

Ministry of Labour establishes On-line Job Recruitment Services
The Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development recently established a Labour Market Information […]

SIB: Cost of living showed very minimal increase in February
Rising costs of select food items, international airfares, and butane, averaged out against decreasing costs in fuel […]

Conservation in activities in Belize vital to save Nassau grouper from extinction
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Nassau grouper, a commercially valuable reef […]

Verdes qualify for basketball playoffs; 3 spots up for grabs
The Verdes Basketball team is the first to officially seal a spot in the 2019 National Elite […]

Two brothers charged for chopping incident in Northern Belize
Police have arrested and charged brothers Ignacio and Pablo Diaz with the offenses of attempted […]

Police say murder of Kevin Frutos was result of robbery
Police today provided an update into the murder investigation of San Ignacio resident, Kevin Frutos. […]

LOVE FM

MURDER: two Dangriga males shot in the Gungulung Area of Belize City
Residents of the Gungulung area of Belize City behind St. Martin De Porres woke up to the sounds of gunshots this morning. About 6:45 a.m. the CET site section of the Gungulung was reeling from the latest spate of gun violence. A shooter or shooter went over the London bridge or pallets to find their …

Consumer Price Index up 0.1 Percent for 2018 Fourth Quarter
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is one section that is of particular interest to the public. The CPI is up 0.1 percent mainly due to a 0.8 percent increase in the “all other categories of goods and services” section and a 0.3 percent increase in the “food and non-alcoholic beverages” section of the statistics. However, …

Man who Bashed woman in head pleads guilty to manslaughter
In news from the courts, twenty three year old Josue Ortiz pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the death of Bella Regina Williams before Justice Antoinette Moore in Belmopan Magistrate’s Court. The sentencing has been deferred until April 15, 2019 where mitigation pleas will be heard on his behalf. In the matter, Ortiz was represented by …

Brothers arrested for Attempted Murder and Security Guard busted for his weapon
Officers responded to a fire at the corner of La Croix Boulevard and Balan Street in Belize City on March twenty seven. A green Zinc structure measuring 15 feet by 8 feet was engulfed in flames. The police say that at 9 p.m. on the twenty six 46 year old Martha Ramirez, a food …

Blogs

Gorgeous March Weather – Boca Del Rio, San Pedro
Ok…so I’m kinda stuck on repeat right now but I seriously can. not. get. over. it. This late March weather is glorious. Glorious for fly fishing, for diving, for swimming, for being in Belize. Sunny, warm and mild breezes – not the March Blow we usually get. Earlier this week, I set out to visit some of the bars along the stretch of beach just north of town, Boca Del Rio. This once sleepy residential neighbor is now filled with them and I barely scratched the surface.

San Pedro vs. Caye Caulker: How to choose your ideal Belize beach spot
You can’t go wrong with the cayes of Belize (pronounced “keys”), but you can potentially go wrong when choosing between San Pedro and Caye Caulker. They’re both super popular destinations for American beach-goers, but they have distinctly different vibes. To be completely honest, my husband Billy came up with the idea to create a quiz that helps people choose where to go. But these five questions will easily help you decide whether San Pedro or Caye Caulker is a better fit. They both have beautiful beaches, rum drinks as far as the eye can see, and easy access to snorkeling (an absolute must do if you go to Belize). San Pedro is slightly closer to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley, but Caye Caulker is probably only another 10 minutes away. I won’t go into too much detail on snorkeling in this post, because I assume if you’re reading this you’re either my parents or pretty far into your Belize research.

7 Reasons to Vacation in Belize
Belize is the most sparsely populated country in Central America with just 387,000 residents. However, it still offers a wide range of diverse environments, from the dense forests on the western side of the country to the stunning beaches on the east coast. Just offshore, divers and snorkelers will love exploring the massive Belize Barrier Reef, which hosts a variety of marine life and picturesque islands.

What Happens When You Arrive at BZE
First and foremost, unless you are a complete stranger to air travel you know your arrival at the BZE International Airport may not be on time. Let’s hope it is…. But if not, DO NOT fret about making your next flight to San Pedro/Caye Caulker. Why? Because there will always be another one waiting in the wings! The great thing about taking either Tropic Air or Maya Island Air is that they are very used to dealing with delays, are aware if incoming flights are late, and will work their customer service magic to get you on the soonest flight out. So stay calm; the only sweating you should be doing is enjoying the heat as you walk off the plane!

International Sources

Boling shares entrepreneurship expertise with colleagues in Belize
At a recent workshop in Belize, University of North Georgia (UNG) faculty member Dr. Ruben Boling shared some of his insight and experience on how to start a university entrepreneurship program. Boling, director of UNG's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation that he started in 2016, addressed a Consortium for Belize Educational Cooperation (COBEC) Café event ahead of COBEC's winter meeting in February.

CARICOM issues statement on revised EU blacklist of members of the community
On March 12, 2019, the European Union (EU) issued a revised list of countries purportedly not adhering to tax good governance, which included five members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Bermuda. Seven other members of the community have been placed on a monitoring list having made commitments to undertake reforms by December 2019 and are making efforts in that regard. These are Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands.

UK signs trade continuity agreement with Caribbean countries
UK businesses and consumers will benefit from a trade continuity agreement maintaining current arrangements with countries in the Caribbean soon after Britain leaves the EU. Trade policy minister George Hollingbery signed the UK-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Friday, March 22, with ministers and representatives from Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines. The news has been welcomed by businesses and business groups including the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA), one of the oldest private sector trade associations in the Caribbean. WIRSPA represents some brands well-known to UK consumers including Appleton, Angostura and Mount Gay Rum.

Videos

March 27, 2019

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Annual Caye Caulker Lionfish Derby registers decrease in invasive fish
One of the most aggressive marine predators inhabiting Belizean waters became the prey during the fourth annual Caye Caulker Lionfish Derby Competition on Saturday, March 23rd. Held at the Barrier Reef Sports Bar and Grill, the competition saw eight teams heading out to sea early in the morning to try and catch as much Lionfish as possible. In addition, there were some fabulous prizes up for grabs, including for Smallest Lionfish, Largest Lionfish, Most Lionfish caught by scuba divers and Most Lionfish caught by free dive.

Ambergris Today

Pic Of The Week - Garifuna Gift Shop
There is a new gift shop in town - Garifuna Gift Shop on Barrier Reef Drive right across the Central Park. This cute litte gift shop is packed with one of a kind cultural souvenirs. You can find awesome t-shirts, authentic Garifuna outfits for little girls and boys (perfect for school events), swimsuit cover ups, Dashikis (men's shirts), authentic Garifuna drums and so much more. You can even get delicious snacks such as coconut tableta (coconut candy). Interested in experiencing live Garifuna Drumming and tasting their delicious food, this is the place to book your one of a kind experience to visit the Black and White Cultural Entertainment Center. Owner Mrs. Julia Martinez is pleased to tend to your every need with the warmest of smiles. Be sure to visit the Garifuna Gift Shop on your next trip to La Isla Bonita. Opening Hours - Mon to Sun 8am to 5pm.

Wonder Woman Competition 2019
The 4th Annual Wonder Woman Competition commenced on Monday, March 25, 2019, with five teams from across the security forces of Belize including the Belize Police Department, the Belize Defence Force and the Belize Coast Guard. The aim of the three-day Wonder Woman Competition is to identify the best team from across the services.

Useful Life Skills For San Pedro High School Students
San Pedro High School has embarked in teaching its students useful life skills that that they will be able to carry on for life. The initiative was the brainchild of Mrs. Angie Ellis, teacher of the Life Skills for first form students. The program commenced with skills in sewing followed by classes in washing or doing the laundry and then with ironing both male and female apparel as well as clothing for babies. It is to be noted that these skills are being passed to the entire first form classes, both males and females.

Misc Belizean Sources

MIDNIGHT FIRE CONSUMES STRUCTURE IN COROZAL
At around 12:30 a.m this morning, a wooden structure in 4th Street North and 1st Avenue caught on fire. At this moment, no injuries are reported, nothing on what may had started the fire. A Drive is being arranged by justice for babies group and details will be announced later. The drive will be a collaboration between town board and justice for our babies for Friday. Anyone wishing to help out the fire victims can drop off donations of food and clothing at the town board on Friday! Mrs Villanueva is a size XL and her daughter is very slim and in her teens, she would wear small to medium. Food supplies would be appreciated as well!

Anti littering signs put up in Seine Bight
The youth of Seine Bight have spoken! CRC and Wanda Stakutis from the Seine Bight Running Club, in support by the Seine Bight Village Council, hung up anti littering signs made by students of St Alphonsus yesterday. One student said she was proudly displaying her sign as she is tired of the trash in her community. They want change, and the CRC is happy to continue working with the youth to make a difference to keep the community and environment litter free!

BTIA Coconut Festival!
Corozal's Premiere Event. Inviting the entire country. It is going to be jammin....we jammin! Introducing our evening guest performers- Mr. Chico Ramos and the Griga Boyz along with a full lineup of DJs, Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the upcoming BTIA Coconut Festival! FREE ENTRANCE FOR ALL starting from 6pm- Midnight!

Pedro Tour Operators Association request fulfilled
We are happy to hear that one of the requests made by our association, to the Police Commissioner Mr. Chester Williams on his country wide tour was fulfilled. We were informed that yesterday 25 March, 2019 the Tourism Police Unit was engaged in legal operating training. This training will assist our association in addressing the continuing problem with illegal tour operators on the island.

Welcoming his excellency Sir Colville Young to Caye Caulker
14 photos

Final Meeting to Approve Country Work Programme that Aims to Boost Capacity of Belize to Access World’s Largest Climate Fund
Like other low-lying coastal nations, Belize is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Its geographical location leaves the country exposed to the risk of rising sea levels and increasing frequency and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes that have traditionally hit the area with catastrophic consequences. Additionally, its economic dependence on natural resources heightens its vulnerability to rising temperatures and the resulting impacts on a variety of socio-economic sectors and on the environment of coastal areas and forests.

Draft Estimates for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 as Presented to the House of Representatives

Baker 2 Vegas Relay Competition
Belize has taken first place in the internal Baker 2 Vegas Relay competition in the United States. A contingent of 25 law enforcement officers will return home today, March 26th, with the three-foot trophy given to the group of top performers among officers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada. Belize entered for the fourth consecutive year, placing 6th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st respectively. The team’s performance broke the record of the Los Angeles Police Department who has won the title for seven consecutive years.

China: As an Export Opportunity
EXPORTbelize, a unit of BELTRAIDE is responsible to identify viable export markets and opportunities for its clients. After attending China-LAC in November of 2018 and analyzing the market in China, it was noted that there is great potential for Belizean Export Companies to enter into the Chinese market. With a market size of $11 trillion and a population of almost 1.4 billion, there is opportunity for small export ready companies to conduct business with China. As China’s middle-class realm expands, its consumers are demanding more foreign products and services; this growing demand on imports, including consumer products, is creating opportunities for small businesses to increase their sales potential by accessing one of the world’s largest economies. Today, China is shifting from being known as the “factory of the world”, and is now turning into a key export destination.

Digi Tech Expo 2019
This year, Digi TechExpo will deliver the most diverse showcase of innovative, topical and cutting-edge products and services from local and international partners. Attendees can journey into a unique experience and see how technology is shaping an intelligent future. The Digi TechExpo is gonna be grand, so don’t miss out! Be a part of the largest technology and telecommunications expo in Belize! Mar 27 - Mar 28, Belize City Civic Center.

PLEASE HELP THE VILLANUEVA FAMILY
A fire Tuesday night in Corozal gutted their house and destroyed their belongings. The newly formed Rainbow Beach Neighbourhood Watch Group would like to request your assistance to help the victims of this house fire last night. Donations of canned food items, clothing, mattress, can dropped off at Mama Lowes on 5th Avenue. Please note that we need the basic necessities for now. Let's help a neighbour in need. Thank you Candy Humes - President.

Canceled: power outage previously scheduled to affect some areas of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
From 6:00am to 1:00pm on Wednesday, March 27. BEL apologizes to customers for the inconvenience that this change may cause.

Cayo Easter Fair 2019
The Cayo Easter Fair will be at Macal River Park on Saturday, April 20th, and Easter Sunday. There will be fun and games, lots of food, and music. Super Furia plays both nights, and Ernestine Carballo will be performing on Sunday.

BTB at the JG Black Book Philadelphia Road Show 2019

Future is Female Art Exhibit
The Future is Female Art Exhibit is now open to the public! Come and view fifty-six pieces of captivating art work from thirty-six talented Belizean Women in Art. The Museum of Belize's opening hours are:- Tuesdays - Thursdays (9:00am - 5:00pm) Fridays and Saturdays (9:00am - 4:30pm) We look forward to seeing you soon!

An Encounter with Timoteo Mesh
The SJC History Club invites you to an encounter with Timoteo Mesh, anthropologist.

Channel 7

Belize Says Hasta La Vista, Haynes
Three weeks ago we told you about American Robert Haynes, a registered sex offender in the US who was living on San Pedro. The Texas native's criminal record shows multiple counts of indecent sexual contact with a child - and while he wasn't accused of any sexual offense in Belize, San Pedro residents didn't feel safe with a convicted predator on their island. Well, tonight, they can rest a little easier. Haynes is being expelled from Belize. He was picked up by San Pedro police today on the strength of an expulsion order. He was flown to Belize City with an armed police escort, and handed over to the CIB office.

Family Says They're Victims of Arson
Last night, we showed a house fire on JR Street in the Jane Usher Boulevard area of Belize City. A family of 6 lost everything in what they are tonight saying was an arson. As we told you, just before midday, the home belonging to Austin Stevens; his common-law wife, Shakera Logan; and their 4 young children was seen completely engulfed in flames. Neighbors were worried about their safety, especially because Stevens and one of their young children left the house minutes before the thick smoke was seen coming from it. The family was too distressed to talk with us yesterday, but this evening, Shakera Logan gave us an interview questioning why the arsonist targeted them:

Alleged Killer Just Got Off Murder Charge
Last night we told you about Anthony Carballo Jr., the Tigris Street resident who was charged for last week's double murder in San Pedro. Police said he flew out to the island on Thursday morning to carry out the execution in the afternoon. Well, today he was processed at the Belize City Magistrate's Court before he was sent up to the prison on remand. That visit confirmed that Carballo just came off a murder charge last year.

Arkel's Killer Pleads Guilty
You may remember the tragic story of 15 year-old Arkel August. He's the teenaged student who was stabbed to death at the basketball court on the Wilton Cumberbatch field in April of 2018. He was attempting to break up a fight between 2 of his peers, and one of them went home, came back with a knife, and fatally stabbed August in the chest. Well that minor, who is now 16 years-old has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, instead of the alternative charge of murder that he was facing.

Grim News For Grain
BAHA is watching Belize's borders for a very destructive pest that could destroy the country's grain industry, if it is brought in with contaminated food products. It is known as the Khapra Beetle, notorious for destroying cereal grains and and oilseeds in the Asian and African countries. Massive populations of the insect may develop, and grain stocks can be almost completely destroyed. The pest is extremely resistant to insecticides or fumigants, which makes eradication difficult.

Turneffe, Challenges Aplenty
Last night, we showed you small snippet of our story on this weekend's trip that the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association organized for the press. They are trying to show the general public what they do as co-managers of Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve to try and preserve this marine protected area from overfishing and the pollution sometimes associated with cruise tourism. It was a 2-day trip, and, today, we finally had time to fully unpack the event. Here's that full story now:

Compol Chester Went to Jamaica
Last night Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was all over the news, addressing multiple public controversies concerning the police. But one completely non controversial item he discussed is a recent visit to Jamaica to learn from law enforcement there. It's about protecting the most vulnerable form the effects of crime. Here's how he explained it: Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: "The purpose of that visit was to:1) look at the issue as it relates to the operations of (CISOCA) Center for the investigation sexual offences and child abuse..."

Security Forces Win Big On Vegas Run
Belizean law enforcement today returned home victorious from the 35th Baker to Vegas Run. It's a law enforcement event, a 120 mile race from Baker, California to Las Vegas Nevada, running through 1200 miles, most of it in the desert, night and day. The 20 stage race features law enforcement units from all over the US, Canada and Belize. And, four years after it first started competing, Belize won. We were at the airport when the team of Police, BDf and Coast Guard came home with the trophy:..

Wonder Women Day 2
Next year, they plan on not only defending but on taking a women's team, and they had enough talent to pick from at today's Wonder Woman event. Today was day 2 of the competition. 5 teams from the police, the coast guard and BDF are competing in a number of challenges, and today saw them start off with a 6 mile relay run followed in the afternoon by a strength testing medley. The objective of this competition is to strengthen the coast guard women's skills, endurance and overall abilities on the job, but also to highlight that if men can do it, women can too. Here is more from Lt. Commander Derrick Castillo.

Nissan's Ready For he Road on Holy Saturday
And keeping it on sport, we now have another story that couldn't fit on last night's packed newscast. It's a pedal by pedal account of the 38th Annual Belmopan Cycling Classic. The hundred mile race is seen as an important testing ground for the 144 mile Cross Country Classic. So, who looked ready for the road? Codie Norales and Kwame Scott were on the George Price Highway:

Lessons Learned In Belmopan Race
After the race, we spoke with the top finishers about what went right and wrong out there on the road:

Channel 5

Day Two of Annual Budget Debate – A Few Highlights
At news time, the budget debate is still ongoing at the National Assembly. This morning, Cayo South’s Julius Espat started the debate, which will be wrapped up later this evening [...]

Less Money for Judiciary, More Money for AG’s Ministry
The judiciary has seen a considerable chunk of its annual budget being slashed in the upcoming financial year.  In contrast, additional allocations are being made for the Attorney General’s ministry, [...]

“Bring Me the Evidence” – Sedi Elrington on Referendum Unit Bias
Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington has taken a backseat in the I.C.J. campaign, giving way to the Referendum Unit and Citizens for the Defense of Sovereignty to lead the charge in [...]

Sedi Calls Out Kareem over I.C.J. Position
In responding to claims made by the Opposition, Foreign Minister Elrington called out parliamentarian Kareem Musa whose father, himself a former Foreign Minister, is in favour of Belize taking the [...]

Vehicle Overturns Following High-Speed Police Chase; 2 Men Arrested
A vehicle overturned on Monday night following a high-speed chase with police. The incident occurred at the corner of Mopan and Mahogany Streets in Belize City. Two persons were detained [...]

‘El Beliceno’ Caught by Mexican Authorities
An online news article published by Reporteros De Banqueta in Mexico identifies a Belizean man as part of a criminal gang operating in Chetumal and Bacalar. According to the article, [...]

Another Sit Out at Bishop Martin High School
In February, nine teachers at the Bishop Martin High School, with the support of colleagues, initiated a sit-out calling for action to regularize their employment status. There has been some [...]

Frustration Builds at Holy Angels; Parents Keep Children Home
In the south, another school is facing its own challenges. Parents of Holy Angels RC School in Pomona Village have demanding improvement in the condition of the rat-infested classrooms.  The [...]

The 2019 Budget from an Agriculture Perspective
The agro-productive sector remains a key feature in the annual national budget and is an area of particular interest for Orange Walk South Area Representative Jose Abelardo Mai, who is [...]

Finnegan and Musa Tit-for-Tat
In taking the Attorney General’s Ministry to task, Kareem Musa called out the daughter of Mesop Area Rep Michael Finnegan whom he says was involved in a land issue representing [...]

ComPol Wants to Adopt Model to Tackle Sex Crime and Child Abuse
The Commissioner of Police along with representatives of Ministry of Human Development, UNICEF and B.D.F. were on a working visit to Jamaica to learn more about the island’s model to [...]

Trio Freed of Gun and Ammunition Charges
Three Belize City men: Elwin Pollard, Aaron Flowers and Kendalle Green, were acquitted of gun and ammunition charges on Monday. The acquittal came after Prosecutor Inspector Macedonio Sanchez closed his [...]

UB Central Farm Delivers on Trial Plot of Authentic Belizean Bananas
Belize’s bananas are said to be some of the best on the market. They have a high demand in Europe and right here at home they make for healthy and [...]

The Importance of Turneff Atoll, TASA
News Five joined other members of the media on an overnight trip to Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, the largest marine reserve in this part of the world. The visit one [...]

Belize Law Enforcement Officer Win Baker 2 Vegas Relay Competition in the U.S.
A contingent of athletes returned home today victorious. The team of twenty-five drawn from the three arms of law enforcement brought home the three feet tall trophy after securing the [...]

Day 2 of the Wonder Woman Competition
The fourth annual Wonder Woman Competition began on Monday morning with five teams from across the security forces of Belize. With the aim of the three-day competition is to identify [...]

Amandala

6 die in 5 road accidents
Five fatal road accidents occurred over this past weekend; three of them involved motorcycles, and four people lost their lives. In the other two accidents not involving a motorcycle, two people died. The first motorcycle accident happened on Friday night, March 22, sometime after 7:15 p.m. in Scotland Halfmoon, Belize District. The victim, Vladimir Antonio Aguilar, 28, a carpenter from the same village, was driving a motorcycle when he was hit by a car coming from the opposite direction.

Anthony Carballo, Jr., 25, arraigned for San Pedro double murder
Anthony Carballo, Jr., 25, of Belize City, accused of a double murder in San Pedro that occurred at about 1:30 Thursday afternoon, has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder. He was arraigned today at the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court and was remanded until June 17. Police said that Deon Faber, 41, a welder of Boca Del Rio, San Pedro was at his home with his friend, Allen Martinez, 35, a taxi driver, also of San Pedro, when an unknown man came to the house and fired at them.

PUP blast Barrow’s 2019-2020 budget
The 2019-20 General Revenue and Appropriation Bill debate got under way in the House of Representatives this morning, following the introduction of the Tax Administration and Procedure Bill 2019, which was introduced by Prime Minster Dean Barrow. This bill was deferred to a later date, and another bill, the Amendment to the Customs and Excise Bill, in accordance with the economic partnership agreement, was also introduced by the Prime Minister and also deferred to a later date. The first member of the House to open the debate was the Hon. John Briceño, member for Orange Walk Central and the Leader of the Opposition, People’s United Party.

William “Danny” Mason beheading murder trial adjourned until he gets new attorney
The much-observed trial of William “Danny” Mason and his co-accused that began earlier this month in the Belmopan Session of the Supreme Court for the July 2016 beheading murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, has ground to a slow-down this morning and was adjourned for two weeks so that the accused men could hire a new defense team. While Mason will be able to hire a new attorney, two of the accused men have indicated that they will require the state to provide them with an attorney, or attorneys, Amandala has learned.

Former City Administrator, Candice Miller, and Mayor Wagner go to mediation
On Friday afternoon, the civil claim of former City Administrator, Candice Miller, filed against Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner and the Belize City Council for the termination of her employment contract, has gone to the court-sponsored mediation process. Miller and her attorney, Magali Perdomo, and Mayor Wagner, along with the City Administrator and attorney Anthony Sylvestre, all appeared in the Supreme Court of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin to begin the mediation process.

New initiatives to combat motorcycle collisions and death
Four persons were killed in 3 separate traffic collisions involving motorcycles that occurred over the weekend. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said that police are seeing an increase in the death of people who are killed in motorcycle collisions, and said that something will be done to halt or slow down the collisions through an initiative that police will undertake.

Huge wins keep a few teams in playoff hunt in NEBL
Five games were played over the weekend in the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL), as teams have activated playoff mode to give a final push to get in. On Thursday night, Verdes took a 4-game winning streak into the UB gym against the Belmopan Bandits, as they continue to pace the #1 seed, Griga Dream Ballers. Bandits were mentally prepared for the fight with their district rival, trailing by only 1 point going into the final quarter of the game, behind great three-point shooting and scoring from Daniel Nolberto and Jevonte Hughes. After three very close quarter...

Belize loses, 2-1, to Guyana, who earn their first trip to CONCACAF Gold Cup
Fielding a team with a strong veteran base, along with some splendid young talents, the Belize team started the game fast, matching the speed of the more muscular Guyana players, many of whom were recruited from their international contracts in the U.K. and elsewhere. First half was very competitive and exciting, but the speed game eventually favored Guyana, especially when their fast wingers began to have the better of our aging defence line, all of whom are over 35. Belize attempted to adjust our game to a slower pace in second half, but the damage had already been done in first half, where Guyana earned two penalties, one stopped by Woodrow West in goal for Belize, and another goal scored from a shot at the edge of the eighteen.

Week 7 scores; 3 weeks to playoffs in National Women’s League
Playoffs are 3 weeks away, and the ational Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) 2019 Tournament had Week 7 games over the weekend, with 4 games on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. All 12 teams, 6 from Group A and 6 from Group B, were in action, as the teams are vying for the top 4 playoff spots in each group. (See standings below.) On Saturday at the M.A. Stadium in Independence, undefeated Rumberas was held to a 2-2 draw by Altitude. Pauline Linarez got both goals for Altitude (45+’ & 62’), while Rumberas got 1 goal from Ashley Rodriguez (58’) along with an own goal from Altitude’s Brenda Alvarado (30’ OG).

Editorial: Our economic agreement
Belize has a Special Agreement with Guatemala. It is to be decided by Belize’s Supreme Court if that Special Agreement is valid, or if it is yet to be approved by the members of the House of Representatives. As it stands, not everyone is happy with the Special Agreement with Guatemala. Indeed, some people want it to run into a stone wall in the House of Representatives, and if it is not stopped there, that the people of Belize resoundingly say NO to it. This Special Agreement is consequential because it could lead to Guatemala getting all of Belize, a piece of Belize, or some rights in Belize. Supporters of the Special Agreement say that annexation of the country is impossible, the dismemberment of the country is highly improbable, and the issue of rights, well, that can only come about if the court (ICJ) finds some validity to the Guatemalan claim.

From the Publisher
I have not written this column for months. The main reason for this is that there has been only one subject to write about, and that is the International Court of Justice (ICJ) referendum slated for April 10, 2019. This is a subject which began stressing me out a long time ago. Early on after a quarter of the Guatemalan people had voted in April of last year to take their claim for Belize to the ICJ for final and binding arbitration, I realized that this was a very, very big deal. My feeling was that the burden of proof, moving forward, lay on the two major political parties, the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP), and their leaderships. The issue was an existential one, and it involved establishing a legitimate majority opinion from the Belizean people.

“Belizeans don’t have a work ethic; they have a ‘recreation ethic.’”
Dear Editor, In the midweek edition of Amandala, Mr. Colin Hyde, in his column, mentioned that roots Belizeans resent the Chinese and Mennonites’ economic success. It is true the Chinese have taken over the grocery business in Belize. Why? Because the Chinese, the Mennonites and the Americans have a “work ethic.” If I can coin a phrase, I will say roots Belizeans have a “recreation ethic.” A case in point – this latest four-day weekend, National Heroes’ and Benefactors’ Day, every roots shop in Cayo was closed.

We’ll have to dust off some more old heroes
It’s hard to believe that with so many billboards everywhere, everywhere, that there are still a few vacant 8 x 16 spaces along the George Price Highway. Even the Referendum Committee must be bored with all the re-runs, and are looking for a few new faces to plaster. But there are not that many courageous live ones about. The faces of Sedi and his colleague, Assad, will create a backlash, so they are not for consideration. Ambassadors are way above that kind of thing, wouldn’t dream of allowing their faces to be so exposed, even though they are all supportive of Sedi’s Special Agreement. Putting up some scantily clad young ladies will provoke a firestorm from the women’s groups, and those buff boys who wear even less dress, wouldn’t dare pose on a billboard.

Storm Warning
There is a storm headed in our direction. Its timing is somewhat similar to the lethal hurricane that devastated Belize City on 10 September 1931. The only differences are that this man-made tempest is scheduled to strike on the tenth day of a different month and it is an unprecedented category eight storm with the power to split our entire Jewel in half. The old-timers say that there are often ominous signs before such an impending disaster strikes. Ants swarm out from their underground nests and other creatures begin to act in abnormal ways. Dogs begin to bark and howl incessantly, farm animals become uneasy and flocks of birds are seen migrating to safety.

ICJ quiz
10. Even if Guatemala can establish a valid legal claim against the Brits this cannot cause the court to award them any of our Belizean territory since, according to the authors of the 2001 legal opinion, this is a British obligation and could not have devolved on an independent Belize. Answer: This may have been true in 2001, but it became false when we endorsed the new boundary treaty in 2008. This is because Article 2 of the Special Agreement treaty obliges us to assume responsibility for any and all legal claims made by Guatemala against our territory.

Man proposes – God disposes
Throughout the ages of their greater conscious awakening, righteous human beings have realized that, despite their efforts, they have failed in achieving that excellence of behavior that continues to be elusive. But throughout the Christian Era, some women and men have seemed to hold on to the edge of the rainbow. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, was one of those blessed persons who learned the secret of true success. He taught his religious sons and companions: “When you want to achieve a goal, pray as though everything depended on God; but work as though everything depended on your efforts.”

Kevin Frutos, 26, reported missing since Friday
Kevin Frutos, 26, a laborer of San Ignacio, has been reported missing since 9:30 Friday night. His brother told us that he dropped off Kevin at the Belmopan bus stop at about 8:30 Friday night to catch a bus to go home to San Ignacio, but he did not reach home. Frutos was last seen wearing a grey T-shirt, jeans pants, and was carrying a school bag.

Young boy needs assistance for surgery
Jayron Whyte, 13, was a normal high school student until about a month ago when an accident injured his leg. He is now unable to bend his left knee, and the surgery to fix it will cost his family upwards of $5,000. According to his mother, Rhunder Jorgenson, Jayron was at school when the incident happened. It was during PE, when another student pushed him off of a platform. Jorgenson says she has yet to meet with the parents of the student who pushed her son, and that she will meet with the school to get assistance.

Ashley Haylock, 27, arraigned for stealing off-duty cop’s gun
Ashley Haylock, 27, a labourer of Ladyville who the police believe was one of two persons who stole a firearm from a police officer, was charged with theft when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. Haylock was also charged with common assault. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and was denied bail in the first instance and remanded until May 13.

Passenger gets 10 months for shooting taxi driver
Marcus Garcia, 24, who had pleaded guilty to use of deadly means of harm on January 31, 2019, was sentenced to 10 months today by Justice Colin Williams. Before he decided on the sentence, Justice Williams heard a plea for mitigation from Garcia, who said that he really wants a second chance in his life to deal with himself and his family. He asked Justice Williams to sentence him to time served.

The Reporter

TASA Shows Its Value, – Developing New Exportable Products For Fishers
Many Belizeans do not know what the acronym TASA in Belize means, but the NGO is showing its innovative capabilities and the value of the organization by creating solutions that helps to address the core objectives of TASA’s mandate. While Turneffe is known for its abundant fish, lobster and conch populations, the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) has been looking at alternative livelihoods for fishers to ensure the sustainability of the area and to relieve fishing pressures.

Breaking Belize News

House gets hot as Port Loyola, Carib. Shores reps square off over land acquisition
Port Loyola area representative and Minister for Human Development, Anthony “Boots” Martinez, appeared to think he […]

One charged for bakery holdup
Twenty-two year old Daniel Poou, originally from San Marcos, Toledo, has been charged as one of […]

Trio walks free from firearm and ammunition charge
Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford acquitted 23-year-old Elwin Pollard; 24-year-old Aaron Flowers; and 25-year-old Kendalle Green of firearms […]

Human Development Minister clarifies status of BOOST/Food Pantry
The $3.5 million assigned to the Food Pantry Program, according to Minister of Human Development Anthony “Boots” […]

Five accidents, six deaths,
Families all over the country are reeling after five separate road traffic accidents claimed the lives […]

Expectant mom and partner guilty of marijuana possession
A Belize City couple appeared in court on a ‘possession of controlled substance’ charge. Sandra Ruiz, 23, […]

No bail for man accused of stealing policeman’s firearm
A police officer was beaten up and robbed of his weapon while coming off-duty this past weekend. […]

Foreign Affairs Minister denies ICJ ‘referendum bias’
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, officially denied any suggestion of ‘bias’ on the part of […]

Belizean officers take 1st place in US police relay competition
Belize has taken first place in the internal Baker 2 Vegas Relay competition in the United […]

Climate change workshop hosted in Belize
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration through the National Climate […]

Opposition criticizes cuts in key ministries and departments
Spreading around more than a billion dollars is never easy, but the Opposition People’s United Party has […]

Women shine in Wonder Woman competition 2019
The 4th Annual Wonder Woman Competition commenced yesterday morning with five teams from across the security forces […]

LOVE FM

The Belize Protectors received a hero’s welcome
The Belize Protectors received a hero’s welcome upon their returned to the country today. The Belize Protectors is a team made up of law enforcement officers who travelled to Las Vegas to participate in Baker 2 Vegas Relay event, which is a 120 mile race for law enforcement officers. We have been reporting on the …

NCCO’S CLIMATE CHANGE WORKSHOP
The effects of climate change are still being revealed to vulnerable communities. Rising sea temperatures, unpredictable weather, loss of habitat, shoreline erosion, flooding, introduction of invasive fish species and access to potable water are some of the hazards that communities across the planet are dealing with already. Belize’s National Climate Change Office held a workshop …

OFF DUTY COP JACKED OF POLICE ISSUED FIREARM
An off duty police officer was beaten and robbed of his firearm along the entertainment strip in Belize City. But it seems the gun should have been turned in at the end of his shift. Yesterday, Ashley Haylock appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate, Aretha Ford where he was read two criminal offense of theft and …

BISHOP MARTIN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS PROTEST
Day two of the sit out at Bishop Martin High School in Orange Walk Town continues today. Several teachers are still awaiting confirmation about their employment status from last year. Meanwhile, the other staff members are on a go slow, refusing to substitute for those teachers who have stepped out. The school administration is still …

PUP’s Kareem Musa questions reduction of Judiciary budget
It was day two of the budget debate today in Belmopan. The day expired without any real fire or fanfare but the opposition kept in line with their talking points and the wholesale rejection of the 2019-2020 budget. The first to take the mic this morning was Cayo South Area Representative and PUP’s Julius Espat …

Parents Protest, Teachers try their best at Holy Angel
350 students along with faculty and staff are facing a crisis at the school in Pomona, Stann Creek. Rat bats and their guano, along with decaying buildings are just the top of the problems that face the teachers and students who are praying as well as begging for help. The situation is so dire that …

Khapra Beetle threatens grain industry -not present in Belize
The Khapra beetle may not get the same buzz as the spelling bee in the south, but the Khapra Beetle is causing a regional stir that has caught the attention of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority. The beetle has the potential to threaten the grain industry. The Khapra is a serious pest of cereal grains …

NEWS FROM THE COURTS
In news from the courts, 25-year-old Anthony Carballo Jr., a resident of 59 Tigris Street in Belize City appeared unrepresented in San Pedro Magistrate Court before Magistrate Deborah Rogers this morning. Carballo was charged with two counts of murder for the Thursday, March 21, 2019 murder of Deon Faber and Allen Martinez. Due to …

SAY IT AIN’T SO, JAGUARS LOSE 2-0
The Football Federation of Belize fielded a national team to play in the CONCACAF Nations League. Of a total of four matches that were played, the Belize jaguars won two at home and lost two away with goals coming from Krishean Lopez, Deon McCauley, Denmark Casey Jr and Elroy Kuylen. On Saturday March 23, 2019, …

2nd annual Belikin Dj Championship- Shyne Barrow’s Sustainable Development
The 2nd annual Belikin Dj Championship is part of Shyne Barrow’s sustainable development plan for the Belize Music Industry! This platform allows for recognition of the Dj and the invaluable contributions the Dj makes to the Music world.Equally important is the annual Dj Championship will allow for the discovery of Belize next great Djs! We …

How could climate change affect Turneffe Atoll?
Climate change is already affecting the world, some areas have seen a greater impact than others. Some examples are stronger storms, rise in sea level due to rising sea temperatures, and melting of glaciers. Love news spoke with Executive Director, Valdemar Andrade of the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA), who said that they are currently …

OAS Celebrates Open Government
The Organization of American States (OAS) in collaboration with the US Embassy in Belize rolled out the “Promoting an Open Government Ecosystem in Belize” project. The initiative seeks to establish management practices based on openness, accountability, and easy access to public information. As a result, there were several initiatives geared towards promoting this ecosystem. Today, …

Opposition details objections to 2019/2020 budget
Earlier today Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said, in other words, that the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has no business sticking its nose in the matter between him and the Police Association. Last week the NTUCB issued a press release stating its support for the Police Association …

Police Commissioner berates NTUCB
The 2019/2020 budget debate got underway, ten days after it was presented by Prime Minster Dean Barrow. Today the opposition had much to object to. Leader of the opposition John Briceno called it a “kick back budget” saying it is not focused on the people of Belize but more on roundabouts and roads …

Blogs

What to do in Corozal, Belize
Occupying a long stretch of coastline on the country’s northern tip, this unheralded gem of Belize is modest but beautiful, with a contagious pull. Even if you’re making plans to travel to Belize, there is a good chance Corozal, a quiet, seaside town on the northern coast, isn’t on your radar. It should be. Besides boasting great food at affordable prices and a long stretch of coastline that — though bereft of any classic beaches — is laden with dozens of hidden coves, swimming nooks and elegant sea grape trees, Corozal is worth a trip simply to meet the people that walk its streets.

Beginner’s Travel Guide: Three Days in Caye Caulker, Belize
If you look up “relaxing tropical island vacation” in the dictionary, it’s just a picture of Caye Caulker (Caye is pronounced “Key,” FYI). If you want to sip rum drinks, relax in a hammock, soak up the sun, or drift around in some teal blue water, look no further. Caye Caulker was so wonderful I would’ve personally skipped San Pedro altogether for the relaxed, laid back vibe of Caulker. The only drawbacks are the water taxi ride there, and that fact that you’re slightly less in civilization, but that’s not something you should be super attached to if you’re going to Belize in the first place. It’s not like Mexico where you can still hit up McDonald’s or Starbucks. This only proved inconvenient when I came down with bronchitis (which should tell you how much I loved Caye Caulker that I still enjoyed it while I had bronchitis).

International Sources

Low Pressure To Form Near The Bahamas By Thursday – Will Be Watched Closely For Signs Of Sub-Tropical Development
It looks likely that an area of low pressure will form near the windward side of the Bahama Islands from Great Abaco to Acklins Island by about Thursday. This low pressure system is likely to produce a fairly large area of 25 to 35 knot winds and 6 to 10 foot seas from near Bermuda westward through much of the east coast of Florida southward to parts of the northern and central Bahamas on Thursday and Friday. The more uncertain part is whether this low pressure system will stay non-tropical or will it try to acquire some sub-tropical storm characteristics between Thursday and Saturday before it weakens and merges with a frontal boundary moving off of the East Coast of the United States.

Belize Prison’s Rehabilitation Programs Raise Morale, Lower Recidivism
Belize is a small nation in Central America with a population of around 390,000. As in other countries, crime is a problem in Belize. According to the Central Intelligence Agency, Belize has high crime rates and is experiencing growing involvement in the South American and Mexican drug trade. The Belize Central Prison houses the nation’s inmate population. The approach and strategies that have been put into place by the prison’s leadership have had a profound impact on reducing recidivism and helping to improve inmates’ lives. Belize Central Prison’s recidivism or re-offending rate is only 10 percent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, the recidivism rate in the United States was found to be as high as 83 percent. Mexico, which borders both Belize and the United States, has a recidivism rate of between 80 and 90 percent.

Weak El Niño conditions may prolong Caribbean drought situation
The Barbados-based Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) says with weak El Niño conditions forecast to persist, chances of drought continuation and recurrent dry spells during this transition period between the dry and wet season are increased. El Niño, which is associated with a band of warm ocean water that develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, is described as one of the most important weather-producing phenomena on earth. In its latest publication of the Caribbean Climate Outlook, the CIMH said that for the period April to June this year, heatwaves will start occurring locally into May.

Le Belize : ses peuples, ses forêts, sa gigantesque barrière de corail…
Le Belize, petit pays coincé entre le Mexique et le Guatemala et bordé par la mer des Caraïbes est, de loin, le moins peuplé d’Amérique latine : à peine 380 000 habitants – soit l’une des plus faibles densité au monde (seize habitants au kilomètre carré). Il accueille pourtant un melting-pot de communautés : Mayas (Yucatec, Mopan ou Ke’kchi), Amérindiens venus des îles de la Caraïbe, créoles issus d’esclaves et de colons britanniques, mestizos (métis) nés de la rencontre entre Européens et autochtones, Chinois débarqués depuis les années 1950, Indiens du sous-continent, descendants de Libanais arrivés via le Mexique au début du XXe siècle…

CARICOM: Implementing The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation, commonly known as the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), is the success of the Doha Development Round of multilateral trade negotiations. After several years of exploratory work, in 2004, it was decided to negotiate this agreement. Of the new issues which were proposed for negotiations, trade facilitation was the easiest to be accepted by WTO developing country members, who were also members of the World Customs Organization (WCO). Many of these countries, including CARICOM countries, were already modernising their customs procedures. Jamaica began its customs modernisation through the Public Sector Transformation and Modernisation Programme, which commenced in 1996.

The absurd apology
With the arrival of the Spaniards, Tenochtitlan and the areas dominated by them were invaded. The kingdom of “Aragon and Castilla” (which is NOT Spain) congregated it calling it “The New Spain”. In our case, Yucatan, we were not even remotely part of the Aztec empire. Our cities were not even similar to Tenochtitlan. The Mayas at that time were settlements called “tribes” and “cacicazgos”. Uxmal and Chichen Itza, amongst others, had been abandoned for centuries. What the European powers of that time invaded and plundered was not Mexico as a country (because it did not exist), but a land today called America, which at that time was not even known to be a continent. To demand an apology from Spain is the same as to demand it from Portugal for Brazil or England for the United States, just to name a few. Today Mexico is a country, then we were not.

Videos

March 26, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Anthony Carballo arraigned for the murder of Deon Faber and Allen Martinez
25-year-old Belize City resident Anthony Carballo was arraigned on Monday, March 25th inside the San Pedro Magistrate Court for the double murder of 40-year-old Deon Faber and 35-year-old Allen Martinez. No plea was taken, bail was denied, and Carballo was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until July 3, 2019. During his appearance at the Magistrate Court, Carballo was informed of the murder charges, and details of the incident were read to him. According to the official report, surveillance footage showed the attack on Faber and Martinez being carried out by a gunman appearing to be Carballo.

Ambergris Today

San Pedranos Place Top 3 In Conservation Awareness For Reef Week Belize
Swimmers for Clean Oceans and to Connect-2-Earth - Twelve swimmers set out on Sunday, March 17, 2019, from English Caye to swim 1.6 miles to Goff’s Caye. The wind and seas were in the swimmers’ favor with winds hardly reaching 5 knots and mostly flat seas. This is the 7th annual English Caye Channel Swim Challenge to bring attention to conservation issues in conjunction with Reef Week 2019 while showcasing the swimming talent in Belize.

BEL Public Consultation On ESIA Report For Caye Caulker Interconnection
On Thursday, March 21, 2019 a public consultation was held for Belize Electricity Limited's (BEL) Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Report regarding the interconnection of Caye Caulker to the national electricity grid. Over 90 residents attended the session conducted by the Department of Environment (DOE) at the Caye Caulker Roman Catholic Primary School. Since 2016, BEL has been engaging with DOE, the community, environmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure their involvement in the plan to ...

Belize City Resident Charged For Double Murder In Boca Del Rio Area
San Pedro Police have arrested and charged 25-year-old, Anthony Carballo, a Belize City Resident for the murder of Deon Faber and Allen Martinez in San Pedro Town which occurred on Thursday, March 21, 2019. According to a report by Channel 5 News, a woman carrying a child and diaper bag along with two men were captured on surveillance camera arriving by boat in San Pedro just prior to the double murder of Deon Faber and Allen Martinez.

Misc Belizean Sources

Continuation of Delivery of Voter’s Identification Cards to Villages
The Elections and Boundaries Department notifies electors that Elections and Boundaries personnel will be distributing Identification Cards in the below-listed villages for those persons whose applications were accepted in the months of JULY – DECEMBER 2018 and subsequently approved at revision court.

Continuation of the Issuance of Voter’s ID Cards
The Elections and Boundaries Department notifies electors that the fourth phase for the issuance of ID Cards will commence on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. The issuance of voter ID cards will be for those electors whose applications were accepted in the months of October, November and December 2018 and subsequently approved at revision court. Electors are also reminded that the issuance of ID Cards for electors for the months of July, August and September 2018 continues.

Second High-Level UN Conference on South-South Cooperation
Belize participated in the Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the 20-21 March 2019. In his remarks to the Conference, H.E. Mr. Patrick Andrews, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed the importance of South-South Cooperation in assisting developing countries to achieve Agenda 2030 and other internationally agreed development goals.

Free Eye Exams and Glasses in Corozal
The Corozal Town Council, BCVI and AMIGOS ( Optometry Students from Pacific University in Oregon ) partnering to bring free eye exams and glasses for qualifying patients and children. They will be here today 25th March, 2019 and Tuesday 26th March, 2019.

BTB at the United States / United Kingdom Diving Familiarization Trip
5 Photos...

BTB Celebrates the Challenge Cup
As proud sponsors of The Belize Protectors Team, we join Belize in congratulating the team in placing first in the Challenge Cup, a foot race from Baker, California to Las Vegas, Nevada held from March 23 to 24, 2019. The Belize Protectors was composed of 25 men and women of the Belize Defense Force, the Police Department, the Belize Coast Guard and the Customs Department.

March 24th 2019 maya culture day in Blue Creek
A beautiful gathering of Yucatec maya. Mopan maya and ketchi maya. Celebrating culture .traditions and identity. To'one Masehualoon.

Anyone missing a boat?
Looks like a 38 footer w big cabin is beached directly west of Caye Chapel or west of port of stuck.

Masquerade: A Hope Haven and SHINE Benefit Fundraiser
Tickets available at Sandbar and Hope Haven. Call at 226-2333 for more details and tickets. Saturday April 6, 6pm.

WONDER WOMAN COMPETITION 2019
The 4th Annual Wonder Woman Competition commenced this morning with five teams from across the security forces of Belize including the Belize Police Department, the Belize Defence Force and the Belize Coast Guard. The aim of the three-day Wonder Woman Competition is to identify the best team from across the services. Day one started with the Coast Guard Fitness test which includes best efforts in push-ups, sit ups, pull ups followed by a two-mile run. This event is designed to test the total and overall body fitness of the participants. The second event of the day was a one-mile ocean swim.

The Governor General Visits Ocean Academy
On March 26 and 27.

Rotary Club of Corozal Asking for assistance!
This week the Rotary Club of Corozal will be working with several Canadian Clubs and schools that have generously donated amazing playgrounds for us to install in two schools. They have sent teams of high school students to do the installation. These students pay their own way and give up the Easter break to be here working and work is what they do. Our club’s responsibility is to support them in finding food, housing, and transportation. We also are to provide cement, sand, and gravel for securing the posts into the ground.

Art Exhibit entitled 'The Future is Female'
Today the Museum of Belize (NICH) launched an Art Exhibit entitled 'The Future is Female' highlighting fifty-six (56) exceptional art pieces from thirty-six (36) phenomenal Belizean Female Visual Artists. We send a special thanks to the promising young women from Pallotti High-School and the St.Catherine's Academy for being our guest audience to view this exhibit and showing their support in the empowerment of the Contemporary and Up and Coming Belizean Women in Art! The' Future is Female' Exhibit is now open to the public for your viewing pleasure, feel free to stop and take a peek!

2nd Belize National Research Conference
Official schedule now available.

Channel 7

16 Year Old Knocked Down, Family Attacks Driver
It's was a terrible weekend on Belize's roadways: 6 people died in 5 fatal accidents in different parts of the country. We begin tonight with the youngest victim. A teenaged boy was knocked down and killed in front of his mother's house. It happened around 6:00 on Saturday night between miles 20 and 21 on the Southern Highway. Jose Alex Marquez had just left from visiting his mom and was heading to his home in the Mayan King farm area when a vehicle struck him from behind. Marquez was flung about 20 feet and died immediately. The family says it would have been a hit and run if it wasn't for the drivers busted tire and Marquez's sister who ran him down and blocked him from leaving. We spoke to Marquez's brother in law about the tragedy.

Police Confirm Assault
And, police say that the driver was assaulted at the scene. They gave us their account:... ACP Joseph Myvette - Head of NCIB: "On Saturday around 9pm, Santa Cruz police in the Stann Creek District was called to an area between miles 20-21 on the Southern Highway, where they observe the lifeless body of a Hispanic male later identified as Jose Marquez, 16 years and not too far away from his body was a bicycle with extensive damages. One William Burke reported to police that he was south bound when he knocked down Marquez from behind. As a result, he drove directly to the police station where he handed in himself and made the report."

Ran Over Man Crossing Road
There was another fatal in the south, this one on the Hummingbird Highway. It happened on Friday night near mile 25. The victim is Belize City resident 26 year old Carlos Larios. The circumstances are similar to the Southern Highway fatal in that it happened right in front of a relative's house and family members responded quickly. But again, in this case, Larios was killed immediately due to the impact. We spoke to his cousin off camera. Voice of: Cousin: "My cousin Carlos Larois was coming off the 7:30 James Bus. He was coming to visit us and while crossing the main highway a vehicle just came about 80-90 miles per hour and just took him away."

Driver Under Scrutiny
Police say that Larios was half way across the road when the driver hit him: ACP Joseph Myvette - Head of NCIB: "On Friday last, sometime around 9:30pm, Belmopan police responded to an information of a fatal traffic accident around mile 25 on the Hummingbird Highway. Upon their arrival, they met one, Henrich Froze who reported to them that he was traveling in his Silverado pick up in a northerly direction when he knocked down a male person later identified as Carlos Larios, 26 years old..."

Motorbike Rider Died In Head On Collision Close To Home
And from those fatal accidents in Southern Belize, we turn now to 2 separate motorcycle accidents in the Belize District which were both fatal. The first one happened on Saturday night, sometime after 6:00. 28 year-old Vladimir Aguilar, a resident of Scotland Halfmoon Village in the Belize River Valley Area, was riding his motorcycle from Burrell Boom, and he was heading to his family's house near the village bridge. But, he didn't make it, because he collided head-on into a pick-up truck heading in the opposite direction.

Driver Served With NIP
Police say that the driver of the pick-up truck, 48 year-old Brian August, has been served with a notice of intended prosecution. ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC CIB, Belize District: "It happened on Saturday night just after 7:15pm. Police visited Scotland Halfmoon Village where in the bushes they observed a` motorcycle that was extensively damaged and not far from the motorcycle police also observed the motionless body of Vladimir Antonio Aguilar, 28 years old resident of that same village. Initial information is that the driver of a vehicle Mr. Brian August..."

20 Year Old Female Dies In Cycle Crash
And the second fatal motorcycle accident happened yesterday evening, sometime before 6:00. 28 year-old Walter Loyo, and his fiancée, 20 year-old Zinnia Ayala, were traveling on a Meilun motorcycle on the George Price Highway. They were passing by the newly built roundabout, when Loyo lost control of the cycle and crashed into the barrier. They both suffered extensive injuries to the head and body, and Zinnia Ayala died on the scene.

Husband and Wife Killed In Spanish Lookout
And, out west in Spanish Lookout, two people, a husband and wife on a motorbike were killed when an 85 year old driver rear ended them in a van. Police told us more about the death of 51 year old Abram and 48 year old Irene Penner:... ACP Joseph Myvette - Head of NCIB: "On Saturday, sometime around 6 pm, San Ignacio police was called to Spanish Lookout in relation to a fatal traffic accident. Upon arrival they met one Gerard Penner, 85 years, who was the driver of a van. Also on the seen police observed police observed a motorcycle in the front portion or just in front of the van..."

Police Will Step Up Enforcement on Motorbikes
So, four of this weekend's fatal accidents involved motorbikes. That's too many, and it's a trend we have been witnessing for some time as inexpensive motorbikes have become more popular. The commissioner of police says they will respond with a new wave of enforcement for motorbike use: Chester Williams- Commissioner of Police: "Since over this past weekend we have had, I think, a total of 6 fatalities. All of which are involving motorcycles..."

Holy Angels' Cruse: Drowning in Bat Droppings
Teachers, parents and students from Holy Angels RC School in Pomona Village on the Hummingbird Highway staged a protest on their school compound today. They have endured years of working and studying in unsanitary and hazardous classrooms. There are a list of problems from rat bat infestation to broken floor boards. The school body is pleading for help and Courtney Weatherburne was there to capture their march. Here's that story. There are 350 students in total at the school. To clarify, classes continue no matter how many students show up. Teachers still teach even if it's only 4 or 10 students in the classroom.

COMPOL Takes on NTUCB
As we told you last week, the Police Association has commissioner Chester Williams in court. The association - or at least its Chairman, Corporal Sheldon Arzu - is seeking judicial review of a statutory instrument which Williams signed giving any chairman a two term limit. Arzu is on his sixth term. That's the cruz of a multi-faceted dispute in which NTUCB supports the police association. Today, Williams said the NTUCB needs to stay out of police business:.. Chester Williams- Commissioner of Police: "I have seen a press release by the NTUCB, I have also seen Ms. Elena Smith give an interview on the tv. They are jumping into something they have no business in. They need to understand, first and foremost, that the police association is not a union..."

COMPOL Sanctioned Press Release Against Arzu
And while the Commissioner had very strong words for Corporal Arzu and his supporters, he had zero words of censure for three police officers - who are on the police association executive. Secretary, Corporal Jermaine Hyde, treasurer Corporal Jane Usher and board member PC Holman Katenegie broke protocol last week when they put out a signed press release to say that Arzu did not have their support in any legal action taken to court. And while police officers are not allowed to engage the press freely - quite remarkably Williams said he approved their release:..

Was Policeman Punked In Road Rage Affair?
We also asked Williams about a less controversial but publicly embarrassing case for police. On Saturday morning at around 2:20am, Corporal Mark Martinez got into a scuffle on the Princess Margaret Drive strip in Belize City - and left with a busted head, and without his service revolver. Apparently, Martinez was driving on the strip along with his wife when he got into it with a driver who stopped in the middle of the road. Williams discussed it today: Chester Williams- Commissioner of Police: "There are several things that I would have to look at in terms of whether or not the persons with whom he had the issue new that he was a police at that particular time. What led to the situation, based on what you said just now, he was in a road rage..."

6 Homeless After Fire
Tonight, a family of 6 is in extreme distress after their Belize City home was destroyed by fire just before midday. Austin Stevens, his common-law wife, Shakira Logan, and their 4 children lived in a yard on in the Jane Usher Boulevard area. Their home is one of 2 houses in the yard, and their neighbors became very worried for their safety when they saw it completely engulfed in flames. We understand that Stevens had only just gone home with one of his children for a brief moment. Minutes after they left, the house was seen burning.

Briceno Bombs Barrow's Budget
The budget debate started today in Belmopan with the traditional response by the Leader of the Opposition. In his hour long speech John Briceno underscored what he has publicly described as a kickback budget:... Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opp.: "It is truly a pity madam speaker. In fact it is worse than that -- it is a great tragedy After more than a decade of an administration that has borrowed billions, spent billions and taxed Belizeans in the billions of dollars it is tragic that this UDP Government can show no evidence that Belizeans are better off, or that most of our people are earning a living wage, or that as a nation we are prospering."

Saldivar Snaps Back
And, as per tradition, the UDP Minister designated to respond to Briceno is Belmopan representative John Saldivar. Here's how he deflected Briceno's criticisms: Hon. John Saldivar- Area Rep, Belmopan: "How can they turn around and say that it is this government that is fueling the economy by borrowing. They are the ones, madam speaker, who, during their 10 years, took up the debt by over $1.2billion. And, let us not forget the rates at which they were borrowing when they were in government- average of over 8.5% compared to the 3.5% which this UDP government has been borrowing at. Then, to actually criticize our budget which, I will repeat, has no new taxes in it..."

City Man Went To Pedro For A Hit
Police have made arrests in two high profile murders. The first is the double murder which happened on San Pedro last week Thursday afternoon. Glenn Martinez and Deon Faber were executed in broad daylight in a busy part of town. Police have arrested one man who they say went there on Thursday morning to kill the men.

Ruiz Charged for Cabrera Murder
And, Punta Gorda residents will breath a sigh of relief to learn that Alex Ruiz has been charged for killing Luis Cabrera Jr. Last week it caused an uproar when he was only charged for a traffic offence which happened after the murder. Police explained why it took so long for them to charge:

Taking On Turneffe
Several months ago, we featured the conservation organization on our newscast that is known as The Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, or TASA for short. Valdemar Andrade, the executive director, was discussing why they have a strict policy against gill net fishing in their marine reserve. During that time, the Director expressed interest in taking us along with them into the reserve, so that we could see first hand the hard work they do to keep Turneffe as environmentally sound as possible. Well, this weekend, TASA was finally ready for the press to join them on their patrols to police the marine reserve from illegal fishing practices.

Wonders Of The Women of Belize's Security Forces
Who is the strongest, fittest woman in Belize Security forces. That's what being tested over three days in the 4th Annual Wonder Woman Competition. It started this morning with five teams from the Belize Police Department, the Belize Defence Force and the Belize Coast Guard. Day one started with the Coast Guard Fitness test which includes best efforts in push ups, sit ups, pull ups followed by a two mile run. The second event of the day was a one mile ocean swim. Day two starts with a 6 mile relay run along the George Price Highway starting at the Coast Guard Headquarters. Gold Cup Dream Gone Down
On last week Tuesday's news, we told you about the final game that Belize's National Football Team, the Jaguars, was supposed to play against the Guyana National Team. They travelled to that country for a road game with the hope of qualifying for a second time to the Gold Cup. But, as local football fans found out, on Saturday evening, Guyana ended Belize's Gold Cup dream They faced off at around 4:30 p.m., and when the final whistle was blown, Belize had lost the game with a final score of 2 to one.

Channel 5

Married Couple Perishes in Traffic Accident
As many as six persons died in traffic accidents, making the past weekend one of the deadliest on the highways. The deaths were reported in southern, central and western Belize.  [...]

Belize City Man Knocked Down and Killed on Hummingbird Highway
In the south, Carlos Larios was knocked down and killed on Friday night. It happened between miles twenty-five and twenty-six on the Hummingbird Highway. The twenty-six-year-old Belize City resident was [...]

16-year-old Knocked Down and Killed in Santa Cruz Village
The youngest victim in the spate of traffic fatalities is sixteen-year-old Jose Marquez. The Santa Cruz Village was knocked down between miles twenty and twenty-one on the Southern Highway as [...]

Motorcyclist Killed in Head on Collision in Scotland Halfmoon
From the south to the Belize District where two separate fatal traffic accidents claimed the lives of a father of one and a young woman. A collision involving yet another [...]

Couple on Motorcycle Crash into Concrete Barrier; Young Woman Dies
The second traffic fatality in the Belize District occurred just before six p.m. on Sunday. A couple travelling on a motorcycle collided into a concrete barrier near the construction site [...]

Budget Debate Kicks Off to Little Fanfare
Day-one of the budget debate got underway this morning and will continue on Tuesday, Government has a week before the end of the financial year on March thirtieth and the [...]

No Contractor General and No Auditor General’s Report on BIL
The Office of the Contractor General has remained vacant since 2018, when government chose not to renew its agreement with Godwin Arzu who failed to submit six annual reports during [...]

Patrick and Said Spar over Budget
Never one to pass on an opportunity to land a few solid jabs on his political opponents, former Prime Minister Said Musa also went in on government for its infrastructure-heavy [...]

Francis Fonseca: “Where is the reduced fuel prices?”
Former Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca, after reviewing the budget for the approaching fiscal year, criticized government for failure to reduce the exorbitant cost of fuel, a campaign promise that dates [...]

Said Musa: What’s Up With Foreign Affairs?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, was not spared the sharp wit of former prime minister Said Musa who, in his casual humour, took square aim [...]

Protest at Holy Angels! Teachers, Parents & Students Demand Catholic Management to Assist
Earlier in the month, News Five broke the story of a growing infestation problem and decaying structures at Holy Angels RC School in Pomona Village. For several years, the teachers [...]

Belize City Resident Anthony Carballo Charged for San Pedro Double Murder
On the crime blotter…A resident of Tigris Street in Belize City was arraigned in San Pedro Magistrate’s Court today for the double murder of Deon Faber and Allen Martinez that [...]

Alexander Ruiz is Finally Charged for Murder
Twelve days after the murder of Luis Cabrera Junior in Punta Gorda, his alleged killer is hauled before the court and arraigned for murder. Over the weekend, thirty-seven-year-old Alexander Ruiz [...]

An Off Duty Officer is Assaulted & His Serviced Weapon Stolen
An off duty cop was assaulted in Belize City around three o’clock on Saturday morning. The entertainment strip was buzzing with activity as Police Constable Mark Martinez was driving his [...]

ComPol Chester Williams says Police President is Disrespectful
On Friday, a case was brought against Commissioner of Police Chester Williams from within the ranks of the police department. Corporal Eldon Arzu, the President of the Police Association is [...]

Police to Start Safety Tips and Road Rules Campaign for Motorcyclists
There were six road fatalities this weekend and four of those accidents involved motorcycles. The road traffic accidents are not new, but there has been a rise in accidents in [...]

Fire in Jane Usher Boulevard Area! Wooden Home Destroyed
There was a fire earlier this afternoon in Belize City. The blaze completely destroyed a family home on JR Street in the Jane Usher Boulevard area just before two. It [...]

A Seminar for Gender-Based Violence Reporting and Monitoring
A gender-based violence seminar was held today in Belize City. The purpose of the event was to discuss and share ways to enhance the reporting, monitoring and surveillance of gender-based [...]

The Weekend in Sports
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend in sports....]

The Reporter

Belize Super-Women Compete In Grueling Match
Women in the military are being pushed to the limit this week as the 4th Annual Wonder Woman Competition kicked off today, with five teams from the Belize Police Department, the Belize Defence Force and the Belize National Coast Guard.

TASA & Fisheries Bill, Get The Big Support They Were Seeking
Work on an amended Fisheries Resources Bill got underway as far back as 2010, with input from the Fisheries Department, Wildlife Conservation Society, the Solicitor-General’s Office, the Coastal Zone Management Authority, the Ministry of Natural Resources, multiple fisheries stakeholders and legal experts.

U.B Student Reported Missing By His Family
Family members of UB student Kevin Frutos, 26, are extremely concerned and are asking the public’s assistance in locating him.

Breaking Belize News

Shots fired in Belize City
Just before 10:00 pm tonight there was a shooting in Belize City. A man dressed […]

ComPol confident he will win in court against Police Association Chairman
Commissioner of Police, Chester Willimas, said today that he is confident the Supreme Court will rule in […]

Belize Police teaming up with Jamaica Police on several initiatives
Representatives from the Belize Police Department, including Police Commissioner Chester Williams, went on a working visit […]

ComPol to Unions “Mind your business”
Today, Police Commissioner Chester Williams addressed his legal battle with the Police Association and said that entities […]

Police cracking down on motorcycle riders
After six road traffic fatalities over the weekend involving motorcycles, the Belize Police Department is […]

“Broaden the net” for Integrity Commission
Lisbeth Delgado, Armead Gabourel, Wilmot Simmons, Nestor Vasquez, Zoe Roberson Zetina, and Claudette Grinage have […]

Senator Lizarraga: Police and DPP shouldn’t wait for the final Special Select Committee Report on Immigration
The Special Select Committee Report on Immigration is still a few months away, but the Police […]

Offshore industries to be killed off?
Business Community Senator Mark Lizarraga warns that there are efforts being made to “kill off” Belize’s […]

Amendment to Retired Persons Act bars qualified retired persons from investment while retired
The National Assembly has passed an amendment to the Retired Persons Act effectively barring what are […]

Budget had no consultation from businessmen
The Senate will debate this year’s Budget on Thursday, March 28th, but Senator Mark Lizarraga made […]

Minimum of 30 years in jail for trio convicted of murder
Minus deductions, three Belize City men learned on Friday that they will spend another two decades […]

House to review three new bills and petition
The headlines will be dominated by two days of debate over the General Revenue and […]

Issuance of Voters ID cards continues
The Elections and Boundaries Department notifies electors that the fourth phase for the issuance of […]

Belize participates in 2nd UN Conference on South-South cooperation
Belize participated in the 2nd High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation held in Buenos […]

Fair weather to continue
The 24-hour forecast is for mostly fair weather to continue. Sunny skies with some cloudy […]

Watch a movie, support victims of gender-based violence
The film ‘beauty Bites Beast” a documentary tackling the global issue of gender-based violence and women’s self-defense, […]

Four Belizean hotels nominated for Global Travel Awards
Four Belizean hotels are competing for the title of Belize’s Leading Hotel in the 2019 […]

Garifuna Association unhappy with Mason trial
The United Garifuna Association (UGA), an organization comprised of Garinagu communities from six different countries, […]

The Budget to be debated this week in the National Assembly
For three of the next four days, Belize’s 44 parliamentarians – 31 in the House of […]

Invitation to our Divergent Discussion on the ICJ
By The National Student Union of Belize: We hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of the National Student Union of Belize, we are pleased to invite you to our “Divergent Discussions on the ICJ” […]

LOVE FM

Pregnant woman and husband charged for marijuana
In the courts, today, Ashley Haylock appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate, Aretha Ford where he was read two criminal offense of theft and common assault. Allegations are that on Saturday, March 23, he along with two others, not yet arrested and charged, dishonestly appropriated one Taurus brand 9 mm pistol value at $2,800.00 property of …

Penners perish in Accident
Police report that an elderly couple lost their lives in a motorcycle accident. According to police, on Saturday 85-year-old Gerhard Penner was driving a Gold Pontiac Montana van headed to Spanish Lookout. Penner reportedly collided into the rear of a motorcycle being ridden by 51-year-old Abram Penner and his wife 48-year-old Irene Penner both residents …

16 year old Killed in RTA
Along the southern highway, in Santa Cruz, a sixteen year old minor Jose Marquez lost his life. The driver of the vehicle that hit him stopped to render aid, but he was assaulted by grieving people from the village. Assistant Commissioner of Police say, the driver had to flee the scene to the police station …

Fire guts home in Jane Usher Boulevard Area
A family is without a home tonight as they were victims of a fire. Shortly after midday, smoke rose over J.R. Street in the Jane Usher Boulevard area of Belize City and the fire gutted a home. The grief stricken homeowner had to be rushed to the hospital and our news team spoke to neighbors …

Commissioner says we need Motorcycle Education to prevent Accidents
All the accidents, the six lives lost in one weekend, has prompted the police to address motorcycles in particular. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said the police department would embark on a national media sensitization campaign. The Compol said he will instruct the Commander of the National Traffic Branch to make media rounds and disseminate …

Carlos Larios killed in RTA
In the south, 26 year old Carlos Larios was killed on the Hummingbird Highway. The head of the national crimes investigation branch says Larios was crossing the highway when a Silverado pickup knocked him down. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head of National Crimes: “Belmopan Police responded to information of a fatal traffic accident around mile 25 …

Music Ambassador says his DJ Competition was Successful
If you’re on social media chances are there are at least a dozen internet models or disc jockeys on your friends list. That’s why it’s important that there are creative outlets for these young entrepreneurs. There was a DJ competition that was held in Dangriga. Love News spoke to the organizer of the event, Music …

Baby and grandparents hospitalized in RTA
In Western Belize, another road traffic incident has left an eighteen month old baby and his grandparents hospitalized. Correspondent Fem Cruz reports that the incident happened late Saturday afternoon. Based on a telephone call received just before 5pm yesterday Roaring Creek Police and the Western Regional Hospital emergency response team visited the water …

Woman perishes without helmet in Motorcycle Accident
The police say that the next fatality occurred at mile 8 on the Philip Goldson Highway. The driver of the motorcycle received critical injuries and he was in surgery today as a result of Sunday evening’s accident. While he was wearing a helmet, his passenger 20-year-old Zenya Ayala was not and she passed away on …

Top Cop visits Center for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse
A Belizean delegation including civil society and the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams have recently returned from a trip to Jamaica where the visited Center for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, CISOCA. The center is a branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force which helps encourage victims to report incidents of sexual offenses …

4 traffic accidents with two resulting in fatalities and two minor incidents
There were six deaths reported over the weekend all due to road traffic accidents and in most cases, involving the use of motorcycles. In the Belize district alone there were 4 traffic accidents with two resulting in fatalities and two minor incidents …

Police say suspect in San Pedro’s double murder detained
The police have arrested a suspect in relation to the double murder of Deon Faber and Allen Martinez. The police utilized surveillance footage to detain the suspect and they are also looking for a woman and another man in relation to the double homicide …

Belize participated in the Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South
Belize participated in the Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on the 20-21 March 2019. In his remarks to the Conference, Patrick Andrews, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs …

Blogs

Visiting Caramelo in Corozal, Town
They do brownies, macarons, Merengue, Chocolate chip, Frappes, Coffee, coffee Flavored, Iced Tea, Natural Juices, Tuna Sandwich or Chicken, Panini. Treats: Cakes, Cupcakes, Cookies all comes in a different variety.

Rotary Club of Corozal installs new playgrounds
This week the Rotary Club of Corozal will be working with several Canadian Clubs and schools that have generously donated amazing playgrounds for us to install in two schools. They have sent teams of high school students to do the installation. These students pay their own way and give up the Easter break to be here working and work is what they do. Our club’s responsibility is to support them in finding food, housing, and transportation. We also are to provide cement, sand, and gravel for securing the posts into the ground.

Top 10 Things To Do In Belize
If you’re planning your first trip to Belize it can be hard to decide what to do, given there are so many choices. Here’s a list of the top 10 activities to consider when planning your trip:

Beginner’s Travel Guide: Three Days in San Pedro, Belize
San Pedro is the most popular destination for Americans in Belize (to the point that you can get a protein smoothie just about anywhere). It’s a short plane ride from the main airport in Belize City, full of delicious restaurants, and great for anyone who enjoys a little hustle and bustle while on vacation. The drawback of San Pedro? There isn’t much of a beach scene. But if you like adventure (but don’t like getting places efficiently) you can rent a golf cart to make the trek to Secret Beach. Belize is a place I would absolutely go back to; here’s how I spent three days in San Pedro with my hubby.

Beginner’s guide to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Snorkeling
Snorkeling Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley was one of the top five coolest things I’ve ever done. It put Florida to shame. I did chicken out of “truly” experiencing Shark Ray Alley (more on that later) but snorkeling around Hol Chan was like being in an episode of Planet Earth. It’s an amazing experience and can’t-miss part of visiting Belize. If you’re going to Belize, you’d be a dang fool not to go snorkeling. It’s as natural as slurping down rum drinks and laying in the sun (wear sunblock). But if you’ve never been snorkeling before, or it’s your first time in Belize, you may need a little help knowing what to expect.

A Riot of Color: Green Hills Butterfly Ranch
Thousands of colorful wings float around you. The sun catches a riot of yellow, and a dash of blue, before a beautiful splash of orange lands on your arm. You’ve entered the butterfly flight space. Welcome to Green Hills Butterfly Ranch. Home to the largest butterfly display in Belize, it features over 100 species of butterflies - including the Blue Morpho which is one of the main attractions at the farm. Surrounded by a botanical garden with more than 150 plants, shrubs and trees, there’s even a hummingbird viewing area. It’s truly a natural paradise. And of course, the hiking and photo opportunities are unlimited.

Gladden Spit & Silk Caye Marine Reserve
Just a few miles offshore of the Belizean mainland lies the vast archipelago of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest coral barrier reef system in the Western Hemisphere. Located on the outer edge of this reef is the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes MarineReserve (GSSCMR), a protected conservation area that is ideal for enjoying snorkeling and scuba diving. The GSSCMR measures over 25,000 acres (10,500 ha) in size and is located approximately 22 miles (36 km) due east of the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize. Managed by the Southern Environmental Association, a local NGO, this area is one of the healthiest and vibrant marine ecosystems on the Belize Barrier Reef.

10 things to pack when traveling to Belize
Belize is a fascinating country and is Mother Nature’s best kept secret snuggled between Guatemala and Mexico and bordered by the Caribbean Sea, this is as tropical as it gets! Let us walk through this list of Must-Packs for your upcoming vacation in tropical paradise! Travel Documents – These are the most important things you need to pack before leaving for your Adventure in Belize. Passport, driver’s license, plane tickets and travel itinerary (if you have one) should all be tucked away in a secure and easily accessible area, such as your carryon or purse pocket.

Belmopan City – The Smallest Little Capital in the World
Tucked in a cute little corner of Central America and many times missed by most viewers of any map of the isthmus, Belize is famous for a few things….. its natural and lush rain forests, the largest cave system in Central America and of course the world renowned Great Blue Hole but what is amazing and something that most people do not know is that Belize owns one of the smallest capitals of the world! Smack in the center of the country, Belmopan has a population of just around 20 thousand residents.

International Sources

Francis Ford Coppola Owns a Stunning Island off the Coast of Belize
You could measure the success of prolific filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola in a lot of ways. Maybe it’s his Academy Awards for legendary flicks like The Godfather or the wine empire he built after. If you’re beach-obsessed, however, you’ll probably look at the director’s impressive and varied body of work and point to one of his latest ventures—an impossibly dreamy private island stay that’s part of a larger Caribbean resort collection—as the pinnacle of the Coppola family’s achievements. (Owning an island is the ultimate dream, right?) The Family Coppola Hideaways is the resort offshoot of the Coppola brand, which in addition to a successful wine business includes restaurants, a line of Italian-inspired food, and a literary magazine. Of the five resorts under the Coppola name, three are Central American getaways designed to immerse guests in the culture and natural wonders of each distinct region.

Videos

March 25, 2019

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Caye Caulker Village Council claims Central Government is interfering with their management
The lack of enforcement, support, and disregard for local authorities on La Isla Cariñosa has the Caye Caulker Village Council (CCVC) in a desperate situation as they try to set order on their island, despite residents and stakeholders not complying with regulations. The CCVC is contesting the use of public spaces, construction of unauthorized structures, importation of vehicles, improper sewage waste disposal and even the building of piers that threaten to saturate their coastlines. The elected leaders claim that they have made reports to the respective departments in Central Government for assistance, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears, with the situation growing worse by the day.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Foot Race
Mr. Dennis, I need a favor.” “Of course, Señora Alvarez,” I said. “How can I help you?” Eighty-one-year-old Señora Alvarez who lives on my street stopped me as I drove by in my golf cart. “My butane tank is empty, and I need someone to take it to be filled.” “I’ll be glad to do it,” I said. “I can’t help much,” she told me. “It’s real heavy and I’m scared to death of gas. It always seems very dangerous to me.”

Say NO to Plastics – DOE begins public education
Belize is saying NO to plastics, particularly non-biodegradable plastic bags, trays, plates, cups, bottles, spoons and other containers and utensils, which will soon become illegal to import or even possess. Education of the public to choose biodegradable alternatives and to switch from disposable, single-use containers to reusable bags, containers, and utensils, is key to making the program work.

Doctor Love: Embarrassed
Dear Doctor Love, My best friend is very embarrassing when she gets drunk. It’s like she forgets how to be nice and she turns into this loud and mean girl. She hits on every man in the room, even if he is with someone and sometimes even pulls her top up to show herself. I am tired of having to get her home when she is so drunk, she can barely walk, and I think sometimes she is going to cause a fight with another girl, and I will have to take her side. How do I get her to stop acting like this? I love her when she is not drinking, but she is not a nice person when she gets drunk. I think if she doesn’t stop it will ruin our friendship.

Misc Belizean Sources

Manatee rescued
Thank you to all those in Consejo who alerted us to the reappearance of the calf - once again hiding in the mangroves. Thank you also to Joel Green and the Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development for returning to Consejo with us this afternoon to assess the calf and whether it would need rescuing. The calf, a female, is estimated at between three and four months old, and is emaciated and dehydrated - she has been apart from her mother for a while, and did, indeed, need rescuing. We've just arrived back at the Manatee Rehabilitation Centre, and she is settling into our Recovery Pool. We will put together more information on her tomorrow, but for now...we will leave you with a photo from her trip to Sarteneja in the SACD boat.

New Donation box for South Ambergris Caye Neighbourhood Watch
Thanks to a suggestion received online and the skill of Duane Allen, the SACNW sub-station has a new donation box for those people who find it more convenient to drop a quick donation. Donations can be made online at www.sacnw.org - our new set up is working beautifully!

Anthony Carballo Arrested
San Pedro Police have formally charged 25-year-old Anthony Carballo for the double murder of Allen Martinez and Deon Faber. Faber and Martinez were gunned down by a masked gunman on Thursday, March 21st, on Laguna Drive in the Boca Del Río Area of San Pedro Town. Carballo is expected to be arraigned for the crime tomorrow Monday, March 25th at the San Pedro Magistrate Court.

Sarteneja Easter Regatta Fest 2019
SARTENEJA VILLAGE, COROZAL prepares for its Annual Easter Regatta - Pin the Date - Sunday, April 21st from 9:00 a.m until. It's going to be Awesome!

Las Vegas Homebased Travel Agent Forum

Spring Equinox @ Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Reserve
Lots of great photos!

The Reporter

Husband and Wife Perish in Traffic Fatality
Two people died in a traffic accident yesterday evening in Spanish Lookout. The Reporter has received confirmation that at around 6:00 pm, Abram Penner, 51, a farmer of Spanish Lookout was driving a motorcycle on Route 40 in the community, with his wife, Irene Penner, 48, as his passenger.

Police Catch Suspected Hit and Run Driver
One man is in Police custody and possibly facing charges for a hit and run accident in Belmopan over the weekend which claimed the life of elderly Guatemalan national Pablo Hernandez, 63. Just after 7:00 p.m. on Sunday Belmopan Police were called out to the Hummingbird Highway, within city limits near Caribbean Chicken where they observed Hernandez’s lifeless body lying near the highway.

Complaints Rain on Voters’ Cards; Elections Official Responds
The first batch of voter’s cards are out and so are the first batch of complaints against them, varying from the design of the I.D.s to their quality, to errors that are blatant on a heap of them. But Elections and Boundaries Commission Chairman, Doug Singh says the errors, no matter who is at fault, as long as they can be rectified or verified, should not create problems for people who want to vote in next month’s ICJ Referendum.

Several Fatal Road Accidents in Rural Areas Reported
There have been two fatal traffic accidents since Friday night, both of which occurred in rural areas. The most recent incident occurred last night in Scotland Halfmoon village and the victim has been identified, he is Vladimir Antonio Aguilar, 28, a carpenter of Scotland Half Moon Village, Belize District.

LOVE FM

Luk Ya 10th Edition Women in Art Exhibition
The Embassy of Mexico is hosting the opening of Luk Ya 10th Edition Women in Art Exhibition. Diego Sapien, Cultural Attaché of the Mexican Embassy says this Exhibition which started ten years ago in Dangriga is usually held during Women’s International Month. For the first time it’s being held in Belize City at the Mexican …

Breaking Belize News

Team Belize victorious in 2019 Baker to Las Vegas relay marathon
After placing second in last year’s race, Belize returned to the United States determined to place first in the Baker to Las Vegas 2019 challenge cup relay morathon. The determination of Team Belize paid off as the team crossed the finish line as champions earlier today.

Man chopped in Orange Walk: Police investigating
Police are investigating a chopping incident in Orange Walk Town over the weekend. Details are at this time sketchy but police have confirmed that Gonzalo Flota was chopped to various parts of the body.

Minor knocked off bicycle and dies
Police in southern Belize are investigating a fatal traffic accident. Police have confirmed that on Saturday night, Jose Marquez, 16, was riding his bicycle near mile 20 of the Southern Highway.

Recently acquitted murderer charged for San Pedro double murder
Belize City resident, Anthony Carballo, has been charged with two counts of murder. His charges are in connection with last Thursday’s double murder of Allen Martinez, 35, and Deon Faber, 40.

One reportedly dead in road traffic accident just now
Our newsroom has received reports of yet another fatal road traffic accident. It occurred minutes ago near mile 8 of the George Price Highway in the Belize District.

Police investigating crash in Spanish Lookout that killed 2 persons
Police have issued an official report on a double fatality in Spanish Lookout, Cayo. According to the report, Gerhard Penner, 85, was driving a gold Pontiac Montana en route to Spanish Lookout. That was when he collided into the rear of a motorcycle being driven by Abram Penner, 51, and his wife Irene Penner, 48.

How Belize lost to Guyana – Everything you need to know
The loss may have been narrow, but it stings nonetheless. That the national side, the Jaguars, had their opportunities in Saturday’s game with Guyana is not in doubt. That for the most part, they took them, is also not in doubt. But the biggest takeaway from the 2-1 result is that Belize’s tried and tested method of playing few international warm-ups and calling players in for training camp from 2 weeks to a month out of tournaments is not working.

CARICOM Ministers meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Guaidó
As the civil crisis in Venezuela rages on, foreign Ministers of the Caribbean Community have held a meeting with opposition leader Juan Guaidó, who has declared himself interim president of Venezuela.

Four dead in three road traffic accidents since Friday
Four persons have lost their lives in three separate road traffic accidents over the weekend. The first accident occured on Friday night on the Hummingbird Highway.

ICJ fair being held in Santa Elena today
Belizeans are gearing up to participate in a historic national referendum to decide whether or not to take Guatemala’s claim on Belize’s territory to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for final settlement.

Blogs

Looking for the Yellow Headed Parrots on Cayo Frances Lagoon
Even if you don’t think you give a hoot about birds or plants, spring is a pretty cool time of year on Ambergris Caye. Along with the influx of birds from the north – and the trees and plants blossoming, we are enjoying such a ridiculously gorgeous late winter weather. Low humidity – it plummeted to an arid 51% yesterday – and bright sparkly sunshine. Curly hair girls rejoice. The summer heat and humidity is just around the corner. This morning I woke up at 8am – normal for me, considered mid-day here at the camp (Cayo Frances Farm & Fly) – and was told I missed the parrots that flock to this area each spring to eat the young fruits and then nest. Or so I am told. PARROTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Armed with my binoculars and camera, I headed back to the flowering kinep trees.

Why Should I Live In Corozal, Belize?
Have you considered Corozal, Belize as a possible town to live in? You wouldn’t be the first! Gary Peterson offers some insight on why some expats chooses to live in this community. Corozal, Belize has long been a magnet for expats from North America and elsewhere. It doesn’t enjoy miles of beautiful sandy beach and there isn’t much nightlife to speak of. So what draws so many people to Corozal?

International Sources

2019 Atlantic, Caribbean & Gulf Of Mexico Hurricane Season Forecast
Summary: Activity during the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season is likely to be influenced by building El Nino conditions. This potentially means a lower than average number of storms, HOWEVER, this does not necessarily mean that the threat for a tropical storm or hurricane impact is lower as there is data supporting the idea of at least one landfall of a tropical storm/hurricane on the US coast and/or eastern Caribbean this season. In addition, I am expecting the formation of at least one tropical storm in the western Atlantic during either May or early June. In addition, I also think that we could start out “quick” with tropical storm/hurricane formation from May to August, but then slow down in activity during September with the hurricane season potentially ending early in October as El Nino strengthens and attempts to make the Atlantic increasingly more unfavorable for development.

A Rare Tropical Storm Forms in the South Atlantic: Iba
The only ocean basin on Earth that does not regularly see tropical cyclones develop is the South Atlantic, but it had a rare tropical storm form on Sunday. Tropical Storm Iba developed about 600 miles northeast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, according to the Brazilian Navy Hydrographic Center (BNHC). Ocean temperatures in this region were quite warm, near 29°C (84°F). Satellite fixes of the system, initially dubbed “Invest 90Q”, showed a modest increase in organization on Sunday morning. The BNHC rated Iba as a minimal tropical storm with sustained winds of 40 mph and a central pressure of 1008 mb at noon EDT Sunday. Steering currents will take Iba to the southeast, out to sea, and the system is not a threat to any land areas. Iba is expected to slowly strengthen to sustained winds of 45 – 50 mph by Monday morning, but is likely to slowly weaken by mid-week, never attaining hurricane status.

UK and Caribbean sign post-Brexit trade deal
Last Friday (22 March), the UK minister of state for trade policy, George Hollingbery, signed the Cariforum-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with ministers and representatives from Barbados, Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, the Republic of Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The deal ensures that businesses across the Caribbean will be able to continue to trade without barriers or tariffs. The agreement eliminates all tariffs on all goods imported to the UK from the Caribbean countries, while these Caribbean states will continue to gradually cut import tariffs on most of the region’s imports from the UK.

Videos

March 24, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

GOB amends IBC laws to avoid EU blacklist
The Government of Belize (GOB) has moved swiftly to avoid the threat of being sanctioned by the European Union, by amending the regulations for both the International Financial Services Commission and the International Business Companies (IBC) Act. Minister of Investment, Trade, and Commerce, Hon. Tracy Panton introduced bills with these amendments, which were rushed through their three readings for swift approval with bi-partisan support in the House of Representatives in Belmopan last Friday, March 15th. The first Bill amended the International Business Companies Act, which is Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, to institute a mandatory physical presence by such IBC’s and to provide for the option for a company to meet the physical presence requirements.

Island pre-schoolers showcase diverse talents at the 2019 Festival of Arts
Since the beginning of March, which is considered Child Stimulation Month, island preschoolers have been kept busy with fun-filled activities. On Thursday, March 20th the young ones got the chance to showcase their talent at the Preschools’ annual Festival of Arts held at the Paradise Theatre north of San Pedro Town. Under the theme: “Hug me, Listen to me, Read with me, Help me Grow!” the show saw a large crowd of residents enjoying the wonderful talents of the many preschoolers on the island. “The Festival of Arts gives each child the opportunity to showcase their talents and skills through dance, drama, and music. Incorporating art education into children’s learning has so many advantages, such as enhancing their imagination and facilitates their multisensory learning experience,” he said.

San Pedro Sailing Club is back!
To continue building up the San Pedro Sailing Club (SPSC), members have been conducting sailing activities every weekend at their base off the waters at Banyan Bay Suites’ beachfront. The Club is looking forward to providing free instructional sailing lessons to Belizeans, particularly those from the ages of eight to 15. Adults are also welcome to come out and enjoy some sailing every weekend. Some of the past tournaments the SPSC have participated in include the Bart’s Bash International Regatta. This event is a global fundraiser for disabled sailors and is a legitimate international sailing race for sailors from all over the world and in every kind of sailboat.

No leads in Horace Cadle Jr’s murder; Police continue to investigate
San Pedro Police continue investigating the tragic murder of 19-year-old Horace Cadle Jr., with no leads to his killer(s). Cadle’s lifeless body was found on Blake Street shortly before midnight on March 13th with multiple stab wounds to his chest and neck. According to police, they initially detained a few suspects but were later released. Additionally, surveillance footage shows Cadle walking on the said street with what appears to be drunken friends, but the area where he was allegedly attacked has no surveillance coverage. Police are further speculating the motives behind his killing, given the fact that he was stabbed 28 times.

Misc Belizean Sources

Orphaned Manatee Calf Alert
An orphaned manatee calf has been reported in the Consejo area and urgently needs to be found. It is reported as under 4 feet in length - very young - it cannot survive on it own. Orphaned manatees will normally hide in mangroves or under docks, especially in rough waters. We are asking the general public for help in searching the mangroves and shoreline around Consejo. Wildtracks will be in the Consejo area with SACD, and would appreciate help with the search.

Marco Gonzalez Spring Equinox Celebration
Such a great island event! Don't miss this very special occasion this morning at Marco Gonzalez Maya Site!

Tamandua on Ambergris Caye
For the second time this year, we received a call about a tamandua (anteater) on Ambergris Caye. This little lady was found wandering around Island Academy last night and then captured by the caretaker. A friend of ours contacted us on their behalf, as they were unsure what to do with the animal at this point. Tamandua's are native to Belize. They are usually found in forested areas, living in tall trees, eating termites and ants. As Ambergris Caye becomes more developed, they are one of many species of wildlife loosing their habitat. Since the area where this anteater was found is heavily trafficked by vehicles, people, and dogs, the decision was made to relocate this beauty to a more suitable habitat, away from the excitement of city life.

World Water Day in Corozal
The Ministry of Natural Resources, through the National Hydrological Services, in collaboration with the World Water Day Committee hosted an opening ceremony at Escuela Secundaria Technica Mexico in the Corozal District on Monday, March 18th, to commemorate World Water Day. The theme for World Water Day 2019 is "Leaving no one behind" which encapsulates water for all.

Attention Corozal. It's ZUMBA TIME - April 5th

Corozal - BCVI's Free Eye Exam and Diabetic Eye Screening
Corozal Town Hall - March 25th & 26th. San Narciso Old Health Center - March 27th & 28th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Take advantage.

CAWS 3rd Annual Cinco De Mayo
The Cayo Animal Welfare Society is having their 3rd annual Jefe de la Cocina Cook-off. It'll be on Saturday, May 4th, at Remo's, and it starts at 3:00pm. They'll have a silent auction to go with the delicious food. If you want to enter the contest, let CAWS know. "$12 at the door and come enjoy and vote the food entries for this years Cayo's Jefe de La Cocina this Cinco De Mayo! Remo's will be selling drinks through out the day. Silent Auction and 50/50 contest! It's all to continue funding the efforts of Cayo Animal Humane Society. We look forward to seeing you there!"

Belize Birding for ConservationTour
Want to come to the Birding Nation with the Belize Bird Conservancy? Here is a good opportunity to hit some of the key Hotspots in the country... Here is your opportunity to bird Belize and support our conservation work. Our Annual Birding for Conservation Tour is from August 4-13, 2019. All proceeds go directly to our Hawk Watch and Raptor Certification Program. We visit many premier birding locations and have a chance to see nearly 300 species, targeting Yucatan endemics and many other gems found in Belize.

The Reporter

Wounded Father of Murder Victim Reopens Business
Takayuki Yanai, 53, the wounded father of UB engineering student, Masaki Yanai who was shot dead during a robbery early last month at their home in the Buttonwood Bay area of Belize City has reopened his restaurant after himself recovering from gunshot wounds he suffered in the hold-up.

Police Corporal Assaulted, And His Gun Taken
Police Corporal, Mark Martinez, 38, was assaulted and robbed of his Police-issued firearm early this morning in Belize City. The Reporter has learned that sometime around 2:00 this morning, Martinez got involved in a dispute and a struggle with one of three men over his service weapon when a vehicle stopped in front of him on Newtown Barracks.

To Go or Not to Go A Sit-Down With Senator Valerie Woods
Perhaps the most recent public proponent of the YES to the ICJ vote on April 10th has been Senator Valerie Woods. Woods is a Senator politically appointed to represent the People’s United Party, which has officially taken a NO to the ICJ stance. We thought it would be enlightening to sit with Woods to find out what prompted her to come to that decision, and also if she envisions any repercussions from the Party she represents.

Breaking Belize News

Two dead in fatal traffic accident
Our newsroom has confirmed that two persons are dead after a fatal road traffic accident in Spanish Lookout, Cayo. The deceased man and woman have been identified with their last name being “Penners.”

Traffic accident in Spanish Lookout: Police have been deployed to the scene
Almost thirty minutes ago there was a road traffic accident reported near Spanish Lookout, Cayo. Police […]

“Golden” Guyana see off Belize Jaguars 2-1
Guyana saw out a tense second half to eliminate Belize from CONCACAF Gold Cup contention by a score of 2-1. The Golden Jaguars had their chances to put the game away but Woodrow West was a rock in goal. Our Jaguars had their share of efforts as well but were consistently denied by the Guyana defense.

Halftime: Belize 1, Guyana 2
The Jaguars lived dangerously in the first half in this evening’s match up with Guyana, conceding two penalties in the first half hour of play. Defender Neil Danns hit the first in the 16th minute but goalkeeper Woodrow West saved the second in the 33rd minute.

Ministry of National Security hosts 4th National Security ride
The 4th National Security ride was held yesterday in Belize. The ride commenced in front of Coast Guard Head Quarters in Belize City and concluded in front of the National Security Building in Belmopan.

Who issued fake gun license?
uthorities are investigating a report of a fake gun license in Biscayne village, Belize. Yesterday morning, Alberto Honi Ishmael Moralez, 26, visited Raccoon Police Station to renew his gun license for a .9mm Luger brand pistol.

Thieves assault officer and take his gun
A police officer was assaulted this morning in Belize City. According to reports, around 2:00 a.m. today, a police officer was involved in an altercation with a man.

Office assistant beaten and robbed of over $2000
Authorities are investigating a robbery that occurred yesterday morning in Belize City. Salomie Cherrington, office assistant at BTALCO in Belize City reported that sometime between 9 and 10 a.m., she was riding her motorcycle on Slaughterhouse Road en-route to Atlantic Bank to do her daily deposit.

Punta Gorda Should Be Declared The Capital Of Belize
By Dr. Gerald Zuniga. Punta Gorda Town is the most beautiful town of Belize without hurting susceptibilities. It is the highest coastal town in Belize and Barranco Village is the highest coastal village after travelling hundreds of miles along the coast from part of Mexico”s Caribbean Coast to the Sarstoon River.

International Sources

Hobbs Brewing Co. Opens New Brewery in Belize
Hobbs Brewing Co., which opened as brewpub in New Hampshire, in 2014, will begin distribution with 12 oz. cans and kegs throughout Placencia, Belize, in April. “We recognized that this area really needed craft beer,” said Ash Fischbein, a partner of Hobbs Brewing Company. “And we started to put it all into motion last year.” Placencia is a small village located in the Stann Creek district of Belize. Placencia has a population of approximately 3,500, but is a prime vacation destination and home to many new resorts and other businesses. Hobbs will feature two beers as it begins production in Central America: Wildcat IPA and Hummingbird Belizean Golden Ale.

EU blacklist: Cooperation or Coercion?
On 12 March, the Council of the 28-nations European Union (EU) placed 15 small territories on a list of what it calls ‘non-cooperative jurisdictions”. What the EC considers these territories to be “non-cooperative” about reveals the raw exercise of power by the strong over the weak. In this case, the firm intention of the EU is to impose its tax policies upon other nations through strong-arming. The language that the EU uses speaks of cooperation, but it sounds more like coercion. The targeted countries must either surrender to the EU’s demands to raise their taxes or face consequences. The EU Council has specifically directed that the EU member states “take the revised EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions into account” in aid, trade, and financing.

Videos

March 23, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Police on high alert after finding 23 kilos of cocaine north of San Pedro Town
Following a significant drug discovery two miles north of San Pedro Town on Sunday, March 17th, the island’s police department, along with additional personnel from the mainland are on high alert as it is suspected that the drugs are part of a larger illegal operation. The discovery was made on the beach, where police found a crocus sack containing 20 sealed packages of suspected cocaine. According to the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, the area where the drugs were found is a hot spot for what is known as ‘wet drops,’ and a favorite area for ‘playadores’ persons who roam these isolated beaches in search of drugs washing ashore.

Illegal dredging activities halted on San Pedro lagoon
An unauthorized dredging project on the lagoon side of San Pedro Town has received a stop order from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture via the Mining Unit. Concerned citizens claimed that heavy machinery, including a Caterpillar excavator, had allegedly been used to construct an approximately three-mile channel heading north. The Department of Environment (DOE) confirmed to The San Pedro Sun that the proprietors, believed to be Bob Dhillon and David Mitchell, did not have the required permits for such an activity and the persons carrying out the excavation were verbally ordered to cease operations until an inspection is conducted. A team from DOE is expected to arrive on the island to inspect and verify the nature of the questionable project.

Special Agreement challenged in Supreme Court; Judgement adjourned to April
A Special Agreement that has led to a national referendum scheduled for April 10, 2019, on whether to settle the Guatemalan territorial claim to Belize at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), was challenged at the Belize Supreme Court on Friday, March 15th for its validity. This legal move is spearheaded by the Opposition, the People’s United Party, who hope to stop/delay the referendum via an interim injunction. The Supreme Court will deliver a verdict in the first week of April on whether the referendum is held or postponed to a later date.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow presents 1.2 Billion Budget for 2019-2020
On March, Friday 15th Minister of Finance and Prime Minister of Belize, the Right Honorable Dean Barrow presented the official budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, under the theme: “Moving Ahead With Strong and Steady Economic Growth; Expansion of Opportunities for Business and Personal Advance; And Rededication to Basic Social Protection.” The $1.256 billion proposed budget highlights the country’s external deficit, debts, and optimism in the growth of the economy. No new taxes were introduced. However, there were adjustments to balance expenditures and revenues. As for possibilities of any projects to benefit Ambergris Caye, the budget presentation did not include any concrete plans.

San Pedro Invaders win their first match of the season!
During the sixth week of the National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) Closing Season 2019, the San Pedro Invaders managed to nab a victory against Royal Maya Hill. On Sunday, March 17th, the Invaders overcame their opponent with a much-needed 2-1 victory. The match kicked off at 4PM from the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio, Cayo District. Determined to taste victory, the Invader Silvia Quil didn’t give up until she found the goal at minute 30. However, at minute 35, Royal Maya Hill’s Judy Vasquez responded with a goal of her own, tying the game. However, bought teams fought for control, and it was until minute 46, when Quil once again found her way to the net to score a second goal for the island team, taking them to the break leading 2-1.

Ambergris Today

Government Of Belize Addresses Challenges In Sugar Industry
The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce, informs the public about the actions being taken to address the challenges currently facing Belize’s sugar industry and that of the wider Caribbean. The Government of Belize and the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) have been working in close collaboration with stakeholders in Belize’s sugar industry, including BSI-ASR and Santander Sugar Ltd., and with other sugar stakeholders in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Misc Belizean Sources

Stanford Eye Clinic
Belize Kids.org is bringing Stanford eye doctors to San Pedro Town this coming week. Doctors will be seeing adults and kids FREE of charge from March 25-29, 2019 at the Lions Den from 9AM to 5PM. Appointments are welcome. Please bring along your Social Security Card. You may want to bring your sunglasses for after the exam as your eyes will be sensitive to bright lights for a while.

Special Olympics Fun Run in Corozal
The Corozal Football Association along with the Corozal Sports Council invites all Corozalenos to come out and support the Special Olympics. April 6, 2019

Maya Wedding at Santa Rita
Maya Wedding Re-enactment at the archaeological site includes the re-enactment, Mestizo dances, Pok-Ta-Pok fireball game, and a light Maya appetizer. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children. Sponsored by the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), Belize Tourism Board (BTB), Centro Escolar México (CEM), and the Corozal Town Council. Coconut Festival Beach Party at the beach side at the South-end entrance of Corozal Town, in front of Hotel Maya, sponsored by the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), Belize Tourism Board (BTB), Centro Escolar México (CEM), and the Corozal Town Council. Free entrance.

Corozal Weekend Events
Here are some events taking place in town this weekend. If you have an event happening, let us know, so we can add it to our list. If you are visiting, do stop by and support these events.

SATURDAY MOVIE NIGHT IN COROZAL
Grill Wizard" playing in front of our Town Hall at 6:00 p.m. Bring out your children. It's FREE. Come and enjoy some popcorn & juice. Don't stay home. Come and meet new friends. The best things in life are FREE!!! Our town will have many sports' activities this weekend. Let's be part of making Corozal great again. Sponsored by Archangel Medical Center - This Saturday, March 23rd. Support our community's small business enterprises.

Power outage in San Pedro scheduled from 6:00am to 1:00pm on Wednesday, March 27
to affect Pescador Drive, Angel Coral Street, Ambergris Street, Caribeña Street, Nurse Shark Street, Pelican Street, Buccaneer Street, Tarpon Street, Almond Street, portion Black Coral Street, San Pedrito including Crocodile Street, Gutten Street, Tropic Wave Street, Glitter Street and Water Lane Street; DFC Area including Mar de Tumbo Drive, Sea Grape Drive, Villa Drive and Escalante Subdivision. BEL to replace utility poles and relocate power lines in the area.

World Water Day Photo Contest Winners
Belize Water Services in collaboration with World Water Day Committee announce the winners of the World Water Day Photo Contest. Congratulations to the winners!!! Thanks to everyone who participated in the competition.

Weekend Events in San Pedro
Special event Saturday... -March Bingo Night - Crazy Canucks Beach Bar 5pm - FRENCH KISS AT SUNSET - DJ Patron B Day Bash - The Truck Stop - Lego Movie - Frank Reyes at CocoCabana Restaurant & Bar - Iguana Juan's Restaurant & Bar Reggae Brunch and Tull live music tonight -The Market at Banyan Bay Suites 10am -Live music at Palapa Bar and Grill, The Truck Stop, Iguana Juan's Restaurant & Bar -Karaoke at BERNIE's BACK Bar & Restaurant -DJ - DVJ Scottman - AJ's Sports Bar

Ruby’s Cafe is Moving...
But just across the street! How convenient!

Mr. Cesar Cerpa passes away
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff extends its deepest condolences to the Cerpa friends and family on the passing of Mr. Cesar Cerpa. We wish his friends and family find the strength in each other to overcome this great loss. May his soul rest in peace.

YA DA FI WE BELIZE, a presentation on the ICJ Referendum
Everyone is invited to the YA DA FI WE BELIZE, a presentation on the ICJ Referendum. Come out and learn more about the ICJ Referendum from the invited speakers Mr. Assad Shoman and Jordan Craig.

Easter Bash 2019
Easter Weekend will be epic in Corozal Town. Look out for Easter Bash 2019.

World Forest Day
Yesterday CRC celebrated World Forest Day with Belize Forest Department and various other organizations in Toledo. One of the big questions of the day- how many crocodile species are in Belize? We are sure if you ask any kid at the end of this event not only could they tell you how many, but also species name and their preferred habitat and prey species!

Public Consultation held on BEL’s ESIA Report for Caye Caulker Interconnection

Youth Ambassadors Program
The Youth Ambassadors Program recruitment process has begun. Students and mentors are encouraged to apply. For details on the program check out the flyer below. APPLY NOW at youthambassadors.worldlearning.org before the deadline on April 11, 2019!

Channel 7

Mason Attorney Abandons
There's been a major shake-up in the Danny Mason murder trial; today, his attorney threw in the towel. 
Things started to go off the tracks yesterday morning when, minutes before the case was supposed to resume, the authorities cleared the courtroom so that the judge and the attorneys from both sides could address an urgent matter.  Shortly after that, rumors began spreading that Mason and his alleged accomplices were attempting to fire Herbert Panton as their defense attorney. We attempted to confirm these reports, but everyone close to the case was tight-lipped.  Whatever the issue was, it caused the trial to be adjourned until this morning at 9:00 when the 5 accused were taken back to court. The attorneys for both sides presented themselves for another private discussion before the judge, and about an hour or so later, Panton exited to announce that he is no longer representing Mason and company.

Still No Answers On San Pedro Murder
Last night 7news took you to San Pedro where two men were gunned down in broad daylight in a busy part of town. The report is that Allen Martinez and Deon Faber were at Faber's house located behind a mechanic shop. Faber was outside while Martinez was inside. Faber then ran to the house and shouted "gunman" and that is when the masked shooter opened fire. Martinez was struck to the neck and shoulder and Faber was hit to the back, chest and forearm. Both succumbed to their injuries.  We spoke to Martinez's brother yesterday and today we spoke to Faber's niece in Belize City. Both families say the same thing: they don't know why their loved one was murdered.

UDP Fello Says PUP Marconi Sent Serious Threats
Up until Monday, Damion "Fello" Garbutt was a UDP supporter little known outside of Belize Rural where he is a general for area rep Edmond Castro.  But after being punched by the PUP Standard Bearer Marconi Leal on Saturday, his name, and his right cross, became well known across the country.
Well, tonight, Garbutt is making news again - and this time it's because he says he wants to press criminal charges against Leal for assault.  That's is a change, because on the night after the fight, he told police he didn't want to press charges.  But, now he says a conversation that Leal had with his sister has forced him to change his position in the interest of his own safety:..

Fired By CITCO, Jenkins Says Council Coming After His Pvt. Venture
In May of last year we spoke to Cecil Jenkins when he was fired by the City Council where he had been working for 12 years.   He alleged wrongful dismissal and the case is presently before the Labour Commissioner - but in the 10 months since, Jenkins hasn't had a job. And, on top of that, his political ambitions were derailed when he lost in the UDP convention for Lake I late last year. So, now he's trying to start up a food business on Mahogany Street, where he's had a stall - he says for 10 years - running small businesses on and off.  He recently put on new sheets of plywood to start up again - only to face a stop order from the city council.  We went to the stall today to find the stop order tacked unto the humble structure - he told us why:

Candice and CITCO Case Under Mediation
And when the council terminated Jenkins in May of last year, City Administrator, Candice Miller was also sent home.  Her lawsuit against the council for wrongful termination is still pending, but both sides entered court-ordered arbitration in an attempt to settle the case out-of-court.  When we showed up to court this afternoon, we saw Miller and her attorney, Magali Perdomo, heading into an empty courtroom for some privacy to discuss among themselves. Shortly after that, we saw the Mayor, Bernard Wagner, the New City Administrator and attorney Anthony Sylvestre exit from the Chief Justice's courtroom from their private discussion.

Guat Bus Gets Two Runs Per Day
Last night we told you about the Guatemalan Bus that appeared this week at the Belize City bus terminal on West Collet Canal.  It's caused an uproar amongst local bus operators who say that Transport Minister Edmond Castro is actively undermining them and giving the upper hand to Guatemalan bus operators.  But Castro said he didn't authorize the yellow bus we saw pictures of.  But, he did.  This letter to Transport Commissioner Tirso Galvez gives the green light to the yellow bus.   On March 5th, Castro gave the San Juan Travel Bus Corporation permission to load and offload passengers at the Belize City terminal for two runs daily.

BEL Building Consensus In Caye Caulker
Last week we took you to the waters outside Caye Caulker. BEL is proposing to lay a submarine cable to carry electricity 6 miles from San Pedro to the place called La Isla Carinosa.  Last night, they put the proposal to villagers in a public consultation.   Over 90 residents attended the session which was led by the Department of Environment on the grounds of the village RC School. The pitch is that the submarine cable will connect Caye Caulker to the national power grid and reduce noise and air pollution from diesel generation, eliminate risks associated with transporting diesel to the island, and reduce generation cost by $3 million to $4 million annually.

Caye Caulker Village Council, Battling Haphazard Growth
And while Caye Caulker can look forward to the prospect of life without the constant hum of diesel generators, it's a mixed bag, because on this small and precious island, progress really does bring problems.   We heard a lot about those when we had a sitdown with the village council on Wednesday night.  Here's what they had to say:.. Caye Caulker is one of the most special places in Belize - with its sandy streets, its famous split easily accessible swimming areas.Trees, breeze and beaches, natural beauty and a chill vibe that can't be matched for human's and human's best friends. Tourists can't get enough - and with that kind of demand paradise doesn't stay unspoiled for too long. And its village council says that Caye Caulker has a major case of growing pains rapid unregulated and haphazard growth.

I Can Be Your Shero
The Belize City Council today hosted its first Sheroes Awards ceremony as part of the Women's month celebrations. The council awarded 11 women, one from each constituency, for their contributions to their family and community. We dropped by at the Radisson to meet the proud Sheroes. Mayor Bernard Wagner and Councilor Candice Pitts told us more about this initiative. Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City: "It is women's month and councillor Pitts came up with this great idea of acknowledging and recognizing some of the women who have been unsung heroes in our society and in our community so we were able to identify 11 such women that we feel have done their part and been the cornerstone of their families and communities and that is why we feel good about this even today."

Trans In Action
TIA: It stands for Trans in Action Belize. It's a group that advocates for the trans community whether it be Transgender, transsexual, transvestite, all groups of people who have different experiences, but all want the same thing: to be respected and afforded the same rights and basic privileges like everyone else. Today TIA met at the Radisson to present a documentation known CEDOSTALC which means Center of Documentation and Trans situation in Latin American and the Caribbean. The Co-founder of TIA told us more about this report and how it fits into their mandate as a group.

Garcia Guilty
24 year-old Marcus Garcia, a prisoner who is currently serving out a prison sentence for ammunition conviction, has been sentenced to spend 10 months for shooting a man. In July of 2017 he allegedly shot 31 year cab driver Emmeth Baptist.   Baptist told police that he dropped off Garcia and a female, and when he looked up, he was staring into the barrel of a .38 revolver.  Baptist said he took $35 out of his pocket, handed it to Garcia, and then, reversed out at high speed. Garcia fired 4 shots at him while he was reversing, and he was shot in his back and on his left index finger. He continued to reverse, then he turned into Tibruce Street and on to Mahogany Street where he was a police mobile intercepted him and learned what had happened. 

Sanker's Street Art Is Portrait Of History
Today we saw artist Alex Sanker up the street from our studios capturing an old colonial relic. It's the old British Style postal containers - a few of which can be found around the country. He said that its the art of history: As you heard, Sanker has been capturing classic Belize City scenes for some time now.

Taking on TB
Sunday is World Tubercolosis Day so health officials organized an education fair today at the Battlefield park . One of the coordinators explained why tuberculosis awareness is still important to this day. Susan Rivero - Rural Heath Nurse, Cleopatra White: "The date is really the 24th of March but we are celebrating it today since it's a Sunday, so we are celebrating it today. What we're doing is showcasing all the other health facilities that work along with us as well. People tend to think that tuberculosis has been eradicated but we want them to know that it's still here and we want them to understand more about it and learn more about it because people can still die from and we want to make sure that they get their education that they need about it and that's why we're here and that's why the stress clinic is there and we continue to get educate on it on a daily basis.

Sacred Hoops
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at, based in the Buttonwood Bay area in Belize City, has been organizing grand local and international basketball tournaments for youths all over the country. And on Sunday, the league is organizing its third All Star Basketball event, to showcase the skills of up-and-coming ballers that the organization has nurtured. The event will happen on the 129th anniversary of the Ahmadiyya's establishment. The President of the local chapter of the organization told us that this All Star tournament is expected to be their biggest yet:

Big Race Weekend
And, a major cycling race will also be held this weekend.  It's the Belmopan Classic, which used the be the Ninth of March Classic until the Ruta Maya took that race day away.  Cycling promoter Kwame Scott says it's an important warm up for the Cross Country classic:.. Over the past few weeks, you've probably noticed the changes in the channel lineup from your cable provider.  Popular channels such  as Showtime, Encore and the Movie Channel have been removed from the lineup.

Channel 5

1 Man Detained for Double Murder in San Pedro; another Man and Woman are Being Sought
A woman and two men were captured on surveillance camera arriving by boat in San Pedro just prior to the double murder of Deon Faber and Allen Martinez. The woman [...]

More Boots on Ground in San Pedro to Avert Retaliation in Wake of Double Murder
Since the start of the year, and including Thursday’s double homicide, there have been four murders in San Pedro. It is two more than last year’s statistics for the island [...]

Danny Mason’s Trial is Adjourned; Attorney Panton Says He Removed Himself from the Case
The high profile trial for William “Danny” Mason and company has been adjourned because he needs new legal representation after attorneys Herbert Panton and Rachel Montejo stepped away from the [...]

Former City Administrator Seeking Settlement Via Mediation
Former City Administrator Candice Miller appeared before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin this afternoon for mediation with Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner.  Miller was suspended from her post as the most [...]

Trio Sentenced to Life, but Will Serve 21 More Years for Murder
Three Belize City men known on the streets as Ants, Billy and Fabby today learnt their fate in the murder of Joseph Myers.  Myers was gunned down on the compound [...]

Marcos Garcia Gets 11 Months for Shooting Taxi Man
A taxi man picked up a man and his girlfriend to take them to their destination, but instead of paying him, the man pulled out a gun, tried to rob [...]

Over $3,000 Jacked from Caribbean Tires in OW
On Thursday, thieves targeted the Caribbean Tires Wholesale branch located in Orange Walk Town. Today, the company’s accountant, thirty-eight-year-old Rosita Wade, reported to police that she left her workplace around [...]

The Belize Bus Association at Odds with Transport Department
The Belize Bus Association remains at odds with the Department of Transport tonight after two Guatemalan bus operators were given licenses to traffic passengers to and from Guatemala to Belize [...]

Fisheries Department Responds to Conch Quota Concerns
Since the beginning of the week, News Five has been taking an in-depth look at the state of Belize’s conch fishery.  There have been serious concerns raised about enforcement of [...]

Eleven Unsung Sheroes Honored by CitCo
As activities wind down in celebration of Women’s Month, the Belize City Council today singled out a group of outstanding women from all walks of life and ages for their [...]

A Sports Day for Kiddies Campus Preschool
School children all around the country have had a busy month with meaningful and fun activities. This year, Child Stimulation Month, is being held under the theme, “Hug me, Listen [...]

Guyana’s Government Stays Put as Court Dismisses ‘No Confidence Motion’; Opposition to Appeal
We take a break from the local news for two major developments in the region. Today, Guyana’s Court of Appeal ruled that a no-confidence motion against the government of David [...]

US President Meets with Caribbean Leaders; Promises Renewed Investments and Engagement
Today, President Donald Trump met with leaders from five Caribbean countries in Florida; namely Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Dominican Republic, Haiti and the Bahamas. Notably, these countries voted with the U.S. [...]

Basketball All Star Tournament in Belize City
The Ahmadiyya Basketball League is hosting its all-star basketball competition this Sunday in Belize City. The event will bring players from across the country, as well as Mexico, to compete [...]

Succotz Villagers Meet with BWS Officials Over High Water Bills
Over the weekend, senior officials from Belize Water Services Limited held a meeting with residents of San Jose Succotz in Cayo over high water bills. As we reported earlier in [...]

Amandala

Double murder in San Pedro
Deon Faber, 41, and Allen Martinez, 34, who are both originally from Belize City but have been living in San Pedro, were murdered at about 1:30 this afternoon in Boca Del Rio. Faber died almost immediately, and Martinez died while being taken to the San Pedro Polyclinic. Reliable information to us is that Faber and Martinez were socializing in Boca Del Rio when they were approached by a man who began to talk to them, after which they all went to the rear of a mechanic shop.

KREM’s Lisa Love celebrates 25 years of being on the air
Today, Radio Krem’s Lisa “Love” celebrates 25 years of being on the airwaves at Radio Krem. Lisa told Amandala this afternoon that long ago, she called JC Arzu, Krem’s chief engineer, and asked why there was no one on the air in the early morning around 5:00. JC told her the slot was hers if she wanted it, and so Lisa got her foot into the door at Radio Krem. Thus was born one of the great stars of Radio Krem. Gifted with a wonderful voice, a super cheerful personality, and a great taste in music, Lisa has been a favorite since her very first show.

Alleged new regime for boledo sellers
Boledo sellers have had to adjust to new regimes quite a few times in the past few years, especially after Brad’s Gaming Company began to privately operate the National Boledo Franchise in 2009. Now there are rumors of a brand new regime which is supposed to come into effect on April 1. Amandala has recently received a letter from a concerned citizen who is asserting that at the start of next month, boledo sellers who still use books and pens, especially in rural areas, will no longer be able to do so. This is not especially strange, since Brad’s has been trying to automate boledo tickets for some time now.

Explosive video evidence in the trial of William “Danny” Mason for the beheading of Pastor Lucas
The sensational murder trial of William “Danny” Mason and his co-accused, Ashton Vanegas, Terrence and Keiron Fernandez, and Ernest Henry Castillo continued today, Wednesday, and lasted until late into the evening before the trial slipped into a voir dire (a trial within a trial). The bone of contention in the voir dire is a statement that was given to police by one of the accused men, while the defense is contending that the accused man who gave police the statement was beaten.

Is William “Danny” Mason attempting to fire his attorneys?
The trial of William “Danny” Mason trial in the Supreme Court was scheduled to continue today, but this morning the trial was abruptly adjourned to tomorrow, Friday, at 9:00 a.m. Mason and his co-accused were not brought into the courtroom of Justice Antoinette Moore, who is hearing the case without a jury, and quite notably, representatives of the media and spectators were asked to leave the courtroom. Amandala has been reliably informed that Mason had indicated to the court that he no longer wants his defense team, attorneys Herbert Panton and Rachel Montejo-Juan, to represent him.

Edward “Mandingo” Gabourel: From printing Amandala to pioneer in the Valley of Peace
In his youth, Edward Lincoln Gabourel was a very strong, powerfully built, but quiet man, who became known as “Mandingo.” Essentially, he has lived a quiet life, even though, at a very young age, he became a member of two organizations which would later have a lifelong impact on him and which would mold his early consciousness. Gabourel recalled that he was around 16-years-old and was working on Turneffe Atoll, when he heard about an organization named the United Black Association for Development (UBAD), from a friend. “It is an organization for black people,” he recalled his friend telling him.

Corozal F.A. U-tournaments update
Another successful weekend of football at the Ricalde Stadium! This week marks our sixth week of the ongoing youth U-Tournaments hosted by the Corozal Football Association (CFA) under the auspices of the Football Federation of Belize (FFB). CFA takes this opportunity to recognize Raigen Fernando Cano, born on October 20, 2000. His education journey began at Santa Clara Pre-School, continued at Santa Clara Adventist School, and obtained his secondary educations at the Belize Adventist College.

National Beach Soccer Semi-finals results
Semi-final games in the Football Federation of Belize’s (FFB) National Amateur Beach Soccer Tournament were held on Saturday, March 16, at Old Belize on the outskirts of Belize City, Mile 5 on the George Price (Western) Highway. In the first semi-final, Belmopan Invaders won, 4-3, over Dangriga Beach Soccer. Goals for Belmopan Invaders were by Jermaine Jones (2’ & 29’), Marlon Meza (16’) and Jose Galdamez (29’); while for Dangriga Beach Soccer, it was Kareem Haylock (15’ & 22’) and Raymond Ramos (37’).

Mayor Belize City 5-Week Dominoes Tournament Week 1 results
The Belize City Council’s “Mayor Belize City 5-Week Dominoes Tournament” got under way with Week One games on Sunday, March 17, at Lakers Kool Spot. A total of 13 out of the 14 registered teams participated in the Week One games, with the winners reaching 3000 points.

Cricket Corner – Some teams getting really hot!
A pleasant day to all! Welcome to this week’s cricket news. Under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA), the Harrison Parks 2019 Cricket Competition resumes after a weekend break. Thanks to the sponsor, Bowen and Bowen! There were some very nice games played. After hearing results, sorry I could not have been at all games at the same time. Let’s start at Rancho, where the so very hot Summer Fever was going up against home team Eagles. The Eagles went in to bat first, and at the fall of the last wicket, 91 runs were scored.

Editorial: April 1 Decision
The Honorable Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin, has set April 1, 2019 as the date to hear an application for an interim injunction on the April 10 referendum. Belizeans, on April 10, are set to decide if Guatemala’s claim to Belize, following the guidelines set out in the Special Agreement, “should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement…” A constitutional challenge, researched by attorneys Richard Bradley, Kareem Musa, and Anthony Sylvestre, was filed by the Courtenay-Coye law firm. Amandala journalist, Rowland A. Parks, wrote that the attorneys “are also asking the court to grant an interim injunction to stop the April 10 ICJ referendum.”

Belize PEACE Movement scolds UNDP
Dear Representative Zacapa, We at the Belize PEACE Movement (BPM) trust that your organization, tasked with providing technical support toward ensuring that adequate awareness and preparedness for the national referendum is realized, remains abreast of all that is transpiring with respect to the impending Referendum scheduled for 10th April 2019. This correspondence serves as the Belize PEACE Movement’s official complaint regarding reports we have received from across the country of personnel dressed in the decal of the UNDP, interviewing citizens as to their likely vote.

Bring back the boledo barrel!
Dear Editor, Monday, April 1, will be the beginning of sad days for boledo sellers countrywide, especially those with scant resources who depend on selling boledo for their livelihood. Boledo sellers have been notified that on that day, they must either have a computer with internet to sell boledo, or lose their livelihoods, since no longer will boledo be sold with pens and books. But even worse than that. Those who avail themselves to sell boledo will have to sell a minimum of $2,000 weekly, or lose their rights to sell boledo.

Belize must first obtain financial independence
Dear Editor, When I was pursuing my math education training with the University of the West Indies in the 1990’s, I was taught that developed economies were more involved in manufacturing than the developing economies. For example, we would sell them pineapples. They would can it and sell it back to us for a higher price. It is called adding value to the product. The fact that the United States manufacturing base has been decimated and their trade deficits and external debt have grown commensurately suggests that industrialization is key to financial independence.

Why the referendum threshold matters and the lies being told
One of the first legislative changes that the Barrow Administration took on upon entering government in 2008 was to pass the amendment to the old Referendum Act, with the view that the people of this country would have a full say in how to initiate a referendum and ensuring it carries a majority mandate of the voting population. One of the major amendments was the setting of a threshold of 60% of registered voters who must participate in a referendum to make it valid. This was critical, and ironically it was a threshold that I knew mattered if there was to be a resounding mandate. While I worked at OCEANA and wanted a referendum on the issue of offshore drilling, I accepted that this threshold had to be met.

Prove it
Some people have said the compromis is the problem. Well, you can compromis for days, weeks, months, and you will end up at any and all legal claims. And that will lead you to 1859 and a treaty between two sovereign nations. The story is as it was, has been, Article Seven. Briefly, the backdrop. There was a faction in Guatemala that was being backed up, egged on by the Americans, and this faction did not agree with their government signing the 1859 treaty. You will never get everyone to agree on anything. Article Seven clearly, as stated, is a business agreement to further the interests of England and Guatemala, BOTH. The essential part of the treaty was the boundary agreement; the details of the business agreement had to be worked out.

The Thing to Do
“The thing to do, really, is to totally exterminate the population’, and then he said, “AND I’VE STARTED THAT’.” (Dr. Cornelius Rhoads, MD, Harvard)(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv1UGYvLg0s) 1. The above is a quote in a letter by a Harvard MD, Cornelius Rhoads, to a colleague in Boston, referring to the Puerto Rican natives. Listen to Minute 17:09 to 17:18 of the YouTube video, according to author, Daniel Immerwahr. 2. For the bigger context, listen from minute 15:43 to 22:40. IT IS SHOCKINGLY EYE-OPENING.

ICJ quiz
It is now about 21 days before Belizean voters will have their historic appointment with destiny in the upcoming referendum. Those who have been able to register but have decided not to participate can only blame themselves if the referendum result initiates a sequence of inexorable calamities for Belize, its present inhabitants and their descendants. So if you are one of those registered persons who are aware of this possibility and more pointedly the fact that one single vote can change our future, but is still content with your choice not to vote — just continue to enjoy your insouciance, perhaps lady luck will smile on you and others will make the correct existential decision for your country. Thus if you are satisfied with whatever the consequences of your non-participation may be, then there is really no need for you to take this quiz.

Belizean-American software developer Andre Gray honored with plaque and key to Bridgeport, Connecticut
The Belizean-American computer software inventor, Andre Gray, who is often described as “The Godfather of Internet Invention,” was honored Monday, March 18, when he was presented with a plaque and given the key to the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, by its Mayor, Joseph Ganim. The ceremony took place at Curiale School, where Gray also addressed students. In his remarks to the students, Gray impressed upon them the need for an education in technology, which he stressed is “no longer optional” for future generations.

In lawsuit against Parole Board, prisoner alleges violation of his constitutional rights
Submissions were made in the Supreme Court of Justice Michelle Arana this morning in a constitutional claim brought by Hillaire Sears, a prisoner at the Belize Central Prison, who has sued the Parole Board for violating his constitutional rights. The Ministry of National Security and the Attorney General are also named as defendants in the claim. At the end of the hearing, Justice Arana indicated to the parties that the court would issue its ruling at a future date.

Sailboat grounds on southern reef
A sailboat ran aground on the southern reef and has since been abandoned. The boat remains high and dry on the reef in Hunting Caye, and its owner remains unknown. Wil Mejia and the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) said that they were informed of a boat that ran aground on Thursday night, and was abandoned. Mejia said that they went to Hunting Caye and saw the abandoned boat on the reef, not far from the Coast Guard Hunting Caye operational base, where Coast Guard officers, as well as policemen and soldiers of the Belize Defence Force, are stationed.

DPP withdraws charges from Marroquin and Vaca
Peruvian national Louis Marroquin and Columbian national Edgar Vargas Vaca, two of three men charged with 2 counts of preparation to commit a crime, to wit, to fraudulently take money from a Scotia Bank ATM machine, were freed of the charges when they appeared today before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson. The prosecutor, Sergeant Carmen Selgado, said that she was in possession of a memorandum from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution directing that the charges against them were to be withdrawn.

The Reporter

Belize Rural North Politics of Violence?
By Neri. This week the People’s Unity Party’s Belize Rural North Standard Bearer Marconi Leal made a public apology after getting into an altercation with a known United Democratic Party supporter, Damion Garbutt.

Thieves Target Caribbean Tires in OW
Thieves have reportedly targeted Caribbean Tires Wholesale office in Orange Walk Town. The Accountant of the company, Rosita Wade, reported to Police that she left her workplace around 5:00 p.m....

Bus Association Concerns Push Transport to React
The Transport Department is taking measures to ensure that Guatemalan bus companies that have been given permits to make commercial runs from that country to Belize City adhere to the terms and conditions stipulated on those permits. This is in order that there be no conflict with local bus operators who bring passengers along the same route from Benque to Belize City.

Social Media Craze Claims Burning Home
The use of mobile devices and the craze to post live updates on social media sites was brought to the forefront recently, as one woman whose house was being burnt to the ground watched in horror as bystanders filmed the tragedy instead of helping her.

EDITORIAL – March 22nd. 2019
Referendum Day, Wednesday April 10, is only three weeks away. On that day the voters of Belize will make a decision concerning the future safety of Belize. Voters will be consulted on whether Belize should take her case for ownership of the whole land to the International Court of Justice.

Caye Caulker Resident Charged
Ephrain Pook, 30, a resident of Caye Caulker, was arraigned on Monday morning in the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court on multiple charges for injuries he allegedly inflicted on two brothers who accused him of breaking into their home and stealing from them.

Mystery Shrouds Adjournment in Mason Case
The murder trial of William “Danny” Mason and four co-defendants accused of the murder of Dangriga Pastor, Llewelyn Lucas, today took an interesting twist when the courtroom was cleared of all media representatives and then abruptly adjourned until tomorrow; and none of the attorneys prosecuting or defending would speak on what led to the sudden adjournment.

Principal Interdicted Following Audit
Principal of Excelsior High School in Belize City, Dawn Watters, has been placed on interdiction with half pay after an audit report on the school’s finances showed serious irregularities with how school monies were being handled over an 11-month period.

Asian Businessman Robbed at Business
An Asian businessman was robbed at gunpoint last night at his store on Baymen Avenue in Belize City. Terrence Tang, 27, was in the process of closing Hope Shop at #35 Baymen Avenue sometime around 9:10pm, while his father waited for him outside.

Breaking Belize News

Over $3,000 stolen from Caribbean Tire Office in Orange Walk
This morning, Rosita Wade, an accountant of San Antonio, Orange Walk reported that yesterday, she left her workplace, […]

Belize vs Guyana – who will score the goals?
The Belize National Football Team, the Jaguars, have by now touched down to face the South […]

Police Department Drama Group showcases “Entertainment Series” at Orange Walk’s Banquitas House of Culture
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Museum of Belize and Orange […]

Chinese Grocery Store robbed at gunpoint by three men
A Chinese Grocery Store was robbed at gunpoint last night. According to reports, Terrence Tang […]

Young man charged for fatal hit and run
A young man from Toledo has been slapped with charges for a fatal hit and […]

ATM scammers have charges dropped, still detained
The Director of Public Prosecutions has dropped the fraud charges for two out of three […]

Police share minor info on discovered skull
Police have shared the little information they have gathered about a skull found in the Belize […]

Belize to observe World Water Day 2019
World Water Day is commemorated worldwide on March 22, 2019. This year’s theme for World […]

Zabaneh family in court for environmental violations
The Department of the Environment (DOE) continues to pursue 43 year old Dion Zabaneh and his […]

Prisoner challenges parole board
This week, prison inmate Hillaire Sears sued the Parole Board for an alleged breach of […]

Police issue report on San Pedro double murder
Today, the Belize Police Department issued an official report on the double murder that happened in […]

City man charged for raping minor, 14
Painter from Rocky Road, 39 year old Albert Waller, is accused of raping a girl almost […]

LOVE FM

Baker 2 Vegas Relay event in Las Vegas, Nevada
Tomorrow marks the start of the Baker 2 Vegas Relay event in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is 120 mile race for law enforcement officers, that Belize is taking part in. Renee Trujillo is accompanying the 25 member delegation. Here’s her report. Rene Trujillo: “The Belizean contingent taking part in the Baker to Vegas Relay Competition …

Looking back at TB
Tuberculosis, TB, is a contagious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria which normally affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. In the past, tuberculosis was considered a death sentence causing the demise of many Belizeans. With the introduction of new medicine, many lives are being saved. Love news spoke with …

Attorneys Dump Danny Mason and Associates in Murder Trial
This morning there was an unexpected twist in the murder trial of the men accused of murdering Pastor Llewelyn Lucas and beheading him. There were rumors circulating that during a closed session on Thursday that the accused men decided to part ways with their defence attorneys, but while that was not factual, it was somewhat …

RET continues work with partners to improve services to victims of gender based violence and human trafficking
RET Belize, over the last year, has been working closely with partners to raise awareness, amplify the leadership roles and potentials of young people and build capacity at the community level to respond to persons impacted by gender based violence, trafficking in persons and corruption in a more timely and transparent manner. The Project started …

3 get life for murder
On October 16, 2016 Emmeth Baptist, a 29-year old taxi driver picked up 24-year old, Marcos Garcia and his girlfriend on Central American Boulevard and took them firstly to Vernon Street, thereafter another to Aloe Vera Street. Garcia along with girlfriend exited the vehicle leaving Baptist to believe he was going to come over to …

BEL public Meeting for Caye Caulker Sub-Marine Cable
Representatives of the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) was in Caye Caulker on Thursday night hosting a consultation with villagers regarding connecting the island to the national grid by connecting a sub-marine cable from San Pedro to Caye Caulker through the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Caye Caulker is currently using diesel generated power. The consultation is …

Spoon and Faber were gunned down inside San Pedro Home
The police have recovered 52 pounds of cocaine on the north end of the Ambergris caye on the 17th of March. Usually wet drops are accompanied by waves of violence and while the violence may not be related, this month alone, three San Pedro residents have been murdered. In the DFC Area, 19 year old …

Belize City youth survives city shooting but is not very cooperative with police
A second shooting in Belize City was recorded on Tuesday shortly before midnight. 22-year-old, Joshua Gillett was walking through an unnamed alley, off Antelope Street Extension when a male approached him and fired several gunshots. Gillett soon realized that he was hit in his lower back. Asp Alejandro Cowok: “Up to now there is no suspect …

Blogs

Placencia; Stay & Play
The Placencia Peninsula, located in the Stann Creek District of Belize, is all but an island, save for its umbilical attachment to the mainland. The eastern shore of this ribbon of land faces the vast Caribbean Sea and the west side is host to the huge Placencia Lagoon, which is home to manatee and crocodiles, with views of the Maya Mountain range in the distance. The second most popular tourism destination in the country, visitors flock to the peninsula for her vast beaches, laidback atmosphere, wide variety of places to stay and tons of water sports to be enjoyed. From diving and snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef about an hour boat ride away or exploring the dozens of cayes that dot the waters off her coast, this area is all about stay and play!

Spring’s Here! My March Week on Ambergris Caye
There has been nothing out of the ordinary about my week on Ambergris Caye. Good weather…running errands…spending some time at home and some time at the camp. Pondering getting a rabbit as a pet. Here are a bunch of snapshots I took all over the place. My “real camera” has almost fallen by the wayside completely. The ease of the IPhone 7s is really hard to beat.

Videos

March 22, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Deon Faber and Allen Martinez shot and killed in Boca del Rio
mechanic shop located in Boca Del Rio in San Pedro Town on Thursday, March 21st. The brazen shooting has led to the death of 41-year-old Deon Faber and Allen Martinez (age currently unknown). Unofficial reports indicated that Faber and Martinez were taken to the back of the mechanic shop by an unknown male person. While at the back, the unknown person fired several shots at both Faber and Martinez then fled.

Ambergris Today

Two Murdered In The Boca Del Rio Area
San Pedro Police are investigating the shooting of two men which occurred on Thursday, March 21, 2019 in the Boca Del Rio Area. Police received a call of a shooting incident at about 1:30 p.m. and visited a blue house near a tire repair shop in the Boca Del Rio Area. Upon arrival they observed a dark skin male person with dreadlock hair lying face down in a pool of blood in the kitchen area bleeding profusely and still breathing. Further checks were made in one of the bedrooms located on the northern portion of the building which led to the discovery of a next male person lying face down apparently dead.

Belize To Observe World Meteorological Day 2019
Belize will join the rest of the world in celebrating World Meteorological Day 2019 on 23rd March, under the theme “The Sun, the Earth and the Weather”. This day commemorates the coming into force on 23rd March 1950 of the convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Misc Belizean Sources

Corozal ICJ Fair
Saturday, March 23rd, Andres Campos Civic Center, 6pm-midnight

SafeAtHome Demonstration
Come learn about our SafeAtHome SOS and Medical Alert program. Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM at The Lion's Den, San Pedro. Hosted by Clear Call Belize.

Minor Decrease in Prices for Diesel and Kerosene
The Ministry of Finance announces that at midnight on March 21, 2019, the pump price for kerosene will decrease by nine cents from $7.74 to $7.65 per gallon while the pump price for diesel oil will decrease by one cent from $10.30 to $10.29 per gallon. These decreases reflect stabilization in the global availability of oil despite the recent reduction in output by some OPEC countries. Such reductions have been offset by a draw-down of strategic oil reserves in the United States combined with a moderation in demand.

Public Service Day and Awards
Click the link below for complete information on how to nominate an individual or team for the 2019 Belize Public Service Outstanding Awards.

The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce Issues Statement on Efforts to Secure the CARICOM Market for all Sugars
The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce, informs the public about the actions being taken to address the challenges currently facing Belize’s sugar industry and that of the wider Caribbean. The Government of Belize and the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) have been working in close collaboration with stakeholders in Belize’s sugar industry, including BSI-ASR and Santander Sugar Ltd., and with other sugar stakeholders in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The SAC, a regional private sector organization, has a seat at the meetings of the CARICOM’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED). Both the Government and SAC have made presentations to COTED Ministers on the challenges affecting the regional sugar industry and have advocated for policy changes in support of the industry.

Launch of The Female Entrepreneurship Program
The Small Business Development Centre Belize (SBDCBelize), EXPORTBelize, and Belize Training & Employment Centre (BTEC)—units of BELTRAIDE—with support from The Center for the Promotion of Micro and Small Enterprise (CENPROMYPE), THE US State Department, and The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg launched its Female Entrepreneurship Program today, March 1, 2019. This program is designed EXCLUSIVELY for Women, and seeks to improve their competencies and strengthen their empowerment and leadership skills. It is a space of collaboration among women, a generator of new knowledge and innovation where they learn to build and validate their Business Model in a participative and dynamic manner.

Vacancy, Human Resources Manager, Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE)
At BELTRAIDE, we believe that our employees are our greatest strength. We are looking for a Human Resources Manager that is committed to recruiting the best-fit employees and providing our staff members with an exceptional work experience. From the moment an employee is hired until the time they leave the organization, we want employees to be productively engaged in their jobs.

Vacancy | Training Facilitator at BTEC/BELTRAIDE
The Training facilitator is responsible to develop, coordinate and facilitate training workshops and seminars. He/she creates and delivers training and education programs in formal and informal settings for adult learners.

Belize Rewind Coming to Cayo
Belize Rewind, the play about the history of Belize, is coming to Cayo on Saturday, March 30th. Jankunu Productions will be performing the musical at the Octavia Waight Centre auditorium. Tickets are currently on sale at the SISE HoC and the Cayo Welcome Center.

World Down Syndrome Awareness Day
March 21st is celebrated as “World Down Syndrome Awareness Day”. The global theme for this year’s commemoration is “Leave no one Behind.” The Office of Special Envoy for Women and Children in Belize, through The Inspiration Center, continues to advocate for equal opportunities given to children living with disabilities such as Down Syndrome. We salute every care giver, parent and organization that works tirelessly on behalf of ALL persons who live with disabilities.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
The Mule, Bumblebee, The LEGO Movie: The Second Part, The Dirt.

Channel 7

Daylight Double Murder In Busy Part of San Pedro
Two childhood friends were executed on La Isla Bonita this afternoon. They are 34 year old Allen Martinez also known as Spoon and 40 year old Deon Faber. According to our information, both men were at Faber's house. Faber was outside while Martinez was inside. Faber then ran to the house and shouted "gunman" and that is when the masked shooter opened fire. Martinez was struck to the neck and shoulder and Faber was hit to the back, chest and forearm. Police found Martinez's body in the kitchen while Faber's was in one of the bedrooms. Courtney Weatherburne returned from San Pedro an about an hour ago and here is what she found out on the ground. This evening Boca Del Rio residents teamed up to wash away the blood from the pavement - the scene for a double homicide. Allen Martinez and his friend Deon Faber were both shot and killed this afternoon around 1:30 In front of a welding shop.

Police Association Chairman Challenges COMPOL In Court
Last night, we told you about the latest developments in the dispute between the Police Association and the Police Commissioner.   The Association's Chairman, Corporal Eldon Arzu, has come under fire from members of his own executive who say that he is unilaterally filing a lawsuit on behalf of the Association, without getting the permission of the executive. They also say that by his actions, Arzu is giving the wrong impression to the general public that he and the Association have somehow been victimized by the police top brass. But, whether or not members of the Executive support the lawsuit, the association's name is the one on the claim form, and the matter is filed before the court.

The Cabrera Confusion, Killer or Not?
Police say Toledo resident Luis Cabrera Jr's killing is not the clear cut case of murder that his family feels it to be.  Police are still gathering information and evidence to close this case. In the meantime, the alleged main suspect, Alexander Ruiz is out on bail for traffic offenses which caused he death of his friend - reportedly as they fled the scene. Here's what police had to say at today's press briefing. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head of NCIB: "The investigators have to establish certain procedures which they are doing." Reporter: "And sir are there any concerns that Ruiz may leave the country since he out on bail?"

Pyro Panty Soldier Gets Off Arson Charge
It stirred a social media sensation back in October when a BDF soldier, 36-year-old Yusuf Bilal Junior was charged for burning up four dozen of his wife's Victoria's Secret panties valued at $600 dollars.  He allegedly did it out of jealousy, but was charged for arson - an indictable offence which tried in the Supreme Court.  Well, today, his 57 year old wife told the court that she doesn't want any further court action.  She told Magistrate Emerson Banner that the police wouldn't allow her to drop the charge, so she went to court today to do so. She told the judge that Bilal Junior has paid her back for her underwear and that's the end of it for her.

Two South American Gets Off Bank Scammer Charges
Last night we told you about the big break for alleged Peruvian ATM fraudster, Louis Marroquin, after the DPP dropped charges against him.  Tonight the news is that charges for scamming Scotia ATM machines have also been dropped against his alleged Colombian accomplice, Edgar Vargas Vaca.  After two months on remand, they were freed of the charges when they appeared today before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson.  

Bus Association Bex 'Bout Guate Buses At Terminal
The Belize Bus Association is up in arms after a Guatemalan bus started pulling into the Belize City Bus Terminal earlier this week.  For these operators who can't even go into Melchor, it's an insult to see a Guatemalan bus rolling into the country's biggest bus station like it belongs there.  And they blame Transport Minister Edmond Castro.  They told us why today: Ewart Metzgen - Secretary, Belize Bus Association: "We really kinda just yesterday morning I got the call around 8:00 from another one of the, actually the chairman of the BBOC that the bus is in the Belize City terminal. Upon further investigation we found that that it was the minister who signed the letter allowing these buses to go into the Belize City Terminal.

No Answers For City Shootings
Police don't have much to go on regarding a pair of shootings this week in the city. In the first shooting on Monday, a 63 year old man was shot on Patridge Street while on Tuesday at midnight a 22 year old man was hit on Antelope street. Here is more from police.  ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC CIB, Belize District: "It was just after the blackout just before 8pm when Mr. Gilroy Garnet, 63 year old Belizean was purchasing food at Bolo's Shop located on Partridge street while he was there a male person approached him and fired shots at him which cause him to receive a gunshot wound to the stomach. Up to this point Mr. Garnet is admitted in a stable condition at the hospital."

Some Answers On Mystery Skull
Police have more information regarding the human skull they found on Friday in an area behind Los Lagos. As we told you workers from Bacab found the skull after a bush fire.  Here's more on what the test results show:  ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC CIB, Belize District: "Based on the skull that was found by police on Friday, on yesterday's date pathologist conducted an examination of the skull, it was determined that it was a human skull and it ranges between 20 to 30 years of age."

Toledo Man Charged For Hit and Run Fatality
An Indianville man has been charged for Saturday's hit and run in Hicatee village, Toledo. The victim is 21 year old Adriano Choco. Police told us more about the charges against the driver. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head of NCIB: "Police have arrested and charged Gilberto Sam 27 years of an Indian creek address for manslaughter by negligence causing death by careless conduct, drove without due care and attention, failing to report and accident, failed to stop and render aid and driving with alcohol concentration beyond the prescribed limit."

Dead End In Double Murder
Investigators have hit a dead end in the PG double murder of Kevin Moro and Oscar Humes. Three weeks after the murder which stunned the small town, there hasn't been any significant break in the case. Here's more. Reporter: "Sir so still so far no development into the investigation into the double murder in PG?" ACP Joseph Myvette: "No but we are still following on that investigation and we have been following leads, we did detain several persons however, they had to have been released because of insufficient evidence and the investigation is still ongoing."

Cops Still Looking For Chino's Robbers
Belmopan Police are looking for the Chino's bar pretend-patrons who shot at the owner and stole his money. It happened a week ago and today police said they are looking for three suspects: ACP Joseph Myvette - Head of NCIB: "The investigation is still ongoing and we are still seeking two suspects in relation to the robbery/shooting." Reporter
"I know at the last press briefing it wasn't established if these perpetuators were identified, have investigators confirmed their identity?"

No CSME Sweet Salvation for Belize's Plantation Sugar
or months now we've been reporting on ASR/BSI's big plan to penetrate the Caribbean market and sell their plantation white sugar in bulk to Caribbean beverage producers and and manufacturers.  That would spell sweet salvation for ASR/BSI which is at a crossroads - as European preferential markets have been eliminated and world prices have bottomed out.  
But, penetrating that CARICOM market has proved difficult, due mainly to the fact that the Caricom Single Market and Economy is really not all that it has cracked up to be.

Cricket Don't Call It A Comeback, Been Here for A Century
The sport of Cricket was popular in Belize from at least the 1930's - but it has never enjoyed the mainstream success of, say, football and basketball, or even softball.   But now the local association has a new executive, and they've called in the International Cricket Council to help them add some structure and science to grow the sport in Belize.  The council is like the FIFA of cricket - the sport's global governing body and the regional representative is in country to offer assistance for player development, capacity building and even guidance on finances.  Fara Gorsi told us more today:

SMART Solutions For Students
For the past few months, Speednet parent company for "Smart," has been designing outreach initiatives to make schoolchildren more excited about education. My alma mater, St. Luke Methodist School in the Lake Independence area of Belize City has recently received a few prize donations from Smart, and today, the company made one more in the form of 5 computers for the school's computer lab. They're trying to modernize it, so that the students of St. Luke will enjoy the benefits of technology as a tool for learning. We spoke with the Public Relations Officer, and the Principal about the donation:

39 Year Old Charged For Molesting 14 Year Old
Tonight, 39 year-old Albert Waller, a resident of Belize City, is on remand after he was taken to court for allegations that he sexually molested a 14 year-old girl. The complainant, who is 14 years and 11 months old, went to the police station, and she was accompanied by a social worker. She reported that on 3 separate days in June 2018, September 2018, and February 14th, 2019, Waller had sexual intercourse with her at a house in Mahogany Heights.  Police investigated her complaint, and they eventually charged Waller with 3 counts of unlawful sexual intercourse. When he was arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts-Anderson, no plea was taken, and the Magistrate couldn't offer him bail due to the nature of the offenses.

Fires in Heights
There were two minor fires in Mahogany Heights last night. Fortunately no one was hurt. Police say the fires are unrelated. Here is more. ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC CIB, Belize District: "Last night at about 7 pm police responded to a house fire at mahogany heights where they visited the residence of Michelley Welch, 36 years of that same address where a neighbor reported that he was passing around there going to his house when he observed smoke coming out of the house. As a result, he managed to broke into the house and extinguish the fire with the assistance of other neighbours. At the time, the house was unoccupied and Ms. Michelley was not present. It was minor damages to the inside of the house."

May Types of Monotypes
As part of women's month, the Mexican Institute is hosting an art exhibit tomorrow night. Today we spoke to the visual artist about her unique monotype pieces and the story behind them The exhibit opens tomorrow night at 7. 

Diesel Down By One Cent? Thanks!
After a string of increases at the fuel pump, you'll be getting a very slight ease on the prices of kerosene and diesel.  At midnight tonight, the pump price for kerosene will decrease by 9 cents to 7 dollars and 65 cents per gallon. Diesel oil will only decrease by 1 cent from 10 dollars and 30 cents, to 10 dollars and 29 cents per gallon.

Channel 5

Brazen Double Murder Recorded in San Pedro Town
Two men were gunned down in a brazen daylight execution this afternoon in San Pedro Town. The victims have been identified as forty-one-year-old Deon Faber and thirty-four-year old Allen Martinez.  [...]

Upheaval in Supreme Court – are Mason’s Attorneys Still on the Murder Case?
The trial of accused murderer William ‘Danny’ Mason and his alleged accomplices took a strange twist this morning when the courtroom of Justice Antoinette Moore was unexpectedly cleared.  The media, [...]

Corporal Arzu Files Lawsuit against ComPol Williams
An application for a claim to be brought against Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was presented before Justice Shona Griffith this afternoon in Belize City.  Corporal Eldon Arzu, the embattled [...]

Charges Withdrawn from 2 of 3 Men Accused of ATM Scam in Dangriga
Two of three men accused of an ATM scam in Dangriga, today saw the charges withdrawn from them, but they remain in police custody to face immigration charges. As we [...]

Albert Waller Charged for Unlawful Sex with 14-Year-Old
Also in court…a thirty-nine-year-old Belize City resident is spending his first night behind bars at the Central Prison after he was charged for having unlawful sex three times with a [...]

Still No Charges for Alleged Murderer Alexander Ruiz
The sensational story of the killing of Luis Cabrera Junior and the chilling accident that followed involving his alleged killer and another man sent shockwaves across the Punta Gorda community. [...]

John McAfee Ordered to Cough Up $20 Million for Gregory Faull’s Death
The infamous John McAfee is back in the news tonight and it’s in relation to the murder of Gregory Faull who was subdued, tortured and murdered at his San Pedro [...]

Price for Diesel Gas Decreases by ONE Cent
The government announced today that the price for diesel gasoline will decrease by one cent. Yes, you heard right—one cent. At midnight tonight, the price per gallon of diesel will [...]

2 Persons Charged for Separate Fatal RTAs
Two separate fatal road crashes happened on the Hummingbird and Southern Highways in the past few days. The fatal hit and run on the Hummingbird claimed the life of sixty-three-year-old [...]

No Leads in Shooting of Elderly Man, Gilroy Garnett
It’s not the first time that criminals have struck during a black-out, but that is what happened when an elderly man was shot in the city earlier this week. Police [...]

Did Neighborhood Rivalry cause Joshua Gillett’s Shooting?
On Wednesday night, Joshua Gillett was shot in Belize City as he walked through an alley in Belize City. Gillett reported that he was approached by a man who shot [...]

Human Skull is that of a 20-30 Year-Old Male
Tonight, we know a little bit more about the skull that was discovered last week Thursday near Bacab Eco Park off the Philip Goldson Highway. Police say a forensic examination [...]

2 Separate Fires in Mahogany Heights
There were two small house fires in Mahogany Heights on Wednesday night. Police say that no one was at home at the time of the first fire around seven. A [...]

Woes in Transportation over a License Issued to a Guatemalan Company
Transport woes are brewing once again.  Today, police were on alert monitoring the area of the bus terminal on East Collet Canal and reportedly at the western border point. This [...]

Senators Discuss Integrity Commission Appointments
The Senate on Tuesday approved the appointment of six persons to the Integrity Commission. They are Lisbeth Delgado, Armead Gabourel, Wilmot Simmons, Nestor Vasquez, Zoe Roberson Zetina, and Claudette Grinage. [...]

D.O.E. says Fines and Fees in Proposed Plastic Ban Legislation will be Reviewed
As you may know by now, the Department of Environment is pushing full steam ahead to phase out single use plastics and Styrofoam in Belize by December of this year. [...]

Will There Be Help for Plastics and Styrofoam Businesses to Transition to Biodegradables?
And so the phase out is a staggered process that starts with the importation followed by local production. The ban will affect the bottom line and even see many importers [...]

St. Luke’s Methodist Receives Donation from Smart
Five computers were donated to Saint Luke’s Methodist Primary School in Belize City to boost its computer lab. The now thirteen functioning stations will assist teachers and students with their [...]

U.S. $5.9 Million for Road Safety Project
On Thursday, the Senate ratified a loan agreement between the Government of Belize and the Caribbean Development Bank for five point nine million U.S. dollars. The monies have been earmarked [...]

A Public Forum on the Legal Opinion Organized by the Bar
Since presenting an updated legal opinion on the Belize/Guatemala dispute and the possibilities of a resolution at the I.C.J., Professor Stephen Vasciannie has been sought after to discuss his findings [...]

A Basketball Showdown between Hurricanes and Tigersharks
The NEBL Basketball regular season is quickly coming to a head as teams from across the country continue to fight for a spot in the semi-final rounds and a closer [...]

Healthy Living: World Tuberculosis Day
It’s one of the top ten causes of death globally. In Belize, it killed sixteen people last year. It is preventable and treatable with all the tests and treatment available [...]

The Reporter

2 Persons Shot In San Pedro, Both Died Shortly After
Violence has erupted again on San Pedro, the midday shooting has left a known gang member dead. The Reporter has gotten multiple reports that two persons were shot in San Pedro. Our sources say that one person died instantly and the other died just minutes after.

Breaking Belize News

The case of Victoria secret panties – Soldier repays partner, charges dropped
A Belize City woman spared her partner a potentially serious charge of arson being tried after […]

Suspect detained for San Pedro double murder
Authorities are actively investigating a double murder that occurred this afternoon in the Boca del Rio […]

Interesting developments in Danny Mason’s case
This morning, before Supreme Court Justice Antoinette Moore, each of the five defendants were questioned based […]

More charges for accused murderer of Richard Foster
Derwin Jones, 27, who is charged with the murder of 74-year-old Richard Foster has been […]

2 men shot and killed in San Pedro just now; Police are at the scene
Reports to our newsdesk are that 2 men were shot and killed minutes ago in […]

Diesel and Kerosene prices see slight decrease
The Ministry of Finance announces that at midnight, the pump price for kerosene will decrease […]

Belize among most searched vacation destinations for Canadian travelers
Canadians seeking to enjoy sub-tropical weather, beaches, diving fun or relaxation continue to search for Belize as a top vacation destination. […]

ComPol leads delegation to Jamaica in effort to introduce Child Abuse & Sex Offense center to Belize
Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, is in Jamaica along with a delegation from Belize comprising […]

Culprit/s burglarize Special-Ed class at Mary Hill RC
Mary Hill Roman Catholic school in Corozal was burglarized sometime between last night and this […]

“Danny” Mason et. al. fire attorneys, murder trial adjourned
Breaking Belize News has confirmed through multiple sources that today’s hearing of the murder trial for […]

Common ground on EU blacklist
The recent decision by the European Union and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to blacklist […]

Senate debates Caracol, Coastal Road Loan Motions
Ahead of next week’s debate of the 2019 General Revenue and Appropriation Bill, the Senate met […]

Cool weather to continue
A north to northeasterly moist airflow will prevail over Belize today. The 24-hour forecast is […]

McAfee found liable for wrongful death in US courts, refuses to pay
The estate of the late Gregory Faull, successfully sued John McAfee in United States court […]

Projects are about People
By Delroy Cuthkelvin: This past weekend, we travelled south and were astonished at the tremendous progress in the ongoing transformation of the Hummingbird Highway. […]

LOVE FM

2 months till Senate sends Report on Immigration Dept. Hustle
A year ago the Senate concluded an inquiry into the Auditor General’s Report on the Immigration Department from 2013. The inquiry revealed alleged hustling and corruption that occurred from 2011 to 2013. The Chairman of the committee that is overseeing the draft of the report, Senator Aldo Salazar told us that the draft report should …

National Student Union of Belize prepares Belize/Guatemala Forum
The National Student Union of Belize is hosting a forum on Guatemala’s unfounded claim over Belize. On the 10th of April, the country will have a referendum and decide if they claim will be forwarded to the International Court of Justice to determine a final outcome over land that Guatemala is claiming. The president of …

Mexican Artist exhibit opens at the Cultural Institute
This month, celebrated as International Women’s Month, has publicized many events in honor of Women all around the world. Nuria Montiel, a visual artist from Mexico launched her art in Canada and she is now excited to bring highlights of those to Belize in the form of an art exhibition depicting her cultural talent and …

Man charged for fatal road traffic in Southern Belize
Police have charged an Indian Creek resident for the death of Adrian Choco, a resident of Hicatte Village. It happened on March 16 along the Southern Highway. Police say Choco had just left a bar around eleven o’clock that night and was walking along the highway when he was knocked down and killed. On Monday …

No arrests in shooting of elderly man
On Monday night before eight o’clock, 63-year-old Gilroy Garnett was shot while he bought food at Bolo’s Shop on Partridge Street in Belize City. Police say a male person approached Garnett and fired shots in his direction, hitting him in his stomach. Up to date, no arrests have been made. ASP Alejandro Cowo Head of …

Luis Marroquin and Colombian freed but immediately detained by Immigration officials
As we was reported on Wednesday, Peruvian, National 24-year-old Luis Miguel Marroquin was freed this morning, well, at least all charges for an alleged ATM scam were withdrawn against him when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson. In fact, he and 36-year-old Edgar Jhovany Vargas Vaca, a Colombian who was in prison on the …

Statement says accused confessed to Pastor’s Murder
Early this morning, as the murder trial for the man known as William Mason was about to take place in the Belmopan Supreme court, the media along with observers were excused from the court room. Fifteen minutes later we were informed that the hearing was adjourned until 9 a.m. on Friday morning. We are unable …

Double Murder on La Isla Bonita
Two men have been killed in the Boca del Rio area on San Pedro Ambergris Caye. The men were allegedly shot earlier this afternoon. They have been identified as Allen Martinez and Deon Faber. Faber and Martinez were allegedly escorted to the rear of a mechanic shop by their assailant. That person then fired several …

Diesel down one whole cent
They say every penny counts and that’s what the fuel regulators are passing to consumers of diesel fuel. The Government issued a press release today announcing a minuscular decrease in the price of a gallon of diesel. It is as small as one cent, taking the price from ten dollars and thirty cents to ten …

Blogs

Monkey River and Manatee Watch Tour | Get To Know Belize Adventures
Named after the near by fishing village, Monkey River is a must-visit for any nature enthusiast or traveling family looking for a great outdoor tour. Monkey River is like no other destination in Belize, with rich mangrove ecosystems and a wide variety of marine and terrestrial animals – not to mention the avifauna that we saw along the Monkey River were simply beautiful! Taking you only half day to complete this tour, it gives you enough time to explore the sidewalks and streets of one of the top tourist destinations in Belize, Placencia. This Monkey River and manatee watch tour with Get To Know Belize Adventures started promptly at 8:00 a.m. at the dock of the MnM Service Station in Placencia. From the dock, we took a 30-40-minute boat ride to Monkey River Village, which is the northernmost village of the Toledo District of Belize. At Monkey River Village, we were instructed by our guide, Jeremy, to place our lunch orders, grab some bottled waters and use the restroom.

International Sources

Mayan artifacts discovered in cave beneath ancient city of Chichén Itzá
National Geographic reported that to the Maya specific caves were of great importance; a part of a mystical underworld. According to Discover Magazine, the Mayan even made sacrifices in important caves. The most infamous of these sacrifices is that of the so-called crystal maiden. In Actun Tunichil Muknal, a jungle cave in Western Belize, a woman of about 20 years old was sacrificed by a Mayan priest over a thousand years ago. The skeleton lies in the cave among pottery and other ruins. In the cave, calcite crystals grow on the undisturbed human remains, the crystal maiden is literally becoming a part of the cave where she died. Other caves where the Maya worshipped have been found with sacrificial remains, animal as well as humans. Stingray spines are sometimes left in caves where they were used in bloodletting rituals. Vases and other less eerie artifacts are also common.

Trump, select Caribbean leaders to meet in Florida
With the Trump administration openly and strongly supporting Venezuela’s Opposition Leader, Juan Guaidó in the on-going crisis in that South American country, the White House announced on Tuesday that President Donald J. Trump will meet with select Caribbean leaders at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Friday, March 22. The White House said in a statement that Trump will meet with the leaders of the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and St. Lucia to reaffirm Washington’s “strong friendship with and commitment to these countries, and signal the importance of the Caribbean to the hemisphere.

DER GEHEIMTIPP BELIZE NIMMT FAHRT AUF
"Hardly any other country is currently as strong in tourist numbers as Belize. Belize? Where is that? And how nice is it there?" A great interview with the Director of Tourism, Mrs. Karen Bevans from our last show at ITB Berlin. Karen Bevans hat derzeit gut strahlen. Die Zuwachsraten der letzten Jahre für die Mittelamerika-Destination Belize sind verblüffend. Von 2013 bis 2018 haben die internationalen Gästezahlen um 66 Prozent zugenommen. Alleine im letzten Jahr stiegen die Touristenzahlen um über 14 Prozent an im kleinsten Land Mittelamerikas, auf rund 450'000 – bei einer Bevölkerung von rund 360'000. Insbesondere die europäischen Märkte haben zum Boom der letzten Jahre beigetragen. Auch die Schweiz: reisten 2013 noch 1041 Schweizerinnen und Schweizer nach Belize, waren es 2018 schon 2037.

Videos

March 21, 2019

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Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Musa Chosen to Serve as Member of CARIFESTA’s Interim Festival Directorate
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat has invited Belize’s, Mr. Musa Shaheed to serve as a Member of the Interim Festival Directorate (IFD) for CARIFESTA and to attend the Seventeenth Meeting of the IFD, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago on 25th to 26th March. The Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) which is the region’s largest, roving multi-disciplinary arts and culture festival, is intended to celebrate diversity and excellence in the arts in the Caribbean, to foster a vision of Caribbean unity and to positively advance Caribbean culture regionally, throughout the diaspora and the world. The next edition of the Festival, CARIFESTA XIV, will be held in Trinidad and Tobago from 16-25 August, 2019 under the theme “The Tangible and Intangible – Connect. Share. Invest”.

San Pedro Tiger Sharks suffer another game loss
San Pedro Tiger Shark’s second home game was a crushing blow as they fell to the Verdes 87-62 on Sunday, March 17th. This loss sees the island team sliding down the tournament ladder from first to fifth place. The island team will need to win all their upcoming games in order to make it to the 2019 National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) playoffs. The upcoming NEBL matches will test each team to play harder as they fight for a spot in the tournament’s playoffs later in the competition. Friday, March 22nd is the game between Mirage/Smart Belize Hurricanes and the San Pedro Tiger Sharks at the Belize City Civic Center.

Ambergris Today

Vessel Grounding In The Sapodilla Caye Area
The Belize Coast Guard (BCG) has responded to media reports on March 19, 2019, regarding a vessel grounding that occurred in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve. The BCG informs the public that they were indeed aware of the vessel grounding. The incident occurred on Thursday, 14th March, around 3:30 a.m. The Forward Operating Base at Hunting Caye received a distress call from the sailing vessel CHITITU stating that they had run aground north of Nicholas Caye. A search and rescue unit was immediately deployed and within 15 minutes was able to locate the vessel and crew. Sailing vessel CHITITU is a 48ft monohull sailing vessel registered in the United States of America.

Belize Tourism Board And Belize Audubon Society To Enhance St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park
In its continuous efforts to enhance the tourism attractions, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has invested in the development of the nature based tourism product development, a component of Belize’s National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2030. The objective of the project aims to improve birding guests’ experience and satisfaction as this market segment has bloomed over the years.

Spotlight On Belize At ITB Berlin 2019 Show
BHA President Ted Tejada and our BHA European Representative Sander Langeveld, were at the ITB Berlin Show in Germany representing our membership from March 5- 10, 2019. During these five days, the Belize Hotel Association representatives met with several agents, wholesalers, Media representatives and service providers that showed much interest in promoting and selling Belize to their clients.

Misc Belizean Sources

Coastline Newsletter
The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute is pleased to share with you the second issue of our Coastline Newsletter for 2019.

3rd Chiquibul Marathon Challenge
FCD congratulates all the winners of the 3rd Chiquibul Marathon Challenge. Our kudos to all the other runners who ventured and dared to challenge the mountains of the Chiquibul!!

San Pedro Locksmith
Offering locksmith services in San Pedro for the past 3 + years

Coral nurseries are an important way to help protect the reef and keep coral strong and healthy
Our coral nursery is growing with new frames and more fragments added this past week. This program is very important because our tourism industry depends on healthy coral reefs. Many people have volunteered their time and contributed to this work. However, we are not getting as much support from our industry partners as we expected. We will be launching a sponsorship program very soon to make it easier for people to support this important program. In the meantime, our corals are growing and our volunteers remain positive. Look out for more updates coming soon. We are working with 3 species of acroporids that are listed as critically endangered. They serve as important reef builders and provide lots of shelter for reef fish.

World Meteorological Day 2019
Belize will join the rest of the world in celebrating World Meteorological Day 2019 on 23rd March, under the theme “The Sun, the Earth and the Weather”. This day commemorates the coming into force on 23rd March 1950 of the convention establishing the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The sun is located about 150 million kilometers (93 million miles) from Earth. The sun delivers the energy that powers all life on Earth.

Information on Vessel Grounding in the Sapodilla Caye Area
The Belize Coast Guard (BCG) has responded to media reports on March 19, 2019, regarding a vessel grounding that occurred in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve. The BCG informs the public that they were indeed aware of the vessel grounding. The incident occurred on Thursday, 14th March, around 3:30 a.m. The Forward Operating Base at Hunting Caye received a distress call from the sailing vessel CHITITU stating that they had run aground north of Nicholas Caye. A search and rescue unit was immediately deployed and within 15 minutes was able to locate the vessel and crew.

Two power outages, Thursday, March 21 to affect San Pedro, Ambergris Caye as follows:
8:00am to 10:00am: Boca Del Rio area including Conch Shell Street, Bonefish Street, Sapodilla Street; and entire North San Pedro, including surrounding areas over Sir Barry Bowen Bridge. 10:00am to 11:00am: Escalante Subdivision, DFC Are including Mar de Tumbo Drive, Sea Grape Drive, Villa Drive; San Marcos, San Pablo, Elliot Subdivision, San Pedrito including Crocodile Street, Tropic Street, Glitter Street and Water Lane Street; Tarpon Street, Almond Street, portion Black Coral Street, portion Buccaneer Street, Ambergris Street, Pescador Drive, Angel Coral Street, Nurse Shark Street, Caribena Street, Jewfish Street, portion Sandpiper Street, Seaweed Street, Cormorant Street, Lagoon Street, Seagull Street; San Juan area including Spider Lily Street, Zericote Street, Lagoon Street and Dolphin Street.

Corozal Con Voz 8th Annual Exhibit
Visiting the Corozal House of Culture Arte Con Voz 8th Annual Exhibit. On March 15, 2019 everyone came to witness the Art display done by Mrs Vilma Romero. Honouring the Life's work of multigenre Visual Studio. This display will be on display until April 5, 2019.

Corozal Bay Advisory Committee (CBAC) meeting
"Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation & Development - SACD was happy to host another successful Corozal Bay Advisory Committee (CBAC) meeting on March 15th in Consejo Village. The members of CBAC received an update on SACD's work over the last quarter of the year and discussed important topics such as surveillance and enforcement protocols, the protected area's re-designation and re-alignment process, and the Sustainable Fishery Plan for Corozal Bay. As part of this meeting, fisher representatives from different stakeholder communities shared their perspectives on important topics related to fishing in CBWS, such as traditional rights and the re-designation process.

JOB VACANCY!!! BAYMEN CABLE & INTERNET for Junior Field Technician

Corozal Basketball Championship
Don't Miss Out this FRIDAY, March 22nd. It’s Basketball Game Time at the Civic Center.YOU JUST CAN'T MISS THE MAIN EVENT! SIZZLING HOT. Our Corozal community is coming alive once again with dazzling sports. Friday's Game is on: Game 1: Over 35 vs Over 40 (Exhibition). Game 2: Eagles vs Gorillaz (Game 3 of 3 - Winner advances to Finals).

FREE Eye Exam and Diabetic Eye screening in Corozal
The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) will offer FREE Eye Exam and Diabetic Eye screening on Monday, March 25th and Tuesday, March 26th at the Corozal Town Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Everyone is invited from surrounding areas, with or without NHI. This is an important call for diabetics, especially. Please bring Social Security cards. Free eye glasses for children that will need. Call us at 322-0227 for more information.

HOBBS BREWERY in Placencia Point, Belize is now OPEN
It has been the talk of the village for months. "The Brewery Is Open for Purchasing of Belize's New Beers". Stop by and pick up your 6 pack or case of 24. (2) different beers, either the Hummingbird or the Wildcat. Both are in 12 oz aluminum cans. 4.7% Vol. & 6.0% Vol. $5BZ each. $4BZ for restaurants/bars or resorts. "High Quality Beer" & Fresh. BELIZE'S FIRST CRAFT BEER. Note that they are 12 oz. not 10 or less!!!! Call Brian in Placencia at 625-3122. Located at the newly renovated "The Serenity Beach Resort" quarter mile north of Placencia airstrip.

ICJ FAIR Coming up in Corozal.
Saturday March 23, 6pm-12am.

DOWNTOWN PROJECTS UPDATE
For those of you who don't get to visit downtown, here are a couple of updated pictures of the two development projects underway by the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project. The first three pictures are of the rebuilding of the Human Development Building on Albert Street. The HDB will be utilized to continue the work in skills training for women of the community. The next three pictures show the rebuilding of the Frederic Greenwood House which will become a restaurant and museum dedicated to the works of Mr. Greenwood. Mr. Greenwood was an English Urban Planner who relocated to Belize in the 70's and assisted the Government in various ways contributing to the development of Belize City.

2nd Belize National Research Conference
Mark the dates!

Channel 7

Family Loses Home, While Bystanders Snap Pics
Last night we showed you the late breaking news about the fire in the Bootsville area of the city. It has left a mother and her two kids homeless, and their neighbor's house scorched.  And while that is a tragedy for this small family - the real tragedy is the state of social media sickness where bystanders preferred to capture the fire on their cell phones, rather than do something to put out the fire.  Here's more: This was the gripping scene yesterday in Bootsville as Melanie Adolphus's home burned.  The Port Loyola resident was outside talking to her sister when she saw that her house was on fire. Melanie Adolphus - Fire Victim: "Now, as soon as I get outside with her talking, like a good ten minutes, maybe not even ten minutes, I see smoke coming out the window, in the hall area and my kitchen area. But the smoke was coming darker from the hall..."

Tears of Joy: Freedom For Peruvian
24 year old Luis Marroquin cried in the Supreme Court when he didn't get bail last month - and that's why this evening he must have had tears of joy when his attorney give him the news in jail. The Peruvian, who is accused of being part of a scam to steal form ATM machines is free of charges tonight after the DPP decided not to pursue charges against him.  His attorney Dickie Bradley explained today: Dickie Bradley - Luis Marroquin's Attorney: "So, she has been looking at the files for several matters and she has informed me that, in relation to Luis Marroquin, she has given directives that the charge against him is to be withdrawn. I want to say a big thank you on behalf of the family to the Director of Public Prosecution because Luis Marroquin would have been in prison until next year..."

More Charges For Foster's Alleged Killer
Last year, it made headline news when Richard Foster, the 74 year-old British filmmaker who made Belize his home, was found dead in the Rivera Area of Belmopan. Well, 27 year-old Derwin Jones, one of the men charged with his murder, is now facing additional charges for that crime.  Jones was arraigned yesterday before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts-Anderson on the charge of aggravated burglary for allegedly breaking into Foster's Savanah Guest House, which is located at mile 29 on the George Price Highway. He pleaded not guilty, and was remanded until May 21st, the same date that was given to Benyati Brandon and others who were charged with the same offense. Among the items stolen from Foster at the time of his killing included a 12 gauge pump action shotgun, and a 9 millimeter pistol. 

Mason Accomplice Admitted To Pastor Lu's Beheading in Caution Statement
The Murder Trial of William Danny Mason, and his 4 co-defendants, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo, continued today in the Belmopan Supreme Court before Justice Antoinette Moore. It was an all-day session which ended late this evening, with yet another major disclosure in evidence. It happened as part of a trial within this trial, where the judge is examining whether or not the she will allow a caution statement from defendant Ernest Castillo to be admitted into evidence. He and his attorney, Herbert Panton, are challenging it, claiming that this statement was beaten out of him, and that at the time of its recording, Castillo was denied access to legal counsel. 

The Public Education For Plastics
Today, the public education campaign to ban plastics was launched.  Now, with about a month to go before the legislation is introduced, you might say it's a little late. But, better late than never,  and the Department Of Environment's CEO explained how the plastics task force came up with a Plastic Free Belize campaign: Percival Cho - CEO Ministry of Environment: "The plastic task force that was set up last year by cabinet thought it necessary to embark on a public educational campaign for the country. To do that, we decided to set up a subgroup, a subcommittee of the task force, involving NGOs, civil society groups and others, to work towards developing a common message and to agree that all organizations who want to say something about the phase-out to be able to say it using one voice, one message..."

Scrapping Plastics Begins With You
But, while the ban is the regulatory and legislative element - to make this work, what is really required is behavioral modification across the society.  OCEANA's Janelle Chanona - who is part of the plastics task force - discussed this: Janelle Chanona - VP, Oceana Belize: "Overall, when you look at the passage of any law, the law is one thing. What it will really come down to is the behavior change because we all have to accept that we cannot have enforcement 24/7, we cannot have big brother looking over your shoulder. It really has to be something that the community buys in, where the people of Belize reconcile and recognize that behavior change needs to happen and that we all need to be changing how we do things..."

Senate Debates Coastal Road Project
Today, the Senate met in Belmopan to discuss and debate a pair of megabucks infrastructure projects.  That's the Coastal Road loan and he Caracol road loan. Combined, the projects will cost close. To two hundred million dollars - and the reviews were mixed.  Here, first, is the debate on the Coastal Road: Hon. Mark Lizarraga - Business Senator: "I will say that we support this project in principle. We believe that it is a good investment to have that road upgraded and paved." Hon. Paul Thompson - Business Senator: "Why couldn't we invest these millions in job creation? What about Belizeans who need a home?"

Sparks Fly On Caracol Highway
And, similarly, the reviews were mixed for the loan for the road to Caracol - well above 100 million which will cut the first major highway through the Chiquibul forest:.. Hon. Osmany Salas - NGO Senator: "I do agree and I do support that the road to Caracol needs to be upgraded. It is a very important corridor for a number of reasons as leader of government business has indicated a couple of them but I want to reiterate the tourism element - it's highly used, a lot of traffic on that road, so that's one. But also the national security implications of well upgraded, well maintained road that goes deep into our western forest. It's extremely important that we can get in there easily, quickly back and forth." Hon. Elena Smith - Labour Senator: "In terms of infrastructure and from our standpoint, it seems as if though infrastructure is the priority of this government..."

NTUCB Supports Police Association
For the past few weeks, we've been following the dispute between the new Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, and the head of the  Police Association, Corporal Eldon Arzu.
As we've reported, Commissioner Williams signed a statutory instrument in January, which amended the police association's rules by limiting any chairman to only 2 terms. That immediately put the current chairman, Corporal Arzu, in violation, since he is over the new limit.  The association has filed a case in the Supreme Court for judicial review, and that is going to court tomorrow - but without the full support of the Association executive - and we'll tell you more about that later.  But, there's another issue. The previous commissioner wrote to the association chairman directing that a report on the Association's audited accounts.

Police Association Splinters
And back now to the police association - as you heard just now they are getting ready to go back to court tomorrow. 
But while they prepare to go to court tomorrow, it does not do so with a united front.  A quite remarkable press release was sent today from three dissenting members of the executive.  They are the Secretary, Corporal Jermaine Hyde, the treasurer Corporal Jane Usher and another board member PC Holman Katenegie.  Their release says they denounce and disassociate themselves from the claim that the association is taking to court.  They also call on Chairman Corporal Eldon Arzu to remove the police association as a claimant.

Immigration Audit Soon
For almost the entire year of 2017, the weekly revelations from the Senate Inquiry into the Immigration Department dominated the evening news.  You'll remember some of those explosive testimonies from public officers and Government officials who had to answer some very uncomfortable questions about the Auditor General's Report on Immigration from 2013. That's when allegations and counter allegations of corruption and hustling at the department, between the years of 2011 and 2013, were discussed in surprisingly candid detail. Those hearings concluded 1 year and 3 months ago, and the Senate Special Select Committee has still not been able to produce their draft report on their findings.

Coast Guard Responded Immediately To Vessel Grounded on Reef
Yesterday we told you about the sail boat which had run aground and been left abandoned on the southern reef.  The Belize Territorial Volunteers allege this happened less than a mile from a law enforcement base and the occupants skipped town - leaving the mess for someone else to clean up.   Well, the Coast Guard says bogus and has called out Wil Maheia for it.  The Belize Coast Guard says it has been aware of the vessel grounding from the minute it happened on Thursday, 14th March, around 3:30 a.m.  The Forward Operating Base at Hunting Caye received a distress call from the sailing vessel CHITITU stating that they had run aground north of Nicholas Caye.

OCEANA Wants More Safety Provisions For Reef
Here now is what OCEANA had to say about it today Janelle Chanona- VP, OCEANA Belize: "We were sent photos, I believe, yesterday evening of a sailboat that ground on the Sapodilla range. I don't know if that is the same vessel you are talking about. We understand that the owner left the country. I do believe that there has been a report generated by one of the government regulators. I am trying to get a copy of that to see what can be done. If the person left the country, it makes things hard to take legal action, in so far as the owner.

Barrerra Gave Cops A Hard Time
19 year-old George Barrera, a labourer of Curl Thompson Street, is out on bail tonight after he was taken to court for allegedly lying to police about his real name, and then escaping from custody. Barrera was arraigned before Magistrate Emerson Banner on the offenses of resisting arrest, escaping from lawful custody, assaulting a police officer and committing a mischievous act. Police say that on Monday, he was behaving disorderly, and so, he was taken to the Queen Street Police Station.

Channel 5

Alleged ATM Scammer Luis Marroquin to be Released on Bail
It made headlines back in mid-January when a group of South Americans was arrested and taken into custody here in Belize but tonight that case is quickly falling apart.  A [...]

Was Supreme Court Judge Reluctant to Offer Marroquin Bail?
Marroquin’s bail application was denied when he appeared before Justice Herbert Lord, who upheld objections made by Crown Counsel Riis Raymond Cattouse that the Peruvian was a flight risk.  Attorney [...]

Mason’s (Et. Al.) Murder Trial Continues With Vior Dire To Admit Caution Statement
The criminal trial of William “Danny” Mason and his fellow accused murderers continues to grip the nation as it plays out in the Belmopan Supreme Court. Mason, along with Terrence [...]

Fire Destroys House in Bootsville, Family of Four Left Homeless
A family of four is today picking up the pieces after a fire totally destroyed their house located on Faber’s Road Extension in Belize City. The blaze erupted after five [...]

Relocations in Bootsville, Prior to and After Fire
The late evening fire that eviscerated the home of Melanie Adolphus has displaced her family, but if there is a silver lining on that dark cloud it’s the fact that [...]

Details of the sailboat that ran aground!
The Belize Coast Guard has issued a statement with the details surrounding a sail boat that ran aground on the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve. According to the Coast Guard, they [...]

Senate Debates Caracol Road Loan Motion
The Government has secured an additional twenty million US dollars loan from the Kuwait Fund for partial financing of Phase Two of the upgrading of the Caracol Road. In Phase [...]

Coastal Road Rehabilitation Project Debated by Senators
The second loan motion which was debated in the Senate today was one for thirty-six point five million U.S. dollars. Those monies have been secured from the Caribbean Development Bank [...]

A Man has to Pay 1K for Damaging the Door of a Police Station
A Belize City resident claimed in court that he lost it and threw himself into a police door at the Raccoon Police station to break it and escape because police [...]

Four Years for Burglary of a House on Eve Street
An Orange Walk resident, who was caught red handed burglarizing the home of B.E.L. Administrative Assistant, Andrea Badillo, is tonight serving his first night of a four-year sentence handed down [...]

Tour operators say they are being starved at FSTV!
Small tour operators who work outside of the Fort Street Tourism Village in Belize City complained that they are being squeezed out by large operators. The operators claims that they [...]

Minister says it is about the environment in ‘DOE vs Zabaneh’ case.
On Tuesday Primrose Gabourel and Dion Zabaneh were back in court because the Department of Environment slapped them with new charges. The D.O.E. had withdrawn the six charges against the [...]

Plastic Pollution Public Education Campaign launched
The phase out of plastic and Styrofoam is expected to come into effect at the end of this year. Next month, on April twenty-second, the D.O.E. is looking to have [...]

Holy Angels RC School Rat Bat Infestation Needs Addressing
Seven days ago News Five reported on the extremely unhealthy circumstances that students and teachers of Holy Angels Roman Catholic School in Pomona Village have been experiencing. For many years [...]

The plight of the Queen Conch which is facing overfishing
It is difficult to imagine Belize without the queen conch. But that threat is real because the conch population is under pressure due to over fishing. Elsewhere in the Caribbean, [...]

NTUCB Takes on ComPol Chester Williams, Defends Police Association
On Tuesday the National Trade Union Congress of Belize fired off a press statement in support of the Police Association against what it describes as the heavy-handedness on the part [...]

Three Board Members of the Police Association say they want Nothing to do with a Court Claim against the ComPol
The case brought by the Police Association against Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams is expected to come to the courts later this week. But, before that happens the internal affairs [...]

Senate Select Committee Report In Final Stages
It has been more than a year since the Senate Special Select Committee ended its inquiry into the findings of the Auditor General’s Special Audit Report of the Immigration and [...]

Breaking Belize News

Galen University hosts Thom Moran’s historic photo exhibit
An impressive photo exhibit was opened for display this evening at Galen University. The black […]

Police Association distances itself from ongoing lawsuit against ComPol
The Belize Police Association issued a statement today, demanding to be removed as a claimant in […]

Belize joins international agencies in monitoring dengue situation
Belize is closely monitoring the dengue cases in Belize. Currently, there isn’t an outbreak, however, the […]

DOE begins education campaign to phase out single-use plastics
The Department of the Environment (DOE) launched an education campaign today, as a part of the […]

Ladyville family loses everything in fire
A family of three from Ladyville is asking for the public’s assistance after they lost all their […]

Belize to observe World Meteorological Day 2019
Belize will join the rest of the world in celebrating World Meteorological Day 2019 on […]

Burrell Boom woman busted with weed in purse at border
A woman from Burrell Boom village, Belize was busted yesterday evening with weed in her […]

Teacher charged for fatal hit and run
Roberto Alfaro, 35, a teacher of Belmopan was charged today for the hit and run […]

House destroyed by fire in Belize City
A house and all its contents were destroyed by fire last night in Belize city. […]

Young man shot in Belize City
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night in Belize City. Joshua Gillett, […]

LOVE FM

Bat Guano, termites and rats for the children of Holy Angel
Holy Angels Roman Catholic School, along the Stann Creek Valley in Pomona,Dangriga is having plenty issues tonight with the dilapidated state of the buildings. The roof of one of the buildings is infested with bats and bat guano. But if the students move to another building, then there is also the flooring that is not …

NTUCB to meet and discuss Police Association Members Issue
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) is standing in solidarity with the Police Association that is currently having a tumultuous relationship with the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams. The NTUCB said that professionalism, respect, and above all integrity are also associated with the Police Department and it can’t fathom the members of this department …

Senate Debates over 100 million in road works
Today the senate met at the National Assembly building. The senators discussed the loans from the Kuwaiti fund and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) that amounted to over 100 million for roads and infrastructure. But a little more on that later. There were a few housekeeping issues for the senators before they debated the loans. …

Blogs

Solar For 5 Schools In Belize
The Kenyon College crew came back last week, and this year it was a team of all girls doing the solar installations. James said that they worked like a well-oiled machine installing this year’s panels. The group to date has done 23 schools, an estimate of 250 Countrywide. Some of these learning institutions had no power at all and many still don’t. Imagine no lights, fans, computers or projectors – makes learning more difficult on so many levels. It is a huge deal that this annual solar panel project group is volunteering their time and expertise to expand renewable energy countrywide.

First Time Guide To Ambergris Caye, Belize
Call me a bad Canadian but I hate winter. Every January, after the excitement of the Christmas season, I’m ready for an escape. There is something so luxurious about jetting off to a tropical island while everyone back home trudges through snow and freezing temperatures. Even if it only lasts a week. Even if you’re stuck sitting in a coach middle seat. Even if you’ll be eating ramen for months after you return. My boyfriend and I wanted to take a trip that coincided with my birthday and our 3-year anniversary, so we considered tropical destinations all over the Caribbean until choosing Ambergris Caye, Belize. Belize is quickly topping every 2019 “must-visit” list and while the exposure is great, I urge anyone to visit soon while its beaches remain blissfully empty and its authenticity is still intact.

International Sources

A photo gallery that I put together from a recent hosted trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize. This island is such a special part of the world to me, already looking forward to returning in 2020!! There are few places in the world that compare to the island of Ambergris Caye. The culture, the energy, the people that go out of their way to try and make your day better, even if they’ve never met you. The fishing? Nothing short of absolutely world-class, and a perfect introductory destination for saltwater fly fishing.

John McAfee Won’t Pay $25M Judgment in Wrongful Death Case, Has Ignored All Lawsuits for 11 Years
John McAfee, founder of the well-known anti-virus software company bearing his name, was hit with a $25 million judgment in a wrongful death case brought by the estate of a Belizean man who was allegedly murdered at McAfee’s behest. Don’t expect him to pay up, though. Wednesday morning, McAfee issued a statement saying he hasn’t paid judgments for any lawsuit over the past 11 years, and he has no intention of starting now. His reasons are apparently two-fold. He says that cases against him have been baseless, but he also claims he doesn’t have any money, so there’s no point in even responding to the lawsuits in the first place.

McAfee – the completely sane guy, not the biz – told to fork out $25m over 'torture, murder' of his Belize neighbor
John McAfee has been ordered to cough up $25m for the wrongful death of Gregory Faull, his former neighbor in Belize, but refuses to pay and claims he has no assets. The decision [PDF] by a US federal district judge in Florida was entered by default after former antivirus baron McAfee refused to respond to the lawsuit, brought by Faull's daughter. It follows an appeals court ruling last year that decided the allegations against McAfee were plausible. Those accusations are extraordinary: that McAfee paid a Belize man $5,000 to torture and kill Faull after his neighbor poisoned McAfee's dogs.

Adventure with a purpose: Occoquan mayor, friends take on Belize river race
After four days, 170 miles, many capsizes, a broken foot, cuts, bruises, mild dehydration and some good-natured ribbing from Belizean locals -- they did it. Team Occoquan-Prince William last week finished the grueling La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, limping along at times and gaining some local notoriety for their mishaps – all of it for a couple good causes. Occoquan Mayor Earnie Porta, canoe partners Mark Yingling and Aaron Tolson and support driver Patrick King, asked for donations of pennies on the mile for the 170-mile race in Belize. The money is being split between Action in the Community Through Service and CASA Children's Intervention Services. The team so far has $2,600 pledged.

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