Recent Belize News, 2/21/2020 to 2/29/2020, BelizeNews.com

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

CDB, UK to improve safety and climate resilience along arterial road on Belize’s east coast
The Governments of Belize and the United Kingdom and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) on February 24th launched the Coastal Highway Upgrading in La Democracia, Belize. “The Coastal Highway Upgrading will improve access to social services and economic opportunities for 1,700 residents along the road, while incorporating enhanced safety for 2,500 road users in vehicles every day in addition to vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists. A paved and raised road with improved bridges and better drainage will make the corridor more climate resilient and reduce significantly time lost through road closures due to flooding,” said CDB Director of Projects, Daniel Best.

Santander offers Cayo farmers sweet deal
Cayo farmers have been offered a sweet deal from the Santander Group, to get into the lucrative sugar industry without any initial investment by the farmers. Santander’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jose Rodriguez says they can enjoy a secure income growing sugarcane while also increasing Belize’s exports and helping the country become self-sufficient in green, clean energy production.

Lima Lama Central American Federation Founded; Martin Dawson represents Belize
Representatives from five Central American countries, including Belize, convened in San Salvador, El Salvador on Saturday, February 22nd to pen the foundation of a Lima Lama federation for Central America. Lima Lama is a Polynesian type of martial arts that teaches self-defense and highlights confidence, respect, and discipline.

Museum of Belize presents Women in Art 2020
The Museum of Belize has two exciting exhibitions coming up in March, highlighting female artists of all ages from around the country. The first exhibit entitled, “Little Women in Art,” will open on Friday, March 13th at the Museum of Belize in Belize City. Curated by Adriana Smith, it will feature artwork from female artists 18 years and younger. The work selected will range from paintings, poetry, dance performances, and more.

Ambergris Today

UNICEF Hosts Right To Happiness Program In San Pedro
On Friday, February 21, 2020, over 20 participants received their certificate of completion from the Return to Happiness Program (RTH Program) which was carried out by UNICEF, the Ministry of Local Government and the San Pedro Town Council. The RTH Program is a three-day training course that capacitates individuals to assist children, from age ranges 5-12, with psychosocial problems, which are usually caused by traumatic experiences, i.e. fires, natural disasters, etc.

Ministry Of Agriculture Hosts Workshop For The Development Of Belize’s Tilapia Industry
The Ministry of Agriculture hosted a half-day workshop for fishers, buyers, retailers, and other relevant government agencies to examine a value chain analysis and proposed strategy to develop Belize’s tilapia industry. The workshop was held at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan.

Various Belizean Sources

Office of Director of Health Services COVID-19 UPDATE
We are aware of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Mexico City, the case is an imported one of a Mexican national who was in Italy. The patient doesn't have any previous health risk factor and given the symptoms (same symptoms as the seasonal flu) he currently has, he is being classified as a low risk patient. Mexican authorities have asked the population to not panic and to avoid spreading rumors which can be detrimental in any containment of cases.

Miss Universe Belize, Destinee Arnold Returns to Belize
On Friday, Belize welcomed back its very own Miss Universe Belize, Destinee Arnold, from the USA! Ms. Arnold represented the Jewel in the Miss Universe pageant last year and Belizeans all over the country united in pride as they cheered from back home. The BTB caught up with Destinee to ask her a few questions about the experience before she headed off to start her Belize vacation.

Mrs. Vilma Romero passes away
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Vilma Romero; the mother of Art in Belize. Sculptress, artist and one of the kindest souls who devoted her life to creating art up until her time of passing. On behalf of the National Institute of Culture & History, we send our deepest condolences to the Romero family. Her great legacy will live on through her sculptures which are on permanent display throughout the country of Belize. For those who are not aware of her accomplishments please read her biography below. Rest in Peace Vilma you will be dearly missed.

Numeracy After School Program
The Hub will be kicking off its literacy and numeracy after school program on March 11th. Register now!

Female Volleyball Marathon
The Fountain of Youth Foundation's Female Volleyball Marathon is Sunday at Falcon Field. March 1st, 2020 starting at 9am.

Ministry of National Security Confirms the Crash Landing of BDF Helicopter
The Ministry of National Security is saddened to confirm that the Belize Defence Force (BDF) U1H1 Helicopter and its crew of two pilots and two crew members of the BDF Airwing crashed landed yesterday morning in the area of Gales Point. According to the BDF Operations Cell, the aircraft left the BDF Airwing early Thursday morning as part of the response to the drug plane that was captured yesterday.

Ministry of Health Advisory No. 5 – COVID-19
The Ministry of Health is aware of the first confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mexico. Both cases in Mexico were imported and have a history of travel to Italy which has ongoing cases of COVID-19. Mexican officials have confirmed that both individuals are well and seem to have mild cases of the disease. One patient is isolated in a hospital while the other is in isolation at a hotel. Mexican health authorities have asked the population to remain calm and avoid spreading rumors which can be detrimental in the containment of the cases. To date, Belize remains free of any cases of COVID-19.

Belize and Honduras Sign Air Transport Services Agreement
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is pleased to inform the general public that today, February 28, 2020, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Belize, and Ms. Nicole Marder, Secretary of State in the Office of Tourism of the Republic of Honduras, signed the Air Transport Services Agreement Between the Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of Honduras. This agreement comes to formalize the existing commercial and economic relationship between the two countries and is expected to boost regional air connectivity, facilitate international air travel, and gain access to other key aviation markets. Besides opening additional routes, it is expected that this new arrangement will also provide Belizeans and future visitors with travel alternatives at more competitive prices.

Office of the Prime Minister Issues Condolences to Families of BDF Soldiers
On behalf of the Government and People of Belize, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) offers deepest condolences to the families of the members of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) killed in the horrific air disaster that brought down a BDF helicopter. On behalf of the entire nation, the OPM records its gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice these brave men of honour made in laying down their lives in service to our country. The OPM also offers condolences to the Commander, Officers, and all the men and women of the Belize Defence Force.

Belize Network of NGOs Stands in Solidarity with the Families of the lost BDF Airmen
The Belize Network of NGOs (BNN) joins the entire country in mourning the four BDF airmen lost in the tragic U1H1 helicopter accident in the Belize District. The BNN calls for a national day of prayer and mourning to honour the service of pilots Major Adran Ramirez and Major Radford Baizar and crew members Corporal Yassir Mendez and Corporal Reinaldo Choco to Belize.

Channel 7

Four Soldiers Dead in Unprecedented Accident
Tonight a heavy air of mourning and mystery hangs over the BDF and the nation as four soldiers are dead in the second worst air disaster in Belize's history. The helicopter the soldiers were in went down in the Western Lagoon near Gales Point Manatee before dawn on Thursday. The four soldiers, two majors and two corporals were responding as air support to the interception of the drug plane which landed off the Coastal road. But, there's mystery because no one knew when the helicopter went down - and in fact, no one in the BDF knew it was missing until last night!

BDF Helicopter and Crew At The Bottom Of Western Lagoon
This is all that could be seen of the U1H1 helicopter - it's tail jutting out of the Western Lagoon. Just beneath the surface you can make out the blades of the chopper - and from this we can conclude that it was face down in the Lagoon. We got to a clearing on the banks of the lagoon at the same time of two BDF deployments, in the background - about a thousand feet away, the chopper lay submerged with the bodies of four of their fellow soldiers. Those bodies, their souls were surely on the mind of the BDF commander, General Steven Ortega as sat at the front desk today, in a daze:

Ministry: Helicopter Was On Approved Mission
Indeed, this unprecedented tragedy has overshadowed yesterday's record drug bust of over five thousand pounds. And to answer the many questions puzzling the public, the Ministry of National Security and the commanders of all the armed forces held a joint press conference at the Coast Guard headquarters. Minister Mike Peyrefitte first explained the mission that the helicopter and its crew were on near the Coastal Highway, between Northern And Southern Lagoon:

No Night Vision Equipment Or Training?
A sanctioned mission, but might it have also been a suicide mission, to fly out into the pre-dawn without night vision equipment or training? It's a tough question, but a very valid one - and here's what the commander had to say: Reporter: "Are the helicopters equip with night vision or are the pilots equip with night vision equipment?" Brig. General Steven Ortega, Commander BDF "The helicopters aren't equip, however the pilots do conduct night flying especially along the coast." Reporter: "Is there preliminarily from a cursory inspection of the craft, I know its still in the water, but is there any indication if the helicopter was fired upon or if it just apparently ended up in the lagoon?" Brig. General Steven Ortega, Commander BDF: "I don't know. We haven't seen anything. We await the investigation to confirm whatever, because it's still partially submerged."

When did Chopper Take Flight?
So, no distress call was received, but was the helicopter in the air much earlier than announced? Multiple reports tell us that a chopper was heard in the Ladyville/Hattieville area at 2:00 am, not 4:00 am as the BDF reports. We asked about this today: Reporter: "The commissioner told us yesterday the intercept was made just after 4am, between 4am and 4:30am, but I have multiple accounts of people who live in the area Ladyville, Hattieville, who heard the helicopter up at 2am..."

Admiral Borland Leads Investigation
And, now an investigation will have to put together all these disparate threads of information to come up with the answer as to what went wrong in the air on Thursday morning. The man tasked with doing all that is the Chief off Defence Staff, John Borland - who gave the press an outline of his investigation: John Borland, Chief of Defense Staff: "There will be 3 investigations running parrallel to each other; the air accident investigation to investigate the causal factors of the accident itself, but also the internal investigation to investigate the procedures and protocols to see if those were followed and what was breached..."

Pilot's Mother Says BDF Didn't Contact Her
So, while the authorities get ready to conduct an investigation into this deadly helicopter accident, the family members of one of the victims were complaining that up until late this evening, they were having a lot of difficulties trying to get information about what exactly happened. The family of Major Radford Baizar says that they have been worried sick about him for about a day now, and they had to learn about his death through rumors on the street. This evening, we met his mother at the entrance of the BDF's Price Barracks Compound. Here's how she explained why the lack of direct communication between her son's superiors and his family members is causing them to get suspicious about his death:

Judge Says Jeweller Not Guilty
Last week, we told you about all about the murder trial without a jury of 57-year-old Manuel Pacheco. For about a little over a year, the well-known jeweler from Belize City had been on remand for shooting and killing 50-year-old Jose Villanueva. Well, tonight he is a free man after he was acquitted by Justice Colin Williams. As we told you, Senior Crown Counsel Shanice Lovell called an eyewitness who told the court that she saw when Pacheco gunned Villanueva down after they got into some hard-talk over Villanueva's dog.

KHMH's Resident Raccoon
A racoon in The KHMH - and he wasn't there for a checkup! The pictures and videos of the vile intruder have been making the rounds on social media all day. It's even been memed, but it's no joke. A racoon fell from the ceiling of the emergency ward last night frightening patients, visitors, and hospital staff. And this afternoon Cherisse Halsall caught up with a man who says he had to slap the critter off his mother's hospital bed.

Electrical Fire Engulfs Family Home
A couple from the Saint Martin's area of Belize City is homeless tonight after their wooden house was completely destroyed by fire. The fire department says an illegal electrical connection is to blame.

30 Years For Murder
37-year-old Luis Manuel Carter is at the Belize Central Prison tonight. That's after the judge handed him a 30-year prison sentence for murder. As we told you, the judge has found him guilty of the 2016 shooting death of 30-year-old Dwayne Hyde. He listened to Carter's mitigation plea for leniency today, and Carter called one character witness to testify on his behalf today.

Covid-19 In Mexico, What Next For Belize?
The first cases of coronavirus, in our neighboring country of Mexico, have been confirmed. Both cases were imported and have a history of travel to Italy. Mexican officials have confirmed that both individuals are well and seem to have mild cases of the disease. A 35-year-old man is isolated, along with family members, in a hospital while a 41-year-old man is in isolation at a hotel, as is a colleague he traveled with, who hasn't presented any symptoms.

Cocaine Cargo Carries New Record
At the top of the news, we told you all about the air tragedy in which four soldiers lost their lives. They are pilots: Major Adran Ramirez and Major Radford Baizar along with crew members Corporal Yassir Mendez and Corporal Reinaldo Choco. Ministry of National security officials say they were providing air support to a ground operation which intercepted a Gulfstream G2 jet with over two tonnes of cocaine. We have been reporting that it is the biggest drug bust in Belize's history, but that is under some dispute tonight.

Senator Smith Scoffs At Senator Salazar's Story
Last week Monday, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize announced 6 demands it was making of the Barrow Administration for good governance. These were hardline positions that the umbrella union and its 10 affiliate members were taking as a statement against corruption in public life. You'll also recall that the Unions took to the streets of Belize City to demonstrate to the Barrow Government that they are serious. Well, among those demands was a call for the completed report from the Senate Special Select Committee.

Immigration Probe's First Draft
And while Senator Smith is calling out Senator Salazar on making excuses, she can't say that any more - because, we learned today, that the first draft of the report is finally in. That's right. We learned it from Business Senator Mark Lizarraga who was discussing another issue that came up in the NUTCB meeting with the Prime Minister, and that was the report that no PUP had been named to replace Eamon Courtenay who is no longer in the Senate. He says it's just gamesmanship:

Leaked Minutes Lead to Misgivings
And, so now while the NTUCB minutes have passed into the public domain - and have been fully ventilated in the press, Senator Smith says she would rather that it hadn't happened like that. She says the leak put her in trouble with her membership: Hon. Elena Smith - BNTU President: "Those minutes were leaked before we were even able to inform our own members. So, we have not had a chance to really sit down, for those persons who weren't at the meeting..."

NTUCB Speaks With Silence
In those leaked minutes of the meeting between the Prime Minister and the NTUCB, there are indications that the Prime Minister is not willing to concede to several of their demands. Those include the NTUCB's call for a restructuring of the Public Accounts Committee and the Integrity Commission. The Unions say that these bodies will never be able to fully police public spending by the Government of the day if they continue to be dominated by the ruling party.

Chiquibul Continues To Be Cleared for Cattle
The Friends for Conservation and Development, which co-manages the Chiquibul National Park, is reporting tonight that a joint patrol of FCD rangers and BDF soldiers arrested a Guatemalan cattle rancher, who had illegally set up operation in the Park, and inside Belizean territory. He has been identified as Jose Ruben Vega Suchite, a resident of the village of Nueva Armenia, Peten Guatemala. According to the FCD, he was found in an area approximately 150 meters inside the Chiquibul. He had approximately 60 heads of cattle that was grazing in a part of the national park that was cleared.

Channel 5

B.D.F. Helicopter Crashes into Lagoon; Four Soldiers are Killed!
The entire nation mourns tonight the worst air disaster in which two pilots and two crews of the Belize Defense Force perished. The four died in a helicopter crash sometime [...]

Brig. General Ortega Fields Media Questions about Fatal Crash
The B.D.F is still reeling from the fatal crash that claimed the lives of four of their own. But tonight there are still many questions and at today’s press briefing, [...]

More on B.D.F.’s Fatal Helicopter Crash from the Ministry of National Security
As we reported tonight, the deaths of four offices comes directly on the heel of the seizure of two tons of cocaine. As we showed you on Thursday, the Belize [...]

A Reflection on the Lives of the Four Officers Killed
As you’ve heard earlier in the newscast, four of the B.D.F. soldiers are dead following the helicopter crash in the lagoon just off the Coastal Road. Two pilots and two [...]

Radford Baizar’s Grieving Mother Slams Ministry of National Security
Up to news time, the families of the crash victims are at Price Barracks and still there was no word on the bodies of their loved ones. Thirty-four-year-old Radford Baizar, [...]

Major Adran Ramirez Dies in Helicopter Crash
The news of the soldiers’ demise sent shockwaves into the public as family and close friends remain in disbelief. Hyacinth Latchman-Cuellar and her family are close friends with Major Adran [...]

How Does Belize Effectively Mitigate Drug Plane Landings?
In Thursday’s bust of a Golf Stream narco plane off the Coastal Road, sixty-nine bales of cocaine were found, amounting to two thousand and seventy parcels with a huge street [...]

Elena Smith: Chairman is Responsible for Senate Inquiry Report
In leaked minutes of a meeting held last Friday with the National Trade Union Congress, the Prime Minister tells the unions that Senator Aldo Salazar, in his capacity as chair [...]

Senator Elena Smith She Expected to be Attacked
Thousands of union members are said to have come out in the anti-corruption demonstration staged by the N.T.U.C.B. in Belize City last Thursday. It is no secret that of the [...]

A Draft Report of Senate Inquiry on Immigration Finally Produced
Finally, there is a draft report from Chairman Aldo Salazar on the Senate Inquiry on the Immigration and Nationality Departments. At a press briefing today Senator Elena Smith was joined [...]

G.O.B. Cannot Police Itself; Senators Ask for Independence & Transparency
According to the notes of the N.T.U.C.B. meeting, the Prime Minister is not yielding on the composition of oversight bodies, such as the Integrity Commission and the Public Accounts Committee. [...]

Senator Says PEP Should Extend to Certain Public Officers
The Integrity Commission is tasked, under the Prevention of Corruption Act, to investigate declared statements of assets and liabilities of persons in public life. Those politically exposed persons, identified as [...]

Raccoon Inside the Emergency Room of the K.H.M.H.
First it was rats found inside an incubator of the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan and today, it was a huge raccoon that made itself into the emergency ward of [...]

Jeweler Manuel Pacheco Gets Off Murder Charge
Belize City jeweler, Manuel Pacheco this morning walked out of the Supreme Court a free man after he was found not guilty of the murder of his next-door neighbour, Jose [...]

Louis Carter Gets 30 Years for Murder
San Pedro resident, Louis Carter today received a thirty-year prison sentence for the murder of mechanic, Dwayne Hyde. Justice Colin Williams handed down the sentence after Carter told the court [...]

Carl Reneau on Trial for Murder
The murder trial of Carl Reneau adjourned this afternoon after defense attorney Baja Shoman informed the court that she intends to make a no case submission. The crown, defense, accused [...]

Tracking COVID-19
As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc around the world, two cases have now been confirmed in neighbouring Mexico. Belize continues to be spared of an outbreak but local health [...]

Coronavirus Targets Immune System
The public is strongly advised to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of transmission. When coughing or sneezing, cover the mouth in the inside of the elbows or inside [...]

Illegal Electrical Connection Causes Fire on Emma Street, Belize City
A couple is displaced after a fire destroyed their home on Emma Street in the Saint Martin’s area. The fire started in the living room and spread quickly to engulf [...]

Destinee Arnold Returns Home
Miss Universe Belize Destinee Arnold is back in Belize after having competed on the international stage of pageantry back in December in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The twenty-seven-year-old did not make [...]

Condolences Pour in for Fallen B.D.F. Soldiers
Condolences are pouring in on the tragic loss of life of the B.D.F. pilots and crew members and News Five sympathizes with the families of the victims. This afternoon, the [...]

Amandala

Ministry of National Security confirm BDF helicopter crashed yesterday
A press release issued by the Ministry of National Security earlier this afternoon has confirmed that a Belize Defense Force (BDF) U1H1 helicopter crash landed yesterday, in the vicinity of Gales Point. On board the helicopter were its pilot, Major Adran Ramirez and Major Radford Baizar, and two crew members, Corporal Yassir Mendez and Corporal Reinaldo Choco.

Belize’s biggest cocaine bust
A jet plane that was tracked from Venezuela landed on an off-road off the Coastal Road at about 4:00 this morning, and a composite patrol consisting of police officers and soldiers of the Belize Defence Force managed to find the jet before the cocaine inside it could have been unloaded and the plane destroyed, as is usually done when drug planes land on clandestine airstrips. The crew, however, managed to escape by vehicle out of the area.

PUP will introduce Motion of No Confidence in the House
In the wake of a number of scandals and a major court judgment that have buffeted the United Democratic Party (UDP) government of Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow, the Opposition, the People’s United Party (PUP), has drafted a Motion of No Confidence that it is planning to introduce in the House of Representatives at its next sitting on Thursday, March 5. The Motion of No Confidence, which is a first in the post-independence parliamentary existence of Belize, would require the support vote of some members from the government side of the House.

Police investigation of Herman Longsworth still in doubt
The former Belize Consul General to New York and former Albert constituency area representative, Herman Longsworth, who served as Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, had until February 20 to wrap up his business in New York after he was terminated from his post by Prime Minister Dean Barrow. Longsworth’s name was mentioned several times in an unfavorable light in the Auditor General’s Report on the National Sports Council for the period April 2015 to March 2016.

PM Barrow to introduce his final budget at next House meeting
There will be a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives in the National Assembly chambers in Belmopan on Thursday, March 5. At this House meeting, Prime Minister Dean Barrow will introduce his government’s budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021. This will be Barrow’s last budget before he demits office sometime later this year, ahead of the general elections, which are scheduled to be held in November.

BNTU “mum” about meeting with PM Barrow after demonstration
Last Thursday, February 20, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) had a successful demonstration and public rally, and once more, it trumpeted its 6-point set of demands that it is making of the Dean Barrow-led government, for good governance, ahead of this year’s general elections. The next day, Friday, February 21, BNTU leaders met with Prime Minister Barrow, but did not update the media on what progress, or lack thereof, had been made in discussions regarding the 6-point set of demands being made by the BNTU for good governance.

Dion Zabaneh freed of all charges
Businessman Dion Zabaneh, who was charged for multiple offenses that he allegedly committed against the Department of the Environment (DOE), was freed of all charges today when Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford upheld a submission from his attorney, Emil Arguelles, that he had no case for which to answer. Zabaneh was charged with aggravated assault on a DOE officer in the execution of his duty, 4 counts of failure to comply with an oral direction given by a designated officer, and proceeding with an undertaking, project, program or activity without signing an environmental compliance plan and receiving environmental clearance.

Two 19-year-olds remanded for Shane Budram murder
This afternoon in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, Raheem Budram, 19, was jointly arraigned with Kareem Eagan, Jr., 19, for the murder of Shane Budram, 43, Raheem’s uncle, who was gunned down in cold blood on Friday night, February 21, on Wagner’s Lane. The two accused men appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford, who, before reading the murder charge, informed them that she would not take a plea from them because the offense is indictable and will not be heard by her court.

Disgraced John Saldivar will be questioned by police
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has instructed the Police Department to begin an investigation of former Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, to find out if he accepted money from US accused fraudster, Lev Dermen, in exchange for political favors. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, last week indicated that the police will rely on the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty Belize signed with the United States to obtain a transcript from the money laundering and fraud trial of Lev Dermen, which is taking place in Salt Lake City, Utah.

James Slemp’s murderer believed to have fled home to Guatemala
James Slemp, a 79-year-old Canadian national who lived on a farm in the Fresh Water Pond area on the Hopkins Road, was found dead yesterday in the lagoon with machete wounds to his head and body. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said that police are looking for Slemp’s neighbor, a Guatemalan national who police believe murdered Slemp after a misunderstanding over tools. After committing the crime, the neighbor fled to his country.

Guinea Grass gets new police station
Guinea Grass, one of the largest villages in Orange Walk District, did not have a police station and villagers who needed the help of police had to travel to the Orange Walk Town Police Station to make reports and for other necessary police services, and, in many cases, they faced a number of difficulties in doing so. The village now has a new police station, which will be manned by no less than two policemen. The Guinea Grass Police Substation was officially opened on Friday afternoon.

GoB bloats contracts for projects and invests little in the people
Belizeans appreciate that a new bridge over the Haulover Creek and improvement of the Coastal Road are worthy projects, and they would praise the government without reservation if they weren’t staggered by the cost of the contracts. One report is that the new bridge will cost a fantastic $49 million, and the government says improvement of the Coastal Road will cost a whopping $133 million. The last report we have received is that two contractors qualified to build the bridge, but only one bid was received, and it was over the budget. One contractor is an Italian firm, and the other is a Belize-Mexico company that is believed to include a government favorite, Mr. Imer Hernandez.

Who advised Belize on this?
Let me list (1 to 10) what I want to say, clearly, because this is not about me. It is about Belize, it is about the nation’s health, and I’m not sure who is advising them: 1. While, as we see (as in my previous post), there was a cruise ship that was turned away (due to Coronavirus fears) and heading towards Mexico, I scanned the local Belize news but saw no mention of this. I am not sure why. 2. Expert epidemiologists and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention project that it’s JUST A MATTER OF TIME before most countries are affected to some degree – especially countries with significant exposure due to air travel, tourism, and otherwise.

Belize in rough economic waters, and it’s getting rougher
Prime Minister Barrow will be leaning on all the genius that resides at the Central Bank and all of his immense oratorical skills to paint a picture of a half full glass when he faces the nation in the first week in March to make his final budget presentation to the nation. Things have not been looking good in Belize’s economy for some time, and the reports keep getting worse. Our economy has contracted in three consecutive quarters. In the second quarter of 2019 the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reported that our GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was down 0.8%, in the third quarter of 2019 it was down 0.4%, and in the fourth quarter of 2019 the fall in our GDP was 2.8%.

Sean Taegar publishes Spirit Fire Light, an extended poem
Spirit Fire Light is the longest poem ever to be published by a Belizean poet. The over 600- page book was self-published by Sean Taegar and can be summarized as his spiritual journey of becoming one with the universal spirit of creativity. Spirit Fire Light is a brilliant poem, loaded with powerful imagery in its celebration of nature and the universe, which Taegar stripped bare analytically time and time again, in the decade that he spent creating the poem. In an interview with Taegar, Amandala asked the poet what led him to select the title “Spirit Fire Light”.

My listening to Sean Taegar’s Spirit Fire Light
There’s a call and response that I’d like to invite all to participate in during my presentation. It’s inspired by Sean’s own joyful tune – a song, a rhythm. It goes like this: When you hear me call the word “Listen” and point in your direction, respond with this tune: Spirit Fire Light, Spirit Fire Light, Spirit Fire Light, It’s the Spirit Fire Light. From the early, joyful and innocent Holy Redeemer years of uniformed children: marble, hopscotch, ketch, sweat, scraped knees, report cards and yes, some lashing; through to the SJC adolescent years of teenage desires, goals, anger, impatience, doubt, rebellion, fear, tears, hard lessons learnt, grit and dreaming, always dreaming. Sean has been there. Sean was the best man at my wedding and is the godfather of my first child. Sean is family. Sean is love.

Government is breaking the law, Opposition Leader tells CDB and British High Commissioner
On Monday, there was a ground-breaking ceremony for the 130-million-dollar Coastal Road Project that the UDP’s “favorite contractor,” Imer Hernandez will be spearheading. The project was funded by the Caribbean Development Bank, the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership, and the Government of Belize. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the contractor, Imer Hernandez, due to his ties to the governing United Democratic Party, amid allegations by the Opposition that his previous work has not been of the best quality.

Belize District Primary School Basketball Finals results
The Belize District Primary Schools 2019-2020 Basketball Tournament Finals were played today, Monday, February 24, at the Swift Hall Gym in Belize City. There were 3 Belize City teams in the Female (F) category (St. John’s Anglican, Queen’s Square Anglican and St. Martin De Porres); and 4 Male (M) teams, comprising 2 from Belize City (Wesley Upper and Holy Redeemer) and 1 each from the Belize River Valley area (Belize Rural Primary) and 1 from San Pedro Town (San Pedro RC). With only 3 teams, the females played a double-elimination first round, while the 4 male teams played a simple knockout first round.

Cricket Corner – Your mistake is another man’s gain
To all cricket enthusiasts, Good day to you! Under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association, the Bowen and Bowen/ Harrison Parks 2020 Cricket Competition is in full gear. Who will be victorious in the end? Hard to tell at this time; in no particular order, I give to you the best I can possibly do for you to get the feeling of our cricketers on the field of play this past weekend. I start with Western Eagles vs Brilliant at Crooked Tree. The home team went in to bat first. The Eagles bowling was not that bad at the start of the inning.

Belize lost 2 games and won 1 in CONCACAF U-20 Qualifiers in Curacao
A 20-player strong Belize U-20 male national selection travelled to Curacao last week Sunday, February 16 to participate in CONCACAF U-20 Qualifiers under head coach, Dale Pelayo, assisted by Jonathan Hooper. Our boys reportedly played 3 games, as the team was placed in a group of 4, including the host Curacao along with Guadeloupe and Saint Marten. The team reportedly returned on Monday, February 24, but we have received no details on the games, except a Whatsapp report that we lost, 6-0, to Guadeloupe in our first game on Tuesday, February 18; we lost in a tough battle, 2-1, to host Curacao on Thursday, February 20; and we won by shutout over Saint Marten, 4-0, on Saturday, February 22. We await word from the Football Federation of Belize on our U-20 National Team’s status in the Qualifiers following these results.

From the Publisher
I don’t move around a lot, but when I do so in the old capital, I have gotten the impression that the result of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) referendum last May has been a depressing development for most adult Belizeans. Perhaps I am only judging from my own disappointment at seeing our country’s territorial sovereignty, which we considered sealed and sacrosanct on September 21, 1981, becoming subject to the judgment of a panel of international jurists, this being a decision made by a majority of adult, registered Belizeans in a free and fair poll, but one highly influenced by extraneous and external sources.

It’s tough to become a Spanish Lookout member (Mennonite)
I don’t think the following document, which contains the membership rules of Spanish Lookout, is exactly classified, but it is for sure not disseminated for the consumption of Belizeans who live outside of the Spanish Lookout community. In two articles published in the Amandala recently, it was mentioned that there are a number of members of the community who are not happy campers, members who would like to see some changes made. The document was shared by one such person. At the bottom of the document there is mention of New Rules, with the clarifying point that rules can be expanded and developed. We are aware of rules in the community that have been taken off the books over the years.

And the battle for leadership continues
It should be a concern for all — not just for the die-hard United Democratic Party members —who becomes the next party leader of the UDP. In a similar way, we all had much to opine about the leadership of the People’s United Party when they were dealing with their own internal crisis. Remember how we zealously followed the removal of Francis Fonseca and the ascent of Johnny Briceno? Likewise, we want to ensure that neither John Saldivar nor any of his minions, whom he can control, will take leadership of the UDP. Until we know who is voted to be leader and how that story ends, we very much need to have our ears and eyes open and express our views, since it is we the voters who will have to choose the better of two evils, which is still evil!

A US leader who doesn’t altogether hate Fidel, and Belizeans who do
American presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, told Anderson Cooper in an interview on the CBS Show Sixty Minutes that it’s unfair to say everything about Fidel Castro was bad, and across the political spectrum in America they are raining blows upon Sanders’ head. Really, is there anything or anyone under the sun who is all bad? Sanders pointed to the massive literacy program in Cuba as a good thing when he was challenged to explain remarks he made many years ago, that Cubans on the island didn’t rise up against Fidel, because he transformed their society.

UDP: The United Dependency Party
I have never personally met Mr. John Saldivar. However, unbeknownst to himself, he some-what established an affinity with me by calling himself John Berchmans. He lived about four hundred years ago, and is part of a trilogy of youths who died very early as they were pursuing their vocation to become Jesuit priests. The other two are Aloysius Gonzaga and Stanislaus Kostka. If you are not Catholic, please don’t get nervous. We Catholics believe that they are not dead but very much alive in Heaven; and this is why we refer to them as Saints, to whom we pray for spiritual guidance.

The Valentine’s Day fundraiser dance
In the charged political climate of our country in the Seventies, there had been continuing dissatisfaction with the slow progress we were making in the development of our social institutions since self-government in 1964, in spite of much political activity – public meetings, endless speeches, demonstrations, protests, etc.; and Jerome, in particular, was becoming more and more frustrated over what seemed to be a standstill to services provided by the hospital in response to the needs of an expanding population.

May they rest in peace and rise in glory
Dear Editor, So sad to read about the demise of Mr. Alfonso Ramirez, he did not know me, but I felt a little affinity towards this gentleman because he and I grew up in similar circumstances. His family had Democratic Bar, which was famous for its “Democratic Gin”, and we had Hi-Lite Club, with its “Rum & Gin”. Both were immensely popular products with their clientele. This was before the big producers started mass production of Caribbean Rum, Travellers, Old Master, etc.

Artist from Belize comes to LA to honor Kobe Bryant with his paintings
Vendors swarmed Figueroa Street selling souvenirs in honor of Kobe Bryant. There was one man’s stand in particular that stood out to people walking by as he painted. Only thing was, that his paintings are not for sale to the public. “I have no intention of selling it to the public. This gotta end up at the right place because I have too much value for it. It’s not about money or fame, it’s about leaving a legacy for my number one team, which is Lakers and let them also enjoy,” said Alex Sanker, an artist who travelled from Belize to paint outside of the memorial for Kobe Bryant.

The Reporter

Louis Carter Gets 30 Years For Murder
Supreme Court Judge, Justice Colin Williams today sentenced Louis Carter, 26, a San Pedro resident to 30 years in prison for the murder of Dwayne Hyde, 30, a mechanic also of San Pedro.

4 BDF Soldiers Perished in the Helicopter Crash
These are Major Adran Ramirez and Major Radford Baizar, the pilots who were killed in the BDF helicopter crash on Thursday in the sea near Gales Point Manatee.

B.D.F Helicopter Crash Landed, Pilots & Crew?
The Ministry of National Security has issued the following press release in relation to the helicopter crash that we reported on earlier. We reproduce that release in its entirety.

ALERT: CORONA VIRUS DETECTED IN A NEIGHBORING COUNTRY
The Mexican government, (Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell Ramirez) has told reporters that they have detected the first cases of coronavirus infection.

LOVE FM

PUP expresses condolences to BDF soldiers family and colleagues
There was a late release from the People’s United party also expressing condolences to the families of the BDF soldiers. They also added that they are equally concerned about all the questions surrounding this accident. According to the release the press conference held by the Ministry of National Security has left many questions unanswered.

Homeowner says arson, Fire station proves electrical overload
One man has been displaced following a house fire in the Lake Independence Area in Belize City. The fire began in the wee hours of Friday morning. 54-year-old Edgar Richards fell asleep on his couch and minutes before the fire he reportedly heard noises at the back of his home.

Breaking Belize News

“BDF soldiers died serving their country,” says Ministry of National Security
The Ministry of National Security held a press conference today in the wake of a […]

Condolences to Families of BDF Soldiers Lost in Helicopter Crash
Breaking Belize News would like to express our sympathies to the families of the members of […]

Ministry of Health issues advisory on coronavirus measures in Belize
The Ministry of Health issued a statement saying that it is aware of the first […]

Leader of Opposition extends condolences to families of victims of helicopter crash
Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño and the People’s United Party are deeply saddened by […]

Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry joins nation in mourning death of BDF officers
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)’s Executive Council and Secretariat issued a statement […]

Galen University joins in mourning death of BDF airwing members
Galen University issued a statement extending condolences on the passing of BDF airwing members Major […]

FCD personnel detain Guatemalan cattle rancher inside of Chiquibul
On February, 27, the Joint Forces Unit based at Cebada Conservation Post, consisting of Belize […]

US Embassy extends condolences to families of victims of helicopter crash
The United States Embassy in Belize issued a statement extending their heartfelt condolences to the […]

Manuel Pacheco found not guilty of murdering his neighbor
Today Justice Colin Williams found Manuel Pacheco, 58, not guilty of murder. With today’s verdict, […]

Prime Minister extends condolences to Families of BDF Soldiers
On behalf of the Government and People of Belize, the Office of the Prime Minister […]

KHMH apologizes for raccoon incident last night
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA) has apologized to the public following an incident […]

Coronavirus hits close to home: two cases confirmed in Mexico
When BBN first reported on the novel coronavirus strain back in 2019, cases were only […]

Ministry of National Security to host press conference on helicopter crash
The Ministry of National Security has called a press conference to be held today at 3 […]

BDF helicopter reportedly crashes
BBN has received reports that a Belize Defense Force helicopter crashed with two soldiers on-board. […]

Drug bust valued at over $100 Million!
Shortly after midnight on Thursday, Belize City police received information that a drug plane had […]

Police officer, Allen Bonner, in trouble for harassing citizen who refused to fist bump
Over the weekend a video clip went viral of a police officer aggressing a citizen. […]

Blogs

Our Soggy Adventure to Isla Marisol
We were headed to the Isla Marisol Dive Resort on the Southwest Caye of Glover’s Reef Atoll some 36 miles west of the Dangriga coastline. After flying to Dangriga from Belize City we were transferred to an open-air boat for our voyage to paradise. More than an hour later, after passing a handful of tiny islands, some dotted with colorful cabañas, we reach our picturesque destination. Managers Mora and Letty welcome us at the dock and give a briefing about our island home. Power by day is solar and wind, while in the evening a generator takes over.

The Iconic Jets Bar At Belize’s International Airport
If you have been to Belize before through the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) you already know who and where we are talking about. Jets Bar is a tiny little cozy corner bar in Terminal 2 in front of the Southwest and United Airlines boarding gates. On a crowded day, it might even be hard to find, but its size doesn’t matter because the spirit and charisma of Jet is larger than life. His energy and positive spirit is contagious and he loves to meet new people. It’s been the joy of his life day in and day out to meet so many people passing through the airport for which he thanked many for visiting Belize.

Reef Week 2020
It’s that time of the year again to celebrate the Barrier Reef. The theme of reef week 2020 is “true true reef love means yuh stay involved!”. Reef week has been on since 2013 and will continue to be celebrated for a week of the year. Organizations come together to celebrate “Reef Week” by hosting a series of events. This fun week is filled with activities ranging from intense to relaxing, guaranteeing an enjoyable time.

Cultural Cooking Classes in Belize
They say that the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach; I can guarantee that on your trip here you will fall in love with the food. Belizean food is just one way to enjoy the variety of cultures – East Indian, Mestizo, Maya, Garifuna, Creole and Middle Eastern. Each culture has its signature dishes that you won’t be able to get enough of. So, if food is the key to your heart and cooking is something you enjoy; then why not try a few cooking classes in Belize and learn to cook authentic Belizean cuisine? Here are some cultural cooking classes offered throughout Belize. Cook Local: Located in the fun-filled island of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, across from Fido’s, here you will learn to cook a three-course meal of Belizean favorites. This includes fry jacks, fresh seafood ceviche, potato pound, panades, and salbutes. They are open from Thursday to Saturday and host over four guests for US 100 per person for the class.

International Sources

Mexican authorities detect drug plane over Belize
Personal from the Departamento de Defensa de Belice report the discovery of another plane loaded with drugs, which they say, landed along the Coastal Road of Belize next to Quintana Roo. The latest plane seizure was made with assistance of the Fuerza Aérea Mexicana (Mexican Air Force) who detected the illegal jet over Belize territory. The Belize Department of Defense headed to the Coastal Road where the located the jet carrying a drug shipment. The crew of the aircraft were arrested.

Belize now attracting European expat retirees to its Caribbean shores
If white sand beaches, virgin rain forests and year-round sunshine are an essential requirement in your retirement strategy, Belize might be the perfect place. Already popular with American retirees, the seductive beauty of Belize is now attracting an increasing number of European retirees looking to a Caribbean lifestyle as an antidote for years spent focusing on a career. It’s not the world’s cheapest retirement destination by far, but it’s certainly one of the loveliest. Establishing residency is far easier than in many other countries, and everyone speaks the English language.

Videos

Healthy Living: Covid-19 Personal Prevention Plan, 4min. The Ministry of Health’s surveillance efforts continue at the major ports of entries, and there is, to this date, no confirmed cases in Belize. But the situation remains changing, and everyone needs to be vigilant in controlling the spread of disease. Tonight in Healthy Living, we review the prevention practices that will help keep you safe.

Diving in Belize, 6min. This is what I saw in 2010 on the NCL Pearl

2010 NCL Pearl scuba diving Roatan and Belize, 32min.

Birding at the marsh in Hopkins Village, Belize, 4min. Sue and I were doing some birding at the marsh in Hopkins Village, Belize. We were able to spot Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Little Blue Herons, Black-necked Stilts, and some Blue-winged Teals. It was only about a 20 minute bike ride from the Hamanasi Resort.

SNORKELING BELIZE, 34min. Hol Chan & Shark Ray Alley

Belize: le "Great Blue Hole", 3.5min. Un petit paradis de nature au Belize. Le tout petit pays des Caraibes abrite une incroyable formation geologique au large de ses côtes : un gigantesque trou bleu parfaitement circulaire. Une curiosite joliment dessinee par la nature au coeur de la 2e plus grande barriere de corail au monde. Plongee dans le "Great Blue Hole"...

Look at the tide Today Friday in Corozal, 3min.

Channel 5 Obituaries - Gilbert Clinton Arnold, 3min.

Belize Now - February 28, 2020, 37min. In the headlines: The Ministry of Health discusses COVID-19 and Belize’s Response Plan, the Government of Belize breaks ground for the upgrading of the Coastal Highway and we wrap up our Forensics Series with a look at the Forensic Laboratory Unit.

Ministry of National Defense Press Conference, 36min.

At day it's called Police 'meet and greet" at night "meet and beat", 5min. A man, Jimmy Robinson innocently stands near a food vendor and a a police officer in plain clothes insists he greets him with a physical touch of knuckles. Robinson who doesn't know the man and refuses to "buck" his hand with him. The police officer then approaches him and attempts to stab him.

Major Adran Ramirez, the BDF pilot who passed away in the crash,1 min.

Raccoon inspects wards during successful KHMH Tour, 10sec.

Raccoon takes tour of KHMH, 1/2min.

Morning Matters at Caves Branch, 61min. Ian Anderson tells a little about his life's journey

Chase The Ace San Pedro, 1/2min. Congrats to the winner of our biggest Chase the Ace jackpot EVER! He took home over $41,655 for drawing the ace of spades, and the San Pedro AIDS Commission received $11,108!

Great Belize Trail Rides!, 5.5min. Some trail rides take you up a mountain. Some take you across a river. Others may take you through a rain forest and into the world of archeological history. This ride at T'initz Tours Belize does all that, and more. Start from the beautiful & serene Morningside Stables, and head up a jungle-covered mountain into the world of yesterday!

Wisata Ke Negara Belize Bocah Amerika, 10min. Belize adalah sebuah negara kecil di pesisir timur Amerika Tengah dengan sistem Pemerintahan Monarki, berbatasan dengan Meksiko di sebelah barat laut dan Guatemala di barat dan selatan. Honduras terletak 75 km ke arah tenggara. Dalam bahasa Spanyol, Belize seringkali disebut Belice. Dahulu disebut Honduras Britania hingga 1973, Belize adalah bekas jajahan Britania Raya selama lebih dari satu abad. Nama "Belize" diambil dari Sungai Belize.

Belize - Hamanasi Dive Resort, 13min.

Miss Universe Belize, Destinee Arnold returns to Belize, 3.5min.

February 28, 2020

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Cost of Production Survey Design and Business Modelling for Small Farmer Public-Private Partnership for Value Chain Workshop
The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosted a one-day workshop on Cost of Production Survey Design and Business Modelling for Small Farmers under the project “Sub-regional Capacity building in Sustainable Food Systems and Value Chain Development”. The workshop was held on February 25 at the National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds Conference Room in Belmopan.

Luis Manuel Carter found guilty for the 2016 murder of Dwayne Hyde
In a judgment delivered on Friday, February 21st, 37-year-old Luis Manuel Carter, aka ‘Wiz,’ was found guilty by Justice Colin Williams for the 2016 murder of island resident Dwayne Hyde. Carter will face sentencing on Friday, February 28th. The trial began on January 30, 2020, and the main witness for the Crown was Hyde’s common-law wife, Kimberly Humes. According to Humes, while she was lying in bed waiting for Hyde to come home from work someone knocked on the door.

PUP holds Mass Demonstration in Belize City, calls for an early election
As previously declared, the People’s United Party (PUP) saw thousands of its supporters come out on Sunday, February 23rd to participate in their anti-corruption demonstration in Belize City. The march started on Albert Street and concluded at Battlefield Park, where the leader of the Opposition, Honorable John Briceño, and his standard-bearers gave charged speeches to the massive crowd. Standard bearers from all over the country were in attendance with their constituents such as Julius Espat (Cayo South), Florencio Marin Jr. (Corozal Southeast), Mike Espat (Toledo East), Kareem Musa (Caribbean Shores) and Andre Perez (Belize Rural South) among others.

Water shortages affecting San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker
Tourism season is underway in Belize, and one of the most visited areas of the country are the cayes, with Ambergris Caye and Caulker being the favorite spot for thousands of visitors. The heavy influx of tourists means financial benefits to the islands, which is its strongest economy. However, annually during peak tourism season, islanders often struggle with inadequate water supplies, which in turn affects their businesses and daily lives. This season is no exception, and although Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL) has made upgrades in their infrastructure, they are yet to meet the demands of Belize’s prime tourism destination.

Various Belizean Sources

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Mission
We would like to announce our Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery Mission 2020. Please feel free to share this info with those who may need it. Take Advantage of this wonderful opportunity - Date: March 15th at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (K.H.M.H) at 8:00 a.m.

Peace Corps Employment opportunity
Peace Corps seeks qualified candidates for the post of Medical Officer. Please follow the guidance on how to apply.

High level event with UNESCO ORGANIZATION in beautiful Mexico city
We are ready to commence high level event with UNESCO ORGANIZATION in beautiful Mexico city. Meeting many fine friends, some already developed friendships and finding that there are joys in diversity. Having lots of fun and laughter with Ivan Cetzal from Universidad Intercultural Maya Cultural de Quintana Roo. To'one Masehualo'on NGO representing the Yucatec Maya of Belize at Mexico City.

Artist Toolkit Sensitization Session
EXPORTBelize, a unit of BELTRAIDE, in collaboration with the Music Industry Association of Belize (MIAB) would like to invite musicians to the Artist Toolkit Sensitization Session on March 19, 2018, at 6 pm. The session will provide participants with relevant information (Contracts, Visa Requirements, Promotional Documents) every artist needs in order to perform at a professional level in local and international markets.

Reef Week 2020
The official Reef Week 2020 Calendar is here! Join us for a week of fun, reef-friendly activities. Check out all the details to see which initiatives you would like to be a part of!

Belize against non-essential travel to several countries
The Belize Government says it is not recommending non-essential travel to China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan, as the country continues to monitor the deadly novel coronavirus (COVID-19) that has killed more than 2,700 people in those countries. “While the Ministry of Health continues to heighten surveillance at points of entry, the ministry is aware that new studies are showing that individuals who may not be showing symptoms can be infected and also have an unknown source of infection.”

Ministry of Agriculture Hosts Workshop for the Development of Belize’s Tilapia Industry
The Ministry of Agriculture hosted a half-day workshop for fishers, buyers, retailers, and other relevant government agencies to examine a value chain analysis and proposed strategy to develop Belize’s tilapia industry. The workshop was held at the George Price Center for Peace and Development in Belmopan. Supported by the Caribbean Value Chains team of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the one-to-five-year strategy is expected to help boost market opportunities for tilapia. The approach may also potentially be applied to other priority crops and commodities.

FEB 2020 DIVE INTO TOURISM
A publication by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation highlighting current research and tourism trends in Belize.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL ANNUAL FAIR
Come for a spectacular evening of family fun and entertainment. Lots of Games of Chance - Great prizes - Presentations - Dances - Food - Drinks Saturday, February 29th, at the St. Francis School Auditorium from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Come out and support a worthy cause!

Football Action - Belize vs. Mexico - International Match in Corozal
Champs of Champs. Saturday, February 29th at Bacadia Football Field, South end Corozal Town starting at 6:00 p.m. Everyone is cordially invited.

Some impressive numbers from CAWS' low cost clinics
Clinic summary: In the 9 days of Feb 15-23, we: Spayed 55 female dogs; Neutered 18 male dogs; Spayed 4 female cats; Neutered 5 male cats; Did 2 elective surgeries; and Euthanized 4 terminally ill dogs...

Upcoming events from the San Ignacio & Santa Elena House of Culture -NICH
The Juan Carnaval parade, and the reflection(which will be on the 5th). On March 5th we will be having a reflection on the Mestizo's Juan carnaval, that was practiced in Cayo.If you have information on this carnaval you are invited to share your stories, or simply listen to the stories and songs that were performed back then .SISEHOC NICH at 6;00pm.Our carnaval parade will be on the 7th of March through our main streets of SISE Town.

Valentin Conservation Post
The Valentin Conservation Post was installed in 2014, overlooking the village of La Rejoya in Guatemala. The major threat there include incursions for cattle ranching activities. With support from the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), FCD joins the BDF and Police as part of the Joint Forces Unit protocol presence, aimed at protecting the Chiquibul Forest ecosystem.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Jumanji, The Last Thing He Wanted, Guns Akimbo, Spies in Disguise

YARBOROUGH GREEN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
The revitalization of the Yarborough Green continues. New bleachers for the football field has been completed. The underside of the bleachers will house a new restroom for the facility. Installation of a concrete seaside promenade has begun.

POLICE SR. SUPERINTENDANT RICHARD ROSADO NOW PHD
The police department is recording a first ever doctor. Senior Superintendent of Police, Richard Rosado has completed his doctoral studies at Edinburgh Napier University. He now holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Police Administration. Rosado becomes the first specialist in policing in the Belize Police Department. Rosado underwent five-and-a- half years of studies and will be graduating in mid-July.

Ya’axché’s Community Forestry Symposium for State Actors
Ya’axché’s Community Forestry Symposium for State Actors, a one-day event, brought together over 70 actors to discuss Belize’s current forest conservation and governance status. We delightedly presented our work in the Maya Golden Landscape; the different climate-smart agricultural practices that the farmers are implementing, science-based approaches and the enhancement of conservation in southern protected areas. The results and livelihoods of our partners are an inspiration for others.

Photoshoot and presentation for Destination Belize at San Lazaro's musuem
The Belize High School of Agriculture players looking great!

Channel 7

Narco Plane Lands on Coastal, Cops Make Big Bust
Word spread like wildfire after dawn this morning that another drug plane had landed. And while you might expect this case to follow the all too familiar narrative of a burnt plane with all the contents spirited away by narcos, this one provided a sharp twist in the storyline. Law enforcement got the plane and the drugs in an impressive show of readiness and cross border cooperation. Cherisse Halsall went out to the Coastal highway to find the plane this morning. Here's what she saw. "It's here off mile 16 on the Coastal Road that a G2 jet packed with 70 bales of cocaine landed at about 4:30 this morning."

May Be Biggest Bust Ever
That's right, as much as 100 million Belize dollars! Yes, indeed, today's bust amounts to one of the biggest - if not the biggest in Belize's history. It hasn't all been weighed and tallied yet, but based on the preliminary figures given by the commissioner of police today, it is not over one tonne as we originally estimated, but over two tonnes. Here's more from the commissioner as he gave an outline to the press this evening - setting alongside his Deputy and Commander of Operations - both of the senior officers nicely outfitted for the occasion in their battle Dress Uniforms: Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police: "This morning early around 12:15, 12:30 thereabout a track was observed leaving Venezuela heading our way. Based on the tracking we mobilized as we would normally do and the tracking was followed closely by an air asset of another Central American country all the way into our airspace..."

The Bust Gives Police A Breather
So, there was no arrest made, and tracks in the area suggest the pilot and the ground crew left through one of the side roads in the area. But, to go over the numbers, there are about 2,070 parcels of cocaine. Typically the parcels are 1 kilogram bricks, and converting that into pounds, would result in 4,554 pounds, and that works out to just over two tonnes. Though that is a preliminary number based on estimates, the US Street value per tonne is about 27 million US dollars, and a little over two tonnes would have a US street value of close to 60 million US dollars. So the very rough and preliminary US street value for this shipment is about 120 million Belize dollars.

Drug Cargo Was Going To Be Moved By Water
So there was no firefight, and all that may have been caused by close tracking of the plane by "air assets" from neighbouring countries. Commissioner Williams says the pilot and his ground counterparts probably knew that the plane was being tracked in the air, which forced him to make a landing and quick escape. But, what were they going to do with those tonnes of cocaine? Surely, moving all that weight by road would have been impractical. Williams says they were probably going to push the cargo out through the sea:

Coastal Clandestine Runway Was Used Before
Indeed, the pilots and ground crews of these narco planes are believed to have multiple contingencies in place depending on what law enforcement is doing. That means they likely have more than one possible place to land their narco planes. And, as we showed you in our first story, this airstrip has apparently been used before. We asked the Commissioner if they plan to destroy it: Reporter: "There's also the burnt remains of another aircraft right next to the runway. Wat there no effort made in the first instance? Perhaps to destroy this particular airfield?" Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police: "Not to my knowledge. We still need to ascertain the owner of the airstrip because while yes there are number of these makeshift runways that we want to destroy..."

The Drug Hunter Predicted It
And one man who often seems to know well in advance where the planes will drop is Edward Martinez. He's the same whistleblower calling himself the"Drug Hunter" who held a press conference in January of last year. He often seems to have very specific knowledge of when and where drug planes will land. And twice in the last week, he predicted a landing off the Coastal Road before Friday - and it happened on Thursday morning. Today, we asked the Commissioner about it: Jules Vasquez: "On February 19th and on February 21st he posted that there is going to be a landing just off the Coastal Road. And so said, there was a landing off the Coastal Road..."

New Minister, Sudden Drug Bust
And while police say they are keeping an eye on certain persons, what about their former minister. He is now the subject of an unrelated investigation after he was forced to resign from Cabinet two weeks ago. It's been one week since the a new minister has been in place, and, bingo!, what may be the biggest bust ever is made. Now, correlation is not causation, not at all, but it is one heck of a coincidence - so we had to ask.

Man Charged For Murder and Shooting
On Monday we told you that a 33-year-old man died and a 61-year old woman was shot at the hands of two gunmen on a motorcycle. And today one of those men, 22-year-old Dion White, was read 5 charges, including murder when he appeared in the court of Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson. The Charge of murder is for the death of Walter Ezeikel Usher, 33, aka "Zeke" who was the intended targeted of the shooting.

Belmopanese Boiling Over Proposed Gas Station
There's grumbling in Belmopan after the plan for a new gas station went public. First off, the land for the project is across from Our Lady of Guadalupe School - and another school; second, the land is repeatedly on a buffer zone for the road. And, third, the person who's getting the land is reported to be a well connected individual.

PUP Push No Confidence Motion
We've told you all about the political flux in the UDP as the ruling party searches for a leader to succeed Dean Barrow and replace the hastily dethroned John Saldivar. And now the PUP is trying a parliamentary play to capitalise on that inter-party discord. The opposition yesterday submitted a "no confidence" motion to be tabled at next week Friday's house meeting. It asks the House members to consider a while bunch of stuff including the recent Supreme Court judgement which found that the Barrow Administration spent monies from the Consolidated Revenue Fund without prior House approval.

SJC Celebrates The Sciences
Saint John's College, one of Belize City's prestigious secondary and tertiary schools, is getting ready to build a brand new science building. Administrators say that the popularity of its science programs has caused the enrollment of students to outgrow its teaching facilities designated for the different science disciplines. So, they are hoping that by next year, their brand new, 5-million dollar building will be ready for use for the class of 2021. The SJC President invited the press for the building's groundbreaking ceremony this morning, and 7News attended. According to the president, the building will also house the first-ever robotics laboratory in Belize.

City Sweets Up Sore-looking Sidewalks
Albert Street's straight up "dutty" sidewalks are getting a long overdue makeover. And while that is welcome, there's been some trouble this week getting bad minded pedestrians to stay off the fresh paint. We spoke to the City Council's Economic Development Manager and Senior Public Relations Officer about the goals behind the beautification of the city's sidewalks.

CARICOM's Corona Plan
The CARICOM Secretariat is reporting the Ministers of Health from its member states held an emergency meeting, via video conference, to discuss the coronavirus or COVID-19, as it formally is known. International press reports say that the virus has been detected within 50 countries around the world, and the medical experts are addressing it as a priority. The CARICOM Ministers of Health agreed to the establishment of a Working Group to formulate possible recommendations and protocols for a regional response to the disease.

The Tilapia Comeback, Again
Tilapia has been the food crop of the future for decades, but now that the future's here, we're discovering it didn't quite work out that way for fish farmers. That's why the Ministry of Agriculture today hosted a half-day workshop today to discuss ways to develop Belize's tilapia industry. The ministry invited fisher-folks, buyers, retailers, and other relevant government agencies to closely examine a value chain analysis and a proposed strategy to improve the industry. According to the Ministry, the 5-year strategy is expected to boost market opportunities for tilapia.

Why Are The Cops Building A Drug Plane Runway?
It seems the police are constantly battling with narcos - to find their many and multiplying clandestine airstrips, and destroy them, where possible. So then why are the cops building an airstrip for a drug plane behind Crooked Tree? That's what concerned villagers reached out to ask to find out yesterday. And we've learned that it's to fly a drug plane out of there - one that is literally stuck in the mud, or, at least stuck in the soil. This is the Gulfstream G2 that landed behind Crooked Tree a little over a month ago.

COMPOL Scolds Knife Weilding Cop
There never seems to be a shortage of complaints about police brutality. But what about the actions of cops while out of uniform? Last night this video surfaced. It shows an officer in plain clothes involved in an altercation on Amara avenue in which he threatens another man with a pocket knife.

A Decade Of Trade Deficits
During last night's newscast, we told you about the latest figures from the Statistical Institute of Belize which showed how the country's economy performed for the last 3 months of 2019. Last year was the first time in 6 years that the country's gross domestic product contracted during the fourth quarter. The SIB explanation for the decline was the lasting effects of the extended drought of 2019, which caused poor performance in the major agricultural sectors.

Man Convicted Of Uncle's Murder
26-year-old Sydney Bucknor Jr was found guilty today of the murder of his uncle, 61-year-old Micheal Bucknor in the court of Justice Marilyn Williams. The killing happened on June 27th, 2013. Micheal was walking on Faber's Road heading toward Tony's shop when Sydney shot him in the back of the head. 2 days later Sydney gave police the caution statement used to convict him in which he admitted that he shot and killed his uncle.

Channel 5

Biggest Cocaine Haul in Belize’s History is Recorded
The biggest cocaine bus here in Belize took place in the wee hours of this morning. Combined work of the Belize Defense Force, the Police and Central American counterparts tracked [...]

ComPol Williams Says Members of Security Forces, Belizeans Involved in Plane Landings
Unlike other instances when the police have come up empty-handed—only to find remnants of burnt planes—the Gulf Stream this morning was intercepted on the illegal airstrip loaded with sixty-nine bales [...]

ComPol Says Additional Resources Needed to Fight Illicit Drug Trade
Police are spread thin and under-resourced in the fight against the illicit drug trade, which uses sophisticated equipment to evade the long arms of the law. Williams says that the [...]

Chester Williams: Police Presence Prevents Most Plane Landings
The Commissioner of Police acknowledges that every plane landing gives Belize a black eye and there have been three since the start of the year. But according to Chester Williams, [...]

ComPol Speaks on Drug Activity in the Region
The excess production of cocaine in Colombia has been causing increased activity in getting the drug into the North American market, where the appetite is insatiable. It means that the [...]

New Minister of National Security Comments on Drug Seizure
The most recent drug bust, on record as the largest confiscation of narcotics in Belize‘s history, comes on the heels of the latest Cabinet change where Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte [...]

P.U.P. to Vote for No Confidence Motion
Buoyed by the support of thousands at Sunday’s anti-corruption demonstration, the opposition People’s United Party is stepping up its pressure and now going to a Special Sitting of the House [...]

P.U.P. Outraged About Secret Sale of Prime Land in Belmopan
Aside from a motion of no confidence to be moved in the House in the coming days, the Opposition is tonight expressing outrage at reports of another secret agreement and [...]

U.D.P. Chairman Describes Upcoming National Party Council
The United Democratic Party is hosting another National Party Council meeting this Saturday, the second in less than a month, to decide on a timeline during which interested candidates can [...]

Escapee Omar Cahueque is Wanted
Police have released the photograph of this man, Omar Cahueque, from Corozal Town. Cahueque is on the lam, having escaped from police custody this morning in Corozal Town. The inmate [...]

ComPol Chester Williams Defends ACP Marco Vidal
The Police Department is facing public cynicism after a check through Interpol did not detect the long list of illegalities involving accused fraudster Lev Dermen. Assistant Commissioner of Police Marco [...]

ComPol on the Credibility of Police
The Commissioner of Police also defended his own reputation as the top cop. That came about when he was reminded that not too long ago, the Police Department was tasked [...]

Honing Skills on Crime Scene Reconstruction
With heightened criminal activity, personnel from the National Forensic Science Service are receiving training in forensic ballistics, toxicology and legal medicine. A team of technical experts, through the support of [...]

S.J.C. Breaks Ground for State of the Art Science Facility
Construction of a new five-million dollar building is about to begin on the compound of Saint John’s College in Belize City. Over the years, there has been a continuous and [...]

D.O.E. Placed a Stop Order on Road Works in Riversdale
The Department of Environment says that a stop order has been placed on the construction of a road in Riversdale. As we’ve been reporting this week, residents in that southern [...]

D.O.E. Says Road Works Didn’t Have Permits and Clearances!
So, what’s next for road construction? As we’ve reported, the road would give access to lands in Riversdale where a big development is expected to be established. When we spoke [...]

Corozal Town Gets 19 High Definition Cameras
Corozal Town Council inaugurated the installation of nineteen surveillance cameras in the town on Wednesday. Since last year, the Council and Belize Police Department have been working to set up [...]

A Management System to Monitor & Evaluate Impact of EPA
A results-based management system to monitor the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement between CARIFORUM and the E.U. is being put in place across the region to track the impacts [...]

International Trade Consultant on limitations
International Trade Consultant Errol Humphrey has been advising the CARIFORUM Directorate and its member states on the monitoring of the Economic Partnership Agreement, known as the EPA. Humphrey says that [...]

Santa Cruz Farmers Up in Arms…
Farmers in the villages of Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Roman in the south are up in arms. Villagers, who rely on the land to provide for their families [...]

…Farmers Will Protest!
According to Scott, the expected sale of the land in question and subsequent development will have an adverse effect on not only villagers of Santa Cruz, but those from San [...]

Healthy Living: Covid-19 Personal Prevention Plan
The entire world is still on edge as we continue to see the rapid spread of the new virus, COVID-19. Locally, the Ministry of Health’s surveillance efforts continue at the [...]

The Reporter

New Appointments At Ministry Of Foreign Affairs After Longsworth’s Removal
Belize’s Former Consul General to the United Nations (UN), Herman Longsworth has wrapped up his counsel-related work and is on his way back to Belize to “hand over” as was his instruction from Prime Minister Dean Barrow in January.

Pan-Am Health Org. Recommends Increased Efforts To Tackle CoronaVirus
The Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Carissa F. Etienne, today recommended that countries intensify their plans to prepare and respond to COVID-19 given the appearance of cases of new coronavirus disease in the Region of the Americas.

Another Mystery Plane Landed In Southern Belize
While details are still scarce, the Reporter has received these images of the alleged plane seized by Police and B.D.F. this morning off the Coastal Road.

LOVE FM

Hope for Life will hold benefit concert
Hope for life pregnancy centre in Belmopan is having a benefit concert to raise funds to continue supporting women and children. Cayo correspondent Fem Cruz has the details.

Busienss Senator says Senate Report is PAC chairman’s responsibility
Another point brought out by the NTUCB during their meeting with the PM was that of the Senate Inquiry into the Immigration and Nationality Department. According to the PM, Senator Aldo Salazar reportedly stated that the other senators, quote, “abandoned” him during the drafting of the report.

Mark Lizarraga says government not willing to be accountable
Mark Lizarraga spoke more on transparency as it relates to the Barrow Administration. He zeroed in on the auditor general reports which he states consistently indicate mismanaged monies.

Senator comments on PAC
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) met with the Prime Minister yesterday, and discussed the demands that were put forth by the union prior to their demonstration last week. Of those six demands, there were two on which the PM refused to budge.

Belize City Council announces reform of Trade License
The Belize City Council is looking into reforming the trade license system in the city. Mayor Bernard Wagner noted that this reform will introduce a new methodology with a focus on transparency and predictability. According to Mayor Wagner, this will address many of the issues businesses are experiencing.

BSI explains the reason for the delay in production rate at the factory
Yesterday, we told you that Sugar Cane Farmers in the North were prepared to strike against the Belize Sugar Industry (BSI) due to several concerns about production. The strike was reportedly called off after a meeting with BSI. Today, we contacted BSI and spoke with Mac MacLachlan, Vice President of International Relations for BSI/ASR. He spoke on several issues including the effects of last year’s drought.

Police makes biggest drug bust in recent history
In a period of just 36 days Belize has seen four narco planes land on its territory. The most recent happened a few hours before sunrise today in the Coastal Road area.

Surveillance captures a case of police brutality
Tonight, we are reporting another case of police brutality in the streets of Belize City. 31-year-old Jimmy Robinson was physically assaulted last night, allegedly at the hands of a police officer. He was purchasing food at the corner of King Street and Euphrates Avenue when the officer approached the food stall

No-Confidence motion against PM
A 4-page document filing a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Dean Barrow has been sent to the Clerk of the National Assembly and signed by the Leader of the Opposition and the PUP’s Cayo South Area Representative, Julius Espat.

Business Senator comments on road contracts
The Leader of the Opposition, John Briceno, is calling for transparency in the Coastal Road Upgrading Project. Yesterday, he wrote a letter to the Caribbean Development Bank (CBD) and the British High Commission, both of whom are assisting to fund the project, stating the PUP’s concerns.

Mark Lizarraga Agrees With PUP On CJ Ruling
In continuing with Senator Mark Lizarraga, he also spoke on the Chief Justice’s ruling in regards to the Petrocaribe funds. As you will recall, the CJ ruled that the constitution be amended to facilitate multiple...

Belize City Council Moves Towards Eco-Friendly Communities
The Belize City Council stated that various eco-friendly projects are underway for Belize City in last night’s Freetown Town Hall Meeting. At the meeting, they gave updates on the current projects being carried out as...

PUP Outraged Over Construction Of Gas Station
The Belmopan City Council is reportedly constructing a gas station in front of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Primary School (OLOG). The People’s United Party has issued a press release expressing their outrage about this situation...

Dion White Arraigned For Murder 22-year-old
Dion White was arraigned today in court for murder the murder of 33-year-old Ezekiel Usher and attempted murder of 61-year-old Joyce Edwards...

Local Painter, Alex Sanker goes to Los Angeles to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant
Local painter Alex Sanker was featured on ABC News earlier today as he stood on Figueroa Street painting a tribute to Kobe and Gigi Bryant. Here’s a clip of that report from ABC News.

Santander talks about mechanized farming methods
Last year farmers in the northern region of Belize were impacted by a severe drought. Yesterday, during the Santander Sugar Group conference they spoke about the use of mechanized farming and its impacts. According to Santander, the farming methods allowed farmers in the Cayo district to reduce the impacts of the drought of last year.

SIB talks statistic for the fourth quarter of 2019
Today, the Statistical Institute of Belize held its first statistics conference for 2020. At the conference, they presented the statistics for the fourth quarter of 2019 along with some statistics of January 2020. We can tell you that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2019 was down by 2.8% which is $19 million when compared to 2018.

Cane Farmers threatened to strike
Sugar Cane Farmers in the north were threatening to strike against the Belize Sugar Industry (BSI) due to several concerns about production. Love News understands that the protest was scheduled to occur today but was called off after the association and BSI came to an agreement.

SIB prepares to begin data collection for population census 2020
The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) have completed their recruitment of temporary staff phase for the 2020 Population and Housing Census. The census is conducted every ten years with the main objective to count the resident population of Belize.

The future of Santander Sugar Group
The Santander Sugar group of the Cayo District has been utilizing modern technology in efforts of moving towards a mechanized way of farming. According to Santander, this is a method that they hope to perfect and pass on to their farmers and other farmers within the country.

Prime Minister meets with unions
Thursday was the unions’ demonstration of corruption and the presentation of six demands made to the Government of Belize. 24 hours later, the unions were in meeting with Prime Minister Dean Barrow.

Who will be the next UDP leader?
Tonight, there is still uncertainty as to who will take over the leadership of the United Democratic Party (UDP) as Dean Barrow prepares to retire from politics. For the past two weeks, since John Saldivar’s political career took a critical hit and since his legacy of being the UDP leader-elect for a mere 72 hours, the party has been unsure as to who will step up to the plate.

Breaking Belize News

Brazil’s confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) case marks first for Latin America
Brazil’s Health Minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta has confirmed that a 61-year-old man is the country’s first […]

Belize swims upstream with its Tilapia sector
Over sixty stakeholders including farmers, fisherfolk, producers, processors, private sector companies, and ministry representatives from […]

Opposition leader writes to British High Commission and CDB: Expresses concerns over Coastal Road Rehabilitation Project
Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño, has written to both the British High Commission (BHC) […]

Ministry of Agriculture hosts workshop for the development of Belize’s Tilapia Industry
The Ministry of Agriculture hosted a half-day workshop for fishers, buyers, retailers, and other relevant […]

Belizean teachers invited to become Global Educators with #ParticipateLearning
Picture: Belizean teacher, Marcia Flores and her students The US State Department’s Cultural Exchange program […]

Texas newspaper says Belize is the best place to snorkel and dive
The Texarkana Gazette, a newspaper in Texas, posted an article on its website this week […]

Arthur Saldivar wants Steven Duncan removed as the Managing Director of Heritage Bank
Attorney Arthur Saldivar has written to the Central Bank of Belize (CBB) to complain about […]

Isolation areas for Coronavirus (Covid-19) within health facilities – Who advised Belize on this?
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

PUP Leader John Briceno to table a Motion of No-confidence at next House Meeting
People’s United Party (PUP) Leader, John Briceno, is preparing to make a Motion of “No-Confidence” […]

Westrac looks to improve service further with Aftermarket Alliance partnership
Westrac Belize is excited about its new partnership with the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Inc., a […]

Belizeans awarded for outstanding volleyball performance in Canada
Belizeans Karym Coleman and Bryton Codd were recognized this week for exemplary performance in the […]

Canadian travel site says Belize deserves more attention
The Canada-based travel site thetravel.com has told its over 4 million readers that Belize is one […]

Belizean authorities intercept drug plane loaded with approximately 70 bales of cocaine
Early this morning Belizean authorities intercepted a loaded drug plane in an area near the Coastal […]

Sister of Canadian man slain in Belize says he loved living here
Days after the gruesome discovery that 79-year-old Canadian national James Slemp had been murdered, his […]

Police reportedly nab loaded drug plane on Coastal Road
Our newsroom has received reports that there was an illegal plane landing in the vicinity […]

Blogs

Belize: A Springbreak Mecca
Shots, Shots, Shots! … Of Tequila of course! Spring break has the reputation of college students “living their life” while partying the night away getting wasted and possibly even blacking out. Can Belize, which is known for its tranquil Caribbean lifestyle, fit as a location for wild partying? Yes! Belize has a combination of the best. Belize has mesmerizing nature packed activities by day and a lot of party lit venues by night.

A day at Moho Caye, Offshore Placencia
Imagine the true definition of an untouched island. The simplicity of what an island should be: sun, sand, the ocean, palm trees, and hammocks — and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Moho Caye – a 12-acre private island that’s located 12 miles East of Placencia. You’ll find Picnic tables, Beach Chairs/Loungers, Hammocks, Beach Volleyball, BBQ Grills, Corn Hole and restroom facilities. Moho Caye does not have a restaurant or bar on the island, so please be sure to bring your daily provisions when heading out to Moho Caye. Snorkeling is pristine right off the island, the waters are crystal clear and fly fishing is also very popular around the flats of the island.

International Sources

15 Caribbean Destinations That Deserve More Hype
Just a few miles north of Belize City is Caye Caulker. This tiny piece of land is dubbed as the "party island" for its refreshing and unique twist on what everyone might refer to as a "tropical holiday." Here you will find diverse dive sites and a plethora of water sports at reasonable prices.

Mayan Heritage at Risk, How The Black Market is Sacking Guatemala
While traffickers know all about it, what can a country do against the plundering of its culture when more than half of its population still lives in poverty? The Mayans prophesied the end of the world for 2012, and it was also expected for 2017. What none of their myths about the apocalypse could foresee is what would remain of the ruins of their temples and the tools of this civilization. Because the black market of pre-Columbian pieces is still, despite the efforts of the impoverished Guatemalan government, a profitable business for smuggling.

Coast Guard Cutter Valiant Returns Home After 9-Week Caribbean Patrol
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant returned home on Feb. 27 to Naval Station Mayport after completing a nine-week patrol in the Caribbean Sea, according to the Coast Guard 7th District. In addition to interdicting migrant vessels, the Valiant crew conducted joint law-enforcement operations with the Belize coast guard and hosted a Belize coast guard officer aboard.

1,300-Year-Old Maya Road Reveals Insights Into Warrior Queen’s Reign
Researchers using breakthrough technology have been studying a 1,300 year-old Maya road in Mexico. This ancient highway once connected two important Maya cities. The find is allowing researchers to better understand the history of these key cities and the reign of a powerful warrior queen. Traci Ardren, an Anthropology Professor at the University of Miami, has long been intrigued by a Maya road, built by the queen of Cobá, Lady K’awiil Ajaw, in the Yucatan Peninsula. It connected the city of Cobá and the smaller urban settlement of Yaxuná. Archaeologists from the Carnegie Institute of Washington “mapped its entire length in the 1930s, with little more than a measuring tape and a compass” according to Heritage Daily.

Videos

Passport Application Process Questions & Comments, 4min. We recently told our viewers about the changes in the application process for passports. Several of our viewers shared their questions and comments, which we’ve answered in this follow-up.

Ruta Maya official launch party, min. The official La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge Kick Off Party will be next Thursday at CK Sports Bar & Restaurant.

The Ocean song in Belize, min. Missions trip I went on with my folks in Belize. They sang a song for us about the 7 oceans.

I ate bugs in Belize for the first time!!!, 8min. We stopped at Belize port and went to Jaguar Rain Forest where we did river caving and zip-lining.

Bishop Lawrence Nicasio - Bishop of the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan - Lenten Message 2020, 8min.

Mangroves, Belize, 1min. through the mangroves to Monkey River, Belize

BELIZE SNORKELING EXCURSION TO RENDEZVOUS CAYE, 7min. On Tue Feb 18, 2020 I went snorkeling in Belize at Rendezvous Caye. This is part one of the underwater adventure.

BELIZE SNORKELING EXCURSION TO RENDEZVOUS CAYE Part 2, 7min. Part 2 of an underwater adventure on Feb 18, 2020 in Belize.

Snorkeling in Belize, 2min. Beautiful day in Belize the southern part punta Gorda clear waters of the Caribbean sea.

University of Belize Student Government, 37min. We met a few of the valiant women in leadership in the University of Belize Student Government. They talked with us about youth engagement in our political process. Government.

Belize Police Department - Update crime prevention strategies, 62min. Commissioner of Police, Chestor Williams, was our guest to discuss the work of the Belize Police Department. He touched on the ongoing crime prevention strategies, their work to curve plane landings and narco trafficking through Belize, the recent investigations against corrupt officials and their plans to improve the operations within the department.

TG Marketing Solutions, 20min. If you are new to the streaming era this segment was designed for you to introduce you to the new ways people are watching content online. Tomas Gongora, Marketing Consultant with TG Marketing Solutions, walked us through the different platforms for television/movies and music. He also introduced a new Belizean website that allows for locals to share music. Fuzionent.com is a site for local creatives to upload music to connect with their fan base. He talked about how to access these popular platforms.

St. Martins De Porres Parish - Message on lent, 30min. Today's Ash Wednesday and Fr. Jeremy Zipple of St. Martins De Porres Parish to share a message with us about the meaning of lent.

The annual Street Art Festival 2020, 21min. The annual Street Art Festival 2020 takes place this weekend. Our guests were a few of the vendors who will be showcasing art. They shared the details of this year's festivities. The event begins at noon and finishes at 10:00 pm. On our couch: Lula Bennett - Owner, Lula’s Impressions. Diego Sapién - Cultural Attached, Mexican Institute of Culture and Research.

Participate Learning looking for Belizean teachers, 3min. Belizean teachers are encouraged to apply to become 'Global Educators' through Participate Learning. BBN's Zoila Gonzalez is visiting Participate Learning facilities in North Carolina and met with Chief Executive Officer, David Young, and Executive Director, Laura Tobal, who shared more about the program.

The Real Talk Show was live at the DJ Competition in Belmopan, 2hr12min. The Cayo DJ Competition is on Saturday the 7th at the CAYO Welcome Center.

Steev and Kasimira Vogel performing at The Bluffs last Sunday at the Belize Raptor Center's fundraiser, 7min.

Belize-Starfish Island, 7min. Leaving the island and we saw a wild dolphin

Caving in Belize, 7min.

Exploring Belize: San Pedro, 4min. Exploring Belize: Ambergris Caye - San Pedro, Belize Barrier Reef, Secret Beach, Palapa, Dive Bar, Lina Point, Loser's Belize

February 27, 2020

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Tiger Sharks defeated by Belize City’s Digi Defenders, fall to second seed
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) is mid-way through its regular season after hosting a series of games during its seventh week. The San Pedro Tiger Sharks and Belize City’s Digi Defenders were both tied at 4-1 for the first place spot in the competition. During the match on Friday, February 21st, The San Pedro Tiger Sharks fought hard for a win, but fell short against Belize City’s Digi Defenders 101-88.

Changes in the Pump Price of Fuel Products
The Ministry of Finance announces that effective Wednesday, February 26, 2020, the pump price of two fuel products will change.

Ministry of Health Advisory No. 4 – Update on COVID-19
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the global situation in relation to COVID-19, which has now spread to 34 countries outside of mainland China. The World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control have reported a decrease in the number of cases in mainland China.

Ambergris Today

Carnaval Day Three: Las Barbies - Sei Sei Bei Parranda!
Carnaval 2020 ended with a bang as the two comparsas group gave it their all and danced their hearts out and paint revelers were out in the park having much fun painting and dancing! Dona Flora's Group theme was "Las Sirenitas" and they wore brightly colored costumes and head pieces and gracefully danced in full carnival spirit! Los Barbies without fail shook what their momma gave them as they danced to a fun Garifuna beat – Sei Sei Bei! They were in high spirits singing and dancing and having so much fun entertaining their audience.

Ministry Of Health Continues To Monitor Global Situation On COVID-19
The Belize Ministry of Health continues to monitor the global situation in relation to COVID-19, which has now spread to 34 countries outside of mainland China. The World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control have reported a decrease in the number of cases in mainland China, particularly in Wuhan Province; however, it is anticipated that the number of cases outside of China will continue to rise.

Various Belizean Sources

The Book ‘Spirit Fire Light’ by Sean TaegarLaunched
‘Spirit Fire Light’ by Sean Taegar was launched on Saturday February 22nd 2020. Copies of ‘Spirit Fire Light’ are available at the Image Factory Shop in Belize City, Amazon or directly from Sean, you can call 628-1561.

Cost of Production Survey Design and Business Modelling for Small Farmer Public-Private Partnership for Value Chain Workshop
The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) hosted a one-day workshop on Cost of Production Survey Design and Business Modelling for Small Farmers under the project “Sub-regional Capacity building in Sustainable Food Systems and Value Chain Development”. The training sessions focused on developing financial cost of production models surveys for small, medium, and large tilapia farms. These sessions also aimed to support and improve technical and financial advisory to farmers.

San Pedro Carnaval
Carnaval 2020 in San Pedro opened with a spectacular show and block party as the San Pedro Town Council hosted its annual Carnaval Fiesta Block Party at the Central Park! The street was decorated with booths that sold delicious food, from snacks to our Belizean favorite rice and beans. There were also booths that had refreshing drinks to compliment your savory snack. The kids favorite were the large and colorful bouncy houses which definitely captured the kids attention. The children also lined up and anxiously waited for their turn to get their face painted by local artist AJ Torres. Kids enjoyed the masterpieces on their face as they excitedly smiled with a butterfly or a dinosaur on their face.

San Pedro Power Outage Feb. 28
Power outage 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 28 to affect portion of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye: entire Coconut Drive, Seagrape Drive and portion of Escalante Subdivision. BEL to relocate power lines in the area.

The location of the linguistics Maya groups around the 1500s
Languages like Yucatec Maya,Itza Maya and Mopan Maya are very similar. They are from the Yucatecan branch.

Cabax bu'ul
Cabax Bu'ul is a well known dish between the Yucatec Maya (Máasewal) elders of Northern Belize. This Cabax Bu'ul is from the Maya village of Patchakan Corozal.

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint “Crab Time”.

2020 CARICOM Art Competition
Calling all artists to submit their artwork for this year's CARICOM Art Competition!

New River: Public Information Session
he public is hereby invited to a Public Information Session at the Gala Lounge on Friday, March 6th, 2020 starting at 6:00 pm in Orange Walk Town. The Department of the Environment (DOE) along with key stakeholders will present on the current conditions of the New River, update on the work that has and will continue to be conducted by the DOE and other partners. Additionally, there will be a presentation on the results of studies conducted to understand the river dynamics in order to plan and strategize on efforts to restore the ecosystem health of the New River.

Unveiling of The municipal Surveillance Security Camera System in Corozal
Mayor Rigoberto Vellos and The Corozal Town Council led a brief ceremony at the Corozal Town Hall this morning to unveil features of the town's first security surveillance system. Invited guests were Javier Francisco Gutierrez (Belize View), and Officer in Charge & Inspector of the Corozal Police Formation, Denis Lopez. The Corozal Town Council partnered with Belize View, a local Belizean company coming out from the Cayo District, that specializes in security, surveillance cameras, and IT. Belize View donated 12 cameras to the town council at a cost of $25,000.00.

The schedule for the 2020 Belize National Research Conference (BNRC) is out
Are you interested in the latest research in Belize? Here is the list of presentations and posters to be featured at the Belize National Research Conference! The 2020 BNRC will take place on March 25 and 26, 2020 at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, in San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize.

The 2020 La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is just over a week away
The New Sensation Band will be performing on Thursday night for the big LRM Kick-off Party. They'll have fireworks. Check out the line up of artists and DJs and make sure join in on the celebrations as we cheer on the paddlers!

There's a Naked and Afraid episode in Belize, and it's being shown on Sunday
The 7th episode of Naked & Afraid we helped produce here in Belize will air on Sunday at 9PM (Belize) on Discovery Channel! It's veteran survivalist Kim Kelly vs. the deep jungle of Toledo. Will Kim make it 21 days naked and alone?

Hon. Dr Omar Figueroa Emerging as UDP Leader Elect?
Channel 7 is reporting that in yesterday’s meeting almost all of cabinet threw its support behind Hon. Dr Omar Figueroa as the consensus candidate for UDP party leader elect. This comes after last week’s meeting with 31 UDP Representatives & their delegates in which 21 representatives asked both recent leader elect John Saldivar and his defeated opponent Patrick Faber to step aside to make way for a new person to emerge that would heal and unite the party after a divisive national convention.

Channel 7

Dion Over DOE In Court
Just over a year ago, the name Dion Zabaneh and his contentious hold on parcel 4670 in the Buttonwood Bay Area was in the news almost nightly. The story climaxed exactly 13 months ago on January 25th when Zabaneh had a fiery showdown with the GSU and compliance officers from the Department of the Environment who went to the property to enforce a stop order. That showdown and the entire ordeal landed 43 year old Zabaneh and his mother, 77 year old Primrose Gabourel before the Magistrate's Court on a slew of environmental charges including several counts of failing to comply with environmental regulations, and assault in the course of an officer's duty.

Nephew Charged For Uncle's Murder
Two teenagers have been charged for the murder of 43 year old Shane Budran - and one of them is his nephew. Today 19 year old's, Raheem Budran and Kareem Eagan Jr were taken to court and charged with the murder of Shane Budran. Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford remanded them until April 30. Police say that on Friday night around 10:30 on Wagner's Lane Shane was standing in front of the house where he lived with his nephew Raheem.

Primary School Stabbing On Street
A 13 year old primary school student was stabbed this morning while walking to church with his class - and the alleged culprit is one of his classmates at St. John's Anglican Primary School. It happened at around 10:00 not far from the school on Mex Avenue when one of the schoolchildren was being reprimanded by the teacher for walking in the middle of the road.

Grandmother Was Pinned To Fence By Out of Control Van
45-year-old Gertrude Gregorio and her 3-year-old granddaughter Nayelli are lucky to be alive after a car hit Gregorio while the two were walking home from the store. Cherisse Halsall visited the injured woman this morning and heard her story: These are the remains of the fence in Belize City's Martin's area that 45-year-old Gertrude Gregorio found herself pinned to. That's after a van swung the corner at a high speed, hitting Gregorio and leaving her her three-year-old granddaughter under the vehicle, miraculously unharmed.

Briceno has Coastal Concerns
Two days ago we showed you the groundbreaking for the commencement of the 130 million dollar Coastal Road Project. We diligently asked the funders from the Caribbean Development Bank and the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund if they really had no issue with controversial contractor Imer Hernandez. He is one of the two parties in the consortium that got the two lots of the contract which add vip to 132 million dollars. Both the principals of the CDB an the UKCIF told us they had no objection and that the consortium had met all their standards.

Recession Deepens: Another Quarter of GDP Contraction
The recession in Belize's economy is deepening. At an SIB press conference this morning, the GDP for the 4th quarter of the year was disclosed. According to the experts, the country's GDP performance in this last quarter was down. Here's more from Statistician 2 Jacqueline Sabal, on how last year's extended drought contributed to the economic downturn: Jacqueline Sabal - Statistician II: "If we look at what each sector contributed to the total GDP in the 4th quarter of 2019, the sector with the largest contribution was the tertiary sector, which accounted for over 60% of production. The secondary sector accounted for roughly 10.2%, while the primary sector, 8.3%, and the remaining, 14.8 % are in taxes."

Recession But No Stagflation
And according to the Statistical Institute, the consumer prices in Belize were up by 0.2% in January 2020, when compared with January 2019. That's a marginal increase in inflation, but when measured over the last 5 years, the total of those small increases all add up to a cumulative 2.2% increase. Here's how Statistician II Melvin Perez put the increase into perspective, as well as his analysis on which necessities Belizeans had to pay more for and why:

Census 2020 Coming Along
Almost a year ago, we told you how the Statistical Institute of Belize planned to carry out a census in 2020. The SIB wants to find out just how much the country's population has grown in the last 10 years. They've been diligently making their preparations to get it done. And, according to the Deputy Director-General of the institute, there are only a few steps left before you can start seeing the field officers going from house to house, countrywide, to conduct the activity. At a SIB press conference this morning, she shared a few more details with the press on how it will work, and

Nurses March For Recognition
The World Health Organization has designated 2020 as the year of the nurse and the midwife. That was done to recognize the vital role that these frontline medical staff play in the provision of healthcare in countries all around the world. According to the WHO, the world is in need of about 9 million more nurses and midwives in order to reach a higher standard of care and universal health coverage by 2030. The nurses of Belize say that they face the same shortage that the WHO has identified globally. But, to honor those who try their best to fill the void, nurses held a walk-a-thon this evening in Belize City, just before the start of the evening news.

PM's Plain Truths To NTUCB's List of Demands
And while the nurses marched today for their cause, the NUTCB marched on Thursday with a much angrier tone. And they met with the Prime Minister on Friday for just about three hours to discuss their list of demands. The meeting wasn't publicized, but we know all about it because the minutes have been circulated by Whatsapp. We've read most of the two thousand words of it and a few things jumped out. First, on the implementation of UNCAC, the PrimeMinister said that the UNDP has informed the Attorney General that the Government cannot proceed with implementation of the recommendations made until the full report is completed.

Frenchman Shot In PG
A 24-year-old French national was robbed and shot in the Dump Site area of PG today. It happened between 1:00 and 2:00 this afternoon when Sedric Foersson was walking through Water Hole Road near the area known as Dump when he was approached by two strangers.

Two Shot In City
And there was also a shooting in Belize City last night. It happened just before 8:00 when 35 year old Jason Rivers and 24 year old Raheem Vasquez were on Antelope Street. The target appears to have been Raheem.

Young Marketing Minds
This Morning Edward P. Yorke High School held its first annual business and Marketing Expo. We stopped in to check out the colourful and innovative booths and experience first hand what the students have learned about Marketing and Sales.

Glenford Grant Sentenced For Killing Father
Glenford Grant, a 37 year old schizophrenic who pleaded guilty to the murder of his father, 80 year old Clifton Grant, 80, was sentenced to 15 years today by Justice Colin Williams. Because he pleaded guilty, Justice Williams subtracted 5 years, a third of his sentence, which put the remainder at 10 years. Justice Williams added 1 year on the remaining sentence of 10 years because of the age of Grant's father which was a major aggravating factor.

The Santander Sugar Story
Last night, we showed you the information session that the senior Management of the Santander Sugar Group held with the media. They're trying to be more open with the general public about their 500 million dollar investment in Belize as the second sugar producer in the country. Their "Zafra" - or the beginning of their sugar cane harvest season - started last week Thursday, February 20th. It is expected to run for 130 days, and it will close sometime in June.

Why Not Just Google It?
Why not just "google it"? That's what some have been asking about Levon Termendzhyan - why didn't the police just google his name rather than go looking in their Interpol database. As we showed you last night, entering his name in the Interpol database produces no hits. But some gang ho "googlers" have come up with stuff like this, which says that a Levon Termendzhyan has been charged for multiple firearm offences dating back to 2003.

Channel 5

This is Why Interpol Belize Missed Lev Dermen
The police command has been under scrutiny ever since it was revealed that an Interpol check did not turn up anything on the shady background of accused fraudster Lev Dermen, [...]

Chester Defends Vidal
Leading the investigation against John Saldivar is Assistant Commissioner of Police Marco Vidal. There are those in the public that are questioning the department’s ability to properly investigate the former [...]

John Saldivar Will be Brought in for Interrogation
According to Commissioner Chester Williams, the disgraced former minister, John Saldivar, will be brought in for questioning at some point in time during the investigation. Contrary to what he had [...]

Opposition Leader John Briceño Writes to Caribbean Development Bank & United Kingdom
The Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño has written to the British High Commissioner in Belize as well as to the Caribbean Development Bank in Barbados. The United Kingdom and [...]

PM Meets with N.T.U.C.B.
Last Thursday, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize took to the streets to protest corruption and to bring pressure on a number of demands they are making on government. [...]

Two Men Shot on Antelope Street Extension
There was a shooting on Antelope Street in Belize City on Tuesday night. Two persons were injured and fortunately for them, it did not turn out to be fatal. One [...]

An Economic Downturn in the Last Quarter of 2019
The Statistical Institute of Belize has presented grim news on the economy which shows that the recession it hard. For the first time in almost a decade, the economy contracted [...]

An Update on the Upcoming Population & Housing Census
A census exercise, estimated to cost the government somewhere around seven to eight million dollars, is to commence on May twelfth and conclude sometime in November of this year. In [...]

Census Based on Complex IT Infrastructure
A team from the Guyana Bureau of Statistics is currently in Belize observing the process, which will include mapping areas and real time information being updated into the system. But [...]

Police Seek Guatemalan National for James Slemp’s Murder
In other news, seventy-nine-year-old Canadian national James Slemp was brutally murdered in Hopkins Village. His was partially decapitated body was found in a creek on Monday, three days after he [...]

Police Charge 2 Persons for Shane Budram’s Murder
Two persons have been charged for the murder of forty-three-year-old Shane Budram. They are nineteen-year-old Raheem Budram and Kareem Eagan Junior. Shane was fatally shot during an altercation on Wagner’s [...]

A Closer Look at Riversdale’s Black Creek
Today, News Five went south to follow up the issue of a road being built in a creek in Riversdale. Residents of that southern community, located off the Placencia peninsula, [...]

Three Gang Members Wanted by Police
Police are looking for three Belize City men for their affiliation with gangs. They are Kelvin Gongora, Ulide Allen, and Tevin James Cacho. The trio is wanted on the strength [...]

Ashton Stevens is Found Safe
Fifteen-year-old Ashton Stevens has been found. The teenager was located safe and sound on Tuesday night, following his disappearance on Monday. As we had reported, Stevens went missing from the [...]

Health Regions Prepare Isolation Areas in the Event of COVID-19
The number of cases of COVID-19 continues to rise and in this region, Brazil is reporting its first case. In its latest advisory, the Ministry of Health reports that the [...]

Surveillance System Remains Fully Activated
The Ministry of Health is recommending against non-essential travel to China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan, where the virus has been spreading. In the meantime, Doctor [...]

EP Yorke Students Featured in Business Expo
Budding entrepreneurs displayed their business innovations at a student expo today in Belize City. The students from the Edward P. Yorke High School tested their business acumen in not only [...]

Alex Sanker Honors Kobe in Downtown LA
Well-known Belizean artist Alex Sanker is attracting media attention in the United States where he was featured earlier today on ABC 7’s Eyewitness News in downtown Los Angeles doing what [...]

K.H.M.H. Nurses Participate in Walk-a-thon
At some point in your life, whether as a baby or an adult, you’ve come in contact with a nurse or midwife. These persons play a vital role in providing [...]

Amandala

Two remanded for Shane Budram murder
Raheem Budram, 19, and Kareem Eagon, Jr., 19, both appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford this afternoon and were read a single charge of murder for the unlawful death of Shane Budram, which occurred Friday, February 21.

Two shot on Antelope Street Extension last night
There was a shooting incident on Antelope Street Extension which sent two men to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Emergency Room, last night.

“Call elections now!” PUP tells Barrow
Long before daybreak yesterday, Sunday morning, Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) supporters from the farthest corners of Belize began boarding buses that would transport them to Belize City for a mammoth protest against corruption in the Dean Barrow-led United Democratic Party government. The Barrow government has been buffeted by major scandal after major scandal, but the straw that appeared to have broken the proverbial camel’s back came unexpectedly out of a fraud and money laundering trial in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Deadly shooting on Rio Bravo Crescent
At about 9:00 Saturday night, Ezekiel Usher, 33, of Rio Bravo Crescent, Belize City, was talking to a friend, of his in front of a house on the street where he lives, in Port Loyola, when two men rode up on a motorcycle and one of them fired at him. Usher was struck in the head and body. One of the bullets that were fired, however, strayed and struck a woman, Joyce Edwards Ramclam, 61, of Punta Gorda.

UB demands apology from students who joined NTUCB protest
Thousands of Belizeans joined the National Trade Union Congress of Belize’s (NTUCB) protest march and rally against government corruption, and as the main guest speaker, Evan “Mose” Hyde, was about to deliver his address, a group of students who had walked out of the University of Belize (UB) arrived at the Memorial Park, where the anti-corruption rally was being held.

6 homeless after Raleigh Street fire
Six persons are now homeless on Raleigh Street, in the Lake Independence area, after their timber house and all their possessions were destroyed by fire at about 5:30 Saturday evening. Luckily, no one was hurt. The grandmother of the family was seen trying to save a bag of possessions, but the bag began to burn and she was forced to leave it, and it was consumed by the fire.

Shane Budram, 43, shot dead on Wagners’s Lane
The sound of gunfire is nothing new to the residents of Wagner’s Lane, the short street that runs north to south between South Street and Berkley Street. Over the years, since the proliferation of gun violence, there have been several murders on “Jump Street,” as Wagner’s Lane has become known to street folks, but none of the murders have had such a devastating effect on the stretch of street as the murder of Shane Budram last Friday night, because Budram grew up on “Jump Street” and was respected and loved, despite his shortcomings.

Canadian James Slemp, 79, murdered in Hopkins
The search for James Slemp, 79, a Canadian national who was reported missing on Friday, came to a sad conclusion this morning. He was found dead, floating in a lagoon not far from his house on the Hopkins Road.

Suspected double killer captured in armed robbery
A suspect wanted in two murders has been captured. Kenroy Gamboa, 20, an unemployed Dangriga resident, was captured after the armed robbery of 128 Store in Orange Town at about 7:30 on Wednesday night. When he was captured, police said, he was found with a homemade shotgun, three shotgun cartridges, phone cards, money and cell phones believed to have been stolen from the store. He has been charged initially with keeping unlicensed ammunition.

Luis “Wiz” Carter guilty of murder
In a judgment given today, Justice Colin Williams found Luis Manuel Carter, 37, aka “Wiz”, guilty of the murder of Dwayne Hyde, 30. Carter’s sentence has been reserved for Friday, February 28. Hyde, who resided in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, was shot in the right side of his body about 12:30 a.m. on July 13, 2016.

Editorial: The UDP didn’t increase the nation’s wealth
Data on our economy compiled by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) shows that our productive sector has shrunk immensely over the past decade of United Democratic Party (UDP) rule. In 2012, the value of our merchandize exports was $678.6 million, and in 2019 it was only $411.8 million, down about 40%. While our exports have been falling, our imports, in contrast, have been rising steadily. Our gross imports increased by almost $300 million, from $1.68 billion in 2012 to $1.97 billion in 2019.

About laws, leadership, and “checks and balances”
The tyrannical, “gringo” managing director, the late Robert “Bob” Phillips, after crossing paths a few times with “I and I”, and despite my known blood and philosophical links with Amandala, had decided to offer me the post of general manager of the multi-million dollar shrimp farm, Nova Ladyville. The out-going Ladyville general manger, the late Juan Dorado, a Belizean from Orange Walk, was being transferred to spearhead the development of the expansion shrimp farm down south, where he became general manager for Nova Toledo.

From The Publisher
The evidence is strong, to the point of being overwhelming, that Hon. John Saldivar, over a period of more than a quarter century, used sports to establish and consolidate himself politically in the capital city of Belmopan, and its surrounds. Our sources have told us that John Saldivar was a student at the Belize Technical College in Belize City during the middle 1980s, and that he had a decent enough basketball game. That is as much as I know of his personal sports life.

Defenders ousts Tiger Sharks to sit atop NEBL standings
San Pedro Tiger Sharks’ big man Martevuius Adams must at times feel like Gulliver among the Lilliputians. He is the biggest player in the league, and he takes a pounding, a ton of abuse, usually without complaint. Tonight, his frustration finally boiled over and, after a hard shove of an opposing player and pointed words to the referee in the fourth quarter, he was gone. And with his ejection, so did whatever chances the defending champions had of winning the game and remaining in first place, also exit.

Did FFB President Sergio Chuc fire Competitions Director Idemuei (Nolbert) Moss for speaking out against corruption?
The following “MEMO” on the Football Federation of Belize letterhead, with its logo attached, appeared on the FFB’s Facebook web page a couple days ago. The memo was not signed by any FFB official, although it described the replacement of one of its highest technical officers, who has recently spoken out strongly, via email text, on irregularities connected to the holding of congresses by the FFB’s district branch associations.

Verdes leads standings at end of 1st round in PLB Closing Season
Defending champions, Verdes FC remains undefeated at Week 7 to end the first round of the double round-robin regular season in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2019-2020 Closing Season. Verdes posted another victory over the weekend, while their closest challenger for the Concacaf League berth, Bandits Sport suffered their second loss of the young season.

That young lady needs to get her head screwed on right
It must be the jaw dropper of the year, Miss Mikaela Spielberg, the adopted daughter of famed movie maker Steven Spielberg and his wife, announcing that she was going to make pornographic movies because she “got really tired of not being able to capitalize on [her] body, and, frankly,… got really tired of being told to hate [her] body.”

An emergency appendectomy …
As a result of soreness at Gertrude’s disloyalty, and shame for her part in their suspension, Jewel had displayed a troubled and sober appearance for several weeks; and being so different from her usual focused and energetic demeanour, it had been noticed by her colleagues and the staff in general, most of whom had reacted with sympathetic gentleness, for she was well-liked.

Feds move to seize homes and businesses from polygamous Kingston Group as fraud defendants plead guilty
The owners of Washakie Renewable Energy pleaded guilty to charges Thursday in what the government has called a $511 million biofuel fraud, and the pleas could have repercussions for The Polygamous Sect to which they belong. Jacob O. Kingston, the company’s CEO, pleaded guilty Thursday to 41 charges including money laundering, fraud, conspiracy and witness tampering and obstruction of justice, according to a court docket. His brother, and the chief financial officer, Isaiah E. Kingston pleaded guilty to 17 counts.

The Reporter

NEMO & U.N International Office Review Readiness
The Minister of National Emergency Management, Edmond Castro, met last week with representatives of the United Nations (UN) International Office for Migration (IOM).

New Trump Administration Rules: A Surprise To Many Caribbean Green Card Holders
Many Belizeans and other Caribbean Island immigrants who live legally in the United States are often unconcerned about problems with deportation, but the Trump Administration has made and are implementing new rules/laws that can keep many ‘law-abiding hard-working’ permanent residents up at night.

The Last Days
The universal hallmark of every corrupt regime is a steadfast refusal to go quietly into the sunset. The reason for that is quite simple and that is that the perks of elected office...

Shooting On Antelope Street, Last Night
A shooting incident occurred on Antelope Street Extension last night around 7:30 p.m.

Legal Arrows From The PUP Camp Continues
Attorney Arthur Saldivar today wrote the Governor of the Central Bank, Joy Grant, inquiring about Steve Duncan’s role as Senator and Managing Director of the Heritage Bank. His post and letter are below:

LOVE FM

Belmopan residents displeased with changes to post office
Customers from the Belmopan post office are displeased with the changes being made at the post office without their knowledge. Cayo correspondent Fem Cruz spoke to one of the clients.

EP Yorke students have marketing expo
Edward P Yorke today held a marketing expo engaging both students and various organizations. Reporter Courtney Menzies visited the expo and brought back this report.

Glendford Grant sentenced to fifteen years for killing his father
37-year-old Glendford Grant was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for killing his father back in 2010. Grant who suffers from schizophrenia appeared before Justice Colin Williams for the murder of his 80-year-old father, Clifton Grant at his King’s Park home.

Two teenagers charged for Shane Budram’s murder
Two teenagers were charged in relation to the murder of 43-year-old Shane Budram, including his own nephew.

Men shot on Antelope Street extension
35-year-old Jason Rivers and 24-year-old Raheem Vasquez were shot last night on Antelope Street Extension just after seven o’clock. Vasquez was reportedly riding his bicycle when a male suspect came from behind and opened fire in his direction.

Dion Zabaneh wins case against DoE
44-year-old Dion Zabaneh walked free from all charges made against him in court by the Department of Environment (DOE) and is now filing for compensation on the land. Zabaneh and his 77-year-old mother Primrose Gabourel were making developments on a piece of property on Sea Shore Drive in Belize City

Elderly man charged for drug trafficking
A 63-year-old disabled man, Onofro Myvett is lucky to be out of police lock-up after being dragged to court on a single charge of drug trafficking.

Elderly Canadian man found dead
The body of an elderly Canadian man was found yesterday morning in southern Belize. 79-year-old James Slemp, who lives on the Hopkins Road in Stann Creek, was first reported missing on Friday night by his friend, Thomas Pou.

Breaking Belize News

Consumer prices were up slightly at the start of 2020
Belizeans paid an average of 20 cents more for goods and services in January 2020, […]

Belize’s economy declined by almost 3 percent at the end of 2019
The Statistical Institute of Belize’s (SIB) latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report, said that Belize’s […]

Exports start off 2020 with a huge decline, imports barely affected
Belize’s export revenue started off the year 2020 with a major decline while imports saw […]

Government of Belize announces public information session regarding the New River
Today, the Government of Belize, via the Department of the Environment (DOE) announced that there […]

Belizean painter Alex Sanker honor late Kobe Bryant with painting in LA
Belizean artist, Alex Sanker, traveled to the United States to honor fallen basketball mega-star, Kobe […]

Omar Figueroa emerges as possible UDP leader
Omar Figueroa, who was recently appointed as Minister of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development […]

Man charged for murder of reputed gang boss
Kareem Eagon Jr. has been charged with the murder of Shane Casey Budram. On Friday night […]

Tilapia farmers attend one day workshop
Yesterday, tilapia farmers across the country participated in a one day workshop hosted by the Ministry […]

New York Times lists Belize as a “must visit” travel destination for spring break
As tourists from the United States look for places to travel to this Spring Break, […]

NEMO minister meets team from United Nations International Office for Migration
On February 20, Minister of National Emergency Management, Edmond Castro, met with country representatives from the […]

Teachers enrolled in Participate Learning become Global Educators
Participate Learning is a cultural education exchange program that brings together teachers from around the […]

Blogs

Another Perfect February Day But A Cold Front’s Coming
Here is what I love most about living on Ambergris Caye… That I can walk for 5 minutes on the beach (you are never more than a few minutes from the beach no matter where you are on the island) – and things are better. The ocean makes everything better. But one quick thing…before I get to the glorious weather…a “cold front” is coming in. Cold front meaning STRONG north wind and a dip in temperatures. From the low 80s to the low 70s. Here’s a screenshot from Windfinder.com (Ambergris Caye).

Top Canoeing Experiences in Western Belize
Water adventures are a great way for everyone to have some fun and explore the beautiful waters of Western Belize up close. Take an exhilarating journey and see some of the amazing wonders that Cayo has to offer; you might even spot a pre historic dinosaur!

International year of the Nurses and midwife, Walk-A-Thon was held in Corozal
The Ministry of Health in partnership with the Nurses and Midwives Council, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority, Belize Medical Associates, Belize Healthcare Partners Limited and La Loma Luz Hospital did a countrywide Nurses Walk-a-thon in commemoration for the start of Belize calendar of activities for 2020, International Year of the Nurses and Midwife. Support the Nursing Profession in our community.

San Pedro Or Caye Caulker: Which Belize Island Is Right For You?
Ambergris Caye is an island in the northeastern part of Belize. With its own municipal airport, it’s easily reachable by local airlines from Belize City, Hopkins, Corozal, Placencia, and other towns. Ambergris Caye is a large island with beaches, world-class resorts, and many tourist amenities. Caye Caulker has gorgeous beaches, quirky stores, outstanding seafood and a good selection of places to eat, drink and party. As a favorite among backpackers, divers, and eco-travelers, Caye Caulker has a mix of beach hotels and friendly, low-cost options including hostels. You’re likely to see young travelers, cost-conscious families and solo travelers here.

La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge 2020
La Ruta Maya is an annual event that takes over the entire country’s attention for four exhilarating days. This year it falls on March 06, 2020- March 09, 2020. It is a marathon canoe race that runs West to East along the Old Belize River. Meaning “The Maya Route” in Spanish, the race follows the very same ancient trading route the Maya, and later Baymen used to transport goods for trade. It begins at the Hawkesworth Bridge in San Igancio and ends at the river mouth of the Belize City harbor. Conceptualized by the Harrison brothers and founded in 1998, it was originally intended to be a marketing event for the launching of their family-owned purified water company.

International Sources

Will La Niña Develop and Boost the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season?
It’s too early to make a confident forecast of how the upcoming hurricane season will evolve, but the tea leaves now on the table suggest that 2020 could be the Atlantic’s fifth season in a row with above-average activity. The latest harbinger is a shift in seasonal computer forecast guidance, heralding the possibility that a La Niña event could emerge later this year. The mid-month model summary from the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) and the NOAA/NWS Climate Prediction Center (CPC), released on February 19, shows the odds of a La Niña event pushing above climatology by late summer. By the August-to-October period, the IRI/CPC probabilities include roughly a 35% chance of La Niña, a 20% chance of El Niño, and a 45% chance of neutral conditions.

New York Times “Spring Break: Where to Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck”
If you are searching for a cost-effective spring break, there are two rules of thumb. Avoiding the hot spots like Miami, the Caribbean and popular European cities is crucial, and going all in with all-inclusive packages, a travel holy grail for families in search of getaways that don’t break the bank. We spoke to several experts to weigh in on money-saving tips and less obvious but equally compelling destinations.

MORE BASEBALL EQUIPMENT ARRIVES IN BELIZE
More than 2,800 pounds of baseball equipment and uniforms from Lexington County has arrived in Belize. “What a blessing,” Pastor Victor Hernandez wrote Sybil Jarrells of West Columbia, originator of the baseball program in Belize. “We will be able to outfit all of the 12 teams who asked to join our baseball ...

CREATIVE NEW PRODUCTS FROM RECYCLED OCEAN DEBRIS
Tlejourn sandals are not just shoes. The Trash Hero Pattani is a program in southern Thailand that has successfully established a sustainable business model while cleaning our oceans. The group collects waste materials washed onto beaches and recycle them into fabulous sandals and other reusable raw materials which are supplied to other manufacturers.

The Maya Hidden World's exhibit is moving to the Connecticut Science Center
Curated by the Science Museum of Minnesota the exhibit features over 200 objects from Belize. NICH staff condition and install all objects to ensure their safety and care.

Artist from Belize comes to LA to honor Kobe Bryant with his paintings
There was one man's stand in particular that stood out to people walking by as he painted. Only thing was that his paintings are not for sale to the public.

Videos

Belize 2020 Thatch Caye, 23min. Our trip to Belize in February 2020. We stayed at Thatch Caye and enjoyed paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, and SCUBA diving.

Zip Line - Bocawina Rainforest, Hopkins, Belize, 3min.

Caribbean Sea Sunrise Belize, 13min.

Interim Technical Coordinator at the Belize Crime Observatory, 28min. Adele Ramos is the Interim Technical Coordinator at the Belize Crime Observatory. She talked with us about the types of data they collect and how it will be used to inform policy-makers about crime prevention strategies.

Hano's Coffee Shop, 19min. Here's another recipe to add to your vegan skills. Hano Lin taught us how to make a vegan pan fry bun. He will be hosting a fundraiser this Saturday at his Coffee Shop to support a worthy cause. You can pass by to support and get a taste of other options on his vegetarian menu. On set: Hano Lin - Hano's Coffee Shop. Vivian Lin - Asst. Hano's Coffee Shop.

The Belize Network of NGOs - Views & Position, 43min. The Belize Network of NGOs have taken a position on recent scandals plaguing the UDP. Today we spoke with Senator Osmany Salas about their recommendations for improving the political system and empowering Belizeans to participate in the governance process.

Interpol dynamics, 6.5min. Here is a video explainng how the Interpol works, its imperative for Belizeans to be knowledgeable on the matter. Comment down below what your understanding is of the Interpol dynamics.

Burning of Don Juan Carnaval!, 1min. See you next year for Carnaval 2021!

Don Juan got burn!, 5min.

Belize - Bird Watching - Happy Hour - Agouti - And Dinner, 21min.

Beauty Of Belize, 2.5min. In February of 2020 I went on a 7 day trip to San Pedro Belize with a few family members. We started off our trip going snorkeling in Ambergris Caye. Ambergris Caye Is rated one of the top best places to snorkel in the world. We also decided to check out Lamanai which holds ancient Mayan temples.

Sports Talk Show, 60min.

February 26, 2020

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Pirates take a tight win against Belmopan Bandits
Semi-pro football saw one of the best matches so far on Saturday, February 22nd where the San Pedro Pirates fiercely defended their turf and claimed a well-deserved 3-2 victory over Belmopan Bandits Football Club. With this win, San Pedro Pirates climb to fourth place in the current 2019-2020 Closing Season of the Premier League of Belize. The team will now prepare to face the Wagiya Football Club of Dangriga Town, Stann Creek at another home game at the Ambergris Stadium on Saturday, February 29th starting at 7:30PM.

Armando Villanueva remanded for Boca Del Rio Arson
31-year-old Armando Villanueva, construction worker of San Mateo Area in San Pedro Town was arraigned on Tuesday, February 25th after being charged for the crime of Arson. The incident reportedly occurred on the night of Saturday, February 22nd at the beach park in Boca del Rio. Villanueva was denied bail and has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his next court date set for May 29, 2020.

ACES hosts Career Day
Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) hosted its annual Career Day on Friday, February 21st, and The San Pedro Sun was invited to participate and learn more. Principal Amanda Burgos said that every year, they interpret Career Day differently. This year, the students from each level chose a career as a class and presented it. They were placed in groups and had to research and present different aspects of their chosen career field. For example, one lower division class acted as a fully functional hospital, complete with hospital security, nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. Each class was extremely involved and eager to do their presentations.

San Pedro House of Culture opens El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro photo exhibit
On the eve of the traditional ‘El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro,’ a photography exhibition was held at the San Pedro House of Culture (SPHC) on Friday, February 21st. The annual event featured past carnival images dating back to the 1950s, and 1960s, flanked by images of the most recent years’ pictures. The exhibit brought back old memories of the traditional festivities, which continues to be appreciated by Belizeans and tourists visiting the island.

Ambergris Today

Carnaval Day Two: Los Barbies Got Coronavirus
Day two of El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro was full of laughter, color and fun! The comparsas never fail to impress this year once more as two comparsa groups hit the streets of San Pedro and danced the night away. Dona Flora’s Group hit the streets with bright and colorful costumes as “Carnavalistas” dancing and singing for all to enjoy. And of course Los Barbies made their appearance with their fun and crazy costumes “Coronavirus” made it to carnival and Dr, Tusa was present to help them out.

CARICOM Heads Of Government Discuss Coronavirus And Other Important Regional Issues
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred Elrington represented Belize at the 31st Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Barbados on February 18-19, 2020. CARICOM Heads of Government reviewed the state of play of the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. In that context they exchanged views with regional private sector representatives on the opportunities and challenges for business and investment in the region.

Various Belizean Sources

Nurse Natalie Palen passes away
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Palen and Hancock friends and family on the sadly passing of Nurse Natalie Palen. Nurse Natalie was very dear to the community of San Pedro Town and we will be forever grateful for her unconditional service to our community. May her family and friends find the strength in each other to overcome this great loss. San Pedro Town will definitely miss her. May her soul rest in peace.

RTH PROGRAM 2020
On Friday, February 21st, 2020, over 20 participants received their certificate of completion from the Return to Happiness Program (RTH Program) which was carried out by UNICEF, the Ministry of Local Government and the San Pedro Town Council. The RTH Program is a three-day training course that capacitates individuals to assist children, from age ranges 5-12, with psychosocial problems, which are usually caused by traumatic experiences, i.e. fires, natural disasters, etc.

BELTRAIDE Attends the Outsourcing World Summit 2.0 in Orlando Florida
The Outsourcing World Summit 2.0 held in Orlando Florida from February 16th-19th, 2020, is one of the world’s largest outsourcing events that aims to address and educate key industry players on essential issues and activities that affect the outsourcing sector in the present day. Our team at BelizeINVEST, a unit of BELTRAIDE, attended the event with an objective to foster increased investment awareness and economic development in Belize’s Offshore Outsourcing Sector.

Ladies Rugby team
Here come the Girls. Belize has it's first ever Ladies Rugby team. Want to join? Become part of something important. Send us a message. That's all it takes. All are welcome, and it's free to get fit.

Ya’axché is looking for a Wildlife Conflict Officer
Vacancy deadline to submit an application is Friday, 28th of February 2020. Ya’axché is looking for a Wildlife Conflict Officer for the implementation of important aspects of Ya’axché’s wildlife conflict program. Visit our website to learn more about this job opportunity and how to apply.

International Congress of at Risk
To'one Masehualo'on NGO from Corozal proudly representing the Belize Yucatec Maya at The International Congress of at Risk languages 2020 in Mexico City.

Cultural day at the Maya village of Patchakan
Congratulations to the school ,teachers ,children ,parents and the NGO To'one Masehualo'on for promoting our beautiful Maya Culture of Northern Belize .

Corozal Junior College tours Corozal House of Culture
The Corozal House of Culture is committed to the preservation and promotion of our tangible heritage. We were delighted to partner with 2nd year tourism students of the Corozal Junior College in celebration of our 8th anniversary! The students were terrific tour guides for the day, instilling knowledge on Corozal's historical landmarks. Tourism students also had an impromptu visit by tour guide Andre Novelo who engaged with them in regards to what it takes to be a professional tour guide here in Belize. Thank you to students and educators of St. Paul's, Corozal Nazarene, Corozal Methodist, St. Francis Xavier schools and community members for your kind participation!

NTUCB Defends National Student Union of Belize
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has received very credible reports from some of the members of the National Student Union of Belize (NSUB), that they are being targeted for leaving classes last week Thursday to engage in participatory democracy by attending our National Demonstration for Good Governance. The NTUCB condemns, in the highest possible manner, the actions of some individuals at the University of Belize. We do not seek to bring to disrepute our National University. We refuse to believe that the one institution who should be promoting freedom of thought and freedom of expression could be acting contrary to its own principles!

Ministry of Health Advisory No. 4 - Update on COVID-19
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the global situation in relation to COVID-19, which has now spread to 34 countries outside of mainland China. The World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control have reported a decrease in the number of cases in mainland China, particularly in Wuhan Province; however, it is anticipated that the number of cases outside of China will continue to rise.

Government of Belize Breaks Ground for Sixth Road Project
The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Works held a groundbreaking ceremony for its Sixth Road Project yesterday, February 24, 2020, in La Democracia Village, Belize District. Under the project, approximately 58.04km (36.2 miles) of the Coastal Highway will be upgraded. The Coastal Highway Project will include the construction and paving of the entire 58km of road and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 10 bridges across various creeks and rivers along the highway. The construction works will generally follow the existing road alignment and will only deviate in areas where improvement to the horizontal alignment is required for safety.

Changes in the Pump Price of Fuel Products
The Ministry of Finance announces that effective Wednesday, February 26, 2020, the pump price of two fuel products will change. The price for premium gasoline and kerosene will register decreases as follows: Premium gasoline will decrease by 59 cents from $10.99 to $10.40 per gallon; Kerosene will decrease by 74 cents from $7.36 to $6.62 per gallon.

Corozal Senior's Fair
Saturday Feb. 29, Corozal Central Park from 6pm-9pm.

International Day of Forests
The Belize Forest Department will be celebrating the International Day of Forests with a three day event in Belmopan, happening at The George Price Centre for Peace and Development March 18th and 19th, and George Brown Field on the 20th.

Cayo Nurses Walk-a-thon
There's a Nurses Walk-a-thon Wednesday morning. It starts at 7:00am at the Cayo Welcome Center. The Ministry of Health in partnership with the Nurses and Midwives Council, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority, Belize Medical Associates, Belize Healthcare Partners Limited and La Loma Luz Hospital will be doing countrywide Nurses Walk-a-thon in commemoration for the start of Belize calendar of activities for 2020, International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Support the Nursing Profession in our community.

CPR/First Aid Training in Santa Elena
CAYO CPR/ FIRST AID PLUS, will be conducting CPR/First Aid Training in Santa Elena Cayo on Friday 6th March.

Wildlife Protections Discussed
A stakeholder session was held with farmers in the Vaca Forest Reserve at the field farm school aimed at informing them of hunting rules and regulations that protects wildlife. Farmers were also informed of a community conservation agreement being sought. This effort to reduce illegal wildlife trafficking is supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Channel 7

Checking the Interpol Database for Levon
Can the police department properly and professionally investigate its former minister, John Saldivar? There are many doubters - and they point to the fact that in 2013 the police department told Foreign Affairs that they did a background check on Levon Termendzhyan, as Lev Dermen was known in Belize, and found nothing to suggest he had any international criminal activities. The man who signed off on that memo was Assistant Commissioner Marco Vidal. He was the head of Special Branch at the time and is now also the person in charge of the Saldivar investigation.

Reports: Cabinet's Consensus Choice is Omar Figueroa
Cabinet met today in Belmopan and reports reaching us are that Cayo North's Omar Figueroa has emerged as the consensus choice to take over leadership of the party. We are told that the minister of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development received pledges of support from a majority of Cabinet members.

Cops Looking For Elderly Canadian's Killer
Last night we told you that an elderly Canadian national was found dead and foul play was suspected. Tonight, Police says 78-year-old Canadian James Slemp was murdered and his Guatemalan neighbour is the prime suspect - in, of all things, a dispute over tools. Today Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told us that, that neighbour has abandoned his property and likely fled the country. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: "From what I have been briefed is that the Canadian, 78 year old - he had lived in Hopkins, I guess a retired and he had some feud with a Guatemalan neighbor..."

Kareem Eagan Wanted For Questioning Re: Murder
On Friday night 43-year-old Shane Budran was gunned down near his yard on Wagner's Lane. Last night we reported that the notorious street figure was allegedly killed by a relative, but today a police department wanted poster says Kareem Egan Jr. is wanted for questioning in Budran's murder.

Confessed Gang Members Wanted For Committal
This afternoon, the police department also released 3 wanted posters for young men from Belize City who have been either been accused or convicted of being members of a criminal gang in the Magistrate's Court. The wanted men have been identified as 22-year-old Ulide Allen, a resident of Antelope Street, 26 year-old Tevin James Cacho a resident of Jones Street, and 20-year-old Kelvin Gongora, a resident of Sibun Street.

Cops Caught Contraband Coming Down From North
Orange Walk Police are reporting that they were able to bust a major contraband move on the Yo Creek Road. The culprits, who are unknown at this time, tried to smuggle in an entire pickup truck filled with contraband beers. At around 9:00 on Sunday night, officers from the Orange Walk Quick Response Team were on patrol on the Yo Creek Road. That's when they spotted a grey Ford Ranger pickup which was speeding down the road toward the direction of the Town.

Alleged Arsonist in Custody of Pedro Police
Tonight, 31-year-old Armando Villanueva, a resident of the San Mateo area of San Pedro, is in police custody, and preparations are being made for his transfer to the Belize Central Prison. That's because police have accused him of intentionally lighting a fire at the Boca Del Rio Park, which did major damage to several storerooms managed by the San Pedro Town Council.

Star Black Played and Sprayed By Cops
A taxi man who was cheated out of his fare by two GSU officers has decided to report the incident. He allegedly got pepper sprayed for his trouble. Now Gerald Jones also known as Star Black is speaking out about the cruel way in which it was demonstrated to him that reports cannot be made against officers. Gerald Lennox Jones, Victim of Police Brutality: "On Sunday after the convention I went back to the Mahogany street taxi union which, where i'm a member as the vice president of the taxi union and two officers approached my car and told me they wanted a taxi. So after they get in the vehicle, the back seat I drove off."

What's Causing Passport Backlogs?
There's a backlog at the Immigration Department in processing passports, and it's causing lots of headaches and heartaches for folks who can't get their travel documents "to time." Yesterday we asked the Minister of State for Immigration Beverly Williams what's causing it, and what's the solution:... Beverly Williams - Minister of State for Immigration: "Indeed I will acknowledge that there is a backlog in the system of passports..."

Santander's Sugar Season Starts In the West
In May of last year, the Santander Sugar Group got into trouble with the Ministry of Trade after pictures emerged showing that their plantation white sugar, was being sold on the domestic market. That caused an uproar from cane farmers in the north, who complained bitterly that they should not be facing competition on the local market from a company that is not licensed to sell its sugar to Belizean consumers. Since then, the company has apologized, and they were handed the maximum punishment that the Export Processing Zone Committee could order against them for the violation of the EPZ regulations.

No CDB Response On Problems At Lake Independence Resource Center
For years now we've been reporting on the significant problems with the construction of the Lake Independence Resource Center, a youth facility that will also be a Multipurpose Center. Ground was broken in April of 2016 for the 4.6 million dollar facility, and almost four years later, we still haven't seen an official opening.

Sean Taegar's Epic Poem
Belize's Literary canon is growing, and on Saturday an epic poem was added to the texts when poet Sean Taegar launched his self-published debut book Spirit, Fire, Light. Here is that story.

Murder Mistrial in West
In 2017, Santa Elena resident Errol Smith was charged with manslaughter for allegedly beating 38-year-old Marlon Peters, his friend, and co-worker, to death. Well, his trial concluded yesterday, and the jury hearing his case couldn't come to a unanimous decision. That has caused a mistrial to be declared in his case. The incident happened on July 14th, 2017 in Santa Elena Town. Both men left their workplace at the Ministry of Works in Cayo.

Is Darrell the UDP's Moses?
Last night, we showed you a part of our interview with President of the Senate, darrell Bradley. The former Belize City Mayor took the weekend to come up with a draft campaign finance legislation. Here's more of our interview with him where he says this kind of reform is the most urgent thing needed in Belizean politics, more urgent than a party leader:

COVID-19's Spread
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the global outbreak of COVID-19, formerly novel coronavirus, which has now spread to 34 countries outside mainland China. And while the World Health Organization has reported a decrease in the number of cases in mainland China, a rise in the number of cases outside of China is anticipated.

Footballer Convicted For Firearm Offence
San Ignacio football player Wendell Trapp - who plays for Verdes Football Club - has pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm in public. It happened on Sunday night in downtown San Ignacio where Trapp was captured on multiple security cameras firing an unlicensed weapon.

Channel 5

The Horrific Murder of a Canadian National in Hopkins
A horrific murder occurred in the south. The body of a Canadian national was removed from a creek after he went missing for three days. James Slemp lived a quiet [...]

Eamon Sounds Off on Coastal Road Contract and Imer Hernandez
The Coastal Road Project was formally launched on Monday with a groundbreaking ceremony in La Democracia Village. At a cost of a hundred and thirty million Belize dollars, the stretch [...]

Is MLAT Still Necessary for John Saldivar Probe?
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is tasked with carrying out a criminal investigation into former Minister of National Security John Saldivar in the wake of the Lev Dermen scandal. A [...]

How Can Belize Use MLAT in Investigating John Saldivar?
In requesting privileged information under MLAT, attorney Eamon Courtenay says that assurances are given by both countries on how the information would be used during an investigation, particularly if there [...]

Was Steve Duncan’s Senatorial Appointment in Contravention of Domestic Banks & Financial Institutions Act?
Three weeks ago, Steve Duncan stepped down as a government appointed senator after serving at least four years on the upper chamber. At the time of announcing his replacement, the [...]

Exploring the Revised Passport Application Process
On most days, from Mondays to Fridays, long lines form at the Immigration Department in Belmopan by first time applicants for a passport or others seeking renewals. The process can [...]

Fuel Prices Dip at the Pumps
There is a change in the prices of fuel tonight that brings good news for consumers. The price for premium gasoline will go down by fifty-nine cents and will be [...]

Comprehensive, Practical Campaign Finance Laws Needed in Belize
The John Saldivar Scandal has brought sharp focus to the issue of campaign financing. With everyone talking about this, President of the Senate, Darrell Bradley says he has produced draft [...]

Darrell Bradley Drafts Up Campaign Financing Legislation
Bradley’s draft is patterned along U.S. legislation, but incorporates laws in other countries. It contemplates that foreign nationals should be prohibited from financing campaigns in other jurisdictions. Bradley says that [...]

Senate President Disappointed in Saldivar Scandal
Unlike a number of U.D.P. cabinet ministers and supporters, the President of the Senate says he is disappointed at what has come up in the Saldivar scandal. Bradley says right [...]

Darrell Bradley: System of Gov’t is Broken, Never Trust Politicians
Darrell Bradley recognizes that the current climate is rife with cynicism due to the corruption. Bradley says the system of government is broken and needs fixing because there are no [...]

Darrell Bradley on Stomping Out Corruption
We also asked Darrell Bradley to comment on the mammoth anti-corruption protest organized by the opposition party. Bradley says it is a function of democracy, which is required to stomp [...]

N.T.U.C.B. Supports National Student Union of Belize
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize has come out in support of the National Student Union of Belize. The student union on Thursday joined the N.T.U.C.B. in its anti-corruption [...]

Omar Figueroa is U.D.P. Leader-elect?
Cabinet met today in Belmopan. One member who was not around the table was Patrick Faber, who is travelling overseas. According to the reports, the new Minster of Fisheries, Omar [...]

Santander Begins Harvest
There are two sugar producing companies in Belize, A.S.R./B.S.I. in the north and then there is the Santander Sugar Group which has its operations located near Valley of Peace in [...]

Santander Plans to Increase Sugar Production to 100 Metric Tons
Santander Sugar Group plans to work with farmers in the area to increase its sugar production. The company exports its sugar through the Big Creek Port and for this harvest [...]

Keeping Santander’s Workers Safe
Seven hundred and fifty persons are employed by Santander Sugar Group. Twenty-year-old Guatemalan National, Francisco Andres Antonio Sebastian, was an employee of Santander until he was crushed to death. It [...]

Santander C.E.O. Explains Why Company Is Prohibited from Selling Sugar Locally
In 2018, Santander Sugar was busted for selling sugar in the local market after it was granted an Export Processing Zone to produce sugar for export only. The violation resulted in a [...]

Kareem Eagan Wanted for the Murder of Shane Budram
Belize City police are looking for another person of interest to assist with their investigation into the murder of forty-three-year-old Shane Budram who was shot and killed on Friday night [...]

Santander Speaks on Employee’s Drowning
Last week Monday we told you about the twenty-seven-year-old Roy Grinage who drowned while he was swimming across the Belize River. Grinage, a resident of Saint Matthews Village, was returning [...]

Police Ketch Taxi to Raid PIV then Pepper Spray Cab Driver
There is a bizarre case of police brutality reaching our news desk tonight, where a cab driver reported that on Sunday evening, following the P.U.P. protest a pair of officers [...]

‘Star Black’ is in Fear of His Life
According to Jones, his life is under threat following the incident on Sunday because the young men in the neighborhood believe that he had a hand in the police raid. [...]

Did a Big Developer in Riversdale Block a Creek in the Community?
Residents in Riversdale say that a big developer is causing problems in the community. They are calling for the immediate removal of a road that they say was laid on [...]

Riversdale Creek is Critical to the Fishing Industry in the South
Fox says that cutting off the creek may cripple the livelihoods of Riversdale fishermen. He reports that two creeks are being affected, but one of those creeks serves as spawning [...]

Dylan is Hospitalized!
Last week, we went to Steadfast Village along the Stann Creek Valley Road to share Dylan Ysaguirre’s story with you. She’s a tour guide who has fallen ill with a [...]

Amandala

Raheem Budram will be charged for the murder of Shane Budram, police confirm
ASP Alejandro Cowo confirmed to Amandala this afternoon that Raheem Budram will be charged later today for the murder of Shane Budram, his uncle.

The Reporter

Price Of ‘Premium Gas’ and ‘Kerosine’ Take A Nice Dive Tonight
The price for premium gasoline and kerosene will register decreases as follows: Premium gasoline will decrease by 59 cents from $10.99 to $10.40 per gallon; Kerosene will decrease by 74 cents from $7.36 to $6.62 per gallon.

Santander Group Makes Offer To Cayo Farmers
The Santander group is inviting more Cayo farmers to plant sugar cane. The company said “Santander will come in and clear land and plant cane, and level the land so that it would be suitable for mechanical harvesting”.

Hopkins Police Looking For Person Of Interest: For Murder Of Canadian Retiree
Hopkins Police are seeking one suspect for questioning into the suspicious death of retired Canadian National James Slemp,79, whose body was found early Monday morning on his property in Hopkins Village.

Latest CoronaVirus Data From W.H.O & Belize’s MOH
The World Health Organization has said the world should do more to prepare for a possible coronavirus pandemic. W.H.O said it was too early to call the outbreak a pandemic but countries should be “in a phase of preparedness”.

Youth Ambassadors join the fight against cyberbullying
The nine youth ambassadors who recently returned from Washington, USA are now working on an advocacy campaign for cyberbullying. Cayo correspondent, Fem Cruz has the details.

LOVE FM

MOH says you can have Covid-19 and not know
For weeks since the discovery of the novel coronavirus, health officials have been screening for symptoms at border points around the world. In a new recent development, however, it has been found that you could have the novel virus and have no symptons.

Attorney questions Stephen Duncan’s resignation and post at Heritage Bank
Attorney Arthur Saldivar has sent a letter to the Governor of the Central Bank, Joy Grant querying the status of former Senator Stephen Duncan. Duncan was appointed a UDP Senator four years ago while he held the post of Managing Director of Heritage Bank Limited.

Senior Counsel says that British and the CDB are aiding and abetting the Barrow administration
As noted, yesterday’s ceremonial launch of the Sixth Road Project has representation from the British and the CDB who are investing in this project. The problem is that the entire project may just be illegal and did not go through the proper channels as legally required.

A look into how the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) works
When the Lev Derman and John Saldivar scandal began unfolding the People’s United Party had called on the Prime Minister to activate the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) that Belize shares with the United States. Under this treaty, Belize has the ability to access the evidence from the court in Salt Lake City, Utah where Dermen is currently on trial for money laundering among other crimes against the US.

President of the Senate says the Campaign Financing Legislation has to happen now
In the last few weeks, the buzz words in Belize are ‘campaign financing legislation’. The lobbying for this comes after it was discovered that former Minister of National Security, John Saldivar had received tens of thousands of dollars from Armenian national, Lev Dermen. When asked how much money he received, Saldivar said he was not keeping track and he does not recall.

G.R.E.A.T. C.U.P 2020
Saturday morning was the launch of the Eastern Division, Gang resistance education and training (G.R.E.A.T) cup 2020 at the Wilton Cumber Batch field. It is a seven-week football marathon that aims to engage children in recreational activities.

Coastal Road upgrading project; on the go
The Coastal Road upgrading project was officially launched yesterday in La Democracia Village. Representatives from the Government of Belize, British High Commission, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Department for international development were present for the groundbreaking event.

NTUCB condemns victimizing of students at UB
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has received reports that some of the members of the National Student Union of Belize are being targeted for leaving classes last Thursday to attend the NTUCB’s demonstration on corruption. The NTUCB stated in a press release that they condemn, in the highest possible manner, the action of some individuals at UB.

Teen boy may have run away due to abuse
A 15-year-old boy is missing and his family is hoping for his safe return. Ashton Stevens was last seen playing basketball at the Rockville Boot Camp yesterday around 4:30pm.

Santander Sugar Group opens its sugar cane season
The Santander Sugar Group based in the Cayo District declared its sugarcane crop season opened on February 20 and will close in June, giving the season 130 days. Today, the media was given a comprehensive look at the company, ranging from their infrastructure to their goals for this crop season.

NEMO inspects Hurricane Shelters
Personnel from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) inspected hurricane shelters in western Belize today. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz has more details.

Santander comments on the death of Roy Grinage
Ten days ago, 29-year-old Roy Grinage lost his life when he drowned in the Belize River. Grinage was an employee at the Santander Sugar Group and was on his way to work when the incident...

Three men wanted for gang affiliation
Police have issued wanted posters for three men believed to be members of a gang. The men are 20-year-old Kelvin Gongora, 22-year-old Ulide Allen and 26-year-old Tevin James Cacho.

Farmers participate in food workshop
Farmers of the Cayo District were engaged in a one-day food workshop hosted by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz spoke with the coordinators of the event who explained what makes...

Moody skips court date, now he’s in prison
30-year-old Jude Moody was remanded to prison today after pleading guilty to dangerous harm. Justice Marilyn Williams remanded Moody and deferred sentencing to March 5.

Men sentenced to life imprisonment, hoping for a fixed sentence
Mitigation pleas were heard this morning for 24-year-old Darrell Grant and Louis Gillett. The two men were convicted and are serving life sentences for two separate murders stemming back to 2003 and 2008. Both men...

Kerosene and premium gasoline decrease
The Ministry of Finance announces that effective midnight tonight the pump prices of two fuel products will be adjusted. Premium gasoline will decrease by 59 cents taking the gallon price from $10.99 to $10.40.

Breaking Belize News

NTUCB stands in solidarity with National Student Union
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) issued a statement today affirming its support […]

Ministry of Health issues update on novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
Today, the Ministry of Health (MOH) issued an update regarding the global situation on the […]

Steep decline in premium gasoline and kerosene prices
Premium gasoline and kerosene will see a steep decline in prices beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, February […]

Santander Sugar starts harvest season
Santander Sugar Group has begun its harvest season, about a month after Belize Sugar Industries/American […]

Youths leading the development of power-lifting sport in Belize with first national competition
Power-lifting is a well-established sport around the world and even in the region; however, it […]

Ten days until 2020 La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge
There are 10 days left until one of the biggest events on Belize’s social calendar, […]

CARICOM tackles regional issues at heads of government meeting
Bridgetown, Barbados last week hosted the 31st inter-sessional meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) heads of […]

Blogs

Best Events And Festivals To Attend In Belize
Throughout the year Belize hosts several events and festivals that are anticipated by many. Each year they only get bigger and better, making it the perfect opportunity for you to visit and experience Belizean and the Caribbean culture. The best part of this is the amount of different foods you get to try and the people you get to meet. To make it easier for you, below we have a list of events and festivals, and the foods you must try!

International Sources

N.S. man found dead in Belize; police suspect foul play
A Nova Scotia man living in Belize has been found dead on his property. James (Jim) Slemp was reported missing on Friday after friends got worried he wasn't answering his phone. Police say the missing person case turned into something more serious and sinister. "The lifeless body of 79-year-old Canadian national, James Slemp, was discovered in a lagoon near his Hopkins Road farm three days after he went missing," Joseph Myvett, the head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch in Belize, said.

Top 10 Most Adventurous Caving Destinations In The World
Barton-Creek cavern is a natural cave that is known as both a tourist attraction and an archaeological site. The cave is situated in the Barton Creek region in Cayo District, Belize. It is a single-passage resurging stream cavern that has over 21,000 ft long giant passages that are covered by huge speleothems over a navigable stream. It is a cathedral-like cave that was used for human sacrifices and ceremonial purposes by the Maya. Fearless tourists can swim in the underground river.

Videos

Actividades de la Embajada de México y del Instituto Cultural 2019, 4.5min. We are pleased to share this video of some activities carried out by the Embassy of Mexico and the Mexican Cultural Institute in Belize during 2019. We will be working to strengthen ties between Mexico and this beautiful country.

Embamex_Belize_2019, part of the festivities in the video listed just above., 4min.

Snorkeling in Belize, 14min. The Savas family goes snorkeling in Belize with turtles, rays, and sharks!

KAYAK TO SECRET BEACH, 13min.

Exploring Xunantunich + Iguana Sanctuary, Belize, 8.5min. After leaving Caye Caulker, we set off south to San Ignacio. During my stay in this town I visited an Iguana Conservation Project where I was able to touch, hold and feed the Iguanas! I then went toward the Guatemalan border, hopped on a cable car ferry and explored the Maya site of Xunantunich. I found myself alone with only a few other tourists and was able to really enjoy and take in the views.

How to make a slingshot (The Belize Way), 11min.

Belize Xunantunich Ruins - Raw Footage, 3min. The famous Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich in Belize, raw footage without comentary...Take in the view!!

SNORKELING IN BELIZE | Swimming With Turtles, Dolphins, Sharks & Rays, 2.5min. Belize is magical! Spent the day soaking up the sun and snorkeling alongside turtles, sharks, rays and much more! The waters are crystal clear and Belize is home to the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world.

Views on PoliticalLeadership and Governance, 52min. Politician and attorney-at-law Darrell Bradley was our guest to share his candid views on political leadership and governance. He talked about his ideas of how to correct our electoral system and he also shared a few of the recommendations he is making for a proposed campaign financing law.

Son of A Father Men's Conference 2020, 28min. The Reformation team is organizing the a men's conference. Son of A Father Men's Conference 2020 takes place tonight. The focus is on reclaimining your identity as a man. We spoke to representatives of the team about the conference and what they hope to accomplish. On our couch: Pastor Martin Seca - Speaker, Men's Conference. Kerm Thimbrel - Speaker, Men's Conference. Garing Carballo - Organizer, Men's Conference.

San Pedro Carnaval, 6min.

Los Barbos, 3min.

Carnaval in San Pedro, 12min.

Dona Floras Group- Las Sirenitas, 2min.

Belize Passes Milestone Law to Safeguard Fisheries, 23min.

MAYAN style chocolate from SCRATCH in BELIZE!!, 7min. We spent a day making traditional Mayan style chocolate from SCRATCH in San Ignacio, Belize!! From stone grinding the organic beans to drinking original hot chocolate like the Ancient Maya used to drink.

Hamanasi - Exploring the Treehouse Are, 13min.

Maya style awesome Job and beautiful bus Silva's, 10sec. As soon as this bus is finished painted I believe recognition should be given to Silvas Bus Line from Benque

February 25, 2020

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Vivelo Y Gozalo, El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro is back!
One of the most anticipated annual island celebrations, El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro, has once again taken over the main streets of downtown with a colorful jamboree filled with paint and the popular street dance known as Comparsas. Under the theme Vivelo y Gozalo, the festivities started on Saturday, February 22nd with official ceremonies along with a block party and will culminate with the symbolic burning of Don Juan Carnaval (the celebration’s patron) on Wednesday, February 26th.

Anke Doehm’s court case again adjourned
There are no indications as to when the criminal court case against American National Anke Doehm will hear a verdict. Doehm, who continues to face a charge of ‘Cruelty to a Child,’ in connection with the death of her adoptive daughter, Faye Lin Cannon, was in court on January 16th. As on previous occasions, the trial was adjourned. Doehm is now expected to be back in court on March 5, 2020. The Supreme Court in Belize City, where the trial is taking place, was unable to say if the case will see closure anytime soon.

Ambergris Today

Carnaval Day 1: Painting And Dancing On The Streets Of San Pedro
Carnaval in San Pedro officially kicked off on Saturday, February 22, 2020 with a Carnaval Fiesta Block Party at the Central Park. Spectators at the Central Park were entertained by dances performed by the San Pedro Dance Academy and Titans Mas Band. There were food booths with lots to eat and drink and bouncy houses for the children to enjoy.

Various Belizean Sources

Wildtracks Update: Life in the Nursery: Meet Charlie!
Charlie is a young Yucatan black howler monkey, and part of the Wildtracks Nursery Troop. In June 2019, Charlie was found separated from his troop on a fallen tree in an area that had just been bulldozed to make way for sugar cane. Charlie was very timid when he arrived at Wildtracks, and very upset about taking milk from a human. The only things that calmed him were his hammock and grapes! He started coming out of his shell when he was introduced to Obi, another member of the Nursery...and from then on, he hasn't looked back!

Ms. Isabel Guerrero Passes away
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its sincere condolences to the Guerrero family on the passing of Ms. Isabel Guerrero. May her friends and family find the strength in each other to overcome this great loss. May her soul rest in peace.

Miss Destinee Arnold visiting Caye Caulke
The Beauty Ambassador for Belize Miss Destinee Arnold will be in Caye Caulker on February 29th! Refer to flyer for more info.

CDB, UK to improve safety and climate resilience along arterial road on Belize’s east coast
The Governments of Belize and the United Kingdom and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) today launched the Coastal Highway Upgrading in La Democracia, Belize. The current unpaved roadway traverses mostly low-lying terrain and has poor drainage, making it impassable at certain times of the year. Climate change is exacerbating the risk of flooding in the area.

Belize, Your Natural Niche for Outsourcing Services
OO Statistics (FV5)Emerging technologies and changes in consumer preferences continue to contribute significantly to an increase in global demand of companies seeking to outsource parts of their operations to nearshore locations. Studies estimate that the Global total spend of the Information Technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market will increase to four (4) Trillion USD by 2030.

Sarteneja Easter REgatta 2020
April 12, 2020

Corozal General Public Town Meeting
A General Public Town Meeting was held this past Friday night, February 21st at the Corozal Town Hall by our Corozal Community Policing Unit, our Belize Police Department's Top Brass headed by #Commissioner of #Police Chester C. Williams, Corozal Town Council and the Corozal Safety Advisory Committee to discuss with the general public, the probing issues of safety and crime in our Corozal District. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Douglas Hyde and special invited guest was Mayor Rigoberto Vellos. In its transformation, the efforts of the Belize Police Department has always been to bridge the gap of confidence building measures between the community and the police department to fight crime together.

Popol Vuh reading in San Ignacio
On the eve of La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, the Wildfire Artzmosphere is having a Popol Vuh reading.

Shenseea will be performing on Saturday at Galvez stadium
Cayoooo!!! Coming alive early in 2020. Spread the word. Tell ah friend to tell 5 friends. This one is real. The West is surely the place to be in 2020.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: FEBRUARY 16, 2020 THROUGH FEBRUARY 23, 2020
The fishing this week was greatly improved by a lovely weather week with lighter winds and far less cloud cover. Good numbers of Bonefish were landed, and the flats enjoyed clear water, which made sight casting a lot easier.

Welcome signs were installed in the communities of Arenal, Santa Familia and Cristo Rey
Over the weekend, 3 welcome signs were installed in the communities of Arenal, Santa Familia and Cristo Rey. FCD continues to support the protection of the Mopan-Macal Rivers through community participation. This awareness approach is being led by community leaders who form part of the Binational Watershed Alliance, supported by the British High Commission, Belmopan Belize.

MAXIMO Book Presentation
The Image Factory Art Foundation invites you to the book presentation "MAXIMO." This story is in memory of the legacy of Maximo Perez, as the last Alcalde of San Jose Yalbac. He was an avid advocate for social justice, equity, and respect. More importantly, he believed in community resilience, and the continuance of the Maya bloodline in Belize.

Channel 7

PUP Pulls Massive Crowd
On Wednesday's news, we showed you the NTUCB's good governance march. They were making it clear to all political parties that the biggest thing on the minds of their members going in the 2020 general elections is the issue of corruption. At the NTUCB's rally, Opposition Leader John Briceno made a bold claim that his party would be able to mobilize 10,000 Belizeans to show that the unions aren't the only ones unhappy with the Barrow Administration's status quo. Here at this newsroom, we were skeptical of this boast, but yesterday, the PUP mobilised with the kind of mass street support, and flexed with the kind of muscle that it hadn't shown in decades to send a message loud and clear to Belmopan.

UDP, Leadership Carousel Continues
And while the PUP showed sufficient and surplus muscle, machinery - and let's not forget, money, the UDP continues to drift embarrassingly out in the political deep - still without a consensus leader to replace the retiring Dean Barrow. the word coming out of this weekend is that Cayo North's Omar Figueroa will be the man - and this picture - taken on Saturday seemed to show broad based support. But we're told it was just picture taken at a fundraiser for St. Andrew's Primary school in Cayo - not a caucus to endorse him.

Should Hon. Bev Have Gotten Upgraded to Full Minister?
We spoke to both Montero and Williams at a groundbreaking for the Coastal Road Paving project - which we'll tell you all about later in the news. We also asked Williams about what some perceive to be a recent slight. She was recently elected second deputy leader of the UDP - and is Minister of State in the Ministry of Immigration. Fair enough, that's usually the role for a first term representative, but what happens when that rep is also the third most senior person in the ruling party? We asked Williams about that today in view of the fact that another minister of state - Omar Figueroa was upgraded to full minister last week:...

President Of The Senate Proposes Campaign Finance Reform
And while most of the UDP is busy doing political contortions to get over and around this divisive John Saldivar issue, President of the Senate Darrell Bradley ain't got no time for that. He spent the weekend coming up with draft campaign finance legislation. It's based on the US model and integrates other elements. And, right now Bradleys ays it's the only conversation that Belize needs to have if it really wants to get rid of money politics:

24 Year Old Man Killed, 61 Year Old Woman Shot
A 33-year-old man is dead and a 61-year-old woman partially paralyzed. That's after a pair of motorcycle riders rained bullets over Rio Bravo Crescent. The man, Ezekiel Usher, was hanging out in front of his neighbour's house. The woman, Joyce Edwards, was riding by in the back seat of her son in law's car. Tonight, he's in the morgue, and she's in the hospital partially paralysed. Here's that story. On Saturday night at 10:00, the unthinkable happened in Belize City, an innocent woman visiting from out district, a woman whose daughter says she rarely ever leaves her PG home, was shot in the Faber's Road extension area of Belize City.

Man Allegedly Killed By Nephew
43-year-old Shane Budram was killed in cold blood on Friday night, the alleged gunman was his nephew. Budran who has been in the news over the years for crimes such as robbery, gang affiliation, and attempted murder is said to have been making efforts to change his life. Neighbours say he had become somewhat of a father figure to young boys in the area. And it was his newfound put to right attitude that put him in the line of fire. This morning Cherisse Halsall headed to Jump Street to find out more.

Elderly Canadian Killed?
An elderly Canadian national is dead after events that police believe involve foul play. 78-year-old Canadian James Slemp - who lived off the Hopkins Road - was reported missing by a friend on Friday. And this morning police found his body in the Fresh Water Creek adjoining his homes. But it was no drowning. Head of National crimes Investigation Myvette told us more. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, NCIB: "On Friday, shortly before midnight, one Thomas Pou visited Hopkins Police Station and he reported that his friend, one James Slemp..."

Raging Fire On Raleigh Street
A family in Belize City lost their home in a fire on Saturday morning. It happened Raleigh Street in the St. Martin's area, and cell phone footage captured the fire in progress, showing a wooden 2-bedroom home completely engulfed in flames. We are told that it was being rented by Sharon Zelaya, her husband, her daughter, and her two grandchildren, ages 2 and 4. At this time, the authorities believe that the children were playing with matches in a room when which for out of control and cause that part of the house to catch fire. It quickly spread, and although the occupants were able to get out safely, they lost everything.

Coastal, The Richest Road Ever
In 1986, a team of rugged forest officers from the Melinda Forest Station took 5 months in the deep bush to cut a line from Gales Point Manatee to La Democracia at mile 31 on the Western Highway. And that line that they cut, gave birth to the Coastal Highway. In the 30 plus years since, the Coastal has remained the most tempting, but ultimately frustrating shortcut between central and southern Belize. If you're going from Belize to Dangriga - it cuts about 28 miles off the trip. But, with the road as rough as it has been, you might get a puncture, or, worse, you might just slide off the washboard surface. And don't even think of going coastal in the rainy season!

Funders Defend Choosing Imer As Contractor
As we have reported, the contracts were awarded to the joint venture firm of Imer Hernandez Development Co. Ltd./ along with a Mexican firm, Construcciones y Carreteras, in the amount of $62.9 million Belize dollars for Lot 1 and $70.2 million Belize dollars for Lot 2. Today, Hernandez represented the consortium - and we had to ask the funders about the contractor who has become a lighting rod for controversy:

Hon. Rene Not Ready to Hit The Road
Today's event was to start the works off and it should be completed in 36 months. That led us to ask Works Minister Montero about whether he will be around for the opening Jules Vasquez- Reporter: "Is it of some concern to you or some pain that you might not be around when they open it because maybe the UDP won't win the next general elections."

A Weekend Of Rampant Sexual Assault
It was a weekend of rampant sexual assault as 2 women and a minor were raped in the Cayo district. The perpetrators in these rapes range in relation to the women as a stranger, a BDF soldier, and a common-law-husband. ACP Myvette told us more about the ugly incidents.

Guilty of Robbing Meatpie Mecca
27-year-old Michael Arnold, the man accused of robbing the elderly owner of the popular Pou's Meat Pies in Belize City, has been convicted. Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer has decided to grant him leniency with a fine, and a suspended prison sentence. The incident happened on January 5th, 2016. 58-year-old owner Maria Pou had recently collected $500 in rent money from a tenant. She didn't keep that money for very long because shortly after it was handed over, she was attacked by a man who got into a scuffle with her.

Channel 5

Thousands of P.U.P. Supporters March Against Corruption
The People’s United Party is energized tonight. In the thousands, supporters came from the villages, towns, cayes, and from the two cities in what looked like the greatest show of [...]

‘Call Elections Now!’
The People’s United Party’s massive demonstration on Sunday culminated at Battlefield Park in downtown Belize City hours after its start. The crowd flooded the area of the Supreme Court spilling [...]

Opposition Leader Says It is Time for a Change
The People’s United Party’s demonstration was announced two weeks ago when Leader John Briceño released the party’s proposed agenda on campaign financing, making five demands on the government. Briceño is [...]

Police Out in Full Force for P.U.P.’s Demonstration
The demonstration and rally went without a hitch on Sunday. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and his team kept law and order as demonstrators marched through the streets of the Old Capital [...]

Nephew Murders Uncle in Wild Belize City Shooting
Shane Budram was shot and killed near his house on Wagner’s Lane in Belize City and tonight police are looking for his nephew, Raheem Budram, as the suspect in his [...]

Ezekiel Usher is Gunned Down on Rio Bravo Crescent
Twenty-four hours later, there was another murder in Belize City. Shortly after ten o’clock on Saturday night, Ezekiel Usher, an employee of Transparent B.P.O., was gunned down across the street [...]

Foul Play Suspected in the Death of a Canadian National in Hopkins
Police are also investigating the suspected murder of a Canadian national who was reported missing on Friday, after a friend was unable to make contact with him. Just before eleven [...]

Canadian Retiree Robbed in San Pedro Town
A sixty-year-old Canadian retiree was robbed on February fifth in San Pedro Town. The Canadian national visited our studios to share his story. According to the victim, he befriended a [...]

Victim Says Police Investigation Sluggish
According to the Canadian national, the investigation into the robbery has not advanced since the incident two weeks ago. He wants the full force of the law on the woman. [...]

Darwin Prado, Charged with Double Murder, Denied Bail
Twenty-four year-old Darwin Prado, charged with the double murder of Casey Lozano and Marlon Spain, remains behind bars after being denied bail by Supreme Court Justice, Antoinette Moore on Friday. [...]

Michael Arnold is Fined for Robbery Conviction
In the court today, street figure Michael Arnold, aka “Teetie,” a Pickstock resident, was found guilty of robbery. Arnold was given a non custodial sentence and was fined two thousand [...]

Briceño’s Continued Call for an Independent Investigation into John Saldivar
Former National Security Minister, John Saldivar has been on the airwaves extolling his innocence after he was named in a court in Utah for taking money from the accused fraudster, [...]

Did ACP Marco Vidal Clear Lev Dermen?
After denying that he received monies from fraudster Lev Dermen, John Saldivar later admitted that he received fifty thousand U.S. dollars from Dermen during a trip to Miami in 2014. [...]

A Woman Claims She was Raped by a Soldier Near Arenal Checkpoint
There are three disturbing reports of rape from the west in our newscast tonight. We start with the case of a woman in Benque Viejo Del Carmen, who claims that [...]

Woman is Raped by her Salvadoran Common-law Husband
There is another case of sexual assault of a woman in Cotton Tree Village. The victim is recovering at the Western Regional Hospital after she was raped at knifepoint by [...]

Police Investigate the Rape of a 14 Year-Old Girl
In Camalote Village, Cayo District, there are varying versions of a report of the sexual assault of a fourteen-year-old female minor. Police say that while a medical exam conducted on [...]

Family of 5 Displaced by Fire, Needs Your Help
A family lost everything when a fire swept through their house on Raleigh Street, Belize City. Tonight, they are appealing for assistance to rebuild their lives. Two children and their [...]

Fender Bender Victim Says Vehicle Owner Refuses to Settle Matter
A man, who was involved in a fender bender about a month ago, says that the person responsible doesn’t want to own up to his responsibility. Dennis Wright says he [...]

Coastal Road Improvement Officially Underway
The Coastal Highway Upgrading Project was formally launched in La Democracia today with attendance from representatives of the governments of Belize and the United Kingdom, as well as the Caribbean [...]

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

The Reporter

Is Stress Healthy?
By: Dr. Abigail Joseph. We all have problems in life. Whoever professes to not have any is probably not human. The truth is – problems come in all sizes and forms but we control the gravity of the situation and determine whether or not they will spiral out of control.

VIDEO: Compol Chester, Answers Key Questions From ‘THE REPORTER’
Just days ago Commissioner of Police Chester Williams revealed that ACP Marco Vidal had been placed in charge of investigating allegations of corruption made against former Minister of National Security John Saldivar.

LOVE FM

Thousands answer People’s United Party’s call to demonstrate
Dozens of chartered buses rolled into Belize City on Sunday morning transporting men, women, and children for the PUP’s demonstration on corruption. It was a demonstration that took the PUP from an opposition party of only press releases to one who now has the attention of the ruling party and the political enthusiasts.

PUP members talk about corruption in the Government
Corruption is the platform that the PUP demonstrated yesterday; calling out the Barrow administration on several issues. Julius Espat from Cayo South went even further when he challenged the Police Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecutions to do their jobs or else…...

How testing for Coronavirus is done
With Belize now having the capability to test for the novel coronavirus, we reached out to the Director of Health Services to allow us in the lab to see firsthand, how it’s done. Given the greenlight, Reporter Courtney Menzies visited the Central Medical Laboratory to bring you the following story.

Michael Arnold guilty of robbery and wounding
27-year-old Michael Arnold was found guilty for robbery and wounding before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. He was spared from jail time but was still fined two thousand dollars and slapped with a suspended sentence of one year

Ryan Young remanded to prison
21-year-old Ryan Young was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after he was charged for one count of aggravated assault with a firearm. The gunplay incident occurred Thursday, February 20 in Belize City.

Belmopan Resident lost in Southern Belize
A Belmopan woman is currently lost in Southern Belize. Sandra Garcia was found by the police officers and they are asking for the public’s assistance in finding her family. Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung has the story.

14-year-old minor raped; police say there are several versions of the story
Two women and a minor in Cayo District were victims of rape over the weekend. The first occurred on Friday night in Camalote Village, when a 14-year-old went to visit someone in the village but the person was not at home.

Police on the hunt for a Salvadoran man who allegedly raped a woman
The other incident occurred on Friday night at around 8:30 in Cotton Tree Village. A 32-year-old woman reported to police that she was at home with her common-law husband when they began talking about her Facebook account.

Woman raped by a man in camouflage
Then on Sunday just before midday, a 25-year-old woman of Benque Viejo del Carmen Town reported to police that she was raped. The victim says she had just gotten home when she was approached by a man in camouflage clothing who raped her.

A conference for Men
The Reformation Team Belize is hosting its 4th annual Men’s Conference under the theme “Reclaiming your identity as a man”. The conference hopes to connect to the men of Belize and enlighten them about the meaning behind being a man and their role in society.

House Fire On Raleigh Street A house fire in Belize City on Saturday has left five persons displaced. The fire began sometime after midday on Raleigh Street in the Saint Martin’s Area.

Guinea Grass Village Has A New Substation The residents of Guinea Grass Village in Orange Walk now have a police substation in their area. The station was opened on Friday, and will see two officers manning it.

Rotaracters Park Project At KHMH Pediatric Ward Rotaracters were engaged over the weekend in Belize City with park rehabilitation projects. Their first project was St Ignatius Primary School on Euphrates Avenue where they installed a swing set.

CARICOM Pushes Belize To Pursue Sarstoon Protocol Heads of Government in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have urged Belize to continue their efforts towards the development and implementation of a protocol for the Sarstoon River. The discussion was had last week during CARICOM’s...

Man Allegedly Killed By Nephew 43-year-old Shane Budram was killed this past weekend allegedly at the hands of his own nephew. According to police, Budram was at his home on Wagner’s Lane, Belize City, with some family members when he got...

Man Killed Close To Home An employee of Transparent BPO is dead and police are looking for his killers. 33-year-old Ezekiel Usher was on Rio Bravo Crescent in Belize City when two men rode up and fired several fatal shots...

Rotary Park Project At St Ignatius Primary School Saint Ignatius primary school in Belize City was gifted with a two hundred-thousand-dollar park structure and bicycles today. The Rotary Club of Belize City and the Rotary Club of Edmonton in Canada collaborated to bring.

Breaking Belize News

Renowned Mexican artist to appear at 2020 Street Art Festival
Today, the Embassy of Mexico in Belize announced that renowned Mexican artist Giovanni Fabián Guerrero […]

Are your roads & highways better now than 12 years ago?
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

Elderly woman and man shot, man succumbs minutes later
Shortly after 10 o’clock on Saturday night, gunshots rang out in the Rio Bravo Crescent […]

Shane Budram killed by his own relative?
On Friday night, a man was killed in Belize City. He has been identified as […]

Man detained but released after allegedly raping teen
Shortly after 8 o’clock on Friday night, a fourteen-year-old female minor and her mother visited […]

Woman raped by BDF soldier on Arenal Road, Cayo
A soldier of the Belize Defence Force has been detained for rape. At this time […]

“Children with matches caused Raleigh Street fire,” says Belize Fire Service
The Belize National Fire Service (BNFS) says that its investigation into Saturday’s fire on Raleigh […]

New Coastal Highway upgrade to commence
The Governments of Belize and the United Kingdom and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) today launched […]

Belizean nurses off to Taiwan for training
Five Belizean nurses are to be trained for 18 months at Chi-Mei Hospital in Tainan, southwestern […]

15th annual Women’s Awards coming up, do you have any nominations?
The Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children (SEWC) and the National Women’s […]

Ministry of Health addresses fake coronavirus news story: No confirmed cases in Belize
The Ministry of Health said today that there is absolutely no truth to an article […]

Verdes regain PLB lead after Bandits slip
A shock on the island on Saturday cost Belmopan Bandits their Premier League lead for the […]

Blogs

Wildtracks Celebrates Thirty Years of Habitat Conservation and Threatened Species Rescue and Rehab
Wildtracks, founded by the dynamic British duo Zoe and Paul Walker, started their good work in 1990 and was registered as an NGO in 1996. Located near Sarteneja, the largest traditional fishing community in Belize within the Corozal District, their altruistic organization not only rescues, cares for and rehabilitates monkeys and manatees but other threatened species as well. Their efforts expand to four different issues; awareness and outreach, sustainable development, threatened species, and habitat conservation.

Our Late February Weather has Been BEYOND Gorgeous
Over the weekend, we had a bit of a “cold front” blow through. Winds coming in from the north – lowering the humidity, adding just a touch of chill to the northerly breeze. Absolute weather perfection. It could be no nicer right now. Things will change again later this week – there is a much stronger north wind coming in (currently predicted for Thursday) that should bring a bit of rain and cooler temperatures. Probably our last “cold front” of the year – and then things start heating up for Easter.

Placencia Lobster Fest: June 26 – 28, 2020
The dates are out for Placencia Lobster Fest 2020! The 22nd annual Lobster Fest will be taking place on June 26th– June 28th. Plan your Belize Vacation around the Placencia Lobster Fest! This is the best time to visit Belize as you get to enjoy these delicious crustaceans. For 2020, the lobster season officially opens on June 15th, 2020.

How To Plan An Amazing Group Trip In Belize
If you’re looking for a fun vacation destination for your family or a group, then Belize should be at the top of your list. The weather in Belize is ideal nearly all year long, flight times are short from most places in North America, the official language is English, and it is packed with exciting adventures waiting to happen. The great thing about traveling as a group is that you will typically be eligible for a number of group discounts. Most resorts, hotels and tour companies in Belize offer discounts for groups. Depending on the size of your group, you can enjoy many of the adventure tours in Belize with only your group. When planning your group vacation in Belize, it’s important to work with a local Belize expert guide to get ideas on what to do and see as well as picking the perfect hotel or resort for your stay.

Corozal House of Culture celebrated its 8TH Anniversary on February 24th, 2020
The National Institute of Culture and History, through the museum of Belize, invited the public to celebrate its 8TH Anniversary at the Corozal House Culture on February 24TH, 2020. This year's event highlighted the landmarks of the "Corozal Town Historical Walk Tours". The Corozal House of Culture partnered with the Second Year Tourism class from CJC, were eagerly awaited your visit. The students from CJC, toured the various schools and groups of adults was on a separate Tour that attended the event.

International Sources

Bacalar: low-key stunner in south Yucatán wants to keep it that way
There are places in Mexico that retain their charm yet swarm with tourists – think of the town of Sayulita on the west coast. Then there are places swarming with tourists that have become charmless – like the hotel zone in Cancún. At this point Bacalar — located on a finger lake of the same name just above the Belize border in Quintana Roo — is still so stunning that it feels you’ve stumbled upon some magical land. Unlike similar places in Mexico, its “lake of seven colors” is surprisingly quiet, the water breathtakingly clear and the prices incredibly modest. You can rent an entire house right on the water for US $100 a night (less in the off season) and head out to one of the local balnearios for a day of swimming and picnics for about $2.50.

Modern technology reveals old secrets about the great, white Maya road
Did a powerful queen of Cobá, one of the greatest cities of the ancient Maya world, build the longest Maya road to invade a smaller, isolated neighbor and gain a foothold against the emerging Chichén Itzá empire? The question has long intrigued Traci Ardren, archaeologist and University of Miami professor of anthropology. Now, she and fellow scholars may be a step closer to an answer, after conducting the first lidar study of the 100-kilometer stone highway that connected the ancient cities of Cobá and Yaxuná on the Yucatan Peninsula 13 centuries ago.

Videos

Carnaval dancers in San Pedro, 20min. Las barbies yassss

Carnaval Day 2- Las Barbies - Dr. Tusa, 3min.

The Business Hour..., 1hr40min.

Carnaval Day 2, 4min.

The great carnival of San Pedro! Colourful Carnival Dancers!, 7min.

The great carnival of San Pedro! The Barbies!, 4min.

GLIMPSES of BELIZE 2020, 6min. This is a summary of the various cultural landscapes in and around Belize City, based on three consecutive visits in the months of January and February in 2020.

EXPLORING BELIZE - RIO FRIO PART 1, 3min. On a recent trip to Belize I was able to film in a few locations of Rio Frio to see what bio diversity I could find! This particular location at the opening of Rio Frio Cave, has several species of livebearer present along with tetra/shad that can be seen in the more open water!

COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION MURAL PROJECT (Belize city 2016-2017), 4min. Belize City Community Revitalization Project (2016-2017)

Travel Through | Belize, 12min.

Eating The Best BBQ In San Pedro, Belize | Central America Barbecue Tour, 6min. This week's episode takes us to the pristine island of San Pedro, where we visit RAIN OR SHINE BBQ, to chow down on their amazing chicken and sausage. This video is guaranteed to get your mouth watering.

INDIGENOUS RIGHTS MAYA WORKSHOP at COCONUT HUT, 63min. This workshop and information shared was the first time in the history of Belize that this level of information has been brought together and shared... ENJOY!

Accion Deportiva, 60min.

February 24, 2020

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Wolfe’s Woofer: Coincidence
“I’ll have a beer,” I told the bartender. Since I had to stay overnight in Belize City, I had treated myself to the Ramada Princess Hotel so I could lose some money in their casino. My noon flight back to Ambergris Caye was two hours away and I was thirsty. When a man took the […]

Hon. Omar Figueroa Sworn-in as Substantive Minister for Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development
Dr. Hon. Omar Figueroa was sworn-in by the Governor General H.E. Sir Colville Young on Thursday, February 20th as the substantive Minister for Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development.

Doctor Love: Sister in Law
"If the divorce is nasty, your sister may not be very amused if the two of you get together. Are you prepared for the battles ahead should you partner with your bother-in-law and your sister becomes your adversary? How will family gatherings be approached?"

Belize is one of the First Countries to Support New Global Alliance “30by30”
The 30by30 initiative is a call to action for at least a 30% target of the global ocean to be under protected status as marine protected areas by the year 2030. This call was first made by the Government of the United Kingdom at the United Nations General Assembly last year, at which Belize was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honourable Wilfred Elrington.

Action movie to be filmed in San Pedro Town
The first Belizean action feature film is set to be produced in San Pedro Town by three Belizean filmmakers. Titled ‘Machiste’s Gold’, the film is expected to be a high-end production, highlighting Belizean talent, and shaped by the services of an international filming crew that will see the end product compatible with international standards.

Belize is removed from the EU List of Harmful Preferential Tax Regimes
The Government of Belize has been informed that the recent amendments to both the Income and Business Tax Act and Tax Administrative and Procedure Act on December 23rd have been positively assessed and the ECOFIN Council has agreed to remove Belize from the EU list of harmful preferential tax regimes (Annex II).

Belizean attorney Lisa Shoman selected as a judge to the Caribbean Community Administrative Tribunal
One of Belize’s senior and top attorneys, Lisa Shoman was selected to be a judge of the independent regional judicial tribunal, Caribbean Community Administrative Tribunal (CCAT).

Various Belizean Sources

Illegal road near Riverside
The village of Riversdale calls for an immediate removal of a road that was layed on top of black creek north of the village . No consultation with the village you blocked and entire creek that’s at some places are 100 ft in width and over 25 feet in depth with a huge lagoon that opens up. Home to so many different species of land and marine creatures.

FAKE COVID-19 NEWS According to DIrector of Health Services
Director of Health Services for Belize Doctor Marvin Manzanero has said that there are no suspect cases of COVID-19 and there are absolutely no cases of the virus. But that has not stopped a fear campaign of fake news. So far 82 persons have shared a post from a Facebook group claiming there are COVID-19 cases in Belize. The post was made by a profile account with the name Daniel Sukpen with friends in Africa and none in Belize. The "suck pen" individual has also turned off commenting on the post.

First National Spanish Spelling Bee for High Schools
The first ever National Spanish Spelling Bee for High Schools was held at Sacred Heart College Auditorium on 21st February, 2020. The idea originated was few years ago as an inter school competition at Our Lady of Guadalupe High School in Belmopan. Last year, a committee was formed and the contest was held comprising 7 high schools in the Cayo District and 1 from the Belize District. This year, the committee ventured to take the initiative to the national level. A total of 15 high schools participated, including schools from Corozal, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts. Students from 1st and 2nd Form competed and at the end of a very rigid competition, Jimena Aguilar from Sacred Heart College emerged as the winner. Beverly Blanco from Mount Carmel High School placed second and Karla Vasquez from Belmopan Methodist High School placed third.

Pueblo Nuevo Ferry closed until Tuesday
Ministry of Works has announced that our Pueblo Nuevo Ferry will need further repairs and therefore, it will re-open on Tuesday, February 25th.

2nd biobarda is almost finished in Cayo
Thanks, Rotary!

2020 DJ Championship
The 2020 DJ Championship will be in Belmopan on the 27th, and at the CAYO Welcome Center on March 7th. Wonder if there will be a La Ruta Maya Theme?

BFREE BZ needs Summer volunteers
BFREE is now accepting applications for summer volunteer field assistants! There are two and three-week options available in June and July. Volunteers will receive training through hands-on field-methods with professional visiting scientists and researchers as well as learn from BFREE staff how a biological research station runs.

Amandala

Wagner’s Lane resident, Shane Budram, 43, shot dead
Last night, gunshots rang out on Wagner’s Lane shortly before midnight, claiming the life of Shane Budram, a longtime resident of the street.Budram, 43, was confirmed dead on arrival at the KHMH.

Shooting on Rio Bravo Crescent leaves 1 dead and 1 hospitalized
Two persons were shot on Rio Bravo Crescent last night. They have been identified as Ezekiel Usher and Joyce Edwards. Usher passed away while undergoing treatment. Edwards remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Over 10,000 march with the PUP
PUP bring out its biggest crowd in years. Marchers estimated to have exceeded 10,000.

The Reporter

Editorial: February 23rd. 2020
After reading the apology of sorts from former Minister of National Security, Mr. John Saldivar, this newspaper has concluded that Belizeans now have a serious responsibility to revamp or change completely the parliamentary system which we currently use to govern our country.

Why The U.D.P Needs Tracy?
The once mighty UDP has collapsed under its own weight of corruption, ineptitude and arrogance. The two men who so desperately wanted to lead the UDP have both fallen victim to the intrigues of Dean Barrow.

2 Separate Rape Incidents Reported Out West
Police are investigating two reports of rape from early in the weekend, one in Camalote and the other in Cotton Tree. The first report was received before midnight on Friday.

Saturday Night Shooting Leaves 1 Dead
Police are investigating the shooting of three persons in Belize City last night. Just after 10:00 cops were called to the KHMH where they saw Joyce Edwards, 61 and Ezekiel Usher, 33, and a third un-named person suffering from gunshot injuries.

Mike Peyrefitte Is New Minister of National Security
Attorney General, Senator Michael Peyrefitte, who was sworn in two Sundays ago as the UDP’s new Chairman, is also the country’s new Minister of National Security.

BDF Soldier Shot in Belize City
A Belize Defence Force (BDF) soldier who recently passed out during the January intake is hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was shot multiple times on Monday.

A HELL OF A MESS, SAYS BRICENO
PUP leader John Briceño on Friday weighed in on the situation with the United Democratic Party, currently unable to find a leader to replace Dean Barrow, who must demit office during or at the end of this term.

ACP Vidal To Head Investigation
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the media on Friday that he has appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police Marco Vidal to head the investigation into any allegations of corruption made against former Minister of Police John Saldivar during the ongoing trial of Lev Derman, accused fraudster.

Breaking Belize News

John Briceño hints at more lawsuits for Government; doubts senior policeman can investigate ex-boss Saldivar
In a post-rally press call, John Briceño, leader of the People’s United Party (PUP) said […]

People’s United Party floods Belize City with blue wave, demands the Government’s attention
If there was any doubt we are in political season, this past week has ended […]

Police Commissioner has full confidence in Marco Vidal’s ability to investigate Lev Dermen’s Belize connection
Police Commissioner Chester Williams said today that he has the highest confidence in Assistant Commissioner […]

PUP rally underway at Battlefield Park
With a crowd that would have been the envy of Antonio Soberanis and George Price […]

Estimated 10,000 turn out for PUP demonstration, party’s largest gathering in years
Supporters, standard bearers, Area Representatives, and former Government officials of the PUP are marching the […]

PUP takes it to the streets
The People’s United Party (PUP) is hosting a demonstration through the streets of Belize City […]

One sought in rape and domestic incident in Cotton Tree
A traumatized girlfriend says her partner insulted, threatened and then brutally assaulted her late on […]

One held in alleged rape of Camalote teenager
Police have detained one Camalote man pending investigation of alleged rape of a teenager on […]

Universal Hardware’s Family and Friends Day a huge success!
Universal Hardware’s 10th Annual Family and Friends Day was a major success. Over 2,000 people […]

Team “Core” takes the 2020 “Boom to the City” canoe race
Team “Core” took the first place spot in yesterday’s “Boom to the City” canoe race, […]

Blogs

North Caye Caulker: Two Places to Stay, Happy Destiny and Blu Zen Resort
While they are not on the beach – you can walk/golf cart ride down to Koko King Beach Club or take the boat to the village or…just hang out at your own pool and then read in your day bed and then…repeat. They are RIGHT behind the resort where I did stay called Blu Zen Resort that shocked me from the minute I walked off the boat onto their dock. Large and modern and sparkly new. Really really beautiful…take a look.

Horseback Riding to Xunantunich Maya Ruin in Belize
Disconnect from the world for a bit and become one with nature. Mount on a beautiful horse and trot through the storybook jungles of Belize, gentle Mopan River and arrive at your destination, the Maya ceremonial Center of Xunantunich. Saddle up as you go on a slow-paced and relaxing ride through the jungle trails. Witness the gorgeous wildlife and countryside of Belize: tropical birds, fragrant wild orchids, beautiful butterflies, flamboyant trees, pungent spices, and secluded waterfalls. Learn about the history of the ancient Mayan empire as your experienced tour guide takes you to see the fascinating Xunantunich Maya Ruin and towering El Castillo pyramid.

Top 6 Water Activities in Belize
Belize is the perfect playground for an aquatic, adventurous spirit. Belize’s year-round warm the Caribbean Sea is a water-lovers heaven on earth. Discover some of the top water activities to do in Belize. Belize has the second largest Barrier Reef outlined with hundreds of islands and cayes. It also has luscious rainforests with rivers and underwater Maya cave systems. Without a doubt, it is a country rich in vitamin sea and water sports. Here is a listing of the top 6 water activities to do in Belize.

Hopkins or Placencia: Which Belize Destination is Right for You?
If you’re planning a trip to Belize, should you head for Placencia or Hopkins? Both locations make ideal base locations for your favorite Belize adventures. Both give you access to beautiful beaches, the Belize Barrier Reef, Maya ruins and nature excursions. In both Placencia and Hopkins, you can find lodging options that range from low-priced motels to family-run guesthouses to full-service resorts. Which one is right for you? That depends on the type of getaway you prefer.

Snorkeling the Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize
We didn’t really have any expectations or even a real idea of what we would see, all we knew was that we were not going to miss out on snorkeling the second largest barrier reef in the world … AGAIN! Last year, we only stayed in Caye Caulker for two nights, underestimating how great snorkeling the barrier reef is, we opted to skip it and do the ATM cave on the mainland instead. However, after hearing so many backpackers rave about the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, we regretted not going snorkeling. So when we somehow found ourselves back in Caye Caulker last week, we knew what we had to do!

International Sources

2020 Atlantic hurricane season: List of tropical cyclone names
On Saturday, it will be exactly 100 days from the start of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. It is never too early to begin preparing: Last year, the first named storm of the season formed ahead of the June 1 start date. The National Hurricane Center has the lists of names for the 2020 through the 2024 seasons.

Concacaf Under-20 Championship
Belize clinched their first points of the qualifiers when they blanked Saint Martin 4-0 in the other game of the group. Wilfredo Galvez put them ahead in the 21st minute, a lead which held until the half-time whistle. Belize then dominated the second half with Alwin Zelaya doubling his side's advantage in the 68th, Jesse August adding a third in the 76th before Ian Pou put the finishing touches on in the 90th minute.

Videos

PUP’s supporters gather at the Battlefield Park in Belize City.…, 40min.

PUP Demonstration, 2hr13min.

PUP National Demonstration Against Corruption from…, 2hr13min.

PUP DEMONSTRATION, 51min.

San Pedro Carnival Video, 2min.

San Pedro Carnival Video, 7min.

Carnaval Painting Day 1 just starting, 4min. Come out and have fun!

El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro- Comparsas Dance Presentations!, 1min.

Belize July 2018, 17min.

BÉLIZE 2020, 20min.

Snorkeling in Belize, 4min. This was our first day of snorkeling in Belize. I was very nervous because the last time I went snorkeling, I almost drowned. It went sooo much better this time thanks to the guides at Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort.

West Valley Community College Biodiversity Tour, 12min.

Belize 2018, 13min. What an amazing scuba diving and adventure travel trip this was for all. Here is a video you're welcome to share with family and friends sampling the great experiences and dives we had while on our adventure in Ambergris Key, Belize Nov. 2018

Swimming with Sharks in Belize, 3min. We caught a Snorkel tour to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley right of the dock at our VRBO in Ambergris Caye, Belize. The Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world and makes for great diving and snorkeling.

Placencia, Belize Feb 2020, 7.5min. Sailing catamaran in Placencia Belize Feb. 2020. Attending Sailors Jamboree 2020 (organized by Polish Yacht Club Chicago) .

Belize Dive trip 2020 4K, 31min. Dive trip on the Belize Aggressor IV January 4th to 11th 2020.

Boom to City 2020: NICH team: Efrain, Alex, Felix Cruz, 1min.

February 22, 2020

I will not be doing the news tomorrow morning, Sunday February 23rd. I will return on Monday morning!

Clothes Swap & Wine for the time to rid of all those clothes that you no longer wear and that are just stored up in your closets. This event is a clothes swap that will be at Soul Project. Gather the clothes that no longer fit, you don't like or you don't need anymore (Pieces must still be in good conditions) & let's swap

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Design Phase Launches for Three of Belize’s Health Facilities to Become Safer and Greener
On Wednesday, 12th February 2020, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) hosted the kick-off meeting to officially launch the design phase of three health facilities in Belize. PAHO project coordinators, engineers, check consultant, with the Ministry of Health officials, and the contracted design company met to discuss timelines, scope of works and project design standards.

PUP inaugurates office in Caye Caulker
An official ceremony was held in Caye Caulker Village on Thursday, February 13th for the inauguration of the People’s United Party (PUP) Office. PUP supporters gathered on La Isla Cariñosa for the momentous occasion alongside the party’s Standard Bearer for Belize Rural South (Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker) Andre Perez and its Secretary-General Linsford Castillo and media personality Wendy Castillo.

New Passport regulation goes into effect
A new amendment to the process of obtaining a Belizean passport has come into effect after the approval of a Statutory Instrument (SI), which excludes the input of a Justice of the Peace (JP). The SI mainly focuses on the recommendation section of the application process. The previous system asked applicants to include two recommenders, one from the private sector and another one from the public sector. A JP and a licensed teacher were the most common recommenders, but the new regulation has now removed this item from the application process.

More Aerated Septic systems installed at resort developments in northern Ambergris Caye
Stakeholders in northern Ambergris Caye are complying with the recommendation to adopt aerated septic systems to better treat sewage and wastewaters. The investment in this environmentally friendly upgrade is believed to be the best option in order to co-exist with the surrounding sensitive environment supporting the island’s tourism industry. The new infrastructure has been seen at the island’s popular Secret Beach area and is now been installed at a well- known development called Mara Laguna (formerly known as Barrier Reef Resort) north of San Pedro Town.

San Pedro Smile Clinic is back offering free dental services at Holy Cross
The San Pedro Smile Center Dental Clinic, located at the Holy Cross Anglican School (HCAS) in the San Mateo Area of San Pedro Town, is hosting its annual free dental services to Belizean children and other members of the community. Doctor Mark Johnson of Annandale, Minnesota founded the clinic in 2005 and has continued this volunteer effort along with his wife, Dr. Joan Johnson ever since. The first of three sessions commenced on Tuesday, February 18th and will conclude on Friday, February 21st. The visiting volunteers, Dr. Richard Treharne and Dr. Judy Treharne are from Rosemount, Minnesota and it is their second year volunteering with the Smile Center.

Ambergris Today

Belize Ministry Of Health Officers Trained In Mexico For Coronavirus Testing
Tthe Belize Ministry of Health can confirm that they now have the capacity to do initial screening for COVID-19 as they now have primers and probes to test in country.

Various Belizean Sources

Belize Attends the 31st Intersessional Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred Elrington represented Belize at the 31st Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Barbados on February 18-19, 2020. CARICOM Heads of Government reviewed the state of play of the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. In that context they exchanged views with regional private sector representatives on the opportunities and challenges for business and investment in the region.

The Corozal House of Culture to Celebrate Their 8th Anniversary
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Museum of Belize, kindly invites the public to the 8th anniversary celebration of The Corozal House of Culture. This year's celebration will honour and highlight the historical landmarks of Corozal Town. The Corozal House of Culture has partnered with Corozal Junior College’s 2nd-year tourism students who will be eagerly awaiting your arrival to tour you through the Corozal Town Historical Walk. The Historical Walk was inaugurated in 2017 as an initiative of the Corozal House of Culture showcasing landmarks from the 1800’s and early 1900’s, it has become a great educational activity with visitors and residents.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
The Night Clerk, Dark Waters, The Good Liar, Timmy Failure

Orange Walk annual Juan Carnaval Exhibition
Orange Walk Banquitas House of Culture will be hosting their annual Juan Carnaval Exhibition on February 22nd 2020. The celebration will commence with a Parade at 8:00 a.m from the Banquitas House of Culture, down Queen Victoria Avenue, a right into Bakers Street, through Lovers Lane to culminate at the Central Park for the start of the Comparsa Exhibitions.

Lots of water outages
Dear Belize Water Services, a press release explaining what’s going on would be highly welcome. This is the high tourist season, and your service really sucks!

Our second signature sign for Corozal is looking spiffy
Located at the entrance of Corozal in-front of the old Social Security Building. Will be a great photo opp for everyone visiting our beautiful town.

BWS apologizes to customers in Caye Caulker and San Pedro for ongoing low pressure and water interruption
marketing strategies, which have resulted in a healthy growth in the occupancy rate, especially in San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Unfortunately, this Increased occupancy and an early dry season has led to a continued and consistent increase in water demand, which is challenging the capacity of our current treatment plants and storage reservoirs on these two islands. As a result, BWS informs customers in San Pecks and Caye Caulker that the company will commence implementing reduced pressure and planned late night interruptions in order to maintain minimum storage levels to allow supply during peak hours.

Call for Applications for Taste of Belize 2020!
To apply kindly complete the form-https://forms.gle/3bY7zStSRtLjsR8S9. To review the Rules & Guidelines- http://bit.ly/38QxclL

THE STREET ART FESTIVAL
Mark your calendars! Downtown comes alive once again with the annual Street Art Festival happening on February 29th on historic Albert Street and Battlefield Park. The Festival starts at 12:00 noon. Lots of food, drinks and entertainment. This Downtown Festival has been getting larger and larger every year, you don't want to miss it!

Channel 7

The Investigation of John Saldivar
In just a few days last week, John Saldivar went from the powerful Minister of National security, to the subject of a police investigation. Now, Saldivar has said publicly that he did nothing wrong when he went to Miami to pick up what he says was a campaign donation from Lev Dermen and Jacob Kingston. Our read of the test messages say that it was a donation of fifty thousand US dollars. Saldivar has said that he did not travel with the donation but used the funds in the US to buy sports equipment. But police today confirmed that they are investigating - and will invoke the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to obtain the court records from Utah.

We Say Crisis, Elodio Says Transition
Indeed, the first two months of 2020 have been rough for the UDP. And now, the party has made a clumsy U-turn and is heading right back to another national convention. It's an embarrassing scramble and reversal for the political party that has won five of the eight general elections since independence. And now they can't even agree on a leader, after the last one was forced to step down ignominiously after less than 72 hours. Today, Orange Walk East Representative Elodio Aragon - who opposed Saldivar - and paid the price for it as his Minister of State - tried to put a positive spin on the UDP's thick troubles; he said it's just a transition:..

Will the Buck Stop At Bradley?
A transition, but not an orderly one. After an inconclusive meeting yesterday in Belmopan, where the 31 UDP area reps, ministers and standard bearers were unable to agree on who should lead, UDP optimists - like Aragon - are trying to see the "reset" as a as a chance for renewal. Any member of the national assembly can put in his name as a candidate for leader. We already told you that Cayo North's Omar Figueroa is being urged to do so, and now we are reliably informed that President of the Senate Darrell Bradley is feeling out the waters. He made an appearance earlier this week on one of the morning talk shows - and today we saw this little flier going around, again floating his name as a possible candidate.

Cops Say Gamboa Was On a Cross Country Rampage
Last night night we told you about an armed robbery at 128 Chinese Store police caught the suspected culprit with a firearm, plus cash and a cell phone he had just stolen. Today police announced he is 20 year old Kenroy Gamboa and he has been charged for kept ammunition without a gun license. But, the cops say he could be charged for a whole lot more. Gamboa, we have learned is also a persons of interest in two murders, which occurred across two districts, over two days earlier this week.

Student Union Snaps Back At UB
Last night we brought you the story of the UB students who walked out of class to protest in solidarity with the NTUCB. That was after the University decided that the government-mandated Non-School day does not apply to the university. And while the students got to attend their rally, the University sent out their own memorandum stating that in the future any Ministry of Education memorandum that does not specifically mention the University and is not endorsed by the University's President can have no effect.

Hyde Brothers On Lockdown
The Hyde brothers, 24-year-old Christopher and 25-year-old-Benjamin were roughed up and detained by police yesterday. The cops detained both men after shots were allegedly fired near a construction site where they were working.

COMPOL: It's Hard Out Here For Police
Today, speaking in Orange Walk very generally about crime suppression and community engagement, commissioner Chester Williams said that these are tough times to police in:

Guinea Grass Gets Substation
The Ministry of National Security and the Police Department has re-opened the police sub-station in Guinea Grass Village. It's one of the biggest villages in the Orange Walk District, but for 3 months, its residents had to go all the way to Orange Walk Town because the substation was in a state of disrepair. The Police Department is trying to improve its service delivery to the rural parts of the country. And so, the top Brass and the Department held a ceremony at the newly refurbished station today to make the point that other remote communities will be seeing upgrades like this one.

Peyrefitte Powers Up Elodio
And, for the Orange Walk East Area Representative, Elodio Aragon it's a happy coincidence that in the week he gets a new minister and is named by the prime minister's office as responsible for the supervision of the Ministry's day-to-day management...

Family Of Murder Victim Seeking Suspects
And, the relative ion a murder victim is asking the Ministry of National Security to press for closure in an open murder investigation. On January 7th we told you about the brutal killing of Mexican property manager 46-year-old Gabriel Guzman Cruz. It's a harrowing story, one that greatly disturbed the residents of Seine Bight and neighbouring Placencia. At the time Police classified the murder as a robbery gone wrong and yet the brutal nature of Guzman's killing left many to think that something more sinister was at play. Chief among those critics are the Guzman Cruz family.

Cannabis Like A Candy Store
An American retiree was arrested and charged today after she was caught in Eldridge Ville Toledo with a bit more than 10 grams of weed. In fact, it look like she looked like she was storing cannabis like candy.

"Wiz" Found Guilty Of Murder
37-year-old Luis Manuel Carter, the man who police charged with murder for the 2016 San Pedro shooting death of 30-year-old Dwayne Hyde, is guilty. That was the decision that Justice Colin Williams handed down today after carefully considering the case for both the prosecution and the defence.
Senior Crown Counsel Shanice Lovell called an eyewitness to testify against Carter, who she knew as "Wiz". She told the court that at around 12:30 a.m. on July 13th, 2016, she heard someone knocking at her front door. She said that Hyde entered, and he was in a panicked state, saying that someone was after him.

Pacheco Says It Was Self Defence
Last night, we told you about the latest in the trial without jury of 57-year-old Manuel Pacheco. He's the well-known Belize City jeweler who was charged with murder for the shooting death of his neighbor, 50-year-old Jose Villanueva. Senior Crown Counsel Shanice Lovell closed her case yesterday, and she has led evidence in the trial that on June 14th, 2018, Pacheco shot and killed Villanueva, because of a dispute about a dog. Well, today, Pacheco and his attorney, Senior Counsel Ellis Arnold, presented his defense. He chose not to take the stand to give testimony under oath.

SUV Into The Sea, Man Survives
A white SUV was driven into the sea near the Port of Belize on Wednesday night when driver, 61-year old Ulrick Young, lost control behind the wheel. Fortunately, a trained lifeguard was nearby and managed to resuscitate Young. We caught up with him today and he told us that he and other onlookers watched Young trap himself inside the car while attempting to escape. This was the scene on Wednesday night when a Honda SUV plunged into the sea near the Port of Belize. Inside was 61-year-old Ulrick Young who had lost control of his vehicle after experiencing a stroke.

Senior Counsel Condemns AG's Office
On Wednesday's news, we took you to the Supreme Court for the lawsuit that the Bar Association filed against Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin and the other members of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission.
DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal is the sitting President of the Bar Association, but for 2 years now, the Chief Justice, as the Chair, has refused to allow her to take her seat at the Commission's meetings. He interprets the Constitution to mean that since she is a public officer, she is disqualified from taking the seat.

Will PUP Pull 10K?
Last night, we showed you the good governance demonstration that the National Trade Union Congress of Belize staged in Belize City. It was part of their "Only the People Can Save the People" Campaign, and they wanted to make a strong statement against corruption in public life. The unions were able to mobilize hundreds of demonstrators with only a few days' notice, but as you saw last night, Opposition Leader is claiming that his party will be able to mobilize 10,000 supporters for their anti-corruption march on this coming Sunday.

He Burn, She Burn
A couple from Lord's bank was separately charged for arson in the court of Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson. That's after 31-year-old Jerome Swift and 30-year-old Renisha Ortiz each burned the others clothing, shoes, and other assorted possessions. Ortiz told Police that On Tuesday night around 9:20 she and Swift got into a domestic dispute when he entered the house and began to insult her.

Special Constable Charged For Heinous Abuse
A special constable is in jail tonight, charged for 8 counts of unlawful sexual intercourse. 31 year old Jeremy Bermudez, allegedly had sex with a minor from she was 13 years until she was almost 15.

Channel 5

ACP Marco Vidal is Assigned to Investigate Former Minister John Saldivar
The new Minister of National Security Michael Peyrefitte told the media on Thursday that an investigation has been launched into the allegations of wrongdoing by embattled former minister John Saldivar. [...]

Police Investigation Can Also Free John Saldivar of Any Wrongdoing
According to ComPol Williams, the police will be working with various agencies and government departments, including the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, in [...]

Unions Say We Are the Boss!!
The ten unions of the National Trade Union Congress that took to the streets on Thursday were united in the fight against the rampant corruption that has invaded the government. [...]

Elena Smith: “This is the start of a revolution”
Senator Elena Smith, who leads the Belize National Teachers Union as President, has indicated that Thursday’s demonstration is only the beginning of major changes to come in respect of good [...]

Mose Gaan Off on Corruption and Lost Belizean Patrimony
The scourge of corruption that continues to permeate all facets of Belizean society is not lost on ‘Mose’ Hyde who took the opportunity while addressing the masses of teachers and [...]

P.U.P. Prepares for Anti-Government Demonstration
On the heels of a successful demonstration staged by the unions, this Sunday the People’s United Party will descend on the Old Capital for a national demonstration against Prime Minister [...]

Opposition Party Ready to Take on the U.D.P.
Briceño says that Sunday’s march should send an unequivocal message to PM Barrow that Belizeans have had enough with corruption. The Opposition Leader says that the People’s United Party is [...]

John Briceño Says He Doesn’t Believe Michael Peyrefitte
The embattled John Saldivar continued with his media rounds this morning appearing on the U.D.P.’s morning talk show, where he not only defended his integrity, but called the media a [...]

John Briceño: “The Prime Minister is spinning”
Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin on January thirty-first ruled against the government, handing down a much anticipated verdict in which he declared that over one billion dollars were spent illegally and that [...]

Minister Aragon: No Crisis in U.D.P.; Normal Process of Selecting New Leader
Tonight, the United Democratic Party finds itself in a conundrum and without a clear leader to succeed Prime Minister Dean Barrow. Merely two weeks ago, John Saldivar emerged as leader-elect, [...]

Elodio Aragon’s Unwavering Support for Patrick Faber
While we had Junior Minister Aragon on hand today at an event in Orange Walk, we asked him who is likely to emerge as the head of the party. All [...]

Kenroy Gamboa, Charged for Robbery, but Wanted for Murders in Corozal and Hattieville
There have been two recent, but separate murders in Hattieville in the Belize District and another in the Halls Layout area of Corozal Town. And in what seems like a [...]

Louis Carter Convicted for Murder
San Pedro resident Louis Carter was found guilty of murder today by Justice Colin Williams. Carter was on trial for the murder of Dwayne Hyde, a mechanic also of the [...]

Manuel Pacheco Says He Killed Neighbour in Self Defense
Belize City jeweler, Manuel Pacheco, who is on trial for the murder of his next-door neighbour, today pleaded with the court that he killed Jose Manuel Villanueva in self defense. [...]

An Update on the Investigation of the NSC Audit
While the investigation on the alleged wrongdoing of former National Security Minister John Saldivar is yet to begin, ComPol Chester Williams says he is digging deep into another investigation; that [...]

Banking Information to be Obtained, as Major Crimes Unit Investigate Julian Cho High School Audit
The Commissioner of Police also shared an update on the investigation of the Julian Cho High School in the south, where huge contracts were awarded to teachers for construction work. [...]

What’s Up with the Succotz Cancha?
The Succotz Cancha has fallen to ruins. Residents say that for past twelve to fifteen years the once popular, public venue in the village has been abandoned. They report that [...]

Belize Capable of Detecting COVID-19
The number of deaths due to the coronavirus continues to climb and it is reported that at least one thousand one hundred persons have died, while far more, about forty-five [...]

Protocol Launched to Improve Protection of Children during Disasters
On Wednesday, the Government and UNICEF launched the “National Protocol for Integrated Protection for Children and Adolescents during Emergency and Disaster Situations.” It’s a disaster risk reduction document that researchers [...]

A New Police Station for Guinea Grass Village
Minister of State for the Police, Elodio Aragon Junior says two police stations are to open in the Orange Walk District. The first is in Guinea Grass where residents can [...]

ComPol Tour 2020 Heads North to Orange Walk
Earlier this month, the Commissioner of Police commenced a nationwide tour of the regions. The first stop was in San Pedro and today he travelled up north to Orange Walk [...]

Minister Aragon on New Responsibilities
While there is a new Minister of National Security, Elodio Aragon Junior remains as junior minister in the ministry with responsibility for police. But he is also now tasked with [...]

Amandala

Message to Barrow – wi tired ah corruption!
On Monday, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) released its 6-point agenda to combat government corruption and bring about good governance. The 6-point agenda was released under the theme, “Only the people can save the people.” Those demands were backed up today with a massive demonstration which saw thousands of union members march through the streets of Belize City. The march culminated with a rally at the Memorial Park, where NTUCB executive members and union leaders addressed the nation.

UDP still in search of new leader
This morning, the National Trade Union Congress demonstrated against corruption in government under the theme “Only the people can save the people,” in the streets of the old capital, Belize City, but in the new capital of Belmopan, the administrative center of the country, the governing United Democratic Party was meeting to try and come to some consensus about getting a new leader. Prime Minister Dean Barrow will not contest the upcoming general elections slated for later this year. When the meeting between Prime Minister Barrow and his party’s standard bearers ended, there was only an agreement to hold a UDP Party Council meeting next Saturday to begin the process of electing a new leader who will replace retiring Prime Minister Barrow.

Chief Justice allows Lord Ashcroft to join redistricting case
Belize’s 31 electoral constituencies do not have an equal number of registered voters. Some constituencies have double the amount of registered voters that are listed for some other constituencies, and this is not in keeping with what the Constitution of Belize mandates should be the case. The Belize Peace Movement, the Belize Progressive Party and Vision Inspired by the People filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court to force the Elections and Boundaries Commission to address the disparities in the constituencies, according to the Constitution.

Barrow in trouble!
General elections are scheduled for later this year, and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) is now embarking on a pre-election agenda aimed at tackling corruption in order to ensure more transparency in governance. Seated at the head table were the National President of the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), Senator Elena Smith; NTUCB president, Marvin Mora; and Southern Christian Workers Union executive, Hubert Enriquez. Apart from the trade union leaders at the head table, all members of the NTUCB were present for today’s launch.

Missing Robert Nunez, 24, found dead in Benque Viejo
Robert Nunez, 24, a laborer of San Ignacio, left his home in San Ignacio on Sunday, February 16, and when he failed to return, he was reported missing by his mother yesterday, Tuesday. Nunez’s body was found in an advanced state of decomposition at about 10 o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, February 19, in a bushy area at the Western Border near Benque Viejo Del Carmen. His body was seen with stab wounds in the chest, and his throat was slit. Police said that an onsite post mortem will be conducted to certify the cause of Nunez’s death.

SUV plunges into the sea
At about 9:30 last night, an SUV plunged into the sea in an area near the Deep Water Port, on Caesar Ridge Road. Luckily, the driver of the vehicle was not killed, but the circumstances that led to the vehicle falling into the sea are not yet known. Residents in the area said that the driver, Ulric Nelson Young, a taxi driver of Belize City, was recovered from the vehicle and an ambulance took him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a stable condition.

Barracks destroyed in Seine Bight; 30 homeless
Fire completely destroyed a barracks in Seine Bight comprised of 14 rooms, and a house near the barracks, at about 2:30 this afternoon. As a result, about 30 persons are now homeless. Those persons are now being housed at the Seine Bight community center, and an investigation has been launched to ascertain the cause of the massive fire. Luckily, no one was injured. Kirwin Ramirez, the Seine Bight Village chairman, told the media that he was coming from Placencia when he saw smoke coming from the timber barracks, which measured about 35 feet x 45 feet, and was owned by Mary Palacio, 53, of Punta Gorda.

In Barrow’s post-scandal Cabinet reshuffle, AG Peyrefitte gets big muscle
Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow called an “emergency Cabinet meeting” in Belmopan, in an effort to mitigate the major embarrassment suffered by the ruling UDP when Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar (Belmopan), was implicated in the Lev Dermen fraud trial in Salt Lake City, Utah. Just the day before text messages were made public in the Utah US$500 million plus fraud trial, Saldivar was elected UDP party leader and was sworn into that office on Sunday, February 9, after he defeated Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Patrick Faber (Collet), in an acrimoniously contested party national convention.

Two workers fall off scaffold while working on the new Belize Heritage Plaza building
At about 8:30 this morning, two masons working on the outside wall of the new building called the Belize Heritage Plaza, which is being constructed at the corner of Queen and North Front Street, were standing on a platform elevated on a scaffold to a height of about 20 feet above ground and were working on the wall, on the Queen Street side of the building. It is believed that one of the men was standing at the edge of the platform and missed his footing, and slipped, but grabbed onto his co-worker for support, causing the platform to become dislodged. The two workers then fell off the platform to the ground below.

BDF soldier, 18, survives gun attack
Wayne Perry, 18, a Belize Defence Force soldier who resides on Violet Lane, survived after being shot several times, after which the gunman rode away on a motorcycle. Perry was hit in the arms, abdomen and leg. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Belize’s labor unions (and the PUP) take to the streets
The ruling United Democratic Party’s mismanagement of the resources of this country and their failure to improve our democracy have to be considered among the worst betrayals. The labor unions and people of Belize gave their all for a change of government in 2008, and then the UDP stole it. No political party ever got an easier ride to power than the UDP got in 2008. The ruling PUP government, 2003 to 2008, couldn’t resolve a major rift inside the party that was primarily caused by its economic policies.

Attorney Payal Ghanwani appointed new UDP Sentor
Payal Ghanwani, an attorney employed at the law firm of attorney Steve Perrera, has been tapped as the new United Democratic Party Senator, according to a government release from the Office of the Prime Minister. The appointment of the new Senator became necessary after another UDP Senator, Steven Duncan, stepped down following the scandal involving the former Minister of National Security, John Saldivar.

Redistricting cannot happen yet, says Doug Singh
The legal battle between the Elections and Boundaries Department and the Belize Peace Movement, the Belize Progressive Party, the Vision Inspired by the People, and as of late, Lord Michael Ashcroft, continues. As previously reported, this case regarding the redistricting of the thirty-one electoral divisions has significant implications for the upcoming 2020 general elections. The concern of the claimants (i.e. the Belize Peace Movement, et al.) is that the disparity in the size of the constituencies breaches the Constitutional requirement that they must be as close in number of constituents as possible, which is far from the case.

Michael “Chips” Norales is new Deputy Mayor
Michael “Chips” Norales is the Belize City Council’s new deputy mayor. He replaces Councilor Oscar Arnold, who has been serving in the capacity for almost two years...

The Mennonites have what most of our tribes want. But do they have too much?
There is no place in Belize that is exclusively Garinagu, no land where that tribe’s traditions and race are insulated from the rest of Belize. There are Garifuna villages, and relatively large pockets of the tribe in Punta Gorda, Dangriga and Belize City, but nowhere do they live completely insulated from Belizeans who belong to distinctly different tribes. If the Garinagu will keep their language, their traditions, and their race, yes, they might want to find such a place. The Maya of the North and West are very much Mestizo-ized, but the Maya who live in the villages found particularly in Toledo West are pretty much insulated from the influence of the other tribes of Belize.

Corozal Community College girls and Mount Carmel High School boys are 2020 NSSSA football champions
The National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) held its 2020 national high schools football championships over the weekend with male and female games on Friday and Saturday, February 14 & 15, at the Marion Jones Stadium in Belize City, where this year’s Nationals were hosted by Pallotti High School. The four regional champions – North, Central, West and South – in both male and female categories, played a simple knockout format, whereby the losers on Friday afternoon played the consolation third-place match on Saturday morning, while Friday’s winners clashed for the championship on Saturday afternoon.

Cricket Corner – “Cow know weh paat weak fence deh.”
Hello, my lovely Cricket Corner readers, players and enthusiasts! The past weekend was such a pleasant time for our sport. Heartaches for some and happiness for others! But, that’s the way the game is played. So, please don’t be mad with anyone when you lose or in a situation when you’re losing. (“IT ONLY HURTS FOR A LITTLE WHILE.”) With that said, congratulations to all winners; and best of luck next game-day for the not so fortunate ones! Under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association, the Bowen and Bowen/ Harrison Parks 2020 Cricket Competition continued over the weekend with some very interesting matches.

Ahmadiyya Basketball Weeks 2 & 3 results
The Ahmadiyya Basketball League (ABL) Youth Tournaments 2020 continued with games for the past two Sundays, February 9 & 16, (Weeks 2 & 3), at the SJC gym. We apologize for the late report for Week 2, as we tried to secure some missing data. Below are the results received for Weeks 2 & 3:

Yu name stink dah road!
One of the moves taking place as I pen this article is the massive protest by the unions, which was called for and spearheaded by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB). There was full union force behind the impetus which led to the protest, because it seems that the recent disgrace surrounding John Saldivar has unleashed a series of events. Saldivar’s disgrace is only the culmination of the festering of political corruption of an administration ushered into office on a promise of transparency and accountability and institution of anti-corruption laws and policies — none of which have been carried out thus far! Gazette!

The greatness of the fabled RedACB
Oh, those desperate days of yore. Wait, it’s just 12 plus years ago — could it be such a short time back that multiple balls were in the air and all over the place, and the worst skullduggery mi di blow over like lee breeze, and seven of Said’s prized Ministers couldn’t shake the love he had for one, Ralph Fonseca, the Minister of Italian projects who had businesses going all the way to Montevideo and who had a midnight vesting bill handover of the golden share? Ah Ralph, he had such grand ideas to turn every living room in our country into a factory and, according to Avery and Ambrose and Ashcroft, to help facilitate a retirement plan for the select big boys.

Musings by the Curious Nonconformist
This piece was first published on Facebook using its Notes feature on February 19, 2020. It is entitled “An Open Letter to Belizean Youth”. The first time it was published, it featured a photo of the 2005 civil unrests in Belmopan in which a protester was seen holding a Belizean Flag in the face of the Belize Police Department’s Riot Unit: It is a very charged time in Belize, and some may think it is because it is an election year, but I beg to differ. I believe it is because times are ripe with raging inequality and lack of opportunity; our nation is being brought to its knees because of the painful bite of corruption and all its tentacles.

Reform: let’s just do it
RED SPOKESMAN: Yeah, there is suspicion of corruption by Saldivar, but Briceño gave himself and family acres of land. Oh my God! When are we going to grow up? Don’t they already know that demonization will help them naught to win the election! Reform! Reform is what the country needs, and I believe what we shall vote for. Bring back all the discredited and exposed concerned Belizeans. Their words will count for naught but laughter and ridicule. Has not time shown us that what they were concerned about was their own personal enrichment?

Trouble in the surgical ward …
Apparently he had turned questioningly to Gertrude, as the spokesperson, and she had launched into an account which had left out such details as she thought might be damaging to herself, and had inserted a fictitious quote from Jewel to the effect that Dr. St. John would probably soon be checking on his patient, which, in her mind had served to lessen the urgency to make the call to him when she could not find the staff nurse.

Richard Harrison ran in by-election due to resignation of PUP’s Joseph Mahmud
Dear Editor, In reference to your story of Friday, February 7, 2020, captioned, “Businessman Richard Harrison, 55, dies …. “, please note an inaccurate statement on the last paragraph of page 2, which states: “Harrison ran in the by-election in Cayo North … following the death of the PUP’s Agripino Cawich in 2015.” That by-election in 2015 was due to the resignation of the PUP’s Joseph Mahmud from the House of Representatives.

China is disinfecting cash due to coronavirus, but can money make you sick?
The Chinese government has taken extreme measures to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, like banning travel and building a new hospital in 10 days. But now, Chinese banks are deep-cleaning and even destroying potentially infected money, according to a press release from the Chinese government. Under current law, Chinese banks must disinfect their money with ultraviolet light and high temperatures and store it for seven to 14 days before it can be released to the general public.

American woman busted with weed
A 55 year old American woman was arrested and charged for possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. Police search the residence of Linda Elder in Eldridgeville Village, Toledo District. In her presence they found one thousand nine hundred and fifty three grams of suspected cannabis.

The Reporter

Innocent Looking American Grandmother Selling Weed
Police have charged Linda Louise Elder, 55, American retiree of Eldridgeville, Toledo with possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.

LOVE FM

Is there an investigation into against John Saldivar or not?
Tonight, there are mixed reports on whether the criminal investigation against the former Minister of National Security, John Saldivar has begun. According to Saldivar’s recently appointed successor, Michael Peyrefitte, the investigation has started but Police Commissioner is saying otherwise.

John Saldivar says not because he lied means he is corrupt
And while all these allegations remain somewhat alive, the question on many minds is whether Saldivar will try again for UDP Leader. Earlier this week on The Morning Show he indicated that he is waiting to see what the party will decide on that issue. Today he was on the UDP’s Morning segment where he explained that right now he is on a mission to clear his name.

Elodio Aragon says the UDP is in a transitioning phase
Some people would say that the United Democratic Party is currently in turmoil with no clear direction for its future. The Minister of State in the National Security would beg to disagree, however.

Seine Bight fire victims plead for assistance
Tuesday’s fire in Seine Bight Village, Stann Creek District has left over twenty-five persons displaced. The fire victims are currently being sheltered at the Multi-Purpose building and are hoping and appealing for assistance. Correspondent Harry Arzu has the story.

Elodio Aragon discusses changes in the MoNS
The Ministry of National Security has seen quite a change in the past few weeks with John Saldivar resigning and succeeded by the Attorney General Michael Peyrifitte. While Peyrefitte is the substantive Minister of National Security, Elodio Aragon will oversee the day-to-day operations as the Minister of State.

Investigations well underway for National Sports Council
The Auditor General’s report was released over a month ago, revealing financial discrepancies to the tune of over $400,000 at the National Sports Council. While many believe this would have been swept under the rug, the Commissioner of Police reassured the media today that the investigation is well underway.

AG Michael Peyrefitte says he has responded to the unions
Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte says he has responded to the unions regarding the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The finalization of the first phase of UNCAC and the start of its second phase was one of the six demands that the NTUCB placed on the Government.

Former Belize City mayor talks about several issues in Belize
Former Belize City Mayor, Darrell Bradley was a guest on The Morning Show yesterday. Bradley who stepped away from the forefront of politics after serving for two consecutive terms as Mayor, spoke on several issues including governance, politics and campaign legislation.

Linda Elder charged for possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
A 55-year-old female American national was arrested and charged yesterday just after ten o’clock for possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.

Luis Carter convicted for murder
The murder trial for 26-year-old Luis Carter ended in a conviction this morning before Justice Colin Williams. This morning, the murder trial against Carter, ended in a conviction but Justice Williams has deferred sentencing of the convict for next week, Friday, February 28

Breaking Belize News

Belize Red Cross hosts volunteer recruitment drive
The Belize Red Cross is hosting a series of volunteer recruitment drives this weekend. Anyone […]

Happy International Mother Language Day, Belize!
On February 21st of each year since 2008, the United Nations (UN) member countries celebrate […]

Corozal House of Culture to celebrate 8th anniversary
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Museum of Belize, is inviting […]

Local lifeguard hailed as hero for saving life of elderly man who drove into the sea
Belizean lifeguard, Shane Pascasio is being hailed as a local hero after he reportedly sprung […]

Belize attends 31st inter-sessional meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington represented Belize at the 31st inter-sessional Meeting of the […]

American national charged for possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply
Authorities have detained and charged, retired American, Linda Elder of Cux Ling Ha in Toledo […]

Universal Hardware’s Family and Friends Day kicks off in Spanish Lookout
Today marks the launch of the 10th Annual Family and Friends Day, hosted by Universal […]

US scientists claim to have developed coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
A number of international media outlets have reported that scientists at Greffex, a Houston, Texas-based […]

John Saldivar: “My career is about helping my country,” plans to run in next election
When asked about his prospects for the next general election this morning on Wave Radio […]

John Saldivar: ‘I spoke to UDP delegates directly’
Former UDP Leader-elect, John Saldivar, appeared this morning on Wave TV and Radio to speak […]

John Saldivar says “ Media is a bunch of hypocrites”
This morning, disgraced former UDP leader-elect and Minister of National Security, John Saldivar appeared on […]

Blogs

BEAUTIFUL North Caye Caulker: Exploring for the First Time
The small island of Caye Caulker, located just a few miles from Ambergris Caye, is more like two islands. There is the south side – or Caye Caulker village – and the north side or north island. They are separated by The Split. A few years back I visited a very cool spot close to the northern tip and a very interesting character at a spot called The Estuary. And more recently I’ve visited KokoKing – possibly the very best beach in Belize. A beach club/hotel/restaurant/hot spot on North Caye Caulker. My first trip in 2016. STUNNING.

Colors and Culture: Corozal’s Graffiti Fest
It didn’t matter that the sun was beating down along Miami Beach in the Corozal Bay. People were out and about, and all along a stretch of concrete walls, the sound of spraying, the smell of paint and the sight of colors came together. Artists from as far as Cuba, Mexico, El Salvador and of course, Belize, took turns creating masterpieces in graffiti style at Corozal’s second annual Graffiti Festival.

Historical & Archaeological Itinerary in Belize
The country of Belize evolved from a rich history; from North to South you’ll find interesting back stories behind the people, sites, and monuments in each district. So, if the purpose of your trip is to learn and see the deep roots from which Belize was made then this itinerary is just for you. Here are some of our top picks for historical and archaeological sites in Belize.

Babymoon Bliss in Belize
Your little bundle of joy is on the way and you’ve decided to go on a babymoon as a final hurrah before the big arrival! You know exactly what you’re looking for in a vacation-quality time with your partner, relaxation, comfort and a great place to spend your days reading books and catching up on the little pleasures you soon might not have time for. But where exactly do you choose to go? Belize is a perfect babymoon destination and here’s why! Firstly, you don’t want to travel too far and, where possible, you should keep flying time at a minimum when pregnant. Belize is an easy flight from many major North American destinations, with flight times of approximately 2-3 hours on average. This gives you more time to enjoy your pre-baby escape with less travel stress.

International Sources

Marine construction to start on Port Coral (formerly Stake Bank)
The Feinstein Group of Companies contracted Intercoastal Marine Inc. to handle marine construction at Port Coral, a new cruise ship docking facility near Belize City. Equipment is being mobilized and construction will start shortly, principal Michael Feinstein told Seatrade Cruise News.

Videos

San Pedro Carnaval History, 10min.

Belikin La Ruta Maya Recce, 6.5min.

Belikin La Maya Recce 2, 3min.

Belikin La Maya Recce 3, 3min.

Experience Ray Caye Island Resort, Belize, 1min. Come experience the newly reopened Ray Caye Island Resort and see for yourself what's new at our Belize private island resort.

Belize Now - February 21, 2020, min. In the headlines: We hear more from the Department of Nationality and Passports, RESTORE Belize discusses new draft National Citizen Security Policy and Plan, and we take a look at the work of the Medical Examiner’s Office in our Forensics Series. These stories and more on this week’s edition of Belize Now. Thanks for joining us on this Friday, February 21st, 2020

Flavio and Daisy in Belize and Tikal 2020, 22min. An interesting one week long trip.

Channel 5 Daily Obituaries - STEPHEN JOSEPH BISHOP, 1.5min.

El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro photo exhibit at the San Pedro House of Culture!, 3min.

The Truck Stop, 2min. Welcome to The Truck Stop, Belize's first shipping container food truck park!

Belize dive trip 2020, 31min. Dive trip on the Belize Aggressor IV. January 4th to 11th 2020.

Belize - Cockscomb Jungle Hike Part 3, 16min.

Cave Tubing In Belize, 5.5min.

Maya Cooking Experience, 23min. Great video of the Maya women group from the Yucatec Maya village of San Antonio Cayo. In this Maya Cooking Experience you will learn to make tortillas and more! Watch Ger Sosam and Sean Kuylen grind their own corn and make their own fresh tortillas!

Hand Crafted Pottery Making, 20min. Hand crafted pottery making in San Antonio Village, Cayo. Tune in and check out what makes this activity a one of a kind experience.

February 21, 2020