June 9, 2020

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Specials and Events

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 High School Announces 2020 Graduating Class and their Top Students
On Monday, June 8th, the San Pedro High School (SPHS) announced that their 2020 graduating class is made up of 139 students. SPHS’ top students are Valedictorian Manuel Casasola, Salutatorian Rachel Alamilla, and Vote of Thanks Stephanie Usher. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, no traditional graduation ceremony is expected to take place. Instead, the graduating class will have their own virtual graduation ceremony on June 18th via Reef TV starting at 6PM, and will participate in a special virtual national graduation event set for June 21st, in which all high school students countrywide will be honored for their achievement.

World Oceans Day Statement from the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development
As we celebrate World Oceans Day, Belize is reminded of the central role our marine environment and resources play in contributing to our livelihoods, people, and economy. The Government of Belize along with its partners and stakeholders continue to make great strides and success in the establishment and implementation of programs and systems to promote the long-term sustainable use of our limited and fragile marine resources, the protection of our marine environment, and the promotion of nature-based approaches for healthy oceans.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Tuesday, June 9th Meal pick ups Location: Food Republic. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am - 12:30pm.

Belize Leads in Protection of Land and Sea - But We're Not Stopping There!
In celebration of World Oceans Day, check out our latest article where guest writer, Andrea Polanco, chats to leaders at Friends for Conservation and Development - FCD Belize, Belize Audubon Society and the National Biodiversity Office about the ecological and economical importance of Belize's protected areas.
Almost one hundred years ago, in 1928, the Half Moon Caye Natural Monument (HMCNM) was declared a Crown Reserve because of its large nesting colonies of Red-footed Booby birds. Then in 1982, HMCNM became the first protected area in Belize under the National Park Systems Act. That same year, it also became the first marine protected area in the Central American region. The site is co-managed by the Belize Audubon Society (BAS). The HMCNM is protected with a strict “no take” policy, which helps it to serve as a nursery for commercial fish species and home to endangered species like the Hawksbill turtle and the Nassau grouper.

Global Coral Reef Week
Global Coral Reef Week was designed to pilot a new approach to research conferences. Conferences provide opportunities for learning about cutting edge research, gaining exposure to new techniques in modern science, interacting with regional colleagues, creating new networks, and developing scientific creativity. With a virtual conference, the reach of this information and opportunities are vastly increased while keeping participants' carbon footprints low due to no air travel. The Environmental Research Institute (University of Belize) and Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative would like to host Belize's event and now extend the call for abstracts.

Camera traps
Camera trapping is one of the major tools Ya’axché uses to monitor 19 mammalian species across the Maya Golden Landscape. The information collected helps on wildlife management and policy locally and nationally. Within agroforestry farms and three protected areas, camera traps are deployed during the dry and wet seasons. Astonishing wildlife photos are taken roaming farms and forests. Photos of endangered and rare species such as the tapir and jaguars and game species such as deer, peccaries and armadillos are recorded. Farmers and staff are happy to see wildlife populations kept healthy.

THE BIRTH OF THE MESOAMERICAN MESSIAH
May 13,895 of this era one of the most important Indigenous persons was born . He was seen as a Indigenous Messiah and his name is Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl(K'uk'ulkan) . Kukulkan impacted alot in Mesoamerica we can easy consider him "The Indigenous Messiah" and Mesoamerica the "Holy land " . Some said he even did miracles but today we will honor some of the things he did, while he walked through Mesoamerica . K'uk'ulkan was born in May 13,895 Under the name of Ce Acatl Topiltzin. His birth was full of tradegy because his parents where murder but also full miracle as he survive various attempts of murder while he was a baby . He assumed lordship over the Toltecs and migrated his people to Tollan.

Artist of the Day - Ashanti "Airbender" Garcia
Ashanti Garcia, also known as "Airbender", was born and raised in San Ignacio. She always loved dancing but didn’t start to receive formal training until she was about 10 or 11 years old. Ashanti also did her first yoga class with her mother as a child and enjoyed it but she didn’t dedicate time to regular home practice until sometime in her late teens. Around the same time, Ashanti was taking dance classes for three hours every Saturday with the Dramatic Force School of Dance between ages 17 and 18. One year later, she received international dance training for a couple of months while being a member of Global Madness, a Dancehall and Hip Hop Group at the University of Western Ontario in Canada.

NEMO and Area Rep Hon. Gaspar Vega tour flooded villages
Minister of National Emergency Management Honorable Edmond Castro and Orange North Area Representative Honorable Gaspar Vega yesterday visited villages in that constituency that are being affected by flooding associated with the recent passage of the tropical system that became Tropical Storm Cristobal. The two villages visited were San Roman and Douglas (along the Rio Hondo), where a total of 15 families (5 families in San Roman and 10 families in Douglas) have been severely affected, having to seek temporary shelter elsewhere.

Alert on COVID-19 Related Fraud from the Financial Intelligence Unit

Incident in the Caracol Area of the Chiquibul National Forest
On Sunday, June 7, 2020, at about 6:00 p.m., Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) Forest Rangers were conducting a routine exercise mounting cameras to monitor the poaching of endangered scarlet macaws 1.2 kilometres east of the border, in area of Caracol, in the Chiquibul National Park. During this exercise they had an encounter with two poachers which resulted in an FCD Ranger firing his weapon in self-defense, causing a non-lethal injury to one individual who was captured and detained for illegal entry and poaching of protected wildlife. The other person who was his companion fled. First aid was immediately rendered to the individual and he was carried several hours out of the forest and transferred to San Ignacio Hospital for initial treatment, and then to Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital in a stable condition.

IDB and Compete Caribbean to fund three winning initiatives of the Change Dah Story Social Innovation Challenge
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) with its partners - the United Kingdom's Department for International Development, the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Canada — in partnership with the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (Beltraide) and the Belize Department of Youth Services. are pleased to announce the three winners of the Change Dah Story Social Innovation Challenge:

World Oceans Day Statement from the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development
As we celebrate World Oceans Day, Belize is reminded of the central role our marine environment and resources play in contributing to our livelihoods, people, and economy. The Government of Belize along with its partners and stakeholders continue to make great strides and success in the establishment and implementation of programs and systems to promote the long-term sustainable use of our limited and fragile marine resources, the protection of our marine environment, and the promotion of nature-based approaches for healthy oceans.

Frequently Asked Questions #5 Plans for the Opening of School - Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture
I. When will schools reopen? The Ministry of Education has consulted with education partners and health authoriti. regarding possible dates for the reopening of schools. The current intention is foes phased reopening 30 030 ined below: Timeline Persons Involved Activity/Purpose tune 15-30, 2020 • all second, school teachers and counselors • secondary school students sitting CSEC examinations • preparing for CXC examinations • closing off current school year • pre-planning for start of new school year June 22-July 31, 2020 • TVET instructon and trainees • completing practical components of trade programs...

National Hydrological Service Flood Forecast - June 8, 2020
CITIZENS ARE ADVISED THAT FLOODING IS OCCURRING ON THE RIO HONDO. Residents are advised to avoid flooded rivers and streams and motorists should avoid crossing flooded Bridges, Roads and Highways as Floods may become severe. General Situation MALNLY FAIR AND WARM WEATHF.R CONDITIONS PREVAIL OVER THE COUNTRY...

Tropic Air pressures BTIA to support the reopening of the International Airport
Dear BTIA Member, We ask for your kind support in the ongoing effort to open the Philip Goldson International Airport on July 1. We also ask for your support to get a public statement from BTIA to that effect. You may not want to open your business at this time, and we understand and appreciate that, but the potential to lose vital international air service for the long term grows with every month we remain closed. We have already lost Southwest for the rest of this year. COPA will not resume until December...

COVID-19 Financing Assistance Survey
Over the past month, the BTIA has been in dialogue with Government and in particular the Development Finance Corporation(DFC) with the purpose of securing a special loan facility to help the tourism industry get through the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to help the DFC with its planning, we have been asked to survey our members and the broader tourism community with an eye to gauge what the demand would be for these loans if they became available. If you own a tourism business kindly assist us by filling out the below survey.

NOTICE TO CREDIT CARD HOLDERS OF BELIZE BANK
Dear Customers, Further to our last announcement informing you of reductions in Credit Card limits, we are now advising of a further reduction which will take effect on June 9, 2020. The worldwide Covid -19 pandemic continues to negatively impact the inflows of foreign currencies, and in particular United States Dollars, to our region. Consequently, local banks are now required to take additional steps to reserve the sale of United States Dollars to facilitate payment for the importation of essential goods and services.

Job opportunities at St. Ignatius High School Adult Education

BTB Capacity Building Webinars
The next webinar, “Strategies to survive COVID-19 for tour guides,” is scheduled for June 12 at 10:30 a.m. Register here: https://bit.ly/3dMqNKR

BelizeKids.org COVID Food Drive
The San Pedro Tourist Guide Association has been working to aid our guides with basic food supplies, for the past 2 weeks. We have managed to assist 150 of our members per week so far and we want to keep going. Initially the program was to run for three weeks only due to budget constraints, however, we have partnered with ‘Belize Kids.Org’ to continue this program for those Guides in need. Thanks to our partnership with the ‘BKO’, the program will keep running for as long as needed given the considerate donations.

Channel 7

Finally, A Date For Schools To Re-Open
Finally, tonight, there is a timeline for schools to re-open - and for your kids to get back into the classroom. But, it's not until August. The opening date for preschool, primary and secondary schools was announced at a two hour Ministry Of Education press conference this morning in Belize City. Education Minister Patrick Faber said it starts with teachers going back into the classroom a week before: "August 3rd to the 7th, we will be requiring preschool primary and secondary schools, this is all levels of teachers, to return to the classroom. August 10th is a key date to watch..."

Should Students Wear Masks?
Those guidelines will be circulated by Friday. But, will they include a provision for students to wear masks in the classroom, on the playground, and in other areas? Well, that is still up in the air- depending on the regulations that ar sin force when August comes around : "Given the current state if school were to open today or tomorrow, yes everybody would have to wear a mask, because that is the regulation now. We don't know what will be the regulation on August 10th and so rather that get..."

Schools With Big Classrooms May Employ Shift System
And while the guidelines have to take a wait and see approach on masks, what are they saying about classroom sizes, and how many students can be in a classroom at once for it to be COVID-safe? The Minister says that when class sizes get too large, they may have to switch to a shift system: Jules Vasquez- Reporter "Classroom sizes, we know that many primary schools are over 40, some private schools as well are over 30 per class. Will there be a limit on the number of students in a class and how does that relate to social distancing?"

Minister Urges Parents to Pay Fees
These issue of which schools may need to employ a shift system will be determined by school readiness surveys - which are now being circulated. But, while the educational wheels are now turning towards and opening datefor many parents who have lost their jobs or suffered pay cuts - it's been very difficult to find the money to pay fees for the school year that is finishing, and don't even ask about finding registration fees for next year. Today, the Minister of Education says he sympathies, but there's just no wiggle room for the schools:

Parents Called In to Help Scrub Schools
And more than just paying, Faber says parents and the community have to get involved to get schools ready for the new COVID reality. Here's how you can do your part: "We are asking for donation of equipment or labor to install repair sinks, or makeshift handwashing stations. We are asking for support for the donating of cleaning and disinfecting supplies and equipment for example soap, soap powder, bleach, mops, mops buckets, hand sanitizers, disinfectants sprays, paper towels, cleaning cloth, gloves etc..."

Schools Warned Not To Charge Exorbitant Graduation Fees
And while parents and the community are being called upon to do their part - schools are also being scolded for sticking to exorbitant graduation fees. "Graduation fee should not be exorbitant, it should be kept to the minimum of what probably the production of what the diploma and a jacket would be. There needs not be any kind of exorbitant kind of graduation ceremony and certainly, those kinds of activities even if the school decides to have them should be optional for the students, so they can decide whether or not they are going to participate if a fee is going to be charged..."

No Budget Cuts For Pre-schools
And, one other thing the Minister is pressing administrators need to keep affordable is the cost of going to pre-school. He said the Ministry fought budget cuts in this important area: "In fact one of the areas that we saw cuts being proposed and we made a very strong defense was for our pre-schools grants and this is in order for us to try to do everything from our point of view in order to ensure that pre-schools keep their doors open, but not only keep their doors open, keep it affordable..."

Budget Cuts Far Reaching In Education Sector
And while the Ministry's technocrats fought budget cuts for pre-school, they had to choose their battles. And, in the end, with government's finances in ruin, many other areas had to be cut. Faber outlined a few of them: "In terms of text books know that this initiative while we expect to have cuts in this area, we simply will not purchase the kind of purchase that we would have done under normal circumstance and so we expect that things could operate pretty normally. In terms of school transportation, we expect cuts in this area as well..."

FCD Ranger Shoots Guatemalan in Chiquibul
7News has confirmed with multiple sources that a Guatemalan national was caught inside the Chiquibul National Park last night by a joint law enforcement patrol. Persistent reports are that at one of the lawmen had to shoot the Guatemalan to detain him, and tonight, he's receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Cayo. The Ministry of National Security says it is a preparing a release which we have not seen, but we understand the incident occurred near the Valentin Camp - and there may have been an exchange of fire. Historically, we know that there are many Guatemalans plying illegal trades in the Chiquibul - and they are often armed and not afraid to fire.

PG Murder Highlights Gang Rivalry
Moving on to other news, there was a murder this weekend in Punta Gorda Town, which has been making the news more and more for incidences violent crime - the kind you used to mainly see in Belize City. The victim this time is 31-year-old Sylvio Flores Jr., and at this time, police suspect that he was a casualty of an ongoing feud between two gang groups that have established a foothold in PG. Police say that at 8:30 night, his killer whistled from the bushes; when Flores went to check, he was fatally shot:

Vicious Chopping In San Roman
And from the murder in the south, we report now on violent chopping incident which happened on Saturday evening in the Corozal Village of Santa Clara. Corozal Police say that at around 6:40 p.m., they were called to the village, where the resident, 34-year-old Ubaldo Rodriguez, was suffering from chop wounds to the head and left foot. About 2 hours later, they received reports from Orange Walk cops that the brothers: 24-year-old Anderson Pech, and 25-year-old Kevin Pech, showed up at the Northern Regional Hospital with injuries of their own. These brothers, who are also from Santa Clara Village.

Chopped By Common Law
Later on that same Saturday night, police had to respond to another chopping incident - this one in Belize City on Antelope Street Extension. This time the victim was identified as 31-year-old Romelia Ical, and she reported to police that she was attacked in front of her children by her common-law husband. Police told us this morning that this Honduran man is now wanted in what is being treated as a case of domestic violence. Here's more from Senior Superintendent Hilberto Romero:

Shooting in St, Margaret’s
We report now on a shooting incident in St. Margaret's Village, Cayo, which happened last Friday night at around 8:30. 25-year-old Roberto Diaz Jr., a village councilor of St. Margarets, was standing in front of a store when he was ambushed by 2 men wearing masks and peak caps. Today, police told us that they are looking for the assailants who shot Diaz in the right shoulder and the left leg: "I will want to start with the shooting in St. Margaret's on Friday, where sometime after 8:30 p.m., Belmopan police were called to the St. Margaret's Village area on the Hummingbird Highway.

COMPOL Deflects Curfew/Crime Correlation
You'll definitely notice the pattern: several of these incidents happened around 8:00 on Friday and Saturday nights - on the same weekend that the curfew was pushed back 1 one extra hour on both of these weekend nights. Once again the cops are being challenged on the theory that crime is down mainly because of the curfew. The press put that to Police Commissioner Chester Williams today, and here's how he responded:

No Drug Plane Found In South
We also asked the Police Commissioner to discuss those reports last week Friday that a drug plane landed in the Toledo District, near Graham Creek Village, which is right on the border with Guatemala. As we told you, the location is vast and very difficult to traverse, but after extensive searches in the area, the security forces found no signs of a narco plane. Here's what the Commissioner had to say about it in today's press briefing: "At this time, we have no information or concrete information that a plane did land. Yes, we had received preliminary information that a plane may have landed, but as you rightly said, members of the BDF Special Assignment Team, along with police officers had gone to the area..."

No Charges For Northern Drug Plane
We also asked the Commissioner to provide details about that drug plane which they did find 10 days ago on the Road between Chunox and Sarteneja in the Corozal District. As we told you, on the morning of May 28, a Hawker Siddeley HS 125 jet made an emergency crash landing on an ill-suited road. The drug runners, and their cargo, were extracted before local law enforcement arrived. But, as we showed you, police say that their tracking forced the narco-traffickers to divert from their original landing site. Well, the commissioner told us today that the 2 persons detained for that plane have since been released. Two more have been detained, but with no drugs, and no evidence, the cops may have to release those persons as well.

Hondurans Found. Fishing in Marine Reserve
Three Honduran fishermen were caught early this morning fishing in the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve last night - and they had a boatload of illegally caught fish! A joint patrol with Coast Guard and the Southern Environmental Alliance found the 3 men at around 1:00am this morning. Their vessels, gear and product were confiscated. They were detained and were taken to Placencia where they are being held at the police station.

Cadex, Cayo’s World Renowned Muralist
On Friday we introduced you to Belizean-American artist Cadex Herrera, the man who had a hand in the painting of the George Floyd mural that's quickly becoming an icon of the Black Lives Matter movement. It's a big achievement for an artist who grew up drawing inspiration from magazines at The Benque Viejo Library and drawing every day even when finding paper was a struggle. He spoke to Cherisse Halsall from Minneapolis via Zoom videoconference earlier today.

Cops Thwart Mile 44 Meeting
On Friday we promised to bring you the details of Nigel Petillo's Sunday meeting. He'd located another piece of land, located very near to the parcels owned by the Belmopan Land Development Corporation, and was once again inviting his supporters to squat for the title. But Petillo was thwarted in his community activism by the police. Cherisse Halsall Has the story. On Sunday morning the traffic to Cotton Tree was controlled by a police checkpoint.

Students Stuck In Guyana
As we told you on Friday, almost 600 Belizeans have registered to be repatriated - and many of them are stuck in faraway places. Six of them are students in Guyana. They say that they are desperately trying to get out of that country and into Belize, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs isn't helping them out. They say the situation is made worse because of the current political tension in Guyana due to a still unresolved election outcome. They can scrape up the 1300 US needed to fly to Miami - but need clearance to come home to Belize. At that point, they say they will not be able to pay another 1540 Belize dollars for two week quarantine.

Plan For Belize's Virtual Graduation
We did try - without success - to get a comment from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but we are still waiting on a response. And while those students' education is in limbo - for fourth form students here in Belize their graduation is what's in limbo.

PSE Will Still Stand
And while that is the treat for fourth form finishers, those students finishing up standard six already got their that; they got to finish their primary school education without taking the PSE! But, the Minister announced today that they will still have to take it once they get into first form:...

School In August Cause Teachers Need Their Holiday
Of course that will be taken after they resume classes in August. But, we wondered, why August? Why not July? Since Belize is trying to balance between COVID cases, why not strike now when there is only one active case. After all, who knows, the country may open up for tourism by august or September, and cases will likely increase then - possibly throwing the education schedule into chaos. But, starting in July was not an option - Faber conceded - because teachers need vacation:

Estell Hotel Alleged Robbers Caught
4 days ago, we told you about the armed robbery, which happened at Estell's Airport Hotel in Ladyville. Well tonight, the two Belize City men who police believe were the assailants are at prison tonight. They are 24-year-old Kadeem Omar Anderson, a resident of Curl Thompson Street, and 26-year-old Ryan O'Neil, a resident of Ordonez Avenue. They were arraigned today before Magistrate Emmerson Banner. Anderson was read the charges of aggravated burglary and dangerous harm, while O'Neil was read the charge of abetment to commit aggravated burglary.

PBL With Paycuts
Tonight, The Port Of Belize has announced austerity measures aimed at decreasing expenses and increasing revenue. It's part and parcel of the company's COVID 19 recovery and continuity plan and includes salary reductions that will range from 20% for executives and senior managers to 15% for middle management. The Port's self-imposed relief measures include a temporary 6-month reduction of salary set to be implemented for all staff with the exception of stevedores who due to the decrease in vessel activity have already seen a downturn in earnings. The Port says that ,while difficult, the decision allows them to refrain from material staff layoffs and furloughs.

Tropic Air/BTIA Seeking Support For Opening Airport
And while the Port moves toward recovery by cutting corners Belize's only international airport remains closed. Two weeks ago the Prime Minister rolled back the airport's expected July 1st re-opening until rapid COVID-19 tests can be secured. But members of the BTIA are pleading with the government to stick to that initial date. On Sunday they issued a poll with an aim to secure a public statement of support from their membership. They're citing potential to lose vital international air service for the long term providing the example of Southwest, a direct to Belize flight already lost for the remainder of the year and making the point that struggling airlines will only reopen routes (that will lose money for the foreseeable future) where they have a committed partner that wants to start rebuilding from now.

Channel 5

August 10th is Back to School Day!
There is a tentative date for students to return to the classrooms. Today, the Ministry of Education announced that the current school year officially ends this month and a tentative [...]

Attention CSEC & CAPE Students!
Minister Faber also called on secondary school teachers and counselors to return to classrooms from June fifteenth to thirtieth, to close out the current school year. They are to prepare [...]

Education Programmes Feel the Budget Cut!
Education Minister Patrick Faber also spoke on the programmes that are being affected as a result of budget cuts. These initiatives that stand to be affected are text books; school [...]

Will 4 B.D.F. Officers Be Charged in Connection with Fatal Helicopter Crash
Tonight there is new information coming out the B.D.F.’s internal investigation into the fatal helicopter crash. News Five has learnt that the investigation has uncovered a series dereliction of duties, [...]

Silvio Flores Jr. Gunned Down in Peini
In the crime blotter, a bitter rivalry between two groups in Punta Gorda has led to the shooting death of Silvio Flores Junior.  He was in the company of a [...]

Guatemalan Shot Inside Chiquibul; Illegal Poaching Ongoing
A Guatemalan national is hospitalized after he was shot on the leg inside the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Porfilio Ramirez Tirgeros, from the border community of La Rejoya, was along with [...]

B.T.I.A. Polls Membership for Reopening P.G.I.A.
While schools are now preparing to reopen, there is yet no date for the reopening of Philip Goldson International Airport and stakeholders in the tourism industry are divided on the [...]

B.T.I.A. and D.F.C. Working to Address Tourism Stakeholders’ Needs
The government has assured public officers that their salaries will remain untouched despite the present economic crisis but it education subsides will be facing cut backs.  But what about the [...]

The B.D.F.’s Allegations Report – a Closer Look!
Last week, we told you that the Ministry of National Security had concluded the investigation into the allegations of misconduct within the Belize Defense Force. The release admitted to some [...]

A Rape Allegation Shows the Weakness of the B.D.F.’s Report!
But about a month and a half after the report was concluded, a female officer reported that she was raped while inside her bedroom sleeping. This, according to Retired B.D.F. [...]

ComPol Williams: No Drug Plane Found
On Thursday last, members of the Special Operations Task Force were deployed to an area near Dolores Village in the Toledo District after receiving intelligence of a low-lying plane. The [...]

Narco-Traffickers Escaped with Drugs
As for the drugs in the narco plane that crash landed along the Chunox/Sarteneja road two weeks ago, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says that the cargo may have already been [...]

One of Three Murder Suspects Captured
Investigators have captured and arrested one person believed to have had a role in the double murder of fifty-five-year-old tour guide operator Quintin Espinosa and seventy-year-old U.S.A. citizen Roland Burley. Twenty-year-old Teodoro [...]

Curfew and Crime
While the regulations of the state of emergency have been relaxed, the curfew remains in effect. From Monday to Thursday and on Sunday, the curfew begins at eight o’clock. An [...]

Salvadoran Woman Chopped to Head in Domestic Dispute
Police are looking for Salvadoran national, Rene Gonzalez. Gonzalez is wanted for an attack on his common-law wife Romelia Ical, who was chopped to the head during a domestic dispute [...]

Brawl Leads to Brothers Being Chopped in San Roman Village
There was also a chopping incident in San Roman Village in the Corozal District. It happened on Saturday night at around eight o’clock. Two persons were taken to the Northern [...]

Land Meeting in Cotton Tree Thwarted by Belmopan Police
A planned meeting called by land activist Nigel Petillo on Sunday was moved at the last minute to Harmonyville, the community that Petillo established on the George Price Highway. Petillo [...]

COVID Case #19 Update: Cross Contamination May Have Occurred
On Friday, a nineteenth case of COVID-19 was detected in Belize, after almost eight weeks without a positive case. The test results of a swab taken from a twenty-seven-year-old male, [...]

What About Students Crossing Border for School?
At the top of the newscast, we told you that the Ministry of Education is looking at August tenth to reopen schools. The ministry says that it will be putting [...]

Schools Can Withhold Report Card for Unpaid School Fees
Minister of Education Patrick Faber was also a guest this afternoon on Ask the Experts where he fielded questions from the public.  Among the many concerns that were raised during [...]

The Reporter

State of Education Update | June 8th, 2020
The Ministry of Education has announced that the current school year will be closed at the end of this month, and has set a tentative date of August 10th for the reopening of the next school year. Minister of Education, Patrick Faber called on all secondary school teachers and counselors to return to classes from June 15th to 30th, to close out the current school year, and prepare for the upcoming C-SEC exams and to plan for the new school year. Secondary school students who will sit their CXC exams are also required to attend classes during that period.

LOVE FM

Ministry of Education talks budget cuts
The Ministry of Education has finalized some of its austerity measures to work with the cuts by Central Government. Back in April, Education Minister Patrick Faber initially spoke of budget cuts being inevitable amid the Covid-19 endemic.

Severed limbs belongs to Gerardo Vasquez
DNA results are out on two human legs that were found back in 2018 in the Cayo District. The results indicate that the limbs were that of 17-year-old, Gerardo Vasquez who went missing on September 25, 2018. The results reportedly came out some weeks ago but today, Gerardo’s mother, Martha granted us an interview on the case.

Police speak on drug planes and other violent crimes
Reports of a plane landing in the south surfaced over the weekend. According to the Police Commissioner Chester Williams a team was alert and on standby but there was no aircraft found as was reported.

Classes in Belize set to resume on August 10
Classes will be back in session inside the traditional classrooms on Monday, August 10. It is a tentative date as all things are now dependent of the Covid-19 situation and how it develops.

Parliamentarian, Cordel Hyde supports squatting
Squatting is an illegal acitivity under the laws of Belize. Despite its illegality, PUP’s Area Representative Cordel Hyde has gone on record to say that he understands the plight of squatters and that he supports it. His comments came on Sunday as Petillo attempted to carry out another mass gathering at mile forty four on the George Price Highway. Hyde represents the Lake Independence division which has a high concentrate of squatters.

Education minister makes appeal on behalf of struggling parents
With the announcement of the start date for the new academic year the Minister of Education is appealing to the various schools to be lenient with parents when it comes to tuition. Minister Faber noted that he is making this appeal on behalf of parents who are struggling amid the Covid-19 dilemma.

Breaking Belize News

Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) conducts survey on “Opening Philip Goldson International Airport”
In a news release sent out to tourism industry stakeholders this evening, the Belize Tourism […]

Guatemalan accused of macaw poaching shot in Chiquibul National Park
Thirty six year-old Guatemalan national, Porfilio Ramirez Tirgeros, from La Rejoya, Flores, Peten, was shot […]

British slave trader’s statue dumped during Black Lives Matter protest
The protests surrounding the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis have spread around the world, as […]

The return of Sapote Lagoon
A resident of San Narciso Village, Corozal District, has confirmed that after a year of being […]

Tourism Industry Association addresses DFC on lending
Anticipating that revenues from tourism will return to “normal” by December 2021 if not later, […]

“Salary cuts ensure that no one is terminated,” explains Port of Belize
Today, the Port of Belize Limited explained that it is implementing austerity measures in light […]

Tropic Air pressures BTIA to support reopening of International Airport
The risk of losing vital international service routes, writes Tropic Air CEO Steven Schulte to […]

Santander restarts sugar crop; BSI/ASR awaits word from farmers
Belize’s sugar industry in the North and West lost valuable time last week when unwelcome […]

Brazilian government under fire for stopping update reports on COVID-19
The Government of Brazil is under heavy criticism following a decision by its president Jair […]

Councillor Aisha Gentle: “A lifetime of service”
A Paid Political Ad . The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not […]

Ministry of Education: Secondary school students and teachers called to classes to prepare for CXC Exams
Today, the Ministry of Education hosted a live press conference to update the nation on […]

Burglars break into Gwen Lizarraga High School
Police are trying to ascertain what, if anything, was stolen in a burglary that happened […]

Ministry of Education; August 10th is tentative date for opening of new school year
This morning, the Ministry of Education issued an update on the State of Education in […]

Today is World Oceans Day 2020
World Oceans Day 2020 is commemorated annually on June 8th. The theme for this year’s […]

New Zealand lifts COVID-19 restrictions; Europe follows in easing restrictions
The country of New Zealand has reportedly lifted almost all of its COVID-19 restrictions after […]

Blogs

Lobster Season Set to Reopen
Closed since February 15, June 15 is the day many Belizeans have been patiently waiting for Lobster Season reopening. In just a week, Belize’s 2020-2021 Lobster Season will officially reopen; fishermen will set to sea placing their traps down with the hopes of catching these delectable crustaceans. Handmade traps, called shades, are strategically placed on sandbags amongst seagrass, where these delectable crustaceans roam. Spiny Lobsters can also be found hiding under rocks and ledges, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings. Free divers are pros at spotting the lobster’s long antennas that poke out from in between rocks crevices.

7 Things You Need To Know About Food And Drink In Belize
From bright, fresh fruit to exotic organic chocolate, Belize is a great place to chow down on all kinds of tasty treats. It’s also a great place for farm and agriculture tours. Here are some Belize food facts you should know. The rich cultural mix of Belize’s people has created a food scene that’s varied, colorful and unique. The blend of Afro-Caribbean, Creole, Mexican, Central American, Maya, English and Dutch influences all add their own special flavors to Belize’s culture and food.

Your Ultimate Belize Bucket List!
Belize is a beautiful Caribbean nation with a presence in the Central American mainland. Its many archaeological treasures and diverse ecosystems lure visitors from all around the world! For the best vacation in Belize, check off these add these activities to your Belize bucket list and check them off one by one!

With Food, Heritage Begins at Home
Food has always been central to our way of life, not only for its nutritional value but because of the significance it has in culture. Food carries our history and traditions, and illustrates our way of life. One can learn a great deal about another culture through studying and experiencing their food. Culinary traditions are passed down from generation to generation; each plate is a glimpse of who we are. Every meal, tells a story. As part of our Belize Heritage at Home Series, we invited persons to share how they practiced their heritage at home. With food at the heart of almost everything concerning heritage, we received many recipes, videos, and photographs of people sharing their food ‘virtually’. It was amazing to see the many stories told with a plate of food. They showed that with food, heritage begins at home.

International Sources

IDB supports Belize COVID-19 health response
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a loan of US$6.2 million for Belize following the government's request to the Bank to reprogram ten percent of the undisbursed balance of the country's current investment portfolio to assist the government with its response to the impact of the crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The US$6.2 million IDB loan is for a 24-month term and an interest rate based on LIBOR.

Videos

June 8, 2020

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, 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

Doctor Love: Ready for Love and Life
Dear Doctor Love, My guy is very afraid of talking about our future together. If I say something about starting a family or talk about saving money for a house, he always says something like, “If we’re still together.” I really love him and want to spend my life with him but I am confused if he is going to stay around. How can I get him to commit? /s/Ready for Marriage

Belizean artist helps complete mural honouring the life of George Floyd
As demonstrations and protests continue across the United States of America, and the world following the death of Afro-American 46-year-old George Floyd under police custody, several murals to honour his life have popped up throughout cities across the globe. One of the first public artworks, if not the first mural to commemorate Floyd, was in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA, at the spot where he tragically died. The painting was brought to life by three talented artists. One of them is a Belizean hailing from the Cayo District, Cadex Herrera, who, along with Greta McLain and Xena Goldman, paid tribute and support for the Black Lives Matter movement.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Monday, June 8th Meal Pick ups. Location: Belize Diving Services. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am - 12:30pm.

Juan Guerrero, Building Boats in Corozal
At the age of 14, Juan Guerrero learned the boat building skill from a well known boat builder, Mr. Carlos Cruz. Today he has build over 28 boats, including "Sexy Chicken" and "Ragga King" from Caye Caulker Village. In the pictures you can see that that he is currently enrolled in building another boat, working along with Mr. Alex Cruz, a well known boat fixer and future boat builder...

San Ignacio Rotary End Plastic Soup campaign
The Rotary Satellite Club of San Ignacio Benque Viejo is busy with their End Plastic Soup campaign. They are fixing up the bio-barriers while they are out of the river. Thanks, Rotary! It's a tough fight against all the loser litterbugs.

The Belize Emergency Relief feeding program has been providing food for 1000's around Belize
Thank you to everyone who has made our efforts a possibility! We are grateful to all our donors and volunteers, and a special thank you to Yaoling Lee who has been working hard every day, painting these beautiful portraits for those who donated to our fundraiser. She has donated all the proceeds of her artwork and helped us raise 2,500 bz!! We are coming to the end of our fundraising efforts. We will be closing our gofundme page this week, as we have reached our 2 months of efforts we committed to doing. We have helped over 5,500 individuals in 7 communities in Belize. Many local organizations have now stepped up and most people are receiving help from government.

State of Education update today
State of Education update will be at 10am.

Popol Vuh : Lords of Xibalba
The head of the pantheon is Hun-Came (“One Death”) followed by Vucub-Came (“Seven Death). The remaining ten Lords rule over a particular form of human suffering. According to the Maya legend, these death lords often worked together in pairs. There was Xiquiripat ("Flying Scab") and Cuchumaquic ("Gathered Blood") who worked to poison people’s blood. There was Ahalpuh ("Pus ") and Ahalgana ("Jaundice ") who made bodies swell and rot. There was Chamiabac ("Bone Staff") and Chamiaholom ("Skull Staff"), who slowly striped the flesh from the dead to turn them into skeletons. There was Ahalmez ("Sweepings ") and Ahaltocob ("Stabbing "), who were believed to hide in the unswept areas of a person’s home and stab them to death. And finally there was Xic ("Wing") and Patan ("Packstrap"), who made people cough up blood and suffer while walking on a road.

Channel 5

GUATEMALAN SHOT INSIDE CHIQUIBUL
Reports reaching News 5 are that a Friends for Conservation & Development (FCD) patrol was north of the Valentin Conservation post in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve when they came under gunfire around eight o’clock tonight. During the shootout, one Guatemalan national was injured. He is being evacuated with the assistance of the BDF in the area.

The Reporter

Murder in Punta Gorda
Police say that sometime before 8:50 p.m., Sylvio Flores Jr was walking on Pampana Street and heard someone whistle from within a bushy area. Flores reportedly went over towards the spot and he was shot. He died at the PG Community Hospital.

Chopping Incident
A socializing session took a turn for the worse last night, after an argument between a a woman and her common law husband resulted in a chopping incident. Reports are that Romelia Ical was chopped in the head during the altercation and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention. She is said to be in stable condition.

Breaking Belize News

Belize City altercation ends in stabbing
A man is recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) following a stabbing last […]

Treasury bills, bonds and notes: what is the difference and how are they used?
This week’s announcement from the Government of Belize launching a US$30 million Treasury Note, and Prime […]

Female minor raped in her own home
A report coming out of Belize City is that a female minor was raped in […]

Pet owners advised to watch out for poisonous toads
Now that the rainy season is upon us, pet owners, particularly those who own dogs, […]

COVID-19 cases now over 7 million; deaths reach 400,000 mark
As of today, June 7, 2020, the global count for positive COVID-19 cases is now […]

Woman chopped in Belize City
A Belize City woman is receiving medical treatment after being chopped to the head last […]

Belize skeletons establish earlier use of maize as a staple for Maya
Douglas J. Kennett, a University of California, Santa Barbara anthropology professor, says he has established that […]

Land movement meeting rescheduled
The land movement meeting being hosted by land rights activist Nigel Petillo, which was scheduled […]

Sylvio Flores Jr. is Belize’s latest murder victim; lured to death by whistle
Police say 31-year-old Sylvio Flores, Jr., was lured to his death Saturday night by a whistle […]

Blogs

Update On Tourism Industry on Ambergris Caye And A Quick Poll – Please Participate!
Belize’s borders remain closed with no definitive re-opening date planned. For the past few weeks, repatriations – for Belizean citizens either “stuck” on cruise ships or stranded outside of the country – have started. Repatriation flights – from Belize to the US, from Belize to Canada and one from Belize to the UK – have been heading in the other direction. And with those flights, some of the people on fixed incomes (many retirees) who are a boost to the winter/spring month’s economies. Economic activity within Belize has re-started but with no tourism dollars coming in and so many unemployed, domestic tourism is just not enough to sustain our hotels, gift shops or resorts.

Stats: 65 Percent of U.S. Travelers Look Forward To Travelling Again
A majority of Americans (65 percent) are looking forward to travel again, both internationally and domestically, according to new research by Zapwater Communications, a travel and lifestyle communications agency. In addition, two in five (39 percent) are hoping to travel within the first six months after travel restrictions are lifted. The agency surveyed 1,280 U.S.-based frequent travellers about their travel decisions pre- and post-COVID-19. This included areas of preference to travel, when they would feel comfortable traveling again, length of trip, mode of transportation, travel experiences, type of trip, factors that would influence travel, and travel habits among others.

Move to Belize
From its secluded beaches to its steamy rain forests, Belize is a country of diverse natural beauty. Its slow pace of life makes it a popular tourist destination, and the cost of living is still low. For the more adventurous traveler, activities can include a trek into the jungle in search of Maya ruins, spotting parrots, toucans, and maybe even a jaguar along the way. It’s true that Belize is no longer the most affordable place to buy property, but this country has other benefits: economic stability, a stress-free lifestyle, and a cost of living that is good value when compared with the U.S. (or even other Caribbean destinations).

Millennials in Belize suppressed by gangs and crime
This is a story of one side of the coin that Belize faces with a Political angle to explain things but falsely. Watch the video first, I will provide my point of view after… Past Government Corruption? Man, this is the normal in Belize no matter which Govt it is and I suspect this will be the normal for Belize well into the future unless a drastic awakening happens in Belize, no not violence, an intellectual change to what and who are the real problems and the Plebs actually taking a stand and remove corruption at it’s root. Far too long has Belize been held hostage by the Two Party evil of the PUP/UDP Syndicates. I would re-write that last bullet-point to be never-ending Government corruption.

Videos

June 7, 2020

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, 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 Woofers: Six Months in Belize
“Dennis, come join us for breakfast!” Arnie Rodgers and his wife, Joanna were hailing me from a table on the beach. They had lived on Ambergris Caye for ten years before buying a house in Maine in the U.S. two years ago. “How are things in the states?” I asked. “Cold,” Joanna said. “Bitterly cold.” “How long are you planning to be here in Belize?” I asked.

San Pedro Hot Meals have delivered over 10,000 plates of food to islanders in need
Chef Maresha Reid and proprietor of Pirate’s Treasure Restaurant and Pirate’s Not-So-Secret Beach Bar have been leading a feeding program, San Pedro Hot Meals, since March when the COVID-19 pandemic left hundreds of islanders jobless and with limited resources. Reid, along with volunteers and supporters, decided to bring hot meals to those most affected and to those who are currently struggling to feed themselves. As of Wednesday, June 3rd, the feeding program, offered three times per week, has served over 10,000 plates of hearty meals to the most vulnerable in San Pedro Town.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Sunday, June 7th Meal Pick ups. Location: Barefoot Caribe. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am - 12:30pm.

National Hydrological Service Flood Forecast - June 6, 2020
CITIZENS ARE ADVISED THAT FLOODING IS OCCURRING ON THE RIO HONDO. Residents are advised to avoid flooded rivers and streams and motorists should avoid crossing flooded Bridges, Roads and Highways as Floods may become severe. General Situation: ATMOSPHERE BECOMING LESS MOIST AND UNSTABLE... 24-Hour Forecast: CLOUDY SPELLS TODAY AND TONIGHT WITH ISOLATED SHOWERS OR THUNDERSTORMS. River Conditions: REGION 7 - The Blue Creek Sub catchment of the RIO HONDO remains above the historically recorded Hurricane Mitch Level, and continues to rise; Levels at, Santa Cruz, San Antonio, San Roman, and Douglas continues to rise. The NEW RIVER at Caledonia continues to rise steadily...

COVID-19 UPDATE
As with all positive cases for SARS-CoV2, a detailed mapping exercise is conducted and decisions are taken based on those findings. In the case of case #19, it is that of a young male, asymptomatic who came from the cruise ship that arrived on May 23rd and who upon arrival went into a mandatory quarantine at the Radisson. We note that the10 persons that were swabbed from that first arriving group were being tested prior to their release as per the established protocol, this set of tests produced a reactive test with the other 9 being negative for SARS-CoV2.

BTIA presents financing support Position Paper to the Development Finance Corporation
THE CASE FOR LONG-TERM LENDING TO SUPPORT BELIZE’S TOURISM INDUSTRY AND BY EXTENSION SPUR THE NATION’S ECONOMIC RECOVERY. Estimates vary but approximately 40% of Belize’s GDP is linked to international tourism. It stands to reason that with the nation’s tourism revenues reduced to near zero since mid-March, 2020, there can be no economic recovery for Belize without the recovery of the tourism industry. Direct employment by tourism is in the tens of thousands and is focused in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Hopkins, Placencia, San Ignacio and Belize City but is felt nationwide as labor mobility has increased markedly over the last two decades...

Happy 24 anniversary, PACT!
24 Years of Investing in People and Protected Areas! Wash your hand and practice social distancing Belize.

BWS will be open on Saturdays starting June 13, 2020

Pedro R. Lizarraga & Sons Ltd. has been awarded "The 2020 Gold Sponsorship Award"
On behalf of the Board, Faculty, and Staff, we extend our deepest appreciation for your generous contribution & support to SIHS & SIHSAE school community for the academic 2019-2020.

TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM SPOTLIGHT FOR TOUR GUIDES: USING NATURAL HISTORY TO TELL A STORY AND CREATE AN EXCITING TOUR, By: Luz Hunter
The next webinar is scheduled for Monday, June 8 at 1:30 p.m. Register here: https://bit.ly/3gYxKup

Artist of the Day - Berne
In 2010, Berne released the successful album "The Museum Of Culture Presents: I Am Berne" and sold 20,000 units. This was a huge year for Berne as he also landed his first leading role in the featured film "7 Adventures Of Sinbad" Co-Starring with Patrick Muldoon and Sarah Oseige. This movie made Berne Velasquez the first Belizean Artist to land a lead role in an International Film. Berne introduced the "Dileeyu" CD in 2011, which sold 20,000 units during a tour of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. Without slowing down on his music career, he continued to pursue his newly budding acting career and landed another role in the movie Dragon Wasps.

Channel 5

Shooting incident in St. Margaret’s Village
Police in Cayo are investigating a shooting incident which occurred last night at around 8:30. It happened in St. Margaret’s Village and the victim has been identified as twenty-five year old Juan Diaz Jr. According to police, Diaz was in front of a store when two armed masked men approached him. One of the men shot Diaz several times. Diaz was transported to the Western Regional Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

Teodoro Garcia charged with two counts of murder
There is an update to the double murder in Hopkins which occurred last Friday, May twenty-second at a house on the Hopkins Road. Twenty year old Teodoro Garcia has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder. He stands accused of murdering Quintin Espinosa and Ronald Burley. Both men were shot to death.

Breaking Belize News

Saturday night murder in the south
Earlier tonight a man was shot and killed in Punta Gorda, Toledo. Reliable reports to […]

Tourists get up-close look at stingrays off San Pedro
A group of tourists in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, were introduced to animals with a […]

UDP Chairman: “We will be ready” for general elections
Outgoing Prime Minister Dean Barrow confesses he has not thought about general elections due on […]

Senior law enforcement visit Toledo
This week the Attorney General and Minister of National Security Michael Peyrefitte traveled south to […]

Covid-19 global cases almost at 7 million
Statistics from Worldometer indicate that as of today, the global cases of Covid-19 stands at […]

Teodoro Garcia charged for double murder in Hopkins
Police have arrested and charged Teodoro Garcia,20, of Hopkins Village, Stann Creek for the murders […]

Police investigate shooting incident in St. Margaret’s Village
Authorities are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night in St. Margaret’s Village. According […]

One man’s dream, an opportunity for Belizeans to make some money, Easysales.bz
Easysales.bz, a contender in the digital marketplace for a decade, is revolutionizing e-transactions in Belize […]

Belizean artist, Cadex Herrera: George Floyd’s name shall live forever
Belizean artist, Cadex Herrera originally from Benque Viejo del Carmen collaborated with a group of […]

BBN informs of fake post
Breaking Belize News informs that a screenshot circulating online of a post purportedly made on […]

Blogs

Why Belize is the Best Destination after COVID-19
The year 2020 has been devastating for the travel industry, due to COVID-19. No one could have predicted this global pandemic that has caused such havoc. Because of the virus, borders were closed and many countries instituted lockdowns and travel bans. Now, finally, some of these restrictions are being lifted. Cautiously, various countries are opening themselves up to visitors. Last weekend the Acropolis opened again; other tourist attractions are planning to follow suit over the next few weeks. However, travelers might find themselves hesitant to visit. While the prospect of traveling again is wonderful, not every place is safe.

Belize’s Tourism Industry Prepares for a COVID-19 Era
COVID-19 has had devastating consequences for the world, taking numerous lives across the world, including Belize. The ripple effects have led to mass unemployment rates, adversely affecting many nations. Consequently, Belize is one destination that’s suffered greatly from the economic ripples of coronavirus. As a tourism-reliant nation, over 40% of Belize’s GDP is equally dependent on the tourism industry and its foreign visitors. Belizeans pride themselves on the unique amenities and warm hospitality provided to everyone in the country, which has long been called Mother Nature’s best kept secret.

International Sources

Researchers find 3,000-year-old Maya structure larger than their pyramids
A giant platform nearly a mile long made of stone, clay and earth is both the earliest- and largest-known monumental structure constructed by the ancient Maya, dwarfing their biggest pyramids in magnitude, a new study finds. The people known as the ancient Maya lived in an area the size of Texas across what is now southern Mexico and northern Central America, including the modern countries of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. At its height, known as its Classic period, which spanned from roughly A.D. 250 to 900, the Maya arguably had the most advanced civilization in the Americas, raising cities known for their stone pyramids.

History-making queer activist Caleb Orozco gives a rousing reminder that ‘giving up is not an option’ when it comes to LGBT+ rights
In 2016, after a long fight from LGBT+ activists, gay sex was finally made legal in the Central American country of Belize. That change would never have happened without the tireless campaigning of Caleb Orozco. As executive director of the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM), Orozco filed a case with the country’s Supreme Court in 2010 arguing that the country’s anti-sodomy law was unconstitutional.

Videos

June 6, 2020

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, 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

Case #19: repatriated Belizean tests positive for COVID-19
After 53 days COVID-19 free, Belize has a new confirmed positive case. According to the Ministry of Health, the new case was confirmed on Friday, June 5th, and it is that of a 27- year-old Belizean male, who was repatriated to Belize via a cruise ship on May 23rd.

Update on COVID-19: Repatriation Programme
The COVID-19 Repatriation Committee, comprising of the ministries responsible for Health, Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Human Development, and ultimately, National Security, organized the domestic arrangements for repatriation including identification and cite assessments of the quarantine facilities, negotiation of rates, training, assigning health officers and Belize Defence Force Officers for the returning Belizeans, as well as COVID-19 testing.

Unusual strong winds and high tides cause flooding and beach erosion in San Pedro Town
A combination of high tides and unprecedented waves have battered the eastern coast of San Pedro Town over the past few days. The situation, believed to have worsened by the bands of a tropical weather disturbance in nearby Mexico, caught the attention of the local authorities when strong winds and massive waves caused flooding and erosion in areas along the beach.

Various Belizean Sources

Ministry of Health Confirms 19th Case of COVID-19
The Ministry of Health informs the public that a 19th case of COVID-19 was confirmed earlier today. This comes after the last four cases reported 53 days ago. The case is that of a 27-year-old male who arrived on Saturday, May 23rd, from a cruise ship as part of the established repatriation process for Belizeans. The male is asymptomatic for COVID-19 and was detected as part of the routine testing being done on all those placed under mandatory quarantine which is a requirement before their release. The contact tracing for this individual is starting now and the due process of informing the cruise ship and relevant counterparts has started.

Belize Celebrates World Environment Day
The Government of Belize, through the Department of the Environment (DOE), is responsible for the protection and conservation of its untold wealth through the control of pollution. The DOE is not alone in safeguarding Belize’s natural resources. Celebrated annually on June 5th, World Environment Day is the United Nations’ most important day to create worldwide awareness and education for the protection of the environment. Since its first celebration in 1974, it has grown to become a platform for public outreach on environmental issues and is globally celebrated in over 100 countries. World Environment Day is the day for people all around the world to become agents of change and take care of the Earth.

Public Notice from the Registrar General of the Supreme Court
THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SUPREME COURT, COURT OF APPEAL AND THE GENERAL REGISTRY WILL BE CLOSED THE 15TH, 16TH AND 17TH JUNE, FOR FUMIGATION AND PEST CONTROL. MANAGEMENT REGRETS ANY INCONVENIENCE CAUSED BY THIS CLOSURE. ALL OFFICES WILL RESUME ON THE 18TH JUNE, 2020.

Taiwan Donates 15,000 Masks and Temperature Measurement System to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On June 4, 2020, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) donated 15,000 masks in support of the Government of Belize and its comprehensive and coordinated efforts taken to contain COVID-19. H. E. Remus Li Kuo Chen, Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize, also donated an automated temperature measurement system to the Ministry of Foreign Affair. Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs, accepted the donations from H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen. The masks will be distributed across Government to facilitate service delivery and to those in need. The automated temperature measurement system will be integrated into the eco-friendly building currently under construction for the MFA headquarters.

Update on COVID-19: Repatriation Programme
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shares the following update as the first point of contact for the programme for the controlled repatriation of Belizeans who are stranded abroad due to travel restrictions imposed to contain COVID-19. On May 18, 2020, the controlled repatriation programme began with the opening of the process for stranded and displaced Belizeans to complete an application. https://repatriation.covid19.bz/Forms/Landing The COVID-19 Repatriation Committee, comprising of the ministries responsible for Health, Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Human Development, and ultimately, National Security, organized the domestic arrangements for repatriation including identification and cite assessments of the quarantine facilities, negotiation of rates, training, assigning health officers and Belize Defence Force Officers for the returning Belizeans, as well as COVID-19 testing.

Channel 7

19th Case of COVID 19 Appears
After 53 days without a positive case, tonight, we can confirm that COVID Case #19 has appeared in Belize. It is a 27 year old male who came off a cruise ship- almost two weeks ago - and went directly into mandatory quarantine. Definitely not good news, but it could be a whole lot worse. First, it is an imported case; second, this person should have been under strict quarantine at the Radisson, and third, he is asymptomatic at this time, meaning he isn't showing any symptoms of the disease.

First Commercial Repatriation Flight Arrives
Now that one cruise ship "repatriate" has appeared as case 19, many will look suspiciously on the first Belizeans to be repatriated via commercial flight from the U.S. today. They came in this morning and Cherisse Halsall was at the airport just after touch down. Here's what she saw: This is the Ministry of Health van on the tarmac at the PGIA. It arrived at 11:00 to pick up the 7 Belizeans who became - the first to be repatriated on a commercial flight; this United Flight came out of Houston.

Message to Repatriates
And while those 7 have returned and are now starting their two week quarantine, there are still 587 Belizeans out there in the world who have applied to be repatriated. And many of them are growing increasingly impatient, not for style, but because they're out of money, out of lodging, or very sick, and a whole bunch of reasons why getting home is not a luxury, but a dire necessity. We spoke to CEO Burns about the many Belizeans with no direction home and asked her what message she has for them: "No one is out of sight and out of mind. You would be surprised how many people we are in touch with every evening sending emails back and forth, even if we are not in a position to resolve the situation..."

After Caught On Camera, Robber Pleads Guilty
On Tuesday night's news, we showed you that crazy robbery which happened in San Ignacio at the B&J Grocery Store. The entire crime was caught on the store's video cameras, and the face of one of the assailants was clearly visible. Cayo cops have since tracked down one of the culprits, and he is facing several criminal charges for it. He's Rudy Garcia, and using intelligence from the Special Branch, the cops caught him and recovered a handgun, which they suspect he used in the crime. Seen here, it is a .357 special revolver, which the cops later cleaned up. This weapon is a prohibited firearm.

Bad Weather Blows Through Belize and Mexico
For the past few days, we've been telling you about how Tropical Storm Cristobal, which is currently pounding Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, has also been dumping excessive rains on different parts of Northern and Central Belize. The storm is currently moving over the eastern parts of Mexico, and may threaten the US Gulf Coast over the next few days. Amateur footage captured earlier this morning in Cancun, Mexico shows the heavy rains and winds hammering that popular tourist destination. Cristobal has been causing bad weather for other Central American countries, including Belize, and last night, heavy rains caused major flooding in the Orange Walk and Corozal District.

Petillo Prompts Squatting Solution
Two days ago, we shared the latest developments taking place in the battle over huge parcels of land near mile 44 on the George Price Highway. Land activist Nigel Petillo attempted to make a move on over 1,000 acres, which is owned by the Belmopan Land Development Corporation Limited. You'll remember that on May 17th, he organized a public meeting at the location for a crowd of Belizeans who want to become first-time landowners. The attendees were supposed to get moving on a plan to squat on their chosen carve-out of the private land, to begin the process of acquiring title by Prescription.

IDB Finally Approves 6.2 Million
The Prime Minister was banking on it last night, and today it was officially announced that the Inter-American Development Bank has approved a US$6.2 million dollar loan for Belize. According to a release, quote, "the loan will support actions to speed-up timely case detection and monitoring; and interventions to contain the transmission, including communicating with the public, encouraging social distancing and case surveillance at points of entry.

Yohny Says Keep Borders Closed
And, one man who doesn't want to hear anything about COVID-19 mortality and morbidity is outspoken tour operator Yohny Rosado. His business flatlined from late March when cruise ships stopped coming. And while he is as desperate as the other guy - he says he's not desperate enough to risk the community's health and wellbeing.

25 Years Of Images At The Factory
It's been 25 years of layers upon layers of paint on the walls of the Image Factory. And this morning, founder Yasser Musa told those gathering to celebrate, that if you could somehow peel them away, one by one, you'd discover the profusion of artistic expressions that have been the lifeblood of Belize's most enduring contemporary art gallery. And while the gallery couldn't celebrate with a physical exhibition they held one online. They also took a beat to preserve a 25-year record of artistry and inspiration now to have a second life at the National Heritage Library.

B'zean Helped Create George Floyd Mural
And a piece of art that would be right at home on the walls of the Image Factory is making history in the United States. It's THE iconic mural of police brutality victim George Floyd and a Belizean was a key part of its creation.

50k USD Minimum to Play In Treasury Note Offer
Last night we told you about the the first-ever public placement of a U.S. dollar-denominated Treasury Note. It has a face value of US$30 million, a tenor of 5 years and a coupon of 6.5%. With interest rates being what they are in the US, it's a very attractive instrument, but it doesn't come cheap! The Central Bank has posted the details offering on the fixed rate note. And, guess what? Just to get in the door - you'll need 50 grand US!

Chamber Says Cut Red Tape
And while the government is trying to attract US dollars with that offering, the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry says they can do more. They issued a release yesterday calling on GOB to, quote, "immediately implement suggested revisions to policies and procedures affecting the export sectors, in order to reverse the sharp decline in foreign currency earnings and radically improve the business environment." End quote.

Taiwan Donates Again
On Monday, the Taiwanese Embassy in Belize donated 60,000 surgical masks to the Ministry of Health. And today, only 4 days later, the Embassy made another donation of 15,000 face masks to Government of Belize. The Taiwanese Ambassador, Remus Li Kuo Chen, handed over the donation to Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington. The donation also comes with an automated temperature measurement system, which will go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It will be integrated into the eco-friendly building currently under construction.

Channel 5

After 53 Days, COVID Case #19 is Detected in Belize
After a record fifty-three days without a positive case of COVID-19, a new case was confirmed today by the Ministry of Health. It involves a twenty-seven-year-old Belizean man who returned [...]

Release Date for Repatriates Pushed Back, Contact Tracing Underway
DHS Doctor Marvin Manzanero says that the release of this group of persons has now been pushed back as contact tracing is underway.  He says that this affirms the importance [...]

Hundreds of Belizeans Stuck Overseas; 570 Apply for Repatriation Programme
In respect of repatriation, hundreds of Belizeans remain struck overseas in nearby or far flung countries due to travel restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Five hundred and seventy Belizeans [...]

$30M Fixed Rate Notes are Introduced to Raise Foreign Exchange
Earlier today, the Government introduced the first-of-its-kind fixed rate notes totaling thirty million U.S. dollars, as a means of raising much needed foreign exchange.  The business community has sounded the [...]

Time to Look at Other Industries for Foreign Exchange
Demand for foreign exchange is significantly high since a majority of goods sold on the retail floor are imported.  Those items are purchased in U.S. dollars.  Foreign exchange, on the [...]

160K Heads of Cabbage Destroyed by Floods!
As flooding continues around the country, Valley of Peace farmers say that more than half of their two hundred and sixty-four thousand heads of cabbage has been damaged by flood [...]

Valley of Peace Farms to Veggie Farmers: ‘It Wasn’t Me!’
As you heard, the farmers believe that the flooding of their fields was worsened because of the sugar fields in neighbouring farms belonging to Valley of Peace Farms Limited. But [...]

Valley of Peace Farmers Take Triple Hit; Need Urgent Help!
The farmers are reeling right now from the losses as a result of the floods – but this loss cuts deeper, according to President of the Valley of Peace Farmers [...]

Suspected Drug Plane in the South Cannot Be Located
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams continues on tour in southern Belize. Today, while at Hunting Caye, he confirmed that a team of B.D.F. and police was deployed on Thursday to [...]

Local 19 – the Ice Cream Shoppe Featuring 19 Belizean Flavours
Tonight, we feature something sweet, so head over to the popular Ice Cream Shoppe in Belize City and San Ignacio, a favourite spot for children and adults who drop in [...]

Belizean Students in Guyana Appeal for the Borders to Open!
A group of seven Belizeans touched down at the P.G.I.A. on a United Airlines flight; they came as part of the repatriation process of Belizeans and are the first group [...]

B.D.F. Sergeant Margarito Pop to be Placed on Interdiction, Pending Outcome of Rape Case
Belize Defense Force Sergeant Margarito Pop finds himself in all kinds of trouble after he was charged criminally earlier this week with the rape of one of his female colleagues [...]

Accused Murderers Windell Thurton & Filadelfio Arriaza Get Bail
Two men who are awaiting trial for separate murders were lucky to get bail today when they appeared before Supreme Court Judge, Justice Colin Williams to present their applications. Windell [...]

Accused Rapist Michael Elijio Out on Bail
A man from the Stann Creek District is free tonight after he got bail on three counts of Rape of a Child – offences which he allegedly committed upon two [...]

Police Constable Charged for Damaging Glass Door of Immigration Department
Police constable James Usher of Belmopan is out on a thousand dollar bail after spending a night at the Belize Central Prison on Wednesday.  Usher met his bail on a [...]

Nigel Petillo Takes on Land Reform
Land reform advocate Nigel Petillo has identified another acreage not far from where he initially encouraged hundreds of Belizeans to sign up for parcels that, as it turned out, belongs [...]

Come Out to Discuss Land this Sunday in Cotton Tree
Petillo is encouraging as many interested residents to come out this weekend to engage in a discussion about land ownership, including those who have reportedly tilled the soil in Cotton [...]

Image Factory @ 25!
The iconic Image Factory Art Foundation is celebrating twenty-five years today.  Over the years, we have grown to recognize the Image Factory as the most edgy and innovative art gallery [...]

A Single Mother of Four is Gifted Land Title & Restored House
A single mother and her children are in better living conditions tonight.  Georgia Valentine today received the keys to a house that was retrofitted and gifted to her through Amy [...]

A Group of Preschoolers Graduate to Big School in COVID Times
It’s graduation season, so tonight we follow a group of pre-schoolers at the Y.W.C.A. as they celebrate that special day in their very young lives. As you know, COVID-19 has [...]

Pathlight International Assisting 60 Families with Food Hampers
Pathlight International has been around for four years; their most recent initiative includes assisting families that have been affected by COVID-19. A group of needy families from the tourism and [...]

Amandala

US-based DISH Network sues CBC for alleged piracy
One of Belize’s biggest cable television providers, Channel Broadcasting Company (CBC), however, has been accused of pirating US intellectual property, and its owner is now facing a lawsuit in a US court. While there are no specific details about the lawsuit, it has been reported locally that CBC’s executive director and owner, Robert Reich, has been served with a lawsuit at his Miami, Florida home. The lawsuit was filed by DISH Network, which is alleging that CBC has been pirating its satellite signals and using them on its television network.

BDF staff sergeant charged with rape of female soldier gets bail
Staff Sergeant Margarito Pop, 35, of the Belize Defence Force, has been released on bail of $5,000, after being charged with rape. He was ordered to return to court on August 7. He was arraigned by Magistrate Emerson Banner at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Pop is accused of raping a female soldier of the BDF. The female soldier reported that on the evening of April 20, she was drinking some Guinness stout with the staff sergeant. After a while, she went into her room, but had forgotten to lock the door of her room.

Belize gov’t denies BDF patrol entered Guatemala
Rumors have been swirling on social media and elsewhere that a Belize Defence Force patrol entered Guatemalan territory on Sunday, May 31. Late yesterday evening, June 4, the Ministry of National Security issued a press release denying that the incident took place, and characterized it as “misinformation.” “On Sunday, May 31, while conducting a routine patrol, some members of the BDF 2020 visited a neighborhood near Jalacte Village in the Toledo District of Belize, where they briefly encountered some civilians with whom they engaged in a respectful and civil manner, and then departed,” the press release said.

Banks put limit on credit card spending to preserve foreign exchange
In Belize, as in many countries that are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, the economic picture has changed dramatically. Apart from the record number of unemployed people around the world, governments in the Caribbean region are facing challenging times. As Belize was preparing to go into the first month of the coronavirus lockdown, on April 1, Prime Minister Dean Barrow said during a virtual press conference that the government would prioritize the purchase of essentials when making decisions involving the use of foreign exchange and that “the amount of foreign exchange that the commercial banks have on hand is adequate for the time being.” That picture has apparently changed, because at the middle of last month the commercial banks in Belize dispatched a letter to their international credit card holders, limiting the amount that they can spend per month.

Main radar at Met service is down
Roughly two and a half months before the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Doppler radar at the Belize Meteorological Service stopped working, and it has not yet been repaired. Belize has therefore entered this year’s hurricane season without one of its key pieces of equipment. In order to understand how the Met Service will function without the radar in this critical time, Amandala went in search of some answers.

Elvin Penner appeared in court after bench warrant issued">
The disgraced former United Democratic Party Cabinet Minister, Elvin Penner, was the subject of a bench warrant on Monday, June 1. The warrant, which was directed to all police and peace officers in the country to arrest Penner, was issued by the Belmopan Supreme Court after he had failed to appear for a routine adjournment in his criminal matter. Penner appeared in court the following day, Tuesday, June 2, and his case was adjourned to October 13, 2020.

2 suspects sought for Hopkins double murder
An investigation into the double murder of Quintin Espinosa, 55, a tour guide of Dangriga, and American national Wayne Burley, 70, who were both found dead on a farm in Hopkins on the morning of May 22, led to two men of Dangriga who are wanted for questioning. Police say that they are seeking Ryan Brown Foster and Theodore Garcia, both laborers of Dangriga.

2 friends die after vehicle plunges into Rio Hondo
At about 7:00 Sunday evening, two friends from Guinea Grass —Raymundo Copo, 17, and Alfonso Garcia, 25, were traveling in a pickup from Guinea Grass to Santa Cruz, but while they were crossing the San Antonio Bridge, the driver, who was reported to be Alfonso Garcia, lost control of the vehicle, which flipped and fell off the bridge, into the river below, and it became submerged. As a result, Garcia was thrown out, while Copo was trapped in the vehicle.

GoB’s cruel pandemic “bukut” at the gas pump
The COVID-19 pandemic that led to a global shutdown of travel has had devastating consequences for the oil industry. After a continuously downward spiral on the stock market, oil prices hit historic lows, and on April 20, oil futures crashed to zero, in part because there was no more storage space for the oil that had been preordered for the month of May. Experts are predicting that long after supply and demand for oil balance out, the oil market could see a long contango.

Ministry of National Security concludes investigation into wrongdoing in BDF
Reports out of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) in January confirmed that there has been major disciplinary breakdown at a recruit training camp for new intakes into the army. Allegations were made of extortion, maltreatment, sexual assault, and sexual advances on the part of senior officers at Price Barracks, who were in charge of training the new recruits. After the allegations were made public in the media, the Ministry of National Security launched an investigation into the allegations.

Editorial: Half a loaf is better than no loaf
Gradually, Belizeans are beginning to move about as they did before the lockdown in April, and the activities of almost everyone are directed toward earning money to put bread on the table and pay their other bills. We are now able to do almost everything we did before the lockdown, except for drinking at the bars and carousing at the nightclubs, and playing contact sports. Those too will come in time, if we keep our country COVID-19 free.

Belize City Council sanitation workers get new uniforms – and a new name
The Belize City Council’s Sanitation Department will now be referred to as the Belize City Council Operations Support Unit. The more than two hundred workers in the unit will also now be wearing tailored uniforms that were designed to give a professional image to the workers as part of a rebranding exercise that is aimed at conferring to the workers an appropriate degree of respect and making them identifiable as part of the City Council team. The uniforms consist of blue coveralls for the men and blue trousers with blue jackets for the women. The uniforms are made locally. The name change of the unit was made this morning during a brief ceremony at City Hall on Regent Street.

Flash floods in Belize, after first named storm Amanda hit region, killing 15
The first named storm for the 2020 Pacific Hurricane season, Amanda, made landfall in El Salvador on Sunday. Amanda also dumped heavy rains on Guatemala, leading to mudslides and flash flooding. The weather system dumped around 10 inches of rains on Belize that resulted in flash flooding, according to a flood report issued today by the Belize Government Hydrological Service. Amanda reportedly killed 15 people in Central America. According to El Salvador’s Interior Minister, Mario Duran, the storm killed 15 people in his country. Rescue workers are searching for seven persons, Duran reportedly said.

House collapses in Port Loyola
A house on Baldwin Avenue in Port Loyola collapsed at about 12:30 this morning. Luckily, no one was injured. Thalia Westby, the owner of the house, said that she was at home sleeping with her two children when they heard some creaking noises, and while they were trying to find out the cause of the noise, the house tilted and collapsed. Due to the darkness and because they feared being arrested due to the curfew, they went to a neighbor’s house.

From the Publisher
One night on the UBAD rostrum many years ago, in the early 1970s, out of nowhere the late Galento X Neal, a UBAD officer, suddenly said to the crowd at the Courthouse Wharf, “Tourism da whorism, mi bredda.” I was caught off guard by Galento’s comment, to tell the truth, because tourism was not a really big deal in Belize at the time. Lobster fishing was still the biggest thing in San Pedro Ambergris Caye in those days where the island natives were concerned, but today the only natives who own waterfront land on La Isla Bonita are Homero Escalante and his wife, Lois. Americans run things. Tourism rules on Ambergris Caye, and it has become a fabulous money earner, attracting workers from all the districts of Belize and from the neighboring republics even.

A chat with Cador, Part 2
I had a hunch to review a past Amandala Sports story, “A chat with Cador,” where we had interviewed 1960s Belize football star Anton “Cador” Thurton, who was on a visit home to Belize for the 2017 September celebrations. However, when we pulled up the Amandala story from the internet (Google), it ended abruptly with the above caption in brackets, and there was no Part 2 continuation on the web site. Luckily, I had located my old note pad, and so I thought I would try to reconstruct Part 2, the rest of the interview, especially in honor of recently departed Dunlop legend, Gilbert “Pine” Hernandez.

On Black Respect and Redemption
All the BS that is happening in America in this first quarter of the 21st century can be traced to every African who connived over four centuries ago with Arab and Fulani slave-catchers and middlemen to SELL for a mess of potage other Africans, first to the Arabs, and years later to white hustlers and adventurers. Africans do not teach this sordid aspect of their history to their children, so there is a vast ignorance, if not confusion, among Africans on the continent regarding why the entire world perceives the Black man’s place as being permanently on the lowest rung of the global ladder.

The State of Emergency is illegal
The first positive case of the dreaded COVID-19 virus was identified in Belize on the 23rd March 2020, the second on the 25th March 2020. As a result of the first case, the Governor General declared a state of public emergency for Ambergris Caye only. Regulations were issued by the Governor General that restricted freedoms of persons in Ambergris Caye. At the same time, the Director of Health Services issued Regulations under the Quarantine Act limiting gatherings to ten persons or less, imposing social distancing of three feet, closing certain businesses such as casinos, bars, gyms, spas and restaurants, requiring work from home where possible and imposing other restrictions. The San Pedro State of Emergency was to last for a period of 72 hours, but was extended on the 25th March 2020 for a period of one month. The Quarantine Regulations were to last until revoked.

“She was Brave” – the Nora Parham tragedy
Today, 5th June, 2020 at exactly 8:00, will mark 57 years since Nora Parham nee Williams was executed in this country. It was a state execution and the only execution of a female in Belize! She was hanged by the neck until she could not breathe, and thereafter, she was declared dead and buried in an unmarked grave. For those of you who do not know it, being placed in an unmarked grave is an effort to seemingly punish you even after death. Your family does not get your body to give you a proper burial, and the idea is that your crime of murder was so heinous that you do not deserve a marked grave to be remembered. Your family and loved ones are further punished, as there is nowhere they can go to take you flowers or anything or visit on the anniversary of your death, your birthday or any day.

Power corrupts
Since Independence in 1981, Belize has been to the polls eight times. The United Democratic Party has had five opportunities to improve governance in very fundamental ways. It has failed to do so. In its “A new plan for a new day”, the manifesto for the 1974 Elections, the UDP made a most enlightened commitment to the nation on behalf of real freedom and democratic rule. It promised under the heading “Bill of Rights article (c)” ….”that to ensure that Parliament becomes the supreme legislative body in the land, it shall not be lawful for Cabinet to hold more than one third plus two of the seats in the country’s House of Representatives.”

“Black lives do matter;” but some powerful people haven’t gotten the message yet
Images are important to inspire youth. And while there’s no criticism here for artists on television who want to be colorful and decorated with tattoos, wearing “outrageous” outfits, painting up their bodies and faces to make an impression, showing a lot of their body parts, and even trying to shock older folks with vulgar and provocative language; it’s all part of the entertainment business. But it’s also not a bad idea, when our youth are feeling downtrodden and discouraged and limited in their artistic dreams and life possibilities, to see someone that looks like them, standing tall, poised and dignified, commanding the attention of rich and poor, young and old alike, and wearing his natural hair (“Afro”) while dressed in a business suit as immaculate as any man on the planet. Well, apparently somebody thinks it is a bad idea; somebody who still has the power.

The report card for our politicians is a “D” moving to an “F”
Dear Editor According to the Statistical Institute of Belize, Belize has had 4 consecutive declines in gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of March 2020. The traditional definition of a recession is 2 consecutive quarters of GDP declines, so Belize was in a recession about 6 months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit us. This indicates that Belize’s economic policies and practices were already failing.

To whom it may concern
Dear Editor, Hello, my name is Seanna Cox. I am contacting you because I do not know where else to turn. I am looking to find my father, who is from Belize. He was born in or around April 16, 1960, and his name is Stanley Oliver Phillips. He lived in Los Angeles, California, back around 1981-1985, but then got deported back to Belize. His father owned an upholstery business in downtown Los Angeles, CA.

Venezuelan Armed Force will escort the arrival of Iranian oil tankers into its territorial waters
May 21, 2020 Francisco González Iranian oil tankers , escort , Venezuela– The Minister for Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, specified that the protection of the vessels will be done “as soon as they enter the exclusive economic zone” of the South American country. RT CARACAS.- The Minister for the Defense of Venezuela, the General in Chief Vladimir Padrino López, affirmed this Wednesday that the South American country will receive the Iranian oil tankers that transport fuel for their country, and announced that “they hardly enter the exclusive economic zone; they will be escorted by ships, ships and planes of the Bolivarian Armed Forces (FANB)”.

LOVE FM

Land Movement still on the go
The Land Movement group headed by Nigel Petillo is calling on the Government to allow Belizeans access to land. Petillo has been at the forefront primarily on behalf of squatters and other people interested in acquiring farming lands in the country.

YWCA assist women with hygiene products
The Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) is accepting donations for their Feminine Hygiene Products Drive. The drive’s aim is to help women stay healthy and practice good hygiene.

Activist Lisa Shoman discusses culture of sexual assault in military forces
Activist and Attorney Lisa Shoman took to social media yesterday, along with other Belizeans, to demand transparency from the Belize Defence Force (BDF) as it relates to the investigations of sexual assault allegations within the ranks. She discussed the culture of rape and sexual assault within military forces, not only in Belize, but in other countries as well.

Image Factory celebrates 25th anniversary
In celebration of the 25th anniversary for the Image Factory, the artistic director, Yasser Musa, took part in handing over books about Belize’s history. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz attended the launch and brought back some highlights.

Taiwan donates masks and more
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) donated 15,000 masks to the Government Belize. The donation is to support the Government’s efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19.

Seven Belizeans return on repatriation flight
Seven persons destined for Belize alighted the first repatriation flight that landed at the Philip Goldson International Airport at around eleven o’clock this morning. Among the seven persons was US Chargé d’Affaires, Keith Gilges.

Belize records 19th covid-19 case
After 53 days of being covid-19 free, the Ministry of Health has confirmed that nineteenth case. This latest case is a 27-year-old who arrived in the country via the Royal Caribbean cruise ship that docked in Belize on May 23.

IDB approves loan to support Belize’s COVID-19 immediate health response
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US 6.2 million dollar loan for Belize. This loan is to assist the government with its response to the impact of the crisis resulting from the Covid-19.

Breaking Belize News

Support local farmers during economic and climate instability, says CEO of Agriculture
Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Jose Alpuche, says that 2020 was forecast to […]

Ministry of Agriculture tracking ongoing floods, preparing help for farmers
The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) is working with local farmers to learn the damage being […]

COVID-19 global deaths almost at 400,000
Belize may have reported a new COVID-19 positive case today, but the number of deaths […]

Guyana to re-open schools on June 15
Guyanese authorities have decided to re-open schools on June 15. An article published on NationNews […]

Belize celebrates World Environment Day
The Government of Belize, through the Department of the Environment (DOE), is responsible for the […]

Eight years later, Jasmine Lowe’s murder case yet to go to trial
The news shook the nation, as authorities discovered the lifeless body of 13-year-old Jasmine Lowe […]

Ministry of Health Confirms 19th Case of COVID-19
The Ministry of Health informs the public that a 19th case of COVID-19 was confirmed […]

53 days after; Belize detects COVID-19 case #19
The Office of the Director of Health Services informed today that the Ministry of Health […]

Belize City Council and CEMO prepare for 2020 Hurricane season
The Belize City Council and the City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO), headed by Mayor Bernard […]

Cyclist Justin Williams makes the top ten of cycling’s influentials
Two-time Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic champion, Belizean-American Justin Williams, is among the leading […]

Blogs

Limited Economic Recovery of Ambergris Caye and Belize
It is a bit like we are back to the beginning again when it was a sparring match between GOB and San Pedro about the rules. Now it has turned to the Government of Belize versus International Air Transport Association (IATA.) As it stands, IATA has stated, things will be done a set way across the board as far as international travel goes. The GOB wants stricter testing procedures in place and has said until a more reliable rapid test becomes readily available, they do not want to open the country to outside tourism via Philip Goldson International Airport only. Understandably our Government wants to keep us safe and are placing our health first but at what cost? People need to put food on their tables and this is a country where tourism drives our foreign exchange revenue. With Belize having such a high dependence on US tourism (about 75%) this puts us in an extremely vulnerable position and brings limited economic recovery of Ambergris Caye and Belize.

International Sources

CDC issues travel notice for dengue in the Americas
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel advisory on May 21 for increase of dengue fever in parts of the Americas. CDC identifies a number of countries reporting higher-than-usual numbers of dengue cases, and travelers visiting these countries may be at increased risk: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, and Saint Martin.

Drought ease likely, say experts
The Barbados-based Caribbean Drought and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CDPMN) Friday said that as the region enters the wet season, it is expected that rainfall will increase and ease the drought situation in several regional countries. In its latest bulletin, CDPMN said that parts of the region have been experiencing drought, particularly the southern portion of the eastern chain and parts of Belize. It said that relief from the impacts may not be realised until after June.

Videos

June 5, 2020

I will not be doing the news tomorrow morning, Saturday June 6th. I will return on Sunday morning!

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, 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

Coral Reef Ed-Ventures Summer Program 2020 is cancelled
The fun and educational annual summer camp, Coral Reef Ed-Ventures Program is not taking place this year due to the global disturbance created by COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The summer program is organized by students from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA and with the assistance of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR), teaches children about the reef’s ecology and conservation.

Unemployment Relief Portal are inactive
Those persons who still have not been able to receive their approved payments are reminded that they can consider using a TopUp Debit Card which is available through Heritage Bank. These cards are usable at any Heritage Bank or credit union ATM and at stores that carry the Bank’s terminals.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Friday, June 5th, Meal pick ups. Location: Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am - 12:30pm.

Boca del Rio Drive closed to Vehicles Blue Tang to the Park in San Pedro
The San Pedro Town Council would like to advise the general public that the Boca del Rio Drive, from Blue Tang Inn to the Boca del Rio Park, will be closed to vehicular traffic until further notice due to the damages it incurred from the strong winds and choppy sea. The San Pedro Town Council is currently assessing the damages, such as erosion and debris, and will be clearing the area. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Storm in San Pedro
Significant high tide and surge last night from 25-30+ mph winds last night from the storm system that's in our area.

Gemini Celebration
Friday night, Dj Special is hosting the Gemini Celebration. It's a virtual Gemini Celebration this Friday night 5th June 2020. LIVE and exclusively on DJ Special FB page, Sec9 App, Firestick, Hitz TV - Switch TV!

Artist of the Day - Crysel Gabourel
Crysel Gabourel started dancing at the age of 5 with the Belize National Dance Company under the directory of the late Ms. Rosita Baltazar. Here was where she developed the dream of becoming a professional dancer and choreographer. In 2008 Crysel became a part of the BNDC touring company. She toured internationally in 2012 to Europe, 2013 to Suriname, 2015 to Haiti just to name a few. While attaining her associates in Natural Science at SJCJC, she became president of the dance club and began teaching dance at Saint John’s College Junior College. In 2012 she collaborated with Ms. Rosita Baltazar and began teaching dance at various primary schools, which she still does to this day.

Mrs. Vianay Bautista Vivas
This week our Art & Soul Series features another talented Corozal visual artist and educator, Mrs. Vianay Bautista Vivas. We are delighted to showcase her passion. Art is life for Vianay, as visitors and residents of our town can see...she has taken her passion and created several murals throughout the town as a member of Corozal Street Art Movement (CSAM). She is a regular contributor at the annual Arte con Voz de Mujer exhibit. Vianay graduated from the University of Belize in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education Spanish. She is currently an educator at Corozal Community College teaching Spanish, and with her artistic knowledge and experience, she is also the first Visual Arts instructor at the institution(a dream come true for Vianay)! If you would like to reach out to Vianay you may do so via her Facebook page - Vianay Illustrations.

2020 NEMO Hurricane Shelter List
A Complete List of Hurricane Shelters Countrywide - Inspected, Repaired and Retrofitted where needed, Approved and Certified as fit and adequate for determined numbers of evacuees in the event of natural disaster (specifically, Hurricane, Tropical Storm or Flood)

Donation of Made-in-Taiwan face masks
Ambassador Remus Li-Kuo Chen handed over 15,000 Made-in-Taiwan face masks and one Automated Temperature Measurement System to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize, accepted by Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs, with senior staff also witnessing this donation. These masks and the Temperature Measurement System will help the staff and employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continue to stay healthy and provide uninterrupted quality services to Belizeans at home and abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cooperation once again exemplifies the robust and friendly 31-year diplomatic ties between Belize and Taiwan which definitely benefit both our two peoples and countries!

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow’s Announces First-Ever US Dollar-Denominated Treasury Note
My fellow Belizeans, Last week, when I provided an update on Government’s crisis response to COVID-19, I offered a reassurance of broad financial sector stability and, in particular, of continued commercial access to a sufficiency of foreign currency supply for essential imports. The certitude I conveyed is sowed by a ceaseless, creative campaign to tap every available source of external financing in support of our economy. In the next few days, the first disbursement from the IDB’s package is expected; and thereafter, in rapid succession during the ensuing months, the flows will come from Taiwan, the World Bank and OFID, in a total amount of some US$100 million. These fresh inflows will augment the Central Bank’s official reserve position, which currently surpasses the traditional 3 months of import cover. And the renewal of tourism earnings will commence during the third or, at the latest, fourth quarter of this year...

Unemployment Relief Portal is inactive
The public is once again advised that the hotlines/help numbers that were listed on the Unemployment Relief Portal are inactive due to public officers returning to their substantive posts. A public notice will be issued when the hotline/help numbers are reactivated. In the meantime, kindly send information and queries via email to unemployment@covid19.bz.

National Hydrological Service Flood Forecast - June 4, 2020
REGION 7 - The Rio Bravo and Blue Creek Sub catchment of the RIO HONDO remains well above flood stage; Levels at SAN ANTONIO, SAN ROMAN and SANTA CRUZ and DOUGLAS are rising steadily. The NEW RIVER at Caledonia has exceeded its banks and continues to rise. REGION 9- On the MACAL PJVER, reservoir levels remain below the spillways at Chatillo, Mollejon and Vaca facilities. At San Ignacio, levels remain below the low-level bridge but is gradually rising. The MOPAN RIVER at Bengue Viejo Town is above normal and declining. On the BELIZE RIVER, levels at Banana Bank continue to fall. The CROOKED TREE LAGOON is below the causeway and rising steadily. At Double Run, levels are above normal and rising...

Environmental Impact Assessment
The general public is invited to participate in this virtual consultation to make comments, ask questions, seek clarification, express concerns or issues, or to make representation to the DOE in relation to the possible effects of the proposed project activity on the environment. The EIA can be found at our website...http://doe.gov.bz/environmental-clearance/

Completion and certification of the Edmundo Granda Ugalde Leaders in International Health Program
The Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin, the CEO, Dr. George Gough, along with the Management and staff of the Ministry of Health extends congratulations to Mrs. Danini Marin and Mr. Andrei Chell on the completion and certification of the Edmundo Granda Ugalde Leaders in International Health Program. The program collaborates with countries in the Americas to equip leaders to develop capacities in situational analysis, policy design and decision-making, negotiation and advocacy, project management and cooperation, generation and exchange of knowledge and communications. The participants are grateful to the Paho Belize office for funded the program. For more information contact: The Pan American Health Organization Belize City office.

Free Soup Project Hosted by Belize Soul project
The Free Soup Project will be at the Belize Soul project, space for the arts & productions this Saturday at 3pm. If you know anybody that needs food, let them know, and let them know to bring containers.

The new bathroom in Billy White is close to being finished. Thanks, Rotary!
The grey skies aren't effecting the progress on the toilet building for the primary school in Billy White. The school even got an additional sidewalk! Our club members will paint the building when it almost finished. Thank you club partners and Rotary Foundation for helping us improve student health and attendance.

Virtual exhibition on Historical Landscapes of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. PART 1
By San Pedro House of Culture. Blake House and El Comisariato, San Pedro Roman Catholic School, Priest's Residence, Catholic Church and Layola Camp, San Pedro Roman Catholic Church, La Academia de Musica, Police Station, Loyola Camo, Scout's Room, Bonita Hall, La Esplanada.

San Pedro Traffic announcement
The public is advised that 'Boca Del Rio Drive' (the beach road) will be closed to all vehicles for 3 days, This is to allow for beach repair and clean up, access will be allowed for residents, NO Taxis or large vehicles will be allowed. Traffic Wardens will be monitoring the area. Thank you for your co-operation.

OCEANA Deep Dive Talks
In celebration of World Oceans Day, Oceana is launching its new live series where we talk to local and regional thought leaders about all things work, life and conservation. Join our Instagram Live on Monday, June 8th at 12:30PM CST as Oceana's Toledo Field Representative, Analee Chuc, chats with our first guest, Sean Kuylen. This conversation is sure to be one for the books - you don't want to miss it!

Channel 7

GOB Launches First Ever US dollar Treasure Note
Belize's leading foreign exchange earner, tourism, is on an extended hiatus, and no one can say for sure when it will return. In the interim, the economy is in a nosedive, and many are getting concerned - especially about foreign exchange shortages. The banks are cutting back on credit card limits; last week we told you about Atlantic Bank, and today we saw that Heritage Bank was also cutting credit card spending to $5,000 Belize per month.

Cops Can't Find Reported Narco Plane In Southern Belize
There are persistent reports that a drug plane landed in remote southwestern Belize this morning. The reports say it came down in the area of Graham Creek, which is right on the border with Guatemala. But it is a vast and hard to reach area, so tonight, the reports of a narco plane in the area are unconfirmed.

Shot At Hotel Estell
There was armed robbery yesterday evening at a hotel in Ladyville. The cops were in the area shortly after it took place, and tonight, they have 4 suspects detained. At around 5:30 p.m. yesterday, police responded to a robbery in progress at Estell's Airport Hotel, which is located on Mami Street. When they arrived they found one of the owners, Dudley Estell, suffering from an gunshot injury to his back. He was rushed to the KHMH for medical treatment.

Dr. Sutherland, I Presume
And while the KHMH's medical personnel work to heal Estell's wounds another play-play "doctor" has gotten a drugstore into a world of trouble. He's a man you met on 7News's pre-lockdown street cam but it's a more recent viral video that has the Pharmacists Association of Belize up in arms at the antics of the man who, armed with his secret weapon, refused to quiver in the face of the Coronavirus. Cherisse Halsall has the story:

Is The BDF Serious About Stopping Sexual Harassment?
Back in January, we reported on allegations of sexual impropriety between BDF recruits and their superior officers. Those reports spurred an investigation, and earlier this week, a verbose press release announced that the investigation was concluded, but if offered no concrete findings. And then, yesterday, the other shoe dropped when a BDF Staff Sergeant, was charged for rape of a female soldier. 14 year veteran for the BDF, Margarito Pop appeared in Belize City Magistrate's Court where he was read a single charge of rape for an incident that allegedly happened in the female soldier's room on May 20th.

Former Soldier Calls Minister’s Remarks "Chauvinistic."
One retired BDF Captain was aghast at the AG's tone, calling his words "chauvinistic." Derrica Castillo was among those who provided up to an hour's worth of testimony in recent cases of sexual impropriety alleged to have taken place within the ranks of her former comrades. Today she spoke to Cherisse Halsall via zoom videoconference and described her reaction to what she calls a wishy-washy BDF report designed to tip-toe past inevitable public outrage.

Pressure From The Air To Open Tourism
Belize has been grappling with the timeline to open its international airport, juggling the competing interests of tourism survival against human survival - that is, letting tourists in, versus keeping Belize COVID-free. Sources tell us that as recently as yesterday, plans were being hatched to proceed with a half opening of the airport in July - but we are told those plans were dashed at the last minute.

Tropic Air, Almost Out Of Oxygen
Like other tourism stakeholders, Tropic Air's profitability has taken a nose dive due to the COVID-19 crisis, and the closure of Belize's borders. The company's deputy director of operations briefly discussed the very tough choices that the management has had to make to ensure that the company can survive this crisis: "It's been difficult here at Tropic Air, like most stakeholders in the tourism industry. We've seen declines in the range of 95% to the business, to the revenues being brought in. Most, if not all, companies by now have had to lay off employees. Without a clear date, without a clear plan in sight. Other businesses are looking at further lay-offs in the industry..."

Some Rivers Still Rising
All this week, we've been telling you about Tropical Storm Cristobal, and the high volume of rain that it dumped on Belize. Well, the National Hydrological Service from within the Ministry of Natural Resources has another flood report and forecast on the country's rivers. The Rio Bravo and the Blue Creek Sub catchment of the Rio Hondo, which recently swelled to flood levels above those recorded during Hurricane Mitch, is still well above the flood stage. Levels at San Antonio, San Roman, Santa Cruz, and Douglas are rising steadily. The New River at Caledonia has exceeded its banks and continues to rise.

Misting Tunnels - A Fixture in Belize's Future?
It's a part of all of our new routines, having to constantly sanitize our hands before entering any and every establishment. But how would you react if, before granting you entry, a store expected to cleanse your entire body? It's a request you may face sooner rather than later thanks to yet another pandemic era innovation. It's one that could be on the path to becoming less of a showground curiosity and more of a sanitary necessity. Cherisse Halsall reports:

Gyms Working Out Fine With New Regs
And misting tunnels may soon be coming to a gym near you. That's because gym owners are keen to maintain sanitary measures in response to the intense scrutiny they've faced from the Ministry of Health as well as the National Sports Council. Gyms were allowed to open on Monday but the day after, the sports council slapped them with a 26 point list of regulations to govern COVID-time gym etiquette. We spoke to two gym owners to get their reactions to the government guidelines that they say were kinda "duh."

Field Trip For MNS Brass
Today, senior personalities in the Ministry of National Security went on a familiarization tour of Southern Belize. Attorney General and National Security Minister Mike Peyrefitte, was joined by Police Commissioner Chester Williams; CEO George Lovell; Brigadier General Steven Ortega; Admiral John Borland, the Chief of Defence Staff; Captain Elton Bennett, the Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard; and other senior officials within the Ministry of National Security.

Stole A Case of Guinness, Caught By Jogging Cop
There was also a failed burglary at the Good Friend Shop, located on Freetown Road in Belize City. This morning, Simon Wu, the business-owner, reported to police that he was awoken from sleep by the sound of people talking outside his business place.

Channel 5

The Groundbreaking U.S. Dollar Treasury Note
Is a thirty million U.S.-dollar treasury note the short term fix to Belize’s foreign exchange woes? Well, tonight the Prime Minister says this first-of-its-kind Central Bank initiative has the government’s [...]

COVID-19 Financial Aid to Start Rolling in Next Week
To ease the foreign exchange crunch, G.O.B. is also turning to the International Financial Institutions. During his video presentation today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow informed the public that the COVID-19 [...]

Opposition Leader Says Economy Crumbling
While the Prime Minister has launched the first of a kind treasury note to raise U.S. thirty million dollars, Opposition Leader John Briceño today told News Five that the economy [...]

Uncertainty in Air Travel Potentially Means Smaller Tourism Market Share
The Prime Minister has announced an initiative to tackle the foreign exchange crunch triggered by the halt of tourism activities which bring in significant foreign exchange.  But the grounding of [...]

Country Can’t Be Locked Off Forever, Says Opposition Leader
The longer the borders remain closed, the more damaging it is to the tourism industry, which accounts for forty-five percent of G.D.P.  The Philip Goldson International Airport remains closed and [...]

Elderly Man Shot During Home Invasion in Ladyville
An elderly man was shot to the back during a robbery at his hotel in Ladyville. Eighty-seven-year-old Dodlie Estelle was at home with his common-law when armed robbers came into [...]

Another Drug Plane Landing?
A drug plane is believed to have landed in southern Belize early this morning. Reports of a low-flying airplane began circulating as early as two o’clock this morning. Soon after, [...]

Is There Trouble in F.F.B. Over COVID-19 Relief?
The effects of the COVID pandemic is being felt everywhere and sport is no exception. Early in the crisis, sporting activities had to be cancelled because of the limit of [...]

F.F.B. General Secretary Says FIFA COVID Relief for Athletes Still Not Received
But there is another dilemma at the F.F.B. because the coaching staff and athletes, who have contracts with the F.F.B., believe the federation is taking advantage of them. News Five [...]

Football Activity Also Affected by COVID-19
General Secretary Earl Jones of the Football Federation of Belize says that COVID-19 has caused the football industry to crash. No money is coming in and the way forward for [...]

The Cacao – Opportunities for Maya Center
We introduced you to the Saqui family on Tuesday.  In tonight’s story, we share with you how the family in Maya Center Village uses the cacao to bring community benefits, [...]

Something is Wrong with the Unemployment Relief Programme
There is an update to the Unemployment Relief Programme and it is not good news for those persons waiting for financial relief. The hotline numbers that were listed on the [...]

Sugar Industry in Crisis
Opposition Leader John Briceño says that the sugar industry in the north is in crisis. The A.S.R./B.S.I. factory at Tower Hill has temporarily halted milling due to the inclement weather. [...]

John Briceño: “I don’t think anybody can take Mister Saldivar seriously”
John Briceño also weighed in on John Saldivar’s economic recovery strategy. The disgraced former Minister of National Security was forced to resign after he admitted to having received monies from [...]

Belizean Students Waiting for Approval to Return Home
A group of Belizean students in Massachusetts in the U.S. is waiting for approval from the government to return home.  Saint John’s Anglican school teacher Keisha Garbutt and three other [...]

Flood Report and Forecast
Parts of the country, in the north and central regions, are at flood stage. Residents in flood prone areas and near waterways are advised to be alert. The Hydrology Unit [...]

YATA’s Walls Down Makes the Cut for the “Change the Story Competition”
Turning to an interesting competition, The Walls Down project piloted by Joseph Stamp Romero, the founding director of Youth Advocacy Through Arts, has been entered into a contest, sponsored by [...]

Healthy Living: Anxiety Spikes in COVID-19 Era
The message from local health authorities has been clear; it is highly likely that at some time, Belize may face another wave of COVID-19.  While we continue to practice preventative [...]

LOVE FM

Forum for successful relationships held virtually
Whether you’re single or married, you probably have plenty of concerns surrounding relationships. With an aim to answer your questions, the Kingdom Diplomats’ Christian Center International (KDCCI) is hosting a virtual forum tonight to discuss effective tips for successful relationships.

Speaking up against injustices in the BDF
Black Lives Matter – it is a social media hashtag that has taken flight across borders and oceans. In the United States there is currently a social war primarily against racism.

Armed Robbery in Rural Belize
One man is hospitalized, and his girlfriend traumatized after their home which doubles as Estell Airport Hotel was invaded by three robbers. The incident occurred yesterday evening at around five-thirty in Ladyville, Belize District. Reports are that the couple was inside their home when one of the robbers came knocking querying about a room for rent.

Demanding justice for sexual assault victim within the BDF
A press release from the Ministry of National Security on the investigation into sexual assault allegations within the Belize Defence Force did more to confuse its readers than inform them. The release was lacking in pertinent information such as the crimes that occurred and the persons who would be disciplined, if any.

Cane farmers upset over closed mills
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) is up in arms as they say they were not consulted nor did they have any say in the decision to shut down the mills at BSI. According to the Chairman of the Association, Elvin Reyes they had initially recommended that the mills be closed on Wednesday at 6pm.

Belize’s First Ever, Treasury Note
For the first time ever in Belize, the Government via the Central Bank is raising US dollars by issuing treasury notes. What this means is that the Government is looking at ways to inject new monies into the country’s foreign reserves.

Who will succeed Hon. Dean Barrow?
There is still no set date for the general elections. All in all, it is dependent on the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to finalize a date. There is a lot to be done between now and then for all parties entering the race. For the UDP they need to find a leader to succeed Dean Barrow. UDP’s Chairman, Michael Peyrefitte spoke on this issue. UDP ELECTIONS IN OUT /////]

Breaking Belize News

CARICOM donates COVID-19 protection supplies to Belize Central Prison
This week the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) donated over […]

Placencia residents seek help in recovering stolen boat
A family from Placencia is asking the public to be on the lookout for their […]

“Increasing exports the only way to solve foreign exchange problems,” says Chamber of Commerce
Today the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) called on the Government of Belize […]

Channel Broadcasting Cable sued in U.S. for alleged piracy
While Belize’s cable industry has moved away from its early days of outright piracy of television […]

Ex-Ministers still in crosshairs of police
Two former Government Ministers continue to face investigation for separate alleged instances of misconduct. But in […]

Prime Minister Barrow announces first-ever U.S. dollar-denominated Treasury Note
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow today announced a first-ever U.S. dollar-denominated Treasury Note […]

Flood conditions still a problem in some parts of the country
The latest flood update from the National Hydrological Service of Belize’s latest flood update says […]

How COVID-19 took over the world
Belize is in something of an “eye” in the COVID-19 storm, with the last of […]

National Hydrological Service issues flood alert
Today, the National Hydrological Service issued a flood alert. Citizens are being advised to avoid […]

Government informs unemployment relief portal numbers are inactive
The Government issued a statement today informing that the hotlines/help numbers that were listed on […]

Sex workers unable to make a living, call for curfew to be lifted
The COVID-19 pandemic and the State of Emergency (SOE) measures that followed have put thousands of […]

CARICOM mounts election observation mission for St. Kitts and Nevis General Elections
At the invitation of the Government of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, the […]

Cristobal weakens to a depression; continues to produce heavy rains
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) informed that Cristobal has weakened to a tropical depression. The […]

Take a Stand Against Police Brutality in Belize
By Roy McCarthy and M.H.: The news of George Floyd's death has shaken the world. Through peaceful protest and awareness campaigns people are taking a stand against police violence and systemic racism […]

Burglar drops stolen case of Guinness to escape capture
A Belize City burglar may have escaped being caught by police, but he had to leave […]

Blogs

Four More Repatriation Flights from Belize by United Airlines in June
For North Americans stranded in Belize, four (4) more reparation flights have now become available in June 2020. The U.S. Embassy confirms multiple United Airlines repatriation flights from Belize: There is a confirmed repatriation flight this Friday June 5, 2020. United Airlines Flight UA 2421 departs Belize at 12:00 pm (noon) and arrives in Houston, TX at 15:30 pm. Please make your reservation at www.United.com. In addition, United Airlines and the Government of Belize are working to provide additional repatriation flights from Belize City to Houston, TX during the month of June 2020. The June repatriation flights are currently scheduled for the 12th, 19th, and 26th of June.

Surprisingly Stirring — and Totally Safe: Swim with Whale Sharks in Belize
Astonishingly, some of the largest animals to have ever roamed Earth are still alive today. That includes the world’s largest fish, the whale shark. Growing up to 60 feet – or as long as a school bus – with a weight of 50,000 pounds, these endangered giants are considered a part of the shark family. But, no, whale sharks are not dangerous. With mouths up to five feet wide, whale sharks are actually very docile and extremely agreeable to swimming alongside humans. Leisurely grazing at about 3 miles an hour with gulps of entire schools of krill and plankton, a whale shark can be found in all tropical oceans. Although massive, whale sharks are only one of three known shark species that filter feed; in Belize, they do so in the southern tip of the country. Between March and June, visitors of the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve have a unique chance to swim with these gentle giants.

Stormy Weather in San Pedro: Local Flooding from this Central American Gyre
Belize has seeing some rising rivers, some regional flooding but has stayed thankfully away from any real storm development. But last night, winds up to 35mph and a PARTICULARLY high tide caused some flooding, lots of beach erosion and even the dock next door to us at Xtan Ha Resort to see damage. High Tide was estimated at 7:48am – and with the winds coming hard and the waves coming over the reef, HUGE…the water rose. WindFinder is best for wind and wave height. By far the best weather prediction service I know here. Instead of pretending I know about meterology, I will show you photos. We headed to town at about 9:30am – the tide was receding on the east (windward) side of the island but still rising on the lagoon side. Here is what we saw.

International Sources

IOM launches a survey to understand how the pandemic has affected migrants from Central America and Mexico, or living in the region
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started, and due to its rapid spread in demia del COVID-19, many countries closed their borders as a sanitary measure. 92% of the countries in the american continent had closed theirs by April 6th, 2020. These measures impact immediately and directly human mobility, as new patterns are generated in global mobility, airline service, border management and migration policy. The context grows more complicated as the economies get affected and the labor markets in the countries suffer because of the closing of non-essentiall businesses. Unemployment, the reduction in remittances and poverty growth are direct effects on migrant populations.

The UWI Open Campus Appoints New Head of Site in Belize
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Sharmayne Saunders as Head of Site, Open Campus Belize. Her appointment was approved by the University Council at its meeting on April 30, 2020, with indefinite tenure effective May 1, 2020. Dr. Saunders was preceded by Mrs. Jane Bennett, who served from 2007–2019. The University community thanks Mrs. Bennett for her stellar leadership during the years and wishes her well as she pursues new professional experiences.

Tax Revenue as Percent of GDP Below Average in Latin American and Caribbean Countries
The Organisation for Co-operation and Economic Development (OECD) has compiled tax revenue data for countries around the world—including 26 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, where tax revenue as a percent of GDP is on average 11 percentage points lower than in other regions. On average, the tax-to-GDP ratio for 25 countries (excluding Venezuela due to data availability issues) was 23.1 percent, compared to the OECD average of 34.3 percent. From all the LAC countries only Cuba (42.3 percent) recorded a tax-to-GDP ratio higher than the OECD average. (Mexico and Chile are also OECD member countries, therefore LAC and OECD groups overlap somewhat. Colombia also joined the OECD in 2020; nevertheless, it is not included in the OECD average for 2018.)

Videos

June 4, 2020

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, 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

Fumigation begins in San Pedro Town ahead of expected Dengue season
On Tuesday, June 2nd, personnel from the Health Department on the island began fumigating across the subdivisions of San Pedro Town in an attempt to contain the swarm of mosquitoes that have been triggered by the recent rains. The fumigation effort is not only to contain the blood-sucking insects, but also to mitigate any Dengue outbreaks and any other diseases transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes. Fumigation is expected to continue through the end of the week as health personnel intends to target all potential mosquito breeding sites on the island.

Belize Children’s Assistance Organization created to help families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Ambergris Caye is known for being a united community in times of crisis, and the current COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Thousands of islanders have lost their livelihoods after the closure of international borders essentially halted the tourism industry that most Belizeans depended on. In turn, a few islanders have formed groups to help those most in need. One of those helpful groups is the Belize Children’s Assistance Organization, whose mission is to help jobless parents with basic food items and baby products such as diapers, formula, and wipes for those with young babies.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Thursday, June 4th Meal pick ups. Location Hibisca Restaurant. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am - 12:30pm.

National Hydrological Service Flood Forecast - June 3, 2020
River Conditions REGION 7 - The Blue Creek Sub catchment of the RIO HONDO is flooded: flood levels have crest at 1.69 metres above the level historically recorded for Hurricane Mitch. The NEW RIVER at Caledonia continues to rise slowly and is now at bank full stage. REGION 9 - On the MACAL RIVER, reservoir levels remain below the spillways at Chalk). Mollejon and Vaca facilities. At San Ignacio, levels remains below the low level bridge but is gradually rising. The MOPAN RIVER at Benque Viejo Town is above normal and steady. On the BELIZE RIVE, levels at Banana Bank continue to fall. The CROOKED TREE LAGOON is below the causeway and rising steadily...

Bags to School
Nayobie's Hope For Children Project is embarking on “Bags-to-School” project to assist struggling families for the upcoming school year. Here’s how we all can help.

SUPPLIES FOR THE PRISON FLOWN INTO THE COUNTRY
Today a military cargo plane landed today at the Philip Goldson International Airport. The plane apparently brought in mask and other supplies for the prison department.

Opening Hours, Contact numbers for Health Clinics

The Embassy of Mexico Commemorates World Environment Day with Special Screening of Mexican Short Film "Solar Grandma"
In the framework of the celebration of the World Environment Day and as a part of the new cultural program, the Embassy of Mexico in Belize has the pleasure to announce the special screening of the Mexican short film “Solar Grandma” this Friday, June 5th, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. through our social media outlets. The film will be screened in Spanish with subtitles in English. Synopsis: “Solar Grandma” is the story of a woman who leaves her home in a rural village for six months in pursuit of a better quality of life through solar power. Her training is still bringing progress to one of Mexico’s poorest regions. This short film was the winner of the best documentary award in the 2019 edition of the ECOFilm Festival.

Artists of the Day - Wabagari Dance Group
The Wabagari Dance Group is a Garifuna Dance Group which sings, plays the traditional Garifuna drums and sisiras and dance to Garifuna music. This energetic group of musicians and dancers became a unit in 2012 under the leadership of the current director, Cynthia Cayetano. Even though Wabagari as a group has only been in existence since 2012, most of the dancers have been gracing the stage for decades. Wabagari's founder/ Director began dancing in her hometown of Punta Gorda in 1983 at the tender age of 11 under the tutelage of the incomparable Maura Lopez as a member of the group Yaguei. After migrating to a Belize City, Cynthia became a member of Ugundani Dance Group and eventually became its director. Most of Wabagari's dancers have represented Belize internationally in the USA, Mexico, Japan, Cuba, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Ministry of National Security Refutes Allegations made against BDF Patrol
The Ministry of National Security hereby clarifies misinformation that has been circulating on social media regarding a Belize Defence Force (BDF) patrol in the Toledo District. The BDF conducts patrols and monitors Belize’s borders daily in accordance with its duties and mandate under the laws of Belize to preserve the territorial integrity of Belize. Reports appearing in both local and international media yesterday, June 2nd, referred to allegations being made against some members of a BDF patrol accused of entering Guatemalan territory on Sunday, May 31, 2020. The Ministry has confirmed that the allegations are false.

Tik Tok Video competition
Click below for details of the Belize Department of the Environment - DOE's first-ever Tik Tok Video competition commemorating World Environment Day 2020.

Repatriation flight this Friday June 5, 2020
There is a confirmed repatriation flight this Friday June 5, 2020. United Airlines Flight UA 2421 departs Belize at 12:00 pm (noon) and arrives in Houston, TX at 15:30 pm. Please make your reservation at www.United.com. In addition, United Airlines and the Government of Belize are working to provide additional repatriation flights from Belize City to Houston, TX during the month of June 2020. Flights are planned for the following dates in June (6/12, 6/19, and 6/26). United Airlines Flight UA 2421 departs Belize at 12:00 pm (noon) and arrives in Houston, TX at 15:30 pm. While all flights are available for ticket purchase at www.United.com, please note that only the flight for Friday, June 5th is approved by the Government of Belize at this time...

Water outage in San Pedr0
BWS Notice for Customers in San Pedro: Unplanned water interruption due to leak for today, Thursday, June 4, 2020. Duration: Unknown until damage assessment is conducted Areas being affected: entire San Pedro Distribution System

Preparation day for concrete work on the back yard patio of The Yucatec Maya museum in Cristo Rey village, Corozal
Yes. We're getting there.

Maya Legend of Yuum Cimil
The Maya natives of today, inhabitants of the Yucatan Peninsula, assure that Yum Cimil, Lord of Death, goes around the rooms of the sick to take them away. This much feared lord was the ancient Lord of the Underworld, who was called Ah Puch, also known as Ah Cimil, Kisin (the stinking one), and Hun Ahau. The Maya represented him as a skeleton with the face of a jaguar or owl, from his body you could see the ribs and the spine without meat; that is, only the bones were appreciated. But sometimes his body was covered in flesh, bloated flesh filled with black circles caused by decay. Ah Puch was adorned with jingle bells that he put on his hair, forearms and legs, and on his chest he wore a snail-shaped pectoral. The bells he used were of many sizes, from tiny to large as oranges, were made of copper and gold. Ah Puch was an evil god who was always accompanied by a dog, the Moan bird, and an owl.

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint Full Moon.

How did fourteen men change the history of Belize?
Tune in on Facebook this Friday at 10:00 a.m. for a video presentation by Mr. Nigel Encalada, Director of ISCR on the historical importance of the 1st June 1797 Public Meeting and the role of the Flowers Bank 14

Channel 7

BDF Sergeant Charged For Rape Of Female Soldier
For the past two nights we have been reporting on the now concluded report into allegations of sexual misconduct within the BELIZE DEFENCE FORCE. When we spoke to the Minister of National Security yesterday he disclosed that the report also unearthed an allegation of rape made by a female soldier. And, today, 35 year old Staff Sergeant Margarito Pop was taken to court and accused of raping a 39 year old female soldier. Pop appeared before Magistrate Emmerson Banner in the presence of his attorney, Leeroy Banner where a single charge of rape was read to him.

Cop Charged For Breaking Glass Door, Fails to Meet Bail
Tonight, 30 year old Belmopan police Officer James Usher is on remand at the Belize Central Prison. He was arraigned this evening on a single charge of damage to property. Yesterday, for reasons that are still unclear, Usher damaged a glass door at the Investigation Section at the Belize City branch of the Immigration and Nationality Department, located at mile 1.5 on the Phillip Goldson Highway.

Excessive Mud In Cane Forces BSI to Shut Down Plant
Tonight, there is disruption in the 2019/2020 sugar cane season, which has been put on pause until further notice. The recent heavy rains affecting the entire country has caused the cane fields to become inundated with floodwaters. That is causing excessively muddy cane to enter BSI's Tower Hill Factory, which is threatening to damage their equipment. Since the heavy rains started during the weekend, that excess mud has since increased to 4 times the recommended amount that the millers can allow their equipment to directly interact with. And so, representatives from the different stakeholder groups in the industry met and took the difficult decision to cease all cane deliveries, as of yesterday morning, until the weather improves. Forecasters believe that the heavy rains should stop by this weekend.

Mile 44 Land, Half Of It Was Worth 20 Mil!
The battle over the land at mile 44 on the George Price Highway is continuing this week. This time it's a war of words between former Central Bank Governor Glenn Ysaguirre and his son, Jaraad, as legal owners on one side, and Nigel Petillo, the land activist on the other. As viewers are aware, Petillo has been encouraging Belizeans to clear over one thousand acres at mile 44 to begin the process of squatting for Title by Prescription. It's the BGYEA model from Mile 41's Harmonyville. That's where Petillo and others brought public pressure by squatting on that once-vacant piece of land, demonstrating the very real need from poor, first-time landowners.

When it All Falls Down for A Southside Family
Tonight a mother and her two children are homeless after their small home fell last night during the rains. 42-year-old Thalia Westby, was at home with her children on Baldwin Drive near Faber's Road when the house collapsed. The small 12 by 14 wooden structure toppled after the heavy rains inundated the swamp where the house sits and destabilized the stilts. Today she told Cherisse Halsall about her plight: .

A Special Air Cargo Lands At The PGIA
The Philip Goldson International Airport remains closed under the State of Emergency regulations- opened only to cargo flights and special charters to pick up stranded US residents. But, the airport was briefly opened today for a special flight, to accommodate a French military jet bringing COVID sanitation supplies for the Belize Central Prison. It's a donation from the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security, also known as CARICOM IMPACS. This regional organization has partnered with the British High Commission in Port of Spain, Trinidad to ensure that prisons in the Caribbean don't become breeding grounds for the coronavirus.

Prison Taking Major Measures to Stay Corona Virus Free
2 days ago, we told you about that Belizean immigrant in the US who tested positive for the Coronavirus, while he was being held in custody at the detention center in California. There is a consensus that prisons and detention centers are especially vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. So, we asked the Prison CEO to discuss the protocols that they implemented at the Belize Central Prison to ensure the facility wouldn't become ground zero for a coronavirus second wave.

Flood Forecast Improving
And from COVID, we turn now to the regional outlook on the weather, and specifically, Tropical Storm Cristobal. As we told you earlier in the news, the rains caused by this weather system last weekend has caused the sugar industry to go on a temporary pause due to excess mud being delivered with the cane. And, that was done back when it wasn't even strong enough or organized enough to become a named storm. Well, it has now developed into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour.

Some Still Waiting For First Unemployment Payment
And as floodwaters rise in some areas of Belize, some have yet to get their heads above water, this time figuratively. We've told you that just under 3,000 approved applicants have yet to receive Unemployment Relief funds. That's due to errors with banking information, missing transit numbers, or an inactive account. Yesterday we spoke to a freelance reporter who says she lost vital revenue during the lockdown, and after a successful application for relief funds led nowhere, she called us to vent her frustration at the Social Security Board's inability to offer her any guidance.

Public Doctors and Private Practice
And in other COVID news, medical officers - meaning doctors in the public service, are wondering when the regulations prohibiting them from engaging in private practice will be rolled back. The most recent Statutory Instrument laying out the State of Emergency regulations still states, quote, "No medical officer employed by the Government of Belize shall engage in any independent private practice during the period of public emergency." This is presumably to avoid the risk of any cross contamination between public and private facilities, but, without any confirmed COVID cases in Belize for the past 51 days, many of those medical officers are asking if its really necessary.

City Cleaners, Spiffy and Safe
As the lockdown concludes and you get back to your jobs and daily commutes, you might notice a distinctively dressed crew hard at work in the City. They're the City Council's sanitation workers now referred to by the much more appealing title of "Operational Support." And with the name change comes a change in apparel. We joined Mayor Bernard Wagner at City Hall this morning for the official presentation. They were among the essential workers who fought though lockdown to continue to provide such vital services as garbage removal, custodial work, and even maintenance of burial grounds, and this morning Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner described them as having stood on the wall amidst uncertainty.

BDF Says It Didn't Enter Guatemala, OAS Will Confirm
The Ministry of National Security out out a statement a few minutes ago, refuting social media reports which say that a BDF patrol allegedly entered Guatemalan territory on Sunday, May 31, 2020. The Ministry has confirmed that the allegations are false. The official account is that while conducting a routine patrol, some members of the BDF 2020 visited a neighborhood near Jalacte Village in the Toledo District of Belize where they briefly encountered some civilians.

Boat and Engine Thieves Swept Through Riversdale
A boat and three outboard engines were stolen last night in Riversdale Village on the Placencia Peninsula. At 5:00 this morning, fisherman Hector Martinez went looking for his boat named Hanny, and found that it was gone, along with its 60 horsepower Yamaha engine. Not long after, another fisherman from that village, Carlos Castellanos found that his 40 horsepower Yamaha engine was also gone, but they left his boat.

Ryan Foster Wanted For Double Murder
Last month, we told you about the killings of 55-year-old Quentin Espinoza, a Belizean divemaster, and 70-year-old American Roman Burley. They found dead in mysterious circumstances: Espinoza had been shot in the head, while Burley suffered chop wounds. Tonight, police have released a wanted poster for the man they want to investigate for these 2 murders.

A Reward For Robbers
Police are offering a reward for the two suspects, described only as two Hispanic men, believed to be involved in the robbery of San Ignacio's B&J store. We showed you the footage of the robbery where 2 persons held up the store owner and his cashier while a customer in a blue shirt was present. They left with $300.00 and now the police say they need your help to catch them.

YWCA, Maintaining Girls's Dignity
Back in April when Food Packages were introduced and government-issued pantries were upgraded to include sanitizing agents but no one was talking about a vital necessity that at the time The Ministry of Human Development seemed to have overlooked.

KHMH Returns To A (New) Normal
Yesterday the KHMH announced the re-opening of its suspended specialist clinics, but with a caveat: patients will now be accepted on an appointment-only basis, Adjustments have also been made to the hospital's COVID-time visitor's policy in order to match State of Emergency relaxations. Moving forward General Hospital visiting hours will be from 12:00 noon to 1:00pm and 4pm to 6pm. Patients will be allowed one morning visitor and 3 evening visitors, one person at a time.

Channel 5

Four Confiscated Drug Planes Sold for Under $1M
Numerous landings of drug planes in Belize have amassed a fleet of aircrafts that government has taken into its possession.  Those business jets, in various state of disrepair, are kept [...]

Confiscated Aircrafts Bought By Belizeans and Foreigners
According to Enriquez, the collective price for the aircrafts was determined based on the conditions in which they were being sold, and many of them were damaged after landing on [...]

O.A.S. to Verify Whether Belizean Soldiers Crossed Over into Guatemala
The Organization of American States is conducting an investigation to determine the geographical location of a team of Belize Defense Force soldiers, who ventured into an area of the adjacency [...]

A Filthy Kitchen At Camp Belizario
The following story also involves the B.D.F.  Images of filth that has accumulated at the kitchen at Camp Belizario in Central Farm have been raising concerns for some of the [...]

Life Continues as Normal in Arenal Village, Despite Rise of COVID-19 Cases in Guatemala
The main border points remain closed, but illegal border crossings are still taking place because every week we get an update on how many persons are arrested and charged for [...]

B.D.F. Soldier Margarito Pop Arraigned for Raping Female Soldier
A B.D.F. soldier has been taken to court for rape.  The matter reportedly happened a few days ago and the female officer made the complaint. This comes on the heels [...]

CARICOM IMPACS Come Bearing Sanitary Supplies for Belize Central Prison
At the Philip Goldson International Airport this morning, a French aircraft touched down, bringing supplies that will be used by inmates at the Belize Central Prison. Everywhere, including the prisons, [...]

Anticipating the Reopening of the P.G.I.A.
Belize has entered its eighth week without recording a positive COVID-19 case. The closure of the P.G.I.A. and land borders has kept imported cases away and the work of frontline [...]

Belize Enters 8th Week since Last Positive COVID-19 Case
More than one thousand six hundred COVID-19 tests have been conducted and as of Tuesday afternoon, only two cases were under investigation. Belize continues with zero positive COVID-19 and is [...]

2 Men are Wanted for Hopkins Double Murder
Police are looking for two men who are suspects in the murders of a Belizean and a U.S. national at a farm in Hopkins, Stann Creek District, on May twenty-second. [...]

Adjusting to the New Normal Amid Coronavirus Threat
Businesses are finding new ways to provide customers with personal safety. In the downtown area of the City, Dibary, is one of the attractive places to shop. But due to [...]

More than Organic, Traditional Chocolate Bars!
Tonight we take you back down south to Maya Center Village for part two of our story with Julio Saqui, the co-owner of Che’il Mayan Chocolate. Making authentic and organic [...]

Milling Halts at the B.S.I. Factory
The A.S.R./B.S.I. factory did its final milling around four before it closed temporarily to do some maintenance work. As we reported on Tuesday, the closure is directly related to the [...]

Drought Woes for Sugar Industry; Relief “Soon Come!”
This heavy rain is but only one climate related issue for the sugar industry. As you’ll recall, last year the industry suffered a serious drought and in the last couple [...]

Grains and Sugarcane Fields Flooded in the West!
Many crops are under water due to recent flooding to Tropical Storm Cristobal that formed in the Bay of Campeche. Locally crops and grains are being affected in the west and [...]

Professional Overalls and Uniforms for the Operational Support Team at CitCo
Sanitation workers and operational support staff at the Belize City Council will be donning a professional look.  City Hall has acquired overalls and provided them with protective gear to be [...]

C.W.U. and P.B.L. Resolve Stevedores’ Issue
A meeting was held on Tuesday afternoon between the Christian Workers Union and the Port of Belize Limited. It was mediated by the Labour Department and focused on a three-day [...]

Family of Three Escapes Injury after House Collapse; Needs Help!
A family of three was home on Tuesday night when their house came crumbling down. Thalia Westby and her two sons have been living in the small wooden house on [...]

Harmony Young Undergoes Surgery
Last week, we brought you the story of Harmony Young, a sixteen-year-old Belize City resident who was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour back in March of this year. Her [...]

Y.W.C.A. Launches a Feminine Hygiene Products Drive
COVID-19 has left many families disenfranchised across the country. While some have joined the unemployment pool and are dependent on relief from government, others are unable to meet rent, pay [...]

The Reporter

PPE arrives for Prison
Just after midday today a French military aircraft landed at the Phillip Goldson International Airport to deliver fourteen thousand dollars worth of Personal Protective Equipments and basic sanitization supplies to the Belize Central Prison. The donation is from the CARICOM IMPACS (Implementation Agency for Crime and Security) with support from the British High Commission in Port of Spain Trinidad. Prison authorities said that the much-needed donations will be used to boost the prison's ongoing screening operation to keep their vulnerable population COVID-19 free.

Report of the Committee to Evaluate and Advise on Cost Savings Measures
The Public Service Union has released highlights from the Report of the Committee to Evaluate and Advise on Cost Savings Measures. The report touches on vehicles and fuel, human resources, allowances, procurement, travel and utilities among other topics.

LOVE FM

ROBBERY TURNED SHOOTING
Dodlie Estelle, owner of Estelle's Airport Hotel in Ladyville was shot to the back during a robbery around 5pm today. Estelle and his wife were inside their home when a man came to ask for a room at the hotel. Thereafter, two other armed men entered and demanded money. When Estelle told them he had none, they fired shots at him and stole $500. They then escaped in a vehicle which was intercepted by police. The police detained the four men found inside the vehicle. Estelle was admitted to the hospital in a stable condition.

Citco equips sanitation department with uniforms
The Sanitation Department at the Belize City Council were equipped with brand new uniforms that will allow them to carry out their duties safely and professionally. Today the Mayor of Belize City, Bernard Wagner, announced that the long-awaited sanitation jumpsuits were completed.

Jared Metzgen is is need of financial assistance
A few days ago, 22-year-old Jared Metzgen was a healthy Belizean man. On Sunday, May 24 his future changed when he fell off a bridge in the Gracie Rock area leaving him paralyzed. Tonight, he is in dire need of medical attention for an uncontrollable fever and not being able to breathe on his own. The possibility of him being able to walk again is minimal, but the family is hopeful, and they are pleading for financial assistance to get him the proper care he needs. We spoke to his father, Herbert Metzgen who hopes that his son will make it through.

BSI halts its mills due to harsh weather conditions
The Belize Sugar industry (BSI) has stopped the grinding of sugar cane due to the heavy rains from over the weekend making the process challenging. According to BSI the decision was taken after consulting with the Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the Sugar Cane Production Committee.

Family’s home collapses due to heavy rains
A mother and her two children were startled when their house collapsed last night on Baldwin Drive in Belize City. The small elevated wooden structure sat on four posts at each corner but had shifted over the past few days due to the rain and wind.

Repatriated Belizeans currently staying at Radisson hotel
Three groups of repatriated Belizeans are currently staying at the Radisson Fort George and Marina under mandatory quarantine. Love News understands that each group has been assigned their own floor, and have minimal contact with the staff.

Valley of Peace faces issues with flooding
Residents in the Valley of Peace area, Cayo District are facecd with challenges as their farms and crops have become inundated with water. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz visited the village and filed the following report.

Kolby Foundation receives donation from Caricom
The Kolby Foundation received some much needed supplies to aid in their preventative measures against Covid-19. Though there are no active cases in the country right now, it is still important to keep the prisons safe due to the density of its population.

Citco talks hurricane preparation
The hurricane season is here and the Belize City Council reported today that they are prepared for what has been forecast to be an active season. The City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) that falls under the purview of the Belize City Council was activated since the start of January.

Breaking Belize News

Ministry of National Security refutes allegations made against BDF Patrol; says patrol was in Belizean territory
The Ministry of National Security issued a statement today to clarify misinformation that has been circulating […]

Man shot in armed robbery in Ladyville
Authorities are investigating an armed robbery that occurred this evening at Estelle’s Airport hotel in […]

Local travel breathing some life back into tourism industry, stakeholders call for further relaxation of curfew
The Belize Tourism Industry Association says that there was a surge of Belizean travelers taking advantage […]

Tourism industry and Development Finance Corporation discussing recovery from COVID-19
The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BITA) and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) are in discussions […]

Director of Health Services host meeting with Management teams of health regions
Today, Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero hosted a meeting with management teams from […]

FFB sets dates for regional and national executive elections
The Congress of the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) is tentatively set for July 4, […]

Tropical Storm Cristobal weakening slowly; threat of heavy rains and flood continues
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) informs that Tropical Storm Cristobal is weakening slowly. A Tropical […]

Belize City Mayor asks residents to be prepared this hurricane season
The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season began on Monday and Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner is […]

U.S. Embassy Belize informs of United Airlines repatriation flights from Belize
The United States Embassy in Belize informed today of a confirmed repatriation flight this Friday […]

Police name wanted suspects in Hopkins double murder
Police have named 29-year-old Ryan Brown Foster and 21-year-old Theodore Garcia as suspects in the […]

Mexican Embassy commemorates World Environment Day with special screening of Mexican short film “Solar grandma”
In the framework of the celebration of the World Environment Day and as a part […]

Tropical Storm Cristobal makes landfall in Mexico; brings heavy rains and flood
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is reporting that Tropical Storm Cristobal is moving inland over […]

Blogs

Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Belize Highlights
If you don’t own a Lonely Planet guide, yourself, wherever you travel you are bound to see one somewhere along the way. Whether it’s an avid adventurer reading on the plane, an old copy left on the hotel bookshelf, your friend’s go-too suggestion when you ask for recommendations. In the travel world, the top 10 highlights from Lonely Planet for a destination is a great base to start planning, and Belize is no different.

A Dreamy Long Weekend At Gaia River Lodge in Western Belize
After over 2 months spent within a few hundred feet of my couch and computer, it felt glorious to get out my trusty duffle bag and TRAVEL! I was headed less than 100 miles away (as the crow flies) – to Gaia River Lodge in Belize’s beautiful Pine Ridge Forest. To this… So close to Ambergris Caye but SO DIFFERENT! My long weekend was totally magical. And now I can dream of going back…I actually have so much more to do there! But it’s my small luxe cabana perched over the waterfalls above that is calling loudest to me. Let me start from the beginning of my trip – and tell you how I got there. Especially since many people combine their trip to Gaia River Lodge with time at their sister property on Ambergris Caye – Mata Chica Resort on the beach.

Belize listed on United’s Summer 2020 Flight Schedule
On June 2, United Airlines made an update to the world in regards to its flights, routes and reopening schedules. This included summer 2020 flights to destinations in Central America and the Caribbean, listing 5 weekly flights scheduled to Belize. While international travel has been the most affected, we know that travel industry partners around the world flights are hopeful for a resurgence. Currently, Belize’s borders and international airport remain closed; the Government of Belize has not yet confirmed a reopen date, though are working diligently to provide an update soon. However, as United updates their schedule for resumed international flights, this may be an indication for resumed service to Belize in summer 2020.

International Sources

Largest Known Maya Structure Found, More than 4,000 Feet Long and Nearly 3,000 Years Old
A giant platform nearly a mile long made of stone, clay and earth is both the earliest and largest known monumental structure constructed by the ancient Maya, dwarfing their biggest pyramids in magnitude, a new study finds. The people known as the ancient Maya lived in an area the size of Texas across what is now southern Mexico and northern Central America, including the modern countries of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras. At its height, known as its Classic period, which spanned from roughly A.D. 250 to 900, the Maya arguably had the most advanced civilization in the Americas, raising cities known for their stone pyramids.

CCRIF Caribbean Members Renew Disaster Risk Insurance Policies, Strengthened by European Union Support
CCRIF is pleased to announce that its menthe! governments in the Caribbean have all renewed their parametric insurance coverage for tropical cyclone, excess rainfall, earthquake and fisheries ahead of the upcoming 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season, ceding over US$1 billion in risk to CCRIF and increasing overall coverage by 8 per cent. To support Caribbean governments whose social and economic sectors have been significantly disrupted by COVID-19, the European Union (EU) under its Global COVID-19 Response, has provided a grant of €10 million (USS11 million) to CCRIF for premium support or for increasing coverage for its Caribbean members.

Five more Mexican fishermen detained in Belize
Five Mexican fishermen who were reported missing Saturday from along the southern coast of Quintana Roo were detained in Belizean waters. The fishermen were taken into custody and placed in quarantine after Belize authorities found them outside Mexico boundaries.

Discover ancient ruins and unspoilt jungle in Belize and Guatemala
Belize and Guatemala have largely stayed off the tourist radar for Brits, as bigger Latin American countries scoop up first-time visitors to the region, leaving the sacred sites and steamy jungles of these neighbouring states only to those in the know. Yet for the more intrepid UK traveller, that simply adds to the allure. These small countries boast some of the world’s best diving sites, Mayan ruins, mist-filled jungles and colonial cities – perfect for a twin-centre trip. Plus they offer just the kind of vibrant visual content you can use in social media or marketing to inspire customers planning ahead for 2021.

Bone analysis of ancient skeletons show humans started eating maize 4,700-years-ago
Ancient skeletons, found in a remarkably well-preserved state in Central American rock shelters, hold clues to the origins of maize as a staple of the human diet. The remains were found in the Maya Mountains of Belize and were buried at various points in the past 10,000 years, according to University of Exeter team. Researchers measured levels of carbon and nitrogen in the bones of 44 skeletons to gather information on their diet – they found the oldest fed on herbs and berries. Of the skeletons studied, the first to show signs of maize in their diet would have lived about 4,7000-years-ago, the team said.

The roots of a staple crop
About 9,000 years ago in the Balsas River Valley of southwestern Mexico, hunter-gatherers began domesticating teosinte, a wild grass. Fast-forward to the present, and what was a humble perennial has been turned into the world's biggest grain crop: maize. Humanity deeply relies on maize, or corn, but just when it became a major food crop in the Americas has been a source of mystery and dispute. Now, a UC Santa Barbara researcher and his collaborators, by testing the skeletons of an "unparalleled" collection of human skeletal remains in Belize, have demonstrated that maize had become a staple in the Americas 4,700 years ago.

Videos

June 3, 2020

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, 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

Local banks restrict the use of credit cards to secure foreign exchange; PM says Belize’s reserves are more than enough
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the flow of foreign exchange into Belize, and in order for local financial institutions to effectively and efficiently continue providing their services, banks have been forced to place restrictions on the use of credit cards. These restrictions limit credit card holders on the amount they can use monthly, and priority is being given to the importation of essential needs. On the other hand, the government assures Belizeans that the reserves at the Central Bank are good enough for the rest of the year.

Ministry of National Security Concludes Investigation into Allegations of Misconduct within the Belize Defence Force
The Ministry of National Security hereby confirms that the investigation into the alleged reports of extortion, maltreatment, sexual assault, and sexual advances at Training Company has concluded. The investigation recognizes that some progress was made in response to the victims of the alleged misconduct and highlights the need for more targeted organizational and strategic changes for progress to continue.

Embassy of Taiwan Donates Masks to the Ministry of National Security
The Ministry of National Security today received a donation of 60,000 surgical face masks from the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The masks will be distributed among the Belize Defence Force, Belize Coast Guard and the Belize Police Department.

Embassy of Taiwan Donates Masks to the Ministry of National Security
The Ministry of National Security today received a donation of 60,000 surgical face masks from the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The Ambassador also congratulated Belize on its efforts in managing COVID-19 and maintaining order through the measures under the statutory instruments.

2020 Hurricane Season begins with heavy rains across the region
The 2020 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season officially began on Monday, June 1st, with torrential rains across the country. On Ambergris Caye, it poured for hours, causing flooding in streets around San Pedro Town. Rain is expected to continue for the upcoming days, while the remnants of Amanda is heading to the Gulf of Mexico where it could become the season’s third tropical storm.

Ambergris Today

Islanders Organize Belize Children's Assistance Organization During Pandemic
Belize Children's Assistance Organization was created by Ms Yamilet Tzib to assist jobless parents with basic grocery items. She then pushed forward to assist single parents with baby products such as diapers, formula and wipes, to name a few. With the help of Mrs. Debbie Howell Reed and Mrs. Sheila Midgett Mark and their GoFundme pages the Organization has been assisting the needy on San Pedro and on the mainland with weekly grocery packages since April 10, 2020.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Wednesday, June 3rd, Meal Pick ups. Location : Happy Lobster Restaurant & Bar. Time: Village: 11:00am-11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am-12:30pm.

Webinar: Crisis Management for Tour Operators and Accommodations
The webinar on crisis management is scheduled for June 5, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. Register here: https://bit.ly/2Ml9cO0

Making drinking water safe
Due to the recent floods occurring over the past few days, the Ministry of Health reminds the public to stay safe including making drinking water safe. Practice safe sanitation and hygiene to reduce the incidences of common waterborne diseases that are characterized by diarrhea and vomiting. Seek medical attention if your symptoms become worse.

Green Iguana Conservation Project reopening
We are excited to be reopening our Green Iguana Tour this Friday June 25th, 2020. Tours will only be on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. Tour time: 9 am, 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm. Price will be $10BZ for adults and $5BZ for children.

Banquitas House of Culture's Conference Room Available for Rent
In Orange Walk and Hosting a Conference, Large Meeting, or do you Need Space for a Large Gathering? Come and use the Banquitas House of Culture's Conference Room. Call us at +(501) 322-0517 or email us at: banquitas.hoc@nichbelize.org

Cabax bu'ul
Cabax Bu'ul is a well known dish between the Yucatec Maya(Máasewal) elders of Northern Belize . Our Mayero elders would say "Cabaz Bu'ul es una delicia de los Dioses Mayas " .

Artist of the Day - Hilberto Trujillo
Hilberto Trujillo was born in 1972 in the village of Paraiso. At the age of twelve Hilberto won his first poster competition. In 2007 he had the opportunity to study art at ‘La Casa Del Artista’ in Costa Rica where he was able to develop his skills in various mediums. In 2009 equipped with his new artistic achievements, Hilberto initiated an art club for the children of Paraiso Village. In 2010 he joined the Institute of Creative Arts-Corozal Committee in the capacity of visual arts instructor. Hilberto is an educator at the Belize Seventh Day Adventist College where he teaches math, physics, and visual arts. Mr. Trujillo continues to paint and is dedicated to sharing his passion for art with his students, encouraging them to be creative.

FLOOD REPORT AND FORECAST
FLOOD REPORT AND FORECAST Tuesday June 2, 2020. River Conditions. REGION 7: The Blue Creek Sub catchment of the RIO HONDO is flooded, flood levels have exceeded the historical levels recorded for Hurricane Mitch. The NEW RIVER is continues to rise slowly but remains below the banks. REGION 9: On the MACAL RIVER, reservoir levels remain below the spillways at Chalillo, Mollejon and Vaca facilities. At San Ignacio, levels remains below the low level bridge but is gradually rising. The MOPAN RIVER at Benque Viejo Town has exceeded its banks and continues to rise...

Summary of Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2020
Summary of Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2020 Effective Monday, June 1st, 2020. 1. IS CURFEW STILL IN EFFECT? Yes, the curfew is still imposed and in effect for the entire country for BOTH adults and minors, 16 years and under from o Sunday to Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. o Friday to Saturday from 9:00 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. However, minors, 16 years and under, MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian during · The mornings from o Sunday to Saturday from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. · The evenings from o Sunday to Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. o Friday to Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. No person shall be on the streets or in any public place nor on any public road during curfew...

Vacancy for the position of Chief Compliance Officer For Caye Bank
A Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), is responsible to protect the bank, its affiliates, and customers from any damage that might result from the failure to comply with regulatory obligations and assist the Executive Management in monitoring and mitigating compliance risks in line with the risk tolerance of the Bank.

COVID-19 UPDATE
This is an update up until today at 3 pm. A further 45 samples were processed today and all were negative. We have now entered our 8th week since we last confirmed our cases. Neighbouring Othon P. Blanco (includes Chetumal) up to midday today has 71 active cases and a total of 113 cases. Guatemala reported a further 249 new cases with 8 deaths in the last 24 hrs with a total now of 5,336 cases. Our surveillance mechanisms continue as we move along under new norms.

Breeding places of the Dengue Mosquito
The Ministry of Health reminds the community to be aware of Dengue. Keep your surroundings clean and avoid having any container that can hold water around the yard. Please visit the nearest health center if you feel like you are experiencing symptoms of Dengue or call us at 0-800-MOH-CARE.

Channel 7

Tourism Stakeholders Call For Opening, Urgently
Tourism borders are re-opening across the Caribbean - and there is mounting pressure in Belize to do the same. Antigua and Barbuda, and St Lucia are set to welcome air arrivals on June fourth. Jamaica will do the same on June 15th and the Bahamas on July first. Those countries are responding to shares economic pressures. Just like Belize they have seen massive job losses, economic stagnation, and foreign exchange shortfalls, due to the coronavirus shutdown.

Cabinet Still Not Ready For Tourism
Well, government has heard the very loud public and private lobbying well enough, but it remains unmoved. Coming out of a Cabinet session this afternoon, the Attorney General told us via phone that Belize is not ready yet: "I know that there is great pressure in Belize from many in the tourism sector. Is there any flexibility on this? Are you all thinking of changing the July 1st timeline? I know that a cabinet meeting was held today. Is there a re-thinking of reactivating this July 1st opening on the governments' part?"

UDP Not Fretting About Leadership
And while the tourism leaders are sounding drums of desperation, on the political front, the UDP rank and file is also getting antsy. Yesterday, you saw short lived leader John Saldivar openly campaigning for another bite at the leadership cherry. And that made us ask, when will the UDP elect a successor to Dean Barrow, who only has 5 months left in this term? As Chairman of the UDP, Mike Peyrefitte said politics is not a priority right now:

Man Left For Dead On Village Road
A man was killed last night in a fatal hit and run accident reported after the 8:00 pm curfew. In happened on the Progressso - San Estevan Road at around 8:45. Porfilio Escalante was riding a bicycle when he was hit by a vehicle which sped off. Escalante was flung to the pavement and experienced massive head trauma and injuries to his body.

Female Cycle Rider Knocked Down, Vehicle Speeds Off
And there was a hit and run in Belize City today as well. It happened at around 2:30 this afternoon just north of A & R and across from Courts. A grey Nissan vehicle and a motorbike were both northbound, heading in the same direction.

Five Mexicans Caught
Five Mexican fishermen are detained at a quarantine Centre in Corozal after the Coast Guard caught them doing illegal fishing in Belize's waters yesterday. The men who are from the southern coast of Quintana Roo had been reported missing since Saturday - but they weren't missing at all, they had entered Belize illegally and were in good health detained by the Coast Guard. Mexican media reports say they were caught with an unregistered boat and with several empty gasoline drums. The Belize Coast Guard would only confirmed their capture, and added that they will be quarantined for 14 days.

Crazy Cayo Armed Robbery
Tonight, Police from San Ignacio continue to look for 2 suspects in an armed robbery that happened at a grocery store in that western municipality. At around 5:20 p.m. yesterday, 2 thieves held up B&J Grocery Store, which is located at the corner of Buena Vista and 4th Streets. But, the entire crime in progress was caught on the store's video surveillance system, and 7News has obtained a copy of that footage.

An Alley At War With Cops
Over the weekend 78 Belizeans were charged with the state of emergency offense of breaking curfew. You might ask yourself how and under what circumstances people get charged with such an avoidable offense; and one that carries a heavy fine. But last night Doyle Palacio, a resident of North Creek Alley managed to incur that fine not just for himself but for his entire family after a series of events that, according to the family, began with Doyle's after curfew decision to wash his car. Cherisse Halsall walked down the alley this morning for a rainy re-cap of a community disturbance and alleged police brutality.

TS Cristobal Causing Rains
For the last 4 days, thunderstorms and heavy rains have dominated the weather all across Belize. The heavy conditions started on Saturday, and were as a direct result of a tropical weather disturbance that began affecting Belize and other Central American nations. This bad weather actually pre-empted the start of this year's hurricane season, and now, it has developed into one of the first-named tropical storms of the season. It is now known as Tropical Storm Cristobal, and at this time, it is meandering in the Bay of Campeche, where it will stay for a few more days.

Hurricane Season Without Radar?
But, will the National Met Service be able to repair Belize's radar to track local weather patterns themselves? Reports say that it has been down since mid March. The Deputy Chief Met Officer said it needs parts: Ronald Gordon - Deputy Chief Meteorologist: "I am not a technician in radars as such, to tell you what the exact issue. But, I can confirm that our radar is currently down, and our technicians are working diligently to get it up. However, we're ordering some parts, and we're expecting those parts to come into the country in the near future, so [that] we can get the radar up and running."

Ben Reid's Family Convinced Remains Are His
Last night we told you about the missing 23 year old man whose body was found at mile three and a half on the George Price Highway. But late yesterday evening when we spoke to his aunt Gina Wade, the woman who reported him missing, she was still holding onto hope that the body found wasn't Benjamin's Voice of: Aunt of Benjamin Reid: "The last time I saw my nephew was May 13th. He was at my house at Ross Pen Road. He left and says he was going to Los Lagos and someone would have pick him up there. From that day we never saw him again up to today we haven't seen him."

They Caught A Courier
As the curfew clamps down on personal movement for unspecified purposes, drug paddlers have to find new ways to move their product. And, one of them tried to use a courier service to Caye Caulker - which put two men before the court today. 35 year old Elmer Leonel Eck, a Deckman of Caye Caulker along with 39 year old Barney Aquilez Lopez, a Loader of Caledonia Village who work for RCD cargo service were caught by Special Branch with 2.2 kilos, or about 5 pounds of weed in their cargo truck yesterday. This happened at the corner of Central American and Jane Usher Boulevard.

BDF Investigation Of Sexual Harassment Unearths Rape Report
Last night we told you about the whitewashed wording of the press release covering the BDF report that only alluded to sexual advances and sexual assault endured by the female recruits that made up Intake 65.

Trinidad Charge For Weed
Last week, we told you about the over 20 pounds of weed that a man left behind at the Belmopan bus terminal. He ran off when the police approached. Well, police have tracked down Belmopan resident. He is Trinidad Perez and yesterday in court he pleaded not guilty and was remanded until 12 August,2020. He was represented by attorney Arthur Saldivar.

Channel 5

Is a Foreign Exchange Crisis Also Looming Ahead for Belize?
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a catastrophic toll on the tourism sector.  Tourism receipts, which represent up to forty percent of foreign exchange earnings, have plunged due to the downturn [...]

Economy on the Ropes, Can It Rebound From Financial Shock?
With tourism taking a hit, the economy is in the throes of a severe depression and despite the gradual opening up of businesses, including hotels and restaurants, there is not [...]

Open the P.G.I.A.
The prolonged closure of the P.G.I.A. is resulting in the sustained hemorrhaging of many businesses in the tourism sector, the supply chain, those that are not directly tied to the [...]

O.A.S. Asked to Confirm B.D.F. Soldiers’ Location
There is a developing situation along the western border near Jalacte Village. Reports in the Guatemalan media claim that Belize Defence Force soldiers illegally crossed the border into Guatemala.  The [...]

Police Investigating Latest Allegation at the B.D.F.?
Still on the B.D.F….On Monday night, we told you about the press release sent out by the Ministry of National Security on the conclusion of the investigation of the allegations [...]

Penner Goes To Court Following Bench Warrant for His Arrest
Former minister Elvin Penner appeared in magistrate’s court in Belmopan this morning after being a no-show on Monday morning.  Penner’s absence resulted in the issuance of a bench warrant for [...]

Five Mexican Detained for Illegally Entering Belize
An additional forty-five samples were processed today for the corona virus and the Ministry of Health is reporting that all were negative. Belize has now entered its eight week since [...]

Kashawn Gentle Loses Bail
Kashawn Gentle, a stevedore from Caesar Ridge Road in Belize City, is behind bars awaiting trial again, after he violated the terms of his bail and the bail was revoked. [...]

78 Arrests Made over the Weekend under S.O.E. Regulations
Seventy-eight more persons were added to the list of over one thousand persons who have been arrested and charged for various offenses under the emergency powers regulations. According to the [...]

G.O.B. Reviewing Applications for Repatriation
Three government ministries have begun reviewing applications submitted by Belizeans stuck overseas due to the coronavirus and want to come back home. Close to five hundred applications have been received [...]

Director of Health Services Speaks on Quarantine Hotels
A number of Belizeans, who were employed in the cruise ship industry, has made it home. In their case, the cruise ship companies made the arrangements for their return and [...]

Chocolate Making – a Mayan Art Form!
The history of the cacao in the Mayan culture dates back to thousands of years ago. The cacao beans or seeds were used for trading and also used in drinks, [...]

A.S.R./B.S.I. Suspends Milling Due To Inclement Weather
In the sugar belt, A.S.R./B.S.I. in consultation with the four cane farmers’ associations decided to temporarily halt milling due to the downpour. The four associations were told in writing of [...]

Rice Farmers Affected by Flooding
Another industry that is taking a hit due to the weather is the rice industry. According Jose Abelardo Mai rice farmers in Orange Walk South are in distress as they [...]

Belizeans Studying Abroad Determined to Complete Studies Despite Pandemic
Hundreds of Belizean students remain stranded in many countries due to the corona virus that spread so quickly they were unable to get back home. The P.G.I.A. and borders remain [...]

CEMO’s Preparedness for the 2020 Hurricane Season
It is only day two of the hurricane season, but a tropical storm has formed in the Bay of Campeche, Mexico.  The storm began as a tropical depression bringing heavy rainfall and [...]

Border dispute
Red 17 Petén Noticias is reporting that Belizean soldiers "entered Guatemala to measure land in Santa Cruz San Luis Petén". The news outlet is reporting that a group of residents in the area is asking that authorities respect the law since there have been fatalities due to the border dispute. It has been previously reported that Guatemalans have settled on Belizean territory as they have done along the border in the Barrio el Juda area.

Amandala

Tacos, gyms and boledo are back!
The national lockdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic that brought Belize’s economy to a standstill has been eased for the time being, since Belize has no active case of the novel coronavirus. Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced yesterday at his virtual press conference that government is lifting some State of Emergency restrictions in an effort to spur more economic activity. One stiff measure under the State of Emergency that is being somewhat relaxed is the maximum number of persons that are allowed to congregate at any social gathering. The number of persons who are now allowed at social gatherings has been raised from ten to 40 persons — an increase that will be particularly meaningful for places of worship. Prime Minister Barrow noted that churches “with the requisite space will be able, physically, to host congregations of that size.”

Barrow unable to say when PGIA and borders will reopen
The Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) closed on March 23 after the last commercial flight left the country, and the national State of Emergency lockdown kicked in as the country’s battle against the spread of the novel coronavirus began in earnest. With global air travel coming to a full stop due to the global shutdown to contain the pandemic, Belize’s tourism-dependent economy has taken a massive, direct hit. There was optimism in some quarters that an early opening of the borders and airport would occur to ease the economic meltdown and the bleeding of Belize’s economy.

Pickup runs off San Antonio bridge and into river: 3 dead
A pickup truck in which Raymundo Copo, 25, a laborer of Guinea Grass, Orange Walk District, and three others were traveling, skidded off the San Antonio bridge and into the Rio Hondo River below at about 7:30 tonight after the driver of the truck, which was heading from San Antonio to Santa Cruz, apparently lost control of the vehicle. As a result, Copo was killed, and two of the other persons, who have not been identified, who were traveling in the pickup, were missing; reports are that one body was later found, and police are looking for the second body. The fourth person, the driver, Alfonso Garcia, was able to swim out of the vehicle and go for help.

Benjamin Reid’s body found near bar
The search for Benjamin Reid, 23, a laborer of Maskall, Belize District, came to a sad conclusion at about 6:30 yesterday evening. A man walking in the area behind Tapir Bar, off Mile 3 of the George Price Highway, found the body of a man lying on the ground in some bushes. Police, since it was already late, secured the body, and today, the body was identified as that of Benjamin Reid. An autopsy is to be conducted on the body at a medical facility at Mile 13 on the Philip Goldson Highway.

Nimrod Tillett charged for brutal murder of Yo Creek caretaker
An investigation into the brutal death of Abner Novelo, 30, a farm caretaker of Yo Creek, Orange Walk District, who was found dead at about 6:30 Saturday morning on a farm where he was the caretaker, has led to the arrest of Nimrod Catzim Tillett, 32, a laborer of Orange Walk Town. Tillett was charged with murder for the death of Novelo, and will be arraigned at the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court. Novelo was found with massive chop wounds in his head, back, chest, abdomen and knees; and his arms had been severed.

Police killing of unarmed black man ignites fiery protests in US cities
The death of an unarmed African-American man at the hands of a white police officer has triggered a wave of protests across several major United States cities. At times the protests grew violent as protestors burned police cars and looted stores. This morning, US President Donald Trump, who is often accused of fanning the fires of white nationalism, urged state governors to get tough on protestors and to put them in jail for a long period of time.

Belize’s lawmen searching for cargo from drug plane in Sarteneja
Yesterday morning at about 6:00, a suspected drug plane was found abandoned near a feeder road on a farm in Sarteneja. When police arrived, the engine of the plane was still running, but it was damaged due to the crash-landing. Police said that the plane’s wheels were damaged, and its front axle and its right wing were broken. Checks were made inside the aircraft, but nothing was found. The plane’s crew and its cargo were believed to still be in the area, but Belize’s law enforcement officers were not successful in finding anything during their search.

DNA tests being done to identify Gardenia remains
A mechanic of Gardenia who went into the bushes to cut sticks found human skeletal remains, and police were called to the scene, which was about a quarter mile off the Philip Goldson Highway. An immediate investigation was undertaken to determine whether any persons from the area had been reported missing, and the family of Alfred Seguro, 64, of Biscayne, the neighboring village, who has been missing since March 22, 2018, was contacted.

Roy Vansen, 55, dies in road accident
Roy Vansen, 55, a Camalote resident who had always been seen in Belmopan near the Belmopan Bus Terminal and in the surrounding area doing small jobs for a little money to earn his living, was knocked down and killed while he was walking home at about 11:30 last night on the George Price Highway in Camalote by a police vehicle that was responding to a report from Camalote. The accident occurred between Miles 49 and 50. Vansen died immediately due to massive head and body injuries.

Editorial: We cannot “force ripe” tourism
For some time now our authorities have been hopeful that on July 1, we would be able to reopen our doors to international flights bringing in US tourists, and we were told that the best chance for us realizing that hope was the development of a rapid test for the COVID-19 virus. There being no satisfactory rapid test yet available, we, still hopeful about reopening on July 1, had informed the world that we would welcome visitors if they were certified free of COVID-19 by means of the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. At his press conference on Friday last, however, the Prime Minister informed the nation that the IATA (International Air Transport Association) rejected that testing requirement, thus the hoped for July 1st opening could not be confirmed.

Belize in the eye of the storm; let’s stay there
With the latest easing of restrictions in the State of Emergency, athletes and sports fans may be getting a little impatient; but, “discretion is the better part of valour,” and our health authorities feel it is still prudent to delay participation in competitive sports, for obvious reasons. In my football experience in playing days, our motto was that attackers/strikers are supposed to take chances, but defenders were to “tek no chance.” And, without an effective cure, we are still playing defense against this COVID-19 right now. Our authorities are advancing our economic attack, but cautiously, step by careful step. We can’t afford to rush in opening everything up, otherwise we may be open to the dreaded “contra golpe.”

Veteran cross country cyclist Glen Gordon passes away at home
Cycling enthusiasts and fans of the Cross Country Cycling Classic are mourning the death of veteran Cross Country rider Glen “Big Man” Gordon, 65, of Partridge Street Extension. He died Tuesday morning at his home due to complications of cancer. Gordon suffered a stroke in December and since then he had been recovering at home, but the condition took a turn for the worse. His wife, Alva Gordon, believes that he suffered a massive stroke from which he could not recover.

Carnival Glory brings 10 Belizean crew members home
The New Orleans-based Carnival Glory made its way into the Belize City harbor this weekend to drop off its 10 Belizean crew members. Since the COVID-19 pandemic locked down the world in March and April of this year, many cruise ships have had to remain anchored at sea. Carnival Glory was reportedly anchored off the coast of Jamaica for the past two and a half months. Since Belize became a port of call for major cruise ship companies, many Belizeans have been hired by cruise companies in various capacities.

Update on COVID-19 in Mexico and Central America
The coronavirus, COVID-19, is affecting 213 countries and territories around the world. As of 31st May 2020, there are 6.2 million (M) confirmed cases, and yesterday alone there was an increase of 67,877 new cases reported. COVID-19 has caused at least 372,340 deaths, i.e. the population size of Belize. I say “at least,” because in many places, the official daily figures exclude anybody who did not die in a hospital, or who never was tested for the virus, or there may be intentional under-reporting of cases by official authorities. As of today, the USA and Brazil lead the world with some 1.83 M and 0.5 M confirmed cases, respectively. The US has already registered 106.9 thousand deaths as of 31st May, 2020.

Belize continues to bask in COVID-19-free status
The novel coronavirus, which was discovered in the city of Wuhan in the province of Hubei, China, late last year and which would later be dubbed COVID-19 by the World Health Organization and declared a pandemic in mid-March, has infected more than 6 million people worldwide and claimed the lives of over 367,000 worldwide. In Belize, 16 persons are among the more than 2 million persons who have recovered from COVID-19. Additionally, Belize has been free from any active case of the novel coronavirus for more than one month.

From the Publisher
The way this particular column came about was my discovery somewhere recently of a 1996 Cubola publication, Ping Wing Juk Me, of six Belizean plays elected by Michael J. Phillips. The writers are Carol Fonseca Galvez, George Gabb, Evan X Hyde, Gladys Stuart, Sir Colville Young, and Shirley Warde. Generally speaking, the last nine weeks have been very boring for most of us Belizeans, because American cable television already wasn’t doing much for us, creatively and relevantly speaking, and the coming of the coronavirus meant the death of television sports entertainment in the United States and Europe. Those nine weeks should have been a time when our Belizean creative material, in the form of our local theatre, was blossoming anew, or, at least, being rescued from the archives.

Blue-toothing KREM
For about a year now I’ve had an expensive phone – is it an iPhone? – the kind of phone you can do all kinds of things with if you have any capacity. It’s no news to anyone who reads my column regularly that my younger sister got one of her brothers-in-law to bring it when he was visiting from the mighty but so often disgraceful USA, just so I could become a member of a family group she had set up. I haven’t progressed much beyond that, but I’m getting along.

The cat let out of the bag …
Miss Olive and Ruth, her niece, having agreed to look after Mama and Daddy during our absence, supervised by Linda next door, Nigel and I had accepted an unusual invitation to spend the Easter holidays with one of his few cousins on his mother’s side, who lived on a farm in the Western District, far from anywhere near to the sea (our usual haunt) or other relatives; and had returned to work on Easter Tuesday just in time to greet Jerome before he vanished into the operating theatre, not seeing him again until Wednesday night when he ate dinner at our house.

Anniversary of the execution of Tupac Amaru — one of the most cruel in Western history
There is not known in the world, a historical account of a more savage incident, where the highest representative of the Original Peoples was dismembered. The murder of José Gabriel Condor Canqui — Tupac Amaru. Condor Canqui spearheaded the largest indigenous and independence movement in the times of the Viceroyalty under the Crown of Spain. He was the first to request the freedom of all Latin America from any dependency, both from Spain and its monarch — striving not just for mere political separation but for the elimination of various forms of indigenous exploitation (mita mining, distribution of goods, works) of the townships, alcabalas and customs (November 14, 1780).

No justice, no peace
Dear Editor, Almost 40 cities imposed curfew and 15 states activated the National Guard in the United States. The people are defying curfew and claim police brutality. There were protests in London and Berlin near the US embassy about the unjustified killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US. I don’t get the impression that the ruling elites realize that this incident is massively eroding US soft power or moral authority. They can no longer criticize China over Hong Kong when they are treating their protesters equally or more brutally.

Op-Ed: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Don’t understand the protests? What you’re seeing is people pushed to the edge
What was your first reaction when you saw the video of the white cop kneeling on George Floyd’s neck while Floyd croaked, “I can’t breathe”? If you’re white, you probably muttered a horrified, “Oh, my God” while shaking your head at the cruel injustice. If you’re black, you probably leapt to your feet, cursed, maybe threw something (certainly wanted to throw something), while shouting, “Not @#$%! again!” Then you remember the two white vigilantes accused of murdering Ahmaud Arbery as he jogged through their neighborhood in February, and how if it wasn’t for that video emerging a few weeks ago, they would have gotten away with it. And how those Minneapolis cops claimed Floyd was resisting arrest but a store’s video showed he wasn’t.

The Reporter

Five Mexican nationals detained from west of San Pedro
Five Mexican nationals are currently being held at a quarantine facility in Corozal Town after they were detained under suspicious circumstances on Sunday by elements of the Belize Coast Guard. The men were spotted just after 7:30 a.m. drifting west of San Pedro Ambergris Caye, inside an area known as Nueland Area. Upon seeing the Coast Guard patrol the captain of the skiff attempted to outrun the patrol but was unsuccessful. When questioned the men claimed that they were coming from Mahahual, Quintana Roo, and were heading to Chetumal but had gotten disoriented along the way due to bad weather.

LOVE FM

Elvin Penner appears in Supreme Court
Former Minister of State, Elvin Penner appeared in court today after the Belmopan Supreme Court issued a bench warrant for him. The warrant was issued yesterday when Penner failed to appear to court.

Positive feedback on distance learning
Belize has been forced to enter into an age of online schooling due to covid-19. While there was uncertainty surrounding the move, Chief Education Officer, Dr Carol Babb stated that she has gotten positive feedback.

Owner of the Mile 44 land speaks out
Nigel Petillo, he is the man who managed to draw an estimated one thousand persons to mile forty-four on the George Price Highway on May 17. Their collective goal is to overtake the almost 3-thousand acre property that is privately owned. Petillo and others got into some troubles that day for defying the Covid-19 regulations but Petillo promised he would be back. The activist took to social media this week after he realized that the rightful owners of the land were erecting a fence on the property.

Family displeased with burial of loved one
It has been almost forty eight hours since the body of 23-year-old Benjamin Reid was found in a shallow grave just off the George Price Highway. While the family is grateful for closure they are displeased at how the family was not given the chance to bury him.

Annual Youth Innovation Challenge to be done online
The annual Belize Youth Innovation Challenge is moving from its usual face to face presentations to an online platform. The event is in its seventh year and is focused on having students come up with unique and creative entrepreneurial ideas.

Cause of house fire is a mystery to Fire Department
A man is homeless after his house and belongings were destroyed by fire in Belize City. A firefighting team was dispatched to Tigris Street on Sunday afternoon.

No compromise on CXC date
The Ministry of Education has stated that there will be no compromises on the date for CSEC exams. The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) had hoped that they could sit down with the Ministry to push for a later date, perhaps in August or September as opposed to July.

National Hydrological Service issues flood report
Our Central American neighbours are not the only ones monitoring Tropical Storm Cristobal. Our local weather experts are keeping their eyes on the effects of Cristobal as it will spell rainy days for Belize. Via the Government Press Office, the team at the National Hydrological Service (NHS) issued a flood report and forecast for Belize.

Breaking Belize News

Five Mexican nationals in quarantine after being busted entering Belize illegally
Reports to BBN indicate that 5 Mexican nationals were busted entering Belize illegally on Sunday. The […]

Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations commends government on establishing biodiversity office
Today, the Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO) commended the Government of Belize’s decision […]

Testing continues; Belize remains COVID-19 free
The Ministry of Health continues to conduct testing and Belize currently remains Covid-19 free. A […]

Commemoration of Flowers Bank 14
The annual ceremony honoring the 14 men credited with saving the Belize Settlement in 1797 […]

Harmony Young undergoes brain surgery
Sixteen-year-old Harmony Young who had been suffering from a brain tumor, today, underwent brain surgery […]

KHMH relaxes restrictions to match relaxed state of emergency regulations
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA) announced today that the hospital will be relaxing […]

National Student Union of Belize makes recommendations for COVID-19 recovery
The National Student Union of Belize (NSUB) is calling on the Government of Belize (GOB) […]

Belmopan Land Development Corporation Limited asserts claim over Mile 44 property
Accusing the unnamed “organizer” of the May 17 occupation of their property at Mile 44, […]

Guatemalan press accuses BDF soldiers of incursion into Guatemalan territory
Several Guatemalan media outlets are reporting that there was an incursion of officers from the […]

Jamaica proceeds to reopen borders; will test returning nationals but not international travellers
This week, Jamaica has reopened its borders for repatriated Jamaicans and others, and will do […]

“Belize Day”: Country was renamed 47 years ago on June 1
June 1, 1973, was an unheralded milestone for The Jewel. After a century of being […]

Post mortem concludes that Benjamin Reid was shot to the head
On Sunday, May 31, authorities discovered the body of a man in a shallow grave […]

Flood waters surpass historic averages
The National Hydrological Service of Belize’s latest flood update says that flood waters in some […]

Motorcyclist injured after crashing over parking blocks
This morning, a motorcyclist injured himself after driving at a high speed and crashing into […]

Blogs

Canadians Quarantine in Paradise
“Ambergris Caye was, and still is, our ultimate destination”, shares Debora. After being laid off in Canada because of the virus on Friday, March 13th, Debora looked at Jerry 8:30 pm that night and, without any hesitation, simultaneously said, “Let’s go to Belize”. Knowing with their full time work schedules this opportunity does not come often, though whatever chance they’d get, they’d vacation in Belize. And so, their COVID-19 adventure begins. Booking a one-way red-eye flight for 12:05 am that Saturday, they quickly packed and scheduled an Uber within 20 minutes. “This was not an issue. We were both motivated to return to Belize’s pristine beaches, savour its freshly picked fruit, dine on an abundance of seafood, and be surrounded by warm Belizean hospitality.”

International Sources

12 Essential, Surprising Facts About Moving to Belize
Vacationers and retirees are finding more than a vacation destination in Belize: The nation has become the trendiest place to settle down because ex-pats receive so many benefits and perks. For those starting to look at making a move to Belize, these 12 facts could seal the deal. Fact #1: There is something for everyone in Belize. Living along the Caribbean Sea comes with weather, recreation and other benefits. Real estate located on Ambergris Caye is especially coveted by home shoppers.

Videos

June 2, 2020

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, 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

Belize’s Aviation Community says IATA cannot mandate keeping PGIA closed
The Belizean aviation community is questioning the reason provided by Prime Minister Right Honourable Dean Barrow to maintain the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (PGIA) closed. Barrow claimed the re-opening of the PGIA hinges on the rapid testing of travellers to detect COVID-19 before boarding an aircraft, and it is allegedly what is required by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to clear international flights to Belize. The aviation community, however, believes this mandatory requirement might be inaccurate, and that IATA has no mandate in setting such policies.

Ambergris Today

Belize Pushing To Get Back To Normal Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Although Belize continues to be free of any active COVID-19 cases, the country is still under a national shutdown, with all its borders and airport closed, an evening curfew in effect and under laws of social distancing and use of masks in public. The global pandemic is wreaking havoc on its tourism industry and crippling the country’s economy that is 65% dependent on tourism. On Friday’s address to the nation, Prime Minister Dean Barrow discussed the further easing of laws and regulations of the state of emergency that will take place internally as Belize proceeds with the reopening of its economy.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Tuesday, June 2nd Meal Pick ups. Location: Food Republic. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am - 12:30pm.

Statutory Instrument No 78 of 2020 Belize Constitution Emergency Powers Regulations 2020
Effective June 1st, Statutory Instrument No. 78 of 2020, the Belize Constitution (Emergency Powers) Regulations, 2020, will come into force.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams writes about the new Statutory Instrument for Monday, June 1st, 2020
Williams says “...just to give you a reminder that SI 78 came into force this morning. This SI provides so further relaxation of the SOE measures. Here are some of the activities that are now permissible- - boledo will now commence; - Casinos can now open; however no drinking of alcohol nor smoking is allowed inside the casino; - All Restaurants can now open for dining; however, there must maintain 6ft between each table. - street food vending can commence...

Thunderbolt suspends service
We regret to inform you there will be no more runs until further notice due to some unforseen events. We apologize for the inconvenience caused.

HEAVY RAINS CAUSE FLOODING IN CHETUMAL AND RURAL AREAS
Reports coming from neighbouring Chetumal, today is that the heavy rainfall from early this morning has caused flooding in the following areas and municipalities: Centro, Barrio Bravo, Primera Legislatura, Nueva Reforma, 5 de Abril, Del Bosque, Adolfo López Mateos, Comité Proterritorio, Solidaridad, Lázaro Cárdenas, Venustiano Carranza, David Gustavo Gutiérrez, Leona Vicario, Nueva Italia y Benito Juárez, Arboledas, Municipalities of Othón P. Blanco/Chetumal, Bacalar, José María Morelos, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Tulum y Solidaridad.

Xe'ek'
The Yucatec Maya of Belize call this drink Xe'ek' which includes Calabasita , Coconut milk and rice. The Yucatec Maya of Mexico call Xe'ek' to the mix of Oranges,Jicama and pepper . The Yucatec Maya of Belize call Holchoch the mix of Orange ,Jicama and pepper . Interesting true.

Artist of the Day - Jamire Borland
Jamire Borland was born on the 2nd of December, 1997. He started dancing at the tender age of 5 and won Gold at The Festival of Arts for 4 years consecutively. He has 7 years of experience performing in the Institute of Creative Arts’ Dance and Dancers Showcase event “Dance X”. He performs as a “New Style Hip Hop Dancer”, known for “dancing with his heart on his feet”. Jamire is from Punta Gorda and dreams to travel the world and teach people to dance through workshops. Jamire started dancing because he was overweight as a child and dance made him feel lighter and as though he had become someone else. Dancing gave him the opportunity to become any character he wanted to be. Through the years and with hours of practice, training, and hard work, he was able to transform himself into the person he is today.

Tour Guide Renewal Application Form
To All Tour Guides: Times are Very Hard out Here and Especially for Us Tour Guides since Many of Us did not Qualify for the Covid 19 Relief. Please be informed that you can Fill in your Tour Guide Renewal Application Form and Sign it Digitally and Submit it to the BTB without even Printing the Forms, all you need to do is download the Form and download a Digital Signature App that allows you to Fillin all the Information and sign the Form.

Embassy of Taiwan Donates Masks to the Ministry of National Security
The Ministry of National Security today received a donation of 60,000 surgical face masks from the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen said, “Amidst the global health crisis, people realize that no one can fight in this long and dreadful battle alone. As one of the most loyal friends of Belize, Taiwan will stand side by side with Belize and never leave behind our brothers and sisters here for walking through the valley of shadow and continue to support Belize through thick and thin to overcome the adversity.”

Ministry of National Security Concludes Investigation into Allegations of Misconduct within the Belize Defence Force

National Student Union of Belize has issued a release to speak of economic recovery due to the Covid-19 pandemic
In it the Union recommends the following: 1. We call for the immediate expansion of the Economic Oversight Team into a form of Post-COVID Socioeconomic Committee designed to prioritize Belize’s social protection landscape to protect its citizens while analyzing and balancing its economic obligations. We call for this committee to include the representative voice of youth representative but also call for the inclusion of unions and indigenous people’s representatives...

Saint Francis Xavier Credit Union Online Banking
Saint Francis Xavier Credit Union has made banking even much easier. Introducing to all the customers, now you can do banking online with yhe “Step By Step Online Banking Registration”. To apply, you most follow the information on the image above.

Completion of remodeling of Yucatec Maya museum in Cristo Rey village. Corozal district. BELIZE
Historic time for us from the Yucatec Maya ethnicity in northern Belize . Great Job To'one Masehualo'on NGO.

1st June 1797 and the Flowers Bank 14 Commemorated at Flowers Bank Village
In a short ceremony held this morning at the Flowers Bank 14 Monument in Flowers Bank Village, members from the Village Council, the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, Emergent Corp and community members paid tribute to the fourteen men whose decision to stay and defend Belize bequeathed the land and country we know today as Belize. More than 223 years ago settlers of the Belize Settlement received word of an impending Spanish attack via Yucatan. A Public Meeting was called in Belize Town on 1st June 1797, for settlers to decide whether they would stay and defend Belize or evacuate.

Channel 7

Human Remains Found, Family Says It's Ben
A body was found this weekend behind Tapir Bar at mile 31/2 on the George Price Highway in Belize City. Police found what appeared to be the pelvis bone of a human body buried about 1 feet in the ground. Investigators also found a pair of jeans pants, a white shirt, and a pair of Reebok Tennis shoes. The police are describing it as a John Doe, but the brother of a missing man is convinced that it's 23 year old Ben Reid. Last week we told you about that went missing from Ross Penn Road on May 13th and has yet to return.

More Belizean "Cruisers" Returning
Tonight, hundreds of Belizeans in far flung corners of the world, from Asia, to the UK to the USA, are still waiting for an opportunity or an opening to get back home. And while most of them are depending on flights that are slow to materialize, the ones who've had it easiest so far are those Belizean nationals who worked on cruise lines. They have suffered mightily, being on the sea since early April and not touching solid ground for months. But, since late May, Cruise lines have been making stops in Caribbean ports, dropping home crew from the island nations and the Atlantic coast of Central America. This weekend, two more ships with 22 Belizeans brought their passengers home. Cherisse Halsall was on the waterfront:

First COVID Case In Melchor
And while they have started their quarantine, some persons who were under quarantine were released this weekend. According to the Director of Health Service's Facebook page, the most recent batch of 54 negative samples included those in quarantine facilities, so the Ministry of Health authorised their release. And while that is the good news that none of them brought COVID-19 home, the bad news is that the numbers continue to rise neighbouring countries. The municipality of Othon P. Blanco which includes Chetumal now has 109 cases with 67 of them active.

TS Amanda Mashes Up Salvador
But, this weekend Central America actually had bigger problems than COVID 19. At least 17 people were killed by Tropical Storm Amanda, which made landfall Sunday. Two deaths were reported in Guatemala and in El Salvador, 15 people died, 7 are missing and more than 2,000 people were placed in emergency shelters. Footage from El Salvador showed that streets turned into rivers, overturning cars and stacking them up like toys. The Tropical Storm quickly dissipated over land, but the system also brought heavy rainfall across the region into Belize as well. The city of Belmopan saw fast rising waters on Saturday.

CBC Cable Sued By Dish Network For Piracy
It's one of the biggest cable operators in the country, with thousands of subscribers, but CBC cable is in big trouble in a US court. The cable company is being sued by Dish Network, a satellite provider in the US. Dish Network - which is seems residential satellite service in the US - says that CBC cable, through its co - owner Bob Reich, has been pirating its signals and distributing it through his cable service in Belize. Reich was likely targeted because he is a US citizen, and has a US address. That Florida address was also where the Dish Network satellite boxes were allegedly registered.

A Bench Warrant For Penner
There was a bench warrant issued for disgraced former UDP Minister Elvin Penner today. IF you don't know, a bench warrant means detain and arrest the named person ON SIGHT. It is issued after an accused person fails to appear in court as scheduled. And, Penner is accused in the Belmopan supreme Court in his ongoing trial for the manslaughter of 41-year-old Kenrick Myvette who he knocked down and killed in 2017. So, why wasn't Penner in court? Well, via text message he told us, quote, "I was unaware that the courts had reopened and on top was not feeling well this morning.

Belize Returning To Normal Life With Latest Rollback
Belizeans were breathing several sighs of relief this morning as several remaining state of emergency regulations were lifted. And this morning when we woke up it was with the knowledge that we were free to go to the gym, grab lunch at our favourite indoor restaurant, and even buy several pieces of our lucky numbers. True enough, in the middle of what was wave one, and what could be wave two Belizeans are getting back to some sense of normalcy. Over the weekend Attorney General Mike Peyfitte stopped by Ask the Experts clad in his '1 Peyrefitte face mask' to explain the lifting of more state of emergency measures. But as usual, the AG prefaced relaxations with a rebuke.

Clipping the Wings Off A Drug Plane
Late last week, the Hawker Siddeley HS 125 narco jet which landed in the northeastern Corozal District was all the news. Well, tonight it's mostly scrap metal. Bright and early on Saturday morning, contractors put their equipment to work, pared off the wings, hoisted the fuselage on the back of a truck and carted it out of there by early afternoon, when it could be seen passing through villages on the way to the scrap heap.

Two Men Plunge Off Bridge To Death
Tonight, two families from Guinea Grass are grieving after two sons from that Orange Walk village died in a deadly accident at the San Antonio bridge. San Antonio is one of the last villages before arriving at the Western edge of the Orange Walk District. In order to get there, drivers have to get across a dangerous one-lane bridge which has railings on one side only. Last night, 25-year-old Alfonso Garcia and 17-year-old Antonio Copo somehow missed the approach of that bridge while taking the curve off the San Antonio Road and careened off the bridge and right into the Rio Hondo.

John Saldivar Re-emerges With Economic Recovery Plan
You might have thought that after that whole Lev Dermen thing in February, UDP Belmopan representative John Saldivar would have retreated into the political shadows. But, Saldivar has always maintained that he did nothing wrong, and that's the confidence with which he put his name back into the hat to offer himself as UDP leader, for the second time in two months. And, if, again, you thought that was a stunt, Saldivar is showing everyone who cares to take notice that he's dead serious. The trained economist has posted a five thousand word Belize Economic Recovery Plan on his Facebook page.

A Recovery Plan Or Just Platitudes?
And, while you can read the entire plan on Saldivar's facebook page, if you have about 45 minutes or so, we did the reading and asked him if it was a little lite on details and heavy on lightweight, fast-fix concepts: "You are perfectly right there are many other areas that need to be address to remove the snags on growth to make the environment conducive for business sector to grow. All of those have to be discuss and I will say this in terms of what you have just said catastrophically the enormity of the problem should not fazed us to think that there is no solution."

Saldivar Says Society Must Learn To Live With COVID or Die Economically
And while Saldivar said he would need a few thousand more words to elaborate on the details, for him, the economic reality facing Belize at this time is stark: "I will close by saying this: we can't make Covid kill us, because if we make Covid kills us..."

Saldivar Says Retrenchment Is Last Option
And while Saldivar said "God Help us" if there are no COVID solutions; that's what the Prime Minister said about the economic crisis that will face Belize after COVID. A crisis his successor will have to face. Large parts of that crisis are the national debt, and the wage bill. Right now, emoluments amount to well over half a billion dollars annually. We asked Saldivar if he could contemplate retrenchment:

Saldivar Still Wants To Lead
And if all this forward looking talk makes it sound like John Saldivar is a man who wants to lead his party, and the country, you've got it right. Despite the massive hit to his credibility and political viability earlier this year, Saldivar says he's still very much in the race: Jules Vasquez, reporter: "Is it a pitch for the leadership of your party or the prime ministerial post?" Hon. John Saldivar, Belmopan Area Rep.: "It fits well within my ambitions of course come back again as leader of my party and then hopefully as leader of the country. We need a leader that is able to talk with the private sector to have meaningful dialogue, a leader that the private sector can trust..."

Saldivar Not Ashamed To Broach Anti-Corruption Legislation
So - to get it straight - if Saldivar says he told the truth to Cabinet - it suggests that the PM was not doing so to the nation - which is a very serious matter in terms of UDP politics. But Saldivar isn't shy it seems, because he was willing even to propose leading the way on anti-corruption measures: "I spoke a little bit about governance reform that we should not lose sight of that and that we've got to keep our focus and commitment on anti-corruption laws and getting those in place."

Belize Caught With COVID In US Detention Center
Reports out of the US from this weekend are that a Belizean immigrant being held in custody at a federal detention center has tested positive for the coronavirus. The identity of Belizean has not been disclosed, but the person is described as a 38-year-old, who is being held at the detention center in the California desert city of Adelanto.

BDF Sex Harassment Probe Concludes
Back in January, we told you about allegations of sexual misconduct concerning BDF recruits and the senior personnel tasked with training them. And today the Ministry of National Security confirmed that the investigations into the alleged reports of extortion, maltreatment, sexual assault, and sexual advances at Price Barracks in Ladyville have concluded. The report says that the events in question, which at the time Brigadier General Steven Ortega referred to as grossly unacceptable, point to wrongdoing and negligence by personnel within the units involved.

60k Masks From Friendly Nation
Today, the Ministry of National Security received a donation of 60,000 surgical masks from the Taiwanese Embassy in Belize. Ambassador Remus Li-Kuo Chen officially handed over the donation to National Security Minister Michael Peyrefitte. This is the second such donation in less than 3 months. Viewers will remember that the Taiwanese Government went through great lengths to ship 60,000 masks to Belize back in mid-April. These new masks will be distributed among the law enforcement personnel in the BDF, the Belize Coast Guard, and the police department.

Channel 5

Further Delay of Airport Reopening is Killing Local Airlines
The Philip Goldson International Airport will not resume operations to allow for the arrival of flights from other countries on the initially scheduled July first timeline.  That announcement was made [...]

Tropic Air is Down to 2% of Its Revenue
With ninety-eight percent losses being incurred by one carrier alone, the cost of delaying the reopening of the P.G.I.A. is staggering.  Investments have been made to improve the overall efficiency [...]

What’s the Fate of the Employees at the P.G.I.A.?
You’ve heard that Tropic Airlines is looking at a second wave of lay-offs and the matter is also under consideration at the Philip Goldson International Airport.  A meeting of the [...]

Domestic Tourism is Not Economically Viable
The tourism industry, from airlines to hotels to tour operators, continues to be battered by the corona virus pandemic. Hotels, restaurants and the value chain were hoping that further losses [...]

Monitoring Regional Reopening to International Visitors
As the domestic airlines and hoteliers push for the resumption of international travel, keeping a lid on the coronavirus is not lost on them.  The plan to reopen the P.G.I.A. [...]

Local Pilots Say IATA Can’t Say When P.G.I.A. Should Reopen
The announcement that the P.G.I.A. will not reopen on July first triggered further shocks in the already weakened tourism industry.  Last Thursday, the Government of Belize was set to announce [...]

Body of Missing Maskall Resident is Found in Shallow Grave
A Maskall man, who went missing on May thirteenth, is believed to have been the victim of a heinous murder.  Benjamin Reid was freed for the shooting death of Daniel [...]

Minor Detained for Xinwu Zhu’s Murder is Released
While we were with CIB Commander Superintendent Alejandro Cowo, we asked for an update on the investigation into the murder of Chinese businessman Xinwu Zhu. Last week, Zhu was shot [...]

“Bridge of Death” Claims Two More Lives
Two young men were killed on Sunday night when the vehicle they were travelling in plunged into the Rio Hondo River in the village of San Antonio, in the Orange [...]

A Bench Warrant is Issued for the Arrest of Elvin Penner
Earlier today, a bench warrant for the arrest of disgraced former minister Elvin Penner was issued by the Supreme Court after he failed to show up in court to answer [...]

B.D.F. Concludes Investigation into Allegations of Misconduct
The Ministry of National Security has concluded its investigation into allegations of misconduct within the Belize Defense Force and tonight, they are admitting to some wrongdoing and negligence by personnel [...]

CBC Owner Bobby Reich Faces Piracy Lawsuit in U.S. Court
Robert Reich of the Channel Broadcasting Company is in trouble with the law in the United States; the businessman is being sued by DISH Network for appropriating copyrighted content owned [...]

Heavy Rains Result in Flash Floods!
Heavy rains over the weekend resulted in flash floods in a number of countries where deaths were recorded in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. According to the National Met Service, [...]

10 Inches of Rainfall – More to Come Says the MET!
As you heard in that story, more than twenty people are now in a shelter in Saint Matthew’s Village where they experienced flash floods over the weekend. But what exactly [...]

The Met Service Says the Hurricane Season Will Be an Active One!
The hurricane season is here. Today marks the official opening of the Atlantic Hurricane Season for this year and the forecast is for an active season.  The National Met Service [...]

COVID-19 Poses New Challenges to Hurricane Season Response
Having an above average year for storms in 2020 brings another set of challenges and concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic.  The issue of crowded shelters complicates social distancing and [...]

John Saldivar Proposes Economic Recovery for Belize
Former Minister of National Security John Saldivar, a trained economist and aspirant for leadership of the United Democratic Party, has put forward a proposal for Belize’s economic recovery post COVID-19.  [...]

Tax Reform and Public Sector Reform in Proposed Economic Recovery
The wage bill for public officers has ballooned significantly since the United Democratic Party first assumed office in 2008.  The cost of paying salaries for teachers and other public officers [...]

John Saldivar Still Wants to be U.D.P. Leader and Prime Minister
As for leadership ambitions, John Saldivar has been marred by the Lev Dermen scandal earlier this year, which resulted in a humiliating resignation as U.D.P. party leader elect as well [...]

Taiwan Donates 60K Surgical Masks to Belize
The Ministry of National Security today received sixty thousand surgical masks courtesy of the Taiwanese government.  The masks were presented to Minister of National Security Michael Peyrefitte by Ambassador of [...]

Curfew Still in Place, Slight Relaxation for Fridays & Saturdays!
As you know by now, the new Statutory Instrument number seventy-eight of 2020, the Belize Constitution (Emergency Powers) Regulations came into effect today, June first.  As was announced last Friday, [...]

The Borders are NOT Open!
While the measures continue to be scaled down and the economy continues to open up slowly, don’t expect social distancing and face masks to go away so quickly.  Those remain [...]

More Businesses Open Up – with Restrictions!
…and now to the relaxation for public places and spaces. Street vending is now permitted, but will be subjected to public health guidelines. Boledo, casino, gyms and all restaurants are [...]

The Reporter

Second body found in Rio Hondo
The Reporter has confirmed that the body of a second person was just retrieved from the Rio Hondo River near the San Antonio Bridge in Orange Walk. The victim has not yet been identified but is believed to be one of two persons who were reported missing last night after a vehicle plunged off the bridge with three occupants inside.

LOVE FM

Benjamin Reid found dead in shallow grave
The body of a man was found buried in a shallow grave near the Tapir Bar just off mile three on the George Price Highway. Police were called out to the area yesterday evening around six thirty after a human pelvic bone was spotted protruding out of the ground.

Two men meet their untimely death at the San Antonio bridge in Orange Walk
The bodies of two men were fished out of the Rio Hondo River following a road traffic incident at the San Antonio Bridge in the Orange Walk District. Reporter Alisha Valentine traveled north to the scene and spoke with relatives of the deceased. Here is her report.

Dealing with the hurricane season during a pandemic
For the next six months Belize will be on weather alert as the predictions for this season calls for a more active than usual period. Already, we have seen two named storms days before the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

NEMO responds to flooding
With the major flooding that took place in the west and in parts of the Belize District, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), sprang into action on Saturday. According to NEMO’s Minister, Edmund Castro, there was no major loss of property and no loss of human life.

Belize sees major flooding in parts of the country
The Atlantic Hurricane Season is upon us and Belize has gone from seeing drought across the country to incessant rains and flooding in certain areas. This weekend alone, several inches of rainfall fell causing floods and damages to homes.

Breaking Belize News

Artist uses her creative skills to raise funds for COVID-19 relief
In the wake of the economic impact of COVID-19, Belizeans have been helping however and […]

Crystal truck overturns in the south
Breaking Belize News has learned that a truck belonging to Bowen and Bowen’s Crystal Bottling […]

Over 75 people charged for violations of state of emergency regulations
The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams informed that over the weekend, 78 people were arrested […]

Belize Emergency Relief responding to the COVID-19 humanitarian crisis
When compared to its Central American neighbors, Belize has largely been spared from the severity of […]

Pilots express concerns about reporting of rapid testkit policy, “We have our own choices”
A group of 16 pilots from Maya Island Air and Tropic Air has issued a […]

Embassy of Taiwan donates masks to the Ministry of National Security
The Ministry of National Security today received a donation of 60,000 surgical face masks from […]

Ministry of National Security concludes investigation into allegations of misconduct within the Belize Defence Force
The Ministry of National Security issued a statement today informing that the investigation into the […]

Benjamin Reid was shot, post-mortem reveals
A post mortem examination conducted today showed that Benjamin Reid, 23, whose body was found […]

Tropical depression 3 forms in Bay of Campeche
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is issuing advisories on newly formed Tropical Depression Three, centered […]

2020 Atlantic Hurricane season kicks off
Today, June 1 marks the first day of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season which runs […]

Tropical Storm Amanda devastates El Salvador, state of emergency declared
President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, has declared a 15-day state of […]

House burns down on Tigris Street, Belize City
A Belize City man lost his home to a fire yesterday. Authorities say that Ernest […]

Police find human remains on George Price Highway
Police have found a dead body buried in a shallow grave at Mile 3 on […]

Blogs

Southwest flights to Belize are expected to remain suspended
Over the last few months international travel has come to a screeching halt with the COVID-19 pandemic continuing on. As we approach summer, there has been slow movement towards the resuming of flights. Many of Belize’s neighbours like Mexico, Jamaica, and the Bahamas will reopen their borders as early as June. While Southwest resumes service to those listed, flights to Belize is expected to remain suspended as Southwest will operate 35 fewer international routes this winter than it did at the end of 2019.

Celebrate World Reef Day 2020
Stretching the length of the country, the Belize Barrier Reef has been, and will continue to be, a very integral part of our collective national identity. First inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2009 due to the destruction of mangroves, marine ecosystem, offshore oil exploration prospects, and non-sustainable building projects. On June 26, 2018, BBRRS was officially delisted from being ‘In Danger’, however, we must collectively work to ensure its health and future is not compromised again. With threats like climate change and pollution threatening the world’s oceans and its coral reefs, you can practice reef-friendly habits to leave a ‘greener’ footprint. Here are 6 top tips on how you can do your part to protect the Belize Barrier Reef.

International Sources

June is Caribbean American Heritage Month!
You can read this 2020 Proclamation on National Caribbean-American Heritage Month here. From America’s earliest days, Caribbean Americans have contributed to the success, spirit, and character of our Nation. For generations, their skills, knowledge, innovation, and initiative have enhanced and advanced many aspects of our society. During National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich history and vibrant culture of the more than 4 million Americans with origins in the Caribbean.

National Caribbean-American Heritage Month Virtual Celebrations in June
This June we celebrate National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. Caribbean-Americans have long shaped culture and patriotism with contributions that bolster America’s significant role in ensuring a strong vision and strategy for a winning future. Past and present historical records of the contributions of Caribbean-Americans begin with Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers and framers of the United States Constitution. Joseph Sandiford Atwell, the first black Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Virginia along with Dr. Claire Nelson, conveyor for the commemoration of June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month and countless others.

Sixth mass extinction of wildlife accelerating, scientists warn
The sixth mass extinction of wildlife on Earth is accelerating, according to an analysis by scientists who warn it may be a tipping point for the collapse of civilisation. More than 500 species of land animals were found to be on the brink of extinction and likely to be lost within 20 years. In comparison, the same number were lost over the whole of the last century. Without the human destruction of nature, even this rate of loss would have taken thousands of years, the scientists said. The land vertebrates on the verge of extinction, with fewer than 1,000 individuals left, include the Sumatran rhino, the Clarión wren, the Española giant tortoise and the harlequin frog. Historic data was available for 77 of the species and the scientists found these had lost 94% of their populations.

Tropical Storm Amanda weakens after killing 17 people in El Salvador and Guatemala, could reform next week in Gulf of Mexico
The remnants of Tropical Storm Amanda formed into a tropical depression on Monday after killing at least 17 people in El Salvador and Guatemala, where heavy rains produced flooding and landslides. The weather disturbance is expected to move through the Gulf of Mexico in the coming days, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said, and is likely to regain tropical storm strength over the milder waters of the Bay of Campeche in Mexico. Amanda's remnants are predicted to produce heavy rains in El Salvador, southern Guatemala, western Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize and parts of Mexico, according to the hurricane center.

United Airlines Eyes Big Boost To International Schedule
United Airlines is significantly stepping up its international flying. While services remain a shadow of what they were, United notes today that there are glimmers of hope. In addition to increasing transatlantic services, United Airlines is re-opening schedules to destinations across the Caribbean and Latin America. Services to Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Singapore are also resuming. Both Belize City and Liberia will see services five times a week from Houston. Buenos Aires and Lima will both get thrice-weekly United Airlines’ services.

Videos

June 1, 2020

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, 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

Woofer – Walking the Dogs
“There’s Señora Zima walking her dogs,” Mario said. Mario and I were having our morning coffee on the deck of the Holiday Hotel when the old lady walked by with her two big German Shepherd dogs. “When I came out here on the deck at seven o’clock she was walking down the beach so she’s on her way home,” I said.

Doctor Love: Emotional Support or Peace
Dear Doctor Love, I have seen the passing of three loved ones in the last four years, and for a while, it took a toll on my emotional well-being. The first was my husband who left me four years ago, then my mother, and the last was my younger sister who died a year ago. I have finally made it to a place of peace and contentment. I enjoy being alone and rediscovering the person I was before they died.

Ambergris Today

Opening Of 2020 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season
Today, Monday, June 1, marks the beginning of the 2020 hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin. The season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year. However the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as shown by the formation of tropical storm Arthur on May 16 and tropical storm Bertha on May 27. The formation of these systems marks the sixth consecutive year a storm has developed before the official start of the season.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Monday (omg it's finally), June 1st, meal pick up: Location: Belize Diving Services. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am - 12:30pm.

Corozal Methodist School Class of 2020
Congratulations graduates

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust has some easy to read infographics that outline some of the wonderful things they do
In the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year (FY), we commenced the implementation of a 3-year Conservation Investment Strategy that will see over $10 Million invested by PACT into the Belize National Protected Areas System (BNPAS). In its first year (April 2019-March 2020), #PACT invested $2.3 Million, resulting in the following Conservation Returns on Investments.

Mayero Santiago Garcia Sr
Mr. Santiago Garcia Sr was born on May 23rd, 1933 to Mr. Secundino Garcia and his wife Mrs. Encarnacion Garcia Nee Blanco in the village of Yo Creek. Mr. Santiago Garcia Sr was very proud that his parents are direct descendants of the founding fathers of Yo Creek Village. His great great grandfather Mr. Manuel Garcia along with Mr. Felipe Blanco and Mr. Juan Cal were refuges of the Caste War in Yucatan. They fled the slaughter of the Maya looking for safety across the Rio Hondo. After travelling many days; they reached a tropical forest containing a dozen Maya hills, the terrain was flat rolling fertile land drained by a rushing creek. It was by the side of the creek that the founding fathers settled in 1852...

To'one Masehualoon NGO working on the first Yucatec Maya Museum in Corozal
A week and a half of very hard labor, love and caring for each others well being and safety, as we ventured to give the Yucatec Maya Museum in Cristo Rey village, Corozal District, Belize a much needed remodeling and made ready for its upcoming inauguration. We are filled with gratitude to have met this huge milestone and to make this dream come to fruition...

Channel 7

Truck plunges into the Rio Hondo
Unconfirmed initial reports are that one teenage boy is dead and two others are missing after a truck plunged into the Rio Hondo off the San Antonio Bridge. One person is dead after a vehicle went into the Rio Hondo river San Antonio bridge, Orange Walk this evening.

The Reporter

Body found in shallow grave
While details are still sketchy, the Reporter has confirmed that a body has been found in a shallow grave near Mile 4 on the George Price Highway. We are told there has been no identification as yet because the area is flooded due to the heavy rains.

Breaking Belize News

Met Service issues “Strong Thunderstorm Alert”
As of 9 pm tonight, the National Meteorological Service of Belize issued a strong thunderstorm […]

Vehicle plunges into Rio Hondo
Reports to BBN is that earlier tonight, a vehicle plunged over a bridge between San […]

Amanda (2020) shades of Alma and Arthur (2008)
By Detroy Cuthkelvin: Having already killed 10 persons in El Salvador, Tropical Storm Amanda, the first named storm in the East Pacific for 2020 (now downgraded to a remnant low, Invest 93 […]

Prime Minister discusses new normal in Public Service: positions unfilled, contracts expired
The staggering public sector wage bill – $688 million for approximately 16 thousand public servants and […]

Hemp, hemp, hooray! P.M. leads cheers for hemp and other new industries
With traditional industries hurting such as sugar, citrus and banana, agricultural producers are looking to other […]

P.M. skeptical about school year re-opening; Minister still hopeful
It is final when it comes from the Ministry of Education, but Prime Minister Dean Barrow […]

New statistics show that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally now exceeds 6.1 million.
According to Worldometer, the latest figure on COVID-19 cases stands at 6,194,887, with over 371,000 […]

Belmopan mother requests help due to flooding
A woman from Belen Street in the Maya Mopan area of Belmopan is asking for […]

Blogs

Historical & Archaeological Tours To Do in Belize
The country of Belize evolved from a rich history; from North to South you’ll find interesting backstories behind the people, sites, and monuments in each district. If the purpose of your trip is to learn and see the deep roots from which Belize has sprung, then this itinerary is just for you. Here I would also like to appeal to Belizeans to consider taking a family vacation within our own fascinating country. So many of us have not had the opportunity to visit our own natural wonders. Here are some top tours for historical and archaeological sites in Belize.

International Sources

US Court Hands Down Preliminary Injunction Against Pirate IPTV Provider
A Florida district court judge has handed down a highly-restrictive preliminary injunction against a 'pirate' IPTV provider trading under various names including CBC and X-View. The case was originally filed under seal by TV broadcaster DISH Networks, whose representative tracked down the alleged operator in Belize.

Everything Essential To Eat In Belize That Can Be Made At Home
Fortunately, enjoying what Belize has to offer can be done while helping the developing country cope with this sudden economic hardship. Island resident Kimberly Wylie jumped into action by releasing the Ambergris Caye COVID Relief Cookbook, which delivers 100% of the profits earned from selling the book to the San Pedro Hot Lunch Program, started by Maresha Reid of Pirate’s Treasure Restaurant and Pirate’s Not-So-Secret Beach Bar. Through this program, Reid is able to feed almost 400 island residents 3 times a week. “People who had very little to begin with now had nothing,” Wylie explains. “Regretfully, the COVID relief funds the government had in its coffers were only enough to provide minimally for a fraction of the population. As this shutdown continues to drag on into the months, more and more people need help.”

Welcome to June and the Official Start of Hurricane Season
HELLO JUNE: Today is the first day of meteorological summer for Alabama and will again feature plenty of sunshine and warm temps. Highs today should return to the upper 80s and lower 90s, we could see a few isolated showers this afternoon, but most locations will remain dry. The average high for Montgomery for June 1st is 88…we should highs a degree or two above that this afternoon. HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS: Today is the official start of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season which will run until November 30th. However, the season got started a little early as we have had two named system already (Arthur & Bertha). We are likely to see Cristobal late this week in the Gulf of Mexico.

What we can do to preserve our Garifuna language
By Wellington C Ramos. We the Garifuna people are among the 400 million people on this earth who speak one of the 6,000 indigenous languages that exist. Most of us are struggling to preserve our languages that we have been speaking for centuries before the Europeans came to our lands and established their colonial rule. They then passed decrees and laws forbidding us from speaking our native language and practicing our culture.

With No One Around, Wildlife Abounds
With people sheltering in place around the world, animals have been enjoying the freedom that our isolation has granted. Each day, we delight in hearing more and more positive reports of how the world is beginning to heal as humans are confined to their homes. From China to the USA and across the globe, NASA now reports cleaner skies with drastic improvements in air quality. Rivers around the world are proving to be more pure, and flora and fauna are flourishing in the lack of human interference. Animals everywhere are enjoying the absence of human presence as they make an uninterrupted connection with their surroundings. Here at our resort, there is no exception! We have welcomed the surprise of many visits from unexpected, untamed guests. It’s our pleasure to share with you of a few of our most precious and heartwarming of those recent encounters:

Videos