July 30, 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

Deshawn Goff acquitted of Lincoln Robinson Sr’s 2016 murder
Deshawn Goff, who in 2016 was accused of the murder of Lincoln Robinson Sr. in San Pedro Town, is now a free man. He was acquitted of the charge on Tuesday, July 28th, when he appeared at the Supreme Court in Belize City and the main witness was a no show. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was unable to present the main witness that would have been key to further keep Goff in prison. As a result, the DPP had no choice but to enter a ‘Nolle Prosequi’ against Goff. Thereafter he became a free man.

Sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
The Supplies Control Unit (SCU) of the Belize Bureau of Standards has received and confirmed reports of the sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) below the fixed controlled prices at several locations countrywide. The SCU hereby informs those partaking in this illegal activity to desist as they are contravening the Supplies Control (Prices) Regulations (Statutory Instrument No. 88 of 2020). Continued violations will result in penalties being pursued to the full extent of the law.

Real Estate development of Cayo Grande on lagoon side receives approval for 130-lot subdivision
After concerned residents reported the cutting of mangroves on a private island/area formerly known as ‘Peanut Caye’, a cease and desist order was quickly issued. The area, which is a large extension of mangroves (30 acres) was inspected by personnel of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, who discovered that clearing was underway along what seems to be approved survey lines. As a result, the activity will now be closely monitored to ensure there is no further development, unless the right permits are acquired. According to the developers of “Cayo Grande Island”, the project has received approval for a 130-lot subdivision, and the plan includes roads, open spaces, canals and natural barriers.

Medicines’ aid worth 127,000USD from India to Belize
India is providing medical aid to 27 countries in LAC region. These countries are: Belize, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St. Kitts And Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent And The Grenadines, Suriname, Republic Of Trinidad And Tobago, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia, Cuba, Peru, Venezuela, and Republic of Paraguay. Each country has been gifted a package of Hydroxychloroquine, 14 essential drugs and covid-protective gear. The total value of the medical aid to Latin America and Caribbean region is Rs 160 million (2,139,000 USD).

Food and Drug Administration Issues Advisory on Hand Sanitizers
The Ministry of Health is aware that an advisory sent from the Director of Health Services to the Customs and Excise Department is in circulation on social media platforms. The internal correspondence is a notification of an alert issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on sanitizers contaminated with methanol. Methanol can be toxic when ingested or absorbed through the skin.

Ambergris Today

History In The Making As Female Officer Takes Hold Of Acting Vice Commandant
History in the making, as our island girl Lieutenant Commander Alma Pinelo of the Belize Coast Guard will become the Acting Vice Commandant of the BCG. The announcement was made today July 29, 2020, as Commander Captain Elton Bennett is away in the United Kingdom studying for one year. Lieutenant Commander Alma Pinelo will be holding over for Vice Commandant Commander Gregory Soberanis, who assumes command as Acting Commandant

Various Belizean Sources

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

They're having some fun at the Volleyball Summer Camp
The second week of Volleyball Summer Camp in Belmopan is underway. The participants are having a lot of fun and improving every day! This camp is endorsed by City of Belmopan Volleyball Assoc. - CBVA.

Processing of Apostille Documents
Kindly note that processing of Apostille of all corporate documents/certificates for IBC's, LLC's, Trusts, Foundation, IMMARBE and IFSC will be issued by the Belize International Corporate Affairs Registry (BICAR), with effect 3rd August 2020. It is to be further noted that a standard Apostille Certificate will be issued with respect to documents submitted for Apostilling. As such the General Registry nor BICAR will accept pre-generate apostille certificates from agents. For more information, kindly contact Belize General Registry at Tel: 227-7377 or 227-2053 or by email info@belizejudiciary.org.

COVID-19 Update | July 29, 2020
A further 44 samples for SARS-CoV2 were processed today, all samples were negative. We continue to ask from all to continue with the prevention measures as we require a community effort as we move along.

Changes in the Pump Price of Fuel Effective July 30, 2020
The Ministry of Finance announces that on July 30, 2020, the pump price for two fuel products will change. The prices for premium and regular gasoline will register as follows: Premium gasoline will increase by $0.15 from $9.21 to $9.36 per gallon; Regular gasoline will increase by $0.05 from $8.71 to $8.76 per gallon.

Captain Bennett Pursues Higher Military Education in the United Kingdom
The Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Captain Elton Bennett, is scheduled to undertake a year of study at the Royal College of Defence Studies in England from August 2020 to August 2021. This initiative is a vital component in his professional military education in strategic level studies to further enhance his capacity to contribute to the National Security apparatus in Belize. In his absence, Commander Gregory Soberanis assumes command as Acting Commandant with Lieutenant Commander Alma Pinelo as the Acting Vice Commandant.

June 2020 Merchandise Trade & Consumer Price Index
Consumer Price Index up 0.2%, imports down 38.4% and domestic exports up 41.1% in June 2020. The Statistical Institute of Belize’s latest figures on consumer prices showed that, for the month of June 2020, the national inflation rate stood at 0.2 percent. The All-Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased marginally from 105.1 in June 2019 to 105.3 in June 2020. In June 2020, Belize imported goods valuing $103.7 million. This represented a dramatic decrease of 38.4 percent or $64.8 million from the same month last year. Merchandise imports for the first six months of this year, January to June 2020, amounted to $793.7 million, representing a 15.6 percent or $146.6 million decrease from the same period last year.

Alma Pinelo appointed as Vice Commandant
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to congratulate San Pedro's very own, Lieutenant Commander Alma Pinelo on her achievement on being appointed as Vice Commandant, which is a historic moment for Belize as she is the first female to hold this post. San Pedro is very proud of you and we are sure you will excel in your duration as Vice Commandant. Congratulations!

Low Water Pressure on Caye Caulker
Please note that customers in Caye Caulker will continue to experience low water pressure until tomorrow, Thursday, July 30, 2020. Customers are being advised that water is expected to be fully restored by 7:00AM. Area being affected: the entire Caye Caulker Distribution System If customers experience water supply problem after that time, they should immediately call our BWS hotline at 0-800-CALL-BWS to report it. BWS apologizes for any inconvenience this low water pressure is causing to customers in the affected areas.

Navigating the Plastic Tide
A new article from local journalist, Andrea Polanco. This feature takes a more local and regional look at the global issue of plastic and the longterm environmental, social and economic repercussions. Here is some insight into the estimated single-use consumption of our tiny little country.

Images from two days of the Coconut Husk Jewelry Making Program with Kimberly Griffith
Our seven participants have been creating beautiful jewelry. Friday's class they will be making soap dishes utilizing the coconut shell.

Junior Ballet Program Summer Program
Looking for an extra-curricular activity for your children? Then, look no further and enroll them in the Junior Ballet Program at Banquitas HOC. Limited spaces available so sign up now!! For more information call us at 322-0517.

173rd Anniversary of the Caste War
The Northern Maya Association of Belize in conjunction with the House of Banquitas Culture invites you to an informative conference where the origin, cause, and impact of the Yucatan Peninsula Caste War will be discussed in 173 anniversary of this event. Monday August 3, 2020-7:00 pm. Place: House of Banquitas Culture, Orange Walk

Channel 7

GOB's Plan for The Port Is to Nationalize?
The Port of Belize remained closed for the 7th successive day today - and it's on the verge of causing a national crisis. Importers can't get their goods landed - and exporters can;can't get their products out. We told you last night about the CFS Pacora which has left Belize and is now on its way to Kingston, Jamaica - after sitting at anchor for 6 days, waiting for the port to re-open. But it did not, and now the Pacora - with its 70 Belize-bound containers will have to, presumably, circle back, leaving government out of revenue, and merchants without their goods, which could lead to shortages on store shelves. Exporters also lost out on about 100 shipments which they were sending out.

What Next For Port?
And while the PM prepares for yet another tangle with the Ashcroft Alliance, many want answers as to how the actual situation on the ground is playing out, and when we can expect the Port to re-open. Those are questions we put to CWU president Mose Hyde, and yesterday he outlined the events of the last 7 days. "The port is closed down after you had the security forces putting tear gas and rubber bullets on our members who were there. They established that it was a security threat and so Thursday and Friday the Port is officially closed..."

Port of Belize Staff Weighs Its Options
And what about that sister unit, the staff of the Port of Belize? They watched with the nation as the stevedores who stood united with their cause were treated to tear gas and rubber bullets. And while 36 of them have lost their jobs, those who survived the redundancy have had their full salaries restored, ending the much criticized 10% paycuts. It's a move that CWU President calls classic divide and rule, but he sympathizes with the staff which is still deciding where they stand.

PBL’s Plentiful Release Belie Executive Evasion
PBL's position is outlined in a series of press releases which they used to hurl a multitude of allegations at members of CWU. Those allegations included but were not limited to vandalism, illegal strike action, and rejecting mediation. They also put their business out in the street, so to speak, stating that "Stevedores earn an average of BZE $38,216 per year for an average of 38 days of work." All this without saying how much their executives earn. But for all its press release bluster, Union president Mose Hyde points out that the Port's leadership has refused to face the media and submit themselves to the many questions about the true state of their finances.

PM Says Election First Week In November
And, if anything it to happen with a Port take-over by the Government, it has to happen now. The Barrow Administration only has about a hundred days left in office, and the Prime Minister has a whole lot on his plate, most importantly leading the COVID response effort. In his press conference today, the PM said, don't expect an early election - as he tries to get in as much COVID relief funding as he can:

Mason To Be Sentenced Tomorrow
Tonight, Justice Antoinette Moore is carefully considering what sentence she should pass on the convicted murderers, William "Danny" Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. And she will hand down that sentence tomorrow morning. And that's after 2 consecutive days, during which the court has been examining their characters via witness statements. In that time, the judge has been presented with a large volume of information to consider why she should or shouldn't be lenient on the defendants who she found guilty of 2016 beheading murder of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas.

New Coast Guard Commander For A Year
Captain Elton Bennett assumed command of the Coast Guard on November of last year, but, the news tonight is that he's going on a year's break to pursue his studies. a release says Captain Bennett will to undertake a year of study at the Royal College of Defence Studies in England from August 2020 to August 2021. The release adds that the training is a "vital component in his professional military education in strategic level studies."

GOB Subsidizes Low Interest Loans For Tourism Sector
The Prime Minister today held a virtual press conference to announce 10 million dollars in (relatively) low interest financing for tourism stakeholders. It's a special line of credit which will be administered by the Development Finance Corporation. Special because of the low interest rate of 6% - but even more special because government is subsidising 1% of the interest - to the tune of 100 thousand dollars. That's to make the credit as cheap as possible to this vital industry that has been flatlined by the COVID - 19 pandemic.

Special Consideration For Those Who Use Loans For Payroll
And, a key component of the financing is that it must have the widest trickle down effect on the economy - meaning that a percentage of the monies borrowed should go to paying wages of tourism workers - thereby giving the government relief in the COVID unemployment relief program. Goff explained: "They will have to retain at least 30%. Now this was debated among the management staff because we thought 50%, because the more they retain, the less burden it will be on the state. However, at the same time we wanted to be as flexible as possible, so probably those who are able to retain more, maybe be looked at in a more favorable manner."

Loan Applications Go Live On Monday
Those tourism stakeholders that are pursuing the BTB's Tourism Gold Standard Certificate of Recognition while also be viewed more favourably, since they are getting ready to start back up. Now, the program goes live at DFC offices countrywide on Monday, August third and they will be awarded based on repayability, but also on who applies first:

Implicit Risk Assumed By DFC with Tourism Loans
And while - for better or worse - tourism is the bedrock of the Belizean economy - in a time like this, lending money to this sector is far from a sure thing. Risk is intrinsic to this lending - and Goff said that's what development banks must do right now: "While I would love a guarantee, I don't think there is any such thing in this time. And so what you are asking you probably have to go to the good Lord above to get that sort of guarantee, but we are not playing it by air. We are doing our due diligence as I mentioned those who will benefit will be those who were in good financial standing prior to Covid and that is how we mitigate risk, but we are a financial institution and financial institutions take risks."

PM Talks Tourism Opening
And, speaking of risks.many in the general public are saying that it is too great a risk to open the airport on August 15th. That's the considered decision that the Prime Minister made in consultation national oversight committee and Cabinet. It's not popular, but the PM today explained - again - why he feels it is necessary:

PM Urges Nation to "Let's Make A Start"
And while even that January forecast may be optimistic because of the way the COVID infection rate is going in the US, the PM says that all attention has to now be placed on August to at least make a start: Natalie Goff- General Manager, DFC: "I think you have to look at it that it is a start because if we waited until we could amass more funds the enterprises would have been bleeding out. So we decided, let's make a start with what we have and we are able to assist with what we have. Everything will not fall into place. The situation is very fluid and we have to be able to deliver as soon as possible."

Ladyville Comes Out In Numbers to Mourn Pizza Parlour Owner
Changing topics now... Last night, we told you about the senseless murder of 38-year-old Oren Velasquez, the self-made businessman from Ladyville. On Monday night he and his teenaged son were closing up his business, Breda O's Pizza when 2 armed men jumped the fence and attacked them in an attempt to rob the Pizza shop. Velasquez's family says that assailants moved with extreme violence and intent and that he had to fight them off, in order to save his son's life. In the process, he was shot and killed, and the robbers made off with only $200, money from the day's sales.

Back To School Blues For Schools Searching For Supplies
We're 12 days away from the start of the 2020-2021 school year. It's the end of an extended break that's caused much more anxiety than relaxation. And while the return to school is an important and hopefully welcome step, parents and government officials alike have many questions, and the most pressing one is whether schools will be ready. Over the past two days, Cherisse Halsall spoke to two principals who told her that ticking off GOB's checklist requires a ton of resources. Here's her story:

PM’s On School: "We Proceed"
And this morning while the PM addressed that all-important question of school, one journalist asked him whether or not August 10th would be the first day of school for his teenaged daughter. "Well, unlike Jules, you don't have a device planted in my house [laughs]. I only have one child that is still school age. One child of school age attending St. Catherine's Academy and certainly she will go back to school as soon as St. Catherine's reopens. But if something absolutely dramatic were to happen we call it off..."

PM Not Eager To Confirm Ag. CJ
But it seems the Prime Minister will not proceed to confirm acting Chief Justice Michelle Arana as the substantive CJ. He explained that the timing - being so close to an election- makes it problematic: "Look, I think it should be sooner rather than later. Remember though, that we need to consult with the opposition but I have to be careful because already the opposition is already making noise of, for example, the Boledo contract signed with Brad's which came out in a completely transparent fashion..."

PM Hopes To Mediate in PUC/BEL Dispute
And the PM hopes that the dispute between the PUC and BEL doesn't end up in front of the Chief Justice. As we've reported, the PUC announced two weeks ago that BEL was refusing to follow its directives and sing a power purchase agreement with Santander. So, the PUC said it would issue an order COMPELLING BEL to comply. Well, BEL has since gone to court to get an injection stopping the PUC from enforcing this order. It's an ugly entanglement for the utility in which government controls a majority of the shares, and the PM says he hopes he can de-escalate it before it ends up in court:

US Dollar T-Notes Under-subscribed
Speaking on matters of public finance, the Prime Minister today disclosed that Government's US dollar denominated treasury notes haven't sold as well as expected. The US$30 million dollars offering was launched on June fifth, but only 20 million dollars has been bought up. The PM explained today:

C-Bank Keeping A Tight Rein On Foreign Exchange
Now, the PM had said that proceeds of the Note were supposed to build up the official Central Bank reserves. So, how do those reserves and the general supply of foreign exchange currently stand? That's what the press asked today:

CABEI Could Come Thru With Budgetary Support
And, the PM hopes to get an infusion of budgetary support from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, CABEI. The bank has given significant support to other nations on the isthmus, and the PM says his government has requested the same:

Senate Debates COVID Relief Loan
And going now to Belmopan... There was a Senate Meeting in Belmopan today to consider the loan motion that was tabled in the House of Representatives last Friday. As we told you it's 10 million US dollars from the OPEC Fund designated for government's COVID 19 food assistance program. It is also intended to fund a public education campaign for COVID 19. It drew light debate in the House on Friday, but they were rearing to go in the Senate today. Here's some of the back and forth:

Wild Robbery At Wendy's, Independence
Robberies have become an all too common occurrence since the COVID-19 induced economic downturn. And yesterday there was yet another, this one happened at Wendy's Store in Independence Village. It happened shortly after noon when 3 dark-skinned men, two of them armed with a gun and a knife held up the store owners. They opened the cash register and stole an undisclosed amount of money before taking off.

Bystanders Strung Up Phone Thief
He's gone viral on Facebook as an alleged kidnapper but police say that 30-year-old Patrick Palma was actually trying to rob a 15-year-old girl of her cellphone. It happened on Banak street in Orange Walk at about 2:30 this afternoon when Palma allegedly tried to grab the young woman's Galaxy S7 cellphone. She refused to let it go and a struggle ensued.

Channel 5

FATAL STABBING IN BZE CITY
There was a stabbing a short while ago near the Pound Yard Bridge in Belize City. Multiple reports say that the victim has died as a result of the injuries he received to the neck [...]

Will the Port of Belize be Nationalized Too?
The strike continues at the Port of Belize which means that cargo cannot be unloaded or loaded in the midst of the economic fallout due to the COVID pandemic. The [...]

DFC Introduces a Special Line of Credit for Tourism Stakeholders
That statement was made this morning at a press conference when Prime Minister Barrow announced that government, through the Development Finance Corporation, DFC, is rolling out ten million dollars for [...]

Government to Subsidize One Percent of DFC Loan Interest Rate
According to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, so as to be able to lend the monies at a six percent interest rate, government has to subsidize one percent or one hundred [...]

DFC’s General Manager Breaks Down Loan Programme
The DFC loans, says General Manager Natalie Goff, are to be used as working capital and part of the company or business’ eligibility requires that thirty percent of staff must [...]

Final Day of Mitigation Hearing in Murder Trial of Mason Five
The courtroom of Justice Antoinette Moore was crowded today for the mitigation plea of William “Danny” Mason.  The families of the convicted men were in court for the second day [...]

Will the Decision of the Court be Appealed?
Back in December 2019, when the five men were found guilty of the beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, it was indicated that an appeal would be filed. Norman Rodriguez, attorney [...]

General Elections Before November? Not Likely
Back to the PM’s press conference, the last general elections were held in November 2015, and all indications so far are that the anticipated elections vote will not take place [...]

T-Notes Stall at US$20M, Despite Interest from Taiwanese Government
But the government coffers are not full and since introducing an initiative to raise thirty million U.S. dollars through treasury notes in early June, the Central Bank of Belize has [...]

PM Barrow Comments on P.U.C./B.E.L. Logjam
Prime Minister Dean Barrow also weighed in on the row between the Public Utilities Commission and Belize Electricity Limited regarding a power purchase agreement that B.E.L. has been ordered to [...]

Senators Debate US$10 Million Loan from OPEC
A ten million U.S.-dollar loan motion was today approved by the Senate. The loan is from the OPEC Fund for International Development to provide financial support on concessionary terms to [...]

Michael Peyrefitte Takes On the Critics
Responding to the criticisms and concerns was U.D.P. Senator Michael Peyrefitte. Peyrefitte told the senators that they failed to focus on the loan motion.   Michael Peyrefitte, U.D.P. Senator “Mister [...]

SIB Releases Recent Economic Stats
On the economic front, consumer prices were up by zero point two percent in June 2020, according to the latest bulletin published by the Statistic Institute of Belize.  For the [...]

Hundreds Attend Vigil for ‘Breda O’ in Ladyville
The Ladyville community continues to reel over the murder of businessman Orin Velasquez. His life was taken for about two hundred dollars by robbers who shot and killed him inside [...]

Import Duty to be Waived on Vans for Tourism Stakeholders
If you’re a tour operator or hotelier and you’re thinking about buying a vehicle as part of your reopening preparations, you may want to consider purchasing a tour van.  That’s [...]

P.U.P. Senators Criticize Brads’ Multimillion Dollars Contract
The government, via the Lotteries Tender Panel, awarded Brads Gaming Group Limited a license to continue to administer the lottery for an additional ten years. The People’s United Party has [...]

More Monies for Carocal Road, DigiLearn and Passports
Also brought before the Senate today was a supplementary budget for the current financial year.  The motion appropriated several hundreds of thousands of dollars for different projects and initiatives including [...]

PM Says Schools are Reopening as Scheduled
Preparations are ongoing by the Ministry of Education to have schools ready for the August tenth reopening, but there are numerous concerns also being raised by parents and other education [...]

A Citizen’s Arrest in Orange Walk
Residents of Orange Walk acted swiftly today to make a citizen’s arrest.  They held down a Ladyville resident and promptly handed him over to the police.   The reports are that [...]

The Coastguard Appoints its First Female Vice Commandant
The Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Captain Elton Bennett, is heading to the United Kingston for further studies. Bennett will be on leave for a year beginning in August [...]

Resident Birds of Belize – a New Definitive Stamp Issue
The Belize Postal Service released its latest definitive stamp issue today. This issue will replace the old definitive issue which dates back to 2005. It features colourful birds found across [...]

The Reporter

“Resident Birds of Belize” Stamps
The Belize Postal Service today released a new set of postage stamps entitled, “Resident Birds of Belize”. This new line of Definitive Stamps will replace the old set entitled, “Belize Destinations – Ecological and Cultural Heritage Sites” which was initially released on August 31, 2005. The new stamps feature birds that are resident to Belize and consist of fourteen 14 birds depicted on 14 different stamps of varying values, ranging from 5¢ to $10.00. Two new values have been added to the line; a 40¢ and a $1.50 stamp.

LOVE FM

PM comments on the reopening of the airport and schools
The Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) is set to reopen on August 15. The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has stated that they are not expecting a large influx of tourists at first, and today, the Prime Minister reiterated this sentiment.

Senators debate loan for food assistance program
The members of the Senate convened today at the National Assembly where they discussed various loan motions. Several senators stood up to debate a ten million US dollar from the OPEC Fund for International Development.

PM says general elections will most likely be held in November
With all that has happened since the start of 2020, topics that would usually be pressing have had to take a backseat. The upcoming general elections is one such topic.

PM considers the nationalization of Port of Belize
The situation at the Port of Belize remains at a standstill, and since the workers are engaging in a strike, ships have been turned away as there is no one to unload them. This is having a detrimental effect on the economy, which has already taken massive blows from the covid-19 endemic.

PM weighs in on border jumpers
Border jumpers continue to be a problem in Belize, as seventeen out of the last thirty cases were linked to those illegally crossing the border. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of National Security has been working tirelessly to try and prevent a community spread that could be caused if a border jumper with the virus is not quarantined.

Government announces loan program for tourism stakeholders
Stakeholders in the tourism sector will be receiving much needed financial assistance. This sector has been hit the hardest by covid-19, since all points of entry were immediately closed, which in turn had detrimental effects for stakeholders.

Breaking Belize News

COVID-19 cases top 17 million worldwide; 669 thousand dead
COVID-19 continues its grim march across the world. The viral disease has now infected more […]

Man stabbed dead near Pound Yard Bridge in Belize City
BBN has received reports that a man was stabbed dead near the Pound Yard Bridge in Belize City […]

Director of Public Prosecutions argues for lengthy prison terms for Mason and other defendants
According to Director of Public Prosecutions Senior Counsel Cheryl-Lyn Vidal, just 11 of 43 cases heard […]

Slight price increases for premium, regular fuel
Beginning tomorrow, Thursday, premium gasoline goes up fifteen cents to $9.36 per gallon, while regular gasoline […]

Ministry of Education to award 15 merit scholarships for incoming high-school students
The Ministry of Education (MOE) today informed that it will award 15 Merit Scholarships. The scholarships […]

Belize Coast Guard appoints first female Vice Commandant
Lieutenant Commander, Alma Pinelo, has made history by being appointed the Belize Coast Guard’s first […]

Ramon’s Village Resort in San Pedro designated certified Autism Center
Ramon’s Village Resort located in San Pedro Town, Belize is now a Certified Autism Center […]

Elections set for the first week in November
“As things now stand the elections will be by the end of the first week […]

Angry residents in Orange Walk make citizens arrest of alleged kidnapper
Neighbors in Orange Walk today conducted a citizens arrest on an alleged kidnapper. According to […]

Belize highlights importance of mangroves to global eco-systems
Marine ecologist and co-founder of the University of Belize Environmental Research Unit (UB ERI), Leandra […]

“Government has considered nationalizing Port of Belize,” says Prime Minister
As the impasse between the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) and its staff continues to […]

Coast Guard Captain Elton Bennett to pursue higher Military Education in the United Kingdom
The Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Captain Elton Bennett, is scheduled to undertake a […]

Senator Mark Lizarraga calls for transparency among assistance programs
In today’s sitting of the Senate, Senator Mark Lizarraga called for transparency of Government assistance […]

Senate debates $10 million loan for COVID-19 Food Assistance Program
The COVID-19 Food Assistance Program created by the Government, originally with $10 million out of […]

Sitting of senate opens with moment of silence for fallen business people
The Opening prayer for the sitting of the senate was conducted by Senator Isabel Bennett. […]

Government of Belize launches special loan programme for tourism sector
Today, the Government of Belize announced the official launch of a special loan program to […]

Phased repatriation process continues
The Ministry of Health and Foreign Affairs continue to conduct the phased repatriation process. As […]

“Mason Five” to learn their fates today
Four of the five men convicted last December of the beheading murder of Llewellyn Lucas […]

India donates medical aid worth US $127,000 to Belize
In an expression of global solidarity, the Government of India has taken a decision to […]

Tropical wave approaches
The latest forecast from the National Meteorological Service of Belize is indicating that an approaching tropical wave will […]

PM Barrow to hold virtual press conference this morning to announce special loan programme for the tourism sector
On Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dean Barrow, will […]

Dangerous hand sanitizer being sold in Belize, massive recalls countrywide
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is working with the Customs and Excise Department to rid […]

Four people left homeless following arson on Wagner’s Lane
A house was set on fire last night, displacing a woman and her three sons […]

One patient recovers from COVID-19; no new cases reported
The Ministry of Health has informed that a patient has recovered from COVID-19. Eighty five […]

Patrick Faber completes tour of Toledo
UDP Leader elect, Patrick Faber has concluded his tour of the Toledo District. Faber’s tour […]

Blogs

A Visitor Checklist for Entry into Belize
In just over two weeks, Belize prepares to reopen for international travel on August 15, 2020. In preparation for your trip to Belize, here are the overarching requirements and guidelines to follow.

What It Means to be Recognized as a Belize Gold Standard Certified Hotel
Essentially, the Gold Standard is a 9-point recognition program to enhance the tourism industry’s health and safety standards. This is by adapting new behaviors and procedures to ensure both employees and travellers are confident in the cleanliness and safety of Belize’s tourism product. These new protocols are focused on enhanced hotel and restaurant cleaning practices, social interactions, workplace policies, and standard operating procedures while ensuring minimal impact on the guest experience. Properties will go through a declaration process to receive “Tourism Gold Standard Recognition”.

The Hot Sauce Of Belize: Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce
Belize is known for a lot of things, and one of them is for its very own and authentic Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce. Whether you have visited Belize or have been living here your entire life you can agree that Marie Sharp’s Hot sauce is an unbelizable delicacy that you must add to every meal. The beginning of this spicy and tasty hot sauce began back in 1980 when Mrs. Marie Sharp came up with some recipes for sauces, jams, and jellies while experimenting with fresh Habanero peppers, vegetables, and fruits from her farm. She was overwhelmed with positive feedback and encouragement when neighbors and friends tasted them. That was when she decided to turn it into a family business. At first, they started Marie Sharp Hot Sauce production in a small kitchen with help from relatives and an employee. Throughout the years, Marie Sharp Hot Sauce was recognized both locally and internationally for her production of a spectacular selection of pepper sauces, all of which are loved for their exquisite flavor and heat levels.

International Sources

Tropical Storm Isaias forms as it swirls toward Hispaniola, sets sights on Florida
Less than one week after record-setting Hanna strengthened into a hurricane and crashed into the Texas coast, another budding tropical system was dubbed Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) at 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday and maintained that status through Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday evening, this system developed a single well-defined center and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Isaias (pronounced ees-ah-ee-ahs). This makes it the earliest "I-storm" on record in the Tropical Atlantic, breaking the record previously held by Irene, which formed on Aug. 7, 2005.

Which Country Is the Best for Offshore Banking?
There are a lot of places where you can do offshore banking. However, not all of them are ideal. You have to think about taxes, safety, accessibility and other factors. Plus, economies change over time, so the best country for offshore banking five years ago might not be the best country for offshore banking today. Belize is the best country for offshore banking if you’re seeking a high interest rate. There are other countries that offer higher rates but they’re also much less stable countries. If you want to grow your money, but to do so in a country that is stable and safe, go with Belize.

Former Bad Boy Artist Shyne Is Running For A Seat In The Belize House Of Representatives
Hip-hop artist Jamal “Shyne” Barrow, a Bad Boy Records alumnus, is running for the Belize House of Representative and he has been endorsed by Sean “Diddy” Combs. Shyne now goes by the name Moses Michael Levi Barrow. Shyne isn’t new to politics. The son of Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow, he grew up in an influential political family in Belize. Shyne was nominated by Belize’s United Democratic Party to stand as a candidate for the country’s House of Representatives for the constituency of Mesopotamia in Belize City. His father made history by becoming the first Black prime minister of Belize in 2008, Revolt reported.

A jaguar nicknamed “Short-Tail” the first known to cross between Belize and Guatemala
An adult male jaguar nicknamed “Short-Tail” (due to his partially missing tail) was caught on camera in both Belize and Guatemala, making him the first individual confirmed to cross the international boundary between the two countries. Short-Tail was first photographed in Belize in 2009 with his whole tail and then with most of it missing (for unknown reasons) in 2011. He was caught on camera trap in Guatemala in 2013 and then returned to Belize in 2014. But it wasn’t until a conference in 2018 that researchers realized this was the same animal, and the first recorded transboundary jaguar in the region.

ANÁLISIS REVELAN QUE LOS SUEROS CONTRA EL CORONAVIRUS PRODUCIDOS POR LA UCR INHIBEN EL VIRUS
In COVID-19 related news, this is certainly good news from a sister country in the region. Las dos formulaciones de anticuerpos equinos preparadas en el Instituto Clodomiro Picado de la Universidad de Costa Rica (ICP-UCR), a partir de plasma de los caballos hiperinmunizados con proteínas virales, son capaces de inhibir la infectividad del coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 que produce la enfermedad del COVID-19.

Videos

July 29, 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

William ‘Danny’ Mason and accomplices to be sentenced for Pastor Llewelyn Lucas’ murder
On Tuesday, July 28th, the Supreme Court in Belize City saw the start of the sentencing process in the murder trial of William ‘Danny’ Mason, Kieron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, Ernest Castillo, and Ashton Vanegas. Justice Antoinette Moore listened to mitigation pleas for and on behalf of the five men convicted of the 2016 murder of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas. The men’s sentences are expected to be handed down on Wednesday, July 29th.

Copa San Pedro heads to 2020 Closing Season finals
After taking a pause due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the local football tournament, Copa San Pedro resumed its games. The tournament held its semi-final games of the 2020 Closing Season over the weekend, and on Saturday, August 1st, it will be hosting the championship match between Conquerors F.C and San Mateo F.C., beginning at 7PM inside the Ambergris Stadium. ALL islanders are invited to come out and support the favourite team in their last match of this Copa San Pedro season set for this Saturday starting at 7PM at the Ambergris Stadium. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

The Belize Police Department appeals to the general public to denounce border jumpers and contraband via their hotlines
The Commissioner of Police (ComPol) Chester Williams visited the high-risk border villages of Santa Cruz and Douglas in northern Belize on Monday, July 27th. Williams was there revisiting police strategies as well as law enforcement when dealing with illegal border crossing and contraband from Mexico. These activities have led to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Orange Walk District, prompting the Belize Police Department to establish hotlines to report these illegal activities.

Various Belizean Sources

Airlines to resume services for August 15 reopening
The flights to resume service in Belize are as follows: United Airlines: United Airlines flights will resume on August 15th with five flights per week from Houston (IAH). American Airlines: American Airlines flights will resume on August 18th with daily flights from Miami (MIA). Delta Airlines: Delta Airlines flights will resume on September 3rd three times per week from Atlanta (ATL). Sun Country Airlines: The seasonal airline will operate round trip flights on December 19th once a week on Saturdays between Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) and Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City (BZE).

Clearing the sargassum from Palapa Bar to Boca del Rio Park
In a collaboration with Mr. Danny Boyd and the San Pedro Town Council, the sargassum of the shores from Palapa Bar to Boca del Rio Park is being cleared out to avoid it from rotting. Mr. Boyd has offered his machines and part of his time in order to assist in the clearing of the sargassum, which is a challenge every year. Thank you Mr. Boyd for your assistance.

BFLA health services at Central Park Thursday
Save the Date, July 30th. The BFLA will be having health services at the Central Park This Thursday from 9am to 3pm. - HIV Testing & Counseling - Bloodpressure Check - Contraceptives

Virtual press conference today at 10am
Launch of Special Line of Credit for Tourism Stakeholders

Food and Drug Administration Issues Advisory on Hand Sanitizers
The Ministry of Health is aware that an advisory sent from the Director of Health Services to the Customs and Excise Department is in circulation on social media platforms. The internal correspondence is a notification of an alert issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on sanitizers contaminated with methanol. Methanol can be toxic when ingested or absorbed through the skin. The attached list of products has been tested by the FDA and found to contain methanol. Notably, all manufacturers on the list originate primarily from Mexico.

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint "Tree frog".

Ramon’s Village Resort in Belize Now Designated a Certified Autism Center
Ramon’s Village Resort located in San Pedro Town, Belize is now a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), designated by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). Completion of the certification means that guests with autism and other sensory needs can have the best possible stay or scuba diving experience. To achieve the CAC accreditation, Ramon’s Village Resort staff completed evidence-based staff training and certification required by IBCCES to recognize the needs of guests on the spectrum and provide options for visitors with sensory needs.

COVID-19 Update | July 28, 2020
A further 85 samples were processed today. We have recovered one patient with today's results, and we don't have any new case to report. Our active and enhanced surveillance continues across the country. We continue to ask from all to exercise prevention measures at all times as we have a collective responsibility as we move along with COVID-19.

Belize Open Government Action Plan Development, Session #2
Register to participate in the 2nd Session of the Public Discussion on the Open Government Action Plan for Belize taking place online on: Thursday August 6, 2020 @3:00PM-5:00PM (Belize Time) This session is intended to present the results of the action plan development launching session of June 24th as well as the open government commitment proposals developed following the project activities.

Banned Hand Sanitizers
Ministry of Health issues list of banned hand sanitizers that contain Methanol, which can be toxic when ingested or absorbed through the skin.

MARY HILL R.C. SCHOOL PARENT MEETING - THURSDAY, JULY 30TH

173rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE CASTE WAR - FREE WEBINAR
Topic: The origin, development, and impacts of the Caste War on Belize. Date: Monday August 3rd, 2020. Time: 7:00 PM. Presenters: 1 - Dr. Angel Cal, 2 - Lic. Mario Baltazar Colli Colli. Tune into Estereo Amor Radio broadcasted on 103.70 FM, 95.9 FM & 97.5FM. Hosted by The Northern Maya Association.

Banana Bank Horse Camps
Collection of Weekend Horse Camp photos. We did 3 weekends and they were an absolute blast. Thank you campers and parents and who votes for an encore camp??? Maybe we can squeeze one in August! Email us today!

BWS Notice for Customers in Caye Caulker
Low water pressure due to mechanical failure at the pumping station for today, Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Duration: 10:00 p.m. to July 29, 2020 at 6:00 a.m. Areas being affected: entire Caye Caulker

Channel 7

How Many Years Will Mason Get?
The sentencing hearing for Danny Mason and his employees, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo commenced today in the Supreme Court in Belize City before Justice Antonette Moore. Each of the convicted men made a plea for leniency from the court, begging the judge for mercy, pointing also to their good conduct while in prison, and to their families who were without a breadwinner. Notably, Keiron Fernandez and Terrence Fernandez - who are cousins - both called their grandmother, as a character witness. She broke down into tears on the stand, saying how she cried whenever she saw her grandson's Keiron's four kids - asking for their father.

Pizza Parlour Owner Killed for $200
And from the mitigation hearing of convicted killers William "Danny" Mason and his co-defendants, we turn now to murder last night in Ladyville Village. 38-year-old Oren Velasquez was a well-known and well-liked businessman. But, last night, at around 7:18 p.m., he was shot and killed in an armed robbery at his Pizza shop. The senseless killing of this productive community member is the source of great pain for Ladyville residents. Our news team went looking for answers in the village today, and Daniel Ortiz has that story.

A Vigil For an Upstanding Villager
Last night's murder of Oren Velasquez was is simply the last straw in a series of crimes to hit Ladyville over the last few months. And, a group of residents has decided to make a stand with a candlelight vigil for Velasquez. The vigil started at around 6 p.m. this evening...

Domestic Dispute Leads To Arson
There was an apparent arson in the heart of Belize City last night - and three children were lucky to have escaped. It happened at around 7:00 on Wagner's Lane in the heart of Belize city and flattened one home while partially destroying another. Tonight, residents and their children are struggling to put their lives back together after undergoing such tragedy in already hard times. Cherisse Halsall found that it may have all started with a domestic dispute:

The Ship Sails, Port Remains Closed
The Port of Belize remained closed today due to a strike, and the CFS Pacora, left for Jamaica with all its Belize-bound containers unloaded. That's the status quo at the Port of Belize since Wednesday of last week when chaos erupted after 36 persons were terminated via text message. But, things changed a little today when PBL went on the offensive claiming that CWU wanted neither mediation nor resolution to the difficulties at the Port.

CWU Says CBA First
And Hyde says that negotiation won't be possible without a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. There hasn't been one since 2004 but CWU believes it's more than necessary since entering into negotiations without such a document would leave them vulnerable to the bad faith dealings that they've come to expect from PBL. Mose Hyde, President, CWU: "We are at a point where we cannot see ourselves working without the protection of a collective bargaining agreement and the fact is that we have a collective bargaining agreement that is almost complete..."

Mexican Hand Sans Banned
The Food and Drug Administration in the United States has flagged certain hand sanitisers containing methanol as possibly toxic. And the effect of that is now being felt in Belize where the Ministry of health yesterday put out a list of banned hand sanitisers. First off, all the banned products originate primarily from Mexico.

Mounting Complaints From Dangriga
Last week we told you about a letter from prominent UDP's in Dangriga complaining about UDP area Representative Frank Pawpa Mena. They say he can't win the next election and are demanding a convention - which has not been held in that constituency - which is the only one the UDP holds in the south.

Hon. Marin Says Hon. Mena Should Stay
We got a chance to speak with Mena's UDP colleague, Pablo Marin, at another event this morning, and the press asked him for his take on the public pressure being placed on Mena to step down. He said that he hopes that Mena will stay: Reporter: "As a senior UDP member for Corozal, would you want your colleague Frank "Pawpa" Mena to stay within the party?" Hon. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health: "Definitely, he is one of the strongest ministers and area rep that I know can win his division..."

The Problem With Border Jumpers
The media also asked the Minister of Health to comment on the persistent problem of border jumpers, who are bringing back the coronavirus to Belize with them. Marin said that the jumpers need to consider that their actions can endanger Belize's public health: "When we see situations like what happened in Orange Walk area and we get frustrated and we have to do decisions that are strong by locking down certain areas. I heard the area representative Mai mentioned that we shouldn't do those things in the house..."

Hon. Pablo On PGIA
And while the Government tries to control unregulated travel in and out of Belize, they are getting ready to re-open the Philip Goldson International Airport. It's a divisive issue, where some Belizeans think the airport needs to re-open, while others think that it is unwise to expose the country to more imported cases of COVID-19. Marin told the press today that in his opinion, the Government is prepared to start allowing visitors to return:

Cocaine Plane In Guat Wanted To Land in Belize
A drug plane landed in Guatemala on Sunday morning - with well over a tonne of cocaine. It's news because it landed so close to Belize. The Commissioner of Belize said it landed in Peten but was circling Belize: Jules Vasquez "Is that a plane that you were tracking, were you all aware of that?" Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: "Of course we were on top of that as well. We had received information that the plane had left South America and was coming our way and again we did what we normally do, deployed..."

Mayor Goes To alma Mater With A Gift
Belize City's Mayor, Bernard Wagner, visited two of his municipality's primary schools this morning. He was there to personally deliver over 20 tablets to classrooms that are about to embark on an academic new normal. We caught up with the Mayor and his councilors at his Alma Mater, Queen Square Anglican school where he told us that as a council they want to be part of the solution that allows the educational process to safely resume.

Dangerous Armed Robbers In Lord’s Bank
At the top of the news we told you about that senseless killing in Ladyville, and, we report now on an aggravated burglary which happened in the nearby village of Lords Bank. At around 5 this morning, Ladyville Police were called to the Lords Bank Store, which is located on the Lords Bank Road. When the cops arrived, they spoke to a 17-year-old member of the Belize-Chinese family who owns the business place. He told the cops that he was awakened by a man dressed in full black clothing, who was pointing a gun in his face. He was tied up and left on the upper flat of the building, which is the home of the owners. Best reports to 7News are that the house was ransacked, and a safe was stolen, which contained an undisclosed amount of money.

Major Medical Donation From India
The Government of India has made a very generous donation of a little over half-a-million dollars in medication and equipment to Belize. It's for the COVID 19 response and though India is struggling to keep the deadly virus in check at home, they decided several weeks ago to share their resources with 27 countries in Latin American and the Caribbean. In the package to Belize, there are several different types of medical drugs, testing kits, and COVID-related protection gear. This donation also comes with online training for frontline health-care workers in all the recipient countries. The Indian Government wants to aid sister nations by sharing their expertise and experience gathered while fighting the coronavirus so far.

Ministry Says It Has Meds In Storage
Today's visit to the Central Medical Stores in Ladyville gave the Health Minister a chance to demonstrate that the Government does have a large number of medicines stored in-country. He was responding to critics who, he says, have been unfair about the Ministry's capability to respond to an emergency need for important medicines.

No New COVID Case In Latest Round of Tests
There are now new COVID cases to report tonight. 85 samples were processed today with no positive results. There is one recovered patient so the activate patient number is now at 19 with 27 recovered cases.

Mayor Gets Back To Workers With Deferred Salaries
In our last segment you saw the Mayor donate computer tablets to city schools, but that show of generosity is not at the expense of his employees. At the end of March, we reported that the salaries of City Council employees would be cut by 50% at the start of April. At the time Wagner claimed that the move had been forced by an extremely diminished revenue stream due to COVID-19. But, he said that the reduction would not be counted as a loss but would be deferred.

Channel 5

Ladyville Businessman Shot Dead During Robbery
A well-known businessman from Ladyville was brutally shot and killed on Monday night in a robbery that turned deadly.  It is second murder in that community in the past nine [...]

Mason Five Seeks the Mercy of the Court Ahead of Sentencing
William “Danny’’ Mason and four others, convicted for the beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, were escorted to the Supreme Court this morning well before nine o’clock.  The men have been [...]

Norman Rodriguez: “Twenty-five years minimum for a crime like this…”
Attorney Norman Rodriguez, who represents Ashton Vanegas, told the media late this evening, following the mitigation pleas, that the least he expects for his client is a sentence of twenty-five [...]

Will Mason Five Get Equal Jail Sentences?
According to Rodriguez, the number of years to be handed down by Justice Moore will succeed careful deliberation having heard the pleas of the convicted killers, as well as family [...]

Thieves Net $30K during Early Morning Heist
Not far from Ladyville where Orin Velasquez was murdered, in Lord’s Bank, brazen robbers also broke into a house.  The early morning heist netted thieves a reported thirty thousand dollars, [...]

Ministry of Health Bans Methanol Products from Mexico
The Ministry of Health is moving quickly to ban and recall a number of products, primarily hand sanitizers that originate from Mexico. These products have one thing in common, they [...]

Stalemate Continues Between P.B.L. and C.W.U.
The stalemate involving the Port of Belize and the Christian Workers Union continues tonight and another day went by without loading and unloading of cargo which means that the shrinking [...]

B.C.C.I. Concerned About Implications of P.B.L.’s Closure
The P.B.L. also welcomes the statement of the B.C.C.I. that was released earlier today. The Belize Chamber of Commerce is calling on the parties involved to go back to the [...]

Fire Guts Two Properties through Duck Alley
Two houses were consumed by fire on Monday night, displacing as many as eight persons from two families. The fire erupted before eight o’clock and spread quickly, destroying the properties [...]

Pablo Marin Wants Frank Mena to Remain in the U.D.P.
Turning to politics…the question is: Will Frank ‘Papa’ Mena seek re-election under the leadership of Leader elect of the U.D.P., Patrick Faber? Mena, who is a staunch supporter of John [...]

Minister of Health Frustrated with Border Jumpers
Border jumpers and contrabandistas are becoming increasingly aggressive towards law enforcement officers. Just recently, M.I.T. officers were shot at after intercepting a boat with seven male passengers in Santa Cruz [...]

Health Minister Says P.G.I.A. Will Be Ready for Reopening
We also asked Health Minister Pablo Marin about the reopening of the Philip Goldson International Airport. Commercial flights are expected to land starting August fifteenth. The Ministry of Health is [...]

Begin Your Online Shopping Experience at www.belizeon.bz
All over the country, businesses have been choked by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Most have been shifting their way of doing business to be able to stay in the market.  Tonight, [...]

The Opportunities in the Seaweed Industry
On Monday night we showed you fifteen participants, majority fisherfolk from the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve, who became certified in an introduction to seaweed farming. Those fisherfolk want to supplement [...]

Small Business Grants Programme Booming – CitCo Gets Ready for a Second Round!
The Belize City Council is getting ready to launch the second tranche of its Belize Accelerator Programme. One month ago, the programme was launched to provide training and equipment to [...]

Update on Developments in U.B.F.S.U. Vs UB Board of Trustees
There are some small developments in the matter of the University of Belize and the UB Faculty and Staff Union. News Five understands that on Monday the Union and the [...]

Indian Government Donates Medication to Belizean Government
A donation to assist in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic was received by the Ministry of Health.  It came from a friend in the Commonwealth, the Government of India.  [...]

Health Minister Speaks on Availability of Medication
The short ceremony was held at Central Medical Stores in Ladyville. That is where the donated items will be stored along with all sorts of medication and supplies of the [...]

CitCo Donates 25 Tablets!
While the Indian government gifted Belize supplies to fight COVID-19, the Belize City Council today handed over twenty-five tablets to two Belize City Primary Schools. The recipients, Calvary Temple and [...]

Queen Square Anglican Gets Ready for August 10th!
As Queen Square Anglican Primary School prepares to take more of its lessons online, Principal Bernadine Conorquie says that there is a lot more going on to get the school [...]

Amandala

3 senior officers put on admin leave for Port shooting
On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at a peaceful protest held by stevedores and workers of the Port of Belize (POB) who were expressing their discontent over what they saw as acts of victimization by the Port of Belize, the police’s Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) entered the POB compound and fired rubber bullets at the protesters and threw tear gas at them. Injured in the police attack were seven persons: Trevor Jones, Leon Jones, Galvin Ozman, Kenroy Gillett, Bruce Diaz, Elswin Willoughby and Kevin Sutherland. All seven persons were issued with medico-legal forms.

GOB request for injunction on Port terminations denied
riday, July 24, 2020, was the day set for Justice Sonya Young to hear the request for an injunction that had been filed by the Labor Commissioner through the Attorney General against the receivership of the Port of Belize Limited to prevent the company’s termination of 36 of its employees. By the end of that hearing, both the injunction on the terminations of 36 Port employees and the call for the reinstatement of the employees were denied. Madame Justice Young’s ruling hinged on two factors — the first was that the claim was filed at the eleventh hour, and the second was that the reinstatement of employees was outside the jurisdiction of her court.

Egbert Baldwin’s alleged killers remanded
An investigation into the execution of Egbert Baldwin, 22, of Marage Road, Ladyville, that occurred at about 8:30 Saturday night on Jackson Avenue, led to Camryn Lozano, 19, and Albert Gill, 19, both residents of Ladyville. The two men were jointly charged with murder yesterday, and today, they were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court by Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson. No plea was taken from them, and they were remanded until September 23.

Will the Supreme Court allow Ashcroft’s expert witness?
Back in February, Lord Michael Ashcroft was allowed to join the Belize Peace Movement’s redistricting lawsuit as an interested party. The case is an attempt to remedy the disparity in the number of voters across the 31 electoral divisions in Belize. Lord Ashcroft has agreed to pay for an expert witness to carry out an assessment of the electoral divisions and compile a report which would be presented to the Elections and Boundaries Department and the Supreme Court of Belize.

Police charge two for San Ignacio double murder/shooting
An investigation into the shooting of five men at about 1:30 Sunday morning in the parking lot of CK Sports Club in San Ignacio led police to John Alexander Hendy, 33, an unemployed resident of Santa Elena Town, and Travis Tyler Navarro, 26, a self-employed resident of Gaol Lane in Belize City. The gunmen who carried out the shooting sprayed bullets at 4 men in a vehicle, after shooting a police officer, who was standing outside the vehicle, in the jaw.

Jair Tamai, 22, found shot to death in Ricalde Stadium
Corozal residents living in the area around Ricalde Stadium reported that gunshots were fired in the area at about 1:30 this morning, and at about 6:00 this morning, when some men went to the stadium to exercise, they saw a man lying on the ground beneath the bleachers. When they went closer, they saw that it was the lifeless body of Jair Tamai, 22, of 2nd Street. Tamai had been shot in the head and chest. He was taken to the Corozal Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Robbery at Bowen & Bowen
Three workers of the Bowen and Bowen company at Ladyville were held up at gunpoint by two masked bandits at about 4:30 yesterday afternoon in the company’s office. The thieves tied up the three workers and took an undisclosed amount of money. However, as the robbers were about to escape, an armed security guard who was on duty entered the office and saw the robbers, and he pointed his gun at them and ordered them to get out of the office.

Belizean detained in Chetumal for assaulting woman
A Belizean is sitting in a jail in Chetumal after he indecently assaulted a woman in a Walmart store and was captured by other persons in the store when he tried to run. They held him until police arrived, then they handed him over to police. He was then charged with indecent assault and will be arraigned in a court in Chetumal. The incident took place in Walmart in Chetumal at about 2:00 this afternoon. Reliable reports indicate that a man who told Mexican officials that he is a Belizean, approached a woman who is an employee of the store and slapped her buttocks. He then offered her money to have sexual intercourse with him.

Pomona laborer, 69, fatally hit by truck
Leopoldo Hapon, 69, a laborer of Pomona Valley, died at about 2:00 this afternoon after he was knocked down by a truck while riding his bicycle on the Stann Creek Valley Road in Pomona. He suffered massive head and body injuries and died almost immediately. The driver of the truck, Stephen Williams, 49, of Orange Walk Town, was detained. The truck belongs to La Popular Bakery of Orange Walk Town.

Kettle di cuss pot
The disturbing escalation of tensions between the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) and 36 of the company’s employees who were abruptly terminated has led, not only to a series of unsettling events, but also a list of unanswered questions. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of PBL by not granting an injunction that would have delayed the termination of the employees, Belizeans wait with bated breath to see what will become of the 36 employees who both the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People’s United Party (PUP) have been publicly championing since a spotlight was put on the brutal treatment of the workers by the police’s Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) during what appeared to be a peaceful protest.

Editorial: Belizean workers demand respect, and justice
Last Wednesday, July 22, we watched in shock as the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) fired tear gas and rubber bullets at workers of the Port of Belize Ltd. (PBL). The workers were on the PBL compound protesting decisions by the receivership which is managing the company to reduce the pay of workers, which they had done, and fire 36 workers, many of them union members, which they planned to do on Wednesday, July 22. The Christian Workers Union (CWU), which has been representing the workers, had informed the receivership of a notice of strike action, and workers who were already protesting during their lunch break, went on work-to-rule.

House debates US$10 million loan
On Friday, July 24, the House of Representative met to debate several papers, bills and motions, but the main motion was a loan for ten million US dollars that will be used to strengthen the Government of Belize’s Food Assistance Program (FAP), which came into being as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on many Belizeans’ ability to feed their families. The loan, which will be repaid over a period of 20 years, is set to come from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Fund for International Development at the request of the Government of Belize and will enable the government to extend the Food Assistance Program for another 6 months.

Freetown Basketball Tournament results for Thursday, July 23
The Freetown Basketball Tournament 2020, which got underway last Tuesday, July 21, at the Belama Phase 2 Basketball Court, continued with 2 games played on Thursday night, July 23. The 8 teams, divided into two groups of 4, are playing a single round-robin within their group, in addition to 2 out-of-group games, after which the top 2 teams from each group go on to the semifinal knockout playoffs.

Ben Jipcho, the ‘rabbit’ who helped Keino beat Ryun, dies
Ben Jipcho, a Kenyan runner who sacrificed his hopes of winning a medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics to help teammate Kip Keino beat American rival Jim Ryun in the 1,500 meters, died Friday. He was 77. The Kenyan track federation said Jipcho died early Friday morning and called him one of the ‘’trailblazers’’ of the country’s rise to running greatness. Jipcho died in Kenya’s high-altitude town of Eldoret, the place that has produced countless Olympic and world champion distance runners over the last half-century.

Better the devil you know
For some time now the spotlight has been on Opposition leader, John Briceño, a man who is positioned to become the prime minister of our country after the next general election, due to concerns about his relationship with Lord Ashcroft, a man who, thanks to our leaders, is positioning himself to be king of our country. The PUP notoriously, irrationally, gave up control of BTL to the gentleman, and it cost us over 500 million dollars to get it back. No one knows how we ended up paying three times the value of BTL to return it to government control. We got had. Lord Ashcroft says it isn’t him, but he hasn’t convinced everyone.

Coronavirus “most severe health emergency” WHO has faced
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said Covid-19 is easily the most severe global health emergency it has ever declared. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he would reconvene the WHO’s emergency committee this week to review its assessment of the pandemic. There have been five other global health emergencies: Ebola (two outbreaks), Zika, polio and swine flu.

The Reporter

Chamber of Commerce on the Port situation
The current impasse between the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) and Christian Workers Union (CWU), and the resultant disruption of the Belize City Port’s operations has prompted the Belize Chamber of Commerce to issue a statement. In it, it described developments as a gravely serious matter for the entire Belizean economy, since vessels have not been able to discharge cargo or receive Belizean exports in order to earn much needed foreign exchange. BCCI stated that the economy is already fragile due to the pandemic's impact and is further damaged due to the business community’s inability to rely on efficient and consistent port services. "This will make recovery much more difficult, putting jobs, investments and livelihoods at serious risk."

Medicines worth 127,000USD donated from India to Belize
In an expression of global solidarity, the Government of India has taken a decision to reach out with medical aid to countries across the world affected by the global pandemic by providing Covid-related medical aid in the form of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) tablets, other essential drugs, testing kits, and covid-related protection gear. They will also share of their expertise by despatching Rapid Response teams and conduct of online-training for frontline healthcare workers. India is providing medical aid to 27 countries in the LAC region. The total value of aid (inclusive of transport and duties) being donated to Belize is around Rs 9.5 million or 127,000 USD.

LOVE FM

India donates pharmaceuticals to Belizean Government
The Government of India has donated pharmaceuticals worth $127,000 to Belize in an effort to help fight covid-19. Among the medication is antibiotics as well as Hydroxychloroquine, which is being looked at in some parts of the world as a possible treatment for the virus.

Woman sought for allegedly burning down boyfriend’s home
Several persons are now homeless after a house fire last night on Wagner’s Lane, Belize City. Three brothers, 19-year-old Tyrone Flowers, 21-year-old Sherwin Flowers, and 18-year-old Tyler Murrillo, resided in the 12 by 30 wooden structure that was completely destroyed.

Queen Square Anglican School prepares for reopening of classes
In less than two weeks from now, schools will be reopening countrywide. As such, they have already begun preparing for the upcoming school year.

Minister of Health concerned over border jumpers
The Minister of Health is appealing to contrabandistas who illegally cross the border in order to buy and sell contraband goods. The border jumpers, as they are called, have been the cause of seventeen of the last thirty cases of covid-19 in Belize.

Stevedore arraigned for arson
Meanwhile, a Stevedore took matters into his own hands and as such, has been arraigned for an attempted arson that took place at Belize Bank on Albert Street last week Thursday. Kareem Arnold pleaded not guilty in court and was offered bail.

CitCo donates tablets to schools
Today, the Belize City Council donated tablets to approximately 24 students from Queen Square Anglican School and Calvary Temple School. The Mayor of Belize City, Bernard Wagner visited the schools today and met with some of the students who received the tablets.

PBL asks for mediation; CWU rejects it
The Port of Belize (PBL) and the Christian Workers Union (CWU) have engaged in a back and forth over the past week via press releases. As such, the PBL decided it was time for a mediation exercise, but the CWU will not budge so easily.

Belmopan prepares to celebrate its birthday
The Capital City is preparing for Belmopan Day, which will be commemorating their 50th anniversary. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz has the details.

Robbers get away with thirty thousand dollars
A minor was tied up as the store he was taking care of was robbed of thirty thousand dollars. The incident occurred around 3am today at a home along the Lords Bank Road in the Belize District.

Well known business man killed in Ladyville
The entire Ladyville community is in a state of shock after one of their own was senselessly killed last night during a robbery. 38-year-old Orin Velasquez was the owner of Bredda O’s, a popular pizza establishment in the village but he was known for more than just his cooking.

Breaking Belize News

Government of Belize, Development Finance Corporation to announce new line of credit for tourism industry
On Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dean Barrow, will […]

Dangerous hand sanitizer being sold in Belize, massive recalls countrywide
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is working with the Customs and Excise Department to rid […]

Four people left homeless following arson on Wagner’s Lane
A house was set on fire last night, displacing a woman and her three sons […]

One patient recovers from COVID-19; no new cases reported
The Ministry of Health has informed that a patient has recovered from COVID-19. Eighty five […]

Patrick Faber completes tour of Toledo
UDP Leader elect, Patrick Faber has concluded his tour of the Toledo District. Faber’s tour […]

Most confirmed COVID-19 cases are tied to illegal border crossings
The Ministry of Health issued a breakdown of the origin of patients with COVID-19 cases […]

Phase 1 of land distribution in Mesopotamia completed
On Sunday, July 27, 2020, the first phase of a land distribution program in Mesopotamia […]

Chamber of Commerce concerned about implications of Port’s closure
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) issued a statement saying that the current […]

Reward offered for assistance in solving Ladyville murder
The Belize Police Department is offering a cash reward for assistance in solving the murder […]

Court hears mitigating pleas for “Danny Mason Five”
Supreme Court Justice Antoinette Moore is hearing mitigation pleas for the convicted in the death […]

Minor tied up during robbery in Lords Bank
Authorities are investigating a robbery that occurred around 3:00 this morning. A minor was reportedly […]

Supreme Court prepares to sentence “Danny Mason Five”
William “Danny” Mason; Ashton Vanegas; Keiron and Terrence Fernandez and Ernest Castillo are finally expected […]

National Hurricane Center monitoring tropical disturbance in Atlantic
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is monitoring a tropical disturbance in the Atlantic. An elongated […]

New polyclinic to be built in Belmopan
On July 27, 2020, a ceremony was held to break ground for the Belmopan Polyclinic […]

Taiwan Embassy and Belize Taiwan Alumni society hosts orientation for 2020 scholarship recipients
The Taiwan Embassy and the Belize Taiwan Alumni Society co-hosted the Orientation for 2020 Taiwan […]

Economist, former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur dies at 70
Former three-term Barbados Prime Minister, Owen Arthur has died at the age of 70, Kaieteur […]

Belize Bureau of Standards reminds that sale of LPG below fixed price is illegal
The Supplies Control Unit (SCU) of the Belize Bureau of Standards issued a statement informing […]

Blogs

The Truck Stop Closes for the Season. Wait…What Season?
In normal times, there is no set date for the beginning or end of “slow season”, “rainy season”, “low season” or “storm season”. No exact time when all tourists leave or when heavy rains move in. It’s a transition…visitor arrivals used to slow a bit into the summer and then things are downright sleepy in September and October. Some businesses on the island would close for a few weeks or a few months – to relax…to give employees time off, the renovate or just because customers were few and far between. This year some businesses have stayed closed since the end of March (especially hotels and tour companies and guides, a few opened to welcome Belize internal tourists – and some opened briefly and found that domestic tourism just wasn’t enough). Some businesses tried to give it a go – restaurants trying take-out and delivery – or have tried opening on weekends only. Some are able to eke out a living. I’ve heard that some are planning to close on August 15th when the International AIrport opens to visitors.

Belize’s Trifecta of Coppola Hideaways Reopen on November 1
The Family Coppola Hideaways in Belize will welcome guests back to their trifecta of Caribbean resorts once they reopen on November 1. Being always remote, secluded and sustainable by design, you can vacation like a Coppola in Belize! Escape to any one, or all, of their three hideaways in Belize to enjoy the utmost in privacy. Undoubtedly, each hideaway is just that: hidden away off-the-beaten path from mass tourism. As the country lays out its exit strategy from border closures late March, Belize introduces its Gold Standard Recognition Program for its overnight tourism sector. In short, being recognized as a Gold Standard accommodation is to instill confidence in Belize’s tourism product and assure visitors that health and safety are top priorities for the destination.

Explore Belize’s Protected Areas to win with APAMO’s 13th Anniversary!
The Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO) is celebrating its 13th Anniversary with a contest! With 103 Protected Areas in Belize, they can be your new travel bucket list. For APAMO’s 13th Anniversary contest, you can explore Belize and win big! Take a road trip with friends to Mayflower Bocawina National Park, create a fun TikTok atop Tiger Fern, or dive inside Gladden Spit Marine Reserve! Besides, commitment to the sustainability and proper management of Belize’s protected areas is something to always celebrate.

Wyndham Grand continues its Caribbean Expansion in Belize
Wyndham Grand’s growing Caribbean portfolio is expanding again, this time in Belize. Scheduled to be debut early 2021, the Wyndham Grand Venezia del Caribe in Ambergris Caye’s San Pedro will include all the amenities expected in a qualified 5-star resort. Wyndham’s expansion plans include a pipeline of 20 hotels in various destinations in addition to Belize, including St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, and Dominican Republic.

Diving: Everything You Need to Know About It in Ambergris Caye, Belize
Ambergris Caye is one of the leading spots for expats and vacationers to check out. Not only is Ambergris Caye an island paradise with plenty of access to the waters, it also has plenty of other amenities. That said, you are probably reading this because you are curious what the diving scene is like around this place. Simply keep reading to get your answer. HIGHLIGHTS: Hol Chan Marine Reserve helps to guide divers around the Belize Barrier Reef and its robust variety of sea life. Shark Ray Alley is where fisherman were known to clean their catch and also a resting ground for nurse sharks and stingrays. Both this place and the Belize Barrier Reef also happen to be great snorkeling spots. The Blue Hole is a breathtakingly beautiful underwater sinkhole that descends to 400 feet. This makes it a perfect spot for experienced divers. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef on the planet and home to a wide variety of marine life.

International Sources

Happy US Vote By Mail Day!
This makes it easy to put in your address (or last address!) and find out how you can easily vote by mail...safely. Tons of people have been voting by mail for YEARS including citizens that live abroad, the military, anyone who feels like it... It is not some new crazy ANTIFA thing... What is more American than allowing other Americans to safely vote in the presidential election? "As Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado reminded President Trump after he opposed vote by mail on fraud grounds, “Mr. President, we’ve had vote by mail in Colorado for years. We don’t have fraud. But we do have the second highest turnout in America.” "

The Data Centre Caribbean 2020 Report
The Data Centre Caribbean 2020 Report provides an overview of 20 Country Markets in the Caribbean region including Anguilla, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, Curacao, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Jamaica, Panama, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, the Turks & Caicos, and the US Virgin Islands. However, out of the twenty (20) Caribbean countries surveyed, only twelve countries have a Data Centre market in operation consisting of multiple Data Centre Providers. The twelve Caribbean countries with significant Data Centre & Cloud markets in the region are listed below:

Rant and Rave: To the Twitter Thugs
So, it looks like former SC Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer just got Trump to appoint him U.S. ambassador to the vacation destination Belize. While running for SC Governor in 2010, Bauer compared those on government assistance as “stray animals”. Now, look at the newest “stray animal,” living in luxury in Belize off of American taxpayers! Trump just can’t stop stepping in dog poop. He goes and appoints Andre Bauer ambassador to Belize. Bauer is a world class jerk and one of his best friends is Thomas Ravenel. Ravenel was sentenced to ten months in prison for purchasing cocaine.

Videos

July 28, 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 Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) prepares for the arrival of international tourists
By this time next month, the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) is expected to be open, welcoming international visitors and re-opening the tourism industry. On Friday, July 24th, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) held a held an informational forum at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel to charter the way forward, and indicating that most of its members support the decision to resume commercial flights to the country and that the PGIA cannot remain closed.

Sperm Whale calf dies shortly after rescue off north Ambergris Caye coast
The new-born Sperm Whale rescued near the beach in northern Ambergris Caye on Friday, July 24th, died after apparently being unable to locate her mother in the open sea. The calf had been assisted by a team of biologists, local and international veterinarians, tour guides, tour operators, and members of the Belize Stranding Network to reunite it with her mother, but all attempts were unsuccessful as it is believed the pod (group of whales) had moved on.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Tuesday, July 28th, Meal pick ups Location: Food Republic. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am -12:30pm.

Attention all BOOST families please see flyer with an important notice

Panerrifix Steelband will be performing for free on Friday at OLOG Primary school
As tradition dictates, at the end of summer camp we host a Jam Session. This year is no exception, so come over to our bandroom located at OLOG Primary School this Friday at 5pm. It's free. Bring a chair or a towel to sit on the lawn and enjoy the musical selections from the various bands. Bring a friend, or two. (Social distancing measures will be in place.)

New Cross walks by Sacred Heart
The new cross walk shine ups are looking great. Our repainting of pedestrian crossings continue by Sacred Heart College, the Falcon Field and the Bishop Martin primary school.

New Polyclinic to be Constructed in Belmopan
A ceremony was held today to break ground for the Belmopan Polyclinic II, which will be located on the compound of the Western Regional Hospital. The facility will be used to provide primary health services to residents of Belmopan and nearby villages of Roaring Creek, Camalote, St. Matthew, Cotton Tree, Frank's Eddy, More Tomorrow, St. Margaret, and Armenia. Services will include medical consultations for the outpatient department, maternal and child health services — including immunization, prenatal, postnatal, family planning, cancer screening, child health - dental health, mental health, pharmacy, and phlebotomy services. The project is funded through a loan at an estimated BZ$1.4 million by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Belize, and implemented through the Social Investment Fund.

COVID-19 UPDATE
In terms of the origin of the last 30 cases (after the initial 18) this is the breakdown: - 19 from Mexico - 7 from the USA - 2 from Honduras - 2 from Guatemala 27 of these cases are in Belizeans and only 13 out of the 30 are from the repatriation process; the remaining 17 are tied to illegal crossings. Our active surveillance continues.

Caye Caulker Expo
Join us as we host our very first Caye Caulker Expo. We will bring together a collaboration of artistic flair, tantalizing treats and services. We have partnered with local businesses to showcase talent while supporting our community's entrepreneurs. Please keep in mind we will be adhering to all safety protocols while wearing masks and keeping a social distance. We hope to see you there! Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 11 AM – 6 PM.

Current fixed LPG prices
The Supplies Control Unit (SCU) of the Belize Bureau of Standards has received and confirmed reports of the sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) below the fixed controlled prices at several locations countrywide.

Access to Finance Series
The Access to Finance Series continues with a chance to receive a Direct Support Grant from the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA)! Over $15,000 USD will be available to help SMEs in the following areas: 1. Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy 2. Marketing and Promotions 3. Business Continuity Planning 4. Equipment Purchase & Upgrade 5. Certification 6. Business Recovery 7. Protection of Intellectual Property Rights 8. Capacity Building If you want to learn more about how you may qualify for a grant join us for a webinar on July 29th at 10:00AM.

Flood Forecast - July 27, 2020

Fly Casting Lessons on Ambergris Caye
Have you ever wanted to learn how to fly fish? Now’s your chance! GoFish Belize is offering fly casting lessons everyday @4pm. Kids and adults are welcomed. It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. By appointments only. Cost: $20BZ. Pax: 1. Time: 4pm to 5pm. Location: GoFish Belize Office, San Pedro Town, Belize

Photos from the BTIA Forum last week
The BTIA team and Executive Board express our gratitude to the Panelists and Members for sharing their expertise and experience during an engaging and constructive forum last week. Also, a special thank you to our event sponsors Protected Areas Conservation Trust and Development Finance Corporation for your contribution to the success of the event.

48 BELIZEANS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS FROM TAIWAN
The Embassy and Belize Taiwan Alumni Society co-hosted the Orientation for 2020 Taiwan MOFA & ICDF Scholarships on July 25, 2020 at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. H.E. Ambassador Remus Li-Kuo Chen officially congratulated the 48 aspiring young Belizean awardees with best wishes as well as the courage and faith for life while facing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greening Across Belize Initiative in Corozal
The Rotaract Club of Corozal is more than excited to be taking part in the Greening Across Belize Initiative alongside the Belize Audubon Society. - Starting Point: Central Park, Corozal Town. Date: Monday August 03, 2020.

Northern Regional Commander Visits High Risk Border Areas
Today, joined by the Northern Regional Commander Sr. Supt. Marcia Moody, along with the O.C. Orange Walk Supt. Juanito, COMPOL Chester Williams visited the high risk border areas such as Santa Cruz & Douglas Villages (Rio Hondo Riverside crossing), to revisit policing strategies, law enforcement & community members movement when is comes to suspected border jumping & contrabanders. Recently, there is a raise in reports of persons from these communities crossing the borders illegally and returning into to Belize & placing our country at high risk for the COVID-19 pandemic spread.

Acoustica IV
Metal Haven's Acoustica IV has a location and date. It'll happen at The Bluffs on Saturday, August 29th. Ascenthium and Almost 7 will be performing, along with Aldo, Christian and Kumar, and others. They even have Metal Haven face masks for the event.

Recognizing Ceremony for Outstanding Pioneers of Belmopan
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of our Garden City an award ceremony was held on Saturday, 25th July at LifeNet Reception Hall. 50 outstanding pioneers of Belmopan were recognized. Mayor Khalid Belisle addressed the gathering. Your country Thanks You and Belmopan Salutes You.

Belize Livestock Producer Association Newsletter
The BLPA has a new newsletter out.

Belmopan Day Job Fair
Job opportunities at the Belmopan Day Job Fair this Saturday.

Yesterday's published Westline Bus Co. Ltd schedule

K’awiil , lightning deity (God K)
Usually depicted with an ax or smoking tube in his forehead, an upturned snout and a serpent leg, K’awiil was most likely a lightning deity, a personification of the smoking ax carried by Chaak, the rain deity. Representations of K’awiil adorn the royal scepters that were held by Maya Kings. Early representations of K’awiil on royal scepters appear at Tikal in Guatemala. It is believed however, that the K’awiil scepter derived from the atlatl (spear thrower) and was adopted by warrior rulers of Tikal and Central Mexico.

SHYNE BARROW HOSTS MESOPOTAMIA LAND DISTRIBUTION CEREMONY WITH MINISTER OF LANDS HUGO PATT
Almost 200 residents of the Mesopotamia constituency gathered in front of the Shyne Barrow Resource Center to receive the land documents that made them first time land owners. Veteran educator Sophie Gladden from the Mesopotamia Executive was the mistress of ceremony and singing sensation Jackie Castillo sung the National anthem before speeches from UDP Area Leader for Mesopotamia, Shyne Barrow, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands, Hugo Patt and his commisioner of lands Wilbert Vallejos.

Ya’axché radio talk show today
Join the Ya’axché radio talk show and learn about Ya’axché’s Summer Camp 2020, Bladen Nature Reserve and our work in the Maya Golden Landscape. Tune in on Sunshine Raydio Station 100.9 FM, Tuesday, July 28, 2020 at 4-5 pm. Be sure to join Sayuri Tzul, our Marketing and Communication Manager, Said Gutierrez, our Protected Areas program Director, Evarista Sho, our Education and Outreach officer and Gustavo Requena, our Community Outreach and Livelihoods program Director on the Ya’axché radio talk show.

"Memories of War"
Invitation: "Memories of War" within the framework of the 173th Anniversary of the Mayan Social War. Place: Nojoch Residence Mak Pedro Carrillo San Lazaro O.W. Participants: Special Guests. August 2, 1:00 p.m.

Channel 7

International Incident Caused By Contraband Smugglers
Determined contraband smugglers caused a major incident this weekend on the Rio Hondo. It happened on Saturday evening when a police unit tried to intercept a boat loaded with contraband. The boat was about to dock at Santa Cruz, Orange Walk, which is across from Botes, Mexico. The men on the boat were unloading a sack of onions in the Belize side when they saw the police; and took evasive action. And then, suddenly, gunshots from the Mexican side. The commissioner of police who went to the area today in response to the weekend incident narrated to us what became an international incident:

Corozal Man Executed In Sports Stadium
And while that is Orange Walk, the Corozal District has witnessed two murders in three days. The first happened last week Wednesday in the village of Calcutta, and then there was another- likely an execution on Saturday morning in Corozal Town. Cherisse Halsall has more: It's designated to be used for football games and town fairs but sometime between 12;30 and 1:00 a.m. on Sunday morning Recalde Stadium in Corozal became the scene of a murder. The victim, 23-year-old Jair Tammai, was found cruelly shot to the face. Neighbors heard the gunshots.

The First Murder In Corozal Could Have Spawned Retaliation
And, that murder has to be seen in the context of the other that happened in Calcutta on Wednesday afternoon. As we have reported, 31 year old Raymond Jenkins had dropped off his phone to repair when two men came up on motorbikes and shot him as he sat inside his car. He was along with his young son, who witnessed the whole thing. ACP Joseph Myvette: "Whilst the phone was being repaired, several shots were heard after which the person repairing the phone came outside and saw Mr. Jenkins in his car with apparent gunshot injuries..."

Stevedore Charged For Attempted Arson of Belize Bank
Last week we told you about the act of attempted arson other Belize Bank -= downtown branch in Belize City. It happened on Thursday morning art about 3:00 am, when a pickup pulled up at the bank, and dropped off five vehicle tires. The alleged arsonist put grass inside the tired to kindle a fire, but luckily police responded in time ti put it out before it could catch unto anything. It was veiled as an act against the Ashcroft Alliance in the wake of the labour unrest earlier in the week. Well, today, police took a Stevedore to court, saying he's the fire starter.

Elderly Couple Help Up/Assaulted in Store
And while police thwarted that attempted arson, there were no cops to stop robbers in the west. On Saturday morning Jackyln store in St. Matthews was targeted by men armed with guns and knives. They held up the store's elderly owners stabbing Leonel Tobar and assaulting his wife. This morning their relative and employee, who wished to remain off-camera, recounted their horrible ordeal.

Belmopan Pizza Parlour Jacked
And By 7 pm that night, there was another robbery, this one at Dada's Pizza on Constitution Drive in Belmopan. Restaurant worker Christian Alberto was at his register when the two men came in asking about Pizza. He says he could never have thought that he was about to be robbed. Christian Alberto, Host, Dada's Pizza: "They came in through that door. They came like normal customer persons, they wanted to buy Pizza and I never thought that it was a robbery, They asked how much is the price for this pizza. He came close to me and he told me show me, he told me and then that happen like quick thing he just put me with a gun one time in my stomach and he told me give me the money because if not you are dead, he told me. And the next guy that was right here he had a big machete here in his under."

Elderly Mennonite Woman Killed In Accident With Horse
And while those robberies were terrifying for those involved they were fortunate enough to escape with their lives. That wasn't the case for 65-year-old Sarah Wolfe, a Mennonite woman who met a tragic end in Camalote village. Last night, Wolfe was on her way home to Spanish lookout, riding in the passenger's seat of her son's car when they collided with a village horse that had gotten loose near Camalote. "Last night, sometime around 8:15 p.m., Roaring Creek police were called out to the scene of an accident in Camalote Village whereupon arrival they spoke to one Philip Wolfe..." The horse belongs to a 15-year-old boy minor who last year was accused of lassoing another high school student by the foot like cattle and dragging him down a walkway at high speed near the Social Security office.

Cyclist Killed In Fatal Accident
There was also a fatal accident in the south. This one happened on Saturday afternoon at 12 miles Pomona. 49 year old Stephen Williams from Orange Walk was driving a cargo truck when he knocked down a 69 year old on bicycle. Police told us more: "On Saturday, sometime around 2:30 p.m., police were called to an area in Pomona Village whereupon arrival they met one Steven Williams who was the driver of a white delivery truck that was northbound..."

Guat Caught With Drugs Is Wanted For Murder
An illegal immigrant working as a caretaker in Belize, is wanted for murder in Guatemala. Police went to search King Bed resort just outside Belmopan where they found the caretaker, 27 year old Gabriel Aguilar Urizar - who had no legal status in Belize.

10 Pounds of Weed In Roaring Creek
Last week, we told you how Special Branch in Corozal had made some sizeable weed busts. Well, this morning they struck in the west where - acting on intelligence - police searched a bush in the Hattieville area of Roaring Creek Village where they found 9 neatly wrapped parcels of Cannabis. No one was around and the weed was taken to the police station where it weighed in at just under 11 pounds.

Taiwan’s Record Number of Scholarships, While Borders Remain Closed
Taiwan has had breakthrough success fighting COVID 19, limiting the number of cases, and the number of deaths. And part of the key to their success is keeping their borders mostly closed. But, that hasn't stopped the Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the ICDF from offering Belizeans a record number of university scholarships. The ceremony to announce this and welcome the scholars was held on Saturday at the Biltmore - even if they aren't going to Taiwan just yet.

Minister Says Students Should Return
So, while they aren't travelling yet, there are 48 scholarships at the bachelors, masters and Ph.d level - but how many of them will return? And how many will seek employment in Taiwan's advanced economy? The Minister of Education said all of them should return: Hon. Patrick Faber: "The scholarship that you received whether you are ICDF of MOFA is a gift to the government and people of Belize..."

UDP Leader-Elect Faber Pledges Continuing Taiwan Support
Faber added that Belize Taiwan relations will remain very tight if he is elected to be PM: "I wish to make it clear as a representative of our government and hopefully a representative of our future government, as I am now the leader of our great United Democratic Party who I wish to say..."

Seaweed, The Other Fisheries Product
Over the years, we've done quite a few stories on Seaweed cultivation off the coast of Placencia. It's a rising industry that's billed as an eco-friendly livelihood for fishers, and it's catching on. Now, the practice is migrating north, with fishers on Turneffe Atoll becoming the newest Seaweed maricultralists with the certificates to prove it. Cherisse Halsall rode out to the island to get a firsthand look at the Atoll's Seaweed rafts.

135 Mesop Residents Got Land
Shyne Barrow, the UDP Standard Bearer for the Mesopotamia division, has successfully lobbied the Ministry of Natural Resources to provide land to 135 of his constituents from that neighborhood. And, although the land distribution program is being announced a few months before the next general elections, Barrow says that this is not electioneering, but the result of 2 years of advocacy at the Lands Department. This morning, Natural Resources Minister Hugo Patt, and the Lands Commissioner, Wilbert Vallejos, attended a Mesopotamia Land Distribution ceremony, in the heart of the division, to personally hand over documents to the 135 beneficiaries of the program.

Evicting The Poorest From Chetumal Street
Today's conversation with the Lands Commissioner allowed us the opportunity to ask about a series of enforcement notices that his office has sent against a group of squatters who have been occupying government land near the new Chetumal Boulevard in Gungulung. These are persons who have already been given eviction notices because the Government wants to continue with its mega-development planned for that part of the City. We understand that the squatters intend to stage a protest tomorrow against the enforcement orders, and so, we asked the Commissioner about the issue today. Here's what he told us:

Shyne Vs Amy, Part 2
5 weeks ago, we told you about the Facebook post which American Amy Thomas Guiliano made against the UDP's Shyne Barrow. She's the American from Hawaii, who has made a very serious accusation against Barrow. Thomas alleges that he didn't account for $7,500 US dollars, which she donated to him back in 2017. These funds were supposed to cover the initial utility bills and costs to launch the Mesopotamia Resource Center. The two were allegedly to collaborate on this project. In response to what he asserts is a political smear campaign, Shyne has sued her for defamation in the Supreme Court of Belize. On July 10th, his attorney filed his claim in the Supreme Court, and that case is currently pending.

A New Polyclinic For The Capital
And, today in Belmopan, the Government broke ground in Belmopan for the construction of a new Belmopan Polyclinic 2, which will be located on the compound of the Western Regional Hospital. The project is being funded through a loan estimated at 1.4 million dollars, which is being financed by the Caribbean Development Bank and the government of Belize. It will be implemented through the Social Investment Fund, and the facility will provide primary health services of residents of Belmopan and nearby villages of Roaring Creek, Camalote, St. Matthew, Cotton Tree, Frank's Eddy, More Tomorrow, St. Margaret, and Armenia.

Port Remains Closed, While There’s A War Of Press Releases
The Port of Belize remained closed for offloading on ships today - while the CFS Pacora, which has been waiting with its freight since Wednesday remains at anchorage. It cannot offload because the Port remains closed. In the meantime there are two major developments: first Port workers have had their full pay reinstated without the 10% deduction effective today, and sources tell us attorneys from both sides - the Union and the Management are having preliminary discussions. But the standoff remains and hard words are being thrown via press release.

Channel 5

Jair Tamay is Executed at Ricalde Stadium in Corozal
There was an execution over the weekend up north where twenty-three-year-old Jair Tamay was fatally shot multiple times; his body was discovered at the Ricalde Stadium around six-thrifty on Saturday [...]

Official Report on Murder of Raymond “Snow” Jenkins
Three days before the execution of Tamay, there was another murder recorded in the Corozal District.  On July twenty-second, Raymond “Snow” Jenkins was shot dead inside his car in Carolina [...]

An Increasing Number of Gun Violence in Corozal
Since the murder of Jenkins, there have been two other shootings incidents in that northern district – one which occurred on Saturday night that left one person injured and then [...]

A Couple is Attacked During Armed Robbery in St. Matthew’s Village
Police were also called to Saint Mathews Village on the George Price Highway. Four armed men targeted Jacklyn’s Store in the village and stabbed its owner, Lionel Tobar and injured [...]

Is Domestic Dispute Behind PG Home Invasion?
A domestic dispute between a Punta Gorda resident and her spouse may have been the reason behind an aggravated burglary inside a hotel room over the weekend.  Police in that [...]

Shots Fired Near Illegal Border Crossing
Things got heated over the weekend along the Rio Hondo River. News Five confirmed that members of the Mobile Interdiction Team were shot at on Saturday evening. No injuries were [...]

Port of Belize Ltd.: “Facts Not Fiction, Process Not Politics”
The Port of Belize remains on security level two following the violence of last Wednesday when an unlawful protest turned ugly.  Today, P.B.L. was open for business, but there has [...]

A Suspected Arsonist is Charged for Lighting Tires Outside of Belize Bank
Suspected arsonist Kareem Arnold has been arrested and charged for setting fire to several used car tires on the Belize Bank property in downtown Belize City.  The incident happened on [...]

Mafia Father Yakup Sut, Elvin Penner and Fraudulent Nationality Documents
The infamous Won Hong Kim who illegally received a Belizean passport while sitting in jail, shed light on the illegalities taking place at the Immigration Department over the years. Kim [...]

Shyne Barrow Loses Cool over Amy Thomas’ Allegations
The U.D.P. standard bearer for Mesopotamia, Shyne Barrow this morning got hot under the collar when reporters asked him to respond to the allegations made by Amy Thomas. Thomas, a [...]

Permission to Survey Issued for Santa Cruz Village Council
Since 2017 the Santa Cruz Village Council in the south has been fighting to complete its land expansion project. The council wants to retain control of the project and keep [...]

Santa Cruz Chairman Standing His Ground Against U.D.P. Standard Bearer
Santa Cruz Village chairman Vincent Scott says that members of the council have decided that they will not give up the names of persons who have paid for the lots [...]

Commissioner of Lands Responds to Village Councils’ Concerns
Still on the matter of land…over the past months, village councils across the country have been crying out that U.D.P. standard bearers and area representatives have been taking their land [...]

Squatters Issued with Enforcement Notice
Enforcement notices have been issued to squatters in what is known as the “gungulung area” of Belize City.  The area near Chetumal Boulevard is a hotspot for squatters and a [...]

Seaweed Farming – Is It a Viable Option for Fisherfolk?
Is seaweed farming the next big thing for fisherfolk in Belize? Well, the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the Belize Fisheries Department, wrapped up [...]

Environmental N.G.O.s Not Spared from Pandemic Impact
Since the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic, we’ve been reporting on its impact. The tourism industry collapsed and many other industries and sectors continue to experience shockwaves as a [...]

Leopold Japon Knocked Down and Killed in Pomona
A sixty-nine-year-old cyclist lost his life in Pomona Village on Saturday afternoon as he rode a bicycle on the Hummingbird Highway.  Leopold Japon, a resident of Pomona, was struck by [...]

SUV Crashes into Horse, Killing Elderly Woman
…that accident was in the south and heading west, an elderly woman of Spanish Lookout community also lost her life on Sunday night when the vehicle her son was driving [...]

Xia Ona Store in Pomona is Robbed, 4 Suspects Detained
A band of armed thieves, now in police custody in Belmopan, may have been responsible for a string of robberies committed between Saint Matthew’s Village and Pomona over the weekend.  [...]

48 Belizeans Awarded Scholarships to Study in Taiwan
A large group of enthusiastic students are getting ready to travel to Taiwan to take on scholarships.  Over the weekend, they participated in an orientation programme hosted by the Taiwanese [...]

Former Barbados PM Owen Arthur Passes
Owen Arthur, former Barbadian Prime Minister, has passed. Seventy-year-old Arthur died this morning in Barbados. The former PM was hospitalized earlier this month with heart complications. Arthur was Barbados’ fifth [...]

The Reporter

Arson on Wagner's Lane
Police are trying to locate two persons following what they believe was arson at a house at #50 Wagner's Lane in Belize City earlier tonight The house, occupied by three brothers, namely: Tyrone Flowers, 19, Sherwin Flowers 21, and Tyler Murrillo, 18, was reportedly deliberately set ablaze after one of the brothers and his girlfriend had an argument. Police believe that the girlfriend, with help from a friend, set the house on fire and fled the scene. The brothers rented the house along with their mother, who is currently working in one of the cayes.

Orin Velasquez Shot and Killed in Ladyville
The Reporter has confirmed the death of Orin Velasquez, 38, owner of Breda O's Pizza in Ladyville. Sources say there was a robbery at the establishment and he was shot to the chest. He was rushed to the KHMH where he was pronounced dead just before 8:00pm.

LOVE FM

Two persons killed in separate road traffic incidents
A woman was killed last night in Camalote Village in the Cayo District after the vehicle she was travelling in crashed into a horse that was on the road. Correspondent Fem Cruz has the story.

Government issues enforcement letters to squatters in Belize City
There is a land issue developing between the Government of Belize and squatters in the Lake Independence area of Belize City. The Government has set aside several parcels of lands located on Chetumal Boulevard for the construction of government buildings.

UDP leader-elect completes tour of Toledo District
Leader-elect for the United Democratic Party, Patrick Faber, was seen in Southern Belize this past weekend as he embarked on a tour of the Toledo District. His goal was to promote unity within the party and to show the residents that the UDP is ready for the upcoming general elections

Shyne Barrow distributes land to Mesopotamia residents
Approximately 200 persons got their land applications approved to purchase lands in the Maxboro area of Sandhill Village, Belize District. This morning an official ceremony was held at the Mesopotamia Resource Center.

School drive in Southern Belize
Several humanitarian groups in the South are working to assist over two hundred and fifty students to prepare them for the upcoming school year. Bella Vista United is the group leading the initiative to provide students with uniforms, masks, temperature pistols, and other educational items. With Bella Vista being one of the largest villages in the Toledo District, the organizations have collaborated to ensure that every child’s needs are met as explained by Juan Carlos Martinez, Founder of the Bella Vista United.

Man killed in Corozal
A man was killed this weekend in the Corozal District. His body was found under some bleachers on Saturday morning.

UDP has new standard bearer for Orange Walk North
When leader-elect, Patrick Faber, won the leadership convention on July 12, several players in the party announced their resignation from politics. The first was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, followed by Mayor of Punta Gorda Town, Ashton McKenzie, and Orange Walk North Representative, Gasper Vega.

Tracing continues in Northern Belize for COVID-19 cases
Up to news time, Belize remains at forty-eight cases of COVID-19. Late last week, the Ministry of Health reported that the forty-eighth case is a relative to the last four patients diagnosed in an Orange Walk community. Contact tracing for the previous cluster led to the detection of this latest case. The tracing is still ongoing for this case which may result in further cases, as explained by Director of Health Services, Marvin Manzanero.

Seaweed an alternative for conch and lobster
A mariculture project was observed over the weekend and several persons were certified for engaging in the three-day training involving the use of seaweed. The media was escorted to Calabash Caye to witness the completion ceremony and the final product of the training. Our Reporter Alisha Valentine has the story.

PBL sets the record straight
Meanwhile, things at the Port of Belize is no better. The company issued a statement that insists the protest on Wednesday, July 22, by the workers was nowhere near peaceful. They stated that CWU members set vehicles on fire, hurled projectiles at PBL staff and police, sabotaged the electrical supply, damaged the IT and security infrastructure, smashed windows of buildings, and threatened PBL staff with deadly and bodily harm.

American woman assaulted at gunpoint
An American woman, Daphne Haught, was assaulted at gunpoint in Punta Gorda Town by several men. She was left with varying degrees of injuries and is traumatized from the event.

Sugar shipments delayed due to protests at PBL
The crop season for sugar may be over but the hurdles for Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) are not. While the farmers endured horrid weather conditions as well as issues stemming from the covid-19 endemic, the...

Police officers shot at during operation at botes
Police officers attached to the Mobile Interdiction Team (MIT) were shot at as the intercepted contrabandistas near Botes in the Orange Walk District. The incident occurred around 6:30pm as the officers intercepted a boat with...

Breaking Belize News

Owner of popular pizza business in Ladyville shot and killed
The owner of a popular pizza business was shot and killed a short while ago […]

Sudden fire destroys at least one wooden house off Jump Street
Approximately half an hour ago, a fire broke out in a compound property off Wagner’s […]

Businessman shot dead in Ladyville
Reports to BBN is that a businessman was shot and killed in Ladyville a short […]

Tensions rise inside the UDP – John Saldivar argues for ‘Papa’ Mena to stay
Today, John Saldivar issued a statement endorsing his colleague Frank ‘Papa’ Mena as area representative […]

One charged for Belize Bank attempted arson; police investigating links to Port-union dispute
Kareem Arnold of Belize City has been arrested and charged for attempting to burn down […]

Corozal police investigating murder of Jair Tamai
Police continue to search out the attacker of Jair Tamai in the second of two […]

Corozal man ambushed waiting for phone repairs
Amid a reported spike in violent crime in the normally peaceful Corozal District, police are […]

Alberto August is now acting Secretary General of the UDP
Former UDP Chairman, Alberto August has been appointed as the acting Secretary General of the […]

Fatal road traffic accident claims the life of a woman
A fatal traffic accident last night claimed the life of a woman. According to reports, […]

Forest fire reported in Mountain Pine Ridge
Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) has documented a forest fire in Mountain Pine Ridge. […]

Police investigate attempted arson at Belize Bank
Authorities are investigating a case of attempted arson at Belize Bank Albert Street branch in […]

National Committee for Families and Children calls on education stakeholders to be ready for reopening of schools
The National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC) is calling on all education stakeholders, particularly […]

Over 10 million people recover from COVID-19 worldwide
Worldometer is reporting that as of 8 a.m. today, July 27, 2020, over 10 million […]

“Christian Workers Union to blame for current state of affairs,” says Port of Belize
The Port of Belize Limited (PBL) is challenging the Christian Workers Union’s (CWU’s) account of […]

United Arab Emirates sends medical aid to Caribbean nations in fight against COVID-19
On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sent a plane with medical supplies and 500,000 […]

Blogs

Cave Tubing in Belize on a Hot Summer Day
Belize has one of the highest concentrations of ancient Maya sites in the area with over 900 ruins across 8,000+ square miles. Not all the sites are huge city ruins or abandoned temples – many are actually smaller villages and caves. Caves were used extensively by the Mayas for various reasons, but one of the main ones was their religion. Seeing these ancient caves is one of the most popular adventures in Belize through cave tubing. Not to mention, cave tubing is one of the most refreshing things to do on a hot summer day in Belize!

Discover Three Rare Fish thats Native only to Belize
Carrie Bow Cay, located 15 miles southeast of Dangriga, is directly atop the Belize Barrier Reef and offers direct access to coral ecosystems. This small, but ecologically important island, plays an important role in marine research: Smithsonian scientists and their collaborators travel there to conduct research on the biology, ecology, and geology of coral reef ecosystems. The Whitelined Toadfish can be found is endemic to the coral reefs off central Belize in depths between five and 30 meters. Tthe Dwarf Spinyhead Blenny is a threatened species that lives in the coral reefs in central and northern Belize. The last of the three rare but native fish to Belize is the Social Wrasse! Despite a large range from Northern to Southern Belize at nine meters, the Social Wrasse has been listed as endangered; this is due to environmental threats.

A Design Lover’s Guide to Sustainable Travel in Belize for 2021
As a beautiful pioneer in sustainable hospitality, Belize continues to bank on its natural environment being the main draw itself, however lodges push past ahead the eco-curve with boutique accommodations. In sustainability, Belize has taken bold steps—preserving coastal mangroves, banning Styrofoam and single-use plastic—to give Costa Rica a little friendly competition as the region’s eco-tourism hub. If you’re looking for a spark of wanderlust to travel to Belize in 2021, let these hotel-luxe resorts inspire the interior design lover in each of us.

8 Unique and Sustainable Wildlife Experiences in Belize
While Belize is known for several things, many remark upon its reef and abundance of animal life. Fortunately, travelers can experience both of these things simultaneously. Provided below are a solid eight examples of sustainable wildlife encounters on the land and in the water.

Belize Fishing Calendar – Everything You Need to Know
Fishing in Belize is fun for anglers of all skill levels. You’ll catch plenty of fish in the sea, rivers and lagoons here. SOME POINTERS FOR FISHING IN BELIZE Before you pack your rod and reel, there are some things unique to Belize fishing you should know. Protected areas and species: Belize takes conservation seriously. That’s great for Belize, our fish stock and our visitors. The many marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries mean fish are abundant all year. You’ll never get bored with the endless variety and huge number of fish you’ll find here. That also means you have to follow strict fishing regulations. All fishing charters must have a license fromBelize’s Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) to fish in certain areas.

International Sources

Coronavirus deaths in Yucatan exceed 1,000
Coronavirus deaths surpassed 1,000 when 30 more fatalities in Yucatan were reported Sunday. Another 226 infections were also reported. The accumulated totals now stand at 1,006 deaths and 8,729 cases. Since the first infections were detected in March, 77% of all patients have recovered. Of the new cases, 85 were in Mérida, 31 in Ticul, 29 in Valladolid, 18 in Umán, eight in Tekax, six in Progreso and Temozón, four in Peto, three in Kanasín, Oxkutzcab, Teabo and Tizimín; two in Acanceh, Conkal and Tinum, in addition to one case in Akil, Celestún, Chemax, Chumayel, Dzan, Dzitás, Homún, Hunucmá, Izamal, Kaua, Kinchil, Opichén, Seyé, Tekit, Uayma and Yaxkabá. Four from outside either the state or country also came forward.

A Red Lobster employee found a rare blue lobster. Instead of cooking it, the restaurant sent it to an Ohio zoo
A rare blue lobster has received a reprieve after a restaurant sent it to an Ohio zoo for conservation instead of consumption. An Akron Zoo Facebook post on Sunday said a Red Lobster employee who found a blue lobster in a delivery to the Cuyahoga Falls eatery recognized just how rare the creatures are. About 1 of every 2 million lobsters is blue, according to the zoo. The blue shell is due to a genetic anomaly.

Workers Struggles: The Americas
Belizean police fire rubber bullets and tear gas at port workers protesting pay cuts and firings Workers at the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) began holding daily lunchtime protests July 1 against management’s unilateral imposition of a 10 percent wage cut. PBL cited losses due to slowed traffic caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Christian Workers Union (CWU), which represents the stevedores, requested that PBL make public its financial records, but the firm refused. The CWU announced its intention to call a strike, but in accordance with Belizean labor laws, that action was not to take place for 21 days.

Videos

July 27, 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.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Monday, July 27th, Meal pick ups. Location: Belize Diving Services Ltd. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am -12:30pm.

Testing Requests Increase
The number of requests for PCR testing for SARS-CoV2 by those leaving Belize has been increasing, this seems to be a requirement for travel to some countries. Kindly note that the Ministry of Health is NOT currently offering/providing PCR tests for persons LEAVING the country and this has not been factored into any procurement of supplies. Kindly factor this as you plan your travel. Travel for ESSENTIAL reasons MAY be considered on an individual basis but not routinely.

COVID-19 Update
A little over 4 months since we first identified a case, this is how our cumulative data looks like up until today.

Online Exhibition: "Enrique Minjares Padilla Obra Reciente/Recent Works, 2015-2020"
The Embassy of Mexico in Belize has the pleasure to announce the online exhibition of renowned Mexican artist Enrique Minjares Padilla/Recent Works 2015-2020. Enrique Minjares Padilla lives and works in Mexico City. He studied Visual Arts at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). His work explores different production possibilities and perceptions of the pictorial medium. Also, it has been exhibited in public and private institutions in Mexico and abroad.

A Fatal Fishing Trip
Fishing out at sea is probably one of the most dangerous occupations in the world these days. At the age of 43, Vicente Viamil ventured to the sea, not knowing it would have ended up being a fatal fishing trip. “Bright light rays dimmed through the clouds as the sun was setting on the sea, while the dark night was falling. Like any busy fishing day, Vicente was the first to reach the boat; he was preparing his conch and getting ready for the night. I was about a mile away from the boat when I realized that we had unexpected visitors near us. These persons seemed to be having a conversation with Vicente, when all of a sudden, a splash was heard. It wasn’t clear what happened at the time, all I was able to witness was that they killed my friend with a sparegun...

Reminder: Introduction to BTB Tourism Gold Standard for Tour Operators webinar on July 27, 2020
Register here: https://bit.ly/32UIxkB

MAN DROWNS IN SOUTH STANN CREEK RIVER
n turd mrnng rund 3, ndndn l vtd n r lng th uth tnn rk Rvr n th tnn rk Dtrt whr th mtnl bd f  n dnt ml rn wrng  gr hrt nt w brvd lng f u n th bnk f th rvr. h mn w dntfd  Dlr h, 37, lzn l gnt f nt R Vllg n th tnn rk Dtrt. ntl nvtgtn rvld tht h lng wth h brthr n lw rnt hl nd nthn h lft nt R t 8:30 m n Frd, ul 24th 2020 nd wnt fhng t th uth tnn rk Rvr.

M.I.T. SHOT AT NEAR ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSING IN THE NORTH
There are reports coming out of the northern part of the country is indicating that members of the Mobile Interdiction Team MIT were shot at near an illegal border crossing yesterday Reportedly at around 6:35 pm an M.I.T. patrol encountered a boat with seven male individuals who were unloading sacks of contraband onions on Belizean territory and that was when someone from across the Rio Hondo River on the Mexican side fired a shot at the officers who were attempting to detain the men who were unloading the contraband goods.

First Yucatec Maya museum in Corozal district
The Inauguration of the first Yucatec Maya museum in Corozal district on July 25th 2020 was the fulfillment of one of our Mission Statements. We are greatful for the presence of our dignitaries, special guest, families, friends and community members who celebrated with us. I congratulate all the hard working team members who worked tirelessly to bring this mission to fruition. With out your efforts, this would not be in existence.

Channel 5

Shot Fired Near Illegal Border Crossing
News Five has received reports that members of the Mobile Interdiction Team were shot at today. No injuries were reported. We understand that a shot was fired by an individual across the Mexican border near the illegal border crossing in Santa Cruz Village. Sources say that at around 6:35 pm MIT officers attempted to intercept a boat with seven male passengers who were coming from Botes with contraband goods. We are told that when the contrabandistas were unloading sacks of onion on the Belize side, someone across the Rio Hondo River fired a shot at the officers who were attempting to detain the contrabandistas. The officers then returned fire. Two of the male persons swam back across to Botes and the remaining persons jumped back into the boat and made good their escape.

LOVE FM

MAN DROWNS IN SOUTHERN BELIZE
37-year-old Dolores Sho was found motionless on the bank of the South Stann Creek River around 3am yesterday. Sho, who is a resident of Santa Rosa Village, left his home with his brother-in-law and another man around 8:30pm on Friday to go fishing at the river. They decided to go home around 1am on Saturday and started to come down the river. On the way, they found an area where bamboo trees spread across the river. Sho swam under the trees but did not resurface. The two other men began to look for him and found him unresponsive under the trees. The body was transported to the Southern Regional Hospital where Sho was pronounced dead.

POLICE AT MIKADO
Reports to our newsroom are that police officers were called to Mikado on Albert Street on allegations that there were two men inside the store with firearms. The officers searched the men, but did not find any weapons. Regardless, the men were detained. No one was injured and, despite previous rumors, the store was not robbed.

TIED UP, STABBED AND ROBBED
54-year-old Leonel Tobar and his wife, Elisa, were held up at gunpoint inside their store in St Mathews Village, Cayo District. The couple was inside the store when four men entered, two armed with guns and one with a butcher knife. The men tied the couple up but then a struggle ensued between the robbers and Tobar, during which he was stabbed several times to the head and body. The robbers then ransacked the store and stole an undisclosed amount of money before fleeing the scene. Tobar has been admitted to the hospital.

Breaking Belize News

Costa Rica to ban American tourists from entering when it reopens airports to visitors next month
The government of Costa Rica says that it will ban visitors from the USA when […]

Friendly football match to raise funds for Danny Jimenez to be held today in San Ignacio
Football returns, of a sort, to Norman Broaster Stadium in downtown San Ignacio Town today. […]

Ministry of Health: The Number of requests for PCR testing for SARS-CoV2 is increasing
The Ministry of Health says that the number of requests for PCR testing for SARS-CoV2 […]

Man drowns in the South Stann Creek River
On Saturday morning around 3, Independence Police visited an area along the South Stann Creek […]

Blogs

I Love Ambergris Caye When She’s SO Green
A few days ago, we drove way up north on Ambergris Caye and while my sea view was marred a bit by the recent sargassum (seaweed) influx – the other side of the road…the trees and flowers and vines…the forest looked GORGEOUS. Heavy rains at the beginning of June ended the dry dry season and…triggered spring! I love it when everything is so green and the flowers blooming. Some of the most magnificent are the flamboyant trees – so perfectly named. I spotted 2 gorgeous ones a few days back as we drove by a private home just south of me. So I emailed the owners of Casa Rana, beautiful rental home near me, to ask if I could stop by and take a few pictures.

Ten Great Reasons to Move to Belize
Have you ever fantasized about living on a tropical island? Belize has many of them, however the mainland has just as many charms. Although, that’s just one reason why Belize is a great place to live, or move to. Below, you’ll find ten more. Your major expenses, such as housing, food, medical care and utilities, will be affordable in Belize. Whether you want a beachside condo or a villa in the rain forest, real estate is surprisingly reasonable. Local markets provide bargains on seafood and local produce. Medical care is affordable, and Belize has some of the best high speed internet in the region.

Experience the Belize Zoo on a Virtual Tour: August 3, 2020
The Belize Zoo is bringing the zoo experience to you. One of Belize’s favourite attractions, The Belize Zoo, located on mile 29 of the George Price Highway is hosting a You Better Belize It Virtual tour. All family and friends are invited to tune in on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 12 PM – 2 PM PDT to take a virtual tour of the zoo. Experience the best little zoo in the world by meeting some of its wonderful keepers and wild residents! Your participation alone will help raise awareness and funds to support this necessary organization through this difficult time.

International Sources

COVID-19 DEBT RELIEF AND THE SMALL STATES
he G20 has offered to temporarily suspend debt repayments for more than 70 countries classified as ‘least developed countries’ or which meet certain criteria under the World Bank International Development Association. In this case, 30 Commonwealth countries are eligible, but a number of small vulnerable states such as Jamaica, Belize and Eswatini do not qualify because their average annual income per person is above the US$1,175 threshold, or they are deemed creditworthy enough to borrow from other funds. So, while acknowledging these huge efforts of the global community to deal with the financial impacts of the pandemic, it is clear the nature and size of the support on offer is simply not enough.

Fall of the Ancient Maya: Top Five Reasons That May Have Led to the Demise of Ancient Civilisation
The sophisticated civilisation inhabited the area in what is now known as southeastern Mexico, all of Belize and Guatemala and western parts of Honduras and El Salvador from the 2nd century BC until 1697 AD when the last city, Nojpetén, surrendered during the Spanish conquest of the region. The Mayan civilisation, shrouded in mystery, is known for a complex writing system as well as for its art, giant architecture, astronomical system, and calendar. In the 9th century these highly developed people started abandoning cities, which led to the collapse of their civilisation and scientists still don’t know the reason behind it.

Videos

July 26, 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

Critical Personal Protective Equipment Procured for Caribbean Frontline Medical Workers
Critically needed personal protective equipment (PPE) is on its way to medical workers on the front lines of the Caribbean’s COVID-19 pandemic response. On July 22nd, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) took delivery of the majority of US$3 million worth of PPE at the Port of Bridgetown. CDB procured and purchased the equipment with concessional resources through the Bank’s Special Development Fund.

Climate Change and Security: Belize Speaks for AOSIS at the UN Security Council
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize, represented the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Climate Security held on July 24th, 2020. Chaired by the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, the objectives of the Open Debate were to provide the Security Council with comprehensive and authoritative information on the environmental and sustainable development dimensions of climate change and their implications on international peace and security. Belize was invited to participate as a non-member of the Security Council within the principles of Rule 37 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security Council.

Goals for Girls football camp underway
The Ambergris Stadium is home to a female football camp "Goals for Girls" organized by footballer Ada Cordova from July 24 - July 26. Island football player Ada Cordova, along with a team of supporters, is holding a female football camp under the name ‘Goals for Girls,’ from Friday, July 24th to Sunday, July 26th at the Ambergris Stadium. The first day of the camp saw several young female players taking classes from national level football coach Joseph Waight.

Various Belizean Sources

Sperm Whale Calf Passes Away
UPDATE: Over the past two days Hol Chan has been diligently working with a team of persons to find the best possible outcome for the stranded sperm whale calf. The team included local biologists, local and international veterinarians, tour guides and operators, and members of the Belize Stranding Network. The attempts made to reunite the calf with its mom where unsuccessful. Late, Friday evening we were notified that it had come back into shore. It survived the night. In the morning marine biologist from Hol Chan with assistance from the San Pedro Tourist Guide Association, Saga Humane Society, and the vets from Clearwater Marine Aquarium on standby via phone headed out to the location. Unfortunately, upon arrival, the calf had died just moments before.

Semi Finals of Copa San Pedro Clausura 2020 Today
Don't miss the second leg of the Semi Finals of Copa San Pedro Clausura 2020. First match starts at 5:00 p.m. and Second match starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Ambergris Stadium. Come cheer for your favorite team!

Belize Grappling League “Grapple Fest 1”
1st ever Brazilian Jiujitsu Tournament in Orange Walk Town will take place at Gala Lounge. Limited seating available so reserve your seat today and come witness History for only $10 door cover charge general seating or $20 VIP. Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 3 PM – 6:30, Gala Lounge Belize/Corozal Rd, Orange Walk.

Opening of the U Kuuchil Uuchben Maaya Ba'alob Maya Museum
Today Mayor Rigo Vellos participated as an invited guest in the opening of the U Kuuchil Uuchben Maaya Ba'alob Maya Museum in Cristo Rey Village, Corozal District. In his short address to the guests and special dignitaries present Mayor Vellos spoke on the importance of cultural preservation in our communities in the Corozal District and the role which the non-governmental Maya advocacy group, To’one Masehualoon, has played in developing Maya cultural awareness in our society.

US Embassy Belize Visa Q&A Session
Ask us your questions about the visa application process! Join U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Keith Gilges and Consular Chief Wilbur Zehr on Monday for a Facebook Live Q&A session with the latest info about visa rules and appointments. Consular Chief Wilbur Zehr will answer all your visa questions.

Belize Zoo Telethon
The Belize Zoo is having a telethon next Saturday. All proceeds will go towards feeding the animals that make the zoo the best little zoo in the world. The telethon is from 1 to 6pm

How to access the FREE Heritage Belize Resource Library
We are super excited to tell you that we recently opened our FREE Resource Library here at Heritage Education Network Belize! Our goal is to provide free workbooks, templates and learning materials that help you improve your business. We keep adding new materials, so make sure to check back often!

We are proud of our passionate Community Liaison Mananger and Disney Conservation Hero, Julio Chub
Together with Ya'axché Conservation Trust, Disney Conservation Hero Juilo is has united Belizean communities through sustainable farming practices, helped organize Belize’s first agroforestry concession in a protected area, and has visited hundreds of schools and facilitated immersive nature field trips for 600+ students to instill pride in and understanding of their local ecosystems. Julio is a role model for his community and has inspired thousands to help protect the communities and forests of Belize’s Maya Golden Landscape!

Inaugurating the first Yucatec Maya museum in Corozal District
To'one Masehualoon NGO moments before this historic event of inaugurating the first Yucatec Maya museum in Corozal District . A huge step for us Yucatec Maya of Belize who are also known as Mayero or Maya Máasewal.

Delivery and Take Out Places in San Pedro
Here is a really excellent new website, it has a list of many delivery and take out places in San Pedro with a link directly to their pages where you can order. Greatly appreciated and thank you for your efforts! Belize Grub

Football Marathon in Placencia
Fundraiser in Support of Wayne Eiley

Channel 5

Shot Fired Near Illegal Border Crossing
News Five has received reports that members of the Mobile Interdiction Team were shot at today. No injuries were reported. We understand that a shot was fired by an individual across the Mexican border near the illegal border crossing in Santa Cruz Village.

Murder in Corozal
A young man was executed in Corozal Town. We are told that he was murdered sometime last night. His body was discovered this morning at the Santiago Ricalde Stadium. Investigators are on the scene. The victim has been identified as Jair Tamay.

The Reporter

Jair Tamay shot and killed in Corozal
Around 6:30am today Police were called to the Santiago Ricalde Stadium in Corozal where they found the body of Jair Tamay, 23, on the ground behind the bleachers. Tamay had been shot in the face. It is believed that Tamay was killed between 12:30 and 1:00am when gunshots were heard in the area.

Breaking Belize News

Armed men rob store in St. Mathew’s village; attack owners
Police are investigating an armed robbery that occured this afternoon in St. Matthew’s village, Cayo. […]

Philip Goldson would have been 97 today
Today, the Father of Belize’s Democracy, Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, would have celebrated his 97th birthday. […]

Summer auto show underway in Belmopan
Round two of the summer auto show hosted by the Belize New Car Dealer Association […]

Corozal Police investigating murder after man found covered in blood in the street
Authorities are investigating a murder that occurred last night in Corozal. According to reports, just […]

Belize monitors 20 active cases of COVID-19
Belize is currently monitoring 20 active cases of COVID-19. Health authorities detected a new case […]

Blogs

Glovers Reef Atoll: An Isolated Paradise in Belize
Glovers Reef Atoll, found 45 miles from the mainland, is the pristine, castaway experience to enjoy. An atoll is a coral island consisting of reef surrounding a lagoon.In the Western Hemisphere, there are 4 atolls and Belize is home to three. Glovers Reef Atoll is southwest as one of three atolls offshore Belize, offshore of Dangriga. After all, it is remote, with the most transparent water thats teeming with marine life. It gets its name from two Pirate brothers, John and Rodger Glover from the 1750s who used this atoll as a base from which they plundered Spanish merchant ships. This was their refuge and hiding place for all their spoils, stolen from the New World.

Plan a Trip to Spanish Lookout, One of Belize’s Best Small Towns
In a country full of small, hidden gems, the community of Spanish Lookout stands out. This farming municipality with a population of 2,500 is a wonderful place to visit. Spanish Lookout is in the Cayo District. It is about nine miles northeast of San Ignacio, the eco-tourism capital of the district. It’s an enjoyable, easy day trip from San Ignacio, Bullet Tree Falls Village, Santa Familia Village or other nearby towns. Spanish Lookout is in the middle of cleared expanses of jungle. Although it’s in Central America, it looks like a rural agricultural town in the American Midwest. As you enter, the jungle gives way to neat farms, grain silos, orchards, manicured lawns and two-story farmhouses set back from the road. Sheep and cattle graze on the farmland.

International Sources

Shifting baseline syndrome among coral reef scientists
70% of coral scientists under the age of 40 stated that they never witnessed an Acropora sp.-dominated reef, Whereas 96% of the coral experts over the age of 60 stated the opposite. This demonstrates the dramatic change in coral reefs from just one generation of experts to the next.

Videos

July 25, 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

New-born Sperm Whale rescued in northern Ambergris Caye
On the morning of Friday, July 24th, North Ambergris Caye residents Cesar Hernandez, Emmanuel Garcia, and Thomas Ack discovered what appeared to be a new-born Sperm Whale near the beach. They assisted the calf in getting back to deeper waters, while personnel from the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) headed to the area to render assistance. There is no facility in Belize that would be able to care for a whale, even as a new-born. The hope is that by guiding it outside the reef it would be able to use its form of communication to reach out to its mother and be reunited.

Various Belizean Sources

Nominees for the Essential Worker Award for the Belizean Traveller Campaign
Hey Belizean Travellers! We are proud to share with you the nominees for our Essential Worker Award for the Belizean Traveller Campaign. We have teamed up with the Ministry of Health and the Police Department to nominate workers who have proven themselves as unsung heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the compliments of partnering properties and the BTB staff and the endorsement of Digi and Love FM, winners will receive a vacation getaway! Check out the flyer below on how you can vote. Each nominee will be posted tomorrow so keep an eye on our Facebook page!

Climate Change and Security: Belize Speaks for AOSIS at the UN Security Council
Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize, represented the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate on Climate Security held on July 24th, 2020. Chaired by the Foreign Minister of the Federal Republic of Germany, the objectives of the Open Debate were to provide the Security Council with comprehensive and authoritative information on the environmental and sustainable development dimensions of climate change and their implications on international peace and security. Belize was invited to participate as a non-member of the Security Council within the principles of Rule 37 of the Provisional Rules of Procedure of the Security Council.

Whale stranded on the beach in northern Ambergris Caye
Early Friday morning Hol Chan was notified that there was a whale stranded on the beach in northern Ambergris Caye. The persons on the scene who found it, Cesar Hernandez, Emmanuel Garcia, and Thomas Ack were very concerned about its welfare. While they awaited additional assistance from the HCMR staff to arrive, recognizing the distress of the baby whale they immediately began efforts to move it into deeper water. Thanks to the efforts of these three gentlemen, the whale was guided outside the reef into deeper water.

COVID-19 Update | July 24, 2020
A further 58 samples were processed today and this is our infographic. In this we have recovered a case. We have also identified a new case, this is another family member of the 4 cases identified yesterday so this makes a cluster of 5 total cases. The initial contact tracing for these cases has concluded and while the family acknowledges that they had been across the border in the month of June due to a family emergency, the link that we are following is a family member that lives on the Mexican side and who had continued to visit the family over the last weeks. This family has been in virtual isolation since they returned from Mexico and there is no evidence that they left the isolated farm from where they were picked up. For now, there are no identified close contacts of them or any other family members that is considered as a highly suspect case. The community has also not provided any further notes of possible contacts. These last 5 cases are therefore a cluster linked to illegal crossings along the Orange Walk District. The Orange Walk District now registers the highest number of total and active cases.

World Breastfeeding Week
The Ministry of Health is once again preparing to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week from 1-7 of August to raise awareness and create actions supporting breastfeeding. The theme for 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. It focuses on the impact of breastmilk substitutes and other infant feeding practices on the environment and the urgent need to protect, promote and support breastfeeding for the health of the planet and its people. Join us during the first week of August to help us continue to raise awareness on breastfeeding. Stay Tune to hear more on our national activity, “Latch on, Belize”

Caye Caulker Street Restoration
The Caye Caulker Village Council embarked on street restoration on Wednesday. We thank our staff for working so arduously, and we ask the community to respect our staff, as they work and ask for careful driving and no speeding. Thank you.

Sacred Heart College Parents Meetings
SHC is having their meeting with parents on Monday and Tuesday. Parents Meeting at the SHC Auditorium: Monday, July 27th at 1:00 p.m. for 1st and 2nd Form. Monday, July 27th at 4:00 p.m. for 3rd and 4th Form. Tuesday, July 28th at 4:00 p.m. for parents who did not attend on July 27th. Feel free to calm the school to get more information or clarification. Please make a special effort to attend, as we still exercise Social Distancing.

Institute of Creative Arts receives Youth Development Donation
In May of 2020 Ms. Kim Vasquez, Youth Development Officer, made an appeal for donors to support youth-related activities which includes the Festival of Arts, the Expressive Arts Education and Summer Arts Institute Programs. As a result, the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) through its Institute of Creative Arts (ICA), received a donation of $6500.00 towards its Youth Development Program. The presentation was made to NICH President Ms. Sapna Budhrani and ICA's Youth Development Officer by Mr. Juan Carlos Cuellar on behalf of a generous Belizean American donor, who prefers to remain anonymous.

COROZAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
A road traffic accident last night could have had a terrible outcome. A witness reported that a female driver of a black in colour Toyota RV4 with Corozal License Plate L/P C23171 almost hit her and her son while they were walking on downtown Corozal and after missing them with the SUV the driver ran right through a stop sign, knocked a police mobile and ran into a trash barrel in-front of St. Francis Xavier Church on 4th Avenue and damaging the barrel. The vehicle remained there until this morning.

ST. PAUL'S ANGLICAN CHURCH BY THE SEA IN COROZAL RECEIVES DONATION OF TRASH BINS FROM UPTOWN COUTURE
"Friday Blessings upon St. Paul's Anglican School. Big Thank you to Uptown Couture. The Best Boutique in all of Belize! Thank you so much for your wonderful donation. Our children and staff are truly grateful. God bless."

Channel 7

Police’s Preliminary Investigation Into GSU’s Port Provocation
Since Wednesday, Belizeans have been wondering what went so wrong to cause the Gang Suppression Unit to seemingly disobey the Police Commissioner and forcibly remove the waterfront workers and their union using riot squad tactics. The Commissioner and the Minister of National Security gave the directive that the union should be allowed to protest the Port of of Belize's decision to lay off of 36 workers.The protesters were promised that as long as they remained peaceful, they would be allowed to stay, but somehow, that directive from the Commissioner didn't reach the GSU officers who responded. And instead, the protesters were treated to rubber bullets and tear gas.

7 Protestors Have Complained
From there, the Police Department focused on the internal investigation being conducted by the head of the Professional Standards Branch.He told us this evening, that, so far, 7 of the protestors, who became victims of the anti-riot tactics, have come forward to lodge a formal complaint:Supt Dwayne Sutherland - OC, Professional Standards Branch:"So far 7 persons came forward to the professional standard branch and made complaints. They reported that they received varying injuries to the body. Those persons are Trevor Jones. Leon Jones, Galvin Osman, Kenroy Gillet, Bruce Diaz, Elswin Willoughby and Kevin Sutherland. All 7 persons were issued with medico forms..."

Three Senior Cops Placed On Suspension
And so, the immediate action being taken is that 3 senior officers are being placed on administrative leave, and interim replacements have been identified to hold over the posts that they held.Here's what the CEO in the Ministry of National Security and the Police Commissioner had to say about it:(Ret'd) Col. George Lovell, C.E.O., Ministry of National Security"The ministry of national security views this as a matter that certainly needs swift and urgent attention and we have decided that it is important for us to be here with the commissioner as he brings to you sort of update on the investigations that he and his team are in fact doing and for you all to be appraised of what we intend to do going forward. Our initial investigation has caused us to put three senior officers on administrative leave."

Where Did Breakdown in Communication Occur?
So, what happened to cause ACP Dawson to fail in relaying the Commissioner's Directives to leave the protesters alone?That's what we asked, and here's what the commissioner said: "Let me say that Mr. Dawson is not known to be a ill-discipline person. As a matter of fact I think sometimes he is too discipline, he is too rigid. He is not known to be a rebellious person either and so I myself was shocked that that did not occur and he gave his explanation that he tried to communicate with Mr. Arzu who was the ground commander by way of phone..."

The GSU, Too Many Masters
And for the GSU, this is yet another in a series of negative publicity events starring that controversial paramilitary unit. Since its inception in 2012, the GSU has been dogged by a number of complaints against them for the excessive use fo force. Alternately, the unit has also been commended for its decisive work, like a few weeks ago when it caught a group of bank robbers immediately, killing one of them. Today, the Commissioner said that part of the problem is that they answer too many commanding officers, which will now change:

Supreme Court Setback For CWU
And while the police department has responded with seriousness to the law enforcement mis-step at the Port of Belize on Wednesday, the fight continued in the Supreme Court today for the 36 workers who lost their jobs.As we've been reporting the Attorney General filed an urgent application for an injunction on behalf of the Labour Department.Labour argues that Port as the employer has to inform the Labor Commissioner, and allow for proper consultation before they are allowed to move ahead with terminations due to redundancy.

CWU Soldiering On: Resist, Resist, Resist
Later on, you'll hear about the government's resolve to exhaust all available legal options to get the terminations reversed. But, right now the matter is with the CWU - and today, President Mose Hyde said its resolve to resist and reverse the firing of union members is is unbroken by this outcome. The president told the press this morning that his union's case against the 10% salary reduction and the termination of the 36 employees is currently being prepared.

Victims Of The GSU’s Tactics Recovering
And that "resisting" resulted in injuries some of the CWU's membership. The brunt of it was endured by 3 stevedores: Jones, Rivers, and Jones. This afternoon I went back to the port get their perspectives on the GSU attack and to find out how they're recovering.

PM Refers To Port "Oppressor"
And from ground zero at the Port of Belize to the National Assembly in Belmopan - the events of the last few days were at the top of the agenda today.In an opening statement at today's House Meeting, the PM gave an outline of the Government's problem with the terminations: "The Labour act does not prohibit employers from doing what they have to do as their businesses faced a hobson's choice, but the act does cast a clear duty on them to observe in the process a few fundamental norms of decency and respect..."

PM Says Waterloo Proposal Rejected Based On Port’s Labour Relations
And, the PM added that the Port of Belize's inability to sign off on a collective bargaining agreement with the CWU for the past 16 years was the deal breaker in Cabinet when the 200 million dollars Waterloo port expansion project came up for approval: "But then came the day on which they the port Waterloo ask for government to approve the draft MOU's that they had submitted even as the problems with the workers were still utterly on the boil..."

Briceno Goes In On Port of Belize Ownership
That "oppressor-man" talk is out of the revolutionary playbook, and, perhaps forced by circumstance, the PUP leader almost matched the Prime Minister's rhetoric against the Ashcroft Alliance:Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition:"So when people are hurting, when people really need, this multi-million dollar company decide that they are going to fire these 36 workers of which the great majority are members of the Christian Workers Union..."

A COVID Cluster In OW District
Since we left you last night, 5 new positive cases of COVID 19 have been confirmed in the Orange Walk District. And they all come from one family - with a history of border jumping. The Director of Health Services posted the latest update on Facebook a few hours ago and he says, quote "the family acknowledges that they had been across the border in the month of June due to a family emergency. The link that we are following is a family member that lives on the Mexican side and who had continued to visit the family over the last weeks. This family has been in virtual isolation since they returned from Mexico and there is no evidence that they left the isolated farm from where they were picked up.

SOE Lifted In San Felipe/Blue Creek
And border jumping is certainly what forced government to declare a state of emergency with curfew and lockdown in the Orange Walk villages of San Felipe and Blue Creek on July 10th. It was supposed to last for a month - but, today, two weeks later the Prime Minister today announced that the State of Emergency is being lifted, and life can return to normal in those villages, effective immediately.

Tourism Industry Gets Ready For The Return
And so while border jumpers are driving up the COVID numbers, many are also looking with great anxiety to August 15th, that's when the airport opens to tourists and returning Belizeans from the COVID infested US of A. This morning in preparation for that return, the Belize Tourism Industry Association hosted a forum aimed at providing hoteliers with some of the answers on how to take the first tentative steps forward in restarting Belize's most vital industry. I visited and found out more:

Two Charged For Cayo Double Murder/Triple Shooting
Two men have been charged for last weekend's double murder in the Cayo District which killed Windell Trapp and Samuel Hill, and injured Marques Robateau, Telesha Mckay and policeman Danny Jimenez. It happened in front of a crowded nightclub and caused public terror. A hard going investigation by Cayo Police has led to two men: 33 year old John Alexander Hendy, of Santa Elena and 26 year old Travis Tyler Navarro of Belize City.

House Approves 10M USD Loan For COVID Food Assistance Program
And going back to Belmopan - we go the the business of today's house meeting. And the main item on the agenda was a loan from the Opec Fund for International Development for 10 million US dollars for the COVID 19 food assistance programme.

Brad’s Boledo Deal Tabled In The House, But Not For Debate
And while that loan motion generated much debate - there was no debate about the Brad's Boledo contract which was tabled today. The Belize Government Lotteries Exclusive License to Brad's Gaming group was tabled in the house, but not for debate - which caused the Leader of the Opposition to bristle: "I think what is most cowardly is the way this has been presented in the national assembly. It was presented as a paper for negative resolution, meaning in effect that the prime minister has set this in the house, it has been tabled and nobody can speak about it, we cannot debate it..."

Ashcroft Steps Into Re-Districting Lawsuit
Lord Michael Ashcroft we didn't hear his name in the House Of Representatives today, but there were many veiled reference to him as the PM and the Leader of the Opposition discussed the controversial termination of 36 workers at the Port of Belize. The Port is considered part of the Ashcroft Alliance since a company called Private Investment Limited took it over as received in 2012. Well, from the role of so called "oppressor", Ashcroft is trying to take a turn as saviour, attempting to come to the aid of the Elections and Boundaries Commission. He wants to pay for an expert witness to help the Commission, and the Supreme Court cure the imbalances in the country's 31 electoral divisions.

What Brackett Saw
And turning back briefly to the police investigation into the Gang Suppression Unit's treatment of the protesters at the Port of Belize, journalist and sometimes-activist Geovannie Brackett, has made a formal report to investigators on what he heard and saw on Wednesday.He was among the reporters broadcasting the unsanctioned anti-riot action by the GSU, and since he was embedded with some of the protesters, he had access to information that the police could make use of.Today, he briefly shared what he told the cops while he was on the Port's compound when the GSU began using force:

Police Seize Upon Cross Border Weed Trade
On this newscast we talk a lot about border jumping and contraband smuggling. But while we may think of border jumping to visit relatives, or to get cheap groceries and beer, a large part of that enforcement pressure along the border is about smuggling weed in from Mexico.

Caught Weed On The Move
And Corozal Special Branch was back at it this morning when, acting on intelligence they intercepted a Ford Escape XLT with San Ignacio plates. They searched inside and found 5 parcels of weed wrapped up with transparent tape, stashed in a hidden compartment. We are told the stash weighed in at four and a half pounds. Four persons inside the vehicle were detained - three of them from san Ignacio and one from Corozal.

Southsiders Trained For Port Work
They've been guaranteed construction jobs that could last between a year and a half and 5 years. It's at Stake Bank, the proposed cruise tourism port off Belize City. The eager group of young and industrious men left the program today filled with hope for an independent and lucrative future. And this morning we spoke to their trainer Nuri Mohammed who says that the secret to the men's success will lie in the connections and mutual understanding built during their preparation.

Fever Dream? Try A Fever Screen!
Earlier in the news, we showed you the BTIA's forum at the Biltmore Plaza hotel. It's an event that brought over 100 people into the hotel, and while that may seem concerning considering the times we're living in, you'll be reassured to find out that each and every one of them had their temperatures checked. But while the Biltmore's staff has been manually checking temperatures for months, a cool new gadget is allowing that safety measure to be carried out without any human contact. Biltmore's General Manager gave us the rundown on the new device.

Channel 5

Supreme Court Denies Application for Injunction against P.B.L.
The Supreme Court has handed down a major decision in respect of the situation at the Port of Belize. It has denied the injunction brought by the Attorney General’s Office [...]

C.W.U. Says All is Not Lost!
Following the court’s proceedings, attorney Anthony Sylvester spoke on behalf of the Christian Workers Union. Now, the matter that was before the court today wasn’t taken by the C.W.U. and [...]

3 Senior Police Officers are Placed on Administrative Leave
Three senior police officers have been placed on administrative leave following the series of riotous activities that happened at the Port of Belize’s compound on Wednesday. Those officers, in this [...]

Outline of Preliminary Investigation into GSU
So, what has the preliminary investigation revealed about what happened at the Port of Belize compound on Wednesday? Deputy Commissioner of Police Dezerie Philips-Magdaleno shares the sequence of events that [...]

ComPol Sounds Off on Officers’ Actions at P.B.L.
The Commissioner of Police Chester Williams also spoke on the sequence of events that transpired that led up to the GSU’s actions on the grounds of the Port of Belize. [...]

PM on the State of Affairs at the Port of Belize
As the court was handing down its ruling on the injunction and reinstatement, the Prime Minister made a statement on the state of affairs in the House this morning.  Now, [...]

Johnny Briceño Calls Out U.D.P. Hypocrisy
Opposition Leader John Briceño also chimed in on the events of the past two days at the Port of Belize Ltd.  He points to the two-facedness of the Barrow administration [...]

Blue Creek State of Emergency is Lifted
The state of emergency that prohibited movement in and out of the communities of Blue Creek and San Felipe in Orange Walk District have been lifted, as those villages now [...]

Another COVID-19 Cluster in Orange Walk District
There is another COVID-19 cluster in the Orange Walk District. Four new cases were reported on Thursday night. A family of four, two adults and two minors tested positive for [...]

5 Cases Linked to COVID-19 Cluster in Orange Walk District
As we said, these five cases are a cluster linked to illegal crossings along the Orange Walk District. According to Doctor Manzanero, for now, there are no identified close contacts [...]

Border Jumpers Can Cause COVID-19 Community Spread
And in a report just in, two more persons were caught entering Belize illegally this morning. They are two men who came through the illegal border crossing in Santa Cruz [...]

An Armed Robbery at B&B Ladyville Sales Centre
There was an armed robbery at the Bowen and Bowen Ladyville Sales Centre on Thursday evening. Around six-thirty p.m., the employees at the centre, located on the factory compound near [...]

CJ Rules in Favour of Lord Ashcroft to Provide Expert Input in Redistricting Case
This morning in the Supreme Court ruled against the injunction filed by the Attorney General on behalf of the Ministry of Labour for the Port of Belize stevedores, and this [...]

Disparity in Electoral Divisions Affects People in Real-Life Situations
The defendants, represented in court by Attorney Samantha Matute of the Attorney General’s Ministry, argued against the appointment of the expert witnesses since it has not been determined whether the mal-apportionment [...]

Ronlee Petillo Gets Bail for Murder
Today, Supreme Court Justice Colin Williams granted bail to Ronlee Petillo, who is accused of the murder of Roger Banner.  Petillo’s attorney, Anthony Sylvestre argued that the petitioner has been remanded [...]

Accused Rapist Gets Bail
A man from Belize City who has been on remand on a charge of rape was today granted bail in the Supreme Court.   Curl Lino was given bail of eight [...]

P.U.P. Strongly Criticizes Boledo Contract Being Awarded to Brads
Back to the House and the lottery business.  Brads Gaming Group, a majority of whose shares are owned by an offshore company registered in Saint Lucia, has been awarded another [...]

Stiffer Penalties for Tourist Who Do Not Adhere to COVID-19 Protocols Coming
In three weeks, the Philip Goldson International Airport will re-open for commercial flights from the US. Even as August fifteenth has been set as the date for the re-opening it [...]

B.T.I.A. Preparing for Reopening of Tourism Industry
The reopening of the P.G.I.A. is a matter of much public interest. Executive Director for the Belize Tourism Industry and Association John Burgos says that the majority of members support [...]

Belize Tourism Industry and Association Charts the Way Forward
The Belize Tourism Industry and Association today hosted a forum under the theme, “Belize Tourism Industry: Charting a Way Forward.”  The event brought stakeholders together to prepare for the recovery [...]

Francis Fonseca Raises Concerns About Schools Reopening
In the House today, former Minister of Education Francis Fonseca, while speaking on adjournment, raised the issue of the preparation of schools ahead of the start of the new academic [...]

Innadynamics Graduates 60 Youths Who Will Now Be Gainfully Employed
A group of at-risk young men involved in various programmes will join the employment pool having completed a training programme with mediator Nuri Muhammad through his organization, Innadynamics Consultancy.  The [...]

Amandala

Day of outrage!
Police GSU shoot unarmed, sitting, peaceful Port protesters and threw tear gas at them; which police commander gave the order to attack the protesters? Both the Minister and the Commissioner of Police say it wasn’t they who gave the order. On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, exactly 101 years after the 1919 march by black Belizean veterans of World War I in the streets of Belize City to protest racism, lack of payment to them and lack of access to jobs, a similar scenario unfolded when the impasse between the receivership of the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) and its staff who are members of the Christian Workers’ Union reached a boiling point.

Churches condemn appointment of UNIBAM attorneys to Supreme Court
The National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) has expressed deep concern over the appointment of two UNIBAM attorneys to the Supreme Court of Belize. The release, which represents the collective viewpoint of the churches associated with the NEAB, calls the appointments an erosion of the free and independent judiciary and called on the proper authorities to “protect, preserve and to keep that important arm of government free from bias.” The NEAB also claimed that an “ambitious billionaire” is currently pulling strings in an effort to secure the appointment of another UNIBAM attorney advocate to the Supreme Court.

Execution in Calcutta
Raymond Jenkins, 41, a laborer of Corozal Town, was shot dead this afternoon in Calcutta while he was sitting in his car. Police said that Jenkins had gone to a jewelry repair shop and was parked in front of the shop when two men drove up on a motorcycle and one of them shot him as he sat in the car. The killer got back on the motorcycle and he and his accomplice drove away.

COVID-19 Update— July 23
Since the announcement of the emergence of COVID-19 cases in the Orange Walk and Cayo Districts, a reported total of 446 tests were conducted between July 14 and July 22. On the 14th, the results of 88 tests came back negative. Among those tested within that batch of 88 tests were the initial contacts of the family of seven from the San Felipe Village in Orange Walk. On July 17, the results of another 119 tests came back, and the results indicated one additional active case — a person who returned to Belize on a recent repatriation flight and was sent home to quarantine due to an underlying heart condition.

Portion of City Hall ceiling collapses
On Friday afternoon, July 17, a part of the ceiling of the second floor of City Hall collapsed into the finance manager’s office. The Belize City Council has confirmed that the incident did take place and that it was “eroded concrete fragments” that fell from the ceiling. No one was injured in the incident. According to the council’s incident report, this may not be an isolated incident. The previous administration began renovations to the Commercial Center in late 2017 and early 2018. The current council continued the renovations after being elected to office in 2019.

Contraband beer found in Santa Familia
A cache of 68 cases of assorted contraband beer was found in a house in Santa Familia by Customs personnel and police who were acting on information they had received. The cache consisted of Mexican and Guatemalan beer, believed to have been smuggled into Santa Familia by contrabandists who illegally crossed the border to bring the beer into the village. All the beer was confiscated by Customs personnel and declared unaccustomed goods. Investigations have begun to locate the owner of the house in which the beer was found.

$100,000 not yet paid to families of deceased BDF helicopter crew
On Wednesday last, Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of National Security, told the media that the families of deceased BDF airmen, Major Adran Ramirez and Major Radford Baizar and Corporals Reynaldo Choco and Yassir Mendez, had been compensated with $100,000 as an ex-gratia payment. He noted that the payment did not indicate an acceptance of guilt, but was given as a compensation, since the investigation into the crash is ongoing. The BDF officers were in a helicopter that was involved in a special operation on the day of a major drug bust that was made by police after an illegal plane landing. All four soldiers died when the helicopter crashed that day.

Sugar harvest/production way, way down!
Last year was a record-breaking year for sugarcane and sugar production in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts, with cane production for 2018-2019 reaching 1,317,626 metric tons (MT), and sugar production 156,646 MT after 214 days of milling. Production for 2019-2020, which came to an end on July 21, saw cane farmers delivering only 893,662 MT, and the mill only produced 88,000MT after 189 days of grinding. Industry experts say the decline, 68% in sugarcane production and 56% in sugar production, is the result of the severe drought last year and earlier this year, and also floods, pests, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ladyville man chopped to death on highway
Less than 48 hours after Ladyville resident Egbert Baldwin, 22, was shot and killed while riding a bicycle in the Japan area of the village at about 8:30 Saturday night, another Ladyville resident has been murdered, this time in Carmelita. Police said that at about 10:00 last night in Carmelita, Terrique Munnings, 27, a laborer of Ladyville, was riding a bicycle on the Philip Goldson Highway along with two male minors, who were also riding bicycles. Three men who were armed with machetes and who were walking on the road quickly attacked Munnings, causing him to fall off his bicycle.

Windell Trapp was the target in deadly San Ignacio shooting, says his family
The family of Windell Trapp has told the media that he was the target in the double murder that occurred at about 1:30 Sunday morning, July 19, 2020 in San Ignacio. Five men were sprayed with bullets in the parking lot of CK Sports Club in San Ignacio. Two persons died and three others were injured and remain hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Constable Danny Jimenez, of San Ignacio police, was standing outside the car while talking to one of the men in the vehicle when a man with a gun went towards the driver’s side of the car.

Editorial: A horrible Wednesday
On Wednesday, over two thousand Belizeans watched in horror via Krem News livestream as the GSU savagely advanced on a group of workers of the Port of Belize Ltd. who were peacefully protesting the actions of the receivership that is running the Port at this time. Watching the events unfold on Wednesday, as the GSU shot rubber bullets and used tear gas to chase the peaceful men and women who were legally protesting pay cuts and loss of their jobs, many Belizeans must have wondered if they were living in South Africa in the horrid days of Apartheid, minus a few Caucasian police faces. The Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police have said that the GSU acted against orders.

Don’t re-open the airport yet!
At the end of June, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced at a press conference that the government would be opening the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) to international travelers on August 15. The decision was made in light of the disastrous effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the country’s tourism industry, which accounts for more than half of the country’s revenue. At the press conference the Prime Minister stated that extending the waiting period before the reopening of the airport would not make a significant-enough difference in the prevention of the entry of the Coronavirus into the country prior to the restart of the tourism industry.

Lack of mediation – The CWU-PBL dispute explained
For weeks, the media has outlined the ongoing efforts of the Christian Worker’s Union (CWU) to defend the rights of its members employed by the Port of Belize Limited (PBL). A letter was sent to the Ministry of Labour on July 7th pursuant to section 15 of the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act. This was done in light of the PBL’s lack of preparedness to rescind a 10% salary reduction to employees and alleged breach of the 2002 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the CWU and PBL.

Small but mighty: Nuh Open Di PGIA Protest
On July 15, 2020, one month before the scheduled reopening of the Philip Goldson International Airport, a group of community organizers hosted a 2-hour protest against the reopening of the airport. The community organizers, Makeada Marin, Nzinga Foreman and Yaya Marin Coleman, got together with their partners and hosted a protest that was small but mighty. There were about 35 participants in the protest at the historic Battlefield Park in Belize City at its height, holding up placards with words, “Nuh Open Di Airport” plastered on them.

Is there a State Of Emergency in southside Belize City?
A number of persons detained under the recent State of Emergency that was declared on the south side of Belize City have reached out to attorney and member of Justice for Humans, Michelle Trapp, who has initiated a judicial review action to question the validity of the Southside State of Emergency. Trapp has been reaching out to detainees and their families who have suffered damage to property and the traumatic experience of their homes being invaded by militarized police.

From the Publisher
In the summer of 1968, at the age of 21, I rushed home to British Honduras with a first degree in English from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Remember now, in the United States a first degree is practically meaningless: it is merely the foundation for the student who will go on to do business, law, medicine, and so on at what is called the post-graduate level. Why did I rush home? Well, I was young, black, and militant in a year when the world was in great uproar. The Seventeen Proposals had been officially introduced just a few months before I came home, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had been assassinated in Tennessee in early April of 1968; Bobby Kennedy, a former Attorney General of the United States, had been assassinated in June.

Cricket Corner
Hello, my favorite readers of my column CRICKET CORNER! Before continuing the stats of the weekend games played, let me through this medium send me and my family’s most sincere condolences to my dear brother, Mathias, on the sudden passing of his son, Samuel Hill (my nephew.) Sammy was killed over the weekend in the Cayo District. May his soul find perfect peace with his Maker.

Stirring up football memories with the legendary Wilfred “Paama” Davis
Strike three, you’re out; and, after twice making contact, only to have him promise to call back in fifteen minutes each time, I resolved yesterday to give it one more try; and if I failed, I would have to conclude that the legendary Belizean football/basketball/baseball star, Wilfred “Paama” Davis had his reasons why he didn’t want to share any more of his sporting past with our Amandala readers. But, whatever were his inconveniences when he briefly gave us an enthusiastic greeting by phone, only to disappear from our contact each time for the rest of the day, our patience finally paid off yesterday afternoon. And it was well worth the wait. But there are many details still to be clarified, as Paama threw so many bits and pieces of intriguing information and his experiences as a young sportsman in Belize, that we will, as he agreed, have to engage him a few more times.

Update on Freetown Basketball Tournament
The Freetown Basketball Tournament 2020 continued last night with two more games at the Belama Phase 2 Basketball Court. Competition format The 8 teams, divided into 2 groups, are engaged in a single round-robin within each group, in addition to 2 out-of-group games, after which the top 2 teams from each group go on to the semifinal knockout playoffs. In the semifinals, seed 1 from each group plays against seed 2 from the other group. The 2 semifinal losers then play the consolation match for third place, and the semifinal winners clash for the championship.

Solidarity with CWU – “If you touch one, you touch ALL!”
I look with amazement, five years later, at the hypocrisy that has been evident in the United Democratic Party’s administration’s treatment of workers at Port of Belize (PBL) during their 12 years in government. The Barrow administration has spent at least half of those years suppressing free speech and freedom to association and oppressing workers’ rights even more. They infiltrated unions, tried to union bust, debilitated some unions and even influenced elections within their ranks. I say this as a fact and not pure theory, speculation or conspiracy. I have been within the ranks of the unions and have met the traitors who have colluded with the government. Some are political operatives and have benefitted from political jobs and favours and promotion. They know who they are!

Hart like a savior
I always knew that someday someone with wallop would ride in and put a big, necessary hurt on Brother Clinton Canul Luna, and that day came and I say hurray. Ai, when I saw what Brother Canul Luna wrote in his column a couple weeks ago, I was driven back on my heels, wanting to put on my armor, but at the same time uncertain because I am flat-out tired of being kicked about by him and his many friends. You will forgive me for gloating. Of course, I took a drink. I thought about calling Miss Emma. Brother Hart Tillett, in a letter published in the Tuesday Amandala, said, “Luna (Clinton) mistakenly thought that the ‘gods’ Haynes (Samuel) had in mind were the Baymen, and in that way the poem relegated other ethnicities in Belize to subservient roles, in particular those of Ibérico-Mayan lineage”, but in fact Haynes “was referring to the ‘gods’ of the Maya whose presence permeates the 145-word poem…”

Batten down the hatches
We (as a society) cannot be complacent and complicit in the inherent and calculated threats towards our sovereign democracy and towards injustice that threatens our security and erodes the rudimentary tenets upon which our society was founded. I watch in utter dismay as the employees of Port of Belize Ltd. (PBL), along with their union, are being ostracized by the armed forces and the pipers who call the tune. I mean, for Christ’s sake! These people are not being recalcitrant, as they want us to believe. It’s their bread-and-butter —their whole supper, that is at stake here!

The original BEC
In 1871 most of British Honduras’ alienated land had fallen into the hands of two companies – the British Honduras Company and Young, Toledo and Company. In 1875 the first company became the BEC, which acquired most of the land of the other company when the latter went into bankruptcy. It was in this way that the BEC came to own more than one-half of the private lands or one-fifth of the colony. Furthermore, the company commandeered the northern area of the colony, Orange Walk, whose mahogany resources were equalled in quality throughout Central America only by those of northern Guatemala and Yucatan. The company was indisputably the most influential concern which guided the colonial government. In fact, its relationship with the government was overt and interlocking.

British Honduras’ 1946 census
Some idea of the problems of establishing racial origins and allocation may be gained from the 1946 census. This census divided the population into: Black 22,693 (38.39 per cent); Mixed or coloured 18, 360 (31.01 per cent; Aboriginal Indians 10,030 (16.94 per cent); Carib 4,112 (6.94); White 2,329 (3.93 per cent); East Indian 1,366 (2.3 per cent); Syrian 128 (0.41 per cent; Chinese 50 (0.08 per cent); not stated 15 (0.05 per cent.)

Poor turnout at BECOL meeting update
Dear Editor, On Monday, July 13, we went to the meeting that BECOL holds every three months to update the people of Cayo about the condition of the Macal River. We were the only ones there; where were all the people who claim to be friends of the river? I have heard nothing of them. Candy Gonzales battled against the dam for years, and it is thanks to Candy’s efforts that we now have the regular reports from BECOL. They always try to update us on the state of the river and any other relevant information.

Dr Jesus Seade presents his work plan to lead the World Trade Organization
With a commitment to bringing the institution back to the center of international governance and to promote global economic recovery through it, Mexico’s Dr Jesús Seade Kuri presented today in Geneva his candidacy to Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) before its General Council. “Extraordinary efforts with all members are urgently needed to repair and maintain the relevance of the WTO as the core of a robust and inclusive system that meets the demands of our people, businesses, consumers and their development needs,” Seade told the Council.

LOVE FM

Three senior officers on administrative leave
One, two, three – that is how many senior police officers have been placed on administrative leave. For now, it is a slap on the wrist considering the severity of what transpired at the Port on Wednesday morning. According to the Police Commissioner Chester Williams, the administrative leave is for five days only. Once the five days are up further actions would be dependent on the Security Services Commission.

Cluster of COVID cases in Sugar City
Another case of Covid-19 was reported a few minutes before six o’clock this evening. According to the Ministry of Health this case is a relative to the last four patients diagnosed yesterday in an Orange Walk community. Today’s case brings the total registered in Belize to forty-eight. The last five cases have been linked to an illegal crossing and are all members of one family. The initial contact tracing for these cases has concluded and the family stated that they had been across the border in the month of June due to a family emergency.

GSU under new command
Amid the aggression shown by Police at the Port on Wednesday was a team from the Gang Suppression Unit. It is an infamous unit in the Belize Police Department that many pockets of society have called for its dismantling. Police Commissioner Chester Williams has admitted that the GSU has garnered negative reactions from the public and that under his command he will begin making changes to the unit, starting with a change of command.

Breaking Belize News

“Presenting an authentic Belizean experience post-COVID-19 will be challenging,” says Tourism Industry Association
As the world prepares to resume global travel, the Belize Tourism Industry Association says that […]

Summer auto show coming to Belmopan City
The summer auto show hosted by the Belize New Car Dealer Association (BNCDA), and it’s […]

Wayne Eiley barbecue fundraiser gets even bigger
The barbecue fundraiser for cancer warrior Wayne Eiley, has gotten bigger and has now been […]

Two charged for San Ignacio shooting/double murder
Today, police officially arrested and charged two men for a shooting incident in San Ignacio […]

One new case of COVID-19 identified in Orange Walk
A fifth member of an Orange Walk family linked to illegal border crossings has tested positive […]

Tourism Industry Association hosts forum on the future of tourism in Belize
Today, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) gathered its members, along with representatives from the […]

Development Finance Corporation making up to $10 million in loans available for tourism stakeholders
The COVID-19 pandemic hit Belize’s tourism sector the hardest, causing massive losses in revenue and […]

US Chargé d’Affaires visits Arenal in adjacency zone
On July 23, 2020, the United States Chargé d’Affaires, Keith Gilges visited the village of […]

Hurricane Warning issued for Mesquite Bay, Texas as Tropical Storm Hanna approaches
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is closely monitoring tropical storm Hanna. A Hurricane Warning has […]

Employees of Bowen & Bowen robbed at gunpoint
Police are investigating a report of an armed robbery at Ladyville. At around 6:30 p.m. […]

Belize speaks at the United Nations Security Council
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize, Wilfred Elrington represented the Alliance of Small Island States […]

House debates OFID loan motion for Food Assistance Program
The COVID-19 Food Assistance Program created by the Government, originally with $10 million out of […]

P.M. Barrow: “How did we get here?”
Three senior officials of the Police Department are expected to be suspended and will face […]

City Council repays staff
The Belize City Council has repaid employees their first deferred paychecks without deductions as reward […]

Supreme Court denies injunctions for terminated Port workers; Opposition Leader issues condemnation
Supreme Court Justice Sonya Young has denied the injunction requested by the Attorney General on […]

Belize creditor group signals support for interest payment capitalization
Reuters reports that Belize’s proposal to capitalize interest payments coming due between now and February […]

Prime Minister announces lifting of State of Emergency in Blue Creek, San Felipe
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has announced, effective today, Friday, the lifting of the State of […]

Prime Minister gives statement on Port of Belize-Christian Workers Union dispute
As titular Minister of Labour, Prime Minister Dean Barrow spoke to the House of Representatives […]

Government ‘considering’ lifting State of Emergency for Orange Walk villages
While he says the ultimate decision will be announced by Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Minister […]

House meeting considers financial and business amendments
The House of Representatives is set to meet again to consider another loan motion and […]

Americans attracted to moving to Belize
Belize and the United States of America have long shared mutual interests in every situation […]

Belizean Arlie Petters selected as Provost of New York University Abu Dhabi
New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann announced today the appointment of […]

Belize monitoring 20 active cases of COVID-19
Belize is currently monitoring 20 active cases of COVID-19. Of the 20 active cases, 10 […]

CWU responds to allegations of vandalism
The Christian Workers Union (CWU) has vehemently rejected the accusation made by the Port of […]

Tropical Storm Warning in effect for St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines as Gonzalo approaches
The National Hurricane Center is monitoring Tropical Storm Gonzalo. A Tropical Storm Warning is in […]

Port of Belize says Christian Workers Union members vandalized property
The Port of Belize Limited (PBL) is accusing members of the Christian Workers Union of […]

Robbery at Bowen and Bowen in Ladyville, one perpetrator shot
Bowen and Bowen’s Ladyville compound was robbed last night, but one of the two perpetrators was shot during the incident.

Blogs

A Drive to the Far North of Ambergris Caye and Robles Point
About twice a year, I join Jeff for a bumpy slow ride up to what I call Far North of Ambergris Caye. To the first spot where our barrier reef meets the land – it’s called Robles Point. Our reef hits the land twice up there – Robles Point and then a few miles north at Rocky Point. Between the two areas, the land is basically reef-locked. (I just asked Jeff if you could get in up there (between Robles and Rocky Point) and he said: On the calmest of days, ideally with someone else’s boat. Once you head in thru the reef, there is no turning around)

Why North Americans Faithfully Choose to Retire in Belize
When news reached the media about low cases of COVID-19 cases, North American retirees took notice of Belize. The response often heard when mentioning the country of Belize is something along the lines of, “Belize. I’ve heard of it. No, no, don’t tell me…” And then, after some squirming and a suitable pause, “Where is it again?” After declaring independence on September 21, 1981, Belize (formerly British Honduras) faces the Caribbean just south and east of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. For perspective, Belize is located 1,600 miles driving 1,600 miles driving from Houston to Belize by car and 875 miles due south as the crow flies from Mobile, Alabama.

Virtually Dive in Underwater Belize to Protect Our Oceans
Join the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Wild for Life for a virtual, immersive dive through three unique but connected marine ecosystems in Belize! Mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs are all threatened by human activity. Instead, this marine journey allows you to explore underwater magic as three different personas. Firsthand, you can see how biodiversity functions to deliver vital goods and services to humanity, the threats these ecosystems face and how simple actions can help to better protect the interconnected habitats.

A Rapid Test in Belize’s Airport will cost US$50 Per Person
Belize is set to reopen to international travelers on August 15th. All passengers without proof of a negative PCR Test, taken within 72 hours of travel, will be tested. A rapid test in the Belize airport will be a US$50 health screening fee, as confirmed on July 24 by BTB and BHA. Additionally within the airport at the newly constructed health clinic in Terminal 2, eight independent testing rooms will be available for health screening. Arriving travelers can either present a negative PCR test result, taken within the 72 hours to travel. Or, pay for a rapid test within the airport at the traveler’s expense.

International Sources

Researchers at ASU double down on their drive to improve and save lives
A small Belize village has safe drinking water even though supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19 nearly rendered the island of Caye Caulker waterless. Navajo Nation families living in the 40% of homes that lack running water now receive up to 10 liters a day — for free. An island off the coast of Timor-Leste would have been in a similar position to Caye Caulker, had Zero Mass Water’s SOURCE Hydropanels not been installed last year.

Personal Protective Equipment Procured for Caribbean Frontline Medical Workers
The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) says it remains committed to acquiring critically needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for regional front line workers combating the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) that has infected thousands of people and killed more than 120 in the Caribbean. “The coming months are likely to be particularly challenging, given the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19. Helping our borrowing member countries (BMC) to build resilience against shocks like COVID-19 remains high on CDB’s development agenda,” said President, Dr Wm. Warren Smith.

Videos

July 24, 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

Unions show support to terminated workers of Port of Belize; ComPol investigating use of force against protesters
The main labor unions of the country have shown their solidarity with the Christian Workers Union (CWU), following the termination of some of its members by the Port of Belize (PBL), and being abused by members of the Gang Suppression Unit after peacefully protesting on Wednesday, July 22nd. The GSU tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas, a move that Commissioner of Police (ComPol) Chester Williams condemned and pledged to investigate as to who gave such orders.

Chair of Integrity Commission Sworn-in for Second Term
On July 22, 2020 at the Belize House in Belmopan, Mrs. Deshawn Arzu Torres was sworn-in as the chair of the Integrity Commission for a second term by the Governor General H.E. Sir Colville Young. Mrs. Torres is an attorney-at-law and founding partner of Mckoy Torres LLP. She earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (Hons) from the Cayman Islands Law School, University of Liverpool in 2003, and completed the Bar Vocational Course at the Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom in 2004.

Ministry of Education clarifies statements being made in regards to the termination of Anglican teachers
The Ministry of Education (MoE) hereby informs the public that contrary to statements being made in regards to the termination of Anglican teachers that no such action has been taken to terminate those teachers. The MoE reminds stakeholders that the Belize Teaching Service Commission is the entity responsible for enforcing all regulations governing the conditions of service of teachers with respect to employment, appointment, transfer, discipline, and termination at government and government-aided schools. Where termination for any reason is to be taken against a teacher in the teaching profession, it must be approved by the Commission.

Hope Haven receives donations from Ava Guerrero and Grand Caribe Deep Sea Fishing Tournament
Ava Guerrero and Grand Caribe's Fishing Tournament made generous donations to Hope Haven, which will be used to send children to school. Hope Haven is thankful for two generous donations that have come their way, one via eight-year-old Ava Guerrero, and the other from Grand Caribe. Miss Ava made her donation on July 15th after she won a Covid-19 Video Competition hosted by Make Belize Films. Upon being awarded, she told her mother that she planned to give half her winnings to two causes: Hope Haven and Blue Water Grill’s feeding program.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location

No action has been taken to terminate Anglican teachers
The Ministry of Education (MoE) hereby informs the public that contrary to statements being made in regards to the termination of Anglican teachers that no such action has been taken to terminate those teachers. The MoE reminds stakeholders that the Belize Teaching Service Commission is the entity responsible for enforcing all regulations governing the conditions of service of teachers with respect to employment, appointment, transfer, discipline, and termination at government and government-aided schools. Where termination for any reason is to be taken against a teacher in the teaching profession, it must be approved by the Commission. The Ministry encourages compliance with the legislation that governs the education sector and requests that stakeholders circulate accurate information as verified by the Commission.

REVISED: Invitations for Bids to Provide Operation Services
FOR CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE OPERATION SERVICES AT SOLID WASTE TRANSFER FACILITIES AND A SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITY. The Government of Belize through the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA) of the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development invite sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for Contracts to Provide Operations Services at Solid Waste Transfer Facilities (either loading and transferring overland or loading and transfer by sea and land) and a Solid Waste Disposal Facility (Landfill operations) located at Mile 24 off the George Price Highway as set out in more detail in the Bidding Document. Invitations for Bids for operation service will be for a total of 6 lots as detailed in the Bidding document:

Caye Caulker Expo
Save the date Saturday August 1st as Food Republic host's our very own Caye Caulker Expo.They will be collaborating with local entrepreneurs to bring together some tantalizing treats and services. They will begin promptly at 11am until 6pm and as per usual, they will be adhering to all safety protocols including wearing masks and social distancing. Feel free to head over! Location: Food Republic. Date: Saturday, August 1, 2020. Time: 11am - 6pm. Cost: FREE

The Baymen of Belize Book
If you wanted to get a good description of old Belize Town and Belize in the late 1770's including a different and first hand description of the Battle of St. Georges Caye, the Battle at Spanish Lookout, Spanish invasion of St. Georges Caye in 1779, a little bit of love, hate and revenge all in one book

COVID-19 UPDATE
A further 83 samples were processed today. In this list, we have 2 persons that have recovered and 3 persons that remain reactive beyond the 14 days of being in quarantine. We have also identified a further cluster of 4 cases, this is a new cluster linked to another illegal crossing. The 4 cases are in one single family from a community in Orange Walk; the contact tracing and further mapping of these 4 new cases and their potential contacts has started. Once more information is available, that will be provided to all.

Caribbean Development Bank donates PPE
The Caribbean Development Bank yesterday handed over PPE to the new Integrated Regional Logistics Hub (IRLH) established by CDEMA. Executive Director (ag) of CDEMA Elizabeth Riley, President of the CDB Dr Warren Smith and Minister of Martime Affairs, Blue Economy Hon Kirk Humphrey and regional and local partner agencies were given a tour of the IRLH as volunteers from the Barbados Red Cross prepared the PPE to be shipped to Participating States. The hub’s operations is funded by the Government of Canada.

Charting a way forward Forum
Tune in this morning at 9am as we bring to you the live coverage of our forum, Belize Tourism Industry Association: Charting a way forward.

Tourism Gold Standard training for Tour Operators
Kindly take note of the Tourism Gold Standard training schedule for Tour Operators. Register here: https://bit.ly/39mrt8m

INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE FIRST YUCATEC MAYA MUSEUM TO TAKE PLACE
The TO'ONE MASEHUALOON NGO is proud to announce the Inauguration Ceremony of the First Yucatec Maya Museum in the Corozal District. The museum is to be named "U Kuuchil Uuchben Maaya Ba'alob" (Maya Yucatec Museum) and will be located in the beautiful and wonderful village of Cristo Rey at the Residence of Faustino Yam on July 25th, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. The museum will serve as a tourist attraction in the future and connects the Cultural Corridor of the villages of San Pedro, Cristo Rey, Yo Chen, Patchakan, Xaibe and Chan Chen in our Corozal District. See enclosed map showing direction to Cristo Rey from Corozal Town.

Coco Nutz Festival
The Belize Botanic Gardens is having their first Coco Nutz Festival on Saturday, August 8th. It's all about celebrating the coconut, and it's free. They'll have coconut art from many local vendors, and they'll have food too. "Are you all ready for a fun day out? Get out the house, town and go Coco-Nutz at the Gardens on August 8th,2020. Join us for our very first Coconut Fest!!! Get products from @naturallybelizecoconuts, @sweetlemonbz and much more."

Cayo Football Fundraiser this Sunday
Proceeds go towards Daniel Jimenez' medical expenses. We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone. July 26th come out and support a worthy cause. Food and drinks will be for sale, entrance fee $5. All fundraising will go towards Daniel Jiménez aka (Danny) medical expenses.

Notice to BWS Minority Shareholders
The Board of Directors of BWS is pleased to announce dividends of 11¼ cents ($0.1125) per share, equivalent to 7.5%, for the year ending March 31, 2020. Please note that dividends will be paid ONLY via direct transfer to your bank or credit union account. Payments will be processed between August 14 to August 31, 2020. If you have not yet provided BWS with your banking information, please complete the form with your banking information and return to BWS. Kindly contact BWS to update your banking information via telephone at 222-4757 or via email shareholderinfo@bwsl.com.bz

Chargé d'Affaires visits Chiquibul National Park
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges visited the Chiquibul Forest Reserve yesterday with FCD Belize to learn more about the environmental challenges that forest faces. The Chiquibul region is located in Cayo District and covers 437,376 acres or 7.7% of Belize’s land mass. Altogether, it is home to 17 distinct ecosystems providing a rich diversity of habitat for a variety of plants and animals, as well as the largest and longest cave system in Central America, the source of the Belize River Watershed, and Belize’s largest excavated Mayan archeological site. This year, major protected areas in the region, including the Chiquibul Forest Reserve saw unprecedented forest fires, as well as loss of wildlife and habit destruction of habitats caused by human activity. The United States is deeply committed to supporting the preservation of this vital region, which plays a critical role in the cultural and environmental health for not just Belize, but the entire region.

Raices Mexicanos Retonos Belicenas Dance Group
This week's Art & Soul series showcases a Mestizo dance group from San Joaquin Village. We are delighted to feature an institution of dance which has been under the tutelage of Mrs. Angelita Magana for over 50 years. Raices Mexicanos Retonos Belicenas Dance Group have been entertaining and enlightening audiences for decades, with humble beginnings in dance, Mrs. Magana has been able to retain and develop skills to honour our Maya Mestizo heritage. Over the years there have been many deserved distinctions for their efforts and commitment to cultural dance including performing at the inaugural San Joaquin Fiesta in 1967, performing for His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in 1975 and a performance at the Bliss on the eve of Independence in September 1981. Congratulations to Mrs. Magana and her dancers for their of commitment to dance, community and the preservation and promotion of our Mestizo culture.

Channel 7

Police's Port Blunder Leads to Senior Shakeup
There's going to be a senior shakeup in the police department after yesterday's chaotic events at the Port of Belize. As the Police Minister made very clear last night - there will be, quote, "hell to pay" for whoever gave the directive to invoke the riot act during a protest inside the Port of Belize compound. The man under the most pressure is the Officer Commanding Eastern Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Alden Dawson. He was the officer in charge on the ground, and the man who got the directive saying that the workers should be left to protest peaceably on the compound.

Revisiting The Ruction, Looking For The Trigger Event
So, what really happened on the ground yesterday that is forcing the senior shake-up in the police department? We know that the GSU went into full riot squad mode when it was not directed to do so. But tonight Cherisse Halsall, who was on the frontline all morning, re-examines the events of yesterday to find out exactly where things took a turn from civil unrest to paramilitary attack. Evan "Mose" Hyde - President, CWU: "Who gave the order to have people who were fighting for their rights face such levels of brutality." That's the question that's been booming across Belize since last night. But whoever's responsible is set to suffer the vengeance of the state.

Security Level Downgrade Forces Port Closure
And owing to yesterday's events, the port was shut down today: operations at a complete standstill, all the heavy equipment parked, no containers moving. As we told you at the end of the news, the Belize Port Authority downgraded the Port of Belize; security level from one to three, which forces a closure. The notice says, quote, "the Port of Belize Limited is temporarily closed for operation until further notice."

Transport Minister Discusses Downgrade
So, the only activity at the Port is the sit-in being staged by stevedores and Port employees in the shed and on the roadside next to the Port. And that's where we found Minister of Transport Edmond Castro today. He wasn't there stumping for votes or elaborating on police, he was giving out sal' beef tacos - which is a whole other story. But, we did have some very serious questions for him as Minister with responsibility for Ports. Here's that exchange:

Wrongful Termination Injunction Request Coming Up Tomorrow
And while the port remains immobilized by that downgrade in its security rating, it will have to mobilise to go back to the Supreme Court tomorrow. At 10:00 am, Justice Sonya Young is expected to deliver a ruling on whether or not she will grant an injunction against the Port of Belize. As we told you yesterday, the Attorney General's Ministry applied to the Supreme Court for this relief on behalf of the Labour Department. The Government is attempting to ensure that the purported lay-offs of those 36 Port employees can presumably be reversed.

NTUCB Comes Out In Support Of CWU's 36
The union leaders were there because the NTUCB made a call today to all subsidiary union affiliates, to show support for Christian Workers Union. The unions are converging on the CWU's behalf under the principle that if you touch one union member, you touch all. The NTUCB President said it's more than symbolic: Marvin Mora - President, NTUCB: "The decision to choose the Port came at the heels of what happened yesterday. I think it was most unfortunate that we witnessed those events of our brothers and or your sisters being carried in the way they were..."

CWU Counters Port’s Narrative of "CWU Vandalism"
We also asked the President of the Christian Workers Union about the perspective of PBL management. In a press release, the Port of Belize said, quote, "For hours the CWU members caused these unfortunate incidents on the Port that included serious and dangerous vandalism to property, including vehicle fires, tampering with the electrical supply, smashing windows, and destroying IT infrastructure. PBL wishes to thank the authorities for their efforts to regain control after bearing witness to these acts." End quote.

Killed By Men On Motorbike
31-year-old Raymond Jenkins was shot and killed yesterday while waiting for a cell phone to be repaired in Calcutta village in the Corozal district. It happened at about 2:15 when Jenkins and a minor were parked outside the home of Alric Chi. That's when two masked men wearing dark clothing and riding a motorcycle pulled up beside them, and the passenger opened fire on Jenkins.

Two Men Charged For Ladyville Murder
On Monday's newscast, we took you to Ladyville, in a neighbourhood near to the Mirage Road, that's become a sort of crime hot spot. That's where 22-year-old Egbert Baldwin was gunned down and mercilessly killed. Up until last week Thursday, "Eggy" as he was also known, was on remand for 4 years, while he awaited trial for a May 2016 shoot-out which happened at the Lozano family home. While a group of young men was socializing in the family yard, located on Mirage road, a group of gunmen ambushed them, and a shoot-out occurred between rivals of 2 warring gang groups from that neighbourhood. After the gunshots ended, 3 men left injured, and 1 man was shot and killed.

Was Someone Trying To Set The Belize Bank On Fire?
And from cold-blooded murder to attempted arson. It's a criminal act that was almost perpetrated on Belize Bank's Albert street branch. At around 2:46 this morning security footage shows a pickup truck reassembling a ford 150 cab parking beside the building and dropping off five tires. And by about 3:00 a police patrol noticed the tires kindled by grass burning beside the bank.

Yohny Said They Stole His Buses
And, two buses played a big part in that unrest yesterday. One of the buses was parked in front of the Port's main entrance at 6:30 am, and the other was set on fire down by the Customs building at around 8:30 am. Well, the buses are for Yohny Rosado - and this very unlucky vehicle owners says they were stolen from his wash man: "I give my buses to a young man to get detailed and this morning my bus is out here and it catch fire and I was waiting for the police to come and ask me any questions or find out how the bus get here but I get tired of waiting..."

"Y" Bridging The Digital Divide and the Generation Gap
The Young Men's Christian Association is bridging the digital divide for students and teachers in the Port Loyola area. It's a summer camp that they've dubbed the Technology Education Summer Program aimed at flattening the education and technology curve for marginalized students. Cherisse Halsall popped into their open day and got to see first-hand how teachers and students are helping each other to embrace the information age, through methods that may well become the standard in the new norm for education. Here's that story.

Castro's Sal' Beef Solidarity
Two weeks ago at the UDP convention, we showed you UDP Minister Edmond Castro's Sal' Beef Pop-Up shop - right outside the convention. Today he took his tailgate tacos to the Port of Belize for some sal' beef solidarity. We asked him about it: Hon. Edmond Castro - Minister of Transport/NEMO: "Based on the situation at hand and how our Belizean people have been brutally fired, attempt to fire, I decide that today I will after a couple calls from some of the frontline workers here at the port for me to come in and at least show solidarity..."

CWU Tell Port, See You In Court
And while Castro was "slinging" sal' beef to lighten the mood at the Port, there was already a sour taste in the mouths of Port workers - from that salty port press release we've been telling you about all night. That press release from the Port called the protest vandalism and another in a series of illegal strike actions. Tonight, the CWU says that they are distorting facts and reality, and they ought to retract their press release.

NEAB Rebukes GSU
And finally, tonight, we have a condemnation of the actions of the GSU at the Port by The National Evangelical Association of Belize. That groups says it is appalled at the quote "misuse of authority" that resulted in the escalation of the conflict.

Channel 5

Port of Belize Reacts to the Violence at its Compound
Tonight, we start the news with a reaction from the Port of Belize on the tumultuous events of Wednesday.  First, the Port was closed today and that is because P.B.L. [...]

Father Killed In front of 6-Year-Old Son in Calcutta Village
Turning to a shocking murder in the north; a six-year-old boy in Carolina Village is recuperating tonight after he witnessed his father’s murder on Wednesday afternoon. Forty-six-year-old Raymond “Snow” Jenkins was [...]

2 Men are Arraigned for the Murder of Egbert Baldwin
Five days after Egbert Baldwin was executed in a hail of bullets in Ladyville, police have arrested and charged two men for his murder. Camryn Lozano and Albert Gill, both [...]

2019-2020 Sugar Cane Crop Season Comes to an End
The 2019-2020 Sugar Cane Crop Season came to an end on Tuesday. It was a difficult season for cane farmers in the north. It was a year during which famers [...]

P.U.P. Wants Answers for the Awarding of Boledo Contract to Brads Gaming
Government announced on that it was awarding Brads Gaming Company another ten year contract for the administration of the lottery. That company, everyone knows, maintains a close relationship with a [...]

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Visits the Chiquibul
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Keith Gilges visited the Chiquibul Forest Reserve on Wednesday with Friends for Conservation and Development to learn more about the environmental challenges that forest faces.  A US [...]

Will Teachers be Terminated at Overstaffed Anglican Schools?
Today, the Ministry of Education has reacted to a report on the alleged termination of teachers at Anglican schools. The release is in respect of reports made to the Belize [...]

Negotiations Stalled in UB’s Financial Crisis
While we spoke with National President of the Belize National Teachers Union, Senator Elena Smith today, News Five asked for an update on the situation at the University of Belize, [...]

Will Members of UB’s Faculty, Staff Be Terminated?
There is a projected loss of seven million dollars in the university’s cash flow. Back in June, a questionnaire was issued to poll whether faculty and staff would accept a [...]

A Back-to-School Drive for Belmopan Students!
A Belmopan resident is asking for the public’s support with her annual back to school drive. About four years ago Rocio Quiroz says that she started a grassroots initiative to [...]

Get Your Free Mahogany Tree from Belize Audubon Society!
The Belize Audubon Society’s “Greening Across Belize” is underway with the organization giving away three hundred mahogany plants. It’s an initiative that usually coincides with Earth Day in April but [...]

What is the Heritage Education Network Belize?
Heritage Education Network Belize is a new non-profit organization being led by four archaeologists to help support heritage education and the sustainable development of tourism and creative businesses. The online [...]

How to Access Heritage Education Network Belize’s Resources
Co-Founder of the Heritage Education Network Belize Sylvia Batty says that they have launched a number of free resources and are looking to expand their offerings and form more partnerships [...]

Healthy Living: Nutrition Advice During Pandemic
Since the start of the pandemic, weight gain seems to be one of the more prominent universal side effects of lockdowns and quarantines. While it’s not time to be hard [...]

LOVE FM

BPM writes to the new commissioner of Elections and Boundaries
The Belize Peace Movement (BPM) has written to the recently installed Chairman of the Election and Boundaries Commission, Estevan Perera, requesting that he initiates the redistricting of electoral divisions immediately. A copy of the letter was forwarded to our newsroom reflecting the basis of their request for an immediate redistricting.

Unions come out to support CWU
Union members and supporters gathered in Belmopan this morning to show solidarity for the Christian Workers Union (CWU) in their plight with the Port of Belize Limited. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz was in front of the Labour Department where he spoke with the several union members and leaders including the President of the BNTU Belmopan Branch, Curlan Galvez.

WATCH: Dangriga residents voice their opinions on the opening of the PGIA
Over the week, we have heard from residents in the Cayo and Toledo Districts on their sentiments over the reopening of the airport. Today, with the help of our colleagues at Southern Belize Media, we bring you the voices of Dangriga Town.

PUP voice concerns over contract awarded to Brads Gaming Company
Brad’s Gaming Company was recently awarded a 10-year contract by the Government of Belize but the opposition is up in arms and they want to see the supporting documents. The People’s United Party issued yet another press release along with a copy of a letter sent to the Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Commerce, Tracy Panton.

Thirty-six more persons to the Unemployment list
Thirty-six men and women have joined the unemployment line in the name of Covid-19 and austerity measures. The challenges have been real for many of the men, women, and children who have been forced to adapt to a new way of life. Of the three dozen persons fired from the Port of Belize yesterday, was a security officer, Akira Noralez.

Senior police officer in hot water for aggression at Port
Within the last twenty-four hours, thirty-six employees at the Port of Belize Limited were terminated; Police officers responded aggressively to a peaceful protest at the port using tear gas and rubber bullets; the Police Commissioner has gone public to relieve himself of any responsibility in the aggression by the GSU and other police elements and the Supreme Court has heard arguments from the Government and the Port of Belize regarding an injunction application to stop the termination of the PBL employees.

Breaking Belize News

Belize registers 4 new cases of COVID-19
The Ministry of Health informed that it has detected 4 new cases of COVID-19. A […]

Evangelical Association speaks out against police brutality
Today the National Evangelical Association of Belize condemned the use of force employed by the […]

Unruly wins Mesopotamia And 1 basketball tournament!
After eight weeks of stiff competition, team Unruly has emerged triumphant in the Mesopotamia And […]

Hurricane Watch continues in effect for Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines as Tropical Storm Gonzalo approaches
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Gonzalo in the Atlantic. A […]

Leader of the Opposition writes Government requesting details of contract awarded to Brads Gaming Group
Leader of the Opposition, John Briceno informed that on July 14, he wrote to Minister […]

Boat engines valued at over $50,000 stolen in Punta Gorda
Authorities are investigating a report of a theft of 2 boat engines in Punta Gorda. […]

Placencia, Let’s Slow the Leadfoots down
By Charles Leslie Jr:As I walked out of my yard and on to the main road, carrying a bed head in my hand — I was helping a friend move a bed frame — I heard, then saw, a white minivan barreling down the road, travelling from north to south...at the same time another vehicle was coming from the south, travelling north. […]

Murder charge withdrawn against former suspect in San Ignacio double murder
According to Cayo Police, a charge of attempted murder against 20-year-old Amore Foster has been […]

“Incident at Port of Belize regrettable, police officers transferred,” says Police Commissioner
Several people were injured by police during a peaceful protest at the Port of Belize […]

Sweeping changes hit police department following Port of Belize incident
Yesterday several people were injured by police during a protest at the Port of Belize […]

Belize City Council donates $2,000 to YMCA for summer programs
Mayor of Belize City Bernard Wagner, Deputy Mayor Michael Norales and Councilor Delthrude Hylton handed […]

Ministry of Education informs that no action has been taken to terminate Anglican teachers
The Ministry of Education (MOE) issued a statement today informing that contrary to statements being […]

Hurricane Watch issued for Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines as tropical storm Gonzalo approaches
The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Gonzalo as it begins to affect […]

The ‘new normal’ in schools: what will it look like?
It is one thing to re-open schools in the midst of a pandemic. It’s quite […]

Blogs

A List of Belize Hotels Preparing to Reopen, starting August 15
In Belize, many hotels are gearing up for the reopening of the international airport, slated for August 15. With many closed since mid-March, resorts are now cautiously and gradually reopening to prepare for the arrival of international guests. Below, you’ll find a short list of those preparing in line with Belize’s Enhanced Hotel & Restaurant Guidelines. As they work to become Gold Standard Certified with full-service amenities, here are a few properties along with their opening dates.

International Sources

Tropical Storm Gonzalo May Become a Hurricane Before Reaching the Windward Islands This Weekend
Tropical Storm Gonzalo may become the first hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, and it's headed toward the Windward Islands this weekend, but its forecast is a significant challenge with large uncertainty. Gonzalo is located several hundred miles east of the southern Windward Islands, moving west. Gonzalo's tiny size and the environment around it continue to pose a major forecast challenge for its future intensity. However, there is an ample supply of warm, deep ocean water ahead of Gonzalo, generally warmer than average for this time of year.

DIVE Travel Awards 2020 | Last Chance to Nominate
With one week to go before the nominations close, 108 destinations, 304 liveaboards and a staggering 951 dive centres and resorts having been nominated as dive operators to be celebrated in our 2020 Travel Awards.

Caribbean Business And Finance Report
Here are some of the top business and finance news making headlines across the Caribbean this week.

Belize Shows How Healthy Mangroves Can Help Countries Mitigate, Adapt to Climate Change
Mangrove forests are some of the most important ecosystems on our planet. Mangroves protect coastlines from the full impacts of waves and storm surges, provide nursery and feeding grounds for myriad species, and help mitigate climate change by storing three to five times more carbon in their soil per acre than other tropical forests. In celebration of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on July 26, The Pew Charitable Trusts caught up with Leandra Cho-Ricketts, a Belizean marine ecologist and co-founder of the University of Belize Environmental Research Institute (UB ERI).

Belize creditor group signals support for interest payment capitalisation
A group of creditors holding Belize's Eurobonds said on Thursday they planned to support the country's proposal to capitalise interest payments coming due between now and February. Belize launched a proposal last Friday to its creditors, saying it could not afford the next three payments on its $526 million Eurobond due to mature in 2034 which would amount to 1.5% of GDP following the economic hit from the coronavirus pandemic.

Another possible cause of the death of the Mayan civilization is named
Hurricanes in the Caribbean became more frequent, and their severity changed markedly around the same time that classical Mayan culture in Central America was in its final decline. Scientists have made these and other conclusions after studying the climate archive, created under the guidance of geologists from the Goethe University. The research is presented in an article in Scientific Reports. Tropical cyclones in the Atlantic – hurricanes – pose a serious threat to the lives and property of local people in the Caribbean and neighboring regions in the southeastern United States. The increasing force of storms, described in the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC Report), increases the likelihood of environmental and social disasters.

Videos

July 23, 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 Garifuna Council denounces abuses on Honduras’ Garifuna people
The National Garifuna Council (NGC) in Belize is in solidarity with the Garifuna community in Honduras, after four of their members – Aparicio Mejia Garcia, Joel Martinez Alvarez, Alberth Snider Centeno Tomas, and Junior Rafael Juárez Mejía* – were allegedly kidnapped on Saturday, July 18th by a group of men dressed as police officers. The incident took place in the municipality of Triunfo de la Cruz in the Atlantida Department by the Caribbean Sea, where around 6AM, the four Garifuna community members were taken away from their respective homes.

Sargassum influx increasing on Ambergris Caye
A massive load of Sargassum seaweed is expected to continue making its way to Belize over the coming months. Despite arriving later than normal this year, the amount of the seaweed landing on the shores in the region has apparently already exceeded the 2019 figures. On Ambergris Caye, Sargassum continues to accumulate triggering beach resorts to establish containment barriers to keep their shorelines free of the algae.

Customs says street vendors’ Mexican products are properly screened
Representatives from Customs and Excise on Ambergris Caye have indicated that products brought over from Mexico and sold on the streets – particularly Angel Coral Drive – have undergone safety protocols at the northern border. This information was corroborated by a customs broker at the northern border, indicating that no cargo enters the country unless it is properly sanitized. According to customs, when the items are brought in, they are sprayed and kept overnight in an area within the border before they are allowed to enter Belize.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Thursday, July 23rd, Meal Pick ups: Location: Hibisca. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am - 12:30pm.

Tropical Depression Seven becomes Tropical Storm Gonzalo
The center of Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located near latitude 9.9N, longitude 43.1W, or about 1250 miles East of the southern Windward Islands. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph as it moves to the WNW at 12 mph. Currently this system does NOT pose a threat to Belize and our coastal waters.

Grand Final of Copa San Pedro
Come out and Support your favorite team Grand Final of Copa San Pedro, Saturday August 1st, 2020. Game starts at 7pm Live Broadcast by Acción Deportiva FaceBook Page

Public consultations for the environmental screening (EIA) process have been temporarily postponed
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Department of the Environment (DOE), in the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, hereby informs the public that, in consultation with the National Environmental Appraisal Committee, all public consultations for the environmental screening (EIA) process have been temporarily postponed until further notice. Therefore, any planned site visit and public consultation for EIA reports will be rescheduled for a later date. The DOE apologizes for any inconvenience caused.

Eight ventilators donated from Bowen and Bowen
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health received eight ventilators from Bowen and Bowen Limited and Companies (B&B) in a small handing over ceremony at their Belize City offices. The Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin and the Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero both received the donation on behalf of the Ministry of Health and the Government of Belize. The donation yesterday was one of the final items we have received from a larger donation list. We express gratitude to Bowen and Bowen Limited for their continued support to help us prepare our health staff and facilities to manage any COVID-19 situation we may encounter in the future.

El Pilar receives grant from National Science Foundation
Great news on the archaeology front. El Pilar has been awarded a long term grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant amount is almost $300,000us, and the project will go through June 2025. The project funds a large range of research in how the Maya lived and used the land. We are happy to announce the El Pilar Project has been awarded a multi-year grant from the National Science Foundation to investigate ancient Maya settlement patterns and human-environment interactions in the Maya Forest! Our team of researchers and citizen scientists from Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States will explore the question of why the ancient Maya lived where they did by examining settlement patterns and their relationship to the environment.

"Caribbean Tourism Fireworks" press conference
The Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association is hosting its "Caribbean Tourism Fireworks" press conference on July 24! BTB's Director of Marketing & Industry Relations, Mrs. Misty Michael, will be among the panelists to discuss reopening and new industry protocols. Tune in on CHTA's Facebook Live on Friday.

WEBINAR: "Digital Learning and other education forms"
The Government of Colombia has organized a series of webinars on Best Practices for "Digital Learning and other education forms" to respond to the Global Health Crisis caused by the COVID-19. The first which will be held tomorrow will focus on the strategy implemented by the Ministry of Education of Colombia in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies of Colombia : “Digital Learning and other education forms with content for everyone” .

YOU CAN HELP YOUR SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY
The Department of the Environment is launching its program that seeks to assist primary schools and community groups/persons that are excited to make a difference in their school or community...Apply today using the Request for Assistance Form found at: http://doe.gov.bz/help-your-community/

Chair of Integrity Commission Sworn-in for Second Term
This morning at the Belize House in Belmopan, Mrs. Deshawn Arzu Torres was sworn-in as the chair of the Integrity Commission for a second term by the Governor General H.E. Sir Colville Young. Mrs. Torres is an attorney-at-law and founding partner of Mckoy Torres LLP. She earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (Hons) from the Cayman Islands Law School, University of Liverpool in 2003, and completed the Bar Vocational Course at the Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom in 2004.

Health staff training countrywide on COVID-19 Pandemic Interim Guidelines
The Ministry of Health has been conducting on-going trainings with health staff countrywide on COVID-19 Pandemic Interim Guidelines. The Deputy Director of Health Services,(DDHS) Dr. Francis Morey along with a support team of specialist doctors is conducting the trainings. Specific topics include Moderate COVID-19 in adult patient, COVID-19 and Pediatrics and Sepsis in COVID-19 among others. The training today is being done at Western Regional Hospital. For more information contact: Dr. Francis Morey, DDHS, Ministry of Health.

Vector Control Unit on Caye Caulker
Last week, a preventative for dengue was done and the vector control unit was on the island and made a trip across to North Caye Caulker to fumigating and conducting inspection of yards. We appreciate the hard work of the Vector Control and the partnership with the Caye Caulker Village Council.

Street Works on Caye Caulker
Some street works were completed on the entrance of Bahia and street works continue with the heavy equipment this week in the entire community. We ask that you kindly co operate with our workers as they direct traffic.

Wheel chairs Donated on Caye Caulker
Last week Thursday, two Belize Red Cross representatives were here to distribute wheel chairs to several individuals in need. One will also be handed over to the Caye Caulker Health Center for use by the nurse. The Caye Caulker Village Council and receiving residents sincerely thank the Belize Red Cross for their kind donation. If anyone is in need of a wheelchair, and did not get please contact any Council Member immediately to aquire one on your behalf.

The Future of Electric Power in Belize
Covid-19 has forced us to double down on our pursuit of resilience and self-reliance in many sectors - including Energy! Tune in this Thursday at 8pm on Channel 7 and our Facebook page to learn what some of the energy experts and regulators have to say about The Future of Electric Power in Belize and in the region! Be sure to also leave your questions for our panelists!

Rotary Offers Scholarships in Corozal
Today Mayor Rigo Vellos joined the Rotary Club of Corozal as they handed out 51 scholarships to deserving students in our district. The Rotary Club of Corozal started this initiative in 1978 and have since then been assisting students here in Corozal. The Rotary Club of Corozal has positively impacted many lives and today was no exception. Mayor Rigo Vellos and the Corozal Town council continue to support all civic and community organizations, for in these times only by working together will we attain our just objectives. Join us in congratulating all students and expressing a warm thank you to the Rotary club of Corozal.

BWS Pre-Qualification of Bidders
Belize Water Services Limited (BWS) intends to pre-qualify eligible contractors to facilitate bidding for its required works and services. Projects or works may be in any district location. Contractors are requested to indicate which district or districts they prefer. Below are the categories for work:

“Path to Recovery” webinar by Expedia
In the era of Covid-19, it is imperative to learn how to capture opportunities and be visible to potential future travelers. Join the “Path to Recovery” webinar by Expedia, where you will learn strategies to capture demand, attract travelers and insights for travel rebound. Click here to register: https://go.expediagroup.com/Americas-RR-1641.html

The U.S. Embassy is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the following position: Security Investigator (Foreign Service National Investigator)
This position was previous advertised via vacancy Belmopan-2020-05. This position is being re-advertised with the experience for education substitution option. If you previously applied for vacancy Belmopan-2020-05 and are interested in this revised vacancy, you will be required to submit a new application for this vacancy, to be considered.

Virtual exhibition on the Ancient Maya Traders of Marco Gonzalez, Ambergris Caye

Creative Highlight Wednesday: George Chacon
Meet and greet a young entrepreneur in our community that is growing in the culinary world! George Chacon, best known as ‘Chef Donovan’ is a young entrepreneur who operates a food take-out and delivery business: D’ Wingz Spot & Grill in Benque. He also caters for events and special occasions and works at a resort in Cayo. George graduated from Mopan Technical High School where he took a 2-year course in food prep. He has learned to make Pastas, soups, salads, baking and grills. His passion in cooking started at a very young age; at the age of 12. He spent most of his time in the kitchen helping his grandmother in making Pizza and pastries which they used to sell in the evenings after school.

ATTORNEY GENERAL FILES INJUNCTION TO STOP FIRING OF PORT OF BELIZE EMPLOYEES
The Attorney General, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, is seeking to file a request to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 22-', 2020, for an injunction to restrain the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) from implementing terminations of employees, majority of whom are members of the Christian Workers Union (CWU), also scheduled for July 22', 2020. The PBL and CWU are in a labour dispute in relation to the implementation of a 10% salary reduction by the PBL. This has been sent to the Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal for its consideration beginning tomorrow.

Channel 7

Eruption At The Port Started with Minor Incident
Weeks of mounting industrial tension at the Port of Belize exploded into anger today when management went ahead and fired 36 employees for redundancy. That was at 11:00 am - and within 90 minutes, the Port would be convulsed in chaos, with the GSU unleashing tear gas and rubber bullets against peaceful protestors, Stevedores who were protesting the firings. For the Barrow administration - which has been publicly taking the side of these stevedores - it will be a day of infamy: the day the security forces turned on peaceful protestors with extreme force and prejudice.

Chaos At The Port, Police Turn On Peaceful Protestors
So, that was all resolved by 8:15 am, relatively peacefully, with one stevedore, Edward Saldano detained for obstruction after he got in front of one of the two trucks. But that caused no real fuss and things remained calm - leading up to 11:00 when the stevedores had to go inside the compound as usual to offload a ship that had just arrived that. But, shortly before that, there was a sudden blackout at the Port - and that's where the tension started to mount. Cherisse Halsall picks up the story:

Security Minister: GSU Should Not Have Released Tear Gas, Rubber Bullets on Protestors
The pain is all too real for the stevedores and the port workers, they were suffocated and brutalised on the frontlines today - but there is also political pain for the ruling UDP. The party put out a proud press release at midday boasting, quote, "the United Democratic Party strongly supports the waterfront workers at the Port of Belize and commends the Attorney General for interceding on their behalf to protect the rights that are duly afforded to them under the Belize Labour Act." end quote. It goes on to inveigh against the Ashcroft Alliance and all the usual political jazzbut when you look at what happened on the ground today, the strident public statements and the reprehensible police conduct are irreconcilable.

COMPOL Says CWU Has Rights To Feel Betrayed
And this evening at 5:00, the Commissioner of Police called an emergency press briefing to say much along the line of his minister. By then he had already had a debriefing with the GSU to try and find out the answer to that burning question: who gave the order? This evening he told the press that the incident has undermined his credibility, with the CWU which whose members, he says, were well within their rights to believe that he set them up. Chester Williams- Commissioner of Police: "The Port of Belize wanted the police to move the people off the compound. So, I said to the commander of Eastern Division, my position is that once these people are on the compound and they are peaceful, then let us allow them to express themselves peacefully..."

Min. Of Labour Goes to Court to Block PBL
So, while that was the drama and ruction on the ground at the Port, the dispute landed in the courtroom of Justice Sonya Young this afternoon. As we told you, that's because the Attorney General filed an urgent application for an injunction on behalf of the Labour Department. Before Crown Counsel Kileru Awich, who represented the Government, began presenting his arguments, Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, who represented the Port of Belize, pointed out that the issue that the injunction seeks to address has already occurred.

Government Says It Can’t Believe Port Went Ahead
And, in our interview this evening, the Attorney General also explained the government's rationale for its last minute application: Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney General/Minister of National Security: "We did not think that just summarily trying to dismiss people without the process taking place, was in the best interest of the stevedores, the company or the Port of Belize. So we felt that it was neccessary to at least bring the court's attention to it and hopefully we can get the court to stop the company from dismissing these people before we can exhaust the process that was agreed upon."

A Killing In Carmelita
There was a murder last night in the village of Carmelita, ORANGE WALK, and the victim was a newcomer to that community. He's 28-year-old Terrique Munnings, who moved to that location several months ago after he was shot in his crime ridden "La Milpa area" of Ladyville. The victim's family tells us that after that incident, he struggled to recover from the gunshot injuries he suffered to the arms and legs. He made the decision to move north to avoid crime and violence, but last night death found him even there.

COMPOL Says Killers Will Be Caught
And justice for Munnings may be forthcoming, as the commissioner says that police are on the lookout for two suspects who they hope to have in custody soon. "The Police responded last night to information of a body on the side of the road just after you pass the second speed bump in Carmelita Village. There they found the lifeless body of a Creole descent male person with multiple chop wounds. The body was taken to the hospital where it was pronounced dead on arrival. The police have two suspects that we are looking for and we are hoping that we could find them very soon."

Shooters on Motorbikes in Calcutta
And while Munnings was attacked by three men, another victim, this one from the village of Calcutta in the Corozal District was targeted by two men on motorcycle. This evening the Commissioner gave us a snapshot of what happened. "Yes, I received a briefing from OC Corozal about an hour and a half ago that the victim may have gone to a jewelry repair shop and while he was in his vehicle two persons came on a motorcycle and fired several shots in the vehicle. He was caught and eventually he was rushed to the hospital and he later succumbed to the injuries. So that is what I have so far."

Cayo Cops Still Looking For Killer In Double Murder
And in the days since the end of the national lockdown, there has been very little respite from gun violence. On Monday we told you about the brutal executions of Windell Trapp and Samuel Hill who were parked inside a taxi cab in front of San Ignacio's CK nightclub. The commissioner says that the gunmen have mostly been captured with one straggler still at large.

CHAIRMAN ON FRANK PAWPA...
As we told you last night, the UDP has a problem in Dangrige. Prominent UDP's. - including town councillors are making a move against representative, Frank Pawpa Mena - who has won two elections there. With months to go before a general election, they are calling for a convention to select a new standard bearer. They have written to the UDP leader elect Patrick Faber to say that Mena can't win the division again. Mena was also not a Faber supporter in the divisive leadership convention and there had been suggestions that he would step down if Faber emerged as leader. He has not.

The King and His Court
Mark King, the controversial, 1-term UDP Area Rep., is tonight a free man after he was initially charged with aggravated assault with a firearm. According to police reports, at around 12:10 a.m. on July 16th, 2020, they received reports of gunshots being fired on Signa York Street in Belize City's Belama Phase 1. They responded, and that's when they spoke to King's accuser, Emil Lisbey. He told the cops that he had invited King's girlfriend, 24-year-old Selena Urias and other friends over for some drinks. While they were all inside the house, King showed up.

The Fibs Over The Foils
On last Friday's news, we gave you a small peek at the 160 page final report on the 2017 Senate Hearings on Immigration. This was the 13-month-long inquiry that the Senate Special Select Committee conducted to investigate multiple instances of hustling at Immigration which the Auditor General found during her audit of the Department from 2011 to 2013. We've been reviewing the Senate's findings, which we'll be sharing with you over time. For tonight, we focus on the Senate's review of the incident which first led to the need for an audit of Immigration. Back in December 2012, 8 unused visa foils went missing from the Department's Belize Western Border Station.

Was COMPOL Bullying Senior Officer Gamboa?
On Monday a pair of voice notes began making the Whatsapp rounds. They were intended for internal police circulation in a group, but they made it out into the public. And they do not paint the commissioner of police in a flattering light. The messages seem to pit the commissioner against commander of the Special Patrol Unit, ASP Aaron Gamboa.

Port Economies, Both Sides Now
Back now to the Port of Belize where the bottom line is 36 employees were sent home today. In a release this evening, the Port of Belize says, quote, "The Port of Belize (PBL) was forced to make 36 positions redundant. This necessary, but regrettable, action by PBL comes months after a majority of Belizean companies were required by the pandemic to effect furloughs, layoffs, or drastic salary reductions.After witnessing a 94% reduction in cruise vessel related revenue and a 26% reduction in cargo related revenue over the period of April through June, PBL took responsible austerity actions". End quote. Today, the Attorney General said he doesn't buy the hard times argument:

Cane Crop Ends
BSI/ASR is announcing tonight that the 2019-2020 crop season closed yesterday. And, as everyone in the industry was expecting, the cane crop in the north under-performed due to the drought, and the ongoing, COVID-induced economic crisis. The Millers say that while this year's production figures well-bellow recent results, this year's harvest was a demonstration of the industry's resilience as it battled last year's drought, the ongoing pandemic, pests, and floods. The grinding season started in mid-January due to severe drought. The amount of cane grinded fell from last season's total of 1,317,626 metric tonnes to only 893,662 metric tonnes.

Channel 5

Port of Belize Fires 36 Workers, Mayhem Ensues
Mayhem broke out at the port and escalated mid afternoon in the shooting of a stevedore.  As early as six-thirty, buses blocked the entrance of the compound of the Port [...]

Who Gave Order to Fire Into the Peaceful Protest?
As the chaos subsided after the shooting; the Attorney General who is also the Minister of National Security, sought to disown the use of force on the protesters by the [...]

PBL Explains Terminations
As the situation played out on its compound, the Port of Belize issued a release stating that at eleven o’clock it was obliged to proceed to terminate thirty-six employees due [...]

PBL’s Attorney Speaks on Filing of the Injunction
From the violence on the PBL compound to the courts…On Tuesday night we told you that the Attorney General would file a request for injunction, on behalf of the Labour [...]

C.W.U. President Responds as an Interested Party
As you heard just now, that matter is being brought by the Attorney General’s Ministry. The Christian Workers Union is only an interested party in this matter – as it [...]

AG Explains His Office’s Role in PBL Labor Dispute
…that application for an injunction was held this afternoon before Justice Sonya Young, but was it too little, too late considering the fact that the employees have since been made [...]

Chester Williams Vex with GSU, Says He Would Have Never Sent Unit at Protestors
The violence at the Port turned out to be a thorn for the government. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams late this evening called an emergency press briefing to address the [...]

Who Ordered the G.S.U. to be Deployed?
While both sides are looking for answers, someone did give the order for the GSU to be deployed to the area and an infuriated Chester Williams is trying to get [...]

Ladyville Man Chopped and Killed in Carmelita Village
A twenty-six-year-old resident of Ladyville met a brutal death overnight in the village of Carmelita, Orange Walk where he had recently relocated.  Terrique Munnings was chopped to death at around [...]

Death Followed Terrique Munnings to Carmelita Village
Late this evening, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shared details of the investigation into Munning’s murder. According to Williams, investigators are looking for two suspects believed to have committed the [...]

Murder in Calcutta! Man is Shot Several Times
In Corozal, police are investigating a murder that occurred this afternoon. It happened in Calcutta Village and we understand forty-one-year-old Raymond Jenkins was shot multiple times while inside his vehicle. [...]

Family Upset with Police as Ronald Cole is Detained, Despite Being a Victim
Egbert Baldwin was shot and killed over the past weekend; police are yet to crack that murder. But a man, who happened to be at the wrong place at the [...]

2 Persons Being Sought for Ladyville Murder
Late this evening, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the media that investigators are looking for two persons in connection with the murder of Egbert Baldwin.   Chester Williams, Commissioner [...]

Charges Coming for Killer(s) in the West!
Police say they are close to making charges against those responsible for the double murder that claimed the lives of Windell Trapp and Samuel Hill and has left Danny Jimenez, [...]

1-Year-Old Drowns in Bella Vista Village
A one-year-old toddler of Bella Vista Village drowned on Tuesday. Police say baby Abdiel Ramos was discovered inside a well around four-thirty in the afternoon.  Police responded to the village [...]

Coast Guard Detains 3 Mexicans, 4 Belizeans at Sea!
There is information tonight that the Belize Coast Guard has detained seven persons and seized two vessels. They were on a counter-drug operation in the vicinity of Northern Two Caye [...]

Latest COVID-19 Case is Repatriated Female!
The number of COVID-19 cases stand at forty-three tonight; with eighteen of them as active cases. As you may know by now, a new case was confirmed late Tuesday evening. [...]

B.N.T.U. Prez Says GSU Action Was Uncalled For
Back to the violence at the port, National President of the Belize National Teachers Union, Senator Elena Smith commented on the tense situation at the Port of Belize. She says [...]

Is Papa Mena in or Out for the U.D.P.?
Is two-time Dangriga Area Representative Frank “Papa” Mena in or out of the race for his constituency come the November 2020 general elections?  The U.D.P. area rep was recently called [...]

Attorney Deshawn Arzu-Torres Takes Oath as Chair of Integrity Commission
The appointment of the chair of the Integrity Commission was hotly debated in the Senate last week, but it got the nod of the Upper House. This morning, at the [...]

Y.M.C.A. Goes Online!
The Young Men’s Christian Association is moving its classes online to meet the changing times to serve its population. The center can accommodate fifteen students but has the capacity to [...]

Kings Energy Donates Pickup Truck to Belize Police Department
Today, police received a new pickup truck to boost its fleet of vehicles. The 2020 JAC four door pickup truck was gifted to the Department by businessman Alistair King of [...]

The Tenth Annual Future Football Club Summer Camp
Primary and high schools students are getting ready to go back to the classrooms on August tenth. But to end off the summer break, some were on the field today [...]

The Reporter

Four Belizean students achieve "Titulos de Oro"
For the first time in history, and despite the hardships that COVID-19 has brought, four Belizean students who were on scholarships in medicine in Cuba have earned "Titulos de Oro" - the highest possible grade point average a student can earn in Cuba. The four students are: Lucio Eulogio Salomón Nuñez, Shaphan Arioch Robateau, Paolo Ronnier Ack, and Roger Eric Keme. These four and the others who have graduated are now staying behind to get their documentation and their seal of certification seal that will make them internationally recognized. Thereafter, the Government will facilitate them to come home.

LOVE FM

UDP & PUP blame each other for Port situation
While the Port of Belize workers are fighting to keep their jobs, the two major political parties are playing the blame game. The United Democratic Party issued a press release in support of the PBL workers and commending the Attorney General for stepping in on their behalf.

Injunction decision deferred until Friday
An application for an injunction was filed at the Supreme Court this morning to stall the redundancies at the Port of Belize. Arguments were heard from the Port of Belize and the Christian Workers Union. The two-hour-long court session which was before Justice Sonya Young ended with a deferred judgment until Friday. The attorney representing PBL, Godfrey Smith says that he was satisfied with the case he presented even though he was just made aware of it this morning.

ComPol condemns excessive force used by officers in protest
Police officers at the scene of the protest were called out for using excessive power during a peaceful protest. Rubber bullets and tear gas were used, injuring many of the protesters.

Thirty six persons terminated from Port of Belize,standoff takes place thereafter
There was chaos at the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) this morning following an advisory from the Government indicating that the Attorney General will file a request for an injunction to stall the redundancies at the PBL. The PBL management had backed out of the agreement to let a tribunal vet the financial documents on behalf of the Christian Workers Union and still went ahead and finalized the redundancies of the thirty-six staff members. Unlike the past fourteen days, there is now an all-day strike by the members as they have been terminated via text by the PBL.

BPM updates the leaders of the political parties on the redistricting case
The Belize Peace Movement (BPM) has written to the leader-elect of the UDP, Patrick Faber, and the party leader of the PUP, John Briceno, to apprise them of the current status of the redistricting case that is before the court. The case deals with the way electoral constituencies should be drawn, in an effort to make them nearly as equal.

Sugar crop season closes
Today, ASR BSI issued a press release on the conclusion of the sugarcane production season. The release highlighted prominent factors that hindered the production of the crop for this sugar season.

Breaking Belize News

UDP selects Carlos Zetina as Orange Walk North candidate
The United Democratic Party executive committee appears to have settled on a replacement for incumbent […]

Belize City man charged in multiple murder-shooting case
After extensive investigation, Police have made their first arrest in the murders of Windell Trapp […]

NGC condemns “grievous incidents against Garinagu in Honduras”
The National Garifuna Council (NGC) is drawing attention to recent incidents of violence and discrimination […]

Will Blue Creek, San Felipe children be ready for school?
The remote northwest corner of the country in the Orange Walk District is the current […]

Redistricting case resumes Friday; major parties warned by PEACE Movement
The leader and leader-elect of the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People’s United Party […]

Chair of Integrity Commission sworn-in for 2nd term
Today, at the Belize House in Belmopan, Deshawn Arzu Torres was sworn-in as the chair […]

PUP calls out UDP’s ‘petty political gimmicks’ in the Port situation
The People’s United Party (PUP) issued a statement a short while ago calling out the […]

Leader of the Opposition condemns use of violence by authorities
The Leader of the Opposition, John Briceno has issued a statement condemning the use of […]

BNTU backs Port of Belize Workers
The Belize National Teachers Union has come out to publicly support the workers at the […]

“We are not criminals,” says Mose Hyde
Christian Workers Union President Evan Mose Hyde says that law enforcement has decided to treat […]

DOE cancels forthcoming environmental impact assessment (EIA) consultations
Ahead of this evening’s planned meeting on the Port of Belize cruise port project, the […]

UDP supports waterfront workers, takes jabs at Ashcroft and PUP
The United Democratic Party (UDP), separate and apart from the Government it controls, today declared […]

Football community mourns the loss of football player, wishes injured player a speedy recovery
This week the Premier League of Belize Football Clubs (PLBFC), the umbrella organization for the […]

Digital remembrance of Belize Black Revolution being held this morning
To commemorate the 101 anniversary of the 1919 Belize Black Revolution, the United Black Association […]

Belizean students in Cuba receive ‘Titulos de Oro’
Four Belizean scholarship recipients in Cuba have completed their studies and were awarded ‘Titulos de […]

Director of Health Services; contact tracing completed for Santa Elena COVID-19 patient
Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero shared with the media that the contact tracing […]

Belize monitors 18 active cases of COVID-19
Belize is currently monitoring 18 active cases of COVID-19. The Ministry of Health processed a […]

Tropical Storm Gonzalo forms in the Atlantic
The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Gonzalo. As of this morning, the […]

Police disperse blockade at Port of Belize
Moments ago the Belize Police Department successfully restored operations at the Port of Belize Limited […]

Toddler Drowns in Well in Bella Vista, Toledo
Acting upon information received of a drowning incident in Bella Vista Village in the Toledo […]

Man chopped to death in Orange Walk
Yesterday around 10.30 pm, police visited Carmelita Village in the Orange District where the motionless […]

Blogs

Finding Joy in Baking and Books and More on Ambergris Caye, An Update
Almost 2 months ago, I wrote a blog post called Finding Joy in Quarantine in Honey Bunches of Oats – an update of the cooking, books, podcasts, TV shows and eating I was doing to keep busy (and sane…mostly to keep sane) in quarantine on Ambergris Caye. I was finding exceptional comfort in cereal…namely, in Honey Bunches of Oats.* Keeping sane is becoming easier (one day at a time they say)…the uncertainty now seems like a way of life. I’m getting better at accepting that.

International Sources

2,000 years of storms in the Caribbean
The hurricanes in the Caribbean became more frequent and their force varied noticeably around the same time that classical Mayan culture in Central America suffered its final demise: We can gain these and other insights by looking at the climate archive created under the leadership of geoscientists from Goethe University and now presented in an article in Nature journal's Scientific Reports on 16 July. Tropical cyclones in the Atlantic (hurricanes) are a substantial threat for the lives and property of the local population in the Caribbean and neighboring regions, such as the south-east of the U.S.. The storms' increasing force, described in Chapter 15 of the report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC Report), raises the probability of ecological and social catastrophes, as the occurrence of such cyclones over the past 20 years, which caused devastating damage, has shown.

Belize : Technical Assistance Report-Public Investment Management Assessment
The level of public investment in Belize has varied over the past years in the context of existing constraints. The sharp increase in public debt has limited available fiscal space.1 This has resulted in an increase in externally financed investments as a share of the capital budget and a growing interest in public private partnerships (PPPs) to help achieve the government of Belize’s national strategy objectives.2 However, the correlation between Belize’s public investment and GDP growth remains weak, and the public capital stock as a ratio to GDP shows a sharp deterioration, possibly pointing to investment inefficiencies.

Belize Details Its Reopening Strategy
Belize is taking a measured approach in terms of its reopening strategy to work toward ensuring that the health and safety of its visitors takes center stage. “Belize’s number one priority is making sure cleanliness and hygiene measures are in place,” said Karen Bevans, director of the Belize Tourism Board. In June, the destination announced that the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City will reopen on August 15, 2020, initiating the third stage of the country’s five-phase tourism reopening strategy.

United passengers must wear a mask in the airport, too, or risk being 'banned from flying' amid COVID-19
If you're flying United, you already know you have to keep your mask on during your flight. Now, the airline says you also need to keep it on throughout the airport, effective Friday. The company announced Wednesday ahead of its quarterly earnings call that customers are expected to don masks at United customer service counters and kiosks and United Club locations, plus at gates and baggage claim areas. "We're really trying to close all the travel gaps," United CEO Scott Kirby said in an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "If customers refuse to comply, they may be refused travel and banned from flying United at least while the mask requirement is in place," according to a company statement.

Videos

July 22, 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

Police hotlines activated to deter illegal border jumpers and contraband
The increase in cases of COVID-19 in Belize due to border jumpers and contraband smugglers prompted the private sector to join forces with the police department by installing five telephone lines, where these illegal activities can be reported. A social media messenger programme was also created in an attempt to tackle the situation. Since the launch of this project, no cases of illegal border crossing have been reported by the police.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Wednesday, July 22nd, Meal Pick ups: Location: Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill. Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am - 12:30pm.

Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal to Convene on Wednesday, July 22, 2020
On July 7th, 2020, the Christian Workers Union (CWU) wrote to the Ministry of Labour, pursuant to Section 15 of the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act, Chapter 298 of the Laws of Belize revised edition 2011, invoking 21 days’ notice by its members who work in the Security Department at the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) to take industrial action against the PBL. The letter intimated that this is due to unsuccessful efforts by the CWU to get the PBL to rescind a 10% salary reduction as well as address alleged breaches of the 2002 Collective Agreement between the Union and PBL.

The Belize Zoo “By Appointment Only” tour
The “By Appointment Only” tour offers animal experiences that cannot be obtained anywhere else in the world, led by Belize Zoo Founding Director Sharon Matola! The cost is 75bzd per person with up to 4 participants per tour. Participants will experience: Meet and greet with a tapir, Feed scarlet macaws, Meet rescued jaguar Lindo for a close encounter, Meet rescued jaguar Sylvia and feed her, Meet a rescued puma, Fly Titch the trained hawk, Meet the dynamic jaguarundis, Meet Panama the harpy eagle. Email frontdesk@belizezoo.org to book your experience! @ The Belize Zoo

Elijio Panti National Park Weekend getaway Hosted by Cayo Birders Club
The Cayo Birders Club is having an overnight event in Elijio Panti National Park this weekend. Let them know if you're interested. Weekend getaway will take us camping at Elijio Panti National park where we will be camping. This will allow some night walk and a early morning start to do some birding..Those interested please let us know 2 day before. Brimg along water and snack... a fee of $20. Bring along your cup and plates spoon and proper outdoor clothing .Those that have motorbikes or live in the village can pay their park fee only..

Service for the late Rubia Rosado on Caye Caulker
A small service for the late Rubia Rosado will be held on the beach in front of Costa Maya Beach Cabanas on Thursday July 23rd at 10:00 am. Her ashes will then be taken out to sea. Family and Friends are called to this announcement. Please wear bright colors. On behalf of her children: Yolanda, Janina, Clemy, Selena and Tico, they thank you all for your kind words and prayers during this difficult time.

One More Case of COVID-19 Detected Among Repatriates, Brings Total to 43 with 18 Active Cases So Far,
A further 67 samples were processed today for SARS-CoV2. Health officials have identified another case, this is in a female who came in through the repatriation process through the Northern Border station and is under quarantine in the Orange Walk district. The female is asymptomatic and is not requiring treatment at the moment. There is another recovered case, this is in a female who will now be leaving the quarantine facility.

Attorney General to File Request for Injunction to Stall Implementation of Redundancy at Port of Belize Limited
The Attorney General, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, is seeking to file a request to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020, for an injunction to restrain the Port of Belize Limited (PBL) from implementing terminations of employees, majority of whom are members of the Christian Workers Union (CWU), also scheduled for July 22nd, 2020. The PBL and CWU are in a labour dispute in relation to the implementation of a 10% salary reduction by the PBL. This has been sent to the Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal for its consideration beginning tomorrow.

Change in Pump Price of Diesel Effective July 22, 2020
The Ministry of Finance announces that effective Wednesday, July 22, 2020, the pump price of diesel will increase by 60 cents from $7.61 to $8.21 per gallon. The prices for premium gasoline, regular gasoline and kerosene will remain unchanged at $9.21, $8.71 and $5.43 per gallon, respectively.

Civic Fellowship Program
Looking for an enthusiastic and creative intern for a project. Small compensation offered. Website design and updating Research Video editing Content creation Scheduling Other duties as may be required. Please send email to civicfellowsbz@gmail.com Send your WhatsApp # for an interview www.civicfellowsbz.com Also please check out our initiative and start applying to be a fellow.

Health and Safety Protocols for Tour Operators under the Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program
As Belize prepares to welcome back international visitors, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in collaboration with its industry partners, has prepared new health and safety protocols for Tour Operators under the Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program. These protocols aim to prepare Tour Operators to safely resume operations, as well as to protect both employees and guests. The guidelines represent best practices for the industry upon reopening, and it is anticipated that measures will evolve based on the progression of the virus and recommendations of public health authorities, in compliance with the Laws of Belize.

FROM THE PEOPLE OF #JAPAN - COROZAL TOWN COUNCIL HOLDS RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR ASSETS WORTH $398,040.00
This morning, the Corozal Town Council held a packed ribbon cutting ceremony for assets worth $398,040.00 that was made possible via a GRANT from the Government of Japan. In January of this year, through the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Project, the Government of Japan through its Ambassador Hiroyuki Kubota signed a grant contract with Mayor Rigo Vellos of Corozal Town for the procurement of a Garbage Dump Truck and a Garbage Compactor Truck.

New Arrival Protocols
Wondering what the new international arrival protocols and procedures for your visit will be? We have a created a page that combines all the information you need and we will post updates / amendments as they are made official.

San Ignacio Road Safety Visibility Project
The SISE Town Council has partnered with the "Belize Automobile Touring Association" in a Road Safety Visibility Project. The project is specifically geard at repainting and enhancing the different Crosswalks, Pedestrian Ramps and Roundabouts closer to schools in preparation for the new school year! We continue to collaborate with different stakeholders in enhancing safety for our community members and at the same time add to the aesthetics of the Twin Towns! Through this medium, we give a heartfelt thank you to the Belize Automobile Touring Association for their kind contribution and collaboration!

The DYS is having their 5 a side football tournament this and next Sunday in Santa Elena
Please Take Note that the Tournament dates have been moved to Sunday, July 26 and August 02, 2020 at 9:00 am. "Due to youth participants whom are undergoing CXC and for those whom are resuming to work this week."

Virtual exhibition on the Ancient Maya Fishermen of Ambergris Caye

Deep Dive Talks
This Thursday, Deep Dive Talks is going regional! We're excited to have St. Lucian entrepreneur, Johanan Dujon, as our next guest. Join us as our host, Analee Chuc, chats with Mr. Dujon about his company, Algas Organics, and how their work is helping to combat the very real sargassum issue affecting the region. Hop on Instagram Live this Thursday, July 23rd at 12:30PM CST to learn more about Johanan Dujon's journey to starting Algas Organics, his well-deserved accolades along the way and a little about who he is when the 'CEO hat' comes off.

Channel 7

Port Readies To Send Home Workers, AG’s Office Seeks Injunction
The Port of Belize is getting ready to send home 36 staff members tomorrow and 29 of them are members of the Christian Workers Union. That union has been leading lunchtime protests with security workers for the past 14 days, leading up to their 21 days notice to strike. Today at noon we spoke to Christian Workers Union president Mose Hyde who says that PBL is acting against labour laws. "This is now day-14 of the staff of the Port of Belize Ltd., using their lunch hour to register their disapproval and their displeasure with what the union describes as unilateral and the illegal taking away a 10% from their earnings..."

CWU Questions Role Of Receivership in Waterloo Mega Investment Plan For Port
And while that labour dispute is being arbitrated, on a parallel track, the 200 million dollar Waterloo investment plan for the Port of Belize is going to a Department of Environment public consolation tomorrow. Now, weeks ago, the Prime Minister confirmed that this same investment plan had been rejected by Cabinet - but the Department of the Environment says the Public Consultation the Cargo Expansion and Construction of Cruise Terminal & Cruise Tourism Village Project, Port of Belize will proceed tomorrow. Today, the union president asked what's up with that and questioned the port's status as being in receivership:

Can Belize Learn A Lesson From the Bahamas
In other news... Last night, we told you about the spike in the number of coronavirus cases taking place in the Bahamas. They are one of the nations which re-opened its borders to tourism and visitor traffic. They started accepting tourist visits as of July 1st, and now, in only 3 weeks, they saw a spike of 49 new cases being detected. The Bahamas Ministry of Health statistics indicates that at this time, they have detected a total of 174 positive cases. As a result, Bahamasair, the country's international air carrier, announced on Monday that it was suspending regularly scheduled flights to the US, to conform with the Government's decision to close its borders to American tourists.

DHS Says No Active Cases In San Felipe/Blue Creek
We also asked the Director of Health Services and the Minister of Health about the status of the State of Emergency which was implemented in the northern communities of Blue Creek and San Felipe. The residents are clamoring for the lockdown to be lifted because they say that they are running out of available food and water resources. When we asked the DHS about the COVID status of these two communities, he told us that there are no active cases occurring there. Here's that conversation from this evening:

What Happens to Schools Under SOE?
But what does the quarantine mean for the schools in the villages? Will they be made to meet August 10th re-openings or will the lockdown keep them closed? That's what we asked Chief Education Officer, Carol Babb, this morning. Dr. Carol Babb, Chief Education Officer" "I've spoken to the general manager of Catholic School Mrs. Thompson and she said that the school is physically ready, meaning that they are ready with sanitization supplies..."

Palace Coup for Pawpa Mena?
UDP Dangriga representative Frank Pawpa Mena is under pressure tonight - and it is coming from UDP's within his own constituency. Mena was reported to be considering not running again after his candidate for leader John Saldivar was defeated. But, 10 days later, he hasn't gone anywhere, and, now, a letter sent by ranking UDP's in the division to leader-elect Patrick Faber three days ago says, basically, that they've lost confidence in Mena and want him gone. It's a remarkable political hit against a sitting two term representative, and former divisional Chairman John Castillo, deputy Mayor Aaron Gongora, Town Councillors Earth Lopez and Alex Joseph along with two others write that Mena cannot win the seat.

Hon. Pablo, a Faber Ally, Stays Put
And so, while there is a call for UDP's Frank Mena to resign, the press asked his colleague, Pablo Marin, if he will be contesting the next general election in Corozal Bay. The 3-term COROZAL Bay representative gave an emphatic yes to that question. He also added that his constituents will no doubt recognize all he has done in his capacity as their area rep, and as Minister of Health. Here are those comments:

Nat. Sec. Minister Answers Major's Mother
Last night on the news you heard from Jean Baizar, the mother of Major Radford Baizar who did in the BDF helicopter crash in February. She spoke up to reject a statement made last Wednesday by Minister of National Security Michael Peyrefitte. Last week, Peyrefitte said that government had given the families of the four soldiers who died in the crash an ex gratia payment of one hundred thousand dollars each. Baizar's Mom called us to say that they had gotten nothing and the minister should be ashamed to speak such a mistruth.

Baizar’s Mother Answers Minister
Jean Baizar did discuss the issue of any discrepancy in the grant of administration when we spoke with her yesterday. She insists the Baizar family is all on the same page: Jean Baizar, Maj. Radford Baizar's mother: "And he was saying something that the families weren't having their things together, that's why they didn't get the money, because they weren't sure who was supposed to get what. Well I want to put it our there, the Baizar family we are on the same page, wife, everybody - we work together."

The Dollar Van Saga Continues
One place you'll have to guard against contracting COVID-19 is on public transportation which means water taxis, buses, and dollar vans. As we've reported the fares on those dollar vans have gone up 100% - and operators say it's because the price of everything else has gone up. And while that's their story, it's burning a hole in the pockets of anyone who depends on them to get around. But if you rode one this morning you might have gotten the welcome information that you're not required to pay anymore than one dollar. Our team was on the street this morning:

Two More COVID Cases, Both Repatriates
Belize has two more COVID cases to report tonight, bringing the total number to 42. The news came out last night when reporting on the results of 66 samples that were processed yesterday, most of them from the flight that arrived on Friday, July 17th. The two new cases of COVID-19 are both males; of of them came in through the Western Border from Guatemala and has been quarantined since he arrived in the country and the second case is from the returning flight on Friday. Both cases are asymptomatic and remain under quarantine.

Was MOH Truck In Melchor?
Today, we also asked the Director of Health Services about that video which went viral on Facebook several weeks ago, from a person who claimed to have busted a Ministry of Health vehicle in Melchor. If true, it would have been a gross violation of health standards by the officials who are supposed to be upholding them. But, the Director said that their best information suggests that it was a false report. Here's what he had to say about that when we brought it up today:

And On August 15th...
The Director of Health Services also told us that at this time, all quarantine protocols established for persons traveling to Belize will remain in place, once the country reopens the PGIA on August 15th. There will be no exceptions: both Belizeans and visitors alike will be expected to subject themselves to testing, and mandatory quarantine.

Manzanero: No community Spread In Cayo
We also asked Dr. Manzanero, about patient #39, a resident of Santa Elena Cayo, who deals in scrap metal, while his wife works at the market. He was detected last week with the coronavirus after after he showed up 2 weekends ago at the San Ignacio Community Hospital. He was suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms and a loss of sense of taste.

Ventilators From Mega Beverage Company
This afternoon, beverage giant Bowen and Bowen, completed its donation of a half-a-million dollars to the Ministry of Health. This evening, they invited the Health Minister, the Director of Health Services, and the press to their Belize City corporate office to officially hand over 8 ventilators to the Health Ministry. We spoke with both the donors and the recipients today about the donation:

Ashcroft Fund With Social Distance Assistance
And while the Ministry of Health received its ventilators. 105 schools nationwide are receiving much needed social distancing furnishings from Lord Micheal Ashcroft through his Belize Bank Limited. Ashcroft's COVID relief fund has designated $200,000 to update the 'three-student benches' that are standard furniture in many schools. It's a situation that makes physical distancing an issue and could only be resolved by the provision of individual student armchairs.

Will Schools Be Ready?
After the ceremony, we asked Babb what the new norms will be for schools and whether or not they'll be ready for August 10th?

MOH Appeals To Corporate Citizens
And while "catch and kiss" is certainly canceled, everything else about school needs run as relatively normal as possible. But that will take funds and additional supplies. Babb says that while several corporate citizens have been very generous there is still more ground to cover. Here's her appeal for additional resources to ensure the safety of all school-age children heading back to the classroom in the midst of the pandemic.

Channel 5

Legislation to Enforce Mandatory Quarantine Being Formulated
The tourism industry is gearing up for the arrival of international visitors to designated properties.  In less than a month, the Philip Goldson International Airport will reopen with flights from [...]

Cayo COVID Case Not Community Spread
Residents in the Cayo District can breathe a sigh of relief tonight. The COVID-19 case involving a male in his early fifties does not seem to be a community spread. [...]

Minister of Health: “That is the fear that we have.”
Two more COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Monday. This brings the total of active cases to eighteen. The tests resulted positive after sixty six more samples were processed, mostly from [...]

Shooting Survivors Need the Public’s Help!
Police continue to investigate a wild shooting that happened on Joseph Andrews Drive in San Ignacio on Sunday morning. The shooter was targeting football player, Windell Trapp, but he also [...]

Families of Deceased B.D.F. Airmen Say No Compensation has been Received
Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, following a senate meeting last Wednesday, told the media that the families of deceased B.D.F. airmen, Majors Adran Ramirez and Radford Baizar and Corporals Reynaldo Choco [...]

No Advance Either, Despite Trying COVID Times
COVID-19 has put a severe financial strain on families, and according to Matura, a suggestion was initially made for the Choco and Mendez families to receive an advance until they [...]

Widow of B.D.F. Airman May Be Asked to Relocate from Price Barracks
The widow of one of those deceased airmen continues to reside at Price Barracks, despite the likelihood that she will be asked to vacate the home since, as a civilian, [...]

U.D.P. Constituents in Dangriga Call for a Convention of the Constituency
In political news, Foreign Minister Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington and former minister Gaspar Vega both announced they will not seek re-election in the Pickstock and Orange Walk North constituencies. Their decision [...]

4000 Armchairs to be Purchased in Time for New School Year
Schools are scheduled to reopen on August tenth and across the country, preparations are underway to keep students safe when they return to classrooms as COVID-19 cases inch upward.  The [...]

No School to be Left Behind During Reopening
The Ministry of Education continues to receive financial assistance, as well as other donations from agencies across the country as it prepares for the reopening of schools on August tenth.  [...]

Is San Felipe School Prepared for August 10th Reopening?
The northern communities San Felipe and Blue Creek remain under lockdown during a thirty-day state of emergency prompted by a rash of COVID-19.  Amid the S.O.E. are concerns about the [...]

Relief for San Felipe?
There are also reports that San Felipe Village and Blue Creek will see some relief. The two villages have been on lockdown since July tenth, after a cluster of COVID-19 [...]

Minister Marin Explains N.H.I. Budget Cut
Last week, we reported that government had decided to cut the National Health Insurance’s Annual Budget as part of cost saving measures.  In order to sustain the programme and the [...]

Hospitals Implementing Cost Saving Measures
The N.H.I. is not the only health institution that is carrying out cost-saving measures. Hospitals across the country have been asked to tighten up its budget by removing unnecessary costs. [...]

AG Files Injunction Request Against PBL
For days we have been reporting on the escalating situation at the Port of Belize and stevedores who have been protesting for days.  Tonight, Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte has become [...]

Case Management for Suit Against G.O.B. in Butane War
A case management session was held this morning involving attorneys for the Government of Belize and the former LPG importers who have since filed a constitutional claim challenging the legality [...]

Price for Diesel Goes Up
It is rough for consumers across the country due to COVID-19 pandemic and this Wednesday, it is going to be tougher.  That’s because the price of diesel will take a [...]

H.R.C.U. Issues Almost Half-a-Mil in Education Grants
The Holy Redeemer Credit Union gave almost half a million dollars in educational grants in time for the new school year. It is the biggest amount in financial aid that [...]

Dr. Manzanero Says M.O.H. Pick-up Did Not Cross Border
Last week, a video made its rounds on social media, showing a Ministry of Health pickup truck and alleging that health officers had crossed the western border into Melchor in [...]

Bowen & Bowen Ltd. Donates 8 Ventilators to M.O.H.
So far in the news we have reported on the donation for school furniture and grants for students. Eight ventilators were also today handed over to the Ministry of Health [...]

Dr. Manzanero Explains Health Protocols at P.G.I.A.
One of the topics discussed by Doctor Marvin Manzanero during today’s interview was the preparedness of the Philip Goldson International Airport to reopen to visitors and returning Belizeans.  Doctor Manzanero [...]

Acquiring a Gold Standard Certification Ahead of the Reopening of the P.G.I.A.
The clock is ticking for the reopening of the Philip Goldson Airport to international visitors on August fifteenth.  Today, the Ministry of Health reviewed the protocols in place. Hotels and [...]

Amandala

San Ignacio shooting – 5 shot, 2 dead, 3 injured
The peaceful town of San Ignacio was rocked by gunfire at about 1:30 this morning. Four men and a policeman were shot by a gunman as they were socializing in the parking lot of CK Nightclub. The four men, identified as Samuel Hill, 22, a taxi driver of Esperanza; Windell Trapp, 29, an unemployed resident of Santiago Juan Layout, San Ignacio; Marquees Robateau, 19, a sailor of the Belize Coast Guard; and Telesha Mckay, 29, a consultant of Esperanza Village, along with Danny Jimenez, a police officer of San Ignacio, are the victims. Police say that McKay and Robateau were sitting in the back seat of a Toyota Camry car, while Trapp and Hill were sitting in the front.

Accused gunman freed by court, then shot to death
Police have begun an investigation into the murder of Egbert Baldwin, 23, a Ladyville resident, and the wounding of Ronald Cole, 44, on Jackson Avenue in Ladyville on Saturday night, July 18, at about 9:30. Cole, also a Ladyville resident, had been walking on the road at the same time that Baldwin was shot, and was hit in the leg by a stray bullet. When police went to the scene of the shooting, they found Baldwin with gunshot wounds in the head and chest. Both men were taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where Baldwin was declared dead on arrival and Cole was admitted in a stable condition.

PUC orders BEL to sign power purchase agreement with Santander
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) seem to be at odds. The electricity company and the PUC have been in negotiation with Santander Sugar Industry to finalize a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). BEL asserted that the PUC has sidelined them in the negotiations and is trying to push through an agreement that does not ensure the best interests of their stakeholders, which is a key objective of theirs. At a press conference held on July 15, the PUC announced that it would make an order under Section 23 of the Electricity Act to oblige BEL to comply with condition 17 of its license.

Independence police officer remanded for sexual assault of girl, 17
Constable Denfield Nelson Ramos, of the Independence formation of the Police Department, has been remanded until October 8 after being charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of rape for sexually assaulting a girl, 17. PC Ramos was arraigned yesterday, Thursday, at the Independence Magistrate’s Court by Magistrate Emerson Banner. No pleas were taken from him due to the nature of the case, and no bail was offered. He was then remanded.

Corporal Eldon Arzu given judicial review by court
On June 17, an election was held to select the police officer who would be the president of the Belize Police Association for 2020-2022. Corporal Eldon Arzu, the incumbent president who had been the serving president of the Police Association for the past 7 terms —14 years — again joined the race, seeking another term that would be his 8th term in the office. Over 1,650 police officers cast their vote. After the voting was concluded, the votes were tallied, and the results showed that Arzu had been soundly rejected. He only garnered 385 votes, while Sergeant Jane Usher garnered 729 votes.

Punta Gorda cop commits suicide
Police Constable No. 249, Brenton Garcia of the Punta Gorda police, originally from Dangriga, who has received several awards for his outstanding performance as a police officer, and for going beyond the call of duty, was found dead on his bed, with a gunshot wound in his head, yesterday evening. His common-law wife made the horrible discovery. Police were called to the residence in Magoon Area, and the body was taken to the Punta Gorda morgue. Reliable information to us is that when PC Garcia returned home after his shift, he told his common-law wife that he felt stressed, and he behaved as if he was intoxicated.

Four masked, armed men invade Maya Mopan house
A house in Maya Mopan was invaded at about 8:00 last night by four men who wore masks on their faces. Two of the men were armed with machetes, and the other two carried guns. In the house at the time was Gloria Tush, 26, a domestic of Maya Mopan, from whom the men demanded money. One of the gunmen held Tush at gunpoint, while the other three thieves ransacked the house, looking for money.

Editorial: PM Barrow got his five years; we got taken to the cleaners
On September 28, 2015, Prime Minister Dean Barrow called on the Governor General, Sir Colville Young, and advised him to dissolve the House of Representatives and set November 4, 2015, as the date for a general election. The UDP, having won the previous general election in March 2012, had a mandate to remain in office until March 2017. The UDP won the 2015 general election, 19 seats to 12, thus they parlayed 16 months into 5 long years. In November 2014 supporters of the UDP government came out in numbers to a rally in Belmopan, where they heard about all the wonderful things the government was doing to develop the country with extremely soft loans derived from the special loan program, the Petro Caribe fund, set up by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

BCCI supports Senator Lizarraga
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry leapt to the defense of the Business Senator, Mark Lizarraga, after Wednesday’s proceedings in the National Assembly. During the debate on the appointment of attorney Estevan Perera as the new chair of the Elections and Boundaries Department (EBD), Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte asserted that Senator Lizarraga’s lack of support for Perera stems from his (Lizarraga’s) political affiliations, which make him inclined to disagree with any motion made by the government:

Senators wary about the Integrity Commission Chair
At last week’s sitting of the Senate, it was decided that attorney Deshawn Arzu-Torres would in fact be reinstated as the chairwoman of the Integrity Commission. The chairwoman is now serving her second term after succeeding Marilyn Williams, who left the Commission in 2018. The Commission consists of seven members and the chairperson, and is tasked with investigating the declared assets and liabilities of elected officials in order to ensure that they are transparent and accountable in regards to their finances.

Locust scare puts BAHA on the watch
Since mid-July, farmers in Belize have been on the alert for a possible invasion of locusts after swarms of the insect were reported to have been feeding on crops in parts of Guatemala, including the Peten District, which is not far from Belize. The Director of Plant Health at the Belize Agriculture and Health Authority (BAHA), Francisco Gutierrez, told us that to date, Monday, July 20, 2020, it has been just a scare, but they are still monitoring the fields.

Tragedy for footballers – Verdes’ Windell Trapp shot dead, Police United’s Danny Jimenez seriously injured
Just getting back into the groove of football games following the recent lifting of the State of Emergency, the football community was rocked on Sunday morning with the tragic news of a drive-by shooting in San Ignacio that resulted in one footballer dead and another seriously injured. Five individuals were reportedly shot as they exited a club in San Ignacio early Sunday morning. Among them were two footballers who had just participated in a game on Saturday night in Benque Viejo; Windell Trapp of Verdes FC lost his life, and national team player Daniel “Danny” Jimenez of Police United FC was seriously injured and is reportedly fighting for his life. Another individual, Samuel Hill, was also reportedly killed in the incident.

Weekend Warriors Sunday Race results – July 19, 2020
Here are the results from yesterday’s Weekend Warriors (WW) Sunday Race. “A” & “B” rode together from Old Belize to Data Pro via Boom Road and back, for 50 miles; and the “C” rode from Old Belize to Boom Village Junction and back, for 40 miles. The race started at 8:15 a.m. Some 18 riders started the “A/B” race, and 15 finished; while 11 of 12 starters completed the “C” race.

Pere and Compol said wi fu tayr dem out
There is a true saying – not all sayings are true, but this one is – yes, there is a truth that there is some good even in the worst of us, and so I wasn’t surprised when good came from the Attorney General. He has absolutely bullied the genteel members of the Senate (Dear Mr. Pere, none of the social partners have ever offered themselves as candidates in any election, so please do not try and sucker them into the gutter with any rabblerousing.) Hn, one wouldn’t want to imagine what our little Belize would have been like if Pere’s parents had spared the rod while he was growing up. I don’t want to recall all the bad things he said when he was running in Freetown.

Get ready: it’s going to be a bumpy ride
Dear Editor, According to the website https://countrymeters.info/en/Belize/economy, Belize’s debt in US dollars is 3.365 billion and Belize’s GDP in US dollars is $ 1.997 billion, which means that the country has a debt to GDP ratio of 168.5 %. This is phenomenal. I warn that the global financial crisis has not climaxed and things will get worse before they get better. In 2006 in the US, people started to default on their mortgage loans, but it did not climax until 2008.

NEEDED: A BULL’S-EYE RESET
Samuel Haynes got a ballocking from Clinton Luna over a poem Haynes wrote 90 years ago, titled “Land of the Gods.” Luna mistakenly thought that the “gods” Haynes had in mind were the Baymen, and in that way the poem relegated other ethnicities in Belize to subservient roles, in particular those of Ibérico-Mayan lineage. He took the cudgel to the poet. (See “Our National Anthem Is Discriminatory,” in the Amandala 7/15/2020.]

The future belongs to those who prepare for it today
Dear Editor, The internet, artificial intelligence and sovereignty will be key issues of the 21st century. The entire global economy is in disarray. The fight for technological dominance between the US and China is indicative of the importance of the internet to the future of the world. Business, education and everyday life will increasingly involve the use of the internet and therefore, the internet will become vital to the modern world.

Honduran Garifuna leader Snider Centeno kidnapped
The Garifuna community of Triunfo de la Cruz has issued an alert over the kidnapping of the President of the elected council, Snider Centeno, and two others, by armed men who entered their home early morning Saturday. According to the Organización Fraternal Negra de Honduras or Black Fraternal Organization of Honduras, Ofraneh, Sneider Centeno was kidnapped along with Milton Martinez and Suany Alvarez, the three of whom are defenders belonging to the community’s Land Committee. Their whereabouts are unknown.

The Reporter

Death of a child in Bella Vista
Police in Independence are investigating the circumstance surrounding the death of a child in Bella Vista Village. Just after 4:30 this evening the motionless body of the one-year-old was found floating inside a well. Preliminary information is that the child's mother reported that the baby was playing along with several other children in the yard when he went missing. The mother reported that when she went looking for her son, she found him inside the well, already dead.

LOVE FM

SUGAR CROP ENDS
Sirens sounded tonight at around 10:20 in Orange Walk Town signaling the last delivery of sugar cane and the end of this crop season. The season was met with multiple challenges including poor quality cane due to excessive mud, decreased production and decreased revenues for farmers.

Ministry of Education to help all schools prepare to open
The Ministry of Education has promised that no school will be left behind when classes reopen on August 10. Chief Education Officer, Dr Carol Babb, has stated that she will do all she can to ensure that schools are properly equipped to keep students safe during this time.

San Felipe resident face issues while under SOE
Residents in San Felipe Village, Orange Walk District are feeling the pinch under the current State of Emergency. No one can enter or exit the village as law enforcement has been guarding the entrances after a family of seven was diagnosed with Covid-19 and officials had cited the illegal crossings being a critical issue in the area.

LPG companies worse for wear
Diesel price will see an increase as at midnight tonight. The pump price of diesel will increase by 60 cents taking it from $7.61 to $8.21 per gallon.

Belmopan residents weigh in on sending their children to school
Parents across the country are debating whether to send their kids to school in August. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz spoke to the residents of Belmopan to get their opinions.

Families of deceased BDF soldiers still have not been paid
Almost five months after the helicopter crash that killed four Belize Defence Force soldiers in the Gales Point area, their families have yet to receive the ex-gratia payment they were promised by the government. The Minister of National Security, Michael Peyrefitte stated on July 16 that the money has been paid out; but, family members have reached out to say that this is a blatant lie.

SEA prepared to go to court over false claims
Attorney Audrey Matura is engaged in another battle after the former executive director of Ya'axché Conservation Trust allegedly made false comments about Matura’s client, Southern Environmental Association (SEA). In a Facebook post, Alamilla claimed that SEA’s Board of Directors is considering using Little Water Caye as collateral for a bank overdraft since covid-19 has caused a financial strain on the NGO.

AG to file injunction to stop employees from being terminated from PBL
The Attorney General is seeking to file a request to the Supreme Court for an injunction to restrain the Port of Belize from implementing termination of employees. The AG is planning to file this on behalf of the Ministry of Labor tomorrow, July 22, which is the same date that the workers were set to be terminated.

Breaking Belize News

Belize registers 1 new case of COVID-19
Today, the Ministry of Health confirmed a new case of COVID-19. The patient is a […]

Attorney General to file request for injunction to stall implementation of redundancy at Port of Belize Limited
The Government informed today that the Attorney General, on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, […]

Corozal Town Council receives equipment valued at over $300,000 from Japan
Today, the Corozal Town Council held a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the receival of […]

Ministry of Education says plans proceed for August school reopening
Despite the misgivings of some teachers and parents, the Ministry of Education is moving ahead […]

Ministry of Labour calls on National Trade Union Congress to urgently name representative for arbitration tribunal
The Ministry of Labour (MOL) is calling on the National Trade Union Congress of Belize to […]

Tropical depression forms over the Central Tropic Atlantic
A tropical depression has formed over the Central Tropic Atlantic. According to the National Hurricane […]

Environmentalists present united front in opposition to Port of Belize cruise project; consultation set for Wednesday
Despite what appeared to be a ‘no’, or at least ‘not yet’ from Cabinet as […]

Pump price for diesel to increase by 60 cents
The Ministry of Finance announced a short while ago that effective Wednesday, July 22, 2020, […]

Police warn resort owner to cancel upcoming concert
The Midas Resort in San Ignacio was recently advertising the “Before the Plane Lands Pool […]

Commissioner of Police threatens nightclub’s license
The owners of the night club in front of which a double murder and multiple […]

Calaney Flowers: A.G. relieved right to appeal upheld
The Caribbean Court of Justice formally established last week that the State, in the person […]

Police: Gang rivalry responsible for multiple shooting, homicide
Police arrived on the scene of the early-morning double-homicide on Saturday in San Ignacio Town […]

Belize registers 2 new cases of COVID-19
The Ministry of Health has confirmed 2 new cases of COVID-19. The Ministry processed a […]

National Trade Union Congress stands with University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has pledged to support the newly-formed University […]

The rise of new Deputy Commissioner of Police Dezerie Phillips Magdaleno
Last week Tuesday, Dezerie Jacklyn Phillips Magdaleno was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration […]

Over 30 student athletes participate in basketball camp hosted by BK Sports Group
The BK Sports Group, formerly the BK Volleyball Foundation, assisted the sporting careers of some […]

“No real damage from locusts, monitoring still ongoing,” says agricultural authority
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) said today that Belize had very limited impact from […]

CK Sports Bar says incident didn’t begin inside establishment
CK sports bar and restaurant in San Ignacio issued a statement today saying that the […]

Blogs

Play castaway on a Sandbar!
While many residents and visitors enjoy jumping into the beautiful blue waters of the Caribbean Sea off our shores, some also enjoy a leisurely soak in the shallows of sandbars. Tiny spits of packed sand, wholly exposed to the elements and often submerged under a high tide, sandbars give you that sense of ‘walking on water.’ When I get the chance to visit a sandbar, I often pretend I’m a castaway basking in the hot sun, hoping for rescue – but only after my BBQ feast and a few cold ones!

Own a home in Belize? You can return in Phase 3 of its Reopening
Once the airport reopens under Phase 3 of Belize’s Travel Reopening Plan, home owners can also return to Belize. While it is recommended to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of travel to Belize. However, if you are unable to, you will be required to take a PCR test at the Belize international airport. If the test result is negative, the Ministry of Health will provide clearance for you to go home, but recommends 14 days of self-isolation. Those testing positive upon arrival will be placed in mandatory quarantine for a minimum of 14 days, at your own expense.

Why Gen Z Travelers Could Be Key to the Travel Industry’s Recovery
However, despite the disruptions in travel plans, 21% of Americans are still planning leisure travel before fall, with Gen Z making up a majority of this percentage. But how can advisors more effectively communicate with Gen Z travelers, and what are they looking for in their next travel experience? Matt Conlin, co-founder and CEO of Fluent, Inc. discussed his findings following the recent Future of Travel report, which surveyed people about who is going to be traveling in the short-term, where they plan to go and how they plan to get there.

Victoria House announces Reopening in September
Victoria House has announced it will be reopening its resort and spa to international guests this fall, on September 18, 2020. They are now taking reservations and to make sure guests enjoy their vacation safely, they have introduced new safety measures and introduced flexible booking policies. Along with the exciting announcement of their reopening, Victoria House included all visitors need to know on how the hotel is getting ready to reopen here. With this announcement, we have rounded up all you need to know on this luxury beachside retreat. Read on, and we are sure you’ll make a reservation soon after.

10 reasons why living in belize is the best – and everyone should move here
Are you still hesitating about your move to Belize? Read this list to discover the top 10 reasons you’ll enjoy living in this small, beautiful country. 1. YOU’LL NEVER BE BORED Belize has many recreation opportunities. You’ll never run out of places to explore or things to do. You can enjoy beach life, hiking, river cruising, walking, learning about Belize’s history or visiting a wildlife sanctuary. There’s something for everyone here. 2. YOU DON’T NEED A CAR If you live in one of the popular areas, you won’t need a car. You can walk to the market, shops, restaurants, outdoor recreation areas, church and post office. If you need to travel further, hop on a bus or hail a cab.

Ambergris Caye: The Best Fishing Destination In BelizeOne of the biggest fishing paradises in the world is the South Caribbean. Within that area, it’s hard to beat Ambergris Caye, which is located off Belize’s eastern coast. This spot is considered one of the best in the whole region, not just Belize. The reason is its geographical diversity. You’ll find shallow water flats, deep open water, bays, inlets, atolls and one of the world’s largest coral reefs. Fishing in Ambergris Caye is generally good all year, just like the weather in Belize. However, the very best months are between May and November. If you want to fish near land, then it’s easy to do with the various piers off the island. The shallow flats are some of the best and most popular fishing spots. You can catch bonefish, tarpon and permit in these shallow areas around the atolls.

Retirees Cite Top 6 Reasons to Relocate to Belize Over Neighboring Caribbean Nations
When news reached the media about Belize’s low cases of COVID-19 cases, retirees took notice. For those already considering this affordable, accommodating nation, Belize quickly moved up to first place on dream destination lists. English is the nation’s first language, weather is warm year-round and retirees receive benefits from the government that have no equal. When queried, seniors cited myriad reasons beyond the aforementioned three, says Scott Fuson, Sales Director for Salt Life Belize, the newest, most luxurious 50-acre community development on Ambergris Caye. “This is the perfect time to start thinking about making that retirement move now that Belize is opening for business on August 15, 2020,” he adds. When queried, Fuson said these six reasons top lists of people eager to retire to a warm, affordable, hospitable location.

International Sources

New paper: Shifting baseline syndrome among coral reef scientists
70% of coral scientists under the age of 40 stated that they never witnessed an Acropora sp.-dominated reef, whereas 96% of the coral experts over the age of 60 stated the opposite. This demonstrates the dramatic change in coral reefs from just one generation of experts to the next.

A Deeper Dive Into the The Caribbean Diving Industry
The pristine underwater gardens of the Caribbean offer an incredible array of reef systems and marine life that make the Caribbean a huge favorite for dive tourism. It is predicted that divers will be one of the first groups to resume travel once the Caribbean fully reopens its borders post-COVID. The webinar featured specialists in the dive industry who presented exciting dive destinations and experiences. Panelists weighed in on how their business has been impacted with reduced group sizes, new health and safety protocols and the adoption of best practices to protect customers and staff against the challenges bedeviling the industry.

Belize Details Its Reopening Strategy
Belize is taking a measured approach in terms of its reopening strategy to work toward ensuring that the health and safety of its visitors takes center stage. “Belize’s number one priority is making sure cleanliness and hygiene measures are in place,” said Karen Bevans, director of the Belize Tourism Board. In June, the destination announced that the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City will reopen on August 15, 2020, initiating the third stage of the country’s five-phase tourism reopening strategy.

Videos

July 21, 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

Team ‘Nuh Worry Bout Nothin’ wins Grand Caribe’s Deep Sea Classic Fishing Tournament
Orange Walk’s Team ‘Nuh Worry Bout Nothin’ took home the grand prize at Grand Caribe’s fourth annual Deep Sea Classic fishing tournament. Held at Grand Caribe Belize north of San Pedro Town, from Friday July 17th to Sunday July 19th, the tournament saw a total of 30 teams participating and competing for over $25,000 BZ in cash and prizes. Other top winners following the three-day fishing extravaganza was San Pedro’s Team Real Deal in second place, and Team Stir it Up took third place. Team Strike Force came in fourth place, while Team Mingulay ended in fifth place.

San Pedro Junior College (SPJC) graduates 36
On Saturday, July 18th, the San Pedro Junior College (SPJC) celebrated its 19th Commencement Exercise, graduating 36 students in three different programs at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. Held under the theme ‘Use what you’ve been through as fuel…Believe in yourself,’ the ceremony saw students receiving their Associate Degrees in Business Administration majoring in Accounting, Business Mangement, and Tourism Management. The ceremony began at 5PM with the 2020 graduating class proudly marching to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance. This followed official protocols including the singing of the National Anthem and an invocation by Abel Guerrero Sr. Immediately after, the Salutatory Address was delivered by graduate Nirisi Deidra Sherwin, who obtained a cumulative GPA of 3.61.

Various Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Soup Kitchen day Location
Tuesday, July 21st, Meal pick ups. Location: Food Republic Times: Village: 11:00am - 11:45am. Bahia: 11:45am -12:30pm.

Island Express Freight on Caye Caulker
Freight services will now be available on Tuesdays and Fridays starting July 21, 2020.

The story behind the phrase ‘Tza-ten-a-ha’
According to a number of elders of the community, the phrase “Tza-ten-a-ha” was used by the Maya people that came to their shores when the village was first repopulated in 1846. The area had new settlers but it was still visited by the Maya people of the peninsula. These visitors were native to Belize and probably to the ancient city that is now Sarteneja. ‘Tza-ten-a-ha’ was the phrase used by the Maya when they asked for water...

BELIZE DEFENCE FORCE OFFICERS PROMOTED TO SECOND LIEUTENANTS
Officer Cadet Evan Cal and Officer Cadet Kent Young, Attended Standard Officers' Course # 52 in Guyana which started on 28th June 2019 and concluded on 16th June 2020. Both officers have now been promoted to Ensign(Second Lieutenant). Congratulations to both officers who represented Belize and the BDF well. Great job!

COVID-19 CASES 41 AND 42 DETECTED
A further 66 samples were processed earlier today, most of these samples being from the flight that arrived on the flight of Friday, July 17th. We have identified two further cases of COVID-19, both are males. One person came in through the Western Border from Guatemala and has been quarantined since he arrived in the country and the second case is from the returning flight on Friday. Both cases are asymptomatic and remain under quarantine. We currently have 18 active cases, the majority in Orange Walk but all cases are under quarantine. Our enhanced surveillance continues.

Flood Forecast for July 20, 2020 from the National Hydrological Service

Maya Temple looted
Approximately 100 meters high, this Maya temple has been looted in the Chiquibul. The forest that covered the mountain was destroyed by the recent fires, leaving the temple exposed. Estimating the occurrence, frequency and nature of site destruction is difficult. Looting threatens two type of sites; those known to archaeologists and those that have not yet been discovered.

XXIV Children´s Drawing Contest
Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME) and the Embassy of Mexico in Belize are pleased to share with you the call for the XXIV Children’s Drawing Contest “Este es mi México”, regarding the subject:

Corozal Town Council's official handing over presentation of new Garbage Trucks!
The public is invited to the Corozal Town Council's official handing over presentation of new Garbage Trucks! Today, Tuesday, July 21 2020, Time: 10:00am, Place: In front of Corozal Town Hall. Come and listen to the Corozal Town Council's plans for the continued improvement of our beautiful town. Specially invited guests include Opposition Leader and our next Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. John Briceno, and Orange Walk's hardworking Mayor, Kevin Bernard!

Sanitization package for your primary school
***ATTENTION TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS*** Principals and school teachers from Orange Walk and Corozal, you can win a sanitization package for your primary school! Follow the instructions below. One package per school. Courtesy of Belize Sugar Industries Limited.

Power outage today for Corozal and Orange Walk Districts
Two 15 minute power outages from 4:45 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday July 21, 2020 to affect entire Corozal and Orange Walk Districts. BEL to facilitate maintenance works by Cenace at Xul-Ha, Mexico.

Belize Zoo Virtual Tours
You Better Belize it! Virtual tour to support the Belize Zoo! The Belize Zoo is going to do some virtual tours starting next Tuesday. Miss traveling? Want to go someplace exotic and new? Grab the whole family for exciting challenges and fun activities for all ages as we gear up for a virtual trip through the tropical forest to the Belize Zoo! Join us for the next four weeks as we learn about the amazing Belizean animals that call this place home and remarkable conservation missions of this incredible little zoo. You better Belize you will not want to miss out on the final event! Your participation alone will help raise awareness and funds to support this necessary organization through this difficult time.

Coconut Shell Jewelry Making Program
We invite you to learn the skill of making coconut shell jewelry with Kimberly Griffith! The course begins July 27, interested persons can message or call 422-0071 for more information and registration.

Channel 7

Terror Outside Cayo Nightclub, Two Dead, Three Injured
Public terror struck in the heart of San Ignacio on Saturday night when shots rang out outside a crowded nightclub. When the dust settled, two were dead and three injured. As we found out today, this burst of unthinkable violence ended in a flash, but has left a deep imprint of grief and trauma which will endure for some time. This was the scene on Saturday night when a Taxi parked in front of CK nightclub was targeted by a gunman. Its passengers 19-year-old, Marquees Robateau, 29-year old Telesha Mckay, and 29-Year-old Windell Trapp had been waiting to get into the overcrowded club. But within seconds Trapp, as well as the taxi man 22-year-old Samuel Hill, were dead - a shocking turn of events that left Marquees Robateau running for his life. A relative spoke to us by phone and asked to remain anonymous:

Police Constable Injured Outside Club
The Commissioner is also wishing peace for the Jimenez family. As we've shown you, he paid a visit to the Police corporal on Sunday, and this morning he said, that, like Mark Twain, the reports of his "death were greatly exaggerated:" "Contrary to what the media was reporting, I believe that some media houses killed the man about a million times but Mr. Jimnez did get a gunshot injury to the mouth and exited the back of the head. Thankfully the bullet did not catch any major organ and so from my discussion yesterday with the attending physician he is expected to have a full recovery. He should undergo surgery to reconstruct the jaw because the entire jaw is broken."

COMPOL Wants to Close CK
One person who's not in good spirits is the owner of the CK's nightclub. The Commissioner is threatening to take away his club license and perhaps his livelihood all because of a crime that took place across the street from the club. Williams explained his rationale earlier today. "We are concerned about this CK or whatever the club name is. I was in San Ignacio yesterday. I went by to get an appreciation as to what the area looks like as well as the establishment and from my observation, the establishment is a very small building per se. From what I can discern from it is that it is not a place that is suited to be a night club and what we gather is that."

Two Days Out Of Jail, Eggy Got Killed
We turn now to the weekend's other murder, which occurred on Marage Road in Ladyville. Over the years, this street has become a sort of deadly battleground between two warring gang groups that have established themselves in the 'La Milpa' and 'Japan' areas of the village.And this time, the target was one of the veteran combatants on this battlespace.22-year-old Egbert Baldwin was acquitted last week of a major shoot-out in May 2016, in which 3 men from one crew were injured. 23-year-old Lionel Rhamdas was also murdered in that shoot-out.

Drug Plane Swung Low Over The North On Sunday
And while police have to focus resources on solving those murders - they also have to keep eyes in the skies for those drug planes coming in from South America. Residents of Xunox village saw one circling yesterday afternoon. The COMPOL confirmed it today:"This is nothing new, and so, from yesterday evening up to this morning around five, we were monitoring tracks and the first track that came flew over and we later received information that it landed in Guatemala and the second track that came, again, we got information that that went to Mexico..."

Deceased Major’s Mom Calls Out Security Minister For False Claim
School is starting in three weeks - and it is an especially difficult time for the family of deceased BDF Pilot Radford Baizar. His three children and one on the way, lost their breadwinner when he crashed and died on February 26 in an air tragedy that claimed four lives. There seemed to be some consolation last week when the Minister of National security announced that all the families had gotten an ex gratis payment of one hundred thousand dollars.

Cops Caught Contraband In Santa Familia
Border jumpers are driving up the COVID case numbers, but contraband smuggling is also a high risk activity threatening to bring COVID into Belize along with all those cheap beers and sodas. Despite the warnings and the increased border security, contraband continues to stream across illegal border crossings with Mexico and Guatemala. And, on Friday evening, Cayo police found 68 cases of contraband beer stashed at a Santa Familia residence.

Morning Home Invasion In Maya Mopan
And while even closed borders haven't been able to stop border hopping outlaws, the regular outlaws are also wreaking havoc with robberies. A string of crimes on the outskirts of Belmopan culminated in a brazen home invasion on Saturday morning. We got the details from Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Myvette at this morning's police press briefing:

Cops Found a Small Armory of Explosives
But while Belmopan criminals are becoming more and more desperate, criminal elements in Teakettle seem to be preparing for war. On Saturday while conducting joint operations on Young Gial road Police and CIB discovered a poor-man's armory hidden in an empty lot across the street from a convicted drug dealer. ACP Myvette gave us a rundown of the stockpile earlier today. "Also on Saturday Roaring Creek police officers including all the different agencies conducted an operation on Young Gyal Road in Teakettle village which led them to the discovery of three 223 weapons magazine, one 223 round of ammunition, one riot smoke grenade, and one anti-riot irritant grenade, no one was found in the area so these items were connected and deposited as found property whilst the investigation continues."

Robber Caught On Camera And Then Caught By Cops
Police have tracked down a robber who was caught on camera holding up a delivery truck last week. It happened last week Tuesday afternoon in Santa Elena Town where a single gun man held up a Madisco delivery van, and stole the cash bag. It was all caught on camera, and this weekend, Police tracked down the alleged robber right in Santa Elena.

NTUCB Issues Sweeping Statements Lashing Out At UB, Ministry
Tonight, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize is calling for fair and equitable treatment on behalf of the newly certified University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union, and the Christian Workers Union.Exactly a week ago, the UBFSU received its full certification to act as the bargaining agent for 237 employees at the national university.Initial indications to our newsroom are that the tension between the two sides has been cooling off because the administration has made recent attempts at consulting them as valued stakeholders.

Labour Minister Rejects NTUCB’s Release
Earlier in the news, we told you how the National Trade Union Congress of Belize was criticizing the Ministry of Labour for it's supposed silence on the dispute between the Christian Workers Union and the Port of Belize Limited.As we told you, the union was suggesting that the Ministry isn't doing much to try to resolve this recent labor dispute, which involves the possible termination of 29 union members from the Port of Belize. Well, the Labour Minister of State, Dr Carla Barnett, contacted us to say that the NTUCB failed to mention that they have been part of the bottleneck to deal with this dispute.

BEL's Meter Minders Insist on Transparency
Last week, the Public Utilities Commissioner gave BEL a combination of body blows, attacking the monopoly utility on multiple fronts. First, the PUC lamented that the company was asking for an independent expert to review the PUC's full tariff decision, then, the PUC said that it would have to issue an order forcing BEL to sign a power purchase agreement with Santander. And, then, almost as an aside - when asked to explain the reports of high bills recently - the PUC chairman publicly speculated that BEL was probably just averaging out meter readings rather than sending meter readers to your house. He said this was probably a COVID safety measure.

Long Lines For Educational Grants At HRCU
On Saturday, the line at the Holy Redeemer Credit Union headquarters in Belize went from Hydes Lane, and snaked all the way unto Queen Street. Members were lining up for just about half a million dollars in educational grants.The program started in 2005 and it seems to be needed this year more than ever. Here's more in a video from the Ministry of Education:

106 Negative Tests
The contact tracing exercise for the COVID cases coming out of San Felipe and Blue Creek Villages are encouraging. On Friday 106 samples were processed, and all were negative. The Ministry of health says it has now cleared all the samples processed from the contact tracing in both San Felipe and Blue Creek.But, what about case #39 - the scrap metal dealer in Santa Elena?

Bahamas Closes Its Border To USA
And while Belize is at 40 cases, the Bahamas, which reopened its airports and sea Ports three weeks ago has reported 49 new cases since borders fully opened, for a total of 153 cases. And that's why Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said in a national address on Sunday that American Tourists will be be barred from entering the Bahams amid the re-surging COVID-19 pandemic.

Phased Repatriation Continues
And while that is for tourists, Belizeans keep on coming in. Homeward bound Belizeans returning from a world gone mad with constant states of flux, economic woes, and rising cases of COVID-19. To date 1119 persons have applied to be repatriated, 392 have been repatriated, with 1009 approved and 913 in the process of their coordinated return.

Taiwan Scholarships Still Rolling On
As we've told you many of those repatriates are students returning from study abroad programs. And yet, in the midst of the global pandemic, a group of 48 young Belizeans have won scholarships to embark on degree programs in Taiwan. This morning the Embassy of Taiwan announced its annual orientation in which it's set to offer the highest number of Belizean scholarships to recipients of the Taiwan ICDF and MOFA scholarships since the inception of the programs in 2002.

Channel 5

2 Murdered; 3 Injured in the West!
Two men were murdered and three others were injured in crazy gun violence in Cayo. In the early hours of Sunday morning, hell broke loose outside the C.K. Sports Bar [...]

Several Persons Detained for Double Murder in the West
So, there you heard from the families of three of the victims in the shooting. We turn now to the police department for the official report. In the story, you [...]

Police Have Concerns About CK Bar After Deadly Weekend Shooting
The location where the deadly weekend shooting took place in San Ignacio is a concern to the police department since it poses serious security risks for patrons of the establishment.  [...]

G.S.U. Deployed to San Ignacio
As a result of the shooting that claimed two lives, police say that they are taking swift action to quell that growing problem in the west. Commissioner of Police Chester [...]

Egbert Baldwin is Murdered in Ladyville
Hours before the double murder in Cayo, the Ladyville area exploded with gun violence in another gang-related murder. Just after seven o’clock on Saturday night, Egbert Baldwin, who as recent [...]

Suspected Drug Plane Circles Above Chunox Overnight
A low-flying aircraft was seen hovering above Chunox overnight, where law enforcement assets had scrambled to the vicinity of the isolated village in Corozal District in anticipation of an illegal [...]

San Felipe Villagers Abandoned in Lockdown Zone
The villages of San Felipe and Blue Creek remain cut off from the rest of the country.  Agriculture produce from Blue Creek is allowed to be transported out of the [...]

What About Students in San Felipe Village?
According to residents, some thirty students in San Felipe Village missed their CSEC examinations due to the lockdown.  No provisions were made to have them sit the exams at a [...]

PC Nadir Mendoza Kicked Out of the Police Department
In December 2019, Police Constable Nadir Mendoza went on the lam and became a fugitive from the law after being accused of stealing a firearm from the Belize Police Department.  [...]

PC Nelson Ramos in Jail for Sexual Assault of Teenage Girl
Another cop is trouble with the law. Police Constable Nelson Ramos is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after being charged for a sexual offense involving a minor.  The [...]

A Small Cache of Ammunition is Discovered Outside
A hidden supply of ammunition, including a smoke grenade, was recovered by police during an operation outside of Teakettle Village over the weekend.  According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph [...]

A Santa Elena Resident is Charged for MADISCO Truck Holdup
A forty-one-year-old resident of Santa Elena Town has been arrested and charged for the armed robbery of a MADISCO delivery truck last Tuesday.  Luis Castellanos is accused of stealing an [...]

Armed Thieves Storm Residence in Maya Mopan
While police have cracked the MADISCO robbery, they are investigating a Belmopan robbery.  A quartet of armed thieves stormed the residence of Gloria Tush in the Maya Mopan neighbourhood over [...]

B.N.T.U. Turns 50
The Belize National Teachers Union today achieved a milestone: it is a historic fifty years.  The powerful watchdog union is celebrating its golden anniversary under the theme, “B.N.T.U. @ 50: [...]

N.T.U.C.B. to Advocate for Senate Report Investigations
The much anticipated Senate report was tabled and adopted by the Senate last week. It is now a public document so the question now is: will the relevant authorities investigate [...]

Elena Smith to Patrick Faber: “Let’s see what will happen, I guess, come November.”
It is no secret that Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, has had some bitter moments with the Belize National Teachers Union. Both have been bucking heads over a myriad of [...]

B.N.T.U. Has Concerns over P.G.I.A. Re-opening
Bahamas is not allowing U.S. visitors due to the spread of the corona virus. In Guyana, the Civil Aviation Authority has delayed the phased opening of the Cheddi Jagan International [...]

N.T.U.C.B. Shows Supports for C.W.U. Against P.B.L.
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize on Saturday met to discuss several issues including the Christian Workers Union’s battle against the Port of Belize Limited.  Last week, the Port [...]

A Motorcycle Driver is Flung into the Belize River
An eighteen-year-old motorist is recovering from a mishap that landed him in the Belize River near the Valley of Peace Road on Friday evening.  It is unclear whether Guillermo Ical [...]

Why Are Your Light Bills So High?
There are mounting complaints from consumers that their light bills have been going up, in some instances doubling, during these very difficult economic times. Now, since March when there was [...]

LOVE FM

https://lovefm.com/bntu-president-satisfied-with-senate-report/BNTU President satisfied with Senate Report
The one hundred and sixty page Senate Report is out and was tabled in last week’s Senate meeting. The report is based on the findings of the Special Select Senate Committee that was formed to investigate wrongdoings at the Immigration and Nationality Departments. Those wrongdoings were revealed in the Auditor General’s report for the period 2012/2013. Part of the inquiry committee was the Union Senator, Elena Smith who informed Love News that all senators are satisfied with the final report and that the onus is now on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Cheryl Lyn Vidal to determine if anyone will be held culpable and charged.

Young man walks free from murder and dies days after
A young Ladyville resident was killed on Saturday night while a passerby was injured in the incident. Police responded to the crime scene in the Japan Area just after seven o’clock and encountered 22-year-old Egbert Baldwin with gunshot wounds to the body.

BEL explains how meters are read
For months now, consumers have been complaining of a sudden increase of their electricity bills. The matter has been debated and vented multiple times on social media and the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) had come out to explain that it has to do with extreme high temperatures.

NTUCB supports the CWU’s movement
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has come forward in full support of the Christian Workers Union (CWU) and their plight with the Port of Belize Limited (PBL). After almost four weeks of protesting every lunch hour during the week, the mother of all unions has stepped in not only to express their full support for the thirty-six employees who stand to lose their jobs but to also call out the Labour Department for their silence and the PBL for their lack of communication. NTUCB’s President Marvin Mora appeared on The Morning Show today to speak on the matter.

Young man found unconscious in western Belize
A resident of Valley of Peace Village, Cayo District was found in an unconscious state over the weekend. According to our Cayo Correspondent, Fem Cruz, the victim was reported missing by his family.

Tourism director comments on the impact of covid-19
August 15 is the day the Philip Goldson International Airport is set to reopen, and tourists will be allowed to visit the country once again. This will provide revenue for the tourism industry which will allow them to rebound back to normal from the COVID-19 economic crisis.

Citco Ceiling caves in
On Friday evening a portion of City Hall’s third floor ceiling located on Regent Street caved in. In the images shared with us the roof and beams are notably rusty and became visible when pieces of the ceiling’s concrete fell on a desk in one of the offices.

NTUCB in full support of UBSFU
The CWU plight is not the only fight that the NTUCB has taken on. As a matter of fact, the umbrella union is also advocating and supporting the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union which is also asking for financial records from UB to justify the salary cuts and austerity measures affecting the institution’s faculty and staff.

Two men murdered and three other injured in shooting incident
A double murder in Cayo has left two families grieving and three persons, including a police officer and a recently recruited Coast Guard member recovering from gunshot injuries. Reporter Courtney Menzies travelled out west to uncover the details of what transpired in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Two soldiers promoted after studying in Guyana
Two Soldiers from the Belize Defence Force (BDF) have been promoted after completing a standard officers' course in Guyana. The training course began on June 28, 2019 and concluded on June 16, 2020.

Breaking Belize News

Belize registers 2 new case of COVID-19
The Ministry of Health has confirmed 2 new cases of COVID-19. The Ministry processed a […]

National Trade Union Congress stands with University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has pledged to support the newly-formed University […]

The rise of new Deputy Commissioner of Police Dezerie Phillips Magdaleno
Last week Tuesday, Dezerie Jacklyn Phillips Magdaleno was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration […]

Over 30 student athletes participate in basketball camp hosted by BK Sports Group
The BK Sports Group, formerly the BK Volleyball Foundation, assisted the sporting careers of some […]

“No real damage from locusts, monitoring still ongoing,” says agricultural authority
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) said today that Belize had very limited impact from […]

CK Sports Bar says incident didn’t begin inside establishment
CK sports bar and restaurant in San Ignacio issued a statement today saying that the […]

Santa Elena man charged for Madisco truck robbery
Police have arrested and charged Luis Castellanos, 42, of Santa Elena for the crime of […]

Belize Defense Force soldiers promoted following completion of course in Guyana
Two officers from the Belize Defense Force were promoted, following the successful completion of a […]

Police investigate armed robbery in Santa Elena, Cayo
Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred on Saturday morning in Santa Elena, Cayo. […]

Go Fund Me launched for Danny Jimenez surgery
A Go Fund Me was launched to assist football star Danny Jimenez for jaw reconstruction […]

Belmopan Citizen clean up campaign to be held this weekend
The Belmopan City Council and Belmopan Area representative, John Saldivar are calling citizens to join […]

Mexico’s crops in danger as swarm of locusts approaches
Agricultural authorities in Mexico are concerned over the safety of crops growing in the country […]

Taiwan Embassy to host scholarship orientation for 48 Belizean students
The Embassy of Taiwan will host a scholarship orientation on Saturday, July 25, 2020 from […]

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine “deemed safe”
The BBC reports that a coronavirus vaccine developed by the University of Oxford appears safe […]

Agriculture in Belize
By Bill Lindo: For some time I have been writing articles trying to educate Belizeans that the reason why first the United States of America, and later Germany, Japan […]

Bahamas bans flights from USA 2 weeks after re-opening
The Bahamas re-opened to international travelers on July 1, 2020 and has since announced that […]

Blogs

Update On Belize’s Entry Protocols and The Bahamas Closes to US Travelers
I’ve been getting SO many questions about the planned re-opening of the International Airport in Belize – scheduled for August 15th. Yes, the airport is re-opening (as of now) but there will be many protocols and restrictions for those arriving. The Belize Tourism Board has been slowly releasing information and updates like the answer to question #53 – perhaps the one that I get the most often: 53. How long will these protocols (testing, social distancing, restricted movement, etc.) be in place?

‘My Experience Traveling from Belize to America during COVID-19’
Four months after Belize closed its borders, my husband and I travelled from Belize to Chicago, USA on a repatriation flight on July 17, 2020. Below, you’ll find my first-hand experience. Our journey started at the Philip Goldson International Airport, where only ticketed passengers were allowed within the terminal. Much like every public place in Belize, face masks are mandatory inside the airport and for the entirety of your journey. At check-in, a sneeze guard of plexiglass separated the agent and ourselves. Meanwhile, security was as per usual; in the departure terminal, social distancing was requested with no rebuttals – everyone seemed more than willing to follow the rules. At the waiting area near the gate, every other seat was blocked off to ensure physical distancing between passengers waiting to board the flight.

International Sources

My Wild Escape Into the Parrot Protection Program
Crouching by the side of the opaque, muddy waters of Belize’s Raspaculo River, I held back tears while wringing its muck from my socks. I had just fallen in after a failed attempt to support myself using a dead tree, which broke under my weight and sent me sidelong into the river. You can’t do this, you shouldn’t have tried, you should leave right now, I angrily thought to myself. Until I remembered: There was no way out. Three days before this incident, I was just beginning my 14-day stint in the Chiquibul National Park as a volunteer protecting scarlet macaws from pet trade poachers. At the time, a Belizean nonprofit called Scarlet Six deployed volunteers like me into the jungle to support their efforts to rebuild the rapidly dwindling population of these birds. I had fallen in love with Belize a few months prior during my honeymoon, so when I found out I could play a tangible role in supporting their wildlife conservation efforts, I jumped at the opportunity.

Videos