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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Orange Walk Taco Festival, you can't go wrong!
When I heard that there was going to be a Taco Festival in Orange Walk Town, I was ready to get off the island in any possible way: via plane, boat or even kayak! I was prepared to jump on a bus or ride a bicycle up north to Orange Walk if I had to! The north district is known for this culinary specialty; and finally, after only hearing about this festival, I actually could attend! I smiled the entire boat ride from Ambergris Caye to Belize City, and then on the bus to Orange Walk, excited to eat my body weight in tacos!
This year was the fifth anniversary of the festival and it was held in fun style on Sunday, November 22nd at the Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk Town. The Banquitas House of Culture is nestled in a pleasant riverside park complete with amphitheater, underneath which the taco booths were spread out. To add to the perfection of the event, my hotel was mere feet away and perfect for when I needed to roll my stuffed self easily to my room!
Kent "Bob" Gabourel and Eric Donis take part in End of the World Marathon
The fourth annual End of the World Marathon saw hundreds of national and international athletes competing in what is now the largest race in Belize. The race was held at Placencia Village on Sunday, December 6th and certainly tested participants' endurance and stamina. As always, San Pedro was well represented at the marathon, with the participation of Kent "Bob" Gabourel and Eric Donis, and even though neither made it to the winning podium, they still made the island proud. The race started early Sunday morning at 5:30AM at the Placencia Football Field. Created in homage to the Maya Calendar which ended in 2012, the End of the World Marathon is a grueling 26.2 mile race. Of course, novice athletes can opt to participate in the less intense End of the World Half Marathon of 13.1 miles. Over $10,000 worth of awards and prizes were given to the top three males and females overall in the full marathon and the half marathon. Awards were also given out to the top three males and females in five age categories: under 29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and over. In addition all runners who finish the race, not matter their placement received a commemorative finishers' medal for taking on and completing the End of the World Marathon. A total of 160 runners participated in this year's marathon.
San Pedro holds Christmas tree lighting ceremony
The holiday season was officially opened on Saturday, December 5th, as the Town Christmas Tree was lit in Central Park. Island families and visitors gathered to witness the official ceremony shortly after 7PM. As usual, Santa, the guest of honor made his special appearance at the event, spreading cheer and bringing in the Christmas spirit.
Mayor Daniel Guerrero opened the night's event, welcoming everyone to the anticipated annual celebration. "This Christmas tree lighting ceremony signals to us the happiness of the season; families bring us together as a community and remind us of the significance of our Creator's birth to humanity. During the next couple of days leading to the Christmas and New Year's festivities we hope that our residents take time to reflect how far we have come in yet another year as a community, family and individuals. There is much to be thankful for, and we must reflect on those reasons. One more year alive, with our families, with our jobs and one more year with happiness. On behalf of the entire San Pedro Town Council I take the opportunity to wish each and every one a blessed and Merry Christmas and may the year 2016 be a prosperous for all of us," said Guerrero. Immediately after, Mayor Guerrero flipped the switch and lit the Christmas tree with thousands of colorful sparkling lights.
Letter to the Editor: Food and Toy Drive for San Pedro Town
Dear Editor:
I am hereby writing for your humble assistance adhering with our community policing efforts. The San Pedro Community Policing Unit has decided to conduct a food and toy drive in coordination with the Youth Cadet program.
The food and toys collected from the drive will be handed over in a small hamper to persons in the poorer parts of San Pedro who are less fortunate. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, San Pedrito, San Juan and San Mateo areas. This effort is in conjunction with the San Pedro Youth Cadets to show gestures of caring and sharing as we approach the Christmas Holiday season. This event commenced on November 20th and runs to December 20, 2015.
While donations are usually open and welcome, we would suggest small toys and non-perishable goods in your donation. The Community Policing officers and staff had been conducting surveys in different areas to narrow down and identify the best recipients for the well-deserved food hampers and toys. Your kind and generous contribution will go a long way in these hard times.
Costa Rica petitions Belize to allow passage to Cuban refugees heading to USA
The Government of Belize and Costa Rica have started diplomatic discussion on facilitating border entry to close to 4,000 Cuban immigrants who are en route to the United States of America. The discussions come about after Nicaragua and Guatemala closed its border to the Cuban immigrants who have taken refuge in Costa Rica since mid-November. Cubans have been making their way to the USA through Central America for several years now, but the phenomenon had gone unnoticed until the Costa Rican government adopted measures in early November of 2015 to fight the trafficking of persons through its country. The mass number of refugees has been housed in public shelters, and is now straining Costa Rican resources. While there is no official statement as to whether Belize will assist Costa Rica, Barrow has indicated that he is willing to consider their terms.
Adopt a Bear at Sandbar or Crazy Canucks and bring Christmas cheer to an island child
The Christmas holidays are quickly approaching, and while this season is known for giving, not every family can afford to share gifts amongst themselves. With that in mind, and with the Christmas spirt radiating throughout the island, a group of individuals have created a project to ensure the islands less fortunate children receive a gift from Santa this festive season. The Adopt a Bear project offers up the rewarding opportunity to any individual to give a Christmas present to one child who would have otherwise not received a gift. The more island residents and visitors who adopt a bear, the more children will be gifted on Friday, December 25th.
Ambergris Today
Letters to the Editor: Disgruntled Tourist Says Traffic is Killing our Island Charm
We had just been on vacation on your island, a 3rd time and again for 2 weeks. Your traffic situation has meanwhile become unhealthy and unsafe for tourists. Our rental cart, so we were told, would have a top speed of 18 miles, just barely above the speed limit of 15mph.
During just one drive from Banyan Bay to town we have had the following vehicles passing us with excessive speed: Three taxis, one really unsafe looking pick-up truck, one extremely noisy Polaris, another too fast golf cart and even one empty sand truck. (we did not count the many speeding motorcycles)
All had left us behind in a dust clouds produced by their excessive speed; a speed far above island limits. This is not what tourists need and tourists want for their vacation. In addition, the traffic and parking situation inside San Pedro has become disgusting. San Pedro town must now be seen unworthy as a competitive shopping and restaurant/dining destination for tourists.
There seems to be no visible will that conditions on your island will improve but rather the opposite. It will get worse. Tourists want an environmentally friendly destination to vacation. Tourists are all in need for calmness during their vacation. San Pedro and large parts of Ambergris Caye do not offer this anymore. We are probably one of many who cannot recommend the island as a vacation destination to others any more. We ourselves can't see us coming back until mayor changes have been implemented.
Copa Airlines Inaugural Flight to Belize Connects To South American Market
On December 8, 2015, Copa Airlines made its long awaited inaugural flight to Belize; its 7th destination in Central America. Flight 281 arrived yesterday at 12:49 P.M via Hub de la Americas Panama City, Panama carrying a total of 92 passengers. The flight kicked off in Panama with a team of news media from different countries in South America to cover the historic event. The flight was greeted by a water salute, and passengers were welcomed with entertainment from Laru Beya Boys and Travellers Rum cocktails.
Said Pedro Heilbron, Executive President for Copa Airlines stated: "For COPA Airlines this is a very proud moment for us to begin operations in this new destination with which we consolidate our leadership in the region, flying to all the countries in Central America and in this fortifying the connection that Hub de Las Americas in Panama City offers." "With our flight to Belize we expect to amplify the opportunities of development in the business and tourism sectors in this city, while improving in an important manner the connectivity of the country to Latin America."
Misc Belizean Sources
Copa Airlines Inaugural Flight Arrives in Belize
On Tuesday December 8, 2015 Copa Airlines (Compania Panamena de Aviacion) made its maiden voyage from Panama to Belize signalling the commencement of direct airlift services between those two countries.
2015 Copa Airlines today made its long awaited inaugural flight to Belize; its 7th destination in Central America. Flight 281 arrived today at 12:49 P.M via Hub de la Americas Panama City, Panama carrying a total of 92 passengers. The flight kicked off in Panama with a team of news media from different countries in South America to cover the historic event. The flight was greeted by a water salute, and passengers were welcomed with entertainment from Laru Beya Boys and Travellers Rum cocktails.
Said Pedro Heilbron, Executive President for Copa Airlines stated: "For COPA Airlines this is a very proud moment for us to begin operations in this new destination with which we consolidate our leadership in the region, flying to all the countries in Central America and in this fortifying the connection that Hub de Las Americas in Panama City offers." "With our flight to Belize we expect to amplify the opportunities of development in the business and tourism sectors in this city, while improving in an important manner the connectivity of the country to Latin America."
Headed to Sarstoon Island
Our team is headed to Sarstoon Island along with Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security, Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture, Hon. Frank Mena, Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Service, Energy & Public Utilities, Rt'd. Colonel George Lovell, CEO in the Ministry of National Security and other representatives from the Ministry of National Security for the groundbreaking of the Forward Operating Base.
Belize can now use police lawyers to become district attorney in each district
By Wellington C. Ramos.
Many years ago when I was a police officer in the Belize Police Force, they had a part of the division called Prosecution Branch. This division was headed by a senior ranking officer who had some sergeants working with him as prosecutors in Belize City. When police officers made arrest they would prepare their case files and send them to the prosecution branch for legal review. If they needed any legal guidance, they in turn would forward those case files to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) office.
In the districts, the head of the Prosecution Branch was either a sergeant or a corporal. They reviewed the case files and also had to go to court to prosecute the cases. Over time, Belize now has many lawyers who go to court on behalf of the defendants and use legal technicalities to win cases.
I think that now is the time to change this system by appointing these police officer lawyers as district attorneys. In each police station throughout the cities and the towns, one of these police lawyers could be assigned to be the head of the Prosecution Branch. His or her responsibility will be to review all the case files with the assistance of the DPP's office, before they go to court and prosecute a case. He or she will also be the chief prosecutor for all cases. They can also decide if they would allow a corporal or a sergeant to go and prosecute a case on their behalf.
Dog Training with Behavioralist Oksana in San Pedro
Join international trainer and behavioralist Oksana on Saturday December 12th from 3 to 4PM at Saga Humane Society Fort Dog. Work your own dog for $5 or train with a Saga dog for FREE. Learn the good canine citizen basics, sit, stay, do tricks and walk on a leash. Get expert advise and answers to all those tough behavioral questions. To reserve your spot or to sign up to work a Saga dog please email [email protected].
Caribbean Examinations Council meets in Belize
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) held its 47th meeting in Belize City on Friday 4 December and the meeting of the School Committee (SEC) on Thursday 3 December 2015 under the chairmanship of Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies. The opening ceremony for Council and presentation of awards for outstanding performances in the May/June 2015 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations took place on Thursday 3 December.
Patrick Faber, minister of education delivered the feature address at the ceremony. Faber described CXC as "a fine example of regionalism." The minister said CXC is a true partner with Belize and is currently working with CXC on several projects.
Friday Open Jam!
Friday Night Open Jam! We have a full band that plays every Friday & we welcome anyone to join! Whether you sing, play the maracas, drum, guitar�. come have a�Location :
Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill, Front StreetStart Date: December 11, 2015End Date: December 11, 2015Time: 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
November 22nd - December 5th, 2015 Belize Fishing Report
Old friends fished with us this week, and it is always a pleasure to host our extended El Pescador family. Weather still not 100% but the fishing was still solid.
Belize Screen on the Green Tinight!
Even though it is a beautiful night tonight... becuase of an electrical issue on GG Field, Belize Screen on the Green will be held at George Price Center tonight. We still promise we will have a great time though!!!
The movie ("Philadelphia" starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington) will start at 6:00 PM!!! Hope to see everyone there.
Channel 7
Moving Forward With The Base
"Build the Base Now!" - we've all heard the battle cry from critics of the Barrow Administration - who accused the government of going soft in the Sarstoon.
Well, they will build the base. True to the campaign promise, Government representatives went to the banks of the Sarstoon for a ground breaking ceremony today.
Our news team hit the road to PG at 3:30 am, and we found the Guatemalans ever vigilant of any vessels entering the River. Daniel Ortiz and Codie Norales raced back from PG and they have that story:
This morning, The Punta Gorda Town Pier was the launch site for 5 boats belonging to the Ministry of National Security: 3 for the BDF and 2 for the Belize National Coast Guard.
Just before 8 o'clock, senior government officials started to assemble for the journey. The line-up Included the Minister of National Security, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, the Minister of Education, the CEO in the National Security Ministry, the CEO in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, 2 representatives from the Organization of American States, high ranking officers from BDF, and senior personnel from the Coast Guard and the Police Department.
Forward Base On Hunting Caye Held Up For a While
It's also been over a year since construction screeched to a sudden halt at the other Coast Guard Forward Operating Base on Hunting Caye. That's after the firestorm of controversy that erupted the when the public found out that a Guatemalan company, BINARQ, had been building the base.
The US Government made it clear to the Barrow Administration that if the Belize Government didn't want the Guatemalan company building the base, then they would have to do it themselves. Since then, that project, which is 75% complete, has stalled.
Construction has not lulled for months, and so while we had the opportunity today, we asked the CEO in the Ministry of National Security when it will start up again. He told us that the tender to a Belizean construction company has to go out first:
Port of Belize And Stevedores Still At Standoff, Cargo Ships Delayed
The dispute between the Port of Belize and the stevedores continues tonight and it seems it's only getting worse. As we reported last night, Port CEO Arturo Vasquez has turned to the Labor commissioner to try and solve this issue but it doesn't seem it will be that easy. This afternoon the CWU president Audrey Matura Shepherd and the Stevedores met outside the Port and by the looks of things - the stevedores are really getting fed up of the back and forth. Shepherd told us today that they are willing to go back to work and to negotiate BUT, they made it clear - they will not settle for anything less than what they say was agreed on.
Audrey Matura Shepherd - President, CWU
"We began negotiating what we call the retirement/pension benefit and we thought that went well. It took us about 5 or 6 hours that day but we ironed out, we asked the questions and we worked it out. The reason we had to do that is because the guys would not go back to work unless that was agreed on. We thought we had something concrete, we didn't write down all the details but we had an one page agreement in principle as to the amounts. Now throughout that negotiation it was clear cut that what we were dealing with is something that is retroactive to 2004; because there has never been an agreement."
Murdered John Doe Buried In Buena Vista
The body of an unidentified Hispanic male was found in the area of Spanish Lookout last night. The decomposed body was not far from the Iguana Creek Bridge - and the man - who only had on underwear - appears to have been chopped to death. Police say the victim - who is being classed as a John Doe - had been chopped to the head; three gashes were seen at the left side of his head by his ear. An onside post mortem placed the time of death sometime earlier this week. But, because of the decomposition, he had to be buried immediately - and that was done in the Buena Vista cemetery this afternoon.
Police have no clues about his identity, no ID cards and no missing persons reports. They are saying that one possibility is that the body may have come from down the river and washed up. The investigation continues�
The First Senate Showdown Is Over A Supplementary
The new Senate had its first full working session today in Belmopan. The meeting started at 10:00 in the morning and went until just a few minutes before 6:00 - so it was a very full day. A good portion of it was spent debating the supplementary appropriation bill - basically an accounting of how the government spent 44 million dollars in Petrocaribe Funds in the last three months of 2015. It generated fiery debate in the House on Friday - and did much the same today - here's the back and forth:�
Hon. Mark Lizarraga - Business Senator
"So not only are we concerned about the correctness of the numbers and how the numbers change from one set that has been presented a few months ago to the set that is being presented now; but we don't know what it is that any of this was spent on. Today we are being asked to approve 44.7 million dollars. How can we know what was spent and on what projects Mr. President? None of here perhaps knows. How can we know if we have received value for money?"
"If one receives numbers and the numbers are not consistent, if you can't rely on the numbers; granted we don't have none of the details but the very numbers themselves that they present to us continue to change. One begins to question not only competency but perhaps other things. Where is the transparency? You can't take this to a banker to get this approved, an economist, an attorney, an engineer."
BPP Wants UN Convention
So while things went more or less predictably in the Senate Chamber, outside, the Belize Progressive Party was trying to shake things up. They've had absolutely no luck at the polls, but the third party is trying to tap into public sentiment by its enthusiastic embrace of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. Today was international anti-corruption day and the BPP used the opportunity to key in on the fact that the government of Belize has not signed the convention. They started with a very small protest outside the national assembly where Bobby Lopez explained why it is meaningful:�
Bobby Lopez - BPP
"We don't like to be blacklisted, we don't like to look bad in the world community and corruption continues to escalate so it is important that we let them know that we, the BPP on this day would have been signing that document because that was our pledge."
Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"Is it a source of disappointment to you that you all keep coming out but the numbers don't seem to come out? It's like people don't take serious what's happening."
OCEANA Eyes Opened On Offshore Drilling
As we have reported, the government has announced that off shore oil drilling is banned in all 7 World Heritage Sites in and along the Belize Barrier Reef System. OCEANA, COLA and other agencies have welcomed and applauded this decision. But they say, there is still more to research, more to be done on this issue. And that's why OCEANA held a conference today at the Radisson to continue the discussion of off shore oil drilling in Belize. Trinidadian Expert Marc De Verteuil was invited to present on Trinidad and Tobago's challenges as the oldest and most experienced oil producing country in the world. He says that Belize can learn a thing or two about the catastrophic risks involved in off shore oil exploration.
Marc De Verteuil - Director and Founder, Papa Bois Conservation Group
"Trinidad is littered with ancient oil and gas infrastructure, old pipes, platforms, well heads. Some of these well heads have never been properly capped. There's one well head in particular I can think about 5 years ago I stumbled across it and it was Trinidad's first commercial oil well. It was drilled in 1867; the oil well was leaking about 4 or 5 gallons every day into this big sump which occasionally would be emptied by the oil company. If it started to rain the sump would fill up with water, the oil drifts on top of the water, it would flow into the neighbourhood. Create a huge environmental hazard, go straight into wetlands. In dry season the whole area would dry out and you get bush fires and the oil and the well would actually get caught on fire every year; fire services would have to come and put it out."
Alleged Robber Remanded
Last night we told you all about the robbery on west canal in Belize City - when a thief snatched a knapsack with over ten thousand dollars in it. Police were quick to respond and recovered most of the items - along with a gun in a house on Wagner's Lane within a few minutes.
Five men were detained and today two of them were charged.
19 year old Malieck Michael Humes and 22 year old Macory Alexander Neal were taken to court today and charged for kept prohibited firearm, kept unlicensed firearm and kept ammunition without a gun license along with handling stolen goods.
They appeared in Court #5 before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza where they were read four charges, one count for an extended nin millimeter magazine, one count for a Baretta 9 millimeter pistol, one count for 42 nin mm live rounds and one count of handling stolen goods for possession of a small black plastic bag containing $9,639.00 in Belize currency, and a tablet valued at $2,000 dollars property of Zane Allen Robinson.
Shady Dentist Out On Bail
Dentist Robert John Hall appeared in San Pedro Magistrates Court today where he was read a charge for a single count of making false representation.
He was granted bail - after he turned over all his travel documents. That was completed this evening and tonight he is out on bail. He reappears in court on the 12th of February.
As we reported last night, Hall was convicted in the US, and sent to jail for injecting semen into at least seven of his patient's mouths. But he seems to have effortlessly manipulated the Medical Council of Belize and gotten a license to work as a dentist, using just a nickname, Robert Bob Hall.
Two Women And A House
2 Belize City women will be having a very special Christmas this year after they both received a brand new house today. 39 year old Beatrice Pratt and 55 year old Delphina Terry were living in what could hardly be considered a house - their living conditions were deplorable. But today all that changed when they were both given the keys to their new 3 bedroom houses. We found out just how ecstatic these families were
The 3rd home will be handed over to another recipient next year.
The Placide Way
Trinidadian-American war veteran and world renowned vocalist Gerard Placide is in Belize spreading a message of hope. He came to our studios yesterday to tell his quite remarkable life story, where he went from the most abject circumstances to becoming an accomplished vocalist and a world renowned motivational speaker. And now he is here to tell Belize that no matter what you are going through , never give up hope.
Placide has traveled across the country and has made several appearances at churches and schools. He leaves on Monday and will return in January.
Salvation X-Mas
And so Placide spread that same message of hope to the kids at the Salvation Army's Christmas party today -and he did it through song. We stopped by the party to find out just how fun and special this year's party was
Over 650 kids attended.
Hon. Hulse Scolds Espat
And the last two items on the news tonight are from today's senate meeting. The day opened with a statement from Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse. He was responding to the PUP's Toledo East Area Representative Mike Espat. Espat spoke at Friday's House Meeting about an immigration hustle where a dozen persons from Trio and Bella Vista villages in his division were tricked into paying a thousand dollars for bogus nationality documents. To hear Espat's version of the story, the same involved high level corruption with the Department and he used his parliamentary privilege to list the names of some very senior staffers - and allege that they were involved in the scam. Well today the Minister of Immigration set the record straight and said Espat needed to give an apology:..
Hon. Godwin Hulse - Minister of Immigration
"Mr. President the fact of the case is as follows. On Thursday October the 29th 2015 I was informed as the minister responsible for immigration by the chairman of Bella Vista village that some 12 person had paid for and received nationality certificates from an operative who claimed to be an immigration official. On Friday October the 30th 2015, the chairman brought a copy of one of the certificates to the offices of the department of immigration. I convened a meeting with the director and the CEO, who both like myself, immediately recognized this document to be a fake. Everything was wrong; the paper, the printing, no seal, a signature that bare no close resemblance to any immigration minister, present or past. No oath on the certificate."
Senator Set-To-Right
And if you watched our coverage of the senate meeting today you saw a few new Senators. They were learning the ropes during their first working session in the upper house. And veteran senator Lisa Shoman had a scolding for UDP newcomer Macario Coy - who was responding to the PUP's Jason Patrick Andrews:..
Hon. Patrick Andrews - PUP Senator
"This loan of 12 million that we are talking about in 20 years' time, I plan to still be around and some of my young colleagues on the other side, we will be around having to figure out how will we paying these 20 million."
Hon. Macario Coy - UDP Senator
"I want to, of course let him know that the people of Belize had spoken on the 4th of November.
Channel 5
Ground Broken for Joint FOB at Sarstoon River
A groundbreaking for the Forward Operating Base finally took place this morning at the Sarstoon River in southern Belize. The base will be used to support tactical operations by the [...]
Guatemalan Diplomatic Note: Kindly Leave Illegal Fishermen Alone
While the Guatemalans seem to have had a change of heart in respect of the erection of an F.O.B. on the Belizean side of the Sarstoon River, its government, via [...]
What was a Guatemalan Drone Doing Overhead in Belizean Airspace?
As we reported earlier, the official tour of the Sarstoon River, including the proposed site of the Forward Operating Base and the Cadenas outpost, went without incident.� While the Guatemalan [...]
PBL versus CWU; the Deadlock Continues
At news time, striking stevedores are still camping out at the Port of Belize where they have been since one o'clock this afternoon. But all is quiet despite reports that [...]
CWU Still Unable to Meet with Labor Commissioner Amid Impasse
The CWU has been having emergency meetings with the executive and the stevedores but the situation remains fluid. Audrey Matura-Shepherd, President, CWU "Decisions aren't mine alone, so I keep [...]
Chamber of Commerce on Impact of Ongoing Gridlock at Port
More than one hundred containers are waiting to upload and unload. The situation has dire consequences on many fronts. Exports represent thirty-seven million dollars while the imports so far for [...]
Immigration Minister Gives Update on Security Measures to Prevent Corruption
The Ministry of Immigration seems to be ever under scrutiny for a series of irregularities concerning documentation obtained through fraudulent means. At the House meeting last Friday Prime Minister Dean [...]
An Unidentified Man Found Murdered in Spanish Lookout
The lifeless body of an unidentified man was discovered by San Ignacio police on Tuesday night in an area of the Spanish Lookout Community known as Mennonite Beach.� Sometime before [...]
Petrocaribe Appropriations Bill Tackled in the Senate
On the table for discussion, debate and passage before the Senate this morning were two loan motions for road rehabilitation and tourism, thirteen agreements for ratification and the usually inflammable [...]
Opposition Says There's Lack of Accountability in Petrocaribe Expenditure
And then the rest of the field from both sides of the Senate weighed in. From the Opposition side there is a clear problem because while they are being asked [...]
Senate Discusses State of National Highways
The government of Belize conducted a successful campaign leading up to general elections based in large part on an infrastructural surge across the country. And it has continued, as today [...]
Robert Young Jr. Freed of Theft Charges
A Belize City taxi driver,� accused of theft of two vehicles and over five thousand dollars in cash from an international company, was freed of the charge by Chief Magistrate, [...]
Brandon Tillett Hit with Additional Charges in Attempted Murder Case
In court today, BT, the infamous Brandon Mason Tillett, associate of the George Street Gang, was before the lower court for an attempted murder case for which he is awaiting [...]
Belize Progressive Party Calls on G.O.B. to Sign Anti-corruption Convention
Today is international anti-corruption day and around the world one hundred and seventy-seven countries are observing it. Belize isn't one of those countries, but about seven persons representing the Belize [...]
Quality Poultry Takes Lick Due to Stevedores Strike
As we have reported, the strike has implications with goods coming into and going out of Belize for the Christmas season. Caught in all this, is the importation of turkey [...]
Quality Poultry General Manager Says Impact is Tremendous
According to Barkman the impact is tremendous and the losses so far are about half a million dollars during one of the busiest times of the year. For now, the [...]
OCEANA Holds Annual Conference on Belize's Water Systems
Today at the Radisson Fort George in Belize City, OCEANA Belize held a conference to further discuss the issue of offshore oil exploration in Belize and the state of Belize's [...]
Salvation Army's Christmas Party Draws Hundreds of Children
It is the season for giving and our friends at the Salvation Army are doing just that. Earlier today, as they do every year, the organization hosted children from numerous [...]
CTV3
Hulse Demands Apology From Mike Espat
During the House of Representatives on Friday Area Representative for Toledo East, Mike Espat brought up another Immigration Scandal for the Barrow Administration. While the David Nanes Schnitzer case dominated the conversation in the House, Espat, with documents in hand, called on the Government to conduct an intense investigation at the Immigration Department because there was rampant corruption. As he outlined the details of the case Espat even called out names of persons who assisted individuals living in Bella Vista to receive nationality and residency for approximately one thousand dollars days before the November fourth elections.
This morning, during the Senate meeting in Belmopan, Honorable Minister of Natural Resources and Immigration, Senator Godwin Hulse, indicated that there has been no evidence presented of any involvement of members of the Department, and much less of those mentioned by the Area Representative.
Ground Breaking Takes Place For Construction Of Forward Operating Base
The requested for a Forward Operating Base to be constructed on the Sarstoon Island in southern Belize has been one of the highlights of this year. If one can recall the issue was widely debated on the media and even on social media.
It even brought about the rather infamous showdown on the Sarstoon River between the Belize Territorial Volunteers, and the Guatemalan Navy. The incident not only sparked outrage but also developed a fierce discussion country wide as to who the Sarstoon Island belongs to.
But as they say, after the storm comes the calm and while the Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute will not wash away anytime soon, today we can say that the first step was made to construct the Forward Operating Base.
Early this morning a team of officials comprised of Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities, Hon. Frank Mena, Retired Colonel George Lovell, and the CEO in the Ministry of National Security along with other representatives headed to the Sarstoon Island for the ground breaking of the new Forward Operating Base.
Belize Named In Another Money Laundering Scandal
Belize has once again been named in a fraudulent pyramid scheme, where millions of dollars was laundered.
A report coming from The Canadian Press, states that police in Toronto have arrested two men in connection with a US$ 93 million pyramid scheme. Police say the scheme was operated under the name Banners Broker and was operating out of a Toronto address between October 2010 and March 2013. Banner Brokers promised users the chance to double their investment in an advertising company that was linked to a globally renowned network. Of the $93-million allegedly raised from investors by Banners Broker, Toronto police say $45-million was paid out to early investors, who then attracted others to the scheme.
Victor Recinos Becomes New Comptroller Of Customs
The Belize Customs and Excise Department has a new Comptroller. He is no other than 54 year old Victor Recinos who is scheduled to officially take over the department on Monday December 14th.
Recinos will take over the seat from former controller Emil Grinage who has reached the retirement age and will be in charge of over 200 employees.
The 54 year old takes over the department at a time when Belize is reeked by contraband activity.
As it pertains to that subject Recinos told the Amandala Newspaper that one of the functions of the department is to carry out regular patrols at the border and to set up checkpoints in order to ensure that individuals don't try to avoid paying duty, and that they are using acceptable ports of entry and not illegal ones, which would be in direct violation of immigrations and customs laws.
LOVE FM
Investigators Seek to Identify Body Found in Western Belize
Police are looking to positively identify a body that was found in Spanish Lookout on Tuesday. Police say they went to an area known as the Mennonite Beach area which is about a mile from Ant Trial road that leads to the Belize Old River where they saw the body of a Hispanic male person [�]
Ground Breaks for Sarstoon Operating Base
Today ground was broken for the construction of a forward operating base at the mouth of the Sarstoon River in southern Belize. Sarstoon Island and the river have been the latest point of contention between Belize and Guatemalan in regards to Guatemala's unfounded claim over Belize. A few months ago, the Belize Territorial Volunteers led [�]
Saldivar Shares Diplomatic Note from Guatemala's Foreign Ministry
According to Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, representatives of 'friendly nations' would have been present at today's ground breaking ceremony if it was not for a late invitation. An invitation was also sent to Guatemala's Foreign Ministry through its embassy here in the country. However, no one from Guatemala showed up today. However, the [�]
Belizean Waters or Guatemalan Waters?
As was mentioned in the story, several Guatemalan gun boats were seen patrolling near the mouth of the Sarstoon Island. It is presumed that they are in Guatemalan waters. That presumption is based on the equidistance principle. In maritime boundary claims, the equidistance principle is a legal concept that a nation's maritime boundaries should conform [�]
Did Guatemala Invade Belize's Airspace?
While the Guatemala gun boats stayed off Belizean waters, a drone equipped with a camera was sent to hover above the group that participated in the ground breaking ceremony. It was clearly seen that the small drone, came from the Guatemala side of the border while the five boats slowly made its way to the [�]
Operating Base at Hunting Caye Near Completion
While the Forward Operating Base at Sarstoon will take about three months to be completed, the base at Hunting Caye is near completion. The last we reported on it was when the US Embassy pulled its funding after the Government objected to the base being built by BINARQ, a Guatemalan construction company. Today, CEO in [�]
Senator Hulse Demands Apology from Toledo East Representative
In last week's sitting of the House of Representatives, Toledo East Representative, Mike Espat rose to bring about what he had described as further corruption in the immigration department. Minister of Immigration, Godwin Hulse is not an elected minister and thus he was not on hand to respond to those allegations. However, in today's sitting [�]
Handful of Protesters Gather at National Assembly
When we spoke with Robert Leslie of the Belize Progressive Party this morning, he and a handful of Belizeans were protesting in front of the National Assembly with posters and placards on national issues of concerns. According to Leslie, the corruption in the Government needs to be unmasked as it affects the leaders to provide [�]
BPP Continues Lobbying for Belize to Sign Onto the UNCAC
Today is dubbed the International Anti-Corruption Day with the objective of raising awareness of corruption and of the role of the Convention in combating and preventing corruption. The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Convention against corruption on October 31, 2003. The Assembly further went to designation December 9 as International Anti -corruption [�]
Senate First Meet for Term 2015 - 2020
The first official sitting of the Senate under this new term of Government was held today within the chambers of the National Assembly. Six new senators were making their debut in this sitting, namely, Pastor Ashley Rocke, Macario Coy, Dr Carla Barnett, Aldo Salazar, Francine Burns and Stephen Duncan with the notable absence of a [�]