PlusTV
Man shot, crashes before reaching hospital
There was another murder in Belize City last night. The deceased has since been identified as Kemmar Edgar Wade. Wade was shot to the head and the body. He was found dead in his car which had crashed into a lamp post. Police told us more. Wilfredo Ferrufino; Crimes Investigation Branch: Sometime aro...
No leads, no radar detection of drug plane despite new $13M radar equipment
There have been no leads in the recent landing of a suspected drug plane. The plane was discovered early Tuesday morning. Today, gave some information on the new plane landing. ASP Joseph Myvette, OC NCIB: Upon inspection of the aircraft it was found that only the pilot seat was affixed inside the a...
Escaped Prisoner Johnny Matus found
One of three escaped prisoners has been captured. 19 year old Johnny Matus had been on the run for almost two weeks after he and two other men sawed their way through the metal bars of their holding cell at the Corozal police station. On Tuesday morning, Matus was recaptured. Wilfredo Ferrufino; Cr...
ELRINGTON SAYS ‘BELIZE HAS TO GET A ‘YES’ VOTE OR ELSE’
By now, most Belizeans are well aware of the results of Guatemala’s referendum held on April 15th. But, has the ‘yes’ vote of the Guatemalan people placed pressure on Belize to also vote ‘yes’ ? Foreign Minister Elrington told the media that Belize has to get a ‘yes’ vote in order to avoid the possi...
VIP condemns international pressure to go to ICJ
Today, Vision inspired by the people issued a press release saying that they reject any international pressure on the issue. The Release says that “If Minister Elrington is to be believed, Belize faces a grave position on the international scene which requires an urgent and decisive national respons...
NEW CITY COUNCIL says old City Council monies don’t match up
It has been fifty days since the elected PUP’s have taken office at the Belize City Council. Today, the new City Council held a transition team report in which they revealed what they are calling inconsistencies, discovered from an ongoing audit at City Hall. According to Mayor Bernard Wagner, the ...
No arrests in Oscar Rosado murder case
The Oscar Rosado Sr. murder which happened on Monday afternoon is being investigated by police. As we told you, the 70 year old businessman was in his store, Rosado’s Hardware, near to the Cemetery in Belize City on Monday afternoon. That is when three men entered and tried to rob Rosado. He resiste...
Patrick Crossdale murder update
was gunned down in broad daylight in the Monument Site area of Dangriga Town. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment but by the time police arrived there, Crossdale was already dead.
Wilfredo Ferrufino; Crimes Investigation Branch: HE was deceased when police arrived at the hospital. Information is that he was travelling on his motorcycle on his way home when an individual exited from the bushes and fired shots at him which proved to be fatal.
Thieves made off with 30k in Cayo robbery
On Monday, we told you about the brazen midday robbery in San Ignacio. It happened at UNO Gas station. A witness pulled out his phone camera and captured two robbers running from the scene. In the video, one of the men can be seen holding a blue bag which held the cash stolen; over thirty thousand dollars. Today, police filled in some of the details..
ASP Joseph Myvette, OC NCIB: 23RD April shortly before 10Am police was called ...
Girlfriend detained in TEENAGE DOMESTIC DISPUTE
A teenage domestic dispute left a young man badly injured. On Tuesday afternoon, 19 year old Herman Solis was stabbed to the right side of his chest. Police told us more.
Wilfredo Ferrufino; Crimes Investigation Branch: Investigations have revealed that he and his common law wife Renisha Alvarez were in a argument and she inflicted...
ELRINGTON SPEAKS ON GUATEMALA REFERENDUM
Only 25% percent of Guatemala’s voting population was represented in the Guatemala referendum. While it is speculated that the low voters’ turnout in Guatemala is an indication that Guatemala’s majority is not interested in Guatemala’s claim to Belize, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington told the media that the referendum was a democratic process in which some people simply decided to not show up.
Journalist: “ What is the perception of the Belize government in the fact that only it was a 26% voter turn out In Guatemala...
New charges for Mexicans accused of ATM stealing
On Tuesday, two Mexican nationals returned to court in ongoing investigations into a series of ATM thefts at Atlantic Banks across the nation. In all, the Mexicans are accused of withdrawing over one hundred thousand dollars from
Atlantic Bank accounts countrywide. The culprits allegedly used several international debit cards to steal the monies 26 year old Belen Hernandez, and 31 year old Lionel Rodriguez, were originally charged back in January...
Another accused killer walks free
Another accused killer has been able to walk free from conviction. The murder trial of 33 year old Orlando Ciedos, which occurred in the Dangriga Supreme court, ended in a Nolle –prose on Wednesday. Ciedos was accused of the murder of 21 year old Edilsar Juarez which occurred on October 9, 2016, in Bella Vista Village, Toledo. Juarez was sharing an apartment with Ciedos when he allegedly hacked Juarez to death with a machete...
Belizean fisherman fined in Guatemala
A Belizean fisherman remains in a Guatemalan jail. Corozal resident Iginio Canto Bacab has been in a detention facility in Livingston, Guatemala for the past week, awaiting monies from home to pay his court fines. As we have reported, Bacab was picked up by Guatemalan authorities a week ago...
Adam Estell pleads guilty to weed possession
Twenty-eight-year-old Belize City resident Adam Estell pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana when he appeared in court yesterday. Estell and 3 other persons who were at his residence at the time of a police search, were all hauled off to court when cops found half a pound of weed...
Another Drug Plane lands
Another suspected Drug plane was landed in Belize, its contents carted off, and the airplane left abandoned. This morning, the large aircraft was discovered on the San Estevan/ Progresso Road in the north sometime after 5 a.m. No one was found at the plane and whatever it was carrying was long gone...
Murder in Dangriga; Man shot in the back
There was a shooting this morning in Dangriga in broad daylight. The incident happened sometime after ten o’clock this morning in the Monument Sitee area of Dangriga Town. According to police, 55 year old Jamaican national and resident of Dangriga, Patrick George Crossdale, was riding his motorcycl...
Another armed robbery in Dangriga
Reports of armed robberies have increased within the past few months and there was another one reported last night, this time in Dangriga. The target was Harlem Store located on Commerce street. The robbery happened sometime after 8 p.m. when three persons entered the store. One was armed with a poi...
One man detained in Oscar Rosado murder
Yesterday we told you about the murder of Oscar Rosado Sr. which occurred during a robbery at his store on Cemetery Road. Today, police issued a report on the incident. According to the police report, sometime around 1:15 p.m. on Monday April 23rd, two dark complexioned men and one Hispanic male p...
Baranco Residents want concessions for logging in their community
A contingent of dissatisfied Baranco residents gathered in Belmopan today for a scheduled meeting at the Ministry of Forestry and Fishery. For over a decade, the residents have been complaining about rapid deforestation in the Baranco forest area. Beatrice Mariano, Vice Chair Person of the Baranco V...
Minor charged for murder of Jason Bellencio
On Sunday, April 15, Jason Bellencio was walking on Lovely Lane in Belize City at around 6:30 when he was met by a barrage of bullets. Five bullets made their mark, hitting Bellencio to the head and back. Bellencio was not known to have any gang affiliations but today a 16 year old minor with clear...
Marlon “Yankee” Everett charged for PG man’s murder
Police have arrested and charged one man in connection to a weekend Belize City murder. Last Night we reported that 25 year old Albert Johnson, a resident of Punta Gorda was shot and killed on Rectory Lane in Belize City. Police have since arrested and charged 28 year old Marlon ‘Yankee’ Everett of ...
Belmopan resident to be charged for intentionally knocking down teen
Belmopan police are getting ready to charge a Belmopan resident with Dangerous Harm and Grevious Harm. This is in connection to the Tyreke Flores traffic incident that occurred in Belmopan last week. As we have reported, Tyreke was riding his bicycle in Belmopan when a vehicle ran him over. The driv...
House fire in Santana
There was a house fire in Santana village on Thursday night. According to police reports, 23 year old Melonie Francine Jones, a Belizean domestic of Santana Village, reported that on April 19th between 11:00 am and 12:00 p.m., she was at home with her two sons under the house when she connected a...
Accused murderer Allan Sommerville walks free
27 year old walked free of murder charges today. Sommerville was the accused gunman in the 2012 murder of Contractor Eleno Requeno. 32-year-old Requena was gunned down in cold blood in the presence of a group of minors. He was walking with a group of children, all relatives and minors, on the edge o...
Accused bank thieves granted bail
24 year-old Damon Dawson and 21 year-old Jonathan Almendarez, were granted bail yesterday when they appeared in court to answer to charges of theft. The duo is accused of stealing $10,000 from Heritage Bank. According to police reports, Damon Dwson was an employee of the bank who processed the ten t...
Gasoline prices go up again
Gasoline Prices go up at the pumps yet again. Effective tomorrow Wednesday 25th, the price of Regular Gasoline as well as Diesel will be increased. A gallon of regular gasoline, which stood at $10.65 cents per gallon, will now cost $11.06 cents, while a gallon of Diesel, which stood at $10.01 cents,...
Belize represented at the Commonwealth Heads in London
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, led Belize’s delegation to the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in London, United Kingdom from 16th-20th April 2018. He was joined by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Laura Tucker-Longsworth; CEO in the...
Hurricanes Vs. Belmopan Bandits
With only a few games remaining in the 2018 Pepsi NEBL regular season, the Smart Belize Hurricanes played against the Belmopan Bandits at the Belize Elementary Gym on Friday night. Glency Lopez was the top scorer for the Hurricanes as he led the team with 19 points. We spoke with Coach Jamel Wagner ...
The Guardian
Amandala
CitCo audit report reveals “a free for all,” says Mayor Bernard Wagner
Belize City’s mayor, Bernard Wagner, and deputy mayor, Oscar Arnold, held a press conference this afternoon at City Hall, where the senior managers of the new PUP Belize City Council were all present. The purpose of the press conference was to present the findings of the transition team’s audit report on the finances at the council.
Mayor Wagner described the financial practices at City Hall prior to his entry and the new City Council members as “a free for all.” At the beginning of the press briefing, Mayor Wagner explained that they would present the facts on what they inherited from their predecessors.
City Council will tackle the “UDP” silt problem near Yarborough Bridge
The silt that has formed at the Yarborough Bridge, where Collet Canal empties into the Caribbean Sea, is not only an eye sore, but the stench coming from it may be a health hazard to area residents.
Silt has been accumulating at this spot since Mayor Zenaida Moya’s time at City Hall, 3 years ago (how long was that?), and very little has been done about it since that time.
Mayor Darrell Bradley and his team had promised that the canal would have been dredged, but this was never done, and now the silt is choking the canal from the Mex Avenue Bridge all the way to Yarborough Bridge.
Move or be moved: Belmopan CitCo gives squatters eviction notice
On Friday, April 13, the residents of Belmopan were shocked when PlusTV’s Louis Wade, Jr. showed photos of squatters who were occupying the Pleasant Creek Reserve area.
For months, the residents of the Belmopan Heights area had complained about the sound of trees being cut down and other noises associated with construction. PlusTV had decided to take it upon themselves to fly a drone over the area, and discovered severe illegal clearing of the land.
This area became a reserve after attempts to subdivide in it 2008 were obstructed by the residents, who touted the importance of the area as a water catchment area, as well as the habitat of a large amount of fauna and flora in the city.
Barranco villagers protest in Belmopan for logging rights
As the early morning heat beat down on Belmopan City, a group of protesters, between 25 and 30 persons, who made the journey from Barranco, Belize’s southernmost village in Punta Gorda, walked around the National Assembly building in colorful Garifuna attire in an orderly protest, beating their drums and carrying placards in a protest against the refusal of the government’s Forestry Department to grant them concession licenses for logging on lands surrounding their village.
The villagers demanded that they be allowed to earn money through the harvesting of trees from lands which are adjacent to their village.
Belize Chamber of Commerce holds AGM
Today, the Chamber of Commerce held their annual general meeting. The Chamber is currently in its 98th year of operation, which makes it the longest serving private-sector organization in Belize.
Kim Aikman, CEO of the Chamber, told Amandala that the central theme of this year’s meeting is anti-corruption. She stated that, “corruption is the root of all the inefficiencies that we have in the economic climate right now.”
Aikman mentioned that they insisted on the government’s signing on to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. They were able to have a guest speaker from Fiji, Mihaela Stojkoska, who is the United Nations Development Program’s senior anti-corruption expert, join them via Skype.
Drug traffickers now using jet plane to move drugs into Belize
The transshipment of drugs through Belize has entered a new phase of sophistication after a twin engine jet plane landed on the San Estevan / Progresso Village Road, located about 3 miles out of San Estevan village, Orange Walk District, early yesterday morning, Tuesday.
The Hawker Siddeley 225 jet (wing span: 14.32m (47 ft 0in), length: 14.42m (47 ft 5in) (It has also been classified by some experts as a British Aerospace 125 — which is a twin-jet business class aircraft.) has presented Belizean law enforcement officials with a major challenge: how to move the mid-sized jet from the village road, where it is now under the guard of Belize security forces. Although it is most likely still airworthy, reportedly, there are no pilots in Belize who could fly it from its present location.
Bandits vs Police; Verdes vs BDF – “away-goal” rule and implications for game 2 of PLB semifinals
Both top seeds in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2017-2018 Closing Season got a wake-up call last weekend in the 1st leg of the home-and-away semifinals. #1 seed Belmopan Bandits SC barely salvaged a 2-2 draw in injury time against #4 seed Police United FC; and #2 seed defending champions Verdes FC were shocked, 2-nil, by #3 seed BDF FC/
Though the last half of this regular season has proven that there is parity in the PLB, these opening semifinals results were a bit surprising. Consider that, only the previous weekend in the final game of regular season, Police United had been bombed, 7-1, by Verdes; and the Bandits had pretty much “owned” Police, beating them twice, 2-1 and 2-0, in regular season play; while Verdes had cruised to 3-1 and 2-1 victories over BDF in their regular season encounters. But the playoffs are the playoffs; the re-set button erases all achievements in regular season, where advancing to the championship is concerned.
Tennis News – Brodies & RF&G Insurance Men’s and Women’s Doubles Tournament
This past weekend was one of some exciting tennis, as the Brodies & RF&G Insurance Men’s and Women’s Doubles tennis tournament kicked off at the Pickwick Club tennis courts under the auspices of the Belize Tennis Association. The format was done as a round robin to increase playing time. There were nine men’s teams which were divided into two groups, and there were four women teams playing round robin.
City Boys 10 & Under Grassroots – Championship results
Good night, Football Family!
The City Boys 10 & Under Grassroots Tournament 2018 concluded on Saturday, April 21, at the Yabra Field with the 3rd Place & Championship games.
In the 3rd place game, Reality Youths drew, 1-1, with Poor & Famous in regulation. Reality Youths then won in penalties, 3-2, to secure 3rd place.
The championship game was a blowout, as City Boys Jr. won, 5-0, over Ladyville Rising Stars.
Cricket Update
Greetings from the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA)!
There was a break in the regular Sir Barry Bowen Harrison Parks Cricket 2018 competition over the April 21 & 22 weekend to allow the BNCA to host the All Star Event.
There were two 20/20 matches played on April 21. The results were as follows:
Editorial: Stress and anxiety
In this third millennium world of social media, it appears that a lot of people have appointed themselves experts on a lot of matters. The problem is that such self-appointed, sometimes attention-seeking, “experts” are not held accountable, do not hold themselves accountable, when their opinions prove to be flawed or inaccurate. Newspapers like ours have to be substantially more careful than those who operate in the social media. There are matters which involve Belize’s national psyche. Such matters can be delicate.
As the arrogant Guatemalan government, oligarchy and military turn up the pressure on the people of Belize, the level of stress and anxiety in The Jewel increases. At such a time, for sure, strong, mature, consistent, legitimate leadership is at a premium in Belize. In Biblical terms, one would say that the flock needs their shepherd more than ever when big, bad wolves are circling and howling.
Mr. Compton’s opinions on the Guat claim
Next month will make it exactly 81 years since the United Kingdom made the suggestion to Guatemala in May of 1937 that they agree to take their unfounded claim of our territory to the Hague Court, now the ICJ.
Guatemala’s capable envoy, Jose Matos, who led the delegation to the coronation of King George VI, 12th May, 1937, met with officials of the British Foreign Office regarding Belize following the ceremonies. Matos was a member of the League of Nations/United Nations/ICJ, so he knew full well that his country had no valid case to take to the court, hence his insistence on going “ex aequo et bono”.
Unfortunately for the Guatemalans, they were ill-advised by a few Central American lawyers at the time that they could claim Belize through the process of devolution, i.e., they could inherit Belize from Spain.
Coffee high
I absolutely don’t drink white rum. You want to know if a man is a low-down, good-for-nothing borracho? Just notice the color of his rum. If he’s drinking white, you don’t want too much of his company. Don’t let anybody tell you not to discriminate. You better know who to flock with, and who not to flock with. You don’t want to be around the white rum kind.
Allow me, I need to invest a little more ink on those rum riff-raff, because it is so sometimes that a little graphics is required to drive a point home. If you see somebody sleeping in the drain, you don’t have to sweat your brains on it. It could be that white thing made from that plant which grows native in Bolivia. I hear that can really have a negative effect on a person. If it’s not that, it’s white rum.
Referendum to go to the ICJ – think it through!
I encourage every Belizean to visit the ICJ website ad learn about its functions and how it deals with disputes such as the Guatemalan claim over Belize. What I would highlight above is that once we remain before the court and allow it to give a verdict, we must be prepared to obey said verdict because there is no appeal process, unlike our local court system.
On the issue of enforcement of the order, it is also different from a local court, yet in its own way it is powerful, especially for a small nation like Belize that does not have the influence and might at the UN Security Council as the U.S. has. This is what is stated on their website: “The court itself has no powers of enforcement, but according to Article 94 of the Charter of the United Nations:
Simply put… Guat es Mala
There are two conclusions we may reach from the results of the ICJ referendum recently held in Guatemala. Firstly, despite the expensive inducement campaign undertaken by their government, only about 25% of Guatemala’s 7.5 million eligible voters took part in the process. We may therefore conclude that the overwhelming silent majority of Guatemalans are not really interested in having a slice of the Jewel. Secondly, of those who voted, 95% are resolved to take the issue to the ICJ pursuant to the will of a Guatemalan oligarchy who are hell-bent on acquiring at least a significant portion of Belize.
Even more significant is the fact that some Guatemalans challenged the April 15th referendum because their country’s constitution mandates that the people go to a referendum after the ICJ has made a ruling in the case and not before.
Citrus Growers Association turning their woes into wins
Many Belizeans enjoy eating sweet oranges, or drinking a cup of freshly squeezed lime juice. Yet, many people are unaware of the major challenges facing the citrus industry. Henry Anderson, CEO of the Citrus Growers Association (CGA), sat down with Amandala to talk about what the CGA is doing to effect a positive turnaround in the industry.
The CGA is investing heavily in the future of the citrus industry, but all is not fine with the organization at this time. The organization borrowed from Atlantic Bank, $2 million to invest in a fertilizer program, and $1.7 million to establish Plant World Nursery. This loan has accumulated interest of a little over a million dollars, so the association has a total debt of 5 million dollars. The bank is set to foreclose on the nursery, but CGA has plans to save it. CGA plans, in coordination with the Legacy Fund, to float a bond for 8.5 million dollars. They are also opening the door for investors in the nursery.
“Sweet sampling for sweet returns” in cane land
In ordinary times the sugarcane industry has its ups and downs, its boom and busts. At different times King Sugar has been challenged by world prices, and pests, and productivity. Belize does not dictate world prices, and in the best of managements, pests will become a problem in a monoculture.
For decades the Ministry of Agriculture, BSI (Belize Sugar Industries), and the Cane Farmers Association(s), have been working to help farmers to improve their crop management, with the primary objective of increasing the productivity of Belize’s cane fields. There are presently some 60,000 or so acres of sugarcane in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts, and Belize has known for a long time that the biggest challenge yet to our 5,000 sugarcane farmers was ahead — that being open market competition with European farmers and their beet sugar.
Gas prices rise yet again
A few days before the Easter holiday, the Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) stated that the prices of fuel were going up, angering many Belizeans who were planning to travel.
Another hike in gas prices happened again earlier this month, and even though the month isn’t yet over, we can expect yet another rise in prices.
On March 27, the price of premium gas had risen by $0.15, the price of regular gas by $0.43, the price of diesel by $0.25, and the price of kerosene by $0.24. April 1 saw a rise in the price of kerosene by $1.32.
Kemmar Edgar Wade, 27, fatally shot on St. Jude Street
Kemmar Edgar Wade, 27, of Belize City, died after an unknown gunman shot him in the back of the head, in the left upper rib cage, and in the left forearm.
Wade, who was employed at the Philip Goldson International Airport, was reportedly driving on St. Jude Street at about 11:00 last night when he was shot by an unknown person or persons.
The Reporter
School managers taking names for salary deductions
The Government of Belize has requested that school managers submit the names of teachers who participated in the March 22 protest, so that their salaries can be docked. The Reporter confirmed that GOB, through the Ministry put out the request today in preparation to make […]
Man killed in Dangriga
Belize has seen its second killing for the weekend, this one in Dangriga. Dangriga Police say that they responded to a call about a shooting in the Wagierale area of Dangriga Town shortly after 10 a.m., today, to find a man, later identified as 42 […]
Brian Hyde convicted of murdering his relatives in Florida
Belizean national Brian Hyde, 22, was found guilty in a Florida court last Friday of murdering his aunt, Dorla Pitts, 37; his cousin, Starlette Pitts, 17; her boyfriend, Michael Kelly and their unborn child in 2015. Hyde was found guilty on four counts of second […]
Hit and run victim succumbs to injuries
Eight days after he was knocked down and left badly injured near the Burrell Boom bridge, Christian Charles, 27, succumbed to his injuries at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) on Monday morning. Charles reportedly died after 5:00 a.m. He had been in a coma […]
PG resident shot dead in downtown Belize City
A resident of Punta Gorda town was shot dead in downtown Belize City sometime around 11:00 last Friday night. When police arrived at the scene on Rectory Lane, they discovered the body of Albert Ervin Johnson, 25, lying face up in the middle of the […]
Man falls from boat during trip and drowns
A man reportedly fell out of a boat and drowned while he and fellow work colleagues were travelling in the vessel last Wednesday. Jose Miranda, the manager of Turneffe Island Resort told police that they were heading out from Belize City to the resort when […]
Former employee is charged in connection with bank theft
Two men have been charged with swindling a customer of $150,000, via bank transactions. Both men are currently out on bail. The accused are former Heritage Bank employees – 27-year-old Damion Dawson and 21-year-old Jonathan Joshua Almendarez, a labourer and resident of Teakettle Village. Both […]
Mason kidnapping case to be decided next month
The notorious William Mason is awaiting a decision from the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court, on whether or not kidnapping charges against him will go to trial in the Supreme Court. Mason appeared before Belmopan Senior Magistrate, Marlene Moody on Monday, alongside former employees Ashton Vanegas, Keiron […]
App and Information Center launched for immigrants in Belize
In order to better facilitate ease of access to free and reliable information for migrants in Belize, the United Nations Agency for Migration (IOM) on April 18th announced the launch of the new Migration Information Center and MigrantApp. The new information hub is situated at […]
Goldson House to host World Press Freedom Day event: “Let Journalism Live!”
The Goldson House in Belmopan, the former residence of Philip S. W. Goldson, deceased Belizean politician, journalist and editor, will host an event to honor the ideals of this national hero on World Press Freedom Day, celebrated each year on 3rdMay. In celebrating this year’s […]
Metamorphosis hopes to tranform Belizean crime landscape
Spikes in crime in recent years have highlighted Belize’s need to find viable, long term solutions to an ever growing problem. Restore Belize has taken on the challenge and in a forum designed for the media, shared their findings and potential solutions. On Wednesday, April 25th, Marydelene Vasquez, Director of […]
PUP holds endorsement conventions in preparation for general elections
General elections are not due until 2020, and before that, Prime Minister Dean Barrow is expected to retire and make way for his successor in time for the elections, but already the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) is getting itself prepared well in advance to […]
NGC to elect new executive at Dangriga Convention
The National Garifuna Council (NGC) is slated to have its 34th Annual Convention on May 18 and 19, 2018, at the Pablo Lambey Center in Dangriga, and executive posts will be up for grabs. Incumbent president Sandra Miranda is seeking a second term of office […]
Bleak days for sugar, as export earnings plunge; prices on the world market may not rebound until 2020
When Belize’s domestic exports underperformed in 2016, sugar’s performance helped to mitigate the impact on the Belizean economy, and it was the only major export to record growth for the first quarter in 2016. Last year, when the economy began to bounce back, sugar continued […]
BTL workers sign collective bargaining agreement
A new pension scheme, vehicle allowance and data plan are all part of a new four-year collective bargaining agreement signed by the Belize Communications Workers Union (B.C.W.U.) with the management of Belize Telemedia Ltd at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City […]
Exports and Imports down for first quarter 2018
Belize’s exports continued to decline, showing a 19 percent drop for the first quarter of 2018 when compared to the previous year. First quarter imports were also marginally less than last year, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). The SIB’s latest External Trade Bulletin, released […]
Editorial
The struggle for independence in Mexico began in 1810 with the famous “grito” of Miguel Hidaldo, one of the heroes of the revolution. On August 24, 1821 Spain recognized the independence of Mexico in the Treaty of Cordóba. Three weeks later, on September 15 of that same year the Captaincy […]
Man shot, crashes and dies
Kemar Edgar Wade, 27, a customer service officer from Belize City became the nation’s latest victim of gun violence when he was shot three times on Saint Jude Street, just behind the Belize City Centre late Wednesday night. Wade was reportedly driving his grey Saturn […]
Another plane lands
The Ministry of National Security (MONS) broke its silence this week, following the latest in a string of illegal aircraft landings. The MONS issued a statement on Wednesday, explaining that Belize relies on the United States, Mexico and other Central American neighbours for information and […]
City Mayor accuses last Council of financial mismanagement
A review of the city’s fiscal and financial operations from March 2014 to March 2017 suggests that the past City Council mismanaged the Council’s funds by non-adherance to its budgets. “Everybody was running a free-for-all; everyone”, Mayor Bernard Wagner commented, as he reviewed the past […]
Gas price gone up again! Regular now over $11
Only nine days after the last gas price increase, Belizeans have been hit with another, this one sending the price of Regular fuel to a staggering $11.04 per gallon. The Belize Bureau of Standards announced on Tuesday, that the price would go up on April 25. The […]
Police gain ground in Rosado murder investigation
Police say they are closing in on the men that are responsible for the brazen daylight robbery which claimed the life of prominent Belize City businessman, Oscar Rosado Sr., this week. On Thursday, the Belize Police Department told the media they are seeking three suspects, […]
Belizean gift products are a hit at Giftionery Taipei 2018!
The National Institute of Culture and History, Belizean Artisans and Unique Belize attended “Giftionery Taipei 2018” to showcase high quality assorted products that are created in Belize and are available for export. Giftionery Taipei, is an annual 4 day “International Gift & Stationery Show” held from 19th April to the 22nd April with this year’s show being hosted at the Taipei World Trade Center in Taipei, Taiwan. This event showcases products ranging from Gifts & stationery, Promotional Items, Holiday Decorations, Stationery & Art Supplies, School & Office Supplies, Art & Crafts, Houseware & Home Living, Toys & Children, Articles, Bags, Jewelry & Accessories, Pet Accessories etc. in the Gifts & Handicrafts, Office & Commercial Supplies industries. Rebecca Stirm of “Twig & Pearl” along with Ms. Karen Vernon, who represented Unique Belize Artisans including Sharondale Humes, Lula Bennett and Marvin Meza, were present for the event with Belizean products proudly and prominently displayed at the Belize booth.
Tapir Crossing - Janiel helps to bring awareness
International Sources
Louisiana Guard member practices jungle warfare in Belize
Louisiana National Guard 1st Lt. Kenrick Cormier became the first National Guard member to graduate from the Belize Defence Force's Jungle Warfare Instructor Course, Dec. 2017.
In addition to Cormier, two Navy SEALs and 25 BDF members participated in the course. He was one of only 13 graduates. Cormier, a Lake Charles resident, has already earned a Ranger tab, Airborne and Air Assault wings during his nearly 15-year Guard career.
The LANG and the BDF have trained and worked together as part of the State Partnership Program, which is administered by the National Guard Bureau, for over 20 years. Over that time, the two countries have participated in more than 250 events. This partnership has led to the beginning of several programs, such as a youth challenge program, modeled after the LANG's, in Belize.
How Bad Is The Corruption In Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua And Belize?
“As the founder of Best Places in the World to Retire, I’m often asked by those living in the US and Canada (what we’ll refer to collectively as “North of the Border,” or “NOTB”), the following question:
“How bad is the corruption in Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua or Belize?” (I’ll refer to these countries collectively as “South of the Border,” or “SOTB.”)
When I dig a little deeper to find out why they were asking, there would usually be two responses: 1) they wouldn’t want to live in a country where corruption was bad; and, 2) they wanted to find out how that corruption would affect them personally.
Simone Biles details her struggle to get back to top form in the gym
Olympic gymnastics champion and Rio 2016 sensation Simone Biles has only been back in the gym for a few months, but she's got her sights set on even greater medal success in Tokyo in 2020.
The talented athlete is the subject of a new video by USA Gymnastics, which shows that the 21-year-old is already back to form and in the thick of training as she prepares to make her comeback to the sport after taking more than a year off to travel and spend time with her family.
In the clip, Simone addresses her hotly-anticipated return to competition, admitting that, while others may have been eagerly awaiting the next step of her career, she hasn't been thinking much about the Olympics because 'so much has happened since then'.
Videos
Night fishing in San Pedro Ambergris Caye, 4.5min.
Find our Roots Feel (Y)our Rhythms, 2.5min. Destination Belize has a new video out for their 20th edition. Some Cayo attractions are in it, as are Los Hijos del West. Worth a watch.
"Destination Belize Introduces the 20th Edition Theme "Find our Roots Feel (Y)our Rhythms"
Marine Conservation in Belize part 1 - Lionfish, 2min. I had a fantastic opportunity back in March to showcase some of the work Reef Conservation International are doing on a tiny remote island in the middle of the Belize Barrier Reef - the second largest coral reef system in the world after the GBR.
This first video details what the teams are doing in an attempt to reduce the numbers of the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans)
Coral Reefs in South Water Caye | National Geographic, 2min. At the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, biologists work to preserve and encourage the growth of coral reefs, which are home to an astonishing variety of wildlife.
Video by Ross Weinberg in South Water Caye, Belize, aboard the National Geographic Quest.
Opening Coconuts | National Geographic, 1.5min. Naturalist Maguil Cespedes demonstrates the proper technique for using a machete to retrieve and open a coconut.
Belize U-15 National Basketball Team recently returned from the COCABA Championship Games, 36min. on Open Your Eyes
Bruk it Down Jenny - preparing parents to talk to their teenagers about dating, 37min. on Open Your Eyes
Aim That I Am Book Launch, 19min. on Open Your Eyes
Scuba Diving in Belize, 13.5min.
Belize Vo-Tech 2012-2016, 16min.
Dangriga Dream Ballers vs Smart Belize Hurricanes, 3hr.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
