LOVE FM
Curasow shooting the result of gang rivalry
This morning shots rang out on Curasow Street in Belize City, where a gunman fired several shots towards a passing vehicle filled with occupants. Kevin Parham was driving his vehicle with several passengers, fortunately, no one was injured. At this afternoon police press brief, ASP Alejandro Cowo, the Head of the Crime Investigation Branch, briefed …
Training Program aims at creating a more child friendly court
For those children who come in contact with the law either directly as a victim or indirectly as a suspect, it is important that the judicial system takes the necessary steps to ensure that their rights are not infringed upon. In this regard, court personnel and other stakeholders are participating in a three day workshop …
Foreign Thieves Credit Card and ATM Scam in Belize
Foreigners have been siphoning funds from accounts associated with at least one bank in Belize. Superintendent Leslie Wade, Officer Commanding Dangriga Police Formation told love News that on Thursday, they intercepted 2 Mexican cars with three individuals: a Columbian, a Peruvian, and a Chilean National. Today, ACP Joseph Myvette, the Head of the National Crimes …
Police inch closer to solving Elodio Aragon’s brief kidnapping
Police have charged two people as they continue to investigate the aggravated burglary of Elodio Aragon Senior’s home and his subsequent kidnapping. While police have not arrested the perpetrators, late Thursday afternoon police reported that 26-year-old Renold Hernandez of San Jose Palmar Village in the Orange Walk District and 19-year-old Rachel Lawrence of Orange Walk …
SMH! Attorney Says Facebook Posts Can Cost You :(
A ruling at the Supreme Court on Monday found that activist, Moses Sulph was guilty of slandering UDP politician and owner of Brints Security Services Mark King. Sulph was ordered to pay over thirty thousand dollars for damages and court costs. King sued Sulph in March last year after Sulph published a post on Facebook …
Alleged Arsonist set house on Fire since He no longer quenced her desire
Last week Friday night, a fire at 78 Dove Street in Ladyville left Levi Bahadur and his brother temporarily homeless. The wooden building quickly kindled the night sky after an arsonist set it ablaze. ASP Alejandro Cowo, the officer in charge of CIB says that they have arrested the man, thirty-year-old Tyrone Fitzgibbon, a fisherman …
Christian unity in Belmopan
Belize is an ethnically diverse country with various cultural and religious traditions. In the Capital, Catholicism is an important part of society. Cayo correspondent Fem Cruz reports about Christian unity in Belmopan.
Burglaries set back schools
Ephesus SDA Primary School and Wesley Lower School have been targeted by thieves who robbed the school of several essential items valued at thousands of dollars. Ephesus SDA Primary School was burglarized sometime between last week Friday night and Saturday morning. Love news spoke with Torrianne Smith, one of the teachers, about the items stolen. …
Pound for Pound MMA Fight in Belize
A group of Mixed Martial Arts promoters and fighters from MMA Events Inc. from the US are preparing for a “Battle in Belize”. That is how they are calling a fight night scheduled for Saturday at the Civic Center in Belize City. But they are not the only ones. Also joining them on Saturday are …
Credit Card and ATM Scammers Arrested by Police
Foreigners have been siphoning funds from accounts associated with at least one bank in Belize. Superintendent Leslie Wade, Officer Commanding Dangriga Police Formation told love News that on Thursday, they intercepted 2 Mexican cars with three individuals: a Columbian, a Peruvian, and a Chilean National. Today, ACP Joseph Myvette, the Head of the National Crimes …
New Health Centers for “most vulnerable population”
The Government of Belize has constructed two health centers which will serve the residents of Sarteneja, San Pedro and Cristo Rey Villages located in the Corozal District. The health centers were constructed at a little over $1.7 million dollars. The Minister of Health, Pablo Marin, told the media that it is a dream come through.
How do you feel about Paulette’s Request?
For the common labourer, to gain twenty five thousand dollars, he/she would have to work for about one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy weeks; and that is not factoring in minimum wage. For Paulette Elrington, however, twenty-five thousand dollars is earned every thirty days and is paid out of the government’s budget under foreign affairs.
Community and Police-Keeping the Peace on La Isla Bonita
Tourism continues to be one of the country’s biggest income earners for Belize. There were over 427,000 overnight visitors in 2017 that traveled to inland destinations and the cayes. 41.6 percent of overnight visitors in 2017, visited San Pedro. Keeping peace on an island that not only has the cultures that Belize has to offer but also the American and European visitors, is a monumental task for the often ill-equipped police department.
Courts and the Gift of Sight to Students
Unicomer, the parent company of Courts and Courts Optical has embarked on a national marketing campaign that results not only in making the brand a household name but delivers the gift of sight to students across the country. Toledo correspondent Paul Mahung reports on the Brighter View project.
San Pedro Police and Community work together to make the Island Safer
Tourism continues to be one of the country’s biggest income earners for Belize. There were over 427,000 overnight visitors in 2017 that travelled to inland destinations and the cayes. 41.6 percent of overnight visitors in 2017, visited San Pedro.
How can Bottle Caps Help fight Cancer?
Belizean parents who have children diagnosed with cancer now have somewhere they can turn to for financial support. That support comes from Banco de Tapitas, an association based in Queretaro, Mexico. The association’s work has crossed into Belize after their encounter with baby Leo, a Belizean child who was diagnosed with leukemia last year. The work of Banco de Tapitas is twofold.
Reward still Offered for information about Murdered American Woman
American National Anne Swaney, a producer for ABC News was killed in 2016 in Western Belize. Swaney was vacationing at the Nabitunich Resort. States. Swaney’s partially nude body was found with injuries to the head and neck. She was found floating in the Mopan River in San Jose Succotz.
BSI Reports on Status of Sugar Crop
The Belize Sugar Industry has issued its numbers on milled sugar cane and sugar produced for the fourth week of the 2018/2019 sugar crop. According to the weekly bulletin, in its fourth week, the factory performance was productive with a little over 47 thousand tons of sugar cane milled and a little over five thousand tons of sugar produced.
Leaked Nudes leaves Teacher in Hot Water
A teacher is reportedly on administrative leave from a high school in Orange Walk Town after nude pics of her were released to the internet. Love News was informed of the situation this afternoon and was told that a meeting to further address the matter is slated for Monday afternoon.
Amandala
Ex-ComPol Whylie didn’t go quietly!
Yesterday, at a command handover ceremony at the Police Training School compound in Belmopan, retired Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie, 54, who handed over command of the Belize Police Department to his successor, Commissioner Chester Williams, 44, surprised many when he literally lashed out at his detractors inside and outside the Police Department.
What should have been Whylie’s swan song turned out to be a speech laden with bitter accusations at the abrupt end of his career as Commissioner of Police. The former top cop was unsparing in remarks he aimed at his fellow police officers and the media, which he accused of orchestrating his removal from office.
Activist Moses Sulph loses to Mark King
Social media has given voice to many people who would otherwise be voiceless, but for community activist Moses Sulph, his Facebook voice has come at an extremely high cost, following a judgment that was made against him in the Supreme Court, which ruled that he had slandered former UDP minister Mark King and his security company.
On Tuesday, January 15, Supreme Court Justice Sonya Young handed down a judgment in King’s favor.
The court had found that Sulph could not prove the allegations that he had made in his Facebook post about Brint’s Security concerning shortfalls in payment to its employees, a couple of whom testified in Sulph’s defense.
Paulette Elrington is not an “ordinary” contract officer
The Government of Belize spends millions of taxpayers’ dollars each year on a number of contract officers employed in all sectors of the public service. Many of these contract officers get all kinds of perks and allowances that the permanent establishment staff can only dream about.
One such contract officer is Paulette Elrington.
In 2008, Paulette Elrington, a daughter of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, signed on as a contract officer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the post of Foreign Officer.
Elrington, according to the copy of a government memorandum Amandala obtained, was last posted at the Permanent Mission of Belize to the United Nations, in New York City.
Promotions and transfers in senior police command
Yesterday, at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan, there was a changing of the guard in the Police Department as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, took over command from outgoing Commissioner, Allen Whylie, who has retired. The Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young, presided over the ceremony.
At the ceremony, the new Commissioner announced some changes in the senior ranks of the Police Department. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Edward Broaster is now the Deputy Commissioner of Police and National Commander of Operations and Crimes Investigations.
Electricity rates will increase to 41.38 cents
Amidst the objections to an increase in electricity rates from 38.62 cents per kilowatt hour to 42 cents that was declared by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the PUC has gone ahead with the increase, but slightly softened that increase, so that the new rate is not 42 cents, but 41.38 cents. This increase will come into effect at the end of the month.
As we had reported in the December 31 edition of the Amandala, BEL had initially requested from the PUC an increase to 41.5 cents per kilowatt hours to recover the $18.9 million they spent to absorb a hike in the cost of power. As per the law, BEL is required to recover these funds through the consumers. The PUC, however, had initially granted an even larger increase.
Aneshia Young, 23, still missing over a month later
Last Wednesday, January 9, marked exactly 1 month since 23-year-old Aneshia Young went missing after attending a work staff party on the previous night, and then leaving from Sit ‘N Sip at around 3 a.m. Today, her family, who have been relentlessly searching for her body, is much closer to finding her than ever before.
Yesterday, January 15, leader of the search team, Jose Espat, held a press conference, which was broadcasted live on Facebook, where he discussed all the circumstantial evidence that has been collected so far, leading up to the hair extensions (“weave”) and human skin found in a shallow grave on December 29.
Barring a miracle, Barrack Road FC to be crowned Peace Cup champions on Saturday at MCC
itting comfortably with a 6-1 victory from game 1 of the championship series, only a large miracle can stop Barrack Road FC from securing the CYDP Peace Cup 2018-2019 Opening Season championship when they face Ladyville FC in game 2 of the Finals on Saturday at the MCC Grounds.
With the final game postponed last weekend due to ongoing negotiations with the referees, a minor inconvenience was created for Barrack Road, whose sweeper, Ryan Gill saw action with BDF FC in their PLB home game against Altitude Assassins FC on Sunday at the MCC. The CYDP championship should have been completed on Saturday last; but with the postponement till this coming Saturday, it means that Gill, who is sweeper for Barrack Road FC, will not be able to perform in game 2 of their championship series.
NEBL 2019 Opening Night at Civic
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tips off its 2019 season this Friday night, January 18, with its showcase opener at the Belize Civic Center featuring defending champion, Belize Hurricanes vs Griga Dream Ballers. Tip-off time is 9:00 p.m.
Then on Saturday, Belize City Defenders travel west to the Sacred Heart Auditorium in San Ignacio to face Verdes; and the San Pedro Tiger Sharks head north to challenge the Orange Walk Running Rebels at the Orange Walk Sporting Complex. Both games tip-off at 8:30 p.m.
Pedal by Pedal report – Chief’s OPEN Sunday Race of January 13, 2019
Some 48 cyclists, divided between 27 Elites and 22 Weekend Warriors, lined up on Sunday for Chief’s OPEN RACE from Leslie’s to Democracia and back to Old Belize, for a total of 52 miles.
As the cycling season comes into full swing, and as the Elites start getting into better condition, they are clearly stamping their authority on the Weekend Warriors. Today’s race was a clear example of that, as some 18 Elites separated themselves from the rest of us before we even got to the turnaround at Democracia. The only Weekend Warrior who made the split was Vallan Symns of Kulture, one of the younger Weekend Warriors (WW).
National Female Football returns next Saturday
In a Facebook post today, the Football Federation of Belize (FFB), through its Women’s Director, Ms. Iris Centeno, announced that all 11 participating teams in the National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) Opening Season last year, would be returning for the NAWL Closing Season which gets under way next Saturday, January 26. The 11 returning teams include: “Corozal Scorpions, Gladiators of Orange Walk, Black Orchid of Belize, San Pedro Invaders, Rebels of Cayo, Santa Elena Strikers of Cayo, Jewel Fury of Belmopan, Dangriga Pumas, Altitude of Midsouth, Rumberas of Midsouth, and Ladies Freedom Fighters from Toledo.”
Editorial: Commissioner Williams’ hopeful goal
New Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, who was appointed to the post on January 9 this year, told the press that his number one goal will be to reduce murders. Commissioner Williams said: “My main area of focus will be on reducing murders, and that will be done through concentrating on gangs and domestic violence issues, because those are the two leading causes of murders in our country.” (Later, Commissioner Williams added a third area he will focus on: nightclubs) An entire nation is hoping, praying that the new Commissioner will pull off the job.
Mr. Williams, a trained attorney who is a 27-year veteran of the national police department, is now top cop in a country that has become one of the most murderous places on earth. He has noted that a lot of murders in Belize are gang-related. That is not news. Ever since the US declared war on drugs, the murder rate in Belize has been escalating.
Rolando Cocom discusses the Guatemala claim to Belize
Dear Editor,
In 1992, on the front page of The Belize Times, the headline read, “National Interests Must Override Party Politics, Forward with the Maritime Act” (Sunday, January 19, 1992).
The Amandala headline ran “UDP Collapse; PSU strike.” (February 17, 1992).
The People’s United Party under George Price had a few weeks before it proposed a Maritime Areas Act (MAA/MAB) with a specific intent for Belize to show Guatemala that we were willing to discuss a mutually beneficial maritime boundary for them to further acknowledge our land boundary and drop its claim over Belize.
In 1991, Guatemala had for the first time recognized Belize as an Independent State. This was seen as a sign of change by Belize and the international community. The motto was “Give peace a chance”.
Cornelius (Pat) Cacho writes on land policy
Dear Editor,
I have been going through some of my writings in preparation for my autobiography and came across the attached, which was presented at a conference in Belize City some almost thirty years ago.
Although I still think it is worth discussing in the interest of the country’s development, it never seemed to take off – maybe because of poor quality, or maybe because of our innate indifference to anything that requires a little thinking.
If you share my view that it has merit and therefore deserves serious discussion, I would appreciate your kindly giving these thoughts some airing.
Sidley takes Mariana to task
Dear Ms. Mariana Verde,
I write in reply to your letter captioned “Mariana Verde questions Sidley Leslie” appearing in the Friday, January 11, 2019 issue of the Amandala newspaper.
In answer to your questions on my contention that on four occasions the Belize government has agreed with Guatemala that the present location of our boundaries is not legally valid and is therefore liable to be changed, be advised that the views expressed in my article “The choice before us” to which your letter refers, are based on impartial and logical conclusions derived from a dispassionate observation of the relevant facts.
Dr. Gerald Zuniga writes – 34 years later
Dear Dr. Manzanero,
A pleasant New Year’s greetings to you and wishes of success in your daily endeavours.
Sir, the purpose of the following is to express to you my deep concern about the recent incidents in the public domain in the first two weeks of this year that reflect the weakness of our health system. As a medical doctor and a concerned Belizean, I find it extremely disturbing that an infant died of diarrhoea, whether it be infectious, metabolic or of any other aetiology and that a police officer died of a gunshot wound in the abdominal cavity, when hundreds around the world survive long-range- rifle gunshot wounds in the abdominal cavity.
Wired to say NO
Some people worry that Guatemala has some ace hidden under its sleeves, which it will pull out at the ICJ and slam on the table, like a winning feech, and game, set and match, kaput, bye-bye Belize. There is no end to horror stories in this world. There are some people who say that earth is the devil’s territory. Then, we shouldn’t bother to fight. We should just yield to temptation…pass the batl, draw the kaak, and, like Omar Khayyam, drink… Drink! for you know not whence you came nor why: drink! for you know not why you go, nor where.
Really, from where will Guatemala get such an ace? If Guatemala had such an ace, would the UN have supported our independence? Did Guatemala just find this ace? If Guatemala has such an ace, not an ace like “Spain gave us to them”, a real ace, one like a referendum in Belize that says that we want to be Guatemalans, then we should just capitulate. We have to respect the will of our people.
Belize will never be destroyed from the outside
In February of 1967, Ambassador Bethuel Webster, who was appointed by President of the United States, Lyndon Johnson, to mediate the dispute between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Guatemala over British Honduras, wrote to me on February 1st inviting the British Honduras Freedom Committee to meet with him. In his letter he expressed his frustration on not being able to arrive at a solution to this dispute which was assigned to him and in his own words wondered “if any of my proposals” would be released.
Ambassador Webster suggested that Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 13 (a holiday) would be a most appropriate day for us to meet. I therefore had to prepare myself to discuss this unfounded claim of Guatemala to our country and to bone up on my knowledge of the Great Emancipation, including a few of his famous quotes, e.g. “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but cannot fool all the people all the time”. “America will never be destroyed from the outside”.
Jahmeel Reyes, 15, still in coma with slug in his head
Jahmeel Reyes, 15, a student of Roaring Creek who was beaten and shot in the back of his head and left to die, lies in a critical condition in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. We checked with his family on Wednesday and they told us that Reyes was in an induced coma and doctors had not yet conducted surgery to remove the slug that is lodged in his head because his brain was swollen.
Yesterday evening, the family told us that a second CAT scan was conducted to monitor the swelling on his brain, but doctors decided that they still couldn’t proceed with the operation. The family said that doctors told them that he had a 50-50 chance of surviving.
Two charged with handling stolen goods from Elodio Aragon, Sr.
On Tuesday, January 15, Orange Walk police charged Renold Hernandez, 26, a driver of San Jose Palmar Village, Orange Walk District, and Rachel Lawrence, 19, a domestic of Palmar Road, Orange Walk Town, with handling stolen goods.
Police did not state in their press release, issued today, Thursday, January 17, what item or items the two, who are charged jointly, were found with.
PUP leader John Briceńo winds down ICJ referendum listening tour
With only a short time remaining before the April 10 national referendum in which Belizeans will indicate, by a yes or no vote, whether they think the Guatemalan claim should be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) , the Opposition (People’s United Party) leader, Hon. John Briceńo is wrapping up his listening tour.
Last week, the PUP issued a press release ahead of the Barrow government meeting with four former PUP Foreign Ministers, who signed a declaration in support of going to the ICJ. The PUP in their release were categorical in saying that the four former foreign ministers did not speak for the party.
Anthony Crawford, 35, in coma after being shot in chest
Just before 9:00 last night, January 14, 35-year-old Anthony Crawford was shot in the chest. Fortunately, he survived the incident, and is recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Initial investigations revealed that Crawford, who is a Belize City resident, was riding his bicycle on Antelope Street, accompanied by another man, when he was shot. According to police reports, it was when he reached the corner of the street, that an unknown man came out of a yard and fired two shots in the direction of the men.
The Reporter
3 MEN CHARGED IN HOSTAGE STANDOFF
On Monday Police formally arrested and charged Richard O’Neal, 26, Wayne Welch, 25 and Steven Bernard, 25, Laborer, with Aggravated Burglary, Wounding, Harm, Aggravated Assault, Kept a Forearm without a Gun License, and Kept Ammunition without a License.
POLICE NAB 3 FOREIGNERS – SUSPECTED BANK SCAMMERS
Dangriga Police on Thursday afternoon intercepted three foreigners who are suspected to have stolen monies using fake ATM cards across Belize.
The three, a Colombia, a Peruvian, and a Chilean, were nabbed around 3:00 p.m., in Dangriga Town while they were in two separate cars bearing Mexican license plates.
WHYLIE FIRED…FIRES SHOTS!
Belize witnessed a changing of the guard within the Belize Police Department this week, with former Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie, the longest tenured top cop, being retired to make way for newly appointed ComPol, Chester Williams. During his farewell speech at the Police Academy on Wednesday, Whylie took a parting shot, alluding that he was forced into abrupt retirement by plotting rivals scheming on his exit.
$30,000 for a Facebook Post
Community activist Moses Sulph will have to pay former United Democratic Party politician Mark King $30,000 over a slanderous Facebook post, following a landmark court ruling in the Supreme Court this week.
On Tuesday, Justice Sonya Young ordered Sulph to pay $10,000 for aggravated damages and $20,000 dollars for general damages to King’s reputation.
The Crushing Weight of Despair
My name is Mike Rudon, and I’ve been drinking pretty much non-stop since I was about seventeen years old. I’m thinking by now I should have been dead a whole bunch of times, or at the very least I should have been sitting on the side of the street somewhere, drinking rum straight out of a flask.
Belizean Economy and International Obligations Part 3
In the last Business Perspective (BP) article we concluded with reference to the need for a proactive approach to the tax reform efforts. As was pointed out in that article, in many instances Belize finds itself virtually forced to make certain tax policy changes in response to one international obligation or the other.
Belize Signs Landmark Tax Treaty
Belize recently signed on to the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), a convention by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) meant to prevent multinational enterprises from avoiding their tax obligations.
Reunited: Raquel Cocom Returns to Belize
After being separated from her daughter for over a year, Orange Walk resident Raquel Cocom returned to Belize with week with her three-year-old daughter, Vera Timofeev.
Cocom returned on Tuesday, after traveling to South Carolina, USA, to retrieve her daughter from her ex-common law husband Andre Timofeev, who had held the child in the US without Cocom’s permission.
NEMO Receives Equipment and Training From Belize Red Cross
The staff of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has received equipment worth $20,000 and training for disaster preparedness from the Belize Red Cross Society.
Breaking Belize News
Police follow fruitless Anny Young report sent to BBN
Police investigated the validity of an email sent to BBN on Thursday, in which […]
New health centers inaugurated in Sarteneja, San Pedro/Cristo Rey
Inauguration ceremonies for two new health centers were held on January 17th and 18th. The […]
Maya Land Rights Commission hosts training in Punta Gorda
The Maya Land Rights Commission hosted a two-day training on January 17th & 18th at […]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs CEO on working visit to Mexico
On Thursday, January 17, Patrick Andrews, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs […]
The Courtenay Doctrine
By Lisa Shoman: What is a doctrine? It’s a creed, a belief; but also a stated principle of government policy, for example, the Monroe Doctrine. The Latin root is “docere”, to teach.A doctrine is therefore supposed to teach something. So what does the “Courtenay Doctrine” teach us?
Making Tamales: It’s a family affair
Growing up in a Mestizo household, these pockets of masa filled with chicken, k’ol and some veggies were a favorite for many special occasions, from birthdays to New Year’s parties. With my aunt and grandma in the lead, my cousins and I had the little tasks of gathering the plantain leaves needed to wrap the tamales and washing and chopping the onions and tomatoes needed for the sauté. I would watch in wonder at the careful process of making this one dish, and of courses, enjoyed eating them hot out of the pot when they were ready!
Art In The Park This Saturday Janauary 19, 2019
Art In the Park is a monthly Artistical event held in Corozal. Several booths come out to showcase their woodwork, pieces of jewelry, Clothing, information booths, food, Miss Deb's food, pastries and more. Do not miss out this weekend's first Art In the Park for 2019.
Y Not Baker in Corozal, Town
in Corozal, Corozal, Belize. Need to order fresh bread? Call them at
+501 402-3354. Or, look them up at Y not Bakery on Facebook. They also deliver around town.
Why choose Corozal, Belize on your next vacation
Corozal is a pleasant seaside town at the very northern end of Belize. Less than 8 miles (12 km) from the Belize-Mexico border, most visitors pass through Corozal on their way to or from popular destinations in Mexico such as Tulum and Chichen Itza.
Corozal played an important role as a trading center throughout Mayan history, and settlement in modern-day Corozal started in the mid-1800s as Mestizo refugees fled from neighboring Mexico. Today, Latin culture and language has persisted in the community, and a large portion of Corozal’s 10,000 residents speak Spanish.
Private Island Getaways in Belize. What Happens Here, Stays Here
When Professor Daniel J. Solove was asked to write a blog post for the TeachPrivacy.com website, readers expected to find a list of 10 privacy justifications that relate to cybersecurity or website threats. In fact, Solove’s explanations about why privacy is critical relates to personal relationships as well.
Among the biggest of Solove’s revelations has to do with privacy leading to one’s ability to change and get second chances. We couldn’t agree more as we work with couples to help them rediscover their relationships.
Because we take this topic seriously, we frequently suggest private island getaways in Belize as the ideal way to get that second chance at love. And you thought all we did at Belizing.com was uphold our reputation for being the #1 travel marketplace in Belize! We also help relationships blossom.
International Sources
Article on Belize written by Cuban Consul Orestes Hernandez
Belize, where multiculturalism is breathed and Cuban solidarity is present
Arriving in Belize is to open a page of any of Alejo Carpentier's novels. The multicultural surrounds you, embraces you and makes you feel imprisoned in the marvelous real.
The first impression of every country is the airport -if Cubans know it- and beyond migratory mechanisms and processes, in Belize it is confirmed that no one resembles anyone. Black men and women, mestizas, of Asian factions, of Mayan origin or representatives of the "Garinagu" people, oblige the visitor to understand how our America is.
In Belize, the language is a nationality festival. The official language is English but also Spanish, Garífuna, Maya-Kekchi, Maya Mopan, Mandarin, German, Arabic and all in a soup of indescribable flavors and colors.
The decolonization game: An ancient sport puts Mexicans in touch with their Indigenous past
For thousands of years, ulama was a religious ritual and a gruelling game, until the Spanish conquest nearly killed it off. Now, Mexicans are embracing it again – and they have the bruises to prove it. Brenda Solano lunged and dived for the ball near the end of an ulama game last week. She hit the dirt and shoved her hip forward, the five-kilogram rubber ball catching her at the ribs. She let out an audible oof − but kept the ball out of her end of the court.
“You have to get hit to learn,” she said cheerily when she limped off the grass a few minutes later. Ms. Solano, a 22-year-old student of anthropology, summoned a stoic air. “It’s about feeling Mexican.”
Her trainer, Arturo Sanchez, gave an encouraging nod. He is always on the lookout for recruits. They were playing this game – on a newly built court for an ancient sport in a town near the Mexican capital – as a demonstration during a community festival, hoping to entice new players.
Leigh Paris Takes Over Belize in "Wood Grain" Video
Leigh Paris is tapping into his Belizian roots... and the early aughts.
On Friday afternoon, the up-and-coming rapper MC released the official video for "Wood Grain," the latest offering from his upcoming 5500 EP. The song was produced by Lyle LeDuff and takes cues from Shyne's 2000 hit single "Bad Boyz," which samples Grace Jones' "Nightclubbin" and Barrington Levy's "Here I Come."
The video features Paris turning up in the Central American country—soaking up the Caribbean sun, hanging with the locals, and partying in the Orange Wown District.
What IS at the bottom of Belize’s Great Blue Hole? Plastic bottles: Richard Branson's expedition to the giant sea hole found pollution next to startling signs of climate change
Plastic pollution including water bottles has been found 400 feet (120m) below the ocean's surface during an expedition down a sinkhole known as the Blue Hole.
Virgin founder Richard Branson is behind the project off the coast of Belize, which set out to explore the complex cave system.
The Blue hole was once on dry land but became submerged around 10,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age.
It is hoped the information gathered during the expedition will shed more light on how climate change has impacted the planet over the course of millennia.
Baby spider monkey found chained at poachers’ house after mother killed
It’s hard enough to imagine what goes through a poacher’s mind when they do harm to animals in the wild, let alone how they could ever cruelly injure a baby animal.
Thanks to the good Samaritan who decided to make a call when they spotted a dubious situation, though, the reprehensible actions of poachers in Central America had a much better outcome than they might have had otherwise—after they murdered a mother spider monkey and detained its badly injured offspring to be sold in the exotic pet industry.
It was six years ago when the rescue crew for the Belize Forest Department received a call about a suspected poacher keeping a baby spider monkey captive.
Videos
St. Catherine's Academy ICJ Debate, 120min.
2017 Belize High School Music Video - Youth, 3min.
Jaguar Swims, 1/4min.
The Ministry of Health - Annual HIV Surveillance Report 2017, 43min. The Ministry of Health discussed the findings of the Annual HIV Surveillance Report 2017. They talked about how the national response is working to address the HIV/AIDS crisis locally. On our couch:
Dr. Russell Manzanero -Head, Epidemiology Unit, MOH.
Dr. Keisha Westby - National TB Assistant Coordinator, MOH.
Sea to Shore Alliance - protection of manatee population in Belize, 20min. Jamal Galves, Coordinator, Sea to Shore Alliance, continues his advocacy work to protect the manatee population of Belize. He was our guests to talk about the latest campaigns.
House of Shotokan lessons has learnt from practicing Karate, 25min. Shihan Raymond Kelly of House of Shotokan shared a few life lessons has learnt from practicing Karate.
Special Agreement and Protocol/Analysis, 55min. The Referendum Unit continued it educational series on the Belize Guatemala territorial dispute. Today their representatives discussed the Special Agreement and Protocol/Analysis and Request to the ICJ. On set:
Ambassador Alexis Rosado - Head, Referendum Unit.
Ambassador Dylan Vernon - Member, Referendum Unit.
PACT at 22!, 7.5min. The Protected Areas Conservation Trust released a video to celebrate their 22nd anniversary. The video explains many of the projects they fund around Cayo and Belize. Happy birthday, PACT!
"In 2018, PACT marked 22 years of work in the protected areas of Belize. The organization has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1996 and has grown to be a locally, regionally and internationally recognized Trust Fund. We are proud of the effort that Belize has put in the sustainable management of protected areas, through a dedicated financial mechanism, as is PACT. This short video highlights some of the major successes so far and the work continues!"
BELIZE NAVIDAD, 10min. Stevenson Christmas 2018 in Belize.
Swimming with Sharks in Belize, 7min. Took a ferry out to Caye Caulker, Belize & swam with nurse sharks & sting rays.
Belize 2019, 9min.
Placencia, Belize and our experience checking into the country., 22min. Sailing Belize: In this episode; After leaving Cay Caulker and navigating shallow Porto Stuck we've arrived in Southern Belize at Placencia. We love this area but checking into the country can sometimes be challenging. Listen as we recount our experience clearing in.
Ziplining in Belize!, 6min.
Cavetubing in Belize!, 10min.
Sailing Belize in catamaran - Episode 10 - Tobacco Caye, 4min. After South Water Caye we reach Tobacco Caye. Great and quiet mooring, beautiful island and nice snorkeling on the reef
AmbergrisCaye.com 
