The government announced moments ago that Belize has maintained its Tier 2 status on the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for 2024. According to the press release, this status reflects Belize’s ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and protect victims.
“The Tier 2 ranking acknowledges Belize’s substantial efforts to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The government recognises the complexities of this global issue and is committed to continuous improvement and comprehensive strategies to tackle human trafficking within its borders. The report acknowledges Belize’s efforts in convicting two traffickers, the increase in the identification of victims, as well as an increase in trafficking investigations.”
Belize was praised for its cooperation with foreign law enforcement officials, which led to the arrest and conviction of a trafficker. The report also commended Belize’s ongoing sensitization campaigns, which, during this reporting period, provided awareness training to liquor licensing board members.
The report also raised concerns and recommendations. The government says it reaffirms its dedication to eradicating human trafficking.
The full report can be found here: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/belize/
On Sunday evening, a gunman targeted Joshua Gillett and Stanley Moore in the Lake Independence area of the Old Capital. Witnesses report that Joshua Gillett and Stanley Moore were travelling in a BMW when they were attacked at the junction of Mahogany and Santa Barbara Streets. Gillett, who was driving, sped to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (K.H.M.H.) with Moore dead in the passenger seat. Gillett remains in critical condition.
Stanley Moore (deceased) and Joshua Gillett (critical)
Moore’s mother, Jennifer Wade, posted a screen-recorded video of a conversation she had with her son before he was fatally shot. Moore told her, “if anything happened to me right, I am just making you know that one time that it is the police them because they are (bleeping) with me for lone (bleep).” She advises him to head home. She said on her Facebook, “Three days ago on June 20th at 12:06 AM, I received a disturbing message from my son, and today I received the most heartbreaking news that my son was murdered. I need answers about my child’s death. The worst part about it is I’m not even in Belize City I’m in New York with family members and I can’t do nothing. I need justice for my child.”
When Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, appeared on Open Your Eyes this morning, he was asked about the incident. The commissioner said investigators know who the shooter is. “We already know who the individual is and we are looking for that individual.”
“Some may say, but what were the two doing there? That is not their area. But we cannot hold them accountable for that because this is Belize. We are free to move how we want. So you can tell me that I have to confine myself to one square mile in the country.”
Vehicle that Stanly Moore and Joshua Garbutt were in when they were targetted in Belize City.
Gillett is well known to the police. He has been charged with wounding, threatening words, dangerous harm, use of deadly means of harm, and attempted murder. He’s also been shot and injured. He is a resident of Conchshell Bay.
“We have this gang world issue. There are persons who are very thinned skin. They are very insensitive and it takes just a little to spark them. I have always said, we must do our work in such a way that we don’t allow one idiot to do something stupid and that would normally create that chain of events.”
Police Commissioner Chester Williams on Open Your Eyes.
According to Williams, the recent shootings all stem from an incident at the ‘Trinibad’ concert that took place in Belize City a few weeks ago. “We saw where it went from Southside, to Supal Street, to BLC, to PIV and now to Conchshell Bay. It only takes one sparks and it spreads like a wildfire.” Williams says that officers are working to prevent future incidents.
A second man was murdered over the weekend in Belize City. Fifty-year-old Dion Bowden was fatally shot early on Saturday morning. He was on Pitts Alley when the incident occurred. His body was found lying on the ground with several gunshot wounds. Police have arrested and charged thirty-five-year-old Jeffery Pott of Belize City for Bowden’s murder. The motive is not known yet.
Dion Bowden (deceased) and Jeffery Pott (alleged shooter)
The owner of one of the Belize City bus runs, Phillips Jones, is holding a press conference at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel. Flanked by his attorney, Arthur Saldivar, Jones is voicing concerns about the potential impact of the Belize City E-bus initiative on their business. Saldivar stated that the Belize City Council’s new proposals could unfairly jeopardise some of the ten city bus runs. Tune in to News 5 Live at 6 for more details.
Over a hundred public officers countrywide were celebrated for their years of service. Last Friday, the Ministry of Public Service hosted the Annual Public Service Day and Award Ceremony under the theme “Honouring Our Everyday Heroes. Public Servants, Empowering Communities, Enriching Lives” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
At the ceremony, one thousand and five hundred public servants across the country were recognised for their long service. One hundred and eight public officers were celebrated for being in the public sector for twenty-five years.
At the event, Minister of Public Service Henry Charles Usher said, “After sixteen years, the collective bargain agreement between the government and the bargaining agents of public officers and teachers was finally signed” The agreement was one of “three landmark documentary achievements. Two bills were introduced in the last house meeting; one, anti-sexual harassment, and two, dealing with disabilities.” These achievements in the public service sector will ensure “the health and safety of public servants in the workplace,” said the minister.
The Governor General of Belize, Froyla Tzalam, presented a special acknowledgment saying, “On behalf of a grateful nation,” saluting “the public servants of Belize and to the continued delivery of efficient and eco-treatment to all.”
Police in Belize City are investigating yet another murder. This latest incident occurred at around 4:15 p.m. on Sunday in the Lake Independence area of the Old Capital.
Witnesses say that two men, Joshua Gillett and Stanley Moore, were travelling in a BMW when they came under attack at the junction of Mahogany and Santa Barbara Streets. Gillett who was driving rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (K.H.M.H.) with Moore dead in the passenger seat.
The divide between Israel’s top military leaders and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is growing. In a rare public challenge, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that completely destroying Hamas is unattainable. Netanyahu insists the war will continue until Hamas is eliminated.
Hagari’s comments drew a sharp rebuke from Netanyahu’s office, which reiterated that the IDF is committed to destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities. The IDF later clarified that Hagari was referring to Hamas as an enduring ideology.
Despite attempts to smooth over the comments, tensions between the government and the military are evident. Netanyahu faces pressure from his government and allies, including the US, to plan for Gaza’s governance post-war. The conflict began in response to Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, with the aims of recovering hostages, crippling Hamas’ governance, and preventing future attacks.
Hagari’s remarks reflect fears that the military campaign might not fully achieve these goals, as Hamas remains a strong ideological force. The government now seems to temper its initial war aims, focusing on eliminating Hamas’ military and governing capabilities rather than total annihilation.
Public disagreements between the government and military are becoming more frequent, highlighted by the IDF’s announcement of a daily “tactical pause” in southern Gaza to allow aid distribution, which reportedly frustrated Netanyahu.
The University of Belize (UB) and Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance educational and technical capacities, focusing on human capital development, student internships, and advancements in soil analysis and tissue culture technologies.
This partnership aims to invest in young professionals by offering critical experiences through internships and job placements. UB students are expected to gain practical experience through thesis dissertations, field visits, and real-world applications, bridging the gap between classroom lessons and professional practice.
A key component of this collaboration is the enhancement of the Hummingbird Analytical Laboratory (HAL), transforming it into a comprehensive agricultural soil testing facility. With a recent donation from BSI, HAL is now equipped with the necessary reagents and equipment to perform a full suite of chemical, physical, and soil health tests. This advancement addresses a critical gap in the Belizean agricultural sector, enabling farmers and agronomists to make timely, cost-effective decisions to maximise yields and reduce the overuse of agrochemicals, fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
Additionally, the partnership will focus on improving micropropagation technologies to ensure the phytosanitary health of agricultural crops. Micropropagation, a tissue or cell culture technique, allows for the efficient growing, storing, and maintaining of large numbers of plants, making it a cost-effective solution. The collaboration aims to enhance disease testing techniques, micropropagation methods, and capacity building, particularly in response to the increasing prevalence of plant diseases due to climate change.
Students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Cave Hill Campus are set to benefit from expanded opportunities in international trade policy research and professional development, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The UWI and the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services (SRC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The agreement, signed on June 18th, 2024, by Principal of The UWI Cave Hill Campus Professor Clive Landis and UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Pedro Manuel Moreno, promises to enhance the educational experience for students in the Masters in International Trade Policy (MITP) program, including their annual study tour to Geneva, and promote research in trade and trade related areas that the SRC has been leading on over the past years. The signing took place at the UN Palais in Geneva, Switzerland, coinciding with the annual study tour of Geneva undertaken by the MITP students from the SRC.
Building on over a decade of collaboration between UNCTAD and The UWI, the MOU strengthens joint research on trade-related topics of particular relevance to the Caribbean region. It also enhances capacity building through student study tours, which have been a cornerstone of their partnership. Since 2012, over 200 students have benefited from these tours, both in-person and virtual, gaining cutting-edge knowledge on the ever-evolving global economy and exposure to multilateralism in action.
The yearly visits have covered a range of critical issues on the Caribbean’s development agenda. These include the economic challenges faced by small island developing states, the sustainable ocean economy, climate change, regional trade integration, and preferential agreements like the European Union-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement.
The signing ceremony was attended by Director of the SRC, Dr. Jan Yves Remy; Geneva-based Ambassador to the UN, Matthew Wilson of Barbados; Dean of Social Sciences at Cave Hill Campus Professor Troy Lorde; and staff from both the SRC and UNCTAD, as well as the MITP students.
Principal Clive Landis praised the “thriving partnership” for strengthening trade research and engaging Caribbean students.
“This MOU signifies the joint commitment between our organizations to provide our students with unparalleled opportunities to gain practical experience and deepen their understanding of international trade policy, benefiting not only their academic pursuits but also their future careers”, Landis added.
Pedro Manuel Moreno echoed these sentiments, highlighting the mutual benefits of the partnership, particularly in the area of research.
“Research is one of our main pillars of work,” said Mr. Moreno, referencing the organization’s core strength in providing data and analysis, facilitating consensus building, and offering technical assistance to developing countries. “Research is fundamental to inform policy dialogues and intergovernmental deliberations but also to feed our technical cooperation activities,” he added.
The new MOU is set to provide a robust platform for UWI students to engage in meaningful research and professional activities, further positioning them to become impactful contributors to the field of international trade and sustainable development.
By: Mario Lubetkin, FAO Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean
Although the most recent evidence shows signs of improvement in food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean, the data reveal a worrying upward trend in Haiti and sectors of the subregion.
The situation in Haiti is particularly alarming: violence, a prolonged economic crisis, and extreme weather events have brought the country to a critical point with devastating consequences for its population. A further deterioration in acute food insecurity is projected between June and October 2024.
Haiti is the only country in the region that is considered to be in a major protracted food crisis, is one of nine countries in the world at risk of famine and is among the five countries with more than 10% of the population in Emergency. This translates into 1.6 million people with food consumption shortfalls, reflected in very high acute malnutrition and excess mortality that they can only mitigate through emergency livelihood strategies and liquidation of their assets. On the other hand, almost half of the population, about 5.5 million, could face high levels of acute food insecurity.
El Niño caused crop failures in 2023, and this year, forecasts warn of more intense hurricanes due to La Niña, which could cause flooding and landslides, causing additional damage to crops, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), committed to supporting Haiti, is working intensively to mitigate the impacts of the humanitarian crisis through emergency agricultural assistance, strengthening livelihood resilience and specialized technical assistance while ensuring the nexus between humanitarian response, resilience, and development. FAO estimated it would require $42.6 million to assist 528,000 people, but it has received only 6% of the funding.
In 2023, FAO reached some 120,000 people across Haiti through emergency agricultural and livestock interventions to support local food production and sustain rural livelihoods. In 2024, FAO continued to provide emergency assistance in Haiti, focusing on food security and agricultural resilience amid global challenges, assisting 44,000 beneficiaries in various country departments.
In the face of increasing violence and food crises, the FAO calls on donors and governments to increase their support. Ten million dollars are needed to assist 80,000 people, ensuring the protection of their livelihoods, covering minimum food needs, and improving the availability and access to food for the most vulnerable households.
FAO appreciates the efforts of local authorities to stabilize the country through the appointment of Garry Conille as interim Prime Minister. We are confident that steps such as these will help Haiti embark on a normalization path, which could also improve food security for all its inhabitants.
The food insecurity situation in Haiti requires urgent and coordinated action. A rapid, effective response and the mobilization of the necessary resources will mitigate the impact of this crisis, support the vulnerable population, and help Haiti regain its path to food security and stability. Humanitarian aid must reach those who need it most. Only in this way can we ensure a better life for all, leaving no one behind.
The Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye is known as a laid-back tourism getaway several miles from San Pedro Town. But on Thursday night, the high-end entertainment hub was the scene of a fatal shooting. Forty-six-year-old Steven Arceo, who lives and works on the beach, was shot and killed inside a property on Thursday night. The complainant told police that Arceo had entered the property through a window and was shot dead. But family and friends of the deceased say that while Arceo had a troubled past, he had tried to reform his life and was really someone who could be trusted in the area. News Five’s Marion Ali went to Secret Beach to find out what transpired. Here’s that report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Forty-six-year-old Steven Arceo was shot and killed on Thursday night, as he reportedly entered this house through one of its windows. The incident happened sometime around nine p.m., in the Secret Beach area of Ambergris Caye. Police say that twenty-seven-year-old Alexi Chavarria and his family were asleep when he heard noises inside his house and discovered an intruder entering the house through a kitchen window. Chavarria told police that he shot the man with his licensed nine-millimeter pistol. But family and friends of the deceased are at a loss as to why he was there because he was considered a trustworthy individual after he had reformed his life.
Evan Hynes
Evan Hynes, Friend of Steven Arceo
“Eena life everybody goh through dehn differences, but the man dah wa very nice man. If you get to know him, I know him over, I wudda she 15 years. And Stephen, now a well-known person, especially back at Secret Beach. We call him the president of Secret Beach cause when you think about Secret Beach, you think about Steven.”
Marion Ali
“He’s been back here for how long?”
Evan Hynes
“I’d say at least 10 years.”
Marion Ali
“He’s been back here, what working, living?”
Evan Hynes
“He does a little hustling; he sells a little coconut. I wudda put my head on the block that Steven back ya wudda more protect back than bruk in. Or if somebody du bruk in anywhere back he wudda stop dehn like wa security back ya.”
Today, Arceo’s fellow coconut water vendors in the area paid respect to his memory with his name on their sign boards. His aunt, Suzana Arceo told News Five that her nephew’s killing reopens an old wound, one that she never got justice for.
Suzana Arceo
Suzana Arceo, Aunt of Deceased
“He was a good guy at Secret beach. Everybody knows him as Coco Steven, because he sells his coconut right now, we went through his things. We find where he has his tread license. He finds everything is a lot. He has his lot everything that he was doing to sell his coconut there and everybody knows that he goes there and sell his coconut.”
Marion Ali
“What do you believe happened?”
Suzana Arceo
“What I believe really happened, I think that guy that shoot him have an issue with him. I don’t know the guy, but that’s what I really believe. Because if, even though if Steven went to thief, give him a warning shot. Shoot in the air, shoot his foot, but not his head and the way he shoot my nephew. No, man, this open a wound to me, 10 years ago, I lost a son on gun violence and nothing, no justice, nothing was made. And I think the same thing is gonna go for Steven. There’s no justice.”
Arceo says there’s little that the police could tell her today other than the matter is under investigation. Evan Hynes says if the incident had not happened, Arceo would have been his usual self, making them laugh today.
Evan Hynes
“He mi wa deh right there and here who are the conversation apart from that man Secret Beach last one Good person very good person like I said, I don’t know what actually went on but I know the guy Very good guy. Good hearted guy.”
Police are investigating the incident. Marion Ali for News Five.
