The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, led by Minister Orlando Habet, hosted a session focused on “Promoting Sustainable Development through Regional Cooperation” in partnership with the Central American Commission for Environment and Development (CCAD). The event was held at the Ministry’s Green Complex Building in Belmopan and centred on enhancing regional collaboration and tracking the impact of sustainable development initiatives.
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry, CCAD has invested approximately $11 million USD in sustainable development efforts in the region, including five key areas such as environmental quality and forest restoration. The initiatives are benefiting 20 protected areas and communities through capacity building and data management enhancements. This effort is expected to lead to an additional $150 million USD in future projects.
The statement also indicated that Belize is hosting the Regional Climate Action Transparency Hub, one of only three such hubs worldwide.
The Ministry of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management (MBEDRM) convened an important meeting with the co-managers of Belize’s Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to discuss the future of marine conservation. The meeting was led by Minister Andre Perez and CEO Kennedy Carrillo. The session aimed to evaluate the current state of MPAs, address ongoing and upcoming projects, and tackle advancements and challenges related to marine management.
In a press release, the Ministry emphasised its commitment to marine conservation, stating, “The protection of marine resources and ecosystems remains a top priority for MBEDRM and its NGO partners.”
The discussions focused on five primary components of co-management agreements: enforcement, research and development education, tourism, community development, and sustainable financing. The meeting also highlighted new initiatives, including advanced technologies like high-resolution cameras and drones for better enforcement and infrastructure projects aimed at promoting sustainable tourism.
Burgos, alongside the co-managers, will seek funding opportunities for these projects and work on long-term financial sustainability.
Police have arrested 26-year-old Ulide Allen in relation to the shooting death of Stanley Moore on Friday, August 16, 2024.
Allen, a Belizean from Belize City, is charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm, and Dangerous Harm.
The arrest comes as part of the investigation into the incident that occurred when a gunman targeted Joshua Gillett and Stanley Moore in the Lake Independence area. Witnesses reported that Gillett and Moore were travelling in a BMW when they were attacked at the junction of Mahogany and Santa Barbara Streets. Gillett, who was driving, rushed to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital with Moore already dead in the passenger seat.
Fifty ‘youth ambassadors’ from Taiwan will begin a 12-day trip to diplomatic allies Belize and Guatemala next week, following two weeks of training in Taipei. The trip is part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) International Youth Ambassadors Exchange Program, reported Focus Taiwan. The initiative aims to enhance bilateral relations and boost awareness of Taiwan.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung spoke at a send-off ceremony, urging the ambassadors to “boost awareness of Taiwan” and help “further bilateral relations” with Belize and Guatemala. He emphasised that these exchanges would “deepen the bonds” and “elevate the role that Taiwan plays in the international community.”
The selected students, who are all Taiwanese undergraduates aged 18–35, will be in Belize from Aug. 21 to Aug. 25 and in Guatemala from Aug. 25 to Aug. 29. Their itinerary includes seminars, volunteer work, and cultural exchanges.
MOFA revealed that this year’s ambassadors were chosen for their English or Spanish proficiency, academic excellence, or artistic talents. Since its inception in 2009, the program has selected over 1,800 students.
In a recent statement, the Alliance for Democracy issued a reminder to UDP Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte about the National Party Council (NPC) meeting requested last Monday.
The Alliance says that under Article 7(6) of the UDP Constitution, one-fourth of the NPC membership has the right to call for a meeting. “It is not within the discretion of the Chairman to refuse this request, which should be complied with in a timely manner.”
The Alliance is now awaiting adherence to the Party Constitution.
Tracy Panton of Albert, backed by Patrick Faber, John Saldivar, and Beverly Williams, led an effort to initiate a national convention. However, the petition they submitted was dismissed by Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte. The Alliance wants Leader Moses Barrow removed.
Construction on the Pueblo Nuevo Bridge in Corozal District continues to progress. Lincoln E. Eiley recently shared aerial photos on Facebook that highlight the ongoing development of the bridge, which spans the New River. The bridge serves as a crucial link between Corozal Town Ferry Road and the Progresso/Copper Bank/Chunox/Sarteneja Roads.
This bridge, which is a collaborative effort between the Government of Taiwan and the Belize Government, is a key component of a broader project spearheaded by the Overseas Engineering and Construction Company (OECC) to upgrade and pave 27 miles of road connecting Corozal Town to Sarteneja. Although the Pueblo Nuevo Bridge was initially slated for completion by September, construction is still underway.
The Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, sponsored by the Costa Rica Tourism Board, are returning for 2024. Voting opened on July 4 and closes on October 28. This year’s awards ceremony will be held at Tate Modern in London on November 6.
This annual event invites travellers to vote for their favourite countries, cities, regions, emerging destinations, airlines, and tour operators. Last year, Belize earned Silver for ‘Best Emerging Destination,’ and voters are encouraged to support Belize again for ‘Most Desirable Country – Rest of the World.’
Belize is once again in contention, this time for ‘Most Desirable Country.’ The Belizean community and supporters are being encouraged to cast their votes in support.
Participants can win one of eight extraordinary trips valued at over £70,000. Prizes include a 5-star holiday with a 3-night stopover in Doha and business class flights with Qatar Airways, a Galapagos voyage from Hurtigruten Expeditions, and a northern lights adventure in the Yukon courtesy of Journeyscape.
To be eligible for these prizes, voters must follow Wanderlust’s Instagram page, @wanderlustmag, or Facebook page. Complete terms and conditions are available on the Wanderlust website.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern due to a significant increase in Mpox cases in Africa. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was declared a global emergency in July 2022 after the disease spread to over 70 countries, resulting in over 99,000 cases and more than 200 deaths between 2022 and 2023. The emergency status was lifted in May 2023 due to a significant decline in cases and the increased availability of vaccines.
However, the recent rapid spread and detection in new regions contributed to the emergency declaration. The outbreaks involve two distinct strains: clade 1a, endemic in northwestern DRC, and clade 1b, which is spreading rapidly in northeastern DRC and neighbouring countries. Both strains spread through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials and present similar symptoms, including flu-like symptoms and rashes.
Sweden’s public health agency reported the first confirmed case of this new strain outside Africa. The patient, who contracted the virus in Africa, is receiving treatment in Stockholm, according to Forbes.
The WHO is implementing a comprehensive response strategy, including providing testing equipment, supporting laboratories, and training health workers. According to Axios, shares for Bavarian Nordic, the maker of an Mpox vaccine, surged by over 12% on Friday following the World Health Organization’s declaration. Bavarian Nordic’s vaccine, available under the brand names Jynneos, Imvamune, and Imvanex, is among the few approved for Mpox and is favoured by healthcare providers for its favourable risk profile.
Hurricane Ernesto is rapidly closing in on Bermuda as a Category 2 storm. Although Ernesto is showing signs of weakening this morning due to vertical wind shear, residents and officials are still preparing for severe weather. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that as of 8 a.m. Friday, Ernesto was 255 miles south-southwest of Bermuda, with sustained winds of 100 mph. NHC maintains a hurricane warning is in effect for Bermuda, and they anticipate life-threatening flash flooding, especially in low-lying areas.
The Category 2 hurricane, which recently battered Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, left hundreds of thousands without power. In Puerto Rico, about 200,000 customers were still without power on Friday morning, reported CNN. The Virgin Islands reported over 10,000 customers without power.
As Ernesto continues its path, it is expected to move close to Atlantic Canada. Swells from Ernesto will affect the U.S. East Coast and other regions, including the Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and Atlantic Canada. Beachgoers should be cautious of dangerous surf and rip currents.
The Galindo brothers from Santa Elena Town are notorious figures in the eyes of the public. Back in June, a shooting incident claimed the life of David Galindo, the older sibling. When David was rushed to the hospital, the brothers and other family members were accused of damaging public property at the San Ignacio Community Hospital, as well as threatening medical workers. Several individuals have been charged for disorderly behavior in relation to that incident. Subsequently, Santa Elena Town began experiencing a sharp increase in violent crimes, including murders. There is no public information to suggest that the incident involving the Galindo brothers is at all connected to this increase in major crimes. Dozens of police officers, including members of the G.I.3., have since been deployed to the twin towns to keep the peace. And the Galindo family are tonight saying that they are being constantly harassed on their property by those police officers. The family reached out to our newsroom today after an incident this morning in which they are accusing police officers of physically abusing several minors during an operation on the property. News Five’s Paul Lopez report.
Mynor Galindo
Mynor Galindo, Santa Elena Resident
“My point why I address the media, and it is concerning me now because we adults we get locked up many of times and that is not really my concern, but like what the commissioner says, he wants bring pressure he could bring pressure, but now when you want to interfere with children and I have video footage of it.”
Paul Lopez, Reporting
A police station was inaugurated a week ago in Santa Elena to address the crime situation in that town. Mynor Galindo says he has spent forty-eight hours behind bars, including within the new police station, at least twenty times over the course of the last three months. Police accuse Galindo, his brothers and other family members of being members of a gang. Mynor Galindo refutes those claims, though his main concern today was the children that live on their family property.
Mynor Galindo
“When you start interfere with children weh dah eight-year-old, nine-year-old, to carry them, actually carry them, back ah the house to ask them certain things, now you gone too far.”
News Five has obtained surveillance footage of an operation this morning. What we have been able to gather does not show much by way of abuse of authority. But, the family contends that it is because the officers disconnected their cameras and demanded that they do not record on their phones. There is one instance captured on camera that was brought to our attention. A senior officer from the Santa Elena formation was captured confronting another officer that was with the team. This happened while several individuals from the property were detained in the back of the police mobile. Galindo’s account is that the second-in-command was confronting the next officer over the ill treatment of the minors in the yard.
Mynor Galindo
“That happened this morning, around nine this morning all of we the sleep in our home, even the kids. They come knock down this and that, wake up we, nothing nuh wrong, like I said nothing wrong for them to do their operation, their patrol. The one from the GI3. Wah strapid one him. All of a sudden, the GI3 have its own office here. I won’t talk bad about them, because they have a job to do, but he the mek it his business to deal with the pikni deh. When he mih the dreg up the lee gial and do certain things even the, the one after Franco come out of the yard notice that you the mess with a lee bway or a lee gial.”
Paul Lopez
“I have to ask if these children are being used any at all to carry out any sort of illicit act because they can be viewed as innocent.”
Mynor Galindo
“Like what I told them, I dah Mynor Galindo and I know unu hear about me. If unu have any concern and want deal with me, deal with me. If unu want send me dah jail on an SOE send me, but please stop harras my family.”
We also heard from the children’s grandfather, David Young, who was brought to tears after reportedly witnessing the ordeal.
David Young
David Young, Father
“I nuh the live wah lovliest life……twenty years over, the police nuh live dah me and I dah nuh know wah alien deh and I know deh have better police man than what I see. Lesgo and I jump way deh and try hold his hand and a next one the try grab me. Deh thing is totally wrong. Lef the child lone. Dende dah the future of tomorrow.”
We also heard from Mayor Earl Trapp who, following the spike in major crimes within the twin towns in late June, supported the deployment of police reinforcement. Today he told us that he is not aware of all the details pertaining to the incident but that, while officers are necessary to uphold the law, children must be protected.
Earl Trapp
Earl Trapp, Mayor, SE/SI Town
“When we are advocating for security, for a safer municipality we need the police to uphold the law but at the same time I believe the police have bene trained and they must provide a service with principles. WE must understand that adults are adults and minors are minors. There is a law and we must protect our children.”
