Despite the ongoing political unrest and the arrest of thousands of critics, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro seems to have turned his attention to something entirely different: Christmas.
“It’s September, and it already smells like Christmas,” the 61-year-old remarked during his weekly television show on Monday night. He went on to announce, “That’s why this year, as a tribute to all of you and in gratitude, I’m declaring an early Christmas starting October 1.”
The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference quickly criticised this move, cautioning against using the holiday for political or propaganda purposes. They pointed out in a statement that Christmas traditionally begins on December 25.
This isn’t the first time Maduro has declared an early Christmas—he did so during the COVID-19 pandemic, though never this early. Despite the tense political atmosphere, Maduro insists the season will bring “peace, happiness, and security.”
Protests have erupted over the contested presidential election in July, where Maduro claimed a third term in office. Over 2,000 people have been arrested since.
Maduro’s declaration of an early Christmas, in the midst of Venezuela’s deepening political crisis, has been seen by many as a tactic to distract from the country’s troubles and bolster his own political agenda.
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has strongly condemned the recent violent attack on a security officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining (MNRSPM). The NTUCB says that the attack, which occurred while the officer was on duty, represents a grave threat to the safety and rights of workers.
According to the NTUCB, such acts of violence undermine workers’ ability to perform their jobs without fear of intimidation. The NTUCB is calling on the government to take immediate and decisive action to ensure that all workers can work in a safe environment.
The NTUCB has proposed several urgent measures. Firstly, it recommends implementing a strict no-weapons policy in workplace environments to reduce the potential for violence. Secondly, the NTUCB suggests enhancing security measures across all workplaces by installing surveillance systems and employing trained security personnel to deter and respond to potential attacks. Additionally, the NTUCB calls for mandatory training for employers and employees on conflict resolution and workplace safety, alongside public awareness campaigns to educate about workers’ rights. Furthermore, the NTUCB emphasises the need for clear and accessible reporting mechanisms that allow workers to report incidents of violence or intimidation without fear of retaliation. Lastly, it advocates for strengthening legal protections to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that victims receive necessary support.
As we have reported, on Tuesday morning, fifty-five-year-old Lebanese who is known as Joseph was seeking services at the Lands Department in Belmopan and pulled out a firearm during a verbal altercation with an employee at the department. The man, dressed in a red T-shirt, shorts, and a hat, was heard hurling threats. He moved closer to the door and then said, “I have one too,” before drawing a firearm from his waist. Chief Executive Officer Paul Thompson informed News Five that the man had visited the department and attempted to enter the express service line. A security guard reportedly informed him that he needed to obtain a ticket to join the line due to the ticketing system in place.
The man became agitated and drew his firearm. Thompson noted that two security guards and three Special Patrol Unit officers were on duty at the time of the incident. Despite the relatively high level of security on the premises, the man left the compound without being apprehended. The Ministry of Natural Resources has since met with police department members to develop a plan for enhanced security at the Lands Department. Currently, visitors are not screened for weapons, and vehicles are allowed to park on the premises. CEO Thompson informed News Five that these issues are being addressed. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, although the weapon was displayed.
The Alliance for Democracy has announced a special unity convention set for October 6th, focusing on critical party matters. The convention will review the party’s executive appointments, vote on a motion to recall the current leadership and appoint an interim leader.
During a recent press conference, Tracey Taegar-Panton declared, “We have not resigned; we will not resign from the UDP!” This was in response to United Democratic Party (UDP) chairman Michael Peyrefitte’s claim that several members had “constructively resigned” from the party. Taegar-Panton accused UDP Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow of violating the party’s constitution by appointing new standard bearers to replace the current ones.
Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber, Second Deputy Leader Beverly Williams, and former Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar joined Taegar-Panton at the press conference. These members have been vocal in their opposition to the current UDP leadership.
The Government of Belize and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) have formalised a significant partnership, signing a five-year grant agreement valued at $125 million. The agreement, aimed at bolstering education and energy sectors in Belize, was signed by Prime Minister John Briceño on behalf of the Belizean government, with MCC’s CEO Alice Albright representing the U.S. agency.
The signing ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Belize, Michelle Kwan, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development & Investment, Christopher Coye.
The grant, part of the MCC’s broader mission to reduce global poverty through sustainable economic growth, will address key challenges in Belize’s education and energy sectors. The Belize Compact encompasses two major projects: the Education Project and the Energy Project, both set to be managed by the newly established Millennium Challenge Account-Belize (MCA-Belize Authority), a statutory body formed in August 2024. Implementation of these projects is slated to begin in 2025.
The Education Project aims to enhance postprimary education by improving teaching methods, expanding access to secondary education, and strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) framework to better align with labour market needs.
Meanwhile, the Energy Project focusses on reducing electricity costs through new power purchase agreements for renewable energy, modernising the electricity grid, and supporting policy reforms to optimise the use of cost-effective renewable energy.
The MCC, an independent U.S. government agency established in 2004, provides grants to support infrastructure and institutional reforms in countries meeting high standards for governance, anti-corruption, and democratic rights.
A joint police operation in Corozal on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, resulted in a significant cocaine seizure and the arrest of multiple individuals. The raid, conducted at approximately 4:00 p.m. at the residence of 57-year-old Alicia Margarita Montalvo, involved members of the Corozal Quick Response Team (QRT), the Mobile Interdiction Team (MIT), Sergeant Maroquin, and the Special Patrol Unit (SPU). Initially aimed at uncovering illegal firearms and ammunition, the search instead led to the discovery of eight parcels of cocaine weighing a total of 9.38 kilograms (20.679 pounds).
During the operation, officers focused on a specific room where one of the occupants admitted to possessing eight parcels of cocaine when asked if there was anything illegal to declare. The officers, upon further searching a black wardrobe closet in the room, found two rectangular parcels wrapped in a black shirt, both bearing the brand markings “Dolce & Gabbana.” These parcels were suspected to contain cocaine. Additional searches in the same wardrobe uncovered three more parcels inside a colorful pillowcase, and another three parcels were found in a wooden drawer within the room, all similarly marked “Dolce & Gabbana.”
The officers presented all eight parcels to the occupants of the residence, who were then informed of the charges against them. Among those present during the search were Seidy Anita Montalvo, a 30-year-old Belizean housewife; Abiel Imer Mateo Montalvo, a 37-year-old Belizean driver; Edney Ezequiel Montalvo, a 37-year-old Belizean taxi driver; Nadiel Jasiel Montalvo, a 22-year-old Belizean driver; Aida Cabañas, a 36-year-old Belizean domestic housekeeper; Enair Abieser Montalvo, a 31-year-old Belizean corporal of police; and a 17-year-old female minor, all from the Corozal District.
During the operation, Enair Abieser Montalvo, who identified himself as a Corporal of Police and claimed the premises belonged to his mother, arrived and was informed that any illegal items found would be presumed to belong to him as well. On Wednesday, September 4, police formally arrested and charged Alicia Margarita Montalvo, Enair Abiezer Montalvo, Nadiel Jasiel Montalvo, Edney Ezequiel Montalvo, Aida Cabañas, Seidy Anita Montalvo, Abiel Imer Mateo Montalvo, and the 17-year-old female minor with the offense of Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply to Another, specifically 9.38 kilograms of cocaine. All individuals, along with the seized items, were escorted to the Corozal Police Station for further processing.
North Korea reportedly executed 30 officials last month for their alleged failure to address the catastrophic floods and landslides that claimed the lives of over 4,000 people.
According to South Korean outlet TV Chosun, the officials were accused of corruption and dereliction of duty. The devastating flooding, which struck Chagang province in July, displaced more than 15,000 people.
North Korean news reports indicated that the floods caused extensive damage in the northwestern city of Sinuiju and neighboring Uiju, affecting over 4,100 homes, 7,410 acres of farmland, as well as numerous roads, buildings, and railway lines. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ordered the authorities to “strictly punish” the officials deemed responsible, the North Korean Central News Agency reported.
An unnamed official within the Kim regime told TV Chosun that 20 to 30 cadres from the flood-stricken area were executed late last month. Following the disaster, Kim declared that North Korea would reject any international aid, as reported by the Associated Press.
Instead, he directed officials to relocate thousands of displaced residents to the capital, Pyongyang, where they would receive better care and support. The rebuilding efforts were projected to take two to three months, during which the government planned to provide for nearly 15,400 vulnerable individuals in facilities within Pyongyang.
North Korea has a history of public executions, with an average of 10 occurring annually before the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Korea Times, a South Korean media outlet. The number has since increased to an estimated 100 or more, the outlet claimed.
At least four people were killed and nine others wounded in a school shooting on Wednesday, about an hour outside of Atlanta, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities reported that one suspect was taken into custody alive following the incident at Apalachee High School.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith confirmed “multiple injuries” during a news conference but refrained from providing additional details, stating that it would take “multiple days” to fully understand what occurred.
“Every minute, new information is emerging,” Sheriff Smith said.
He added that efforts were underway to reunite students with their parents after what he described as an “evil thing” that had taken place at the school. The first report of an “active shooter” at Apalachee High School came in around 9:30 a.m., according to Smith. Deputies and emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene by about 10:23 a.m., as noted in a statement from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
Governor Brian Kemp said in a statement, “I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state.”
President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting, according to a senior White House official.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed his sorrow for the affected families, stating that the Justice Department stands ready to provide support.
The contract of Dorothy Bradley, Belize’s Auditor General, has officially come to an end. Bradley, who initially retired in December 2021, was brought back in 2022 for a two-year term as Acting Auditor General. Her term expired on August 31, 2024, and it has been confirmed that her contract will not be renewed.
She first took on the role of Auditor General in 2011, after serving as the Chief Elections Officer. Her return to the Auditor General’s office in 2022 was unprecedented, as it was the first time an Auditor General was hired on a contract basis. This move was deemed necessary by the government due to challenges in finding a permanent successor.
During her tenure, Bradley faced both praise and criticism. Earlier this year, Dean Flowers, President of the Public Service Union (PSU), publicly criticised her performance, arguing that her tenure had not met expectations and calling for a new appointment with greater competence and experience.
The post will be advertised shortly, and an interim Auditor General will be appointed in the meantime.
The Department of the Environment (DOE) announced key decisions on three major projects, highlighting a strong commitment to environmental protection. According to an official statement from the DOE, the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) has set important conditions to ensure that development does not come at the expense of Belize’s natural heritage.
For Fortis Belize Limited’s Chalillo Solar PV Facility, the NEAC required a revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and a second public consultation. “An updated EIA report is to be resubmitted and a second public consultation is to be held,” the DOE stated.
The MW Collective’s Crawl Caye project received approval with strict conditions, including mangrove preservation and the removal of a helipad. A decommissioning plan for an existing solar farm was also mandated. “The environmental clearance be granted to the MW Collective with strict conditions,” the DOE stated, adding “the verification of the mangrove cover to be maintained and legally declared into a private reserve.” “NEAC also recommended that a decommissioning plan be incorporated for the existing solar farm and that the helipad be removed from the project concept,” the DOE continued.
In the case of Earlene Dixon’s Turneffe Atoll vacation home, only the residential part of the development was approved. Due to the potential adverse impacts on the marine ecosystems, the DOE stated that “the dredging component and the marina component of the development be removed and thus was not recommended for approval.”
The DOE confirmed it will follow NEAC’s recommendations and informed the developers of these decisions.
Antonio Soberanis Gómez, a name synonymous with courage and conviction, stands tall in Belizean history as the driving force behind the country’s labour movement. Affectionately known as “Tony,” he dedicated his life to championing the rights of the working class. He left an indelible mark on Belize’s journey towards social justice and independence.
A Humble Beginning
Born on January 17, 1897, in San Antonio, Rio Hondo, Belize, Antonio was the son of Mexican immigrants who sought a better life in Belize. His early years were shaped by the values of hard work and resilience, which he carried with him throughout his life. After completing his education at an all-boys school in Belize City, Antonio became a barber, opening The Panama Barbershop—a modest establishment that would later become a crucible for political thought and activism.
Championing the Working Class
By the early 1930s, Belize was in the throes of economic despair. The once-thriving mahogany trade was in decline, and the Great Depression, compounded by the catastrophic 1931 hurricane, had left the working class in dire straits. It was against this backdrop that Antonio Soberanis emerged as a beacon of hope. When the Unemployed Brigade—a group formed to address the mounting hardships—began to falter, Antonio’s unwavering resolve came to the fore. With the declaration, “I’d rather be a dead hero than a living coward,” he galvanised the movement, taking up the mantle to fight for fair wages and dignified working conditions.
Founding the Labour and Unemployed Association
In 1934, Antonio, alongside a group of determined individuals, founded the Labour and Unemployed Association (LUA). The LUA became the voice of the oppressed, organising strikes, boycotts, and protests that challenged the status quo. Despite facing repeated arrests and government crackdowns, Antonio’s spirit remained unbroken. Under his leadership, the LUA achieved significant victories, including wage increases, improved employment opportunities, and a stronger political presence for workers.
Service and Continued Advocacy
Soberanis’ commitment to his country extended beyond the labour movement. In 1942, he served in the British military in Panama during World War II. He demonstrating his dedication to the greater good. Upon returning to Belize, he continued his activism, playing a key role in the formation of the People’s Committee political party in the 1950s, which would later evolve into the People’s United Party—one of Belize’s major political forces.
A Life of Legacy
Antonio Soberanis Gómez was more than a labour leader; he was a devoted family man, married to Violet Garbutt and the father of ten children. Even as he pursued his activism, he remained connected to his roots, continuing his work as a barber—a testament to his humility and dedication to his community.
When Antonio passed away on April 14, 1975, at the age of 78, Belize lost one of its greatest champions. Yet, his legacy lives on. In 1991, a bust of his likeness was unveiled at the inauguration of Battlefield Park in Belize City, a lasting tribute to his contributions to the nation’s independence and the rights of its people.
Antonio Soberanis Gómez’s life is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have in shaping the course of history. His relentless pursuit of justice and equality remains an enduring source of inspiration for all Belizeans. He is, without doubt, a true hero of Belize.
