The infighting in the United Democratic Party continues. A few minutes ago, Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton fired off a press statement under the UDP banner.
The release is titled “Hon. Moses Shyne Barrow, No Longer Leader of the UDP.” It says that effective immediately, Barrow is not authorised to represent the UDP in any capacity, including soliciting and collecting funds. The release said, “The UDP is moving forward under the new leadership of Hon. Tracy Panton, who was overwhelmingly endorsed by Party delegates at the convention. We are committed to upholding the values of transparency, integrity, and unity as we continue to work on behalf of the Belizean people.”
Both Panton and Barrow are at odds. He says he is the party leader, but Panton says she is the interim party leader, following a convention on Sunday.
Two adventurous Belizean women from Dangriga, Belize, have made history by completing the first leg of their climb up Mount Meru in Tanzania, reaching 4,566 meters (14,990 feet). Stacy Webber and Judie Zab proudly represented Belize by leaving their flag at the summit of Africa’s fifth-highest mountain.
Dream Catcher Tours posted on Facebook, “The dream of visiting Africa and climbing Mount Meru (16,000 ft) became a reality. The journey was challenging, but the views were breathtaking, and the feeling of accomplishment is indescribable.”
Webber also shared her excitement, saying, “Proud to say we are here experiencing a dream to a reality… so far being here 5 days no one knows Belize… seems we are gonna be the first 2 females from our little jewel to make this accomplishment.”
Mount Meru, visible upon arriving in Arusha, features two main peaks: Meru Summit and Ash Cone, shaped by past volcanic activity. The climb typically takes 3 to 4 days via the Momela Route and requires proper acclimatization. It is also a sacred site for the local Waarusha people, who make annual sacrifices to the mountain for rain.
Dr. Lin Chia-Lung, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan), will lead a delegation to Belize from October 29 to 30, 2024. During the visit, Prime Minister John Briceño and Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca will hold bilateral meetings with Minister Lin.
Foreign Minister Lin is also scheduled to visit the site of the proposed San Pedro General Hospital, a project generously funded by Taiwan.
This will be Minister Lin’s first official visit to Belize since assuming office in May, as the two nations mark 35 years of diplomatic relations.
In November 2023, the U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a warning to travellers regarding high rates of violent crime in Belize, including sexual assault, armed robbery, and murder, particularly in tourist areas.
Despite these warnings, recent data from the Belize Police Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, paints a different picture. Between July and September 2024, major crimes in Belize dropped by 16%, decreasing from 268 incidents in 2023 to 226 in 2024. September alone accounted for 37% of these crimes, but even this reflects a 3% decrease compared to September 2023. The most significant decline was noted in July, where major crimes decreased by 32%.
Noteworthy reductions were seen across various crime categories: murders fell by 46%, robberies decreased by 13%, burglaries by 23%, thefts by 33%, and unlawful sexual intercourse by 22%. Rape statistics remained stable with 11 reported cases. The Belize District reported the highest number of major crimes, making up 38% of the total, yet it also experienced a substantial 31% decrease compared to the previous year.
However, looking at the broader picture, the first nine months of 2024 saw a slight uptick in murder victims, with 71 reported, three more than the same period in 2023. The majority of these victims were male, and firearms were the weapon of choice in 77% of the cases. The Belize and Cayo Districts recorded the highest murder rates.
In terms of domestic violence, reports have decreased by 12% from July to September 2024. The majority of complainants were women, predominantly aged 20 to 44. While many districts experienced a decline in domestic violence reports, areas like Independence and Ladyville reported increases. Substance abuse and communication issues were cited as significant contributing factors to these incidents. Notably, 87% of the 435 domestic violence reports led to court action.
Overall, the latest statistics suggest that ongoing efforts to combat crime may be yielding positive results.
A delegation from Belize, led by Minister of National Defence Florencio Marin Jr., participated in the XVI Conference of Defence Ministers of the Americas in Mendoza, Argentina, from October 13-16.
The team, which included Minister of State Oscar Mira and senior military officials, met with representatives from 23 countries to discuss regional security and cooperation. Belize emphasised its commitment to promoting women’s roles in the armed forces, aligning with the United Nations’s resolution on Women, Peace, and Security.
The delegation also highlighted Belize’s efforts in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and environmental protection, viewing these as crucial to national security. Additionally, Belize reaffirmed its commitment to combating transnational organised crime through collaboration with regional partners, CARICOM and the OAS.
