Cayo North’s UDP standard bearer, Omar Figueroa, is alleging widespread voter registration fraud in the Cayo North constituency. Figueroa says that election officials are failing to address numerous questionable registrations.
In a letter addressed to the Governor-General, Froyla Tzalam, Figueroa alleged a “well-organised white collar criminal scheme” involving questionable voter registrations. He called it a “threat to our fragile parliamentary democracy.” He criticised the registration department for not providing essential information needed to verify new registrations and suggested that some employees may be complicit in the fraud.
Concerns began surfacing before the 2024 municipal elections when both Figueroa and Mayor Earl Trapp noticed “unusual” registration activities at the local Elections and Boundaries Department. “Significant numbers of questionable registrations began appearing on the voter’s list without clear indication as to the exact address,” he said.
“Our parliamentary democracy is in jeopardy… Please help us ensure that we protect the constitutional rights of the people of Cayo North,” Figueroa urged the Governor-General in his letter. “The extent of the organised electoral fraud presents a significant threat to the integrity of our electoral process,” Figueroa warned, urging for a thorough investigation by the Commissioner of Police and other officials to protect the rights of Cayo North residents.
The Government of Belize has condemned the rising violence in the Middle East, particularly the impact of Israeli actions causing civilian casualties in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Belize calls for an immediate ceasefire and adherence to international law, warning that inaction could lead to regional chaos.
“The weaponising of civilian devices like pagers to cause the indiscriminate slaughter of civilians and the continued Israeli use of selective assassinations threatens to ignite a full-scale conflagration of unimaginable consequences,” said the government in a statement.
The government described the ongoing cycle of violence as “illegal, immoral and inhumane.” Belize called for Israel to “immediately abide by the decisions of the International Court of Justice,” agree to a ceasefire, allow humanitarian aid into Gaza without obstruction, and lift the siege of Gaza. Additionally, it demanded the “immediate, unconditional release of hostages held by the resistance groups and by the Israeli state.”
The statement also addressed the role of the United Nations Security Council, stating, “There will never be peace in the region until Israel abides by the decisions of the United Nations and fully respects the right of the Palestinian people to full self-determination.” The government called on the Security Council and the international community to implement resolution 10/24 from the UN General Assembly’s 10th Emergency Session on September 18, 2024.
The logistics industry is facing significant disruptions as dockworkers have begun strikes at ports along the US East and Gulf coasts. With no resolution in sight, the strikes are affecting supply chains across the US and globally, with no clear resolution in sight.
Dockworkers are seeking higher wages and assurances that they won’t be replaced by automation.
Ocean supply chains have already been hit hard this year by conflict in the Red Sea, a lengthy drought affecting the Panama Canal, and the Baltimore Bridge collapse. Major port operators have extended hours and implemented special measures to reduce cargo losses, particularly for refrigerated shipments. Ocean carriers have introduced surcharges on shipments to East Coast ports. However, the strikes are expected to cause inevitable disruptions.
The ongoing US East Coast port strikes are threatening to disrupt holiday supply chains as retailers prepare for the busy Christmas season. With the festive period fast approaching, smooth logistics are critical for keeping shelves stocked with toys, electronics, and other high-demand products.
Increasing peak season demand, combined with holiday-related e-commerce pressure, will strain air freight capacity even further, worsening supply chain bottlenecks.
As shipping costs rise and goods become scarcer, popular Christmas gifts could see price hikes, and e-commerce orders might experience even longer delays, frustrating consumers. Retailers that rely on just-in-time delivery systems are especially vulnerable and risk missing out on key sales during the crucial weeks leading up to Christmas.
Air cargo rates, already elevated due to e-commerce demand, will face even more pressure during the holiday season as peak demand grows in October. The strike’s duration is crucial. A short strike may create a backlog, but a prolonged disruption could have severe consequences. Some companies may turn to air freight, but high costs and limited capacity make it a last resort.
The latest figures from the Statistical Institute of Belize show that Belize’s total imports of goods were valued at $219.2 million in August. This is a significant decrease of 20.2%, or $55.6 million, compared to August 2023, when imports totalled $274.8 million. Imports fell across nearly all commodity categories, with the exception of ‘Oils and Fats.’ Notable declines were seen in ‘Mineral Fuels & Lubricants,’ ‘Commercial Free Zones,’ and ‘Machinery and Transport Equipment.’
This is the first strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) in nearly 50 years, affecting ships carrying billions of dollars worth of cargo. Recent supply chain shocks have made businesses more prepared for such disruptions, likely taking precautionary measures ahead of time, as the possibility of a strike had been anticipated for months.
Earth has temporarily captured a “mini-moon” known as asteroid 2024 PT5. This small asteroid, measuring about 33 feet (10 meters) wide, was first detected on August 7 by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS). It will orbit our planet for approximately 57 days, from September 29 until November 25, 2024, when it will break free and resume its path around the sun.
Despite being dubbed a “second moon,” 2024 PT5 is too small to be visible to the naked eye. It is about 300,000 times smaller than Earth’s permanent moon, making it invisible even through typical amateur telescopes and binoculars. Only professional astronomers using advanced telescopes can observe this tiny companion.
While you might not be able to spot this mini-moon, you can still catch a bright celestial show—Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, visible in the morning sky until October 2.
In an interesting turn of events on Friday, law enforcement officers uncovered as many as four hundred and seventy-four grams of suspected cocaine aboard a boat docked on the island town of San Pedro. The vessel, upon closer inspection, was found to belong to none other than the Minister of Blue Economy, Andre Perez. The discovery was prompted by vigilant residents of the Back-a-Town area, who reported seeing familiar faces from the local drug scene frequenting the vicinity. The boat had been moored for several months due to necessary repairs. This has led police to rule out Minister Perez as a suspect in this unfolding investigation. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams provided an update on the case, shedding light on the ongoing efforts to trace the origins of the narcotics and bring those responsible to justice.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The boat had been moored at the boat yard to undergo repairs for about six months. He had not used the boat and that he pays a monthly fee of about two-fifty for the boat to be kept at that boat yard. The statement of Mister Perez was collaborated by the owners of the boatyard, as well as the watchman and the boat captain. And so based on that, we could not tied the drugs to mister Perez, There’s no information, not even the slightest aota of evidence to suggest that the drugs belong to him. And while the boatyard is managed by a group of people, we could not tie them either because the boatyard is open, there are several ins and out to the boatyard, so anybody could walk into the boatyard and put what they want to put in any boat on the property itself. And so we could not have even hold those people accountable. This is not a boat that is closed up. It’s an open boat. Like one of those Mexican Nanchon. Like one of those. So it is easy for anybody to place anything in the boat. We have a basic idea as to who the person is that we have placed it there. We are in search of that person, but from all indications, he went to Corozal. We have also notified the Corozal police to go and look for him. Because we have gathered information on the person. We have found a good amount of cocaine, parts of cocaine. And he might have taken some of them to Corozal for sale. So we’re hoping that we can find that person soon, and then we’ll be able to interview him for us.”
Reporter
“What about the watchman? What do you mean he’s allowed to watch the boats?”
On Saturday, Prime Minister John Briceño dismissed claims that the Minister was being framed. He suggested that clever drug traffickers were exploiting the situation, using the unattended boat as a convenient hiding spot for their illicit stash.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“No, I don’t think it’s someone who’s trying to set [him] up. I think it’s someone who was smart because Andre has not been using his boat. It’s just docked there for more than six months. He has not used the boat and they felt that if they put anything there, the police will not think about going to search his boat. But when somebody tipped off the police, the police didn’t care if it was Honorable Andre Perez’s boat. They went to check and they found the drugs. But it has been abundantly clear that Andre had not been using his boat and that these people are – you have to give it to them – they’re quite ingenious. They try to hide it in front of everybody in effect noh.”
Tonight, a police officer accused of assaulting Olympian Shaun Gill last week is currently on remand at Belize Central Prison. His bail application is expected to be heard as early as Friday, October fourth, 2024. Earlier today, PC Lewis Pascascio, who resides on Gabourel Lane, Belize City, appeared in court at around ten a.m. with his attorney, Emérita Anderson. He faced two criminal charges: aggravated assault with a firearm and one count of threatening words. However, before the charges were read, the police prosecutor withdrew the charge of threatening words, citing procedural issues. This left Pascascio to answer only the aggravated assault charge. Shaun Gill alleges that PC Pascascio threatened him, saying, “if you make a report against me, that will be the last report you ever make”. In Courtroom #1, before the Chief Magistrate, Pascascio was formally charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, specifically a firearm, against Shaun Gill. He pleaded not guilty. Due to the severity of the offense, bail was denied, and Pascascio was remanded to Belize Central Prison until November 30, 2024.
“Shaun Gill reported on Thursday, the twenty-sixth of September, 2024. He was driving his vehicle along with a female on Cemetery Road. When he was intercepted by another vehicle who blocked his way. Thereafter Shaun Gill made checks to see what was happening. At this point, he was assaulted by a male person. who with a firearm. Thereafter to another police who was in the area intervening, the firearm was taken away from this male person. An investigation was carried out. And we have since arrested a child named Pascasio, a police officer of the crime of aggravating assault. He was taken to court this morning.”
Reporter
“Dis he also threaten Shaun Gill when he went to make a report?”
Hilberto Romero
“There were both at the station at the time of an exchange of words. That is also being dealt with.”
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“You can’t compare the issue with Makin and the one with Pascasio. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Sargeant Makin was responding to a complaint from two miners who had complained to him. of being assaulted by a group of people. Pascasio incident, he was not working. He was responding to his feeling of jealousy. How could you compare the two? We have to be fair. And call things from what they are. And not try to twist our story. Doesn’t make sense..”
Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams found himself in hot water with Belize’s Association of Defense Attorneys. In a press release, the association chastised Williams for making a statement to the media where he expressed dissatisfaction with the results of several court rulings. In the case of Jaron James, the Belizean-American who was charged with assaulting Williams, he stated that the fine of one thousand, five hundred dollars was not a harsh enough punishment. Conversely, Williams also said that he believed the charges levied against Inspector Christopher Martinez, who was accused of abusing a detainee, were excessive. In response, Commissioner Williams says that he is entitled to his opinion.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“When one of those same members of the Association for Defense Attorneys had gone and given interview to the media and said that we are bringing white judges to send black people to jail. Was there any concern with this? I would say that border contempt of court as well. We have a society where some people feel that they can do certain things. But when others do less than what they did, they want to make an issue. That association, while I have the utmost respect for its members, their job is to defend those persons who fall within the domain of the police who have committed a crime. And of course, they will do all they can to make sure that they defend their constituents. As a commissioner of police, I have a responsibility. Not just to myself, but to the country and the officers that I knew. And I maintain my position that the same way we’re saying to police officers, don’t abuse the public, because if you do, you’re going to jail. The same way we must tell the public, don’t abuse the police, because if you do, you’re going to jail. You can’t, we can’t have a society where people don’t respect the police. They don’t respect the courts. They don’t respect the media. They don’t respect public officers. The group of people I mentioned just now do or perform a duty to respond to when that duty is being executed, we must be respectful. Including you, it cannot be that when you’re out there trying to cover a very important story, somebody comes and assaults you and gets away with it. It cannot be. By so doing they do a disservice to the nation.”
Authorities are delving into a scandal at the Vital Statistics Unit involving the issuance of fraudulent passports and birth certificates. Earlier this year, an investigation uncovered that employees at the unit were selling fake legal documents, including social security cards, birth certificates, and passports, leading to their dismissal. Now, numerous illicit documents have surfaced, prompting further scrutiny. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has provided an update on the ongoing investigation, as the authorities work to unravel the extent of this fraudulent operation and bring those responsible to justice.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner Of Police
“I know that we are looking at an issue where a person had presented a birth certificate which from our indications was not authentic. I just spoke to mister Romero this morning in respect to that matter and had given him some instructions in terms of what I would like to see done with that issue. The major crime unit will be checking with the Ministry of Immigration to see if we can get the documentations for those two persons who we were told had received passports based on these fraud and birth certificates. And once we get the report from Immigration we will launch an investigation into that matter. We’ll also check the vital stats from what we will need to understand is that. The birth certificates were issued by VitalStats, but perhaps somebody who works there, but has some separate operations outside of the office. I know that they have discharged a number of persons from the VitalStats statistical office. And so we’ll see what information we can get from them, and then we will launch an investigation people with the two people.”
Reporter
“Are they in the country or outside?”
Chester Williams
“I’m not sure.”
Reporter
“If they are outside. And somewhere that’s not, that you can’t, they can’t be extradited, what happens then?”
Chester Williams
“We will have to look at it and see at the very least though if the passports were fatally obtained immigration is going to cancel them, revoke them. And once they are revoked, then we will put up a notice on Interpol database informing the world that these passports has been revoked.”
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (N.T.U.C.B.) has voiced strong opposition to the government’s compulsory acquisition of a twenty-three-acre extension of Stake Bank Island. In a letter to Prime Minister John Briceño, the N.T.U.C.B. questioned whether the acquisition truly serves a public purpose, suggesting instead that it might be aimed at protecting international investors from financial loss rather than benefiting Belizeans. Prime Minister Briceño responded by referencing legislation from the previous administration concerning projects of national importance that have stalled and cannot be resolved independently. He noted that declining cruise tourism numbers were tied to the cruise port project, implying that the acquisition was necessary to revive this sector. Late last week, the Feinstein Group, the original owners of the island, announced plans to challenge the government’s acquisition on multiple grounds. They accused the government of favoring Honduran businessmen with dubious business practices, pointing to a sixty-two-million-dollar loan tied to the Stake Bank project that went into receivership back in May. The Feinstein Group also criticized the Prime Minister’s response to the N.T.U.C.B., calling it inaccurate and misleading. When approached for further comment on Saturday, Prime Minister Briceño expressed no surprise at the Feinstein Group’s stance and indicated that he had no interest in engaging in a back-and-forth on the issue.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I’m not surprised by the response of the Feinstein Group, but I’m not going to go back and forth to them. We have responded to, to the NTUCB. We firmly believe that we’re doing is in the best interest of this country and once you know that’s what you’re doing, you continue doing as best as you can.”
Reporter
“Do you look at the merits though, especially as the former Minister of Natural Resources, of that other piece of legislation, particularly as the NTUCB is saying we could avoid litigation using that legislation, the promoters one.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“You see, but the Promoters Act, what they do not understand is that the Promoters Act, the two parties have to agree and right now, there’s no agreement. And so, we’ll never have an agreement. When one promoter is asking for fifty million U.S. dollars, and one-twenty-five or one-fifty, I think one-twenty-five per head tax in perpetuity for twenty-three acres, that’s unreasonable. So it will never happen. So the only option we have is the compulsory acquisition, but again, the first process, you put it out there, the owner comes and says, well, this is what I want. You have a negotiation, and if you can’t come to an agreement, then the courts will decide how that’s going to be resolved. In relation to the indemnity for the state bank, you didn’t answer all the details that the NTUCB was asking for. They want to see whatever was signed. Because it’s not necessary. The money is in the bank. The indemnity is there. The cabinet has approved that. That was Very, those are abundantly clear what is there.”
