On Tuesday, we told you about San Pedro Mayor, Wally Nunez’s bid for a seat in the House of Representatives when he announced his interest to run in Belize Rural South. As he explained on his Facebook post, his purpose is driven by the voters of the constituency, which, he told us today, goes all the way back to 2012, when he was first asked to represent the residents of Belize Rural South. And from what he told us, there is quite some history to his story and interesting reasons why he remained in the shadows until now.
Wally Nunez
Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro
“The main reason why I decided to put my name is because I ran back in 2012 as a counclilor and I saw the support. We had a lot of support and I was the only person that won at that time as a councillor from our party. Afterwards in 2015 when I decided to run again, people were asking me to run as a mayoral candidate. At that time, there was a lot of issues within the party, and we didn’t want to go to a convention. So I decided to step back and give a chance to the person to run for mayor. After 2015, I realized that the people were asking me to run for mayor. That’s why we didn’t win the elections in 2015. And in 2021, I decided to go for it. We saw the support. The level of support we got in 2021 was huge. And in 2024, this past election, we can see the margin that we have increased and the level of support that we’ve gotten out on the campaign trail. I was always asked by the residents that they will be voting for our team, but they would want me to go for area rep. I was just to tell them that I will think about it because I am running for mayor, but I will think about it and I will let them know. But now, right after the elections, everybody has been asking me and telling me that they want to support the party, but they want me to be representing them. And I decided to put up my name and that’s the reason why I’m here. I noticed there was a release from the People’s United Party that it is open for anybody who wants to apply to contest for the general elections. I decided to put out my name.”
Marion Ali
“Have you formally forwarded that application to the PUP, and what have been the response?”
Wally Nunez
“I am getting all my documents together to send to the party, but I haven’t sent it in yet. I will be sending it first thing next week. We have up until the 24th of this month to submit applications. This is not anything personal against the current area rep. It is what the people have been asking for, and I have been listening to what people are asking me when we have been out on the campaign.”
If Nunez is allowed to run against Perez in a convention and wins, then he will have to vacate the mayoral seat in order to contest the General Elections next year. If that happens, then there will have to be an election to replace him as mayor.
In February, the Belize Tourism Board held a groundbreaking ceremony for the launch of a boardwalk in the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena. The project was to introduce a new park and boardwalk near the Macal River in hopes of increasing tourism activity in the area. However, it was put on hold following the re-election of mayor Earl Trapp, who said that he was never informed of the project’s proceedings. We spoke with Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler today, who told us that the project is back on track.
Britney Gordon
“Sir can you talk about the Santa Elena San Ignacio boardwalk? I know there’s been some disruption to the project due to shifting town council. Can you elaborate on that?”
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations
“We’re working it out. I had a good meeting with Mayor Trapp, and he and I are reasonable people, so we quickly saw eye to eye, and we’re going to work on projects to uplift the communities that you have spoken about or asked about.”
Individuals from various Small Island Developing States and countries are in a week-long workshop on how to collect and exchange environmental information for best practice solutions. The training is part of a response to a call for action on data solutions in 2022, by these developing states and countries. This is to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and formalize the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The framework sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 200. News Five’s Marion Ali attended part of the event and spoke with the organizer and key participants to find out how countries can benefit from this initiative. Here’s that report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The idea behind the workshop is to unlock the potential for the Small Island Developing States and countries to learn from each other about data solutions in environmental information systems that already exist. Maximilien Pardo is the UN Secretariat’s SIDS Interregional Advisor who organized the workshop. He told News Five that best practices can come from the discussion considering climate change and its impact on the environment.
Maximilien Pardo
Maximilien Pardo, SIDS Interregional Advisor, UN Secretariat
“SIDS formed a SIDS Coalition for Nature that was actually launched at COP 15 Biodversity two years ago in 2022. That coalition launched a call for action with three priorities. Those three parties are Financing for Nature, Data for Nature, and Biodiversity Mainstreaming in order to support SIDS in the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework that was actually adopted in 2022. This is one workshop that is actually part of a two-year project, really trying to facilitate best practices to be replicated from one country to another. We talk about data solutions for nature, but of course, we cannot talk about nature without talking about climate change, and we cannot talk about climate change without talking about nature.”
Two of the participants at the forum are Anika Jarvis, a data consultant in the Ministry of Environment in Antigua and Barbuda, and Trina Palacio, a Blue Economy Officer in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management.
Anika Jarvis
Anika Jarvis, Data Consultant, Ministry of Environment, Antigua & Barbuda
“I really liked Trinidad and Tobago’s Biodiversity information System. I think we’ve implemented a few different systems of our own, but those have been more climate change focused, so I think that’s a good model to follow. They just have a biodiversity system that’s meant to house a lot of their biodiversity-focused data, looking at their protected areas and also what researchers in the country have been doing as well.”
Trina Palacio
Trina Palacio, Blue Economy Officer, Ministry of Blue Economy
“We have different methodologies on how we produce data, how we actually share data, how we utilize data, the analytics, etc, and They have certain methodologies that would be very much applicable to Belize. At this time, we have systems that we have developed, but there are better ways sometimes of doing things. They’re also able to learn from us as it relates to the ways how we collect data or how we share data.”
For the organizer, Maximilien Pardo, walking away with a better idea of how to enhance data collect, access file and use the information is key when the need arises in these vulnerable regions.
Maximilien Pardo
“Having actually evidence-based measures to protect the environment will automatically be a vehicle to have actually sound climate change adaptation and mitigation measures that are needed in SIDS and in other countries, but in SIDS in particular because there are others on the frontline of the multiple crisis between nature, loss, climate change and also even pollution.”
The Belize Athletic Association is inviting Belizeans to participate in a celebration of track and field this weekend, on the fourth and fifth of May. The event will be held at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex and starts at seven a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and goes on until three thirty p.m. and twelve thirty p.m., respectively. President of the Belize Athletic Association, Cojac Smith promised two days filled with food, and family fun.
Cojac Smith
Cojac Smith, President, Belize Athletic Association
“We have our truck meet coming up this weekend. We’re actually doing a three part track meet. So we’re doing the U-18 and U-20. It’s basically selection for that coming upcoming tournament, which will be on the seventeenth to the twenty-eighth of May. So we’re trying to select athletes for that, as well as we’llhave the seniors at that same meet as well. So we’re just putting everything in together as much as possible so that we could kind of curtail on some of the spending because we really don’t have any funds at this point in time, so we’re still accepting sponsorships. So we’re just trying to hit the different media rounds to try and get athletes coming out. We want this to be a national, it’s a national meet, so we want it to be national, whereby athletes from all over the country are able to come and represent themselves, do their best stuff, showing that the districts have talent as well, and just coming out and supporting the event and registering. We do have a Google form on the page, you could go on the Belize Athletic Association Facebook page and sign up right there, pay online, or you could come and pay at the day of the event. We’re also trying to incorporate a corporate side of it, where we’re trying to ask corporate or businesses to come out and have a bit, we’re having a corporate relay, so you come out with your best five runners, And you do it’s a 5K one lap around the large truck each And we’re you’re going for bargain rights and you have medals and trophies As well, and we have an open 5k for male on Sunday and an open 3K for female on Sunday as well So it’s a two day event. We’re trying to make it as holistic and family feel as possible. So we do have food with Iguana Sap has agreed to be selling food out there as well And we have a small bar. We have tents so you don’t have to worry about the sun You can come out and enjoy it. Enjoy the time and watch events and really have fun. Bring out the kids. I mean, Track and Field is something that we’ve not had that support from. So we’re trying to ask the public to try and put the support behind Track and Field.”
The Ministry of Health and Wellness received a one-point eight million U.S. dollar donation. This donation came from donors Edward and Patricia Lord, members of the Belizean diaspora, and Build Belize Incorporated. It consisted of equipment such as medical and birthing beds, defibrillators, patient monitors, infusion pumps, and vital sign monitors to be distributed across the country. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
For husband and wife, Edward and Patricia Lord, upgrading Belize’s healthcare system is a primary concern. Having worked in the US healthcare system for over ten years, the Belizean American couple understands the cost and effort it takes to elevate the standard of healthcare. With assistance from the Belizean diaspora and Belize Build Incorporated, the couple was able to gift the ministry over one million dollars worth of supplies. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard expressed his gratitude.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
“Let me first of all start by thanking Mr. Edward and Patricia Lord on their generous support and the people in the diaspora who also supported them. But it is their vision that really saw this through and we were happy to partner with them in terms of sourcing of the funding to get the shipping done. But definitely as the list of items, I cannot express how grateful we are as a country, as a people and as a ministry in receiving this very much needed equipment. As you can see, mentioned a lot of these things are going to help to improve service delivery to patients, not only at KT image, but across the country. And so it means a lot to us. When you talk about Additional ICU beds birthing beds, defibrillators patient monitors all these things that have been donated really equipment that is always in need and demand at our facility if we are to provide good healthcare.”
Although the handing-over ceremony occurred at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, the equipment will be distributed to several health facilities across the country.
Kevin Bernard
“There’s a list of identified areas that I know when mister Lord they had visited, they know, they have identified specific equipment that should be going to And as I had said in my message that when I spoke to them initially they have asked that we ensure that some of these equipment goes exactly where they have been recommended where to. So some of them are in various parts of the country, Western region hospital or regions and community hospitals. I don’t have that list in terms of exactly what’s going where, but I know that they have identified what is needed, where it’s needed and how then, so my CEO will be working along with them. So we are working with the team to ensure that these things are distributed in a timely manner, so we don’t want them to be sitting in a container, but they are now, the next step is to get them deployed into where it needs to go, so that we can start to utilize these donations.”
Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler, said that while this donation will improve Belize’s ability to provide healthcare to visitors, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Belizeans is a priority.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“It just gives us more equipment to give better service in all our hospitals and public clinics and centers that we treat people. So not only for the tourists, for me, but we need to get these things and make the necessary investments for our people first. And then we will be able to do the rest for the tourists.”
As the donation came from members of the diaspora, Mahler reflected on the work Belizeans outside the country have done to ensure the well-being of friends and family in Belize.
Anthony Mahler
“The diaspora unit is a conduit for people all around the world to be able to support us back home here in Belize. Whatever they’re sending back. So it could be in terms of donations. We have gotten sneakers, we’ve gotten equipment like this. We’ve gotten food supply. We’ve gotten a lot of stuff donated through Bill Belize and through the Diaspora Unit. The Diaspora already sends back close to two hundred fifty million through the official sources. That’s not the amount that comes through barrels and envelopes and suitcases and stuff like that. They contribute a tremendous amount. But these things are expensive to move. And so we did our part in terms of helping to raise the money for them to be able to ship it.”
Bernard said that the ministry will ensure that the equipment is properly stored and cared for. He hopes that more collaborations like this can occur in the future.
Kevin Bernard
“As I said, that we will make sure that these donated items are properly taken care of and distributed on a timely manner, so that, yes, we don’t want to see any of these things damaged. It took a lot of work, 1. 8 million U. S. dollars, close to 4 million dollars, and we need to ensure that these equipments are protected, but at the same time put to use. And that’s what we’re going to do.”
Reporter
“Will you be collaborating with them in the future?”
Kevin Bernard
“Absolutely. Of course, we are grateful to them, and as Minister Mahler also mentioned to Ambassador Murphy, who, again, through Build Belize Inc. And in support with the Lords we are very much open to ensure that we continue to collaborate. I know that as they mentioned, there were some little inks in between the whole process. It took 10 years for them to really get this to where it is now and those are the little things that we have to figure out. But at the end of the day, they have my support as a minister of health. They have my ministry support, and we are going to continue to lobby and accept things like these. Because at the day, it benefits not me personally, but it benefits the Belizean people.”
The National Agriculture and Trade Show was held this past weekend under the theme, “Integrating Sustainable Food Systems: Mitigating Climate Change, Strengthening Agricultural Resilience”.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, this year’s show welcomed and hosted over 41,000 visitors, regional delegates, and guests. In its press release, the ministry said it thanked all those who attended the show as well as the committee members who gave their time and energy to help plan and coordinate this year’s event.
The drawing for the raffle of the 2024 Ford Ranger pickup truck was postponed. The ministry said that “at the time of drawing, the minimum threshold for tickets sold had not been met, hence the decision to postpone was made. Given the concerns of entrants and with consideration for the reputation and brand image of the supporting partners, namely BEC and DigiWallet, the Ministry assures that this was a legitimate undertaking that will proceed and for which there will be a winner. Tickets bought have been secured and will remain valid. Ticket sales will resume with the raffle scheduled for May 24, 2024.”
According to a new special report by the agencies, the cost of inaction on hunger and food insecurity represents an average of 6.4% of the GDP of the countries studied.
The new report Financing Food Security and Nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean, jointly produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the World Food Program (WFP) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), warns that the costs of not combating hunger and malnutrition may be higher than the costs of solutions to ensure food security and better nutrition.
According to the report, the cost of inaction in the face of the impact of hunger and malnutrition represents an average of 6.4% of the GDP of the countries studied. In contrast, the average cost of working to close the income gap with transfers for access to healthy diets is 1.5% of GDP, not including management and implementation costs.
The report identifies different types of financing for food security and nutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean and their relationship to regional GDP: (i) financing of food consumption and production; (ii) public spending related to agricultural and non-contributory social protection expenditures; (iii) international development flows; and (iv) financing from the banking system and capital markets.
The publication highlights the importance of investing in agriculture and the need for other interventions to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition. It shows that the main problem does not stem from a food shortage, but from a lack of physical and economic access, especially in rural areas with high level of poverty. The document underlines the need to estimate the costs associated with implementing policies, programs, and interventions as a prior element to analyzing food security and nutrition financing. It also highlights the importance of improving information collection on the different financing flows.
“Aligning social, economic, and trade policies and the objectives of improving food security and nutrition in our Latin America and the Caribbean region is critical, even more so when food spending represents 22% of regional GDP,” said Mario Lubetkin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Mario Lubetkin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Lubetkin also emphasized that comprehensive interventions that address income and access to nutritious food, consumer preferences, regulations on nutritional front-end food labeling, and support to family farming through public procurement systems can contribute to strengthening agrifood systems and equitable access to healthy diets.”
For his part, ECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs indicated that “the incidence of extreme poverty in the region was 11.4% in 2023, according to ECLAC estimations, which means that more than 70 million people in the region do not have sufficient income to purchase a basic food basket.”
“That incidence is higher among women, the indigenous population, and people living in rural areas. Therefore, it is imperative to foster inclusive public policies and promote better targeting of public spending, which can directly impact populations in vulnerable situations. Currently, more than half of all cash transfers in Latin America and the Caribbean go to households with per capita incomes above the poverty line,” said Salazar-Xirinachs.
ECLAC Executive Secretary José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs
“Lack of income to access a healthy and nutritious diet is among the main causes of hunger and food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean. In fact, this region has the most expensive healthy diet in the world,” said Lola Castro, WFP regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, adding that ‘it is unacceptable that the most vulnerable populations continue to pay such a high cost on account of undernutrition, overweight and obesity or double burden of malnutrition when the continent produces enough food to feed its entire population.’
The Director General of IICA, Manuel Otero, said that “the task ahead of us now is to conduct similar analyses at the country level in the context of comprehensive plans and programs for strengthening and improving food systems, operationalizing the objectives, instruments and institutional framework, with a clear estimate of costs and, of course, their financing, taking a broad view of the six main financial flows, as set out in the document.
Israel has expressed concerns over potential arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) targeting government officials for actions during its conflict with Hamas. The ICC is investigating Hamas’ cross-border attack on October 7 and Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza.
In response to reports that the ICC may issue warrants against senior Israeli officials, Foreign Minister Israel Katz urged Israeli embassies to enhance security due to the risk of increased antisemitism. Katz emphasized Israel’s expectation that the ICC refrain from targeting its political and security leaders. He said that Israel is determined to resist any such actions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that ICC decisions would not impact Israel’s policies but could establish a dangerous precedent. Israeli officials fear potential arrest warrants for Netanyahu and others over alleged violations in Gaza. The ICC is also reportedly considering warrants for Hamas leaders.
Israel, not a member of the ICC, disputes its jurisdiction, but Palestinian territories were admitted as a member state in 2015. The U.S., an ally of Israel and not an ICC member, does not support the investigation.
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chair of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues, penned a letter to the Biden Administration. They expressed their endorsement for giving more attention to Belize within the U.S. strategy aimed at tackling the underlying causes of irregular migration. The letter underscores Belize as a key democratic ally of the United States and emphasizes the necessity for heightened focus and resources to counter the increasing menace posed by foreign malign and criminal elements.
“Belize is experiencing a rise in the same risk factors that have negatively impacted its neighbors including: transnational criminal activity, high homicide rates, large swaths of ungoverned territory including porous and sparsely-populated borders, and ineffective law enforcement and judicial institutions,” wrote the lawmakers. “The Government of Belize has demonstrated a strong willingness to work with the United States and the international community to address these vulnerabilities.”
“Belize continues to demonstrate a commitment to shared ideals and global alliances with the United States, making it a partner that is increasingly rare in the region. Belize’s continued diplomatic ties with Taiwan shows its shared values of democracy, self-determination and respect for international law; with democracy in decline in so many countries throughout the world, we must not take these values for granted, and work with the government to counter the People’s Republic of China’s continued efforts to negatively influence the region,” continued the lawmakers.
“We believe there are a number of ways the Administration could signal our ongoing partnership and commitment to the relationship, including a Security and Strategic Dialogue, support for a multi-year national security strategy and a U.S. commitment to support its implementation.”
The House of Representatives and the Senate met in parliamentary service this afternoon in honor of the late Toledo East Area Representative Mike Espat. They gathered at the National Assembly to pay homage to the lifelong stalwart of the People’s United Party. Also in attendance were Espat’s family and friends. As we reported last week, the former teacher turned career politician passed away on April twenty-second from a massive heart attack. Since then there has been an outpour of condolences from Belizeans at home and abroad. We begin our newscast tonight with a formal remembrance from Belmopan.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Madame Speaker, today we honor our dear friend and colleague, the honorable member from Toledo East, Mike Espat, and bid him farewell. Before every house meeting, Mike Espat would join us as we pray the National Prayer and invite all to join me in the closing part of this prayer “and after enjoying the blessings of this life, please admit, Dear Lord, to that eternal reward that you have prepared for those who love you. Amen.” Please join me in standing to give Mike Espat a standing ovation for his life and service to his people and Belize. He was here because of you and because of what he believed in which is always to serve the people, all the people. This alone made Mike Espat special. This alone made him a good Belizean. I can think of no greater moment for Mike than those times when he traveled across the Toledo District to meet his constituents and to watch Toledo grow. The people of Toledo lost a true champion.”
Shyne Barrow
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“While it is a somber time and yes, there is grief to be had, I believe there is much to be celebrated in the life of service that the honorable member lived. I know they called him Iron Mike, but I‘d like to remember him as the gentle giant. Maybe not in size of height, but certainly in spirit and intellect, passion that he had for his people. It is ironic that in the budget speech that I gave a few weeks ago, I talked about the mortality of all of us in this honorable house and I talked about how we have to use these budgets and these policies to further the lives of our people and to leave a legacy behind because we can‘t take any of the material things that we amass on planet Earth with us when we go.”
Valerie Woods
Valerie Woods, House Speaker
“First, let me begin by acknowledging and thanking the family of the honorable Mike Espat for we know, for any member who has served as long as the member for Toledo East, it is really the member and his family who have given service to country with the committed support of family. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1989 and went on to serve six terms as the area representative for the Toledo East constituency. On behalf of the National Assembly of Belize and the staff of parliament, we extend our heartfelt condolences to you the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this difficult time.”
