In December 2024, residents and business owners in Caye Caulker voiced concerns over a proposed fuel depot in a residential area. The plan includes a petroleum station and fuel storage facility, raising fears about safety and potential risks. In an interview with News 5, Chairperson Seleny Villanueva Pott assured the public that the project must meet strict requirements and undergo a transparent review process, with the company already submitting its dangerous goods license.
Elvis Landaverry, Managing Director of Petrol Alliance Group Holding Company Ltd., addressed the residents of Caye Caulker in an open letter regarding the company’s plans to develop a modern, service-oriented fuel station and convenience store on lots 957 and 2016, located approximately three lots north of the Split, on the leeward side of the island.
In the letter, Landaverry reassured the residents that the project had been carefully researched and strategically planned. “Petrol Alliance has obtained Environmental Clearance and an Environmental Compliance Plan from Belize’s highest authority, the Department of the Environment. Obtaining such Clearance was no easy task, Petrol Alliance had to have clearance and mitigation plans approved by several governing bodies, including Health and Public Safety agencies, the Police Department and the Fire Department and we must be in adherence to the Belize Petroleum Regulations prior to obtaining clearance from the Department of the Environment.”
He said the the company is committed to adhering to the Belize Petroleum Regulations and will remain in compliance with Public Health and Environmental Damage Protocols, which will be closely monitored by the Department of the Environment.
With regards to insurance coverage, Landaverry said that the company consulted with all seven local insurance providers in Belize. “We had discussions with these, our local providers, who all assured us that insuring your property located next to the Petrol Alliance Group Holding Limited’s development will NOT be an issue. In fact, in any development area, or industrial area, the worst-case scenario would be that a higher premium or deductible may apply, but this would be looked at by the insurance providers on a case-by-case basis. All providers were willing to address your concerns personally and we have contact information for them should you need it.”
The company encourages residents to reach out via email, telephone, or WhatsApp to engage in discussions.
In 2002, the Kolbe Foundation, a private, non-profit organisation, was approved by the government to manage the Belize Central Prison.
However, reports to News 5 are that the foundation’s contract has yet to be renewed. This has been the case since June 2024, according to reports. We are also told that officials from the foundation and government are expected to meet soon to discuss the terms of the contract, including its value.
Before the Kolbe Foundation was contracted, abuse among staff and inmate violence were common. The Belize Central Prison was notorious for its overcrowded conditions, with prisoners often sleeping on the floor surrounded by filth and lacking basic sanitation.
Under the Kolbe Foundation’s management, the prison, which houses about 1,150 inmates, now offers a functioning sewer system, potable water, and adequate bedding. With 2,100 available beds across more than 30 buildings, the facility also provides a range of rehabilitation and social programs.
Despite the prison’s operating cost of just $7 per inmate per day—significantly lower than the nearly $100 spent on each U.S. prisoner—the Kolbe Foundation’s focus is on rehabilitation. Inmates now have access to addiction treatment, educational opportunities to earn primary school certificates, and vocational courses in fields like mechanical repair, construction, woodworking, and welding. Some prisoners even run their own daily radio station, and a select group serves on an advisory board to voice inmate concerns. This rehabilitative approach has helped reduce recidivism.
Move over, Generation Beta is here, and they’re expected to grow up in a world dominated by artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and immersive virtual environments. Experts predict these tech-savvy kids will live longer, face unprecedented challenges like climate change, and redefine what it means to be “digitally native.” This marks the end of Generation Alpha, which includes those born between 2010 and 2024.
While the exact dates for Generation Beta are uncertain, they will be born until around 2039. Some experts suggest that many of them will live long enough to witness the 22nd century.
Jason Dorsey, a generational researcher and the author of “Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business—and What to Do About It,” points out that Gen Beta will start life in a world that’s post-pandemic. Unlike their Gen Alpha siblings, who faced school shutdowns and isolation, Gen Beta will likely only learn about these events in history classes. Dorsey added that Generation Beta will grow up with an increased reliance on smart devices, solving problems with the help of AI.
Another challenge Generation Beta will face is climate change, which is expected to have more direct consequences on their lives. “Climate change will continue to be a really big deal for them,” Dorsey said. As these children grow up, many Gen X and Boomer leaders will be replaced by millennials and Gen Z in power.
According to Dorsey, the new generation will also experience social media differently, with many Gen Z parents possibly limiting screen time for their children, unlike older millennial parents who’ve integrated technology more freely into their kids’ lives. One thing is clear: the emergence of Generation Beta mirrors a fascinating shift in generational dynamics.
In 2024, Belize faced an alarming increase in road traffic accidents. The crisis spanned highways, urban streets, and rural roads. Among the most troubling trends was the significant rise in motorcycle accidents, which prompted the public to demand that the Briceño Administration do what it can to prevent any more of these accidents.
By December, road traffic accidents (RTAs) had claimed dozens of lives, with motorcycles accounting for a disproportionate number of fatalities and severe injuries. Fatalities were linked to speeding, reckless overtaking, poor road conditions, and a lack of safety measures, including helmets and protective gear.
The most tragic of the accidents in 2024 was the incident that occurred on the Benque Road in December. That incident claimed the lives of 10 people. In late November, the Caye Caulker Ocean Academy High School boys’ basketball team was involved in a tragic traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway. They were en route to a regional tournament in Orange Walk when their vehicle overturned due to a blowout. There were 12 passengers. One person died. On December 2, a collision involving a motorcycle and a sedan on the George Price Highway resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries. Reckless overtaking and limited visibility were identified as key factors in this tragic accident. Meanwhile, in mid-September, a motorcyclist lost his life in a collision with a pickup truck on the Philip Goldson Highway. Witnesses reported that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, a recurring issue in many of the year’s incidents.
Festive seasons, including Easter and Christmas, saw spikes in motorcycle-related crashes, with many victims under 30 years old. Alcohol consumption and speeding were frequently cited causes.
Motorcycle accidents surged in 2024—a sharp increase compared to previous years. Several factors contributed to this alarming trend. Many riders failed to use helmets, leading to a higher rate of severe head injuries. Additionally, a growing number of young, inexperienced riders took to the roads without proper training or licenses, exacerbating the risks. Speeding was another significant issue, with motorcycles frequently involved in high-speed collisions, particularly on highways. Poor infrastructure, including potholes, uneven road surfaces, and inadequate lighting, further compounded the dangers faced by motorcyclists.
The impact of this surge was felt keenly by emergency services. Hospitals reported a rise in trauma cases related to motorcycle accidents, with many victims requiring extended hospital stays. Medical personnel also noted that survivors often faced permanent disabilities, placing long-term physical and financial burdens on individuals and their families.
Recognising the uptick in motorcycle-related fatalities, the government announced plans to enforce helmet use more strictly and increase penalties for non-compliance. T
Prime Minister John Briceño has issued an urgent call for reforms to Belize’s road safety laws, emphasising the critical need to address the rising number of traffic fatalities, particularly among young people and motorcyclists. Speaking in the House of Representatives, Briceño underscored the necessity of legislative action, stricter enforcement, and a cultural shift in driving behaviours to tackle what he described as a preventable crisis.
Cabinet has directed the attorney general to conduct a comprehensive review of Belize’s road safety regulations, focusing specifically on offences related to driving under the influence (DUI). Briceño suggested adopting stricter penalties, drawing comparisons to the United States, where DUI-related fatalities can result in murder charges. “People need to understand that if you drive under the influence and get in an accident, we are going to throw the whole book at you,” he stated firmly.
Expressing frustration over the recklessness on Belize’s roads, the Prime Minister recounted a personal experience where he reported a suspected drunk driver on the highway. The individual, later identified as one of his constituents, was arrested. Briceño shared that the driver’s father thanked him afterward, acknowledging that the incident had taught his son an important lesson about road safety and responsibility.
To strengthen enforcement, Briceño announced plans to enhance highway surveillance through 24-hour patrols, particularly during nighttime hours when drunk driving incidents are most frequent. “This is when people are coming from parties or social events after drinking, and that’s when we see most of the accidents,” he explained. Additionally, the government intends to modernise enforcement tools, amending laws to allow the use of speed guns, breathalysers, and dash cams to empower police officers in detecting and penalising reckless drivers effectively.
The Prime Minister also addressed the alarming statistics on motorcycle fatalities. Of the 108 road deaths recorded in 2024, 50 involved motorcyclists—a staggering figure. Briceño highlighted the reckless behaviour of some riders as a major concern and announced plans for stricter licensing requirements. These include mandatory helmet use, with safety standards ensuring helmets remain secure upon impact.
Briceño also criticised unsafe practices involving children on motorcycles, sharing a recent example from a Cabinet group chat where a man and a woman were seen riding a motorcycle with a small child precariously held between them. Calling the practice a grave safety hazard, he urged stricter enforcement to prevent such violations.
Emphasising the shared responsibility of road safety, Briceño called on all Belizeans to play their part in reducing traffic fatalities. “At the end of the day, it’s me, you, and all of us collectively,” he stated. “We are the drivers, and we all have a role to play in making our roads safer.”
The Department of Transport is exploring the idea of publicly naming individuals convicted of drunk driving as a measure to address the alarming rise in fatal road traffic incidents. With 14 lives lost in a single month due to traffic accidents, the department is facing mounting public scrutiny over its efforts to combat the root causes, such as driving under the influence.
Despite receiving several breathalysers in 2021 for use on Belize’s highways, questions persist about the frequency of their use and the admissibility of their results in court.
The Belize Police Department has also been proactive in tackling drunk driving. A recent report from the BPD disclosed that 215 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol between January and November 2024.
As the Transport Department and law enforcement agencies take steps to curb dangerous driving behaviours, the hope is that these measures will contribute to reducing the tragic loss of lives on Belize’s roads.
The ministry is also partnering with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to enhance Belize’s traffic legislation. These discussions aim to address critical issues such as inadequate enforcement and reckless driving, which have been flagged as contributing factors to the spike in accidents.
Enforcement has also been identified as a significant challenge.
A healthy baby boy made his debut as the first baby of 2025 at 12:15 a.m. on January 1st. The baby, born to 19-year-old Glenda Pop from Hattieville, weighed six pounds and had a smooth, uncomplicated birth.
Glenda told News 5 that she arrived at the hospital at around 8 o’clock in the night on December 31 after experiencing labour pains. Within hours, she was fully dilated. “I came straight to the hospital, and they told me I would have my baby right now,” Pop said.
Estella Flowers, Unit Manager for Maternity and Labour and Delivery, shared, “This is a full, mature baby, born at 40 weeks with no complications.”
“We were expecting a lot of babies that night, on the 31st of December, to come in on the first. But she was the only one that came in 8 centimetres dilated and delivered at 12:15,” Flowers added.
The hospital celebrated the first baby of the year with special gifts and recognition. Glenda, who is already the mother of one, has yet to decide on a name for her newborn son.
A New Year’s morning shooting left a 21-year-old man injured in Belize City. Reports indicate that Shemar Gillett was shot in the left arm just before 5 o’clock in the morning while walking home. Initial investigation revealed that a vehicle suddenly stopped and opened fire on him while he was walking home.
Gillett was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where he was treated for his injuries. Belize City police are urging anyone with information about the shooting or the vehicle involved to help with the investigation.
Meanwhile, two years ago, in 2022, instead of being shot at, Gillett was accused of being the shooter and was remanded to prison at the age of 18 related to a shooting incident in 2022, where Gillett was the alleged shooter, and faced two counts of using deadly means of harm and one count of wounding following an attack on Joanna and Anthony Parham. This shooting incident occurred on May 30, 2022, and caused damage to two vehicles. Reports were that gunshots were fired at the corner of Gibnut and Curassow Streets. Police say that Anthony Parham was the intended target.
A man is in critical condition after being brutally stabbed multiple times near Pitter Street in Belize City on Wednesday, January 1.
The victim, Mervin Martin, was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Martin alleges he was attacked by 33-year-old Emerson Garnett, also known as “Jimbo.”
Police are currently searching for Garnett in connection with the incident.
This isn’t the first time Garnett has been involved in an incident. In April 2024, a viral video showed Garnett assaulting a man, Mark Avilez, in a violent attack that included throwing a toilet bowl at the victim. Garnett was later charged with two counts of common assault and fined $505.
In September of 2024, Garnett was involved in a separate incident involving a burglary, where over $4,000 worth of jewellery was stolen from an apartment in the Butterwood Bay area. He was arrested for burglary and later released on bail. He was granted bail of $5,000, but due to an outstanding court debt of $505, Garnett was unable to pay and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October 20.
A 4-year-old girl was injured by a stray bullet on New Year’s Eve while she was with her family in the Jane Usher area in the Old Capital. Reports are that the incident occurred shortly after midnight on January 1.
The child’s mother told police that she was holding her daughter while the family set off fireworks on Levi Slusher Street. Moments later, the girl cried out in pain, and her mother initially thought it was from a stone thrown by the fireworks. However, after taking her to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, an X-ray revealed a gunshot wound. A bullet was removed from the child’s left arm.
Police have investigated the scene and are calling on the public to assist with helpful information that can lead to identifying the shooter.
The Belize Port Authority (BPA) raised the water taxi passenger fee by $3.00 for fares between $10.00 and $100.00. This became effective on January 1, 2025.
This adjustment follows the Water Taxi (Amendment) Regulations, SI No. 129 of 2022. The BPA said due to the economic impact of COVID-19, the BPA had temporarily reduced the fee to $2.00 to assist both operators and passengers.
“With the recovery of the economy, the BPA will now revert to the full fee, which will be applied to tickets purchased on or after 1 January 2025,” the BPA said in its announcement statement.
It added that the fee increase “This adjustment is necessary to ensure the continued safety, security, and maintenance of maritime services.”
