And finally, Minister Fonseca, as you know, wears many hats. He juggles at least five portfolios, including Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science, and Technology. He admits it’s too much for one person. Today, he was asked if this will change if the P.U.P. is re-elected and if he wants to keep his role in education, culture, science, and technology. Here’s what he had to say.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“Obviously I love culture. Given the opportunity I would want to continue that work. We have started a lot of important exciting initiatives. The Belize Music Project. The George Price House we are working on. So many different projects we are working on. As you rightly said. That is not my decision. That is a decision for the prime minister, but if given the opportunity, then certainly I would want to continue that work along with all the amazing people we have at NICH, the Director, that really made it happen.”
Reporter
“You are currently the MOFA, MOCEST, would you in another administration, retain all those portfolios?”
Francis Fonseca
“As you absolutely and rightly pointed out, that is not my decision at all. But no I don’t think so. Those are very important ministries, very serious work, dedicated attention. So I think that was a short term arrangement given the circumstance. I don’t see that happening in another term of government. Ideally you want a minister responsible for education and culture and you want a minister focusing on foreign affairs and foreign trade.”
San Pedro’s John Greif II Municipal Airport has just completed a major runway upgrade, marking a significant milestone for Belize’s aviation sector. Funded by the Belize Airports Authority, the project includes new thermoplastic markings, modern LED runway lights, and enhanced taxiway lights. These improvements aim to boost safety and efficiency, ensuring a smoother experience for both pilots and passengers. This upgrade is expected to support the growing tourism industry and strengthen the local economy. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The John Greif Municipal Airport in San Pedro has undergone a major facelift, with a newly upgraded runway now ready for action. Improved aerodrome facilities such as this can attract more airlines and passengers, boosting tourism and business travel. This, in turn, stimulates the local economy. On Wednesday, several government officials, including the Minister of Civil Aviation, Andre Perez, gathered for an inauguration ceremony.
Andre Perez
Andre Perez, Minister of Civil Aviation
“This rehabilitation project which consisted of the resurfacing of the runway and the introduction of a taxiway to allow for smoother flow of traffic is an important and timely gift to the people of Ambergris Caye. As we continue to enjoy this distinction of being the number one tourist destination in our country, it is an honor that comes with an important responsibility to ensure the safety of our visitors.”
Upgrading an aerodrome is a strategic investment that enhances safety, efficiency, and economic benefits while supporting sustainable practices.
Chris Sosa
Chris Sosa, C.E.O., Maya Island Air
“As you all know, San Pedro remains one of the nation’s foremost tourism destinations. According to statistics from the BTB and the BAA, in 2024, the island possessed some three thousand, four hundred rooms for rent, received nearly twenty thousand flights and hosted two hundred thousand ticketed air travelers. Not only is La Isla Bonita a major center for investment but also for civil aviation. The national airline careers that are so much a part of San Pedrano culture have contributed to this investment with terminals.”
Updating the airport keeps it in line with global aviation rules, which is crucial for keeping its licenses and certifications. Realizing this, the Belize Airports Authority devised a strategy to improve several facilities across the country.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“They came up with a plan, a plan on how we’re going to upgrade all of these [aerodromes] because we were already foreseeing that the traffic that was coming in was increasing by leaps and bounds, and the more flights we have the more risk we take if we don’t put the proper investments in these runways.”
The upgrade also boosts the airport’s capacity, letting it handle more flights and passengers. This means less congestion and fewer delays, making air travel smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.
Maximiliano Greif
“We have also made investments in maintenance facilities. If you look around the aerodrome, you will see a testament to that investment. We also are operating a combined fleet of some twenty-six aircrafts, providing hundreds of jobs across all technical levels within the community and also across Belize.”
Upgrading the airport can involve adding eco-friendly technologies and practices, which helps cut down its carbon footprint. Modernizing runways, taxiways, and other infrastructure boosts safety for aircraft operations, lowering the chances of accidents and incidents.
Andre Perez
“These improvements that have been funded by the Belize Airports Authority with the support of the Ministry of Infrastructure is a testament to our commitment to improving air travel and safety in Belize. The improvement of this and a number of other aerodromes across this nation form a part of the realization of our Plan Belize commitment to growing our aviation industry and ensure takeoffs and landings safely.”
The ongoing crisis in Haiti remains a pressing concern for CARICOM leaders, with discussions intensifying at the regional bloc’s summit this week. Addressing the ceremonial opening on Wednesday night, Barbados Prime Minister and CARICOM Chair Mia Mottley cautioned that simply scheduling elections for November 15 would not be sufficient to resolve Haiti’s deep-rooted challenges.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Foreign Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas confirmed that Haiti was a central topic in the CARICOM Foreign Affairs Ministers’ meeting ahead of the three-day summit. “The time has come for us to seriously look at the Haitian situation, work with the international community, and bring about lasting democratic change for the betterment of the people of Haiti,” Douglas stated.
Haiti’s deteriorating security situation remains a significant hurdle. Criminal gangs currently control 90 percent of Port-au-Prince and are expanding their grip, leading to widespread violence and thousands of deaths, including among women and children. Despite this, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne remains cautiously optimistic. “Having a stable government is a prerequisite for stabilising Haiti. CARICOM will give all the support it can to ensure that Haiti returns to political and overall stability,” Browne said.
However, some leaders remain skeptical. Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described the proposed November elections as “aspirational rather than practical.” He stressed that unless international partners, including the United Nations Security Council, fulfil their commitments, elections this year are unlikely.
CARICOM leaders have agreed on the need to prioritise Haiti’s security before elections can proceed. “We must do everything to ensure elections are held, but before that, we must ensure stability in terms of security and humanitarian aid,” Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali noted.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres addressed CARICOM leaders on Wednesday night, proposing a UN-led funding model similar to that used in Somalia. This would see the UN covering structural and logistical expenses while trust funds pay security forces. The proposal’s acceptance by the UN Security Council remains uncertain.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves underscored the critical need for a stable security environment to facilitate elections. “Public gatherings and campaign events must be safe for elections to be credible,” he warned.
Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis echoed concerns about the timeline. “There needs to be a cooling-off period of at least six months to ensure any achieved stability is sustainable,” he said, emphasizing that elections in November would be highly challenging under the current conditions.
As CARICOM leaders continue their summit, the path forward for Haiti remains uncertain, with the regional body grappling with how best to support the troubled nation while ensuring any electoral process is credible, secure, and reflective of the Haitian people’s will. The summit concludes on Friday.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing announced today that a new bridge will soon replace the existing San Ignacio/Santa Elena low-lying bridge. In a public notice, the ministry confirmed it has signed a contract with M&M Engineering Consultants Ltd. to design and construct the new structure.
Preliminary designs show the new bridge will be made of reinforced concrete and will span 95.5 meters across nine sections. The bridge will include a single traffic lane and a dedicated pedestrian space, measuring 6 meters in width. Construction is expected to take four months starting on March 17, 2025.
The notice advised the public that during construction, the current bridge will be closed to all traffic. Drivers are advised to use the New Macal Bridge and the Hawkesworth Bridge for detours. The Hawkesworth Bridge will be open in one direction only, from San Ignacio to Santa Elena.
The 48th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting started in Barbados on Wednesday and will run through until Friday, February 21. This meeting’s key topics focus on food & nutrition security, climate change & climate finance, the Haiti crisis & security issues, and digital resilience & external relations.
According to Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca, he stated that Belize is participating virtually. He added that despite the lack of in-person attendance, Belize is fully engaged in the summit’s discussions.
Fonseca explained that Belize’s decision to attend the summit remotely is due to the upcoming national elections, with both Prime Minister John Briceño and Fonseca on the ballot.
When asked if the upcoming election was taking priority over national interests, Fonseca rejected the idea, stating, “Absolutely not… We are fully participating in the meeting. We’re not missing out on anything, so there is no question of us putting any interest ahead of any other interests.”
He added, “Ambassador Lawrence, CEO Mai, participated in everything. The only thing we won’t be able to participate in is the ‘closed meeting of the summit,’ which is really a few hours where the leaders are alone, completely alone.”
Today, the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) unveiled an exciting new project to support Belize’s local artisans. Minister of Culture Francis Fonseca called it “an exciting project” with three key objectives: creating a database of artisans, helping them market their products, and providing opportunities for international export.
Fonseca said, “We want to work with them on marketability; how can we help them to promote that, to market that… We really want to make sure our creative people can make a living.”
He pointed out the importance of supporting Belize’s creative community and added that many artists struggle with marketing their work. “Culture is my business, and this is a key initiative we have focused on at NICH because we understand that so many of our artists are creative people, but they need support in terms of marketing their products,” he added.
The project also highlights the successes of individual artisans, such as Baron Neal, who started his art career in 2004. Neal specialises in Iry’s Butterfly Art and said he enjoys teaching others and creating jobs. “I feel very great because I am inspiring my youth,” he said. His journey went from teaching math to becoming a full-time artist. “I believe my artwork can help people in this world and people in Belize,” he added.
Another artist, Keith Fransisco, said he has been doing his art since 2013. Francisco said this “fantastic initiative” has brought “so many different communities coming together to make this a reality.”
A few days ago, the government of Belize officially announced that the bidding process for the infrastructure remodelling of Stella Maris School and the Belize Academy for the Deaf opened. Today, News 5 asked Education Minister Francis Fonseca when the school is expected to start construction. He said that the bidding process is expected to last about two months, followed by a few additional months for preparations.
“Probably the latter quarter of this year is when you’re likely to see work start,” Fonseca said.
In his announcement on February 7, Fonseca detailed that upgrades would include reinforcing the school’s fencing, improving accessibility, and enhancing security measures, such as the installation of gates and hiring more wardens.
The investigation into the tragic death of little Gabriel Orellano’s case is “almost complete,” Education Minister Francis Fonseca told reporters today. Fonseca stated that “the ministry either today or tomorrow is having a meeting with the Belize Police Department so that we can then finalise our own report.”
He added that once the report is complete, the government plans to first meet with the Orellano family to share the details and address any questions or concerns they may have. “After we’ve done that and we’ve responded to their questions, we’ll be very happy to share that report with the public,” Fonseca said.
When asked about the Principal of Stella Maris, Francelia Cantun, and her comments that raised questions about the school’s security protocols, Fonseca responded, “She came highly recommended,” but that the ministry is “reviewing everything.”
Fonseca added that Cantun’s upcoming retirement is at the end of April. “In a sense, it’s a moot question, because we will be looking for new leadership for Stella Maris,” he said. “The team at the Ministry of Education and the CEO are preparing for that. We’ll deal with it; perhaps late in March, we’ll be in a position to name a successor.”
On Wednesday night, the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) reported that it is temporarily halting sugar production for the 2024-2025 crop season due to poor-quality sugarcane caused by heavy rains. To compound this, the poor road conditions have further exacerbated the situation.
This morning, Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai clarified during his appearance on Open Your Eyes that the mill’s closure is due to insufficient cane reaching the mill, not the state of the sugar roads, and called it a “political mischief.”
He explained that excessive rainfall has left fields waterlogged, leading to poor cane quality.
“The mill has not closed because of the sugar roads; the mill has closed because of insufficient cane reaching the mill. The fields are excessively wet. The quality of the cane is horrible. The mill will run out of bagasse—reserved bagasse—they burn bagasse to generate energy,” Mai said.
With the mill running out of reserve bagasse, the mill “will be forced to close down,” he said, which will “put at risk the entire sugar industry crop for the year 2025.”
Mai added that the sugar roads are being continuously worked on, but unpredictable weather conditions make maintenance difficult. He said, “Climate change is putting a serious beating on the industry.” Given the challenging conditions, he said it was in the best interest of all parties—the cane farmer, the sugar mill, and the government—to halt the season and wait for better weather to resume production.
He also projected this year to be “a very bad year for the cane farmers,” stating that the compounding affecting sugarcane quality also includes the current Fusarium fungal disease affecting sugarcane fields.
27-year-old Dane Khalil Gillett has been acquitted of the murder charge in the case of 15-year-old St. John’s College student, Dwayne Darwin Gabourel. The High Court judge upheld a no-case submission, leading to Gillett’s release.
The tragic incident occurred on September 27, 2021, when Gabourel was fatally shot while purchasing items at a local store in Belize City. The assailant, whose face was concealed with a white cloth, approached Gabourel and fired four shots before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. Authorities suggested that the attack was a retaliatory act linked to the murder of Michael Henry, though Gabourel was not involved in any gang activities.
Gillett was arrested and charged in October 2021. During his initial court appearance, he denied involvement. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence, including surveillance footage and witness testimonies. However, the defence argued that the evidence was insufficient to conclusively identify Gillett as the shooter.
Following the court’s decision, Gillett extended his condolences to Gabourel’s family, maintaining his innocence and asserting that the authorities had apprehended the wrong individual.
