Two staff members from the National Assembly of Belize, Manuel Grant and Heillie Burns, participated in the Caribbean Clerk’s Program 2025, held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The three-day event, which concluded on February 15, aimed to enhance parliamentary democracy across the region by fostering stronger networks among parliamentary clerks and officials.
Burns led a session on The Independence of Parliament, where she highlighted the importance of maintaining parliamentary autonomy for effective governance. The separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature ensures accountability and prevents overreach.
Meanwhile, Grant took on the role of rapporteur during several workshops. He discussed topics such as drafting a Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament (MP) and developing an Induction Process for newly elected MPs. The program gathered thirty-three delegates from seventeen Caribbean legislatures, which prompted best practices and strengthening collaboration between Caribbean and UK parliamentary officials.
The program’s costs were covered by the CPA UK Branch.
Competitive salaries and health insurance are just a few attractive benefits of teaching in the United States. Teachers currently seeking opportunities like these can do so through Participate Learning, a cultural exchange program that focuses on recruiting ‘cultural ambassadors educators’ from various countries such as Australia, Europe, China, and even Belize. The program is still accepting applications for 2025, and interested educators can submit their application.
Ronald Ramírez, Recruitment Manager for Latin America at Participate Learning, told News 5, “We want teachers to become cultural ambassadors of their country. We want to create understanding, cooperation, and empathy through education.”
Ramírez stated that the teachers that are selected get to teach in U.S. schools for up to 5 years under a ‘Cultural Exchange Visa’ and with salaries ranging from $41,000 to $55,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
Ramírez recognised that Belize’s primary language—English—makes it a valuable asset for these programs. However, the program is also open to teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL), Spanish Immersion (preschool and elementary), and Spanish as a Foreign Language.
Ramírez spoke about the impact that U.S. students receive from teachers participating in these programs, exemplifying a case whereby he recalled a Belizean teacher bringing Belizean dollars into the classroom to teach her students math by “purchasing” with Belizean dollars.
He added that while becoming an “international teacher” may come with sacrifices such as leaving one’s current job and country, “they will have a whole list of benefits,” he said, “I’m not only talking about the salaries; I’m talking about the professional knowledge they’re going to get… At the end, the teacher is going to benefit from it, and the students in Belize will benefit when the teacher comes back, because it’s not going to be the same educator coming back; that is going to impact Belizean students positively.”
According to Ramírez, only 45 Belizean teachers have been part of the program so far, with about 25 active teachers in South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina.
To qualify, applicants must have at least two years of teaching experience, a degree in education, and a valid driver’s license. Married applicants can bring their families but need at least five or more years of experience.
Applications are free and can be submitted year-round at Participate Learning.
The National Hydrological Service has issued a flood warning for the Belize River and Crooked Tree Lagoon, cautioning residents in affected areas to remain vigilant.
In Region 7, above-normal water levels are expected to persist along the Rio Hondo at Blue Creek North, Santa Cruz, San Antonio, San Roman, and Douglas to the coast. Meanwhile, the New River is expected to see below-normal levels at Hill Bank, normal levels at Tower Hill, and above-normal levels from Caledonia to the coast.
In Region 9, the Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town is forecasted to remain above normal. The Macal River is expected to stay below the spillway at Fortis facilities, and water levels at San Ignacio should remain below the low-lying bridge. Along the Belize River, near-normal levels are expected at More Tomorrow, while decreasing flood stage levels are observed at Double Run. The Crooked Tree Lagoon remains at flood stage, though levels are gradually receding.
In Region 11, above-normal water levels persist at Freetown Sibun along the Sibun River. The Southern Lagoon at Gales Point Village and watersheds along the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains, including the Sittee River at Kendal Bridge, are also seeing higher-than-normal levels. While the branches of the Monkey River at Swasey and Bladen remain below normal, the Deep River at Medina Bank continues to experience above-normal levels. Similarly, the Rio Grande at San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls South, as well as the Moho River at Blue Creek South and Jordan, are all reporting above-normal levels. The Temash River at Crique Sarco remains elevated.
In Region 13, the Sarstoon River is expected to maintain above-normal levels.
Residents in flood-prone areas are advised to monitor waterways closely and take necessary precautions. The next update will be issued as conditions evolve.
Early this morning, gang violence struck again in Belize City, leaving Leon Gray wounded. Gray was on Marine Parade near the Princess Hotel and Casino when he was shot just before dawn. This incident follows closely on the heels of Akeem Smith’s shooting over the weekend. Smith and three other men were returning from a sea trip when they were ambushed by two gunmen standing on a cement ledge near the Belize City Swing Bridge. Police have implemented a special operation to prevent any retaliation.
Gilroy Usher Sr. and his namesake son are at odds again, and like the previous times, it’s on Facebook. Gilroy Usher Jr. posted on his Facebook timeline, “In Port, ppl (people) had things better under Boots.”
Boots is Anthony “Boots” Martinez, the former UDP area representative for Port Loyola, the division Usher Sr. currently represents and wants to represent again.
Usher Jr. doubled down on his father’s performance as an area representative, adding criticism in the comments.
Martinez re-entered politics, announcing his candidacy for the Port Loyola Division under the U.D.P. banner.
In the 2020 general election, Usher Sr. bested the U.D.P.’s ” Philip Willoughby by 793 votes. In the 2015 general election, Martinez bested Usher Sr. by 76 votes.
A farmer in Belize has been honoured with the “Soul of Rurality” award by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Known for his transformative work in agro-silvopastoral systems, Christopher Nesbitt has spent 36 years restoring a once-thriving farm used for citrus and cattle and creating a model that blends sustainable farming, forest conservation, and livestock.
Originally from the U.S., Nesbitt moved to Belize at 19 and purchased an unattended 70-acre farm. The IICA recogised Nesbitt’s years of trial and error, as he developed a system integrating diverse crops, such as cacao and vanilla, alongside forest conservation practices. His farm, the Maya Mountain Research Farm, is now a sustainability benchmark, visited by hundreds each year. “If we work to ensure that neighbouring farmers establish continuous agro-silvopastoral blocks, we can create biological corridors that reduce habitat fragmentation and promote biodiversity conservation,” Nesbitt said.
His efforts have earned him recognition, including the Commonwealth Innovation Award in 2019. With a biogas plant on the farm, Nesbitt also promotes local food security, which he argues is threatened by over-reliance on imported goods. He believes the future of farming lies in systems that are not only profitable but also eco-friendly, and he encourages young people to take up agriculture for its potential to solve food security and rural poverty.
“Like other countries in the region,” Nesbitt stated, “Belize’s best lands have always been used for export crops, while food crops for the local population have been confined to marginal lands or very small farms. I have worked to change that alongside other farmers and with the support of cooperation agencies, which have helped optimise agricultural practices and improve smallholder farmers’ access to maize and bean markets.”
Nesbitt challenges the stereotype that farmers lack education, stating, “There is a perception that farmers are uneducated because some may struggle with reading and writing, but they have extensive botanical and ecological knowledge. They can observe a tree’s canopy size and leaf colour and extract a wealth of information about what’s happening in the soil.”
Nesbitt strongly believes agriculture is key to protecting the environment and that agro-silvopastoral systems can help with food security, rural poverty, and migration to cities. “Caring for ecosystems means caring for future generations,” he added.
The Belize Peace Movement (BPM) is calling for an expedited hearing in a legal challenge concerning alleged electoral malapportionment. The group is warning that the upcoming general election scheduled for March 12, 2024, could be unconstitutional.
The case, Claim 730 of 2024, was filed in the High Court on November 21, 2024, arguing that if the election proceeds without addressing discrepancies in electoral divisions, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) would be violating the Constitution of Belize. The BPM contends that such a scenario would infringe on Belizeans’ fundamental right to equal protection under the law and could perpetuate unfair representation for another five years.
The High Court previously instructed both the Claimants and Defendants to submit their legal positions by January 13, 2025, to determine whether the matter is res judicata—meaning whether it has already been legally settled—and to decide on the issue of costs. Both parties have complied, and a ruling is pending.
The BPM’s concerns have escalated following Prime Minister John Briceño’s announcement of the general election on March 12, 2024. The group fears that conducting the election under the existing malapportionment would lead to constitutional injustice, undermine democratic legitimacy, and compromise the government’s credibility.
They argue that an election conducted under these conditions could contradict the Constitution’s intent and alter Belize’s form of government by failing to ensure equitable voter representation.
The Claimants’ legal team has formally requested an expedited hearing of the case, but according to the BPM, there has been no response from the Defendants, which include the government and the Elections and Boundaries Commission.
BPM is urging the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, and the EBC’s legal representatives to support an expedited process, arguing that delaying a resolution would cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election.
The United Kingdom, through its Sustainable Blue Economies Programme’s Blue Social Challenge Fund (BSCF), has awarded a grant of £99,191 (approximately BZD 250,000) to MarAlliance for a new conservation initiative, “Mangrove Habitat for Juvenile Fish Recruitment: Building Local Knowledge and Capacity.” The project aims to strengthen local knowledge and capacity in mangrove conservation, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to safeguarding vital ocean resources in the Caribbean.
The BSCF is designed to support Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Belize by enhancing resilience to climate change and economic shocks. The fund promotes better ocean management, poverty reduction, and the use of nature-based solutions to strengthen coastal livelihoods.
British High Commissioner to Belize, Christine Rowlands, stressed the project’s significance, stating, “By funding this project, we are supporting work that enables local communities and fishers to contribute data needed for the sustainable management of Belize’s beautiful mangrove forests and juvenile fishes. This in turn contributes to improved livelihoods of fishers, sustainable fisheries, and builds climate resilience of coastal communities. This is the purpose of BSCF: to support vulnerable communities working together to address the adverse impacts of climate change on their livelihoods, and we are happy to work with MarAlliance on this initiative.”
Dr. Rachel Graham, Founder and Executive Director of MarAlliance, highlighted the project’s impact, “Our mangrove based fisheries work illuminates the critical role of these ecosystems as vital nursery habitats, bridging scientific inquiry and community knowledge to quantify and protect juvenile fish populations. With profound gratitude to the British High Commission, MarAlliance is transforming local fishing insights into evidence-based strategies that support small-scale fishers adapting to unprecedented environmental challenges along Belize’s vulnerable coastal shorelines.”
A key component of the initiative is its participatory approach, involving fishers and coastal communities in scientific research. By equipping local stakeholders with conservation training, the project seeks to align community practices with national fisheries objectives.
The findings will be compiled into a publicly accessible scientific report detailing the contributions of mangroves to biodiversity and fisheries productivity. Mangrove ecosystems play a crucial role in stabilising Belize’s coastline, sequestering carbon, and serving as essential nursery habitats for juvenile fish. However, significant mangrove loss over the past two decades has threatened marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of those dependent on sustainable fisheries.
This project will fill critical knowledge gaps by assessing how mangroves contribute to fish population recruitment.
The family of 46-year-old Pauline Meighan is seeking the public’s assistance in locating her after she was reported missing.
According to the Texarkana Texas Police Department, Meighan was last seen on January 20th, walking away from her home on Gatling Street in Texarkana, a city in Bowie County.
Since then, there has been no contact with her, and her family is growing increasingly concerned.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact authorities at 903-798-3116. The family is hopeful for her safe return and appreciates any assistance from the public.
Meighan is originally from Ontario Village, Cayo, Belize.
The People’s United Party was in full swing on Sunday, bringing in thousands of dedicated supporters from all over the country. The Civic Center buzzed with activity, featuring drumming, live performances, and speeches. The energy was electric, reminiscent of the Blue Tsunami that swept through the Old Capital before the last general election. A strong message of unity resonated throughout the event, and Prime Minister John Briceno received a resounding endorsement for his leadership during his first term. As part of our campaign coverage for Decision 2025: Show out or Blowout, we kick off tonight’s newscast with an in-depth look at Sunday’s convention. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with our first story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The People’s United Party (PUP) was in high spirits on Sunday afternoon, attracting thousands of supporters to the convention in Belize City. A giant blue and white flag waved proudly above the venue, while a sea of blue T-shirts filled the Belize Civic Center. The last time the PUP gathered in such large numbers here was in 2020, just before they won the general election by a landslide.
John Briceño
John Briceño, Party Leader, People’s United Party
“I think that we are prepared. We have a very good team, we have a solid plan, Plan Belize 2.0, and we are putting the machinery in place. Today, you could see, is a manifestation of the support of the party. Unfortunately, we could not bring everybody that wants to come out, but we wanted to ensure that we can show that the party is united and that the party is energized and the party is ready to be able to serve the people of this country for another five years.”
Billed as a delegates’ convention, the party also made room for the many supporters bussed in from across the country, including distant southern communities. Deputy Party Leader Cordel Hyde highlighted the achievements of the PUP government during this term.
Cordel Hyde
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Leader, People’s United Party
“We’ve done a lot, we’ve done a lot of education, a lot of lands, a lot of housing, a lot of NHI, a lot of support, a lot of jobs but there’s still more work to be done. And we’re cognizant of that, the work is never done. So ultimately, if we get an opportunity to go back to government and we are able to service the people at this level, we give them all we’ve got. They know that that’s what I do, I give everything that I have every day.”
Putting in their all means the party is committed to keeping both its core supporters and the broader Belizean public satisfied with the PUP’s efforts.
Henry Charles Usher
Henry Charles Usher, Chairman, People’s United Party
“I feel good to see all thirty-one constituencies, the delegates of our national convention. Our national convention, remember, is the highest governing arm of the People’s United Party and this is the body that endorses our team. This is the body that endorses our national executive, this is the body that sets policies, procedures and programs of our party. So this is an important event for us and, as you can see, it’s a massive one today to see all our delegates coming out and supporting our party, getting ready for March twelfth.”
The overwhelming show of support has given the candidates a huge boost in confidence. Deputy Party Leader Julius Espat expressed his excitement at seeing such a massive turnout of enthusiastic supporters.
Julius Espat
Julius Espat, Deputy Leader, People’s United Party
“This is exciting, our people are excited. It is the spark that we needed. We don’t have a vibrant opposition, so our were a bit dormant. So this gives us the spark that we needed, and so, I love it.”
As the general election approaches, the PUP holds twenty-six seats. They’re not just aiming to keep those seats but are also striving to strengthen their presence in the House of Representatives.
Henry Charles Usher
“Throughout all thirty-one constituencies, I have visited each one, we are seeing a ground-swell of support, even in the ones where we don’t currently have a PUP area rep in and I think that is a signal of the work that the party has done, that the government has done over the past four years and we continue to do. Rolling out Plan Belize has been a great benefit for the country and we want to continue to do that. In the twenty-six constituencies that we have area reps and in those five seats, we’ll be fighting very hard to make sure that we deliver a PUP candidate in those five seats as well.”
