If you are located in Belize, open your Google Maps, zoom out, and scroll up a tiny bit. What do you see? You’ll notice that the Gulf of Mexico appears to have an additional name—Gulf of America.
This title change is just one more of President Donald J. Trump’s executive orders taking effect. Since before his inauguration, Trump made his intentions clear regarding the change of name, stating that this would be one of the first things on his to-do list.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had criticised the proposal and instead suggested that North America be renamed to “Mexican America,” as she cited historical documents that used the term before Mexico’s constitution.
Well, the name has changed, and it’s been changed for some days now. U.S. citizens are able to see “Gulf of America,” while the rest of the world sees “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).” With billions of people relying on Google Maps’ as their ideal mapping platform, it plays a fundamental role in shaping perceptions of geography.
During a morning press briefing, Sheinbaum revealed that she had sent a diplomatic letter to Google and urged the tech giant to reconsider the change. She added that Mexico’s concerns were dismissed.
Mexico is now considering a civil lawsuit if the name persists on Google’s platforms. Sheinbaum argues that the name change is unjustified, citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which restricts territorial changes to a nation’s waters up to 12 nautical miles from its coastline.
Sheinbaum stated that the Gulf of Mexico spans beyond U.S. territory and includes Mexican and Cuban waters.
Police are investigating a shooting incident in which two local fishermen were targeted while fishing off the coast of Ambergris Caye on Tuesday, February 11. According to The San Pedro Sun, brothers Luis Pablo Diaz, 26, and Janel Silvino Diaz, 24, were targeted by gunmen in a small boat while near the Tuffy Channel, south of San Pedro.
The San Pedro Sun added that the brothers claimed to recognise the suspects. The brothers reported being alert of the boat for over an hour before firing at them.
Authorities have arrested two suspects. The boat used in the attack has been impounded as the investigation continues, and police are still searching for a third suspect.
Family and friends are growing concerned after Carlos Casanova, a resident of San Pedro Town, went missing on Saturday.
Police confirmed that they are “in the process of recording a statement.”
News 5 reached out to a friend of Casanova, who described him as “very cautious and never made irrational decisions,” which makes his sudden disappearance “alarming and shocking to all of us.”
The friend added that Casanova’s landlady reached out to his sister after Casanova failed to return home. “He left his phone and wallet at home, which Carlos was never the type to leave without his phone,” the friend added.
News 5 also spoke with Casanova’s sister, Telma Corado, who confirmed that the police have recently taken her report and launched an investigation.
“We’re a bit relieved since the police have taken our report seriously, because at first they weren’t really paying mind to it,” Corado said.
She added that authorities are currently reviewing nearby footage to determine a timeline for when Casanova might have left his residence.
The introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the judiciary is expected to transform the legal processes in Belize. According to the Attorney General, Anthony Sylvestre, plans are in place for the coming fiscal year to incorporate AI in court operations, specifically in managing document submissions and court hearings. This move is seen as an important step in addressing the ongoing shortage of human resources within the judicial system.
“We will need legislation for that, and technology advances are at such a pace that it behoves us,” Sylvestre said. He added that there is the need for AI-assisted submissions to be closely reviewed by attorneys to ensure legal compliance.
A key benefit of this initiative is its potential to improve access to justice, particularly in rural areas. Virtual hearings would allow individuals from distant communities like Sarteneja and Chunox to attend court sessions without the need to travel long distances. “One of the most heart-wrenching things is to see persons sit out in the sun and have to wait for an adjournment,” Sylvestre said.
He added that the proposed reforms, including virtual hearings, hinge on the Briceno administration’s re-election on March 12. “We have plans in plans… and as I’ve said, at this point in time, those are things that are left up to the good wishes and will of the people.”
The Leo Bradley Library in Belize City unveiled the seventh U Space Hub this morning. This “creative space” now brings the ambitious initiative to inspire children’s curiosity in science and technology to the heart of the city.
Minister of Education Francis Fonseca spoke on the importance of making these spaces accessible to young people and future generations as libraries evolve with time.
“This is the education zone, the education community… I’m very, very happy that the library service partnered with us to allow us to have this space,” Fonseca said. “All these wonderful young people around here can benefit from this space.”
With over 42 libraries across the country, Fonseca said there is the need to transform them into dynamic, interactive spaces. These hubs, he said, will provide young people with opportunities to learn about Belizean culture, history, and music while exchanging ideas in a creative environment.
“We’re used to visiting the library, and we see a lot of dusty books… We have to make sure that especially our young people understand that these libraries are for them,” he added.
Despite renovations to its sister building, the oldest courthouse in Belize continues to face issues of rats and mould. Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre confirmed that plans are in place to refurbish the structure, similar to the work done on the adjacent building, which previously housed the Prime Minister’s and Chief Justice’s offices.
He stated that the renovation project is expected to cost approximately $2 million, a price tag that is consistent with the cost of previous renovations. Sylvestre told reporters that the previous repairs, “ran about 3 million, a little bit over 3 million… I would say in the range of 2 million” for the current one.
When asked about the recent closure of the Magistrate’s Court due to severe mould infestation. He explained that the closure would last until Monday and assured the public that a temporary facility is in place for affected individuals. “That is just a temporary facility. There is still a plan, but of course, it’s all subject to the will of the people, and if the government were to be re-elected,” he said.
Earlier this week, News 5 reported on the complaints from court staff from the Belize City Magistrate Court on Coney Drive. One employee told News 5 on Tuesday, “They have said that they’re trying to work on it, but it’s nothing so far. So, we just decide as a staff that we need to take action to make them decide what they will do now. Don’t give us no small solutions. We need a big solution to fix the problem right away.”
In Punta Gorda, similar mould issues are affecting the Family Court, which is expected to be addressed in the new fiscal year. “The family court issue at Punta Gorda, that is an issue that would be addressed in a new fiscal year,” Sylvestre added.
The Government of Belize has brought in two top-notch attorneys for this case: Senior Counsels Eamon Courtenay and Godfrey Smith. Courtenay is representing the Attorney General and the Speaker of the House, while Smith is representing the Chair of the Elections and Boundaries Commission. But why isn’t the Attorney General representing himself and the government in this matter? We asked him today to find out.
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“It is a valid concern, valid observation. As you may be aware, the attorney general ministry is tasked with defending all matters and we have a cadre of excellent brilliant crown counsel. But as a matter occurred with this matter, we have a very urgent matter, a matter that requires an attorney with certain special skills. Unfortunately that is the nature of the matter and he had to engaged such attorneys. As I indicated earlier we didn’t want to prejudge whatever determination made by the court. But as I said, it is something in the normal course that government has to do.”
For the second time in less than a week, around sixty K.H.M.H. employees took their lunch break to rally in the hospital compound, pushing the government to finally set up a proper pension plan for them. Many of these dedicated workers have been at the hospital for up to twenty years without any retirement plan in place. Despite countless meetings over the years, there’s been no real solution. After Saturday’s protest and a promise from the hospital administration to arrange a meeting with the government, the employees are back today to keep the pressure on. News Five’s Marion Ali was on the scene and has this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
During their lunch break, about sixty members of the KHMH Workers Union gathered in the hospital parking lot, chanting to express their frustration with both the current and previous governments for not taking their pension plan seriously. These workers, part of a group of around 250 who have been at the hospital since before 2018, some for as long as twenty years—still don’t have a retirement plan. Vice President Dr. Alain Gonzalez told reporters that the employees are simply turning up the heat on those in power.
Alain Gonzalez
Dr. Alain Gonzalez, Vice President, K.H.M.H Workers Union
“We have worked for the hospital. We have worked for the community. We have worked for the people of this country, and we deserve our pension just as any other public workers in this country. Our last meeting, as we mentioned before, was on October 2023. So that would have been maybe almost a year and two months, right? And so we have tried in the past to meet with the government. We have tried in the past to communicate back with them and to reopen the pension negotiation, but it has failed every time.”
This issue stretches back as far as twenty years for some employees, who’ve been working all this time without any retirement benefits. KHMH CEO Chandra Nisbet-Cansino describes it as a complicated matter.
“It’s been a couple of decades, um, that this issue has been on the table. Cause I had to do some research myself. There have been various legal opinions on this very, very same issue. Before this union took it up, I think it was the Belize Medical and Dental Union. They actually had an attorney look at it as well. And so there are, there’s a lot of meetings that have been held, a lot of opinions that have been given. So it is not a recent concern. And particularly referring to the period between 2001 and 2017, which is when the authority established a provident fund. So there’s that gap of about 15 years, 14, 15 years, um, where there is no pension coverage for those staff members, despite the fact that they came over from the government voluntarily. Some did not, some of them still remain employees of the government, so it’s not an issue for them, but it’s an issue for those that came over to the authority.”
Cansino said she supports the employees in their plight.
Chandra Cansino
“I honestly believe all workers deserve a pension, however, in this particular case, being public serving the public again. I do believe everybody deserves a pension including the workers at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.”
KHMH has been grappling with a severe shortage of nurses for over ten years. However, the hospital’s CEO reassured everyone that they have backup plans ready. If the current nurses decide to walk out due to an unfavorable government response, they’ll bring in substitute nurses to keep things running smoothly.
Chandra Nisbet-Cansino
“Our contingency plan involves several things, um, including collaboration with the private sector, with other hospitals our session on nurses, et cetera. So yes, there is a contingency plan in place for nursing and for medicine.”
But Gonzalez says the employees do not plan to walk out just yet.
Dr. Alain Gonzalez
“We don’t intend to break our services because we know that we are essential workers, and we know that the service that we give is very important. So we have no intention to break our service from the hospital and to the public. Even if negotiations don’t go your way and the government isn’t relenting to your demands? Well, that is something that we probably see in the future. Not at this time. Um, we do have certain plans in place or in motion for that. But that is that we don’t want to go to that extreme as yet.”
The meeting with the union leaders, the hospital administration and government representatives will take place on Monday in Belmopan. Marion Ali for News Five.
The Belize City Magistrate Court announced it will be closed from midday today until Monday, February seventeenth. This decision comes after staff complained about health issues like kidney problems, migraines, and chest pains, all linked to prolonged mold exposure. Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola confirmed that the closure is essential to tackle this hazardous situation. Today, we caught up with Attorney General Anthony Sylvester for more details.
Anthony Sylvester
Anthony Sylvester, Attorney General
“As you may know, while the judiciary, the Attorney General’s ministry has the substantive responsibility to facilitate allocations, on a day-to-day basis we wouldn’t be a tuned with what is taking place. But, late last week, I was appreciated of the situation with respect to the mold infestation and obviously the decision was taken to address the matter and so yesterday in speaking with the Chief Magistrate and Chief Justice, a decision was taken that there would be the closure of the court until we sort that matter out. So people who have matters which are adjourned, a notice has been sent out. Those matters have been adjourned to I think commencing the following week.”
This morning, the National Kriol Council proudly unveiled the second edition of the Creole English Dictionary. The original version came out in 2007, and this updated edition is packed with new words and revised spellings. It’s all part of the council’s mission to keep Belizeans connected to their rich culture and to promote Creole as a recognized language. News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the launch to find out how the council is working to keep the language vibrant and alive.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Creole is one of the most spoken languages in Belize, and for many, it’s their mother tongue or even the only language they know. However, a lot of Belizeans find it challenging to read and write in Creole, which has created a gap in Creole education. To tackle this issue, the National Kriol Council has just launched the second edition of the Kriol-Inglish Dikshineri.
Silvaana Udz
Silvaana Udz, Editor-in-Chief
“Well it got more than five hundred and sixty mew entries. And wa new entry might be a new sense ah dih word like the word taat/ T-a-a-t. You di think coconut tart right? But we gone da Flower’s Bank and di lady dih talk bout ‘no man. Tell ah ddown pan dih taat.inna dh dorey. Dih lee boad. Now, me neva know that but anybody weh know bout dorey and deh da riva bank know bout taat.So that get added in as a new sense ag di word taat.”
The new edition is a hefty volume, over six hundred pages long, and it’s available both online and in print. The council is doing its best to make the book as accessible as possible to everyone. Editor-in-Chief Silvaana Udz emphasized how vital language is in shaping and preserving a culture.
Silvaana Udz
“First of all, its free online. Access 501. You could get ot, download it free. And then we di try get wa app so you could quick search free. And soon you could get it, we gwain da Angelus and Brodies hopefully by the end pf the week. Today you could get it at the especial price of thirty-five dollars Belize. And the wole idea dah any lee money we mek wah be so small just fi mek more book. Cuz we want people get it.”
The council took feedback from the first edition of the dictionary, released back in 2007, to make these latest revisions. Silvaana Udz’s updated dictionary includes variations of words commonly used by Creole speakers. By standardizing the spelling, Udz explains, Creole is one step closer to being recognized as an official language.
Silvaana Udz
“If you use a standard orthography, then there is a right way fih spell it. You might have a variant way, an accepted variety because dah how people pronounce it. Like ‘fih’ lotta people say ‘fuh’. So fih, fah, fuh ,da one ah the words for ‘for’ weh got dih most variants. But when you standardize, you noh want too many variants cuz then you dih move wrh from the standard. So wah dictionary set put fih be desriptive. You di describe whe people done dih do. Bit the minute you get it codified, it become prescriptive. And it start prescribe down the road.Mek we check di dictionary. Mek we check the dictionary.”
The council calls this book a true labor of love for all Belizeans, urging everyone to help preserve and uplift the Creole language. They’re already looking ahead, with plans for a third edition expected to come out in the next five years. Britney Gordon for News Five.
