March, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Briceño Reshapes Cabinet for Second Term with New Faces and Portfolios

Prime Minister John Briceño has reshuffled his Cabinet for his second term, introducing new ministerial portfolios and reassigning key positions. These are the key changes, additions, and removals.

John Briceño (Prime Minister)

Previous: Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Civil Aviation, and Immigration
Now: Finance, Investment & Economic Transformation, Civil Aviation, and E-Governance
Key Change: Economic Transformation added, Immigration removed, E-Governance added.
Ministers of State: Dolores Balderamos Garcia (Office of the Prime Minister), Rodwell Ferguson (Office of the Prime Minister), Dr. Osmond Martinez (Economic Transformation)

Cordel Hyde

Previous: Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum & Mining
Current: Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum & Mining
No change

Jose Mai

Previous: Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, & Enterprise
Current: Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, & Enterprise
No Change
Minister of State Alex Balona: Agriculture

Julius Espat

Previous: Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
Current: Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
No Change

Kareem Musa

Previous: Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries
Current: Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries
No Change

Kevin Bernard

Previous: Minister of Health and Wellness
Current: Minister of Health and Wellness
No Change

Francis Fonseca

Previous: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science, and Technology
Now: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration
Key Change: Education, Science & Technology removed; Immigration added.
Marconi Leal Jr. is Minister of State: Foreign Trade.

Oscar Requena

Previous: Rural Transformation, Community Development, Local Government & Labour
Now: Education, Science & Technology
Key Change: Shifted from Rural Development to Education.
Ramon Cervantes is Minister of State: Education, Science & Technology.

Dr. Louis Zabaneh

Previous: Minister of State in Education, Culture, Science & Technology
Now: Full Minister of Indigenous Constitution, Religious Affairs & Transport
Key Change: New portfolio focusing on indigenous affairs and transport.

Michel Chebat

Previous: Public Utilities, Logistics & E-Governance
Now: Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics
Key Change: E-Governance moved to the Prime Minister’s portfolio. Energy added.
Gilroy Usher Sr. is Minister of State: Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics.

Henry Charles Usher

Previous: Public Service, Constitutional & Political Reform, and Religious Affairs
Now: Public Service & Governance and NEMO
Key Change: Constitutional & Political Reform removed, NEMO (National Emergency Management Organisation) and Governance added.

Orlando Habet

Previous: Sustainable Development & Climate Change
Now: Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Solid Waste Management
Key Change: Solid Waste Management added.
Ramiro Ramirez is Minister of State: Sustainable Development & Solid Waste Management.

Anthony Mahler

Previous: Tourism & Diaspora Relations
Now: Tourism, Youth, Sports & Diaspora Relations
Key Change: Youth & Sports added.
Devin Daly is Minister of State: Youth & Sports.

Andre Perez

Previous: Blue Economy & Disaster Risk Management
Now: Blue Economy & Marine Conservation
Key Change: Disaster Risk Management removed, Marine Conservation added.

Florencio Marin Jr.

Previous: National Defence & Border Security
Now: Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour & Local Government
Key Change: Moved from Defence to Rural Transformation.

Oscar Mira

Previous: Minister of State in National Defence & Border Security
Now: Full Minister of National Defence & Border Security
Key Change: Promoted to full minister.

Thea Ramirez (New Addition)

Portfolio: Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs
Key Change: New minister replacing Dolores Balderamos Garcia in a restructured ministry.

Elvia Vega-Samos (Previously: Minister of State in Human Development). Not listed in new Cabinet. She ran as an independent and was not elected.

Jorge “Milin” Espat (Previously: Minister of State for Investment in Finance, Economic Development, Civil Aviation, and Immigration). Not listed in new Cabinet. He was not elected.

Anthony Sylvester is the Attorney General.

Ambassador Stuart Leslie will serve as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff.

First Picture of Pope Francis Since Hospitalization

Pope Francis was photographed for the first time since his hospitalisation in mid-February. The photo shows the 88-year-old pontiff concelebrating Mass at the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Sunday, March 16.

Pope Francis was captured seated in a wheelchair, dressed in alb and stole, during a Mass held in the private chapel on the hospital’s tenth floor. He appeared to be praying before the altar, with his attention focused on the crucifix. The photograph was released by the Holy See Press Office.

The Vatican press confirmed that this was the first Mass he had concelebrated in the hospital, although he had been participating in daily Eucharist and liturgies in previous weeks.

Since his admission to the Gemelli hospital on 14 February, the Pope’s condition has remained stable, and his medical care, including respiratory and physiotherapy treatments, continues, the Vatican reported.

Around 200 children gathered outside Gemelli Hospital on Sunday in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Pope.

Man Shot Dead in Punta Gorda

Police are investigating the murder of Dueton Coy on Sunday night in Punta Gorda.

Initial investigation revealed that Coy was shot multiple times. Despite being rushed to the Punta Gorda hospital for treatment, Coy succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities have yet to release any information on suspects or motives.

This is an ongoing story.

Briceño Forms Cabinet for Second Term After PUP’s 2025 Election Victory

Prime Minister John Briceño has announced a series of new Cabinet appointments, which he will recommend to Her Excellency Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam, in accordance with sections 40 and 45 of the Constitution. The appointments include a combination of Ministers of Government and Ministers of State, along with the Attorney General position.

Prime Minister Briceño will continue to hold the portfolios of Finance, Investment and Economic Transformation, Civil Aviation, and E-Governance. Dolores Balderamos Garcia and Rodwell Ferguson have been appointed as Senior Minister of State and Minister of State, respectively, within the Office of the Prime Minister. Additionally, Osmond Martinez will serve as Minister of State for Economic Development.

Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde will retain his roles overseeing Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining, while Francis Fonseca will continue to manage the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration, supported by Marconi Leal Jr. as Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Jose Abelardo Mai will remain responsible for Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, with Alex Balona as his Minister of State.

Ambassador Stuart Leslie will maintain his position as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff. The appointment of Chief Executive Officers will be announced at a later date.

Other key appointments include Julius Espat as Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Kareem Musa as Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, and Anthony Mahler as Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports, and Diaspora Relations, with Devin Daly serving as Minister of State for Youth and Sports. Kevin Bernard will continue to lead the Health and Wellness Ministry, while Orlando Habet will oversee Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management, with Ramiro Ramirez as his Minister of State.

Michel Chebat has been appointed as Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, and Logistics, supported by Gilroy Usher as Minister of State. Henry Charles Usher will manage Public Service, Governance, and NEMO, while Oscar Mira takes on the National Defence and Border Security portfolio.

Oscar Requena will continue as Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, assisted by Ramon Cervantes as Minister of State. Andre Perez will remain responsible for the Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, and Louis Zabaneh will lead Indigenous Constitution and Religious Affairs and Transport. Florencio Marin will oversee Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government, and Thea Ramirez has been appointed as Minister of Human Development, Family Support, and Gender Affairs.

The role of Attorney General will be filled by Anthony Sylvester.

Trump Weighs New Travel Ban for 40+ Countries

The Trump administration is considering a new travel ban that could impose restrictions on citizens from 43 countries, including several in the Caribbean and Latin America, according to The New York Times.

A draft list divides nations into three categories of restrictions. Cuba and Venezuela are among 11 countries that could face a full visa suspension. Another 10 nations, including Haiti, would see partial suspensions affecting tourist and student visas. A further 22 countries—including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis—have been warned they could face restrictions if they fail to meet US security requirements within 60 days.

The report suggests concerns over passport security, insufficient traveller data sharing, and citizenship-by-investment programs may have influenced the categorisations. The Trump administration argues the restrictions are necessary for national security, echoing the controversial travel bans imposed during his first term.

While the proposal is not yet final, its potential impact on regional mobility and economic ties has raised concerns.

FFB’s Sergio Chuc Re-Elected as CONCACAF VP for Central America

The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) has announced that its president, Sergio Chuc, has been re-elected as Vice President for the Central American region on the Concacaf Council. The election took place in St. Lucia during the Concacaf Congress, marking a major milestone for Belizean football on the international stage.

In his role, he will continue working with other regional football leaders to strengthen the sport, create new opportunities for players and federations, and drive key initiatives within Concacaf.

“I am deeply honoured by this appointment and the trust placed in me by my colleagues,” Chuc said. “This is a victory for Belizean football and a recognition of the strides we have made. I look forward to continuing our efforts to grow the game at all levels and ensure progress in the region.”

The FFB congratulated Chuc on his achievement and expressed confidence in his ability to advocate for football development in Belize, Central America, and the broader Concacaf community.

NGOs Endorse Janelle Chanona to Continue as Belize’s 13th Senator

Following the 2025 general elections, Belize’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have officially endorsed Janelle Chanona to remain as their representative in the Senate. The announcement came after the Belize Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (BNN) invited nominations from organisations in good standing, as recognised by the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR).

No new nominations or objections were received, with multiple endorsements instead submitted in favour of Senator Chanona, who has represented the NGO community in the Upper House since March 2022.

Chanona said, “It has been my honour and privilege to serve as your voice in the corridors of power. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to collaboration and cooperation with the Government of Belize to leverage the strengths of our collective voice, skills, and resources to shape governance proposals that benefit all Belizeans, especially women, youth, and marginalised groups. As the world bears witness to the fragility of democracy and freedom, we are united in the fight to defend these hard-won rights daily. Advocating and advancing our shared goal of good governance to achieve sustainable human development remains the priority.”

The BNN Board of Directors will now formally request her reappointment from the Governor General, in accordance with Section 61, 4(1) of the Belize Constitution. Chanona is expected to be officially sworn in at the first Senate sitting of the new parliamentary session.

NTUCB Commends Public Officers for Ensuring Smooth and Transparent General Elections

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has expressed deep gratitude to public officers for their dedication and professionalism in conducting the March 12, 2025, General Elections. In a statement issued on March 14, the NTUCB praised their tireless efforts in ensuring a fair, transparent, and efficient electoral process.

According to the NTUCB, public officers played a crucial role in the elections, from voter education and polling station setup to managing the voting process and safeguarding election integrity. Their commitment reinforced public confidence in the democratic process, ensuring that the elections were conducted with the highest standards of fairness.

The NTUCB also took the opportunity to call on the Government of Belize to restore public officers’ salary increments in full. The union emphasized that recognizing and rewarding these hardworking individuals would further strengthen their ability to serve the country with dedication.

The NTUCB acknowledged their ongoing contributions as essential to upholding democracy in Belize. The statement concluded with a heartfelt thank you to all public officers for their unwavering service to the nation.

Belize Expands School Feeding Programme on International School Meals Day

As the world observed International School Meals Day on March 14, Belize celebrated the growth of its National Healthy Start School Feeding Programme (NHSFP), which now provides daily nutritious meals to nearly 15,000 students across the country. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology (MoECST), aims to enhance student health, learning, and overall well-being.

The NHSFP operates through a decentralized model, where meals are prepared fresh at individual schools rather than through a centralized catering system. This approach, developed from pilot programs under the Mesoamerica Hunger-Free Program and the Resilient Caribbean Initiative, has now been successfully scaled up to 75 schools nationwide. The program not only improves student nutrition but also strengthens food security and boosts local economies.

Belizean nutritionists, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), have developed national school menu handbooks that offer tailored meal plans for both primary and secondary school students. These guides outline balanced, nutrient-rich meal options using local ingredients and include food safety protocols. Additionally, school cooks receive ongoing training in safe food preparation and meal planning, with further capacity-building planned for 2025 in collaboration with FAO.

The success of the NHSFP is driven by partnerships with key government ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE). International support from organizations like UNICEF, PAHO, and AMEXCID has provided crucial policy and technical guidance since 2015. The programme’s expansion for the 2023-2024 school year was made possible through a $3 BZD per child per day funding contribution from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) via the 2022 Bilateral Cooperation Programme.

Belize is also piloting a QR code-based student meal attendance app in high schools, aiming to integrate school feeding data into the Belize Education Management Information System (BEMIS). This tech-driven approach will help track trends, improve efficiency, and enhance decision-making for future expansions.

As Belize marks International School Meals Day, the continued growth of the NHSFP underscores the nation’s commitment to ensuring all children have access to nutritious meals, setting the foundation for better education, healthier communities, and a stronger, food-secure future.

Belize’s Judiciary To Host Seminar on Sentencing and Judgement Writing

The Judicial Education Institute (JEI) of the Senior Courts of Belize is set to host a four-day seminar focused on sentencing guidelines, judgement writing, and evidence for High Court judges and magistrates. The event, which runs from March 18 to 21, 2025, will take place at the Senior Courts of Belize in Belize City.

This initiative, led by Chief Justice Louise Esther Blenman, aims to enhance the judicial system through continued professional development. The training will cover the newly issued Sentencing Guidelines for Belize, providing in-depth discussions on legal reasoning, judicial decision-making, and evidence evaluation.

The seminar will be chaired by Dame Linda Dobbs DBE, a highly respected jurist with vast experience in judicial education. Other distinguished facilitators include President Alice Yorke-Soo Hon of the Turks and Caicos Court of Appeal, Judge Roger Chapple, and Belize High Court Justice Antoinette Moore, all of whom will provide insights and practical guidance for Belizean judges and magistrates.