Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed that three children have been removed from a house following allegations of abuse. According to Williams, the children have been interviewed and are “in the process of taking them into protective care.” The children will also undergo medical examinations as part of the ongoing investigation.
This comes after a concerned resident took to social media on Saturday, claiming that two young girls, aged two and three, were allegedly being physically abused in a dangerous and toxic environment.
The user said in a social media post, The post stated, “There are 2 little girls getting abused physically, & God knows there’s a possibility it’s sexually too.” According to the user, Human Services was contacted, but no action had been taken.
She alleged that the man living in the house was abusing the children, stating, “These little girls are about 2 & 3 years old.” The post also claimed that the girls and their mother were “getting beat every single day.”
“I have videos of these little girls & their mom on the street late at night when he puts them out, I have voice clips with a family member saying that these girls are being molested,” the user added.
The Belize Defence Force (BDF) has officially opened its newly constructed Main Kitchen and Dining Facilities, a major development aimed at improving the welfare of its personnel.
“This state-of-the-art facility is designed to significantly enhance the quality of life for our soldiers, offering them nutritious meals in a comfortable and modern setting,” the BDF said in a statement.
The new facility includes a modern walk-in freezer, advanced cooking equipment, and expanded dining areas for both senior officers and troops. According to the BDF, “These upgrades will not only streamline meal preparation and service but also ensure that our troops receive the best possible sustenance to support their demanding duties.”
Lieutenant Colonel Williams, Services Battalion Commander, called the opening a “momentous occasion”, adding that the facilities will facilitate “proper nutrition which is essential to the readiness and morale of our troops,” he said.
Authorities are investigating a fire incident that occurred early this morning in Belize City. Reports are that the blaze started around 2:30 in the morning at an abandoned two-storey building on Hunters Lane.
The fire eventually spread onto a nearby home, causing significant damage. Firefighter officials responded and managed to contain the fire from spreading further.
The extent of the fire damage is still unknown. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW) announced on Friday the groundbreaking of the new paediatric ward at Northern Regional Hospital in the Orange Walk District. The project is a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Orange Walk-District 4250 and LEAP Global Mission. MOHW said in a statement that it reflects “a milestone in our commitment to improving child healthcare services in Belize.”
The $2.3 million initiative will fund the construction of a “modern, 5,384 sq. ft. facility equipped with observation wards, isolation units, consultation rooms, and more,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that the facility will be “tailored to meet the needs of our youngest patients and the heroes who care for them.”
Thousands of protesters flooded streets today across the United States and around the world in response to President Donald Trump’s controversial tariffs and his “America First” economic policies. Dubbed “Liberation Day” by Trump, Trump’s recent trade moves have drawn widespread criticism for their potential to harm global trade relations.
According to CNN, the “Hands Off!” protests are among the largest collective responses to his administration’s agenda, with over 1,400 protests planned in all 50 states in the US. The news outlet also reported that major rallies have also taken place internationally, including in Germany, the UK, and Canada.
Critics argue that Trump’s economic policies benefit wealthy elites, like Elon Musk, at the expense of ordinary citizens. The protesters are calling for an end to what they see as a “billionaire takeover” of government, the reduction of social services, and protection for vulnerable communities, including immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.
CNN reported that the movement is gaining momentum, with nearly 600,000 participants expected. More rallies also continue to unfold worldwide.
Today, Mia Mottley, Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), also warned about the economic impact on the Caribbean. “Regardless of what any of our Caribbean governments will do, we could lower our tariffs to zero in CARICOM, and it will not make a lick of difference because our economies are small and vulnerable,” she stated. Mottley also appealed directly to President Trump, saying, “I say simply to President Trump, our economies are not doing your economy any harm in any way. They’re too small to have any negative or distorting impact on your country. So I ask you to consider your decades-long friendship between your country and ours.”
CARICOM Chair Mia Mottley has proposed a series of actions to improve economic self-sufficiency, strengthen regional cooperation, and address the Caribbean’s vulnerability in global trade.
Mottley called for immediate actions, including reengaging with the United States at the highest level, acknowledging the mutual benefits of cooperation, particularly under initiatives like the Caribbean Basin Initiative. She said that the Caribbean’s small size, vulnerability, and limited manufacturing capacity make it incapable of distorting trade, which led the US to assist in promoting Caribbean exports under the initiative. “We will see how these tariffs will impact on that,” she warned.
She also stressed the importance of avoiding political divisions for personal gain, encouraging unity within the Caribbean to tackle common economic challenges. “United we stand, divided we fall,” Mottley said.
Another key suggestion from Mottley was to increase investment in Caribbean agriculture and light manufacturing, pushing for more ambitious goals in local production. “We must grow our own and produce our own as much as possible,” she said. Mottley said that strengthening small businesses and producers makes it a critical part of the strategy to build resilience in the region during times of global crises.
Supporting local products was another recommendation. Mottley encouraged consumers to buy local, stating, “Buy local and buy regional. The products are better, fresher and more competitive in many instances.”
Mottley’s last proposed action is to diversify trade partnerships with countries in Africa and Central and Latin America and renew relationships with older partners like the UK, Europe, and Canada. “We must not rely solely on one or two markets. We need to be able to sell our Caribbean goods to a wider, more stable global market.”
Moreover, Mottley pointed out the potential spillover effect on tourism. She said a possible slowdown in tourism due to rising global economic pressures threatens the Caribbean. “Worsening conditions in many of our source markets will have negative impacts on people’s ability to travel,” she said.
“We call in our regional private sector and the tourism sector to come together and to work with governments to collaborate for an immediate tourism strategy to ensure that we maintain market share numbers as a region,” Mottley stated. “I pray that I am wrong, and I’m praying that cooler heads prevail across the world and leaders come together in a new sense.”
Mia Mottley, Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), delivered a stark warning about the economic repercussions of the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” initiative. In her address, Mottley stated that these tariffs, aimed primarily at Chinese imports, could severely disrupt supply chains, causing price hikes for everyday goods in the Caribbean.
As she said, the Caribbean region, heavily reliant on imported goods from the US, is particularly vulnerable to such global trade disruptions. “Many of those commodities are either purchased directly from the United States of America or pass through the United States of America on their way to the Caribbean region,” Motthley said. “That, my friends, is a legacy of our colonial dependence.”
Motthley said that the repercussions of these tariffs will be felt by consumers across the region, regardless of their economic status. “I want every Caribbean man and every Caribbean woman to hear me: this trade war and the possibility of a 1 million to 1.5 million US dollar levy on all Chinese-made ships entering US harbours will mean higher prices for all of us.”
She stressed that the Caribbean’s economic vulnerabilities leave it susceptible to such global trade fluctuations, and even efforts to diversify the local economy won’t shield the region from the effects.
She said, “Regardless of what any of our Caribbean governments will do, we could lower our tariffs to zero in CARICOM, and it will not make a lick of difference because our economies are small and vulnerable.”
Mottley also warned of the potential negative effects on the Caribbean’s vital tourism sector, as economic challenges in key markets could reduce travel to the region. “We call in our regional private sector and the tourism sector to come together and to work with governments to collaborate for an immediate tourism strategy to ensure that we maintain market share numbers as a region,” she said.
“A lot of Caribbean people will think that these things that you’re seeing on television news or reading about are far away… But the reality, my friends, is that if you buy food, if you buy electronics, if you buy clothes, it will impact you,” Mottley added.
Mottley also appealed directly to President Trump, stating, “I say simply to President Trump, our economies are not doing your economy any harm in any way. They’re too small to have any negative or distorting impact on your country. So I ask you to consider your decades-long friendship between your country and ours and look to the Caribbean, recognising that the family ties, yes, are strong. Let us talk, and let us work together.”
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred earlier today in the Cohune Walk area of Belmopan City. The shooting incident happened in front of a Chinese supermarket located by the area’s junction.
Authorities are on the scene, with police and scenes of crime officials processing the area.
Concerned Belizeans have been invited to unite against the controversial Cayo Rosario development project, which lies within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The meeting was called Elito Arceo via social media. According to Arceo, the meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8.”Bring your signs condemning the destruction of Cayo Rosario,” he said. “As once it is destroyed, it’s gone forever.”
Arceo added, “They will be destroying an integral part of our beloved Hol Chan Marine Reserve. We all depend on a healthy marine ecosystem to survive.”On March 27, Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai said that no dredging was occurring at the site. However, locals like tour guide Oscar Iboy have disputed this, claiming to have witnessed dredging activities themselves. Iboy stated, “The people out here in San Pedro are the ones watching and seeing the excavation that’s going on, and I don’t know what he means by they’re not doing any dredging.”
The Department of the Environment (DOE) has organised a monitoring programme to ensure compliance throughout the project’s stages.
Arceo added in his announcement statement, “If the authorities upon whose shoulders the safeguarding of the reserve falls upon and it is their responsibility, don’t care. Then we will show them that we certainly give a damn about Hol Chan. Dis da fu we Belize.”
News Five has been closely following the Trump administration’s ten percent reciprocal tariff on Belizean goods. The new policy is set to take effect on April 5th. Since the announcement, the Government of Belize has held a high-level meeting to discuss its impact on trade relations and economic growth. G.O.B. has assured Belizeans that it will use all available avenues to address the situation. However, concerns among private sector stakeholders are growing daily. Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods Limited, which has enjoyed duty-free exports to the U.S. for decades, now faces the end of these exemptions. It’s a tough spot for exporters with the U.S. as their largest market. Reporter Paul Lopez has more details.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Trump administration’s ten percent reciprocal tariff on Belize could have major impacts on exporting businesses. For instance, Marie Sharp Fine Foods Limited sends most of its products to the U.S. market. Adding a tax to products that have enjoyed duty-free export for decades is bad for business, says Jody Williams, the Chief Sales and Marketing Director.
Jody Williams
Jody Williams, Chief Sales and Marketing Director, Marie Sharp
“Well you know, I like the wording that is being used in the media. Trump has slapped Belize with a ten percent reciprocal tariff, because it is a big slap to Belize, to our developing nation of Belize. In that regard, it affects all exporters. Here at Marie Sharp we export to the U.S. market and for all the years Mrs. Sharp and the company has been exporting to the U.S., since nineteen, eighty-nine, to before this decision was made there was zero percent tariffs imposed on our products.”
Marie Sharp, the founder of the company, talked about this problem in her 2018 biography. She mentioned that any changes to the CARICOM Free Trade Agreement could slow down the company’s shipping and distribution to the U.S. Now, six years later, the company must get ready to deal with those impacts.
Jody Williams
“We are worried about this, because let us say for example we never put into consideration these cost of tariff into our products, into our business in the United States, likewise our importers in the U.S., they never had that ten percent in their pricing. So let us say we have our products in Walmart, Kroger’s, Amazon, that ten percent is not included there. So more than likely, this will slow down sales, slow down momentum, and less foreign exchange coming into the country. We my have to halt certain expansions because we had full momentum when it comes to U.S. sales especially with Walmart.”
Economic consultant Dr. Leroy Almendarez shared his thoughts on how the Trump administration’s tariffs are impacting Belize’s exports. He explained that even though the CARICOM Free Trade Agreement is in jeopardy, it still offers some bargaining power for developing countries like Belize.
Leroy Almendarez
Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Economic Consultant
“In 1983 the United States established what is called the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which later morphed into what is called the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act. What is the purpose of that, to stimulate growth within the CARICOM economies. Products that qualify and comply to certain standards by the United States, that those products would then go into the U.S. duty free. That still exists. Then you have the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Agreement, which expanded that. There are even carve out for countries like Haiti with apparel. That still exist which means a number of our products can still take advantage. What the U.S. does is this, utilization rate. If the U.S. imports collectively as a block from CAIRCOM and it imports is about forty-nine percent of total imports and twenty-four percent of total exports, that simply means there is some level of significance there. And if it relies on us for certain exports from Belize that means we have to maintain those quotas.”
Dr. Almendarez mentioned that the U.S. trade representative in Belize needs to create a report with recommendations on whether to suspend these tariffs, in line with the trade agreement. Meanwhile, the Government of Belize isn’t wasting any time. Just one day after the tariff was imposed, they held a high-level meeting to discuss its potential impact. In a press release, the government promised to use all political and diplomatic channels to tackle the issue. However, who ends up paying the ten percent tariff—whether it’s the exporter in Belize or the importer in the U.S.—depends on the methods used to get the products there.
Jody Williams
“It all depends on shipping Inco terms. For example, let us say we use the Inco term FOB Belize, our prices are to the Port of Belize. We get it from factory to there that is the prize. Once the ship sales, automatically the ownership of those good transfer to the importer. So our importer in the U.S. will pay that ten percent, because they are importing into the U.S. this is the situation. Our importer has never included this cost, it is a surprise. So they say let us have a meeting, we cant take on the ten percent, let us do fifty, fifty, you do five percent, we do five percent. So at the end of the day we are still end up paying something. Let us change the Inco terms saying we are delivering directly to Walmart, we are doing the importation, Marie Sharp, so we will pay that full ten percent.”
