On Tuesday, we told you about the sweeping tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump on goods coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico and an increase on previous duties levied on China. The twenty-five percent tariffs were followed by prompt retaliation from the neighboring countries and China. The impending trade war may have detrimental impacts on smaller countries that depend on the United States for goods. In tonight’s edition of the Five-Point-Breakdown, we take a closer look at what led to the implementation of these tariffs and what possible impacts they may have on Belize. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Countries around the world are bracing for what many call an international trade war. A trade war is an economic conflict between countries that typically arises when one retaliates against unfair trading methods. On March fourth, President Donald Trump imposed a twenty-five percent tax on goods from Canada and Mexico, and an extra ten percent tax on Chinese goods, these taxes are otherwise known as tariffs, and their implementation has resulted in international uproar and unease as countries formulate a response plan. But why did President Trump impose these tariffs? He says it’s to pressure governments to crack down on the illegal trade of fentanyl, a drug that kills tens of thousands of Americans each year.
Trump Imposes Heavy Tariffs on Trade Partners
Donald Trump
Donald Trump, President, U.S.A.
“Just so you understand, vast amounts of fentanyl have poured into our country from Mexico. And as you know, also from China where it goes to Mexico and also Canada. No room left for Mexico not for Canada. The tariffs, they’re all set. They go into effect tomorrow.”
In response to these tariffs, Canada, Mexico, and China quickly hit back with strong tariff packages on U.S. goods. Both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have labeled Trump’s actions as “unjustifiable” and see them as the first step towards a trade war.
Canada, Mexico & China React to US Tariffs
Claudia Sheinbaum
Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexican President
“It is by no means our purpose to start an economic or trade confrontation, which is unfortunately and regrettably, is the opposite of what we should be doing. That is integrating our economies more to strengthen our region.”
While Sheinbaum voiced her disappointment in Trump’s actions, Trudeau announced plans to retaliate. He argued that the tariffs are unnecessary since less than one percent of fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Canada.
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister
“Canada will be implementing twenty-five percent tariffs against a hundred and fifteen billion dollars’ worth of American goods.”
Trump has also threatened to impose similar tariffs on European countries. These tariffs are not just about curbing illicit drug trade. The Trump administration also wants to boost the economy by bringing manufacturing back to America. However, this move could hurt the economy in the short term, with rising costs of goods and falling stocks on the global market. Prime Minister John Briceno says Belize plans to strengthen its resilience as North America deals with the fallout.
How Will Belize Avoid the Fallout of a Trade War?
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“What we have to do is then to try to see that maybe start to look at other areas to import from. Most of imports come from the United States. And what I’m sure that Mr. Trump understands is that when he raised tariffs, the tariffs is not the country that’s selling the product pays it. It falls on the consumer. On their consumers so that the prices of imports from China into the United States will probably go up. So that maybe we need to look at maybe import from Mexico or other countries or even Canada as opposed to from the United States. Right? But that’s not a decision that we will make as a government. The private sector, they’re nimble. They’re going to refining and scouting out where they could get things that are going to be cheaper.”
Briceño says Belize will do its best to stay out of the line of fire. However, economist Dr. Leroy Almendarez points out that Belize needs to consider the bigger picture. He explains that smaller countries relying on American imports might not have enough time to adjust to the price spikes, which will affect various industries.
Possible Impacts of a Trade War on Belize
Leroy Almendarez
Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Economist
“The impact is far reaching. I mean, when you really, I looked at and I just look at just quickly at 2022, we imported over six hundred million. We exported about eighty-six million. So, what’s the what’s the trade inbalance that exists there? It simply tells you that we are very import dependent and in agriculture, let’s take agriculture. We might have final products but what about the inputs? If we import inputs like fertilizer, whatever it is from the United States, and those prices are marked up, then what happens to our agricultural products? The cost of production will go up. The cost of consumption in Belize will also go up if it’s for domestic consumption, if people really consume it locally. But what about exporting it? It drives up the cost of production, which simply means now it will cost you more to produce a unit of a product, so you’ll produce less.”
Almendarez suggests boosting Belize’s manufacturing capabilities and diversifying trade relations with Central America and CARICOM to counter the tariff impacts. We also ran a non-scientific poll on social media to see how Belizeans feel the impending trade war will affect the country.
Are Belizeans Concerned About an Impending Trade War?
The majority of participants— forty-nine percent of the one thousand, thirty-nine voters, expect a strong negative impact, while thirty-one percent foresee a disastrous outcome. They predict higher prices for goods, suffering exports, and struggling trade-dependent industries. Eight percent think the outcome will be somewhat bad, seven percent believe it won’t be bad at all, and five percent are optimistic, suggesting the tariffs might open up more trade opportunities between the U.S. and Belize. Britney Gordon for News Five.
It’s been three months since our last update on the Caribi Bleu Casino investigation in San Pedro. Tonight, News Five revisits the story with fresh details. We’ve confirmed the Central Bank’s findings on the unauthorized ATM dispensing US currency inside the casino. Plus, new information has surfaced about the company’s golf cart operations. And why isn’t the casino listed among the FIU’s registered entities? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the latest.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
In late 2024, News Five published several investigative reports on the operations at Caribi Bleu Casino.
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
Leni Ysaguirre McGann, Director, F.I.U. (File: Dec 18th, 2024)
“The FIU to protect the integrity of these processes and to protect the investigation are under strict confidentiality obligations.”
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank (File: Nov 27th, 2024)
“I am sure you will appreciate that I cant say much on that, because it is a live investigation.”
Our investigation started with allegations that the company received 200 golf cart permits on an already traffic-congested island. But it didn’t stop there. We uncovered an illegal ATM inside the establishment that dispensed U.S. currency. The Central Bank of Belize and the Financial Intelligence Unit are now on the case. News Five has confirmed that no charges or fines were levied against the casino’s proprietor Rima Ray. Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael told us that the legislation governing the use of ATMs does not allow for administrative penalties. He further explained that fines can only be imposed through a summary conviction. So, what happened? The owner received a simple slap on the wrist for operating an unauthorized ATM that dispenses US currency inside a Belizean casino.
Rima Ray quickly removed the ATM from the casino and promised not to run such operations again. The owner was also required to attend a meeting about national payment system regulations and guidelines. We obtained a document with an official Customs stamp stating that the machine would leave the country through the Belize/Mexico border on December seventh, heading to Chetumal for servicing and repairs. However, the letter raised many questions. It mentioned that the machine would return to Belize once the repairs were completed. Now, there are doubts about whether the machine actually left the country and if Customs had approved its initial importation.
New details have also emerged about the Caribi Bleu Limited’s fleet of golf carts. In November 2024, News Five visited the San Pedro Town Council’s Traffic Department and met with Miguel Perez, the aide to Mayor Gualberto Nunez. We discovered twenty golf carts registered under Caribi Bleu Limited, parked openly in the casino’s parking lot. But you might recall the extra golf carts stored in a building next to the casino that mysteriously disappeared. News Five has obtained images to show that they were moved to a fenced property not too far away for safe keeping. Since then, Caribi Bleu Limited purchased a golf cart company, Time Out Golf Cart Rental. A Companies Registry document shows that the transaction was finalized on the sixth of January 2025. News 5 has been reliably informed that Caribi Bleu Limited has an additional eighteen permits under Time Out Golf Cart Rental.
What’s even more intriguing is that Caribi Bleu Casino also operates under the name GMK Sky Limited, as shown on this flier for a raffle of a brand new 2024 golf cart. GMK also appears on this wire transfer receipt. In August 2024, Rima Ray transferred fifty thousand dollars through TD Bank to Belize Management and Consulting with special instructions for the GMK Hotel Project. However, when we checked the list of registered casinos under the FIU, neither Caribi Bleu Casino nor GMK Sky were listed. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Last night, we aired an in-depth interview with Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay about the Jeremy Enriquez and Anand Ramlogan case. During the interview, Courtenay was also asked about an affidavit from his client, Prime Minister John Briceño. The question arose because, in the court document, Prime Minister Briceño claimed he didn’t know of any other head of government who had announced a general election date inside the National Assembly. However, records show that former Prime Minister Said Musa did just that in 2003. Here’s what Courtenay had to say.
Eamon Courtenay, Attorney-At-Law
“That was obviously a mistake, I can tell you that I didn’t remember Prime Minister Musa announcing it, but it’s immaterial. It’s a mistake and we all make mistakes.”
Reporter
“But a mistake in a sworn affidavit is a matter of consequence, when especially when it’s from the highest office in the land.”
Eamon Courtenay “Agreed. Agreed. And I think, I mean, you interviewed him. I mean, I don’t think he denied. I mean, I didn’t see. I don’t know but you interviewed him. We will not insist to the contrary. But I obviously say it was a mistake that was made, and, we would have easily have said that the it was done once, as far as I know, if it’s the only occasion.”
Today, the People’s Democratic Movement (P.D.M.) unveiled its manifesto and introduced the four candidates running in next Wednesday’s general election. Led by Estevan Perrera, along with Deputy Leader Zenobia Young and Party Chairman George Myvett, the P.D.M. explained their reasons for seeking office. Although Perrera hasn’t officially entered the political race, belongs to a party that’s committed to bringing solutions for Belize.
Estevan Perrera
Estevan Perrera, Leader, People’s Democratic Movement
“Our manifesto says Belize deserves better. I mean there’s a lot more corruption in that government that I could talk about that would take me hours. So I’m just bringing you some simple things that they are doing. Even under the UDP, they built something up there in Port Loyola that was to take out the water from the canal. And that machinery is not even working. That’s $15 million that gone down the drain again that could have served the Belizean people. When will the Belizean people wake up?”
Zenobia Young
Zenobia Young, Deputy Party Leader, People’s Democratic Movement
“A third party brings fresh visions, new perspectives, and even challenges both dominant parties, the red and the blue to do better. It forces them to adapt and even to improve with healthy competition. So I urge you Belizean people, you know the struggles, you know the boat that you’re in, you know the old shoe that you’re wearing. For 44 years, we’ve been hearing the same old thing, seeing the same old faces, and there here wasn’t any change.”
George Myvett
George Myvett, Chairman, People’s Democratic Movement
“You have been wasting your votes for 44 years after independence. Forty-four years you have been wasting your vote because where you are, you’re in a worse position now than you were at independence. At independence, the poverty rate was 31 percent up to about five years ago. The poverty rate was 52%. You know what I mean? One out of two Belizeans can’t meet basic needs.”
P.D.M. Leader Estevan Perrera is running in Belize Rural Central, while the party is fielding Cornelius Galvez in Albert, Garry Matus in Queen Square, and Wilmore Tablada in Port Loyola. Perrera chose Belize Rural Central because he believes the area needs better streets, roads, and other infrastructure. The three Belize City candidates also shared their thoughts on areas they think need improvement.
Cornelius Galvez
Cornelius Galvez, Albert Standard Bearer, People’s Democratic Movement
“I believe that we can do better than what is going on right now. I introduced Social Security to the Belize people and Belizeans. And today, people can hardly get what they need from Social Security. Now, if I go to Social Security, they will tell me I too old, but anybody who gets a job, young, they can get social security. If a person reaches sixty, he cannot pay anymore. But the thing is this: I am still living, so why should it cut from me? If I want to pay social security for the rest of my life, that’s my prerogative. That should not be on the government to stop me from paying my security. When I stop pay or if I can’t pay, or if I get out, it will be there for somebody. Somebody will use it. So what is the use of having Social Security if you cannot get what you want from Social Security?”
Garry Matus
Garry Matus, Queen Square Standard Bearer, People’s Democratic Movement
“I see a lot of things in this country not done correctly and that is enough. I get tired of most corruption in this country, in Belize City. Both the politician, P.U.P. and the U.D.P. I sell tamales and ducunu. We meet a lotta police on Albert Street, lazy, never patrol up the street. They stay down by the Indian di drink a Coke and pack a biscuit. Sometimes people need help and the police never come through. That is a limit in Queen Square Market in Belize City there’s a lot of contraband. Belize has to stop this. We need to sign this UNCAC one time.”
Wilmore Tablada
Wilmore Tablada, Port Loyola Standard Bearer, People’s Democratic Movement
“A lot of people in my area, in Port Loyola are suffering. Mr. Usher said he di give weh land, but I don’t see how, because people rent apartments in the neighborhood. Sometimes they come beg me for these small money to pay to rent because they don’t have no land or nothing. And the next thing weh dehn like do, dehn give the rich people the good land, and they give the poor people the land that they have to fill out. And the people can’t afford to fill it, so what do you think they do? They sell it. So, what the government should do is just try to help the poor people live better, because they can’t.”
In 6 days, on March 12, more than 204378 registered voters (as of January 2025) will head to the polls to decide which party will form the next government.
The ongoing rift in the opposition, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has led the Election and Boundaries Department to recognise 41 candidates across 31 constituencies. This is the first time in Belize’s history that voters in several constituencies will have the option to choose two candidates, and in some cases, three candidates, under the UDP banner.
This is only one of the factors that makes this election not only unique but also historical.
The 2020 Shift in Power
On February 11, Prime Minister John Briceño and Leader of the People’s United Party (PUP) officially announced the date of the election. March 12 is 244 days away from the end of Briceño’s five-year term.
A total of 149,650 votes were cast in the election, representing a voter turnout of 81.86%. The PUP secured the majority with 88,040 votes, accounting for 58.83% of the total. The UDP received 57,374 votes, making up 38.34%. The Belize Progressive Party (BPP) secured 548 votes (0.37%), the Belize People’s Front (BBF) received 820 votes (0.55%), and independent candidates collectively garnered 924 votes (0.62%).
The Rise of the Honourable Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses Michael Levi Barrow, known as Shyne, was born on November 8, 1978, in Belize City and moved to Brooklyn, New York, in his youth. Rising to fame in the late 1990s, he signed with Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records and released his debut album in 2000, which went gold. However, in 1999, Shyne was involved in a nightclub shooting with Combs and Jennifer Lopez, leading to his conviction on charges of assault and weapon possession in 2001. He served eight and a half years of a 10-year sentence, during which he converted to Orthodox Judaism and changed his name in 2006.
After his release, Shyne was deported to Belize, embracing his heritage and pursuing a political career. In 2010, he was appointed Belize’s Music and Goodwill Ambassador by his father then Prime Minster, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, promoting the country’s culture and youth initiatives. Shyne’s political involvement deepened over the years; in the 2020 general elections, he took over his uncle’s, Michael Finnegan, constituency and secured a seat in the House of Representatives for Mesopotamia asa member of the United Democratic Party (UDP). Barrow defeated the PUP’s Dr. Candice Pitts for the Mesopotamia. Barrow secured 910 votes (53.06%), while Dr. Pitts received 751 votes (43.79%).
In June 2021, he became the Leader of the Opposition after the UDP’s Central Executive Committee met to set a date for a recall convention to determine the then Opposition leader Patrick Faber’s fate. This followed weeks of scandal surrounding Faber, which led three opposition parliamentarians, including Shyne, to inform Governor General Froyla Tzalam that Faber no longer had their confidence as Leader of the Opposition. As a result, Barrow was sworn in as the new Leader of the Opposition, marking the first successful step in removing Faber. However, Faber would then survive the recall and return as Leader of the Opposition. Then, in January 2022, Faber’s fiancée reported to the Domestic Violence Unit that Faber had damaged her laptop and assaulted her as she was about to leave their home. This led to the police issuing a warrant for his arrest. Although she later withdrew her complaint, describing the situation as a “misunderstanding” and expressing the couple’s intent to resolve the matter privately, there were growing calls for Faber’s resignation from various quarters, including the Special Envoy for Families and Children, Rossana Briceño, and UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte. Under mounting pressure, Faber announced his resignation as both Leader of the Opposition and Shyne assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition – for the second time.
During a House debate on domestic violence, Barrow acknowledged his own past allegations of domestic violence involving a previous partner. He expressed deep remorse, stating, “I myself have been accused, and it is not something that I take lightly.” He apologised to his wife, daughter, mother, mother-in-law, and supporters.
His rise to political prominence was portrayed in the documentary ‘The Honourable Shyne.’ The documentary debuted in the U.S. and was screened for Belizean audiences on November 23, 2024, in Belize City. Barrow described the film as “a Belizean success story, a global success story,” but insisted it was not a political campaign tool. “I don’t believe that the documentary is campaigning for me to be the next Prime Minister.” However, when asked about a possible sequel, he said, “The part two is me being the prime minister of Belize.”
While the documentary gained attention and debuted at #1 on Hulu, a political story of a different story was unfolding. In October 2024, Tracy Panton founded the Alliance for Democracy (AFD) within the UDP and held a “unity convention.” This is after she and others were deemed “constructively resigned” by the UDP Executive Committee led by Leader of the Opposition, Barrow.
Panton maintains that she has not resigned and claimed that this convention resulted in her being elected as the new leader of the UDP. Five months later, a series of legal disputes over the party’s leadership has unfolded for public scrutiny.
This year’s general elections will feature Briceño at the helm of the PUP, while the UDP enters the race with a divided front—two leaders, Barrow and Tracy Panton, both staking their claim to the party’s leadership.
The UDP Fractures Ahead of Election Year
The UDP is currently embroiled in a significant internal conflict that threatens prospects in the upcoming elections. This dispute centres around leadership legitimacy, control of party assets, and divergent visions for the party’s future.
On October 20, 2024, a convention was convened by the Alliance for Democracy faction within the UDP, resulting in the election of Tracy Taegar-Panton as the party’s new leader. This move was met with resistance from Barrow, who continues to claim to be the legitimate leader of the party. Barrow dismissed the convention as unlawful, asserting that Panton and other involved members, including Patrick Faber, were no longer part of the UDP due to their rejection of the party’s anti-corruption and political reform agenda under his leadership.
The leadership dispute escalated when Panton’s faction occupied the UDP’s Belize City headquarters. On October 28, 2024, they took control of the building, citing authorisation from Philippa Griffith Bailey, a former UDP Secretary General and alleged trustee of the property. Barrow’s camp disputed this claim, questioning Bailey’s authority and labelling the occupation as criminal. They reported the incident to the Belize Police Department, expressing concerns over the legality of the takeover.
Barrow accused the Alliance for Democracy of attempting to mislead the public by using the UDP’s logo and name without authorisation. Barrow took the matter to court, and in November 2024, Barrow successfully secured an interim injunction to reclaim the UDP headquarters. In his interpretation, Barrow said that the court established his faction to be the true leadership of the party. In February 2025, the court clarified that the November ruling applied solely to the possession of the UDP headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive in Belize City and not to the leadership dispute.
According to Panton, there were several attempts on her side to mediate with Barrow. She said, “Shyne Barrow has no interest in sitting and talking, has no interest in finding a solution for the United Democratic Party, and he certainly doesn’t have any interest in us to make our strongest case for the Belizean people to become the next government.”
This has led the leadership dispute to see no progress, with the court now setting a date to resolve this dispute until after election day. Panton and Barrow’s attorney must prepare a trial bundle, including pleadings, relevant documents, and submissions, by 14 March 2025. Oral submissions are scheduled for March 31.
Panton is now operating from a new UDP headquarters in the Mesopotamia Division in Belize City. The building is owned by a candidate running for that constituency under her leadership—Lee Mark Chang. Chang’s candidacy seems aimed at unseating Barrow. During the unveiling of candidates running under Panton’s UDP leadership, Chang said, “When I fight, I don’t fight to lose; you could ask any one of my opponents. I don’t fight to lose. I fight to win, and I don’t come here as a spoiler. I come to win the division and take care of the people. I believe the people of Mesop want the seat to stay for the UDP, but they cannot support that individual, Mr. Shyne Barrow.”
Two UDPs- One election – What will the ballot look like?
With political campaigning in full force from the blue side and the two factions of the red side, what will the ballot look like on March 12?
Two days after nomination day, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) issued a statement addressing concerns, particularly from UDP supporters. The EBC announced that, following a 4-1 vote, it had decided to allocate the traditional red colour to all 41 candidates nominated under the UDP banner. This decision came despite efforts by Moses Barrow to block it. In an interview prior to the EBC’s ruling, Barrow had threatened legal action against the commission. “We are waiting for the official decision of the commission, and then we will proceed with civil action if the decision is not fit. The election and boundaries have no right to recognise anybody who claims to be a UDP when we have sent them an official list of who the UDP are when all that will do is cause confusion in the constituencies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Panton supported the EBC’s decision, stating, “I think it is a fair decision,” adding that “there will be no symbols as I understand it—it is the colour red.”
Legal Challenge Filed to Halt General Elections
Meanwhile, a legal challenge looms over the electoral process. Trinidad and Tobago Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is facing intense scrutiny in Belize following his handling of a constitutional claim aimed at halting the country’s upcoming March 12 general election. Representing three citizens—Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey—Ramlogan sought to challenge the constitutionality of Belize’s electoral boundaries. The case was dismissed on February 18 after concerns were raised about procedural irregularities. They argue that proceeding with elections under the current boundaries would be unconstitutional and infringe upon voters’ rights to fair representation. The High Court dismissed Enriquez’s application for interim relief, citing insufficient legal grounds for his claim.
Justice Tawanda Hondora, who presided over the case, raised red flags over the use of digitally superimposed signatures on affidavits and exhibits submitted by Ramlogan’s clients. “There is more than a whiff that someone was given digital copies of the deponent’s and the Commissioner’s signatures,” Hondora noted. The judge questioned who authorised the use of these digital signatures and ordered Ramlogan to provide further explanations. Additionally, Enriquez’s filings were criticised for being overly lengthy and resembling legal arguments rather than standard court documents. Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan was directed to clarify his legal practice arrangements in Belize and provide details about how documents were prepared and submitted. Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay criticised Ramlogan, stating, “Jerry has been writing about this for years, but you can’t wait until 2025, just before the election is called, and say, “I want to go to court now… I think the judge felt that there was too much of a delay here.”
Despite losing his case against the government at the High Court, Enriquez filed an appeal to block the March 12 general election. A virtual case management hearing was held on Monday to set dates for filing affidavits and responses, with the court yet to schedule a hearing. Ramlogan filed an appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which denied the application for special leave to appeal.
The government’s failure to implement redistricting reforms has raised concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement and the legitimacy of the upcoming elections. Legal experts warn that holding elections under the existing boundaries could lead to a constitutional crisis, with possible invalidation of election results and political uncertainty.
Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout
Channel 5 Belize is gearing up for comprehensive coverage of Belize’s general elections on March 12, 2025, with the theme “Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout.” The programming will offer pre-election features, voter perspectives, expert commentary, and live updates during Election Day. Viewers can expect in-depth analysis of key issues like the economy, governance, and national security, as well as real-time election results and post-election breakdowns. Channel 5 promises to deliver the most trusted and engaging election coverage. Join us on Facebook and Youtube.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE) has suspended the issuance of import permits for several vegetables, citing sufficient local supply. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) announced that the ban applies to lettuce, onions (purple, white, and yellow), potatoes, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, and celery.
Authorities warn that anyone caught importing these vegetables illegally will face prosecution under the BAHA Act, Chapter 211 of Belize’s laws. Violators could be subject to heavy fines, imprisonment, or both.
Pope Francis is well-rested and in stable condition following episodes of respiratory failure earlier this week, the Vatican announced on Wednesday. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalised since February for pneumonia treatment, spent the night on non-invasive mechanical ventilation but has since transitioned back to a high-flow oxygen mask.
According to the Vatican, Pope Francis is free of fever, alert, cooperative with treatment, and well-orientated. However, his traditional Wednesday audience with the faithful has been cancelled for the third consecutive week. Instead, a pre-prepared text has been published, though it does not include any recent updates.
The Pope will also be absent from Ash Wednesday observances, marking the start of Lent. Instead of leading the customary mass at Rome’s Santa Sabina Basilica, a cardinal will officiate the service.
Pope Francis was initially admitted on February 14 after experiencing persistent breathing difficulties. He was first treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs. Given his history of lung complications—having undergone a partial lung removal due to pleurisy as a young man—his condition remains a concern for doctors.
Police are investigating an attempted murder after a shooting incident on Vernon Street in Belize City left two women injured on Tuesday night. The attack happened around 6:30 p.m. in front of Berger Field as 40-year-old Stephany James was closing her business.
According to initial investigations, James and 55-year-old Maria Cruz were walking with a known male individual when a gunman suddenly pulled out a firearm and opened fire in their direction. Both women were struck by bullets and were rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. James was later released, while Cruz remains hospitalised in stable condition.
James, who lives in the area, recounted the terrifying ordeal, stating that the shooter appeared suddenly and fired indiscriminately into the crowd. “He didn’t care who got hit. He didn’t care if it was kids, if it was a female like me, or if it was an elderly woman. His intention was to kill,” she said.
James expressed frustration over the lack of security in the community, despite police presence in the area. She also called for increased patrols and enforcement, stating that troublemakers continue to bring violence to their neighbourhood.
Police are investigating a shooting incident that left a Belize City man injured on Tuesday. The incident occurred along West Collet Canal, where officers on patrol encountered Edward Saldano, who was reportedly wanted by authorities. According to police, Saldano reached for a firearm under his shirt, leading to a struggle between him and the officers. During the altercation, police shot him in the foot.
Authorities say that during the struggle, Saldano tossed the weapon, which was later recovered. The firearm was identified as a 9mm pistol containing 14 live rounds of ammunition. Saldano was taken to the hospital for treatment and later released.
However, outside the hospital, Saldano’s mother, Joyce Martinez, expressed frustration over the shooting, arguing that the officers used unnecessary force. She believes her son is being unfairly targeted by law enforcement and questions whether the firearm truly belonged to him.
/’Look like he was at some stall and he see them and run apparently and they shot him. Then they look around to see if he had anything on him and they find a gun. So if you find a gun now dah fuh you? Yo nuh get no justice out yah, nun at all. If you nuh got money, nothing work. I tired of the police and deh nonsense,” she said.
