Year: 2025

Belize Secures $77M for Sugar Industry Climate Resilience

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and the Government of Belize launched the Building the Adaptive Capacity of Sugarcane Farmers in Northern Belize (BAC-SuF) project. The initiative aims to safeguard the vital sugarcane sector from climate change impacts, which threaten the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

The Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, said during his address on Friday that the project’s groundbreaking role in Belize’s agriculture calls it a signal that the country is “serious about accessing climate finance that will impact our country’s most vital sector and most vulnerable communities.”

Mai cited the significant losses from the 2019-2020 drought, which reduced sugarcane production by 20%. “Losses like this are devastating for the economy and even more so for the livelihood of these farmers,” he said.

The BAC-SuF project, which will last five years, has received a total of over $77 million Belize dollars in funding. 

Colin Young, Executive Director of CCCCC, spoke about the project as the first to focus on building resilience in Belize’s sugarcane industry. He described it as “a demonstration of Belizean leadership and innovation” and a sign of the CCCCC’s ability to create impactful projects.

The BAC-SuF project will focus on three core components aimed at strengthening the resilience of Belize’s sugarcane industry. The first component, Climate-Adapted Sugarcane and Improved Agronomy, will involve establishing climate-resilient sugarcane nurseries, replanting 10,000 acres, and implementing improved soil and ratoon management practices to enhance productivity and sustainability.

The second component, Sustainable Water and Land Management, will focus on investing in irrigation, drainage, and pest management systems that align with Climate Smart Agriculture standards, ensuring that farmers can better cope with changing environmental conditions.

The third component, Knowledge Hub and Capacity Building, will develop a training and information-sharing centre to enhance industry-wide expertise, equipping farmers with the necessary skills and resources to adapt to climate challenges.

Overall, the project is expected to directly benefit over 5,000 sugarcane farmers in Northern Belize and positively impact approximately 87,000 people within their communities.

KHMHA Workers Union Vex with Government

On Saturday, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) staged a walk-out in Belize City. The union is demanding that the government “immediately address the long overdue pension matter affecting dedicated hospital employee.”

In a press release, the union said, “KHMH workers are not asking for favors or handout- they are demanding what they have rightfully earned through years of services to this nation’s healthcase system.”

According to the union, the KHMHA has a Provident Fund in place, which serves as a retirement benefit plan for employees hired from January 1, 2018. It says that those who have served at the institution for two decades or more were never granted retirement benefits, let alone a pension. “These dedicated workers, who have spent decades caring for the people of Belize, face an uncertain and unstable retirement.”

The union added that the last pension negotiation meeting was held in October 2023, but since then, despite repeated efforts by the union to engage in dialogue, no meaningful action has been taken.

“These delays directly threaten the retirement security of long-serving healthcare professionals who have sacrificed for the people of Belize. Meanwhile, the absence of a clear pension plan has forced many experienced staff members to leave KHMH for other healthcare institutions that provide better financial security.”

“The Union demands that the Government of Belize fulfill its duty to these workers-just as it does for every other public servant doing the same work. The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.”

Man Shot Dead in Teakettle Village

Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a resident from Teakettle village that occurred on Sunday afternoon. The victim, Santiago Rajo, was reportedly shot and killed in the Arizona area of the village.

Villagers are voicing concerns over rising crime and the lack of police presence in the village.

A family member of Rajo condemned the killer and is calling for justice: “The blood of my brother-in-law on the ground cries in the darkness and asks for justice,” he said via Facebook. 

This is a developing story.

Mexican Authorities Tackle Migrant Surge and Smuggling at Belize Border

Quintana Roo authorities have intensified border security operations along the Mexico-Belize frontier in response to rising concerns over illegal migration. The Yucatan Times reported that Julio César Gómez Torres, Quintana Roo’s head of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC), confirmed that the state has ramped up efforts to prevent unauthorised entries, particularly after a surge in migrants from Cuba.

“We are strengthening actions in coordination with the Secretariat of National Defence (Sedena) and the Navy to patrol the border with Belize, in addition to maintaining joint operations with authorities of that country,” Gómez Torres told The Yucatan Times. The state has also seen an uptick in fraudulent documentation attempts at international airports, prompting enhanced surveillance.

According to The Yucatan Times, in regions like Río Hondo, Mexican authorities are more focused on curbing smuggling and informal trade. “We have not registered seizures of migrants in this area; what does prevail is informal trade and trafficking of illegal products,” Gómez Torres told the news outlet. Meanwhile, drug trafficking continues to be the state’s top security concern, fuelling violent conflicts between rival criminal groups, reported The Yucatan Times.

Trump Plans to Reverse Biden’s Plastic Straw Ban

US President Donald Trump is set to overturn yet another of President Joe Biden’s policies. According to The Guardian, this time the ban will be on plastic straws in U.S. government buildings and national parks. “I will be signing an executive order next week ending the ridiculous Biden push for paper straws, which don’t work. BACK TO PLASTIC!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

He added in a separate post that Biden’s “mandate” for paper straws was now dead: “Enjoy your next drink without a straw that disgustingly dissolves in your mouth!!!”

The move comes as part of Trump’s push to reverse Biden’s efforts to phase out single-use plastics by 2035, a policy aimed at curbing plastic pollution. Despite environmental concerns, Trump has repeatedly criticised paper straws.

California pioneered the push against plastic straws in 2019, with several other states, including New York and Washington D.C., following suit.

The Guardian also reported that global plastic production has doubled since 2000, reaching around 460 million tonnes annually, and it’s expected to quadruple by 2050. However, less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled, and the rest ends up polluting the environment. Experts estimate that a truckload of plastic is dumped into the ocean every minute. “Much of this trash is composed of single-use plastics, such as straws, which make up about 40% of plastic production,” The Guardian reported.

Princess Catherine Shares ‘Previously Unseen’ Tour Photos in Belize

Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, recently shared two nostalgic photos on Facebook. The images, shared on Facebook, brought back memories from their visit in March 2022, part of a week-long trip to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. She captioned the photos, “Previously unseen photo from the hotel in Belize where William and Catherine stayed during their Royal Tour of the Caribbean.”

Their arrival was met with a warm reception from Belize’s governor general and Prime Minister Johnny Briceno. However, the tour was not without controversy.

A planned stop at the Akte ‘il Ha cacao farm in Indian Creek village was cancelled following local protests. Residents voiced concerns over land disputes involving Fauna and Flora International (FFI), a charity of which William is a patron. Issues were also raised about the helicopter landing site, which locals claimed they were not consulted on. A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that the visit had been relocated to another venue due to “sensitive issues.”

Despite the setback, the royal couple continued their tour, which also included a sailing event in the Bahamas and celebrations of Jamaica’s cultural heritage.

Belize Strengthens Public Health Resilience with e-SPAR

Belize stepped up its efforts to protect public health with a key new assessment that strengthens the country’s ability to respond to emergencies. By completing the 2024 e-SPAR under the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005), Belize has taken a big leap forward in ensuring its health security.

The initiative is supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW). It is designed to strengthen Belize’s capacity to prevent, identify, and tackle public health risks.

“This workshop plays a key role in developing a comprehensive national action plan that contributes to Belize’s health security and broader global health,” said Dr. Ana De La Garza, PAHO/WHO Technical Advisor. The process helps identify gaps in Belize’s health system and strengthens emergency management capacities.

The workshop implemented the One Health framework, collaborating with stakeholders from health, agriculture, environment, and security to reflect the connection between human, animal, and environmental health in building a more resilient public health system.

NEMO Earthquake Advisory: All Clear Issued

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has officially declared an All Clear following the earthquake felt earlier this evening

In NEMO’s advisory number 2, it said, “No tsunami wave has been observed, and the threat of a tsunami has passed.”

While the immediate threat has subsided, NEMO urges residents to “remain vigilant and to keep their emergency plans updated.”

Authorities advise the public to continue monitoring advisories issued by NEMO for any further updates.

NEMO Issues Urgent Advisory After 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake North of Honduras

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has issued an earthquake advisory following a seismic event on February 8, 2025. According to preliminary reports, the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 and occurred at 23:23 UTC north of Honduras, at coordinates 17.8°N and 82.5°W, with a depth of 33 kilometers (20 miles).

Although no tsunami waves have been observed at this time, the possibility remains within the next 30 minutes. As a precaution, residents along the Belizean coast are urged to prepare for potential evacuation. Those in low-lying areas should be ready to move to higher elevations or upper floors if instructed. NEMO advises residents to have an evacuation go-bag prepared and to closely monitor official updates for further instructions.

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