A Closer Look at Golf Cart Permits and A Casino Operation in San Pedro

Ambergris Caye, one of Belize’s most popular tourist destinations, is facing a growing traffic issue as golf carts continue to flood the island. Locals have long expressed frustration over the sheer volume of these vehicles, particularly during the busy tourist season. However, new reports suggest that the very officials tasked with regulating the island’s traffic problem might be inadvertently contributing to it.

A recent investigation by News Five uncovered claims that a new company on the island, Caribi Bleu, was granted an unusually large number of golf cart permits. According to sources, the company received as many as two hundred permits earlier this year. This raises questions about the transparency of the island’s permit issuance process, especially when officials have been vocal about the need to curb the number of golf carts on Ambergris Caye.

San Pedro’s Town Mayor, ‘Wally’ Nunez, denies these allegations. In an interview, Nunez stated that the company, formerly known as Monetta, only applied for a renewal of the twenty golf cart permits they held as part of their resort operations. “There has been no approval for any more golf carts other than the twenty,” Nunez said. He also emphasised that the permits were granted to replace old carts and that the company had no more than twenty carts registered.

During a visit to the Caribi Bleu property, News Five spotted over a dozen golf carts parked in the company’s lot, each with a license plate. But what raised further concerns was video footage showing several additional golf carts stored away in a nearby warehouse, seemingly in excess of the official number.

Despite these findings, Nunez maintained that the carts observed were all registered. “We haven’t had any proof per se that there are any other golf carts that are not registered,” he stated, adding that the council’s staff actively monitors the situation. He also acknowledged that some individuals had tried to bribe their way into obtaining golf cart permits, a practice he condemned, stressing that anyone caught offering bribes would be fired.

The issue of golf cart permits has become more contentious due to the moratorium the San Pedro Town Council imposed earlier this year, limiting the issuance of new permits. This makes existing permits even more valuable and raises concerns over how easily they can be manipulated.

Beyond the allegations surrounding golf cart permits, News Five investigated further into the operations of Caribi Bleu Casino. An LLC by the name Caribi Bleu International Limited was registered in the United States as part of American Conglomerate, LLC. The company’s manager, Rima Ray, also operates an internet café in Florida. Allegations have surfaced that Ray’s internet cafe is operating illegal slot machines. According to local sources, Ray is a prominent sponsor of the San Pedro Pirates Football Club, with the Caribi Bleu logo prominently displayed on the team’s jerseys and promotional materials.

When asked about his relationship with Ray, Area Representative Andre Perez, who has previously spoken out about the need for tighter control on golf cart imports, denied any personal knowledge of the businessman. Meanwhile, Ray has yet to respond to requests for comment from News Five.

As the investigation continues, locals on Ambergris Caye remain concerned about the future of their island’s traffic woes and whether the regulations meant to control it are being manipulated by those with the right connections. With golf cart permits in high demand, the transparency of the issuance process will likely be a key issue for both residents and visitors alike in the months to come.

Reporting by Paul Lopez, News Five