Belize and Guatemala have called on the Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala to continue to support the work of the Organization of American States (OAS) in the Adjacency Zone in keeping peace in the area. Belize was represented by CEO Amalia Mai, and Guatemala was represented by Francisco Villagrán Kramer.
The Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala consists of more than a dozen countries, including the United States of America, Spain, Honduras, Mexico, and Jamaica.
The Group of Friends of Belize and Guatemala is the only civilian peacekeeping mission deployed in the Hemisphere within the context of a territorial dispute. The OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone plays a crucial role in maintaining peace on the ground, easing tensions, and thus facilitating the ongoing political dialogue.
The OAS also considered the report of the OAS Office in Adjacency Zone 20 years after its establishment. In her speech, CEO Mai thanked the OAS for keeping peace among communities in the area.
The 38th Regional Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) commenced earlier this week in Georgetown, Guyana, with the presence of Ministers and Vice Ministers from all the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean including Belize at the Arthur Chang Conference Centre. The President of Guyana, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and the Director-General of FAO, QU Dongyu, inaugurated the meeting.
Director-General of FAO, QU Dongyu
“You have big potential to accelerate progress and to do even more with less within and outside your region,” said QU, noting the Region boasts a large share of the world’s biodiversity and water resources and accounts for 13 percent of global food production and 45 percent of net international trade in agrifood products. He also noted that, although the Region is a net food exporter, the reliance on commodity imports and exports exposes its agrifood systems to macroeconomic volatility, global geopolitical instability, and climate change, which in turn negatively impact food prices and incomes and lead to unfavorable food security and nutrition outcomes.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana
Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, said that creating resilient and climate-protected agrifood systems is an imperative task going forward, and “decision making must be data driven as far as possible,” he said. He also called for a greater focus on nutrition, calling for a shift “back to the bowl from the box.”
High Commissioner of Belize to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Gale Miller Garnett
During Day One of the Ministerial Session, High Commissioner of Belize to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Gale Miller Garnett, shared the impact of FAO and the Government of Belize’s collaboration to advance sustainable agriculture. “FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise has been working on the development a seed policy, an agriculture sector policy strategy and Digital Village to ensure greater linkages to bridge the gap between the tourism market and digital extension program. The digital extension program is what we have benefitted from with partnership with FAO. So this is all being done while enhancing the dynamism and efficiency of our human resources in Belize.”
The High Commissioner further outlined key priorities for the Belize in ensuring sustainable livelihood for local farmers and entrepreneurs. “Our Ministry continues to work with farmers, family farmers and agriculture cooperatives to improve their conditions by introducing contract farming terms and will meanwhile look at new opportunities which are being constantly explored in research, production, manufacturing and value addition.”
A core part of the intervention spotlighted Belize’s current efforts to expand export markets as well strengthen regional and international trade relations.
QU Dongyu explored to the Burma Rice Station. FAO Caribbean-X
“The FAO and Japan Government continue to support value chain addition of locally produced commodities in Belize. The Government of Belize also supports the exportation of excess food from Belize such as live cattle and poultry to neighbouring countries. This provides food security to our neighbours and foreign exchange to our country. Trade ties with Mexico and Guatemala have been strengthened to facilitate trade of agriculture goods as well as for investment programmes with Mexico and CARICOM to increase the production of basic foods and grains such as corns and soya beans”, said the High Commissioner to Guyana.
Miller Garnett reinforced Belize’s commitment to the Mesoamerica sin Hambre, a South-South Cooperation initiative that aims to support healthy diets, nutrition, education, school meal programmes. According to the High Commissioner, the “family farming and school garden concept has taken root in most of the rural areas in Belize.”
The Government of Belize announced that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will establish “brand new offices in Belize City.” A release from the government says, “This development underscores the IDB’s deep commitment to Belize and marks a crucial step in our joint efforts to foster economic growth and multisectoral development.”
Strategically positioned to enhance synergy and resource utilization, the new premises will accommodate an expanding team dedicated to amplifying projects across diverse sectors.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment says, “We are happy to hear about the IDB’s new location in Belize. This investment not only strengthens our partnership but also highlights the IDB’s role in supporting Belize’s journey towards sustainable development and economic resilience. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts with the IDB to address our country’s challenges and opportunities and the well-being of the Belizean people.”
IDB Group Country Representative, Rocio Medina Bolivar, said, “We are excited about this new chapter for the IDB in Belize. The new offices not only signify our growth but also underscore the IDB’s support to deepen our long-term engagement and commitment to the Belizean people.”
For over three decades, the IDB Group has been a cornerstone of Belize’s progress, offering comprehensive assistance through its three arms: the IDB, collaborating with the public sector on developmental endeavours; the IDB Lab, fostering innovation; and IDB Invest, the private sector arm. The IDB Group boasts a diverse portfolio in Belize, spanning initiatives in education, water and sanitation, social investment, agriculture and rural development, state modernization, private sector enhancement, healthcare, financial markets, climate action, natural disaster management, and trade.
An Ohio woman abandoned her sixteen-month-old daughter to go on a vacation for ten days. The child, Jailyn, died. The mother, Kristel Candelario, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder and one count of child endangerment in a plea deal last month. She was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Candelario let Jailyn alone in a playpen with a few bottles of milk. Upon her return on June 16th of the previous year, Candelario discovered her daughter lifeless.
During her sentencing, forensic pathologist Elizabeth Mooney described the excruciating suffering endured by Jailyn, emphasizing the prolonged agony of abandonment, starvation, and extreme thirst.
Judge Brendan Sheehan delivered a stern rebuke, condemning Candelario for abandoning her child in a “tiny prison” while indulging in leisure.
He characterised her actions as a betrayal of the sacred bond between mother and child, denouncing her neglect as an act of ultimate treachery.
After serving the United Democratic Party (UDP), Brian ‘Yellowman’ Audinette has been fired. Lord, who was on the UDP’s Belize City slate, is known as a street captain for the UDP’s Mesopotamia area. It is unclear why Audinette was fired from the party.
Brian Lord’s Facebook post on March 9th 2024
What is clear is that he is upset. Audinette has taken to Facebook media to post several messages. One read, “The war is on I tha noh p&^k”. Another said, “A gwen tha church tomorrow and ask god for forgiveness cause after this it’s going to be an eye for an eye.” Audinette‘s began sharing his thoughts about the UDP’s defeat on March 9th when he posted “Work one month before wah election in these constituency will never bring victory new faces needed.”
On March 15th, former UDP ministers John Saldivar and Michael Finnegan appeared in a photograph with Audinette. The photograph was posted by Saldivar on his Facebook page.
Former UDP Ministers John Saldivar and Michael Finnegan along with Yellowman/Facebook-John Saldivar
Fast-forward to March 18th, and Audinette is fired from the UDP. A day later, he makes an official complaint against UDP leader Moses Barrow.
And on March 20th, a Deed of Settlement between Audinette and the UDP was leaked to News Five. The document says that the United Democratic Party has offered an ex-gratia payment for his years of service.
According to the document, Audinette was dismissed for good and sufficient cause. He was offered an “ex gratia payment of $7,500 to be paid $3,500 upon signing of this Deed of Settlement and the handing over of all Party assets including office keys etc; with the remaining payments in monthly installments of $500 every 21st of the month, it is hereby agreed that Brian Audinett will release the United Democratic Party from all liabilities and future claims related to his employment and all matters incidental to or connected therewith.”
The document also says that “It is further agreed that Brian Audinett his agents, heirs, family, and friends will refrain in perpetuity from any negative, critical, disparaging, public or private statements or commentary about the United Democratic Party, its Party Leaders, Officials, Members, and affiliates.”
It ALSO says that Audinette “will stay away from the UDP Headquarters, adjacent establishments; out of Mesopotamia Constituency political activities and will not work directly or indirectly with any pup, independent or internal opponent of the sitting Area Representative.”
Excerpt of proposed Deed of Settlement
It ALSO says that Audinette “It further agreed that Brian Audinett will send a retraction letter upon execution of this agreement to the UDP Party Chairman withdrawing all complaints against the Party Leader.”
If Audinette breaches this agreement, he, agents, heirs, family, and friends “must must immediately return all payments made subject to this agreement and forfeit any remaining ex gratia payment and be subject to damages caused by said breach.”
Belize Sugar Industries Limited fired off a press release saying that it denounces a commission of inquiry into its private affairs. BSI says that Prime Minister John Briceño announced the Commission of Inquiry (COI) “with a mandate to delve into the private affairs of BSI, with the sole purpose of providing ammunition for one cane farmer association, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), to continue its relentless effort to coerce BSI to pay more for cane without any economic or business justification.”
BSI asserts that the three other cane farmers’ associations that represent “roughly half the cane do not support the COI.”
According to BSI, “This decision is politically driven and totally erodes ASR’s investor confidence as the largest US investor in Belize and undermines representations made by the Government of Belize to ASR in 2012 that it would receive fair treatment.”
BSI says that it will not be compelled to “produce proprietary and confidential commercial information, the rights over which are protected by law.”
“BSI sees this Commission of Inquiry as a further assault on its business interests and outright bad faith by the government.”
The Association of Beneficiaries and Retired Public Officers has mobilized its members for a second public protest in Belmopan today to express disappointment and dissatisfaction with the Government’s failure to honor the then Prime Minister’s pledge made in December 2022.
According to ABRPO, it was promised that Public Service Workers’ Trust Fund would be dissolved so that beneficiaries can receive monies owed to them since 1997.
The PSWT’s audited financial statements reveal concerning mismanagement, including the write-off of over $101,000 in loans to unions, associations, and individuals purportedly affiliated with beneficiaries. Additionally, more than $500,000 has been allocated for legal services from the Trust fund.
The Association holds successive Attorney Generals responsible for disregarding legally sound recommendations. It says that this situation represents clear discrimination against the elderly, many of whom have passed without receiving compensation.
Eclectic Aspirations has announced the completion of the director’s cut for WEALTH UNTOLD. This will be the third iteration of this evolving film. This version will undergo screening with selected test audiences to gather feedback before finalizing the post-production process.
Oceana Belize VP Janelle Chanona being interviewed/San Pedro Sun
Formerly titled UNBELIZEABLUE, the documentary delves into groundbreaking marine conservation efforts in Belize, spearheaded predominantly by women from diverse backgrounds. Their collaborative mission to safeguard a unique and endangered ecosystem serves as a global model for coastal communities. Director/Producer Eladio Arvelo said that WEALTH UNTOLD draws inspiration from Belize’s national anthem and resonates with the participants’ shared vision.
WWF Belize Country Rep., Nadia Bood/UNBELIZEABLU Facebook/Phil karp
WEALTH UNTOLD was recognized as one of the “Hot Films in the Making” by From the Heart Productions during the 2023 Roy W. Dean Summer Grant season. The film is slated for completion by June 2024, with plans for a world-premiere screening later in the year.
Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong stepped down from his position, announced by the Communist Party on Wednesday, marking yet another departure of a senior official likely implicated in an extensive anti-corruption campaign. The party confirmed the acceptance of his resignation, citing his violations as tarnishing the reputation of the Communist Party.
Thuong’s resignation coincided with a special parliamentary session addressing personnel matters, following the recent arrest of the former head of Quang Ngai province for corruption.
Assuming office in March 2023 after his predecessor’s resignation due to corruption scandals, Thuong’s departure highlights the enduring impact of Vietnam’s anti-corruption efforts under the leadership of Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
FILE: Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong addressed media. 2023/AP
Thuong, seen as a protégé of Trong, faced scrutiny for his alleged transgressions, which prompted his resignation, although specifics remained undisclosed. The timing, following the arrest of a former provincial head under his supervision, suggests implication in the anti-corruption campaign, overseen by the Central Inspection Commission.
The announcement of Thuong’s resignation triggered a buzz across Hanoi, emphasizing the significance of the event, echoing concerns about the broader implications of the anti-corruption drive on political stability and economic policies.
While the campaign has bolstered Trong’s authority, it has also fueled factional tensions within the party. Moreover, concerns persist about its impact on Vietnam’s business climate and foreign investment, even as the country navigates its strategic positioning amidst U.S.-China competition.
In a press release on Tuesday evening, the Briceño Administration said that the Commission of Inquiry into the sugarcane industry is set to proceed.” The statement came after the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) called a press conference at its headquarters in Orange Walk Town regarding the promised Commission of Inquiry.
During the press conference, Alfredo Ortega, Vice-Chairman, B.S.C.F.A., said “As you can see we have reached March and the signing of the document was in January. Thirty days was in February. So we have long past due that. Now that we have reached this stage and we have listened, because first we were waiting for the government or the prime minister to declare, because he said in his interview on Friday that he is the one in charge to declare the commission of inquiry.”
BSCFA Vice Chairman, Alfredo Ortega
He further stated that “We were waiting for that, but when we listened to what he said on Friday we can clearly say he lied to us, he lied to the cane farmers and that is why we are here. We want to clearly see how the prime minister behaves, lying to the cane farmers, lying to us, lying to the Belizean people in his statements, he said that we are not the only association.”
In its press release, the government said, “Today, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño approved the terms of reference as well as the appointment of the commissioners to the inquiry into the sugarcane industry of Belize.”
It said “The commission is expected to review the entire value chain of the sugarcane industry to establish the benchmark costs, determine efficiencies and recommend measures to increase efficiencies. Specifically, the commission is to determine the cost of sugarcane farming, harvesting and transporting, as well as sugar manufacturing, operating, transportation and logistics costs.”
