The United Nations Security Council has voiced its concern regarding the escalating tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region. This area, spanning approximately 160,000 square kilometres of densely forested land, constitutes two-thirds of Guyana’s territory and is inhabited by around 125,000 of its 800,000 citizens.
The roots of this dispute trace back to the 19th century, when Guyana was under colonial rule. Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo region dates back to 1841, when it asserted that the British Empire had encroached on Venezuelan territory during the acquisition of the territory of then-British Guiana from the Netherlands. Venezuela has contested the validity of the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award, which delineated the border between Venezuela and British Guiana.
In response to recent developments, Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, submitted a letter to the UN Security Council on April 5, requesting a meeting to address the situation. President Ali highlighted Venezuela’s enactment of the “Organic Law for the Defence of Guayana Esequiba,” signed by President Nicolás Maduro on April 3, as evidence of Venezuela’s intent to annex a significant portion of Guyana’s sovereign territory.
The Security Council convened in private on Tuesday to deliberate on these recent developments in the territorial dispute.
The FAO’s One Country, One Priority Product (OCOP) Initiative has kicked off its inception workshop, marking the beginning of a comprehensive project aimed at bolstering Belize’s coconut value chain. This global endeavor will facilitate the formulation of a thorough value chain analysis and a three-year sector development plan specifically tailored for coconuts in Belize.
On April 9, stakeholders from various sectors, including government bodies, non-governmental organisations, civil society representatives, project task force members, prominent technical experts, OCOP focal points, and FAO personnel from 11 project countries, congregated virtually to inaugurate this transformative project. The inception workshop focused on delineating project objectives, anticipated outcomes, major activities, and scrutinising the detailed project implementation roadmap and budget.
Participants at the OCOP Inception Workshop
The OCOP initiative, a flagship program of the FAO, is engineered to aid Member Countries in transitioning towards more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems by fortifying the value chains of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs). By championing sustainable practices in the production, storage, processing, and marketing of selected SAPs, OCOP contributes significantly to the empowerment of smallholders and family farms, in alignment with FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–31 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Funded by the FAO Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC), the global project is slated for implementation from March 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, with a total allocation of USD 1 million. Eleven countries stand to benefit from this initiative, each focusing on promoting a distinct SAP. These countries and their chosen SAPs encompass:
Belize (coconut) and Jamaica (ginger) from Latin America and the Caribbean.
– South Sudan (sorghum), Togo (rice), and Zambia (onion) from Africa.
– Bhutan (Quinoa) and Nepal (large cardamom) from Asia and the Pacific.
– Kyrgyzstan (walnut) and Tajikistan (apricot) from Europe and Central Asia.
– Algeria (fig) and Lebanon (pulse) from the Near East and North Africa.
Participants at the OCOP Inception Workshop
The primary aim of this project is to augment food security, livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and income generation for rural communities through the sustainable development of special agricultural product value chains.
With the participation of over 110 stakeholders, the inception workshop provided a platform for deliberating project implementation and exchanging challenges and priorities concerning the OCOP initiative at regional and national levels. To date, approximately 15 million has been mobilised to support 54 countries.
Activities in Belize entail the mobilization of a national task force and the formulation of a collaborative work plan in tandem with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise since the launch of the regional OCOP.
Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) is reporting that three Guatemalan men were detained on April 11 in the Chiquibul Forest in Belizean territory. They are Rigoberto Caal (51 years old), Hector Canan Hernandez (48 years old), and Isaias Caal Coc (32 years old). Each individual was found to be in possession of a firearm, including a .22 rifle, a 16 gauge shotgun, and a homemade wooden handgun. Live ammunition was discovered in their possession.
The three individuals were detained and escorted to the San Ignacio Police Station via an extensive route through Rio Blanco, Ceibo Chico, Natural Arch, Tapir Camp, and onwards to San Ignacio, where it is anticipated that charges will be filed by the Police Department, Immigration Department, and the Forest Department.
According to the FCD, it was determined that the individuals were located 400 meters within the boundaries of the Chiquibul National Park. They are from the nearby village of Monte Los Olivos and were en route to a plantation. Given the presence of firearms, it is likely that they were also engaging in hunting activities.
Thirty-three-year-old Michael Usher was fatally shot on Monday night in Belize City. It happened a few minutes before eight o’clock on Flamboyant Street. Investigators say that Usher was walking when he was approached by an unknown man who fired several shots in his direction. Usher was shot several times and pronounced dead on arrival.
According to reports, police are looking for two suspects.
Prime Minister John Briceño was asked this morning about the investigation into allegations made by attorney Wendy Auxillou against Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez.
In August 2023, News Five broke the story of a sitting minister of government being accused of sexual harassment by a female attorney. Later that month, a release from the government was issued, stating that PM Bricecño “has accepted a request from Hon. Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, for a leave of absence from the Cabinet.”
That release also stated that “during his leave of absence, an investigation will be conducted into the recent allegations against Minister Perez. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs will advise the Prime Minister on whether there has been any actionable wrongdoing.”
Today, when asked if there was an actual investigation, PM John Briceño told reporters, “The investigation was that no laws were broken. You could question the judgement of the person, but no laws were broken that came to light.”
The PM stated that no one provided evidence to the Office of the Attorney General.
Auxillou alleges that no one from the Attorney General’s office approached her for the evidence she says she has. Auxillou has yet to file an official police report against the minister.
Perez denies all allegations. He was reinstated as Minister of The Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management in April 3, 2024.
Increased tensions in the Middle East may lead to higher fuel prices. Experts are expecting that Iran’s recent attack on Israel will potentially cause fuel prices to soar and disrupt global supplies if the conflict escalates further. Israel’s war cabinet has assessed military strategies for possible retaliation against Iran. Israel has declared its intent to retaliate and “exact a price” following the unprecedented drone and missile assault.
While oil prices initially surged in anticipation of such an escalation, they later stabilised. The International Energy Agency says that the escalating conflict underscores the vulnerability of oil markets. The recent attack by Iran also raises concerns about potential disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This is a critical passage for the global oil trade. Any significant disruption could have a profound impact on oil supplies and prices worldwide.
Strait of Hormuz/ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
While the conflict presents risks to oil markets, factors such as production from non-OPEC+ countries may offer some relief in mitigating these impacts in the short term.
Oil prices have surged alongside escalating tensions in the Middle East this month. U.S. benchmark crude futures rose by 5%, while global benchmark Brent crude gained nearly 6%. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical factor.” Iran’s ability to block the Strait of Hormuz is its secret weapon. The Strait serves as the world’s most important oil-transit chokepoint. Global oil inventories are already low, and any disruption to supplies could further deplete them, leading to higher oil prices.
News Five has confirmed that former Belize City councillor Alberto Vaughan is the new city administrator. Vaughan replaces the late Stephanie Lindo.
Last week, the Belize City Council said, “We understand the importance of this position in ensuring the effective functioning of our city, and each application is being carefully reviewed. We received three applications for the position of city administrator.”
The Belize City Council is expected to issue a release later today.
UPDATE (2:31 p.m.)
The Belize City Council issued a release on Vaughan’s employment.
The release says, “The Belize City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Albert Vaughan as the new City Administrator, effective April 15, 2024. This decision follows the recommendations of the interview committee, recognizing Mr. Vaughan’s exemplary track record. Albert Vaughan brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served diligently in various capacities on both the national and municipal levels. His extensive tenure within the public sector, coupled with his involvement in the private sector, underscores his unwavering commitment to service and effectively leading teams. Having previously served as a dedicated member of the council for six years, Mr. Vaughan is quite familiar with the workings of the city. His experience within the municipal sphere uniquely positions him to understand the challenges and opportunities facing Belize City. The Belize City Council is confident that, under Mr. Vaughan’s stewardship, the council will continue to make meaningful progress in fulfilling its obligations to the residents of Belize City. As we embark on this new chapter, the Belize City Council extends our warmest congratulations to Albert Vaughan on his appointment. We look forward to working closely with him to advance our shared vision of a thriving and vibrant Belize City.”
A recall petition launched by former UDP Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez has failed. These petitions were intended to trigger a recall referendum aimed at removing sitting Area Representative Gilroy Usher Senior from office.
Port Loyola has 4,950 registered electors. This meant that Martinez would have needed to collect 1,485 signatures, or 30% of the total number of voters in the division.
Martinez submitted 1,654 signatures, or 33.4%, to the Governor General. However, the total number of signatures approved totaled 1,389, or 28.06%.
The total number of rejected signatures totaled 265, or 5.35%. According to the Governor General, 188 signatures did not match the Elections and Boundaries Department’s record of registered voters; 14 petitioners were not registered; 41 petitioners are not registered in the division; 1 petition did not have a signature; and 21 petitions were submitted more than once.
Martinez is also told that it is an offence for a person to forge the signature on a recall petition or to willfully sign the petition more than once.
The Caribbean Community Council of Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) is expressing grave concern regarding the escalating violence in the Middle East, particularly the recent direct military engagements between Israel and Iran.
CARICOM said, “These developments not only exacerbate the already tense situation but also pose significant threats to regional stability and international peace.”
“The continued cycle of retaliation, including the recent attack on Israel by Hamas, Israel’s disproportionate response in Gaza, and the alarming new dimension of direct confrontations between Israel and Iran, leads to an untenable situation fraught with potential for greater regional conflict and global instability.”
COFCOR urgently calls for:
An immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. We strongly urge both nations to halt any further military actions that could worsen the situation, endangering not only their own populations but also the broader international community.
The international community, particularly the five Veto-nations on the UN Security Council, to work assiduously towards an immediate ceasefire, ensuring the provision of necessary humanitarian aid and fostering conditions conducive to a lasting peace
All involved parties to re-engage in diplomatic dialogue, prioritizing peaceful resolutions and cooperation over military actions.
CARICOM says it stands ready to “support efforts toward de-escalation and the establishment of a durable peace in the region.”
Israel’s war cabinet is expected to reconvene soon to discuss actions in response to Iran’s attack.
Overnight on Sunday, a barrage of drones and missiles surged towards Israel, increasing tensions in the Middle East. The assault, launched by Iran, was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month. Several Iranian generals were killed in that attack.
Iran and its allies from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon launched approximately 350 rockets, comprising over 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles. The majority of these were intercepted, with minimal impact on Israeli territory, as reported by Israeli military sources and the White House.
The unprecedented attack marked a significant escalation in the region.
Israel continues to face pressure from its allies to refrain from escalating towards open warfare and instead pursue a path of de-escalation.
