The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW) announced on Friday the groundbreaking of the new paediatric ward at Northern Regional Hospital in the Orange Walk District. The project is a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Orange Walk-District 4250 and LEAP Global Mission. MOHW said in a statement that it reflects “a milestone in our commitment to improving child healthcare services in Belize.”
The $2.3 million initiative will fund the construction of a “modern, 5,384 sq. ft. facility equipped with observation wards, isolation units, consultation rooms, and more,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that the facility will be “tailored to meet the needs of our youngest patients and the heroes who care for them.”
Thousands of protesters flooded streets today across the United States and around the world in response to President Donald Trump’s controversial tariffs and his “America First” economic policies. Dubbed “Liberation Day” by Trump, Trump’s recent trade moves have drawn widespread criticism for their potential to harm global trade relations.
According to CNN, the “Hands Off!” protests are among the largest collective responses to his administration’s agenda, with over 1,400 protests planned in all 50 states in the US. The news outlet also reported that major rallies have also taken place internationally, including in Germany, the UK, and Canada.
Critics argue that Trump’s economic policies benefit wealthy elites, like Elon Musk, at the expense of ordinary citizens. The protesters are calling for an end to what they see as a “billionaire takeover” of government, the reduction of social services, and protection for vulnerable communities, including immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.
CNN reported that the movement is gaining momentum, with nearly 600,000 participants expected. More rallies also continue to unfold worldwide.
Today, Mia Mottley, Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), also warned about the economic impact on the Caribbean. “Regardless of what any of our Caribbean governments will do, we could lower our tariffs to zero in CARICOM, and it will not make a lick of difference because our economies are small and vulnerable,” she stated. Mottley also appealed directly to President Trump, saying, “I say simply to President Trump, our economies are not doing your economy any harm in any way. They’re too small to have any negative or distorting impact on your country. So I ask you to consider your decades-long friendship between your country and ours.”
CARICOM Chair Mia Mottley has proposed a series of actions to improve economic self-sufficiency, strengthen regional cooperation, and address the Caribbean’s vulnerability in global trade.
Mottley called for immediate actions, including reengaging with the United States at the highest level, acknowledging the mutual benefits of cooperation, particularly under initiatives like the Caribbean Basin Initiative. She said that the Caribbean’s small size, vulnerability, and limited manufacturing capacity make it incapable of distorting trade, which led the US to assist in promoting Caribbean exports under the initiative. “We will see how these tariffs will impact on that,” she warned.
She also stressed the importance of avoiding political divisions for personal gain, encouraging unity within the Caribbean to tackle common economic challenges. “United we stand, divided we fall,” Mottley said.
Another key suggestion from Mottley was to increase investment in Caribbean agriculture and light manufacturing, pushing for more ambitious goals in local production. “We must grow our own and produce our own as much as possible,” she said. Mottley said that strengthening small businesses and producers makes it a critical part of the strategy to build resilience in the region during times of global crises.
Supporting local products was another recommendation. Mottley encouraged consumers to buy local, stating, “Buy local and buy regional. The products are better, fresher and more competitive in many instances.”
Mottley’s last proposed action is to diversify trade partnerships with countries in Africa and Central and Latin America and renew relationships with older partners like the UK, Europe, and Canada. “We must not rely solely on one or two markets. We need to be able to sell our Caribbean goods to a wider, more stable global market.”
Moreover, Mottley pointed out the potential spillover effect on tourism. She said a possible slowdown in tourism due to rising global economic pressures threatens the Caribbean. “Worsening conditions in many of our source markets will have negative impacts on people’s ability to travel,” she said.
“We call in our regional private sector and the tourism sector to come together and to work with governments to collaborate for an immediate tourism strategy to ensure that we maintain market share numbers as a region,” Mottley stated. “I pray that I am wrong, and I’m praying that cooler heads prevail across the world and leaders come together in a new sense.”
Mia Mottley, Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), delivered a stark warning about the economic repercussions of the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” initiative. In her address, Mottley stated that these tariffs, aimed primarily at Chinese imports, could severely disrupt supply chains, causing price hikes for everyday goods in the Caribbean.
As she said, the Caribbean region, heavily reliant on imported goods from the US, is particularly vulnerable to such global trade disruptions. “Many of those commodities are either purchased directly from the United States of America or pass through the United States of America on their way to the Caribbean region,” Motthley said. “That, my friends, is a legacy of our colonial dependence.”
Motthley said that the repercussions of these tariffs will be felt by consumers across the region, regardless of their economic status. “I want every Caribbean man and every Caribbean woman to hear me: this trade war and the possibility of a 1 million to 1.5 million US dollar levy on all Chinese-made ships entering US harbours will mean higher prices for all of us.”
She stressed that the Caribbean’s economic vulnerabilities leave it susceptible to such global trade fluctuations, and even efforts to diversify the local economy won’t shield the region from the effects.
She said, “Regardless of what any of our Caribbean governments will do, we could lower our tariffs to zero in CARICOM, and it will not make a lick of difference because our economies are small and vulnerable.”
Mottley also warned of the potential negative effects on the Caribbean’s vital tourism sector, as economic challenges in key markets could reduce travel to the region. “We call in our regional private sector and the tourism sector to come together and to work with governments to collaborate for an immediate tourism strategy to ensure that we maintain market share numbers as a region,” she said.
“A lot of Caribbean people will think that these things that you’re seeing on television news or reading about are far away… But the reality, my friends, is that if you buy food, if you buy electronics, if you buy clothes, it will impact you,” Mottley added.
Mottley also appealed directly to President Trump, stating, “I say simply to President Trump, our economies are not doing your economy any harm in any way. They’re too small to have any negative or distorting impact on your country. So I ask you to consider your decades-long friendship between your country and ours and look to the Caribbean, recognising that the family ties, yes, are strong. Let us talk, and let us work together.”
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred earlier today in the Cohune Walk area of Belmopan City. The shooting incident happened in front of a Chinese supermarket located by the area’s junction.
Authorities are on the scene, with police and scenes of crime officials processing the area.
Concerned Belizeans have been invited to unite against the controversial Cayo Rosario development project, which lies within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The meeting was called Elito Arceo via social media. According to Arceo, the meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8.”Bring your signs condemning the destruction of Cayo Rosario,” he said. “As once it is destroyed, it’s gone forever.”
Arceo added, “They will be destroying an integral part of our beloved Hol Chan Marine Reserve. We all depend on a healthy marine ecosystem to survive.”On March 27, Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai said that no dredging was occurring at the site. However, locals like tour guide Oscar Iboy have disputed this, claiming to have witnessed dredging activities themselves. Iboy stated, “The people out here in San Pedro are the ones watching and seeing the excavation that’s going on, and I don’t know what he means by they’re not doing any dredging.”
The Department of the Environment (DOE) has organised a monitoring programme to ensure compliance throughout the project’s stages.
Arceo added in his announcement statement, “If the authorities upon whose shoulders the safeguarding of the reserve falls upon and it is their responsibility, don’t care. Then we will show them that we certainly give a damn about Hol Chan. Dis da fu we Belize.”
News Five has been closely following the Trump administration’s ten percent reciprocal tariff on Belizean goods. The new policy is set to take effect on April 5th. Since the announcement, the Government of Belize has held a high-level meeting to discuss its impact on trade relations and economic growth. G.O.B. has assured Belizeans that it will use all available avenues to address the situation. However, concerns among private sector stakeholders are growing daily. Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods Limited, which has enjoyed duty-free exports to the U.S. for decades, now faces the end of these exemptions. It’s a tough spot for exporters with the U.S. as their largest market. Reporter Paul Lopez has more details.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Trump administration’s ten percent reciprocal tariff on Belize could have major impacts on exporting businesses. For instance, Marie Sharp Fine Foods Limited sends most of its products to the U.S. market. Adding a tax to products that have enjoyed duty-free export for decades is bad for business, says Jody Williams, the Chief Sales and Marketing Director.
Jody Williams
Jody Williams, Chief Sales and Marketing Director, Marie Sharp
“Well you know, I like the wording that is being used in the media. Trump has slapped Belize with a ten percent reciprocal tariff, because it is a big slap to Belize, to our developing nation of Belize. In that regard, it affects all exporters. Here at Marie Sharp we export to the U.S. market and for all the years Mrs. Sharp and the company has been exporting to the U.S., since nineteen, eighty-nine, to before this decision was made there was zero percent tariffs imposed on our products.”
Marie Sharp, the founder of the company, talked about this problem in her 2018 biography. She mentioned that any changes to the CARICOM Free Trade Agreement could slow down the company’s shipping and distribution to the U.S. Now, six years later, the company must get ready to deal with those impacts.
Jody Williams
“We are worried about this, because let us say for example we never put into consideration these cost of tariff into our products, into our business in the United States, likewise our importers in the U.S., they never had that ten percent in their pricing. So let us say we have our products in Walmart, Kroger’s, Amazon, that ten percent is not included there. So more than likely, this will slow down sales, slow down momentum, and less foreign exchange coming into the country. We my have to halt certain expansions because we had full momentum when it comes to U.S. sales especially with Walmart.”
Economic consultant Dr. Leroy Almendarez shared his thoughts on how the Trump administration’s tariffs are impacting Belize’s exports. He explained that even though the CARICOM Free Trade Agreement is in jeopardy, it still offers some bargaining power for developing countries like Belize.
Leroy Almendarez
Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Economic Consultant
“In 1983 the United States established what is called the Caribbean Basin Initiative, which later morphed into what is called the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act. What is the purpose of that, to stimulate growth within the CARICOM economies. Products that qualify and comply to certain standards by the United States, that those products would then go into the U.S. duty free. That still exists. Then you have the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Agreement, which expanded that. There are even carve out for countries like Haiti with apparel. That still exist which means a number of our products can still take advantage. What the U.S. does is this, utilization rate. If the U.S. imports collectively as a block from CAIRCOM and it imports is about forty-nine percent of total imports and twenty-four percent of total exports, that simply means there is some level of significance there. And if it relies on us for certain exports from Belize that means we have to maintain those quotas.”
Dr. Almendarez mentioned that the U.S. trade representative in Belize needs to create a report with recommendations on whether to suspend these tariffs, in line with the trade agreement. Meanwhile, the Government of Belize isn’t wasting any time. Just one day after the tariff was imposed, they held a high-level meeting to discuss its potential impact. In a press release, the government promised to use all political and diplomatic channels to tackle the issue. However, who ends up paying the ten percent tariff—whether it’s the exporter in Belize or the importer in the U.S.—depends on the methods used to get the products there.
Jody Williams
“It all depends on shipping Inco terms. For example, let us say we use the Inco term FOB Belize, our prices are to the Port of Belize. We get it from factory to there that is the prize. Once the ship sales, automatically the ownership of those good transfer to the importer. So our importer in the U.S. will pay that ten percent, because they are importing into the U.S. this is the situation. Our importer has never included this cost, it is a surprise. So they say let us have a meeting, we cant take on the ten percent, let us do fifty, fifty, you do five percent, we do five percent. So at the end of the day we are still end up paying something. Let us change the Inco terms saying we are delivering directly to Walmart, we are doing the importation, Marie Sharp, so we will pay that full ten percent.”
A drop in revenue for exporters shipping to the U.S. means they need to cut costs. This could mean pausing expansion projects, reducing production, or even laying off staff. According to Jody Williams, Chief Sales and Marketing Director at Marie Sharp, mass layoffs are the last resort. He explained that if revenue goes down, costs have to be cut somewhere.
Jody Williams, Chief Sales and Marketing Director, Maries Sharp
“Let say our importers in the U.S. they are doing two to three containers a month, they will say no Jody we will do one or we will do one every two months. Let us wait and see if these tariff decision will be reversed. So they will not order with the same momentum and speed. And at the end of the day, this increase will go to consumer prices in the U.S. let us say a product is four forty-nine for a bottle of our product, it will go up to five ninety-nine, it all depends. We always work with a more than thirty percent margin. So if you are working with a thirty, thirty-five percent and there is a ten percent tariff, then do the math, take that thirty and minus the ten. If our sales slow down then that means it is less products from Belize going into the U.S. due to these extra cost. Even if it does not slow down, the prices go up. So consumers will not buy as quickly as possible. Let us say we were buying this amount of peppers from farmers, these amount of carrots from farmers, we are brining in foreign exchange, all of that slows down and any expansion into growing our exports to the U.S. So if money is not coming into our business and we have bills to pay and it is too much then we have to cut cost somewhere or the other.”
Belizeans who love shopping online from Chinese businesses like Shein and Temu might need to rethink their purchases. The Trump administration’s new tariff regime adds a thirty-four percent tax on products from China, on top of the existing twenty percent. Since items from these online stores are shipped from China through the U.S., a fifty-four percent duty could be applied, significantly raising the price for consumers.
Leroy Almendarez
Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Economic Consultant
“If China is now at fifty-four percent, thirty-four plus twenty, because you could see the cascading effects with the tariffs when they were mentioned. These countries are there for doing business. An online platform means you don’t need physical space so that will reduce your cost. What they can also do, which I am not sure they will do, but what some entities or business will do, is an application of a thirty-four percent tax or let us say it become fifty-four percent, you might decide to share the cost, maybe at least for a period of time, which means you have reduced your revenue as well. Let us say for example that you had already placed an order for something from China a week ago, what happens after yesterday, is an application of that tax unto that product that you have purchased, or we say that was old stock and therefore. I don’t think they will do that. So, we will really have to see how the world will react. CARICOM should have been more proactive, there could have been some anticipation that this was possible.”
Former Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, is publicly questioning what he describes as an abuse of power by outgoing Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, after a police officer is being criminally prosecuted for allegedly making disparaging remarks about ComPol Chester Williams.
Barrow issued a statement on Thursday condemning what he views as selective enforcement of the law and a potential threat to free speech. “If another police officer calling the former ComPol Clyde Williams an expletive in a post rejoicing his departure is cause for criminal action then this presents serious questions as to how this law is applied and is this tantamount to an attack on freedom of speech?” Barrow wrote. Williams is still the Commissioner of Police until Dr. Richard Rosado officially takes over in the coming weeks.
He argued that criticism comes with the territory of public life and pointed out that he himself has faced worse. “I have been called worse and even threatened publicly yet when it was brought to @clyde Williams’ attention, he refused to take action.”
Barrow added, “First Chester had his brother Arthur Williams arrested and prosecuted for criticizing him on Facebook, then he had Nichole Mcdonald prosecuted for criticizing him, she informed me today she lost her job because of this, now an officer is being prosecuted for cyber bullying Chester?”
“This is frightening,” Barrow continued. “No public official elected or appointed should use their office to silence their critics with criminal prosecution!”
While acknowledging that free speech comes with responsibilities, Barrow said civil, not criminal, remedies are appropriate in cases of alleged defamation. “Where there is alleged defamation the civil courts provide relief… Where malicious false information is being spread, then the law should take its course applied equally to all—not just those that offend the great Chester!”
