Cayo District - Channel 5 Belize

La Ruta Maya 2024 Kicks Off With A Splash

This morning, the twenty-seventh annual Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge commenced with much fanfare in the twin towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio. Over the course of four days, sixty-seven paddlers will compete against each other and the currents, as they race one hundred and eighty miles to Belize City’s BelCan Bridge on Monday. This year, hundreds of supporters eagerly await to see who will take home the prize in the event that is recognized for its ability to bring people together. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

This morning, the twin towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio were alive with activity as people from all over the country gathered to secure their spots on the banks of the Macal River for the perfect view of the 2024 La Ruta Maya River Challenge. This year boasted a large turnout, as sixty-seven teams would be vying to be the first to cross the finish line on Monday. The race began at its usual starting point, at the Hawkesworth Bridge in San Ignacio where it journeyed down the Macal River to Banana Bank. Among this year’s competitors are returning champs Slim and Trim Like Guava Limb, who stated they were felling the pressure.

Britney Gordon

“So you guys are the returning champs. How do you feel about that?”

Daniel Cruz, Paddler, Slim & Trim Like Guava Limb
“Well, we feel, proud and pressured, right? Because, you know, they will want to win us and we have to try defend it.”

Britney Gordon

“And are you confident that you and your team will be able to pull it off today?”

Daniel Cruz

“First God, yes.”

Fellow Guava Limb team member, Andres Cabb stated that they have put in about four months of training and plan to recite a prayer before the race to prepare.

Andres Cabb, Paddler, Slim & Trim Like Guava Limb

“Well right now we just did, we’ll do a prayer and then we’ll get in the water. Warm up. So we don’t stretch no muscle when we start.”

As one of Belize’s biggest events of the year, the race garners a lot of tourist attraction to San Ignacio. Visitors from all over the country travel to witness and participate in the activities. We spoke with first team manger of the first time competitors, the Panthers, Jim Berriman, who is a past paddler himself. Berriman stated that the team is representing BATSUB and while, they did not have a lot of time to prepare, they are excited to participate.

Jim Berriman, Team Manager, Panthers Team

“They’ve done a few training sessions only two training sessions actually. First one was about twelve miles, second one was thirty-seven, so they’re not the most experienced, but we’re here to take part.”

Britney Gordon

“Alright, so are you guys confident in your performance today?”

Jim Berriman

“Oh yes, very confident. I think we’ve got a good chance of the win. Yeah, we’ve been eyeing the trophy up, so yeah, definitely.”

The race not only exists to garner tourist attention, but it brings attention to the cultural and environmental significance of the river. Event organizer, Roberto Harrison, highlighted the significance of these aspects to us.

Britney Gordon

“This event started as a way to get people of San Ignacio together to have an event for the long weekend. How has the event elevated itself since its beginning?”

Roberto Harisson, Event Organizer, La Ruta Maya

“First of all, we were looking at something to replace the one day event, the ninth of March, the Baron Bless Day. Normally, small events happening, but nothing much and at the rest of the day and the rest of the weekend. So we coined the idea of putting something that would be more than just San Ignacio. And we came up and finally agreed that we would try this for the event. It’s been a very trying thing over, over the years because initially we looked at promoting not only the race as a sport, but looking at the culture the different communities along this river. There’s a history behind this river.”

Harrison explained that there are several key factors to consider when highlighting the importance of the river, historical, environmental and cultural.

Roberto Harrison
“It was the business highway for people from San Ignacio to Belize city and Belize city to San Ignacio, we look at the environmental side because then, and now there’s quite a bit of difference in the banks of the river. So we wanted to look at how we can promote or create that awareness to replenish some of the green in the riverbanks. And we also look at the historical aspect because, again, history has it that this river was used by the Mayas to transport food from up Belize down or down Belize and up to San Ignacio. We looked at the communities themselves during the logging period where we knew that those communities were significant on how the goods were transported up on the road. So we look at the race in three parts; environment, history, and the culture of the river itself.”

Typical for the race is the overturning of canoes, as paddlers battle with the currents rushing against them. One team that encountered this setback was the Belize Coast Guard, which still managed to place third, despite the initial drawback at the start of the race.

Wilberto Daniels, Captain, Belize Coast Guard Team

“We placed top three today. Unfortunately we had a bad start and that’s the consequences of a bad start, right? But as a team captain, I’m always, my job is to keep the motivation high in my boat. So that managed to pick up back a momentum and start closing back the gap on the other teams. And today was one of the hardest day ever in my years of pulling La Ruta Maya, we really work hard today. Maybe if we had a little more time, maybe we would have closed the gap a little more, but yeah that’s a part of race. And we still have three more days and anything can happen in a race.”

The race ended with a close call as returning champs Guava Limb finished with a point five second lead over Team Lucas Oil Male, which encountered an obstacle just before the finish line. We checked in with today’s victors post-win for an update.

Britney Gordon

“So you just finished the race and you came in first place. How are you feeling?”

Andres Cabb

“First of all, I want to give thanks to God and that have given the opportunity to win the race. And we’re feeling tired and well, we are feeling tired but happy at the same time.”

Britney Gordon

“Do you feel that this win has eased some of the anxiety as the returning champs? “

Javier Guardado, Captain, Slim & Trim Like Guava Limb Team
“Well, I guess so. So like we want today so tomorrow maybe will be a better day for us.”

The feelings of the paddlers may be mixed, but the race has only just begun and that coveted title is still up for grabs. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Victorious Nazarene is “More” Inclusive

In a remarkable display of commitment to the Ministry of Education’s More Campaign, Victorious Nazarene School is once again in the news showcasing the community of Succotz as a beacon of inclusivity and setting an example for institutions across Belize. In this week’s Look on the Bright Side, we returned to Benque Viejo where we met another teacher doing “More” this time by being inclusive. How? That’s what we want you to see.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

Victorious Nazarene School has been redefining education, breaking barriers, and leading the charge in the Ministry of Education’s More Campaign. In our initial story, we shared how this rural school uses artificial Intelligence to teach programming, a sophisticated aspect of computer science. This time around, however, we stopped at a classroom where we met Shereece Sabal, a teacher, engaging her students in sign language. She took on this initiative when she learned that she would be teaching a student with special needs.

Shereece Sabal, Teacher, Victorious Nazarene School

“I had no idea that I had a student that couldn’t talk. So when they told me, I said, now what will happen because I don’t know sign language. So from then we had to have to put different things in place to make sure that he gets everything that he needs from me. And he’s included in every subject that we, um, that I teach here.”

Sabal’s commitment to inclusivity is not only evident in her words, but in the vibrant classroom atmosphere that she has cultivated. Learning sign language was not just a task for her; it was a commitment to ensuring that everyone, including her special needs student, is an integral part of the learning journey.

Shereece Sabal
“This for me was a huge It’s a huge task to take on. First, I have to teach myself how to sign. And then include not only him, but all the other students. Because they also help, right? Because if I am busy or doing something with another student, then they’ll be able to help him if need be.”

Principal Shirley Humes, the guiding force behind Victorious Nazarene School’s inclusive ethos, sheds light on the school’s dedication to embracing diversity.

Shirley Humes, Principal, Victorious Nazarene School
“We strongly believe in, in inclusion. And we believe that every child deserves a chance, despite their need. And, um, like I mentioned, you know, this is, it’s a, it’s a great challenge because signing is not easy. And you need to be a specialist to be able to sign. However, that, um, did not keep us away from not being able to, to take him in.”

What sets Victorious Nazarene apart is not just a commitment to inclusion, but the student body genuinely embracing diversity. When the Ministry of Education learned of this, it acknowledged the effort and shared that this is a prime example of doing more.

Dian Maheia, Chief Education Officer, MOECST
“That sort of inspiration is really what moves me and I think it’s what moves our team at the Ministry of Education. That’s why being more inclusive is one of our core pillars under the more campaign because to show that you have that level of consideration for someone else. That you will go beyond what is expected. It really doesn’t diminish your capacity. You’re thinking more of someone else, and you’re building your own capacity. That teacher and those students have learned way more than sign language. They have learned to be better human beings. And that’s what we want. We want them to be more for Belize.”

That remarkable revelation unfolded not only through the teacher’s enthusiasm to making life easier for the hearing-impaired student, but also through the commitment of his classmates, who eagerly embraced the challenge of learning sign language.

Sabreena Daly

“What was your reaction to seeing the other students embrace learning sign language to communicate with their classmate?”

Shereece Sabal

“Well, in the beginning, it was very surprising. Because when I would sit back and I see them doing the little signs to him, I was like, well, I don’t know. It was very surprising for me. It was a great feeling. And then again, that motivated me more to teach them more so they can communicate with him more.”

Shirley Humes
“That’s the beauty about Victoria’s Nazarene: our students embrace our children no matter what their condition is. And that’s what I’ve seen from his classmates. They embrace him, they help him along, and that has been the reaction from the students ever since preschool. They have been there, um, and I must say there are even parents who have sent their children with him. To sign in class to be able to help him out.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly

P.U.P. Slate Dominates in Belmopan

The entire People’s United Party’s slate won convincingly in the City of Belmopan. This is the second straight municipal victory for the P.U.P. in the Capital City. In a municipality with ten thousand registered voters, fifty-five percent showed up to cast their ballots. That is a two percent increase from the 2021 municipal elections voters’ turnout. But unlike past years, the majority of those registered voters were from Belmopan East, where both Mayor Elect Pablo Cawich and Area Representative Oscar Mira reside. This is also the second consecutive loss for Jacklyn Burns as the United Democratic Party’s mayoral candidate in Belmopan. News Five’s Paul Lopez was in the Garden City. He filed the following report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Belmopan voters began streaming into their respective polling stations as early as seven a.m. when the polls were opened. Between seven and eight a.m., a total of five hundred and seventy-nine voters had already cast their ballots. We spoke with a few voters to get a sense of their thought process going into the polling stations.

Jasmine Rhamdas, Belmopan Voter

“I look for someone like myself, a leader, someone that goes out and work for us, I don’t want anyone to think about themselves. Because being mayor or councilor we need you guys to step up and work for the community.”

Christopher Broaster, Belmopan Voter

“Election time is one of those important time of the year where we come out to make our voices be heard and to put in the people that we believe will help move our area forward you know.”

Both political camps had their machineries on the ground working. And if the number of political shirts on each side was a foreshadowing of how the day would end, the People’s United Party would have won at the start of the elections. But, the polls were still open and both slates remained confident of a victory.

Chris Enriquez, P.U.P. Councilor Elect, Belmopan

“I think our supporters are coming out. So far like I said this morning was a bit slow but it is starting to pick up. This afternoon we are going to see majority of our supporters are out. We are confident and we are just going to wait until the results are out.”

Jacklyn Burns, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan

“You know when you do your homework you are confident in the grade you are going to get. I have done my homework. I have walked in many house as I could. Now it is just to get our voters out to cast their votes.”

The lowest number of voter turnout was between twelve and one p.m., but those numbers began to increase throughout the afternoon. And by five p.m. more than four thousand Belmopan voters had already cast their votes.

Pablo Cawich, P.U.P. Mayor Elect, Belmopan

“The day in my view went very well. The machinery executed what it had to do and in our view this victory has been sealed.”

Jacklyn Burns

“You know when you do your homework you don’t get scared when the teacher asked the tough questions. I am like eight-five percent confident, that is where it is.”

Burns ran on the support of former Belmopan U.D.P. Area Representative, John Saldivar. He was Burn’s campaign manager, but remained out of the spotlight throughout the course of the day. Saldivar showed up to vote half an hour before the polling stations closed.

John Saldivar, Former U.D.P. Area Rep, Belmopan

“Now I am coming to vote. I will put my ex there for my team. All morning I have been working hard to make sure that things work out well and I am very happy with the results so far and I am waiting on the counting, I am very confident.”

Polling stations closed at six p.m. At the end of the day a total of five thousand, five hundred and eighty-five registered voters exercised their democratic right in Belmopan. Boxes from two other polling stations began arriving at the counting station an hour later and the counting process officially began. By nine p.m., unofficial numbers began trickling out of the counting room. Early indications were that Cawich and his team were in the lead, much to the delight of the PUP supporters who were on the outside waiting. Three hours into the counting process, Area Representative Oscar Mira emerged to unofficially declare victory for the PUP in Belmopan.

Oscar Mira, Area Representative, Belmopan

“Unofficially but we have won in Belmopan, the east has won significantly, the west has won significantly, in central we were even, we won north. Unofficially, but in Belmopan the People’s United Party remains in City Council.”

But it was not until midnight that the official counting process was over and a winner was declared in the Capital City. Chris Enriquez received the most votes for the day, while most of Cawich’s slate won by five hundred to a thousand votes.

Pablo Cawich

“The first thing we need to do is to get into the city council and start doing an analysis as to what is presently in place and what has been happening over the past term.”

Jackyln Burns

“The people have spoken. This is the electoral process, congratulations to the winners. I need time to sleep, with that said goodnight.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Mixed Council Elected in Twin Towns

Moving west to the twin towns of San Ignacio/ Santa Elena, the only municipality where the United Democratic Party gained some grounds. The U.D.P. secured six of the seven seats that were up for grabs. That is four more seats than what they claimed in the 2021 municipal elections. But, it was not the clean sweep they were hoping for. Residents also elected one People’s United Party councilor candidate, leading to yet another mixed council in that municipality. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

In March 2021, residents of San Ignacio and Santa Elena elected a mixed council with a People’s United Party majority. Mayor Earl Trapp and Bernadette Fernandez were the only two UDP representatives on the council during the last term. At the start of the day on Wednesday, the incumbent mayor was among the first to cast his ballot.

Earl Trapp, U.D.P. Mayor Elect, SI/SE

“We have been living in crisis lately, so this is a stepping stone, this is the initiation to stepping into the general elections. So, certainly this is very important for us. We want to win at least four to five municipalities and then I believe we are ready for general elections. The people are suffering and we need to bring a turning point and we need to bring back the lives of people to normalcy.”

The People’s United Party, on the other hand, had its machinery working on the ground in the twin towns. PUP Area Representative for Cayo North, Michel Chebat, was present to give his support to this machinery. The polling station in Chebat’s constituency was the largest in the municipality.

Michel Chebat, P.U.P. Area Representative, Cayo North

“This morning we were very busy, from about seven o’clock and we had a very steady pace till about eleven o’clock and between eleven and one it slowed down a little bit but now again, we have been busy and from about three o’clock it has been going really crazy.”

Reporter

“How soon do you think you will see some victory today because I know that is what you will be projecting.”

Michel Chebat

“Well I don’t like to count my chicken before they hatch but from what we are seeing out here Cayo North looks very positive, but this is the biggest polling station in this area. We have seventeen boxes here. So this will be the last one to finish counting.”

At the close of the polls, U.D.P. supporters appeared energized and in high spirit. U.D.P. councilor candidate Lin Valentine was optimistic that the votes were leaning in his party’s favor.

Lin Valentine, U.D.P. Councilor Elect, SI/SE

“Everything was very smooth and I appreciate that we didn’t have no back and forth with one another and I appreciate that about our people here. We showed that unity and I want it to continue this way. That has shown us that we are a people of one.”

Reporter

“I notice that some of your other candidates like Mr. Fernandez is still trying to get some voters in.”

Lin Valentine

“Yeah, that is the energy we show. WE are here fighting for our grass roots. I believe we are going through serious punishment at the moment so we are coming with changes, with new changes.”

Rutilia Gabriel, Returning Officer

“Overall at six o’clock in the municipality of San Ignacio, Santa Elena, eight thousand one eighty-six person voted, out of the thirteen thousand seven, twenty-nine. That represents a percentage of fifty- nine point six three.”

The figures for voter turnout at the end of the day in San Ignacio/ Santa Elena represented a three-percent increase when compared to the 2021 municipal elections. A couple hours into counting and there was no clear indication as to which of the candidates were in the lead. There were ballot boxes that favored each slate. But as the process continued, votes in favor of the United Democratic Party’s candidates started to trend upward. And, before any official results were announced, PUP candidates and supporters began leaving the counting station. Trapp then preliminarily announced that his full slate would be elected.

Earl Trapp

“Unofficially the, we will have a full UDP slate here in San Ignacio and Santa Elena.”

Reporter

“So, what is taking so long and were there any close vote?”

Earl Trapp

“Yes that is correct, the results were close with one of the PUP candidates, hence the reason why they are taking more time to review the addition.”

Reporter

“So that can still go either way?”

Earl Trapp

“Yes, like I say it is unofficial, but when we plug the results into our system it indicated seven UDP.”

Reporter

“In terms of your unofficial margin is it substantial?”

Earl Trapp

“It is big enough to call it a clean slate.”

Counting continued all the way pass midnight because of the slim margin of votes between a UDP and PUP councilor candidate. And, when the official results were announced, the United Democratic Party emerged with six seats, including the mayoral position. The People’s United Party’s Aaron Mai secured the seventh and final seat. Once again, the twin towns will be lead by mixed town council. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Benque Stays Blue Amidst Close Competition

The People’s United Party secured another victory in the town of Benque Viejo Del Carmen but the victory did not come as easily as it did in other municipalities, as there was only an eighteen point six disparity between blue and red votes. A total of two thousand, eight hundred sixty-four ballots were cast, with fifty-nine point three percent of those votes going to the P.U.P.; as opposed to the forty point seven accumulated by the U.D.P. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The morning started off slow, with only two hundred sixty-nine voters showing up within the first hour. The low voter turnout would persist through the entirety of the day, dropping as low as one hundred thirty-five during what should have been a midday spike. With a turnout this low, PUP Mayoral candidate Jorge Rosales stated that he was feeling nervous for the day to come.

Jorge Rosales, Mayoral Elect, Benque

“Right now. I am a little bit nervous trying to get all the people squared up to come and vote.”

Although anxious, Rosales expressed optimism for a higher voter turnout midday, although that would later fail to be accomplished as it would reach its all-time low for the day.

Jorge Rosales

“So I think people are coming, but it’s a right now. It may be about seventy percent of movement has been maybe about one o’clock, two o’clock. Things will be a little bit stronger because people are have to do their like launch. And so after one o’clock, I think people will be more stronger around.”

Area representative for Cayo North, Michel Chebat noted that the activity finally picked up around three p.m. and attributed the initial slow pace to the work day.

Michel Chebat, Area Represenative, Cayo North

“You know what? I think the work the work day affected many people because, you know, the employers are not giving so much time. They’re giving one or two hours and we have many voters who live outside of the constituency. So they need a little bit more than that. And so I think that’s why you’re seeing the rush now because they’ve just been let out, so to speak.”

Despite the heightened spirits due to a rise in voters, Chebat was hesitant to predict a victory for the PUP candidates before the end of the day.

Michel Chebat

“Well, you know, I don’t like to count my chicken before they hatch. But you know, from what we’ve been seeing out here, Cayo North looks very positive. But this is the biggest polling station in this area. We actually have fourteen boxes here. And so this seventy-three will be the last one to finish counting. So we’re gonna probably see this around eleven to midnight tonight.”

After the last polling box was collected, an update on the total number of voters revealed that a little less than sixty percent of registered voters showed up to vote that day.

Jose Sanchez, Reporter

“So for polling station eighty-three, the last count for six p.m., there were four hundred thirty eight voters. There was a surge at the end. When you add it on to the one thousand one hundred nineteen people who already voted, we’ve had a total of two thousand three hundred fifty-seven for polling station eighty-three. For polling station eighty-four now, at last count at six p.m. there were only eighty-one people who came in. You add it on to the four hundred twenty people who voted throughout the day at eighty-four, gives us a grand total of five hundred one for polling station eighty four in Cayo. Now when you add up the totals for the day, between the two thousand three hundred fifty-and the five o’ one, and that brings us to, two thousand eight hundred fifty- eight people who voted today in Benque from the total of four thousand eight hundred sisteen registered voters.”

Despite the low turnout initially, the P.U.P. was able to secure a victory that night, winning all six councillor seats and another mayoral term for Jorge Rosales. Britney Gordon for News Five.

How will a P.U.P. Central Government the Treat Twin Towns?

Earlier in our newscast, we showed you the U.D.P.’s singular elections victory in San Ignacio/Santa Elena with a team of councilors led by returning mayor Earl Trapp. With a majority of the municipalities now controlled by the People’s United Party, will the Briceño administration be vindictive in how it treats with the San Ignacio Town Council under U.D.P. leadership?

San Ignacio Policeman Sexually Assaults Colleague at Work

A police officer of San Ignacio has been arrested and charged for sexually assaulting a female colleague inside the San Ignacio Police Station. The incident which was captured on surveillance camera happened on Valentine’s Day, February fourteenth. A forty-year-old woman who was on duty at the precinct reported that Durman Dawson, an officer whom she has known for the past nine years, groped her. When she reacted by smacking him, while attempting to free herself, Dawson then physically assaulted her. It’s a repulsive video, one that Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has also reacted to.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I found that video to be extremely disgusting and troubling and right away, upon seeing it, I gave directives that the police corporal be arrested and charged and interdicted from duty. And my exact words were this, I am going to tell you, I’m just going to remove the profanities, that we are in an organization where men believe that this is a man’s job. We have gone beyond that now, this is no longer a man’s job, it is a job for both men and women and as male or as men in this organization, we must respect our women counterparts. We cannot be in an environment where the women believe that they have no say or that they have no rights and that the male can just trample over them. So long as I sit as Commissioner of Police, I am not going to allow or entertain any such behavior on the part of any male police officers and it was on that premise that I instructed what needs to be done. Again, it shows that the cameras inside the station are extremely helpful to us because like you have there with you the footage from the police station. It shows exactly what transpired and we were able to act decisively, based on that.”

Fight at Tabu Nightclub Leaves More Questions Than Answers

A fight inside Tabu Nightclub in San Ignacio on Sunday morning resulted in the arrest of forty-two-year-old Rajiv Mehmi, the proprietor of the establishment. Police report that they responded to the location and saw Mehmi who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Mehmi reportedly approached the officers and shoved him in the chest. A search of the businessman yielded a firearm which he was asked to produce a license for. He then, reportedly, said he needed to call his wife to locate the license. The call was instead placed to the officers’ superiors back at the station who instructed them to release Mehmi and return his firearm. When Mehmi was given the firearm, he allegedly loaded the weapon and raised it in the officer’s direction before insulting him. Here’s more from ComPol Chester Williams.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“That’s a matter that I find extremely troubling and I explained that this morning to officers in conference that I do not endorse the actions of the O.C. in terms of releasing the man. Yes, the man has a story that is inconsistent with what the officers are saying. He was already in custody, they could have arrested and verified which of the two sides were not telling the truth and then, based on that, make a determination. But for the O.C. to have just ordered that the man be released without even investigating to see whether or not he‘s telling the truth or the officers are telling the truth, I find that to be extremely wrong and I told that to Mr. Franco this morning in conference. I have since directed that they put together an investigative team because I am sure that the liquor establishment has cameras and should be able to pick up what exactly transpired, as well as the police station also has cameras that should pick up what transpired. So I have directed the Western Regional Commander to ensure that the investigative team goes to these different locations, retrieve the camera footage, look at it and based on that, we‘re going to make a determination. Now, in terms of the man being intoxicated or believed to have been intoxicated while in possession of a firearm then by all means my policy is, and I am extremely strict where that is concerned, that the firearm should have been confiscated by the police and the proper investigation conducted and maybe even go to the extent of charging him for being in possession of a firearm whilst under the influence. That was not done and again, I have an issue with that.”

Succotz On Track To Acquire Multipurpose Center

The Belize Tourism Board has embarked on another endeavor towards cultural preservation and community development with the commencement of a Multipurpose Center in San Jose Succotz in Cayo District. The project was launched in collaboration with Cayo West Area Representative Jorge Espat, in order to redefine the landscape of the Maya and Mestizo village of San Jose Succotz. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, March first, where Jorge Espat spoke on the project’s launch.

Jorge Espat, Cayo West Area Representative

“History will continue in the village of San Jose Succotz through building of this multi purpose building and all of you residents and tour guides that at the end of the day, it’s of most benefit to all. Continuing to have a place where we will celebrate our activities, the festivities, weddings, meetings, trainings, and especially the day of San Jose Succotz. This was the area and will continue to be the area where the village will celebrate its day. So this is history and continues to be history. Forty three years we are shy away and twenty days for the anniversary of this specific building, Forty three years and after that we are going to bring state of the art building, something that this village really needs, something that will put Cayo on the map as well. Teaching all that is there to teach of our culture and heritage of this village and villagers. So at the end of the day, I thank each and every one of you for the support that you all had given us.”

B.T.B. Training Initiatives to Be Implemented

The Belize Tourism Board has affirmed its commitment to developing areas throughout Belize in order to elevate their appeal in the hopes of boosting economic development and the preservation of Belize’s culture. As part of this initiative, a Multipurpose Center is to be constructed in San Jose, Succotz. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, March first, where Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler spoke about the importance of these projects beyond just the infrastructure.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

“The Cayo district is always among the top three destinations in the country. So it’s very, very important for an industry that generated 1. 2 billion dollars provides so many working opportunities for people, injects the foreign exchange that we get a lot of it. And so almost half of our economy is dependent on tourism. Now, for far too long, the infrastructure that supports tourism has been neglected. Multiple governments, and I’m not gonna say who or what, but they haven’t looked at the physical product. That we sell and say, all right, we need to inject some serious money into this product so that we can sell internationally. For most of it, it has been built organically. No planning, no zoning, no discipline, no structure. We have a beautiful area in San Pedro called Secret Beach that’s just chaotic. We have to corral that. You have Mountain Pine Ridge, again, that poses some opportunities for us, but also some issues that we have to rectify and address as we move forward as disciplined and organized leaders that we work every day to ensure that we make Belize a better place. So these projects that we’re rolling out are just a part of the product building exercise and exercises that we have going on, um, under the Ministry of Tourism and Diaspora Relations and the Belize Tourism Board. Now, a part of that, even though we have to fix the infrastructure, we have to continue to build our people, so training is important. We are going to launch some training initiatives on this side as well during the summer months. And so all of these things create a world class tourism destination.”