At the stroke of midnight, forty-five thousand dockworkers on the U.S. Eastern seaboard launched a massive strike, affecting over thirty ports from Maine to Texas. This industrial action has sparked concern among Belizean importers, who worry about the potential delays in their shipments. The dockworkers are primarily protesting U.S. port operators over wages and the increasing use of automation. Delroy Fairweather, a customs broker, shared that while their current stock can last for a couple of weeks, an extended strike would force them to seek alternative sources for imports.
“When all these vessels get to a berthing area cannot be offloaded, you have literally hundreds of thousands of containers that need to be offloaded and that’s where the issue and the problem will come in. So you’re looking at kind of going back to this pandemic type situation. We trade with the entire world, per se. I don’t really have the statistics per se, what percentage of items would come from out of the U.S. as opposed to what comes from China, from Europe, from the Caribbean and so forth. But, you know, Belize, again, we are strategically – look where we’re strategically located and the proximity to our major – one of the major ports, which is Jamaica, which is a major transshipment hub, which brings a lot of containers out of China and Europe and those places, pretty much kind of can fill the void. Yes, we do import a lot of food stuff from the U.S. of course, on a weekly basis, but I am thinking that what we have here for now for at least another two to three weeks, we’re fine.”
In an interesting turn of events on Friday, law enforcement officers uncovered as many as four hundred and seventy-four grams of suspected cocaine aboard a boat docked on the island town of San Pedro. The vessel, upon closer inspection, was found to belong to none other than the Minister of Blue Economy, Andre Perez. The discovery was prompted by vigilant residents of the Back-a-Town area, who reported seeing familiar faces from the local drug scene frequenting the vicinity. The boat had been moored for several months due to necessary repairs. This has led police to rule out Minister Perez as a suspect in this unfolding investigation. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams provided an update on the case, shedding light on the ongoing efforts to trace the origins of the narcotics and bring those responsible to justice.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The boat had been moored at the boat yard to undergo repairs for about six months. He had not used the boat and that he pays a monthly fee of about two-fifty for the boat to be kept at that boat yard. The statement of Mister Perez was collaborated by the owners of the boatyard, as well as the watchman and the boat captain. And so based on that, we could not tied the drugs to mister Perez, There’s no information, not even the slightest aota of evidence to suggest that the drugs belong to him. And while the boatyard is managed by a group of people, we could not tie them either because the boatyard is open, there are several ins and out to the boatyard, so anybody could walk into the boatyard and put what they want to put in any boat on the property itself. And so we could not have even hold those people accountable. This is not a boat that is closed up. It’s an open boat. Like one of those Mexican Nanchon. Like one of those. So it is easy for anybody to place anything in the boat. We have a basic idea as to who the person is that we have placed it there. We are in search of that person, but from all indications, he went to Corozal. We have also notified the Corozal police to go and look for him. Because we have gathered information on the person. We have found a good amount of cocaine, parts of cocaine. And he might have taken some of them to Corozal for sale. So we’re hoping that we can find that person soon, and then we’ll be able to interview him for us.”
Reporter
“What about the watchman? What do you mean he’s allowed to watch the boats?”
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (N.T.U.C.B.) has voiced strong opposition to the government’s compulsory acquisition of a twenty-three-acre extension of Stake Bank Island. In a letter to Prime Minister John Briceño, the N.T.U.C.B. questioned whether the acquisition truly serves a public purpose, suggesting instead that it might be aimed at protecting international investors from financial loss rather than benefiting Belizeans. Prime Minister Briceño responded by referencing legislation from the previous administration concerning projects of national importance that have stalled and cannot be resolved independently. He noted that declining cruise tourism numbers were tied to the cruise port project, implying that the acquisition was necessary to revive this sector. Late last week, the Feinstein Group, the original owners of the island, announced plans to challenge the government’s acquisition on multiple grounds. They accused the government of favoring Honduran businessmen with dubious business practices, pointing to a sixty-two-million-dollar loan tied to the Stake Bank project that went into receivership back in May. The Feinstein Group also criticized the Prime Minister’s response to the N.T.U.C.B., calling it inaccurate and misleading. When approached for further comment on Saturday, Prime Minister Briceño expressed no surprise at the Feinstein Group’s stance and indicated that he had no interest in engaging in a back-and-forth on the issue.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I’m not surprised by the response of the Feinstein Group, but I’m not going to go back and forth to them. We have responded to, to the NTUCB. We firmly believe that we’re doing is in the best interest of this country and once you know that’s what you’re doing, you continue doing as best as you can.”
Reporter
“Do you look at the merits though, especially as the former Minister of Natural Resources, of that other piece of legislation, particularly as the NTUCB is saying we could avoid litigation using that legislation, the promoters one.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“You see, but the Promoters Act, what they do not understand is that the Promoters Act, the two parties have to agree and right now, there’s no agreement. And so, we’ll never have an agreement. When one promoter is asking for fifty million U.S. dollars, and one-twenty-five or one-fifty, I think one-twenty-five per head tax in perpetuity for twenty-three acres, that’s unreasonable. So it will never happen. So the only option we have is the compulsory acquisition, but again, the first process, you put it out there, the owner comes and says, well, this is what I want. You have a negotiation, and if you can’t come to an agreement, then the courts will decide how that’s going to be resolved. In relation to the indemnity for the state bank, you didn’t answer all the details that the NTUCB was asking for. They want to see whatever was signed. Because it’s not necessary. The money is in the bank. The indemnity is there. The cabinet has approved that. That was Very, those are abundantly clear what is there.”
The social partners are calling for full disclosure of documents related to the government’s six-point-nine-million-dollar land acquisition for the new University Hospital. Earlier this month, the Belize Chamber of Commerce, the Belize Network of NGOs, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, and the Belize Council of Churches invoked the Freedom of Information Act. They sent a letter to Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde and Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard, requesting all pertinent information regarding the land purchase from Kenny Zheng and Annie Zhu. The letter to Minister Bernard specifically asks for a copy of the technical report and the minutes from the hospital’s working group meetings. Prime Minister John Briceño assured that the request will be addressed, at least partially, within a week.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“They’ve been asking for the technical report for the Ministry of Health, and yes, we will turn it over to them shortly.”
Reporter
“As well as the Sale Agreement and all ah dehn thing from Lands and Finance.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I don’t know if they asked for that, but again. We’re flogging a dead horse. We have made everything available. What’s more is the agreement – the DPM has explained what the agreement is all about. There’s nothing more. But I could understand that they want to see the technical report. So we should be able to get that to them probably in the next week or so.”
Belize made a spectacular showing at the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards, held on a beautiful Friday night in Spanish Lookout. The picturesque venue was graced by guests from around the globe, all gathered to celebrate excellence in sustainable travel. Out of the twenty-one winners announced, Belize shone brightly, especially towards the end of the ceremony. In a thrilling moment, Belize was crowned the World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, one of four prestigious awards bestowed upon Belizean sustainable tourism initiatives. News Five’s Paul Lopez was on the scene to capture the excitement. Here’s his report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Friday night, the Oakridge venue in Spanish Lookout came alive with a celebration worthy of international recognition, as Belize hosted the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards. Cultural performances enthralled invited guests, while there was more than enough cultural cuisine to go around.
Justin Cooke
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice President, WSTHA
“It all began in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler and he started to tell me about an incredible sustainable financial initiative that Belize was pioneering called the Blue Bond. I suppose it kinda sparked the idea about how do we share these stories. There is all of this good stuff going on in the world.”
That’s Justine Cooke, the Executive Vice President of the international award which highlights’ the tourism industry’s top sustainable initiatives. The award ceremony places the efforts of global leader in net positive tourism on the world stage.
Nicole Solano
Nicole Solano, C.E.O, Ministry of Tourism
“It really has been a wonderful night, recognizing not only those within Belize who were leaders in sustainability, but from around the world and I think that really is the thing that makes tonight so special, that we are able to see where we fit in the global landscape.”
A global landscape indeed, as Green Initiative, known for its restoration projects in Costa Rica, Peru and Brazil received the World’s Leading Sustainable Organization Award. Andy De Silva, the C.E.O of Hotel Emporium, was recognized as the World’s Leading Sustainable Leader of Tomorrow. And, this is just to name a couple of the awardees, as twenty-one winners in total were announced.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
“I think it is wonderful for them to get this first award ceremony to take place in Belize. It is very important, but it showcases and really brings out what Belize has been doing for many years. Now finally we are coming to that time of fruition where Belize is being looked upon really on the larger scale out in the international community.”
And, throughout the course of the night there wasn’t a shortage of awards for Belize-based sustainable tourism initiatives. The first award of the night, the Leading Sustainable Cultural Heritage Project Award, went to Che’il Mayan Chocolate, headed by Julio and Eliadora Saqui in southern Belize.
Julio Saqui
Julio Saqui, Co-Owner, Che’il Mayan Chocolate
“The feeling is great. It is an absolutely great feeling. This is our first international award, but at the same time I feel great that the kind of work we are doing is finally paying off. We try to incorporate our work with culture and sell culture through and selling chocolate through culture.”
Turneffe Atoll Sustainable Association, TASA, was recognized as the World’s Leading Sustainable Marine Conservation Initiative.
Valdemar Andrade
Valdemar Andrade, Executive Director, TASA
“We take a lot of gratitude and pride. We are humbled by this award, because it is a world award. And we competed with, as you saw, thousands of participants around the world. So, we are appreciative of this, and we continue to do the world.”
For its community engagement, the Belize Tourism Industry Association received the Leading Sustainable Community Engagement Program.
Linette Canto
Linette Canto, Executive Director, BTIA
“So, through our festivals, our advocacy work, our training, we have really made an impact on the Belizean community and tourism industry. So, we are very happy and excited to receive this award tonight.”
The final award of the night, the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination Award, went to Belize. Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler says the award is a testament to the fact that Belize is a sustainable destination at core.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“That shows that the policies, the belief we have as a people have been working. So, we need to do a lot more protection of our natural environment and cultural assets that we have. This just to showcase to the world that we are a sustainable destination at core.”
Former Belmopan Mayor Sharon Palacio has been identified as a beneficiary of lands in the Innovabel Estate, acquired at significantly reduced prices. During the final days of Palacio’s tenure, numerous parcels within the estate were sold at a staggering ninety-percent discount. In some instances, the discounts soared to an eye-popping ninety-five percent. A leaked document from the council has brought to light the findings of the current administration, detailing the individuals who purchased these parcels and the amounts they paid. This ongoing investigation, spearheaded by Mayor Pablo Cawich and his team, aims to uncover the full extent of these transactions. News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us the latest on this developing story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
As the Belmopan City Council delves deeper into the controversial Innovabel Estate land transactions overseen by former Mayor Sharon Palacio, a cascade of alarming revelations is emerging. News Five has verified the authenticity of a detailed list that discloses the land costs, authorized prices, and actual amounts paid for forty-three parcels in Innovabel Estate. According to the leaked document, eight parcels went to the former city administrator and his son. The document uncovers a startling discrepancy: although the eight parcels were collectively valued at one hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars, a mere two thousand dollars was actually paid. The list also implicates former Mayor Sharon Palacio, who is noted to have received two parcels in Innovabel Estate. However, the document remains silent on whether she paid anything for these parcels. Adding to the intrigue, Palacio’s children, grandchildren, and brother are also mentioned, each having paid just two thousand dollars for lands appraised at over nineteen thousand dollars. In one instance, Belize All Phase Limited, a company that is reportedly connected to Palacio’s son, received eight parcels of land at five hundred dollars per parcel, a grossly discounted price. The list also includes names such as Stella Kalu, Celina Danladi, Tabe Beson, Juan Caal, Kahlil Enriquez and the council’s former finance director, Melvyn Edenojie. Danladi is the only person named that paid ten thousand dollars. The document also shows that former City Councilor Hope Amadi received six parcels of land, four under Rosyco Integrated Service and two under Amadi Hope. He allegedly paid thirty-five hundred dollars in total for all six parcels. The leaked document reveals a staggering valuation of seven hundred and fifty-eight thousand dollars for the forty-three parcels. Yet, the council’s coffers reflect a mere one hundred thousand dollars from these transactions. Highlighting this discrepancy, current Mayor Pablo Cawich pointed out in a September twentieth press conference that titles have already been distributed for most, if not all, of these parcels. These titles are absolute, and the titleholders are not obligated to make any further payments. He has, however, requested that they visit the council and decide on how to pay the balance out of good conscience.
Pablo Cawich
Pablo Cawich, Mayor, Belmopan
“I can’t say with any surety that everyone has received their tittles. What we do know is that many of them have received titles. Some of them, as I mentioned, the receipts for the councils will show that some of them paid after receiving the titles as well. The stance we have taken with every single recipient is that we are not trying to take away any opportunity. If it is that you have received eight titles, all we are asking you to do is to create a payment plan to ensure you are paying the full value of the land where we would try to rely on is your ethics and morals knowing that a piece of land in Belmopan is not worth two thousand dollars.”
Earlier this week, Prime Minister John Briceño addressed a letter from N.T.U.C.B. President Luke Martinez concerning the compulsory acquisition of Stake Bank Island Extension. In his response, the Prime Minister reminded the National Trade Union Congress of Belize that the dispute between the private sector parties is currently before the High Court. He went on to say, “completing a berthing facility in the Belize District is uncontestably in the public interest, such compelling interest recognized by Stake Bank Enterprise Limited, Mister Michael Feinstein and the Government in the Definitive Agreement, and the National Assembly with the passage of the Stake Bank Cruise Docking Facility Act of 2014 and its subsequent amendment of 2017”. Prime Minister Briceño emphasized the critical importance of completing the Stake Bank project to reverse the current decline in cruise tourism arrivals. He highlighted that this initiative is important for revitalizing the economic activity associated with this crucial subsector. On Thursday, Senator Glenfield Dennison, representing the trade unions, informed reporters about a conflict between the pieces of legislation being used to acquire the parcels of land in question. Following Dennison’s revealing interview, the Feinstein Group has swiftly issued a statement addressing the prime minister’s recent letter to the N.T.U.C.B. Although the Prime Minister’s letter seeks to defend the G.O.B.’s actions, Feinstein says that it is fraught with inconsistencies, misrepresentations, and attempts to mislead the public. Ultimately, it falls short of addressing the fundamental issues of transparency and accountability. Here’s more from our interview with Senator Dennison.
Glenfield Dennison
Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator
“I think what’s important for the public to appreciate is that as a social partner, we have done our part to show to the government the other view. The questions that we raised in our letter go to the root of clarifying whether it’s a public purpose because we are not saying we’re right. We are saying that if you are clear about what these questions are then you would be sound in your position that it is a public purpose. So whether or not it is, that’s for Mr. Feinstein and his litigation. But in my mind and in the view of the Trade Union Congress, it isn’t a public purpose. They are acquiring it on behalf of the promoter and really, that’s where you trigger the other piece of legislation. I just don’t know that it’s worth the intervention of the government. I don’t think it’s a simple case before the court, but it’s definitely not a complex issue. Mr. Feinstein would have had an arrangement with the bank. It’s really, I don’t want to test the merits or the demerits of it, but that matter is not very complex. And so, it will be resolved in favor of who is the true owner of the land once that goes through the judicial process. There’s also the option of doing nothing until that goes through.”
Reporter
“Urgency, sir.”
Glenfield Dennison
“I get the call for urgency, I don’t share the view. The situation with the cruise industry has been known for quite a while now and it’s now, all of a sudden, they’ve put Mr. Feinstein through quite a bit and now it’s urgent that the port finishes, you see.”
The Social Security Board has published a public notice of investment informing that it proposes to lend seven million dollars to Caribbean Tire Wholesale Limited. The purpose of the loan is for capital expenditure and cash flow replacement. It will have a term of fifteen years and an annual interest rate of six-point-five percent, payable in monthly installments. Viewers would recall that on previous occasions public outcry prevented S.S.B. from lending monies to pharmaceutical and liquor companies. Anyone wishing to express concerns may send copies of this notice along with comments via email to info@socialsecurity.org.bz
Starting today, patients in Otoxha Village, Toledo District, will no longer face unsanitary conditions at their health post, thanks to a significant upgrade. The Ministry of Rural Transformation, in collaboration with the Republic of Korea and UNICEF through their Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene program, has tackled the pressing issue of poor sanitation caused by the village’s limited water supply. This initiative marks a new era of improved healthcare and hygiene for the community. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Sanitation is vital in delivering safe and effective healthcare. Without access to clean water, patients face the risk of painful and potentially life-threatening infections. This has been a longstanding challenge for the residents and healthcare providers of Otoxha Village in the Toledo District.
Valentino Shal
Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Transformation,
“Before soap and water. People used to die in hospitals and then the doctors didn’t know why. But somebody thought you know what, it is bacteria and germs that is killing our patients. And then they started to wash their hands. And they started to save people’s lives by using soap and water. Now we had that same problem in Otoxha. The maternal child health care personnel would come, the doctors would come, but then they can’t wash their hands because there’s no water.”
Nestled on the southwestern border of Toledo District, the remote village has long struggled with unstable access to water and electricity. However, thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Rural Transformation, the village’s health post has now been revitalized. Dr. Jorge Salia, Deputy Regional Health Manager at the Ministry of Health, highlights how this new system is revolutionizing healthcare services in the community, bringing much-needed stability and hope.
Jorge Sajia
Dr. Jorge Sajia, Deputy Regional Health Manager, Punta Gorda Hospital, MOHW
“When we first visited Otoxha, there was a partial water system that wasn’t functional properly. We had a health post that was in very bad shape. So how as a health personnel would we come and offer health services when we don’t have the basic needs? If we will go see a patient, most doctors need to wash their hands before and after. When the nurses come to vaccinate, we need water to wash hands. Through UNICEF, the Ministry of Rural Transformation came true with all of us working together along with the community. Now we have present our health team from the entire district coming to offer the very first health services.”
The ministry installed a ten-thousand-liter water storage tank and upgraded a nearby well with a solar-powered, submersible pump. A new waiting room was constructed for patients, fitted with solar lights for nighttime medical care.
Dr. Jorge Sajia
“We know that San Teresa, Santa Ana has been having a little bit of difficulties. So that’s the reason why we make these health fairs to come to you guys with the work of the, of UNICEF and rural development. That package is now complete. We have a waiting area, no comfortable waiting area. We have water system right at the foot of the clinics where we could wash our hands. We saw during COVID, all of our numbers for conjunctivitis, gastrointestinal diarrheas went down. Why? Because the basic thing we did was wash our hands. How could we bring that to Otoxha if we didn’t have a good source of clean water. So thank you everyone for making this possible. The health team is compromising to offering more health services to the district of the Toledo district. We will be coming again to Otoxha.”
Residents can now access clean water through a standing pipe conveniently located near the newly built waiting area. The villagers have long emphasized that the lack of accessible healthcare is one of their major concerns. Toledo East Area Representative, Dr. Osmond Martinez, shared how he collaborated with Dr. Sajia to devise a solution to this pressing issue, bringing much-needed relief to the community.
Osmond Martinez
Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative, Toledo East
“And one of the challenges that he has in the Punta Hospital is to get the experts Like presently, I think you have six posts fpr medical doctors. Who we will be happy to, to um, fill those posts and get the doctors to start to work as soon as possible. The problem is that, where do we get them? And so today I want to encourage you all as well, you know. Make up your mind, study, and become medical doctors. We need some, we need some technicians for x-rays, ultrasound, and what else you need? And lab technicians. So you have an opportunity, turn this Constrained into an opportunity for the community.”
The project was made possible with support from the Republic of Korea and UNICEF. Minister of Rural Transformation, Oscar Requena explained that the ministry is determined to acquire funding for future projects in rural communities.
Oscar Requena
Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation
“Thank you, UNICEF and our partners for ensuring that we can have good, clean, sanitary facilities for our community. The next big thing, water system. We are getting a new rig very soon. In the next month and a half, we are going to have a new rig in Belize costing the government three million. That’s what we purchased through our ministry. 3 million. So that we can come and we can drill for water. Because all rigs that we have, you know, I don’t know if you know, but they are twenty-four years old. Very old, breaking up. And that is why we made the effort to ensure that we find the funding.”
The Belize Network of NGOs, in partnership with the Belize Council of Churches and other social partners, including the National Trade Union Congress, has written to the Minister of Health and Wellness requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act. The request has to do with information being sought regarding the purchase of land from businessman Kenny Zheng, for the construction of the University Hospital in Belmopan. Viewers would recall that the Government of Belize purchased fifteen acres of land for a little under seven million dollars in August, after deciding that the land being offered for the construction of the tertiary facility on U.B. land was not suitable. The letter, written by Senator Kevin Herrera, requests information regarding the projected costs, potential impacts on local healthcare services, among other factors. Earlier today, we spoke with Senator Glenfield Dennison.
Glenfield Dennison
Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator
“ The reference to the purchase of the hospital land, that position would have been taken by the social partners early on, but the delay would have been attributed to lack of information and so we thought it necessary to join forces to make the request because, other than that there is strength in numbers. We represent the social partners in the senate and the oversight mechanisms that are existing in the senate may or may not be triggered depending on the management of the issue from the government side. And so, we, as social partners, and I want to be very clear, we are partnering for the development of this country. We think that this is an issue that needs ventilation, that needs clarification from not just a commonsense approach but from the questions being raised by taxpayers.”
Isani Cayetano “Invoking the Freedom of Information Act in an attempt to get government to be as transparent with the information as possible has, over time, proven extremely frustrating for anyone who attempts to go in that direction.”
Glenfield Dennison
“That is so, and the process that would next obtain, especially if we tale the judicial review route requires that you exhaust the other options that are available to you. So whether it is in fact a lesson in futility, it would, in my mind, be a legal route if we are to make a successful claim before the court because the request that will first come, I imagine, would be a request for the disclosure from the government through the court. But it would be incumbent upon us to make the request so that we can, by our evidence, show the court that we have tried that and that it failed.”
