A sixty-year-old man who pleaded guilty to stealing almost forty thousand dollars’ worth of drinks from his boss was fined today. Frederick Pitts, a resident of Caye Caulker Village, was fined three thousand dollars but begged for mercy, expressed regret, and said he has two children. The magistrate considered his plea and fined him two thousand dollars, to be paid by December thirtieth. It was then discovered that Pitts owes the court fines for several old offenses stemming back to 2018. The magistrate had no choice but to remand Pitts until those fines are paid in full. It is alleged that between January seventeenth and August twenty-seventh, Pitts stole several crates of beer, water, coke, and stout from Darren Casson, a Canadian businessman of northside Caye Caulker and owner of Lotus Restaurant and Bar.
The government and the Inter-American Development Bank have come to an agreement to develop areas in San Pedro. Recently, Prime Minister John Briceño and representatives from the I.D.B. assessed areas in the San Mateo area of San Pedro to determine what areas can be improved with funding from the bank. Here’s what he had to say about the consultation.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“What happened is that the IDB is coming up with a program in developing urban areas. And we went to show the officials of IDB. That once you put in good road, the people there start to improve their homes, the quality of homes. And they have left a section that was not paved so that we can still put in a sewerage and water system in that area. Which we believe is the next phase that we want to do. They are very pleased and they’re prepared to continue to support us. They’re going to give us a grant of several millions of dollars to be able to do some work in San Mateo. Along with the law that we’re doing to upgrade and do more work in Orange Walk town and the Corozal Town along with San Pedro.”
It’s been a long-fought battle to save the Will Bauer Flats from destructive development. The fishing community of southern Belize value the area as a prime location to fly fish; however, the threat of deterioration from proposed developers Angel Fish Caye LLC, threatened the livelihood of these fishermen. After months of public outcry, the government has decided to acquire the land from the owners, who will now be compensated for the loss. Prime Minister John Briceño provided us some details on this decision.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It’s unfortunate also that the fisher folks and the fly fishing association did not alert us early to be able to stop that development. There’s the NEAC, the people ensure the entire process. But now that they’re starting to develop it, we see now a number of people are saying that is one of the best fly fishing areas. And so we need to protect it. And and we, there was no option but to compulsorily acquired that, so that the government can protect it. And I hope for generations to come.”
Seven applicants have been awarded permanent residency cards through Belize’s Amnesty Program. The program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Immigration and the UN High Commission on Refugees, created to regularize the number of immigrants living in Belize without legal documentation. The distribution of the residency cards comes on the heels of the new refugee asylum center that was opened in Benque Viejo. The recipients attended a ceremony where they were handed their cards and officially welcomed to Belize. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Belize is leading the charge in response to immigration challenges by providing a more compassionate and inclusive approach to tackling the issues. Seven permanent residency cards were handed over through Belize’s amnesty program, ensuring that these people breathe a sigh of relief that they are legally allowed to call Belize their home. Tanya Santos, CEO of the Ministry of Immigration, welcomed the refugees to Belize.
Tanya Santos
Tanya Santos, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration
“Today, we gather to mark a momentous occasion in celebration of our new permanent residents and their families. We celebrate with you here at the intersection where your time living in the shadows has ended. And when your new chapter has begun, we are glad to be here to share your hopefulness and optimism. These permanent resident cards that you will be receiving shortly are not just a document that verifies your full recognition as a resident of this beautiful country. These cards also represent your resilience, your courage, and your enduring hope for a better future in this country. that so many others before you have made their home.”
Jose Samaniego is the Director of the Regional Bureau for the Americas, an office of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees. In his presentation today, Samaniego spoke on the perennial issue regarding the movement of people across Latin America.
Jose Samaniego
Jose Samaniego, Director, UNHCR
“Today we experience an unprecedented displacement crisis in the world as a result of endless conflict, violence, extreme poverty, exacerbated by the impact of climate change. The number of people forced to flee has doubled in the last decade from sixty million persons in 2014, to one hundred and twenty million in 2024. Closer to us, in countries of the Americas host more than twenty-three million forcibly displaced persons. In addition to that, last year we had a record number of people engage in mixed movements, crossing the Darien [Gap] towards North America.”
Many refugees flee their home countries to escape persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Granting amnesty provides them with safety and protection from these threats.
Tanya Santos
“Many of you arrived years ago, in times when our country ignored your situation or were talks of protection and amnesty were at the inception. Therefore, I am honored to be here to see the culmination of a process that allows you full recognition as legal residents of Belize. In line with the objectives of Plan Belize, this amnesty envisioned your place in building the nation. In recognizing you as permanent residents, we continue our government’s commitment to ensuring a safe society, justice for all and family well-being.”
Earlier today, the Belize Athletic Association issued a release announcing that Cojac Smith is no longer serving as the president of the association. The release also stated that Gregory Meyers is no longer serving as public relations officer. Well, we reached out to Smith for comments, and he told us that as far as he is concerned, he maintains the role of BAA president. BAA’s release noted that Alvin Tillett, the first vice president under Smith, has been appointed as the acting president. This all played out on Sunday during a special general assembly. So, how did the association get to this point. We spoke with embattled President, Cojac Smith about how it all played out.
Cojac Smith
Cojac Smith, Belize Athletics Association
“To be honest I am a professional project manager and that is what I do. I have my own small business, and I also do consultancy. So, in any situation like this dealing with a situation where I am voted out on ground that is unconstitutional. I did nothing wrong, and I have to speak out against it. It is not within my frame or my own personal belief that I should sit down and take this when I did nothing wrong. So I have to take a stand and say that the entire process for the voting was unconstitutional and I am still legally the president of the BAA, however means or whatever the press release are being sent out at this point in time. It is unconstitutional what happened on Sunday. There are steps and processes about how you have disputes and how it is handle. Those were vehemently opposed to and violated at the meeting on Sunday. When they decided it is going to be a vote I stepped out. I can no longer be apart of something unconstitutional and no longer following the rules. I did not participate or vote on it. Just the entire process was in shambles. I won’t touch base too much on it. I am currently doing my research as to how I will handle the situation and see how to deal with it. But, by no way will I allow my name to be tarnished when all I have been doing is trying to better the association and better sports for Belize.”
Paul Lopez
“Is the public perhaps getting a view, an inside look as to a part of the reason why we are not seeing certain disciplines advance in Belize. Things are so bureaucratic and tends to be so political at times. And, do you lament this?”
Cojac Smith
“You are hitting the nail on the head. I am sure you have seen this where you wonder why things are not happening. When you have like minded individuals that are trying to make change and development you have those who resist the change. And then you have those that resist the change. Instead of trying to see beyond what is right in front of their face and looking at the bigger picture you have reisistance and that resisntance got to the point where there is a feeling of wanting to get rid of the president.”
When Hurricane Beryl made landfall along the southern coast of Jamaica in early July, it did so as a category four storm. It was one of the most powerful weather systems to hit the country, leaving thousands of homes without power. In the wake of the hurricane, Belize Electricity Limited joined the regional relief effort by putting together a team of power line technicians to assist with restoring power on the island. After almost two months away from their families, the team of eight returned home on Sunday.
The Feinstein Group says it is moving full steam ahead to challenge the Government of Belize’s recent decision to compulsorily acquire twenty-three point four acres of Stake Bank Island. The company issued a release today outlining its reasons for objecting to the compulsory acquisition. The Feinstein Group argues that the acquisition lacks legitimate public interest. They contend that the existence of alternative docking facilities such as the Port of Belize and the Port of Magical Belize negates any urgency or necessity for the G.O.B. to seize the Stake Bank lands. The Feinstein Group further argues that Michael Feinstein holds one hundred percent of Stake Bank Enterprises Limited’s shares and that he legally acquired the additional twenty-three point four acres surrounding Stake Bank Island using his personal funds, with full transparency and approval from relevant authorities. The Feinstein Group asserts Michael Feinstein entirely financed the dredging equipment essential for the project’s development and that the expenditure for the projected amounted to one hundred and seventy million dollars with an additional forty million dollars in interest. The Feinstein Group further alleges that the decision is shrouded in malice and corruption intended to punish Michael Feinstein for his “outspoken stance against G.O.B.’s various egregious actions aimed at diminishing the project. Evidence exists that senior government ministers have been actively involved in efforts to coerce cruise lines away from SBEL’s cruise port, favoring competing projects instead”. The group remains unwavering in its commitment to defend Michael Feinstein’s property rights against this acquisition. The release notes that an independent international appraisal of the property is currently underway to ascertain its true value. It ends with a call for the Government of Belize to respect the rule of law, honor its commitments to local investors, and engage in fair and transparent dialogue to resolve this matter.
Over the weekend, we caught up with Prime Minister John Briceño in Orange Walk where sought a more in-depth explanation as to why the government has decided to pursue the acquisition of Stake Bank lands and why the same process was not done for the university hospital land. Here’s what he had to say.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“If you remember in 2014, I think and in 2018 we passed legislation deeming that Stake bank is in the national interest of the country and we gave them extensive exemptions so that they can get this work done. Fast forward to today probably what’s about five, six years that they’ve been working, and they have not finished the project. They have invested probably about two hundred and seventy million dollars and then unfortunately. The different business partners fell out of favor. And the bank, they were not paying the bank. One of the main investors decided to pay off the loan. And so now, we’re trying to find between the two parties, trying to find a way for them to be able to come to some agreement, we’ve been unable to do that. The number of cruise lines that are coming are decreasing because we do not have where they can dock. And then this asset is being washed away. We believe our, as a responsible government, we have put out a first notice for compulsory acquisition. Then that means that whosoever owns the lands could come to government and say, this is my land, I need to be compensated. There’s a negotiation and then if there’s no, we cannot come to an agreement, then we go to the courts. What is most important is that that the government got from the main investors a deposit in the bank in the name of the government of Belize and also an indemnity bond so that whatever happens in the next two, three years, is going to quite likely go to the Caribbean Court of Justice. The government of the Belize and the Belizean people would not have to pay a single penny in the settlement of this project.”
Britney Gordon
“So why wasn’t the hospital land compulsorily acquired as well?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Because then it cost us a lot more than what we’re paying for.”
Last week, the first set of hearings for the long-awaited Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry kicked off in Orange Walk. The Commission’s mandate is to analyze the entire value chain of the sugar industry and provide recommendations on various aspects. After the hearings conclude, a final report is expected to be submitted to the Government of Belize by the end of November. We spoke with the Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai for some insight into the commission of inquiry thus far. Here’s what he had to say.
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“The commission of inquiry is going well. The commissioners, I am convinced, are experts, professionals, and I’m happy for that. All I want is for the commission of inquiry to result in recommendations that are sound, that are fair, and that will allow the industry to be a viable one in the long run. All I want is fairness for all the stakeholders, the farmers, and the miller. And I am confident that will happen.”
The commission of inquiry into the sugar industry in Belize resumed today with presentations being made by representatives of the Santander Sugar Group. During the lengthy session, David Rodriguez outlined the benefits and disadvantages of Santander not falling within the Sugar Act.
David Rodriguez
David Rodriguez, Santander
“We definitely are not under the Sugar Act even though the Ministry of Agriculture has already given us a license for operating a mill in Belize. We have a license and a permit from the Department of Agriculture to grind and operate a sugar mill in Belize. The legal figure we are operating currently was formerly known as an EPZ, export processing zone, right now. It changed a couple of years ago to the DPA, designated processing area. We are operating on that and basically that’s a fiscal incentive program that the country offers. It’s the one that we made operate in Belize. With that legal status that we have or according to the way that we are operating here, since we are not under the umbrella of the Sugar Act, we don’t have access to some of the preferential markets that Belize as a country has access. We don’t have access to the TRQs from the United States, that it’s a quota for a country and not for a single company. So we don’t have access to that preferential market and as I mentioned before, we don’t have access to sell sugar to the local market.”
