International News - Channel 5 Belize

Google Translate Adds Indigenous Languages

Google Translate has recently expanded its language offerings to include 110 new languages, among them Zapotec, Nahuatl, Maya Yucateco, and Qʼeqchiʼ. These additions reflect Mexico’s rich linguistic diversity, where 68 Indigenous languages are spoken by 7.5 million people. However, nearly 300 Indigenous languages in Mexico are at risk of disappearing.

This enhancement is significant for efforts to preserve minority languages, crucial for Mexico’s Indigenous communities. Zapotec, for instance, with over 50 distinct languages, primarily spoken in Oaxaca by approximately 425,000 people, is part of this initiative. Nahuatl, spoken by about 1.7 million Nahua people in Central Mexico, and Qʼeqchiʼ, used by the Maya people across Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, are also now supported.

Google’s expansion aims to support the world’s 1,000 most spoken languages, benefiting over 614 million speakers globally, or about 8% of the world’s population. This effort utilises advanced AI models like PaLM 2, trained on multilingual texts, which enhances translation accuracy across diverse linguistic contexts.

Currently, Google Translate supports 243 languages at varying proficiency levels, underscoring its commitment to linguistic inclusivity and accessibility worldwide.

US and Panama Sign Deal to Curb Migration Through Darien Gap

The United States and Panama have signed an agreement to significantly curb the flow of migrants traveling through the Darien Gap which is a dangerous jungle between Colombia and Panama. The Darien Gap is the only land route to the US from South America. The announcement came on Monday, coinciding with the inauguration of Panama’s new President, Jose Raul Mulino.

During his first speech as president, Mulino highlighted the severe humanitarian and environmental crisis caused by the massive influx of migrants through the Darien jungle, “I won’t allow Panama to be an open path for thousands of people who enter our country illegally, supported by an international organization related to drug trafficking and human trafficking,” DW reported.

Despite its dangerous nature, the Darien Gap has become a preferred pathway for hundreds of thousands of migrants travelling to the US borders. DW reported that “Last year, a record 520,000 migrants, including thousands of children, traversed the perilous corridor by foot. More than 190,000 people have crossed so far in 2024, with most migrants hailing from Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and China. The route grew in popularity in recent years as smugglers made it an affordable pathway for hundreds of thousands of people.”

The agreement, signed by US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, includes provisions for the US to cover the costs of repatriating migrants who enter Panama illegally.

19 Bodies Found in Chiapas Amid Cartel Violence

(MEXICO CITY, July 2) Mexican officials are investigating a grisly scene in La Concordia, Chiapas, where they discovered 19 bodies after videos surfaced on social media showing a dumper truck filled with corpses. The victims, all male and clad in black tactical vests, were found in and around the truck, with most of the bodies inside and three on a nearby dirt track. All had been shot.

The Chiapas prosecutor’s office was alerted to a video on June 28, showing men identifying as members of the Sinaloa cartel displaying the bodies and claiming they were from a rival gang operating near the Guatemala-Mexico border. The next day, locals discovered the bodies and informed authorities. The victims were likely members of a group they identified as the “Chiapas and Guatemala cartel.”

The Mexican government has deployed the National Guard and army to the area, but locals feel abandoned, noting that cartels return as soon as federal forces leave.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador attributed the violence to cartel activity, including drug and human trafficking. He promised a thorough investigation and increased security in Chiapas. The Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel are embroiled in a turf war over lucrative smuggling routes, forcing many to flee their homes last January.

Global Environment Facility to finance projects in 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) announced last week that it would fund projects in 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that address urban sustainability, groundwater management, biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation.

The initiatives are supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and their implementation will contribute to the development of the organization’s key working strategies in the region.

“FAO is working closely with our member countries to promote a climate finance mobilization strategy for innovative greenhouse optimization, soil and land mapping initiatives. We are supporting governments and communities in building capacity for integrated risk management to improving the resilience of livelihoods and value chains,” said FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mario Lubetkin.

In South America, Chile will receive FAO support to enhance ecosystem-based solutions and green infrastructure networks for biodiversity and climate change mitigation and adaptation in four cities. The project aims to improve practices on over 1,325,000 hectares of landscapes, mitigate over 14,900 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and directly benefit nearly 732,000 people.

Central America, Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama will collaborate to scale up a source-to-sea management approach to manage inland resources and coastal ecosystems comprehensively. The project will improve biodiversity, water security, the blue economy of 12 major watersheds, and the large Caribbean and Pacific marine ecosystems that flank the countries. The project aims to improve the management of more than 1.8 million hectares of terrestrial and marine protected areas, restore 300 hectares of wetlands, improve practices in more than 353,000 hectares of landscapes, and directly benefit 350,000 people.

In the Caribbean, 14 countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago) will improve sustainable land management in the second phase of the SOILCARE initiative. The project will help Small Island Developing States manage land resources for more productive and climate-resilient agri-food systems and livelihoods by supporting countries in achieving land degradation neutrality targets. The project aims to restore 28,000 hectares of agricultural land, improve the management of nearly 70,000 hectares of land, and directly benefit at least 6,900 farmers.

Belize Condemns Coup Attempt in Bolivia

Belize strongly condemns the recent coup attempt in Bolivia. “We call for full respect of democratic governance and rule of law. Belize stands in solidarity with the Government and people of Bolivia,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Bolivian general Juan Jose Zúñiga was arrested after leading an attempt to storm the presidential palace in La Paz. This action, which included military units and armoured vehicles, was swiftly confronted by President Luis Arce, who called for the general to stand down. Following Zúñiga’s arrest, President Arce declared the government’s restoration of full control over the military.

Bolivia’s historical political instability has been marked by numerous coup attempts. It occurs amid a severe economic crisis and public unrest, further complicating the country’s challenges. The Bolivian government, supported by international condemnation, has initiated a criminal investigation into the coup attempt and its participants.

*Bolivian police hold the detained Juan Jose Zúñiga, former general commander of the army, in La Paz, Bolivia, on June 26, 2024. Juan Karita/AP*

Prior to his detention, Zúñiga addressed reporters in the square, flanked by soldiers, saying, “We want to restore democracy,” as he spoke of the country’s economic woes. He had earlier been dismissed, reportedly for threatening to block a bid by Morales for reelection.

“The people have no future, and the army has the courage to look out for the future of our children, the well-being and progress of our people,” he said. He vowed “to free all political prisoners,” including former president Jeanine Anez, currently imprisoned for what the courts said was her role in deadly protests that erupted after her ascension to power in 2019.

Where Does Belize Rank on Trafficking in Persons Report?

Belize has maintained its Tier 2 status on the U.S. Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons Report for 2024. According to the report, the Government of Belize does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The release notes that the government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period. As a result, Belize remained on Tier 2. Among the achievements listed in the report is the conviction of two traffickers, as well as the continued prosecution of five alleged traffickers. The U.S. Department of State also commended the Government of Belize for identifying more victims and increasing investigations. The report, however, notes that the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. It says quote, “Belize did not adequately address official complicity in trafficking crimes nor initiate any new prosecutions. The government did not take adequate measures to screen Cuban medical workers, People’s Republic of China nationals, or Indian workers for indicators of trafficking. It also did not adequately oversee labor recruitment or train its diplomats”, unquote. A release from the Government of Belize says that the Tier 2 ranking acknowledges Belize’s substantial efforts to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

Julian Assange to Walk Free After 14-Year Legal Battle with US Following Plea Deal

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is set to appear in a US court to finalise a plea deal that will see him released as a free man after a 14-year legal battle. Assange is expected to arrive in the Northern Mariana Islands, a US territory in the Pacific, on Wednesday. He recently departed from a British prison.

US officials had been pursuing Assange for charges related to the massive disclosure of secret files in 2010, which they argued endangered lives. Throughout his prolonged legal struggle, Assange spent the last five years imprisoned in the UK, resisting extradition to the US. He also faced separate rape and sexual assault charges in Sweden, which he denied, leading him to seek asylum in Ecuador’s London embassy for seven years. Swedish authorities eventually dropped the case in 2019 due to the passage of time, but UK authorities later arrested him for failing to surrender to the court for extradition.

In the US, Assange faced charges of conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defense information following WikiLeaks’ 2010 revelations. These included a video of civilians being killed by a US military helicopter in Baghdad and thousands of confidential documents alleging unreported civilian deaths by US forces in Afghanistan. The disclosures garnered worldwide attention and scrutiny of US military actions.

The plea deal, to be formalized in the Northern Mariana Islands, will see Assange plead guilty to a single charge under the Espionage Act. In return, he will avoid US custody and receive credit for his time served in the UK. He is expected to return to Australia.

IDF Chief Challenges Netanyahu: Declaring Hamas’ Total Destruction Unattainable

The divide between Israel’s top military leaders and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is growing. In a rare public challenge, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that completely destroying Hamas is unattainable. Netanyahu insists the war will continue until Hamas is eliminated.

Hagari’s comments drew a sharp rebuke from Netanyahu’s office, which reiterated that the IDF is committed to destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities. The IDF later clarified that Hagari was referring to Hamas as an enduring ideology.

Despite attempts to smooth over the comments, tensions between the government and the military are evident. Netanyahu faces pressure from his government and allies, including the US, to plan for Gaza’s governance post-war. The conflict began in response to Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, with the aims of recovering hostages, crippling Hamas’ governance, and preventing future attacks.

Hagari’s remarks reflect fears that the military campaign might not fully achieve these goals, as Hamas remains a strong ideological force. The government now seems to temper its initial war aims, focusing on eliminating Hamas’ military and governing capabilities rather than total annihilation.

Public disagreements between the government and military are becoming more frequent, highlighted by the IDF’s announcement of a daily “tactical pause” in southern Gaza to allow aid distribution, which reportedly frustrated Netanyahu.

MOU Enhances Opportunities for UWI Students in International Trade

Students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Cave Hill Campus are set to benefit from expanded opportunities in international trade policy research and professional development, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between The UWI and the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services (SRC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The agreement, signed on June 18^th, 2024, by Principal of The UWI Cave Hill Campus Professor Clive Landis and UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Pedro Manuel Moreno, promises to enhance the educational experience for students in the Masters in International Trade Policy (MITP) program, including their annual study tour to Geneva, and promote research in trade and trade related areas that the SRC has been leading on over the past years. The signing took place at the UN Palais in Geneva, Switzerland, coinciding with the annual study tour of Geneva undertaken by the MITP students from the SRC.

Building on over a decade of collaboration between UNCTAD and The UWI, the MOU strengthens joint research on trade-related topics of particular relevance to the Caribbean region. It also enhances capacity building through student study tours, which have been a cornerstone of their partnership. Since 2012, over 200 students have benefited from these tours, both in-person and virtual, gaining cutting-edge knowledge on the ever-evolving global economy and exposure to multilateralism in action.

The yearly visits have covered a range of critical issues on the Caribbean’s development agenda. These include the economic challenges faced by small island developing states, the sustainable ocean economy, climate change, regional trade integration, and preferential agreements like the European Union-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement.

The signing ceremony was attended by Director of the SRC, Dr. Jan Yves Remy; Geneva-based Ambassador to the UN, Matthew Wilson of Barbados; Dean of Social Sciences at Cave Hill Campus Professor Troy Lorde; and staff from both the SRC and UNCTAD, as well as the MITP students.

Principal Clive Landis praised the “thriving partnership” for strengthening trade research and engaging Caribbean students.

“This MOU signifies the joint commitment between our organizations to provide our students with unparalleled opportunities to gain practical experience and deepen their understanding of international trade policy, benefiting not only their academic pursuits but also their future careers”, Landis added.

Pedro Manuel Moreno echoed these sentiments, highlighting the mutual benefits of the partnership, particularly in the area of research.

“Research is one of our main pillars of work,” said Mr. Moreno, referencing the organization’s core strength in providing data and analysis, facilitating consensus building, and offering technical assistance to developing countries. “Research is fundamental to inform policy dialogues and intergovernmental deliberations but also to feed our technical cooperation activities,” he added.

The new MOU is set to provide a robust platform for UWI students to engage in meaningful research and professional activities, further positioning them to become impactful contributors to the field of international trade and sustainable development.

(Press release)

Op-ed: Haiti: a call to action for all Caribbean and Latin American countries

By: Mario Lubetkin, FAO Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean

Although the most recent evidence shows signs of improvement in food insecurity in Latin America and the Caribbean, the data reveal a worrying upward trend in Haiti and sectors of the subregion.

The situation in Haiti is particularly alarming: violence, a prolonged economic crisis, and extreme weather events have brought the country to a critical point with devastating consequences for its population. A further deterioration in acute food insecurity is projected between June and October 2024.

Haiti is the only country in the region that is considered to be in a major protracted food crisis, is one of nine countries in the world at risk of famine and is among the five countries with more than 10% of the population in Emergency. This translates into 1.6 million people with food consumption shortfalls, reflected in very high acute malnutrition and excess mortality that they can only mitigate through emergency livelihood strategies and liquidation of their assets. On the other hand, almost half of the population, about 5.5 million, could face high levels of acute food insecurity.

El Niño caused crop failures in 2023, and this year, forecasts warn of more intense hurricanes due to La Niña, which could cause flooding and landslides, causing additional damage to crops, livelihoods, and infrastructure.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), committed to supporting Haiti, is working intensively to mitigate the impacts of the humanitarian crisis through emergency agricultural assistance, strengthening livelihood resilience and specialized technical assistance while ensuring the nexus between humanitarian response, resilience, and development. FAO estimated it would require $42.6 million to assist 528,000 people, but it has received only 6% of the funding.

In 2023, FAO reached some 120,000 people across Haiti through emergency agricultural and livestock interventions to support local food production and sustain rural livelihoods. In 2024, FAO continued to provide emergency assistance in Haiti, focusing on food security and agricultural resilience amid global challenges, assisting 44,000 beneficiaries in various country departments.

In the face of increasing violence and food crises, the FAO calls on donors and governments to increase their support. Ten million dollars are needed to assist 80,000 people, ensuring the protection of their livelihoods, covering minimum food needs, and improving the availability and access to food for the most vulnerable households.

FAO appreciates the efforts of local authorities to stabilize the country through the appointment of Garry Conille as interim Prime Minister. We are confident that steps such as these will help Haiti embark on a normalization path, which could also improve food security for all its inhabitants.

The food insecurity situation in Haiti requires urgent and coordinated action. A rapid, effective response and the mobilization of the necessary resources will mitigate the impact of this crisis, support the vulnerable population, and help Haiti regain its path to food security and stability. Humanitarian aid must reach those who need it most. Only in this way can we ensure a better life for all, leaving no one behind.