In a major step to strengthen the fight against HIV, Prime Minister Honorable John Briceño has appointed Senior Minister of State, Honorable Dolores Balderamos Garcia, as the new Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission. The NAC is dedicated to combatting HIV/AIDS through various initiatives. It develops policies to prevent the spread of HIV, raises public awareness about the disease, and coordinates efforts among government agencies, NGOs, healthcare providers, and community groups. The NAC also provides support services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS, including access to medical care and counseling, and conducts research to ensure that strategies are effective and based on the latest scientific evidence. Overall, the NAC plays a crucial role in the national effort to address HIV/AIDS and improve the lives of those affected. Known for her unwavering dedication to social development, Hon. Garcia expressed her commitment to the role, saying, “I am pleased to accept the Prime Minister’s appointment because there is still much work to do in combatting HIV. I will strive to work with all stakeholders in this continuing challenge.”
On Tuesday, former Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber made headlines when he was arrested and charged just moments after delivering a statement alongside Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton at a U.D.P. press conference in Belize City. Faber is accused of assaulting a police officer and obstructing the officer from performing his duties. In a viral video, he is seen holding a camera phone close to the officer’s face and refusing to step away when asked. We spoke with outgoing Commissioner of Police Chester Williams for his comments on the incident. Here’s what he had to say.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Former Commissioner of Police
“I think those two police officers need to be commended. They were extremely calm, extremely patient, and extremely professional. I personally, and when I said people, when I said to people when I saw the video, I said to them, if I were those police, I would’ve thumped him. I have, I said that. He was certainly provocative and intimidating. We have said over and over, there’s nothing wrong for any citizen to record the police. The police are there performing a duty. We have nothing to hide. Our actions can be recorded by anybody, but while you do you cannot obstruct the police. So for him to be all up in the face of the police and for OJ to be so cynical yesterday insinuating to the media that they’re assaulting him because cameras are so close. That was the stupidest excuse, right? The cameras yesterday were not coming into his space. He stood there for an interview. In the case of the police and Mr. Faber, even as the police told him, give me working space, just step back a bit, he constantly was in the face of the police. And when the police went upstairs, the way he climbed up the stairs, going after the police. That was unnecessary. Then he was here to the police, that the police were assaulting a public officer- public officer. Really the law is clear if you assault a public officer in the execution of their duty, it did not say if you assault a public officer who may be drinking or who may be drunk, right? If you are drinking or you are drunk, even if you are a police and you’re out there under the influence, your duties as a police officer is removed. You cannot then shield yourself with the law to say that you are executing your duty while you were drunk. The law doesn’t cover you there. So we must ensure we apply the law the way it should. And for him to say he’s going to make a counter complaint against the police or a cross complaint, it is not going well. I’m not thecommissioner no more, but I don’t think that it is going to be entertained. And I gave up instruction yesterday that it must not be entertained again.”
Britney Gordon
“Have we confirmed that Mr. Faber was driving under the influence?”
Chester Williams
“ They, again, the police officers dropped the ball, and I guess perhaps they did because of the inter intimidating factors that he applied on them. They did not ask him for a blood urine sample, so the bowel was dropped there.”
Belize has received international recognition for its efforts to modernise financial services after earning the 2025 Innovation (Commendation) Award from the Corporate Registers Forum (CRF). The award was given for the Secured Transaction and Collateral Registry (STCR), a project aimed at improving access to credit, especially for small businesses.
According to the Belize Financial Services Commission (FSC) and the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR), which led the project, Belize joins Singapore and the Philippines in this recognition.
The STCR initiative was praised for boosting financial inclusion by offering “clearer, more secure avenues for accessing credit,” with a particular focus on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“From its conceptualisation to execution, this initiative reflects Belize’s commitment to modernising its financial and business ecosystem, aligning with international best practices, and fostering a more resilient and accessible credit market,” the statement added.
Teachers across Belize turned out this week for critical meetings held by their local branches of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) after tensions intensified over recent government salary decisions.
The meetings aimed to decide the union’s next steps amid growing frustration with the Briceño administration. The BNTU leadership used the opportunity to outline a formal list of demands, particularly in response to the recent salary increases granted to government chief executive officers and the Cabinet Secretary, immediately after general elections.
“We have been asking for what is rightfully ours for a long time,” said Coral Lord, President of the BNTU in the Belize District. “To hear now that one day after the election, the CEOs and Cab-Sec got an increase; that was something that was really disturbing to us.”
Despite the meetings, teachers were required to return to school immediately afterwards. A memorandum from the Ministry of Education instructed that “all schools are to remain open” and that “all teachers are expected to return to school immediately following the meeting.”
No official outcome from the union meetings has been released yet, but the BNTU says it is determined to hold the government accountable.
Every passenger and personal item may be subject to a physical search,” the airline stated, adding that gate-check options are available “at NO CHARGE.”
Minors will be exempt from physical searches unless there is strong suspicion of carrying prohibited items. However, they must still “empty the contents of all pockets” and “lift garments that may conceal the waist area.”
Tropic Air says these steps reflect its “commitment to the safety and well-being” of its passengers and staff and promised continued updates on any future changes.
Taylor hijacked the flight after entering Belize just days earlier. Before the attack, he had caused several incidents, including assaulting a police officer, but was released. During the two-hour hijacking, he stabbed two passengers and the pilot. They survived. One of the passengers with a licensed gun shot and killed Taylor as the plane landed safely at the PGIA.
Senior Minister of State Dolores Balderamos Garcia has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission, according to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister.
In an official statement, Balderamos Garcia said, “I am pleased to accept the Prime Minister’s appointment because there is still much work to do in combatting HIV. I will strive to work with all stakeholders in this continuing challenge.”
Her appointment builds from her “renowned for her longstanding contributions to social development,” the statement added. Balderamos Garcia has stated previously that this would be her last term in politics. She is also the former Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.
According to Al Jazeera, the United States defended Israel on Wednesday at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), arguing that while Israel must provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, it is not legally required to cooperate with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The statement was made during the third day of ICJ hearings in The Hague, where the court is considering what steps Israel must take to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Josh Simmons, a legal adviser from the U.S. State Department, told the court that there is “no legal requirement that an occupying power permit a specific third state or international organisation to conduct activity that would compromise its security interests.” He suggested that other organisations could take over UNRWA’s role, despite the UN agency’s assertion that it is irreplaceable.
Israel banned UNRWA from operating in January, after alleging that 19 of its roughly 13,000 Gaza-based staff participated in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in southern Israel.
Hungary echoed the U.S. position in its own presentation. In contrast, Russia, speaking immediately after the U.S., stressed UNRWA’s vital role and highlighted the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The U.S. was the first country over the course of the three-day proceedings to speak in defence of Israel.
Former Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber was arrested yesterday morning shortly after appearing at a UDP press conference in Belize City with Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton. Police say Faber allegedly sped through a checkpoint near the BelChina Bridge, prompting a police pursuit.
Officers later discovered his vehicle was unlicensed, and he failed to produce a driver’s license, claiming it was at home. Police followed him to his residence, where he presented the licence. While issuing traffic tickets, Faber began recording one of the officers and reportedly held his phone close to the officer’s face, leading to claims of assault and obstruction.
He was later detained and arraigned at the Belize City Magistrates Court, where he pleaded not guilty. Outside court, Faber said the charges are politically motivated and denied being under the influence or obstructing police. Outgoing Police Commissioner Chester Williams addressed the incident today, saying, “We have always emphasised to the public that they can record their encounter with the police. If you watched the action of Mr Faber, he was doing more than recording — he was provoking and intimidating the officers. He even pushed his phone in the officer’s face, despite the officer’s plea for working space.”
Williams said at no time was Faber told not to record, but his actions constituted obstruction. “The law is clear — if you do any act that makes the police performing their duty difficult, then you would have obstructed them,” he added. Williams also dismissed comparisons made by Faber’s attorney, calling them inaccurate.
The Ministry of Education has issued a firm position for schools across the country, stating that schools are to remain open during the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) simultaneous membership meeting today.
The ministry informed the BNTU National President Nadia Martin-Caliz that “all schools are to remain open” and “all teachers are expected to return to school immediately following the meeting.”
The union was also reminded about the proper way to request time off, as explained in Rule 133 of the Education Rules, 2000.
The ministry added that “further attention is also drawn to SI 87 of 2012, Education (Amendment) Rule 102 (1)-(5),” which explains the duties of school authorities to keep students and teachers safe at school.
This comes after BNTU’s Martin-Caliz urged teachers to show up in large numbers to express their frustration with the Ministry of Education by voting in their decision. She stated that the union will act based on today’s turnout.
On Tuesday the Belize Softball Federation (BSF) announced via its Facebook page the formation of the Belize Baseball and Softball Federation, following the adoption of a revised constitution by the Belize Softball Federation at a Special General Assembly on Saturday, April 26.
According to the Federation, the new constitution formalises the unification of baseball and softball under one governing body, with provisions for separate vice presidents overseeing each sport, mirroring the structure of the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC).
However, the move has sparked controversy. On April 29, the Baseball Federation of Belize (BFB) fired off a statement reaffirming its status as an independent and legally recognised organisation, registered with the National Sports Council and the Belize Companies Registry since 2019.
In the statement, the BFB said it was not consulted by the Belize Softball Federation regarding the proposed amalgamation. It stressed its sole mandate to govern and develop baseball in Belize while expressing openness to collaboration—so long as its autonomy and governance are respected.
According to the BSF, Saturday’s meeting was attended by softball and baseball representatives from Belize City, Belmopan, Cayo, San Pedro, Orange Walk, and other areas.
