The CARICOM Heads of Government meeting that took place at the end of July gave support to Cuba and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in that country. CARICOM pointed to the embargo it believes was wrongly imposed on Cuba and reiterated its call for the lifting of what it calls the unjust unilateral financial, economic and trade embargo. Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca expounded on that position.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“We’re doing it as a region so we haven’t broken down who will do what. But again, Cuba is going through a very difficult time. Not only are they dealing with an unjust economic blockade, but now on top of that they’re dealing with a designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, which is completely without basis, without evidence, without foundation. So it’s absolutely crippling for the Cuban economy and also very for the Cuban people. So all of CARICOM felt that we needed to provide support to our brothers and sisters in Cuba. Belize has consistently supported our friends in Cuba in any way we can and again through this new mechanism that CARICOM has put in place, we will do so again.”
The U.S. State Department has issued an updated travel warning for Jamaica, urging travellers to’reconsider’ visiting the popular Caribbean destination. The advisory, released on July 25, cites a high rate of violent crime and inadequate medical services as primary concerns.
Originally issued in February, the alert highlights a rise in serious incidents such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and murders, including some occurring at well-known all-inclusive resorts. The U.S. Embassy has reported insufficient responses to these crimes and a lack of successful prosecutions.
While tourist areas generally experience fewer violent crimes, Jamaica’s overall homicide rate remains one of the highest in the Western world. The advisory has placed Jamaica at Level 3, advising travellers to “reconsider travel,” alongside countries like Egypt and Pakistan.
Healthcare conditions also pose significant risks. Emergency response times are slow, and private hospitals require payment upfront. Ambulance services, particularly in rural areas, may lack trained personnel. Travellers are advised to carry their own prescription medications and secure comprehensive travel insurance, including medical evacuation coverage.
The State Department continues to monitor the situation and advises travellers to exercise extreme caution.
Vybz Kartel, the renowned dancehall star, is a free man. The Court of Appeal has ruled that Kartel and his three co-defendants should not be retried for the murder of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams. This ruling concludes one of the most high-profile cases in Jamaica’s recent history.
“We conclude that the interest of justice does not require a new trial to be ordered,” the court stated.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Marva McDonald-Bishop, comes a day before Jamaica celebrates Emancipation Day.
This marks the end of a nearly 13-year legal saga for Kartel, Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell, Andre St John, and Kahira Jones. However, Jones will remain in custody due to a separate, unrelated sentence. The court cited Kartel’s health condition, detailed in a 2023 medical affidavit, as reaching critical levels.
Kartel, born Adidja Palmer, and the men were originally charged in September 2011 and convicted in March 2014. They were sentenced to life in prison but challenged the conviction at the Privy Council, which overturned the convictions due to juror misconduct. The case was remitted to the Court of Appeal to determine if a retrial was warranted.
The prosecution, led by Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson, argued strongly for a retrial, emphasising the need for a fair trial and justice for the deceased. The defence, led by John Clarke and Isat Buchanan, argued against a retrial, citing constitutional breaches, pre-trial publicity, and the significant time elapsed since the incident.
Ultimately, the Court of Appeal decided in favour of freedom for the accused, noting the long duration of the legal process and the various breaches of the men’s rights. The ruling reflects the court’s acknowledgment of the inhumane conditions and the profound impact of prolonged incarceration on the appellants’ health and well-being.
Mexico has a population of just over one hundred and twenty-five million residents. It is viewed as a green pasture for Belize’s tourism industry. That is why a delegation of government officials and private sector representatives traveled to Chetumal today to promote the upcoming coconut and corn festival. But the visit turned out to be more than just a promotional tour. Like-minded government and private sector representatives from both countries sat down to discuss the formation of an alliance to enhance cross border trade. News Five’s Paul Lopez traveled north today. He filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Chetumal Chamber of Commerce hosted a delegation of government officials and business representatives from Belize at its headquarters in Mexico today. Rigo Vellos, the Mayor of Corozal Town, provided some insight into the purpose of their visit.
Rigo Vellos
Rigo Vellos, Mayor, Corozal Town “It is something where the BTIA Corozal Branch decided to come up with the idea where we do an event on behalf of the famous coconut and corn festival. We are trying to see how we can mobilize tourism through this event by inviting the Mexicans, specifically Chetumal and trying to see how we can get them across for this weekend and eventually on a bigger scale, every weekend if possible or every day.”
The second annual Coconut Fest is scheduled for August third in Corozal Town. The event is organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association’s Corozal Chapter.
Efren Perez
Efren Perez, President, BTIA, Corozal Chapter “We have entertainment lined up the entire day, we start off at nine a.m. We start off with a parade with the local marching bands in Corozal, heading over to the Chactemal Plaza and it is a family fun day, we have activities, coconut competition we will be doing and a wide range of food, food specifically within the coconut and corn and that gives us an opportunity to focus on the culinary aspects of Corozal.”
But the discussions held today went beyond the tourism sector. There were talks of a partnership being formed to promote and enhance cross border trade. Several Belizean businesses were present to introduce prospective consumers to their products, from transportation, to accommodation, communication and tours.
Shameka Pennill
Shameka Pennill, Marketing Manager, San Pedro Belize Express “We are basically here to showcase our service, specifically our Chetumal run that does the connection between Chetumal and Belize, specifically San Pedro and Caye Caulker.”
Jorge Murray
Jorge Murray, Sales Manager, SMART “Today we are promoting our tourist sim cards. So, we offer two different packages for our travelers. We offer our day pass which includes unlimited data and eleven dollars’ worth of calling time and thirty-eight SMS.”
At today’s event, government officials and private sector representatives from both sides of the northern border sat at a head table explaining the importance of Belize and Chetumal forging strong alliances in mutually beneficial sectors. Prior to their public address, the head table met privately to discuss the best approaches to realize this vision. From that meeting it was decided that a working group would be established.
Efren Perez “There were various issues that popped up. I think that when we look at cross borders, the issues with fees. Fortunately, I think the government has made advances in terms of doing that, with the introduction of Tren Maya and the Tulum International Airport, I think that gives us the tools necessary to start to work together as a region. What was discussed also is that we have common cultural bound in the area of Quinta Roo and I think we need to start to explore that.”
Notably, Mexican authorities cited several difficulties that residents face when traveling into Belize. Most of these challenges exist at the border crossing point. In response, the Government of Belize has removed travel duties for Mexicans coming into Belize. Also, a new statutory instrument affords Mexicans a seven day duty-free stay in Belize. The Regional Integration Unit within the Ministry of Tourism was recently established to address these types of issues.
Mike Hernandez
Mike Hernandez, Regional Integration Officer, Regional Integration Unit “Bearing in mind that currently residents from Chetumal are able to visit Belize and Othon Blanco are able to visit Belize and as long as Immigration allows them to stay to be able to enjoy Belize, allow the attractions in Belize without paying any taxes. One of the officials of CANACO that they find it difficult where in the immigration department you have persons that are rotated every six months. You have new people coming in and some of them are not familiar with the established protocols in place that are there to actually facilitate the movement of people.”
We also heard from Amir Espadas, the President of CANACO SERVYTUR, following today’s discussions. He noted that Belize has significant leverage in the region as a member of CARICOM.
Amir Espadas
Amir Espadas, President, CANACO SERVYTUR
“I think it is very important to make this alliance that allows us to form a working table where we are government and businessmen not only to solve immigration or border problems or not only to look for tourism solutions we want to look for solutions in trade, in export, in import in commercial tourism, in medical tourism, in education. We don’t want these to be just proposals that remain up in the air. We want them to be concrete proposals that materialize, as we are seeing today with this press conference, with the promotion of the Coconut Fair that will take place in Corozal, and with this exchange between hoteliers from Belize and Quintana Roo.”
In our interview with Amir Espadas, the President of the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce, he went on to explain how trade relations between Belize and Mexico have been mutually beneficial. Aside from the positive steps forward, Espadas noted that there are issues of corruption, abuse of authority and mistreatment at the border crossing that must be addressed. He says this needs to be done to increase the flow of tourists to and from Belize.
Amir Espadas
Amir Espadas, President, CANACO SERVYTUR
“The President of the Republic, Andres Manuel López Obrador, exempted many tariffs on products you export to Mexico, such as cattle, such as sugar and other products that we consume. And what we are seeing right now is that the Government of Belize is removing taxes for Mexicans who want to go to Belize. I think that besides that experience, for some time now our governments are doing what they can, businesses need to take advantage of it, but just as there are positive actions there are also practices done at the border and its far from helping, they harm, which is where we need to work. But, as a business sector alone, we won’t achieve it if we don’t involve the authorities who deal with these issues: corruption, abuse of authority, and mistreatment, because it needs to be said. So what we want is for that flow of tourists that has always existed to continue and to increase. And I stress this, not only for Chetumal, but for Belize. Previously, many Chetumalan families would eat at Corozal every Sunday. And that was stopped due to the restrictions that our governments sometimes impose. And they don’t realize that they are harming what we traditionally, or historically, already had. I believe that in this sense the business sector assume the responsibilities of these offices, because in the business sector, we like things to happen in a practical and fast way, and that’s what we’re going to be promoting, or we’re going to be encouraging, that the solutions are practical and immediate, because we can’t wait for the authority’s time, because we also know that bureaucracy, on many occasions, takes a long time to give results.”
We also asked Espadas for an update on the Tren Maya and if plans are still underway to complete the railway through Chetumal. Espadas told us that the passenger station has been completed and the cargo station is now in the works. He further explained that conversations are ongoing to have the railway extend the into Belize.
Amir Espadas
Amir Espadas, President, CANACO SERVYTUR
“The passenger station here in Chetumal has been completed. What we expect is that the cargo station can be completed, and she has already declared that the cargo station will be completed and built. Why is the cargo station important? Because through the train we can get more products, and we can transport more products from here to the center of the country or from the center of the country to the south of Quintana Roo and we can conduct commercial trade at cheaper prices base on the merchandise that is transported. And so, that allows us, or if we can produce items here or products we can transport them to any part of the country through the Tren Maya. That is one. The other part that the president said is that there is the possibility of extending Tren Maya, according to conversations with the government of Belize, into Belize. That too will help Belize, logically, I think with the President and the position she has taken and the statements she’s made is that we proceed with firmness with Tren Maya. She has declared that an industrial hub will be set up to boost and generate greater economic benefits and more employment for the people of Quintana Roo and logically if we make treaties, then logically the people of Belize could also come to work here and have free transit of people who can work both in Belize and in Mexico and I think that is beneficial for both parties.”
The Forty-seventh Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community concluded today in Grenada. Among the topics discussed was the situation in Haiti. CARICOM leaders are optimistic that new presidential and legislative elections will take place in Haiti by the end of 2025, driven by the encouraging report presented by Edgard Leblanc Fils, head of the Transitional Presidential Council. From Saint George’s, Grenada, Peter Richards reports for News Five. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk0GJQt6HJk
Paul Dans, the architect and Director of the Project 2025, has resigned from his position at the Heritage Foundation. Project 2025, a 922-page policy blueprint for the next Republican administration, outlines radical reforms including dismantling the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security; bringing the entire federal bureaucracy under direct presidential control; slashing federal money for research and investment in renewable energy; halting sales of the abortion pill, and sweeping tax cuts.
Dans’s departure was confirmed by Dr. Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation. According to CBS News, Dr. Roberts said in a statement, “When we began Project 2025 in April 2022, we set a timeline for the project to conclude its policy drafting after the two party conventions this year, and we are sticking to that timeline,” Roberts said in the statement. “Paul, who built the project from scratch and bravely led this endeavor over the past two years, will be departing the team and moving up to the front where the fight remains.”
In his role as head of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project at Heritage, he organised policy and personnel recommendations and training for appointees in the next presidential administration, according to the think tank’s website.
Dans’ departure comes after former President Donald Trump has sought to distance himself from the project, CBS News reported. Trump’s campaign reiterated in a statement Tuesday that Project 2025 “had nothing to do with the campaign, did not speak for the campaign, and should not be associated with the campaign or the president in any way.”
Following the devastation of Hurricane Beryl, Caribbean leaders have appealed to the UK for a “Marshall plan” to aid reconstruction efforts. The hurricane, which struck on July 1, claimed 11 lives and caused widespread destruction, leaving thousands homeless in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).
Prime ministers from Antigua and Barbuda, SVG, and Grenada have written to UK officials, highlighting the financial strain from recurrent hurricanes and proposing a comprehensive recovery plan. This plan, inspired by the post-WWII Marshall Plan, would include debt cancellation, cheaper loans, debt restructuring, and grants for climate-related damages.
The letter, addressed to the British government, calls for immediate debt cancellation through a prearranged mechanism that activates automatically in the event of a qualifying disaster. The Caribbean leaders warned that their countries cannot sustain the rising debt from continuous rebuilding efforts.
Scott Furssedonn-Wood, the British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, commented, “I haven’t seen the letter yet, but I understand the call for a Marshall Plan. The UK government, in office for just a month, is still considering these issues. I hope to discuss this with the foreign secretary soon.”
Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, expressed support for the initiative, stating, “The Caribbean clearly needs assistance. The impact of Hurricane Beryl, along with previous storms, shows the urgency for climate financing. The process must be streamlined to provide timely economic and financial support, similar to what was offered to Europe after WWII.”
The letter was sent as Caribbean countries sought help in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which caused significant damage and loss of life. During the CARICOM summit, leaders discussed climate change impacts, the need for the Loss and Damage Fund, changes to the Regional Insurance Scheme, and access to financing for rebuilding.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders opened their three-day summit in Grenada on Sunday, with proceedings overshadowed by the ongoing impact of climate change on their nations. Just four weeks into the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, the region experienced the devastation of a category five hurricane. The forty-seventh regular meeting of CARICOM will cover a wide range of issues, including agri-food systems, nutrition security, climate change, sustainable development, foreign policy, and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy. Today, two of CARICOM’s longest-serving heads of government have welcomed the results of the recent presidential elections in Venezuela, though some colleagues have taken a more cautious and diplomatic stance. From Saint George’s, Grenada, Peter Richards reports for News Five. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEekOeupzKc
