On December twenty-sixth, 2024, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) received a report about a suspicious wound on an animal in southwestern Toledo. The wound was suspected to be caused by New World Screwworm, a highly destructive parasite that typically targets livestock and other animals. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture quickly dispatched technical teams to the area for a thorough assessment. Earlier today, the Ministry of Agriculture and its partners held a press conference to share details on their response to the infestation. Here’s Doctor Roxanna Alvarez, Animal Health Director of BAHA, with more information.
Dr. Roxanna Alvarez, Animal Health Director, BAHA
“Upon arrival at the farming establishment, a six-month-old Brangus heifer was observed penned in a coral. Closer inspection found a suspicious seeping wound on her right ear near her ear tag. A total of fifty-nine larvae were removed. The wound was treated with Cyperchlor, which is cypermethrin, gentian violet, pine, and citronella oil. Comafuss powder and ivermectin was administered subcutaneous. No other wound was found on the animal and no other animals in the herd presented lesions, wounds, or infestations. The producer was informed that his farm was under quarantine and therefore he would not be allowed to move any animals in or out of the establishment. He was also advised that follow up technical visits would be necessary. He was given advice on treatment and preventative measures for his entire herd. The samples were transported to the BAHA Entomology Laboratory and preliminary findings by the BAHA Entomologist indicated New World Screwworm. We are awaiting confirmation by COPEG. The nearest positive case from the suspected case in Crique Sarco is in Modesto Mendez, Guatemala, which is approximately eleven point eight three miles in a straight line. We have been on high alert for months. As the minister mentioned, we have had an aggressive education and outreach program, coupled with active surveillance. We have done well at preventing infestations, and I must acknowledge the vital role stakeholders have played. In this specific instance, the producer, his neighbors, and the community of Crique Sarco acted with caution, consistently inspected their animals, and immediately notified us. BAHA of wounds with larvae, also known as worms. This was crucial to our immediate response.”
The Belize Coast Guard today opened a spanking new station in Big Creek to improve its patrols along the sea and waterways in the southern part of Belize. The opening of the new building comes as part of a celebration of the Coast Guard’s nineteenth anniversary. Since its inception in 2005, the Coast Guard has grown from strength to strength, adding boats, human resources, and training components to its services and having stations at several locations across the country. It has grown from just 50 to over 500 in that period of time.
Minister of National Defence and Border Security, Florencio Marin Sr., said, “You know, so now we have a presence in the sector, south of the country, in our maritime waters. This allows for the Coast Guard to be more effectively responded to whatever threats they may face in our southern waters as opposed to straight out of the city.”
Minister Marin added, “So this makes them a little bit more robust, quicker response time, and provide more safety.” He acknowledged the ongoing challenges in terms of manpower and resources, adding, “That’s always something that can be improved and remains a challenge for everybody.”
Regarding the readiness of the team stationed at the base, Marin assured their capability, stating, “They’re extremely ready. I mean, I think if you know anything about the Coast Guard and the training, remember all our training is international, professional standards training. So, I have all the confidence that these sailors and seamen who are here, they know their job, they’re always on alert, so whatever call they would get, they would be able to respond very quickly.”
The facility in Big Creek will provide security for the Big Creek Port located adjacent to it as well as regular coast guard service to the country.
Belize faces ongoing challenges in maintaining a stable power supply. With rising demand in Belize and persistently high temperatures, the risk of power outages looms. Belize stands at a critical crossroads with a record number of power outages due to “load shedding” earlier this year. The country saw temporary electricity cutoffs to maintain stability in the national grid.
Belize relies on the Mexican energy supplier, Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), which normally provides “up to 55 MW of capacity to the grid,” according to Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). While CFE has been a reliable partner since the 1990s and helps keep costs down, it has faced its own generation and transmission issues this year, leading to numerous disconnections in Belize. Under a Power Purchase Agreement signed in February 2018, BEL has been buying “opportunity cost energy” from CFE, allowing for additional power purchases when prices are low but also making this supply vulnerable to interruption.
But as Belize’s economy grows, the demand for energy rises. This highlights the urgent need for the country to develop its own electricity generation capacity to meet peak demand and reduce reliance on CFE.
Solar Sisters: Women Leading the Solar Charge
Leading Belize’s renewable energy movement within indigenous communities are three Maya women who are bringing solar power to their villages, transforming lives and fostering sustainable change. Since 2016, Florentina Choco, along with sisters Miriam and Cristina Choc from the Toledo District, have been bringing solar power to remote, off-grid areas.
Through the Small Grants Programme (SGP), managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), they underwent six months of solar energy training at Barefoot College International in India.
Florentina Choco, the pioneer, was the first woman to receive this training in 2013. Motivated by the need for electricity in her community and its impact on local education, she decided to take action. “I didn’t know anything at all… just heard about it, but eventually I knew how to connect solar. I can see my village… there is no light, no electricity. I want to help the community and the children in school,” she said. Two years after returning to Belize, she helped install light systems in her village and three others: Santa Elena, Graham Creek, and Machakilha.
In 2017, sisters Miriam and Cristina followed in her footsteps and travelled to India for their own solar energy training. “After the installation, the people are very grateful to see the lights in their homes,” Miriam noted. “Our plan is to electrify all communities without access to electricity.” As a result, schools gained access to modern technology like projectors and computers.
While traditional gender roles can be rigid in some indigenous communities, the women have effectively navigated these challenges. Miriam stated, “It’s bringing a change in the Maya women’s culture; it empowers… like we open the way so that other women… can participate in any projects or any trainings.”
“The three women being indigenous themselves… were able to relate to the culture in ways that I never could,” said Mark Miller, the retired executive director of Plenty International Belize Limited, who facilitated the solar training in India.
Cristina added that during installations, they teach local women how to install and maintain solar systems. “We train them… how to take care of their system,” she said.
As they gained experience, the women realised their skills were underutilised in their own villages. They are currently working in six villages, including Yalbac in the Cayo District.
Making Solar Work for Everyone
With increasing recognition of solar energy’s potential, Belize is exploring strategies to harness this essential resource for economic growth, particularly in tourism and agribusiness. The country is taking steps to reduce dependence on imported electricity and diversify its energy generation mix by expanding renewable sources where commercially viable.
Indigenous communities, such as Corazon and Indian Creek, have welcomed solar technology through private-government partnerships. However, transitioning to solar energy requires significant investment.
Interest in solar energy is growing, driven by financing options like special loans from the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Projects. Solar Energy Solutions Belize (SESB), operating for 13 years, is one company facilitating community transitions to solar energy.
Co-founder Silvan Kuffer explained the inefficiencies of traditional generators in many Maya villages. “A little generator is not efficient. You run that thing one night just to have a fan blowing on you—five gallons of gas gone,” he explained. “Now, power from a solar system through a meter, they can blow the fan all night… and it’s going to cost them the same 80 cents or one dollar it’s costing another Belizean for the power.”
However, as the demand for solar energy grows in Belize, there is an urgent need for trained solar technicians. “Yes, there are no moving parts, but all of them need maintenance. They need cleaning. And that is, if the industry goes so quick, we’re going to have a lot of boats on the water, but not many captains.” He noted that a structured approach from the government to address this rising issue would be beneficial.
Vision for Renewable Energy in Belize
The Belizean government is committed to a sustainable energy future, with recent policy changes facilitating solar power integration, particularly for marginalised communities. Belize’s adoption of solar energy contributes to sustainability and reduces carbon emissions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.
In the 2023 Belize Energy Policy, the Government of Belize committed to becoming a low-carbon, energy-efficient nation by 2040, addressing climate change and energy system interconnectedness. The policy emphasises enhancing resilience, supporting energy transitions, and ensuring equitable benefits for all citizens, including indigenous communities.
Belize is doing relatively well compared to other Caribbean nations in supporting small solar projects. Previously, small solar users connected to the grid without contributing to stability. A lack of rules, like feed-in tariffs, limited the ability of solar panel users to sell excess energy back to the grid, helping to maintain the overall energy system. However, the new Electricity Licensing and Consent Regulation passed on March 1, 2024, modernises the regulatory environment for electricity supply, transmission, distribution, and energy storage. The new regulation outlined in Statutory Instrument (S.I.) 39 “is actually geared at opening up the energy market and the energy sector,” said Minister of Energy Michel Chebat, adding, “For the first time in Belize, in the history of Belize, you see a piece of legislation that is actually opening up the energy sector.”
Last week, a suspected drug plane was unearthed in the remote Graham Creek area of Toledo. The Belize Defense Force swiftly dispatched soldiers to investigate the scene. Today, Brigadier General Azariel Loria revealed that they believe the aircraft had been there for two to three weeks, conspicuously marked with a Mexican flag.
Azariel Loria
Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria, Commandant, B.D.F.
“That plane was a Cessna 210. We discovered it by chance. We sent a patrol in that area of Graham Creek because the CSI is a radar from the Americans that did not pick up the signal. And also our radar here did not pick it up. So, it was pure coincidence and a bit of intelligence too as well that we sent that patrol at Graham Creek and that is the result – that’s what we found. And we were responding at a recently cleared air strip in that area. We were going to do a reconnaissance patrol, but we found the illegal airstrip and the Cessna at the same time.”
Hipolito Novelo
“How long was the plane there?”
Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria
“We don’t know, but we believe that by what we found – we found GPS and other equipment. I think that we found a satellite phone. So, we believe that the plane was there for like two or three weeks maximum. We don’t know.”
Hipolito Novelo
“I believe you found some sort of Mexican markings?”
Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria
“Oh, the origin of the plane itself, we do not know, but the plane had markings, and it had a Mexican flag on the nose.”
Police are investigating a murder in the Stann Creek District. The investigation commenced after police responded to a report at the Red Bank Dump at approximately 3:47 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29. Upon arrival, officers discovered the lifeless body of 35-year-old Wilmer Che, who had suffered multiple cut wounds. The body was subsequently transported to Southern Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
News Five has confirmed that a drug plane was found last week near Graham Creek Village in the Toledo District. News 5 understands that Belize Defence Force soldiers discovered the hidden plane during a sweep of an illegal airstrip in the area on October 23rd. The hidden crash-landed plane, marked with Mexican flag insignia, was partially concealed with cohune leaves about 30 to 50 meters from the airstrip itself. Though no cargo was located on-site, a satellite phone, GPS, and a notebook containing critical information were recovered.
According to sources, the area around the airstrip showed signs of recent use, including a patchwork of cement repairs and vegetation concealing the runway.
Further inspections led the patrol through three abandoned coca plantations, one of which had recently been cleared. We understand that a suspected illegal entry route into Guatemala was also found. This track, appearing regularly travelled, crosses two bridges. It is believed that the route is used for drug and human trafficking.
Authorities are investigating a chopping incident that took place in Forest Home Village, Toledo District. On Thursday, October 24, around 11:25 p.m., police responded to reports of the incident. Upon arrival, officers found 37-year-old Denmark Coleman, a Belizean, with a severe open wound to his head.
Initial investigations suggest that Coleman was involved in an argument with a known male individual, which escalated, resulting in the attack. Police are continuing their investigation into the matter.
Police formally arrested and charged Matyas Carlos Bo with the murder of John Bo, which occurred on Thursday, September 26. The fatal stabbing occurred in Bella Vista, Toledo. At the scene, 35-year-old John Bo was seen lying on the ground inside a fenced yard with a stab wound to his chest. Investigations revealed that the brothers were socialising with 31-year-old Luis Pensamiento when an argument broke out between them over a bottle of Revel Rum.
Reports indicate that John hit Matyas on the head with an unknown object, injuring him. In retaliation, Matyas allegedly stabbed John in the chest with a screwdriver before fleeing the scene and discarding the weapon.
Matyas, twenty-six years old, was later apprehended at his parents’ home several blocks away in Bella Vista.
Pictures captured by Birding Guide Christian Bech shows a coyote picking a mango from a tree in the Toledo District. Bech posted the pictures on his Facebook page saying “The Coyote is here again today. Eating mangoes. Again I heard the dog and went close to the Mango trees but of course it had gone. I sat down quietly and waited 5-10 minutes and there it was. First it sits and scan the area for a couple of minutes before going to look for mangoes. It looked me in the eyes several times, but since I wasn’t moving, it obviously didn’t realize that I was a human. On the last video, where the distance is down to 40 ft, it suddenly realize that I am there and disappears. Site 2, MR road.”
On a second post, Bech said, “Today there was 2 and sometimes there are 4.”
News Five has learned that a man was found dead earlier today in Bella Vista Village, Toledo District. Pictures show investigators and scene of crime technicians on the scene. Videos show a man lying motionless on the ground. We are told that he was stabbed by his brother who is in police custody.
