The United Democratic Party recently raised an issue regarding import permits and prices for carrots on the local market. It is similar to an issue that was brought to light a few years ago in the House of Representatives involving the rotting of vegetables on farms in the north, particularly in San Carlos Village. On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow commented on what he describes as a wastage of locally grown carrots.
Shyne Barrow
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“The complaint by the farmers is that it‘s all politics and it‘s all corruption. So the minister gives all of these permits to import the produce that the farmers of Belize are selling, so nobody wants to consume their product when the people that bring it in they sell it for much cheaper because they may be in a position to do so. This government promised to be a socially conscious government, a government that is there for the working class, there for the laborers, there for the farmers, and that is not what is happening. Everything should be done to assist small farmers, especially, but all farmers, all Belizean farmers, to sell their produce before we get to any distribution of importation license for those that our farmers are selling. And so, here we are again, the carrots are rotting. When we had the issue and the opposition was raising it, there was a promise that the sales department for crops and cattle would come, representatives would come from the Marketing Board and try to find a solution as to how to help especially the small farmers.”
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise has since responded to what it calls unfounded and false allegations. According to a release issued on Tuesday, no import permits for carrots have been issued since November 2023. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority, BAHA, has also determined that contraband vegetables are not affecting the market at present because of an increase in surveillance efforts, as well as a heightened military presence on both sides of the border to control illegal activities. Earlier today, News Five spoke with William Can, an agriculture officer in Cayo District.
William Can
William Can, Agriculture Officer, Cayo District
“In terms of carrots production, we know that well, carrots production, a synopsis of the whole crop season, usually in the month of August, September all the way February is the planting of carrots, it‘s carrot season. And then the harvesting usually begins from November and goes all the way through to July of each year. First of all, I just want to clarify that at the moment we have not issued any import license from our last import that we issued in November 2023. Since then, we haven‘t issued out permits and we still continue to maintain that, that we are not importing or giving any importation permits because with the local produce that we have, we have enough to supply the main market‘s demand. In terms of what is happening, this year is a unique year in terms of for the past year and what‘s coming this year, it‘s not one of the most favorable for vegetables and the viability of it is, in terms of last year, typically, right now the main issue is that we have simultaneous harvesting in all four districts; Stann Creek, Cayo, Orange Walk, and Corozal. So that is kinda why there is the situation that some farmers tend to sell more than the next and the prices are lower.”
It’s been over a week since brush fires in San Pedro, Columbia have been burning. While many of them have been extinguished, other fires have started and are consuming large tracts of land, including farmlands, that the Maya community relies on as a means of survival. We’ve heard about the losses suffered by over seventy percent of the farmers in that one village. NEMO has been able to help, but classes were suspended. The fires spread across to other villages as well, a vast area of which lie in the Toledo West constituency. And while Area Representative Oscar Requena and the Minister of Disaster Risk Management, Andre Perez had toured the area when the initial fires had burned out, since then there have been bigger fires burning. At this time, all that is known for sure is that the losses are tremendous, but how much exactly will be realized in the coming days when the final assessments are concluded. News Five’s Marion Ali reports bring you the details in this week’s edition of our Five Point Breakdown.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, had mobilized its district emergency office last week when it became evident that the farmers were going to lose their crops and that evacuations would be necessary. Since then, preliminary assessments have been conducted and some assistance has been given to the farmers and their families.
A Call for Help
The fires reignited overnight and by this morning, had reached a property at the edge of the Columbia River. Christopher Nesbitt told News Five that he was feverishly fighting a blaze that had put his house in direct jeopardy. Nesbitt turned to Facebook to seek manpower to fight the inferno.
Via phone: Christopher Nesbitt
Via phone: Christopher Nesbitt, Property Owner, San Pedro Columbia
“I’m freaking out because I’m watching everything burn and we have people in the bush. We’re getting them out of the bush to get back to the house. It snuck around behind us, so we didn’t have enough men to keep the line long enough to close the line between here and the river. So it came around behind us, so all our work is undone and we have to run back and retreat and try to save the farm. We have some people from San Miguel and some people from San Pedro Columbia right here helping, but this is a big fire and we need more help.”
Aerial Assistance is Now Necessary
Out west in the Mountain Pine Ridge, the fires in that area are being subdued by aerial firefighting efforts, with the assistance of a hired chopper from Astrum Helicopters. But down south, the fires have gotten so unmanageable in the denser areas that Toledo West Area Representative Oscar Requena says this is the level of firefighting that is now needed to fight the blazes that have destroyed huge portions of his constituency.
Via phone: Oscar Requena
Via phone: Oscar Requena, Area Representative, Toledo West
“There is urgent need for air support to alter fires, Marion. There is urgent need for air support. A lot of these fires are in long distance and it is inaccessible, so the only way to support our farmers is for air support.”
Classes Resume, but Visibility Still Poor
And while the fires have drifted further into San Pedro, Columbia, today classes resume after a two-day suspension caused by the poor visibility and air quality. Chairman Basilicas Choco has been fighting the fires since last week and into last night. Choco, also a teacher, returned to the classroom today.
Via phone: Basilicas Choco
Via phone: Basilicas Choco, Chairman, San Pedro Columbia Village, Toledo
“They opened it today. I was a bit not happy about it because of the fact that we’re still out like myself. I was out last night till one o’clock this morning and then have to return back to school this morning. The smoke is still in the air. You can still scent it. It’s not that bad right now, but it’s you can still smell that air and it’s foggy.”
NEMO Assistance Will be An Ongoing Operation
NEMO dispatched a team of BDF soldiers and TIDE has joined the effort to help. NEMO Coordinator, Daniel Mendez said the work will continue as they assess new damages.
Daniel Mendez
Daniel Mendez, Coordinator, NEMO
“These fires have been affecting a huge part of the Toledo District, so those assessments are being done right now. We have teams on the ground trying to get a better idea of what happened. So we’re preparing an initial situation overview to really understand the scope and the magnitude of last week’s event. We also understand as well that there still remain pockets of fire around the district. We continue to track those and we continue to send out support to the villages that are being affected.”
How Much Was Actually Lost in the Wildfires?
The question remains: how much was lost in the wildfires in the Toledo District? Minister Requena shared a projection.
Via phone: Oscar Requena
“Our government is working diligently to establish a first-time knowledge and understanding of what the situation like is, what the situation is like on the ground, and how the government is going to address it for the long term.”
Marion Ali
“All right, but we can simply say millions and millions of dollars was lost?”
Via phone: Oscar Requena
“Absolutely, I can say with confidence that we have lost millions of dollars.”
The exact figures of the losses will become clearer when all the assessments are concluded on the affected farms – farms that are even burning now as we bring this story to you tonight.
This week is International Emergency Medical Services Week, a time meant to bring together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of the medicine frontline. As part of the week’s festivities, emergency service providers from across the country gathered in Belmopan to introduce the practice to children in hopes of instilling an appreciation for the efforts made by the emergency service providers and potentially encourage students to pursue a career in the field. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended today’s event to learn more about the practice. Here’s that story. Gordon attended today’s event to learn more about the practice. Here’s that story.
Britney Gordon, reporting
Across Belize, there are over one hundred fifty emergency medical technicians and while that may sound like a lot, there is still a need for more. EMT’s are responsible for providing lifesaving care at the scene of an incident and ensuring the safety of those patients while they are on their way to a hospital. To celebrate the efforts made every day to saving lives, this week is internationally recognized as Emergency Medical Service Week. Javier Canul, who has been an EMT since the practice was introduced in Belize twenty-five years ago, spoke with us about the significance of the celebration.
Javier Canul
Javier Canul, Lead instructor, ABC Life Support
“Basically EMS started in 1988 in Belize where the Wagner Foundation came in and they did a brief assessment of what s happening in Belize and then they started training people. They sent Doctor Arana to the states to become the first paramedic and they started doing training all over the country.”
As part of the week’s festivities, several emergency service providers gathered in Belmopan to host an EMS Children’s Day, where the teams were able to educate children visiting from several schools about different practices, such as CPR and first aid. Lavinia Davis, coordinator of the event, explained why they thought it was necessary to welcome children into the activities.
Lavinia Davis
Lavinia Davis, Coordinator
“For EMT Week we have a day that we take out to do a lot of different things. And today specifically is International Children’s Day. And here we want to teach the children how to take care of themselves, take care of their family, their colleagues and also show them that we care and assist them should anything ever happen.”
Of the two hundred children who attended the event, a few were willing to share what they learned. Nelson Cha, a standard three student from Our Lady of Fatima RC School in Roaring Creek, said that he enjoyed the simulated accident where a patient was placed into an ambulance.
Nelson Cha
Nelson Cha, Std 3 student, Our Lady of Fatima RC School
“I learned how to rescue people and how to help people.”
Britney Gordon
“Did you get to see the ambulance? Did you like seeing the presentations.”
Nelson Cha
“Yes, I really loved it.”
Cha’s classmate, Haniel Baptist, also wanted to share his experience. He said that it was particularly exciting for him as he already has an interest in entering the medical field.
Haniel Baptist
Haniel Baptist, Std 3 student, Our Lady of Fatima RC School
“I learned about how they do the rescuing and over there, I heard their speech.”
Britney Gordon
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Haniel Baptist
“A doctor like my father.”
Canul further stressed the importance of sharing this knowledge with children, as EMT’S are scarcely represented at career days. He hopes that by exposing youths to the practice, it will help to curve the shortage of EMTs Belize is experiencing.
Javier Canul
“Basically whenever there is a career day in school, they never invited EMT’s. And yes there is a shortage. Wherever career day you see everybody else, but you never see EMTs. And this is important because the job that we do is prehospital care. Without prehospital care that patient can never survive and get to the hospital alive. So it is important that we do career day in schools and yes there is a shortage.”
There will always be a need for emergency medical services in Belize. Annette Groutsche, an EMT of five years, said that she just wants to spread the importance of her work to others.
Annette Groutsche, EMT
“The importance of EMS is that we have people at any given moment to save. This is what we were trained for, to be there when someone is needed, when help is needed.”
The question of whether injured individuals in police custody should be taken to the hospital by officers for immediate medical attention remains a topic of much discussion. Earlier this year, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams explained that it is not the responsibility of the police and explained that by doing so, the police may put individuals at risk of further injury. Today, we spoke with emergency medical technician, Javier Canul, who has been working in the field for over twenty-five years, about this issue. He explained that not only should officers refrain from transporting people to the hospital, but they should be trained in providing first responder care to stabilize patients until an E.M.T. arrives at the scene.
Javier Canul
Javier Canul, Lead instructor, ABC Life Support
“The question is being asked, should police officers should take the injured. The answer to that is no. What the police officers should do is be properly trained to maintain and stabilize that patient until the ambulance come or until help comes along. So their is job is to secure the area, make sure it is safe, one. And then two, get down there, and if the patient is not breathing, open the air way. If the patient is bleeding, stop the bleeding. If the patient needs cpr, they should start it. The job of the police is to stabilize the patient until the ambulance gets there. The job of the police is not to jump and throw anybody at the back of any vehicle and run with them. That’s the role of the police department.”
Reporter
“Does that hurt them more if they do that?”
Javier Canul
“Definitely if they put them in a vehicle and run and throw them around. Definitely so.”
The Belize Police Department is undergoing training on how to communicate with the media. Because of their rank, senior police officers are often tasked with sharing vital information with the media and thus, it is necessary that they receive training on how to convey information in an accurate and comprehensible manner. Today, at the National Police Training Academy in Belmopan, day one of a two-day training commenced. We stopped by for more information.
Azenette Pook
Azenette Pook, Director of Training, Belize Police Department
“Today we are having a two-day training. A two-day training is starting for senior officers of the Belize Police Department. The training is geared at strengthening the communication and public relations skills of the Senior police officers in the Belize Police Department. As the senior officers come in contact with the media because of the positions that they hold. Some of the things that they will be learning during the two-day training is, what is communication? The challenges to communication, why communicate? Building communication and listening skills. Appreciating the interpersonal nature of communication and the multiplier effect in mass communication. That is for the first day. On the second day, they are going to be taught how to successfully engage the media, what the media expects, working the key media tools, understanding journalists., framing a press release and police situation report. And using key messages to handle tough or difficult media interviews. These are some of the areas that they will be trained on during the two days training that is happening.” As I mentioned before, the officers are, because of their posts, they are in contact with the media. And so that they have an understanding of what the media expects of them whenever they are being interviewed by the media or whenever they come in contact with the media. They will be able to understand more what it is, what are the expectations of the media to dialogue better with the media whenever they are in contact with them. These are some of the reasons why this training is being held. And also communication with fellow police officers. We expect that the skills will be enhanced for these purposes.”
The Portico Definitive Agreement, which was signed back in 2020 under the U.D.P. administration included a slew of fiscal incentives. Among them, the developer was exempted from paying several taxes, including business taxes, income taxes, and environmental taxes. As we know, when the Briceño administration took office, the prime minister announced that the agreement would not be pursued because it was not in the best interest of the nation. Gegg maintains that given the magnitude of the investment; the project is deserving of such exemptions. He further noted that Portico Enterprises Limited did not invent these exemptions adding that this is what is expected by investors pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into Belize.
David Gegg
David Gegg, Developer, Portico Enterprises Limited
“If this country is expected to have progress, if we expect foreign direct investments, major projects, infrastructural, agriculture, whatever it is, whoever are the developers and the company behind those projects expects to get the same kind of fiscal incentives, benefits, packages that we got. We did not invent this, companies in Belize have been getting this same kind of fiscal incentives for decades and I am sure the companies in Belize today and tomorrow will continue to get incentives and it is a must. If we don’t provide packages of fiscal incentives to investors who are prepared to put up two, three hundred million dollars they are going to take their money somewhere else. They don’t need to bring money to Belize. There are a lot of places where they can get returns, without the fight, hassle and aggravation they now have in Belize. Mr. Bennet is reminding me that the tax exemptions for Stake Bank are for twenty-five years, and it is very similar to those within our definitive agreement. Thirty years and about double the capital expenditure that Stake Bank was expecting at that time.”
Our Earth has witnessed generations coming and going. Although the lifestyles between generations vary greatly, we all face a common threat: climate change. Each generation has its own perspective on climate change and its ideas about what should be done to achieve climate justice. These ideas range from the simple change in weather patterns to more profound impacts.
I had the opportunity to interview different generations of Belizeans and foreign nationals living in Belize to gain an understanding of how climate change has impacted their lives, their understandings of climate justice, and their recommendations for fostering climate justice within the Belizean community. The meaning of climate change also varies from person to person. Some might think of climate change as merely a change in weather patterns. Others, such as Dr. Kasthuri Henry, see climate change as “the effect of the cancer known as humankind on our Earth.”
A common denominator among these generations is the threat climate change poses to different aspects of their lives. Each interviewee—a high school student, a parent and market vendor, a community empowerment advocate in their 50s, and an elderly person—all see significant changes in weather patterns and increased heat.
The rising temperatures in Belize are nothing new. Dorothy Jean Wade, a resident of Corozal, stated during her interview that over her eighty-nine years of life in Belize, she has seen how the country has become drier. She specifically noted that in the late weeks of May and early June, which she remembers as being rainy in her youth, there is now a lack of rain.
She directly links this to the decreased abundance of crops in Belize. As the daughter of a farmer, she remembers her house being filled to the ceiling with fruit. However, in recent years, she has seen trees in the surrounding villages of Corozal withering away due to lack of rain. The lack of rain and rising heat, she believes, contribute to rising crop prices. Her biggest concern is not just the heat but also the impact that the high cost of fruits and vegetables has on the younger generation. With increased prices, crops become less accessible to the public, which in turn impacts the nutrition of children in families.
Corozal Farmer’s Market Source: Corozal Live
Today’s youth have similar concerns about their future. J.W., a high school student at Sacred Heart College, expressed serious concerns about her future. Her concerns stem from the fact that she has no idea what climate justice is, which she sees as an injustice. Her understanding of climate change is the changing weather patterns that affect the Earth’s inhabitants.
As our climate is changing, so should our people and our education systems. Youths wish for more climate-related topics to be included in their curriculum. In Belize, students are among the most affected by the heat waves over the past weeks. Due to poor infrastructural design of buildings, students at Sacred Heart College are pursuing their education in classrooms that can be compared to ovens.
This has affected students’ health both physically and mentally, causing rashes, anxiety, and increased stress. Students are so focused on finding ways to cope with the heat that they cannot concentrate on their lessons. In addition, due to the unbearable heat, teachers are often forced to give free periods, which delays students’ education. Both teachers and students are frustrated by the heat, which strains student-teacher interactions.
Sacred Heart College Classrooms
J.W. is concerned about how this hindrance to their education will affect their future career opportunities. Adaptation strategies need to be implemented nationwide to ensure that students receive the education they deserve. Most importantly, she encourages students to speak up about their right to an education in a comfortable setting. We should voice our concerns and work on solutions together.
Of course, as a society, it is no single nation’s fault or one person’s duty to combat the effects of climate change on crops and education. Dr. Henry touches on the topic of taking accountability and responsibility toward the environment. We must all consider ourselves caretakers of the Earth. Dr. Henry works in rural communities, teaching children about gardening, pickling, bottling, and integrating these skills into family life. She believes in promoting a connection with nature and understanding its wealth through hands-on learning and sustainability practices.
Recycling plastic to make Christmas ornaments – an initiative with Dr. Kasthuri Henry, the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management and Minister Orlando Habet’s Team.
The term “climate justice” exists because we have been using resources unjustly. To move toward a more equal society, we need to break the cycles of neglect that have been placed on our environment, with an emphasis on teaching youth, supporting teachers, and empowering creative problem solvers. Apart from showing up, we must be consistent and persevere when faced with resistance.
Emotional Intelligence – Summer Youth Leadership Camp at St. Ignatius High School
The perspectives on climate change and climate justice from various generations in Belize underscore the urgent need for collective action and education. It is evident that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a social and economic one that impacts food security, health and education. By fostering a deeper connection with nature, promoting sustainable practice and integrating climate education into our curricula we can empower the next generation to take informed and effective action. Together, we can create a more just and sustainable future for Belize and beyond.
by Anwar Wade
This story was published with the support of the Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship, which is a joint venture of Climate Tracker and Open Society Foundations.
The search continues for Alicia Jacome of La Gracia, Cayo. The elderly woman reportedly went missing on Friday afternoon while everyone was asleep.
The chairman of Buena Vista Village said, “I sent a team from Spanish Lookout with 3 drones, and they couldn’t find any leads.” It has now been four days since Jacome went missing.
The chairman has asked the Belize Defence Force for assistance. She was last seen near Clifford Sabala Farm, located in the La Gracia area, at around 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
One person close to the family posed on social media. “So far, the search has been going on and no sign of her. We are asking volunteers to go do a search to find the person.”
If you have any information that can help locate Jacome, you are asked to call 6336024 or the nearest police station.
One person was killed following a road traffic accident on Tuesday night in Santa Elena Town.
The victim has been identified as twenty-one-year-old Jaylen Flowers, a resident of Unitedville Village. Flowers reportedly lost control of his Meilun motorcycle near La Loma Luz Boulevard. He sustained severe head and body injuries.
