Barrow has a wish to make necessary amendments, if his party becomes the next government, to allow for Belizeans living abroad who want to vote in subsequent elections to do so from where they live. Today, he explained to reporters his reason for holding this position on the matter. He used his mother, who lives abroad and who has lived in Mesopotamia and still supports that community, as an example for having this position.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“Right now as it stands, there are Belizean-Americans that come home to vote. And why do they need to do that? We can put the infrastructure in place. Bukele did it. The Americans do it. I’ll do a cost analysis and put the infrastructure in place so that they don’t have to come home. Those are the things that I promised.”
Reporter
“So you would support, within 100 days, or 200 days –.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“Of course, I’m doing a cost analysis right now, so by the time we come.”
Reporter
“That Belizeans living in the United States and other countries, presumably.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“Who come home to vote be allowed to vote there. They come home to vote anyway.”
Reporter
“Not all of them come home to vote. A small percentage.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“I’m just saying, they’re allowed.”
Reporter
“You don’t have a problem with the principle of being able to vote in a constituency in which you do not live, in which you do not live the reality?”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“See, you look at the two examples, Bukele and the United States, when they say they treasure their diaspora, they live it through policy, through legislation. When we say we appreciate the remittance, we appreciate all the give back from our diaspora, which really helps our economy. How could you tell like my ma that supports whoever in Mesopotamia and I was born in Mesopotamia. We live in Mesopotamia. Why would my mother, who still helps people in Mesopotamia, not have a right to vote in the division where she has her ties and has her roots?”
The legend of X’tabai is a tale of jealousy and vengefulness. The story of two women, one promiscuous, but kind and the other pure, but cruel, has been told across the Yucatan Peninsula for decades. It is said that the malicious spirit lures men to their demise with her beauty as she roams the earth in her afterlife. In tonight’s episode of Kolcha Tuesday, News Five’s Britney Gordon dives deeper into the legend that has impacted the lives of many who grew up in rural Belize, inspired authors and even earned itself a movie. Here is that report.
Aurelio Sho
Aurelio Sho, Encountered X’tabai
“Upon approaching, we felt the cold seed and this huge no-good feeling at all, they’re like your normal self is fighting this different encounter, and then we realized that there was no one, no we didn’t see no one. And then we realized that immediately on the dock, that we saw some footprints, but instead of that of a human, we saw something like a turkey and something else different, like two different. Like you could see the footprints walking all the way to the end of the dock and it was really fresh and you could see like the turkey or the chicken, and then when we saw that we look at each other and we just run all the way home.”
Britney Gordon, reporting
If you were to see a beautiful woman with long black hair, beckoning you over on the side of the road, would you think twice about approaching her? What if the woman was cloaked in white and had one foot of a turkey and the other of a goat? Then the thought may cross your mind that you are looking at the spirit of X’tabai, the femme fatale, luring you to your death. David Ruiz, a Belizean storyteller, details the legend.
David Ruiz
David Ruiz, Belizean Storyteller
“It comes from that pre-Hispanic Mayan culture which represents A princess, a man princess in ancient Yucatan, who, who is hexed by another lady because of jealousy, no? She was a, she was being courted by one of the noblemen and the other lady, gets jealous and hexes Princess Sulay, X’tabai. And from there she’s doomed to roam the planet’s eternity in search of a suitor, of a male suitor and that’s where it comes to us as the lady that in the temptress that attracts men.”
The vindictive spirit is known for targeting men because even though she lived as Utz-colel, a pure woman, she died with an evil heart. Unlike her counterpart Xkeban who, although promiscuous and shunned by society, embodied characteristics of good and kindness. Aurelio Sho says that he encountered X’tabai twice in his youth. He detailed the second encounter to us where he stumbled upon a woman brushing her long black hair while he was crossing the Blue Creek Bridge at four thirty in the morning.
Aurelio Sho
“I stopped to watch and then, but when you stop for that few seconds of trying to make that connection, that is where it lets out that. I don’t know. I don’t want to call it evil spirit or whatever, but.”
Britney Gordon
“That negative energy?”
Aurelio Sho
“The energy was so overwhelming, and it started to compete with yours. And then that’s how, when they start to bring you down, the cold seed. I feel like all my hair stand up, and it’s quite an encounter. Honestly you get really afraid, and immediately then and there, I realized that was the X’tabai and in no time, it’s like somebody spray a perfume where just a very strong scent of a natural something, like a perfume, that’s what it let out. And then like in no time, that there is nothing in the river, but then you know that it’s the X’tabai.”
According to legend, those who are lured by X’tabai don’t typically live to tell the tale, as she turns herself into a snake and devours her captive. Sho says he was fortunate both times because he was taught how to recognize malicious spirits.
Aurelio Sho
“Growing up you learn a lot of things from your grandparents, from your parents and especially learn to survive and traditional knowledge. So you would have, I would know what to do and what to, you say your lee prayer if find yourself being trapped or to be overcome by any of these things, and I think this is the uniqueness of our culture. We adapt and we learn to live in harmony with nature.”
X’tabai is so solidified in Belizean culture that a movie depicting the character was produced in 2012 by the late Matthiew Klinck through the production company Make-Belize Films. It starred nearly an all-Belizean cast and was filmed within the country. Klinck’s former business partner, Horacio Guerrero. told us about the role of X’tabai in the film.
Horacio Guerrera
Horacio Guerrero, Director, Make-Belize Films
“The plot of the story is we have these students that escaped their village in San Antonio because a curse has been placed on the village and the people are in fever, some are dying. And then the village is locked down by the government because they’re afraid for it to spread. And then these group of adventurous students escape into the jungle to see if they can find the cure or how to break that curse from the X’tabai. And of course, from there, everything escalates and they go into the jungle and they start, you know, meeting with the demon and having, you know, all these encounters. Then, you know, you see if they, they find the, Break the curse of the X’tabai.”
Guerrero explained that Klinck’s vision for the movie was to create something that would capture the attention of and resonate with Belizean audiences.
Horacio Guerrero
“He needed something where the audience would be captivated and something that was, that all Belizeans would know about. So upon his arrival here and talking to people, he saw that folklore was something that Belizeans are very much into. And everybody, you know, across the board, doesn’t matter, Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, everybody kind of knows about folklore. And the X’tabai just seemed to be that creature, that, that monster that would captivate.”
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.
Last night, we brought you part one of a two-part report on lobster fests in Caye Caulker and San Pedro. We showed you the economic impact of these festivities on the two tourist destinations. Tonight, in part two of our report, News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at the sustainable fishing practices that are important to ensure the longevity of Belize’s lobster stock and the beloved lobster fest celebrations. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The 2024 lobster season is upon us and there will be an increase in demand for lobster. Hundreds of pounds of lobsters are sold by restauranters during the lobster fest weekends.
Jennie Staines
Jennie Staines, Chef, Elvi’s Kitchen
“Thank God that every year I have participated in lobster fest I have had tails on the booth until late at night and one year I sold two hundred and fifty pounds of lobster.”
Elsa Guzman
Elsa Guzman, Owner, Happy Lobster
“We usually get at least a hundred pounds to see if we will sell all of that. If we sell all of that we have fishermen who will be waiting for our call.”
Ruby Jimenez
Ruby Jimenez, Chef, Elba’s Little Kitchen
“We started off with maybe thirty pounds to start of the first day and it depends because the lobster fishermen are ready. They bring it fresh; it goes from the fishermen to the grill to your belly.”
All that crustacean is sourced directly from the sea by fisherfolks who see their largest earnings during lobster season. For fisherfolks, preparation begins months ahead of the opening of the season. Jody Leslie has been a commercial fisherman for the past fifteen years. He uses shades to catch lobsters. Shades are an alternative to traditional traps. Lobsters use the shades as a dwelling place. When the season opens, Leslie dives down and makes his catch from the shades.
Jody Leslie
Jody Leslie, Commercial Fisherman
“There is a high increase during lobster fest but the good thing is that the season just opened up so there is plenty of lobster readily available during these first few weeks of the opening season which is lobster fest as well.”
On the other hand, Porfilio Guzman, a fisherman for the past five decades, utilizes a combination of shades and traditional lobster traps. His practice has evolved with the times.
Porfilio Guzman
Porfilio Guzman, Fisherman
“It changed a lot because here in Caye Caulker we use to use lone lobster traps, but now we have another strategy to catch lobster we call it shade, lobster shade. Most of the younger generation, instead of going to traps they go to shades. It is a bit easier to work than the traps. It values about the same price of a lobster trap. But its advantage is that with the lobster traps after the season is closed you got to take them out of the water, put them to dry then you got to rebuild them and then you put them back. That is with the traps. With the shade, you cannot take them out, they stay there.”
According to Guzman, a good shade can last anywhere between two to three years on the seafloor. There are regulations in place that guide fisherfolks like Leslie and Guzman. The minimum carapace or shell length that can be caught is three inches and the minimum tail weight is four ounces. Leslie uses a hook to pull lobsters from his shades which requires some eyeballing expertise. He also takes with him a measuring tool known as a caliper. He then takes his catch direct to restaurants.
Jody Leslie
“It has been fluctuating every year. Last year it started at thirty-five Belize a pound per lobster tail. Usually two three lobster tails to make a pound. But, every year is a little different. I am not sure what it is going to start at this year. We have been having some conversations within us fishermen, everybody try to keep at one same price.”
And, if fisherfolks start their sales at thirty to thirty-five dollars a pound, then it is no wonder why a lobster tail dish can cost as much as sixty-five dollars. To ensure that lobsters are available for generations to come, fisherfolks must abide by the catch regulations in place. Restaurants also play a role when they refuse to purchase undersized lobster, though temptation may arise when lobsters become scarce.
Jennie Staines
“I think most people here in San Pedro are very aware that we need to take care of our industry. We have to make sure if we buy lobster tail that they weigh four ounces, make sure they are not soft shell, make sure that the persons brining lobster are licensed fishermen. That is one, we cannot be buying from fisherfolks that are not licensed to fish.”
Elsa Guzman
“I have been in my restaurant twenty-six years, food industry more than thirty years. Believe me, I just look at the lobster and I know the size so I don’t have to put it in the scale for sure.”
Ruby Jiminez
“If you don’t follow rules I don’t buy your lobster and that is how the game is played. It is very important because we want to have lobster fest for years and years and years. We don’t want for it to turn out that we don’t have more lobster to fish and more lobsters to serve people.”
The Mundo Maya is a region that includes parts of five countries in Central America, including Belize where the Maya civilization once flourished. In 1992, these five countries came together to establish the Mundo Maya Organization to develop the region’s cultural value and promote it to tourists. The Ministry of Tourism took on the presidency of the Mundo Maya organization in January. This week, the ministry is hosting delegates from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala for strategic planning sessions. These delegates will also be participating in the National Institute of Culture and History’s annual archeological symposium set to begin on Wednesday in San Ignacio. We stopped in at the strategic planning session here in Belize City where we spoke with Nicole Solano the C.E.O in the Ministry of Tourism, as well as Honduras’ Vice Minister of Tourism.
Nicole Solano
Nicole Solano, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Tourism
“As you know, archaeology is an important part of the tourism product. We work all the time closely with the institute to make sure we can develop those sites with tourism infrastructure and for the tourism product. So we continue to work along with them. the symposium begins tomorrow and that will run Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. But, our Mundo Maya delegates will actually do presentations in the afternoon tomorrow so they will be talking about tourism best practices and a number of things. The idea of Mundo Maya is to have regional integration where we come together behind the common product of the Maya history and heritage. So we are talking not only of the archaeological sites. You have Chicen Itza in Mexico, Tikal in Guatemala, Copan in Honduras, in Belize we have Characol as one of our large sites.”
Reizel Vilorio
Reizel Vilorio, Vice Minister of Tourism, Honduras
“We have important cities in the Mayan culture. We have Copan which are really important and attractive for tourism around the world. Honduras has two main products which is the coral reef, we are with Belize, we have the second largest barrier reef in the world. And, we have the Maya heritage which we have focus on Copan. But it is really important because people of different countries love knowing and getting to learn about cultures. They want to come to our countries and see what we have. As we have a product in common with all these five countries it is important we develop multi-destination packages so that tourists can travel around these destinations and see what we have in the lower cost and the longer stays.”
The Belize Network of N.G.O.’s, B.N.N., has kicked off a new campaign and it’s called Belize Wi Ready. This initiative supports the Equal Opportunities Bill aims to create a leveled playing in Belizean society by introducing protections against discrimination. B.N.N. hopes that this will afford all Belizeans an equal and fair chance at success. The bill contains twenty-two key points outlined for protection against discrimination. Here’s News Fives Britney Gordon with more details on the endeavor.
Britney Gordon, reporting
Belize is on the verge of change and the Belize Network of NGO’s hopes to be the driving force behind that change. By launching the Wi Ready Campaign, the organization is bolstering its support for the Equal Opportunities Bill. NGO Senator Janelle Chanona explains why this piece of law should be passed.
Janelle Chanona
Janelle Chanona, Senator for NGO’s
“The bill in its name describes what it’s trying to do and it’s creating equal opportunities for all. And I think as we just heard, even as specific as the bill is trying to be, twenty-two characteristics, we’re just hearing that, specific to the violence aspects. Maybe it is that we’re looking at gender based violence as a part of specific categories of who the bill is looking at and I think that’s why I like the name the equal opportunities for all because it doesn’t matter then how we are different. It is that the bill is working to address and be inclusive and protect and enshrine the rights that as We just heard some of the panelists reference that we were led to believe we were born with, but that now we know we have to legislate in order to get to the point that we feel like we have those rights.”
According to Chanona, there are laws that provide certain protections against discrimination; however, Belize does not have comprehensive legislation to address the issue. The Belize Wi Ready Campaign is aimed at creating public awareness and knowledge of the status of the bill. Doctor Elma Kay, chair of the BNN, further explains the campaign.
Dr. Elma Kay
Dr. Elma Kay, Chair, Belize Network of NGO’s
“And we as the Belize Network of NGOs, we advocate for good governance for sustainable human development. So it is our mandate to look at laws like this that help us advance our human rights agenda and that help us reach our potential, in terms of human development. We can’t have true human development if we still have discrimination rampant in our society. And I think discrimination is something that we can all identify with, either because we’re too young, we’re too old, we’re women, we are, from a different race or a different culture. So discrimination exists in our society and it’s a reality. So this is just saying we are ready for a law that promotes equal opportunities for all and creates a more just society for Belize.”
The bill was originally drafted in 2019 but has since been updated. There are twenty-two points outlined for protection, including gender, HIV status, race, and religious beliefs. Chanona says that the change is long overdue, but the BNN is prepared to put in the work to ensure that every Belizean has the chance to live up to their fullest potential without being hindered by discriminatory practices.
Janelle Chanona
“The name of the campaign speaks to it, it’s that we’re ready for it, and that if we’re ready for it, then we should be working to make sure that legislation takes form and is enacted as soon as possible, because we need to be ready to address, I think as a Belizean it’s really difficult to hear that one of the principal factors underpinning our challenges is stigma and discrimination. And if that doesn’t give all of us pause to see where we can, in our respective roles, address stigma and discrimination, it’s really and truly what we need to be doing as Belizeans for each other.”
On Monday, members of the Maya Forest Corridor Coalition sent an open letter to Deputy Prime Minister, Cordel Hyde and Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet expressing concern regarding deforestation within the Manatee Forest Reserve. These activities are due to alleged illegal encroachments and the issuance of lands. The letter states quote, these activities are causing significant environmental damage and are being carried out seemingly unimpeded by the relevant authorities, without public knowledge or consultation with key stakeholders, end quote. N.G.O. Senator Janelle Chanona and Doctor Elma Kay, Chair of the Belize Network of N.G.O.s, provided further details on the situation.
Janelle Chanona
Janelle Chanona, Senator for NGO’s
“I think that is the fundamental question, and it’s cross, not just from thisperspective, but across that. Who is actually making these decisions? Who is actually in charge? Who is managing? Because if we’re saying on one hand we’re committed to biological corridors, we’re committed to protected areas, we’re committed to the integrity, knowing the goods and services that those areas are protecting, how is it that people are coming out of left field saying, but I have a title and I am doing this and this isn’t a land grab. This is that. That is really the fundamental issue, I believe from where I’m sitting in terms of. Making sure we know who is making these decisions, why are these decisions being made, how come the decision isn’t being shared in terms of informed decision making, consultative processes. Because at the end of the day, these are not questions that we should be asking after the fact.”
Dr. Elma Kay
Dr. Elma Kay, Chair, BNN
“A forest reserve is a category of protected area and by our National Protected Areas legislation, lands shouldn’t be issued there, nor should there be any clearing that is happening. So clearly, there is something happening in this reserve. And like I say, we are aware that there has been some land issuance. Now, we don’t know who issued those lands. It could have been a previous administration. It could have been this admin, this government administration at a different time. We don’t know how the land was issued. We don’t have all those details, but we do know that there are titles granted within this protected area and so what we are saying is this is very detrimental to all the work that we have actually been doing with those very same ministries and the government of Belize to protect the Maya forest corridor, because in fact, the corridor and manatee forest reserve. are one large pathway, if you want to call it, that connects Belize’s two largest forest blocks. And there’s no point in saving a portion if another portion is getting destroyed.”
In the wake of the onslaught of wildfires that destroyed thousands of acres of land during the dry season, co-managers of protected areas are now grappling with the intense flooding that has now commenced amidst the rainy season. After such devastation, a few co-managers have expressed frustration with the lack of funding and support. N.G.O. Senator Janelle Chanona and Doctor Elma Kay, Chair of the Belize Network of N.G.O.s, say that the support needs to be a collective effort.
Janelle Chanona
Janelle Chanona, Senator for NGO’s
“The national conversation has to be how do we make sure that the co-managers are bolstered, are supported, are enhanced, that is called out. It’s really tough, I think to see all of this kind of international accolade and we embrace our reputation, but how do we make sure that we can maintain that integrity and as you said make sure that nobody feels abandoned when they’re doing work that has national implication benefits, goods and services across the board and it is that you know we have to make sure because they’re there because they’re rendering this service on behalf of everyone that they get the resources they need but that is the support and If it is that it comes across as criticism, then yes, but it is certainly a collective response that has to be in place.”
Dr. Elma Kay
Dr. Elma Kay, Chair, BNN
“I think wildfires was something that it was always protected area managers and comanagers that we’re bringing to the forefront. But I think this fire season has absolutely shown us that this is something that touches human lives in a very direct way. It’s no longer an indirect way where we would say, Oh, it’s just our forest burning, and now we will have reduced areas for capturing water or watershed protection. Now, it’s actually affecting people’s homes, people’s livelihoods. people’s farms. So I think it’s really pointing out to the very the gaps in capacity that we have. I think there’s a lot of hope NGOs and other comanagers have for a long time been training in this aspect of fire management. And so I think the capacity is in country for us to help communities and others to build that capacity. But obviously, there is also a responsibility of the state and, our social responsibility as communities to want to improve our capacities to be able to deal with this in a proactive, not a reactive way, as we have always done.”
The heavy rains that were expected over the weekend didn’t arrive. Had they come, the streets of the Old Capital may have drained off in very little time. Mayor Bernard Wagner told reporters on Monday that prior to the March municipal elections, the Belize City Council had carried out a robust drainage project across the city. The mayor also encourages residents to clean the drain in front of their homes to keep the water flowing and recede quickly. Even so, he cautioned that climate change will bring floods that we will have to adapt to.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“We did 127 streets out of 730 streets in the city and those 127 streets, we ensure that we had addressed the drainage, that we had addressed the culvert situation, ensuring that culverts form a part of your rehabilitation of streets. We reshaped lot of the earth and drains – the drains that have the concrete bottom – we, I had some MIT members on Central American Boulevard digging out sludge that has been accumulating for years in so many areas, and from streets behind West Landivar. This has been a consistent, ongoing drainage maintenance, drainage rehabilitation. I don’t see the flooding, and flooding will become a part of our life. That’s a reality now. It’s climate change. You see it happening in Florida. You see it happening in New York. You see it happening in Chetumal, right close to us. It will become a part of our lives. We can’t stick our head in the sand and play like it will not happen to us. You have to now look at how you mitigate and how you adapt to this climate change that is upon us. At the city we will continue to do our part and we ask that the residents do their part as well in ensuring that the drains in front of the house get clean. Clean it out, dig it out. I do, my drain in my area every two weeks. It has to become ownership from us and the residents together. We will be able to put in place a sort of mitigating action and adaptation action to really begin to change that trend that is occurring.”
The mayor explained that the pumping station near the Yarborough Bridge is ready to kick into action whenever there is excessive rains that cause widespread flooding in Belize City. But one other issue that is a bit trickier to deal with is derelict vehicles. The mayor says that the council has an ongoing program to remove derelict vehicles. It’s a recurring issue because as soon as they remove the vehicles, more are parked on the streetside again. There is an area on the Faber’s Road Extension that the council is paying keen attention to and they will put traffic markers on the street to try to prevent the problem from repeating.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“We are looking through our traffic committee and are putting together some sort of recommendation, where we will look at really redlining that entire stretch up to, I think Rio Grande Crescent. But we will – we have done a study for all the residential homes along the Faber’s Road and in that study, our city planner found that there are spaces for people to park on the area that is owned by the city for most of the homes. So we are looking to pass a required S.I after the consultations with the residents in that area in the Faber’s Road area. But we are looking to redline that entire stretch right from the Boulevard. We are redlining it up to Rio Grande Crescent. No one will be allowed to park on that street once we have completed the consultations. But that is where we want to go because we have seen that is a main thoroughfare for many of the big trucks going into the Port Area. And many times people traversing that area have to be waiting while the next vehicle comes out. And so that is one of the solutions that has come out of the traffic committee to really address that situation that has been long pending and has really been a pain for residents and pedestrians and motorists driving in that area.”
