2024-09-02 - Channel 5 Belize

Parents Fill in During Teacher Shortage

There is a problem of teacher shortage at some schools for multiple reasons. In some cases, the teachers have not met the Ministry of Education’s requirement of reaching a hundred and twenty hours of Continuous Professional Development to apply for a teacher’s license, or they have but the system has not yet processed their license. In other cases, teachers simply leave the profession and move on to teaching jobs closer to home or to greener pastures altogether. It has created a problem for schools that have multiple teachers missing and a multitude of students to teach. Because Maskall Village is situated several miles away from a major highway, the primary school there finds itself in this situation. News Five’s Marion Ali went back to Maskall Village which has a shortage of three teachers. Here’s that report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

It’s the first day of school at Our Lady of Lourdes RC in Maskall Village. The children are excited to be back, but this year is not like previous years because there is a shortage of teachers at the institution. The nine teachers who are at school must do their best to ensure that the two hundred plus students in their custody receive optimum quality education, regardless of the deficiency. Principal Herman Ramirez says they’ll have to figure out.

Herman Ramirez, Principal, Our Lady of Lourdes RC Primary School

“We principals out here, we fill the vacuum, okay. Whenever a teacher is absent, whenever a teacher is missing, the principal takes on that role and goes into the classroom and does what the teacher should have been doing. In this case though, it’s quite different. We have a shortage of three staff – one at the preschool, which is very critical at this time because preschoolers normally – they give a little bit of trouble to settle down, and it requires more than just one teacher to be there. So, we’re short there, we’re short at standard two, and we’re short at standard five. So I’ll be moving between these classes to ensure that we have everything that we need in terms of resources, printing material, activity sheets for the children and so on, so that the teachers who are there assisting can find it easier.”

Kim Myers has three children attending classes at Our Lady of Lourdes. All three are affected by the teacher shortage and this means she’ll have to go the extra mile with her kids.

Kim Myers, Parent

“I usually check their school bag to see if any homework, then sit wa lee two hours with them to complete their homework and thing, so they could…”

Marion Ali

Now with the shortage, what yoh wa have to do you think?”

Kim Myers

“Well, I have to sit with them longer – be one to one with them.”

For Adrian Graham, he will also have to pinch hit as educator for his son who has entered Standard Two and has no homeroom teacher.

Adrian Graham, Parent

“There will be teachers substituting for other classes and you know, within that time, you’ll have to find work to give these kids and things to keep these kids minds occupied in that time and that’s where we as the parents would come in because maybe there’ll be times where they don’t have the time to teach the lessons in full and so us as parents, the communication that this school brings to me and my family is superb. So, you know, they keep us up to date on the WhatsApp, give us phone calls if needed and they tell us what type of homework should in case the kids don’t take it home, we know what homework are there to do, and they give us opportunities to, coach our kids as well. So, yes, I think it is a challenge for both the parents and the teachers. But then again, that’s a parent’s job and that’s a teacher’s job for us to come together to make sure our kids succeed.”

Earlier today, Minister Francis Fonseca explained that the Ministry of Education has processed the majority of certificates for teachers to get their licenses, so that should not be a problem for teachers who want to return to the classroom.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“No teacher has been denied a license or rejected a license. What the ministry has always done is put the application on hold because teachers have to apply for their license and then contacted the teacher; to say how can I work with you? So those teachers who we have heard publicly taking about – they made a decision that they would resign or – it’s not the ministry has removed them or rejected them. The ministry is always prepared to work with individual teachers – how can we work with you on your records, on getting your requirements in place. We provide them with options and alternatives. We’re always prepared to do that.”

Principal Ramirez hopes that the problem will be solved soon.

Herman Ramirez

“We’re trying very hard to try and get teachers that will stay here in this community. Like I mentioned before, it’s very hard for anyone to venture out to Maskall and have to figure out how to live in and teach. And that is the part that’s becoming a little challenging. But up to date, we are hoping that we will have the vacancies filled within a couple of weeks, if not a month the very latest. We have candidates who have expressed the desire to get into the teaching field and they have other degrees in other areas. So we are going to try and see if we can move up and get the ministry to facilitate the process.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Benque Inaugurates New Refugee Asylum Center

A new refugee information center has been opened in Benque Viejo to accommodate asylum seekers who enter Belize from the western border. Refugee information centers often advocate on behalf of asylum seekers, helping them navigate legal challenges and ensuring that their rights are protected. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with that story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

There are over four thousand, one hundred asylum seekers and refugees living in Belize. Many of them come from other Central American countries, including El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Since participating in the Global Refugee Forum, Belize has pledged to lead the regional protection response for forcibly displaced people. In Benque Viejo, a new refugee information center has been inaugurated.

Tanya Santos-Neal, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration

“Today we gather to celebrate a significant milestone, one that marks a new point in our collective commitment to humanity and compassion. This milestone also serves as a visual reminder that our ministry continues to adhere to its international obligations to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration. This office will not only serve as a contact point for these in need of protection, but will also stand as tangible evidence of our strengthened resolve to assist those susceptible to unsafe and irregular entry and stay due to displacement and justifiable fear.”

Refugee information centers play a crucial role for asylum seekers to access vital information about the asylum process, legal rights, and available services. They also offer immediate assistance such as food and shelter, healthcare and clothing.

Nikolai Zelaya, Acting Director, Refugees Dept.

“Among other things, the Refugee Act in Belize mandates us to ensure the provision of adequate facilities and services for the care of refugees within Belize. This Refugee Information Center is the embodiment of that concept where we will strive to provide information to the public, among other services. The stated aims of this office is to serve as a liaison between the general public and our main refugee department office in Belmopan, and also to serve as a direct link between the refugee department and the other government departments located in this area with whom we have developed great working relationships.”

Aside from assisting asylum seekers who arrive with very few resources, refugee information centers also provide psychosocial support, including counseling and mental health services to help refugees cope with the trauma and stress of displacement.

Myrat Myradov, Head, UNHCR Belize

“The western border station where we are now which is an integral corridor to Central America continues to mark the highest number of arrivals for persons seeking safety in Belize. We believe that the Refugee Information Center will assist many asylum seekers seeking refuge in Belize. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines that everyone has the right to seek and enjoy asylum and Belize is a good example where asylum seekers can enter the country without being penalized, get information and seek asylum, and approach the refugee department for the refugee status determination. Over the past years, we have seen an excellent cooperation between the various government bodies, including the immigration border department, refugee department, police, municipality, religious organizations and host community in supporting and providing information to asylum seekers on the processes available in Belize.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Flag Raising Ceremony Gets September Celebrations Going

A flag raising ceremony in Belize City on Sunday morning formally commenced September Celebrations activities in the Old Capital. The event took place at the roundabout near Pallotti High School where representatives of the Belize City Council, as well as the National Celebrations Commission were on hand for the brief ceremony.

Who Are the 2024 Carnival King and Queen?

There is a new Carnival King and Queen. The forty-ninth competition was held over the weekend in Belize City with a total of eighteen competitors, five in the junior male and five in the junior female categories. And in the senior king and queen categories there were four and four, with the Fort Revelers being a no-show at the eleventh hour. For those who attended the Carnival Queen and King competitions at the Belize City Civic Centre on Saturday night, their favorite presenters adorned themselves in costumes made of designs and color blends never before seen. News Five’s Marion Ali was there and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

From the time the competition began around seven pm, until it ended before nine, eighteen king and queen competitors in the senior and junior king and queen categories rallied for the loudest cheers and most importantly, the favor of the judges. President of the Belize Carnival Association, Patrick Thompson explained to us that the competition was really for bragging rights over who rules the Carnival Road March as far as kings and queens are concerned.

Patrick Thompson, President, Belize Carnival Association

“This is where these costumes get their individual judging because they are not judged on road march. They are just to enhance the groups’ storyline, and the judges have their criteria where they will be looking for the mobility of the costume, the originality, the blend of colors, and how the player display the costume rather than just dance or push or pull the costume. We don’t want to see if that person can do the latest dance, you know, because that person and the costume should be one.”

The judges were carefully studying the costumes even before the competitors wore them for their presentations. At the end of it all, Jump Street Posse won the Junior Queen Category, while Soca Massive won the Junior King Category. In the Senior Queen category, Soca Moca won, and Belizean Jewels captured the Senior King title. Head Judge, Jerome Ali explained to News Five what impressed him and what didn’t.

Jerome Ali, Head Judge, Carnival King and Queen Competition

“The costumes were well put together. We had seen that colors and most of the ideas put together. I like what I saw tonight. The impact I was looking at is how well these king and queen players perform. And that was the main aspect of what we’re really looking at – how they take that costume and carry it through to create that true carnival spirit that we wanted to see.”

Marion Ali

“And how impressed were you with that segment?

Jerome Ali

“The impact was good. I could have seen a little more because I noticed some of the costumes were a bit weighted. That prevented a lot of, well – the movement that I wanted to see due to the fact that the material that is being used in Belize compared to the Caribbean is that light. Somehow I feel that these mass builders need to get their hands on lightweight materials.”

Carnival President Thompson said the results of the king and queen competition have no bearing in any way on which group wins the prizes in the various categories for the road march, which will take place this Saturday.

Patrick Thompson

“Once this competition is over tonight, it doesn’t, it doesn’t factor – it is not a carryover of points to the road march, but in our rules, it states that the king and the queen must be in the road march because like I said, it is a part of their entire storyline that they are depicting carnival day. And as a matter of fact, I would say that these are the two major characters within their storyline. So there is a major point deduction for not being in the road march of all these costumes must be in the road march.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Briceño says 5 More Years at Orange Walk Endorsement

On Saturday, the People’s United Party held a convention to endorse four standard bearers for the Orange Walk North, South, East, and Central constituencies. They are Ramon Cervantes, Jose Abelardo Mai, Kevin Bernard and Prime Minister John Briceño, respectively. The district is currently dominated by the P.U.P. as all four standard bearers are current area representatives. News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the event to capture the nominations.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The Sugar City was a spectacle of blue and white on Saturday when the People’s United Party hosted a convention endorsing four candidates as standard bearers for the Orange Walk district. Prime Minister John Briceño was once again nominated as standard bearer for Orange Walk Central.

John Briceño, Area Rep, Orange Walk Central

“I humbly accept the nomination to be the standard bearer for Orange Walk Central once again. And yes, we have been winning election after election since 1993, Orange Walk Central haven’t lost a single election, because even when we don’t win town council in Orange Walk Central, we deliver for the People’s United Party. But that is only possible, I am only a small part of that work.”

PUP Orange Walk North standard bearer is Ramon Cervantes. He took the platform to thank his supporters for recognizing the work he has done for the constituency.

Ramon Cervantes, Area Rep., Orange Walk, North

“Thank you especially to the beautiful people of Orange Walk North for renewing their confidence, their confidence in me as their candidate for the next elections. I love you all a lot. Thank you to God for giving us life and the strength to be here today for this grandiose moment. Its been ten years since we started the march towards victory for the People’s United Party in Orange Walk North. In those times I remember myself. And I think we all remind ourselves that many thought that we could never win, that we were never going to win. The atmosphere was discouraging and the future was dark, but with the encouragement, rigor and support of you, the northern people, we began to see victory.”

Following Cervantes’s nomination, former mayor and incumbent Orange Walk East Area Representative Kevin Bernard highlighted the progress his constituency has made during his term thus far.

Kevin Bernard, Area Representative, Orange Walk East

“Three years ago, when you visited Santa Martha, you couldn’t even make a phone call from that village. Today, Santa Marta now has access to internet, can make proper phone calls, and can communicate to the people. Three and a half years ago, Santa Martha didn’t even have access to healthcare in their community. But today, we can boast that Santa Martha now has a head clinic to serve the people of that community. Ladies and gentlemen, from the day Tower Hill was made a village, and it was always under the UDP. But today, with the last village council elections that we had and we won, we made a commitment to the people of Tower Hill. They were always depending on the Carmelita water system. But now, Tower Hill residents have their own water system. have done a lot of major works, but there’s much more to be done.”

Up next was Jose Abelardo Mai who is running for Orange Walk South. Mai explains that he plans to continue the work he has been doing to improve the livelihoods of farmers.

Jose Abelardo Mai, Area Representative, Orange Walk South

“The people in Orange Walk South continue to show support for what I’m doing. And that has motivated me to again be the candidate for the next elections. We still have a lot of work to do. When we inherited the government, I think you all know the state of the country. Today, we’ve made significant steps improving the country, but as a total country, there’s still a lot to do. I’ve decided to again, make that giant step another five years. Under the PUP of course, under the leadership of John Briceño. I believe that with his leadership and if he feels it proper to make me a minister of cabinet, I will again do my job to the best of my ability.”

Prime Minister Briceño has no plans to call an early election. He reiterates his confidence in his party, maintaining that no matter when the election is held, they will have the votes.

John Briceño

“We still have a lot of work to do. For instance, we, in the Orange Walk district, we still have to run electricity to San Carlos. We expect to get that done by the end of December. We are looking at starting to pave the road to Guinea Grass, we are going to do it in two phases. So the first year is supposed to start before the end of the year. And like that, there’s so much work that we do, we have to do. I know it is tempting to call an election right now because, well, the UDP continues to implode. But we were elected for five years, and we still have a lot of work to do. So I think that we should continue to do the work. And we believe that if we continue working the way we have over the past three years and nine months that whenever we call elections, next year that the people are still going to support us.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belize Leading the Charge In Justice System Reformation

Belize is making strides to improve its judiciary system by hosting the country’s first-ever criminal justice reform conference. This conference focuses on advancing the Needham’s Point Declaration, which is a pivotal framework for criminal justice reform in the Caribbean, underscoring the need for swift and fair justice for the guilty and protection of the rights of victims. The five-day conference began today in Belize City. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there for more information.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

For years, the backlog of cases in Belize’s criminal justice system has weighed heavily on the shoulders of those seeking justice for themselves or a loved one. As of last year, over fourteen years’ worth of cases were yet to be finalized in court, but now that number has been reduced to just five years and is decreasing by the day. This change is due, in part, to the Needham’s Point Declaration, which is a framework adopted in 2023 meant to encourage more efficient and fairer justice systems. Justice Derek Sylvester, Chair of the Judicial Education Institute, explained how the declaration is accomplishing this goal.

Derek Sylvester, Chair, Judicial Education Institute

“What it seeks to do is to reform the complete criminal justice system. Reduce backlogs and delays. It seeks to examine police, prosecutors, judges, lawyers, judgment writing, every facet wherein delays are likely. Because we have had delays, persons on remand, persons awaiting trial, and the reduction of the backlog. If we were to accept the 39 articles in the Needham’s Point Declaration, I could assure you that Belize would be on an upward trajectory. And we have adopted them. I’m happy to say that thus far, we have reduced the case backlog from fourteen years in the criminal court to five years. And we’re on a trajectory to adopt the Needham’s Point Declaration, Article 19, which states that criminal matters should be completed in the high court within one year and in the lower court or the magistrate court within six months. So it is that trajectory that Belize is on and Belize is leading the way in the Caribbean.”

Belize is on track to have a manageable number of backlog cases by the middle of next year. The recent passing of the pleas discussion legislation which allows the defense and prosecution to discuss alternative sentences and plea deals. Justice Winston Anderson, a judge on the Caribbean Court of Justice, says Belize is spearheading the movement towards a more efficient system, with the implementation of a Criminal Justice Board.

Justice Winston Anderson, Judge, CCJ

“It is headed by the Chief Justice, but it has representatives from the Attorney General’s Chambers. It has the Director of Public Prosecutions. It has people from the police, people from the prisons, people from just various sectors in social in the social community and forensic department as well. And these four persons come together with an aim of trying to streamline the process for investigating crimes, for prosecuting crimes, and also for sentencing. I think that the fact that they’ve all come together in this way has meant that there has been a vast increase in the rate in which these criminal trials have been prosecuted. We had this morning information that in seven months, one judge in Belize has completed thirty criminal cases. Another judge completed twenty-nine and another twenty-seven.”

The conference is partially funded by the United Nations Development Program. UNDP resident representative in Belize, Khishan Koday explains how the organization has been building capacity for countries in the region to reach their collective goals.

Khishan Koday, Representative, UNDP

“This conference in Belize is the first of its kind here, where we’re building capacity of about one hundred and twenty judges, magistrates, prosecutors, Colleagues from the forensics office, the police, et cetera, on various aspects of criminal justice sector reform to enhance capacities of individuals, but also those institutions that they’re working in. This is done through the support of judges and other experts from around the Caribbean as well as from the UK, and that’s a great platform, really, of capacity development to get that goal of efficiency and more effectiveness of the judicial system.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Beacons 3peat as National Softball Champs

Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The Beacons are your 2024 National Women’s Softball Champions. They displayed championship stamina, playing four games back-to-back, including the championship match. They worked their way out of the losers’ circle and brought down the tournament’s undefeated team, the Belize Bank Bulldogs, to secure a three-peat.

The sun had set, and the lights came on inside the Sand Hill Softball stadium. The Belize Bank Bulldogs were undefeated and one win away from securing the 2024 Championship. Their opponents, defending champions Beacons, were outperformed during the tournament and so they had to claw their way back to the top. They came into this one after two back-to-back winning games. But their journey was far from over. Beacons would have to win this one and force and final game. This is the bottom of the first inning. The Bulldogs have two outs and a chance to lead the game with a runner on third. A massive swing sends the ball into left field. And that is a beautiful catch by Dianelli Wade to end the inning.

At the top of the second inning, Mexican Esthela Segovia is up to bat for Beacons. Segovia connects the first pitch of the inning. That one goes and goes and its out of the park for a homerun. She takes her celebratory lap and the dugout erupts in excitement. At the top of the third, the Bulldogs’ catcher and pitcher are alert as Arneek Roland tries to steal second base. Sharette Vernon came from behind her with a massive hit into left field thar puts her at second base. The Bulldogs were able to hold them off in that inning. There is a runner on second at the top of the third, Bulldogs’ number nine inside the batter’s box. She hits just inside the line towards right field and there goes Renisha Richards sprinting towards the home plate. It’s a very close call and the umpire calls that one safe. The game is now tied at one run a piece.

Let’s fast forward this one to the top of the sixth inning where the game is still tied at one run each. Beacons had two outs, no runners on base. Their pitcher, Mexican Alejandra Vasquez is up to bat. She has two strikes. Vasquez connects and that one goes all the way out of the park. A second homerun for Beacons. The defending champions held off the Bulldogs for the rest of the match and forced a second and final game. The grand finale began at ten p.m. on a Sunday night. Fans were still out and so were some of the children that were preparing for their return to school on Monday.

We are at the bottom of the second, Beacons are up to bat. Shadelle Ho inside the batter’s box with two strikes as a runner on third. Clean hit directly to the shortstop. Arneek Roland makes it home and Ho gets on first base. He’s now on third. Esthela Segovia on first and Vasquez up to bat. Segovia goes for the second base steal. The ball hits her helmet and Ho sprints to the home plate. That’s two runs for Beacons. Beacons is still in the lead with two runs at the top of the fourth. Ashley Lucas is up to bat for the Bulldogs with a runner on first. Lucas with a hit into center field. The catch is fumbled and number two, Hilton ran across the home plate safe. One run for Bulldogs.

Kelsey Robinson up to bat. She hits a ground ball into left field. Lucas secures the second run for Bulldogs to tie the game.The game remained tied at the bottom of the fifth inning. Runners on first and third base for Beacons. Sharette Vernon bunts. The pitcher glanced at third base and overthrows to first. A huge error that sends Lynesse Alvarez and Arneek Roland home for two runs. The Bulldogs are trailing by two at the top of the sixth. 6:25 Here, runners on first and second. Joline Davis is inside the batter’s box. Davis hits a powerful ground ball into left field. Pinch runner Bood makes it home and gives Bulldogs a fighting chance.

Kelsey Robinson with a massive hit only shy of a few inches from being a homerun. That hit brought in the fourth runner to tie the game. Down to the last inning, the Bulldogs were unable to make any runs in the top of the seventh. Beacons were left with an opportunity to close out the season with one run. Runners on first and second. Mexican Esthela Segovia up to bat. Segovia hits a ground ball into center field. Sharette Vernon, with her coach behind her, sprinted to the home plate, securing the run that would give Beacon the 2024 Championship. Watch as she gets dogpiled at home plate. Fireworks went off. Beacons with the three-peat. Beacons also took home six individual awards, including the MVP award.

Let’s wrap up this week’s installment of Sports Monday with some highlights from this weekend’s Williams Dawson Sprite Basketball Tournament. This one is between Survivor Ballers and Lords Bank Warriors.Some quick stats for you here. The first quarter ended with Survivor Ballers in the lead, seven points to three. The Lord Bank Warriors came back in the second quarter with a much different mindset and outscored the Ballers by three points to bring the game with one point at the half. The third quarter was near even in scoring. Survivor Ballers scored eleven points and Lords Bank Warriors scored ten points. The third ended with the Ballers in the lead with twenty-six points to the Warriors’ twenty-four. In the end, Survivor Ballers took home the victory with forty-five points to Lords Bank Warrior’s forty-one points. As a reminder, the William Dawson Sprite Basketball Tournament was established to unite rivaling communities through the discipline.

Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.

US Seizes Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s Aircraft

The United States seized an aircraft used by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in the Dominican Republic, citing violations of US sanctions and other criminal activities. The plane, a Dassault Falcon 900EX, was transported to Florida. This move escalates the already tense relationship between the US and Venezuela, as US authorities continue to investigate what they consider corrupt practices by the Venezuelan government.

The US Justice Department claims the aircraft was illegally purchased for $13 million through a shell company and smuggled out of the US. Multiple federal agencies were involved in the seizure, which was coordinated with the Dominican Republic. The plane was primarily used for Maduro’s international travels and flights to a Venezuelan military base.

US officials aim to disrupt financial flows to the Maduro regime, having previously seized numerous assets linked to Venezuelan officials. The situation continues to impact US politics, especially as millions of Venezuelans flee to the US-Mexico border due to the country’s economic crisis. The US also recently called for the release of specific election data from Venezuela, questioning the legitimacy of Maduro’s leadership.

BTV Demands Immediate Government Response Following ‘Guatemalan Assault’

The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) is urgently calling on the government “to take decisive and immediate action in response to a recent violation of Belizean sovereignty.” The BTV says that on Saturday, August 31, 2024, the Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) “unprovoked assault on Belizean nationals along the Belize side of the Sarstoon River.”

The BTV says this “blatant act of aggression and intimidation against unarmed Belizeans is an alarming escalation that cannot be ignored.” The BTV is urging the government to show strong leadership in defending the nation’s territorial integrity. “We demand that the GOB file a formal protest to the Guatemalan government and appeal to the international community for support and intervention.”

BTV says the Belizean government must act with the urgency and determination required by this situation. It adds that a diplomatic note should be sent in the strongest possible terms to condemn the GAF’s actions and demand an immediate end to such hostile activities.

“Furthermore, the establishment of a Sarstoon Protocol is not only overdue but imperative to safeguard our national security and prevent future incidents of this nature.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@channel.5.belize/video/7410073175360294149?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7399777921785628166

Belize Citrus Industry Receives $1 Million Boost Amid Recovery

The citrus industry in Belize has received a significant boost with the recent approval of a one-time subsidy of one million dollars from the government of Belize. This funding is specifically allocated for the purchase of fertiliser to be applied to citrus orchards. The aim is to enhance production and support the struggling industry. This development comes as the citrus sector continues to recover from one of its most challenging periods in over a century.

In an interview with News Five in June, Hugh O’Brien, the Program Officer for Citrus Diversification at the Ministry of Agriculture, said that the industry has faced multiple setbacks over the years, with citrus greening being a major issue towards the end of the last decade. “We were hit hard by citrus greening back in 2009 and 2010, which had a gradual but severe impact on production,” O’Brien explained. “By around 2013, the industry really started to decline, and last year marked our lowest production in about fifty years, with just over 300,000 boxes of oranges and grapefruits processed at the factory.”

O’Brien remains cautiously optimistic about the industry’s future. “In our best years, we were producing eight million boxes, so last year’s output was just a fraction of that—about one-twentieth. However, there are signs of recovery. The new Silk Grass Plant began operations and processed an additional 40,000 boxes, and local markets consumed another 30,000 to 40,000 boxes, bringing the total to around 400,000 boxes. Additionally, there is a demand for Belizean oranges in Guatemala, particularly in Melchor and Flores, where they supply local markets and resorts.”