Earlier this year, Minister of the Blue Economy, Andre Perez, mentioned that the fees for archaeological reserves would go up, but that deadline has already come and gone. Today, Minister of Education and Culture, Francis Fonseca, explained to reporters that the delay was just due to some technicalities, like paperwork. He now says the new fees will kick in with the New Year.
Francis Fonseca, Cabinet Minister
“As you all know, November 1st, we’ve now said it will take effect on January 1st. There were also some discussions with some of the cruise operators, uh, so cruise ships, and, and I think there was a sense that perhaps we needed a few more weeks. So everybody agreed that January 1st would be the best time.”
Belize: The Caribbean Beat in the heart of Central America – many of us grew up hearing this catchy phrase on Radio Belize. But how much does Belize benefit from this identity? You’d think that being part of both the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Central American Integration Organization (SICA) would help Belize forge strong trade relationships and get more of our products into the export market. That’s exactly what we discussed with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade today, as the Belize City Council proudly raised the flags of twenty-two countries and territories that are part of these two organizations. News Five’s Marion Ali has the story.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Raising the flags of CARICOM and SICA member countries at the flagmonument at the Northern entrance to Belize City was a powerful symbol of the unity and partnership Belize shares with these organizations. This act celebrates our fifty years with CARICOM and twenty-six years with SICA. Today, Mayor Bernard Wagner highlighted this symbolism, proudly showcasing our connection with these regions at the city’s northern gateway.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City
“Today we certainly rededicate a monument that carries not just the colors and symbols of the Caribbean and Central America regions, but also the spirit of unity, the spirit of pride, the spirit of friendship shared across our region. Today we stand at the Belize City Flag Monument, a twenty-four-year-old gift from Barclays Bank that once served Belize, now finding new life as we restore its original tradition and significance.”
But how much has this symbolism and these partnerships benefited Belize, in terms of trading our products with them? Month after month, reports from the Statistical Institute of Belize highlight a clear imbalance between our imports and exports – we bring in way more than we send out. So, after the flag-raising ceremony, we asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade how the symbolism of our memberships in CARICOM and SICA can translate into real economic benefits. He said that as far as CARICOM is concerned, the support has been more political in the past, but that Belize is now seeking economic growth through that link.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Min. of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade
“Because of their strong commitment to Belize’s self-government, to Belize’s independence, to Belize’s territorial integrity, to our right to self-determination, CARICOM has been a seamless block of support in terms of that effort for Belize, so political development has been really the priority, I think, for many, many years. Now I think, over the past decade or so, I think there has been a renewed effort on Belize’s part to look at economic development. How can we benefit economically from these regional organizations? And that’s where I think we have a real opportunity, and we have been working very aggressively on that issue over the past few years here in Belize.”
Fonseca mentioned that similar efforts are underway to boost our economic benefits from SICA. He highlighted a trade and investment delegation to Guatemala, led by Prime Minister John Briceno in August of this year. He suggested that distance might be our biggest hurdle with CARICOM, while with SICA, the challenge could be the language barrier.
Francis Fonseca
“Maybe it was a language barrier, but definitely I don’t believe that we have made a concerted effort to engage with SICA. I’ve done a lot of work with CARICOM, and of course distance is an issue, really it is very far, and so it, the cost of trade is increased. We’re working to make sure that Belize joins these regional organizations like SIECA, which is like the economic arm of SICA, and other organizations, that will allow us to be at the table to engage in meaningful dialogue, discussions about economic development and investment.”
And if the discussions go in our favour, Belize could expect to export more agricultural products to these regions and also attract tourists from them as well, Fonseca said.
Francis Fonseca
“These markets are big. For example, in Guatemala, we have seventeen million people. In terms of chicken and beef, poultry and beef, markets for our grains, markets as well for in terms of tourism, we’re always looking at these countries.”
Mayor Wagner said that the flags will be flown year-round, except for the month of September. Marion Ali for News Five.
On Tuesday, the residents of San Narciso in the Orange Walk District gathered for the handover of plumbing materials for a new water system. Ministers of State Ramon Cervantes and Ramiro Ramirez, along with UNICEF Country Representative Alison Parker, presented the materials to the local water board. While in San Narciso, the junior ministers also inaugurated a new solar energy system for the village. Here’s more from the brief ceremony.
Ramon Cervantes
Ramon Cervantes, Minister of State, Foreign Affairs
“Within the framework of the project rational use and development of renewable energies in the SICA countries, the community of San Narciso was a beneficiary of this initiative under the national project through the use of renewable energy sources, ensuring potable drinking water access and safer communities in Belize. Designed under this framework and financed by the Republic of China (Taiwan) through the Central American Commission on the Environment and Development. This project, albeit small, contributes to meeting the electricity demands that have skyrocketed over the past year. The 22KV SMA grid tie solar system will assist the San Narciso water board with a saving of approximately one thousand, one hundred dollars monthly. This saving can be used to expand and/or modify the current network to be more efficient. It is also hoped that with such investment, water-saving measures will be put in place to reduce the water loss. This investment here, of a hundred and thirty thousand, as my colleague said, benefited one thousand, one hundred households and a population of approximately six thousand, seven hundred and fifty persons. We cannot deny the fact that climate change is a reality.”
Speaking to the crowd, Corozal Southwest Area Representative Ramiro Ramirez expressed his gratitude to the Government of Taiwan for their help in providing the solar panels. He also emphasized the importance of water conservation, especially with the new water system on the way.
Ramiro Ramirez
Ramiro Ramirez, Minister of State, Rural Transformation
“I want to give thanks to Taiwan for giving us not only this opportunity but my ministry, our Ministry of Rural Development had benefiting from these projects all over Belize. We had inaugurated something like this in Machakil Ha and elsewhere down south. Thank you, Taiwan, for helping us with such a program that you are bringing here in Belize. The water is very essential, we spoke this morning about the water, especially with the environment that we are having these days. We are having too much water but that noh means that the water one of these days won’t be scarce. We have to be real, we have to be human, we have to take care of the water. Before, when we use to brush our teeth, we had a glass of water. Now that we have all the facilities with the water board and the system, we just open the faucet and we forget that we are brushing our teeth. We’re throwing away water and we need to mind and take care of the water because it’s very important.”
What about the idea of a film school in Belize? A local film company is reportedly planning to use Galen University’s film industry classes to make this happen. Minister Fonseca thinks it’s a great idea, but he mentioned that they need more details about the plan to figure out how the government can support it.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education & Culture
“It would be a good opportunity but I’d really have to see a proposal from them. We’d have to look at it and determine how that would work and how it would complement what we are already doing here in belize. Um, but certainly, um, you know we welcome opportunities for our people to to get you know, um exposed to Areas of media and film and that sort of thing. That’s something that’s lacking um, so You know, we we would certainly in principle welcome it but we have to look at a more detailed proposal to determine if it’s something We would support.”
It’s an exciting prospect, and with the right backing, it could really put Belize on the map in the film industry.
A few minutes ago, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a concession speech at Howard University in Washington, DC., following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election. In her address, Harris acknowledged the emotions of her supporters, saying, “Now I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now. I get it. But we must accept the results of this election.”
She shared that she had called President-elect Trump to concede the race. She said, “We will engage in a peaceful transfer of power.”
While conceding the election, Harris vowed to continue fighting for causes central to her campaign. “I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations,” she declared. She also reiterated her commitment to protecting women’s rights and addressing gun violence, saying, “The women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body and not have their government telling them what to do. We will never give up the fight to protect our schools and our streets from gun violence.”
Harris called on her supporters to remain respectful and kind, urging them to continue the fight for “fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld.”
On Malaria Day in the Americas, the Ministry of Health and Wellness highlighted Belize’s success in becoming malaria-free, with the World Health Organization (WHO) officially certifying the country on June 19, 2023. Belize has now gone nearly six years without local transmission, reporting its last case in December 2018.
The Ministry of Health shared, “Today we join in the celebration of Malaria Day in the Americas. The day is used to raise an important opportunity for countries of this region to engage various stakeholders in aggressively fighting malaria.”
The theme this year is ‘Expanding access to malaria diagnosis and treatment without barriers.”
Belize’s efforts include a robust malaria diagnosis network with 8 malaria laboratories, 10 microscopists, and 362 community-level testing sites, 223 of which offer both microscopic diagnosis and rapid diagnostic tests.
The Ministry also expressed its appreciation for the collaboration of malaria volunteers, health workers, and regional partners like the Pan American Health Organization and the Inter-American Development Bank.
This year marks the 18th annual Malaria Day in the Americas.
Donald Trump secured his presidential victory after running a campaign heavily focused on a tough stance against immigration. Central to his platform was a promise to enforce stricter immigration policies, including mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. His rhetoric resonated with many of his supporters, who view immigration reform as a key national security issue. However, his hardline approach has raised concerns among immigrant communities, particularly those seeking asylum or already residing in the United States, fearing the impact of potential mass deportations under his administration.
Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, was asked this morning about Trump’s stance on immigration and its potential impact on Belizeans, particularly those who recently sought asylum in the U.S. Fonseca acknowledged the president’s campaign statements but stressed the importance of waiting to see what actual policies are implemented. “The president during his campaign made certain, I think, policy statements about you know. I don’t think that all of the United States is in a position on immigration. Of course, you know, you have to wait and see what actually happens. But I think, you know, everyone knows that one of the great attributes of the United States of America is that it’s a country of laws. It’s a country that has demonstrated over centuries its commitment to the rule of law.”
He also noted that undocumented immigrants might naturally feel anxious about their status, but Belizeans should not live in fear under the new government. “I don’t think that Belizeans who are living there should be in fear. Obviously, if you’re an illegal immigrant, I expect that you’re always a bit anxious about your status, so I guess that will continue. But we certainly hope that the new administration coming in will fully, as we expect, fully abide by laws, international laws, as well as their own domestic laws. And, of course, always treat immigrants with respect and dignity.”
Reflecting on the past, Fonseca stated that during Trump’s previous term in office, Belize maintained good relations with the U.S. and has continued to enjoy strong ties during President Biden’s administration. He expects the relationship with the upcoming Trump administration to remain positive, given the shared goals between the two countries, particularly in addressing regional challenges such as security, narcotrafficking, human trafficking, and crime.
Hurricane Rafael intensified into a Category 3 storm on Wednesday afternoon as it passed by the Cayman Islands, heading toward western Cuba, where it was expected to make landfall by evening. According to the National Hurricane Center, Rafael was forecast to strengthen even further before reaching Cuba, marking another challenge for the island, which is already grappling with power outages and recovering from a previous hurricane that killed at least six people in the eastern region two weeks ago.
As of 1 p.m. Eastern time, Rafael was classified as a low-end Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour after a period of steady growth. The hurricane was located about 40 miles northeast of the Isle of Youth and 85 miles south of Havana, moving northwest at 14 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
Forecasters warned that Rafael could hit Cuba as a potential Category 4 storm, bringing life-threatening storm surge, damaging hurricane-force winds, and flash flooding to western parts of the island. The hurricane had already caused heavy rainfall in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands on Tuesday. I
A hurricane warning for the Cayman Islands, in effect on Tuesday, was lifted for Grand Cayman on Wednesday. However, the warning remained in place for Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, and the Cuban provinces of Pinar del Rio, Artemisa, La Habana, Mayabeque, Matanzas, and the Isle of Youth.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca said that Belize congratulates Donald Trump on winning the 2024 US president elections. Fonseca said, “We look forward to working with his administration.” Fonseca added that the Belize government looks forward to continuing to strengthen the important relationship between the two nations. He said Belize is committed to working closely with any U.S. president and administration to advance their mutual needs and interests. “We expect to have a good, strong working relationship and partnership with his administration.”
Fonseca said that the US and Belize have shared goals in addressing regional challenges such as security issues, human trafficking and narco trafficking. “Those are shared goals, so I expect us to have a very good working relationship.”
Vice President Kamala Harris called Trump Wednesday to congratulate him on his election victory. Harris discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power with Trump ahead of her planned concession speech Wednesday afternoon.
Congress is scheduled to meet on Jan. 6, 2025, to count the Electoral College results, and Mr. Trump is set to be sworn into office two weeks later, on Jan. 20. Presidents’ terms always begin that day under a presidential succession timeline set by the Constitution.
