2024-11-26 - Channel 5 Belize

US Suspends Mexican Cattle Imports Over Screwworm Case

The United States has temporarily halted cattle imports from Mexico following the detection of a case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Catazaja, Chiapas, near Mexico’s border with Guatemala. The announcement was made by Mexico’s government on Sunday. The severity of the threat posed by the parasitic fly can devastate livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including humans.

In its statement, the Mexican government assured that measures to control the outbreak are underway and that the suspension does not affect other exports. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed receiving notification from Mexico’s chief veterinary officer, adding that NWS infestations typically enter through open wounds, where maggots feed on living tissue. The USDA is now collaborating with Mexico and Central American partners to contain the spread, urging producers to monitor livestock closely for signs of infection.

This development comes as Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai, recently participated in a regional meeting in Chetumal, Mexico, focused on the prevention of exotic animal diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and screwworm.

The meeting, hosted by Mexico’s National Service for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA), brought together officials from various organisations, including the Mexican Army and the National Guard, to discuss strategies for safeguarding the agricultural sector. Gabino Galván, Regional Director for SENASICA, and other experts stressed the importance of vigilance in preventing screwworm from spreading further.

Trump Threatens New Tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, Sparking Global Concerns

President-elect Donald Trump has unveiled plans to impose sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China immediately after taking office, a move aimed at curbing illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The proposed measures mark a sharp escalation in trade tensions with three of the United States’ largest trading partners and have prompted warnings of economic repercussions.

Trump announced he would sign an executive order on January 20, 2025, imposing a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada. The tariffs will remain until both countries “clamp down” on fentanyl production and illegal border crossings. Simultaneously, Trump plans a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, which he says will pressure Beijing to take stronger action against fentanyl smuggling.

The proposed tariffs could significantly disrupt trade, as the three nations account for nearly 40% of the $3.2 trillion in goods imported by the U.S. annually. Critics warn that the tariffs may backfire, raising costs for American consumers and straining supply chains.

Mexico’s finance ministry emphasised the economic interdependence of the two countries, noting that more than 80% of Mexico’s exports go to the U.S. Similarly, Canada, which sends about 75% of its exports to its southern neighbour, expressed concerns. Meanwhile, Trump’s additional tariff on China comes as Beijing faces economic challenges, including a property crisis and rising debt. Chinese officials rebuffed the accusations, with a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy stating, “No one will win a trade war or a tariff war.”

Economists have criticised Trump’s reliance on tariffs, arguing that they function as a domestic tax that often raises prices for consumers. Studies from his first term showed the economic burden of tariffs fell largely on U.S. businesses and households.

Adding to the controversy, the planned measures may violate the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a trade deal Trump himself signed into law in 2020, which preserved largely duty-free trade among the three countries.

UK Travel Requires ETA for Belizeans by 2025

Starting January 8, 2025, Belizeans will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the United Kingdom (UK). Applications open on November 27, 2024, and can be completed through the UK government portal or the “UK ETA” mobile app. The ETA is mandatory for short-term visits, including tourism, family visits, or business trips, and costs £10 per person, including children. Applicants must provide their passport, photos, proof of payment, and an email address, and the process may take up to three working days.

The ETA allows visits of up to six months for tourism, short-term study, or permitted paid engagements but does not permit working, claiming public funds, or frequent successive visits. If travelling for other purposes or for longer than six months, a visa may be required instead.

Certain individuals are exempt from needing an ETA, including those with a UK visa, permission to live, work, or study in the UK, or British or Irish citizens. Dual citizens can travel using their British or Irish passports. Residents of Ireland travelling from specific locations, such as Gloucester or Jersey, are also exempt.

ETAs are valid for two years and linked to the applicant’s passport. Travellers must apply for a new ETA if they acquire a new passport. While an ETA is required for entry, it does not guarantee admission to the UK, as a Border Force officer will make the final decision.

Thousands of Migrants Head to US Border Ahead of Trump Presidency

Thousands of Central American migrants departed southern Mexico on November 20, seeking to reach the US border before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January.

The group aims to avoid potential immigration restrictions and take advantage of the CBP-ONE asylum system while it remains in place. Trump has pledged to enforce stricter immigration policies and mass deportations upon taking office, fuelling urgency among the migrants.

The caravan is requesting free movement through Mexico to facilitate their journey north. However, as seen with past caravans, many participants may disperse before reaching the US border.

President-elect Donald J. Trump has vowed to implement sweeping immigration measures, including slashing both legal and illegal immigration and ramping up deportations from Day 1 of his presidency. These promises have sparked widespread panic among immigrant communities, with many racing to secure their status before the crackdown begins.

Immigration lawyers report being overwhelmed as foreign-born residents flood their offices and jam phone lines. Nonprofits hosting information sessions are seeing record attendance, while immigrants take urgent steps to protect themselves. Those with green cards are rushing to apply for citizenship, while individuals with tenuous legal status are filing for asylum to shield themselves under current protocols. Some couples are expediting marriages to qualify for green card applications.

Trump’s hardline rhetoric echoes his first term, during which he deported approximately 1.5 million people. This time, his top adviser, Stephen Miller, has proposed mass detention centres as “staging areas” for large-scale deportations. Trump’s plans also include workplace raids and targeting individuals with criminal records or outstanding deportation orders.