Foreign exchange is vital for a small, open economy like Belize. Trading goods with other countries requires foreign currency, making Belize’s foreign exchange assets crucial. According to Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael, the country’s foreign holdings are in good shape. Right now, the entire banking system holds one point nine billion dollars in foreign exchange assets. Governor Michael shared more details during Wednesday’s Central Bank press conference.
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank
“Currently the foreign exchange assets of the entire banking system, those held by commercial banks and those of the Central Bank, stands at one point nine billion. And of this total the pool of official reserves by the Central Bank totals one billion, equivalent to four months of imports, comfortably above the three months benchmark. In contrast the pool of reserve held by the domestic banks are just under Central Bank’s one billion, at nine hundred million. And, this is the highest it has ever been on record. Factors driving this performance are tourism leading the way at one point two billion, up almost eleven percent for the year to date, January to September. Export Revenue is up marginally by point one percent or ten basis points and total seven hundred and sixty-three million, up to September. FDI very strong for the first three quarters of the year, by four-four percent, up one hundred and ninety-five point four million. BPOs helps to explain some of the labor market’s pressures or tightness, totals a hundred and sixty-nine point one million and up seven point four percent. Remittances up small, one point two percent, two hundred and twenty-two million. And loan disbursements, I don’t mind this one being down at all, fifteen point seven percent and total a hundred and forty-nine point four million dollars.”
Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael also highlighted the ongoing efforts with credit unions nationwide. Since 2005, when the Central Bank’s governor was appointed as the registrar of credit unions and given regulatory and supervisory authority, Michael’s team has been busy. They’ve been working hard to strengthen the regulatory framework and liquidate inactive credit unions.
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank
“The Central Bank has also been working to bolster the resilience of the credit union sector. The entire financial sector has had to adapt with the evolving economic landscape and the Central Bank has undertaken initiatives to build credit union resilience and to enhance competitiveness. In 2005 the Central Bank assumed responsibility for the regulation and supervision of credit unions when the Central Bank’s governor was designated registrar of credit unions. Since then the Central Bank has made strides to address laxities in regulatory oversight and we have seen credit unions enhance their footprint in the sector with an asset growth of over one billion since two thousand six along with expanding their range of products and services. Redrafting credit union legislation ensures that regulatory frameworks keep pace with industry developments. Our second approach is to liquidate long inactive defunct credit unions. The credit union has identified nineteen nonoperational credit unions and have published a notice of liquidation.”
A few months back, domestic banks decided to lower their ATM withdrawal fees and online transfer fees. They also cut costs for account closures, maintenance fees, and early loan payouts. However, they did hike up fees for over-the-counter withdrawals and cashing checks. But are banks making more money from these increased fees? According to Michael, it’s unlikely, as most customers have shifted away from using checks and over-the-counter withdrawals.
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank
“I will say that the increases on this side should be less than the overall activity within the financial system. So, the way how online transactions have been growing and growing exponentially, versus how much people actually want to go into a bank and wait in line over the counter. I think it is slowly sinking in with those people who are still using checks that it is not the way to go. There are better ways to conduct financial transactions. But, I am not the one to tell somebody who has his entire system built around checks to move away from checks. It is unfortunate that there was a spike on the other end. But our objective is financial inclusion and increased access to services within the financial system and when we talk about services, more efficient and digital forms of payment. And one of the other projects which we talk about the next time is our file payments project. I want everything to be on the access from your phone. That is what we should be doing and moving towards.”
Tonight, an elderly woman from Belize City is reaching out for help to rebuild her life from scratch. Gertrude Hunter, a familiar name in the news, first caught our attention earlier this year when police officers tried to evict her from her home under a court order. The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, even reprimanded his officers for reportedly tossing her belongings out during the eviction. Despite receiving numerous legal notices to vacate, Gertrude stayed put, claiming that her common-law husband had left the property to her in his will. But in August, she was finally removed from the home, leaving her displaced just as the Christmas season approaches. This saga, filled with legal battles and frequent police encounters since 2015, centers on a sixty-three-year-old woman yearning for a fresh start. News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us her story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Christmas season is here, bringing joy and celebration for many. But for one sixty-three-year-old woman in Belize City, there’s little to cheer about. After losing the home she cherished for over a decade, the holidays are looking bleak.
Gertrude Hunter
Gertrude Hunter, Belize City Residents
“I am experiencing a lot of police harassment. Since my common law Benjamin Ferguson was removed away from me by force and then police stay harassing me to tell me get off the place, get off the place and they just keep removing me off the place, saying I am just a squatter, they don’t know who I am, when I was there by my common law, Benjamin Ferguson.”
To grasp Hunter’s situation, we need to revisit the early aughts. That’s when she moved into a home at the corner of Cemetery Road and Amandala Drive with her common-law husband. The house that once stood there is now gone. According to Hunter, her husband’s relatives separated them in 2015. Despite staying on the property, she’s been battling constant ownership disputes ever since.
Gertrude Hunter
“The only time I get to see him is when a friend comes in hospital, and I get to see him in there. His friend gave me the bad news that he was on his last. And so, when I went to the hospital to look for him the security went there said anybody who wants to see him, only the name that was there, was supposed to see him.”
Back in February, Hunter’s legal woes made headlines as efforts to evict her from her home intensified. At one point, she found herself in the Belize City Magistrate Court, facing charges of property damage, two counts of aggravated assault on police officers, and trespassing. Hunter, however, insists that the police roughed her up, leaving her with injuries and locking her up for two days. That case is still ongoing. She maintains that her common-law husband left her the Cemetery Road property in his 2011 will, and she has the documents to prove it.
Gertrude Hunter
“The will state that the property should leff with his common-law wife, Gertude Hunter.”
On the other hand, a 2018 land transfer document shows that the land was transferred to one of her common-law husband’s relatives. After that, the legal notices kept piling up, demanding she leave the property. In 2019, a civil suit ruled in favor of her common-law husband’s relative. Hunter, however, claims she had no idea the case was even happening. The elderly woman maintained that she is the rightful owner of the property based on the will in her possession and stayed on the property. But in August of this year, the property was sold to a new owner who sent her a legal notice, ultimately forcing her to leave the home for good.
Gertrude Hunter
“I really hard. It was hard, because it was a constant harassment from time to time nuh. I live in a constant harassment from 2015 is when it really get worse you know. It really get worse.”
Paul Lopez
“What are you doing now, or where are you staying?”
Gertude Hunter
“I stay at my little sister…”
Thankfully, Hunter isn’t completely without a roof over her head—her younger sister has kindly taken her in. Hunter admits she doesn’t have the financial means to continue the legal battle. The Ombudsman’s Office has acknowledged her claims about the property and the alleged police brutality. At this point, Hunter just wants to move on with her life, even if it means starting over at her age.
Gertude Hunter
“I have a phone number, six, two, eight, one, zero, two, nine and I also have my sister number, six, zero, four, one, three, nine, one. And if you can’t get me on those numbers, because I am at my daughter sometimes, that number is six, three, six, one, zero, two, two.”
A sixty-three-year-old Belize City woman has just received a new home from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. But this isn’t your typical starter home from the ministry—it’s much larger. That’s because she’s not living there alone; she shares the space with her nine children and sixteen grandchildren. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the full story on today’s handover.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Tonight, a family of twenty-six is filled with gratitude after receiving the keys to a brand-new home from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. Sixty-three-year-old Paula Thomas attended the handover ceremony at the corner of Iguana and Lakeview Streets, where she shared just how rundown her previous home had become.
Paula Thomas
Paula Thomas, House Recipient
“Oh bad, because when the Hurricane come, Lisa, that is when my house destroyed with everything. It never so collapsed, but it was in a bad state, so ih mih have to change.”
Lawrence Ellis, the PUP Standard Bearer for Mesopotamia, was also present at the handover. He shared the story behind the decision to build a new home for the family.
Lawrence Ellis
Lawrence Ellis, PUP Standard Bearer, Mesopotamia
“The Ministry of Housing, through the collaboration with human development saw the need for this family to be assisted because of their living condition that was here. So, the Human Department through the ministry decided to build this house.”
The design and size of the home is a stark contrast to the starter homes that the Ministry of Housing has been distributing since the People’s United Party took office.
Lawrence Ellis
“The size of the lot was a factor and it is not one person living in the home. It is three families actually so the only way to go was up. This is a first of its kind. A beautiful home. It is very comfortable if you see the inside. The people of Mesopotamia should be proud and you are going to see more of this to come. Upstairs have three bedrooms and downstairs have two, two-bedroom units. They have their own bathrooms. We actually put fridge and stove in all of them so we have a little extra. I am proud, very proud to be a part of it and if you talk with them you will see they are very happy too.”
And when Thomas was asked how she feels about the new house, she was unable to contain her gratitude.
Paula Thomas
“Oh yeah, praise the lord for everything. That is the only one you can depend on, Jesus, with the people weh help develop to get my house. I have nine kids and I have sixteen grandkids. Yes they live with me, not up here. That is why I make them divide it downstairs, because dah suh the first house mih stay.”
Reporter
“How were you guys managing before?”
Paula Thomas
“Well I was living on that side over there. So, I have to say I have gone through a lot living on that side. But I always call Jesus and my God always looking to me. My God always. But I appreciate whatever I get and I thank my God, because my God always there for me.”
It’s pretty clear that Ellis’ appearance is a campaign move. As the PUP standard bearer, he’s aiming to unseat Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Ellis confidently predicted a win in the upcoming general election and promised that, once in office, he would build more homes like this for his constituents.
Lawrence Ellis
“I as the standard bearer after I win next year, we have great plans to do housing in Mesop. Mesop cannot go out. Mesop can only go up because we don’t have enough space, so we are looking to build more proper homes in Mesop.”
A tragic road traffic accident in Bella Vista Village has left a man dead and a woman injured. The collision, which occurred on Wednesday night, claimed the life of 54-year-old TV repair technician Jose Samuel Hoppington.
Hoppington was reportedly riding a red Skygo motorcycle toward Bella Vista from Independence when he collided head-on with another motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction. Police reports indicate that the accident happened in front of the Toledo Teachers’ Credit Union after Hoppington allegedly crossed into the opposite lane.
The other motorcycle was driven by 34-year-old schoolteacher Xiomara Molina, who sustained injuries in the crash.
Hoppington was rushed to the Independence Polyclinic, where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment.
Speaking to News Five, Hoppington’s wife, Gritchin Hoppington, shared that her husband had gone out earlier in the evening to collect payment for a completed job. However, when she recovered his wallet after the accident, it was empty.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.
An elderly Belize City resident, Gertrude Hunter, is reaching out for assistance after being evicted from her home earlier this year. She says she has been displaced just as the Christmas season approaches. Hunter, who first made headlines in February during an eviction attempt, has faced a turbulent journey marked by legal battles, police encounters, and claims of harassment.
“I am experiencing a lot of police harassment,” Hunter said. “Since my common-law Benjamin Ferguson was removed away from me by force, the police stay harassing me, telling me to get off the place. They keep removing me, saying I am just a squatter, but I was there with my common-law, Benjamin Ferguson.”
Hunter moved into the home at the corner of Cemetery Road and Amandala Drive with her common-law husband years ago. However, her troubles began in 2015 when she was separated from Ferguson by his relatives. Hunter claims she has been fighting to remain on the property ever since, citing a will from 2011 that she says left the property to her.
“The will states that the property should be left with his common-law wife, Gertrude Hunter,” she said.
However, a 2018 land transfer document shows that the property was passed to one of Ferguson’s relatives. In 2019, a civil court ruled in favour of the relative, though Hunter insists she was unaware of the proceedings. Despite legal notices demanding her departure, she stayed on the property until August of this year, when a new owner purchased it and evicted her.
Back in February, Hunter’s case gained public attention as she faced charges of property damage, aggravated assault on police officers, and trespassing. She alleges that police used excessive force during the eviction attempt, leaving her injured and in custody for two days. That case is ongoing.
“It was really hard because it was a constant harassment,” Hunter reflected. “From 2015, it really got worse.”
Now 63 years old, Hunter is starting over. She currently lives with her younger sister and admits she lacks the financial resources to continue fighting for the property. She has also sought support from the Ombudsman’s Office, which is reviewing her claims about police misconduct and property rights.
Authorities have issued flood alerts across multiple regions in Belize, advising residents to monitor waterways closely and exercise caution as water levels fluctuate.
Residents in Region 7 are cautioned to be vigilant, especially near waterways. On the Rio Hondo, decreasing flood stage levels are anticipated at Blue Creek North, while increasing flood levels are expected at Santa Cruz, San Antonio, San Roman, and Douglas to the coast. Along the New River, bankfull stage levels are forecasted at Hill Bank, Tower Hill, and Caledonia to the coast.
In Region 9, extreme caution is advised as flood stage levels continue along the Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town. On the Macal River, reservoir spillways at Chalillo, Mollejon, and Vaca remain active, though water levels at San Ignacio are expected to stay below the low-lying bridge. The Belize River is experiencing varying trends, with flood levels decreasing at More Tomorrow but increasing at Double Run, where levels are nearing historical Tropical Depression 16 (TD16) marks. At Crooked Tree Lagoon, water levels have surpassed the causeway and continue to rise.
Region 11 residents should remain alert as above-normal water levels are reported at Freetown Sibun on the Sibun River and at Gales Point Village on the Southern Lagoon. On the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains and the Sittee River near Kendal Bridge, above-normal levels are expected to persist. Meanwhile, below-normal levels are noted on the Monkey River branches at Swasey and Bladen, as well as the Deep River at Medina Bank.
Rising levels on the Rio Grande at San Pedro Columbia and Big Falls South are expected to decrease. However, above-normal levels persist on the Moho River at Blue Creek South and Jordan. The Temash River at Crique Sarco is experiencing below-normal levels.
On the Sarstoon River, above-normal levels continue to pose concerns.
Residents in affected areas are urged to monitor official updates and adhere to safety measures as authorities continue to assess the situation.
Eastern Caribbean nations face mounting climate risks, but the World Bank’s newly released Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) identifies strategies to enhance resilience while advancing development goals.
The report, prepared in collaboration with the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), focuses on Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It highlights stark challenges, including the potential loss of 34% of Saint Lucia’s sandy beaches to rising sea levels by 2100 and an additional 22 days annually with temperatures exceeding 30°C in all four nations.
Key recommendations include investments in nature-based solutions and a shift from fossil fuels to strengthen resilience and meet climate commitments. The report emphasises targeting high-impact sectors like energy, transport, and waste to reduce emissions and bolster climate adaptation.
The CCDR outlines the concept of a “resilient core,” which includes investments to meet Sustainable Development Goals while minimising infrastructure damage and service disruptions during climate events. Two investment pathways are proposed, factoring in the countries’ fiscal constraints.
Grenada’s Minister for Climate Resilience, Kerryne James, welcomed the report, calling it “a blueprint for addressing vulnerabilities and charting a path to sustainable growth.”
OECS Commission Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, praised the tool’s potential and urged its expansion to other nations in the region.
The report underscores the need for collaboration among governments, the private sector, and the international community to finance and implement these climate and development strategies.
The Belize Coast Guard today opened a spanking new station in Big Creek to improve its patrols along the sea and waterways in the southern part of Belize. The opening of the new building comes as part of a celebration of the Coast Guard’s nineteenth anniversary. Since its inception in 2005, the Coast Guard has grown from strength to strength, adding boats, human resources, and training components to its services and having stations at several locations across the country. It has grown from just 50 to over 500 in that period of time.
Minister of National Defence and Border Security, Florencio Marin Sr., said, “You know, so now we have a presence in the sector, south of the country, in our maritime waters. This allows for the Coast Guard to be more effectively responded to whatever threats they may face in our southern waters as opposed to straight out of the city.”
Minister Marin added, “So this makes them a little bit more robust, quicker response time, and provide more safety.” He acknowledged the ongoing challenges in terms of manpower and resources, adding, “That’s always something that can be improved and remains a challenge for everybody.”
Regarding the readiness of the team stationed at the base, Marin assured their capability, stating, “They’re extremely ready. I mean, I think if you know anything about the Coast Guard and the training, remember all our training is international, professional standards training. So, I have all the confidence that these sailors and seamen who are here, they know their job, they’re always on alert, so whatever call they would get, they would be able to respond very quickly.”
The facility in Big Creek will provide security for the Big Creek Port located adjacent to it as well as regular coast guard service to the country.
