2025-01-07 - Channel 5 Belize

When Will Drivers Receive Their Car Stickers and Driver’s License?

The New Year has just kicked off, but the frustration for rural drivers in Belize is already in full swing. For years, they’ve been dealing with the tedious process of licensing their vehicles and renewing their driver’s licenses, only to face even more challenges due to the lack of insurance stickers and driver’s license cards. Many drivers have been diligently renewing their licenses, only to receive a receipt instead of an actual card. Today, we spoke with a few disgruntled drivers to hear how they’re coping with these delays. Their stories highlight the ongoing struggle and the need for a more efficient system.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Where are all the car license stickers and driver’s licenses? That’s the burning question on the minds of Belize’s rural drivers. For years, they’ve been handed receipts instead of the actual cards or stickers they’ve paid for, all because of a shortage. As the new year rolls on, drivers are left wondering just how much longer they’ll have to wait to finally receive what they’ve been diligently paying for.

Juan Colocho, Belize Rural Driver

“Only print the receipt.”

Britney Gordon

“And how long have you been trying to get a license?”

Juan Colocho

“One year.”

Britney Gordon

“What did they tell you? Why did you get a receipt and no license?”

Juan Colocho

“I don’t know. Bout three years no bring the driver’s license, only bring the receipt.”

One frustrated driver shared that she’s been trying to license her vehicle since 2023, but each time, she’s only been given a receipt. She’s worried about losing or damaging the flimsy piece of paper, which is far from a proper driver’s license.

Voice of: Belize Rural Driver

“I was waiting for my license but unfortunately, they don’t have so we’ll have to do with the receipt. And it’s very frustrating because when you have a receive it could get damaged or anything and when they ask you or you lost it, it can be very frustrating. We paying full price so we expect.”

She says that this is an issue she’s faced before.

Britney Gordon

“Have you ever lost or damaged your receipt before?”

Voice of: Belize Rural Driver

“Yes, I have.”

Britney Gordon

“And how much does it cost to apply for your license?”

Voice of: Belize Rural Driver

“Depending on the car it’s sixty. Sixty-eight dollars. Depending on the type of car you have.”

Britney Gordon

“How long did they tell you or did they say you’d have to wait indefinitely?”

Voice of: Belize Rural Driver

“They did not tell me and I didn’t ask because I’m already used to it so.”

We reached out to the Department of Transport’s Chief Transport Officer, Leon Gentle, for an update. Although he couldn’t comment as he’s currently out of the office, he assured us that the issue should be resolved sometime next week. One driver we spoke to also received this assurance, hoping for a quick resolution.

Britney Gordon

“This is my first time trying to get your license?”

Kyle Mosiah, Belize Rural Driver

“Yes.”

Britney Gordon

“So you just recently started driving?”

Kyle Mosiah

“Yes.”

Britney Gordon

“Were you able to get your physical license today?”

Kyle Mosiah

“No.”

Britney Gordon

“What did they give you today?’’

Kyle Mosiah

“A paper with I think it’s the receipt.”

Britney Gordon

“How long did they tell you you’d have to wait?’

Kyle Mosiah

“A week.”

Britney Gordon

“So do you expect that in a week you’re going to come back and pick it up.”

Kyle Mosiah

“Probably.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Guatemalan Fishers Continue Using Gillnets in Belize’s Waters

Over 600 feet of gillnets were recently removed from Belize’s southern waters during an operation conducted by the Belize Coast Guard and Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) rangers.

“Our rangers encountered a Belize Coast Guard vessel that was actually doing patrols in the area also—individual patrols. That Coast Guard vessel had encountered several gillnets, which of course, gillnets are banned in Belize,” said Leonardo Chavarria Jr., Executive Director of the TIDE.

According to Chavarria, the teams recovered over eight nets within two Fish Spawning Aggregation (FSA) sites, particularly within the Cayman Crown area and the Rise and Fall Bank.

Chavarria says that the gunshots fired in the area by what they believe are Guatemalan vessels were an “intimidation tactic.” He said, “It goes to show that situations could easily escalate in the area, especially when these illicit gears are being used and retrieved, because as you may know, a gillnet is very expensive. A gillnet could run up 800 plus dollars up to a thousand dollars. So if you are removing over nine gillnets, it’s already a significant amount of money.”

Chavarria added that it is common to see these types of “activities picking up during the FSA period.” During this time, fish would aggregate to reproduce in specific parts during the month of December through June every year, which “fishers would capitalise on these areas, knowing where these fish are reproducing and aggregating in big groups,” he added.

While gillnets are illegal in Belize, they remain legal in Guatemala, which leads to cross-border exploitation of the commercial species during the reproductive seasons. “The gillnets destroy all sizes of fish, and the longer you leave the gillnet there, by the time you go and retrieve it, some of the product that is on it is no longer usable,” Chavarria stated.

Chavarria also stated that the use of gillnets by non-Belizeans undermines the efforts of Belizean fishers who respect regulations and rely on sustainable fishing practices. “It is a sad reality because we are not seeing our Belizean fishers trying to exploit the fishpond and aggregation sites.”

Despite the escalation in illegal fishing, TIDE says it will continue its routine patrols and protect Belize’s fishery resources.

Businesses Issued Violation Tickets for Price Regulation Breaches

The Supplies Control Unit (SCU) has issued violation tickets to several establishments for breaching the newly implemented Supplies Control (Prices) Regulations. Businesses listed with names in bold received multiple tickets. The list can be found here: REVISED RELEASE SCU25

Since the launch of the compliance initiative, the SCU has been reviewing several cases, and the public will be updated on the findings as they become available. In its ongoing efforts to improve enforcement and protect consumer interests, the SCU has introduced the following measures to enhance compliance and expand regulatory coverage:

Training NEMO Personnel in San Pedro: The SCU is working with NEMO San Pedro to train designated individuals to identify violations and issue tickets, particularly during emergencies. A specialised training package has been developed, and sessions will be conducted shortly.

Collaboration with Belmopan City Council: The SCU is engaging with the City Council to report violators to the Trade Licensing Board and streamline the process for residents to file complaints.

Expanded Staffing and Regional Offices: Approval has been granted to hire additional personnel and establish regional offices in the Orange Walk District and Independence Village, further strengthening enforcement efforts.

Increased Surveillance of Wholesalers: Monitoring activities have been expanded to include the wholesale segment of the supply chain to detect and address non-compliance effectively.

Guatemalan Fishers Threaten TIDE Rangers, Coast Guard with Gunshots

Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, confirmed to News 5 that Guatemalan fishers “fired what we believe were gunshots. Not in our direction, not in a direct confrontational manner, but in a threatening manner indeed.”

Yesterday, members of the Coast Guard conducted an operation in Belize’s southern waters, particularly near Corona Reef. “We are conducting a patrol from Hunting Caye, which is the furthest island to the south. And we are patrolling from that location towards the Sarstoon. This is a territorial integrity patrol that we conduct from time to time to guarantee the Belizean sovereignty over our sea spaces.”

Bennett stated that the operation included two vessels: the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) and the other from the Belize Coast Guard.

Coast Guard officers encountered gillnets in the area, particularly near Corona Reef.

Bennett added that the fishers were already in Guatemalan waters when the shots were fired, believed to be in the air. During this operation, the Coast Guard recovered eight gillnets, totalling over 600 feet, which were causing damage to the coral reefs.

The teams separated to cover more ground. The TIDE vessel, carrying two Coast Guard personnel, reportedly started pursuing a Guatemalan fishing vessel that had entered Belizean waters. According to Bennett, after the Guatemalan vessel crossed into Guatemala’s waters, it fired gunshots—not aimed directly at them, but in a threatening manner.

He said, “Our vessel stopped short. We did not go into Guatemalan waters. We stopped short of that location. At that point, the Guatemalan fishing vessel reportedly fired what we believe were gunshots…”

No injuries were reported. “As long as our patrols are not directly threatened, the extent of our jurisdiction is the limits of our sea spaces,” Bennett stated.

This incident is not the first time that Belize Coast Guard personnel have encountered Guatemalan fishing vessels in the area. Bennett added that while there have been past cases of vessel detentions, gillnet recoveries, and arrests, it is the first time the Coast Guard has faced gunfire.

“We have seized vessels, we have recovered gillnets, we have arrested personnel. We have never before been in a situation where you would see or hear gunshots,” Bennett said.

The Executive Director of TIDE, Leonardo Chavarria Jr., told News 5 that although this has been the first encounter where shots were fired, “this will certainly not deter us from protecting our fishery resources.” He added, “We have a mandate as co-managers to protect our fishery resources.”

USD 100,000 in Relief for Belizean Farmers Affected by Flooding

Belizean farmers impacted by Tropical Storm Sara are set to receive much-needed relief thanks to a USD 100,000 donation from the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The funds will support a joint initiative by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the Belize Livestock Producers’ Association (BLPA) aimed at assisting cattle farmers in the Belize River Valley and Crooked Tree.

The cheque was officially handed over today by Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, to Amalia Mai, CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

Tropical Storm Sara caused widespread flooding in November 2024, devastating livestock-producing areas. Farmers reported significant losses, including waterlogged pastures, limited feed supplies, and livestock deaths. The situation has placed enormous pressure on the livelihoods of farmers and their communities, which depend heavily on livestock for income and food security.

The relief effort will address both immediate and long-term needs. In the short term, emergency feed—such as silage and mill feed—will be distributed to prevent further livestock losses and maintain herd health. Looking ahead, the initiative will establish one-acre water-resistant pastures using Mombasa grass for 200 farmers. These pastures will provide a sustainable source of silage during future floods or droughts.

Farmers will receive training in pasture establishment, veterinary care, and silage production to enhance their ability to manage livestock and mitigate future risks associated with natural hazards.

Clarita Pech Appointed as Clerk of the National Assembly of Belize

Clarita Pech has been appointed as Clerk of the National Assembly, effective 2nd January 2025. Pech is the first woman in Belize to hold this prestigious position.

A government press release says that during her tenure as Acting Clerk, which began on 1st July 2024, Pech demonstrated exceptional leadership and administrative expertise. It added that Pech effectively managed the day-to-day operations of the National Assembly, ensuring its efficient functioning.

“In addition to her procedural responsibilities as Clerk, she will continue in her role as the Accounting Officer for the offices of the Contractor General, the Ombudsman, and the Integrity Commission, underscoring her expertise and commitment to upholding transparency and accountability within Belize’s parliamentary and public institutions.”

Pech expressed gratitude and a firm commitment to her new role and stated that one of her primary focuses will be supporting initiatives to increase public awareness of the National Assembly’s roles and functions.

Trump Wants to Rename the Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a controversial proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” escalating his rhetoric against Mexico.

He also criticised Mexico for contributing to increased drug trafficking into the U.S. and vowed to impose substantial tariffs on both Mexico and Canada.

The Gulf of Mexico, historically known as the “Golfo de México” since the mid-16th century, spans approximately 600,000 square miles and is the ninth-largest body of water in the world. The name was first recorded on maps during Spanish colonial rule over the regions now recognised as Cuba, Mexico, and parts of the U.S.

This isn’t the first time the idea of renaming the Gulf has surfaced. In 2012, Mississippi State Representative Steve Holland jokingly proposed a bill to rename it the “Gulf of America,” criticising Republican anti-immigrant policies. Holland later clarified that the proposal was satirical, intended to highlight discriminatory rhetoric.

Why Are Drivers Still Getting Receipts Instead of Licenses?

Where are all the car licenses? Belize City drivers want to know. Those who have undergone the tedious process of licensing their vehicles and renewing their driver’s licenses know how much of a hassle it can be. The lack of license stickers and driver’s license cards has made the process more difficult. Some drivers have been renewing their licenses at full force, only to receive a receipt for several years with no physical card or license sticker in hand.

News 5 reached out to the Chief Transport Officer of the Department of Transport, Leon Gentle, for an update. He told us that he was not in a position to comment as he is currently out of office, and assured us that the issue is expected to be rectified sometime next week.

Some drivers have been given receipts for several months, or even years, yet are still waiting for their official license cards, despite being told by the department to return in two weeks.

One driver shared a receipt dated three months ago with the note “NO lic printing at D.o.t.,” and still has not received the physical card.

“It’s very frustrating because when you have a receipt, it can get damaged or anything, and when they ask you if you lost it, then it gets frustrating,” said one driver. She added, “We are paying full price, so we expect to get it.” According to this driver, she has been trying to get her driver’s license card since 2023.

Another driver who went to renew his license at the Department of Transport, Juan Colocho, stated that for years he’s been trying to get a license card but has only been receiving a receipt instead. “Three years they don’t bring driver license, only get the receipt,” Colocho said.

Farmers Struggle with Sugar Cane Deliveries

It’s been less than a month into the new sugarcane crop season, and farmers in Corozal District say they continue facing a series of challenges that hinder the timely delivery of their crop to the mill.

In a letter to Prime Minister John Briceño on Monday, the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association (CSCPA) raised serious concerns that accessibility issues have made it difficult for farmers to meet daily mill requirements.

The CSCPA stated that while the road repairs maintenance report claims “that 90% of the roads being mentioned in the report have been now repaired,” the reality is the contrary for the farmers “on the ground.”

Just a week ago, Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai stated that “there seems to be some type of miscommunication regarding how many sugar roads are being done.” He explained that according to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Development & Housing (MIDH), 80% of the contracts were “completed” in Corozal District, but he was receiving contrary reports from farmers. Mai assured that efforts were being made to address these issues and would “proceed to meet with the cane farmers… and we’ll go over the area to see which roads have been repaired and which have not.”

Belize Sugar Industries’ Financial Director, Shawn Chavarria, called the issue a “long-term failure,” saying, “Infrastructure is critical for any sector, any industry, especially ours, which requires transportation of their raw material to the mill. And so without the proper infrastructure, it’s difficult for us to be able to make a good start.”

Chavarria stated that the roads have been in disrepair for years, and the delays are now costing the industry. “The state of the roads is not one that just occurred this year, or the year before. It’s been successive years of inadequate maintenance and repairs,” he added.

CSCPA added that farmers already “carry out tremendous investments before the advent of all sugar cane crops,” and the combination of poor road conditions, high humidity from ongoing rains, and crop pests is “affecting sugar cane quality.”

Meta to Get Rid of Fact Checkers

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced it will discontinue the use of independent fact-checkers on its platforms, replacing them with “community notes” inspired by X (formerly Twitter). The new system allows users to provide context or clarifications on posts, relying on input from diverse viewpoints.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg justified the move in a video accompanying a blog post on Tuesday, stating that third-party moderators were “too politically biased” and that Meta aims to prioritise “free expression.” Joel Kaplan, Meta’s new head of global affairs, echoed this sentiment, saying the reliance on independent moderators, while well-intentioned, had led to unnecessary censorship.

The decision has sparked criticism from online safety advocates, who argue it could exacerbate the spread of hate speech and disinformation. Ava Lee of Global Witness accused Meta of aligning with the incoming Trump administration, calling the change a “blatant attempt to curry favour” and avoid accountability for harmful content.

Meta’s current fact-checking program, introduced in 2016, flags potentially misleading posts for review by independent organizations. These posts can be labelled with additional context or deprioritized in feeds. Under the new system, community notes will initially roll out in the U.S., with Meta stating there are no immediate plans to discontinue fact-checkers in the UK or EU.

The timing of the announcement, ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, has also drawn scrutiny. Meta’s leadership changes and a $1 million donation to Trump’s inauguration fund have been interpreted as signs of a strategic shift in the company’s political priorities.