After more than 50 hours in custody and amid an ongoing criminal investigation, Trinidad and Tobago’s Commissioner of Police, Erla Harewood-Christopher, was released from the St. Clair Police Station on February 1, resuming her duties as head of the police service.
Harewood-Christopher, who was advised by her lawyer not to make any comments upon her release, appeared visibly drained, with tears momentarily welling up in her eyes. Her lead attorney, Pamela Elder, SC, raised concerns about the competence of the police team investigating whether the Commissioner was involved in the importation of two sniper rifles for the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).
Elder described the questioning of Harewood-Christopher as “unrelenting” and stressed that she was cautioned as a suspect, not simply questioned. Elder’s main question was directed at the senior officer who authorised the arrest of the commissioner based on material that didn’t establish suspicion. She further questioned the basis for the arrest, wondering if there was an agenda to publicly humiliate Harewood-Christopher.
The investigation was triggered by a confidential Special Branch report, which raised concerns about a request made by former SSA director Major Roger Best to Harewood-Christopher between July 2023 and March 2024, seeking approval to import the sniper rifles for the SSA. Harewood-Christopher, who holds sole authority over the approval of firearm import permits, has not been charged, and the investigation continues.
President Donald Trump is facing opposition from business groups and members of his own party after imposing steep tariffs on key U.S. trading partners. The new tariffs include 10% on imports from China, 25% on all imports from Mexico and Canada, and 10% on Canadian energy imports, sparking concerns about rising consumer prices and supply chain disruptions.
The Financial Times is reporting that trade associations across industries—ranging from consumer goods and automakers to oil and groceries—warn that these tariffs will increase costs for American families. John Murphy, senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, criticized the move, stating that while addressing border security and fentanyl trafficking is important, tariffs won’t solve these problems and will only burden consumers.
Economists predict that the tariffs could lead to the largest tax increase since the 1990s and deliver a severe shock to the U.S. economy. Kim Clausing, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute, noted that moving from free trade to a 25% tariff is a major shift that could have widespread economic consequences.
In response, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs of 25% on $107 billion worth of U.S. goods, including food, appliances, and clothing. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is also expected to implement countermeasures.
Trump doubled down on his aggressive trade stance over the weekend, posting on Truth Social that Canada should become “the 51st state”, claiming the U.S. “subsidizes” its economy. His remarks drew swift criticism from lawmakers, including Republican Senators Tim Scott and Rand Paul, who warned that tariffs act as taxes on American consumers and businesses.
Analysts estimate that Trump’s tariff policy could cost the U.S. economy $200 billion over his potential term, drive up inflation, and lead to financial market instability. Investment bank Goldman Sachs predicts that while the tariffs might be temporary, their economic impact could be significant.
Belize’s world-famous barrier reef, the largest in the northern hemisphere, is at risk due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution. This is according to a recent press release from the World Bank.
Once rated as “fair,” the reef’s health has now declined to “poor,” threatening marine biodiversity and the country’s economy, which relies heavily on tourism and fisheries. In response, the World Bank has approved a $32.23 million project to help Belize protect its marine resources while advancing its blue economy.
Uncontrolled coastal development, pollution from untreated sewage, and rising sea temperatures are further endangering the fragile reef ecosystem, according to the statement. It added that over 50% of Belizeans depend on fisheries and agriculture, making them highly vulnerable to environmental degradation. At the same time, only 18% of the population has access to proper sanitation systems, leading to excessive nutrient runoff that fuels harmful algae growth and depletes oxygen levels in the water, damaging coral reefs.
“The new Belize Blue Cities and Beyond Project will address these challenges through strategic policy and infrastructure interventions. The project will focus on creating national geospatial and spatial planning systems and policies that integrate ecological urban planning and nature-based solutions. This includes developing comprehensive water quality control strategies, a national sanitation master plan, and sustainable fisheries and other blue asset monitoring policies to support the sustainable development of Belize’s coastal communities and blue economy. The project will also prioritize and develop proposals for future critical urban investments to promote sustainable coastal and blue economy development under a changing climate, in critical urban areas, including in Belize City, Ambergris Caye, and Punta Gorda.”
The project will upgrade Belize City’s wastewater treatment plant, expand water access in South San Pedro, and introduce a waste management pilot to reduce waste and promote recycling. Additionally, it will establish a carbon market system to regulate transactions and create high-quality carbon credits for international sale, unlocking sustainable financing for the blue economy. The initiative will also provide training for local governments, NGOs, women, and youth-led businesses in climate-resilient planning and inclusive marine resource management.
The project is backed by $23.5 million from the World Bank’s International Development Association, with additional grants from the Global Environment Facility ($3.76 million), the PROBLUE Trust Fund ($4 million), and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery ($0.96 million).
A newly released report from the environmental group Sea of Life sheds light on the growing plastic pollution crisis in Belize. According to data gathered from schools across the nation, plastic waste is not only widespread but also alarmingly predominant in the environment.
The Sea of Life’s “More Pride Less Plastics” campaign, which focuses on tackling single-use plastics, used data from the 5 Gyres Institute’s TrashBlitz app to audit waste at 11 sites across five school districts. The findings are concerning. The report shows that about 75% of the trash collected was plastic, or a combination of plastic, metal, and paper. Among the culprits are bottled water and food wrappers from well-known brands.
“When we actually sort and lay out all of the waste and litter in bulk patterns, it’s startling to see and often prompts disgust from volunteers,” said Paulita Bennett-Martin, co-founder of Sea of Life. “The careful, deliberate, and consistent collection of data is key to truly understanding what the nation’s waste and litter burdens look like. TrashBlitz gives people pause, and the data analysis allows us to identify solution pathways.”
Crystal Bottled Water: A Symbol of Belize’s Plastic Problem
How many times today have you purchased a bottled water or ‘shilling wata’? One, two, or maybe none? Well, according to the report, the most common brand found in the waste was Crystal bottled water. It appeared more than any other brand across the country, showing just how much plastic water bottles are contributing to the pollution problem in Belize. Coca-Cola bottles were also widely found, coming in second place. These findings point to a major issue with single-use plastics in daily life.
“Crystal Water and Coca-Cola made up 36% of the identifiable brands study-wide,” the Sea of Life reported. Let’s take a moment to think of effective ways to cause a dent in this number. Well, if none came to mind, here’s one—water filling stations.
Back in September, water-refilling stations were installed at Wesley College. Since its installation, the data shows an impressive 85% reduction in plastic water pouch waste. Based on this report, it demonstrates the potential effectiveness of refillable alternatives in curbing plastic pollution.
Data-Driven Approach: TrashBlitz Reveals the Size of the Problem
Sea of Life’s TrashBlitz campaign is an annual audit campaign that serves as both a data-gathering tool and an education platform. This time around, involved volunteers collected and logged data on plastic waste at 11 sites in Belize.
A total of 18,735 pieces of trash were recorded. Of that waste, around 75% was plastic or mixed with plastic materials. Beverage containers and food wrappers made up over half of the waste collected, while non-branded plastic bottles and wrappers were also commonly found.
“One important trend identified is the large percentage of high-sugar and fat snacks and beverages. When grouped together, chip, biscuit, ice cream, candy, punch, and soda brands made up 42% of all identifiable brands,” it reported.
Sea of Life’s report also noted a troubling increase in non-branded plastic bottles and wrappers, primarily used for fruit-flavoured drinks marketed as “natural juice,” despite their high sugar content. The organisation calls for greater transparency in labelling to promote more sustainable choices.
Belize, a nation with a population of 420,000, is heavily dependent on tourism and fisheries, sectors that are increasingly vulnerable to plastic waste. This data shows just how dependent Belize has become on single-use plastic. These plastics don’t just clog up public spaces—they end up in the environment, threaten wildlife, and pollute the nation’s waterways.
Community Science: Empowering Belizeans to Tackle Plastic Pollution
One of the standout features of the TrashBlitz initiative is its use of community science. More than 320 local stakeholders, including students, teachers, nonprofit workers, and community members, were trained to collect, sort, and log waste during the audits. This hands-on approach not only produces valuable data but also builds a sense of shared responsibility and stewardship for Belize’s environment.
Naomi Sylvania, a teacher at New Hope High School, said, “I have conducted 3 trash audits all in one year… Conducting clean-ups is okay, but let’s be realistic; this is not the solution.” She added, “Now is the time to make the policies for a better tomorrow before we consume plastic in larger amounts.”
A Path to Sustainable Solutions
There is no clearer way for this report to say this: Belize’s plastic waste is a clear indication there needs to be changes in policies. The organisation urges policymakers to enact stronger legislation on plastic waste, including a nationwide ban on non-essential single-use plastics and the promotion of refillable water stations in public spaces.
The report exemplified the success seen at Wesley College, proving that refilling systems are not only effective in reducing plastic waste but also economically beneficial, saving families money and generating income for schools. “In less than six months of implementing refillable water on Wesley Campus, the decline in shilling wata litter was tremendous. Additionally, the water refilling stations will save parents over $300.00 a year per student,” it reported.
They suggest installing more refill stations in schools, offices, and tourist areas to help reduce the need for bottled water.
“Water refill stations on school campuses, in offices, and in high-traffic tourism hot spots offer a clear pathway to reducing the demand for and litter from single-use plastic bottles and pouches,” the organisation reported.
Another key recommendation is for Belize to implement bans on products like plastic bottles and food wrappers, similar to the Coca-Cola ban at Nazarene High School. The school’s decision to stop selling Coca-Cola products led to “the school recording 97.2% fewer Coca-Cola products than other schools across Belize.”
Sea of Life’s data and recommendations could be a turning point. But the responsibility to reduce plastic waste doesn’t fall solely on one group—it’s a shared effort from all Belizeans, from everyday citizens to businesses and government officials.
In the wake of the fatal shooting of gang leader Brandon Baptist at the Marion Jones Sports Complex, Football Federation of Belize (FFB) President Sergio Chuc has issued a heartfelt call for unity and action to prevent violence from overshadowing the sport.
“A shootout at the Marion Jones Complex resulted in several people being injured. A placement for unity was struck with fear and grief,” Chuc stated. He expressed deep condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected by what he described as a “meaningless act of savagery.”
Chuc said that the FFB remains committed to uplifting youth and providing positive alternatives. He announced the expansion of programs aimed at reaching over 3,000 at-risk youths, including Goals Before Gangs and Not Impossible Because She Is Possible. However, he stressed that programs alone are not enough, urging parents, mentors, coaches, and community leaders to work together to teach children that violence is never the answer.
He said, “But programs alone are not enough. With the combined efforts of parents, mentors, coaches, and community leaders, we can teach our children violence is never the answer, and that their lives are important. Let this be a turning point.”
“Let us commit to ensuring that football remains a safe space for all Belizeans. Today, we mourn, but tomorrow we must act.”
He assured grieving families that the FFB stands with them and vowed that the federation will continue working to ensure such tragedies never happen again.
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) has postponed the Premier League of Belize (PLB) match between Port Layola FC and Progresso FC due to security concerns following the fatal shooting at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Friday night.
Gang leader Brandon Baptist was gunned down, and three others, 37-year-old John Grinage, 21-year-old Cameron Williams, and 26-year-old Herson Mena, were injured.
The match, originally scheduled for today, has been postponed until further notice as the FFB prioritises the safety of players, officials, and spectators.
In a statement, the federation expressed regret over the decision but stressed the need to take all necessary precautions to ensure the security of everyone involved. “We trust that our fans, clubs, and the football community will understand that this measure is being taken with their best interests in mind. The Football Federation of Belize remains committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all its competitions and will continue to take all necessary actions to uphold this commitment.”
