2025-03-03 - Channel 5 Belize

Drug Plane Lands in Belize, Near Western Border

Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed the recent landing of an illicit aircraft in Belizean territory. He stated that on the previous night, sometime after 11:00 p.m., authorities received intelligence that a suspicious aircraft had departed South America and was heading toward Belize.

As is customary in such cases, law enforcement coordinated efforts through the Joint Intelligence Operations Centre (JIOC) to deploy personnel to various locations where the plane was suspected to land.

“Our counterparts have indicated to us that the plane landed in Belizean territory near the border, Guatemala, in some extremely rugged terrain,” Williams said.

Aerial reconnaissance was conducted, and a specialised team comprising police and military personnel was deployed to the location. Officers on the ground successfully located the aircraft within Belizean territory. Commissioner Williams confirmed that the aircraft, a small jet, had been deliberately set on fire after landing. No cargo was found on board.

The aircraft landed on an existing makeshift airstrip between three and four o’clock this morning.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow To Take Legal Action Against Election and Boundaries

The United Democratic Party (UDP), led by Moses “Shyne” Barrow, intends to take legal action against the Elections and Boundaries Commission (E&B) over what they call “unauthorised” use of its traditional red colour on the 2025 General Election ballot. This comes after the E&B declared on Wednesday that the traditional red colour will be allocated to all 41 candidates nominated on February 24 under the UDP banner.

In the application for judicial review, Barrow argues that the decision by the E&B Commission is unlawful and damages the party’s reputation. He stated, “There are persons purporting themselves to be members of the United Democratic Party who are not authorised by the Executive of the U.D.P. to be candidates or to act in anyway on behalf of the party.” He added, “The nature of this “passing off” I believe, is an attempt by those persons to capitalise on and enjoy the goodwill and reputation of the organisation to which I am leader.”

Barrow pointed out the risk of vote splitting and confusion among voters, potentially harming the UDP’s election prospects. He said the candidates under his leadership are having “serious and legitimate concerns and frustrations with me that there could be a potential “splitting of the vote” if persons who are not authorised to use the “traditional UDP red, including but not limited to the Alliance for Democracy Party, use the colours which are associated with the UDP.”

According to Barrow, despite his legal team’s multiple written objections, the E&B Commission has not responded. Barrow described the Commission’s actions as “an overreach and an abuse of power” and warned that this could undermine the fairness of the election process. He is now seeking judicial intervention to halt the misuse of the UDP’s likeness.

Belize + Cuba Solidarity Condemns U.S. Visa Restrictions on Cuba

The Belize + Cuba Solidarity Organisation has condemned the latest US actions targeting Cuba’s international medical missions. In a statement issued on Friday, February 28, the group stated, “We stand in unwavering solidarity with Cuba and its international medical missions,” and criticised the US’s decision to impose expanded visa restrictions on individuals associated with Cuba’s medical programs.

They argued that the U.S. measures undermine these professionals’ humanitarian work and jeopardise the health of those relying on their care. “The Cuban medical brigade has been providing invaluable healthcare services in Belize for 34 years. Their presence and expertise have significantly improved the health outcomes for many Belizeans,” it added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the new policy on February 25, 2025, targeting Cuban government officials and foreign partners linked to Cuba’s overseas medical missions. “Cuba continues to profit from the forced labour of its workers,” Rubio stated.

According to Reuters, Cuban officials, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, have rejected these accusations, calling them unjustified and politically motivated. Rodríguez criticised Rubio’s actions, saying, “Once again, Marco Rubio puts his personal agenda before the US interests,” reported Reuters.

The Belize organisation has called for an end to these “coercive measures” and renewed its call to lift the Cuban embargo and remove Cuba from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. “We reiterate our call for the immediate lifting of the embargo on Cuba and the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. These actions have caused significant hardship for the Cuban people and have hindered their ability to thrive and engage with the global community,” Belize + Cuba Solidarity added in its statement.