2025-03-29 - Channel 5 Belize

BSCFA Calls for Urgent Meeting with PM Over Sugar Industry Concerns

The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) has issued a public call for dialogue with Prime Minister John Briceño and key government officials to address urgent concerns in the sugar industry.

In a press release, the BSCFA said that their concerns extend beyond personal grievances. The association expressed apprehension about the alignment of government policies with multinational interests, which they believe could have far-reaching implications at the parliamentary level.

The BSCFA stressed the importance of open national dialogue, ensuring that all voices—including farmers—are heard in discussions about the industry’s future.

To facilitate this discussion, the BSCFA has invited Prime Minister Briceño, Minister of Agriculture José Abelardo Mai, and Minister of State for Economic Development Osmond Martinez to a meeting. The proposed session, set for Friday, April 4, 2025, aims to address unresolved issues and chart a path forward for the sugar industry.

UNDP, EU Equip CRD with ICT Tools to Strengthen Justice System

The Community Rehabilitation Department (CRD) has received a major technological boost with new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment valued at BZD $95,396. The initiative, part of the PACE Justice Project, is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen case management in Adult Alternative Sentencing.

The donation includes 34 all-in-one desktop computers and 10 printer/scanner units, which will enable probation officers and intake staff to digitise records, streamline documentation, and enhance efficiency in managing probation cases.

This development aligns with Belize’s Alternative Sentencing Act, 2024, which seeks to reduce prison overcrowding and case backlogs by expanding non-custodial sentencing options. The Act prioritises rehabilitation and community reintegration, particularly for low-risk offenders, making probation services a critical part of the country’s justice reform efforts.

The PACE Justice Project plays a key role in modernising Belize’s legal framework by integrating digital solutions and alternative sentencing mechanisms. By investing in these resources, Belize is advancing toward a more efficient, rehabilitative, and just legal system.

Rubio Warns Venezuela Against Aggression Toward Guyana

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed Thursday that the United States would respond forcefully if Venezuela attacks Guyana amid an escalating territorial dispute involving vast oil and gas reserves, the Associated Press reported.

Rubio, on a three-nation tour of the Caribbean, made a brief stop in Guyana’s capital, where he met with President Irfaan Ali and other officials. Speaking at a joint news conference, Rubio warned that any Venezuelan aggression would have serious consequences.

“The regional threats are based on illegitimate territorial claims by a narco-trafficking regime,” Rubio said. “And I want to be frank, there will be consequences for adventurism. There will be consequences for aggressive actions.”

Guyana, home to significant offshore oil deposits, has become a key player in U.S. efforts to promote energy independence in the region. Earlier this month, the country accused Venezuela of sending an armed naval vessel into disputed waters near ExxonMobil’s massive oil fields.

Rubio made clear that any further incursions would not be tolerated. “It would be a very bad day for the Venezuelan regime if they were to attack Guyana or attack ExxonMobil or anything like it,” he said. “It would not end well for them.”

In Caracas, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez dismissed Rubio’s remarks, saying Venezuela would not abandon its claim to the Essequibo region and accusing the U.S. of destabilizing the region.

The territorial dispute between Venezuela and Guyana has intensified since ExxonMobil’s 2015 oil discovery in the Stabroek Block, which holds an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil. The Maduro government has repeatedly condemned Guyana’s development of the fields, calling it “illegal.”

American Tourist Seriously Injured in Boating Accident Near Caye Caulker

American tourist 45-year-old Mark Strus was seriously injured in a boating accident near Caye Caulker on Thursday afternoon.

It happened at around 4:00 p.m. when Strus was kayaking with his three children on the northern side of the island. According to witnesses, a boat en route to San Pedro crossed their path, and in an attempt to avoid a collision, Strus and his son jumped from the kayak.

Strus went underwater and was struck by the boat’s propeller, sustaining a severe head injury.

Strus was transported to the Caye Caulker Polyclinic, where he received treatment for heavy bleeding before being airlifted to Belize City. Authorities report that Strus remains in critical but stable condition.