2025-04-05 - Channel 5 Belize

Groundbreaking for New Pediatric Ward at Northern Regional Hospital

The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW) announced on Friday the groundbreaking of the new paediatric ward at Northern Regional Hospital in the Orange Walk District. The project is a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Orange Walk-District 4250 and LEAP Global Mission. MOHW said in a statement that it reflects “a milestone in our commitment to improving child healthcare services in Belize.”

The $2.3 million initiative will fund the construction of a “modern, 5,384 sq. ft. facility equipped with observation wards, isolation units, consultation rooms, and more,” the ministry said.

The ministry added that the facility will be “tailored to meet the needs of our youngest patients and the heroes who care for them.”

Protests Erupt Across the US and Abroad Over Trump’s Controversial Tariffs and Economic Agenda

Thousands of protesters flooded streets today across the United States and around the world in response to President Donald Trump’s controversial tariffs and his “America First” economic policies. Dubbed “Liberation Day” by Trump, Trump’s recent trade moves have drawn widespread criticism for their potential to harm global trade relations.

According to CNN, the “Hands Off!” protests are among the largest collective responses to his administration’s agenda, with over 1,400 protests planned in all 50 states in the US. The news outlet also reported that major rallies have also taken place internationally, including in Germany, the UK, and Canada.

Critics argue that Trump’s economic policies benefit wealthy elites, like Elon Musk, at the expense of ordinary citizens. The protesters are calling for an end to what they see as a “billionaire takeover” of government, the reduction of social services, and protection for vulnerable communities, including immigrants and LGBTQ+ individuals.

CNN reported that the movement is gaining momentum, with nearly 600,000 participants expected. More rallies also continue to unfold worldwide.

Today, Mia Mottley, Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), also warned about the economic impact on the Caribbean. “Regardless of what any of our Caribbean governments will do, we could lower our tariffs to zero in CARICOM, and it will not make a lick of difference because our economies are small and vulnerable,” she stated. Mottley also appealed directly to President Trump, saying, “I say simply to President Trump, our economies are not doing your economy any harm in any way. They’re too small to have any negative or distorting impact on your country. So I ask you to consider your decades-long friendship between your country and ours.”

CARICOM Mia Mottley Proposes Solutions for Economic Stability in Caribbean Region

CARICOM Chair Mia Mottley has proposed a series of actions to improve economic self-sufficiency, strengthen regional cooperation, and address the Caribbean’s vulnerability in global trade.

Mottley called for immediate actions, including reengaging with the United States at the highest level, acknowledging the mutual benefits of cooperation, particularly under initiatives like the Caribbean Basin Initiative. She said that the Caribbean’s small size, vulnerability, and limited manufacturing capacity make it incapable of distorting trade, which led the US to assist in promoting Caribbean exports under the initiative. “We will see how these tariffs will impact on that,” she warned.

She also stressed the importance of avoiding political divisions for personal gain, encouraging unity within the Caribbean to tackle common economic challenges. “United we stand, divided we fall,” Mottley said.

Another key suggestion from Mottley was to increase investment in Caribbean agriculture and light manufacturing, pushing for more ambitious goals in local production. “We must grow our own and produce our own as much as possible,” she said. Mottley said that strengthening small businesses and producers makes it a critical part of the strategy to build resilience in the region during times of global crises.

Supporting local products was another recommendation. Mottley encouraged consumers to buy local, stating, “Buy local and buy regional. The products are better, fresher and more competitive in many instances.”

Mottley’s last proposed action is to diversify trade partnerships with countries in Africa and Central and Latin America and renew relationships with older partners like the UK, Europe, and Canada. “We must not rely solely on one or two markets. We need to be able to sell our Caribbean goods to a wider, more stable global market.”

Moreover, Mottley pointed out the potential spillover effect on tourism. She said a possible slowdown in tourism due to rising global economic pressures threatens the Caribbean. “Worsening conditions in many of our source markets will have negative impacts on people’s ability to travel,” she said.

“We call in our regional private sector and the tourism sector to come together and to work with governments to collaborate for an immediate tourism strategy to ensure that we maintain market share numbers as a region,” Mottley stated. “I pray that I am wrong, and I’m praying that cooler heads prevail across the world and leaders come together in a new sense.”

CARICOM Chair Warns of Economic Fallout from US Tariffs

Mia Mottley, Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), delivered a stark warning about the economic repercussions of the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” initiative. In her address, Mottley stated that these tariffs, aimed primarily at Chinese imports, could severely disrupt supply chains, causing price hikes for everyday goods in the Caribbean.

As she said, the Caribbean region, heavily reliant on imported goods from the US, is particularly vulnerable to such global trade disruptions. “Many of those commodities are either purchased directly from the United States of America or pass through the United States of America on their way to the Caribbean region,” Motthley said. “That, my friends, is a legacy of our colonial dependence.”

Motthley said that the repercussions of these tariffs will be felt by consumers across the region, regardless of their economic status. “I want every Caribbean man and every Caribbean woman to hear me: this trade war and the possibility of a 1 million to 1.5 million US dollar levy on all Chinese-made ships entering US harbours will mean higher prices for all of us.”

She stressed that the Caribbean’s economic vulnerabilities leave it susceptible to such global trade fluctuations, and even efforts to diversify the local economy won’t shield the region from the effects.

She said, “Regardless of what any of our Caribbean governments will do, we could lower our tariffs to zero in CARICOM, and it will not make a lick of difference because our economies are small and vulnerable.”

Mottley also warned of the potential negative effects on the Caribbean’s vital tourism sector, as economic challenges in key markets could reduce travel to the region. “We call in our regional private sector and the tourism sector to come together and to work with governments to collaborate for an immediate tourism strategy to ensure that we maintain market share numbers as a region,” she said.

“A lot of Caribbean people will think that these things that you’re seeing on television news or reading about are far away… But the reality, my friends, is that if you buy food, if you buy electronics, if you buy clothes, it will impact you,” Mottley added.

Mottley also appealed directly to President Trump, stating, “I say simply to President Trump, our economies are not doing your economy any harm in any way. They’re too small to have any negative or distorting impact on your country. So I ask you to consider your decades-long friendship between your country and ours and look to the Caribbean, recognising that the family ties, yes, are strong. Let us talk, and let us work together.”

Shooting in Belmopan

Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred earlier today in the Cohune Walk area of Belmopan City. The shooting incident happened in front of a Chinese supermarket located by the area’s junction.

Authorities are on the scene, with police and scenes of crime officials processing the area.

There are no reports of any injuries.

More details to follow.

Residents Continue Protest of Cayo Rosario Project, Public Meeting Set For Coming Week

Concerned Belizeans have been invited to unite against the controversial Cayo Rosario development project, which lies within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The meeting was called Elito Arceo via social media. According to Arceo, the meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 8.”Bring your signs condemning the destruction of Cayo Rosario,” he said. “As once it is destroyed, it’s gone forever.”

This call comes after environmental groups and local residents, supported by Oceana Belize, have raised alarms about the project’s potential environmental impact. The project has been in the works for several years. Despite having passed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), protesters claim ongoing excavation and mangrove destruction pose a significant threat.

Arceo added, “They will be destroying an integral part of our beloved Hol Chan Marine Reserve. We all depend on a healthy marine ecosystem to survive.”On March 27, Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai said that no dredging was occurring at the site. However, locals like tour guide Oscar Iboy have disputed this, claiming to have witnessed dredging activities themselves. Iboy stated, “The people out here in San Pedro are the ones watching and seeing the excavation that’s going on, and I don’t know what he means by they’re not doing any dredging.”

The Department of the Environment (DOE) has organised a monitoring programme to ensure compliance throughout the project’s stages.

Arceo added in his announcement statement, “If the authorities upon whose shoulders the safeguarding of the reserve falls upon and it is their responsibility, don’t care. Then we will show them that we certainly give a damn about Hol Chan. Dis da fu we Belize.”