The inclusion of Honduras as a third party in Belize’s case against Guatemala that has been lodged in the International Court of Justice, has been a talking point since the subject was introduced in the Senate earlier this week. The matter involves ownership of the Sapodilla Cayes which Honduras laid claim to as far back […]
The Public Service Union is up in arms today, having received a copy of a circular memorandum for the reinstatement of full allowances for C.E.O.s and heads of departments. The memo, signed by Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie and addressed to all chief executive officers of the different government ministries, is dated September eighth, 2022 and […]
P.S.U. President Dean Flowers says that the prime minister is attempting to mislead and deceive the nation because C.E.O.s under the Briceño administration never made a sacrifice and are now being awarded more monies. He explains that back in April 2020, the former administration had instituted cost-saving measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it […]
The union president says that it is a matter that will now be taken to the P.S.U. membership with a plan of action to determine a mandate going forward because C.E.O.s will now be getting eighteen thousand dollars annually for living and entertainment allowance, which is more than the salary of some public officers. Dean […]
Last night, we brought you full coverage of the crisis at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. As we reported, the K.H.M.H. Workers Union called a press conference to air their concerns over the shortage of necessary medical supplies at the hospital, and income tax issues related to severance and pension. We also heard from Chandra […]
Prime Minister Briceño also responded to a question about the ongoing investigation into monies seized at the Caribbean International Brewery Limited. He sought to make it clear that he had nothing to do with the multi-agency raid that took place. In fact, P.M. Briceño says that he supports the fact that the brewery is creating […]
Representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are currently in Belize. According to Prime Minister Briceño, the I.M.F. is impressed with the progress that Belize’s economy has made over the last financial year. P.M. Briceño says the I.M.F. has requested that Belize’s economic recovery efforts be used as a model for other countries to follow. […]
This week, the sugar impasse between the differing parties – the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries Limited was centre stage again. Last evening, you heard Minister of Agriculture, Abelardo Mai say that Cabinet members were concerned about the stalemate and also that there seems to be a promising move […]
The Prime Minister said that the key to solving the standoff is to be able to guide them to reaching an agreement that will be fair to the cane farmers, as well as to the company. He also said that both sides need to be willing to sit down and have good-faith negotiations. Prime […]
Prime Minister John Briceño is now telling his Cabinet ministers to find their own funding if they want to travel to official international events. And, for those government officials that seemingly travel abroad almost weekly to attend events, P.M. Briceño is telling them that it is not necessary to be at every event. So, effective […]
Earlier this week, cabinet approved a proposal by the Ministry of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform and Religious Affairs to modernize the recruitment and promotion system and to revamp and modernize the Human Resource Management systems. According to the cabinet brief, the objective is to create a more professional, responsive and effective Belize Public […]
The Xunantunich Archaeological Site has been among Belize’s favourite tourist attractions, particularly because of the splendor that one experiences when they ascend atop El Castillo – the tallest ancient building in the country. But did you know that when the Classic Mayas occupied the site and conducted their rituals there, it had a different name? […]
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is facing extremely difficult times as the national referral facility. Employees are dissatisfied with existing working conditions; there is also a severe lack of basic supplies, as well as a constant stream of resignation by nurses and doctors on staff. It all came to a head this morning when the […]
This morning’s media brief held by the K.H.M.H. Workers Union caught the management of the hospital flat-footed. Notwithstanding a cordial relationship with the union, Chief Executive Officer Chandra Cansino expressed her dismay with the approach that has been taken. Nonetheless, she does admit that there have been serious challenges where operational expenses are concerned. […]
According to C.E.O. Cansino, the hospital has had to rely on the good graces of its suppliers to make available pharmaceuticals, as well as basic items, using a line of credit. The supply crisis, she says, is not an issue that is unique to Belize. Nevertheless, a lack of essential resources threatens the wellbeing of […]
Earlier today, Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard also weighed in on the situation at the K.H.M.H. including concerns about pension and other benefits for members of staff. Minister Bernard acknowledges the fact that a letter was written to himself and Prime Minister Briceño by the K.H.M.H. Workers Union. Several of the requests being […]
The U.D.P. Recall Team, headed by Vice Chair Alberto August, called a press conference today to challenge the decision of Chairman Michael Peyrefitte to declare that a threshold has not been met to trigger a recall of the party’s leadership. August shared that he is of the view that the faction that wants their leader, […]
The Recall Project, as it is dubbed, may very well land in front of a Supreme Court judge, so flanking August’s side at the head table was attorney Norman Rodriguez, who explained that the process of handling a petition within the U.D.P, is the same as with an election when voting closes. Norman Rodriguez, […]
Caribbean International Brewery will not see the return of its seized three million dollars any time soon. In fact, the company will have to wait at least three months before the courts make a decision. That is because their attorney, former Prime Minister Dean Barrow, submitted an application to have the Supreme Court’s opinion on […]
Will the Eruption Nightclub in Ladyville be shuttered following the rape of a minor? News Five has confirmed that the Belize Police Department is awaiting official shutdown documents, following its recommendation to the Liquor License Board that the establishment’s permit be pulled, even if only temporarily. The case, which is being likened to a fatal […]
Turning back to the public health system and the challenges at the K.H.M.H., Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard says that the ministry will acquire the CT-scan for the national referral hospital. As you’ve just heard, for years now, patients in need of this service at the K.H.M.H. have had to risk their lives […]
Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard also gave an update on the complaints coming out of the Southern Regional Hospital as it relates to the acquisition of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals. He confirmed that on Tuesday the situation was resolved and it was simply a case of miscommunication. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & […]
Today, at the Biltmore Plaza the National One Health Platform for Belize was launched. It seeks to provide a space for data collected on health from a human, environment and animal perspective. It is being spearheaded by the Pan American Health Organization in Belize and has the support from the Ministry of Health and Agriculture. […]
On Tuesday, we heard the issues that the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industries face just weeks before a new sugar crop is due to open. Both sides have been at a stalemate in solving their problems as partners in the sugar industry and are due to sign an […]
We caught up with Agriculture Minister, Abelardo Mai today and he informed that the impasse between the two parties has now gotten the attention of the Cabinet. He described the sugar impasse as delicate and sensitive and was cautiously optimistic that there is a feeling that things have begun to move in the right direction. […]
