The impasse between the Christian Workers Union and the Port of Belize Limited is over. Following a meeting this morning, both parties found common ground and after meeting with its membership this afternoon the CWU officially announced the withdrawal of its twenty-one-day industrial action notice. Both parties were at odds over working hours of stevedores, […]
According to C.E.O. of the Port of Belize Limited, Arturo ‘Tux’ Vasquez, the request for a further reduction in gang size is no longer on the table. Vasquez says that since the dispute is over, both parties should resume regular negotiations without the intervention of the Labour Department. Arturo ‘Tux’ Vasquez, C.E.O., Port of […]
The referendum to take the territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala to the International Court of Justice is less than six months away. But the engine of the public awareness campaign, for Belizeans to take a very informed decision on April twelfth, appears to be stuttering. In the past few weeks, advertising as it relates […]
There is a proposal floating around to postpone the April referendum to give Belizeans more time to apprise themselves of the facts. Foreign Minister Elrington slammed the Opposition for that that proposal, saying that Belize does not control the agenda. Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs “This is the latest rationale for postponing […]
Recently, several groups, including the Belize Progressive Party and the southern caucus of the People’s United Party publicly said ‘NO’ to taking the territorial claim to the I.C.J. The grouping calls itself the Belize Peace Movement and met recently in Belmopan. Today, Foreign Minister Sedi Elrington told News Five that after hearing the facts of […]
But do the naysayers include some of Elrington’s cabinet colleagues? Last week, Minister Edmond Castro said he will make up his mind after he finds out what Guatemala has to offer. Minister of State Tracy Taegar Panton wouldn’t commit and the DPM Patrick Faber, said yes, but his constituents can take a conscious vote. Elrington […]
Another high profile U.D.P. politician who has not made up his mind is Belmopan’s Mayor, Khalid Belisle. Belisle told News Five that he is still gathering information in order to make the right decision, which he hopes not to regret for the rest of his life. Khalid Belisle, Mayor of Belmopan “I know we […]
Opposition Leader John Briceño, in his weekly message, proposed the legalization of marijuana in Belize, following a similar endorsement in Canada recently. In the recorded address, the P.U.P. leader discussed the development of an industry which would see marijuana being traded locally and internationally as an export commodity. That suggestion doesn’t sit well with government […]
The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute is observing Coastal Awareness Week. As a part of the activities, the fourth annual coastal awareness trivia challenge was held in Belize City this morning. Ten primary schools from Belize City participated to show their knowledge on coastal resources, threats and management practices in Belize. We spoke with […]
Last week we showed you how the Chunox beneficiaries of the Belize Audubon Society’s small grants programme are using their grants to improve their standard of living and to reduce fishing pressures. Since 2012, BAS has been working with fisherfolk in Chunox, Copper Bank and Sarteneja in Corozal. In these communities, more than fifty-percent of […]
Forty-eight at-risk youths who are enrolled at the Frank Lizama Training Centre were today taken to the Belize Central Prison for a unique visit. They were taken there for a reality check on life behind bars. After hearing an address from an inmate, some of the youths told News Five’s Hipolito Novelo that they’ll keep […]
If you’ve been by Marine Parade lately, you may have noticed a building being erected along the seaside, beside the south end of the Ramada Princess Hotel. Construction began a few weeks ago and the idea is to establish a family-oriented restaurant. Well, that’s the plan of Hiasam and Ekaterina Diab, who entered into a […]
The marijuana debate has fizzled with the decriminalization of a small quantity for personal use in 2017. Weed smokers across the country continue to enjoy the freedom of possessing up to ten grams of cannabis without fear of prosecution, while farmers and retailers remain under close scrutiny by law enforcement for cultivation, trafficking and retailing. […]
A group of Belizean media sat down with an international law lecturer at the Mexican Autonomous University in Mexico City last Friday. Professor Carlos Bernal shared his experience as a legal advisor for Mexico in its case at the I.C.J. Bernal asserts that Belize should take the claim to the I.C.J., he also acknowledges there […]
An issue in the minds of many is whether there could be any geopolitical influence on the judges sitting at the International Court of Justice? Bernal says decisions are about international law. Carlos Bernal, Professor of International Law, Mexican Autonomous University “Politics is politics. I am sure all the judges read the papers every […]
Turning to political news…In August, the People’s United Party’s Southern Caucus announced that it will vote against taking the Belize/Guatemala dispute for resolution to the International Court of Justice. The caucus’ stance is based on a notion that the southern section of the country stands to lose the most if the I.C.J. rules in favor […]
As of next week, P.U.P. Leader John Briceño will embark on a nationwide ‘listening’ tour. It’s his way of getting to know how the party’s standard bearers, area representatives, and supporters feel about taking Guatemala’s maritime, insular and territorial claim to the International Court of Justice for final resolution. Briceño will visit all thirty-one constituencies, […]
Foreign Affairs Minister, Wilfred Elrington, has come under heavy criticism for the nature of the ministry’s I.C.J. Referendum Campaign. On April tenth, 2019 voters will head to the polls and answer one of the most important questions in Belize’s history: “should the Guatemala’s claim be taken to the I.C.J. for final resolution?” From the unofficial […]
While there is a chorus for a ‘YES’ vote in line with the Prime Minister’s position, we did find today an elected representative who hasn’t made up his mind. Whne we asked U.D.P. area representative for Belize Rural North, Edmond Castro, for his take on the I.C.J. referendum, he says he is waiting to see […]
The People’s United Part endorsed Andre Perez as the Standard Bearer for Belize Rural South. On Saturday, party supporters of the Belize Rural South constituency gathered at the Saca Chispas field on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, for the Perez’ endorsement where he pledged his full commitment and promised to deliver a victory for the P.U.P. […]
In 2012, the Belize Audubon Society awarded the first of its small grants to fisherfolk to support income diversification in northern fishing villages like Chunox, Copper Bank and Sarteneja. To date, business ventures include poultry and honey productions, food catering, beauty and wellness services, through which thirty-seven individuals have benefitted. According to the Belize Audubon […]
In 2015, there was huge controversy when a section of a mound at the Uxbenka Archaeological Site was cleared by Rupert Myles, a resident of Santa Cruz Village. Because the site is sacred to the Mayas, Myles was asked to remove the house he had built on the mound. He didn’t, so the Maya tied […]
A regional conference aimed at empowering women in the maritime sector began today in Belize City. Representatives of sixteen Caribbean nations are participating in the third annual Women in Maritime Association Caribbean symposium to foster the development of the industry within the region. News Five’s Hipolito Novelo reports. Hipolito Novelo, Reporting The third annual […]
Fourteen-year-old Danielly Tillett left her home in August Pine Ridge en route to a nearby shop on September twenty-fourth and has not been seen by her mother since. Despite communicating with her parent by phone, authorities have not been able to locate the minor whom it is believed is in the company of a male […]
Mexico’s President-elect, Andrés Manuel López Obrador stated earlier this week that Chetumal will return to a ‘free zone’ status. While visiting Cancun, the president-elect announced that on January first, 2019, the Mexican government will roll out the programme in the entire northern border area of Mexico. Thereafter, it will be implemented in Quintana Roo along […]
