In her report, the Auditor General found that, “since the law does not provide for ministers to intervene in the visa process, it was illegal for them to do so.” But many ministers still did, by way of so-called recommendations. Ministers such as Elvin Penner, Erwin Contreras, Frank ‘Papa’ Mena and Edmond Castro as well as Hugo […]
U.D.P. leader elect, Patrick Faber met this morning with former political opponent John Saldivar, their first sit-down after the leadership convention on Sunday. At the time that the official results had come in, the Belmopan area representative and former Minister of National Security was a no-show, leaving many to believe that Saldivar was not as […]
While several others are said to be considering not seeking re-election in November, the U.D.P. chairman says that in the case of Gapi Vega and Sedi Elrington, all indications were given ahead of the convention. Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, United Democratic Party “We don’t say if you don’t want to be a part of the […]
In the wake of the convention, supporters of both John Saldivar and Wilfred Elrington are disappointed with the outcome, however, there are no confirmations on any new resignation in the days ahead, and as we said earlier, Saldivar and Faber appear to be mending fences. According to Chairman Peyrefitte, a disappointment is par for the […]
The Senate today also debated the appointment of attorney Estevan Perrera to the post of Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission. He succeeds former chairman, Doug Singh, who resigned after he was heard in audio recording making offensive and derogatory remarks against poor Belizeans who were seeking assistance promised by the Barrow Administration. That […]
Attorney Deshawn Arzu-Torres’ appointment was also before the senate. She was reappointed to the post of Chairman of the Integrity Commission. Arzu-Torres was first appointed on June first, 2018 for a two-year term. She succeeded Marilyn Williams who vacated the seat to take up an appointment at the Supreme Court. In 2018, Arzu-Torres’ appointment was […]
Coming down hard with criticisms against the government was the Opposition Senators. One of the roles of the commission is to guard against illicit enrichment by public officials. Besides calling for a fully resourced office, the P.U.P. is calling for a chairman who has the courage to investigate any member of the government. Michel […]
Assistant Commissioner of Police Marco Vidal is at home recovering from a stroke that he suffered one week ago. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the media that Vidal was released from the hospital and is in good spirits. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “Mr. Vidal, I must say, is coming along quite […]
The Scenes of Crime Unit has relocated from the Queen Street Police Station to a rental office space of Barrow and Williams, the Prime Minister’s law firm building on Albert Street. Last week, Minister of National Security Michael Peyrefitte confirmed the move, saying he had viewed the space. Today, the press asked Commissioner of Police […]
The State of Emergency remains in place for the villages of San Felipe and Blue Creek. And if you think you are getting in or out, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says that is not happening under any regular circumstance, as long as the S.O.E. is in place. The only movement in and out is […]
The Belize Police Department says that it is taking policing of the border jumping and contraband trade to another level. In the coming days the department will have five hotlines and will be running public service announcements to target the illegal entry and trade. Today, Commissioner Chester Williams told the press about their next moves […]
The Belize Police Department says that COVID-19 and budgetary restrictions prevented them from observing their Annual Police Week. But what they didn’t cut back was the appreciation for citizens who support the efforts of the police. Today, the department held its first ever National Citizen Appreciation Day at all police stations across the country. Today, […]
On March twenty-first, the Public Utilities Commission suspended the full tariff reviewing proceeding for Belize Electricity Limited based on the utility company’s recommendation, as well as the state of emergency declared as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just a day earlier, B.E.L. had made a formal objection to the P.U.C.’s initial decision regarding the […]
There were happy faces at the Biltmore Plaza today; more than two thousand four hundred children will benefit from tuition relief given to eighteen schools. The scholarship comes at a critical time since at households across the country the economic situation is grim due to COVID-19. The initiative is courtesy of the Lifeline Foundation, headed […]
A long-delayed draft senate report being compiled by Senator Aldo Salazar on the immigration scandal of 2013 is being reviewed by his peers in the upper house. The scandal associated former Minister of State Elvin Penner with South Korean fugitive Wong Hong Kim and revolved around the issuance of a Belizean passport to Kim, who […]
Traditionally, around this time, the Belize Police Department would put off an entire week of activities to celebrate police week. But due to COVID-19 pandemic police will instead be celebrating a citizen awareness initiative. The National Citizen Appreciation Day takes place on Wednesday, July fifteenth; all major police stations across the country will be identifying […]
Around the country, land disputes are brewing in villages. In the latest case, the Georgeville Village Council is up in arms that a green space reserved for a sporting complex has been parceled off and granted to persons who do not live in the village. The village chairlady says this is contrary to the Village […]
The Public Service Union has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with private bus company ADK Charters to provide transportation for public officers who travel from Belize City to Belmopan for work. P.S.U. President Gerald Henry says that one of the terms of the M.O.U. is that public officers, who use the service, will pay a […]
In the following story you will meet an enterprising single mother of four children. She is Elsy Rosales and she started a small business from scratch. She did not have a lot of money in the bank nor experience in business, and was left homeless at a point, but she kept going and today, Everything […]
Earlier this week, the Corozal Town Council acquired a lawn tractor, a generator, two lawn mowers, four echo brush cutters and other essential tools to complement the equipment for its Sanitation and Operations Department. The investment allows for the council to improve its capacity to deliver services to the residents of the town. The new […]
The popular tenth annual back to school trimming and hair braiding drive by Inspiration Arts is scheduled to be held on August eighth and ninth at its usual location on Fabers Road Extension. Every year, hundreds of primary schools students get free haircuts or hair braids by a group of volunteers who would give of […]
While on the matter of judges, there is word tonight that Prime Minister Dean Barrow will be proceeding to have Senior Counsel Lisa Shoman appointed to the post of judge of the Supreme Court. The Judicial and Legal Services Commission Council and the Leader of the Opposition, we are told, were consulted, as is required […]
A massive judgment with damages of one hundred and thirty-eight point seven million U.S. dollars was handed down earlier this week against businessman John Usher. He was embroiled in the Sanctuary Bay scam a few years ago, along with incarcerated real estate developer turned fraudster Andris Pukke, during which hundreds of millions of dollars were […]
Arguments were heard in the Supreme Court today on an application for judicial review filed by attorney Nazira Myles on behalf of her client Eldon Arzu. The Corporal of Police is before the courts again attempting to overturn the results of the recently elected executive of the Police Association. Myles submitted that the elections were […]
At an event earlier in the day, Minister of National Security Michael Peyrefitte spoke of his efforts to ease tensions between the ComPol and the former President of the Police Association. He says that he tried to mediate, but it was not resolved. Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of National Security “It’s within the courts so […]
