The officer was in his uniform when he was physically attacked and robbed of his vehicle. Hall has been working at precinct three of the Belize City police department for quite some time now. His mother says that while her son is in a stable condition, he is still not out of harm’s way. […]
Still on Petrocaribe…It is well known that there’s been bad blood between Prime Minister Barrow and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The latest fall out was last Friday. Following the special sitting of the House of Representatives, the PM, told the media that the private sector organization is, “playing the fool and disregarding […]
The Chamber has called for transparency, accountability, adherence to the rule of law, and good governance and says that while these may be trivial in political calculations, they are important to Belize’s social and economic wellbeing. The letter written to the prime minister, says Vasquez, remains unanswered. Arturo ‘Tux’ Vasquez, President, BCCI “As we […]
More than one percent of the population is living with HIV/AIDS and that number could very well be higher. The fear of discrimination and confidentiality remain one of the biggest hurdles to testing, especially among men. Since Friday and throughout today, the National AIDS Commission has been promoting a regional initiative to get tested. The […]
The Supreme Court, with support from UNICEF, officially opened Punta Gorda’s first child-friendly Family Court. In release issued, the child-friendly court is hailed as “a leading milestone and part of the strengthening and establishment of a child-friendly justice system in Belize.” The new building is designed for children and includes play rooms as well as […]
U.D.P. loyalist, Delroy Cuthkelvin’s intention to contest the upcoming convention in Stann Creek West, is almost dead in the water. Cuthkelvin has worn several hats within his party including working out of the Prime Minister’s Office and as a public relations officer in the Ministry of National Security. For the aspiring politician, his initial dream […]
In other political news…Just one week away, Belize will see its second bye-election. The first was in Cayo North earlier this year and this time it will be the constituency of Dangriga which includes Sarawee and Hope Creek Villages. It’s going to be a P.U.P./U.D.P. race with newcomer Anthony Sabal and seasoned Frank Pawpa Mena […]
And after that bye-election is over on July eight, the focus is the road to General Elections. While speculations are that it may be as early as the end of this year or towards the start of next year, the P.U.P. says they have been putting the work in the places that it is going […]
Belize has come under intense scrutiny from agencies within the region for failure to meet international standards in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. The Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce is one such organization which serves as an umbrella for a majority of the countries within the basin. In November 2013, Belize was listed […]
Those shortcomings, according to Eusey, were quite a few, beginning with laws and amendments that were both antiquated. The move, he says, has been to successfully bolster the autonomy of the FIU. Eric Eusey, Director, Financial Intelligence Unit “Our deficiencies were several. First in the area of the legal, our laws were a bit […]
The Police Department held a graduation ceremony for its GREAT Program students today at the Bliss. The program, which official got underway in 2008, is operated under the umbrella of the Community Policing Unit. The initiative is used as a tool to prevent violence and its curricula is taught by law enforcement officers. Over thirty-two […]
Friday’s House meeting was cut short after the Opposition People’s United Party walked out in protest, but a lot was still said inside and outside the House. The P.U.P. used one of its questions to find out how many Guatemalans became citizens in 2014. It is all relevant because the new citizens eventually make their […]
When the P.U.P. lost its national audience in the House last Friday, they made up for it with a fiery impromptu press session outside. We’ve brought you much of what was said on a variety of critical issues including Santa Cruz and the explosive Melvin Hulse recording and resignation. But there was still more, including […]
Espat has led the Opposition’s charge where the use of Petrocaribe money is concerned. In fact, he is named as the claimant in a lawsuit seeking the Court’s judgment on the legality of spending Petrocaribe monies without first getting the approval of the House. His constant cry is that government is using the monies like […]
While Espat is concerned about the spending of Petrocaribe funds, the initiative turned ten on Monday. The milestone achievement was celebrated in grand fashion at the APBEL office in Belize City, complete with a courtesy toast and all the bells and whistles. But, the merrymaking was set against the controversy surrounding the use of the […]
The Petrocaribe Amendment Act was tabled in the House of Representatives on Friday with no objections from across the aisle even though the Opposition wants it repealed. As you would know by now, the People’s United Party area reps walked out in protest before the anticipated debate was to get underway following the eviction of […]
The People’s United Party consulted the expertise of a team of lawyers, led by Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck, to draft a legal alternative to the Petrocaribe Amendment Act. With all the effort that went into preparing that document, it was never presented in the House since the P.U.P. lost the opportunity when it walked out. […]
As we said, the Speaker of the House, Michael Peyrefitte, instructed police to remove Senator Patrick Andrews from the gallery of the National Assembly building during last Friday’s sitting of the House. The sitting proceeded, but the debate did not take place on an issue that has been at the center of national discourse for […]
Deputy Leader Julius Espat, who also shared the head table with Fonseca, frankly says that the only means of repealing the newly passed law is to vote the present government out of office. Julius Espat, P.U.P. Deputy Leader “What the claim has done in reality though, it has forced transparency to a certain extent. […]
The body of Mark Swaso, better known as Karm, a resident of Vista Del Mar, Ladyville was discovered this afternoon around three in the southern waters of Belize. Swaso, a fisherman and tour guide at South Water Caye, was lost out at sea for a few days. A search for Swaso turned up his body […]
Melvin Hulse stepped down as standard bearer for the U.D.P. less than a week ago after apologizing profusely to the Prime Minister for allegations made against his boss. In a resignation letter ending his political career in a less than spectacular way, Hulse put forward the name of a likely successor in the constituency in […]
In the midst of all the discussion on the Petrocaribe Loans Act, which the Opposition wants repealed, the Petrocaribe initiative officially celebrates its tenth anniversary. While there was much fanfare at the APBEL office in Belize City this morning, on Friday, following the special sitting of the house, PM Barrow spoke candidly with the media […]
As we told you earlier, the People’s United Party has drafted a legislation that effectively serves as an alternative to the Petrocaribe Amendment Act. While the P.U.P. took into consideration the position of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the president of the private sector organization has described the changes in the recently passed […]
Last Monday, the prime minister commented on the unlawful arrest of Rupert Myles, who was bound and shackled by villagers in Santa Cruz. Despite the unlawful detention and the subsequent prosecution of thirteen men and women, including MLA President Cristina Coc, the prime minister reiterated his position that what was done to Myles clearly violated […]
The fishing industry is said to contribute approximately three to five percent to Belize’s GDP and employs several thousand locals. At the heart of the industry stand the front line people – the fisher folks and it’s not every day that we hear they are being recognized, but today is one exception. The Wildlife Conservation […]
