In the following report, News Five Duane Moody zeros in on specific cases of persons provided with passports without the requirements. It is a sorry state of affairs that stinks to high heaven of a hustle so rampant that sloppiness settled in at the department. Duane Moody, Reporting The case of the imprisoned Won […]
We have been reporting on the Auditor General’s trio of reports on the Immigration and Nationality Service between April of 2011 and September of 2013. They contain hard-to-swallow truths about a culture of corruption and fraud within the service, facilitated for the most part by ministers of Government and their associates. Minister of State for […]
The Government has collected millions of dollars in hurricane relief funds since the passage of Hurricane Earl. Much of it will go to rebuilding efforts for the hardest-hit communities. But the agricultural and small business community is arguably even harder-hit and according to the Belize Progressive Party, there is much work to be done. The […]
The political party Vision Inspired by the People says it stands in full support of Section Fifty-three of Belize’s Criminal Code and still wants the Government of Belize to appeal the decision to strike down that piece of law, despite Government saying that it will not. In a press release, VIP says that, “its support […]
Take it to the people! That is the advice of the Belize Progressive Party on issues ranging from the recent decision on Section Fifty-three of the Criminal Code, to legalization of marijuana use, to signing the United Nations Anti-Corruption Convention. In terms of background, the 2008 referendum on electing the Senate, the only one in […]
Rogers noted that the United States uses referenda at the city, county and state levels to glean the people’s thoughts on important social and governance issues. But given that the judiciary has a role to play in interpreting the law and advising on the rights of persons who feel infringed upon, as Caleb Orozco did, […]
Police continue their investigations into how Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber’s Toyota Prado ended up in the Caribbean Sea near Marine Parade on Sunday night. The Minister says it was stolen from its parking place on the George Price Highway, but many are sceptical to say the least. Today, the Belize Progressive Party’s chairman, Paco […]
In calling once again for the Government to sign the United Nations Anti-Corruption Convention, B.P.P. Political Leader Patrick Rogers declared that they are not comfortable with former comrade in the cause for political reform, Senator Godwin Hulse, being put in charge of the Police Department. Unless the Government changes its ways, Rogers said, the change […]
The Belize Progressive Party is approaching its first anniversary of formation; but as with any political party there is internal turmoil. In this case, at least one member may face internal discipline up to possible expulsion as a result of alleged misrepresentation of a meeting held with a prominent local personality. The party’s political leader, […]
Attorney Michel Chebat, who was sworn in as a temporary senator on Monday, sat in for Senator Eamon Courtenay. He shared the opposition’s perspective on Singh’s appointment. Michel Chebat, P.U.P. Senator “Prior to today’s official appointment of Mr. Singh, it has come to my attention that in fact Mr. Singh has already held one […]
John Saldivar’s fall from grace as Minister of National Security, a consolidated portfolio which at the time included the Belize Police Department, the National Coast Guard and the Belize Defense Force, came in the wake of the William ‘Danny’ Mason fiasco. Saldivar’s familiarity with the accused murderer led many to believe that the investigation into […]
Attorney General Vanessa Retreage was today sworn in officially in Belmopan as a Senator and Minister of Government. The newest member of the upper house was sworn in before Senate President Lee Mark Chang and other senators at the National Assembly Building during today’s Senate meeting, according to the Press Office. She then appeared before […]
A decision on the constitutional challenge brought before the Supreme Court by Belizean gay rights activist Caleb Orozco, on the legality of Section Fifty-three of the Criminal Code, was delivered by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin last Wednesday. The ruling in favor of Orozco serves to further polarize an already divided society on the controversial issue. […]
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has done the improbable – securing a third term for the United Democratic Party. But now he has to make it through that third term with his Party intact. He stated once before, in a somber moment, that corruption could bring down his government. So what is he saying now? […]
There’s one more minister who today admitted that he had trekked up Intelco Hill to visit with William Mason. In Orange Walk Town today, we drilled the former Deputy Prime Minister, Gaspar Vega about reports that he too was chummy with Mason. While Vega confirmed he had been to Mason’s house, he denied introducing Mennonite […]
The former DPM could not say when exactly he met Mason, but was emphatic that he did not receive any monies from the accused murderer for campaign financing or other political activities. Reporter “Was it in the sense of political campaigning, trying to get financing from him?” Gaspar Vega, Former DPM “No, never. […]
But is it fair game to remove John Saldivar from cabinet because of his connections and business dealings with Mason? Saldivar’s integrity is being called into question and by extension that of the entire U.D.P. government. This is what Vega has to say. Gaspar Vega, Former DPM “I don’t know what dealings he had; […]
Frank ‘Papa’ Mena received ten thousand dollars from Mason toward his by-election campaign. At least he says it was only ten thousand. According to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, no other Cabinet minister received any monies, or at least they say they didn’t. There’s really no way of telling. For example, John Saldivar has admitted that […]
William Mason wined, dined and made monetary contributions to U.D.P. ministers. The name of the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, is popping up everywhere in the saga involving Mason; he is on record for receiving up to fifty thousand dollars for the Belmopan Bandits. Frank “Papa” Mena has admitted that he got ten thousand […]
Following an allegation of sexual assault against a minor, Superintendent Mark Flowers has been replaced by Inspector Glenn Caliz as head of the GSU. It all happened while Flowers is on holiday. The P.U.P. and its women’s arm issued a release today condemning the alleged abuse and exploitation perpetrated on defenseless individuals by high officials […]
It was made known on Monday by the Minister of National Security that the Gang Suppression Unit has been given a new set of directives to tackle criminal elements in gang-infested neighborhoods across the Old Capital. That solution was criticized by the Deputy Leader of the P.U.P. Cordel Hyde at a press conference on Wednesday. […]
In the aftermath of the beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, Minister Saldivar announced that more police officers are being deployed into the streets of Belize City, in light of the ongoing problem of crime and violence. While additional boots on the ground will provide a sense of security for residents of the Old Capital, it […]
The People’s United Party came out swinging today, strongly criticizing the Barrow administration, as well as the Belize Police Department in a press conference at Independence Hall. The P.U.P. has expressed serious concerns that the criminal investigation involving suspected murderer William Mason may not be handled properly since there is said to be a close […]
The issue of Mason’s licenses to lawfully have in his possession an arsenal of weapons was also brought up today. Opposition Leader John Briceno questioned the acquisition of those gun licenses, as well as his citizenship; citing both as failures in due diligence on the part of the Police Department and the Immigration Department, respectively. […]
The B.T.L. arbitration award, as well as the economic impact of having to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars to compensate for the nationalization of the utility company, remains a matter of national importance. While it has taken a backseat because of the bizarre murder of Pastor Lucas, it is very much alive in […]
