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Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington is back in the country, following high-level meetings at the O.A.S. headquarters in Washington D.C. He was accompanied by Ambassadors Assad Shoman, Alexis Rosado and Pat Andrews. Based on very evident concern expressed by G.O.B. about an incident on Saturday in the Sarstoon, it was expected that that issue […]
The conference held by Foreign Minister Elrington was delayed because the Belizean delegation spent much of the afternoon briefing Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Opposition Leader John Briceño. But we can tell you that the Belize Territorial Volunteers was in the spotlight for much of it. Every area of government has maintained that the cause […]
A government release issued on Sunday, after a military to military incident in the Sarstoon on Saturday made reference to tensions being at an all time high, and spoke of hostilities and threatening actions by Guatemala military. That stance and the one taken by Minister Elrington today seem markedly different. The situation seemed so critical […]
Ambassador Assad Shoman is a member of the current negotiating team, and negotiating teams of the past. In fact, he is perhaps the most experienced member on that team. He gave us his input on what has changed in the negotiating atmosphere, and also his view on blaming the BTV for increased aggression in the […]
Across the country, much has been said in the wake of the most recent bout between Belize and Guatemala over access to the Sarstoon River. Since the standoff at the estuary made headlines on Monday, politicians, government officials and even laymen have all chimed in on the heated conversation. On Wednesday, grassroots organization COLA issued […]
Written on March 17, 2016 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
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In the aftermath of last Saturday’s armed confrontation, the Belize Territorial Volunteers have come under heavy criticism for unsolicited visits to the Sarstoon area. It is strongly believed that the BTV-led expeditions into the area under dispute have only served to increase hostility between armed forces on both sides of the southern border. Earlier today, […]
Written on March 17, 2016 | Posted in
Miscellaneous,
People & Places |
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For the past several weeks we have been reporting on a looming cash flow crisis within the citrus industry. Growers have not been receiving fruit payments from Citrus Products of Belize Limited in a timely manner, consistent with an approved weekly schedule. So, what’s the reason for the unforeseen delay? Well, CPBL is awaiting a […]
Written on March 17, 2016 | Posted in
Agriculture,
People & Places |
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A mobile application to test your knowledge of HIV/AIDS was launched by the National AIDS Commission earlier today. The product of two years of careful research, development and meticulous fine tuning, Infection made its official debut this morning on Google Play. Its launch was also celebrated during a brief ceremony at the secretariat. David Alfaro, […]
According to Chairperson Laura Longsworth, the rationale behind the development of the software was to come up with an interactive approach to sharing critical information about the virus with a younger, more tech savvy audience. Laura Longsworth, Chairperson, National AIDS Commission “The decision to develop the app is linked to a strategy, the National […]
Chit Chat – a program executed by Belize Family Life Association since 2013. It connects curious youths with accurate and age-appropriate sexual reproductive health information using technology. In tonight’s episode of Healthy Living, we find out more about this innovative service. Marleni Cuellar, Reporting In 2013, the Belize Family Life Association launched a text […]
Outgoing Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou touched down in Belize shortly before eleven o’clock this morning, following the arrivals of the prime ministers of St. Kitts, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. The occasion of his visit is to bid farewell to the Jewel, one of Taiwan’s strongest allies in the international community. The Phillip Goldson International […]
Following the National Security Meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow credited the defusing of the situation at the Sarstoon on Sunday to Brigadier-General David Jones – more specifically, the relationship Jones has with the highest-ranking military officer in Guatemala. It is through communication between those two men on Saturday that the Guatemalan military was […]
The Belize Defense Force is shortly due to make its weekly shift-change run to Cadenas via the Sarstoon, or is it? Has that strongly worded note from the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry issued after Saturday’s incident changed things? In the note, Guatemala insists that the Sarstoon is theirs, and they will continue to assert sovereignty as […]
Just a few years ago, Belizeans were able to use the Sarstoon and there was no question that half of that meandering river was ours. Today, Guatemalans say the entire river is theirs and obviously they are prepared to assert that claim using military force against not only civilians but also the military. To the […]
In tri-lateral meetings conducted at OAS headquarters in Washington DC on Tuesday, the Opposition was represented by former Foreign Minister Assad Shoman. Even in its release issued over the weekend, we noted that government made a point of mentioning that the Prime Minister had briefed Opposition leader John Briceño personally on the situation at the […]
One government official who is known not to mince words is Minister of Education Patrick Faber. He weighed in on the Sarstoon incident, telling the media today that Belizeans should be concerned and patriotism by civilians ought to be applauded. But there are more successful ways to solve the issues with Guatemala in the south. […]
In light of the recent flare up at the Sarstoon River, we took to the streets of Belize City to get public opinion on the incident, as well as the manner in which it is being handled by government. The responses we got were a mixed bag and tonight we’ll share with you feedback we […]
The unanticipated letter of resignation from Deputy Party Leader Gaspar Vega, relinquishing his post as second-in-command of the ruling United Democratic Party, has created a leadership vacuum within the hierarchy of the U.D.P. The formal notice, ahead of Sunday’s endorsement convention in Dangriga, has taken everyone by surprise. Despite the timeliness of the announcement of […]
The resignation of Vega also came as a surprise to Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, who contested the deputy leadership back in 2013, but lost to Vega. Faber says despite Vega’s departure, Sunday’s convention will be a smooth process and the party will remain strong. Patrick Faber, U.D.P. Minister “It was a surprise for […]
It is highly speculated that Vega stepped down after the portfolio for the Ministry of Natural Resources was given to an unelected minister, Godwin Hulse. But was this what triggered his resignation from politics? Patrick Faber, U.D.P. Minister “That’s a question I think you best ask Mister Vega. From what is presented to us […]
Collet Area Rep Patrick Faber has not been bashful about his intent to become U.D.P. party leader. He believes that acquiring deputy party leadership is a stepping stone to his ambition to replace Dean Barrow as party leader and prime minister. But for Faber to get the post, he’ll have to defeat John Saldivar and […]
There were two murders in three days in Belize City. A thirty-four-year-old mother of two teenage boys was killed as she traveled in a taxi with friends on Faber’s Road. Less than forty-eight hours later, the body of an eighteen-year-old resident of Louise Bevans Street was found in a canal leading to the dyke behind […]
Written on March 16, 2016 | Posted in
Crime |
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Earlier in the newscast, Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams gave an update on the recent homicides in Belize City. News Five caught up with him during the department’s weekly community policing initiative. This time, the officers of Eastern Division South were meeting with residents in the neighborhood of North and South Creek, where recently […]
Written on March 16, 2016 | Posted in
Crime |
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The biennial Sagicor Visionaries Challenge took place today at the Ramada Belize City Princess. A dozen entries were submitted by five schools from across Belize District. The projects focus innovative business ideas encompassing the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. News Five’s Duane Moody was there and has this report. Duane Moody, Reporting […]
Written on March 16, 2016 | Posted in
Education |
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Twenty-five members of Belize’s armed forces are heading to Las Vegas, Nevada where twenty of them will participate in the Challenge Cup Relay – Baker to Vegas Race. The one hundred and twenty mile race is open to serving or former members of the armed forces, and it is the first time that a country […]
