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Governor General Froyla Tzalam has signed into law the Referendum (Amendment) Bill 2023 which expands the circumstances in which a referendum must be held to include any proposed amendment or repeal, whether expressed or implied of the Petroleum Operations (Maritime Zone Moratorium) Act. This is equally applicable to any proposed legislation that affects the carrying […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy |
Comments Off on People’s Referendum on Offshore Oil in Belize Signed into Law
In October, the government lost a legal claim brought by Caribbean International Brewery Limited regarding the confiscation of three point two million dollars by the Financial Intelligence Unit over a year ago. The High Court ruled that proper procedures were not followed and that the money should have been returned within seventy-two hours. The case […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Trials |
Comments Off on FIU Director Reacts to High Court’s Ruling on C.I.B. Money Seizure
The inflation rate rose to four point two percent in September, up from August’s three point four percent. This marked the second consecutive monthly increase. The Statistical Institute of Belize (S.I.B.) explained that prices in food, restaurants, and accommodation services were the main drivers. Belize is not the only country battling high inflation. According to […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on What’s the Answer to High Inflation?
We also asked Financial Secretary, Joseph Waight, about the loans that the Briceño Administration has borrowed. The United Democratic Party has made it a point to criticize the government for borrowing several loans, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, in three years. In our conversation with Financial Secretary Joseph Waight, we asked him if there […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on FinSec Joseph Waight: “You Have to Borrow to Develop”
A coalition comprising numerous countries, including Belize, has jointly committed to implementing the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Acknowledging the rapid growth of the crypto-asset market and the need to sustain global tax transparency, the coalition emphasizes CARF’s role in facilitating the automatic exchange of information between […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Belize to Implement Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework
The Civil Asset Recovery and Unexplained Wealth Act became law in early August. It empowers the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to recover assets obtained through criminal means. For this week, stakeholders will gather in Belize City where they will learn more about the purpose of the ACT and how to enforce it. The training is […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Learning about the Civil Asset Recovery and Unexplained Wealth Act
In October, the infamous Meighan brothers, Tyrone, Ellis, and Shaquille, were acquitted of being members of a gang. They were arraigned in February for being members of the Ghost Town Crips. But, during the trial, the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence that established the siblings as members of a gang. The court found that […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Law |
Comments Off on Meighan Brothers’ Acquittal to be Appealed
The Belize Defense Force discovered and destroyed the first coca plantation containing about five thousand plants about a year ago. Recently, it discovered another coca plantation on Belize’s side of the Sarstoon River down south. And while the plantations are believed to be planted by Belizeans and Guatemalans in the area for the production of […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment |
Comments Off on B.D.F. Official, “Coca Plantations Are As Common As Marijuana Fields”
As we reported last Thursday, there was a fire that afternoon at Belargo Enterprise, a gift and paint shop located in the Buttonwood Bay area of Belize City. Today, Station Officer with the Belize Fire Service, Kenneth Mortis told the media that, unlike the reports, they responded within a decent time frame and the cause […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Disasters,
Environment |
Comments Off on Faulty Battery Back-up System Caused Belargo Fire
The last time the Belize Coast Guard enlisted new recruits was four years ago. On December first, the BCG will add sixty new sailors to its rank and file after they successfully complete their training. Rear Admiral Elton Bennett tells reporters that the recruits have been in training for the past three months, and not […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Coast Guard Adding More to Its Numbers
Haitian Prime Minister, Ariel Henry called for international deployment of armed forces to Haiti more than a year ago to tackle, the upheaval on the island nation. In the absence of a functioning government, the state’s institutions have collapsed, including the police. But there is hope for Haiti as the UN Security Council voted last […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Coast Guard Will Deploy 20 Members To Haiti
A number of tour guides wrapped up the first in a series of life-saving rescue training today. The exercise which began last Friday under the tutelage of the Belize Institute of Search and Rescue Training, BISART, took place in the Belmopan area. It included technical training that deal with outdoor activities that oftentimes put tourists […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Tour Guides Take Life-Saving Training
The United Democratic Party unveiled its Orange Walk municipal slate on Saturday after revealing its pool of candidates for Belize City a day before. But what was the selection process in determining the eligibility of persons who submitted their names to run in the March 2024 town and city council elections and how many hopefuls […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on How Did U.D.P. Select Belize City Municipal Candidates?
Earlier this month, several United Nations agencies met with CARICOM in response to a decision taken in 2019 by the Heads of Government of CARICOM to create a regional migration policy. The UN Network on Migration acquainted the group with the use of a guiding tool for developing an effective regional migration policy for CARICOM, […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on CARICOM to Advance Regional Approach to Migration
A strategic approach to regional migration can support accelerated progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, as good migration governance contributes to all seventeen of the Sustainable Development Goals. Francesco Carella is the Regional Specialist on Labor Migration and Mobility with the International Labor Organization. Francesco Carella, Regional Specialist, ILO “I think SDG 5 […]
Written on November 13, 2023 | Posted in
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Structured Approach Regional Migration Supports Achievement of SDGs
A fire in Caye Caulker Village this morning interrupted the flow of traffic and temporarily displaced the members of the Belize Police Department who are stationed out there. The blaze, which started at a house next to the police station, spread rapidly with the aid of gusty winds shortly before nine this morning. Two families […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Disasters,
Environment,
Featured |
Comments Off on Two Families Displaced by Fire In Caye Caulker
San Pedro resident David Gonzales has been found guilty of murdering his wife, Marisela Gonzales. Marisela’s semi-nude body was discovered at a dumpsite in San Pedro Town in October 2020, with evidence pointing to Gonzales as the perpetrator. The court ruled that Gonzales fatally shot his wife, disposed of her body, and fabricated a false […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured,
Trials |
Comments Off on David Gonzales Found Guilty of Murdering His Wife
A male Belize Defense Force soldier stands accused of sexually assaulting a female Coast Guard officer. The incident reportedly happened at the B.D.F.’s Price Barracks compound in Ladyville. The Coast Guard officer was there on training, and she alleges that the BDF soldier entered her living quarters and sexually assaulted her. The case is currently […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured |
Comments Off on B.D.F. Soldier Accused of Sexually Assaulting Coast Guard Officer
It’s been a month since a high-powered B.D.F. rifle was reported missing in the vicinity of the Xunantunich archaeological site in Cayo District and it seems to have made its way across the western border. The officer who was left in charge of the weapon remains on active duty at Price Barracks, but B.D.F. Commandant, […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Crime,
Featured,
People & Places |
Comments Off on B.D.F Soldier to Be Dealt With Over Misplaced Weapon
This morning at the U.D.P. headquarters in Belize City, eleven candidates, including a new mayoral hopeful, were officially introduced as the party’s slate in the upcoming municipal elections. The introduction succeeds a P.U.P. convention held in Belize City last Sunday in which nine candidates were elected to represent the ruling party at the polls in […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on U.D.P. Introduces Belize City Municipal Slate 2024
Former Prime Minister Dean Barrow has joined other past foreign ministers in condemning the actions of Israel in the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Following the deadly attack on Israel on October seventh, there has been a sustained bombing campaign and ground offensive carried out by the Israeli Defense Force against Hamas fighters, as […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Disasters,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Former PM Barrow Condemns Israel’s Actions in Middle East
Countries, organizations, and groups around the world continue to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Israel announced another evacuation corridor to allow Gazans to flee south on Friday. But the international community wants a complete ceasefire. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community International is calling for the same. It launched a global campaign, #voicesforpeace, to bring an […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Environment,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Launches #VoicesforPeace
In 2019, a B.D.F. sergeant shot a fellow soldier at Fairweather Camp. It was a matter that was still pending from then until about a month ago, when his case was called up. Since then, that sergeant has been dealt with and according to B.D.F. Commandant, Azariel Loria, the soldier has been demoted in rank. […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Crime,
People & Places |
Comments Off on BDF Demoted for 2019 Shooting of Another Soldier
The Xunantunich Observation Post is an area of concern. That is what the B.D.F.’s Commander Brigadier General Azariel Loria told the media today. Just recently several rounds of ammunition and a firearm were found in the area which is described as an informal border crossing. Information suggests that illicit activities are carried out in that […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Economy,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Xunantunich Observation Post is of Concern
High-ranking law enforcement officers from Belize and Mexico are wrapping up three days of meetings on border security matters. Border commanders from both countries are focusing particularly on crimes carried out by criminal networks along the northern border. This meeting comes just a week after the Commission of Chiefs of Police and Police Directors of […]
Written on November 10, 2023 | Posted in
Environment |
Comments Off on Mexican & Belizean Law Enforcement Commanders Discuss Border Security
