An abandoned helicopter, presumably used for narco-trafficking, is currently in the custody of the Belize Defense Force. The Bell aircraft was found on Wednesday afternoon on a feeder road in the Blue Creek area, Orange Walk District. Just prior to the find, the Anti-Narcotics Unit received intelligence that the helicopter was circling in the San […]
But while Brigadier General David Jones would not go as far as to say that the helicopter is now the property of the Government of Belize, Minister of National Security, John Saldivar was not so bashful. Saldivar says that the confiscated Bell four-o-seven helicopter will be used along with two U-H-one-H helicopters from Taiwan to […]
Moving to another hot-button issue…In late July, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales, said during a press conference that in the Confidence Building Measures, both Belize and Guatemala had agreed not to “increase the military bases in the vicinity of both countries.” Morales was answering a question in respect to Guatemala’s objection to the […]
According to Brigadier General Jones, the forward operating base on the mainland near the mouth of the Sarstoon River will be constructed. He says that the B.D.F. and the Coastguard have advised its ministry and government that the base is required to combat illegal drug activities in the area. Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commandant, […]
A little over two weeks ago we told you about the go-slow at the K.H.M.H. that resulted from some six hundred employees’ disgruntlement with G.O.B.’s refusal to grant salary increases, pensions and benefits- a combined fourteen percent of their wages that other public workers have received. G.O.B.’s response was that the employees are ineligible for […]
The nation’s largest hospital was hit with a national embarrassment earlier this week when news broke that the K.H.M.H. was unable to facilitate elective surgeries and that there were no beds. C.E.O. Doctor Adrian Coye says it was a necessary decision to clear a back log of patients. It is expected that surgeries will resume […]
Earlier this week on Tuesday, Belize Telemedia came under attack for a series of suggestive and offensive ads that it had posted on its Facebook. Senator Lisa Shoman, a former chair of the company, wrote to them complaining about the nature of the ads that the government owned company was resorting to as part of […]
Since an armed standoff between the Belize National Coast Guard and the Guatemalan navy at the end of May, the Sarstoon Island has virtually been declared off-limits to civilians. In fact, the area is only traversed once a week by B.D.F. personnel on routine patrol of the region. So, when the Northern Territorial Volunteers, an […]
The Belize Territorial Volunteers, despite not having received government’s blessing, is proceeding with an expedition to Sarstoon Island. But it seems they will also be trekking to the controversial area without any protection from local law enforcement or military personnel. It is a decision that is being described as irresponsible, in light of the fact […]
In spite of Guatemala’s existing claim for ownership of Sarstoon Island, a routine B.D.F. patrol maintains military presence in the area. Commander Jones told News Five earlier today that the role of that detachment is to aid in efforts to mitigate illegal activities within the Sarstoon. Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commandant, B.D.F. “We don’t […]
The unwarranted mission to Sarstoon Island, in Jones’ opinion, can very well result in a split in the relationship that the B.D.F. and the Guatemalan army have forged. That liaison, from a military standpoint, is mutually beneficial. Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commandant, B.D.F. “North of the Sarstoon, in our mind, belongs to us. South […]
As the B.D.F. faces a number of challenges, it is also strengthening its numbers. Today, a new squad of officers joined its ranks following seventeen weeks of intense training ranging from jungle survival to conventional war tactics and leadership. Their mission is to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize. Duane Moody was there […]
According to Minister of National Security John Saldivar, government is also acquiring a loan of sixty million dollars to beef up the security of the country through national security programs. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security “Government has also committed US thirty million dollars for national security programs that will be done by way […]
Just last week, the TIP report issued by the US, downgraded Belize to a Tier Three on the Human Trafficking Watch list. The report stated that the Government hasn’t been doing enough to fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and hasn’t been doing enough with prosecution in 2014. And in […]
In the past three months, reports of accountability with water boards in different parts of the country have been reported in the media. Earlier this week, allegations surfaced that a cash pan with only two cents was handed over- from an account that had about thirteen thousand dollars- from the Maya Center Water Board in […]
It’s World Breast Feeding Week and Belize culminated its observance with an all day workshop to discuss breastfeeding and work. While there are no pieces of legislation that mandate work places to provide child friendly spaces for mothers to breastfeed, today was about changing that conversation in an effort to promote breastfeeding in the workplace. […]
The prime destination San Pedro Ambergris Caye is overflowing tonight with the local as well as international visitors. The San Pedro International Costa Maya 2015 celebrations started on Thursday night with the Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant, as the big ticket event. Eight contestants from Central America and Mexico competed in the international pageant […]
