It is no secret that the Government of Belize is in dire financial straits due to the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. On June fourth, government, in an effort to raise much needed foreign exchange, launched the first-of-its-kind treasury note in order to raise thirty million U.S. dollars. Earlier today, it announced a […]
A number of countries, including Jamaica, have received loans from the IMF at significantly low interest rates. Belize is on a lengthy waiting list for a loan of thirty-eight million U.S. dollars from the International Monetary Fund for COVID relief. The application was filed sometime in May and while government remains optimistic that it will […]
The payout of loans applied for by government from various international financing institutions, including the Inter-American Development Bank, I.D.B., has been sluggish owing to the many processes that are undertaken following the application. PM Dean Barrow said at the start of the pandemic that he was expecting a hundred million dollars from COVID Relief. Those […]
On Tuesday, the twenty-second case of COVID-19 was detected in Belize. While this is a new case, patient nineteen has recovered. Now, patient twenty-two is a Guatemalan border jumper, who along with two other Guatemalan men and a Belizean was detained over the weekend at a checkpoint in Unitedville Village, Cayo. The four men reportedly […]
The Guatemalans, however, did not remain in the quarantine facility because on Sunday they were whisked away to the western border. Reports surfaced that the Belizean, who was caught with the Guatemalans, contacted a well-known and established Chinese businessman in Belmopan to pull strings for the men to be released. But according to Doctor Manzanero, […]
A few minutes ago the Government issued a press release on the matter of the three Guatemalans who entered Belize illegal. It confirms that the men were arrested at a checkpoint in Unitedville Village after they were entered the country illegally. The men were taken to the San Ignacio Community Hospital to be swabbed for […]
The Belize Hotel Association has released the results of a poll it conducted over the weekend and as much as ninety-seven percent of those who participated in the poll are of the opinion that should rapid testing become available and specific protocols are in place, that the Philip Goldson International Airport should reopen by August […]
In order to reach the largest number of its membership, B.H.A. began its survey on June twelfth. The hotels, based on the results, are willing to take necessary measures to support and revive the economy through tourism. The number of flights, once the Philip Goldson International Airport is reopened has been significantly reduced to fifteen […]
Is there an overlap between the recent poll conducted by the B.T.I.A. and the hotel association’s survey? According to Tejada, only the core membership of B.H.A., those businesses that are actual hotels, were allowed to participate in the survey, eliminating other ancillary businesses that provide support to the hotel sector. Ted Tejada, President, Belize […]
Everywhere the financial crunch is being felt; at the National Institute for Culture and History, termination letters, dated June twelfth, were issued to eleven persons, including two directors as part of its cost-saving measures following a cut in G.O.B.’s subvention as well as a drop in revenue. In May, members of staff were placed on […]
Fifty percent of government’s revenue which came from tourism has disappeared because of the COVID-19 crisis and it has been forced to streamline its expenditure in order to make up for the massive shortfall. According to Financial Secretary Joseph Waight, even with a rebound in tourism in the months ahead the revenue stream will not […]
Government has been struggling to meet its monthly wage bill as a result of the economic meltdown left in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. The months of April and May were particularly rough for government as it struggled to maintain the wage bill amid the countrywide state of emergency which brought economic activity to […]
The new prices for liquid petroleum gas took effect on Monday and consumers are now paying thirty-eight cents more per gallon of butane. The former importers, Gas Tomza, Zeta Gas, and Belize Western Energy Limited were stripped of their license to import butane allowing the National Gas Company as the sole importer. The matter is […]
A ten-year-old boy lost his life this afternoon after he was knocked down by a butane truck. Steven Torres was riding his red beach cruiser bicycle in Libertad Village, Corozal when the gas truck ran over him. At the time of the incident, the truck was being driven by San Joaquin Village resident, Yuri Lucas. […]
Quick police response to a robbery led officers to the detention of two suspects. It happened just before four o’clock this evening at Gas Tomza Limited, which is located on mile one and a half on the George Price Highway. We are told that employees of the butane outlet were held at gunpoint by two […]
Last week we told you about a tugboat called “Pulla” whose barge sank somewhere between Caye Caulker and Caye Chapel. That barge, which departed Belize City last Tuesday morning en route to Caye Caulker, was carrying heavy several pieces of heavy equipment. Those pieces of equipment were retrieved from the water. The barge, however, remains […]
Over the weekend a ritual steeped in ancient tradition was performed in Yo Creek, in the Orange Walk District. A Hetzmek, which is a baptismal ceremony, was held for a three-month baby girl. These Mayan ceremonies have been disappearing so the Cantun family is attempting to revive Mayan cultural practices. The Hetzmek included the presentation […]
The poaching of Scarlet Macaws for the illegal pet trade isn’t new. It’s something we’ve been reporting on for about ten years – but this illicit activity may have been taking place inside the Chiquibul Forest even long before. Just recently, Guatemalan poachers were found with seven of the exotic birds, five survived. Poachers roam […]
Fourth form students are preparing to sit the 2020 CSEC examinations. They have been away from school since the start of the COVID-19 lockdown and the exams had to be rescheduled to mid-July. Going back to the classrooms has a different feel; there is social distancing to practice and they have to wear masks as […]
Are you the next Ocean Hero? OCEANA Belize wants you to apply today! The call for submission for the annual Ocean Hero Award is now open. The award recognizes those who champion the protection of our oceans through research, education, restoration and other ocean-related sustainable projects. The deadline for the submission of nominations is on […]
At news time, the votes are still being counted to determine who will be the new president of the Police Association. As many as fourteen officers put their names on the ballot, including outgoing president Corporal Elton Arzu, whose presidency has been controversial. Here is a report with Isani Cayetano. Isani Cayetano, Reporting Members […]
Taiwan is stepping up big time for Belize with another COVID-19 medical equipment donation. In its latest gift, Taiwan donated a million Belize dollars in equipment and materials for hospitals and labs across the country. The donation includes protective gears; nasal swabs; and thermometers. Here’s the story. Andrea Polanco, Reporting On Tuesday, Taiwan’s Ambassador […]
