Recent Belize News, 5/1/2016 to 5/10/2016, BelizeNews.com

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

A bird’s eye view of the Belize Blue Hole
Tropic Air has begun offering this new aerial tour to observe the giant sub marine sinkhole “the way it was meant to be seen…from the air”. The entire tour was an experience in itself. I could see the break where our barrier reef ensures our island’s protection, and I could only marvel at the various shades of blue that stretched as far as the eye could see. The one-hour ride took us over the deep blue of the Caribbean Sea, turning to the Lighthouse Atoll…which meant the Blue Hole was getting closer. But even before the star of the morning could be revealed, I along with other guests in the plane oohed and awed over the change in scenery. That stunning turquoise and clear waters of the atoll that make snorkelers’ hearts sing…the unmistakable drop off where divers can delight nearby, and unspoiled islands. My heart nearly stopped at the sight of a lone kayaker just paddling away.

Still no arrests in murder of Melvin Almendarez
The San Pedro Police Department continue their investigation in the murder of 31-year-old local athlete Melvin Almendarez, Honduran National. At the crime scene, investigators were unable to find an expended shell from the presumable weapon used in the murder. As to the motive for his murder, that remains a mystery, as the police are still trying to put all information together on the incident. “So far we have been unable to establish a motive as the investigation is very young,” said Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit Superintendent Sandra Bowden. “We have some information we are working on, however, at this time there isn’t much that we would be able to reveal in terms of what has been done so far and where are going with the investigation.” Bowden indicated that no evidence was found that could point to any illicit activity that would have led to the murder. She also mentioned that Almendarez was not known to be a trouble maker to the police, and in fact, was well known in the community as a talented football player.

Ambergris Today

NASA Astronaut Gives Belize the Ultimate Shoutout from Space
“Good Morning! Beautiful Belize coastal waters, where Central America meets the Caribbean Sea,” stated NASA Astronaut Jeff Williams in this ultimate shoutout to Belize from outer space. He included six pictures of Belize on his Facebook post from his spaceship on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Jeff commented that spotting coral reefs is a fun past time of his.

Misc Belizean Sources

Helpage Belize honoured Dr. Jane Usher
Helpage Belize honoured Dr. Jane Usher in its first Citizen Recognition Gala. Special Envoy for Women and Children, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow had the pleasure of addressing the gala. Here's an excerpt from her remarks on amazing accomplishments of Dr. Jane Usher: "Dr. Jane Ellen Mary Usher nee Price is a Belizean grand dame. A woman who is owed much recognition and gratitude for all the nation building work that she has done and continues to do even at the very tender age of 98. Just a casual perusal of her biography or even if you were to just recall what you were taught in primary school social studies, it is patently clear that Ms. Jane is one of the matriarchs of political, economic and social life in Belize. Ms. Jane has served in two of the three branches of government. In the executive branch as a Deputy Minister; sitting as the lone female voice in a Cabinet of men. She also served in both chambers of the legislative branch as both a government and then opposition Representative in the lower house. She was the President of the Senate in the upper house.

Government Announces Limited Access to Sarstoon
The Government of Belize (GOB) rejects the demand made by the People's United Party for the immediate rescission of the Sarstoon Prohibition Regulation. At the time of passage Government gave two rationales for the Regulation. One was to avoid the possibility of any harm coming to Belizeans going to the Sarstoon in organized numbers to make a political point, given that tensions had reached a fever pitch with Guatemala. The latter's armed forces, especially its navy at the Sarstoon, were on a declared hair-trigger mobilization. The second reason for GOB's position was to allow an opportunity for Belizean diplomacy to work. We felt confident that Guatemala would be obliged, under the confidence building measures, to change its stance and negotiate with us over the Sarstoon on the basis of respect for our rights. We believe that we have now obtained objective 2, and we expect formal bilateral negotiations, in which we invite the Opposition to participate as equal partners, to start shortly.

Cayo Cancer Walk 2016
The 2016 Cayo Cancer Walk is this Saturday, and it goes from Camalote, starting at 5:15am, to Belmopan. "This is our official Cancer Walk Poster. Walk is on 14th May from Camalote to Belmopan. For more information please call 634-4254 or 604-1441."

Rotaract Delivers Fruit Basket's
Mother's Day was celebrated with something special at the Wester Regional Hospital, thanks to the Rotaract Club of Belmopan. Thanks, Rotaract! In related news, they recently attended the 2016 Bidistrital Conference in Panama City. "The Rotaract Club of Belmopan delivered fruit baskets to the mothers' at the Western Regional Hospital for Mother's Day. On behalf of the Rotaract Club of Belmopan, we wish all mothers a Happy Mother's Day!!!!"

Basic equipment used by Gold panners to crush rock
These operate at altitudes of 900 meters in the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains.

Geology 101 for Belizean Students and Investors
I have decided late this Sunday evening to extract a small portion of the content in the Geography section of Belize Facts and Figures and write a brief post on the geology and to a lesser extent, the geologic resources of Belize. The accompanying map was created by Mr. Jan Meerman. I am fascinated with the geology of this country because there may be opportunities to attract investments for the creation of high value tiles and table tops from granite or pink limestone. One company tried but did not do the necessary ground truthing to find the correct type of unfractured granite. The geological resources of Belize include oil, clays, barite, sand and gravel, granite, gypsum, quartz sand, dolomite and limestone. There are indications that Belize may have deposits of molybdenum in the Maya Mountains. Sites with high quality silica deposits have been identified. A few rubies are said to have been discovered in the south of the country during colonial times. Oil has been extracted from the Spanish Lookout Reservoir since 2006. This oil is located at a depth of 3,000 feet.

Belize’s Cacao Industry
A pleasant Sunday morning to all you friends and family. I was in the south last Friday and stopped off to buy some original organic Belize chocolate from Mr. Julio Saqui in Maya Center Village. This chocolate is great. The flavor is exceptional. Here is a snippet of the Cacao Industry section in my book, Belize Facts and Figures. Hopefull this book will be out by January or February 2016: Belize has had experience in the global cacao supply chain since the 1950s. The price crashed in 1991, but by 1994 Green and Blacks launched Maya Gold chocolate bars in the United Kingdom Fairtrade market. This was the world’s first organic certified chocolate bar and was made from organic cacao supplied by farmers of the Toledo Cacao Growers Association (TCGA).

My new book Belize Facts and Figures: Landmarks of Belize – San Luis Rey Roman Catholic Church, San Antonio Toledo District
In my new book, I have an extensive section featuring the landmarks of each district. I refer to landmarks as man made (women included) sites that all Belizeans should know about and visit. I will feature some of these sites in internet posts over the coming months until January or February when the books are printed and are ready for sale. Here is the first landmark of Belize which I feature. Located on a hill in San Antonio village, Toledo District is the San Luis Rey Catholic Church. This church was constructed in the 1940s by villagers of San Antonio who brought stones from the surrounding landscape. Construction of the church which has old and unique stained glass windows was organized by Father William Urlich, a Jesuit priest. The stained glass was donated from a church in the United States.

U.S. Embassy Belmopan Announces Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program!
Entrepreneurs! We are looking for you! The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Professional Fellows Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is looking for 250 young entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean to bring to the United States for business and social entrepreneurship training in October and November 2016. YLAI Professional Fellows will become part of the larger YLAI Network, an online space to obtain resources and make regional connections necessary to foster positive change in their local communities. 2 U.S. EMBASSY Belmopan, Belize Office of Public Affairs

Hands Across the Sand 2016
Next Saturday, May 21st, Oceana is doing their Hands Across the Sand initiative, and they'll be in Cayo, at the wooden bridge. Be there at noon if you wish to participate. Say 'no' to offshore oil. Thanks, Oceana! "Join Oceana and our Wavemakers as we host the second annual countrywide 'Hands Across the Sand' in Belize on May 21st at 12 noon. Find your community's designated location on the flyer and come join hands as we stand in solidarity against offshore oil development in Belize's economically important marine environment!"

FREE online college fair for international students Wednesday May 11th
Learn more about studying in the U.S.! Register for this free online college fair NOW! There’s still time to register! Sign up here:

Channel 7

Bulgarian ATM Scammers Busted in Belize
Tonight, two Eastern European men are being held by Belize City police in connection with a massive ATM scam. Now, don't panic - because from what we've learned so far, they didn't scam local accounts, but here's what they did do. The two men from Bulgaria stole ATM pin numbers in another country, then created their own ATM cards, and came to Belize to make huge withdrawals on those cards. As we understand it, all the cards they scammed were international bank cards - meaning they can make withdrawals from any bank, anywhere in the world. And how did they steal the pin numbers? Well, our information says they installed hidden cameras on the ATM's - and got the pin numbers. Again, that did not happen in Belize - those pin numbers were stolen internationally - the scammers just came to Belize to make the withdrawals. According to our information, they conducted hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent transactions - and all that money was withdrawn from the Belize banking system.

Popular Footballer Killed In San Pedro
Police in San Pedro are investigating the murder of Melvin Almendarez, an island football star. He was found dead in the Mosquito Coast Area of South Ambergris Caye. Original reports were that he was shot once to the head, and that the cops had detained a Canadian national for it. But no arrests have been made. And the community is left to speculate, and grieve for the well-loved footballer. Today Emanuel Pech traveled to San Pedro to find out. This is Melvin Almendarez- a 31 year old Honduran National, who moved to Belize over a decade ago with the woman who became his wife and mother of his three kids. He didn't have a regular 8 to 5 job. He worked in San Pedro as a freelance artist and did just about anything to sustain his small family. But if there is anything that Melvin will always be remembered by it is his passion and love for football.

BNTU's Black Friday Rally To Demand That GOB Rescind Sarstoon S.I.
Three weeks ago, the Teachers Union launched its "Stand Up for Belize" education campaign in Benque Viejo. It's a forum on all things related to the Belize Guatemala Territorial Dispute, and on Friday, the campaign comes to Belize City. But, this time, the focus is laser sharp on the "Sarstoon SI," which restricts movement of Belizeans through the River that forms Belize's southern border. The Government says that it's just a temporary measure to not jeopardize the fragile negotiations with Guatemala over a peace keeping protocol for the Sarstoon. But the BNTU says, "Baloney!". Belize's most powerful union today joined the PUP and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize in calling for the law to be rescinded. That, and other issues related to the territorial Dispute, are scheduled to be discussed at a rally that the Teachers will hold this Friday. Today, the Leaders of the BNTU called a press conference to inform their membership that the plan has changed for Friday's Teachers Day.

Prensa Libre Says Guat Military Did Weekend Operations on Sarstoon
And while the teachers want the law rescinded - it seems the Guatemalans are just fine with it as is. The Prensa Libre today reported that this weekend, the Guatemalan Army's Caribbean Naval Command and the Marine Brigade did operations in the Sarstoon to, quote, "be prepared for any eventuality in the region." The article explains that go-fast vessels were used to quote, "protect the waters" of the Sarstoon. It adds that the Guatemalan Army had intelligence that NGO's from Belize would go into the Sarstoon on Sunday to plant a flag on the island, so the military was in place, to, quote, "check foreign vessels approaching national waters." The article adds that Guatemalan immigrant and tax officers were also on hand to process any Belizean arriving at the river, to ensure that they had their travel documents.

PUP NPC Makes Demands Of GOB
Well, they might have to get ready to see the PUP - because on Saturday the opposition held a National Party Council meeting - and various party officials made it clear they want to challenge the government and the Guatemalans and go to the Sarstoon. The meeting was held at the Belize Elementary Gym and when it was over, the party chairman gave us a synopsis of the resolutions:... Henry Charles Usher, Chairman - PUP: "The resolution has 6 faucets to it. First of all we condemn the Guatemalan escalation of troops at the border and we require that the Guatemalans de-escalate that immediately. 2.) We demand that the government of Belize rescind the unconstitutional Sarstoon law immediately. 3.) We have gotten approval of the national party council to re-engage with the government when it comes to the national effort, but it has to be done on an item of respect - terms of respect, requirement that the law be rescinded. 4.) That if the law is not rescinded, the People's United Party National Party Council has resolved to travel to the Sarstoon." "In terms of the rescinding of the law, that takes immediate effect. We are requiring or asking or demanding that the government rescinds the law immediately." Jules Vasquez: "And if they don't rescind it, the PUP is going to the Sarstoon. When is there a timeline for that?>"

GOB Tells PUP "No"
The Government issued a response to the PUP resolution this afternoon. It says GOB rejects the PUP demand for the SI to be rescinded. Now, government says that through diplomatic measures, quote, "the military tensions regarding the Sarstoon are no longer as explosive as they were when we passed the Regulation." But the release adds, "until the negotiations actually begin, we are not comfortable enough to conclude that all danger has been eliminated regarding large-scale, civilian political expeditions to the Sarstoon." End quote. But, the release adds, quote, "all non-political, legitimate Belizean civilian traffic into the restricted area will immediately be given lawful authority...to proceed. The only requirement for this is that they check in at our Sarstoon Forward Operating Base so that our military can confirm the legitimate nature of their use of the river." End quote. The release adds that on Tuesday, the BDF went upriver to do its normal change-over at Cadenas.

Bustillos Will Be Charged For Double Murder
Andy Bustillos was released from the hospital this evening and, tonight, he has been charged for two counts of murder. The Anchor Security Guard allegedly murdered his ex-common law wife Miriam "Betty" Mai and her sister in law Daisy Miralda on Saturday April 30th. It happened inside Betty's Beauty Salon in Cayo. Mai and Miralda and some friends were inside the salon when Bustillos came in around 5:00 and handed Mai a bag. She refused the bag and he threw it on the floor and shot and killed both Mai and Miralda. He also tried to shoot their other persons in the salon, but the gun jammed and they were able to dash away. Bustillos then shot himself in the head in an apparent suicide attempt. But he survived, and is expected to be arraigned at 10:00 am tomorrow in Cayo.

The Curious Case Of Canadian John Burke
Canadian John Burke is in custody of San Pedro police tonight, and he's a person of interest in an ongoing investigation. But, first, he's been charged for drug related charges. Police say they found an undisclosed amount of drugs on him when he was taken into custody on Saturday night. Information to channel 7 is that he was offered bail but could not meet it, so he remains in custody at the San Pedro Police Station.

Island Cops Say San Pedro Drugs Moving South
And while John Burke may have to answer for other crimes, San Pedro police already have enough on their hands with the island's drug gangs. Last week Tuesday they came up big when they arrested three men for drugs and fire arm offences in the Mosquito Coast Area, at the Southend of the Island. They are 20 year old Christian Espat, 19 year old Rene Kumul Jr., and 20 year old Jose Armando Guillen, all three of them well known to police. Supt. Sandra Bowden - O. C. San Pedro/ Caye Caulker: "Police was patrolling in the south, where they received information of suspicious persons in the area. They visited the area where they detained 3 male persons. They conducted a search on a knapsack which lead to the discovery of 7 -12 gauge cartridges. It also lead to the discovery of a 12 gauge pump action shotgun, 4 other 12 gauge cartridges and one MP-40, 9mm submachine gun. Like I said 3 persons were detained at the time and they have since been arrested and charged for kept prohibited firearm, kept unlicensed firearm without ammunition and also for drug trafficking."

Garbage And The Int'l Cruise Port
Last week Thursday, the management of the Fort Street Tourism Village sent a curt email to its tenants saying abruptly: "the Fort Street Tourism Village is no longer working with the Belize Waste Control." That's after FSTV management told Waste Control not to come back into the village, and to remove their containers. Tenants were told that if they wanted to get rid of their garbage, they would have to do so themselves. That's after a blow-up between FSTV and Waste Control - one that got pretty heated from what we are told. Well today, it seems saner heads prevailed as both sides had in a cordial meeting. But, they still had one big issue: who's going to pay for the 330 cubic yards of garbage generated at the village every month? Waste control says the garbage load far exceeds what the village is paying for - and BWC claims it is losing major revenue every month. Today we spoke to Phillip Willoughby who acted as a mediator:.. Phillip Willoughby, City Councilor: "We came up with a remedy to remedy this impasse between FSTV, the tenants and Belize Waste Control Limited." Jules Vasquez: "Now one week ago you were basically driven from in here. Today you went in here for meetings. Would you say that there's been any type of breakthrough?"

Brown To Face Trial For Castro Headshot
39 year-old Frank Brown, a taxi driver from Belize City, will have to stand trial for the near fatal shooting of 33 year-old Albert Castro which happened in June 2014. A preliminary Inquiry was held today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer. That's when the police prosecutor provided the court with all the witness statements and other pieces of evidence that the DPP's Office intends to use against him in the trial. He did not contest any of that evidence, and after the Senior Magistrate reviewed the documents, she ruled that there is a case against him. With that she committed him to stand trial in the June Session of the Supreme Court, which will start on June 21, 2016.

The Update On Refugees
For the past few months, Belmopan Residents have probably seen hundreds of persons lined up in front of the Help for Progress Office on Forest Drive. That's because they've been signing up for refugee status to try to get regularized so that they can legally remain in Belize. For a few months now the Government's own Refugee Committee has been activated after years of dormancy. It has been reviewing applications from persons seeking the refugee status in Belize. But, there are questions coming forward following reports that the refugee application process has been conducted with very little screening, even for persons who have lived illegally in Belize for years. So, for clarification, on last week Thursday, we asked Beverly Castillo, the new Minister responsible for the Immigration Department, about daily influx of persons at the Help for Progress Office. Here's what she had to say on the topic, which up until last week, had not been discussed publicly before. Reporter: "Do we already know how many refugees are currently in Belize?" Hon. Beverly Castillo, Minister Responsible for Immigration: "I am pretty sure that we do not have the precise number and that's the reason for reactivate the Refugee Committee to look at those and that is why you see an influx into the office for the applications. The office last year - was reactivated earlier this year and so that is now where you see the influx."

Maria Marin Moves Over to Refugee Dept
The Head of the Refugee Department which is handling the applications coming in is Maria Marin, who happens to be the former Acting Director of Immigration. As we told you last week Wednesday, she was replaced by Career Foreign Affairs Officer Diana Locke. Marin reported to work at her new post on Thursday, and in the evening, we asked her new boss, Immigration Minister Beverly Castillo, about the need for the change. She told us that the change is an infusion of new blood, and is not in any way a demotion for Maria Marin: Hon. Beverly Castillo, Minister Responsible for Immigration: "I believe that with all that has happened in Immigration, I know that we are in the media spotlight on that matter and for me as the new minister responsible I thought we should inject new blood, bring new focus and move forward in a positive way in trying to restructure, to enhance and to build on what we have in Immigration for improvement of service delivery." Daniel Ortiz: "Can you talk to us about the conversations you've had with Ms. Marin and what was the sentiment she had when you informed her of your decision that a change would be in your mind appropriate?"

The Ride Of Their Lives For A-List Politics And CEO's
We have covered several Cancer awareness rides all across the country but the ride on Saturday was the first of its kind. That's because it was all the CEO's from the various government ministries riding for cancer. The Big Deal CEO Caucus Challenge Ride started at Mile 24 on the George Price Highway and ended at the Agriculture Showgrounds in Belmopan. A few of the participants discussed the importance of this ride and their personal connection with this cause. The CEO Caucus raised $56,666 and the money was divided between the Belize Cancer Society, the Belmopan Cancer Society and the Dangriga Cancer Center. The Caucus plans to make this an annual event.

Woes For Sandhill Mother of Three
A woman and her kids spent Mother's Day in a desperate search for a place to stay after their house was destroyed in a fire. 35 year old Sandhill resident Kafi Davis went to spend Mother's Day in Corozal. But her weekend plans were cut short when she got the call about her burnt house. She and her kids lost everything, and she suspects it was triggered by a domestic dispute. Courtney Weatherburne went to SandHill to find out more: This morning, a small flame still danced among the scorched debris where Kafi Davis's house used to be. Davis moved from Lords Bank to live here on her mother in law's land in Sandhill. She lived with her husband and 3 kids. But during their 9 years of marriage, she said they have been through a lot and he just recently moved out of the house. Voice of: Kafi Davis, House Burnt Down: "We just could not see eye to eye because of his alcohol abuse. We've been together almost 10 years, 9 years. In that 9 years we had a lot of difficulties, a lot of ups and downs like a rollercoaster ride." According to Davis all those "up's and down's" are what led to her house being burnt down early Sunday morning, luckily neither she nor the kids were in the house.

Yoga Instructors Trained
Yoga, its proponents tell us that from ancient times, it's been providing physical, mental and spiritual wellness. And, now, yoga is gaining popularity in Belize, and along with that comes a demand for more trained instructors. And that's why today, The Om Shanti Belize Yoga School, based in Belize City, was excited to graduate its first cohort of internationally trained instructors. We stopped by and found a familiar face among the 4 graduates. Here's what they told us about the milestone they achieved: As you heard, these 4 newly certified instructors will be able to teach Yoga anywhere in the world.

Channel 5

B.N.T.U. to Stand Up for Belize on Teachers Day
There is mounting opposition against the controversial Sarstoon Law, which came into effect on April twenty-ninth and was essentially designed to prevent an expedition of the Belize Territorial Volunteers. But [...]

Teachers Union Demands the Immediate Withdrawal of Sarstoon Law
While the union has only just formulated a position to repeal the Sarstoon Law over the weekend, it is prepared to return to its executive should the Barrow Administration refuse [...]

What’s the Next Step for B.N.T.U. if G.O.B. Refuses to Rescind Statutory Instrument?
So, with all the talk of parading through the streets of Belize City on Friday, what else is on the union’s itinerary for Teachers Day? Palacio told the media this [...]

P.U.P. National Party Council Meets in Belize City Over the Weekend…
Still on the issue of the controversial Sarstoon Law….as we said, the People’s United Party held its first National Party Council meeting at the Belize Elementary Auditorium. The N.P.C. discussed [...]

N.P.C. Demands Rescission of Contentious Sarstoon Law
In his press conference last week Prime Minister Dean Barrow claimed that if the P.U.P. goes to the Sarstoon it could undermine all the progress that has been made in [...]

G.O.B. Rejects P.U.P. Demand to Remove Controversial Legislation
The government of Belize has rejected the P.U.P.’s demand to rescind the Sarstoon Prohibition Regulation, via a release interestingly titled Government Announces Limited Access to Sarstoon. The release clarifies that [...]

Guatemala Customs & Immigration Deployed to Sarstoon
Government says it is cautiously optimistic about progress to solve the situation at the Sarstoon. But the Guatemalan military is not indicating any such optimism. Over the weekend, press reports [...]

A Football Player is Slain on La Isla Bonita
The last time we reported on a murder in San Pedro AC was back in March of this year. It appeared that violence and crime were on pause, but on [...]

Drugs and Firearms Seized on San Pedro, Several Persons Arrested
Also on the island, police have made a significant firearm bust. Last Tuesday, a high-powered MP-Forty submachine gun was found south of San Pedro Town in an area known as [...]

Alrick Smith Targeted by Gunman in Ladyville
He has been in the news in recent months for a number of criminal offences, including attempted murder and drug trafficking. But on Friday night, the notorious Alrick Smith, aka [...]

Belize City Taximan to Stand Trial for Attempted Murder
A Belize City taxi driver will stand trial in the June session of the Supreme Court for the attempted murder of a taxi operator. At the end of a preliminary [...]

Guatemalan Tour Guide Arraigned for Theft of Vehicle in Benque Viejo
A brazen thief stole a 2014 Mazda pick-up truck from Police Superintendent Selvin Tillett who heads the Orange Walk formation. The incident happened back on February fourteenth; Tillett was robbed [...]

No Charges for Arenal Seven

The Story of Refugees and Amnesty in Belize
Last week News Five delved into the story of local refugee slash amnesty program which has been in effect since November of last year, completely under the radar. We got [...]

N.T.U.C.B. President Says He Learned About Amnesty Program on the Local News
There you have it…a refugee program with exceptional oversight from a committee which includes the social partners – Churches, unions and business sector. So we decided to check with the [...]

What’s the Union’s Role on Refugee Committee?
Mora promised to conduct an immediate internal check to determine the union’s role, if any, on any committee dealing with the registration of refugees under any current refugee program. [...]

BWC and FSTV Mend Fences…
On Thursday, we reported of an impasse between the Fort Street Tourism Village and Belize Waste Control Limited, involving the cost of garbage collection from tenants at FSTV. BWC complained [...]

Garbage Collection to Resume at Fort Street Tourism Village
According to General Manager George Lamb, BWC was in the process of ironing out the details of a new arrangement with FSTV. He told News Five that services would have [...]

Football and Basketball Stats in Weekend Sports
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. Game 2 of the NEBL Championship series saw Smart Belize Hurricanes confidently sail to scenic San Pedro Saturday night [...]

CTV3

Is Commercial Free Zone On The Verge Of Closing?
A report issued recently by the Mexican news page ‘La Verdad TV’ alleges that entrepreneurs from the Corozal Free Zone have been informed by the government of Belize and the administration of the free zone, that they face the imminent risk of the commercial area closing down, due to the difficulties being faced at the time by the banking sector as it relates to closing ties with US correspondent banks. According to the report, the Central Bank of Belize has lost correspondents with at least three major banks in the United States, including City Bank and Chase Manhattan, which handled transactions of merchants with their suppliers in the free zone. In the report the reason given for the loss of correspondent banking is, because Belize is recorded in the 2013 Red List of the Financial Action Task Force (GIFE) in Central America and the Caribbean, on suspicion of money laundering.

Drunken Brawl Nearly Leads To Death
Tonight twenty five year old Linsford Daniel Rabateau, a resident of #2 Otro Benque Road, is tonight recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was stabbed with an ice pick. Reports are that at about 7:00 on Saturday night, Rabateau along with three other friends were playing checkers at a residence located in the village of Trial Farm in Orange Walk and were consuming alcohol when an altercation broke out between Rabateau and twenty six year old Ruben Perez. CTV3 News understands that both men were arguing about issues concerning their respective jobs and that is when the situation escalated as Perez inflicted a stab wound to the right side of Rabateau’s chest puncturing his lung. Rabateau was transported to the Northern Regional Hospital where he underwent surgery for the punctured lung. He was then transported to the KHMH where he is currently listed in a stable condition.

Has Tensions De-escalated At The Sarstoon?
In their release issued this afternoon responding to the PUP’s demand to rescind the Public Safety Act regulations introduced on Friday, April 29th, GOB makes mention that they are of the opinion that the military tensions regarding the Sarstoon are no longer as explosive as they were when the Sarstoon law was passed. But have tensions really de-escalated? We question that statement especially after reading a report issued by La Prensa Libre of Guatemala. The newspaper reports that immediately after receiving word that Non-governmental organizations from Belize were planning to visit the Sarstoon this past Sunday with the intention of installing a flag on the Sarstoon Island, members of the Guatemalan Navy, and soldiers were deployed to the area. Similarly, employees of the Directorate General of Migration and Tax Administration arrived at the area to check on the visitor’s relevant documentation for their immigration status. At the end the report states that the Navy received word that the NGO’s would no longer carry out the trip to the Sarstoon out of respect for the Sarstoon Law imposed by GOB for one month but organize differently to accomplish its mission.

PUP Passes Six Motion And Demands That The Sarstoon Law Be Rescinded
On Saturday the people’s United Party held its first National Party Council meeting under its new administration since the national convention, and the main topic of discussion was Guatemala’s claim over the Sarstoon and GOB’s decision to implement the statutory instrument that impedes Belizeans from entering the Sarstoon. During their meeting the People’s United passed a very important resolution that includes six main points that essentially highlights their disapproval for the Public Safety Act regulations introduced on Friday, April 29, restricting movement in the Sarstoon and calls on GOB to rescind the law. Henry Charles- People’s United Party Party Chairman: “A very critical resolution was passed this morning and the resolution has six faucets to it; first of all we condemn the Guatemalan escalation of troops at the border and we require that the Guatemalan de-escalate that immediately. (2) We demand that the Government of Belize rescind the unconstitutional Sarstoon Law immediately. (3) We have gotten the approval of the National Party Council to reengage with the government when it comes to the National Effort when it has to be done on items and terms of respect, the requirement that the law be rescinded. (4) That if the law if not rescinded the People’s United Party, Party Council has resolved to travel to the Sarstoon and finally the amendment made this morning was that the Area Representatives of the People’s United Party be respected in their various constituencies and that the system of caretakers be abolished immediately.”

OWTC To Celebrate Mothers Day
Tomorrow Belizeans will celebrating Mother’s Day…..a special day that is set aside to honour and cherish all mothers for their continuous support and unconditional love. Here in Orange Walk the town council will be hosting their annual Mother’s Day Program tomorrow at the Central Park where a number of activities are scheduled to take place in which mothers will have the opportunity to win fabulous prizes. Kevin Bernard – Mayor, Orange Walk Town: “Every year we try to do something to celebrate with our mothers, you know our mothers are very special to every children in this world, they come from a mother, one that cares one that has nurtured us and so the Council feels that it is very important that we continue again in the tradition, what we will be doing tomorrow is having a short mass at five o’clock...”

BNTU Scraps Teachers Day And Plans Rally
The People’s United Party is not the only one that wants the Sarstoon law to be revoked……so does the Belize National Teachers Union. Following a heated discussion, the BNTU’s council of management agreed to scrap its annual Teachers' Day celebrations and replaced it with a rally as part of its ongoing "Stand up for Belize" campaign in Belize City. Luke Palacio – President of BNTU: “The Belize National Teachers Union and its council of management meeting held out on Saturday decided that instead of celebrating our teacher’s day in the manner that we had originally planned we are going to continue the stand up for Belize campaign with a rally here in Belize City on Friday march 13th. Our council has agreed that this time instead of celebrating teachers day the way we usually do, and let me make it absolutely clear, the discussion was lengthy and heated because a number of our branches had already had plans as to what they would have been doing for teachers day but none the less they have agreed by the majority to come to Belize City for this rally that we intent to have on Friday.”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow Leaves Country To Seek Medical Attention
Prime Minister Dean Barrow left the country today to attend a medical appointment. According to the Press Office the P.M is scheduled to return to Belize on Wednesday, May 11th, 2016. During his absence, the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Environment and Sustainable Development will act as Prime Minister.

GOB Says Sarstoon Law Stands But Makes Exceptions
And GOB did adhere to the PUP’s demands…..well….at least when it comes to the request for an immediate response. Before one this afternoon fired off a release where they are rejecting the PUP’s demand for the immediate rescission of the Sarstoon Prohibition Regulation. While the Sarstoon Law remains in vigor, GOB does state in their release that all non-political, legitimate Belizean civilian traffic into the restricted area will immediately be given lawful authority, under the Regulation, to proceed. But there is a requirement and that is for Belizeans to check in at the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base so that the military can confirm the legitimate nature of their use of the river.

Zumba Invasion Raises More Than Five Thousand Dollars For Cancer Group
On Friday the Crystal Palace Auditorium came to life as hundreds of Orange Walkenos came out for the 2016 Zumba Invasion dance party. As we reported, the event was organized with the main objective being to raise funds to offer assistance to the Orange Walk Cancer Support Group. Today, organizers of the event proudly handed over a check amounting to five thousand two hundred and eleven dollars to the president of the Orange Walk Cancer support group, Badhra Coleman, who expressed her immense gratitude at the generous donation that will greatly assist many individuals who are currently in the fight against cancer. Badhra Coleman- President- Cancer Support group “I am very happy that Margie and Divas Under Construction took out this time to do this fund raising for us and you know that every little bit counts and five thousand dollars is a lot and it is going to go a long way with our patients.”

LOVE FM

Belize District Teachers Meet in Prayer at Bird’s Isle
Teachers within the Belize District converged at the Bird’s Isle Court this afternoon to join in their annual Ecumenical Service as part of Education Week 2016. Katherine Flowers is the head of the Belize District Branch of the Belize National Teachers Union; in speaking with Love News, she noted that this event is crucial for […]

Guatemalan Gold Panners Continue to Desecrate the Chiquibul Reserve
Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) reported this week that Guatemalan Gold Hunters, known in Spanish as ‘Oreros’ have devised creative ways on how to reach gold reserves higher in the mountain. FCD reported that on April 16, a resident of a Guatemalan Village, El Naranjon, Juan Che Zuc was detained and he confessed that […]

45-Year-Old Home Collapses in the City
This morning a house on Racecourse Street, Belize City, collapsed. A family of three had been residing in the home. One person was in the home when it collapsed, luckily no one got hurt. One of the occupants of the house, Dennis Lucario told us the building had been there since 1971. He told us […]

Teachers Will Rally for Belize’s Sovereignty
Coming out of last Saturday’s meeting of the Belize National Teachers Union is the organization of a rally in Belize City with the participation of teachers from around the country. It is an event being planned against the tradition of having the teachers getting some sun and fun but President Luke Palacio says it was […]

Coronado and Prado Face Drug Charges
Nineteen year old Darwin Prado, a construction worker of Marage Road, Ladyville, charged with drug trafficking for two hundred and thirty four grams of cannabis, was fined ten thousand dollars today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser after he pled guilty to the charge. Prado was given until September 30 to pay. If he defaults on payment he […]

PlusTV

Police update on Camalote double murder investigation
Police say they have someone detained in relation to the Camalote double murder that claimed the lives of [AKEEM THIMBREL PIC] cousins Akeem Thmbrell and Shawn Lopez. [SAHWN LOPEZ PIC] The two men were gunned down as they walked on a street in Camalote village on Sunday night. Police say they have made some headway they believe and have boost patrols in the Camalote area which led to the discovery of two weapons in the Camalote area. Sr. Supt Howell Gillett, OC Belmopan Police: The specialized units of this area have taken off two guns off the street, an AK47 and a pump 12 shot gun, so we’re happy for those two recovery of weapons from the streets, that makes it a lot safer. Both weapons have been packaged and they will be sent to the forensic laboratory for testing. They will be tested against those ballistic information that were gathered from all those previous murders to compare them for comparison purposes.

Breaking Belize News

After Shyne’s house broken into, man accuses police of brutality
A few days ago, the home of the Prime Minister’s son, Shyne Barrow in the Buttonwood Bay area of Belize City was broken into. Officer Commanding Precinct 4, Senior Superintendent Lynden Flowers said police are still investigating and have detained some persons for questioning. […]

New Magistrate sworn in
This past Friday, new Magistrate Emmertice Emmerita Anderson, a native of Roaring Creek, Cayo District, was sworn in by Chief Justice, Kenneth A. Benjamin. Anderson is the ex-wife of former Belize Director of Public Prosecutions, now judge of the Jamaican Supreme Court, Kirk Anderson, and is currently common law wife of Richard Flowers […]

Tropic continues to give back
Making its way across the country and giving generous donations along the way, Tropic Air’s fundraising campaign entitled “#TropicGivesBack”, handed over a check of $450 to the Octavia Waight Centre in San Ignacio, Cayo District. The check was handed over last Friday after $1 […]

Girl, 14, reported missing since Saturday evening
Kimberly Mejia, a 14-year-old student of Progresso Village in the Cayo District, was reported missing00 on Saturday evening, his daughter left home and has not been seen or heard from […]

BNTU gives up Teachers’ Day over Guatemala claim
Following a heated discussion, the Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) has agreed to forgo its annual Teachers’ Day celebrations in favor of a rally as part of its ongoing “Stand up for Belize” campaign in Belize City. The Union has also called for the […]

Guatemalan tour guide remanded to prison for robbery
A Guatemalan tour guide of Melchor de Mencos has been remanded to prison after being arrested and charged by police for robbery on Friday. Bryan Geovanny Corado, 21, reportedly held Superintendent Selvin Tillet at gunpoint on February 14th and stole his Mazda pickup truck […]

Belize’s coral reef captured from space by NASA astronaut
NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), posted stunning images and video of the bright coral reefs off the coast of Belize City to his social media page over the weekend. “Good Morning! Beautiful Belize coastal waters, where Central America […]

“No” for now to removing Sarstoon restriction, says GOB
While rejecting the demand made by the People’s United Party (PUP) for the immediate rescission of the Sarstoon Prohibition Regulation, the Government of Belize has announced that, quote, all non-political, legitimate Belizean civilian traffic into the restricted area will immediately be given lawful authority, […]

Is the Belize Tourism Board dysfunctional?
What is tourism? There are several definitions, however, I am going to use this definition – “the promotion of tourist travel, especially for commercial purposes.” The Minister of Tourism is the elected official, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. According to the Ministry of Tourism, […]

Police investigate latest San Pedro murder
Investigations into the death of San Pedro resident, Melvin Almendarez, are ongoing after his body was discovered near a sports bar south of San Pedro Town. It was on Friday night at around 11:39 p.m. that police received information of a body being found, which was […]

Man arrested for weed in Belize city
Police on motorcycle patrol Saturday morning in Belize City, stopped and searched 27-year-old Carlos Roland Coronado who was seen walking on Armadillo Street with a cream plastic container in his hand. Inside that container, officers found two black plastic bags with a total of […]

Man stabbed with ice pick in Orange Walk
An Orange Walk man was detained by police on Saturday night for the stabbing of 25-year-old Linsford Daniel Rabateu, with an ice pick while socializing at a friend’s residence. Officers visited the Northern Regional Hospital at around 7:15 p.m. and saw Rabateu with a […]

Ryan Alvarez, Patrick Castillo to be tried for murder
Almost a month ago, 22 year old Devon Sankey, on remand for six months for the murder of 55 year old Edward Albert Robinson, and the attempted murder of notorious street figure, 33 year old Jamil Betancourt which occurred on October 20, 2015 in the North […]

Blogs

Jalapeño Cheese Bagels
No Stand mixer needed. This is the easiest way to make fantastic Jalapeño Cheese Bagels. You will be making these or a variation of these over and over again.

How About a Shout-out for Belize’s Community Baboon Sanctuary?
If you’d like to meet Belize’s most enigmatic primates, plan to spend time at the nation’s Community Baboon Sanctuary. Bermudian Landing is the site of the main sanctuary, but the Creole villages that have joined the effort to nurture Black Howler Monkeys include Flowers Bank, Double Head Cabbage, Scotland Half-moon, Isabella Bank and Big Falls/St. Paul’s Bank. The reserve runs along the banks of the Belize River and it’s the pride and joy of landowners who have committed to maintaining this area for this species and other local wildlife, flora and fauna. The Sanctuary is located just 30 miles from Belize City. Ask your lodgings host to arrange a formal tour that includes transport to and from the site, or you can rent a car to make the 30 mile drive. With an estimated 1500 howlers roaming the 20 square mile epicenter of the CBS, you’ll probably hear them before you see them!

Ever heard of the Forest Trust of 1922?
By the early 1900s, it was commonly known that the primary hardwoods such as mahogany and cedar had been cut over multiple times on many mahogany works in Belize. A report commissioned by the Colonial Research Committee between 1920 and 1921 (The Hummel Report of 1921) confirmed that much of the accessible Crown lands of the colony were seriously depleted of mahogany and that the chicle industry was in decline because of unsustainable tapping methods. A four-pronged forest policy elaborated by the Hummel Report included efforts to (1) decrease the costs of extraction using better logging methods, (2) use silvicultural management of mahogany in favourable areas, (3) develop the secondary species and (4) improve communication in the colony through more systematic exploitation and less “hand-to-mouth” forestry. In line with these new goals, the Forest Trust was established in April of 1922 with Cornelius Hummel as the first Conservator of Forests. Shortly after, five forest reserves were declared: Silk Grass Reserve, Punta Gorda Reserve, Belize Pine Reserve, Sibun-Stann Creek Reserve and Tillett’s Pond Reserve (adjacent to the Botanical Garden in the Belize District). The Freshwater Creek Reserve was added in Corozal in 1926. These reserves were created to improve the sustainability of wood extraction and implement the first attempts at forestry science in Belize. The first effort in scientific forestry was the devising of a method of mahogany silviculture at the Botanical Station on the Belize River. These initial experiments were the basis for further research in the area of mahogany and sapodilla improvement in Belize. Apart from the Botanical Station, efforts in scientific forestry extraction focused on exploration, silvicultural improvements, secondary species and fire control. The Forest Trust eventually became Belize’s Forestry Department.

THE National Tapir Day Party at the Belize Zoo – Cake, Chocolate and, of couse, Tapirs
Badass Auntie here, reporting for San Pedro Scoop. It’s an honour and a privilege to be bringing you the story from Belize Zoo’s celebration of National Tapir Day, or as I like to call it – the day I get peed on by a mountain cow. I had more than one badass mission to complete though and the most important was a delivery of handmade chocolate tapirs from The Belize Chocolate Factory in my special chicken bag. More about those later. Let’s start like normal people do – from my arrival at the zoo. Something about this bus made me think I was in the right place. I must admit that I’m a bit of a Belize Zoo groupie and so I was excited to be greeted by the first caged animal I always see when I arrive, Edson, the every cheerful guy who will sell you your tickets into the best little zoo in the world. Although it was a tapir jubilee at the zoo today, I have the sneaking suspicion they don’t have any tapir outfits in which to dress unsuspecting volunteers. For people, who I know were fast on their way to dehydration, they were having a little bit too much fun on the bouncy castle. Seriously, as soon as adults are in a country that doesn’t ban them from the children’s play areas, this is what happens.

International Sources

Forgotten Mayan city 'discovered' in Central America by 15-year-old boy
A 15-year-old boy believes he has discovered a forgotten Mayan city using satellite photos and Mayan astronomy. William Gadoury, from Quebec, came up with the theory that the Maya civilization chose the location of its towns and cities according to its star constellations. He found Mayan cities lined up exactly with stars in the civilization's major constellations. Studying the star map further, he discovered one city was missing from a constellation of three stars. Using satellite images provided by the Canadian Space Agency and then mapped on to Google Earth, he discovered the city where the third star of the constellation suggested it would be. William has named the yet-to-be explored city in the Yucatan jungle K'aak Chi, or Mouth of Fire. Daniel De Lisle, from the Canadian Space Agency, said the area had been difficult to study because of its dense vegetation.

Local team gets radar training in Belize
A local team comprised of Technical Engineer Michael Carey from Cayman Islands National Weather Service, Earl Lindo from the Cayman Islands Airports Authority and Danny Salmon from Aviation Communication was sent to Belize to partcipate in a training workshop for technical support of the Weather Radar from 14-15 April. The workshop was facilitated by the Belize National Weather Service and funded by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The training was provided by SELEX, the manufacturer of a number of weather radars installed across the Caribbean. The week-long training session was repeated over two weeks and afforded the opportunity for the Cayman representatives to participate in hands-on training utilising the Belize Weather Radar.

ELC worth supporting
To say that I have not traveled widely is an understatement. At home in the West for 60 years, I have been east of the Rockies on only one occasion and barely across our southern border on two others. Some 10 years ago when financial fortune smiled on me, however briefly, I took my family to Belize. Why Belize? Three reasons: coral reefs, tropical forests and because English is the official language there. You see, I am a "cultural chicken." I don't want to go anywhere that I can't understand what people are saying about me and where I can't easily convey my immediate needs. Just too scary, it's vacation after all. Yet every year, thousands of brave people from all over the world come to America not for vacation, but to escape poverty, war and repression, to find economic opportunity and to give their children a chance at a better life through education and hard work. Cultural chickens they are not. Key to their success integrating into our communities is learning our language, and English is a very difficult language to learn, especially for adults.

Videos

Belize trip 2016. Creative Tours and Coco Beach, 15min.

Belize taxi drivers, 1.5min.

Belize Audubon Society Activities 14, 4.5min.

Belize Zoo Celebrates National Tapir Day, 1min.

Diving in Belize, 2.5min.

Belcampo Belize, 2min. Take a tour of Belcampo Belize, located in Punta Gorda, Belize and watch how coffee goes from a bean to your cup. Coffee experts will take you through the process of roasting to brewing. After your tour, enjoy a pound of coffee that you roasted yourself.

STD 5 STUDENTS DEBATE ON THE LONG STANDING TERRITORIAL AND MARITIME DISPUTE TO THE ICJ, 3.5min. One of the most controversial and most discussed topics at this moment is the long standing territorial and maritime claim that Guatemala has over Belize and whether this claim should be settled at the International Court of Justice. As a mean of educating their students on this topic of national importance and in commemoration of education week, teachers at the San Jose Government School organized a friendly debate among the standard five students.

LA VOZ KARAOKE 2016 - WEEK 4 GROUP B, 2.25 hours.

Humpback Whale Necropsy, Belize, 2min. The Toledo Institute of Development and Environment investigates why the first ever humpback whale to be spotted in Belizean waters has died.

The Beer Diaries World Tour: Belize - Belikin Full Tour, 21min. The Beer Diaries is proud to present The Beer Diaries World Tour: Belize, a series dedicated to using beer as an introduction to history, culture and the geo-political state of countries around the world. In this episode, host Mike Mann tours Belikin Beer with Nolan Michael, Head Brewer of Belize Brewing Company, discussing his journey, the art of brewing and the beer portfolio of The Beer of Belize. Additionally, Mike visits with Shelly Bowen-Stonesifer, Head of Marketing for Bowen and Bowen/Belikin, about the origins of the companies name, along with the social responsibility her company has to the people of Belize.

Randy ' house San Pedro Belize, 3.5min.

Diving South Water Caye Belize, 7min. First honeymoon dives at Caribo and Jason's Wall near South Water Caye on May 2nd 2016. 70 ft. dive and 60 ft. dive 45 mins.

Belize Night Snorkel 2016 Hol Chan, 3.5min. Night Snorkel at Hol Chan. 1-4-2016.

May 9, 2016

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Letter to the Editor: Leaving us in the dust
Dear Editor, We had booked several miles South of San Pedro. We had a 5 minute dirt road drive. Over and over, we and all other golf cart tourists had to endure speeding vehicles and by masses. Cars, small trucks, large 8 cylinder SUVs and taxis left us behind in dust clouds caused through their speeds of up to 50 miles, all on a dirt road. These drivers had no regards for us and clearly showed no respect for us tourists. Plus there were large sand trucks again and again, all day, ALL with too high speeds and ALL developing even much more dust. This is not only unhealthy but plainly “disgusting” during a vacation. Only our 11 year old found that extremely cool: “Mommy, this is like in “Mad Max Fury Road” he smiled when a large sand truck passed us with about double the speed than our golf cart could go, forcing an extremely huge and dense dust cloud on us. Yes, if just all your tourists would be as young and naive as our boy. Unfortunately for you, we “the adults” had long decided that such unhealthy conditions we would never want again for another vacation. We are disgusted about these ugly conditions forced on us defenseless tourists. But we tourists are not all defenseless: Our ratings on all travel related online media will be our pay back. We have already planned out next trip to the tropics (Holbox Island, Yucatan Mexico), to a real golf cart island with no cars or trucks during main business hours.

Wolfe’s Woofer: The Arms of Another Woman
“Hey, Mr. Dennis. Can you help me out?” “Sure, Pascal,” I said. “I’ll help you if I can.” “I do a lot of things with the Lion’s Club. Back home in my village I am the president of the chapter. Mother’s Day is coming up and it’s a really big deal where I live. I usually only speak to forty or fifty people at the Lion’s Club but on Mother’s Day all eight hundred people in the village will be there. I need some help with my speech.” “How can I help you?” “I need a joke for Mother’s Day but I can’t remember jokes and I tell them really bad. You got any Mother’s Day jokes?” “How is this?” I asked. “Start your speech by saying, ‘The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife.’ You stop for a minute and then say, ‘She was my mother.’”

Police Report
Found Property: Fire Arm. On Saturday, April 30th, the San Pedro Police, supervised by Assistant Superintendent Henry Jemmott, Police Constable (PC) Lewis #2063 and PC Magana #2070, acting upon information received at 6:50PM, visited an open area on the right hand side of the first street in the San Mateo Area, San Pedro Town. PC Magana discovered a Smith and Wesson .22 revolver, 10 shooter with white ivory handle, to which the .22 revolver was wrapped up in a pink kitchen cloth.
Found Property: Controlled Drugs. On Saturday 30th April 2016 around 5:50pm, Police Constable (PC) Tyrell Lewis #2063 and Eduardo Magana were conducting foot patrol in the San Pedrito Area, San Pedro Town. PC Lewis observed a black plastic bag near some lumber in an abandon lot located at the back street of San Pedrito area. PC Lewis retrieved the black plastic bag and opened it, where he observed some green leafy substance suspected to be cannabis.

Doctor Love: Stuck
Dear Doctor Love, I have been living in Belize for nearly five months. I met a lady soon after I got here and we had a brief relationship but I could tell from the first that it was not going to last. It’s not that I am looking for something permanent but I do like the idea of having a steady girlfriend. Four weeks ago I met a Belizean girl and we went out altogether five times. Two weeks later she showed up on my doorstep with a suitcase. She said that she can’t afford to stay in her apartment anymore and she wants to stay with me. It is either that or she has to move back to the mainland. I told her that she is welcome to stay with me a couple of weeks until she finds something else. So far she hasn’t even been looking for another place. She seems to have settled in quite nicely in mine. She cooks and washes clothes and generally makes herself useful around the place. To be honest it is kind of nice having her around the house. Now, a friend of mine is telling me to be careful. He says she is trying to get her hooks into me. According to him if she lives with me for even a short time she can claim common-law marriage. She will have rights just like a wife so if she gets pregnant I will have to pay alimony and child support. Also, she is entitled to a share of my property if we split. This shakes me up. The last thing I want is to get married. Is what my friend tells me true? How can I get rid of her with the least bit of bother? /s/ Stuck

Misc Belizean Sources

Mother's Day Dinner at DuPlooy's on Tuesday
Happy Mother's Day! DuPlooy's is having a special Mother's Day dinner on Tuesday, May 10th. Celebrate your mother, and make her day special.

Bird rescue in under 12 minutes
Neighbor called me. They have an injured bird. I arrive, its a Pygmy Owl.

The Reporter

CARICOM signs energy MOU
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is making steps towards cleaner, more sustainable energy within the region, through a new Memorandum of Understanding signed with three partner organizations. CARICOM signed the MOU this past week with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and the United States Department of Energy (USDoE). According to the IDB, the MOU is geared towards to increasing energy security, reducing energy vulnerability, and promoting renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon technologies in the region. As a part of the agreement, CARICOM member states will receive non-reimbursable technical assistance and programmes to promote knowledge exchanges, capacity building activities, and to help mobilize technical expertise The MOU will be followed by an action plan, where the four institutions will detail specific actions and timelines for each, along with planned collaborative activities and success indicators.

HelpAge fundraiser honors Dr. Jane Usher
HelpAge Belize, in collaboration with the Belize Social Security Board and Holy Redeemer Credit Union, held a fundraiser dinner honoring outstanding Belizean, Dr. Jane Usher. Funds raised at the event, held at the Old Belize Jungle Pavilion on Saturday night, will be used to sustain one of HelpAge’s most vital services, its Home Care Program. Chairman of HelpAge’s Board of Directors, Evan Dakers, explained that the service is important because their staff goes into the homes of elderly persons, many of whom live alone, to provide assistance they would have otherwise not had access to. “The staff goes into the homes and provides things like baths and first aid, they help to move the persons so they don’t get pressure sores from lying in bed too long, and things like that,” Dakers said. He added that while the organization charges a minimal fee, it does not refuse anyone who cannot pay, which makes the fundraiser all the more important. HelpAge conducts the home care program four times a week.

Blogs

Snapshots Around Belize – There is Always a Ton Going On
I take a TON of pictures…you probably see about 5%…or less. And you are lucky for that. But here are some random others, from some great photographers on Instagram and from me, of what’s going on in Belize. It’s part of my love affair with Instagram…search for the keyword #Belize…and you can find out what tons of people are up to. Many with gorgeous photos. The company Boteboards just left Ambergris Caye yesterday but they had four amazing days with a SERIOUSLY fantastic photographer and film crew fishing and SUPing (is that a verb?) both sides of our caye.

Kids Will Go Wild Over Belize’s Green Iguana Conservation Projec
Who says you have to take the kids to expensive 3D films to see what life on Earth looked like millions of years ago? Save the cash and use it to bring them to Belize to meet the relatives of these scale-covered creatures in person at the Green Iguana Conservation Project instead. You’re welcome to accompany them and share the journey back in time, and if your trip to Belize happens to stimulate your kid’s brains, don’t be surprised if they actually look forward to geology and science classes in the future. This landmark conservation project has no equal in the Caribbean, so you get to see the fleshed out image Miriam Roberson and Daniel Velasquez had for an Iguana refuge back in 1996. Concerned that these reptiles were decreasing in alarming numbers, these two ecological seers launched a movement that culminated with the establishment of the Green Iguana Conservation Project headquartered at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Years have passed. As Iguana populations are restored, the behaviors of these scaly creatures have been chronicled, showcased and explored at what is currently ranked the #1 attraction in San Ignacio! If you’re flush, fly into San Ignacio via Belize City with Tropic Air. Alternately, rent a car and take the fully-paved Western Highway to San Ignacio. Be prepared to traverse one-way bridges coming and going. You can try the bus system from Belize City, but if you prefer a less-crowded option, taxis, rental cars, minivans and shuttles are good transportation choices.

Pool Project - Week Eight
It was estimated at the onset of this project that work would be completed by the end of last week. The crew is very close, but holidays and whatnot have pushed the end date to sometime this week. And even though this was a short week (Monday was a holiday), the crew accomplished quite a bit. Most of the wood frames for the screens have been assembled. We should start to see them going in tomorrow. Gutters have been made and installed. They are made from PVC pipe and, if you look closely at the top picture, the guys cut a narrow channel on the top. Water collects from the roof, but minimal debris. Pretty clever. Painting is almost done, including the exterior and interior of the pump house.

International Sources

I Met Belize’s Next Dictator
It all began one afternoon. I had just gotten on a plane leaving Belize, when a woman sat down next to me... with a one year old baby. At first, I was worried the child would be an issue, but it turned out that the kid, Ajax, was a dream — the woman was a nightmare. She began asking me about my major, my school, my future, my trip to Belize. I tend to maintain a healthy distance from my flying partners, but I responded politely; I told her I was a cognitive science major at UCLA with no plans for the future, visiting Belize for the first time. I returned her question in kind: “Is this your first time to Belize?” No, she had a home with her husband there; they visited often. She told me she had, in fact, given birth to both Ajax and Lisa, her daughter, in Belize. When I asked her why, she answered that she wanted them to have dual citizenship, just in case “anything went south” in America. This seemed strange, but potentially logical to me. When I asked her why they had chosen Belize, she said that they almost chosen Bolivia, but Belize was closer. Additionally, Belizean officials were incredibly corrupt and easy to buy off; they would do almost anything for $1,000. In fact, her husband and his friends were sure the government could be overthrown with “200 people or less”.

Nonstop Flights to Belize
Bursting with lush and diverse wildlife both under the sea in its coral reefs and above white sand shores in its rainforests, Belize is the ideal destination for travelers who love to explore. We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of non-stop flights to help you get there, so that you can start planning your adventure today. Delta Airlines flies from Los Angeles to Belize on Saturdays in January-August and October-December. Delta offers one daily flight from Atlanta to Belize year-round, as well as two other flights that depart on Saturdays only. United Airlines has two flights from Houston to Belize year-round. United flies from Chicago to Belize on Saturday year-round.

Release your inner Robinson Crusoe and find your very own paradise
Banded by coral reef, Bird Island — a 20-minute boat trip from Placencia on the Belize coast — is a nature-filled haven. Swim, snorkel, paddle-board, fish or just flop about. INSIDER TIP: The owner, Fred, is on hand to offer tours of the area. DETAILS: Bird Island, Belize costs £249 per night, three nights minimum stay airbnb.co.uk/rooms/4869137. Price includes boat travel from Placencia. It accommodates up to six and has wi-fi. It’s self-catering and supplies are available in Placencia. Flights to Belize City via Houston cost from £539 return, united.com.

New World Oil To Move Away From Energy And Into Data Services (ALLISS)
New World Oil & Gas PLC Monday said it may be moving away from the oil and gas sector after signing an agreement to potentially complete a reverse takeover of a data services company, in a deal which could include a fundraising. New World Oil underwent significant change in the second half of 2015 after a shareholder action group successfully called for a board reshuffle and the company has been quiet after admitting there had been no new developments on its onshore oil project in Belize since last October. The Blue Creek project is New World's only significant asset and the licence was extended in late 2015, the same time when the company decided to relinquish its licenses in Denmark. However, the deal Monday suggests the company is hoping to offload Blue Creek and move away from the oil and gas sector entirely.

Mahahual fishing tournament
Belize team "Aaliyah Marley" makes Mexican headlines for topping first day of Mahahual fishing tournament. Final results at the end of the day.

Videos

BTV, 37min.

Morning Matters with Mr Remp, 58min.

Belize coastline and barrier reefs. - NASA, 45sec. Set sail down the Belize coastline, enjoy the coral reefs along the way.

Bridge PPT presentation, 3min. Ministry of Works - Belize

Belize, 8.5min. from RumTravel

Belize, 4min.

VLOG: Belize, 6min. Moving back to Belize. This is the start of the rest of my life.

2016-04-22 Belize, 4min. Visiting Ambergris Caye, Belize with my brother Sean and his wife Christine. We dove Hol Chan, snorkled Shark Ray Alley and Mexico Rocks, and did some fishing and dined on our fresh catch on a private beach. Do yourself a favor and visit Belize.

Belize, 5min. Flying above Belize City on our way to San Pedro Island.

Joy Ride in Belize, 7min. Join us for a humorous, suspenseful story of our road trip in Northern Belize.

The Crew Episode 42 [ Belize ], 5min. The Crew re-organises for their next job in Belize. New crew members are introduced but not before a long transit to San Ignacio.

Eagle Rays Belize, 1.5min. 4 Eagle Rays in Belize.

Eagle Rays Belize, 1min. 4 Eagle Rays in Belize.

Belize Shark Dive, 2min. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize - Shark Ray Alley.

Belize Air Boat Ride, 2min. Taking a tour on an air boat thru the swamp waters of Belize.

Belize Scuba Highlights Video, 3min. Highlights from scuba diving off Caye Caulker, Belize in January 2016. You'll go down into the Great Blue Hole with me, and then keep an eye out for the green turtle, green moray eel, two spotted eagle rays, grouper and trumpet fish. Enjoy!

The Guatemala invasion, 7min. A little taste of Belizean history through d eyes of the British...

May 8, 2016

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

National Elite Basketball League finals
The San Pedro Tiger Sharks have defeated the Smart Belize Hurricanes in game two of the National Elite Basketball League finals... One more game to go!

Millennium Development Goals – Belize’s successes and failures
In the year 2000, 147 world leaders converged at the United Nations to sign the Millennium Declaration. Belize was part of this signing, adopting eight goals aimed at making life better for all Belizeans. The goals were to be accomplished by the end of 2015, focusing on developing areas like health, education, economic growth, poverty alleviation and gender equality. After 15 years, the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) report stated that Belize made great progress, however, it failed to reduce the nation’s poverty level. The MDG report stated that despite the gains in education enrolment, Belize still did not utilize its domestic capacity effectively to significantly grow its economy. “Poverty in Belize is increasingly geography-specific, gendered and generational. Belize’s real economic growth, which has consistently exceeded regional averages, has not necessarily translated into tangible reduction in the poverty levels,” pointed out the MDG official report. The eradication of extreme poverty and hunger was the main goal Belize was committed to accomplish. This MDG was aimed to halve of the number of people earning less than $2 a day. The other half was targeted at the unemployed and those suffering from chronic hunger. The goal was basically to generate opportunities for Belizeans in order for them to earn and generate income to meet their basic food needs. However, the country was said to be off-target in meeting this first outlined goal.

Consumer Prices Increase in March by 0.1%
On Wednesday, April 27th, the Statistical Institute of Belize released its latest figures on prices and external trade for the country. The report indicates that prices increased for the month of March, on average, by 0.1%. The Consumer Price Index from March 2016 stood higher at 102.9 compared to 102.7 of March 2015. After more than a year of decreased prices, January 2016 recorded its first increase. However, the first quarter of this year’s inflation rate is gradually decreasing from a high of 0.4% since January. Due to a 4.4% increase in fruits, the prices from the “Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages” category recorded an increase of 1.6%. Animal products continue to increase as eggs increased by 8.2 percent, beef and veal increased 16%, and pork increased by 5.5%. Sugar also increased by 29.5%.

New San Pedro Justice of the Peace chapter holds first meeting
The San Pedro Association of Justice of the Peace and Commissioner of the Supreme Court held their first meeting on Wednesday, May 4th as they begin to rebuild the San Pedro Chapter. The meeting took place at the San Pedro Town Council Conference Room and was attended by many Justices of Peace (JP), including invited guests speakers Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit Superintendent Sandra Bowden and Deputy of the Coastal Executive Unit Henry Jemmott. Welsh declared the meeting a success, and stated that the committee plans to meet on the first Wednesday of each month. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 6th, 7PM, at the Fidos Courtyard Conference room. In his closing remarks, committee member Pedro Salazar Sr. encouraged all members to step up to the plate to perform their sacred duties for the circulation of peace and justice, not just for the local community, for the country as a whole. He also encouraged those in attendance to start spreading the word to other JP members who are not fully active to come to the meetings and continue building up the local chapter.

Island footballer found murdered on South Ambergris Caye
San Pedro police are investigating the murder of local athlete Melvin Almendarez, who was killed Friday night, May 6th. Almendarez’s body was found in the Mosquito Coast Area of South Ambergris Caye shortly after 10PM with a single gunshot wound to the head. The events that led to the murder are not yet known, but San Pedro Police have confirmed that a Canadian National has been detained in relation to Almendarez’s death. According to official reports, members of the South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch (SACNW) were startled when they heard a gunshot in their neighborhood around 10PM. They immediately notified the San Pedro Police Department. Upon the arrival of the police to the area, a search was conducted to determine the source of the gun shot sounds. Around 10:30PM Almendarez’s body was discovered lying in a pool of blood across from the Belize Consolidated Water Services lagoon.

Ambergris Caye Masonic Lodge celebrates first anniversary
On Saturday, April 30th, the Ambergris Caye Masonic Lodge No. 5 celebrated their first anniversary in grand style. Members of Masonic Lodges from around the country and even from the Mexican State of Quintana Roo, convened at the San Pedro Lions Den for a social night. Before the celebration began, each member representing their respective lodge was introduced. They all expressed their delight in visiting the island for such an important occasion. After the formalities, the jubilee anniversary celebration started with a banquet for the distinguished invited guests. Serenading the special occasion was San Pedro’s number one band, ‘Rompe Raja,’ who played their most popular hits into the wee hours of the night. The Ambergris Caye Masonic Lodge looks forward to serving the community of San Pedro Town wherever necessary and would like to inform all island residents that they are here to look after the betterment of the island.

Misc Belizean Sources

Summer is a great time to visit Belize!
Most tourists travel to Belize during the high season that runs from November through March, when the weather is generally dry and cool, but summer can be a good time to visit Belize. Accommodations are cheaper, by as much as 40%, airfares are lower, tourism operators very eager to please, and yes, it is generally less crowded. Summer in Belize is a time when you can find more local events and cultural festivals, and local families are out and about enjoying the time when school is out. One of the most popular gastronomic events of summer in Belize kicks off when the official lobster season opens in June – Lobsterfest time. Lobster season in Belize opens on June 15 and closes February 15. There is so much lobster available during the summer that prices for this treat are at their lowest.

Prime Minister Departs the Country
The Office of the Prime Minister informs the general public that the Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow departed the country today, May 7th to attend a medical appointment. The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Belize on Wednesday, May 11th, 2016. During his absence, the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Environment and Sustainable Development will act as Prime Minister.

Illegal gold panning is a serious problem
Trenches show how gold panners are searching for the bedrock, which then is crushed to find the gold.

Belize Bird Rescue Anniversary
April was our 13th was our anniversary! The time has really flown by. We thought we'd share a few pictures of the week to celebrate.

Amandala

Clinic refused aid to gunshot victim, who later died in KHMH
Troy Cole, 26, of Crooked Tree Village, was ambushed on Gibnut Street while riding his bicycle towards Curassow Street at about 9:30 this morning. A gunman came out of a yard and fired at him, but initially the gun jammed. Cole, said to be affiliated with one of the city’s gangs — the “123rd Street” gang, jumped off his bicycle and pounced on his attacker, with whom he struggled, but the gunman managed to shoot him in the chest and abdomen, and then escaped. The mortally injured Cole ran to the nearby NHI Belize Integral Family Center, but he was refused entry. Police who responded to the shooting took him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where he died about 2 hours later, at about 11:30 this morning.

11 murders in 10 days
Yesterday evening at about 6:45, police went to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and saw Johan Justin Cocom, 21, of an Adams Lane address in Belize City, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body. Police say that Cocom was riding his bicycle on Prince Street, contrary to the flow of traffic, when someone from a car parked about 30 feet away shot him. Cocom, said police, succumbed to his injuries at about 7 o’clock that evening, making him the 11th murder victim in 10 days, beginning with the double murder on Thursday, April 28, that occurred on the San Francisco road on the George Price Highway, in which two Guatemalans were found shot to death. Police say that they found Santos Ramon Gomez, 52, and Orlando Antonio Garcia Calletal, 37, on a farm road with gunshot wounds to the back of their heads. Police believe that it was a drug deal gone bad because a 25-kilogram scale was found beside the bodies.

Security guard fails at suicide after killing 2 women in front of customers
Two popular women, beauticians of Santa Elena Town, were shot to death in Betty’s Salon in Santa Elena, where they worked, at about 5:20 Saturday evening. Their alleged killer is now in a stable but serious condition, under police guard, at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Police say that on their arrival at the grisly scene at about 5:30 on Saturday evening, April 30, they saw Andy Bustillos, 35, a security officer of Anchor Security Company of Belmopan, who was wearing his uniform, lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to the right side of his head. He had a black CZ 9mm pistol in his hand, and he was still breathing. Two women were also lying on the floor. Miriam Mai, 40, a beautician, the owner of the salon, had been shot in the side of the neck, and the other beautician, Daisy Carmita Miralda, 29, of West Street, San Ignacio, had been shot in the forehead and the right side of the head.

Guatemalan threat caused Barrow to “blink”
Meetings were held yesterday, Thursday, in Punta Gorda Town between government officials from the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who attempted to persuade the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) leader, Wil Maheia, not to go to the Sarstoon River to celebrate the signing of the 1859 Anglo-Guatemalan border treaty. Following the meeting, Maheia insisted that the BTV trip was still on. Today, the government respondedlegislatively when it hastily passed Statutory Instrument (SI) 46 of 2016, effectively amending Section 2, Chapter 142 of the 2011 Public Safety Act of the Substantive Laws of Belize Revised Edition 2011. The Public Safety (Prescribed Area) (Movement) (Restriction) Regulations, 2016 seeks to prevent Belizeans from going, “without lawful authority,” to the Belize side of the Sarstoon River, beginning at its mouth, and including Sarstoon Island. The SI is a prohibition against individuals who intend to “(c) carry out or threatens to carry out any act of intimidation, violence or other disorderly conduct within, or in relation, to the prescribed area.”

Belize: faster internet, greater possibilities
Today, Wednesday, April 27, at 2 p.m., the Belize Internet Exchange Point (BIXP) held its official launch at the University of Belize (UB) in Belize City. The formation of BIXP, a newly registered NGO, was spearheaded by the Public Utilities Commission in collaboration with all of Belize’s internet service providers. These internet service providers are Net King Solutions Ltd., Inter Networks Ltd., Speednet Communications Limited, Alliance IP Ltd., Broadband Belize Ltd., Centaur Communications Corporation Ltd. and Alternative Network Ltd. — which collectively want to make internet faster, more efficient and reliable. As a result, they have all freely donated physical infrastructure to a special lab at the University of Belize in Belize City. The value of the current infrastructure sitting at UB is estimated at a conservative BZ$100,000.

Curfew enforcers have picked up 25 minors so far
A curfew was implemented in March on the southside of Belize by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, in an effort to curb crime, particularly in light of the fact that two recent killings had allegedly been committed by minors. This latest initiative in the police department’s crime fighting efforts was met with mixed reactions, with some institutions outspokenly opposing it, but a little over a month since the curfew’s implementation, it is still in effect. Williams said that the program is ongoing and the Community Rehabilitation Department, which comes under the Ministry of Human Development, is assisting his department in this initiative. Starla Bradley, director of the Community Rehabilitation Department, told Amandala that the picking up of these minors is done during routine police patrols. Bradley said that since the program started, they have taken 25 minors: 23 males and 2 females, into their temporary care until their parents could be contacted. Bradley added that the majority of the minors, who were found on the street, after the curfew cutoff -time come from single-parent homes and their ages range between 11 and 17.

Belmopan Bandits FC is the PLB 2015-2016 Closing Season Champion
FFB) 9th Annual Congress continued struggling to elect a new president at the Princess Ramada Hotel in Belize City on Saturday, April 30, football action kicked off a half hour later than the 7:30 p.m. scheduled start of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) championship finals game 2 at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium between home standing Belmopan Bandits and the visiting Placencia Assassins. Bandits goalkeeper, Shane Moody Orio (Member) had been elected on an early vote, along with Marlon Kuylen (Senior Vice President) and Darlene Vernon (Member); and Shane had been excused from the on-going Congress, in order to return to Belmopan for his game. So, Belize football has a new champion, Belmopan Bandits FC, and a new face in the FFB president’s position, Marlon Kuylen. Congratulations all!

New FFB leadership, Marlon Kuylen to act as FFB President until next Ordinary Congress
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) elected a new Executive Body during its 9th Ordinary Congress, held at the Ramada Princess Hotel on Saturday, April 30, 2016. The Congress included an election process in which 14 District Football Association members and 6 members from the Premier League of Belize voted to elect the new Executive Body as follows: Marlon Kuylen – Senior Vice President; Shane Orio – Executive Member; Darlene Vernon – Executive Member. Following 22 rounds of voting resulting in a tie each time, a new president and vice president for the FFB could not be elected. Vying for the post of president were former President, Ruperto Vicente and former Vice President, Sergio Chuc. The vice president post was contested by Jaime Perdomo and former Executive Member, Cruz Gamez.

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie was huge in victory against his former team in game 1 of NEBL Finals
On Friday night, two-time defending champions, San Pedro Tiger Sharks traveled to Belize City to face off against their opponents, Smart Belize Hurricanes, in game 1of the NEB Finals. This is the third straight finals appearance for San Pedro Tiger Sharks, and the first for Smart Belize Hurricanes, as both teams are shooting for the NEBL championship. As game 1 tipped off, Smart Belize Hurricanes jumped out to an early lead, ending the first quarter with an 18–16 advantage. At halftime, the Hurricanes still maintained a marginal 31–28 lead. In the third quarter, there were many lead changes and ties, until the Hurricanes extended the lead to 9 points at the end of the third quarter, to take a 63-54 advantage. In the middle of the fourth quarter, San Pedro Tiger Sharks was able to cut the lead to three points, but the home squad then extended the lead down the stretch, to secure game 1 of the best-of-three finals, with a score of 93–84.

Dangriga sports stats
Boys & Girls U-13: Here are the results from the Dangriga Cancer Centre Boys & Girls U-13 semi-finals over the weekend. New Site won over Pomona, 2 goals to nil. In game 2, Umadagu vs Silk Grass was a big controversy. That game will be played over this Sunday, which will be a 15-15, 30 minutes of action. Immediately after that will be the finals. The loser of the Umadagu vs Silk Grass game will play Pomona for third place; and the winner will play New Site in the finals. U-15 Top-8 playoffs: Mr. Mar and Griga Yaad Cleaning U-15 Top-8 playoffs will get under way this Sunday also at the Ecumenical football field. The winner advances; the loser “goes home.” Here are the standings: Wagiya 25 pts; Hopkins 22 pts; Wagierale 20 pts; Umadagu 16 pts; Pomona 13 pts; 3G 13 pts; Montise 10 pts; Hope Creek 9 pts. This Sunday game 1 at 1:00 p.m. – Wagiya vs Hope Creek; game 2 – Hopkins vs Pomona; game 3 – Wagierale vs 3G; and GAME 4 – UMADAGU VS POMONA.

Glitter and Guate-liath
To the best of our knowledge, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales, an increasingly ambitious bureaucrat/diplomat who spent most of the 1990s posted at the Guatemalan Embassy in Belize, and ended up marrying a Belizean wife, is the only Cabinet Minister who survived last year’s change of government in Guatemala City from the presidency of the disgraced, imprisoned Otto Perez Molina to that of the inexperienced, compromised Jimmy Morales. Four days after the new Guatemalan President, Jimmy Morales, made a dramatic, disturbing call to Guatemalan arms on Thursday afternoon, April 21, 2016, following the unfortunate and tragic shooting death of a Guatemalan minor in Belize’s Chiquibul forest about sixteen hours before, the Belize Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, claimed that the tension at the borders between Belize and Guatemala was de-escalating, following the buildup of the republic’s military in the Peten and at the Sarstoon. The following day, Foreign Minister Morales went on national television in Guatemala to declare categorically that no such easing of tension was taking place and that Guatemala continued to demand justice for the death of 13 year old Julio Alvarado Ruano.

From the Publisher
As late as the 1930s, there was a St. George’s College where Anglican and Methodist teenagers went to secondary school together. Sometime in the late 1930s or early 1940s, St. George’s College split up into an Anglican component – St. Michael’s College, and a Methodist component – Wesley College. The Anglicans also established a secondary school for girls, which was called St. Hilda’s College, and so their secondary education separated the sexes, St. Michael’s being a school for boys. Wesley College became a co-educational school, which is how I met it in September of 1971. (Some twenty or so years ago, St. Michael’s and St. Hilda’s were amalgamated to form the co-educational Anglican Cathedral College.) All the Anglican and Methodist high schools were located on the Southside of Belize City, whereas Roman Catholic St. John’s College for boys, established by the Jesuits in the 1880s, has been located on the Northside of Belize City ever since their Loyola Park campus on the Yarborough seaside was destroyed by the 1931 hurricane. The Roman Catholics had also established a high school for girls (on the Northside) in the 1880s. This was St. Catherine’s Academy.

Let us organize a massive protest …
Dear Editor, Fellow Belizeans you are aware that the present political system of one party rule is against our national interest. It has left the Belizean people with only two alternatives – unconditional submission to the tyranny of an iron fisted Prime Minister with absolute power, or a decision to resist to establish freedom and equality to all Belizeans in all manner and form in the near future next general elections. Belizeans, the Guatemalan claim and threat will never end unless the political directorate commences to behave and act in all respects as a sovereign nation at home on the western border, the southern border at the Sarstoon, and on the world stage. The prohibiting act of April 29, 2016. made in a haste by the UDP Government against industrious and patriotic peaceful Belizeans to use and move freely in the Sarstoon, guaranteed by our constitution, is an abominable and treacherous, illegal act against the well-defined and permanent laws of our Constitution.

Los Angeles Belizeans demonstrate against Guatemalan military aggression
A most impressive group of some forty-five Los Angeles Belizeans from the Los Angeles Belizean community across the state of California came out today in Los Angeles to protest the Guatemalan military oligarchy’s invasion, annexation, and aggression of Belize Sarstoon River and Island at the Guatemalan Consulate in Los Angeles on Wilshire Boulevard at the busy downtown cross section of the Wilshire District in Los Angeles. The group carried banners and posters that read, “Stop Guatemalan Aggression Against Belize”, “Stop the Annexation of Belize’s Sarstoon”, “Tell The Guatemalan Military To Leave Belize Alone”, “Guatemala Stop Being A Bully”, “Belizean Lives Matter: Justice for Danny Conorquie & Staff Sergeant Lambey”, and “Belize Is For Belizeans”. They also shouted slogans like, “Belize is For Belizeans”, “We No Want No Guatemala”, and “Guatemala Get Out of Belize”.

Commonwealth insists on Belize’s sovereignty and integrity
Belizeans have “an inalienable right” to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity. This ‘rock solid’ principle is enshrined in a series of 5 consistent resolutions issued by the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) from 1978 to 1980, the eve of our nation’s independence. Today, 35 years after our independence and admission to the UN as a sovereign nation state, Belize continues to be the target of an unfounded territorial claim by Guatemala—which now claims to be exercising sovereignty over the Belize portion of the Sarstoon River while also refusing to recognize our western and southern borders with that country. On Friday, even as the Government of Belize imposed new legislation to stop Belizeans from making a trek to the Sarstoon River in commemoration of the April 30, 1859 Boundary Treaty between Britain and Guatemala, in which Belize’s southern border is clearly defined to include the portion of the river north of the mid-channel, Baroness Patricia Scotland, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, 53 states, most of them former British colonies, emphasized that: “it’s clear that the integrity of and sovereignty of Belize is something which must be upheld.”

Guatemala did not inherit Belize from Spain, because Spain never occupied, owned or settled Belize!
Guatemala claims to have inherited a Spanish claim to Belize based on the legal doctrine of UTI POSSIDETIS — a doctrine that is NOT by any means universally recognized in international law. Consequently, Pope Alexander VI, one of the most controversial Popes, issued on May 4, 1493, a papal bull granting official ownership of the New World to Ferdinand and Isabela of Spain. (By the way, Pope Alexander VI was a Spaniard. He was from Jativa, a town near Valencia, Spain.) To these monarchs, the Pope declared: “We of our own motion, and not at your solicitation, do give, concede, and assign for ever to you and your successors, all the islands, and main lands, discovered; and which may hereafter, be discovered, towards the west and south; whether they be situated towards India, or towards any other part whatsoever, and give you absolute power in them.” He also included Portugal, giving a portion on a specifically demarcated zone.

Guat Congress tells citizens to avoid travelling to Belize
Guatemala’s Congress has launched a public relations offensive against Belize in a decision announced today to dissuade Guatemalans from coming to Belize, because of the “danger” seemingly posed by Belize’s military—an advisory which Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow said “is most unfortunate and entirely unwarranted.” With 86 votes in Guatemala’s Congress, 6 more than the required 80, that legislative body approved in a plenary session today a resolution (#7-2016), through which they are recommending that Guatemalans abstain from traveling to Belize due to the recent killing of Julio Alvarado, 13, at the hands of the Belizean military at Cebada in the Chiquibul Forest in the Cayo District. Guatemalan Congressman, Erick René Lainfiesta Cáceres, deputy of the party, Encuentro por Guatemala, proposed the motion, citing the shooting of Alvarado last month. Their Congress notified via a tweet earlier today that Lainfiesta would present a privileged motion to alter the orders of the day and make a call to Guatemalan citizens not to travel to Belize because of the “mistreatment” of Guatemalan citizens in that country.

An analysis of the 1859 Boundary Treaty, U.K./Guatemala
Here is an analysis of the 1859 border treaty between Great Britain and the Republic of Guatemala which established the boundary line between the settlement of Belize (British Honduras) and Guatemala on April 30, 1859, in Guatemala City, Guatemala. To properly understand this treaty one should know the context of the circumstances surrounding the chief players when the treaty was signed. There were four main players on this stage: The first player was William Walker, the American adventurer (filibusters). It was in 1855 that William Walker came to Nicaragua with 57 men and offered his services to the Liberals who were fighting against the Conservatives He eventually ended up as the President of Nicaragua in 1856 and brought to Nicaragua 2,500 more Civil War veterans from the U.S.A. He declared Nicaragua a slave state and changed the official language to English. It was then recognized as a nation by the U.S.A.

A dog story
There exists a growing public perception that the Belize City Council is failing to establish proper pest control mechanisms that would see a reduction in stray dogs, rodents and even mosquito breeding grounds. From time to time, it is necessary to control the population of stray dogs because they breed prolifically and pose a real danger to pedestrians, apart from their destructive habit of overturning garbage cans and strewing their contents on the streets and in the drains. When female dogs are “in heat”, the male dog population goes almost berserk, and the noise made because of their fighting is a terrible nuisance, keeping many a citizen awake until the wee hours of the morning. The dogs are normally eliminated by being fed beef laced with strychnine, a highly toxic and colorless poison. This process has been referred to as “The Last Supper” by employees at the Sanitation Department of the Belize City Council, but it is viewed by most individuals as extremely inhumane, because of the terrible suffering the dogs experience before they die. At one point in our country’s history, stray dogs were detained before eradication in a building, at the well-known Pound Yard on Cemetery Road. Dog owners were given up to three days to recover their pets from the Pound Yard after paying a small fine.

Belize looking for international diplomatic shield to guarantee its territorial integrity
The killing of a Guatemalan teenager who was in the company of others who fired upon a joint Belize Defence Force (BDF) and Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) patrol in the Chiquibul National Park has been used by the Guatemalan authorities to increase the tension between the two countries, even as the Guatemalan military continues to violate Belize’s territorial integrity at the Sarstoon River, on the southern border. Prime Minister Dean Barrow has embarked on a diplomatic quest in hopes of securing support for Belize’s territorial integrity, he reported to the nation today, Tuesday. PM Barrow made the remarks at a press conference at the NEMO Building in Belmopan when he briefed the nation about the progress of ongoing bi-lateral talks being held in Washington DC, between Belize Foreign Minister Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington and Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales. The talks, which have been brokered by the Organization of American States (OAS), are being held without the participation of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP).

The Reporter

CEOs exceed $50,000 target for cancer awareness fundraiser
The Caucus of Chief Executive Officers of the Government of Belize raised $56,000 in funds for local cancer-related organizations, with their first ever CEO’s cancer ride. “The Big Deal” CEO Caucus Challenge 2016: Cancer Awareness Ride” started at mile 24 on the George Price Highway, and ended at the Agricultural Show Grounds in Belmopan. Modest estimates were that the event gathered some 200 supporters to the event. At the closing ceremony, CEO of the Ministry of Human Development, Judith Alpuche, explained that while the number of pledges and donations had exceeded $56,000 there were still outstanding pledges left to be added. The CEOs raised funds for the Belize Cancer Society, the Belmopan Cancer Society, and the Dangriga Cancer Center, all of which would receive a donation of more than $16,000.

Kareem Clarke Memorial Fund holds food drive
The Kareem Clarke Memorial Fund, held a food drive on Saturday in honor of the fallen journalist and the values he believed in. Representatives from the Fund gathered at K-Park Supermarket, as well as Brodies, both on Albert Street and Philip Goldson Highway, to receive donations of canned foods and dried non-perishable food items. The donations will go to the St. Joseph feeding program and the feeding program run by community activist Joel “Dara” Robinson. The food drive is the first of two, scheduled for this year. Since mid-2015, the fund has held several activities, including donating school bags for back to school and holding similar food drives. The fund was established after the July 6 murder of Kareem Jabbor Clarke, better known as “Reemo,” who was shot five times at around 1:00 a.m. on Vernon Street. Clarke was shot to the left side of his forehead and to the back of his head, along with shots to the abdomen, right upper back and middle of the back.

Breaking Belize News

Man shot in Ladyville
There was a shooting incident reported in Ladyville last night. Police have confirmed that Alrick Smith was shot in his leg at his residence in the village but managed to escape and head to Belize City for treatment. More on this story as it […]

Murder reported in San Pedro
San Pedro police are investigating the murder of local athlete Melvin Almendarez, who was killed Friday night, May 6th. Almendarez’s body was found in the Mosquito Coast Area of South Ambergris Caye shortly after 10PM with a single gunshot wound to the head. The […]

Kareem Clarke Memorial fund food drive reported successful
10 months after the untimely death of beloved KREMANDALA Journalist Kareem Clarke, his colleagues of the Kareem Clarke Memorial Fund today their first of three events this year in his honor. Fund Secretary and KREM News Editor Marisol Amaya told us this evening as of […]

PUP National Party Council maintains demand for rescinding of Public Safety Act regulations
At today’s National Party Council meeting in Belize City, the People’s United Party passed a resolution stating that it would rejoin the diplomatic effort to resolve the Guatemala crisis – if, in turn, Government rescinded the Public Safety Act regulations introduced on Friday, April 29., […]

Blogs

HOT DAMN! It’s SO BEAUTIFUL Out Today on Ambergris Caye, Belize
Excuse my language but it is an absolutely perfect May day. As soon as I took Elsie out this morning, I had to run right back in for my phone. Cooler and clear with gorgeous puffy white clouds…the water sparkling…today is THE PERFECT DAY. I was getting a ride to the water taxi to pick up RYE BREAD, pastrami and sauerkraut from Ian Anderson’s Farmhouse Deli!!!!!!!!! But as soon as we started going over the bridge, I HAD to hop out…and hold up traffic. Just too darn beautiful. Every way you looked. Here are some pictures I took this morning. Looking towards the lagoon side (the other side of the bridge). Caye Casa and her dock. A massage tent fluttering in the breeze… I ran into Ishmael…who is having a grand re-opening and fundraiser for the San Pedro Food Bank. He finally got his name back legally – Sandy Toes.

OAS to Host Forum on Migration and Development in the Americas
The Organization of American States (OAS) will hold this Friday, May 6 the Forum “Migration and Development in the Americas: towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda” with the participation of foreign ministers, experts and senior officials working on the issue in the hemisphere. The inaugural session will feature the participation of the Vice President and Foreign Minister of Panama, Isabel De Saint Malo de Alvarado; the OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro; the Executive Director of the Young American Business Trust (YABT), Valerie Lorena and the President of the Committee on Migration Issues (CAM), Daniel Cámara. WHAT: Forum “Migration and Development in the Americas: towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda” WHEN: May 6, 2016, 10:00 am EDT (14.00 GMT) WHERE: Hall of the Americas, Organization of American States, 17th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006.

International Sources

New Orleans Jazz Fest - “When Doves Sing not Cry”
Don’t cry for New Orleans. While it was a time to mourn the loss of a great talent, Prince, the New Orleans Jazz Fest was a confirmation and celebration of the reincarnation of the City many had written off as dead a decade earlier. New Orleans is again playing the music of “we” and serving-up the multiplicity of seeds, roots and flowers that are America. It is a welcome, even desperately needed resonance when fear and exclusion have come to dominate from political rhetoric to cultural xenophobia. America needs New Orleans to remind us of not only where we have come from but also where we can go. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival delivers and brings into harmony the melody of diversity. This year’s Jazz Fest brought to town some of the biggest global names in music, from Pearl Jam, Stevie Wonder, Elle King, Herbie Hancock, Mystical..... There was a cultural and musical platform for the small country of Belize. Dede Saint-Prix and his band from Martinique delivered an energetic Caribbean beat performance in French. The African ancestral communities of the Garifuna people were featured in their crafts, foods and culture. However, according to organizers, 90% of the artists came from New Orleans and the extended region which has given life to jazz, blues, zydeco.....

Videos

Diving Belize 2016, 12min. Dive trip to Belize, January 2016

Paradise in the making/Heavenly Belize, 4min. 150 years of Guatemala wishful claims on Belize. Belize is a soverign and Independent Country in the common wealth of nations. Another Falklan situation? That would be suicidal for Guatemala..

Belize, Buceo Blue Hole, Lighthouse Atoll, 8.5min.

Belize, Halfmoon Caye, Lighthouse Atoll, 7min.

Aquarium, Belize, 5min.

Belize punta, 1.5min.

Tour Belize - Bocawina Rainforest Resort and Zip line, 3min. The shots used in this video were shot at the Bocaina Rainforest Resort and Zip line. The people in the video are Bocawina employees, and Texas Tech students studying abroad in Belize.

What Happens To You When You Lose A Bet In Belize!, 3min. Thanks to Ben from The Truck Stop for sharing his video! On Friday, as part of the comedy show at Sandbar San Pedro, Joe Chung and I had a Worst Possible Playlist Contest -- AND MY PLAYLIST WAS THE WORST! Since I won, the punishment for Joe was that he had to walk around the island with a big-ass boombox, blasting my terrible playlist -- which we filmed for the following night's show.

Vacaciones en Belize 2015, 4min.

Belize Nurse Sharks Rays and Turtles 2016, 7.5min.

Dancing Byron Lee Footsteps Belize 1999, 3.5min.

Die neuen Paradiese Belize Land zwischen Dschungel und Korallen, 43min.

May 7, 2016

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Rotary Club sponsors book drive
Do you have books that are collecting dust? Why not help out the San Pedro Public Library (SPPL) by donating your unwanted or unused books? As the Rotary Club’s mission is to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world, the recently formed Ambergris Caye (RCAC) chapter has launched a book drive and will continue until the end of May. The club encourages the community to donate new and/or gently used books, and magazines to support the San Pedro Public Library. Drop boxes are currently placed at the following businesses around San Pedro: Casa Pan Dulce North, Sandbar, Coconut Carts, A&R;, Crazy Canucks, Social Security Board, Stella’s Smile, Banyan Bay, and Victoria House.

SPTC says Bowen and Bowen not abiding by delivery regulations
In an effort to alleviate the traffic congestion on the island, The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) launched an experimental project that would regulate delivery trucks’ hours of operation. The pilot project applied to all large- delivery vehicles within San Pedro downtown and the regulation mandated all deliveries be done between the hours of 2AM and 7AM. Despite some opposition, the project officially began on Monday, April 11th, and one of the sole supporters was the multi-national Bowen and Bowen distributor. However, a few days after, the company abruptly defied the regulation, and is back to its normal delivery schedule.

Five-a-side football tournament keeps kicking!
Only two more rounds of football action remain in the Five-a-Side Football Tournament, then it’s on to second round. The San Pedro High School (SPHS) and Island Citizen Sporting Club (ICSC) continue delighting fans with heated games as the first round finale draws near. The different matches played on Sunday, May 1st saw players once again competing in four exciting categories. The football action continues this weekend with games set for Sunday, May 8th at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium starting at 11AM.

GOB’s restriction on Sarstoon River met with disapproval
In an effort to prevent further confrontations between Belize and Guatemala armed forces and civilians, the Government of Belize (GOB) has implemented a temporary restriction on movement in Belize’s portion of the Sarstoon River. The restriction was announced on Friday, April 29th and is to last for one month. While GOB claims the restriction is being done to safeguard the Belizean populace, many are not happy about it. Among those protesting the restriction are the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) who were stopped from conducting an expedition to Sarstoon Island this past weekend. According to GOB, after consulting with the Prime Minister Right Honorable Dean Barrow, His Excellency the Governor General of Belize made the regulation under Section 2 of the Public Safety Act, Chapter 142 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, RE 2011. “The regulations prohibit persons and vessels, without lawful authority, from entering into Belize’s portion of the Sarstoon River.

8-Ball Pool Tournament goes to semi-finals!
After last weekend’s tight games played at One Barrel Bar, the semi-finals for the Pre-Season 8-Ball Pool Tournament are finally happening this weekend. Four teams will be competing for the chance to advance to the finals and walk away with the top prize. They are Team Amigos, AJ Snipers, Hitman Recruits and Solid. Pool fans are encouraged to come out and support their favorite teams during these very important matches.18 Pool tournament According to the scores from the games this past weekend, these are the scores for each team and again Team Amigos continues in the lead with 136 points. The semi-finals will take place on the beach at Cholo’s Bar. Games start on Sunday at 2PM.

Ambergris Today

Belize Headline Sponsor 2016 World Responsible Tourism Awards
Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has cemented its commitment to responsible tourism with its sponsorship of the World Responsible Tourism Awards. In a statement announcing the partnership, the BTB highlighted the importance of a joined up approach to sustainability to ensure that the local economy is stimulated and benefits from tourism, and natural resources are protected. The comment comes as part of the announcement that Belize will be the headline sponsor of the 2016 World Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM London, and is an extension of Belize’s national Sustainable Tourism Masterplan, which stipulates how to grow tourism in a sustainable manner. The winners of the 2016 World Responsible Tourism Awards will all be organizations which have been recognized for their leadership and for the replicability worldwide of their projects and initiatives.

Misc Belizean Sources

Assist the people of Belize who are up against Guatemala's aggressive military border encroachment and intimidation.
We need more signatures especially by USA citizens on this petition please pretty please! The Belizean–Guatemalan territorial dispute is an unresolved binational territorial dispute between the states of Belize and Guatemala, neighbours in Central America. The territory of Belize has been claimed in whole or in part by Guatemala since 1940. Recently Guatemala has taken a very aggressive military approach to the claim and has repeatedly encroached into Belize Waters in the Sarstoon River; arresting and confining civilians in Belize waters and threatening Belize Military Forces in the Sarstoon area. Recently they responded to CARICOM (Caribbean Community) that they have taken control of part of Belize's territory. We are asking that the Obama Administration be vigilant of the growing tensions and condemn Guatemala's actions.

“THE BIG DEAL” CEO CAUCUS CHALLENGE RIDE
The CEO Caucus of the Government of Belize takes this opportunity to inform the general public of “The Big Deal” CEO Caucus Challenge 2016: Cancer Awareness Ride” which takes place on Saturday 7th May 2016. The Ride will start at Mile 24 on the George Price Highway and concludes at the Showgrounds in the City of Belmopan. Those who have not registered as yet but would like to participate can do so on the morning of the Ride. Registration begins at 5:30 a.m. sharp at Mile 24 and the ride commences at 6:30 a.m. If you have not received your T-Shirt before the ride, it can be picked up at the showgrounds after the ride. Participants from Belize City are advised that a bus will be at the Western Avenue Bus Stop from 4:45 a.m. to load its passengers and will depart sharply at 5:00 a.m. enroute to the starting point for the ride.

Statement by the Honorable Dean Barrow on meetings at OAS Headquarters in Washington and the planned trip to the Sarstoon by the PUP
We greatly appreciate the OAS Secretary-General's statement last night, following his meeting with Belize and Guatemala, which makes clear that both nations are to "adopt a cooperation mechanism as soon as possible to normalize the situation in the Sarstoon River". In other words, the two countries are to agree an operational protocol regarding the Sarstoon, and the statement commends their willingness to do this. As the SG put it, he "welcomed the readiness of both parties to advance in the negotiations of the cooperation mechanism" for the Sarstoon. GOB regards the results of the Washington meeting as something of a breakthrough. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done in order to achieve a satisfactory outcome to the Sarstoon negotiations that have now been mandated between Belize and Guatemala. And we cannot rest content until those negotiations have been finally concluded and there is a formal agreement in writing.

U.S. Embassy Belize PHOTO CONTEST!!!
World Oceans Day is a global day of ocean celebration and collaboration for a better future.This year the U.S. Embassy is accepting submissions for a photo contest in honor of World Oceans Day 2016 and The State Department's Our Ocean Conference next September. Please send us digital photos of groups or individuals standing/jumping/swimming with a sign(s) saying “Our Ocean, One Future” or writing it on the sand at the beach in Belize. First place winner's photo will be featured on the Embassy's website and our Facebook page and the winner will receive an inflatable sea kayak for two as a prize. Second place winner's photo will also be featured on the Embassy's Facebook page and the winner will receive a deluxe reclining beach chair.

U.S. Embassy Belize - Diversity Visa Lottery
Use your confirmation number now to check if you were selected to interview for the Diversity Visa Lottery! Remember, we will NOT send you an email. If you get an email saying that you won, it is a fraud!!!

NICH Music Week 2016!
This year Music Week 2016 will include music industry development seminars, peer-to-peer sessions, and performances. May 16-21. Save the date!

11th Annual Northern Belize Reef Week 2016
May 16-22 in San Pedro

The Cabinet Subcommittee on Investment visits with BNE!
The Cabinet Subcommittee on Investments (CSCI) visited Belize Natural Energy (BNE) along with the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and the Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) in exploring energy investment opportunities on May 6th, 2016. In attendance included the Chair of the Subcommittee, Hon. Tracy Taegar Panton, Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce along with Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation and Hon. Vanessa Retreage, Attorney General at the Attorney General’s Ministry. The BNE team provided the delegation with a very insightful tour of the facilities including the components on oil and gas.

FCD meets with Asociacion Balam
FCD met with Asociacion Balam team of Peten, Guatemala today at the FCD office to forge forward added steps of collaboration across borders. The joint effort continues.

Channel 7

GSU Accused of Southside Beatdowns, But No Arrests
All this week we've been reporting on the spike in southside crime - where we saw three murders in one week. Southside Commander Chester Williams is quick to point out that the murder figure for the southside is still 8 fewer than it was at this time last year, but he also acknowledges that police have to curb the gang activity that's spurring the violence. And so last night just as news was starting, it seems some kind of operation was launched. We know this because our phones here at 7News started ringing off the hook from the Yabra and East Canal areas where residents say the GSU descended on those neighborhoods with great fury. Daniel Ortiz has the story:... Chaos was unleashed when the GSU descended on the Yabra Area last night. While a few officers stood guard, others mercilessly beat down as many as 6 men. But what's strange is no one was arrested, no one detained: the police truck rolled off and left its victims on the ground.

GSU Also Punished Yabra Residents
And while those men were from the Waxhouse area on East Canal - before the GSU got there, they descended on the Barracks at the Corner of Ceasar Ridge and Faber's Roads in the Yabra area. The M.O. was the same in that neighborhood: 6 officers swooped in, they beat up a handful of men, and leave them there to tend to their wounds. We spoke to an area resident by phone - and have footage from that area last night: Voice of: Eye Witness: "They came in 3 trucks and just started to swing. My brother was one of the young men. He does not give any trouble; he is a business man. My brother was knocked out/passed out on the ground. These things are not right because they have ways in dealing with things. They have to realize that there are children out here. They have families and all they do is frustrate men and bring out more anger in them. We as women, we are hardworking, we abide by the rules but the way how they come and treat people, this isn't right. They don't say why, when we try to come in they push my mom and I away. They just came and started to swing and kick; those things are not right. They are in pain; they can't even move when they were done. Those things aren't right, I think those guys have families, how will you be beating up a man like that? Taking men and throwing them in mud and water like that, those things are not right."

Gold Out Of Stone: Guatemalan Gold Rush Is Denuding Chiquibul
Last night we told you about the travel advisory against Belize that the Guatemalan Congress approved. It warns Guatemalan citizens not to travel to Belize because their human rights are likely to be violated by the BDF. Well, minus the BDF nonsense, the Friends For Conservation and Development who co-manage the Chiquibul National Park probably wish that information would get to those communities adjoining the Chiquibul, Guatemalan villages like La Rejoya and Monte Los Olivos. That's because residents of those villages keep pushing over into Belize to illegally extract resources from the Chiquibul Forest. And according to the FCD, right now it's worse than ever with the gold panning. Guatemalan gold panners have dug these trenches to get to the gold. In the past, they would pan gold from the streams, but now they dig trenches, take out the stones, and then crush those stones to get out the gold which may be embedded within the stones. They can get 250 Quetzales or 74 Belize dollars for a gram of gold - which might not seem like much but for Guatemalan peasants, it's a windfall.

PUP Met With Foreign Minister
Yesterday at his press conference, the Prime Minister implored the PUP not to go down to the Sarstoon, and asked them to re-engage for a bi-partisan effort on the Belize-Guatemala issue. He said as much to the leader of the opposition John Briceno in a phone call earlier in the day. And the PUP agreed only to listen. That process started this morning when PUP Leader John Briceno and the party's Belize Guatemala Representative Eamon Courtenay went to Coney Drive to meet with Foreign Minsetr Wilfred Elrington and Belize's Ambassador to Guatemala Alexis Rosado. That meeting lasted about an hour and a half and Briceno would not comment when he came down. Tomorrow, Briceno and Courtenay will report on that meeting to the PUP National Party Council. From there the Party Council will decide if they will re-engage on a bi partisan effort. They will take some convincing, since many in the PUP are bent out of shape about the Sarstoon S.I. and hell-bent on having it rescinded.

Getting The Story Straight: FM and PM
As we told you in our last segment, the PUP will meet tomorrow to decide on whether to re-engage in a bi-lateral effort on the Belize - Guatemala issue. But, the truth is that the PUP National Party Council won't have much to work with. And that's because the "cautious optimism" that government speaks about seems to have more to do with the spirit surrounding the talks - than the actual substance of those talks. We're told the Guatemalan Foreign Minister doesn't have much authority to negotiate. And that absence of real substance at this point, did create an unusual discontinuity in the positions that Prime Minister Dean Barrow, and Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington took when they answered questions from the press. The message appeared somewhat like double speak, with the Prime Minister saying that he doesn't have enough information to get into the details of the Washington Bilateral meetings, and Elrington saying that he did. Here's what moment from the Press conference yesterday:

Room Dis-Service Hotel UCUM
About a month ago, we told you about a businessman and his family who became the victims of a terrifying extortion attempt in Chetumal. Well tonight, another Belizean is coming forward with her own bad experience. She claims that over the Labour Day weekend she went to Chetumal, and she stayed at the popular Hotel Ucum. She says that she and her daughter went to enjoy themselves, after properly securing their room. When they came back, they found that the hotel staff hadn't only cleaned the room, they cleaned them out completely! That's right, they stole all their personal belongings. She immediately reported it to the Mexican Police who investigated and came to the conclusion that it was not forced entry into their hotel room. Someone with a key, most likely a hotel staffer, went in, and stole their belongings.

Leadercast Belize
An event called Leader Cast is one of the largest one-day leadership events in the world. And if you follow the blurbs on the brochure, it's held every year to "unite citizen leaders around the world and inspire them to make a change in areas of business and family." This year's seminar was held in Atlanta Georgia today but it was broadcast live in several other locations including Belize. Dionne Chamberlain Miranda, Director and manager of Chamberlain Consulting led the initiative in Belize. She tells us why she brought LAEADERCAST to Belize. "Belize really is having a leadership vacuum at this point. However, there are a lot of people who believe that being a leader means to hold a certain position. Leadership is about people, leadership is about influence and leadership is about making a change and all of us have to make a change the world and making things matter to leave a legacy behind for ourselves and our children. so this session invites a whole group of Belizeans to come in and lets listen, learn and see what we can do for Belize following the session today."

Fire Training For Southern Farmers
In urban areas such as Belize City, fire is AWLAYS a bad thing, but in rural farming communities, fire is a major part of the harvesting cycle. But, you know what they say about playing with fire, and in the past three years, many of those agricultural fires have escaped and accidentally burned 6,300 acres of forests and also led to the destruction of crops and private property. So the Ya'axché Conservation Trust is teaching farmers how to use fire more effectively. It's called controlling agricultural burns, and on Thursday, Ya'axché partnered with its sister organization, Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), to hold a one-day fire management training in Golden Stream village. 12 farmers participated and here's what they learned:

GSU, Again?
At the top of the news, we told you about how the GSU went to Wax House on East Canal and the Yabra area where they allegedly handed a group of men from both turfs a beatdown. Well, one George Street resident called us today to complain that on Tuesday, the GSU came to her brother's house. He's Eustace Lewis, known as "Duck", and she says that he has been living with constant police harassment. She says that the GSU took it up a notch when they destroyed his home after a raid on Tuesday. Here's how she explained it to us this evening: Voice of Family Member: "I got out of my bed, changed my clothes and came around. When I came out of my yard I saw 2 jeeps with GSU coming up the street so I just continued walking because I didn't want them to come harass my house. When I continued walking and arrived on Plues Street, a next 3-4 trucks with K9 units are out there, so I continued to walk on George Street to go check on my sister-in-law. When I arrived, I saw the gate broken down, door stomped in, back door broken up and the house well dug up. I told her 'this is a lot of craziness; the babies are sleeping'. They act like my brother is the number one criminal on their criminal list. My brother gives trouble yes, but you don't have to be acting like that. If you had any PR, you would have approached better than that. Then the next thing is they still have the tendency to beat my brother, stomp him in his side, got him on the ground, walking up on his back like he's an animal. Those things aren't right. You can't be acting like that, if you want the people and the so-called gang members respect, you have to respect them the same way as well. Not because you classify them as gang members you have to treat them like that."

How To Win a New RAV 4
Plenty of shoppers have been saving up their GST receipts recently, and that's because a receipt for $50 dollars or more gets you a ticket to win a brand new 2016 Toyota RAV 4. Drawing date is July 1st. So if you haven't been collecting those GST receipts well you better start now, because the vehicle is here and it is a beauty. Today we stopped by the GST office and spoke to Supervisor Cecelia Thompson. "The Department of General Sales Tax will be completing 10 years so we are celebrating its anniversary. We thought that it's a good idea, because other countries have done it, to try and get compliance from registered tax payers in the matter of issuing tax receipts. That has been a challenge for the Department, in that a lot of calls come in where consumers are saying that they go to the store and they don't want to give them their receipt. A receipt is very important if you are a consumer, you will find that something you will have to return some goods. Sometimes you reach home and you find that this item is not on your receipt, you'll have to go back to the store and your only proof is the receipt.

7 Samples Later, ZIKA Still Not Confirmed In Belize
6 samples have returned negative for Zika. The Ministry of Health had sent 7 samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency last month, so only one sample remains, but health officials are hopeful that the final sample will be negative as well. In yesterday's health release it reiterates, quote, "The Ministry of Health is still not able to confirm the presence of Zika in Belize but we remain vigilant as we continue to thoroughly investigate any potential case." The samples also tested negative for Dengue and Chikungunya.

A Life For A Life, For "Life"
Dionicio "Life" Salazaar, in 2010, he was charged for the murder of Marlon Rivera and the attempted murder of Dean Dougal. Well, tonight we can report that the man called "Life" will serve life in prison. Salazaar was reportedly convicted in a trial without jury before Justice Antionette Moore. His attorney waived the time for mitigation, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

Teenager For Troy Cole Shooting
A 17 year old minor has been charged for the murder of Troy Cole, known as "Biggs". We can't show his picture, but we can tell you that he will turn 18 tomorrow. Still, he had to appear before the family court, because he is still a minor. But, he will be turned over to the Belize Central Prison by Monday since he will be 18 within the next few hours. In fact, he was taken over to Magistrate's court this afternoon, but as he entered the court, he said he was a minor and he was whisked off back into the police mobile and taken to the Belize Family Court. At 3:30, he appeared before a magistrate there and was read a single charge of murder of Troy Cole. Cole was killed on Wednesday, on Curassow Street.

Guatemalan Cop Car Jacker Got Caught, Convicted
5 weeks ago, we told you about how Cayo Police got back the truck stolen from Assistant Superintendent Selvin Tillett. As you will remember, that's the 2014 Mazda pickup, which ended up in Guatemala after armed thieves held up the senior officer at gunpoint and stole the vehicle. Well, Benque Police are reporting tonight that they've charged 21 year-old Guatemalan Gryan Geovanny Corado. He's a tour guide from Barrio Fallabon, Melchor, and he has been arraigned in Belmopan Magistrate's Court for the crime of robbery. He's now on remand after pleading guilty.

Creole and Cajun, Just Like Belize
Tonight we have the last installment from the New Orleans Feature Series. We have taken you to all the big stages, and shown you the cultural displays beneath the Belize Pavilion Tent, but we have one more element which is the foundation of the entire New Orleans experience: and that's exploring the unique heritage and cultures in New Orleans. Here is that final story. Valerie Gulliet, Cultural Exchange Pavilion Coordinator: "This is the largest event in New Orleans after Mardi Gras, after carnival, so it really presents the culture of New Orleans and Louisiana to the world." Courtney Weatherburne reporting: A large part of that culture is Louisiana Cajun music. All that south western Louisiana flavor was found on the Fai Do DO stage. Now it might just sound like a regular country western song but that is just one example of the musical diversity in New Orleans. Valerie Gulliet, Cultural Exchange Pavilion Coordinator: "Something very unique to New Orleans is the Brass bands that come from the streets, very strong rhythm, definitely influenced by Africa and the Mardi Gras Indians, those are unique to New Orleans."

SUPA G Played Jazzfest and Back Home With New Album
We didn't get to see him perform on the festival's second weekend, but "Supa" hasn't missed a beat since returning - and he's gone from Jazz Fesitval to album launch. He stopped by our studio today to talk about his brand new album called "Undeniable." You can find the album at outlets in Cayo and in online sources like Itunes for $20.

Kache With Griga Roots Makes The NFL
If you know anything about Belizean Sports in the last 20 years, then you'll know who Milton Palacio is. The Belizean son of Dangriga-born parents Clifford and Rita Palacio played in the NBA and European Leagues, and most importantly won gold for Belize in the 1998 CARICOM Games. Well, now, there's a new Palacio who's making his name as a pro athlete, and it's Milton's nephew, Kache Palacio. Kache, who was born in Los Angeles and went to Washington State University where he was a standout linebacker. And though he went undrafted, the news tonight is that he;s been signed by the LA Rams as an undrafted free agent. His father Emile, who went to LA when he was 10 is also his son's personal trainer and he told us that Kache has a promising future in the NFL:..

Man For Step-Son's Murder
43 year-old Security Guard Patrick Castillo, who is accused of viciously chopping his step-son, 21 year-old Jose Maderos to death, will have to stand trial in the Supreme Court. A preliminary Inquiry hearing was held today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer where the prosecution submitted 21 statements from witnesses they intend to call to testify against him. Also a part of the Prosecution's case is the machete which they believe that he committed the crime with, as well articles of clothing picked up at the scene of the murder. Viewers will remember that bloody scene where the stepfather and stepson got into an altercation before the other younger children. A few of the siblings tried to stop the fight, and they got injured in the chopping.

Indian Creek Hybrid Water System
The villages of Indian Church and San Carlos in Orange Walk are the receiptns of a Hybrid Solar Water System. It's one of the first in the region. Here's more. About 500 residents will benefit. The hybrid project was funded by the Government of Belize at a cost of $867,000 dolalrs through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank.

Softball Stars
12 teams, 6 male and 6 female, went head to head in an all-day softball event at the Marion Jones Stadium. It was the national primary school softball competitions. Every year, each district brings out their best to compete at this national level and boy was the competition intense. We stopped by the Marion jones complex this morning as the games go under way. At the end of the tournament these were the top three winners in the female category. In first place it was the Crooked Tree Government School who defended their title. Second place was won by Aguacate RC of Toledo District, and third place was won by Independence of Stann Creek District.

Channel 5

Immigrants Line Up for G.O.B.’s New Refugee Program
Tonight, there are many questions surrounding a very vibrant and current refugee program in Belize, and somehow answers seem very scarce. Every week, hundreds of undocumented immigrants flock to the [...]

Belize Will Possibly Shelter Refugees Heading to the U.S.
So why the sudden urgency for a massive refugee program, or amnesty program of sorts? Is it the result of pressure from the U.S.? It’s possible because it is joined [...]

SATIIM Did Ask for Permission to Go Into the Sarstoon
On Thursday, we told you about a SATIIM trip cut unexpectedly short after rangers were denied entry to the Sarstoon by the Belize Defense Force. The boat carrying rangers was [...]

Party Council Meets to Discuss the Sarstoon and Related Issues
At a press conference on Thursday, the Prime Minister appealed to the People’s United Party to stand down from a visit to the Sarstoon. He asked them to return to [...]

Teenager Charged for Murder of Troy Cole
Late this afternoon, a teenager of Antelope Street Extension was arraigned in the Belize City Family Court for Wednesday’s broad daylight murder of Troy Cole. Cole was riding his bicycle [...]

N.T.U.C.B. Criticizes Sarstoon Law
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize has also come out swinging against the recently enacted Sarstoon Law. This afternoon, the N.T.U.C.B. issued a release decrying the piece of legislation, [...]

Union Has Issues With What Law Represents & How It Was Enacted
The N.T.U.C.B. has taken a singular position chiding government for its outwardly impulsive decision to effect the Sarstoon Law. Its executives, however, were not all sold on the idea that [...]

Still No Charges in Camalote Double Murder
Akeem Thimbriel and Shawn Lopez were laid to rest today in Camalote, after they were gunned down last Sunday as they walked together in the village. The young men were [...]

Ryan Alvarez to Stand Trial for Murder
Almost a month ago, Devon Sankey was freed of the murder of Edward Albert Robinson and the attempted murder of notorious street figure Jamil Betancourt which occurred in October 2015 [...]

The People Speak on the Sarstoon
Earlier you heard the N.T.U.C.B. President come out against the amended regulations under Section Two of the Public Safety Act, which prohibits Belizeans from traveling to the Sarstoon River without [...]

Belize & Guatemalan Ombudsmen Discuss Chiquibul Incident
There are still few details on a meeting in Washington between the Foreign Ministers of Belize, Guatemala and the O.A.S. Secretary General. All we know is that there was a [...]

Arzu Says Chiquibul Incident Should Be Handled in Isolation
Now, Guatemala has been on an aggressive campaign, passing itself off as a victim and Belize as an aggressor. It has been telling the world that ten Guatemalans have been [...]

Ombudsmen Will Continue Discussions on Critical Issues
Ombudsman Arzu says that it is necessary to keep tabs on what his Guatemalan counterparts are up to and to keep the lines of communication open. Lionel Arzu, Ombudsman [...]

Cleyon Needs a Bone Marrow Transplant
Twelve-year old Cleyon Marage continues to struggle to stay alive. So far he has undergone several surgeries in Merida to fight cancer and it appeared that his health condition was [...]

Family Raising Funds for Expensive Procedure
Now, the bone marrow transplant to save Cleyon’s life costs one hundred thousand dollars – money that the family does not have. So next week Saturday, May fourteenth, the Matura [...]

Kareem Clarke Food Drive Set for Saturday
The Kareem Clarke Memorial Fund will be holding its second scheduled food drive on Saturday in Belize City. The group was formed to celebrate the life of slain journalist Kareem [...]

Belize Zoo Celebrates National Tapir Day
National Tapir Day is the biggest event of the Belize Zoo’s calendar year; it is recognized every year on April twenty-seventh. But the day was commemorated this past Thursday with [...]

Where is 13 Year Old Shinique Perez?
Thirteen-year-old Shinique Perez has been reported missing by her mother for the past nine days. The teenager has reportedly run away from home and was last seen in the Saint [...]

LOVE FM

Belize Simulcasts Leadercast 2016
Representatives from a number of organizations participated in the annual simulcast of Leadercast 2016. The event was hosted by Chamberlain Consulting from Belize City. The simulcast brought live from Atlanta in the United States. The theme for this year is “Architects of tomorrow.” Teresita Perez Martinez, Chief Implementation Consultant of Chamberlain Consulting spoke to Love […]

Vox Pop: Residents Weigh in on Belize/Guatemala Issue
The Belize Guatemala issue has been in the headlines for the last few weeks. The latest we heard from officials was yesterday when Prime Minister Dean Barrow updated the nation on the recent talks held in Washington. Today Love News took to the streets to hear what people think about the issue. At yesterday’s press […]

Vox Pop – Do You Feel Safe in City Streets?
The last week has seen a spike in crime in the Belize and Cayo Districts. Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the media yesterday that the Police is making every effort to make residents feel safe within Belize City. Today Love News took to the streets of busy Belize City to ask residents if […]

Fuel Prices Goes Up at Midnight
April 19 marks the last report we brought to you surrounding the fuel prices. Tonight at midnight, however, you can expect some changes at the pumps. Regular is going up to nine dollars and twelve cents; that is an increase of twenty five cents per gallon. For premium, that increase is for twenty five cents […]

CRFM Hosts Meeting to Establish New Study on Fisheries
Belize is taking part in a series of meetings that began yesterday in Bridgetown, Barbados hosted by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM). The meeting seeks to chart the course for a new study that will look at the impacts of rising cost factors of fishing operations. Those factors include labor, fuel, fishing gear, repair […]

Health Sector Prepares to Celebrate Nurses’ Week 2016
Next week will be celebrated as Nurses week, set aside to recognize the contributions that nurses make to the community. This morning on the Morning Show, Michelle Hoare, Director of Nursing Services at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital spoke about some of the activities that have been planned. Today, Love News visited the KHMH […]

Food Drive for Kareem Clarke Fund
Kareem Clarke is a news reporter who was gunned down on July 6, 2015 in Belize City. His brutal murder left the media circles incomplete. With a longing to never forget Kareem, the various media houses met and came up with the Kareem Clarke Fund. It is an initiative that seeks to provide for feeding […]

Four Found Guilty of Burglarizing Philip Garbutt’s Home
Four persons charged with a burglary in which over thirty seven thousand dollars worth of items and money were stolen, were found guilty of the charge today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. They are Lloyd Parchue, Malik Ovado, Cilo Cherrington and Kareem Yorke. Parchue and Yorke were each sentenced to five years imprisonment while Cherrington […]

Fined for Selfie at Chetumal Border
Ordinarily, an incident like this would not make the local news but considering how close to home the Subteniente Lopez border is to Belize, we thought we would report on it for both the occasional and frequent traveler. According to a newspaper out of Quintana Roo , Mexico a family was returning from the Corozal […]

Three Rural Schools Top Softball Championship
The national Primary School Softball Championships began today in Belize City. Over a hundred students gathered at the Marion Jones Stadium from across the country to compete. Attending the event was Minister of State in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Elodio Aragon. He spoke to Love news on the event. Aragon spoke on […]

PlusTV

No Zika, Says Ministry of Health
There is no ZIKA in Belize says that the Ministry of Health. Today, the Ministry of Health received results from Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on an initial case that was of significant interest in the ongoing investigation to determine the existence of indigenous transmission of the Zika ...

Belmopan Squatters told to leave
The Belmopan City Council has been fighting the increase in squatting in the City, particularly in the San Martin, Maya Mopan, and Las Flores areas. Some six months ago, another set of squatters were identified in the SalvaPan area and told to get off the land within a six month period. During that...

PM says cautiously optimistic about meeting with OAS and Guatemala FM
A press conference was called once again today to update the nation on meetings between Belize and Guatemala. Prime Minister Barrow began by reading a prepared statement. He called the meeting with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, and Guatemala’s Foreign Mi...

Belize Health Care Partners says Assistant Compol statement endangers them
The Belize Health Care partners issued a press release today saying that it denies allegations made by Assistant Comissioner of Polcie to the press that the Belize Integral Health Center denied treatment to Troy Cole who was shot and killed on May 4, 2016. The Belize Health Care partners relsease sa...

Update on Refugee influx
Last Friday, Plus News, visited the Belmopan offices of Help For Progress, an NGO which claims to be dedicated to rural community development but also doubles as a refugee clearing house for UNHCR; United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Last week, our journalists observed lines of Hispanic men...

24 firefighters join national service
Today was graduation day for 24 trainees who are now firefighters for the National Fire Service.This is the first course graduation ceremony for 2016. The training the all-male group received included understanding the origin and development of fire and the specific techniques used to contain it. Ho...

Improved access to potable water in Indian Church/San Carlos
Approximately 500 residents of Indian Church/San Carlos villages in the Orange Walk district will now have easier access to potable water . That’s because of the installation of a hybrid solar water project which was funded by the Government of Belize at a cost of $867,333.29 through a loan from t...

The Reporter

href="http://www.reporter.bz/general/lgbti-community-to-hold-human-rights-workshop/">LGBTI community to hold human rights workshop
The Collaborative Network of Persons Living with HIV (C-NET+), is hosting a workshop for members of the LGBTI community this month, geared towards promoting a sense of unity among community members. The workshop, a follow-up to an initial event held in late April, will be held on May 28. At the event, participants will be expected to present their results and feedback on the community engagement when replicating the information from the initial two-day workshop. The workshop forms a part of a larger project, dating back to December 2015 where C-NET+, received approval for funding from the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) Community Mini-Grants in order to engage in a project known as Empowering Individuals, Building a Community. The overall project was geared towards three (3) major interventions: Stigma and Discrimination Campaigns, Human Rights Education and Awareness campaigns and peer education.

Leadercast 2016 comes to Belize
More than 160 people from various organizations gathered at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel on Friday for the international seminar Leadercast 2016. The event, a live stream of a seminar happening in Atlanta Georgia, gathers over 100,000 participants worldwide to hear speeches reflecting the year’s theme. The 2016 theme is “Architects of Tomorrow.” The conference had four segments, two presenters per segment, followed by discussion sessions with local moderators at the end of each segment. There was also a “Mastermind” session at the end for anyone who wants to remain and discuss what actions would be taken post seminar. Participants listened to presentations from world renowned speakers such as: Steve Wozniak, CoFounder of Apple; James Brown, Network Broadcaster for CBS Sports & News; and Kat Cole, Group President of Focus Brands. The local special moderators included Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley, and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Daniel Gutierrez.

The Belize Times

Tek Back Sarstoon!
PUP National Executive during meeting on Tuesday May 3, 2016[/caption] Belize City, May 05, 2016 People’s United Party Leader Hon. John Briceño announced on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 that the Party of George Price and Independence will be rolling up its sleeves and taking direction action to assert and defend Belize’s national integrity and sovereignty against the threats inside and out. Briceño revealed that the Party’s National Executive made a decision to go to the Sarstoon area in an effort to defy the Government of Belize’s attempt to restrain the right of every Belizean to move freely throughout Belize with the recent imposition of a law which prohibits travelling to the Sarstoon. The decision was also taken in light of the Barrow Administration’s consistently shameful failure to adequately assert Belize’s territorial waters in the Sarstoon, as demarcated by international law and boundary treaties. "As a national executive and members from parliament, we decided that it's important for us to show to the government and to the country that we do not agree with the law and we are going to challenge it, not only by talking but going on the ground, going to the Sarstoon River," declared the PUP Leader.

Two Women Murdered; Shooter Attempts Suicide
Security guard Andy Bustillos, 31, is currently under Police guard at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital under heavy police guard. When he recovers from the self-inflicted wound to the head, Bustillos will be charged for the murders of his common-law wife, Miriam Mai, 39, and her employee Daisy Miralda, 29, as well as for attempts to kill two others. The bizarre incident happened at around 5:30pm at Betty’s Salon, owned by Mai. Eyewitnesses claim that Bustillos walked into the establishment with a bag that allegedly contained a phone. He attempted to give the bag to Mai, but she refused. That’s when the security guard, employed with Anchor Security, pulled out a licensed 9mm pistol and shot Daisy Miralda in the forehead. He then allegedly pointed his weapon in the face of a female customer and pulled the trigger, but the gun snapped.

8 MURDERS IN 5 DAYS – Another Gang Figure Gunned Down
On April 16, 2016 George Street boss Gerald “Shiny” Tillett was executed down as he gambled at the Wadani Shed in Dangriga. And over the weekend another gang figure, Supal Street affiliate Keon “Gambis” Williams, 38, was killed in broad daylight as he rode his motorcycle on Central American Boulevard on Saturday at around 5:30pm. According to Police, Williams was at the corner of Antelope Street and Central American Boulevard when a “whitish” four door Lincoln drove past and somebody opened fire from the open passenger side window. Williams was shot to the back, neck and shoulder and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Karl Heusner memorial Hospital. On Saturday Police Scenes of Crimes markers dotted the scene, and eyewitnesses claimed that as many as 12 shots were fired out of the vehicle.

THINK ABOUT IT
Hiding behind the skirt of the Governor General, the government rushed through a law on Friday 29 April, 2016. The purpose of the law was to prevent Wil Maheia and members of his territorial volunteers from visiting the Sarstoon River on Saturday 30 April, 2016. The law is unconstitutional as well as immoral. It is an act of cowards in government. In preventing the volunteers from going on the Sarstoon River, the Police couldn’t even invoke the stupid law. Instead they used the very same pretext used by Guatemala last March 2015, when a boat load of volunteers were towed by Guatemala navy over to Livingston in Guatemala. The excuse for this illegal action was that it was for the safety of the Belizeans who were overloading the boat. Police, BDF Soldiers and Coastguards stood on the pier in Barranco to prevent Wil Maheia and members of the Territorial Volunteers from getting on boats to go on the Sarstoon River. Even if the Volunteers had pushed the Police and soldiers off the pier, there were no boats. The Police and Coastguards had arrested/detained the boats and the captains “for their own safety” and had taken them to Punta Gorda Town.

A Day For Mothers
There are two days out of the year, when almost every man will put aside machismo and indulge in the noble art of chivalry. On these two days, the most macho of men might be seen ambling down the street; a tattoo on one arm and a bunch of flowers in the other. The first of these two days of endearment falls on the fourteenth of February and on the second Sunday in May. This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day and as we have done traditionally and collectively since way back in the days of old, mankind takes a bow to the mothers. The tradition of setting a day aside to honour mothers began early in the days of civilization. The Ancient Greeks and Romans had a day in honour of Rhea, the mothers of their gods. After Paganism gave way to Monotheism, the celebration turned to the extolment of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. The first semblance to our now Mother’s Day celebration, can be traced back to Renaissance England when young men and women who were off serving as apprentices or servants would return home for a day, bringing their mothers token gifts of appreciation. The boys would bring trinkets and the girls would bake what was called a mothering cake. The day was generally referred to as Mothering Sunday.

Barrow’s Cowardly Act
Last week, while senior security officials were in tense negotiations with the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) in an attempt to dissuade them from carrying out a patriotic trip to the Sarstoon area on Saturday April 30th, the Governor General on the advice of Prime Minister Dean Barrow signed into law an unprecedented legislation that placed an effective ban on travelling to the entire Sarstoon area. For the first time in Belize’s history and the history of Guatemala’s baseless claim including its recent belligerent actions against our country, the Belize Government is on the same side as the Guatemalan Government, forcefully prohibiting Belizeans from accessing Belizean territory. This was the principal effect of Statutory Instrument 42 of 2016…to “prohibit persons and vessels, without lawful authority, from entering into Belize’s portion of the Sarstoon River”.

SMART Hurricanes spanks S.P. Tigersharks in finals Gm 1
The SMART Hurricanes battered the two-time defending champions, the San Pedro Tigersharks, in game one of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) championship finals held at the Belize Elementary School auditorium in Belize City on Friday night. The Hurricanes blew away the Tiger Sharks 93-84. Team captain Darwin “Puppy” Leslie led the attack on his former teammates with 25pts, while MVP Farron Louriano added 24pts and Leroy Louriano scored 17pts. Tiger Sharks’ Andrew “Bynum” Ortiz scored 20pts, while Douglas Valley hit 17pts and team captain Tyrone “Mission” Edwards added 13pts.

Central Zone wins most medals at athletics championship
athletes participated in the athletics championships hosted by Independence High School last Saturday April 23rd. The Central Zone won 22 gold, 22 silver and 14 bronze medals, while the Southern Zone was 2nd with 45 medals: 17 golds, 13 silver and 15 bronze. The Northern Zone was 3rd with 5 golds, 9 silver and 10 bronze medals. The Western zone was 4th with 5 golds, 8 silver and 10 bronze medals.

Belmopan Bandits are 2016 Premier League Champs
The Belmopan Bandits are the 2016 Premier League of Belize (PLB) football champions, after a 2-0 win against the Placencia Assassins in Game 2 of the championship finals at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan last Saturday night. Bandits’ Honduran import Kervin Johnson scored the first goal in the 33rd minute, picking up the rebound after Placencia goalie Anthony Williams deflected a shot from Brazilian import Amilton Filho. Randy Padilla came off Bandits’ bench to score the 2nd goal in the 85th minute and that was all she wrote for the Assassins.

Marlon Kuylen is FFB’s Interim President
The Football Federation of Belize held elections this past Saturday in Belize City, and in an extraordinary turn of events, after voting was deadlocked for 22 rounds, Senior Vice President Marlon Kuylen was selected by default to lead the federation for the next year. The decision was made by FIFA after the international body was contacted for advice by UNCAF and CONCACAF representatives overseeing the elections. The race for control of the organization has been a hostile one for months, with slates put up by incumbent President Ruperto Vicente and Senior Vice President Sergio Chuc – both going for President in Saturday’s elections. After two rounds of voting, Kuylen was elected Senior Vice President, along with Shane Orio and Darlene Vernon elected as Executive Members. But the twenty voting delegates were deadlocked on the selection of a Second Vice President and President, for 20 more rounds.

Duo charged for stealing St. Martin’s De Porres Church motorcycle
Two Belize City body works technicians were released on bail after they were arraigned on charges of theft and handling stolen goods this afternoon, when they appeared at the Magistrate’s Court. Randolph Belisle, 20, a resident of Iguana Street Extension and his alleged partner in crime, Hector Pratt, 20, a resident of Vernon Street both pleaded not guilty to one count of theft. Belisle was additionally charged with one count of handling stolen goods. The allegation against the two men is that they stole a red Lifan motorcycle which is the property of St. Martin’s De Porres Church. In court, the prosecutor Inspector Hector Rodriguez objected to granting bail to the two men. Rodriguez told the court that the evidence that the prosecution has against the two men is very strong, because their theft was captured on a video surveillance camera.

True Belizeans Heroes
If not for the pressure brought to bear by the Belize Territorial Volunteers and the Northern Territorial Volunteers, there would be no Forward Operating Base at the mouth of the Sarstoon River right now. If not for the BTV and the NTV, Sedi and company would still have been sipping cocktails and singing songs by the Guatemalan campfire while we lost the Sarstoon. Yet the government continues to blame the Territorial Volunteers for the mess they are in. I remember when our men, women and children from Orange Walk made the trek to the Southern Border to show their love and patriotism. They were taken out of safe Belizean waters by the Guatemalan military and forced to travel across rough, open seas to Livingston in Guatemala. Their lives were put at risk. Do you know what our government did and said? Nothing. They did nothing. Instead Sedi Elrington said that the Guatemalans rescued Belizeans and took them to Livingston for their safety – an absolute LIE. Sometimes Sedi behaves like he is more Guatemalan than Belizean.

Remarks by Leader of the People’s United Party Hon. John Briceño on the Occasion of the Unveiling Ceremony of the Monument of the Rt. Hon. George Price
A few blocks from here in an ordinary grave, rests a humble man. In fact every day thousands of Belizeans drive or ride by and may not even remember that it is there except on those days when people from my Party go to lay a wreath. This man never really wanted any special titles, he did not have a lot of fancy degrees, nor was he ever considered a materially wealthy man. All his life he considered himself to be a hard worker. We knew him as a humble man, who dedicated his life to our nation. Today we come to honour this worker who became the Father of our Nation. I am so happy that His Worship Mayor Bradley invited me to be a part of this unveiling ceremony, for it is a historic occasion. I believe that because of this monument, many who just ride by that humble grave every day may now have this structure as a reminder of the life and work of the Right Honourable George Cadle Price.

Fisherman remanded on aggravated assault with a firearm charge
A Belize City fisherman was remanded to the Belize Central Prison, after he was arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court on a charge of aggravated assault with a firearm and wounding on Tuesday, May 3rd. Shane Young, 23, a resident of Pinks Alley pleaded not guilty, when Magistrate Deborah Rogers arraigned him on the two charges. Because Young was accused of committing the aggravated assault with a firearm, he was unable to obtain bail and the Magistrate’s Court, but must wait 90 days in prison before he becomes eligible for bail at the Magistrate’s Court or hire an attorney to apply for Supreme Court bail.

Did the Police try to sabotage case against Denny Grijalva?
Denny Grijalva, the UDP politician from Orange Walk Central, and his company DeMars have been fined $24,000 for the reckless destruction of Noh Mul, the 2,300 old Mayan site in the outskirts of the Orange Walk District. Apparently while Belizeans saw a cultural monument in Noh Mul, Grijalva’s construction company saw nothing but road material. The sentence on this case is a slap on wrist for such an irreversible and irreparable act of cultural genocide but under this animal farm-style government which the UDP has us living in, where some are more equal than others, the fact that a UDP politician was caught red-handed in criminal wrong-doing and was prosecuted to the end is a big deal. After all, the odds were against lady justice on this one. Not only is Grijalva a UDP Standard Bearer, but he’s also one who serves under Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega who wields tremendous influence over the Police in Orange Walk Town.

Camalote Cousins Murdered Senselessly
Belmopan Police have three persons detained, one of them a female, following the brutal killing of two Camalote youth on Sunday night. Akeem Thimbriel and Shawn Lopez, who are cousins, were walking toward Lopez’s home in the village when they were both riddled with bullets fired from a vehicle which drove up beside them. An eyewitness has said that even as the youth fell to the ground bleeding, the men, dressed in camouflage, exited the vehicle as if to make sure they were dead. But as residents started emerging from the homes the men drove off in what has been tentatively identified as a late model grey two-door Ford pickup. Thimbriel and Lopez were rushed to the Western Regional Hospital. Lopez was pronounced dead on arrival, while Thimbriel survived almost an hour and a half before passing away.

Paumen to stand trial for Abetment to Murder
On Monday April 25th 2016 in Belmopan, Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith ruled that there is enough evidence for millionaire Dark Knight Cave Tubing owner Bradley Paumen to stand trial in the Supreme Court on 4 counts of Abetment to Murder. Paumen was accused in January 2016 of orchestrating and paying for a hit on businessman Michael Modiri, his local attorney, his bodyguard and an employee. The sensational case of murder for hire allegedly centered on a piece of land which Paumen must use to access Dark Knight’s caves located in Frank’s Eddy in the Cayo District. That piece of land belongs to Michael Modiri, who recently won a judgment against Paumen in the Supreme Court in which Paumen was found guilty of trespassing.

GOB Sabotages BTV’s Trip to Sarstoon
On Saturday heavily armed members of the Special Patrol Unit and uniformed police officers, along with Coast Guard personnel, refused to allow members of the Belize Territorial Volunteers to get on the wooden pier in Barranco. That dock was to have been the disembarkation point from which the BTV would head to the Sarstoon, located just fifteen minutes South from Toledo’s southernmost community and home of the legendary Andy Palacio. The dock was off-limits on that day, though, and even if it weren’t, there were no boats to ferry the BTV to the Sarstoon. Those boats had been turned back by joint Police/Coast Guard operations earlier that morning. According to BCG Commander Elton Bennett, the boats were deemed unsafe because of several infractions including a lack of life-vests and fire-extinguishers, so the Coast Guard could not allow members of the expedition to risk their lives in them.

PM beefs up security at residence
Security at the Prime Minister’s residence on Seashore Drive in Belize City increased over the weekend. On Saturday, April 30 through to Sunday May 1st, Police Officers set up a check point in front of his residence, while the coast guard personnel remained on vessels moored some 300 yards from the sea coast in front of the Prime Minister’s house. Reliable sources indicate that the security measures were taken after the Police “received credible information” that a group of Belizeans may have been planning to carry out a small protest outside the Prime Minister’s residence following the Government’s disruption of the Belize Territorial Volunteer’s trip to the Sarstoon area on Saturday. The BTV members were irate that the Prime Minister had introduced a law specially designed to sabotage their efforts.

Interesting times we live in…
All over the world fuel prices have gone down as oil prices maintain an unprecedented low of around $35 – $40 per barrel. But for some strange reason, pump prices in Belize keep going up. Right now Premium and Regular fuel cost exactly the same – about $9.06. Imagine that. Imagine something else. In a few weeks the government will probably have to pay Lord Ashcroft close to $200M. Maybe more. All because the Prime Minister thought he knew everything. He thought he was so smart that he could play in the same ring as the big boys and win. He lost. Well, actually we lost because WE will have to pay that money, not the Prime Minister and not the UDP. Can you say RECESSION? And can you say trouble in paradise? The UDP is shaking on its lightweight foundation right before our eyes. Gaspar Vega has bid farewell to politics. You don’t believe that crap about it being because of family. You see, Margarito Gaspar Vega is a businessman. He knows how to make money, and all these years he has made HUGE money and gotten wealthier like you wouldn’t believe.

Hard Knocks
When the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday that Sedi Elrington was meeting with the Guatemalans in Washington, there was no immediate sense of relief or confidence that Belize’s interests would be promoted. For a long time now Sedi has been a little confused where Belize’s interests are concerned. He can’t seem to see that clear line between our interests and their interests. When Sedi says all is well, it is time to time to worry, maybe even time to panic. The last round of discussions our FM had with Guatemala, he told us how great they were – really nice people, respectful and mature and oh how they love Belize and want to be our friends. And we lost the Sarstoon easy as that. This time, God forbid, Sedi might come back smiling and then we find out down the line we lost Barranco.

Morales lashes out at Barrow
In a strongly-worded press release issued on Wednesday afternoon, the Government of Guatemala lashed out at Prime Minister Dean Barrow for statements made at a press conference he held in Belmopan yesterday. The release accuses Barrow of deflecting attention and “attempting to justify” the shooting death of the Guatemalan national, 13 year old Julio Rene Alvarado Ruano at the hands of Belizean soldiers. In the release, the Guatemalan Government informs that it has lobbied for the Organisation of American States to appoint “an ad-hoc Commission of Inquiry” to investigate the shooting. Guatemalan officials have launched severe criticism and attacks on Belize’s security forces. This campaign continued in their most recent statement.

UB Student writes on Belize/Guatemala Dispute
Dear Editor, I am a 20yr old Belizean student at the University of Belize in Belmopan, doing my 2nd year of studies for a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. I write in respect to the issue of the unfounded Guatemalan claim on Belize. I gather that the different media outlets as well as the other public forums have been inundated with public opinions and sentiments on this issue, whether the positions brought forward are ‘informed’ and supported by evidence or are just mere frustrated rants. Growing up in Belize, I always knew from primary school that there is an existing and sustained claim on Belize by neighboring Guatemala, but also understood that Belize appreciated the diplomacy with which the matter was treated, as there had not been any military advancement or any other advancement to effect or influence a volatile situation which would result in war.

Chamber holds AGM, elects new Executive Council
The 96th Annual General Meeting of the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry was held on Thursday, April 28th, at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina. As this is an election year, the room was bursting at the seams with attendees to support the potential councilor of their choice. The evening commenced with our anthem, prayer and welcome address by our VP of Commerce, Mr. Marcello Blake. The Year in Review video presentation displayed highlights and accomplishments of 2015 which included the successes of our members, our CRM award from the ILO valued at €20,000, participation in continued public/private dialogue, and our staple Expos. Guest Speaker, Hon. Tracy Taegar Panton delivered a comprehensive address on the ways in which the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce is working to enhance the process of doing business locally and globally. Her personal challenge was to increase and sustain the national GDP rate to at least 3% and to work with the private sector in achieving deliverables that will be favourable for a prosperous business environment.

Sedi holds secret talks with Guatemala – No Opposition representative at meetings
Belize’s worst Foreign Minister Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington is holding secret talks with Guatemalan officials in Washington, U.S., this week. Elrington has been tasked by the Prime Minister to work out another compromise with Guatemala who recently ratcheted up their aggression against Belize following the fatal shooting of a 13 year old Guatemalan deep inside Belize’s western territory on April 21st, 2016. In response, Guatemala’s President Jimmy Morales instructed an amassing of troops along our borders with Guatemala, and that the military take full control of the entire Sarstoon River.

Breaking Belize News

Social Security Board avoids shutdown by employees
Today employees of the Social Security Board across the country had planned a shutdown of the organization’s operations at 3 in the afternoon. In October of 2015, SSB employees had tried to get Government to attend to issues of their collective bargaining agreement, weeks […]

17-year-old spends birthday in jail on murder charge
A boy will become a man in the Wagner’s Youth Facility this weekend, then join the adult population at the Central Prison by Monday. And while we cannot tell you his name, we can say tonight that he was arraigned this morning for the […]

Still no Zika in Belize
There is still no trace of Zika in Belize but the Ministry of Health is remaining vigilant, the government informed today. GOB said the Ministry of Health has received results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) of a sample which tested negative. Another […]

Cloudy skies and few showers today
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting cloudy or partly cloudy skies with a few light showers over the sea and in the South this morning, becoming isolated later today and tonight. Winds will be blowing from the North to Northeast at 5-15 knots and […]

Guatemalan Congress tells citizens not to come to Belize: are they serious?
It appears the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala has taken a stand on its citizens coming to Belize. Following a vote, a resolution was passed warning Guatemalan citizens of the dangers of traveling to Belize because of the likelihood of human rights violations […]

NTUCB marks Labour Day, speaks out about concerns
On Monday, Belize observed Labour Day, the celebration of workers generally and their contributions to the nation. On May 1, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) hosted a parade and rally in Belize City. President Marvin Mora tells us it was not well-attended, and […]

City Council labours for Belize
The annual Labour for Belize initiative of the Belize City Council took place this past weekend. For the last five years, the clean-up campaign has mainly taken place on streets and highways in the Old Capital; however, the city council decided to change locations this […]

Police enforcing liquor license regulations
Many store owners in Belize City say they are losing business because of the 9p.m. lockdown of businesses imposed by Officer Commanding Eastern Division South, Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams in the wake of the killing of Gerald “Shiny” Tillett. On Wednesday during the weekly Meet and Greet […]

Blogs

5 Cheap Fares to Belize in June – Sink Your Claws into Tickets for Lobster Season!
Airfare to Belize has never been cheaper. At least not in my 10 years of visiting. It is almost shocking to run your numbers for a trip…I love to use Kayak.com and now Southwest.com (remember that they are not on the consolidator sites)…to find prices under $500…under $400…to and from the UNITED STATES! So, Coconut Leo, island celebrity looks into your future and he sees…BELIZE! Take advantage of some flights! These might not match your city or schedule exactly but you are picking up what I am laying down, right?

Belize as a whole is not trending
If you look online, there are countless articles that detail how great the travel industry in Belize is doing. And unfortunately, a lot of people believe it. For example, see Travel Pulse’s post: Tourism in Belize is booming and has the numbers to prove it or the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s Tourism Arrivals on the Rise in Belize. Honestly, what rubbish. I do not know if I was skeptical about those headlines because my cynicism increased due to grad school or because the Belize government keeps underinvesting in tourism development. So I set forth to see how well tourism is actually doing in all of Belize and in short, the results show that there are winners, losers, and huge losers. An analysis of the visitor percentage change from 2006 to 2014 shows that the leading tourism destination within Belize is Ambergris Caye with 43%. That basically suggests that Ambergris Caye is by far the greatest winner when it comes to an increase of tourism visitors, and in layman terms, that means that Ambergris Caye is making all the money. Basically, the above suggests that for the past decade, places such as Ambergris Caye and the coastal regions of Southern Belize have received a lot more tourist dollars than Western and Northern Belize. The implications of this may not seem like a huge issue, however, a lot more Belizeans are currently reliant on the tourism industry than 10 years ago. What irritates me the most is that with the growth of the tourism industry, and countless new hotels and tours operators adding to the tax coffers of the government, the Belize Tourism Board continues to do a lousy job at promoting the entire country. Someone needs to tell them that Belize is more than island and beach activities.

Mango Yogurt Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray. Add onion and bell pepper; saute for 3-4 minutes, or until tender. Add garlic and mango, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until mango is tender. Season with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix yogurt, milk, and flour together; add yogurt mixture to sauteed mango and peppers. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, or until mixture begins to boil and thicken.

Visiting Sarteneja in Northern Belize
Located in the far north of the country in Belize’s Corozal District, Sarteneja is officially the country’s largest village with approximately 4,500 inhabitants. From a Mayan name meaning “water between the rocks,” the village has several freshwater wells. First settled by the Maya more than 2,600 years ago, today the village is home to a mixture of Mexican migrants from the nearby Yucatan peninsula, expats from North America, and descendants of the ancient Maya. Due to Sarteneja’s position on the Bay of Corozal, it is the only place in Belize where you can watch the sun set over water. Still the home of fisherman and lobstermen, the village is also renowned for its artisan boatbuilders. Another important local industry is pineapple farming. Sarteneja is located in the northeastern tip of Corozal District in northern Belize approximately 40 miles north of Orange Walk Town.

International Sources

US Embassy Guatemala's Ambassador Todd Robinson
Along with members of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs addressed issues on transparency and justice with the Guatemalan Attorney-General and head of Ministerio Público de Guatemala, Thelma Alda and the commissioner of the CICIG – Comisión Internacional contra la Impunidad en Guatemala, Ivan Velasquez.

A Top Conservation Funder Shifts to Give New Attention to Fisheries and Plastic Trash
The Oak Foundation is moving away from its regional approach on marine conservation funding, recently setting up an endowment as it leaves Belize. It’s part of a shift toward a broader global conservation strategy. Oak is a big international player in environmental philanthropy, with split focuses on climate and marine conservation. It’s embarking on some major environment program strategic changes starting this year, most recently marked by the announcement of a $10 million endowment the funder is setting up as it transitions away from its work in Belize and the surrounding region. The foundation’s refocus is indicative of the huge interest right now in reforming fisheries among the world’s major marine funders, and the rising concern over accumulated plastic pollution, but also Oak’s aspirations for broader presence. As part of the change, the funder is beginning to wind down its 20-year commitment to marine conservation in Belize, which has previously racked up $46 million in grants to 78 groups. They’ve made a lot of progress in marine protected areas, species protection, and monitoring and management plans, and the foundation is shuttering its Belize offices this summer.

Cost of fishing in the Caribbean to be assessed under CRFM and FAO study
The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) is convening a meeting of fisheries experts to chart the course for a new study to look at the impacts of rising cost factors of fishing operations, such as labor, fuel, fishing gear, repair and maintenance, and capital. The expert working group, which met in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Thursday and Friday, included fisheries experts from CRFM member states, the CRFM Secretariat, the private sector and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the partner agency for the initiative. The consultant for the project, Claudia Stella Beltrán Turriago, an economist, joined the experts in Barbados, to agree on the best methodology to carry out the study. They also selected beneficiary countries that will be targeted for fieldwork and remote surveys, which will entail surveys of small-scale and industrial fishers, suppliers, traders and exporters. After the study is completed, a policy brief will be prepared for action by Caribbean leaders. The brief will highlight the major findings and recommendations, including policy options and strategies to increase efficiency, productivity and sustainability of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, while reducing economic risks.

Videos

Maya Mountain Research Farm - About Us, 5.5min. This is a brief overview of the things that we do here at MMRF. If you want to visit and learn more about any of the subjects mentioned.

Mascarenhas Mulching Method - Maya Mountain Research Farm, 3min. Here we explain the famous mulching method that we call the "Mascarenhas Mulching Method". Using banana and plantain trunks after harvest of the fruit. Try it yourself with any biomass you have access to.

JUNGLE LOVE | Belize Adventure, 2min. We had an absolute blast the last day in Belize with our friends Frink & Tova. Not knowing really what to expect once we hiked a mountain, to find a little paradise hidden at the top! The view was breath taking! We could see the ocean from the top! It is an adventure we will never forget! On our way back down the mountain side, Austin spotted a BABY armadillo!

Belize 2015, 11.5min. Things that keep us busy in Belize.

Belize Barrier Reef- April 2016, 36min. Video from mine and Fritz's 9 dives in the Belize Barrier Reef, including the Blue Hole. Enjoy!

May 6, 2016

National Classification System for Accommodation Stakeholder Consultations Schedule

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Commonwealth Secretary-General asserts commitment to Belize
Recently installed Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Janet Scotland made an official visit to Belize from Thursday, April 28th through Monday, May 2nd. Her visit to Belize was the first leg of her official tour of the Commonwealth Caribbean countries. During her stay in Belize, she met with Prime Minister Right Honourable Dean Barrow and other senior government officials. Baroness Scotland also called an urgent meeting of the ministerial committee on the Belize-Guatemala border dispute in an immediate response to Belize’s border crisis. The decision to speed up the meeting was made after Secretary-General Scotland met with Governor General Sir Colville Young, Barrow, and Leader of the Opposition John Briceño. The committee, which includes eight foreign ministers and is chaired by Barbados, was created by heads of government in 1977 to address urgent issues of its members. As a result, the Commonwealth Ministerial Committee in Belize is expected to meet months before their scheduled September 2016 forum to discuss recent troubling developments in the boundary disagreement.

Statement by the Honorable Dean Barrow on meetings at OAS Headquarters in Washington and the planned trip to the Sarstoon by the PUP
We greatly appreciate the OAS Secretary-General’s statement last night, following his meeting with Belize and Guatemala, which makes clear that both nations are to “adopt a cooperation mechanism as soon as possible to normalize the situation in the Sarstoon River”. In other words, the two countries are to agree an operational protocol regarding the Sarstoon, and the statement commends their willingness to do this. As the SG put it, he “welcomed the readiness of both parties to advance in the negotiations of the cooperation mechanism” for the Sarstoon. GOB regards the results of the Washington meeting as something of a breakthrough. Of course, there is still a lot of work to be done in order to achieve a satisfactory outcome to the Sarstoon negotiations that have now been mandated between Belize and Guatemala. And we cannot rest content until those negotiations have been finally concluded and there is a formal agreement in writing. But there is no doubt that progress has been made. And that progress vindicates, among other things, the recent actions of our Government in placing a temporary ban on civilians going to the Sarstoon.

2016 Hurricane Forecast Released
It’s never too soon to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, as it officially begins on June 1st and runs through November 30th. With the impending season, accredited meteorologists have released a 2016 Hurricane Forecast indicating a “Near-normal” to “Hyperactive” season. With 13 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes predicted, 2016 is expected to be the most active season since 2012. In recent years, meteorologists have continuously predicted “Average” or “Below Average” seasons due to the El Niño effect, but with the La Niña effect currently in play, 2016 could bring in a higher number of hurricanes. La Niña is characterized by unusual cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific, compared to El Niño, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. In fact, this year has already seen an out-of-season hurricane. Hurricane Alex was the first Atlantic hurricane of 2016 which formed in the Bahamas back in January. While Alex did not cause any major damage, it did bring heavy rains to the region. The remaining tropical storm and hurricane names for this year are: Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie, and Walter.

UDP Convention set to elect new deputy leader
As Deputy Prime Minister Gasper Vega is set to retire, the United Democratic Party (UDP) held a critical meeting to determine the date for the convention that will elect the first deputy leader. The UDP Deputy Leadership Convention is scheduled for May 29th at the grounds of the Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET) in Belize City, where voters across all thirty-one constituencies are expected to cast their ballots. The party’s application process was officially closed on Friday, April 22nd, and Minister of Education and Collet Area Representative, Honorable Patrick Faber, and Minister of National Security and Belmopan Representative, Honorable John Saldivar, are the only confirmed candidates to run for deputy leader. In hopes to win the election, both candidates have launched their campaigns and are actively seeking support.

FFB elects New Executive Body
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) elected a new Executive Body during its 9th Ordinary Congress meeting on Saturday, April 30th. The election process was held at the Ramada Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City, with members of the Belize football community, as well as FIFA, CONCACAF and UNCAF representatives present. At the end of the night, Marlon Kuylen was selected to be the acting President of FFB after voters were unable to decide between outgoing vice-president Sergio Chuc and incumbent President Ruperto Vicente. The Congress included an election process in which 14 District Football Association members and six members from the Premier League of Belize voted to elect the new Executive Body. Positions up for election were President, Senior Vice President, Vice Presidents and two Executive Members. The positions for Senior Vice President was uncontested, with Marlon Kuylen taking up the position. Shane Orio and Darlene Vernon were voted as the executive members by round two over Celso Carcamo and Phillip Marin.

OAS Secretary General Almagro meets with Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala
On May 5th the Secretary General of the Organization of American States(OAS), Luis Almagro, met with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala in reference to the recent incidents in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone and the Sarstoon River. To this end, Secretary Almagro confirmed the imminent deployment of a group of experts to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances which resulted in the death of a Guatemala minor, following an incident with the Belizean security forces in the Adjacency Zone. Recalling Annex C of the Confidence Building Measures in force on the Guidelines for Public Statements, Secretary Almagro urged its strict compliance by the Parties.

Marie Sharp is officially inducted to the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame!
On Saturday, April 23rd, long time Belizean entrepreneur Marie Sharp became part of the New York Hot Sauce Hall of Fame. Sharp, who is the owner of Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods Ltd, was presented with an award at the 2016 New York City Hot Sauce Expo. The prestigious recognition also included a red jacket and a class ring engraved with her name that commemorated the occasion. Sharp sees this recognition as a milestone achievement, not just to her and the company, but for all the hard work she has put into the fiery food industry. The dedication she put in her now famous hot sauce, which she started in her very own kitchen in 1981, has paid off. “This means a lot to me. It means I have achieved something that very few people have. It makes me feel good that for all the years that I have worked at my company, working hard for my country, I am now awarded for it,” said Sharp. During the Expo in New York City, New York USA, Sharp was the only woman entrepreneur to receive the award among four other business entrepreneurs. She was also the only foreigner to be selected for the induction into the New York City Hot Sauce Hall of Fame 2016.

“Travel Curious”- BTIA reals new theme for Destination Belize
On Monday, April 25th, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), along with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and McNab Publishing Limited, unveiled the new theme for 2016-2017 Destination Belize. This year’s publication is titled “Travel Curious: This Journey Will Change You”, is taking a step into the future, promoting adventurous traveling. Since 1995, Destination Belize has served as the country’s leading tourism magazine. Besides unveiling the new theme, the mixer also served as a venue to announce the winner of BTIA’s “Capture the Cover” competition. Earlier this month, the BTIA created the photo competition allowing Belizeans the opportunity to submit inspiring photos that will be published in the magazine. Eight photographers were acknowledged and recognized for the following categories: Sea: Juan Carlo Menzies and Wesley Witt; Land: Monica Gallardo and Scott Houston; Heritage: Melvin Diego Jr.; Wildlife: Hannah Montero; Well-being: Cynthia Giovagnoli; and Public’s Choice: Scott and Jodie Harnish from Palapa Bar.

Ambergris Today

Why is Gumbo Limbo Called the Tourist Tree in Belize?
It grows to become a magnificent tree, tall with open limbs reaching to the skies; but its bark does something very interesting – it peels. The bark of a Gumbo Limbo tree looks like peeling skin from a sunburn, hence why Belizeans name it the ‘Tourist Tree’; well pretty much like the skin of tourists who get sunburned the most while vacationing in Belize. Its bark is green, but the outer layer flakes red; hard to miss while venturing the coastline of Belize. Interestingly enough, the tree is used to treat sunburns. How About That!? Yes, this herbal healer has anti-inflammatory properties that are excellent to treat sunburns and rash from poison wood (locally known as Chechen in Maya). Many a times, you find yourself looking for over-the-counter medication to heal a sunburn or that nasty rash you get when rummaging in the jungle. It happens a lot living in the tropics, but an added advantage of being in the tropics also means finding home remedies that are as efficient and even more readily available for instant relief.

Belize Declares Free of Local Transmission of Zika
A press release from the Ministry of Health this morning, Thursday, May 5, 2016, indicates that although new and compelling factors may indicate the presence of Zika in Belize, the Ministry is still NOT able to declare that there is a first local transmission case of Zika in Belize. This week the Ministry received results from Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on an initial case that was of significant interest in the ongoing investigation to determine the existence of indigenous transmission of the Zika virus in Belize. The sample from that case came back with a negative result for Zika. As a result of the investigation and heightened surveillance, Belize sent an additional seven (7) samples for testing during the weeks following April 12th, 2016. The results for six of the seven additional samples were all negative for Zika. The samples from this subsequent batch also tested negative for Dengue and Chikungunya. The Ministry will ensure that any pending result that is of interest to the public as it relates to Zika will be reported forthwith.

Misc Belizean Sources

South Ambergris Caye Neighbourhood Watch May Meeting at Island Time
Our regular monthly meeting will be held at Island Time this month. Lone Star is doing a bit of fixing up and will be closed next Wednesday. Thank you Island Time for hosting!

The May 1, 2016 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

The April 17, 2016 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

Norwegian Getaway Makes First Call to Belize
On April 27, 2016 , Belize welcomed the Norwegian Getaway in its first call to Belize. The ship arrived with 4,360 passengers, which is considered double occupancy. The customary plaque exchange ceremony took place on-board the ship between the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and Captain Rune Myre of the Norwegian Getaway. Miami’s Ultimate ship, the Norwegian Getaway combines the most magnificent amenities Norwegian has to offer with The Waterfront, an innovative, industry-first open-air promenade designed to connect guests with the ocean like no other cruise line. It hosts twenty eight (28) dining options, five water slides, and three levels of action-packed activities in the sports complex. The excitement and entertainment continues with Illusionarium, a surreal magical experience and Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet.

Press Release # 3 – Zika Situation in Belize
The Ministry of Health has received results from Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on an initial case that was of significant interest in the ongoing investigation to determine the existence of indigenous transmission of the Zika virus in Belize. The sample from that case came back with a negative result for Zika. As a result of the investigation and heightened surveillance, Belize sent an additional seven (7) samples for testing during the weeks following April 12th, 2016. The results for six of the seven additional samples were all negative for Zika.

Grand Mother's Day Promotion at Quality Poultry Product in corozal
Grand Mother's Day Promotion tomorrow Friday May 6th at Quality Poultry Products "Dis Da Fi Wi Chikin"

Belize's Wonder Women! Margarita Mena
We recently announced that each month we will highlight individual stories of Belizean women from all parts of Belize doing their part to make this country great. For the month of May we are proud to annouce that Mrs. Margarita Mena is our Belize Wonder Woman! Margarita Mena started “KLIC” (Kids Learning Imagining Creating) in her backyard patio for community preschoolers. Her school has grown in attendance is such a way she built a classroom in her backyard. Her teachings are much diversified and include field trips throughout Belize to teach her students about the beautiful country of Belize. She always has parties to celebrate holidays and to teach her students the meanings behind the holidays. Margarita makes learning fun for her students. Margarita has always gone above and beyond to help one and all without any hesitation. Her willingness to help others is one of her most outstanding qualities. Her latest accomplishment was participating in the 2016 La Ruta Maya. She is a fearless competitor and never gives up.

RAFFLE FOR RAUL
Raul is 33-years old, he grew up in Caye Caulker, Belize and is the Assistant Manager at Rain Restaurant in San Pedro, Belize. Raul is currently in the Intensive Care Unit in Clinica de Merida, Merida, Mexico. He is being treated for severe pneumonia and has a good prognosis. We are raising funds to help assist him and his family with the mounting medical bills incurred by the hospital. Your participation is greatly appreciated! Buy your tickets at: Superbuy, Candle garden, Caribbean villas, Pedro's inn, Rain restaurant, Rick's golf carts, Wine de vine.

BTEC completes its Job Preparedness BPO Training Program
The Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC), a unit of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), today, completed its “Job Preparedness BPO Training” which provided participants with an introduction to customer service, telephone etiquette, handling customer complaints, rapport building, sales and other skills to make them better equipped for employment in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Industry. To celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the eighteen (18) successful participants, the Belize Training and Employment Centre held a certificate ceremony at The Belize Training and Employment Centre, Enterprise Training Room on May 5th 2016.

Channel 7

PM Briefs Press On Washington Meetings
Last night, we told you that the Foreign Affairs Ministry was supposed to hold a press conference on Friday. The purpose was to update the public on the meetings held between Belize and Guatemala in Washington through the weekend, all the way up to last night. But the press conference was pulled up to this evening, even though the man with the most information, Foreign Minister Elrington himself, was still on the flight back home. So, the Prime Minister started off the press conference to talk about the meetings, and here's how he put it: Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "I must first of all apologize for the absence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Sedi Elrington. His flight was to have landed in Belize at 12:25 this afternoon and it was delayed to the point where that flight is only now just touchdown at the Philip Goldson International Airport. We greatly appreciate the OAS Secretary General's statement last night, following his meetings with Belize and Guatemala which statement makes clear that both nations are to "adopt a cooperation mechanism as soon as possible to normalize the situation in the Sarstoon River." In other words as I understand it the two countries are to agree an operational protocol regarding the Sarstoon and the statement commends their willingness to do this. As the Secretary General put it, he "welcome the readiness of both parties to advance in the negotiations of the cooperation mechanism." for the Sarstoon."

PM Implores Opposition: Don't Go To Sarstoon, Let's Talk
And one of the most significant developments coming out of this evening's press conference is that the Prime Minister is urging the opposition not to go down the Sarstoon as it has promised to do. The PUP say they want to challenge the controversial Statutory Instrument put forth by the government. The Prime Minister asked them not to do so at this delicate stage of the negotiations over the Sarstoon:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "I especially concern over any development that could undo the diplomatic start that has been made and it is in this context that we view the planned visit of the People's United Party to the Sarstoon. That visit if it proceeds would very likely undermined the position reached yesterday at the OAS and all our painstaking work could go for north. To our mind, it is therefore imperative that no group should go to the Sarstoon before we would have had a chance in the remaining 3 weeks that the law is enforced to conclude our negotiations with Guatemala..."

Opposition Willing To Listen To PM
So the Prime Minister extended the olive branch halfway across the table, by inviting the opposition back to bi partisan negotiations, and imploring them not to go to the Sarstoon. So what is the PUP response? It seems they are willing to reach across to get that olive branch, and stand down on the Sarstoon plan, but with conditions. Late this evening, the party's representative in the Belize Guatemala talks, Eamon Courtenay outlined the formal position:... Eamon Courtenay, PUP Rep., BZ, Guatemala Relations "The appeal by the Prime Minister today, that the People's United Party re-engage. We regard that as a very positive development, because the party has always treated this as a national and not a political issue. Having spoken to the Party Leader Hon. John Briceno, he has indicated his position to me as follows: first of all that he will take this matter to the national party council which is meeting on Saturday. Secondly, he will encourage the national party council to look favorably upon the appeal by the Prime Minister for us to re-engage. But in order to do that, we need two things; first we need an agreement by the government that the negotiations and cooperation between the opposition and the government will be full and frank and continuous and in real time and secondly, we need to be briefed on what happened in Washington.

OAS Statement Makes It Clear, Kind Of
So, PUP leader John Briceno still has to get permission from his National Party Council, and the party still has to get a full briefing on exactly what was discussed in Washington. Some hint of that came last night in a press release from the OAS. As we told you at the tail end of the news, Government said that it was cautiously optimistic about the Belize-Guatemala meetings in Washington. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro met with Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, and his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Raul Morales as well as the US Ambassador to the OAS, Michael Fitzpatrick. Seen here in these photos, Morales, Almagro, and Elrington discussed the recent border incidents, and Almagro informed both sides that a deployment of a group of experts is imminent to the Cebada area of the Chiquibul. They will be there to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances which led to the death of 13 year-old Guatemalan, Julio Alvarado Ruano. The OAS Statement says, quote, "The OAS Secretary General further called on the Parties to adopt a cooperation mechanism as soon as possible to normalize the situation in the Sarstoon River so that both the peoples and governments of Belize and Guatemala can refocus on strengthening their good neighborly relations." End quote.

Guatemala Tells Citizens: Don't Go To Belize
In related news, the Guatemalan Congress today took an unusual vote, issuing a sort of travel advisory for Belize, urging Guatemalans not to go over to the Belize side of the border. According to Guatemalan press reports, the Congress warns Guatemalans citizens of the dangers of travelling to Belize because of the likelihood of human rights violations committed by the BDF. Of course, the Belizean conservation community would be only too happy if the Guatemalan citizenry took that advisory to heart, and indeed stopped crossing over into Belize. And that's because all the danger, losses of life, gunshot injuries, and widespread outlaw activities in the Chiquibul are caused by Guatemalans making unlawful incursions into Belize, and more specifically into a protected area. Today, Senator Courtenay called out the Congress for playing children's games:...

Johan Slain On Prince Street
Last night we showed you the crime scene from a murder that happened during the news. Well, tonight, more is known. At 6:41, 21-year-old Johan Justin Cocom was killed as he rode up Prince Street - residents say they had seen a strange car circling. Well, apparently they were looking for Cocom. So was he the latest victim of ongoing gang warfare? Here's what police have on that investigation so far. Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, OC, Eastern Division South: "From our investigation, it's showing that sometime around 6:30 PM last night, Johan Cocom, a 21-year-old was riding his bicycle on Prince Street contrary to the flow of traffic. When reaching its intersection with East Canal, a gun man from a vehicle that was parked right at the lane fired several shots at him which subsequently resulted to his demise. The vehicle then made its way down Prince Street according to the flow of traffic and made a sudden turn into Albert Street."

Johan Family Says He Was No Gang Banger
So very reluctantly, the commanding Officer for the South Side division told us that indeed this is likely gang related. And in fact, we know from our police sources that they believe he was linked to the George Street gang. But, according to his family, that couldn't be any further from the truth. They believe he was either a victim of an indiscriminate shooting or a mistaken identity because they say Cocom was never involved in any gang activity. A family member spoke to us off camera: Voice of Sister of Johan Cocom: "He went to Publics to purchase some food items and when returning back home, that was when he encountered the gun man. It's a shock to us because Johan is in no type of gang. It's really sad, if anyone know who is Johan, he is a fun, loving and caring young man. What they did to him was senseless and uncalled for." Emanuel Pech: "Recently we've been seeing a lot of activity in terms of gun violence. A lot of it, police are saying, is attributed to gang activity. Was he ever involved in the street life?"

Southside Cops Say Crime In Hand, Not Out Of Hand
So if Cocom was gunned down innocently - as his family claims, what does that say for public safety? And what does it say for the continued success of ACP Williams's community friendly approach? Since Gerald Shiny Tillet's murder two and a half weeks ago, there's been a spike in gun violence. There have been 4 city murders, and many other shootings in the 19 days since then. But when we asked ACP Chester Williams today, he insists that the situation- that flared up in the wake of Shinny's death is contained. Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, OC, Eastern Division South: "From the death of Gerald Tillet, we have anticipated that there would be a spike in violent type crimes on South Side, Belize City. You all know that the nature of South Side, Belize City is such that it is prone to violent crimes because of the fact that we are heavily gang infested. We are dealing with a set of young people who seemingly have serious issues and to some extent, some of them have no regards to their own life. But we have been doing a lot and you would be able to say first of all that we have been able to contain the level of violence since Gerald Tillet died. When we compare the current situation to what normally happens in the past, I still think that we are doing much better. One life lost is one too much."

Commander Downplays Gang Angle
But South Side Commander Williams won't talk about the raging gang war. Now even though beef between Gangs on their turf makes certain areas of the city unsafe, ACP Williams won't talk about it. The media challenged him on it today. Jules Vasquez: "In terms of the spike, it's important while you wish to sanitize the public information by no longer discussing gang affiliations or the life which you are happy to discuss just a few months ago but because now....." Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, OC, Eastern Division South: "Jules, I will have to stop you again. From I came, and the other media houses can attest to it, every time I am asked about the gang affiliation of any person who has been shot or the person's criminal history, I have always refuted to give that information. So do not tell me about sanitizing. Murder is something we cannot hide and I do not intend to hide. The public have a right to know what is taking place among them and that is the reason why from day one when I came, I have been more than accommodating to the media because there is certain information that the public must get, they have a right to that. I am not going to withhold any information the public needs to know. So to say that we are sanitizing anything, again, you are being very unfair to us."

17 Year Old For Troy Cole Killing
So while the South Side Commander is refusing to divulge any of the gang related information, one gang area that we know for sure is a current hotzone is the area of One Twenty Third. That's where Troy Cole was shot and killed yesterday morning. Today police are one step closer to solving that crime. It is believed that the one who pulled the trigger on Cole was in fact a 17 year old boy. Today police gave us an update on that investigation. Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, OC, Eastern Division South: "In reference to the murder of Mr. Cole, we have the person of interest in custody. He was apprehended last night and he should be arrested and charged by the end of the day today or tomorrow morning. So we will be making an arrest in that particular incident. The person is a 17-year-old and is from the area of the Antelope Street Extension." Reporter: "So there has been conflict? Because I know yesterday a definitive motive could not have been determined. So now do you guys have the motives?" Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, OC, Eastern Division South: "We do have a motive, but to tell you the motive, will be going into the deceased past and I do not do that."

Integral Healthcare Challenges Chester's Version
And following up on that murder, yesterday, a part of our story was the report coming from the family of Troy Cole that the Belize Integral Health Center denied him treatment when he ran to their entrance after being shot. He died 2 hours later, and that accusation was given additional credibility by ACP Williams, who said that he did his own inquiry and found out the very same thing. Well, late this evening, the Belize Integral Health Center, which is a part of the Belize Healthcare Partners Hospital, sent us a statement refuting that claim. Their statement says, quote, "Our investigation reveals that shortly before 9:00a.m. Security personnel at the Clinic heard gunshots and reported what they had heard to two Police Officers who were among many patients seeking medical treatment at the clinic. One of the Police Officers went outside to try to determine from what direction the shots were coming. At the same time, patients who were outside began rushing inside, and a patient shouted that a gunman was coming. The other Police Officer instructed the security guard to lock the door. The security guard complied and went quickly to report the same to the Clinic Administrator.

SATIIM Tried Sarstoon Patrol
The Sarstoon SI - it looks like the PUP won't challenge it after all - but it still doesn't sit well with many. At a press conference earlier this week, the Prime Minister explained that the S.I. does not restrict ordinary travels in and out of the Sarstoon. He said that the purpose was to stop any civilian from making a political statement which could jeopardize the negotiations for the Sarstoon Peace Keeping Protocol. Well, the NGO, SATIIM, attempted to go into the river today to conduct a regular patrol of the Sarstoon Temash National Park. We are told that the BDF stopped them from going in, but they reportedly saw two Guatemalan vessels in the river. Now SATIIM was stopped after making a formal request from National Security CEO George Lovell, seen here in this letter, leaked to the media. So, did Government change their minds on the class of persons prohibited from entering the Sarstoon, or was there a miscommunication which caused the BDF to stop them, since they should have a legitimate purpose to travel into the Sarstoon. Here's how the Prime Minister answered that question which it was put to him by the press today:

Anchor Security Says Not Responsible For Double Murder
Miriam Mai and Daisy Miralda were killed on Saturday in Santa Elena by Anchor security guard, Andy Bustillos in a crazed fit of jealousy. Today Anchor Security Services issued a statement saying they take no responsibility for what their employee Andy Bustillos did. As we have reported, the Mai and Miralda families say their loved ones were murdered because of the company's lack of care and attentiveness to Mai's plea for help. Mai's sister told us that Mai had gone to speak with Bustillos's boss about the abuse and had asked him to take away Bustillos's gun. But she said, the boss simply ignored Mai's request and left Bustillos with the company weapon. The family also says that it was the same boss who bailed Bustillos out the first time he was taken in by police for beating Mai. Well this evening, Anchor Security Services sent out a release condemning Bustillos's actions. It states "The tragic and untimely passing of Miriam Mai and Daisy Miralda by way of domestic violence is one that the management of Anchor Security condemns in all its forms".

Cops Looking For Car Carrying Keon's Killer
Police are looking for the car involved in the Saturday murder of Keon "Gambis" Williams. Williams was riding his motorcycle on Central American Boulevard over the weekend when he was shot by a gunman inside a passing vehicle. Police have gotten a description of the car, but have not been able to find it. Here is what they have so far on that investigation. Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, OC, Eastern Division South: "As it relates to the murder of Mr. Williams, we continue to look into that matter. We have not been able to locate the vehicle that we're looking for and I would appeal to the public that is they know any person who have a grey 4 door Lincoln, to give us a call or call the 0-800-922 Tips number. We will need to bring in that vehicle and interview the owner. The vehicle may have a dealers plate on it, because from the incident took place it had a dealers plate on it but they might have removed it after the incident so once you know of anyone who has one, please give us a call."

Women, Politics and Possibilities
The Development of Belizean Women in Politics: that was the topic discussed today at the St. Catherine's Academy Assembly Hall. The Belize Women's Political Caucus organized this talk with the students this morning to educate them on the role of women in society and the importance of involving more women in politics. The President of the Belize Women's Political Caucus told us about the impact she hopes this conference will have on these young girls. We also spoke to the students to get their reaction. Dorla Bowman, Pres., BZ Women's Political Caucus: "The Belize Women's Political Caucus decided to work with young women in order to groom and encourage the younger generation to consider a political career. We decided on the format of having an exhibition which today is opening, is featuring women from all over the country from all the political parties who were elected to the House of Representatives. Who were elected to town boards, town councils, city councils in Belize. We also, as a part of this exhibition, highlighted the campaign memorabilia, so they could get a better understanding and political literature. This is done in an attempt to provide them with information, inspire and to encourage them."

Top Teachers Get Thanks
While the Belize Women's Political Caucus wants to inspire and train young girls to be future political leaders, the Ministry of Education wants to encourage teachers to keep working hard in the classrooms. Today an awards ceremony was held to recognize all those outstanding teachers and school leaders across the country at all educational levels. There were 29 nominees overall and there was a special presentation at the Bliss Center to celebrate this achievement. We stopped by to find out more. Jeanie Garbutt Franklin, Edu. Ofc., Teacher Edu. & Dev. Services: "Today we are recognizing those persons who have demonstrated excellence in the teaching profession. We are looking at two categories, teachers and school leaders. It has been a very collaborative process that we've been true to be able to say that these persons are persons we really want to recognize because they've stood out in education. As part of its mandate, the ministry of education is very concerned about the quality of teaching in our classrooms and for us this is an opportunity to showcase some of those good practices that have been happening in the classroom. We know that school leaders and teachers are critical to this process."

Fighting The Good Fight
Today the National Fire Service increased its number of firefighters by two dozen. After 15 weeks of grueling training, 24 recruits passed out at a ceremony this morning. This brings their total number of firefighters up to 86. There are plans to increase those numbers even more, and it started today with the 1st of 2 passing out ceremonies the department hopes to have for the year. Emanuel Pech was there and has the report.

Fighting For The Fire Department
The last intake of firefighters was done in 2012. That alone should give you an idea of the department’s limitations- a small staff, with limited resources. But according to Hon. Edmund Castro, who is the Minister of National Emergency Management, he is lobbying at the cabinet level to allocate more resources to this department. He was at the ceremony today to address the recruits. We spoke to him and the training officer for the fire department who also agree that more needs to be done for this department.

Violin Visitors
For many Belizeans, it's quite easy and natural to be consumed by the Garifuna Collective's rich cultural performances or by Ernestine Carballo's energetic Soca Madness Shows. But how about a classical music presentation? Sure, it's not Belize's taste of music but the visiting violin duo says anyone can understand and appreciate the subtle and delicate sound of the violin. Today we met the duo at the Bliss Center and they explained how that specific sound tells a story of emotion and passion. And the duo wants to pass on that love for music by teaching kids how to play the violin. Austrian Violinist Daniel Auner told us about some of the techniques and values these kids are learning. The duo is training 50 city kids for 4 days. Now if you just want to experience classical violin music you can head over to the Bliss Center tomorrow night at 7 to see Galante and Auner perform. They have performed in Belmopan and Orange Walk.

Channel 5

Prime Minister Calls Press Conference to Provide Update on Bi-lateral Meetings
The Prime Minister of Belize called a press conference this evening, ostensibly for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to report on meetings held with Guatemala and the O.A.S. in Washington. [...]

PM Implores PUP to Desist From Planned Sarstoon Trip
To conclude his five minute statement, the Prime Minister uses the podium to publicly appeal to the Opposition People’s United Party to desist from going to the Sarstoon. Even as [...]

Senator Eamon Courtenay Responds to PM’s Plea
Late this evening, People’s United Party Senator Eamon Courtenay responded to the prime minister’s appeal for the P.U.P. to stand down from its planned journey to the Sarstoon this weekend. [...]

PM and FM Unable to Report on Washington Meetings
Now here is the thing. There is, according to the Prime Minister, a breakthrough coming out of the meetings in Washington, but he can’t tell us what that breakthrough is. [...]

So What Really Happened in Washington?
If all that leaves you shaking your head, we’re in the same boat. But the media persisted, very interested in hearing details about all the splendid progress, and especially interested [...]

PM Ask Opposition to Re-engage
Since we were obviously going to get nowhere on the meetings in Washington, News Five asked about a timeline heading forward, particularly where the Opposition is concerned. Talks of a [...]

Why Did BDF Stop SATIIM at the Mouth of the Sarstoon?
This morning, a boat containing rangers from SATIIM was denied entry to the Sarstoon, not by the Guatemalan Armed Forces, but by the Belize Defense Force. SATIIM co-manages the Sarstoon [...]

PM Responds to Guatemalan Congress Resolution
The report of a breakthrough is interesting, especially in the light of a resolution passed by the Guatemalan Congress today. That resolution was the approval of an advisory warning citizens [...]

Belizean and Guatemalan Ombudsmen Meet at Adjacency Zone
It mostly went under the radar, but Guatemala’s Ombudsman Jorge de León Duque, was on visit on Wednesday. According to online information, de Leon Duque met with his local counterpart, [...]

Another Murder in the Old Capital
Gang warfare is intensifying in the Old Capital and bodies are piling up; there have been eight murders in five days; three of them in the city and four in [...]

Minor to Be Charged for Murder of Troy Cole
Less than twelve hours before the murder of Cocom, a well known street figure, Troy Cole, was gunned down near his home on Gibnut Street in south side Belize City. [...]

BHPL Responds to Allegations in Wake of Murder
The murder of Troy Cole on Wednesday morning in Belize City is mired in controversy, particularly because Cole’s family and the Belize Police Department are alleging that he was refused [...]

No Updates in Gambis Execution
But in the murder of Glen “Gambis” Williams, police say that they need the public’s assistance in finding a grey four-door Lincoln that was used by the shooter in the [...]

ACP Williams Speaks on Murder Spike
According to our records, to date, there have been fifty-three murders since the start of the year; thirteen of those homicides were in Belize City and all but on one [...]

Outstanding Teachers Recognized for Academic Excellence
Eight educators were today recognized for their exceptional contributions to the academic field. Teachers and school leaders were nominated in a number of categories from pre-primary to Special Education and [...]

BWC and FSTV Part Ways over Garbage
The Belize Waste Control is at odds with the management of the Fort Street Tourism Village over the cost of collecting garbage from the facility. BWC recently pulled the plug [...]

BWC Says Revenues Are Half What Should Be Collected
The crux of the matter, according to Lamb, is that vendors are refusing to defray what they consider an additional expense. As a result, B.W.C. is realizing a little over [...]

National Fire Service Celebrates New Firefighters
This morning, the National Fire Service held its passing out ceremonies at headquarters in Belize City. Twenty-four have made the cut, surviving a very intensive training course to prepare them [...]

Healthy Living looks at signs of Domestic Abuse
Domestic violence is a very complex issue. It is one that numerous agencies and departments work tirelessly to address. It is a public health issue – like all other forms [...]

CTV3

Orange Walk COP Charged For Police Brutality
Last week Thursday we reported that a forty three year old resident of Temash Street here in Orange Walk Town was allegedly brutalized severely by authorities as he was taken into police custody. The family of the victim told us that sometime at around midnight on Tuesday the 26th of April, the victim was walking in the company of a friend on Gravel Lane when they were approached and stopped by police officers. Family members recounted that a search was conducted on both individuals; however, only the victim was transported to the Orange Walk Police Station where he was placed inside a cell, stripped off his garments and was hit continuously and severely. When we spoke to the Officer in command of the Police Department here in Orange Walk, Selvin Tillett, he informed us that an investigation would be carried out and it did….leading to the arrest of one police officer.

Orange Walk Teachers Receive Outstanding Awards
In commemoration of education month which is celebrated in the month of May, the Ministry of Education Youth and Sports holds an annual event where educators from across the country are celebrated in a National Outstanding Teachers Awards which recognizes individuals for most outstanding teacher and school leader among others. This year three of Orange Walk very own outstanding educators were awarded, including Teacher Bernadette Codd from Carmelita Government School was bestowed the Outstanding Teacher of the year award at the Preschool Level. Teacher Olivia Mesh from Saint Peters Anglican School won the Outstanding Teacher of the year award at the Special Education Level while Teacher Sergio Cal from Muffles Junior College won the Outstanding Teacher of the year award at the Tertiary Level. Today when we spoke to District Education Manager for Orange Walk, Karla Alvarez, she told about the immense joy she feels at having three of our very own be recognized.

New District Orange Walk Football Association Promotes Sports For High Schools
The newly elected members of the Orange Walk Football Association have planned an under eighteen football tournament targeting students from the different high schools here in the Orange Walk District. A meeting was held on Tuesday to finalize the name of the schools that will be participating as well as the schedule and agenda that will be used throughout the entire competition. Hector Morales – Executive member, OWFA: “This tournament is geared towards the high school students so we started planning about two weeks ago and this Tuesday we finally met with the Sport Directors and we worked on the schedule of the games, matches and also the days that it would be played so at this point it is closed and this is going to be an eighteen and under high school tournament only for male students so that will kick off this Friday at the Louisiana field and we will have two games one will start at four o’clock and the other one will start at five thirty in the afternoon.”

BPP Speaks On Sarstoon Restriction
Today marks six days that the Belize Territorial Volunteers and a group of about 85 Belizeans were denied access to the Sarstoon as a result of the Sarstoon Law passed by the Government of Belize which restricts any vessel or civilian from navigating the River for one month without proper authority. But even though days have passed the issue continues to be a hot point of contention. Today, the Belize Progressive Party expressed disappointment over Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s action which the party claims intentionally imposes upon the rights of Belizeans to move freely on the Sarstoon River. In the release issued today by the party they express their commitment to the Belizean people to ensure that such disrespectful treatment of the Belizean people shall not be summarily dismissed. According to the BPP there are four key areas of concern as it relates to what they describe as Belize’s constant submissive reaction to Guatemala’s claim over Belize’s sovereignty. First, PM surrendering sovereignty over the northern portion of the Sarstoon River, by way of enacting the S.I., in light of Guatemala’s current, physical control of the area, and Guatemala’s response to the issue, must be assessed.

Belize Remains ZIKA Virus Free
Belize apparently remains free of the Zika Virus and the Ministry of Health intends to keep it that way. On April 26th we told you that the Ministry of Health had received the results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA, on an initial case that was of significant interest in the ongoing investigation to determine the existence of indigenous transmission of the Zika virus in Belize. The sample from that case came back with a negative result for Zika but positive for Dengue. As a result of the investigation and heightened surveillance launched after the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the US reported that a woman started showing signs of Zika after visiting Belize, the Ministry of Health sent an additional seven samples for testing. The news tonight is that the results for six of the samples were all negative for Zika. The samples also tested negative for Dengue and Chikungunya. In a release issued today the Ministry of Health assured the public that any pending result that is of interest to the public as it relates to Zika will be reported forthwith.

Meet And Greet Program Leads To Less Crime
Every so often in our community we meet people who are struggling to make ends meet and are most definitely in need of assistance to improve their standard of living. In an effort to offer a helping hand to these individuals, members of the Orange Walk Police Formation along with the leaders of the Pasadita Area Neighbourhood Watch Group took the initiative this morning to visit a mother of three in order to present her with a basket of supplies. Corporal Isidro Yam – Orange Walk Police Formation: “It’s a pleasure for me as an officer representing the Belize Police Department to come here and to give a small token to Mrs. Sarita who is a very needy person in this community and also we are working with the Pasadita Neighbourhood Watch Group which is headed by Mr. Mandy Valdez and so what is happening is that this is a constant meet and greet and also a selection of different people from different communities that the neighbourhood watch along with the police select to assist them with a little basket of food to show them our appreciation and care that we have for them.”

LOVE FM

PM Briefs Media on Current State of Affairs with Guatemala and OAS
Prime Minister Dean Barrow called a press conference today at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza where he apprised the media of the recent meetings held on the Belize/Guatemala issue. There was no great revelation coming out of today’s conference but Prime Minister did say, it was called in an effort to keep the country […]

PM Appeals to PUP to Rethink Expedition; PUP Responds
Responding to the Prime Minister’s appeal to the Opposition to rethink their plans for an expedition to the Sarstoon, Senator Eamon Courtenay who sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee for the PUP spoke to Love News on the Prime Minister’s Request. EAMON COURTENAY “With respect to the opposition we have received the request that was […]

Who Stopped SATIIM? GAF or BDF
Love News has been reliably informed that a patrol boat belonging to SATIIM was blocked from conducting their routine patrols on the Sarstoon River recently. According to our source, the vessel was sent back upon their arrival at the Forward Operating Base and subsequent to that, two boats belonging to the Guatemala Armed Forces moved […]

Guatemala Congress Warns Against Travel to Belize
As you heard earlier, the Prime Minister is confident that tensions will ease and the diplomatic process in settling Guatemala’s territorial claim on Belize will go back to normal. It is a sentiment consistenly being expressed by Belize’s officials as they harp on the importance of a peaceful resolution. Guatemala, however, continues on their aggressive […]

Belize Is ZIKA Free
The long awaited results from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is in and came via a press release earlier today. That release reads, quote, “The Ministry of Health has received results from Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on an initial case that was of significant interest in the ongoing investigation to determine the existence […]

Murder #11 In Seven Days
The murder of Troy Cole yesterday morning was still being covered, when another deadly shooting claimed the life of 21-year-old Johan Cocom at around six thirty Wednesday evening. Cocom was shot multiple times, allegedly there were 10 shots fired at him of which 8 hit him on the chest, shoulders and legs. Today Assistant Commissioner […]

Investigation Updates on Gambis and Cole Murders
Today at a press conference with Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, he gave an update on the two recent murders that occurred between Friday and yesterday. Police has one person pending charges in the Troy Cole murder and is looking for a vehicle in the murder of Keon ‘Gambis’Williams. CHESTER WILLIAMS “

Outstanding Educators Recognized for 2016
This morning, several teachers from across Belize were awarded in the annual Outstanding School Teacher and Leader Awards ceremony held at the Bliss Institute. In this ninth such event, awards were given following submissions made by different school of their most competent teachers. Genie Garbutt Franklyn officer in charge of Teacher Education and development Services […]

New Immigration Director Installed; Marin Moves to Refugees
On November 23, 2015, we first brought the story of Diana Locke being looked at to take up the post of Immigration Director. Now, almost six months later, the announcement was made with Locke being confirmed to the post. Love News spoke with Chief Executive Officer, Edmund Zuniga. EDMUND ZUNIGA “Ms.Diana Locke who is a […]

Improving the Public Service with Guiding Principles and Policies
The Public Service conference is in progress with discussions surrounding a charter for the Public Service Commission which seeks to draft best practices to improve public administration. The drafted document is a regional document across CARICOM and will be presented in Freya Parham-August for government approval. FREYA PARHAM AUGUST “This morning we are having one […]

PlusTV

Guatemalan Government “deplores” and “rejects” Prime Minister Barrow’ s press statements
The Government of the Republic of Guatemala issued a press statement saying that it “deplores and rejects the unfortunate statements made by the Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow, in a press conference yesterday.” Those statements being rejected, we gather, was the Prime Minister’s comment that...

Territorial Volunteers disagree about need for SI
As PlusNews reported before, the Government of Belize passed a Statutory Instrument to prevent The Belize Territorial Volunteers from accessing the Sarstoon. Some in the public believe the SI to be dictatorial while others find it to be necessary, but it is interesting to note that even among Territ...

Murder victim was refused medical treatment, say Police
26 year old Troy Cole is Belize City’s latest victim of murder. He was shot this morning at the corner of Curassow and Gibnut Streets, not far from the scene of an unrelated incident reported this weekend which resulted in two men being injured. Police are seeking one person of interest. Cole, unfor...

Wil Mehia speaks about Coast Guard issue
Though the Government of Belize enacted legislation in the form of a Statutory Instrument sometime between late Thursday night and Friday morning to prevent the Belize Territorial Volunteers from going to the Sarstoon, it was another maneuver by the Coast guard, acting upon instructions from the po...

Lloyd Robateau Murdered in Ladyville
A resident of Ladyville was murdered last night and it is suspected he was the intended target. Police say that an argument between 31 year old Lloyd Robateau and some other men a few weeks ago may have led to his untimely death. Officer Commanding Eastern Division Rural, ACP Edward Broaster, told ...

Police investigate whether dead fetus in Belize City was a concealed birth
Police say a Belize City mother told them to a 4-month fetus buried in a shallow grave in the Jane Usher Boulevard area which was found this morning. However, police are still investigating whether a crime was committed, as we hear from Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams: ACP C...

Eric Patnett Arrested for Controlled Drugs
On Tuesday May 3, members of the Special Branch Tactical Response Squad were on special operations and executed a search warrant for drugs at the residence of Eric Patnett in Saint Mathews Village, Cayo District. Three prersons including Eric Patnet were at home at the time of the search. In the ou...

The Guardian

Failed trip to the Sarstoon
Despite the Prime Minister’s warning that it would do diplomatic harm to this country, and additional counsel of the Military leaders against it, Wil Maheia and his group of provocateurs attempted to go down to the Sarstoon River on Saturday April, 30. Fortunately, the Coast Guard, Police and BDF soldiers stepped in and intercepted the handfull of persons who showed up in Barranco Village in the Toledo District. The vessels which had been hired to take the group out were not seaworthy, so the Coast Guard impounded them for safety reasons. On Friday, the day before their trip, the Government enacted a Statutory Instrument prohibiting civilians from going into the Sarstoon without permission from the Government. It’s intension was to block the civilians from making a political statement of patriotism. Normal travel in and out of the Sarstoon is still unrestricted for purposes of travel, conservation, or for the preservation of livelihoods. The class of prohibited persons, if found guilty can be fined up to a $1,000 or sentenced to a year in prison.

City Council unveils bust of Prime Minister Price
“As political and national leader, no one could surpass Mr. Price,” says Rt. Honourable Prime Minister Dean Barrow. That statement is open for debate, but what is unquestionable is the fact that Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price is the architect of Belize’s Independence. The road leading to the political capital of Belize bares his name and now every time someone accesses the George Price Highway from Belize City they will see a bronz image of the “Father of Nation” on top of a monument at the intersection with the Central American Boulevard. The Belize City Council unveiled the George Price bust on Tuesday, May 3, with a host of relatives and friends in attendance. “Prior to this bust there was no statue of George Price anywhere in any public place throughout Belize City,” says Mayor Darell Bradley. The Mayor says that monuments are not just to honour the dead but also to encourage the living. “We need to celebrate his legacy and we need to encourage the values and principles that he lived by: humility, selfless service, love of country - devout faith in God.”

National Agricultural and Trade Show held in Belmopan
With visitors from across Belize, the National Agricultural and Trade Show has been successfully held in Belmopan. Under the coordination of the National Agriculture and Trade Show Committee and under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, the Environment and Sustainable Development, the three day show started with an official opening last Friday evening and continued on both Saturday and Sunday. The three day show has been transformed to be agricultural and trade oriented with many entrepreneurs coming out with a variety of Belizean products from the Tambranero sauce mix in the Corozal District to special concoctions of juices and other mixes. All the major cellular hardware providers were out at the show grounds, driving cellular phones to rock bottom prices. A cellular phone from VIP Wireless, Go Wireless Direct, and Cellular World was going for $39.99, $49.00 and $45.00 respectively. One of the exiting features of the Agriculture show were the rodeo shows held on both Saturday and Sunday with families coming out to view it for themselves.

Government of Belize Cautiously Optimistic about Meetings in Washington D.C.
The meeting among the OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, the Belize Foreign Minister, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales, the Permanent Representative of the United States to the OAS, Michael Fitzpatrick, and their respective delegations just concluded at the OAS Headquarters in Washington. The discussions covered the overall bilateral relations between both countries including the Sarstoon River. The Belize delegation are cautiously optimistic of the results and expect a statement to be issued later tonight by the Secretary General. The Belize delegation returns to the country tomorrow afternoon and the Government will provide details of the meetings in a press briefing on Friday.

500 residents of Indian Church/San Carlos, now have access to potable water
The Indian Church/San Carlos Hybrid Solar Water System is now allowing residents of that community to have access to potable water. Approximately 500 residents of Indian Church/San Carlos villages will now have easier access to the continuous supply of reliable quality potable water to meet their daily water needs such as drinking, washing, bathing and cooking. The hybrid solar water project was funded by the Government of Belize at a cost of $867,333.29 through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank. It represents the unwavering commitment of the Government addressing the basic needs of Belizeans, in the areas of water, sanitation and health. Furthermore, the water project will significantly contribute in the reduction of water-borne, food borne and vector borne diseases in addition to communicable and non-communicable diseases for residents of Indian Church/San Carlos, and by extension, the people of Belize. Thus the completion of the water project also demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Government of Belize to fulfill the Sustainable Development Goals, as it relates to water; which is to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.

Man found murdered in Camalote
A male has been discovered dead near a farm in the Cayo District. At about 1:25 am last Friday, Belmopan Police visited Cattle Ranch situated in Camalote Village, Cayo District, where on arrival they observed the lifeless body of a Hispanic descent male person lying face down. He was found to be wearing a blue shirt with black stripes, long blue jeans pants and a pair of black shoes. The body had several injuries, such as a large cut to the neck and apparent gunshots behind the right ear, on top of the head, above the left ear, and two to the left shoulder. The body of Gelion De Leon was transported to the Western Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty. The body of De Leon lies at the Western Regional Hospital Morgue, awaiting a post mortem examination.

Two cousins killed in Camalote
Two men have been shot and killed in Camalote Village. On Sunday May 1, 2016 about 7:23pm, reports were made of shots were being fired in Camalote Village. Belmopan Police responded and learnt that the two victims had been transported to the Western Regional Hospital for treatment. Twenty four year old Akeem Thimbriel a Belizean electrician of Camalote Village was observed suffering from gunshots to both arms and chest. He was pronounced dead at 7:49 pm by the doctor on duty. Another person, Shawn Lopez, a Belizean from Teakettle Village, Cayo District, had also received gunshot injuries to the upper body and later on Sunday succumbed to his injuries.

Man found in Creek near Belmopan
A body was found in the river at Mile 28 on the Hummingbird Highway on Saturday morning of this past weekend. The body is that of Emmanuel Rivera 33 year old Salvadoran laborer, whose abode was some 200 yards away. He was found in a creek about 5 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet in depth, lying face down and naked. No signs of violence were observed on the body. The body was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital morgue, where it awaits a post mortem examination. According to his uncle Manuel Rivera, a 59 year old Guatemalan farmer, sometime around 6:00 am on that same day, Emmanuel Rivera had gone to the creek by himself. He noticed that Rivera had not returned and upon further checks about 6:35 am, he saw him lying motionless in the shallow creek. Emmanuel had been diagnosed as an epileptic patient and had been on medication ever since.

Drive by shooting in Belmopan
A man was shot in Belmopan from the back of a vehicle with tinted windows. On Tuesday of last week at about 10:05 pm, Belmopan Police visited the Western Regional Hospital where they observed Jose Alberto Marquez Jr. with an apparent gunshot wound to the left side of the chest and an exit wound to the left side of his back. The 24 year old Guatemalan naturalized Belizean is a resident of Spain Street, in the Salvapan Area, Belmopan City. Initial investigation reveals that about fifteen minutes earlier, Jose Marquez Jr. was riding his bicycle on St. Peter Street, in the San Martin area of Belmopan City, when a grey in color, heavily tinted, four-door Toyota Four Runner came from his opposite direction. As the vehicle was passing him, the rear window behind the driver’s side was lowered and someone fired a shot at him. The occupants in the vehicle fled the scene.

City men busted with gun and ammo
Ervin Ellis, 23, of #76 Cemetery Road and Dwight Hulette, 20, of #64 Cemetery Road, are at the Belize Central Prison on remand after they were busted over the weekend with a firearm and ammunition. According to police, at around 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 1, officers set chase behind Ellis and Hulette and caught up with them in an open lot on Woods Street. Police apprehended the men and executed a search of the area. About a foot away from the men, police found a 9 millimeter pistol loaded with ten live rounds of 9 millimeter bullets. Hulette and Ellis were arrested and charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Two young lives taken in Belize City, hours apart
Gun violence spiked once again in Belize City claiming the lives of two young men on Wednesday May 4. In the first shooting, 26 year old Troy Cole was riding his bicycle towards Curasow Street from Central American Boulevard at around 9a.m when he was attacked by a gunman. Reports are that he struggled with his attacker who carried a gun. Cole was unable to defend himself as he was shot twice by the assailant after which he made a mad dash for his life to the nearby Universal Integral Clinic. Assistant Commissioner of police, Chester Williams, told the media that while Cole managed to get to the entrance of the clinic he was refused entry into the health center leaving him on his own outside. Williams says it was police who had to take Cole to the KHMH where he later died. Williams regrets the actions by the institution claiming that in the moments after the shooting, the clinic could have stabilized Cole and probably saved his life. Police are at this point looking for one suspect in this shooting incident.

Smart Belize Hurricanes a win away from capturing National Elite Basketball League title
The National Elite Basketball League championship round for 2016 commenced on Friday 29th April, at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium in Belize City between the two-times defending champions the San Pedro Tiger Sharks and the number one seed into the playoffs the Smart Belize Hurricanes. The championship series is utilising the best of three format. Game 1 opened with the top seed, Smart Belize Hurricanes jumping out to an early lead, which at the end of the first quarter of the game stood at 18-16. At halftime, Smart Belize Hurricanes maintained a 31-28 lead. However, during the third quarter of the game, there were many lead changes and ties until the closing minutes of the quarter that the Smart Belize Hurricanes extended its lead to 9 points for a 63-54 advantage.

Belmopan Bandits regain National Football Title
The Premier League of Belize 2016 Closing Season Tournament came to an end on Saturday 30th April, 2016, when the second and final game in the home and away championship series was played out at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in the City of Belmopan. In the second and final game of the series, the Belmopan Bandits defeated the Placencia Assassins, by the score of 2-0 to recapture the National Football Title that it loss two seasons ago. The Belmopan Bandits got onto the scoreboard when Kervin Johnson scored the 1st goal of the game in the 29th minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead. The first half of the game came to an end with the Belmopan Bandits defence protecting its slim lead. For much of the second half of the game it seems like the game would have ended 1-0 but it was not to be as Randy Padilla was able to penetrate the Placencia Assassins defence and scored his team’s final goal of the game in the 83rd minute of play for the 2-0 victory and the championship.

Belize City Primary Schools Football Competition open
The 2015-2016 Belize City Primary Schools Football Competition opened on Wednesday 4th May, 2016, at the MCC Grounds. In the girls’ competition there are ten schools that are competing in this year’s competition. The schools are divided into two groups. The schools that are in group a consist of Belize Elementary School, Unity Presbyterian School, Wesley Upper School, Holy Redeemer School and St. John Vianney. Meanwhile, the schools that are in group b consist of St. Martin De Porres School, Salvation Army School, Bethel Primary School, St. John’s Primary School and St. Mary’s Primary School. In the boys’ competition, fourteen schools have signed up to compete in this year’s competition. The boys like the girls are split into two divisions. In group a, the schools are All Saints Anglican School, Belize Elementary School, Unity Presbyterian School, Wesley Upper School, St. John Vianney School, St. Ignatius School and Holy Redeemer School. In group b, the schools are St. Martin De Porres School, Salvation Army School, Muslim Community School, Ebenezer Methodist School, St. Joseph School, St. John’s Primary School and St. Mary’s Anglican School.

Marlon Kuylen Acting President of the Football Federation of Belize
The Football Federation of Belize held its 9th Ordinary Congress on Saturday 30th April, 2016, at the Ramada Princess Hotel in Belize City. The congress, which received the report on the performance of the Football Federation of Belize from President Ruperto Vicente, as well as the Financial Report of the federation had as its highlight the elections of officers for the 2016-2020 period. The congress had the participation of 14 District Football Association members and 6 members from the Premier League of Belize. At the end of the 1st round of voting, Marlon Kuylen was elected Senior Vice President, while Shane Orio and Darlene Vernon were elected as Executive Members.

Prison officers fed up with Kolbe
Prison officers have just about had as much as they can take at the Kolbe Foundation. Here at the Guardian, we have had complaints from officials at Kolbe before. Their beef is usually about unilateral decisions made by management of the institution. The officers often feel disrespected. They say they are treated more like errand boys than partners. Unfortunately for the prison officers, the recent rule passed down by management puts them in a class far beneath that of an errand boy. They are now being treated more like criminals than rehabilitation officers. Prison officers are now subject to searches upon entering the prison compound and before leaving. Not even convicts are searched before leaving the prison. One prison officer says the new rule is demoralizing. He says anyone can understand the logic behind conducting searches upon entrance because there have been reports that prison officers smuggle in products for certain inmates. However, there is no reasoning behind searches when leaving the compound. What is there to smuggle out of a prison?

Training in Taiwan for Belizeans in reproductive and breeding technology in small ruminant
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to announce that two technical officers from Central Farm will be dispatched through the project ‘Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project in Belize’ to take a training course on reproductive and breeding technology in small ruminant, which will be taking place in Heng-Chung Branch, Taiwan Livestock Research Institute located in South Taiwan during May 17th - 26th, 2016. Belize has the highest potential in small ruminant production in Central America/Caribbean Area, but unfortunately, good breeds of sheep and goat are still in short supply in the country. The agreement between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Belize on the above-mentioned project had been signed on December 2nd, 2015 for the assistance in expanding the infrastructure at the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Center in Central Farm, improving software and hardware, introducing quality breeding stocks to the center and improving production techniques, productivity and the integral development of the sheep and goat industry in Belize.

Teachers complete training in Early Childhood education
Over 30 teachers of Kuxlin Ha Government Primary School in Belmopan who successfully completed training in Early Childhood Education, Special Education and Quality Child Friendly School will received their Certificates of Completion at a ceremony held at the school on Wednesday May 4, 2016. The teachers are now competent with the skills and knowledge to significantly contribute in making a positive educational impact in nurturing the development of children; the future leaders of Belize. The training project aimed to ensure that students and pre-schoolers have the opportunity to develop a healthy holistic child socially, culturally, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically and intellectually as well as improve the Learning Environment to provide Quality Primary and Early Childhood Education Services for Children of Kuxlin Ha Government Primary School. Topics covered during the 10-week training included sensitization on what early childhood education is and its importance, Child Development, Learning through play, discipline, Pre-school curriculum, Assessment booklets, Pre-school learning centres and Developing and setting up a pre-school centre etc.

Double Murder in Santa Elena, Cayo
There was a double murder at Betty’s Beauty Salon in Santa Elena Town in the Cayo District on Saturday evening of this past weekend. Responding to the scene, San Ignacio Police saw two females and a male on the floor of the salon. Andy Bustillos 31 year old Belizean employed with Anchor Security was in his security guard uniform, still breathing, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right side of his head and was on the floor in the salon. He had in his hand a black in color CZ 9 mm pistol bearing serial number A266508. The other body was identified as Miriam E. Mai, a 39 year old Belizean cosmetologist of Santa Elena Town, who was seen face down suffering from an apparent gunshot wound under the chin and bleeding profusely. The other female body was identified as Daisy Carmita Miralda, a 29 year old Belizean Businesswoman of West Street, San Ignacio Town, who was lying face up and also bleeding profusely with a gunshot to the forehead and right side of head.

Accused of stealing motorcycle from Catholic Church
Hector Pratt, 29, and Rudolph Belisle, 20, are in trouble for allegedly stealing a Lifan motorcycle from the Saint Martin De Porres Church. Allegations are that on Saturday, April 28, the duo walked into the church’s compound and walked out with a red motorcycle. All this was caught on surveillance tape, according to police. Pratt and Belisle were taken before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on Tuesday, May 3, where they were read two criminal charges of theft and handling stolen goods. The men both pleaded not guilty to the charges. Belisle was additional charged with committing a mischievous act. Police say that he filed a report about the theft of the motorcycle which turned out to be untrue after they checked out his story. Belisle pleaded not guilty to that charge as well.

MURDER GAMBIS…
Glen Williams, 38, also known as Keon “Gambis” Williams, was the third of five murders over the Labour Day weekend. Readers may remember his name from back in 2010 when he was accused of sodomizing a 14 year-old boy. He was tried in the Supreme Court and in June of 2013, he was acquitted. In the nearly 3 years that followed that acquittal, he continued on with his life, reportedly staying clear of the gang life. His mother says that he was a moneylender, and most of his clients were members of the waterfront workers. Police say that a few days prior to his street slaying, he reported to police that he spotted a vehicle following him. His family also recounted to the press that he had received death threats. His mother said that he even expressed a fear of sleeping at his home. On Saturday, April 30, at around 5 p.m., he left his mother’s house on Supaul Street on his motorcycle. He was riding at the corner of Central American Boulevard and Antelope Street.

One Legged Senior Citizen in Jail for Weed
La Democracia Village resident, John Williams, 68, also known as “Sadman”, is at the Belize Central Prison for drug trafficking. Williams is an amputee who was busted with 67.57 grams of marijuana on Wednesday, April 27. According to police, acting upon information received officers visited a yard in La Democracia where they saw a man with crutches. When the man saw the officers he threw a bag into some nearby bushes, about two feet from where he was. The officers retrieved the bag and opened it in front of him. The bag contained green leafy material suspected to be cannabis. The man, who identified himself as John Williams, was arrested and taken to the police station where the suspected cannabis was weighed in his presence. It amounted to 67.57 grams of marijuana. Therefore, he was charged with drug trafficking.

Robert Mejia charged for throwing blunt away
Robert Mejia, 36, of Hattieville Village, may have gotten himself into more trouble when he tried to get rid of a joint in front of police officers on Thursday night, April 28. According to Police Constable Wayne Trapp, he was conducting foot patrol around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday when his attention was drawn to Mejia while on Ysaguirre Boulevard. Mejia was hanging out in the area, allegedly smoking a joint at the corner of Myrtle Street. PC Trapp walked up to him and asked what did he have in his hand. That was when Mejia threw what he had into some nearby bushes. PC Trapp tried to recover the object from the bushy area but he couldn’t find it. Since he could not retrieve the joint, Mejia was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice.

San Antonio man chopped for no reason
A man from San Antonio Village was chopped by another for no apparent reason. On Thursday of last week at about 9:50 pm, San Ignacio Police encountered a vehicle that was transporting a Hispanic man identified as Amir Tun. The 35 year old is a Belizean laborer of San Antonio Village, who was suffering from four deep chop wounds to the face. Tun reported that whilst walking past the community centre in San Antonio Village he was approached by Amir Tzib from the same village, who chopped him with a machete for no apparent reason. Tun is in stable condition and admitted to ward at the San Ignacio Hospital.

Two drug related murders in Western Belize
Gun violence spiked once again in Belize City claiming the lives of two young men on Wednesday May 4. In the first shooting, 26 year old Troy Cole was riding his bicycle towards Curasow Street from Central American Boulevard at around 9a.m when he was attacked by a gunman. Reports are that he struggled with his attacker who carried a gun. Cole was unable to defend himself as he was shot twice by the assailant after which he made a mad dash for his life to the nearby Universal Integral Clinic. Assistant Commissioner of police, Chester Williams, told the media that while Cole managed to get to the entrance of the clinic he was refused entry into the health center leaving him on his own outside. Williams says it was police who had to take Cole to the KHMH where he later died. Williams regrets the actions by the institution claiming that in the moments after the shooting, the clinic could have stabilized Cole and probably saved his life. Police are at this point looking for one suspect in this shooting incident.

Softball Federation calls junior female softballers to training camp
In preparation for the XV Central American Junior Female Softball Championship that is scheduled for August 26-28, 2016, at the Rogers Stadium in Belize City, the Belize Softball Federation is calling all junior female softballers, 19 years and under, to its training camp scheduled for Saturday, 7th May, 2016, at 9:00 am at Rogers Stadium. Junior female softballers in the Cayo and Stann Creek Districts are encouraged to come out and try out for the team. Junior female softballers who will turn 20 years in September of 2016 are encouraged to try out for the National Junior Female Softball Team. Junior softballers are asked to bring along an ID card, to verify date of birth, and their own softball glove.

Breaking Belize News

CEO’s to ride for cancer
The Government of Belize is supporting the Belize Cancer Society with a special cycling activity involving chief executive officers on Saturday. The CEO Caucus of the Government of Belize are participating in “The Big Deal” CEO Caucus Challenge 2016: Cancer Awareness Ride” which starts at Mile […]

PM: PUP must “hold on” on Sarstoon
Warning that any visit to the Sarstoon area might undo the “progress made” in diplomatic negotiations held this week, Prime Minister Dean Barrow has asked the People’s United Party (PUP) to postpone its planned visit to the Sarstoon and rejoin the diplomatic process. Speaking this […]

Turning point for energy security in the Caribbean
Caribbean countries have quietly started a green revolution and are now leading the way for other small islands developing states in the global effort to limit the rise of global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius. While […]

AK-47 found in Camalote Village
While conducting drugs and firearm operations in Camalote, Cayo police’s Tactical Response Squad found an AK-47 with a black barrel and magazine containing 19 live rounds of 7.62 x 39 ammunition. The officers were on My Refuge Road when they heard a single gunshot […]

Two murders in Belize City, police investigate
Belize City Police are investigating two separate murders that happened yesterday on Gibnut and Prince Streets where Troy Triston Cole and Johan Justin Cocom were killed respectively. Cole, 26, was riding his bike on Gibnut Street after 9:00 Wednesday morning, when a gunman approached […]

Cold front setting in today
A weak late season cold front affecting the country supports cooler and relatively moist conditions the next 24-36 hours. The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting cloudy skies and cool weather with a few showers, periods of rain or an isolated thunderstorm mostly […]

23 firefighters graduate training
Today was graduation day for 23 trainees who are now firefighters for the National Fire Service. This is the first course graduation ceremony for 2016. Fires are not simply put out, and Fire Chief Ted Smith noted that the training the all-male cadre received included […]

Blogs

Cerros Ruins: See the Longest-Occupied Mayan Site in Belize
There are secrets to be found at Cerros Mayan ruins, but you would require diving gear to unearth them! This waterfront historical site is now partially underwater, but no worries—there’s lots explore if you wander the 40+ acres of hillside to take in two ball courts, a central plaza, pyramids and the piece de resistance, the main, towering temple standing 64-feet above ground level. See painted masks and stucco walls that have retained traces of splendid decorations, despite erosion and time. Cerros is located 84 miles north of Belize City at the mouth of the New River and near the Bay of Chetumal in Corozal District, the northern-most Belize territory. Your lodging host can arrange a private boat or book a tour that may also include land transport to and from the dock. This journey is fairly fast; it only takes about 15 minutes to reach the ruin. A ferry departs Orange Walk Town for Cerros, but first, you must drive 55 miles along the Northern Highway from Corozal, traveling past villages like Chunox, Progresso and Copper Bank, and then another couple of miles inland. Your best bet is that boat!

OAS Secretary General Almagro Met with Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, met today with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala in reference to the recent incidents in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone and the Sarstoon River. To this end, Secretary Almagro confirmed the imminent deployment of a group of experts to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances which resulted in the death of a Guatemala minor, following an incident with the Belizean security forces in the Adjacency Zone.

What Guatemala does not want the world to see
While the Government of Guatemala burns through the budget on lavish lifestyles, keeping an unfounded claim on our independent nation of Belize, swarms of families live below extreme poverty and live their lives in the garbage dumps. Guatemala would do good with starting to address the basic human rights of their citizens before they look for more expenditures elsewhere but then again, the Oligarchy does not suffer so they do not care.

Get in a vacation mood!!! Top 10 favorite images recently posted, in Placencia, Belize!!
Just like the title says - check these out if Spring is slow to get to your hometown (like in mine, of Cleveland, OH, where on Cinco de Mayo, everyone is still wearing winter coats!) Nothing like looking at tropical and fun images to get you in a summery, vacationey mood!!! :) If you want even more....google #placencia and select images, or search that hashtag on Instagram to see the latest photos that people are posting!!

Why Visit Belize in May
May is a great month to visit Belize because numerous resorts, hotels, and tour companies offer huge discounts on accommodations, tours, and all inclusive vacation packages making it affordable for travelers to enjoy an exquisite and amazing Belize vacation. The weather is also fantastic in May and there are endless activities that you can partake in such as scuba diving with whale sharks, exploring the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, bird watching in the rainforest, and taking a dip at Belize’s top waterfalls like Big Rock and Rio on Pools in the Mountain Pine Ridge. Another big reason to visit Belize in May is that there are fewer tourists in the country and thus you can enjoy all of the top attractions thoroughly and without rushing.

Fish Ceviche a la Veracruzana
Place the fish in a glass or plastic bowl with lemon juice and vinegar, cover and refrigerate for 20 min. Remove and make sure all fish has become white. Remove the liquid, add the ingredients and add salt and pepper to taste and finally the oil without beating more since that would change the texture. Refrigerate for 2 hours to blend the ingredients and serve.

Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Blend the ingredients for the sauce, pour into a bowl with chicken and marinate 1 hour in the refrigerator. Insert to form kabobs cubes on sticks, heat a griddle over medium heat, spread a little oil and cook 6 minutes total turning every 2 minutes. Put the rice in a pan add oil, onion and garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add celery, carrot and cook for 1 minute. Add the pineapple, soy, oyster and cook 30 seconds. Add rice extinguish the fire and mix the cilantro. Place kabobs on a mound of rice and serve with roasted peanuts and chopped chives.

Foodie Friday: Fruti de Mare, great recipe to try at home!
Delight yourself right at home with this surprisingly easy to make Belize Fruti de Mare recipe! For this segment we will explain one of our favourite recipes, which is also remarkably easy to make, it is called the Fruti de Mare or Fruit of the Sea, it is very versatile and so easy to do at home you will wonder why you haven’t done it already. Seafood – clean and shell the shrimp and conch to get it ready for cooking. Fish – Scale (if whole) and fillet. Fettuccini – place it for 8-10 minutes into a pot of boiling water, once complete you drain the pasta and add salt and a light amount of olive oil to taste.

SAGA Brings a Team of Volunteer Vets to the Island: Let’s Get Our Pets Out There
Yesterday I followed a pick-up truck filled with dog and cat carriers and veterinarians into the DFC area just south of town. A TEAM of volunteers are here to help the animals of Ambergris Caye – to provide much needed spay and neutering and more. The team of vets and vet techs and some SERIOUS equipment are here and seeing dogs and cats –> Yesterday May 4th in the DFC area, Today, May 5th from 9am to 4pm in San Pedrito and May 11th and 12th in San Mateo. PLEASE DROP IN! But let me pause for a moment and just mention a FEW reasons why it’s a good idea to fix your pet – both your cats and your dogs, the females and especially the males. Fixing your Dog Can Fix up San Pedro. Keeping dogs and cats in happy homes, keeps them off the streets…and from pooping on the streets…and from perhaps biting anyone. We have enough cute “street dogs” in San Pedro – fixing your animals (and find these strays homes) is the only way to keep the numbers in check. If you are calling the Mayor’s office to complain about strays in your area and your male dog is not fixed, you may be CONTRIBUTING to the problem.

International Sources

OAS issues press release on meeting held with Belize & Guatemala
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, met today with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala in reference to the recent incidents in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone and the Sarstoon River. To this end, Secretary Almagro confirmed the imminent deployment of a group of experts to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances which resulted in the death of a Guatemala minor, following an incident with the Belizean security forces in the Adjacency Zone. Recalling Annex C of the Confidence Building Measures in force on the Guidelines for Public Statements, Secretary Almagro urged its strict compliance by the Parties. The OAS Secretary General further called on the Parties to adopt a cooperation mechanism as soon as possible to normalize the situation in the Sarstoon River so that both the peoples and governments of Belize and Guatemala can refocus on strengthening their good neighborly relations. The Secretary General welcomed the readiness of both Parties to advance in the negotiations of the cooperation mechanism and urged the Parties to avoid future incidents such as those that have recently occurred.

Update on Coral Reef Bleaching and Possible New Remedies
Coral reefs are crucial to ocean ecosystems — providing food and shelter to a quarter of all marine life. They also support food stocks that feed more than a billion people. This year, reefs around the world are threatened like never before: At Christmas Island near Australia, scientists estimate more than 80 percent of all the coral is now dead. And at the Great Barrier Reef, a similar story is unfolding: More than half of the reef’s coral has died. Scientists point to warming ocean temperatures and successive El Nino events as causes. For this month’s Environmental Outlook, the threat to coral reefs worldwide and what it will take to save them. Guests: C. Mark Eakin coordinator, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Coral Reef Watch program. Kim Cobb Professor, School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology. Ruth Gates researcher, ocean science, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.

Norwegian Getaway’s First Belize Trip
Belize has welcomed the Norwegian Getaway in its first call to the Caribbean destination. The ship arrived with 4,360 passengers last week and hosted an on-board plaque exchange ceremony between the Belize Tourism Board and Captain Rune Myre of the Norwegian Getaway. The 1,068-foot Getaway was built in 2014 and hosts 1,640 crew on board. It sails seven-day Western Caribbean cruises from Miami and is expected to make 22 more calls to Belize between May and December 2016.

OAS to deploy experts to investigate shooting incident in Belize-Guatemala adjacency zone
The secretary general of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, on Wednesday met with the ministers of foreign affairs of Belize and Guatemala in reference to the recent incidents in the Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone and the Sarstoon River. To this end, Almagro confirmed the imminent deployment of a group of experts to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances that resulted in the death of a Guatemala minor, following an incident with the Belizean security forces in the Adjacency Zone. Recalling Annex C of the confidence building measures in force on the guidelines for public statements, Almagro urged its strict compliance by the parties.

Videos

G.R.W.A Vol. 1: Belize, 6min.

Loggerhead Turtle tries to shake some Remoras, Turneffe Atoll, Belize, 40sec. A loggerhead turtle tries to shake some pesky remoras by thrashing around and then darting off. This footage was taken near the Turneffe Atoll in Belize

Belize 2016 / Caye Caulker / San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, 8min.

San Antonio Mayan Gift Shop Belize, 3min. Trip through the village of San Antonio is a little gift shop.

Hol Chan Belize Reef. Creative tours San Pedro, 4.5min.

BELIZE 2016, 6.5min. Jeff and I had the best time with our buds Mike and Amanda in Belize last week! I had to make a video of our fun travels! Although it doesn't even showcase HALF of the fun things we did together like hiking the ruins, and cave exploring, diving, and tubbing, and the list goes on and on, but at least this is a little taste of the magic that is Belize.

DAY 4 - THE CITY OF BELIZE, 7.5min. Check out my visit to Belize city. Excursions in Belize are absolutely amazing, the city..

Caribbean Reef Octopus - Caye Caulker, Belize, 13sec. A Caribbean reef octopus spotted on a night dive off Caye Caulker, Belize.

BTB The Taste Of Belize Official Ad, min.

Larubya.drummers from Belize city, 6min.

Larubya.drummers from Belize city(1), 5min.

Fly Fishing Belize: Permit On The Fly, 2.5min. Fly Fishing for Permit of the coast of Southern Belize with legendary fly fishing guide Lincoln Westby.

People of San Pedro - UNCW Belize Documentary, 9min.

Belize waterslide 1, 23sec.

May 5, 2016