Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
"I've worked along with both individuals. I've worked along with Alan Pollard from 2018, actually. We are the last three, myself, Allan and, and Castellanos. Are the last three for the from the rebirth team. And it's, it's fitting, really that three of us are going out at the same time and we are giving this breath of fresh air to new, young blood."

Will Mayor Wagner Pursue Electoral Politics?

But what is next for the mayor and does he plan to pursue electoral politics? This is what he told us:

Reporter
"Do you see yourself in politics in the future? You know, maybe Area Rep next?"

Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
"I never write off anything. I always I'm guided by by by God. I never write off anything. I never said, this is the end."

"So, I leave it at that"

Reporter
"What is God telling you right now?"

Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
"Transition. Mayor just deal with the transition right now"

Fisheries Department Finds over 3,000 Feet Of Gillnets In Temash River Estuary

The Fisheries Department is reporting that during a nighttime enforcement operation by its Monitoring Control and Surveillance Unit, it recovered four illegally set gill nets in the Temash River Estuary. The operation was conducted on October 15th specifically targeting illegal gill net fishing activities in Southern Belize.

The nets measured a combined total of 3,120 feet and they varied in mesh size and length. The longest net extended more than 2,400 feet across the estuary. This net, which had a 2 inch mesh size, contained approximately 300 small fish entangled in its mesh. A dead tarpon measuring 2 feet in length was found in another net.

The retrieval of the nets took 2 hours to complete and during the operation, officers faced hostility from persons in the surrounding community, however, they remained at a distance. The nets were unattended so those setting them could not be identified or penalized at the time.

The Fisheries Department says the patrol was extended but no additional fishing gear was located during those searches.

Over 300 Constituents Receive Land Titles In Cayo South

More than 300 constituents in Cayo South received land titles today in St Matthews and Franks Eddy subdivision, and both the Area Rep and Natural Resources Minister were there to hand them over. Jomarie Lanza attended the event today, and here's how it went.

Today marked a major milestone in St Matthew's village, many of their residents became first time land owners. Up to 343 land titles were distributed today, for parcels in the St Matthew's village extension and Franks Eddy Subdivision, along with 16 agricultural parcels in St Matthews. The area representative for Cayo South Julius Espat says today's handing over also provided persons with an opportunity to own the land they have been living on for more than 30 years.

Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South
"We've been working on various land distribution this is one of them. We found a property that was available and so it has been a good collaborative effort between both ministries here we have about approximately 238 residential lots, about a quarter acre each and about 16 agricultural lots which ranges between 7-10 acres each and then we have about 88 lots in Franks Eddy but those are properties already lived on so we just managed to survey it and then give them the ability to have the purchase price so they can own it. But it has been good when you can help people it is a positive thing."

"We are in a rural community, Cayo south is rural and most of the villagers are farmers and one of the complaints secondary to owning your house lot is to own a piece of farm land and so we deiced to do some of the farm land too so that the farmer scan have where to do their work."

And without the minister of natural resources this distribution would not have been possible, he is in fact the man holding the pen and signing off on the tiles before they can be distributed.

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources
"Well ultimately I give the final approval because it is national land so that is the good thing we were able to find national land and MIDh was able to subdivide the land for us and his office and his people work very closely with my office and my people. They have a great working relationship and over the years we have been able to get a lot of purchase approvals for residents here and this happened pretty quickly but a lot of dogged effort from a lot of key people and my job is easy I only sign because they are government land and there is no contention there so it is pretty easy on my end."

Among many of the recipients were young persons and families with children. We spoke to two first time land owners today and asked them how it feels to finally own a piece of Belize for themselves.

Christopher Jeffords, First Time Land Recipient
"This is my first time, well like I said I am grateful for the land, a new obstacle that I can build up on myself and know where to put myself for the next step in life"

Reporter
"So what plans do you have for your land are you going to build your house? Do you have a family? Anything like that?"

Christopher Jeffords
"Yes mam I plan to build a house, move in my family so I can move from my mom's land to my land and make better for myself."

Ruby Enriquez, First Time Land Recipient
"It definitely feels great having something I can call my own so I feel very happy for the program that was developed and being able to receive this land."

"Definitely I will build my house for sure I have kids so thinking ahead in the future eventually it will end up being for them."

Belize Will See Increase In Flights From Canada

As we've been reporting this week, Belize has signed an agreement to land its first Europe - direct flight.

That launches service in 2027, but starting at the end of this month Air Canada will be operating its Montreal and Toronto legs while WestJet will be flying out of Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg.

That's an increasing number of Canadian cities flying directly to Belize and yesterday at the Routes World show in Frankfurt, Germany we asked the BTB's marketer in Canada how she sells Belize as a destination:

Siobhan Chretien, Director of Tourism for Belize- Canada:
"For us promoting Belize to the Canadian market, it's sort of a win-win, because Canadians, first of all, we have direct air access starting this month through to May. So it's only a 5-hour, 5-and-a-half-hour flight from most cities. And the fact that we have the diversity of the beaches, the soft adventure, the blue-green season"

We also asked Chretien who's expected on the Winnipeg flight when it starts in December of this year. She said there is a strong Mennonite community on Winnipeg:

Siobhan Chretien, Director of Tourism for Belize - Canada:
"And there's a large Mennonite community. It's the largest Mennonite community in Canada, but that just speaks to the fact that there's a lot of cultures from different European countries and so forth. So, they are looking for unique, diverse destinations, and we feel there'd be strong appeal in particular for Central America. Costa Rica out of Winnipeg is doing very well. So, it's nice to go in afterwards after the market's been tested."

The Winnipeg flight operated by Westjet starts on December 14, 2026.

DPM Says Previous Governments Have Tried And Failed To Secure European Route

His cabinet colleague Anthony Mahler has spent the last few months securing airlift opportunities into Belize from Europe and when we asked DPM Cordel Hyde about it today he told us it's something that previous governments have tried to secure but were unable to. Now that it's finally happening, he says he is fully supportive of the new flights.

Reporter
"What do you think about the new direct flight to Europe?"

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources
"It is a big deal it is a big deal, you know successive governments over the long years have tried to get it and we are finally able to get it, a story goes with It of course there has to be an investment on our part but people, people would know people in the industry believe that the return from the investment will exceed the investment ands we are very hopeful that will be the case we are confident in our product here that once people come here they will want to come back they have to come back ."

With European Flight Secured, Are We Closer To Schengen Visa?

And with Belize establishing this new route, the question remains: Will it also cater for the Belizean traveler? As you would know Belizeans require a Schengen Visa to visit most parts of Europe. While some countries have seen a waiver, we asked the Minister who explained that the 5 year Schengen is already a big step for us.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"No, no, no, we're not any closer to that. But, I think, as you know, we had a big win. I think we reported last year, when we got the what we call a cascade visa. So that not it's no longer a single entry visa. When you go to Mexico or Guatemala and you apply for a Schengen visa. No. They give you, 3 to 5 year visa. In the past, it used to be a one entry visa. So that's a step in the right direction, but it's it's not a waiver. You know, as I've made, I made this point many times before. That really is caught up in European politics. The Schengen visa waiver. You know, there, as you all know, there's the rise of right wing parties in Europe. They are anti-immigration. And so they have taken a very firm position against these types of waivers and so the reality is, I don't expect that, waiver that full waiver to come anytime soon. But we're happy that we were we have made progress on that issue. For the first time, Belizeans no longer have to go, to apply for a Schengen visa for every time they want to enter the the area, the Schengen area they know can get access to a 3 to 5 year visa."

OAS Investigation Into Air Incursion Continues

And we also asked the Foreign Minister for an update on the OAS investigation into Guatemala's incursion into our airspace. The two countries have identified the experts who will conduct the investigation, and Fonseca says he expects the terms of reference to be finalized this week, allowing the experts to begin their work, which he hopes will take only a few weeks:

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"We're still at the stage where we're we're we're finalizing the terms of reference. They've identified the experts who will carry it out. But, so just this morning, I received an email from them, talking about the terms of reference. So our people are reviewing it as you will appreciate. It has to be reviewed by both Belize and Guatemala. So on both sides, we're reviewing it. So, you know, I hope they on the sun that we have a sense of urgency when it comes to this matter. So I think that terms of reference will be finalized this week And that will then allow, the experts to then begin their work. Which, I hope you know, won't take more than a than a few weeks"

Belize Becomes First Caribbean Country To Sign UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework

Belize is now the first Caribbean country to sign the UN multi-country sustainable development cooperation framework 2027-2031. Jaleeza Roberts was present at the signing today and files this report:

Belize has become the first of 22 Caribbean countries and territories to sign a new United Nations cooperation framework aimed at advancing sustainable development, strengthening social services and building resilience to economic, climate and security challenges. The framework aligns UN support with Belize's Medium Term Development Strategy for 2026 to 2030, with a focus on creating economic opportunities, improving access to essential services and strengthening public institutions. UN Resident Coordinator, Raul Salazar explained what this means for Belize.

Raul Salazar, UN Resident Coordinator, Belize
"We recognize this commitment and the work that the government has done to bring Belize's development priorities, not only on this occasion with the signature, but also taking the principles of what multilateralism, the Sustainable Development Goals, and making sure that no one is left behind in these efforts means and how you bring this voice in the regional forums, in the global forums and also, of course, in what you do in the country. The 23rd Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals give us a shared commitment to end poverty, to expand opportunity, to protect the planet, to build peaceful, inclusive societies and is aligned to these same principles that are represented in the Belize medium-term development strategy for 2026-2030."

Recent national poverty indicators, with figures from the Statistical Institute of Belize show that multidimensional poverty declined from approximately 20 to 22 percent in September 2024 to 19 percent in September 2025. The report estimates that approximately 13,000 fewer people were living below the multidimensional poverty threshold. Improvements were also recorded in household well being, internet access and young people's participation in education, training or employment:

Raul Salazar, UN Resident Coordinator, Belize
"These results reflect sustained work by the government and a strong foundation for the next stage of development. The framework that we are assigning today will help to continue advancing this work by bringing the United Nations support behind the government priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2026, 15 UN agencies brought 171 programs that are implemented in Belize. This action, together with the country implementation plan, is what guides the technical support that the UN can provide to the initiatives of the country."

"The framework that we are signing today has basically four outcomes, and this is coming from a discussion from all the 22 signatories of this framework. It was a discussion that identified the Caribbean need to have a diversified and inclusive economy, and all this is, of course, translated into what we are going to do here in Belize. This is a commitment that we are making.Countries also highlighted to highlight resilience to shocks, also to have integrated social services, and also bring resilience to crime and violence. As you can see, these outcomes are closely connected to Belize's priorities. Support for small businesses, trade, digital infrastructure, and rural livelihoods can broaden economic opportunity."

Pioneer Of Banana Industry Antonio Zabaneh Dies

Finally tonight, Antonio Zabaneh has passed away at the age of 90. Zabaneh was the only chairman of the Bananas Growers Association and a pioneer in Belize's banana industry. He was one of the biggest banana farmers and created countless employment opportunities. He was also the chairman of Independence village several times.

According to the BGA, he was quote, "a strong advocate for our growers and worked tireless to support the development of the banana sector in Belize." End quote.

A mass of Thanksgiving for his life will be held on Wednesday the 28th of October at St Pius X Church in Independence Village.