Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English
The State of Emergency remains in effect tonight for portions of the Belize and Cayo Districts.
You've heard the government plan to respond to a shocking spree of seven murders between Friday and Sunday-well, today the UDP held a press conference outlining their response.
First was their response to the Minister of National Security, Michel Chebat's proposal to form a National Security Advisory Committee comprising a cross-section of community representation, including the churches,NGOs, the media, and the Opposition.
UDP Leader Tracy Panton said she hopes the invitation was genuine because the Opposition has strategies of its own.
She started by listing the conditions in the current SOE that they agree with:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "The UDP supports some of the tactical measures announced by the Ministry of National Security. Stricter penalties and sentences for adults who recruit children into criminal activity is a step in the forward direction. Stronger forensics so that more cases can end in convictions is a step in the forward direction. A Second Chance program for young offenders is a step in the forward direction. An invitation for the churches, the NGOs, and the Opposition to serve on some sort of a national advisory committee is a step in the forward direction. Curfew for children under 18 is a step in the forward direction. However, announcements alone are not a plan. Some of the suggested actions do not give any details or indications on how they will be implemented in a timely and effective manner. Nor do they identify where their resources will come from and how the root causes of crime will be addressed. We contend that our national response must include accountable leadership, empowered communities, employment training opportunities, and sustained partnerships for longer-term solutions."
But one of the things the Opposition does not agree with is the current Commissioner of Police. The UDP is calling for Dr. Richard Rosado's immediate removal. Panton says this will help rebuild public trust:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "The Police Department, as this is no secret, is widely seen as a gang themselves. Public confidence in the Commissioner's leadership, his inability to build institutional morale, allegations of conflicts of interest of his office and political directorate, the use of the security apparatus to perpetuate seemingly illegal and unconstitutional detentions, the unwillingness of the Commissioner to hold rogue police officers to account, and his inability to earn the trust, respect of marginalized communities is below the standards that Belizeans deserve. The police high command must work with the highest standards of accountability, particularly when addressing citizen security."
"The UDP calls for the immediate removal of the current Police Commissioner, Dr. Richard Rosado, as a first step to bolstering the public trust and confidence in effective policing. Dr. Richard Rosado must go, and he must go now."
So what's the UDP's plan? Panton says it goes a lot deeper than the gunmen and gang members on the street, targeting instead the illicit trade of firearms. Here's what she outlined:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "The UDP calls for a dedicated gun violence and gun investigation task force to be set up within 30 days. We must apprehend both the gunmen and those who facilitate and finance organized crime. Tracking how illegal guns and ammunition are crossing our borders and who is supplying them is an urgent undertaking. Establishing a joint plan involving police, the Belize Defence Force, the Coast Guard, Customs, and Immigration to disrupt trafficking in firearms, ammunition, and other illicit goods must be executed post-haste. We must use intelligence to direct patrols. We must use intelligence for investigations. We must pursue the suppliers, the organizers, the financiers, and the facilitators behind trafficking. Our call to action is simple: we must work to dismantle the criminal networks and their enabling conditions that continue to erode the very fabric of our Belizean society."
And she said that counseling and support for families must be coupled with that:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "The UDP calls for empowered communities and support for families who are in vulnerable situations. We call for stronger community policing in partnerships with municipal councils, schools, churches, businesses, and community organizations to make prevention visible in everyday life, addressing unsafe school routes, broken streetlights, overgrown lots, and neglected recreational spaces. Community groups must help identify needs and deliver solutions, not simply be consulted after decisions are made."
"Family support programs are also central to community safety. We must establish a coordinated social services referral system that connects vulnerable households, victims, and bereaved families to trauma counseling, parenting support, substance use treatment, domestic violence services, and practical aid.Families in crisis need a clear route to help. Within 6 to 12 months, we have to offer young people compelling reasons to say no to gang violence and participation."
"Safer communities and stronger families must be matched by real pathways to education, training, and employment."
But while Minister Chebat did extend the invitation, he has not contacted the Opposition Leader directly. Instead, he announced that a delegation would be going to El Salvador. Panton said that makes it clear that the government is bankrupt of ideas on how to curb crime:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "The reason the UDP felt very compelled to be here this morning to offer proposals for consideration is because the government is bankrupt of ideas. Their first response is to engage in an unconstitutional, illegal measure that has been taken to the Appeal Court that says we cannot use SOEs as a crime prevention strategy. And while the Commissioner sought to make reference to the Constitution to say it's constitutionally sound, if you read the provisions of Section 18(b) of the Constitution of Belize, it certainly does not, in my view, provide for this SOE to be deemed constitutional. The Police Commissioner said they know there are 60 persons, so why haven't we detained those 60 persons? Why haven't we held them to account?Why haven't we done the investigations? Why haven't we collected the evidence that will ensure their prosecutions can be upheld? We know who these individuals are, it's not rocket science, but yet we are casting a wide net, which again has been deemed to be unconstitutional."
Reporter: "What, in your view, can we, if anything at all, learn from El Salvador if that trip is to be taken?"
Tracy Panton: "Well, I don't know what the Minister hopes to glean from President Bukele. It's widely known that the measures that he has used are draconian. But Bukele has said something critically important, and I want you to bear with me. He said if a government is unable to arrest crime in its community, it is because the government is criminals themselves."
And while the Opposition came out swinging today, former UDP leader Dean Barrow isn't so confident. Just last month, Barrow admitted that on their current trajectory, the PUP will take another victory in March's municipals. Today, the current leader says she disagrees with Dean:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "I absolutely do not agree with that premise, and my colleagues on my left will tell you we are actively on the ground and everywhere. Every part of this country that I travel to-every village, every town, every city-the people, no matter what part of the social stature they come from, say the same thing: enough is enough is enough, and it is time for the UDP to get back to governing this country. If I'm going to bet, I will bet on the people."
Yesterday, two males accused of murder-a 16-year-old minor and a 31-year-old man-managed to halt an arraignment for murder by saying they didn't trust the police. The Magistrate sent them back to give their true statements to the police.
Today, Emerson West and his teenaged co-accused weren't so lucky, and they are on remand.
Accused of murdering 19-year-old Dodrick Madrill, the duo appeared before the Chief Magistrate in the presence of their attorney, Norman Rodriguez. West was remanded to the Belize Central Prison, while the minor was remanded to the Wagner's Youth Facility.
Outside court, Rodriguez said his clients instructed him that after being returned to the police station on Monday, they were placed in a cell and brought back to court the following morning without giving statements:
Norman Rodriguez, Attorney-at-Law "I came down to represent my clients for their arraignment. However, I was not present when the arraignment was done because I was before a tribunal in another matter in the afternoon. I am only privy to the knowledge that they were sent back down to the Queen Street Police Station for an interview to be done. That is my understanding of what happened. However, when I spoke with them this morning, my clients instructed me that they were taken there and just placed in a cell and brought back this morning. That is my understanding of what happened. So, I cannot say more than the fact that they have been arraigned and remanded. At the end of the day, a young person lost his life. The police has certain evidence and the police has to act on the evidence that it has. However, especially this minor and Mr. West are both maintaining their innocence in this. If what I have been instructed by the minor is true, then we will be seeing compensation being paid to him pursuant to Section 5(6) of the Constitution where it says that if somebody detains or arrests another unlawfully, then they must pay that person compensation. And that takes me into the recent unlawful alleged detentions of these many young men across Belize City because in one case, I had to visit the Queen Street Police Station where I spoke to at least seven young men and one of them had been detained for three 48-hour periods and was still not released as I was instructed."
For months we have been pressing the government on what it plans to do with the Cuban Medical Brigade. The US State Department has been forcing all countries to ditch the program-because they say it's forced labor. Belize has been one of the last holdouts, but time is running out-and today, the government finally announced that it's keeping the doctors but losing the program.
An announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says, quote, "The Government of Belize and Cuba will not renew the agreement under which members of the Cuban Medical Brigade have served in Belize since 1990."
It adds, "To ensure the continued delivery of the medical services, the Government of Belize... will sign individual contracts of employment with each Cuban professional that will allow them to remain and work in Belize." End quote.
It is, in effect, a classic diplomatic attempt to split the baby-severing the official bilateral program to appease Washington's mandate on forced labor, while retaining the individual physicians to keep Belize's public health infrastructure from collapsing. It is left to be seen whether this administrative middle ground satisfies US scrutiny.
A brewing battle over the future of Ambergris Caye's aviation infrastructure reached a boiling point today as the San Pedro Town Council formally broke ranks with the central government to oppose the proposed closure of the John Greif II Municipal Airport. The municipal position presents a notable political rift between Belmopan and the island's PUP town council. And it's made more pronounced by the fact that the Government simultaneously issued an official endorsement of the relocation of the airport to Northern Ambergris Caye as an essential investment in the nation's tourism future. One hour later, another strong release appeared, this one from the BTIA, joining the chorus of opposition to closing the airport.
The trio of releases follows weeks of anxious chatter across the aviation and tourism sectors, triggered by warnings on 7News from Tropic Air's CEO that relocating the airstrip could undermine Belize's domestic flight network.
Well, the San Pedro Town Council today confirmed it had formally voted to oppose closing the existing downtown airport, pledging to advocate its position directly with the Government of Belize and relevant authorities. The council stressed that "no decision has been made to close or relocate the existing airport."
Adding significant weight to this resistance, the BTIA warns that shifting the island's entry point away from the urban center would decimate downtown commerce, drive up visitor costs, and threaten small and medium-sized operators who rely on the existing layout of San Pedro Town.
The BTIA position comes out of a town meeting held yesterday featuring Area Representative Andre Perez,who urged a measured approach to closing the existing airport.
On the other side is the government's statement, which is the first official announcement on the proposal. It frames the proposed new airport in North Ambergris Caye as a proactive initiative to meet decades of future demand.
According to the Belize Airport Authority and central government, the existing downtown airstrip is nearing operational capacity and faces physical layout constraints. Belmopan argues that a new facility-featuring an expanded runway designed to handle larger regional aircraft, private jets, and charter flights-is vital for a number of reasons. Notably, they cite no data and no traffic study to back up these claims.
The central government's assurances stand in stark contrast to warnings from Tropic Air CEO Max Greif. Greif has cautioned that the proposed 2030 closure of the downtown airport threatens the foundation of Belize's commercial aviation model:
Max Greif, CEO, Tropic Air "San Pedro to the international airport really supports the entire national airline network, and our ability and really the industry's ability to carry a visitor from the international airport to San Pedro is what enables us to provide service to places like Dangriga, and Corozal, and PG. And when that route, that core of our operations is challenged, it puts the rest of the network in jeopardy."
"And so effectively, you can't, you know, put a dagger through the heart and expect the rest of the body not to feel it."
Last week, Prime Minister John Briceno told us, "But we are just in the discussion period. No decision has been made as yet." But today's bold declaration from the San Pedro Town Council makes it likely that any attempt by Belmopan to push forward will face both internal and external resistance.
As we've been reporting, the nation's security apparatus is struggling to respond to the steadily escalating surge in gang violence.
On Sunday, the Minister of National Security spoke about deploying an urban Crime Suppression Unit comprising the police, BDF, and Coast Guard. And they're also bringing back ASP Aaron Gamboa-he got benched by the last Minister of Home Affairs-but now he's back in a senior operational role as part of what is called the Violence Response Team assigned to rural Belize.
Basically, they are throwing everything they can at the problem. But how much of the current crime problem can be traced back to May when the Ministry of Home Affairs abruptly and without notice halted the LIU program?
It was paying hundreds of gang-affiliated persons in a work program-and providing skills training.
When it was cut, all those services ceased. Many theorize that the current crime wave is a consequence of that sudden discontinuation.
Tonight, 7News has a document which gives an insight into LIU's sudden demise:
This is the text message I got on May 26th-many others would follow in rapid succession. The word had gone out: the LIU program was put on a hard and abrupt pause.
But that was a delayed reaction; four days earlier, on May 22nd, the Acting Director of the LIU, Andrew Dawson, got this letter from the CEO in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Elton Bennett. It advises him of what it calls a temporary measure during the State of Emergency and informs him of structural changes to the anti-violence program as efforts are-in his words-revisited and reorganized.
Bennett lists three actions to be taken immediately: the work program is to cease immediately, admin workers are also to cease immediately, while the community leaders programs are to continue.
Seems pretty abrupt, but the Compol disagrees:
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police "You mentioned that it was stopped abruptly..."
Jules Vasquez: "Midweek, Wednesday."
Dr. Richard Rosado: "That's the farthest from the truth. I was present when the then Minister and the CEO met with the director of LIU and informed him two months in advance that an assessment will be done after a two-month period to determine the effect of all the intervention programs that they have and they had at the time."
The letter makes no reference to any previous meeting, but Rosado insisted that the onus rested with the director-a point he made with emphatic emotion:
Dr. Richard Rosado: "So the director was then tasked to inform everybody. Since then, we have completed that assessment, and we have found out that some of the social intervention programs were not reaching the targeted population that they should reach."
Jules Vasquez: "Would you accept that since the LIU program was put on suspension, one, that crime has escalated; and two, would you say that if you said the notice was given to the director, certainly it did not reach the recipients that we spoke to? They were caught off guard. Did the director fail in passing on that information?"
Dr. Richard Rosado: "It is something that we have to look at to see whether he did meet with them. I think it is something that we have to address, and I think that I would not consider that the... because of the... in fact, the LIU program was not discontinued, all the social intervention programs should have continued. If it did not,then the director of LIU have to answer. The only program that was discontinued was the temporary employment program."
But that's not quite what this letter says-and it did say that the program will be revisited. From May to October, five months have elapsed and the program remains dormant. When it was abruptly halted, we spoke to two former recipients about what might happen next:
Voices of LIU Recipients
(June 4, 2026)
Voice of LIU Recipient 1: "A lot of youths will get wild. Men were occupied because they already know they had something to do every day."
Voice of LIU Recipient 2: "But the way how they cut off this program and just dash everybody on the side, it really could have a serious effect. And we really don't want to reach that point."
It might have already reached that point-but will the program be restarted, and where is the money budgeted for it?
Jules Vasquez: "But the money for LIU was already voted. So there was $6 million in the budget, thereabouts.So you were aware of that money being there? Mr. Chebat voted for it in the House."
Dr. Richard Rosado: "I know the... the... the... there was an approved budget, but not to the amount that you mentioned. And we look at it and the previous minister did address why there's a need to restructure and refocus the LIU. You... and at the time, part of the funds was utilized for certain equipment for the police department."
The Ministry has spoken now about starting what is called a "Second Chance program" for minors.
Tonight, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development is advising drivers in Belize City that traffic changes are coming to the downtown area to accompany the construction of the new bridge replacing the Swing Bridge.
And starting tomorrow, motorists in Belize City are advised to prepare for traffic delays as construction gets underway on a new bridge connecting Hydes Lane to Regent Street West, which will close a section at the end of Regent Street West to traffic. Jaleeza Roberts spoke with the Chief Engineer via Zoom:
Over the next four weeks, motorists and residents around Regent Street West in Belize City will have to adjust their daily drive as repairs are made on the Regent Street West bridge.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development says the work is necessary to address deterioration of the existing bridge-but it's also to prepare the area for the arrival of a new bridge, one of them landing adjacent to the existing bridge.
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH "So to date, we're approximately about 75% to 80% complete with the new bridge structure that we're building at Hydes Lane. And as I've mentioned before, that was in... this used to be a temporary structure, but now it will become a permanent structure that will remain in place as an additional crossing for the city. Based on an assessment that we did with respect to those works, we have one more span that is remaining on the south side for us to complete that new bridge structure. However, based on assessment done by our engineers, we did some inspection of the existing bridge structure that is located on Regent Street West, because the new bridge will alight directly onto that bridge structure."
The work starts tomorrow:
Evondale Moody: "So what we have to do is to remove the deck structure from that bridge, which we want to start tomorrow, and then do a further assessment of the two abutments that that deck is resting on. Based on that, if those abutments are in order, then we will just replace the deck structure and then continue with the construction of the new bridge coming across from Hydes Lane. If for some reason those are not adequate enough, then we will have to do further work in an effort to strengthen the two abutments for that bridge structure."
And there is a bigger deadline to watch as the dismantling of the Swing Bridge and the Belcan will commence imminently-and the deadlines are tight:
Evondale Moody: "The target date for us to complete that bridge structure is at the end of this month, and we have to start with the removal of the old Swing Bridge on the 1st of December. So we're pushing the contractor as best as we can to deal with this bridge structure that we have to replace, complete the last span of the new bridge, and then open that bridge to traffic by the 1st of December."
For now, motorists are advised to know your route, allow extra travel time, and pay attention to traffic updates as construction progresses. Jaleeza Roberts, 7News.
Tonight, the police are appealing to anyone who may have any information about the aggravated burglary of the Quality Poultry Products Belmopan Branch to please call it in.
The incident happened on Saturday, October 31, at around 9:00 p.m. when four armed and masked men stormed the establishment and made off with cash, cell phones, jewelry, and a firearm.
Among the items stolen was a black Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Crime Stoppers hotline anonymously at 922, use the P3 Tips application, or contact the nearest police station.
Fifty-six member states of the Commonwealth-including Belize-have gathered in Antigua and Barbuda for the annual Heads of Government meeting.
The opening ceremony was held this morning with an official welcome speech from the head of the Commonwealth, King Charles:
His Majesty King Charles, Head of the Commonwealth "Our Commonwealth family has mattered greatly to me for my whole life, and now particularly as King and Head of the Commonwealth, to which I have always tried to offer whatever service I can, especially in support of young people, of whom Commonwealth countries can count more than a billion,not to mention the protection of the uniquely important natural environments we each depend upon. I can say how glad I am that the Queen shares my enthusiasm for our Commonwealth family and all that it represents,not least through the Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition."
"None of us, of course, would be here today were it not for our history, which has shaped us in myriad ways.History is not ours to choose or to change; it is bequeathed to us in complex synthesis by forebears we can never know. Our inheritance includes both our achievements and their failures, the good they did as well as the wrongs. History can be hard to compass, viewed as it is through the prism of time, which can be both clarifying and distorting, and yet its consequences resonate with contemporary force. Our history inspires us,can appall us, yet it can always teach us. We cannot change the actions of those that came before us; we can,however, learn from the past."
Gaston Browne, Prime Minister, Antigua and Barbuda "We gather at a time where global power remains unequal, national interests increasingly compete, and the foundations of international cooperation are under strain. From these Caribbean shores, we understand how decisions taken far beyond our borders can profoundly affect our people. Conflicts destroy lives and disrupt economies. Supply chain disruptions drive up prices, and that constrains national choices.Climate change threatens livelihoods, development, as well as the survival of vulnerable states; yet the truth is that no nation, however powerful, can prosper in isolation. All depend on reliable partners, secure markets,resilient supply chains, and a stable international order. We may not agree on everything, but we must recognize that we can achieve far more through cooperation than through confrontation."
"There are some who question whether or not the Commonwealth remains relevant. Our answer must not rest on history or sentiment alone; it must be demonstrated through results and opportunities we create, the partnerships we form, and the tangible improvements we deliver in the lives of our people."
"Our theme, 'Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth,' provides a clear direction."
The Meeting will end on November 4th. Prime Minister John Briceno is attending. We did not see him in the video for the breakfast between CARICOM leaders and the Prime Minister of Canada, but his Cabinet Secretary did provide video of him with PM Carney after the breakfast. He says Briceño did attend the breakfast, though he is not in the video or pictures.
NTUCB has made its submission in opposition to BEL's request to increase the COPA Cap from 5% to 10%. In their press release, they listed several reasons why they oppose the increase. The first reason is that the cost of living for workers, whom they represent, is already out of control. NTUCB continues by outlining that they and the wider public have also had to deal with the cost of fuel prices and load shedding. Finally, the NTUCB says that the regulatory sandbox must protect consumers. As you'll remember, the PUC established the COPA under a regulatory sandbox, and the NTUCB wrote that doubling the COPA cap runs counter to consumer protection.
The release ends by urging the PUC to reject BEL's request for the increase.
And the UDP agrees. Today, Leader Tracy Panton explained that they also oppose the increase. And she added that before it can even be considered, an audit needs to be done on BEL:
Reporter: "What is the party's position on BEL's request to increase the COPA?"
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "Absolutely not."
Reporter: "Tell us why."
Tracy Panton: "Because we simply cannot afford it. How much more money are we going to invest-not invest,use to bail out BEL-without understanding the last three years BEL had record returns on investment? In the COVID era was when BEL recorded the highest net profits for $36.6 million; 2021 was $34 million, almost $35 million; 2022 almost $20 million. Where are those resources? What have we done with them? And we have to have an honest and an open conversation. There must be an audit before we can agree to any increase in the COPA."
And Panton also spoke about the new Maya Island Air flight, which picked up the route Tropic Air discontinued in Punta Gorda.
She questioned how the German airline Discover Airlines could have gotten a $4 million Belize dollar guarantee when local airlines are not given the same priority:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "We all know that transportation services are the lifeline to any tourism destination, any destination. And don't you find it curious, as much as we like to see new flights coming into Belize, that the BTB is prepared to offer a revenue guarantee to a European-based carrier to the tune of $2 million USD a year, but we're not prepared to work with our local airline industry to ensure they have access to the tourism growth? We hear that it's going to be a bumpy season. I will tell you right now that the local airline industry and the local hotel industry tell me that tourism is down by somewhere between 30% and 40%. So what are we doing? What is the Tourism Board doing to promote local tourism to be able to ensure that we can offer those same incentives that we offer to international carriers to our local carriers? I think that's the question we should be asking."
Turning now to a community story, Stanley "Dubu" Thomas has been the caretaker for the football field on Raccoon Street for almost three decades.
And since works have been constructed at the Raccoon Street Police Station beside the field, he says he was not consulted or informed that the contractor would be dumping materials onto his beloved field.
Thomas claims they even broke down one of the gates to gain entry to the field, and as the caretaker, he will have to find the means and resources to repair it.
He vented his frustrations today about the lack of support for his effort to maintain the football field:
Stanley "Dubu" Thomas, Football Field Caretaker "Mama, I am hurt because it's me one that labors on this football field from I was a young boy. I am 62, and I am still chopping this field alone."
"Right now, there was a white lady that came from one of those foreign countries and she came because she wanted to train children to play softball. I asked her to please contribute. She gave me $700. I went, I bought the sand and gave her a receipt because I am no con artist. I want everything on the field, I built this field for the community. I didn't build this field to thief any money or hustle any money. I spent so much money to put in lights, to put in water, so much money to put everything on this field-me one, the same money they give me every two weeks."
Jomarie Lanza: "So you just want help to upgrade?"
Stanley "Dubu" Thomas: "Sports Council have to try and handle me better than this, because I am really important for the community in the southside field, I am very important. Everyone around here gives me respect because I keep the field locked. Why I am vex the most, I want those people to put back my gate right away. And if they will come in here, if they put back my gate, I will open it for them and lock it back. Because what they did to the football field, they let the horses come in here, and when horses come in here and it rains,it isn't easy to clean when it gets hard. You can't play ball because you can break your ankle because of the horses. But how can I stop them if the gate is broken down? They broke the gate without permission."
Those wanting to help Dubu can contact him at 624-3592.
For the past two weeks, the price of a gallon of diesel has been at a record high.
The increase has hit motorists and businesses hard.
But with the conflict in Iran continuing to pressure global oil markets, the question tonight is how much higher prices will go, and how much pump pain can you bear? Jaleeza Roberts tried to find out:
Yesterday, the government concluded a five-year Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Mechanism. The program provided technical expertise to various local institutions.
Coordinated locally through the Ministry of Economic Transformation, the program embedded Canadian specialists into key public entities-including BELTRAIDE, the Social Security Board, and the Development Finance Corporation-to modernize governance, strategic planning, and public service delivery.
The Minister of Economic Transformation explained more:
Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of Economic Transformation "The program entails that the Government of Canada was supporting Belize through a CARICOM expert mechanism in terms of helping us with experts in different areas, and those experts went from helping us in villages like Gales Point to Cristo Rey, helping BELTRAIDE, SIB, and they've been helping us in terms of getting the accreditation for DFC, working on accreditations for GCF under the Ministry of Economic Transformation, and also working with the SIF, so it's an opportunity that we took advantage of due to the limitation of certain experts we have in Belize."
"It was mostly in terms of helping some of our institutions like Gales Point Primary School whereby they have a component of sustainability now and also learn how to develop bankable projects and develop project proposals. That's a limitation we have in the country, and so for businesses to be able to do their own project proposals based on the needs that they have and they can now turn those proposals into bankable proposals, that's a big deal."
Election activist Jerry Enriquez has been facing one legal hurdle after another to get his redistricting case heard. He and his tenacious attorney, Ananda Ramlogan, have had quite a few victories and some setbacks.
Now he has filed an appeal against Justice Martha Alexander's decision dismissing his application for judicial review regarding the Judicial and Legal Services Commission's refusal to investigate Justice Tawanda Hondora for alleged judicial bias and misconduct.
Emphasizing that judges are subject to the law and that misconduct complaints are critical to judicial accountability, Enriquez declared his intention to take the matter all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) if necessary to establish clear standards of performance for the judiciary.
He explained today through Zoom some of the hurdles he has faced:
Jerry Enriquez, Activist "We are hoping, we are looking for a clear path to justice and that these precedents that were set before that undermined a very important case... constitutional case, we hope that the misconduct of the judge that affected that case will be effectively addressed."
"There was an attempt to impose a wasted costs order on Senior Counsel Ramlogan, the counsel representing me in this case, and we had sent it to the CCJ. The CCJ sent it back to the Court of Appeal for hearing, and then that was dismissed through a consent order, so we do not need to go through that hearing again-it was agreed that the wasted costs order is thrown out. It was also agreed that the appeal for the substantive hearing of our case be heard expeditiously in the court, and so we are cleared now after almost two years of crossing all these technical and procedural hurdles that the judge had imposed on us. So we are cleared now to get to the real substantive case, which is proper redistricting for our country in accordance with the Constitution. That is what the government has been fighting: the right of Belizeans for fair representation. And so all these hurdles that we have experienced was delaying the substantive case that we wanted to have heard."
Now a new judge has been assigned and Enriquez is now waiting for a date to be set as they move forward and start anew, but again, facing procedural hurdles:
Jerry Enriquez, Activist "The affidavit... there was a lot of, as I mentioned, procedural decisions questioning even the authenticity of my signature on that affidavit. I was in court-the judge could have easily called me and asked if that was my signature. But recall that we prepared that affidavit I would say in record time, because even though we had written a pre-action protocol letter to the Government of Belize to say that if you call elections under these conditions of severe imbalances in our electoral divisions, you are again breaking the law, and the government was intent on going ahead knowingly, because the Prime Minister had promised all during the 2020 to 2025 term that they would do this redistricting. And they went ahead and called elections, and so even questioning my signature on the affidavit and making a ruling against that was kind of an ambush against our case.
"So we are starting again from new with our appeal and that affidavit stands, and so we are all ready now to do the substantive case on behalf of the people of Belize.
"We are seeking to have electoral divisions nearly or near as equal as possible, which means within internationally accepted standards of 10% to 15% deviation, so that Belizeans all over, in constituencies all over the country, are fairly represented."
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The State of Emergency remains in effect tonight for portions of the Belize and Cayo Districts.
"The UDP supports some of the tactical measures announced by the Ministry of National Security. Stricter penalties and sentences for adults who recruit children into criminal activity is a step in the forward direction. Stronger forensics so that more cases can end in convictions is a step in the forward direction. A Second Chance program for young offenders is a step in the forward direction. An invitation for the churches, the NGOs, and the Opposition to serve on some sort of a national advisory committee is a step in the forward direction. Curfew for children under 18 is a step in the forward direction. However, announcements alone are not a plan. Some of the suggested actions do not give any details or indications on how they will be implemented in a timely and effective manner. Nor do they identify where their resources will come from and how the root causes of crime will be addressed. We contend that our national response must include accountable leadership, empowered communities, employment training opportunities, and sustained partnerships for longer-term solutions."
But one of the things the Opposition does not agree with is the current Commissioner of Police. The UDP is calling for Dr. Richard Rosado's immediate removal. Panton says this will help rebuild public trust:
But while Minister Chebat did extend the invitation, he has not contacted the Opposition Leader directly. Instead, he announced that a delegation would be going to El Salvador. Panton said that makes it clear that the government is bankrupt of ideas on how to curb crime:
And while the Opposition came out swinging today, former UDP leader Dean Barrow isn't so confident. Just last month, Barrow admitted that on their current trajectory, the PUP will take another victory in March's municipals. Today, the current leader says she disagrees with Dean:
Yesterday, two males accused of murder-a 16-year-old minor and a 31-year-old man-managed to halt an arraignment for murder by saying they didn't trust the police. The Magistrate sent them back to give their true statements to the police.
"I came down to represent my clients for their arraignment. However, I was not present when the arraignment was done because I was before a tribunal in another matter in the afternoon. I am only privy to the knowledge that they were sent back down to the Queen Street Police Station for an interview to be done. That is my understanding of what happened. However, when I spoke with them this morning, my clients instructed me that they were taken there and just placed in a cell and brought back this morning. That is my understanding of what happened. So, I cannot say more than the fact that they have been arraigned and remanded. At the end of the day, a young person lost his life. The police has certain evidence and the police has to act on the evidence that it has. However, especially this minor and Mr. West are both maintaining their innocence in this. If what I have been instructed by the minor is true, then we will be seeing compensation being paid to him pursuant to Section 5(6) of the Constitution where it says that if somebody detains or arrests another unlawfully, then they must pay that person compensation. And that takes me into the recent unlawful alleged detentions of these many young men across Belize City because in one case, I had to visit the Queen Street Police Station where I spoke to at least seven young men and one of them had been detained for three 48-hour periods and was still not released as I was instructed."
For months we have been pressing the government on what it plans to do with the Cuban Medical Brigade. The US State Department has been forcing all countries to ditch the program-because they say it's forced labor. Belize has been one of the last holdouts, but time is running out-and today, the government finally announced that it's keeping the doctors but losing the program.
A brewing battle over the future of Ambergris Caye's aviation infrastructure reached a boiling point today as the San Pedro Town Council formally broke ranks with the central government to oppose the proposed closure of the John Greif II Municipal Airport. The municipal position presents a notable political rift between Belmopan and the island's PUP town council. And it's made more pronounced by the fact that the Government simultaneously issued an official endorsement of the relocation of the airport to Northern Ambergris Caye as an essential investment in the nation's tourism future. One hour later, another strong release appeared, this one from the BTIA, joining the chorus of opposition to closing the airport.
Max Greif, CEO, Tropic Air
As we've been reporting, the nation's security apparatus is struggling to respond to the steadily escalating surge in gang violence.
Tonight, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development is advising drivers in Belize City that traffic changes are coming to the downtown area to accompany the construction of the new bridge replacing the Swing Bridge.
"So to date, we're approximately about 75% to 80% complete with the new bridge structure that we're building at Hydes Lane. And as I've mentioned before, that was in... this used to be a temporary structure, but now it will become a permanent structure that will remain in place as an additional crossing for the city. Based on an assessment that we did with respect to those works, we have one more span that is remaining on the south side for us to complete that new bridge structure. However, based on assessment done by our engineers, we did some inspection of the existing bridge structure that is located on Regent Street West, because the new bridge will alight directly onto that bridge structure."
Tonight, the police are appealing to anyone who may have any information about the aggravated burglary of the Quality Poultry Products Belmopan Branch to please call it in.
His Majesty King Charles, Head of the Commonwealth
"We gather at a time where global power remains unequal, national interests increasingly compete, and the foundations of international cooperation are under strain. From these Caribbean shores, we understand how decisions taken far beyond our borders can profoundly affect our people. Conflicts destroy lives and disrupt economies. Supply chain disruptions drive up prices, and that constrains national choices.Climate change threatens livelihoods, development, as well as the survival of vulnerable states; yet the truth is that no nation, however powerful, can prosper in isolation. All depend on reliable partners, secure markets,resilient supply chains, and a stable international order. We may not agree on everything, but we must recognize that we can achieve far more through cooperation than through confrontation."
And the UDP agrees. Today, Leader Tracy Panton explained that they also oppose the increase. And she added that before it can even be considered, an audit needs to be done on BEL:
Turning now to a community story, Stanley "Dubu" Thomas has been the caretaker for the football field on Raccoon Street for almost three decades.
"Right now, there was a white lady that came from one of those foreign countries and she came because she wanted to train children to play softball. I asked her to please contribute. She gave me $700. I went, I bought the sand and gave her a receipt because I am no con artist. I want everything on the field, I built this field for the community. I didn't build this field to thief any money or hustle any money. I spent so much money to put in lights, to put in water, so much money to put everything on this field-me one, the same money they give me every two weeks."
Yesterday, the government concluded a five-year Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Mechanism. The program provided technical expertise to various local institutions.
Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of Economic Transformation
Election activist Jerry Enriquez has been facing one legal hurdle after another to get his redistricting case heard. He and his tenacious attorney, Ananda Ramlogan, have had quite a few victories and some setbacks.
"There was an attempt to impose a wasted costs order on Senior Counsel Ramlogan, the counsel representing me in this case, and we had sent it to the CCJ. The CCJ sent it back to the Court of Appeal for hearing, and then that was dismissed through a consent order, so we do not need to go through that hearing again-it was agreed that the wasted costs order is thrown out. It was also agreed that the appeal for the substantive hearing of our case be heard expeditiously in the court, and so we are cleared now after almost two years of crossing all these technical and procedural hurdles that the judge had imposed on us. So we are cleared now to get to the real substantive case, which is proper redistricting for our country in accordance with the Constitution. That is what the government has been fighting: the right of Belizeans for fair representation. And so all these hurdles that we have experienced was delaying the substantive case that we wanted to have heard."
