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 Ford F-150 assigned to the Minister of the Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management Henry Charles Usher was involved in a serious accident which reportedly happened on October 2nd around 1:00 am. The accident did not make the news, but according to reports to our newsroom this week, the vehicle, driven by Harrison "Reebo" Blades hit a speedbump at high speed, lost control and careened into into the Fort George Roundabout at mile 3.5 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. The impact was severe, the airbags were deployed, the passenger side was crushed and the pickup appears to be a write-off. It was immediately moved to the MIDH compound in Belmopan.
We spoke to Minister Usher about it this morning who says he was not in the vehicle at that time of the accident. He says he and his driver were on official business returning from San Ignacio after a meeting that ended around 10pm. Usher told us the driver dropped him off at home and the accident happened when Blades was heading home. Usher told us that it was caused by a blowout, and he did not know that any speed bump was involved. He said a police report was made and that the matters has been handed over to the The Assets & Utilities Management Unit.
7 News has received reports which say that the vehicle's comprehensive insurance was expired. We asked Usher if the vehicle was licensed and insured and he said "yes."
According to our information, the vehicle was purchased from a local dealer by the Ministry of Finance for Usher and has been assigned to him for a little over a year.
And shortly after our story was posted on social media, the Ministry of the Public Service, Disaster Risk Management and Enterprise issued a press release acknowledging the incident. The release reiterates Usher's account of the accident - that it happened after his driver had dropped him off after attending a meeting in San Ignacio that ran late. It also explains that the vehicle tire suffered a blowout causing it to flip.
The release says that police were called and commenced an investigation into the matter. Following the incident, the Ministry reported the matter to the Assets and Utilities Management Unit.
The release ends by stating, quote, "The Ministry takes this opportunity to remind drivers of government vehicles to exercise caution when driving particularly during periods of heavy rain." End quote. ENDS…
And in other news, yesterday we announced that there would be a seasonal flight from Frankfurt Germany to Belize starting in 2027. A part of that deal entails a US $2 million warranty agreement with Discover airlines. Today we asked the PM how he feels about the flight and he expressed that he believes it will create a lot more opportunities:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Well, it's quite exciting. It's something exciting for Belize. Several governments have been trying to be able to get that goal, to be able to convince a carrier from Europe to be able to have a direct flight to Belize. In many instances, Europeans want to come to Belize, but because it takes them two days, they decide to go elsewhere. So I think it's going to create a lot of opportunities, a new market for Belize, and it's a wonderful opportunity for us."
Reporter "We know that we signed a US$2 million warranty agreement with the airline. How do you feel about that specifically?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister "That's the rule of the game. They would not come if we don't sign on to it. So what do we do? We either don't have them come or we want them to come. And we believe that by doing that, that once they start to come, I believe that a lot of the numbers of visitors, I believe, will increase. And I believe at the end of the day, all of us will benefit."
Later in the news, we'll take you back to Frankfurt for the Routes World Trade Show.
But while the government has been able to secure a new international flight, the future of the municipal flight to Punta Gorda is looking grim. While Tropic Air is a private company, the residents of Toledo have been asking for the government to intervene to keep air connectivity.
Today, the PM confirmed that Maya Island Air is looking into a southern route.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "What happened is that Tropic Air made a commercial decision. They've been losing money. You can't force a company to run, a private company to be able to continue to run that. They've been losing money. Maya have expressed interest, so presently they are meeting with the CEO and also probably people at BAA. And I hope that by this week or early next week, the CEO can be able to tell me what are the terms and see if it is something that we can work with."
The media also asked the PM about Ambassador Alexis Rosado. As you know Rosado is currently on trial for rape. So we asked the PM whether he believes Rosado should remain as co-agent for the Belize-Guatemala case at the ICJ? Well the PM says it's important to look at the best interest of the nation:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Of course, it creates some kind of concern, but right now I think I'm not in any way trying to minimize the severity of the accusations. Again, in our constitution, in our laws, you are innocent until declared guilty. But we also have to look after the future of the country. We are at the ICJ in February, both in February with Guatemala and then in March with Honduras. And the agent, Ambassador Rosado, has been working on this issue for a few decades along with Ambassador Shoman. And I don't think it would be in the best interest of the nation to be able to remove him at this time."
"It's unfortunate the timing, but it is what it is. That's reality, and we need to be able to put the best case possible to defend the sovereignty of our nation."
Back in 2025, the Hattieville community was shocked to hear of the double murder of twin siblings 57 year old Paula Belisle and her brother Paul Esquillano. Later, another shock came when they police charged Belisle's former son-in-law with murder.
And today, 26 year old Orvin Williams was committed to stand trial in January 2027. The police prosecutor submitted 16 statements and documentary exhibits that they intend to use to prove their case against Williams.
The incident occurred on September 15, 2025 around 2:00 in the afternoon when shots were heard. Police found Belisle alive however she succumbed on the way to the hospital. Esquiliano was killed on the spot. Police's investigation revealed that someone arrived at the house in a vehicle, went inside, fired multiple shots, and then fled the scene in the same vehicle. Williams was detained 2 weeks later.
Williams is being represented by Attorney Gilroy Usher Jr.
A strongly worded directive from the Ministry of Finance forcing strict new oversight on government fuel cards was written in response to fuel card abuse detected in the Police Department.
The scandal centers around a Police Department fuel card assigned to a police vehicle that was sent to a mechanic shop back in March 2026. The vehicle has been out of service and sitting motionless for four months according to our reports. Yet, the fuel card linked to it was actively racking up fuel purchases - not for police mobiles, but for private buses running in Belize Rural.
According to preliminary investigative findings, gas station security camera footage - including video from the Buca Shell station - captured a man on a motorcycle pulling up to the pump, swiping the GOB fuel card, and moments later, a private bus pulls up to the pump and takes the fuel.
So far, police have tracked two separate buses operating on Belize Rural routes utilizing the stolen fuel. Investigators believe there is clear evidence of collusion between the bus operators and the individual holding the card.
The card and vehicle were originally assigned to a Police Constable who has reportedly claimed he had misplaced the card, but admitted he never filed an official report regarding its loss.
The Assets & Utilities Management Unit has now asked the gas stations to run a comprehensive review on the card's history since April to determine the full extent of the fraud - specifically how many times the card was swiped and the total monetary value of fuel put into private vehicles. There are also reports that a police fuel card was also providing fuel to a bus in rural Corozal.
These reports likely explain a Ministry of Finance memorandum dated October 20, 2026, addressed to all Chief Executive Officers and Heads of Department. The circular orders that effective immediately, any government assets (vehicles) out of service for repairs or maintenance expected to exceed one month must be reported to AUMU so its assigned fuel card can be temporarily deactivated.
The Ministry also delivered a stern warning on accountability: any unauthorized fuel charges incurred while an asset is out of service will trigger formal surcharge actions against responsible parties, including Accounting Officers and fleet operators.
There's been a lot of talk about the allowances area reps receive, especially in regard to the cost of living for average Belizeans. DPM Cordel Hyde previously said that he thinks the allowances should be reduced to prove that the government isn't disconnected from the people and their struggles.
And while the PM seemed into the idea before, yesterday he wasn't too sure. Courtney Menzies takes a look at the conflicting statements:
Whether area reps and Cabinet ministers should take a cut to their allowances is an ongoing discussion, with many Belizeans agreeing it should be decreased and the extra funds allocated elsewhere.
Well, yesterday the prime minister said that a lot of those funds are already being used to help constituents:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Well yes what happened is, but again we haven't got a chance to give it a serous discussion and I think at the next cabinet probably we will have to be a able to have a discussion on how that works but the point is though and what is it that people in the media want to make an issue over the allowances is that I know you are aware that ministers go beyond the call of duty everyday they get calls of people wanting help they get called that they need assistance with education or a death in the family or somebody is sick so removing that allowance will only let them have less monies available to help people it is not as if they are keeping that allowance for themselves they give it back, that and more so I am a bit hesitant because it sounds good for the politics of it. The reality is that ministers and myself go beyond the call of duty we every single day we are assisting people in so many different ways."
But even so, two of his ministers agreed that the allowances should be cut without alluding to needing the funds to assist those in their constituency. In fact, the DPM even suggested the idea himself.
Cordel Hyde, Deputy PM "I think we as a government have to tighten our own belts, have to make some sacrifices, have to look at our own allowances too because we can't be living one way and have the people living another way. I think that we have to really do something in that regard so that people understand because if we don't do anything then it will only allow people to continue to saay that we are disconnected and out of touch and we don't want that to happen, we don't want that stain to be on us, I think we have to really put some dent in our allowances to show people we are living in the same space and we understand what is happening out here."
Reporter "Would you support cutting your allowances?"
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing "Yes, if it has to be. As I said, we are blessed and we have done it before. Our allowances and our salaries were reduced during the COVID period and so we have precedents that that has been done before and if that is needed to show, it would be a symbolic reality that won't cut down inflation but if that helps for the people to understand that we are willing to do our part, I think it's important."
And the first time we brought it up to the PM, he promised to take it to the next Cabinet meeting:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "The PUP is always a party of renewal and soul searching. As I mentioned in the state of the nation, how much work we have done for the people of this country, how much work have we done in trying to address the issues of the cost of living because it's something that we understand and that we discuss every single day and he is in Cabinet and he has supported all of these initiatives that we've done and I can understand where he comes from. Cordel represents among the poorest constituencies in the area, one of the areas were we have a lot of social problems so I could understand him saying that and so when we get into Cabinet, we are going to discuss it and see what more we can do, what else can be done, how can we continue renewing and innovating and energizing the party but one thing that does not change, we are a party that is based on social justice. The minute we lose that then we cannot be a member of the PUP."
And yesterday he explained further that the allowances and the constituency development fund are the tools the area reps use in order to alleviate some financial burdens of their communities.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "The idea is that the constituency development fund is a way where the area reps can make immediate decisions on helping within their constituency. The way it was done before, you have to go to either rural development or the ministry for municipalities or local development or the ministry of infrastructure development or housing to be able to do small works. Sometimes you need to fix a drain, or to fix a door for a school or to do some kind of work in the community. So we decided to make that money available to every area rep, PUP and UDP alike and I think it has been very successful. It has nothing about clientelism or whatever it is you want to call it. It's simply that we are finding ways how we can get help and how we can serve our people most effectively and most efficiently."
And farmers are also looking for some relief. Those benefiting from the CRESCAP program are still waiting for some of the grant funding and loans intended to help them become more climate resilient. As we told you yesterday, the project has seen some delays. The PM discussed further on the extension GOB asked for from the World Bank.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "What happened is that we have the CRESCAP program that works with farmers, providing grant funding and loans, helping farmers to be able to adapt, to be more climate resilient. What has happened is that the IFR put some very arduous processes in place. And it takes time to be able to put everything in place to be able to actually do the disbursements. And because of that, the timeline of the project is coming to an end, but yet we still have not disbursed all the monies. And now that we've clarified all of this, I know it's starting to move. The project should come to an end in March. So we wrote them officially, and then at the World Bank meeting, I met with different officials, including the vice president of the bank and I made a point, why is it so important that we can extend this project? What they have agreed, I think, is they said within two weeks, or probably sometime next week or the week after, a team from the World Bank will come to take a first hand look at the project, how it's working, the impact that it's been having, the positive impact it's been having in small farmers across the country."
Earlier this week, we told you about the case of the counselor at Muffles High School who was charged with sexually assaulting a student. Well, one parent in Orange Walk heard that story and decided to come forward with her own allegations.
The mother, who chose to remain anonymous, reached out and spoke with us today via phone call about a similar incident her daughter endured at another high school in Orange Walk. Jomarie Lanza has that story.
In June of 2025, a mother was shocked when she reportedly received an explicit message from a teacher on her personal phone that was intended for her minor daughter. The parent says her daughter does not have her own phone but she let her child use her device to communicate with her classmates and other teachers regarding school work.
According to the parent her first action was to make a report at the school and the police station but she claims her attempts were not taken seriously.
Voice of (Concerned Parent) "So the following day I went to visit the school and that is when I told the principal what was happening and I showed him the message he said that they will deal with the matter. Then he said if I was going to do a report at the police station and I said of course I will."
"I myself as a mother I felt it was something very serious I mean how would a teacher be saying words like that to a minor?"
"I felt like they, actually I felt like they did not want to do anything about this that is the way I felt."
Jo- "So you showed them the messages and they basically told you that they cant do anything?"
Voice of (Concerned Parent) "Yeah that's what they said they cant do anything about it because to them it is nothing serious."
Once she made the report at the school, an internal investigation was launched, but the parent claims that she believes they were trying to intimidate them.
Voice of (Concerned Parent) "Actually we had a hearing because got his lawyer and the school had one for our case but then the day of the hearing the lawyer for the teacher asked me if I could come out because she preferred to speak with my daughter alone so I said I don't want to because she is a minor. And then she said but I would prefer to but then after that when I spoke to my daughter, my daughter said Mom I really felt intimidated like I didn't know what to do what to say and after that I kept following up but nothing happened after that."
The incident had unfolded at the end of the school year and when her daughter returned for her third year, it was difficult for her because the teacher was still teaching at the school. Again the parent made another attempt to reach out to the Ministry of Education, and social services, and again she claims those efforts proved futile.
Voice of (Concerned Parent) "I believe it was hard for her the teacher was there and she had to see him when he is close by or something like that."
"He went back and then she was not comfortable at school anymore at those times she had asked me mom please transfer me to another school and stuff like that but I said its going to be hard for me. She was in third at that time and actually he wasn't her teacher."
"No he was a Sub."
Jo- "And he sent her those messages? So he went teaching her?"
Voice of (Concerned Parent) "No he wasn't her teacher she was just helping doing some flyers for him so that is why she got the contact number from him to send him information about the flyer and that is how I received that message."
"Its all, all that happened I mean students were looking at her in a different way I mean like everybody found out about what happened and she was not comfortable, her grades started to get bad and that is why she had to repeat because she was struggling and well I believe that the principal and the vice principal and everyone in the administration didn't want to do anything."
Jo- "Did you try reaching out to the ministry directly?"
Voice of (Concerned Parent) "Of course, of course we went to the ministry and even to the social department, we were called to go to the social department but I felt like I was at fault because the young lady there said why did you have to show her those messages why did you tell her about the messages you are causing your daughter an emotional distress and the same thing the lawyer said I shouldn't have shown her any message."
Now her daughter has been moved to another school. But this parent says she is unable to swallow what all they had endured and how they were treated when they tried to report what had happened.
Voice of (Concerned Parent) "They didn't want to do anything with my case maybe because I am no one, just because I am a single mother like if it was someone else, someone else with money they would have done something but I felt like no one wanted to help me."
"Everyone failed me I mean the school failed me the police station, social Department, ministry of education, everyone."
"I just wanted to voice this because it didn't only happen to her I believe that there are so many other students at the school that this is happening because I have heard many things about this teacher."
We reached out to the school and the CEO in the Ministry of Education for comment and up to this newscast, received no response.
The Caye Caulker Fishers Association is currently at a crossroads with the Department of Fisheries. The department is attempting to enforce new legislation and the Caye Caulker Fishers are concerned that they were not properly consulted prior.
You already heard from the president of the San Pedro Fisher Association on this legislation and today we spoke to the president of the Caye Caulker association. Here's what he told us.
Ian Forte, President of Caye Caulker Fishers Association "A couple weeks back we learned via news that fisheries gave us an ultimatum either we install a VMS tracker on our boats especially those guys that do stone crab fishing which is a special license and if we chose not to install this VMS tracker we would lose our license. So most of the fishers we have on Caye caulker that do stone crab fishing are part of our association so we held a small meeting to hear the concerns and what questions or what they thought about it mostly the fishers all of the fishers we met with that evening did not want this tracker to be on the boat they feel that they were not properly consulted about it, they don't know what data would be collected from it and if you really think about it what data can be collected from it? Just where you go and which area you fish and stuff like that and a lot of fishermen are very very secretive about the area where they set their traps and how they set their traps. I am a fisherman myself and where I set my traps and my shed, no one knows but me because I am very protective about that so to have a tracker on your boat that is showing exactly where you go that will be monitored by someone else raises a lot of concerns for the fishers you know."
"We want the fisheries to come and sit and discuss with us, we want to be at the table, we want to discuss, we want to be able to work together to chart a way forward that it can be beneficial to both parties for the department and for the fishers. We do not like to be given and ultimatum about our livelihood we do not want that, that is not the way it is suppose to be as Belizeans how can you give us an ultimatum about our livelihood."
This morning, traffic on Freetown Road was redirected as firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze that had broken out.
When the smoke cleared, it was revealed that a small tank in the back of a pickup truck had caught on fire. The vehicle sustained some damage but no one was injured.
In other news, Belize and the United States have officially launched a multi-million dollar educational partnership.The five year initiative forms part of a broader US$135 million agreement that also targets the high cost and reliability of electricity in Belize. Jaleeza Roberts attended the signing and filed this report:
Belize and the United States of America have officially launched a nearly US$22 million education partnership to strengthen secondary education, improving teacher training and preparing students for the demands of the modern workforce over the next five years. The initiative, launched through the Millennium Challenge Account Belize, brings together School to School International, Florida State University, the Ministry of Education and the University of Belize:
Andre Bauer, US Ambassador to Belize "Over this next five years, we're going to bring U.S. excellence in teacher training and instructional leadership to Belize, and I think this is a win-win partnership for Belize and the United States that bilaterally benefits both countries, and it's going to benefit Belizean secondary schools, as well as American educational institutions. This is really a remarkable partnership. STS, FSU, MCA Belize will all partner with the Ministry of Education and the University of Belize to provide secondary school teachers and school leaders with the training, resources, and leadership opportunities that will support them to deliver high-quality educational opportunities for all secondary students. I'm a father myself, and I'm proud the United States is committed to improving education in Belize, because we know a good education opens opportunities for students across this great country."
Prime Minister John Briceno, said the education component will focus on strengthening teaching and school leadership:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Over five years, this compact valued at $135 million US dollars. It will be addressing two barriers that affects opportunity in Belize. The need for education that better prepares our young people for work and the cost and reliability of electricity. That places the cost, that places pressures on families and businesses. In education, we will strengthen teaching and school leadership, support students who face barriers to completing secondary school and improve technical and vocational training."
The program is also expected to create opportunities for collaboration between Belizean and American educational institutions, with its implementation adapted to the needs of local teachers and students.
Andre Bauer, US Ambassador to Belize "This compact of increasing the number of graduates with competencies needed for successful employment in the job market, and that in fold helps our businesses. Belizean businesses that want to grow and are looking for gainful and skilled people to employ. Our American colleagues again from FSU and STS leading this partnership are internationally recognized experts in their fields, and we're excited about this opportunity. This partnership represents for them an opportunity to share their knowledge with our Belizean counterparts."
The PM also emphasized the importance of aligning education with the needs of the economy, noting that many students graduate from high school without the qualifications needed to secure meaningful employment.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "For our young Belizean, then this must mean a clear path from the classroom to qualifications and from qualifications to meaningful employment. For too long, we hear that we are graduating so many kids from high school, but when they leave the high school, it's difficult for them to get a meaningful job. You know, many instances, they end up working in a store And by us being able to align the educational system better with the needs of the economy, I think that we're not only planning for the future, but we are creating better opportunities for young Belizeans."
"Our responsibility is to ensure that young people in rural communities, students with disabilities, and those facing difficult circumstances can share in these opportunities. Their potential is part of Belize's national wealth."
And today the PM also said Belize is in preliminary discussions with U.S. officials on how the country can participate in security cooperation under the Shield of the Americas initiative to combat drug cartels and organized crime. The PM says the technical officials must first determine what is workable before they proceed:
Reporter "Since the signing of the Shield of the Americas, has there been any update on anything on the way forward regarding operations? I know that in countries, neighboring countries, there is this concern about the U.S. and actual elements, troops, wanting to come to conduct operations alongside military."
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Well, we just had a brief discussion just now with the ambassador and the colonel. We just talked briefly about it and I'm having the technical people to meet. I've been asking the CEO for national security along with the commandant for the BDF and the admiral for the Coast Guard to be able to meet with them and to see what is workable. We know we need help, but now we're seeing that we need more equipment, more intelligence, more training to be able to control any kind of attempt from the cartels, especially in Mexico, to be able to come into Belize. So, we will see what can work and whatever that can work in our interest and in the interest of the region, we're prepared to do our part."
Reporter "The other countries are rejecting, in the case of Guatemala, saying that their constitution does not allow foreign troops coming on soil. Would we disallow that too?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Well, as I said, let the technical people speak first and then after that I'll be able to answer you."
We've been calling for them for months and the tourism numbers for July through to September have finally been posted on the BTB's performance dashboard. And they aren't great.
The numbers show that overnight tourist arrivals to Belize fell by 8.4 percent between June and September 2026 compared to the same period last year, representing a loss of more than 12,400 visitors. The decline persisted across all four months, hitting its sharpest downturn in August with a nearly 13 percent drop in overnight traffic.
Today in Germany at the Routes World Trade show Jules Vasquez asked the Director of Tourism about it:
Jules Vasquez "This year for tourism in Belize we've been having what you all call soft months, soft is the euphemism for a down turn in arrivals."
Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism "Well I think that we are in very challenging times in terms of the tourism industry you will look at the WTO forecast at the beginning of the year there were forecasting a 3-4% growth that has now been turned dow to 1-2% by the end of the year. But we have a lot of geo political issues, you have the rising fuel prices, you have the fact that the air tickets went up but over 20% you have the issue of sargassum you have the issue of inflation there is election in the US economy which is our biggest source market and there is a tendency to what that happens there is softness in rear market."
"We're seeing positive signs in the high season so we think that there will be some catching up but we think that we will be close to last year numbers probably a little under."
Jules Vasquez "Were you, are you concerned when you see months like August have a double digit downturn?"
Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism "Of course every down turn we are definitely concerned about."
"We look at the data and we pivot in terms of putting in new campaigns putting in new resources working with the private sector to definitely try and mitigate those downturns so I think that we have done what we can and we will continue leave no stone unturned in order to get back the numbers for growth."
According to Tillett, other notable drivers of the decline in tourist arrivals are the world cup - and a sharp reduction in Belizeans coming home for September - likely driven by strict US Immigration policies which may have made it difficult for some of them to return to the US.
And those "soft numbers" make the Belize tourism Board's presence at the Routes World Trade Show in Germany even more important. Jules Vasquez reports from Frankfurt:
And we also asked the Director of Tourism about the sargassum crisis. Yesterday you heard the PM say that it was an issue he brought up with the World Bank while in Thailand. Today Tillet explained that it's a work in progress to find a solution.
Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism "Sargassum is a issue that's not only plaguing Belize, but it's plaguing the entire region. Um, we have a plan, um, in terms of the equipment that we have done extensive research on."
"And what we aim to do is to de-risk it to the industry because the industry, the private sector, they are spending money into sargassum mitigation, but a lot of the times they tend to use the wrong equipment."
"So we have now identified a system and a, a list of equipment, um, that will definitely help against the fight in sargassum. There's no silver bullet for sargassum."
"Um, it has to be a collaboration between the government and the private sector, uh, for us to, to, to mitigate the, the, the threats of sargassum."
"There are, um, plans, um, in the destinations and the BTB over the years, we have put in monies in the municipalities, um, to address sargassum."
Last month, the Belize Court of Appeal delivered a landmark ruling declaring the 2020 State of Emergency unconstitutional and unlawful, overturning two conflicting High Court decisions. Today the media asked the PM his take on the judgment:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "I have not heard yet from the Attorney General, so quite likely probably on Tuesday I'll be able to get a better feeling as to what is going to be the next step."
And finally tonight, more than 60 coconut farmers in the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts have completed specialized training aimed at protecting their crops from pests and diseases. The workshops were organized by the Ministry of Agriculture under the Food and Agriculture Organization's "One Country One Priority Product" initiative, which promotes sustainable coconut production in Belize. The training combined classroom sessions with hands on field exercises, teaching farmers how to identify and control pests and diseases affecting coconut groves. Participants were also introduced to a citizen science approach that allows them to monitor their farms, build traps and submit weekly findings to agricultural officials to help track pest populations.
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The Ford F-150 assigned to the Minister of the Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management Henry Charles Usher was involved in a serious accident which reportedly happened on October 2nd around 1:00 am. The accident did not make the news, but according to reports to our newsroom this week, the vehicle, driven by Harrison "Reebo" Blades hit a speedbump at high speed, lost control and careened into into the Fort George Roundabout at mile 3.5 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. The impact was severe, the airbags were deployed, the passenger side was crushed and the pickup appears to be a write-off. It was immediately moved to the MIDH compound in Belmopan.
And shortly after our story was posted on social media, the Ministry of the Public Service, Disaster Risk Management and Enterprise issued a press release acknowledging the incident. The release reiterates Usher's account of the accident - that it happened after his driver had dropped him off after attending a meeting in San Ignacio that ran late. It also explains that the vehicle tire suffered a blowout causing it to flip.
And in other news, yesterday we announced that there would be a seasonal flight from Frankfurt Germany to Belize starting in 2027. A part of that deal entails a US $2 million warranty agreement with Discover airlines. Today we asked the PM how he feels about the flight and he expressed that he believes it will create a lot more opportunities:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
But while the government has been able to secure a new international flight, the future of the municipal flight to Punta Gorda is looking grim. While Tropic Air is a private company, the residents of Toledo have been asking for the government to intervene to keep air connectivity.
The media also asked the PM about Ambassador Alexis Rosado. As you know Rosado is currently on trial for rape. So we asked the PM whether he believes Rosado should remain as co-agent for the Belize-Guatemala case at the ICJ? Well the PM says it's important to look at the best interest of the nation:
Back in 2025, the Hattieville community was shocked to hear of the double murder of twin siblings 57 year old Paula Belisle and her brother Paul Esquillano. Later, another shock came when they police charged Belisle's former son-in-law with murder.
A strongly worded directive from the Ministry of Finance forcing strict new oversight on government fuel cards was written in response to fuel card abuse detected in the Police Department.
There's been a lot of talk about the allowances area reps receive, especially in regard to the cost of living for average Belizeans. DPM Cordel Hyde previously said that he thinks the allowances should be reduced to prove that the government isn't disconnected from the people and their struggles.
"Well yes what happened is, but again we haven't got a chance to give it a serous discussion and I think at the next cabinet probably we will have to be a able to have a discussion on how that works but the point is though and what is it that people in the media want to make an issue over the allowances is that I know you are aware that ministers go beyond the call of duty everyday they get calls of people wanting help they get called that they need assistance with education or a death in the family or somebody is sick so removing that allowance will only let them have less monies available to help people it is not as if they are keeping that allowance for themselves they give it back, that and more so I am a bit hesitant because it sounds good for the politics of it. The reality is that ministers and myself go beyond the call of duty we every single day we are assisting people in so many different ways."
"I think we as a government have to tighten our own belts, have to make some sacrifices, have to look at our own allowances too because we can't be living one way and have the people living another way. I think that we have to really do something in that regard so that people understand because if we don't do anything then it will only allow people to continue to saay that we are disconnected and out of touch and we don't want that to happen, we don't want that stain to be on us, I think we have to really put some dent in our allowances to show people we are living in the same space and we understand what is happening out here."
"Yes, if it has to be. As I said, we are blessed and we have done it before. Our allowances and our salaries were reduced during the COVID period and so we have precedents that that has been done before and if that is needed to show, it would be a symbolic reality that won't cut down inflation but if that helps for the people to understand that we are willing to do our part, I think it's important."
"The PUP is always a party of renewal and soul searching. As I mentioned in the state of the nation, how much work we have done for the people of this country, how much work have we done in trying to address the issues of the cost of living because it's something that we understand and that we discuss every single day and he is in Cabinet and he has supported all of these initiatives that we've done and I can understand where he comes from. Cordel represents among the poorest constituencies in the area, one of the areas were we have a lot of social problems so I could understand him saying that and so when we get into Cabinet, we are going to discuss it and see what more we can do, what else can be done, how can we continue renewing and innovating and energizing the party but one thing that does not change, we are a party that is based on social justice. The minute we lose that then we cannot be a member of the PUP."
Earlier this week, we told you about the case of the counselor at Muffles High School who was charged with sexually assaulting a student. Well, one parent in Orange Walk heard that story and decided to come forward with her own allegations.
Ian Forte, President of Caye Caulker Fishers Association 
This morning, traffic on Freetown Road was redirected as firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze that had broken out.
In other news, Belize and the United States have officially launched a multi-million dollar educational partnership.The five year initiative forms part of a broader US$135 million agreement that also targets the high cost and reliability of electricity in Belize. Jaleeza Roberts attended the signing and filed this report:
"Over this next five years, we're going to bring U.S. excellence in teacher training and instructional leadership to Belize, and I think this is a win-win partnership for Belize and the United States that bilaterally benefits both countries, and it's going to benefit Belizean secondary schools, as well as American educational institutions. This is really a remarkable partnership. STS, FSU, MCA Belize will all partner with the Ministry of Education and the University of Belize to provide secondary school teachers and school leaders with the training, resources, and leadership opportunities that will support them to deliver high-quality educational opportunities for all secondary students. I'm a father myself, and I'm proud the United States is committed to improving education in Belize, because we know a good education opens opportunities for students across this great country."
"Over five years, this compact valued at $135 million US dollars. It will be addressing two barriers that affects opportunity in Belize. The need for education that better prepares our young people for work and the cost and reliability of electricity. That places the cost, that places pressures on families and businesses. In education, we will strengthen teaching and school leadership, support students who face barriers to completing secondary school and improve technical and vocational training."
We've been calling for them for months and the tourism numbers for July through to September have finally been posted on the BTB's performance dashboard. And they aren't great.
Evan Tillett, Director of Tourism
And we also asked the Director of Tourism about the sargassum crisis. Yesterday you heard the PM say that it was an issue he brought up with the World Bank while in Thailand. Today Tillet explained that it's a work in progress to find a solution.
And finally tonight, more than 60 coconut farmers in the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts have completed specialized training aimed at protecting their crops from pests and diseases. The workshops were organized by the Ministry of Agriculture under the Food and Agriculture Organization's "One Country One Priority Product" initiative, which promotes sustainable coconut production in Belize. The training combined classroom sessions with hands on field exercises, teaching farmers how to identify and control pests and diseases affecting coconut groves. Participants were also introduced to a citizen science approach that allows them to monitor their farms, build traps and submit weekly findings to agricultural officials to help track pest populations.
