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
Oscar Arnold, CEO - MOFA "I believe that both Prime Minister Briceno and Foreign Minister Fonseca, prior to his medical leave, spoke extensively on this issue. I believe Prime Minister gave indications that we are looking at the program. The charge d'affaires didn't mince word when she says that they are committed to try to, not to try to, but they are committed to encouraging all the countries in this hemisphere to cease and desist with that program. And I believe that the government of Belize, through the Prime Minister's office, has indicated that we will look at the program. I believe a few months ago, prior to my time here as CEO, cabinet has instructed both the foreign affairs ministry, as well as the ministry of health, to look at options, to try to put proposals on the table that can be discussed and then move it from there. And I believe that those proposals, looking at those proposals, are looking for other solutions, will be coming to an end shortly, and it will have to revert back to cabinet to make a decision, and then to inform the Belizean public. We know that at every instance, the government of Belize, again through the Prime Minister, through the Foreign Minister, has stated that this program provides much-needed technicians, much-needed doctors, and so whatever decision is made, something will have to be in place to ensure that there is not a big vacuum, or that there is not a big void that remains in our medical system."
Jules Vasquez "Okay, but I hear you. However, what you are saying is that, you know, cabinet will make a final decision. But what the Charge was saying is that the decision has been made. Is she wrong in saying that?"
Oscar Arnold, CEO - MOFA "From what I, I won't comment on whether she's wrong or right, but what I read from the comment and the stuff that were sent to me, was that she's saying that they will support the decision of the wind-up. I didn't see that she said there that it was, it was coming to an end or an abrupt end."
Jules Vasquez "Okay, well, she said we are supportive of the government's decision to wind down. Meaning that the government, or the meaning I take is that the government has made such a decision to wind down."
Oscar Arnold, CEO - MOFA "I believe when that decision is made, Jules, that the Prime Minister's office and the cabinet will have to inform the Belizean people. And the highest decision-making group in the country is the cabinet."
Jules Vasquez "And the cabinet has not so decided?"
Oscar Arnold, CEO - MOFA "From the information that I have, no."
The Cuban Medical Brigade in Belize currently comprises over 90 medical professionals including 37 doctors and 47 nurses.
As of April 2026, multiple Caribbean countries - including Jamaica, Guyana, The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines - have sent home or withdrawn Cuban medical brigades due to external pressure.
Tonight we continue our investigation into the SmartStream leak of 497 payments, primarily from the Ministry of Defence to fruits and vegetables vendor Jenny Mira between 2020 and 2025. Mira is the sister of the former Minister of State for Defence, Oscar Mira, so the records bear scrutiny.
And if all the payments were for above-board purchases, it's curious why 99% of Jenny Mira's 497 invoices fall just below the $10,000 threshold for reporting to the Ministry of Finance. Instead, they were made as "straight payments" directly from the Ministry - without need for external Ministry of Finance approval.
In his continuing review of the 47 screenshots with those hundreds of invoice entries, Jules Vasquez found a curious anomaly. Here's his story on it:
It's called a ghost dot - an extra dot at the end of an invoice number that allows it to be entered twice into a computer system which does not allow duplicate entries.
Across the 497 entries we reviewed, we saw it appear exactly 4 times.
In each case, it was used to clone an existing invoice number so the operator could push through a duplicate payout.
They first did it in 2021 with a fairly modest figure, $5,025.75 - a figure that which we should note re-appears 14 times across the entries we have seen.
On May 4th the invoice #BDF01/05/2021was entered for $5,025.75, and then, right after, the same invoice, but trailing with a single dot this time was entered again for the same amount.
So, one invoice, two payments - experts call it spoofing the system - and this CEO hadn't heard of it before:
Jules Vasquez "Are you aware of this, of this practice of tricking the system?"
Francis Usher, CEO (2025 -) - Ministry of Defence "I would love for you to send me proof. Especially if the proof is here in the ministry, because I, I'm not, I'm not aware of those practices. But it's a funny thing. People, people find a way to trick the system, but I am not aware of that."
When he checked with his staff, Usher told us, quote,
"At that time there were contracts awarded and this invoice submitted by the business was indeed for $10,051.50.
The FO at that time, who is no longer with the ministry, made the decision to split that invoice in 2, utilizing this period method that you highlighted.
...it is unclear why he made the decision to do so."
But to the president of the PSU it is only too clear:
Dean Flowers, President - PSU "It is clear that there was an attempt to avoid oversight by the Treasury Department. It is clear that there was an attempt to avoid any questions being asked about the legitimacy of that payment. It is clear that there was an attempt to facilitate what could have very well been a corrupt practice."
Tellingly, the same ghost dot trick was used in 2022 but to make a payment for $9124.06 dollars, twice. And then again in late 2022, for the same amount, and then once more in 2023.
So it happened more than once across three different fiscal years for repeating dollar amounts, proving that the ghost dot was a reliable tool to override the system:
Dean Flowers, President - PSU "They're trying to avoid that they breached the procurement process or the tendering process whereby ensuring that the evidence would show that whatever goods and services we purchase in the public or whatever goods we secure is done above board."
"The reason why the Auditor General report is saying that she can't even give an opinion Is because there is no documentation is exactly because of this kind of practice, Jules. They're paying without having any kind of documentation, they're paying based on instructions and at the end of the day there is no proof."
And another under the radar technique is the system of invoice splitting - where one invoice priced at over ten thousand dollars is cancelled and then two days later, two new ones are issued that add up to the same amount - but under than 10,000 dollar threshold.
It happened in April of 2025 - under Usher's watch - when an invoice for $18,109.27 was cancelled. Exactly 48 hours later, on April 24, it is split into two green-lighted payments of $9,270.77 and $8,838.49 - the original figure right down to a single penny.
Jules Vasquez "Isn't this a clear suggestion of fraud and gaming the system to escape oversight?"
Francis Usher, CEO (2025 -) - Ministry of Defence "So I'll look into that particular invoice and I'll send you a message about it. But at surface level, I can definitely see why that would be the assumption. Fraud is a is a heavy word. I don't know the details surrounding that one, but I'll find out."
Usher today told us, quote, "That particular invoice was submitted to us and the accounts staff began to process it when the vendor reached out saying they needed to review and potentially would need to edit. That's why it was cancelled.
There were then several invoices submitted a few days later."
Two separate payments, one identical total. Either a wild coincidence, or what the data shows: a systematic, well-honed strategy to dodge Treasury oversight.
Jules Vasquez "When you see a pattern of behavior like this or a pattern of payouts like this what does it say to you?"
Dean Flowers, President - PSU "It is saying to me that while some of those purchases may be legitimate, some may very well not be, and more importantly the procurement processes, the procurement guidelines would have been violated, the tendering process. Because if I am doing everything above board there is no need to engage in those kinds of practices."
As you've seen, Jenny Mira's payment data shows a system that may have been adapted to accommodate proximity to power while shielding both the vendor and possibly her brother from scrutiny outside his Ministry of Defence.
But, we don't have the entire picture. The SmartStream screen shows that we're still short of 410 records. We asked the CEO about this:
Jules Vasquez "There are, according to what I have seen on the screenshots: 898 entries for Jenny Mira."
"I have, I have 497 via screenshots."
"Would you agree to share the screenshots of the other 401, or share the information regarding the vendor Jenny Mira of the other 401 entries in the system so that we can make our own forensic journalism review?"
Francis Usher, CEO (2025 -) - Ministry of Defence "So on record. I have no issue sharing it, but I would need to check with the legal counsel because there's another interested party that might be affected. And that last thing I would want is for them to say I sent it out and for them to sue me. So let me check with legal counsel. But I have no, I personally don't have any issues sharing it."
And in related news, the Belize Social Investment Fund is responding to John Saldivar's allegation that they have been awarding questionable contracts to FAST Construction, which is associated with Oscar Mira's family.
In their press release, they rejected any suggestion of favoritism, improper influence, or preferential treatment. They explained that, quote, "All procurement activities are conducted under stringent procurement, fiduciary, financial management, auditing, and oversight frameworks established by these institutions and are subject to multiple layers of review and accountability." End quote.
They added that contract awards are based on responsiveness and value for money considerations rather than bidder identity and claim that awards have been distributed among a diverse pool of contractors.
Well, today the PSU President said that if that's the case, show us the proof - bring the receipts and the tenders - and let the public decide for themselves. He spoke with us via Zoom.
Dean Flowers, President - PSU "But I would have seen that bogus if not comical press release from SIF. I mean if you want to come clean with the Belizean people Mr CEO in SIF, Mr CEO in the Ministry of Finance. You hold a press conference and you present the tender documents for FAST Construction and you show the Belizean people whereby they have gotten those contracts because they provide good work and in most cases that the bidding process was competitive. what I can say to you all, you have lied to the Belizean people with that press release. You all know that the tendering process is corrupt. It's corrupt. And I can tell you it is no secret. You all are SIF are paying for cement that cost $70 a sack and in some cases, 100. And if you want to prove me wrong, then call a press conference and bring the tender documents to the public so we can scrutinize it and look at it, bring it all for the past five years, stop taking the Belizean people for a bunch of fools."
Tonight, 26-year-old Pomona resident Valenie Baide and her 7-year-old son Michael Acosta Jr. are missing. They were last seen on Wednesday, June 10th.
The family fears the worst as their home was left ransacked and her phone was left behind.
Several search parties combed nearby Pomona but turned up no leads. We spoke with the sister, Marisa Baide, who says they are worried:
Anyone with information on the duo's whereabouts can contact 613-0695.
And a mother, also from the south, is requesting the public's assistance in locating her son. The family of 30-year-old Mullins River resident Richard Cherrington has not seen or heard from him since the 21st of May, and they are starting to worry about him. Cherrington, who suffers from a mental illness, was getting help in Belmopan but he left the facility. The family is concerned as they are fearing the worst:
Anyone knowing his whereabouts can contact 667-8241.
He's been the target of multiple attempts on his life in Belize - but things changed for Benigno "Mouse" Loria when he fled to the United States in 2023.
Well, the Corozal resident returned to Belize as a deportee today. The flight landed at the Philip Goldson International this afternoon where he was processed along with others and released.
Loria was picked up by ICE in February and posted on their official X page as a cartel affiliate. His mother later denied that cartel affiliation.
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident that claimed the life of a San Pedro resident, 33-year-old Gilberto Noble, and left 23-year-old Vincent Canul with injuries.
The collision occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. last night on Pescador Drive in downtown San Pedro.
According to police, Canul and Noble were traveling south on a motorcycle when they approached the area near Atlantic Bank. Investigators say Canul attempted to overtake a golf cart, but the golf cart reportedly made a sudden slight left turn, causing the motorcycle to collide with its front left fender. The impact threw both men from the motorcycle. Police found Noble with extensive head injuries and he was later pronounced dead. Canul was treated at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II before being transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City for further medical attention.
Many of us at one point or the other have needed JP services, but very few know that it is illegal for these Justices of the Peace to even request a payment for their service. President of the Association of JPs Danny Madrid told us how they are trying to put a stop to it:
Adrian Danny Madrid, President - Association of JPs "The problem is that it's not only the JP that is the problem because as you know we have over 3,000 JPs in this country and our records, the association records shows that it's only like a thousand JPs that are registered and actually doing the work now those JP's who have been appointed and out there doing nothing, those are the ones that put a bad name on us."
"If you go to Belmopan, I go to Belmopan and in front of Immigration department, they're right there standing and what's being done to them? Nothing. The only way you can take away a JP title is by bankruptcy right now but we are trying to fight and trying to find ways how you can lose it because there are so much JPs out there that., we were just talking about the act, so many JPs don't even read the act, they don't read the bylaws, they don't know their duties. They just get appointed that it JP and big deal and they only use it when they need to use it so are trying our best to try to change that."
And on another note, yesterday we reported that Senior JPs will now be the intermediaries between victims of abuse and the law when courts are closed. But a concern raised by the President was that victims might rescind their reports after making them. Well, we spoke to the Minister of Human Development, Thea Ramirez-Garcia, who explained that when a first-time abuse victim takes back their report, they expect that, but they continue encouraging them to make the report until someday it sticks:
Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Minister of Human Development "If you are working with men and women because we don't just see women who are survivors of domestic violence, but men also, you expect that this is going to happen. On average it takes a person, a survivor 8 times trying to leave a situation before they finally make it, a lot of people don't make it out alive. So, what would I say? I would say keep trying, keep trying, if it takes you 20 times before you break out of a situation then we keep trying 20 times with you. Ofcourse it might be a lot of paperwork for the other person on the other end taking the reports but that's their job and they theyre paid to do their job as police officers, officers of the family support and gender affairs are paid to their job, social workers are paid to do their jobbed so we are here for you as many times as you put in the report and you take it back, that shouldn't even be a question that should have no bearing on it so if it takes 100 times and you pull back 99 times we wait until the report sticks and you are able and ready to face the situation and we're here to support everyone that does that."
When the pavement on the Coastal Highway started to unravel yesterday, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development faced harsh criticism, ranging from incompetence to corruption.
For the social media cesspool, that's the daily discourse. But the fainthearted might call it cyberbullying? We asked the Minister for his take on that:
Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH "But with social media, it becomes fun, I suppose. And we have to deal with it. We're not running away."
Jules Vasquez "Would you consider bringing cyberbullying charges against those people who are so vehemently criticizing you? No doubt, unfairly."
Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH "I've been in this thing for going for 20 years now. I've never brought a charge against anyone. And if you look at history, I've been attacked more than most, while in opposition, while in government. I'm still doing fine. I'm still strong. I believe that the criticism helps me."
"I believe that if you can withstand those blows that come to you and still willing to give your life to service, I think it's positive because we are human beings. And if we are not criticized, then we start to believe lots of things. And that's where I believe we can get into problems."
"When I can't handle it anymore, which might be a long time from now, then you go home and you out the TV and you out the WhatsApp and you stop watch social media and you relax. That time is not there yet."
"But, but I have no problem with it."
"You get vexed once in a while and two seconds and you're cool down back. You are the best man to answer your own self that question because you have dealt with it too." (Laughs)
With the long-delayed Occupational Safety & Health Bill, one sticking point raised by the opposition is that the proposed law does not cover domestic workers.
Yesterday, the AG explained the government's position:
Anthony Sylvestre, SC, Attorney General "We're not saying that domestic workers should not be afforded protection, but given the regime that will be created under the OSH bill, it poses some difficulties for instance, you If you engage your domestic worker then you would be subject to the same level of scrutiny and the sam level of responsibilty as anyone including a prominent business establishment and the reality is that, it might be difficult for someone to be able to, an ordinary person who hires a domestic to be able to do that so that's the policy rationale why the government and it' s not based solely on the government's decision making, this is a considered approach, taken after much deliberation."
You might call it a working vacation: the PM left the country last Friday for Madrid, Spain with his family, but also put on his Minister of Civil Aviation hat to stop in at a COCESNA meeting.
No announcement was made of his departure, but a release today says that the PM attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Central American Air Navigation Services Corporation in Madrid, Spain, earlier this week.
The Board was in Madrid basically for a radar show. The release says they also held discussions with the consultants working on the integration of aeronautical systems for the member countries of COCESNA.
PM Briceño was accompanied by Narda Garcia, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Both serve on the Board of COCESNA on behalf of Belize.
22 Fishers Associations across the country have collaborated to create and publish the first-ever Belize Fishers Audit. It's a document that brings fishers' concerns to the forefront with recommendations on how to improve the industry. Rather than wait for a consultation, these associations took matters into their own hands and presented that audit today. Courtney Menzies was there and has this story.
For the first time in Belizean history, the fishers of the country have taken the extra step and published their very own audit. Unlike previous audits published by NGOs and conservation groups, this one is by the fishers, for the fishers. As they explained, it focuses on the issues they are directly facing.
Jorge Aldana, President, San Pedro Fishers Association "The audit was designed around priorities identified by fishers themselves or ourselves and reflects our experiences, our concerns, and aspirations for the future in the fishing sector. The fishing audit was developed as a way for fishers to assess the issues that matter most to us and to evaluate progress on those issues over time."
"The indicators used in this audit were identified and validated by fishermen through consultations and discussions."
"And this is not only about identifying problems, providing evidence, encouraging dialogue and action and where we support solutions but we present recommendations as well in this report. We say this as a tool for accountability, transparency and continued improvement in this sector but most importantly this is a process that demonstrates that fishers want to be an active partner in shaping the future of our fishing industry."
And at their press conference today, they explained what sort of issues can be found in the audit, including lack of transparency, overfishing, and social impact of policies.
Jorge Aldana, President, San Pedro Fishers Association "Fishers continue to face concerns relating to governance, representation, enforcement, economic opportunities, access to information and participation in the decision making. The findings highlight issues that have been raised by fishermen for many years and provide a structured assessment of where attention is needed."
Joshua Castellanos, Vice Chairman, Mango Creek Fishers Association "Now there is friction among fishermen who have lobster trap, territories, disputes, there is life threatened, gun pointing, this is basically the problem that's happening down south. The overexploiting in our sea is very serious."
"If there is opportunity for these fishers not to get strictly on fishing, opportunities to get involved in ecotourism, or any aqua culture thing, I as a leader am willing to work with my fishers and try to make a change rather than just impacting the sea. Now for the cost of lobster and conch, I don't know who is supposed to look out for the benefit of fishermen for us to get a fair price, I guess that's supposed to be for fisheries department."
Ian Forte, President, Caye Caulker Fishers Association "One of the things that a lot of these policy makers have not looked at is the social impact of conservation on coastal fishing communities. nobody has talked about how different policies they make affect this community, how the fishermen make their money, every time we have certain policies made, it's our livelihood that is being take away from us. We're not trying to stop conservation, we want to continue to be fishermen, we want to pass that on to our kids, but it has a social impact on our community."
"As the fishing community through this Belize, north and south, the length and breadth of this country, we have been disrespected over and over we have been disrespected."
And perhaps one of their biggest concerns is that of the Blue Bond, and the initiative to preserve 30% of marine space by 2030. While they say they agree with the concept, they believe they're not being properly consulted and as such can be negatively impacted.
Jorge Aldana, President, San Pedro Fishers Association "I want to say that the fishermen, those who are here represented by some members of their respective associations, feel that if we are going in that direction, then we ought to be an active partner and have an active role around the table where discussions and policies are discussed. Why? Because anything that has to do with our ocean space impact the lives of almost 3,500 fishermen and by extent over 20,000 people who depend on this industry directly."
And now with this audit available for the public, this afternoon, the fishers presented it to the Fisheries Department.
Jorge Aldana, President, San Pedro Fishers Association "We are meeting with the fisheries department at 2:00 this afternoon where we will official present them with the recommendation, they have had an opportunity to see it electronically but we will officially do the handing over to them this afternoon and we will identify where we can work, collaborate as fishers but the task is on all Belizeans. We need to be vigilant of the decision making process. I know there is a call from the fishermen to meet directly with the minister and there is a commitment by the minister that he's happy to entertain us in a meeting and we're looking forward to that and we will pitch these ideas to them."
Today the Labor Department celebrated its staff with its first award ceremony. The Labor Commissioner and the Minister explained that the staff's tireless work across the country deserves recognition. Here is a snippet of their speeches.
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Last night on the news, the US Embassy's most senior diplomat in Belize, Chargé d'affaires Katherine Beamer dropped a bombshell: she said the government had taken a "decision to wind down" the Cuban Medical Brigade in Belize.
"I believe that both Prime Minister Briceno and Foreign Minister Fonseca, prior to his medical leave, spoke extensively on this issue. I believe Prime Minister gave indications that we are looking at the program. The charge d'affaires didn't mince word when she says that they are committed to try to, not to try to, but they are committed to encouraging all the countries in this hemisphere to cease and desist with that program. And I believe that the government of Belize, through the Prime Minister's office, has indicated that we will look at the program. I believe a few months ago, prior to my time here as CEO, cabinet has instructed both the foreign affairs ministry, as well as the ministry of health, to look at options, to try to put proposals on the table that can be discussed and then move it from there. And I believe that those proposals, looking at those proposals, are looking for other solutions, will be coming to an end shortly, and it will have to revert back to cabinet to make a decision, and then to inform the Belizean public. We know that at every instance, the government of Belize, again through the Prime Minister, through the Foreign Minister, has stated that this program provides much-needed technicians, much-needed doctors, and so whatever decision is made, something will have to be in place to ensure that there is not a big vacuum, or that there is not a big void that remains in our medical system."
Tonight we continue our investigation into the SmartStream leak of 497 payments, primarily from the Ministry of Defence to fruits and vegetables vendor Jenny Mira between 2020 and 2025. Mira is the sister of the former Minister of State for Defence, Oscar Mira, so the records bear scrutiny.
Francis Usher, CEO (2025 -) - Ministry of Defence 
"It is clear that there was an attempt to avoid oversight by the Treasury Department. It is clear that there was an attempt to avoid any questions being asked about the legitimacy of that payment. It is clear that there was an attempt to facilitate what could have very well been a corrupt practice."
As you've seen, Jenny Mira's payment data shows a system that may have been adapted to accommodate proximity to power while shielding both the vendor and possibly her brother from scrutiny outside his Ministry of Defence.
And in related news, the Belize Social Investment Fund is responding to John Saldivar's allegation that they have been awarding questionable contracts to FAST Construction, which is associated with Oscar Mira's family.
He's been the target of multiple attempts on his life in Belize - but things changed for Benigno "Mouse" Loria when he fled to the United States in 2023.
"The problem is that it's not only the JP that is the problem because as you know we have over 3,000 JPs in this country and our records, the association records shows that it's only like a thousand JPs that are registered and actually doing the work now those JP's who have been appointed and out there doing nothing, those are the ones that put a bad name on us."
"If you are working with men and women because we don't just see women who are survivors of domestic violence, but men also, you expect that this is going to happen. On average it takes a person, a survivor 8 times trying to leave a situation before they finally make it, a lot of people don't make it out alive. So, what would I say? I would say keep trying, keep trying, if it takes you 20 times before you break out of a situation then we keep trying 20 times with you. Ofcourse it might be a lot of paperwork for the other person on the other end taking the reports but that's their job and they theyre paid to do their job as police officers, officers of the family support and gender affairs are paid to their job, social workers are paid to do their jobbed so we are here for you as many times as you put in the report and you take it back, that shouldn't even be a question that should have no bearing on it so if it takes 100 times and you pull back 99 times we wait until the report sticks and you are able and ready to face the situation and we're here to support everyone that does that."
When the pavement on the Coastal Highway started to unravel yesterday, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development faced harsh criticism, ranging from incompetence to corruption.
"But with social media, it becomes fun, I suppose. And we have to deal with it. We're not running away."
Anthony Sylvestre, SC, Attorney General 
22 Fishers Associations across the country have collaborated to create and publish the first-ever Belize Fishers Audit. It's a document that brings fishers' concerns to the forefront with recommendations on how to improve the industry. Rather than wait for a consultation, these associations took matters into their own hands and presented that audit today. Courtney Menzies was there and has this story.
"And this is not only about identifying problems, providing evidence, encouraging dialogue and action and where we support solutions but we present recommendations as well in this report. We say this as a tool for accountability, transparency and continued improvement in this sector but most importantly this is a process that demonstrates that fishers want to be an active partner in shaping the future of our fishing industry."
Joshua Castellanos, Vice Chairman, Mango Creek Fishers Association 
"One of the things that a lot of these policy makers have not looked at is the social impact of conservation on coastal fishing communities. nobody has talked about how different policies they make affect this community, how the fishermen make their money, every time we have certain policies made, it's our livelihood that is being take away from us. We're not trying to stop conservation, we want to continue to be fishermen, we want to pass that on to our kids, but it has a social impact on our community."
