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
Today, the Leader of the Opposition called the Prime Minister unhinged, saying that he is unraveling in the public eye. This follows Briceño using explicit language against 7News Director Jules Vasquez yesterday. He condemned Vasquez for criticizing Special Envoy Rossana Briceño's weekend trip to Guatemala. Briceño attended a regional summit for First Ladies as the guest of the Guatemalan President's wife.
But today, Tracy Panton said that it was poor judgment and that the PM was having trouble managing stress:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "The situation with the veiled and maybe not so veiled threats of the Guatemalan military that we have experienced this month in particular is no laughing matter, and it shouldn't be something that we take lightly. It should also not be anything we politicize-it should be a non-partisan approach to safeguarding Belize's integrity and to protecting our sovereignty."
"It is unfortunate that this Prime Minister is unraveling in the public domain-he is unhinged. He can't, obviously, manage the stress that he is obviously under. When you hold the highest office of the land, you must always be measured and sober, and you must always carry yourself with a particular decorum. It is wholly unacceptable for the Prime Minister to have answered any member of the media the way he did yesterday. It was a fair question. If it is that Belize is recalling its ambassador to Guatemala as a show of protest, then why would it be that the First Lady of Belize, who is a public figure, would accept an invitation that was issued by the First Lady of Guatemala to an event in Guatemala on the heels of the Prime Minister going before the United Nations General Assembly and denouncing the aggression and intimidation of the Guatemalan military, but also civilian groups?"
"In my opinion, it was poor judgment, particularly at this time, and I think the Prime Minister could have said simply that: it was poor judgment. Because we must stand together on the issue of the, as I said, veiled, not so veiled threats and intimidation and incursions by Guatemala on our seas and in our skies."
Panton's statement condemning the PM comes days after a rare display of national unity on Saturday, when she endorsed the Prime Minister's speech at the UN, saying, "Belize must speak with one voice in defence of our territorial integrity... Whatever our political differences, let us stand united as one Belize."
One Belize, but two different dates. Last night, it was brought to this newsroom's attention that an error by the PM's UN speechwriters may have given the Guatemalans wiggle room to equivocate about what happened on the night of Thursday, September 24th. Jules Vasquez reports:
This is what the Prime Minister said to the UN on Saturday:
John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize "Belize informs this Assembly of a serious breach of international law committed on the night of 23 September 2026, when a Guatemalan military aircraft entered Belize's sovereign airspace and intentionally disabled its transponder."
And that same evening, Guatemala rejected his claim-basically saying he was not being truthful:
Guatemala's Representative "Guatemala categorically rejects the serious accusation that a plane of the Guatemalan Air Force overflew the territory of Belize. This flight never happened."
And they may have been right-here's why.
He said the flight happened on the 23rd:
John Briceno: "...on the night of 23 September 2026..."
-but it was the 24th:
Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of Defence "We pulled the data from our primary and secondary radars that we have for the country, which are internationally recognized. And what we found was that an aircraft-a Guatemalan Air Force aircraft, which is with the registration or tail number Foxtrot Alpha Golf 706 or FAG 706-did enter our airspace at 7:29 p.m. local time or 0129 Zulu time, on the 24th of September, Belize time, of course. And it entered from the east at an altitude of 4,000 feet."
For sure, an illegal airspace incursion by a Guatemalan military aircraft did occur, but they may have a point because the PM said it happened on the 23rd.
So, technically, it's not wrong to say that flight never happened on the 23rd. But it is silly, and it is a point both semantic and pedantic, but not inaccurate.
Regardless, yesterday, the PM expressed confidence in Belize's position being vindicated:
John Briceno: "The flight did happen. The evidence is there. You have many amateur people that follow flights in their own app, they saw it. We have the evidence here, so there's nothing to dispute-it happened."
Reporter "Do you feel like the Guatemalans were impeaching your statesmanship and gaslighting Belize by insisting this flight didn't happen?"
John Briceno: "It doesn't matter what they say, because the entire world knew what happened, and of course, probably they're trying to save face..."
The Guatemalans have called for the OAS Adjacency Office to investigate the airspace incursion-and we'll keep following that.
You'll remember in July, UDP Caretaker Edward Broaster filed a complaint with the Integrity Commission against Belmopan Area Rep Oscar Mira. The report was regarding the various supply contracts that were awarded to companies owned by Mira's relatives while he was Minister of State and Minister of Defence.
Well, yesterday, Broaster was called before the commission to testify and ventilate his complaint. His attorney, Jacqueline Willoughby, explained what happened:
Jacqueline Willoughby, UDP Mayoral Candidate, Belize City "What I can tell you is we did go to the tribunal yesterday. We have now submitted our evidence, and the manner in which the Integrity Commission works is, providing they have sufficient on their table, they would investigate, and much like a commission of integrity, they would pass the file to the DPP. We are now in a waiting game-we've done our part, and we're just waiting to see what happens next."
"It is a tribunal, so you go and testify. A complaint was made, so the Act says once a complaint is made, you submit certain documentation, and then you go there and defend that documentation basically, and subject yourself to questions of the commission."
Courtney Menzies: "Do you believe this case is and will continue to be taken seriously and that you guys will have a timely resolution?"
Jacqueline Willoughby: "I would hope that we would have a timely resolution. In terms of whether or not it is taken seriously, that is a matter for all of Belize to watch, and all of Belize should not encourage it to not be taken seriously."
Nearly four years after Winston "Tanga" James was killed on the canal side, the two men accused in his murder walked out of the High Court today, free for the time being.
Azzane Domingo, 23, and Eustace Lewis, 36, were scheduled to begin trial for James' murder and the attempted murder of his then-girlfriend, Marybeth Wade.
But shortly before 10:00 this morning, the Crown entered a nolle prosequi motion, discontinuing the case.
This comes after the Crown could not locate its key witness, Shemaud Nunez, also known as "Sabe."
Last Thursday, Justice Candace Nanton granted the prosecution additional time to find Nunez. Police continued searching over the weekend, but could not locate him.
The prosecution also faced difficulties with Wade, who had not expressed willingness to cooperate with police or testify.
The court made clear that the nolle prosequi is not an acquittal; the Crown can bring the case again if sufficient evidence becomes available.
Lewis, who was out on bail, left the courtroom shortly after being told he was free. Domingo was released about an hour later and escorted by police to a waiting vehicle.
Street figure Tanga James was shot and killed on January 21, 2022, while driving a Nissan Pathfinder with Wade. He was struck multiple times and died at the scene after his vehicle crashed on East Canal.
In the long run-up to next year's municipal election-so far you've seen several PUP municipal slates, while the UDP has been busy trying to field candidates.
Well, today, they officially revealed their mayoral candidates. In a two-hour-plus press conference, each candidate took the podium to talk about what they will bring to their municipality if elected. Courtney Menzies was there and has this story:
With fewer than six months remaining until the Municipal Elections, the UDP has officially unveiled its slate of nine mayoral candidates. Speaking at a press conference this morning at party headquarters, the Leader of the Opposition introduced the central theme of the party's campaign: "911"-that's 9 municipalities, one party, one country-and also, the other meaning:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition "Our theme 911 hits a national emergency, reflects the urgency Belizeans feel every day-the rising cost of living, public safety concerns, deteriorating infrastructure, and unreliable municipal services. This is not a slogan for UDP, it is the reality confronting families and communities across our country."
"Our UDP candidates stand for clean and transparent governance, published priorities, regular reporting, and responsible management of public funds."
And their mayoral aspirant team consists of 8 men and 1 woman-who is running for the largest municipality, Belize City.
All 9 candidates had an opportunity to speak about themselves and their plan for their municipality.
Jacqueline Willoughby, UDP Mayoral Candidate, Belize City "We commit to being servants of the people, partnering with the residents to promote a cleaner, safer Belize City which will ultimately benefit all of us. We commit to an accountable City Hall where every councillor and I will be policed by the residents of this city to deliver services mandated by law and which we promise to offer, an honest City Hall, where we will disclose the management of finances and other critical business."
Isidoro Richie Galvez, Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan "We will zone in on improving delivery of traditional municipal services in the areas where we have seen the city experiencing difficulties, namely refuse collection, infrastructure maintenance, rejected and overgrown properties, and public space upkeep. Finally, with the city being so young in terms of its demographic makeup, it is our every intention to foster an environment where the youth of Belmopan have spaces and avenues created specifically for them to come to the forefront in pushing the growth and development of the city."
Earl Trapp, Mayor, SISE "Over the years, our Council has developed a reputation for being relentless in our efforts to upgrade and maintain our streets and infrastructure. We have more than 175 km of roads in our twin towns, and if you multiplied that by two, it gives you 350 km of drains. This is no trivial task. Every km of road represents a responsibility, every drain must be maintained, every public space requires attention, and the work does not stop when one project is completed. Municipal development is a continuous responsibility."
Dwayne Sampson, Mayoral Candidate, Dangriga "Some of the initiatives that I have taken on in my community: we had Christmas movies and toy drive, I did that; we have back-to-school drive where we give out schoolbags. I have co-owned and managed several football teams over the past few years. I'm active, so I also play with the youths as well. I have co-owned, managed Jankunu Dance Group, which I actively also dance the Jankunu dance. And my most recent initiative that I took on over the summer was the Rise of Kings brotherhood initiative, which we bring youths together and we try to mentor them and teach them how to love each other."
Joseph Elijio, Mayoral Candidate, San Pedro "I had the privilege of serving the people of San Pedro for three consecutive terms under the stewardship of Mayor Elsa Paz. And experience has taught me that leadership is not just about holding a title, it's also not simply about holding a position-leadership comes with responsibility. It is also about working with the people. As in my case, I promise and present to my people that I will do my best to make their issues as we go along."
Roberto Lopez, UDP Mayoral Candidate, Corozal Town "For 14 years, I served as a teacher. I also served as the Executive Director for the Scouts Association of Belize. Through teaching and scouting, I have spent much of my life working with new people, helping them build character, helping them build the skills they need to learn how to lead, and the value of service. That work has taught me that if we want to better our future for our town, we must be willing to work for it together. That is why I am here today. I am offering myself as a candidate for the Mayor of Corozal Town."
Leonard Carballo, UDP Mayoral Candidate, Orange Walk Town "For me, this is not just simply about holding political office, it is about serving the people of Orange Walk and helping to build a municipality where our families can feel proud, where our businesses can thrive, and where our communities are safer, and where every citizen feels that their voice matters. You may be asking, 'Why now?' Well, this moment calls for new energy, fresh ideas, and leadership that is prepared to move beyond promises to practical solutions."
Franklin Polonio, UDP Mayoral Candidate, Punta Gorda "Today, I stand before this nation to present myself as not just a candidate, but a servant of the people-a person who believes it is about service, not power. The last election did not send me into a cave, it sent me right back to my people, to my community, hungry to achieve even greater results in a next attempt. Last election in 2024, I faced off against four CEOs, seven ministers, millions of dollars in infrastructure projects, and millions of dollars in Election Day payouts. Yet the people of Punta Gorda remain unfazed. In the upcoming election, the people of Punta Gorda have an even greater desire to send a message to this current government."
Yusef Guerra, UDP Mayoral Candidate, Benque Viejo del Carmen "As I enter this journey, there are several areas that I believe deserve serious attention in Benque Viejo. One is opportunities for our young people. We already have sporting facilities in our town, and I want to see those facilities being used consistently-that means encouraging more organized sporting activities and tournaments, that means encouraging more organized sporting activities, tournaments, and programs that give our people something to participate in throughout the year. Another area is our small businesses. I know what it is to operate a small business and create employment. I want us to take a serious look at our existing municipal taxes and fees and examine where changes may be possible."
Currently, the UDP holds only four of the 67 municipal seats countrywide-the party needs to increase that number exponentially if it wants to be considered a viable governance alternative to the PUP-and that responsibility now rests on the untested shoulders of these mostly first-time mayoral candidates.
And while we were there, we asked the Belmopan mayoral candidate his thoughts on the allegations of sexual harassment and assault at the current City Council.
As we reported last week, a final investigation report uncovered evidence supporting a recurring pattern of improper behavior toward female employees by one senior staffer who allegedly told his victims he could get them fired because he had the "Mayor's ear." He denied those claims.
Galvez was less than forceful in his condemnation:
Isidoro Richie Galvez, Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan "Let me start by saying that any sexual harassment is a serious matter. Also, I don't want to gain any political mileage with this situation. However, we must always protect our employees-not just at the Belmopan City Council, but at every workplace and work site around this country. And I do agree with the media houses that our Mayor of Belmopan shouldn't be running away from you guys when it comes to questions regarding this situation."
Tonight, we're taking a closer look at the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation and the importation of vegetables.
The lynchpin in the supply chain is Julio Castillo, who imports vegetables from Mexico for the Marketing Board.
So why was he chosen to enjoy that monopoly, and does it ensure the best prices for regular folks? Jaleeza Roberts has this report:
The Belize Marketing and Development Corporation's handling of imported produce is coming under scrutiny, with questions now extending beyond the price of potatoes to the people, the processes, and the profit behind the import chain.
Who is the sole importer who is governing the cost of produce that lands to consumers, and are Belizeans getting it at the best price? Well, after weeks of getting close, we finally got a name. BMDC Administrator Valentin Carrillo confirmed to 7News a name they finally said: Julio Castillo-who in one breath is a customer, then a service provider, then no less than the bridge to Mexico:
Valentin Carrillo, Admin for BMDC "He's a customer."
Jaleeza Roberts: "Is he the middleman?"
Valentin Carrillo: "We don't have middleman. We have service provider."
Jaleeza Roberts: "Well, is he a service provider?"
Valentin Carrillo: "Yes, he is a service provider."
Jaleeza Roberts: "So is he the one that has the monopoly to bring things in?"
Valentin Carrillo: "Well, he provides the services. And as I said, we have had various offers, various options, and this person is the one that has been to me... he's very efficient. Because all of these things that you saw, somebody has to do it. All of these treatments and logistics, somebody has to look over it."
Jaleeza Roberts: "How was Castillo chosen?"
Valentin Carrillo: "I don't know. When I came in, he was already here."
Jaleeza Roberts: "He's the bridge between Mexico and Belize, basically. In layman terms."
Valentin Carrillo: "Let me explain. Since you asked, he's the person that makes all the logistics in the Mexican side. From Mexico City to Puebla, everything, he makes sure that he consolidates. He makes sure that there are boxes, there are wrappers, there's everything, and he makes sure that that commodity reaches BMDC warehouse safe and of good quality."
Basic logistics-not quite the work of God-and this producer says it can be done at a better price with the advantage going to the consumers:
Reporter "The job that Julio Castillo does-and they explain it to us earlier, they tried to make it sound complex-but can any importer do the job that he does?"
Lester Lemus: "Yes, of course. Any... I think there's several of us that are in the industry that are capable of... of having that operation. But again, I think that the best for the... for the consumer, the best thing is to promote and give out the license to whosoever, you know, go and apply for one. I don't think that keeping this with BMDC is convenient for the public. They have shown persistently that we can no longer trust them with our... with our food in their hands."
And in last week's meeting when BMDC met with importers, they proposed to open the supply chain and they would give the BMDC five cents per pound and a cheaper price per sack.
There's a follow-up meeting this week.
Reporter "Let's say you guys go to the meeting this week, they decide that they'll open it up, will you... will you offer your service as an importer to get it here for the hundred and thirty-five like you said?"
Lester Lemus: "I do want to bring down the price, but I don't want to work with Marketing Board, because I don't trust them anymore. I am willing a little to share prices should that happen immediately on the first crossing or second crossing or whenever people is, you know, concerned with prices, because prices will not always remain the same, but they cannot be where they are right now, not... not knowing the cost and a landing price and everything that's going on."
So how does BMDC feel about opening up their supply chain?
Valentin Carrillo, Admin for BMDC "Competition is good. We always welcome competition, you know. In fact, we can't say we are not competing. We are competing with the informal markets, with what we call contraband. So we need to make sure that our prices are not so... you know, because then we open the window for more contraband if we put it. But I see it as a competition, I don't see it as a... you know, it's the job of other entities to control them, but my job is to make sure that more or less I lower my prices so that these products do not come in, you know, and they are willing to buy from us rather than try to smuggle it and things like that."
Jaleeza Roberts, 7News.
We reached out to Castillo for comment, but up to news time, we had not received a response.
A murder in India may tie back to a popular supermarket in Belize. Before suddenly dying, the former owner of K-Park, Prakash Kumar, reportedly signed over his property to his brother, Murli Kumar.
After his death, Murli sold the supermarket and the property to new owners-reportedly for seven figures.
The proceeds from that sale were in dispute among various family members, and this may now be the motive for the murder.
On Tuesday in Jaipur, India, 58-year-old Murli Kumar allegedly stabbed his elder brother, 65-year-old Shyam Bagani, to death.
Police have since taken Murli into custody for questioning.
Police in India said the brothers had been involved in a prolonged conflict over inherited property. Investigators said there were originally three brothers, but the eldest had died, leaving the other two embroiled in the feud.
The visit of a senior foreign dignitary was unannounced; no public itinerary was shared, and there were no windows for press availability.
Indeed, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Lin Chia-lung's visit is being conducted like a state secret and-suitably-also captured only by the state.
Today, we received video footage from the Government Press Office capturing the visit to the capital. Jaleeza Roberts reports:
This morning, Prime Minister John Briceno and Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca met with visiting Taiwanese Foreign Minister Dr. Lin Chia-lung in Belmopan.
The visit signals another deepening of the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two allies.
They signed a Joint Communique and two major cooperation agreements aimed at strengthening Belize's foreign service, education, and professional development.
The partnership also extends into higher education. A Letter of Intent was signed between the University of Belize and the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund to advance the Taiwan-Caribbean Academy Project. The Foreign Minister spoke on this signing:
H.E. Dr. Lin Chia-lung, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan "The extensive scope of our collaboration reflects our earnest friendship and joint commitments. Our countries strongly uphold such universal values as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. At the same time, the two of us forged greater exchanges in many fields, including diplomacy, trade, investment, education, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism. These efforts aim to make our partnership increasingly diverse and substantive."
This afternoon, they also had a site visit to the new Taiwanese Embassy in Belmopan, located behind the Mexican Embassy.
Tomorrow, they will travel to San Pedro to view the San Pedro Hospital construction site; afterward, Lin Chia-lung will depart from Belize.
Legendary Jamaican comedian and actor Oliver Samuels is back in Belize on tour.
He will perform three nights of shows at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts.
We caught up with Samuels at rehearsals this afternoon, and he shared details on a project he calls "one of the sweetest pieces of comedy." Jomarie Lanza has this story:
With over five decades on the stage, legendary theatrical icon Oliver Samuels returns to Belize with an all-new, family-friendly production crafted for audiences of all ages.
He is currently working with Jankunu Productions to bring his latest piece to life with a Belizean twist to it. Co-founder of Jankunu Productions Sandra McKay says Oliver's plays are simply timeless and an experience worth the watch.
Sandra McKay, Co-Founder, Jankunu Productions "Well, you see, when Belize first, first had television, it's from then we are watching Oliver-when you used to rent the VHS video and sit in your family home because the TV kind of snowy, you put the antenna outside and it doesn't show too clear. From then, Belize has been watching Oliver, and as a result, very many families are familiar with him. Even the younger people tell us they know of Oliver from their parents watching him in the '80s, and now they are seeing him on YouTube, they have come to see the plays at times. And I think there is a new appreciation of this kind of work from the younger generation in Belize, but certainly a well-established interest and enthusiasm for his work by the mid and older generation."
"People will thoroughly enjoy the humor only in Oliver's capable style, because he is someone who is so unique, he can walk out on a stage, say nothing, and the audience erupts into laughter-that is how funny Oliver is."
Oliver wrote and also performed his latest play in other large countries as well. He is currently touring, but finally found a date in his schedule to squeeze in some time to work his magic at the Bliss Centre. He told us what his fans can expect from the show.
Oliver Samuels, Jamaican Comedian & Actor "One of the sweetest pieces of comedy, it is called 'The Prodigal Pikni,' and it is just a take-off from the biblical story of the Prodigal Son. And it has done tremendously over in America, in Canada, and in England. We have not been able to reach the Caribbean yet because the demand overseas has been so overwhelming, but Sandra and her team, Jankunu Productions, is very lucky to be able to get me here at this time. But it is a really nice, comedic piece of work about a son who was loved probably too much, and the expression of love by his father. And he became spoilt and thinks that the world owes him everything, and he got mixed up in bad company, and all that kind of thing that... it's because of the unfair distribution of the love between the two sons. And people love it, it has been going very well, and I am sure my fans and friends here in Belize are going to just enjoy the experience."
With only a few more days of rehearsal before opening night, Samuels says that he has truly enjoyed working with Jankunu Productions and they are ready to put on a show.
Oliver Samuels, Jamaican Comedian & Actor "It has been quite interesting, you know. One thing I love about them is the discipline that they demonstrate-that, you know, that I am far away and they dedicated themselves to learning the lines, or most of the lines, until I get here. When I get here, my days are extremely long, you know, in order to perfect and getting all the little nuances and the comedic timing that I want from the production. But they are always, always willing to work hard, and maybe sometimes they are not, but they don't show me otherwise. But yes, we are ready to go."
Opening night is Thursday, October 1st, and shows will follow on October 2nd and 3rd. Starting price for tickets is $25 general, $50 reserve, and $75 premium.
Email
Print
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
One Belize, but two different dates. Last night, it was brought to this newsroom's attention that an error by the PM's UN speechwriters may have given the Guatemalans wiggle room to equivocate about what happened on the night of Thursday, September 24th. Jules Vasquez reports:
"Belize informs this Assembly of a serious breach of international law committed on the night of 23 September 2026, when a Guatemalan military aircraft entered Belize's sovereign airspace and intentionally disabled its transponder."
"Guatemala categorically rejects the serious accusation that a plane of the Guatemalan Air Force overflew the territory of Belize. This flight never happened."
"We pulled the data from our primary and secondary radars that we have for the country, which are internationally recognized. And what we found was that an aircraft-a Guatemalan Air Force aircraft, which is with the registration or tail number Foxtrot Alpha Golf 706 or FAG 706-did enter our airspace at 7:29 p.m. local time or 0129 Zulu time, on the 24th of September, Belize time, of course. And it entered from the east at an altitude of 4,000 feet."
"The flight did happen. The evidence is there. You have many amateur people that follow flights in their own app, they saw it. We have the evidence here, so there's nothing to dispute-it happened."
You'll remember in July, UDP Caretaker Edward Broaster filed a complaint with the Integrity Commission against Belmopan Area Rep Oscar Mira. The report was regarding the various supply contracts that were awarded to companies owned by Mira's relatives while he was Minister of State and Minister of Defence.
"What I can tell you is we did go to the tribunal yesterday. We have now submitted our evidence, and the manner in which the Integrity Commission works is, providing they have sufficient on their table, they would investigate, and much like a commission of integrity, they would pass the file to the DPP. We are now in a waiting game-we've done our part, and we're just waiting to see what happens next."
Nearly four years after Winston "Tanga" James was killed on the canal side, the two men accused in his murder walked out of the High Court today, free for the time being.
In the long run-up to next year's municipal election-so far you've seen several PUP municipal slates, while the UDP has been busy trying to field candidates.
"We commit to being servants of the people, partnering with the residents to promote a cleaner, safer Belize City which will ultimately benefit all of us. We commit to an accountable City Hall where every councillor and I will be policed by the residents of this city to deliver services mandated by law and which we promise to offer, an honest City Hall, where we will disclose the management of finances and other critical business."
Isidoro Richie Galvez, Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan
Earl Trapp, Mayor, SISE
Dwayne Sampson, Mayoral Candidate, Dangriga
"I had the privilege of serving the people of San Pedro for three consecutive terms under the stewardship of Mayor Elsa Paz. And experience has taught me that leadership is not just about holding a title, it's also not simply about holding a position-leadership comes with responsibility. It is also about working with the people. As in my case, I promise and present to my people that I will do my best to make their issues as we go along."
"For 14 years, I served as a teacher. I also served as the Executive Director for the Scouts Association of Belize. Through teaching and scouting, I have spent much of my life working with new people, helping them build character, helping them build the skills they need to learn how to lead, and the value of service. That work has taught me that if we want to better our future for our town, we must be willing to work for it together. That is why I am here today. I am offering myself as a candidate for the Mayor of Corozal Town."
"For me, this is not just simply about holding political office, it is about serving the people of Orange Walk and helping to build a municipality where our families can feel proud, where our businesses can thrive, and where our communities are safer, and where every citizen feels that their voice matters. You may be asking, 'Why now?' Well, this moment calls for new energy, fresh ideas, and leadership that is prepared to move beyond promises to practical solutions."
"Today, I stand before this nation to present myself as not just a candidate, but a servant of the people-a person who believes it is about service, not power. The last election did not send me into a cave, it sent me right back to my people, to my community, hungry to achieve even greater results in a next attempt. Last election in 2024, I faced off against four CEOs, seven ministers, millions of dollars in infrastructure projects, and millions of dollars in Election Day payouts. Yet the people of Punta Gorda remain unfazed. In the upcoming election, the people of Punta Gorda have an even greater desire to send a message to this current government."
"As I enter this journey, there are several areas that I believe deserve serious attention in Benque Viejo. One is opportunities for our young people. We already have sporting facilities in our town, and I want to see those facilities being used consistently-that means encouraging more organized sporting activities and tournaments, that means encouraging more organized sporting activities, tournaments, and programs that give our people something to participate in throughout the year. Another area is our small businesses. I know what it is to operate a small business and create employment. I want us to take a serious look at our existing municipal taxes and fees and examine where changes may be possible."
Tonight, we're taking a closer look at the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation and the importation of vegetables.
Jaleeza Roberts: 
Lester Lemus: 
A murder in India may tie back to a popular supermarket in Belize. Before suddenly dying, the former owner of K-Park, Prakash Kumar, reportedly signed over his property to his brother, Murli Kumar.
The visit of a senior foreign dignitary was unannounced; no public itinerary was shared, and there were no windows for press availability.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
H.E. Dr. Lin Chia-lung, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan
Legendary Jamaican comedian and actor Oliver Samuels is back in Belize on tour.
"Well, you see, when Belize first, first had television, it's from then we are watching Oliver-when you used to rent the VHS video and sit in your family home because the TV kind of snowy, you put the antenna outside and it doesn't show too clear. From then, Belize has been watching Oliver, and as a result, very many families are familiar with him. Even the younger people tell us they know of Oliver from their parents watching him in the '80s, and now they are seeing him on YouTube, they have come to see the plays at times. And I think there is a new appreciation of this kind of work from the younger generation in Belize, but certainly a well-established interest and enthusiasm for his work by the mid and older generation."
"One of the sweetest pieces of comedy, it is called 'The Prodigal Pikni,' and it is just a take-off from the biblical story of the Prodigal Son. And it has done tremendously over in America, in Canada, and in England. We have not been able to reach the Caribbean yet because the demand overseas has been so overwhelming, but Sandra and her team, Jankunu Productions, is very lucky to be able to get me here at this time. But it is a really nice, comedic piece of work about a son who was loved probably too much, and the expression of love by his father. And he became spoilt and thinks that the world owes him everything, and he got mixed up in bad company, and all that kind of thing that... it's because of the unfair distribution of the love between the two sons. And people love it, it has been going very well, and I am sure my fans and friends here in Belize are going to just enjoy the experience."
