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
Will general elections be held earlier than we all expect? For months there have been strong rumors that the government will call it in March. But an intriguing WhatsApp message went out today, stating that the House will be dissolved on January 11th to make way for a February 12th election.
That, coupled with yesterday's notice that one of the items on the supplementary budget was asking for over $300,000 for "general elections", is enough to create a compelling conclusion in this politics crazy town.
So does that mean we should be gearing up for the big dance of the red and blue? Well, speaking with us today, the PM didn't confirm that it would be called early, but while he reiterated that it will be next year, he also didn't say when.
As for the budget line item, he says it has been misinterpreted.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "People are getting too excited over nothing. Basically, the $300,000, remember we had a by-election in July, and we did not present a supplementary budget to be able to pay for it so we had to use other resources so we're paying back the monies from what, I think we advance monies to Elections and Boundaries and now we're replacing the money that was used for the by-election."
"And I know the UDP wants us to get them out of their misery by calling the election so they can try and decide who is going to be the next leader, but we are going to call the elections when we believe it's the right time. I said it's going to be in 2025."
"There's still a lot of work, as I pointed on in my presentation thanking the Belizean people for that awesome mandate that they gave us and it's something that we take very seriously. We've done a lot, but there's a lot more to do. And when we're saying that we've reduced poverty by half, that does not mean that everybody is rich, we still have a long way to go, and that's the case that we're trying to do."
"And we're finding ways of fighting inflation in many different ways. Many of the items that people are buying don't pay taxes, that comes from abroad. And so the prices go up, the retailers have to raise their prices."
"So what do we do? We try to see income tax, education, NHI, house lots, mortgages. All this brings a little bit of money from all over and then continue to push to grow the economy, to create opportunities for Belizeans and encourage people to start their own businesses."
But in the meantime, the PM says the government will continue the same work they've been doing for the past four years. Only this time, there won't be an auditor general to make the checks and balances.
Yesterday the Senate blocked the bill that would appoint the deputy, Maria Rodriguez, as acting auditor general. The general consensus was that they didn't believe such an important role should be offered for only four months, even in an acting capacity.
Well the PM says that even though the post remains vacant, they're not rushing the process, and will use the four month period to find someone new.
Here's what he told us today.
Courtney Menzies: "What happens now? The country is without an auditor general."
John Briceno, Prime Minister "I think that's a question you need to ask those senators that voted against it. I can't understand their logic, it's a flawed logic. The point is, we don't have an auditor general, we wanted to appoint a temporary one once we advertise and have people come in and apply for that post, looking at either in house or outside of the service. But we do recognize also that it is a very specialized skill and we may need to pay them more than what it pays. I think you have to ask the geniuses that voted against that because we're without an auditor general and the work of the government continues."
Reporter: "It was only for four months, why just four months?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister "They wanted it for two years. I mean, we believe that in four months, we've already advertised, we felt that it was enough time. If we had put a year they would tell us a year is too long. We're trying to have just the amount of time necessary to be able to advertise and interview and get somebody proper and fit for the post of auditor general."
Courtney Menzies: "Senator Peyrefitte pointed out that that was the same reason that Ms Bradley's contract was extended and during that time period, you guys were still unable to find a replacement."
John Briceno, Prime Minister "And?"
Courtney Menzies: "Well, what's to guarantee after the four months one would have been found?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister "There's only one way to find out."
Courtney Menzies: "So now what happens? Do you try to put a rush on it?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Absolutely not. We're going to go through the four month period and when we find an auditor general that's adequate then we will proceed."
Yesterday we told you about the confusion with the KHMH amendment. The Minister of Health was unaware that it had been pulled back and reconfigured. Today the prime minister gave his version of what originally went wrong with the KHMH union rep on the board, and why they were proposing to replace the rep with one from NTUCB.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Basically we appointed a member of the union in good faith, feeling that they can come in and contribute. Unfortunately, the member did not understand that you're not there are a union member, yes you come from the union and the union put you there but deliberations on a board, they are confidential. You just can't run to your union and say, ey this is what we're discussing. Because then it creates a lot of trauma within board members so board members were hesitant in speaking openly because the board member, thinking that he is doing his job in good faith, is going and creating all of these problems."
"The Minister felt with some consultation, not large consultation, but with NTUCB that wanting to keep a member from the unions, we figured if we could put a member from the NTUCB on the board, they do not have a direct, they're not directly involved in the day to day affairs of the hospital so they felt that they could take a more sober look at what's going on in the decision making."
"So when it came to Cabinet, we were a bit hesitant but he was persistent in making the case and so we agreed. Now that it was introduced, it is unfortunate that the union members from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital did not come to the House Committee to register their support."
"In a meeting I had I think it was two Fridays ago with the NTUCB that was one of the issues that was brought up. There's a member representing the KHMHU and that member, well, apologized for what was going on. I said listen, I don't think we need to fight, all of us want what is best for the hospital. So I said what if you were to give us two names and we pick who best fit in the board. That member and the entire NTUCB said yes, I think that's a good compromise."
"But secondly the members from the NTUCB explained to Mr Roy Briceno, he's not my relative, but from Orange Walk Town, I know him very well. They explained that all of us, meaning NTUCB, we're on different boards. We're on BTL board, Social Security, that does not mean that as soon as Social Security meeting is finished I could go and report what's going on. I can only report after a decision was made, and he fully understood and I think all's well that end's well and I think that it has ended well with the union."
We spoke to the prime minister at the House Meeting today, but only an hour after it started, there was a blackout covering most of the country.
It seemed to almost foreshadow the rolling blackouts that are projected for the second quarter next year- which pose a real polticial problem for the PUP.
In a recent letter to the PUC, BEL's CEO, John Mencias, confirmed an anticipated material shortfall in generation services. As such, they are asking that the PUC request that the government declare that an emergency situation has risen outside of the control of Belize.
According to BEL's projections, peak electricity demand in the next 12 months will exceed available generation. They attribute the problem to a failure to secure new generation capacity, along with ongoing droughts and heatwaves that have reduced the supply from Mexico's CFE.
The PM clarified that today's blackout was unrelated to that, and explained what the government is trying to do ahead of those projections.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "We have a blackout because I've been told, I've not spoken to the CEO but Minister Chebat as the Minister of Energy rightfully should be the one that is informed, that there has been some issue at Mollejon and that is why most of the country was under a blackout with the exception of Orange Walk and Corozal, why those two? I don't know. So don't mix it up. Those things happen."
Reporter: "So that's why I was going to ask the question."
John Briceno, Prime Minister "So on the second one, on declaring the energy, I have not spoken directly to the CEO. But we've had many discussions on this and he has pointed out in the act that we can declare an emergency so we can quickly get investors to sign up for energy and he believes that if he does that, by the end of next year, he could be able to have a 60 or 80 megawatts, I don't know the details."
"Also, I need to remind you, we've had a discussion with a group of Belizeans who have partnered with an outside group that has access to bring in a ship for 80 megawatts. Now that ship was to come into Belize and be able to provide energy, especially in times when we'll need it, probably in April. We need to be able to sign a contract with them. To do that you have to declare an emergency. there may be, may not be, a shortage in April/May, we're doing everything possible to put everything in place to avoid that."
"So when I was at the inauguration of the new president, Sheinbaum in Mexico, I met with the new Minister of Energy, it was her first day in the office, along with officials from the CFE. So we're at the point now we proposed the ship because the ship is 80 megawatts and we cannot use 80 megawatts. The idea is that we use what we need and we sell the rest of Mexico."
"So now the negotiations are starting. They're finally putting their team together, we have our team from finance, Ministry of Energy, BEL, and PUC to meet with the officials in Mexico, so it's a number of reasons, it's again, forward planning. We don't want to wait until the house is burning down to try and do anything."
It's been over a week since the US voted to make Donald Trump their 47th president. While Belize has sent its congratulations, should the country be looking out for an influx of deportees? Trump ran on an anti-immigration campaign and promised mass deportations. And, as we all know, many thousands of Belizeans are living in the US, many of them illegally, other claiming asylum.
The PM says it's not a problem if they are deported, and that Belize will continue to work with President Trump.
But will Trump appoint another ambassador, or will we go back to having only charge d'affaires, like during his previous term?
We asked the PM.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "As you know, the United States is our biggest partner, most important partner, we have always worked very closely with them. I don't foresee any major changes for us as well, short of the MCC compact that has just been signed, we believe that we're going to continue to strengthen the relationship between both countries."
Reporter: "What's your thoughts on his mass deportation policy? Trouble for Belizeans?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Absolutely not, we need workers. So if they bring back Belizeans to Belize, we need workers. But again, the American people, in their wisdom, decided to vote for a man that said he's going to do mass deportations. We may not agree with the voters but we have to respect the wishes of the voters."
"All American ambassadors are going to resign on the day he takes over or the day before, something to that effect, and then he then decides if he's going to keep any or not. There are a number of career diplomats that are ambassadors, those would stay. if they don't stay as Ambassadors, they will go back to work for the State Department and then they will appoint new ambassadors. Certainly for Belize, it's not a career diplomat. Obviously quite likely Mr Trump will pick somebody else. But back then it's not like Mr Trump was not interested it's that he was having a lot of problems in congress and couldn't get a lot of his nominations approved. And so he had to leave a charge. I think it was the first year of the Biden presidency, they had a charge here, two charges, which they did a pretty good job, they're professionals. So I do expect and hope he would an ambassador for Belize. Belize is a nice appointment, you could ask all the ambassadors, they all fall in love with Belize, the beauty of the country, and just as important or even more important, the people. We are warm people, we are friendly people, we are happy people and they love being in Belize."
And while the Trump election will change a whole lot in Belize - US relations - it shouldn't affect tourism - especially cruise - where the major cruise lines are among the very wealthy US companies.
Not so for MSC - which is a Swiss-Italian company. As the PM reported in October, they were looking at the possibility of buying Stake Bank Caye from OPSA and taking over the project to deliver Belize's first cruise berthing facility.
That's why the government made the compulsory acquisition of part of the island in August, to pave the way to the completion of the project.
But, the drive to push ahead with Stake Bank seems to have cooled considerably in the past two months - and reports to our newsroom suggest that MSC may have lost interest in the project. If so, it would make the compulsory acquisition even more questionable. But today the PM said the negotiations continue:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "That's not a negotiation for me. As far as I know, the negotiations continue between MSC and the bank but that's something that I am sitting around the table in negotiations encouraging both parties or any other partner that would want to partner with the bank or buy over the project to do so. It's in our interest. And so the last I heard is that they will continue talking, continue negotiating and hopefully they could come to some agreement but, again, we have to wait at least until January when the court hears the case that Mr Feinstein has now put against the acquisition of the land."
There was a murder yesterday in the Orange Walk district that led to the discovery of a body in a canefield in the village of San Lazaro. Though police are still on the search for suspects, the family of the deceased believes that their loved one had to have known his killer. Jomarie Lanza reports.
His decomposing body was found discarded in a Canefield half mile east of San Lazaro Village yesterday afternoon, by two minors who had gone swimming in the area. But the family of 48 year old Julio Carillo did not find out what had happened through local authorities. They heard the news first hand from a relative abroad.
Eladio Carillo Jr., Brother of deceased "My little sister from the US told me the news. I didn't even know I was out working when they told me."
"We had heard rumors, and when I went to see the body, they didn't reveal it entirely, but yes they say he had been stabbed."
Reporter "Multiple times right?"
Eladio Carillo Jr., Brother of deceased "Yes that's right."
We spoke with Carillo's father today who he had been living with. He gave us more details as to when he last saw his son alive
Eladio Carillo Sr., Father of deceased "He went to Orange Walk, he came and told me dad I'm going to Orange Walk and he left for three days, he was to return but did not."
Reporter "What type of person was your son?"
Eladio Carillo Sr., Father of deceased "He was hardworking, a good person."
Reporter "He had kids?"
Eladio Carillo Sr., Father of deceased "No he was single."
Reporter "And he lived with you?"
Eladio Carillo Sr., Father of deceased "Yes."
Reporter "Where did he work?"
Eladio Carillo Sr., Father of deceased "He worked in the cane fields, cutting cane."
According to Carillo's brother he heard that his brother was last seen in the company of friends socializing. But when we asked Carillo's father, he alleged that his son's killer had stayed in their house a few times.
Reporter "Do you think this was an act influenced by alcohol?"
Eladio Carillo Jr., Brother of deceased "Yes all of them were drunk."
Eladio Carillo Sr., Father of deceased "Well we don't know, but the person who killed him stayed here with us."
Reporter "That person stayed here with you guys? So you know who he is?"
Eladio Carillo Sr., Father of deceased "Yes we know who it is."
Reporter "Did he have problems with this person?"
Eladio Carillo Sr., Father of deceased "No, from what I know, no."
And, from a man murdered to another free of murder charges - after four years on remand. 26 year old maintenance worker, Leeroy Bardalez who was charged for the murder of Ricky Miguel and injuring Thalia Westby during a shooting on September 7, 2020 on Fabers Road.
But he walked free today after entering a nolle pros motion was entered. Bardalez was informed that the case could not continue because the crown's two witnesses did not wish to testify and, with that, the prosecution's case fell apart.
He was represented in court by Attorney Arthur Saldivar, before Justice Nigel Pilgrim while the DPP's office was represented by Sheiniza Smith.
A man appeared in court today - accused of stealing $75,000 dollars from his boss at Crystal Auto Rental.
41 year old Anthony Borland appeared unrepresented in court this morning where he was read two criminal offenses of forgery and theft. Borland is accused of stealing and cashing $75,000 in cash through an Atlantic Bank cheque dated June 7, 2023, from Jaydean Crofton.
On June 9th, Borland, who was the General Manager at Crystal Auto Rental at the time, allegedly cashed the cheque at Atlantic Bank's Freetown Branch. And almost 4 months later when Crofton was reviewing his financial records he noticed the $75,000 was withdrawn from his Atlantic Bank account which he did not give anyone permission to do. The offense is indictable and no plea was taken. He was offered bail of $20,000 dollars which he was able to meet.
Corozal police are on high alert after the home of two of their own was shot up last night. It happened in the Finca Solana area of Corozal Town where 35 year old Corporal Martin Marin who is assigned to the Corozal Police QRT told investigators that he was preparing for bed at approximately 11:30 when he heard four gunshots. Marin dashed out of his home and heard a motorcycle speeding off.
When he looked in the yard, he saw that a Jeep Cherokee parked in the garage had been riddled by bullets. The vehicle belongs to a police Inspector Kimara Lopez - who lives at the same address. The SUV had two bullet holes, with one bullet piercing through the rear of the vehicle and exiting via the front windshield. Additionally, a bullet hole was observed on the screen door of the house. Several 9mm expended shells were recovered from the street. No suspects have been identified at this time, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear.
A stabbing that occurred in the City on Pickstock Street on Monday afternoon left one man hospitalized.
He is 27 year old Charles Foreman, who was socializing in Rhaburn's Alley when the incident occurred. Foreman had gotten into an altercation with 23 Andrew Holder who pulled out a sharp object and stabbed him. Foreman was transported to the KHMH, police are in search of Holder for questioning.
Going back now to today's house meeting - the most high profile price of legislation passed was the Marriage Amendment Bill.
It changes the legal minimum age of marriage from 16 to 18 - and is seen as a major step forward that will allow children - especially girls - to get a complete education:
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development, Families "There was broad consensus across the parliamentary floor last year on the urgent need to amend our Marriage Act to increase the age to 18 across the board with no exceptions. And I believe that the well-being, protection, education of all our young people in line with our national gender policy and the sustainable development goals and planBelize, it is good for us to do this this afternoon."
"Childhood is a time for dreams, not a time for marriage."
Tracy Panton, UDP Albert "We will now hopefully see more and more of our young women and young men seek the things that are important to them in their own adult development."
Elvi Vega, PUP Corozal Bay "The 2015 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, one in five girls age 15 to 19 in Belize is married or in a union. Madam Speaker, these are not just numbers. They represent real lives, girls with dreams cut short when forced into adult responsibilities far too early."
"We know that child marriage denies young girls their rights to education, exposes them to health risks and traps them in cycles of poverty."
Patrick Faber, UDP Collet "But it is an opportune time. I think it is ripe. I think everybody understands that we must go in this direction."
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"And so, Madam Speaker, I am elated this afternoon to join my voice to that of the member from Belize rural central and the entire government side and my leader who has made it very clear, the member for Albert who has made it very clear that those of us who are on this side of the house clearly support this change to the marriage act."
Earlier in the news, we told you that the House Meeting had an unexpected break in transmission due to a blackout that happened around 11:30. It wasn't restored until about 40 minutes later, and the meeting resumed after 1:00 pm.
But sometime during the extended break, the Leader of the Opposition ducked out and didn't return. His deputy, Hugo Patt, also didn't make it to today's meeting. So on the opposition bench sat the two members who Shyne Barrow says have been expelled.
And since he removed Patrick Faber and Tracy Panton from all House Committees, there was no opposition to weigh in on the matters discussed today in those committees.
Panton lamented on that today.
Tracy Panton, UDP Albert "I think it is, if I can be candid, a travesty, it's almost a national disgrace. The two members from the opposition side who have been assigned to all committee meetings are not here. And when you silence the voices of the people, you silence and you impact negatively the democracy of the country."
"You silence the people and you compromise the democracy of the country."
Reporter "So did you make any attempts to enter any of the meetings or Mr. Faber?"
Tracy Panton, UDP Albert "No, we certainly did not. We have not been. It is the prerogative of the leader of the opposition to determine who will sit in House committee meetings. And certainly he did not extend that invitation to us. We tried to be as best as we can, very respectful of the processes, here in Parliament, and also we have an opportunity to voice our concerns when the sitting of the House resumes."
Reporter "So basically on the matters discussed today in these meetings, there was no opposition to give to weigh in on any of these matters?"
Tracy Panton, UDP Albert "I was not in the meeting, but as I understand it, there were no opposition members in those meetings."
We also asked Panton her thoughts on the court order that Shyne Barrow's attorney got on Friday. It forced Panton and her team to abandon the party headquarters. It's a temporary measure until the full case is heard next year. She stressed that it's just that - temporary - and they have confidence that the court will ultimately rule in their favor.
Tracy Panton, UDP Albert "I'm very confident, I had a very long meeting yesterday with the attorneys representing us in this matter. The interim injunction is temporary and it deals with a single matter, which is the occupation and use of the headquarters."
"You know I have gone on record to say and I continue to maintain that the institution of the party is not a building, it is the people who have been part of this party for a long period of time and have worked tirelessly for the United Democratic Party."
And they'll be back in court in January, but if elections are indeed called early, then the matter won't be resolved before they go to the ballots. Panton says that regardless of when the elections are called, her name will be on the UDP slate.
Reporter "How confident do you feel which slate will your name be on?"
Tracy Panton, UDP Albert "I am running for the United Democratic Party as a representative in Albert."
Reporter "How do you ensure that your name reaches on the UDP slate knowing that Shyne will appoint another standard bearer?"
Tracy Panton, UDP Albert "Well, let's see what he does. I have every confidence in the strength of our case. I have every confidence in the will of the people and I will be running in Albert and I plan to run as a member of the United Democratic Party."
Reporter "Do you share the view that the United Democratic Party will not win the next general election?"
Tracy Panton, UDP Albert "I absolutely don't share that view. I believe that we have good candidates. We will put our best foot forward."
"We have the support of the people. That in my view is very clear and I believe we have a very good chance of securing sufficient seats in the next general elections."
And while politics and a full foster of legislation dominated the day at the House, the session ended on a sombre note as House Speaker, Valerie woods made a courageous personal statement:
Valerie Woods, House Speaker "Members, before I put the question to adjourn, I feel obliged to inform members that my presiding over the meetings of this House for the remainder of the parliamentary session may be affected in the coming weeks due to my recent diagnosis of breast cancer."
"Now while I fully intend to discharge my duties, I hope you can understand that I may have to be absent as I undergo treatment. So it goes, so thank you for your understanding."
We will have more on her condition as Madam Speaker makes it available.
Have you bought your ticket for GOB's "One and a Million" Anniversary game yet? It's a chance to win up to a million dollars if you have four lucky numbers.
Of course, the government also needs the one mil - which could have been used in other areas. But the decision to host this game was based on statistics and the belief that they could generate a profit in ticket sales.
Here's how the PM put it.
Reporter: "Is this the most prudent action that the Briceno administration can take with one million dollars?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister "I would not put that as most prudent action of our administration because there are so many other more important decisions that we have made but in this case, what we've done, is that, Boledo is a game of statistics, a game of chance. So looking at the statistics, the people at the Boledo/Lottery believe that we can create enough hype to be able to sell more than a million dollars and to make money out of it. Imagine paying $5 and you could potentially win a million dollars or half a million or a hundred thousand, depends on how many people win. For $5? People are going to go for it. I must confess in the United States sometimes I would buy the power ball, I pay my $2 and I never check back if I win, maybe I won and I don't know. But here in Belize, Belizeans know about it so I'm sure a lot of people, probably you already bought your number, Paul? And Courtney, you already bought your number?"
The law firm of Barrow and Williams has filed a lawsuit against San Pedro Mayor Wally Nunez. Dean Barrow has filed suit on behalf of two clients Brittney ODaniel and her company Corner Lot Limited.
She claims that the Mayor abused his office when he engaged in bad faith, and deliberate and unlawful conduct against her by demanding financial and other quid pro quo from her. Daniel was trying to recreate a pair and construct and construct a new business place.
She claims that the mayor, quote, "sent word...that he required payment to him personally of thirty-six thousand eight hundred Belize Dollars before he would grant the construction permit." End quote.
She also claims that the Mayor's officers basically hustled 900 dollars out of her to allow a crane to come onto the island.
We asked the mayor about this today and he told us, quote, "She never gave me any money and the 900 she's claiming is stop orders given because they have been building contrary to their plans. The building unit works independently from the council and they have just been doing their job."
The mayor - who receive the filing today - said he will be taking the matter to his attorney. He maintains he received no money from her….
Belize's only two living former Prime Ministers, Said Musa and Dean Barrow have launched an appeal to raise funds and merchandise to send to Cuba.
The island nation - long suffering under the US embargo - has been hard hit by hurricanes this year, with two major storms making landfall in the past month. And then on Sunday, a powerful earthquake shook the island.
The series of trials has left Cuba in a humanitarian crisis and the two former Prime Ministers have written an open letter of appeal to all Belizeans. It says, quote, "There is very little we in Belize can do. We cannot send tankers of oil nor large generators. But we can do something. We can show our solidarity for the unjust suffering of the Cuban people by sending some material goods that will help to alleviate their suffering...A group of Belizeans is working to send a shipment of small generators, solar panels and other things that can be used in hospitals, centres for the handicapped and other social services, as well as foodstuffs, medicines, and other goods for the general population.
We appeal to you to contribute generously, in cash or in kind, to alleviate the suffering of a heroic and generous people suffering needlessly and unjustly."
The letter is accompanied by a list of construction supplies and foodstuffs that are needed. Today, we spoke to attorney Ardelle Sabido about the urgency:
You can send financial donations to:
Atlantic Bank Account number 211-005-6145, Belize City.
Heritage Bank Account number 911-2059, Belize City.
And you can send material goods to:
Mel's Chiropractic Healing and Therapy at Corner Hopkins and 1st Street, King's Park, Belize City, from Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For any queries send a WhatsApp message to 662-4454.
It may be a small and remote village in the Toledo District but Corazon Creek has the area's biggest high school and serves as a hub for students in the area. And that is why it is news that after a tenacious campaign to respectfully deal with Maya land rights and the community's need for electricity - they have inaugurated an array of high tech solar panels.
Here are highlites from yesterday's event in the village:
Belize And Mexico Military Commanders Agree To Cooperate
And, finally tonight, they might not have had the biggest contingent but Belize was capable represented at the 18th Border Commanders Conference Between Belize and Mexico.
A press release says that from November 6-8, 2024, the Military and Naval Commanders of Belize and Mexico met in Belize City to discuss a broad range of traditional security-related challenges, including drug trafficking, weapon smuggling, illegal migration and contraband.
Representing Belize and the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security at the Conference were the Deputy Commander of the Belize Defence Force, Colonel Anthony Velasquez, and Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Elton Bennett,. The Mexican delegation included Commanders from the Secretariat of Defence of Mexico and the Secretariat of the Navy of Mexico.
The Conference concluded with both countries reiterating their commitment to share information and intelligence to close gaps within the border security system and to conduct joint operations along maritime and terrestrial border regions of both countries to counter transnational organized crime.
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Will general elections be held earlier than we all expect? For months there have been strong rumors that the government will call it in March. But an intriguing WhatsApp message went out today, stating that the House will be dissolved on January 11th to make way for a February 12th election.
"People are getting too excited over nothing. Basically, the $300,000, remember we had a by-election in July, and we did not present a supplementary budget to be able to pay for it so we had to use other resources so we're paying back the monies from what, I think we advance monies to Elections and Boundaries and now we're replacing the money that was used for the by-election."
But in the meantime, the PM says the government will continue the same work they've been doing for the past four years. Only this time, there won't be an auditor general to make the checks and balances.
We spoke to the prime minister at the House Meeting today, but only an hour after it started, there was a blackout covering most of the country.
It's been over a week since the US voted to make Donald Trump their 47th president. While Belize has sent its congratulations, should the country be looking out for an influx of deportees? Trump ran on an anti-immigration campaign and promised mass deportations. And, as we all know, many thousands of Belizeans are living in the US, many of them illegally, other claiming asylum.
And while the Trump election will change a whole lot in Belize - US relations - it shouldn't affect tourism - especially cruise - where the major cruise lines are among the very wealthy US companies.
There was a murder yesterday in the Orange Walk district that led to the discovery of a body in a canefield in the village of San Lazaro. Though police are still on the search for suspects, the family of the deceased believes that their loved one had to have known his killer. Jomarie Lanza reports.
We spoke with Carillo's father today who he had been living with. He gave us more details as to when he last saw his son alive
Eladio Carillo Sr., Father of deceased 
And, from a man murdered to another free of murder charges - after four years on remand. 26 year old maintenance worker, Leeroy Bardalez who was charged for the murder of Ricky Miguel and injuring Thalia Westby during a shooting on September 7, 2020 on Fabers Road.
A man appeared in court today - accused of stealing $75,000 dollars from his boss at Crystal Auto Rental.
Going back now to today's house meeting - the most high profile price of legislation passed was the Marriage Amendment Bill.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development, Families
"Childhood is a time for dreams, not a time for marriage."
"The 2015 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, one in five girls age 15 to 19 in Belize is married or in a union. Madam Speaker, these are not just numbers. They represent real lives, girls with dreams cut short when forced into adult responsibilities far too early."
"But it is an opportune time. I think it is ripe. I think everybody understands that we must go in this direction."
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"And so, Madam Speaker, I am elated this afternoon to join my voice to that of the member from Belize rural central and the entire government side and my leader who has made it very clear, the member for Albert who has made it very clear that those of us who are on this side of the house clearly support this change to the marriage act."
Earlier in the news, we told you that the House Meeting had an unexpected break in transmission due to a blackout that happened around 11:30. It wasn't restored until about 40 minutes later, and the meeting resumed after 1:00 pm.
"You silence the people and you compromise the democracy of the country."
We also asked Panton her thoughts on the court order that Shyne Barrow's attorney got on Friday. It forced Panton and her team to abandon the party headquarters. It's a temporary measure until the full case is heard next year. She stressed that it's just that - temporary - and they have confidence that the court will ultimately rule in their favor.
Valerie Woods, House Speaker
Have you bought your ticket for GOB's "One and a Million" Anniversary game yet? It's a chance to win up to a million dollars if you have four lucky numbers.
The law firm of Barrow and Williams has filed a lawsuit against San Pedro Mayor Wally Nunez. Dean Barrow has filed suit on behalf of two clients Brittney ODaniel and her company Corner Lot Limited.
And, finally tonight, they might not have had the biggest contingent but Belize was capable represented at the 18th Border Commanders Conference Between Belize and Mexico.