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Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
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PM Expected To Announce Elections Date On Tuesday Feb 11th (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
It's been rumored for weeks, but Prime Minister John Briceno is expected to announce the date for the general election tomorrow. The House of Representatives met on Friday and the Senate today, disposing of all the matters before the legislature. That now sets the stage for the Prime Minister to advise the governor general to dissolve parliament and issue a writ of election. But for when? Well, our sources say the date will be set for March 12th, 2025 - but that is unconfirmed. We'll just have to wait and see - and the PM is expected to make a live announcement via streaming services during working hours tomorrow. We'll keep you posted.
Mike Says Election Date Is The Worst Kept Secret (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
And today in the Senate, Michael Peyrefitte took the liberty of informing anyone who didn't get the memo:
Michael Peyrefitte, UDP Senator
"There are certain things you just shouldn't do, Madam President. You don't come to the National Assembly, one month before an election, and ask the National Assembly- oh it will be announced tomorrow, you didn't hear? I have it right here. It's alright, you'll catch up."
Government's Attorney Tells Election Challengers Better Luck Next Time (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
But, if it's going to be March 12th, then the group that is trying to force a redistricting before the election has to move quickly.
On Friday, attorney Anand Ramlogan asked government's attorney Eamon Courtenay for an undertaking that he will give five days notice before the Prime Minister advises the Governor General to dissolve the house.
Courtenay did respond today - but he isn't giving any undertaking. He tells Ramlogan that the government has complied with the 2022 Consent Order which called for redistricting proposals to be considered by the National Assembly. In view of this, he tells Ramlogan, quote, "your Clients' intended claim is wholly misconceived. The Government has and continues to comply with its constitutional obligations. We are therefore instructed to indicate that the Prime Minister declines your request for an undertaking." End quote.
But, the challengers won't give up that easily. Ramlogan is the attorney for Jeremy Enriquez and they argue that it would be unlawful to hold an election without having met the constitutional requirement of the Constitution for equal or near as equal number of eligible voters in each constituency.
Senior Minister Says, Redistricting? Sure, Next Term (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
Today, Senior Minister Francis Fonseca repeated the same thing his party said in 2020: Redistricting? For sure! But, after elections:
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education and Culture
"Yeah, I think I mean, listen, we've hired attorneys to look at that matter for us. So I leave that to them. They can provide legal counsel and advice to the government on that issue. What I can say is that the government, as you all know, has committed to ensuring that we do carry out redistricting. We were hoping that it could have been done in this first term. Unfortunately, that was not we were not able to accomplish that. As you all know as well, we have embarked on an important constitutional reform process. We think that will be important as well. As a part of this entire process so that Belizeans can look at the entire governance structure for our country and determine, you know, what, where we want to move forward. So I think having the tool, once we get the final report on the constitutional reform, from the commission, the PCC, we can then tie that into the work of the Elections and Boundaries Commission. And hopefully then we can come up with a model that, that works best for Belize."
Why Does Belize's Attorney General Have An Attorney? (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
We also asked Fonseca - as a former Attorney General - what he thinks of the fact that his administration's current attorney general has to hire an attorney for legal advice.
AG Antony Sylvestre is being represented in the re-districting challenge by Senior Counsel Eamon Courtney - with taxpayers footing the bill. He has also in the past been represented by his own predecessor, Magali Marin Young. Fonseca didn't have that when he was doing the job - but he says times have changed:
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education and Culture
"Listen, Things have changed considerably since 20 years ago. We have a lot more litigation, a lot more work In the Attorney General's ministry they are, I can tell you, overburdened with work from every single ministry. The government bureaucracy has grown tremendously over those 20 years. So, you know, it's natural that that has happened, that the AG's ministry simply does not have within the capacity to do everything. They do a lot of good work, excellent work. We have very good Crown councils there who are doing very good work. But this is not anything new. As you all know, under the previous administration, I mean, Mr. Barrow, the Prime Minister's family is. This is his ex-wife, his brother, his brother. They were the legal counsellors for almost every major case that the government had. So it's not new. And in this case, we're dealing with some serious matters that have been brought forward. And the government wants to ensure that we get some senior councils, to represent the government of Belize. Because, you know, ultimately, we want to ensure that the rights of the state and the rights of the Belizean people are protected."
KHMH Union Demands Government Pension (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
And, one group which is making sure its rights are protected is the KHMH workers union.
On Saturday about 3 dozen of them staged an impromptu protest, demanding that government pay them a pension for what they say is 17 years of service without a pension plan. As public health workers, they say they deserve better. Jules Vasquez was there:
On Saturday morning about 35 KHMH union members strode out of the hospital, for a quick protest walk around the facility:
Andrew Baird, President KHMH Workers Union
"While we are out here, the services at Karl Heusner have not been interrupted, just to let that be clear. There is a few people who are on the shift, but most of these people came from home."
They Came to protest a pension issue - that's been unresolved for more than a year:
Andrew Baird, President KHMH Workers Union
"When this Prime Minister came into power he sat with our union executive members and he promised us that he would formulate a committee."
"The committee was formulated. We had three meetings after the third meetings for the past year or so we have not been able to meet again in reference to come up with a plan for the staff for their pension."
"I spoke to the Prime Minister on the 27th of December, asking him to please intervene so that the committee could reconvened and have meetings so we could complete this process. But to no avail, I spoke to him again two weeks ago and still we cannot get any meeting. It's been one year. Many of our staff are getting older. They need to have a retirement benefit."
That was their repeated refrain as they marched around the hospital.
But, the argument from the other side is that once they chose to stay with the KHMHM Authority they relinquished their right to a pension:
Andrew Baird, President KHMH Workers Union
"So, Karl Heusner Act states that we are pensionable in accordance with the pension act. So we are not asking the government for anything that we are not deserving of. We don't have to sit down and dialogue. All the Prime Minister has to do with the stroke of a pen put us back in our pension scheme that government, the free pension, that the public officers receive."
"We ar public officers by the virtue of what we do."
Lydia Blake, KHMH Workers Union Exec Member
"We have served, we are serving and like me choose to serve in this institution because I serve my people, red, blue, purple, green and white - everybody here. I already did my work, I have served the government and my pension is there waiting for me when I 55. Two more years, Jules. But if I stay with Karl Heusner I could work til I am 62 and I get another pension, because the Prime Minister of Belize when I went to a meeting in December of 2021-2022, I don't remember the year - he promise us after we put everything on paper there - "yes, you guys deserved a pension, you go get the numbers and I will find the money." It's 2025 and we still have not reach the table to sign."
And - possibly - with weeks to go before an election - is the timing opportune?
Crowd
"We want out pension now, today, before election."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you all feel some urgency to do this right now because elections are close?"
Andrew Baird, President KHMH Workers Union
"No. Eventhough that might be the thought process, no. We have been trying to get them back to the table for over 1 year and 2 months."
And for this union that has run out of patience, what's next?:
Protestor
"One of our soon to be retired staff, she hasn't gotten her pension yet and she is a wheelchair. We need our pension - soon retired staff."
Andrew Baird, President KHMH Workers Union
"We need our money and we want it now."
Jules Vasquez
"So would you all, are you all planning to escalate if the government does not come true?"
Andrew Baird, President KHMH Workers Union
"Yes. We cannot show our hands yet."
Lydia Blake, KHMH Workers Union Exec Member
"And if we don't get what we were promised that we will get, we will have to take a stand to get what we deserve."
Jules Vasquez
"And taking a stand means a denial of public service."
Lydia Blake, KHMH Workers Union Exec Member
"I don't know, Mr. Jules, any number could play."
The Union is set to have another meeting on Wednesday.
But, quicker than they could say "pay us now" - Minister of Health and wellness Kevin Bernard's secretary sent them a letter today confirming that the minister will meet with them a week from today.
In 2018, the KHMH set up a Provident Fund which covers workers from that period going forward.
Preacher Killed When Robbery Leads To Murder In Teakettle (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
Tonight a family is grieving after a village preachers was killed - when he went to check on his brother who was being assaulted and robbed.
We met with the grieving family of 46 year old Santiago Rajo this morning in Teakettle village, and they say that the string of robberies occurring within their village leaves no one safe. Jomarie Lanza reports.
That's the sound of the gunshots that echoed through the village of Teakettle early Sunday morning - the same ones that claimed the life of Santiago Rajo.
Rajo was a labourer and preacher at La Iglesia Monte Horeb and his kids described him as a loving and God fearing man. But perhaps these same traits, by simply being his brother's keeper is what led him directly into the path of danger that dark morning. He was gunned down at the corner of the street in front of his home after going to check on his brother who had been assaulted and robbed along with his family.
Voice of: Reynaldo Carillo, Son in law of Deceased
"What happened here is that his brother, he walked out around 1:00 in the morning to go and use the bathroom and that was when he was ambushed. Three men, masked men the held him down and went in his house and took his wife and took her out, they took him inside and told them to take everything that he has and to take everything with value and then the son I think he is in his teens about 12 or 13 he told them to leave his dad alone and that's when they took a gun and pointed it to his head and told him that he will shoot him and that's when his father jumped in and got beat up bad in the face. They were about to shoot him but one of the masked men said to leave him alone because they don't want to get in trouble so they went away and at that moment his brothers wife called my father in law and told him that they got robbed and so he came out right here and my father in law came right here and went down the lane because I think he wanted to see or identify who it was. He was right here at his home he just took a little walk right to the back and I am not sure what happened in that instant but when he came these guys were in a stolen motorcycle because they stole the motorcycle from his brother and there I couldn't say if they identified him, I'm not sure if they were unmasked I'm not sure what happened there but they shot him twice and he fell on the ground and it was something instant."
Voice of: Diani Rajo Carillo, Daughter of Deceased
"Well my uncle said that he was ambushed, that they were robbing them, that they were beaten and pointed at with guns to their face and to their head and after the robbers left with the motorcycle and I don't know what else they took. Well my aunt she was obviously scared because who wouldn't be, and she called my dad."
"My dad is a person that he is always willing to help and be there for his family and well he was on the phone with them and then my uncle came and told my dad what happened. And well I wasn't here but my dad I don't know, I guess he heard the motorcycle because the robbers had taken the motorcycle and I think they managed to turn it on I don't know how because they couldn't get the key either and my dad was just standing on the road side when the motorcycle passed. I don't know if they confused him with my uncle or maybe they thought it was my uncle who was going after them I don't know and they just shot him and well my dad he didn't last long he died right there."
Rajo now leaves behind his wife and 5 children. His eldest daughter says she never imagined that her father would end up leaving them this way.
Voice of: Diani Rajo Carillo, Daughter of Deceased
"He was the first elder for Monte Horeb Best Day Church. He was always happy and always had a smile on his face. He was always singing or whistling because he liked to whistle and whenever we would know my dad is coming because he is always whistling and the dogs too they just hear the car and they would just start barking and we would know that he is coming. And my dad was a very helpful person even if he didn't know you he would always be willing to help and he was just a I would say a great example for many of us and it's sad because I mean I always think about death and I know my parents would someday all of us will die but I never expected it to be this way because it really hurts."
There has been a string of robberies occurring within the village for as long as this family can remember. They believe that the majority of them succeed due to a lack of police presence:
Voice of: Reynaldo Carillo, Son in law of Deceased
"This is not the first time that this has happened. From I came here this has always been happening and the thing is that they have always been targeting those persons that are always working hard. My wife's uncle he has a lime place there too and they are always trying to steal right there. It has happened a lot. A lot of incidents happen here, police come and nothing is done, the case closes and then we don't hear anything about what happens. We don't see them here and it's something sad right because we expect them to be here and to serve the community but we don't see anything happening."
ACP Romero says that police are investigating the suspected robbery ring and they also have several suspects on hand.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC Eastern Division
"We have several persons in custody for this investigation."
Reporter-
"The family believes that these persons may be involved in some sort of a burglary ring. Do you have any information to suggest that?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OC Eastern Division
"Yes we are following up on several leads so those persons will be questioned today and see what comes out of the investigation."
Mentally Ill Man Charged For Striking Senior Citizen Across The Head (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
Police at the Mahogany Street Substation in Belize City had to move swiftly today to disarm and subdue a mentally ill man who was armed and acting in a physically threatening and highly unpredictable manner. As he tried to force his way into he station, a cop came from behind and subdued him without the use of lethal force.
Videos sent to us from Saturday show what appears to be the same man in a number of aggressive interactions with police - one of them where he pulled a machete after police pushed him down.
And, another mentally ill man was taken to court today after he attacked a man who was sitting waiting outside a barbershop with his grandson.
This morning, 34-year-old, Fidel Thomas was taken to Belize City Magistrate's Court to be arraigned but it had to be put on hold for a later date due to his mental state. Thomas who had to be restrained with cuffs and shackles around his waist and foot would not say much about who he was and so the Chief Magistrate ordered a Psychiatric evaluation.
Thomas was before the court for grievous harm for allegedly striking a a senior citizen, 63-year-old, Andrew Arnold, a resident of Belama with a blunt force object to the back of his head.
On Friday Arnold was with his grandson and his wife on Baymen Avenue waiting on the picnic bench for the barbershop to open when Thompson suddenly struck him to his head and burst it.
6 Year Old Pablo Is Finally Laid To Rest (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
It was an especially sad day today at St Martin's De Porres church where the funeral for 6 year old Pablo Orellano was held. As we reported last week, the Stella Maris student was found dead last week Monday in the sea at the Hangar area. He had drowned after escaping from school 90 minutes earlier and running 2 miles through the city streets.
It's a terrible tragedy that has caused the entire society to grieve for this nonverbal autistic boy, and today - at his funeral - his little schoolbag beside the casket - it was as sad a scene as you can find.
The funeral was held after his estranged parents agreed to put aside their differences and proceed with the burial. Today his mother could barely stand as she followed the casket leaving the church.
Will MOE Follow Special Envoy's Lead On Stella Maris? (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
The Prime Minister's wife, Special Envoy Rossana Briceno is one of the country's most highly trained persons in special education. And her office has issued a statement on the death of Pablo Orellano.
It says, "This heartbreaking incident brings to light the urgent need for enhanced security and protection for the students of Stella Maris School. Stella Maris School is the only institution in Belize City that provides full-time educational and developmental services for children with special needs. The Office of the Special Envoy urgently calls upon the Ministry of Education and all relevant stakeholders to work together to implement stronger security measures, allocate greater funds and resources, and foster a collaborative approach to ensure the well-being of all children, especially those most vulnerable."
We asked the minister of education for a response to this and he says that they are willing to work with the special envoy to make these changes.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education and Culture
"Yeah. Well, you know, the special envoy has always been a good ally of the Ministry of Education, a strong advocate, for families and children. And, of course, she has a long history, and background and training in special education. So we often talk about working together on how we can improve the services we offer to our community of special needs children. So, yes, we're always looking for opportunities to improve, to be more effective, to be more efficient. If that means we need to allocate more resources. We certainly will do that."
Maria Rodriguez Approved As Auditor General For The Next 22 Years (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
Switching topics now, on Friday you heard the robust debate surrounding the appointment of the new Auditor General, Maria Rodriguez.
The contract is for an incredible 22 years and the Leader of the Opposition called the selection "cronyism." Today the debate in the Senate was a lot less fiery but the social partners raised their concerns - not just with Rodriguez in particular but with the issues affecting the Auditor General's office on a whole.
Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator
"The determination for seniority as it stands for public officers generally is something that really needs to be looked at. In important offices like the Auditor General, as I like to call it, 4th branch institutions, safeguard institutions, it's very important that qualifications and experience play a very important part in your upper mobility but even more so what is important are performance appraisals. This is how the people of Belize get to know that the people that they're paying in these offices are doing what they're hired to do and that their competence is being tested and periodically reviewed."
"We are constitutionally required to recommend to the governor general who becomes the auditor general. That is not a function that is before anyone else. And I, without the benefit of understand or participating in the procedure, even more so, i have absolutely no point of reference for Maria Rodriguez. I was not furnished with her resume, I was not furnished with her qualifications, I was not furnished with anything other than my little google searches on who she was."
Kevin Herrera, Business Senator
"Once the accountant general submits those reports, the auditor general has just 3 months to complete his or her report and if there's an extension then that has to come to the National Assembly and only the National Assembly can grant that extension."
"That has never been done. I am not aware of any request coming from the accountant general for an extension. Again, a complete violation of the finance and audit report. I'm not generally cynical but I'm beginning to get the feel that these systems are perhaps not supposed to work for some reason or the other."
Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business
"The mechanisms in the audit and reform act need to be looked at again to ensure that the accounts and the audits take place in a timely manner and I do believe that one of the main problems is man power and so we have to harness the advantages of technologies to ensure that government accounts are kept up to date, government accounts are fed into the accountant general's department on a timely basis in a way that they can be properly accumulated, properly developed and  presented to the auditor general on a timely basis. With respect to the qualifications to the candidate that is before you, the post was advertised for over 6 weeks, the qualifications were listed there, she satisfied the requirements and therefore she was shortlisted. The panel that interviewed was comprised of the financial secretary, the Cabinet secretary and the CEO in the Ministry of the Public Service. All people who have experience in governance and public service and who are not politicians."
The bill was passed in the Senate and her appointment is confirmed.
UDP Senator Says Bundle Of Loan Motions Proves GOB's Financial Insecurity (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
Turning back now to the senate, Another debate on Friday was sparked by the bundle of loan motions - 16 to be exact. 10 of them were loans from Taiwan that were received years ago and should have been repaid, except back in 2021 the government asked for an extension. A little over three years later, they came back to ask for another one. UDP Senator Michael Peyrefitte rose to express his concerns about the glaring issue.
Michael Peyrefitte, UDP Senator
"As a voracious consumer of all different types of puddings, there's hardly a saying that I like more than the proof of the pudding is in the eating."
"This government has produced in the last 4 and a half years, going into five, they have produced pudding that's not nice. And they fancy it up with all this legislation and we come and pass all these laws and we qualify for this and we've been certified for that but this shows that we can't, we're broke and we can't pay our bills. That we come in 2021 and tell the Taiwanese, listen to me, we took on a job that was bigger than us, we need a break with these loans, give us three more years. And then when three more years come, you say, hold on, I need three more years. You didn't know you needed six years from the beginning?"
"In 2021 they went to Taiwan for 10 loans because all of them read exactly the same. In 2021, the couldn't handle the job, deferred it to 2024 and they're coming back and they can't handle the job, their financial performance has not been up to par. You see, when you talk about the proof of the pudding is in the eating, according to the prime minister of this country, around this same time in 2021 and 2022 we were the fastest thing growing other than Guyana. The country of Belize is going the best in the hemisphere and we have cash and the banking system is too liquid, not knowing at the time you were begging for mercy with your loans to one of the most friendly sister nations."
GOB Writes Off 54 Million Dollars In KHMH Debt (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
And going back now to Friday's House Meeting lasted over 8 hours, but one significant item that came out of it was the writing off of 50 million dollars of debt at the KHMH. The Minister of Health and Wellness explained that the decision accompanies the recent move to make all public hospitals free of cost.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
"I stand before you to announce with great pride that our Cabinet has given it's approval for the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority to proceed with the write off of 54 million dollars in uncollected debts, specifically for the period April 2009 to March 2022. This amount includes debts accrued during the challenging COVID years, a time when many of citizens faced unprecedented hardships. This is Plan Belize at work. This decision is much more than just a financial adjustment, it represents a profound and immediate relief for thousands of Belizeans who have struggled under the weight of these debts. By removing these debts, we are lifting a heavy cloud that has lingered over the heads of our citizens. This initiative reaffirms our government's pledge to prioritize the health and wellbeing of all residents."
The bill was passed in the Senate and her appointment is confirmed.
More Than 50 Dead After Catastrophic Bus Accident In Guatemala (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
At least 53 people are dead in Guatemala after a bus crossing a bridge collided with several other vehicles and then plunged into a ravine, landing in a river of sewage.
The bus was coming out of Guatemala City at about 4:30 am and crossing a bridge - oddly enough - named Puente Belice when it crashed off the bridge.
The number of dead is expected to rise from the crash, officials said. The driver of the public bus may have lost control of the vehicle because of a mechanical failure, officials say.
Guatemala's president, Bernardo Arévalo, declared three days of national mourning.
Belize's Cave Systems Opening New Frontiers In Tourism (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
Belize's first ever cave management policy was launched today at St Herman's Blue Hole National Park, the home to one of three open caves in the country. The policy seeks to protect the cave's natural and geological value while promoting responsible visitor behavior as the cave tourism industry grows. Jomarie Lanza was there and here's more:
Belize has a total of three caves that are legally open and managed by the institute of Archeology. But in recent years as tourism expands and visitor numbers increase, cave exploration, tubing and swimming have become more popular. This is why the Ministry of Culture along with NICH and the Institute of Archeology have joined forces to establish a legal framework for the sustainable management of Belize's caves. The minister explained at today's soft launch.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education and Culture
"Well the whole objective and purpose of the cave management policy is really to put in place really a foundation for the protection, preservation and management sustainable use of our cave systems you know we have wonderful and magnificent caves across our country and so there has been a discussion ongoing for a very long time to make sure that we find the right balance and obviously as you know tourism is very important to our economy and so we are happy to welcome visitors to Belize and give them access to these beautiful archaeological sites but we have a great responsibility and duty especially at the National Institute of Culture and history and the institute of archaeology in particular we make sure that we are putting in policies that ensure the sustainable use of those resources so the right balance that's our duty and obligation to make sure we have these caves for future generations of Belizeans to come so that is really the objective and we put in place a few months ago the legal foundation to make this possible. As you know we amended the NICH act to give more powers to the director of the institute of archaeology to enable the institute of archaeology to collaborate with stakeholders like PACT and FCD and Audubon to make sure we can work together and manage these assists and resources."
It is the first ever cave management policy to be developed and applied that recognizes caves as potential tourism destinations. The Director for the Institute of Archaeology says that while cave tour prices may not see a change, the guidelines and restrictions for tours probably will.
Melissa Badillo, Director, Institute of Archeology
"It is a challenge we can't make, while the cave policy speaks to larger management and the framework for it each case will be you know on its own developing that co management agreement with whatever stakeholder whether it is an NGO or a private entity as each cave system is completely different and unique so we will have to take different things into consideration, The policy now classifies caves into different categories and each will have its own restrictions and guidelines that we will develop a further management agreement that will have the details in there."
"It will be a little bit before you start seeing some of these things but safety is the number one priority in there and ensuring that the cultural materials that are found within caves are protected to the highest level. Along with that we also want to ensure that the natural features of caves are being protected you know we want people to get in there and to have that experience and at the same time we have to do it responsibly in ensuring that we have as minimal impact as possible whether its to the natural features or the cultural features."
National Symbols Registered But Still Free For Belizeans To Use (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
And aside from preserving the integrity of these caves, we also asked the minister about the legislation he presented on Friday to formally prescribe and regulate the National Symbols of Belize.
The question the public is asking is whether it means that anyone who uses the symbols would have to give copyright credit? The Minister says no, he explains how it will work.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education and Culture
"No but Belizeans will not have to apply. The bill is very, very clear.Section 12 of the bill is very clear. It deals with importation. If you're importing or you're manufacturing, that that national symbol, if you're in some way, or for some business purpose. All we want to ensure is that the law sets. So in the appendix to the law sets. So these are the standards that are to guide you in the production of that. So that's all it is. It's like many other countries where they do it in Barbados and Trinidad and Singapore. All of these countries have a regulatory framework for their national symbols. We have to protect our national symbols, and we have to make sure that they're being used, in the right manner. So there would be no you can continue to fly or flag in your yard. You can continue to use your flag on, you know, anywhere in a parade or whatever. There's no nothing to change that. You don't have to apply for a license. It is people who are importing these in, you know, in quantities or, manufacturing these products. For use and for, for, for business purposes. And again, the bill provides for regulations to be set out. The minister will make regulations. So when those regulations come out, I think it will be much more clear to Belizeans. So we will do that shortly."
$77M Invested In Making Sugar Cane Climate Resistant (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre - has partnered with the cane industry to launch the "Building the Adaptive Capacity of Sugarcane Farmers in Northern Belize" project.
The launch of the 77 million Belize dollar project took place at Escuela Secundaria Técnica México in Corozal on Thursday.
Here's how they are trying to introduce new climate resilient strains of cane:
Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director
"Five years ago, the government had approached the five Cs, along with the stakeholders, the farmers and BSI and SIRDI, to look at the possibility of accessing resources to help farmers deal with all of the variability that they're experiencing in the industry."
"Some years they have too much water, some years too little water, and then they have this persistent problem with the stem borers and the hoppers and others. And so we tried to design a project that would allow the farmers, that if they practice better land management techniques and they had different varieties of seed cane, that they can diversify away from the B79 variety that the use now, that it will build the resilience of the industry to the effects of climate change."
Olivia Carballo Avilez, Cane Farmer Relation Manager, BSI
"We have now 11 new varieties that we're able to share with the farming community. So this really is an important project to roll out those varieties. BSI can't do it alone. We've done the research for it."
"There is no a silver bullet or a silver bullet variety that will be resilient to everything, to drought, flood and whatever. So we have to find a diversity of varieties so that we're able to confront the climate impacts that we're facing."
Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director
"The impacts of climate change are only getting worse and every year we see it getting worse. And so the project is very timely because the investments that it will make will seek to build a very solid and systematic foundation that then once it works, then they can scale it up to the entire industry."
"It requires change in behavior of the farmer. It requires changes in agricultural practices. It requires making sure that there are nutrients that we can put back on the soil so that the yield of the sugar cane can be better."
Olivia Carballo Avilez, Cane Farmer Relation Manager, BSI
"We are use to doing smaller plots and in shorter rows. This will require that we do bigger plots, bigger blocks of area, longer rows, straighter rows, and try to mechanize some of the activities in order to be resilient."
Dr. Colin Young, Executive Director
"Project implementation can be challenging because we may get hurricanes in the next five years. We may get floods, we will get droughts, and so as we respond to these things, how do we have the ability to be agile, to adapt, to be able to change our strategies as needed, but ultimately being guided by the fact that what we want to do is to improve the livelihoods of the sugarcane farmers."
They Came For Vacation But Ended Up In Court For Weed (posted on Mon Feb 10, 2025)
An American couple caught with 6 grams of cannabis at the PGIA on Sunday, were charged jointly for the importation of controlled drugs. William and Cranesha Gaynor, both 36 year old US citizens who flew in from Texas for a vacation in Belize, were escorted to the Belize City magistrates court this morning where they appeared unrepresented before the Chief Magistrate. They both pleaded guilty, but the husband, William Gaynor told the magistrate that the drugs belonged only to him. Despite the drugs being found in his wife's suitcase the prosecutor withdrew the charge against her. William Gaynor was fined $300 which he paid forthwith and left the court a free man.
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