June, 2025 - Greater Belize Media

Belize Zoo Mourns Death of Belize’s Jaguar Lindo

The Belize Zoo has announced the passing of Lindo, one of its most well-known jaguars. He was humanely euthanised after battling chronic kidney disease and the effects of old age.

The Belize Zoo shared that Lindo arrived at the zoo in 2008 from the Linda Vista area in northern Belize after repeatedly attacking livestock. Rather than being killed, he was relocated with the help of the Forest Department and concerned residents.

“In many other circumstances, a jaguar with a learned behaviour of preying on livestock would have been killed. Instead, through collaboration and compassion, Lindo was given the opportunity to live safely and meaningfully,” the zoo stated.

Initially kept behind the scenes as part of the Human-Jaguar Conflict Program, Lindo later became a public ambassador, admired for his striking appearance and calm nature.

“At over 18 years old, he lived a long and meaningful life, a remarkable milestone for a “wild jaguar” in human care,” the zoo added.

Tropical Storms Barry and Flossie Form Off Mexican Coasts

Two tropical storms, Barry and Flossie, have formed in the Gulf and Pacific waters off Mexico.

Tropical Storm Barry, which developed this morning in the Gulf of Mexico, was located about 90 miles east-southeast of Tuxpan and 165 miles southeast of Tampico, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. The storm is moving northwest at 6 mph and is forecast to strengthen slightly before making landfall.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Flossie formed off Mexico’s southwest coast in the Eastern Pacific, about 240 miles south of Acapulco. It is moving west at 9 mph with sustained winds of 40 mph. Forecasters are expecting Flossie to strengthen into a hurricane early this week. Heavy rainfall is expected across Oaxaca, Guerrero, Michoacán, Colima, and Jalisco.

Miss Universe Belize 2025 is Isabella Zabaneh

The new Miss Universe Belize is Isabella Zabaneh. Zabaneh is officially crowned as the country’s beauty ambassador for 2025 to represent Belize on the international Miss Universe stage in Thailand.

She now takes the crown from Halima Hoy, Miss Universe Belize 2024, who proudly represented the Jewel in Mexico City last November.

This year’s pageant featured four other inspiring and graceful young women vying for the title: Monisha Hyde, Imani Jex, Libny Rodriguez, and Hope Panton.

Miss Universe Belize 2025 Results

Winner (Miss Universe Belize 2025): Isabella Zabaneh
1st Runner-Up: Monisha Hyde
2nd Runner-Up: Hope Panton

Special Awards:

Miss Photogenic: Hope Panton
Miss Congeniality: Imani Jex

Tropical Depression Forms in Gulf of Mexico

A low-pressure system in the western Gulf of Mexico has developed into Tropical Depression Two as of this afternoon, according to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC).

The NHC began issuing advisories after it confirmed a closed circulation and winds of 30 mph, showing better organisation and a well-defined structure.

The depression could strengthen into a tropical storm and would carry the name Barry. Forecasts show it will make landfall in eastern Mexico on Monday, bringing heavy rainfall and tropical storm-force winds.

“Tropical Storm Watches or Warnings could be required for portions of the Mexican Gulf coast as soon as this afternoon,” the NHC said in its latest update. Tropical storm warnings have already been issued for the Mexican coastline.

The NHC currently estimates a 70 per cent chance of further development within 48 hours and through the next seven days.

Meanwhile, in Belize, persistent rainfall has caused flooding across several parts of the country. While the Guinea Grass and Yo Creek to San Lazaro roads are now passable, water levels have yet to recede along key routes like Santa Martha Road, which remains closed, according to the latest notice by the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO).

The San Roman Road is also closed, as water continues to rise between 16 and 20 inches over a two-mile stretch. Motorists heading to San Roman are advised to use the San Antonio route instead.

Roads such as San Antonio and August Pine Ridge to San Felipe are reported to be clear.

Water levels at the Mameyal curve remain steady at approximately 8 to 10 inches across a 1,000-foot stretch.

Potential Tropical Depression Brewing in Bay of Campeche

Meteorologists at the National Hurricane Center are closely monitoring a developing weather system in the Bay of Campeche that could soon become the season’s next tropical depression.

As of 2:00 PM EDT on Saturday, surface observations, satellite imagery, and radar data from Mexico indicate that a well-defined surface circulation is forming near the Mexican coastline. Associated shower and thunderstorm activity is becoming more organized, a strong sign that the system is intensifying.

If current trends continue, forecasters say a tropical depression could form later today. The system, currently designated Invest AL91, is expected to track west-northwestward over the weekend, potentially making landfall in eastern Mexico by Monday.

An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft has been dispatched to investigate the storm further. Depending on the findings, Tropical Storm Watches or Warnings may be issued for parts of Mexico’s Gulf Coast as early as this afternoon.

Even if the system does not reach full tropical cyclone status, forecasters warn that locally heavy rainfall will continue to impact portions of Guatemala and southeastern Mexico over the coming days, raising concerns about flash flooding and landslides.

The National Hurricane Center places the system’s chances of tropical formation at 70% over the next 48 hours and 7 days.

Residents in southeastern Mexico are urged to stay alert and monitor official updates as the situation evolves.

Suspect Shot, Detained After Violent Home Invasion

A home invasion on Benbow Street in Belize City has left a grandmother unconscious and hospitalised and an 11-year-old girl undergoing medical examination to rule out a case of rape.

Reports reaching our newsroom are that around 4 o’clock this morning, a man, known to police, broke into a house where three girls were sleeping in a room.

Their screams drew the attention of their grandmother, who rushed in with a curtain rod to defend them. The grandmother was overpowered by the intruder, who attacked the elderly woman severely, leaving her wounds around her eye and mouth bleeding.

News 5 understands that the grandmother is currently hospitalised and unconscious. The children’s grandfather was also attacked and beaten when he tried to intervene.

News 5 understands that the man took the 11-year-old girl downstairs.

The little girl’s uncle was sleeping in a room downstairs and heard the commotion. He confronted the intruder and a struggle ensued. The man managed to escape.

The child was found undressed, and police were immediately alerted.

Police launched a manhunt and detained the suspect, who was reportedly shot in the foot during the pursuit. He is in custody.

MIDH: Up to 20 Inches of Water Over Road in Some Areas

Heavy rains continue to cause widespread disruption across the country, with severe flooding reported in multiple areas, including key sections of the Philip Goldson Highway.

The latest update from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) confirmed that the highway is currently impassable at several points in the Orange Walk District, Mile 41–42, Mile 52 (Tower Hill), and Mile 62–63 (San Jose Village), due to rising water levels.

Images of the culvert at More Tomorrow Village, Cayo, show that it has collapsed, and residents are advised to take precautions. Meanwhile, the other road that allows villagers to come out of the community is currently flooded, which is making it challenging for residents to come out.

Images of the culvert at More Tomorrow Village, Cayo, show that it has collapsed, and residents are advised to take precautions.

“It is advised that drivers do not attempt to pass these areas since water depth is estimated to be as high as 20 inches over the road surface. Drivers who attempt to traverse these areas do so at their own risk,” the MIDH stated in its statement.

Motorists are also strongly advised not to attempt passing through flooded areas. Drivers are urged to slow down, remain alert, and prioritise safety, especially as forecasts predict continued rainfall in the coming days.

“Attempting to pass through flooded areas may lead to damage to your vehicle and may put its passengers at risk,” MIDH added.

Evacuations have already begun in some low-lying communities, including San Pablo, and San Jose.

MIDH added that its personnel are currently on the ground monitoring the situation and assisting with traffic management, stating, “Full closure of the highway in these areas may be necessary if the flooding worsens.”

Sugar Shortfall: Weather, Disease, and a Bitter Harvest

The 2024/2025 sugarcane season has officially wrapped up, and the results are hard to ignore. BSI’s Director of Finance, Shawn Chavarria, says this year’s crop is one of the worst in decades, with cane deliveries falling below eight hundred and eighty-four thousand metric tons and sugar production expected to dip under seventy-nine thousand metric tons. That’s a twenty-five percent drop from last year—and the lowest output in nearly forty years. So, what went wrong? From extreme weather and crop disease to poor cane quality and long factory stoppages, the challenges were many. But as losses climb into the tens of millions and farmers brace for lower payments, the bigger question is: How can Belize’s sugar industry weather future storms—and is it time to rethink how we grow and grind?

Shawn Chavarria, Director of Finance, B.S.I.

“This morning, we concluded the 2024/2025 milling season. The total cane received is just under eight hundred and eighty-four thousand metric tons of cane. That’s a low for us. The previous low was in the 2020 crop when we had the impacts of the severe drought from 2019 where we had milled just slightly under nine hundred thousand metric tons of cane. So, for us, it’s not a very good crop and what has compounded it is the lower quality of cane that we received this year. Our TCTS, we’re still going to be liquidating the factory in the coming days, but our TCTS will end up somewhere around 11.1 or 11.2 which is one of the lowest we’ve seen since the 2010 crop. Total sugar production is estimated after liquidation to be somewhere around just under seventy-nine thousand metric tons of sugarcane. That’s certainly one of the lowest we’ve had in the past thirty-five to forty years. The previous low was in 2008, when we had produced just over seventy-nine thousand metric tons. So we’ll be below that figure and so it’s not a very good crop from our standpoint. It’s been very challenging. We’ve have a lot of issues with weather, disease. We had long stops as well due to heavy rains at the early outset of the crop. From our standpoint, production, compared to last year which, even at that level, was not ideal at 104,000 metric tons of cane, we’re going to be twenty-five percent below that figure. So our losses will be significant this year. In the tens of millions of dollars. Growers will similarly see a reduction in the cane price. Not only because sugar prices have been lower, but the quality of cane, that TCTS ratio is much higher. So, from the same cane, you are getting less sugar.”

Fusarium Wreaks Havoc on Sugarcane Fields

Belize’s sugar industry is facing one of its worst crises in recent memory. The season has come to a sudden and painful close, with record low yields and millions in losses. The culprit? A devastating fungal disease known as fusarium, which has infected over sixty thousand acres of sugarcane, and severely damaged another eighty thousand. The result? A projected thirty percent drop in production, a staggering fifty-three million dollars in losses, and a tough road ahead for farmers already bracing for a sharp cut in earnings. So, what’s next for one of Belize’s most vital industries? And can it recover before it’s too late?

Prime Minister John Briceño

“The effect of it all is that today the sugar crop has come to an end and it will be one of the worst sugar crops we have had in recent times. By this morning again the estimate is around eight hundred and eighty thousand tons of cane would have been delivered. What is even worse is that the tons of cane to produce one ton of sugar has been even worst. The current tons per of cane per ton of sugar is twelve tons of cane for one ton of sugar. When the cane is really good you are getting nine tons for one ton of sugar. So we are using two tons and a quarter more to make one ton of sugar. So, this is by far the worst we have had in production in recent history since 2011. BSI will produce just over seventy-eight tons of sugar. For context, this year the factory will produce seventy-nine thousand, ninety-seven thousand 3eight hundred tons less than what was produced last year and one hundred and fifty-four thousand tons less than what it produced in 2019. With a production of eight hundred and eighty thousand tons of cane producing seventy-eight thousand tons of sugar the industry is projected to earn one hundred and ten million dollars, mostly in foreign exchange, representing a significant reduction to fifty-three million from one hundred and fifty-six point five million dollars generated in 2024. Based on the current sugar price estimate farmers are expected to earn no more than sixty-five dollars per ton of cane this year. This represents a reduction of twenty-five dollars per ton when compared to ninety dollars and twenty-three cents per ton that was paid out last year. Our farmers will take home thirty-one million dollars less than it took home last year.”

Close To $3 Million Dollars to Adress Sugar Crisis

With sugarcane fields under threat from a fast-spreading disease, the government is stepping in with a five hundred-thousand-dollar pilot project to test treatments that show early signs of success. But that’s just the beginning. Backed by regional and international partners, nearly three million dollars has now been identified for an emergency response. Prime Minister John Briceño says it’s clear what needs to be done: prevent the north from suffering the same fate as the south. But with the clock ticking and farmers already feeling the pressure, will this be enough to turn things around before it’s too late?

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We cannot and we will not allow, what happened to the sugar industry in the south to happen to our sugar cane farmers in the north. If we are to be successful at this interministerial collaboration taking place it is will be important to do some of the following interventions, which we have to start implementation immediately. One, five hundred thousand dollars has already been identified by the ministry of agriculture which will be allocated immediately to a pilot project to start ridding these fields of the disease. Last November SIRDI moved quickly to identify a possible treatment option and earlier this year testing this technology on two farm plots. The results of this treatment looks promising. We also met with BSI/ASR and they have brought in their soil scientist where they have had a lot of success. They also have a treatment for this fungus. They will be working with us, it is a joint effort to see how we will halt this disease and cure some of the fields infected. With this hundred thousand dollars the plan is to replicate this treatment on a larger scale to treat the first two thousand five hundred acres.”

P.M. Briceño also revealed that Senior Economist Doctor Marcelino Avilla has been appointed to lead a sugar committee tasked with developing a plan to modernize the industry based on recommendations from the commission of inquiry report.