There’s movement once again at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where the Workers Union is back at the negotiation table. This comes after hospital management declared a trade dispute over ongoing pension talks. According to Health Minister Kevin Bernard, both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance were present at a key meeting held on Monday. The union walked away with a counter proposal in hand, and they’d promised to respond within the next two weeks. Minister Bernard gave us the latest update.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health
“Now the whole issue is those years that laps between 2001 and 2017 in terms of what benefits were lost for that employee, some of them already retired. So yes, I do agree that there needs to be some compensation but that is between the authority and the union. The government is the intermediary in all of this. KHMH is a statutory body. We only regulate the functions of KHMH. The authority has its own mandate. And I am happy that we have seen where cool heads have been able to sit down and negotiate. I know the union wrote a counter proposal. The authority felt it had to go to labor, because there were industrial actions taken hat had to be looked at. The ministry of labor had to step in. They are at the stage where negotiations are taking place. They made a counter proposal to what was being offered by the negotiation team, and I am hoping that within two weeks when they come back, because I am told that at the meeting last week, because I know they had a meeting on Monday where the union said they will take back the proposal that the negotiating team, which involves members from the ministry of finance, the financial secretary is part of the negotiating team, our ministry is part of the negotiating team, the union and the ministry of health. I am told they are going to meet with their membership and come back within two weeks with a response.”
El exrepresentante de área de Collet y exlíder del Partido Unido Democrático (UDP), Patrick Faber, defendió su presencia en la reciente reunión del Consejo Nacional del Partido (NPC) y negó categóricamente haber asistido con la intención de generar conflictos.
Durante una conferencia de prensa, Faber desmintió las versiones que lo acusan de provocar disturbios dentro del encuentro. “Y para quienes creen la narrativa de que fui allí a armar un escándalo. Sé que tú y otros estaban allí. Me vieron llegar a esa reunión y sé que me tomaron fotos. Déjenme contarles lo que realmente pasó, porque la versión que han difundido es totalmente distinta”, sostuvo.
Relató que fue bien recibido por varios asistentes y que permaneció sentado sin causar altercados: *“Fui recibido con abrazos y apretones de manos. Me dirigí a la esquina izquierda de la sala, cerca del podio, y me senté allí, negándome a moverme. Me quedé quieto y soporté los insultos, muy pocos de Michael Peyrefitte, lo cual me sorprendió. Claramente tiene algo personal, porque en la sala casi no habló. Ni siquiera me pidió que me fuera. Fue Alberto August quien me lo pidió, y le dije en voz baja: ‘No me voy, tengo todo el derecho de estar aquí, no he sido expulsado. Soy exlíder, senador principal, tengo todo el derecho de estar aquí’”.
Faber reiteró que, como exlíder y actual senador, mantiene su derecho a participar en los procesos internos del partido, pese a los intentos de algunos sectores de excluirlo.
Earlier, we told you about the government’s public consultation on the proposed Thirteenth Amendment Bill, and it’s a proposal that’s raising concern across the country. The Briceño administration says it’s a necessary move to restore order in communities plagued by crime. But critics argue it could open the door to serious human rights violations. The bill also proposes a new Gun and Gang Court and aims to retroactively legalize past States of Emergency, some of which were previously ruled unconstitutional. So, what does all this mean for your rights and your safety? In this edition of the Five-Point Breakdown, we’re unpacking the key takeaways from the Thirteenth Amendment and what it could mean for Belize’s future.
Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers
Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers, Belize City Resident
“These people in the community not even worry about these amendments. Some of them do or some of them don’t care. They don’t even know what it is. You understand? Till when time start knock on their door.”
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Earlier this year, a High Court ruling sent shockwaves across the country. Sixteen men who were detained during a 2020 State of Emergency were found to have been unlawfully imprisoned, and the government was ordered to pay them over three hundred thousand dollars in compensation. But here’s where it gets complicated. In a separate courtroom, another judge ruled that the government’s actions were legally justified. So, what now? Well, the current administration, though not the one that declared the SOE, is now footing the bill. And in response, they’ve introduced the Thirteenth Amendment Bill, a controversial proposal that would make all past states of emergency legally untouchable by the courts. So, what exactly is in this bill? And how could it reshape the balance between public safety and civil liberties? Attorney-at-law Darrell Bradley breaks it all down for us
What is the 13th Amendment Bill?
Darrell Bradley
Darrell Bradley, Attorney-at-Law
“The 13th Amendment seeks to address those things in. Three ways. Number one, it recognizes the declaration of special areas, so you can declare certain areas, special zones it can be areas which cover the entirety Belize, or it can be particular areas. And within these areas, the declaration will be made as a result of emergency situations as a, because of crime, the prevalence of crime. So it’s a crime. Fighting tool that you’re giving the government to deal with certain areas and within those areas, fundamental rights will be suspended during the period of the declaration.”
In these proposed “special areas,” police would be allowed to search, seize, and arrest people without a warrant. That’s raising red flags, especially in neighborhoods that have been repeatedly targeted under past states of emergency. While these tactics aren’t new, writing them into the Constitution would make them much harder to challenge in court. And that’s what has many people worried. One of them is Kenneth Flowers, better known as “Big Tom.” He says he’s been detained under every SOE for the past four years, and he’s concerned this new law could make it even easier for authorities to target people in his community without cause.
“Big Tom”
Who Will be Affected by the Bill?
Kenneth “Big Tom” Flowers, Belize City Resident
“I get victimized by my past. You understand? So that keep me go to jail whenever they have state of emergency, when I even committed a crime. So now I am against it because. A lot of children who are not involved in a crime and they children come on. So I think they should make better decisions because in a country like this, all of us are feeling government failing. Parents, feeling brother, sister feeling the churches are failing. So we should sit down and make better decision because crime have cons. But human have rights.”
Assistant Solicitor General Randall Sheppard says the language of the proposed law will be revised before it’s finalized.
How is the Amendment Different from Current Legislation?
Randall Sheppard
Randall Sheppard, Asst. Solicitor General, Office of Attorney General
“Instead of having the order being issued as we, as I mentioned earlier, the order under the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act is actually issued by the minister instead of allowing for that, the new provision in the Constitution that is being proposed at section 19 A. It states that the order would be done by the Governor General on the advice of the National Security Council.”
Under the proposed amendment, the power to declare “special areas” would shift from the minister to the Governor General, who must first consult with the National Security Council or the National Advisory Committee. This change is also meant to cover emergency declarations for natural disasters. These states of emergency would be limited to one month unless extended by a two-third vote in the House. But not everyone’s on board. Opposition Senator Sheena Pitts says the bill misses the mark, arguing it doesn’t address the root causes of crime.
Is the 13th Amendment an Effective Solution to Crime?
Sheena Pitts
Sheena Pitts, Opposition Senator
“ What the government is not doing is making the police department properly equipped with the capacity to solve crime. What the government is not doing is identifying areas in which they can strengthen. Crime fighting mechanisms. All they’re doing is taking the heavy handed approach, which is only temporary because a period of emergency is not forever. It is imposed in the first instance for a month, and so all they’re doing is putting a pause of what they feel would be a crime ridden area for one month limit people’s movements and their freedom.”
The People’s Constitution Commission recently wrapped up a full review of Belize’s Constitution, offering reform ideas based on public input. But attorney Darrell Bradley is raising concerns, not just about the bill itself, but about how it’s being pushed forward, despite that broader constitutional review.
Darrell Bradley
“Which quarters of society came up with this? So which quarters of society are clamoring for these kinds of changes? Are you talking about the law enforcement? Are you talking about the police? So again, how do we make laws in society? Do laws emerge organically from civil society agencies, from human rights agencies, from the legal fraternity? Or does the law emerge from the government? And the government comes up with a policy and then the government does consultations. You recently did an extensive public consultation that the people told you what they want to address, and then now we come up with something like this.”
The bill is still in draft mode, and public consultations are playing a key role in shaping what happens next. While many Belizeans are still on the fence, or outright skeptical, the police department is all in. They’re backing the proposal, calling it a much-needed tool in the fight against crime. Britney Gordon for News Five.
Voices are clashing over Belize’s decision to join a free movement agreement with several CARICOM nations. On Tuesday, Lead Opposition Senator Patrick Faber slammed the Briceño Administration, claiming the move could cost Belizeans their jobs and push locals out of the workforce. But tonight, Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca is firing back. He says this agreement is about opportunity, not just for our Caribbean neighbors, but for Belizeans too. According to Fonseca, free movement, done within the bounds of our laws, gives people the chance to work, grow, and thrive across the region.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“That is absolutely misguided, misinformed. What Belize has done along wit Barbados, Saint Vincent and Dominica is enter into a transition period. So over a three-year period, starting October of this year, Belize will begin the process of implementing the laws and regulations which governs free movement. This is something that both governments, both PUP and UDP has over the years advanced, promoted and advocated for. Our accession to this free movement was approved by Cabinet several years ago. So we are following from that. It is limited to those four countries because it is based on reciprocity. It has to do with skilled labor and free movement of people. We already have a regime in place called CSME where people can apply for CSME skill certificates. So, that is all we are doing, advancing this, and we are proud members of CARICOM. Our brothers and sister deserve the opportunity, as do Belizeans, to travel to these different countries and follow the internal domestic laws of those countries to live and work in those countries, there is nothing wrong with that.”
As the debate over CARICOM free movement continues, we’re hearing more voices weigh in, including from the agriculture sector. With reports that the industry is struggling to find enough workers, we asked Agriculture Minister Jose Mai: could this agreement help fill those labor gaps? His response adds an interesting layer to the conversation.
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“Of course, we have a labor shortage in this country. We lost thousands of boxes of citrus because we were unable to harvest citrus in time. We are unable to harvest the entire sugar cane crop because we could not find enough sugarcane cutters. The banana industry has the same problem. You cant find people to work on your farm. There is a shortage. If we can facilitate the movement of people to work in our country and then go back to their country and take the money back and help us do our agriculture work, it should a good thing, it will benefit.”
It’s a story that stirred up some buzz just over a month ago, Orange Walk Area Representative Kevin Bernard found himself at the center of questions over a security contract tied to domestic airports. The company in question, I Security Limited, had landed the deal… but that contract was later scrapped after concerns were raised about how it was awarded. Minister Bernard quickly issued a statement, making it clear he hasn’t had any financial ties to the company since August fifteenth, 2022. He says he fully divested his shares back then. So, when we caught up with him today, we asked if he had anything more to add. His response? ‘I’ve said all that needs to be said.’
Kevin Bernard, Area Rep., Orange Walk East
“No comment on that matter. I already said what I needed to say. I believe that matter has been in the air for too long. Decisions were made by the people who have interest in that company and BAA. Other decisions were made to cancel those contracts and that is as far as I can tell you.”
It was a proud and promising day for Belize’s security forces. The Belize Defense Force and the Belize Coast Guard have officially signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding with Galen University. This historic partnership opens the door for soldiers and coast guard officers to grow both professionally and academically, through research, training, internships, and knowledge exchange. It’s a major step forward in building stronger, smarter forces, while also creating exciting opportunities for Galen’s students and faculty. Here’s a closer look at this inspiring new collaboration.
Azariel Loria
Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, B.D.F.
“We have realized that just professional military education is insufficient for the work that we do. We started to see how we could partner with the prestigious university where I recognize a university such as Galen University and a top university in Belize. And here we’re today. We had a discussions going on for a number of months now until we reach the pinnacle, which is today where we have been offered to partner and collaborate with Yale University. They will provide us with some scholarships. Not all will be scholarships, of course. And we are in the process of, modernizing our promotional criteria, which will now encompass from high school diplomas to undergraduate and graduate levels.”
“There are three key areas really we are looking at career advancement skill development, and also enhanced performance. As you know, a program such as this one with, in collaboration with Galen will definitely have our sailors advance as relates to their professional military education which can lead to promotions as relates to skill development. Programs such as these that elevates your critical thinking skills, elevates your communication skills. And so it really provides an avenue for our sailors to grow and develop in a way that extends beyond just the military education. Both professional education from our local institutions here in Belize. And then of course you enhance their overall skill as it relates to decision making critical thinking problem solving, that type of thing.”
After more than three decades of dedicated service, Belize Defense Force Commander, Brigadier General Azariel Loria is preparing to hang up his uniform. But it turns out that his retirement isn’t happening just yet. Loria previously announced that his contract was coming to an end and that he’d soon begin pre-retirement leave. But the government asked him to stay on a little longer. Today, we caught up with the general to talk about his extended service, his reflections on the journey, and who might be next in line to take the reins.
Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, B.D.F.
“I was to be on pre-retirement leave at this point in time because I have quite a bit of leave that I have not taken. And usually as senior officer, we tend to compile a bit of leave. The ministry has decided to keep me on for another three, four, perhaps five months. But my contract expires on the twenty-first of December of this year. So from the they extended for me to continue serve until September October, there about after which I will have to proceed on pre-retirement leave.”
Reporter
“Who succeeds you?”
Brigadier General Azariel Loria
“I don’t know. I don’t know. That is not for me to say it’s not my call that’s above my pay scale. We have some candidates and. For sure the ministry and the government of the will ask for some of my recommendations. And we have prepared some senior officers there that they’re very good candidates. All of them have their strengths and some little weaknesses. But there are strong candidates. And at this point in time, I cannot say. I cannot say. But in due time, I will make my recommendations, and we have this succession plan in place now. Yes. Not like before, before people kept the general kept asking and asking for extension. Not this general.”
There’s a new face heading to Washington, and it’s a familiar one. Former Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Nestor Mendez, has reportedly been tapped to serve as Belize’s next Ambassador to the United States. But that’s just one piece of a much bigger diplomatic puzzle. Since the Briceño administration began its second term back in March, there’s been plenty of buzz about who’s going where, but no official list just yet. So, what’s the holdup? We asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca, and he says the list is on its way, with some major changes in store.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Yeah we are finalizing that. We were hoping to finalize that in Cabinet yesterday but we had a long agenda so we did not do that. We will probably finalize at the next Cabinet meeting in a week or two. So very shortly we will.”
Paul Lopez
“Will there be major shift or a lot of what was will remain?”
Francis Fonseca
“Some people will remain but we will have a lot of changes, significant changes.”
Belize is lighting the way when it comes to sustainability in education. Saint Catherine Academy in Belize City is making history as the first school in the country to run entirely on solar power. It’s a major milestone made possible through a partnership with ProSolar Engineering Limited and support from the United Nations Development Programme. It’s not just about cutting energy costs; it’s about setting a powerful example for the next generation. Tanya Arceo has more on how this green leap is transforming the classroom and the climate conversation.
Tanya Arceo, Reporting
Saint Catherine Academy is making history, becoming the first fully solar-powered school in Belize. It’s a groundbreaking achievement that signals a growing national commitment to renewable energy and climate-conscious education. But this isn’t just about cutting electricity bills. As Principal Dr. Salome Tillett puts it, it’s about preparing students to lead in a sustainable future. With support from ProSolar Engineering Limited and the United Nations Development Programme, this project is literally lighting the way for schools across the country.
Salome Tillett
Dr. Salome Tillett, Principal, St. Catherine Academy
“Well it is a start of a much bigger project I mean the dream is to one day run our buildings with solar power and I think its not so far off there was a time when it was so expensive it was unrealistic but in building partnerships we realize that it is possible. We look at renewable energy when we look at sustainability sustainable development of our environment care of the ocean the water waves everything it is already in our curriculum and of course seeing it in action helps to make it more alive so its not an abstract concept you are living it and you can impact it you can make a change.”
The project is part of UNDP’s Climate Promise initiative, which supports developing countries to reduce emissions and build climate resilience. UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Michael Lund explains why Belize is a priority.
Michael Lund
Michael Lund, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative
“It’s a long term effort development doesn’t happen in a day it’s a journey it’s a process just keeping the importance of addressing climate change and energy agenda on a daily basis another thing of course that we do as also mentioned as UNDP we support the immobility projects so you will see the two buses that are running around Belize City that has a UNDP logo that is supported by the European Union also these wide partnerships with European Unions with other member stated to help fund these kind of initiatives.”
Powering this green transformation is ProSolar Belize, the company behind the technology that’s making it all possible. They didn’t just install the solar system, they donated it. Business Coordinator Isaias Valle says their mission is simple: make clean, reliable energy something every school in Belize can count on.
Isaias Valle
Isaias Valle, Business Coordinator, ProSolar Belize
“Today we are doing basically the system walk through of this charging station that we’ve put up it will be a its currently running on a five kilowatt battery that we have we’ve also installed ten solar panels at the top we’re currently discussing future collaborations with SCA as well we’d like to possibly install more solar for all of them they have a lot of roof space the perfect location for it.”
Tanya Arceo for News Five.
With solar panels now powering classrooms and minds alike, SCA hopes to inspire other schools in Belize to follow suit on the path toward a greener future.
