The road to securing Maya land rights just hit another bump. Today, during a monitoring hearing at the Caribbean Court of Justice, it was revealed that key deliverables from the last session haven’t been met. Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck, representing the Attorney General, admitted that the Maya Leaders Alliance wasn’t satisfied with the proposed policy and wants major changes. Meanwhile, CCJ President Justice Winston Anderson asked for an update on draft legislation that’s already made its way to Cabinet. The original plan was to iron out differences through that legislation, but now, it seems that approach may be shifting. Attorney Leslie Mendez, representing the MLA, also weighed in.
Andrew Marshalleck, Attorney-at-law
“I think it has. As I said the new minister has been getting his feet wet and met with the parties and decided how he would prefer to proceed. So he is making those proposals to Cabinet. Of course, a substantial part of that policy was already considered and approved by Cabinet. So if it is to be revisited in a substantial way then the issues will have to go back to Cabinet for reconsideration.”
Leslie Mendez, Attorney-at-law
“The issue that we raised in our July third letter are not new issues. Those are issues we have been asking the government for some time, I would say nearly two years. We had been asking them to engage with those issues and we have been waiting for their response to those specific point of disagreements we have with tje policy. Our July letter set those out, reiterating the issues and it is fair to say we have not reengaged in a dialogue, an exchange of ideas with how we can reach middle ground in these issues. I do also want to clarify that it is not our position, I don’t think it is as intransigent that legislation is absolutely not to be discussed or proceeded with why we seek to engage in policy.”
Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca wrapped up a two-day visit to the Organization of American States headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was a high-level trip packed with important conversations, from border security to the fallout over the cancelled Millennium Challenge Corporation grant. That grant, worth a staggering one hundred and twenty-five million U.S. dollars, was scrapped back in April after the Trump administration shut down the program. Fonseca sat down with foreign representatives to discuss what this means for Belize and where we go from here. He shared some insight into those meetings.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“ I also had meetings with congressman, the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs house committee Congressman Meeks, Gregory Meeks of New York. And I had a meeting with the Chairman of the Republican, chairman of the House Committee for Foreign Affairs Congressman Mass, Chairman Mass. And again, there we talked about the different challenges Belize was facing. We discussed issues that we wanted their support with, including the MCC issue. Belize, Guatemala, we talked about as well. In many different areas of support that we could work on and collaborate on together. So that I found, again very useful.”
Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca was in Washington, D.C. this week, meeting with top officials at the Organization of American States to discuss some of the country’s most pressing issues, from border security to building strategic partnerships. But one meeting didn’t happen: Fonseca didn’t get face time with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Earlier this year, Rubio toured the Caribbean and Central America, meeting with leaders across the region, but Belize was left off the itinerary. Instead, Prime Minister John Briceño received only a phone call. So, what’s behind the diplomatic distance? Following his trip, we asked Minister Fonseca why Belize still hasn’t had a sit-down with the U.S. Secretary of State.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minster of Foreign Affairs
“Secretary Rubio has not met with any foreign minister, he’s met with leaders, heads of government, and as he had a very extensive phone conversation with Prime Minister about two months ago. So we’re absolutely satisfied with the discussions we had. As I said, we’ve had a number of meetings with members of the State Department, including the Deputy Secretary Landau, who is responsible for the Western Hemisphere, and that has always been the nature of the relationship between Belize and the Secretary of the State Department. We work with the on the Secretary who is responsible for the Western Hemisphere. So we have a great working relationship with. Deputy Secretary Landau. As I said on this visit, I met with Secretary Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security. We are absolutely satisfied with that and we are fully confident that Secretary Rubio is engaged, understands what’s happening, and is committed to a good working relationship with Belize.”
As the U.S. ramps up efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, a surprising name has surfaced in the conversation, Belize. The Trump administration has reportedly approached this Central American nation with a bold proposition: to become a ‘safe third country’ for asylum seekers. Now, what does that mean exactly? Well, it’s a designation that allows migrants to be sent to a country other than their own, where they can still apply for asylum safely. But this move comes amid growing criticism. Just recently, the U.S. faced backlash for deporting five criminal offenders to the tiny African kingdom of Eswatini, an act human rights groups slammed as turning African nations into a ‘dumping ground.’ So, how is Belize responding to this controversial proposal? We spoke with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, to get the government’s take on what could be a major shift in regional immigration policy.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minster of Foreign Affairs
“They have raised it with us as a government. They have provided us with some draft documents. We are reviewing those documents, we are vetting them through our Attorney General’s ministry. When that vetting process is completed, then the matter will be tabled at cabinet if the Prime Minister so deems appropriate. And we’ll have a discussion about it then. So that’s where we are with it. But yes, indeed the United States government has raised that issue, as they have with many different countries. I know they’ve concluded one with Guatemala, I believe Mexico with Honduras all our neighbors. We are looking at it, vetting it, reviewing it. We’ll have a discussion at the appropriate time. When the Prime Minister feels that he wishes to table the matter before cabinet, we’ll discuss it and make it.”
Reporter
“Are you personally in favor of it?”
Francis Fonseca
“No. No. I don’t want to get ahead of any discussion that cabinet will have. So let’s wait on cabinet until cabinet has a discussion about it.”
Reporter
“What is the pressure like from the US? Is it something that, is it exerting a lot of energy to actively resist?”
Francis Fonseca
“No. I must say that they, obviously it’s important to them. They, it’s important to them, but they have been very respectful in the process. No undue pressure on us. We have explained to them that we understand the importance of the matter, but it has to go through our process here in Belize. When we have concluded that process, we’re going to be happy to sit down and discuss it with them.”
Earlier today, there was a moment of celebration and transformation at the Department of Youth Services in Belize City. Sixteen men proudly received certificates after completing the ‘Journey to Freedom’, a program designed to uplift, rehabilitate, and reintegrate young people through spiritual guidance and community support. It’s a powerful step forward for these individuals, and a reminder of the impact second chances can have. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there for the ceremony and brings us the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
There’s a positive shift in motion and it’s happening in the Old Capital. After ten weeks of hard work, reflection, and growth, sixteen men have officially graduated from the ‘Journey to Freedom’ program. Beyond a certificate, it’s a step toward healing and hope. Designed to help vulnerable members of our society, the program focuses on emotional growth, spiritual guidance, and building stronger connections within the community. It’s about turning the page and starting a new chapter, and today, these men did just that.
Kenroy Young
Kenroy Young, National Youth Director, Restore Small Groups Belize
“We’ve been partnering around the world with many organizations, restore small groups to bring healing and hope and happiness into the lives of many people who face challenges in their lives, be it from grief, loss, from addiction from low self-esteem. From having their different fears. So ten weeks ago we started this program in partnership with the Leadership Intervention Unit, and we started with approximately twenty-four men, and today we have sixteen of them who successfully completed the program over the course of the past ten weeks.”
The Journey to Freedom is a thirty-six-day-long a rehabilitation initiative written by American spiritual coach, Scott Reall. It is focused on personal growth and positive change, encouraging participants to explore their emotions and address issues like self-worth, conflict resolution, and anger management. Tyrone Broaster shares what he’s picked up during this experience.
Tyrone Broaster
Tyrone Broaster, Graduate
“You have lot of people been through stuff and ney hold it in right? And ney exile ney self from people. And that da wa thing weh affect you when yo di hold in stuff. So the program mek yo get inna small groups and then you open up, so everybody open up. You get comfortable der and like what you said, journey to freedom. Give you like you take da load offa yo back and you can start over fresh. So da wa spiritual thing to like have to do with God and the Bible, but, and then da something weh beneficial to the community with the young youths ney growing up. You lead ney pan the righteous path right?”
All sixteen men in the program were handpicked by the Leadership Intervention Unit from neighborhoods across Belize City. According to Young, these individuals stood out, for their potential and their willingness to be a force for good in their communities. The purpose is to turn them into role models who can spread the word and inspire others. Young also shared his bigger vision, what Belize could look like if we had more stories of transformation like this one.
Kenroy Young
“More seeds of hope and healing being spread across more communities in Belize. To see Belizeans become more generate a more holistic approach. In helping each other, being there for each other and supporting each other, and strengthening your neighbors and building solid spiritual Christian communities and values that reflect the good standing of everyday Belizean people who want peace, who want a reality where we don’t have a life of. Too many crime and we have domestic abuse and other various crimes affecting our communities and in our culture today.”
Broaster shares that his life choices were heavily influenced by the environment he was raised in. His hope is that the next generation in his community will have the opportunity to make better choices and spread kindness openly.
Tyrone Broaster
“Most people want to be known, right? You da want people know yo, but some people fear that if you open up, you might get rejected. If you open up, you probably have things weh they eat you, things weh you probably do inna the past weh no really to good. And you feel like yes, you da want people but then you got wa fear dat if you da open up, people will reject you. You call it like shame, right? Like shame. But the cure for that. People fear exposure, but the cure that, that is exposure. You have open up. Only so you could start over a new chapter in life.”
The Belize Project believes that by planting seeds of healing and hope, growth can be spread to other youths in their communities, nurturing a safer, kinder tomorrow.
For the past several weeks, we’ve explored the many faces of fatherhood, men who lead with compassion and show up with intention. For our final story, we turn to a familiar face. Rumile Arana has offered valuable financial advice to many, and we’ve also featured his work mentoring young people in the community. But this time, we get a more personal perspective as he shares what fatherhood means to him, raising two boys and navigating co-parenting with presence and purpose. Here’s this week’s look on the Bright Side.
Sabreena Daly, Reporting
Rumile Arana is the person you’d turn to for breaking down complex numbers or offering financial advice. But when it comes to fatherhood, something completely different, and far more intimidating, laid before him eight years ago.
Rumile Arana
Rumile Arana, Father
“It was a nerve-wracking time because I didn’t know what I could be or what I should be, what kind of father that I wanted to be. There’s billions of thoughts going through your mind, but you just have to embrace it and you just have to try your best on a day-to-day basis.”
As I sat down with fathers this month, I learned that this is a common thought they each share as they reflected on preparation of fatherhood. And while some look to the guidance that they received from their own fathers, some look to mentors, people who have done it all before.
Rumile Arana
“And luckily, I was one of the last people in my friend group to have a child. So they kind of gave me tips and pointed me along the way. But the one thing that I remembered is I think my cousin had told me that not every day is going to be perfect. You just have to try your best to make sure that your children are all right and don’t be scared to discipline them because they’re still going to love you. And there were times that I thought that they would hold something against me and then they hug me and go to bed and say good night, daddy. And I thought to myself, all right, I think we’re okay.”
Rumile became a father for the first time eight years ago, when Kai was born. With less than a decade together, his reflections already speak volumes about the impact a father can have. He shares what his dad means to him and why fathers matter.
Sabreena Daly
“Why do you think dads are important?”
Kai Arana
Kai Arana, Son
“Because they defend us. They help us with our homework and they’re special to us.”
Sabreena Daly
“Why do you think dads are special?”
Kai Arana
“Because every time we feel sad, they help us.”
Rumile Jr.
His younger son, also named Rumile, isn’t big on words, but his presence says a lot. And that, Arana reflects, is part of the uniqueness of fatherhood. It’s about tuning in, embracing each child’s individuality, and learning how love and connection can show up in different forms.
Rumile Arana, Father
“Kai was always the talker. So he would try to be the person that’s influencing me or try to negotiate with me. But Ramile is the thinker. He will devise the plan. So I always said to myself, I’m in trouble because we have one that’s going to devise the plan and we have the other that’s going to enact it. So those are my two that I have right there.”
And it’s not just his own sons that Rumile is committed to. Through basketball, he’s created a space where other children can feel safe, seen, and supported, especially those who may not have strong father figures in their lives.
Rumile Arana, Father
“So I realized that a lot of these children don’t have a safe space and they don’t have that guidance or someone to look to. So I tried to use sports, not only to help them become skilled basketball players, but I wanted them to understand that they have people that they can look to for guidance if they need it because a lot of youth don’t have it.”
One of the most meaningful aspects of Rumile’s story is his openness in talking about co-parenting, a dynamic many parents navigate but don’t often speak about openly. Arana acknowledged that while it comes with its challenges, the key is keeping the child at the center of every decision, ensuring their well-being remains the shared priority.
Rumile Arana,
“Co-parenting is a difficult task. I’ve had very hard days and I’ve had better days, but again, you have to try to stay focused on what’s really important for the child. And it might be a little bit difficult because, again, you’re not there all the time. So you have that arrangement where, okay, I get my child on the weekend or I get my child during the week, however you could agree to.”
What we learned is that, in the end, fatherhood isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up. Children want to feel safe, supported, and deeply loved. And if you’re ever unsure how you’re doing, just ask. Sometimes the most honest feedback comes from the ones who matter most.
Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca concluded two days of high-level meetings in Washington, D.C., earlier this week, where he engaged regional allies on Belize’s border relations and risk of losing major U.S. development funding.
Fonseca joined the Foreign Minister of Guatemala and the Group of Friends of Belize at the Organisation of American States (OAS). Discussions included the ICJ process and tensions at the Sarstoon. “We discussed the challenges we continue to face on the border… and generally, Belize and Guatemala relations in terms of trade, investment, and other opportunities,” he said.
The OAS Secretary General commended both countries for reaffirming their commitment to peace and dialogue and said the organisation will continue its work in the Adjacency Zone.
Fonseca also met with U.S. lawmakers, including Congressman Gregory Meeks and the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, to discuss continued support for Belize. “We talked about different challenges Belize was facing; we discussed issues that we wanted their support with, including the MCC issue.”
Belize’s US$125 million MCC grant was thrown into question in April after a U.S. government agency shut down the program. The move echoed earlier U.S. foreign aid cuts under the re-elected President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy.
It may not shimmer like gold or sparkle like gemstones, but just off the coast of southern Belize, seaweed is fueling a wave of opportunities. In Placencia Village, women standing waist-deep in the water are turning ocean farming into a livelihood, a business, and a movement. They are redefining what it means to work with the sea, not just in it.
Seaweed farming is not new to Belize, but it’s gaining fresh momentum with the Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association. Since 2019, the association has been growing more than just seaweed. They are cultivating an industry and have turned locally farmed Eucheuma into valuable products like seaweed gel and powder, used in foods, cosmetics, and natural skincare.
“I’m very passionate about our waters here in Belize, and so when I kind of found out that you could do farming in the ocean, that’s for me, personally, kind of where it sparked, like, an interest, you know. Something that you could farm in the ocean, in the environment where I always felt comfortable and happy,” said Jalima Gold, the association’s president.
The movement is supported by the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future through the Blue Bond initiative, which has committed to protecting 30 percent of Belize’s marine territory. Among those driving this conservation effort are women like Alisha Westby, who joined the association after learning about it from Jalima Gold.
Wesby Westby, founder of Natural Goddess Scrub, is exploring seaweed’s potential in skincare. “I plan to start making seaweed-based soaps to go alongside my scrubs that I will eventually, hopefully, get the science for to narrow down how to make them to my all-natural, oil-based sugar scrubs,” Westby said.
The seaweed being farmed is primarily two types of red algae: the Kappaphycus alvarezii and Euchumatopsis isiformis. These types are used to produce high-value products like gel and powder. Rich in nutrients such as protein, fiber, omega-3s, and vitamin C, the plant is also the base for natural thickening agents in foods and cosmetics.
For artisan soapmaker Dawn Dean, who works with the women to develop new blends, there’s plenty of potential. “Their plan is to use seaweed in all of the soaps that they make,” she said. “Sometimes in Belize, as small business owners, as entrepreneurs, we are reluctant to share our knowledge about how we create what we create. But I personally believe that there is space in the industry.”
Seaweed farming, though, is not just about product development. It’s about progress. Many of the women involved are breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated maritime industries and are serving as role models for girls who dream of captaining boats or studying marine science.
“It’s very important for us to start pushing boundaries and kind of breaking those barriers for other young females, young women, and little girls to feel like they have a safe space, and it’s something that if they’re interested in or if they’re passionate about, they can go forward and do that,” Gold said.
Belize is reviewing a request from the United States to become a “Safe Third Country,” meaning asylum seekers heading to the U.S. could instead be sent to Belize to apply for protection here and stay while their cases are processed.
Belize has not agreed to the proposal and is currently reviewing draft documents provided by the U.S. government.
Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca confirmed it on Thursday, stating, “They have raised it with us as a government. They have provided us with some draft documents. We are reviewing those documents. We are vetting them through our attorney general’s ministry.”
He added that the matter will only proceed to Cabinet if the Prime Minister deems it appropriate. He said that Belize is not being forced into anything. “They have been very respectful in the process.”
Fonseca added, “They have a friend in Belize. They are our largest trading partner. We cooperate on many, many important areas of mutual concern, especially security issues. So, I have no concern about that.”
Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca says there is no concern over not meeting U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during recent diplomatic engagements.
Fonseca explained that Secretary Rubio has only met with Caribbean leaders and heads of government, not foreign ministers.
“Secretary Rubio has not met with any CARICOM foreign minister,” Fonseca told reporters. “He’s met with leaders, heads of government. And as you know, he had a very extensive phone conversation with Prime Minister Briceño about two months ago.” In that call, Rubio recognised Belize’s significant efforts to counter illegal immigration, support Haitian security efforts, and combat transnational organised crime.
Fonseca said Belize remains satisfied with the level of engagement and has had multiple discussions with senior U.S. officials, including Deputy Secretary Brian A. Nichols Landau, who is responsible for the Western Hemisphere.
“That has always been the nature of the relationship between Belize and the State Department,” Fonseca said. “We work with the undersecretary who is responsible for the Western Hemisphere.”
