On Wednesday night, News Five uncovered something that’s drawing attention, government is currently paying rent for one hundred and sixteen office spaces across the country. Most of those rentals are in Belize City and Belmopan, and interestingly, some landlords show up more than once on the list, meaning they’re leasing multiple properties to the government. But without access to the lease agreements, which the Ministry of Public Service has declined to release, we can’t say for sure whether taxpayers are getting value for money. We put the question to Minister Francis Fonseca: is this just a necessary cost of doing business, or could the government be spending smarter? We also asked him about reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is renting storage space in Belmopan.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Yeah a better solution can be found, but we have to invest. It will cost more money. We need to build more public buildings. We need to build a government complex. It is an issue that we have been talking about in Belize for decades. How do we invest more in public spaces, public buildings. It is costing, as you all know, millions of dollars every year to rent these facilities. It is an ongoing challenge, but I know it is something we have discussed in Cabinet. I know the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Service have been reviewing these contracts, many of them we inherited and we are continuing with them. But there is no substitute for having your own building, ministries, spaces. So, it is something we are taking very seriously and looking at.”
Britney Gordon
“Can you share what the storage space being rented in Belmopan by the ministry of foreign affairs is being used for? It is being rented by a Barbara Ramos.”
Francis Fonseca
“Storage space?”
Britney Gordon
“The location says Belmopan Market Square.”
Francis Fonseca
“That must be NICH. I am not sure of that. I can check into it. I know NICH has some storage space in Belmopan, but I am not sure if that is what you are talking about.”
Britney Gordon
“So you would not be sure how much it is being rented for.”
Earlier this week, we told you about a new twist in the Belize versus Honduras case at the International Court of Justice; Guatemala wants in. The ICJ has agreed to hear Guatemala’s application to intervene, and those oral proceedings are set for November twenty-fourth. Now, during a recent trip to the U.S., Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca met with his Guatemalan counterpart. The two discussed a range of issues, including, of course, the long-standing border dispute that continues to shape regional diplomacy.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“We started out the two-day meeting, visit, meeting with the foreign minister of Guatemala. That was a bilateral meeting. We discussed the ICJ process and the challenges we continue to face on the border in the Sarstoon and discuss generally Belize Guatemala relations in terms of trade, investment, other opportunities. I think that was a very productive meeting. Later in the day we had a wider meeting, Belize/ Guatemala under the auspices of the OAS. We had a meeting with the group of friends, where Belize and Guatemala made statements to our group of friends and we heard from them about their continued support for the process, the ICJ process so that was very good. All our group of friends were there and they reaffirmed their commitment to Belize and Guatemala though this process as along as it takes and supporting the work of the OAS. Had a very good meeting with the new secretary general of the OAS. We discussed the continued work of the OAS in the adjacency zone. We also discussed regional and hemispheric issues including the situation in Haiti. We talked about reform at the OAS and many different issued. That was very good meeting, I think.”
It’s an exciting day at the Museum of Belize. After twelve years, over a hundred and fifty ancient Mayan artifacts have returned to Belize after spending the last twelve years touring across the United States. The artifacts were loaned to the Science Museum of Minnesota as part of a partnership aimed at promoting Belize’s rich Maya heritage internationally. These artifacts are now back in country and ready to be appreciated by Belizeans everywhere. In today’s edition of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Britney Gordon takes a closer look at these artifacts and their value to the National Collection.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
In 2012, the world waited with bated breath to see what world-shattering event would unfold when the Mayan calendar came to an end. Many believed that the conclusion of the calendar signaled the end of the world. 2012 came and went and the world kept spinning but public interest in Mayan culture had increased significantly. It is around that time that Belize entered into an agreement with the Science Museum of Minnesota to take about one hundred and fifty pieces of ancient Mayan artifacts found in Belize on a tour around the United States. Now, they’re back. Director of the Museum of Belize, Ilona Smiling, tells us that the team is excited to show them off to the public.
Ilona Smiling
Ilona Smiling, Director, Museum of Belize
“Of course this is just the first phase. The bigger idea is to have most of the items that have returned incorporated into the existing Maya creating civilization exhibit.”
Britney Gordon
“So what type of artifacts are we looking at?”
Ilona Smiling
“So we’re looking at our ceramics or jades, and one of the most beautiful things about the exhibition was a lot of the interactives that we were able to work with the science museum, and we have some of those that will be on display as well. We have two for the viewing that you guys can see. And again, we look forward to incorporating most of these into the exhibits that we have here and some of the welcome centers that we have at the different archeological sites.”
There are about one hundred and fifty pieces that toured the United States and while all of them are back in country, only a select few were chosen for display today. These include items such as the Buena Vista vase, which dates back to around 900 A.D. and depicts two young corn gods and a collection of high-end pieces known as eccentrics. NICH Director, Melissa Badillo, has more details on the pieces.
Melissa Badillo
Melissa Badillo, Director, National Institute of Art and History
“It is crossing various time periods from the ancient Maya civilization and different types of artifacts showcasing their artistry with multiple kinds of materials including shells, jade stone artifacts. And of course we have to feature some ceramics in the entire collection. There are both painted and unpainted. I think what we will have on display today is. Some painted pottery.”
As a part of the artifacts grand return, two shamans were invited to the museum to welcome the pieces back into the space. These artifacts will now be reintegrated into displays across the country, giving Belizeans to appreciate their beauty and deep history.
Ilona Smiling
“The significance is that we are able to view our history and we are able to do our own research and have that be a part of our own culture, that we get to view and see one of the more beautiful things that we had with the exhibition was the exchange that we were able to do with the science museum. A lot of the conservation work was done in partnership with them. We had staff from the museum and from the Institute of Archeology that was able to work on them. So it’s a very beautiful thing that we are able to have them back home. And we have our own people that can get to view these artifacts.”
The collaboration between Belize and the Science Museum of Minnesota also provided the team at NICH capacity building for the long-term preservation of the artifacts and funds used to keep NICH in operation. Minister of Culture, Francis Fonseca says that the Belize welcomes more mutually beneficial opportunities such as these in the future.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture
“We’re trying to do more of that of that. We’re engaging and collaborating. As niche has a long history in the Institute of Archeology in particular has a long history of collaboration with universities primarily in North America. But that’s the whole idea of trying to gain knowledge, experience, support. They helped over the twelve years to preserve some of these artifacts. So that’s a benefit to Belize. But of course we want, as I said, our primary mandate is public education. We want to share these artifacts with the people of Belize, especially our young people. They’ve been out there for a long time, so it’s good to have them back home so that we can put them on display, which we will be doing. In a few weeks time.”
The Museum of Belize welcomes Belize to visit the exhibit and learn more about some of the pieces already integrated into the National Collection. Britney Gordon for News Five.
A Guatemalan gunboat in Belizean waters; it’s the kind of headline that grabs attention, and it happened earlier this week near Hunting Caye. The Belize Coast Guard had to escort the vessel out after it was found in Belizean waters. When questioned, the Guatemalan sailors claimed they were lost and didn’t realize they had crossed into our territory. But this wasn’t just any boat, it’s reportedly one of Guatemala’s largest gunboats, typically used to patrol sensitive areas like the Sarstoon, Corona Reef, and the Sapodilla Cayes. That’s why the incident sparked concern and skepticism among the public, with many questioning whether the incursion was really accidental. Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca says Belizean forces handled the situation calmly and professionally, and that diplomacy remains the first line of defense.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“The people of Belize, in perhaps the most democratic process we have available to us, our referendum made a in perhaps the most democratic process we have available to us, our referendum made a decision several years ago to pursue a peaceful resolution. This differendum between Belize and Guatemala. So we’re pursuing that through that ICJ. The government of Belize has a duty and obligation while we pursue that peaceful resolution of this case to obviously protect the national sovereignty of the territory of Belize. We have a duty and obligation. The Belize Defense Force, the Belize Coast guard are out there everyday carrying out that duty honorably, faithfully, fearlessly, they’re doing it. The question, as you pointed, out a few days ago the Coast guard responded to it immediately when there were notified about the presence of a vessel and they responded to the site immediately. they got their identified it as a GAF vessel within Belizean waters. they followed established protocol, they went up to the vessel, the informed the crew on board who they were and they advise them that they were in Belize and waters. they had a discussion, a short exchange and the Coast guard then escorted the GAS vessel out of Belizean water. So that is what took place.”
Belize is tightening up its borders and it’s doing so with a little help from the United States. Earlier this week, both countries signed a new agreement that’s all about sharing biometric data. Sounds technical, but here’s what it means: Belize is stepping up its game when it comes to tracking who’s coming in and out, especially when it comes to illegal immigration and transnational crime. Under this partnership, Belize will now be able to request police records for U.S. citizens trying to enter the country and the U.S. can do the same for Belizeans. It’s a two-way street aimed at keeping both nations safer. Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca says this move is all about building stronger, smarter border security, and ultimately, a safer and more prosperous future for both Belize and the U.S.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“This is a narco trafficking memorandum of corporation that has its genesis going back to 2009 when a letter of agreement came out what they called the Merida initiative letter for agreement was signed in Belmopan in 2009. And the entire focus of this biometric sharing partnership memorandum of corporation is to promote and support border security and public safety. So it involves two agencies, immigration department on the Belize Police Department. And they will provide under this memorandum of corporation technological support software hardware and infrastructure to support our work at the border. it’s all and supporting our shared commitment with the US to combat narco trafficking, human trafficking, terrorism, organized crime, that is a whole objective. And I want to make the point, listen, that there is no question about anybody should be concerned about personal data. The memorandum specifically provides safe cards for that and make sure that no personal data can be transferred to a third party. The memorandum is covered by the national law of Belize so everyone continues to enjoy the protection of our Constitution. So I think it’s very important memorandum. If one thing keeps us up at night as a government, it’s the threat of narco trafficking, border security issues. So we need all the help and support we can to combat those efforts. And we are very happy that we are partnering with the United States government to do so.”
The government has just signed a new agreement with the United States that allows both countries to share biometric data. That means if someone’s trying to enter Belize and there’s suspicion of human trafficking or terrorism; border officials can now request their police records from the U.S., and vice versa. Sounds like a smart move for safety, right? Well, not everyone’s convinced. Some Belizeans are worried about privacy, especially when it comes to the U.S. having access to their personal data. So, should we be concerned? We put that question directly to Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Anybody who travels to the United States, their data is collected. You apply for a visa, data is collected. So this is about protecting our borders. This is about border security, this is about public safety.”
Reporter
“This is about protecting their border”
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Yeah, they have an interest in protecting their border. But we have an interest, as I said, I sit on the National Security Council, we are very concerned about the movements of people across our border for criminal activity based on criminal activity. We don’t have the capacity to monitor the effectively, so we need the support of a country like the United States. So For me, it’s absolutely clear that this is critically important, and as I said I am absolutely satisfied that there are full safeguards in place to protect the privacy of individuals. Like I said, The entire memorandum of corporations is based on national law so it does not override any national law. So you have the protection of your Constitution, protection of national law and as I keep pointing out its based on our request basis which the government of Belize then through our facilities will be able to process and look at and respond to that request.”
Reporter
” I don’t want to sound conspiratorial but you can see how persons in the public might say well if they assist us with the technology then it’s not unheard of for persons who designs such technology to have a back and capture and ability to take something out of the back end even though the front end might have all these safeguards.”
Francis Fonseca
“If people are a cynical as you are yes they will come to that and conclusion. but as you know the United States government they can get any information they want on anybody, they have the capacity for that so this is putting in place a structured process corporation arrangement where we work together as I said for a shared goal on commitment.”
Belizean healthcare workers are taking the lead in breaking down the stigma and discrimination faced by young people dealing with substance abuse. Today, the Ministry of Health and Wellness launched a two-day workshop focused on creating a more supportive, youth-friendly approach to care. They’re setting out to ensure that adolescents struggling with substance use feel seen, heard, and helped, not judged. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there and brings us the story behind this important initiative.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
It’s something we’ve all witnessed, maybe even brushed off. A ten-year-old casually buying cigarettes at the neighborhood shop, or a teen sipping alcohol at a family party. It might seem normal to some, but it’s neither legal nor harmless. Each year, more and more Belizean adolescents are being exposed to harmful substances, and alarmingly, at younger ages. That early exposure can lead to long-term consequences.
Olusola Oladeji
Dr. Olusola Oladeji, Health & Nutrition Specialist, UNICEF
“Adolescent have some personal problems, mental issue, emotional problems. Also, at the at family level, we find that some children, they’re being exposed at home to substances. Their parents are drinking, their uncles are drinking at ten-year-old, they’re asking them to drink, so they see as it’s part of life at community level, there’s access. You go to a place, even though they tell you that alcohol should be sold to an individual age of eighteen, but this is not being enforced. They can go anywhere. There’s a drug item called the Badman. These small items, alcohol, very cheap. Also, in school, we find that people are selling alcohol, they’re selling marijuana in school. All those things like that.”
Nearly a quarter of Belize’s population is made up of adolescents, and substance abuse among them is becoming a serious concern. The problem is that many teens aren’t getting help because they’re afraid of being judged or mistreated. To change that, healthcare workers are now taking part in a two-day workshop focused on fighting stigma and making care more youth friendly. Dr. Mellissa Diaz-Musa from the Ministry of Health and Wellness shares what’s driving this important effort.
Melissa Diaz
Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director, Public Health & Wellness, MoHW
“We realized that there was a gap when it comes to services for adolescents, particularly. There’s a gap in, for example, sexual and reproductive health services, mental health services, and we realized that adolescents were not actually coming to our facilities or even when we go to schools, we did not have the sort of what we needed in terms of the cooperation from adolescents. So we launched an adolescent strategy in health. In 2023 and these trainings now form part of that, we’re ensuring that the operational plan to the strategy, that we ensure that we start to do our training not only to adolescents and to the general public.”
This two-day workshop is the result of a powerful partnership between the Ministry of Health and Wellness, UNICEF, and the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, with support from the National Drug Abuse Control Council as the lead facilitator. Right now, about forty-five percent of the people reaching out to NDACC for help are adolescents. According to Director Esner Vellos, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Many more teens are out there struggling in silence, still not getting the support they need.
Esner Vellos
Esner Vellos, Director, National Drug Abuse Control Council
“When you look at the consumption patterns, it all depends on the geographical regions, right? In terms of consumption patterns of marijuana for example, you will see more consumption among the young population, even adult population, both male and female in the central region of our country. Yet when you look at alcohol consumption, you would see that there is more consumption of alcohol in the northern districts, in the southern districts, and that has to do with over porous borders, contraband, and accessibility to alcohol, particularly among the population.”
Training healthcare workers to offer care that’s kind, inclusive, and effective is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to tackling stigma. The Ministry of Health and Wellness says it’s just as important to bring the wider public on board, building a stronger, united commitment to supporting Belize’s youth. Britney Gordon for News Five.
We all know the rainy season runs from June to November, but what we sometimes forget is that rain brings more than just puddles. It brings mosquitoes. And with them, a spike in dengue cases. This week, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital sounded the alarm, reporting a sharp rise in dengue infections, especially here in Belize City. It’s got health officials urging everyone to take extra precautions. So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family? And just how serious is the situation? Director of Public Health, Dr. Melissa Diaz, breaks it all down for us.
Melissa Diaz
Dr. Melissa Diaz, Director, Public Health & Wellness, MoHW
“We have strengthened our surveillance team. We’ve strengthened the capacity in what they’re capable of doing. And we are ensuring that when we say heightened surveillance, we’re no longer waiting for persons to come in to say, I don’t feel well, but we’re going out to try to find persons who are ill. With regards to measles and malaria, I can happily report that we have not had any cases in the recent two cycles.”
Britney Gordon
“When it comes to dengue, are we observing an increase in the amount of cases that we usually have around this time of year, or is it around the same?”
Dr. Melissa Diaz
“With the surveillance aspect, we do monitor many of our diseases on a weekly basis. It’s called the endemic channels. And when we look at dengue, we know that for the same period last year, the number of country cases has reduced. However, they, when we look at the districts, the Belize district has shown over two hundred percent increase. In the last two weeks. So we know that there is ongoing transmission of dengue. There is an outbreak in the Belize District and we have increased the interventions that we’re doing. We’re getting help from Northern Health Region in terms of bringing in staff to help us to break this transmission. And we’re advocating to the public to please ensure that the, your yards are clean, that you don’t have any reservoirs holding stagnant water, that your drains are clean because these are the areas where this vector can produce and spread the disease.”
This week, George Cadle Price, affectionally known as Belize’s ‘Father of the Nation’, was honored at the Organization of American States’ Hall of Heroines and Heroes. A bust made in his likeness was unveiled at a ceremony celebrating Price’s legacy as a national hero and a symbol of peace. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca led the unveiling ceremony along with OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin. He shared more details on the celebration today.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“We unveiled the secretary general of the OAS, a bust of George Price in the Hall of the heroines and heroes of the Americas. Very proud moment for Belize in my view. We are all of the third CARICOM country to have our national hero our father of the nation displayed in those halls. So very proud moment for Belize we had quite a few people from the Belizean community there in DC there to witness it. So that is incredibly important recognizing the contribution that George Price made not only to Belize, but as a statesman to the region to the hemisphere.”
For a group of young, aspiring musicians in Belize City, this summer has been anything but ordinary. Over the past two weeks, twelve kids, some just starting out, others already finding their rhythm, came together at The Reef Recording Studio. It wasn’t just about beats and lyrics; it was about building confidence, making new friends, and channeling their creativity in a positive way. Today marked the end of their musical journey, for now, but the memories and skills they’ve gained will last a lifetime. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Some kids are born with musical talent, others discover it along the way and this summer, twelve young artists from Belize City got the chance to do just that. For the past two weeks, they’ve been working side by side with music producer Devin “DJ Perf” Peyrefitte at The Reef Recording Studio, sharpening their skills, exploring their creativity, and learning what it really takes to make music. It’s been a hands-on experience that’s all about growth, expression, and turning passion into potential.
Jaznique Diamond
Jaznique Diamond, Camper, Reef Recording Studio
“I was singing from I was five years old. I just come up with music from the top of my head, like a word and I just started writing form experience.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you sing often and if so where?”
Jaznique Diamond
“Yes sir, I think my neighbors are tired of hearing me. But, it is just something that is not just a hobby. It is something that makes you feel comfortable, that you could express yourself while doing it.”
For young music lover Jaznique Diamond, this summer was all about turning lyrics into something powerful. “DJ Perf” says every child who joined the program came in with a real passion for music and a hunger to learn more. And from the sound of it, they’re just getting started.
Devin “Dj Perf” Peyrefitte
Devin “Dj Perf” Peyrefitte, Manager, Reef Recording Studio
“So this is something we do with kids, really have them in an environment of creating music, not just sitting behind a keyboard and learning music but really being in the environment of creating music. That is what we offered the kids. We did like, the first day we show them how a studio is operated, the different section, a recording booth, we do song writing classes, beat making, a drummer came in show them how to play the drum. We did all those activities and did a talent show to have them write a song and have them perform for us today.”
The music didn’t stop at just beats and lyrics, these young artists also got creative with visuals. Each participant designed their own album cover art, capturing what their time at The Reef Recording Studio meant to them. Take Cameron Middleton, for example. He doesn’t express himself through vocals, but give him a drum set, and he speaks volumes. Over the past two weeks, Cameron’s rhythm and confidence behind the kit have grown by leaps and bounds.
Cameron Middleton
Cameron Middleton, Camper, Reef Recording Studio
“So, my cousin has this electric drum at home so every time I go play it I don’t know what to do. He teaches me but not like my drum teacher. So when Julia said we would have drum class she takes all of and she always bring us and drop us off. On the snare I could play the snare good and the high and the symbols. I could not play those good but now what I know I am good at it the three loudest ones.”
The Director at Hope Resource Center, Julian Mortis, plays a quiet but key role in the music camp. She is a driver, motivator, and an all-around supporter for the children, ensuring they get to the studio and learn what is being thought.
Julian Mortis
Julian Mortis, Director, Hope Resource Center
“It does a lot, because there is a lot of things happening in our community, a lot of negative things going on. So we try to grab as much kids in our community and do positive things with them, because we see the negative that they are seeing everyday and I am really trying to get as much kids as I can to bring them into places like this, the resource center, the Reef Studio, so that they have a place they can come and what I like is that this is a safe place.”
All participants received a certificate of completion today. This is the second music camp that The Reef Studio hosted. Peyrefitte says he plans to make it an annual event. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
