July, 2025 - Greater Belize Media

Kristina Romero Takes Helm as Women’s Commission Launches New NWC Chapter

Belize made history today with the launch of the newly restructured National Women’s Commission, and it was more than just a formal gathering. At the heart of the event was the official appointment of Kristina Romero as the Commission’s new president. Romero, known for her passion and advocacy, now takes the lead in shaping the national agenda on women’s issues. But that wasn’t the only big moment. The commission also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of the Special Envoy, headed by Rossana Briceño. This agreement sets the stage for stronger collaboration between the two offices as they work together to support women, families, and communities across Belize.

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister, Human Development Families and Gender Affairs

“It was the swearing-in of the National Women’s Commission, the commission deploy and we have a new president Kristina Romero who is now the chair person and president of the National Women’s Commission and we had a signing of memorandum of understanding. The special envoy she was here to sign that as well and that is basically a document that will provide the framework of how we will be collaborating her office and the ministry on matters that pertain to advocacy and policy.”

Kristina Romero, President, National Women Commission

“Today we had the induction of a newly appointed commission it is a very unique experience because we have commissioners from all over Belize so it will make the work easier for us when we’re looking at policy and advising the government we will be able to take in consideration perspectives of the different demographics of Belize in prior years we did have collaboration from other districts but this time around, this term that will last for two years we have representation from all districts.”

Garifuna Beats and Language Revival at Leo Bradley Library

This afternoon, the Leo Bradley Library turned into a vibrant hub of culture and connection, as the sounds of Garifuna music fill the air. It’s all part of a unique “Train the Trainer” session hosted at the Belize National Library Service. The focus was a powerful initiative called Garifuna Language Retrieval Through Music, a creative and meaningful way to revive a language rich with history and identity. And leading the charge is Angela Palacio, the driving force behind today’s session. We caught up with her earlier to learn more about this cultural revival in action.

Angela Palacio, Organizer

“The summer program started on Monday from nine to nine every day and every day we taught them something different about the aspect of Garifuna, including songs and stuff like that. Yesterday we had at guest appearance, Mr. Josh Arana taught them about drumming and music. And today we have Mr. James Lovell, teaching them gar true songs and you hear them pronouncing the words, right? They’re doing a great job.”

Britney Gordon

“And how receptive have they been to that and on the other activities that they’ve been doing throughout, are they learning? Are they advancing? Are they enjoying it?”

Angela Palacio

“They learn so quickly. I prepared a lot of informative things for them to do. And the first day Mr. James said, you’re gonna teach the all that. They won’t be able to do it, man. They suck it up. I almost went out of material to teach them, so they’re very excited.”

GOB Announces GST-Free Back-to-School Weekends

Cabinet has declared that no General Sales Tax (GST) will be charged on eligible goods purchased during two designated periods: from Thursday, July 31st to Saturday, August 2nd, and again from Friday, August 15th to Sunday, August 17th, 2025.

According to the government, this is part of the government’s promise to help households cope with rising back-to-school expenses and stimulate local business activity. During these weekends, the standard 12.5% GST will be waived at the point of sale for a range of items, including school supplies, uniforms, shoes, and other essential goods.

Retailers registered for GST are required to ensure their point-of-sale systems are ready to apply the exemption. Receipts for purchases made during these weekends should clearly show a GST rate of zero percent, or indicate that the item is non-taxable.

Past GST relief days, such as last year’s Christmas GST holiday, saw thousands of shoppers benefit from lower prices on everyday goods. Authorities are encouraging consumers to plan ahead and verify that receipts reflect the waived tax during checkout.

Five Belizean Beauty Brands Showcase at Top US Expo

Five Belizean cosmetic brands participated in the 22nd edition of COSMOPROF North America, which is the leading business-to-business beauty exhibition in the Americas. The three-day event, held from July 15 -17 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Centre in Las Vegas, brought together top beauty innovators from around the world.

Representing Belize were IKooma, Nika’s Sea Moss, Barranco Botanics, Southern Queen Products, and Naturally Belize Products. Their participation is supported by BELTRAIDE and The Nature Conservancy as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Belize’s blue economy and expand access to international markets.

“We are here to showcase the seaweed value-added products that Belize has to offer… We are here to give them the opportunity to explore, network, see what’s out there, and grow their businesses.”

Lorcia Moore, owner of Naturally Belize Coconut Products, called the experience “eye-opening” and said she gained insights into “innovative packaging” to improve her brand. “For Naturally Belize, this means we’re going to be expanding our product lines and seeing better packaging and collaborations, so it’s for sure growth and development.”

Southern Queen Products founder Reena Usher added, “This journey has opened opportunities… that will elevate and grow our brand’s products.” She said this experience has left her inspired after learning of even more opportunities and creating a “very good collaboration” with her “seaweed sisters.”

Nika’s Sea Moss said this has been a first-time experience for her to showcase her brand’s products abroad at such a large scale. It’s an experience that has also left her motivated and “overjoyed.”

Meanwhile, the founder of Barranco Botanics shared that the experience has been nothing short of “amazing”. She said, “My mind was blown,” and is bringing back home innovative ideas to improve her brand and products.

The event concludes today.

Familia Exige Justicia por Apunalado en Santa Martha

Una familia en Orange Walk clama justicia tras el brutal ataque a Miguel Ángel Valladares, quien fue apuñalado múltiples veces el domingo por la noche en la aldea Santa Martha. El presunto agresor, identificado como Jairo Godoy, sigue detenido en la estación de policía de Orange Walk mientras avanzan las investigaciones.

Desde el Hospital Regional del Norte, Martina Emerlinda Valladares, madre de la víctima, relató entre lágrimas la gravedad de las heridas de su hijo: “Quiero justicia para mi hijo porque no es justo que mi hijo esté en el hospital. Mi hijo está marcado de por vida. El doctor me dijo que le perforaron el pulmón, el estómago. Gracias a Dios y a los doctores mi hijo regresó, está vivo y puedo verlo abrir los ojos aunque sea poquito.”

“Quiero saber si realmente está enfermo mental y si tiene documentos, porque siempre que la policía lo detiene, lo sueltan. Y sigue haciendo lo que hace, siempre riéndose. Apunaló a mi hijo y al día siguiente estaba riéndose mientras mi hijo se moría en el hospital. No es justo lo que hizo.”

Heidy Anahí Melgar, pareja de Miguel Ángel y madre de su hijo de dos años, explicó que su esposo fue a buscarla a la casa de su madre, donde había una celebración, cuando ocurrió el ataque. “Sé que ellos tenían un problema desde hace tiempo. No se llevan bien,” dijo Melgar, quien teme por su familia si Jairo queda libre.

Mientras tanto, Miguel Ángel permanece hospitalizado y su familia promete seguir luchando para que se haga justicia y se presenten cargos formales contra el agresor.

Joven Asesinada en Casa de Spanish Lookout

Cuando el hogar deja de ser un lugar seguro. En Spanish Lookout, un hecho desgarrador pone en evidencia cuán frágil puede ser la tranquilidad en espacios compartidos. Claritza Granillo Rodriguez, una joven hondureña de veinte años, fue brutalmente apuñalada presuntamente por su cuñado tras una discusión por música a alto volumen.

La tragedia ocurrió la noche del miércoles en la vivienda que compartía con su esposo y cuatro familiares varones dentro de un aserradero donde los hombres trabajaban. Según el informe policial, el grupo estaba compartiendo después de la jornada laboral cuando la situación se tornó violenta.

Las autoridades llegaron a la escena poco después de las 9:30 p.m. y encontraron a Rodriguez sin vida en la veranda de la casa, con múltiples heridas de arma blanca. Fue trasladada de emergencia al hospital, pero solo se pudo certificar su fallecimiento.

Tres hombres fueron detenidos tras el crimen, pero el principal sospechoso, su cuñado Eris Gavarette, se dio a la fuga. Tras un operativo de búsqueda, la policía confirmó hoy que logró capturarlo.

Rodriguez y su familia eran casi desconocidos para la comunidad de Spanish Lookout. Hasta ahora, los intentos de contactar a sus parientes no han tenido éxito y los dueños de la propiedad restringieron el acceso a los medios de comunicación.

Este hecho deja interrogantes sobre la convivencia en espacios donde las tensiones y la violencia doméstica pueden esconderse tras muros de silencio.

The Divided Democratic Party

The United Democratic Party (UDP) is all but united. This has been the case for quite some time, and efforts to unite the party and its leaders continue to fail. The party’s latest attempt led to Michael Peyrefitte resigning, again.

Its most recent attempt was held at the party’s headquarters in Belize City this past weekend. It was yet again another chaotic National Party Council meeting. But communications obtained by News Five show that the meeting was doomed to fail.

As previously reported, leading up to the meeting, the Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, objected to how the process was conducted.

Separate letters obtained by News 5 from Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar Panton and senior UDP figures Hugo Patt, Omar Figueroa, and Aldo Salazar outlined several grievances regarding the NPC’s composition and adherence to party rules.

In her letter dated 11 July, Panton warned that the planned NPC “does not reflect the spirit of unity and collaboration” nor does it advance the party “in a manner that is fair, transparent, and constitutionally sound.” She insisted that the meeting violated an earlier agreement to maintain the “status quo ante” of party officers and delegates, essential for fostering healing and good faith.

Panton also pointed out multiple breaches of the UDP Constitution and cited that several members who should have been invited were excluded. She also criticised the inclusion of individuals aligned with former leader Shyne Barrow, who lost decisively in the last election.

Panton claimed they continue to exert “undue influence over the Party’s affairs.” She said, “For instance, Mr. Jose Espat is reportedly included as an NPC delegate, while I, as an elected UDP Member of Parliament, have been sidelined.”

She described the selective enforcement of caretaker conventions as “divisive” and “indefensible,” and urged that either uniform caretaker conventions for all constituencies or none until after the upcoming Leadership Convention scheduled for October 5.

In a separate letter, Patt, Figueroa, and Salazar also expressed frustration over the reported failure to finalise and circulate the NPC membership list, as outlined in a previous meeting on July 2. Patt had supported Barrow’s leadership ahead of the March 12 general election but shifted his full backing to Panton afterwards.

In the letter, Patt, Figueroa, and Salazar stated, “We are compelled to register our disagreement with holding an NPC until there is a clear consensus on the list.” They warned that proceeding under these circumstances risks “deserved criticism or, worse, exposing our actions to potential legal challenges.”

Although these concerns were raised before the NPC meeting, just days after it took place and less than a month after reclaiming the party chairmanship, Michael Peyrefitte resigned for the second time. He cited ongoing infighting and recent turmoil within the UDP’s NPC as reasons for stepping down. He said it undermined the commitment he had insisted on when returning, that the Panton and Barrow factions would work together for the party’s benefit to “move forward.”

Corte Avala Demanda de BSCFA Contra BSI

El Tribunal Supremo de Belize ha dado luz verde a la Asociación de Productores de Caña de Azúcar de Belize (BSCFA) para que continúe con su demanda contra Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. (BSI) y la empresa británica T&L Sugars Ltd., rechazando la solicitud de esta última de desestimar el caso por falta de jurisdicción.

El juez M. Javed Mansoor dictó la decisión tras escuchar argumentos sobre si los tribunales beliceños tienen competencia para conocer la reclamación de la BSCFA por primas Fairtrade no pagadas correspondientes a las zafras 2021/2022 y 2022/2023.

T&L Sugars Ltd., con sede en el Reino Unido, argumentó que cualquier disputa debía resolverse mediante arbitraje en Londres bajo los términos de la Carta de Acuerdo Ampliado (LOEA) de 2021, ya expirada, o en el Tribunal Superior de Inglaterra y Gales si se rechazaba el arbitraje. La empresa también alegó que la BSCFA ocultó la cláusula de arbitraje cuando pidió permiso para notificar la demanda fuera de la jurisdicción de Belize.

Sin embargo, la BSCFA sostuvo que la LOEA no se renovó ni extendió para los años en cuestión, por lo que la cláusula de arbitraje no aplica y los tribunales beliceños conservan competencia.

El juez Mansoor coincidió, señalando que no hay evidencia de que el acuerdo de arbitraje siga vigente tras el vencimiento de la LOEA o que aplique a las cosechas reclamadas. Además, destacó que las acusaciones de conspiración y violación de fideicomiso plantean cuestiones sustanciales que deben ser juzgadas, y que excluir a T&L de la causa limitaría la capacidad del tribunal para resolver el reclamo de conspiración.

Por tanto, la solicitud de T&L para anular la demanda y el servicio fuera de jurisdicción fue rechazada. El caso seguirá adelante en juicio y ambos demandados deberán responder a los señalamientos de la BSCFA. Además, se ordenó que T&L pague los costos del procedimiento.

Tras conocerse el fallo del Tribunal Supremo que permite a la Asociación de Productores de Caña de Azúcar de Belize (BSCFA) continuar con su demanda contra Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. (BSI) y T&L Sugars Ltd., el ministro de Agricultura, José Mai, manifestó su respaldo a los agricultores y subrayó que se trata de que reciban lo que se les adeuda.

“Se trata del dinero; el dinero que se les debe a los cañeros y los agricultores quieren su dinero. Creo que el fallo establece que Tate and Lyle será parte de esto, no fueron exonerados. Ustedes eran parte de esto, así que deben permanecer y seguir siendo parte. El asunto está en los tribunales y no quiero discutirlo. Pero los agricultores quieren su dinero, y en un momento en que los campos están en mal estado, esos fondos podrían utilizarse bien para mitigar y combatir los efectos del fusarium. Tenemos una cosecha muy baja, un contenido de azúcar muy bajo, así que la industria está en muy mal estado. Los agricultores están pidiendo su dinero. Quieren su dinero”, afirmó Mai.

El ministro enfatizó que, ante la difícil situación que enfrenta la industria azucarera, estos pagos podrían ayudar a enfrentar plagas y otros problemas que afectan la producción. El proceso judicial continuará, con ambas empresas obligadas a responder a la reclamación por las primas Fairtrade pendientes de pago.

GOB Vehicles Now Tracked by GPS

The government is installing GPS trackers on 1,300 public vehicles to reduce misuse and improve cost efficiency.

So far, 750 vehicles have been equipped with the tracking devices. The system can disable vehicles during weekends or when idling excessively, enforcing stricter control over government-owned transportation.

The move is based on long-standing recommendations from the government’s Cost Saving Committee. Its goal is to tackle the widespread abuse of public vehicles. The initiative is being implemented through the Assets and Utilities Management Unit and is expected to improve accountability and deliver savings.

Phone Repair Training Opportunity for Women is Back

The third phase of Belize’s “Cell Phone Repair Training for Women” has officially launched. The programme is coming to the Belize District after its successful pilots in Corozal and Orange Walk last year.

The training is now underway at the Belize Training & Employment Centre (BTEC) and is focused on equipping women and girls with in-demand technical skills in a sector that remains limited in services countrywide.

Participants include residents from Belize City, Ladyville, Lord’s Bank, Hattieville, and the New Beginnings Youth Development Centre.

The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Investment’s Investment Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU), the Taiwan Technical Mission, and the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs through the National Women’s Commission.