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.
And in case you missed, here’s a highlight of last night’s KTV the Remix episode, where contestants jammed out to reggae and Caribbean tunes. Don’t forget to tune in next Tuesday for another night of electrifying displays of talent with judge’s pick- alternative night.
Prominent attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley has come out strongly against the proposed Thirteenth Amendment Bill, calling it an attack on the fundamental rights and freedoms of Belizeans. Bradley did not mince words, describing the legislation as something out of a “Nazi movie.”
“It is an incredible thing that in 2025 we are going to interfere with the fundamental rights and freedom of Belizeans by saying to them, ‘We are going to put in the constitution that you have no rights once the police come for you. That is like out of those Nazi and communist movies. This can’t really be Belize,” Bradley said.
He argued that amending the constitution to allow security forces extra powers in designated ‘special areas’ would strip people of the very protections the constitution is meant to uphold. “It is unbelievable that this is where Belize is, that you could put in your constitution, which is there to protect you, things that are going to take away your protection. It is incredible,” Bradley added.
Bradley rejected the notion and said the real focus should be on working with communities to tackle violence at its roots. “What is happening here that a couple of the new slave masters can come and have a discussion?
Bradley also dismissed the claim that lawyers profit from defending criminals, noting that most people caught up in crime cannot afford legal representation. “It is an emotional argument to talk about lawyers and crime; the people who pick them up can’t pay no lawyer. Only sixteen people successfully sue. They can’t afford to go to any lawyer. I don’t drink and smoke weed, but this is something like you are in a semi-stupor state to know this is happening in Belize,” Bradley said.
According to a report by the BBC, Cuba’s Minister for Labour, Marta Elena Feitó Cabrera, has resigned after sparking outrage by claiming there are no beggars in Cuba and that those searching through rubbish do so by choice to make “easy money.”
Feitó Cabrera made the comments this week during a session of the National Assembly, saying, “There are no beggars in Cuba. There are people pretending to be beggars to make easy money,” and accusing people who rummage through trash of being “illegal participants in the recycling service.”
Her remarks drew swift backlash from Cubans both at home and abroad, who say the comments ignored the daily reality of poverty, food shortages, and a struggling economy. The BBC reports that even President Miguel Díaz-Canel indirectly rebuked the minister in parliament, warning that the leadership must not “act with condescension” or be “disconnected from the realities” faced by ordinary Cubans.
Public criticism of government officials is rare in Cuba, where anti-government protests are banned and open dissent is often punished. The BBC says a group of Cuban activists and intellectuals even published a letter calling Feitó Cabrera’s remarks “an insult to the Cuban people” and demanding her removal.
