July, 2025 - Greater Belize Media

Has St John Vianney Been Abandoned?

St John Vianney School on Fabers Road, Belize City, has issued a public plea after revealing that the school has suffered repeated acts of vandalism and burglaries.

The school also said that its security guard has worked for over a year without pay, and

In a statement shared on social media, the school stated, “A Message to Our Community… Today we are heartbroken. We have had a security guard working at our school for over a year, faithfully showing up every day, without receiving a single cent.”

Despite numerous appeals for help, the school says it has received no support.

Adding to the distress, the school says it has been hit multiple times by vandals. Photos shared by the institution show a broken door lock, shattered windows, damaged wooden panels and splintered boards scattered on the ground.

“The damage is not just physical; it’s emotional. It’s spiritual. It’s a wound to a place that has given so much,” the administrators said.

The school added, “We ask: Where is our community?This is not just about one person or one building. It’s about honoring commitment, respecting service, and protecting a place that belongs to all of us.”

They are now calling on anyone who has been impacted by the school to come forward in support and help safeguard the school. “We ask you to stand with us now. Let your voice be heard. Help us protect and uplift what we’ve built together.”

A Fond Farewell to Belizean Nestor Mendez from the OAS

This month marks the end of an era for one of Belize’s most distinguished diplomats. The Organization of American States (OAS) is officially bidding farewell to Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez.

Mendez was re-elected in 2020 to serve an additional term as Assistant Secretary General. In his address at the last OAS assembly, he spoke on his approach and steadfast advocacy for innovation, equity, and institutional reform across the Americas.

Mendez reflected on a journey marked by both extraordinary challenges and groundbreaking achievements during his tenure in the OAS.

“Today was a day full of emotions for me,” he said in his final remarks. It’s difficult for me to pinpoint a specific big accomplishment; I can tell you all the things we did, the big things we did.”

Among his many accomplishments, Mendez highlighted the modernisation of OAS systems through technology, including the introduction of artificial intelligence to streamline internal procedures.

“The organisation sometimes takes long to change, but it’s not impossible, and that has started and is well underway.”

“We also try to focus on giving more visibility to more vulnerable populations… issues that are cross-cutting to the organisation but did not have a single place or a single platform to give visibility at a political level,” he said. “We worked with member states to make it part of the institutional calendar.”

Mendez is coming to the end of his five-year term, which concludes on July 11, 2025. “There were a lot of big things along the way and I’m glad i had the opportunity to do it,” he said.

North Korea to Send Up to 30,000 Troops to Aid Russia in Ukraine War

North Korea is reportedly preparing to send as many as 30,000 troops to reinforce Russia’s war with Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian intelligence assessment confirmed by Western intelligence sources.

The move would significantly expand Pyongyang’s role in the conflict, following the deployment of 11,000 North Korean soldiers last November. Of those, about 4,000 were reportedly killed or injured, yet cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang has strengthened.

The two countries said the cooperation is based on the treaty signed by their leaders in June last year that includes a mutual defence pact.

Ukrainian intelligence says the additional troops may arrive within months and are expected to be integrated into Russian combat units occupying parts of Ukraine.

CNN reported that Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said the move reveals Russia’s growing reliance on authoritarian allies amid strained mobilisation efforts.

North Korea’s support includes more than 10 million artillery rounds and at least 100 ballistic missiles, some of which were used in deadly strikes on civilian areas like Pokrovsk.

Fisheries Department Opens Applications for Sea Cucumber Export Licences

The Belize Fisheries Department has officially opened the application process for export licences for the 2025–2026 sea cucumber fishing season, which will run from August 1st, 2025, to January 31st, 2026.

As part of a new policy focused on strengthening conservation and the sustainable management of sea cucumber stocks, the department is now requiring all prospective exporters to submit a detailed project proposal alongside their export licence application.

Applicants must demonstrate operational capacity to purchase sea cucumbers at designated landing sites and must adhere to the established Total Allowable Catch (TAC) quota of 175,000 pounds of gutted weight. The quota applies exclusively to the Holothuria mexicana species, commonly known as “donkey dung.”

“Completed application forms and project proposals must be submitted to the Fisheries Administrator no later than July 16, 2025. Any application form or project proposal that is incomplete or is received after the aforesaid deadline will not be accepted for consideration,” the department said in its statement.

‘Fried Rat’ in Fast Food is Fake News, Ministry Says

The Ministry of Health & Wellness has responded to a viral social media post claiming that a rat was found in food served at a local establishment. MOHW called the post misinformation and clarified that the incident did not occur in Belize.

According to the ministry, the alarming image, shared by a member of the public and then by a self-described citizen journalist, was not from any location within the country.

“After thorough review, the Ministry can confirm that the incident referenced in the post did not occur in Belize but rather in another country,” the official release stated. “There is no current evidence of any such event happening locally.”

The MOHW expressed concern over the spread of unverified information and its potential to incite public fear. “We strongly urge all individuals in the media,, whether traditional or independent, to verify the accuracy of information before publishing it.”

The Ministry reassured that Public Health Inspectors continue to conduct regular inspections of food establishments across Belize to ensure compliance with national

Peyrefitte Returns as UDP Rift Widens: Unity Deal in Doubt

Rifts within the United Democratic Party show no signs of healing, and tonight, a familiar face is stepping back into the political spotlight, but this time, with a message of both hope and frustration. U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte officially re-entered the political arena last week, following what he described as a “unified agreement” among key party leaders, including Shyne Barrow, Hugo Patt, and Alberto August. The idea is to chart a clear and cohesive path forward for a party that has faced internal divisions in recent months. But that unity, it seems, may have been short-lived. Despite what Peyrefitte calls “significant concessions” made by senior members to foster reconciliation, he now says recent developments suggest the party remains fractured and elusive in its direction. So, what’s next for the U.D.P.? Peyrefitte tells us that discussions are underway to implement a new framework aimed at restoring party stability and rebuilding public trust. While details remain under wraps, he emphasized the urgency of the moment and the need for decisive leadership.

Michael Peyreffite, Chairman, U.D.P.

“Well as I said last week or the week before when I came back as Chairman that we would be charting a way forward to bring about unity and peace within the UDP. As Chairman I called a leadership meeting, myself, Shyne Barrow, Hugo Patt, Alberto August, Omar Figuerroa, Tony Hererra and Aldo Salazar, those are the respective regional leaders and executives of the UDP. We decided we’d have a healthy, meaningful discussion and I am happy to report that things are looking very very very positive. There were people in that meeting who it would be fair for the public to say they were “pro-Shyne” and some were “Pro-Tracy”, it’s fair to say that and both sides had sober conversations with the first priority and only priority being the welfare of the UDP. We will be releasing to the media the terms of what we came to and to indicate the way forward what we will be presenting to the central executive and to the national party council but I think that we made great great progress together a lot of it has been miscommunication and I just thought that we have people in the room who can communicate properly and then disseminate that information to the rest of the party but as I said there will be more information coming out later on today.”

Peyrefitte Breaks Silence on UDP Turmoil, Clarifies Panton Expulsion

Just when it seemed the waters couldn’t get any murkier within the United Democratic Party, Chairman Michael Peyrefitte is stepping in to clear the air, both in the courtroom and within party ranks. In an interview with News Five, Peyrefitte broke down the legal interpretation behind Tracy Panton’s controversial expulsion, offering much-needed clarity on a ruling that’s sparked plenty of debate. But he didn’t stop there. The Chairman also addressed what he called ongoing “miscommunication” within the U.D.P., stressing the need for better internal dialogue to prevent further division.

Michael Peyreffite, Chairman, U.D.P.

“We had a ruling, a clarification ruling if you will, by Justice Hondora last week, in my view, in every respectable lawyer’s view, he did nothing more than just further explain his judgement and what the expulsion meant for Tracy Panton in particular. He just said that he gave a further definition of what void and no land void meant but it did not change the fact that he reiterated that for Mrs. Panton to be brought back into the UDP there has to be a vote, that part of the judgement was not changed and that part of the judgement in my view was even amplified and it’s not strange, it’s not strange That of course at the next NPC that will be coming up very shortly will be item one in the agenda, do you vote to bring back the honorable Panton from expulsion? Do you vote to have those members not in good standing be in good standing and I can tell you from my perspective I will be voting yes and have them come back, join back the UDP be a part of the UDP family so we can move on.”

Private Chat Leaked: Peyrefitte Urges Transparency

In the world of politics, private conversations don’t always stay private, and this week, U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte found himself at the center of just that. Following the leak of a private exchange with Opposition Leader Tracy Panton, Peyrefitte is speaking out. He’s not denying it happened; instead, he’s acknowledging that in political life, these things can and do occur. But more importantly, he’s using the moment to call for something bigger: transparency and unity within the United Democratic Party. Peyrefitte says it’s time to stop the distractions and start focusing on what really matters, bringing the party together.

Michael Peyreffite, Chairman, U.D.P.

“A piece of communication was leaked between myself and Tracy Panton it got into the media, I don’t put myself on some pedestal you know, not even presidents of big countries can stop leaks, leaks will happen but in the spirit of transparency and in the spirit of trying to get to a place where the UDP can be the UDP again if it leaks it leaks you know it’s not secret we are a mass party and I would love for the media to know and for the people to know every step that we are taking to get back to that place of unity and strength so there was a communication, was it ever my desire for it to become public? No. We’re communicating between two party people, but it leaked, it happens but nothing in there was ignitious nothing in there was a lie and hopefully the public can see that it was an attempt to try and make peace in the party, so it is what it is.”

Well, that’s where things stand tonight, calls for unity, clarity, and a fresh start from within the United Democratic Party. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte is urging members to put the past behind them and focus on reconciliation and renewed purpose. But whether those efforts will truly heal the party’s internal rifts? That remains to be seen. Still, the U.D.P. is laying out a roadmap. The National Party Council is set to meet right here in Belize City on July twelfth, where they’ll consider reinstating expelled members and those previously not in good standing. It signals a clear intent to rebuild trust. And that’s not all, plans are also in motion for a national convention on October fifth, with special constituency conventions happening across fifteen areas throughout July.

Caye Caulker Council Demands Justice Amid Rising Police Abuse

The following story is from Caye Caulker, where the newly re-elected village council has issued a powerful and emotional press release addressing growing concerns about police conduct on the island. In a statement released earlier today, the Caye Caulker Village Council expressed deep concern over what they describe as a ‘slowly escalating level of violence and abuse of authority’ by local police officers, particularly toward the island’s youth. The Council emphasized that law enforcement should be a shield for all citizens, not just a select few. The release recalls a troubling pattern, cycles of abuse that have, tragically, ended in the deaths of young men from the community. A decade ago, a similar incident sparked national outrage. Now, the council is calling for action once again, urging that this latest tragedy be met not with retaliation, but with resolve. “We cannot remain committed against violence if we respond with violence,” the council stated. Instead, they are advocating for accountability, de-escalation, and a renewed focus on what community policing should truly mean, protection for every citizen, regardless of background or behavior. It leaves no room for doubt: breaking the law should not mean forfeiting one’s right to life, safety, or dignity. The council is urging that officers who serve must do so with integrity, restraint, and a commitment to justice, not brutality. The statement ends with a reminder that wearing a badge is not just a job, it’s a solemn duty to uphold the law to the highest standard. And in these difficult times, they are calling on the community to stand together, to demand better, and to ensure that Caye Caulker remains a safe haven for all. We’ll continue to follow this story closely and bring you updates as they unfold.

Man Pleads Guilty to Blackmailing Family with Death Threats

Tonight, a chilling case of blackmail takes center stage in the High Court. Elijah Buller, the man accused of threatening to kill his own uncle and family unless he was paid two thousand dollars, has officially pleaded guilty. The incident, which dates back to July 2023, shook a quiet neighborhood in Belize City, and now, nearly two years later, Buller is facing the consequences. This morning, before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, Buller was reindicted and once again heard the charge of blackmail read aloud. He accepted the agreed facts of the case and entered a guilty plea as part of a plea bargain with the Crown. The court confirmed that Buller’s plea was made voluntarily, without pressure or promises. The details are disturbing: a loud knock at the door, a firearm raised, and a terrifying threat: ‘You, your wife, and daughter will die if you don’t give me two thousand dollars by Sunday.’ That’s what Jason Reneau and his wife Sheila say they endured at the hands of a man they once called family. Now out on bail, Buller is set to be sentenced this Friday, July fourth, at nine a.m. He’s expected to receive a non-custodial sentence and will be ordered to pay compensation to his victims. We’ll be following this story closely and will bring you updates as they unfold.