2025 - Greater Belize Media

Laying the Foundation for Better Buildings in Belize

Earlier this month, the Government of Belize approved the Belize Building Amendment Bill, an important move aimed at raising construction standards across the country. The goal? To ensure that buildings in Belize are not only more durable but also more resilient and sustainable. To support this national shift, a powerful collaboration is taking shape. The STEM U Foundation, in partnership with CapStone Civil Group and St. Ignatius High School, recently hosted a roundtable discussion focused on improving the quality of building practices in Belize. The STEM U Foundation is a local non-profit dedicated to empowering Belizean youth through training in STEM fields and skilled trades. Their mission is to prepare the next generation of builders, engineers, and innovators who will shape the country’s future. We spoke with STEM U’s founder, Jarrus Mitchell, who shared insights into the roundtable’s goals. He emphasized the importance of education, collaboration, and innovation in transforming the construction landscape, starting with young minds and community partnerships.

Jarrus Mitchell, Founder, Stem U Foundation

“So the purpose of this meeting is to bring subject matter experts into Belize from the US STEM U Foundation. Our platform is just that. We bring subject matter experts from developed countries to provide solutions and advice in regards to areas of agriculture, engineering, healthcare, and I.T., this engineering initiative will help spark the conversation on how the newly adopted Belize building code will be enforced how it’ll be implemented. And using the International Code Council model that the Belize building code is built from we will use the model from the US to discuss with the government, with the local towns and council and as well as contractors.”

Britney Gordon

“So what does the new building code speak to? What are some of the areas of change we can expect to see?”

Jarrus Mitchell

“Some of these changes, I wouldn’t necessarily call them changes. I would just call them improvements. And it will be around construction materials. It will be around construction design. It will be around the craftsmanship of how buildings are built. And what you should expect is an improvement in the quality of materials, craftsmanship, and design.”

With new legislation in place and grassroots efforts gaining momentum, Belize is building more than just structures, it’s building a future. One where safety, quality, and opportunity go hand in hand.

Up to 19 Storms Predicted this Hurricane Season

The time for hurricane preparation is now. While the official start to Belize’s hurricane season might still be a few days away, the National Emergency Management Organization is advising the public not to wait until a hurricane is brewing to make the necessary arrangements. Earlier this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued its official outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, forecasting above-average activity. The NOAA predicts anywhere between thirteen and nineteen named storms, with six to ten of them becoming hurricanes. We spoke with National Emergency Coordinator, Daniel Mendez, for more details on this year’s hurricane season.

Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator, NEMO

“At this point we are, we continue to monitor those along with the Met service. Once that becomes something of concern to the country, they will be alerting us and telling us what we need to or what we need to know regarding that system. But the vigilance at the national system never stops. We’re not only monitoring potential systems, we also monitor things like forest fires and anything else that, that, that is important. NEMO is not a hurricane only organization. We function 24/7 throughout the year. Our officers are on duty all the time, and so we monitor anything that is that may threaten public safety. The time to prepare for tropicals for hurricane season is now. This is the time where you need to start to create your own emergency plans for your own family. You need to know what you’re gonna do if we have a system developing, where are you going to go? What are you going to take? Who will you stay with? How will you get there? So these are things that you need to find out right now. You can go to our website, nemo.org.bz. We have provided far more information particularly and in finding templates for family plans. We have a template for business plans. You are also able to find shelters across the country. We have a function there where you can search for shelters that will help you in determining and really finding out what you want to do. We also have information packages there, so you can also track hurricanes and tropical storms from our website and also on the Met Service website.”

NEMO advises the public to remain vigilant this hurricane season and avoid spreading misinformation.

NTUCB Backs Unions, Demands Government Act on Salary and Pension Issues

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has come out in full support of its affiliate unions, including the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), Public Service Union (PSU), Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU), and others, as they continue their push for fair treatment, salary adjustments, and pension payments.

In a strongly worded statement, the NTUCB criticised the Briceño Administration for what it called “disregard and disrespect” toward public workers, while simultaneously awarding high-paying contracts to government executives. The union umbrella body described such actions as “morally bankrupt” and “tone-deaf,” adding that they insult the thousands of public servants who contribute daily to the country’s development.

NTUCB called for immediate government action, including:

Pension payments owed to KHMHA workers,

Reinstatement of frozen increments and an 8.5% salary adjustment for public officers and teachers,

Reinstate UB’s $10M subvention as promised.

The statement warned that continued neglect would only strengthen the collective voice of Belize’s workers. “We are action-ready. We are mobilised. We are united,” it declared, urging the government to rebuild trust before the unrest deepens.

This story was updated at 5:12 pm

PM Briceño Welcomed in Honduras Ahead of CABEI Governors Meeting

Prime Minister John Briceño has arrived in Honduras to participate in the upcoming Meeting of Governors of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), scheduled for tomorrow.

The Prime Minister was officially received by Renato Florentino Pineda, the Third Vice President of Honduras. He will be accompanied during his visit by Cherie Nisbet, Belize’s Ambassador accredited to Honduras.

In a statement issued by Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was noted:
“Hon. John Briceño arrives in the Republic of Honduras for the Meeting of Governors of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration. He was received by Renato Florentino Pineda, Third Vice President of Honduras, and will be accompanied by H.E. Cherie Nisbet, Ambassador of Belize, accredited to Honduras.”

The CABEI Governors Meeting is a key event that gathers regional leaders and financial officials to discuss economic integration, development financing, and collaboration across Central America.

Belizeans Losing Faith in the Economy: Consumer Confidence Takes a Dip

Belizeans are growing more cautious about their personal finances and the overall economy, according to the latest Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) released for April 2025.

The national index fell from 49.6 in March to 47.7.

The CCI, which ranges from 0 to 100, measures how consumers feel about current financial conditions, expectations for the next 12 months, and their willingness to make major purchases like homes, cars, or appliances.

In April, consumer sentiment declined across all three areas. Confidence in present financial conditions dropped by 5.8 percent, suggesting more people feel worse off compared to a year ago. The willingness to make major household purchases also declined by 3 percent, while expectations for the future, although still somewhat optimistic, slipped from 58.5 to 57.0.

Only the Toledo District reported an increase in overall confidence, rising from 51.4 in March to 53.2 in April, mainly due to improved sentiment around purchasing durable goods. In contrast, Stann Creek experienced the largest drop, falling by 14.4 percent. Rural residents showed greater concern than their urban counterparts, with rural consumer confidence dropping by 6.4 percent compared to a minor 0.5 percent dip in urban areas.

Confidence levels also varied by age and gender. The largest declines were among those aged 25–34 and 45–54. While male confidence dipped slightly, their outlook on making big purchases actually improved. Female consumers saw a greater drop overall, especially in sentiment around spending. Among ethnic groups, those categorized as “Other” reported the steepest decline in confidence, while Garifuna respondents showed a small increase, largely driven by improved attitudes toward purchasing household goods.

Low Ticket Sales Force Postponement of NATS Ford Ranger Raffle

The National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) Committee has announced the postponement of its highly anticipated raffle for the 2025 Ford Ranger XL. Originally set for Sunday, June 1, the draw will now tentatively take place on July 11, 2025.

The delay comes as ticket sales have not yet met the required threshold.

All tickets already purchased will remain valid for the new draw date.

The NATS takes place this weekend in Belmopan.

KHMHA Workers Union Pushes Ahead with Industrial Action Despite Labour Warning

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) is pressing forward with its planned industrial action, despite receiving a formal caution from the Labour Department regarding the legality of protest activities in the essential healthcare sector.

Today, union members participated in a coordinated show of unity by wearing their official T-shirts and sharing group photos as part of a sensitization campaign.

The move marks the beginning of the union’s phased industrial strategy under the theme: “United for Dignity – Stronger Together.”

The union’s plan outlines three escalating levels of action:

Level 1: Peaceful workplace demonstrations, media outreach, and a reduced pace of work (“go-slow”).

Level 2: Continued protests and “work-to-rule,” where members perform only tasks explicitly required by their job descriptions with no voluntary overtime.

Level 3: Issuing an official 21-day strike notice.

According to KHMHAWU, their next step is a demonstration scheduled for tomorrow at the KHMHA parking lot.

However, this comes in direct conflict with a letter from Labour Commissioner Rissela Dominguez-Patt, dated May 28, 2025. The letter reminds the union that under the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act, no form of industrial action including go-slows or demonstrations can be legally carried out without first reporting the dispute to the Minister of Labour and allowing a 21-day period to elapse.

Alleged Rape at Belmopan School Under Investigation

Police are investigating an allegation of rape involving two students at Belmopan Comprehensive School that reportedly took place on Wednesday.

According to reports, the incident occurred on school grounds during a planned staff absence.

A female student sought help from the vice principal and school medic after experiencing bleeding. School staff initially assumed it was as a result of menstruation and provided care.

The student was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure. The situation escalated when a family member arrived at the hospital and made allegations of rape.

The matter has since been referred to authorities for a full investigation.

When we contacted the school we were told, “We’re unavailable right now, but will respond as soon as possible.”

Police Officer Slapped with Criminal Charge for Firing Gun

Police officer Richard Gillett was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court today on a single charge of discharging a firearm in public. The charge stems from a widely circulated video shared by News 5 last night.

The video shows Gillett firing a warning shot while ordering some residents to return to their yard.

The video, which appears to be recorded near a police booth, has raised serious questions about the officer’s conduct. Viewers have been questioning whether the use of a warning shot was justified and whether the officer was sober at the time of the incident.

Gillett was granted bail in the sum of $1,000 with one surety of the same amount. His case was adjourned.

Indigenous Leaders Urge New Pope to Return Sacred Artifacts

Indigenous leaders across Canada are calling on Pope Leo to fulfill his predecessor’s promise to return thousands of sacred artifacts housed in Vatican museums and storage vaults.

The collection includes ceremonial objects dating back centuries, from an Inuvialuit sealskin kayak to embroidered Cree gloves and a 200-year-old wampum belt. Critics say these items were taken as “trophies” by Catholic missionaries during a dark chapter of cultural suppression.

The artifacts were gathered in 1923 under Pope Pius XI, who called on missionaries worldwide to send Indigenous objects to Rome for a major exhibition. This collection drive coincided with Canada’s residential school system, where Indigenous children were forcibly separated from their families and forbidden to practice their culture.

The push for repatriation gained momentum in 2022 when Indigenous delegates visited Rome for discussions about residential school abuses with Pope Francis. During a tour of Vatican collections, they were shocked to see their ancestors’ belongings stored thousands of miles from home.

Following that visit and his subsequent apology tour of Canada, Pope Francis promised to return the relics. However, nearly all items remain in Vatican custody, with only a wampum belt briefly loaned to Montreal for 51 days in 2023.