2025 - Greater Belize Media

BEL Flips the Switch on Solar Future

Belize is turning up the power toward a greener future. Belize Electricity Limited made history today by signing a groundbreaking agreement for the country’s very first utility-scale solar power plant. The new facility, set to rise in Buena Vista, Corozal, will generate fifteen megawatts of clean energy, marking a major step in reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels. It’s a proud moment for Belize’s sustainability journey, and BEL Chairman Andrew Marshalleck shared more on what this milestone means for the nation’s energy future.

Andrew Marshalleck, Chairman, Belize Electricity Limited

“The significance of it is that we all know and all agree that utility scale solar is the future for energy generation in the country. This is the furthest we’ve ever reached down the road of actually putting a plant on the ground, and we thought it was worth celebrating and documenting.”

Reporter

“We had the signing today. What comes next?”

Andrew Marshalleck

“What comes next is that they now move to start building out a facility and it’s a twelve-month proposition. And so by next year you should see a plant on the ground and utility scale solar being put on a grid. And that’s a very good thing for everybody.”

Reporter

“Can you explain why the signing of the PPP happens before actual construction?”

Andrew Marshalleck

“Because it sets all terms for operations, it sets all operating parameters that must be met and it also sets all price. And it also is an arrangement under which BEL agrees to buy the power that this plant will produce at a pre-approved price.”

Reporter

“Since it’s a pilot though, can those terms actually change when it comes on stream?”

Andrew Marshalleck

“No. They’re based on projections and that’s what part of the reason why it takes as long as It does. They’ve put forward the price, they’ve worked out what it’ll cost to build the plant, and they’ve put forward a price and we’ve sought to negotiate down and they, the results have been reviewed by the PUC and approved.”

BEL Advances Energy Independence with Solar Project

There’s good news on the horizon for Belizeans; lower electricity bills could be coming soon! That’s thanks to a major leap toward energy independence: Belize’s first utility-scale solar power plant is officially in the works, which will provide Belize with fifteen megawatts of power. For years, we’ve relied heavily on imported energy, about half of our power comes from Mexico. But when an energy crisis hit there, Belize felt the shock, with temporary power cuts that exposed just how vulnerable our grid really is. Now, with this new solar plant set to boost local energy production, there’s real hope that prices will drop and reliability will rise. BEL Chairman Andrew Marshalleck has more on what this means for your wallet, and the country’s future.

Andrew Marshalleck, Chairman, Belize Electricity Limited

“It should be lower, and this is why solar is needed, because it’ll exert a downward pressure on the average cost of power.”

Reporter

“You already to the price?”

Andrew Marshalleck

“Yes.”

Reporter

“Tell us.”

Andrew Marshalleck

“Yes. But it’s a unit price and you don’t know how much will be produced. And you will have better data once it starts functioning to make better projections. But projections have been made well, it’s not that I can tell you what it’ll be down to the cents but it’ll be lower than a number of sources that we rely on now, so that when you average it together with those sources, it brings down the overall average cost of power. And this is why we say we need to introduce utility scale solar into the system if we want to maintain prices as where they are, because it has a downward pressure on overall costs.”

Empowering Tomorrow: Youth Camp Launches in Pomona

Something exciting is happening in the heart of Pomona. For the first time ever, the village is hosting the Valley Youth Connect Summer Camp 2025, a vibrant new initiative aimed at empowering young people in the community. Chairman of Steadfast Village, Orlando Chuck, shared details about the event, which is expected to reach around two hundred and fifty youths between the ages of fourteen and twenty-nine. From skill-building workshops to fun, interactive activities, this camp is all about connection, growth, and opportunity for the next generation.

Orlando Chuck, Chairman

“So far it’s been going very well and we are transporting our children here to Pomona Community Center and an IT vet where they are doing baking and they also do barbering, wood carving and today we are having the first aid training in the community center behind us.”

Jessica Calis, Chairlady, Alta Vista

“In the community center we have the first aid and CPR training and so as a teacher I took it upon myself to come here today because I don’t think that even as a part of CPD training we get much opportunity to do CPR and first response training I think it’s very very important for persons like teachers who touch a number of lives daily and we do find ourselves in these compromised positions I am in this course right now and I have discovered so many things that I thought I knew and I knew them so poorly or so wrongly and so I was discussing with Ms. Yesenia Trapp the course is being offered by certain emergency services. I am formally inviting you young persons teachers public workers health care workers if you are studying to be a secondary school teacher this is very much needed and I know we are almost worried about CPD hours I’m also discussing as well how we can get collaboration Ministry of education.”

As the Valley Youth Connect Summer Camp continues, the energy and enthusiasm of the young participants are clear signs of its impact. With a focus on empowerment, skill-building, and positive engagement, this first-of-its-kind initiative in Pomona is laying the groundwork for a stronger, more connected generation. Organizers hope the success of this year’s camp will inspire even greater involvement and support in the years to come.

Flo’s Pristine’s Employee Charged with Allegedly Stealing Thousands in Jewellery

A 26-year-old housekeeper from Ladyville has been charged with burglary after allegedly stealing over $19,000 worth of jewellery and cash from her employer’s walk-in closet in Belize City.

The accused, Samara Moody of Perez Road, Ladyville, appeared before Magistrate Ludlow Black today and pleaded not guilty to a single count of burglary with intent to steal. She was granted bail of $2,000 under strict conditions.

Moody was an employee of Flo’s Pristine, a business that provides cleaning services.

The incident occurred last month, on June 27, at a Belize City residence, a client of Flo’s Pristine. The client told police that she had specifically instructed Moody not to enter or clean any closets in the master bedroom. However, upon returning home later that evening, she found the closet had been cleaned, and several valuable items were missing.

Police say surveillance footage confirmed that only Moody and the homeowners were seen entering and exiting the property that day.

After several failed attempts to get Moody to return the items, a wanted poster was issued by authorities.

Police say Moody later turned herself in and, during a video-recorded interview, admitted to taking the stolen items.

As part of her bail conditions, Moody must stay at least 100 yards away from the complainant, refrain from contacting her or her family, and sign in weekly at the Ladyville Police Station.

Her next court appearance is scheduled for 4 September 2025.

AGRIC Raffle Postponed Again

The highly anticipated raffle for the 2025 Ford Ranger XL has been postponed again. The announcement was made by the National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) Committee.

The raffle was scheduled to take place on June 1 before being postponed to July 1 and now is “tentatively scheduled for September 2025.”

This second delay is because ticket sales have not yet reached the required threshold. The committee says ticket sales will continue at all existing outlets.

All tickets already purchased will remain valid for the rescheduled draw.

“We Are Not Safe”: BAPDA Speaks Out on Killing of Disabled Belizeans

Following the murder of 38-year-old Luke Jones, who lived with a disability, and his mother, 64-year-old Evadnie Jones, disability advocates in Belize say the recent wave of killings targeting persons with disabilities reflects a bigger failure of the state and society to protect them.

Luke was shot and killed in his wheelchair outside his Cedar Street home on July 5th. His mother was also shot and killed. According to neighbours, the gunfire was heard the night before, but the bodies were not discovered until the next afternoon.

“Luke was a person who could not defend himself; that guy didn’t hurt anybody, so why does anybody have the right to do someone something like that? It pains me because the fact is that we are not safe,” said the President of BAPDA, Francisco Cuellar, on Open Your Eyes this morning.

Luke’s death is the third such killing in eight months. In November 2023, 18-year-old Trayson Gibson, paralysed from the waist down, was shot dead on Banak Street. In April 2024, Gion Bernard, known as “Gizmo,” was executed on Castle Street. All three were wheelchair users.

BAPDA also criticised the lack of implementation following the December 2024 passage of a Disability Bill recognising the rights of persons with disabilities. Cuellar said no significant follow-up has occurred.

“For me personally, we as disability persons are not protected. The bill was passed, and it’s just on a shelf. And that’s it. We have heard nothing at all. They were waiting for the elections to happen, and it’s still on the shelf. I think it’s just a checklist that they’re doing for us,” Cuellar stated.

Among the issues raised by BAPDA this morning was the lack of proper shelters designed for persons with disabilities. Cuellar explained that preparedness for vulnerable groups is still not taken seriously, and without the right tools, data, and coordination among stakeholders, persons with disabilities remain at heightened risk, especially during natural disasters.

“Some of us, we don’t choose this life; this life chooses us, but if it happens, you have to deal with it,” Cuellar said.

“The fact is that we need the proper tools. We need the facilities,” Cuellar added. “We need the collaboration of people within the society with, not exactly the government, but businesses and everything. All stakeholders.”

Despite a few private sector efforts to hire persons with disabilities, BAPDA says there is no consistent policy or national push to promote inclusion in the workforce.

Meanwhile, advisory member Warren Smith said stigma continues to be a major issue, particularly among youth. “A lot of youths today have a lack of knowledge about how to. Respond to someone with a disability or how to deal with someone with a disability.”

BAPDA continues to advocate to the government agencies, businesses, and civil society to step up and protect vulnerable groups. “If we had the resources to help our people, I would love to help them,” Cuellar said.

“People could start by advocating as well; help with just maybe a pantry for these people. Simple things like taking a plate of food to their homes. These people are really, really vulnerable people. And a little assistance like that can warm someone’s heart, you know? It can make a big difference. Can make them feel safe again,” Smith added.

BREAKING: Man Crushed in Freak Accident

A tragic accident has unfolded this evening on Fabers Road in the Jimmy Dyer area, Belize City, leaving a man motionless on the ground after he was crushed by his own truck.

He was working on his truck when he asked someone to start it. Because it was left in gear, the truck lurched forward and pinned him against another truck parked in front, crushing him.

Emergency services are on the scene. This is a developing story.

First Belizean OAS Assistant Secretary General Concludes 10-Year Term

The first Belizean to get elected as Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Nestor Mendez, has officially concluded his tenure after a decade of service.

Mendez demitted office on Wednesday, 9 July, though his term officially concludes on Friday, July 11, 2025. His departure reflects the end of a two-term tenure that began in 2015 and was extended through re-election in 2020.

“I want to thank my country, Belize. I want to thank that beautiful, small, unique gem in Central America, the bastion of democracy and stability,” said Mendez in his farewell address on Thursday. “A place where a young man from a village, growing up in the rural north of Belize, can dream big and work hard and get an education and make it to be Ambassador of Belize to the United States and the OAS, and then make it to be elected to be the Assistant Secretary General of this organisation.”

During his tenure, Mendez championed innovation, equity, and institutional reform across the Americas. “That is the country where I come from, and I know I’m extremely blessed, and I’m so proud. Thank you to my country,” Mendez added.

Dr Cecilio Eck Shares Hope One Year After Cancer Diagnosis

Despite receiving a prognosis of just six months to two years from three oncologists, Dr Cecilio Eck remains in the fight and, by his own account, is “feeling much better.”

It has been one year since Dr Eck was diagnosed with stage 4 biliary tract cancer, and today, he gave a video update. He confirmed he has undergone radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy over the past year. “All of those who contributed to my care, and to all of those who gave me well wishes, and to all of those who prayed for me, thank you so much,” he said.

He is now preparing for the next step in his journey, which is a shoulder reconstruction surgery scheduled for 18 July. “My next stop in this journey is to do a shoulder reconstruction surgery, which has been provided to me free of cost by World Paediatrics and the Milagros Team in Richmond, Virginia,” he added.

A GoFundMe account remains active for anyone who is willing to contribute towards Dr Eck’s recovery fund.

Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, praising him for “forging peace as we speak.”

Netanyahu made the announcement during a White House dinner, handing Trump a nomination letter that the president read aloud. “Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful,” Trump responded.

The Israeli leader credited Trump’s recent actions in the Middle East, including claiming to have helped stop what he described as a “12-day war” between Iran and Israel last month. Trump also said US strikes destroyed Iran’s nuclear weapons program and that Iran is now seeking to restart negotiations with Washington.

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to those who do the most to promote peace and fraternity among nations. Critics, however, point out that Trump’s promises to resolve conflicts like the Ukraine war have yet to materialise. Despite his claim that he could end the war in 24 hours, Ukraine recently faced its heaviest aerial bombardment of the conflict so far.

Still, Trump could soon claim credit for progress in Gaza, where indirect negotiations with Hamas could lead to a 60-day ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages, and more aid for civilians. The White House confirmed that its Middle East envoy is in Qatar this week to push for a breakthrough deal.