2025 - Greater Belize Media

Is UBU’s Harry Potter-Inspired University Really Coming to Belize? Part 1

A university nearly three times the size of Belmopan, the capital of Belize, is proposing to build a Harry Potter-inspired campus on Belizean soil.

According to its website, the Ultimate Business University (UBU) envisions a sprawling campus that will feature 3,000 student rooms, 300 rooms for teaching assistants, and 835 employee bungalows.

UBU’s proposed campus layout would feature 280 acres designated for manufacturing, 2 acres for wellness centres, a golf course, a 120-acre vineyard, and over 1,500 acres of farmland meant to cultivate vegetables, hemp, gluten-free lupin beans, and even cacao. All of this and more would sit within a 20,000-acre Hogwarts-like university campus.

While this ambitious project may seem like a major investment, UBU claims on its website that it “will become self-sustainable within 3 to 5 years by generating more than $100 million through programmes such as our Dive Programmes, Dance, Art and Caribbean Music Festivals, agricultural production as well as honey, cocoa, coffee, clothing and many other products we will manufacture.”

According to UBU, this plan is achievable because “students will launch their own business within the first 30 days of being on campus.” The university would start its operations with 1,000 students, which would be the equivalent of 1,000 businesses launching within the first month.

Of those first 1,000 students, it’s likely that none will be Belizeans because the founder made it clear that this project is not intended for locals.

According to the founder, UBU is an “educational programme for kids who are living on the streets in the U.S.” The founder claims the university will offer full scholarships and relocate U.S. students who are “emancipated by a judge and moved to Belize.”

This focus on U.S. students may be disheartening for Belizean students who dream of attending a state-of-the-art university without leaving the country. However, UBU argues that its presence in Belize would still benefit the local community by creating thousands of jobs.

Despite the grand plans, the project has remained in limbo for a long time. It still has yet to secure the proper paperwork and official recognition. On January 28, Belize’s Ministry of Education (MOE) issued a warning notice regarding UBU. The MOE stated that it “wishes to inform the general public to exercise caution regarding an entity named ‘The Ultimate Business University’, which claims to be registered as an educational institution operating within Belize.”

The ministry added in its notice that “this institution is neither legally registered nor authorised to operate as an educational institution in Belize and that it has no official affiliation or recognition from the Ministry of Education.”

Over 2 months have passed since the warning notice, and UBU has not yet made any official statements on its social media platforms or website addressing the issue.

The website remains active and accessible for anybody to learn more about it, but with no official recognition from the MOE, the question hanging here is whether this dream university is real or if it is too good to be true.

Part 2 coming soon.

Sugar Cane Farmers Express Discontent Over Ministerial Reassignment

The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) has voiced strong opposition to the government’s decision to remove the sugar industry portfolio from Minister Jose Abelardo Mai and place it under the Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. Osmond Martinez. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister John Briceño, the association expressed concerns about the influence multinational corporations may have had in this decision.

The BSCFA stated that the reassignment appeared to follow an emergency meeting between the Prime Minister and ASR Group, the multinational company that owns Belize’s only sugar mill in the north. The association questioned how ASR’s “serious concerns” about the industry translated into changes in Cabinet responsibilities.

The association further argued that the decision reflected a double standard, as government intervention in sugar industry matters has previously been criticised as political interference. They noted that when the BSCFA sought intervention in disputes over Fairtrade Premium payments, ASR officials insisted that discussions should occur directly between stakeholders without external influence.

Minister Mai, they stressed, has been a strong advocate for small cane farmers, who produce over 90% of Belize’s sugar but often struggle against the influence of multinational corporations.

The association urged the government to reconsider the decision, stressing that the future of Belize’s sugar industry should be guided by policies that support farmers rather than corporate interests.

PCC’s ‘Compilation of Recommendations’ Faces Criticism

After months of gathering input from over 6,690 Belizeans, the People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) is nearing the completion of its report, which includes 167 recommendations. The 129-page document, titled Compilation of PCC Recommendations, is the culmination of the PCC’s Public Outreach and Education Campaign that ran from June 2023 to May 2024.

The process has brought up mixed reactions from various stakeholder groups. Caleb Orozco, Executive Director of the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM), expressed strong concerns, stating, “These recommendations do not bring peace nor security or welcome all of us as full citizens of this country.” He further criticized the recommendations for “threatening women’s health and dignity, controlling young people’s freedom of expression, erasing the concerns of persons with diverse abilities, and centering white supremacy and white Christian nationalist views.”

The PCC, in its statement, pointed out the need for additional consultations and has provided stakeholders with a 30-day review period from March 26 to April 26, 2025.

The Commission has urged stakeholders to carefully review and evaluate the recommendations and submit official responses by April 30, 2025, to contribute to the final report.

U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Cars; Economists Warn Car Prices to Spike

President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported automobiles, effective April 3, with the goal of boosting U.S. manufacturing. Trump’s decision is part of his trade agenda, which is expected to generate $100 billion in annual revenue. The tariffs will target both finished vehicles and parts.

Trump argued that the tariffs would encourage domestic production, claiming, “This will continue to spur growth,” the Associated Press (AP) reported. Industry experts warn that the move could result in higher vehicle costs, reduced sales, and limited consumer choices. According to AP, economist Mary Lovely cautioned, “We’re looking at much higher vehicle prices,” noting that the middle and working class would bear the brunt of the costs.

The AP reported that the tariffs are expected to raise the price of imported vehicles by an average of $12,500, which could exacerbate inflation. AP also reported that automakers, including General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis, have seen stock drops in response to the announcement. The American Automotive Policy Council expressed concerns about potential price hikes and the future of the North American trade deal.

International leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, criticised the tariffs. Meanwhile, Trump indicated further retaliatory measures if allies coordinate with Canada, which has threatened a potential escalation in global trade tensions.

Mexico is the top supplier of cars to the US, followed by South Korea, Japan, Canada and Germany. According to the BBC, Germany has vowed not to back down and that Europe must “respond firmly” to Trump’s tariffs.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has stated that it does not foresee a U.S. recession but cautioned that a trade war could significantly harm the economic prospects of Canada and Mexico.

Stella Maris Students Receive Essential Care Packages Through Community Support

Students at Stella Maris School were gifted care packages during a brief handing-over ceremony today. The packages, which included personal care items, a bag, and a water bottle, were made possible through a collaboration between the school and four supporting organisations: UNICEF, the Belize City Council, the Social Security Board (SSB), and the Lions Club.

Each student received a package, with additional supplies stored for future needs. Teacher Sheree Salgado explained that many students at the school come from challenging backgrounds. “Each student received a package today; each boy and girl, and we also have some over so that we can store for them so that when they don’t have, we have for them,” Salgado said. She added, “We know where these students come from, we know the background of some of these students, we know the parents, and so it is very important.”

The initiative stemmed from a desire to provide more than just school supplies. Sharie Castillo, Treasurer of the Lions Sub Umbra Florio Club, noted that the organisation wanted to address other critical needs. “We always give school bags, and we have back-to-school drives, and they are nice initiatives. We tend to look beyond school bags. There are needs that kids have which parents can’t provide, and as donors, the Lions, we serve. So, we tend to look more beyond a school bag, and we felt like the care packages would be best for the students at Stella Maris,” Castillo said.

Financial contributions from the Belize City Council and SSB helped procure the supplies.

Economic Growth of 7.1% in Belize’s Fourth Quarter of 2024

Belize’s economy grew by 7.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by strong performances in both the tertiary and secondary sectors, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB).

According to SIB’s latest report on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the total value of goods and services produced during the period from October to December 2024 amounted to $1.425 billion, an increase of $94.5 million compared to the same quarter in 2023.

The tertiary sector led the way, contributing significantly to the overall growth, with a 10.2% rise in production, reaching $907.2 million. Key drivers included a 32% increase in accommodation and food services, fuelled by a rise in tourist arrivals. The number of overnight visitors surged by 18.4%, and cruise passenger numbers grew by 13.8%.

The secondary sector also saw growth, with an 8.3% increase in value, largely due to a 13.1% rise in the construction industry. The primary sector saw a decline of 5.5%, mainly due to reduced banana and livestock production, as well as a drop in marine exports.

SIB also reported that the ‘Taxes on Products’ category “rose by 3.6%, from $183.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $190.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024.”

According to the report, it shows that although issues in agriculture and fisheries slowed down growth in the primary sector, the overall economy still performed strongly.

Belize’s Imports Fall, Exports Rise in February 2025

The latest report of the Statistical Institute of Belize reported that Belize’s imports went down 4%, while domestic exports had a notable increase of 12.3%.

Total imports for the month were valued at $218.4 million; “this was a decrease of 4 percent or $9.1 million from February 2024, when imports were valued at $227.5 million,” SIB reported.

The sharpest drop occurred in the ‘Mineral Fuels and Lubricants’ category, which fell by $22.3 million, largely due to reduced fuel imports. Meanwhile, ‘Food and Live Animals’ saw a significant increase, rising by $11.2 million, driven by higher imports of orange concentrate and grocery items like coffee and milk.

On the export front, Belize saw a 12.3% increase, with total exports reaching $23.3 million. Sugar was the standout performer, nearly doubling in value to $4.4 million, while marine products like lobsters and conch saw a 77% increase in earnings. Citrus products also grew significantly, up 109% to $2.3 million.

SIB reported that exports of ‘Other’ products, including red kidney beans and pepper sauces, “recorded a significant decline, as earnings fell from $8.4 million in February 2024 to $6.1 million in February 2025.”

In the first two months of 2025, merchandise imports dropped by 7.8%, while exports rose by 7.7%, totalling $40.4 million.

Inflation Up by 1.6% in February 2025

Belizeans saw a slight increase in inflation in February 2025. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reports that the inflation rate for February 2025 stood at 1.6%, with an increase from 118.0 in February 2024 to 119.8. This rise was mainly driven by higher costs in the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ and ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ categories, which together accounted for two-thirds of the overall inflation.

Food prices increased by 2.5%, affecting cereal products, fruits like limes and watermelons, and meats. However, fresh vegetables saw a decrease of 2.4%. Non-alcoholic beverages, including fruit juices and soft drinks, also rose by 8%.

Housing costs grew by 2%, primarily due to rising home rental prices and an increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which saw a price rise of $7.19 for a 100-pound cylinder. Personal care products, including toiletries and hygiene items, experienced a 3.3% rise.

The ‘Information and Communication’ sector saw a 1.7% decrease, attributed to lower mobile phone prices.

Belmopan recorded the highest inflation at 4.1%, while Independence Village saw a rare deflation of 1.2%.

The year-to-date inflation rate for January and February 2025 compared to 2024 is 1.9%, largely driven by increases in food, housing, and transport expenses. Meanwhile, February’s inflation rate compared to January 2025 was nearly flat at 0.01%.

Families of American Women Found Dead in San Pedro Resort Respond to Investigation Findings

The families of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El Arar have issued a statement following confirmation from the U.S. Embassy in Belize that the three women died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning, likely caused by a faulty instant water heater.

The women were found dead in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro in February.

In their statement, the grieving families expressed devastation over their loss but welcomed the findings of the investigation, commending the thorough and independent work carried out by officials. They also noted that a separate independent review by authorities in Massachusetts is still ongoing.

The families reiterated their initial concerns regarding the handling of the case, stating that early reports in the media had been misleading. “We have said since the beginning of this investigation that their deaths were suspicious and raised concerns about initial reports in the news media.”

“While today’s official finding puts to rest those initial reports, we hope this will give authorities in law enforcement pause before they make similar suggestions during future investigations. Survivors such as our families deserve their best, honest work. We received it today but needed it throughout this investigative process,” the statement added.

Carbon Monoxide is Responsible for Deaths of 3 American Visitors

A toxicology report has confirmed that carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths of three American women found in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The tragic discovery of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El Ararwas was made on February 22. Since then, investigators have been working hard to determine what happened. The women were on vacation from Massachusetts. After the shocking discovery, their families demanded answers from local authorities, including the Belize Police Department. Earlier today, the results were shared with their loved ones, revealing the silent killer that claimed their lives.

Gian Cho, Director, National Forensics Science Service

“So we received the toxicology results for the deaths of the three US nationals from the hotel in San Pedro. We received those results today. The testing took, I believe, about three weeks, more or less, from the time the laboratory received the samples. And the results came back today which we shared with the medical examiners because they will need the toxicology results so as to update the cause of death. If you recall, the cause of death was written as acute pulmonary edema due to pending toxicology and histology. So the medical examiner has received the report so they can revise or update the cause of death. The police department’s case officer has received it as well and before we scheduled this interview, we also made sure that the family received the toxicology results as well through the US Embassy which has been acting as the liaison. And we did a comprehensive toxicology screening which is why it took a bit longer than the two weeks that we were anticipating that it would take. As the commissioner mentioned to you previously, when we requested the toxicology analysis, we asked them to expedite the testing and because we asked for several different tests to be done it’s not uncommon for sometimes the results to take longer than the time that the lab gives. So we were screening for all commonly encountered illicit drugs, pharmaceutical medications, we also screened for carbon monoxide, as well as volatile gases.”