Princess Catherine, the Princess of Wales, recently shared two nostalgic photos on Facebook. The images, shared on Facebook, brought back memories from their visit in March 2022, part of a week-long trip to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. She captioned the photos, “Previously unseen photo from the hotel in Belize where William and Catherine stayed during their Royal Tour of the Caribbean.”
Their arrival was met with a warm reception from Belize’s governor general and Prime Minister Johnny Briceno. However, the tour was not without controversy.
A planned stop at the Akte ‘il Ha cacao farm in Indian Creek village was cancelled following local protests. Residents voiced concerns over land disputes involving Fauna and Flora International (FFI), a charity of which William is a patron. Issues were also raised about the helicopter landing site, which locals claimed they were not consulted on. A Kensington Palace spokesperson confirmed that the visit had been relocated to another venue due to “sensitive issues.”
Despite the setback, the royal couple continued their tour, which also included a sailing event in the Bahamas and celebrations of Jamaica’s cultural heritage.
Belize stepped up its efforts to protect public health with a key new assessment that strengthens the country’s ability to respond to emergencies. By completing the 2024 e-SPAR under the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005), Belize has taken a big leap forward in ensuring its health security.
The initiative is supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW). It is designed to strengthen Belize’s capacity to prevent, identify, and tackle public health risks.
“This workshop plays a key role in developing a comprehensive national action plan that contributes to Belize’s health security and broader global health,” said Dr. Ana De La Garza, PAHO/WHO Technical Advisor. The process helps identify gaps in Belize’s health system and strengthens emergency management capacities.
The workshop implemented the One Health framework, collaborating with stakeholders from health, agriculture, environment, and security to reflect the connection between human, animal, and environmental health in building a more resilient public health system.
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has issued an earthquake advisory following a seismic event on February 8, 2025. According to preliminary reports, the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 and occurred at 23:23 UTC north of Honduras, at coordinates 17.8°N and 82.5°W, with a depth of 33 kilometers (20 miles).
Although no tsunami waves have been observed at this time, the possibility remains within the next 30 minutes. As a precaution, residents along the Belizean coast are urged to prepare for potential evacuation. Those in low-lying areas should be ready to move to higher elevations or upper floors if instructed. NEMO advises residents to have an evacuation go-bag prepared and to closely monitor official updates for further instructions.
Update from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): A magnitude 6.7 earthquake occurred 209 kilometers south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands, on February 8, 2025, at 23:23:14 UTC. The quake had a depth of 10.0 kilometers, with its epicenter located at 17.702°N latitude and 82.456°W longitude.
Seventeen years of service, and still no pension. That’s the reality dozens of Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) workers say have been owed to them. This morning, just before midday, dozens of workers staged a walk-out at the hospital. Many of these workers say they have been with the institution for years, some battling health issues, yet without any retirement benefits.
Lydia Blake, an employee and vocal member of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU), told reporters, “We have served; we are serving. Find solutions, print it pan paper.” Blake added, “This is the time to show that you care for this. The blue plan stated that you will get better for KHMH. KHMH is us, the employees. KHMH is not the building. KHMH is the people. If you serve the people, the people will serve better.”
Despite commitments made by the Briceño Administration, the workers claim nothing has materialised. The protestors are determined, sending a clear message to the government: “We will have to take a stand to get what we deserve,” Blake added.
The president of the KHMHAWU, Andrew Baird, confirmed that the members of the union are prepared to escalate matters if the situation remains unresolved. He said, “The message to the Prime Minister and the government of Belize: Take the millions of election dollars that they’re going to pay for votes and give it to our pension.”
“Give us our pension. You don’t need to pay for votes. You will win,” Baird added.
In a heated exchange during the House of Representatives session on Friday, Corozal North Area Representative Hugo Patt criticised the government’s road construction efforts in northern Belize, particularly the deteriorating quality of the climate-resilient Remate Road. Patt questioned the effectiveness of current designs, arguing that roads meant to withstand adverse weather are still quickly falling apart.
Patt said, “We hear from some members on the government side that it is because we’re getting excessive rains, and last year we got a long drought, and that these are the kinds of weather conditions that are affecting the quality of the roads.” He added, “We’re getting additional funding precisely to build roads that are climate resilient but we are not seeing the results on the road.”
Patt’s criticism was met with strong rebuttals from Minister of Infrastructure Development, Julius Espat. Espat stated that consultations with both local engineers and foreign consultants, including Polytechnica, had found no significant defects on the Remate Road. “This gentleman comes to the House and makes accusations, and he is given the opportunity to see, to analyse, to discuss with the foreign consultants, to discuss with the local engineers, and he has refused to do so,” Espat said.
He added, “If you have a genuine concern based on facts, bring it to us, and we will address it,” Espat said.
On Friday, Corozal Community College (CCC) issued a statement defending “its zero-tolerance policy regarding bullying.” According to the school, “Where instances of bullying come to the attention of administrators, they are investigated, and interventions, as applicable, are implemented to assist the students involved, especially the victims.”
CCC added in its statement that it has held anti-bullying campaigns to raise awareness about its consequences. It also encouraged anyone aware of bullying incidents to contact administrators immediately, stating, “The reports ensure that immediate action can be taken to protect students and strengthen trust and confidence between the college and the community it serves.”
This statement comes after reports were made of a recent bullying incident involving a 13-year-old student. The student was reportedly threatened with a knife by peers in Corozal Town.The mother of the student reported the matter to the police after the school allegedly failed to address the bullying.
Workers from Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in Belize City staged a walkout earlier today, demanding the government address pension issues that have affected long-serving staff. According to KHMH Authority Workers Union President Andrew Baird, many workers have gone without retirement benefits, relying only on severance.
“We are saying, please, let us sit down; let us discuss and come up with something concrete so that people can retire and have a decent life after retirement. ,” Baird said.
Baird criticised government inaction, stating, “It’s a shame that there are three board members… and it’s a shame that they do not see it necessary to ensure that we have these meetings.”
The union has been pushing for solutions for over a year, according to Baird. He added that union members and staff believe that the only way to get the government’s attention is by taking a strong stand, stating, “This is just the beginning.”
The workers’ message is clear, and they are not backing down until the government addresses their pension rights. If the issue is not resolved soon, Baird said that the KHMHWU plans to escalate their actions.
Before the House Meeting even started, thousands of teachers from the Belize National Teachers’ Union marched in Belmopan to express their frustration with the government. They’re upset because some haven’t received their due benefits. The teachers are demanding changes in how the school system is managed. Today, B.N.T.U. President Nadia Caliz told reporters that better school management systems are needed to ensure teachers get their salaries and benefits on time. The B.N.T.U. is urging the Ministry of Education to lead this change. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with the report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Thousands of teachers from the Belize National Teachers Union gathered in Belmopan this morning to protest. This comes after a meeting on Wednesday between B.N.T.U leaders and the Ministry of Education, where they demanded systemic change and urged the Ministry to take the lead. Today, B.N.T.U President Nadia Caliz told reporters that they want meaningful change. She highlighted a major issue: the lack of proper documentation in the school systems.
Nadia Caliz
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers’ Union
“Some managements are faltering. They’re not pulling their weight. Going in they realize now what we have been saying is true. Some of the management’s don’t have the number of personnel required to serve this huge group that you see here and that they as a ministry, even as government, they need to stop doing what you call a hands-on approach; make policies and give it to them to institute and all of that. That needs to stop. Now that they are going in, they are finding exactly what the teachers are saying because when they were sharing with us their report, we couldn’t argue because we know that that’s exactly what is happening.”
Some teachers haven’t been able to get the money they’re owed because school management hasn’t sent their details to the ministry for processing. During their discussions, Caliz mentioned there’s even confusion about how many teachers are supposed to receive these payments.
Nadia Caliz
“We applaud them for one, bringing to our attention – which we knew but we did not have the figures, that while we are putting forward six hundred and fifty-eight teachers, they have over two thousand teachers who are affected by this – I call it archaic, crazy system. It’s outdated; it’s antiquated. They realize that. And they have already begun to put systems in place to correct that, because they shared all of that with us. Some teachers don’t even have a file. There’s so much missing documentation. And money must follow the paper. So, they are now working with management to get all the missing documentation so that they can ensure that these teachers receive what they have to receive.”
Ifasina Efunyemi and a group of teachers from Dangriga traveled to Belmopan to take part in the protest.
Ifasina Efunyemi
Ifasina Efunyemi, Teacher
“There’s so much background work that has to be done to verify why win uh di get the pay weh wi done work fa. This is not something for the future. We have worked for this already. Teachers have to be going to work under very arduous conditions, so even if some of us got our increments, it doesn’t mean that all got and we have to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are still suffering. That’s what a union is about.”
Paul Lopez
“How do you respond to some who may criticize the fact that you’re out here when you should be in the classroom teaching the students on a Friday morning?”
Ifasina Efunyemi
“But being outside of the classroom is also a teaching moment. Our children need to learn civic pride. They need to know that they must have a voice and use that voice in a democratic nation and we have to make sure that our government representatives, who are our employees who we pay with all the taxes that they take out of our salaries every month, we must hold them accountable.”
Calis says the ministry has eliminated unnecessary bureaucracy that delayed the process for teachers’ salaries and benefits. Today, teachers protested under the theme ‘Value Teachers, We Matter.’ Caliz specifically called out certain school managements that have been causing frustration for teachers.
Nadia Caliz
“You have schools – and I’m talking specifically to my management – you have these schools because these teachers have been financing these schools. They have been fundraising for you. They have been looking for monies to find these tables and chairs, to pay the electricity bill, to do a lot of these things. That’s why you have these schools. That’s why I do not support Pastor Rock’s statement in the media this week.”
Pastor Ashley Rocke commented on the teachers’ protest at Belmopan Baptist High School on Wednesday. As the school’s board chairman, he felt that the teachers wanted to dictate how the school should be run. Caliz explained that today’s protest was the start of a campaign, and they will take further action if other issues aren’t addressed. She emphasized that the protest and any future actions are not intended to influence the upcoming election results. While the Opposition has shown support for the teachers, Caliz stated that the union wants to keep politics out of their event. The union and the Ministry are set to meet next week. Marion Ali for News Five.
