2025 - Greater Belize Media

Palestinian Delegation Meets with Prime Minister

After arriving in Belize on Tuesday, a Palestinian delegation met with Prime Minister John Briceño today. Leading the three-member team is Mohamed Salam, the Commissioner of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Coordinator of the Anti-Apartheid Department. The delegation was invited by Nancy Marin, the Leader of the Belize People’s Front, who has Palestinian roots herself. She filled us in on their meeting with the PM and shared details about the rest of their visit.

On the Phone: Nancy Marin, Leader, Belize People’s Front

“There were several requests made, of course, and we make requests to the PM as we will to the public. Some of it is with the boycott of products, of things that we would like the public to stop buying products from Israel, because it’s what fuels the war and other things. It will have to be up to the Prime Minister to disclose, but I can tell you that because this is one that we’re going to be asking the Belizean public as well. The PM of course, could not commit to anything. His support is committed to the Palestinians as we all know, in the international course they have. They agreed that they would be speaking for Palestine. It would be – and as they have been doing, but as far as other requests that was made, the PM would have to consult with Cabinet with the House of Representatives as the process is, so he couldn’t commit to anything and we were not expecting him to. Mostly it was a cordial visit that we just wanted to meet, establish communication and that kind of thing. So, no, no commitments have been made. Today, of course, we met with Prime Minister Musa and his family along with Minister Musa and then we just finished a meeting with Prime Minister Dean Barrow.”

Marion Ali

“What are all these meetings designed at achieving?”

On the Phone: Nancy Marin

“We’re trying to establish support, exchange of ideas. I’m thanking them because when Prime Minister Barrow was in office, he did voice support for Palestine as he reconfirmed with us today in support for Palestine. Of course, Prime Minister Musa and his family are Palestinians and have been very vocal about their support for Palestine. So the entire visit was designed to be a familiarization visit of Belize and all our officials and so that Mr. Mohammed can get to know our people, our culture, and establish communications with people in authority.”

Israeli has sent a note to the U.S requesting to extend the date for the ceasefire.

No Meeting Between PLO Commissioner and Belize’s Foreign Minister

As we mentioned, PLO Commissioner Mohamed Salam touched down in Belize on Monday, invited by Belize People’s Front founder Nancy Marin. Salam, who also coordinates the PLO’s Anti-Apartheid Department, has a packed schedule, including a meeting with Prime Minister John Briceno earlier today. Interestingly, though, Salam isn’t scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. When we caught up with Fonseca on Wednesday, we asked if there were any plans for a courtesy call with Salam.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“I have no plans to, I have not been informed of any meeting. So, I don’t know much about it. I think I received a message from someone about it, but we have no official meeting scheduled.”

A Botanical Garden is Inaugurated at the Price Home

In this week’s edition of Belize on Reel, we take you to the inauguration of a beautiful botanical garden at the Price residence on Pickstock Street. On Wednesday, Belize celebrated what would have been George Price’s 106th birthday by launching ‘Good Belizean,’ a heartfelt compilation of letters, and unveiling a new garden space. This is all part of an ongoing project to restore Price’s family home. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

George Price’s love for Belize went far beyond politics and community development. The late Father of the Nation had a deep passion for botany as well. In January 1973, George Price penned a letter to then Minister of Housing, Louis Sylvestre, urging the planting of trees in Belize City. He suggested beautifying areas like Central American Boulevard, Constitution Park, and Lopez Mateo Park. Price would have been a hundred and six years old on Wednesday and, to celebrate his birthday, a special ceremony has held with a particular focus on plants and gardening.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“The Price Botanical Garden symbolizes growth, symbolizes resilience, and it symbolizes hope, the values that Mr. Price held dear to his heart. It is a space where we would be able to reflect on his love for country and his vision of a sustainable, and harmonious Belize.”

Tree planting is crucial not just for keeping our ecosystems balanced and supporting wildlife, but also for creating a healthier environment for future generations. On his birthday, attendees were given two special gifts, including a sprout, and were encouraged to plant them at home or in their neighborhood.

Rolando Cocom, Director, ISCR

“The second gift is a seedling from our Friends for Conservation and Development and we, in turn, ask that you take this gift back to your yard, back to your communities to plant it and to share it on social media.”

As Belize City expanded into new areas, Premier George Price recommended planting trees to create and preserve green spaces throughout the city.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture

“He loved to plant trees and, of course, other members of his family, including Mrs. Meg Craig, was very, very involved with the environment and the work of the Audubon Society and other organizations. And so we thought it was absolutely fitting for us to conceive this project of establishing a botanical garden right here in Mr. Price’s family home, in his backyard. So we teamed up with FCD, Friends for Conservation and Development, and, of course, through NICH and many other partners as well to make this a reality. It’s an absolutely exciting project. Of course, there are many other layers to this project. This project will see the restoration of the home, the Price home.”

Price’s letter to Sylvestre is one of many correspondences lovingly compiled in an exhibit booklet titled ‘Good Belizeans.’ This collection of documents has been published by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and the Belize Archives and Records Services.

Rolando Cocom

“A Good Belize, one who went through life, one who left through. This embodies the vision that guided his leadership. Today is more than a tribute, it is a call to plant the seeds of the peaceful, constructive revolution. In the words of Mr. Price, much work has been done, but more yet is to be done. As we look ahead, we certainly give thanks and we carry forward the work of Good Belizeans, those who rise each day to work hard, cherish family and find joy in our nation’s richness.”

Prime Minister John Briceno, who joined the ceremony celebrating Price’s birthday, also shared some exciting news about the makeover of George Price’s residence.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Here we are at this beautiful, historic home surrounding by a lush garden and it’s only fitting that we transform this space into a place of learning for children, an immersive experience which brings our history to life. In the world of museums and formal education, that’s the term we use, an immersive experience.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Local business Owner Blend Beauty with Conservation

Across Belize, countless budding entrepreneurs are striving to become the country’s next big success story. Many of these innovators are venturing into fields like beauty, health, and conservation. Tonight, we hear from Hughette Saul, the owner of A.S.H. Limited, who is blending all three by offering skin and hair products that are not only good for your body but also kind to the environment. We visited Saul today to learn more about her mission to revolutionize health and wellness in Belize.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Self-care doesn’t need to be complicated. Just ask Hughette Saul! With a few simple ingredients, she’s revolutionizing the way we think about wellness. Hughette is the mastermind behind Barrier, a unique agricultural health and wellness brand that’s making waves under her company, A.S.H. Limited.

Hughette Saul, Owner, A.S.H. Limited

“Barrier is an agricultural based business and the products that we make, they are supposed to give Belize a healthy alternative to these toxic imports that we bring in.”

Britney Gordon

“So what’s this range of products look like?”

Hughette Saul

“The first product we created was coral-safe sunscreen because we found out how terrible these imported brands are for people, fish, coral reefs, and we branched off since then, and now we have a sort, different sorts of scrubs. We also have a leave in hair growth formula. We have mouthwash, as well as pain relief.”

Barrier is all about offering healthier alternatives to the everyday items Belize usually imports. But there’s more to it—Hughette Saul is passionate about protecting Belize’s beautiful marine life from harmful chemicals. It’s this love for the ocean that sparked her inspiration to create the brand.

Hughette Saul

“Years ago, I went with my siblings to celebrate my father’s birthday in Mexico and it was very depressing to snorkel. All of the coral reefs were white and there was only one nurse shark kind of swimming around and that was upsetting compared to Belize’s. Beautiful corals and fish. And fast forward to a documentary I came across that stated how sunscreen plays a role in coral bleaching. From there, I did more research, and when I decided to do my master’s in business administration, I also decided to study sunscreen in particular. So every marketing class, every logistics, and my thesis, it’s all built around this coral safe sunscreen.”

During her research, Hughette Saul found out that many imported brands like Banana Boat and Sun Bum have chemicals that cause coral bleaching and mess with fish hormones, even turning some fish into females and disrupting the natural balance. Since she registered her brand in 2021, Saul has been a strong advocate for protecting our reefs. But lately, she’s hit a few bumps in the road while trying to re-register her brand.

Hughette Saul

“Once I submitted the registration re-registration form, I received an email with a list of corrections and then a two thousand dollar fee. I attempted to go to the Keystone building in Belize City on the fifth floor to speak to someone, but I was not able to speak to someone. And this is after phone calls and using their WhatsApp option.”

Hughette Saul shared that the initial registration for her business cost between eight hundred and one thousand dollars. She had to take a break from her business to earn some money through teaching, so she didn’t re-register during that time. Now that she’s ready to jump back into her company, the two-thousand-dollar re-registration fee is just too steep for her budget.

Hughette Saul

“I was hoping to hear something like, there’s a payment plan for two thousand dollars. It’s also a lot more than I paid to register the business in the first place, which does not make sense to me. I believe that or the reason that this is also so aggravating to me, I’m a trained economist. I’m aware that foreign businesses, they get tax breaks 5 years. So, we see these Saritas and we see the foreign companies that can afford two thousand dollars but they get the tax breaks and but they have the money barrier A.S.H. Limited does not have the money in this moment.”

Hughette Saul runs a one-woman show, crafting her products right in her kitchen with ingredients she grows herself. But in November, disaster struck when her garden flooded, wiping out many of her plants. Now, she’s working hard to replant and expand her stock. Hughette hopes that by raising awareness of her brand, she can keep her business thriving and continue championing the cause she’s so passionate about.

Hughette Saul

“To be honest I will accept my fate. And but the point is to take this opportunity to raise awareness of the cost of doing business in Belize that we give more concessions to foreign companies than local companies, which is not right. It’s not right. And to also bring awareness of the fact that a lot of the products that we’re using are harming us. The things that we think would help, like Listerine, Crest, we use these products thinking, Oh, it’s going to freshen my breath. It’s killing bad breath germs, but without realizing that it’s a little coloring and alcohol and it’s really causing more harm than good. So I really would like to get the brand out there so that I can earn that two thousand.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Education Minister Says Teachers Allowances and Increments are Resolved

Education Minister Francis Fonseca has given an update on the delayed increments and allowances for teachers. As we reported, the Belize National Teachers Union had threatened to take industrial action in early December when the government missed the payment deadline. The Ministry of Education then set its own deadline and honored it by paying a lump sum to the respective school managements. However, this led to new issues, with some teachers still not receiving their compensation. According to Fonseca, the matter has now been resolved.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“I think for the most part. I think there may be a few individual cases outstanding, but I think for the most part, based on our reports that we have received back from our managing authorities, we feel that over ninety-five percent of these issues have been resolved. And we have engaged with the BNTU, of course, since the start of the year and we are working on any specific cases that they bring to our attention. As soon as we find out about them, we try to resolve them. So I feel good about where we are and we’re planning another meeting, I think we’re scheduling it for the twenty-third of this month, January, where we will, it’s called a stakeholder meeting, an all-day meeting where we will have the Ministry of Education, we’ll have the BNTU, managing authorities. We’ll also bring in the treasury department, the accountant general, social security, where we will have an all-day sit-down to discuss any outstanding issues and address any concerns moving forward.”

Ferguson Finally Putting Foot Down with Bus Operators for Upgrades?

Belize’s public transportation system is still facing challenges, despite the Transport Department’s push for bus operators to upgrade their fleets. It’s been over a year and a half since the Ministry of Transport called on stakeholders to improve their buses. Ahead of a meeting later today, Transport Minister Rodwell Ferguson, speaking on Open Your Eyes, praised those who have stepped up and made the necessary upgrades, while issuing a stern warning to those who are still dragging their feet.

Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transportation

“We are meeting with the bus operators I believe today. And we’re going to read them the riot act. While we noh di ask fi ah brand new bus, because we understand that there are limitations when it comes to the finances, we are telling them that their bus must be in a certain condition. And so when we meet with them today or tomorrow, we are going to remind them we have given you at least one and a half year notice and we are going to make it effective and make it as quickly as possible But in that regard we have improved the bus transportation significantly. I want to highlight some operations, James Bus Line has done some upgrades, we have Floralia, who brought in brand new buses, the Tillet’s from Orange Walk have done some upgrades, Gilharry from Corozal has done some upgrades and likewise Westline from Cayo district, and a few other small operators. So they are taking heed and making the sacrifices to upgrade.”

Ferguson says Sticker Shortage Won’t Happen Again

Drivers, especially in the Belize District, are fed up with the shortage of license plates, stickers, and cards. The Transport Department has been getting a lot of heat over this issue. When we spoke with the Minister of Transport earlier today, he admitted that the problem is due to the department not ordering enough of these items.

Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transportation

“Because I’m the minister, I get the blame. The minister has to assume responsibility. I’m telling my Department of Transport but there must be a minimum and maximum reorder level. For argument’s sake, if we reach a hundred that means you know that you must reorder the quantity of maybe five hundred if that is the maximum.”

Sabreena Daly

“So this is an ordering issue and not so much a supplier issue minister?”

Rodwell Ferguson

“No, it’s more an ordering issue.”

Sabreena Daly

“An ordering issue.”

Rodwell Ferguson

“Just two weeks ago or last week, we made an order for a large amount of license plates stickers and cards. So this will now be an issue of the past. So once those license plates are produced and stickers, we can say that the Department of Transport is on top of that now and it will not happen again under my watch.”

Two Premier Basketball Leagues in 2025?

Premier basketball in Belize is back—or is it? At the very least, the drama is! With no confirmed start date for the 2025 season, it looks like two leagues are vying to be the top dog in Belizean basketball. First, we have the Belize Elite Basketball League (BEBL), which organized the 2024 season and had one of the most controversial finals in its short history. Then there’s the new kid on the block, the Belize Premier Basketball League (BPBL), proposed by Doctor Gilbert Gordon, C.E.O. of Benny’s Belize Hurricanes. News Five has learned that the Hurricanes pulled out of the BEBL after only two teams showed up to planning meetings late last year. In a bid to keep premier basketball alive in Belize, Gordon reportedly decided to form this new league. The BPBL already has commitments from at least seven teams for the 2025 season. But as news of this new league spread, the BEBL’s Facebook page sprang to life. On Wednesday night, they posted, ‘Fans have no fear, BEBL 2025 is near.’ The BEBL is the only league sanctioned by the Belize Basketball Federation, which might give them an edge. But will the folks behind the BEBL step aside for the new league, or will Belizean basketball fans have to choose between the BEBL and the BPBL? All parties are meeting tonight to discuss the way forward, and we’ll keep you updated on this unfolding story.

“The Land in the Night Sun”, A Belizean Fantasy-Adventure Story

Belizean author and illustrator Ian Gibson has launched an exciting fantasy-adventure series inspired by Maya culture in Belize. This three-part children’s book follows the journey of a Maya girl grieving the loss of her grandmother. She embarks on an adventure through the Maya underworld, encountering various Maya gods along the way. But it’s not just a cultural tale, says Gibson. The books are packed with humor for kids and vibrant illustrations. Today, Gibson introduced his captivating work to the children of Saint Peter’s Anglican Primary School. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Join Itzel on an enchanting journey into the Mayan underworld as she searches for her grandmother in ‘The Land of the Night Sun,’ the first book in the fantasy-adventure series ‘The Jade Necklace.’ Itzel stumbles upon a mysterious necklace from her late grandmother that opens the door to the underworld. Today, author and illustrator Ian Gibson hosted a book launch for eager students from Saint Peter’s Anglican Primary School in Belize City.

Ian Gibson, Author

“It is a fantasy book about a Maya girl who goes to visit her grandma who lives in this remote village in the highlands and the grandmother passes away. She leaves her this special mysterious necklace that grants her access to this mysterious underworld. She falls into the underworld while looking for her grandmother. Along the way she meets all these Maya gods and folklore character like Tata Duende.”

Gibson has been a passionate reader of fantasy books since he was a child. This love for fantasy grew into a desire to write his own magical tales. Over the years, he has created numerous illustrations for children’s books. His talent truly shines in this fantasy-adventure trilogy, bringing the story to life with vibrant, detailed, and relatable illustrations.

Ian Gibson

“I feel like there a lot of books out there for teenagers and a lot of books for really young kids. But there is not a lot for pre teens, from ten to thirteen. But really there is no upper age limit. You can enjoy as a teenager, an adult. I try to make it as entertaining as possible. I guess it is a serious story because it is about a girl who is cooperating with the death of her grandmother, but there is a lot of jokes in it. It is a really funny story and I hope the illustrations give it a lot of extra character and grab their addition.”

And the children today were well engaged and highly interested in today’s presentations on the book. Standard six student Kaylie Castillo shared that she has already fallen in love with the book just from what she’s heard so far.

Kaylie Castillo, Student, St. Mary’s Anglican Primary

“I actually love the book, especially how they describe it, because I like writing and reading, especially comics and this books actually inspire me to save up and go buy one of the book.”

Paul Lopez

“What stands out to you about this book?”

Kaylie Castillo

“I actually like the adventures that the girl went on. It is very inspiring, because me myself, I like going on adventures, myself. So, it is very good. I like the book.”

Gibson even created a detailed map of the underworld that Itzel explores, where she encounters numerous Maya gods. Some are already saying that this trilogy has the potential to be turned into a motion picture.

Paul Lopez

“Any plans to put this into some sort of motion picture?”

Ian Gibson

“No plans of my own, but if I am approached by some animation studio, I would definitely be up for that.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

U.S. Embassy Welcomes David Hodge as New Chargé d’Affaires to Belize

The U.S. Embassy in Belize has announced the arrival of David Hodge as the new Chargé d’Affaires.

In a Facebook post, the embassy said that Hodge previously held the role of Senior Advisor in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. His extensive diplomatic career includes serving as Consul General in São Paulo, Brazil; Deputy Chief of Mission in Guatemala; and Chargé d’Affaires in Panama. In Washington, he served as Director for Public Affairs and Public Diplomacy, alongside other assignments in Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Thailand, Portugal, and Mozambique.

Hodge holds undergraduate degrees from Indiana University in Bloomington and a Master’s degree from Georgetown University. Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and Thai, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role in Belize.

He is joined by his husband, Romano.