Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Trial Farm Village Councillors Accuse Colleagues of Power Grab

In a statement on social media on Tuesday, Councillor of the Trial Farm Village, Eusebio Chebo Urbina, stated that two members of the village council “seem determined to tarnish my name and reputation.”

He accused the men of “spreading blatant falsehoods.”

According to Urbina, most of the Council are against these members’ disruptive actions, with a petition gathering support. Urbina condemned their efforts to undermine the authority of the Council, stating, “It is wholly unacceptable that two members believe they can arrogantly usurp the authority of the entire Council and act unilaterally.”

In a letter dated April 5, 2025, to Chairman Oscar Cornel, Urbina and four other councillors criticised the removal of the Secretary and Treasurer without the council’s approval.

The councillors stated that “such decision requires the consensus of the majority, constituting at least four councillors to meet the quorum requirements.” The group said that it is a matter of grave concern that one councillor has been unilaterally assigned the responsibilities of secretary, treasurer, and vice chairman. They described this as ‘consolidating power’, which goes against the principles of fair governance and breaches both legal and ethical standards.

The councillors also pointed out their “concerns regarding transparency and accountability” after a new bank account was opened without the Council’s consent and the failure to disclose financial reports for the centenary celebrations.

In the letter, the councillors demanded an immediate and thorough audit of the council’s finances, claiming that village council funds are allegedly being “misused for personal and political propaganda.”

PSU Opposes ‘Proposed Job Cuts’ in Departments of Youth and Sports

The Public Service Union of Belize (PSU) has opposed what it described as proposed plans to cut up to “approximately 100” jobs in the departments of youth and sports.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Anthony Mahler has said there are no cuts.

But the PSU believes otherwise. “While the PSU acknowledges the need for strategic reforms to improve efficiency, we urgently appeal to the Ministry to prioritise a human-centred approach that safeguards livelihoods and addresses systemic issues before resorting to job cuts,” said the PSU in its statement.

According to the PSU, slashing staff “without first addressing longstanding inefficiencies, alleged corruption, and potential “ghost workers” would disproportionately harm vulnerable communities.”

The union suggested reviewing staffing needs, identifying redundant roles, and investigating “ghost workers.” They also recommend aligning employee skills with organisational goals and exploring redeployment options across ministries to minimise job losses.

It also called into question the fiscal management and potential corruption within the Sports Council. PSU demanded an independent audit to verify budget figures and investigate corruption allegations.

These demands come after the Minister of State, Devin Daly, stated on the Open Your Eyes morning show that a budget of $7.5 million is shared between youth and sports. Of that figure, $7 million is spent on staff salaries, leaving only $500,000 to “really bring programmatic work and also to upkeep our facilities, utilities and all those stuff.”

Late Night Murder in Belize City

Police are investigating a murder that happened on Tuesday night in Belize City.

At around 10 o’clock, Luis Marin was shot multiple times while on Majestic Alley near North Front Street.

He succumbed to his injuries. According to reports, Marin’s murder may have been linked to a previous shooting incident in Belmopan.

Belize Government Consults Private Sector on U.S. Tariff Impact

The Belizean government held a crucial follow-up consultation on Tuesday to assess the impact of President Trump’s 10% reciprocal tariff policy on the country.

A release says that the meeting built upon last week’s discussions at the Central Bank and brought together a wide range of businesses, from small enterprises to major exporters, alongside key industry associations.

The meeting was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture and Immigration, Francis Fonseca, and Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Marconi Leal. The session addressed the challenges posed by the tariff on Belize’s export sectors. Participants expressed concerns over rising costs, disrupted trade, and competitive pressure, particularly due to shipping uncertainties.

While businesses showed a willingness to explore diversification strategies, they stressed the need for government support to lower domestic business costs.The issues will be taken to Cabinet. The government says it will engage with U.S. authorities to seek clarifications and possible exemptions.

Was Sunday’s Fire in an Abandoned House Caused by Squatters?

According to the Belize District Station Officer Gladstone Bucknor, Sunday’s fire on Hunter’s Lane in Belize City was an abandoned building that squatters were using to stay in. He told reporters today, “The first building appears to be abandoned, but it’s under investigation. We believe squatters were staying there.”

Bucknor stated that the fire department was alerted at around 2:30 in the afternoon, and three fire trucks responded to the scene.

The fire damaged a neighbouring apartment building. Bucknor said the blaze severely damaged the ground floor of a nearby apartment, home to two families. “The first floor was completely destroyed, and the ground floor received significant heat and water damage,” Bucknor added.

A nearby resident, Joan Lightburn, told News 5, “The house was abandoned over there. It was right opposite us. And as I say, we just – I just felt the heat.”

Bucknor added that the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Devin Daly: “Changes Will Come” to Department of Youth Services

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is facing questions over the effectiveness of the Department of Youth Services (DYS) and whether it is meeting the needs of young people. Minister of State Devin Daly revealed that there is a budget of $7.5 million shared between youth and sports. Of that figure, $7 million is spent on staff salaries, leaving only $500,000 to “really bring programmatic work and also to upkeep our facilities, utilities and all those stuff.”

Daly said this morning on Open Your Eyes that the department employs about 120 people. He explained that there have been ongoing staff displacements, with vacant positions leading to additional strain on existing staff. “Whenever a staff member is moved or transferred and the position is not filled, it displaces the staff below them,” he said.

Daly said that he has been meeting with directors alongside Minister Anthony Mahler to review the department’s work. “We have been canvassing and finding out what is the data to support the work that you have been doing and having them assess themselves. Do you think this is working? Do you think this is touching the 14-29 age group?”

According to Daly, there is a need for changes but reassured that they were not aiming to displace staff. “Changes will come, but we are not here to displace anybody who is here doing their work,” said Daly.

Dire Wolf Cloned Back to Life After Going Extinct for 12,500 Years

A species of wolf that vanished around 12,500 years ago has been brought back to life as the” “world’s first successfully de-extincted animal,” according to Colossal Biosciences, a Dallas-based biotech company.

Scientists at Colossal Biosciences successfully created three dire wolf pups by manipulating the genes of grey wolves using ancient DNA, cloning, and gene-editing technologies.

Ben Lamm, Colossal’s CEO, called this “a massive milestone.” According to CNN, the pups are currently housed on a secure 2,000-acre site, where they are being monitored.

The dire wolf, a formidable predator that once roamed North America, is closely related to the modern grey wolf.

Colossal’s team used DNA extracted from a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old skull to recreate the animal’s genome. The result is a hybrid species that resembles the extinct dire wolf, with distinct features such as a wider head and thicker fur, according to CNN.

While some experts question whether the pups can truly be considered dire wolves, Colossal remains focused on the broader implications for de-extinction and conservation efforts.

The technology used could eventually aid in saving endangered species by enhancing genetic diversity.

PAHO/WHO Pushes to Eliminate Mother-to-Child HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B in the Caribbean

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a major project focused on eliminating the transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B from mother to child across the Caribbean. The initiative, named “Strengthening the EMTCT Plus Strategy within the Maternal and Child Health Framework,” was unveiled during a regional webinar attended by over 250 stakeholders from the Caribbean.

This project is being supported by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund and addresses a concerning rise in syphilis cases in the region. According to PAHO, congenital syphilis has shown an increase of 40% from 2016 to 2022. PAHO’s regional advisor for HIV, Sandra Jones, outlined the project’s focus on strengthening health systems, improving diagnostics, and enhancing surveillance.

In a statement issued on Monday, PAHO’s Caribbean Subregional Programme Director, Dr Juan Manuel Sotelo, said, “The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B is a key pillar of the broader elimination agenda and a top priority for PAHO. By addressing this challenge head-on, we are moving closer to a Caribbean where every mother and child can thrive and live free from these infections.”

Sotelo added that this project is part of a collective effort in the Caribbean Region. He said, Diseases do not respect borders, so if we want to eliminate these transmissions, we must work together.”

Fishermen Walking Reef In search of Cocaine

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG), has confirmed an uptick in activity along the reefs, with Belizean fishermen suspected of seeking illicit substances. He told News 5, “We have seen an increased activity in the Turneffe area. It is our operational responsibility to ensure that we board, search, engage and interview where necessary all those individuals that we come across.”

Bennett stated that the Turneffe area continues being an area of concern. He said that the Coast Guard patrols “in Calabash Caye are very active in pursuing these individuals who may be involved in criminal activities in that area,” Bennett stated.

On Monday, the Belize Coast Guard operating from the Calabash Caye responded to reports of an individual “who was working in the Turneffe Atoll area and had suspected cocaine in his possession.”

He said the patrol team investigated and “discovered what appears to be suspected cocaine”. The man was detained, and the substance was confiscated. The suspect was handed over to police for further questioning.

Bennett also confirmed that last week, the coast guard had detained another individual who had been “aggressive towards another party in the activities of beachcombing. So we are aware of that, and we are doing our best to keep an eye on these individuals,” he said.

Wall Street Braces for Recession Amid Trump’s Trade War

Traders on Wall Street are warning of an impending recession as President Trump’s trade war continues to cause massive market turbulence. The Guardian reported that on Monday, stock markets swung wildly after false reports of a tariff pause, revealing the heightened anxiety surrounding US-China relations and global economic uncertainty.

Traders are growing increasingly concerned about the long-term impact of Trump’s aggressive economic policies. According to The Guardian, the volatility has reached levels not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Many believe the US is heading towards a self-sustaining economy but fear the cost of such a shift could be devastating.

Experts predict that the ongoing turmoil could lead to a prolonged downturn, with markets already showing signs of strain, The Guardian reported. Technical analyst Anthony told the news outlet that, despite short-term opportunities, a recession is inevitable, and consumer spending is likely to slump as the effects of the trade war take hold. “What’s happening is that it’s going to hit the American people, and they’re going to keep their wallet closed in their pocket. Without a doubt, we’re hitting a recession,” he said.