Kevin Herrera has received official endorsement from the Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) and the Belize Business Bureau (BBB) to continue his role as Business Sector Senator for a second term.
In the endorsement statement, Herrera expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am deeply honoured to accept the endorsement of the BCCI and the BBB to serve a second term. Your continued trust and confidence reaffirm our shared commitment to advocating for policies that promote economic growth, investment, and a thriving private sector.” He further committed to representing the business community with integrity and a focus on sustainable development.
As required by the Belize Constitution, a formal request for Herrera’s reappointment has been submitted to the Governor General.
“The BCCI and the BBB extend heartfelt congratulations to Senator Herrera on his endorsement for a second term as the Business Sector Senator and are confident that he will continue to represent the interests of the private sector with integrity and excellence,” the statement added.
Herrera joins Louis Wade, Janelle Chanona, and Glenfield Dennison as the appointed social partner senators.
The remaining appointments include the three UDP senators who are still pending to be named.
Students from the Valley of Peace Seventh Day Adventist Academy are expressing their art with vibrant murals and anti-pollution messages as part of the Youth Climate Action Bus Stop Painting competition in their village. Over the past two weeks, the youths have dedicated their weekends to creating murals and anti-pollution messages on three local bus stops.
The initiative is a collaboration with the Belize Maya Forest Trust, led by Dr Elma Kay, and the British High Commission. Dr Kay said that “this is one of several initiatives”, including a cleanup in the community yesterday.
She pointed out the importance of involving young people in climate action by “empowering young voices” to speak about climate change. She said the theme focuses on “Speak Up, Inspire, and Make a Difference.”
Kay explained that the bus stop competition will offer students the chance to win “experiential prizes”, including “trips to various places around the country to engage with nature and understand more about how nature is being impacted by climate change and what can be some of the things that they can do.”
The school principal, Justine Myvett, explained that the competition encourages students to take ownership of their future. “For youths, it’s very powerful; it’s a way to show different persons of the community that the students are feeling the impacts of climate change and they are concerned about their future,” she said.
The families of the three young women found dead at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on February 22 have released a statement. They continue to demand for a full investigation into the deaths of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El Arar. The families said, “It has been one month since our beloved Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae passed. Our families remain and will always be shattered by the loss.”
The family said that they “continue to await the results of the primary investigation” both in Belize and the one being conducted in Massachusetts.
“We speak today because we want the public and authorities, particularly those in Belize, to hear this: Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae deserve your best. They deserve an honest and full investigation, and we ask all of those in power in both Belize and the United States to join us in demanding answers to the true cause of this tragedy,” the statement added.
The families say the deaths of their loved ones “are suspicious.”
“We continue to believe the deaths of Wafae, Imane and Kaoutar are suspicious. We are hopeful the authorities will fulfill their responsibility to complete their reviews in a timely but thorough manner to ensure we know the full truth about what caused this tragedy,” the statement read.
The families also shared concerns about reports of carbon monoxide levels in the hotel. They said, “We are deeply alarmed by news reports which suggest that carbon monoxide levels in the hotel could have been at dangerously high levels and that the resort has now suddenly closed without public explanation.”
Last week, Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters, “it was agreed that a second round of testing be done at the hotel. This was after we had received reports from some previous guests at the hotel who had indicated that while they were there, they had done some tests with their own carbon monoxide test and they had detected carbon monoxide. So it was agreed to go back in and do a second round of testing.”
In late February, Colin Gillet, the Fire Chief of the Belize National Fire Service, told US media that officers conducted two separate tests for carbon monoxide and “found nothing.”
Last Wednesday, Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler confirmed that the resort’s shutdown was voluntary due to property issues. “We found some issues with the property, and so we had a discussion with them, and they decided to shut down to take remedial actions to deal with the issues that we had found,” Mahler said. He said that toxicology tests are still pending to determine the cause of death, including the possibility of carbon monoxide. “I can assure you, the families believe that we will do the right thing in terms of putting the information forward as we get the information,” he added.
The resort’s abrupt closure in early March was described by the family as ‘deeply alarming’ as they demand “a clear explanation for this action. We respectfully urge the resort’s management and Belizean authorities to share any information they have immediately.”
Venezuela has agreed to resume repatriation flights of migrants from the United States, following a two-week standoff over recent deportations. President Nicolás Maduro confirmed on Saturday that the flights would begin on Sunday, stating, “Tomorrow, thanks to the government’s perseverance, we’ll resume flights to continue rescuing and freeing migrants from prisons in the United States,” according to Reuters.
This agreement comes after a brief pause in deportations after Venezuela objected to the US about sending Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador’s prisons. The Trump administration had claimed that many deported were linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, a designation Venezuela disputes.
The news outlet reported that Venezuela’s interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, welcomed the first group of 199 deportees back in Caracas. “Flights are resuming,” Cabello said. “We are ready to receive Venezuelans wherever they are.”
Relations between the US and Venezuela have been tense, particularly after the US did not recognise Maduro’s re-election to a third six-year term last year, following allegations of electoral fraud.
By 2022, an estimated 275,000 Venezuelan migrants were living in the US without authorisation, according to the Pew Research Centre.
A man from San Pedro, Belize, has been arrested and charged with rape following a report by a U.S. tourist. Reports indicate that the woman, accompanied by her brother, was at Wayo’s Bar and Grill on Thursday night, March 20, when they met the suspect, Oscar Noe Nal, who introduced himself as “Omar”.
After socialising, they returned to her hotel around 3:00 a.m. on March 21. She went for a ride with Nal, who drove her to a gazebo where he assaulted her.
The victim reported the incident to police on March 22. A medical examination confirmed her injuries. Police reviewed surveillance footage and identified Nal, a 35-year-old labourer from San Mateo. On March 22, the victim identified him in a police lineup. Nal was formally charged with rape on March 23 and remains in custody.
Today marks a special occasion, National Puppy Day, a reminder for all puppy owners about the importance of starting their fur babies off right in life. According to Forbes, experts are reminding the importance of socialising puppies during their first few months to help prevent fear-based behaviours down the road. One fun and effective way to do this? Puppy parties!
As reported by Forbes, puppy parties provide a controlled setting where puppies are introduced to other dogs, making it the perfect opportunity to teach them how to interact positively. While puppy parties are still a new concept in Belize, there’s something else that has already made a great impact here: June Erickson’s efforts to prevent pet loss through microchipping.
Back in December 2024, News 5 shared June’s story after her service dog, Ranger, went missing. Determined to help others avoid the same heartache, June founded the Ranger Warriors Foundation and introduced a microchipping program to ensure that pets can be easily reunited with their owners. Since then, over 120 pets have been microchipped, and June is continuing her efforts to install more scanning stations across the island to increase access.
“I have a meeting with the health department in the coming days. I want to make sure that all island government health, fire department, police, and traffic, all have scanners,” June told News 5 today.
June’s ultimate goal is to “microchip all the cats and dogs in San Pedro first, before pursuing expansion outside of the island.” She hopes to hold two microchipping clinics in both April and May to make up for not having it in February and March.
“Knowing that your pet is easily identifiable and that you can be contacted if they go missing provides peace of mind for pet owners,” June added.
June explained that one of the most critical aspects of microchipping is registration. Without registering the microchip, it’s just a string of numbers. When registered, the chip links directly to the owner’s contact information, making it easy for shelters or vets to reunite lost pets with their families. Unlike collars, which can be lost or removed, microchips offer permanent identification. By keeping contact details up to date, owners ensure their pets can be identified at any time.
For those who are passionate about supporting this cause, a GoFundMe page remains active for donations. You can also contribute directly to Belize Bank, account number 195866010140000, under the name June Young-Figueroa.
On this special day for puppies, it’s a time to celebrate not only the little furry companions but also the tireless efforts of those working to keep them safe and connected to their families.
Pope Francis made his first public appearance since being hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. As he was leaving, he greeted nearly 3,000 people gathered outside. The Vatican News reported that the Pope blessed the crowd, waving and saying in a faint voice, “Thank you to everyone!”
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to the hospital on February 14 for a severe respiratory infection, which later developed into pneumonia in both lungs. His condition has since stabilised, allowing him to be discharged. According to his medical team’s update on Saturday, he will continue his recovery at his residence in the Vatican, Casa Santa Marta, for the next two months.
Before returning to the Vatican, Pope Francis visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he offered flowers to the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as a gesture of gratitude for her care and protection.
Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man which occurred this morning in Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District. The victim has been identified as Charles Bradley. He was shot dead at his residence on Ramos Road just after 9:30.
Police responded and were processing the scene along with scenes of crime technicians.
Eighteen-year-old Shenyon Levi Barrow, a fisherman from Belize City, was arrested and charged today, March 22, in connection with the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Floyd McFadzean. Barrow faces charges of murder, two counts of attempted murder, dangerous harm, grievous harm, and two counts of using deadly means of harm.
The shooting occurred on Friday, March 21, when McFadzean, an insurance company employee, was gunned down while driving along Cemetery Road. His vehicle was riddled with bullets at the corner of Johnson Street. While his two passengers, Troy Gentle and Deon Gladden, escaped with minor injuries, McFadzean was unable to flee due to a jammed car door and died at the scene.
McFadzean’s father, Floyd Sr, described his son as an innocent victim, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. He believes his son was not involved in any conflicts that would have led to such violence.
Pope Francis is set to be discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, 23 March, following successful treatment for an acute respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia.
According to the Vatican News, the 86-year-old pontiff will return to his residence, Casa Santa Marta, to continue his recovery. Doctors confirmed his condition has improved steadily since his hospitalisation on 14 February.
Dr Sergio Alfieri, head of the medical team, told the Vatican News that while the Pope’s pneumonia has been treated, he will require a minimum of two months of convalescence. Despite this, the Pope remains active in staying informed about global and church affairs and has been a cooperative patient throughout his treatment.
The Vatican reported that although Pope Francis will not resume his full schedule of public engagements immediately, he is expected to gradually return to his normal activities.
