Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Pneumonia Delays Baby Ishmael’s Shunt Surgery; Fundraising Continues

Baby Ishmael Villamil was born prematurely on September 11, 2024, at just 28 weeks. Now six months old, he continues to fight for his life against the complications of his early birth, including underdeveloped lungs and hydrocephalus—a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, leading to pressure and potential brain damage.

Since his birth, baby Ishmael has been through multiple doctor visits and a major medical procedure to place a shunt that would drain the fluid building in his brain. It’s been weeks since that procedure, and baby Ishmael’s mom, Jennifer Larios, told News 5 in February that the shunt “isn’t working anymore,” and he needs another surgery to correct it. “If he doesn’t want to give up, why should we—why should I as a mom give up on him?” Jennifer said.

The cost of the surgery is estimated to be at least $12,000, a sum his parents are still aiming to raise.

In the recent weeks, baby Ishmael’s condition took a turn when he was diagnosed with pneumonia. According to his father, Eusebio Villamil, the doctors have advised waiting until his lungs clear up before proceeding with the surgery, as performing it while his lungs are still infected could lead to even greater risks.

In the meantime, the medical expenses have continued to mount. With regular doctor visits, transportation costs, and additional tests like x-rays and more, the young parents are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the financial demands. “Just as how we get the funds, sometimes we have to use it for his medical expenses,” Villamil said.

Your support can make a real difference in helping Jennifer and Eusebio cover the cost of baby Ishmael’s second surgery. If you would like to contribute to baby Ishmael’s surgery fund, donations can be made directly to the following bank accounts:

Belize Bank
Eusebio Alberto Villamil, Account Number: 255 502 010 160000
Jennifer Lizeth Larios, Account Number: 246 491 010 160000

Baby Ishmael’s mom, Jennifer, can be reached at 630-4946.

Over 530,000 Migrants Face Deportation as U.S. Revokes Legal Status

Over 530,000 migrants are currently at risk of deportation after the U.S. government announced it will revoke the legal status of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. According to the Guardian, these migrants were granted temporary protection under a Biden-era program. The sweeping change is set to take effect on April 24.

The decision is part of a continuation of the Trump administration’s stance against the use of humanitarian parole, a program meant to temporarily shelter individuals from war or political instability. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that parole is not a path to permanent status, and those affected must leave the country unless they have another lawful basis to stay.

The Guardian reported that while President Trump has hinted at expanding this policy to include 240,000 Ukrainians, there is uncertainty over how many migrants from the four affected countries will be able to find other legal avenues to remain. The policy, part of broader efforts to curb illegal immigration, has already sparked legal challenges. A lawsuit filed by citizens and immigrant groups claims the revocation will lead to “needless chaos and heartbreak” for thousands of families, The Guardian reported.

Karen Tumlin, founder of the Justice Action Centre, criticised the move, calling it “reckless, cruel and counterproductive.” The legal battle over this decision is set to unfold in federal courts in the coming months.

Belize Coast Guard Women Honour Legacy, Inspire Future Leaders

This Women’s Month, several women of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) came together to honour the memory of their fallen sisters by maintaining their graves and cleaning the surrounding areas. In a social media statement, the BCG shared, “Maintaining the grave of a fallen servicewoman not only preserves her legacy but also reinforces the value of service and remembrance within the community.”

Their dedication didn’t stop there. By engaging with young minds at a local preschool, they ignited curiosity and respect for the essential work of the Coast Guard. Through these efforts, they introduced the children to various pieces of equipment used by the Belize Coast Guard and explained their significance in maritime safety and security. As the statement added, these actions “instil an early sense of civic responsibility and encourage future generations to consider careers in service and leadership.”

While women make up only 11% of the Coast Guard’s 526 active-duty members, they serve across all areas, from logistics to operational duties. Alma Pinelo, Belize’s first female Acting Vice Commandant, reflected on her journey, saying, “Dealing with the whole minority aspect of women in the military has always been something that I have been dealing with my entire career. Knowing how to advocate for those that can’t from the onset. And so I said I had to learn how to be an advocate really early and realise that, okay, you’re shy, you gotta get over that because somebody else needs you.”

Pinelo hopes her leadership breaks the “glass ceiling”, paving the way for a future where women in leadership roles are the standard, not the exception.

Through their tireless service, these women are reshaping the future, proving that leadership, resilience, and strength are qualities that know no gender.

UN Declares 2025 International Year of Glacier Preservation, Warns of $4 Trillion Economic Fallout

The world’s glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, putting up to $4 trillion of global GDP at risk. The rapid disappearance of glaciers is not just an environmental disaster—it’s an economic one.

Due to climate change, driven mainly by human activities since the 1800s, these vital resources are rapidly melting, the United Nations reported. This led the UN General Assembly to designate 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to bring awareness to the importance of glaciers on World Water Day 2025.

According to the UN, “By 2050, the winter tourism sector alone could see losses exceeding $30 billion due to declining snow cover.”

Glaciers provide nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater, supporting agriculture, hydropower, and entire urban populations. According to the UN, as these vital ice reserves shrink, the financial fallout is projected to be catastrophic, which threatens billions of lives and industries worldwide.

In a statement, the UN pointed out that water scarcity could reduce economic productivity by up to 6% in some regions, pushing costs higher and disrupting industries. In South Asia, the loss of glacial water threatens agriculture, exacerbating food price volatility globally. In the U.S., diminishing snowpack in the Columbia River Basin could decimate hydropower generation, costing billions.

The UN added that regions heavily reliant on glaciers—like Peru, Pakistan, and parts of the European Alps—are facing critical water security risks. At the same time, infrastructure and real estate valued in the billions are increasingly exposed to glacier-related hazards such as floods, landslides, and rising sea levels.

With the UN declaring 2025 the International Year of Glacier Preservation, there’s a clear call to action. Financial institutions must embed glacier protection into their risk frameworks and investment strategies. The UN says that by doing so, they can help safeguard global water security, mitigate financial risks, and drive long-term economic resilience.

2025-2034 Health Sector Plan to Overhaul MOHW

Just nine days after securing a renewed mandate from Belizean voters, Kevin Bernard was reappointed as Minister of Health and Wellness in the Briceño Administration.

Their first major initiative is unveiling the Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan 2025-2034, which outlines a comprehensive vision to address critical health system challenges in the country.

The plan is centred on three core pillars: enhancing leadership and governance, creating an equitable system, and promoting healthier lifestyles.

In an interview with Bernard, he said, “As the minister, I want to see that we can achieve universal health coverage. I want to see that we can bring better service delivery to our Belizean people in health care, that as we roll out NHI, our people are benefiting from these services.”

The ministry’s returning CEO, Dr Julio Sabido, pointed out that the launch “marked the beginning of a shared responsibility”. He added that the plan’s success “depends on all of us, public and private sector, national and international partners.”

The plan also focuses on mental health and addressing the leading causes of death in Belize, such as heart disease and cancer.

Belize Launches New Health Sector Strategic Plan for 2025-2034

Belize’s healthcare system is set to undergo a thorough overhaul. Today, the government of Belize, through the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), has launched the Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan (BHSSP) 2025-2034.

In a statement, the ministry said that the plan “outlines a clear vision for addressing key health system challenges, including the rise of non-communicable diseases, climate change impacts on public health, gaps in human resources, and the need for stronger governance and digital transformation within the health sector.”

The plan is to strengthen the nation’s healthcare system and promote “Universal Health for all Belizeans” through three key objectives:

Strengthening leadership within the ministry to improve accountability and governance.
Building a people-centred health system with improved services, financing, and workforce.
Promoting healthier lifestyles through targeted initiatives and community engagement.

Some of the contributing partners include PAHO/WHO, the European Union, and civil society in the plan’s development.

A digital copy of the plan is available via a QR code.

Belize Forest Department Gets $91K Toyota Hilux

A $91,823 Toyota Hilux has been delivered to the Belize Forest Department to enhance fieldwork for mangrove mapping, carbon stock assessments, and vital data collection. In a statement, the the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit from the Office of the Prime Minister said, “This investment will strengthen the department’s Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) Unit.”

According to the statement, the vehicle investment will “enhance operational efficiency, ensuring improved monitoring and reporting of mangrove cover and ongoing restoration activities.”

The Toyota Hilux was funded through the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future under the Government Strategic Allocation (GSA).

Over 124 Law Books Donated to Belize’s Senior Courts

Over 124 law books were donated to the Senior Courts of Belize from the International Law Book Facility (ILBF), a London-based charity. This donation replenishes resources lost when Hurricane Lisa destroyed the Supreme Court library.

The contribution was presented by Linda Dobbs, DBE, an esteemed jurist with extensive experience in judicial education. The timely donation of books, which coincides with the ongoing seminar hosted by the Judicial Education Institute of the Senior Courts, which focuses on Sentencing Guidelines, Judgment Writing, and Evidence, was received by Chief Justice Louise Esther Blenman.

This contribution will provide vital resources for legal professionals and scholars in Belize. The Senior Court said in a statement, “These essential legal texts will greatly benefit judges, legal practitioners, and scholars in their work… This generous donation ensures that judicial officers will once again have access to critical legal resources.”

Belize City Shooting Leaves One Dead and Two Injured

Police are investigating a shooting that occurred early this morning on Cemetery Road, Belize City. According to police reports, the incident resulted in one death and two injuries.

Initial investigation revealed that just after midnight on Thursday, 21-year-old Floyd McFadzen was driving a white Ford Fusion, carrying passengers Deon Gladden, 20, and Troy Gentle, 21, when two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on the vehicle. McFadzen was fatally shot and crashed into a drain at the corner of Johnson Street and Cemetery Road. Authorities collected expended shells at the scene.

Police responded to the scene, where McFadzen’s body was found with gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead on arrival at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). Gladden and Gentle were also injured; they also received treatment at KHMH and remain in stable condition.

The gunmen have yet to be identified.

Festival of Arts: A Platform for Creativity

The Festival of Arts has been a cherished national stage for creative expression since the 1950s. Over the years, it has been a platform for students from preschool to secondary school to showcase their talents in drama, dance, and the arts.

The event promises two days of vibrant displays and festivities this year. It kicked off today with the Preschool Festival of Arts, featuring performances from 31 urban and 28 rural preschools across the Belize District.

Kim Vasquez, Director of the Institute of Creative Arts, pointed out the festival’s important role in fostering creativity among Belize’s youth. “This is the nurturing, the fun and enjoying introduction to the arts that we want for the young students, and we want to see this continue, and we want them to have the support and the recognition even at this young age,” said Vasquez.

The festival will continue through the month, with events taking place in “Toledo on Monday and thereafter Stann Creek, and then they go west and then up north, and then we are straight into the Secondary [School] Festival of Arts at the end of the month,” she added.

The performances are truly something to look forward to, as Vasquez puts it, “When you see them on stage, you can’t help but get cold seed.”