Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Keep the City Clean, Report Litter Bugs

Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner is calling on residents to take an active role in curbing illegal dumping by reporting litterbugs in action. While the Belize City Council enforces anti-littering regulations, Wagner says catching violators remains a challenge without solid evidence.

“We have enforced it on several occasions in Belize City. It carries a hefty fee if caught in the act, but it’s a joint effort between the DOE and the Belize City Council,” Wagner stated.

However, he stressed that public participation is key. “You have to have the real evidence. If they see people dumping, if they could quickly notify the officials or enforcement team or the DOE, then we could have that evidence to really ticket them and really pursue it the way we want to.”

“It really requires participation from the community as well. If they see people dumping, if they could quickly notify the officials or enforcement team or the D.O.E., and then we could have that evidence to really ticket them and really pursue it the way we want to,” Wagner added.

Feinstein Group to Appeal High Court’s Ruling on Stake Bank Land Acquisition

The Feinstein Group has vowed to challenge the High Court’s decision that the government’s compulsory acquisition of 23.4 acres of Stake Bank Island is constitutional.

On Wednesday, Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke ruled that the acquisition, set to transfer the land to Honduran company OPSA, serves a legitimate public purpose and does not violate the Constitution. Feinstein’s legal team, led by Godfrey Smith, argued otherwise, claiming the move benefits OPSA in a private dispute. However, the court found no merit in their case and awarded costs to the government.

In response, the Feinstein Group stated, “We will not give up the fight for justice, fair play, and for what rightly belongs to us as a Belizean company.”

The group claims the ruling undermines property rights and investment security in Belize.

“After carefully reviewing the judgement, our attorneys remain convinced that the compulsory acquisition is unconstitutional and not for a genuine public purpose. We have therefore instructed our attorneys to immediately file an appeal to the Court of Appeal against the High Court decision,” it added.

With Prime Minister Briceño announcing major port developments, attention now turns to whether Mediterranean Shipping Company remains interested in acquiring Stake Bank.

The Feinstein Group stated that it “will use all resources at its disposal to defend itself and expose the wrongdoing of the government, wherever it may lead,”

Marconi Leal Jr. to Replace Leal Sr PUP’s Standard Bearer in BRN

Marconi Leal Jr. is set to become the new Standard Bearer for the People’s United Party (PUP) in Belize Rural North (BRN), following the announcement that his father, Marconi Leal Senior, will not seek re-election in the upcoming general elections.

In a statement issued today, the PUP confirmed that after careful deliberation, the BRN Executive Committee unanimously recommended Marconi Leal Jr. as the successor. This recommendation was ratified by the National Executive earlier today.

The committee extended its gratitude to Marconi Leal Sr. and “looks forward to a seamless transition and continued dedication to the people of Belize Rural North under the leadership of Marconi Leal Jr.” The date for his official swearing-in was not disclosed as yet.

“At today’s meeting of the National Executive, this recommendation was formally ratified. Moving forward, the Chairman of the Eastern Caucus will collaborate with the BRN Executive Committee to finalize arrangements and set the date for the official swearing-in of Marconi Leal Jr. as the new Standard Bearer,” the Committee said.

Marconi Leal Jr. now steps into the political spotlight, taking over from his father, who served the constituency for one term.

Belize City Receives Second Compactor Truck from Japan

Belize City has received its second compactor truck from Japan to assist with the city’s waste management. The donation is part of a broader initiative by the Japanese government to assist Belize in improving its waste disposal systems.

The first truck for Belize City was donated back in February 2024, and similar compactors were also donated to the Belmopan City Council and other municipal governments.

During a ceremony at Memorial Park, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner pointed out the importance of community involvement in waste management. He stated, “Receiving this new compactor also reminds us of the role each of us must play: Keeping our city clean cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the Belize City Council or the machinery at our disposal; it requires every resident, every community, and every organisation to be involved.”

The new trucks are especially valuable for tackling waste in problem areas. “In many of the south side areas, we have a lot of what we refer to as ‘hotspots,’ which are abandoned properties that are used as garbage dumps,” Wagner told reporters. He said the additional truck, along with existing dump trucks, will help the city operate more efficiently in addressing waste management challenges.

Police Officer Who Shot GG’s Dog Fired

An officer stationed at the Governor General’s residence has been dismissed from the Belize Police Department after fatally shooting the Governor General’s pet dog. According to reports, the incident involved a small, temperamental dog, which had previously caused trouble for officers on duty.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed the dismissal, stating, “The matter went before a tribunal; the tribunal found him guilty, dismissal was recommended, and I upheld the decision.” Williams added, “If you have a policeman who deliberately follows a dog and shoots and kills a dog, something is wrong with you.”

The case has prompted questions from the public about why similar incidents involving police shootings of pets during operations don’t always result in similar consequences. Williams addressed this, clarifying that while the dog had shown aggressive behaviour in the past, “at the particular moment when the dog was shot, that was not the case.”

Did Holiday Cheer Drive Belize’s Confidence Up in December?

Are Belizeans starting to feel more optimistic about their finances and the economy? According to the latest report from the Statistical Institute of Belize, there is a notable 7.6% rise in the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for December 2024.

The CCI measures how people feel about the economy, their own finances, and whether it’s a good time to make big purchases like homes or cars. It helps predict how people might spend, save, or invest in the future, which in turn gives us a clue about the economy’s growth.

The durable goods component saw the largest increase, rising by 35.5% to 39.3, reflecting a 10.8% boost in consumer optimism towards major purchases. Similarly, perceptions of current financial conditions improved by 8.6%, with the index climbing from 41.1 to 44.6. Additionally, future expectations grew by 4.9%.

Urban areas saw a 9.7% rise in confidence, with durable goods purchases surging by 15.7%. Rural areas also reported growth, with an overall 6% increase, particularly in durable goods and current financial outlooks.

Confidence was notably higher among men (up 7.2%) and women (up 8%), with women showing a significant 16.7% increase in durable goods sentiment. However, younger consumers (18-24) experienced a slight dip in optimism.

The report reveals that Belizeans are gradually growing more optimistic about both their present financial situations and the future of the economy. But this data comes from a month filled with cheerful holidays, such as Christmas and the New Year; could it have influenced the boost in consumer confidence? People often feel more hopeful and ready to spend during festive times.

Belize Inflation Hits 2.6%, Food and Rent Soar

Everyday essentials like food, housing, and personal care products saw sharp increases in prices in December 2024, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). Belize’s inflation rate for December 2024 surged by 2.6%, SIB reported.

“As has been the case throughout the year, the rise in consumer prices was largely driven by higher costs for food products and home rentals,” SIB stated in its report. “However, notably lower prices for fuel as well as information and communication equipment.” The drop in fuel, including diesel, regular, and premium gasoline, reflected a slight 0.5% decline.

‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ recorded a 5% inflation rate, with substantial price hikes in fruits, vegetables, and fresh meats. For example, limes and oranges saw increases of over 20%, while bread and tortillas rose by 3%. ‘Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ also saw a sharp 7.8% increase, driven by higher prices for juices and soft drinks.

SIB also reported a significant uptick in ‘Housing Costs,’ with home rentals and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices rising by 3% and 8.5%, respectively.

While some municipalities experienced varying inflation rates, Belmopan recorded the highest rise at 4.9%, mainly due to sharp price hikes in food, clothing, and personal care items. The village of Independence had the lowest rate at 0.2%.

In 2024, the national inflation rate stood at 3.3%, with food, housing, and restaurant services seeing the most significant price increases throughout the year.

Belize’s Imports Reached $3 Billion in 2024

In December 2024, the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reported that Belize experienced a slight increase in imports, with total goods imported valued at $230.7 million, a marginal rise of 0.1% compared to the previous year. A notable uptick was seen in imports of manufactured goods and chemical products, largely driven by higher purchases of items such as glass bottles, building cement, and fertilisers. However, imports for commercial free zones saw a significant decline, dropping by 21.7% due to reduced purchases of footwear and handbags.

The most striking figure in December’s external trade report was the surge in domestic exports, which skyrocketed by 204.3%, reaching $74.1 million. This increase was fuelled primarily by a bulk shipment of sugar, which saw revenues increase from $4.5 million to $52.4 million. Citrus products also contributed, with earnings from orange concentrate more than quintupled. However, banana exports and marine products, such as lobster and conch, saw declines.

For the entire year of 2024, Belize’s merchandise imports totalled $2.909 billion, an 8.5% rise from 2023. Imports of machinery and transport equipment saw the largest increase. It was driven by high-value items like industrial generators and motor vehicles. On the export front, total earnings reached $459.9 million, a 12.5% increase from the previous year. The primary driver of export growth was sugar. Banana and citrus products were also key drivers.

Trump’s Federal Grant Freeze Faces Legal Setback

A controversial freeze on federal grants and loans that has threatened to disrupt vital government aid has been rescinded after a legal challenge. This follows a reported temporary halt to the order by a judge on Tuesday, just hours after President Donald Trump signed it.

The memo was issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and sparked a widespread panic among Americans who rely on government assistance. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “This is NOT a rescission of the federal funding freeze. It is simply a rescission of the OMB memo.”

According to the BBC, the office later clarified that the move was meant to allow the new administration time to evaluate which grants and loans aligned with their agenda. However, the order led to confusion and disruption, including a brief shutdown of an online portal for federal funds.

Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, condemned the freeze as harmful to families and vowed to continue opposing such measures. Nonprofit groups added that critical services, like housing and disaster relief, could be impacted.

Police Minister Says Police Intake Plan is “Part of a Larger 10-Year Plan”

Earlier today, the Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa, addressed concerns about the pace of police recruitment in Belize. During the interview, he pointed out both achievements and limitations.

When questioned about fulfilling the government’s commitment, Musa clarified that the police academy’s capacity can only accommodate 225 recruits at a time, stating, “I don’t know what you think or how much space we have at the police academy, but we can only facilitate, say, 225 recruits.”

Despite this constraint, Musa stressed that the ongoing recruitment effort is part of a larger ten-year plan, stating, “Have you heard that Plan Belize is a ten-year plan?” He said that over the past four years, recruitment numbers have surged, with a total of 2,600 recruits expected by the upcoming intake in May.

“In the last four years, I can assure you that we’ve had the most recruitments than any other administration,” he said.

Some months ago, in August 2024, Minister Musa also said that the Ministry of Home Affairs was making efforts to build several new police stations nationwide and recruit more than 200 officers to staff them.