Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Teachers Trained to Pass on Love for Performing Arts

Teachers are gaining new skills to inspire the next generation of performers. The Institute of Creative Arts (ICA), in partnership with the Ministry of Education, is hosting a two-day workshop at the Bliss Centre for Performing Arts. The objective of this initiative is to train secondary school teachers on how to engage students in music, drama, and dance, which can lead to boosting participation in the annual Festival of Arts.

Crysel Gabourel-Moro, ICA’s dance facilitator, explained the workshop’s purpose: “The workshop is to help educate the teachers to properly train the students in order to give a full performance on stage in the areas of drama, music, and dance.”

Kim Vasquez, ICA Director, added that while student participation is high in younger grades, secondary school engagement often drops due to competing priorities. “We want children, we want students to grow in the Festival of Arts,” she said.

At the end of the training, teachers will participate in a mock festival to demonstrate their learning and refine their skills.

Peyrefitte Claims 97 Murders, ComPol Says NO

During the United Democratic Party (UDP) press conference on Tuesday at its headquarters, former Minister of National Security, Mike Peyrefitte, criticised Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa over alleged underreporting of homicide statistics.

Peyrefitte accused them of misleading the public by claiming 89 murders for 2024, while his research shows there were actually 97, not including 10 additional deaths that were “suspiciously classified as mere death investigations.” According to him, this discrepancy “is not just a minor clerical error.”

When asked about it earlier today, Minister Musa accused Peyrefitte and Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow of being overly focused on the death toll. Musa said, “I get the feeling like they are the grim reapers of governance and politics. I have never seen two people, well, three, pray out the lives of Belizean people more than these people.”

Meanwhile, ComPol Williams addressed concerns about discrepancies in reported figures, confirming that his department’s count stands at 91, but that this includes an unresolved case in San Pedro and a manslaughter incident, which cannot be categorised as murder. Williams added that even a projected 24 homicides per 100,000 “it is still far better than what existed during the UDP’s twelve years in office,” he said.

Belize Hosts National Strategy Workshop on Chemical Management

A chemical pollutants workshop was held earlier today in San Ignacio, where experts gathered to develop a national strategy for managing hazardous substances. Consultant Stephen Sangster said that the session he’s leading today is focused on assisting Belize in implementing and reporting on global chemical agreements.

Sangster explained the importance of the initiative, saying, “This project that I’m working on as a consultant is to develop a national strategy for Belize and how to implement and report to this chemical multilateral agreement and also to the global framework on chemicals.”

He added that the project will concentrate on four key multilateral agreements relevant to Belize’s chemical management.The session is expected to provide crucial guidance for the country’s efforts in addressing chemical pollutants, ensuring compliance with global standards, and enhancing sustainable development practices.

Are Police Officers Allowed to Have Privately Owned Businesses?

The issue of whether high-ranking police officers should own private businesses has sparked a heated debate, raising concerns about ethics, conflicts of interest, and public trust. Supporters argue that officers, like other professionals, are entitled to financial security, particularly in low-paying areas. However, critics warn that such business ventures could lead to corruption or favouritism, potentially undermining law enforcement integrity.

Police Minister Kareem Musa weighed in on the controversy, stating that ownership of private businesses by police officers is not an issue unless it impacts their professional duties. He told reporters today, “Commissioner of Police, deputies, assistants, and even low-level police constables have private businesses. We’re not going to go down a road of restricting police officers from having a business.”

Musa added that businesses must be legitimate and maintain a reputable standard. “If they’re swindling people, I firmly agree with you that they should not have a business of that nature and remain police officers,” he said.

Musa also clarified that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which monitors suspicious financial activities, operates independently from the police force, stating that “the FIU does not answer to the police.”

ICE Lists 899 Belizeans to be Deported

Under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is focusing heavily on illegal immigration. A week after taking office, ICE agents began targeting undocumented people and those with serious criminal backgrounds, such as those wanted for homicide or convicted of armed robbery.

Matt Elliston, director of ICE’s Baltimore field office, stated, “The worst go first.”

One major change under Trump was the return of “collateral arrests.” This policy allowed ICE to detain individuals they came across during enforcement operations, even if those individuals weren’t the original targets. This policy reverses guidelines from the Biden administration—such “collateral arrests” were banned under Joe Biden.

As of November 24, 2024, ICE listed 1,445,549 noncitizens with final orders of removal. These individuals have been ordered to leave the U.S. but are not currently in detention.

The data also shows how many people from each country are on this list. According to that breakdown, there are 899 Belizeans with final orders of removal. However, the data doesn’t say why these individuals were ordered to leave.

So are all 899 Belizeans listed in ICE’s list truly criminals? Well, not exactly. According to ICE, receiving a final order of removal means that those individuals don’t have legal permission to stay in the U.S. This could be due to violating immigration laws, having their legal status expire, or even having a criminal conviction, among other reasons.

Earlier this month, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams said that Belize would monitor the return of deported individuals, particularly those wanted by local authorities to face charges. “In terms of the people that will be sent back to Belize… we will wait to see who will be coming back. We certainly are looking forward to certain people coming back that are wanted by the police to face charges here in Belize. So, we welcome them,” Williams said.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow Criticises Briceño Administration

The United Democratic Party (UDP), led by Moses “Shyne” Barrow, held a press conference on Tuesday and laid out several of their criticisms of the Briceño administration ahead of the 2025 general election.

Barrow, along with his executive, also outlined their vision and policies if elected. “The people are yearning for the practical, common-sense policies implemented by the UDP that saw our economy grow by 4.5% in successive years,” Barrow stated. He said that Belize’s previous governance with Dean Barrow’s administration, the UDP brought about a record of keeping inflation low, even dipping to as little as 0.5%. “You didn’t have Smiling Meats and Hofius and Santiago and all of these people going out of business during the Barrow administration. We made sure the guardrails were there for the vulnerable, the people in need,” he said.

“It is not that Belizeans want a handout. Belizeans want and need a government that will do their sworn oath of office,” he added.

Barrow made it clear that as the 2025 elections approach, he and his team are positioning themselves as the alternative to the current leadership.

Cop Convicted of Manslaughter Re-enlists in Police Force

The shooting of 24-year-old Emil Rivers by police on Friday in Independence Village has brought up a major controversy. Rivas was reportedly arrested for alleged aggravated assault with a knife and was shot by PC Sheldon Arzu.

The family alleges that Emil, who is on medication for a mental health condition, was brutalised by police by severely beating him before being shot in the stomach and leg.

In Monday’s police briefing, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero offered a different narrative, stating that Rivas attempted to escape from custody twice. “He jumped out of the back of a police vehicle and sustained some injuries. He was immediately apprehended and taken to the cell where he was detained,” Romero said. According to Romero, while Emil’s cell was being cleaned on Saturday, he escaped again and ran to a nearby house, where he allegedly armed himself with a machete. Police cornered him, and after attempts to disarm him failed, a warning shot was fired.

“At some point, then the police officer shot him in the leg. He’s presently admitted in a stable condition,” Romero said on Monday.

However, after Romero provided the police’s side of the incident, Rivas’s mother, Marlene Rivas, shared on Facebook on Monday, “Police and news can lie.” She said that her son was not shot in the leg; he was shot in the abdomen.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams also confirmed that he was shot in the abdomen. This morning, Williams shared a video of the shooting incident.

This is not the first time that PC Arzu has been involved with the law. Back in 2005, Arzu was sentenced to 13 years in prison for the manslaughter of Reuben “Pony” Alarcon, who was shot and killed inside a police station in 2003. Arzu’s sentence followed a two-year fight for justice by Alarcon’s family.

According to the police department’s recruitment requirements, “Individuals who have previously served in the department and who voluntarily resigned may be considered for re-enlistment.” As part of the requirement, it also says that ““persons with previous convictions are not normally accepted unless the offences are of a minor nature.”

The question remains: was the manslaughter of Reuben “Pony” Alarcon and a sentence of 13 years an ‘offence of a minor nature’?

29 Belizean Businesses Get a Financial Boost

The Belize Enterprise Empowerment Project (BEEP) has awarded seed funding to 29 promising micro and small businesses. Launched in August 2024 by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), this initiative provides financial support and expert guidance to help local entrepreneurs turn their ideas into thriving ventures.

Nearly 250 applications were submitted, and only the most innovative and compelling business pitches earned the opportunity to receive funding ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

The selected entrepreneurs were chosen based on their compelling business pitches. “The range of ideas and creativity—the new ways of doing things—has been inspirational,” said Ishmael Quiroz, Executive Director of BELTRAIDE.

“This program provided us with not only crucial financial assistance but also invaluable knowledge and guidance,” said Danelie Pott of Hello Roses, a recipient of the funding.

Gabriel Casey, founder of Pixel Pro Media, stated that BEEP helped refine his business model and propelled his digital solutions company to new heights. “The program offered critical training that helped me solidify my goals and tackle challenges with confidence,” Casey said.

The funding was also awarded to an ostrich farm in the Cayo District, led by Nancy Marin. She says she plans to increase production for international exports.

The awardees’ progress will be closely monitored as they continue to contribute to the economic vitality of Belize.

SSB Approves $7M Loan to Caribbean Tire

In September 2024, the Social Security Board (SSB) issued a public notice regarding its proposal to lend $7 million to Caribbean Tire Wholesale Limited. The loan, intended for capital expenditure and cash flow replacement, would have a term of 15 years with an annual interest rate of 6.5%, to be paid in monthly installments.

While the public was given a 10-business-day window to provide feedback on the proposal, many raised their concerns about SSB lending out ‘public funds.’

News 5 confirmed today with the Chief Executive Officer of the SSB, Dr. Leroy Almendarez, that the loan was approved.

He added that the loan, intended for capital expenditure and cash flow replacement, follows a rigorous assessment process, including ensuring collateral exceeds the loan value.

Dr. Almendarez added that the loan is a vital part of the board’s strategy to ensure the long-term stability of Belize’s social security system. “I can assure people your money is well taken care of,” he said. He added that the interest income from such loans helps prevent the need for increased contribution rates or reliance on government aid.

He also addressed concerns about the board’s financial practices regarding donations for cancer patients. According to Dr. Alemendarez, the SSB is not “giving away money,” but fulfilling its corporate social responsibility that supports the “vision of creating a dynamic social security system.”

SSB Continues COVID-19 Sickness Benefits

Questions still remain about ongoing support for those affected by COVID-19 by the Social Security Board (SSB). Today, News 5 reached out to Dr. Leroy Almendarz, CEO of the SSB, to find out if the board has ceased providing sickness benefits for persons who have contracted COVID-19.

Almendarez said that despite a sharp decline in cases since 2020, COVID-19-related claims continue to be processed, alongside a growing number of claims for other serious health conditions such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. “Because even though there has been a decline, it has not gone to zero, he stated.

He said that it is the board’s responsibility to ensure that benefits are paid out where they are deserved. “It’s not that we have stopped. Every claim is assessed because, at the end of the day, we have a responsibility to make sure that whatever monies are paid out are because they should be paid out,” Almendarez added.

Dr. Almendarz explained that the World Health Organization (WHO) determines what qualifies as an illness based on factors like prevalence and consistency, rather than isolated cases. He added that conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and various forms of cancer have become increasingly prevalent, with many individuals seeking assistance for these health issues.