Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

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.

SSB Brings Services to Your Fingertips

The digitalisation, or digital transformation, of companies and businesses in Belize has been setting the pace over the last few years across many sectors, and the Social Security Board (SSB) is no exception. Today, SSB’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Leroy Almendarez, told News 5 that the SSB’s services are now literally at your fingertips.

“Even though we have nine branches across the country, it would be easier if anyone could just sit at their laptop and access our services… right at your fingertips,” Almendarez stated.

The digitalisation of SSB includes the access to create a “My Social Security Online Portal,” which is a new digital tool on the Social Security Board website. It is designed to allow employees, employers, and self-employed individuals to track their contributions, file claims, and even plan for retirement with the “touch of a button.”

Almendarez added that the digital transformation goes beyond just convenience. He said SSB is tackling long-standing challenges, such as improving claim processes for sickness benefits, streamlining employer submissions, and even allowing doctors to directly upload the required forms to the system to eliminate the need for patients to submit signed documents themselves.

“Let us say for a sickness benefit, you go to a doctor, and the doctor signs that form; there is now a portal where the medical doctor can actually upload that information. So you don’t have to really bring the doctor signs off on it after the examination,” he told News 5.

And while there are many tech-savvy people out there, what happens to those who are not quite digitally literate? Almendarez says that the SSB is offering support and guidance from trained individuals during this transition to make sure everyone can take advantage of the new system, no matter their experience with computers.

“One of the frontline agents will help you; customer service agents will also help you… in terms of how to use the system, how to even create an account,” he added.

Father of Six Sentenced to 26 Years for Horrific Crimes

A father of six has been sentenced to nearly 27 years in prison for sexually abusing a minor girl over several years. Robert Usher, 34, was convicted of raping the victim on three occasions, in addition to charges of aggravated and sexual assault.

The abuse reportedly began when the victim was only eight years old and continued until she was 17. It started in September 2010, when she was only at the age of eight, and he raped her 3 times when she turned 13. The abuse stopped only when the victim moved away and authorities were informed.

Usher’s sentencing was delivered Monday morning by Justice Candace Nanton, and he received a reduced sentence of 26 years, 11 months, and 14 days. This reduction accounts for time spent on remand and certain mitigating factors. Throughout the trial, Usher denied all charges and maintained his innocence.

Attorney Norman Rodriguez, who represented Usher during the sentencing phase, outlined the details of the sentence. “It was actually two counts involving aggravated assault and sexual assault and three counts of rape for a maximum sentence. Overall sentence of 26 years, 11 months, and 14 days. That would mean that they subtracted the eight days he had spent on remand, and there was a deduction of a year for the mitigating testimonies of the witnesses.”

Miss Sonia Perishes in Dangriga Fire

A fire broke out late Monday night in the Benqueche area of Dangriga Town. Police were called to the scene around 11:00 PM, where they found a house fully engulfed in flames and the body of an elderly woman who we know as Miss Sonia.

A relative shared on Facebook, “Pain we fi si how u gawn granny.” She added, “U hurt we Sonia.”

A video footage shows authorities removing her remains from the burnt house. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

This is a developing story.

Fire Destroys Former Children’s Home in Cayo

A fire early this morning destroyed a building on the Ontario Christian School’s compound in the Cayo District, which resulted in the cancellation of school for the day. The fire reportedly began around 4 a.m. and consumed the former Mulhollen Children’s Home. This structure had been unused for the past three years and stood less than a hundred feet from the school.

No injuries were reported, and no other buildings were damaged.

A local resident, Vilma Ramirez, said she is still in shock over the incident, saying, “I can’t believe it. Because that place deh from 1957. Very old place, so we couldn’t expect that bun up.” Teachers at Ontario Primary School reported smoke and soot in their classrooms, though the fire was contained without further damage.

Residents are grateful that the school was unaffected and are expecting classes to resume soon. Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, according to Kenneth Mortis of the National Fire Service.

Belize Celebrates International Customs Day

This week, Belizeans are celebrating the men and women of the customs department that ensure proper tax collection and smooth package clearances at every point of entry in Belize.

Observed every January 26, International Customs Day observes global efforts of customs agencies in enhancing supply chains, fostering collaboration, embracing technology, and supporting partners in the transformation process.

In her address, Comptroller of Customs Estella Bailey-Leslie celebrated the department’s achievements. “As we celebrate International Customs Day 2025 under the theme ‘Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity,’ we reaffirm our dedication to adopting international standards and leveraging technology to enhance supply chain security,” she said.

Bailey-Leslie also highlighted Belize’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery and the department’s role in driving significant revenue growth in 2024. She pointed out the importance of public-private collaboration. Looking ahead, Belize Customs is focused on modernising processes, including creating an electronic single window for trade to improve efficiency and reduce costs. A week of activities from January 27-31 will further engage stakeholders.

Belize marked International Customs Day with a forum in Belize City, discussing the key role of customs in global trade and supply chain security.

Sheinbaum Confirms Tren Maya’s Extension into Belize

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that the Tren Maya project will extend its route beyond Mexico, crossing through Belize on its way to Guatemala. This major development follows her discussions with Prime Minister John Briceño and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo.

The extension is part of an effort to make the transnational railway a reality, with both leaders committed to seeing the project through.

The primary aim of the route’s extension through Belize is to protect the environmentally sensitive El Petén jungle, a region rich in biodiversity. The plan to build the train’s railway sections from Chetumal in Mexico to Belize and then onto Flores, Guatemala, was initially proposed by López Obrador in June 2024. This extension is expected to create up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Briceño has previously reported strong support for the project but has outlined strategic conditions. Among the requests are the construction of a seven-kilometre railway section to cross the Hondo River into Belize and an extension of the route to the Guatemalan border.

In an interview earlier this month, Briceño told the press, “This would bring many benefits to Belize. It could open a new market for tourists since those who come to Cancun are often from Europe… With the Maya Train, it would be much easier for them to travel to Belize.”

Despite the project’s expansion facing significant hurdles, including environmental concerns and cross-border logistics, it also represents a chance to strengthen commercial and cultural ties between Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

Chetumal Police Arrest Canadian Man After Stealing Boat and Fleeing Toward Belize

A Canadian man was arrested by municipal police in Chetumal, Mexico, on Sunday after a dramatic water chase through Chetumal Bay. The man is accused of stealing a local fisherman’s boat from a pier within the bay, reportedly with the intention of crossing into Belize.

Authorities were quickly alerted to the theft, and the Navy was dispatched to pursue the suspect on open water. The man attempted to flee by jumping into the sea, but he was captured by Navy personnel and handed over to local police.

Following his arrest, the Canadian was transferred to a jail in Chetumal. The identity of the suspect has not been released, and Mexican officials have yet to provide further details about the motive behind the theft. The reasons for his attempt to flee to Belize remain unclear.

Belize’s Mexico Sports Centre Looks “Like a Ghost”

The President of the North America, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA), Cristobal Hoffiz, visited Belize this weekend to chair the Association of Central American Volleyball Federations (AFECAVOL) general assembly.

One key issue that emerged from discussions was the deteriorating condition of the Mexico Sports Centre in Belize City. During his speech, Hoffiz said, “I was very sad and brokenhearted when I saw the Mexican Centre. That cannot continue like that. It’s not possible that almost for three years it has been abandoned.”

He added, “It’s destroyed. It’s like a ghost. We need to fix that.”

The centre was damaged by Hurricane Lisa in 2022. It later became an eyesore. “As I said, everything else is easy to obtain: equipment, coaches. Anything you need, and we can do that with NORCECA.”

He stated that the lack of suitable venues is a barrier to the development of sports in Belize. “You can have everything in sport, but if you don’t have venues where you can develop everything in sport, you are not going to go anywhere.”

Hoffiz urged Sports Minister Rodwell Ferguson to take stronger action to address this issue. He told to the Minister Ferguson, “We need you to yell, not to speak; we need you to bang your hands on the table and demand from the parliament of Belize, demand very strongly, don’t be afraid of demanding the necessary support and budget. You need to do that.”

When asked about it, Ferguson told News 5, “As the minister responsible for sports, I recognise that it was destroyed after the last hurricane.” He added, “I am in dialogue with Mexico, and I believe that they have agreed to figure out how we can bring back the Mexican centre to its original state.”

“We need to do something about that. It cannot be like that. We cannot just look the other way. We have to look at it every day, and we have to do something about the Mexican Centre,” Hoffiz said.

El Cayo Boardwalk Inaugurated

After being affected by floodwaters several months ago, El Cayo Boardwalk was officially inaugurated this weekend.

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) stated that the boardwalk is “strategically located near the San Ignacio Market and along the Macal River. The El Cayo Boardwalk features a spacious deck, a shaded canopy, four kiosks, and informative panels showing the history of the Macal River.”

Though the grand opening marks a hopeful recovery, the boardwalk and surrounding area were recently impacted by Tropical Storm Sara in November 2024, which caused severe flooding. San Ignacio experienced record-high water levels, and parts of the town, including the boardwalk, were submerged. The river reached flood heights that affected businesses and homes for the first time in nearly five years.

On November 18, 2024, San Ignacio Mayor Earl Trapp also raised concerns about rising concerns regarding climate change leading to more frequent storms and the long-term viability of the market’s current location. He pointed out the possibility of having discussions about relocating the market to a safer area.

While “El Cayo Boardwalk is set to become a lively hub for residents and visitors alike, offering a place to relax and connect with nature,” for the months to come, the question remains: will it withstand future challenges when the hurricane season begins again in June, bringing the potential for more severe flooding and rainfall?