Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Local Farmers Battle Imported Carrot Produce

Farmers in San Carlos Village, Orange Walk, are in distress as they struggle to sell their bumper crop of carrots. German Tillett, UDP standard bearer for Orange Walk South, told News 5 that many farmers are unable to find buyers, leaving their produce unsold and rotting in the fields. Despite efforts to sell locally, they find the market overwhelmed with competition and lack sufficient wholesale buyers. The situation has led to financial losses as farmers are forced to sell at low prices to cover transportation costs.

Tillett pointed out the issue of imported Mexican carrots flooding the market, which further undercuts local prices. “We have enough carrots here to supply the whole country of Belize,” Tillett said. He added that the current import policy is harming local farmers. According to Tillet, the government’s attempt to address the problem through a mediator who buys carrots directly from farmers has proven ineffective, with no buyer willing to help take the crops off their hands.

At least 8 to 10 farmers in the area are facing significant challenges, with acres of carrots going to waste. The unbalanced competition with imported produce has Tillet urging for more support for the local produce farmers.

Join BDA’s One Million Steps Challenge

The Belize Diabetes Association (BDA) is inviting the public to participate in its “One Million Steps Challenge” to support healthier lifestyles in 2025. This initiative is designed to inspire weight loss, improve health, and reduce the risk of diabetes. It kicked off on January 2 and runs until April 16, 2025. The challenge aims to motivate individuals to stay active, with the added benefit of monthly prizes, surprises, and giveaways.

To join, participants need to scan two QR codes: one to register and the other to link to the StepUp app, where they can track their steps. “Every step you take counts,” the BDA encourages. The competition is open to everyone, including friends, family, coworkers, and schoolmates.

Winners, including the top male and female participants in different age groups, will be announced on April 17, 2025. The BDA hopes this initiative will inspire people to adopt more active lifestyles and boost their heart health, reduce stress, and improve their overall well-being.

“Let’s see where 1,000,000 steps will take you in 2025,” said BDA.

Step 1 is to click HERE to download the StepUp App to your mobile phone.

Step 2 is to use your mobile phone to scan the QR code or click HERE to join the challenge.

Step 3 is to register by filling out the form provided to qualify for prizes, surprises, and giveaways. The form can be found on BDA’s official website.

Police Dept. Discusses Crime Stats

The Belize Police Department held its biannual COMPSTAT meeting in Belmopan, where police commanders assessed crime trends and strategies. In the last meeting, which was held back in May 2024, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams acknowledged a rise in murders, saying, “We are down in major crime overall, but we’re up by seven murders compared to last year.”

In today’s COMPSTAT meeting, Williams reported a 16% reduction in major crimes but a slight increase in homicides. “Murders went from 87 in 2023 to 89 in 2024,” he said. Williams also pointed out that the Eastern Division saw a 24% drop in major crimes and an 18% decrease in homicides. “2024 is the only year where the Eastern Division does not account for more than half of the country’s murders,” with 39 of the 89 total.

Also present at today’s meeting was Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs. He stated his satisfaction with the police’s performance in the second half of 2024 but pointed out concerns over the increase in domestic-related murders. “Domestic-related murders were more than gang-related murders for the first time in a long time,” Musa said, referring to 18 domestic murders compared to 17 gang-related ones.

This Is Why George Brown was Murdered in Hopkins

Earlier today, the murder of George Brown, locally known as “Guru,” in the Hopkins Village, Stann Creek, became the second murder in 2025.

Initial reports indicated that Brown was attacked and fatally stabbed by his brother-in-law.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters today that Brown “may have given a girl a jacket that belonged to him. He later saw the jacket on another man and went to retrieve it. A fight ensued, and one of them was fatally stabbed.”

The police are treating the incident as a murder. ComPol Williams stated that “Unless there is some element of self-defence that he may raise, then the file would have to go to the DPP for directives.”

Meeting Held on Kolbe’s Prison Contract Renewal

Last week, we reported that the contract between the Kolbe Foundation and the government of Belize for the management of the Belize Central Prison has not been renewed. A meeting between both parties was held today. Police Minister Kareem Musa told News 5, “Whenever there is the ending of the contract, we do have a discussion with the Kolbe Foundation on the way forward. We’re actually having that meeting right now as we speak. My CEO is there, meeting with them, and I’m heading over there to see.”

Discussions between the foundation and government officials have been underway to finalise contract terms. Musa added that “Both sides have concerns in terms of the management, and so we are going to see if we can renew that contract.”

The private non-profit organisation has managed the prison since 2002, transforming it from a facility plagued by abuse, overcrowding, and unsanitary conditions into one that prioritises rehabilitation and improved living standards for its 1,150 inmates.

The facility also offers rehabilitation programs such as addiction treatment, education, and vocational training in fields like welding and construction. With a cost of just $7 per inmate per day, the Kolbe Foundation’s focus on rehabilitation has led to lower recidivism rates.

Prime Minister Defends Detention of Jamaican Man

On Monday, Jamaican national Christopher McIntyre was detained in Belize after customs officials flagged his accommodation details. McIntyre had been invited by American Sheila Williams, who explained to News 5 that the booking was in her name, not his.

Williams tried to resolve the issue by speaking to officials, but she was told by a supervisor that her invitation didn’t hold weight, as she is not a Belizean citizen. McIntyre remains in detention, and Williams is now working with attorney Norman Rodriguez to explore legal options for his release.

Prime Minister John Briceño commented, stating that Belize had to ensure visitors met specific criteria, such as proof of funds and confirmed accommodation. “There have been many instances where we’ve had, in this issue, Jamaicans that would come to Belize and say they would come on holidays and then after that they disappear. They go across the border on the way to the United States. We have a responsibility to ensure that that is kept at a minimum.”

Briceño said, adding that “Based on what was presented to the department… they felt that he did not meet the criteria.”

Can Belize Expect Massive Deportation of Belizeans?

President-elect Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans have many illegal immigrants in U.S. soil sitting on the edge of their seats. Trump’s plan is set to launch after his inauguration on January 20, and it is expected to remove millions of undocumented immigrants, including those with temporary protections.

As of 2022, approximately 11 million immigrants lived in the U.S. illegally, with some estimates suggesting this number has risen to 13-14 million. A substantial portion of undocumented immigrants come from Mexico, with other top countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

Guatemala has expressed willingness to accept citizens from other Central American countries deported from the United States as part of its efforts to foster a positive relationship with the incoming Trump administration. According to Prime Minister John Briceño, Belize will not.

When asked about possible pressure, he added, “We are a sovereign nation, and they cannot force us to accept people that are not citizens from this country. And as far as I am concerned, we are not going to accept any citizen that is not Belizean.”

Could Belize face a significant influx of Belizeans being deported from the United States due to their undocumented status?

When asked about it today, Briceño stated, “We are concerned about any mass deportation, but when it comes to Belizeans, we have to welcome them. This is their home.”

Briceño also addressed the situation for Belizeans with criminal records who may be deported. He said, “If they send anybody with a criminal record, we hope that when they come, they will be productive citizens, but we cannot stop them from coming back to Belize,” adding that “There are no if’s or but’s about that.”

PM Says Large Order Placed for Driver’s License and Stickers

Why are drivers still waiting for license cards and stickers many months after renewal? Many drivers are asking this after going through the process of renewal and only receiving receipts as proof of their renewal.

Yesterday, one driver shared a receipt from three months ago with the note, “NO lic printing at D.o.t.” while waiting for their physical card. Another driver told News 5, “It’s very frustrating because when you have a receipt, it can get damaged or anything, and when they ask you if you lost it, then it gets frustrating. We are paying full price, so we expect to get it.”

In response to the public’s growing concern, Prime Minister John Briceño told reporters that after meeting with Minister Ferguson and acting CEO Valentino Shal, a large order of license plates and stickers was placed. Briceño said, “CEO Shal confessed that he did not know the extent of the need that was out there. And that’s why it’s finished… We should be able to address all the needs going forward.” He also mentioned he would check with the Ministry of Finance to confirm that payment has been made for the new order.

PM John Briceño Responds to Sugar Road Issues in Corozal

Today, Prime Minister John Briceño responded to growing concerns over poor sugarcane roads in the Corozal District. Briceño stated that while funds and contracts are in place for repairs, weather conditions continue to prevent progress.

“We will be wasting money if we try to fix the road right now, because then one day later, two days later, it’s going to break up,” PM Briceño said.

Earlier this week, the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association (CSCPA) raised alarm over the ongoing issues in a letter to the Prime Minister. CSCPA stated that despite claims that 90% of roads have been fixed, farmers in the district are struggling to deliver sugarcane to the mill due to ongoing road issues.

CSCPA also cited challenges like high humidity, pests, and investments made before the crop season, all affecting sugar cane quality.

Meanwhile, on the day that Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) opened its gates, BSI’s Financial Director, Shawn Chavarria, called the situation a “long-term failure.” Chavarria stated that this inadequate infrastructure has been an issue for years. “It’s been successive years of inadequate maintenance and repairs to these sugar roads for a critical industry,” he said.

Prime Minister Briceño addressed the issue, noting that weather conditions have delayed repairs. “We have the money. We’ve signed the contracts, and we’ve set aside even another million dollars plus to be able to fix the Sugar Roads, but until the weather clears up and it dries up, there’s not much that we can do.”