The Belize Port Authority (BPA) raised the water taxi passenger fee by $3.00 for fares between $10.00 and $100.00. This became effective on January 1, 2025.
This adjustment follows the Water Taxi (Amendment) Regulations, SI No. 129 of 2022. The BPA said due to the economic impact of COVID-19, the BPA had temporarily reduced the fee to $2.00 to assist both operators and passengers.
“With the recovery of the economy, the BPA will now revert to the full fee, which will be applied to tickets purchased on or after 1 January 2025,” the BPA said in its announcement statement.
It added that the fee increase “This adjustment is necessary to ensure the continued safety, security, and maintenance of maritime services.”
Let’s face it—American culture has long been a global juggernaut. From Hollywood’s silver screen to the ever-present sounds of pop music and viral trends, American influence has become an inescapable part of the global cultural landscape. In many places, its reach is readily apparent, but in some, it’s more subtle—yet, no less significant. Belize, a small Caribbean nation with a population just over 400,000, has not remained immune to this cultural tide. Over the decades, American customs and trends have found their way into Belizean life, influencing everything from entertainment to fashion, holidays, and even social behavior.
For a country as culturally diverse and historically rich as Belize, the infusion of foreign customs raises important questions: How do we retain our unique identity in the face of overwhelming global influence? And how can we protect and celebrate our roots while navigating an increasingly interconnected world?
The Reach of Americanization
A powerful example of American cultural infiltration can be seen in the rise of basketball. While this sport, born on American soil in 1891, has undoubtedly provided a platform for Belize’s youth to engage in positive activities like the Live Life Basketball Youth Tournament, it also marks a shift. It’s not just a sport—it’s a reflection of the broader American cultural influence. The same is true for other American imports including language, and, in some cases, even political ideals have seeped into Belizean society.
Take Thanksgiving, for another example—a holiday that is not observed as a national holiday in Belize, yet continues to find its way into local homes. For many, it remains just another workday, but for an increasing number of households—particularly the tourism industry that hosts American and Canadian visitors—Thanksgiving is now a day for feasting and festivities. The cultural conundrum here is not about rejecting these influences but about understanding how they reshape our local customs.
The Digital Highway
One of the most visible conduits of this cultural transformation is the media. With the rise of the internet and social media, Belizeans are more connected to American culture than ever before. From blockbuster films and TV shows to viral TikTok challenges, the influence is ubiquitous. A typical day for most people often involves scrolling through Instagram or TikTok, consuming content dominated by American trends, lifestyles, and ideals.
However, this subtle cultural shift is not just a local phenomenon—it is part of a larger picture fuelled by soft power. Soft power refers to the ability of a country to influence others through culture, diplomacy, and values, as opposed to military force or economic pressure. The United States, with its entertainment industry, globalised brands, and educational programs, has excelled in this form of influence.
Finding Balance Amidst Change
The challenge, as Kim Vasquez, Director of the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) at the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), aptly puts it, is not to reject these influences but to embrace them while remaining grounded in one’s cultural heritage. “We embrace and recognise that Belize is multicultural. We have a blend here of different cultural groups—Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Mestizo, East Indian, and other cultural groups. And it is okay to have external influences, but it is so important that you love and feel a sense of pride,” she said. “You must be proud, and you must have a knowledge of your cultural background of what is Belizean,” she added.
This philosophy of cultural preservation is not just theoretical—it is actively being embodied by various communities in Belize. One notable example is the Garifuna community, which is experiencing a cultural revival, reconnecting with its African, Arawak, and Carib roots to preserve its unique heritage. This recent movement, led by cultural activists Mathew and Virgin Martinez, is inspiring a new generation to embrace Garifuna traditions, including language, music, dance, and cuisine.
Once marginalized, Garifuna culture is now being celebrated, due to the efforts of groups like Ugundani, a dance collective founded by Naomi Guzman. Their work, along with the recognition of Garifuna culture by UNESCO in 2001, has elevated the Garifuna identity. Today, young Belizeans, including members of the Lirahinu Ugundani group, are learning traditional dances and drumming, ensuring that this rich culture continues to thrive for future generations.
NICH’s Path to Preservation
Yet, this delicate balance between embracing external influences and preserving local traditions is harder to strike than it might seem. The more we are exposed to American media, whether through TV, TikTok, or social media, the easier it is to embrace foreign trends. But this is where NICH’s outreach becomes vital. Programs like the National Festival of Arts, the Southern Maya Deer Dance in Pueblo Viejo, and events at the Houses of Culture aim to remind Belizeans—particularly youth—of the cultural richness Belize is known for.
Vasquez said, “We work with cultural organisations and schools to keep traditions alive and make sure that young people are engaged in their culture.”
But it’s not just about holding on to the past. The institute is also using modern tools to reach younger generations. By creating accessible digital content, Vasquez said NICH has “been trying to put out more videos, showcasing these cultural dances, showcasing food, showcasing whatever event the communities are having at that particular moment,” using the same tools as American media. Additionally, through initiatives like the 501 Academy and online learning platforms, NICH is providing opportunities for people to engage with Belizean culture from anywhere in the world.
A Culture That Adapts, Not Fades
The overlapping of culture is inevitable. The fusion of cultures is as old as human civilisation, and in many ways, it enriches societies by broadening perspectives. But for Belize, the key to thriving in this new world lies in finding a balance: adapting to new trends without sacrificing the essence of what makes the nation uniquely Belizean.
While the influence of American culture continues to grow, there are signs of hope. Initiatives to preserve language, music, and traditions are ensuring that Belize’s cultural identity will endure, even as it evolves.
The true test of a nation that prides itself on being uniquely Belizean lies in striking a delicate balance between adapting and preserving its culture. Belize’s cultural diversity is its greatest strength, and the efforts of organisations like NICH, along with educators and local cultural leaders, form the backbone that ensures Belizean cultures remain alive.
By Benita Keme-Palacio, Creative Digital Content Assistant
As we close the year 2024, it’s time to look back at the stories that captured the attention of our audience and sparked important conversations throughout the year. From viral reels to must-read reports, News 5 Live has been at the forefront of sharing the moments, trends, and breaking news that kept you informed and engaged.
This year, News 5 Live covered several important stories. Among these stories are the nation’s worst road traffic accident recorded, which tragically claimed 10 lives; a shocking kidnapping case in Belmopan that revealed the dark realities of domestic abuse; a triple murder in Monkey River Village that left two children without parents; the young lives lost in motorcycle RTAs; and the death of a teenager in San Ignacio Town, which led to deep discussions about poverty, desperation, and the challenges many young people face.
In this roundup, we’ve compiled the top viral content from our platforms—stories that resonated with our community. You can revisit these stories below, where we’ve linked to the full reports and updates from each of these defining moments. Here’s a look back at the moments that defined this year:
Did you know that while most of us are still in 2024, some parts of the world have already rung in 2025? This is all thanks to the quirky time zones and the International Date Line, which splits the world into different calendar days.
The International Date Line is an imaginary line running through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, about 180 degrees from the Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England. It separates two consecutive days—if you’re west of the line, you’ve already moved into the next day.
Because of this, remote Pacific islands like Kiribati, Samoa, and Tonga are the first to greet the New Year. Kiribati’s Line Islands, in particular, lead the global countdown, thanks to their UTC+14 time zone. Their New Year’s celebrations are full of traditional dances, fireworks, and family gatherings. Following them, Samoa, Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji, and Australia join in with their own unique traditions, adding to the worldwide festivities.
These early New Year destinations attract thousands of travellers eager to experience how time zones impact culture and tourism.
And as the New Year moves west, Baker Island and Howland Island—two uninhabited U.S. territories—will be the last places to welcome 2025. This is due to their position near the International Date Line.
Earlier today, it was reported that Evelyn Martinez, 30, from Orange Walk District, had been missing since Sunday morning. According to family and friends, Martinez commutes from Orange Walk District to Belize City for work and was last seen leaving for her job but did not arrive back home.
A Facebook user posted on social media that a family member even “called her work only to find out that she DID NOT make it.” The user added two phone numbers to call if there was any information regarding Martinez; the numbers were 627-1756 or 605-1268.
Shortly after, Deepika Rei posted on social media that Martinez had been located safe. Rei said in a Facebook post stating, “UPDATE UPDATE: Evelyn is safe and sound. Thank you all so much again.”
However, during this afternoon’s police briefing, police stated that Martinez has not been found, and she is still missing.
News 5 contacted one of the numbers shared by the family, which was confirmed to belong to Evelyn Martinez’s aunt, Maria Aban. Aban stated that Martinez only communicates through Messenger and Instagram since she doesn’t have a phone number. Aban said she learnt Martinez had been found after a cousin called her, saying they had “spoken to Martinez” and that she was safe.
After getting in contact with the cousin, she told News 5 that she “was told” that Martinez had been found and was safe.
Shortly after, Aban reported receiving a call from an unknown number. She said, “She just called to let me know that she’s okay; that’s all she told me.”
Martinez’s father-in-law, Satur Nino, had gone into the Orange Walk police station to file a missing person’s report, and that he has not seen her since Saturday. When asked if Martinez had gone missing before, Nino stated, “Yes, but not when she was living with us.” He added that she struggles with a substance problem.
We also spoke to a man who said that Martinez borrowed his phone to call her aunt. This reportedly happened near Tower Hill. The man said that she was alone, appeared to be in good condition, but seemed unwilling to return home.
Two years after surviving a shooting in 2022, Trayson Gibson was once again involved in a violent incident, this time resulting in his death.
A neighbour who helped 18-year-old Gibson after the shooting told News 5 that he initially thought the noise was firecrackers, but soon realised that wasn’t the case. “It felt like dynamite,” he said. “But when I heard the lee break in it and then it come on again, I said, no man, that’s a gunshot.”
The neighbour added, “I remember I left my son out there, so I ran outside. When I reach outside, I see the commotion,” he said, before driving Gibson to the hospital.
Another neighbour suspects that Gibson was not the intended target, stating, “The intended target wasn’t him. Definitely, because if it was him they wanted, they could have just passed right here and shot him… he was out here all the while. Even police passed and saw him out here and told him to get on the side…”
Evelyn Martinez, 30, from Orange Walk District, has been located safe after being reported missing earlier today. A relative confirmed in a Facebook post that she is “safe and sound.”
Martinez, who commutes to Belize City for work, was last seen leaving for her job on Sunday morning but failed to arrive. Her family had raised alarms, with one Facebook user stating, “Evelyn Martinez left for work on Sunday morning and has NOT returned home,” and a family member revealing that her workplace confirmed she had not arrived.
The family later shared that Martinez had been found.
Family and friends of Evelyn Martinez, 30, are urgently seeking help after she went missing on Sunday morning. Martinez, who commutes from Orange Walk District to Belize City for work, was last seen leaving for her job but did not arrive.
A Facebook user posted on social media: “Evelyn Martinez left for work on Sunday morning and has NOT returned home,” adding that a “family member has since called her work only to find out that she DID NOT make it.”
A relative added in a separate post, “This is not like her. As of now, family members and friends are extremely concerned.“
Anyone with information is urged to contact the family at 627-1756 or 605-1268.
“Everybody lost everything,” said Nelson Middleton, the manager of the Centavos Apartment Complex in San Pedro, which was destroyed in a fire early Sunday morning. As previously reported, the fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. on Sea Star Street, affecting 48 people, including children ages 2–12, according to the San Pedro Lions Club.
Milton says he manages the pine apartment complex on behalf of the owner, Gloria Peal Tucker, who lives in the U.S.
Milton told News 5 that his son informed him of the fire. “My son called me while I was in Camalote and said one of the buildings was on fire at Centavo,” he said. Milton advised his son to call the fire department, which arrived shortly after.
Milton said, “I lost cash because we collect rent; we lost computers; we lost everything.” The value of the buildings alone is estimated to be over half a million dollars, not including the losses suffered by the residents.
Some residents have reported a suspected arson case. Fermin Witzil, a resident, reported hearing hissing gas before an explosion occurred.
The fire also damaged a nearby SUV and motorcycle. The timing of the fire, just after Christmas and before New Year’s, has made the loss especially difficult for those affected. Milton stated, “At this time, everybody will start all over, and that is very hard.”
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the longest-living American president, passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. His son, Chip Carter, confirmed the death, which occurred at the family home in Plains, Georgia, at 3:45 p.m.
Carter, who entered hospice care in February 2023, served as president from 1977 to 1981. His term was marked by achievements such as the Camp David Accords, which brokered peace between Israel and Egypt, and he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his tireless advocacy for global health and human rights. However, his presidency was overshadowed by the Iran hostage crisis and a struggling economy, which led to his loss in the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan.
After leaving office, Carter’s reputation soared through his humanitarian work, including his involvement with Habitat for Humanity and the founding of the Carter Centre, which helped combat diseases like river blindness and Guinea worm.
Carter is survived by his children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife, Rosalynn, passed away in November 2023.
