hipolito - Greater Belize Media

BSI Confirms Sugar Crop Among the Worst in Decades

After Prime Minister John Briceño declared the 2024–2025 sugar crop “one of the worst we’ve had in a long time,” the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) confirmed the grim reality in hard numbers, describing this year’s performance as one of the worst in over three decades.

Sean Chavarria, Director of Finance at BSI, said, “The total cane received is just under 884,000 metric tons. That’s a low for us.” He added that the only comparable year in recent history was 2020, which was still higher despite coming on the heels of the 2019 drought.

But it’s not just quantity that’s concerning, quality also took a hit. Chavarria explained that the Tons of Cane to Tons of Sugar (TCTS) ratio, a key measure of efficiency, stood at approximately 11.1 to 11.2 this season. “That’s one of the lowest we’ve seen since the 2010 crop,” he said.

After liquidation, total sugar production is expected to come in at just under 79,000 metric tons, a figure not seen since 2008, making this season one of the lowest-producing crops in 35 to 40 years.

“It’s not a very good crop. From our standpoint, it’s been very challenging,” Chavarria said, pointing to a mix of contributing factors including adverse weather, widespread disease, and manpower shortages. “We had long stops due to heavy rains in February and March, totaling 12 days. There was also a lot of ‘out of cane’ scenarios where farmers struggled to meet milling requirements.”

The Fusarium Wilt disease, which the Prime Minister described earlier in the day as a “fungus ravaging cane fields,” is one of the most significant threats. Chavarria confirmed that stakeholders are actively assessing the disease’s long-term impact but cautioned, “It might be a little too early to see the full effect.”

Despite the bleak short-term outlook, Chavarria remains optimistic about the future. “The hope that we have is that our problems are solvable. All these issues can be solved,” he said, emphasizing the need for field renovation, access to agricultural credit, and mechanization of harvesting to reduce dependency on labor and increase productivity.

PM Briceño: Sugar Industry Facing “Existential Crisis”

Prime Minister John Briceño told the nation this morning that “the sugar crop has come to an end, and it’ll be one of the worst sugar crops we’ve had in a long time.”

He said that the industry is experiencing an “existential crisis”, following the premature end of the 2024–2025 sugar cane harvest season and a devastating outbreak of a plant disease ravaging northern cane fields.

“I just received a short WhatsApp message from Marco Osorio, chairman of the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB), informing me that cane deliveries have stopped, marking the end of the crop season,” the Prime Minister revealed.

“This has been one of the most, if not the most, challenging crop seasons in recent memory,” Briceño said, citing a combination of adverse weather, pest infestations, and most critically, the aggressive spread of Fusarium wilt disease, a fungal infection that has decimated cane fields across the northern districts.

According to the Prime Minister, a field assessment conducted last November by the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), and the Ministry of Agriculture revealed that more than 60,000 acres of sugar cane were infected by Fusarium. Of these, 8,060 acres were severely infested, while approximately 35,500 acres showed mild infection. The findings projected an estimated 30% decline in total cane production, equivalent to a loss of 215,000 tonnes of cane.

“What was surprising to many, myself included, is that this fungus has actually been around for nearly 30 years,” Briceño explained. “But the combination of heavy rains followed by extreme drought created the perfect conditions for it to multiply rapidly.”

The PM also acknowledged that the impact is not limited to quantity but also affects quality. “There will be a significant reduction in yield per acre as well as a fall in the quality of cane harvested. This affects efficiencies both in the fields and at the BSI factory.”

Marco Osorio’s update highlighted a cascade of issues facing the industry this season: poor cane yields, challenging field conditions, a limited harvesting workforce, lower sugar output, and an unfavourable cane price estimate, all factors contributing to the poor performance of the crop.

“This is a very difficult time for the sugar industry,” Briceño stressed. “It requires all hands on deck- Government, farmers, and the miller, to join forces and develop a coordinated plan of action.”

Despite the bleak outlook, Briceño remains hopeful. “The resilience of our farmers is being tested, but together we will find and implement solutions to advance the industry, and we will succeed.”

Coast Guard Discovers Abandoned ‘Colombian‑Style’ Vessel

Belizean Coast Guard crews have recovered a small, unflagged vessel of Colombian design drifting in northern Ambergris Caye waters. The suspicions are that it was abandoned after involvement in illicit narcotics or fuel‑resupply operations.

Earlier this year, Coast Guard officers interdicted a man possessing a kilo of cocaine near Turneffe Atoll but found no sunken or wrecked vessel nearby.

In September 2024, crews near Deer Caye recovered packages of cannabis. Meanwhile, Belize’s maritime territory has increasingly become a transit zone for Colombian drug shipments, often concealed in vessels drifting offshore.

The current find closely mirrors previous cases of semi‑submersible “narco‑subs” and fast boats used to evade detection in Colombia. This is a trend that intensified alongside Colombian cartels’ evolving tactics in Pacific narcotics routes.

Gov’t Puts Latest Offer in Writing as Unions Weigh Next Move

Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde has officially communicated the Government of Belize’s latest adjustment proposal to the Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT) in writing.

The letter details a timeline for the 8.5% salary cut and frozen increments that have been at the centre of public sector negotiations for weeks.

In a letter dated June 26, 2025, addressed to the presidents of the Public Service Union (Dean Flowers), the Belize National Teachers Union (Nadia Caliz), and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (Sharon Fraser), Hyde stressed the importance of cooperation and unity.

“It’s been a process of back and forth for a bit over a month now, and we are hopeful that we can reach some level of agreement sooner rather than later,” Hyde wrote. “We are partners. We must be.”

The letter confirms Cabinet’s agreement to restore the 8.5% salary cut over two years, along with the reinstatement of two frozen increments. The proposed schedule is as follows:

4.5 percent – Effective October 1, 2025

First Frozen Increment – Effective April 1, 2026

4 percent – Effective October 1, 2026

Second Frozen Increment – Effective April 1, 2027

Hyde added, “A lot has been said on either side, but the business of governance and nation-building requires all hands on deck — working in unison, not dissonance.”

“We look forward to completing the work of the joint committees – complete with mutual agreement on measures related to pension reform, cost savings and revenue enhancement,” Hyde wrote.

Finally, the DPM said, “A lot of fine work has been done so far. Let the work continue…”

The unions are expected to bring this offer to their general membership for review and feedback ahead of a planned demonstration this Saturday. Whether the written proposal is enough to call off that protest remains to be seen.

Woman Mauled by Pack of Dogs in Gales Point

A terrifying dog attack has left a mother injured and traumatised after she was mauled by three aggressive pit bulls near Manatee Lodge in Gales Point Manatee.

The victim, 44-year-old Crystal Slusher, is now calling for urgent action, saying she narrowly escaped with her life and fears others, especially children, might not be so lucky next time.

“I have a five-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and I’ve been having issues with the dogs,” Slusher told News 5.

“They’ve attacked my animals before. They’ve tried to kill my dog on my property. And now they’ve attacked me.”

Slusher recounted the horrifying events of Sunday, June 23, when she was walking with her daughter near her home, about two blocks from the lodge. “I was trying to take my daughter to my friend Carly’s house when a pack of dogs came running down toward us. My daughter jumped in the car, thank God, and then three of the pit bulls attacked me.”

According to Slusher, the dogs bit her on her arm, hip, thigh, and buttocks. “I was literally running out of my shoes, trying to give them my skirt to get away. I ran into my car, bleeding, and just kept thanking God my daughter was safe,” she said.

“I went to my mom’s house screaming, ‘They got me, Mom!’ I was terrified I would bleed to death.”

Slusher was treated at the Southern Regional Hospital, where she received a tetanus shot and was prescribed antibiotics. Her injuries have been classified as wounding, and she has filed an official police report.

She says this isn’t the first time the dogs have behaved aggressively. On June 9, she said the same dogs tried to attack her husband in front of their home.

Slusher said the pack includes at least seven dogs, several of them large pit bulls, and claims they are regularly seen roaming the area near the lodge.

Slusher said she’s speaking out to raise awareness and prevent future attacks. “Somebody’s going to get killed. I could’ve been killed. People need to take better care of their dogs. If they’re violent, keep them secured. If the lodge needs protection, they should hire security, not let aggressive dogs roam freely.”

Unions, Government Resume Salary Negotiations as Protest Looms

Negotiations between the Joint Unions Negotiating Team (JUNT) and the Government of Belize resumed today in Belize City, as tensions mount over salary adjustments and wage demands. At the heart of the deadlock is the unions’ demand for an 8.5% salary adjustment and the reinstatement of two frozen increments, key issues for public officers, teachers, and managers represented by JUNT.

The latest round of talks is taking place at the ITVET compound, with government representatives opting to present their third proposal orally, rather than in writing.

This move has raised eyebrows among union leaders who have expressed growing frustration over the lack of meaningful progress.

Senior government officials present at the meeting include Minister of the Public Service Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Education Oscar Requeña, and Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde. Representing the unions were BNTU President Nadia Caliz, PSU President Dean Flowers, and APSSM President Sharon Fraser, alongside other executive members.

While discussions remained behind closed doors, the outcome of this session could prove critical. The Joint Unions have already signaled their growing impatience, planning a major public demonstration for this Saturday to pressure the government into meeting their demands.

The 8.5% adjustment has long been a flashpoint between the unions and the government. Initially cut during the pandemic as part of austerity measures, the unions argue that restoration is long overdue and essential amid rising living costs. Meanwhile, the government maintains it must balance wage adjustments against fiscal sustainability.

Flood Alert Issued for Belize River, Low-Lying Areas Amid Heavy Rains

The National Hydrological Service has issued a flood warning for the Belize River at More Tomorrow, along with a general flood alert for low-lying areas across the country, as rainfall associated with a tropical wave continues to impact river levels nationwide.

According to the afternoon flood forecast, increased water levels are expected in the northern, central, and inland regions of Belize, with several rivers and streams already experiencing above-normal levels.

In Region 7, rivers such as the Rio Hondo and New River are projected to rise significantly at key points including Blue Creek North, Santa Cruz, San Antonio, and Caledonia.

In Region 9, above-normal levels are expected on the Mopan River at Benque Viejo Town and the Macal River at San Ignacio, although Fortis hydro facilities are not expected to spill. The Belize River, in particular, poses a concern, with flood-stage levels forecasted at More Tomorrow and elevated levels at Double Run.

Further south, Region 11 is also experiencing rising waters. The Sibun River at Freetown Sibun, the Southern Lagoon at Gales Point, the Sittee River at Kendal Bridge, and rivers on the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains are all showing above-normal levels. In addition, branches of the Monkey River at Swasey and Bladen, the Deep River at Medina Bank, and southern rivers such as the Rio Grande, Moho, and Temash are also expected to remain high.

The Sarstoon River in Region 13 is similarly under flood alert due to elevated water levels.

This latest flood alert follows earlier warnings issued by the National Meteorological Service of Belize, which placed the country under a Small Craft Caution due to gusty winds and an Excessive Rainfall Watch. Although no tropical cyclone formation is expected in the North Atlantic Basin over the next 48 hours, the ongoing tropical wave continues to deliver heavy rain that is contributing to the flooding risk.

Authorities are urging residents in flood-prone communities, both urban and rural, to remain vigilant, monitor official updates, and take precautionary measures to protect lives and property.

Tropical Wave Brings Rainfall Across Belize

The National Meteorological Service of Belize is warning of increased rainfall and gusty winds as a tropical wave moves across the country.

According to the official 6:00 a.m. weather forecast, a Small Craft Caution is in effect due to occasionally gusty winds along coastal waters. Operators of small vessels are advised to exercise caution while at sea.

The Met Service has also issued an Excessive Rainfall Watch for the next 24 to 48 hours, cautioning that heavy showers and thunderstorms could lead to localised flooding in vulnerable areas. Residents are urged to monitor the weather and stay tuned to official updates.

In its Tropical Weather Outlook, the Met Service noted that no tropical cyclone formation is expected in the North Atlantic Basin within the next 48 hours.

The public is advised to remain alert and follow guidance from national authorities as the system continues to develop.

Ecuador’s Most Wanted Drug Lord Recaptured in Hidden Bunker

Ecuadorian security forces have recaptured Adolfo “Fito” Macías Villamar, the country’s most wanted fugitive and notorious drug lord, ending a months-long manhunt that began after his dramatic prison escape earlier this year.

Macías, leader of the feared Los Choneros gang, was found hiding in an underground bunker beneath a luxury home in Manta, on Ecuador’s Pacific coast. The 10-hour joint operation by police and military personnel ended without gunfire. Authorities uncovered the bunker behind a disguised trapdoor in the stone floor of the three-storey home, leading to a concealed room equipped with air conditioning, a bed, and a refrigerator.

Fito had been serving a 34-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking when he escaped from La Regional prison in Guayaquil in January 2024, allegedly with help from two prison guards. His breakout triggered deadly prison riots, a nationwide state of emergency, and intensified scrutiny of Ecuador’s crumbling prison system and rising gang violence.

Fito’s gang, Los Choneros, has been blamed for turning Ecuador from a peaceful nation into one of the most violent in Latin America, forging ties with Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel and importing brutal tactics such as decapitations and public executions.

He is also suspected of ordering the 2023 assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, a crime that shocked the nation and drew international condemnation.

Authorities say Fito offered no resistance upon capture and was flown to Guayaquil under heavy guard, where he is now being held in La Roca, a maximum-security prison.

$70K for CEO’s Special Advisor Raises Eyebrows

A $70,000 government contract for former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Aaron Guzman, to serve as a special advisor to the CEO of the Ministry of Home Affairs is drawing scrutiny, particularly as tensions rise between the government and unions over salary increases and fiscal priorities.

The contract also includes a government vehicle.

Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa defended the appointment, stating: “It’s not anything new. These government contracts exist in all ministries.”

He explained that the CEO, who comes from an administrative rather than policing background, requires the counsel of someone with Guzman’s experience. “Having the type of advice and counsel from somebody like a senior like Aaron Guzman has been very valuable to the ministry and to the CEO in the conduct of her duties,” Musa said.

The optics of a ‘high-paying’ advisory post have raised eyebrows, especially among public officers.

The Joint Unions Negotiating Team has rejected what they called the government’s attempts to politicise and discredit the union’s demand for the 8.5% salary adjustment.