hipolito - Greater Belize Media

Ex-boyfriend Charged with Arson

The man accused of attempting to burn down his ex-girlfriend’s home on two separate occasions has been arrested and charged. Sir Hugh Anthony Andrewin was formally charged with arson.

Andrewin, who had been the subject of a police wanted poster, was apprehended over the weekend and is now in police custody. Authorities say he is responsible for two arson attempts at a residence on Flamboyant Street of Belize City, following a breakup.

The victim’s mother, Hanisha Castro, recounted the frightening events, which began just hours after her daughter ended the relationship. “He opened the burners of my stove, opened the gas tank fully, and then when he was leaving, I saw him light my sofa with a blue lighter,” she told News 5.

Though the family managed to extinguish the first fire, a second attack followed just hours later. “At four a.m. he returned… he opened the window and lit the curtain. I woke up to flames and smoke, had to take out my grandchildren and put out the fire with bathroom water,” Castro said.

Jet Ski Explosion in San Pedro Injures One

Police are investigating a jet ski explosion that occurred near the Gas and Go gas station in the San Mateo area of San Pedro, leaving one man with minor injuries.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Stacy Smith, officers responded to the scene around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, after receiving reports of an explosion in the lagoon.

“The initial investigation revealed that the operator of the jet ski, Jeffrey Molina, had just refueled the jet ski at the gas station, and shortly thereafter there was an explosion which caused him to be flung into the water,” ASP Smith said.

After the blast, the jet ski “drifted a bit and subsequently caught fire.” Fire personnel responded, and Molina was rescued from the water with minor injuries.

The jet ski involved in the incident belongs to a private company.

Drilling Vessel Titania FE to Anchor Briefly Off Belize

The Belize Port Authority has confirmed that the semi-submersible drilling unit MV Titania FE is scheduled to arrive in Belizean waters on Tuesday for a brief, regulated stopover.

According to a press release, the vessel’s visit is strictly for “the purpose of replenishing stores and comply[ing] with regulatory requirements set forth by Mexican authorities.”

Due to its size and draft limitations, the MV Titania FE will not enter Belize City Harbour. Instead, it will anchor outside English Caye, where all inbound and outbound clearance procedures will be conducted by Belizean authorities.

The vessel is expected to remain in Belizean waters for approximately four hours before returning to Mexico. The Belize Port Authority said that under international maritime law, MV Titania FE is legally recognized as a ship, and “Belize is obligated to facilitate such port calls.”

Importantly, the public is advised that “MV Titania FE is not authorized to engage in any activity beyond the approved resupply operations while within Belizean waters.”

BNTU President: “We Ain’t Opening Any Classrooms”

During her live video statement on Saturday, BNTU President Nadia Caliz issued a direct warning to the Ministry of Education: no salary adjusment, no back-to-school.

She said, “We ain’t doing anything until you recognize our contribution and you treat us with the respect that we have. And if we still cannot achieve that, we ain’t opening any classrooms.”

“Come August, 5,000 workshops? We’re not going there. We ain’t painting no classroom. We ain’t buying any materials… we ain’t opening any classrooms,” she added.

Caliz also told the government that is “propaganda campaign” is backfiring.

“You are hemorrhaging,” she said to persons behind anti-JUNT ads opposing the union’s demands. “Look at your comments. The people of this country, they’re not fools. They’re awakened. They understand what is going on.”

Caliz condemned the portrayal of unions as “greedy” for seeking state assistance, despite those funds being legally allocated. “It’s taxpayer’s money. It does not belong to any one of them individually,” she stated.

USDA Flags Screwworm Outbreak in Belize, Imposes Import Curbs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has added Belize and El Salvador to its list of regions affected by New World Screwworm (NWS), a dangerous parasitic pest that poses serious risks to livestock, pets, and wildlife. The designation follows confirmed outbreaks in both countries, prompting import restrictions on horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs entering the United States.

These animals must now be inspected and treated before entry to prevent reintroduction of the pest.

In Belize, the outbreak is rapidly spreading. As of May 7, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE) reported 70 confirmed cases of NWS, primarily in southern and western regions including Toledo, Stann Creek, Cayo, and parts of the Belize District.

While 90-day quarantines have been lifted in infested zones, movement permits and NWS Health Inspection Certificates remain mandatory. Treatment with Ivermectin (or Doramectin for horses) is required before moving animals from infested to non-infested areas such as Corozal and Orange Walk.

Pet and backyard animal owners are being urged to inspect wounds regularly and report any signs of myiasis (larval infestations). Entry and transport of animals across control points, Sandhill, Bullet Tree Falls, and Jalacte, must comply with strict declaration and inspection protocols. Violations of Statutory Instrument 143 of 2024, which governs screwworm control, carry penalties of up to $5,000 BZD or three years’ imprisonment.

In Washington, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told the House Agriculture Committee that she is preparing to unveil a groundbreaking federal strategy to tackle the growing threat. She characterised the plan as “unlike anything seen before” and said she expects strong congressional backing.

Weekend Payment Disruption Ahead

The Central Bank of Belize has announced that its Automated Payments and Securities Settlement System (APSSS) will be temporarily offline from 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 20 June 2025, until 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 23 June 2025 to facilitate a major system upgrade.

In a release, the Central Bank explained that during this period, “domestic financial institutions will not be able to access APSSS services.” However, the public will still have access to some payment options. “Instant Funds Transfer (IFT) services will be available starting Saturday afternoon and will remain active throughout the remainder of the weekend,” the Bank stated.

This scheduled maintenance is part of a broader initiative to modernise Belize’s National Payment System. The Central Bank, in partnership with the Government of Belize and domestic financial institutions, is upgrading APSSS to implement “the ISO 20022 international standard for financial messaging.” The new standard is expected to “improve the efficiency, security, and interoperability of payment processing across Belize’s financial system.”

The Central Bank is advising customers to “check with their respective financial institutions for updates and for information on available payment options during the temporary disruption.”

“8.5 Is 8.5”: BNTU President Slams GOB

President of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), Nadia Caliz, delivered a fiery public address this weekend. Caliz condemned what she described as government attempts to politicise and discredit the union’s call for the 8.5% salary adjustment.

“8.5 is 8.5. Nothing will discourage this movement,” Caliz said. She accused the government of waging a “smear campaign” against the unions and trying to manipulate public perception through what she described as misleading advertisements. “They can put out 1,000 videos… but their very own people are not supporting them,” she said.

Caliz also pushed back against claims that fulfilling the salary adjustment would cost the government $100 million. “Let’s look at how it started $13 million, then $20 million, then $40 million, then $60 million, now $100 million. The politics they’re trying to use to distort the pain and suffering of the Belizean people will not work,” she said.

She said that teachers, along with other workers, bore the brunt of the country’s economic recovery through frozen increments and a 10% wage cut. “Three frozen increments and a 10% cut. Look at your salary now, put it back in, and see what you contributed to the rebounding of this country,” she challenged fellow public officers.

PUC Finaliza Decisión sobre Revisión Anual 2025 de BEL

La Comisión de Servicios Públicos (PUC) ha emitido su decisión final sobre el Proceso de Revisión Anual 2025 de Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), correspondiente al período tarifario del 1 de julio de 2025 al 30 de junio de 2026.

Tras una revisión exhaustiva de la propuesta presentada por BEL, la PUC ha decidido mantener sin cambios las tarifas eléctricas, los cargos y los valores regulados. Según BEL, esta decisión busca equilibrar la asequibilidad para los consumidores con la sostenibilidad financiera de la empresa, en cumplimiento con la Ley de Electricidad y las normativas correspondientes.

Como parte de su resolución, la PUC ha ordenado a BEL que tome dos acciones específicas. Primero, deberá presentar a más tardar el 30 de junio de 2025 un informe detallado sobre la creación de una nueva empresa generadora mayorista, Synergy Power Belize Limited, incluyendo las tarifas propuestas que planea aplicar. Además, la empresa debe presentar una propuesta integral para una nueva estructura tarifaria basada en el costo real del servicio, respaldada con datos y análisis pertinentes.

PUC Finalises Decision on BEL’s 2025 Annual Review

The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has issued its final decision on Belize Electricity Limited’s (BEL) 2025 Annual Review Proceedings, which covers the tariff period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

Following a thorough review of BEL’s proposal, the PUC has decided to keep electricity rates, tariffs, and regulated values unchanged. BEL says this aims to balance affordability for consumers with the financial sustainability of BEL, in line with the Electricity Act and related regulations.

As part of its ruling, the PUC has directed BEL to take two specific actions. BEL must submit a detailed report by June 30, 2025, outlining the formation of a new wholesale generation company, Synergy Power Belize Limited, including the proposed rates it plans to charge. The company is also required to present a comprehensive proposal for a new cost-reflective tariff structure, supported by relevant data and analysis.

Turismo crece un 1%, pero Mahler advierte sobre meses difíciles

El Ministerio de Turismo reporta un modesto aumento del 1% en las llegadas de visitantes durante los primeros cinco meses del año, aunque el mes de mayo reflejó una baja en el ritmo de crecimiento. El Ministro Anthony Mahler expresó preocupación por el panorama que se avecina, señalando que la industria turística podría enfrentar meses complejos.

“Mayo fue un poco lento, y creo que los próximos meses serán difíciles”, declaró Mahler, quien recientemente asistió a una conferencia hotelera en el extranjero. Indicó que la incertidumbre económica global, especialmente la pérdida de liquidez en fondos personales como los 401K, ha reducido la capacidad de los turistas internacionales para costear vacaciones de lujo como las que ofrece Belize.

A pesar de estos desafíos, Mahler afirmó que su equipo está comprometido a mitigar el impacto en la industria y mantener las cifras estables. También descartó que el crimen esté afectando directamente el turismo en este momento, pero reconoció que factores externos juegan un papel importante.

“Debemos seguir navegando a través de todo esto. No es fácil impulsar una industria como el turismo, especialmente en estos tiempos difíciles de incertidumbre global”, concluyó.