Over 150 Maya Artefacts Return to Belize After U.S. Exhibition Tour

More than 150 priceless Maya artefacts are back on Belizean soil after spending over a decade on display across the United States as part of the acclaimed travelling exhibition Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed.

The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) announced the safe repatriation of the collection, which was on loan to the Science Museum of Minnesota (SMM) since the exhibit’s launch in 2012. The partnership between NICH and SMM allowed millions of visitors in cities like Minnesota, Denver, Boston, San Diego, and others to experience the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Maya civilisation.

The returned artefacts include ceramic vessels, jade ornaments, stone tools, and ritual objects, each offering unique insights into Belize’s ancestral past. Now safely back in the country, the collection has been entrusted to the Institute of Archaeology under NICH, where it will continue to be conserved, studied, and protected as part of Belize’s national patrimony.

NICH described the return as a major milestone in international museum collaboration and a testament to a shared commitment to preserving and promoting Belize’s cultural legacy.

“We express our deep appreciation to the Science Museum of Minnesota and all partner institutions for their stewardship of the collection and for helping bring global attention to Belize’s archaeological heritage,” NICH said in its statement.

 

A $10 Million Grant for Belize

Belize will receive a grant of US$5,194,000 to launch the eleventh cycle of the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), a flagship regional initiative aimed at tackling poverty and improving living conditions for vulnerable communities.

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved the funding during its 310th Board of Directors meeting on June 9 and formally communicated its decision to the Government of Belize on July 9. The new phase will be implemented by the Belize Social Investment Fund (BSIF) with oversight from the Ministry of Economic Transformation.

The BNTF 11 Programme will target low-income and underserved communities across the country, prioritising sustainable upgrades to basic infrastructure and livelihood opportunities. Areas of focus include quality education and training, improved water and sanitation systems, better community access and drainage, livelihood enhancement, and human resource development services.

Implementation will be guided by strong safeguards for transparency, environmental protection, and social responsibility, along with robust monitoring and evaluation to ensure accountability. BSIF, as the executing agency, will work alongside other national partners to roll out the projects efficiently.

“This significant investment in our communities underscores the Government of Belize’s continued commitment to inclusive and sustainable development,” the Ministry said in its announcement. “With the support of the CDB, GOB is targeting those most in need to ensure equitable access to basic services and uplift the quality of life for all Belizeans.”

Ashcroft on BTL-Smart Rumour: “How’s This Going to Affect the Consumer?”

Lord Michael Ashcroft has weighed in on reports that Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is considering acquiring Speednet Communications, better known as Smart.

“I mean, well, first of all, I would have to declare where my interest is in this particular one before I answer the question. Speednet, which is one of the companies that is talked about whether it comes in with the cable companies, is majority owned by Waterloo Charitable Trust. And that trust also owns the hospital here, Universal Health Services,” Ashcroft disclosed.

“Competition in the telecommunications industry changes all the time. If you just cast your mind back, we had a lot of problems here when voice over internet protocol came in. The law here said that was illegal to protect the domestic BTL at the time. But eventually, that had to be abandoned because the internet, WhatsApp, and all the rest of it came in and took the revenue away. And then the telephone companies have to compete on that.”

On whether BTL’s reported interest in acquiring Smart should raise alarm, Ashcroft said concerns about monopoly must be balanced with the fact that the state owns nearly all of BTL. “Now, where BTL is concerned, the first reaction is, how’s this going to affect the consumer? ‘Monopolies are terrible, awful, and shouldn’t be allowed,’ is the first reaction. In this particular case, there are some fundamental differences. The monopoly through BTL is owned 95 percent by the government and the Social Security Board. So whatever happens to BTL and whatever the profits are, low or high, is in control of the government.”

Ashcroft noted that strong BTL earnings can help ease pressure on taxpayers. He also stressed that BTL is already facing competition that will only grow. “In the future, BTL will be under competitive pressure from things like Starlink, which will be the next thing that comes. So it won’t be a monopoly per se. It will be them reorganising to get into place for this country to compete with the international carriers that come in.”

He also warned that failing to adapt could backfire if global players dominate the market. “If they decide that they want low cost here, which they may have to in any event when Starlink and other satellite-based companies come in, do you want a BTL and a Speednet to both go bust and give Starlink the monopoly?”

Ashcroft: UDP Must Bring in New Blood or Risk Irrelevance

Lord Michael Ashcroft has weighed in on the ongoing rift within the United Democratic Party (UDP). He is urging the embattled opposition to open its doors to new leadership or risk failing the country’s democracy.

“Some of the dinosaural politicians of the UDP need to stay out completely. Their time is up,” Ashcroft said in a frank assessment of the infighting that continues to divide the party. “The UDP have got themselves into an almighty great mess, which to this day has not been sorted.”

Ashcroft’s comments were made during this appearance on OYE earlier this month.

Ashcroft warned that the country faces a dangerous imbalance of power if the UDP remains fractured. “For me, it is always important in any country that there is a thriving democracy. The thriving democracy means an effective opposition. And opposition is often a combination between the main opposition party and the media,” he explained.

Ashcroft pointed to what he described as unchecked wrongdoing within the current administration. “Now we have a situation with the fight, with the PUP having absolute control. And I don’t think I’m saying anything that any citizen doesn’t know, but the level of naughtiness that is happening in the government today is very high indeed,” he said.

He noted that the governing People’s United Party holds enough seats to make sweeping changes. “It’s very important that the UDP get their act together and together with the media, hold this government to account with the vast majority that they have in the House, which even gives them the okay if they wish to change Belize’s Constitution.”

Ashcroft described the UDP’s internal dispute as a clash of egos between factions loyal to Moses “Shyne” Barrow and those who back Tracy Taegar-Panton. “Shyne wants a future in politics, Tracy and many others do not want Shyne to have a future in politics. And so you have oil and water here trying to mix in the same pot. And egos are running am mock on the old established UDP at the moment.”

“The only way the UDP can get itself together is if there is an open election for the leader and an open election for who will be the representatives for the various constituencies around the country. And this is where the resistance is at the moment,” Ashcroft said.

He warned that the power struggle could drag on indefinitely if both sides remain stubborn. “They have the headquarters, they by law are the appointed representatives of the party and they’re doing everything they can to ensure that there is not a free choice for UDP supporters to decide who should be the leader. And until that is broken, this can go on for a long time.”

 

Stabbing in Santa Martha Leaves One Man Injured

A heated family dispute turned violent in Santa Martha Village on Sunday night, leaving a 26-year-old man hospitalised with stab wounds and another relative in police custody.

Police reports indicate that around 11 p.m. on July 13, Miguel Angel Valledares, who is self-employed, visited the home of his brother-in-law, Jairo Godoy Cortez, who was asleep at the time.

According to investigators, Valledares entered the residence and woke Cortez, which sparked a heated argument that quickly escalated into a physical altercation. During the fight, Cortez allegedly armed himself with a knife and inflicted three stab wounds to Valledares’ left abdomen.

Cortez has since been detained by police and is expected to be formally charged and arraigned in the coming days. Meanwhile, Valledares remains hospitalised while recovering from his injuries.

Iranian Group Places $40 Million Bounty on Trump’s Head

A religious fatwa from Iran’s top clerics is calling for the assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump, with reports claiming an online crowdfunding campaign has already raised more than $40 million as a bounty for carrying out the threat.

The calls for Trump’s death follow recent remarks by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who, during a televised speech, mocked the former president’s security, saying, “Trump has done something that he can no longer sunbathe in Mar-a-Lago. As he lies there with his stomach to the sun, a small drone might hit him in the navel.”

According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), an Iranian group calling itself the “Blood Covenant” is behind the online campaign, which includes a website showing Trump in crosshairs and urges supporters to donate “in order to help establish stable peace.” The poster on the site reportedly quotes the Quran: “Strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah,” describing the bounty as a legitimate call for jihad.

The threats come weeks after the U.S. reportedly carried out significant airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. MEMRI says Iran’s religious establishment has recently increased explicit calls for Trump’s assassination.

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Travis Scott Samples Shyne, Barrington Levy on New Album

US rapper Travis Scott has once again tapped into Caribbean classics, this time sampling Belize’s own Shyne and reggae icon Barrington Levy for his brand-new album, Jackboys 2.

Released over the weekend in collaboration with his “Cactus Jack” collective, Jackboys 2 has already stirred a wave of reactions across social media. One standout track, fittingly titled Shyne, features rising Memphis rapper Glorilla and has quickly become one of the album’s most talked-about songs.

‘Shyne’ heavily samples the 2000 hit Bad Boyz.

The original track, produced by Ez Elpee, famously blended hip hop with reggae and dancehall, sampling Grace Jones’ Nightclubbing and showcasing Barrington Levy’s iconic vocals and unmistakable “Broader Than Broadway” riff.

Travis Scott’s version goes a step further, with Scott himself attempting Barrington Levy’s trademark “shibbily dabbily” style.

Reacting to the track’s release, Shyne shared his pride in seeing his work inspire a new generation of artists. “I am honored that two of the biggest popular artists out right now have remade my classic song,” Shyne said.

Scott now joins other artists, including Lady London, Sean Price, and Cassidy, who have sampled Bad Boyz over the years.

 

Major Crimes Drop in First Half of 2025

New data released by the Belize Police Department show that major crimes across Belize have decreased by 9 percent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

From January to June 2024, Belize recorded 536 major crimes. That number dropped to 489 for January to June 2025, a decrease of 47 cases. Murders saw the biggest decline, falling by 29 percent from 58 to 41 cases. Reports of burglary dropped slightly by 4 percent, robbery by 15 percent, and theft by 26 percent.

However, reports of unlawful sexual intercourse (USI) rose by 5 percent, from 62 to 65 cases. Meanwhile, rape cases remained unchanged at 17 for both periods.

When comparing the first and second quarters of 2025, the data shows mixed results. Murders decreased from 24 in the first quarter to 17 in the second quarter, a drop of 29 percent. Robbery and theft each saw small quarterly drops as well.

But rape almost doubled, rising from 6 in the first quarter to 11 in the second, an 83 percent jump. Burglary also increased, climbing from 130 cases to 142, marking a 9 percent rise in just three months.

Darrell Bradley says 13th Amendment “Dangerous”

Attorney Darrell Bradley says that the Belize Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Bill, 2025, is “dangerous.” Bradley shared his view on the matter during his appearance on Open Your Eyes today.

Bradley joins the growing list of legal voices expressing strong concerns over the proposed 13th Amendment. He argues that it risks harming marginalised Belizeans if not accompanied by wider reforms.

“I think that I’m very concerned with that and I do not support it,” Bradley said. “The reason I don’t support it is because you cannot deal with fundamental changes in one sense and not deal with structural changes in the other.”

Bradley explained that granting new powers in a system already marked by inequality could deepen social injustices. “That type of power in a system overall that has inequalities and structural problems can endure to the detriment of a certain element of society, which we’ve oftentimes punished,” he warned.

The proposed 13th Amendment bill introduces several significant changes to Belize’s legal framework in the fight against crime. One key provision allows the Governor General, acting on the advice of the National Security Council, to declare any part of the country a “special area.” In these zones, certain constitutional rights, such as freedom of movement and protection from warrantless searches, could be suspended to address security threats. The bill also proposes the creation of a specialised “Gun and Gang Court,” which would combine the powers of both the Magistrate and High Courts to expedite the prosecution of gang-related cases. Additionally, the legislation includes a retroactive clause that would validate all past States of Emergency and regulations, even those previously declared unlawful, by deeming them constitutional under the new law.

While he acknowledged that Belize faces serious crime challenges, Bradley argued that major constitutional changes must come with safeguards and broader social reforms to balance their impact. “Those kinds of fundamental changes to our constitution and our democratic tradition must be done within the context of other structural changes that rebalances the negative harm,” he said.

Bradley also questioned whether adequate protections are in place to prevent abuse of expanded police powers. “How can we prevent the fact that this tremendous change will not be abused by police officers, will not be abused by the system? I am not satisfied that that is the case,” he said bluntly.

Darrell Bradley Calls for ‘Real’ UDP Unity Amid Ongoing Infighting

Former Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley is weighing in on the ongoing internal rifts within the United Democratic Party (UDP). During his appearance on OYE today, Bradley warned that the party’s disunity is hurting Belize’s democracy and robbing the public of a real alternative to the current government.

“I’m hopeful that the United Democratic Party could get it together and the party could emerge unified on the one leader. And I’m also disheartened because within the democratic space you need an opposition,” Bradley said.

He added that Belize’s two-party system is vital for healthy democracy and accountability, but he believes the UDP is failing to deliver that right now. “You need two vibrant, well organized, robust parties that offer people a division. And it was obvious in the last election that we didn’t really have that choice. And when you don’t have that choice, you don’t really have a spirited public debate about options and where we want to move the country forward,” he explained.

He also pointed out that the lack of a strong formal opposition in the National Assembly cripples the checks and balances of governance. “You need a formal opposition in the centers of government so in the National Assembly, in the house meetings and the Senate, that can get access to information that is there when legislation is being passed, and that can put that perspective to represent a different voice. And without that, our democracy is really crippled,” Bradley said.

Bradley made it clear that the UDP’s current infighting distracts from its real mission: to present Belizeans with a meaningful alternative. “All of this is noise. No one cares about that. Get it together and lead a vision for the country that offers people a viable option to move the country forward.”

On Saturday, the UDP held its National Party Council meeting in Belize City. The gathering aimed to reinstate expelled or suspended members and address internal issues, but tensions flared when Patrick Faber, former party leader and current senator, entered uninvited.

Chairman Mike Peyrefitte accused Faber of disrupting the session, forcing the group to continue voting online via WhatsApp. The main resolution seeks to reinstate all affected members except Faber, whom Peyrefitte called “disrespectful.” Faber argued he did not need an invitation and claimed his expulsion was ruled illegal.

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