Economy - Greater Belize Media

Fusarium Fallout: Sugar Industry on the Brink

Fifty million dollars in losses, and that’s just the beginning. Belize’s sugar industry is facing a serious threat, and it’s coming from a fast-spreading plant fungus called fusarium. It crossed over from the north in 2024 and wasted no time, covering five miles in just five weeks. Now, not a single sugarcane field in northern Belize has been spared. So, what exactly is fusarium? How does it wreak havoc so quickly? And more importantly, what’s being done to stop it before the next crop is wiped out? News Five’s Paul Lopez breaks it all down in this week’s Five Point Breakdown.

(Where Did Fusarium Originate?)

It started just across the border in Chetumal, and now it’s taken over every sugarcane field in northern Belize. Researchers at the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute, SIRDI, have traced the origins of the destructive fusarium fungus to neighboring Mexico. In just a few months, it spread like wildfire, carried by air, water, and even heavy machinery, wreaking havoc across Corozal and Orange Walk. The fungus attacks the plant’s roots, cutting off its access to water and nutrients, and forcing it to fight for survival.

Marvin Garcia, Extension Officer, SIRDI

“But since this fusarium is so aggressive, it cannot fight it. We need to the plant in this case.”

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Sugarcane is the economic lifeline in northern Belize and now this all-important plant is being wiped out by a deadly soil-borne fungus, fusarium. Today, we found out that of the tens of thousands of acres not a single one is fusarium free.

(How Fusarium Attacks)

Marvin Garcia

“Once the fusarium is in the roots, they concentrate themselves in blocking the xylem, responsible for transporting the water to the plants. Once that is blocked nothing can go up and they start to deteriorate the roots. Once that happens like what you are seeing, this is a plant that has seven leaves; two of them are healthy. The rest are already infected with the yellow coloration. The ones infected are not fully functioning doing photosensitize.”

(Policy Makers Declare Existential Crisis)

There’s growing concern in the sugar industry, and stakeholders are sounding the alarm. If the fusarium fungus continues to spread, the 2026 crop could see some of the lowest sugar yields in history. And the warning signs are already here. Just five days ago, this year’s sugar season came to an early and disappointing end, with Prime Minister John Briceño calling it the worst crop in recent memory. The industry’s projected loss this year is estimated at fifty million dollars. The prime minister declared the fusarium attack an existential crisis.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We cannot and we will not allow, what happened to the sugar industry in the south to happen to our sugar cane farmers in the north.”

The Minister of Agriculture, Jose Mai says the worst may be ahead of us.

Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“We expect that those fields showing mild chlorotic symptoms will produce very little cane this year coming. If we see a field showing one third chlorotic symptoms, by the end of this year the entire field will be covered.”

(Farmers Taking Home Less Income)

Farmers who rely on bank loans to grow sugarcane are feeling the pinch. With crops dying and yields dropping, many are struggling to cover basic needs like education and household expenses. On Monday, four sugar associations came together with a clear message: the industry is at a breaking point. They’re now calling for higher prices on molasses, local sugar, and electricity generation to help offset their growing losses.

Alfredo Ortega, Chairman, BSCFA

“As we speak right now, today is them, and this fusarium is spreading fast. So, if we don’t do anything right now, if we don’t get the assistance needed then we will end up with a sugar industry where we don’t have any production.”

Vladamir Puck, Chairman, CSCPA

“How will they service their fields, how will they feed their families? That is something this government should look after, how this year or how future years will be treated.”

(Trichoderma: The Hope of the Sugar Industry)

But all hope is not lost in the medium and long term. There is a silver lining in this dark cloud, Trichoderma is a fungus proven to be stronger, more aggressive and able to defend the sugarcane plant against fusarium. The experts at SIRDI are studying this defense mechanism, using four strains from different parts of the world, through confrontation tests.

Luis Gongora, Laboratory Officer, SIRDI

“As you can see from the plates, this white stuff is the fusarium affecting the sugarcane. And then the green stuff here is the Trichoderma fungus. As you can observe here it already engulfed the fusarium here.”

Paul Lopez

“How are these one performing?”

Luis Gongora

“Pretty good also. Here at the top is the fusarium and the green stuff here is the Trichoderma. It has reached to the point where the fusarium is. So the fusarium wont continue developing. And this other plate, the Trichoderma has already engulfed the fusarium and you cannot see it here. It means this strain is pretty good, aggressive.”

Marvin Garcia

“This is a very serious pest we have. It is going to really affect us. But after all I have this confidence that the roots are going to get clean over again and we are going to continue. We might be living along with this pest, but we will still be able to produce.”

The Government of Belize has already committed five hundred thousand dollars to a pilot project that will see this biological control applied to fields to combat fusarium. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

TIDE Defends Belize’s Southern Blue Frontier

On Tuesday, we took you to Laughing Bird Caye National Park, just off the coast of Placencia, where we got a close-up look at the incredible work being done by the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future and its partners to protect our precious marine spaces. Well tonight, we’re heading even farther south, this time to the breathtaking Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. There, with support from the Belize Fund, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, and the Belize Coast Guard, a dedicated team is working tirelessly to safeguard not just Belize’s borders, but the rich natural treasures they hold. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Just thirty-seven miles off the coast of Punta Gorda lies one of Belize’s most prized, and most contested, natural treasures: the Sapodilla Cayes. This stunning atoll, rich in marine life, has long been the subject of territorial claims by both Guatemala and Honduras. And with its abundant resources, it’s no surprise that fishermen from across the border often venture into these waters. But there’s a renewed sense of hope for the future of this marine reserve. Thanks to support from the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment is on the ground, making sure these protected areas are truly protected. Executive Director Leonardo Chavarria Jr. gives us a closer look at the impactful work TIDE is doing with the help of the Belize Fund.

Leornardo Chavarria Jr., Executive Director, TIDE

“Under the Belize Fund Project, what we do is that our rangers are fully equipped, so we have the vessels to undertake effective patrols. We have the different capacity building for rangers under the project and the living facilities. The accommodations that you see here on Hunter’s Caye are all funded by the Belize Fund, and of course other partners that have engaged over the years.”

In just four years, the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve has grown massively, from thirty-eight thousand acres to over three hundred thousand. That’s more than eight times its original size. It’s a huge area to manage, but the team at TIDE didn’t back down from the challenge. After spending more than three years studying the region, they officially stepped in to co-manage the reserve in 2023. And get this, they’re doing it all with just seven rangers. That’s right, seven people covering the entire reserve, without any direct presence from the Fisheries Department. So how do they do it? TIDE’s Project Manager, Florencio Coc, gives us a look at how his team is making it happen.

Florencio Coc, Project Manager, TIDE

“Our mandate is to execute the fisheries guidelines. That is our mandate. So in terms of anything that has to do with illegal entry, that goes channeled on to the immigration officer. Anything else? Immigration officer or the Coast Guard, because again, the Coast Guard also has a mandate as. As us if we are not present here, the Coast Guard has the legal authority to make arrests the same for immigration. So anything else that falls under the Fair Fisheries, it is us that conducts.”

Protecting the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve isn’t without risk. Many of the fishers who cross into Belizean waters are armed and may resist arrest. That’s why TIDE teams up with the Belize Coast Guard. Twice a day, two Coast Guard officers join TIDE patrols to help keep the team safe. Lieutenant Allen Armstrong explains the vital role they play in these joint operations.

Lieutenant Allen Armstrong, Belize Coast Guard

“We also conduct what we call the Operation Lighthouse, or better known as the Dotted Line Patrol. The Dotted Line patrol is whereby we conduct patrols from here out at Hunter’s Caye all the way to Sarstoon. This is along the equidistance line, so this is patrols that is conducted. At least four times per the month, so it’s one per week. Beside from that, we also conduct what we call the Corona Reef Patrols as well. The Corona Reef Patrol are better known as the Cayman Crown Patrol is also conducted once per week, so these patrol are conducted. Four times for the month as well. So we’re looking at eight patrols at the post guard does within the Cayman Crown, and then along the dotted line for the entire month.”

It’s one of the most beautiful, and most vulnerable, locations in Belize’s southern waters. The Cayman Crown area of the Sapodilla Cayes sits right along the border with Guatemala, and that makes it a hotspot for illegal fishing. In just the past two years, authorities have intercepted ninety-eight vessels and seized seventeen pieces of illegal fishing gear, including gill nets and long lines, many of them traced back to this very area.

Leornardo Chavarria Jr

“One of the primary concerns that we have is the issue of this by nature is a transboundary area. So we have a lot of illegal fishing that is carried out by our Guatemalan and Honduran neighbors. So we have fishing communities from Guatemalan and Honduras who are in close proximity, about forty-five minutes from here. And then they engage in illicit fishing activities. So they use gill nets, which are very destructive. They use long lines. They do night fishing. They use illicit spears for example. And so these type of things are already major concern to us because they do not fish like Belizean. These people, we have like hundreds of fishers that are utilizing these waters and doing so illegally.”

So far this year, the Belize Coast Guard has hauled in over fifteen thousand feet of gill nets, that’s roughly a hundred nets taken out of our waters. And they’re not doing it alone. With support from the Belize Fund through the Government Strategic Allocation program, the Coast Guard has stepped up its game. They’ve added two high-tech drones to their toolkit, these can soar up to thirteen thousand feet and cover distances of up to one hundred and ten miles, giving them a serious edge in spotting illegal activity from the sky.

Lieutenant Allen Armstrong

“Of recent, we’ve been using it mostly in what we call area two down south, which is by Barranco. So the drones would, or the drone team would then use these drones to go out, monitor the area, and once we encounter or see any Guatemalan fishers in the area, then of course the patrols would then go out and then intercept these vessels.”

Thanks to support from the Belize Fund, TIDE now has a powerful long-range camera stationed on Hunter’s Caye. It can spot activity up to ten miles away, day or night. On days when the sea is too rough for patrols, this camera becomes an extra set of eyes on the water, helping protect Belize’s marine reserve even when boots can’t be on the ground.

Leornardo Chavarria Jr.

“The Belize Fund has also provided the Belize marine protected areas network of which TIDE is a part of with, allocation for ranger salaries for an additional two year basis. So in other words the Belize Fund currently pays rangers working out here. And likewise, we have a big project that is about to complete in the next year or so, and we are eligible to reapply for another project.”

From north to south, Belize’s ocean spaces are getting a boost, thanks to the Belize Fund. Whether it’s protecting coral reefs, supporting marine patrols, or funding high-tech tools, BFSF is helping organizations across the country keep our waters safe, healthy, and thriving. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Biodiversity Beyond Boundaries: Connecting Ecosystems and Biodiversity Communities

Today, the National Biodiversity Office, under the Ministry of Sustainable Development, launched its very first National Biodiversity Dialogue. The theme? “Biodiversity Beyond Boundaries: Connecting Ecosystems and Empowering Communities through National Collaboration.” It’s more than just a mouthful, it’s a mission. This event brings together key players from across the country to strengthen partnerships, protect our ecosystems, and ensure that Belize’s protected areas are managed effectively and sustainably. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there and brings us the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

There are no borders when it comes to nature. Across Belize, hundreds of ecosystems are linked, not just by plants and animals, but by the people working hard to protect them. These natural networks provide vital resources, and it’s the efforts of conservationists that help keep them thriving. Today marked the kickoff of Belize’s first-ever National Biodiversity Forum, a space where those on the frontlines of conservation came together to share ideas, tackle challenges, and align their goals. Saul Cruz, Director of the National Biodiversity Office, explained why this kind of collaboration is more important now than ever.

Saul Cruz, Director, National Biodiversity Office

“Really what the National Biodiversity Office is looking forward to is just having an open dialogue where we share a lot of what we’ve been doing in terms of our national policies, structures, and governance. But really also to provide a space for our unsung heroes to also provide some updates and some information in terms of what they’re doing. Some of the challenges. Some of the achievements and some of the opportunities for collaboration and partnership really the theme is just built around that. How do we strengthen partnership? How do we strengthen collaboration from government to our NGOs and to our protected area managers and even amongst government entities? And so it’s really focused around strengthening partnership, strengthening collaboration. And one way that we see that coming is through just information sharing, showing everybody what is it that we’re doing and what our plans are for the next coming years.”

The two-day forum drew participants from the north to the south of Belize. Valdemar Andrade, Executive Director of the Turneffe Atoll Sustainable Association (TASA) explains that his participation is a testament to TASA’s dedication to protecting Marine spaces, and the industries that depend on them.

Valdemar Andrade, Executive Director, TASA

“The marine environment itself contributes millions of billions of dollars in terms of the Belize economy. In 2024, the tourism industry alone was one point two-four billion. And so all of that is based on the biodiversity, right? That’s based on diving, snorkeling, fly fishing, those industries that contribute to the economy and that employ lesions. I think it was almost about twenty-five thousand people that were employed through the tourism industry. There are another three thousand fishers that are employed through the fishing industry and there are also about fifteen thousand families in northern communities southern communities, and across this country that depend on fishing, for example.”

The forum is the first of its kind for the National Biodiversity Office (NBO), drawing attendees from government ministries, co-management partners, civil society, and academia. According to Cruz, the event comes at a crucial time for conservationists.

Saul Cruz

“This is the very first event the National Biodiversity Office has been created in 2020. And from since then we’ve not been able to have. This sort of a national dialogue. And so it’s very critical at this point in time. It’s very important in terms of ensuring that we have a very strong communication and collaboration process with all our partners.”

Protecting Belize’s natural beauty isn’t just about passion, it’s about planning. And today, the National Biodiversity Office laid out exactly how that plan will unfold. During today’s session of the National Biodiversity Dialogue, the NBO presented its roadmap for how stakeholders, from government agencies to grassroots groups, will work together to protect our ecosystems. The aim is to make sure everyone knows their role in keeping Belize’s environment healthy, thriving, and accessible for generations to come.

Saul Cruz

“In our role, we are the co-manager of the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve. And so we basically are ensuring that we run the day-to-day management of the reserve, ensuring that whether you are a fishing stakeholder or a tourism stakeholder, or the general public, engaging with the reserve, that you comply with the rules and regulation and ensure that you’re not taking more than you should. You’re taking it within the rules. For example lobster season just opened. We have to ensure that everybody has their licenses for their boats, as a fisher. The same thing for tour guides, tour operators. We check with them to be able to ensure that they have their licenses and ensure that they’re doing proper things and not again jeopardizing the very biodiversity that they depend on for their livelihoods.”

NBO believes that by working together and crossing the borders that hinder them, that environmental stakeholders will start to see progress.

Saul Cruz

“And so it’s understanding that biodiversity spans beyond our protected areas. And so it includes community, it includes people, and so understanding that interaction of people, our communities with our biodiversity and our protected areas is very essential to being successful in managing our protected areas.”

The national biodiversity office is charting the way forward in the way stakeholders design conservative strategies to ensure that the biodiversity is managed and remains in a healthy state. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Teachers Say Yes to Raise; But the Fight Isn’t Over

Classroom concerns lead tonight’s headlines; after weeks of anticipation and negotiation, the Belize National Teachers Union has made its move. They’ve officially joined two of their sister unions in saying yes to the government’s latest salary adjustment proposal. Now, here’s where it gets interesting: while seventy-five percent of B.N.T.U. members voted in favor of the deal, which includes an eight-point-five percent salary bump over the next two years, this wasn’t just about pay. The union also took a second vote, and nearly eighty-seven percent of teachers said they’re not done fighting. They’re still ready to take industrial action, not for salaries this time, but for bigger, systemic changes like income tax reform and anti-corruption measures. So, what does this mean for the months ahead? And how is the public reacting? Well, it’s a mixed bag—some are applauding the union’s persistence, while others worry about the impact of continued unrest. B.N.T.U. President Nadia Caliz had this to say about the road ahead.

Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union

“The decision of the four point five and the four is up to the members of the union. If they accept that, you don’t hate them for it or go against them for that if they accept that, because there are other issues on hand that we must address through the CBA that we need to begin like yesterday to deal with. For me, my teachers are talking about class size. Those allowances they’re getting is nothing. We are talking about tax reform, all of those things. They are very important. So we need to get to the table to address those things. So I don’t want the public to think that when my membership decides that this is what they want that they are selling out, nobody the sell out. There are too many issues to address and we have to address them.”

KHMH Union Halts Strike Amid Dispute Over Process

There’s a pause in the pressure at Belize’s flagship hospital. The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Workers Union has officially called off its industrial action, at least for now. This comes after hospital management escalated the situation last week by declaring a trade dispute and calling in the Ministry of Labor. As we’ve been reporting, K.H.M.H. C.E.O. Chandra Cansino reached out to Minister Florencio Marin Junior, invoking the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act. But union president Andrew Baird says that move was premature and claims proper procedures weren’t followed. Still, the union says it’s committed to following the formal steps now that a trade dispute has been declared.

On the Phone: Andrew Baird, President, KHMH Workers Union

“We are just waiting to hear from the Minister of Labor, Honorable Marin, to set up a date for us to meet along with authority and government officials to continue to dialogue along that medium. In regards to the dispute lodged by the CEO of Karl Heusner, we have ceased our industrial action given that the law provides that during this period we cannot do any industrial action. So we give the opportunity for dialogue and hopefully through that we can come up with a resolution rather than have to have a tribunal set up by the labor department.”

Paul Lopez

“Do you think this was warranted?”

On the Phone: Andrew Baird

“I think due process was not followed and we were not given an opportunity to counter propose based on four percent ex gratia payment submitted to us. In fair due process one would allow the other party to be able to come to the table and make a counter proposal. That was not afforded to us.”

Ministry of Labor Steps in to Resolve KHMH Trade Dispute

We’re continuing to follow developments in the K.H.M.H. labor dispute, and now, the Ministry of Labor is officially in the loop. On Friday, we spoke with Minister Florencio Marin, who confirmed that he’s received the letter from hospital management requesting intervention. So, what happens next? According to the minister, the first step is to keep the conversation going between both sides. If that doesn’t work, they’ll move into mediation. And if all else fails, the matter could end up before a labor tribunal.

Florencio Marin, Minister of Labor

“We have the same options. Again, I will need to sit with the ministry team. Perhaps we can tell them to continue the dialogue, that is the first option. They can continue dialogue and hopefully they can come to a resolution. If not, myself as the minster, with the backup of the ministry, we conduct the mediation. If that does not work, from their we go to a tribunal.”

Paul Lopez

“How closely are you observing the actions that the staff at the KHMH has been taking, most recently a sickout.”

Florencio Marin

“We are monitoring it and all that. But, I do not want to comment, because we may be in the mediation. So I don’t want to prejudice that. But, we are monitoring both sides.”

Reporter

“But how do you look at the notice or advise from the Labor Department that there were processes to be followed and now you the accusations from the management of the KHMH saying they violated the law because the did engage in industrial action.”

Florencio Marin

“Again, that is something when we formally get involved, when we look at it, then I will be able to comment. I don’t want to be prejudice to give an opinion. We will give an a response soon.”

It’s a clear sign that the situation is being taken seriously and that the road to resolution may still have a few more turns.

Belize Makes Waves in Ocean Protection, But Is It Enough?

There’s a ripple of excitement in the conservation world, and Belize is right at the center of it. We are making serious strides toward protecting our planet’s oceans. Back in 2019, the country joined a bold global mission to safeguard thirty percent of the world’s marine spaces by 2030. Well, fast forward to today, and Belize is not just on track, we’re ahead of schedule. But while the numbers look promising, there’s a bigger question bubbling beneath the surface: how protected are these waters, really? That’s where the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future comes in. Since 2022, this private conservation trust has been quietly empowering local stakeholders by funding everything from scientific research to sustainable fishing practices, to ensure these marine areas are more than just lines on a map. News Five’s Britney Gordon took a deep dive into the story, visiting some of the protected zones supported by the Belize Fund to find out what it really takes to keep Belize’s blue spaces thriving. Here’s what she discovered.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Imagine diving into Belize’s crystal-clear waters, expecting a vibrant underwater world, only to find silence, emptiness, and lifeless coral. It’s a haunting image, and one that raises a serious question: are Belize’s protected marine areas truly being protected? While the country has made impressive strides toward the United Nations’ goal of safeguarding thirty percent of ocean space, hitting the target is just one part of the journey. The real challenge? Making sure those areas are sustainably managed and thriving for generations to come. That’s where the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future comes in. Since its launch, BFSF has been channeling resources from the Blue Bond to support conservation efforts across the country. Executive Director Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts explains how this initiative is helping turn policy into real, lasting protection beneath the waves.

Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts, Executive Director, Belize Fund

“That’s a big focus of the fund. Trying to make sure we find the right partners to connect with to support initiatives and projects that can create meaningful and impactful changes and lasting changes on the ground. So all our grantees, they’re selecting true calls, and those calls look at particular areas of priorities and in, and today the areas we’re looking at are directly relating to protection for biodiversity and focus on marine protected area management.”

Climate change has taken a serious toll on our oceans, and Belize’s coral reefs are no exception; many have been slowly dying, struggling to survive rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns. But there’s hope beneath the surface. Thanks to support from the Belize Fund, a local non-profit called Fragments of Hope is leading the charge to restore what’s been lost. From replanting corals to studying the effects of bleaching in places like Gladden Spit and Silk Caye, they’re working hard to bring our reefs back to life, one fragment at a time.

Natasha Gibson, Fragments of Hope

“Laughing Bird Caye, it was one of the best sites ever when I started to work because it had been hit tremendously by a storm and we had lost about ninety something percent of coral coverage around here. And that at that point when I started the coverage was billing up back, meaning we were out doing a lot of work here, a lot of out planting, everything was thriving and looking great. Again, once again, the climate change and everything has been changing. We have had devastating losses, especially last year. We have lost tremendous amount of corals around Laughing Bird Caye.”

In a country like Belize, where tourism is a major economic driver, a rich and diverse marine ecosystem isn’t just beautiful, it’s essential. But with climate change shifting the balance underwater, what’s happening to the species that draw visitors from around the world? That’s exactly what MarAlliance is working to uncover. With support from the Belize Fund, they’re tracking how marine life is responding to these changes, helping tour operators better understand and predict where key species might be found. Program Coordinator Kirah Foreman shares how this research is shaping the future of marine tourism.

Kirah Foreman-Castillo, Program Coordinator, MarAlliance

“We’re looking at what we call megafauna. So everyone knows is those big iconic species like your sharks, your turtles, your rays. One of the things that Southern Belize is known for is whale sharks. And within the past, within recent years, we are just not seeing those numbers. A matter of fact, we’re not seeing any at all. I think this year there were somebody who saw one whale shark, which is almost nothing. So our Belize Fund project is to that project. We’re trying to figure out what’s going on with our whale shark. Where have they gone? Will they come back? And what’s going on with the other species of sharks? Raise turtles, the rest of the megafauna within the area.”

A new high-tech surveillance camera has been installed at Laughing Bird Caye National Park, named after the Laughing Gulls that live there. The camera can rotate 360 degrees and see up to nine miles, day or night. It’s become a key tool for the Forest Department and the Southern Environmental Association, helping them monitor this fully protected no-take zone more effectively.

Elizabeth Mushchamp, Executive Director, Southern Environmental Association

“Even before the cameras went up at our first fisher forum, we had made them aware that we would be putting up the cameras. And then once they were put up, we made them aware again. So every opportunity we have, we let them know about the cameras, that the cameras are there. What we have shared with them for Fishers is that I think it also gives them a sense of security that if something goes wrong, that they feel that someone is watching it. So yes, it could be a contributing factor as to why we haven’t had any incursions in the areas from our local people.”

The Belize Fund splits its financing into two main streams: one for government projects and another for non-government organizations. Program Manager Josue Oliva says the goal is to make funding simple and accessible. They’ve also launched community grants to help grassroots and emerging groups get the support they need to make a difference.

Josue Oliva, Program Manager, Belize Fund

“It is a competitive process. As much as we would want to fund everyone, you know that, as Dr. Ricketts mentioned, there is just sinking funds, so it has to be competitive. And how do we do it competitively? We ensure that the projects that we get are aligned to one, at least one of our four thematic areas, right? Protection for biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience, or blue business innovation.”

Although the work of the Belize Fund is vital, it will not be around forever. That is why the trust is doing its best to prove how well-managed financing can protect biodiversity, support livelihoods, and strengthen national resilience in the face of climate change.

Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts

“The Blue bonds money is not infinite. It is a fixed amount. So we have sinking funds, which means the money comes in, we spend it months, it’s done, it’s gone. We have a total of 80 million US coming in until 2041. We’re three years into that period. So it was a twenty year period. We’ve gone for three years now doing operations and we’ve invested roughly twenty-five to twenty-six million Belize already of that eighty million US.”

Being a conservationist isn’t easy, it takes grit, passion, and a whole lot of patience. But when organizations are given the right tools and support, something powerful happens, they push through the challenges and keep fighting for what they believe in.

Elizabeth Mushchamp

“I have a very committed team, a very dynamic and committed team. And for the last couple years I have found my team to be very committed. Whatever challenges, I like to say we don’t have challenges, we just have situations that we deal with. Because when you put the word challenge, it seems like something so difficult to overcome. I think each area, whether it’s financing, sustainable financing, enforcement, for each one of them comes with their own level of challenges.”

As Belize steps up its efforts to protect our precious marine resources, there’s one organization making sure every dollar counts—the Belize Fund. While stakeholders are out in the field doing hard work, the fund is behind the scenes, ensuring that every investment goes toward projects that will leave a real, lasting impact. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belize Leads Regional Revival of Maya Legacy Through Cultural Tourism

Belize is taking center stage this week in a powerful regional push to celebrate and protect one of the world’s most iconic civilizations, the Maya. Alongside Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and southern Mexico, Belize is part of the Mundo Maya tourism initiative, a bold collaboration that’s about more than just travel, it’s about preserving culture, empowering communities, and promoting sustainable tourism across borders. The initiative is spotlighting everything from ancient temples to vibrant traditions, rich gastronomy, and the deep spiritual ties to nature and time that define the Maya world. And right now, Belize is leading the charge by hosting key talks to shape the future of this ambitious project. As CEO of the Ministry of Tourism Nicole Usher-Solano puts it, this is about creating a unified experience for visitors, while tackling shared challenges and building a stronger, more connected region.

Nicole Usher-Solano, C.E.O., Ministry of Tourism

“When you think the Maya world, you think about the vast, beautiful temples that can be found in all of our countries. But beyond that, each of our countries have so much to offer for tourism and for visitors. So to be able to share that, for those persons who are looking for the Maya experience, this is what it’s all about, to create a tourism offering for all of our guests as one region. So we look forward to that. We, of course, look at the vibrant traditions, we talked about gastronomy, the deep spiritual connections of nature and time. These are all what our guests are looking for and today will give us the opportunity to really highlight that, focus on that and see how we can do better in order to ensure that our visitors coming from all around the world can experience our countries as one region. So, over the next few days, we will be talking about several topics. The current global context is important when you look at what is happening in the world and the challenges that we face, all of our destinations are facing similar challenges. How do we work together in order to address those economic and geopolitical uncertainties, the vulnerabilities that we experience to external shocks. These are all realities, they are global realities, but all regions are coming together to try to attract and present themselves, so we must also do the same.”

Public Officers Accept GOB’s 4.5% Deal—But with Caution

Belize’s public servants have spoken—but what are they really saying? In a recent vote, more than seventy-five percent of members of the Public Service Union agreed to accept the Government’s latest salary and increment proposal. On the surface, it looks like a clear win for compromise and progress. But with nearly one in four members voting “No”, the results also raise deeper questions: Is this truly a step forward for all public officers? Or is it just the best option in a tough situation? The PSU’s leadership has pledged to move ahead with the agreement, while also keeping a close eye on how, and if, the government delivers on its promises. At the same time, they’re preparing for the possibility of industrial action should things go off track. This vote may be over, but the real work is just beginning. As the Union turns its attention to pension reform, cost-saving measures, and good governance, the question remains: Will this deal bring lasting change, or just temporary relief?

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“We would have opened the polls to our general membership on Friday. We had a general membership meeting on Friday as well to explain where we were in the negotiations with government. We went through the last proposal sent to us or given to us by the government a day prior and we opened up ourselves to questions and clarifications where those were needed, as it relates to this last offer and we told our general membership that the reason why the matter needed their approval was given the fact that today would have been the expiration of the twenty-one days notice. Whichever way the PSU would have gone would have signaled the direction that the APSSM would have gone since, like I said, those members who are active and since not all of them are active and not all of them are members of the APSSM at all levels, similar to the wider Public Service Union, even though at the Public Service Union level we would ensure that only our registered members can participate in that process. But I certainly did not anticipate a difference in the outcome of the vote between the APSSM and the PSU, given the relationship that exists between those two entities. As it relates to the BNTU, it’s a matter of their constitution. Their constitution has a provision in their as we were informed that it requires a fifty plus one participation in the process, while on the other hand our process is more a democratic process whereby majority present and voting dictates the direction of the union, hence the reason why we continue to insist and implore on our members to remain engaged to ensure that their voices are registered and that they have their say.”

Labor Minister’s Dual Role Raises Eyebrows at Union Talks

There was a familiar face at the negotiating table on Thursday—Labor Minister Florencio Marin Jr. sat in on the latest meeting between the Joint Unions Negotiating Team and government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde. While Marin was there strictly as an observer, his presence didn’t go unnoticed. After all, he wears two hats: one as a government minister, and the other with the labor tribunal. And that dual role hasn’t escaped the attention of PSU President Dean Flowers. Here’s what he had to say.