On Thursday, the nation will get its first look at the designs for Belize’s new currency notes. The new notes, featuring images of Goldson and the Right Honorable George Cadle Price, are set to be unveiled by the Central Bank of Belize. Today, Prime Minister Briceño shared with reporters that these notes are not only modern but also packed with advanced features to prevent counterfeiting.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“We have seen them before. I know what to expect. It is a beautiful note. We have been using our two national heroes, George Price and Phillip Goldson and we have them in different denominations. It is more modern and with more features to prevent counterfeit. It is something that Belizeans will accept, and it is our people on our note. I know some people will say well we don’t have the queen. Well the queen is dead and that has nothing to do with the Belize dollar, it is based on our economy and the amount of U.S. reserves, that is not the pound, it is the U.S dollar.”
It’s still unclear how much revenue the Government of Belize lost during those two GST-free weekends in December. The figures were supposed to be released by now, but Prime Minister Briceño says they’re not ready yet. He was also asked if the initiative was a tactic to win over voters ahead of the general election.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It has nothing to do with the elections. It is simply something we believed its time had come. We could not have done it earlier because we were trying to recover, rebuild and regain the confidence of our citizens and the private sector. When that idea came up, we said, it is not a bad idea. It is a good idea and to be able to build on it. If it was just for the election, we would not do it this year.”
Reporter
“Were you concerned that you could have lost more than you could afford?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Not necessarily, because we felt the economic movement or what we could generate, remember in economics there is this thing that with every dollar you spend moves around four to five times. So, the economic generator of that dollar spending in Belize we, we will be able to get it back with taxes in other area.”
The Government of Belize is teaming up with a Miami-based company to develop a masterplan for the Port of Belize Limited. Prime Minister Briceño claims that after acquiring the port, the previous owner wanted to charge an exorbitant amount for their already finalized masterplan. So, the G.O.B. is funding its own plan, which will include the construction of a world-class cruise and cargo port. But what does this mean for Stake Bank Enterprises?
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“The Cabinet has already agreed. I presented a paper to the Cabinet several months ago on what could be the different options. A is the cruise and container port and be is to be able to do just the container port and we saw the options and Cabinet felt it is in the best interest to do both. We are working on the master plan to do that. The previous owners were working on a master plan, but they wanted to just charge us an exorbitant amount of money if we want to take over that plan they are working on. So, we will do our own, pushing us back a few months. There has been a number of companies expressing interest. MSE has interest, Carnival has expressed interest and other investors have expressed interest, but we are not going to do anything until we say this is the plan, who are going to be the strategic investors. There are many people that voice interest, but we don’t want to just jump on it. We need to have a plan. So I believe that by the end of the next government we should have a cruise port and a modern container.”
Reporter
“So does that mean Stake Bank is dead. It makes no sense to have two mega cruise port in the Belize District within miles of each other.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“We all knew that Stake Bank was short to medium term investment. The berthing facilities cannot take the big shop. These cruise ships wants to berth on land. The tendering is a big issue. We know that was a temporary fix and we have to build somewhere nearshore.”
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing is gearing up to upgrade a significant stretch of the Philip Goldson Highway, from mile eight to twenty-four and a half. This ambitious project, set to last thirty months, will bring the highway up to international standards. After securing funding from the Central American Bank for Economic Development (CABEI) and Taiwan in 2023, the contract was awarded to Teichroeb and Sons for forty-four million dollars. Construction is slated to begin next month. News Five’s Marion Ali has more on the scope of this extensive project.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Chief Engineer Evondale Moody shared that the Philip Goldson Highway Project, covering miles eight to twenty-four and a half, will involve a complete overhaul of the highway. Several new features will also be added as part of this extensive rehabilitation.
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, M.I.D.H
“We will be widening the road to an international standard, including shoulders. The section between Ladyville and Lords Bank will be transformed into a boulevard to accommodate the amount of traffic that we have within that corridor. We will also be doing significant drainage improvements within the Ladyville area because that area is usually inundated by floodwaters throughout the years. And so we will be incorporating some new line drains within that section. And these will be covered line drains that will be utilized as sidewalks as well on both sides of the carriageway in an effort to improve road safety as we traverse through the Ladyville and Lord’s Bank community.”
Moody assured that safety will be a top priority in the design.
Evondale Moody
“A number of accidents have occurred within that section of our highway. And so we want to do our best to try and improve road safety within that corridor and for the entire length of the project as we move along. To do that, we have to improve a number of the junctions that we have in place right now. So under the project, we’ll be constructing four new large diameter roundabouts, commencing with one at the airport access road for the Coastal Highway Junction. We’ll be having a second roundabout at Lords Bank Junction. And then a third at the Burrell Boom Junction and then the fourth one will be at the Old Northern Highway intersection with the Phillip Olson Highway. Those are major junctions for us that have always created problems in terms of accidents because of speeding and people not abiding by the traffic signs.”
We caught up with Michael Farrell, a motorist, to get his thoughts as he navigated that stretch of the highway today.
Michael Farrell, Motorist
“The infrastructure is there on all the roadways but the drivers – like the more road they have the more crazy they drive so having the infrastructure, you need to have police on the road with the speed guns that they say they already have. Bring out the speed guns. Vehicles on the roads that needs to be off the road; people need to have their vehicles up to par.”
The project will also include several secondary junctions connecting to the existing highway, like the one at Los Lagos. Additionally, over fifty culverts will be installed to enhance the road’s climate resilience and help it better withstand flooding. Marion Ali for News Five.
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has put the brakes on Star Link Belize’s operations by denying its application for a Class License. The company had hoped to provide fixed and mobile broadband internet across the country. With this restriction, Starlink services will now be limited to unserved or underserved areas, vessels and aircraft under Earth Station in-Motion, and during natural disasters when other providers can’t deliver emergency services. Today, Prime Minister John Briceño explained that this decision was made to protect Belize’s local internet providers, like B.T.L.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“What happened is that remember we Belize our citizens have made an investment of over ten million dollars in BTL and we need to find that balance. We also have another telecom, another investment and providers. It would be, the competition, we cant fight the wealthiest man on earth. We have been encouraging Star Link to get resellers, work with BTL, work with other companies, but they want it all. We cant allow that. Many countries have had many problem by allowing Star Link to come and operate because they have been running out a lot of country. So, what we have, the PUC position, which I support, we are not giving them an open license, but if a citizen comes and say, and we have been doing that forever. We want a satellite dish, you get a permit to do that. So if you come and living deep in the bush and do not have access to internet service and want to bring it in, they will approve it. So, I think that is the best compromise.”
Residents of Monkey River Town are deeply worried about their community’s future. It’s a tale many Belizeans know all too well. For decades, this small coastal town has been slowly disappearing into the sea. The situation has only gotten worse over the years, thanks to the effects of climate change. Tonight, the residents are raising their voices about yet another threat to their riverbank—the booming eco-tourism industry. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Just three months ago, this tree stood proudly on the banks of Monkey River Town. Brian Garbutt, a local resident, fondly remembers taking his son there to hunt for iguanas. Now, it’s just another piece of driftwood, claimed by the relentless erosion of the riverbanks. For years, the residents have been battling this erosion, but as Garbutt points out, the problem has only gotten worse.
Brian Garbutt
Brian Garbutt, Monkey River Resident
“In the late 1990’s that’s when tourism get started here in Monkey River, right? About ninety-seven, ninety-eight, right? For the first couple of years, everyone that would do their tour, they would go up pretty slow, right? But on their way back down about noon time, you know, the sun would be up, the humidity would be real high, pretty much at that time. Most of the wildlife would seek shelter to get away from that immediate heat, right? So there’s not much to see. And that’s when these guys started to run their boat full throttle. And I have been I would say get awake about two weeks ago when I went up into the river and I could have seen the effect that are taking place against the river.”
The area has turned into a bustling tourism hotspot, with boatloads of cruise passengers arriving several days a week during the high season. Local tour guides whisk these tourists off to Harvest Caye or Placencia, navigating through the Monkey River waters. While the community appreciates the revenue, there’s a catch—the speed of the boats is causing problems.
Brian Garbutt
“Can you imagine a boat with about twenty people doing about twenty miles an hour within, the widest area within our river? Probably would be about thirty yards. You imagine five, six of these boats just keep banging on direct onto the clay.”
These boats, carrying anywhere from ten to thirty passengers, send waves crashing into the banks as they speed by. But erosion is just one of the negative effects residents have noticed. Ebenezar Gordon, a tour guide since the early 2000s, often joins these tour boats to educate visitors about the local flora and fauna. While his livelihood relies on these tours, it relies even more on preserving his home.
Ebenezer Gordon
Ebenezer Gordon, Monkey River resident
“The whole environment changing because of big companies like the farmingcompanies, you know. They have made big trench for the farm, so it do affect the water around here. When we were younger, when it’s raining, this river used to take long before it goes down. But now, two, two days maybe the longest and it’s get calms around here. If you notice around here, you see a lot of erosion taking place.”
Residents also say that the boats stir up sediments, which the river can’t wash away, leading to shallow pockets of water. Garbutt, a fisherman by trade, mentions that navigating the river is becoming increasingly difficult.
Brian Garbutt
“Let’s say for the day, one ton of sediment would be coming downstream, right? And the impact that these boats are doing to this river at this present moment, one ton would come down and meet with twenty tons. So what would happen? That would just keep trapping up and trapping up. That eventually, what I have seen in my lifetime, if the almighty permits me with another ten years, it would be very impossible for me to get up in the river within a 23 foot Mexican skiff.“
Residents suggest imposing a speed limit for boats passing through the area. They also propose a small fee for tour guides to help fund the town’s maintenance.
Ebenezer Gordon
“We have that stuff in place for a long time and it’s not having enforcements. I wish they could enforce it for us?”
Britney Gordon
“Who would be the persons in charge to enforce that?”
Ebenezer Gordon
“Well, I think it’s BTB, you know, because the guys there know, but they just want to ignore us because we don’t have the laws to back it up.”
A few years back, locals were filled with hope when they heard about a project aimed at saving the riverbank from erosion. Residents say funds were collected, but unfortunately, the plan never materialized.
Brian Garbutt
“And it’s pretty sad, you know? That guy went over there and raised that fund, have to come through the government. Literally for sure sixty percent would go to the government. So many people comes in and do their research. So much goes out. I hope that we get about a hundred thousand. Because it’s pretty sad. We have a job that would be much bigger than what they are about to do, that is done by a local writing placentia done for a house right here on our coastline in Monkey River.”
The future might seem uncertain, but the residents remain hopeful and determined to save their cherished community where the river meets the sea. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has restricted Starlink Belize operations to specific circumstances after denying its application for a Class License to provide fixed and mobile broadband internet across the country. Starlink services will only be allowed in unserved or underserved areas, on vessels and aircraft under Earth Station in-Motion (ESIM) regulations, and during natural disasters when other providers cannot deliver emergency services. Sheena Garnett, the Communications Director at PUC, provided an explanation behind the commission’s decision.
Sheena Garnett
Sheena Garnett, Communication Manager, PUC
“Let us break it down a little bit. The current telecommunication regulation allows for mobile internet services onboard aircraft and vessels. Because that is already something allowed, it continues. However, it is the end users we are allowing to import and operate these types of Starlink services. SBL’s application is unique because it is looking to provide satellite-based service in the country. We believe those services can be beneficial for education, research, and these types of things in the unserved and underserved areas. We are going to allow end users to operate their Starlink terminals at these fixed locations that are currently in these parts of the country where there is no service or underserved areas where existing internet providers are unable to provide that service.”
The PUC in its decision says it is unable to ascertain the affordability of Starlink’s equipment. As a result, it cannot say if Starlink Belize will be able to provide equitable access to those in economically disadvantaged areas. And then there is the concern of a citizen’s privacy and data sovereignty. Starlink will be able to operate and control a portion of Belize’s communications infrastructure while being a foreign entity. They are not mandated to locally store and process the data they collect.
Stacey Grinage, Legal Counsel, PUC
“As it currently stands, the law as it stands, there are certain legal obligations placed on persons who become holders of your personal information. We are not licensing Starlink. We have not granted them a license. So, some of the obligations that are mandated under the Data Protection Act would not necessarily apply to them. So, my response to that would be that the law in that area is still developing. The fact we have not issued them a license means there is not that legal obligation to comply with the provisions of the Data Protection Act also.”
Paul Lopez
“As that to see that they are free to use this data as they wish?”
Stacey Grinage
“Not necessarily. The thing is I would not know. We also had this issue at the PUC. I would not know the specific terms and conditions between Starlink and a customer when it comes to a customer signing up and allowing themselves to purchase a terminal. I think it is something governed by contract between the two people. When we issue a license, we certainly place obligations, data protection obligations, on our license.”
Tensions are heating up in San Pedro as taxi operators clash with golf cart rental businesses over customers at the island’s entry points. Taxi drivers are frustrated, claiming that golf cart rentals are poaching their customers and cutting into their income. On the other hand, rental operators argue they’re providing a more affordable service, even though their licenses say they should only operate from their offices. News Five’s Paul Lopez visited the island today to get the full story. Here’s what he discovered.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Surveillance cameras outside the municipal airport in San Pedro caught a group of men in a couple of heated brawls. These clashes are the latest flare-ups in the ongoing feud between taxi drivers and golf cart rental businesses.
Emir Vega
Emir Vega, President, San Pedro Taxi Federation
“This started three years ago, we have been disputing on what is the taxi industry. We have been having controversies with golf cart rentals. The golf cart companies basically pick up at any port of entry, whether it is the airstrip, water taxis.”
Vega leads a taxi federation that includes ten associations and over two hundred members. He argues that golf cart rental companies are stationing their staff at entry points to snag customers, even though their trade licenses clearly state they should only operate from their registered offices.
Emir Vega
“They are doing soliciting, which is illegal, to start with. Whenever they come here, they try to sell a golf cart, when we know the trade license specified them to work from their office locations, specific locations. Then the taxi drivers we are a public service, and the ones expected to do the transportation for our visitors and local people, visitors to their different accommodations. We are to stay in a fight.”
According to Vega, it’s perfectly legal for golf cart rentals to pick up customers from entry points if they’ve prebooked. However, it’s against the rules for these companies to hang around and solicit customers on the spot. There’s also the issue of vehicle capacity. News Five has received several videos and images showing golf carts overloaded with luggage and passengers. In one case, a tourist’s luggage even fell off a cart! Meanwhile, taxi operators on the island use spacious mini vans that can comfortably carry both passengers and their belongings. One rental operator, speaking off the record, claimed they offer a much cheaper service than the taxis.
Emir Vega
“I can say they are taking the bread out of our table. All that is supposed to be our work they are taking over and sometimes when they do solicit and they cannot rent a golf cart they offer a taxi run to say ey I can take you for a five bucks. They can do that because they do not pay the fees that a taxi service pays.”
A visit to San Pedro Belize Express water taxi’s new location provided a firsthand look at the situation. Taxis line the streets here, while rental golf carts are scattered around the property. One enterprising operator has even set up shop right at the water taxi terminal. Mayor Wally Nunez says they are operating illegally from that location.
Wally Nunez
Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro
“The had also applied at the council to relocate their office. We had also expressed to them that the trade license will not be able to be relocated there because that takes a process. Whenever you are going to change your address for business purposes you have to apply before. They didn’t apply before. So, we will not be able to grant them a trade license in that location. We don’t want to encourage any golf cart rentals to be moving office there because it will create a problem with other golfcart rentals and the taxis. I understand they want to open a snack shop. If they do that, they still need a trade license. I have asked the police to check with them. If they don’t have a trade license they will have to shut down.”
Mayor Nunez and Area Representative Andre Perez met with federation members this morning after rumors of a protest began circulating. Mayor Nunez assured us that his council is striving to find a solution that benefits everyone involved. This afternoon, he also met with representatives from the water taxi company in Belize City. But is this just a symptom of a bigger problem? Could the island be facing an oversaturation of golf cart rentals and taxi operators? We posed this question to Area Representative Andre Perez.
Andre Perez
Andre Perez, Area Rep., Belize Rural South
“I have to agree with you that yes indeed it is one of the symptoms affecting us with the oversaturation of golfcarts on a whole. With the proliferation of many golf cart rental companies coming in. It also has to do with the demand. We have to understand that there is this tourism product that tourists come and one of their experience is the novelty of driving around in a golfcart. They are not use to it. It is only available to them in the U.S. if they go on a golf course. So, that in itself is part of the experience. So, we have to work along with them that they want to ride a golf cart or arriving at the port of entry, getting immediately into one. But we have to find a balance. We cannot displace the taxi people.”
The San Pedro Town Council has launched a $28 million bond to boost the town’s infrastructure. Mayor Gualberto Nunez shared that they’ve already raised $8 million. While municipal bonds aren’t a new concept—there’s even legislation to support them—some critics argue that this bond was introduced quietly and that residents should have been better informed. We asked Mayor Nunez for his thoughts on the matter.
Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro
“Since we took office we realize there was a lot of need for the island to improve infrastructurally and one of the things we started to look at was floating municipal bonds. It is nothing new. We have been open about it. It is not like some people say that we have been hiding it. Actually the San Pedro Sun took out an article on that a couple weeks ago. Some of the things they have been brining up are things that are being revised so we can float the bond. The budget and all we do as a municipality are exactly that. It is budgeted amount, not exact amount spent. So the municipality have been looking at raising municipal bonds to pay off road works, the bridge, and that is how most municipalities do. The value we are raising is twenty-eight million. At the moment we have raised a little over eight million.”
