News - Greater Belize Media

Illegal Dump Site Exposed in Cristo Rey

It’s a mess that’s been piling up for years, and now, residents of Cristo Rey have had enough. Just outside the village entrance, an illegal dumping site has turned a piece of private land into a growing eyesore. Locals say it’s more than just trash, it’s a threat to their health and their community. So today, we headed west to hear their concerns firsthand. News Five’s Britney Gordon has that story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

There’s a serious pollution problem happening in Cristo Rey Village. Earlier this week, a video depicting several people dumping a truckload of trash onto a private property in the village began circulating on social media. This property is just off the side of the road at the entrance of the village, making piles of trash one of the first things people see when entering the community. Village Chairman, Wilmer Guerra, says this problem has been occurring ever since the fence closing off the area was removed during the road upgrades a few years back.

Wilmer Guerra, Chairman, Cristo Rey Village

“They were constructing the road, they broke off the fence that was here. And so people now have access to this area. And before it was just a steep hill. But now the construction of the road, they level it off so people can easily access it. And they’re just illegally dumping their garbage now for two years now.”

Britney Gordon

“So we know that this is a private property. Why has it become the council’s initiative to consistently clean it up? What’s the cons that you guys are seeing in the community?”

Wilmer Guerra

“For us, I think it’s very important to clean it off every time it accumulates because we depend a lot on tourism or main source of income for is tourism. There’s a lot of resorts close by. So it’s a very bad image. The first thing that comes into Cristo Rey, it’s this illegal dump site.”

Just a little over two months ago, the village council hosted a cleanup, removing all the unwanted trash. Unfortunately, the polluters just keep coming back. We spoke to an employee at the nearby Table Rock Jungle Lounge, to hear how the situation has been impacting the local tourism sector.

Zeekion McNab, Table Rock Jungle Lodge

“You can obviously see there’s litter there and, and then yes. Right now, it’s slow season, like I mentioned, so most of our guests, they prefer to rent a vehicle rather than book transportation. And with that then they, and then, furthermore, they don’t really know the roads that well, so they come slowly. So it’s obvious that they will definitely be seeing that there. And it’s not a nice sight.”

The litter raises even larger concerns over the potential environmental ramifications. Not too far away from the property, there is a creek that leads into the Macal River.

Zeekion McNab

“Here we have river, which is right below. We here we have river access. We offer canoeing, Tubing also for our guests. And the first thing they’ll think you, oh, we’re not getting in that river because of. What could be coming out from up there, even though it’s a bit farther downstream, but still, it would affect us all. And I believe the same would go for a lot of other lodges on the riverside.”

According to villagers, the dumping is primarily carried out by non-residents of Cristo Rey. Carmita Guerra, owner of Carm’s Restaurant, shares her disappointment in the lack of civic pride among Belizeans.

Carmita Guerra, Owner, Carm’s Restaurant

“It’s disgusting to see that people come from other places to dump garbage close to our village because here in the village, like especially me, that I have my business. I pay every time they pick up garbage, sixty dollars to throw my garbage. So it’s very hard to see that people just come in and dump. And here our village is a village where it’s a lot of tourism. We work with tourists, we work with the BTB. And then it’s very hard for us to see that if our villagers left like that, the people throw garbage and then our people that come visit us, they will say the people from Cristo Rey, they are very dirty. They are people that are nasty.”

Guerra explains that the village has an efficient garbage disposal system in place. Additionally, there are designated dump sites located on the Benque road and in San Antonio village, making the illegal dumping an unnecessary endeavor.

Wilmer Guerra

“It’s unfortunate that it’s not people from Cristo Rey. It’s not people from Santa Elena, San Antonio. In Cristo Rey, we have a very robust domestic garbage management program in which we do every two weeks we go from household to household collecting garbage, and then we transfer it to a station on the Benque road. So we do have that and people have already become accustomed to it and they’re expecting it. Whenever three weeks passes and you haven’t done it, they give you a call and say, you know what, when will you pick up garbage? Because they don’t like throwing garbage everywhere. And so I’m very proud of the Cristo Rey people and it’s unfortunate enough that it’s now people from Santa Elena, San Ignacio, and other areas that are coming in and dumping their garbage here when they’re even closer to the dump site than us.”

After the fence was broken down to reconstruct the road, the Ministry of Public Works promised to repair it, however, that promise is yet to be fulfilled. The polluters captured on video have been reported to police, who are now conducting an investigation. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Pablo Lambey Foundation Fuels Dreams and Preserves Culture

It’s a story of legacy, culture, and opportunity, all rooted in the heart of Dangriga. The Pablo Lambey Foundation, named after a cultural icon from southern Belize, is doing more than just preserving Garifuna traditions, it’s helping young people thrive. From scholarships to cultural immersion, the foundation is shaping futures while honoring the past. Tonight, we take you inside the movement that’s keeping the Garifuna spirit alive, one drumbeat, one student, and one powerful story at a time. Here’s this week’s Kolcha Tuesday with Paul Lopez.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Think legacy meets opportunity, that’s what the Pablo Lambey Foundation is all about. Named after a beloved cultural icon from southern Belize, this foundation has become a powerful force for good in the Garifuna community. It’s helping young Garifuna students chase their academic dreams while keeping their rich heritage alive. At the heart of it all is Sheryl Devaney, Pablo Lambey’s granddaughter. She started the foundation to carry on his legacy and she’s doing just that by offering scholarships to students of Garifuna descent. Dozens of young people have already benefited, and the impact is growing. It’s about education, yes, but it’s also about pride, culture, and a future rooted in tradition.

Sheryl Devaney, Founder, Pablo Lambey Foundation

“I was born and raised here in Dangriga an in my early years my grandpa raised me. As I grew up, and became older I realized in hindsight all of the things he was doing to instill culture, a sense of unity and community. So the foundation was established to honor his legacy. Through the foundation we offer scholarships to deserving Garifuna students. Our focus is primarily Garifuna but we have scholarship recipients who are not Garifuna. So the whole concept is how can you drive the culture forward and how do we continue to preserve the Garifuna culture.”

For Carlee Martinez, the foundation has been a huge financial support in her academic pursuits. It has also provided a space for her to strengthen her cultural identity. She has also witnessed the foundation’s transformative impact on her peers.

Carlee Martinez, Student, Ecumenical Junior High School

“There is a lot to it. First they really play a huge role in your education. For my first year I did not have to worry about anything. The support is there. If you have something you don’t know they are there to assist you. If you don’t have something, they are there to assist you. I am a naturally a person that gives into my culture. I play a huge role in different activities, like going in different dance groups, I am in a cultural group where we do signing and performance. I have been in many competitions, like the jankunu competition, the battle of the drums and different festivities they have, I partake in.”

Georgette Lambey is keeping her father’s legacy alive, one drumbeat at a time. Despite her mother’s disapproval, Pablo Lambey taught her to play the drums. Now, Georgette’s passing those cultural lessons on, inspiring the next generation and becoming a role model in her community.

Georgette Lambey, Cultural Activist, Pablo Lambey Foundation.

“When I was four years old, he put me on his shoulder, and we would go to the reenactment to do the Yurumei where we come in. My father, his friends, and we both would come. That is where I held my first drum. I listened to the drum, and he said just listen to the rhythm and let the rhythm take your hands. No one taught me how to play drums. My dad said listen to it and let it take your hands. I bought my first drum, and my mom did not want it. My mom said, girls are not supposed to play drums, they open their legs for drums. My dad said, at least it is for the drums, so we know she is safe. So, we had that weird sense of humor, so my dad bought me drums.”

Georgette spends less time playing the drums these days. She gives her time and energy to raise the next generation of Garifuna musicians and composers. Lambey is wholly invested in keeping her culture alive.

Georgette Lambey

“Preservation for me is very important and I got that from my dad, even though he did not want me to be a composer. Garifuna song is like country song, instead of fighting you put it into words, but you don’t put names so you don’t get sue. So he said, don’t be a composer, his mother was a composer.”

Just like her father, Georgette Lambey doesn’t back down. She’s now a composer, and she’s written a powerful song to celebrate his legacy. This Thursday, the Pablo Lambey Foundation is turning up the culture with a special immersion event. Then on Saturday, it’s all about the future, thirty-four students will be awarded scholarships at a ceremony in Dangriga. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

More Funding for Climate Action with DFC

More funding is coming soon to support climate resilience in Belize. Today, the Development Finance Corporation signed a new agreement with the Belize Fund to unlock more funding for climate resilience and blue economy projects. It’s a five-year partnership aimed at making environmental financing easier to access, and it’s all part of a bigger push to protect our natural resources and support sustainable development. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the details.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Two of Belize’s top financial institutions are teaming up to take on climate change head-on. The Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future and the Development Finance Corporation are joining forces to boost climate resilience through co-financing, knowledge sharing, and community outreach. Henry Anderson, CEO of DFC, says the partnership fits perfectly with their mission to grow Belize’s blue economy and support sustainable development across the country.

Henry Anderson, CEO, Development Finance Corporation

“Belize is the second most vulnerable country as it relates to climate change. It’s existential. So when we adopted our environmental and social safeguard policy, essentially what we’re seeing is when we make decisions and we make investments, we have to work with our clients to ensure that those investments as best as possible is forward looking. It takes into consideration the challenges we face with climate change. When you look at the natural capital that Belize has in terms of the atolls, the marine area the Barrier Reef. And the livelihoods that depend on it. Right now, we could do everything perfect in Belize and climate change will still come because we’re not the problem right here. We’re the victims. But we can’t just sit back and cry on that. So we have to find ways to help the fishers exist.”

Since 2022, the Belize Fund has been working to create transparent and inclusive financing for the conservation and development of Belize’s marine and coastal resources. According to Executive Director, Doctor Leandra Cho-Ricketts, this memorandum will strengthen the organization’s ability to support crucial climate change solution projects.

Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts, Executive Director, B.F.S.F.

“At the Belize Fund, we’re excited for this partnership because it’s an opportunity for us to be able to scale up and leverage the moneys we have, which, as you all are aware, is a sustained source of income coming from truly proceeds at the blue bond, right? So that’s where for the next twenty years and even beyond, and. It is certainly not enough to provide all the impacts we would want, positive impacts we would want. So this opportunity allows us to take that, leverage it with the resources from DFC to be able to also create new and innovative ways of supporting, especially the blue economy and helping those stakeholders to be more resilient, particularly to climate.”

Through this partnership, the DFC will focus on financing communities that depend on the blue economy to survive. The aim is to support the long-term development of Belize’s economy and people.

Henry Anderson

“Let’s take the artisanal fishing product that DFC rolled out last year. We did over three hundred loans. Over three million dollars. That might sound like small numbers, but that’s big. It’s about thirteen percent of our productive portfolio. You had the fisher folk who were going to money lenders being forty percent interest rates, and know they’re in single digit. Now when we partner with the fund, let’s say for example, if you fish lobster, there’s a certain type of traps you need to have. The fund can come in and say, okay, if you use that technology, we will pay X percent towards your loan. And what that does, that provides help to the fisher, it de-risks DFC, and you get the impact of ensuring that in terms of protecting the natural capital, you know it’s there and it’s reusable.”

It is the Belize Fund’s hope, that by collaborating with the DFC, more opportunities will arise for small organizations to access funding for conservation initiatives.

Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts

“The money we give, we have to ensure that who receives it can manage it, can report on it. Because essentially this is a public’s money, right? It’s not private money. It’s Belize’s money. And so we, we have to ensure true accountability for it. So we take the job seriously and as a result, it means it unintentionally excludes certain, like individuals can’t apply. And communities or community groups, like certain fisher associations that don’t have the capacity can’t apply. But in looking for blended finance opportunities with the DFC, this is where it could help unlock where individuals, if there’s certain loan programs that are developed or finance programs developed, it could then apply through that means.”

The collaboration will kick off with a pilot project, dispersing about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars throughout the year. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belize Bank Empowers 15 Scholars with Mentorship and Opportunity

Fifteen bright young minds are one step closer to their dreams, thanks to a major boost from Belize Bank. Out of a competitive pool of one hundred and seventy-five applicants, these standout students have been awarded full scholarships to continue their education at the high school and sixth form levels. But the support doesn’t stop at tuition, it’s about mentorship, support, and building Belize’s future leaders. Filipo Alario of Belize Bank says it best: education has the power to transform lives and build stronger communities. Tanya Arceo has the story.

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

Fifteen students are now Belize Bank scholars, and they’ve got more than just financial support behind them. At the bank’s thirteenth annual scholarship ceremony, ten high schoolers and five sixth form students were awarded full scholarships from a pool of one hundred and seventy-five applicants. One standout student made history by earning the scholarship at both levels. Each student is paired with a mentor from the bank, offering guidance and support beyond the classroom. Executive Chairman Filipo Alario reminded the scholars that success today takes more than good grades, it takes curiosity, adaptability, and digital smarts.

Filipo Alario, Executive Chairman, Belize Bank

“The technologies of tomorrow are here today, and guess what? You’re going to be part of the next generation that is going to drive that technology. So I urge you to be curious, stay adaptable, embrace the unfamiliar, whether you’re studying business, engineering, medicine or arts. You need to make sure you know how technology touches everything. For me, I started many years ago and I continue to learn every single day and I find that I need to continue to learn faster, and faster and faster to keep up.”

Minister of State Ramon Cervantes, applauded Belize Bank’s long-standing commitment to student development. He reminded the scholarship recipients that their achievement is not only a celebration of personal potential, but a call to embrace responsibility, stay rooted in their values, and use education to uplift others and build a stronger Belize.

Ramon Cervantes, Minister of State, Ministry of Education

“And this year they’re awarding ten high school scholarships and five for sixth form and you continue to demonstrate that access to education must never be determined by circumstances alone but instead, education is the primary tool to transform adverse circumstances into opportunities for success. Your consistent investment in our students shows the true meaning of corporate social responsibility. You are not just building a business, but you are also helping to build a nation.”

CEO Alario outlined how the scholarship recipients are chosen, noting that selection is based on both academic excellence and financial need. He emphasized that each application is carefully reviewed, ensuring that the program continues to uplift students who show promise and perseverance.

Filipo Alario

“So the criteria to get into the scholarship program anybody can apply, its really a mix of academic and merit so we try to have the bright students and push them through the next level and also those who actually need it, we have a committee in the bank that looks at all the applications it is a very, very difficult job, just to select a small number we had over a hundred and eighty applications this year”

Joshua Smith, a scholarship recipient from Orange Walk, expressed his excitement and gratitude. He shared what receiving the scholarship means to him and how it motivates him to work even harder toward his goals.

Joshua Smith, Scholarship Recipient

“I’m going to Muffles College and I feel excited to be one of the chosen recipients because its only a chosen few and I am glad to be a part of that chosen few.”

Belize Bank is doubling down on its commitment to education. As fifteen new scholars begin their journey, the bank is already planning to expand, with a sharper focus on sixth form students who often get left behind. Beyond the books, it’s about building leaders. Tanya Arceo for News Five.

Belize Pushes for Smoke-Free Future

The Ministry of Health, with support from PAHO/WHO, hosted a key workshop in Belize City today aimed at making the country smoke-free. The event is part of a regional push for stronger tobacco laws across Latin America. Belize ratified the WHO’s global tobacco control treaty back in 2005, but officials say it’s time to move from promises to action. The workshop brought together voices from government, civil society, academia, and business to talk strategy. The aim is to reduce tobacco use, still a top preventable killer, and create healthier, smoke-free spaces across Belize.

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

In Belize City today, the push for a smoke-free future took center stage. Leaders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector came together for a high-level workshop hosted by the Ministry of Health & Wellness, with support from PAHO and WHO. The event is part of a regional movement called “Towards a Smoke-Free and Emission-Free Latin America.” Dr. Andrei Chell put it simply, it’s about saving lives, helping the economy, and making life better for everyone in Belize.

Dr. Andrei Chell, Director, Policy Analysis and Planning Unit

“So, it’s a week of activities really to discuss smoke free and emission free initiative in Latin America, we are doing this partnering with PAHO/WHO. Today is a meeting with our partners, multi-sectoral partners that have a role in tobacco control, we have here different government ministries, academias, civil society, the private sector and we’re here really just to discuss our best practices, look at evidence based on research and policies that are in place to promote smoke free and emission free environments, right. As you may know Belize ratified the FCTC which is a framework convention about control in two thousand and five, this is a framework really that sets the policy in place for us as a country to put evidence-based strategies in place to reduce the burden of tobacco use”

At today’s workshop, PAHO’s Rosa Carolina Sandoval made a powerful point, cutting back on tobacco and secondhand smoke doesn’t just save lives, it also saves money. She stressed that prevention is key, and the long-term health benefits come with big cost savings for the country’s healthcare system.

Rosa Carolina Sandoval, Regional Advisor, PAHO

“I think right now in Latin America and the Caribbean we’re very lucky because we twenty four countries that have already implemented smoke-free laws, they have already banned smoking in bars and restaurants. And right now here in Belize we’re discussing how we can support Belize to move forward in that direction. We have other three countries in Latin America that are yet to approve this smoke free laws and we are here to support them and we are hopeful that in the near future we can say Latin America is smoke-free”

With growing momentum behind the regional smoke-free initiative, Belize is now looking to chart a clear path toward protecting public health from tobacco-related harm. As policy discussions continue the hope is to build stronger alliances across sectors to implement smoke-free environments that benefit all Belizeans, today and for generations to come. I am Tanya Arceo for News Five.

BSCFA Ordered to Pay Over $560K for Mill Blockade

The High Court has ruled that the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and two of its members must pay more than BZD 560,000 in damages for their role in a three-day blockade of the BSI mill back in December 2021.

The court found that this action, though not officially sanctioned by the BSCFA, was effectively enabled by its leadership, who failed to intervene until a new agreement was reached.

Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke found that the blockade was a strategic move to pressure BSI during failed contract negotiations. The court awarded BSI BZD 520,674 in damages and granted BZD 43,456 in damages to Belize Cogeneration Energy Limited, which could not operate without access to BSI’s byproduct, bagasse.

Attorney Hector Guerra explained, “This case was grounded in the economic tort called unlawful interference with economic interest. This is the first time that a case like this has been fully litigated and upheld within a court in Belize.”

Guerra added that BSCFA had warned BSI of its intent to block the mill if commercial talks failed. “The BSCFA had, in a meeting, declared to BSI that if they could not come to some agreement in terms of what the commercial agreement would look like, they would, in fact, block the mill, and they also asserted that no other association or other farmers would be allowed to deliver sugarcane to the mill. So that forms the backdrop, the factual basis upon which this claim was launched,” he said.

The court found the farmers trespassed on BSI’s compound, intentionally blocked access, and caused financial harm. The ruling also noted that BSI and BCEL could have mitigated some of their losses but failed to do so.

“This was never about a monetary sum. It’s not about the figure; it’s about the underlying principle. It’s about upholding economic interest and ensuring that parties engage with respect for each other,” Guerra added.

Screwworm Hits Belize Wildlife

Two howler monkeys in the Cayo District have tested positive for New World screwworm. These recent cases mark the first confirmed cases of the parasite in Belize’s wildlife, according to the Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic.

The clinic reported that the infections were detected within 24 hours of each other. “The injuries were too graphic to share,” it said. “Please check your animals every day for wounds. The injuries caused by this flesh-eating parasite are truly horrific and often fatal when left untreated.”

Screwworm cases were first confirmed in Belize in January and have since surged to over 160 reported cases nationwide. Communities from Toledo in the south to Orange Walk in the north have reported infections.

As of June 14, more than 50 dogs have been affected, with 20 new cases reported over the past month.

Suspected cases should be reported to the Belize Agricultural Health Authority.

Lord Ashcroft Warns Public of Scam Video Circulating Online

A fake video is being shared that falsely shows Lord Michael Ashcroft endorsing a cryptocurrency scheme. The video has been digitally altered and authorities are warning the public not to fall for it.

“The video features a digitally manipulated recording that falsely purports to show Lord Ashcroft participating in a media interview promoting cryptocurrency schemes and promising high-yield investment returns,” a statement from his office said. “This so-called interview is entirely fabricated. Lord Ashcroft has not given any such interview, has made none of the statements attributed to him, and has not endorsed any cryptocurrency, digital asset, or ‘financial product as claimed in the video.”

His office has labelled the video a “malicious scam” that is targeting viewers by “exploiting Lord Ashcroft’s name and reputation for fraudulent purposes.”

The public is advised to ignore it and be cautious of unsolicited financial advice online.

“Any genuine statements or communications from Lord Ashcroft or his office are issued only through official and verifiable channels,” it added.

His office says it is taking steps to report and remove the video and is “reviewing available legal options against those responsible.”

DJ Turns Himself In After Fatal Hit-and-Run of PC Arcenio Cus

DJ and businessman Kris Rosado turned himself in to Ladyville Police on Monday evening after the fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of Police Constable Arcenio Cus. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero confirmed on Monday that the person responsible had fled from the scene.

Constable Cus, 38, had just finished his shift at the Ladyville Police Station and was riding his motorcycle home when a black vehicle reportedly veered into his lane and struck him head-on. The crash occurred along the Philip Goldson Highway on Monday morning.

Rosado is expected to be charged with multiple offences, including failure to stop and render aid, failure to report an accident, causing death by careless conduct, manslaughter by negligence, and driving without due care and attention.

Caribbean Media Leader Joins Global Steering Committee

Kiran Maharaj, president of the Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC), has been elected to the Steering Committee of the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD).

Her appointment was confirmed in an online vote during the GFMD’s Extraordinary General Assembly. She will represent Latin America and the Caribbean alongside Adriana Garcia from Brazil’s Association of Investigative Journalism.

“It is a profound honour to represent the Caribbean at the GFMD’s highest decision-making level,” Maharaj said. “This appointment ensures our region’s experiences and priorities are heard on the international stage.”

Maharaj’s new role means the Caribbean will now help shape global conversations around media freedom, ethics, and innovation at a time when independent journalism is under pressure worldwide.

The GFMD brings together 203 organisations across 82 countries to support strong and independent media.