According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold oral hearings in November to decide whether to allow Guatemala to formally intervene in the ongoing territorial case between Belize and Honduras.
The ICJ has set the hearing for Monday, November 24, 2025, where judges will consider Guatemala’s application to participate in the case involving sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes, a group of small islands in Belize’s southern waters near Honduras.
Belize first filed the claim at the ICJ on November 16, 2022, asking the Court to rule that the Sapodilla Cayes rightfully belong to Belize and not Honduras. Belize submitted its written arguments (Memorial) in May 2023, and Honduras responded with its Counter-Memorial in December 2023. Both countries had agreed that no further written submissions were necessary.
However, Guatemala filed an application on December 1, 2023, to intervene in the proceedings, a move Belize did not oppose, but Honduras did. The Court must therefore decide whether Guatemala has a legal interest significant enough to join the case before the main hearings can move forward.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is keeping a close watch on an area of low pressure, now designated Invest 94L, located roughly 700 miles east-southeast of the Lesser Antilles.
According to the NHC’s latest Tropical Weather Outlook issued this morning, showers and thunderstorms linked to the system have shown little change in organisation overnight. Environmental conditions remain only marginally favourable, meaning any further development is expected to be slow as the system tracks west-northwest at about 10 to 15 miles per hour.
Forecasters currently give Invest 94L just a 20 percent chance of developing into a tropical depression or storm over the next two days and the same low chance over the next week. By midweek, conditions in the Atlantic are expected to become less favourable for any significant strengthening.
Regardless of development, the system could bring heavy rainfall to parts of the Lesser Antilles by midweek, increasing the risk of localised flooding. Residents in the region are advised to monitor updates as the system approaches.
The operation was completed last week in Richmond, Virginia. According to an update from his family, everything went smoothly and on time, and Dr. Eck did very well during the procedure. He is now in recovery.
The surgery is the latest milestone in Dr. Eck’s ongoing fight against stage 4 biliary tract cancer, diagnosed one year ago. In a recent video, he shared that he has undergone radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy since receiving a prognosis of six months to two years from three oncologists.
Dr. Eck said the surgery was made possible through World Paediatrics and the Milagros Team, who provided the procedure free of cost.
“Please continue to pray for a speedy and complete recovery as he enters this next phase of healing,” the family said.
Last Friday, News Five reported on a government contract revealing the purchase of a pre-owned 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser VX from Car Guys Belize Limited for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The report raised questions about whether taxpayer money should be used for such an expensive vehicle, even with shipping, duties, and other costs included.
In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has clarified that the vehicle was not purchased with taxpayers’ funds. The ministry said, “The Ministry received two vehicles through its strategic partners. Further, since the start of the Briceño Administration in November 2020, the Ministry has not purchased any vehicles with taxpayer’s funds. Instead, vehicles acquired for the Ministry’s fleet have been donated by various development partners in support of the institutional strengthening of the Ministry.”
The vehicle is assigned to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration Francis Fonseca.
According to the ministry, “are used for its daily operations and for the provision of protocol services for the entire Government of Belize.”
News of the purchase broke when the Public Service Union posted the letter from the ministry to the owner of Car Guys, Said Perdomo. Public backlash was swift
Authorities have launched a search operation following a jet ski accident near the Haulover Bridge in Belize City. Reports to our newsroom indicate that two individuals were on board the watercraft when the incident occurred.
While one person has been accounted for, a search for the other is underway. We are told that the Belize Coast Guard was contacted and is currently conducting search efforts in the area.
Details surrounding the cause of the accident are still under investigation. This is a developing story.
The inaugural meeting of the National Bus Company Pro Temp Advisory Committee took place on Friday.
The inaugural meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders committed to driving transformative change in the country’s public transportation network.
The new Advisory Committee unites representatives from government ministries, bus operators, unions, commuter groups, and technical experts. The goal is to shape and guide the implementation of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework that aims to modernise bus services and deliver a more efficient and inclusive system for commuters nationwide.
Participants described the meeting as productive and optimistic, with members pledging continued collaboration and technical input to achieve key milestones under the PPP framework. The committee will meet regularly to ensure that all stakeholder voices are heard as Belize works to build a modern and reliable national bus system.
The National Women’s Commission (NWC) officially installed its new Board of Commissioners on Thursday during a ceremony in Belize City.
The event featured remarks from Minister of Human Development, Family Support, and Gender Affairs, Thea Garcia-Ramirez, and Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, Rosanna Briceño. Both highlighted the importance of stronger support and representation for women and girls in Belize.
In her address, Minister Garcia-Ramirez said the new board shows a renewed commitment to protecting the rights of women and creating more opportunities for them to lead and thrive. Mrs. Briceño added that she is confident the new board will help break barriers and build a better future for all women and girls.
The new board, chaired by Cristina Romero, includes members from civil society, education, government, and community groups.
The National Women’s Commission remains Belize’s main advisory body on gender and works with the government and partners to promote gender equality and women’s rights.
The Ministry of Human Development, Family Support, and Gender Affairs says it remains firm in its zero-tolerance policy on corporal punishment and any form of violence against children. The ministry released a statement following an alleged incident involving a minor at the New Beginnings Youth Development Centre.
According to the ministry, on July 15 it was alerted to an incident in which an officer allegedly used violence against a child under state care. The child was immediately given medical attention and later escorted to the Hattieville Police Station to make an official report. The child’s family was also notified, and the ministry says it is awaiting further input from them to proceed with the criminal investigation.
In the meantime, the officer involved has been placed on immediate leave and barred from returning to the facility. Steps toward their termination have already been initiated.
The ministry said that New Beginnings, with the help of international partners, is undergoing a complete overhaul of its policies and programs to strengthen protection for children and ensure that strict no-violence standards are upheld.
The ministry said it “remains unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding children and upholding their rights to protection, care, and dignity.”
What started as a laid-back evening among friends ended in chaos; five men shot, rushed to the hospital, and a city once again shaken by gun violence. As tensions between rival groups in Belize City continue to rise, and violent clashes among fishermen escalate, police are stepping up their presence. But there’s more brewing beneath the surface. The government is pushing for public support of the controversial Thirteenth Amendment, a bold proposal that would give police sweeping powers in designated zones, create a special gang and gun court, and retroactively legalize past States of Emergency. It’s a move that has many Belizeans asking tough questions. But officials say it’s a necessary step to get ahead of crime. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.
Evadnie and Luke Jones
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Earlier this month, Belize City was rocked by tragedy; a mother and her son, Evadnie and Luke Jones, lost their lives in a brutal act of violence tied to ongoing tensions between rival groups. Since then, police say they’ve stepped up enforcement to try and get ahead of the bloodshed. But on Thursday night, just after ten p.m., gunfire once again shattered the calm, this time on Aloe Vera Street, where five men were caught in a hail of bullets. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, head of the Crimes Investigation Branch, has the latest on this disturbing attack.
Hilberto Romero
ACP Hilberto Romero, Head of Crime Investigation Branch
“On Thursday, police responded to a shooting incident at Aloe Vera Street in Belize City. Upon the arrival, they received information that five persons had been shot. They were all taken to the KHMH for treatment. They have all been treated and are all in a stable condition. They were identified as Aristotle Hughes, James Young, Germaine Smart, Douglas Gill, and Lismo Williams.”
All five victims are said to be in stable condition tonight and one of them, Douglas Gill, who was shot in the calf, has already been released from the hospital. The others weren’t as lucky, suffering gunshot wounds to the neck, arm, finger, hip, shoulder, and even the abdomen. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, the attackers rolled up on bicycles before opening fire.
ACP Hilberto Romero
“Information is that all of them were. At a yard at Aloe Vera Street when two male persons came on a bicycle and fired several shots towards the direction. We have several persons in custody in regards to this investigation.”
Police have yet to establish a motive and are investigating whether the attack is gang related.
ACP Hilberto Romero
“There are several issues that are being looked at. One being they’re fishermen and also a rival between two goods in that area.”
Britney Gordon
“Was any one of them the specific target?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“All of them were at the area and all of the shots were fired towards all of them.”
Police aren’t taking any chances. Officers are now on the ground in the Lake Independence area, working to prevent any possible retaliation after Thursday night’s shooting.
ACP Hilberto Romero
“ Yes, we have several persons in custody operations continue in that area and we will enforce our patrols in that particular area.”
Several men have been detained but no arrest have been made at this time. Britney Gordon for News Five.
A family dispute turned deadly on Wednesday night, leaving a young woman dead and a community in shock. Twenty-year-old Claritza Granillo Rodriguez was fatally stabbed, allegedly by her own brother-in-law, after an argument over something as simple as the volume of music in their home. The accused, twenty-three-year-old Eris Gavarette, fled the scene but was tracked down by police the next day and is now facing a murder charge. The family had only recently moved to Belize from Honduras, hoping for a fresh start. Instead, they’re now at the center of a heartbreaking tragedy. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero has more on the arrest.
Hilberto Romero
ACP Hilberto Romero, Head of Crime Investigation Branch
“In reference to the murder in Spanish Lookout, we have since resident charge Eris Gavarette, a Honduran National for the crime of murder.”
Reporter
“Was it was she killed because she was playing music?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“That is the information we have. The dispute began when they were playing music and they have been asked to lower the music.”
Reporter
“Does she have a history of domestic violence in this relationship?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“Not that we know of. They recently came to Belize from Honduras.”
Reporter
“Three of her family members from the members got detained before the perpetrator was located. Why were they detained?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“An investigation had to be carried out to determine, what actually transferred. So they were brought in and the investigation has now been concluded and that one person has been charged. “
Reporter
“Originally, the police released a wanted poster. Where did they end up finding the suspect?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“The suspect was found in Santa Elena, in the Cayo district.”
Reporter
“Was he hiding in somebody else’s house, was somebody else holding him?”
