Youth voices are crucial in the fight against climate change because their perspectives and ideas are vital for creating sustainable solutions that will affect their future. They often bring fresh, innovative ideas and approaches to problem solving. Young people regularly speak with a moral clarity that can cut through political and economic interests.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“In Belize, the youths are calling for opportunities to harness individual and technological potential. They need sustained investments in good, decent education, comprehensive healthcare and a green or a blue economy that targets support for micro, small and medium enterprises and startups. We can go farther faster with international support, but that support must be tailored to the unique characteristics of small island developing states. The Antigua and Barbuda agenda for SIDS is a forward-looking blueprint for resilient prosperity. It defines our vision and what the international community can do to help us achieve that vision. My country, like other small island developing states, still lack representation where decisions are being made on our behalf.”
Twenty-five-year-old Jahmea Bent is visiting Belize as Miss Caribbean Los Angeles 2024. Born and raised in LA, Jahmea’s parents are both Belizeans. In January 2023, Jahmea made her debut in the Queen of Kingdom Day pageant where she won the crown and participated in the Queen of Kingdom Day Parade in South Central. Earlier this year, she decided to enter the Miss Caribbean LA competition and made history as the first Belizean woman to win the coveted title. Jahmea stopped by our office and shared more about her visit to Belize, as well as her new title.
Jahmea Bent
Jahmea Bent, Ms. Caribbean LA
“It was a friend of mine who lives in New York who had spoken and heard about the pageant coming about and he sent me the application for it and then it was my godmother who is also a part of pageantry that had sent me the application and she told me to sign up and be a representation of Belize. So, I did and it came out to be more than I had expected. The pageant happens every year on June first, and it sets off the Caribbean Heritage Month. The pageant is a contribution of all Caribbean countries and for me, I was a representative of Belize. Being the first Ms. Caribbean Los Angeles is such an honor. I’ve been able to promote and just express my gratitude and also just have everyone share into the Caribbean culture and Belizean culture as well. And so, coming here to Belize is such a pleasure because I get to promote the culture, the tradition, the people and be a part of the community and express how great and mighty this small country is.
Isani Cayetano
“So you have Belizean heritage.”
Jahmea Bent
“I do.”
Isani Cayetano
“Talk to us about where your parents are from, in terms of being here in the country.”
Jahmea Bent
“Both my parents, my mom and my dad are from the city and so I come multiple times and I come to visit my grandmother, my aunts, my uncles, my sister and my brother that live here in the city. I’ve been here many times and being here, I’m just able to be with them and also immerse myself in the culture.”
Last week, two Belize Defense Force officers arrived in Haiti to assist with the United Nations Security Council Resolution, which facilitates collaboration among CARICOM countries to restore security in Haiti. The mission was put together to establish conditions for free and fair elections. In response, Haitian gang leaders have come forward to warn Belize and other CARICOM allies not to intervene. We asked Prime Minister John Briceño for a response to the threats.
Britney Gordon
“Belize is trying very hard to assist Haiti in their relief efforts, but the gang leaders of Haiti have threatened Belize, which has offered to send soldiers. How are we navigating this?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I don’t think that the Haitian gangs have any gangs in Belize. I don’t give it too much attention. I think that our brothers and sisters in Haiti need help. I think it’s tragic what’s going on. The lawlessness that have overtaken Haiti. And we need to do our little part. We’re not going to send a thousand soldiers. Right now, all we did is send two soldiers to look at the logistics and see if we will go to the next point. There’s a ten-point list that the Minister of Defense have brought to cabinet and said, until these ten points are met, we will not send any of our soldiers to Haiti.”
Last week, we told you about the faceoff between members of the Belize Territorial Volunteers and the Guatemalan Armed Forces in Belizean territory on the Sarstoon River. Over the years, there have been numerous reports of these confrontations with no solution in sight, except for a ruling from the International Court of Justice. It is an issue that the Leader of the Opposition raised in his State of the Nation address. But how would he resolve tension on the Sarstoon?
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“Being candid and taking principled positions, to me and being consistent is what we would hope from the government. I can assure you that when the prime minister met with the president of Guatemala, Sarstoon was not on the agenda. The continued aggression in our waters was not on the agenda. They are more concerned with being friends and being polite and exchanging niceties. When you don’t have to be rude, you don’t have to go to Guatemala and declare war. But you have to say, listen, this is what we need. I promised Belizeans that I would have a Sarstoon Protocol, let’s work this out. Let’s come to a solution. I need to deliver this for my people. I need to protect my BDF. I need to protect my Coast Guard. I need to protect civilians that want to traverse our waters. Let’s figure this out. But we have not seen any deliverables. Again, the Prime Minister went to Mexico begging the outgoing Mexican president and said that he agreed to give us the twenty-five megawatts. That has not happened yet. So what the prime minister knows how to do is to try to shape narratives and deceive the people. So, he will have the drums playing, the marching band, the BDF marching, all of this pomp and circumstance. But what is the reality? I actually wanted to do my speech from Pound Yard, right at the bridge. In a rubber boot, because that is the reality. That is where the reality is, putting forward this theater, when the reality for Belizeans is far from what he’s saying. And it’s not me just making it up.”
The Belize Defense Force has deployed two senior officers to Haiti in support of its restoration efforts. Recently, infamous Haitian gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, also known as “Barbeque”, told a reporter that he and his men will consider these interventions as aggression, heightening concerns for foreign military personnel. Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow shared his thoughts.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“I believe that the same risks and sacrifice we are prepared to make for our Haitian brother and sister we need to take our maritime borders equally as serious. It is unfortunate that we don’t see that from the foreign minister and prime minister. But I do believe that as CARICOM nations we need to stand together, and we must give what it is we expect. So, if Belize ever finds itself in need of the CARICOM nations, we hope that they would come to our aid and so I commend our BDF for stepping up to the tax of sacrifice and putting their lives at risk and I support standing in solidarity with our Haitian brothers and sisters. They need us right now and we need to be there for them.”
Hip Hop mogul, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is behind bars after he was arrested on Monday by Homeland Security on suspicion of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and interstate transportation for prostitution. Former Bad Boy artist, now Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow says he does not take joy in seeing Diddy’s downfall. However, when we spoke with him at the U.D.P. headquarters today, he put forward that he was not close friends with Combs as some may want to believe.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“When I was an eighteen-year-old kid just wanting to do nothing other than make my mother proud and make Belize proud and be recognized for my talent and take over the world. I was defending him, and he turned around and called witnesses to testify against me. He contributed; he pretty much sent me to prison. That is the context by which you must always describe that relation. I forgave. I moved on. But let us not pretend as if I was in Miami for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I went again to a charity event for impoverished youths in London. So, let us not lose sight of what the cold hard facts are. This is not someone who I vacationed with and who he and I enjoyed this great, intimate relationship of brotherhood. This is someone who destroyed my life and who I forgave and who I moved on and for the better interest of Belize, because he was in a position at that time to give scholarships and to maybe invest, I would not deny attempting to bring the investment to Belize and contribution to education to Belize. But don’t distort it as if he and I were bomb bally. This is someone that destroyed my life. But do I take any joy with what he is going through, absolutely not. I am different than other people, no one needs to fail for me to succeed.”
Reporter
At the height of your professional relationship or through your reconciliation, when he was instrumental in promoting you through Revolt Media, were you aware of these freak-offs event and did you participate in them? Were you aware of the freak-offs?
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“Sir, I had nothing to do with Sean Comb’s life, everything was strictly on a professional level.”
HIV infections among young people in the Caribbean are on the rise, with alarming statistics revealing that 27% of new cases in 2023 affect those aged 15-24—up from just 15% in 2020. The Multi-Country Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Dr. Richard Amenyah, warns that without urgent action and innovative strategies, the region risks falling further behind in the fight against this devastating epidemic, jeopardising the future of its youth.
Despite global efforts, the decline in new infections among adolescents and youth has not been sufficient to control the epidemic.
Dr. Amenyah stated that young people aged 15–24 represented 28 percent of new HIV infections worldwide in 2023. In the Caribbean, this group accounted for 27% of the 15,000 new cases reported, a significant increase from just 15% in 2020. Additionally, 25% of all pregnant women living with HIV globally are between 15 and 24 years old.
Dr. Amenyah noted, “This rising proportion… warrants further investigation and serious attention if we are to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.” The situation is particularly alarming in countries like Barbados, where the total HIV incidence ranges from 14% in Suriname and Guyana to 37% in Barbados. Belize sits at an 18% HIV incidence. This “warrants further investigation and serious attention, if we are to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” remarked Dr. Amenyah.
While there has been some progress since 2000, the decline in new infections has stalled, especially among adolescents aged 15-24. Dr. Amenyah highlighted that in 2023, “71% of new HIV infections among adolescents aged 10-19 years were among girls.”
Several structural barriers contribute to the epidemic’s growth among young people. Issues such as social norms and a lack of comprehensive sexuality education have made HIV prevention challenging. Stigma around HIV further deters young people, “Fear of rejection by peers and family members forces many young people to hide their HIV status,” Dr. Amenyah stated. He added, “Mental health services tailored to the needs of HIV-positive youth are often limited.”
To combat this crisis, policymakers are encouraged to adopt tailored strategies. Dr. Amenyah outlined several key approaches:
Education: Integrating rights-based Comprehensive Sexuality Education in schools can empower young people with knowledge about HIV prevention.
Youth-Friendly Healthcare: Creating safe environments for young people to access confidential health services is crucial.
Targeted Prevention: Programs should focus on vulnerable populations, addressing legal barriers that hinder access to services.
Youth Empowerment: Engaging young people in designing and implementing HIV programs will ensure their needs are addressed.
Leveraging Technology: Digital platforms can be used to educate and connect young people with health services.
Evidence-Based Approaches: Investing in robust data systems will help track the epidemic and inform policies.
Dr. Amenyah’s statement concluded, “Without greater attention to HIV among adolescents and youth, the world will not achieve its goal of ending the epidemic.” Urgent action is needed to reduce new infections and “make meaningful progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat in the Caribbean by 2030,” he ended.
Belize’s Special Envoy for Women and Children, Rosanna Briceño, is participating in the fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen in Ukraine to address child safety in families. The conference is hosted by the First Lady of Ukraine to bring together global leaders to discuss critical issues affecting families and children worldwide. The Special Envoy will be a key participant in a discussion that focuses on topics such as parenting challenges, government support for families, and mental health care for children. This dialogue aims to foster collaborative solutions and share best practices to enhance child safety and well-being across diverse contexts. While in attendance, the special envoy will participate in a UNICEF podcast session, visit a National Children’s Hospital that was severely impacted by recent missile attacks; and tour the newly established Child Rights Protection Center. The delegation will also be featured in a special cover photoshoot for ELLE Ukraine, dedicated to the Fourth Summit and soft power initiatives.
The Ministry of National Defense and Border Security has announced that two senior officers from the Belize Defense Force will be deployed to support Haiti’s restoration efforts and election security. For decades, Haiti has struggled with controlling high levels of gang activity. However, over recent years, it has run rampant, hindering Haiti from conducting an election. Belize has been committed to supporting Haiti’s relief efforts, but due to funding issues, the mission was unable to be enacted. We spoke with Major Roberta Usher, Chief of Staff at the Belize Defense Force for more information on the mission. Here’s more on that.
On the Phone: Major Roberta Usher
On the Phone: Major Roberta Usher, Chief of Staff, B.D.F.
“In alignment with the United Nations security council resolution and Belize’s commitment from the foreign affairs, two of our senior officers deployed to Jamaica and will now proceed to Haiti to support the CARICOM joint task force and work staff duties within their headquarters.”
Britney Gordon
“Okay, and initially it seemed that we would be sending a larger fleet and now it’s two soldiers. Can you talk to me about what the roles of these two soldiers will look like in aiding Haiti’s relief?”
Major Roberta Usher
“Yeah, so our senior officers, their officers there will be employed as staff officers on there to combat the carry come joint task force. One will be employed as the operational planner and the mission commander second in command and the. Other officer will work at the company headquarters in order to develop strategic plans and operational plans for the troops on the ground to get everything prepared in the event that we are to deploy a larger contingent from Belize and Jamaica.”
Britney Gordon
“Okay. And it seems that a part of the reason why it has taken such a long time to get this mission really going is because there was some pushback before from other entities. And so what’s really been the trigger to get it going now? Has that been resolved?”
Major Roberta Usher
“I don’t know about resolve, but in order to support a big multinational service and support like this, there are a lot of planning aspects, logistical concerns, which constraints and in order for us to deploy our larger contingent that all has to be resolved, I guess would be the right word. And So these officers are there eyes on the ground to ensure that we have a better picture of what is happening in Haiti before we are to deploy our other soldiers, but we’re planning. We’re planning to support as best as we possibly can.”
Back in August, Minister for Foreign Affairs Francis Fonesca told reporters that Belize abstained from an O.A.S resolution calling for an audit of Venezuela’s recent elections. The resolution was triggered after the country’s opposition accused the Maduro camp of rigging the election. The Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher and representatives from the Elections and Boundaries Department were present during the elections as observers. Today, reporters asked Minister Fonseca for an update on Belize’s position. He explained that Belize supported the OAS’ latest call for transparency and accountability where the recent election results are concerned.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“My understanding is the minister of the public service did go. I don’t know if he went as an observer. I know a team from elections and boundaries were invited as observers. I think the chief elections officer and a few others. So, I believe the minister accompanied them. In what capacity, I don’t know. But he accompanied them. Now, in terms of the OAS resolutions that have been passed, I mean, Belize the last resolution that was passed, Belize, it was passed by consensus, what they call consensus. You don’t have to vote yes or no, but you’re present and you support. Belize supported that resolution calling for the disclosure of all the rules calling for more transparency, calling for accountability, calling for a halt to any human rights abuses, any imprisonment of any political persons. Belize supported that. That was a consensus vote. Some members of CARICOM did not attend that meeting. So, they did not support by consensus, but Belize deliberately made the decision that we would participate, we would attend. And we would support that consensus. Well, that’s the last O. A.S. Resolution, which believes supported.”
