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Oral contraceptives will remain available to existing users who already had prescriptions; however, labor groups warn that the policy could restrict access and strain Belize’s already burdened healthcare system. The Pharmacists Association of Belize (PAB), in a three-page press release on Wednesday, April 15, announced that it has agreed with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) on a twelve-month phased implementation to enforce prescription requirements across general

“Over-the-counter oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) should be made available without a prescription for individuals using OCPs.” — World Health Organization, WHO Consolidated Guideline on Self-Care Interventions for Health: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (2019). The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a definitive position on contraceptive access, recommending that oral contraceptive pills be made available without a prescription as part of a broader strategy t

Police have once again been called to the Port Loyola area in Belize City after the discovery of a body along the coastline, raising fresh concerns among residents. Authorities say the body is believed to be that of 17-year-old Alwin Marin Jr. It was found in an area southwest of the port, the same general location where police had been investigating the discovery of another body just last week. In that earlier case, a 19-year-old was found dead, prompting an active murder in

Public transportation in Belize could face serious disruption next week as bus operators warn they may shut down services due to rising fuel prices. The Belize Bus Association (BBA) says its members can no longer continue operating under what they describe as “unmanageable” fuel costs. In a strongly worded statement, the association warned that unless the situation is urgently addressed, bus services across the country could stop as early as Monday, April 20, 2026. According

Belize’s Opposition is urging immediate government intervention as fuel prices climb sharply; however, no relief measures have been announced despite global oil shocks pushing costs higher and intensifying pressure on households and businesses. Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton, in two statements issued this week, criticized the government for failing to respond as fuel prices rose during the Easter period, a peak travel season. Premium gasoline increased by 86 cents per

Belize increased total expenditure by nearly $270 million between 2023/24 and 2026/27; however, combined funding for three key legislative oversight offices rose by just $330,399, pushing their budget share up only 0.010 percentage points. The approved 2026/27 budget allocates a combined $1,190,825 to the Office of the Ombudsman, the Office of the Contractor General, and the Integrity Commission, up from $860,426 in 2023/24. Over the same period, total expenditure increased f

Global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz showed little recovery after the announced ceasefire; however, shipping traffic remains far below normal levels, reinforcing expectations of continued pressure on fuel prices in import-dependent economies like Belize. Data from the first 24 hours following the ceasefire indicates that only one oil products tanker and five dry bulk carriers passed through the strait. Under normal conditions, approximately 140 vessels transit the co

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has received its first-ever referral from a national court, marking an important legal development for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). On April 7, 2026, the CCJ held a case management conference after the High Court of Belize submitted a legal question for interpretation. The referral arises from the case G. Anwar Barrow and others v. Financial Services Commission and the Attorney General of Belize, which was sent to the regional court

Business Senator Kevin Herrera says the global conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel is already hitting Belize, with rising fuel prices now feeding directly into inflation. Herrera told The Reporter that diesel prices have already increased, signalling the rapid transmission of international energy price shocks into the domestic economy. He added that about 45 percent of that price reflects government revenue. The Business Senator indicated that the effects a

A widening Middle East war is pushing up global energy and food prices while tightening financial conditions; analysis from the International Monetary Fund indicates the shock could slow growth and intensify cost-of-living pressures worldwide. The IMF reports that the conflict has triggered one of the largest disruptions to global energy markets in history, with oil and gas flows through critical routes severely affected. Roughly a quarter of global oil and a fifth of liquefi

The Cycling Federation of Belize has announced the route for its Annual Parade of Cyclists, an event held ahead of the 96th Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. According to the federation, the parade will begin at Digi Park in Belize City and travel through several major streets, including Albert Street, Regent Street, and Central American Boulevard, before looping back to finish at Digi Park on Newtown Barracks. The parade is part of the activities leading up to the

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is informing the public that the National Health Insurance (NHI) program is now available at several additional government health facilities. These facilities include Cleopatra White Polyclinic II in Belize City, Belmopan Polyclinic at the Western Regional Hospital, San Ignacio Community Hospital, Duck Run Clinic, and the San Antonio Health Centre. Members of the public are encouraged to register for NHI services at any of these facilities

Belize’s umbrella labor body urged an immediate pause of BTL’s proposed takeover of SMART, citing legal, valuation, and monopoly risks, as opposition politicians and unions protested, this week, outside BTL’s Belize City headquarters. In a January 26 release, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) said it does not support the acquisition of Speednet, which operates as SMART, by Belize Telemedia Limited at this time. The group framed the matter as a public-interes

Belize’s domestic exports fell 68.2 percent in December after the absence of bulk sugar shipments slashed earnings, driving the sharpest monthly contraction of 2025, according to new data from the Statistical Institute of Belize. Total domestic exports for December stood at $24.5 million, down $52.5 million from the $77.0 million recorded in December 2024. The decline pushed December to the lowest monthly export value of the year. Sugar accounted for the largest share of the

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), working in partnership with the Government of Belize and with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, has officially launched a new initiative to develop up to 80 megawatts of utility-scale solar power across Belize. The company has started a Request for Prequalification process, inviting experienced private-sector developers to participate in building large-scale solar photovoltaic projects in severa

Public-interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez says the Government’s disclosure under his Freedom of Information (FOIA) request for Constituency Development Fund (CDF) records falls short of what was requested and what the Office of the Prime Minister previously indicated would be provided. Enriquez told The Reporter this week that the agreed timeline for disclosure has lapsed and that he has only received limited information from the Cabinet Secretary—specifically a schedule show

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned global leaders this week that countries outside the room where power is negotiated risk becoming targets of it; in a world of intensifying great-power rivalry, he said, those not “at the table” may find themselves “on the menu.” Carney delivered the message Tuesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, framing the international system as having shifted beyond a period of transition into what he called a rupture. The global rules-base

Belizean entrepreneur and hot sauce pioneer Marie Sharp has been recognized on the Forbes’ 50 Over 50 Global list, an honor celebrating influential women around the world who continue to make an impact beyond the age of 50. Sharp, founder of Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods, is featured for her remarkable journey from elementary school teacher to global food industry icon. What began as a backyard experiment growing habanero peppers and testing recipes on family and friends has grown

A Belizean mother is sharing the story of her newborn daughter, Joy, whose short life was defined by extraordinary resilience, deep parental love, and devastating gaps in neonatal care. Through her personal account, she sheds light on the realities inside the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the heartbreak of losing a child, and a plea for systemic change to ensure that no family endures a similar loss due to shortages in life-saving resources. “Joy, mommy is here… Joy, m

The Caribbean Society for Human Resource Professionals (CSHRP) has released PayPulse 2025, the fourth edition of its regional salary survey, revealing major differences in pay and cost of living across Caribbean countries. The report is the most wide-ranging to date, with 206 survey responses from 119 companies in 20 Caribbean countries. This represents a 48 percent increase in responses and more than double the number of participating regional companies compared to 2024. The