News

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

The United Democratic Party (UDP) successful hosted the Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU) Training Initiative, held over the weekend for party standard bearers, caretakers, members of its Central Executive Committee, and representatives of the UDP Youth Arm. The training forms part of the UDP’s wider effort to strengthen its internal organization and reinforce its role within Belize’s democratic system. Party officials said the initiative supports the party’s ongoing work to reb

The Legal Year 2026 was officially opened this week during a ceremonial sitting attended by Governor-General H. E. Dame Froyla Tzalam, Cabinet Secretary H. E. Ambassador Stuart Leslie, Attorney General Hon. Anthony Sylvestre, members of the judiciary, practicing attorneys, and court staff. The annual ceremony provides an opportunity for leaders of the legal profession to review the past year’s performance and outline plans to strengthen the administration of justice. In her k

Opposition Leader Hon. Tracy Panton on Tuesday condemned the Government’s handling of the proposed BTL transaction, arguing it risks restoring telecom consolidation under secrecy while positioning the state as buyer, regulator, and beneficiary without public disclosure. Panton, speaking at a United Democratic Party press conference, framed the proposed BTL transaction—widely discussed as involving SMART/Speednet—as a governance issue, not simply a commercial matter. She argue

Belize has been included in a list of 75 countries for which the United States will indefinitely suspend immigrant visa processing, a measure set to take effect on January 21 as part of the Trump administration’s expanded immigration crackdown. According to U.S. reporting and the U.S. State Department’s public explanation, the suspension applies to immigrant visas—such as those used for employment-based immigration or for joining family members permanently in the United State

The proposed sale of Speednet Communications Limited to Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is raising renewed concern about how large sums of money linked to Lord Ashcroft–related entities may ultimately be handled. In a press release dated January 12, 2026, the Office of Lord Ashcroft confirmed that Speednet is 77.5 percent owned by the Waterloo Group Charitable Trust, with the remaining shares held by Jaime Briceño and Renan Briceño. The Trust says it was created for charitable

Drug use disorders are becoming a serious and growing public health problem across the Americas, according to a new study by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The study found that drug use disorders are now among the top ten causes of death and disability in the region. In 2021, about 17.7 million people in the Americas were living with a drug use disorder. Nearly 78,000 deaths were directly linked to these conditions, a death rate four times higher than the global