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The female population at the Belize Central Prison has increased steadily over the past five consecutive years, with approximately 60% of the residents being incarcerated for Immigration-related offenses, suggestive that the sexual exploitation of Central American women continues unabated. While our investigation of the issue has revealed that no one has ever been incarcerated for the offense of prostitution in the history of the Belize Central Prison, CEO Virgilio Murillo in

Belizean Icon and ambassador of the Creole culture, Artist Emeritus Myrna Manzanarez, 75, has passed away. Manzanares, who fell into a coma last week, following a stroke, died on Tuesday, December 21st, just before 2:00 a.m inside the Intensive Care Unit of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). Manzanares we were told was reportedly found unresponsive and in a critical condition inside her home last week Wednesday, December 15th, by a friend who had gone looking for her

Prime Minister John Briceño says the Government continues to monitor an impasse between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and Belize Sugar Industries Limited, American Sugar Refineries which continues to threaten the stability of the sugar industry and thousands of families in the north. PM Briceño told reporters that the Minister of Agriculture is expected to brief the government on the situation on Wednesday, December 22nd. Briceño says that government needs to ensu

The Minister of Health and Wellness (MOHW) is out of line in the way he sought to curtail the powers of the ministry’s CEO, Association of Public Sector Senior Managers (APSSM)’s President Sharon Frazer told the Reporter this week. Speaking to the media reports that the minister, Hon. Michel Chebat, had written to instruct CEO Deysi Mendez that she could no longer make out any purchase orders, invoices, contracts, agreements, or payments in excess of $3500 without his consent

The post of Director of Health Services, held by Dr. Marvin Manzanero, has become redundant, Minister of Health and Wellness Hon. Michel Chebat confirmed. “The position has now become redundant and so I suspect that he is going to offered the benefits of the years of service to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. It’s a redundancy. it’s common in law,” Chebat explained when responding to questions from the media on Thursday. Chebat also explained that the matter has since be

The Elections and Boundaries Commission has refused an offer of settlement by the Belize PEACE (Patriots. Engaged. Against. Corruption & Exploitation) Movement in light of the redistricting of the electoral constituencies. It has been approximately two years that the BPM and the Elections and Boundaries Commission have been in a back and forth to settle claim 55 of 2019. The claim focuses on fixing the imbalance of political power in Belize. The BPM maintains that the consti

Well-known internist Dr. Fernando Cuellar has resigned from the KHMH Board, after having served only 47 days in the position. Dr. Cuellar announced his resignation on Friday to the Board via their group chat. While he did not cite any reason for his decision, The Reporter received reports that the doctor was not satisfied with the recent changes made to the Board, including the recent appointees. It is also noteworthy that Cuellar’s abrupt resignation follows recent comments

Police officers were involved the latest drug-plane landing, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed Friday morning. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams speaking at press conference on Friday, November 5, 2021 “While we do celebrate the fact that we were able to intercept this load, there is also the disappointment to have found out that police officers are involved,” Williams lamented. His comments follow the findings of police investigations that have confirme

The Belize Medical and Dental Association (BMDA) has proposed that the Government of Belize cap individual’s recreational use for marijuana at 30 grams per month. The BMDA, in their letter to the Government, recommended “that the maximum monthly allotment per registered Cannabis Program Identification Cardholder be 30 grams of cannabis Sativa. Equally, tourists should be allowed a monthly allotment of 30 grams of cannabis Sativa.” This position challenges the current language

Shipping costs are up by more than 200 to 300 percent and the global supply-chain bottlenecks that are driving the increase are likely to continue well into next year, 25-year veteran Custom Broker Delroy Fairweather told The Reporter this week. Fairweather explained that the congestion in ports across the world have translated into significant price increases for consumers. Prior to the pandemic, the cost of shipping a regular container into Belize would cost around US$4,000

Introduction: The Belize Medical and Dental Association (BMDA) is a responsible organization in civil society that advocates for the proper implementation and practice of healthcare policies in Belize. The BMDA believes that the legalization and regulation of Marijuana (Cannabis products) can have both positive and negative impacts on our Belizean society and the development of our country. Historical Context: “The Belize Medical and Dental Association of Belize (BMDA) is an

The Government of Belize (GOB) has publicized its plans to expand the trade licensing regime to the villages, but this week the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) wrote the Prime Minister to say that the announcement sends a “mixed signal.” Specifically, the BCCI’s letter, dated Wednesday, October 20th, said that while the business community has been in consultations with the government on the matter of reforming the regime, the move to introduce the fee to villag

By Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington We are now into the twelfth month of the Briceño administration. Our country continues to experience the difficulties which the Barrow administration experienced during its last year in office. The Covid 19 Pandemic still rages on. There is no abatement of the gang related homicides. No comprehensive solution has been found to government’s financial woes. Tremendous challenges still exist in getting our population vaccinated and our schools to re

Contributed by the Human Rights Commission The police do not know the law, but it is not their fault. By law, the police are a disciplined organization. Like the army and Coast Guards they must obey instructions. Many times, the instructions are not lawful. Even though the law is that police, army, Coast Guards and everyone has a duty not to obey an illegal order or instruction, policemen and women know they will be punished by their supervisors for disobeying instruction, wh

As early as the beginning of the New Year, large and small businesses alike, operating within the confines of rural communities and villages can expect one additional charge tacked on to their expense in the form of a trade licenses fee. The announcement was made on Wednesday, October 13th, via a Cabinet brief which announced that the Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labor & Local Government, Hon. Oscar Requeña, had received Cabinet’s approval for the

Contributed by the Human Rights Commission Today Belize is grappling with human rights violations in every single organ of society. In just a matter of days, two elderly men were killed in Belize prompting the Council of Ageing and the Ministry of Human Development to speak out against violence and abuse of older persons. That’s just looking at one section of society that is affected by rising crime in the country. Then there are the reports of abuse of authority by law enfor

The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) has announced the rollout of “free testing” sites for the public to access, a move the Public Service Union (PSU) applauds while it simultaneously calls on government to regulate COVID test prices provided by private institutions. According to an MOHW release, the two testing sites, which are located at the Civic Center in Belize City and the Civic Center parking lot in Belmopan, are opened from 8:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m from Monday to Fr

The availability of vaccines could be a major factor affecting economic recovery around the World, but the volume of trade in manufactured merchandise is expected to grow by 10.8 percent this year, and by another 4.7 percent in 2022, the World Trade Organization reported this week. Exports and imports are expected to grow by only half that in Least Developed Countries like Belize, and next year’s exports are expected to lag to 4.7 percent, while imports may grow to 8.6 percen

BDF soldier, Private Raheem Valencio, has been charged for the crime of murder in connection to Sunday night’s fatal shooting of off-duty BDF Soldier, Jessie Escobar. After three days of public outrage, heavy criticism on social media, and violent demonstrations, charges have been levied upon the composite patrol responsible for the death of Escobar. Valencio along with BDF soldier, Private Ramon Alcoser and Special Constable Juan Morales appeared before the Magistrates Court

It is with great pride and a deep sense of humility that I take this seat as the 8th Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community today. Let me express my appreciation to you, Mr. Chairman, and your colleague Heads of Government for the trust and confidence you have placed in me by selecting me for this post. I take up this position today against the backdrop of a devastating earthquake in Haiti, the impact of which will be made worse by the rains associated with Tropical Dep