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  • Somohardjo zal verschijnen voor DNA-commissie: Ik heb niets te verbergen

    Somohardjo zal verschijnen voor DNA-commissie: Ik heb niets te verbergen

    A senior former Surinamese political figure has announced he will comply fully with a parliamentary inquiry, breaking with the top law enforcement official who has declined to give in-person testimony to the panel.

    Bronto Somohardjo, who previously served as Minister of Internal Affairs and currently holds a seat in the National Assembly, confirmed in an interview with local outlet Starnieuws that he will appear before the special parliamentary commission tasked with questioning current and former political officeholders on May 22. The veteran politician emphasized his full commitment to cooperating with the ongoing inquiry, noting that upholding careful, objective, and transparent adherence to constitutional procedures is a core priority for the process.

    “Out of respect for the National Assembly and our democratic rule of law, I will appear before the commission and offer my full cooperation to the process,” Somohardjo stated.

    The former minister also drew attention to a notable decision from Prosecutor General Garcia Paragsingh, who has opted against appearing in person before the commission to answer clarifying questions. Instead, Paragsingh has indicated she will only respond to any inquiries in written form.

    Somohardjo argued that when the inquiry involves requests for extreme measures including the potential detention of a political officeholder, direct in-person explanation to the National Assembly’s commission is not just appropriate, but expected. “When such severe measures are requested against a political officeholder, the public and the legislature are owed open, direct accountability before the National Assembly’s commission,” he asserted.

    Closing his statement, Somohardjo made clear he has full confidence that the commission will conduct a thorough, careful assessment of all relevant facts, documents, and procedural steps. “I have nothing to hide,” he stressed.

  • Late, Crowded, Unreliable; Can Belize Finally Fix Its Bus Crisis?

    Late, Crowded, Unreliable; Can Belize Finally Fix Its Bus Crisis?

    For years, commuters across Belize have endured persistent frustrations with the nation’s public bus system: chronic delays, aging, poorly maintained vehicle fleets, dangerously overcrowded cabins, and inconsistent schedules that upend daily travel plans. On May 15, 2026, more than 60 rural bus operators converged on the capital city of Belmopan for a landmark meeting with national transport officials, amplifying pressure to deliver tangible reforms to a system that has failed users for decades.

    This gathering comes after two critical preliminary steps: the government’s approval of new fuel subsidies for operators and a recent round of regulated fare adjustments meant to balance operator revenue needs with commuter affordability. With those structural changes in place, both the Ministry of Transport and the Belize Bus Association (BBA) now say the sector is ready to shift its focus to full-scale modernization and tangible service improvements for daily riders.

    Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh framed the cross-country meeting as a critical breakthrough in addressing long-unresolved grievances held by bus operators. “It’s been a year since we first began engaging with highway bus operators, and we asked for their patience as we worked through preliminary policy adjustments,” Zabaneh explained to reporters after the closed-door talks. “This is the first time we’ve brought together operators from every region of the country to discuss the full scope of challenges facing the sector, and most importantly, to collect their input on how best to modernize public bus transportation.”

    Zabaneh highlighted two of the most pressing issues operators shared during the discussions: cutthroat excessive competition that leaves many routes unprofitable, and poor road conditions across large swathes of rural Belize that increase vehicle wear and tear and delay routes. Following this initial national gathering, the ministry plans to host a series of regional district-level meetings to gather more granular feedback, before reconvening national stakeholders to finalize a coordinated reform plan.

    BBA President Philip Jones echoed the collaborative tone of the talks, noting that both government and operator leaders share the core goal of improving service for riders without shifting unsustainable cost burdens to commuters. “We can clearly see the shared commitment from both sides to upgrade public transit service for the people of Belize,” Jones said. “This is a joint effort between government and operators to keep commuters from being overburdened by fare increases, which is exactly why the fuel subsidy was put in place to offset operators’ rising fuel costs. We have a consistently open, cordial working relationship with the ministry, and we communicate daily — that’s a foundation we’re grateful to build on.”

    The meeting also provided an update on the rollout of the new fuel subsidy program, which was finalized after tense negotiations and a nationwide bus blockade that brought the country to a standstill and forced both sides back to negotiations. Just days after fares were adjusted, the government is currently finalizing a digital reimbursement portal that will deliver direct pump relief to eligible operators.

    Ministry of Transport CEO Chester Williams told reporters that operators have been understanding as the government fine-tunes the verification system to prevent fraud and ensure fair distribution of funds. “We’ve finalized the submission framework in discussions with BBA leadership, and we’ve already received the first round of claims from operators,” Williams explained. “Our dedicated ministry team is now working through the verification process, and once that wraps up, we’ll disburse payments to operators. We appreciate operators’ patience — the first payment, originally scheduled for this week, has been pushed to next week to finalize our processes, but everything is moving forward smoothly.”

    To address concerns about over-reporting fuel consumption to access excess subsidies, Williams outlined a multi-layered verification system. “Operators are required to submit weekly claims by 4 p.m. every Monday, which gives our team until Wednesday or Thursday of the same week to investigate and confirm the accuracy of every submission,” he said. “On top of that, each operator has already submitted an estimated monthly fuel consumption figure based on their historical operating data. If a claim comes in significantly above that baseline, it will trigger an immediate review. If they come in under that estimate, there’s no issue, but excess usage will be flagged.”

    This first cross-sector meeting marks a new chapter in Belize’s efforts to resolve a public transit crisis that has impacted commuters and operators alike for years, with both sides signaling a shared willingness to work toward actionable, people-centered reform.

  • Toledo Bus Operators Now Included in Fuel Subsidy

    Toledo Bus Operators Now Included in Fuel Subsidy

    On May 15, 2026, the Government of Belize moved to correct an oversight in its national public transportation reform program, extending eligibility for a newly introduced fuel subsidy to bus operators in the Toledo District who were initially locked out of the program.

    The exclusion stemmed from the fact that Toledo’s independent operators do not hold membership in the Belize Bus Association (BBA), the industry body that participated in initial negotiations over the fuel subsidy plan and accompanying adjustments to passenger fares. After the operators raised formal concerns about being left out of the reforms, Minister of Transport Dr. Louis Zabaneh held one-on-one consultations with the group to walk them through the application process for accessing subsidy funds.

    “When we met with BBA leadership initially, Toledo’s operators did not appear on their membership roster, so they were not included in early discussions,” Dr. Zabaneh explained during the meeting held in Belmopan. “After they reached out to the ministry to flag their exclusion, we arranged this meeting to hear their concerns and walk them through the steps to claim their subsidy allocations. Today, we have aligned all stakeholders, and every operator now has clear guidance on how to access the support they are eligible for.”

    Beyond the fuel subsidy correction, the meeting became a platform for rural bus operators to highlight the most pressing threat to their operations: systemic chaos created by an oversaturated permit system that has spawned cutthroat competition and dangerous road safety risks. Operators told the minister that the overabundance of permits has forced drivers to engage in reckless bus racing to compete for passengers, putting both drivers and commuters in grave danger on Belize’s highways.

    Dr. Zabaneh acknowledged the severity of the crisis, attributing the dysfunction to decades of unregulated permit issuing driven by political interference rather than public interest. He explained that ever since the collapse of the Novello company consolidation in the mid-2000s, which left the industry split between the Novello group and James Bus Line, subsequent transport ministers and department officials have issued hundreds of unplanned permits as political favors rather than through a structured, public interest-focused framework.

    To address this long-standing breakdown, the ministry has implemented an immediate moratorium on the issuance of any new road service permits as it works to restructure the system, currently in collaboration with the newly launched National Bus Company (NBC).

    Rising operational costs have pushed a growing number of small independent operators to explore joining the NBC model, which has already demonstrated benefits for early participants. Former Northern Transit owner Noel Codd, who integrated his operation into the NBC, described the consolidated model as a lifeline for struggling small operators.

    “I cannot afford the $500,000 to $800,000 investment required to upgrade to modern, safe buses that commuters deserve,” Codd explained. “As part of the National Bus Company, we gain access to economies of scale: bulk purchases of vehicles, fuel and tires cut costs dramatically, the company handles maintenance and operational logistics so I don’t have to worry about breakdowns at 3 a.m., and all members share revenue evenly, eliminating the cutthroat competition that endangered everyone. Seventeen of us operate under the NBC now, and it has completely transformed the industry for the better.”

    Dr. Zabaneh confirmed that multiple operators have reached out to request NBC membership in recent weeks, drawn by the cost and stability benefits of the consolidated corporate structure. He noted that the collective model does deliver clear advantages, from bulk purchasing power to rationalized scheduling that eliminates dangerous competition while improving service for passengers. However, the minister added that the government’s long-term vision leans toward a franchise-style system for many independent operators, rather than universal integration into the NBC. After just two and a half months of operation, Dr. Zabaneh said early results from the NBC model have already proven the value of industry consolidation as Belize works to repair decades of broken public transport policy.

  • State Of Emergency Fails To Stop Another Killing in Belize City

    State Of Emergency Fails To Stop Another Killing in Belize City

    On a Thursday evening that began like any other in Belize City’s Jane Usher neighborhood, sudden, violent gunfire tore through the calm, marking the latest fatal shooting in a community already reeling from persistent gang-related instability. Nineteen-year-old Lamar Garnett was shot and killed just after 8 p.m. steps from the entrance of his own home, according to initial accounts from local residents.

    Witnesses on the scene report that approximately 10 rapid gunshots echoed across the residential area, prompting nearby neighbors to immediately take cover and flee indoors to avoid stray gunfire. When the shooting stopped, Garnett was found unresponsive on the ground, adding his name to a growing list of young male victims in a region that has faced an unrelenting wave of violent crime over the last several months.

    In response to the surging violence tied to local gang activity, Belizean authorities had already declared a formal state of emergency for the Jane Usher area, implementing expanded security measures designed to de-escalate conflict and return a sense of safety to residents. However, Thursday’s fatal incident confirms that these emergency interventions have not yet curbed the cycle of deadly violence, leaving local communities trapped in ongoing anxiety and fear.

    Local law enforcement has officially opened an investigation into Garnett’s murder, with authorities yet to release details on potential suspects or motives linked to the shooting. For residents of the neighborhood, the killing reinforces what many have already experienced: even with extraordinary security measures in place, the threat of violence remains an everyday reality.

  • Cyberbullying Case Reopens; Chester Denies Any Behind-the-Scenes Push

    Cyberbullying Case Reopens; Chester Denies Any Behind-the-Scenes Push

    On May 15, 2026, a cyberbullying case that had previously been thrown out of court has been reinstated, sparking fresh public controversy and speculation over potential behind-the-scenes political influence. The case centers on defendant Nichole McDonald, whose charges were dismissed unexpectedly months ago — a ruling that left the aggrieved party, prominent C.E.O. Chester Williams, frustrated and unaware of the court’s decision at the time. When prosecutors announced the revival of the case this week, questions immediately turned to Williams, with some accusing the high-profile figure of pulling strings to get the case back on the court docket. In a direct response to these allegations, Williams has flatly denied any involvement in the sudden procedural turnaround.

    In an on-camera interview with local reporters, Williams pushed back against claims that he pressured prosecutors to reinstate the cyberbullying charges against McDonald. “Couple months ago, I noted that the matter against her was withdrawn in the courts. Of course, yes, as an aggrieved person I was concerned that it was withdrawn without me being notified. I was not summoned to appear in court. But despite that I kept that to myself. I did not go to anybody or ask why. I just left it as that. And I had basically forgotten about that case and so when I saw that she was rearrested the other day I was a bit surprised,” Williams explained, adding that McDonald has publicly blamed him for the reopening, claims he calls unfounded.

    Williams stressed that he never communicated with any prosecutorial officials to push for the case’s revival, saying, “But I must say that I had no discussion with anybody. The prosecution saw it fit in their wisdom to reinstate the charges. That is within their purview, and so I just wait and see how it goes from there. If I were to be summoned to go to court, I would have gone to court, but I was not summoned to go to court.”

    When asked whether he personally sought a conviction and punishment for McDonald, Williams pushed back on framing the issue as a personal vendetta, emphasizing his commitment to the integrity of the national justice system. “It’s not about being, seeing her punished or convicted. Justice simply means that the person who is accused of committing a crime goes through the system, the court system. And whatever the court decides, at the end of the day, I’m okay with it. I do trust the justice system,” he said.

    Williams also defended his decision to report the alleged cyberbullying to authorities in the first place, noting that anti-harassment laws exist to protect all people from damaging false content shared online. “The law is there and while I know that some had criticized me for using it, the law is there for all to use. And the truth is if a person were to post something about you on social media that is false or is posted with intent to ridicule you or to cause you embarrassment, that fall within the limits of the law. And you can go to the police and report to police and that person can be arrested.”

    To date, prosecutors have not issued any public comment explaining their decision to reopen the case, leaving the procedural reversal open to ongoing public speculation. The case has reemerged as a major talking point in local public discourse, with many watching closely to see how the court proceedings will unfold this time around, and whether any evidence of improper influence will come to light.

    This report is adapted from a transcribed evening television news broadcast, with Creole-language remarks retained in their standard orthographic form per original reporting protocols.

  • CCJ Sends Andrew Bennett’s Case Back to Square One

    CCJ Sends Andrew Bennett’s Case Back to Square One

    In a landmark ruling that reshapes the path of a high-profile cross-border extradition matter, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Belize’s highest judicial body, has vacated all prior lower court decisions in the Andrew Bennett case and ordered a complete new review by the nation’s High Court. The decision, delivered on May 15, 2026, centers on a critical legal error that undermined earlier proceedings: lower courts relied on a modern surveillance law that had not yet entered into force when the evidence at the heart of the case was collected.

    At the core of the legal dispute is a cache of WhatsApp messages that United States authorities have sought to admit as evidence against Bennett, who has fought extradition for an extended period. Bennett has consistently maintained that the private digital communications were obtained in violation of his constitutional rights to privacy and due process. While lower courts acknowledged that the messages were collected through improper channels, they nevertheless allowed the extradition process to move forward, arguing that the remaining body of evidence against Bennett was sufficient to justify his transfer to U.S. authorities.

    Justice Denys Barrow, speaking for the CCJ bench, explained that the lower courts’ entire legal reasoning collapsed once the timeline of the relevant legislation came to light during written submissions. The lower courts based their ruling on Belize’s Interception of Communications Act, a law that only came into force in November 2023 — years after the WhatsApp messages at the center of the case were intercepted.

    “This reliance on a non-existent statute at the time of the original proceedings constitutes an error in law, or per incuriam, as this type of legal mistake is historically termed,” Justice Barrow explained in the court’s formal ruling. Bennett’s legal team had urged the CCJ to go a step further after uncovering the error, asking the top court to directly rule that the use of the WhatsApp messages violated constitutional protections under broader, long-standing legal principles. However, the CCJ declined to issue a final ruling on that question, noting that the constitutional challenge has never been fully argued by both sides in a proper proceeding.

    The CCJ determined that the only fair path forward is to send the entire case back to the Belize High Court for an entirely fresh review. This procedural reset will give both the prosecution and the defense full opportunity to present arguments on the key unresolved question: whether the admission of the seized WhatsApp messages violates Bennett’s constitutional rights, regardless of the terms of the 2023 Interception of Communications Act. No order for costs was issued in connection with the CCJ appeal, leaving each side responsible for its own legal expenses from the appellate process.

  • From Recruits to Coast Guard: Forty-Nine Ready to Serve

    From Recruits to Coast Guard: Forty-Nine Ready to Serve

    On May 15, 2026, Belize marked a key milestone for its national maritime security when 49 newly trained Belizean men and women formally graduated from the Belize Coast Guard’s Recruit Intake #12, transitioning from civilian trainees to active service members tasked with protecting the nation’s territorial waters.

    The path to this graduation ceremony, held at the Belize Coast Guard headquarters, was anything but easy. Over 13 consecutive weeks, recruits pushed through grueling daily routines, starting before dawn each day, enduring relentless tactical and physical drills, and adhering to strict military discipline that left no room for cutting corners. Every physical hurdle, mental challenge, and long day of preparation was designed to forge civilians into capable, resilient coast guardsmen ready for frontline service.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Belize Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis opened with a message of pride for the incoming class. Three months prior, he noted, these young people arrived at the training institution as ordinary civilians who had made the deliberate, consequential choice to serve their nation. They brought with them raw potential, hope for the future, and a willingness to put themselves through rigorous testing to earn their place. “Today they leave as Coast Guard men and women of Belize,” Soberanis said. “That transformation does not happen by accident, it is earned and you earned it.”

    Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, echoed that pride, framing the graduation as a milestone not just for the new service members, but for the entire Belizean Coast Guard and the nation as a whole. She extended personal congratulations to each graduate, noting they had endured physical hardship, mental strain, strict discipline, and personal sacrifice to earn the privilege of graduating and moving on to active duty.

    Commandant Soberanis also took a moment to acknowledge the critical role that loved ones played in the recruits’ success, extending gratitude to the family members and friends who supported the 49 graduates through the 13 weeks of intensive, isolated training.

    For the new coast guardsmen, the ceremony marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Having emerged from training sharper, physically stronger, and disciplined, they are now prepared to take on their core responsibility: guarding Belize’s maritime borders and upholding the nation’s commitment to protecting its coastal communities and territorial integrity. This report is a transcript of an evening television broadcast, with any Kriol language statements transcribed using a standardized spelling system.

  • Compassionate Caregiver Dr. Eck Remembered As Nation Mourns

    Compassionate Caregiver Dr. Eck Remembered As Nation Mourns

    On May 15, 2026, the entire nation of Belize is united in grief following the death of one of its most celebrated healthcare workers, Dr. Cecilio Eck – a pediatrician known affectionately to generations of patients as “Dr. Shrek.” Over a decades-long career dedicated to child health, Dr. Eck grew far beyond the role of a medical provider to become a lifeline for thousands of children and their families, both across Belize and across international borders. Colleagues, patients and community members remember him for his radical compassion, infectious humor, and unyielding commitment to protecting the most vulnerable young lives, a legacy that transformed Belize’s national healthcare landscape in ways that cannot be measured.

    For more than 20 years, Dr. Eck practiced at Coral Grove Medical Center, where he reimagined what a pediatric clinic could be. Instead of a space of fear and stress for children, he built a warm, welcoming environment where young patients actually looked forward to their appointments. A brightly colored lollipop wheel greeted every visitor at the door, a constant supply of fun stickers sat within easy reach, and a small figurine of the beloved animated character Shrek presided over the waiting room – the small detail that gave rise to the nickname that would stick with him for his entire career. He had an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind gift for easing the anxiety of sick children and calming the fears of worried parents, turning routine checkups and stressful treatments into gentle, positive experiences.

    Khailyn Tillett, one of his former pediatric patients, recalled a favorite visit in a 2024 interview: “One of my favorite days was a time when I went for a checkup and he was being really goofy with me and I got a lot of stickers and I got a lollipop.”

    Dr. Eck’s impact stretched far beyond the walls of his Coral Grove clinic. As Medical Director of the global non-profit World Pediatrics, he regularly traveled with critically ill children on medical evacuation flights out of Belize when life-saving specialized surgeries were not available locally. He never sought public recognition or financial reward for this work; those close to him say he did it simply because it was the right thing to do, rooted in his core commitment to every child’s right to health.

    Milagro Garel, Country Director for World Pediatrics in Belize, reflected on the profound gap his passing leaves: “I can’t even wrap my head around how we will ever replace him. Our light has been dimmed. Dr. Eck mentored all of us and helped us overcome so many challenges right here in the country. He always ensured that we treated each family with such love and grace and kindness. And really no hill or mountain was too hard for him to climb to be able to help children in every capacity.”

    In July 2024, the man who spent his entire life caring for other people received a devastating diagnosis: a routine scan at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital revealed stage-four biliary tract cancer. In the months that followed, the nation rallied around him, with nationwide fundraisers, crowdfunding campaigns on GoFundMe, and collective prayer services drawing hundreds of supporters from across Belize. Even amid his own fight, Dr. Eck chose to speak openly about his cancer journey, choosing radical transparency to serve a greater public good.

    In a January 2026 interview, he explained his decision to go public: “I’ve chosen to make this my illness public for the simple fact that I want to raise awareness for cancer and I want everybody to not be so afraid of it.”

    As his health declined through his treatment, Dr. Eck never lost his trademark warmth, courage, or sense of purpose. He continued to inspire everyone around him, retaining his signature humor, unshakable faith, and kindness even through the hardest days of his illness – a trait those who knew him say will define his legacy forever.

    Garel recalled the small, joyful traditions that showed Dr. Eck’s character: “Families and the children will remember his humor. Every Christmas we would give out so many gifts, but he refused to dress like Santa Claus. He came as he was, and always bringing so much joy to children and all the lollipops in his pediatric center, and just brought out the best in every single person that he met. We are so humbled and privileged that we were able to be a part of Dr. Eck’s career in Belize. And I know that everyone, that our nation, is mourning today. But the way that he has faced this challenge is going to play a major role because he did with faith and good grace and humor, and that’s how we will remember him.”

    Tonight, as the nation mourns the loss of a irreplaceable icon of compassionate care, Dr. Eck’s legacy endures. It lives on in the hundreds of children whose lives he saved, the healthcare workers he mentored, and the countless Belizeans who were touched by his kindness. For a generation, he redefined what it means to be a caregiver, and his imprint on Belize will not be forgotten. This report is from Zenida Lanza, reporting for News Five.

  • Silence Broken: Ministry of Education Defends HPV Vaccine Rollout

    Silence Broken: Ministry of Education Defends HPV Vaccine Rollout

    Dated May 15, 2026 – After several days of growing public contention over the implementation of school-based human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiatives, the nation’s Ministry of Education has ended its period of public silence, releasing an official statement that reaffirms the institution’s unwavering commitment to protecting the health and well-being of secondary and primary school students across the country.

    In its formal press release, the Ministry of Education emphasized that all school-run vaccination programs are developed and executed in full partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, operating under rigorous, evidence-based protocols that mandate written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian before any student can receive a dose of the vaccine. The statement further highlighted that the entire initiative is structured to uphold parental decision-making authority, maintain full transparency around processes and vaccine safety, and place student safety as the non-negotiable top priority of all involved parties.

    Notably, the Ministry of Education’s official comment did not address specific concerns raised by religious church groups, which have emerged as the primary driving force behind the ongoing public debate surrounding the program.

    Days prior, on Thursday, Dr. Natalia Beer, a technical advisor at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, offered a detailed breakdown of the step-by-step protocol that public health teams follow when rolling out the vaccination program in schools. Beer explained that the process begins with three separate informational outreach sessions before any vaccinations are administered: an initial meeting with school principals, a second briefing for teaching staff, and a third community information session for parents and guardians.

    Beer acknowledged that parent turnout for general Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) hosted informational meetings is often lower than public health teams would prefer. To address this gap, she noted that school nurses and community health care workers go above and beyond scheduled group meetings to conduct one-on-one outreach with parents, ensuring every guardian has access to clear, accurate information about the vaccine’s purpose, safety profile, and potential benefits before they are asked to sign a consent form. In addition to in-person outreach, public health teams also conduct follow-up phone calls to answer outstanding questions and share information with parents who could not attend in-person sessions. Only after all outreach and consent requirements are completed does the fourth and final step – the on-site vaccination clinic at the school – take place. Beer stressed that the three pre-vaccination outreach sessions and consistent two-way communication with parents are non-negotiable requirements of the protocol.

    The Ministry of Health and Wellness has confirmed that it will continue to collaborate closely with school administrators, parent groups, and local health care providers to ensure accurate, evidence-based information about the HPV vaccine is widely accessible, and that all vaccination efforts remain fully voluntary and transparent for all participating families.

  • 80 Years Later: HRCU Thrives on Loyalty of Longtime and New Members

    80 Years Later: HRCU Thrives on Loyalty of Longtime and New Members

    It is not every small financial cooperative that can claim eight decades of steady growth, community trust, and transformative impact on the lives of generations of members. But for Belize’s iconic Holy Redeemer Credit Union (HRCU), that milestone is not just a historical footnote—it is a living, breathing legacy celebrated this May 2026 alongside the thousands of member-owners who built the institution from its humble origins.

    The story of HRCU begins with a humble start that few could have predicted would grow into one of Belize’s most enduring member-owned financial institutions. Eighty-two years ago, Catholic Father Suti worked for months to lay the groundwork for the credit union before three local women—June Bolton, Carmen Canton, and Hazel Anderson—stepped forward to launch the initiative. Together, they opened the cooperative with just 75 cents in starting capital, laying the first brick of what would become a cornerstone of Belizean community finance.

    Eight decades on, that tiny founding group has swelled to more than 65,000 active member-owners, spanning generations of Belizeans who turn to HRCU for everything from their first childhood savings accounts to mortgages for family homes and startup capital for local business ventures. For long-time members like Corine Robinson-Fuller, who joined the credit union back in 1980, the loyalty that keeps HRCU at the center of so many Belizeans’ financial lives comes down to one simple factor: consistent, member-first service. “I stayed because the service to me as a member is phenomenal,” Robinson-Fuller explained in an interview at HRCU’s Belize City headquarters. She pointed to the annual dividend payouts that reward member ownership, and the accessible lending that allowed her to build a home for her mother as just two examples of the cooperative’s outsized positive impact. “Getting a loan here was easy for me, when I built my mom’s house… that was a very good experience.”

    To mark 82 years of service and thank the member-owners that drive its mission, HRCU decked out all three of its nationwide branches in celebratory decorations, distributed complimentary goodies to visitors, and held grocery basket raffles as a small gesture of appreciation for the community. Frontline staff spent the day greeting members, echoing the cooperative’s core philosophy that members are the heart of the institution. “After all, the member owners are our bosses and they are the ones that have us here. So, without them we would not have been here eighty-two years later,” explained Nigel Alvarado, HRCU’s Compliance Officer. Alejandra Velasquez, a Finance Officer at the credit union, added that working for an institution trusted by generations of members is a point of deep professional pride. “I feel really good. I feel really honored because I know we have done a great job serving them. And like they say, the customer service is always on point, so I am happy to hear that.”

    Mark Menzies, HRCU’s Human Resource Manager, emphasized that the cooperative’s headquarters is far more than a branch with teller lines and deposit counters—it is a space where personal financial goals become reality, and lives are changed for the better. “We have a lot of stalwarts who love this credit union and so we at the helm have to do everything right and take care of our member owners,” Menzies said. “They are very important to us.”

    For many members, the cooperative’s democratic structure keeps that focus on member needs front and center. As Robinson-Fuller noted, “At every AGM you will be reminded that you are an owner. And when you see the progress made you realize that you are a part of it.” Looking ahead, HRCU has scheduled its 2026 Annual General Meeting for May 30 to continue that transparent, member-led tradition. Reporting for Belize’s News Five from HRCU’s Belize City headquarters, Paul Lopez delivered this on-the-ground account of the 82nd anniversary celebration.