A five-day knowledge-sharing and trade-focused exchange hosted in Belize has opened new doors for expanded seafood commerce across the Caribbean, after a small delegation of fishers and seafood industry representatives from the Eastern Caribbean wrapped up an immersive study tour of Belize’s well-regarded lobster sector. Held from September 15 to 19, 2026, the trip brought three industry professionals — Jack Spencer and Marcus Spencer from St. Kitts and Nevis, and Calvin Josiah from St. Martin — to Belize to examine the country’s fisheries management systems and explore untapped trade opportunities for fish and fish products between Belize and Eastern Caribbean markets. The initiative was jointly coordinated by the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Caribbean Network of Fisherfolk Organisations (CNFO), with wide-ranging support from Belizean government bodies, local fishing cooperatives, environmental conservation groups, and independent community fishers. The onshore portion of the program gave delegates hands-on access to three major fishing cooperative entities across Belize: the Belize Fishermen Cooperative Association, the National Fishermen Producers Cooperative Society, and the Northern Fishermen Cooperative Society. During these visits, participants observed every step of the lobster supply chain, from initial catch reception and post-harvest handling to processing and final distribution preparation for domestic and international markets. The schedule also included formal working sessions with leaders from Belize’s Ministry of the Blue Economy and the Belize Fisheries Department. Discussions covered critical industry topics including sustainable lobster fishery growth, regulatory frameworks, resource management protocols, cross-border trade compliance standards, and enforcement practices for industry regulations. To give delegates a first-hand look at inshore fishing operations and sustainable marine resource management, the tour moved offshore for a field visit to Turneffe Atoll, organized by the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association (TASA) with additional backing from the Belize Fisheries Department, CRFM, and local fisher Jason Young. At Young’s active lobster fishing camp on the atoll, visiting industry stakeholders learned about lobster trap design and deployment strategies, pre-fishing season preparation protocols, and the on-the-ground challenges that shape small-scale commercial fishing operations. The offshore tour also included stops at two co-managed conservation sites within the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve: Caye Bokel and Calabash Caye. Throughout the experience, participants emphasized a key takeaway: that collaborative partnerships between commercial fishers, government regulators, and non-profit conservation organizations are foundational to effective, long-term management of finite fishery resources. Marcus Spencer, one of the delegates from St. Kitts and Nevis, shared that he left the exchange deeply impressed by Belize’s approach to the sector. “The fisheries in Belize are well managed, and I would love for other fishers in the Caribbean to have similar experiences,” he told organizers. Calvin Josiah of St. Martin echoed enthusiasm for the potential of expanded bilateral trade, while also noting that solving gaps in regional transportation and logistics infrastructure will be critical to converting preliminary commercial interest into long-term, sustainable trade flows. By the end of the tour, the full delegation expressed collective hope that the exchange would be the first step toward deeper, long-term collaborative relationships between Belize’s fisheries sector and stakeholders in St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, and the broader Caribbean region. In a post-visit public statement, the CRFM underscored the value of this people-centered exchange model, noting that direct peer-to-peer engagement between fishers, cooperative leaders, and business owners helps strengthen regional fisheries enterprises, unlock new opportunities for value-added seafood production, and connect small-scale producers to expanded markets across the entire Caribbean basin.
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Former Deluxe Cinema Bought For $6 Million Now Worth About $25 Million, PM Says
When a former Deluxe Cinema location was purchased for $6 million several years ago, few could have predicted the dramatic surge in its property value that would follow. Now, the country’s top leader says the asset’s market worth has climbed to roughly $25 million — a more than fourfold increase that has sparked new discussions about urban real estate trends and public asset management.
The Prime Minister, speaking during a recent parliamentary session addressing urban development projects, confirmed the updated valuation in response to questions from opposition lawmakers about the government’s acquisition and redevelopment plans for the site. The property, which has sat dormant since the Deluxe Cinema chain closed its doors at this location a decade ago, was acquired by the current government as part of a broader initiative to revitalize a blighted downtown corridor.
Real estate analysts note that the sharp appreciation reflects broader shifts in the downtown housing and commercial market, where demand for mixed-use development space has pushed property values upward across the board in recent years. The original $6 million purchase price was already considered below market value at the time, due to the previous owner’s desire to offload the abandoned property quickly to avoid ongoing maintenance costs.
The Prime Minister’s confirmation of the $25 million valuation has reignited debate over whether the government’s stewardship of the asset has delivered strong returns for public funds, or if the rapid appreciation signals missed opportunities for earlier redevelopment. Proponents of the government’s handling point out that holding the property while the market rebounded has positioned it to generate significant public benefit through a future mixed-use project that will include affordable housing and small business retail space. Critics, however, argue that the multi-year delay in moving forward with redevelopment has held back broader progress on downtown revitalization.
Moving forward, the government is expected to release a detailed timeline for the redevelopment of the site in the coming quarter, with the updated valuation expected to inform new negotiations with private development partners. Industry observers say that the cinema property’s valuation surge is a clear example of how strategic public land acquisition can yield strong returns when timed correctly with broader market cycles.
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60+ Coconut Farmers Trained to Spot and Stop Crop Threats. Your District Is Next?
In a targeted effort to protect Belize’s critical coconut industry, more than 60 small-scale producers from the Belize and Orange Walk Districts have completed hands-on training focused on identifying and mitigating destructive pests and diseases that threaten coconut yields. The successful pilot workshops, held in September 2026, have paved the way for a national expansion of the program, with sessions scheduled to reach coconut farmers across all remaining districts of the country.
Organized by Belize’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, each two-day workshop welcomed more than 30 participants, intentionally including women producers and young emerging farmers to ensure inclusive capacity building across the sector. The training was led by a senior coconut pest and disease specialist from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with technical and logistical support provided by the ministry’s Fruit Tree Program, Research Unit, and Extension Unit.
Unlike traditional classroom-only training, the program combined theoretical lectures on pest lifecycle identification and disease symptom recognition with immersive on-site field exercises. This blended approach allowed farmers to practice spotting threats directly on living coconut plants, giving them practical, actionable skills they can apply immediately on their own farms.
The national training initiative forms part of FAO’s global “One Country One Priority Product” program, an agenda designed to strengthen sustainable, inclusive value chains for high-potential agricultural commodities selected by each participating nation. For Belize, coconut was chosen as the priority product due to its deep cultural roots, significant economic contribution to rural livelihoods, and growing export potential.
Following the positive outcomes of the pilot workshops in the two northern districts, the Ministry of Agriculture is now finalizing logistics and scheduling for the remaining districts. Coconut producers across Belize who are interested in participating in the upcoming training sessions can register for a spot through their local district agriculture office.
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PM Browne Says Using Dredge Spoil at Peace Beach Saved Government Millions
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne is facing mounting public scrutiny over a decision by his administration to deposit dredged material from St. John’s Harbour maintenance work along the Peace Beach coastline adjacent to Barnacle Point, property that has been privately owned by Browne’s son for nearly a decade. Speaking during his regular weekly broadcast, the *Browne and Browne Show*, on Saturday, the prime forcefully pushed back against accusations of nepotism and improper preferential treatment, framing the policy choice as a fiscally responsible move that saved public coffers millions of dollars in avoidable waste disposal costs.
For generations, dredge spoil generated from routine harbour upkeep in St. John’s was loaded onto vessels and transported dozens of miles offshore for open-ocean dumping, a logistically complex process that Browne confirmed came with a seven-figure price tag for the government. When the most recent dredging project got underway, the proximity of his son’s Barnacle Point parcel to the harbour work zone created a unique low-cost alternative, the prime minister explained. Instead of incurring massive transport costs, crews simply ran a slurry pipeline directly from the dredging site to the empty coastline, pumping the sand and sediment onshore in a single step that cut disposal costs by millions, according to Browne.
Critics have pointed to the conflict of interest inherent in placing public project waste that doubles as valuable land-building material on private property owned by the prime minister’s close family. But Browne rejected these claims, arguing that the dredge spoil, which would otherwise be discarded as worthless waste, was put to productive public use. He emphasized that the 300-foot-long beach created by the deposited material remains open to the public as a public recreational space, even as the adjoining one-acre plot of land behind it remains in private hands. He added that his family has invested its own private capital and heavy equipment – including excavators, backhoes, bulldozers and trucks – to grade, level and landscape the site, planting more than 40 coconut trees and a variety of native flowering plants and greenery to restore the coastal habitat. Browne also noted that his administration has allocated dredge spoil to other public entities and private landowners in the past, meaning his son’s case was not an exception to existing policy.
Beyond the controversial beach expansion, Browne used Saturday’s broadcast to share an early, promising update on a companion environmental project: a new artificial reef installed just offshore from Peace Beach, the first purpose-built artificial reef deployed in Antigua and the second across the twin-island nation, following an earlier installation in Barbuda. Browne told listeners that marine life began colonizing the 24 artificial reef modules less than 24 hours after they were lowered into the seabed, with underwater footage already showing dozens of fish species using the concrete structures as shelter and habitat.
The project was developed with technical guidance from marine scientist Dr. Deborah Brosnan, with ongoing oversight from Antigua and Barbuda’s Department of Environment. According to Browne, coral fragments will be planted on the modules in the coming months to further transform the site into a functional artificial coral reef ecosystem. The government also plans to deploy artificial intelligence-powered monitoring technology to track marine life activity around the reef, documenting species migration patterns, movement and breeding behaviour to measure the project’s long-term ecological impact.
Browne issued a plea to recreational users and local fishers to avoid damaging the reef structures with spearguns or fishing gear that could dislodge the modules. He argued that the initiative carries benefits that extend far beyond recreational diving and coastal conservation, framing expanded artificial reef networks as a key component of the country’s long-term food security strategy. By providing additional breeding and nursery habitat for commercially important species including snapper, lobster and octopus, Browne predicted the reefs will eventually boost local fish populations and increase catch volumes for small-scale domestic fishers.Buoyed by the early success of the Peace Beach reef, Browne announced plans to expand the artificial reef program across Antigua and Barbuda, with Fort James Beach and Ffryes Beach identified as the next high-priority locations for new installations. Long Bay, which already supports a healthy natural reef system, is considered a lower priority for new construction, he noted. The prime minister said he will add the expansion proposal to the Cabinet agenda within the next several weeks to secure budget allocation for additional projects, making artificial reef expansion a core pillar of the government’s broader coastal management and environmental protection strategy. While long-term monitoring will be required to confirm whether the reefs deliver measurable increases in fish populations and catches, Browne said the rapid colonization of the Peace Beach reef by marine life is an encouraging early indicator that the model works, and showcases how waste material from public infrastructure projects can be repurposed to deliver ecological and economic value.
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Na tien jaar productie heeft Merian-mijn nog zicht tot 2042
A decade after launching commercial gold extraction operations at its Merian mine in Suriname, Newmont Suriname, a subsidiary of global gold mining giant Newmont Corporation, is preparing for decades of further activity, with clear pathways to expand its production footprint in the South American nation.
The company marked the 10-year anniversary of commercial production at the Merian site on a Friday, with senior company leaders and Suriname’s top government officials in attendance to celebrate the milestone and outline the project’s future. Since full operations kicked off in 2016, the Merian mine has produced 4 million ounces of gold, generating approximately $6.6 billion in total cumulative revenue over the period, according to Shirley Sowma-Sumter, External Director and Country Manager of Newmont Suriname.
Of that total revenue, Newmont calculations show that $4.74 billion, equal to 73% of all revenue generated over the 10-year window, has been directly injected into Suriname’s domestic economy through local spending, procurement, wages, and community investments. Currently, the operation runs two active open pits—Merian 1 and Merian 2—and company leaders have confirmed that geological assessments have identified viable opportunities to expand mining activities at the site in coming years.
Suriname President Jennifer Simons, who was directly involved in the original approval of the Merian project a decade ago during her tenure as Speaker of the National Assembly, told attendees at the anniversary celebration that the mine’s planned long-term operation brings much-needed economic stability to the country. But she emphasized that growth in the gold mining sector must deliver shared benefits rather than come at the expense of Suriname’s other key economic industries, a position confirmed by Suriname’s Communication Service.
A core priority moving forward, Simons stressed, must be ensuring that Indigenous and local communities living near the Merian mine and other mining projects across the country directly share in the economic gains from resource extraction. “Local communities must always benefit from developments that take place on their land and in their backyards,” the president stated. She added that strengthening and better regulating Suriname’s gold sector is critical to ensuring it contributes to long-term, sustainable national development that lifts all segments of the population.
Dave Meador, Newmont Corporation’s Managing Director for the Americas, echoed the president’s call for inclusive, sustainable growth, noting that the Merian mine’s success should not be measured solely by total gold output. “Our legacy here will be defined by the opportunities we create for Surinamese businesses and workers, the investments we make in local communities, and the positive long-term impact we leave behind,” Meador said.
Looking ahead, Newmont has committed to centering three core priorities for its Suriname operations in the coming years: upholding rigorous workplace safety standards, deepening partnerships with local businesses and community groups, and building long-term, sustainable value for both the company and Suriname as a whole. During President Simons’ visit to the mine site, she received a full tour of the operation, receiving detailed briefings on active extraction processes and gold refining procedures. She was joined on the tour by Minister of Natural Resources David Abiamofo, Chief of Staff Sergio Akiemboto from the President’s Cabinet, representatives of Suriname’s Traditional Authority, and Rudolf Elias, president-commissioner of Suriname’s state-owned oil company Staatsolie.
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Saint Lucian receives Veteran of the Year award in Britain
Last week, at the annual Leavers to Leaders (LTL) Awards held during the LTL Summit in Tidworth, Wiltshire, England, a remarkable retired British Army leader claimed one of the event’s highest honors. Lester Francois, a 24-year veteran of the force who climbed from humble beginnings to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One, was officially named Veteran of the Year, capping a decades-long career defined by service, excellence, and selfless contribution.
Born in La Fargue Choiseul and raised in La Ressource, Vieux Fort on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, Francois moved to the United Kingdom in 2002 after being recruited into the British Army. He began his service within the Royal Logistic Corps as a supply specialist, and through consistent determination, sharp professionalism, standout leadership, and an unwavering dedication to his duties, he steadily rose through the ranks. Statistics from his era show only roughly 25 percent of recruits achieve the top rank of Warrant Officer Class One, making Francois’ ascent all the more notable. Over his 24-year career, he earned 10 service medals and multiple commendations in recognition of his outstanding work, and completed deployments across 10 countries and regions, including Germany, Cyprus, Nigeria, Canada, Iraq, Afghanistan, The Gambia, and Belgium. He also served a tour as a United Nations peacekeeper in Cyprus, an experience that broadened his global perspective.
The LTL Awards were created to honor extraordinary contributions from service leavers, veterans, and members of the military community across the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth. This year’s ceremony gathered nominees from nine different Commonwealth nations, including Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, and Mauritius, shining a spotlight on the often-unrecognized work of Commonwealth veterans in British service.
Francois admitted he never expected the recognition, telling local Saint Lucian outlet St. Lucia Times: “I was quite surprised when I heard that I was nominated for the award of veteran of the year and even more surprised to have actually won the award. As a Saint Lucian, it was quite an honour, knowing that I came from a small island, started at the bottom and moved to the top.”
Looking back on his decades in uniform, Francois said military service shaped him profoundly, forging his personal character, building unshakable discipline, motivating him to pursue constant growth, and expanding his understanding of the world. Even before his retirement, and increasingly since he left active service, Francois has dedicated himself to lifting up other members of the military community. He prioritizes mentoring younger officers, working to build their confidence and help them navigate their own career paths. “Encouraging younger officers and helping them build their self-confidence is something I love to do,” he said.
His community work extends far beyond mentoring young service members. Affectionately known by the nickname “Various Boss,” Francois founded Various Boss Entertainment, an initiative designed to connect veterans through social and community-focused events. What started as small, casual gatherings – domino nights and barbecues for fellow veterans – quickly grew after a suggestion from his wife. “My wife used to say to me, ‘Some of what you are doing attracts the grown-ups; why not do something to bring families together?’ That’s where the family events started,” explained the father of three. Today, the organization hosts large brunches and family fun days that bring together veterans, their families, and active younger service members, creating space for intergenerational connection, shared learning, and relaxed enjoyment.
Peers and friends describe Francois as a humble, wise leader whose positive impact on his community stretches far beyond his military career. He is widely celebrated as a role model for younger generations, embodying core values of discipline, resilience, service, inclusivity, and the importance of giving back to one’s community. His willingness to share hard-won experience and offer thoughtful guidance has left a lasting impression on everyone who has worked with him, making him a clear and beloved choice for the 2026 award.
Now in retirement, Francois keeps a full schedule, and is finally able to enjoy leisure travel without the uncertainty of military deployments. He has already enjoyed trips to this year’s carnivals in St. Vincent and his native Saint Lucia, as well as a vacation to Mexico, and he plans to return to his home island in the near future – a place he says will always hold his heart.
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BCC, union set to meet
A critical conversation focused on unresolved staffing tensions is scheduled to take place this Monday between leadership of the Barbados Community College (BCC) and representatives of the National Union of Public Workers (NUPW), the higher education institution has confirmed publicly.
Following receipt of a formal correspondence from the NUPW detailing the union’s official stance on ongoing workplace issues, BCC extended an invitation to union leaders to sit down for a structured, solution-focused discussion. The talks are slated to begin at 10 a.m. local time on the college’s Eyrie Campus, according to an official statement released by the institution.
The dispute stems from a recent administrative decision by BCC to end the appointments of multiple employees who were working on extended fixed-term employment contracts. In response to that move, the NUPW has formally categorized the conflict as a labor dispute and is pushing for the immediate reinstatement of all affected staff members.
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Over 1,000 Conch Seized Two Days Before Season Opened
In a joint enforcement operation just days ahead of the 2026 conch fishing season opening, Belizean fisheries authorities, alongside the Belize Coast Guard and Belize Audubon Society, have seized 1,086 illegally harvested conch from a storage facility on Sandbore Caye, located within the protected Lighthouse Reef Atoll Marine Reserve. The contraband, packed into two large iceboxes, was discovered during a routine proactive patrol on September 29, 2026 – a mere 48 hours before the legal fishing season was set to begin on October 1. One individual has already been charged with possession of conch during the mandated closed season, in violation of the country’s Fisheries Resources Act. The identity of the accused has not been released to the public as the case moves through the judicial system. To support long-term conservation of Belize’s vulnerable conch populations, the national government enforces a strict closed season every year, running from July 1 through September 30. This three-month moratorium is designed to allow conch stocks to reproduce and replenish their numbers, reversing decades of overfishing that have threatened the ecologically and economically important species across the Caribbean. During the closed period, all activities involving conch – including harvesting, purchase, sale, and personal possession – are classified as illegal under Belizean law. Beyond the direct harm to marine ecosystem health and biodiversity that illegal poaching causes, the Belize Fisheries Department emphasized that violations of the closed season rule also create unfairness for law-abiding small-scale fisherfolk across the country. These legitimate operators rely on healthy conch populations for their livelihoods, and sacrifice three months of income each year to help sustain the fishery for future generations. Poaching that occurs right before the season opens undercuts these compliant fishermen, eroding the shared benefits of the conservation framework that all stakeholders depend on. The Lighthouse Reef Atoll Marine Reserve, home to the famous Blue Hole natural landmark, is one of Belize’s most tightly protected marine areas, established to safeguard critical coral reef habitat and commercially important fish and invertebrate populations. Authorities say they will continue ramping up joint patrols in protected zones throughout the open conch season to deter further illegal activity and protect the nation’s marine natural resources.
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Trans Guyana Airways prepares for scheduled flights to French Guiana
In a move that promises to reshape regional connectivity and unlock new economic opportunities across the Guiana Shield, Trans Guyana Airways (TGA) announced Saturday it has been formally designated as the Guyanese airline to operate scheduled commercial services between Guyana and French Guiana. This designation comes on the heels of the signing of a modernized bilateral air services agreement between the governments of Guyana and France, replacing an outdated framework that has been in place for half a century.
The updated agreement was signed by Guyana’s Aviation Minister Deodat Indar and France’s Ambassador to Guyana Olivier Plançon on the sidelines of the recently concluded ICAO/EASA 3rd Global RSOO/RAIO Forum for Aviation Safety, which Guyana hosted. The 50-year-old original agreement, signed back in 1976, is being retired to make way for a contemporary regulatory structure that addresses 21st-century needs for passenger and cargo transportation, while also creating formal pathways for commercial cooperation between airlines from both nations, including code-sharing partnerships and collaborative marketing initiatives.
With thousands of Guyanese nationals already residing in French Guiana, the new air link addresses a long-standing gap in regional connectivity. Currently, overland travel between Georgetown, Guyana’s capital, and Cayenne, the capital of French Guiana, can take up to 24 hours via surface transport. TGA’s new non-stop air service will slash that journey to just 75 minutes, dramatically cutting travel time for personal, business, and cargo movements.
TGA has already initiated administrative and regulatory coordination with relevant civil aviation authorities on both sides to launch the service, which is planned to operate at least two weekly non-stop rotations between Georgetown and Cayenne, pending final regulatory approvals. Beyond the immediate benefit of reduced travel time, TGA executives note that the new route will open up significant onward connectivity opportunities for Guyanese travelers and traders through Air France and other airlines that operate out of Cayenne, strengthening ties between Guyana, the French Caribbean, Europe, and other global markets.
The airline projects that the new air link will stimulate two-way growth across key sectors: tourism will receive a boost as visitors gain easier access to both destinations, while business travel, cross-border investment, and bilateral trade will all expand as the movement of goods and people becomes more efficient across the Guiana Shield. TGA emphasized that the agreement is a landmark example of effective public-private partnership in action: the Guyanese government’s proactive aviation diplomacy and policy leadership opened the market and established the international regulatory framework, while the private sector will now invest in infrastructure, operations, and marketing to deliver tangible benefits including new jobs, improved connectivity, and broad-based economic value.
“By modernizing the bilateral framework and creating new market access, the government has opened a tangible commercial opportunity for a local operator to expand its international footprint, develop a new route, and contribute directly to greater regional connectivity,” the airline said in its official statement. TGA also noted that the successful signing of the agreement during a major international aviation summit hosted by Guyana demonstrates that meaningful international engagement can translate beyond dialogue to real, actionable benefits for local businesses, everyday travelers, and the national economy as a whole. The airline looks forward to launching the service and delivering on the promise of the new agreement, building an air bridge that brings Guyana and French Guiana closer and creates shared opportunities for people, businesses, and the entire region. -
Two Dead in Separate Crashes
Communities across central Belize are grappling with grief following two unrelated deadly traffic accidents that occurred on October 3, 2026, claiming the lives of two men in the Cayo and Stann Creek Districts respectively.
The first fatal incident unfolded just after 4 p.m. Friday along the Hummingbird Highway, in close proximity to Belmopan’s La Cabana Bar. Chad Anton Borland, a 28-year-old described by loved ones as a wonderful young man, lost his life when the black Mazda he was traveling in veered off the roadway while heading from the Belmopan roundabout toward the community of Armenia. First responders arriving at the scene found the vehicle 150 feet off the highway, heavily damaged in dense roadside brush, with Borland lying on the ground. He was immediately transported by emergency personnel to the Western Regional Hospital, where medical teams were unable to save him and later pronounced him dead.
In addition to Borland, 28-year-old Jeffrey Perez was also injured in the crash, sustaining wounds to the back of his head. As of the initial reporting, no further updates on Perez’s condition have been released, and police continue to piece together the full sequence of events that led to the vehicle leaving the highway.
In a separate tragedy unfolding along the Coastal Road hours later, a second motorist lost his life in a collision between a small sport utility vehicle and a heavy-duty cargo truck. Ramzi Asaad, a father whose age has not been released in initial reports, was traveling from Belize City en route to Dangriga when the fatal crash occurred. Photographs from the accident scene show both vehicles positioned at the crash site, though details on the cause of the collision and any additional injuries have not yet been disclosed by authorities.
Local law enforcement has not yet announced any additional findings from ongoing investigations into both crashes, and families have begun the process of mourning their losses as community members extend condolences to those affected.