A high-level delegation from the United Nations’ permanent office in the Dominican Republic recently conducted an inspection of the Haina Migration Processing Center (CPM). The visit was led by UN Resident Coordinator Julia Sánchez, who was welcomed by Vice Admiral Luis Rafael Lee Ballester, Director of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM). During the tour, Lee Ballester provided a comprehensive overview of the procedures applied to undocumented foreigners at the facility, including biometric identification, legal processes, and medical care. He also addressed questions from the delegation regarding the center’s operations and ongoing infrastructure improvements. Sánchez expressed her appreciation for the detailed explanations and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting the Dominican government in managing migration challenges. She highlighted the complexities arising from the crisis and institutional weaknesses in Haiti, which significantly impact migration control efforts in the Dominican Republic. The delegation also reviewed verification procedures for detainees, such as identity checks, detection of forged documents, and monitoring of recidivism. They acknowledged the collaborative efforts between the DGM and UN agencies like UNICEF, IOM, and UNHCR, which work to protect migrants’ rights and well-being. Lee Ballester emphasized the strong coordination between the DGM and these agencies, particularly UNICEF’s permanent presence at the Haina center, especially in cases involving children. The delegation concluded their visit by touring the facilities and receiving updates on investments and upgrades aimed at enhancing the center’s operations.
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Espat Defends $69M George Price Highway Upgrade
The Belizean government’s proposed $69 million loan for the George Price Highway upgrade has sparked intense debate, with the Opposition strongly criticizing the move as an unnecessary financial burden. The loan, aimed at funding roadworks between Belize City and Hattieville, has been labeled by critics as a reckless decision that will saddle the country with two decades of repayments, diverting resources from pressing social and economic issues. Minister of Infrastructure Development Julius Espat, however, has vehemently defended the project, emphasizing its urgency and priority for the Briceno administration. Espat dismissed claims of inadequate feasibility studies, asserting that international financial institutions (IFIs) would not approve loans without thorough documentation. He invited critics, including Corozal North Area Representative Hugo Patt, to review the studies firsthand. Patt, meanwhile, questioned the project’s cost-effectiveness and standards, citing structural failures in recent infrastructure projects. Opposition Leader Tracy Panton also condemned the loan agreement, accusing the government of prioritizing debt over the nation’s welfare. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between infrastructure development and fiscal responsibility in Belize.
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Phillip Wright Becomes First Belizean Archbishop of the West Indies
Belize has achieved a historic milestone with the appointment of Phillip S. Wright as the first Belizean Archbishop of the Anglican Church’s Province of the West Indies. Archbishop Wright, a native of Belize City, was celebrated during a homecoming event on Friday, marking a moment of national pride and recognition of his decades-long dedication to ministry. Born and raised in the southside of Belize City, Wright felt a calling to priesthood as early as nine years old, a path that led him to seminary and eventually to the highest ecclesiastical position in the region. At 58, Archbishop Wright reflects on his journey, from serving as an acolyte in his youth to becoming a bishop at 38 and now an archbishop. His role involves overseeing the province’s dioceses, chairing meetings of bishops, and representing the Anglican Church on international platforms. Reverend Elswith Clare, Methodist Bishop, praised Wright’s election as a testament to his spiritual guidance, pastoral wisdom, and commitment to the gospel. Archbishop Wright emphasized the privilege of accompanying people through life’s significant moments and helping them find purpose. Addressing the timeless question of evil in a world governed by a benevolent God, Wright acknowledged the complexity of the issue but expressed hope in a brighter future under divine control. The archbishop has received widespread congratulations from across Belize and the region, cementing his legacy as a beacon of faith and service.
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Seven Months Later: New Airport Security Contracts Signed
Seven months after the shocking midair hijacking of a Tropic Air flight by U.S. national Akinyela Sawa Taylor, the Belize Airport Authority has taken decisive action to overhaul airport security. The authority is set to sign new security contracts for municipal airports nationwide, following the termination of nearly $30 million in previous agreements with two private firms. The move comes in response to widespread public backlash and aims to restore confidence in airport safety and tighten oversight. Civil Aviation CEO Narda Garcia emphasized that the new contracts were awarded after a rigorous tendering process, ensuring that the selected company meets all specified requirements. Garcia noted that one company will handle body searches and human security, while another will manage surveillance systems. The announcement of the new contracts is expected soon, marking a significant step toward enhancing airport security in Belize.
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Boledo Millions to Fund National Health Insurance
The Briceño administration has unveiled an ambitious plan to leverage Boledo lottery profits to bolster Belize’s healthcare system. Prime Minister John Briceño announced that earnings from Boledo sales are projected to exceed $20 million this year, with the funds earmarked for the rollout of National Health Insurance (NHI) nationwide. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive health coverage to citizens, addressing long-standing gaps in the healthcare infrastructure. Narda Garcia, CEO of the Ministry of Investment, emphasized the need for NHI to operate as an autonomous body, enabling direct funding from the Belize Government Lotteries Limited (BGLL). Currently, Boledo profits are channeled through the government before reaching NHI, which operates under the Social Security Board. Garcia anticipates that legislative changes in December or January will formalize NHI’s autonomy, streamlining the financial process. The Prime Minister highlighted the success of the Boledo initiative, noting that the first year of operations (April 2024 to March 2025) generated $16.7 million, surpassing expectations. This innovative funding strategy underscores the government’s commitment to improving healthcare accessibility and quality for all Belizeans.
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FLASH : 13.4% increase in gender-based violence in 1 month
Haiti is grappling with a distressing escalation in gender-based violence, as reported by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Between January and September 2025, the country witnessed a staggering 13.5% increase in such cases, with over 7,400 incidents documented. Sexual violence, constituting slightly more than half of these cases, included nearly two-thirds involving gang rape. Alarmingly, two-thirds of the victims were internally displaced persons, highlighting the vulnerability of displaced populations. Despite these harrowing statistics, humanitarian efforts remain severely constrained. Only 7% of the targeted 833,000 individuals requiring specialized assistance were reached, primarily due to funding shortages and persistent insecurity. The response program faces a 70% funding gap, amounting to $13.5 million out of the required $19 million. This shortfall jeopardizes critical services for nearly 780,000 women and girls, including clinical care, mental health support, legal aid, and the provision of dignity kits. Access challenges further exacerbate the crisis, particularly for women in remote areas and those with disabilities. Nevertheless, humanitarian organizations are intensifying their efforts, offering psychosocial support, medical care, and legal assistance, while conducting over 32,000 awareness sessions and training 560 frontline workers. OCHA remains committed to collaborating with partners and national authorities to ensure victims can access essential services safely.
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Belize Moves Boldly Toward Digital Transformation
Belize is making significant strides in its digital transformation journey, aiming to transition from a traditional Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub to a competitive Global Digital Services center. With the BPO sector currently supporting nearly 20,000 jobs, the country is leveraging the Orange Economy to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. On November 20, 2025, government officials, industry leaders, and international partners convened for a high-level strategy workshop to outline Belize’s future in the global digital economy. Narda Garcia, CEO of the Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Investment, emphasized the urgency of this transformation, citing the dual threats of artificial intelligence (AI) and protectionist foreign policies. Garcia highlighted the need to view AI as a tool rather than a threat, advocating for skills diversification to ensure job security. Lincoln Blake, Director of the Investment Policy and Compliance Unit, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of training the workforce to master emerging technologies like AI and 3D printing. Consultant Luis Parrilla, leading the development of Belize’s Global Digital Strategy, outlined six key pillars: legal reform, incentive reform, education and capacity training, visibility and export, data governance, and interagency operability. The strategy aims to create a robust environment for sector growth, equipping the workforce with high-demand digital and soft skills. Victoria Tun, Vice-President of the BPO Association, acknowledged the challenges posed by AI but expressed optimism about the industry’s future, emphasizing the importance of upskilling employees. Belize’s five-year Global Digital Strategy reflects the government’s commitment to adapting to technological advancements and ensuring the workforce is prepared for the future.
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Abinader begins U.S. agenda with bilateral meeting with MySilicon Compass CEO
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic initiated his official engagements in California on Thursday with a pivotal bilateral discussion aimed at elevating his nation’s position within the global semiconductor supply chain. The high-level meeting featured Ian Steff, Chief Executive Officer of MySilicon Compass, with deliberations centered on advancing current collaborative projects and identifying new avenues for growth in semiconductor manufacturing and development.
The session, convened in The Westin San Jose Hotel’s Santa Cruz room, saw President Abinader accompanied by a high-powered delegation. This included Víctor Bisonó, the Minister of Industry and Commerce; María Isabel Castillo, the Dominican Ambassador to the United States; and a consortium of prominent business figures comprising Samuel Conde, René Grullón, María Waleska Álvarez, Felipe Herrera Cabral, and Marino Auffant. This delegation represents a concerted, strategic effort by the Dominican government to integrate the country into the high-technology semiconductor industry, a critical and lucrative global sector. The discussions underscore a national strategy to attract investment, foster technological innovation, and create economic diversification through high-value manufacturing partnerships.
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Security : High-level meeting of the Technical Working Group with the Haitian National Police
On November 19, 2025, the 5th meeting of the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the Joint Support Programme for the Haitian National Police (PNH) convened at the PNH Headquarters in Clercine. The event, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), brought together key technical and financial partners, including representatives from Germany, Canada, the United States, Italy, Japan, the European Union, Brazil, France, and Mexico. Vladimir Paraison, Acting Director General of the PNH, chaired the meeting, paying tribute to officers recently killed in the line of duty and providing an update on Haiti’s security challenges. Diallo Oumar, Senior Technical Advisor for UNDP, and Paraison presented progress in strengthening territorial and specialized units, improving equipment and logistics, and developing training and infrastructure. The meeting outlined PNH priorities for the next 12 months, focusing on officer training, increased police presence, and territorial expansion. These efforts aim to address national challenges such as gang eradication, electoral security, and the deployment of the Gang Repression Force (FRG). Partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the PNH through the Joint Programme, aligning with national and institutional priorities.
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FLASH : Varreux oil terminal blocked, no shortage but…
Since November 17, 2025, Haiti’s largest fuel depot, the Varreux oil terminal, has faced a critical blockade. Armed groups have taken control of key access routes, including National Route 1, Batimat Road, La Saline, and Route 9, preventing tanker trucks from refueling and delivering to service stations. This disruption has led to dwindling fuel stocks at service stations across the country. Despite no official fuel shortage being reported, some opportunistic service station owners have exploited the situation by inflating prices and spreading rumors of scarcity, prompting consumers to stockpile fuel in yellow jerrycans. In response, the General Directorate of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a press release on November 20, 2025, assuring the public that sufficient fuel supplies are available nationwide. The Ministry acknowledged localized disruptions caused by non-compliant practices and announced plans to deploy inspection teams across the country. These teams, working in coordination with the Haitian National Police (PNH), will conduct spontaneous checks at service stations and distribution points to enforce pricing regulations and penalize speculative or illegal activities. On November 20, the Ministry’s inspection service already verified fuel availability at over a dozen service stations in the metropolitan area, aiming to maintain order and ensure the proper functioning of the fuel supply system.