Carib Scope

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  • All Eyes on PUP Convention as Allan Pollard Joins Mayoral Race

    All Eyes on PUP Convention as Allan Pollard Joins Mayoral Race

    Belize City politics is entering a new, charged phase as sitting councilor Allan Pollard Jr. has formally thrown his hat into the ring for the 2026 mayoral race, transforming years of quiet ambition into an active, public campaign ahead of the People’s United Party (PUP) nominating convention.

    After being urged to wait his turn for a mayoral run back in 2023, Pollard opted not to stand down this cycle. On June 17, 2026, he filed his official candidacy paperwork surrounded by a large crowd of grassroots supporters, marking a clear break from his past posture of patient waiting and a full commitment to competing for Belize City’s highest municipal office.

    “I am formally submitting my application to become the next mayor of Belize City to support and represent the beautiful people of Belize City and the party,” Pollard told reporters on the day of his filing. When asked about the impressive show of public support that turned out for his announcement, he framed the turnout as organic goodwill from backers. “I asked family and friends to come, but you can’t tell people to come but you can’t tell people you can’t come. So they came out and support and this is all love. Convention day you will see the full extent of that support.”

    Pollard’s entry sets up a head-to-head battle for the PUP nomination at the upcoming convention against fellow sitting councilor Eluide Miller, who submitted his own candidacy the previous week. While Miller’s filing was backed by seven sitting fellow councilors, he has not drawn the same size of public grassroots turnout as Pollard saw at his announcement.

    The competitive tension of the race has already spilled into public view, with sharp criticism coming from Pollard’s father, veteran political figure Allan “Duck” Pollard Sr. He did not mince words when addressing the bloc of councilors backing Miller, calling the group “a bunch of snakes” and arguing that his son’s straightforward integrity set him apart from the bloc. “My son is too straight for those bunch of snakes. All of them is a snake, because my son put out his head for one of the councilors and the minute he get elected he turned on him,” Pollard Sr. said, adding that Miller’s support comes from political insiders rather than ordinary residents. “Miller, Miller you father-in-law wah endorse you? Dah the people, this dah the people you know, dah the people.”

    Many of Pollard Jr.’s supporters in the crowd echoed anti-establishment sentiment, chanting that they reject what they referred to as “a Wagner enterprise” — a reference to incumbent Mayor Wagner, who has publicly backed Miller’s candidacy. When asked directly if he saw a conflict of interest in the familial ties between Wagner and Miller and the mayor’s endorsement, Pollard Jr. struck a more measured tone, emphasizing respect for the democratic process.

    “No man if we were suppose to frown on that we should have from the time he ran as a councilor and I don’t see any conflict there. I don’t see any now,” Pollard said. “The people have opposing views but that is their views and right. For me, I respect anybody that wants to run and I respect anybody who the mayor wants to support. The mayor cannot deny my capabilities or myself as a candidate.”

    Pollard’s electoral track record gives his candidacy undeniable credibility. In both the 2021 and 2024 municipal elections, he earned more votes than any of his fellow councilors — even outperforming incumbent Mayor Wagner at the polls. That proven popularity with voters has positioned him as a formidable challenger to Miller for the nomination.

    Looking ahead to the lead-up to the convention and the general election, Pollard says he plans to spend the next nine months engaging directly with Belize City residents, crafting a policy platform that addresses local needs, and building on his existing grassroots support to win the nomination and, ultimately, the mayoral office. The deadline for all candidates to file their nomination papers is Friday, meaning all contenders for the PUP mayoral nomination will be confirmed by the end of the week.

    This report was compiled from original on-the-ground reporting by Paul Lopez for News Five.

  • ‘No 6ixx and 7even violence’ for carnival – ‘Buju’

    ‘No 6ixx and 7even violence’ for carnival – ‘Buju’

    As preparations ramp up for one of the Caribbean’s most anticipated annual cultural celebrations, the acting deputy commissioner of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, Trevor “Buju” Bailey, has issued a bold public guarantee: the 2026 iteration of Vincy Mas will retain its long-held reputation as the safest carnival in the entire region.

    Bailey delivered his firm security pledge during an official press conference hosted by the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) on Wednesday, sending a direct warning to any potential troublemakers: anyone who attempts to bring violent conflict into the capital city of Kingstown during the 10-day festival will be confronted head-on by law enforcement.

    In recent months, local public safety has been roiled by rising gang-related tensions, with two rival groups identified by the numerical monikers “6ixx” and “7even” emerging as the primary sources of conflict. Bailey addressed these tensions head-on, reframing the numerical narrative around carnival security to center the unified force of law enforcement. “I want to replace the six and the seven with one number — one Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. That is the only number that we carry: one,” he stated.

    To potential gang members planning to bring inter-group violence to the celebrations, Bailey delivered an unmistakeable message: “If you have any bad intention, keep your intention to yourself. If you bring it to Kingstown, you will come head on with number one, and we will flex our muscles, and I’m saying it boldly. We will flex our muscles as hard as we can if you bring any 6ixx and 7even violence… because we get serious when it comes to that.”

    Bailey structured his security advocacy around a striking “10 to 1” framework, highlighting the broad cross-section of stakeholders united in their demand for a peaceful festival. He counted the Minister of National Security, the Commissioner of Police, the CDC, the Ministry of Health, local vendors, event promoters, school children, the national taxi association, and local merchants as nine of the ten voices calling for calm — with the unified police force representing the tenth. This aligns with the well-known local idiom “ten to one is murder,” meaning overwhelming advantage for the side holding majority support.

    “Now, if I give you 10, there’s that old saying ‘10 to one is…’ and I’m leaving it right there. I am not saying the other word,” Bailey noted. “I’m just saying 10 to one is — so there are 10 of us against you alone. So don’t bring no 6ixx and 7even violence into our carnival. We’re going to stamp that out.”

    As a key demonstration of the force’s preparation, Bailey pointed to recent successful security operations at smaller rural carnival events held across St. Vincent. Two major regional carnivals, held the prior weekend in Georgetown and Chateaubelair, were policed with reinforced personnel numbers, and passed without major incidents. That model, he confirmed, will be scaled up for the national 2026 event.

    “None of those events had a shortage of police. We ensured that there were more than enough security personnel on the ground, and that is an indication that come 2026 for the national carnival, there’s going to be no shortage of police presence in and around Kingstown,” Bailey said.

    The acting deputy commissioner acknowledged that carnival inherently brings large crowds, widespread alcohol consumption, and public revelry, and emphasized that law enforcement has no intention of disrupting the festive atmosphere. Rather, the police’s goal is to create a controlled, secure environment where all attendees can celebrate safely. “We know that for the 10‑day period, people are going to come to Kingstown, they’re going to consume the alcohol, they’re going to enjoy all of the shows, they’re going to patronise the bars, and we want people to come and do that,” he said. “You will be doing so in an environment that is safe and secure.”

    To deliver on that promise, Bailey confirmed that uniformed officers will maintain high visibility across all areas of Kingstown throughout the festival. “At every corner, at every junction, when you travel Kingstown, you will interface with police officers who are dressed in the uniform of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, so the environment to party, the environment to revel will be safe,” he said.

    In a nod to the festive context, Bailey confirmed that officers have received internal guidance to exercise measured tolerance for minor misbehavior linked to alcohol and celebration, such as occasional offensive language. Officers are instructed to de-escalate first, issuing a verbal warning to misbehaving attendees before turning to formal arrest. For example, officers may simply remind intoxicated attendees to adjust their behavior and encourage them to head home if they have overconsumed.

    However, Bailey stressed that this flexibility is not a free pass for serious disorder. “It is not a licence for you to come to Kingstown and drink and misbehave and figure that because I say we’re going to be flexible, you come and mash up the place,” he warned. “We will not allow that behaviour to get too excessive.”

    A core pillar of the 2026 security plan is a strict “no glass bottle” policy across all of Kingstown and surrounding carnival venues. Under the new rule, all vendors will be required to serve alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks in disposable plastic cups, and attendees will be prohibited from carrying glass containers through public festival areas. The policy will be formalized by Minister of National Security St. Clair Leacock, who will officially designate the relevant areas as no-glass-bottle zones.

    “It is an offence to traverse the streets walking with your Guinness and your beer in the bottle like that. We don’t want to have to arrest anyone for that violation. All we simply ask is that you pour your drink into a plastic glass and enjoy your drink,” Bailey explained. Officers have also been instructed to enforce the rule with flexibility: rather than confiscating and pouring out drinks from attendees found with glass, officers will ask holders to either pour the beverage into a provided plastic cup or finish the drink on-site before surrendering the container.

    Reaffirming the police force’s commitment as a core partner to the CDC, Bailey closed by repeating his guarantee that the 2026 Vincy Mas will live up to its regional reputation for safety. “Vincy Mas is indeed the safest carnival in the region, and… 2026 is going to be no exception,” he said. “We’re going to give the full, full support and ensure that Vincymas is a successful one.”

  • Are Belize’s Watchdogs Being Held Back?

    Are Belize’s Watchdogs Being Held Back?

    A high-stakes legal battle unfolding in Belize has thrust the country’s system of government oversight into the public eye, raising urgent questions about whether key accountability institutions are able to operate free from political interference. The case, brought by retired Major Gilbert Swaso against the Belizean government, is far more than a routine legal dispute: it serves as a real-world test of how effectively the nation’s watchdog bodies actually fulfill their mandated role of checking government power.

    At the core of the legal challenge lies a fundamental, long-simmering question for Belize’s democratic governance: are these oversight bodies granted the independent authority they need to operate, or are systemic constraints holding them back from holding public officials accountable? As the courtroom proceedings progress, the dispute has already reignited a nationwide debate over governmental transparency, public trust, and whether the accountability safeguards designed to protect ordinary Belizeans are living up to their purpose.

    Tracy Panton, leader of the opposition United Democratic Party, has emphasized that the outcome of this case carries profound consequences for the future of Belize’s democratic institutions. In comments reported from an evening television news broadcast, Panton argued that optimal performance of oversight mechanisms is non-negotiable to preserve public trust in Belize’s governance structure. Without fully functional, independent watchdogs, she said, Belizeans lose the ability to have their concerns addressed on issues that shape their daily lives.

    Panton pointed to a rapid erosion of public confidence in Belize’s public institutions, a trend she attributes directly to the failure of oversight bodies to operate independently in the public interest. Key watchdog bodies including the Ombudsman’s Office, the Contractor General, the Integrity Commission, the Joint Public Accounts Committee, and the Auditor General’s Office all require meaningful autonomy to carry out their statutory duties, Panton noted. Only when these bodies can operate within the legal frameworks that govern their roles can ordinary Belizeans guarantee direct access to accountability and redress for grievances, she added.

    The opposition leader’s remarks reinforce the broader stakes of the ongoing legal fight: without strong, unhampered oversight institutions in place, Panton warned, Belizeans stand to lose confidence in the very systems established to protect their rights and interests. As the court process continues, the national conversation over watchdog independence is only expected to intensify, with the outcome set to shape public trust in Belize’s governance for years to come.

  • Did Savings Undermine the Coastal Plain Highway?

    Did Savings Undermine the Coastal Plain Highway?

    Recent severe flooding has left critical stretches of Belize’s flagship Coastal Plain Highway damaged, thrusting the years-long contentious infrastructure project back into the center of national political debate. The multi-million-dollar roadway, one of the largest public works initiatives in the country’s history, was originally planned, designed, and contracted under the previous United Democratic Party (UDP) administration, before being finalized and opened under the current People’s United Party (PUP) government. Conceived to improve inter-regional connectivity and stand up to extreme weather, the highway’s early structural damage following the flood has sparked sharp questions about whether reckless cost-cutting measures sacrificed long-term durability for short-term budget savings.

    Leading the charge against the current administration’s handling of the project is UDP leader Tracy Panton, who is pushing back on claims that the PUP inherited an overpriced contract from the previous government. In comments delivered during an evening news broadcast, Panton argued that the original UDP design intentionally included extra structural reinforcements and climate-resilient features to prepare the highway for shifting global weather patterns and increasingly frequent severe natural disasters that place heavy strain on Belize’s public infrastructure.

    Panton took direct aim at PUP’s Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing Julius Espat, who he says mounted a public relations campaign claiming the original UDP contract was bloated and inflated, cutting $28 million from the project to deliver short-term budget savings. “They have bragged repeatedly about cutting tens of millions in costs, but what looks like a win on a balance sheet today is going to cost taxpayers far more in the long run,” Panton said. “This is not an isolated incident. The Coastal Plain Highway has already required repairs at least three times since it was completed, all because the current government stripped out critical durability measures to score political points against the UDP’s record of good governance.”

    Panton emphasized that the latest flood damage proves her core argument: any short-term fiscal savings from cutting structural requirements will ultimately be dwarfed by the cumulative cost of repeated repairs. She questioned who actually benefits from the rushed cost-cutting, pointing out that it is ordinary Belizean drivers and taxpayers who will bear the burden of ongoing repair bills and unsafe road conditions. As of publication, the PUP government has not issued an official response to Panton’s accusations, and the full scope of the latest flood damage to the highway is still being assessed by public works officials.

  • Critics Question SOE, But Rosado Says Investigations Are Breaking Through

    Critics Question SOE, But Rosado Says Investigations Are Breaking Through

    Belize City, June 17, 2026 — Fresh off a violent weekend that spurred widespread public and political pushback against the country’s ongoing state of emergency (SOE), top law enforcement official Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police, has pushed back against critics, confirming that the controversial security measure is already yielding tangible results in cracking down on violent crime.

    The renewed debate over the SOE was triggered by a series of fatal shootings over the weekend, one of which unfolded in broad daylight on the busy Albert Street during peak Saturday foot traffic. The high-profile incident has prompted questions about whether the emergency security measures have failed to deter criminal activity, with opponents challenging the utility and necessity of maintaining the SOE.

    In a press briefing responding to this criticism, Rosado struck an unapologetic, firm tone, emphasizing that the core goal of the state of emergency is to remove legal and procedural barriers that slow down homicide investigations — a mandate he says the measure has already met. Over the course of the SOE’s latest implementation, law enforcement has already taken four suspected murderers into custody, a breakthrough Rosado says demonstrates the policy’s effectiveness.

    “Our nation’s public safety remains our absolute top priority,” Rosado stated during the briefing. “We will never allow criminal factions to set the terms for our country’s security environment. That is why we have mobilized every available resource to identify, arrest, and prosecute every individual linked to violent criminal activity.”

    When pressed by reporters on whether the brazen Albert Street shooting indicates criminals have grown undeterred by increased police presence under the SOE, Rosado declined to reveal sensitive operational tactics but outlined the cutting-edge tools investigators are leveraging to track down suspects. He confirmed that a growing, interconnected network of high-tech surveillance infrastructure is now active across high-traffic and high-crime areas, including facial recognition systems and automatic license plate readers paired with advanced data analytics.

    These tools, Rosado explained, allow investigators to retrace the movements of vehicles and persons of interest immediately after a crime occurs, drastically cutting down on the time needed to identify and apprehend suspects. “Criminals should operate under the assumption that every move they make is being recorded,” he warned. “It is only a matter of time before evidence catches up to them.”

    As of Tuesday, multiple persons of interest have already been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the weekend’s deadly shootings. This report is a transcript of an evening television broadcast, with all Kriol-language statements transcribed using a standardized spelling system for accuracy.

  • Derde helft WK 2026: Ghana strijdt zich in slotminuten naar belangrijke 1-0 zege op Panama

    Derde helft WK 2026: Ghana strijdt zich in slotminuten naar belangrijke 1-0 zege op Panama

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage encounter between Ghana and Panama delivered a heart-stopping finale at Toronto Stadium, as substitute Caleb Yirenkyi netted a last-gasp stoppage-time winner to hand Ghana a tense 1-0 victory, keeping their tournament knockout stage hopes alive while breaking Panama’s dreams of claiming their first ever World Cup point.

    Panama, making their return to the World Cup finals for the first time since their 2018 debut, got off to a flying start that nearly put them ahead inside the opening two minutes. A blistering cross from the right flank found striker Cecilio Waterman one-on-one with Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi, but the Black Stars shot-stopper pulled off a world-class save to deny Panama an early opener and keep the scores level.

    The Central American side fielded three familiar faces from their 2018 World Cup squad: experienced campaigners Yoel Bárcenas, José Luis Rodríguez and Amir Murillo, bringing valuable tournament know-how to the pitch. Despite persistent rain falling on the partially covered stadium, neither the steady downpour nor the wet conditions dampened the spirits of the packed crowd, who turned the stands into a vibrant, noisy celebration of football throughout the 90-plus minutes.

    For Ghana, led by seasoned head coach Carlos Queiroz, the match got off to a difficult start off the pitch: the side was forced to take the field without star midfielder Thomas Partey, who was ruled out of the fixture due to unresolved visa issues – a major blow to the African side’s tactical plans. Ghana spent much of the opening 15 minutes under sustained Panamanian pressure, with Rodríguez creating a dangerous chance from a left-wing delivery in the 13th minute that the Black Stars defense just managed to scramble clear.

    After the early opening surge, the game settled into a rhythm of end-to-end play with few clear-cut chances. Panama appealed for a penalty following a tussle in the box, but the referee waved away their claims. In the 38th minute, Jiovany Ramos let fly from long range for Panama, but his effort sailed well wide of the Ghana goal. Minutes later, Ati Zigi clattered into Panama forward Carlos Harvey while claiming a cross, picking up a knock that forced a brief stoppage, but the goalkeeper was able to continue after quick treatment on the pitch.

    Just before half-time, Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo began to influence the game after being shifted from his starting wing position into the number 10 playmaking role. The switched sparked a more lively attacking display from Ghana, with Semenyo leading a promising forward break that ultimately failed to produce a goalscoring opportunity. When the half-time whistle blew, the score remained goalless, with Ati Zigi’s opening-save standing as the only major highlight of the first 45 minutes.

    The second half picked up the pace slightly, with both sides pushing hard for the opening goal that would secure all three points. For long stretches, the game remained locked in a tight stalemate, but tension grew as full-time approached, with both sides creating late chances to steal the win. In the 87th minute, Panama’s Yoel Bárcenas fired just over the crossbar from inside the box, wasting a golden chance to grab a late winner. At the other end, Brandon Thomas-Asante saw a close-range effort saved by Panamanian goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera, who had put in a sterling performance to keep Ghana at bay all match. Thomas-Asante had the ball in the back of the net moments later, but the goal was ruled out for offside by the narrowest of margins, leaving the score still 0-0.

    Six minutes of stoppage time were added on at the end of the second half, and with just seconds remaining, it looked like Panama would hold on to secure their first ever World Cup point – a result that would have been a historic milestone for the nation. But Ghana had other plans. In the 95th and final minute of stoppage time, Thomas-Asante made up for his earlier disallowed goal with a brilliant individual run, beating Panamanian defender José Cordoba before cutting a perfect cross into the six-yard box. Yirenkyi, who had come off the bench as a late substitute, was perfectly placed to get the slightest of touches with his heel, guiding the ball into the empty net to spark jubilant scenes among the Ghana players and fans.

    The dramatic late winner secured a critical three points for Ghana, keeping their dream of advancing to the knockout stage of the World Cup alive. For Panama, it was a devastating gut punch after a valiant, defensive performance that looked set to earn them a historic point. Queiroz’s side showed impressive composure and clinical finishing in the dying moments of the match, and that late quality ultimately made all the difference in this tense, hard-fought World Cup group stage encounter.

  • Bradley Says Mira’s Case Doesn’t Meet Cyberbullying Threshold

    Bradley Says Mira’s Case Doesn’t Meet Cyberbullying Threshold

    A high-stakes cyberbullying complaint filed by a senior government minister is facing growing legal scrutiny, as a prominent local attorney argues the case fails to clear even the most basic threshold outlined in the nation’s cybercrime legislation, igniting fresh debate over how anti-cyberbullying laws could be misused to target political speech.

    The case centers on Oscar Mira, Belize’s Minister of Home Affairs, who filed a cyberbullying claim against Alberto August, former chairman of the opposition United Democratic Party. In an interview with local media, veteran defense attorney Dickie Bradley offered a detailed breakdown of why the case lacks legal merit, challenging the framing of the political content at the heart of the dispute as criminal cyberbullying.

    Bradley explained that the nation’s Cybercrime Act was crafted specifically to address severe, harmful online conduct: targeted harassment, non-consensual distribution of revenge pornography, and sharing explicit, obscene content intended to inflict substantial emotional harm on a victim. By design, he noted, the law does not extend to political satire, memes, or criticism targeting public officials — content that falls under the umbrella of protected political debate in democratic contexts.

    To secure a cyberbullying conviction under the current legislation, Bradley outlined, the content in question must meet a strict set of criteria: it must be obscene, lewd, indecent, or profane, and transmitted with the explicit intent to humiliate, harass, or cause severe emotional distress. It must also either subject the complainant to public hatred, contempt or embarrassment, or be sent repeatedly as part of a sustained campaign of abuse. Bradley emphasized that the political content in August’s posts does not clear this first, fundamental threshold, as it does not include the explicit or obscene material the law requires to open a cyberbullying case.

    Bradley also pointed to wider context around the political dispute, noting that the social media content at issue references a months-old statement Mira made about two Black individuals involved in criminal activity, and that the minister has remained silent on a recent high-profile, community-outrage killing of a well-loved local doctor. Far from meeting the legal definition of cyberbullying, Bradley said, the case amounts to a political disagreement over public commentary that does not belong in criminal court.

    Beyond questioning the legal standing of the complaint, Bradley warned that moving forward with the case would backfire badly for Mira. If the minister proceeds with the legal action, Bradley argued, he will ultimately be the one left in an uncomfortable, damaging public spotlight, and will suffer damage to his reputation when the case is thrown out. Instead of pursuing the claim, Bradley advised Mira to drop the matter entirely, refocus his attention on critical policy priorities — including ongoing work overseeing food supply regulation for produce and meat, which falls under his ministerial portfolio — rather than wasting public time and resources on what Bradley called “nonsense.”

    This report is adapted from a transcript of a broadcast evening news segment, transcribed for online distribution.

  • Frontline Officers Celebrated as Police Week Roars Back to Life

    Frontline Officers Celebrated as Police Week Roars Back to Life

    After a four-year pause brought by unstated global disruptions, one of Belize’s most cherished public service traditions is making a long-awaited comeback: Police Week, a dedicated occasion to celebrate the courage and commitment of the nation’s frontline law enforcement officers. On June 17, 2026, more than 300 serving police personnel stepped into the national spotlight to receive formal recognition for their years of service, with a range of awards marking ten, fifteen, twenty, and even 30 years of unbroken dedication to the Belizean people. Many attendees also earned well-deserved promotions, honoring their outstanding work that often extends far beyond the core requirements of their roles.

    For a profession that frequently operates behind the scenes, with sacrifices that often go unacknowledged by the general public, this resurrected ceremony carries far more weight than a simple celebratory event. It serves as a formal gesture of national gratitude, and a pivotal milestone for the future of policing across the country.

    In interviews on the sidelines of the ceremony, Belize’s Minister of Home Affairs Oscar Mira emphasized the profound challenges that come with law enforcement work in the country. “Today is about the police officers who are on the parade square,” Mira stated. “Many of them received awards, some for ten, fifteen, twenty, up to thirty years of dedicated service to our country. Some promotions as well. This is Police Week, and we are honoring police officers who go beyond what is the call of duty. It is not an easy job to do and a very unforgiving job at that.”

    Belize Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado shared that the previous official medal and award ceremony was held back in September 2022, making this revival a particularly meaningful moment for the force. As the nation’s top law enforcement official, Rosado expressed deep satisfaction at being able to formally recognize the contributions of serving officers. “We are in the middle of Police Week and this is one of our highlights today,” he explained. “I am pleased to recognize our dedicated officers for their years of service, commitment and their excellence in service. So, it is truly a good feeling to be able to recognize them as the Commissioner of Police.”

    This report is an excerpt from a broadcast evening newscast, with full extended coverage of the Police Week ceremony set to air during Thursday night’s scheduled television program. Viewers can access the full unedited broadcast via the link included in the original online publication.

  • Forestry Talks Aim to Defuse Indian Creek Bush Stick Tensions

    Forestry Talks Aim to Defuse Indian Creek Bush Stick Tensions

    A long-simmering institutional feud in Belize’s Indian Creek Village has reignited into open conflict over access to forest bush sticks for residential construction, pushing regional authorities to step in to de-escalate rising community tensions. What began as a single local resident’s attempt to harvest raw building materials from communal forest land has spiraled into a broader confrontation, amplified by overlapping claims of regulatory authority and unclear permit protocols that have split two local governing bodies: the Indian Creek Village Council and traditional Alcalde leaders.

  • He’s 18 and Changing the Face of Beauty in Belize City

    He’s 18 and Changing the Face of Beauty in Belize City

    In the heart of Belize City, 18-year-old Allon Pacheco is challenging long-held gender stereotypes and reshaping public perceptions of the local beauty industry. As a rare male certified beautician, he has built a growing career in a field overwhelmingly dominated by women, turning an unexpected casual hobby into a purpose-driven professional path.

    Pacheco’s journey into beauty work began by chance around six months ago, when he offered to give his mother a pedicure on a random day. Impressed by the neat, polished result he delivered, his mother encouraged him to pursue formal training and connect with her friend who worked in the industry. What started as a casual experiment quickly grew into a deep passion, prompting Pacheco to commit to a rigorous six-month certification program to master professional beautician skills.

    Today, Pacheco plies his trade at Deluxe Corner Beauty Bar, where he regularly performs services ranging from nail care and pedicures to other beauty treatments for a loyal and expanding client base. His success has not come without pushback: like many men who enter female-dominated fields, Pacheco has faced criticism and condescension from peers, particularly other men who have dismissed his career choice as “not proper work for a man.” Critics have pressured him to pursue traditional blue-collar trades such as mechanics or electrical work—fields Pacheco already has experience working in.

    Undeterred by the negativity, Pacheco remains focused on his work. “I’ve done all the ‘traditional manly’ jobs, but I find beauty work far more interesting,” he explained. “I enjoy what I do, I make a good living, and my clients love coming to me. That’s all that matters.”

    His dedication and natural skill have earned him high praise from colleagues at the salon. Arilee Somerville, a fellow beautician, highlighted that Pacheco’s work ethic and self-driven ambition set him apart as a standout member of the team. “Allon is an incredible worker—he’s hardworking, reliable, and always willing to help,” Somerville said. “What people don’t understand is that the nail and beauty industry isn’t just for women. Men can do this work just as well, and seeing how much joy it brings Allon makes that clear. Our clients even specifically request him for pedicures now.”

    Somerville also recalled that Pacheco was initially hesitant to share his work on social media, but after a little encouragement, he embraced digital platforms to showcase his skills to the broader Belizean community. That choice has helped him attract new clients and build a public profile as a young trailblazer in the local industry.

    At his core, Pacheco says what drives him is the simple joy of helping other people feel confident and beautiful. “I love helping people leave feeling refreshed and pretty,” he said. “If I had three dollars left, I’d give it to someone on the street—blessing others always comes back around.”

    Despite the persistent social stigma attached to male beauticians, Pacheco has a solid support system behind him as he works to refine his craft. Looking ahead, he has big plans: he hopes to open his own independent beauty business one day, and continues to push forward toward his goals in spite of the naysayers.

    In the end, Pacheco wants his story to inspire other people across Belize to chase their passions, regardless of age, gender, or outdated societal expectations. For anyone considering breaking into an unconventional field, his message is simple: don’t let negative stereotypes stop you from doing what you love.