Amid mounting pressure from opposition parties, Public Works Minister Maria Bird Browne has firmly declared her intention to remain in office, dismissing calls for her resignation as politically driven. The controversy stems from a $15 million government vehicle purchase that allegedly bypassed standard procurement protocols. Speaking publicly for the first time since the scandal broke, Browne addressed the issue following Thursday’s Throne Speech, asserting her commitment to her role and the public she serves. The United Progressive Party has intensified its campaign against her, organizing protests, motorcades, and public meetings demanding her ouster. Browne, however, remains steadfast, emphasizing her focus on fulfilling her ministerial responsibilities despite the ongoing scrutiny.
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Betrayal of trust: a therapist’s deceitful role in our relationship
In a shocking revelation, a personal account from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) exposes a deeply troubling breach of professional ethics within the mental health sector. The author, whose identity remains protected, shares a harrowing experience involving a therapist who not only failed to uphold ethical standards but actively manipulated and betrayed her clients. This story underscores the urgent need for accountability and reform in mental health practices, particularly in regions where stigma and lack of oversight prevail. The therapist, visiting SVG periodically to provide services, initially appeared to be a trusted professional. However, her actions soon revealed a darker agenda. She became intimately involved with one client, Bertram, while simultaneously divulging confidential information between partners. Her casual dismissal of the betrayal, captured in voice notes, further highlights her disregard for ethical boundaries. The therapist exploited her position of power, prioritizing her personal desires over the well-being of her clients. This case raises alarming questions about the safety of vulnerable individuals seeking mental health support. The author has reported the incident to relevant authorities and urges others to remain vigilant against professionals who misuse their roles. This story is not just a personal account but a call to action for systemic change in mental health care.
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Water Prices to Rise in Belize as Early as April 2026
Belize is preparing for a significant increase in water prices, set to take effect as early as April 1, 2026. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has unveiled its Initial Decision regarding Belize Water Services Limited’s (BWSL) Full Tariff Review for 2026. After extensive studies and consultations, the PUC has approved a 13.5 percent rise in the Mean Water Rate, a figure notably lower than the 20 percent hike initially proposed by BWSL. This adjustment is projected to increase the average customer’s water bill by approximately 5.5 percent.
A key change in the new tariff structure is the elimination of the flat fee of $8.72 for the first 1,000 gallons of water. Instead, all customers will be charged based on their actual water usage, a move the PUC describes as more equitable. This shift ensures that consumers pay only for the water they consume, promoting fairness and efficiency.
In addition to the rate adjustments, the PUC has sanctioned a $130 million investment to enhance the nation’s water infrastructure. This funding will be allocated to replacing aging pipelines, increasing production capacity, procuring essential equipment, and bolstering security at critical facilities. Furthermore, an additional $20 million has been earmarked for expanding water supply and storage systems in rapidly growing communities such as Placencia, Caye Caulker, and San Pedro.
BWSL has also received approval to increase its financial contributions toward water main extensions. The company can now provide up to $6,000 on the mainland and up to $10,000 in San Pedro and Caye Caulker for such projects. However, the PUC declined to raise administrative fees and deferred a decision on BWSL’s request related to Commercial Abstraction, which falls under the jurisdiction of the National Integrated Water Resources Authority.
The PUC’s Initial Decision is available on its official website, and the public is invited to submit feedback on BWSL’s Business Plan for 2026 to 2031 until December 3, 2025.
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Opposition MP: Constituency allowance cannot be used for self-indulgence
In a significant move to ensure transparency and accountability, Grenada’s House of Representatives has implemented stringent measures for the disbursement and utilization of constituency allowances. Starting January 2024, Members of Parliament (MPs) receiving the EC$10,000 monthly constituency allowance are required to submit verifiable bills and receipts to Parliament, detailing how the funds were allocated for constituency activities. This development was highlighted by Dr. Clarice Modeste, an Opposition Member representing St. Mark, during the adjournment of the 19 November parliamentary session. Dr. Modeste emphasized that the allowance is strictly for constituency purposes and is deposited into dedicated constituency accounts, not personal bank accounts. MPs must also present quarterly expenditure reports to ensure public funds are used appropriately. This initiative follows the approval of a separate EC$5,000 increase in personal allowance by the House Committee on 22 November 2023. The measures aim to foster greater public trust and ensure that taxpayer money is utilized effectively for community development.
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Only Two Audit Reports Published in Thirteen Years
Belize’s accountability framework is facing a severe crisis as the Auditor General’s official website displays only two audit years—2011-2012 and 2015-2016. The absence of annual reports for over a decade has compelled citizens to rely on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to access basic public-finance records. This situation undermines the Westminster-style governance model, where the Auditor General is pivotal in ensuring public accountability by scrutinizing the Government’s financial statements, verifying lawful expenditure of public funds, and reporting irregularities to the National Assembly. These reports, reviewed by the Public Accounts Committee, are essential for maintaining transparency and oversight. However, the constitutional cycle has stalled for more than ten years, with most fiscal years lacking reports due to the Accountant General’s failure to submit required financial statements under Section 15(1) of the Finance and Audit Reform Act. Other years remain unpublished because completed audits were never tabled in the National Assembly, leaving a thirteen-year gap in official reporting. This breakdown has shifted the burden of transparency onto private citizens using FOIA. Public-interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez, for instance, has filed an FOIA request seeking multi-year records on the Constituency Development Fund, including allocations, disbursements, and financial statements for all 31 constituencies. While the Government expressed willingness to disclose the requested material, it requested additional time due to the administrative complexity of compiling records across multiple ministries. Enriquez emphasized that the FOIA mandates an access decision within fourteen days, separate from the time needed to compile documents, and signaled readiness to grant more time once the access request is approved. This situation underscores how the absence of timely Auditor General reports has elevated FOIA from a supplementary tool to the primary means of obtaining financial information.
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FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT – Gov’t Requests Extension, Enriquez Insists on FOIA ‘Access Decision’ Deadline
The Office of the Prime Minister has requested an extension to process a comprehensive Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations, citing administrative challenges. Public-interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez, however, maintains that the law mandates an access decision within fourteen days, regardless of the complexity of the request. In a letter dated November 13th, the Government acknowledged Enriquez’s request for detailed CDF records, including multi-year budget allocations, disbursement records, vouchers, audits, and internal assessments. However, it argued that retrieving such extensive data from multiple ministries within the statutory period was impractical. The Cabinet Secretary proposed extending the deadline to December 15th, 2025, to ensure a thorough response. Enriquez responded on November 14th, recognizing the administrative burden but emphasizing that the FOIA requires ministries to issue an access decision—whether to grant, deny, or partially grant the request—within fourteen days, as stipulated in Section 16. He argued that Parliament was aware of the time needed to compile records when enacting the law, meaning administrative difficulties do not exempt the Government from its legal obligation. Enriquez urged the Office of the Prime Minister to issue the access decision within the statutory window, with the understanding that the actual disclosure of documents could follow later. He also expressed willingness to extend the disclosure deadline to January 5th, 2026, to accommodate operational constraints, particularly during the Christmas period. However, he warned that failure to provide the access decision within five days of his correspondence would be considered a deemed refusal, prompting him to pursue legal action.
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18-Year-Old Stabbed in Dangriga
An 18-year-old youth, Gevin Ravion Armstrong, was hospitalized following a stabbing incident in Dangriga, Belize. The attack occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at a local bar and grill. According to police reports, an unidentified male approached Armstrong and inflicted multiple cuts on his body. Armstrong managed to flee toward the bar area before collapsing. He was promptly transported to the Southern Regional Hospital, where he is currently in stable condition. Authorities are actively investigating the incident, though no suspects have been identified yet. This is not the first time Armstrong has been targeted; earlier this year, he survived a shooting near a village basketball court, during which he was shot multiple times. Armstrong had informed police that he knew the shooter in that case. The community remains on edge as violence continues to affect young individuals in the area.
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Foreign Affairs Minister: Unemployment at 7.5%
Grenada’s unemployment rate for the second quarter of 2025 has been reported at 10.8%, according to the latest labour force survey published by the Central Statistics Department. This figure stands in stark contrast to the claims made by Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall, who recently asserted that the unemployment rate had reached a historic low of 7.5%. Andall attributed the low unemployment rate to individuals either being unqualified for available jobs or choosing not to seek employment voluntarily. He even drew a historical parallel, stating that the only period in Grenada’s history with lower employment levels was during the era of slavery or forced labour. The survey, however, reveals that the economically active labour force, comprising individuals aged 15 to 65 and above, stood at 57,359, while the economically inactive population was 32,366. The total working-age population was recorded at 89,745. Economically inactive individuals include those not seeking employment due to reasons such as education, caregiving, retirement, or long-term illness. This discrepancy between government claims and official statistics raises questions about the accuracy of public statements regarding the nation’s economic health.
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Barbuda Now a ‘Net Contributor’ After Decades of Underdevelopment, Governor General Says
Barbuda has undergone a remarkable economic transformation, evolving from a state of chronic underdevelopment to becoming a net contributor to the national economy, as announced by Governor General Sir Rodney Williams during the Throne Speech at the opening of Parliament on Thursday. Sir Rodney described Barbuda as ‘a diamond in the rough for more than 60 years,’ but emphasized that a wave of significant investments since 2014 has reshaped its economic landscape. Key developments include high-profile hospitality projects such as PLH, Rosewood, Louie Hill, and Nobu, alongside substantial infrastructure upgrades like paved roads, street lighting, and new public facilities. These initiatives, according to Sir Rodney, have propelled Barbuda into a position of net economic contribution—a milestone never achieved since the establishment of the Barbuda Council. The Governor General also highlighted the island’s new international airport, the Burton-Nibbs Airport, as a cornerstone of this transformation. He outlined further plans, including a new seaport for container ships, expanded road networks, green energy plants, freshwater production facilities, and housing projects to rebuild after Hurricane Irma. A pivotal factor in this progress has been the resolution of long-standing land tenure issues. Sir Rodney explained that the repeal of the 2007 land law and its replacement with a fairer system granting land titles to long-term residents has addressed a historical injustice and unlocked new opportunities for investment. The nation’s apex court affirmed that all non-privately owned land in Antigua and Barbuda belongs to the Crown, providing a secure foundation for development. Sir Rodney attributed this success to the unwavering vision of national leadership and their commitment to implementing long-delayed reforms. With additional projects, such as the planned seaport, Barbuda is poised for sustained economic growth, marking a historic shift in its modern development trajectory.
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Minor Raped By Her Two Brothers, Assaulted by Stepfather
Authorities in Punta Gorda, Toledo District, are currently investigating a deeply distressing case involving the alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl by her own family members. The investigation, which began in November 2025, was initiated after the minor, accompanied by a social worker and a relative, reported the harrowing incidents to the police. According to the report, the young girl claims that her two brothers engaged in non-consensual sexual acts with her on multiple occasions during October and November 2025. Additionally, her stepfather is accused of sexually assaulting her during the same period. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious concerns about child safety and familial abuse. Law enforcement officials are working diligently to gather evidence and ensure justice is served. This remains a developing story, with further updates expected as the investigation progresses.