In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Dr. Sinal Bertrand, Haiti’s Minister of Public Health, embarked on a critical assessment tour of the Great South region on November 5, 2025. Accompanied by representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and key Ministry officials, including Dr. Martial Bénèche, Director of the Expanded Program on Immunization, the Minister arrived by helicopter to evaluate the region’s health infrastructure and emergency response efforts. The tour began in Chalon, where the delegation reviewed mission priorities at the WFP regional office. Dr. Bertrand then traveled to Petit-Goâve, one of the areas most severely impacted by the cyclone, to inspect the Municipal Emergency Operations Center and Notre-Dame Hospital. There, he commended Dr. Fred Jasmin and his team for their exceptional management of the crisis and presented six new letters of assignment to strengthen medical staff in critical areas such as surgery and pediatrics. The Minister also visited a shelter housing over fifty displaced children, pledging government support for their medical and educational needs. In Nippes, Dr. Bertrand inspected the construction site of the Nippes Health Directorate’s administrative building and the planned departmental incinerator. He praised the collaboration between Cuban medical specialists and Haitian staff at Sainte-Thérèse Hospital in Miragoâne, where he conducted a thorough evaluation of the maternity, pediatric, and emergency departments. Throughout the tour, essential supplies, including food, hygiene kits, and medical equipment, were delivered to Petit-Goâve and the Grand Sud region to bolster health infrastructure and prevent epidemics. Dr. Bertrand lauded the Nippes Health Directorate for its swift mobilization during the crisis and continued his tour to the South and Grand’Anse departments to further coordinate post-disaster health interventions.
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President Abinader inaugurates rehabilitated Sabana Toro–La Rosa Highway
San Cristóbal – In a significant move to enhance regional connectivity and economic integration, President Luis Abinader officially inaugurated the rehabilitated Sabana Toro–La Rosa highway on Thursday. This long-awaited project, executed by the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company (EGEHID) under its social responsibility program, represents a transformative step for one of the province’s most productive areas. With an investment of RD$200.9 million, the project was developed by Grupo Gil Calro SRL and spans five kilometers. It features upgraded infrastructure, including new sidewalks, curbs, asphalt paving, drainage systems, road signage, and the relocation of electrical poles. EGEHID’s General Manager, Rafael Salazar, emphasized that the project addresses a “historical debt” owed to communities such as Sabana Toro, La Rosa, Villegas, Telín, and El Pueblecito, which have long struggled with limited access to markets, schools, and essential services. The new highway will streamline travel between Cambita, Los Cacaos, and Villa Altagracia, bypassing San Cristóbal’s center and significantly reducing travel times and transportation costs. Local resident Asunción Brito, speaking on behalf of the community, expressed heartfelt gratitude, highlighting that the road “brings real development and new opportunities for the families who live and work here.”
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Calvin Ayre Foundation Invests EC$84,132 as Platinum Sponsor of National Swim Team for OECS Championships
The Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF) has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering youth and sports development by providing a substantial EC$84,132 Platinum sponsorship to the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation (ABSF). This funding is earmarked for the 33rd OECS Swimming Championships, set to take place from November 7th to 9th, 2025, in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The regional event will showcase young athletes from across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), promoting both elite athletic performance and regional solidarity. The sponsorship covers round-trip airfare and accommodation for Antigua and Barbuda’s 39-member delegation, ensuring the team is fully prepared to defend its championship title. Jamilla Kirwan, Manager of the Calvin Ayre Foundation, emphasized the organization’s commitment to empowering youth through sports. Edith Clashing, President of the ABSF, expressed profound gratitude, highlighting that this marks the first time a private sponsor has offered such significant support. The delegation departed Antigua and Barbuda on November 6th, 2025, with high hopes for the competition.
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Insecurity : Historic record of displaced persons
Haiti is grappling with a historic displacement crisis, as over 1.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes in 2025 due to escalating violence and instability. This staggering figure, reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), marks a 36% increase since the end of 2024 and represents the highest number of displaced persons ever recorded in the country. Grégoire Goodstein, IOM Chief of Mission in Haiti, emphasized the urgent need for a robust international response, stating, ‘The severity of this crisis demands intensified efforts to provide sustainable solutions that restore dignity, resilience, and alternatives for affected Haitians.’
The crisis extends far beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, with nearly 64% of new displacements occurring in regions such as the Central and Artibonite departments. Overcrowded reception centers and a surge in spontaneous displacement sites—now numbering 238—have exacerbated the strain on local communities, which host approximately 85% of displaced individuals. Women and children, who make up more than half of the displaced population, are particularly vulnerable, with many families resorting to sending children to safer areas with relatives.
Along the Haiti-Dominican Republic border, tensions have risen as over 207,000 deported Haitians have returned to a country plagued by gang violence. In response, IOM has expanded its operations beyond Port-au-Prince, providing emergency shelter, clean water, healthcare, mental health support, and livelihood assistance to vulnerable families. The organization is also collaborating with authorities and communities to enhance security and resilience through education, employment programs, and infrastructure rehabilitation.
As humanitarian needs continue to mount, IOM has called on the international community to increase funding and improve aid access. Without immediate and sustained support, the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced Haitians will only deepen, underscoring the critical need for both emergency assistance and long-term solutions to address the root causes of displacement.
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NTUCB Mobilizes Members Over AG’s FOIA Appeal
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has escalated its response to the Attorney General Ministry’s appeal against the Ombudsman’s ruling on a Freedom of Information request, signaling a more assertive stance on governance and transparency. The NTUCB, Belize’s foremost labor organization, has initiated a mobilization of its affiliates following an emergency meeting convened on Sunday. During the meeting, member unions were tasked with consulting their members to determine potential actions, reflecting growing discontent within the organization over perceived threats to accountability in public affairs.
A senior NTUCB representative revealed that the Attorney General’s decision to appeal the Ombudsman’s directive was the tipping point that prompted the emergency meeting. The appeal, filed on October 28 in the High Court, seeks to overturn a ruling mandating the disclosure of government payments to private law firms, as ordered under the Freedom of Information Act. Civil society groups have criticized the timing of the appeal, arguing that it circumvents the procedural requirement for ministerial review before judicial intervention.
The NTUCB has indicated that it will no longer issue statements or press releases on the matter, deeming that phase concluded. Instead, the organization is preparing to take decisive action based on the outcomes of internal consultations within its member unions. These consultations are expected to conclude in the coming days, after which the NTUCB will determine its unified course of action. This development underscores the labor body’s commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in Belize’s governance framework.
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Global Sugar Prices Plunge as Belize Mulls Local Price Hike
Global sugar prices are projected to experience a significant decline, with the World Bank forecasting a 15% drop per pound between 2025 and 2026. Last year, the global price of sugar stood at approximately $0.20 per pound, but by 2026, it is expected to fall to around $0.17 per pound. This downward trend is supported by data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which reported that sugar prices in September 2023 hit their lowest point in four years. The FAO Sugar Price Index averaged 99.4 points in September, marking a 4.1% decline from August and a substantial 21.3% drop compared to the previous year. This represents the lowest level since March 2021. The price decline is attributed to higher-than-expected sugar production in Brazil, driven by increased sugarcane crushing and greater allocation of sugarcane for sugar production in key southern regions. Additionally, favourable harvest prospects in India and Thailand, supported by ample monsoon rains and expanded plantings, have further pressured prices. Global benchmarks continue to soften as supply expectations grow. The FAO’s September update confirmed sugar prices at a four-year low, aligning with a broader easing of the Food Price Index. Futures markets have mirrored this trend, with New York No.11 and London No.5 contracts hitting multi-year lows in early November after Brazil’s crop agency (Conab) raised its 2025/26 sugar output estimate to 45 million metric tons. This reinforces expectations of ample export supply. In Belize, where cane farmers’ revenues are tied to international sugar prices, sustained global softness could lead to tighter payments over the crop year. However, domestic policies are being adjusted to stabilize the sector. Authorities are reviewing regulated prices for plantation white and brown sugar and considering removing price controls on retail-packaged sugar. These measures aim to protect farmers from rising input costs, climate-related losses, and disease pressures.
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PSU Files Industrial Action Notice over SARA Transition
The Public Service Union (PSU) has officially commenced industrial action procedures in response to the government’s plan to transform the Tax Service Department into a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA). The union has raised concerns over potential threats to job security and employee benefits, prompting this decisive move. The Ministry of Labour acknowledged receipt of the notice on Wednesday and is currently evaluating the situation. Valentino Shal, the ministry’s Chief Executive Officer, stated that an official response is being prepared, with internal discussions underway to determine the next steps. Dean Flowers, the union’s president, emphasized that this action follows numerous unsuccessful attempts to engage the government in dialogue. He criticized the administration for failing to adequately address staff concerns or provide convincing evidence of the purported efficiency and revenue gains under the new model. While the Prime Minister has defended the transition as essential for modernizing revenue collection, Flowers clarified that the union is adhering to legal protocols before escalating the matter. ‘As an essential services department, the law requires us to give the Minister of Labour an opportunity to resolve the current impasse,’ he explained. Although the PSU has not yet disclosed specific timelines for further action, it has indicated that various forms of industrial activity are under consideration. While a strike remains a last resort, the union warns that the government’s current approach could endanger both employees’ livelihoods and public revenue streams.
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Solar and Water Expansion Reaches More Villages
Belize is making significant strides in its mission to provide universal access to electricity and clean water, with only 22 villages remaining without power and 15 lacking running water. Recent developments include the addition of solar installations in Otoxha and Mabil Ha, two communities now benefiting from the government’s renewable energy initiatives. Valentino Shal, CEO of the Ministry of Rural Transformation, emphasized the ongoing progress, stating, ‘We keep ticking off the boxes when it comes to electricity.’ The national effort aims to ensure that all villages are connected to essential utilities by 2030. Water access is also expanding, with most of the remaining unserved villages located in the Toledo District and one in Corozal awaiting connection. Shal reaffirmed the government’s commitment, declaring, ‘By 2030, everybody in Belize will have running water.’ This initiative underscores Belize’s dedication to improving the quality of life for its citizens through sustainable infrastructure development.
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Half a Million Lost? Investors Cry Foul in Luxury Lodge Dispute
A promising investment in a luxury eco-lodge in Burrell Boom, Belize, has devolved into a contentious legal battle, leaving American investors outraged and alleging fraud. The project, named ‘Howler Jungle House and Cabanas,’ was envisioned as a high-end retreat for nature-loving travelers. However, what began as a partnership between three U.S. investors and Belizean couple Kenny and Shanna Williams has now been marred by accusations of financial mismanagement, inflated costs, and withheld property access. Dr. Sade Thompson, one of the investors, claims she and her partners poured over $500,000 into the venture, only to see costs spiral out of control without proper documentation. Consultant Jazmynn Tillett, brought in to mediate, revealed that the Williamses billed investors based on supplier quotes rather than actual receipts. The investors now seek to remove their structures from the property, while the Williamses deny all allegations and threaten legal action to defend their reputation. The dispute highlights the risks of cross-border investments and the challenges of navigating complex partnerships in the hospitality industry.
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FSC Launches New Online Licensing System
In a significant move toward digital transformation, Belize’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) introduced LicenSys, a cutting-edge digital platform aimed at modernizing licensing and regulatory processes for the non-bank financial sector. The official launch occurred on November 3, 2025, in Belmopan, marking a pivotal step in the FSC’s journey toward full digital integration. LicenSys consolidates all licensing, registration, and supervision services into a single, user-friendly online system, streamlining operations for both regulators and industry participants. The platform enables secure document submission, real-time application tracking, and expedited processing, significantly enhancing operational efficiency. Importantly, it maintains robust regulatory standards as outlined in the Financial Services Commission Act and the Securities Industry Act. Leveraging automation and data-driven tools, LicenSys aims to bolster compliance and oversight, fostering a more competitive, transparent, and accessible financial sector in Belize. Claude Haylock, the FSC’s Director General, emphasized that this launch is merely the starting point of a long-term transformation journey, underscoring the Commission’s dedication to modernization and continuous improvement. Future phases of LicenSys will introduce advanced compliance features, automated reporting, and risk-based supervision tools, ensuring Belize remains aligned with international best practices. The FSC has pledged to collaborate closely with stakeholders to maximize the platform’s efficiency and impact, adapting to the evolving demands of the financial industry.