The Government of Belize (GOB) has announced plans to retain a majority stake in Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) while preparing to divest 33.5% of its shares to the public. Prime Minister John Briceño emphasized that the state’s majority ownership is constitutionally mandated and non-negotiable. However, the divestment process is currently on hold due to BEL’s precarious financial situation. Briceño explained that selling shares under current conditions would result in significant undervaluation, prioritizing financial stabilization before any public offering. The initiative aims to provide Belizeans with an opportunity to invest directly in the nation’s primary power provider, with hopes of widespread participation. The sale will be structured in two phases, with shares valued at approximately 160 million Belize dollars. Briceño also highlighted the importance of securing strong returns for the Social Security Board, with local financial institutions already expressing interest in the offering. The move comes amid a backdrop of excess liquidity in the financial system, estimated at 700 to 800 million Belize dollars.
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Public assistance payments for October 2025 begin
The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment has officially launched the disbursement of payments for the Public Assistance Program (PAP) for October 2025. The payment process began on Monday, October 27, 2025, and will conclude on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. This initiative targets beneficiaries residing in the Babonneau, Castries, Gros-Islet, San Souci, and Millet regions. All transactions will be processed at the Castries Constituency Council (CCC) Office, situated on Peynier Street in Castries. For additional information or assistance, the public is encouraged to reach out to the ministry via the following contact numbers: Castries at 468-5103/5108 or Vieux Fort at 454-6478.
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Permanent Secretary Colin O’Keiffe Attends Pan-American Highway for Digital Health Meeting in El Salvador
Antigua and Barbuda’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Colin Okeiffe, is actively participating in the Pan-American Highway for Digital Health (PH4H) meeting, held in San Salvador, El Salvador, from October 27 to 30, 2025. This high-level regional gathering, themed “Driving Innovation and Connection in the Americas,” unites representatives from all Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Member States to accelerate the digital transformation of healthcare systems across Latin America and the Caribbean. The PH4H initiative aims to create a unified, interoperable digital health ecosystem that fosters interoperability, continuity of care, patient-centered approaches, information verification, and regional resilience. Currently, the Americas’ healthcare systems face challenges due to fragmented technological integration, which impedes information sharing and hampers swift responses to health crises. PH4H seeks to address these issues by transitioning Member States from isolated systems to a fully digitized, interconnected health sector. Organized by PAHO in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the workshop focuses on establishing legal, ethical, and governance frameworks to ensure secure, confidential, and private cross-border data exchange. PAHO will assist Member States in implementing these systems following national readiness assessments. Key anticipated benefits include enhanced regional collaboration, improved cybersecurity, better patient engagement, data-driven decision-making, increased stakeholder participation, and the integration of digitized health registries. Mr. Okeiffe highlighted the transformative potential of this initiative, stating, “Every person’s health will travel with them, ensuring seamless access to health information across borders, cultures, and backgrounds, with their consent.” The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its dedication to fostering regional cooperation, advancing technological innovation, and ensuring equitable participation in the digital transformation of public health.
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Ambassador Daven Joseph Issues Public Apology to Environmentalist Martha Watkins-Gilkes
In a significant development, Ambassador Daven Joseph has publicly apologized to renowned environmentalist Martha Watkins-Gilkes. The apology comes in the wake of a recent controversy where statements made by the ambassador were perceived as dismissive of Watkins-Gilkes’ environmental advocacy efforts. In his statement, Joseph acknowledged the importance of her work in promoting sustainable practices and combating climate change. He expressed regret for any unintended offense caused and emphasized his commitment to supporting environmental initiatives. Watkins-Gilkes, a prominent figure in the environmental community, has accepted the apology, calling it a step toward fostering greater collaboration between policymakers and activists. This incident highlights the growing recognition of environmental issues in public discourse and the need for constructive dialogue between stakeholders.
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‘Most terrible thing we ever see’
The rural community of Grierfield in Moneague, St Ann, is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Among the affected residents is Garry Dawson, who, along with his neighbors, is racing against time to repair his roof before nightfall. The powerful winds not only tore off roofs but also destroyed furniture and other household essentials, leaving many counting the staggering costs of the disaster.
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UN General Assembly urges end to US embargo on Cuba
The United Nations General Assembly has once again passed a resolution urging the United States to lift its long-standing economic embargo on Cuba, marking the 30th consecutive year such a measure has been adopted. The non-binding resolution, which garnered 165 votes in favor, seven against, and 12 abstentions, calls for the cessation of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the US on the Communist-led island nation since 1962. The resolution highlights the detrimental impact of the embargo on the Cuban population, emphasizing its adverse effects on their livelihoods and economic stability. Despite the overwhelming support, the US, along with Israel and Ukraine, voted against the resolution, with Washington’s UN envoy, Mike Walz, dismissing it as propaganda that excuses the Cuban government’s failures. Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez countered Walz’s remarks, describing them as threatening and deceitful, while urging the US to suspend the embargo or at least implement humanitarian exceptions in light of the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. Notably, several Eastern European nations abstained from the vote, citing Cuba’s support for Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The US embargo remains one of the world’s longest-standing unilateral sanctions, further straining relations between the two nations. In July, the US escalated its pressure on Cuba by imposing unprecedented sanctions on President Miguel Diaz-Canel, accusing him of complicity in the regime’s alleged brutality toward its citizens.
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FLOW says mobile service remains stable for 70 per cent of its customers
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Flow Jamaica, a leading communications and entertainment provider, has announced that mobile services remain operational for approximately 70% of its customers despite ongoing disruptions in certain areas. These interruptions are attributed to power outages and other challenges affecting multiple parishes across the island. The company revealed that over 500 mobile sites were rendered offline following Hurricane Melissa, with seven critical sites completely destroyed. This has significantly impacted connectivity in key communities such as Manchioneal in Portland, Portmore in St Catherine, and Ironshore in St James. In response, Flow Jamaica is urging customers in the hardest-hit parishes—St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Trelawny, and St James—to utilize its Flow Essential satellite emergency communications system. This service allows users to send text and SMS messages across any mobile network, even in areas where terrestrial mobile services are unavailable. Currently, over 67,000 customers are benefiting from the Starlink-enabled service, which is accessible to more than 70% of Flow’s mobile users. The company anticipates completing a full assessment of mobile site damage by the weekend, after which restoration efforts will commence. On the fixed network front, approximately 15-22% of home internet customers can access services, though this remains contingent on power availability for both individual homes and Flow’s internet nodes island-wide. Flow Jamaica is collaborating with Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to restore power to critical distribution sites. Additionally, Flow’s retail stores are set to reopen on Friday, with mobile retail outlets deployed to key areas. As part of its humanitarian response, the company will distribute free SIM cards, data, and phones to residents in severely affected communities. Customers experiencing service issues are encouraged to contact Flow’s customer service via WhatsApp at 876-620-2200. For emergencies, including downed service lines, the public can reach Flow’s emergency operations center (EOC) at 876-929-9834 / 9837.
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#MelissaAftermath: Before and after images show striking impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica’s landscape
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Caribbean island of Jamaica endured catastrophic devastation as Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, made landfall on Tuesday. With relentless winds and torrential rains, the hurricane has been declared the most powerful storm ever to strike the nation. The aftermath has left four fatalities, obliterated homes, crippled critical infrastructure, and severed road networks, plunging the country into a daunting recovery process. Satellite images captured by Vantor starkly illustrate the scale of destruction in key communities such as Black River, New Hope, White House, and Montego Bay. These before-and-after visuals reveal entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble, once-thriving areas now unrecognizable. The Jamaican government and international aid organizations are mobilizing emergency response efforts, but the road to recovery is expected to be long and arduous. Hurricane Melissa’s unprecedented intensity has raised concerns about the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events in the region, underscoring the urgent need for climate resilience strategies.
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US says 4 killed in new strike on alleged Pacific drug boat
In a continuation of its aggressive anti-drug operations, the US military launched a strike on Wednesday targeting a vessel in the eastern Pacific, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. Pentagon spokesperson Pete Hegseth confirmed the operation, stating that the boat was suspected of involvement in drug trafficking. The strike took place in international waters, marking another escalation in President Donald Trump’s contentious campaign against narcotics smuggling, which has now claimed at least 62 lives in recent weeks. A video shared by Hegseth on social media depicted the stationary boat engulfed in flames following a massive explosion. However, critical details of the vessel were obscured, making it impossible to ascertain the exact number of people on board. Hegseth asserted that intelligence reports identified the boat as part of a known drug trafficking route and carrying illicit narcotics. Despite these claims, the US government has not publicly disclosed concrete evidence to substantiate its allegations against the targeted vessels. This latest strike follows a series of attacks two days prior, which resulted in the deaths of 14 people across four boats in the same region. The US had requested Mexico’s assistance in rescuing a survivor from those strikes, but Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that search efforts were unsuccessful.
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St James Municipal Corporation assessing hurricane damage
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a devastating Category 5 storm, the St James Municipal Corporation has joined forces with state agencies and non-governmental organizations to evaluate the extensive damage and deliver emergency aid to the hardest-hit areas. The hurricane wreaked havoc across the parish, demolishing homes, businesses, and critical road infrastructure. It also uprooted trees, destroyed utility poles, and severed power lines, leading to widespread electricity outages and water supply disruptions. Mayor Richard Vernon of Montego Bay emphasized the scale of the recovery effort, stating, ‘We are mobilizing all available resources to assess the damage and initiate the challenging task of restoring essential services and access.’ He acknowledged that the process would be substantial and time-consuming but assured residents of transparency and timely updates as assessments and relief plans progress. Despite the destruction, Mayor Vernon highlighted the unwavering spirit of Montego Bay, pledging a comprehensive and transparent recovery aimed at restoring services, rebuilding livelihoods, and enhancing resilience against future storms. Residents are advised to remain cautious due to ongoing risks such as downed power lines, hidden debris, and weakened structures. Authorities have urged the public to avoid flooded areas, report hazards, and follow official guidance as repairs to roads, utilities, and communication networks begin.