作者: admin

  • U.S. and Dominican Republic strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking

    U.S. and Dominican Republic strengthen cooperation against drug trafficking

    In a significant diplomatic engagement, U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Leah F. Campos convened with Vice Admiral José Manuel Cabrera Ulloa, who leads the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD), to fortify bilateral security cooperation. This inaugural meeting between Ambassador Campos and the Dominican anti-drug chief focused on enhancing collaborative efforts against sophisticated criminal networks engaged in drug trafficking, financial crimes, and transnational organized crime.

    The high-level discussions centered on optimizing existing partnership frameworks to combat criminal enterprises operating across regional and international borders. Both officials acknowledged the critical support provided by U.S. agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) in facilitating joint operations, delivering specialized training programs, and strengthening DNCD’s operational capabilities.

    Ambassador Campos, accompanied by INL Country Director Rebecca Márquez, emphasized Washington’s continued commitment to supporting Santo Domingo’s security initiatives. The partnership aims to advance intelligence sharing mechanisms, bolster institutional capacities, and improve interdiction effectiveness leading to successful prosecutions against drug trafficking organizations. This strengthened alliance represents a shared commitment to regional security and demonstrates the evolving nature of bilateral cooperation between the two nations in addressing complex security challenges.

  • Politic : Two new directors installed at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs

    Politic : Two new directors installed at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs

    In a significant administrative reshuffle, Haiti’s Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Women’s Rights has officially installed two new directors to lead critical divisions within the institution. The ceremony, presided over by Minister Pedrica Saint Jean on January 14, 2026, marks a strategic move to enhance the ministry’s operational effectiveness.

    The installation proceedings witnessed the participation of key officials including Acting General Director Eugénie Lybéral, members of the minister’s cabinet, and Acting Human Resources Director Evelyne Bien-Aimé, underscoring the importance of these appointments within the governmental structure.

    Ronique Paul Jean, previously serving as West Departmental Director, has been appointed to lead the Directorate for Combating Violence Against Women and Girls. In her inaugural address, Jean emphasized her commitment to implementing “committed, rigorous and results-oriented leadership” focused on institutional enhancement and intensifying efforts against gender-based violence.

    Concurrently, Marie Carline Laurenceau transitions from her previous role leading the violence prevention directorate to assume command of the Departmental Directorate Coordination Unit. Laurenceau pledged to leverage her expertise to foster knowledge sharing, team collaboration, and capacity building among departmental directorates, aiming to improve service quality across Haiti’s territories.

    These strategic personnel changes reflect the ministry’s comprehensive reform initiative to establish a more robust, coherent institutional framework better equipped to address the practical realities facing Haitian women and advance their rights through more effective public policy implementation.

  • Arrest Made in Bella Vista Murder Case

    Arrest Made in Bella Vista Murder Case

    Belizean authorities have made a significant breakthrough in a devastating homicide case that shocked a southern village community last year. Police have formally charged Jerdell Benjamin King, a 21-year-old laborer from Independence Village, for his alleged involvement in a deadly home invasion in Bella Vista Village that resulted in one fatality and critical injuries.

    The tragic incident occurred approximately at 3:00 a.m. when armed assailants forcibly entered the residence of Narjin Ceron, 24, and his partner Nickey Logan. During the violent assault, multiple gunshots were fired, instantly killing Ceron. Logan sustained six gunshot wounds while heroically using her body as a shield to protect their young child, who miraculously escaped unharmed.

    According to investigative sources, the case may stem from interpersonal conflicts within the community. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero indicated that longstanding rivalries potentially motivated the attack. Community members described Ceron as a diligent worker who occasionally demonstrated a temperament that might have generated disputes with other villagers.

    King now faces severe criminal charges including murder for Ceron’s death and attempted murder concerning Logan’s injuries. The judicial process is currently advancing through Belize’s criminal court system.

    Law enforcement officials emphasize that investigations remain active, with detectives examining multiple potential motives ranging from personal vendettas to possible connections with drug-related activities. This case occurs against the backdrop of escalating violence in Bella Vista, where residents have experienced increasing concerns about community safety.

    The arrest represents a crucial step toward justice for the victims’ families while simultaneously highlighting Belize’s ongoing challenges with violent crime and the pressing need for enhanced public security measures.

  • Suspect Charged in Christmas Day Murder of Bella Vista Man

    Suspect Charged in Christmas Day Murder of Bella Vista Man

    Authorities in Belize’s Toledo District have made a significant breakthrough in a high-profile homicide case that has shaken the local community. Dixon Noel Caceres, a 23-year-old laborer from Bella Vista Village, now faces formal charges for the Christmas Day murder of 25-year-old construction worker Archibald “Fafa” Ferrill Jr.

    The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of December 25, 2025, when Ferrill was ambushed while walking along a village roadway. Crime scene investigators discovered the victim lying face-down with multiple gunshot wounds, recovering eleven cartridge casings from the location. The brutality of the attack and evidence collected suggested a planned ambush rather than a random act of violence.

    This case emerges against a disturbing backdrop of escalating criminal activity in the Intermediate Southern Formation region. Law enforcement officials report that Bella Vista Village has witnessed four homicides within the past six months alone, with much of this violence attributed to disputes stemming from illegal drug operations.

    Police representatives indicate that Ferrill’s killing appears connected to this broader pattern of drug-related conflicts plaguing the area. The arrest of Caceres represents both a development in this specific case and part of ongoing efforts to address security challenges that have increasingly concerned local residents.

    Investigations continue as authorities work to determine precise motives and potential connections to larger criminal networks operating in the region. The case has drawn attention to the persistent security issues facing communities despite law enforcement interventions.

  • Police Find Gun, Ammo in Abandoned Independence House

    Police Find Gun, Ammo in Abandoned Independence House

    Law enforcement officials in Independence Village have intercepted a potentially dangerous illegal weapon following a strategic weekend operation. On January 10, 2026, at approximately 4:00 PM, a coordinated team from the Intermediate Southern Formation and Criminal Investigation Branch executed a search warrant targeting a derelict zinc bungalow situated within the Noralez Extension district.

    During their systematic sweep of the abandoned premises, investigators uncovered a gold-colored Sig Sauer 9mm pistol equipped with a magazine containing two live cartridges. The discovery was compounded by the seizure of thirty-three additional rounds of ammunition found at the scene.

    Police authorities have indicated that the recovered firearm matches the caliber typically associated with several recent shooting incidents reported throughout the surrounding area. The weapon has since been securely transported to the National Forensic Science Service laboratory for ballistic testing and forensic analysis. Current investigative efforts are focused on establishing definitive ballistic matches that would connect the firearm to outstanding criminal cases, potentially leading to prosecutions for violent offenses.

    This seizure represents a significant development in ongoing efforts to combat gun violence and remove illegal weapons from circulation within the community. The operation demonstrates continued vigilance by local law enforcement in addressing weapons-related criminal activity through targeted intelligence-led operations.

  • Contract Signed for Modern Caye Caulker Police Station

    Contract Signed for Modern Caye Caulker Police Station

    CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE – A significant infrastructure development is underway to enhance law enforcement capabilities on the popular island destination of Caye Caulker. The Belizean government has formalized an agreement with Coleman Construction Limited for the creation of a contemporary police station, marking a pivotal advancement in local security infrastructure.

    During a formal signing ceremony witnessed by Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira and Area Representative Abner Andre Perez, the Ministry of Economic Transformation committed to the construction project. This initiative falls under the broader Belize Integral Security Program, a comprehensive $60 million framework financed by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) to reinforce national security apparatus.

    The planned facility will encompass 3,500 square feet of operational space designed with modern policing requirements in mind. Architectural plans include specialized units for handling domestic violence cases, a secured evidence preservation room, confidential interview chambers, and a multipurpose conference area. With an allocated budget of $1.54 million, the project represents a substantial investment in public safety infrastructure.

    Minister Mira emphasized the transformative impact of the new station, noting that current facilities are “inadequate” for proper police operations. “This development will significantly upgrade operational capabilities and improve working conditions for our officers,” Mira stated. “It will ensure that both permanent residents and the increasing volume of tourists receive necessary security services.”

    The construction timeline projects completion within twelve months, after which the facility will serve dual purposes: providing enhanced security for local communities and supporting the growing tourism industry that drives the island’s economy. The partnership with CABEI underscores international cooperation in addressing regional security challenges through developmental funding.

  • Unions Push Back on BTL-Speednet Merger

    Unions Push Back on BTL-Speednet Merger

    BELIZE CITY – A proposed consolidation between Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and Speednet has triggered significant labor unrest, with national trade unions conducting emergency consultations throughout Wednesday. The telecommunications merger, which would see BTL acquire its competitor Speednet, has raised substantial concerns among workforce representatives regarding employment stability and worker protections.

    The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) convened a critical meeting Wednesday evening following day-long deliberations among member organizations. This gathering followed a postponement from the originally scheduled Tuesday night virtual meeting, allowing additional time for internal consultations within affiliated unions.

    In a significant development, the Belize Communications Workers Union engaged in extensive direct negotiations with BTL management earlier Wednesday. The day-long discussions focused specifically on potential impacts for BTL employees should the acquisition proceed. Union representatives have maintained a media blackout pending the NTUCB’s consolidated position.

    According to sources within the labor movement, the four social partner senators are expected to participate in the high-stakes negotiations. Tensions remain elevated as union leadership has indicated readiness to escalate their response if worker concerns are not satisfactorily addressed during these critical discussions.

    The outcome of these negotiations could significantly reshape Belize’s telecommunications landscape and establish important precedents for future corporate consolidations within the country’s key infrastructure sectors.

  • Red Bank Rejects Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary Plan Despite Tourism Push

    Red Bank Rejects Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary Plan Despite Tourism Push

    In a decisive community verdict, residents of Red Bank have overwhelmingly rejected a government-proposed scarlet macaw sanctuary in the Maya Mountains during a tense public consultation on Tuesday night. The meeting, attended by nearly two hundred villagers, revealed deep-seated frustrations over perceived exclusion from planning processes and concerns about potential land dispossession.

    The sanctuary initiative, promoted by tourism operators and government officials as both a conservation milestone and economic opportunity, faced rigorous scrutiny from locals. Opposition intensified after comments from Sustainable Development Minister Orlando Habet suggested possible farmer relocations, sparking widespread apprehension about land rights and community displacement.

    Tour guides emerged as unexpected proponents of the project, having advocated for protected status following discoveries of unauthorized surveying markers throughout critical bird-watching territories. Basilio Mes, a local guide, revealed that six parcels totaling approximately 150 acres had already been canceled following earlier interventions with government officials.

    The consultation exposed fundamental divides in perspective. While government representatives presented the sanctuary as a structured conservation effort, residents emphasized their existing successful coexistence with the annual scarlet macaw migration. Many articulated that formal protection measures seemed imposed rather than collaboratively developed, with several questioning why external entities were determining land use policies for territory the community already responsibly manages.

    Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson committed to respecting the democratic outcome, stating: ‘As an elected representative, I told them we are going to back off.’ He further pledged to prevent any land allocations that would restrict community access to the hills, regardless of future development considerations.

    Despite the project’s rejection, underlying issues remain unresolved. The presence of survey markings across contested areas continues to raise concerns about potential private development that could exclude both farmers and tour operators from traditional access routes. The government has indicated willingness to revisit the proposal should community perspectives evolve, while tourism professionals maintain hope for alternative conservation mechanisms to protect the ecologically significant area.

  • Ferguson to Take Middlesex Road Access Concern to Cabinet

    Ferguson to Take Middlesex Road Access Concern to Cabinet

    A persistent transportation crisis affecting Middlesex farmers for over ten years has now reached the highest levels of government intervention. Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson has announced he will bring the critical road access issue before the Cabinet committee for immediate resolution.

    The agricultural community’s plight has intensified recently due to land acquisitions by Silk Grass Farms and apparent road development obstructions from the Ministry of Sustainable Development. These compounding factors have effectively stranded local producers, severely limiting their ability to transport goods to market.

    Representative Ferguson outlined his strategic approach during recent consultations: “I have advised the village council and farmers regarding our next course of action. I requested official documentation from the Middlesex Village Council to present to the committee. Concurrently, as Minister of Agriculture, I have directed my district agriculture officer to collaborate with the community and deliver a comprehensive response by next Wednesday.”

    This development follows years of deteriorating infrastructure that has crippled the local agricultural economy. Farmers report the situation has progressed from problematic to critical, with existing routes becoming increasingly impassable while alternative road projects face bureaucratic delays.

    The Cabinet’s forthcoming review represents the most significant governmental attention this longstanding issue has received to date, generating cautious optimism among Middlesex residents who have endured transportation challenges since 2016.

  • Belize Included in U.S. Immigrant Visa Suspension

    Belize Included in U.S. Immigrant Visa Suspension

    In a significant immigration policy shift, the United States Department of State has confirmed the inclusion of Belize among seventy-five nations facing suspension of immigrant visa processing effective January 21, 2026. This decisive action stems from concerns that visa applicants from these countries might potentially burden American social welfare systems.

    The Belizean government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, has initiated diplomatic communications regarding this development. Officials have engaged with the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan while directing their Washington D.C. embassy to seek comprehensive clarification regarding the suspension’s specific parameters and consequences.

    Belizean authorities have provided crucial context, noting that immigrant visa applications represent a relatively small segment of their total visa processing volume. Initial assessments indicate the freeze appears limited to immigrant visas, with no current anticipated impact on visitor, student, or other non-immigrant visa categories.

    The U.S. State Department clarified that this suspension constitutes a temporary measure pending completion of an extensive review of public charge assessment protocols—the evaluation process determining whether applicants might become financially dependent on government assistance programs. American officials emphasized the interim nature of this freeze, though no specific timeline has been established for the review’s conclusion.

    Belize’s government has committed to maintaining transparent communication channels to ensure citizens receive accurate, timely information as developments occur. Prospective immigrants are advised to anticipate processing delays until U.S. authorities finalize their policy evaluation.