作者: admin

  • Almost a month has passed since Brianna Genao disappeared, and the silence is deafening in Barrero, Puerto Plata.

    Almost a month has passed since Brianna Genao disappeared, and the silence is deafening in Barrero, Puerto Plata.

    A profound silence has descended upon the community of Barrero de Imbert in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, where the unsettling disappearance of young Brianna Genao nearly a month ago has irrevocably altered daily life. The once-vibrant village now exists in a state of suspended animation, gripped by collective fear and pervasive uncertainty.

    The focal point of the investigation remains the maternal grandmother’s residence, which continues to be encircled by military personnel under stringent security protocols. This cordon effectively restricts media access and inhibits normal neighborly interactions, creating an atmosphere where residents observe all activities with heightened suspicion and apprehension.

    Longtime inhabitants describe the current climate as unprecedented in recent memory. Anonymous community members revealed, ‘We haven’t experienced this level of fear in over four decades,’ reflecting concerns about potential reprisals that have silenced open discourse.

    Despite daily visits from authorities including Governor Claritza Rochtte, who personally surveyed the area, residents report no substantive breakthroughs or clear explanations regarding the investigation’s progress. The absence of international organizations at the scene has further compounded community anxieties about the thoroughness of the search efforts.

    Each passing day without resolution intensifies the anguish felt by Brianna’s family and neighbors alike, with their desperate calls for justice and the girl’s safe return echoing through the unnaturally quiet streets. The community remains trapped between fading hope and growing dread, their collective psyche marked by what has become a watershed moment in Barrero de Imbert’s history.

  • Belmopan Businesses Say Trade Licence Fees Went Up

    Belmopan Businesses Say Trade Licence Fees Went Up

    Business owners in Belmopan are raising concerns over unexpected increases in trade licence fees for 2026, directly contradicting official government assurances that costs should have remained unchanged. The discrepancy emerges despite a December 2025 announcement that postponed implementation of the new Trade License Act of 2024, which was designed to establish a revised licensing framework for both urban and rural enterprises.

    Under the postponed system, only businesses operating within town and city jurisdictions were slated to pay licensing fees, while rural enterprises were to maintain their fee exemption status. However, multiple business proprietors have reported receiving inflated bills, creating confusion and financial strain.

    Oscar Mira, Belmopan Area Representative and Minister of Home Affairs, acknowledged the erroneous fee increases, confirming they were not implemented intentionally. Minister Mira attributed the error to administrative confusion regarding the legislative status of the new licensing regime, which failed to pass Senate approval and therefore cannot be legally enforced.

    The minister confirmed he is collaborating with the Belmopan City Council to rectify the situation, ensuring trade licence fees revert to previous levels. Additionally, officials are conducting a comprehensive review of affected accounts to identify discrepancies and process reimbursements to businesses that were overcharged.

  • Sugar Farmers Struggle as Bad Roads Delay Crop

    Sugar Farmers Struggle as Bad Roads Delay Crop

    Northern Belize’s sugar industry is confronting a severe logistical crisis just eleven days into the 2025 harvest season, with farmers reporting massive financial losses due to impassable road networks preventing crop delivery to processing facilities.

    The agricultural emergency stems from weeks of torrential rainfall that government officials cite as the primary cause for delayed infrastructure repairs. However, cane growers contend that despite improved weather conditions, restoration efforts have failed to reach critical farming regions, leaving harvest transportation routes virtually unusable.

    Salvador Martin, Chairman of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association, revealed that his community alone faces a deficit exceeding one thousand tonnes of undelivered cane. “With eleven days elapsed since the harvest commencement, we’ve already fallen short by over a thousand tons,” Martin stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

    The association leader expressed profound frustration with governmental response, noting: “While I don’t doubt the government’s good intentions, survival cannot depend on promises alone. We require tangible solutions.” Martin described his embarrassment and sense of disrespect after having assured villagers that road repairs would be completed promptly.

    Financial impacts are escalating daily, with farmers losing thousands of dollars as transportation vehicles remain immobilized. The crisis has created stark disparities between regions, with some branches managing to initiate deliveries while others remain completely paralyzed by the infrastructure collapse.

  • Bouwprijzen blijven stijgen: bijna 15 procent hoger dan een jaar geleden

    Bouwprijzen blijven stijgen: bijna 15 procent hoger dan een jaar geleden

    Suriname’s construction sector continues to face significant cost pressures as latest data reveals persistent price increases throughout 2025. According to preliminary statistics released by the General Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Construction Price Index (BPI) climbed by 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter. More strikingly, when measured against the same period in 2024, construction prices have surged by 14.6%.

    The BPI, which tracks average price fluctuations across a fixed basket of 107 construction goods and services categorized into 16 major groups, collects pricing data from approximately fifty monitoring points across Paramaribo and Wanica. The index covers residential buildings, utility structures, and civil engineering works, providing a comprehensive overview of the construction industry’s cost dynamics.

    Quarterly analysis demonstrates a consistent upward trajectory throughout 2025, with the overall index climbing from 1154.2 in Q1 to 1249.0 by year’s end. The third quarter proved particularly volatile, registering a sharp quarterly increase of 5.4% and pushing year-over-year inflation to 15.2%.

    Labor expenses constitute the most substantial cost component within the index, representing 41.73% of total weighting. Unlike other categories, labor costs maintain a constant share without separate price monitoring. Other significant cost drivers include steel and concrete works (13.50%), paving works (13.35%), and masonry and pouring works (12.38%).

    This sustained inflationary trend poses considerable challenges for housing affordability and infrastructure development. Elevated material and operational costs directly impact both private and public sector construction initiatives, potentially delaying new projects and renovations across the nation.

  • APNU scolds WIN leader over call for removal of GECOM commissioners; silence on GECOM Chairman

    APNU scolds WIN leader over call for removal of GECOM commissioners; silence on GECOM Chairman

    A significant political rift has emerged within Guyana’s opposition bloc following contentious remarks by PNCR-APNU Leader Aubrey Norton regarding WIN leader Azruddin Mohamed’s approach to electoral commission reforms. Norton publicly criticized Mohamed’s singular focus on removing three opposition-nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) commissioners while allegedly ignoring deeper systemic issues.

    During his party’s weekly news conference, Norton characterized Mohamed’s actions as politically naive, stating that the WIN leader should have conducted proper preliminary consultations rather than publicly demanding the removal of commissioners Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin, and Desmond Trotman. “It shows you’re not doing your homework. You might be obsessed with getting rid of those who were appointed before but you need to do your homework so that you can deal with the issue properly,” Norton asserted.

    The controversy stems from WIN’s position that as the new main opposition party, it deserves representation on the seven-member GECOM. However, Norton emphasized that appointed commissioners maintain permanent positions unless legal changes occur, citing constitutional provisions that make removal procedures complex and tribunal-dependent.

    In a revealing development, Mohamed countered that he had attempted to contact Norton days prior without receiving a response. He has subsequently invited the three commissioners to a meeting scheduled for Sunday, while maintaining that “the law is clear” regarding their right to remain in position.

    The PNCR-APNU leadership redirected criticism toward GECOM Chairman Retired Justice Claudette Singh, whom they accuse of consistently favoring the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC). Dr. Terrence Campbell, APNU parliamentary leader, identified the Chairperson as “the source of most of the problems rather than the opposition commissioners.” Norton concluded that WIN’s exclusive targeting of opposition-aligned commissioners while ignoring the Chairman’s alleged partisan behavior suggests concerning political alignment with the ruling party’s interests.

  • CARICOM Saddened by passing of former LIAT Managing Director Dr Warren Smith

    CARICOM Saddened by passing of former LIAT Managing Director Dr Warren Smith

    The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has announced with profound sorrow the passing of Dr. William Warren Smith, CD, the esteemed former President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and a revered figure in regional economics. Recognized as a visionary development economist, Dr. Smith’s career was characterized by an unwavering dedication to the advancement of the Caribbean region.

    His distinguished service included transformative leadership roles at the helm of the Caribbean Development Bank and LIAT (1974) Ltd., in addition to holding several high-level governmental positions in his native Jamaica. Colleagues and contemporaries consistently highlighted the intellectual rigor, unwavering integrity, and profound commitment to social betterment that defined his professional ethos. Dr. Smith was widely regarded as a source of thoughtful counsel and a paradigm of principled governance, leaving an indelible mark on the institutions he served.

    In an official statement, CARICOM expressed its deep condolences, extending sympathies to Dr. Smith’s bereaved family, friends, and his former colleagues across the numerous organizations he uplifted with his expertise. His legacy is enshrined in the continued pursuit of economic resilience and improved quality of life for the people of the Caribbean, a mission he championed throughout his illustrious career.

  • OPINION: Caribbean Corporal Punishment

    OPINION: Caribbean Corporal Punishment

    A recent judicial caning in Indonesia, where a couple received 140 lashes for sex and alcohol offenses, has reignited global discourse on corporal punishment practices. This incident casts a revealing light on the Caribbean’s complex relationship with physical punishment, where such practices persist despite formal prohibitions.

    Historical records indicate that Caribbean nations under colonial rule frequently employed caning, particularly for sexual offenses, with incidence rates potentially reaching astronomical figures. The cultural persistence of these practices demonstrates the limitations of international efforts, including those by the European Union, to standardize global human rights approaches.

    Jamaican cinema provides perhaps the most visceral depiction of this practice through Perry Henzell’s classic film ‘The Harder They Come,’ which features a brutal tamarind switch caning scene that remains difficult to watch decades after its production. This artistic representation mirrors the lived experiences of many Caribbean residents who recall educational caning as creating not reform but rather sophisticated evasion techniques and lasting resentment toward authority figures.

    The psychological dimension of corporal punishment often proves as significant as the physical aspect, with the anticipation of pain and the humiliation of the experience creating lasting trauma. While girls historically faced fewer floggings, exceptions occurred, particularly in cases of ‘wilding’ where palms were typically targeted.

    Jamaica formally ceased prison whipping in 2012 under the order of the current Opposition Leader, though school corporal punishment remains widespread across age groups including very young children. Despite government discussions about implementing a total ban on child corporal punishment in 2024, concrete legislative action has yet to materialize, suggesting political considerations may be delaying progress.

    International attention focused on Jamaica in 2021 when Forbes highlighted a program addressing teacher violence against students. This spotlight represents an opportunity for meaningful reform and distance from what many consider an unsavory cultural heritage.

    The progressive stance of many South and Central American nations, which prohibit corporal punishment across domestic, educational, and penal institutions, stands in stark contrast to the Caribbean’s slower pace of reform. As the Indonesian case demonstrates, the continued practice of judicial corporal punishment anywhere maintains a global conversation about punishment, culture, and human rights that particularly resonates in regions with their own complex histories of physical discipline.

  • This Weekend, Guyana Comes to Belize

    This Weekend, Guyana Comes to Belize

    Belize prepares to welcome Guyanese President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali this Sunday afternoon, marking an unprecedented diplomatic moment as the first-ever official visit by a Guyanese head of state to the Central American nation. The three-day state visit signifies a notable shift in regional dynamics, largely driven by Guyana’s extraordinary economic transformation through its burgeoning oil sector.

    Prime Minister John Briceño articulated Belize’s strategic approach to this new regional partnership, emphasizing practical cooperation beyond energy resources. “Our primary focus involves establishing concrete agreements across agriculture, tourism, and educational exchange,” Briceño stated during a Thursday briefing. “While petroleum represents a broader regional discussion, we envision multifaceted collaboration that extends far beyond hydrocarbon resources.”

    The Belizean leader highlighted the ironic reversal in Guyana’s regional standing, noting, “Previously perceived as an overlooked destination, Guyana now commands international attention due to its substantial petroleum discoveries and consequent economic metamorphosis.”

    President Ali’s itinerary includes addressing the ceremonial opening of Belize’s National Assembly session and conducting high-level meetings with Governor General Froyla Tzalam. The visit symbolizes how energy-driven prosperity is recalibrating diplomatic relationships within the Caribbean Community and Central American regions.

    News organization Channel 5 Belize will provide comprehensive live coverage of the presidential arrival through its News 5 Live broadcast platform, with additional updates available via social media channels including Facebook and TikTok.

  • Have you made plans yet? This is what the weather will be like this weekend

    Have you made plans yet? This is what the weather will be like this weekend

    Meteorological authorities in the Dominican Republic have issued warnings about a significant temperature drop expected to commence this Sunday, with unusually cold conditions predicted to persist for nearly a week across most territories. According to meteorological analyst Jean Suriel, who made the announcement on Friday, this weather phenomenon results from the combined impact of two approaching cold fronts and an extensive polar air mass currently moving toward the Caribbean region.

    The cooling pattern represents indirect effects of winter storms that have recently affected the United States. Suriel indicated that the polar air mass would begin influencing Dominican territory by Saturday night, with the most dramatic temperature decreases anticipated in mountainous regions and the Cibao area. Forecast models suggest possible frost conditions and sub-zero temperatures in elevated zones including Valle Nuevo, Valle del Tetero, Valle de Bao, and Valle de Lilís.

    Current weather patterns show a trough system affecting the nation alongside cold front number 23 positioned north of the Caribbean. Meteorological models indicate potential moderate to heavy rainfall developing this afternoon across northern, northeastern, northwestern, and eastern regions, including the Central Mountain Range.

    While precipitation is expected to diminish Friday as the initial trough moves away, isolated showers may still occur. Saturday forecasts predict partly cloudy conditions with moderate rainfall developing during late afternoon hours in southern and southeastern areas.

    The weather system will intensify Sunday with the approach of cold front number 24 and a new trough system, potentially increasing shower activity throughout morning, afternoon, and evening hours. Meteorological authorities have highlighted concerns about urban flooding potential due to expected significant rainfall accumulation.

  • More than 360,000 vehicles still haven’t renewed their registration stickers; less than 24 hours remain before the deadline expires.

    More than 360,000 vehicles still haven’t renewed their registration stickers; less than 24 hours remain before the deadline expires.

    With the January 31, 2026 deadline rapidly approaching, Dominican Republic authorities report that approximately 17.4% of the nation’s vehicle fleet remains non-compliant with mandatory registration renewal requirements. According to the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII), only 1,723,342 out of 2,086,756 eligible vehicles have obtained their 2025-2026 circulation tax stickers, leaving 363,414 vehicles operating without proper documentation.

    The tax administration agency has collected RD$2.887 billion through the renewal process thus far, with the majority of compliant vehicle owners (1,514,115) utilizing traditional banking and financial institutions for payment processing. Digital channels have shown significant adoption, with 167,496 renewals completed through the DGII’s online portal and mobile application, while 41,731 transactions were processed in-person at agency offices.

    The virtual renewal period officially concluded on January 18, 2026, though the standard compliance window remains open until month’s end. Beginning February 1, 2026, substantial financial penalties will be imposed on delinquent vehicle owners. Penalty structures include a RD$2,000 surcharge for current-year non-renewals, escalating to RD$2,100 for vehicles that failed to renew during the 2023-2024 period, and RD$3,100 for those with outstanding renewals from 2022-2023 or previous years.

    To complete the mandatory registration process, vehicle owners must present a legible, current copy of their vehicle registration documentation along with a valid identification card. The DGII anticipates collecting approximately RD$3.434 billion upon full compliance across the vehicle fleet.