Belize’s tourism sector, a cornerstone of its national economy, is grappling with significant challenges as global economic conditions tighten. Recent data from the Belize Tourism Board reveals an 8.6% decline in overnight tourist arrivals for September 2025 compared to the same period last year. This downturn has raised concerns among industry stakeholders, particularly in popular destinations like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, where tourism activity has notably slowed. Area Representative Andre Perez acknowledged the sluggish recovery post-COVID-19, attributing part of the decline to the ongoing political polarization in the United States, a key source market for Belizean tourism. The prolonged U.S. federal government shutdown has exacerbated the situation, leading to widespread job losses and flight disruptions across 40 major American airports, including those serving Belize and the Caribbean. Despite these hurdles, Perez remains optimistic, emphasizing Belize’s strategic location and accessibility as enduring strengths. He expressed confidence in the industry’s resilience, predicting a successful year ahead. However, analysts caution that the ripple effects of the U.S. shutdown may persist, delaying a full recovery in travel patterns.
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Loubiere man caught with gun during independence, sentenced to three years
Zendel Etienne, a 20-year-old resident of Loubiere, Dominica, has been sentenced to three years in the Dominica State Prison after pleading guilty to charges of firearm possession, ammunition possession, and providing a false name to law enforcement. The sentencing took place on Friday, November 7, 2025, following his appearance before a magistrate where the charges were formally presented. Etienne was apprehended during the 2025 Independence Carnival Celebrations on November 4, after police discovered a black Taurus 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number and 12 rounds of ammunition concealed on his person. The Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) emphasized their zero-tolerance policy during the festivities, implementing various strategies to ensure public safety and maintain order. The CDPF reiterated its commitment to eradicating illegal firearms from the streets, aiming to foster a safer environment for all residents of Dominica.
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Venezuelans, Colombian wanted for Parika cocaine bust
Authorities in Guyana are intensifying their search for two Venezuelans and one Colombian linked to a significant cocaine bust in Hydronie, Parika, East Bank Essequibo. The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) issued wanted bulletins for Camilo Morales Gonzalez, a Colombian national, and Venezuelans Richar Daniel Rodriguez Criollo and Hernan Daro Martinez. This development follows CANU’s discovery of 23.958 kilogrammes of cocaine at a residence in Hydronie, which led to the arrest of a Venezuelan man and two Guyanese women. The operation underscores the ongoing battle against narcotics trafficking in the region. Notably, the Colombian suspect, Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo, was previously sanctioned by the United States for drug-related offenses and was recently intercepted at a police checkpoint in Kurupukari. This case highlights the cross-border nature of drug trafficking and the collaborative efforts required to combat it.
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UN expresses concern for millions of displaced people in the world
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued a stark warning about the escalating impact of climate-related disasters on vulnerable communities worldwide. Over the past decade, extreme weather events have triggered 250 million internal displacements, averaging 70,000 daily or two every three seconds. High Commissioner Filippo Grandi emphasized that such conditions exacerbate insecurity, disrupt access to essential services, destroy homes and livelihoods, and force families—many already displaced by violence—to flee repeatedly. He highlighted the plight of individuals who, having endured significant losses, now face droughts, floods, and heatwaves without the means to recover. UNHCR projections suggest that by 2050, refugee camps in the hottest regions could endure nearly 200 days of extreme heat stress annually, posing severe health and survival risks. Grandi cautioned that many areas may become uninhabitable due to the deadly combination of extreme heat and high humidity, urging immediate international intervention to address this growing crisis.
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Reef View Enterprises CBI license permanently revoked
In a significant regulatory move, Reef View Enterprises Ltd., a prominent local agent in Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, has had its license permanently revoked. The decision, effective as of November 5, 2025, was announced by the Grenadian Minister for Citizenship, following a recommendation from the Citizenship by Investment Committee. This action concludes a three-month investigation initiated in June 2025 by the Investment Migration Agency (IMA), which had previously suspended the company’s license. Reef View Enterprises, led by Colin Bishop, had positioned itself as Grenada’s premier CBI local agent, offering tailored immigration services to businesses and private clients since 2020. The company claims to have assisted over 3,000 individuals and extended its services to other jurisdictions with CBI programs, including Vanuatu and Turkey. The revocation, enforced under Sections 4(6) and 4(7) of the Citizenship by Investment Act, 2013, prohibits the company from further operations under the CBI program. The IMA’s circular emphasized that stakeholders must cease all engagements with Reef View Enterprises, marking a decisive step in Grenada’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its CBI program.
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Heavy Rains and Cold Front Approach Belize
Belize is currently experiencing moist and unstable weather conditions as a robust cold front moves into the region. The National Meteorological Service has reported that the next 24 hours will bring predominantly cloudy to overcast skies, with showers and thunderstorms expected to intensify later today and into the night, particularly affecting southern, coastal, and offshore areas. An excessive rainfall warning has been issued for southern districts and offshore regions, with an anticipated 2 to 4 inches of additional rainfall across the country. Residents, especially those in flood-prone zones, are advised to remain vigilant and stay updated with official weather reports. Despite the heavy rains, the tropical weather outlook remains tranquil, with no cyclone formation expected in the region over the next few days, and Belize’s coastal waters are not under any immediate threat. Looking ahead to Tuesday, forecasters predict cooler and windier conditions following the cold front’s passage, with light rain or isolated showers continuing.
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Saint Lucia’s swim stars shine bright at OECS Champs
Team Saint Lucia achieved a remarkable second-place finish at the 33rd Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships, held from November 7-9 in St. Vincent & The Grenadines. This marked a significant improvement from their fourth-place standing in the previous year. The event, hosted at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre in Kingstown, saw participation from eight nations, with Saint Lucia emerging as a standout performer. The team secured an impressive tally of 66 podium finishes, including 32 gold, 16 silver, and 18 bronze medals, narrowly trailing behind Team Grenada, who claimed the top spot with a mere 24.5-point lead. The host nation, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, rounded out the top three. Among the highlights were the extraordinary achievements of 17-year-old Antoine Destang, who clinched nine gold medals out of 11 events and set multiple OECS records. Olympian Mikaili Charlemagne also shone brightly, dominating the 18+ girls’ category with eight gold medals. Additionally, young talents like 11-year-old Sapphire Parks, who won 10 of her 11 races, and 8-year-old Keyanno Elibox, who secured six gold medals, showcased the depth of Saint Lucia’s swimming prowess. Liza Verneuil, PRO for the Saint Lucia Aquatics Federation, praised the team’s resilience and dedication, emphasizing their alignment with the federation’s 2025 motto, ‘Rise Up.’ She highlighted the team’s consistent performance, record-breaking swims, and the collective effort of athletes, coaches, and support staff as key factors in their success. The championships not only celebrated individual achievements but also underscored the growing strength of Saint Lucia’s swimming program on the regional stage.
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Cuba congratulates Brazil for the organization of COP30
In a recent social media statement, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez emphasized his nation’s dedication to supporting the success of the upcoming COP30 forum. The primary focus of the forum is to revitalize global climate cooperation and expedite the implementation of the Paris Agreement, which marks its tenth anniversary. Rodriguez highlighted the pressing need to bolster assistance for Global South countries, which bear the brunt of climate change impacts yet possess limited resources to address them. He also voiced concerns over the growing allocation of financial and technological resources toward military expenditures and conflicts, diverting attention from urgent environmental solutions. The COP30 forum precedes the Leaders’ Summit held on November 6-7 in Belem, Brazil, where the Belem Call to Action was launched. During the summit, world leaders reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and the Paris Agreement’s objectives, pledging to intensify efforts to cap global temperature rise at 1.5 degrees Celsius and enhance climate finance mechanisms.
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Royalty To Come To Belize
Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Edinburgh, is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Belize from November 16 to 19, 2025. This significant event, orchestrated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration, underscores the strengthening ties between the United Kingdom and Belize. The Duchess’s agenda is packed with engagements aimed at fostering collaboration and understanding. She will meet with key government officials and community leaders to discuss pivotal issues. Her itinerary includes visits to projects dedicated to enhancing eye health, empowering indigenous women, and preserving Belize’s renowned barrier reef. The Belizean government has expressed its excitement and readiness to host the Duchess, highlighting the visit as a momentous occasion that will further solidify bilateral relations.
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France warns over Caribbean ‘instability’ as G7 talks open
At the G7 meeting held in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed deep concern over the escalating military activities in the Caribbean, labeling them as a disregard for international law. Barrot emphasized the need to avoid instability caused by potential escalations, particularly in light of Venezuela’s warnings that US deployments could provoke a full-scale conflict. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, recently entered the region under the control of the US Naval Forces Southern Command, intensifying the arms buildup. The Trump administration has justified its military campaign in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific as part of an anti-drug offensive, but Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has accused the US of fabricating a war to pursue regime change. Barrot highlighted the importance of G7 nations collaborating to combat the global narcotics trade, noting the potential impact on over a million French citizens residing in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, the meeting’s host, underscored the G7’s focus on supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, with the UK announcing £13 million in aid for Ukraine’s energy sector and a ban on Russian liquid natural gas. Anand also addressed the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan, pledging G7 support for those affected. Despite the ongoing trade tensions between the US and Canada, Anand indicated that the issue would not be a primary focus of her bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.