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  • Trinidad and Tobago signs regional cybersecurity partnership

    Trinidad and Tobago signs regional cybersecurity partnership

    On July 24, 2026, the government of Trinidad and Tobago formalized a landmark strategic agreement at the Ministry of Homeland Security’s headquarters in Port of Spain, signing a Letter of Intent with the Latin America and Caribbean Cyber Competence Centre (LAC4) to elevate the nation’s cybersecurity capabilities against growing global digital threats.

    LAC4 is a regional cybersecurity initiative backed by the European Union, designed to unify cyber defense efforts across Latin America and the Caribbean. The body delivers targeted technical support, industry-leading specialized training, structured policy dialogue platforms, and cross-border knowledge-sharing opportunities to help member states shore up their digital vulnerabilities.

    The signing ceremony brought together senior officials from both Trinidad and Tobago and the European Union, including Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, Spanish Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Cristina Pérez Gutiérrez, EU Ambassador to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Cécile Tassin, senior Ministry of Homeland Security permanent secretaries Videsh Maharaj and Dr. Wilson Henderson Jr., TT-CSIRT Manager Anish Bachu, and representatives from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.

    In remarks following the signing, Minister Alexander framed the new partnership as a defining turning point for the nation’s digital security. He emphasized that the agreement stands as “an important milestone” that advances both national cyber resilience and deeper collaborative security across the Caribbean region.

    Anish Bachu, manager of Trinidad and Tobago’s national Computer Security Incident Response Team (TT-CSIRT), expanded on the practical benefits of the partnership. Beyond core governance and capacity building, he noted that the agreement opens new opportunities for Trinidad and Tobago to take part in large-scale regional cyber defense exercises, which will refine the nation’s ability to detect, respond to, and recover from large cyber attacks.

    EU Ambassador Cécile Tassin welcomed Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to the partnership, noting that the decision to join the LAC4 network signals that the Caribbean nation recognizes cybersecurity as far more than a technical concern—it is “a strategic investment in the country’s digital future.”

    Moving forward, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Homeland Security will coordinate with LAC4 and regional stakeholder partners to roll out targeted capacity-building programs, update and strengthen the country’s National Cybersecurity Strategy, and harden the overall resilience of critical national digital infrastructure against evolving cyber threats.

  • Pastor Baltimore Calls for Faith to Remain Central to Antigua and Barbuda

    Pastor Baltimore Calls for Faith to Remain Central to Antigua and Barbuda

    At the opening of a recent Cabinet meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, Pastor Baltimore delivered a reflective address calling for a national return to spiritual and moral foundations to address pressing social ills, most notably the growing crisis of youth violence. In his remarks, the pastor drew a sharp contrast between the small island nation’s modern social landscape and the tight-knit, peaceful communities of decades past. He recalled that earlier generations of Antiguans and Barbudans built their society around core Christian values and a shared reverence for God, a foundation that fostered mutual respect, social cohesion, and widespread public order that lasted for generations. Today, however, Pastor Baltimore argued that a steady departure from these spiritual roots has opened the door to a cascade of social challenges that threaten the nation’s fabric. Beyond the alarming rise in youth violence, he pointed to widespread vandalism of public assets — from regional sporting complexes to neighborhood playgrounds — and a broad erosion of shared moral standards across society.

    Pastor Baltimore acknowledged that Carnival retains its status as a vital cultural touchstone for the nation, bringing communities together and celebrating Antigua and Barbuda’s unique heritage. Even so, he emphasized that cultural celebration must not overshadow the critical work of preserving the nation’s spiritual identity, arguing that faith must remain a central organizing force in national public life. To reverse the current trajectory of social decline, he laid out a clear, collective call to action for national leaders, faith institutions, and ordinary citizens alike. At the institutional level, he urged pastors and church congregations across the country to intensify regular prayer for national stability, moral renewal, and the wellbeing of the nation’s youth. For families, he stressed the non-negotiable need to strengthen intentional parenting practices that center on instilling strong, sound moral values in young people from an early age.

    The pastor further framed acts of vandalism and youth violence not as isolated misbehavior, but as visible symptoms of a deeper, unmet need for national spiritual renewal and more intentional community engagement with young people. He issued a stark warning to gathered leaders: without deliberate investment in the moral and spiritual development of Antigua and Barbuda’s younger generation, countless government social and economic development initiatives will fail to deliver their promised long-term benefits. Even as he raised urgent concerns, Pastor Baltimore offered measured praise for the Antigua and Barbuda government’s ongoing work to improve quality of life for all citizens. He encouraged elected and appointed leaders to maintain their focus on public service, rooted in integrity and genuine compassion for the communities they represent.

    He added that faith leaders, churches, and local community organizers share equal responsibility for national progress, calling for cross-sector partnership to foster a culture of hope, personal discipline, and unified national identity. To close his remarks, Pastor Baltimore led the assembled Cabinet members in a formal prayer, asking for divine blessing to remain over Antigua and Barbuda. His prayer centered on a request for divine wisdom to guide Cabinet members as they craft policy and make decisions that impact all citizens and residents of the nation, and for ongoing divine protection that would bring lasting peace, security, and shared prosperity to the country.

  • The 10-Year Manhunt Is Over for Costa Rica’s Most Wanted

    The 10-Year Manhunt Is Over for Costa Rica’s Most Wanted

    After 10 years of relentless cross-border investigative work, Costa Rican law enforcement has brought a close to one of the country’s highest-profile manhunts, capturing top fugitive Alejandro Arias Monge — widely known by his criminal alias “Diablo” — during a major tactical operation in early July 24, 2026. The high-stakes raid unfolded before dawn on Friday at a remote rural farm located in Sarapiquí, a district of central Costa Rica’s Heredia Province.

    When tactical officers from the country’s Judicial Investigation Agency moved in to secure the property, they were met with immediate heavy gunfire from armed members of Arias Monge’s criminal network. A protracted exchange of fire between officers and the suspects continued for approximately 60 minutes before authorities gained full control of the site.

    The operation left five tactical unit members with injuries, four of whom were reported to be in stable condition as of the latest update from authorities. One injured officer, however, required transfer to a specialized medical facility for urgent care. During the confrontation, one additional suspect identified by the alias “Coco Guácimo” was killed in the crossfire.

    Beyond the capture of Arias Monge, law enforcement secured two more high-profile arrests: senior ranking members of his criminal organization, including Jonathan Pérez Méndez, who goes by the alias “Tan.” Investigative sources confirm Pérez Méndez had been positioned as the heir apparent to take over leadership of the network if Arias Monge was ever caught or killed.

    Authorities also confiscated a cache of dangerous weapons and surveillance equipment during the raid, including multiple AK-47-style assault rifles, a range of sidearms, and drone technology that investigators believe the criminal network used to track and monitor police movements ahead of potential operations.

    Arias Monge first vanished from authorities’ radar back in 2016, when he failed to appear for a court hearing following his release from pre-trial detention. In the decade he remained at large, investigators have tied him to a string of serious transnational crimes, including large-scale drug trafficking, coordinated money laundering operations, multiple connected homicides, and direct threats against active law enforcement officers. Officials note that all allegations against Arias Monge have not yet been adjudicated in a court of law.

    The decade-long search for the fugitive drew significant international backing, with the United States offering a reward of up to $500,000 for information leading to his capture through the U.S. State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program. U.S. authorities had previously designated Arias Monge as the leader of a violent criminal syndicate that operated across multiple countries in Central America, making his capture a priority for regional security.

  • UWI Press publication honoring Caribbean historian wins international book award

    UWI Press publication honoring Caribbean historian wins international book award

    An edited academic volume honoring the life and groundbreaking career of one of the Caribbean’s most acclaimed historians, Bridget Brereton, has earned international acclaim, taking home a Silver Award in the Adult Nonfiction History category at the 28th annual Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards.

    Published by The University of the West Indies (UWI) Press, the winning work, *History Matters: Reassembling the Fragments of a Contested Past – In Honour of Bridget Brereton*, was recognized by award judges for its exceptional contribution to global historical scholarship. The collection is curated by three UWI-based academics: Dr. Heather Cateau, Dr. Rita Pemberton, and Dr. Ronald Noel, who brought together leading voices in Caribbean studies to craft the tribute.

    As outlined by UWI, the volume is structured both to celebrate Brereton’s decades-long transformative impact on Caribbean historical research and to advance the field she helped build. It features a curated selection of peer-reviewed essays that probe multilayered dimensions of regional development, spanning economic systems, social movements, political evolution, and cultural identity formation across the Caribbean. UWI Press notes that the volume mirrors Brereton’s own core scholarly commitment: delivering nuanced, balanced narratives of the past that do not shy away from acknowledging historical complexity and contested memory.

    The 2025 Foreword INDIES award winners were unveiled earlier this month by Foreword Reviews, an industry-leading publication focused exclusively on reviewing books from independent publishing houses. The annual INDIES awards were created to spotlight exceptional works released each year by small independent presses, university publishers, and niche independent authors, filling a gap in recognition for non-mainstream literary and academic work.

    In responding to the award announcement, Christine Randle, Managing Director of UWI Press, emphasized that the honor carries unique weight because of its connection to Brereton’s legacy. “This honour carries special significance, as *History Matters* pays tribute to the remarkable life and legacy of Bridget Brereton, one of the Caribbean’s most distinguished historians,” Randle said. “We are delighted that the book has received international recognition from Foreword Reviews and extend heartfelt congratulations to the editors and contributors. This achievement highlights the global importance of Caribbean scholarship and reinforces the value of safeguarding and exploring our collective past.”

    Michelle Schingler, Editor-in-Chief of Foreword Reviews, noted that the 2025 judging process was one of the most challenging in the award’s history, as growth in independent publishing has led to a steady increase in both the number and thematic diversity of submissions. “Each year, as our number of entrants increases and diversifies, the task of narrowing each genre category to a select few finalists gets harder. But that also makes the judges’ ultimate selections all the more exciting. We so look forward to their final choices, and we are proud to celebrate this year’s exemplary slate of winners,” Schingler said.

  • RBC contributes $44K to Crop Over as festival fever hits City branch

    RBC contributes $44K to Crop Over as festival fever hits City branch

    One of Barbados’ leading financial institutions, RBC Royal Bank (Barbados), has announced a $44,000 donation to support the upcoming 2026 Crop Over Festival, marking an expansion of the bank’s long-running investment in the island nation’s cultural heritage. The funding commitment was officially unveiled Friday during a high-energy public activation held at the bank’s flagship Broad Street branch in downtown Bridgetown, where attendees including bank customers and employees got an early taste of the festival’s iconic lively atmosphere. The event featured live musical performances, traditional cultural displays, and the vibrant, infectious energy that has become synonymous with Crop Over, Barbados’ biggest and most beloved annual cultural celebration.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the activation, Shimon McIntosh, Managing Director of RBC Barbados, explained that the financial contribution comes as part of the bank’s role as an associate sponsor for the 2026 festival. McIntosh noted that the on-site event was designed to bring the excitement of Crop Over directly to the bank’s team and the public it serves, collaborating with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) – the organization that stewards the festival – to host the immersive experience. “We have always prioritized supporting grassroots community initiatives across Barbados, but we made a deliberate choice to deepen our investment in local culture this year,” McIntosh shared during the event. “When you talk about leading cultural events in Barbados, Crop Over is instantly the first that comes to mind. Our own team has been eager to re-engage with major cultural happenings, specifically this iconic festival, so this partnership aligned perfectly with our goals.”

    The 2026 sponsorship marks the second year of the ongoing partnership between RBC Barbados and the NCF, after the two organizations first joined forces for the 2025 festival. For the 2026 season, RBC’s sponsorship will cover five core festival events: Party Monarch, Grand Kadooment, Bridgetown Market, Fusions, and Pic-O-De-Crop, integrating the bank into the fabric of the festival’s most popular activities.

    Andrea Wells, Chief Cultural Officer at the National Cultural Foundation, praised RBC’s continued backing of the festival, emphasizing that corporate collaborations like this one are foundational to Crop Over’s ongoing success. Wells pointed out that beyond being a premier entertainment event for locals and visitors alike, Crop Over plays an outsized role in driving Barbados’ national economy and creating critical opportunities for the island’s fast-growing creative workforce. “This partnership brings not just financial support, but meaningful endorsement of our largest national cultural celebration,” Wells said. “Crop Over does incredible work to boost our national economy, and it channels the creative energy of hundreds of local artists, craftspeople, and cultural workers across the island. When RBC invests in Crop Over, they are investing directly in Barbadian culture and the livelihoods of the people who keep our cultural traditions alive.”

  • ‘He Has Never Lived a Normal Life’: Rodwell Ferguson Speaks on Son’s Arrest

    ‘He Has Never Lived a Normal Life’: Rodwell Ferguson Speaks on Son’s Arrest

    In an emotional first public address Thursday, Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson opened up about his son Stoney Ferguson’s recent arrest following a violent altercation with law enforcement in Placencia, revealing the decades of severe health challenges that have shaped his son’s daily life.

    Stoney Ferguson, 30-something, was taken into police custody on July 18, after authorities say he failed to comply with orders to stop at a routine police checkpoint in the popular coastal town. What began as a traffic stop quickly escalated, according to police reports, resulting in verbal abuse against officers, a short vehicle pursuit through Placencia, and significant damage to a police vehicle.

    While Rodwell Ferguson made clear that he in no way defends or condones his son’s alleged actions toward law enforcement, he pushed for the public to understand the context of lifelong health struggles that have left Stoney living with constant chronic pain and volatility. The lawmaker stressed that respect for police is a non-negotiable principle, noting officers were simply carrying out their official duties the night of the confrontation.

    “From the day he was born, he has never lived a normal life,” Ferguson told reporters. He explained that Stoney developed severe, life-threatening asthma in infancy, spending the majority of his early childhood years admitted to hospital rather than living at home with his family. The health struggles did not end there: eight years prior to the arrest, Stoney suffered a catastrophic accident after falling from a breadfruit tree, which left him with a broken back.

    Due to deeply held religious beliefs, Stoney refused the invasive back surgery that doctors recommended to repair the injury, opting instead to manage the condition through non-invasive pain management. The choice has left him living with unrelenting severe daily pain that often triggers intense irritability, his father explained.

    Despite these ongoing obstacles, Ferguson emphasized that his son has worked tirelessly to maintain full independence, supporting himself by selling fresh fruits and vegetables to local residents and visitors in Placencia.

    Ferguson acknowledged that his son will face the full legal consequences of his actions during the July 18 incident, but he is asking the public and the justice system to take his long-documented health challenges into consideration as the legal process moves forward.

  • Minister Michael Joseph Meets with Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Medical Services Staff

    Minister Michael Joseph Meets with Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Medical Services Staff

    In a move aligned with his promise to engage directly with every agency under his ministerial portfolio, Hon. Michael Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, held a face-to-face meeting this week with leadership and frontline staff of the Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

    The gathering drew a full roster of senior health officials, including Permanent Secretary Stacey Gregg-Paige, EMS Director Shawn Greenidge, Deputy Directors Vermalie Brodie and Brandon Browne, as well as a cross-section of the agency’s management team and frontline personnel. This in-person consultation marked a key step in the minister’s ongoing push to better understand on-the-ground challenges across all departments he oversees.

    A top priority on the meeting’s agenda was the long-debated issue of fair compensation for EMS workers. Leadership of the agency tabled a formal proposal calling for the creation of a structured, tiered salary framework that would adjust pay based on each worker’s professional credentials, cumulative years of service, and incremental career progression. The plan also aims to introduce stronger performance and training incentives for personnel who pursue advanced emergency medical credentials, including Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certification and specialized paramedic qualifications. Minister Joseph made clear he is open to thoroughly reviewing the proposal to assess its feasibility and alignment with government priorities.

    Beyond compensation, the discussion centered on broader efforts to upgrade the nation’s emergency medical response system. Minister Joseph reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaborating with EMS leadership and staff to co-develop practical, actionable solutions that will improve staff well-being, boost the agency’s operational efficiency, and deliver a stronger, more reliable emergency care system for every citizen and resident of Antigua and Barbuda.

    Closing the meeting, the minister extended his sincere gratitude to all attendees for their open and honest input, and publicly recognized the irreplaceable work EMS personnel carry out every day. He emphasized that their rapid, life-saving responses to emergencies across both islands form a critical backbone of the nation’s public health infrastructure.

  • Amatmohamed vraagt duidelijkheid over importverbod bestrijdingsmiddelen

    Amatmohamed vraagt duidelijkheid over importverbod bestrijdingsmiddelen

    A ruling party lawmaker in Suriname has publicly pressed the national government to provide greater transparency around a newly released list of products barred from import into the country, pointing out that critical agricultural inputs are included on the restricted register. Natalie Amatmohamed, a member of the National Assembly for the VHP party, raised the issue during a Thursday parliamentary sitting, questioning whether potential harms to local farmers and national food output were adequately considered when the executive order creating the ban was drafted.

    Amatmohamed’s questions extend beyond basic clarity: she is demanding answers on whether the responsible ministry has made viable alternative products available to producers to replace the now-banned imports, whether a phased transition period has been put in place to allow farmers to adjust, and whether key agricultural industry groups and other stakeholders were consulted before the list was finalized.

    The parliamentarian emphasized that she does not oppose restrictions on chemicals proven to be harmful or dangerous to public health or the environment. Instead, she argues that any such regulatory measure must be communicated clearly to affected groups in a timely manner, with proper advance planning to avoid disrupting critical food production.

    This need for careful coordination is amplified by the growing impacts of climate change on Suriname’s agricultural sector, Amatmohamed noted. Shifting weather patterns have led to more frequent outbreaks of fungal diseases and other crop pathogens, leaving smallholder and commercial farmers alike reliant on targeted pest and disease control products to protect harvests.

    In closing, Amatmohamed called on the Suriname government to conduct a full re-evaluation of the potential impacts of the new import ban, and to center national food supply and long-term food security as core priorities during the review process.

  • BHTA targets $50K Adopt-A-School Futsal tournament expands to 24 teams

    BHTA targets $50K Adopt-A-School Futsal tournament expands to 24 teams

    A popular charity sporting initiative in Barbados is set to tip off in August with unprecedented participation and an ambitious fundraising goal, as the tourism and education sectors join forces to turn corporate passion for futsal into tangible support for the island nation’s schools.

    The Adopt-A-School Futsal Tournament, organized in a joint partnership between the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and the Ministry of Education Transformation, has grown significantly since its debut last year. Organizers announced during a recent tournament update and team draw event held at Hotel Indigo in Christ Church that a record 24 corporate teams will compete this summer, up from the inaugural 16 teams in 2025. The event has set a new fundraising target of $50,000, more than doubling the $32,000 raised in the tournament’s first year.

    Tessalee Moore, BHTA’s Special Projects Manager, framed the expansion as clear proof that the private sector is increasingly eager to back educational development through sports-based initiatives. “This year, our aim is to raise $50 000,” Moore shared during the announcement. “The funds raised would allow the program to continue responding to the needs identified through our work with the Ministry of Education Transformation and expand the support we’re able to provide to our schools.”

    The initiative is rooted in the core belief that sport’s widespread popularity and unifying power can be leveraged to address critical gaps in local education and strengthen community bonds. From its launch, the tournament was built around the idea of aligning corporate engagement with meaningful public good: “The tournament was created around the simple idea that the power and popularity of sport could be used to support something equally important: the development of our schools and our young people. Through the Adopt-a-School programme, the BHTA works alongside the Ministry of Education Transformation to better understand the needs within our schools and to identify areas where support can make a meaningful difference,” Moore explained. The program’s overarching theme – “Supporting education, building community, promoting wellness” – continues to guide all of its operations and expansion.

    Looking back at the 2025 inaugural tournament, Moore highlighted that the event already delivered measurable, long-lasting benefits to Barbadian schools. The first iteration of the tournament raised $32,000, which funded critical infrastructure and resources across multiple institutions: $5,000 for classroom projectors, $3,000 for cooling fans, $16,000 for water tanks, and $6,000 for football nets. The football nets were later donated to the National Sports Council to support national primary school football tournaments.

    Moore noted that the jump from 16 to 24 participating teams checked a key personal and organizational goal set after the first tournament. “I’m happy to say challenge accepted and challenge conquered. We’re here today with 24 teams. That growth is something we’re incredibly proud of. It shows that the tournament is gaining momentum and that more companies are choosing to be a part of an initiative that brings together sport, corporate engagement and educational development.” Of the 24 competing teams this year, 20 are members of the BHTA, a showing Moore described as a clear demonstration of widespread member commitment to the initiative’s mission.

    The tournament will run across six match weekends at the Oasis, starting August 8 and concluding August 30. Defending 2025 champions Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC), represented by Barbados Conference Services Limited, will return to defend their title.

    BHTA Chief Executive Officer Senator Ryan Forde emphasized that the tournament was never designed to be just another recreational corporate sporting event. Beyond fundraising, the initiative is aligned with the BHTA’s core work supporting education and training for tourism sector workers, and is intended to deliver dual benefits for the industry and the broader community. “We wanted that we’re not just getting people to come and play a sport, but to educate them a little bit more on what the BHTA does,” Forde explained. “We deal with team members. We also deal with education and training, and because of that, we now are raising funds through the football initiative in order for us to give back to schools.” He added that the BHTA’s long-term goal is to establish the tournament as an annual, sustainable fundraising tradition that supports Barbadian schools year after year, while also boosting connection among tourism industry employees.

    Reverend Stephen Scott, Deputy Chief Education Officer, welcomed the ongoing cross-sector partnership, noting that public education efforts cannot reach their full potential without support from private industry and community groups. Scott shared that the proceeds from last year’s tournament already enabled meaningful upgrades across primary and secondary schools, touching everything from information technology infrastructure and recreational facilities to environmental projects, nutrition programs and athletic opportunities. “We are cognisant that we cannot accomplish it all on our own and thus we are very happy to partner with others like the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association to work together towards these goals as we strive to be the number one education system in the world,” Scott said. “Your provision of items… has certainly assisted us in achieving the two aforementioned goals of our education transformation.” He also reminded participants that the students benefiting from the program could one day become the next generation of Barbados tourism workforce.

    The Barbados Football Association has also thrown its support behind the initiative, with General Secretary Nicholas Branker reaffirming the organization’s commitment to using football as a tool for lasting social good. “The significance of this tournament extends well beyond the football court. Every team that participates, every sponsor that lends its support, every individual who contributes to this initiative is helping to create better learning environments and greater opportunities for the young people of Barbados,” Branker said. He added that football’s unique ability to break down sectoral barriers, build cross-community connections, encourage healthy lifestyles, and instill core values like teamwork, discipline, respect and resilience makes it the perfect vehicle for this kind of community initiative.

    For the defending champions from LESC, the opportunity to compete for a good cause has made the entire experience even more rewarding than the 2025 title win. Tahir Batson, representing LESC/Barbados Conference Services Limited, called last year’s inaugural tournament an unforgettable experience. “It was very exciting knowing that it’s the first. It was very competitive… but we made it through. We made it to the end… becoming the champions,” Batson recalled. With the field expanding to 24 teams this year, Batson acknowledged the team will need to step up their performance to retain the title: “so we have to play definitely harder than what we did last year in order to get the title again as champions.”

    Batson added that the team jumped at the chance to join the initiative from its launch, drawn by its mission to support local schools. “We were very excited when we first heard of it. We wanted desperately to be a part of it knowing what it would do in the end.” Lifting the inaugural trophy also provided a lasting boost to company morale, Batson said: “We were very happy, especially going back to work, wearing the medals around our necks… It was a good experience also, and it really boosts the company as a whole.”

  • Here’s Why Belize is Launching ‘Belize Moves’

    Here’s Why Belize is Launching ‘Belize Moves’

    On July 24, 2026, Belice formally kicked off a nationwide public health initiative named “Belize Moves”, framed not as a temporary government program but as a sustained national movement designed to shift population-wide habits toward healthier lifestyles. The launch ceremony was held at Sir George Brown Park in the capital city of Belmopan, building on the success of the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW)’s earlier “Love Your Heart” pilot project.

    The movement is structured around three core foundational pillars: increasing daily physical activity, improving national dietary habits, and expanding routine health monitoring to help people track key health metrics (colloquially referred to as “know your numbers”). Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard emphasized in his opening address that the initiative is a collective call to action, urging all segments of Belizean society to take intentional steps toward healthier decision-making, with the shared goal of building a stronger, more resilient nation.

    A core driving force behind the movement is the alarming public health data that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, various forms of cancer, and hypertension – are responsible for approximately 65% of all deaths across the country. Bernard stressed that these are not just abstract statistics; every number represents a beloved member of a community, a family member or friend whose life has been upended by an entirely preventable illness.

    To embed healthy habits into daily life, “Belize Moves” will expand its outreach beyond public health clinics into schools, workplaces, and neighborhood communities. Programming will include interactive community health fairs, organized group fitness activities, and ongoing wellness workshops tailored to different population groups. The national movement has secured formal support and partnership from multiple regional and international stakeholders, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), and all local municipal governments across Belize. Anmin C.Y. Chi, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, noted that the partnership aligns with ongoing work to strengthen Belize’s system for preventing and controlling metabolic chronic diseases.