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  • PSU Urges Tax Workers to “Stand Ready”

    PSU Urges Tax Workers to “Stand Ready”

    A major industrial relations dispute has emerged in Belize ahead of a key parliamentary vote, as the Public Service Union (PSU) has directed all members of the Belize Tax Service Department (BTSD) to prepare for potential industrial action if the 2026 Revenue Authority Bill advances through the House of Representatives in its unamended form. The union has levied serious accusations against the national government, claiming it was deliberately excluded from the legislative drafting process that shaped the flagship revenue reform bill.

    In an official media statement released Thursday, the PSU detailed a months-long pattern of exclusion during the lead-up to the bill’s parliamentary consideration. The legislation is designed to transition the BTSD into a newly created Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority, a restructuring overseen by a high-level Project Steering Committee. According to the union, the committee never meaningfully incorporated PSU stakeholder input before the bill was sent to the full House for a vote.

    During the committee’s inaugural sitting in May, the full text of the bill was only presented as a slide deck, with no formal distributed text for members to review. In a striking revelation, the PSU confirmed that the BTSD’s own in-house legal counsel was unable to address member questions about the legislation, as she had not been involved in the drafting process at all.

    The union’s account of procedural irregularities continued: PSU submitted formal, on-time feedback on the committee’s Terms of Reference in mid-May, but it took more than 30 days for the Financial Secretary to issue any response. A follow-up meeting promised by the Secretary to address the union’s concerns has yet to be scheduled, even months after the initial commitment.

    When the PSU moved forward independently to organize an internal consultation with BTSD staff in July to collect on-the-ground concerns about the restructuring, the Financial Secretary formally blocked the meeting. After the union proposed an alternative date, no official response was ever issued. Undeterred, the PSU held the unauthorized consultation anyway, compiled all staff feedback into a formal report, and delivered it to the Financial Secretary’s office. The Secretary confirmed receipt of the report on August 10, just two days before the bill went to the Finance and Economic Development Committee for review.

    According to the PSU, the compiled staff concerns were never presented to the Finance and Economic Development Committee during its August 12 consideration of the bill. The union called this omission deliberately disingenuous, noting that the committee’s own public consultation process was already extremely limited and underdeveloped.

    The PSU has formally called on the House of Representatives to send the bill back to committee for full stakeholder consultation, and announced that it will also submit its full set of objections and recommendations directly to the Belize Senate for consideration. The union warned that the legislation, in its current form, poses significant dangers to the country’s public service framework and long-term governance.

    In closing, the PSU issued a direct mobilization message to all BTSD members, urging them to remain in close contact with union leadership and stand ready to take collective action if the bill passes the Lower House. “To every member of the Belize Tax Service Department: this fight is not over, and it is not yours to face alone,” the statement read. “We ask every member to ready themselves for whatever action becomes necessary should this Bill be passed in the Lower House.”

  • Road Closures Set for Weekend Cycling Championships

    Road Closures Set for Weekend Cycling Championships

    As Belize gears up to welcome young cycling talent from across the Caribbean for a major regional competition, the Cycling Federation of Belize has issued a critical public alert for motorists: multiple key roads across the Belize District will be closed temporarily this weekend to accommodate the 2026 Caribbean Junior Road Cycling Championships.

    The first stage of the competition, an Individual Time Trial that will test riders’ speed and endurance against the clock, is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 22. The entire race, which both begins and ends just beyond the Blackberry community, will run along the Boom Hattieville Road. To ensure the safety of competing athletes, the full stretch of road from the Boom entrance through to the Hattieville Roundabout will remain closed for the entire duration of Saturday’s time trial.

    On Sunday, August 23, the second and final stage of the championships – a mass-start Road Race – will get underway at the same 7:00 a.m. start time. This race will traverse the Philip Goldson Highway, running between the iconic Flag Monument and the final roundabout adjacent to the North End Estate development. For this stage, traffic management officials have implemented a mixed closure plan: the full segment between the Flag Monument and the Westrac Roundabout will be closed to all vehicle traffic for the entire event, while remaining sections of the race route will operate under rolling closure protocols. Under this system, motorists will be permitted to pass through sections of the route when competitors are not immediately present, though drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution when navigating these areas.

    Regional cycling officials note that this year’s Caribbean Junior Road Cycling Championships marks a key milestone for developing young cycling talent across the Caribbean basin, and organizers have asked all local residents and visitors planning to travel through the affected areas this weekend to plan alternate routes in advance to avoid unnecessary delays.

  • BHA’s Scholarship Programme Expanded to 15 Students this Year

    BHA’s Scholarship Programme Expanded to 15 Students this Year

    For over 20 years, the Belize Hotel Association (BHA) has lifted financial barriers for young learners from families connected to Belize’s tourism and hospitality sector, and this 2026-2027 school year, the industry-led initiative is growing to support more students than ever before. In an announcement made on August 21, BHA confirmed it will award education grants to 15 deserving students this term — a threefold increase in participation from 2022, when current BHA President Reynaldo Malik first joined the organization’s board.

    When Malik first became involved with the program, only five students received support annually. Today, the expansion not only brings more students into the fold but also revises core program rules to make aid more accessible and flexible for Belizean families. Previously structured as tuition-only scholarships, the awards have been reworked into versatile, multi-purpose grants that can cover a wide range of education-related costs beyond tuition. Eligible expenses include textbooks, school uniforms, daily transportation to campus, and other essential supplies that many low-income families struggle to afford.

    The program also updated its eligibility requirements to align with Belize’s common extended family structures. Where dependent eligibility was once limited to immediate children of BHA member employees, the revised criteria now includes dependents in non-traditional care arrangements, such as minor siblings raised by an older brother or sister. This change ensures no qualifying student is excluded from aid due to non-standard family arrangements that are widespread across the country.

    Unlike many other association programs, the Partners in Education initiative operates entirely independent of BHA’s general operating budget. Every dollar awarded comes from voluntary donations from BHA member businesses and funds raised through the association’s annual charity auction. This year’s auction alone generated more than $23,000 for the scholarship fund, demonstrating the tourism industry’s collective commitment to investing in the next generation of Belizeans.

    Notably, BHA does not restrict scholarships to students pursuing degrees or training in tourism and hospitality, despite the program being funded entirely by sector members. Leadership says the open eligibility policy recognizes that a broad range of local industries contribute to the success of Belize’s tourism ecosystem and the national economy as a whole, and all young Belizeans deserve the opportunity to advance their education regardless of their planned career path.

    Malik called the Partners in Education program one of the BHA’s most significant and proud achievements, framing the expansion as part of the tourism sector’s commitment to “pay it forward” to local communities that have supported the industry’s growth. “To whom much is given, much is expected,” he noted in an interview with local outlet News 5, emphasizing that the industry has a responsibility to invest in opportunities for Belize’s youth.

  • Autopsy conducted on remains believed to be those of Jerbiah Paul

    Autopsy conducted on remains believed to be those of Jerbiah Paul

    An official post-mortem examination has been completed on unidentified human remains found in the Capuchin district of Dominica, as part of the ongoing criminal investigation into the disappearance and suspected killing of 17-year-old Jerbiah Paul.

    According to Fixton Henderson, the Acting Assistant Superintendent and official Police Public Relations Officer, the forensic autopsy was carried out by a certified forensic pathologist at the Government Mortuary located inside the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital.

    This forensic procedure represents a key step in the active police probe into Paul’s disappearance, which authorities are treating as a suspected homicide. Investigative teams are now waiting for the full official report from the examining pathologist, a document that is anticipated to deliver critical insights into the exact cause of death of the individual whose remains were recovered.

    To date, local law enforcement has not formally confirmed that the recovered remains belong to Jerbiah Paul. Henderson confirmed that to resolve the question of identity, DNA samples from the remains will be sent to an accredited forensic laboratory based outside of Dominica for detailed testing. The outcome of this testing will allow investigators to officially confirm whether the remains are those of the missing teenager.

    Paul was first reported missing to authorities on July 24, after she was last seen by family and acquaintances. The first set of human remains was discovered in the Capuchin region on August 12, carried out by search teams deployed specifically to locate the missing teenager.

    In a surprising development that has drawn widespread public attention, two serving police officers have already been formally charged in connection with the case. The first officer, 23-year-old Jean-Luc Langlais, was charged on August 13, while a second officer, Joshua Hamlet, was charged four days later on August 17.

    Both accused men have been placed on remand in police custody, and their next court appearance is scheduled for October 2, as the legal process moves forward alongside the ongoing forensic investigation.

  • 100% of Belize’s Ocean by 2030: What Does this New Ocean Alliance Mean?

    100% of Belize’s Ocean by 2030: What Does this New Ocean Alliance Mean?

    In a landmark step for global marine conservation, the Central American nation of Belize has formally committed to sustainably managing 100% of its jurisdictional ocean territory by 2030, joining an expanding global alliance that now protects nearly two-fifths of the world’s national waters.

    The government announced its official membership in the 100% Alliance for Sustainable Ocean Management during a formal announcement on August 21, 2026. Coordinated by the World Resources Institute, the alliance works to secure binding political commitments from coastal and maritime nations to advance comprehensive, science-based sustainable ocean governance across all their national waters.

    Belize’s entrance into the alliance does not represent an entirely new policy direction, but rather a formal consolidation of years of existing marine conservation work already underway in the country. These pre-existing efforts include the national Belize Sustainable Ocean Plan, the country’s Blue Bonds conservation financing commitments, and ongoing marine spatial planning initiatives that map out sustainable use of different ocean zones.

    To support Belize’s work under the new alliance framework, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has signed a formal cooperation agreement with the Belizean government to deliver targeted support for the country’s national ocean agenda. Under the terms of the agreement, IDB will provide specialized technical assistance to strengthen core foundational systems for Belize’s ocean conservation efforts, including policy development, marine data collection and analysis, governance structures, and sustainable financing frameworks. This support will directly advance the existing Sustainable Ocean Plan and enable the rollout of a broader, cross-sector National Oceans Programme.

    In an official statement following the announcement, Belize Prime Minister John Briceño emphasized that the alliance membership aligns with the country’s long-term priorities for both people and the environment. “Belize’s decision to join the 100% Alliance is about ensuring that every part of our ocean is managed with purpose, for our people, our economy, and future generations,” Briceño said. “It gives us an opportunity to bring our existing commitments and investments together under one national ocean vision, supported by strong science, clear planning, and sustainable financing.”

    The upcoming National Oceans Programme is designed to coordinate sustainable development and conservation priorities across key ocean-reliant sectors in Belize, including commercial and artisanal fisheries, coastal tourism, natural disaster and coastal erosion resilience, and marine pollution reduction. Beyond coordination, the programme will also position Belize to attract additional investment from public, private, and results-based financing sources to fund high-priority ocean conservation and sustainable development projects across the country.

    With Belize’s membership, the alliance now includes the 19 member states of the Ocean Panel, alongside fellow new entrants Colombia, Panama, and the Republic of Korea, bringing the total share of the world’s national waters covered by alliance commitments to 40 percent.

  • Mother and daughter arrested at port over suspected ammunition importation

    Mother and daughter arrested at port over suspected ammunition importation

    In a developing law enforcement operation in Dominica, two female suspects — an adult mother and her adult daughter, both residents of the Mahaut district — have been taken into custody at a local port. The arrests, which took place on Thursday, August 20, 2026, stem from allegations the pair were connected to an illegal plot to import ammunition into the island nation.

    Acting Assistant Superintendent Fixton Henderson, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the details of the detention in an official statement. According to Henderson, law enforcement officers suspect the two women were involved in bringing a shipment of 9mm ammunition, alongside two 9mm ammunition magazines, into the country through the port.

    As of the latest update, the investigation remains active and ongoing. Authorities have not yet released additional information about the specific circumstances that led to the discovery of the suspected contraband, nor have they made the identities of the two detained women public. Police have indicated that they will continue to pursue all leads in the case before announcing further updates.

  • Bus Drivers Call for Immediate Fare Increase After More Than 20 Years

    Bus Drivers Call for Immediate Fare Increase After More Than 20 Years

    Public transportation providers across Antigua and Barbuda are intensifying calls for comprehensive fare increases, arguing that skyrocketing costs for fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and new buses have eroded profit margins to unsustainable levels.

    Glenn Miller, a former president of the Antigua and Barbuda Bus Association who currently runs the route connecting St. John’s to Jolly Harbour, outlined that operators are seeking a fare increase of between 50 and 75 Eastern Caribbean dollars cents on all service routes. Miller highlighted that the sticker price of new transit buses has surged dramatically over the past decade: a model that retailed for roughly $80,000 in 2014 now costs approximately $190,000. This steep jump in capital costs is paired with across-the-board increases in every other major operating expense, he added.

    According to Miller, negotiations over a necessary fare adjustment have dragged on for roughly two years with senior officials including Transport Board manager Hubert Jarvis and Tourism Minister Charles “Max” Fernandez, but no binding agreement has been finalized to date. Current fares sit between $2.25 and $3.75 per trip, and Miller explained that even a fully loaded bus only generates around $42 in revenue before deducting fuel and other mandatory operating costs.

    Drivers based at both the islands’ West and East bus terminals echoed this frustration, noting that base fares have remained largely stagnant for more than 20 years, even as costs for spare parts, insurance coverage, and routine maintenance have climbed steadily. Operators also pointed to the elimination of a temporary Covid-19 pandemic fuel subsidy as an extra financial strain that has pushed many small bus owners closer to breaking point.

    Beyond the fare debate, operators at the West Bus Station have raised separate, longstanding complaints about the poor condition of the terminal itself. The facility lacks adequate passenger shelter, functional bathroom amenities, and dedicated space for drivers to rest or perform basic cleaning on their vehicles. Operators are also demanding transparency around how the $5 daily entrance fee charged to each bus using the terminal is allocated and spent. Miller noted that around 140 buses pass through the West Bus Station every day, generating thousands of dollars in monthly fee revenue for authorities.

    Operators based at the East Bus Station added their own grievances, explaining that they have been forced to operate out of an unimproved open-air lot with no covered terminal structure to protect drivers, passengers, and vehicles from the elements.

    Across the industry, bus operators agree that a fare adjustment is no longer avoidable if public transit services are to remain viable in Antigua and Barbuda, as operating costs continue to outpace stagnant fare revenue. Multiple outlets attempted to contact Transport Board manager Hubert Jarvis for an official response to the operators’ demands, but no comment was obtained prior to publication.

  • Two seismic events reported near Punta Cana within hours

    Two seismic events reported near Punta Cana within hours

    Early on Saturday, August 22, two successive earthquakes were detected off the coast of the popular Dominican destination Punta Cana, according to initial readings from regional seismic monitoring networks.

    The first seismic event, registered at a magnitude of 3.7, struck at approximately 1:50 a.m. local time. Seismologists placed its epicenter around 84 kilometers northeast of Punta Cana, with the earthquake’s origin sitting roughly 71 kilometers below the Earth’s surface.

    Roughly half an hour later, a second, smaller tremor was recorded in the same general offshore area. This second quake measured magnitude 3.2, hitting at 2:22 a.m. It was centered approximately 93 kilometers directly east of Punta Cana, and originated at a much shallower depth of around 17 kilometers beneath the seabed.

    As of the latest updates from Dominican civil defense and emergency management authorities, there have been no immediate reports of structural damage to infrastructure or harm to local residents and visitors tied to either seismic event.

    Geographically, the Dominican Republic sits within a geologically active zone where the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates meet. The constant tectonic interaction between these two massive crustal plates creates regular seismic activity across the nation and its adjacent surrounding waters, making small to moderate tremors a common occurrence in the region.

  • New director of Intrant faces the challenge of reducing accidents on Punta Cana highways

    New director of Intrant faces the challenge of reducing accidents on Punta Cana highways

    The Dominican Republic has kicked off a wide-ranging effort to upgrade road safety across its top tourism hubs, with the newly launched National Plan for Tourist Road Signage, developed in partnership with RD-Vial, marking just the opening phase of a broader government strategy to strengthen the country’s position as a leading global tourist destination.

    David Collado, the nation’s Minister of Tourism, outlined the government’s priorities in recent remarks, noting that reducing preventable traffic incidents stands as one of the most urgent core challenges for Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the National Institute of Traffic and Land Transport (Intrant). Focused efforts are already prioritized for the high-traffic Bávaro-Punta Cana region, one of the country’s most popular coastal tourism draws, where the government is targeting sweeping reforms to cut fatalities.

    “On the Tourist Boulevard of the East, we must implement corrective measures to prevent the loss of any more lives — whether those are Dominican residents or international visitors,” Collado emphasized. “This is a shared mission that we all undertake alongside the President of the Republic. We are closely monitoring these issues and we will deliver tangible solutions.”

    Beyond improved signage, the government’s plan includes a full organizational restructuring of road access and routing across all of the country’s major tourism zones, including Las Terrenas, Samaná, Puerto Plata, and Bayahibe. The overarching goal is to build a far more structured, visitor-focused travel environment that extends safety protections beyond resort properties and into the public road network that connects tourist sites.

    Collado framed the road safety push as a critical component of the Dominican Republic’s long-term tourism vision, noting that competing regional destinations have faced unforeseen disruptions in recent years, creating a strategic opportunity for the DR to differentiate itself through superior infrastructure and safety management.

    With the Dominican tourism sector already posting strong, consistent growth in international visitor arrivals, Collado explained that the current policy focus is on laying durable foundational infrastructure to ensure decades of sustained expansion. “Our work is geared toward keeping the Dominican Republic a global tourism powerhouse and a world benchmark for excellence in the sector,” he added.

  • Tourists visiting the Dominican Republic will be able to receive roadside assistance in English through 511

    Tourists visiting the Dominican Republic will be able to receive roadside assistance in English through 511

    The Dominican Republic has rolled out a key update to its national road emergency system, introducing English-language support for international travelers through its dedicated 511 hotline. This new service is the product of a strategic partnership between RD-Vial Trust and the nation’s Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), designed to boost visitor safety and improve the overall travel experience for guests from English-speaking countries.

    Hostos Rizik, executive director of the RD-Vial Trust, shared details of the update in a recent statement, noting that tourism officials had flagged the gap in English-language support for foreign travelers. When Mitur raised the request for multilingual assistance, Rizik confirmed that no English service was previously available, and he immediately issued internal directives to roll out the new capability and enhance cross-agency support for visitors.

    Rizik emphasized that the addition of English support sends a clear signal to global travelers: the Dominican Republic now boasts one of the most robust road assistance frameworks in the Caribbean region. Beyond the updated 511 hotline, tourists already benefit from layered security support across the country, including dedicated tourist police units, the General Directorate of Traffic Safety and Land Transportation (Digesett), and the National Institute of Traffic (Intrant), all of which maintain regular patrols across high-traffic tourist areas.

    According to Rizik, incremental upgrades to the nation’s travel safety infrastructure play a critical role in supporting the long-term growth of the Dominican Republic’s key tourism sector, which drives a large share of the national economy.

    Established as the unified national contact point for road emergency reports across the Dominican Republic’s primary highway network, the 511 hotline was created to deliver faster, more coordinated emergency responses and improve overall roadside safety. It officially replaced the previous multi-digit contact number 829-688-1000 as the official hotline for the country’s Integrated Road Assistance Service, which is managed by the Military and Police Commission (Comipol).

    Through the 511 line, both local drivers and visiting travelers can request immediate support for a wide range of roadside incidents, including vehicle breakdowns, traffic collisions, and other hazardous situations across the national road network. The hotline aligns with the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), a system that the Dominican Republic participates in alongside major tourism source markets like the United States and Canada, making it easier for North American visitors to remember and access the emergency line during their trips.