The 74th edition of the Miss Universe pageant reaches its climax tonight, with Belize’s Isabella Zabaneh vying for the coveted crown. Zabaneh, who has garnered immense support from Belizeans both domestically and internationally, aims to break the country’s 46-year placement drought, the last being in 1979. The grand finale, held at the Impact Challenger Hall in Pak Kret, near Bangkok, Thailand, promises to be a spectacle of beauty and talent. The event will commence at 7:00 p.m. Belize time, with pre-show coverage starting an hour earlier. Viewers can catch the live broadcast on the official Miss Universe YouTube channel. This year’s competition has not been without its share of controversies. A dramatic incident involving Miss Jamaica’s serious fall and the resignation of a judge alleging behind-the-scenes manipulation have added layers of intrigue to the pageant. Despite these challenges, the show continues with a record-breaking 121 contestants participating. Zabaneh’s journey symbolizes hope and national pride for Belize, as she competes against the world’s finest in this prestigious global event.
标签： Belize
伯利兹
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Major Win for GOB at CCJ
In a landmark decision, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled in favor of the Government of Belize, ending a protracted legal battle with private gas companies over the importation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The dispute centered on the government’s establishment of the National Gas Company (NGC) in 2020, which centralized LPG imports through Big Creek, effectively granting NGC a monopoly. Private companies, including Western Gas and Zeta Gas, argued that this move dismantled their business models and deprived them of their ‘goodwill.’ The case escalated through Belize’s judicial system before reaching the CCJ. Senior Counsel Eamon Courtney, representing the government, emphasized that the companies failed to prove damages or a breach of their rights. The CCJ’s majority ruling overturned a previous $60 million damages award to the companies, stating that their rights to property, work, and equality were not violated. Justice Jamadar dissented, arguing that the companies suffered immediate losses. The ruling validates the NGC’s monopoly and absolves the government of liability, marking a significant victory for Belize’s energy policy.
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Four Charged for Child Sexual Exploitation
In a significant development, four individuals have been arrested and charged in Independence Village, Belize, for their alleged involvement in the commercial sexual exploitation of a female minor. The Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs confirmed the charges in a press release issued on November 20, 2025. The accused include Belizean nationals Oscar Diaz, Maria Arias, Ramona Cucul, and Guatemalan national Gloria Rodriguez. They face charges of facilitating child prostitution and were arraigned in the Independence Magistrate Court. All four were released on bail set at $6,000 plus one surety, with the case adjourned to February 11, 2026. This incident highlights a broader issue in Belize, where human trafficking remains a pressing concern. In 2024 alone, police investigated 18 cases of human trafficking, with seven out of eight ongoing cases involving women, four of whom were minors. The Ministry has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected trafficking activities to authorities. Reports can be made to the police at 911, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (ATIP) unit, the Department of Human Services, or Crime Stoppers Belize at 922.
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Water Prices to Rise in Belize as Early as April 2026
Belize is preparing for a significant increase in water prices, set to take effect as early as April 1, 2026. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has unveiled its Initial Decision regarding Belize Water Services Limited’s (BWSL) Full Tariff Review for 2026. After extensive studies and consultations, the PUC has approved a 13.5 percent rise in the Mean Water Rate, a figure notably lower than the 20 percent hike initially proposed by BWSL. This adjustment is projected to increase the average customer’s water bill by approximately 5.5 percent.
A key change in the new tariff structure is the elimination of the flat fee of $8.72 for the first 1,000 gallons of water. Instead, all customers will be charged based on their actual water usage, a move the PUC describes as more equitable. This shift ensures that consumers pay only for the water they consume, promoting fairness and efficiency.
In addition to the rate adjustments, the PUC has sanctioned a $130 million investment to enhance the nation’s water infrastructure. This funding will be allocated to replacing aging pipelines, increasing production capacity, procuring essential equipment, and bolstering security at critical facilities. Furthermore, an additional $20 million has been earmarked for expanding water supply and storage systems in rapidly growing communities such as Placencia, Caye Caulker, and San Pedro.
BWSL has also received approval to increase its financial contributions toward water main extensions. The company can now provide up to $6,000 on the mainland and up to $10,000 in San Pedro and Caye Caulker for such projects. However, the PUC declined to raise administrative fees and deferred a decision on BWSL’s request related to Commercial Abstraction, which falls under the jurisdiction of the National Integrated Water Resources Authority.
The PUC’s Initial Decision is available on its official website, and the public is invited to submit feedback on BWSL’s Business Plan for 2026 to 2031 until December 3, 2025.
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Only Two Audit Reports Published in Thirteen Years
Belize’s accountability framework is facing a severe crisis as the Auditor General’s official website displays only two audit years—2011-2012 and 2015-2016. The absence of annual reports for over a decade has compelled citizens to rely on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to access basic public-finance records. This situation undermines the Westminster-style governance model, where the Auditor General is pivotal in ensuring public accountability by scrutinizing the Government’s financial statements, verifying lawful expenditure of public funds, and reporting irregularities to the National Assembly. These reports, reviewed by the Public Accounts Committee, are essential for maintaining transparency and oversight. However, the constitutional cycle has stalled for more than ten years, with most fiscal years lacking reports due to the Accountant General’s failure to submit required financial statements under Section 15(1) of the Finance and Audit Reform Act. Other years remain unpublished because completed audits were never tabled in the National Assembly, leaving a thirteen-year gap in official reporting. This breakdown has shifted the burden of transparency onto private citizens using FOIA. Public-interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez, for instance, has filed an FOIA request seeking multi-year records on the Constituency Development Fund, including allocations, disbursements, and financial statements for all 31 constituencies. While the Government expressed willingness to disclose the requested material, it requested additional time due to the administrative complexity of compiling records across multiple ministries. Enriquez emphasized that the FOIA mandates an access decision within fourteen days, separate from the time needed to compile documents, and signaled readiness to grant more time once the access request is approved. This situation underscores how the absence of timely Auditor General reports has elevated FOIA from a supplementary tool to the primary means of obtaining financial information.
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FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT – Gov’t Requests Extension, Enriquez Insists on FOIA ‘Access Decision’ Deadline
The Office of the Prime Minister has requested an extension to process a comprehensive Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request regarding Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations, citing administrative challenges. Public-interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez, however, maintains that the law mandates an access decision within fourteen days, regardless of the complexity of the request. In a letter dated November 13th, the Government acknowledged Enriquez’s request for detailed CDF records, including multi-year budget allocations, disbursement records, vouchers, audits, and internal assessments. However, it argued that retrieving such extensive data from multiple ministries within the statutory period was impractical. The Cabinet Secretary proposed extending the deadline to December 15th, 2025, to ensure a thorough response. Enriquez responded on November 14th, recognizing the administrative burden but emphasizing that the FOIA requires ministries to issue an access decision—whether to grant, deny, or partially grant the request—within fourteen days, as stipulated in Section 16. He argued that Parliament was aware of the time needed to compile records when enacting the law, meaning administrative difficulties do not exempt the Government from its legal obligation. Enriquez urged the Office of the Prime Minister to issue the access decision within the statutory window, with the understanding that the actual disclosure of documents could follow later. He also expressed willingness to extend the disclosure deadline to January 5th, 2026, to accommodate operational constraints, particularly during the Christmas period. However, he warned that failure to provide the access decision within five days of his correspondence would be considered a deemed refusal, prompting him to pursue legal action.
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18-Year-Old Stabbed in Dangriga
An 18-year-old youth, Gevin Ravion Armstrong, was hospitalized following a stabbing incident in Dangriga, Belize. The attack occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at a local bar and grill. According to police reports, an unidentified male approached Armstrong and inflicted multiple cuts on his body. Armstrong managed to flee toward the bar area before collapsing. He was promptly transported to the Southern Regional Hospital, where he is currently in stable condition. Authorities are actively investigating the incident, though no suspects have been identified yet. This is not the first time Armstrong has been targeted; earlier this year, he survived a shooting near a village basketball court, during which he was shot multiple times. Armstrong had informed police that he knew the shooter in that case. The community remains on edge as violence continues to affect young individuals in the area.
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Minor Raped By Her Two Brothers, Assaulted by Stepfather
Authorities in Punta Gorda, Toledo District, are currently investigating a deeply distressing case involving the alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl by her own family members. The investigation, which began in November 2025, was initiated after the minor, accompanied by a social worker and a relative, reported the harrowing incidents to the police. According to the report, the young girl claims that her two brothers engaged in non-consensual sexual acts with her on multiple occasions during October and November 2025. Additionally, her stepfather is accused of sexually assaulting her during the same period. The case has sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious concerns about child safety and familial abuse. Law enforcement officials are working diligently to gather evidence and ensure justice is served. This remains a developing story, with further updates expected as the investigation progresses.
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Miss Universe Judges Resign, Say It’s Rigged!
The Miss Universe pageant, set to take place on November 20, 2025, in Thailand, has been rocked by controversy following the resignation of two judges. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch, one of the departing judges, took to Instagram to announce his exit, alleging that an ‘impromptu jury’ had preselected 30 finalists without the official panel’s knowledge. Harfouch suggested that this group included individuals with personal ties to certain contestants, raising concerns about the fairness of the competition. The Miss Universe Organisation swiftly denied these allegations, stating that no unauthorized group had been involved in the selection process. They clarified that Harfouch might have confused the situation with Beyond the Crown, a separate social impact initiative with its own independent committee. On the same day, French football manager Claude Makélélé also stepped down, citing personal reasons but expressing respect for the pageant. These resignations come in the wake of another incident in Thailand, where several contestants walked out of a pre-pageant event after Thailand’s national director publicly criticized Miss Mexico for failing to post promotional content. Despite the turmoil, Miss Universe officials have assured the public that preparations for the finals remain on track.
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House Speaker Back On Duty After Cancer Recovery
House Speaker Valarie Woods has made a triumphant return to the National Assembly building nearly a year after disclosing her breast cancer diagnosis. Her comeback was met with heartfelt support from Prime Minister John Briceño, who personally welcomed her back with words of encouragement. “We are overjoyed to see you return in such excellent health. Despite the challenges, you appear more vibrant than ever,” Briceño remarked. In mid-October, Woods marked a significant milestone by ringing the bell at her treatment center, a symbolic gesture signifying the completion of her chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. This joyous ceremony was celebrated by Woods and her supporters at the center, marking a new chapter in her journey. Her return not only signifies personal victory but also serves as an inspiration to many facing similar battles.