In a notable turn of events, former Agriculture Minister and Orange Walk South Area Representative Jose Abelardo Mai was conspicuously absent from today’s House Meeting. This follows his recent departure from the Cabinet, which has fueled widespread speculation and public scrutiny. Prime Minister John Briceño has maintained that Mai is on a medical “leave of absence” to undergo surgery for injuries sustained in a horse-riding accident. However, sources within the Cabinet revealed that Mai submitted a resignation letter, raising questions about the true reasons behind his exit. Rumors have circulated that foreign pressure, particularly from the United States, may have played a role. Briceño has vehemently denied these claims, stating that no such demands were made during his meeting with the US Chargé d’Affaires. Meanwhile, House Speaker Valerie Woods reported the absence of five other representatives: Marconi Leal Jr (Belize Rural North), Abner Andre Perez (Belize Rural South), Kevin Bernard (Orange Walk East), Godwin Haylock (Queen Square), and Miguel Mike Guerra (Cayo West). The timing of Mai’s absence and the conflicting narratives have intensified public interest and debate over the situation.
标签： Belize
伯利兹
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UK Says Russian Spy Ship Fired Lasers at RAF Pilots in “New Era of Threat”
In a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, the United Kingdom has accused a Russian intelligence vessel of targeting Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots with lasers. The incident occurred near the UK’s exclusive economic zone north of Scotland, where the Russian ship Yantar was reportedly conducting intelligence-gathering operations. Defence Secretary John Healey, in a speech in London, confirmed that an RAF Poseidon P-8 aircraft was deployed to monitor the vessel and that its crew reported being targeted by laser beams. Healey described the incident as part of a broader pattern of increasingly aggressive Russian behavior, including recent drone incursions into NATO airspace and acts of sabotage across Europe. The Russian Embassy in London dismissed the accusations as “provocative,” asserting that the Yantar is an oceanographic research vessel operating legally in international waters. This marks the second time this year the UK has publicly called out the Yantar for activities linked to Russia’s secretive deep-sea intelligence unit, GUGI, but the first time Britain has accused Russia of directing lasers at its aircraft.
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MS13 Gang Member Arrested at Western Border
In a significant law enforcement breakthrough, Julio César Murillo Mena, a high-profile member of the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS13) gang, was apprehended at the Guatemalan Migration Institute in Melchor de Mencos, Petén. The arrest was the result of a meticulously coordinated operation involving INTERPOL and Belizean immigration authorities. Murillo Mena, a Salvadoran national, is wanted in his home country for grave offenses, including homicide and illegal possession of firearms, which carry prison sentences ranging from 4 to 15 years. MS13, a transnational criminal organization with roots in the aftermath of El Salvador’s civil war, has gained infamy for its violent activities, including extortion, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and contract killings. The gang’s origins are deeply tied to the recruitment of child soldiers during the conflict, which displaced nearly one million Salvadorans and left the nation in turmoil. This arrest underscores the ongoing international efforts to combat organized crime and dismantle violent networks.
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Hurricane Melissa Leaves Jamaica With Estimated US$8.8B in Damage
Jamaica is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which has inflicted an estimated $8.8 billion in damages, marking the most costly natural disaster in the nation’s history. The World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) revealed that the storm’s impact equates to 41% of Jamaica’s 2024 GDP. Striking on October 28, 2025, as a Category Five hurricane with winds reaching 185 miles per hour, Melissa is one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded. The devastation has been extensive, with at least 45 fatalities, 15 individuals still missing, and thousands rendered homeless due to severe flooding and collapsed infrastructure. The United Nations has reported that 36,000 people are in urgent need of food assistance. In early November, Jamaica received a $150 million payout from its catastrophe bond, providing some financial relief, though it falls significantly short of the total estimated damages. Preliminary assessments indicate that homes bore the brunt of the destruction, accounting for 41% of the total damage, followed by infrastructure at 33%, non-residential buildings at 21%, and agriculture at 5%. While agricultural physical losses were relatively lower, the economic repercussions for farmers are expected to persist for months. World Bank Vice President Susana Cordeiro Guerra commended the resilience of the Jamaican people and affirmed the Bank’s commitment to aiding the country in rebuilding efforts. The damage estimate was derived from a GRADE assessment, a rapid evaluation tool funded by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery and Japan’s Ministry of Finance, aimed at providing governments with an early overview of recovery needs.
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Dangriga Mother Receives New Home Ahead of Christmas
As the festive season approaches, a Dangriga mother of five, Mirza Ariola, has been gifted a new home, marking a significant milestone in her life. This heartwarming gesture was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Belize Bank and Hand in Hand Ministries’ Building for Change programme. The official handover and house blessing ceremony took place on Friday, where Ariola became the 14th beneficiary of this 14-year partnership aimed at providing secure and stable housing for families in need. Ariola expressed her profound gratitude in a social media post, stating, ‘This is what compassion looks like. You guys really put in the work. Words can’t express how thankful I am. May the good lord continue to bless all of you in a very special way, and may your basket never run dry.’ Since its inception in 2002, the Building for Change initiative has constructed over 500 small wooden homes across Belize, often with the assistance of international volunteer groups and local business sponsors. This year, volunteers from Belize Bank’s Dangriga Branch worked diligently alongside Ariola’s family to ensure the home was completed in time for the handover.
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Venezuela’s Maduro Offers Face-to-Face Talks with U.S.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has extended an olive branch to the United States, offering to engage in face-to-face talks with U.S. officials despite escalating tensions between the two nations. In a televised address, Maduro emphasized Venezuela’s commitment to peace, stating, ‘Whoever wants to talk to Venezuela can do it. Face to face… Dialogue. Call? Yes. Peace? Yes. War? No. Never, never war.’ This comes as he ordered the mobilization of nearly 200,000 troops, signaling a heightened state of readiness.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sent mixed signals regarding the situation. While he told CBS News that he does not anticipate war, he has not ruled out the possibility of deploying troops. When asked about a potential direct conversation with Maduro, Trump responded, ‘I probably would,’ adding, ‘I talk to everybody.’
Tensions have been mounting since January, with the U.S. intensifying pressure on Venezuela. Measures include a $50 million bounty for Maduro’s capture and airstrikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have resulted in over 80 casualties. The deployment of the USS Gerald Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, to the region has further fueled speculation of potential military action.
Maduro has vehemently denied allegations of running a drug trafficking organization, accusing the U.S. of seeking to control Venezuela’s vast oil reserves and provoking conflict. Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado has reemerged with a ‘freedom manifesto,’ outlining her vision for a post-Maduro Venezuela and calling for accountability for alleged human rights abuses.
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Fake Noticiero 5 Semanal Page on Facebook!
News Five has issued a public alert regarding a fraudulent Facebook page masquerading as its official Spanish-language news service, Noticiero 5 Semanal. The counterfeit page, which bears a striking resemblance to the authentic News Five brand, has been circulating online with the intent to deceive users. Despite having only 35 friends, the fake account employs branding and naming conventions nearly identical to the legitimate Noticiero 5 Semanal page, which boasts over 55,000 followers and is the sole official source for News Five’s Spanish-language content.
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Two Cabinet Reshuffles in a Week Raise Questions About Stability
In an unprecedented move, Belize’s Briceño administration has undergone two Cabinet reshuffles within a single week, raising questions about the stability and direction of the government. The latest adjustments were finalized during a high-level meeting of senior ministers at the Sir Edney Cain Building in Belmopan. This comes just days after the People’s United Party (PUP) celebrated its fifth anniversary in office, a milestone overshadowed by sudden resignations and portfolio reassignments. Prime Minister John Briceño addressed the changes, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement in governance. He clarified that only one reshuffle had been officially enacted, despite reports suggesting multiple adjustments. Among the notable changes, Orange Walk South Area Representative Jose Abelardo Mai resigned from his role as Minister of Agriculture, a position he held since the PUP’s rise to power in 2020. His successor, Rodwell Ferguson, brings extensive experience as a deputy party leader and long-serving area representative. Meanwhile, Belmopan Area Representative Oscar Mira has transitioned from Minister of National Defense and Border Security to Minister of Home Affairs and Enterprise, a move aimed at addressing cross-border security concerns. Other key appointments include Florencio Marin Jr. taking over National Defense and Oscar Requena returning to his former role in Rural Transformation and Community Development. These rapid changes have sparked debates about their implications for governance and voter confidence in the administration.
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Jose Mai Steps Down Amid Health, Speculation Swirls
In a surprising turn of events, Jose Abelardo Mai, Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, resigned from his Cabinet position on Monday, November 18, 2025. Prime Minister John Briceño attributed Mai’s departure to health concerns, specifically an upcoming back surgery. However, the resignation has sparked widespread speculation, as the timing coincides with recent controversies and diplomatic murmurs. Notably, Mai had recently traveled to Brazil to represent Belize at the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture, raising questions about the severity of his condition given the extensive travel involved. Prime Minister Briceño emphasized Mai’s contributions, calling him the best agriculture minister since 1981, but the distinction between resignation and a leave of absence has left many skeptical. Mai’s recent public appearances, including photos on the Ministry’s Facebook page, showed no visible signs of health issues, further fueling doubts. Despite Briceño’s assurances that the U.S. Embassy had no role in Mai’s resignation, the lack of transparency has left the public questioning the true reasons behind the decision. Mai remains the Area Representative for Orange Walk South, but his ability to serve effectively post-surgery remains uncertain. Requests for comment from Mai have gone unanswered, leaving the future of his political career in limbo.
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Mai’s Sudden Exit Adds Fuel to Cabinet Turmoil
The Briceno administration faced heightened turmoil as Orange Walk South Area Representative Jose Abelardo Mai abruptly resigned from his position as Minister of Agriculture on Monday. Mai’s departure came amid escalating allegations of cartel involvement and mounting pressure from the U.S. Embassy to address these accusations. The resignation occurred during an ongoing Cabinet reshuffle, which Prime Minister John Briceno initiated last Tuesday to mark the administration’s fifth anniversary. The sudden vacancy in the agriculture portfolio has intensified political tensions, with Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton demanding transparency from the Prime Minister regarding the circumstances surrounding Mai’s exit. The administration is now grappling with the dual challenges of restoring public trust and stabilizing its leadership team.