The Belize Police Department has taken a significant step toward modernizing its approach to law enforcement by integrating non-lethal alternatives into its operations. On October 29, 2025, officers participated in a comprehensive training session focused on the use of pepper balls and other non-lethal rounds. These tools are designed to de-escalate dangerous situations without resorting to deadly force, offering a safer option for both officers and suspects. Unlike traditional live ammunition, which can result in severe injuries or fatalities, pepper balls temporarily incapacitate individuals by causing pain and disorientation, minimizing the risk of permanent harm. This shift reflects a broader trend in policing to prioritize safety and reduce unnecessary violence. The training exercise emphasized practical skills, ensuring officers are well-equipped to handle high-pressure scenarios effectively. A video documenting the session is set to be released tomorrow, providing further insight into this progressive initiative.
标签： Belize
伯利兹
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Is Belize City’s “Hangar” at the Centre of a Secret Land Grab?
In a surprising turn of events, the Belize City Council recently removed concrete barricades that had blocked access to the popular seafront hangout known as the ‘Hangar,’ reopening the area to vehicles. However, this move has sparked concerns over a potential secret land grab involving Belize’s wealthy elite. According to a highly placed source, there may be a covert plan to transfer publicly-used seafront land to private hands. Court documents, government receipts, and land records obtained by our newsroom reveal that prominent individuals are listed as clients in a provisional subdivision approval issued last year for parcels along the same coastline. The council had initially blocked public access to the area in August, citing concerns over loitering and crime. However, questions have arisen about whether the true motive was to secure highly valuable seafront property for private ownership. Sources suggest that the barricading of the Hangar could be part of a long-term strategy to decommission the seafront road, potentially transforming a public space used by fishers, swimmers, and ordinary Belizeans into private property. The situation raises concerns about the loss of public access to Belize City’s coastline, with many questioning who is truly behind the push to close off the Hangar. Stay tuned for more details tonight at 6 PM on GBM.
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Death of British Man Under Investigation
Authorities in Belize have initiated a thorough investigation following the tragic death of a British national, Eric Leonard Storey, 52, who was discovered unconscious near a hotel in Caye Caulker on Tuesday. Storey had reportedly checked into the Casa Vista Hotel on the island’s north side just one day prior to the incident. According to preliminary reports, several witnesses in the vicinity heard a loud thud and subsequently found Storey lying motionless on the ground. He was immediately transported to the Caye Caulker Health Clinic, where medical professionals attempted to revive him. Despite their efforts, Storey succumbed to his injuries later that evening. The circumstances surrounding his injuries and the duration of his stay in Belize remain unclear. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith stated, ‘No information has been ascertained in relation to that. It’s an ongoing investigation.’ The case has drawn significant attention, with local authorities working diligently to uncover the truth behind this mysterious death.
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Opposition Demands Answers on Silver Palm Approval
The approval of the Silver Palm development, a major real estate project on Ambergris Caye, Belize, has sparked significant controversy and opposition. The project, approved in December 2024 under a Limited Level Environmental Study, bypassed public consultation, raising questions about transparency and environmental safeguards. Critics, including the Opposition, are demanding answers from the Department of the Environment (DOE) and Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai. They question why a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was not conducted, why key NGOs were excluded, and why objections from the Fisheries Department and the Ministry of the Blue Economy were reportedly disregarded. In an interview, Mai defended the decision, stating that the project’s size—270 acres—fell just below the 300-acre threshold requiring an EIA. He emphasized that the project underwent review by a smaller group within the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) and was granted clearance with strict conditions. Despite claims that the development is primarily a subdivision project, promotional materials depict it as a luxury, ready-to-build community with modern infrastructure. The Opposition insists on full transparency, the release of all project documents, and a halt to work until a comprehensive EIA is completed and made public.
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Feinstein’s Fraud Case Over Stake Bank Hits Pause
The high-profile fraud case involving developer Michael Feinstein and the contentious Stake Bank project has been postponed, marking another twist in a legal saga that has captivated Belize. Scheduled to commence in the High Court on October 29, 2025, the proceedings were abruptly delayed as Feinstein’s British legal team sought a stay to appeal a prior decision barring the submission of new evidence. Justice Susan Goonetilleke adjourned the case pending a ruling from the Court of Appeal on the matter.
The dispute traces back to April 2024, when Atlantic Bank Limited accused Feinstein and Stake Bank Enterprises of fraud, alleging that $62 million in financing for a cruise port development was misused. The bank claims Feinstein unlawfully transferred a 23.5-acre island extension to his personal name rather than the company’s. Outside the courtroom, Feinstein lashed out at his adversaries, labeling them “banksters” and accusing financial institutions and government officials of conspiring to seize control of the multimillion-dollar project.
Adding to the controversy, the Government of Belize recently moved to compulsorily acquire 23.4 acres of Stake Bank Island, a decision Feinstein’s group has denounced as unlawful and lacking public interest, particularly given the presence of other port facilities like the Port of Belize. This latest delay prolongs a legal battle that continues to raise questions about transparency, accountability, and the future of the Stake Bank development.
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United Nations Overwhelmingly Calls for End to US Embargo on Cuba
In a resounding display of international consensus, the United Nations General Assembly has once again urged the United States to terminate its long-standing economic embargo on Cuba. The resolution, passed on October 29, 2025, garnered support from 165 nations, with only seven opposing and 12 abstaining. This annual vote, a tradition spanning over three decades, underscores the global community’s persistent disapproval of the embargo, which has been in effect since the Cold War era. The embargo restricts most commercial and financial interactions between the U.S. and Cuba, a policy critics argue inflicts collective punishment on the Cuban people. Despite the overwhelming support for the resolution, the U.S., alongside Israel, Argentina, Hungary, North Macedonia, Paraguay, and Ukraine, voted against it. Belize was among the nations advocating for the embargo’s end. Notably, this year’s vote reflects a slight shift from the previous year, when 187 countries supported the resolution and only the U.S. and Israel opposed it. The U.S. attempted to justify its stance by accusing Cuba of deploying troops to support Russian forces in Ukraine—a claim vehemently denied by Cuban officials. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the embargo as a punitive measure, while U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Jeff Bartos, defended the policy, emphasizing Washington’s commitment to holding Cuba’s communist regime accountable. While the UN vote carries significant symbolic and political weight, it lacks the authority to lift the embargo, a decision that remains the sole prerogative of the U.S. Congress.
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Venezuela Declares Trinidad PM “Persona Non Grata”
In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, Venezuela has officially declared Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, ‘persona non grata.’ The decision, ratified by Venezuela’s National Assembly on October 29, 2025, prohibits Persad-Bissessar from entering Venezuelan territory and brands her as unwelcome. This move comes in response to her outspoken endorsement of U.S. military operations targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the Caribbean. ‘I have no sympathy for traffickers; the U.S. military should kill them all, violently,’ Persad-Bissessar stated earlier this month, sparking outrage in Venezuela. The Venezuelan government has vehemently criticized these military strikes as unlawful and a direct threat to regional peace and sovereignty. Reports suggest that at least 57 individuals have lost their lives in 13 separate attacks, though no concrete evidence has been presented to link the victims to drug trafficking. In a retaliatory measure, Venezuela has suspended a significant gas agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, accusing the island nation of aligning itself with U.S. military interests. Concurrently, Trinidad and Tobago is reportedly preparing to deport hundreds of undocumented Venezuelan migrants. While the timing of this action has raised eyebrows, government officials assert that the deportation plan has been in the works for two months, independent of the current diplomatic rift.
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Tax Reform Delayed, SARA Now Set for 2027
Belize’s ambitious tax reform initiative has encountered a significant delay, with the launch of the Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA) now rescheduled for 2027. Originally anticipated to roll out sooner, the government has extended the timeline to allow for a one-year grace period before the transition begins. During this interim phase, the Belize Tax Services Department will continue its operations without disruption. Authorities are currently finalizing critical details, including staff salaries, insurance benefits, and job roles, to ensure a smooth transition to SARA. This reform is a cornerstone of Belize’s broader strategy to modernize its tax collection and management systems, promising enhanced efficiency and user-friendliness through digital platforms like the IRIS Belize Portal. However, the delay has sparked concerns among stakeholders, particularly the Public Service Union (PSU), which represents many affected employees. The PSU has criticized the lack of adequate consultation and raised alarms about potential impacts on workers, operational costs, and national revenue. Tensions escalated recently when the PSU’s letter to the Prime Minister reportedly went unanswered for weeks, fueling speculation of a possible strike. The government’s decision to postpone SARA’s implementation reflects a more cautious approach, though it remains uncertain whether this will alleviate the growing discontent among union members.
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Hurricane Melissa Leaves Trail of Destruction Across the Caribbean
Hurricane Melissa has unleashed widespread destruction across the Caribbean, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The storm, which initially struck Jamaica as a historic Category 5 hurricane, later made landfall in Cuba as a Category 3 before advancing towards the Bahamas as a Category 2 with maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. The hurricane has caused fatalities, severe flooding, and extensive damage to homes, hospitals, and schools in its path. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared the island a ‘disaster zone’ on Tuesday, with power outages and flooding reported across both Jamaica and Cuba. The ‘All Clear’ was announced on October 29, allowing essential services to resume. In Haiti, the death toll rose to at least 25 after a river swollen by the hurricane burst its banks in Petit-Goâve. While Jamaica has not yet released an official death toll, three fatalities occurred during storm preparations. One death has also been reported in the Dominican Republic. Meteorologists warn that Melissa’s strongest winds are expanding, posing an increased threat to the Bahamas, where warnings remain in effect as the storm is forecast to pass between Long Island and Crooked Island later today.
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US Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats Kill 14
In a significant escalation of efforts to combat drug trafficking, US military forces conducted strikes on four suspected drug vessels in the eastern Pacific on October 29, 2025, resulting in the deaths of 14 individuals. The operation, authorized by President Donald Trump, was confirmed by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stated that the targeted vessels were identified by intelligence agencies as part of known narco-trafficking routes. One survivor was reportedly rescued approximately 400 miles off the coast of Acapulco, with Mexican authorities now leading the coordination efforts. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum strongly condemned the strikes, emphasizing the need for adherence to international treaties and calling for urgent discussions with US officials. This incident marks the latest in a series of US military actions targeting suspected drug boats in the Pacific and Caribbean, which have claimed at least 57 lives to date. The strikes have heightened tensions between the US and regional governments, particularly Colombia and Venezuela. The US recently imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro and deployed military assets, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Caribbean. President Trump has accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of leading a drug-trafficking organization, a claim Maduro vehemently denies. The situation underscores the growing complexities of international drug enforcement efforts and their geopolitical ramifications.