Tropical Storm Melissa has emerged in the central Caribbean Sea, with forecasts predicting its intensification into a hurricane by the weekend. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has confirmed the storm’s formation, citing satellite and radar data that reveal a well-defined center and sustained winds of up to 50 mph. As of Tuesday morning, Melissa was positioned approximately 300 miles south of Haiti. The NHC has issued warnings of significant flooding and dangerous mudslides for parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti, with these risks persisting through the weekend. The storm is expected to gain strength steadily, fueled by the warm Caribbean waters, potentially reaching Category 1 hurricane status by Saturday morning. Currently, a hurricane watch is in effect for portions of Haiti, while Jamaica remains under a tropical storm watch. Puerto Rico is also anticipated to face heavy rainfall as Melissa progresses northward. This marks the 13th named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season and the first to originate in the Caribbean Sea.
标签： Belize
伯利兹
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Belize Signs US “Safe Third Country” Deal for Migrants
Belize has entered into a landmark agreement with the United States to serve as a ‘safe third country’ for migrants seeking asylum in the US. Prime Minister John Antonio Briceño announced that the deal, pending approval by the Belize Senate, will enable migrants deported from the US to apply for asylum in Belize rather than being returned to their countries of origin. The US State Department hailed the agreement as a significant step toward curbing illegal immigration and addressing abuses of the US asylum system. This arrangement mirrors similar agreements recently established with Paraguay, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Honduras, all of which have accepted deportees from the US. However, human rights organizations have raised concerns, arguing that such agreements could expose migrants to persecution or harm in the receiving countries. Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the agreement includes robust security measures to safeguard national sovereignty, with Belize retaining full authority to approve or reject transfers and conducting thorough background checks. Prime Minister Briceño framed the initiative as a ‘job program,’ allowing qualified migrants to contribute to Belize’s economy, particularly those from Central America. Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar Panton expressed concerns about the potential financial and sovereignty implications of the deal. The US State Department reiterated the agreement’s role in addressing regional migration challenges and strengthening bilateral cooperation.
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Mother and Son Perish in Alleged Arson Attack in San Felipe
A devastating arson attack in San Felipe Village, Orange Walk, has left a community in mourning after a mother and her young son perished in a house fire early Monday morning. Thirty-five-year-old Angelita Magaña and her six-year-old son, Tishan Godoy, were among four individuals asleep in the home when the blaze erupted. Angelita’s daughter and her common-law husband, Miguel Novelo, narrowly escaped, but Angelita and Tishan tragically did not survive. Authorities have identified the prime suspect as Angelita’s former common-law husband, Francisco Godoy, who was found injured at the scene and is now in police custody. Godoy had recently been released from custody after serving time for domestic violence charges against Angelita. Neighbors recounted the harrowing moments as flames engulfed the home, with one individual, Leon, hailed as a hero for saving Angelita’s daughter. The Ministry of Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management has extended condolences to the family, while the community rallies to support funeral expenses and medical care for the injured daughter. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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Santa Elena Man Found Shot, Dies Hours Later
In the early hours of Sunday, October 12, 2025, police officers patrolling the Bradley Bank area in Santa Elena discovered a man lying in the street with severe head injuries. The victim, identified as 42-year-old Shawn Hertular, was immediately transported to San Ignacio Hospital for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, Hertular succumbed to his injuries hours later. A postmortem examination confirmed that he died from a gunshot wound, marking another tragic chapter in a life marred by violence. Hertular had a notorious criminal history, including a 2024 acquittal for the 2021 murder of Miguel Zaiden, a Belize City resident who was stabbed multiple times while attempting to flee on his motorcycle. Prior to that, Hertular had served a 20-year prison sentence for another homicide. Authorities have now identified a person of interest in connection with his death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
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Life Sentence Challenged in Tamales Vendor’s Murder Case
In a case that sent shockwaves across Belize in 2018, the brutal murder of 68-year-old Martha Gonzales, a dedicated tamales vendor, has resurfaced in the legal spotlight. Gonzales, who traveled daily from Orange Walk to Pomona Valley in Stann Creek to sell tamales, cheese, and clothing, met a tragic end during one of her routine trips. Her body was discovered in a latrine on the property of Christopher Bradley, then 21 years old. Investigators revealed that Gonzales had been stabbed in the chest, wrapped in a tarp, and concealed in the latrine. The case took a chilling turn when Bradley allegedly took her bucket of tamales home, fed his mother, and gifted Gonzales’ chain to his girlfriend. In 2021, Bradley was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole for 28 years. However, he has now returned to court, appealing both his conviction and sentence. His defense attorney contends that critical evidence, including the chain and blood found at Bradley’s residence, should have been excluded. The prosecution, on the other hand, maintains that the evidence was robust and the sentence justified. A panel of three judges heard arguments today, and the outcome of this high-profile appeal remains pending.
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Employees Foil Armed Robbery at Corozal Store
In a dramatic turn of events, employees at Mo’s Supermarket in Corozal successfully foiled an armed robbery attempt on the evening of October 19, 2025. The incident unfolded at approximately 6:40 p.m. when 29-year-old Ryan Delgado entered the store brandishing a Crossman air pistol, intent on carrying out a heist. However, before Delgado could execute his plan, vigilant store employees intervened, preventing the robbery and detaining the suspect until police arrived. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith provided details on the incident, confirming that Delgado was taken into custody and the weapon was seized as evidence. Reports suggest that Delgado sustained injuries during the altercation, allegedly inflicted by the store’s employees. ASP Smith emphasized that if evidence indicates any actions taken against Delgado were unlawful, the police would pursue appropriate legal measures. This incident highlights the bravery and quick response of the supermarket staff, who ensured the safety of the establishment and its patrons.
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Briceño’s Fortis Strategy Sparks Heated Debate in Senate
The Briceño administration’s $256 million acquisition of Fortis Belize Limited and its BEL shares has reignited a fiery debate in the Senate, with Opposition Senator Patrick Faber leading the charge against the government’s plan to divest the newly acquired assets. Faber criticized the move as reckless, questioning the expertise of the local investors Prime Minister Briceño named last Friday to manage a hydroelectric company. ‘Even if we accept the acquisition, we must reject the reckless plan to divest the very assets we have just bought,’ Faber stated. He argued that institutions like Social Security, Credit Unions, and commercial banks lack the necessary experience to run such a complex operation. Government Senator Hector Guerra countered, emphasizing the potential benefits for Belizean investors. ‘It will open doors for Belizean people, ensuring they can invest in a critical asset and expect returns,’ Guerra asserted. He highlighted the excess liquidity in the banking sector as an opportunity for broader public investment. The debate underscores the deep divisions over the government’s strategy to manage Belize’s energy assets.
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Senators Demand Answers on Fortis Pullout
In a heated Senate debate on October 20, 2025, Belizean senators demanded clarity on Fortis Inc.’s decision to withdraw from the country’s energy sector and the potential ramifications for electricity costs and national energy independence. Union Senator Glenfield Dennison questioned the rationale behind Fortis, a seasoned power generation company, exiting the market while Belize, with limited expertise in the field, takes over. Dennison emphasized the critical role of water resources in hydroelectric power, urging a closer examination of the nation’s hydrological prospects. Church Senator Louis Wade echoed public concerns, highlighting Belize’s exorbitant electricity rates and stressing the need for affordable energy solutions. He acknowledged the symbolic significance of reclaiming control over Belize’s rivers but underscored the importance of tangible benefits for citizens. NGO Senator Janelle Chanona called for greater public awareness and a thorough cost-benefit analysis to assess the long-term impact of the acquisition. She noted that while electricity rates are perceived as high, a detailed tariff review is essential to determine future pricing. The senators’ inquiries reflect widespread unease about the transition and its potential to either alleviate or exacerbate Belize’s energy challenges.
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Courtenay Closes Fortis Debate with Sharp Rebuke
In a heated parliamentary session on October 20, 2025, Lead Government Senator Eamon Courtenay concluded the debate on the controversial Fortis acquisition with a sharp and unexpected rebuke. Courtenay criticized the opposition for their ‘Who Thief Budna’ t-shirts, which were worn during a previous session, and controversially suggested that only those who support pedophiles could dismiss the benefits of the Fortis deal. He emphasized that the government’s decision to purchase Fortis Belize Limited was driven by national interest, as Fortis had threatened to sell to a foreign entity. Courtenay stated, ‘It occurred to me when I listened to senators opposite that only if you love a pedophile and support Budna and publicly come out and embrace him that you can rationalize away this project.’ UDP Senator Shenna Pitts countered Courtenay’s remarks, calling his accusations uncharacteristic and unrelated to the core issue of the Fortis acquisition. She questioned the relevance of the ‘Who Thief Budna’ slogan to the debate, asserting that it had no bearing on the matter at hand. The debate highlighted the deep political divisions surrounding the Fortis deal, with Courtenay defending the government’s actions as necessary for national security and economic stability.
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Sherene Garbutt Fights Back as 22 Acres in Independence Go Protected
In a heated land dispute in Independence, Belize, resident Sherene Garbutt is refusing to back down despite the government’s decision to designate 22 acres of land as a protected area. The conflict began when Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde confirmed that the land, originally leased to Orange Walk resident Charles Price, would be returned to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Garbutt, who had applied for the same land earlier, claims her application never reached Hyde’s desk, while Price’s application, submitted over a year later, was approved. Garbutt is now questioning why her parcel was singled out for protection when a larger 100-acre plot with similar natural features remains untouched. Hyde acknowledged administrative errors but emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving such disputes. Garbutt, however, remains steadfast, demanding the return of the land within her village and threatening legal action if her demands are not met.