标签： Belize

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.

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.

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.