The Belize Volleyball Association (BVA) has expressed profound dissatisfaction with the officiating during the bronze medal match between Belize and Panama at the 2025 Central American Games in Guatemala. In a statement released on October 23, the BVA criticized head referee Tatiana Villalobos of Costa Rica for a contentious decision in the fifth set. With Panama leading 13–12, a ‘ball out’ call was made against Belize, despite what the BVA claims was clear evidence that the ball had touched a Panamanian player. The point was awarded to Panama, giving them match point. Belize’s team captain sought clarification, but the referee refused to consult with other officials. Shortly after, a red card was issued to a Belizean player for an emotional reaction, granting Panama the final point and the bronze medal. Upon returning home, the team remained silent, visibly disheartened. However, members of the women’s team voiced their solidarity and frustration over the outcome. The BVA described the incident as a ‘grave injustice’ that not only impacted the match’s result but also violated the principles of fair play. The association has lodged formal complaints with AFECAVOL, NORCECA, and FIVB, demanding a thorough investigation and measures to prevent future occurrences. While acknowledging the unchangeable result, the BVA reaffirmed its unwavering support for the national team, praising their integrity, passion, and professionalism throughout the tournament.
标签： Belize
伯利兹
-
Belizean Students in Jamaica Brace for Hurricane Melissa
As Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 165 mph, approaches Jamaica, Belizean students on the island are making urgent preparations. The hurricane, one of the most powerful in Jamaica’s history, is expected to make landfall tonight, bringing catastrophic rainfall of 15 to 30 inches and triggering flash floods and landslides. The Meteorological Service of Jamaica reported that the storm’s center is currently 230 kilometers southwest of Kingston, moving slowly at 6 km/h before turning northward. Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, emphasized that the time for preparation is over, urging residents and international students to follow safety instructions and conserve water. Belizean law student Isareli Cal shared her struggles in securing supplies, noting that stores were running out of essentials. While the Belizean consulate has offered shelter to off-campus students, many, like Cal, are relying on personal resources and family support. The Belizean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has pledged post-storm assistance to students. As the island braces for impact, the international community watches with concern.
-
Senior Magistrates Are Being Transferred
The Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) of Belize has addressed public concerns regarding the recent relocation of senior magistrates across the country. In an official statement, the JLSC clarified that these transfers are standard procedures, aligned with Regulation 128 of the Judicial and Legal Services Regulations. Typically, magistrates are reassigned after completing a two-year tenure in a specific location. While most transfers occur between July and August, exceptions are made when urgent needs arise. The Commission emphasized that these relocations aim to enhance the efficiency and fairness of justice delivery in district courts, while also providing mentorship to junior officers. The JLSC reiterated its commitment to upholding the Rule of Law, promoting good governance, and improving access to justice for all Belizeans. These measures are part of a broader strategy to ensure that judicial services remain accessible and effective across the nation.
-
Venezuela Accuses T&T of U.S.-Backed Military Provocation
Tensions in the Caribbean have reached a boiling point as Venezuela has accused Trinidad and Tobago of orchestrating a U.S.-backed military provocation. The allegations come in the wake of the USS Gravely, a U.S. Navy destroyer, docking in Port of Spain for joint training exercises with Trinidad and Tobago’s Defence Force. The exercises, scheduled from October 27 to October 30, are part of Washington’s broader campaign against drug trafficking and organized crime in the region. Venezuela has condemned these activities as a ‘hostile provocation,’ alleging that Trinidad and Tobago is collaborating with the CIA to instigate a conflict in the Caribbean. Venezuelan officials claim to have captured mercenaries and suggest that a false-flag operation is being staged to justify military action against Venezuela. In response, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs has vehemently denied the accusations, emphasizing that the USS Gravely’s visit aims to bolster efforts against transnational crime and enhance humanitarian partnerships. The government reiterated its commitment to regional peace and its positive relationship with the Venezuelan people. The situation escalated further when the Pentagon deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, to the region. The U.S. has also authorized CIA operations targeting Venezuela and imposed sanctions on Colombian President Gustavo Petro, accusing him and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of being ‘narcoterrorists,’ though no concrete evidence has been publicly disclosed. Reports indicate that U.S. forces have destroyed at least 10 suspected drug boats, resulting in 43 fatalities, including two Trinidadian men who were killed in a strike on a vessel that departed Venezuela in mid-October. Families of the victims have denied any involvement in drug trafficking. Venezuela asserts that the U.S. is using the pretext of an ‘armed conflict’ with narco-terrorists as a cover for regime change, aiming to oust President Nicolás Maduro and install a U.S.-backed leader.
-
Melissa Becomes Monster Category 5 Hurricane
Hurricane Melissa has escalated into a formidable Category 5 storm, posing a severe threat to Jamaica with its potential for devastating rainfall, destructive winds, and life-threatening storm surges. As of Monday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami reported that Melissa was positioned approximately 130 miles south-southwest of Kingston, Jamaica, and about 315 miles south-southwest of Guantánamo, Cuba. The hurricane boasts maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour and is advancing westward at a sluggish pace of just 3 mph. Forecasters predict that Melissa will make landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday, subsequently traversing Cuba and the Bahamas through Wednesday. The NHC has issued warnings that the storm’s slow movement could result in up to 30 inches of rainfall across Jamaica, exacerbating the risk of flooding and other hazards. Melissa is now recognized as the most potent hurricane in recent history to directly threaten Jamaica. The storm’s intensity has already claimed lives, with at least three fatalities reported in Haiti and one in the Dominican Republic, where another individual remains missing. In response to the impending crisis, Jamaican authorities have activated emergency shelters and mandated evacuations for residents in low-lying and coastal areas.
-
Hurricane Melissa Leaves Four Dead in Haiti and the Dominican Republic
Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 4 storm, has wreaked havoc across Haiti and the Dominican Republic, resulting in significant loss of life and extensive destruction. The hurricane triggered deadly floods and landslides, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. In Haiti, at least three individuals lost their lives due to landslides and falling trees, while in the Dominican Republic, one fatality has been confirmed, and another person remains missing. Additionally, five people sustained injuries when a wall collapsed under the force of relentless rains and powerful winds. The Dominican Republic has placed four provinces under red alert, with 13 in yellow and 13 in green, as torrential rains continue to inundate the northern and southwestern regions. President Luis Abinader conducted an inspection of several dams on Sunday, expressing concerns over potential overflow due to the heavy rainfall. The Centre for Emergency Operations (COE) in the Dominican Republic reported that over 2,900 people are without electricity following the failure of 18 power circuits. Furthermore, more than 625,000 residents are without access to clean water after 60 aqueducts were shut down. In response, the COE has deployed drones to deliver food and essential supplies to remote communities isolated by flooding and landslides. Haiti has also reported collapsed bridges and destroyed homes as river levels surged dramatically.
-
Catastrophic Impact Feared as Hurricane Melissa Bears Down on Jamaica
Jamaica is on high alert as Hurricane Melissa, a formidable Category 4 storm, continues its slow advance towards the island. The hurricane, currently positioned south of Jamaica, has already unleashed heavy rains and fierce winds across eastern parishes, including Portland, St Thomas, and parts of Kingston. Forecasters predict that conditions will deteriorate further as the storm edges closer, with the worst expected between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
The Jamaican Meteorological Service has issued dire warnings, anticipating rainfall totals of 15–30 inches, which could trigger flash floods, landslides, and a storm surge of 9 to 13 feet along the south coast. In a press conference, Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz, emphasized the severity of the situation, urging citizens to take evacuation orders seriously. ‘We did not get a direct hit from Beryl, and we are due to get a direct hit from a Category 4, possibly a Category 5,’ Vaz stated. ‘This may be the one.’
Meanwhile, Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration has reassured the public that Belizean students in Jamaica are being cared for. The ministry confirmed that no foreign students have been asked to evacuate, as their safety remains the top priority. The Government of Jamaica has pledged to continue accommodating all regional and international students residing in UWI Halls of Residence.
As Hurricane Melissa looms, the potential for catastrophic damage is immense, with authorities urging residents to prepare for the worst and heed all safety advisories.
-
92-Year-Old Man Dies Waiting for Care at NRH, Investigation Launched
A tragic incident at the Northern Regional Hospital (NRH) has prompted a full investigation by Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard. A 92-year-old man reportedly waited nearly an hour for medical attention before passing away, raising serious concerns about the hospital’s emergency response protocols. Minister Bernard described the event as “deeply concerning” and emphasized that “no one should be denied urgent care.” He vowed to hold accountable any staff found negligent or failing to triage appropriately. The incident gained attention after a social media post by the deceased’s relative, who claimed hospital staff dismissed their pleas for help, stating, “We are busy sir, wait outside!” The relative recounted the chaotic scene when it became clear the man was no longer breathing. This is not the first time NRH has faced allegations of negligence, with previous complaints involving a firefighter and an eleven-year-old child. Minister Bernard reiterated the ministry’s “zero tolerance” for lapses in duty and assured that the investigation’s findings would lead to corrective actions to prevent future tragedies.
-
Belizean Students in Jamaica Safe as Hurricane Melissa Nears Category 5 Strength
As Hurricane Melissa intensifies to near Category 5 strength, Belizean students in Jamaica have been assured of their safety by both Belizean and Jamaican authorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration of Belize has maintained close communication with its Jamaican counterparts to address growing concerns about the welfare of Belizean nationals studying in Jamaica. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 storm, is expected to bring catastrophic flooding, destructive winds, and life-threatening storm surges through Tuesday. Despite the severe weather conditions, the Jamaican government has confirmed that all international students, including Belizeans residing at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Halls of Residence, will continue to receive necessary care and accommodation. While Jamaican students have been advised to temporarily relocate, no foreign students, including Belizeans, have been asked to evacuate. Belizean students are encouraged to follow official guidance from Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) and stay in contact with local authorities and the Belize High Commission. Currently, there are no plans for repatriation.
-
Melissa Becomes Category 1 Hurricane
Hurricane Melissa has escalated into a Category 1 storm, boasting sustained winds of 75 mph as of Saturday afternoon. Positioned 145 miles southeast of Kingston, Jamaica, the storm’s sluggish movement at just 1 mph has heightened concerns across the Caribbean, particularly in Jamaica, Haiti, and Belize. Meteorologists predict rapid intensification over the weekend, with Melissa potentially reaching Category 4 strength before making landfall late Monday or early Tuesday. Torrential rains have already begun to batter Haiti, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness warning of potential rainfall between 15 to 25 inches. The slow-moving nature of the storm poses a unique challenge, as it is expected to linger, causing prolonged and catastrophic flooding. Evan Thompson, Director of the Meteorological Service, emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, ‘There is nowhere that will escape the wrath. It’s going to cause significant, widespread, catastrophic, life-threatening floods.’ In response, Jamaica’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management has fully activated the National Emergency Operations Centre, placing the country at Level 3—the full response phase. Air travel disruptions are already underway, with Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston set to close Saturday night, and Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay reviewing operations amid numerous flight cancellations. Meanwhile, Caribbean residents, including students from the University of the West Indies, are scrambling to evacuate. Darwin McFadzean, a second-year law student and police officer, shared his struggles on social media, highlighting the financial strain faced by many students left to ‘fend for themselves’ in the face of the impending disaster.