Carib Scope

标签： Belize

伯利兹

  • $24M San Pedro-Based Casino Empire Crumbles Following News 5 Investigation

    $24M San Pedro-Based Casino Empire Crumbles Following News 5 Investigation

    In a dramatic turn of events, the $24 million casino empire of Rima Ray, owner of Caribi Bleu Casino in San Pedro, Belize, has crumbled following a comprehensive investigation by News 5. Ray, a prominent American casino operator, is now incarcerated in the United States, facing serious charges including fraud, illegal gambling, and operating an unauthorized gaming business.

    Ray’s downfall began in July 2025 when a routine traffic stop in the U.S. led to the discovery of over $300,000 in cash hidden in his Tesla. Police bodycam footage, released this week, captures the moment officers uncovered the money, which Ray claimed was proceeds from the sale of part of his casino business in Belize. Twenty days later, he was arrested in Sumter County on a $50,000 bond.

    The arrest is the culmination of a months-long U.S. investigation, but Ray’s name first came under scrutiny in Belize in 2024 after News 5 exposed irregularities at Caribi Bleu Casino. This prompted Belizean authorities to launch their own investigation, which revealed an unauthorized ATM dispensing U.S. currency and raised questions about Ray’s extensive list of golf cart permits on the island.

    The Central Bank of Belize and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) subsequently initiated probes into Ray’s operations. Although he faced no charges in Belize at the time, the Ministry of Finance revoked the gaming license for GMK Sky Limited, the company operating Caribi Bleu Casino, on July 25, 2025. The public was advised to cease all business dealings with the entity, and operations were ordered to halt immediately.

    Reports now estimate the value of Ray’s illegal operations at $24 million. He is set to be prosecuted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO), marking a significant blow to his once-thriving casino empire.

  • Here’s One Way You Can Join the Season of Giving

    Here’s One Way You Can Join the Season of Giving

    The Salvation Army has officially launched its annual Kettle Drive, a charitable initiative designed to bring warmth, meals, and holiday cheer to children and families in need across Belize. The campaign, which began this morning, aims to raise $100,000 to provide Christmas dinners and gifts for nearly a thousand children in the region. Major Marc Eddy Momplaisir, the District Officer for the Salvation Army, emphasized the significance of the drive, stating, ‘It is a joy. It is really love. So having Kettle launching today in Belize, it means love. It means compassion. You see hope, and you see children who are already happy because they believe the Salvation Army will bring something to them.’ All funds raised will remain in Belize, directly supporting over 800 children, with the potential to extend aid to a thousand in other communities. Last year’s campaign achieved 75% of its target, but Momplaisir remains optimistic about this year’s goal, urging stakeholders, partners, and Belizeans to unite in their efforts. Volunteers will be stationed near banks and superstores in the coming weeks, encouraging donations to ensure that every coin contributes to brightening the holidays for children and the elderly.

  • ‘Use It or Be Punished?’ Bishop Martin Students Threatened Over MOE-Issued Chromebooks

    ‘Use It or Be Punished?’ Bishop Martin Students Threatened Over MOE-Issued Chromebooks

    A recent initiative by Belize’s Ministry of Education (MOE) to distribute Chromebooks to students at Bishop Martin High School (BMHS) has sparked controversy and raised concerns among parents and students. The devices, part of the Skills for the Future Program, aim to provide equitable access to digital learning tools and support Belize’s transition to a more technologically advanced educational system. However, the mandatory use of these Chromebooks has led to friction within the school community.

  • Belizeans Face Flight Uncertainty as U.S. Shutdown Grounds More Flights

    Belizeans Face Flight Uncertainty as U.S. Shutdown Grounds More Flights

    The ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown, now in its fifth week, has led to widespread flight cancellations and delays, raising concerns for Belize’s tourism industry. Over 2,000 flights were disrupted today, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announcing traffic reductions at 40 major airports. The FAA predicts up to 4,000 daily flights could be affected by next week as operations are scaled back to alleviate pressure on unpaid air traffic controllers. Belizeans with travel plans to the U.S. are receiving alerts about potential disruptions. American Airlines has issued a temporary waiver for change fees, allowing passengers booked between November 7–14 to rebook without penalty, provided the origin and destination remain unchanged. Evan Tillett, Director of the Belize Tourism Board, stated that the situation is being closely monitored, with United Airlines confirming that international flights will remain unaffected. The shutdown, which began on October 1, has already impacted food aid programs and left hundreds of federal workers unpaid. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, warned that the situation is deteriorating and urged Congress to reopen the government.

  • Will the ICJ Confirm Belize’s Sovereignty Over the Sapodilla Cayes?

    Will the ICJ Confirm Belize’s Sovereignty Over the Sapodilla Cayes?

    The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is set to conduct public hearings from November 24 to 26, 2025, in The Hague, Netherlands, to address Guatemala’s request to intervene in Belize’s sovereignty claim over the Sapodilla Cayes. Belize initially filed the case against Honduras three years ago, seeking the ICJ’s declaration of its sovereignty over the islands, which are located at the southern end of the Belize Barrier Reef in the Gulf of Honduras.

    Guatemala, which submitted its application last year, argues that the case intersects with its own territorial claim over Belize, also pending before the ICJ. Guatemala asserts a ‘clear legal interest’ in the matter, citing its longstanding sovereignty claim over the Sapodilla Cayes, and warns that the ICJ’s decision could impact its case.

    The hearings will include three rounds of oral arguments, with Guatemala presenting its case on Monday and Wednesday, and Belize and Honduras responding on Tuesday and Wednesday.

  • Man Ambushed and Shot at in Unitedville

    Man Ambushed and Shot at in Unitedville

    A violent ambush in Unitedville, Cayo, left a 38-year-old construction worker critically injured on Thursday night. Kevin Trapp, the victim, was returning home around 8:40 p.m. when two unidentified assailants approached his vehicle. One of the attackers fired multiple shots, striking Trapp several times. A family member rushed him to San Ignacio Community Hospital, where he is currently in stable condition. Trapp has a history with law enforcement; in 2021, he was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to supply after police discovered 70 packets of cannabis, a digital scale, and $288.50 BZD during a home search. Authorities are investigating the motive behind the attack, which has raised concerns about safety in the area.

  • World Bank Confirms $150 Million Disaster Payout to Jamaica After Melissa

    World Bank Confirms $150 Million Disaster Payout to Jamaica After Melissa

    In a significant move to aid Jamaica’s recovery from the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, the World Bank has confirmed a $150 million payout under its catastrophe bond. This financial injection, the first full payout triggered by Jamaica’s 2024 bond, is a critical step toward rebuilding the nation’s shattered infrastructure and economy. However, the funds represent only a fraction of the estimated $6 to $7 billion in damages—nearly one-third of Jamaica’s annual GDP—caused by the Category 5 storm. The hurricane’s ferocity claimed 32 lives, left thousands homeless, and severed access to essential services in rural areas, with 36,000 people urgently requiring food aid. The payout, activated by pre-agreed parametric triggers linked to the storm’s central pressure and path, highlights the role of innovative financial tools in disaster risk management. World Bank Vice President Jorge Familiar praised Jamaica’s proactive approach as a model for enhancing financial resilience in climate-vulnerable nations. Despite the payout, the disaster underscores the growing disparity between financial preparedness and the escalating scale of climate-induced destruction. As Jamaica transitions from recovery to reconstruction, World Bank Vice President Susana Cordeiro Guerra emphasized the opportunity to build more resilient infrastructure and leapfrog toward sustainable development.

  • Gunmen Tie Up Bullet Tree Man, Steal His Truck

    Gunmen Tie Up Bullet Tree Man, Steal His Truck

    A harrowing home invasion unfolded in Bullet Tree Village early Friday morning, leaving a local welder bound and robbed of his possessions. The incident occurred around 2:15 a.m. on November 7, 2025, when 38-year-old Roger Reimer, a Belizean welder, was ambushed by two armed men upon entering his residence on Guana Belly Road. According to police reports, one of the assailants brandished a pistol, forcing Reimer inside. The attackers proceeded to bind his hands and feet with tape before demanding money. They reportedly made off with $300 in cash, several personal belongings, and Reimer’s 2013 dark grey Dodge Ram 1500, valued at $45,000. The stolen vehicle, bearing license plate C-15217, remains at large as authorities intensify their search. The incident has left the small community on edge, with residents calling for increased security measures. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues.

  • Four Men Charged for Illegal Logging near Doubloon Lagoon

    Four Men Charged for Illegal Logging near Doubloon Lagoon

    In a significant crackdown on environmental violations, four individuals have been formally charged with illegal logging activities near Doubloon Lagoon in the Orange Walk District. The incident, which unfolded on November 5, 2025, was brought to light by the Corozal Sustainable Future Initiative (CSFI) enforcement team. The team intercepted the group as they were unloading logwood posts from a red tractor into a white GMC truck. Notably, the men were unable to produce any valid permits or licenses authorizing the extraction or transportation of the wood.

    Authorities swiftly seized the vehicles involved, along with a chainsaw, a tractor battery, and approximately 100 logwood posts as evidence. The accused, identified as Martin Rosado, Diego Santos, Chad Vargas, and Aldair Correa, have been charged under Section 19 of the Forest Act for the unlawful possession of forest produce.

    This case follows closely on the heels of another illegal logging incident reported on November 2, 2025, where rangers from the Wildlife Conservation Society detained four individuals from Cotton Tree Village. The Forest Department has issued a stern reminder to the public about the legal ramifications of unauthorized logging. ‘Harvesting, transporting, or possessing forest produce without the necessary permits is a criminal offence,’ the department stated, urging citizens to report any suspicious activities to safeguard Belize’s precious forests.

  • Free Zone Businessman Survives Targeted Shooting Near City

    Free Zone Businessman Survives Targeted Shooting Near City

    A targeted shooting on the George Price Highway near Belize City has left two men hospitalized, raising concerns about escalating tensions in the region. Nitin Buxani, a 39-year-old businessman, and his driver, Rene Arnold, were ambushed near the Eight Mile Community as their Chevrolet pickup truck was riddled with bullets. Authorities recovered nearly two dozen shell casings from the scene, with ten bullet holes found in the windshield alone. Investigators believe the shooter was positioned on a pedestrian ramp before opening fire. The motive remains unclear, though speculation points to Buxani’s business dealings in the Corozal Free Zone, where trade disputes with Mexico have reportedly intensified. With cartel influence prevalent along the northern border, the incident has sparked fears of organized crime involvement. Police have yet to confirm any direct links. Paul Lopez reports on this developing story.