标签： Belize

The only secondary education institution on Caye Caulker island faces an unprecedented crisis as Ocean Academy remains shuttered due to hazardous environmental conditions and bureaucratic delays. Following November health inspections that identified severe flooding, mold proliferation, and mosquito infestations, administrators were compelled to suspend in-person instruction indefinitely.

Nearly twenty students currently attend makeshift classes above local establishments including ‘The Magic Grill,’ where they balance notebooks on their laps amid stacked, unused chairs. This temporary arrangement implements a hybrid learning model that rotates between digital instruction and borrowed spaces throughout the community.

Despite raising $60,000 through community efforts and accumulating over 2,000 cinder blocks for foundation work, construction of the school’s first permanent classroom remains paralyzed awaiting government authorization. The frustration among parents and educators has reached critical levels as promises of a new campus—initially funded through a 2015 Caribbean Development Bank loan of $70 million—have remained unfulfilled for five years.

Area Representative Andre Perez claims no formal approaches have been made regarding construction approvals, stating willingness to collaborate while denying any administrative obstruction. Conversely, former Education Minister Patrick Faber attributes the project’s stagnation to governmental transition, suggesting the current administration abandoned previously established development plans.

Village Council Chairlady Seleny Villanueva-Pott reports complete breakdown in communication with education ministry officials, leaving the community without clarity regarding timeline or implementation strategies. Principal Noemi Zaiden emphasizes the psychological and educational necessity of providing students with a stable learning environment, particularly following the Christmas break.

Representative Perez has announced plans for an ‘authentic’ groundbreaking ceremony with construction commencement projected for May, though community stakeholders remain skeptical given the history of unfulfilled commitments. The situation represents a critical test of educational infrastructure development in Belize’s offshore communities.

The dawn of 2026 brought a unique celebration to Belize as the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) welcomed its first newborn of the year. At precisely 2:03 PM on January 1st, Cliffarah Ramos, a 27-year-old resident of Belize City, gave birth to a healthy baby girl weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces, named Chosen.

The birth holds special significance for Ramos’s family as Chosen represents the first female born into their lineage in thirteen years. In an exclusive interview, the first-time mother expressed overwhelming joy and relief, stating, “I am just happy that my baby came healthy, strong, and we are both okay. By the grace of God.”

The name ‘Chosen’ was a predetermined decision by Ramos, who explained, “From ever since, even if it was a boy or a girl, I said my baby’s name would be Chosen. I just love the name.”

Medical officer Dr. Mikael Gilharry detailed the delivery process, noting that after Ramos arrived at the hospital at 6 AM already dilated to 3 centimeters, the medical team determined she wasn’t progressing further despite intense labor pains. An emergency cesarean section was performed successfully without complications.

Ramos praised the KHMH medical staff for creating a comforting environment during her solitary delivery experience: “Every worker, doctor and nurse that dealt with me was so sweet… They made me feel comfortable.”

In a decades-long tradition, Santiago Castillo Limited celebrated the milestone by committing to supply diapers and wipes for Chosen’s first hundred days. Marketing Manager Aisha Trapp announced the company would extend this gesture to identify and gift the first babies born in other public hospitals nationwide.

While Chosen was the sole newborn at KHMH on New Year’s Day, arriving four days ahead of schedule, the hospital’s quiet maternity ward contrasted with Belize Medical Associates where baby Melissa Majano was born on December 30th, symbolizing the continuous cycle of new life entering the world.

A resident of Independence Village commenced the new year with an extraordinary financial triumph, securing a $15,000 prize from a Scratch and Win lottery ticket on January 1st. The fortunate winner visited local media offices to recount the sequence of events that amplified her family’s New Year celebrations.

The winner’s journey to the windfall began with a casual decision to purchase a ticket while spending time with her sisters. Her initial attempt involved an $8 ticket, but her persistence led her back to the store for a $5 option. Upon learning the $5 tickets were unavailable, she strategically requested a different $3 ticket and received $5 in change. She specifically asked the retailer to flip over and select a different ticket from the available batch.

Containing her excitement, she waited until rejoining her sisters before scratching the ticket. The revelation of her $15,000 win prompted disbelief and multiple verifications. “I wanted to know if I was seeing properly,” she recounted. “I rechecked it and shouted for all my sisters.”

The confirmation triggered euphoric celebrations among family members. Her children expressed particular excitement, with one child inquiring if she had “won the jackpot.” When questioned about her plans for the unexpected windfall, the winner demonstrated financial prudence, stating her intention to “flip this money” through strategic investments and purchases that would generate further income and increase her savings.

The winner characterized the prize as a “good come up for the new year” and expressed belief that it establishes a positive precedent for the coming months. While encouraging others to participate in scratch-off games, she emphasized maintaining hope and persistence, noting she “always had my hopes up that one day I get scratch.”

In a late-night anti-narcotics operation on December 31st, Orange Walk District police apprehended Henry Cawich, a 36-year-old electrician from Trinidad Village, on serious drug-related charges. The operation culminated in the discovery of substantial evidence indicating involvement in narcotics distribution.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, who supervised the operation, authorities uncovered a plastic bottle containing seven transparent bags during their search of the suspect’s residence. Each bag contained multiple parcels of a substance preliminarily identified as cocaine, with the total seizure weighing approximately 21 grams.

The search was conducted with the suspect present, ensuring procedural compliance throughout the evidence collection process. Cawich, who works professionally as an electrician, has now been formally charged with possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply—a serious offense under Belizean narcotics legislation.

The New Year’s Eve operation represents ongoing efforts by Orange Walk District law enforcement to combat drug trafficking activities within the community. This arrest highlights the continued vigilance of anti-narcotics units during holiday periods when illegal activities often see an increase.

Legal proceedings against Cawich are expected to commence shortly as authorities continue their investigation into potential connections to broader drug distribution networks in the Orange Walk region.

The Pomona Village community entered the new year shrouded in grief following a fatal shooting incident on New Year’s Eve that claimed the lives of two young men. Twenty-three-year-old Zion Samuels and twenty-two-year-old Luke Chavarria were fatally wounded by an unidentified assailant while socializing with friends outside Samuels’ residence.

According to eyewitness accounts, a lone gunman approached the group and opened fire without provocation, resulting in the immediate deaths of both victims. Four other individuals present at the scene managed to escape unharmed. Local law enforcement confirmed the suspect fled on foot and remains at large as investigations continue.

The tragedy has left families and community members devastated. Neidia Guzman, a longtime family friend, emotionally recounted the close relationships between the victims and her own family, emphasizing Samuels’ positive character and dedication to his children. The crime scene has since become a makeshift memorial with candles and flowers honoring the deceased.

Police authorities disclosed that while the precise motive remains undetermined, the property has historical connections to drug-related operations. Mark Samuels, father of Zion, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of his son, describing him as an easy-going individual who didn’t deserve such violence.

The investigation continues as community members grapple with the recurring pattern of gun violence affecting their neighborhood.

A resident of Independence Village commenced the year 2026 with an extraordinary financial windfall, securing a $15,000 prize from a Scratch and Win lottery ticket on New Year’s Day. The fortunate individual was enjoying the holiday with her sisters when she opted to purchase the ticket on a whim. Her immediate reaction upon revealing the winning symbols was one of disbelief and exhilaration. “I scratch the scratch and when I see, I want know if I di see good. I recheck it and I halla fi alla my sister deh,” she recounted, describing the moment she verified the win and celebrated with her family. When questioned about her plans for the sudden wealth, the winner revealed an intention to pursue entrepreneurial ventures rather than immediate expenditure. “I’ll try flip this money. I was buy all kind a thing and try invest this fi flip this over and put more inna mi account,” she stated, indicating a strategy of investment to grow the capital. Offering advice to fellow lottery enthusiasts, the winner maintained an optimistic outlook. “Yes. Unu try. Once unu try it, unu must ketch it one day. Because I always had my hopes up that one day I get scratch,” she encouraged, affirming her sustained belief in eventually achieving a win. The story serves as an inspiring start to the new year for the local community.

Belize welcomed its symbolic first citizen of 2026 with the arrival of baby Chosen at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. The historic birth occurred at 2:03 p.m. on January 1st, with the infant weighing seven pounds and four ounces.

Twenty-seven-year-old Cliffara Ramos experienced what she described as an ‘extra special’ delivery, marking the first female birth in her family in thirteen years. ‘I was nervous but ultimately happy that my baby arrived healthy and strong. By the grace of God, we are both okay,’ Ramos shared with emotional gratitude.

The distinctive name ‘Chosen’ held profound meaning for the mother, who revealed: ‘From ever since, whether it was a boy or girl, I said my baby’s name would be Chosen. I always believed I would have children.’

Medical oversight was provided by Dr. Mikael Gilharry, who explained the delivery process: ‘By noon, we recognized she wasn’t experiencing further dilation despite intense pains. We contacted Dr. Nicholas and performed an emergency C-section that resulted in a healthy female neonate without complications.’

The hospital staff received high praise from Ramos, who noted: ‘KHMH workers, doctors and nurses who attended to me were exceptionally sweet. I literally cannot complain.’

Continuing a cherished national tradition, Santiago Castillo Limited presented the family with essential supplies for the infant’s first hundred days. Marketing Manager Aisha Trapp announced: ‘We gift a case of diapers and wipes to the first baby born each year. This instance is particularly special as only one birth occurred at KHMH on New Year’s Day. We will identify and similarly gift first babies in other public hospitals nationwide.’

Though Ramos’ due date was several days later, baby Chosen emerged as the sole newborn at the facility on January 1st, cementing her place as Belize’s inaugural infant of the new year.