Monthly Archives: November, 2022
Community and Society
Renewal of commercial fishing licenses starts in January 2023
All commercial fishing folks in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker are notified that the renewal of fisher folk licenses will be from January 30th to February 3rd. The licensing renewals will occur at the Belize Fisheries Department office in Belize City. Fisher folks are advised to bring along all pertinent documents upon renewal to facilitate the process.
Crime & Violence
No one charged for Elvis Polanco’s murder
On November 19th, San Pedro Town experienced the first murder in over a year after island businessman Elvis Polanco, 43, was gunned down in an attempted robbery. Since then, the police have continued investigating, but no one has been held liable for Polanco’s murder. On Monday, November 28th, Commissioner of Police (ComPol) Chester Williams said a major crime team was dispatched to San Pedro to investigate the unfortunate incident further.
Government
Groundbreaking for the “Building Climate Change Resilience and Social Integration of Displaced People in Settlements of Western Belize” Project
The Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) embarked on a project entitled “Building Climate Change Resilience and Social Integration of Displaced People in Settlements of Western Belize.” The ground breaking ceremony was held in Billy White Village on November 24, 2022.
Government
Ministry of Labour Launches Online Labour Complaints Management System
On November 28, 2022, the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government commemorated the launch of a new online Labour Complaints Management System for workers. A critical function of the Labour Department, labour complaints management entails the mediation and settlement of labour disputes between workers and employers.
Community and Society
New airstrip proposed in northern Ambergris Caye to accommodate larger local flights
San Pedro Town, Ambergris, is getting ready for the upcoming high tourism season, which is usually after the Thanksgiving weekend. Many of the foreign visitors to the island arrive via short local flights from the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA). As the local connecting flights continue to increase, local authorities are now suggesting the construction of a longer airstrip north of the island to alleviate the air traffic congestion at the John Greif III municipal airport in downtown San Pedro.
Business & Economy
Business registration in Belize now available online
All those trips to the Capital City of Belmopan to register a business with the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR) may soon be a thing of the past as registration will now be digital. Business owners will be able to register a new company and manage their registration from the convenience of their digital device of choice.
Government
People’s Constitution Commission Holds Inaugural Meeting
The People’s Constitution Commission (PCC) hosted its inaugural meeting at the House of Culture in Belize City, on November 24, 2022. This follows the launch of the commission on November 14, 2022, where nominated representatives and their alternates were officially sworn into office as commissioners of the PCC.
Government
Prime Minister Hon. John Briceno on official visit to Venezuela
At an official meeting in Caracas, Venezuela, between Prime Minister Honourable John Briceno and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday, November 25th, agreements were signed to deepen alliances and to resume Petrocaribe, a regional oil procurement deal between Venezuela and Caribbean countries. According to reports from Venezuela, Belize may start receiving oil from the South American government under special conditions associated with Petrocaribe.
