Community and Society

The San Pedro Police Cadets have again claimed victory at the annual Police Cadets’ Foot Drill Competition. The event occurred in Belize City on June 14th at the Yabra Green Basketball Court, where San Pedro’s cadets competed against teams from across the Belize District. The event ran from 8:45AM to 2:45PM, beginning with an inspection of the cadets by Senior Superintendent Dehanne Augustine. Following the inspection, the competition was officially declared open. Other participating groups included cadet teams from Precinct One, Precinct Two, Precinct Three, Precinct Four, and Ladyville.

The Ministry of Human Development, Family Support, and Gender Affairs (MHDFSGA), through the Department of Human Services (DHS), in partnership with UNICEF, is pleased to announce the launch of a week-long national training aimed at strengthening social work reporting processes critical to Belize’s child protection system.

Following reports of controversial security contracts at local airports nationwide, there have been no updates on the retendering process to select new companies to oversee airport security. The contracts, previously awarded to ISecurity and Four Diamond, were suspended by the Belize Airports Authority (BAA) amid concerns over an improperly conducted tendering process. An investigation has since been launched, revealing that proper procedures were not followed when the contracts were issued under the previous board’s administration. The newly appointed Board of Directors is now conducting a thorough review of the procurement methods and due diligence practices employed by their predecessors.

The Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, in collaboration with Copal Tree Lodge, a Muy’Ono Resort, is inviting all primary school teachers in Belize to participate in a free, CPD-certified workshop focused on marine conservation and education. These hybrid-format sessions will begin on June 23rd and continue through July 23rd, with participants divided into cohorts based on their district. The workshops aim to enhance teachers’ understanding of flats conservation, fisheries, habitats, and local livelihoods, equipping them with tools and resources to bring these lessons into the classroom.

The Saga Humane Society will host an Open Day for adoption and fostering on Saturday, June 14th. The event will take place at their clinic from 9AM to 11:30AM and again from 1PM to 3PM. This special initiative aims to find loving homes or foster families for as many pets as possible, helping to improve the lives of animals in the San Pedro community.

Effective June 1, 2025, Division Four of the Belize Police Department, which includes the islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker, welcomed a new commander, Superintendent Edlin Lorenzo from Dangriga. With a 25-year career in law enforcement, Lorenzo brings a combination of operational expertise, intelligence acumen, and a strong commitment to community engagement.

The dispute between the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU), the Public Service Union (PSU), the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM), and the Government of Belize (GOB)over the Salary increase has intensified in recent weeks. Industrial action and public demonstrations have escalated, culminating last week with BNTU members taking to the highways, where they reported “mechanical failures” with their vehicles, which were parked to block main roads in Belmopan, Orange Walk, and Belize City during peak hours.

During the 2025–2026 national budget debate held from May 26–28, Area Representative for Belize Rural South (Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker), the Honorable Andre Perez, announced the acquisition of up to 700 parcels of land in northern Ambergris Caye. These lots will be distributed to first-time landowners, a move aimed at addressing the growing demand for land on the island. Perez credited Deputy Prime Minister, the Honorable Cordel Hyde, for his vital role in securing the land for island residents.