Community and Society
Tradewinds 2022 Builds Regional Security Partnerships in Belize
Tradewinds 2022, a two-week training involving 22 nations sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), ended on Friday, May 20, 2022 following a closing ceremony in Ladyville, Belize. More than 1,800 people participated in the exercise with 644 from the United States and 1,158 from Belize and other partner nations. This marks the first time that two partner nations - Belize and Mexico – cohosted the annual Tradewinds exercise alongside the United States.
Community and Society
Peace Corps Volunteers Return to Belize
On May 18th, Peace Corps/Belize welcomed back United States Peace Corps volunteers to serve alongside community members across the country. Volunteers have not served in Belize since they were evacuated in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event marked the first time in the agency’s 60 year history that volunteers were evacuated from all global posts. Since that time, Peace Corps/Belize staff have continued to engage in professional development and training on diversity, equity and inclusion to better support volunteers and host communities.
Community and Society
Ministry of the Public Service Addresses Customer Experience
In an effort to ensure that all ministries and departments provide a consistently excellent experience to the public, the Ministry of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, and Religious Affairs will be conducting a Customer Experience Survey. This initiative will focus on the voice of the customer by gathering feedback, identifying their needs, and incorporating those changes across operations as well as adapting quality controls for continuous monitoring and keeping customers at the heart of government services.
Community and Society
Old Sir Barry Bowen bridge to close; new complete cement extension will be open for large vehicles
On Thursday, May 19th, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) announced that the old section of the Sir Barry Bowen bridge at Boca del Rio would be closed effective Friday, May 20th, due to structural damage. Motorists will have access to the bridge’s recently completed new extension. Any vehicle larger than a Polaris will be required to cross the bridge at a specific time.
Arts & Culture
San Pedro has four new murals courtesy of Texas artists led by Donkeeboy and Donkeemom
The last time Houston, Texas-based artists Alex Roman Jr. (donkeeboy) and his mother Sylvia Roman (donkeemom) visited San Pedro Town was in November 2021, when they gifted La Isla Bonita with two colorful and unique murals. Both paintings beautify the exterior wall of a warehouse building on Seagrape Drive. Sylvia depicted the late Selena (Queen of Tejano Music), and Alex gave life to his masterpiece, the late American rapper and actor Tupac (2Pac) in Picasso-style. Months later, they returned to San Pedro and brought two additional artists. Together, they have added four more beautiful murals to the island, highlighting Belizean culture, creativity, pride and promoting hope, peace, and love.
Community and Society
The San Pedro Sun granted access to regional military exercise Tradewinds 2022
Over the past few days, Belize and Mexico have co-hosted the 37th edition of the military exercise Tradewinds. While Mexico is hosting the naval components of the exercise, Belize is being utilized primarily for land training. On Tuesday, May 17th, the San Pedro Sun and other local media houses attended one of the training locations where soldiers participated in a live-firing session to sharpen their marksmanship.
Community and Society
Reef Fest 2022 is underway
The 2022 Hol Chan Marine Reserve Reef Fest started on Monday, May 16th, hosting an online trivia session on their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Questions were posted on each social media account, challenging their followers with environmental questions. The start of the reef fest also saw the announcement of their TikTok jingle competition winners.
Community and Society
NGOs condemn Domestic and Sexual Violence against Women and Children and calls for collective response to break the vicious cycle
Recent news reports support what, as a society, we already know: far too many women and children are victims of domestic and sexual violence. The Belize Network of Non-Governmental Organizations joins in the condemnation of these acts. Fully cognizant that no one entity can grapple with the various aspects related to domestic and sexual violence, the BNN publicly commits itself to participating in a renewed collective response to identify targeted actions to address these issues.