Government
BTL Executive Presents Proposed Speednet Acquisition to Cabinet
Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) presented its proposal to acquire SMART/Speednet to the Cabinet on Tuesday, January 20th, during a meeting held in the capital city of Belmopan. The presentation was delivered by BTL Chairman Mark Lizarraga, Chief Executive Officer Ivan Tesucum, and Chief Financial Officer Ian Cleverly. The briefing reportedly lasted more than two hours and concluded without a final decision on the proposal.
Government
Belize to Install Biometric Data-Sharing Programme at Ports of Entry
Belize took a significant step toward strengthening national security and border management on January 12th after partnering with the United States to launch a Biometric Data Sharing Programme (BDSP). The initiative will introduce fingerprint and facial recognition scanners at the country’s key ports of entry to enhance border security and improve migration management.2
Government
U.S. to Pause Immigrant Visa Processing from 75 Countries, Including Belize
According to reports from major international media outlets, the United States is set to indefinitely pause the processing of specific immigrant visa applications from 75 countries, including Belize. The reported suspension would not apply to non-immigrant visas, such as tourist or student visas, nor to individuals traveling to attend the FIFA World Cup events scheduled to take place in the United States this summer.
Government
Drone Regulations Under Review in Belize
Belize is strengthening regulations on drone use through an operational directive from the Belize Department of Civil Aviation, which aims to standardize licensing requirements and enforce no-fly zones near airports, including those in San Pedro. At the same time, the San Pedro Town Council, along with other municipalities nationwide, recently received drones donated by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust to support climate monitoring and planning.
Government
GOB Aligns with CARICOM Statement Following U.S. Action in Venezuela
Following the United States (U.S.) military intervention in Venezuela on January 3rd, which resulted in the extraction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, the Government of Belize (GOB) issued an official statement aligning itself with the Bureau of CARICOM Heads of Government. The statement addressed matters of international law, state sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respect for human dignity, as world leaders continued to weigh in on the U.S. action.
Government
Statement on the Situation in Venezuela
Over the last four months, the Government of Belize has been monitoring closely and has consistently expressed its concern about the buildup of military assets in the southern Caribbean. Early on Saturday morning, January 3, 2026, military operations were carried out in Venezuela resulting in the removal of the President.
Government
Deferment of the Application of Trade License Act No. 19 Of 2024
The public, in particular members of the business community, is hereby advised that the Trade License Act, No. 19 of 2024, has not yet come into force. Under this Act, a new trade licensing regime is to be established in urban areas and, for the first time, in rural areas.
Government
Government Launches Share Sale Offer for Hydro Belize Limited
Tomorrow, the Government of Belize will launch the share sale offer for Hydro Belize Limited, formerly Fortis Belize Limited. Hydro Belize owns three hydroelectric power plants – namely, the Mollejon, Chalillo and Vaca facilities – which operate on the Macal River in the Cayo District and provide approximately a third of annual power supplied by Belize Electricity Ltd. to its consumers.
Together, the plants have a capacity of 51 megawatts of power, hold long term power supply agreements with BEL, and generated gross annual revenues in 2024 of approximately BZ$50 million.
Government
Public Notice – Million Dalla Jackpot Winners
The general public is hereby advised that the drawing of the Belize Government Lottery Limited’s ‘Million Dalla Jackpot’ took place on Saturday, December 20, 2025.
The winning number for the ‘Million Dalla Jackpot’ is 4-4-8-5
Government
Belize Introduces New Pathway to Permanent Residency for Investors
In a Cabinet briefing dated December 11th, the Government of Belize (GOB) announced the approval of new pathways for bona fide global investors to obtain permanent residency status in Belize. The proposed legislation will apply to investors who have made commercial investments in Belize of not less than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) and who meet the qualifications set out by the Ministries of Immigration and Investment.
Government
New Online System Streamlines Access to Vital Records in Belize
The Vital Statistics Unit officially launched Belize’s new online Civil Registry and Vital Statistics system on December 10, 2025, enabling citizens to apply for birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as other vital records, through a digital platform. The system, accessible at www.crvs.gov.bz, was launched during a ceremony in Belize City by the Ministry of E-Government, the Attorney General’s Ministry, and the Inter-American Development Bank. The service is expected to benefit the country’s nearly 400,000 residents by replacing in-person visits with secure online access.
