Government

The month of May marks the celebration of World Mental Health Day. This year, it is celebrated under the theme, “Mental Health for all. Greater investment ─ Greater Access. Everyone, everywhere.” To this end, the Ministry of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, and Religious Affairs announces the remarketing of its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

On Friday, May 13, 2022, Hon. Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government, presented a bill in the National Assembly, for the repeal and replacement of the Trade Licensing Act, Chapter 66 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2020.

The new Fisheries Regulations that government intends to implement on July 1st have fishing communities in northern Belize and Caye Caulker up in arms. The new regulation, found at https://bit.ly/3yw2hLn, will prohibit fishers from capturing lobsters with a tail weight of less than 4.5 ounces. Currently, the tail weight regulation is four ounces. The law will change the number of traps allowed per fisher and fishing areas. For instance, in Caye Caulker, the fishermen claim the new legislation will affect their livelihoods. They said to have requested a meeting with Area Representative Honourable Andre Perez without success. However, Perez said that he has met with the Caye Caulker fisher-folks and will meet with them next week for a second time.

Belize is currently co-hosting the multi-national military exercise Tradewinds 2022 with Mexico from May 7th to the 21st. The training, sponsored by the United States Southern Command (US SOUTHCOM), focuses on the interoperability between security forces and partner agencies to counter transnational crimes. It also serves to promote security and stability against threats and natural disasters. The countries participating this year include Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, France, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America, Mexico, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

On May 9, 2022, the Governor General H.E. Dame Froyla Tzalam swore in Justice Arif Bulkan to the Court of Appeal in Belize during a virtual ceremony.

On Saturday, May 7th, Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador made an official visit to Belize. His visit to the Jewel was short, but he managed to accomplish the penning of several agreements after meeting with Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño. The encounter between the two leaders sealed agreements on agricultural development, trade, and tourism.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has embarked on a five-day tour of several Central American countries and Cuba. He started his official trip to Guatemala on Thursday, May 5th, and will then visit El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, and Cuba. The main topics to be discussed include assistance in development and trade and exploring ways to alleviate migration pressure from the said region.

The cooperation will include sharing UB’s Learning Management System Platform that will offer induction and other in-service and professional courses to public officers. It will also provide an exchange of programs and interventions to be potentially utilized by either institution.