Government
Caribbean Countries Participate in Regional Knowledge Exchange to Advance Blue Carbon Markets
The Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), convened the first regional knowledge exchange under the IDB-funded technical cooperation, “Supporting the Development of Blue Carbon Markets in the Caribbean,” bringing together representatives from Belize, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago on May 27–28, 2026.
Government
Belize Hosts LXV Meeting of OLACDE Council of Experts
he Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics, proudly hosted the LXV Meeting of the Council of Experts of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLACDE) on May 27–28, 2026, bringing together technical experts and energy representatives from across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Government
Guatemalan Military Continues to Challenge BDF Presence in Sarstoon River
Guatemalan military incursions into Belize's southern waters near the Sarstoon River were once again reported after a video shared on May 28th showed Guatemalan soldiers confronting members of the Belize Defense Force (BDF). The incident did not escalate, despite Guatemalan military personnel repeatedly approaching the Belizean patrol and insisting that they were operating within Guatemalan territory. The Belizean soldiers stood firm, informing their counterparts that they were in Belizean waters.
Government
Ministry of Health & Wellness and UNICEF Launch Belize’s National Community Health Strategy 2026–2030
The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), officially launched Belize’s first National Community Health Strategy 2026–2030, a transformative roadmap aimed at strengthening community-based healthcare and advancing equitable access to quality health services across Belize.
Government
Ministry of Health and Wellness Advisory on Ebola
The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) advises the public and travelers at all ports of entry that Belize is initiating heightened public health vigilance in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak affecting parts of East and Central Africa. While no suspected cases have been identified in Belize, the MOHW is ensuring that precautionary measures at points of entry are initiated to protect the population’s health.
Environment
$25 million invested in San Pedro’s fight against Sargassum
The ongoing influx of Sargassum continues to impact Belize's coastline, particularly tourism-dependent destinations such as San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker. Local and central government authorities have invested significant resources to manage the problem. On May 27th, it was confirmed that approximately $25 million has been spent on Sargassum mitigation and beach clean-up efforts in San Pedro alone, yet the challenge remains far from resolved.
Government
San Pedro General Hospital Faces Delays and Rising Construction Costs, but Construction Presses Ahead
Construction of the San Pedro/Caye Caulker General Hospital, south of San Pedro Town, continues amid reports of projected cost overruns. Area Representative Honorable Andre Perez addressed the matter on Wednesday, May 27th, during a site tour showcasing the progress of the anticipated medical facility. While Perez confirmed that additional costs are being discussed, he stated that the projected overrun is nowhere near the reported $15 million. Although he could not provide an exact figure, Perez assured island residents that the state-of-the-art hospital, expected to become the second-largest medical facility in Belize, will be completed with a tentative opening date set for early 2027.
Government
Belize Halts High-Rise Construction in Four Coastal Areas
On May 21st, the Belize Cabinet approved a temporary six-month moratorium on the approval and construction of high-rise buildings in four coastal communities. The freeze applies to any structure exceeding 45 feet in height or more than three floors in Caye Caulker Village, Hopkins Village, the Placencia Peninsula, and Sittee River Village.