Government
New U.S. Ambassador for Belize nominated
On Wednesday, December 15th, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his intention to nominate Michelle Kwan as ambassador to Belize. Kwan, a former Olympic figure skater and devoted democrat activist served as a public diplomatic envoy during the George W. Bush and Barack Obama administrations. Belize has been without a U.S. ambassador since 2017; a Charge d' Affaires has served in that capacity.
Government
Belize exports receives a boost as 11th EDF SPS Measures Project upgrades Animal Health Legislation
On 6th December at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Belmopan, Belize, stakeholders came together to launch the strengthening Agricultural Health and Food Safety (AHFS) legislative framework component of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Project.
Government
Cabinet Brief for 15th December 2021
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño, met in regular session on 14th December 2021.
Government
U.S. Embassy and Government of Belize Hold Bilateral Meeting on National Security Priorities
The U.S. Embassy and the Government of Belize hosted a bilateral meeting to discuss the full range of U.S. – Belize security cooperation and shared democracy goals. The two sides reviewed security developments and reaffirmed the importance of enhanced coordination on counternarcotics efforts and strengthening citizen and border security in Belize.
Government
Strategic Planning Session for Senior Management Team of the Ministry of the Public Service
On December 2, 2021, the Ministry of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform held a two-day strategic planning session for the senior management team of the ministry. The session was facilitated by Muslar and Saunders Consultancy Services.
Community and Society
Government postpones vaccine mandate of essential and public officers
The vaccine mandate against COVID-19 for essential and public officers was to come into effect on December 15, 2021, has been postponed. The decision was made on Wednesday, December 8th, following a meeting that included Minister of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Honourable Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Health Wellness, Honourable Michel Chebat, Public Service Union (PSU) president Dean Flowers, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Rolando Zetina, and the members of the PSU’s Executive Team.
Government
Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation attends International Civil Aviation Negotiating Event in Colombia
The Honourable Andre Perez, Area Representative for Belize Rural South (BRS), including Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, has been busy in his Ministry of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation. The portfolio often requires him to travel out of the country, and his recent trip took him to Bogota, Colombia, for the International Civil Aviation Negotiating Event 2021.
Community and Society
Changes to COVID-19 regulations include new curfew and measures for travelers from Africa region
As of Monday, December 6th, the new curfew is (as per Sunday through Thursday) is 11PM to 4AM and Fridays and Saturdays midnight to 4AM. Minors are not allowed to be on the streets after 8PM, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. The other amendment will affect travelers entering the country from at least eight African countries following the new COVID-19 variant Omicron announcement.