Government
Ministry of Transportation Hosts Meeting with Bus Operators to Advance Public Transportation Reform
The Ministry of Transportation hosted a stakeholder engagement on May 2, 2025, bringing together over eighty representatives from the public ground transportation sector. The meeting reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to protecting the interests of bus operators and commuters, while advancing a shared national vision for a safer, more reliable and efficient public transportation system.
Government
The Ministries of Civil Aviation and National Defense hold press conference on the investigation of the municipal plane hijacking incident
On April 30th, the Ministries of Civil Aviation and National Defense held a joint press conference to discuss the unprecedented hijacking of a municipal...
Government
Belize immigration increases screening at borders for ‘inadmissible’ entries
Belize’s immigration officials have recently begun turning back foreigners, including Americans, who are deemed inadmissible at the country’s borders. This decision is part of Belize’s broader efforts to regulate migration and ensure compliance with its immigration laws, addressing growing concerns regarding irregular migration and security.
Government
Ministry of Agriculture working to control New World Screwworm Infections
Since the first confirmed case of the New World Screwworm (NWS) was reported in Belize on December 26, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture has been actively managing the outbreak, reaching 63 confirmed cases in late April. Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, Honorable Jose Abelardo Mai, provided this update during a regional meeting in San Salvador. During this meeting, Minister Mai led discussions among agriculture ministers from Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic regarding controlling and eradicating pests.
Government
Belize National Teachers Union Mobilizes Nationwide; Meeting in San Pedro Highlights Urgent Demands
The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) held important district meetings nationwide on April 30, 2025, including a highly charged assembly at the Lion’s Den in San Pedro. This mobilization is part of their escalating efforts to address systemic grievances after the Ministry of Education denied time-off requests for these meetings. BNTU President Nadia Caliz emphasized that the gatherings were necessary to “formally register discontent” regarding salary disparities and bureaucratic failures.
Government
U.S. Embassy in Belize releases ‘Warning Statement’ for Visa Seekers
The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan, represented by Chargé d’affaires David Hodge, has delivered a strong message to the people of Belize: seek legal pathways to enter the United States or face serious consequences. As pressures related to migration rise, the Embassy's campaign titled “Don’t Risk Your Future” highlights the dangers of illegal entry and outlines the correct procedures for obtaining a U.S. visa.
Government
Unions threaten a strike in response to salary increases for CEOs and Cabinet Secretary
The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), along with the Public Service Union (PSU) and the workers at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), have expressed strong disapproval over the salary increases granted to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie. This decision has been described as “obscene,” especially as teachers and other public officers continue to wait for overdue pay adjustments.
Government
Belize loses US$125 million Millennium Challenge Corporation grant
In September 2024, the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a United States government agency, announced the signing of a five-year, $125 million grant agreement to invest in education and energy in the country. Fast-forward to April 2025, with a new American administration in place, the MCC has reportedly been shut down, leading to the cancellation of the multimillion-dollar grant.