Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English
The Prime Minister returned today from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, and there are a few pressing issues we wanted to ask him about, not least of which is the report that government departments have been told their budgets are getting cut 25% across the board this month.
This is a burning question because such a cut-and multiple government sources are reporting it to us-would drastically affect the delivery of government services to the public. Some departments tell us they won't even be able to cover their fuel bills.
But tonight, we still only have those reports and no confirmed information because the PM blew us off. Jules Vasquez reports:
"Good to see you, sir!" the Prime Minister gushed when he greeted King Charles.
And he dutifully reported on the goings-on from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "It's been a good trip. It's been a good conference. But guess what? I'm looking forward to going home. There's no place like home."
No place like home, but when the media met the Prime Minister at the airport today, he did not greet them like royalty.
John Briceno, Prime Minister "I'll be very brief with you now. Mr. Lopez, you asked me for an interview. I told you I would not be able to give an interview today."
"I'm asking you to respect my decision, and then when I get a chance to talk to you, I will talk to you, okay? Just respect me. I have a job too. Respect me, man."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait. Listen to me, I'm asking you, I'm asking you to respect my decision."
And so it was-the PM huffed off, a harried homecoming, but we hope for a more heartfelt encounter next time.
We did also reach out to the Financial Secretary for comment on the budget cuts. But that was two days ago-and we still have not gotten a response.
And while the executive branch of government isn't engaging with the press, a member of the legislature is in daily open discourse with the public. That's Senator Glenfield Dennison, who continued his pop-up protest series today-this time in front of BTL. Jaleeza Roberts reports:
Today on his fourth day of what he calls "educational campaigns," Union Senator Glenfield Dennison started with a sign asking, "Are you OK?"
Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator "This morning, Jaleeza, I did a mental health check-in. The poster this morning just said,'Are you OK?' And I can tell you the people were answering that they're not."
"Mental health is a real concern in Belize, and I say that mental health, depression, anxiety is a function of the cost of living-or at least cost of living is a significant contributor to people who are suffering mental anguish because they can't make ends meet."
By noon, he used his lunch break to take it back to a familiar place-BTL-where this year's protests started over the Speednet acquisition.
It's a site of ongoing labor agitation, and Dennison keyed in on that:
Glenfield Dennison: "This company puts profit over people. The Irving Marin decision had one year yesterday,Jaleeza, and so this is a tribute to the employees of BTL who stood strong and went to the highest court in the land to get this greedy corporation to pay them their severance."
And, like yesterday, he had his handful of supporters come out and do their individual campaigns with their own messaging-which for some was overtly political:
Alfonso Noble, Supporter "I can't find my bacon suit, I think a PUP must have stolen it, but the message is still the same.Obviously, we have forgotten, completely forgotten, that there was a call for this gentleman Lizarraga to resign.The unions are still pressing for it-it's one of their eleven points of contention that they have with the government at this point in time."
Edward Broaster, Supporter "They don't have no heart and they need to stop put the burden on Belizeans. You understand me? Belizeans deserve better than this, man."
Emily Turner, Supporter "The climate we are living in here right now, it's sad. I feel hopeless. Like this is the first time I think in my life that I live in Belize, as I've always lived here, I feel hopeless that there's not even a light that we can look at and turn to. The government wants to do absolutely nothing, they're saying that they will do nothing for us. And I am a resident, for example, of Ladyville-I have all the crime that is happening there and it's right down the street from where I live. It's scary, everything that happened last weekend. And in my opinion, the people behave the way their leaders behave, and corruption... we can only stop crime if we can heal from the top, and I think from the top is where we have the mafia running us in government, so we have to get out here and all of us know this."
And while it was a buffet of issues, the Senator says he is just creating a space for dialogue:
Glenfield Dennison: "I am here by myself. I do one-man educational campaigns. What other citizens of Belize do is none of my business, concern, nor liability. I want to say that to the camera and people of Belize: if you hear they arrest because other people are out here protesting, you shut down the police station that they have me, good."
Jaleeza Roberts, 7News.
On Monday, Dennison will be protesting in front of the KHMH.
Our next story is about a number of Belizeans who have fallen victim to a US work visa scam, and been duped out of scarce personal funds as a consequence.
Jaleeza Roberts has more:
As many as 11 persons deposited $500 each for a fantasy-a fantasy that they would be given 10-year US work visas to gain employment at a fictitious company named Silva's Construction Ltd. in Queens, New York.
They were seduced by the illusion of the American Dream, joining a group chat comprising 32 members where they discussed all the benefits of the job, and, most importantly, how to transfer the money to their sponsor.
The red flags were multiple and manifest: for starters, the group chat was named "Upcoming Project in NW," not "NY," with a Statue of Liberty emoji, and of course the arranger's name in the chat was in Chinese characters.
Nevertheless, after being sent enticing videos of a construction worksite where they would supposedly be gainfully employed, and being promised food and housing-for the gullible, the dream seemed irresistible.
This imaginary company needed Kitchen Helpers, Waitresses, Pickup Truck Drivers, Foreman, Painter, and Construction Helpers, and everyone who sent $500 to a Belize Bank account under the name Leilani Recinos would be welcome.
One victim spoke to us via phone-she asked for her voice to be distorted:
Anonymous "Leilani Recinos messaged my sister and asked her if she doesn't know anyone who wants to go abroad to go work in New York. So then my sister asked her about her dad's company and stuff like that. She said her dad's company is Silva's Construction Ltd. and that her dad is a very private person, and that her dad has a lot of companies and that he doesn't put his company of Google on nothing because he's very private. And that was one of the red flags that I saw in that-if you know that you have a company and you want your company to succeed, why not advertise it?"
But even those red flags didn't deter them from sending their hard-earned money. For the minimum wage worker, $500 is 100 man-hours of their labor, but they didn't think twice to send it in pursuit of a dream.
And even when they volunteered to do their own visa, they were manipulated into thinking it wasn't possible:
Anonymous: "They said that they want us to pay the visa... that the working visa, they will take it out for us, because if we go to the embassy and apply for a working visa, we will take long, it will take a good while, that we will need recommendation, and etc., etc."
But what makes this operation even more audacious is that the con artists behind the scenes created a fake WhatsApp conversation with an identity impersonating Prime Minister John Briceño:
Anonymous: "There was this person in the group chat that they sent to him that he was talking to the Prime Minister, that the Prime Minister told him that he can drop off the money, the money that he collected from people, which I understand from the chat. But what recalled my name... that how the Prime Minister messaged, I don't think a Prime Minister will message you like that. So I knew it was a false message that he was sent to us, but he had it named as Johnny Briceño, and he sent voice messages as well and stuff like that, and that Johnny Briceño was saying how many people were going and stuff like that."
And indeed, when we contacted the PM, showing him the screenshots, he responded:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "I have no idea who this person is and have never had any such discussion with him or anyone about visas. He should be reported to the police."
And this evening, victims made an attempt to report it, but their report was not taken by the Belmopan Police Department. There are two masterminds behind this, and well, it has now led to a lot of people losing a lot of money. One victim lost as much as $1,500, so what will come out of this? We'll see. Jaleeza Roberts, 7News.
No arrests have been made-though the victims do wish to make criminal complaints.
Notably, in September we saw a police report from Orange Walk where a 42-year-old reported an alleged employment and visa scam after claiming he handed over 11 Belizean passports and $4,300 in cash to a man identifying himself as Hector Silva, who promised to secure construction jobs and US visas for a group of Belizean men. Dilan Gongora told police that Silva had initially requested $800 per person and promised that the visas would be ready by September 14, but later stopped answering his calls and blocked him. Gongora reported the matter to Benque Viejo Police on September 15, and police recorded his statement as an investigation into obtaining property by deception.
A Ladyville man walked free from the High Court on his 25th birthday today after the DPP's office entered a nolle prosequi motion, discontinuing the murder case against him.
John Quilter had been on remand for the 2023 murder of 21-year-old James Bainton, who was fatally shot at the Ladyville Sports Complex.
Justice Candace Nanton informed him that the Crown had decided to discontinue the proceedings, but cautioned him that the DPP retained the authority to bring back the murder charge against him.
With that, Quilter was released. He walked out of court uncuffed and smiling, briefly greeting his mother before leaving. Asked if he had anything to say about his release, he simply shook his head and smiled.
Quilter had been arrested and charged in January 2026 and had spent approximately ten months on remand.
Bainton was killed following an altercation involving several men at the Ladyville Sports Complex. Police alleged that Quilter handed a firearm to another man, identified as Tyler Smith, who then shot Bainton. Smith reportedly fled the country and is believed to be living in the United States.
Tonight, a police officer has been suspended after he was caught on camera abusing his service weapon. It's an incident that might have ended up as just another allegation of police abuse-but because it was caught on camera and 7News posted the video this morning, police responded within hours with swift disciplinary action.
Jules Vasquez has more:
It was a video so chilling that it went instantly viral. The GI3 appeared to be on police business at a residence in San Pedro-while one of the officers menaced a man, who is defenseless, on his back.
The police officer is heard to taunt the civilian about being seen like this by his family:
Police Officer "Look how simple you look in front of your family."
He then unholstered his pistol and placed it menacingly in the civilian's mouth.
The officer puts the pistol back in the holster and walks away-perhaps aware that he has gone too far.
Within hours, the police senior command took a hardline:
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer "I must put on record that the Department unequivocally condemns the conduct depicted in this video. And because of this, the department has initiated criminal and disciplinary investigation into the conduct that was viewed in the video. And, the particular officer has been placed on immediate suspension."
"I will similarly like to use this opportunity to remind all police officers that the authority that is vested in them must be exercised lawfully, responsibly, and with restraint. Officers are expected to maintain their composure professionalism at all times."
"The uniform carries authority. However, that authority must always be exercised with discipline."
And while the disciplinary action was commendably swift, it differs sharply from the last time there was a police gun abuse incident on San Pedro:
Jules Vasquez "We had the famous incident with Sergeant Makin-we called him the Golden Godson. He was the... he was involved in a somewhat similar incident out on San Pedro where a civilian was accosted with a firearm. He was never charged."
"Do you see any similarities between these things?"
ASP Stacy Smith: "I will only speak on the matter that is before me. I don't know what were the circumstances that were at hand in relation to that particular investigation, and why it turned out the way you say it did."
And while that was a police operation gone very wrong due to abuse of force, police point to other operations in the island town that netted firearms, more than half a pound of cocaine, and ten arrests.
ASP Smith told us more:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer "We had a significant operation on November 4th, which led to the arrest and charge of several persons, namely: 53-year-old Erica Hernandez, 27-year-old Daniel August, 18-year-old Carlos Hernandez, 23-year-old Vincent Lopez, 19-year-old Zahiel Caliz, 23-year-old Jamil Reyes, 57-year-old Cesar Hernandez, 24-year-old Akeem Lock, 35-year-old Cesar Hernandez, and 23-year-old John Hernandez, where they were all jointly charged for several offenses, including two counts of kept firearm without a gun license, kept ammunition without the license, and two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply."
"The arrest of these individuals follows the execution of a search warrant at a residence in San Pedro Town by personnel of the Anti-Narcotics Unit, as well as the K-9 Unit with the use of K-9 dog Axel. The search led to the discovery of two nine-millimeter pistols, over 46 rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition, 259 grams of cocaine, and 332 grams of cannabis."
"So there are operations that are underway by the GI3 and Anti-Narcotics Unit in that area. I do not know if the interaction in particular was as a consequence of the ongoing investigation. However, certainly that will come out in the course of the investigation that is ongoing, and I would be better able to advise at that time."
The proposed Northern Ambergris Caye Airport is a concept being aggressively floated-and tonight we've even seen it advertised on a UNDP investor platform, listing investment requirements, projected returns, and a concession business model.
So, it's clearly-so to speak-on the development runway.
Fittingly, it has already sent the island into panic mode. That's because the proposal includes reports that the current airport in the heart of the town will be closed. This poses two problems for the townspeople: less tourist traffic into the town center, where most businesses are located, and the long trek from northern Ambergris to the town.
It's a plan being opposed by multiple sectors and stakeholders. Yesterday, Courtney Menzies spoke with some of them as well as the elected officials. Here is that story:
News of a proposed new airport on Northern Ambergris Caye sent the island into a frenzy. But reports that it may lead to the closure of the current John Greif II Airport put the townspeople into a panic.
The current airport is built in the center of the town and townspeople built their businesses around it, creating the busy and bustling town visitors and locals know today. For these same businesspeople, relocating the airport completely does not bode well for their establishments, which rely on tourism.
For Elvi's Restaurant-which is world-renowned and has been in operation for 50 years-Chef Jennie Staines told us that the timing isn't right:
Jennie Staines, Owner, Elvi's Restaurant "I don't think that it's time for a new airport, right. San Pedro, I think, is more than capable with one, and I think it's a little too early. In the future, in years to come, I think we will need it, but for right now, I think that is good where it is. We need other stuff for San Pedro."
"The closure of the airport that exists will affect us in many ways. The business would slow down in town definitely, but I think the tourists would still come to Elvi's. But on a whole, not just thinking about me but about the whole community, things will slow down, and I feel right now where we are, everyone needs to make some money, and I think it's just the wrong time and it's going to affect every other Belizean."
For the BTIA, they're still in talks with their stakeholders, but for the most part, relocating the airport is not a move they approve of.
Melanie Paz, BTIA San Pedro "...for the San Pedro Chapter on Monday to discuss this particular issue, and the consensus was they're against it simply because of the economic effect it would have on this area and everything downtown.And the next major thing goes back to what we're discussing today. We have so much more to fix in the areas that we have right now before we can address spending millions and millions on a new airport."
Efrain Perez, President, BTIA "There hasn't been any local consultations-not with the local residents, not with BTIA, not with Chamber of Commerce and a number of other organizations that should have been at least consulted because of the memberships that they have. And so what we're looking at is addressing the issues at hand. We cannot bring in more people into the island if we're not looking at having proper healthcare on the island, if we're not looking and dealing with the sargassum issues that has been impacting the island throughout the course of the year, the congestion that we have, the zoning issues we have, and garbage being one of the key things we have had and most of these properties having to deal with it. So for us, moving that airport at this time is not and should not be a priority."
Tropic Air's CEO, who stands to lose its main operational hub, said that it's not about them-it's the impact the move will have on the rest of the town.
Max Greif, CEO, Tropic Air "It's about protecting a way of life that this island has been accustomed to over the past 70 years,and ensuring that our ability to survive as a community is not being compromised."
And wary of the political backlash in the town, yesterday both the Mayor and the Area Representative clarified that there is no discussion at the moment about closing the John Greif II Airport, and the proposed airport in the north is at its preliminary stages.
Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South "This present airport is good for servicing the town, and as we develop the northern part, which is another two-thirds of the size of the island, I believe they can complement one another. But I want to be very cautious. Again, I mentioned about a phased approach, and I am of the belief of let the market decide eventually, and that is my support. This present runway can work for the town of San Pedro. However, we're looking at alleviating the traffic-not only the congestion of the airport itself, but the traffic congestion-so that taking that airport in the north again and calling it an international airport, we're talking about fixed-base operations, private aircrafts we're trying to cater to certainly can complement. So certainly while I note the concerns of the community, we're looking at the bigger picture. Planning for the next ten, fifteen years is important, and as elected representative, I cannot only be think about today, we have to plan for tomorrow."
Gualberto Nunez, Mayor of San Pedro Town "Part of this plan was that it would be in the center, so then you can have access further north or south, but it was never any idea that we were going to close off the municipal airport. I think it was a recommendation there that it could be that they can eventually phase it out and sell it as real estate so they can eventually pay off the runway up north. But that was just an idea, it's not something that is set there."
"We have to look at the business part, the tourist area here on the island-we can't just relocate everything to the north, we're going to kill what is the town center. Also, we have to look at the different business that benefit from the... from the airport being in town."
And the Mayor added that while there have been some consultations, there will be more as well as other feasibility studies before the proposition gets off the ground:
Gualberto Nunez: "When the IDB did the studies, there were a lot of consultations that were done, and there was a lot of... we did have or they had a lot of these consultation meetings, and they invited the public to come over and give their input. They also did interview a lot of different stakeholders on the island."
"All of this comes with a lot of planning, it's not something that is going to happen immediately. There needs to be a lot of feasibility studies and a lot of consultations still yet with the public. I think we're jumping the gun and getting ahead of ourselves by saying it is coming in the next year or so, and it is not."
And aside from a new airport, a new community is also proposed for northern Ambergris.
North of Secret Beach, we were pointed to an area we can only call Secret Road-because it's not open to the public.
But who will this road serve, and how much will it cost?
Yesterday, Courtney Menzies asked Area Representative Andre Perez more about it. She has the first videos of the far-reaching road:
This stretch of road on Northern Ambergris Caye spans an approximate seven miles. According to the Belize Rural South Area Representative, it will become a highway in that area, which will then lead into a brand-new community.
Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South "That road is designed specifically, of course the government of the day is doing it, that is where we're aiming for in terms of the development of infrastructure. Remember this town has grown so fast, exponentially, the developers have developed, and in the past 15, 20 years, the people who work behind the scenes, who work in hospitality, they're the ones that have been marginalized. They do not have lands and they still do not have lands. And they're the ones that have to pay rent, and that is the biggest cost of living here-the rent, because it's so limited. So that road is leading up to a community that will be approximately 2,000 lots to be given out, which we have already facilitated the process."
"BWSL has secured a property up north that is going to be for water and sewer ponds that's going to feed an entire community, so that community is being planned for that. That road I think you're talking about has been about three miles developed and it's 40 feet wide, it's going to be a highway. It's not 30 feet wide, it's 40 feet wide and it's heading to that direction-we need two more miles to get to that community that's going to be developed as a residential community."
And when we asked whether this community will serve the everyday San Pedranos or wealthier real estate interests, he said the road is for everyone.
In terms of the new plots of land, he said that they would be issuing them to born Belizeans.
Andre Perez: "Up north, the lands that were cut up by the previous administration did not leave any provision for roads-that's the first thing that had us delayed to develop that road and to give out the lands, we had to acquire the land from private property to get the land. So that road is not only for the community, it's going to be the road that leads up north, because everyone that is driving up North Ambergris Caye has to drive through private property on the waterfront, and that is the highway that is going to lead up north to the community."
And while the road cuts through what looks like a rich biodiversity area, Perez says it's all gotten the requisite approvals:
Andre Perez: "Everything has been done through EIAs. Actually, Hol Chan just gave us a report that in those areas that are being excavated, they are actually finding out that there's stone crab in there, so it's complementing it. And when I found out, I said I would like to go and see it myself, so there are reports that there are stone crabs coming in."
And while pushing out a road like this through dense mangrove and swamp is a costly and technically complicated venture, Perez could not tell us how much it cost. So while it looks like a rich man's road, Perez spun it as egalitarian:
Andre Perez: "That is always the image that people have in the past, that the wealthy are getting wealthier in terms of developing, developers coming in and our people are being left behind. And I recognize that and I believe that we cannot develop the north without providing housing or lands for people to build homes, and that is what we're catering for by giving out a thousand lots to people who deserve it, born and grown Belizeans here, and another thousand coming in place is coming. So I believe that everybody has to win."
"I won't be calling it any saint, because everything here is saints. I want a good name, maybe Rocky Point Heights or something."
And from development concerns on that island to beach erosion and sargassum concerns on the peninsula… the Placencia Village Council met last week and issued a strong statement calling on relevant government ministries to partner with the community on short-term, environmentally responsible coastal restoration interventions. The council is requesting an urgent meeting with government representatives to secure essential government support to protect Placencia's coastline.
We asked the CEO in the Ministry of Sustainable Development today whether she had seen the letter from the Placencia Village Council:
Milagro Matus, CEO, Ministry of Sustainable Development & Climate Change "Yes, we have received a letter. The Ministry, along with Blue Economy and the Ministry of Tourism, have been working together to be able to find resources to do assessments and implement some of the programs that are necessary to address that matter. As you know, erosion is not only limited to Placencia-it is throughout the entire coast of Belize, but it is taking us significant time because mobilizing resources is very difficult at this time... I don't even want to say that piece, but yeah, we have been working together seeking funding both at the regional level and at the national level to see how we can address that matter. I think a couple projects have already begun under PACT-assessments have been done to be able to determine what is the best technology we can use to mitigate erosion in certain parts of the Placencia area, but it is a lot."
Tonight, more is known about the body found in the Macal River yesterday afternoon.
The body was that of a Caucasian man, 59-year-old Patrick John Carter.
Police observed no visible signs of injury.
Initial investigations revealed that Carter had checked into Casa Blanca Hotel on Burns Avenue alone on Monday, November 2nd, and checked out on Wednesday, November 4th, at approximately 3:00 p.m.
His body was discovered the following afternoon. It is now awaiting a postmortem examination to determine the cause of death.
Conservation professionals, community leaders, government agencies, and civil society organizations have gathered for the 4th International Women in Conservation Summit under the theme "Stronger Together:Building Partnerships for Conservation Impact."
Jomarie Lanza was there for Day 1 of the summit at Old Belize and has this report:
The summit includes participants from more than 16 countries and continues tomorrow.
The Department of the Environment has partnered with Taiwan to donate 91 garbage bins, garbage bags, and educational flyers to the national bus company and Ministry of Transportation. The bins will be placed inside of the buses, encouraging passengers to properly dispose of their garbage instead of throwing it out of the windows and onto the highways-a well-known issue in Belize. Here are the highlights from the handing-over ceremony:
Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport "So to ensure that we have litter bins inside each bus that moves on our highway, certainly it is a big step in the right direction. When I became the CEO in the ministry, I told the Chief Transport Officer to please ensure that the road service permit that is issued to bus operators has a condition that each bus must have a garbage bin, and we have put that as a condition of the road service permit for operators. And the reason for that is because we must do what we can to prevent the littering on our highways. I am not sure, CTO, if they are in compliance, if we have made checks to see that the buses do have dirt bins or litter bins,but this program here certainly will give each bus operator bins to put in every bus that they operate."
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development "We must focus on preventing waste from entering the environment in the first place. This means significantly increasing access to appropriate waste disposal bins and collection systems, expanding responsible disposal options, strengthening continuous education and awareness programs, particularly among young generations, creating incentives for positive behavior, and enforcing regulations against improper disposal practices. Behavioral change does not happen overnight-it requires sustained and long-termed commitment, and that is a commitment we are prepared to make."
The Ministry of Natural Resources yesterday joined forces with the Ministry of Sustainable Development to celebrate a significant achievement along with the Belize Maya Forest Corridor Trust.
Over 3,500 acres of forest have now been added to the trust, which connects protected lands between Laboring Creek Jaguar Corridor Wildlife Sanctuary and Manatee Forest Preserve. At the ceremony, the respective ministers spoke about it:
NEMO has partnered with UNDP and the European Union to improve its disaster recovery arrangements and response following a major disaster. Participants engaged in a two-day workshop, and here are the highlights from the event:
Daniel Mendez, NEMO Coordinator "Okay, so a stress test is very important because it does exactly what its name is. It stresses the system, and in a controlled environment, we try to determine what we are doing well and where we are lacking and where we need to make improvements. So it is important for us to always continue to do so, because we as an organization that seeks improvement, we need to see where we are doing well. In this specific scenario, we are focusing on child protection, and really trying to determine whether we as a system-as the national emergency system-are able to meet the needs of children during disaster events."
Jenna Hoare, Emergency and Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, UNICEF Belize "So UNICEF, in partnership with UNDP and NEMO, carried out a four-day workshop which really focuses on recovery and also testing the disaster preparedness and response system for the entire country. And so these next two days for UNICEF specifically, our focus will be to really look at testing the system to its breaking point. And the reason why UNICEF supported NEMO in this initiative is because we wanted to ensure that children and adolescents are able to benefit from these essential services during, before, and after an impending impact. One of the things we are looking to achieve from this is to see if the system is able to provide these essential services for children and for vulnerable groups, so this also includes elderly persons with disabilities. And so one of the things that we have done, we brought the entire national emergency system together, and so we really brought different ministries together to really look at what are their existing SOPs, what are some of the resources that they have, but then also looking at the gaps. So when we are talking about gaps, one of the things we want to look at is if there are current SOPs, if their current system takes into consideration unique needs of children."
Vanessa Schultz, Project Manager, UNDP "There is already a very good foundational base. There is a Recovery Committee which is integrated as part of the NEMO system, and there is still a lot of strengthening and capacity building that needs to happen that has been identified also by NEMO. So we are really responding to this request, trying to see what institutional arrangements that we put in place: who are the members that need to be on that committee? What resources do they need? What tools do they need? And how do we also ensure that they communicate with the other actors of the system?"
Last night, you heard from the Santa Elena couple who claim that they have been experiencing repeated police harassment and evidence planting.
We asked ASP Stacy Smith about this today, and here's what she told us:
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer "Police formally arrested and charge Shanne Gardiner, 50 years of age, and 56-year-old Kurt Morgan, both of San Ignacio, for the offense of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. The arrest follows the execution of a search warrant at the Savannah Street residence of these individuals by personnel of the Special Tactics Response Team on Monday, November 2nd, which led to the discovery of 7.3 grams of crack cocaine."
Jules Vasquez: "So these accused are saying that they're being framed, that it's... it's a pattern of harassment.And when the police were unable to find anything, they eventually planted drugs in their home. They put drugs at their feet and said, 'This is yours.' They said they have nothing to do with that. Your response?"
ASP Stacy Smith: "My response in relation to that is that these individuals will have their day in court to advance whatever evidence they believe assist them in their claims. I am of the view that police officers, when conducting their duties, they are doing so honestly. And, if it is that there is any information to support that report that they're making, I would ask them to come and make that report to the Professional Standards Branch."
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The Prime Minister returned today from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, and there are a few pressing issues we wanted to ask him about, not least of which is the report that government departments have been told their budgets are getting cut 25% across the board this month.
And he dutifully reported on the goings-on from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda:
"Wait, wait, wait, wait. Listen to me, I'm asking you, I'm asking you to respect my decision."
And while the executive branch of government isn't engaging with the press, a member of the legislature is in daily open discourse with the public. That's Senator Glenfield Dennison, who continued his pop-up protest series today-this time in front of BTL. Jaleeza Roberts reports:
"This morning, Jaleeza, I did a mental health check-in. The poster this morning just said,'Are you OK?' And I can tell you the people were answering that they're not."
"I can't find my bacon suit, I think a PUP must have stolen it, but the message is still the same.Obviously, we have forgotten, completely forgotten, that there was a call for this gentleman Lizarraga to resign.The unions are still pressing for it-it's one of their eleven points of contention that they have with the government at this point in time."
Edward Broaster, Supporter
always lived here, I feel hopeless that there's not even a light that we can look at and turn to. The government wants to do absolutely nothing, they're saying that they will do nothing for us. And I am a resident, for example, of Ladyville-I have all the crime that is happening there and it's right down the street from where I live. It's scary, everything that happened last weekend. And in my opinion, the people behave the way their leaders behave, and corruption... we can only stop crime if we can heal from the top, and I think from the top is where we have the mafia running us in government, so we have to get out here and all of us know this."
Our next story is about a number of Belizeans who have fallen victim to a US work visa scam, and been duped out of scarce personal funds as a consequence.
Anonymous
John Briceno, Prime Minister 
A Ladyville man walked free from the High Court on his 25th birthday today after the DPP's office entered a nolle prosequi motion, discontinuing the murder case against him.
Tonight, a police officer has been suspended after he was caught on camera abusing his service weapon. It's an incident that might have ended up as just another allegation of police abuse-but because it was caught on camera and 7News posted the video this morning, police responded within hours with swift disciplinary action.
ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
Jules Vasquez 
And while that was a police operation gone very wrong due to abuse of force, police point to other operations in the island town that netted firearms, more than half a pound of cocaine, and ten arrests.
The proposed Northern Ambergris Caye Airport is a concept being aggressively floated-and tonight we've even seen it advertised on a UNDP investor platform, listing investment requirements, projected returns, and a concession business model.
For Elvi's Restaurant-which is world-renowned and has been in operation for 50 years-Chef Jennie Staines told us that the timing isn't right:
Melanie Paz, BTIA San Pedro
"There hasn't been any local consultations-not with the local residents, not with BTIA, not with Chamber of Commerce and a number of other organizations that should have been at least consulted because of the memberships that they have. And so what we're looking at is addressing the issues at hand. We cannot bring in more people into the island if we're not looking at having proper healthcare on the island, if we're not looking and dealing with the sargassum issues that has been impacting the island throughout the course of the year, the congestion that we have, the zoning issues we have, and garbage being one of the key things we have had and most of these properties having to deal with it. So for us, moving that airport at this time is not and should not be a priority."
"It's about protecting a way of life that this island has been accustomed to over the past 70 years,and ensuring that our ability to survive as a community is not being compromised."
"This present airport is good for servicing the town, and as we develop the northern part, which is another two-thirds of the size of the island, I believe they can complement one another. But I want to be very cautious. Again, I mentioned about a phased approach, and I am of the belief of let the market decide eventually, and that is my support. This present runway can work for the town of San Pedro. However, we're looking at alleviating the traffic-not only the congestion of the airport itself, but the traffic congestion-so that taking that airport in the north again and calling it an international airport, we're talking about fixed-base operations, private aircrafts we're trying to cater to certainly can complement. So certainly while I note the concerns of the community, we're looking at the bigger picture. Planning for the next ten, fifteen years is important, and as elected representative, I cannot only be think about today, we have to plan for tomorrow."
"Part of this plan was that it would be in the center, so then you can have access further north or south, but it was never any idea that we were going to close off the municipal airport. I think it was a recommendation there that it could be that they can eventually phase it out and sell it as real estate so they can eventually pay off the runway up north. But that was just an idea, it's not something that is set there."
And aside from a new airport, a new community is also proposed for northern Ambergris.
And from development concerns on that island to beach erosion and sargassum concerns on the peninsula… the Placencia Village Council met last week and issued a strong statement calling on relevant government ministries to partner with the community on short-term, environmentally responsible coastal restoration interventions. The council is requesting an urgent meeting with government representatives to secure essential government support to protect Placencia's coastline.
Milagro Matus, CEO, Ministry of Sustainable Development & Climate Change
The Department of the Environment has partnered with Taiwan to donate 91 garbage bins, garbage bags, and educational flyers to the national bus company and Ministry of Transportation. The bins will be placed inside of the buses, encouraging passengers to properly dispose of their garbage instead of throwing it out of the windows and onto the highways-a well-known issue in Belize. Here are the highlights from the handing-over ceremony:
"So to ensure that we have litter bins inside each bus that moves on our highway, certainly it is a big step in the right direction. When I became the CEO in the ministry, I told the Chief Transport Officer to please ensure that the road service permit that is issued to bus operators has a condition that each bus must have a garbage bin, and we have put that as a condition of the road service permit for operators. And the reason for that is because we must do what we can to prevent the littering on our highways. I am not sure, CTO, if they are in compliance, if we have made checks to see that the buses do have dirt bins or litter bins,but this program here certainly will give each bus operator bins to put in every bus that they operate."
"We must focus on preventing waste from entering the environment in the first place. This means significantly increasing access to appropriate waste disposal bins and collection systems, expanding responsible disposal options, strengthening continuous education and awareness programs, particularly among young generations, creating incentives for positive behavior, and enforcing regulations against improper disposal practices. Behavioral change does not happen overnight-it requires sustained and long-termed commitment, and that is a commitment we are prepared to make."
NEMO has partnered with UNDP and the European Union to improve its disaster recovery arrangements and response following a major disaster. Participants engaged in a two-day workshop, and here are the highlights from the event:
"Okay, so a stress test is very important because it does exactly what its name is. It stresses the system, and in a controlled environment, we try to determine what we are doing well and where we are lacking and where we need to make improvements. So it is important for us to always continue to do so, because we as an organization that seeks improvement, we need to see where we are doing well. In this specific scenario, we are focusing on child protection, and really trying to determine whether we as a system-as the national emergency system-are able to meet the needs of children during disaster events."
Jenna Hoare, Emergency and Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, UNICEF Belize
Vanessa Schultz, Project Manager, UNDP
Last night, you heard from the Santa Elena couple who claim that they have been experiencing repeated police harassment and evidence planting.
We asked ASP Stacy Smith about this today, and here's what she told us:
