Why did Gamboa Have to Go? Home Affairs Minister Explains His Immediate Transfer

He had led the Police Department's Special Patrol Unit for 11 yearsÃ¢â‚¬"quite possibly a record for any police unit. And tonight we are closer to understanding why Superintendent Aaron Gamboa was transferred with immediate effect from the unit he had become synonymous with.

It happened on Monday "and today, we asked the Minister of Home Affairs about it via Zoom. He said it was just time:

Julius Espat, Minister of Home Affairs, MIDH
"And so this will be one of other changes that will be necessary. I'm not a police, by any way. But I am a manager. And in management, you have to be able to put people in the correct position so they function well. But let's start with Mr. Gamboa, who I know personally. He is from Cayo South. He's retired to start with. So it's not that we are dealing with an officer that is within the time frame. He has been officially retired for, I think, six months now, if I'm not mistaken, and he was given an extension. But if you have to plan for the future, you have to be able to look at things and bring in new people. And so that's what we are doing. The Commissioner recommended that he be transferred to a position which is more administrative."

Julius Espat
"SPU for 11 years, that's a good run. And we need other people now to have an opportunity. And hopefully we can make a difference. So nothing is set in gold, but you have to try, and nothing is done with bad intent. It's to better the relationship that the Police Department has with the general public."

Julius Espat
"And so getting back to Mr. Gamboa, it's just one of the many pieces that we are trying to put in place to see if we can do a better job."

Julius Espat
"He has, you know, over the many years made the unit synonymous with himself. And you know that he certainly made it rough and ready and responsive as an outgrowth of his own personality, which I have a lot of respect for that."

Julius Espat
"But at the same time, obviously, as the man said, nobody noh put you to turn stone eena the job, right?"

Julius Espat
"I would hope that you have more of that personality. And we are seeking those, right? The Police Department cannot be run by one person, and I am here temporarily. Everybody has to understand that there is change, there is a need to... and as I said from the beginning, there's no bad intention in this move. But change is necessary, right? And especially in the Police Department, it's necessary to not have a commander in one position for too long."

Did U.S. Embassy Pressure Influence Gamboa’s Reassignment? Espat Says It Didn't Come To Him

And while he might have been there for too long "and past retirement "was Gamboa's transfer somehow linked or related to pressure from the U.S. Embassy?

Jules Vasquez
"High-level security postings are always under scrutiny by those partners. I'm talking about the Americans, and we know that Mr. Gamboa's visa had been revoked. We know that Americans watch these senior posts closely. Did they have any influence on the decision-making that went into his transfer with immediate effect?"

Julius Espat, Minister of Home Affairs, MIDH
"No, no, no, they have not been in communication with me when it pertains to personnel at all. I'm not saying that they don't do it; I'm saying I haven't had any communication from them when it pertains to personnel."

Jules Vasquez
"Is it a concern that he is going into the National Operations Office, not in charge, but he's going to be transferred to the National Operations Office, which basically oversees all those units that you discuss, MIT..."

Julius Espat
"That's not set as yet either. The Commissioner has the concept and I don't think he has finalized it. So all of that is being analyzed. They're just giving Mr. Gamboa a certain level of respect, I understand that. I don't have any problem with that."

Jules Vasquez
"Because, you know, the Commissioner has sent out a text message."

Julius Espat
"Yeah, that's fine. Changes can be made."

Jules Vasquez
"'Superintendent Aaron Gamboa has been reassigned with immediate effect...'"

Julius Espat
"But the only request I made, any position that anybody is put in from here on, I would like a job description. What are they responsible for? That hasn't come to me yet. So it hasn't been finalized as yet."

Julius Espat
"Now if they can't give me a job description, then I know it's a problem. And so I will expect that their professionalism will show. So this week I'm hoping to get that job description because there's other areas that we have to deal with."

From OW OC To SPU, Superintendent Armando Dubón Set to Take Command of SPU

And while Espat waits for that job description from the Commissioner, the commanders have been informed that Superintendent Armando DubÃƒ³n assumes the command of the SPU at the end of September.

He's coming over from Orange WalkÃ¢â‚¬"and was there when Budna was kidnapped in front of the police station he commanded. We asked Espat about that:

Jules Vasquez
"Mr. Dubon from Orange Walk will take over."

Julius Espat, Minister of Home Affairs, MIDH
"Yes."

Jules Vasquez
"Right? And that is Armando, the one from Orange Walk. But one has concerns because of the inter-lapping with the Budna case, because for those of us who've been following the case and everything that happens as a consequence, we know well that a number of officers linked to the Budna kidnappingÃ¢â‚¬"which was carried out by police officers, that's the fact as I know itÃ¢â‚¬"a number of officers have received promotions. Some have become sergeants. And Mr. Dubon was the officer commanding for Orange Walk. Is Mr. Dubon being given this transfer to a powerful operational unit with lots of allowances because he was the OC in Orange Walk during the Budna abduction?"

Julius Espat
"Well, I don't get involved in choosing the personalities. We sat and we made a decision that changes were necessary. From what I understandÃ¢â‚¬"and I was informedÃ¢â‚¬"there were 3 or 4 names that were proposed. And so I asked that they be vetted by the different leaders of the units just to have an opinion: Special Branch, CIB, the deputy commissioners, to give their input as to who would best suit. I think there was another gentleman that was called first, and I think he responded that he didn't fit the post or something because of his rank, and so that was not addressed. And then I think another gentleman was proposed and for some other reasons, the recommendation was that he was not fit. And then the third option, as far as I know, was Mr. Dubon, who came with better recommendations. We also asked members of the present SPU what their opinion was so that you don't put somebody that makes them uncomfortable. And to a large extent, from my understanding, they are comfortable with the gentleman that is supposed to come. Now, as I said before, nothing is set in stone. If this gentleman is given an opportunity and he does a good job, then we continue working. If he doesn't, then it will be looked at again."

Minister Espat Addresses Inaction on High-Profile Budna Abduction File

And is Espat willing to look at the Budna file again? It is languishing in the Police Department "which is where cases go to die once the matter is politically sensitive or involves some big name.

We asked him why this most pressing matter of public interest "and an ongoing constitutional caseÃ¢â‚¬"has not resulted in a charge:

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"How can you, as a man who seeks the right in public affairs... how can you preside over a ministry where functionaries of that ministry, police officers, were involved in the abduction of a Belizean citizen and placing him in a jail in a hostile country, a place he did not go to of his own will? And yet the band plays on. It's caught on camera. It happens within eyesight of police officers and nothing is done. How can you abide that?"

Julius Espat, Minister of Home Affairs, MIDH
"Since I came in, I requested to see what is the status of that specific file. And the information that I received is a file was given to the DPP. The file was returned with about ten requests, approximately. And the investigating officers reported that of the ten requests, they have completed nine. I believe the only one that is pending, I think, is an affidavit from the gentleman himself, which they're in the process of getting through Foreign Affairs. Once that is done, then I have been informed, and I have given instructions to make sure that that file goes back to the DPP. Then she will be the one to determine what is the move forward. If, after her analysis of the situation, there is still doubt, then we will have to pursue a level of independent investigation. Under the law, the police does not have any way of dealing with internal independent investigation, so you have to have another avenue, which I am not sure of. There were recommendations as to the clarity of the video or the videosÃ¢â‚¬"I think you showed one that's a little bit clearer, so it seems that you have the technologyÃ¢â‚¬"but we could seek foreign help to be able to analyze the videos to make sure that they are clearer, if that helps. But the DPP will determine that."

Budna’s Brother Struggles as Police Retain Confiscated Electronics

And while the investigation lumbers on, Budna's vehicle has still not been returned to his family.
Along with that, the department also confiscated several of his brother's devices. Desmond Tillett was detained back in February. He was released without any charge, but the cops have held on to cellphones, a laptop, a hard drive, and other material.

And with no funds to purchase replacements, it's put a major strain on his family. He spoke with us via Zoom yesterday, and Courtney Menzies has this story:

This is the list of electronic devices that were confiscated from Desmond Tillett back in February after he was detained on the pretext of cyberbullyingÃ¢â‚¬"after his brother Joseph Budna's Facebook page became active again. Seven months later, he still has not been charged, and his devices have not been returned. And he says it's caused major inconvenience for his family.

Desmond Tillett, Joseph Budna's Brother
"Since they took my devices, I've been without a phone, my daughter is without a laptop that she uses for school. Right now, for this semester she's not even in the class because we can't afford to get back another laptop as yet. She does online classes, so there's a lot of inconveniences."

Desmond Tillett
"It's really been inconvenient for me. Me and my wife using one phone for quite a while. Money is not there, especially with the prices of things going up and so forth, you do not just take money and buy a phone or a laptop now because everything is very costly."

Reporter
"Do you think they're also trying to find some type of information regarding your brother?"

Desmond Tillett
"I believe so."

And that's because the police still have not returned his brother's vehicle to the family.

Desmond Tillett
"I'm wondering about this country I'm living in because I was the one that approached the DPP concerning the recovery of my brother's vehicle. She went ahead and told me that we should just go to Orange Walk and pick up the vehicle. I started to work that very Monday, so I asked my younger brother to go for it. We had a copy of the Social Security, but when he got there, they said they need his Social Security to release the vehicle. I spoke to the HNCIB thereafter and he said he can't do anything elseÃ¢â‚¬"because I know him, I spoke to himÃ¢â‚¬"he said his hands are tied because he got instructions that if I do not get his Social Security card, I cannot get the vehicle. Now thinking about it, even throughout that process I went to Social Security and inquired about copy Social Security cards. They say they do not keep copies of Social Security cards, and his Social Security card was taken from him that time when he was kidnapped, so they know we do not have it."

Tillett believes they're being denied their rights regarding their property and their privacy.

Reporter
"How can this be happening in plain sight and everybody just pretend, 'Oh, life is good, Belize at 45, I am Belize'? Do you feel that we're living in two countries: one where certain citizens have rights and where if you're poor, you can't hire an attorney, you don't know big politicians or influential people, your rights don't matter?"

Desmond Tillett
"Well, that's totally true. We're like in different countries, like you said. Indeed, some people have more rights than others, it's Animal Farm, totally."

Now he says he believes he should be compensatedÃ¢â‚¬"especially since the department has caused excessive stress on his entire family.

Desmond Tillett
"I need to be compensated for the problems that they are causing us and the struggles they have caused on us. You might not know, but mid-August, one weekÃ¢â‚¬"exactly one week before Ryan's birthdayÃ¢â‚¬"my mom has been there worrying and worrying, and she got a stroke just worrying about my brother. Because we had spoken to him and he was in pain, he couldn't lie down, he couldn't sit down properly, he couldn't move his hand the way he wanted to, and it is totally unfair. I never thought our country would come to this."

Landmark Decision: Court of Appeal Strikes Down 2020 Southside States of Emergency as Unconstitutional

In a landmark ruling delivered today, the Belize Court of Appeal struck down two 2020 Southside Belize City States of Emergency, declaring both the emergency proclamations and the mass detentions carried out under them unconstitutional.
The consolidated judgment covering Civil Appeals 18, 19, and 20 of 2025 delivers a powerful rebuke to the state's reliance on emergency powers as routine crime-fighting tools. Writing for the court, Acting Justice of Appeal E. Andrew Marshalleck emphasized that using SOEs to tamp down gang violence acts merely as "bandages rather than cures" while threatening the fundamental rights guaranteed by Section 3 of the Belize Constitution.
The legal battle stemmed from SOE proclamations issued in March and July 2020. While the government argued that spikes in gang violence justified extraordinary powers, the Appellate Court ruled that standard crime spates do not meet the constitutional threshold.
The court clarified that Section 18 of the Constitution requires concrete evidence of a specific triggering event of such scale and nature that it threatens public safety beyond the reach of ordinary criminal law enforcement. Justice Marshalleck wrote, quote, "The proclamation of a state of emergency in Belize is not meant to deal with ordinary criminal activities concomitant with social or economic dysfunction," thereby declaring both the initial proclamations and their parliamentary extensions invalid.
The ruling also exposed severe constitutional breaches in how alleged gang members were rounded up and held at the Belize Central Prison. The court highlighted several critical failures by state authorities, including blanket detention orders citing vague two-word reasons such as "gang activities" without providing necessary factual particulars. They also noted the absence of a review tribunalâ€”which is required by law.
The Court of Appeal upheld and extended financial awards to the affected citizens. Claimants were awarded BZ$15,000 each in compensatory damages for loss of liberty, alongside BZ$7,000 in vindicatory damages to address the state's aggravating constitutional breaches.

Deputy Solicitor General Samantha Matute, Jarvis Lou, and Alea Gomez represented the government, while attorneys Leeroy Banner and Leslie Mendez appeared for the affected detainees.

Fisheries Officers Seize Hundreds of Pounds of Contraband Seafood After Pursuit of Smuggler

This morning, Fisheries officers, along with the Police Department, intercepted a pickup truck along the Hattieville-Boom Road after a brief pursuit.
The operation took place at around 4:05 a.m., approximately three miles past the Belize Central Prison. Fisheries officers reportedly had to pursue a pickup truck before intercepting it.
When they inspected the vehicle, they found a substantial quantity of seafood believed to have been illegally imported into Belize. The seafood they discovered included 290 lbs. of tilapia fillets, 335 lbs. of jumbo shrimp, and 14 octopuses. Two men were detained and charged with offenses related to the illegal importation. They are expected to appear in court in Belize City tomorrow.
The bust is the result of a months-long investigation and the smugglers are believed to be suppliers for major restaurants.

Officers had been monitoring the route from yesterday evening waiting for the truck to appear.

Fatal Motorcycle Collision Claims Lives of Lucky Strike Couple

Tonight, a family in rural Belize District is mourning after common-law couple Joseph Williams and Sherlene Rodriguez died yesterday in a traffic accident.

The couple were making their way to the city from Lucky Strike Village on a motorcycle when it happened. Jaleeza Roberts reports:

A couple died together yesterday in a road traffic accident at approximately 11:30 a.m. on a curve between Miles 5 and 6 on the Philip Goldson Highway.

22-year-old Pedro Jorge Espat, a Belizean manager of West Landivar, Belize City, was driving a 2026 BMW X5 northbound from Belize City toward the PGIA airport.

At the same time, common-law spouses 32-year-old Joseph Alexander Williams and 42-year-old Sherlene Rodriguez were traveling in the opposite direction on a Lifan motorcycle.

For reasons still under investigation, the two collided head-on. The massive impact flung Williams and Rodriguez off the motorcycle into the bush; they were found approximately 35 feet from the BMWâ€”which had crashed into a lamppost on the shoulder adjoining the southbound lane.

The couple received multiple injuries, including head trauma. Williams was rushed via ambulance to the KHMH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival at approximately 12:00 noon, while Rodriguez later succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.

Today we spoke to the aunt who explained that the reason Joseph was heading to Belize City was to pick up his Boledo winnings to buy a new car battery for his weekend plans:

Joy Francisco Arana, Joseph Williams' Aunt
"Joseph is a jovial person. He has his car, he has his motorcycle, but his car didn't have a good battery, and he won Boledo and he said, â€˜Aunty, I will go buy my car battery at Westrac.' So I said, â€˜Okay, I'm glad you won your little Boledo.' And he does construction work; before, he did security work. But Joseph drives very, very careful, so I don't think it's Joseph at fault. Normally a next motorcycle accident you would say maybe the person was speeding, but Joseph wasn't speeding, 'cause Joseph doesn't drive fast."

And the couple who had lived together for over 3 years can be described as inseparable:

Joy Francisco Arana
"They were sweet, sweet like peas and carrots. Anywhere Joseph go he would take her, anywhere she goes she takes Joseph. Joseph was in hospital, she sleeps in hospital. They have pigs that they raise on the farm, they have ducks, they have chickens, they have sheep."

But his aunt and Joseph had plans that they now won't be able to fulfill:

Joy Francisco Arana
"Joseph said, â€˜Aunty, I won Boledo, so I will buy the battery for my vehicle, then I will buy the shirt for me and my lady, the Belize T-shirt that marks 45.' So I told him, â€˜Well, I am already sexy already, so I will look the best out there.' Now Joseph is gone, so I don't want to see Carnival, Miss. This really hurt me."

To drivers on the road, Joseph's aunt has this message:

Joy Francisco Arana
"My message to the people that are driving vehicles: you don't need to hurry. I have only seen this on Facebook, but now it hits our family and it hit home. Drive carefully, because sometimes motorcycle do go fast, but Joseph isn't a fast driver like that."

Joy Francisco Arana
"They really hurt me, they hurt my family. I lost a loving, loving nephew. Joseph didn't get into trouble, Joseph would go fishing before he would ever get in a fight. He doesn't get into trouble like that, so sometimes we are rushing to go somewhere, Miss, but take your time in a way, because it isn't one life, it's two lives and two persons who loved each other."

The driver, Espat, has been served with a Notice of Intended Prosecution. He remained at the scene and, as part of the investigation, provided a urine sample for alcohol testing.

Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler Clarifies Proposed Increase in Hotel Accommodation Tax

And turning now to other news, yesterday we asked Tourism Minister Mahler about the increase in the hotel tax from 9% to 12.5% and whether this could potentially place Belize out of the price range for some visitors.

Mahler explained that the announcement was premature, but it had been on the discussion table for years:

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Sports
"I think that was premature. In fact, before that came out and before I took a Cabinet paper, I had a meeting with the Board of Directors for the Belize Tourism Board, and both major organizations sit and they were in the meeting. So there, and I will put it on the table, there has been negotiations and discussions about this for almost 2 years; in fact, private sector individuals have met with the Ministry of Finance, the Prime Minister and other people without the BTB there, and they knew it was coming or it is supposed to come. I have said I don't think it is time, personally I have expressed that to both BTIA and BHA. What we did was to say, 'Alright, we have a significant problem in sargassum. It is killing us on the coastal communities that are important for our tourism product. How can we fund this?' Right now we need about 20 million dollars worth of equipment to try to fight it, we don't have big ships like Mexico and other parts. We are losing this battle, but most of the fight has been, and the monies spent has come from the Belize Tourism Board, nobody else."

"And so what we did was to say, 'Alright, if you guys agree to the 3.5% increase,' and I said that in Cabinet that I don't think anything should happen until we have another meeting with the private sector where the Minister of Tourism is involved. Meetings were had, they had discussions and they knew that it was coming, so I don't know where that surprise came from to make it look like it's me that pushed for this. I had always opposed new taxes on the tourism industry, always, and that is a fact, even the $10 for air security. But you understand why, these things cost money, they have to put certain things in place so another situation like a few years ago does not happen again."

Ministry of Education Audits Louisiana Government School Over Alleged $100K Missing Money

The Ministry of Education has been investigating Louisiana Government School after reports surfaced that large sums of money were unaccounted for. How large? Reports say in the range of 100 grand. This has reportedly been occurring over several years and has prompted an audit. The Minister of Education gave us an update yesterday:

Francis Fonseca, MOECST/MFAFT
"Yeah, I think the last briefing I got on that from the Chief Education Officer and the General Manager was that it had been completed. And that they were going to have meetings with a number of... the principal and a number of other peopleâ€”a number, bursar, I don't remember exactly, but I think that bursar was there, a number of people who were in finance there. So I don't know if they've had that meeting yet. But I know they're following up on the audit to make sure that, you know, if there are any misappropriation that took place, that they would make sure that those who were involved would be held responsible. So that's where it's at. I haven't gotten any feedback if they've had the meeting yet. But that's my understanding of where they are." We'll keep following the story.

Interim Home Affairs Minister Espat Demands Better Conditions for Police Officers

Turning back now to policing matters: Interim Minister of Home Affairs Julius Espat said today that police are systematically treated poorly by successive administrations. He says they are forced to work under inhumane and inadequate conditions. His conclusion? Until those things are fixed, you can't demand professionalism and discipline from them. Here's how he put it:

Julius Espat, Minister of Home Affairs, MIDH
"The truth is no government has treated them fairly. Their infrastructure is inhumane. And the allowances that they get is insignificant compared to the risk that they take, the vehicles that they get, and one vehicle for so many people and they expect them to be patrolling. And somebody say, â€˜Oh, you give police vehicle, but they break it up.' And so I went to the mechanic place and I asked the mechanic from MIDH to give me an idea. He said, â€˜Boss, but what do you expect? They don't have a lot of vehicles, so the same vehicle they have, they use 24 hours without stop.' So one set bring it in, drink a glass of water and fill it up with diesel and the next set roll it out, and it's continuous. It never stops. So we do as laymen beat up the police, but we have to give them the attention I believe that they deserve, the resources. And that's what I'm lobbying for with the Prime Minister and Cabinet, to give them basic resources that they need to let them operate in humane conditions. And if you send them out to deal with formidable forces, then you have to treat them better. And then once all of that is achieved, then you can demand discipline, you can demand professionalism, you can demand results. And if that doesn't happen, then you move it again."

"That's the plan. It is a two-month plan. But the plan needs lots of time, lots of work, lots of dedication, lots of resources and governments understanding that if we want to drive this economy more, if we want to have more investors come, if we want our local entrepreneurs to flourish, if we want the tourism industry to grow, we have to deal with the crime situation."

Minister Espat Rejects Suggestions of Waning Momentum at Home Affairs

And while Espat hit the ground running when he first took over Home Affairs, has he lost his passion for the assignment?

We haven't heard much coming out of the Ministry recently, which is a contrast to when Espat started with a bang back on June 22nd. Espat says that doesn't mean he's slowing down:

Julius Espat, Minister of Home Affairs, MIDH
"You need time to analyze. You can't make irrational decisions without investigating. You can't make people tell you everything beautiful and you accept that; you have to go and find it out. So I've had to meet with all the units. Today at two I'm meetingâ€”yesterday I met with MIU, today I'll meet with CIB. I'm meeting with all the units and I'm giving them an opportunity to express themselves. And I have the Commissioner there with me and all administrative staff so that they write down exactly what the complaints are. And so we have been doing this with all units. And it's been, to me, it's been very informative. I am just surprised it hasn't been done at the ministerial level before. Nobody remembers the last time it was done and so it's just a different managerial set. I am no police, I am a project manager and I have a project that is hurting, that is extremely important for the country of Belize, that has 2,500 professionals that we have to better the situation. And that's the mode I'm in."

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"So should the Prime Minister make it clear what the future plan is? And would you be prepared to stay on as the Minister?"

Julius Espat
"If he believes that I am an asset in the Police Department, I would stay on."

Espat Navigates Portfolio Uncertainty Pending Prime Minister's Decision

But it's tough for Espat to lead decisively and implement changes since he says he's in limboâ€”between interim appointment and uncertainty.
And whether he retains that portfolio or not is up to the Prime Minister.

He says that if asked, he will stay:

Julius Espat, Minister of Home Affairs, MIDH
"I report to the Prime Minister, and then he makes a decision if what he wants. And I just, this limbo situation, and it's not healthy for anybody. A decision has to be made. You'll go, you'll stay, you'll go home, you'll whatever. But the limbo in management is the worst because imagine somebody in the Police Department, you tell them I want this, this and that, and then they say, 'I'm not sure how long you will be there.' If I would be there, I would be thinking the same thing. Unlike if you are there permanently, then you can do what is necessary."

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"So should the Prime Minister make it clear what the future plan is? And would you be prepared to stay on as the Minister?"

Julius Espat
"If he believes that I am an asset in the Police Department, I would stay on."

Espat Responds to Internal Political Attacks Following Municipal Convention Shift

And depending on how you read political fortunes, the value of that asset may be either rising or falling. That's because Sunday's municipal convention denoted a shift in the PUP's balance of power. And, almost on cue, yesterday, political observers noted two online pay-to-play articles making insinuations against Cordel Hyde and Julius Espat.

In response, Espat said pointedly some in his own party are hungrier for power than others:

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"Are you concerned about the little... seismic shifts? There's no such thing as a little seismic shift... about the seismic vibrations resulting from the power dynamics that were at play?"

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"I have seen certain attacks that seem to be directed at you or directed at Cordel Hyde, who is always viewed as an ally of yours. Are you concerned about the fallout?"

Julius Espat, Minister of Home Affairs, MIDH
"There's no fallout. It's politics. And some are hungrier for power than others. Some have bigger budgets and purchase other people to do their dirty work. It's politics, and I have one formula and that's working, working and working."

Julius Espat
"I've told you before, and if you can't handle it, then you shouldn't be in this business. And the Honorable Cordel Hyde, I have never had a relationship with him before Governmentâ€”'Hi-bye' kinda thingâ€”but while we have been in Government, I have had an awesome relationship with him because we are seeing eye to eye, because I believe we have a social conscience, because I believe both of us believe in the George Price PUP. And people forget that the People's United Party emerged from a union movement, from a people's movement. And our focus has always been that, to the detriment of us."

Jules Vasquez, 7News
"Not everybody in your party may accept or believe that."

Julius Espat
"That's fine, that's what I told you from the beginning. The table should be filled with people of varying points of view. That makes any leader stronger. Boss, if you have a table that only tells you how you look beautiful, and how your head shines, and 'I love you,' you will start believe and don't want to believe anything else. It is important that the people that surround you are brave enough to tell you what they believe is right. That doesn't mean it's right. It's their opinion."

Julius Espat
"So, I respect the Deputy Prime Minister, and I would hope he does the same with us. And I respect my Prime Minister. But we have different managerial styles. Cordel operates differently than I do, the Prime Minister operates differently than I do."

Julius Espat
"That the lee noise in the city... well da only unu mek the noise, Jules. And once you stop making the noise, it will stop. So it's fun right now, and we have bigger problems than that."

Health Minister Kevin Bernard Supports Campaign Finance Reform Tailored to Belize

Is fixing campaign financing a sufficiently big problem?

We've been asking PUP Cabinet members about it, and today we followed up with the Area Representative for Orange Walk East. Kevin Bernard told us that he would support it as long as the legislation suits Belize's needs:

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
"We would love to see campaign finance legislation come up, but we also have to understand that we have to do things that are tailored to our country's needs. We are a small country, and if you want to model something like the United States, then it is obvious that is a country with millions and millions of people, a different legislative system. But I do support, and this Government, I know this Government supports legislative reforms. It is part of our manifesto blueprint that we have made a commitment at some point to look at that and bring that forward and have the discussion that needs to be had. As I said though, we have to ensure that whatever legislation is put forward is suited to Belize's needs and not somebody else's country's needs."

Health Ministry Addressing Concerns Over Rising Hard Drug Use Among Youth

And in other health-related news, during Monday's police press briefing, Staff Officer Stacy Smith reported an alarming, recurrent pattern of drug usage. Smith noted that police are seeing, quote, "more and more persons, young persons who were not traditionally known to be persons who engage in hard drugs, i.e., crack cocaine or cocaine, are now being arrested on a daily basis."

When we followed up with the Minister of Health on this today, he told us that he is concerned as well, but there are facilities in Belize to assist:

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
"We do support structures. Palm View Center is a mental health facility, a facility that supports persons who are struggling with mental health issues in various ways. We do have, I believe through the Human Development Ministry, programs that we work with people in these areas, and again the national development, the NDACC..."

Jomarie Lanza, Reporter
"But do any of them deal with drug rehabilitation?"

Kevin Bernard
"Of course they do, we have, and that's what NDACC does and the outreach, they do all these things. Again, we work closely with Human Development Ministry, with the Police Department in addressing these issues. Of course, all of us would be concerned if they are saying these are the types of drugs they are seeing coming into the country and people using these types of drugs. So it is not a Ministry approach alone, it is various parties and bodies that have to work together so that we can address these ills that are affecting our country. Now, to say I am concerned? Of course I am concerned, I am a parent too, but as a leader of this country, one of the members of Cabinet, we are deeply concerned and that is something we have a constant discussion on in trying to see how best we can address these issues."

National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Officially Sworn In

Commissioners of Belize's newly established National Commission for Persons with Disabilities were sworn in today, a step toward the implementation of the Disabilities Act, 2024.
The Commission brings together government, civil society, and national institutions to advance the rights, inclusion, and participation of persons with disabilities.

The body is now tasked with turning the legislation into concrete action and ensuring greater accessibility and protection for persons with disabilities across Belize. Here's what a Commissioner and a disability advocate had to say:

Ministry of Health Awards Record Number of Healthcare Scholarships

The Ministry of Health and Wellness held its largest, most inclusive scholarship ceremony today. Jomarie Lanza was at the event and found out how they are diversifying opportunities to prepare for a changing health sector:

In April of 2025, GOB approved a 30 million dollar training package to develop the healthcare system and its professionals through scholarship opportunities.

Today the Ministry of Health and Wellness distributed what may be its largest number of scholarships to 67 individuals who are pursuing a career in the medical field.

The scholarships range from associate's level to master's degree and their Deputy Director for Hospital Services told us today that they have decided to expand the scholarship to other areas as part of their Human Resource for Health Strategy.

Lizett Bell, Deputy Director, Hospital Services
"The Ministry of Health and Wellness, we have our Human Resource for Health Strategy, and also we conduct several human resource analyses based on the need that we currently have and also our future needs when it comes to the expansion of our new health facilities that may be coming on board in the next few years. So based on the analysis from those studies, we were able to identify areas where we need to start to make investments, and based on those we were able to outline some of the priority areas that you see here today which include the nursing administration, psychiatryâ€”because you know mental health is also a concern for us because we only have a few nurse practitioners over the country, so we need to ensure we strengthen that program and that service. So we decided to invest in training some additional psychiatric nurse practitioners. But outside of nursing, we also include the different specialties, which was psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology. We still have available scholarships for internal medicine, intensivist, and pediatrics, so those are still out and we are hoping to get applicants probably in the next few months. So it is looking at our critical need as the health system, and that is the reason why we have expanded to also include medical specialists, and when it comes to the section on biomedical engineering. As you know, health systems are dynamic; we have several equipment that require specialized maintenance and so forth, so we have to ensure that we have properly trained persons to help us when it comes to maintaining our equipment. They are a major investment in the system, so ensuring that they are functioning well is very important. That's the reason why we decided to look at the priority areas, which were those identified today."

The scholarship recipients also signed a bond, which means that once their studies are completed they will be required to practice in-country until they fulfill the term requirements of the bond. The Minister spoke about how this will enable them to fill the current labor gaps:

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
"We are looking in other critical areas that the country needs in terms of advancing the capacity in our health system. That is the reason why you see now people getting scholarships in biomedical engineering, we have more people going out to do specialization. And this award scholarship today highlights, I believe, the ones that we highlighted, but there are other areas we have been pushing. For example, we have people right now being specialized in other parts of the world; in Taiwan, we have some coming back from Cuba. But to highlight on what we are doing, 2.5 million dollars being invested in our people, both in nursing, nursing administration, in biomedical engineering, in the school of medicine for them to become their doctor degree, it shows the commitment we have and the plan, the forward-thinking that we have set, because as you know and has been highlighted, we all know that the human resource gaps we have in the health system does not apply just to Belize, but it applies to all of us in the region, and so we have to do what we need to do to upskill our people, to put more people out there, and to encourage people to take on the profession."

And out of those 67 who received scholarships, we spoke to a recipient in the nursing field. She has already commenced her studies at the University of Belize. She says her mom was the one who inspired her to get into nursing.

Amani Morgan, Scholarship Recipient
"Well, honestly my mom is a nurse, so she is a huge inspiration for me. And while I was sitting down I almost wanted to cry because I was like, I am so grateful to have someone to look up to in that aspect, so definitely my mom."

Jomarie Lanza, Reporter
"So you will be studying at UB?"

Amani Morgan
"Yes, that is correct."

Jomarie Lanza
"How did you feel when you first found out you got the scholarship?"

Amani Morgan
"I was super surprised, because I know that there are a lot of people who applied, so I am super grateful to be a recipient of one of the scholarships."

Ministry of Health Seeks 67 Medical Professionals to Fill Critical Capacity Gap

So expect that the Ministry of Health and Wellness will have 67 new medical professionalsâ€”not nurses, but also specialistsâ€”that will attempt to fill the labor and capacity gap in current hospitals and the others that are expected to be built.

Bernard says that they always have vacancies that need to be filled, and often they find themselves competing with the private sector for staff:

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
"But we do our very best to ensure we can fill the gaps. We have a lot of advertisements out to try. Everyday you have people coming in and saying, 'You know what, I want to get into the system.' We have to fill those posts where a vacancy exists. Now, we may not have posts for every single professional that comes into the country at the Ministry, because we are competing with the private sector too, because the private sector wants to at the same time. I just had a talk with Dr. Salinas from the north briefly over when I visited the hospital there, the clinic there, and he was saying the same: 'You know, we need nurses too in the private sector.' And so Government is doing its part. Like I said, we have been trying to tap into other countries. The last time I gave an interview, I said on the Honduras visit we have started discussions on how we can develop an MOU with that country for exchange, at the same time to afford our Belizeans access to other university options in the region, but at the same time in trying to ensure that we can also attract medical professionals who can come to this country and work."

Bids Under Review for Construction of University of Belize Hospital Facility

The Minister also gave us an update on the University of Belize hospital, where no work on the ground has started.

He says they are currently in the process of reviewing bids before they can move into signing a contract and starting construction:

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
"Well, let me give an update, because the last time I spoke somebody had asked me about that. I can confirm that the bids were submitted. I think the review committee for the construction, there were 2 shortlisted companies that the Saudis highlightedâ€”and these are Saudi companies, these are not local companies, remember the Saudi Fund dictates how they will manage the project. And so there were 2 international companies, I understand, were shortlisted, and they are in the process, I believe, if not Tuesday, yesterday the committee may have met. I did not get an update from Nurse Bell on that matter, but I was told last week that the bids were being reviewed, so that by the time that committee has finished its selection, then they are hoping that by the end of this year, by November, December, they can go into contract signing and start construction."

Health Minister Clarifies Role at San Pedro Medical School Graduation

And while that University Hospital is somewhere off in the future, recently Minister Bernard attended the graduation for Washington University of Health Sciences and Colombia Central University in San Pedro.

We asked him whether these universities have the endorsement or validation by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. He told us that it is not a matter for them to decide, but rather the Ministry of Education:

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
"Well, at the same time, you have to recall I was invited there as the Minister of Health. These people come to Belize, they get a level of their training due to an online program. I know there has been some concerns that have been thrown out there, blanket concern on some of these online programs, but having spoken to both the Ministry of Education and some of the people, the owners of the facilities and the members that were there, I know the Honorable Patrick Faber, who sits as the Chair of the Board of Governors for that university online school of medicine, has said that they have gone through the accreditation process as well with the U.S. and they have a very high uptake and toll from the residency programs within the United States. And so my presence there was simply as an invited guest. Now, we are not responsible for education, that is a matter of the Ministry of Education. Whatever issues that they had to sort out, I am not sure what needs to be sorted out, so I cannot comment more than to say that I was there as an invited guest."

Eight Belizean Artists and Cultural Guardians Honored at Annual Awards

And turning now to September Celebrations news...

Eight Belizeans in the creative sphere were honored yesterday as part of the Creative and Culture Awards. It's one of the events that kick off the month of celebration, and the recipients are well known as artists and cultural guardians.

Courtney Menzies was at the ceremony and has this story:

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