Caye Caulker | Greater Belize Media https://www.greaterbelize.com GBM: Growing Together Tue, 24 Feb 2026 01:30:04 +0000 en hourly 1 https://www.greaterbelize.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/GBM-G-Logo-2-150x150.png Caye Caulker | Greater Belize Media https://www.greaterbelize.com 32 32 Zetina Flags Risks as Perez Defends Dredging   https://www.greaterbelize.com/zetina-flags-risks-as-perez-defends-dredging/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=zetina-flags-risks-as-perez-defends-dredging Tue, 24 Feb 2026 01:30:04 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=83292 Dredging on Ambergris Caye is kicking up more than sand tonight, it’s stirring concerns about the island’s future. During our visit last week, UDP caretaker Gabriel Zetina pointed us to several active dredging sites, warning that the work is reshaping the marine environment and putting […]

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Dredging on Ambergris Caye is kicking up more than sand tonight, it’s stirring concerns about the island’s future. During our visit last week, UDP caretaker Gabriel Zetina pointed us to several active dredging sites, warning that the work is reshaping the marine environment and putting wildlife at risk. He’s questioning whether Area Representative Andre Perez is keeping a close enough eye on these operations to protect the industries the island depends on. But when we asked Perez about one major project we toured, he pushed back, saying the dredging is actually bringing benefits to the community.

 

Andre Perez

                             Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“Listen, that project has been ongoing and they have gotten their clean licenses and everything. As per law, they got their license working along with the town council because they did get sand from, the council got sand from the company. But it’s  legitimate, done their studies and I think by now they’re about to be wrapping up. It’s an area that is privately owned. It is not government owned land that was acquired by anyone. Those lands have been privately owned and the private owners bought it and they did their work by dredging that specific area that actually was shallow. That eventually many boats there, especially water taxis, were having trouble. So basically, they were just clearing an area that is traversed by many vessels. So really and truly, I do not see in any way that that should be any problems, but rather opening up the channel for more vessels to be able to move there. Because the waters over there are very shallow. So it has its pros and cons, but in the end, that channel has been cleared up.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Can you divulge what their plans are?”

 

Andre Perez

“I have no idea. I think that is something that is going to be a development for housing or condos, whatever. I have no idea, but it’s private. So they decide what they want to do it.”

 

Dredging Debate Deepens Just as Sargassum Surges Ashore

 

Even as he defends the project and the clearing of shallow channels for marine traffic, Perez is also facing another challenge along Belize’s coastline: the early arrival of sargassum. With coastal communities already seeing mats of seaweed drift ashore, the Ministry of Blue Economy is scrambling to deploy barriers, equipment, and long‑term strategies to repurpose the invasive biomass, underscoring the mounting pressures on Belize’s marine environment from multiple fronts.

 

Andre Perez

                        Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy

“You know, it’s always concerning, but we have been preparing especially. I did mention also when we had the Open Your Eyes show is that we’re planning out as a Sargassum task force about getting the funding. The barriers are going to be installed. We’re getting beach rigs, especially for Placencia. You know, it’s from all angles we’re going to be working. And of course, we have to get those up and running because they’re being serviced right now. The harvesters, we are going to be getting equipment to receive the machinery to put in place. So it’s all hands on deck. It’s going to be a constant battle, but it’s not something that we’re sitting on our laurels, but we are planning that as the Sargassum season comes in, we are prepared for it.”

 

Paul Lopez

“But realistically, how much people can you help? I mean, it appears as if given the amount of Sargassum, you and your team will be overwhelmed.”

 

Andre Perez

“We will, but it doesn’t mean… Well, that is where we have to talk about long-term plans, whereby we are engaging with companies who will be able to come in and convert that material into energy. That is also a long term process, but it’s also in discussions as to get the Sargassum and at the same time trash to convert into energy. And that is something that is going to be a long term project. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s something that Sargassum is here to stay with us. So we need to work along with it. We don’t have the answers this year, but certainly in the next three, four or five years, there’s going to be a plan that we are able to harness the Sargassum and trash to turn it into energy, waste energy.”

 

Caye Caulker Village Council Blocks Controversial Sand Trade

 

What started as a routine update on Caye Caulker’s road woes has now sparked a full‑blown public rejection of Area Representative Andre Perez. Last week, Perez told News Five that one idea on the table is a swap: send white marl from Ambergris Caye to Caye Caulker in exchange for sand, a resource the island has in short supply. But tonight, the Caye Caulker Village Council is shutting the door on that proposal. Council leaders say Caye Caulker’s sand isn’t up for trade; it’s a limited natural asset they want protected for residents and future development. They also argue San Pedro’s struggles with white marl are a red flag, pointing out that when the weather turns wet, those marl‑filled roads turn to mush and become nearly useless. And there’s more. The Council says any dredging tied to this exchange could harm fishermen who rely on nearby traditional fishing grounds. They insist no agreement was ever reached, despite discussions with Perez, and residents echoed that stance at a recent public meeting. Tonight, the Village Council is drawing a clear line: protect the island’s resources, put the community first, and leave Caye Caulker’s sand where it is, and they’re calling on the Area Representative to respect that decision.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here:

 

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Perez Accuses Zetina of “Blue Koncas” Politics https://www.greaterbelize.com/perez-accuses-zetina-of-blue-koncas-politics/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=perez-accuses-zetina-of-blue-koncas-politics Sat, 21 Feb 2026 01:21:50 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=83111 Tensions flared today in Belize Rural South, after Area Representative Andre Perez fired back at UDP caretaker Gabriel Zetina. Perez accused Zetina of having what he called a “blue Koncas” mentality, saying Zetina is tearing down the newly opened San Pedro Artisan Market simply for […]

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Tensions flared today in Belize Rural South, after Area Representative Andre Perez fired back at UDP caretaker Gabriel Zetina. Perez accused Zetina of having what he called a “blue Koncas” mentality, saying Zetina is tearing down the newly opened San Pedro Artisan Market simply for political points. Perez insists the project is meant to uplift local artisans and says Zetina is wishing failure on something designed to improve livelihoods on the island.

 

Andre Perez

Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“Let me answer this way. Two things, it just happened like two weeks ago that we inaugurated this beautiful artisan market. Thanks to BTB and thanks to Minister Mahler, we did this vision. The buildings are very beautiful. The buildings in a setting where we have a beautiful sunset. Now, where you went there and I saw the curtains are closed up, it’s starting. What I want to ask you is that maybe you should have, instead of interviewed that person who you interviewed and he was standing in front of you and standing about the place and everything, without giving any kudos or any kind of giving some time for this to unfold, perhaps you should have interviewed him in front of where the present stalls where these artisan markets. That’s a horse stable. That is not conducive to doing business. So that is where you should have interviewed that gentleman to answer you these questions. What we’re doing is we are uplifting these vendors to go to a better place. Now, we need to do more, of course, working in tandem with the Town Council. We want to do events on the weekend, call it a market day, call it a festivities or not, and that is going to enhance. So, it’s only two weeks. So, it is unfair for anyone to call it and say that it’s not going to, it’s not working. I think that is actually the proverbial blue konkas, that what they can do is spoil. That’s what I call that. So we need to give it some time. It’s just two weeks and the buildings are very beautiful and I’m sure that those that have gotten those buildings are going to benefit in the long term.”

 

We will be following up with those artisans to hear their thoughts on the project.

 

Perez Rejects Claims of Caye Caulker Absence

 

We continue with the latest political dust‑up in Belize Rural South. Area Representative Andre Perez is pushing back hard against claims that he rarely sets foot on Caye Caulker. At Tuesday’s opposition press conference, island resident Samira Martinez called on the minister to spend more time on the island and address local concerns. Well, Perez isn’t having it. He insists he’s been on Caye Caulker regularly and dismissed the criticism as, quote, “a pile of hogwash.”

 

Andre Perez

Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“I want to shoot that down instantly and call it a pile of hogwash. In fact, I was just talking about it, somebody brought that up to my attention, and I’ve been speaking to my people. I believe that since the beginning of the year, I have been six times to Caye Caulker. That’s since January. I’ve been visiting Caye Caulker for many different occasions, for the high school, for the village council meetings. So, whosoever came up with that story there is just trying to create political mischief. I’ve been there longer than anything. In fact, in the past five years I was there, I visited that place almost every month. And of course, the needs are very high. Of course, the Bahia Puesta del Sol, we are working on a project actually to bring in material from San Pedro to Caye Caulker, which is the raw materials. Because, you know, the cost of, and I’ve said it before, and I did discuss that publicly, about the cost of delivering the raw materials that is needed for the streets. You know, we have to look at it smart. So, the material is available in San Pedro, and we want to bring that to Bahai, which already is in process, it’s working. And then in return, we’re going to take some from Caye Caulker to San Pedro. So, it’s a hand-wash-hand situation. So, I don’t know where they’re getting this idea that the minister is missing in action. I think that is false.”

 

Perez Advances Caye Caulker School Projects

 

Amid all the political noise in Belize Rural South, Andre Perez actually spent part of his week on the ground in Caye Caulker. His stop wasn’t about defending himself, it was about the future of education on the island. Perez visited Ocean Academy High School alongside Ministry of Education officials to hash out details on the long‑awaited primary and high‑school construction project. He says those talks are moving forward, and there’s a big change coming once the new campus is complete: Ocean Academy will get a new name. The plan is to officially rename it Caye Caulker Government High School when the construction wraps up. It’s a shift Perez says reflects the community’s growth, and the government’s commitment to supporting students on La Isla Cariñosa.

 

Andre Perez

Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“True to our promise held last week when we had a meeting with the parents and the teachers, you know, the community at large, they were very concerned about the issues affecting the Ocean Academy. So we had the team from the Ministry of Education to visit, do a site visit and actually make all the plans on what they’re going to be building. At the heart of it is that while we do expect to start the building of the high school, it’s going to take an entire school year. So the issue was actually planning out and say, can we have something on the side to mitigate? And that’s a discussion that we held, in building a temporary building or whether we build it on site or maybe find somewhere else that is going to be more time-saving and cost-saving as well. So the option that was discussed is perhaps considering building a temporary structure on the primary school, the Catholic school. So that’s an option that’s being discussed. But in the end, it was very, very fruitful. I believe the community came out really happy that we are making great strides in building the school next school year. Hopefully by next year, we have that high school ready for Caye Caulker.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here:

 

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Perez Rejects Claims That He Is Neglecting Caye Caulker https://www.greaterbelize.com/perez-rejects-claims-that-he-is-neglecting-caye-caulker/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=perez-rejects-claims-that-he-is-neglecting-caye-caulker Fri, 20 Feb 2026 23:21:00 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=83032 At a press conference this week, a member of the UDP Belize Rural South team accused Area Representative Andre Perez of neglecting Caye Caulker and failing to engage with residents. Today, Perez strongly rejected those claims, saying, “I want to shoot that down instantly and […]

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At a press conference this week, a member of the UDP Belize Rural South team accused Area Representative Andre Perez of neglecting Caye Caulker and failing to engage with residents.

Today, Perez strongly rejected those claims, saying, “I want to shoot that down instantly and call it a pile of hogwash.”

He insisted he has been active on the island, noting multiple visits since the start of the year. “I believe that since the beginning of the year, I have been six times to Caye Caulker. That’s since January. I’ve been visiting Caye Caulker for many different occasions, for the high school, for the village council meetings. So, whosoever came up with that story there is just trying to create political mischief,” Perez said.

Perez also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, including efforts to transport raw materials from San Pedro to Caye Caulker to improve local streets. He explained that the initiative is already in progress and will benefit both communities.

“So, I don’t know where they’re getting this idea that the minister is missing in action. I think that is false,” Perez added.

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MOE Discusses Temporary Buildings for Caye Caulker Students https://www.greaterbelize.com/moe-discusses-temporary-buildings-for-caye-caulker-students/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=moe-discusses-temporary-buildings-for-caye-caulker-students Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:56:45 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=83016 Senior officials from the Ministry of Education, joined by Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez, met this week with the Caye Caulker Village Council and the Ocean Academy Board of Governors to advance plans for a new pre-primary facility and government high school on […]

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Senior officials from the Ministry of Education, joined by Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez, met this week with the Caye Caulker Village Council and the Ocean Academy Board of Governors to advance plans for a new pre-primary facility and government high school on the island.

The meeting focused on the timeline for construction and temporary arrangements to ensure students continue receiving instruction safely while the projects are underway.

Perez described the session as productive and reassuring for the community. “True to our promise held last week when we met with parents and teachers, the community at large, they were very concerned about the issues affecting the Ocean Academy. So we had the team from the Ministry of Education do a site visit and actually make all the plans on what they’re going to be building,” he said.

With construction expected to last 12 to 13 months, officials are exploring solutions to minimise disruption. One option is a temporary structure at the nearby Catholic primary school. “The issue was actually planning out and saying, can we have something on the side to mitigate?… So the option that was discussed is perhaps considering building a temporary structure on the primary school, the Catholic school,” Perez explained.

Community members had raised about $100,000 to support a temporary facility, but Perez said the ministry cautioned against investing heavily in a facility that would be used for a limited time. “We got to be practical,” he said.

Perez also clarified that once government investment begins, the institution will transition into a public secondary school. “Whatever is built there eventually becomes what is called the government high school,” Perez said. “It’s not going to be Ocean Academy anymore.”

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Zetina Demands Action on Sky‑High San Pedro Rent https://www.greaterbelize.com/zetina-demands-action-on-sky-high-san-pedro-rent/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=zetina-demands-action-on-sky-high-san-pedro-rent Fri, 20 Feb 2026 01:08:11 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=82939 A housing squeeze on Ambergris Caye is pushing frustration to a breaking point, and now one political voice on the island is calling for action. UDP Belize Rural South caretaker Gabriel Zetina is sounding the alarm over skyrocketing rent in San Pedro, saying residents are […]

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A housing squeeze on Ambergris Caye is pushing frustration to a breaking point, and now one political voice on the island is calling for action. UDP Belize Rural South caretaker Gabriel Zetina is sounding the alarm over skyrocketing rent in San Pedro, saying residents are being priced out of their own community. At a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Zetina rolled out a set of proposals he believes could bring immediate relief. He argues that without swift intervention, the island’s workforce, and the families who keep San Pedro running, will continue to struggle under the weight of out‑of‑control rental costs.

 

Gabriel Zetina

                          Gabriel Zetina

Gabriel Zetina, UDP Caretaker, Belize Rural South

“A lot of people that coming to San Pedro, they are the working class. They migrate from Belize to here, again tying back to tourism, they come to work here. So we need to start seeing if we can create a draft or a bill to regulate the rent fees. It has to be done. If we can somehow create a property act or a rent act to address this issue. I think that will be the first step for us to regulate it. And it is not an initiative for only myself, but collectively as the government.”

 

Heredia, Zetina Decry Politicized Land Deals in San Pedro

Zetina isn’t only pushing for rent reform, he’s also calling out what he says are serious abuses in land distribution. He points to residents who’ve held lease land for years, only to find out someone else quietly got the title. One man at Wednesday’s press conference said he worked for years to secure his purchase price, but a trip to Belmopan showed the land had already been given away. Former area rep Manuel Heredia backed up the complaints, arguing that land on the island is being handed out to political loyalists instead of people with genuine need.

 

Gabriel Zetina

                       Gabriel Zetina

Gabriel Zetina, UDP Caretaker, Belize Rural South

“But then he keeps telling the working class that he will distribute land, but land is already being distributed and lets go further, likewise like my friend spoke just now, a family man with three kids, he has been living on that property for fifteen years, he had an existing lease, he applied for purchase price. He was told he would get it. He even sought out the area representative to assist him in expediting the process, just to be run around and then finally he went to Belmopan just to find out that he lost that by someone else who already has title when he has been in the process for so long, how is that.”

 

Manuel Heredia

Manuel Heredia

Manuel Heredia, Former Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“The existent area rep has been promising land to people, go and put your name over there and then you will be given a piece of land. The other day he said on the media he distributed eight hundred lots, to whom? Those are specially connected people. Not in my days when it did not matter if you are a UDP or a PUP, it went by merit. If the need was there then you were given. And I was the one that raised it in Cabinet, because before coming to government land was at discretion.”

 

Resident Urges Area Rep: ‘Show Up, Listen’

 

And just a short boat ride away, frustration is also boiling over in Caye Caulker, where resident Samira Martinez says the island has been neglected for years and is calling on the area representative to show up, listen, and address the community’s most basic needs. Here is what she had to say.

 

Samira Martinez

                               Samira Martinez

Samira Martinez, Caye Caulker Resident

“I want to say that Caye caulker, we should stop being neglected, period. Caye Caulker has been neglected for years. Our area rep needs to have a better working relationship with the village council. Our area rep needs to come and try visit the people, mainly of Bahia. Everybody in that community, we all have needs. Some people really heavily depend on the government to survive and I am of the belief that the government is using that. They are keeping the people poor, keeping the people uneducated, praying the people don’t wake up so they can continue to control the masses. Area rep start paying attention to Caye Caulker. Start visiting your people. Remember they are the ones that got you there.”

 

Calls Grow for Stronger Caye Caulker Safety

 

That frustration deepened as Martinez also raised alarm over rising violence on the island, saying Caye Caulker is no longer the peaceful haven it once was and calling for permanent police presence and more youth programs to keep young people safe.

 

Samira Martinez

                          Samira Martinez

Samira Martinez, Caye Caulker Resident

“The residents are concerned, mainly for their children. There is an entire new generation of children coming up. Caye Caulker use to be a safe haven, a safe zone. I grew up there. This generation will never be able to know the kind of peace that Caye Caulker use to have and I mentioned earlier. We need to have permanently stationed police officer in Caye Caulker and have them revisit their training every six months or so, whatever they see fit and we need to engage the youths in activities, teach them about life, teach them what it is to be a law abiding citizen. The youths are the ones being targeted. We need to have a loving harmonious relationship with the police and members of the community.”

 

Martinez says the community now wants more than promises, they want their area rep to show up, tackle longstanding neglect, and help restore the sense of safety Caye Caulker once knew.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here:

 

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Cabinet Endorses US $10M Wastewater Project for Caye Caulker https://www.greaterbelize.com/cabinet-endorses-us-10m-wastewater-project-for-caye-caulker/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cabinet-endorses-us-10m-wastewater-project-for-caye-caulker Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:41:31 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=82742 Cabinet has given its endorsement for a loan to build a wastewater collection and treatment system in Caye Caulker Village. It will seek approval of the House of Representatives to enter into a “sovereign-guarantee agreement” for a US$10 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank […]

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Cabinet has given its endorsement for a loan to build a wastewater collection and treatment system in Caye Caulker Village. It will seek approval of the House of Representatives to enter into a “sovereign-guarantee agreement” for a US$10 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to fund the project.

Ervin Flores, resident consultant engineer at the Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), explained that while the island currently enjoys potable water, “one of the major gaps that is affecting the island is the lack of a proper sanitation system, a waste water system.” He noted that current homes and businesses rely on septic tanks or small package plants, which do not provide centralized wastewater treatment.

The new system will use a vacuum pipe network to collect wastewater from homes and businesses and transport it to a modern treatment facility. Flores said the project will “collect the wastewater, treat it in a way that exceeds effluent standards, and all in the name of improving the environment, in improving public health, all of these issues that can develop in Caye Caulker.”

The total project cost is estimated at US$13 million, including the IDB loan, BWSL’s contribution, and a small grant component. Flores explained that the largest portion goes to building the infrastructure itself.

Implementation will begin with a procurement process of about six months to acquire the necessary equipment and infrastructure. Flores said, “Once construction begins, we are estimating a period of about three years…to construct the treatment facility…and to do that simultaneously with the collection system, which is a network of pipes. So, we’re talking about trenching on the road, installation of sewer mains.”

The project will initially cover only south Caye Caulker, which is the more developed area with higher water consumption and more customers. North Caye Caulker will be considered later with a potential nature-based solution due to budgeting and landscape restrictions. Flores explained, “We cannot do one system encompassing both islands. Because of physical reasons, we don’t want to install a sewer main across the Split.”

BWSL has held public consultations and says the project has community support from both residents and businesses.

Flores anticipates construction could begin in the first quarter of next year, after all government approvals and preparations are completed.

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Caye Caulker Shooting Leads to Wild Pursuit https://www.greaterbelize.com/caye-caulker-shooting-leads-to-wild-pursuit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=caye-caulker-shooting-leads-to-wild-pursuit Sat, 14 Feb 2026 01:55:43 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=82139 Police on Caye Caulker are trying to piece together a shooting that unfolded like a scene out of an island chase movie. Around eight-thirty Thursday night, gunshots shattered the calm on Parrot Fish Street. By the time officers arrived, a golf cart carrying three men […]

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Police on Caye Caulker are trying to piece together a shooting that unfolded like a scene out of an island chase movie. Around eight-thirty Thursday night, gunshots shattered the calm on Parrot Fish Street. By the time officers arrived, a golf cart carrying three men sped off, kicking off a brief pursuit through the village. At one point, one of the passengers jumped off, ditched an object in a garbage drum, and hopped right back on as the chase continued. That trail led police straight to the Caye Caulker Health Center, where they found twenty‑two‑year‑old Dominic Castillo on the cart with a gunshot wound to the back. He received treatment at the clinic before being rushed to the KHMH for further care. Officers later recovered what that discarded “object” was, a nine‑millimeter Taurus pistol loaded with seven live rounds, and detained a twenty‑nine‑year‑old resident in connection with the weapon. Investigators also found seven spent shells and blood near Hawkbill Street, deepening the mystery of how this shooting actually unfolded.

 

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Late-Night Shooting in Caye Caulker Leaves One Man Hospitalised https://www.greaterbelize.com/late-night-shooting-in-caye-caulker-leaves-one-man-hospitalised/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=late-night-shooting-in-caye-caulker-leaves-one-man-hospitalised Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:50:59 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=82030 Police are investigating a shooting in the Bahia area of Caye Caulker Village that left a 22-year-old man hospitalised. Officers say they responded to reports of gunfire around 9:00 p.m. and later came upon a golf cart heading toward the local clinic. One man, identified […]

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Police are investigating a shooting in the Bahia area of Caye Caulker Village that left a 22-year-old man hospitalised.

Officers say they responded to reports of gunfire around 9:00 p.m. and later came upon a golf cart heading toward the local clinic. One man, identified as Dominic Castillo, was found injured with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the back. 

He was treated at the clinic and later transferred to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

Police also recovered a loaded 9mm pistol and detained 29-year-old Javan Moody in connection with the weapon.

Meanwhile, in Belize City, a separate shooting around 10:00 p.m. on Cleghorn Street left 49-year-old security guard Justo Pinelo injured. Two minors were detained in connection with the incident.

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The Art and Artists Bringing Caye Caulker’s Identity to Life https://www.greaterbelize.com/the-art-and-artists-bringing-caye-caulkers-identity-to-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-art-and-artists-bringing-caye-caulkers-identity-to-life Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:48:42 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=82002 We head now to Caye Caulker, where two vibrant landmarks have become magnets for both tourists and locals. Right in the heart of the island, the Caye Caulker and The Split signs stand tall, bright, bold, and unmistakably Belizean. Each one is splashed with artwork […]

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We head now to Caye Caulker, where two vibrant landmarks have become magnets for both tourists and locals. Right in the heart of the island, the Caye Caulker and The Split signs stand tall, bright, bold, and unmistakably Belizean. Each one is splashed with artwork that captures the island’s culture, its easygoing charm, and the natural beauty that keeps visitors coming back. They’re more than photo ops; they’ve become symbols of the village’s identity. In this week’s edition of Belize on Reel, we’re taking you behind the scenes to meet the artist whose creative vision brought these iconic pieces to life. We explore what inspired the designs, and how these installations continue to energize the community. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

If you’ve travelled across Belize, you’ve probably seen those bright letter signs that mark each community. In Caye Caulker, two of them stand out: the Caye Caulker sign and the iconic Split sign. The village commissioned the Caye Caulker sign in 2018 for Lobster Fest, and the artist behind that vivid underwater design is Armando “Rootsman” Rivero. His colorful work brings the reef to life and captures the spirit of the island in a single snapshot.

 

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero, Artist

“They just gave me an idea and I take it from there. So they wanted the underwater team. So that was my first initial inspiration. But then I figured I could combine the whole thing with animals and the lizard for instance, and the then you go to the underwater with the fish and the sharks, that kind of stuff.”

 

Rivero moved to Caye Caulker at fifteen, and within a year he was already oil painting, driven by the beauty he saw around him. The original sign on the island was painted by another well‑known local artist, but when it started to fade, Rivero stepped in to give it new life. And for Caye Caulker Chair, Seleny Villanueva-Pott, that kind of creativity is exactly what makes the island’s art scene so vibrant, and something she’s proud to show off.

 

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker

“The Caye Caulker sign  was done initially by Mr. Meegan. So he was the one who designed it, painted it first then it needed repainting, and then Rootsman, I believe came about and painted it. The one in the split is done by Ms. Lilly. And we want to say that these are both islanders. So we have very talented artists on the island.”

 

Not long after the Caye Caulker sign went up, another eye‑catching landmark appeared just down the way. This time, it was The Split sign, now the star of countless vacation photos. The artist behind that vibrant piece is Lilly Alamina, owner of Sea Dih Soul art studio. Her work has quickly become a must‑see spot for both tourists and locals soaking in the island vibes.

 

Lilly Alamina

Lilly Alamina

Lilly Alamina, Artist

“ I got the opportunity to paint that through Neidy Rodriguez. She’s the owner of the split bar and grill. Since we’re good friends, she pulled me aside and she’s I have a project for you if you’re up to it, if you think you can do it. And that was a, that was the biggest one I’ve done thus far. So I was like, I think I can do this. And the split is our premiere spot for socialization, hanging out, drinking, swimming, and you can see the sunrise and the sunset both from the split every day. So I said, we’re gonna pull all the reds, the oranges, the yellows from that sunset you get to see on most days and we’re gonna put that on the sign.”

 

Alamina draws her inspiration from her community. Lilly Alamina has spent her entire life in Caye Caulker, and the island still fuels her creativity every day. Inspiration comes from simple places, her mother’s garden, the view from her front porch, the colors and rhythm of village life. And for her, being recognized as one of the island’s standout artists isn’t just a title, it’s an honor she carries proudly.

 

Lilly Alamina

“What I like is that if anything, we always have each other’s backs. If someone’s looking for someone to do this particular job in this particular way, and we know, oh, this person does that better, this one does that better, we’re giving contact information. We’re putting each other on different jobs. We’re like, we’re we motivate each other and keep each other in the loop.”

 

Alamina says she spent about four days completing the sign after working with the owners of The Split to lock in the design. Rivero, meanwhile, explains that his process was simple, just him and his materials.

 

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero

“I don’t do no sketching. For me, sketching is occupying more time. So I just go straight to the brush.”

 

Today, those painted signs stand as a real source of pride for the people of Caye Caulker. They don’t just show off the island’s natural beauty, they spotlight the homegrown talent that brings its story to life. And the signs are only the beginning. Across the island, you’ll find murals and artwork these creators have added over the years, with even more on the way. Rivero hopes young artists keep pushing themselves, and he shares one piece of advice for anyone dreaming of leaving their mark on the world.

 

Armando “Rootsman” Rivero

“The first thing is to look within. And stay. Stay. How would you say stay on it. Because you always gonna have this support now. It’s you can’t make that stop your inspiration. You have to use it towards your benefit.”

 

So, the next time you’re in Caye Caulker, take a moment to slow down and really look at these signs. Every detail reflects the community’s personality, its pride, and the artists who poured their creativity into making them uniquely Belizean. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

The post The Art and Artists Bringing Caye Caulker’s Identity to Life first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

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New Ocean Academy Building to Begin Construction in July   https://www.greaterbelize.com/new-ocean-academy-building-to-begin-construction-in-july/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-ocean-academy-building-to-begin-construction-in-july Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:21:36 +0000 https://www.greaterbelize.com/?p=81852 This morning, parents, teachers, and students from Caye Caulker’s Ocean Academy packed into the village community center to press for answers, after months of holding classes in borrowed spaces, from a NEMO room to a former restaurant, while their flood damaged campus remains shut. And […]

The post New Ocean Academy Building to Begin Construction in July   first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

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This morning, parents, teachers, and students from Caye Caulker’s Ocean Academy packed into the village community center to press for answers, after months of holding classes in borrowed spaces, from a NEMO room to a former restaurant, while their flood damaged campus remains shut. And tonight, Area Representative Andre Perez says the Ministry of Education is stepping in, committing to build a brand new school and working with Ocean Academy to secure a safer temporary home while that construction gets underway. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

A restaurant isn’t supposed to be a classroom, but for months, it’s been one of the only places Ocean Academy students can gather after floods, mold, and a mosquito infestation shut down their campus. Since then, teachers and students have been bouncing between borrowed rooms or logging in online just to keep classes going. It’s been a tough stretch, and Principal Noemi Zaiden says the kids are simply craving something every school should provide: stability.

 

Noemi Zaiden

                 Noemi Zaiden

Noemi Zaiden, Principal, Ocean Academy High School

“We have been asking since mid-November to be granted permission to build on the land at the back. We have a campus, and you’ll hear some more about that. Where we have, we’ve brought in the engineer, we’ve brought in the health department, and they have approved for us to use. The second and the third floor. The first floor, we can’t use the first floor. So it’s a campus that cannot host all of our students.”

 

This morning, parents, teachers, and village council members sat down with Area Representative Andre Perez to lay out their worries and get straight answers about the future of Ocean Academy. Perez told them the school has the government’s full backing, and construction on a brand‑new facility is set to start in July. But even with that commitment, everyone agrees, students still need a safe, temporary home while the bulldozers get to work.

 

Andre Perez

                      Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“Remember this  meeting here we are discussing is that they are trying to present a plan to build some temporary buildings. And I understand the urgency behind it. But as I told them, it’s not just putting up a building, it has to be done the proper way. And that is why whenever the team comes in, they can inspect and give all the approval. I’m supporting it. And of course Ministry of Education is supporting it, obtain permission, but it’s okay because the campus is huge. It’s huge. But we have to make sure it’s built somewhere and it’s not going to be in any way of the construction that begins. Remember, it has to be done properly. Electricity, water this the bathroom facilities. I just mentioned to today whether if it’s I understand the amount is being invested. But if they say it’s going to be repurposed of something else eventually because you don’t want to invest a hundred  thousand dollars in something that is just going to be temporary. It has to be done with a long term because it’s a substantial amount of money.”

 

Although the school is grateful for the borrowed spaces, they are not always available for use and as third-form student Iyianni Magana explains, online classes are often difficult to follow.

 

Iyianni Magana

                          Iyianni Magana

Iyianni Magana, Student, Academy High School

“Certain subjects like information communication technology, which is ICT, it’s hard to learn it on an online platform because you can’t, you have to split your screen and then the tabs are a little bit too small for you to figure out exactly what you’re doing for that class. And in some classes they’re doing coding, which is better to do on face-to-face than online because they have stuff that easily distract you, like your phone, for example. And you’re scrolling on your phone and you’re not paying attention in class. And also it’s better doing face to face because then you’re actually actively learning in the class than being distracted at home.”

 

Perez says officials from the Ministry of Education will sit down with him and the school on February eighteenth to map out a long‑term fix for Ocean Academy and go deeper into plans for the new campus. And Principal Zaiden stresses that whatever solution they land on, it must give students a safe place to reconnect, socialize, and simply be kids again.

 

Noemi Zaiden

“We get students asking us like, when will we have our campus? When will we be together learning online, because we don’t have spaces to accommodate all our students, so we have to have a rotational schedule where some have to shift online so others can use the locations that we do have. I have to say, immense gratitude to the Caye Caulker community who have been partnering with us to just lend us restaurant spaces above bars, spaces, but for the kids it is challenging to be, shifting online because they learn of course better when they’re face to face. They need to socialize. They just need to feel like there is stability is stability.”

 

Additionally, the Ministry of Education has committed to providing all one hundred and seventy-two students with free education next school year.

 

Andre Perez

“Several high  schools across the country get free tuition free education for going to college. In the case from Ambergris Caye. I think the ones in Cayo as well, they did get that as well. And I recall speaking with minister Fonseca  back then and he has assured me that they could not do it for the last year. I was clamoring from last year. No, not because of the budget and planning. He did assure me that this fiscal year it’ll be included.”

 

For now, classes will keep shifting around the village, and some will stay online, while officials work out a new temporary solution. Britney Gordon for News Five.

The post New Ocean Academy Building to Begin Construction in July   first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

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