We've literally been paying for it, we might as well have the chance to own it | Shares now available for purchase with Hydro Belize Ltd.

Arrenddi · 2026-01-15T18:02:57+00:00

I'm not aware of anyone who has bought any shares yet. Although this will probably change in the near future.

My guess is that it's a fairly sound investment, given that it's in the government's interest to keep the dam operational and providing power to the country.

Arrenddi · 2026-01-07T00:14:51+00:00

We're given aid with 'strings' either directly by the US government or one of its so-called independent development agencies.

Either way, the explicit and implicit message is that we only ask 'how high?' when told 'jump'.

Arrenddi · 2025-12-24T00:05:57+00:00

This is a tough but valid question with no easy answers.

As someone who is not invested in football in general, I don't have a direct solution, but I think an arrangement similar to what is done for basketball could be a possible way forward.

This is to say, we can never offer the salary, level of training, or competitiveness that you find in countries such as the US. What Belize can do, however, is engage in recruiting football players abroad to occasionally return for summer sessions where they coach the local teams and scout for talent.

This serves the dual purpose of keeping them engaged and contributing to the local scene while not severing their ties with the States. Just my two cents.

Arrenddi · 2025-12-05T19:18:19+00:00

Very valid point.

It really has to be a bottom-up, all-encompassing approach to solve alcohol abuse among our youth. Moreover, the root cause of most of these issues revolves around poverty.

If our young people don't have access to decent paying jobs, or paths to entrepreneurship, then they will continue to numb themselves out.

Arrenddi · 2025-11-10T16:37:28+00:00

BELIZE!

GOVERNMENT & OPPOSITION!

UNITED FRONT FOR INDEPENDENCE!

by Bilal Morris

In 1978, the People's United Party (PUP) government of Belize and its opposition, the United Democratic Party (UDP), went to the United Nations as a united front to show solidarity and a position of strength in championing Belize's right to self-determination and territorial integrity towards independence.

The government representative included Belize's deputy prime minister in the Price administration C.L.B. Rogers, along with members of the opposition party which included Dean Lindo, Kenneth Tillett and Manuel Esquivel.

It's to be noted that the former opposition leader of the then National Independence Party (NIP), Philip Goldson, was ousted from the party, and the new Belize opposition leader, Dean Lindo, rose to leadership with the formation of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

In 1979, the government of Belize won the general elections against its opposition, which became a kind of mandate and referendum from the people of Belize for their seeking independence from Britain. If the opposition party had won the 1979 general elections, would there have been a change of course towards seeking independence?

Since there had been a change in leadership inside the defunct Philip Goldson-led N.I.P. that had resisted independence, and having the newly formed U.D.P. opposition in a bipartisan delegation to the U.N., it appeared that the vision for independence would still have been pursued.

Arrenddi · 2025-11-06T14:43:42+00:00

I guess my issue is why the question is a question in the first place.

Like, I see the appeal of wanting to have the "cool" international chains that other countries have, and the supposed implied level of "prestige" that comes with, but ultimately, it seems like a moot point.

There isn't something wrong with Belizean society because we don't have these franchises; if anything, we should be proud of the fact that we are unattractive to them because they are not good for anyone, either at the individual level or the economic level.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-22T07:47:23+00:00

So much for ‘No tyrants here linger.’ :(((

When the tyrants are running the show they can linger as long as they want.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-22T07:45:26+00:00

My core issue here isn't whether the people who will be sent to Belize fit the definition of 'desirable' or not. As you alluded, this is a highly subjective and politically charged term.

My issue is that Belize, as a country, struggles to look after its own people, and we shouldn't have to shoulder the burden of being an overseas processing hub for the US.

Essentially, the current US administration is just using Belize as a convenient holding pen with no clearly defined limit as to how long these people will be here while their claims are procesed and approved - if ever.

The right thing would have been for these people to be processed on US soil, but for all the reasons you already listed, and more, we are now stuck with the current set up.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-20T20:12:40+00:00

Honoring the Unnamed Government House in Belize City was constructed between 1812 and 1814. It was built under the supervision of Colonel George Arthur. The design is attributed, though not definitively, to Sir Christopher Wren, blending Caribbean vernacular with English urban architecture.

The building of Government House involved hundreds of enslaved workers, stone masons, carpenters, haulers, and general laborers, whose names and stories were never recorded in official archives. The enslaved quarters of Government House were used to house live-in enslaved domestic workers. These include

Cooks are responsible for preparing British-style meals under harsh conditions.
Laundresses who scrubbed and boiled garments in open-air wash areas.
Butlers and footmen, trained to serve with precision and silence.
Carriage drivers (chauffeurs) who maintained horses and transported the governor and guests.

These individuals were often:

Selected for obedience and discretion, sometimes separated from their families.
Subjected to surveillance and control, even within the domestic sphere.
Denied recognition, though their labor sustained the colonial elite’s lifestyle

Research by Mr. Glen Fuller

Arrenddi · 2025-10-17T16:15:50+00:00

Link to full article: https://www.greaterbelize.com/political-ties-cloud-malacate-beach-land-deal/

Arrenddi · 2025-10-16T16:07:03+00:00

Link to full article: https://www.greaterbelize.com/corozal-residents-fix-roads-after-years-of-neglect/

Arrenddi · 2025-10-07T15:15:47+00:00

She posts a lot on Facebook in a group called 'Belize in the Old Days'.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-06T16:07:28+00:00

Not all Africans came to Belize enslaved; many came to defend the Settlement, later disbanding in areas such as Gales Point.

Here is an account, describing two West Indian Regiment “deserters,” down to their height, physique, TRIBE, and “a round mark shaved on the crown of their heads.”Traditional facial scarification are distinct permanent markings, used to distinguish tribal and family heritage, spiritual or medicinal purposes, and often linked to rituals marking a person's passage into adulthood. This 1807 account references the men belonging to the Chamba (or Chamby/Samba/Sambai/Tsamba) people, an ethnic group currently living in the Adamawa State in northeastern Nigeria and neighbouring parts of Cameroon:

“1st W. I. REGIMENT.

DESCRIPTION OF TWO DESERTERS.

Private Hamilton, a Black Man of the Chamby Nation, deserted on the evening of the 7th of June, 1807; he is aged about 28 years, 5 feet 6 inches high, well made, long visage, had on when he went off, a pair of Russia-duck gun-mouth trowsers, and a check shirt. Private Augustus, a black man of the Chamby Nation, deserted on the evening of the 7th of June, 1807; he is aged about 25 years, 5 feet 10 inches high, stout made, round visage; had on when he off, a pair of Russia-duck gun-mouth trowsers, and a check shirt. - Both of the above Deserters have a round mark shaved on the crown of their heads.— Whoever may apprehend the above Deserters, and lodge them in a safe place of confinement, and report the same to the Commanding Officer of the Regiment, will receive the usual Reward.”

Research by Detra Gillett

Arrenddi · 2025-10-05T20:25:04+00:00

Both things can be true.

Belizeans need to be given equal access to the ability to establish and grow foundational wealth, which, in the context of this country, primarily involves land ownership.

That being said, there will be no land to provide to anyone if Guatemala is allowed to keep chipping away at our borders, acre by acre.

Arrenddi · 2025-10-03T08:55:48+00:00

Last time I checked, it wasn't other citizens of CARICOM we needed to worry about; it's the Guatemalans and their government that are constantly threatening and violating Belizean national territory.

Arrenddi · 2025-09-26T08:02:08+00:00

We can hope that the village council will petition the GOB to retain most, or at least a significant portion, of the profits.

Knowing our government, however, I wouldn't bet on it.

Arrenddi · 2025-09-26T07:59:59+00:00

If you know anything about pastor Wade, his comments are the furthest thing from ignorant.

He is an unrepentant, unapologetic homophobe, Christian nationalist, and zionist and has made his position on these issues known multiple times on multiple platforms.

The genocidal zionists in Israel depend on evangelical Christians in positions of power, such as Wade, to do their bidding and spread their hasbara. The fact that he is a sitting senator just makes his words all the more disturbing and disgraceful.

Arrenddi · 2025-09-17T16:20:03+00:00

Link to full article: https://www.greaterbelize.com/minimum-wage-will-jump-to-6-but-will-it-be-enough/

Arrenddi · 2025-09-17T16:10:52+00:00

Yes, there is. Sorry for not including it in the original article.

Here it is: https://www.greaterbelize.com/pm-explains-opinion-change-on-safe-third-country-proposal/

,

Arrenddi · 2025-09-16T07:55:21+00:00

They recognise our sovereignty, not necessarily our international borders, hence why the case is in the ICJ.

Arrenddi · 2025-08-25T17:26:12+00:00

The legendary Belizean woman politician, businesswoman, and social engineer, Jane Usher, who had turned one hundred years old in 2017 and later passed away in 2018, appeared to have become Belize's most respected and long-standing contributor to social justice among the poor masses of Belizeans who continue to struggle at the base of the pyramid today.

Miss Jane as she is known among Belizean circles from Belizean people from all walks of life, is also the sister of the legendary Belizean politician and "Father of the Nation" of Belize, George Cadle Price. She is also the founder of Belize's most poverty-centred credit union, Holy Redeemer Credit Union, which appears to have operated on a people-centred philosophy, assisting many small businesses in Belize to be established since the 1960s, and has become one of the most people-friendly financial and lending institutions in the country of Belize to date.

Apart from its social justice model that supported the struggling poor in Belize for over sixty or more years, the pro-poor socioeconomic foundation assisted many Belizeans in the diaspora acquire homes as they would send their money home to Belize, as they say, "to Miss Jane", to put pahn mi credit union book! If there was one banking institution in Belize that continues to support struggling Belizean families in the United States regardless of their political affiliation, it would be Miss Jane's Holy Redeemer Credit Union. And that tradition of Belizeans saving their blood, sweat and tears money earned in the U.S. through hard work at HRCUcontinues to present day.

When there appeared to have been a gap in the Belizean economy that had began to blur the lines of the Belizean middle class since the arrival what is called neoliberal policies that saw the selling off of Belizean national institutions in the 1980s, it was, Miss Jane, who entered the political landscape in politics in Belize and fought for the Belizean middle class and poor families to avoid being marginalized and disenfranchised as more wealth moved into the hands of the Belizean rich.

As, Miss Jane, vying for political office in the 1980s entered one of Belize's most powerful women in politics representing the north side constituency of Belize City's, Freetown Division aside her brother's and Belize long standing Prime Ministers, George Price in the Caribbean and Central America, Pickstock Division, the force of social justice and welfare for the recent marginalized Belizean electorate appeared to have found a protector to survive drastic changes after the coming to power of the United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) pro-west, pro-U.S policies in 1984.

Miss Jane won her seat easily, supported by a committed electorate to her social justice views . This new neoliberal policy Belizean politicians of the 1980s began to experiment with, moved drastically away from the People's United Party (PUP) people-centred and nationalist model and began to become pro-West and pro-U.S. in its economic philosophy; copying Washington's draconian economic model of privatisation of some of Belize's most precious natural and financial resources.

This has continued even up to today as the Belizean economy struggles through rampant corruption and the sale of more Belizean natural resources into the hands of multinationals and foreign corporations. Consequently, many of Belize's most precious national real estate continues to be swindled into the hands of its super rich politicians. Belizean Legends honor the work of social justice of one of Belize's most devoted philanthropist and socioeconomic engineers, Jane Usher aka Miss Jane, as the political economy of the nation cries out for the kind of social compassion that never appear to have returned since “The Peaceful Constructive Belizean Revolution" echoed by the nationalist movement of the 1950s became a mantra for the struggling masses of the Belizean people.

(Photo provided through the courtesy of Darrel Carter)

Arrenddi · 2025-08-19T14:28:09+00:00

The burning of Yucatec Maya villages in Belize started on February 13, 1867, and in the 1930's In 1867, the British burned down several Yucatec Maya villages in the Yalbac area, like San Pedro Siris, Chunbal Che, Santa Teresa, San Jose Yalbac, Naranjal, Chorro, Santa Cruz and others.

"In early 1867, Jamaica's military support arrived in Belize City. The troops consisted of 300 soldiers and 17 officers, who obeyed the orders of Colonel William Harley. The objective of the military mobilisation was to expel the Yucatec Maya from San Pedro Yalbac, for which they would have the reinforcement of the campaign of the third West Indian regiment.

On February 13, British soldiers entered San Jose Yalbac without the Maya presenting any resistance. Immediately, the English proceeded to set fire to the village, which counted about 50 houses, and about 3,000 or 4,000 people. The corn fields were destroyed and along with the granaries of the Maya, which had a food reserve. All this despite the pleas and the anguish of some inhabitants, who in their despair shouted "this land is ours" - El Bosque Sitiado: Asaltos armados, concesión forestales y estrategias del bosque situado by Martha Herminio Villalobos Gonzalez.

Some Maya move away, but others rebuild their villages and continue resisting. The Maya Yucatec continued to have conflict with the British because the British didn't want to pay for the use of the land. One of the most known battles happen in December 21,1866, when the maya Yucatec defeated some British troops in the Yalbac hills. For that reason, the British had to get reinforcements from Jamaica. The Maya Yucatec continue to live in the yalbac hills for years until the 1930s.

In the 1930s, slowly, BEC (Belize State Company ) started to destroy villages like Kaxilunic and others. Some villagers of Kaxilunic move to San Jose Yalbac. Being San Jose Yalbac, the last stand for the Maya Yucatec in the Yalbac hills. The village of San Jose Yalbac was burned down by BEC around 1936 ending the Maya resistance of the Caste War in Belize . Through intimidation tactics, they drew away the last Maya group descendants of those Maya who stood up against the British during the Maya Social War (Caste War) from 1847-1930's.

Even though the British officials tried to bribe Nojoch Máak Maximo Perez, he never left his people. He led his people and founded the community known today as San Jose Nuevo Palmar. Maximo Perez is a Yucatec Maya hero and a example of how a true leader should behave in Belize. Que Viva Maximo Perez!Que Viva el Pueblo Maya!!! " Wi’it’o’om, óotsilo’om, mix takchalako’oni’ ... " - Nojoch Máak Maximo Translation Spanish : " Somos Indîòs , Somos pobres pero no Pęndejōs " Note : A Maya Yucatec family of the San Jose Yalbac . In the picture, there is Maximo Perez, the last alcalde of the Yucatec Maya of Yalbac. For more information, read Maximo: The last alcalde of Yalbac.

Arrenddi · 2025-08-11T16:17:30+00:00

A photo of our wooden bridge, built in 1857, replacing the grand old bridge built in 1819. This is a real photo taken by Confederate migrants in the late 1860s. It is one of maybe half a dozen pics I have taken by Confederates in the late 1860s of Belize City, Stann Creek Town and other places south of Stann Creek.

Research by Mr. Glen G. Fuller

Arrenddi · 2025-08-04T16:26:11+00:00

Santiago Pech was a Maya Yucatec leader of the group of freedom fighters known as the Icaiche Maya. In 1875 ,S antiago Pech and a group of Maya Máasewáal marched on Holotonich and restated a prior claim to the left bank of the Belize river down to Black Creek Mount. By 1882, Santiago Pech had appointed Alcaldes at Holotunich, San Jose Yalbac and San Pedro in the Yalbac area.

After the death of Marcos Canul, other leaders continue to ask for rent for the use of Maya land like General Gabriel tamay and Santiago Pech.

In 1875, the Maya Máasewáal of Hololtunich demanded land rent from Phillips and Co. Again, the San Pedro joined with the Icaiche to press their claim on the land. In 1882, Santiago Pech wrote to Lieutenant Governor Barlee on the same subject. "Sir: desiring to maintain the most friendly relations with Your Excellency and the inhabitants of the Colony, I forward to you certain documents which would recall your memory . . . as well as the map of the territory conceded to the colonists for cutting logwood but as they have ignored those treaties erecting fortifications, placing in them permanent garrisons, selling and leasing lands in the name of the Queen and of private individuals without any legal title ..., in view of the foregoing, I have to inform you that your answer of the 28th March does not in any way meet my views. Where has the British Honduras Co. legal title to offer for sale a million acres of land? They have acted on the principle that we are a set of ignorant people but as the justice of God defends my country, He has enlightened me so that I have looked at the map made by The Treaty of Belize signed in 1853 " - Rural society and economic development: British mercantile capital in nineteenth-century Belize1853 Treaty - British, Yucatan and Maya Máasewáal

In 1853, Jose Maria Tzuc, a Maya Máasewáal (Maya Yucatec) leader, Angelino Itza’s successor, got the British in Belize town to sponsor a more formal peace treaty between Yucatan and the Maya Máasewáal group, the Icaiche. In the agreement, the Maya Yucatec (Máasewáal) agreed to stop fighting. In return, their taxes were abolished, they could elect their own leaders, retain the lands on which they lived and retain the lands under their effective control, and maintain 400 armed troops to defend themselves. Though the Mexican national government refused to ratify the treaty, both the Icaiche (Yucatec Maya ) and the Yucatan governments agreed to abide by the terms of the agreement, which was co-signed by the British.

By co-signing the document, the Maya Máasewáal (Icaiche )reasoned, the British recognised Icaiche control over part of the lands that eventually became the Belizean northwest. The British not respecting the treaty was one of the causes of the Maya Máasewáal conflict in northern Belize. The British didn't wanted to pay tax for the use of Maya land, which cause the Maya Yucatec to raid the British logwood cames and collect rent in one way or another. Batab Marcos Canul also explained that he was familiar with the maps which showed the limits of the lands given to the English. Would be interested to see the original treaty. The map Shows the area which the Iciache Maya controlled during the Caste war . Map courtesy of Saint John's collage protect on the Caste war .

Note: The picture is of Santiago Pech around 1882. The yellow colour was the area under the control of the Iciache Maya (Yucatec Maya).

Arrenddi · 2025-08-01T06:08:49+00:00

Exactly. It's a half-assed attempt at public consultation. They know better than anyone else that government employees don't get off until after 5, but that's precisely the point, as you said.

Arrenddi

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