Author: Powaful

There is a dangerous habit developing in Belizean governance: collect first, explain later. And Belizeans should reject it—regardless of which political party occupies Belmopan. The proposal by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) to increase the hotel accommodation tax from 9% to 12% cannot simply be treated as another three percentage points on somebody’s hotel bill. Going from 9% to 12% represents a 33.3% increase in the tax rate itself. So before Government reaches deeper into one of the most important engines of the Belizean economy, there are some questions that deserve answers. Why is the additional money needed? How much additional revenue is expected?…

Dr. Philip Castillo has done something that many politicians avoid doing. He has forced us to look in the mirror. His article is not merely about unemployment or appliance repair. It is about a much bigger problem—the economic direction of Dangriga Town. For decades we have been conditioned to believe that our prosperity depends on who forms the next Government of Belize. Every election cycle, politicians descend upon our communities promising jobs, promising projects, promising hope. Then the elections are over, and many of our people return to waiting… waiting for a government job, waiting for a handout, waiting for…

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Garifuna village of Hopkins, GariMaya Gift Shop is far more than a place to buy souvenirs—it’s a celebration of Belize’s rich cultural heritage, artistic talent, and warm hospitality. For years, visitors from around the world have made GariMaya one of their must-visit stops while exploring southern Belize. Widely recognized as one of the country’s largest and most diverse gift shops, GariMaya offers an impressive collection of handcrafted treasures, authentic cultural keepsakes, locally inspired artwork, clothing, jewelry, wood carvings, home décor, drums, textiles, paintings, and much more. Every corner of the store tells a…

DANGRIGA, Belize — Visiting students from the University of Florida received a passionate lesson on Garifuna identity, cultural preservation, and indigenous rights during a recent visit to the Gulisi Garifuna Museum in Dangriga Town. Addressing approximately 30 students and their professor, Rosita Alvarez, President of the National Garifuna Council (NGC) Dangriga Branch, spoke candidly about the challenges facing the Garifuna people and the importance of protecting their language, culture, and ancestral lands. Alvarez used the opportunity not only to educate the visiting group about Garifuna history and traditions but also to highlight contemporary issues that continue to affect indigenous communities in Belize.…

There comes a time when silence becomes betrayal. That time is now. The National Garifuna Council has called on Garinagu and all people of conscience to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in San Juan, Atlántida, Honduras, who once again find themselves fighting for something no people should ever have to beg for—the right to remain on their ancestral lands. This is not merely a Honduran issue. This is a Garifuna issue. This is a Belizean issue. This is a human rights issue. The Garifuna people of Belize did not emerge in isolation. Many of our families are…

On Saturday, August 9th, key members of The Garifuna Nation gathered in the vibrant coastal community of Seine Bight, Belize, to address the pressing issues and future direction of the Garifuna people in Belize. The meeting, which brought together influential leaders and advocates, was attended by President Egbert Higinio, Dr. Enita Barrett, Cyril Uruwei Garcia, Marley Chatuye, and Ms. Esther Savery. Together, they engaged in candid, forward-looking discussions about cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and political engagement. 1. Strengthening the Economic Roots – Cassava at the Forefront One of the major highlights was the upcoming Cassava Conference scheduled to be held in Punta Gorda, Belize. Cassava is not only a…

It has been over three months since community advocate Jeremy Enriquez lodged a formal letter of complaint with the Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC) and the Office of the Chief Justice on April 23rd, 2025. The matter, followed by a second letter on May 22nd, remains shrouded in troubling silence. Despite the gravity of his concerns, Enriquez reports no resolution, no outlined process, and no timeline from the authorities entrusted with upholding the integrity of the justice system. “Although my letter of complaint was delivered to the JLSC and the office of the Chief Justice on April 23rd 2025, with a follow-up letter one month later on May 22nd,…

Dangriga, Belize – August 1, 2025 On Friday, August 1st, the newly elected executive members of the National Garifuna Council (NGC) hosted a meet and greet in Dangriga Town to introduce themselves, outline their vision for the next two years, and listen to the concerns of the community. The event started on a hopeful note, but the room quickly turned into a space of hard truths and unfiltered questions.Many Dangriga residents expressed that they have lost confidence in the NGC, citing concerns about transparency, the influence of the Cayetano family, and the organization’s voting process. Despite the tension, the new executive members remained optimistic and committed to restoring faith…

This exile was the aftermath of immense suffering. Recent research by Garifuna historian Andoni Castillo uncovered evidence in London revealing that about 3,000 of our people were imprisoned in Portsmouth Castle, England

To understand the new politics stance and other pro nationals of recent times, we should look to Silicon Valley and the quantified movement of the latest generation. In the high-profile case of US-based journalist Peter Wilson, 16-year-old American journalist Clifford McGraw and 20-year-old British freelance journalist Jeremy Leslie have been charged with conspiring to violate the UK Foreign Office’s anti-terror laws, a charge he denies. On Monday, UK attorney Andy McDonald revealed that he had spoken. “Few worry about catching Covid anymore, as it’s just a matter of time before they do,” says Tea, a teacher at a school for…