The Consulate of Belize in Florida
Monthly Newsletter
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Consul General's Monthly Message
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Welcome to the
March
Monthly Newsletter
!
The month of March is coming to a close, and the
ICJ Referendum
voteon April 10th, 2019is almost here. Are you ready to cast your vote? Either way you choose to vote, it is your right to make your voice heard. We therefore urge you to make an effort to acquaint and educate yourself on the subject of the Belize-Guatemala dispute, to research all the academic material written on the history and factual sequence of events (treaties, agreements, etc.) and learn what has led us to the present. Doing so will help to make a decision that is dispassionate and informed. You may find my M.A. thesis entitled
"The Cost of Conflict: The Anglo-Belize/Guatemala Territorial Issue"
, which could be of interest during this time of increased awareness regarding the issue. Below you will find, under the Section "ICJ Be Informed" new and updated information. Tune in to today's Press Conference with the Prime Minister, H.E. Alexis Rosado and Ambassador Lisa Shoman discussing and answering questions on the topic. Also included in the ICJ Section is an address and informative study by H.E. David Gibson, former CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs presently based at the Centre for Strategic Studies, Policy Analysis & Research (CSSPAR). For our Spanish-speaking viewers, check out Ambassador Gutierez’s video on the ICJ. Be sure to visit the website,
www.belizereferendum.gov.bz
. Please share it with friends and family. This fundamental decision transcends politics and affects every man, woman and child in Belize. At the end of the day, every Belizean is a patriot!
In this March newsletter, there's a lot of exciting news! Belize made National Geographic's "Best Places to Travel 2019," there was San Pedro's yearly Carnaval, the 91st Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta, the popular Ruta Maya, a new and upcoming Moon Travel's guidebook on Belize by Lebawit "Lily" Girma, meetings between the National Institute of Culture and History president, Sapna Budhrani, and Charge D' Affaires of the Embassy of Qatar in El Salvador, Tariq Al-Othman, a remembrance of the legendary Zebedee Augustus "Sonny" Pitterson and his SunnySide bakery, and 17 new species of snails discovered in Belize! If you are looking for a novel experience, and want to get face to face with nature, take a look at
Tourism Tidbits
. Learn 11 things you perhaps didn't know about the first national hero and benefactor, Baron Bliss, whose memory we commemorated on March 11, on National Heroes and Benefactors Day.
Often times I meet foreigners who have visited Belize and their impression of Belizean cuisine is that of rice and beans or beans and rice. While rice and beans with stewed chicken and potato salad is delicious and comforting, Belize's cuisine is so much more than that. Belizean food is vast embracing the diversity in our many cultures and traditions reflected in the different exotic spices and methods of cooking. In this edition, learn how to make something different! Try your hand at cooking one of Belize’s most obscure dishes that breaks the record for being exotic, called
Alcaparrado,
a very interesting dish originating in Mexico by way of Spain, and before that, in the Middle East, in our
Recipe of the Month
section.
We take this opportunity to congratulate Team Belize in winning first place in the Baker to Vegas 2019 Challenge Cup Relay!
Happy International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 8
th
and we applaud all Belizean women for their contributions, dedication, hard work and sacrifices they make every day to their families, jobs and country!
Rt. Hon. Dean O. Barrow, Prime Minister, celebrated his birthday on March 2nd, and his wife, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow also had her birthday on March 3rd. Join us in wishing them both the very best and a Happy be-lated Birthday!
For those of you who have not had the opportunity to visit the Consulate's office nor are familiar with the services that we offer, you may visit our website at
www.belizeconsulatefla.com
or follow us on
Facebook
,
Twitter
, and
Instagram
to receive updates about Belize, the Consulate and upcoming events.
We are in the process of updating our database, and as a result, The Consulate of Belize in Florida continues to conduct phone calls to its constituents to confirm each's contact information. We appreciate your cooperation and support in sharing your contact information, so that you and your family can continue to be informed about services offered by the Consulate as well as get updates on Belize.
If you are aware of a Belizean residing in the United States who is making a positive impact on the lives of others while contributing to their native country, please submit their story to us so that we may feature them in our newsletter. Perhaps the Star of the Month for April could even be you!
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Belizean Star of The Month
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Al L. Skeete was born in Belize City, Belize. He is one of eight children (2 brothers and five sisters). His parents are Hulbert and Hazel Skeete (deceased). Skeete attended Wesley Primary School and graduated from Wesley College. He emigrated to the United States where he worked in the lighting industry while attending Bronx Community College, graduating with an Associate’s Degree in Science. He subsequently pursued an Engineering degree at City University of New York, NY. In addition to working as an engineer for at least eight years, he served over twenty years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He now resides in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. He is presently serving as the President of Friends Reaching Friends (FRF) Mission and Outreach Ministry of Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He has participated in several local and overseas missions with FRF, which included four missions to Belize and Cayo Districts. There, they provided medical and dental services, Vacation Bible School, construction and spiritual enlightenment to school children in the Anglican diocese of Belize under the direction of the Bishop, The Right Reverend Philip Wright and Rector of Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church, and the Reverend Dr. Anthony B. Holder. They also served hospitals, children’s homes, and community organizations. The FRF mission group is currently preparing to embark on its fifth mission to Belize, to serve the community of Dangriga in Stann Creek District in June of 2019. He is married to Rose (Cattouse) Skeete. Together they have 5 children and 2 grandchildren.
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Lebawit “Lily” Girma travel writer, photographer and guidebook author Coming Out With New Edition of Guidebook on Belize
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March 5, 2019 11:57 p.m. EST
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Moon Travel guidebooks is featuring yet another book on Belize. Travel writer, Lebawit "Lily" Girma, has a big heart for Belize, and is publishing her fifth book on Belize with Moon Travel Guidebooks. Lebawit "Lily" Girma is an award-winning travel journalist and author specializing in the Caribbean. Originally from Ethiopia, Lebawit "Lily" Girma, is the author of and photographer for several Caribbean guidebooks for Moon Travel Guides, with the majority on Belize. Lily calls herself a “culture-holic”–she speaks four languages and has found second a home in Belize. A former corporate attorney from Washington DC, she pursued in 2009 her dream of becoming a travel journalist. To learn more about Moon Travel's upcoming guidebook on Belize visit
https://lilylilyphotography.com/2019/02/journey-crooked-tree-village-true-slice-of-belize/
.
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Press Release - Charge D' Affaires of the Embassy of Qatar in El Salvador, Tariq Al-Othman, Visits President of the National Institute of Culture and History, Sapna Budhrani.
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Monday, 4th March 2019
At 9:00 AM an exploratory meeting was held between Mr. Tariq Al-Othman, Charge de Affaires of the Embassy of Qatar in El Salvador and Sapna Budhrani, President of the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH).
The purpose of the meeting was to initiate and discuss ways of developing a diplomatic relationship between both countries reinforced by culture. After the meeting, NICH provided a guided tour of the Museum of Belize and Ms. Budhrani presented Mr. Al-Othman with a small gift of appreciation for the visit.
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This meeting was facilitated through the efforts of Mrs. Margaret Juan - Charge D' Affaires of the Embassy of Belize in El Salvador and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize. Both parties left optimistic of more discussions and the strengthening of an international cultural platform to develop our partnering countries and institutions.
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New Discoveries of Species of Snails in Belize
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photo credit: Breaking Belize News
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March, 7 2019 1:30 p.m. EST
- The fruit of a ten year study in Belize, malacologists Dan and Judy Dourson, along with Ron Caldwell, have discovered 17 species of land snails in Belize. These newly-identified species were named in honor of Belizeans who have contributed significantly to conservation in Belize, or, who have deep ties to the country.
These snails were found in leaf litter, ephiphytes, deep caves, sink holes and the most remote sections of the largely unexplored Maya Mountains.
It all began when Dan and his wife Judy visited the country to assist the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education (BFREE) located adjacent to the Bladen Nature Reserve.
The study has revealed that the life cycle, habits and indicators of snails may be pivotal in forecasting possible changes to the environment. They occupy a unique position in the animal food chain, and are prey to bats, snakes and even other snails. One such carnivorous snail, called The Mayan Marauder, was caught on film.
Since land snails are considered one of the most numerous and "speciose" groups, they, therefore, remain largely unstudied, and this is in spite of their importance in ecosystems. They perform a crucial role in micronutrient cycling. According to the report on these snails, “Declining land snail populations can have ripple effects to surrounding ecosystems,” the report said. The report likens land snails to freshwater mussels that are like litmus indicators of the quality of its habitat. Similarly, land snails may indicate future deterioration of its natural habitat.
“Native land snails could therefore be used to forecast impending problems created by anthropogenic pollutants reported to be accumulating in jungles of Belize,” the researchers said, pointing out that the Maya Mountains is one of the most important land snail regions in Central America. It may exceed other areas of comparable size in terms of numbers of species.
(Source credits: Breaking Belize News)
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Remembering "Sonny" Pitterson and "Tan" a.k.a. "Sunny Side Bakery"
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By Janine Sylvestre
2019 marks its 60th Anniversary!
If you grew up in Belize, it's likely that you had the famous "Sunnyside Bakery" bun and bread, a staple for "tea" along with a slice of Happy Cow or Dutch cheese. It is still one of my favorites. On my last trip to Belize, I took a stroll down memory lane one late afternoon and stopped by the bakery that I fondly recall accompanying my father as a child. At the time, we lived in Southside and it was an outing my sisters and I looked forward to. We'd be greeted by Mr. Sonny with a bright smile and lively conversation. One could smell the aroma of his scrumptious bread a mile away and always leave with your favorite hot fresh baked goods. The bun was always warm and chewy with raisins. Thankfully today, it is being run by his son, Elon Pitterson, who carries on the tradition expanding the line of baked goodies to include doughnuts that can rival any Krispy Cream Doughnut. But I'd like to remember the man who I admired for his hard work and dedication, only learning after many years, that there was a lot more to him than meets the eye. He humbly and quietly did great things to help his community, making him one of Belize's most treasured "silent heroes."
Zebedee Augustus "Sonny" Pitterson was just a teenager when he conceived the idea to open up a bakery. Everyone in Belize knows Sunny Side bakery on Recourse Street to make the most delicious bread. Its recipe, apparently, is a well kept secret. The location on Recourse Street was the last location to open. Before that, it began on West Canal, making pastries, called at that time "Sunnyside Saloon." This year, according to one source, makes Sunnyside's Bakery 's 60th year since its opening on Racecourse Street in 1959. The evolution of its appellation, like the date of its founding, is not easy to account for. The story goes that it was originally meant to be called Suntan after Zebedee's nickname, "Sonny," and one Chinese man's last name, Tan, who, apparently helped Sonny get on his feet. He is called a "generous benefactor" by news sources, yet, "Sonny" reportedly denied any kind of assistance from him. Whatever the case, it is clear that a liaison between Sonny and his former employer, Tan, was responsible for the people eventually calling the bakery (originally called "Suntan") "Sonny and Tan." It then changed its name to Sunnyside. Sonny did not acquire his good reputation so much from the success of his business, or even the quality of his bread, as much as from his generosity with the people of Belize. His staff, despite the bakery being robbed at least 5 times, used to feed up to 30 persons per day free of charge. This philanthropic spirit caused him to start "Feed My Sheep Kitchen," one of the first feeding programs for school children in Belize City, currently run by "Sonny's" wife. He was a man of God and was often heard quoting the Bible. The Government of Belize awarded him the "Meritorious Service Award" in 2008, among others, in addition to being the recipient of the "Unsung Hero" award of First Caribbean International Bank.
May Sonny rest in peace and may his memory and good deeds live on.
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11 Things About Baron Bliss Perhaps You Didn't Know
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March 7, 2019 12:31 p.m. EST
- This past March 9 was National Heroes and Benefactors Day, formerly observed as Baron Bliss Day. It was observed this past Monday, March 11, since this year March 9 fell on a Saturday. Here are 11 things you perhaps did not know about Baron Bliss.
- He was born Henry Edward Ernest Victor de Barreto, but after inheriting estates from various relatives in Portugal, Spain, and England, stipulating that he change is last name, he changed his surname from Aldridge to Bliss, and then to de Barreto.
- He lived in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England as a youth
- Bliss became paralysed from the waist down in 1911 at the age of 42, likely due to polio, and was confined to a wheelchair.
- When the First World War ended, he was wealthy enough to retire to a lifetime of fishing and leisure, so to that end he ordered a new 120 ft twin screw yacht from the famous Scottish yacht designer, Alfred Mylne, which he christened Sea King II.
- In 1920, he sailed the yacht to the Bahamas, where he stayed for five years.
- His wife Baroness Ethel Alice Bliss stayed behind in England, living off a portion of his fortune. The couple had no children.
- He was disillusioned with life in the Bahamas, where he owned property, and sailed to Trinidad, where he became sick.
- His friend, the Attorney General in British Honduras, invited him to Belize. On his way, Bliss stopped in Jamaica for medical attention.
- Less than two months after arriving in Belizean waters, he became terminally ill.
- He never stepped foot on Belizean soil, but decided to leave a generous donation worth 1.8 million BZD with strict stipulations.
- One of these stipulations included that one hundred pounds sterling be set aside for an annual regatta
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San Pedro Junior Sailing Club Back in Action
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March 26, 2019 11:52 a.m. EST
- It had been three years that the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club was defunct. They are active again and competed in the Baron Bliss Harbour 91st Regatta. Founded in 2010, perhaps lack of interest or funds was responsible for the club's inactivity. Nevertheless, judging by the size of their team in this year's Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta, club membership is sizeable.
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Hobbs Brewing Co. Opens New Brewing in Belize
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PLACENCIA, Belize – Hobbs Brewing Company announced Tuesday the launch of its new brewery in Belize.
Hobbs Brewing Co., which opened as brewpub in New Hampshire, in 2014, will begin distribution with 12 oz. cans and kegs throughout Placencia, Belize, in April.
“We recognized that this area really needed craft beer,” said Ash Fischbein, a partner of Hobbs Brewing Company. “And we started to put it all into motion last year.” Placencia is a small village located in the Stann Creek district of Belize. Placencia has a population of approximately 3,500, but is a prime vacation destination and home to many new resorts and other businesses.
Hobbs will feature two beers as it begins production in Central America: Wildcat IPA and Hummingbird Belizean Golden Ale.
Wildcat IPA, so named because Belize is home to the world’s largest Jaguar preserve, is a 6 percent ABV India Pale Ale featuring a tropical and citrusy hop character. Wildcat is the only IPA available in the country. Meanwhile, Hummingbird is a light, crisp and easy-to drink ale that is just 4.7 percent ABV.
They will be sampling these beers at the upcoming Easter Festival in the Village of Placencia on April 20.
“One of the most intriguing things about brewing in Belize is the incredible agriculture down here,” Fischbein said. “As we grow and continue to brew new styles, we really want to experiment with all the amazing ingredients that are literally right on our doorstep.”
Day-to-day brewing operations will be led by intern Anthony Swanick, who began to learn the craft at Hobbs’ location in New Hampshire over the last few years. For more information, please contact Hobbs Brewing Co. at info@hobbstavern.com.
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Let us preserve and protect our historical landmarks!
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Baron Bliss Lighthouse, Belize City, est.1885
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Have you heard of Community Baboon Sanctuary of Belize, just 31 miles northwest of Belize City? Experience the unique wildlife Belize has to offer, and wake up to the sounds of monkeys, birds, and rustling trees alongside the Belize River and spend a few nights at Howler Monkey Resort! Click the video above to take a peak, and the image below to stay at at Howler Monkey Resort. Or simply click
here
to learn more about Community Baboon Sanctuary. Ready to hear and see and sounds and sights you have never seen?
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Community Baboon Sanctuary, Belize, Belize
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China: As an Export Opportunity
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(click image to read more)
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In honor of all women, "Arte con Voz de Mujer" Exhibit was launched on March 15th thanks to NICH and the Corozal House of Culture and will be on display until April 5th! From sculptures, carvings and paintings, why not see art through the lenses of multi-genre visual artist Mrs. Vilma Romero?
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"Saafly, saafly, tiger ketch monkey"
English translation: Softly, softly, the tiger stalks and catches the monkey.
Meaning: Gradually, without fuss, plans can be implemented.
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WHAT'S TRENDING
CARNAVAL IN SAN PEDRO
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March 5, 2019 12:06 p.m. EST
- San Pedro celebrated its version of "Fat Tuesday" or Mardi Gras in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday (March 2-6) known as "Carnaval." The first day included parades. The second day, dedicated to children, was spent painting children with white powder. The second day, permitted for adults, included painting adults with detergent and red lipstick. The third day involved painting black (using charcoal). Finally, the day of Ash Wednesday, the last day, San Pedranos burned an effigy of "Juan Carnaval," a fictive hedonist. Each day
comparsas
(street dancers) could be seen dancing.
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BARON BLISS HARBOUR REGATTA
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March 12, 2019 12:17 p.m. EST
- On Sunday, March 10, was the 91st Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta, held in front of the BTL park, Belize City. His Excellency, Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young announced the regatta a couple weeks in advance. The regatta took its “traditional” course, marked by buoys, near the Radisson Fort George Pier, northern tip of Northern Drowned Cayes and the Fisheries in a triangle shape. The Committee Boat was near the shore of the BTL Park serving as the anchor mark of the start and finish lines.
It commenced at 9:00 a.m., off the Committee Boat, with a brief Memorial Ceremony. Nineteen sailboats participated. "Radio," which was built in 1885, was one of the oldest sailboats that participated. To see the results click
here
.
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March 14, 2019, 10:28 a.m. EST-
This year's winners in the canoe challenge, called Ruta Maya, was the team belonging to National Institute of House and Culture, coming in first, Team Crunch Time, coming in second, and team Referendum, coming in third. As is customary every March, many participants representing all parts of Belize took to the oars on the Belize River in Belize City and raced 174 miles, in four phases.
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BELIZE ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA PICNIC
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March 28, 2019 1:13 p.m. EST
- Last Sunday, March 24, the new board of the Belize Association of Florida held their first picnic at Miramar Regional Park. The event, which began at 12 p.m., was advertised nearly one month in advance and was attended by a sizeable crowd. The flier advertised food, drinks, raffles, and prizes. "Fi Wi Krew" (DJs Wayne and Rich) provided the "sounds" at the event. The weather was breezy and sunny.
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Recipe of The Month
Alcaparrado
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This dish was brought by Mexicans fleeing The Caste War of Yucatán to the north of Belize at some point in the latter half of the 19th century. It is typically served on special occasions, such as Christmas Day or New Years Day.
INGREDIENTS:
Alcaparrado:
1 & 1/2 lbs. onion (1/2 chopped; 1 lb sliced in rings)
1 & 1/2 lbs. tomato (1/2 chopped; 1 lb sliced)
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 cup cooking oil
1/2 lb dutch cheese, sliced
1 whole chicken cut in 8 pieces
1 tbsp salt
4 oz. bottle capers
8 oz. seedless olives
1/3 cup raisins
2 cups water
Alcaparrado paste:
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp all spice (powder)
1/2 tsp cumin seed
1 tbsp garlic
1 med. onion
1 tsp oregano
PREPARATION:
Alcaparrado paste:
Add ingredients to food processor and blend well until it comes to a paste.
Alcaparrado:
- Season chicken with salt & Alcaparrado paste.
- add oil to pot and sauté chopped onion, chopped tomato, and garlic
- add seasoned chicken
- sauté until chicken is golden on both sides
- add water, cinnamon, raisins, olives, capers, and bring to boil.
- lower heat and let cook for 30 minutes. Stir well.
- add sliced tomato, sliced onion, and dutch cheese. Turn off stove and let stand for 30 minutes.
Serve with hot corn tortillas.
Recipe courtesy of: El Fogon, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize (FB Page:
El Fogon
)
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Help Age Belize is a non-profit organization mandated to reduce the isolation of and to increase the general quality of life of older persons in Belize. HelpAge Belize Secretariat provides oversight for eleven (11) branches which include two Residential Homes (Octavia Waight Home and Sister Cecelia’s Home) and nine Day Activity Centers which are located in all district towns and two villages within Southern Belize.
Operations at the eleven branches are managed by a voluntary Board of Directors who through networking and partnership with both the public and private sectors, advocate, educate, offer services and support, and promote the awareness on ageing.
HelpAge Belize has over the years sustained the continuation of its programs through stringent management of funds received from the Government of Belize, various funding agencies, individual donations and fundraisers.
HelpAge Belize’s mission is to improve the quality of life of older persons. Consequently, we are appealing to the Belizean Diaspora to join us in our efforts to fundraise for the acquisition of a 28 seater Wheel-Chair Accessible Mini Bus.
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Belize Protectors Running Team Wins First Place in 2019 Baker to Las Vegas Marathon
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March 26, 2019 10:49 a.m. EST
- The Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay takes place every year, in which law enforcement officers from around the world compete in a 120 mile long foot race. Participants begin in Baker, California and finish in Las Vegas, Nevada. Belize last year placed second. This year Belize came in first. In a ceremony that was held at the West Gate Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Belize law enforcement officers received their trophy. Last week, representatives of Belize’s security forces, including the Belize Defence Force (BDF), the Belize Police Department (BPD), and the Belize Coast Guard competed, headed by Brigadier General David Jones. Two hundred other security teams from various states, counties, and/or countries competed.
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EVERYTHING You NEED to KNOW about the Dispute and the ICJ in Less than 10 Minutes! (English)
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EVERYTHING You NEED to KNOW about the Dispute and the ICJ in Less than 10 Minutes! (Spanish) by
Ambassador Daniel Gutierez
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by
H.E. David Gibson
(Click image to read
"
Belize-The Irrefutable 8867 Square Miles"
above
)
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(Click image to read zine)
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Thanks to See and Taste Belize 2017-2018 Sponsors series
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