Electricity Security & Relief: Cabinet approved an emergency declaration to strengthen Belize’s power supply, with BEL set to procure extra generation capacity ahead of a projected 2027 shortfall, plus an expansion of the Social Rate from 60 kWh to 80 kWh benefiting about 17,000 residential customers. Power Shortfall Updates: BEL also issued a public update after recent grid failures tied to peak demand outpacing generation and temporary supply reductions from Mexico’s CFE, and it has requested a formal emergency declaration from the PUC to speed up emergency generation. Healthcare Infrastructure: The University of Belize tertiary hospital in Belmopan moved closer to construction as bids were submitted for the 150-bed facility financed via the Saudi Fund for Development, with officials aiming to sign contracts by late 2026. Healthcare Workforce Push: The Ministry of Health and Wellness awarded 67 scholarships across nursing, medicine, psychiatry and biomedical engineering, backed by a BZ$2.5M investment to expand Belize’s health workforce. Cacao Exports: Maya Mountain Cacao shipped its final 2026 container of Belizean fine-flavor cacao to the U.S., with the final EU container due next week, and said 2027 exports will be managed through a cooperative society. Agriculture & Food Resilience: Belize’s National Meteorological Service warned of drier-than-normal conditions and drought risk linked to El Niño, with knock-on effects for hydropower, health, crops, pests and fisheries. Local Industry Spotlight: Green Clean, a Belize-made household cleaner produced in Belmopan, is positioning locally manufactured consumer goods as a way to keep foreign exchange in-country. Tourism Policy: Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler said a proposed hotel accommodation tax increase is premature and tied to ongoing sargassum-fighting needs, noting the BTB has funded much of the response so far. Construction & Procurement: Two companies submitted bids to build the long-awaited Belmopan tertiary hospital facility, now under review before contractor selection. Agriculture Training: Orange Walk farmers received Integrated Pest Management training using biological controls to protect cabbage from diamondback moth, with a field demonstration planned as follow-up. Crime/Trade Enforcement: Fisheries officers and police seized hundreds of pounds of suspected illegally imported seafood in an enforcement operation, warning that unauthorized imports undermine biosecurity and local livelihoods.