The Consulate of Belize in Florida
Monthly Newsletter
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Honorary Consul's Monthly Message
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Welcome to the
December Monthly Newsletter
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We take this opportunity to say thanks to you our readers who give us the fuel each month to put our newsletter together with your positive feedback and encouragement to continue the distribution. We are happy that in a world of confusing and, often times, negative news, we can still find wonderful things happening among Belizeans at home and abroad.
As we close 2019, let us reflect on how we have grown from all of life’s challenges and successes, making us stronger and better as a result, always counting our blessings and hoping for yet another opportunity to make the new year even better.
This edition brings to you the wonderful Christmas traditions we practice in Belize, many of which are traditions that go back in time when our grandparents and theirs excitedly prepared for this special occasion, from painting and varnishing until everything in our homes shone brightly, to baking our fruit cakes and Christmas hams, carting off fresh linoleum to our homes and putting up the Christmas Tree. At the center of it all is the celebration of the birth of Jesus and bringing our families together. Whatever your traditions are today, let us keep the spirit light and bright and whether we are celebrating it in Belize or abroad, we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
We have also said our goodbyes to some outstanding Belizeans in the Diaspora who have passed away this year. We pray that they rest in peace and for their families, that God continues to strengthen and heal them especially during this Christmas season.
Also in this edition, you may learn about the “Capital Market Development in Belize”, the participation of Belize at the
XVIII SICA Japan Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation
in San Salvador, and Turtle Inn, listed as one of the best hotels and resorts in the Caribbean and Atlantic Islands for 2020! Reflect on the message for World’s AIDS Day by the Special Envoy for Women and Children and Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow or discover more about
Belize Arch
. Read about the results of Team Belize at the
Tour Nacional de Voleibol de Playa VERDE
held in Guatemala City and about the Irishwoman Susan Morrice who discovered oil in Belize. Also, learn about what made Belizean-born Jamie J. Thompson become the
“Star of the Month”.
Check out, “What’s Trending,” regarding the 8th Annual End of the World Marathon & Half Marathon in Placencia and the Christmas Traditions that took place in Belize.
Enjoy watching the video of the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean O. Barrow, wishing all Belizeans a Merry Christmas, and reading the Christmas message from the Ambassador of Belize in Washington, DC, H.E. Daniel Gutierez’s message under “Ambassador’s Desk.” This month, Ambassador Guitierez also takes the opportunity to wish us all a Happy New Year!
As is the tradition, the Prime Minister’s New Year message will be sent by separate distribution as soon as it is delivered by him.
As you know by now, we at the Consulate are devout foodies and believe that there is nothing in this world better than Belizean cuisine, so in honor of one of our many scrumptious Christmas food traditions, we are featuring a typical Belizean Christmas ham made with honey, yellow mustard, white vinegar, cloves and topped off with cherries!
And of course, a traditional Belizean Christmas wouldn't be complete without the classic music we all grew up listening to from Mr. Peters “Good mawning Miss Lady”, “Freetown Gial”, or some good old soul songs like “I’ll make everyday Christmas (for my woman)” by Joe Tex and other music traditions like the
Jankunu Dance
and the
Maya Deer Dance
. Check out the section
Upcoming Events
to find out more about “New Year’s Eve Party”, “Groundhog Day Boat Poker Run”, “Valentine Dance” and much more.
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.
As we update our database, and in order to serve you better, 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 January could even be you!
Enjoy and share with your friends!
And remember, it is good to be Belizean!
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Janine Sylvestre
Honorary Consul of Belize in Florida
Trade Representative of Belize in Florida
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From The Office of The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister
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From the Ambassador's Desk
H.E. Daniel Gutierez
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Ambassador of Belize to the United States of America
& Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States
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What's New...
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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The Economic Development Council on “Capital Market Development in Belize”
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Photo Credit: Government of Belize Press Office
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Belmopan. December 2, 2019.
The Economic Development Council’s (EDC) Technical Secretariat, along with the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC), recently partnered with the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) to facilitate an exploratory mission to Belize on the subject of “Capital Market Development” from November 25 - 27, 2019.
The visiting delegation included the Chairman and Managing Director of the JSE, along with Jamaican stockbrokers from Barita Investment Limited and NCB Capital Market Limited. The delegation met with key public and private sector stakeholders to assess opportunities for deepening the financial system in Belize, specifically exploring options for the development of a capital market in Belize.
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She Found Oil In Belize, Now This Geologist Is Helping...
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December 15, 2019.
For most people, Belize conjures images of a tropical paradise. But since the 1930s, almost all of the big players in the industry - Exxon, Shell, Phillips, Chevron - have gone to Belize in the elusive search for oil.
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Belize Team Gets 3rd Place!
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Guatemala placed first, Costa Rica second and Belize third. We wish all our athletes continued progress as they train and prepare for future competitions.
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The NICH 2019 Christmas Card Competition Winner is…
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This is the second year of the National Institute of Culture and History’s Christmas Card Competition and this year’s winner is Khloe Landero, a Standard 4 student at Belize City’s Central Christian School. She is the winner of a $500 Education Assistance Grant from the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and an ASUS Memo Pad 7 Tablet courtesy the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture.
We would also like to take this opportunity to give special thanks and acknowledgement to Nando's, Wellworth, Bowen & Bowen, the Belize Tourism Board, The Tyler Savery Foundation, Golden Bay, Unicomer and the St. Martin's Credit Union as these companies all supported this year's Christmas Card Competition.
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Christmas Time is also the Time to Sing and Remember
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Drink a Rum on Christmas Maaning
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Video Credit: Martha Weatherburn
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I'll Make Everyday Christmas(For My Woman)
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Promoting Good Nutrition, One Village at a Time
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Photo Credit: Belize Arch
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Belize Arch, a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Oregon, works with Belizean communities to develop children’s nutritional awareness and skills, in order to promote healthy eating and reduce chronic illness. Efforts include nutritional education, gardening projects, and cooking classes.
You can help! Send favorite healthy recipes, connect Belize Arch with like-minded organizations or consider a donation.
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Message from Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children
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With this year's World AIDS Day theme "Communities make the difference," make sure you are doing your part in the response to HIV/AIDS.
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Video Credit: Special Envoy for Women and Children
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Crocs and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador will donate 50,000 Pairs of Shoes to Belize
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December 18, 2019.
Footwear brand Crocs recently announced that they are teaming up with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Priyanka Chopra Jonas to donate 50,000 pairs of classic clogs to school children in Belize.
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The See Belize Channel was launched!
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Photo Credit: Belize Tourism Board
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December 6, 2019.
The BTB, in collaboration with Color Blind Multimedia Productions and the NICH, officially launched the See Belize Channel, Belize’s first dedicated television travel channel, during a press conference held at the North Park Hotel in Belize City today!
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Turtle Inn Made it into Conde Naste Traveler 2020 Gold List!
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Courtesy Turtle Inn/Photo by Gundolf Pfotenhauer
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December 12, 2019.
The Conde Naste Traveler Gold List is created by teams in New York and London and lists the editors' favorite hotels, resorts, and cruise ships in the world.
It spans six continents and 49 countries. They're gold as in exceptional. Gold as in classic. Gold as in brilliant. Gold as in you'd do it all tomorrow.
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Do you Recognize these Christmas Traditions from Belize?
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December 23, 2019.
Whether you are from the South, West or North of Belize, Christmas time is the time to come together and celebrate Belize's diversity and various Christmas traditions such as:
- Christmas Bras: People make their way through the streets singing and playing Brukdong music while dancing from house to house.
- Garifuna Jankunu Dance: The Jankunu dancers get dressed in white long sleeved shirts and pants with belts of shells tied around their knees and pink masks bearing European features.
- Las Posadas: Las Posadas is celebrated in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo and begins on December 16th. This nine-day tradition involves prayers, music, songs, dances and food.
- Maya Deer Dance: This dance is popular in the Santa Cruz area and is performed by 24 dancers dressed in colorful costumes. The Deer Dance tells the story of a maiden being kidnapped by the jaguar who is then pursued by the hunter.
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Belize Participates in the XVIII SICA Japan Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation
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Photo Credit: Government of Belize Press Office
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San Salvador, El Salvador. December 3, 2019.
Belize attended the XVIII SICA Japan Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation in San Salvador, El Salvador from December 2-3, 2019. The Forum welcomed the delegation of Japan headed by H.E. Tomoyuki Yoshida, Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
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Tidbits...
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Photo Credit: Belize Tourism Board
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Signature’s 2019 Conference, a renown event that brings 2,400 travel industry professionals each year, was held on December 2-5, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas and BTB was there!
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The Government of Belize (GOB) through the Ministry responsible for Investment, Trade and Commerce, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) launched the Belize National Investment Policy and Strategy (NIPS) project on Monday December 2
nd
, 2019 at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza – Toucan Hall.
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The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Museum of Belize and the Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk had the Grand Opening of the touring Yoaling Lee Art Exhibition “The River of Art Flows Everywhere” on Friday, December 6th, 2019!
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...of the Month!
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Photo Credit: Cahal Pech Village Resort
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Did you know the Barton Creek Cave was a Maya religious center? This cave is approx. 7 km long and has beautiful drip stone formations, natural bridges and passages. The best is that it can be navigated!
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Let us preserve and protect our historical landmarks!
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"
Ebery pat gat a kibber.
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Meaning:
There's someone for everyone.
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Belizean Star of the Month!
Jamie J. Thompson
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Photo Credit: Jamie Thompson
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A native of Belize, Central America, Jamie Thompson is internationally known and respected for his vision, professionalism and commitment to excellence. He spent his formative years on philanthropic endeavors through the arts. A highlight from those experiences was serving as director and choreographer for productions presented by the Rotary Club of Belize (2005-2009).
In addition to his volunteerism, he began formal dance training with the Belize National Dance Company and The Dramatic Forces School of Dance. His passion for dance, stirred by the tutelage of the two institutions, led him to a successful pursuit of earning a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Belhaven University in Jackson, MS. After college, his professional dance experience began with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre (2010-2014).
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"I now know that when we have a desire in our hearts and we submit ourselves to the process, God will fulfill them in ways that the greatest intellectuals cannot conceive."
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Since then, he has performed with the Bruce Wood Dance Project, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, and Collin County Ballet Theatre. Recently, Jamie served as the Executive/ Artistic Director for the International Conservatory of Performing Arts in North Texas. Currently, he is the Founder and CEO of LyveARTS International LLC- an international organization that is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining a global arts community.
One of Jamie's most-recent and greatest achievements in his career is having been accepted to perform at
The Lio
n King Musical o
n Broadway, New York City. For the past couple months, Jamie has been actively training and preparing for the musical and, thus, could not volunteer at Belize's Dance X Festival this year as he usually does.
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Photo Credit: Jamie Thompson
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Starting in 2011, Jamie decided to support the country's only dance festival by providing free professional services himself and through his networks. He has invited colleagues from Jamaica, the U.S. and other countries to assist young dancers (at no cost) in Belize with their choreography and with the planning and programming of the Festival itself. This is his way of giving back to his beloved Belize. Jamie is proud to be Belizean and thanks his mother for her continued support.
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"We can set our goals but God sets our destiny.
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Photo Credit: Jamie Thompson
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April 4th, 1952 - December 8th, 2019
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Register as a Belizean in Florida
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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WHAT'S TRENDING
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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8th Annual End of the World Marathon
& Half Marathon
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Belize Association of Florida Toy Drive
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Photo Credit: Consulate of Belize in Florida
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MIA Protocol and International Affairs Division Celebrates End-of-the-Year Holiday with Career and Honorary Consuls all over the World
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Photo Credit: The Consulate of Belize in Florida
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Photo Credit: The Consulate of Belize in Florida
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Photo Credit: The Consulate of Belize in Florida
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Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
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Photo Credit: Natalie Arceo
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Photo Credit: Natalie Arceo
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Annual Love FM Christmas Parade in San Pedro Town
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Photo Credit: The San Pedro Sun
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Photo Credit: The San Pedro Sun
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Photo Credit: The San Pedro Sun
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Photo Credit: Benque House of Culture (NICH)
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Photo Credit: Benque House of Culture (NICH)
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Photo Credit: Benque House of Culture (NICH)
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Recipe of The Month
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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Photo credit: GraceKennedy (Belize) Ltd.
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History:
This recipe was called Christmas ham because it was only available during Christmas time. These hams were very special as they were imported by a few Belize City agents. These hams would come in cloth bags and were extra salty and smoked. This is extraordinary because there were no refrigerators back in the day.
This ham was so salty that it would have to be boiled twice to remove the saltiness and then be baked. Those who could afford buying this ham would normally purchase it on the 15th of December and leave it hanging on the ceiling of the living room, kitchen or the dinning room so that everybody would know that the family was well off and was going to have an exceptional Christmas banquet! The ham would be then be cut on Christmas Eve and be consumed slowly hoping that it would last until the New Year. Now we can eat ham throughout the year, so it is not a special Christmas delicacy, but years ago, eating Christmas Ham was the sign that you were truly celebrating on Christmas.
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Ingredients:
For the Glaze
For Ham
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Preparation:
Glaze Preparation
Ham Preparation
- Place ham fat side up in roasting pan.
- Spread Grace Yellow Mustard over surface of ham.
- Roast (covered with foil) approximately 13-17 minutes per pound.
- Remove ham 20 minutes before finishing.
- Remove any skin.
- Cut ham's fat surface in uniform diamond shapes and insert cloves in each diamond.
- Brush on glaze.
- Bake 10 minutes (uncovered).
- Reapply glaze and cook for another 10-20 minutes or until glaze brown.
- 10. Ham should be 135 degrees in center to ensure that cooking is complete.
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ICJ - Be Informed
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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On May 8, Belizeans voted "Yes" to take the territorial dispute with Guatemala to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Click the video below to learn more about what happens next.
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The Road to the ICJ: What Next?
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(Photo Credit: Government of Belize)
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Now that Belize has gone to referendum and Belizeans have voted “yes” to going to the International Court of Justice, many want to know “what’s next?”. In a sitdown with Ambassador H.E. Alexis Rosado, our Belize Now Team found out what are the next steps for “The Jewel”.
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Click image to see full video
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Minister Elrington at the OAS Permanent Council Session
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The Work of the OAS in the Adjacency Zone
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Upcoming Events
#Rememberit'sgoodtobeBelizean
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