Latest news with #Belizean
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
I fell hard for 'The Jewel' — a Caribbean gem off the main tourist trail
Leaving London, the weather couldn't decide between drizzle and all-out downpour. I wasn't just after sunshine. I wanted a place where 'productivity' meant remembering to reapply sunscreen before noon. Belize was exactly that. Not the Caribbean of infinity pools and stiff cocktails, but somewhere refreshingly real. Beaches with more driftwood than Instagrammers, bartenders who double as turtle-spotting experts, and a vibe so laid-back that a major public announcement is 'The snorkel boat leaves at 9… or maybe 10.' It might be known as 'The Jewel', a nickname that reflects its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, but Belize is not on the main Caribbean tourist trail just yet. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. That path is currently populated by Barbados, St Lucia and Anguilla, but the Central American country has seen an increase in tourists in recent years. In 2024, it clocked a record-breaking 562,405 overnight visitors. In January, prestigious travel association ABTA named Belize as a destination to watch for 2025, citing its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and ancient Mayan ruins as major drawcards for responsible adventurers. Landing on Belizean soil, I made my way to the Tropic Air Dangriga flight, which would take me on a breathtaking journey from Belize City to Dangriga in 20 minutes. Through scratched plexiglass windows, the reef emerges below like a jagged turquoise line against deeper blue, the coastline veined with mangrove channels. The 12-seat Cessna Caravan is not for the faint-hearted — it's a tiny capsule in which you can hear every word of the pilot, without a Tannoy system. A one-way ticket costs about £83. At the tiny airstrip – a concrete slab flanked by palm trees – I arrive alive, and a short drive takes me to The Lodge at Jaguar Reef. This hotel is essentially a collection of beachfront suites, complete with private plunge pools and a deck just steps from the ocean. The vibe is barefoot luxury: local wood, open-plan design, and a sea breeze drifting through windows. Rooms here range from approximately £189 to £334 per night, depending on the season and room type. Hopkins village moves at the pace of bicycle traffic and the occasional golf cart. I am guided by Get to Know Belize Adventures and as we drive around in our golf buggy, I'm struck by how peaceful this place is. More surprising is pulling up to the community square and seeing police officers repainting benches for the community. 'It needs a sprucing up,' one tells me. 'So here we are.' Nearby, I find a small bakery where I try fried jack, a buttery, fluffy pastry that's a Belizean staple, served by the smiling owner, her hands dusted in flour. The Garifuna people, descendants of West African, Carib, and Arawak ancestors, are central to Hopkins' culture. Exiled from St. Vincent in the 18th century, they settled along Belize's coast, maintaining their unique language, music, and traditions. My immersion begins with cooking hudut , a traditional fish and coconut stew, in an outdoor kitchen. My guide's wife shows me how to grate fresh coconut for the rich broth, then demonstrates the art of cracking one open with a machete. We pound plantains in a giant wooden mortar as the fish simmers away with coconut milk, garlic, onions, and habanero peppers. Eating it together at a long, rough-hewn table, the hudut's creamy broth balances the earthy mashed plantains perfectly. After lunch, a drumming lesson shifts to the beach. Local musicians teach me the basic rhythms of the primero and segunda drums. At first, I struggle to find the beat, but soon the sound of the waves and the music blur together. By sunset, I'm dancing barefoot in the sand, badly but blissfully. Later, we head out for a bioluminescence tour of Anderson Lagoon, and I'm told to expect magic. A mixture of excited and cynical, we sail through a tiny cut to get to the lagoon and find ourselves surrounded by giant mangroves. It's pitch black, the guide's flashlight beam cutting across the lagoon is the only light — then he turns it off. The boat picks up speed and the wake glows. Blue streams of light surrounds us from the water. As the boat pick upspeed, the tiny algae, which settle in the lagoon during the dry season, get agitated and glow, which for a bioluminescent newbie like me is mind-blowing. After a short boat ride through narrow mangrove channels, the captain kills the engine. In the dark stillness, every movement in the water sparks blue light — tiny bursts of, yes, living magic. Swimming through it feels like gliding through liquid stars, my arms trailing glowing comet tails. Tours cost approximately £56 per person. The next day's adventure feels a bit like driving through a film set. Winding along roads lined with orange groves and passing through the dreamlike Bamboo Cathedral – a natural tunnel of towering bamboo – is an experience in itself. As if the ride isn't dreamy enough, the road to the waterfall winds along the side of the mountain, with tall trees reaching above you and creating much-needed shade. We reach Maya King Waterfall, (entry £8 per person) in the Maya Mountains of the South East Coast. The two cascading falls are at their most dramatic during rainy season, crashing down into clear pools below. I could have spent hours here, soaking up the vibe, the only sound the rushing water echoing around us. In the charming village of Placencia, the footpath winds between brightly painted shops and beach bars. The Creole beach town is proud of its spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, where it's recognised for having the narrowest main street in the world. It's actually a 4,000-foot long footpath that is just four feet wide. A stroll along the pedestrian 'street' takes you past quaint rows of local artists' stalls, eclectic shops and cheekily-named beach bars. The village has managed to retain its boho vibe, despite a recent influx of wealthy American and Canadian retirees. Film director Francis Ford Coppola even opened a hotel here, the eco-friendly Turtle Inn. It's hard not to fall for the pace: no rush, no pressure, just friendly locals, lilting music, and the salty scent of the sea. My favourite perch is Tutti Frutti ice cream parlour, which serves delicious flavours like sour sop, a creamy local fruit beloved across the Caribbean that's usually made into a refreshing drink. After indulging in Placencia, a short Tropic Air hop (£75 one-way) takes me to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. San Pedro is giving Wes Anderson: pastel-coloured wooden buildings, narrow sandy streets, and golf carts buzzing around as the main form of transport. In fact, my 'taxi' from the mini-airport to Ramon's Village Resort is a golf buggy (golf cart rentals cost about £7 per hour), although you could easily walk it if you wanted. Ramon's Village feels like stepping back in time, in the best way. Thatched-roof cabanas, lush tropical gardens, hammocks swinging in the breeze. Everything here is designed to help you unplug. Room rates vary by season and type, ranging from £135 to £360. Reggae music floats from bars and beach shacks all over town, a nod to Belize's cultural ties to Jamaica (both were once British colonies). It shows up in the food too: comforting dishes like stew chicken, rice and kidney beans, fried jacks (similar to Jamaican fried dumplings), and sweet plantain accompany almost every meal. Familiar, yet quintessentially Belizean. That evening, I join the Belize Food Tour, which turns out to be one of the best ways to experience San Pedro's spirit. Walking between stops with a chatty group of fellow travellers and locals, we try everything from fresh conch ceviche to grilled lobster, tamales wrapped in banana leaves, and rich coconut pies. Along the way, we get snippets of history, gossip, and restaurant secrets—it's less like a formal tour and more like wandering town with new friends who know all the best bites. Approximately £57 per person. The next morning, it's time for the ultimate snorkelling trip to Hol Chan marine reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Also known as 'Little Channel', it has impossibly clear waters and coral gardens teeming with life. Swimming alongside rays and nurse sharks is thrilling for some, but full disclosure, it's not for me. While hanging on to the side of the boat, I do manage to capture a semblance of magic as I duck my head in. A kaleidoscope of fish glide past me; if you're into that sort of thing, this place is a veritable underwater theme park. Before leaving Belize, there's one final bucket-list moment: a scenic flyover of the iconic Great Blue Hole. More Trending From the air, the vast circular sinkhole looks surreal: deep, endless blue surrounded by the lighter turquoise of the reef. You might even spot dolphins or manatees swimming below if you're lucky. It's humbling and breathtaking all at once. Scenic flights cost £200 per person, or, if you prefer to get up close and personal, sea tours typically cost around £100, including snorkel gear and guide. It sounds trite, but each new day in Belize brings new adventure and fresh perspective. It's the kind of place that reminds you to slow down… and eat everything. I've fallen for Belize and the love feels reciprocated. What more could you want? There are no direct flights from the UK to Belize. Travelling in the first week of June, the cheapest option is flying with United Airlines from London Heathrow, with stops in New York and Houston. Return fares start from £651, and the journey takes just over 24 hours. British Airways also flies from London Heathrow, with one stop in Miami. Prices start from £837 for the same week. Do I need a visa? UK passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist visit to Belize. You can stay for up to 30 days without a visa. MORE: I swapped my sun holiday for a train trip to Europe's rainiest city — with highs of 8°C MORE: I searched for grizzly bears in a Canadian region tourists often miss MORE: I thought British holidays were boring, but this underrated island changed my mind
Metro
25-05-2025
- Metro
Chasing waterfalls and a Great Blue Hole, I fell hard for 'The Jewel'
Leaving London, the weather couldn't decide between drizzle and all-out downpour. I wasn't just after sunshine. I wanted a place where 'productivity' meant remembering to reapply sunscreen before noon. Belize was exactly that. Not the Caribbean of infinity pools and stiff cocktails, but somewhere refreshingly real. Beaches with more driftwood than Instagrammers, bartenders who double as turtle-spotting experts, and a vibe so laid-back that a major public announcement is 'The snorkel boat leaves at 9… or maybe 10.' It might be known as 'The Jewel', a nickname that reflects its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, but Belize is not on the main Caribbean tourist trail just yet. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. That path is currently populated by Barbados, St Lucia and Anguilla, but the Central American country has seen an increase in tourists in recent years. In 2024, it clocked a record-breaking 562,405 overnight visitors. In January, prestigious travel association ABTA named Belize as a destination to watch for 2025, citing its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and ancient Mayan ruins as major drawcards for responsible adventurers. Landing on Belizean soil, I made my way to the Tropic Air Dangriga flight, which would take me on a breathtaking journey from Belize City to Dangriga in 20 minutes. Through scratched plexiglass windows, the reef emerges below like a jagged turquoise line against deeper blue, the coastline veined with mangrove channels. The 12-seat Cessna Caravan is not for the faint-hearted — it's a tiny capsule in which you can hear every word of the pilot, without a Tannoy system. A one-way ticket costs about £83. At the tiny airstrip – a concrete slab flanked by palm trees – I arrive alive, and a short drive takes me to The Lodge at Jaguar Reef. This hotel is essentially a collection of beachfront suites, complete with private plunge pools and a deck just steps from the ocean. The vibe is barefoot luxury: local wood, open-plan design, and a sea breeze drifting through windows. Rooms here range from approximately £189 to £334 per night, depending on the season and room type. Hopkins village moves at the pace of bicycle traffic and the occasional golf cart. I am guided by Get to Know Belize Adventures and as we drive around in our golf buggy, I'm struck by how peaceful this place is. More surprising is pulling up to the community square and seeing police officers repainting benches for the community. 'It needs a sprucing up,' one tells me. 'So here we are.' Nearby, I find a small bakery where I try fried jack, a buttery, fluffy pastry that's a Belizean staple, served by the smiling owner, her hands dusted in flour. The Garifuna people, descendants of West African, Carib, and Arawak ancestors, are central to Hopkins' culture. Exiled from St. Vincent in the 18th century, they settled along Belize's coast, maintaining their unique language, music, and traditions. My immersion begins with cooking hudut , a traditional fish and coconut stew, in an outdoor kitchen. My guide's wife shows me how to grate fresh coconut for the rich broth, then demonstrates the art of cracking one open with a machete. We pound plantains in a giant wooden mortar as the fish simmers away with coconut milk, garlic, onions, and habanero peppers. Eating it together at a long, rough-hewn table, the hudut's creamy broth balances the earthy mashed plantains perfectly. After lunch, a drumming lesson shifts to the beach. Local musicians teach me the basic rhythms of the primero and segunda drums. At first, I struggle to find the beat, but soon the sound of the waves and the music blur together. By sunset, I'm dancing barefoot in the sand, badly but blissfully. Later, we head out for a bioluminescence tour of Anderson Lagoon, and I'm told to expect magic. A mixture of excited and cynical, we sail through a tiny cut to get to the lagoon and find ourselves surrounded by giant mangroves. It's pitch black, the guide's flashlight beam cutting across the lagoon is the only light — then he turns it off. The boat picks up speed and the wake glows. Blue streams of light surrounds us from the water. As the boat pick upspeed, the tiny algae, which settle in the lagoon during the dry season, get agitated and glow, which for a bioluminescent newbie like me is mind-blowing. After a short boat ride through narrow mangrove channels, the captain kills the engine. In the dark stillness, every movement in the water sparks blue light — tiny bursts of, yes, living magic. Swimming through it feels like gliding through liquid stars, my arms trailing glowing comet tails. Tours cost approximately £56 per person. The next day's adventure feels a bit like driving through a film set. Winding along roads lined with orange groves and passing through the dreamlike Bamboo Cathedral – a natural tunnel of towering bamboo – is an experience in itself. As if the ride isn't dreamy enough, the road to the waterfall winds along the side of the mountain, with tall trees reaching above you and creating much-needed shade. We reach Maya King Waterfall, (entry £8 per person) in the Maya Mountains of the South East Coast. The two cascading falls are at their most dramatic during rainy season, crashing down into clear pools below. I could have spent hours here, soaking up the vibe, the only sound the rushing water echoing around us. In the charming village of Placencia, the footpath winds between brightly painted shops and beach bars. The Creole beach town is proud of its spot in the Guinness Book of World Records, where it's recognised for having the narrowest main street in the world. It's actually a 4,000-foot long footpath that is just four feet wide. A stroll along the pedestrian 'street' takes you past quaint rows of local artists' stalls, eclectic shops and cheekily-named beach bars. The village has managed to retain its boho vibe, despite a recent influx of wealthy American and Canadian retirees. Film director Francis Ford Coppola even opened a hotel here, the eco-friendly Turtle Inn. It's hard not to fall for the pace: no rush, no pressure, just friendly locals, lilting music, and the salty scent of the sea. My favourite perch is Tutti Frutti ice cream parlour, which serves delicious flavours like sour sop, a creamy local fruit beloved across the Caribbean that's usually made into a refreshing drink. After indulging in Placencia, a short Tropic Air hop (£75 one-way) takes me to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. San Pedro is giving Wes Anderson: pastel-coloured wooden buildings, narrow sandy streets, and golf carts buzzing around as the main form of transport. In fact, my 'taxi' from the mini-airport to Ramon's Village Resort is a golf buggy (golf cart rentals cost about £7 per hour), although you could easily walk it if you wanted. Ramon's Village feels like stepping back in time, in the best way. Thatched-roof cabanas, lush tropical gardens, hammocks swinging in the breeze. Everything here is designed to help you unplug. Room rates vary by season and type, ranging from £135 to £360. Reggae music floats from bars and beach shacks all over town, a nod to Belize's cultural ties to Jamaica (both were once British colonies). It shows up in the food too: comforting dishes like stew chicken, rice and kidney beans, fried jacks (similar to Jamaican fried dumplings), and sweet plantain accompany almost every meal. Familiar, yet quintessentially Belizean. That evening, I join the Belize Food Tour, which turns out to be one of the best ways to experience San Pedro's spirit. Walking between stops with a chatty group of fellow travellers and locals, we try everything from fresh conch ceviche to grilled lobster, tamales wrapped in banana leaves, and rich coconut pies. Along the way, we get snippets of history, gossip, and restaurant secrets—it's less like a formal tour and more like wandering town with new friends who know all the best bites. Approximately £57 per person. The next morning, it's time for the ultimate snorkelling trip to Hol Chan marine reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Also known as 'Little Channel', it has impossibly clear waters and coral gardens teeming with life. Swimming alongside rays and nurse sharks is thrilling for some, but full disclosure, it's not for me. While hanging on to the side of the boat, I do manage to capture a semblance of magic as I duck my head in. A kaleidoscope of fish glide past me; if you're into that sort of thing, this place is a veritable underwater theme park. Before leaving Belize, there's one final bucket-list moment: a scenic flyover of the iconic Great Blue Hole. More Trending From the air, the vast circular sinkhole looks surreal: deep, endless blue surrounded by the lighter turquoise of the reef. You might even spot dolphins or manatees swimming below if you're lucky. It's humbling and breathtaking all at once. Scenic flights cost £200 per person, or, if you prefer to get up close and personal, sea tours typically cost around £100, including snorkel gear and guide. It sounds trite, but each new day in Belize brings new adventure and fresh perspective. It's the kind of place that reminds you to slow down… and eat everything. I've fallen for Belize and the love feels reciprocated. What more could you want? There are no direct flights from the UK to Belize. Travelling in the first week of June, the cheapest option is flying with United Airlines from London Heathrow, with stops in New York and Houston. Return fares start from £651, and the journey takes just over 24 hours. British Airways also flies from London Heathrow, with one stop in Miami. Prices start from £837 for the same week. Do I need a visa? UK passport holders do not need a visa for a tourist visit to Belize. You can stay for up to 30 days without a visa. MORE: Forget the Med — I swapped the sun for a spectacular Scandinavian train ride MORE: A weekend in Brighton through the eyes of a child MORE: Move over Dubai – the Middle East's 'Pearl of the Gulf' is more interesting
Los Angeles Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
A contest to crown L.A.'s best community college culinary program
As a graduate of Orange Coast College, I'm honored to speak to community college students whenever I can. That's why I was more than happy to accept an invitation months ago to be a judge at something called the Culinary Cup, which happened Friday at Los Angeles Mission College in Sylmar. I figured I'd taste a couple of dishes, say some inspirational words, and that would be that. Oh, how wonderfully wrong I was. The Culinary Cup is a tournament between Mission College, L.A. Trade-Tech College, and L.A. Harbor College going on five years. Hundreds of people streamed into Mission College's huge Culinary Arts Institute building to cheer on the dozens of students ready to face off in three categories centered around Caribbean cuisine: savory, pastry and tablescaping — the art of setting a table that's as exacting as it sounds. I was assigned to tablescaping along with Greg Martayan, representing the Valley Economic Alliance. We were asked to judge as meticulously as possible, down to inspecting glasses to make sure there were no water spots and looking for any stray wrinkle on a folded napkin. 'Looks like it's going to be a 15,000-calorie day!' Martayan joked as we pregamed on Bananas Foster French toast and strawberry tarts. The competition itself was less 'Top Chef' and more of an open house. Guests peered into industrial kitchens to see students prepare their dishes, or sat in on demos ranging from how to make Belizean stewed chicken over coconut rice to an ice sculpture presentation by Trade-Tech professor Martin Gilligan. The president of each college strolled around in chef's jackets. Other Mission College departments also participated: The school's choir sang calypso and reggae standards while wearing tie-dyed shirts, and photography students staged dishes to take photos worthy of Serious Eats. Instructors stood by to cheer and mentor participants. One of them was Diamond Bar Golf Course executive chef Fionna España, who was in charge of the tablescaping competition. 'It's humbling, but it makes [students] say, 'I need to do better,'' she replied when I asked what was the value in having students compete against each other. 'It's a good thing because in the world, judging is happening constantly.' Success stories were everywhere. One of them was 53-year-old Sam Arenas, who played baseball for Mission College 30 years ago before embarking on a successful career in car sales. He recently retired to reenroll at Mission College and pursue his true passion: food. He wants to open a restaurant based on his grandmother's recipes. 'This is a great way to be under pressure but still have fun,' Arenas told me over shouts of 'Behind!' and 'Corner!' He was finishing up a Jamaican beef patty with colors that represented the country's flag: a crust tinted black from activated charcoal, spinach sauce and a mango chutney. 'To be able to start over in my career is just a blessing. But an even better blessing would be if our team wins!' Upstairs, Linden Grabowski was making nonalcoholic cocktails in the VIP reception — I especially liked her ginger-spiked Jamaican punch. Last year, the Santa Clarita resident was part of Mission College's tablescaping team. She's going to transfer to a four-year university after finishing degrees in culinary arts, restaurant management and professional baking. 'If you were to have told me two years ago I'd be at this point, I wouldn't have believed you,' Grabowski said. Political heavyweights showed up, like San Fernando Mayor Mary Mendoza, L.A. Community College District trustees David Vela and Kelsey Iino, and even longtime Congressman Tony Cárdenas, who retired last year. I caught him in line waiting for jerk chicken, picanha and lobster. I asked if he had ever been invited to judge. Cárdenas immediately shook his head no. 'You have a bunch of competitors and just one winner. You don't need a bunch of people mad at you.' The competition ended with a delicious buffet lunch attended by 500 people. I unfortunately had to leave before the winners were announced, so didn't have the chance to congratulate Mission College, which swept all the categories and thus won the Golden Chef's Hat Trophy. Harbor College will host next year — see you there! Andrea says, 'Ripple by Grateful Dead.'Pamela says, 'Dancing Queen by Abba.' Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. Today's great photo is from Friends of Big Bear Valley at the nest of two eaglets, Sunny and Gizmo, who are expected to fly for the first time soon. Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew Campa, Sunday writerKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Time Business News
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Unmasking Tax Fugitive Joseph Ross and His Belizean Diplomatic Passport
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In one of the most significant tax evasion and identity fraud cases of the last two decades, U.S. federal investigators have officially confirmed the apprehension of Joseph Ross, a long-sought American fugitive who spent more than 17 years evading arrest by traveling under multiple aliases—most notably as a self-styled 'Belizean diplomat.' Once a wealthy corporate executive turned white-collar criminal, Ross masterminded a complex offshore tax sheltering scheme before vanishing in the mid-2000s with tens of millions in unpaid federal tax liabilities. His eventual capture not only marks the end of a global manhunt but has also shed light on the disturbing misuse of diplomatic privilege and Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. This press release provides a detailed timeline of Ross's evasion, the investigation that led to his downfall, and the growing concern over fraudulent diplomatic passports enabling fugitives to bypass international law enforcement. Who Is Joseph Ross? Joseph Franklin Ross, a native of Illinois, was a real estate magnate and financial advisor who allegedly moved over $94 million into offshore trusts, shell corporations, and precious metal vaults in the early 2000s to avoid paying federal income taxes. In 2007, he was indicted in absentia on charges of: Federal tax evasion Money laundering Conspiracy to defraud the United States Wire fraud involving false disclosures to financial institutions When his indictment was unsealed, Ross had disappeared without a trace. The Diplomatic Cover: A Belizean Passport and a New Identity Ross travelled across Central America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia for over a decade using a Belizean diplomatic passport, obtained under murky circumstances and investigation. His documents included: A passport issued under the name 'Ambassador Joseph Ross' Credentials purporting to represent Belize's trade interests in Asia Letters of credence and diplomatic letterhead from a now-defunct 'economic mission' based in Panama These documents allowed Ross to: Enter and exit countries using diplomatic clearance lanes Avoid biometric scanning at airports in Singapore, Dubai, Costa Rica, and Panama Establish offshore bank accounts in Belize, Nevis, and Hong Kong without triggering compliance alerts Lease properties and register businesses using his diplomatic alias U.S. law enforcement believes the passport was illegitimately issued through a corrupt network of consular brokers operating out of Central America between 2009 and 2012. The Global Manhunt: A 17-Year Pursuit Ross's long evasion led to coordination between multiple agencies: The IRS Criminal Investigations Division first flagged his exit from the U.S. in 2007. first flagged his exit from the U.S. in 2007. The U.S. Marshals Service , working with INTERPOL , issued a Red Notice in 2009. , working with , issued a Red Notice in 2009. Amicus International Consulting joined the case in 2018 to support offshore investigations and analyze fraudulent diplomatic credentials tied to Caribbean jurisdictions. joined the case in 2018 to support offshore investigations and analyze fraudulent diplomatic credentials tied to Caribbean jurisdictions. In 2024, an AI-powered facial recognition alert was triggered at José Martí International Airport in Havana when Ross attempted to travel under a secondary alias tied to a second CBI passport from St. Lucia. The Arrest and Fallout Ross was detained in Cuba and quietly extradited to the United States under a diplomatic agreement negotiated in late 2024. He is now in custody at an undisclosed federal detention center, awaiting trial in Washington, D.C. Federal officials have: Seized over $31 million in crypto wallets believed to be tied to Ross's original fraud. in crypto wallets believed to be tied to Ross's original fraud. Launched a joint investigation with Belizean authorities to determine the legitimacy of Ross's diplomatic passport and identify those involved in issuing it. to determine the legitimacy of Ross's diplomatic passport and identify those involved in issuing it. Revoked several honorary consul titles issued between 2009 and 2015 across the Caribbean. What the Ross Case Reveals About Diplomatic Abuse Ross's use of a Belizean diplomatic passport to avoid detection for nearly two decades highlights a growing security crisis. According to Amicus International Consulting, at least 45 cases of diplomatic passport misuse have been identified since 2015, with many linked to small or economically struggling nations where diplomatic credentials are vulnerable to corruption, bribery, or political manipulation. Fugitives like Ross often: Combine second citizenship from a CBI program with a diplomatic appointment from the same or an allied nation. from a CBI program with a diplomatic appointment from the same or an allied nation. Launder funds through accounts registered under diplomatic immunity claims. through accounts registered under diplomatic immunity claims. Travel through zones that do not enforce Red Notices or ignore biometric inconsistencies in diplomatic entries. Amicus International's Role in the Ross Investigation Amicus International Consulting worked with federal and regional authorities to: Trace Ross's offshore financial web through layered shell corporations. Cross-reference CBI and diplomatic databases for inconsistencies and fraudulent declarations. Analyze the origin and formatting of Ross's Belizean diplomatic passport, which bore signs of unauthorized issuance , including nonstandard serial encoding and outdated ministry seals. , including nonstandard serial encoding and outdated ministry seals. Flag biometric anomalies when Ross used a second identity, eventually leading to his capture. The Need for Reform Ross's case has triggered renewed calls for reform in the issuance of diplomatic credentials: Amicus urges: Global diplomatic passport registries that can be cross-checked by immigration and law enforcement agencies. that can be cross-checked by immigration and law enforcement agencies. Mandatory criminal background checks and financial disclosures for all honorary or economic appointments. and for all honorary or economic appointments. Universal biometric validation , even for travellers holding diplomatic or special-status passports. , even for travellers holding diplomatic or special-status passports. Stricter oversight of CBI-linked diplomatic nominations, where high-risk individuals use second citizenships to obtain state honours. Conclusion: Justice Through Persistence The capture of Joseph Ross underscores a critical truth in modern law enforcement: immunity does not equal invisibility. Even with a fraudulent diplomatic passport and a network of global enablers, Ross was ultimately found, exposed, and brought back to face the justice he had evaded for nearly two decades. This case will serve as a watershed moment in addressing the abuse of diplomatic privilege—and a warning to other fugitives who believe that titles, seals, and passports can shield them from accountability. 📞 Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402 Email: info@ Website: Follow Us: 🔗 LinkedIn 🔗 Twitter/X 🔗 Facebook 🔗 Instagram TIME BUSINESS NEWS
American Military News
08-05-2025
- Business
- American Military News
Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas leaders to meet with Rubio in Washington on Tuesday
Two months after Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with a half-dozen Caribbean leaders in his first official visit to the region, more heads of government will get a chance to air their concerns. The prime ministers of six eastern Caribbean nations — Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — along with The Bahamas will meet with Rubio in Washington on Tuesday. Discussions are expected to include a host of regional concerns on the part of the United States such as border security and countering illegal immigration. Others are at the top of the agenda for the prime ministers, some of which they believe did not get sufficient airing in March when Rubio flew to the English-speaking region and met with the prime ministers of Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago and the new head of Haiti's presidential council. Now it's the turn of the other leaders, who weren't part of the discussions but who, along with Belize and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat, make up the 15-member regional Caribbean Community bloc known as CARICOM. 'I don't think we are going to have any sets of controversial issues,' Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, told the Miami Herald on Monday as he prepared to leave his twin-island nation for the meeting, scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Tuesday. 'I think it makes sense for us to look for spaces where our interests can be accommodated.' For Gonsalves, these include 'practical issues like security, guns and bullets coming out of the U.S., assets like Coast Guard, disaster preparedness, disaster management and making sure we have some good open channels to bring issues up.' Gonsalves also remains concerned about regional banks' arrangements with U.S. financial institutions. The intermediary relationship that allows banks in different countries to be connected have long been under threat due to tightened U.S. financial restrictions, which have forced the closure of some banks in the Caribbean, limiting the ability of their U.S.-based nationals to send remittances back home. In addition to Gonsalves, the other prime ministers expected to be present are Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda; Philip Davis of The Bahamas; Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica; Dickon Mitchell of Grenada; Terrance Drew of Saint Kitts and Nevis and Philip J. Pierre of Saint Lucia. Not taking part in the talks: Belize Prime Minister John Briceño. Rubio spoke to him last week after his March 12 re-election. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that during the conversation Rubio reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Belizean partnership and congratulated him on his reelection. He recognized Belize's significant efforts to counter illegal immigration, support Haitian security efforts, and combat transnational organized crime, Bruce said. Rubio also thanked Belize for its efforts as part of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti, though the country recently pulled its two soldiers and is reassessing its involvement in Haiti's anti-gang security fight. During Rubio's meeting in Jamaica in March, there was heavy focus on Haiti, which Gonsalves, a vocal supporter of the troubled nation, believes will also come up in Tuesday's talks after CARICOM and the State Department last month denounced maneuvers by armed gang leaders and others to try to overthrow the country's transitional government. Others in the region also expect China's growing influence in the Caribbean, as well as Cuba's controversial medical brigades program, which exports medical professionals, to also come up in the talks. Rubio earlier this year announced an expansion of visa restrictions to government officials who participate in the Cuba program, which he describes as 'forced labor.' At the time of the Jamaica meeting, the White House's sweeping tariffs had not yet been unveiled. It is also top of the agenda for leaders after most of the Caribbean was hit with a baseline 10% tariff on goods exported to the U.S. Another matter of concern is the future of the Citizenship by Investment programs, which provides a path to citizenship by moneyed investors and is considered a lifeline to five eastern Caribbean economies. Leaders are concerned that it may be the reason some of their nations have been singled out in discussions by Trump administration officials about travel bans of their nationals. Under the travel-ban proposal under discussion in Washington, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis would be on the third tier, with an opportunity to be removed under certain conditions. Among the discussions: the acceptance of undocumented migrants who cannot be deported by the Trump administration to their own countries. This idea is sure to get pushback by Caribbean leaders, who have already said they cannot accept non-nationals in their tiny nations that are already struggling with rising crime, the damaging effects of climate change and high debt. 'Our countries are too small for those things,' said Gonsalves whose nation, along with Grenada, is still recovering from a deadly hurricane last year. ___ © 2025 Miami Herald. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
