Santander clarifies operations following reports of fish kill in Belize River

By Zoila Palma: On August 7, 2026, Santander Sugar Group (SSG) released a statement clarifying its operations following reports of aquatic life deaths in the Belize River Valley.

The release states that Santander Sugar Group is “deeply saddened by the loss of aquatic life recently reported in the Belize River Valley.” The company said it recognizes the importance of the Belize River to surrounding communities, the environment and Belize as a whole.

Santander said protecting natural resources remains a core principle of its operations. The company explained that it operates under an approved Environmental Compliance Plan and continuously monitors its operations while implementing measures to minimize runoff and protect surrounding waterways.

The company also said it has fully cooperated with the Department of the Environment (DoE) and other relevant government agencies since the incident was reported. According to SSG, the DoE was granted unrestricted access to its facilities and operations to support the ongoing investigation.

Santander further stated that its processing facility is designed to operate as a closed-loop system and does not operate with a continuous process effluent stream returning to the Belize River. The company said it remains committed to providing any additional information or assistance that may be required as authorities continue their investigation.

The post Santander clarifies operations following reports of fish kill in Belize River appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.