Channel 5
Vicious and deadly attack on young couple stuns Santa Familia village
Turning to crime, it was a particularly violent weekend in the west. A horrific attack on a young couple has left the Santa Familia community in shock. The sixteen year [...]
Police, family stumped over killing in Santa Elena Town
There was further bloodshed in the west on Friday night. Hours before the murder of Emy Guerra, twenty-two-year old Maynor Portillo was found shot to the head near the Convention [...]
Castro boys battle Police to stalemate but Customs ensnares them for contraband beer
It was a violent weekend in the west. Two persons were murdered, another injured, and the death of a man found in a drain is under investigation while a young [...]
Chester Williams says case against Castros had 'bored holes'
The Eastern Division (South) police's official account differs slightly in that the vehicle was parked when the officers approached, but the rest of the leaked report appears to be true. [...]
Police want internal leaker, insist Castros face no charges
So there will be no charges, and the matter appears to be resolved - except for the leak of a usually confidential police document seemingly designed to bring pressure on [...]
Who wanted Jorge Lemus of Unitedville dead?
The family of fifty-two-year old Jorge Lemus is trying to come to terms with his untimely death. His body was found in a drain in the village of Unitedville in [...]
Fourth death of weekend a traffic mishap; police were not 'chasing' Fabiola Velasquez
Still in the west, twenty-six-year-old Fabiola Velasquez lost her life in a traffic mishap in the early hours of Sunday morning while riding a motorcycle along the Valley of Peace [...]
Police admit sloppiness in processing crime scene but family allege cover-up
Another charge made by the family, believing that foul play may have been involved in the death of their loved one, is that the officers left behind evidence of an [...]
Ministry of Health and Customs working out plans for pharmaceutical importation
The Ministry of Health recently announced that it will take over all processing for importation of pharmaceuticals into Belize. Considering past problems involving the drug inspectorate it seems a strange [...]
Big meth bust on Harvest Caye; three Eastern Caribbean nationals in jail
News Five has learned of a significant bust of drugs on the island of Harvest Caye, where Norwegian Cruise Lines has their cruise port. Sometime last week, three visitors to [...]
Jury frees Orange Walk man charged with theft
An Orange Walk man is free of the charge of theft following the conclusion of his trial in the Supreme Court late on Friday. A jury of nine deliberated for [...]
New sign lights up Battlefield Park
The historic Battlefield Park has a new decoration: a Belize sign where people can take photographs and have a reminder of where they are. Mayor Darrell Bradley says it is [...]
Customs, Mexico still struggle with patrolling border
We have been regularly reporting on issues along the Mexico-Belize border with respect to contraband and other smuggling, illegal entry and exit and other issues. The Customs and Excise Department [...]
Celebrating the Police Department
The men and women of law enforcement across the country, those attached to the Belize Police Department, are celebrating Police Week 2017. Since launching a calendar of events on Sunday [...]
Future filmmakers gather at House of Culture
About twenty budding filmmakers are learning an introductory course in video production from established director and producer Steven Torriano Berry. The creative force behind local dramatic television series "Noh Matta [...]
Belize government officials converge for Green Climate Fund meeting
This morning in Placencia, representatives of various ministries within the Government of Belize convened a Green Climate Fund conference. G.C.F. is a fund established within the United Nations Framework Convention [...]
Jennifer Smith is new Miss Y
The competition was close, but on Saturday night Belmopan native Jennifer Louise Smith was crowned the new Miss Y.W.C.A. 2017-2018, succeeding Ms. Eleanor Sutherland. Smith won the crowd over at [...]
Volleyball and women's football top Sports Monday
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. [Highlights from the weekend sporting activities�.]
LOVE FM
Ramos Charged After Jilting Businessman Online
Twenty-eight year old Joshua Ramos, a construction worker of M and M Street in Belize City, was charged with obtaining property by deception when he appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. He pled not guilty to the charge. He was offered a bail of one thousand dollars and his case was adjourned [�]
NEMO Issues First Advisory for Hurricane Season 2017
Today marks sixteen days into the 2017 hurricane season and already the National Emergency Management Organization NEMO has issued its first advisory. There is a system in the northwest Caribbean Sea which will have effects on Belize. Meteorologist Shanea Young explained to Love News what kind of weather is forecast for the next few days; [�]
Court of Appeals Reveal Cases of Missing Records
The Court of Appeals handed down a ruling today in the case of Gilbert Henry who was convicted of dangerous harm and sentenced to five years in prison. Henry appealed his conviction but his appeal did not come up until long after he had served his time incarcerated. Attorney Kevin Arthurs was involved in this [�]
Principal Charged for Inappropriate Behaviour with 12-Year-Old Student
The Principal of Monsignor Romero RC School in Valley of Peace has been charged for sexual assault. Johnny Valencia appeared in Belmopan Magistrate Court on Wednesday where he was read a single charge of sexual assault. According to reports, a twelve year old student reported that she was not feeling well and was sent to [�]
Investigation Launched Into Teacher/Student Sexual Encounters in Cayo
San Ignacio Police and the Ministry of Education are investigating allegations of sexual misconduct by a teacher. The allegations are that a teacher at Eden Seventh Day Adventist High School in Santa Elena, Cayo, was sexually involved with a female student at the institution for at least two years. But the allegations go further, suggesting [�]
Eyewitness Recounts Fatal RTA in Dangriga
26-year-old Naomi Abigail Taylor was killed in a road traffic accident on Thursday evening in Dangriga. Taylor who was a teacher at Kids First School in that municipality was along with a co-worker on Ecumenical Drive when the incident occurred. We spoke with the co-worker who shared how the incident unfolded. CO-WORKER OF DECEASED "When [�]
Caleb Responds to DPM on Church State Commission
Gay Activist, Caleb Orozco is currently in Cancun, Mexico attending a coalition meeting of the LGBTI at the OAS General Assembly. Despite not being in country, Orozco says he has been following the local news and is has found it necessary to submit his position on the Church State Commission and the comments made by [�]
Nonagenarian Chopped to Death in Northern Belize
Police in Orange Walk are investigating the chopping murder of a ninety year old man. At around 2:30 yesterday afternoon, Pedro Pol of August Pine Ridge Village was in his shop when two Hispanic men armed with machetes barged in. The machete wielding due proceeded to bound Pol's hand before robbing the shop. During the [�]
Wasabi Avila Shot; Police Says It Was A Robbery Attempt
A man was shot last night in Belize City. It happened on Jasmine Street and the victim has been identified as Wasabi Avila. He was shot to the back and was rushed to the KHMH where he was treated and released. ACP Chester Williams told the media this evening that the investigation has so far [�]
PUP Criticizes House Committee and Wants UDP Chairman Gone
One week after the House Committee met to discuss matters including the outburst of Brian Audinett during the Senate Inquiry on May 17, the main opposition party has issued a statement on the outcome of the meeting. A press release came after one o'clock this afternoon stating, quote, "The People's United Party expresses its condemnation [�]
PlusTV
15 year old falls out of moving vehicle; dies
A 15 year old is dead as a result of a traffic accident. Justice Recinos received severe head and facial injuries when she fell out of a moving vehicle that was being driven at the time by a family member on Saturday June 10th. The student of Julian Cho Technical Highschool was transported to the Pu...
Santa Elena high school teacher investigated for allegedly impregnating student
There is another matter under investigation involving sexual relations between a teacher and his student. The high school teacher, in Santa Elena, Cayo, is accused of impregnating an 18 year old third form student. While criminally there is no case, since the student is 18, ethically, and according ...
Appeal for Mek Mi Rich case
The man who won a case against BTL for stealing his ideas for the Mek Mi Rich game show, is appealing his award of damages. Back in February of 2016, Curtis Swasey was awarded $25,000, after he won the case against BTL and the owners of Mek Mi Rich, Andre Vega and Sanjay Hotchandani. BTL filed an a...
CWU president to meet with negotiating team before responding to Stevedore's letter
We have reported on the letter sent by stevedores to the President of the Christian Workers Union, Dale Trujeque instructing him to "..step away from the bargaining table with Port of Belize Ltd with immediate effect". The letter further instructs Trujeque that "..you are prohibited from organ...
Small fire at Dorothy Menzies Child Care center
There was a small fire at the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center located at St. Thomas Street in Belize City. It happened on Thursday afternoon. Police say when they got to the scene, a sofa and an AC unit were seen completely damaged by fire at the back of the building. 35-year-old Kisha Coye, a fos...
NEMO issues first advisory for 2017 hurricane season
The National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, has issued its first Advisory for this 2017 Hurricane Season. It informs of a large area of disturbed weather which has formed over the northwest Caribbean Sea and adjacent land areas of Central America. NEMO says that the system is unlikely to ...
Belize Leaders for Social Justice rallying for change to the minimum wage and gas prices
The last time the minimum wage was changed was in 2012 from $3.10 to $3.30 an hour. That works out to about $132.00 a week if the person is working full time. With the cost of living rising, this places many families in a position of poverty. Belize Leaders for Social Justice has taken on the fight ...
Beyond the Horizon closes out in Belize
Closing ceremony for the Beyond the Horizon 2017 exercise in Belize was held on Thursday. The ceremony took place at Price Barracks in Ladyville. Valued at USD $11.5 million, the exercise consisted of five construction projects and three medical service events in Ladyville, San Ignacio, and Dangri...
The Reporter
Editorial
It may seem like excessive attention being lavished on a single bird, the Scarlet Macaw named Big Red, and much ado about nothing, but the concerns of this newspaper go much beyond this singular and now famous parrot.
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The Forest Department, which has legal responsibility for the care and protection of wildlife in Belize, has gone on record to say that it has loaned the iconic bird to the tourist facility at Harvest Caye after receiving credible information that it was not safe to release this parrot back into the wild.
Mr. Marcelo Windsor, the Forestry officer who made the decision to give the parrot a new home as an exhibition bird on Harvest Caye, says he was persuaded by reports from Dr. Isabel Paquet Durand, who had examined the bird and had determined that Big Red was not a suitable candidate for release back into the wild.
Breaking Belize News
Tropical storm Bret heads to Trinidad and Grenada
This afternoon, a hurricane hunter located the disturbance in the Atlantic and found it to have developed into a tropical storm. The National Hurricane Center today issued advisories on newly formed Tropical Storm Bret, located just to the southeast of [�]
A new sign for Belize City
The Belize City Council unveiled its latest beautification project today, a new sign in the Battlefield Park. The sign was donated to the council by businessman Steven Perrera, a long standing partner with CitCo that collaborated on the Belize signs near the Baron Bliss [�]
NHC monitoring Tropical Storm Bret
The Hurricane Hunter aircraft located the center of the nearby tropical disturbance causing increased rainfall in the region and found it to have developed into a tropical storm today. Tropical storm Bret is moving toward the west-northwest near 30 mph (48 km/h) and is [�]
Castro's sons pay fine for contrabanding 89 cases of beers
Over the weekend, two of Edmond Castro's sons were caught with eighty nine cases of contraband beers. Orange Walk customs patrol stopped the vehicle and found the cases of corona on Friday night. Their white wingle was held at the Orange Walk Police station. The two [�]
Young woman dies in motorcycle accident
A young football player lost her life yesterday in a fatal traffic accident. Fabiola Vasquez, 26, of Young Bank was riding her motorcycle alone when she lost control on loose gravel. Vasquez was pronounced dead at the San Ignacio Hospital. © 2017, BreakingBelizeNews.com. This [�]
Belizeans: A Ticking Time Bomb.
Dear Editor and Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow: Would you be concerned and moved to action if you knew that every day each man, woman and child in Belize eats a daily dose of harmful chemicals with each tortilla and each slice of bread they ingest? The facts [�]
Three men charged for brutal murder of Santa Familia teen
According to police reports, Steven Manzanero, Reginald Patt, and Armando Coleman have been arrested and charged for the murder of Amy Guerra and attempted murder of Eliseo Bacab. Police say that Eliseo Bacab and Amy Guerra were at the village football field when they [�]
Belizean makes US most wanted list
A Belizean man is listed among the top 10 most wanted list for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Forty-four year old Santos Moreira is wanted by US officials for deportation back to Belize, having been deported several times due to criminal [�]
Body found in drain in Unitedville identified
On Saturday morning, police confirmed that the body of a man was found in a drain near the George Price Highway in Unitedville Village, Cayo. The victim has been identified as Jorge Lemus, 52. Lemus was found face down in a pool of water [�]
NEMO issues advisory number 4 on weather system
UPDATE: The low pressure system located near the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and Belize continues to produce a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms. It is producing winds up to gale force strength several hundred miles to the east and northeast [�]
Police celebrate Police Week 2017
Police officers gathered for a mass yesterday in celebrating the start of police week 2017. The Belize Police Department have prepared a number of activities to commemorate their commitment to the community and country. The activities include clean up campaigns, school visits, open days, [�]
More rain expected; weather system being monitored
The 24 hour forecast is for cloudy to overcast skies with showers and thunderstorms especially over inland areas this afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms are expected over most areas tonight. A broad low pressure system over the area will support moist and unstable conditions across the [�]" hspace="3" vspace="3" align="right" border="0">
It's time for a bird bath!
With the rainy season upon us, some of us welcome a much needed shower! After months of hot, dusty weather, the long-awaited precipitation is celebrated by many. Not only are the plants rejoicing, but creatures who have been looking hard for fresh water the last few months are now quenching their thirst. Of course the birds are happy too, delighting in the opportunity for a proper 'bird bath' under the cool, refreshing rain. This pair of Mourning Doves have the right idea, making the most of this afternoon shower on Ambergris Caye.
Selfies Galore at the New Belize Sign in Belize City
How lucky were we to be in Belize City during the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the latest beautification project by the Belize City Council. We were killing time in the city as we planned our next road trip when we received our invitation. There was a NEW Belize sign unveiling. We just had to make an appearance.
The new sign is located at Battlefield Park in the heart of downtown Belize City. We were eager to go take our selfies. This sign is different than the first two. Instead of large letters spelling out BELIZE, the new sign is in the form of a picture frame/post card that highlights the historical Belize Courthouse in the background.
Tourists and locals are invited to walk up to the Belize Sign, sit or climb on it to take their perfectly framed pic. It's fun and a great addition to picturesque signs in the city. Our good friend Steven Perrera, who was responsible for the creation, installation and beautification of the fist two (now very famous) BELIZE signs was also responsible for this one as well.
International Sources
Learning how to save lives in Belize
UK transport research organisation TRL is a delivery partner in the Belize Road Safety Project, which has been awarded a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for its outstanding contribution to road safety.
TRL's Darren Divall told Transport Network about the organisation's contribution to the project.
Established by the Belize Government's Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in 2013, the Belize Road Safety Project sought to drive a reduction in injuries and fatalities from traffic collisions along a demonstration corridor between Belize City and Belmopan.
Belize Should Increase Consumption Taxes: IMF
Belize should increase the General Sales Tax rate to cut its deficit, the International Monetary Fund has said.
The IMF said that the country should consider measures including broadening the base of the General Sales Tax (GST) and increasing its rate to the regional average of 15 percent, from 12.5 percent. It said that both steps could increase revenues by one percent of gross domestic product.
Electronic tax filing and payment systems could also be enhanced, especially for GST and income tax, where less than 10 percent of registered taxpayers file or pay their taxes electronically, the IMF said.
In his March budget speech, Dean Barrow, Belize's Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Natural Resources, rejected the IMF's "publicly rehearsed" advice to raise general sales tax (GST), ditch zero-rated treatment for certain products, cancel exemptions, and increase personal and business income taxes as "regressive and punitive to both citizens and enterprise."
Simone Biles interrupts her vacation to make sure she can still do gymnastics
Simone Biles is currently taking a much deserved vacation with family and friends in Belize. From cliff jumping to wearing custom T-shirts to zip-lining in the jungle, the trip has clearly been action packed -- with time to relax at the beach as well.
Despite all the fun, Biles took a moment on Monday to make sure she still could, you know, do gymnastics. Thankfully, she did a handstand -- by the pool -- and proved that she very much still could.
Our mosquito bites were infected with wriggling LARVAE: One couple's story of the nasty holiday souvenir no one wants
At first, Katie and Ian McCabe assumed the small itchy lumps that appeared on their skin while on holiday in Belize were ordinary insect bites.
The couple had gone on a guided jungle walk and - despite using insect repellent and wearing long clothing - they'd unwittingly left a few patches of skin exposed.
'I got two mosquito bites on my scalp and Katie had one on the back of her neck,' recalls Ian, 57, a communications engineer. 'We just assumed they would go away.' However, the bites slowly grew. And when the couple returned home to Wilmington, Kent, two weeks later, the lumps had taken on another disturbing characteristic.
'I could feel something moving around inside,' says Katie, 55, who works with the families of children with autism. 'As if it was scratching away at the sides.' By now they had an inkling about what was going on. Before they left Belize last August, the pair had watched a documentary on their hotel TV about the human botfly - an insect whose larvae (or maggots) can live just under human skin.
Videos
The US Embassy to Belize marked the closing of the Beyond the Horizon, 34min.
Boy Talk, 1hr50min.
Fathers Day Show Special, 1hr25min.
Belize NOW | Episode 23 - Friday, June 16th, 2017, 32min. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launches a website dedicated to the Belizean Diaspora, we sit down with the newly appointed National Sports Director, Toledo residents get solar lights, and the Beyond the Horizon Project wraps up. These stories and more on this week's edition of Belize Now. Thanks for joining us on this Friday, June 16th, 2017!
Belize Department of the Environment - Connecting People to Nature, 5min.
The Most Interesting Man in Belize, 2min. I don't always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Belkin.
Belize at UN Oceans Conference 2017, 1hr20min.
Belize Diving, 1min. Just a couple of dive instructors on holiday diving in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
The Nembhard Sisters at Belize "Keeping It H�t Marriage Conference". June 16-18, 2017, 5min.
Institute of Archaeology annual Symposium, 30min.
Smart Belize introduces its UMTS Network and Online Charging System, 23min.
Belize Police Department celebrates Police Week, 37min.
Mourning Doves showering in the rain, 15sec. June to November is considered the rainy season in Belize. During this time the country's wildlife gets a healthy dose of refreshing showers. Such is the case for this pair of mourning doves who enjoyed a little morning shower!
Amigos Del Mar, San Pedro, Belize, 4min.
Jesse & Joanna Belize Wedding Film Teaser, 3min. from Jose Luis Zapata
Belize Vacation, 3.5min. Our recent trip to Belize, highlights from our time in the Cayo District and Caye Caulker
Belize National Dance Company (BNDC) Caribbean Community, 8.5min.
Belize Fly Fishing | Tom Rosenbauer, 34min. In this episode of The New Fly Fisher Tom Rosenbauer takes Colin McKeown to El Pescador Lodge in Belize to teach him how to fly fish for permit, bonefish and tarpon on a fly.
BELIZE 2017 - SUMMER VACATION, 4min. Went on a trip this summer with my girlfriend to Belize, CA. We were able to do a lot of different activities while we were there and I thought I would share. Enjoy!
Belize- Dream Land, 5min. the best 10 days of my life. I love you Belize.
Big Tarpon Fishing Belize, 8min. 80 lb Tarpon in Ambergris Caye, Belize.
OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE, Belize Oral History, 7min. In this "2 Cents Cam", we interview residents of Belize City to document the heritage and history of Old Government House.
Solid Waste Management - Belize Department of the Environment, 2min. Belize Department of the Environment on solid waste management, mock news segment.
Swing Bridge, Belize Oral History, 6min. In this "2 Cents Cam", we interview residents of Belize City to document the heritage and history of Swing Bridge.
SIKAFI, Belize Oral History, 4min. In this "2 Cents Cam", we interview residents of Belize City to document the heritage and history of SIKAFI.