Amandala
Quincy Gentle, 28, executed on Kelly Street
Wednesday night's murder on Belize City's north side has all the hallmarks of a gang execution.
The victim, Quincy Gentle, 28, considered an associate of the Majestic Alley/Kelly Street/Ghost Town gangs, was gunned down just a stone's throw away from his home on Wilson Street in Belize City.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Alejandro Cowo, today told the press that when Gentle reached the junction of Kelly Street and Wilson Street, a gunman emerged and opened fire on him. He was hit multiple times in the midsection by the assailant, who then fled the scene.
Belize officials' response to Guat cattle ranching in Chiquibul "very weak"
The lands in the sprawling Chiquibul forest reserves continue to attract Guatemalans who continue to plunder the resources of this sensitive area of Belize by harvesting xat� leaves, panning for gold, hunting protected game, and logging, but now, wealthy Guatemalans have been systematically introducing cattle ranching in the area.
According to the Executive Director of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) Raphael Manzanero, cattle ranching has been going on in the southern Chiquibul for almost two years now.
Amandala spoke to Idelso Leslie, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would go about dealing with this problem.
Andrew Bennett released on $100,000 bail
For the first time since Belize signed an extradition treaty with the United States in 2000, someone for whom the US has issued an extradition request was released on bail at the Magistrate's Court level.
That is what happened this morning when the attorney, Andrew Bennett, 46, appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser to begin his extradition case.
After an almost hour-long submission by Bennett's lead attorney, Anthony Sylvestre, during which he highlighted for the court some of the important judicial precedents that have been established in the rather complicated extradition process, Chief Magistrate Fraser agreed to grant bail to Bennett.
US says no more work visas for Belize, Haiti and Samoa
Exactly one week ago, US President Donald Trump made his "shithole countries" remark, a reference to people from certain poor countries entering the United States, during a meeting at the Oval Office where immigration matters were discussed.
The US president's remark caused a controversy, alienating many countries on the African continent and elsewhere, where the remark has been widely interpreted as racist.
On the heels of the president's remarks, the US Homeland Security, with the approval of the Secretary of State, announced this week that citizens from Belize, Haiti, and Samoa, will no longer be eligible for temporary US work visas. The announcement was made yesterday, Wednesday, and published in the Federal Register today, Thursday.
Mark Pollard was killed because of a family land dispute, says voice message
Belize City resident Mark Pollard, 49, has been reported missing since last July. However, recent revelations suggest that he was killed as a result of an ongoing family dispute over a property.
Amandala is in possession of a voice message in which a relative of Pollard who lives abroad was purportedly telling another family member of his to hand over the keys to her father's house.
She said, "I'm coming with my attorney, to get all paperwork taken care of because I found out from Lands Department that my father was not paying for that property for over eight years - none of those properties was paid for. So whatever your intention is, I want you to get a clear mind, this is no joke."
Fire leaves 28 people on Glynn Street homeless
A massive fire that occurred at about 12:30 this morning on Glynn Street in Belize City, behind the Salvation Army Building, completely destroyed 3 buildings and left 28 people homeless. Luckily no one was injured in the inferno. Two of the destroyed houses were occupied by families, and one was an unoccupied, abandoned structure.
The fire reportedly began in the abandoned building. Residents say it is a hangout for crack addicts and some homeless persons, and they believe they are the ones who started the fire. The National Fire Service has begun an investigation into the blaze, but the cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained.
P.G.'s Freedom Fighters shock BDF in PLB season opener
It was probably the last thing that BDF coach Eric Gongora expected yesterday afternoon when first half got under way for his BDF squad against the Freedom Fighters team from Punta Gorda at the MCC Grounds. It was Week 1 of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2017-2018 Closing Season, and coach Charles "Chuck" Gutierrez of Freedom Fighters had just been joined the previous week by former PLB Best Coach, Robert Muschamp to add another tactical dimension to the P.G. attack. Gongora and his assistant, Jerome "JeJe" Serano no doubt had a game plan for the Freedom Fighters team they had blasted 7-0 in the last game of the previous Opening Season; but things looked amazingly different as first half got under way yesterday, following the pre-game minute of silence in memory of referee Fareed Ahmad.
Dangriga sports stats
Secondary school football will commence on Monday, January 22. Monday will be Delille Academy vs Ecumenical High males and females. The female game starts at 2:00 p.m., followed by the males.
On Wednesday, January 24, at 2:00 p.m., it will be the females match-up - Ecumenical vs Delille. Since ANRI don't have a female team, both Ecumenical and Delille females will play a 5-game series; the second game on Wednesday features the males of ANRI vs Ecumenical.
On Friday, January 26, the first game at 2:00 p.m. will be game 3 from the female 5-game series between, Ecumenical and Delille; the second game will be the males match-up - Delille Academy vs ANRI.
Belize team wins volleyball tournament in Merida
Over the weekend of January 12th, 13th & 14th, two female volleyball teams left Belize and travelled to the City of Merida, Yucatan to participate in the 2018 "Copa Gracelobos Yucatan." The teams that represented the Jewel were Simon Quan Stars (junior team) and Moen Stars (senior team).
Some other Mexican teams/localities represented at the tournament included Tamaulipas, Mexico City, Veracruz, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Tabasco, Cozumel ,Campeche and 5 teams from the Merida area, just to name a few. The teams were then separated into 2 groups, which were then separated into sub-groups due to the amount of teams.
On Friday the 12th, the junior team (Simon Quan Stars) played Yucatan, winning, 25-17/25-11, and the senior team (Moen Stars) beat Maristas (Merida), 25-17/27-25.
"Evening Ballers" restricted from practicing on the MCC What's the real reason?
As I sit here watching my usual Sunday morning English Premier League games, I am saddened by the current situation, so many of my colleagues and I have found ourselves in. For the past two weeks, something that we love so much has been taken away from us so suddenly without just cause or reason, making it difficult to comprehend.
We are a group of footballers who refer to ourselves as "Evening Ballers," who once were "Morning Ballers." The names are not important; they're based on the time we would all meet up to play our favorite game, football. I've been living here in Belize City for the past nine years, since I have relocated from Dangriga. Being from Dangriga, I came with the belief that things were similar here in Belize City when it came to playing football and any sport at all. I quickly realized that was an illusion.
Editorial: A referendum on Mr. Barrow
To a substantial extent, March 7's national municipal elections in Belize will be a referendum on the leadership of the Prime Minister of Belize, the Right Hon. Dean O. Barrow. Mr. Barrow's United Democratic Party (UDP) has been on a winning streak since 2003, and he has led the UDP to three consecutive general election victories, unprecedented in Belize's post-independence era.
The UDP's most successful leader ever, Mr. Barrow enjoys iconic status in his party, and rightfully so. He has delivered their bacon. The UDP is very confident entering the March 7 elections. They have not lost in 15 years, and their election campaign and election day machineries are well-oiled, experienced, and formidable.
For many years the Opposition People's United Party (PUP) refused to believe that the Said Musa/Ralph Fonseca template had to be revised. And in fact, even without a basic revision, the PUP came very close to returning to power in the 2012 general election, the UDP winning by only a 17-14 margin in seats and by just 70 popular votes overall.
From The Publisher
For most of the 1970s, except for the school year 1971/72, when I taught at Wesley College, I ran the streets of Belize City. People in the old capital used to explain what was happening with me as a case of "throwing away his education." Within less than two years after graduating magna cum laude with an Ivy League first degree, I was being tried twice in Her Majesty's Supreme Court on separate charges, one political and the other criminal. What was happening, I submit, was probably a case of political activism becoming intertwined with writer's research.
No Belizean had ever attempted it at the time, but I wanted to be a professional writer and do serious stuff. (I don't think you know, but one of my maternal uncles, Bee-Lisle, had become Belize's first professional painter in the 1950s.) I had lived a fairly sheltered life in Belize, but I had an idea what real roots life was about, because it had been happening right across the canal and Bolton Bridge from my family home.
Kirby Salisbury responds to Neri B's column
Dear Editor:
I don't know if any of Neri Brice�o's barbs (see his thought-provoking letter, "The Slow Gentrification of PG," Amandala, January 6) were aimed at me but it is not the intent of this letter to defend myself or others of my race. I, too, remember Punta Gorda in the 1970's and my wife and I have described those days in our memoirs, Treehouse Perspectives and Chance Along.
I agree that great changes have taken place in the town during the last four decades. Mr. Brice�o's letter highlights business and infrastructural alterations (gentrification), while it is the change in the people that I would like to comment on, specifically their values.
1984 memo to CIA Director Casey
Mr. William J. Casey:
Director of Central Intelligence,
Washington, D. C. 20305.
Dear Mr. Casey,
1. There is increasing evidence that insurgents of the Rebel Armed Forces (FAR) support their operations in Guatemala (GT) by operating logistic cells in the central and northern districts of Belize. The network of cells funnels money, food, medicine and arms to the guerrillas in GT, with some supplies going direct and others following a more circuitous route through Mexico. High Belize Government officials are said to be aware of the FAR network, and a few have been implicated in aiding or abetting the guerrilla support operations or, at a minimum, acquiescing to it. Knowledge of FAR's cross-border activities might prompt Guatemala to take a harder negotiating attitude vis-�-vis Belize or, in the extreme, to mount armed incursions against its neighbor. Although the Government of Belize is not threatened at this time, the potential for trouble is considerable.
Belize a no-show in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index
Belize does not appear in the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index 2016. The last time Belize was rated by this organization was in 2008.
At least as far back as 2011, Belize's Vision Inspired by the People (VIP) has been calling on the Belize government to release information so that Transparency International can include us in their report again. On December 14, 2011, then VIP Chairman, Bobby Lopez, told News 5, "VIP therefore calls on this administration to clean up corruption and to immediately sign the United Nations' Anti-Corruption Convention. You've had four years to do it. We also call on this administration to disclose all the information necessary for Transparency International to rank Belize for us; regardless of where they put us, we need to be ranked so we can begin the journey up to number one like our fellows across the Caribbean, Barbados."
PM Barrow unmasks himself in the House
It is near beyond uncanny (and very disappointing), how Barrow's UDP led us to the same place Musa's PUP did. These two men, who scolded each other from across the aisle, both ran the ship aground.
From the outside the two men are different cats. From the layman's view, one seemed to consider himself a man's man, while the other seemed to fashion himself, a ladies man. For the clinical view we'll have to talk with Ms. Claudia, or a Mason-Browne.
Of course, that's trivia. That doesn't change a thing on the ground for Belizeans. But we like to indulge in, what ifs. The person who wears the crown gets the fame, or the blame. But they never act alone. There is always an advisor, or advisors. In both cases, two of the players are the same. There is a Belize PM, and there is Ashcroft. In the case of Musa, the question is what if there was no Fonseca. In the case of Barrow�.
CHILD BORN TO A SINGLE WOMAN
I am writing on this topic because as women sadly, we give birth to our children and yet do not even bother to learn the legal rights and obligations touching and concerning our children. It is really incredible when one stops and thinks that there are specific laws relating to the status of ourselves as women and children, determined by the mere fact of wedlock or not. And said laws are not trivial, as they go to the core of a basic right as to custody, care and control over the very children that are the fruits of our womb �. Yet most women do not even know these laws. If I had to venture a "guesstimate", I would say that 90% of women do not know their rights on this topic. I base my guess on the number of cases and clients I have had to deal with on the issue of child rights and custody.
Amandala's year in review: Part 1
Amandala opened New Year 2017 with its lead story, "UDP's Fonso charged for death of Gilbert 'Thready' Myers". The story opens by stating that Alfonso Noble, the editor of the Guardian newspaper and the host of the ruling UDP's morning show on WAVE Radio, after spending Christmas and Boxing Day in police custody, was charged in court on Thursday, December 29, for a traffic accident on December 24 that claimed the life of Gilbert Meyers, a Hattieville resident who was on his way home when Noble knocked him down between Miles 3 and 4 on the George Price Highway.
Apart from the road traffic accident that claimed Myers' life on Christmas Eve, there was a spike in road traffic accidents that claimed the lives of 7 other persons in various parts of the country within a period of 12 days. Many of the accidents were reportedly alcohol-related.
Eyewitness to police beating executed in golf cart
The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Fareed Ahmad, 39, and Mario Vernon Jr., 24, have led, not only to charges against two police officers, but also to a further distrust of the Belize Police Department by the general public.
The murder of a San Pedro resident shortly after midnight on Monday has caused yet another outcry from a community suspicious of the nation's law enforcement officers.
Alfredo Mansea Cowo, 26, was sitting with his pregnant girlfriend in a golf cart in front of the Jaguar's night club on Barrier Reef Drive when he lost his life. An armed assailant, in a hoodie, walked up to him and opened fire, hitting him multiple times in the chest.
Linsbert Bahadur's life sentence quashed by Belize Court of Appeal
In a judgment given by the Belize Court of Appeal, the appellant, Linsbert Bahadur, Jr., 33, convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment, had his sentence remitted to the Supreme Court.
Bahadur's appeal against his conviction was dismissed, however, and his conviction was affirmed.
Bahadur was convicted of the murder of Albert Wade, 32, a resident of Santa Elena Town in the Cayo District who was shot-gunned to death on April 14, 2006.
Wade's body, with gunshot wounds in his forehead and left cheek, was found in his Toyota Camry car on Negroman Road in Santa Elena Town. Two other men, Benjamin Peters and Samuel Neal, were charged jointly with Bahadur.
Policeman arraigned on manslaughter charge for killing Mario "Jun Jun" Vernon
The policeman who reportedly shot and killed Mario "Jun Jun" Vernon, 24, the grandson of Brukdown queen and national hero Leela Vernon, was charged with manslaughter and arraigned In the Dangriga Magistrate's Court. He was released on a $10,000 bail.
Constable Tevin Jay Aranda, 23, had to be transported from Punta Gorda Town to Dangriga Town, because there was no magistrate in Punta Gorda to read the charge to him.
Apart from arraigning Aranda and offering him bail, the court also ordered Aranda to surrender his travel documents and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
Forensic exam confirms that burnt remains were that of Belmopan teacher
Police have today confirmed the worst in the case of Belmopan resident Pamela Lino, 42, who was reported missing on May 1, 2017, about 8 months ago.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Alejandro Cowo, a forensic examination has confirmed that it was her charred remains which were found on May 2, 2017.
Her remains were only discovered by Hattieville police when her white Kia Sportage heading in the direction of Belize City from Belmopan approached a checkpoint and the driver turned the vehicle around and sped off.
Police pursued the vehicle, but it evaded them. Minutes later, they found the vehicle on fire in front of the Princess Royal Youth Hostel compound at the Rockville junction.
The Reporter
Police charge suspect for Alfredo Cowo’s murder
Late on Friday police confirmed that a San Pedro resident has been charged for the Tuesday night murder of Alfredo Cowo on the island. Police have charged William Godoy, 33, for Cowo’s murder but could not determine a motive. At a press conference held on Thursday, police […]
All of Belize's land and sea?
Even as Guatemalans are preparing to go to the polls in three months to vote on the Belize question, they have yet to formally define exactly what they would be asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in respect of what Belizeans deem to be […]
Mentally challenged man beats mother to death
A mentally challenged man from Carmelita Village in the Orange Walk District is on the run from police after he gruesomely bludgeoned his own mother to death with a crowbar before attacking another woman early on Tuesday morning. According to police, around 8:15 a.m., on […]
Lifting Potential Growth in Latin America and Caribbean Regions
"Regional growth is projected to gather momentum, rising to 2.0 percent in 2018 and 2.6 percent in 2019. �With the external drivers of growth for the region expected to be decreasingly supportive-the large gains in some commodity prices in 2016 are not envisaged to continue, while growth in the united [�]
Editorial
People and nations all over the world who have seen and experienced oppression of one kind or another take their inspiration from the American Declaration of Independence, a brave postulation on human rights which states that men and women have the duty to resist oppression which denies them life, liberty [�]
Butane industry in turmoil
Belizeans are facing an imminent rise in the price of butane and possibly a shortage, depending on the outcome of pending negotiations between the government of Belize and the major importers of butane, Belize Western Energy Limited, Gas Tomza and Z Gas. Representatives from the [�]
US issues visa ban on Belize over human trafficking report
Belizeans will be unable to obtain H-2 visas, which allows them to gain temporary employment in the United States for various jobs, for the rest of this year, after the US banned Belize from obtaining the visas due to poor human trafficking standards. The US […]
Twenty-eight left homeless after Glyn Street inferno
A fire which ripped through Glyn Street in Belize City early on Tuesday morning has left complete destruction in its path, flattening three two-story wooden structures to rubble and leaving 28 people homeless. The eight affected families are now in dire need of assistance after […]
One suspect detained for Cowo murder
San Pedro police are currently gathering enough evidence against a suspect in police custody, suspected of killing 26-year-old Alfredo Cowo, which occurred on the island on Tuesday morning. On Thursday Officer Commanding Belize City Crime Investigation Branch (CIB), ASP Alejandro Cowo, confirmed that the suspected gunman was […]
Ahmad family to hire PI
The family of slain barber, Fareed Ahmad came out this week, again expressing their utter discontent, disappointment and lack of confidence in the police investigation into his shooting death. This week, Abdul Ahmad told the Reporter newspaper that, contrary to Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred [�]
Woman wins $250,000 judgment for malpractice
A young woman police constable who underwent a wrongly recommended surgery that makes her barren has won a court judgment, requiring the Government of Belize to cough up $250,000 in damages for the doctor’s malpractice. Jenny Bonilla, 22, who resides in Dangriga and is currently […]
Andrew Bennett out on $100,000 bail
Attorney Andrew Bennett, whose entrapment by a Drug Enforcement Agency (D.E.A.) sting operation in 2015 has led to the United States' State Department requesting his extradition to the U.S. to face money laundering charges, will get to sleep in his own bed tonight and spend […]
Breaking Belize News
Government reaches agreement with butane importers, price hike and shortage avoided
Following news that butane importers were demanding a price increase and worries over a likely [�]
Foreign Minister defends position on fugitive brother
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, said this week that he maintains his position on [�]
Remembering a Legend: Andy Palacio
Ten years ago today, Belize and the world lost a great musician, teacher, mentor, humanitarian [�]
Andy Rhaburn still at large
The man accused of killing his mother with a crowbar, Andy Rhaburn, is still on [�]
GOB facing more compensation payouts?
With 2018 already starting out with a quarter million dollar compensation payment, the Government of [�]
Attorney General calls US 'cowardly' and 'hypocritical' for worker-Visa ban
Belize Attorney General, Michael Peyrefitte, told the media yesterday that he views the US decision [�]
Mark Pollard killed over property?
Belize City resident Mark Pollard went missing last July. Since then, there have been several [�]
Remains in burnt vehicle confirmed to be of Pamela Lino
Yesterday police confirmed that the DNA results of the burnt remains discovered last May confirm [�]
Trump is racist, says Foreign Minister
In a televised interview with Channel 5 news, Foreign Minister, Wilfred Elrington responded United States [�]
Bennett out on bail
Andrew Bennett, the first attorney in Belizean history to be wanted for extradition to the [�]
Cool Weather Activities and Cold Front on Ambergris Caye
After I posted the winter weather report events below, I received a poster from Jodie at Palapa Bar with upcoming events there as well. Some have already passed but from January 19 - 28 there are some great talent here on the island. She also mentioned the first baubles, bangles and beads jewelry making party was great. About 15 Girls showed up to make jewelry (anklets and bracelets) - this will be an ongoing event the 3rd Tuesday of every month. Watch Palapa Bar Facebook Page to see what they will be making at the next one.
If you are a first timer and looking for places to go, travelers weighed in and one review says Palapa Bar is a "Great Place for a Cold Beer and Beautiful View!!!" Although I don't drink beer anymore, I totally agree about the view. Entertaining water action with boats, occasional kite surfers and frequent marine life spottings. You can also go deluxe and have buckets of beer or whatever you are drinking delivered to you as you float in the tubes with your friends. Afterwards, dry off on the huge deck with your stylin printed microfiber beach towel.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE a Day and A Few Degrees Make: January in Belize
The second COLD front of the new year is moving out�and MAN�this warm blooded Belize resident couldn't be happier. Yesterday was just downright cold. Grey drizzle turned into all out rain. With temperatures barely out of the 60s and a north wind HOWLING, yesterday's cold was all I could take about today. It really felt like it was sleeting.
After being bundled in thick socks, sweatpants and sweatshirt yesterday - today's sunshine feels like a dream. The temperature increase isn't much when you look at the numbers�but 70 yesterday (grey rain) and 75 today (bright sun) is night and day. Like we are on another planet. Mercury vs Pluto. You get the picture.
Carnaval is color, tradition and celebration!
A pre-Lenten festivity that was once widely practiced in northern Belize, the Carnaval tradition has managed to survive in a few places in the country, namely Caledonia Village, Corozal District, and Ambergris Caye, Belize District.
Commencing with the enmascarados - masked dancers - groups go throughout the village signaling the start of Carnaval. This all takes place three days before Lent and is similar to the Mardi Gras festivities in the US. During the three days of revelry, dancers go from home to home to perform 'Comparsas', which traditionally include "El Torito", "El Papalotito", "La Culebra" and "La Cinta". In recent years, the traditional Hog Head dance has been incorporated into the festivities.
International Sources
No pausing for paws -- Athens grad visits Belize in pursuit of veterinary career
While there have been paws in her life since she graduated, the Valedictorian of the Athens Area High School Class of 2011 has showed no signs of slowing down in pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
Abby Davenport returned last week after seven days in the Central American country of Belize, where she participated in the FARVets program, a non-profit organization that provides spay and neutering operations -- as well as other medical services -- to other countries.
"My professor at Cornell (College for Veterinary Medicine) is head of FARVets," Davenport said. "We went down and we provided free services and helped pets with medical issues."
Commentary: The View from Europe: Oil, the environment and the Caribbean
Earlier this month Exxon announced that that it had made a major new oil find off Guyana. It was, it said, the largest since it began exploration there in 2015. The company's statement followed one last June advising of a 'world-class discovery' on another well and, before that, announcements about four other commercially exploitable finds.
What this and Exxon's recent request to the Guyanese government for permission to drill up to 40 new wells after 2022 suggests, is that the country is about to become a major oil producer in the Western Hemisphere.
Videos
G Tribe In Belize, 3min.
UNIA 2006 Third Belize Tour By Parent Body, 9hr. UNIA-ACL Parent Body members under the leadership of PG Redman Battle and Counsel General Faruq Muhammad visit Belize Central American for the 3rd time. Video done by Minister of Information Zama Cook
Today marks ten years that Belize lost one of its musical icons, Andy Palacio, 4.5min. Today marks ten years that Belize lost one of its musical icons. Andy Palacio died on January 19th 2008 of a massive and extensive stroke to the brain, a heart attack and respiratory failure. Despite his untimely death Palacio's legacy lives on through his music. Palacio was born and raised in the coastal village of Barranco and worked briefly as a teacher before turning to music.
Belize International Working Dog Centers [IWDC], on Open Your Eyes, 45min.
Ras Indio and Bo$$ Lady - Unity, on Open Your Eyes, 25min.
Throw back video of 'Gimme Punta Rock.' What's your favorite Andy Palacio song? On Open Your Eyes, 11min.
A lot has been going in the twin towns. Check out this short video about it!!, 1min.
Feast of the Giant Sharks, 26min. Whale Sharks in Belize at Gladen Spit, by Carol Farneti Foster
Spearfishing Belize 2018, 4min.
Honeymoon Belize, 18min.
Tour of "Off the Wall" dive resort (Glover's Reef, Belize), 10min. Lindsey shows us around Long Cay, a tiny island 40 miles out in the Caribbean Sea. "Off the Wall" is the awesome dive resort where we stayed for the week.
Belize Hurricanes vs Verdes, NEBL, 3hrmin.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
