January 19, 2019

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Emergency blood drive to be held in San Pedro Town
An emergency blood drive to assist the countrywide blood shortage and island resident Daryl Kennedy has been scheduled for Sunday, January 20th at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II in San Pedro Town. Kennedy is in Belize City waiting for surgery on a broken hip and will be needing a good supply of blood. He is well known on the island for his non-profit organization Kids of Belize, which aims to make a positive impact in the lives of young children.

San Pedro reports cases of foodborne Gastroenteritis
The health authorities at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II have confirmed cases of Acute Gastroenteritis, commonly known as ‘stomach flu,’ in San Pedro Town. Although there has only been one week of reported cases on the island, the entire community is asked to be on the alert to avoid a possible outbreak. A virus known as Rotavirus causes the contagious disease, mainly affecting young babies and persons with compromised immune systems.’ The illness includes severe diarrhea and vomiting which can lead to fatal dehydration if not treated. It is mostly affecting residents in the northern Corozal District. Health Inspector Christina Martinez indicated that even though there are minimal cases on the island compared to the mainland, residents must practice proper hygiene.

SPTC starts dredging lagoon channel to relocate water taxi companies
After publicly expressing their disapproval of an alleged water taxi terminal in front of Ruby’s Hotel on Barrier Reef Drive, The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has acquired the services of a private company to dredge the lagoon-channel leading to the Sunset Boardwalk boat terminal. The project is expected to be complete in a few months, allowing a more accessible passage for boats, and thus the long-awaited relocation of the water taxi companies San Pedro Belize Express and Ocean Ferry. The Sunset Boardwalk boat terminal was officially opened in 2014, but it has not been fully utilized, because the water taxi companies claimed the terminal was inaccessible due to the shallow waters in the lagoon side.

Islander Josue Valle drafted to Belize’s U-17 Male Football National Team
On Wednesday, January 16th the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) released the names of players that will form Belize’s Under-17 Male Football National Team. The team is set to participate in the upcoming Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) U-17 tournament to be held in Bradenton, Florida USA in April 2019. Among the players drafted was San Pedro’s very own, 16-year-old Josue Valle. This is not the first time that Valle has been called to the FFB; he was drawn to be a part of Belize’s U-16 Male Football National Team that participated in the 2018 Unión Centro Americana de Fútbol (UNCAF) U-16 tournament. He is a second-year student at San Pedro High School and no stranger to the football scene here on the island. Valle has participated in local football tournaments like Copa San Pedro, the San Pedro 5-A-Side Football Tournament, among others.

Ambergris Today

Royal Caribbean Resort Launches Carpentry And Mechanical Internship
On Friday, January 18, 2019, Minister Manuel Heredia and Mr. Yorham Shostari of Royal Caribbean Resort officially launched a Carpentry and Mechanical Internship program. Lee-el Shostari, daughter of Mr. Yorham Shostari officially introduced the program. She stated that they have been working on this idea for over a year now and it’s a way for them to give back to the community. Royal Caribbean Resort will be offering two (2) internships in carpentry and (2) two internships in mechanical work. The length of these internships will be of four months.

Belize Red Cross Trains & Donates Equipment To Nemo
Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management, Hon Edmond Castro, this morning received on behalf of NEMO a donation of equipment from the Belize Red Cross to assist in disaster preparation and response. Making the donation on behalf of the Belize Red Cross was its Director General, Lily Bowman. The donation valued at over $20 Thousand includes a Drone, Portable Open Street Map Server and Open Data Kit, all used for data collection in Community Development & Resilience, Accountability & Transparency in Disaster Relief Operations.

Misc Belizean Sources

Senior Counsel Lisa M. Shoman now has a branch office in Caye Caulker
We are pleased to announce that the Law Office of Senior Counsel Lisa M. Shoman now has a branch office in Caye Caulker. This is the first law office to open its doors on this island. To commemorate this event, we will be hosting an "Ask the Lawyer" question and answer session shortly.

Live Well Cayo Festival
Coming soon- Live Well Cayo Festival on March 16, 2019! San Ignacio and the greater Cayo District is quickly adapting to the growing demand of eco-friendly and health conscious travel trends. To that end, the Belize Tourism Industry Association Cayo Chapter would like to extend an invitation to you or your organisation to be a part of the first ever, Live Well Cayo Festival. The aim of the event is to promote individuals and businesses engaged in wellness, eco-friendly, healthy living, dietary, traditional and holistic practices. pin Sacred Heart Junior College, San Ignacio, Belize. Hosted by BTIA Cayo Chapter.

BNLSIS Belize-Guatemala Public Education sessions
Friday, January 18th, Corozal Public Library, 5:30pm. BNLSIS Belize-Guatemala Public Education sessions, all are welcome to participate. Visit the Library for more information.

Street Art Festival 2019
Mark your calendars and bring out the entire Family! February 23.

Two juvenile jaguars along the Southern Highway
Ya’axché’s Community Liaison Manager saw TWO juvenile jaguars along the Southern Highway. One quickly jumped into the bushes as a vehicle sped by, but Julio Chub managed to take a photo of the other. Julio’s first jaguar sighting happened while he was on his way to visit newly elected community leaders within the Maya Golden Landscape. He has been excited since Tuesday – honestly, we all are at Ya’axché! Just a reminder to motorists: Kindly drive carefully in this important forested corridor, especially around Golden Stream Corridor Preserve! Jaguars along with many other wildlife are constantly crossing the highway.

A Red Velvet Valentine
Star’s Island Fantasy is so excited to announce that they will be collaborating with INTRO by XS Entertainment on February 16th! It is the place to be! Come and celebrate A Red Velvet Valentine with us! We will be giving away sexy give aways throughout the night.

Emergency blood drive in San Pedro Town
We are in the midst of a big countrywide blood shortage and we need your help. We also have a need for a local resident who helps not only Ambergris Caye but also the mainland. He is in Belize city waiting for surgery on a broken hip and needs community help to make it happen. Daryl Kennedy started Kids Of Belize as a way to give back through music. Since it’s inception, it has been growing leaps and bounds, making a positive impact on Ambergris Caye and beyond. To learn more about Daryl's Kids and why we need to support him right now with a blood donation in his time of need.

Inauguration of New Health Centers for Sarteneja and San Pedro/Cristo Rey Villages
An inauguration ceremony for the San Pedro-Cristo Rey Health Center was held today, January 18th, and for the Sarteneja Health Center on Thursday, January 17th, 2019. The Government of Belize through the Caribbean Development Bank financed the construction of the two health centers in the Northern Health Region, Corozal District. These health facilities will serve three communities and a total population of 3,700 people. The facilities will improve access to basic primary healthcare services. Around 2,000 men, women and children of Sarteneja and 1,400 of San Pedro/Cristo Rey will now have easier access to quality health care, preventive and curative services, and an enhanced epidemiological surveillance program. The new health projects cost $847,646.75 and $879,914.80, respectively.

Toledo Maya Land Rights Commission Hosts Two-Day Training in Punta Gorda Town
The Chairperson of the Toledo Maya Land Rights Commission, Ms. Lisel Alamilla, hosted a two-day training at the Toledo Institute for Development and the Environment (TIDE) in Punta Gorda Town on January 17th and 18th, 2019. The purpose of the meeting was to hold preliminary discussions on the development of legislative principles and headings on Maya Land and the Associated Rights, which will result in legislation towards realizing the consent order regarding Maya Customary Land Tenure and Rights. These initial discussions will lead into further discussions with representatives of the Maya community on the same issues.

CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Working Visit to Mexico
On Thursday, January 17, 2019, H.E. Patrick Andrews, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize, met his counterpart H.E. Maximiliano Reyes Zuñiga, Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean of the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of Mexico (SRE) to discuss various issues, including trade and Belize’s relations with Guatemala. The bilateral meeting was one of Belize’s first official encounters with the new Mexican administration after the swearing-in of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and underscores the strength, breadth, and depth of the historical relationship that unites both countries.

Inner lagoon tannic after rains
The inner lagoon (Cayo Frances) is CRAZY tannic after the heavy rains of last week but then gets crazy clear as you exit to the west side of Ambergris Caye. What a gorgeous evening!

B&B Beverages Now Hiring

Escuela Secundaria Técnica México ANNIVERSARY 2019
Hats off to all the great work put together by teachers and students.

Street Repairs in Corozal
The Work Continues!!!!!! Workers of the Corozal Town Council were deployed to Santa Rita to continue much needed repairs on streets. Mayor Rigo Vellos and the Corozal Town Council working to improve infrastructure in our beautiful Town.

D'Sky Bistro Grand Opening
D'Sky Bistro, Chef Ennel's new restaurant, is having it's grand opening week starting today. It's on the hill to the east of Cahal Pech, on Alvorado street. "D'SKY BISTRO BY CHEF ENNEL extends to you a cordial invitation to join us on our GRAND OPENING week starting Friday January 18th, 2019!! We're bringing you a different fine dining experience in San Ignacio with exceptional service, food, ambiance and views!

Ya'axché Nursery Seedling Sale
It is not too late to begin planting your trees! You can source your seedlings from our nursery for as low as BZ $3 per plant. You can place your order by emailing marcelia.assi(at)yaaxche.org. Get your high quality seedlings from our nursery. Some specialties include grafted cacao (BZ $4), vanilla (BZ $4), bilimbi (BZ $3) and Jamaican Lime (BZ $3). Most seedlings are going for only BZ $3 per plant, see image for list.

Channel 7

Contraband Coming Across the Hondo
This morning in northern Belize, Customs and The Coast Guard were on operations in the Rio Hondo when they made a major contraband bust.  At 9:00, they intercepted a pair of skiffs, one aluminum, one fiberglass which were loaded with all kinds of contraband.  The boats carried 25 cases Mexican beers, 5 cases Big Cola, 8 sacks Bola Roja Flour, 1bag of Footwear, 2 bales of Clothing and 5 bags Tupperware - all to a total market value of $14,000. And you can add to that the value of the skiffs - $6,000 dollars.  And that's because the two men on board jumped overboard when they saw Customs and swam to the Mexican side.  The Coast Guard took charge of their vessels, bought them to the Belize side and loaded the cargo up into vehicles for transfer to the Customs storage facility.  nbsp;

South American Scammers Raid ATM's
Last year around this time, news broke that 3 Mexicans were allegedly caught in the act of credit card fraud. They were going around to Atlantic Bank ATMs around the country, and using stolen credit cards to fraudulently withdraw tens of thousands of dollars. Well, tonight, police have cracked what looks to be another ring of credit card scammers.  This time, 3 more non-Belizeans are accused of engaging in a similar type of operation. Except, it appears to be a bit more sophisticated. 

Did They Kidnap "Lot"�?
At today's press conference, police also told us more about that break in the case of Elodio Aragon Senior, who was the victim of a home invasion and abduction last week. Police have charged 2 persons with handling stolen goods for items belonging to Elodio Sr., father of the Police Minister of State, Elodio Aragon Jr.  The head of National Crime Investigation very briefly discussed the arrest of 26 year-old Renold Hernandez, and 19 year-old Rachel Lawrence, and told us how investigators were able to connect them to the home invasion.

Shots Within Earshot Of Police Station
There was a shooting this morning in Belize City.  This one happened on Currassow Street, close to the Raccoon Street Police Headquarters.  We're told police at the station were rattled when they heard as many as 10 shots ring out. So far, investigators say it looks like a gang-related execution attempt. Fortunately, the target who the assailant shot at escaped unharmed.  At around 8:30, 20 year-old Kevin Parham was driving his van on Currasow, with passengers. That's when a gunman rode up from behind on a bicycle and opened fire. Fortunately, no one was injured, but one of the bullets did hit the rear glass of the vehicle. 

Jaguar Takes A Jump Into the Lagoon
We all know cats don't like water - but the biggest cat in Belize, the jaguar can be known to take the occasional dip - as long as it gets him closer to what he's hunting.   And that's what someone captured today between Placencia and Mango Creek.  The video shows a group in a boat coming up on a figure bobbing across the lagoon.  As they get closer you see a magnificent and rare sight: a jaguar capably swimming across the lagoon.   The boat slows for the picture, and the jaguar appears unfazed as he makes his way to one of the mangrove islands. This area - on the Mango Creek side - is known to have jaguar sightings.  

Sensitive To Children In Court
UNICEF along with the Belize Family Court has collaborated on a manual named "Child Rights training Manual for Belize Family Court". It was drafted about 6 months ago and was completed earlier this year.  And the manual was put into action at a training session today at the Biltmore.  The idea is to educate court officials and other stakeholders on how to handle sensitive cases involving children. Here is that story. Children 18 years and younger are a vulnerable group. Many children suffer several forms of abuse and violence. While others get caught up in gang life and crime. But there are many other issues affecting youth. And today the Belize Family Court along with their partners discussed how they can better respond to these concerns.

Seashore Showdown
As we told you earlier this week, Seafront property owners at the end of Seashore Drive are up in arms today because someone is claiming their seafront view.  The concerns were raised after Buttonwood Bay residents noticed someone filling up the sea directly in front of their property. We take a look at the story from its inception 12 years ago. Here's the full report: Sea-front property in the city attracts premium prices on the real estate market.  But what happens when your sea-frontage, for which you paid top dollar, is no longer on the sea front - but, instead, it's behind someone else's property? That's the concern that a few property owners have in the Buttonwood Bay area of Belize City.

Evan Neal Missing, Still No Clues
Earlier this week, we told you about the worrisome disappearance of 43 year-old Evan Neal.  The father of 3 owns a fishing camp on Mapp Caye, and he went missing over the weekend. On last Saturday night, police found his watchman 29 year-old, Edinio Enso Humes, dead in a latrine, with a gunshot to the head.  Tonight, his family is gravely concerned about his whereabouts, and they fear the worst.  Police told us that they've been searching the seas around his fishing camp with the Coast Guard, but, so far, the search has come up empty:

Giving The Answers On Anisha
And in news of another high profile missing persons case… On Tuesday, you heard from Jose Espat and Anisha Young's family. Espat revealed all the evidence he has gathered so far and called on the police to step up and do their job. Well today at the press briefing, Cowo addressed a couple points Espat discussed including DNA testing.  He assured the family that the police will update the family if they get any new information on Young's case. ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City: "I will tell you that we don't have an update in regards to that investigation and we act upon information that we receive. The last information that we had received..."

The Case Of Crawford Shooting
On Tuesday's news, we told you about the shooting of 35 year-old Anthony Crawford in Belize City. He's the Iguana Street Extension resident who was shot on Monday night. He was riding his bicycle along with a friend when a gunman jumped out of a bushy lot and opened fire on him, hitting him in the chest.  He remains in a critical condition, and police say that they may have identified the gunman who targeted him. The problem is that they need witnesses to come forward and give evidence so that they can charge the suspect.  Here's what police had to say about the case at today's press briefing:

Man Will Stand Trial For Trying to Kill Co-Worker
54 year old Dennis Winston Bowden will stand trial in the Supreme Court for attempting to kill his co worker on the job.   Bowden was charged for attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm and dangerous harm after he chopped up fellow sanitation worker Michael Tesecum in December of 2017.   Today before Senior Magistrate, Aretha Ford, the police prosecutor presented 19 statements taken by police implicating Bowden.  He also submitted physical evidence in the form of a 26 inch machete - the one used to chop Tesecum in the head.

Getting Ready To Implement Maya Customary Land Tenure and Rights
The Toledo Maya Land Rights Commission is often criticized by indigenous groups for not working diligently enough to implement the consent order regarding Maya Customary Land Tenure and Rights.  Well, for the past two days, Chairperson Lisel Alamilla has been hosting a two-day training to develop principles for the legislation which will realize the consent order.  Here's her explanation: Lisel Alamilla - Chair, Maya Land Rights Commission: "This is our second day that we been having a meeting with indigenous peoples and human rights experts and we're discussing legislative principles and headings on Maya lands and their associated rights..."

The Compol, Cops, Cabals and Conspiracies
Allen Whylie ended the longest tenure of any police commissioner in a century on Tuesday. He was top cop from January 2013 to January 2019.  But, still, he didn't leave a happy man. He alluded to cabals and conspiracies against him, and implicated the media as one fo the actors. Jules Vasquez looked back at the record for some context on this claim: It is of note that Whylie and his senior command hosted the press at a Christmas luncheon one month ago - where the warmest wishes were exchanged on both sides. Additionally, the press - led by Jules Vasquez - praised Whylie for nurturing open-ness in police - media relations.

Man Charged For Ladyville Arson
Earlier in the week, we told you about the fire in Ladyville which left Levi Bahadur and his family homeless. The victims suspected that this was a case of arson, and today, police confirmed that they've charged 1 man for intentionally setting the blaze. It happened just before midnight on last Friday, when Bahadur and his family members were at home. They suddenly saw the house, valued at around $30,000, ablaze after a man came looking for his ex-girlfriend who used to live there. Before they could do anything, the fire quickly spread, and destroyed the wooden structure completely. Police told the media today, that they've charged 31 year-old Tyrone Fitzgibbon, with 2 counts of arson:

Fire Survivor Is Fine
And turning now to the fire out of Libertad Village which we reported on last night, police say that 39 year-old Nolberto Hical suffered no injury even though he was locked inside his burning apartment. As we told you, on Wednesday afternoon at around 2:00, he arrived home, and a short while later, his neighbors spotted smoke streaming from his wooden home. They tried to rescue him, but the door was locked, and when they finally got it open, Hical collapsed from smoke inhalation.  Police told the press that that very fortunately, he suffered no injury:

Cops Catch Gun
A joint police team today took another gun off the streets.  Before 8 this morning, a joint GSU, Special Branch and K9 team conducted a search inside a bushy, empty lot on Antelope Street.  They found three separate black plastic bags. The first revealed 27 live rounds; the second bag had a 9mm pistol with an extended magazine, and the third bag had 72 grams of weed. All items have since been deposited as found property. 

Au Revoir, Habana
Prime Minister Dean Barrow today concluded today his first official visit to Cuba.   And before departing the island he shared some thoughts with Cuban media about the discussions he had with top Cuban leaders and diplomats. Here is a short clip of his comments in that regard - courtesy the Belize mission in Cuba: Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize: "I think in terms of our talks about the region and what is happening, the exchange of view was productive and of course with respect to the bilateral relations between Belize and Cuba, we were able to agree on the initiatives to actually broaden the cooperation and strengthen relationships.

MOFA CEO In Mex
And as PM Barrow concludes his diplomatic visit to Cuba, CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H. E. Patrick Andrews makes his own diplomatic rounds in Mexico. His visit marks one of Belize's first official encounters with the New Mexican administration since Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador was sworn in as president. A press release from the government of Belize says this visit underscores the strength, breadth, and depth of the historical relationship that unites both countries.

Corozal Health Step Up
Rural Corozal has gotten two brand new health centers as part of government's strategic direction towards the UN Sustainable Development Goal- Good Health and Well-being.  Both facilities were officially inaugurated between yesterday and today, which means the doors are officially opened to serve a total of 3,700 people from San Pedro-Cristo Rey and Sartenaja.  Both are set to provide residents with easier access to quality health care, preventative and curative services and an enhanced epidemiological surveillance program.

Channel 5

Students Vote in Mock I.C.J. referendum
A significant event in the city today was a mock referendum on taking the Guatemalan claim to the International Court of Justice. It all happened at Saint Catherine’s Academy and [...]

3 Foreigners Detained on Suspicion of Credit Card Scam
Police have detained three foreigners suspected of credit card scams carried out at ATM machines across the country. Not much is known about the individuals at this time, but police [...]

Muffles College High School Teacher Asked to Resigned Over Nude Pictures
Nude pictures are at the centre of a dispute between a teacher and the administration of Muffles College High School. News Five has learned from several sources that nude pictures [...]

Tyrone Fitzgibbon is Arraigned and Remanded for Ladyville Arson
Alleged arsonist Tyrone Fitzgibbon has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison after being arraigned on two counts for deliberately setting a house in Ladyville on fire a week ago.  [...]

Corozal Man Rescued from Burning House
A man was rescued from a burning house in northern Belize. Police say the thirty-nine-year-old man was found semi-unconscious inside his house when neighbours ran to help. The wooden and [...]

Investigation Still Ongoing into Burglary at Aragon Senior’s House
Two persons were charged with handling stolen goods in connection with the aggravated burglary that happened at Elodio Aragon Senior’s house last week. Renold Hernandez and Rachel Lawrence were jointly [...]

No Progress in Missing Men’s Case
It’s been one week since forty-eight-year-old Evan Neal has not returned home. The veteran seaman and owner of Mapp Caye went to deliver some groceries for his two workers on [...]

Making the Courts Child-Friendly
Over the years, the number of children who come in contact with the law has increased. Fundamental challenges exist in properly dealing with these types of cases; challenges such as [...]

Sanitation Worker to Stand Trial for Vicious Chopping of Michael Tesecum
Fifty-four-year-old Dennis Bowden has been committed to stand trial at the Supreme Court for the attempted murder of Michael Tesecum, whom he reportedly chopped multiple times on December eighteenth, 2017.  [...]

No More Clues into Anisha’s Disappearance
Earlier this week, the family of missing woman Anisha Young said they believe she is dead. The family indicated that they want to speed up the process of testing the [...]

Anthony Crawford’s Shooting is Gang Related
This week we reported on the shooting of thirty-five-year-old Anthony Crawford. He was shot sometime after nine on Monday night while he was riding his bicycle on Antelope Street Extension. [...]

Multiple Shots Fired at Vehicle; Occupants Escaped Unhurt
ASP Alejandro Cowo also spoke on a shooting on Currasow Street in Belize City which occurred this morning.  Shortly after eight-thirty, hots were fired at a vehicle, but fortunately the [...]

Reciprocity between Us and Them
The relationship between the media and the Belize Police Department is a mutually beneficial arrangement where information is provided to the press in exchange for coverage of the department’s outreach [...]

Sarteneja Village Gets New Health Clinic
Residents of Sarteneja Village are recipients of a new health clinic courtesy of the Government of Belize. The health facility comes at a cost of more than eight hundred thousand [...]

M.O.H. Expands NHI Services in Corozal
A similar inauguration was held this morning in San Pedro-Cristo Rey Village. The health centre is expected to benefit some one thousand four hundred residents. The investments in the primary [...]

A Tale of Two PAC Reports
The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat, is putting together separate reports to be presented before the National Assembly in the coming weeks.  While a [...]

PAC Chairman’s Report Doesn’t Reflect What Was Discussed – Patrick Faber
Despite being notified that some members of the Public Accounts Committee would not attend the last session, Chairman Espat reportedly went ahead and called a meeting for January tenth.  Deputy [...]

Maya Land Rights Commission Heads Training Workshop in Toledo
Years after a court ruling, preliminary discussions on the development of legislative principles on Maya land and associated rights were held during a two-day training in Punta Gorda.  The sessions [...]

Road Works in Orange Walk to Improve Quality of Life
There are a number of road works taking place in Orange Walk. It is part of the town council’s street infrastructure project for that northern municipality. As Mayor Kevin Bernard [...]

A Skills Training Programme for Single Mothers of Orange Walk East
Bernard is also the P.U.P. standard bearer for the Orange Walk East constituency. He has also been working on a skills training programme that is being offered to single models [...]

LOVE FM

Curasow shooting the result of gang rivalry
This morning shots rang out on Curasow Street in Belize City, where a gunman fired several shots towards a passing vehicle filled with occupants. Kevin Parham was driving his vehicle with several passengers, fortunately, no one was injured. At this afternoon police press brief, ASP Alejandro Cowo, the Head of the Crime Investigation Branch, briefed …

Training Program aims at creating a more child friendly court
For those children who come in contact with the law either directly as a victim or indirectly as a suspect, it is important that the judicial system takes the necessary steps to ensure that their rights are not infringed upon. In this regard, court personnel and other stakeholders are participating in a three day workshop …

Foreign Thieves Credit Card and ATM Scam in Belize
Foreigners have been siphoning funds from accounts associated with at least one bank in Belize. Superintendent Leslie Wade, Officer Commanding Dangriga Police Formation told love News that on Thursday, they intercepted 2 Mexican cars with three individuals: a Columbian, a Peruvian, and a Chilean National. Today, ACP Joseph Myvette, the Head of the National Crimes …

Police inch closer to solving Elodio Aragon’s brief kidnapping
Police have charged two people as they continue to investigate the aggravated burglary of Elodio Aragon Senior’s home and his subsequent kidnapping. While police have not arrested the perpetrators, late Thursday afternoon police reported that 26-year-old Renold Hernandez of San Jose Palmar Village in the Orange Walk District and 19-year-old Rachel Lawrence of Orange Walk …

SMH! Attorney Says Facebook Posts Can Cost You :(
A ruling at the Supreme Court on Monday found that activist, Moses Sulph was guilty of slandering UDP politician and owner of Brints Security Services Mark King. Sulph was ordered to pay over thirty thousand dollars for damages and court costs. King sued Sulph in March last year after Sulph published a post on Facebook …

Alleged Arsonist set house on Fire since He no longer quenced her desire
Last week Friday night, a fire at 78 Dove Street in Ladyville left Levi Bahadur and his brother temporarily homeless. The wooden building quickly kindled the night sky after an arsonist set it ablaze. ASP Alejandro Cowo, the officer in charge of CIB says that they have arrested the man, thirty-year-old Tyrone Fitzgibbon, a fisherman …

Christian unity in Belmopan
Belize is an ethnically diverse country with various cultural and religious traditions. In the Capital, Catholicism is an important part of society. Cayo correspondent Fem Cruz reports about Christian unity in Belmopan.

Burglaries set back schools
Ephesus SDA Primary School and Wesley Lower School have been targeted by thieves who robbed the school of several essential items valued at thousands of dollars. Ephesus SDA Primary School was burglarized sometime between last week Friday night and Saturday morning. Love news spoke with Torrianne Smith, one of the teachers, about the items stolen. …

Pound for Pound MMA Fight in Belize
A group of Mixed Martial Arts promoters and fighters from MMA Events Inc. from the US are preparing for a “Battle in Belize”. That is how they are calling a fight night scheduled for Saturday at the Civic Center in Belize City. But they are not the only ones. Also joining them on Saturday are …

Credit Card and ATM Scammers Arrested by Police
Foreigners have been siphoning funds from accounts associated with at least one bank in Belize. Superintendent Leslie Wade, Officer Commanding Dangriga Police Formation told love News that on Thursday, they intercepted 2 Mexican cars with three individuals: a Columbian, a Peruvian, and a Chilean National. Today, ACP Joseph Myvette, the Head of the National Crimes …

New Health Centers for “most vulnerable population”
The Government of Belize has constructed two health centers which will serve the residents of Sarteneja, San Pedro and Cristo Rey Villages located in the Corozal District. The health centers were constructed at a little over $1.7 million dollars. The Minister of Health, Pablo Marin, told the media that it is a dream come through.

How do you feel about Paulette’s Request?
For the common labourer, to gain twenty five thousand dollars, he/she would have to work for about one hundred and fifty to one hundred and seventy weeks; and that is not factoring in minimum wage. For Paulette Elrington, however, twenty-five thousand dollars is earned every thirty days and is paid out of the government’s budget under foreign affairs.

Community and Police-Keeping the Peace on La Isla Bonita
Tourism continues to be one of the country’s biggest income earners for Belize. There were over 427,000 overnight visitors in 2017 that traveled to inland destinations and the cayes. 41.6 percent of overnight visitors in 2017, visited San Pedro. Keeping peace on an island that not only has the cultures that Belize has to offer but also the American and European visitors, is a monumental task for the often ill-equipped police department.

Courts and the Gift of Sight to Students
Unicomer, the parent company of Courts and Courts Optical has embarked on a national marketing campaign that results not only in making the brand a household name but delivers the gift of sight to students across the country. Toledo correspondent Paul Mahung reports on the Brighter View project.

San Pedro Police and Community work together to make the Island Safer
Tourism continues to be one of the country’s biggest income earners for Belize. There were over 427,000 overnight visitors in 2017 that travelled to inland destinations and the cayes. 41.6 percent of overnight visitors in 2017, visited San Pedro.

How can Bottle Caps Help fight Cancer?
Belizean parents who have children diagnosed with cancer now have somewhere they can turn to for financial support. That support comes from Banco de Tapitas, an association based in Queretaro, Mexico. The association’s work has crossed into Belize after their encounter with baby Leo, a Belizean child who was diagnosed with leukemia last year. The work of Banco de Tapitas is twofold.

Reward still Offered for information about Murdered American Woman
American National Anne Swaney, a producer for ABC News was killed in 2016 in Western Belize. Swaney was vacationing at the Nabitunich Resort. States. Swaney’s partially nude body was found with injuries to the head and neck. She was found floating in the Mopan River in San Jose Succotz.

BSI Reports on Status of Sugar Crop
The Belize Sugar Industry has issued its numbers on milled sugar cane and sugar produced for the fourth week of the 2018/2019 sugar crop. According to the weekly bulletin, in its fourth week, the factory performance was productive with a little over 47 thousand tons of sugar cane milled and a little over five thousand tons of sugar produced.

Leaked Nudes leaves Teacher in Hot Water
A teacher is reportedly on administrative leave from a high school in Orange Walk Town after nude pics of her were released to the internet. Love News was informed of the situation this afternoon and was told that a meeting to further address the matter is slated for Monday afternoon.

Amandala

Ex-ComPol Whylie didn’t go quietly!
Yesterday, at a command handover ceremony at the Police Training School compound in Belmopan, retired Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie, 54, who handed over command of the Belize Police Department to his successor, Commissioner Chester Williams, 44, surprised many when he literally lashed out at his detractors inside and outside the Police Department. What should have been Whylie’s swan song turned out to be a speech laden with bitter accusations at the abrupt end of his career as Commissioner of Police. The former top cop was unsparing in remarks he aimed at his fellow police officers and the media, which he accused of orchestrating his removal from office.

Activist Moses Sulph loses to Mark King
Social media has given voice to many people who would otherwise be voiceless, but for community activist Moses Sulph, his Facebook voice has come at an extremely high cost, following a judgment that was made against him in the Supreme Court, which ruled that he had slandered former UDP minister Mark King and his security company. On Tuesday, January 15, Supreme Court Justice Sonya Young handed down a judgment in King’s favor. The court had found that Sulph could not prove the allegations that he had made in his Facebook post about Brint’s Security concerning shortfalls in payment to its employees, a couple of whom testified in Sulph’s defense.

Paulette Elrington is not an “ordinary” contract officer
The Government of Belize spends millions of taxpayers’ dollars each year on a number of contract officers employed in all sectors of the public service. Many of these contract officers get all kinds of perks and allowances that the permanent establishment staff can only dream about. One such contract officer is Paulette Elrington. In 2008, Paulette Elrington, a daughter of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, signed on as a contract officer with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the post of Foreign Officer. Elrington, according to the copy of a government memorandum Amandala obtained, was last posted at the Permanent Mission of Belize to the United Nations, in New York City.

Promotions and transfers in senior police command
Yesterday, at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan, there was a changing of the guard in the Police Department as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, took over command from outgoing Commissioner, Allen Whylie, who has retired. The Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young, presided over the ceremony. At the ceremony, the new Commissioner announced some changes in the senior ranks of the Police Department. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Edward Broaster is now the Deputy Commissioner of Police and National Commander of Operations and Crimes Investigations.

Electricity rates will increase to 41.38 cents
Amidst the objections to an increase in electricity rates from 38.62 cents per kilowatt hour to 42 cents that was declared by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), the PUC has gone ahead with the increase, but slightly softened that increase, so that the new rate is not 42 cents, but 41.38 cents. This increase will come into effect at the end of the month. As we had reported in the December 31 edition of the Amandala, BEL had initially requested from the PUC an increase to 41.5 cents per kilowatt hours to recover the $18.9 million they spent to absorb a hike in the cost of power. As per the law, BEL is required to recover these funds through the consumers. The PUC, however, had initially granted an even larger increase.

Aneshia Young, 23, still missing over a month later
Last Wednesday, January 9, marked exactly 1 month since 23-year-old Aneshia Young went missing after attending a work staff party on the previous night, and then leaving from Sit ‘N Sip at around 3 a.m. Today, her family, who have been relentlessly searching for her body, is much closer to finding her than ever before. Yesterday, January 15, leader of the search team, Jose Espat, held a press conference, which was broadcasted live on Facebook, where he discussed all the circumstantial evidence that has been collected so far, leading up to the hair extensions (“weave”) and human skin found in a shallow grave on December 29.

Barring a miracle, Barrack Road FC to be crowned Peace Cup champions on Saturday at MCC
itting comfortably with a 6-1 victory from game 1 of the championship series, only a large miracle can stop Barrack Road FC from securing the CYDP Peace Cup 2018-2019 Opening Season championship when they face Ladyville FC in game 2 of the Finals on Saturday at the MCC Grounds. With the final game postponed last weekend due to ongoing negotiations with the referees, a minor inconvenience was created for Barrack Road, whose sweeper, Ryan Gill saw action with BDF FC in their PLB home game against Altitude Assassins FC on Sunday at the MCC. The CYDP championship should have been completed on Saturday last; but with the postponement till this coming Saturday, it means that Gill, who is sweeper for Barrack Road FC, will not be able to perform in game 2 of their championship series.

NEBL 2019 Opening Night at Civic
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tips off its 2019 season this Friday night, January 18, with its showcase opener at the Belize Civic Center featuring defending champion, Belize Hurricanes vs Griga Dream Ballers. Tip-off time is 9:00 p.m. Then on Saturday, Belize City Defenders travel west to the Sacred Heart Auditorium in San Ignacio to face Verdes; and the San Pedro Tiger Sharks head north to challenge the Orange Walk Running Rebels at the Orange Walk Sporting Complex. Both games tip-off at 8:30 p.m.

Pedal by Pedal report – Chief’s OPEN Sunday Race of January 13, 2019
Some 48 cyclists, divided between 27 Elites and 22 Weekend Warriors, lined up on Sunday for Chief’s OPEN RACE from Leslie’s to Democracia and back to Old Belize, for a total of 52 miles. As the cycling season comes into full swing, and as the Elites start getting into better condition, they are clearly stamping their authority on the Weekend Warriors. Today’s race was a clear example of that, as some 18 Elites separated themselves from the rest of us before we even got to the turnaround at Democracia. The only Weekend Warrior who made the split was Vallan Symns of Kulture, one of the younger Weekend Warriors (WW).

National Female Football returns next Saturday
In a Facebook post today, the Football Federation of Belize (FFB), through its Women’s Director, Ms. Iris Centeno, announced that all 11 participating teams in the National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) Opening Season last year, would be returning for the NAWL Closing Season which gets under way next Saturday, January 26. The 11 returning teams include: “Corozal Scorpions, Gladiators of Orange Walk, Black Orchid of Belize, San Pedro Invaders, Rebels of Cayo, Santa Elena Strikers of Cayo, Jewel Fury of Belmopan, Dangriga Pumas, Altitude of Midsouth, Rumberas of Midsouth, and Ladies Freedom Fighters from Toledo.”

Editorial: Commissioner Williams’ hopeful goal
New Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, who was appointed to the post on January 9 this year, told the press that his number one goal will be to reduce murders. Commissioner Williams said: “My main area of focus will be on reducing murders, and that will be done through concentrating on gangs and domestic violence issues, because those are the two leading causes of murders in our country.” (Later, Commissioner Williams added a third area he will focus on: nightclubs) An entire nation is hoping, praying that the new Commissioner will pull off the job. Mr. Williams, a trained attorney who is a 27-year veteran of the national police department, is now top cop in a country that has become one of the most murderous places on earth. He has noted that a lot of murders in Belize are gang-related. That is not news. Ever since the US declared war on drugs, the murder rate in Belize has been escalating.

Rolando Cocom discusses the Guatemala claim to Belize
Dear Editor, In 1992, on the front page of The Belize Times, the headline read, “National Interests Must Override Party Politics, Forward with the Maritime Act” (Sunday, January 19, 1992). The Amandala headline ran “UDP Collapse; PSU strike.” (February 17, 1992). The People’s United Party under George Price had a few weeks before it proposed a Maritime Areas Act (MAA/MAB) with a specific intent for Belize to show Guatemala that we were willing to discuss a mutually beneficial maritime boundary for them to further acknowledge our land boundary and drop its claim over Belize. In 1991, Guatemala had for the first time recognized Belize as an Independent State. This was seen as a sign of change by Belize and the international community. The motto was “Give peace a chance”.

Cornelius (Pat) Cacho writes on land policy
Dear Editor, I have been going through some of my writings in preparation for my autobiography and came across the attached, which was presented at a conference in Belize City some almost thirty years ago. Although I still think it is worth discussing in the interest of the country’s development, it never seemed to take off – maybe because of poor quality, or maybe because of our innate indifference to anything that requires a little thinking. If you share my view that it has merit and therefore deserves serious discussion, I would appreciate your kindly giving these thoughts some airing.

Sidley takes Mariana to task
Dear Ms. Mariana Verde, I write in reply to your letter captioned “Mariana Verde questions Sidley Leslie” appearing in the Friday, January 11, 2019 issue of the Amandala newspaper. In answer to your questions on my contention that on four occasions the Belize government has agreed with Guatemala that the present location of our boundaries is not legally valid and is therefore liable to be changed, be advised that the views expressed in my article “The choice before us” to which your letter refers, are based on impartial and logical conclusions derived from a dispassionate observation of the relevant facts.

Dr. Gerald Zuniga writes – 34 years later
Dear Dr. Manzanero, A pleasant New Year’s greetings to you and wishes of success in your daily endeavours. Sir, the purpose of the following is to express to you my deep concern about the recent incidents in the public domain in the first two weeks of this year that reflect the weakness of our health system. As a medical doctor and a concerned Belizean, I find it extremely disturbing that an infant died of diarrhoea, whether it be infectious, metabolic or of any other aetiology and that a police officer died of a gunshot wound in the abdominal cavity, when hundreds around the world survive long-range- rifle gunshot wounds in the abdominal cavity.

Wired to say NO
Some people worry that Guatemala has some ace hidden under its sleeves, which it will pull out at the ICJ and slam on the table, like a winning feech, and game, set and match, kaput, bye-bye Belize. There is no end to horror stories in this world. There are some people who say that earth is the devil’s territory. Then, we shouldn’t bother to fight. We should just yield to temptation…pass the batl, draw the kaak, and, like Omar Khayyam, drink… Drink! for you know not whence you came nor why: drink! for you know not why you go, nor where. Really, from where will Guatemala get such an ace? If Guatemala had such an ace, would the UN have supported our independence? Did Guatemala just find this ace? If Guatemala has such an ace, not an ace like “Spain gave us to them”, a real ace, one like a referendum in Belize that says that we want to be Guatemalans, then we should just capitulate. We have to respect the will of our people.

Belize will never be destroyed from the outside
In February of 1967, Ambassador Bethuel Webster, who was appointed by President of the United States, Lyndon Johnson, to mediate the dispute between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Guatemala over British Honduras, wrote to me on February 1st inviting the British Honduras Freedom Committee to meet with him. In his letter he expressed his frustration on not being able to arrive at a solution to this dispute which was assigned to him and in his own words wondered “if any of my proposals” would be released. Ambassador Webster suggested that Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 13 (a holiday) would be a most appropriate day for us to meet. I therefore had to prepare myself to discuss this unfounded claim of Guatemala to our country and to bone up on my knowledge of the Great Emancipation, including a few of his famous quotes, e.g. “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all of the time, but cannot fool all the people all the time”. “America will never be destroyed from the outside”.

Jahmeel Reyes, 15, still in coma with slug in his head
Jahmeel Reyes, 15, a student of Roaring Creek who was beaten and shot in the back of his head and left to die, lies in a critical condition in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. We checked with his family on Wednesday and they told us that Reyes was in an induced coma and doctors had not yet conducted surgery to remove the slug that is lodged in his head because his brain was swollen. Yesterday evening, the family told us that a second CAT scan was conducted to monitor the swelling on his brain, but doctors decided that they still couldn’t proceed with the operation. The family said that doctors told them that he had a 50-50 chance of surviving.

Two charged with handling stolen goods from Elodio Aragon, Sr.
On Tuesday, January 15, Orange Walk police charged Renold Hernandez, 26, a driver of San Jose Palmar Village, Orange Walk District, and Rachel Lawrence, 19, a domestic of Palmar Road, Orange Walk Town, with handling stolen goods. Police did not state in their press release, issued today, Thursday, January 17, what item or items the two, who are charged jointly, were found with.

PUP leader John Briceño winds down ICJ referendum listening tour
With only a short time remaining before the April 10 national referendum in which Belizeans will indicate, by a yes or no vote, whether they think the Guatemalan claim should be taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) , the Opposition (People’s United Party) leader, Hon. John Briceño is wrapping up his listening tour. Last week, the PUP issued a press release ahead of the Barrow government meeting with four former PUP Foreign Ministers, who signed a declaration in support of going to the ICJ. The PUP in their release were categorical in saying that the four former foreign ministers did not speak for the party.

Anthony Crawford, 35, in coma after being shot in chest
Just before 9:00 last night, January 14, 35-year-old Anthony Crawford was shot in the chest. Fortunately, he survived the incident, and is recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Initial investigations revealed that Crawford, who is a Belize City resident, was riding his bicycle on Antelope Street, accompanied by another man, when he was shot. According to police reports, it was when he reached the corner of the street, that an unknown man came out of a yard and fired two shots in the direction of the men.

The Reporter

3 MEN CHARGED IN HOSTAGE STANDOFF
On Monday Police formally arrested and charged Richard O’Neal, 26, Wayne Welch, 25 and Steven Bernard, 25, Laborer, with Aggravated Burglary, Wounding, Harm, Aggravated Assault, Kept a Forearm without a Gun License, and Kept Ammunition without a License.

POLICE NAB 3 FOREIGNERS – SUSPECTED BANK SCAMMERS
Dangriga Police on Thursday afternoon intercepted three foreigners who are suspected to have stolen monies using fake ATM cards across Belize. The three, a Colombia, a Peruvian, and a Chilean, were nabbed around 3:00 p.m., in Dangriga Town while they were in two separate cars bearing Mexican license plates.

WHYLIE FIRED…FIRES SHOTS!
Belize witnessed a changing of the guard within the Belize Police Department this week, with former Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie, the longest tenured top cop, being retired to make way for newly appointed ComPol, Chester Williams. During his farewell speech at the Police Academy on Wednesday, Whylie took a parting shot, alluding that he was forced into abrupt retirement by plotting rivals scheming on his exit.

$30,000 for a Facebook Post
Community activist Moses Sulph will have to pay former United Democratic Party politician Mark King $30,000 over a slanderous Facebook post, following a landmark court ruling in the Supreme Court this week. On Tuesday, Justice Sonya Young ordered Sulph to pay $10,000 for aggravated damages and $20,000 dollars for general damages to King’s reputation.

The Crushing Weight of Despair
My name is Mike Rudon, and I’ve been drinking pretty much non-stop since I was about seventeen years old. I’m thinking by now I should have been dead a whole bunch of times, or at the very least I should have been sitting on the side of the street somewhere, drinking rum straight out of a flask.

Belizean Economy and International Obligations Part 3
In the last Business Perspective (BP) article we concluded with reference to the need for a proactive approach to the tax reform efforts. As was pointed out in that article, in many instances Belize finds itself virtually forced to make certain tax policy changes in response to one international obligation or the other.

Belize Signs Landmark Tax Treaty
Belize recently signed on to the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), a convention by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) meant to prevent multinational enterprises from avoiding their tax obligations.

Reunited: Raquel Cocom Returns to Belize
After being separated from her daughter for over a year, Orange Walk resident Raquel Cocom returned to Belize with week with her three-year-old daughter, Vera Timofeev. Cocom returned on Tuesday, after traveling to South Carolina, USA, to retrieve her daughter from her ex-common law husband Andre Timofeev, who had held the child in the US without Cocom’s permission.

NEMO Receives Equipment and Training From Belize Red Cross
The staff of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has received equipment worth $20,000 and training for disaster preparedness from the Belize Red Cross Society.

Breaking Belize News

Police follow fruitless Anny Young report sent to BBN
Police investigated the validity of an email sent to BBN on Thursday, in which […]

New health centers inaugurated in Sarteneja, San Pedro/Cristo Rey
Inauguration ceremonies for two new health centers were held on January 17th and 18th. The […]

Maya Land Rights Commission hosts training in Punta Gorda
The Maya Land Rights Commission hosted a two-day training on January 17th & 18th at […]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs CEO on working visit to Mexico
On Thursday, January 17, Patrick Andrews, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs […]

The Courtenay Doctrine
By Lisa Shoman: What is a doctrine? It’s a creed, a belief; but also a stated principle of government policy, for example, the Monroe Doctrine. The Latin root is “docere”, to teach.A doctrine is therefore supposed to teach something. So what does the “Courtenay Doctrine” teach us?

Blogs

Making Tamales: It’s a family affair
Growing up in a Mestizo household, these pockets of masa filled with chicken, k’ol and some veggies were a favorite for many special occasions, from birthdays to New Year’s parties. With my aunt and grandma in the lead, my cousins and I had the little tasks of gathering the plantain leaves needed to wrap the tamales and washing and chopping the onions and tomatoes needed for the sauté. I would watch in wonder at the careful process of making this one dish, and of courses, enjoyed eating them hot out of the pot when they were ready!

Art In The Park This Saturday Janauary 19, 2019
Art In the Park is a monthly Artistical event held in Corozal. Several booths come out to showcase their woodwork, pieces of jewelry, Clothing, information booths, food, Miss Deb's food, pastries and more. Do not miss out this weekend's first Art In the Park for 2019.

Y Not Baker in Corozal, Town
in Corozal, Corozal, Belize. Need to order fresh bread? Call them at +501 402-3354. Or, look them up at Y not Bakery on Facebook. They also deliver around town.

Why choose Corozal, Belize on your next vacation
Corozal is a pleasant seaside town at the very northern end of Belize. Less than 8 miles (12 km) from the Belize-Mexico border, most visitors pass through Corozal on their way to or from popular destinations in Mexico such as Tulum and Chichen Itza. Corozal played an important role as a trading center throughout Mayan history, and settlement in modern-day Corozal started in the mid-1800s as Mestizo refugees fled from neighboring Mexico. Today, Latin culture and language has persisted in the community, and a large portion of Corozal’s 10,000 residents speak Spanish.

Private Island Getaways in Belize. What Happens Here, Stays Here
When Professor Daniel J. Solove was asked to write a blog post for the TeachPrivacy.com website, readers expected to find a list of 10 privacy justifications that relate to cybersecurity or website threats. In fact, Solove’s explanations about why privacy is critical relates to personal relationships as well. Among the biggest of Solove’s revelations has to do with privacy leading to one’s ability to change and get second chances. We couldn’t agree more as we work with couples to help them rediscover their relationships. Because we take this topic seriously, we frequently suggest private island getaways in Belize as the ideal way to get that second chance at love. And you thought all we did at Belizing.com was uphold our reputation for being the #1 travel marketplace in Belize! We also help relationships blossom.

International Sources

Article on Belize written by Cuban Consul Orestes Hernandez
Belize, where multiculturalism is breathed and Cuban solidarity is present Arriving in Belize is to open a page of any of Alejo Carpentier's novels. The multicultural surrounds you, embraces you and makes you feel imprisoned in the marvelous real. The first impression of every country is the airport -if Cubans know it- and beyond migratory mechanisms and processes, in Belize it is confirmed that no one resembles anyone. Black men and women, mestizas, of Asian factions, of Mayan origin or representatives of the "Garinagu" people, oblige the visitor to understand how our America is. In Belize, the language is a nationality festival. The official language is English but also Spanish, Garífuna, Maya-Kekchi, Maya Mopan, Mandarin, German, Arabic and all in a soup of indescribable flavors and colors.

The decolonization game: An ancient sport puts Mexicans in touch with their Indigenous past
For thousands of years, ulama was a religious ritual and a gruelling game, until the Spanish conquest nearly killed it off. Now, Mexicans are embracing it again – and they have the bruises to prove it. Brenda Solano lunged and dived for the ball near the end of an ulama game last week. She hit the dirt and shoved her hip forward, the five-kilogram rubber ball catching her at the ribs. She let out an audible oof  but kept the ball out of her end of the court. “You have to get hit to learn,” she said cheerily when she limped off the grass a few minutes later. Ms. Solano, a 22-year-old student of anthropology, summoned a stoic air. “It’s about feeling Mexican.” Her trainer, Arturo Sanchez, gave an encouraging nod. He is always on the lookout for recruits. They were playing this game – on a newly built court for an ancient sport in a town near the Mexican capital – as a demonstration during a community festival, hoping to entice new players.

Leigh Paris Takes Over Belize in "Wood Grain" Video
Leigh Paris is tapping into his Belizian roots... and the early aughts. On Friday afternoon, the up-and-coming rapper MC released the official video for "Wood Grain," the latest offering from his upcoming 5500 EP. The song was produced by Lyle LeDuff and takes cues from Shyne's 2000 hit single "Bad Boyz," which samples Grace Jones' "Nightclubbin" and Barrington Levy's "Here I Come." The video features Paris turning up in the Central American country—soaking up the Caribbean sun, hanging with the locals, and partying in the Orange Wown District.

What IS at the bottom of Belize’s Great Blue Hole? Plastic bottles: Richard Branson's expedition to the giant sea hole found pollution next to startling signs of climate change
Plastic pollution including water bottles has been found 400 feet (120m) below the ocean's surface during an expedition down a sinkhole known as the Blue Hole. Virgin founder Richard Branson is behind the project off the coast of Belize, which set out to explore the complex cave system. The Blue hole was once on dry land but became submerged around 10,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. It is hoped the information gathered during the expedition will shed more light on how climate change has impacted the planet over the course of millennia.

Baby spider monkey found chained at poachers’ house after mother killed
It’s hard enough to imagine what goes through a poacher’s mind when they do harm to animals in the wild, let alone how they could ever cruelly injure a baby animal. Thanks to the good Samaritan who decided to make a call when they spotted a dubious situation, though, the reprehensible actions of poachers in Central America had a much better outcome than they might have had otherwise—after they murdered a mother spider monkey and detained its badly injured offspring to be sold in the exotic pet industry. It was six years ago when the rescue crew for the Belize Forest Department received a call about a suspected poacher keeping a baby spider monkey captive.

Videos

January 18, 2019

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Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Remus Li-Kou Chen pays a visit to Ambergris Caye
Seeking to strengthen the relationship between Taiwan and Belize’s municipalities, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize Remus Li-Kou Chen was in San Pedro Town from Thursday, January 10th to Sunday, January 13th. Ambassador Chen attended a private meeting with Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Deputy Mayor Ruben Gonzalez, Councilor Hector ‘Tito’ Alamilla, Councilor Flora Ancona, Councilor Gary Grief, Councilor Gabriel Nuñez and Councilor Severo Guerrero at San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) on Friday, January 11th, where they discussed various projects on the island that can be beneficial to both Taiwan and Belize.

San Pedranos hold fundraisers to help baby Nelson Tabora
A group of devoted San Pedrano youth, along with the Rotary Club of Ambergris Caye and Nayobie’s Hope for Children Project held separate fundraisers on Saturday, January 12th and Sunday, January 13th to assist a family in southern Belize, whose young baby, Nelson Tabora, is suffering from Hydrocephalus. This disease is causing his head to grow abnormally, and his family is in need of financial assistance to provide Nelson with the necessary medical treatments. The unity of island residents was once again reflected in the result of the fundraisings that collected a total of $2,912.49. These funds will be delivered to Nelson’s family for medical expenses.

HIV Statistical Report 2017 shows that the virus is still an issue in Belize
The Ministry of Health (MOH) recently released their Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Statistical Report for 2017, showing an increase of infections among more males than females. Over 30,000 HIV tests were conducted across the country, with a total of 223 people testing positive. Of that number, 124 were males, and 99 were females. According to the report, a total of 30,435 HIV tests were conducted in 2017, while an additional 6,512 tests were reported by non-Belize Health Information System sources such as the Belize Family Life Association, outreach programs including Agriculture and Trade Show, Regional Testing Day and World AIDS Day activities. The report further shows that more women test positive up to age 39 years, except those 10-14 years and those 20-24 years (of which more males test positive).

Christopher Newport University Student-Teachers collaborate with educational institutions on Ambergris Caye
A group of 11 students working on their Master’s degree at the Christopher Newport University (CNU) in the State of Virginia, USA were on Ambergris Caye collaborating with island teachers and students. Throughout two weeks, from Saturday, January 5th to Saturday, January 19th, the CNU students completed part of their program requirements to engage in teaching activities at both primary and secondary school levels. Led by CNU professors Doctor Judy Pantelidis and Lisa Car Smith, the student groups have been coming to Belize for 15 years. Professor Smith told The San Pedro Sun that this is her first time here, but is pleased to be a part of this trip and hopes that the program is beneficial to both island teachers and CNU students. “We are hoping that the teachers here can apply some of the methods taught and also that our CNU students learned something from the teachers here on the island,” she said.

5-A-Side football tournament continues to entertain islanders
Island residents enjoyed some great football action this weekend at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium in San Pedro Town during, the 5-A-Side Football Tournament. The 5-A-Side Football Tournament continues this weekend on Sunday, January 20th at SPHS Auditorium. The first match is at 11AM and will see SPHS Boys U-15 going against Larubeya, followed by Jas Strikers versus Revolution. At 1PM, Golden Warriors will take on Damita’s, and Las Catrachas F.C will go up against Caye Caulker Strikers. The tournament will then see Boca Jrs versus Suicide Squad and Boca Bombers facing Scorpions. Later in the evening, Pro Divers will compete against Capricorn, The Wolf will take on San Mateo F.C and Yolo Boys will face Blue Sharks.

Ambergris Today

Island Schools Receive Security Camera Donation
Children’s safety is the number one priority for parents. With so much missing teens and persons in the country and so much other things happening, keeping our children safe is very important. With this in mind a group of friend came together and bought security cameras and on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, the first set of security cameras were donated to two schools on the island. Michael Eiley of Your I.T. Support, along with Kevin Li of LC Distributors and Kelly and Mukul Kanabar of Blue Water Grill came together and bought twelve security cameras. Six were donated to The Island Academy and six to San Pedro RC School.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow On Official Visit To Cuba
On January 15th, Prime Minister Barrow joined President Díaz-Canel and other officials to pay tribute to José Martí, a national hero of Cuba. From there, the delegations from both Cuba and Belize met for an official meeting.

Misc Belizean Sources

Banyan Bay’s Farmer's Market
We excited for the addition of Juice Dive at Saturday's Market.... Don't miss it from 10am to 1pm!

San Pedro Carnaval Parade & Fiesta
We're excited to announce our FIRST EVER Carnaval Parade followed by our Annual Carnaval Fiesta! We are inviting all businesses and anyone interested in forming a group or float and be a part of the parade. If you are interested in signing up or to find out more details on the parade, call us at the San Pedro Town Council office, 2262198.

Challenge of the Brave Survival Camp
Friday, March 8, 2019 at 8 AM, Progreso, Corozal

Belize Audubon Society Vacancies
VACANCY POSITIONS: Park Ranger, Marine. Park Ranger, Terrestrial. Assistant Site Manager, St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park. Assistant Site Manager, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument/Blue Hole Natural Monument. Closing Date: January 25th, 2019.

Access Life Expo Tour
FREE EVENT FOR PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY!

Robert Groves Auction is set for February 4th.
ROBERT'S GROVE LIMITED (In Receivership) - PROPERTIES & ASSETS PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek District Robert's Grove Limited (In Receivership) hereby advertises the sale of the following properties and assets by public auction by Licensed Auctioneers Kevin A. Castillo & Christiana R. Castillo ON SITE [Seine Bight Village, Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek District] on Monday 4th February 2019 at 1:30 pm.

2019 BFREE Science and Education Fellowship Program
Are you committed to the conservation of Belize's natural resources? Are you a Belize citizen, fluent in English and have completed junior college or higher? Then you might be interested in the 2019 BFREE Science and Education Fellowship Program. Great opportunity to be a part of the conservation efforts in Belize!

Belize Red Cross Trains and Donates Equipment to NEMO
Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management, Hon Edmond Castro, this morning received on behalf of NEMO a donation of equipment from the Belize Red Cross to assist in disaster preparation and response. Making the donation on behalf of the Belize Red Cross was its Director General, Lily Bowman. The donation, valued at over 20 thousand dollars, includes a drone, Portable Open Street Map Server and Open Data Kit, all used for data collection in Community Development & Resilience, Accountability & Transparency in Disaster Relief Operations. The donation follows a week of training for NEMO personnel in handling and operation of photographic Drones, Satellite Imagery and GPS, facilitated by the American Red Cross and conducted at the Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC) Training Room on the ITVET Compound in Belize City.

Ground-breaking: The Andrew Faber Sporting & Cultural Complex
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, the National Sports Council and the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Andrew Faber Sporting & Cultural Complex.

Power outage scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 20 in Belize City
To affect the portion of Belize City, which includes Mapp Street, Cran Street, Slaughterhouse Road, Freetown Road, St. Thomas Street, St. Peters Street, Dunn Street, Meighan Avenue, G Street, K Street, 6th Street, St. Matthew Street, St. Charles Street, St. Mark Street, A Street, 9th Street , Lizarraga Avenue, Princess Margaret Drive, Moho Caye, and entire West Landivar area including Teacher Street, University Drive, Bachelor Avenue, Campus Avenue, Graduate Crescent and Chancellor Avenue.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, A Star is Born, The Girl Spider's Web, The Hate U Give.

Northern Maya Peasants of Belize and the weather :THE WAY OF THE MASEWAL
Our Maya tatitos who did milpa or sugar cane gave us their knowledge on the weather and when to plant . Today many Paseants of Yucatec Maya Descent in Corozal and Orange Walk continue watching the behaviour of the animals like ants to predict rain . Another method use by the Maya paseants is Xok k'iin known in Spanish as " Cabanuelas" . Also our Mayero Grandparents taugth us to observe Uh(Luna) to know when to plant and what to plant . Today Mayeros continue observing the Tuulis Uh(Full moon) or Paal Uh(New Moon). Also some Maya in Northern Belize continue doing the tradition known as Cha Chaac primicias and Wahil Kol primicias to ask for rain and blessings . The way of the Masewal is a connection with earth ,a connection with our ancestors,a connection with our innerself and one which binds together the family .

Channel 7

Two Charged In Connection With Aragon Sr. Home Invasion/Abduction
A week ago, we told you about, the very troubling home invasion of Elodio Aragon Sr's residence, the father of Police Minister of State Elodio Aragon Jr. It happened in the early morning hours of last Thursday, at Elodio Senior's Orange Walk Town home.  A group of men broke in, ransacked the place looking for valuables, and then kidnapped Elodio Sr., before depositing him unharmed several miles outside of Orange Walk on a feeder road.  Well, police are reporting tonight that they have arrested and charged 2 persons in connection with this crime.

Libertad Man Locked Inside Burning House Escapes
A man from Libertad Village in Corozal is lucky to be alive.  He was trapped inside when his house caught on fire yesterday afternoon.  When neighbors finally got to him, he had collapsed from smoke inhalation.   He is 39 year old Nolberto Federico Hical,  He got home around 2:00 yesterday afternoon and, shortly after, smoke was seen streaming from the house.   His neighbors ran to assist but his front door was locked.

Court Janitor Took Payment, Signed Bogus Receipt
24 year-old Kanisha Temple, the cleaning lady at the Corozal Magistrate's Court, has pleaded guilty to forgery. She allegedly took $300 from a man who was paying the court, and tried to pocket it, instead of handing it over to the court cashier. On Friday, January 4th, Edwin Cau went to the court to pay $300. Instead of meeting the cashier he met Temple. She allegedly received the money, forged a Government revenue collectors receipt and pocketed the cash.

Despite Setback, Faber Still Has Plans For PM
In November of last year, Cabinet  announced that Prime Minister Dean Barrow will be staying on as PM right up until very close to the very end of his term. That was a marked change in plans, because originally he had said he would step down a year or so before.  This decision came after 16 members of Cabinet asked the PM to stay to keep the party from splintering as the result of a heated contest for party leader.   That was the worst news for Deputy PM Patrick Faber - who had every expectation that the PM would step aside, and he would slide into the driver's seat for a year or so.

Faber Not Sweating Over Outgoing COMPOL
We also got a chance to ask Faber, as acting Prime Minister, about his impressions of the fiery exit speech by outgoing Compol Allen Whylie. His address yesterday turned heads and raised eyebrows, as he lashed out at the media, critics and people he says worked from within to orchestrate his removal. The acting PM said it was most unfortunate but holds no ill will to the outgoing COMPOL. Hon. Patrick Faber - Acting Prime Minister: "We certainly feel that it was unfortunate. We feel that the transition is going smoothly except for those remarks, it could have been a more joyous occasion, it ought to have been but naturally when circumstances like that happen.."

Acting PM Says Crime Must Be Tackled Holistically
And while the acting PM looks forward to seeing the changes the New ComPol will bring to the Police Department, he points out that the crime situation that is plaguing the streets of Belize can never be solved if it is not tacked holistically. Faber says he lends the full support of his ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture to tackle the ongoing issue of violence on the streets. Hon. Patrick Faber - Acting Prime Minister: "The issues that are plaguing us in terms of crime are not issues for the police alone and until we are fully embraced that and what my position is as one of the ministers involved with social portfolios, we have to get back to some of the basics of how to fix our family issues..."

Sulph Plans To Appeal Facebook Slander
On Tuesday Moses Sulph was served a judgement ordering him to pay megabucks for a Facebook post that slandered former UDP Minister Mark King.  The court ordered Sulph to pay $30 thousand dollars in damages plus $10 thousand on legal fees in addition to being served with an injunction on future posts.   By now you've heard from all parties on the winning side but what about losing side? In an interview with the Sulph today he told the media that he is not willing to throw in the towel just yet. And although he may still lose in the end, the thought of losing, he says, does not sap his fighting spirit.

Sulph Urges Social Media Restraint
So while Sulph reflects on his lessons learnt, many avid social media users continue to quarrel and beef on Facebook, essentially tip toeing on the line of legal liability. And while Sulph distances himself from that bunch, he says Facebook users do need to exercise more restraint and avoid learning the hard-way like he did. Moses Sulph - Lost Defamation Case: "I've always tried to stick to the issue at hand and when people lack information about the issue then they become personal. I am saying that at no point was my post ever personal, it was based on the fact of trying to, in my eyes, justice for people who needed justice.

Faber Won't Engage King
Two days ago the man that Sulph slandered, ousted UDP hopeful Mark King lashed out at the central executive of the party.  He specifically called out Deputy Faber for acting in bad faith to block him from running as a UDP candidate. Today we asked Faber about King's recent outbursts, but he clearly didn't want to engage King:.. Hon. Patrick Faber - Acting Prime Minister: "You know I'm not going to entertain that. Mark King, I will only way that I am very happy that he won his court case against that other fellow and I leave it at that."

Faber Pounces On PAC Chairman
And while Faber wasn't too eager to speak about former UDP Minister Mark King, he was very candid about Julius Espat, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Last week Thursday Espat called a PAC meeting in Belmopan to discuss the Auditor General's report of 2012-2013; but no one from the government's side attended. Both sides of the political aisle are in disagreement as to the nature of the report. So, the government  members chose to prepare their own report. UDP members of the PAC were supposed to convene this past Tuesday to develop that report. So, today we asked Faber for an update:

Drones For Disasters
NEMO now has a specialized disaster drone. The Red Cross today donated that along with other pieces of equipment. The donation serves to improve disaster preparedness plans and the collection of post-disaster data. Here is more from the handing over. The donation is valued at $20,000. The American Red Cross provided training for NEMO personnel on the use of the equipment. 

Castro Says Do The Diaspora, It's Easy!
The media also asked Edmond Castro about  the diaspora voting in the referendum and in general elections. As you know, PUP Caribbean Shores Representative Kareem Musa is preparing an amendment to the Representation of People's act to allow those living abroad to vote in the referendum in April.  Well, Castro says there's really nothing to it, if you are a registered Belizean living abroad and fit all the requirements to vote, then you can vote. It's simple.

The Teak Tree Tale
Our next story is about the Teak tree - or many of them.  Now, Teak is not well known in Belize, and is not an indigenous wood.  But it is a highly sought after hardwood used in making furniture, and it fetches top dollar on the world market.  And that's why some in Belize are growing those tall and slender teak trees which take decades to mature.  

Gun Owner Criticizes License Fees
And while we went to talk to Carr about the tall teak timber, we ended up talking about gun licenses - and those exorbitant increase in licenses fees slapped on last year.   The license fee for personal weapons went up by 300% along with increases for other classes of weapons.  Carr, whose Banana Bank Resort is out behind Valley of Peace, says the good - who need guns for personal protection - are being made to suffer for the outlaws who can access guns cheap through the underworld:

Sanchez's First 75 Years
If you were in education circles in the 60's, 70's or 80's, you'll definitely know the name Inez Sanchez.  And if you were educated during that time, his work at the policy level definitely had an impact on how you were educated.  
Sanchez is a former teacher and Chief Education Officer who was instrumental to developing and shaping much of our modern education system, from Belmopan schools, to teacher training, to the University of Belize.

MMA Display At Civic
If you're a fan of Mixed Martial Arts, a group of Americans are hoping that you'll want to attend a fight night at the Civic Center on Saturday night.  It's called Battle in Belize, and these American athletes have come here to display the craft of mixed martial arts. They have organized a line-up of fighters from the US, Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico to go head to head, all in an effort to attract a mainstream Belizean audience to the sport. A few of the fighters and the promoters from MMA Events today made their pitch to see the battle in person:

A New Football Field For Collet
The Collet constituency is getting a new football field and it is being developed right beside Grace Primary School in South Side Belize City. It is a project being coordinated by the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association along with the Ministry of Education. The project is being financed by the International Olympic Committee through the PANAM Sports. Today the organizers held the official ground breaking ceremony to kick start the works.

Fined For Gun
Almost 2 and a half years ago, 23 year-old Darren Dawson, a fruit vendor, was busted by cops with 0.25 Beretta pistol, for which he did not have any licenses. He must now pay a $2,500 for that weapon, or risk being sent to jail. The incident happened IN September of 2017. An Officer was on motorcycle patrol when they saw a green Mazda car on North Creek Road. He stopped the driver, later identified as Dawson, searched him and found an illegal handgun, which was loaded with 2 live rounds of ammunition. 

PM Calling on Cuba
And here now is a small recap of some recent television reports form the Prime Minister's visit to Cuba: Rafael Serrano - Presentator: "The President of the Councils of States and Ministers Miguel Diaz - Canel Bermudez this Tuesday received the Rt. Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow, who made an official visit to Cuba. In a cordial atmosphere, the leaders exchanged thoughts on the good state of the bilateral relations and coincided on the willingness to continue strengthening them.

Channel 5

Police Make Progress in Elodio Aragon Sr. Aggravated Burglary Case
Two persons, including a teenaged woman, have been criminally charged in connection to the aggravated burglary which occurred at the house of Elodio Aragon Senior on Thursday, January tenth. They [...]

Acting Prime Minister Faber: “Whylie’s Remarks Were Unfortunate”
Allen Whylie’s pointed remarks toward the media and his so-called political detractors during a final public address on Wednesday, was the proverbial parting shot heard across the country.  The outgoing [...]

Breaking Down Whylie’s Tenure as ComPol
Allen Whylie held back nothing on Wednesday in his farewell statement to the Belize Police Department in which he departed from the usual niceties on such occasions. Whylie confirmed that [...]

DPM Faber Weighs in on Crime and Violence Under New ComPol
With Commissioner Chester Williams now at the helm of law enforcement, he inherits the never-ending challenge of fighting crime and violence.  The complement of officers within the department is larger [...]

Patrick Faber Explains Monkey Wrench in Leadership Plan
Since Cabinet announced on November twenty-seventh that the prime minister will remain in office until 2020, there has been an unusual silence within the United Democratic Party concerning its leadership [...]

Faber Says U.D.P. Executive to Meet in Days Ahead
Faber’s intention to one day lead the United Democratic Party and the country is no secret.  But he also says that the prime minister’s choice to remain in office for [...]

Activist Moses Sulph Successfully Sued Over FB Comments
Community Activist Moses Sulph was slapped with a forty thousand-dollar judgment in favour of former U.D.P. Minister Mark King.  King launched a civil suit against Sulph in 2018. The former [...]

Father of 2 Avoids Jail Time for Firearm Offences
Belize City fruit vendor, Darren Dawson, was spared jail time after he changed his plea from not guilty to guilty today when he presented himself before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. [...]

Turneffe Atoll Trust Pledges Continued Protection of the Marine Reserve
The Turneffe Atoll is one of Belize’s seven marine protected areas. Located twenty miles east of Belize City, the Turneffe Atoll is considered the largest, most biologically diverse coral atoll [...]

The Latest Developments in the Education Sector
Education Minister Patrick Faber has provided a brief update on several issues affecting public schools across the country.  Over the past week, a series of meetings have been held with [...]

10-Year-Old Lucita Chable Needs Your Help to Stay Alive
At first blush, ten-year-old Lucita Chable appears to be a healthy, carefree child.  She goes to school, plays, dances and attempts to carry out her daily routines like most children [...]

Baby Boy Recuperating After Vicious Dog Attack
Four-year-old Ellis Ortiz remains at the K.H.M.H. tonight, recuperating from a vicious dog attack he endured on Sunday, January thirteenth. Ellis was at home in the Lake Independence area when [...]

My First Seventy-Five Years: An Autobiography
Former Chief Education Officer Ines Sanchez wrote a book documenting the first seventy-five years of his life. The autobiography covers the struggles of his early life woven into the historical [...]

Andrew Faber Sporting and Cultural Complex Coming Soon
Ground was broken this morning on Faber’s Road Extension for the building of a sporting and cultural complex in honor of late city councilor Andrew Faber.  He was the younger [...]

Belizean Citizens Abroad Offended by Minister Elrington’s Statements
Belizean Citizens Abroad has taken offense to comments made by Foreign Affairs Minister, Wilfred Elrington. On Monday, Elrington was asked about the possibility of Belizeans who are living in another [...]

Minister Castro: “Diasporans can vote; they just need to meet requirements.”
And while that is Elrington’s views – Minister Edmond Castro says he believes Belizeans living abroad can vote as long as they meet the requirements set forth by law. The [...]

Minister Edmond Castro: “YES to the I.C.J.”
Last week, we saw the monumental signing of a declaration by five former Foreign Ministers, including Prime Minister Dean Barrow, to say “Yes to the I.C.J.”  And as you have [...]

Red Cross Gifts NEMO 20K in Equipment
The Belize Red Cross donated a trove of equipment to NEMO today in Belize City. The Red Cross says that that donation was made possible through a grant they obtained [...]

Battle in Belize; a Mixed Martial Arts Tournament
On Saturday at eight-thirty p.m. at the Belize City Civic Center, MAA Events Inc. from Los Angeles, California will be hosting a Battle in Belize Tournament. The mixed martial arts [...]

Healthy Living: Stomach Flu Complications
If you’ve been noticing that more and more people seemed to be affected by a flu or stomach bug then your observations are probably right. Apparently viruses thrive better in [...]

LOVE FM

Commissioner Williams says no proof, no worries on drug allegations
On January 8th, Edward Martinez, who refers to himself as the “drug hunter” called a press conference where he made a string of allegations against top cops in the Police Department and political figures. However, Martinez failed to provide any solid proof to support his claims. Days after, Mexican media began publishing articles on these …

Will Commissioner Williams remain accessible after his ascension?
And there is another relationship, a friendlier one that the new Commissioner has nurtured over the years. That is the one with the media. Commissioner Williams has been a very public figure in the department, hardly ever shying away from the media. He has been, for the most part, open with his policing style and …

Castro assists Salvadorans to return, but what about Belizeans in the diaspora?
Ambassador of El Salvador to Belize, H.E Luis Carabantes Palacios made an official visit to the Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management Honourable Edmond Castro on Tuesday. With El Salvador’s Presidential Elections coming up on February 3, 2019, Castro said he and his ministry was pleased to facilitate the Salvadoran community in Belize, through …

Musical talents on display tomorrow at the Bliss
A music recital is usually very costly to attend; however, there will be one taking place tomorrow that is absolutely free and it is a nice way to relax after a long and arduous, work week. A well renowned musician, Peter Illavsky, is in the country and have been working with musicians from Pallotti in …

Faber explains absence from PAC
The Public Accounts Committee, PAC, concluded its investigations into the 2012- 2013 Auditor General’s Report. The Committee had prepared a report and sent it to the UDP committee members to review and forward their input. However, they have failed to show up for meetings. According to the Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber, the UDP committee …

Teak now available for sale
Tectona grandis, also known as Teak, is a tropical hardwood tree species. Teak is a large tree that occurs in mixed hardwood forests. It has small, fragrant white flowers and large papery leaves that are often hairy on the lower surface. For the past 20 years, the owner of the Banana Bank Lodge and farm …

Groundbreaking ceremony for Andrew Faber Sporting and Cultural Complex
After several years, the National Sports Council of Belize is closer to realizing their dream of constructing a sporting complex in the Port Loyola area. The Council has finally managed to secure the funding of a little under two hundred thousand dollars for the sporting complex with the help of the International Olympic Committee. Today, …

New Commissioner of Police will focus on three areas to tackle crime
On Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was officially installed. The New Commissioner takes over the helm of the Belize Police Department at a critical time as the wave of major crimes, particularly murders, continue to plague several communities. In a rare occurrence, violence reared its ugly head on Sunday night at Mahogany Street when …

Commissioner says all is well between him and his Deputy Edward Broaster
Williams’ ascension has triggered another shuffle in the top ranks of the department. His first Deputy Commissioner is now Edward Broaster, who also the Commander of National Operations and Crime. But it is no secret to the public that both men have had a history of bad blood dating back to just about a decade. …

Former Foreign Minister Assad Shoman speaks about ICJ Case
nd from Hardwood to hard facts. April 10 is the date set aside for the referendum when adult Belizeans will be able to decide if it wants the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, in the Netherlands, to settle the territorial claim and boundaries of the country. Former PUP Foreign Minister Assad Shoman discussed the claim and the hard facts with the hosts of Love FM’s Morning Show. …

Red Cross helps NEMO with Technology and Training
The Belize Red Cross assisted the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) with disaster management training, procurement of equipment as well as training in the use of GIS software. Love News spoke to Lily Bowman, the Director General of the Belize Red Cross and Ian Joseph, a GIS Officer from the American Red Cross who says that the equipment includes a drone, a portable server, a camcorder and a kit with phones and accessories to conduct on the ground assessment. …

Moses Sulph says lesson learned after losing case
Today Sulph told the media that he was not even aware that the ruling had been passed. However, Sulph admitted, the case has taught him much. Moses Sulph: “I was never informed about a day of judgment or anything of that sort and according to my Lawyer he was never informed either or I would have been there …

Faber says the community has a part to play in reducing crime
Williams surely has his work cut out for him with the alleged corruption within the department and the spike in crime. The media asked Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber about whether Williams has what it takes to curb crime and what other initiatives if any are the government pursuing to combat crime. …

Faber weighs in on Whylie’s remarks
Former Commissioner Allen Whylie said he received many attacks as Commissioner. Upon his retirement and the installation of the new Compol yesterday, the typically media Whylie told the media yesterday that he was handed his walking papers, which was a calculated move he did not expect. Today, Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber was asked to comment on Whylie’s remarks. …

“My first 75 Years” published
“My first 75 Years” is an autobiography written by former Chief Education Officer Ines Sanchez. The book was launched earlier today in the Capital. Cayo correspondent Pauline Soberanis Tillett attended the launch and spoke to the career educator about the lessons he continues to share in life and within his 380 pages. …

Police charge two in connection with the Elodio Aragon kidnapping investigation
Police have charged two people as they continue to investigate the aggravated burglary of Elodio Aragon Senior’s home and his subsequent kidnapping. While police have not arrested the perpetrators, late this afternoon police reported that …

Fire guts home in Libertad
Fire officials are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a home in Libertad Village, Corozal District which landed the homeowner in the hospital. According to police, on Wednesday, 39-year-old Nolberto Hical arrived home around two o’clock in the afternoon and moments later, smoke was seen coming from inside his house …

Fresh Fruit Vendor pleads guilty to unlicensed gun and ammunition
At 1:30 p.m. on September 9, thirty-three-year-old Darren Dawson fruit salad vendor was stopped in his car by detective constable Andrew Bernard on North Creek Road in Belize City. He shook Dawson’s pants and a .25 Beretta pistol fell to the ground. …

Breaking Belize News

Haitian opposition plans to protest vote on Maduro’s Presidency
Haiti’s Opposition party, Pitit Dessalin party is planning to protest that country’s decision to support […]

Man survives house fire in Libertad, Corozal
A man from Libertad village, Corozal survived a house fire that destroyed his home yesterday […]

New Commissioner of Police installed
Veteran police officer and attorney at law, Chester Williams, was officially installed yesterday as Belize’s […]

Marriott Alaia resort opening soon in San Pedro
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce continues to promote investment and economic development in […]

Allen Whylie: There were sustained attacks against me!
Veteran police officer and attorney at law, Chester Williams, was yesterday officially installed as the […]

Belize Red Cross make donation of equipment to NEMO
This morning, Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management, Edmond Castro, on behalf of the […]

Police and community detain two thieves in Santa Elena
San Ignacio police along with assistance of community members yesterday detained two would-be robbers in […]

Blogs

Lazy Lizard
When living in paradise there are many fun and joyful adventures to experience. One we love and highly recommend is a trip to Caye Caulker with a stop at the Lazy Lizard. It is a short ferry ride from San Pedro. Once you arrive in Caye Caulker, you walk along the main dirt road, passing by many other fun bars, restaurants and thotchke shops to the end of the Caye, which they call the split. At the split is a photo shoot stop, you will want to take advantage of.

International Sources

We now know what’s at the bottom of Belize’s Blue Hole
Last month, a historic scientific expedition went all the way to the bottom of Belize’s Blue Hole. Virgin founder Richard Branson and ocean conservationist Fabien Cousteau went on the journey, which was broadcast globally on the Discovery Channel. It was the first submersible dive to the bottom of the hole, which is found along the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest barrier reef network in the world. The group was also there to support the work of Ocean Unite, which is raising awareness about protecting at least 30% of the world’s ocean by 2030. The group journeyed to the bottom in an Aquatica submarine, where they came across a wall of stalactites, which Branson says shows that the Blue Hole is made up of caves that were originally formed on dry land. According to a post from Branson about the experience: “It is proof of how oceans can rise quickly and catastrophically. Sea levels were once hundreds of feet lower. 10,000 years ago the sea level rose by about 300 feet when a lot of ice melted around the world.

10 cheap tropical vacations for 2019
Sunny getaways are more affordable than ever in warm-weather locales like India, Mexico and the Caribbean islands. Here are 10 tropical vacations that are a lot cheaper than you think. Placencia, Belize: This fishing village is found on Belize’s southeastern side, away from the more popular tourist destinations in the country. While it’s a little more difficult to get to – about 160 miles from Belize City – here you’ll find a 16-mile coastline that includes some of the best beaches in the country. There’s also snorkeling, diving and fishing, as well as a natural reserve on the mainland and a “barefoot-friendly” town with shops, seafood restaurants and cafes. You can fly directly to the peninsula; however, there’s also a less-expensive shuttle service you can take from Belize City.

Videos

January 17, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow on Official Visit to Cuba
Prime Minister of Belize Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow is on an official visit to Cuba on the invitation of the President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. On January 15th, Prime Minister Barrow joined President Díaz-Canel and other officials to pay tribute to José Martí, a national hero of Cuba. From there, the delegations from both Cuba and Belize met for an official meeting.

Ambergris Today

Going Up!
Tourism is Booming in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Alaia Belize is a BZD$92 Million investment hotel development under the Marriott Autograph Collection. It will encompass 162 new luxury class rooms in three five-storey buildings and eight beach villas.

How Can We Reduce Crime?
The new year did not start well for Belize when it comes to crime. There were five murders on the first day of 2019; a black scar on Belize, even more so that the US Embassy issued a travel advisory. Additionally, San Pedro is not the only community looking for solutions for crimes, but it is worth giving it a trial because we cannot afford to keep silent about anything that is bothering a community. So here is our perspective and the views of our friends and readers on this issue. According to experts the best strategy for reducing crimes is based on the model for policing. It is obvious that the first people to come to mind are the police. As soon as confrontation with crime comes about, one calls the police.

The Founding Of San Pedro
Indeed the Maya Indians had a large population on the Island of Ambergris Caye but they never founded any community because they were nomads, people who moved in, enjoyed and moved on. There are sites on the island that are proof of their presence, but there is no community here as there is in Southern Belize. So after the Mayas abandoned the island, Ambergris Caye was barren of people; and was one big mass of sandy beaches, mangrove infested swampland, lots of wild animals, mosquitoes in abundance and pristine waters with abundance of fish, conch and lobster.

Ambassador Of The Republic Of China Taiwan Visits San Pedro Town
On Friday, January 11, 2019, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, His Excellency Remus Li-Kou Chen, made an official courtesy visit to San Pedro Town. In a gathering inside the Mayor’s office, the Ambassador met with Mayor Daniel Guerrero and all six councilors of the San Pedro Town Council, along with Town Administrator, Mrs. Patricia Verde Tillett and LED Officer, Mr. Jorge Aldana.

Misc Belizean Sources

Beach Cleanup this Saturday in San Pedro!
All are invited to join this beach clean-up campaign this Saturday! For the love of San Pedro, let's keep it clean! Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 10 AM – 12 PM. SCA wavemaker club is coming over to San Pedro town to conduct a beach clean up on Saturday at the northern beach road! Please Let me know if you are interested in joining in.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: JANUARY 6, 2019 THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2019
A week of pretty nice weather with light winds and a few showers of short duration gave anglers and guides lots of options on where to fish. Tarpon were caught on the larger flats and around Mangroves.

Further Decreases in the Pump Prices for Premium Gasoline and Diesel
The Ministry of Finance is pleased to announce that at midnight on January 17th, the price for premium gasoline will decrease by a further 52 cents, from $10.47 down to $9.95 per gallon. The price of diesel will also decrease by 52 cents, from $9.83 down to $9.31 per gallon. This is the third consecutive decrease in pump prices since November 2018. Over that time, pump prices have fallen as follows per gallon: Premium by $1.54, Regular by $1.32, Kerosene by $1.87, Diesel by $1.84.

Prime Minister on Official Visit to Cuba
Prime Minister of Belize Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow is on an official visit to Cuba on the invitation of the President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. On January 15th, Prime Minister Barrow joined President Díaz-Canel and other officials to pay tribute to José Martí, a national hero of Cuba. From there, the delegations from both Cuba and Belize met for an official meeting. During the meeting, Prime Minister Barrow told those present that Belize values the relationship shared with Cuba and expressed his admiration for the strength of the Cuban people and all their achievements since the Cuban Revolution.

Mr. Allen Whylie officially hands over command to the new Commissioner of Police Mr. Chester Williams
This afternoon the outgoing Commissioner of Police Mr. Allen Whylie officially handed over command to the new Commissioner of Police Mr. Chester Williams in a ceremonial change of command and swearing-in ceremony held at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan. Commissioner Williams officially assumed his new duties on January 9th, 2019.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER EASTER RAFFLE
Our Easter Raffle is here once more! For $5 or more saved on your shares account, you get a chance to win a 24 inch Beach Cruiser Bicycle NOTICE: ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CREDIT UNION KIDDIES PROGRAM - Members attending Primary School are eligible to participate (school deposits only.) Raffle will take place during the month of April 2019.

Sarteneja Health Center Inaugurated Today
2pm January 17th.

Graffiti Fest '19
What an incredible day, Graffiti Fest '19 embraced many forms of art but the main attraction was the amazing talent on the walls ...we must big up our Belizean Graffiti artists- Vianay Bautista, Wilfred Perez, Robert Ramirez, Jahvier Tuisone and Steve Mossiah- and the Mexican crew- Diego Pootnaal, Alan Sanchez, Ana Balam Chan, Adnol Cetina, Filberto Pacheco and Victor Arrellano. Big up to our poets, and singers who stepped up to the Mic, thank you to Cocono Bwai for his great performance. So many sponsors supported this event, without them this would have been impossible.

Channel 7

Outgoing Compol Whylie Alludes to Police Palace Coup
It was announced last Tuesday that Chester Williams had been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police - and today it was made official when the outgoing Compol handed over the command to him.
But Allen Whylie - top cop for a record 6 years - did not go quietly into that good night.  
This afternoon at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan, Whylie had a mouthful to say on , the abrupt end of his tenure as the top cop.  
In front of the highest state and Government officials, Whylie lashed out at the media, his critics, and persons who he says were his enemies within, who according to him, all had a hand in getting him removed from the post. 

How Will New Compol Curb Crime?
And while the outgoing Commissioner's comments certainly changed the mood of the event, the handing over of command was really about Chester Williams, who is now officially in charge of the Department.  After the ceremony, we spoke with him about reaching the pinnacle of policing and what his strategy will be. Here's what he had to say: Daniel Ortiz: "When you first stepped into the police training academy, did you foresee that today would take place?" Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police: "Really and truly no, everybody knows my history in terms of where I was when I joined the ranks of the Belize Police Force then and so for me to have thought then that this would come really and truly I didn't see it but as time progresses and my years in the department continues to accumulate and having worked under and see how many of the former commissioners of police operates..."

Shuffling The Deck Of The Senior Command
So, now that Williams is in charge, he's re-shuffling the deck of the senior command. We asked him to discuss his decisions about the reassignment of senior officers: Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police: "You know that we have restructured the department recently where we have two deputies, was myself and Mr. Broaster. Now with me moving up to commissioner, Mr. Broaster becomes the first deputy, so he is the deputy, he is next to me. After Mr. Broaster you have Mr. Mariano who is going to be the second deputy. Then we have Mr. Broaster who moves over as well to commander national operations and crime because that desk is the desk of the senior deputy..."

How Will Compol Chester and Deputy Broaster Coexist?
And one more intrigue we just had to ask Commissioner Williams about is the dynamic between him and his first Deputy Commissioner, Edward Broaster. Last week, we took you back to 2008, when the public enmity and disputes between these 2 had reached a fever pitch, to the point where Broaster made a criminal complaint against Williams. In an outspoken interview at the time, Williams lashed back, saying Broaster was trying to derail his career as a police officer. Well, something went right for Williams, because he ended back on top - at the very top.   So, has the 11 years that has since passed been enough to heal those very deep wounds between the 2 most senior cops in the department?

Search Comes Up With No Clues For Evan Neal
Fisherman Evan Neal is still missing tonight.  Searches were conducted by the family and the Coast Guard today - but up to this evening, they hadn't come across any sign of him any sign of him.  The 43 year old was last seen by his family a week ago.   Neal was at Mapp Caye - where he has his fishing camp.  On Saturday, a group of men believed to be pirates went there on what looks to be a robbery.  They killed the watchman Edinio Enso Humes - who was found in the island's latrine with a shot to the head.

Boy Still Recovering From Dog Bite
On Monday, we told you about the vicious canine attack on a 4 year old toddler in the Lake I community. Baby Ellis Ortiz was playing in the yard on Sunday afternoon when the landlord's dog attacked him.  By the time neighbors reached to help, the dog had already latched on to the baby and bit his face. Tonight, the child is still at the hospital receiving treatment. And while his condition has not worsened, it has not gotten much better either. The family tells us the swelling in his right eye has still not gone down and they still fear his eye may be permanently damaged.

Mother and Daughter Reunited After Bitter Int'l Custody Dispute
Imagine not seeing or holding your child for a year, or not knowing if your child is safe. That nightmare is exactly what 41 year old Orange Walk mother Raquel Cocom endured.  This is after her baby's father, Andre Timofeev took their 3 year old daughter, Vera to the US and never returned. But as we reported, Cocom took the matter to US courts and won under the Hague Convention in early January. And, yesterday in North Carolina, she was re-united with her little girl. It was one of the happiest moments of Cocom's life. Courtney Weatherburne went to visit Cocom and baby Vera in Orange Walk on their first full day together in Belize. It was very touching.

Cocom Goes Into Mommy Mode, But Needs Help
While Cocom is overcome by joy to have her baby back, nothing can make up for all the lost time. So Cocom has to help Vera re-adjust that means springing into full mommy mode. One of her core duties as a single mother is to provide for Vera and her son and right now she doesn't have any money to get by. So she is asking for assistance to start up her business. Raquel Margarita Cocom - Mother: "I do not want to go work and leave her because I think that traumatize me a lot because I don't know if he will come and take her away and I don't know where he will be and I just want to get a pack of used clothing to sell and I don't know, maybe there will be someone there to help me for that. With that, I will sustain my children with the needs that they will have, that's all."

Cocom Must Mother An Anxious Child
So, Cocom has endured a great deal of emotional trauma, as has her daughter. Cocom says she can't even leave the room without Vera getting anxious and following behind her. Today we asked Cocom if she had anything to say to Timofeev, the man who has turned her life upside down. She was quite measured in her comments. She says her only focus is healing and moving forwards with her babies. Raquel Margarita Cocom - Mother: "I don't hate him, I don't hold nothing against him and his mom but what they I did it was awful because they did not know my nights of tears, they do not know what I gone through when I started to beg them to bring back my daughter..."

Lessons Learned From Precedent Setting Facebook Slander Case
Yesterday we told you about the landmark ruling in favor of businessman Mark King. The ruling saw activist Moses Sulph slapped with a hefty fine of $30 thousand for a simple Facebook post. While King has spoken to us at length regarding his decision to take the matter to court in first place, today we got a chance to speak with his attorneys, the legal minds that saw the case through to the end. Having gotten a favorable ruling yesterday, attorney Steve Perrera told us today that it wasn't so much that they won but rather that the defendants failed to establish proof of fair-comment.

How To Avoid Social Media Slander
And while Sulph is on the receiving end of a costly lesson, he is one of many.  Facebook is often used as a platform to ventilate frustrations against persons or organizations; just blaze them up, and, click/zap, they're toast! There are even dedicated Facebook pages that comment, often negatively, on established businesses in Belize. So where is the dividing line between fair-comment and Facebook slander? And how far can you go to bring an issue to light without being libelous? We had a lengthy discussion with Mark King's lawyers about the legalities or illegalities of Facebook posting and sharing of content considered defamatory. Here's how that went.

PUP Politician Posts Apology to Avoid Social Media Slander Suit
One person that didn't think twice was PUP Belize City Councilor Albert Vaughan. Last night Vaughan posted an apology to a UDP politician on his Facebook page.  It reads that on the 24th of December 2018 he made comments about UDP Standard Bearer Orson Elrington regarding the use of the park in Belama Phase 1 for an event. The post does not mention what allegations he made but it does say that the statements he made on that post were false. As a consequence he apologized for any harm those statements may have caused. He ended by saying he will refrain from doing so in the future.

PM Barrow In Cuba
He's on his 11th year in office - but Prime Minister Dean Barrow is just making his first official visit - with all the bells and whistles - to Cuba, which is one of Belize's strongest allies.  And yesterday, he completed a rite of passage for pretty much every foreign leader who visits the island state, he laid a wreath at the tomb of independence hero Jose Marti.  Prime Minister Barrow is the guest of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel - who is the first person not named Castro to lead Cuba since 1959.  Both sides had a meeting after yesterday's wreath laying.   According to a release form Belize's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Barrow thanked the Cuban Government for its support to Belize since gaining independence in 1981.

Pump Prices Plummeted in Past two Months
If you're going to put in gas tonight, wait until tomorrow - because it will be cheaper.   For the first time in two years, Premium fuel will be under 10 dollars per gallon.  That's right, the price of Premium is going down 52 cents from $10.47 per gallon to $9.95 per gallon.  And, diesel is also going down quite a bit.  At midnight, the price for a gallon of that fuel will drop by 52 cents, bringing it to $9.31. For now, the price for regular fuel remains unchanged. Government boasts that "this is the third consecutive decrease in pump prices since November 2018.  Since then, diesel has gone down by almost two dollars per gallon. Of course this is simply a testament to how insanely high prices had gone - with government collecting record high fuel taxes every step of the way.  

The Greatness of Graffiti
Graffiti as a form of street art became popular in the US in the 60's and 70's. And during its early years it had a very negative connotation: gangs would use it to mark their territory.  And, still, it remains a controversial form of expression: where does street art end and vandalism begin? Regardless of your answer, graffiti remains one of the most vibrant forms of urban art expression. To highlight this NICH, through the museum of Belize, organized a Graffiti fest this past Saturday in Corozal. The event brought together Belizean artists and artists from neighboring Chetumal in a safe space to practice their craft. Here are some clips of the spectacular displays. 

Loma Luz Blvd. Lamp Snatchers
A pair of petty thieves were caught today in Santa Elena Town. Quick action from the proprietor of a furniture store led to the arrest of the pair. Around 11:00 this morning, James Palma was inside the family furniture on Loma Luz Boulevard, when two men walked in. One distracted him while the other stole a wooden nightstand from the display. They both escaped.

Channel 5

Former ComPol Whylie Rains on Chester Williams’ Installment Parade
A new Commissioner of Police was installed today at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan, and we’ll have that coming up. But the installation of Chester Williams was eclipsed by [...]

ComPol Whylie Takes Aim at Fellow Members of B.P.D.
Former ComPol Whylie, who has been criticized as a lame duck leader where the fight against crime and violence is concerned, insisted that he used his final public address to [...]

Chester Williams is Installed as Thirteenth Commissioner of Police
With twenty-seven years of service under his belt, Chester Williams today was installed as the new Commissioner of Police.  Williams has also distinguished himself as the first attorney to take [...]

ComPol Williams Outlines Changes within Police Department
A restructuring of the police department since Commissioner Chester Williams assumed its helm on January ninth was imminent.  Last week, there was a memo in circulation which the department subsequently [...]

Chester and Broaster at the Top; How is that Going to Work?
Throughout the course of their professional careers, Edward Broaster and Chester Williams have had a somewhat tumultuous relationship.  In the past, words have been exchanged and the two have had [...]

Premium and Diesel Prices to Decrease by 52 cents
At midnight, there will be some relief at the pumps. The price of premium gasoline will decrease by fifty-two cents effective Wednesday at midnight. Right now the price stands at [...]

Untreated Water Causing Health Problems to School Children in Saint Margaret’s Village
In the village of Saint Margaret’s located on the Hummingbird Highway, school children are being sent home from classes complaining of stomach pains. There are concerns that the water has [...]

Israeli N.G.O., TIME, Raises Funds to Purchase 5 Acres of Turneffe Atoll
An Israeli N.G.O. has raised funds for the purchasing of a portion of the Turneffe Atoll, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is My Earth, TIME is an international [...]

Turneffe Atoll Trust Says Parcel of Land Will Not Be Disturbed
According to Anderson, the five-acre piece of land is in a strategic position, preventing the development of the area for tourism. He says the land transaction will not include seabed [...]

Anne Swaney was Murdered 3 Years Ago, Still No Arrest
Three years ago, on January sixteenth, 2016, American producer for ABC Anne Swaney was violently murdered in western Belize. Swaney was vacationing at the Nabitunich Resort and was last seen [...]

U.S. Government Partial-Shutdown Hits Embassy in Belize
At midnight on December twenty-first, the U.S. Government initiated a partial shut-down and it has stretched on to be the longest shut down in that country’s history.  Because President Donald [...]

PM Barrow meets Cuban President
Prime Minister Dean Barrow is in Cuba on his state visit to the island where he recently underwent surgery. He met Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and both paid tribute [...]

Judiciary Receiving Less than 1% of National Budget
On Monday, the Supreme Court opened the legal year with the usual ceremonial fanfare in downtown Belize City. In his remarks, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin spoke of the budget afforded [...]

Honduran Woman to Face Deportation for a Second Time
Thirty-two-year-old Blanca Benitez Yanes has been sent to prison for six months. Yanes appeared before Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson this morning on a charge of failure to produce a visitor’s [...]

Attempted Burglary Charge Dropped
Twenty-seven-year-old Hugh Alexander Bowden of Belize City was freed from an attempted burglary charge. Bowden who was represented in court by Attorney Oscar Selgado was read two criminal offenses of [...]

Update on Baby Nelson Tabora: Hospitalized and Stable
One week ago we aired the story of baby Nelson Tabora reportedly suffering from a condition called hydrocephalus. It is a condition where the head grows abnormally because the cerebrospinal [...]

An Adolescent Health Strategic Plan Being Finalized
An Adolescent Health Strategic Plan is being finalized. The plan marks a crucial step of an expanded and holistic focus by the government on the issues affecting adolescents in the [...]

Citrus Icon Gerry Sharp, Dead at 77
A citrus pioneer has passed. On Tuesday, the Sharp family announced that seventy-seven-year-old Gerry Sharp has died. Sharp, who is the husband of Marie Sharp, spent decades working in the [...]

Learning the Workings of Open Street Mapping
A one-day training workshop took place on Monday in Belize City where officials from government agencies and N.G.O.s worked together on open street mapping. Open street maps are completely user-generated [...]

LOVE FM

New Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams officially installed
As we mentioned on the top of the newscast, today Chester Williams was officially installed as the new Commissioner of Police. The ceremonial change of command and swearing in was held that the Police Training Academy of the Belize Police Department in Belmopan. Commissioner Williams has been in the force for 27 years and has …

Free Eyeglasses for Students in the South
Students at two high schools in Dangriga have been tested for eye-related illnesses. A corporate sponsor had decided to use its eyecare division to test the vision of students at the schools. According to Dangriga Correspondent Harry Aruz, over two dozen individuals have received free eyeglasses. Harry Arzu: “Students attending Dellille Academy and Agriculture Natural …

Civil Review Complaints Commission looking into Police Complaints
The Civil Review Complaints Commission launched on the 21st of November, 2018 and it will be chaired by former police commissioner Gerald Westby. The commission will assist in the investigation of complaints surrounding the police. It held its first working group and is looking at complaints made in relation to the department that occurred in …

Former Compol Whylie says career was ended abruptly
This afternoon, the former Deputy Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was ascended to the position of top cop in an official ceremony at the Police Training Academy in the Capital City Belmopan. But before we get into that story, the man who ComPol Williams succeeds, former Commissioner Allen Whylie took to the podium. The typically …

Belize’s Ambassador to OAS speaks about universal Hope in ICJ Case
Belize was represented by Ambassador Daniel Gutierrez in Washington DC at a meeting of the Organization of American States. There were several issues tabled with the aim of bringing them at the forefront for solutions. Love News spoke with Ambassador Gutierrez about the meeting. Ambassador Daniel Gutierrez: “Well the meeting was with the permanent representatives …

Mother reunited with daughter after international custody battle
Three-year-old, Vera Timofeev was reunited with her mother Raquel Cocom just after midday yesterday. Cocom, with the assistance of Tikkun Olam’s Director, Elisa Castellanos, won a court battle to have her daughter returned to her. Since November 2017, the child had been in the USA with her father who refused to return her. Cocom filed …

Commissioner Williams Makes Personnel Changes to Department
The work has begun already for Commissioner Williams as you know, he had played a vital role in the Mahogany Street aggravated burglary and hostage situation earlier in the week. He told the media about how he is restructuring the key players within the police department. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams: “The fact that I have …

Correspondent Banking still an issue for CARICOM
Plaguing Belize and other Caribbean countries is the issue of correspondent banking, CARICOM along with groups have been lobbying for restored relations. The issue has made doing business overseas challenging for many countries. Ambassador Gutierrez says the issue remains alive and there are still efforts made to improve the situation. Ambassador Daniel Gutierrez: “It has …

Bar Association to hold forum on ICJ
The Bar Association held three legal sessions in the months of April, July and December 2018. These sessions were aimed at promoting continued legal education with a focus on law and trending issues. There is another such session coming up in February as part of the bar’s annual law conference where an expert in international …

Orange Walk South roads neglected
The roads in Orange Walk that the cane farmers traverse will be receiving upgrades, all except the roads located in Orange Walk South. Jose Abelardo Mai, the Standard Bearer for Orange Walk South, told Love news that it is a great disservice to the farmers in that area. Mai said that his constituency did not …

Briceno weighs in on the financial challenge of judiciary
The fiscal year 2018/2019, saw a decrease in the allocations of funds to carry out the execution of justice. The total amount that was allocated to the judiciary was less than one percent of the national budget. Love News asked the Leader of the Opposition, John Briceno, to weigh in on the financial challenge faced by the judiciary...

Price of Fuel takes a dip below $10
The price of fuel at the pump has gone down. At midnight tonight premium gasoline will decrease by 52 cents, from $10.47 down to $9.95 per gallon; while diesel will also decrease by 52 cents, from $9.83 down to $9.31 per gallon...

Breaking Belize News

PM Barrow on official visit to Cuba
Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow is on an official visit to Cuba on the invitation […]

Premium and diesel prices go down
The Ministry of Finance announces that midnight tonight, the price for premium gasoline will decrease by […]

Santa Elena Furniture Gallery robbed, suspect detained
According to reports, Santa Elena Furniture Gallery in Santa Elena town was robbed this morning. The […]

Slanderous Facebook post costs Moses Sulph $30,000
Former Minister Mark King, recently got court ruling in his favor for a lawsuit brought […]

Prime Minister Dean Barrow pays homage to Jose Martí in Cuba
Belize’s Prime Minister Dean Barrow touched down in Havana, Cuba yesterday morning. Barrow is on a 3-day working visit to Cuba on an invitation from Cuba’s President, Miguel Diaz Canel.[…]

Anny Young missing for over a month
The family of Anisha “Anny” Young is still seeking answers regarding the disappearance of their […]

Heritage Bank opens it doors to Spanish Lookout community
In a historic move, Heritage Bank Limited is opening its doors to the Spanish Lookout […]

International Sources

Michigan nanny wins trip to Belize on ‘Let’s Make a Deal’
A West Michigan woman is heading on a tropical vacation thanks to an appearance on the popular CBS game show “Let’s Make a Deal.” Grandville nanny Kaitlyn Squires appeared on the classic game of deals and zonks on Wednesday and walked away with a collection of electric scooters and skateboards, as well as a 5-night vacation at the Xanadu Island Resort in San Pedro, Belize. The deal, which includes round-trip air fare, is valued at $8,992.

Five takeaways from the World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress
The hustle and bustle of a local fish market – usually seen in the pre-dawn dark, with bare-bulb lights illuminating what’s for sale and the shouts from sellers (usually in a language I don’t understand but with meaning clear enough to get out of the way of carts brimming with ice and fish) – is my favorite place to learn about small-scale fisheries. This is where it all comes together, with fishermen landing their catch, buyers (usually women) negotiating prices and customers buying products for that day’s meal or business. Here is where I am a learner and observer – hearing details about challenges these individuals face in maintaining their livelihoods, seeing the pride people have in their work and chatting about what we all can do to sustain the jobs, food, communities and ecosystems that are part of this system.

Videos

January 16, 2019

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Remembering Father of the Nation: Right Honourable George Cadle Price
Today Tuesday, January 15th, Belize’s first Prime Minister and founder of the country’s Independence Movement would have been 100 years old. The Father of the Nation, as he is fondly referred to, was also the founder of the People’s United Party (PUP), and he began a peaceful and constructive Belizean revolution in 1950, leading to independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981. He is remembered as a remarkable man who gave the Belizean people a sovereign and free nation with its territorial integrity intact, despite the threat of the Guatemalan territorial claim. Although he passed away on September 19, 2011, Belizeans continue to praise and pay tribute to the nation’s renowned hero with special events across the country.

PLB Closing Season Begins: San Pedro Pirates F.C lose 1-0 against Verdes F.C
The Premiere League of Belize (PLB) Closing Season 2018-2019 began this weekend with four matches taking place across the country. For the San Pedro Pirates F.C, their first match was against Verdes F.C at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town, Cayo District on Sunday, January 13th. The island team fought hard to start this new season on the right foot but fell short against Verdes F.C, in a match that ended with a 1-0 score point.

Copa San Pedro Closing Season 2018-2019 begins!
The highly anticipated Copa San Pedro Closing Season 2018-2019 began this weekend at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town with five intense matches. The football tournament kicked-off on Thursday, January 10th at 7PM with the reigning champions Vince Assassins going up against Los Catrachos F.C. However, the reigning champions were defeated in a 4-0-point game. In the next match, G.Strikers F.C demolished Island Sharks F.C with a staggering 8-1 score point. Copa San Pedro continues this weekend, starting on Thursday, January 17th at 7PM with Captain G F.C taking on Terror Squad F.C, followed by G.Strikers F.C taking on Ambergris Hope’s F.C at 9PM.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Comes Together For Baby Nelson
When it comes to helping someone in need the community of San Pedro always comes together to help out in any way possible. Two fundraising events took place this past Sunday, January 13, 2019, to help out baby Nelson Tabora suffering from Hydrocephalus. Lovely Miss Nayobie Rivero of Nayobie’s Hope for Children Project held a dollar drive and bake sale where they managed to raise a total of $1,289.40. Also another fundraiser was held by a group of young San Pedranos including Chelsea Munoz, Yesica Quiroz, Evelyn Castillo, Kyrone Vasquez, Lex Rodriguez, Mynor Tepaz, Yaritza Rodriguez and Erica Bodden who managed to raise a total of $1,623.09 for baby Tabora. A grand total of $2,912.49 was raised for baby Nelson Tabora thanks to the great fundraising efforts of these two groups.

Misc Belizean Sources

Site Visit To the upcoming Marriott Alaia resort in San Pedro
The Ministry continues its work in promoting investment & economic development by taking a site visit to the upcoming Marriott Alaia resort in San Pedro! This BZD$92 Million investment hotel development currently employs approximately 300 Belizeans during its construction phase and will employ 250 full-time Belizean workers during the operation phase of the resort. The Marriott Alaia which is a part of the Marriott Autograph Collection will encompass 162 new luxury class rooms in three five-storey buildings and eight beach villas. It will also comprise a three tiered pool, spa, world class dive shop, boat slips, a tour desk, restaurants, onsite gym and a state of the art conference room that seats 150 people!

Gallardo Hardware Toy Distribution
Gallardo Hardware teamed up with Santa to visit local villages and distribute gifts to needy children. Thanks, Gallardo Hardware! "Thanks to generous contributions, the 4th Annual TOY DRIVE was a great success! We collected more than 400 toys for the children! There were toy trucks and cars, Barbies, books, sports equipment and games, arts and crafts, and bicycles, to name a few. We were also blessed to have food baskets that were donated to families in need! Your generosity means that those children had a wonderful surprise and beautiful gifts on Christmas. Thank you again for helping to make our community stronger and for creating a magical holiday for the youngest among us!"

The cacao trees at Belize's first agroforestry concession are producing pods!
In 2014 Ya’axché established Belize’s first agroforestry concession within a protected area – Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve. Since then, the organization has been providing training and support to the Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association. The 31 farmer members have planted over 58,000 cacao trees; and, are now seeing the fruits of their hard work.

Workshop on financial sustainability
We have just wrapped up our workshop on financial sustainability with the support of our long-term partner Fauna & Flora International. Securing funding for our terrestrial conservation work in Belize has always been a challenge. At Ya’axché, our Development Team is constantly applying for grants to fund our important programs within the Maya Golden Landscape. Also in place is EcoTourism Belize, which provides ecotours, service learning packages and lodging.

Today George C. Price would have been a 100 years
This is when George Price visited the Maya villages in Northern Belize around the 1970's . He met with Maya leader Jesus Ken of Xaibe, Maya alcalde of Cristo rey(Corozal) Eustaquio Yam and Ex Maya alcalde of Yo Chen (Corozal)Thomas Botes who serve between the 1950's -1960's.

Gerry Sharp RIP
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marie's beloved husband, Gerry Sharp. Gerry Sharp retired from the Citrus Company of Belize before working with Marie at the factory. The Sharp family has a long, rich history in Belize and they were instrumental in the development of the countries Citrus Industry. Multiple generations of Sharp's managed the fundamental citrus operations and the history goes back to H.R. Sharp and G.G.R. Sharp of Jamaica, before Gerry's father, Frank Sharp, took over. As, Denzel F. Jenkins once said, "the Sharp's must be credited for transforming the Belize Citrus Industry, metaphorically speaking, from a way-side fruit shop to a supermarket.

AMBASSADOR OF R.O.C. (TAIWAN) VISITS SAN PEDRO
On Friday, January 11, 2019, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, His Excellency Remus Li-Kou Chen, made an official courtesy visit to San Pedro Town. In a gathering inside the Mayor’s office, the Ambassador met with Mayor Daniel Guerrero and all six councilors of the San Pedro Town Council, along with Town Administrator, Mrs. Patricia Verde Tillett and LED Officer, Mr. Jorge Aldana. The meeting was very fruitful, as the Ambassador is delighted to work along with the Town Council in the future. The Ambassador and the Town Council shared various points of interests between each other such as: tourism and the economy, as well as ideas on how to overcome the traffic and garbage situation that the island is currently facing.

Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico 36th Anniversary
Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico (ESTM) located in San Roman, Corozal District will be celebrating its 36th Anniversary on Friday January 18th, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Invitations are extended to Parents, Students, Guardians & Invited Guests ONLY. ESTM Teachers and selected students will be fully engaged in their presentation and booth displays. Here is wishing the school and faculty of ESTM, a wonderful and productive anniversary celebration.

Corozal Dart Tournament
Jah Mundo cordially invites you to its first Dart Tournament for the year 2019 on Saturday, February 2nd & Sunday, February 3rd. Visitors from all over Belize will be participating. Come & join us!!! Karaoke all night. Don't miss out. It's Super Bowl 2019 on Sunday. Lots to eat & drink, Cold...cold Beers

Verdes Host Defenders
The 2019 NEBL season is starting up this weekend, and the Verdes will be hosting the Defenders on Saturday. Tip off is at 8:30pm, and it all takes place at the SHC auditorium. Richard Troyer is back, and he's the captain. Go Verdes! "Week one of the NEBL 2019 season kicks off on January 19 with your Verdes Basketball team in full action inside the S.H.C auditorium. Come out to cheer on your team as they deliver the best gameday experience. Team roster coming soon!!!"

FCD visits Mollejon/Vaca Dams
FCD staff visited Mollejon/Vaca Dams with BECOL personnel to assess possibilities for monitoring in that landscape.

Belizean Patriot: Cleopatra White
I was the neighbor of Cleopatra White and I did not know. As I try to remember this person that lived on Cran Street, which is near where I grew up as child, I vaguely remember a lady that used to dress like a nurse. I would see her walking on the street. I believe that may have been her. I had no idea who she was and what she had accomplished. I remember passing a couple of inches right next to her on the street a few times. I am very happy that even though I did not know who she was at that time, I can say in that fleeting moment as I passed her, I had the honour to share a space with a person that helped so many people in her lifetime. The Biography below written by Silvana Udz, in 1991, is my tribute to my beautiful neighbor that I never knew.

Channel 7

Evan Neal's Family Desperate For Answers
Where is Evan Neal? The 43 year old father of three is the owner of the fishing camp on Mapp Caye and he is missing tonight. Police found his watchman, 29 year old Edinio Enso Humes dead on Saturday night in a latrine with a gunshot to the head. But Evan Neal and another unidentified man are still unaccounted for. His brother Mark told us why recent events on the island have him fearing the worst: Mark Neal, Brother - Evan Neal, missing: "As we know when system like this happen - 2-3 days, our hope kinda lost. But I am hoping that fishermen around the area who work within the area fishing and vessels like the water taxis' passing by, if they see anything they can inform us..."

Island Murder Victim Was Caledonia Resident
And while Neal's family is begging for closure, his watchman's family is preparing for a funeral. He was a John Doe when police found him on Saturday with a gunshot to the head. But today his father identified him. He is Caledonia villager 29 year old Edinio Enso Humes. He had been working with Neal for some time. It is unclear what transpired on the island which resulted in his body being found there, while the other two men are missing. Police believe it was all drug related.

John Briceno On ICJ: Yes, No, Maybe?
Belize's national referendum on April 10th. is inching closer, and, pretty soon, all of us who are registered to vote will have to decide YES OR NO to taking Guatemala's territorial claim to the ICJ. Since last week, we know it's a "NO" for the PUP - but what about its leader, John Briceno? From late last year, he said publicly that he is in favour of going to the ICJ, but last week, under severe internal pressure from his party, he had to send out a statement declaring a hardline "no". Bricenoo's press release went even further, making it clear that the former PUP Ministers, Lisa Shoman, Assad Shoman, Godfrey Smith, and former Prime Minister Said Musa do NOT speak for the PUP.

Bar Association Will Get Legal Opinion on ICJ
Keeping it on the topic of the referendum, the Bar Association says it is getting its own legal opinion on the dispute. A Bar Association press release says, quote, "…The Association intends to hold a public forum to assist in furthering the ongoing national public education on the issue. In this regard, the Association has retained the services of Professor Stephen Vasciannie CD, an expert on international law, to prove an updated legal opinion on the dispute, which would form the basis for the discussions at the public forum." End quote.

Mark King Wins Landmark Judgement in Facebook Defamation Suit
Can you imagine having to pay tens of thousands of dollars for a reckless facebook post? Well, that's what the court has told Moses Sulph to do after he slandered former UDP Politician Mark King. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court where Justice Sonya Young today handed down a ruling which could gave far reaching consequences for those who like to bash others on Facebook. In March of last year King sued Sulph after he claimed Sulph unfairly slandered him and his company name on Facebook. The post, which Sulph admitted he made, alleged that Brints Security Company, was not paying employees' salaries promised for overtime and extra duties.

King Rips The UDP
And that wasn't all that King had to say. It's been a while since he has been in the public spotlight - so he used the opportunity to rage against the UDP - which is blocking him from being a candidate in Fort George. King didn't hold back when he said the party - which he still claims as his own - could do, and is doing a lot worse:... Mark King - Rejected by UDP: "The entire central executive of the UDP had made a double standard and wrong decision. So, at the end of the day if you take me to court and find me guilty I can still run in the UDP because I can show the judge that you have somebody that has gone to prison, that has gotten convicted, running in your party. You can't take something where you have a personal issue over and put it on Facebook..."

Hapless Hostage Trio Go To Court
Yesterday we told you about the brazen home invasion - slash - aggravated burglary at a Chinese store in the Lake I community that quickly turned into a hostage situation. It was a unique scenario where the police commissioner had to personally intervene. He stepped on the frontline to negotiate with the accused who eventually surrendered and were detained. Today the trio was formally arraigned on a slew of charges. They are 26 year old Richard O'Neal, 25 year old Wayne Welch, and 25 year old Steven Bernard; all are from within the Lake I community.

Mr. Price And The PUP
Today would have been the 100th birthday of the Father of the Nation, George Price. And to honor his importance to the the country's history, and to the PUP, party faithful went to his gravesite in the Lord Ridge Cemetery this morning for a remembrance ceremony and a wreath laying. A number of speakers at the ceremony discussed his life of service, and his leadership. Here's what 2 of his colleagues, who are still alive, had to say about Price the visionary leader.

Missing Woman Anisha Young, the Mystery Deepens
Close but not close enough: that is how Anisha Young's family feels after they found what they believe to be her weave and skin tissue in a shallow grave in Maskall Village. Sure, these finds are significant but they still don't point to where exactly Young's remains are. Today the search party leader Jose Uk Espat along with the family held a press conference at his residence to revisit all the circumstantial evidence they have gathered from the time Young went missing in early December to now. That includes surveillance footage on the morning Young went missing, GPS readings and phone records. Now Espat made it a point that this case could have already been closed if it wasn't for the leaked information. Jose Espat, Search Team Lead: "Before myself and the family could reach from the Maskall cutoff to the main road, the Phillip Goldson Highway, the Reporter had already published the findings that we had made that day..."

Iguana Again
An Iguana Street Ext. man is lucky to be alive after he was shot in the chest. Last night around 8:45, 35 year old Anthony Crawford was riding on Antelope Street extension when a gunman pounced on him. We spoke to a resident off-camera and he says the shooting is as a result of a gang rivalry. Voice of: Resident: "The next one that get shot was at his friend's house and it looked like he was going home and as he bend the lane from his friend house that is where the gun man was dodging him or waiting on him or something and he just burst too shot."

Cops Got "Tonz A Gunz"�
And while the shootings continue, so do the gun and ammunition seizures. On Sunday, a special police operation, made checks under a lamp post at Periwinkle Street in Belize City. They found a 9 mm pistol with fourteen live rounds. A search behind the Civic Center also led to the discovery of a Taurus brand revolver containing one .38 round of ammunition. Again, the items were labeled as found property. And, early on Monday morning police found another gun, this one at the corner of St. Jude and Sittee Street. It's a beaten up .25mm pistol.

GSU, Future Hostage Negotiators
And keeping the focus on the police, tomorrow will be the official changing of guard ceremony for the new Commissioner Chester Williams. He's making a lot of changes - and today one of those went into effect when he installed a new GSU Commander, Inspector Lorenzo. He comes along with a new plan for the GSU, to make them more effective for hostage situations - like the one on Sunday night in Lake I. In yesterday's interview with Compol Chester Williams he told us more about how they intend to revamp the department's effectiveness when dealing with situations like these arise.

Teenager Shooting Victim Still Has Bullet In Brain
Jahmeel Reyes' family remains hopeful that he will recover from Saturday night's cruel attack. The 15 year old Reyes was badly beaten, shot in the head and then buried alive. But he crawled out of his grave and ran for help. Today when we spoke to the family they said that based on the cat scan, the doctors can't operate on him and take out the bullet because his brain is still swollen. So they will take him out of the coma tomorrow and see how he responds. We will keep following this case.

Accident Victim Ezekiel Holding On
And accident victim Ezekiel Ortega is still critical tonight. He is on life support. Ortega and his 18 year old daughter were flung from a motorcycle at mile 44 on the Western Highway. A vehicle rear ended them and just drove off. Fortunately, his daughter is recovering at home. The family is asking for blood donations. If you would like to assist you can call 627-8912.

Channel 5

Mapp Caye Murder Victim is 31-year-old Edinio Enso Humes
One man is dead and two others are missing, but what happened on Mapp Caye days ago is still being pieced together. Up until Monday night, all we knew was [...]

Evan Neal Still Missing; Family Says Disappearance is Not Drug Related
And what of Evan Neal? Well, forty-eight-year old Neal is the owner of Mapp Caye and veteran seaman. His family describes him as a diver and hard-working man, whom they [...]

The Search Continues for Missing Men
And so the search is ongoing for Evan Neal and Anthony Reneau. This evening we spoke with Operations Officer of the Belize Coast Guard Lieutenant Roque Canul who says that [...]

3 Men Arraigned for Mahogany Street Robbery/Hostage Situation
A trio of men was escorted to court this morning for the brazen heist that evolved into a hostage situation in Belize City on Sunday night. The three: Wayne Welch, [...]

P.U.P. Leader Says No Internal Political Rift
The I.C.J. Declaration was signed on January ninth by five former Ministers of Foreign Affairs, including sitting Prime Minister Dean Barrow. Barrow was joined by former P.U.P. Prime Minister Said [...]

Francis Fonseca: “Why Wasn’t Declaration Signed in 2013?”
While Briceño says there is no rift in the party, in the wake of the signing of a seven-point declaration, several P.U.P. politicians have spoken out giving various reasons for [...]

Francis Fonseca Revisits Failed Idea of a Sarstoon Protocol
Last Wednesday, former Prime Minister Said Musa agreed that a protocol should be in place between Belize and Guatemala where it concerns access to the Sarstoon River.  He also said [...]

Someone Wanted Anthony Crawford Dead
Thirty-five-year-old Anthony Crawford, no stranger to the law, remains hospitalized at the K.H.M.H. tonight, following an attempt on his life while on his way home on Monday night.  Sometime around [...]

The Circumstantial Evidence Around Missing Anisha Young
A press conference was held late this evening by the family of missing woman, Anisha Young and search team lead, Jose Espat. After providing a detailed run down of what [...]

A Message from Anisha Young’s Family
It’s been over five weeks since Anisha disappeared and the family has not been able to find closure; they have, however, come to accept that Anisha was murdered. Today, Sheree [...]

Orange Walk Mother and Daughter Reunited After Hellish Ordeal
Tonight there is good news to report. Three-year-old Vera Timofeev and her mother Raquel Margarita Cocom have been reunited after a hellish ordeal. The mother and daughter returned to Belize [...]

P.U.P. Leaning Towards a “No” Position
Earlier today when we caught up with the P.U.P. leader, we asked him a number of questions with respect to the I.C.J.  In October 2018, John Briceño embarked on a [...]

P.U.P. Leader Takes on Foreign Minister, Wilfred Elrington
The media also asked Briceño for a reaction to the comments made by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, on Monday. When asked about his thoughts on Diasporans voting in [...]

The Courtenay Doctrine Discussed in 2010 by P.U.P.
In 2010, the People’s United Party began discussing what is referred to as the Courtenay Doctrine, after former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eamon Courtenay. Courtenay was the only former foreign [...]

George Price’s 100th Birthday Celebrated
Today marks the one hundredth birthday of the Right Honorable George Cadle Price. Price who is known as the Father of the Nation passed on September nineteenth, 2011, a few [...]

Bar Association to Host Public Forum on I.C.J. Vote
The Bar Association is organizing a public forum in the coming days and an expert in international law has been invited to discuss the issue of the I.C.J.   In an [...]

The CJ Acknowledges Retired Justices Lucas and Hanomansingh
There are as many as twelve judges on the Supreme Court bench, however, with the recent retirements of Justices Denis Hanomansingh and Adolph Lucas, two seats are presently available.  Both [...]

Supreme Court to Prioritize Pending 2016 Criminal Matters
Will the high-profile case involving accused murderer William ‘Danny’ Mason be heard in the Supreme Court this year?  Mason is one of seventy-four inmates on pretrial detention at the Belize [...]

Opposition Leader Urges G.O.B. to Assist Sugar Cane Farmers
P.U.P. Orange Walk South Area Representative Jose Abelardo Mai is on record speaking on the bad conditions of sugar roads and his concerns over the disbursement of monies earmarked for [...]

$ 20 Million for the Caracol Road; is it a Priority?
The Caracol Road is coming – well, not quite yet, but G.O.B. has announced that the funds for the project have been secured. On Monday, the Government of Belize signed [...]

Meet NEBL’s Defending Champions, the Belize Hurricanes
Basketball aficionados are looking forward for the opening of the National Elite Basketball League Season which gets underway later this week. But over the weekend, Belize Hurricanes got a jump [...]

LOVE FM

Raquel Cocom returns home with her three year old daughter
Three year old, Vera Timofeev arrived in Belize with her mother Raquel Margarita Cocom just after midday today. We first broke the story when Cocom, with the assistance of Tikkun Olam’s Director, Elisa Castellanos, won a court battle to have her daughter returned to her. Cocom had gotten involved with a Russian national who was …

Squatters may get to stay
Last week, we told you of a property in Belama Phase four that is in dispute. Fen Lan Company is the new owner of the property and the residents who are squatting on the property have been given eviction notices. Yesterday, Orson OJ Elrington, the UDP Standard Bearer for Freetown, told Love news that they …

Briceno wrapping up Listening Tour
The leader of the Opposition, John Briceno, had expressed support for taking Guatemala’s unfounded claim on Belize to the International Court of Justice, ICJ, but after touring the country in an effort to get feedback from his party supporters on the matter, seemingly Briceno has had a change of heart. Today, he told the media …

US University Students examining Communication Disorders in Belize
Texas A & M University students and professors paid a visit to the Santa Ana Government School in the Toledo District. Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung spoke to the facilitator for the excursion to Belize who said that the visits across the country were in order to examine communication disorders. Paul Mahung: “Santa Ana Government School …

Remembering the Father of the Nation
The Right Honorable George Cadle Price, the Father of the Nation, died on September 19, 2011. However, he still lives on in our hearts, especially the members of the People’s United Party, PUP, which he led for four decades. Today, the Father of the Nation would have been 100-years-old and this morning the PUP held …

Arsonist allegedly burned home after finding out woman moved
The National Fire Service and the Belize Police Department are investigating a fire that could have proven more destructive. On Friday night just after eleven o’clock, a man went to number 78 Dove Street in Ladyville and yelled for a female who lived at that address. Shortly after, a fire blazed and gutted the wooden …

Night Club Security and Police Special Duty on La Isla Bonita
On New Year’s night, Jamir Leal and his two brothers were at the Playa Bar and Grill in San Pedro when Leal assaulted his ex-girlfriend. When he began to choke her, his brothers and other patrons at the bar tried to get him to stop. When PC Tyrell Rowley and PC Samir Medina arrived on …

New Health Clinics Open Up
Healthcare continues to be one of the pressing issues as our population increases. That is why the Ministry of Health is opening two clinics on Monday, including one in Cristo Rey Village. Director of Health Services Marvin Manzanero explained why it was important to have these facilities installed and upgraded. Marvin Mendoza Director of Health …

Anthony Crawford Shot and needs blood
A Belize City man was shot on Monday night. At 8:45 p.m. 35-year-old Anthony Crawford was riding his bicycle with a friend on Antelope Street Extension when a man walked out from a yard and fired two shots at him. One of the bullets caught him on the chest. Crawford is in a critical condition …

Dylan Vernon in Belize for ICJ campaign
Dylan Vernon, Belize’s Ambassador to Belgium is in Belize to contribute to the campaign on the upcoming referendum. This morning he was a guest on The Morning Show where he simplified and discussed several aspects of the Belize/Guatemala issue including the failed negotiations that led to the Special Agreement. Dylan Vernon Belize’s Ambassador to Belgium: …

Investigation into death of Baby Woodeye Continues
Earlier this month baby Dion Woodye died after receiving what the family is referring to as poor treatment at the Corozal Community Hospital. The mother, Leah Miller said that the nurse on duty at the emergency ward told her there was no doctor on duty and that led to hours of wasted time that eventually had some effect on the passing of her child, Dion.

Chief Justice: Progress made in addressing backlog
The year 2018 saw eight hundred and eighteen civil claims made to the courts inclusive of bail applications. Chief Justice Benjamin stated in his address that a backlog in court cases was a serious issue. In the last year, the progress made in addressing the matter, is impressive, including the fact that all murder cases up to 2016 have been addressed in some form.

Judiciary received less than one percent of the budget for 2018-2019
Dozens of stakeholders and key players in Belize’s judiciary gathered at the Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City this morning for the official opening of the Supreme Court 2019 calendar year. The service began at eight thirty and was followed by the annual pump and circumstance; the procession left the church just before ten o’clock ...

Hospitals Need Blood Donors
The national referral hospital is not the only institution that has a problem with a dwindling supply of blood. According to the Director of Health Services, Marvin Manzanero it is a situation that is facing all healthcare facilities. He told us that there is a year-round blood drive for Belizeans to donate blood.

Father and Daughter injured in Highway Accident
Last week Friday night a man and his daughter were the victims of a road traffic accident. 49-year-old Ezekiel Ortega was riding his motorcycle on the George Price Highway with his 18-year-old daughter Lilian Sanabria after 9:30 p.m. when they were hit by a vehicle which did not stop to render aid. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvette says clues were left at the scene but the driver of the vehicle has not been identified as yet.

BNE Charitable Trust donates Computer lab to primary school
The Light of the Valley Primary School is the recipient of computers that will be utilized in its newly installed computer lab. The equipment comes courtesy of the Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust. Dangriga Correspondent Harry Arzu spoke to Walter Garbutt, a Trustee for the BNE Charitable Trust and the school Principal, Desiree Pascual about the donation.

Josue Danilo Villatoro Amador Charged for Murdering Police Friend
Twenty-five year old Josue Danilo Villatoro Amador, a naturalized Belizean originally from Honduras, was charged with the murder of 51-year-old police corporal Alfonso Guy when he appeared today before Magistrate Tricia Anderson. Guy was killed inside his apartment with his service weapon in San Juan area of San Pedro Town. The suspect fled the scene and hid the weapon. However, the police told us today that Villatoro is claiming the weapon discharged by accident.

Will the Turneffe Atoll be managed by foreigners?
There is an article on the internet that refers to Belize’s Turneffe Atoll and assistance coming from the Isrealis regarding its upkeep. It is a non-profit, international environmental organization that reportedly offers opportunities to protect biodiversity. In this specific article it notes that 5-acres of the Turneffe Atoll has been turned over to the care of the organization.

Belize City Toddler Viciously Attacked by Dog
A dog attack in an area behind the Complex building in Belize City has left a child severely injured and his family praying for a quick and safe recovery. Love News found that after the incident, the dog is still at the apartment building but in a different area of the yard. Four year …

Freedom Street Resident Murdered in his Vehicl
A resident of Freedom Street in Belize City is the latest murder victim for 2018. 29 year old Jose Ayala was last seen partying with friends in the Supaul Street area of Belize City. He was blasted multiple times to his face over the weekend inside his Chevrolet Trailblazer. Police found his corpse inside the …

Elrington doesn’t see the practicality for Diaspora to vote
Last week, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, along with Former Foreign Ministers Assad Shoman, Godfrey Smith, Lisa Shoman and Said Musa, who served under past PUP administrations, came together to sign a declaration in support of taking Guatemala’s unfounded claim on Belize to the International Court of Justice, ICJ. Obviously missing was the current Minister of …

Home Invasion Hostage Situation on Mahogany Street
Last night after 9 pm police were called to a burglary in progress at 7 Days Grocery Store on Mahogany Street in Belize City. In one of his first acts as Police Commissioner, Chester Williams deployed officers to the scene as the burglars were still inside the business. It’s officially referred to as a home …

Murder and Missing Men on Mapp Caye
It seems that it doesn’t matter if you’re landlocked or somewhere on the high seas, violent crime continues unabated. On a small island about three miles northeast of Belize City, the police and coastguard are tying together the strings of a murder and missing men incident. Three men were on the island and the last …

Amandala

ComPol Chester’s intervention saves hostage
Police had their hands full last night when around 9 p.m., they received word of a burglary on Mahogany Street at 7 Days Shop. What started off as a burglary, though, soon turned into a hostage situation. According to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, when officers, including him, arrived on the scene, they surrounded the building and learned that the burglars were in the building holding the store’s proprietors hostage. Initial media reports had indicated that the three burglars, one of whom was armed, jumped over the store’s cement fence to gain entry into the building. Once they were inside the store, they beat up the Asian couple, who were the proprietors.

US government’s partial shutdown affecting local staff at Embassy in Belize
Today marks day 24 of a partial shutdown of the US Government, which is affecting some 800,000 federal workers, many of whom are still working without a paycheck, while some have been furloughed. Closer to home, the Belizean staff at the US Embassy in Belmopan has begun to feel the pinch of working without getting a paycheck on payday. We called the Embassy today, Monday, to find out how many Belizeans are employed there and are affected by the shutdown, but the person who answered our call said that they have been instructed not to provide any information.

Mapp Caye mystery: 1 murdered, 2 missing
A man’s body, already in an advanced state of decomposition, was found on Mapp Caye, which is about 2 miles northeast of Belize City, around 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12. The body, which is presumed to be that of the watchman of the caye, was found in a latrine with a suspected gunshot wound in the back of the head. Two men who were with the watchman are still missing tonight. The police and the Coast Guard became aware of this situation after family members of the owner of the caye, Evan Neal, age unknown, became concerned when he did not return to Belize City, since the last time they heard from him, which was on Friday, January 11.

Supreme Court opens amidst pomp and circumstance
The legal year began today with the traditional opening of the Supreme Court with all the usual pomp and circumstance, which included a Belize Defence Force marching band, leading a parade from the Holy Redeemer Cathedral to the Supreme Court and a police guard of honor that was inspected in front of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin. Following the march of the bar, bench and ancillary staff of the judiciary, the courtroom of Chief Justice Benjamin was filled to capacity, for the annual addresses, chronicling the accomplishments of the past legal year. At the opening of his address, Chief Justice Benjamin acknowledged the sterling support of the Attorney General’s Ministry.

Child, 4, seriously injured after being bitten by dog
Another young child has been seriously injured after being bitten by a dog on Sunday, January 13, in the Rootsville area. At around 3 o’clock that afternoon, Carlton Pitts, age unknown, was inside a room that he rents while his 4-year-old stepson, Ellis Ortiz, was playing in the yard right outside the room. After a while, he heard the child screaming and he rushed outside. He then saw his landlord’s dog biting Ortiz’s face and Pitts, along with the landlord, rescued the child and rushed him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Ortiz sustained injuries to his forehead and jaw.

18 persons lost their lives in car accidents in 2018
Numerous car accidents occurred over the course of 2018 – quite likely more than have been reported. Some were minor incidents; some resulted in serious injuries; and some turned out to be fatal. A perusal of AMANDALA’s archives revealed that there have been at least 18 persons whose lives were lost due to car accidents, not including those who were knocked down while walking or riding bicycles, or accidents that involved motorcycles. A 77-year-old man, George Young, died in an accident involving a bulldozer on January 30. Around 3 p.m. that afternoon on the Burrell Boom Road, a Toyota RAV4 being driven by Young clipped a bulldozer that was being carried on a trailer. The impact caused extensive damages to the driver’s side of the RAV4, leaving it shredded and killing Young.

Southern teams stand strong in Week 1 of PLB 2018-2019 Closing Season
Of the 8 clubs in the Premier League of Belize (PLB), 3 are based in the south (Dangriga, Placencia and Punta Gorda), 3 hail from the west (Belmopan and San Ignacio/Santa Elena), and 2 from the east (Belize City and San Pedro); and in opening games of the PLB 2018-2019 Closing Season over the weekend, there were no losses suffered by teams from the south. Could this be a sign of a shift in the “balance of power” in PLB football, after western teams have shared the last 6 Opening and Closing Season championships – 5 for the Bandits and 1 for Verdes? Of course, the regular season is 14 games long, so we’ll see how it goes.

NEBL and Belize Hurricanes ready for grand season opener Friday night at the Civic Center
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) will be tipping off its sixth season this Friday with a huge game slated at the Belize Civic Center. Defending champions, Belize Hurricanes will be hosting their southern rivals, Griga Dream Ballers, with a lot of bad blood that needs to be settled on the court. Last year’s semifinals matchup between these two teams went to a decisive game 3, forcing a monstrous season opener. Mirage Smart Belize Hurricanes will be showcasing their two big men, Belizean American Tyrie Orosco and American big man Jordan Daniels, as they join forces with Devin Daly, Brian White, Akeem Watters and Glency “Coope” Lopez in a quest to get back to the big dance this season.

Secondary school football in Dangriga
The Dangriga Zone Secondary School Football Tournament continued today at Carl Ramos Stadium, hosted by Dellile Academy. In Females result, Ecumenical won over Dellile, 2 goals to 1. The goal scorers for Ecumenical were Jessie McLaughlin and Shendra Casimiro; while Dellile’s only goal was by Tarin Arnold from the penalty spot. The tournament continues this Wednesday, when it will be Ecumenical as the host school. At 2:00 p.m., game 2 from the female series will be Dellile Academy vs Ecumenical; and in the male match-up at 3:30 p.m., it will be Ecumenical vs ANRI.

Weekend Warriors Sunday Race results – January 13, 2019
Here are the results from Weekend Warriors (WW) racing held yesterday, sponsored by Santi Castillo. The race, for Open A/B/Elites, started at 9:10 a.m. and went from Leslie’s Imports (with a roll-out to Fabrigas) to Democracia junction and back to Old Belize, for 54 miles. 47 of the 48 starters completed the journey. Top finishers were: 1st Place – Brandon Cattouse (Smart, 2:07:03); 2nd Tarique Leslie (Digi, st); 3rd Keon Robateau (Westrac Alliance, 2:07:10); 4th Wasani Castro (Clear The Land, st); 5th Shane Jones (Westrac Alliance, st); 6th Nissan Arana (Westrac Alliance, st); 7th Greg Lovell (Digi, st); 8th Richard Santiago...

Tourism questions
Tourism, by definition, is a service industry. There is no shame in serving. Jesus the Christ made this very clear in John 13, when he washed the feet of his disciples. It must be noted, though, that when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, it was about humility and love, not money. The first prime minister of Belize, Hon. George Price, didn’t consider tourism to be one of the horses on which to hitch our wagon on our way to prosperity. Belize’s foundation was formerly forestry, and the new foundation would be agriculture, and fisheries. There are two reasons why Price did not see tourism as a major industry in Belize. One is that the industry has been considered fragile. Tourists don’t have to choose your country. There are open invitations for them to go to other countries, and the industry is always a bad travel advisory away from becoming a rejected destination.

From The Publisher
After Napoleon Bonaparte and the French army wreaked havoc on Europe in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the English dominated Europe and ruled most of the world for the rest of the nineteenth and much of the twentieth centuries. The key to English hegemony was their navy: English seamen were the finest in the world. And, their maritime code was brutal. Once a sailing ship left an English port, the captain’s authority was absolute: unilaterally, he could have a member of his crew cruelly flogged, keelhauled, or even hanged. In Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, the movie director gives his audience an idea of how rough military drill sergeants are on the young men they are seeking to get into fighting shape. Yes, the Marine drill sergeant in Jacket was crazy rough, but at least the recruits were assured of daily food and drink. English seamen in the days of sailing routinely endured significantly worse than what you saw in Full Metal Jacket.

Said Musa declares
Well, he took his own sweet time to do it. Said Musa might have declared before, but I didn’t hear the words direct from his mouth until he stood up and told the world on January 9, that he was YES to the ICJ. He had written, in 2008, that we allowed the Guatemalans too much space with the Special Agreement, but that didn’t change some of our minds on where he stood. Still, he had to say it. As dehnseh, betta layt than neva. Now, finally, all our big horses are in the gate. Aha, Said Musa got a good laugh from the top level UDPeez who (as usual) packed the press conference(last week), when he said that some people were saying that he was following Dean Barrow (to the ICJ), when it was the opposite, that it was Barrow who was following him. Naa, it wasn’t really a joke. Said Musa has been at the fore for a long time. After the vote it would be good to ask him if he would have been bold enough to sign the compromis. But that is the world of IF, and we live in a world of what IS.

Resetting national rhetoric and behavior: A MUST for resolving Guatemala’s unfounded claim
Beyond the mix of public congratulatory or disparaging remarks and argumentative nit-picking of statements made by various government and opposition leaders in the recent national discourse, all in response to the recent patriotic excursion of Belize Territorial Volunteers to Belize’s Sarstoon River border last Sunday, there still remains a harsh reality. The reality is that despite decades of negotiations, the Guatemalan government’s unfounded claim to Belize’s entire territory is still unresolved as prospects for a negotiated settlement have remained as hopeless as ever. The Guatemalan military’s recent belligerent posturing at the mouth of the Sarstoon River in its unsuccessful attempt to intimidate BTV to abort their visit to the Sarstoon Island, demonstrated Guatemala’s position regarding their claim of the area.

Musings by the Curious Non-Conformist
These words read with background music of Damian Marley’s ‘Gunman World’ actually make me anxious, angry, and heartbroken because I know this is true for many of US who walk in brown bodies. The basketball court for us, whether made of red clay or gray concrete, is where we are oftentimes socialized. We see conflicts start and resolved, we celebrate when men like “Bynum” dunk and have hang time on these metal rims, and we see humanity shared when there are just enough coins with the Queen’s head to buy water for those at play. It’s a place where some of our first lessons are learned, even for those like me who aren’t that athletic. For others, my brothers, classmates, childhood friends, it’s where they learn their last lesson, oftentimes at the sound of gunshots ringing out or as the pastor tries to impart upon the grieving family some words of comfort and inspiration.

Stephen Leiva, 43, lured out of his house and stabbed
Early this morning, around 1 a.m., a sleeping Stephen Leiva, 43, was awakened and lured out of his house before being attacked by an unidentified man. According to police reports the incident occurred near BelChina Bridge, where Leiva rents a room. When police arrived about half hour after the incident took place they saw Leiva with multiple stab wounds on his body. Initial investigations revealed that Leiva, who is a taxi driver, was sleeping in his rented room when he heard a knock at the door.

Charlton Campos, 18, detained in investigation of Elodio Aragon, Sr.’s abduction
Orange Walk police have confirmed that they have one man in custody who they are questioning in their investigation of the abduction of Elodio Aragon, Sr., whose home in Orange Walk Town was burglarized yesterday, Thursday, after which he was forcibly removed from his home. Aragon, 70, a former United Democratic Party minister of government and the father of current Minister of State, Hon. Elodio Aragon, area representative for the Orange Walk north constituency, was tied up, blindfolded and forcibly removed from his home, after all valuable items were stolen from the house.

Corporal Alfonso Guy, 51, fatally shot in his house
Former police prosecutor, Corporal Alfonso Guy, 51, who was originally from Corozal Town and was attached to the San Pedro police, died after he was shot in his abdomen at about 12:30 this morning, Friday, in his apartment in San Juan by a friend of his, Josue Danilo Villatoro Amador, 25, a waiter of San Pedro. In speaking to the media this afternoon, Superintendent Reymundo Reyes, Commanding Officer of San Pedro police, said that Amador told them that he was playing with Guy’s loaded police-issued 9mm pistol when it discharged and the bullet struck Guy in the abdomen. Instead of helping the injured corporal, however, Amador ran out of the apartment, taking the firearm with him. He then gave it to another person to hide.

Josue Amador, 25, charged with Corporal Alfonso Guy’s murder
Josue Danilo Villatoro Amador, 25, a naturalized Belizean originally from Honduras, was charged with the murder of 51-year-old Corporal Alfonso Guy when he appeared today before Magistrate Tricia Anderson. No plea was taken from him because the offence is indictable. Neither could the court offer him bail because of the nature of the offence. He was remanded into custody until March 16. The murder occurred around 12:30 a.m. on January 11. According to reports, Guy was in a room in his apartment in the San Juan area of San Pedro Town with his friend, Amador, and Amador reportedly was playing with Guy’s police-issued 9 millimeter pistol when he pulled the trigger and the gun went off.

The Reporter

Briceño SAYS THE PUP IS UNITED – ICJ DECLARATION WAS STUNT
PUP Leader John Briceño dismissed the joint ‘YES to the ICJ’ declaration as nothing more than a publicity stunt, and reiterated that the former PUP Foreign Ministers who signed on, did so on their own behalf and not on behalf of the Party. Briceño also dismissed any notion that the situation had created any discord or rift within the PUP.

Breaking Belize News

Three Belize city men charged for burglary
Three Belize City men have been charged for a burglary that occurred on Sunday night. Police […]

Gerry Sharp, citrus pioneer and husband of Marie Sharp passes away
Gerry Sharp, the beloved husband of Marie Sharp of Marie Sharp Pepper Sauce LTD has passed […]

Ambassador of El Salvador to Belize visits Minister of Transport and NEMO in Belmopan Office
Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management, Edmond Castro was visited in his Belmopan Office this […]

Police find ammunition on Nargusta street, Belize City
Police conducted searches last night on Nargusta Street, Belize City. Inside an abandoned lot, police found […]

Police find .25mm gun in Belize City
Yesterday police conducted searches at the corner of St. Jude and Sittee Streets in Belize […]

More ammunition found in Belize City
Belize City police conducted searches on Police Street yesterday and inside of the trunk of […]

Belize City man shot to the chest
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Sunday night. Anthony Crawford,35, reported that […]

Over 400 rounds of ammunition found in Benque Viejo
Yesterday, Benque Viejo police searched an empty lot in Santa Cruz area and found (100).357mm ammunition, […]

Aaron Hyde charged for attempted murder
Police have arrested and charged 18-year old Aaron Hyde of Roaring Creek, Cayo for the […]

Corozal man found murdered on Mapp Caye
The body of a man was found yesterday on Mapp Caye, Belize. Authorities transported the […]

Belize~ Should we take advantage and now say ‘Yes to ICJ?’
By Richard Harrison: Neighbouring Guatemala, in the last few days, is witnessing a Constitutional crisis develop over the decision by President Morales to evict the UN CICIG anti-corruption body from the country…nine months before the terms of the agreement was to expire. […]

Three Belize city men detained for horrifying home invasion
Police have released the names of the three men busted while they were carrying out […]

100 Years of George Cadle Price
By Lisa Shoman: Today marks the 100th Anniversary of the birth of the Right Honorable George Cadle Price on January 15, 1919. The man who we now call the Father of the Nation was not always universally revered nor was he uniformly prized for his just achievements during his lifetime. […]

Blogs

Iguana Juan’s Restaurant Wishes you Well
Iguana Juans Restaurant would like to take a minute to wish everyone a Happy New Year wish well for the new Year. Now that you have gotten past the hectic holiday season and eating marathon. They have great upcoming events to share including helping you destress and reach your 2019 fitness goals.. Join us at Iguana Juan’s and see for yourself– every Sunday from December – April! Enjoy an all-levels yoga class with a guided meditation, followed by a mimosa or two (or three or four– it is Sunday after all!) Stay on for half priced appetizers or a healthy snack and kick your Sunday off right.

The Dry Season isn’t Officially Here YET
Dry season on Ambergris Caye means sunny skies and clear clear nights for months in a row. HOLY RAIN LAST NIGHT. As if a waterfall was pouring on our roof. Cistern filling rain. I was JOLTED awake at 3.11am by the racket. And that’s good. Very good – because the dry season…which all the guidebooks say lasts from December to May…hasn’t officially started. December to May – 5 months is a very long time with a drop. Remember that the public water system extends barely over the bridge – and everyone north needs to either collect water in giant cisterns or make water (with expensive desalination systems) or…getting it delivered by truck. So while no rain is so great for all the outdoor activities that Ambergris Caye is famous for – a time to put away your raincoats and get out your “good shoes” – by May, we are READY for a few showers.

Chat n' Chill
If you head “really” north of the bridge and decide to make an adventure day out of it, one place you may end up, if you just keep going, is a great little spot called Chat n’ Chill. The most notable marker is their 20 foot high “Totem of Lost Soles”. This great little spot offers up sand games, made to order quesadillas, cold Belikin or a mixed drink to order. It is a great spot to get “lost” to when venturing north. And if you happen to see a lost Sole along the way, pick it up to add to the tree, more Lost Soles are always welcome!

Why You Should Visit Belize in February
It’s hard to pick the best time or the busiest month in Belize…and while Christmas week may be the busiest single week of the year, February may be the busiest in terms of a month of solid events and visitors. Belize is February is probably MOST popular because of one factor: absolute weather perfection. There has been little to no rain for a few weeks (or more) and there are few if any mosquitos. Almost every day has a high of 80F, is sunny without the serious summer humidity.

International Sources

Total Lunar Eclipse — Belize City, January 20–21, 2019
This total lunar eclipse is fully visible in Belize City. The total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a blood moon, as the Moon turns red

FBI seeks any local witness in Belize murder of ABC7 producer Anne Swaney
If the first 24 hours of any murder case are the most critical, then investigators handling the violent death of ABC7 digital producer Anne Swaney were behind from the start. They hadn't even found her body in the first 24 hours after she was reported missing while on vacation in the Central American nation of Belize. It was three years ago Tuesday that Swaney, 39, was found floating in the Mopan River, not far from an equestrian resort where she had been staying.

Belize Prime Minister Arrives in Cuba for Official Visit
Belize Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow is paying an official visit to Cuba starting this Tuesday, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. According to a press release, the distinguished visitor will hold official conversations with Cuban authorities and carry out other activities. Miguel Diaz-Canel, president of the Councils of State and Ministers, announced his meeting with the premier of the Central American nation during his official visit.

Videos

January 15, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Danillo Villatoro to be arraigned in Belize City for the murder of Corporal Alfonso Guy
Island resident, 25-year-old Danilo Villatoro was arraigned for the murder of 51-year-old police corporal Alfonso Guy on Monday, January 14th at the Belize City Magistrate Court. During his court hearing, Magistrate Tricia Anderson informed Villatoro that because of the nature of the offense, no plea could be taken and neither could the court offer him bail. He was remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until his next court date on March 16, 2019.

Ambergris Today

$20 Million For Caracol Maya Site Road
Government of Belize Signs Loan Agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for the Caracol Road Project On Monday, January 14, 2019, the Government of Belize signed a Loan Agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in the sum of Kuwait Dinars 6 million (approximately US$20 million) for the financing of the Caracol Road Project. The loan terms include an interest rate of two percent (2.0%) per annum and a repayment term of 20 years with a grace period of five years.

Pic Of The Week - Caribbean Boulevard
Did you know there is a “Caribbean Boulevard” in San Pedro? The island’s friendly loiterers known as “The Red Tap Crew” have taken the liberty to rename Buccaneer Street in down town San Pedro to “Caribbean Boulevard”. They have 'decorated' the wall with Caribbean Rum stickers from bottles of rum that they have consumed. The Red Tap crew members can be seen from day to day sitting down on the side of the street or fixing their friend’s bike to make some cash.

Misc Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Liquor License Board General Meeting
Tuesday, January 22, starting at 10am

Government of Belize Signs Loan Agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development for the Caracol Road Project
Today, January 14th, the Government of Belize signed a Loan Agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in the sum of Kuwait Dinars 6 million (approximately US$20 million) for the financing of the Caracol Road Project. The loan terms include an interest rate of two percent (2.0%) per annum and a repayment term of 20 years with a grace period of five years. Signing on behalf of the Government of Belize was the Hon. Patrick Faber, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, while H.E. Mr. Marwan Al-Ghanem, Deputy Director-General for Operations, signed on behalf of the Kuwait Fund.

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint part 2/3 of “The Mighty Jungle”.

Help us Rep.our Marimba Heritage @ Costa Rica Fest
Go Fund Me

Prime Minister Departs the Country
The Office of the Prime Minister informs that the Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow departed the country today, 14th January, 2019 en-route to Havana, Cuba for an official visit at the invitation of the Cuban President, Miguel Díaz-Canel. Prime Minister Barrow is expected to return to the country on Saturday, January 19, 2019. During Prime Minister Barrow’s absence the Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, will act as Prime Minister.

Marriott Alaia Resort Development on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Here is an on-site visit to the Marriott Alaia Resort Development on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. This 56 condo units development is scheduled to be completed by December 2020. Surrounded in breathtaking Caribbean Sea views and designed with private cabaas, beach condo sales, cozy seating clusters, and a fire pit. This autograph collection hotel will contain a rooftop Pool Terrace, so you can bask in the Caribbean soft breezes. The dining pavilion will offer casual fare and a private room will be available for events. Other amenities that will be available at the resort is their signature Beach Club, Belize Pro Dive Center Dive Shop, on-site San Pedro Sailing and Watersports Club, Live Art Gallery, Wedding and Event Venue and Adventure Concierge. This media blog would like to WELCOME our Marriott Alaia Resort to Belize and the best of success.

2019 San Pedro Lobster Fest
Date set for annual San Pedro Lobster Fest. Let's get ready to Party like a Lobsta!

Birds of Belize Exhibit Rotation
The SISE Hoc will be having a farewell event for their Birds of Belize exhibit. It'll be thinned out, as the exhibit moves to another location. The event is this Friday, January 18th. Dr. Zitzer will present about the birds in the display.

Countrywide Blood Shortage
Businesses and travelers. Please take extra caution. we are in a countrywide Blood shortage. Those wishing to donate can call the following places and make arrangements. Belize City Blood Bank 224-5010 Belmopan Blood Bank at the Western Regional Hospital Belmopan - Hospital 802-2537 San Ignacio Hospital 824-2066 or 824-2761 Punta Gorda Hospital - 722-2026 or 722-2161

Channel 7

Teenager Survives Shot To Head
Teenager Jahmeel Reyes is in an induced coma tonight and his family is anxious to find out if doctors can remove a bullet from his head. The 15 year old Roaring Creek resident was shot on Saturday evening around 4:00. If that wasn't enough, his attacker then put a brutal beating on him and buried him alive. But, he made it out alive - even if just barely. Courtney Weatherburne has this remarkable tale of survival in the face of ruthless violence: With a bullet to the head and his body severely bruised and buried, 15 year old Jamil Reyes dug through dirt, pulled himself out of a shallow grave and ran for help. The family is shocked he survived. Deshawn Card, Aunt: "It's a miracle, God knows, he has his reason."

18 Year Old Charged For Trying to Kill 15 Year Old
Quick police work on this case has led to a teen being charged. He is 18 year old Aaron Hyde. The head of National Crimes Investigation told us more. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch "Quick police investigation led to the detention of Hyde and the recovery of .22 pistol. He has since been charged today with the crimes of attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm." Reporter: "Is there anything that could have motivated this particular shooting?" ACP Joseph Myvett: "There is some information that this may have been over a pervious misunderstanding that the two had."

Four Year Old Mauled By Landlord's Dog
A 4 year old boy is in the hospital tonight after he was mauled by a dog in his own back yard. It happened in the Lake I area shortly after 2 yesterday afternoon. Ellis Ortiz was in the yard at his parent's apartment, when the landlord's dog attacked him. Fortunately, neighbors were able to wrest the child away in time and rush him to the hospital. He is now in a stable condition but parents are worried that the dog may have done permanent damage to the child's eye. Emanuel Pech reports:... 4 year old Ellis Ortiz is currently undergoing treatment at KHMH for injuries he sustained during a vicious canine attack. The culprit is the landlord's watchdog, a very protective potlicker mix. Baby Ortiz and his parents rent a room at an apartment complex in Lake I.

Home Invasion Turns Into Standoff With Police
It's a home-slash-business invasion that turned into a southside hostage situation, and, tonight, police are preparing charges for 3 men. It all unfolded around 9:00 last night at '7 Days Store' on Mahogany Street. Business owners, 58 year old Rong Bin Liang, and his wife, 57 year old Hefu Rong Liang, were closing shop when the 3 men jumped over the wall and held them up. They pushed the couple inside the building where the men tied them up and beat them up, while the men prepared to ransack their home. But the crime in progress was foiled by police - which led to a standoff. And it was the new Commissioner himself who stepped onto the front line to negotiate with the armed burglars. Here's more:...

Were Shots Fired Inside?
And while Compol Williams defused that situation, one thing that is left uncertain is the reports that shots were fired inside the building after police had detained the three suspects. In a Facebook live coverage of the event Marisol Amaya for Krem News witnessed what sounds like the discharge for ammunition inside the establishment. Some people from the area said they distinguished the sound as that of rubber bullets. However, when asked today Compol Chester Williams refuted those claims. Reporter: "We understand that fires was shot inside the building. Is that true?' Chester Williams - Police Commissioner: "No."

Driver Killed When Ambulance Crashes
A 26 year old Southern Emergency Services ambulance driver was killed in an accident early this morning. It happened before dawn this morning between miles 10 and 11 on the Southern Highway - near Silk Grass village. The victim is Belmopan resident Khalil Reyes - and he flew out of an ambulance which plunged into a drain. Another man - his co worker - was in the ambulance with him but police say they have not established who was driving at the time of the accident. Here is what they know so far. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch: "This morning sometime shortly before 5 am, Dangriga police was called to an area between miles 10 and 11 on the Southern highway where they observed a red and white ambulance being operated by Southern Emergency Services on the right hand side of the road when traveling north.."

Cotton Tree Motorbike Rider Badly Injured
And there's also news of another accident - this one wasn't fatal, but…. A Cotton Tree man is on life support tonight after he was flung from his motorcycle. 49 year old Ezekiel Ortega was rear-ended in a hit and run. It happened on Friday night around 9:30 on the Western Highway. He received major injuries to his head. Fortunately his 18 year old daughter who was with him is recovering at home. Courtney Weatherburne has more. Scraps of metal litter the western highway near mile 44. On Friday night, Father and daughter Ezekiel Ortega and Lilian Sanabria were on a motorcycle heading to their Cotton Tree home when a vehicle rear-ended them.

Gang Related Execution is Gruesome
And, now to the weekend's murders. There are two of them to report - and both sprang from underworld dealings: one is gang related, and the other drug related. We start early on Saturday morning at mile 3 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. At 1:45 police were called out o the area by passersby who saw a Chevy Trailblazer which looked like it had crashed. But when they looked inside, they saw a dead man. Jose Manuel Ayala was on the passenger side of his own vehicle with five gunshot wounds to the head. It's a merciless execution, meant to send a message, and Police told us it's related to gang rivalries in the Jane Usher Area:...

Island Worker Found Executed, Cops Say Drug Related
And while that murder is gang related, police believe the other drug related. It involves another of those workers on a small, isolated island - the kind where drug packages sometimes float past - which, inevitably, leads to a trail of death. Over the years, we've covered too many such murders - and tonight there is one more to report. This time it's on Mapp Caye - which is off the coast of Belize City - not too far from St. George's Caye - - where a John Doe was found dead, and two other men, including the island's owner, are missing. Police say they went out there at 7:00 this morning: ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City: "Police visited Mapp Caye which is located about three miles northeast of Belize City. Upon arrival, they observed the motionless body of a male person in an advanced state of decomposition inside of a latrine..."

Man Who Killed Cops Says It was Accident, Police Say Murder
Police have charged a man accused of murdering one of their own. Early on Friday morning, 51 year old Corporal Alfonso Guy was killed inside the police barracks - with his own weapon. His only companion at the time, 25 year old waiter Danilo Villatoro Amador has confessed, but said it was an accident - that he was playing with the 9MM pistol when it went off, hitting him once to the chest, a fatal shot. And while he says it was an accident, police say it's murder. The head of CIB told us more today:

Big Money For Caracol Road From The Kuwait Fund
The Caracol Road is closer to becoming a reality with a very generous financial contribution today from the Kuwait Fund. It's $20 million US dollar loan on concessionary terms of two percent per annum and a repayment term of 20 years with a grace period of five years. The loan agreement was signed today between Acting Prime Minister Patrick Faber Marwan Al-Ghanem, the deputy director general of operations for the Kuwait Fund. After a few formalities and some brief words of gratitude both parties signed on the dotted line:

PM Goes To Pay Respects To Cuba
And Deputy Prime Minister Faber presided because the Prime Minister left the country today. He's off to Cuba again, but not for another back surgery. This time, he's going to pay respects and say thanks with an official state visit. PM Barrow left today and is expected to arrive in Cuba tomorrow, where he will be the guest of Cuban President, Miguel Díaz-Canel.

Court Opens, CJ Recounts Achievements, And Challenges
Today is the second Monday of the new year, and as per the tradition that goes back decades, the Judiciary hosted the ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court. It is one of the very few events where the cloistered judges of the Supreme Court account publicly for the state of affairs in this branch of the Government. Our new team attended, and Daniel Ortiz reports: This year's ceremonial opening of the Supreme Court began at the Holy Redeemer Church in Belize City, where the Supreme Court judges, the magistrates, the court's staff, and the bar all gathered for a morning mass.

Hon. Wilfred On Why
As soon as Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington exited the Supreme Court today, the press asked him why he wasn't among the Foreign Ministers who signed the public declaration on last week Wednesday in support of going to the International Court of Justice. These 5 foreign ministers have all collectively agreed that given their experience on Belize-Guatemala bilateral relations, and the history of Guatemala's territorial claim, going to the ICJ is the best attempt at resolution that Belize has been given so far.

Nephew Chops Off Uncle's Fingers
Police are looking for a man who chopped his uncle and severed his fingers. The victim is Valley of Peace resident Angel Cerritos. It is a strange case because Cerritos says he has no beef with his nephew and has no idea why he would attack him. Police told us more. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch "Police were called to Valley of peace where they observed one Angel Cerritos, 33 years with several chop wounds to the back, as well as three fingers from his left hand was severed.

Fire Erupts After Inquiry About Woman
Multiple wooden structures burned in a Ladyville fire on Friday night. It happened on Ground Dove Street where the fire started mysteriously after a man went to the house inquiring about a female who used to live there. Resident Levi Bahadur told us more:

No Charges For Female Minor Accused of Setting Up Ambush
And, on our last bit of police news tonight, police cannot the charge the 16 year old female neighbor - who was thought to have lured 43 year old Stephen Leiva into an ambush where he was stabbed multiple times. Leiva is recovering in the hospital, but police released the teenager, saying they have no evidence that she conspired:...

Seafront Woes In Seashore Drive Area
And, finally, tonight, some sea-frontage reclamation is causing alarm in the Seashore Drive area of Buttonwood Bay. Residents have been calling us since Friday complaining that they are are about to lose their sea view because a developer is pushing dozens of loads of sand unto the sea in front of their homes. This is the area at the end of seashore drive, near the street that goes to Brodies northside. Now it strikes a chord because we first covered this story more than 12 years ago when Dion Zabaneh said that his mother owns the plot of land, which happens to be in the sea.

Channel 5

Asian Family Held Hostage by Trio of Armed Robbers on Mahogany Street
A robbery on Sunday night turned into a dangerous hostage situation on Sunday night.  Three armed thieves broke into a store on Mahogany Street in Belize City.  Seven Days Shop [...]

GSU Mandate to be Expanded Following Hostage Situation on the Mahogany
The lengthy standoff between three armed bandits and officers from the Belize Police Department has prompted ComPol Chester Williams to carefully consider the leadership, as well as the role of [...]

Belize City Man Shot 5 Times in the Face
A Belize City man was brutally murdered over the weekend. The body of twenty-nine-year-old Jose Manuel Ayala was found with five gunshot wounds to the face in the wee hours [...]

Watchman Murdered on Mapp Caye; 2 Others Missing
The eighth murder for the New Year was recorded today. Police say a watchman is dead and two others are missing from Mapp Caye. While his name has not been [...]

15-Year-Old Roaring Creek Resident Survives Attack; Aaron Hyde Charged
A fifteen-year-old youth is in a coma tonight after surviving a horrible ordeal. The teenager, Jamil Reyes, was socializing with friends in Roaring Creek when he came under a vicious [...]

Former Foreign Affairs Ministers Did Not Want ‘Sedi’ in on I.C.J. Declaration Event
Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington on Wednesday sat front row and center, observing five former Foreign Affairs Ministers sign a declaration expressing their firm support to take Guatemala’s claim to [...]

The Supreme Court Rings in the 2019 Legal Year
The 2019 sitting of the Supreme Court opened this morning with the fanfare that traditionally accompanies the event.  The address on the administration of justice was delivered by Foreign Minister [...]

Honduran National Charged for Police Corporal’s Murder
Twenty-five-year-old Honduran national Josue Danilo Villatoro Amado was transported from San Pedro to Belize City and arraigned for the murder of Corporal Alfonso Guy.  This afternoon, Villatoro, who is a [...]

Belize City Stabbing Victim Recovering at K.H.M.H.
Last Friday, we reported on the stabbing that left forty-three-year-old cab driver Stephen Leiva hospitalized. He was stabbed outside of his room near the Bel China Bridge in the early [...]

Fire Guts House in Ladyville; was it Arson?
A fire has left one man without a house in Ladyville Village. The thirty by thirty wooden structure and all its contents were wiped out by the time fire officials [...]

Wilfred Elrington Finds Comfort among Former Foreign Affairs Ministers
The I.C.J. remains a hot-button issue. On Wednesday, the only ex-Foreign Affairs Minister who did not sign the I.C.J. Declaration was Senator Eamon Courtenay. That’s because he chose not to [...]

Elrington: I.C.J. Referendum is for Belizeans Living in the Country
According to Eamon Courtenay, certain conditions must and should have been fulfilled before Belizeans go to the polls on April tenth. He says that the legal opinion on the I.C.J. [...]

Minister Elrington Says “The poll is not really relevant”
The media also asked Minister Wilfred Elrington about a recent telephone poll conducted by pollBelize.org regarding the I.C.J. Referendum. According to the poll, there is an increasing number of voters [...]

EMT Loses Life in RTA on Southern Highway
An emergency medical technician is dead following an accident between miles ten and eleven on the Southern Highway sometime early this morning. Police say Khalil Reyes was along with his [...]

Father and Daughter Knocked Down in Cotton Tree Hit & Run
There was a near fatal traffic accident on the George Price Highway in Cotton Tree Village, Cayo District. Ezekial Ortega was travelling on a motorcycle with his eighteen-year-old step-daughter, Lillian [...]

Man Chops Up Uncle in Valley of Peace
A chopping in Valley of Peace last Friday night has left one man without three of his fingers and with chop wounds to the back.  Police were called out to [...]

4-Year-Old Boy Bitten by Dog is Hospitalized
A four-year-old baby boy is hospitalized after he was bitten by a dog in the Lake Independence area.  Police say that on Sunday around three in the afternoon, Ellis Ortiz [...]

Foreign Affairs Minister Comments on ‘Narco-Cattle Ranching’
Friends for Conservation and Development has been documenting threats within the Chiquibul Forest for eleven years. Those threats include illegal logging, poaching, and gold panning, which was the biggest threat [...]

Sportscaster James Adderley and the Weekend Stats
Good evening, I am James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend sporting activities...]

The Reporter

‘SUSPECT’ IN SHOOTING OF MINOR DETAINED
Aaron Allan Hyde, 18, has been charged for the shooting of Jamil Reyes, 15. Reyes was socializing with friends in the Hattieville area of Roaring Creek when he was shot in the back of the head.

WATCHMAN MURDERED ON MAPP-CAYE ISLAND
The Reporter has been able to confirm the murder of a watchman at a camp on Mapp Caye. We are told that just moments ago the body was brought into Belize City. Police sources say the already decomposing body was found at around 9:00am.

‘UPDATE’ HOSTAGE SITUATION AT MAHOGANY STREET SHOP (VIDEO)
The owner of 7 Days Store on Mahogany Street is currently being held hostage inside his establishment. It is reported that around 9:45 tonight, shots were fired from inside the shop at the police. We will report more information as it becomes available.

4YR. OLD TODDLER SERIOUSLY INJURED BY DOG
A child, 4, is at the KHMH with serious wounds to his head and face. According to reports, on Sunday at around 3:00pm Carlton Pitts left his step-son Ellis Ortiz playing in the yard...

HOSTAGE SITUATION AT MAHOGANY STREET SHOP
The owner of 7 Days Store on Mahogany Street is currently being held hostage inside his establishment. It is reported that around 9:45 tonight, shots were fired from inside the shop at the police.

‘SUSPECT’ IN SHOOTING OF MINOR DETAINED
One man has been detained and is being questioned for the shooting of a minor. Roaring Creek resident, Jamil Reyes, 15, is in a critical but stable condition at the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan where he is recovering from a single gunshot wound to the back of his head.

Breaking Belize News

Commemoration of 100th Birthday of Father of the Nation, George Price
George Cadle Price, Belize’s first Prime Minister and ‘Father of the Nation’ was born on […]

Mobile health team visiting villages in Cayo
A mobile health team along with community leaders have joined efforts in the western health […]

Ministry of Health, UNICEF speak national adolescent health strategy priorities
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and partner agencies […]

3 years later, Anne Swaney’s murder still unsolved
Three years ago, on January 16, 2016, ABC 7 News Producer, Anne Swaney was strangled […]

Rainy weather to continue
A gradual increase in moisture is expected to continue over the next couple of days. […]

Prime Minister departs country to meet Cuban President
Prime Minister Dean Barrow departed the country today en-route to Havana, Cuba for an official […]

Government signs Loan Agreement with Kuwait Fund for Caracol Road Project
Today, the Government of Belize signed a Loan Agreement with the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic […]

3 young men arrested for home invasion in Belize City
Police have arrested three young men for the crime of home invasion in Belize City. According […]

Ambulance driver killed, passenger injured in crash on Southern Highway
Khalil Reyes, 26, lost his life this morning on the Southern Highway. Reyes was driving an […]

Belizean turmeric finds place on international market
A new product made from Belizean-grown turmeric, a ginger-like root, has started hitting grocery store […]

Blogs

Bonefishing from a SUP is as Great as it Sounds
In between host weeks here in Belize my time has been spent largely behind a computer screen, but today I took a little work break and explored some of the backcountry lagoons behind Cayo Frances Farm & Fly on a SUP board. I went searching for juvenile Tarpon that reside just behind the lodge’s property, but with the sun still quite high I decided to do a bit of exploring. Paddling into the wind can be a bit of a task, but as I came across a nice flat something caught my eye. I was so concentrated on keeping the board moving steadily into the wind that I didn’t even realize I had just spooked a school of 50 or so Bonefish. I put down my stake to anchor the board on the flat, and hoped they would circle back to where they had just been feeding.

Ain't Nothin but a Chicken Wing
The number one source of protein in Belize is the local dish of chicken. The most NUMMY chicken wings I have found on the Caye is a Pirate’s Secret Beach! The outdoor hearth is manned by one of the local guys, just waiting for you to put in your order. If you are hanging out in the water on a floaty or just lounging on the beach or sitting at the bar, you must order their chicken wings. The barbecue sauce is just spicy enough and their aioli dip melts in your mouth. Grab a Landshark or Belikin and order some Pirates Chicken Wings, you won't be disappointed!

#UnBELIZEable! Ambergis Caye, San Pedro, Belize
Get ready to embark on your first adventure with the Bacon Crew! Let's get something straight...the crew has champagne taste and a beer budget. We love to travel as much as possible, which means we like to vacation on the #CHEAP! My goal is adventuresofbaconbits.com will get more of YOU adventurers out there #exploring! HOW TO GET THERE: You "BELIZE" that you want to vacation on Ambergris Caye. How to you get there? We opted for the puddle jumper. The plane was very clean, well kept and the pilots had great take-offs and landings. (I grew up in one of these things so I know what its like when it's not so great.) Taking the plane vs. the boat also meant a 15 minute flight vs. a 1.5 hour boat ride. After flying commercial all day....I'm down for the #quicky.

Belize in January
If you are looking for a warm, tropical escape from gray, cold winter climate, look no further than Belize. In January, Belize offer travelers perfect weather: warm, sunny days, light breezes, and mild nights. There are plenty of adventure tours and luxury resorts and lodges available to make your trip unforgettable. Unlike other popular destinations like Mexico and Costa Rica, Belize is busy enough to provide plentiful entertainment at this time of year but is not unpleasantly packed with crowds. In January, visitors enjoy perfect sunshine coupled with all of the amazing sights, activities, and cuisine that Belize has to offer. On the coast and the islands, you can relax on the beautiful beaches, nap in a hammock, and just be ‘one with nature’.

The Secret Beach in Ambergris Caye, Belize
San Pedro, the island’s sole town is a hub of activity with unique eateries and restaurants and lots of nightlife. The quieter side of Ambergris Caye is ironically called the Secret Beach, which isn’t a secret at all. The Secret Beach is a must-see destination on your Ambergris Caye holiday for a variety of reasons. The most popular way to get to the Secret Beach is via a golf cart. It’s a fun ride that takes about 45 minutes through mangrove swamps, but it’s well worth the trip. If you think you will get lost, don’t worry. English is the official language of Belize and the locals are always willing to help out. In addition, there are plenty of signs along the way. Once you get to the Secret Beach, you won’t be alone, but neither will be it overly crowded. Wading out into the turquoise waters is a must-do as you can walk 200 feet from the shore and the water will still only be at waist-level. The great thing about the Secret Beach is that it’s not overly commercialized, but there is something for everyone. Indulge in water sports, have a drink and a bite of Belizean food or just simply relax on the beach itself.

The 9 Most Popular Foods in Belize
Many visitors arrive in Belize unsure about what to expect when it comes to food. But the delicious mix of different cultural influences means that Belize is home to a sumptuous medley of seafood, fresh fruit, Caribbean classics, and savory treats that are sure to please even the pickiest eater. When you are in Belize, here are the 9 foods you definitely need to try:

Lonely Planet Joins National Geographic In Listing Belize As One Of The World’s Top Ten Travel Destinations
What a nice way to start the year! After earlier expressing our appreciation of Belize being named as one of National Geographic’s Top Ten Travel destinations for 2019, we’re very happy to be doing it again – this time for accolades from that other great travel authority, Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet’s annual top destinations picks become a coveted list from which worldwide wanders select new and exciting places to visit. Let’s face it – if those savvy globetrotters at Lonely Planet (or LP, to those in the know) find that a place is worth visiting, chances are you will, too.

International Sources

Darmasiswa Scholarship Program
The Government of Indonesia is offering a one year non degree scholarship programme to Belizeans who wish to study Indonesian language (Bahasa), art and culture. Deadline for application - 1 March 2019.

Why Mangroves must be protected
Mangroves are often depicted as uninviting and unfriendly environments, not pleasing to the eye, a little bit smelly and a haven for mosquitos and sand flies. Yet within this narrow piece of real estate between terrestrial forests and marine ecosystems, mangrove forests are lush with marine, estuarine and terrestrial life and, when protected and managed well, rich in biodiversity. Mangrove forests are inshore coastal communities, where they can occur in salt, estuarine or fresh water conditions. They prefer calm waters that allow the mangroves to effectively root themselves into the substrate of the water column without being swept away. Even though mangroves may prefer freshwater conditions - they occur in areas with heavy rainfall - they actually thrive in saltwater environments as they tolerate higher salinities better than the other plants.

Travelers Are Flocking to Belize Right Now
Belize is one of the hottest destinations in the region right now, according to the latest data from the country’s tourism board. The country on the Caribbean coast of Central America reported 14.6 percent growth in stayover arrivals last year, one of the fastest growth rates of any destination in the region in 2018 — lifting arrivals to a new record for the country. That translated to 62,000 more overnight visitors to the country, and a total of 489,261 stayover visitors in the calendar year. In the last 10 years, Belize’s stayover visitor numbers have doubled, starting at 232, 249 in 2009.

What Language is Spoken in Belize?
Belize is a small country about the size of Massachusetts, with less than 400,000 people. Despite being one of the least densely populated countries in the world, Belize’s vibrant history has led to a diversity of culture, ethnicities, and language that is fascinating to experience. Belize was once the home of the Maya Indians. Historians believe these Maya disappeared around 1,000 years ago but some of their ancestors remain. The Kekchi and Mopan Mayas in the south, and the Northern Maya who have a Yucatec heritage. Belize also has a strong history of British and African cultures dating from the colonial period. This has led to a Belizean Creole culture.

Cuba's President to Welcome Belize's Prime Minister
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced Monday he will host Belize''s Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow as part of his official visit to Cuba. Diaz-Canel, highlighted in his Twitter account the historical ties between Cuba and Belize, based on solidarity and friendship. We will welcome Tuesday Dean Oliver Barrow, Belize's PM, as part of his official visit. The historical ties binding Cuba and Belize are based on solidarity, friendship, gratitude and full support for the Caribbean', he wrote in his twitter @DiazCanelB. For its part, the Foreign Ministry also referred to the Belizean Prime Minister's arrival in Cuba the West.

Videos

January 14, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Belizean Renee Woods promoted to oversee American’s ticket sales centers in Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean
American Airlines today announced Renee Woods as its new Manager for the airline’s Ticket Sales Centers (TSC) throughout Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. In this role she will oversee revenue generation and performance for American’s 42 Ticket Sales Centers in the region. Woods began her career at American in 1990 in her native Belize City (BZE) as a Gate Agent and held a number of roles of increasing responsibility at BZE. In 2012 she moved to Miami for an opportunity in the Business Planning department and most recently served as Senior Analyst for Sales Planning.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Show Business
I was sipping my morning coffee at a deck table of the Holiday Hotel when someone walked up to my table and said, “Hi, Dennis. Remember me?” I searched my memory and came up with, “Johnny Dent? Oh, my! I haven’t seen you in fifteen years. Are you still working with the circus?” “Yes,” he said, “but the circuses all closed in the U.S. I’m working out of Munich, Germany, for an outfit called Zirkus Krone. I’m back in Belize for a family reunion.” “Oh, that’s right,” I said. “You’re married to one of the Garcia sisters. Join me for a cup of coffee.”

What’s New: Brooklyn Brothers Bagel Shop at the new Maya Island Air terminal
Brooklyn Brothers Bagel Shop has a new location in downtown San Pedro, on the second floor of Maya Island Air’s recently inaugurated terminal. The popular bagel shop has expanded to offer a fully stocked liquor and coffee bar, complete with a flat-screen TV to watch your favorite shows. It continues to offer not only the best in bagel sandwiches but also baked goods, shrimp ceviche and weekend specials like lasagna. Not only do they welcome travelers awaiting flights but are thrilled to serve the general public Monday through Sunday from 6:30AM to 6PM.

Doctor Love: Not Free
Dear Doctor Love, I’m sixteen years old and I used to babysit my younger brothers and sister without any pay. They are old enough to stay alone now but my mother’s two younger sisters have four young children. My mom always tells them that I’ll baby sit while they go shopping or socializing for the evening. She doesn’t ask me if I have something planned and they don’t want to pay me. I do babysit for other parents and sometimes I have to give up money to look after my cousins. I would like my mother to ask me first and I would like to be paid. My mother says family doesn’t pay for babysitting. She reads your column every Sunday and she will listen to you because you are fair.

Ambergris Today

Josue Villatoro Amador Charged For Murder Of Corporal Alfonso Guy
The Belize Police Department today announced the arrest and murder charges laid upon Josue Danilo Villatoro Amador 25-year-old, Honduran Waiter of San Pedro Town Belize District in the shooting incident that caused the death of San Pedro Police Officer, Corporal Alfonso Guy. Based on official police reports, 51-year-old Corporal Alfonso Guy was fatally shot with his police-issued weapon sometime after midnight on Friday, January 11, inside his apartment. The police visited the San Pedro Poly Clinic where they observed, Alfonso Guy undergoing medical treatment for one apparent gunshot wound to his abdomen. Alfonso Guy was transported to the KHMH where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Misc Belizean Sources

By Bobby Lopez, Belize Peace Movement. Five foreign ministers signed a declaration at the prime minister’s press conference Wednesday morning, January 9, 2019. So what? The purpose of this poppy-show event was another desperate attempt to influence Belizeans to vote yes to the ICJ. With only 92 days left to referendum date on April 10, and with more Belizeans joining the No vote, Wednesday’s soap opera is the latest in the recent string of desperate attempts by government after ten years of failure to conduct a proper and impartial public education efforts on the Guatemalan issue. The Belize Peace Movement (BPM) recalls the heads of the army, police and coast guard were paraded to all media outlets singing the government’s propaganda. It fooled no one.

2019 Graffiti Fest
Here is the finishing touch of the 2019 Graffiti Fest that was held on January 12, 2019. It was held in front of the Corozal House of Culture. Mexican and Belizean's Grafitti Came to showcase their talented Art in Corozal. Many Jewelry, Art paints, food, Auction sale, Tattoo fest, Diabetes booth, Corozal Sailing Club, and many other booths where out promoting their information booth.

Corozal Women’s Forum Membership Drive
Corozal Women’s Forum will hold its annual membership drive and birthday meeting at the Red Cross Building in Corozal, Thursday, January 17th at 10am. All women are invited to come

Corozal Bay in Belize
Learn about and visualize the protected area of Corozal Bay

First canoe race of the New Year...Boom to Manatee Lookout
Congrats to Team NICH on the win!!!

KUKULKAN: THE MESOAMERICAN MESSIAH,BOOKS OF CHILAM BALAM AND THE PROPHECIES OF THE RETURN OF KUKULKAN
K'uk'ulkan was born in May 18,895 Under the name of Ce Acatl Topiltzin in MesoAmerica. His birth was full of tradegy because his parents where murder but also full miracle as he survive various attempts of murder whike he was a baby. He assumed lordship over the Toltecs and migrated his people to Tollan. Reigning in peace and prosperity he contributed much to the lifestyle of the Toltecs with basic ideas such as civilization. He was generally considered a god upon earth by his followers with similar powers to those of his namesake. Kukulkan dispelled the traditions of the past and ended all human sacrifice during his reign. Kukulkan reach Mayab or Maya which was the name of Yucatan peninsula before the conquest. Kukulkan wisdom impress the lords and they respected him. Kukulkan convince the lords to build a new city and he named it Mayapan, meaning "Standard of the Maya people". According to the Books of Chilam Balam (The holy books of the Yucatec Maya) when the city of Mayapan was build the people became known as Maya. The word Mayab or Maya can mean "Few ,Not many" or also "The choosen people."

Belize Ma'alob K'iin
Due to many factors today many Maya in northern and western Belize speak mostly spanish(mostly elders are the Maya speakers) but even speaking Spanish they use alot of Yucatec Maya words creating a Mayanized Spanish(Yucatec Spanish). The " X" sounds as "Sh" in Maya . Nearly a 100 words we used every day .

The Reporter

I LOVE THE TAPIR!
By: Mike Rudon Jr. My column this week, the first for 2019, has absolutely nothing to do with a tapir. But since everybody and their granny now suddenly loves the tapir and would lay down their lives for that wonderful creature, I wanted to start the year off on a good foot. So if anybody asks, let them know that Mike Rudon loves the damned tapir. That tapir is the last thing I think about at night, and the first thing I think about in the morning. Check my profile pic on Facebook – it’s a tapir.

Breaking Belize News

Honduran man charged for murder of police man
Police have charged one man in connection with the shooting death of police officer, Alfonso Guy. The accused is Honduran waiter, Josue Danilo Villatoro Amador, 25.

Police issue official report on minor shot yesterday
According to police reports, yesterday at around 4 p.m. investigators visited the Western Regional Hospital. There, they observed a person with a single gunshot wound behind the head. He was identified as, Jamil Reyes, 15.

Blogs

Muffins And More at Uber-Cute Sol Cafe & More
I’ve been dreaming of breakfast muffins on Ambergris Caye. They are not typical Belizean fare – in fact, they are SO American that in the UK, they are referred to as “American muffins” at Starbucks. And man…I love them. But now I can take my pretend-business-planning hat off (I spent about 6 months on the previous faux-enterprise, “Potlickers Potstickers” – dumplings from around the world) – because a super cute shop has opened just a few miles from me. On my drive home every single day. The Sol Cafe. Located JUST where the paved road ends – across the street from Belizean Shores and Coco Beach Resort – in a small “food court” that has been going up over the last few months. There are two small eateries – one is the Tipsy Lobster, I must try that one. But just two buildings up is SOL CAFE. And I’ve watched them decorate it with SUCH care over the last few months. It’s absolutely darling. I see Instagram photos galore on this seating deck.

International Sources

Ghana Offers African-Americans & Caribbean people the Right of Return & the Right of Abode in 2019
The concept of right of abode under Immigration Law is that person having the right of abode” shall be free to live and to come and go into and from the country without let or hindrance” Section 17(1) of the Immigration Act 2000, Act 573 provides that subject to this section the Minister may on an application and with the approval of the president grant the status of right of abode to any of the following persons

Belize signs and Monaco ratifies BEPS mulitlateral tax treaty
The OECD on January 11 announced that Belize has signed the Multilateral Convention to Implement Tax Treaty Related Measures to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (MIL) becoming the 86th jurisdiction to sign. Also, Monaco on January 10 deposited its instrument of ratification for the MLI with the OECD, becoming the 18th jurisdiction to do so. The following countries have now deposited instruments of ratification for the MLI: Australia, Austria, France, Isle of Man, Isreal, Japan, Jersey, Lituania, Malta, Malta New Zealand, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Ancient Mayan city FOUND: How 80ft temple was revealed to cameras 'for very first time'
The Mayans were a civilisation known for their architecture, mathematics and astronomical beliefs, who date back to as far as 2000BC. Many of their impressive constructions can still be seen in the jungles of southeast Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and western parts of Honduras. Even to this day, archaeologists are constantly battling against local looters to get their hands on some of the most exquisite finds to learn more about this advanced society. However, Amazon Prime’s “Mayan Treasure Hunters” takes viewers closer than ever before to unseen territory. The film crew, accompanied by local looters, visited an entire hidden city in the Guatemalan jungle, unknown to the government or historians. The 1990 documentary revealed: “You won’t have seen this happen before on television, it’s the first time it has ever been allowed to be filmed.

Videos

January 13, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events, Sports

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Beach Restaurant operating without permits in San Pedro Town
A beach restaurant called London Eye Grill on the Boca del Rio beach is operating without a trade or liquor license. The establishment lacks the required bathrooms but counts with a dining space and serves alcoholic drinks. According to the San Pedro Liquor Licencing Board, London Eye Grill has not applied for a liquor license and will be closed. The restaurant was apparently shut down in December 2018 by The San Pedro Town Council, with police assistance, as it did not have the required permits. However, it is alleged that after the intervention of Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Manuel Heredia Jr., the business was re-opened. The San Pedro Sun was unable to reach Heredia for comment.

Caye International Bank named Best Private Bank in Belize, 2019
Caye International Bank, based in San Pedro Town, was recently named as the ‘Best Private Bank in Belize, 2019’ by the Global Finance Magazine. This is the second consecutive year that the financial institution has been named the Best Private Bank in Belize. The title is awarded based on a range of factors that include recommendations from top analysts, public filings, company documents, and sources within the financial industry. Caye International Bank initially began as a mortgage company in 1996, started by Attorney Joel Nagel and Mike Cobb. Due to its continued success over the years, the decision was made for it to become an international bank. On September 30, 2003, Caye International Bank officially received their International Banking License from The Central Bank of Belize. It is the only international bank headquartered on Ambergris Caye, which conducts financial services with both individuals and corporations inside and outside of Belize.

Ian ‘Lion’ Gordon continues to make his mark at international marathons
Island athlete Ian ‘Lion’ Gordon continues to proudly represent San Pedro Town and Belize in international marathons. Gordon recently placed 30th out 160 competitors in the 40-49 age category at the XX Gran Marathon Pacifico Mexico race held in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico on December 1, 2018. The race saw the participation of approximately 10,000 runners competing in four different categories. It is rated as one of the top 10 marathons in the world, as it sees the participation of some of the world’s best. Gordon told The San Pedro Sun that the race was a great experience, helping him to grow as a professional. “It is always an honor to participate and represent Belize in these international marathons. Nevertheless, the most important part of it is that it prepares me for future races as it motivates me always to push myself to continue doing better,” he said. One of Gordon’s main goals is to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France and be an inspiration to those people who believe that they are too old to accomplish their dreams.

Caye Caulker visitor not charged for apparently discharging a firearm in public
Caye Caulker residents are questioning the basis under which police released a former resident accused of discharging his licensed gun in public. Identified as a David Isaiah Bonner, or commonly known as Brah to Hicaqueños, the alleged shooter is apparently from Hawaii, United States of America, and used to live on the island a few years ago. According to witnesses, Bonner discharged his gun in the old cemetery on Friday, January 4th, and after being reported, police detained him the following day. His detention was not for long, and he was released without any charges, pending an investigation.

San Pedro Tiger Sharks ready for 2019 NEBL tournament
The island’s basketball team, the San Pedro Tiger Sharks, has officially introduced its team for the 2019 National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tournament, which starts on Friday, January 18th. The two-time NEBL champions will be playing their first game of the season away from home, facing the Orange Walk Running Rebels on Saturday, January 19th in Orange Walk Town. The team is once again being coached by basketball veteran Rico Black, alongside assistant coaches Darren Bovell and Travis Santos. Rico told The San Pedro Sun that they are coming with a solid team this year, and he asks the entire basketball community on the island to come out and support the Tiger Sharks this season. The 2019 San Pedro Tiger Sharks are Doug Penland, Douglas Valley, Raheem Baptist, Kyle Young, Kurt Burgess, Jihad Wright, Ashton Edwards, Winston Pratt, Francis Arana, Gene Myvett, Tyrone Edwards, Martavious Adams, Louis Pitterson, Keith Pollard, and Brandon Rogers.

Misc Belizean Sources

Danilo Villatoro Amador Arrested for Murder of Alfonso Guy
On Saturday, January 12th, San Pedro Police formally arrested and charged 25-year-old Honduran waiter Danilo Villatoro Amador, for the crime of murder after the death of Police Corporal Alfonso Guy. Guy was fatally shot in his barrack room in the San Juan Area during the early hours of Friday, January 11th. He was initially treated at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II and then airlifted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the KHMH.

San Pedro Chapter cleanup continues
We spent our morning assisting Ms. Sheria Parham to remove two trailer loads of trash from her yard and street. Sheria wants to create a safer environment for the neighborhood children and also provide a clean path for their neighbors to reach their home, as her neighbors have been using a frequently flooded path, created by old pallets across a trash-filled pond to get to their home. Sheria is graciously allowing them to cross through her yard via the new path she is creating so the family can feel safer walking to their home. Akeem, her neighbor’s child, even helped us by picking up small pieces of trash he found laying along the road! But that’s not all, on our way to the Transfer Station, we were stopped by a man who took a piece of garbage off our hands. He saw a way to repurpose an old metal sink as a flower pot! What is trash to one, may be a treasure to another!

Corozal House of Culture Graffiti Fest '19
There was lots to drink, booth information, paintings, snacks, and lots more to see on display. It is a fun event to witness in Corozal.

Service Providers Needed: BEL is interested in doing business with you
Send your info to [email protected] or contact our Purchasing Department at +501-227-0954.

BEL Vacancy for Computer Technician
A vacancy exists for the post of Computer Technician II in the Information Systems Department (Belize City) of Belize Electricity Limited.

BEL Vacancy for Apprentice Lineman
A vacancy exists for the post of Apprentice Lineman I in the Distribution Department (Independence) of Belize Electricity Limited.

No Free Lunch at Falcon Field
The No Free Lunch event will be next Saturday, January 19th, at Falcon Field. They'll have many local artists perform throughout the evening. The fun starts at 4:00pm. "At least 12 ARTISTS prepare to take the stage at what we plan to make a regular event here in San Ignacio! Starting the year off right with a step in the right direction of positive artistic expression. This time we have artists from Benque, Belmopan, & local studios coming together to make this fire blaze!"

Waight Award Nomination Call 2019
The Belize Audubon Society is accepting nominations for the 2019 James A. Waight Award. The award is for those outstanding in conservation. "Do you know an outstanding Belizean individual or organization in conservation? Nominate them for our James A. Waight Conservation Award today! Submit nominations to [email protected] by the deadline of 5:00 pm on February 1st, 2019. Read more about the history of the James A. Waight Award here.

BTB Contingency Planning Workshop
The Belize Tourism Board is having a Contingency Planning workshop on Wednesday and Thursday, January 16th and 17th, at CET. The workshop focus on emergency planning and response and global weirding adaptation measures. "Contingency Planning Workshop for accommodations in the Cayo area."

The Reporter

FIRE DESTROYS LADYVILLE HOME
A wooden structure with zinc roofing located at #78 Dove Street in Ladyville was completely destroyed by fire last night. Preliminary details released by Police indicate that sometime around 11:20 p.m. on January 11th, a man visited the residence and was heard calling out for a female. Shortly after, flames were observed coming from out of the structure.

ANOTHER MURDER IN THE CITY
Jose Manuel Ayala, 29, a resident of Freedom Street in Belize City, was found dead early this morning, with what appeared to be five gunshot wounds to his face. Ayala was discovered by Police just after 1:45 a.m., on the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle near mile three on the George Price Highway.

Breaking Belize News

House completely destroyed by fire in Ladyville, Belize
A house was completely destroyed by fire last night in Ladyville, Belize. Around 11:30 last night, police were called to Dove Street in Ladyville where they saw a wooden structure with zinc roof engulfed in flames.

San Pedro Police investigating murder of Corporal Alfonso Guy
Authorities are investigating the murder of Corporal Alfonso Guy, 55, that occurred on Friday morning in San Pedro Town. Around 1:17 AM on Friday, police went to the San Pedro Polyclinic where they saw Guy suffering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen.

Man found shot dead in parked car
A man was found dead in the Belize District this morning. He has been identified as Belize City resident, Manuel Ayala. According to initial reports, he was found riddled with gunshots inside a vehicle parked near mile 3 of the George Price Highway.

Blogs

The Best of San Ignacio
Great article about Cayo from the Full Passport. But, to have two days is 2 weeks too little. She has a decent itinerary with Cayo for the nature and jungle, and Hopkins for the beach. "Located about fifteen kilometers by road from the Guatemalan border, San Ignacio is a popular base for exploring the mountainous, jungle-covered Cayo District of Belize. There’s something for everyone in San Ignacio: backpackers will love the plethora of inexpensive accommodations and the lively bars along Burns Avenue; adventure seekers will revel in opportunities to trek through mysterious, sacred caves and explore the countryside by horseback; history nuts will delight in the abundance of important Mayan ruin sites nearby; and chocoholics will enjoy the chance to learn about the chocolate-making process from the descendants of the people who created it – and sample the goods, of course!

Affordable Place to Stay in Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize - Kne Villas
Mountain Pine Ridge Nature Reserve, locally referred to as “Pine Ridge,” is a beautiful destination in Belize where you can experience majestic waterfalls, explore ancient cave systems and completely disconnect from civilization. Mountain Pine Ridge is one of Belize’s top destinations to visit where you can experience some of the top attractions in Belize such as Big Rock Falls, Rio Frio Caves and Caracol Maya Ruin. Kne Villas is a self-catering vacation rental property located in Mountain Pine Ridge. While it lacks typical resort amenities and services such as a restaurant, room service, and a lobby, Kne Villas offers guests a gateway to endless adventures in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Guests have the options of visit Caracol Archaeological Site, Rio Frio Cave, Rio On Pools, Thousand Foot Falls, and other must-visit sites in the area.

International Sources

Israeli-led group buys endangered coral reef in Belize
This is My Earth has crowdfunded $30k – much of it from Israelis – toward the purchase and protection of a strategic parcel of the Turneffe Atoll. Destructive and unsustainable development have damaged or destroyed Turneffe’s coral reef, backreef flats, sea grasses and mangrove forests, according to the Turneffe Atoll Trust (TAT). But hope is on the horizon, thanks to a $30,000 crowdfunding campaign by the Israeli-led international nonprofit organization This is My Earth (TiME). According to TiME founder and CEO Prof. Uri Shanas, a conservation biologist at the University of Haifa-Oranim, the funds will enable TAT to buy and protect a five-acre strategic parcel of the Turneffe Atoll and ensure there will be no development on what Shanas calls “an amazingly beautiful spot.”

Archaeologists discovered INTACT human skeleton COVERED in crystals in Mayan temple
ARCHAEOLOGISTS uncovered an entire human skeleton covered in jade crystals during a Mayan temple excavation, it was revealed during a bombshell documentary. Even to this day, archaeologists are constantly battling against local looters to get their hands on some of the most exquisite finds to learn more about this advanced society. However, there is one discovery that has topped them all over the years, it was revealed during Amazon Prime’s “Mayan treasure hunters” series. The 1990 documentary featured an interview with a Guatemala criminal who told a tale of a “priceless find.” The man, who did not reveal his name, detailed: “Picking sapodilla leaves [to make chewing gum] is the only job that pays money out here – at least eight or nine dollars a day.

Videos

January 12, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Ministry of National Security briefly comments on allegations of Belize ties to the Sinaloa drug cartel
Belizean authorities have been cautious when commenting on the allegations by imprisoned drug dealer Vicente Zambada, a former member of the Mexican Sinaloa Drug cartel, who named Belize as part of the drug network. This allegation was first published on Thursday, January 3rd by the New York Times Newspaper, where Zambada, who is incarcerated in the United States of America (USA) testified against the cartel providing details of their drug-trafficking operations. Vicente Zambada is the son of Ismael Zambada Garcia, one of the cartel’s leaders, who work jointly with drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman Loera. He groomed Vicente to take control of the group, but he was arrested in 2009 and extradited to the USA, where he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in 2013.

Two persons detained in shooting death of San Pedro Police Corporal Alfonso Guy
San Pedro Police have detained two persons following the shooting death of one of its own, 51-year-old Corporal Alfonso Guy. The officer was fatally shot with his police-issued weapon in the mid-section and back of the head sometime after midnight on Thursday, January 10h, inside his apartment. Guy was rushed to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, where he was stabilized and later airlifted to Belize City. Guy succumbed to his injuries around 2:30AM while undergoing treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).

San Pedro 5-A-Side Football Tournament underway!
Many island residents from both San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker Village made their way to the Angel Nuñez Auditorium in San Pedro Town this weekend to enjoy some great football action during the 5-A-Side Football Tournament. The first set of matches were played on Friday, January 4th starting at 6:30PM, with Young Pirates winning 7-1 against San Pedro High School (SPHS) Boys U-17, followed by Boca Jrs defeating Valley of Peace with a 8-1 score. Boca Bombers then won 3-0 over San Pedrito Boys, and the last match of the night saw Rough & Tough coming out victorious with a 5-6 score over Pro Divers. 5-A-Side Football Tournament continues this weekend with games on Saturday, January 12th. The football tournament continues Sunday, January 13th starting at 11AM.

Boca Del Rio Park beach reclamation project close to completion

One person detained for the death of San Pedro police officer Alfonso Guy
San Pedro Police have one person in custody following the death of an officer attached to the San Pedro Police Formation, Corporal Alfonso Guy. The police officer was fatally shot with his own police-issued weapon to the mid-section of his body and the back of his head after midnight on Friday, January 11th inside his room. Guy was rushed to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, where he was stabilized and later airlifted to Belize City. Guy succumbed to his injuries around 2:30AM while undergoing treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).

SPTC admits to issues within the Sanitation Department and garbage collection
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) has admitted that they are having difficulties with the collection of garbage due to the need for new and better equipment for their sanitation department. The island administration says that they are trying to secure funds to update their equipment and zoning the main areas of town for a more organized trash collection. Mayor Daniel Guerrero told The San Pedro Sun that they are working on this most serious situation. It was clear, however, that some of the plans discussed to tackle the issue were the same as last year’s resolutions; house to house educational campaigns, hiring additional staff to engage the community, and consequences if SPTC rules are not met.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Police Officer Found Shot In His Room
San Pedro Police are investigating the death of one of their own. At about 2:00 a.m. this morning police officer identified as Corporal Alfonso Guy was found in his room in the police barracks in the San Juan area with gunshot wounds to the back of his head and his abdomen. According to reports Cpl. Guy was taken for medical treatment at the Dr. Otto Polyclinic and was then airlifted to Belize City for further medical treatment. Cpl. Guy later succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.

Misc Belizean Sources

Professional Travel Agents of North America | Belize Presentation | BTB

Belize Ma'alob K'iin
Let's learn Yucatec Maya the language of our Tatito and Chiich of Northern and western Belize with words we see every day. 1. Belikin - Road to the sun/route to the east a)Beel - Road b)K'iin - Sun 2.Lamanai(Lama'anayin) - Submerged Crocodile a)laam - Submerged b)Áayain - Crocodile 3. Noh Mul - Great mound a) Noh - Great b) Múul - mound 4. Xunantunich(Stone lady ) a) Xunáan - Lady b)Tuunich- Stone Note: This are Maya temples . NOT "Ruins"

BEL Vacancy for Apprentice Lineman
A vacancy exists for the post of Apprentice Lineman I in the Distribution Department (Independence) of Belize Electricity Limited.

PUC Accepts BEL’s Further Explanation

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: DECEMBER 29, 2018 THROUGH JANUARY 5, 2019
Windy weather reduced the amount of available open water to start the week, but lots of options were open by the end. Lots of anglers took home pins for landing snook on the fly. Matson scored the first Grand Slam of the year with Capt. Junior!

Channel 7

Hon. Aragon Answers Press On His Father's Kidnapping
Tonight, more is known about the kidnapping of Orange Walk Resident Elodio Aragon Sr., a former UDP Minister, and the father of the current Police Minister of State, Elodio Aragon Jr. As we reported last night, 70 year old Elodio Sr. was abducted early yesterday morning by men who broke into his home in Orange Walk Town. They tied him up, blindfolded him, and ransacked the home for whatever valuables they could steal. They then placed him inside his Honda CR-V, drove him several miles out of the town, and surprisingly, they released him unharmed and drove away in his vehicle, which is still missing tonight.

Corporal Killed in Police Barracks With His Own Weapon
A 51 year old police corporal posted in San Pedro Town was killed early this morning in what can only be described as bizarre circumstances. He was killed with his service weapon inside the police barracks in San Pedro while he was socializing with a 25 year old Honduran waiter - whose name police have released, he is Josue Danillo Villatoro. And, he is also the only witness to the fatal shooting in which he is the main suspect. He says it was an accident, but police are treating it as a murder investigation. Emanuel Pech travelled to San Pedro this morning - and he has this report:

Man Set Up By Female Minor, Then Stabbed Up In Yard
A friendly visit turned into a bloody scene at the foot of Bel china bridge. A city taximan was stabbed early this morning around 1:00. The victim is Stephen Leiva also known as Champagne and he is recovering at the KHMH tonight. I went to find out what's behind this calculated attack. Courtney Weatherburne reporting: Tenants say they had no idea their neighbor Stephen Leiva had been stabbed outside his room door. They just woke up to the news. Edwardo Avila, Friend: "The neighbor next door said if I heard what happened last night. I said no I don't know what happened, he say police is in the yard searching and all kind of thing so I didn't know what happened."

After Rate Hike, BEL Promises To Bring Them Back Down By 2020
You may be frowning because your light bill will be going up at the end of this month - but BEL says that it hopes to bring rates back down to 37 cents per kilowatt hour by 2020 - which, we'll note, sounds like great political timing. And BEL hopes to do this by accessing cheaper power - whether it be from Mexico, renewable energy plants, or a new dam. But, while that is the commitment going forward, for right now it seems the PUC was pretty much powerless to deny BEL a rate increase - which you'll see on your bill at the end of this month.

Alleged Human Trafficker On High Priced Bail
An alleged human trafficker is out on a high priced bail tonight. Thirty-six year old Honduran Lourdes Guerrero Moreno is accused by a 30 year old - also a Honduran - of using her as a prostitute in the Stann Creek District. Moreno said the complainant falsified the report because they had a fight at a bar in Hope Creek Village. Moreno who was remanded in November was today offered Supreme Court bail of $20,000 after 6 weeks in jail. The bail was granted on strict conditions, including reporting weekly to police.

Guat. Woman Pleads Guilty To Security Card Shadiness
And while that was a Honduran woman in the Supreme Court, there was also a woman of Guatemalan origin in the Magistrate's Court. Wendy Diaz Perez who is a naturalized Belizean, was charged with falsifying a statement to get her social security card. In August 2013, Perez used the name Wendy Marisol Tut to get her social security card. Then, last year she went back to Social Security Board and applied for another social security card, using her real name. That was when it was discovered that she had falsified the statement she gave to Social Security Board in 2013. As a result, she was arrested and charged.

Curlan Committed to Supreme Court
The Magistrate's Court has found that 29 year-old Curlan Phillips, a Belize City stevedore must stand trial for 8 criminal offenses including attempted murder and grievous harm. In March of 2017, he allegedly did a drive-by and shot Inmar and Aspinal Welch on Jones Street in the Martin's area. Police charged Phillips with 2 counts of attempted murder, 2 of counts of dangerous harm, 3 counts of use of deadly means of harm, and one count of grievous harm.

Make Way For The Manatee
Brand new manatee signs have been put down the Belize River and in the Placencia lagoon. It is part of the Sea to Shore Alliance Program's effort to continue raising awareness on the safety and preservation of manatees. We met Program Coordinator Jamal Galvez on the Northern Highway and he told us more about the importance of respecting these signs. Jamal Galvez, Program Coord., Sea to Shore Alliance: "This is a part of our efforts to try and bring Manatee more in the public eyes. The more people see it, the more people are going to be aware of the issues these animals are facing. It's a big part of our MAR FUND project..."

Lobster Fishers Fined
And while hopefully manatee lives are saved by awareness, it's too late for a few dozen undersized lobster that some Chunox fishermen caught. Yesterday, 34 year old Isidro Patt, 20 year old Dandy Patt, 21 year old Jair Patt, 22 year old Rodel Patt and 29 year old Christian Ramirez were accused of being in possession of 18 lobsters with eggs and 5 undersized lobsters with soft shells at the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. All five pleaded guilty to the offence. Their attorney Douglas Carr made a plea of mitigation on the grounds that the five men expressed remorse and that they are young fishermen trying to make a living. As a result all five were fined with $100 each, due February 15th.

Dredging Up That Old Chester-Broaster Beef
The changes in command accompanying the ascent of new Commissioner of Police Chester Williams will start to take effect on Monday. While we have to wait and see how all the pieces will fit into place - one area we'll watch with interest is the number 2 spot. That's Deputy Compol Edward Broaster. He will reportedly be in charge of operations while a new Deputy, Robert Mariano will be in charge of administration. But, Deputy Broaster is the one to watch because he and Compol Chester have a long and sordid history of personal enmity and feverish disputes.

Channel 5

A Well-known Cop is Shot and Killed on La Isla Bonita
A police officer was killed on after one o’clock this morning on San Pedro. Corporal Alfonso Guy had been stationed on the island for years and had been socializing with [...]

Eamon Courtenay says Former Foreign Affairs Ministers’ I.C.J. Declaration Was a Publicity Stunt
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Courtenay has made it quite clear what he thinks about the Government’s latest move to push a ‘yes’ vote for the upcoming April tenth ICJ [...]

Former Foreign Affairs Ministers says I.C.J. Declaration in Misleading
According to Courtenay, one of the fundamental reasons why he decided not to be part of the collaborative work of the five former Foreign Affairs Ministers is because the declaration [...]

Courtenay Proposes ‘Deep Freeze’ as I.C.J. Alternative
During the discussion this morning, Courtenay proposed an alternative to holding a referendum and taking Guatemala’s claim to the I.C.J.  Courtenay is proposing a ‘deep freeze’ scenario in which both [...]

Eamon Courtenay: “We Must Know Who Our Lawyers Are”
Courtenay says that if Belizeans go to the polls on April tenth, he will not attempt to convince them to vote ‘yes’ unless certain conditions are achieved by the government. [...]

Elodio Aragon Senior – Robbed, Kidnapped and then Released
There are new details tonight about the home invasion and kidnapping of former minister Elodio Aragon Senior, the father of the junior minister of police. Aragon Senior was abducted from [...]

Belize City Cabbie Stabbed Multiple Times; Woman in Custody
A Belize City man was stabbed multiple times this morning and left for dead. Forty-three-year-old taxi driver Stephen Leiva was set up by a woman he knows.  The woman went [...]

Squatters Are Served Eviction Notice in Belama Phase Four
Several families in the Belama Phase Four community are facing eviction tonight after being served with a letter two weeks ago informing them that they are illegally occupying property belonging [...]

Kareem Musa Disagrees with Father, Rt. Hon. Said Musa
Earlier you heard former Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay saying he won’t support going to the I.C.J. if certain conditions are not met.  Another P.U.P. colleague shares similar views.  Caribbean Shores [...]

Julius Espat Not Impressed With Former Foreign Ministers’ I.C.J. Declaration
P.U.P.’s Cayo South Area Representative, Julius Espat, says that he was not impressed with the five former foreign ministers who signed the I.C.J. declaration in support of a ‘yes’ vote. [...]

Changes in Police Department is Commonplace
Junior Minister for National Security, Elodio Aragon Junior today spoke about the shakeup at the Belize Police Department. As we reported on Thursday, an initial list surfaced on social media [...]

P.U.C. Accepts B.E.L.’s Explanation for Increase in Electricity Rate
Another increase in the electricity rate came into effect on January first, ahead of a meeting between Belize Electricity Limited and the Public Utilities Commission to rationalize its request for [...]

223 New Cases of HIV in Belize Reported for 2017
The latest HIV statistics have been released and according to the Ministry of Health report; in 2017, there were a higher number of infections among males than in females. Of [...]

A Consultation on the Sexual Crimes Legislation Reform Project
The Belize Women Against Violence Movement in Collaboration with the Building People Movement is holding a series of consultations on sexual crimes legislation reform. The first of the six-part consultations [...]

Sexual Offences Model Bill is to Address Deficiencies in Existing Laws
Attorney-at-law Leslie Mendez is working with the Building People Movement on the drafting of the bill. Today, she says they are looking to strengthen existing laws and legislation in other [...]

Look Out for the Manatees! New Signage Cautions Boaters
Manatee advocate Jamal Galvez is advising boaters to exercise caution when passing through the Belize River. Galvez, with the assistance of the MAR Fund, has installed several signs along the [...]

Mayor Wagner Says Property Tax Discount Will Remain at 8%
In November 2018, the Belize City Council announced that it would discontinue the twenty percent discount initiative that property owners took advantage of by paying their property tax before the [...]

Rehabilitation of Krooman Lagoon Still in the Works
The Belize City Council still has plans to restore the natural habitat of Krooman Lagoon. But before that is done, the residents living on the water reserve will need to [...]

LOVE FM

A case of police brutality
41-year-old, Darrell Ramclam, was shot in his face for no apparent reason when he went to visit the police substation on Mahogany Street in Belize City. Ramclam had gone to inquire why police picked up his brother. Ramclam told Love News that he and his brother went to buy food Monday night when police pulled …

Squatters being evicted
Tonight, there is a property in Belama Phase four that is in dispute. Fen Lan Company has bought the property in that area, part of the land is owned by Belize Workers Union of Belize Electricity Limited while the other portion is being occupied by an estimated twenty families who are squatters. Love News spoke …

Breast milk is the best
Jayelle Williams was the first new baby to be born this year and only one of many babies that will be born to many mothers in Belize. Research has shown that what transpires in a child’s early childhood has the possibility of influencing that child for the rest of his or her life. As a …

Assad Shoman explains why the UN Security Council is not an Option for Belize
The United Nations Security Council has often been the hope of the groups that say we should not go to the ICJ. They say the Security Council can protect us. Earlier in the week Former Foreign Minister Assad Shoman explained why the UN Security Council is not an option to determine Belize’s territorial integrity. Shoman …

Police Officer killed with his Service Weapon
A career police officer Corporal Alfonso Guy was killed early this morning on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. He was socializing with friends and one of those friends accompanied him back to his apartment in a building whose residents are mostly officers. Love News travelled to the island and found out that the officer, who was …

Parliamentarian and Attorney Explains why it’s NO to ICJ
Kareem Musa, son of former Prime Minister Said Musa had told us that he does not agree with his father’s pro-ICJ position. While in front of Parliament, the Caribbean Shores Area Representative also an astute attorney gave us his reasons for saying no and they included current Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington as well as the …

Sexual Crimes Legislation Reform Project
The Belize Women Against Violence Movement, in collaboration with Building People Movement, is working to put together a Sexual Assault Act which will seek to repeal and replace existing laws relating to sexual crimes. The first of a series of forums under the Sexual Crimes Legislation Reform Project was held today. Dorla Bowman, the President …

US shutdown affects Belize
We have been following the shutdown in the United States that has resulted in a partial shutdown of the Miami International Airport, workers not being paid and businesses being closed due to the stalemate currently taking place between the Democrats and the Republicans. Today, Belize has seen a direct impact of this shutdown as several …

Man lured outside his room to be stabbed
A taxi-driver was stabbed just after one o’clock this morning after being lured out of his room by two women. 43-year-old, Stephen Leiva was inside his room on Douglas Jones Street in Belize City when he heard a knock on his door; upon making checks he saw two women; one of them known to him …

San Pedro OC gives update on accused rapist
24 year Adan Cantun, a resident of San Pedro was arraigned and charged with rape after he allegedly raped a woman early Sunday morning. The 26-year-old waitress was walking on Sea Star Street in San Pedro when she was attacked by Cantun. Superintendent Reymundo Reyes, the OC of the San Police Formation told us that …

PAC MEMBERS say Boots’ Brother is Brave
Edward Vincent Martinez, the brother of Parliamentarian and UDP Port Loyola area representative Anthony Martinez had cause some major upset in the party this week when he called out names of police, politicians, planes and cartels in corruption and narco-trafficking of drugs to the USA...

PUC decide to up the rates for BEL by five-point five percent
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) handed down its final decision regarding the tariff review for the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). The Belize Electricity Limited had requested an increase in rates which would have seen consumers billed almost forty-one point five cents per kilowatt hour...

Belize signs International Tax Treaty
Belize has signed a landmark agreement to strengthen its tax treaties. Businesses, as well as employees, now have the option of arbitration to resolve double-taxation disputes with at least 85 countries under a multilateral tax treaty of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)...

Amandala

Elodio Aragon, Sr., kidnapped and released
Late this afternoon, the word out of Orange Walk was that Elodio Aragon, Sr. had been kidnapped and released after his house was burglarized. Aragon, Sr. is the father of Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Elodio Aragon, Jr. Initially, when we called Orange Walk police, we were told that there had been no report of any such incident. Pressing the officer who answered the phone did not reveal anything further, but only confirmed that indeed something had happened, because he informed us that the police press office would issue a press release.

Alleged whistleblower threatened with death
At an unusual press conference today, a brother of Minister Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Edward Martinez, laid out the ground rules to the city’s media corps, making clear that what he would disclose had nothing to do with politics and nothing to do with his brother. “He is my brother and I can’t change that,” Martinez, who turned whistleblower, said. Martinez said his disclosure has to do with “corruption.” Martinez then proceeded to detail what he claims to know about the landing of drug planes in Belize and listed a cast of players from Belize who are involved in the drug transshipment business.

Chester Williams new Commissioner of Police
On Tuesday, a government press release announced that Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, LLB, CLE, was appointed to the post of Commissioner of Police with effect from January 9. It is the first time in the history of the Belize Police Department that a trained attorney will serve as the country’s top cop. Commissioner Williams, a 27-year veteran of the Belize Police Department, replaces Allen Whylie, who has been serving in the post since 2013, and has had one of the longest runs as Commissioner of Police. Reporters caught up with Commissioner Williams today and he said that he was humbled and honored by the appointment.

Darrell Ramclam, 41, shot in the face with rubber bullet by police
Darrell Ramclam, 41, of Morning Glory Street in Lake I, told us this afternoon that police shot him in the face with a rubber bullet while he was at the Mahogany Street Police Station. Ramclam said that he is now suffering from pain in his face and his eyes are swollen because of what the police did to him. Ramclam explained that at about 10:00 Monday night, he and his brother went to the Bar Be Q Shop on Mahogany Street to buy food when police came and took his brother to the nearby police station.

PUP leader’s statement suggests party inching toward no ICJ vote
he Leader of the Opposition, People’s United Party (PUP), Hon. John Briceño, area representative for the Orange Walk Central constituency, issued a statement via a press release on Tuesday, January 8, regarding the party’s recent consultation on the International Court of Justice referendum. The tone of Hon. Briceño’s statement seems to suggest that the PUP appears to be ready to follow the lead set by its Southern Caucus, which rejected going to the ICJ last August. “After several months of meeting and consulting with leaders and supporters of the People’s United Party, it is obvious that a majority of the Party’s supporters, for various reasons, are not in favor of submitting the unfounded claim of Belizean territory by Guatemala to the ICJ for final adjudication,’ Briceño’s press release opened by saying.

14 lives lost in motorcycle accidents in 2018
According to our reports, fourteen persons lost their lives in motorcycle collisions in 2018. The toll of deaths due to motorcycle collisions began on January 15, 2018. The first person to die in a motorcycle accident in 2018 was Francisco Polanco, 24, who died on the spot in a head-on collision with another motorcycle in Camalote on the George Price Highway. In that accident, two others were seriously hurt. Leonits Ampie, 64, of Unitedville, Cayo District, who was one of the persons seriously injured in the accident that took Polanco’s life, became the second person to lose his life in a motorcycle collision in 2018 when he succumbed four days later, on January 19.

NEBL tips off its sixth season next week Friday, January 18, at the Civic Center
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) will be tipping off its sixth season next week Friday, January 18, with a huge game at the Belize City Center. Defending champions, Belize Hurricanes, will be hosting their southern rivals, Griga Dream Ballers. Last year’s semi-final matchup between these two teams went to a decisive game 3, creating a monstrous season opener. On Saturday, January 19, Belize City Defenders will travel out west to take on Verdes at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town, while the rejuvenated Orange Walk Running Rebels will host the formidable San Pedro Tiger Sharks at the Orange Walk Sporting Complex.

Belize to host 2nd round tournament in FIBA World Cup Americas, 22nd to 24th February, 2019
The Belize Men’s National Basketball Team began play in the first round of the FIBA World Cup Americas tournament in July, 2018. In the Central American qualifier tournament hosted here in Belize, Belize achieved a silver medal against tough competition from our Central American rivals. We are excited to advise that we now move on to the next round of play for a chance to secure one of four available spots, and advance to the final rounds of the FIBA World Cup Americas which will begin in November, 2019. The four qualifying teams would join the remaining twelve teams which have already qualified for the final round. These 12 teams feature basketball powerhouses such as the USA, Canada, Argentina and Brazil.

Misfits are U-13 Champs while Galen girls advances to BECOL/DIGINET finals
On Saturday night, Misfits defeated St. Andrews to sweep the series in two games and are the Under 13 champions. Last night, Galen girls defeated Mt. Carmel to sweep their semi-finals series, 2 – 0, bouncing them into the finals versus Western Queens. For the Galen girls Jada Brown topped all scores with 12 pts; Tina Herrera and Jasmin Armstrong added 8 pts each and Nel Usher contributed 7 pts. Angela Kendrick had 7 and Christine Rice 6 for Mount Carmel.

Pedal by Pedal of Weekend Warriors New Year’s Race of January 6, 2019
A little after 9 a.m., close to 50 Category A Weekend Warrior Riders took off from Orange Walk on their way to Old Belize via the Northern Highway and connecting to the Boom Road for a total of 61 Miles. Meanwhile, some 15 B Riders started in Carmelita and rode the same course for about 55 miles. In the B Category it was the youngster, Matthew Castellanos of Big Blade, taking the victory, while Martin Esquilliano got 2nd, and female newcomer, Nicole Gallego, was 3rd. Much kudos to Nicole. Rounding out the top 5 were Richard Gabourel and Ingemar Perrera.

Editorial: Tourism, BPO, Loans
The first industry of Belize, the history books say, was piracy. Way back in the 1600s, pirates established a base at the mouth of the Belize River, and from that safe haven they sailed out to sea to raid Spanish ships and take the plunder those vessels flying the “red and gold” had robbed from areas farther south in the Americas. The next great industry for Belize was logwood, which was prized for dyes to color clothing. Logwood lost its luster after synthetic dyes were developed, and that industry died naturally. Belize had the finest quality mahogany in the world and that soon became the mainstay of the Belizean economy. For a couple hundred years Belize’s economy depended on mahogany, with a little support from chicle. Incredibly, Belize did not replant the priceless mahogany and other forest woods it harvested, and by the early 1900s exports of forest products had begun to dwindle.

From The Publisher
Last week an older man was murdered in Lucky Strike who made his living carving artistic pieces in wood for the tourist market. From the brief look I got on the television news at a couple of the deceased’s pieces, they seemed pretty nice to me. The murder was a most disturbing one. All the vibes surrounding the deceased seemed mellow and cool. It appeared that the accused was very, very drunk, and the fuss was about a young lady who was, it appeared, merely requesting lodging at the deceased’s home. As a writer who spent some years in the 1970s trying, unsuccessfully, to make a living creatively, I felt some kinship with the murdered artist. In the days following that tragedy, and for some time before that, I’d been looking at the channels available on cable in Belize, and my feeling has been for a long time that the creative content on television has no relevance to our native lives in Belize.

Dr. David Austin writes US Embassy
Dear Consular Officer Boshard, Some thoughts after our brief meeting today. I started the petition process for my wife, Margaret Martinez, well over 1 year ago. As you know, the process to obtain an immigrant visa is long and can be arduous, as it was in our case. As I mentioned to you, my wife and I met with your predecessor before starting the process, and he laid out for us what to expect. He stated his belief that we had a 90% chance of success. Unfortunately, your assessment has put us, for the present, in the 10% group.

Mariana Verde questions Sidley Leslie
Dear Mr. Sidley Leslie, I refer to your article in the Amandala of January 5, 2019. You say that on four occasions the Belize government has agreed with Guatemala that the present location of our boundaries is not legally valid and is therefore liable to be changed: in the 1992 Joint Statement, in the 2005 CBMs and twice in the Special Agreement. You could actually add two more: the 2000 and 2003 CBMs. You state selected words of those documents and interpret them to conclude that our governments have agreed with Guatemala that the 1859 boundaries are invalid and that they can be changed to suit Guatemala.

Gwen Liz student shares how field-based learning about conservation changed his life
Dear Editor, As a student of Gwen Lizarraga High School and president of the GLHS Environmental Club, I want to share a great learning experience that I had with Ecology Project International (EPI Belize) last year. It began with our field course that members of my class and I took with EPI at UB field station at Calabash Caye last May. In the four days that we spent there, we learned to monitor the movements of dolphins, observe their dorsal fins and the way they interact as marine mammals.

Resetting national rhetoric and behavior: A MUST for resolving Guatemala’s unfounded claim
Sometimes people hold a core belief that is very strong. When they are presented with evidence that works against that belief, the new evidence cannot be accepted. It would create a feeling that is extremely uncomfortable, called cognitive dissonance. And because it is so important to protect the core belief, they will rationalize, ignore and even deny anything that doesn’t fit in with the core belief.” – Franz Fanon Beyond the mix of public congratulatory or disparaging remarks and argumentative nit-picking of statements made by various government and opposition leaders in the recent national discourse, all in response to the recent patriotic excursion of Belize Territorial Volunteers to Belize’s Sarstoon River border last Sunday, there still remains a harsh reality.

Musings by the Curious Non-Conformist
These words read with background music of Damian Marley’s ‘Gunman World’ actually make me anxious, angry, and heartbroken because I know this is true for many of US who walk in brown bodies. The basketball court for us, whether made of red clay or gray concrete, is where we are oftentimes socialized. We see conflicts start and resolved, we celebrate when men like “Bynum” dunk and have hang time on these metal rims, and we see humanity shared when there are just enough coins with the Queen’s head to buy water for those at play. It’s a place where some of our first lessons are learned, even for those like me who aren’t that athletic.

Not everyone likes D Trump in America
My younger brother, Ronald, and my cousin, Mike Lindo, are Belizean/American Facebook friends of mine who are very anti-Donald Trump as president of the USA. They write and post some of the toughest things about the present leader of their new home. I almost never acknowledge their posts. Much of what goes on in the USA directly affects us in Belize. The worst of it is their fight to prevent cocaine from reaching their country. American citizens have an appetite for cocaine, and American leaders go all out to stop them from getting it. America is a country that loves to fight wars, always on other people’s turfs. That’s the way they do it. They always fight their wars in other countries. All over the world there are wars with the USA stamped all over them.

Gut Reaction
Nothing stirs us up like the unfounded “claim” of Guatemala to our jewel. It’s a question of nationalism, of patriotism; a call to arms. Once the “claim” enters the public debate a tsunami of sorts begins to affect the body politic. In the midst of this storm emotions begin to rise, pushing rationality, its first victim, out the window. We need only to look back at the events surrounding the 17 Proposals of 1968, the Heads of Agreement of 1981, and the Maritime Areas Act of 1991 to know that Belizeans become alarmed whenever the “claim” raises its head. When it comes to the “claim,” we vote gut, not party. So emotional is this issue in today’s debate that there are those who are calling into question the integrity and even patriotism of those Belizeans involved in the negotiation process and by extension the governments of both parties.

Belize Peace Movement flogs ex-Foreign Ministers for signing declaration
Five former Foreign Ministers signed a declaration at the Prime Minister’s press conference on Wednesday morning, January 9, 2019. So What? The purpose of this “poppy-show” event was another desperate attempt to influence Belizeans to vote Yes to the ICJ. With only 92 days left to referendum date on April 10, and with more Belizeans joining the No vote, Wednesday’s soap opera is the latest in the recent string of desperate attempts by government after ten years of failure to conduct a proper and impartial public education efforts on the Guatemalan issue.

Jian Wu Yan jumped to his death out of moving vehicle
Jian Wu Yan, 36, a Chinese national of Constitution Drive, Belmopan, died when he jumped out of a moving vehicle at about 3:30 yesterday afternoon at a bridge at Mile 18, Steadfast Village, on the Hummingbird Highway. Wu Yan, who was seated in the cab of the truck, slammed his head on the side of the bridge when he jumped out, and when he hit the pavement, a back wheel of the truck rolled over him. He was rushed to the Southern Regional Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

CitCo receives 24 new vehicles
Today, the Belize City Council unveiled 24 new vehicles — 12 pickup trucks and 12 motorcycles, which it received from Caribbean Motors. The council will be paying for the vehicles over a period of 5 years, at $10,000 a month, which, according to Mayor Bernard Wagner, is not too much of a burden on the public budget. Allan Pollard, the councilor responsible for traffic, said that 2018 brought many challenges for the council, which they overcame despite lack of resources. He said that managing 20,000 commuters was a difficult task, which they inherited, but it should not be one they are stuck with.

Hospitals countrywide in need of blood donors
On January 4, Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero, announced through the media that there were blood shortages around the country. He attributed this shortage to a flood of emergencies and a decline in donors. According to Dr. Manzanero, the Ministry of Health (MoH) always tries to ensure that they have blood products available, but with the Christmas season and the New Year, there was an added strain on the blood banks, since the few Belizeans who donate blood don’t normally do so during that time. He said the blood that the banks had in storage was needed as a result of all the traffic accidents and gun violence which occurred.

The Reporter

COPS CHARGE SUSPECTED SHOOTER
Orange Walk Police have been able to secure an arrest for the December 23rd, 2018 shooting of David Diaz, 22. Late Thursday evening authorities announced charges brought against Black Water Creek resident Edgar Coronado, 32.

EDITORIAL – January 11th. 2019
By Mr. Harry Lawrence. This week in Washington, Senator Patrick Leahy, (Dem. of Vermont) severely criticized President Jimmy Morales of Guatemala for his actions in barring a U.N. backed special prosecutor from re-entering the country.

DRUGS, PLANES & BIG NAMES
Edward Vincent Martinez, the brother of a sitting minister of Government and the man who calls himself the “Drug Hunter,” has rattled the cages of the Government, Police Department and BDF with explosive allegations.

EL CHAPO BOUGHT COCAINE IN BELIZE, – INVESTIGATORS SAY
Cartel prince turned US federal informant, Vicente Zambada Niebla, gave a dramatic testimony in New York federal court last week disclosing sensitive cartel information including testimony that “El Chapo”, Joaquin Guzman Loera, carried out business in Belize.

CORRUPT COPS DISMISSED FOR DISAPPEARING COCAINE
Three officers who were attached to the Special Patrol Unit (SPU) have been terminated at the end of an investigation involving twenty-seven parcels of cocaine which allegedly went missing while in their custody on April 26th, 2017.

MORE STREET WORKS PRECEDE HEAVY RAINS
The skies swelled and broke on Monday morning in Belize City, dumping heavy rains that lasted for well over an hour in the midst of street works being carried out by the Belize City Council.

POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN SAN PEDRO
The Police Officer killed this morning in San Pedro has been officially identified as Cpl. Alfonso Guy, 51.

TRICK AND STABBING IN BELIZE CITY LAST NIGHT
A man identified as Stephen Leiva is at the KHMH after he was stabbed multiple times this morning.

Breaking Belize News

Holistic Analysis of a Yes vote and No vote on the ICJ
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

Belize City Police investigating stabbing incident that left man critically injured
olice are investigating a stabbing incident that occurred this morning in Belize City. Stephen Leiva,43, […]

Belize abstains as OAS votes against Venezuela’s President
Nicholas Maduro, has been sworn in for his second term as President of Venezuela. However, […]

Belize signs BEPS multilateral instrument
Today, the Government of Belize became the 86th country to sign the Multilateral Convention to […]

Suspect detained in police officer’s murder
Alfonso Guy, a police officer attached to San Pedro Police Formation was found dead in […]

Belize City man stabbed by two women at his home
A man was stabbed multiple times in Belize City this morning. He has been identified […]

San Pedro police found dead with gunshot injuries
A police officer was shot to death early this morning in San Pedro Town. He […]

Blogs

Bye Bye Boy
Living in Ambergris Caye, which we call paradise, has so many benefits. The beach, the reef, the food, the weather, the people, the diving, and much much more. But when you have to say goodbye to someone you love who comes to visit you, it is not without feeling a bit melancholy. As we sit and wait at Maya Air for our little boy to head back to Minnesota, we are reminded about the weather back “home”, and we are, once again, so grateful for our move to San Pedro. We know we will see our loved one again and we look forward to our next guests. But, for a moment in time, my happy heart is saying “see you later” to our 19 year old!

Travel guide: All you need to know about Caye Caulker in Belize
So basically there are two kind of people: the people who love Caye Caulker and people who really do not like this island. Before visiting Caye Caulker in Belize we heard those two different opinions very often. A little bit hesitant we decided to visit this place, and what turns out, we are clearly of the first kind: We found Caye Caulker amazing !! In this blog you will find everything you need to know for an nice visit to Caye Caulker! Just off the Belize coast are several islands located, so called caye’s. One of the most famous ones is Caye Caulker, a tiny island less than eight kilometers long. In the middle it is split in two by a narrow water channel. Therefore there are actually two islands. The southernmost island is the place to be, but according to the rumors, elektricien is being installed on the northern island. After that has happened, probably there will be more tourism on the northern part as well.

Making 2019 the year of food experiences!
A while back, I asked friends online to share their favorite ‘unique’ Belizean meals with me. I hadn’t thought much beyond wanting to hear about new foods and possibly try them out myself. As I face a new year ahead, and seeing our first issue’s cover, I’m now tempted to make a food bucket list for 2019! There is NO better way to get to know people and a place than through its cuisine. Even if it’s just to taste and decide it’s not for you I really, TRULY, recommend that you give it a try. I’m obviously also giving myself a swift kick in the rear to finally do this. I need to step out of my comfort zone of the Mestizo foods I love so much, and maybe try out something different. For 2019, I really want to try out the following:

International Sources

Royal Kahal in San Pedro
One of the newest real estate destinations on the scene is the Royal Kahal, the first new-build real estate project in the ultra-popular enclave of San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye. What makes Royal Kahal unique? Location. It is the first project under construction in or near San Pedro in more than 10 years, offering walking and biking distance to the downtown core, and more than 30 restaurants, from pizza places to fine dining. In addition, dozens of beach bars are within easy walking distance.

Mapping the world's 'blue carbon' hot spots in coastal mangrove forests
Human actions have boosted carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere to levels higher than any measured over the last 160,000 years. Rising concern over the risk of severe impacts from climate change is spurring research into ways in which ecosystems may mitigate global warming by storing excess carbon in plants and soil. Our research group has studied the ecology of mangroves for over 40 years. Mangroves are tropical forests that thrive in salt water, forming a canopy with the atmosphere and extensive roots in the sediment of the intertidal zone – the area that is above water at low tide and underwater at high tide. Scientists refer to them as “blue” carbon ecosystems, in contrast to “green” carbon ecosystems on land, such as forests and grasslands.

The Mayans And Their Historical Periods… From Apogee To Downfall
The Mayans created a civilization that through the centuries, experienced a series of changes, formed groups differentiated by their economic position, by their work or main activity and by their membership of certain families within the religious and political structure. They built wonderful architectural works; they made excellent pieces of jewelry, sculpture and pottery. On the other hand, they made astronomical observations to this day many undisputed and invented and designed a highly precise calendrical system. Although they did not have animals of load nor rolling vehicles and metallic instruments for the intensive practice of the commerce, they combined multiple possibilities of transport through rivers, coasts, trails and even built wide and long roads of stone.

How to Take Your Next Trip Without Single-Use Plastics by Marie MCgregory
Marie took this challenge on in Belize. It is of interest to travelers as we are gearing up to phase out the single use of plastic by April 22, 2019. This includes bags, Styrofoam and plastic food utensils including containers, flat plates, and cups.

Videos

January 11, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Atlantic Bank Limited opens an account for baby suffering from Hydrocephalus
The branch of Atlantic Bank in Placencia has set up an account for Nelson Javier Tabora, a baby boy in Bella Vista Toledo District, suffering from a condition known as Hydrocephalus. This illness is causing his head to grow abnormally, and his family is in need of financial assistance for the baby to undergo a much-needed surgery. Anyone able to help the family can make a deposit to the account #211847938 from any Atlantic Bank branch countrywide. Baby Tabora, who is almost two-years-old underwent surgery about a year ago thanks to a good Samaritan when he was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus. But his parents Jenny and Jesus Tabora are poor and have not been able to come up with the funds for his second surgery. Now they are in desperate need of financial aid to try to save their son’s life.

San Pedro Christmas Day fire victims still need help
Juan Chi’s home was destroyed on December 25, 2018, and investigators have yet to determine the cause. Meanwhile, the Chi family is still in need of assistance to rebuild their home south of San Pedro Town. Around mid-day, while Chi was inside with his three grandchildren, ages 3, 4, and 5, the home caught fire. He and his grandchildren are staying with family members as he recovers from first degree burns to his back and left forearm suffered during the blaze. The family is glad that the children were not injured and that Chi’s injuries are not life-threatening. They simply want to get back on their feet and start rebuilding their home. Chi is an employee at The San Pedro Town Council, and Mayor Daniel Guerrero has indicated that they will be assisting him with some materials. Chi works in the sanitation department. In the meantime, if anyone would like to help the family, they can contact them by calling 631-5010. The primary items needed is material to build back their house, and school supplies for their grandchildren. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Criminal charges filed against San Pedro QRT officers following New Year’s Day altercation
San Pedro Police officers Tyrell Rowley and Samir Medina will face criminal charges after being involved in a case of police brutality on January 1st at Playa Bar and Grill in the Boca del Rio Area. The officers attached to the Quick Response Team (QRT) unit are accused of using unnecessary excessive force while detaining Jamir, Justin, and Mario Leal. Rowley was caught on camera beating on 20-year-old Jamir after he was subdued on the ground. Justin and Mario were also detained and allegedly beaten, but it was Jamir who suffered major injuries. Initially, the cops had received disciplinary charges, after no complaint was filed against them. But that changed on Tuesday, January 8th, when, after meeting with Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, the Leal family decided to press charges against the two QRT officers for the use of excessive force against them.

Closing season of Copa San Pedro 2018-2019 starts January 10th
The San Pedro Sports Committee’s (SPSC) highly anticipated Copa San Pedro Football Tournament is back! The 2018-2019 Closing Season is scheduled to begin on Thursday, January 10th at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town. The tournament will see 11 male teams competing for the championship including Vince Assassins, Los Catrachos F.C., Island Sharks, G Strikers F.C., Legends F.C., Fambo Boys F.C., Ambergris Hope’s F.C., Captain G F.C., Caye Caulker Islanders F.C., Terror Squad, and Genesis F.C.

Four former PUP Foreign Ministers join PM Barrow in signing YES to ICJ declaration
Four former Peoples United Party (PUP) Foreign Ministers have issued a joint declaration along with Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow outlining seven bullet points on which they urged a Yes vote to take the Belize Guatemala territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Ambassador Assad Shoman, former Senator Lisa Shoman, Fort George Area representative Hon. Said Musa and attorney Godfrey Smith all signed the joint declaration before PM Barrow at a press conference held at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City on Wednesday morning, January 9.

Misc Belizean Sources

Police Officer shot and killed in San Pedro Town
A San Pedro police officer identified as Corporal Alfonso Guy, was shot multiple times while at his home in the San Juan Area. Unofficial reports are that he received gunshot wounds to the head and chest. He is listed in critical condition and was airlifted to Belize City for further medical attention.

SBDC Workshop: Introduction to Accounting & Bookkeeping - Accounting Series Part 1
The aim of the workshop is to provide tools that enhance participants' knowledge on basic accounting. Through this workshop participants better understand how to use their numeracy skills in and prior book keeping information, how to improve their businesses by using simple business management techniques and how to develop financial statements. Expected Outcome: The ultimate goal is to allow for the business to keep financial records of their activities so they will be able to use that information to make better decisions / increase profit for the business. Location: BTEC Training Room, ITVET Compound, Freetown Road. Workshop Date: January 17th, 2019. Time: 9am to 4pm, Cost: $60.00, Includes lunch and refreshments.

The Placencia Breeze, January 2019
Weh di goaan? Placencia Peninsula Happenings ... pg. 3 Art Fest Registration form ... pg. 7 From the Fire Hearth: Belizean Breakfast … pg. 9 Rotary Club of Placencia Updates … pg. 10 Front page story: A Boneyfide Reason to Party … pg. 11 Placencia BTIA Kicks Off 2019 with Board Shift Up and New Staff … pg 12 A "Herculean" Effort Made 2018 End of the World Marathon and Half Marathon a Massive Success … pg. 13 A Thank You Message from the Placencia BTIA to Mistletoe Ball Sponsors … pg. 14 Placencia BTIA Membership Directory ... pgs. 15 & 18 Placencia Peninsula Map ... pgs. 16-17 Afrodite Caffe and Big Titty Rum … pg. 19 Fragments of Hope Updates … pg. 20 Croc Corner: Sick Pelicans Raises Concerns for Placencia's Avian Community … pg. 21 Placencia Peninsula Guide ... pgs. 22-23 Two Riversdale Beach Women Receive Certificate in Culinary Arts and Hospitality at Georgetown Technical High School … pg. 24 Liquor License Ads … pg. 26, pgs. 30-31 Seine Bight Running Club Updates: … pg. 27

The Flying Pig Poker Run 2019
The 2019 Poker run will soon be upon us. I randomly selected five bars (Placed names in a hat and drew them out). The funds raised are going towards the CRC (Crocodile Research Coalition). Dr. Marisa Tellez and her team have been helping our community and wildlife here in belize for the past two years. In order to make this fundraiser successful, we need the help and support of our community. We understand that as businesses we are hounded daily for different fundraisers and charities. That is why we are asking for a different type of donation this year. Instead of just giving a free bottle of wine, bar tab, or a nights stay somewhere…We would rather ask for discounts. Example. Buy one bottle of wine, get the second one 1/2 off, or purchase a lunch, and receive a second lunch of lesser or equal value for free. Buy one tour at full price, have a friend join you for free… The Poker Run will be held on Sunday Jan. 27th. All donations are appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Belmopan Humane Society Fund Raiser of the Year!
Pre Valentines fun contact any Bmp Humane Society board member for tickets call 602 7947 (Lilly) to reserve your tickets

BELIZE NATIONWIDE MORELET’S CROCODILE POPULATION SURVEY
The CRC is excited to announce the completion of the Morelet's crocodile countrywide population survey! Two years of traveling around Belize, collaborating with various organizations to collect data to assist Belize Forest Department in creating the most appropriate conservation and management plan of the species. We look forward working with Forest Department in 2019 on this endeavor!

Crocodile Drive closed to large vehicles 1/12 - 1/15 in San Pedro
The San Pedro Town Council hereby advises the general public that Crocodile Drive (street leading to San Pedrito from Maya Island Air) will be prohibited to large vehicles from Saturday, January 12 to Tuesday, January 15, 2019 as Digi Belize will be upgrading its utility hole on that street. Small vehicles, such as golf carts, will be permitted. We kindly ask for your cooperation and understanding during this time. If this may be an inconvenience to you, kindly make arrangements to facilitate your commute to and from this area.

Corozal House of Culture Hosts Graffiti Fest 2019!
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Museum of Belize, invites you to the Corozal House of Culture's inaugural event of 2019. We are delighted to present Graffiti Fest ’19, a dynamic platform of artistic expression through cultural exchange featuring Belizean and neighbouring artists from Chetumal, Mexico. Join us at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at the Corozal House of Culture for a day of creativity as our Belizean and Mexican Graffiti artists create impactful images. We will also be showcasing various forms of “live art” including painting, sculpting, organic art, welding, barber designs, tattooing, piercing, make-up and more. DJ Wane will be supplying a multi-genre mix of music, while we have an “Open Mic” for our poets, rappers, singers and performers. The feature musical and cultural performance for this event will be a live performance by 'Cocono Bwai'.

Ear Nose, Throat & Plastic Surgery Screening at Corozal Community Hospital
January 25 & February 8.

Raptor Ambassador Youth Camp
The Belize Raptor Center had a very successful Raptor Ambassador Youth Camp. This was the first of many. Thanks, BRC, for all the educating of the youths! "Huge success for our first Raptor Ambassador Youth Camp. 28 kids came out and enjoyed a full day of games, crafts, painting and meeting our ambassadors. Big thanks to all the sponsors who made donations. Every kid won a prize to take home with them.

Monthly Weather Summary, December 2018
Monthly weather summaries are prepared by the climate section of the National Meteorological Service (NMS) of Belize. The NMS of Belize maintains a network of over 25 weather stations that are situated primarily in the agricultural regions of the country. Temperature and rainfall are read at 9 am each morning and the rainfall total read at this time represents the accumulated rainfall for the previous day. December marks the first month of the cool transition period between the rainy season and the dry season for Belize. This transition period typically lasts for about two to three months before the dry season sets in between mid February and early March. December is typically cool over the country with the main rainfall producers being cold fronts, prefrontal troughs and shear lines.

Sargasso boom installed at resort to our south on Ambergris Caye
El Pescador tried it. The booms broke apart and it made no difference, but this one looks quite serious.

Vacancy at BEL
A vacancy exists for the post of Programmer Analyst in the Information Systems Department (Belize City) of Belize Electricity Limited.

Manakin Maya Mountain Race 2019
The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic is having another fun run: the Manakin Maya Mountain Race. This is a 10/20k race, and will take place on Sunday, February 3rd, and goes from Cristo Rey to San Antonio. "Be in Cristo Rey at 6:30. Race starts when registration is complete, around 7. 10k from Cristo Rey to San Antonio, 20k with turnaround. $30 if you register BEFORE Feb. 3rd. $40 the day of the race. Just send proof of deposit and name, team name, gender, age to [email protected], and pay into Heritage 4141053. Walkers encouraged for 10K distance. 1st place in 20K wins free entrance to the 2019 Chiquibul Challenge Marathon. Join us for an early morning workout on one of the prettiest paved roads in Cayo. Enjoy nature, help BWRC raise funds for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and get fit at the same time."

Taiwanese Chorus of Greater Houston | Cultural Presentation

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
Vice, White Boy Rick, The Hate U Give, Ralph Breaks The Internet. Christian Bale won a Golden Globe last sunday for Best Performance by an actor for his portrayal as Dick Cheney in Vice.

Maya people from the village of Cristo Rey in Corozal between 1960's-1970's
In Cristo Rey(Corozal) the Yucatec Maya language simply known as "Maya" by its speakers is still widely spoken in the village . Pictures by Nojoch Mak Faustino Yam

Channel 7

Minister's Father Kidnapped, Released Unharmed
This evening, shockwaves rippled through the north when it was confirmed that a prominent politician's father was kidnapped. Former UDP Minister, Elodio Aragon Sr., the father of current minister of state, Elodio Jr was taken from his home early this morning by a group of men.  7News has confirmed that more than one intruder went into his home, ransacked it, then blindfolded Aragon Sr. and tied his hands.  They then took the keys for his vehicle and put him inside.  The abductors then drove around for what we are told is less than half an hour - and then, surprisingly, released him unharmed.  They left with his vehicle, a Honda CR-V which has still not been recovered.  
A late evening police report says he was released about 2 miles on the Posito Road off the Phillip Goldson Highway.  We are told it was a feeder road and Aragon walked back to the town.  His son, Minister of state Aragon told us tonight by phone that his father is shaken up - and he added that it is a crime of opportunity.

Hon. Kareem Says To Rt. Hon. Said, Go Dad! But Go Alone
Switching now to politics, seems everyone has their own opinion of yesterday's grand press conference where 4 former PUP foreign ministers joined PM Barrow in support of going to the ICJ. Some have embraced and applauded the move, while many are skeptical and question the motive behind it, and some just flatly reject it and see it as just an amusing political show.  But what does PUP Caribbean Shores area representative Kareem Musa think?  His position is no to the ICJ - but now his father is a public proponent of a "yes" vote.  We met him in Belmopan today and he gave his conflicting positions as a son and as a politician. Hon. Kareem Musa - Area Rep, Caribbean Shores: "We must understand that we are all in the same boat. This is an important occasion where we must all be together and united. We may have different views but at the end of the day let us respect one another, I think that is the sentiment..."

Hon. J. Espat Unimpressed By Foreign Ministers' ICJ Compact
Julius Espat weighed in on the PM's joint press conference by saying he is also against going to the ICJ and that yesterday's event didn't impress him. Hon. Julius Espat - Area Rep, Cayo South: "Do they impress you because 5 people were on a stage, are you impressed? Has that changed your point of view? Have that changed the fact that you need to read some more or I need to read some more? That doesn't, they are giving their point of view and you have to understand, the PUP was voted out in 2008 too and this government will be voted out too because of the same reason I believe they are not listening to the people, we have to listen to what the people are saying, that is what we do as elected officials..."

Hon. Espat Tips Hat To Hon. Courtenay
But no one was as bold and abrasive as former PUP Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay. As we told you he was the only one missing in action from yesterday's lineup and he is quoted as saying  "This was a publicity stunt….the event should be seen for what it is: a cheap circus." We asked Espat for his reaction to this statement from the senior PUP senator, and he says there isn't much he can say or do, other than just respect Courtenay's view on it. Courtney Weatherburne: "Eamon Courtenay was the only one missing I believe and he called the press conference a cheap circus and that he would not be a part of it."

Peace Movement Says FM Forum A "Poppy Show"�
And while Courtenay called it a cheap circus, today the Belize Peace Movement sent out a press release, calling the event a "poppy show".  Their statement says, quote, "Five Foreign Ministers signed a Declaration at the Prime Minister's Press Conference Wednesday… So What? The purpose of this poppy-show event was another desperate attempt to influence Belizeans to vote yes to the ICJ. With only 92 days left to the referendum date.. and with more Belizeans joining the No vote, Wednesday's soap opera is the latest in the recent string of desperate attempts by government after ten years of failure to conduct a proper and impartial public education efforts on the Guatemalan issue." End quote.

BTV Says Foreign Ministers Shameless
The Belize Territorial Volunteers also blasted the press conference event in a statement which says, quote, "Belize was invaded militarily by Guatemala on May 15th 2015…in the Sarstoon River and Guatemala's Armed Forces remain in Belize's sovereign territory. May 15 this year will make Four Years since this most unacceptable situation came into existence. In all the 159 years of Guatemala and British dispute over Belize, Guatemala never invaded or occupied our country… Guatemala carried out this blatant act of aggression in open view of the Belize Government. Yet, not one of the Five Former Foreign Ministers signed any  declaration demanding Guatemala's immediate withdrawal.

Man Jumped To Avoid Collision, Ended Up Crushed
A man is dead after he jumped out of a 10 wheeler truck and was crushed under it. It happened yesterday afternoon around 3:30 at the Steadfast Village bridge - which is at mile 17 on the Hummingbird Highway. Now this isn't like the usual accidents we report on because the victim, Chinese National 36 year old Jian Wu Yan jumped to his death because he thought the 10 wheeler truck he was in, was going to collide with another truck. Based on eyewitnesses, it was a costly misjudgment. Courtney Weatherburne has more. Jian Wu Yan lay in pain and shock on the Steadfast Village bridge as first responders tried to stabilize him. He had been run over by a 10 wheeler cargo truck. His colleague was driving the truck and he was the passenger. They were heading towards Dangriga.

Police Will Weigh Charges In Unusual Traffic Death
And while the driver of the cargo truck remains in police detention, one thing that police will have to decide is whether or not to charge him. After all, Wu Yan died in a very peculiar set of circumstances that are not entirely the driver's fault. In a press conference with police today, Head of NCIB gave us the official account of the accident.  ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "A Vehicle being driven by Hui Wan Tan, 36 years Chinese businessman. The vehicle was a cargo truck and it was south bound. And according to Tan, when being interviewed, whilst being south bound and approaching one of those narrow bridges a vehicle was coming from the opposite direction which had already been on the bridge travelling in his direction and he applied break and breaks failed..."

PUC Says No Review, No Electricity Rate In Effect
Today was the deadline for the Public Utilities Commission to make a final decision about whether or not to increase electricity rates. You'll remember that the Government and a few UDP supporters objected to the decision from the PUC to increase electricity rates from 39.2 cents per kilowatt hour to 42 cents per kilowatt hour. The Utilities regulator has considered their objections, but in the end, the PUC is deciding that this rate increase still has to happen. But, they've decided to give you, the consumers, a small relief. Instead of increasing your light bill by 6.9% to 42 cents per kilowatt hour, they're only increasing it by 5.5%. That means that the rates are going up to 41.38 cents per kilowatt hour instead, which is less than the 41.5 cents per kilowatt hour that BEL was requesting, and certainly lower than the 42 cents per kilowatt hour that the PUC decided on 2 weeks ago.

PAC Man Julius Scolds UDP Committee Members
Today, We met area representatives Kareem Musa and Julius Espat at the National Assembly building in Belmopan. They were there to have a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, but only they showed up - and that isn't enough for a quorum. PAC Chairman Julius Espat says this has become the norm where the UDP committee members don't bother to show up and he says they are way behind on the revision of several reports. Here is how Espat put it. Hon. Julius Espat - PAC Chairman: "We've been asking for meetings with the PAC since September. To give yo a little history, we finished our investigation and hearings of the report for the auditor general in mid year last year and the entire committee requested that our side prepare a report to be tabled to the house so that they could review. That was report was done and it's here in my hands..."

Getting Down To Details on Beatdown Investigation
Two nights ago we told you about how, now Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams broke the impasse that was holding back a criminal investigation into the San Pedro Beatdown of Jamir Leal.  Having met personally with the family of Leal, after two failed attempts from Professional Standards Branch, Williams convinced the family to cooperate in pressing criminal charges against the two cops, possibly saving the police department a costly law suit.  It has been two days since, so today we asked the commanding officer of the Criminal Investigations Branch if there has been any progress in that matter. He told us they are doing ground work at the moment to investigate all crimes that were committed that night, and he made extra emphasis on all.  

David Diaz Shooter Charged
32 year old Edgar Coronado of Black Water Creek, Orange Walk has been named as the gunman in the December 23rd shooting of 22 year old David Diaz. The shooting, which is suspected to be the product of gang rivalries in Orange Walk, happened near a barber shop on the Belize/Corozal road. The shooter, believed to be Coronado, drove up to Diaz on a motorcycle and fired several shots in his direction. Diaz received gunshot wounds to his left leg. Today police gave us some very brief comments about this new development.

Nugent and Son Accused of Cocaine Possession
A father and son duo from Corozal were busted with cocaine on Monday around midday. Police say a broad daylight operation in Corozal on the premises of one Michael Nugent Sr. led to the discovery of some 2.2 grams of cocaine. Present during the drug operation was Nugent and his son, Michael Nugent Jr. Now both father and son are facing charges related to drug trafficking. Police told us more.   ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "On Monday the 7th of January shortly after midday Corozal police visited the residence of one Michael Nugent within Corozal town where they conducted a search in the presence of Michael Nugent Sr. and Michael Nugent Jr..."

The "Drug Hunter's"� Crusade
Last night, we showed you the comments from Police Commissioner Chester Williams and the Police Minister of State, Elodio Aragon Jr., discussing the allegations from self proclaimed "drug hunter" Edward Martinez.   2 nights ago, Martinez came forward as a fearless whistleblower claiming that he has evidence that high ranking politicians and police officers are playing accomplice to the drug cartels, and aiding them to illegally land drug planes on Belizean soil.   Since then, there have been discussions in the public, and depending on who you speak to, Martinez either has no credibility, mostly because of his past, and the fact that he has yet to produce any of this evidence; or, on the other hand, there are others who suspect that his claims might just be crazy enough to be true.

Espat and Musa Say The "Drug Hunter"� Is Brave
PUP Area Representatives Julius Espat and Kareem Musa also gave their reaction to Edward Martinez's explosive press conference.   Now although  - like we said - Martinez hasn't presented any evidence, Espat and Musa said he is courageous: Hon. Julius Espat - Area Rep, Cayo South: "He's a brave guy, I'll leave it at that." Hon. Kareem Musa - Area Rep, Caribbean Shores: "Well I can't comment on it, I've only seen portions of it on the news and I think it was santized when it got to the news because of any possible liable risks but with no doubt..."

1859 - Breaking Down The Treaty
Turning back now to the ICJ referendum, we got a chance yesterday to speak with Assad Shoman about the Belize Peace Movement - which exists for the singular purpose of spreading the "No to the ICJ" message.
You'll remember that the Belizeans who make up this organization are all persons who are pushing for Belize to vote "no" to taking Guatemala's territorial Claim to the ICJ for resolution.  In their press conference last week, the Peace Movement accused the government officials of the present and the past of attempting to lure the general public into a false sense of security about the strength of Belize's case, should this matter ever go to the court.

Will Referendum Dictate Election Outcome
We also asked Espat and Musa about the perception that this ICJ referendum may be all wrapped up in politics and that the results of the referendum may predict how the public will vote in the next general elections. Musa and Espat gave different views on that. Hon. Kareem Musa - Area Rep, Caribbean Shores: "I don't believe it is a litmus test per say, I believe what it is, it is a litmus test on the way that the government of the day has been mishandling the matter. I think a lot of people, the significant portion of the no voters are going to be coming out and voting no not about the message but rather the messenger."

New COMPOL Will Shake Up Senior Command
There's a new sheriff in town, or at least a new COMPOL in Belmopan, and, as expected, Commissioner Chester plans to shake up the senior command.   Reports are that four Senior Superintendents, Alford Grinage, Alden Dawson, Marco Vidal and Howell Gillett, will all now be promoted to Assistant Commissioners. We're told that Deputy Commissioner Broaster will be in charge of National Operations.  Assistant Commissioner Vidal is rumoured to be designated for some kind of operaitonal command as well - and rpeorts suggest that Eastern Division South commander Howell Gillett could be headed back to Special Branch. We're told also that Southern Commander Alford Grinage will be put in charge of JIAC the Joint Operations and Intelligence Center - which tracks the movements of drug planes, while Superintendent Sandra Bodden will take over the command of the Southern Region.

Cops Clueless on Martinez Murder
23 year old Guatemalan of Buena Vista Jamie Martinez was discovered dead floating in the river of Black Man Eddy last week. And while police have been able to track down his last whereabouts they are still clueless as to how he went from socializing at a party in Buena Vista Village to floating dead on the River of Black Man Eddy. What is more bizarre about his death is that he was found bound and police believe he may have been strangled to death before being dumped in the river. Here is what police told us about that ongoing investigation.  ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB
"We know that he was last seen in Buena Vista village in the Cayo district on the 29th of December sometime around 11 PM was the last time he was seen alive. He was at a function in Buena Vista. Upon interviewing his family members, it is said that some time earlier in December he had left his mother's home in Libertad to visit friends in Buena Vista and that is the last they know of him. It is an ongoing investigation, the police is following several leads, we were just in the area yesterday and I believe the officers are back in the area today. A motive has not yet been established but we are following several leads."

No Clues on Motorbike Gunman
And while police continue to follow several leads on the Martinez case, they are completely empty handed as it relates to the shooting incident in Orange Walk last two weeks. As viewers may recall 28 year old Llemmont Wade and 21 year old Pablo Senon Reyes were shot at by a person on motorcycle while walking on Muffles Street. Both men were injured. Now although police had previously said that they were familiar with the parties at play their investigations have remained inconclusive and no one has been arrested and charged. Here is what they told us today. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "It is still an ongoing investigation, there are no new leads." Reporter
"When you reach a roadblock like this, does it mean that the investigation stalls until new information is gotten? What is the procedure following that?"

Mitchell Charged For Rear Ending Motorbike
Belmopan resident Andrew Mitchell was arrested and charged for the Western Highway accident that claimed the life of Salomon Ramirez. He was charged with with Manslaughter by Negligence, Causing Death by Careless Conduct and Drove Motor Vehicle Without Due Care and Attention. As we told you, 31 year old Andrew Mitchell was driving an SUV towards the capital but between miles 27 and 28 he crashed into the rear end of  Salomon Ramirez's Lifan motorcycle which had no rear lights.

Crime Front Quiets Down
And the reason you heard mostly updates today from police is simply because it has been a relatively quiet week as it relates to crime in the country; which is very good news considering we got off to a bad start at the beginning of the year. And as for all the older cases in the Belize District, police have yet to make a breakthrough in any of their cases. Apart from a few new clues in the disappearance of fisherman Greg Dillon last month there hasn't been anything much.

HIV Report Shows Belize Prevalence As High As Haiti
The Ministry of Health has released the HIV surveillance report for 2016.  The 18 page document seems hastily prepared and does not offer any historical analysis, but it does have a few useful facts.   Notably, a UNAIDS metric called Spectrum4 calculates the 2016 HIV prevalence in Belize as 1.9 in those between the ages of 15 to 49 years.  This is higher than the Caribbean Region average of 1.2 and Latin America's of 0.5.  When compared with countries like Jamaica, which is at 1.8, Belize is tied at the bottom with Haiti at 1.9.  Although Belize's reported HIV rates are decreasing Spectrum estimates that it is increasing and we are not identifying these new infections.

Channel 5

Father of Junior Minister in National Security is Kidnapped; He is Found in Good Health
The father of the Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security was abducted. A police report says that Elodio Aragon Senior, a former Minister of Government, was kidnapped [...]

Drug Kingpin “El Chapo” Spoke of Buying Cocaine in Belize
It is no secret that Belize’s location makes the country vulnerable to transnational organized criminal groups such as the drug cartels. In recent months, we have seen an alarming number [...]

Narco-Cattle Ranching: A Possibility in Belize
There is another worrisome report. A document published by Friends for Conservation and Development in March of 2017 speaks about an increase in cattle ranching along the western border. The [...]

Addressing Cattle Ranching Requires Efforts of Many Governmental Agencies
While some of the well known threats to the Chiquibul such as xaté and poaching have received attention, narco-cattle ranching has not been addressed by the government despite many reports. [...]

I.C.J. Referendum Should Be Postponed, Says Former Attorney General
Freetown Area Representative and former P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca took to social media on Wednesday to weigh in on G.O.B.’s move to join five former Foreign Affairs Ministers to sign [...]

How Will You Vote On April Tenth?
A national telephone poll on the I.C.J. Referendum conducted by www.pollBelize.org is showing a higher number of persons who would vote ‘no’ on April tenth. The poll was conducted in [...]

Despite Change of Government in ‘08, Musa is Unwavering on I.C.J. Position
Five former foreign ministers on Wednesday, however, gave the thumbs up to take the claim before the I.C.J.   Former Prime Minister Said Musa, during his second term in office, met [...]

Would Maritime Areas Act Impact Belize’s I.C.J. Case?
The integrity of Belize’s territorial sea, internal waters and its exclusive economic zone is also a matter of serious concern for the conservation community.  In the context of the pending [...]

Shake Up in the Belize Police Department
There are multiple reports of a big shakeup within the administration of the Belize Police Department. The reported changes come on the heels of the appointment of new Commissioner of [...]

Does Guatemala Have a Solid Legal Argument in Claim Against Belize?
There’s more from Wednesday’s press conference at the Biltmore. Guatemala’s legal argument, if one were to take the prime minister at his word, is shaky at best.  In fact, he [...]

Guatemala Inherited Belize from Spain? Rubbish, Says Assad Shoman
With all the talk of an age-old territorial dispute and a possible resolution at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the unfounded claim brought by Guatemala isn’t as clear-cut as [...]

Belize Peace Movement Upbraids Fantastic Five Foreign Ministers
On the heels of a historic show of support by five former foreign ministers on Wednesday, all in support of voting in favor of going to the I.C.J., the Belize [...]

Can You Help Baby Nelson Tabora?
On Wednesday night, we showed you the touching story of baby Nelson Tabora in Bella Vista. The twenty-three-month-old baby is suffering from a condition called Hydrocephalus where cerebrospinal fluid is [...]

Charges Pending for All Parties Involved in Bar Brawl and Beat Down in San Pedro
The Crimes Investigation Branch in Belize City will proceed with a criminal investigation against two of their own. Police confirmed on Tuesday that constables Tyrell Rowley and Samir Medina are [...]

Chinese National Leaps from Vehicle to his Death
Since Monday’s routine press briefing with the police, there has not been much coming out of the department in terms of crimes across the country. There were, however, several fatalities [...]

Belmopan Resident Charged for Manslaughter by Negligence
Meanwhile Belmopan resident, Andrew Mitchell, has been charged for causing the death of Solomon Ramirez. The fifty-four-year-old was rear-ended by Mitchell on Sunday night between miles twenty-seven and twenty-eight on [...]

Investigations Continue into Murder of Jaime Martinez
Investigations continue into the murder of Jaime Martinez. The twenty-three-year-old Guatemalan national was initially tagged as John Doe when his body was fished out of the Belize River on New [...]

Edgar Coronado Charged for Attempted Murder of David Diaz
ACP Joseph Myvett also gave an update on the investigation into the Christmas Day shooting of twenty-eight-year-old Llamont Wade and twenty-one-year-old Pablo Reyes. The duo was targeted as they exited [...]

Record Number of Tourists Visited Belize in 2018
The Belize Tourism Board has released its stats for the 2018 tourism arrivals. The number of visitors that came to the Jewel grew by sixty-two thousand, a huge increase from [...]

Operation Christmas Child Gives Away 8K in Gifts
Christmas has come and gone – but there a group is still spreading some cheer in southern Belize.  A group called the Operation Christmas Child was in Toledo today to [...]

Taiwanese Chorus from Houston, Texas Performs in Belize
Today inside the Fort Street Tourism Village, there was a flash mob. Taiwanese Americans from Houston, Texas arrived in the Jewel this morning on a cruise and performed cultural songs [...]

Healthy Living: Mindfulness Meets High Intensity Exercise
A mix of two very different fitness trends: mindfulness and high intensity workouts, is making a hit in Belize. That’s what we found in one gym.  Tonight in Healthy Living [...]

Elodio Aragon Sr. Kidnapped, Later Released
On 10th January 2019, Orange Walk Police received information that the home of the father of Elodio Aragon Jr., Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, was burglarized. Mr. Aragon Sr. was kidnapped and taken on the Phillip Goldson Highway where he was later released about (2) miles on the Posito Road off Phillip Goldson Highway. Mr. Aragon appears to be in good health and police are investigating.

LOVE FM

8,000 gifts for children in the Toledo District
Church leaders across the Toledo District have received a donation of children’s gifts from the Samaritan’s Purse. Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to people in communities across the world. Under one of their programs, the Operation Christmas Child, thousands of children will be receiving a gift in …

Father says Yes but Son says NO to ICJ
Former Prime Minister and current Fort George Area Representative Said Musa sat shoulder to shoulder with current Prime Minister Dean Barrow on Wednesday in unison to make it clear that he supports the Government’s Pro-ICJ campaign. While the occasion was to show that 5 former Foreign Ministers agreed on the issue, Musa was the only …

Assad Shoman Delivers history lesson and BPM not credible
The Belize Peace Movement may be new to politics as an organization, and possibly former Foreign Minister Assad Shoman may not have heard of its members. But they have definitely heard of his books “Guatemala’s Claim to Belize, the Definitive History” and his 1994 publication “13 Chapters of Belize”. Though the astute historian and former …

Parliamentarians discuss Chief Justice’s delayed rulings
Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin came into the crosshairs of the Belize Bar Association’s scope in 2017 when the Bar passed a resolution demanding that he deliver judgments for 32 delayed cased. That demand from the Bar Association came with a thinly veiled threat to file for his removal from office for misconduct. Since then the …

Government is a no show at Public Accounts (PAC) Committee
The Public Accounts (PAC) Committee had been reviewing the Auditor General’s report from as far back as 8 years ago. The report seeks clarity and accountability of Government spending. The PAC reviewed the 2012- 2013 Auditor General’s Report and conducted its investigation and hearings and that was concluded in May, 2018. The Committee requested the …

Still no motive for the New Year murder of Jamie Martinez
Meanwhile, Police investigators are no closer to closing the murder case of 23-year-old Jamie Martinez. His body was fished out of the Belize Old River on January one. ACP Myvett says investigators are still on the ground in Buena Vista Village. ACP Joseph Myvette: “We know that he was last seen in Buena Vista Village …

Man leaps to his death as he tries to escape harm in a traffic accident
A man is dead after he attempts to escape a traffic accident. It happened after three o’clock on Wednesday along the Hummingbird Highway in the Steadfast Village area in the Stann Creek District. Head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch ACP Joseph Myvett provided details of the incident in the biweekly press briefing with the …

Man in critical condition after being stabbed
Tonight, 31-year-old Abraham Leslie of Ladyville is clinging to life after he was stabbed yesterday. According to police reports, Leslie got into an altercation with a known male person who inflicted the stab wounds to his stomach and back. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, KHMH, where he is listed in a …

Fisherman finds Greg Dillon’s icebox but Dillon remains missing at sea
Greg Dillon, a fisherman, has been missing since early December 2018. Dillon went fishing in the vicinity of the Turneffe area on December 8 and was expected to return home back on Monday the tenth. He never made it back. His family became concerned because Dillon would always return home as scheduled. Today Assistant Superintendent …

The criminal investigation into the Police beat down of Jamir Leal has commenced
The Crimes Investigation Branch (CIB) has launched its investigation into the January one incident where Police Constables Tyrell Rowley and Samir Medina beat Jamir Leal and his brothers on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Alejandro Cowo said in the biweekly press brief today that investigators are revisiting the island as they begin …

Belize diaspora contributes to street signs
In a press release, Mayor Bernard Wagner and the Belize City Council expressed gratitude to a group of patriotic Belizeans residing in New York City and Toronto, Canada who have generously contributed to the installation of forty street signs which are valued at over twelve hundred US dollars …

Five fishermen pleaded guilty to charges of possession of lobsters
Five fishermen of Chunox Village, Corozal District appeared before Magistrate Michelle Trapp where they pleaded guilty to charges of possession of eighteen lobsters with eggs and possession of five lobsters with soft shells. They are 34-year-old, Isidro Patt; 20-year-old, Dandy Patt; 21-year-old, Jair Patt; 22-year-old, Rodel Patt and 29-year-old, Christian Ramirez …

Elias Solozano and Sergio Rodriguez charged with immigration offences
25-year-old, Elias Solozano and 43- year-old, Sergio Rodriguez, were charged with immigration offences when they appeared today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. Solozano, a Salvadoran national, was charged with failure to comply with the conditions of his visitor’s permit since immigration officers found him working as a welder at Rodriguez Welding on January 9 without a work permit …

Police charge Edgar Coronado for the attempt murder of David Diaz
Orange Walk police have charged 32-year-old Edgar Coronado for the attempt murder of 22-year-old David Diaz. Coronado was formally arrested and charged today with Attempted Murder, Wounding and Use of deadly means of Harm …

Driver is charged with manslaughter following the death of Solomon Ramirez
Police have charged one man following the death of Solomon Ramirez, the victim of a traffic incident on Sunday, January 6 on the George Price Highway. 31-year-old Andrew Mitchell of Belmopan was charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct and driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention …

The Reporter

POLICE SAY- FATHER OF MINISTER ARAGON WAS KIDNAPPED & RELEASED?
Police have confirmed reports that the father of the Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Elodio Aragon Sr. was kidnapped sometime today. In a brief release moments ago, Police claim that “Orange Walk Police, received information that the home of the father of Elodio Aragon Jr.,Minister of State, in the Ministry of National Security was burglarized.

MAJOR SHAKE-UP IN POLICE DEPT. AFTER NEW COMPOL
The Reporter has received word of a major shakeup in the administration of the Belize Police Department, following the new Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, taking up his post on Wednesday. Some of the notable changes are that Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett is no longer Southside Commander. He takes over as the head of Special Branch and Supt. Daniel Arzu will take over as Southside Commander.

New ComPol & Aragon Respond To Martinez Press Statements
On Tuesday, whistle-blower Edward Vincent Martinez made serious allegations against politicians and top cops in the Police Department. He claims to have evidence that they are involved in the landing of drug planes in the country, and has promised to share that evidence in two weeks.

Breaking Belize News

Belize City Council thanks patriotic Belizeans for street signs donation
A group of patriotic Belizeans living in New York City and Toronto, Canada have contributed (40) […]

Andrew Mitchell charged with death of Solomon Ramirez
Belmopan resident, Andrew Mitchell, has been charged in connection with the death of Solomon Ramirez. Mitchell […]

More charges to come in San Pedro beatdown
Police constables Samir Medina and Tyrell Rowley are again in hot water. The two are currently […]

Father of Police Minister kidnapped
The father of Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Elodio Aragon Jr., was […]

Chinese national jumps out moving vehicle and dies
A Chinese national is dead following a road trip to southern Belize. He has been identified […]

Father and son busted with cocaine in Corozal
A father and his son have found themselves at the opposite end of the law. They […]

Belize Police Department: No official announcement on reshuffling
A memo was leaked to the media today with an alleged list of changes in the […]

BTV condemn 5 Former Foreign Ministers for encouraging Belizeans to vote yes to ICJ
The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) today issued a statement condemning the 5 former Foreign Ministers of Belize […]

Big changes in the hierarchy of the Belize Police Department
Just a day after taking over as Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams has made some significant […]

Man stabbed after argument over a phone
Police are investigating a stabbing incident that occurred last night in Ladyville Village in the […]

Belize Peace Movement questions purpose of joint declaration
The Belize Peace Movement (BPM) today issued a release questioning the purpose of the joint […]

A proud moment for Belize
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

International Sources

Bahamian Study: Conch fishery could disappear in 15 years
After measuring more than 3,000 conch at 42 survey sites throughout The Bahamas, scientists have found that this country could lose its conch industry in 10 to 15 years if pressure on the food source is not reduced, a press release on the matter revealed. The release came from Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. The aquarium, along with a group called Community Conch, conducted the research in The Bahamas, and the findings were published in the scientific journal “Reviews in Fisheries Science and Aquaculture”. According to the release, surveys of queen conch were conducted between 2009 and 2017 to understand the fishing pressures on the ocean mollusk. It added that “scientists collected data on how many conch were present at a given survey site” and their age based on the thickness of their shell.

Consolidated Water sells Belize operations
The Cayman-based Consolidated Water has reached a deal to sell its Belize branch, CW-Belize, to Belize Water Services Ltd. for US$7 million, with the closing of the transaction expected to take place by Wednesday. The US$7 million sale price will be adjusted by the amount of all unpaid invoices payable by Belize Water Services Ltd. to CW-Belize for water sold through Dec. 31, by the amount of cash held by CW-Belize as of the closing of the transaction, and by the amount of CW-Belize’s consumables inventory at Dec. 31, according to the agreement. Further, before the closing of the transaction, CW-Belize will forgive approximately US$1.8 million of intercompany debt owed to CW-Belize by Consolidated Water and its other subsidiaries.

IMF says a “global bank” is returning to the Caribbean but will not say which one
In a post published last week by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on its website, the IMF’s general counsel, Rhoda Weeks-Brown, claimed that a global bank that had left the Caribbean due to correspondent banking concerns had recently decided to come back and re-engage the Caribbean but gave no details of the name of the bank, which Caribbean country it left, or any other particulars of the nature of business or anything that would substantiate the claims in the statement. The published piece, titled: “Cleaning Up: Countries are advancing efforts to stop criminals from laundering their trillions”, Weeks-Brown wrote: “And in the Caribbean, where the withdrawal of correspondent banking relationships is a critical concern, we convened international banks and their local counterparts to foster bilateral cooperation in addressing information gaps and meeting regulatory expectations. One global bank that had left the region has now decided to re-establish ties with some local banks.”

18 of the best snorkelling spots in the world
If there’s one thing we love about a tropical holiday (aside from siestas, beach hammocks and cocktails by the pool at sunset), it’s the opportunity to explore the underwater world via swimming and snorkelling. While deep sea diving is one thing, we love the casual appeal of floating in the ocean and gazing at life below the surface. It also doesn’t hurt that snorkelling is a skill that practically anyone can pick up pretty quickly. And once you’ve mastered the art, it’s remarkably easy to fall under the spell of such an immersive aquatic experience. Glovers Reef Atoll, Belize.

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