An immigration officer was taken into police custody earlier today, following an allegation made against him by a Jamaican national at the Philip Goldson International Airport. It is alleged that the unnamed officer may have been involved in the theft of several thousand U.S. dollars from the traveler this morning. This afternoon, News Five contacted Chief Executive Officer Tanya Santos, of the Ministry of Immigration, who confirmed that contrary to a report that was published on social media earlier, only one officer has been detained for questioning.
Year: 2024
Belize Moved from 6th to 14th Most Dangerous Latin American Country
In his contributions to the budget debate, Kareem Musa, the Minister of Home Affairs, reflected on last week’s spate of murders across the country. In the same vein, he noted that the number of murders per year has significantly decreased under the People’s United Party. Crime is one of the issues that the Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, used to criticize the Briceño administration during his budget presentation. Well, Minister Musa says Barrow cannot dance behind the statistics.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“I once again take the opportunity to share my thoughts, prayers and condolences with those who lost their loved ones last week. And while yes last week was an extremely painful one for Belizeans, the leader of the opposition, try as he may simply cannot escape the numbers. The raw black and white statistics dictates that crime is exponentially worst when the United Democratic Party is in power. When they left office in 2020 the average number of murders was around one hundred and thirty per year. As of December thirty first 2023, the number of murders in Belize decreased to eighty seven compared to one hundred and thirteen in 2022. We have moved from the sixth most dangerous country in Latin America in 2020 under the UDP, down to eleven in 2022 and in 2023 I am pleased to report we have gone further down that list to fourteen. So try as he may but the leader cannot dance behind the statistics as he said yesterday.”
Belize City Mayor Assigns New Portfolios to Councillors
Less than a week after having taken office, Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner has issued portfolios to the ten councillors. Wagner is taking on Finance, Budgeting, Human Resources, Staff Development and Training, Public Relations, Special Events, and Anti-Corruption. Deputy Mayor Allan Pollard Junior has been given Works and Infrastructure, Urban Development, and Labor Relations. Councillor Kaya Cattouse is dealing with Sanitation and Maintenance, Women and Children, Special Needs and Diverse Abilities Initiatives, and After School Programs. Councillor Malcolm Nunez got Youth, Sports and Wellness; Councillor Evan Thompson will take on Market Management and Community Engagement. Councillor Eluide Miller will tackle Traffic Management, Management Information Systems, E-Governance, Local Economic, Development, Trade and Investment, and Small and New Business. Councillor Stephanne Hamilton has Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Foreign Affairs and Sister City Relations; Councillor Dorian Usher will deal with Cemetery and Public Health; Councillor Edmund Kwan will deal with Municipal Court matters, Enforcement, and Internal Security. Councillor Javier Castellanos will be responsible for CEMO/Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change, Zoning and Planning, and the Building Unit; and Councillor Sherwin Garcia will look after Parks and Playgrounds, and Beautification. These duties and responsibilities will be held for the next three years, or until the mayor decides to reshuffle the council.
Five Million for Housing is “Unacceptable” says Housing Minister
The Government of Belize has allocated five million dollars to construct low-income homes for Belizean families. During its campaign leading up to the 2020 general elections, the Briceño administration committed to building ten thousand homes. Three years into their term and just over two hundred homes have been constructed and handed over. That is a far cry from ten thousand homes. And, with five million dollars earmarked this year, Julius Espat, the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, says five million dollars for housing from a one point five-billion-dollar budget is unacceptable.
Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure & Housing
“I believe and I am so happy that the member from Queen Square believes that we have not. Ih wah hurt mih heart fih say it, but I agree with the member from Mesop that we wanted more budget for housing. Ah the tell yo, because I have to not because I want. We should lobby the Ministry of Finance that we receive more funds to be able to help the people get shelters over their heads. If we don’t do that the haves will be happy that they believe the have-nots should get. They lobby, mek deh guh dah the bank. Just don’t say it when I am around, because when I am around I will tell them, but how will they go to the bank to get money? They don’t have no jobs, they are single mothers, deh the struggle, they don’t have an opportunity in life, some of them are disabled. You are setting them up to fail. You know they come with their briefcase and say you can go to the bank. You can go to the bank, but the people we help cannot go to the bank. So it is our job and many members here believe in it. I am the only one that voices it often; we need more budget for the housing.”
Sixteen-Year-Old Belizean Accepted to Yale Program
A sixteen-year-old student from Belize High School has been accepted to the Young Global Scholar Program at Yale University. Yale is an Ivy league university ranked among the top ten best colleges in America. Sandra Lindo was selected, among a few others, from a pool of ten thousand applicants to participate in the two-week summer academic enrichment program for high school students. In tonight’s episode of Belize on Reel, we spoke with Sandra to learn more about her journey to this achievement. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.
Sandra Lindo, Belize High School Student
“So I hurriedly opened it, and when I opened it, I started crying, and I made sure to hurriedly call my mom. And she’s like, what happened? And I was like, I got accepted, and she’s like, oh my god! And she’s so happy, and she’s like, doing like, what all moms do, and she started posting it, and my dad started posting it. And I don’t know, I just felt so happy, and I felt so proud to like, achieve this dream, and to have like, my biggest supporters by my side.”
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Ten thousand applicants from one hundred and fifty countries, that’s how many students sixteen-year-old Sandra Lindo was up against for a chance to participate in the Young Global Scholar Program at Yale University. A spot that she would later secure, despite the odds. This program offers sessions on various topics, such as literature, science, politics, and law. Sandra, a third form humanities major at Belize High School, decided to apply to the law program.
“I currently got accepted to Yale Young Global Scholar, which is a summer program at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut. Okay. And there’s four categories, but my, the one that stood out to me the most is politics, law, and economics, as it’s something that I want to do in the future and I thought that this would be a great experience, because in my freshman and sophomore year, I did some dual credit courses, and I did criminal justice, and that really solidified my dream and saying yeah, I really want to become a lawyer.”
Sandra recently participated in the HACIA program which is the Harvard Association for Cultivation of Inter-American Democracy. It is a debate conference that serves as an opportunity for youths to come together and create solutions to real world problems.
“HACIA, I think, is like a really great program that we have here, because it’s with Harvard and it’s the summit, and there’s like different committees based on what you like. So I know PAHO is based on like medical, you had CELAC, which is based on like issues that are happening, and I knew they were doing like poverty for women, like reproduction care, but I chose court, and I did court last year as well, and it’s just to help learn the foundation of what it’s like to be in a court, and the simulation of it, so you have the judge, you have the plaintiff, and the defense. And I think that’s a really great experience because we not only learn, but we also have fun as well.”
She said that although it was difficult at times, through the support of her mentors and peers, she was able to successfully complete the HACIA events, which she believes will influence her future success at the Young Global Scholars Program.
“There were countless days where we’re working on these papers, getting all the research, all the notes, and I feel like that’s really going to help me with this program, because it’s going to keep me organized, and I’m going to, have an understanding of what the law is, thanks to this program and I was like, I really enjoyed it because I had to do judge a day. I had to do defense, and it really gave me an opportunity to give my strong points and say yeah, I really believe that this slate has the right, and as a judge, I had to listen to both sides, and it really helped to like, become me like which side do I want to take, and it was a hard decision overall.”
Sandra’s teacher, Judy Carillo, was not only a mentor at the HACIA program, but also a great support to Sandra during her application process, encouraging her, as well as writing a recommendation letter. According to Carillo, she had no qualms about writing a recommendation for Sandra since she has always been a hardworking and dedicated student, who she believes will be a great ambassador for Belize.
Judy Carillo, Sandra’s Teacher
“So last year Sandra approached me and asked me if I can complete her recommendation form for this program and I have always admired Sandra because despite the challenges she has gone through she has always remained consistent and determined to engage in any activity that will contribute to the career she wants to pursue in the future. And I did so happily and with the hope that she would be accepted because I know it’s a great opportunity for her to develop her leadership skills but also get more exposure into what it takes to be part of that career that she wants to pursue.”
Sandra’s Mother, Souad Barrow recalled what it was like receiving that call from her daughter, informing her that she’s been accepted to the program.
Souad Barrow, Sandra’s Mother
“Overjoyed and proud would be an understatement to say, I started crying immediately. I think Sandra did as well. And then we just cried on the phone for a bit. They’re all saying that fisha man noh say ih fish stink. I have nothing but pure joy to speak about how wonderful a child Sandra is. “Her empathy and love for her community, her family, and especially her little brother, always amaze me. Sandra will come and say, Mom, I have an idea and I go, Oh, here we go again. And it would be a cleanup program or she did a fundraising with her sister and brother fundraising for Christmas to raise toys and food for the children’s home, Liberty Children’s Home. This is the third time she’s done an event like that. She does clean up. She does everything under her sun. Sometimes I say, take a break.”
Barrow said that her daughter has always had law influencing her life, as both parents, and several family members are lawyers.
“She is a lover of the arts. She’s a lover of Belize. And she comes from a long line of law influenced people. She has grown up around lawyers. She’s seen her dad go study. I’ve studied from here, long distance. She’s been with Honorable Senior Counsel Dean Lindo, who has been a role model for her. And she always says the term touch your brother light and watch the field because of him. So she’ll watch and say I think I want to do this and think is not, not in her vocab. She goes straight on, head on.”
Sandra hopes that she can attend Yale as a student one day but is open to keep trying for other schools as well. She said that Belizeans should apply for more programs like this because anyone can achieve it if they don’t give up.
“Dreaming is not only about believing but achieving and I felt so proud of myself that I’m like one out of ten thousand out of one hundred fifty countries. And I feel as a Belizean, I’m very proud, because I’m like, not many of us have this opportunity, and I’m happy to like, put us on the map more, and further our things. But I feel like everyone has a chance, like if they have this dream, they should go for it, and they should achieve what they want.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.
Naybaz Creates Opportunities for Belizean Entrepreneurs
Owning and operating a successful business is, perhaps, at the top of the list of achievements for Belizean entrepreneurs. Naybaz, a Bowen and Bowen Holdings Limited company, is making this a reality for entrepreneurs across the country. To date, the company has entered into partnerships with more than fifty Belizeans that are passionate about managing their own convenience store. These partners are equipped with all the necessary resources and skills to operate a successful company. They are then released into their communities to do just that. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at the business model and how it is empowering individuals and communities. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Naybaz Stores have been popping up across the country over the last few years, leaving many to wonder who owns this franchise and how are their numbers increasing so rapidly. Naybaz is a subsidiary of Bowen and Bowen Holdings Limited. Fifty-two stores are currently in operation. Jason Solis is the Director of Retail Stores at Naybaz.
Jason Solis, Director of Retail Stores, Naybaz
“The idea is rooted in our mission as Bowen and Bowen. Our mission is to build a stronger Belize and so Naybaz is a direct result of that mission whereby we get to support our Belizean entrepreneurs and in effect we also get to support our local communities across our country.”
Beatrice Flores is a Naybaz Partner. She manages a Naybaz Store on Chetumal Boulevard in Belize City. Flores and other Belizean entrepreneurs, like herself, are the backbone of Naybaz’s operation.
Beatrice Flores, Naybaz Partner
“I started as a cashier for one of the partners up in Ladyville. Basically they gave me the opportunity to work with them as one of their partners. Me as a business person, I like being independent, so I took the opportunity from them.”
Jason Solis
“That is exactly what it is, it is a partnership between Bowen and Bowen and the Belizean entrepreneur, so that partnership is whereby we support our local entrepreneurs. We support them in terms of stock, we support them in terms of marketing, we support them in terms of sale support, inventory, capital support, skill training, IT support.”
Beatrice Flores
“They helped me learning managing, advertise more the business, how to communicate with customers, give a warm feeling to every customer that comes into the store. Honestly it is great. Like I said, they give you an opportunity to flourish, to grow and you feel more positive, the positive energy about yourself that you can actually do something in life, that you can actually manage a sytore on your own without doubting yourself.”
Jason Solis
“We have seen house wives go from sitting at home to run a Naybaz up from their home. I think that is powerful. We have seen villages like Georgeville, popular individuals get a Naybaz store, they know everybody in the neighborhood, in the village and the profit they get they are able to help out kids in the villages. We are not here to compete against the current retail market that exist. What we are doing is we are looking for where there is opportunity for a convenient shopping experience, where there is opportunity for comfortable shopping experience. We make that analysis and decided whether we feel like a store would be good in this area or not. Our Naybaz partners purchase Bowen products at the same prices. They do not get any preferential price or treatment and Naybaz stores also sells non-Bowen and Bowen products because we have to cater to our communities and the demand.”
“It does give me much pride and my sons look at me and say my mommy can do this, because I have two sons and I really feel proud.”
Paul Lopez
“How old are your sons?”
“One of them is eight and the next one is seven.”
Paul Lopez
“And they see mommy as a full time business owner.”
Beatrice Flores
“Yes they do, yeah.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Moving From Talking to Action for Biodiversity
Today, the Association of Protected Areas Management Organization, APAMO, gathered its members and partner organizations to participate in a biodiversity conference with the goal of moving away from just discussing threats to the environment and towards taking actions to implement solutions. Partnering with APAMO was the British High Commission and the B.T.B., to fund the initiatives that will come out of today’s events. We spoke with the Executive Director of APAMO, Jose Perez, for more information.
Jose Perez, Executive Director, APAMO
“Today we’re focusing on what we call the five drivers, Biodiversity loss which are pollution over expectation climate change, invasive species, and the use of land and sea the changes. Today we brought together non-government entities academia, University of Belize is here also the private sector, the Belize Chamber of Commerce is here, because we want to move, beyond the discussion to more action the National Biodiversity Office, which is government firstly presented the national policy of framework when it comes to biodiversity preservation and conservation. And so we need to look at that, look at the actions and the gaps that need to be filled. Today we brought together non government entities academia, University of Belize is here also the private sector, the Belize Chamber of Commerce is here, because we want to move, beyond the discussion to more action the National Biodiversity Office, which is government firstly presented the national policy of framework when it comes to biodiversity preservation and conservation. And so we need to look at that, look at the actions and the gaps that need to be filled. But very importantly, today we want everybody to be on the same page to understand what is biodiversity. And what do we lose when we have constant devastation, when we have the constant impact of climate change, which are already seen on the natural resources on the whole. And we want to reflect or we want them to reflect on, as our own organization, what can we do to mitigate the impacts of these five drivers. And so that’s it, that’s the conversation we want to have. And by the end of the day, we’re hoping that Identify some concrete actions moving forward to address this major issue.”
Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day
Today, thousands across the world wore mismatched socks in honor of World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. The day is meant to highlight people who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome and bring awareness to the challenges they must overcome, as well as their achievements. Tonight, we highlight eleven-year-old Zayne Craig, who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome at birth and worked along with his former teacher to create a storybook all about himself. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.
Zayne Craig, Standard Three Student, B.E.S.
“Hi, I am Zayne. I am ten years old. My mom says that I am a big boy. I am a special boy. Are you a special boy or are you a girl? Hi, I am Zayne and I am a special boy. My favorite color is blue. Blue for boy. Do you like blue or do you like purple?”
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Like many others across the world, life for eleven-year-old Zayne Craig looks a little different from the average person’s experience. Currently, Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal disorder with roughly six million people diagnosed worldwide. Today, in honor of those six million people, the world celebrates Down Syndrome Awareness Day and as part of the celebrations, many donned mismatched socks. Zayne’s mother, Marisela Craig, explained the meaning behind the socks.
Marisela Heredia Craig, Zayne’s mother
“Today is March twenty-first. Every year, March twenty-first, they celebrate World Down Syndrome Day because forty-six chromosomes. Children like Zane or adults like Zane, have an extra chromosome of the twenty-first century. So they have a triplicate of that, hence March twenty-first. And so, the reason why they choose socks is because the socks looks just like chromosomes. And so, the crazy socks is to show support acceptance and advocacy for down syndrome.”
Craig said It is important to create awareness, advocacy, acceptance, and inclusions in communities to show that even though children like Zayne may be a little bit different, they are and still able to participate and socialize in the community. She said that there are several interests Zayne enjoys and excels in.
“Zayne is very witty. He has an unusual sense of humor. He brings a lot of laughter to our house, a lot of laughter, I believe, to the classroom as well. Two, he loves everything blue. His whole world is blue. Zayne, is interested in animals. Any animal you probably name, he knows something about that animal. He recently started with karate, doing well there. He loves riding his bike. playing football. Just about everything else. He loves doing puzzles he can. You can show down four different puzzles mixed up together and being well separate them and says, not Peppa Pig, not Paw Patrol and he can separate them out and like that. So he, really loves the challenge of a puzzle as well too.”
According to Zayne, his favorite color is blue, which is why when creating a book all about Zayne, his former teacher, decided to make the book blue.
Amber Tillett-Lopez, Zayne’s former teacher
“So, creating the book with Zayne was pretty easy, I would say, because I spent a lot of time interacting with him in the classroom. And I decided to do it in a first-person perspective because I wanted the readers to kind of hear his voice whenever they are reading it to have a little peek into what his world looks like because our world is one thing and Zayne’s world is blue. Zayne’s world is filled with animals and dinosaurs, and I think it’s very important for us to be aware that even though Zayne might not look exactly like other people or other students.”
Craig further explained that navigating life with Down Syndrome and being a mother supporting her child through the process, is difficult at times. But she and her family try to look for the positives in every situation and champion moments of accessibility and support for Zayne rather than the negative comments or isolation they may face on occasion. One aspect of Zayne’s life that Craig has found success in adapting, is his school schedule.
“I will not tell you that I was open up from early on to the accommodations and the modifications for him because I fell in that rabbit hole just like every other parent and wanting him to do what everybody else was doing. So first I had to accept that. When I accepted that, then it became much easier. So Zane does not come from 8 to 3 like everybody else. His program is modified. I had an aid last year because it helped. Initially it helped with him sitting down and doing the work and actually writing for him, but now he’s more involved. He’s writing his own notes now. Zane is making presentations in class now. He’s engaging with the students more and the students are engaging with him more. So, everything now is falling into place for me.”
As part of his accommodations, Zayne works with classroom aid, Irma Skeen, who says that working with Zayne has been a wonderful experience because she learns from Zayne just as much as he learns for her.
Irma Skeen, Zayne’s Aid Assistant
“Well, with Zayne, he can read and he does a lot. He has his own method of doing things. And not only that I am learning with him, but he teaches me as well. So, it is very wonderful to work with him. And, working with a, with somebody like him, it is awesome because, as his mom and the teacher says, that he has his own idea and his own things. And, as a mom and a grandparent also, I learn from him. So, working with someone very special like him gives me that pleasure, and he has changed a lot in my life also, so. It’s wonderful, right?”
Zayne showed off his book to us, explaining that it was filled with all his favorite things, which included his family, who are his greatest support system.
Britney Gordon
“What’s that that you’re holding?”
“My book. It’s all about me.”
Britney Gordon
“It’s all about you? Can you show me some pictures?”
Zayne Craig
“Yup, I’ll show you some pictures.”
“So, did you create this book with your teacher?”
Zayne Craig
“Yes.”
Britney Gordon
“Why did you want to create a book?”
“I get reading.”
Britney Gordon
“Do you like to read?”
Zayne Craig
“Yeah.”
“Okay, that’s great.”
Zayne Craig
“And this is my family. It’s me, my dad, my mommy, and my sister.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.
Guatemalan Road Developments Inside Belize
On Wednesday, B.D.F. Commander Azariel Loria spoke briefly about the presence of an illegally built road inside the Chiquibul National Park. Earlier today, Friends of Conservation and Development issued a release in which it is presumed that the road is being used by Guatemalan ranchers to access water. This was determined by a flyover of the area last week. According to FCD, a similar road which stretches for a little over a mile was observed inside the Columbia River Forest Reserve in Toledo District. Of note is that the FCD does not have co-management jurisdiction in the Columbia River Forest Reserve, despite the fact that both protected areas are adjacent to each other. The release goes on to say that the nearest Guatemalan community is an area known as El Carrizal. Illegal timber extraction is known to take place in that area of the forest reserve for many years. It would seem, however, that the practice is better organized with wooden bridges being built to facilitate the movement of trucks carrying valuable timber, including rosewood. These illicit activities are reportedly close to the Machaquilha Conservation Post which is less than a mile from the Belize/Guatemala Adjacency Line.
Refurbished FOB is More Hospitable to Soldiers
The Forward Operating Base at the mouth of the Sarstoon River began to deteriorate soon after its construction in 2016. Eventually, the Belize Defence Force had to limit its occupancy to only daylight hours because its structural integrity had come into question due to erosion. But a reinforced structure was opened recently, and again, B.D.F. soldiers are there to keep Belize’s southernmost boundary intact. And Commander of the B.D.F., Brigadier General Azariel Loria told News Five that the refurbished facility offers a much more spacious and comfortable working environment for the soldiers.
Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria, Commander, B.D.F
“Finally we have a better building, a better place for our soldiers to work in, with dignity. That’s how we envision that they must be treated, that their work. They are soldiers, we understand, but if we could create an environment so that they could live better, work better. The working conditions are a bit better. I believe that if that is possible, that we should give it to them. The building is completed. It has been refurbished and also as an attachment to that building is a kitchen that will be used as a little mini auditorium for visitors. If there are any visitors, it could be used as a briefing room or a briefing house.”