Gun dealer Abner Murillo pointed to the recent Tropic Air hijacking as proof that licensed firearm holders can help stop dangerous situations. He highlighted the role of a passenger with a licensed weapon who helped prevent the incident from escalating. Murillo says he’s not alone in his frustration with the current licensing system; many others feel the same way. But according to him, most people are afraid to speak out, worried they’ll be targeted or face backlash for voicing their concerns.
Abner Murillo, Owner, Lock N’ Loaded
“We just had a plane hijacking. When that plane landed, the person with the knife could have killed that pilot. What stopped that pilot from being killed, the guy that hand a license weapon. The girl right down here whose child was being abducted, what stopped that from happening, the person had a licensed weapon. The way to stop evil is to give people a licensed weapon, simple as that. I think the Minister of Home Affairs is doing an amazing job. I have the utmost respect for Kareem Musa. I think he is doing an amazing job. I was very disappointed in his comments that he does not care about the gun dealers, because it is not just the gun dealers. We are talking about all the citizens in Belize, the farmers that are losing livestock. So, I think he did not think through or that he meant it. But all the dealers were hurt by it and not just the dealers, the people, because it trickles down. I have the utmost faith they will do the right thing. But this board is not working. The system they have now is not working and people are frustrated, but the problem is that people don’t want to speak up. Every day you have three, four, five people come into my store complaining. But why don’t they speak up?”
The Joint Unions Negotiating Team, or JUNT, has responded to the prime minister’s latest pay proposal, and they’re not holding back. In a letter dated May thirty-first, the unions made it clear: a three percent salary increase starting in October just doesn’t cut it. After talking it over with their members, they’ve unanimously rejected the offer. But they’re not just saying “no”, they’re calling on the Government to lead by example. While they support the national push to raise the minimum wage to six dollars an hour, they believe public officers, who keep the country running, deserve more than just the bare minimum. They’re demanding a living wage that reflects the real value of their work. Still, it’s not all criticism. JUNT welcomed the government’s promise to follow through on its legal obligations under the 2021–2024 Collective Bargaining Agreement. That includes updating transfer grants and paying what’s owed to public officers who’ve been relocated. The unions are now asking for an official notice confirming the new grant rates. And in a sign of cooperation, they’ve agreed to the Government’s suggestion of a sixty-day window for responding to counterproposals during negotiations.
Last week, the Joint Unions Negotiating Team, unanimously rejected the government’s offer of a three percent salary increase, calling it far from enough to meet the needs of public workers. The unions’ frustration is fueled by what they see as a glaring double standard. While public officers are being offered modest raises, CEOs reportedly received over a fifteen percent salary bump following the last general election. President of the Public Service Union, Dean Flowers, isn’t mincing words. He’s warned the government that the unions are prepared to take swift and disruptive action if their demands aren’t met. Flowers emphasized that the unions aren’t trying to dictate CEO salaries, but they won’t back down from their fight for a fair and equitable pay structure.
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“The Public Service Union nor the joint unions for that matter, does not wish to value or put a cost or a price on the work of the CEO. That’s not our place. That is for the experts who do classification of jobs, who value jobs, who can tell you exactly what that word, what their word should be. So we’re not questioning whether a CEO should earn. Sixty thousand dollars a year, seventy-six thousand a year, eighty-eight thousand dollars a year. We’re not questioning that. We’re saying that if we’re all going to contribute to the growth and development of the public service, then the structure has to be one that equitably distribute the benefits. So you cannot say that because I’m the CEO. I’m entitled to a hundred thousand because the reality is you bring limited experience in the public service. When you come here, you come in oblivious to really and truly how the public service run, and that’s the reason why the con, the public service continues to get worse because of your leadership, because of your inability to identify the deficiencies in your ministry, in your department. Whether it’s human resource, whether it’s operations, whatever it is, you are being paid to identify that. So you cannot simply come in, demand a hundred thousand, but nothing fixes. The corruption gets worse, in most cases, gets worse gets worse.”
The Belize Police Department is bracing for possible disruptions in Belize City. Authorities are on high alert tonight amid concerns that the Belize National Teachers Union may escalate their protest action by blocking key entry points into Belize City. With the union moving into a new phase of their industrial action, police have been instructed to monitor three major bridges, Belcan Bridge, Chetumal Street Bridge, and Burdon Canal Bridge, every hour for any unusual activity. Officers are expected to report their findings in real time to ensure the free flow of traffic and public safety. While no blockades have been confirmed, the heightened vigilance signals just how seriously law enforcement is taking the potential threat. Many will remember a similar moment in recent history. On the morning of May seventeenth, 2021, the unions made a bold move, successfully cutting off traffic into Belize City during the busy rush hour. The result? A massive traffic jam that paralyzed the city for hours. That action sent a powerful message and demonstrated the unions’ ability to mobilize and disrupt. With current talks heating up and the police on high alert, many are wondering, could history repeat itself?
Tonight, we take a juicy bite into a fruit that’s more than just a seasonal treat, it’s a symbol of our shared childhoods and sun-soaked memories. The may plum, yes, the very name hints at its prime time, bursts onto the scene each year during the blistering month of May. Found in abundance across the country, this tangy-sweet delight has long been a favorite for kids and grown-ups alike, often plucked from a neighbor’s tree with nothing but a shirt to carry the bounty. But beyond its flavor, may plums are deeply rooted in Belizean culture. In tonight’s Kolcha Tuesday feature, News Five’s Paul Lopez takes us on a nostalgic journey through its vibrant colors, rich taste, and the stories that make this humble fruit a national treasure.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The may plum gets its name from the time of year it shows up in full force—May, the hottest month in Belize. This little fruit thrives in the dry season, and if you’ve ever seen a may plum tree, you know it doesn’t hold back when it’s time to bear fruit. For many Belizeans, just the sight or taste of a may plum brings back warm memories of childhood: climbing trees, sharing with friends, and savoring the sweet, tangy flavor straight from the branch.
Albert
Albert, Orange Walk Resident
“I does climb, oh lawd we does shake up deh may plum tree, jump eena the neighbor yard and guh wap ih may plum deh. May plum dah the nicest plum.”
These days, spotting a may plum tree might mean taking a trip out to the countryside. In rural communities, they still grow wild and free. But if you’re in the city, you’re more likely to find may plums being sold by friendly vendors along the streetside, bringing a taste of the village right to the Old Capital. But purchasing a bag of plum from a vendor pales in comparison to climbing a tree and picking a handful to consume.
Paul Lopez
“You have some may plum here. Tell me how was it for you this season as a vendor?”
Voice of: Street Side Vendor
“It was ok. I sell a lot because every year this produce, not like two or three times a year, but when this season comes on May it sell a lot and right now it is the last.”
Paul Lopez
“And this right now that we are seeing is the last?”
Voice of: Street Side Vendor
“Yes, it is the last. After this there will be no more.”
Albert, Orange Walk Resident
“But once it start rain it will catch worm. But once it starts to rain. We eat them with the worm sometimes because the worm is the plum.”
And the rainy season is now upon us. That means the fruit will ripen at a faster rate and fall off the trees, bringing an end to the may plum season. But over at Anna’s Fruit Shop on Coney Drive, there’s still plenty of may plum to go around. They just restocked with a fresh batch from a supplier in Corozal—so for now, the sweet season is still going strong.
Voice of: Vendor
Voice of: Vendor, Anna’s Fruit Shop
“They call it May plum because it is only on May we see them around. That is why they call it may plum. The way how I grow up, how I work at the fruit shop, I meet them and start to like it. Oh yes it is nice. I prefer it when it is ripe, because it is more sweeter. You can eat it too when it is green. Sometimes it has that little reddish color, like the color of a tomato and sometimes it has the orange touch.”
Paul Lopez
“Some people say that when it gets overripe it has worm. But some people say they don’t mind the worm.”
Voice of: Vendor
“Oh no, I don’t like it with worm.”
No Belizean may plum experience is truly complete without that classic two-dollar bag—tangy, sweet, and sprinkled with a dash of salt and pepper. It’s a simple tradition that packs a flavorful punch and brings generations together over a shared love for this seasonal snack. And if you’re wondering about quality, rest assured. A quick taste test confirmed that these ripe, golden plums are not only bursting with sweetness, but also completely worm-free. That’s right, just pure, juicy goodness in every bite. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
It’s a product that’s gone viral online and is being marketed as a natural boost for men, but health officials are raising the alarm. The Ministry of Health and Wellness is warning the public about Royal Honey, also known as “honey packs,” saying they’re unsafe, unregulated, and potentially dangerous. Despite being promoted as a male sexual enhancement supplement, experts say Royal Honey contains undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients, and the side effects can be serious. We’re talking about everything from low blood pressure and allergic reactions to hearing loss and even vision changes. So, what’s really in these honey packs? And why are they still being sold so easily? News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at the ministry’s warning and what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is also saying about this trending product. Here’s that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Royal Honey, also known as the “honey pack”, has become a trending product among young people around the world. It’s gained so much attention that even viral internet personalities like iShowSpeed and Kai Cenat featured it during one of their live streams, adding to its buzz online.
“Is that a honey back, don’t drink that, don’t drink it, no don’t drink it.”
The Ministry of Health and Wellness is urging Belizeans to steer clear of a trending product called Royal Honey, also known as the “honey pack.” While it’s being sold as a natural sexual enhancer, health officials say it’s anything but safe. According to the ministry, Royal Honey contains undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients, meaning you could be taking powerful drugs without even knowing it. And Belize isn’t the only country raising the alarm. Both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health have issued similar warnings. Despite the risks, the product is shockingly easy to find. We found a vendor selling it for just ten dollars a sachet on Facebook Marketplace. After a quick chat online, we were able to arrange a pickup right here in Belize City.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
“You have the product I have the money here. Alright, thank you. Ok so this is the Royal Honey or Honey Pack that the Ministry of Health and Wellness is warning the public against purchasing and consuming this product.
According to label it contains various ingredients, chief among them being honey. There are other ingredients that I can’t necessarily pronounce, but there is one I am familiar with that says ginseng. People, based on the seller’s information, people consume it directly. They also put it in a drink and in some instance they put in on food. And as is being described by the ministry of health, it is being recommended or advertised for sexual enhancement. It is a sexual enhancement product.”
Our seller informed us that the product is in high demand. Most of her customers are young men, drawn in by promises of boosted performance. But health officials are warning that this popular product could be doing more harm than good. These can be especially dangerous for people with existing health conditions or those taking prescription medications. A recently published Medical News Today article warned against the product due to its adverse effects. It lists several, including headaches, a drop in blood pressure, vision changes, hearing loss and long, painful erections.
Paul Lopez
“Yesterday the Ministry of Health warned people about this thing, it is a Royal Honey or a “honey pack”. It is something that the young people are using, mostly men, as a sexual enhancement.”
Albert
Albert, Orange Walk Town Resident
“Can I take this? I need a little enhancement because I the get old. I am not young as before.”
Paul Lopez
“But the ministry warned that it might have ingredients that is illegal or ingredients that might cause negative effects like headaches and it might give you an uncomfortable erection?”
Albert, Orange Walk Town Resident
“Hold yah then I don’t need that. Once a woman, I just smell my wife and I get deh kind ah way. The lone smell when she come around me. No.”
Paul Lopez
“There are many questions to be asked here, including how this product gets into the country, who is the supplier, what sort of checks and balances are at our points of entry ot vet and ensure these are not coming into the country and if you take it and experience any adverse effects, what sort of remedies can you seek, who can you hold accountable, where can you go demand relief or compensation. What sort of policies of policies are being put in place to protect against these unauthorized products in Belize?”
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has committed to answering our questions on Wednesday. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
This afternoon, Cayo residents got an unexpected break from the scorching heat when a sudden rainstorm rolled in. But for those in Camalote, the surprise didn’t stop there, hail began falling from the sky, catching many completely off guard. Social media quickly lit up with videos and photos of the rare weather event. While some people were amazed by the unusual sight, others worried about damage to their vehicles parked outside. Authorities are reminding the public that during hailstorms, it’s safest to stay indoors and away from windows. Drivers should pull over to a safe spot and remain in their vehicles until the storm passes.
We turn our attention now to something that affects every single one of us, clean water and how we manage what goes down the drain. The Department of the Environment is taking a big step forward in protecting our health and environment. Earlier today, the DOE hosted a major stakeholder meeting in Belmopan to revise Belize’s National Wastewater Policy. Now, this might not sound flashy, but it’s a big deal. Poorly treated wastewater can pollute our rivers, groundwater, and even the sea, putting both people and ecosystems at risk. And with our population growing, the pressure on our water systems is only increasing. The updated policy will tackle these challenges head-on. It’s set to include new standards for industrial and agricultural wastewater, and even climate adaptation measures to help Belize stay ahead of the curve. This isn’t just about the environment, it’s about public health. Clean rivers and wells are our main sources of drinking water. And when wastewater isn’t properly managed, it can lead to dangerous waterborne diseases. Today’s meeting brought together voices from across the country: government, private sector, academia, and civil society, to make sure the new policy reflects the real-world challenges Belizeans face. It’s a reminder that environmental protection isn’t just a government job, it’s everybody’s business.
It was more than just a meeting, it was a celebration of community, accountability, and the power of participation. The Holy Redeemer Credit Union’s Annual General Meeting brought together members from all walks of life to reflect on the past year, celebrate major financial milestones, and shape the future of one of Belize’s most trusted financial institutions. From impressive growth figures to a surprise shake-up on the Board of Directors, the AGM had no shortage of memorable moments. And as News Five found out, it’s a space where voices are heard, leadership is chosen, and the spirit of unity is alive and well.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The Holy Redeemer Credit Union’s Annual General Meeting isn’t just a yearly routine, it’s a powerful moment where transparency, teamwork, and shared goals come to life. It’s a chance for members to stay informed, have their voices heard, and help shape the future of their credit union.
Clement Usher
Clement Usher, Chief Financial Officer, HRCU
“HRCU has a very young membership base which is the reason why we can successfully run our burial scheme program. Interestingly, other than in the under-eighteen category, the females outnumber the males in every other category and, in some cases, by large amounts. The older categories, age seventy-one and above, tell us that females are living longer than males.”
The AGM is a chance to look back at the past year, celebrating wins, learning from challenges, and giving members a clear picture of how the credit union is doing financially.
Wendy Castillo
Wendy Castillo, President, Board of Directors
“Dollar value of loans issued valued at 1.1214 million dollars. The number of loans issued during that financial year to you, member owners, was 17,288 loans. The total gross profit is 48.3 million dollars. Our total net profit is 26.8 million dollars. Dollar growth in total assets is 54.4 million, resulting in a total asset today of 828.3 million dollars. Net growth in membership, we grew 866, ending the year with a total membership at HRCU of 65,580-member owner. Please give yourselves another round of applause.”
This gathering brings together a rich mix of people from both the school and parish community, creating a space where open dialogue is encouraged and feedback is welcomed. It’s a moment that strengthens the bonds of unity and reminds everyone of their shared purpose. The meeting also allows for the election or reaffirmation of board members and other key roles. This ensures strong, representative leadership that reflects the values and needs of our community.
Dr. Carol Babb
Dr. Carol Babb, Vice President, Board of Directors
“The Chief Finance Officer and Human Resource Manager convened on May 2nd, 2025 and is recommending the following persons for election and re-election. The Nominating Committee has recommended Mr. Albert Vaughn to be re-elected as a member of the board. I will go through one-by-one, but I will just go through all the names that the nominating committee has recommended. For the Credit Committee, the Nominating Committee has recommended Mr. Jermaine Hyde. For the Supervisory Committee, the Nominating Committee has recommended Mr. Warren Coye for re-election. So now, we will go for election for the Board of Directors. As I said earlier, the Nominating Committee has recommended Mr. Albert Vaughn. However, the floor will be opened for one minute… and the floor can recommend any person that you so desire.”
During a brief sixty-second nomination window, the floor put forward the name Ronnier Balan—and just like that, the momentum shifted. Balan went on to unseat City Administrator Albert Vaughn, securing a spot on the Board of Directors. It was a dramatic moment that highlighted the power of participation and the importance of every second in the democratic process. With members watching closely, the vote signaled a call for fresh leadership and new ideas within one of Belize’s most trusted financial institutions. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
President of the Public Service Union (PSU), Dean Flowers, has clarified the union’s position on public sector salary concerns, stating they are not seeking to dictate the salaries of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) but are demanding a fair and equitable pay structure across the service.
“We’re not questioning whether a CEO should earn sixty thousand dollars a year, seventy-six thousand a year, or eighty-eight thousand dollars a year. We’re not questioning that,” Flowers said. “We’re saying that if we’re all going to contribute to the growth and development of the public service, then the structure has to be one that equitably distributes the benefits.”
His comments follow the unanimous rejection last week by the Joint Unions Negotiating Team (JUNT) of the government’s proposed 3% salary increase for public sector workers, a figure the unions have deemed insufficient.
Tensions have mounted in recent weeks, particularly after news of a more than 15% pay hike for Cabinet CEOs shortly after the general elections.
Flowers criticised the performance of some CEOs, arguing that high salaries are not translating into improved public service delivery. “You cannot say that because ‘I’m the CEO, I’m entitled to a hundred thousand,’ because the reality is you bring limited experience in the public service,” he said.
“When you come here, you come in oblivious to really and truly how the public service runs, and that’s the reason why the con, the public service, continues to get worse because of your leadership, because of your inability to identify the deficiencies in your ministry, in your department,” Flowers added.
The unions have warned of potential industrial action if their demands continue to be ignored.
