Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Rabies Cases Increase

The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) and the Ministry of Agriculture have issued a public advisory following a noticeable rise in paralytic rabies cases among horses and cattle.

BAHA warns that paralytic rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted to humans, primarily through the saliva of infected animals. Both domestic and wild animals can carry and spread the virus.

Farmers and the public are urged to exercise caution when handling sick animals. “Signs of rabies include changes in behavior, such as nervousness and aggressiveness, excessive drooling and foaming at the mouth, difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing, loss of appetite, circling, and eventually death,” BAHA stated in its advisory.

To reduce the risk of infection, authorities recommend vaccinating dogs, cats, and livestock through a licensed veterinarian and maintaining updated records; animals should be kept within property boundaries, and uncovered food or waste that may attract wildlife should be removed.

Suspected rabies cases should be reported immediately to BAHA’s Animal Health Department.

Suspect Accused of Killing His Brother Detained

Police have detained 55-year-old Rafael Cal of Medina Bank Village, who is being accused of the brutal killing of his brother, Romano Cal, 50.

Romano, the alcalde of Medina Bank, was found dead on Sunday evening, May 25, just after 8 p.m., with chop wounds to the upper body. He was transported to the Punta Gorda Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

At Monday’s police briefing, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, Stacy Smith, confirmed that the incident occurred shortly after Romano returned home. Investigators have not yet identified a motive, and there is no evidence suggesting either drugs or alcohol were involved.

No prior reports of violence involving Rafael have been confirmed.

Rafael was found this morning in Tambran Village, Toledo District.

Transport Department Cracks Down on Improper Motorcycle Use

The Department of Transport (DOT) has reactivated nationwide enforcement operations to tackle the improper use of motorcycles on the country’s roadways. “This initiative is being launched in response to an increasing number of public complaints and observed violations of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

Residents have raised concerns about excessive motorcycle noise, especially in residential areas. Authorities have also reported a rise in serious safety violations, including failure to wear helmets and the illegal transport of multiple passengers.

The Transport Department will work along with the Police Department and municipal traffic departments to carry out targeted inspections across the country. These checks will focus on roadworthiness, noise levels, and rider safety compliance.

Motorcycles found in breach of the law will be impounded, and offending riders will face legal penalties.

Tracy Panton: “The Numbers Presented by this Briceño Administration Do Not Signal Performance”

The national budget debate opened with strong criticism from the Opposition today, as members of the House of Representatives began deliberations over the proposed $1.78 billion budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year.

Opposition Leader Tracy Panton criticised the Briceño Administration’s financial plan, calling it “optimism passed with selective statistics.”

While acknowledging the expansion of the National Health Insurance (NHI) to the Cayo District, she argued that the government has neglected key social support programmes, including housing, food assistance, skills training, and elderly care.

“I hope to make the case on behalf of all Belizeans that the numbers presented by this Briceno administration do not, and let me say that again, do not signal performance. Rather, it reveals a government that is obsessed with spending and allergic to accountability, reform and measuring the economic impact of their failing social protection policies,” Panton said.

The debate intensified when Panton questioned the allocation of $28 million in airport security contracts awarded under the Briceño administration, suggesting government favouritism and misuse of public funds. She criticised the administration’s spending priorities, stating it “can find the resources for all sorts of programmes and initiatives” but fails to allocate funds to meet the urgent needs of public servants. “Let us find the money to pay our teachers and public officers who are first on call to make sacrifices whenever the needs arise,” she added.

She Spoke Out, Now Faces Death Threats

A parent who raised concerns about a teacher at Louisiana Government School in Orange Walk says she received a death threat from an unknown social media user on Wednesday night, May 14.

“Watch your r*** caz all a your family wa get killed,” the message read. “Target da u.”

The parent says this is the first time she has received a threat of this nature. It follows public allegations made by a group of eight parents, who claim a teacher at the school subjected their children to emotional trauma, physical harm, and psychological abuse.

“It seems that is a fake profile,” the parent told News 5. “These threats make me feel unsafe. It shows how insane the person behind the profile is. To threaten to kill a family is psychotic.”

The parent has confirmed that she “will be formally filing a police report of the threats.”

“Any parent with sense of love for their child would speak up, and it is our right to do so to make sure our kids and future kids are protected,” she added.

As previously reported, the allegations have been reported to the Ministry of Education (MOE). In a letter dated March 20, 2025, the parents outlined multiple incidents of mistreatment, including cases of emotional distress, humiliation, and even medical emergencies.

The school administration confirmed the allegations have been shared with MOE and that internal monitoring is ongoing.

Teachers Demand Full Audit at St. Paul’s Anglican School in Corozal

Six teachers at St. Paul’s Anglican School in Corozal have submitted a formal request for a financial audit following concerns they have raised about the management of inheritance funds received by the institution.

In a letter dated December 3, 2024, addressed to Principal Nancy Aguilar, the teachers claim there are inconsistencies in the reported amounts. According to them, while staff were initially informed that the inheritance totaled $21,000 BZD, a later report referenced a first tranche of $41,000, and a second amount of $87,872.34.

“We are tired of fighting an uphill battle,” the teachers wrote in their letter. The teachers are demanding full disclosure of financial documents and transparency in the management of the funds.

The teachers have requested transparency and access to financial documentation. Their letter, which News 5 has reviewed, was also sent to Jeremy Cayetano, General Manager of Anglican Schools, who has stated in a written response that the matter is being handled by the appropriate church and legal authorities. He said, “There are no matters being swept under the rug, and any insinuation that this office is not doing its due diligence could be libellous.” She added, “No ultimatum or threats made against an administrator in our management… will ever be honoured.”

She confirmed that the inheritance funds “will remain frozen until the entire matter has been ventilated” by those authorities.

News 5 has learnt that an “independent audit” is already underway and is expected to be completed by June.

The Ministry of Education has yet to respond to requests by News 5 for comment. Meanwhile, the Ministry has indicated that, “if a school receive an inheritance it’s a matter for the school and the board to manage, to see what’s happening there.”

On May 6 2025, News 5 contacted Aguilar for comment, but she declined to speak officially. She referred all questions to her lawyer or to Cayetano. Cayetano also declined an on-the-record interview when contacted that same day, stating only that the matter is being handled internally and confirming that an independent audit is currently underway.

At the time of reporting, the matter is under formal review by church and legal authorities.

Parents Allege Abuse and Negligence at Orange Walk Primary School

A group of eight concerned parents has come forward with serious allegations against a teacher at Louisiana Government School. The parents allege that their children, all students of the same classroom, have suffered severe emotional trauma, physical harm, and psychological abuse at the hands of a teacher.

In a formal letter to Minister of Education Oscar Requena dated 20 March 2025, the parents outlined multiple cases of emotional distress, humiliation, and even medical emergencies which they claim were caused or mishandled by the teacher.

One mother said her child suffered facial paralysis during class on 12 December 2024, and was not informed by the school and only learnt of the incident from the child. Weeks later, the same teacher allegedly attempted to strike the child with a book. Fearing for her child’s safety, the mother transferred the student to another school.

In another case, a father said his son stopped learning effectively under the same teacher due to her alleged impatience and unwillingness to assist struggling students.

Another case made by a separate parent stated that the teacher tried to hit a student with a plastic bottle and mocked a crying child while other students watched.

One parent alleged their child sustained a facial injury requiring stitches. The teacher attributed the injury to a “head buck,” but a medical doctor contradicted this, suggesting the use of a sharp object. The incident was reportedly not investigated by the school.

Parents say complaints to school officials and the Ministry of Education (MOE) have been met with inaction. One parent told News 5 that the matter was also reported to the police, who visited the school but failed to take further steps or produce any actions.

According to the school’s administration, the reported incidents involving the teacher have been brought to the attention of MOE, and steps have been taken internally to monitor both the teacher and the students involved.

“I’m aware of those cases, because it’s more than one,” said Margarita Melendez, the acting principal at the school. “As administration, when it started, we spoke to the teacher. Afterwards, we forwarded the matter to the Ministry, and they advised us to give oral reprimands. We gave those oral reprimands. We also held sessions with both teachers and parents, and from that point, everything remained in the Ministry’s hands.”

Melendez added that all relevant documentation, including the school’s incident logs, had been photocopied and sent to the Ministry.

“The only advice we’ve received from the Ministry so far is to continue with the reprimands,” she said.

The most recent report regarding the teacher was submitted to the Ministry in February 2025. The teacher in question has been with the school for approximately nine years and is described as having a “strong character and very strict, but I have never heard her yelling at the kids,” the administrator noted.

News 5 has contacted MOE and is continuing to follow this story.

Missing Student Found Dead Near Belmopan

Police are investigating the death of 24-year-old student Moises Garbutt of the Roaring Creek Village, who was reported missing over the weekend. Reports are that Garbutt’s body was discovered this afternoon near a quarry in Belmopan.

Garbutt, a father of two, was last seen on Saturday night. According to relatives, he spoke with his mother and girlfriend around 9 p.m.

When relatives visited his home the next day for his birthday, he was not there.

The family had launched their own search after claiming lack of assistance by the police, and claimed that Garbutt may have been held against his will by someone.

Six Months After Rebuild, Government School Faces Roof Issues

A leaking roof at Saint Matthew’s Government School has prompted immediate action from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, just six months after the building’s official opening. The issue came to light after a teacher publicly voiced frustration over water soaking her lesson charts and forming puddles in the classroom.

Area Representative and Minister of Infrastructure Development, Julius Espat, confirmed that both the ministry’s lead engineer and the project contractor were immediately dispatched to assess the situation. “We’re taking this seriously,” Espat stated. “We want to ensure our children and teachers have a safe and comfortable learning environment.”

Espat explained that the problem appears to stem from clogged roof drains caused by fallen leaves from nearby trees, not structural defects. “It’s not a major issue,” he told News 5. “will have to trim the trees, and we’ll have to make sure that the management of the school does a little bit more periodic maintenance to make sure that all the drains are free.”

Espat assured that the school remains under warranty, and the contractor is already on-site addressing the issue.

The new school building was rebuilt after a devastating fire in March 2023 through a joint effort by the Ministry and local community, and was inaugurated in November 2024.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial Opens with Graphic Allegations of Abuse and Exploitation

The trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs began on Monday in federal court, where he faces serious charges including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transporting individuals for prostitution. If convicted, Combs could face life imprisonment. He has pleaded not guilty to all five charges, according to CNN.

In the opening arguments, Assistant US Attorney Emily Johnson alleged that behind his celebrity persona stood a man who “ran a criminal enterprise,” CNN reported.

Prosecutors claim Combs used his business resources to exploit women sexually, orchestrating events known as “Freak Offs,” where women were allegedly drugged and coerced into sex acts.

Johnson said evidence will centre on two women, including Combs’ ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura and another accuser, identified as “Jane.”

The defence, led by attorney Teny Geragos, acknowledged Combs’ history of violence but argued that domestic abuse is not sex trafficking.

According to CNN, testimony from LAPD officer Israel Florez described a 2016 incident involving Ventura, alleging Combs attempted to bribe him. Another witness, Daniel Phillip, testified to being paid to have sex with Ventura while Combs watched and recorded the acts.

The trial continues today with more testimonies to be presented.