Brianna Bennett - Greater Belize Media

Coast Guard Celebrates 19th Anniversary with New Station

Today, the Belize Coast Guard celebrated its nineteenth anniversary by opening a brand-new station in Big Creek Village. This new facility will enhance their patrols along the southern sea and waterways. Since its inception in 2005, the Coast Guard has continually expanded, adding more boats, personnel, and training programs, with stations now spread across the country. News Five’s Marion Ali was at the ceremony and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The Belize Coast Guard marked its nineteenth anniversary today by opening a brand-new station in Big Creek. This state-of-the-art facility enhances security for Belize’s southern waters and provides private security to the nearby Big Creek Port through a joint venture. Commandant Rear Admiral Elton Bennett shared more details about this exciting development.

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“This project here is a joint venture This project here is a joint venture with Belize Coast Guard, the government of Belize and the port of Big Creek. So they leased us this property, two acres property, for us to be able to collaborate better along with them. So our mere presence here we’ll need some of the demands that they have in place. Those international regulations, such as the International Ships and Ports Security Code, that they must have some elements of security system within the port for it to meet international standards. By the Coast Guard being here and for us to be able to provide water side security and water side patrols, that in turn adds to their security credibility.”

Marion Ali

“Because you have to give so much of your service or time to that private entity, would it take away from, if in the case there is an emergency elsewhere in the area?”

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett

“Very good question. What we’ve done is to develop a specific station that is called station Big Creek that is dedicated to supporting the port in different areas more than security, but for boarding, immigration support, customs support, and police support. So there’s a dedicated team for that. And then all the other Coast Guard functions continue to be conducted out at sea. So it’s a very necessary thing for the Belize Coast Guard to participate in this because the port is a vital infrastructure to the nation. All our training are international professional standards training. So, I have all the confidence that these sailors, these seamen who are here, they know their job, they’re always on alert, so whatever call they would get, they would be able to respond very quickly.”

The Minister of National Defense and Border Security, Florencio Marin Jr., announced that the Coast Guard will continue to see infrastructural and other upgrades at various bases. These improvements aim to better equip seafarers for any situation that may arise.

Florencio Marin Jr.

“These improvements aim to better equip seafarers for any situation that may arise. And we also have to do with other improvements in the bases. I mean, even the current base right on the main base still has a lot of improvements we need to do. We’re trying to improve our personnel as you’ve heard the admiral um I’ve spoken in his speech. Alright, we have a lot of plans that is ongoing and developing. Because you’ve noticed the threat keeps changing and we have to be able to be able to be prepared for them. Now, I mean, we’ve noticed we’ve had a significant decrease in the air traffic of interests. Significant decrease. But there’s also still the threat out there in our maritime waters. The Admiral reported what happened with Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. So we need to be prepared if at any point these things start coming into our waters.”

Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson believes the new facility will boost security and lighten some of the responsibilities currently on his shoulders.

Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West

“I would get the call from different organizations, different communities, and say this is happening in my community illegally. What I do, I call whatever uniform forces that should respond, either the police or the BDF or the Coast Guard. to respond to a particular issue. But I try not to interfere, it’s their job, I just pass on the message to them, and they do what they have to do. With this facility, especially with the port nearby, and the open sea, I believe this will definitely mitigate the amount of activities on the sea, and I feel that this is a potential area to make sure the entire country has some safe activities going on.”

Bennett says the facility was built at a cost of around one million dollars and was outfitted for another half a million dollars. Marion Ali for News Five.

21-Year-Old Artist Encourages Belizeans to Pursue Their Passions

From a young age, kids are encouraged to express themselves and dream big, believing they can become anything they set their minds to. While many spend their whole lives searching for their passion, twenty-one-year-old artist Samir Habet has already found his. In today’s episode of Belize on Reel, we visit the Belmopan-born and raised painter in his home studio to hear how he discovered his love for art. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Two years back, Samir Habet dusted off his old paintbrush, eager to find a fresh way to channel his creativity. He decided to give painting a shot, and from that moment on, he’s been hooked. Now, you can hardly pry the brush from his hands!

Samir Habet, Artist

“I don’t know if it’s healthy, but it’s an obsession, I guess every free time, I don’t really have free time because all of it gets consumed by painting. So it’s really about sacrificing, I guess.”

The twenty-one-year-old artist is entirely self-taught, using YouTube videos and online references to learn new skills and techniques. He shares that a lot of his artistic flair actually stems from his graphic design background.

Samir Habet

“I started off in graphic design. I watched a YouTube video on graphic design and I was very intrigued by it. So I started, and I found out that I was good at it, and that just kind of made me more, you know, obsessed with it. I wanted to get better and at a certain point I felt limited by searching for pictures on the internet. So I kind of wanted to do my own thing and could be able to do any, anything from scratch, and that’s how I got into painting..”

Habet estimates that he’s painted about thirty pieces over the past two years. Depending on its complexity, a single piece can take him up to a month to complete.

Samir Habet

“My art style right now is just experimenting. It’s street art, realism, anything that I feel could give a sense of what I’m trying to express, what medium works best.”

He finds inspiration in his everyday experiences, blending them with influences from artists like Jean Michel Basquiat. His work is known for its raw, gestural style and its blend of text and imagery. Basquiat’s art often explored themes of race, identity, and social issues, drawing from his experiences as a Black artist. Lately, Habet has been diving into bigger projects, and he’s excited to reveal them at his upcoming art show.

Samir Habet

“This painting is them nailing Jesus on the cross. And this is a part of a bigger project that I’m working on of the stations that, and the journey that Jesus took to dying on the cross. What went into this was a lot of time and, I don’t know, just trying to give a good idea or historical representation of what happened. Even though I wasn’t there, but I tried my best.”

Every corner of Habet’s bedroom is occupied by paintings and art supplies, as it doubles as his studio. He walked us through his favorite mediums to paint with.

Samir Habet

“I have my brushes here. Some of them are from out of district, but most of them you can find at Stationary House in Belize City. I have mostly acrylic paint. All of them are acrylic paint. I don’t know how to use oil paint. I find acrylic is just more convenient and it holds up to everything that I want to do.”

One of the standout pieces in his collection is called ‘Colour My Life’. It beautifully depicts two people stepping into a vibrant world after seeing life in dull shades. Habet first painted this piece a year ago and finished a second version earlier this year. Every time he looks at it, he’s reminded of how far he’s come.

Samir Habet

“This one was something that I felt a year ago and I was trying my hardest to express what it is that I had in my mind. And I really couldn’t, I didn’t have the technical ability even though I had the idea. And a year later, I was able to create something more close to what I had in my mind. So it was a really nice experience see how far I came in that year.”

No matter their background or skill level, Habet encourages all Belizeans to pursue their passions and let their creativity thrive.

Samir Habet

“I think that you just really need to want it. If you want it, you will seek it out and you will find it. And it’s, you don’t have to create anything extraordinary. It’s just whatever is in you, you can use art in a way to express that. And that is beautiful regardless of how the painting looks.”

Habet is gearing up for his first solo exhibition in March 2025, where he’ll finally get to showcase his art. In the meantime, anyone interested in his work can connect with him on Instagram. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Minister Says B.D.F. Camps Are Being Upgraded, One by One

A week ago, Major Roberta Usher, the B.D.F. Chief of Staff, shared with News Five that they are working on improving the living conditions for soldiers at Fairweather Camp in Punta Gorda. This effort is part of a broader renovation plan across all B.D.F. installations. Today, News Five followed up with the Minister of National Security, Florencio Marin Junior, about these upgrades. He mentioned that it’s a work in progress and that these issues have been around since before the current administration took office. He and his deputy are tackling them one step at a time.

Florencio Marin, Minister of National Defense

“You all knew from the beginning of this government, we inherited deplorable conditions, no, and we didn’t complain, we didn’t cry out and all that, try to make a scandal, we quietly, Minister Mira and I quietly rolled up our sleeves and we decided to get to work and I believe over the past four years you’ve seen us one by one sometimes going to different bases and creating some form of improvement. And now you now have two barrack rooms. in Price Barracks. We’re finishing up a kitchen there. We’ve done some repairs in Riley’s camp. We’ve done repairs in Camp Belisario. But the next biggest camp is Fairweather. And what we’ve just had, I would say about a month ago, we’ve had members from CABEI who were there. We will help provide the government to some fundings to refer to rebuild some barrack room. So it is an issue for us. We are not, we ourselves are not happy for the conditions, but at the very least it is livable at the moment and we are working to improve on it.”

Deplorable Conditions at BDF’s Fairweather Camp

What will the budget look like for National Defense?

It’s still up in the air whether the general elections will be called earlier than planned. However, in just a few months, the national security budget will be up for presentation and debate in the House. We asked Minister Marin if he plans to request a budget increase for his National Defense and Border Security Ministry. His response was a bit ambiguous—he didn’t give a clear yes or no.

Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defense

“There’s already the budget call and I’m already sitting down with our commanders, having various meetings with them, putting our priorities on the table. All right. Of course, after that, then we’ll be meeting with the Ministry of Finance to finalize what the budget will be. But yes, as always, and I believe you’ve seen that over the years, we have had the welfare of our soldiers foremost, right? We are a country with some restrictions in terms of our resources, but we’ve always have their welfare first and whatever we can, we’ve always worked to improve on these. And I believe over the four years you’ve seen some significant improvements things that we that we’re there where we should be. Not yet. We’re working to it.”

Belize’s Foreign Exchange Holding on the Rise

Foreign exchange is vital for a small, open economy like Belize. Trading goods with other countries requires foreign currency, making Belize’s foreign exchange assets crucial. According to Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael, the country’s foreign holdings are in good shape. Right now, the entire banking system holds one point nine billion dollars in foreign exchange assets. Governor Michael shared more details during Wednesday’s Central Bank press conference.

Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank

“Currently the foreign exchange assets of the entire banking system, those held by commercial banks and those of the Central Bank, stands at one point nine billion. And of this total the pool of official reserves by the Central Bank totals one billion, equivalent to four months of imports, comfortably above the three months benchmark. In contrast the pool of reserve held by the domestic banks are just under Central Bank’s one billion, at nine hundred million. And, this is the highest it has ever been on record. Factors driving this performance are tourism leading the way at one point two billion, up almost eleven percent for the year to date, January to September. Export Revenue is up marginally by point one percent or ten basis points and total seven hundred and sixty-three million, up to September. FDI very strong for the first three quarters of the year, by four-four percent, up one hundred and ninety-five point four million. BPOs helps to explain some of the labor market’s pressures or tightness, totals a hundred and sixty-nine point one million and up seven point four percent. Remittances up small, one point two percent, two hundred and twenty-two million. And loan disbursements, I don’t mind this one being down at all, fifteen point seven percent and total a hundred and forty-nine point four million dollars.”

Central Bank Strengthen Credit Union Regulatory Framework

Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael also highlighted the ongoing efforts with credit unions nationwide. Since 2005, when the Central Bank’s governor was appointed as the registrar of credit unions and given regulatory and supervisory authority, Michael’s team has been busy. They’ve been working hard to strengthen the regulatory framework and liquidate inactive credit unions.

Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank

“The Central Bank has also been working to bolster the resilience of the credit union sector. The entire financial sector has had to adapt with the evolving economic landscape and the Central Bank has undertaken initiatives to build credit union resilience and to enhance competitiveness. In 2005 the Central Bank assumed responsibility for the regulation and supervision of credit unions when the Central Bank’s governor was designated registrar of credit unions. Since then the Central Bank has made strides to address laxities in regulatory oversight and we have seen credit unions enhance their footprint in the sector with an asset growth of over one billion since two thousand six along with expanding their range of products and services. Redrafting credit union legislation ensures that regulatory frameworks keep pace with industry developments. Our second approach is to liquidate long inactive defunct credit unions. The credit union has identified nineteen nonoperational credit unions and have published a notice of liquidation.”

Decreased Banking Fees and Charges for Financial Inclusion

A few months back, domestic banks decided to lower their ATM withdrawal fees and online transfer fees. They also cut costs for account closures, maintenance fees, and early loan payouts. However, they did hike up fees for over-the-counter withdrawals and cashing checks. But are banks making more money from these increased fees? According to Michael, it’s unlikely, as most customers have shifted away from using checks and over-the-counter withdrawals.

Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank

“I will say that the increases on this side should be less than the overall activity within the financial system. So, the way how online transactions have been growing and growing exponentially, versus how much people actually want to go into a bank and wait in line over the counter. I think it is slowly sinking in with those people who are still using checks that it is not the way to go. There are better ways to conduct financial transactions. But, I am not the one to tell somebody who has his entire system built around checks to move away from checks. It is unfortunate that there was a spike on the other end. But our objective is financial inclusion and increased access to services within the financial system and when we talk about services, more efficient and digital forms of payment. And one of the other projects which we talk about the next time is our file payments project. I want everything to be on the access from your phone. That is what we should be doing and moving towards.”

Elderly Woman Without a Home After Being Evicted

Tonight, an elderly woman from Belize City is reaching out for help to rebuild her life from scratch. Gertrude Hunter, a familiar name in the news, first caught our attention earlier this year when police officers tried to evict her from her home under a court order. The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, even reprimanded his officers for reportedly tossing her belongings out during the eviction. Despite receiving numerous legal notices to vacate, Gertrude stayed put, claiming that her common-law husband had left the property to her in his will. But in August, she was finally removed from the home, leaving her displaced just as the Christmas season approaches. This saga, filled with legal battles and frequent police encounters since 2015, centers on a sixty-three-year-old woman yearning for a fresh start. News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us her story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Christmas season is here, bringing joy and celebration for many. But for one sixty-three-year-old woman in Belize City, there’s little to cheer about. After losing the home she cherished for over a decade, the holidays are looking bleak.

Gertrude Hunter, Belize City Residents

“I am experiencing a lot of police harassment. Since my common law Benjamin Ferguson was removed away from me by force and then police stay harassing me to tell me get off the place, get off the place and they just keep removing me off the place, saying I am just a squatter, they don’t know who I am, when I was there by my common law, Benjamin Ferguson.”

To grasp Hunter’s situation, we need to revisit the early aughts. That’s when she moved into a home at the corner of Cemetery Road and Amandala Drive with her common-law husband. The house that once stood there is now gone. According to Hunter, her husband’s relatives separated them in 2015. Despite staying on the property, she’s been battling constant ownership disputes ever since.

Gertrude Hunter

“The only time I get to see him is when a friend comes in hospital, and I get to see him in there. His friend gave me the bad news that he was on his last. And so, when I went to the hospital to look for him the security went there said anybody who wants to see him, only the name that was there, was supposed to see him.”

Back in February, Hunter’s legal woes made headlines as efforts to evict her from her home intensified. At one point, she found herself in the Belize City Magistrate Court, facing charges of property damage, two counts of aggravated assault on police officers, and trespassing. Hunter, however, insists that the police roughed her up, leaving her with injuries and locking her up for two days. That case is still ongoing. She maintains that her common-law husband left her the Cemetery Road property in his 2011 will, and she has the documents to prove it.

Gertrude Hunter

“The will state that the property should leff with his common-law wife, Gertude Hunter.”

On the other hand, a 2018 land transfer document shows that the land was transferred to one of her common-law husband’s relatives. After that, the legal notices kept piling up, demanding she leave the property. In 2019, a civil suit ruled in favor of her common-law husband’s relative. Hunter, however, claims she had no idea the case was even happening. The elderly woman maintained that she is the rightful owner of the property based on the will in her possession and stayed on the property. But in August of this year, the property was sold to a new owner who sent her a legal notice, ultimately forcing her to leave the home for good.

Gertrude Hunter

“I really hard. It was hard, because it was a constant harassment from time to time nuh. I live in a constant harassment from 2015 is when it really get worse you know. It really get worse.”

Paul Lopez

“What are you doing now, or where are you staying?”

Gertude Hunter

“I stay at my little sister…”

Thankfully, Hunter isn’t completely without a roof over her head—her younger sister has kindly taken her in. Hunter admits she doesn’t have the financial means to continue the legal battle. The Ombudsman’s Office has acknowledged her claims about the property and the alleged police brutality. At this point, Hunter just wants to move on with her life, even if it means starting over at her age.

Gertude Hunter

“I have a phone number, six, two, eight, one, zero, two, nine and I also have my sister number, six, zero, four, one, three, nine, one. And if you can’t get me on those numbers, because I am at my daughter sometimes, that number is six, three, six, one, zero, two, two.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Elderly Belize City Woman Receives MIDH Home

A sixty-three-year-old Belize City woman has just received a new home from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. But this isn’t your typical starter home from the ministry—it’s much larger. That’s because she’s not living there alone; she shares the space with her nine children and sixteen grandchildren. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the full story on today’s handover.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Tonight, a family of twenty-six is filled with gratitude after receiving the keys to a brand-new home from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. Sixty-three-year-old Paula Thomas attended the handover ceremony at the corner of Iguana and Lakeview Streets, where she shared just how rundown her previous home had become.

Paula Thomas, House Recipient

“Oh bad, because when the Hurricane come, Lisa, that is when my house destroyed with everything. It never so collapsed, but it was in a bad state, so ih mih have to change.”

Lawrence Ellis, the PUP Standard Bearer for Mesopotamia, was also present at the handover. He shared the story behind the decision to build a new home for the family.

Lawrence Ellis, PUP Standard Bearer, Mesopotamia

“The Ministry of Housing, through the collaboration with human development saw the need for this family to be assisted because of their living condition that was here. So, the Human Department through the ministry decided to build this house.”

The design and size of the home is a stark contrast to the starter homes that the Ministry of Housing has been distributing since the People’s United Party took office.

Lawrence Ellis

“The size of the lot was a factor and it is not one person living in the home. It is three families actually so the only way to go was up. This is a first of its kind. A beautiful home. It is very comfortable if you see the inside. The people of Mesopotamia should be proud and you are going to see more of this to come. Upstairs have three bedrooms and downstairs have two, two-bedroom units. They have their own bathrooms. We actually put fridge and stove in all of them so we have a little extra. I am proud, very proud to be a part of it and if you talk with them you will see they are very happy too.”

And when Thomas was asked how she feels about the new house, she was unable to contain her gratitude.

Paula Thomas

“Oh yeah, praise the lord for everything. That is the only one you can depend on, Jesus, with the people weh help develop to get my house. I have nine kids and I have sixteen grandkids. Yes they live with me, not up here. That is why I make them divide it downstairs, because dah suh the first house mih stay.”

Reporter

“How were you guys managing before?”

Paula Thomas

“Well I was living on that side over there. So, I have to say I have gone through a lot living on that side. But I always call Jesus and my God always looking to me. My God always. But I appreciate whatever I get and I thank my God, because my God always there for me.”

It’s pretty clear that Ellis’ appearance is a campaign move. As the PUP standard bearer, he’s aiming to unseat Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Ellis confidently predicted a win in the upcoming general election and promised that, once in office, he would build more homes like this for his constituents.

Lawrence Ellis

“I as the standard bearer after I win next year, we have great plans to do housing in Mesop. Mesop cannot go out. Mesop can only go up because we don’t have enough space, so we are looking to build more proper homes in Mesop.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Belize’s Real GDP Growth Rates Outperforms Global Growth Rate

We begin our newscast this evening with welcome news from the financial sector. The Central Bank of Belize held a press conference earlier today to update the public on its operations and the nation’s economic standing. Governor Kareem Michael kicked things off by highlighting a remarkable rise in G.D.P. per person from 2020 to 2023. This figure represents the country’s economic output per person. Back in 2020, the G.D.P. per person was ten thousand, five hundred dollars. Fast forward three years, and it has jumped by five thousand, five hundred dollars. This means that each person is contributing significantly more to the G.D.P. now than they were three years ago. This impressive growth is reflected in Belize’s G.D.P. growth rate, which the Central Bank says is the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean, and even surpasses the global growth rate.

Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank

“Today we can confidently say that since the onset of the pandemic and these conditional external shocks, our economy has fully recovered. Indeed, real GDP for a person in 2023 was above what would have been implied by a continuation of pre-pandemic levels. If we didn’t have the shock, the dotted line here shows that real GDP per capita would have been somewhere around thirteen thousand five hundred per citizen per person within the population. As it is, we are some two thousand dollars above that at fifteen thousand, five hundred. On an annual basis, the Central Bank projects that the economy will grow to about seven percent in 2024. This annual growth outpaced the IMF’s projected 2024 growth rates for several Central American and Caribbean countries and is well above the average of two point one percent expected overall.”