We heard the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams on the pressure that the police have been applying in areas where suspected gang and drug activities occur. In the case of Khader Habet of San Ignacio, who had complained that the police had searched his residence over a dozen times in the past few weeks, Williams said that Habet had become a person of interest for police after a significant amount of drugs and a number of firearms were found stashed away in a lot adjacent to his property. Williams sent the warning to all persons of interest across the country that the police will not let up.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I have said to the S.P.U. that operates in the San Ignacio, Santa Elena area, as well as the police in San Ignacio and Santa Elena, that I want them to keep constant pressure on those persons who live to make the lives of all our abiding people miserable. And so if you are a part of the crime world, you will see the police and you’ll see the police every day. If it reaches a point that they get frustrated and have to move and go somewhere else, then so shall it be. But we will do what needs to be done to keep the people of San Ignacio/Santa Elena safe and by extension the entire country because I have also said to the other commanders across the country that every area that is known to be a gang base or a drug base or a criminal base, we have to go after them and we must go at them intensely. The public has always been complaining that the police know who the criminals are and these criminals move around freely and do what they want. Well we’re taking a stand now and I would hope that the people are going to support us in what we’re doing because it has been done with the view to ensure that the masses of this country are safe. So I hear the complaints of Mr. Habet, but we’ll continue to do what needs to be done.”
Two men who are wanted by local law enforcement may very well be heading back to Belize quicker than they were hoping to return. Ellis Meighan is wanted for the April fourteenth murder of Roy Burgess on the Placencia Road and Brady Tillett is wanted for the June twenty-fifth shooting of the Commissioner of Police’s home in Belmopan. Both men fled Belize and were nabbed on separate dates while entering the U.S. The Belize Police Department has requested their deportation in order to bring charges against them for the crimes they are accused of committing. Commissioner Williams explained that it’s a process still in the making.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We’re still going through the process with the U.S authorities. You know that we’re not the ones who have them in our custody. As much as we wish we’d have them, we have not been given that opportunity to have them back home. So we have submitted to the U.S. authorities the documentations in respect of both individuals. And we’re hoping that once ICE is through with the process that they must go through with them, that they will be able to return them to us back in Belize.”
Since the first quarter of 2023, insurance premiums particularly on motorcycles went from a hundred dollars to two hundred and fifty dollars per year. And when we visited an insurance company to inquire the reason, they said that it was because serious accidents involving motorcycles in Belize had increased significantly and that their payouts for those accidents for medical treatments had soared and had begun to have an impact on the insurance industry financially. In one week, the insurance company noted that there were between five and seven motorcycle-related accidents in one week. That was almost one per day. There has not been a recent compilation of the number of deadly motorcycle accidents recently, but by police reports, the frequency of these accidents continues to be high. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams says a lot of times the fault is on the motorcycle drivers.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We do have a number of these accidents involving motorcycles and I want to appeal to motorcycle drivers that the rules of the road apply to them as well. Many times, motorcycle drivers believe – or they operate in such a way as if the rules of the road do not apply to them. They overtake on the wrong side. They see vehicle coming and still overtaking – several infractions that they would commit on these motorcycles. And it is a danger to their health. And that’s the reason why we’re seeing that a number of persons are dying as a result of motorcycle accidents. And so we want to encourage motorcycle riders to please adhere to the rules of the road, and if they do it is going to help to save their lives.”
Mexico has a population of just over one hundred and twenty-five million residents. It is viewed as a green pasture for Belize’s tourism industry. That is why a delegation of government officials and private sector representatives traveled to Chetumal today to promote the upcoming coconut and corn festival. But the visit turned out to be more than just a promotional tour. Like-minded government and private sector representatives from both countries sat down to discuss the formation of an alliance to enhance cross border trade. News Five’s Paul Lopez traveled north today. He filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Chetumal Chamber of Commerce hosted a delegation of government officials and business representatives from Belize at its headquarters in Mexico today. Rigo Vellos, the Mayor of Corozal Town, provided some insight into the purpose of their visit.
Rigo Vellos
Rigo Vellos, Mayor, Corozal Town “It is something where the BTIA Corozal Branch decided to come up with the idea where we do an event on behalf of the famous coconut and corn festival. We are trying to see how we can mobilize tourism through this event by inviting the Mexicans, specifically Chetumal and trying to see how we can get them across for this weekend and eventually on a bigger scale, every weekend if possible or every day.”
The second annual Coconut Fest is scheduled for August third in Corozal Town. The event is organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association’s Corozal Chapter.
Efren Perez
Efren Perez, President, BTIA, Corozal Chapter “We have entertainment lined up the entire day, we start off at nine a.m. We start off with a parade with the local marching bands in Corozal, heading over to the Chactemal Plaza and it is a family fun day, we have activities, coconut competition we will be doing and a wide range of food, food specifically within the coconut and corn and that gives us an opportunity to focus on the culinary aspects of Corozal.”
But the discussions held today went beyond the tourism sector. There were talks of a partnership being formed to promote and enhance cross border trade. Several Belizean businesses were present to introduce prospective consumers to their products, from transportation, to accommodation, communication and tours.
Shameka Pennill
Shameka Pennill, Marketing Manager, San Pedro Belize Express “We are basically here to showcase our service, specifically our Chetumal run that does the connection between Chetumal and Belize, specifically San Pedro and Caye Caulker.”
Jorge Murray
Jorge Murray, Sales Manager, SMART “Today we are promoting our tourist sim cards. So, we offer two different packages for our travelers. We offer our day pass which includes unlimited data and eleven dollars’ worth of calling time and thirty-eight SMS.”
At today’s event, government officials and private sector representatives from both sides of the northern border sat at a head table explaining the importance of Belize and Chetumal forging strong alliances in mutually beneficial sectors. Prior to their public address, the head table met privately to discuss the best approaches to realize this vision. From that meeting it was decided that a working group would be established.
Efren Perez “There were various issues that popped up. I think that when we look at cross borders, the issues with fees. Fortunately, I think the government has made advances in terms of doing that, with the introduction of Tren Maya and the Tulum International Airport, I think that gives us the tools necessary to start to work together as a region. What was discussed also is that we have common cultural bound in the area of Quinta Roo and I think we need to start to explore that.”
Notably, Mexican authorities cited several difficulties that residents face when traveling into Belize. Most of these challenges exist at the border crossing point. In response, the Government of Belize has removed travel duties for Mexicans coming into Belize. Also, a new statutory instrument affords Mexicans a seven day duty-free stay in Belize. The Regional Integration Unit within the Ministry of Tourism was recently established to address these types of issues.
Mike Hernandez
Mike Hernandez, Regional Integration Officer, Regional Integration Unit “Bearing in mind that currently residents from Chetumal are able to visit Belize and Othon Blanco are able to visit Belize and as long as Immigration allows them to stay to be able to enjoy Belize, allow the attractions in Belize without paying any taxes. One of the officials of CANACO that they find it difficult where in the immigration department you have persons that are rotated every six months. You have new people coming in and some of them are not familiar with the established protocols in place that are there to actually facilitate the movement of people.”
We also heard from Amir Espadas, the President of CANACO SERVYTUR, following today’s discussions. He noted that Belize has significant leverage in the region as a member of CARICOM.
Amir Espadas
Amir Espadas, President, CANACO SERVYTUR
“I think it is very important to make this alliance that allows us to form a working table where we are government and businessmen not only to solve immigration or border problems or not only to look for tourism solutions we want to look for solutions in trade, in export, in import in commercial tourism, in medical tourism, in education. We don’t want these to be just proposals that remain up in the air. We want them to be concrete proposals that materialize, as we are seeing today with this press conference, with the promotion of the Coconut Fair that will take place in Corozal, and with this exchange between hoteliers from Belize and Quintana Roo.”
In our interview with Amir Espadas, the President of the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce, he went on to explain how trade relations between Belize and Mexico have been mutually beneficial. Aside from the positive steps forward, Espadas noted that there are issues of corruption, abuse of authority and mistreatment at the border crossing that must be addressed. He says this needs to be done to increase the flow of tourists to and from Belize.
Amir Espadas
Amir Espadas, President, CANACO SERVYTUR
“The President of the Republic, Andres Manuel López Obrador, exempted many tariffs on products you export to Mexico, such as cattle, such as sugar and other products that we consume. And what we are seeing right now is that the Government of Belize is removing taxes for Mexicans who want to go to Belize. I think that besides that experience, for some time now our governments are doing what they can, businesses need to take advantage of it, but just as there are positive actions there are also practices done at the border and its far from helping, they harm, which is where we need to work. But, as a business sector alone, we won’t achieve it if we don’t involve the authorities who deal with these issues: corruption, abuse of authority, and mistreatment, because it needs to be said. So what we want is for that flow of tourists that has always existed to continue and to increase. And I stress this, not only for Chetumal, but for Belize. Previously, many Chetumalan families would eat at Corozal every Sunday. And that was stopped due to the restrictions that our governments sometimes impose. And they don’t realize that they are harming what we traditionally, or historically, already had. I believe that in this sense the business sector assume the responsibilities of these offices, because in the business sector, we like things to happen in a practical and fast way, and that’s what we’re going to be promoting, or we’re going to be encouraging, that the solutions are practical and immediate, because we can’t wait for the authority’s time, because we also know that bureaucracy, on many occasions, takes a long time to give results.”
We also asked Espadas for an update on the Tren Maya and if plans are still underway to complete the railway through Chetumal. Espadas told us that the passenger station has been completed and the cargo station is now in the works. He further explained that conversations are ongoing to have the railway extend the into Belize.
Amir Espadas
Amir Espadas, President, CANACO SERVYTUR
“The passenger station here in Chetumal has been completed. What we expect is that the cargo station can be completed, and she has already declared that the cargo station will be completed and built. Why is the cargo station important? Because through the train we can get more products, and we can transport more products from here to the center of the country or from the center of the country to the south of Quintana Roo and we can conduct commercial trade at cheaper prices base on the merchandise that is transported. And so, that allows us, or if we can produce items here or products we can transport them to any part of the country through the Tren Maya. That is one. The other part that the president said is that there is the possibility of extending Tren Maya, according to conversations with the government of Belize, into Belize. That too will help Belize, logically, I think with the President and the position she has taken and the statements she’s made is that we proceed with firmness with Tren Maya. She has declared that an industrial hub will be set up to boost and generate greater economic benefits and more employment for the people of Quintana Roo and logically if we make treaties, then logically the people of Belize could also come to work here and have free transit of people who can work both in Belize and in Mexico and I think that is beneficial for both parties.”
August first is formally recognized as Emancipation Day in Belize. The date commemorates the abolition of slavery in 1838, remembering the hardships of the nation’s African ancestors who fought for their freedom. As the day draws nearer, Belizeans are encouraged to participate in ceremonies honoring those ancestors and learn more about the impact of slavery on the country. In tonight’s episode of Kolcha Tuesday, News Five’s Britney Gordon looks at Emancipation Day through a historic lens. Here’s that report.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The beating of drums can be used to express many different emotions. In some instances, it is festive, as people dance and celebrate. On August first, however, the sound will act as a reminder to Belizeans of their African ancestors who were kidnapped from their homes. The drums are the heartbeat of their free descendants. The drums are also a tribute to lives lost and the ones that were set free. Rolando Cocom, Director of the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, spoke with us about the foundations of emancipation in the region.
Rolando Cocom
Rolando Cocom, Director, Social and Cultural Research, NICH
“When we were thinking about this period there are several things that occur and there are several key steps that gets us to emancipation, including of course, the acts. And the actions of the enslaved people themselves who resisted being enslaved they did this through various ways. The most popular and known as revolts, meaning physically taking arms and saying, we must free ourselves, we must live on our own accords and so on. But also in other passive ways which means, doing less work than you’re, you need to do in order to not be abused on a daily basis.”
It is estimated that over two to three thousand Africans were enslaved in Belize to work principally in the extraction of logwood. Cocom explains that there is a misconception that slavery was not as severe in Belize, however records indicate that Africans were fleeing the settlement to gain freedom in Mexico and West Guatemala. YaYa Marin-Coleman, a community organizer dedicated to the empowerment of African communities, told us that the Atlantic slave trade was an interruption of the African story and stressed the importance of acknowledging how that interruption is still impacting people in today.
YaYa Marin-Coleman
YaYa Marin-Coleman, community organizer
“Now, we are in different world view. Most of the world view already used that 2024. They’re not for we worldview. They’re not indigenous people worldview. So you’re a fine way to call African descendants. So there’s a people of color, including indigenous people that we have more lack of solidarity because we oppression that is same before European people come with the extraction and natural resources, murdering with people for personal gain. Translations. Get massive wealth to make the first world country women are living in harmony with mama earth. We knew that you know, mama earth and all the other beings, the creatures in the water that we can put that we system, but that natural to we. So the interruption of that glorious history, our stories because his story, her story, our story. When our African ancestors, with the complicity of some of our people, but at that time our people had no idea what they were going to do as far as what happened to the people. They couldn’t see that. Just like when our people were enslaved, they couldn’t see themselves ever being free.”
Emancipation Day was formally recognized as a holiday in 2021, however, grassroot celebrations have been occurring in communities throughout the country for decades. Kim Vasquez, Director of the Institute of Creative Arts explains that a libation ceremony was one of the ways that Belizeans commemorated the occasion.
Kim Vasquez
Kim Vasquez, Director, Institute of Creative Arts
“So the libation is a ritual, It’s actually in both the Creole culture and the Garifuna culture. In the ceremony, it is incorporated because we try to incorporate cultural elements into the official ceremony. So the libation is a ritual in the Creole culture that basically calls out to the ancestors. It’s giving them thanks for their continued guidance. It’s asking them to continue guiding us. And also asking them to come and join us and be present there in spirit. in the ceremony as we call out their names. And there is a very profound moment in the ceremony where you are asked in silence to communicate with your own ancestors and to reflect and to commune with them. And while this is happening, of course, water is being poured symbolically. And that is like how the libation ceremony is done.”
The descendants of the enslaved Africans are still feeling the impacts of slavery to this day, with limited access to education, healthcare and opportunities. It is because of this that the call for reparations continues to be made by descendants.
YaYa Marin-Coleman
“So if you are in a position of power influence. More eyes upon you, more accountability, more transparency. And when you’re wrong, just say I’m wrong. I’ll work and do better. That’s just that. And that’s why it’s so important to frame it as African emancipation, African reparations, because other groups of people get reparations. And reparations is not primarily about finance. The biggest reparation is the repair of self.”
Emancipation Day is formally recognized one day of the year, but Belizeans are a living testament to that day and that freedom.
Rolando Cocom
“So we could think about emancipation on the day itself, but you could also think about the everyday experiences that expresses African emancipation. And you can think to think about this, for instance, in true language, Creole, da di language that we talk every day. And that itself is an expression of African resilience and African the spirit of freedom.”
Emancipation Day is just a few days away and with that comes a variety of celebrations. This year, the Belize City Council, NICH and their partners are promising a day of vibrant celebrations cultural displays, food, and live performances at the Eboe Town Festival. These celebrations are an avenue for Belizeans to embrace their heritage and foster a sense of community as they learn about the former slave Town. Kim Vasquez, a member of the National Celebrations Commission, filled us in on the exciting activities that are going to be featured at the event.
Kim Vasquez
Kim Vasquez, Director, I.C.A.
“I mentioned, there is a lot of formalities, yes, there is the history, but we also have festivities, and a part of the festivities is Thanksgiving. And we begin that at the thirty first on Wednesday night at eleven p.m. at Queen Street Baptist Church, where we have the Eve of Emancipation service. This is a traditional service that they do every year and which the national celebrations has not joined with them. So we go at eleven p.m. Up until midnight when the bells toll celebrating freedom and the national anthem is sung by the congregation. And then we go over as I said on the first at nine a.m. to the government house for the official ceremony And after that, immediately after around midday, we are inviting the entire public to bring out your entire family for Eboe Town Festival. Eboe Town Festival is expanded this year. It will go from Yabra Green all the way to Isaiah Mortis Square on Albert Street West. So you can expect all the Brukdowg artists to be out there. Boom and Shine, Second Generation, Harrison Doggy King, Cocono Bwai, Lord Rayburn with Kenny Gladden, Drums Not Guns who else will be out there? Brad Patiko. Brad Patiko and his ensemble will do a special performance. special performance for children, and he will end that performance with two storytellers from the Belize River Valley. There’ll be cultural displays out there. Drum making, kiss kiss making, fly brush making. The Crooked Tree Museum will have a boot out there. As well with activities for children. The National Creole Council will be out there with traditional games. There’s a whole lot of cultural food. You’ll buy it up your rice and beans, your Hamadili. And of course, all these sweet things.”
School is about to begin and for the students at Saint John’s College Junior College, that means returning to classes and clubs with their peers. Clubs are a vital part of the college experience, as they help students find a better sense of self, one of those being the S.J.C.J.C. Campus Ministry which encourages students to partake in community service and form lasting connections with each other. Today, News Five’s Azain Heredia spoke with Jason Cutkelvin, the Assistant Campus Ministry Director for the sixth form and university, for more details. Here’s that story.
Azain Heredia, Reporting
If you are among the one thousand, four hundred students attending Saint John’s College Junior College in Belize City, then the chances of you being a member of a club is very likely. The college, which was established in 1952, is home to a variety of student associations, but there is one club that stands out from the rest for being the largest and most active in the school. It is the campus ministry. It boasts approximately two hundred students and has been an integral part of the student experience at SJCJC for many years. We spoke with Jason Cutkelvin regarding the club.
Jason Cutkelvin
Jason Cutkelvin, Assistant Campus Ministry Director
“SJC being a Jesuit college and having to develop its own mission and identity and having student formation. We have our campus ministry office as well to serve the students.”
Azain Heredia
“Why do you think the campus ministry is important?”
Jason Cutkelvin
“Campus Ministry is important because it is a place for growth and development for students, again using the word formation. It is important for students to find themself where they are in their faith and in their journey with life. And so, myself and Father Jeremy who is the director of campus ministry, we kind of help to kind them through that journey and that formation.”
The campus ministry couldn’t grow into the club it is today without a good reason. It is through teaching students the joy of community service and allowing them to become better versions of themselves that the club resonated with hundreds of students. Kristen Gillett, the president of Campus Ministry, speaks about the positive effects on the student’s personal development and their view of life.
Azain Heredia
“What was your experience in campus ministry as a student?
Kristen Gillett
Kristen Gillett, President of Campus Ministry
“Well, as a student, for campus ministry it not only broadens my development for spiritual but also as a mature individual and more in tune of who I can be in the future.”
The members of the club play their own role in the community as they all go out and help those in need, as well as grow in spirituality together.
Azain Heredia
“What is it that you guys do as club members?”
Kristen Gillet
“As Club members we go out there, we help those in need, those in poor, we go to sister Cecilia we do more spiritual activities and we just want to broaden more activities for students to outreach with others and be more grateful for what they have.”
The club is known for community service and students attest that the club carries a much deeper meaning.
Azain Heredia
“Why should other students join the campus Ministry?”
Kristen Gillett
“Well, I think it’s a personal development that you go through, and it really broadens your horizon of being more grateful for things, seeing others who go through things, helping others it just, literally develops your spiritual and emotional state better.”
The students are what make the club what it is today. Aracelle Tillett, a board member of Campus Ministry, refers to the club as a family. Briefly going through what it’s like for new and old members. Along with the bonds and personal development, students also grow spiritually as they learn about the Ignatian spirituality together.
Aracelle Tillett
Aracelle Tillett, Board member in Campus Ministry
“Campus ministry is like family. So, whenever somebody new comes around it’s more of an interacting place where we get to know them and have a new spiritual build as well as we learn about like the Ignatian spirituality and so on forth.”
The Forty-seventh Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community concluded today in Grenada. Among the topics discussed was the situation in Haiti. CARICOM leaders are optimistic that new presidential and legislative elections will take place in Haiti by the end of 2025, driven by the encouraging report presented by Edgard Leblanc Fils, head of the Transitional Presidential Council. From Saint George’s, Grenada, Peter Richards reports for News Five. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk0GJQt6HJk
