Belize City resident, Timothy Elijio pleaded guilty today to possession of over a hundred grams of marijuana with intent to supply. He was fined five thousand dollars and was spared from a stiffer fine, plus three years in prison since he is a first-time offender. Police had also detained Elijio’s common-law wife, but Elijio confessed that the weed was his. Initially he didn’t agree with everything that was read as part of the facts of the case and said the weed belonged to his common-law wife. He was offered bail and taken into the holding cell. Sometime later, however, he decided to change his plea to guilty and was taken back to the courtroom where he pleaded guilty. The forty-three-year-old was ordered to pay the fine by December 31, 2024, or he will spend a year in prison. On Wednesday, police visited Elijio’s house with a body cam and began to search the place. They found some jackets hanging and inside their pockets police found the weed.
Category: Belize District
Bonaire’s Fight for Freedom Takes Centre Stage at International Conference in Baku
The Baku Initiative Group (BIG) and the Bonaire Movement for Human Rights and Change are hosting an international conference today in Baku, focussing on Bonaire’s situation under Dutch colonial rule.
The conference, titled “The Path of Bonaire’s Self-Determination through the UN General Assembly in Baku,” will bring together representatives from Bonaire who advocate for freedom and fight against colonialism. Attendees will include officials from Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, St. Lucia, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the Netherlands, the UN, and other international and regional organisations, along with human rights activists, NGO leaders, and decolonisation experts.
Notable participants include the Special Representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Permanent Representative of Belize to the UN, the UNICEF Youth Envoy, the Caribbean Community Youth Ambassador, and the Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent.
The conference will highlight the Bonairean people’s ongoing struggle to break free from Dutch colonial rule and efforts to bring their cause to the attention of relevant international bodies.
This event is particularly significant for the Bonairean people as several nations prepare to submit a draft resolution to the UN General Assembly in the coming weeks, aiming to re-list the island as a territory in need of decolonization. One of the conference’s main goals is to rally international support for this resolution.
Azerbaijan’s role in hosting such a pivotal event underscores its growing prominence as a global leader in the fight against colonisation.
Brandon Bowen Walks from B.H.P.L. Robbery Charge
Thirty-eight-year-old Brandon Bowen, a well-known street figure, walked away from a charge of abetment to robbery when he appeared before the lower court today. In June 2023, Bowen was accused of robbing the cashiers at Belize Healthcare Partners Limited of an undisclosed sum of money. This morning, in the presence of attorney Ellis Arnold, it was successfully argued that there was no evidence linking Bowen to the crime. With that, the charge was dismissed and he was free to go. Of note, is that the identity of the other individual who participated in the robbery was never released and no one was ever charged for the actual robbery.
Women Targeted in Boom Home Invasion
Two women had a traumatic experience on Sunday night inside their home in Burrel Boom Village. According to police, two armed men entered the residence, held them up and stole an assortment of items. They made good their escape. Police have no suspects.
A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division
“On Sunday the eighteenth day of August 2024 police responded to reports of an aggravated burglary in Burrel Boom Village. Upon their arrival they met a complainant who reported that she was at home along with her mother when they were approached by two make persons who were in camouflage clothing. The two people took out a knife and a machete and held them up. They then searched the house and stole three watches, cell phones and some cash. Thereafter they fled from the area. We are conducting an investigation into this report and so far, there are no suspects detained.”
BAPDA Supports E-Buses, Criticizes Resistance from Traditional Bus Operators
Private bus operators in Belize City continue raising concerns about how the new electric buses are affecting their businesses. Arthur Saldivar, attorney for City Shuttle Limited, Lopez Bus, and Lemoth and Sons, claims his clients are struggling financially due to the e-buses’ ‘competitive pricing.’
In an interview with News 5 on Friday, Saldivar criticised the price changes of the e-buses, which he claims now compete directly with the private sector. He stated, “They have slashed prices to be in direct competition with the private sector operators.”
In response, the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) has expressed support for the new electric buses. In a press release dated August 17, 2024, BAPDA praised the e-bus initiative for improving accessibility and service for persons with disabilities. BAPDA criticised the existing bus operators for their resistance to fleet improvements saying, “For many years, the city and district buses were asked to improve their fleet, to upgrade, to become more safety aware and to offer better services to their commuters and, for years, they have resisted, found fault with and basically ignored all warnings, edicts, proposal to do better.”
BAPDA noted that despite minor issues, the new electric buses are already a significant improvement, stating, “There are minor kinks to work out but they are running and better serving the community of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) and, for that, we are highly appreciative.”
Beloved Teacher Needs Your Help to Fight Cancer
A Belize City family is reaching out for community support to help fundraise for Barbara Elijio Antonio, a beloved teacher and community member battling cancer. The family is hosting a Punta Rama Night fundraiser on August 31, which will be held at either Swift Hall or Bird’s Isle.
To make this event a success, the organizers are seeking donations to cover venue costs and other expenses. They welcome contributions from businesses and individuals alike to support this noble cause. “We aim to raise $7,000 through this event, which will go directly towards her treatment that she needs,” said Le-Tesha Tate, Antonio’s daughter. She added, “Every contribution, no matter how small, will help us inch closer to get her treatment. She is a wonderful teacher, friend, and mom she even helps her community.”
The family urges the community’s support and invites everyone to join this heartfelt initiative.
For more information or to offer support, individuals can contact the event organizer at +501-628-4632, +501-663-5673, or via email at tateletesha@gmail.com.
Tragic Bicycle Accident Claims Life in Corozal District
A 32-year-old man from Corozal Town, Aurelio Perez Jr., was killed in a tragic road accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway on Thursday, August 1st. The incident occurred between miles 81 and 82 around 9:27 p.m. Perez was riding a 24-inch Beach cruiser when an unidentified vehicle struck him from behind, causing fatal injuries. Despite being rushed to the Corozal Community Hospital, Perez was pronounced dead. The police are actively investigating the accident, and a post-mortem examination is pending.
Kamala Harris Gains Traction Post-Biden in Tight Race to November Election
Kamala Harris Closes Gap on Donald Trump in 2024 Race
The recent polls indicate that Kamala Harris is narrowing the gap with former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. Following President Joe Biden’s exit from the race and Harris’s subsequent emergence as the Democratic nominee, recent surveys show a tightening of the race. According to The Guardian, Harris now trails Trump by narrow margins in key swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia.
Women and Voter Perceptions Impact Harris’s Candidacy
While there is strong support for Harris among Democrats and women, there is also concern about her electability. Despite backing Harris, many women and people of color question whether the country is ready for a woman of color as president. The 19th News reported that the poll reveals that while the majority of Americans support Biden’s decision to withdraw and endorse Harris, many believe Trumdp would win if Harris is the Democratic nominee.
Harris’s campaign has seen a surge in enthusiasm and fundraising, particularly from women’s groups and Black women, who have mobilized quickly since Biden’s exit. Despite this, a portion of the electorate remains skeptical about Harris’s ability to win against Trump, particularly because of her race and gender, which some believe could impact her chances negatively.
Betting Markets and Financial Implications
Betting markets reflect a relatively stable outlook for Trump despite Harris’s ascent. Fox Business reports that as of this week, Trump’s odds of winning stand at approximately 63% on Polymarket, while Harris’s chances are around 32%. Although Trump’s odds have slightly decreased since Biden’s withdrawal, they remain strong.
Though Biden’s exit has surged the betting activity significantly, concerns from major donors about Harris’s progressive stances and the strategic implications of her campaign have surfaced. Adding another layer of complexity to the 2024 race.
Kamala Harris’s campaign has gained momentum since Biden’s withdrawal, with polls showing a narrowing gap with Trump and significant support from Democratic factions. However, uncertainties about her electability and concerns from financial backers and betting markets highlight the challenges she faces as the race continues to evolve.
NEMO Successfully Concludes Agile Bear 2.0 Training with Joint Task Force-Bravo
On July 26, 2024, NEMO, the Belize Defence Force (BDF), and the Coast Guard successfully completed the Agile Bear 2.0 training, a week-long program aimed at improving disaster response capabilities. The training, conducted in collaboration with Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-B), focused on advanced techniques such as Helo Casting and Drone Flying, enhancing the teams’ ability to perform rapid disaster response and surveillance in challenging environments.
Earlier in the week, on July 25, the partners continued their work on Operation Sentinel Watch, developing a Standard Operating Procedure for requesting assistance. This SOP is designed to align with JTF-B’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response framework.
The joint effort between NEMO, BDF, and the Coast Guard strengthens operational readiness and coordination, ensuring better preparedness for future emergencies. NEMO extends its gratitude to JTF-B and the US Army for their support in training first responders.
Sibling Dispute Leads to Hospitalization of Pregnant Woman and Arrest of Sister
A family dispute at the Tzul residence on North Front Street has resulted in one pregnant sister being hospitalized, while the other sister has been arrested and charged with grievous harm. This afternoon, twenty-three-year-old Monique Tzul, a cashier from Belize City, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on a charge of grievous harm. She pleaded not guilty to causing grievous harm to her twenty-one-year-old sister, Aailyah Tzul, a call agent. The incident allegedly occurred on Wednesday, July seventeenth, 2024. The prosecutor objected to bail, citing the possibility that Monique might interfere with her sister again and the serious nature of the offense. The matter was paused briefly to check the health status of the pregnant mother and her unborn child. Upon confirmation that both were in good health, the magistrate granted bail to Monique. She was released on bail of two thousand dollars with one surety of the same amount. Conditions of her bail include no contact with the complainant, maintaining a distance of a hundred yards from her sister, not reoffending while on bail, and signing in weekly at the Mahogany Street Police Station. Additionally, she is prohibited from visiting the family home on North Front Street while the case is ongoing and must reside at her home on Morning Glory Street. Her next court date is set for September twenty-third, 2024. In her report to the police, Aailyah stated that on the day of the incident, she had texted Monique, urging her to spend more time with her four-year-old daughter, who was being cared for by their mother. This led to a verbal altercation when Monique arrived at the house. The argument escalated, and Monique allegedly punched Aailyah in the head, causing bruising and swelling. Aailyah then retaliated, and Monique reportedly stomped on Aailyah’s stomach, despite knowing she was pregnant.