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Stake Bank Enterprise Drops Multimillion Dollar Lawsuit Against G.O.B.

Stake Bank’s multimillion dollar claim, a lawsuit that was brought against the Government of Belize prior to the company falling into receivership, has been discontinued. On Friday, the law firm of Barrow & Williams issued a notice to the High Court that Claim Number two hundred sixty-nine of 2021, between Stake Bank Enterprise Limited and the attorney general, the National Environmental Appraisal Committee and the Department of the Environment has been withdrawn. Earlier today, News Five spoke with Senior Counsel Dean Barrow who acts on behalf of S.B.E.L.’s receiver, Marlowe Neal. According to Barrow, the company is not in a position to proceed with the claim, given its financial situation.

On the phone: Dean Barrow, Senior Counsel, Attorney-at-law

“We filed that notice pursuant to the instructions of the receiver. You know that the company is, all the world knows that the company is now in receivership and the receiver has to be a sort of jealous guardian of the resources that the company in receivership possesses. There are the receiver’s bringing in as many of the assets as he can and he has to think in terms of satisfying the creditors of the company. In those circumstances the receiver did not believe that the company was in a position to continue with that claim against the attorney general. First of all, if the company had continued the claim, the burden of paying the attorneys who, at the time the claim was filed, in acting for the company, the burden of paying them would now fall on the receiver and so because, as I said, in husbanding, as it were, the resources of the company the receiver has to be very, very careful, very, very prudent and the receiver decided that the company was not in a state in which it could continue the claim against the attorney general. Thus, his instructions to us is to discontinue that claim and that’s what we have now down. What is important is the fact that the receiver is convinced that the company is not in a position to continue that claim.”

Stake Bank Discontinues Lawsuit Against GOB et al.

News Five has confirmed that Stake Bank Enterprise Limited has discontinued claims against the government and other parties. Stake Bank had filed a claim against the Attorney General of Belize, the National Environmental Appraisal Committee, Portico Enterprise Limited, Waterloo Investment Holdings Limited, Belize Cruise Development Limited, and Belize Logistics Terminal Limited.

The notice is dated May 24th, 2024, and it was filed by Barrow and Williams LLP, attorneys for Stake Bank.

Earlier this month, News Five reported that the facilities of Stake Bank were sold to Operaciones Portuarias, a corporation registered under Honduran law and affiliated with brothers Guillermo and David Bueso. The announcement was made by Atlantic Bank Limited. In its statement, the bank noted that it removed the debt owed by Stake Bank from its books and no longer conducts banking business with Stake Bank.

Belize Showcases Successful Blue Bonds Initiative at SIDS International Conference

The Government of Belize and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) co-hosted a side event at the 4th International Conference on SIDS in Antigua and Barbuda. The event, titled “How Debt-for-Nature and Debt-for-Climate Swaps can Help SIDS Economies: Belize Case Study and Tools for Governments,” highlighted the success of the Belize Blue Bonds. This case study demonstrated how debt-for-nature and debt-for-climate swaps can assist SIDS countries in meeting their nature and climate commitments, fostering blue economy strategies, and increasing resilience to natural disasters without escalating national debt.

The TNC Nature Bonds Toolkit was officially launched during this event. Head of Delegation and Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Orlando Habet, inaugurated the meeting. Beverly Wade, Director of the Blue Bonds and Finance Permanence Unit, discussed the structure, benefits, and challenges of the Belize Blue Bonds from their inception to implementation. She also highlighted the targeted nature outcomes and impacts achieved to date.

*Head of Delegation and Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Orlando Habet*

The panels featured Wade, Kevin Bender, Director of the Nature Bonds Program at The Nature Conservancy; Jean Paul Adam, Former Minister of Finance for Seychelles; and Ambassador Jessye Lapenn, Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation from the United States. Ambassador Janine Felson, Deputy Permanent Representative of Belize to the United Nations, delivered the closing remarks.

In 2021, the Government of Belize, The Nature Conservancy, and the United States International Development Finance Corporation pioneered the Belize Blue Bonds as an innovative financial solution. The initiative enabled a BZD728 million debt conversion for marine conservation, significantly reducing Belize’s debt-to-GDP ratio and national debt by 12%. It also created long-term sustainable financing for conservation and secured commitments to protect up to 30% of Belize’s ocean space, among other conservation goals. To date, BZD18 million has been committed and invested in government and non-government partners through the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future to achieve key marine conservation and responsible blue economy development targets.

Belize Audubon Society Has New President

Kevin Geban was elected as the new president of the Belize Audubon Society (BAS) during its 55th Annual General Meeting on Saturday. Geban was the former first vice president. Geban and the newly elected officials will join the existing board members for the 2024–2025 term.

A release from BAS says that members convened to review achievements over the past year, highlighted by the presentation of the BAS Annual Report and Fiscal Report, which detailed the organisation’s activities and financial performance.

Pope Francis Apologizes for Homophobic Remark During Meeting with Bishops

Pope Francis recently issued an apology for using an anti-gay slur during a closed-door meeting with bishops. The 87-year-old pontiff reportedly made the offensive comment last week, suggesting that gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood.

In a statement released by the Vatican on Tuesday, they clarified that the Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms. He extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of the term, as reported by others.

Despite this incident, Pope Francis has consistently emphasized an inclusive stance within the Church.

The controversy arose when two Italian newspapers, Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica, reported on the May 20 meeting, citing sources present. According to their reports, the Pope used the term “frociaggine,” which translates to “faggotry” in English, while discussing the presence of gay men in seminaries.

Corriere della Sera pointed out that the Pope, being Argentine and speaking Italian as a second language, may not have fully realized the offensiveness of his language. The remark reportedly elicited incredulous laughter from the bishops present.

It’s important to note that the Vatican had previously ruled in 2005 that men who are actively gay or have “deep-seated” homosexual tendencies cannot be ordained. Pope Francis reaffirmed this ruling in 2016 and advised Italian bishops in 2018 not to accept gay candidates for the priesthood.

North Korea’s Rocket-Carrying Satellite Explodes Mid-Flight

North Korea’s bid to launch a second spy satellite ended in failure as the rocket carrying it exploded mid-flight. The announcement came late Monday, following South Korea’s military report of an “unidentified projectile” launch.

Initial analysis pointed to issues with a newly developed liquid-fuel rocket motor, though other potential causes are still being investigated. Earlier, officials in South Korea and Japan had also indicated that the launch appeared unsuccessful. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff observed North Korea firing an “unidentified projectile southwards” over the Yellow Sea, followed by the sighting of numerous fragments in the sea minutes later.

Following the failed launch, nuclear envoys from South Korea, the United States, and Japan had a phone conversation, condemning the attempt. They emphasised that it violated United Nations Security Council resolutions banning North Korea’s use of ballistic missile technology, posing a severe threat to regional peace and security.

North Korea had notified earlier in the day about its launch plan, stating that the window would remain open until June 4. This comes after North Korea successfully launched its first spy satellite in November on its third attempt, which drew international condemnation. That launch followed a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in eastern Russia, where Putin promised technical assistance to North Korea.

Kim Jong Un had declared at the end of last year that Pyongyang would launch three more military spy satellites in 2024 as part of a military modernization programme that saw a record number of weapons tests in 2023.

Source: Aljazeera

1 Dead and 1 Injured After Shots Fired in Club

One man is dead and one injured after shots were fired inside a club in Corozal District over the weekend. Reports are that on Sunday, around one twenty a.m. twenty-four-year-olds Jamour Gabourel and Ethon Galvez were socializing at the Mi Compa Nightclub in Ranchito Village when an argument between ensued that escalated to gun violence. A single shot was fired inside the nightclub, injuring Galvez and fatally wounding Gabourel. The perpetrator then exited the building, firing off one more round before fleeing the scene. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the full report.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the silence in a neighborhood in Ranchito was shattered by reports of gunshots coming from Mi Compa Nightclub. A resident of the area who was awoken by the sounds recounted the incident to us.

Voice of: Ranchito resident

“It happened like around one twenty a.m. I was sleeping with my baby on site and my mom lives and sleeps over this side. So when she heard the first gunshot, she just grabbed my little brother and sent him to another room. Then she was scared. We all woke up. My sister woke up and she began to cry. She was trembling and we didn’t know what to do.”

She said that the terrifying ordeal lasted around ten minutes before the police arrived at the scene. According to police reports, the incident was caused by an argument.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, the twenty of May, 2024, around one twenty-eight p.m., police responded to a shooting incident at Mi Compa Bar, Ranchito Village, Corozal District. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Jamour Gabourel with a gunshot injury. Also seen was Ethon Galvez with a gunshot injury. Investigators said they were at the bar along with other persons when they got into an argument. At which point, a male person pulled out the firearm and fired a single shot causing the fatal injury to Gabourel and the injury to Ethon Douglas. We are seeking one suspect in regards to this investigation.”

Gabourel, who was fatally shot during the incident, had been celebrating a friend’s birthday and was at the establishment along with several others when Galvez, who had been standing near him, was targeted.

Voice of: Ranchito resident

“Then we heard the police pass cause we were peeping, kind of hiding us. We just heard the screams of a man shouting. The woman was shouting, why did you do that? And said, don’t touch him, you’re gonna hurt him. Then a while, just all the people gone. We saw the people running, screaming, were afraid of the gunshot. It was two shots they did. Two shots inside Mi Compa. It didn’t happen outside. It happened inside because we heard everything. We woke up because of this noise and the screams. That’s what we heard.”

Witnesses said that there was no security stationed at the nightclub at the time of the incident. It is not the first time a crime of this nature has occurred at this establishment. Currently police are seeking one suspect and are unsure if the victims are familiar with the perpetrator. Galvez is recovering from his injuries, while Gabourel’s family will be hosting a candlelight memorial at the Corozal Central Park on Wednesday. Britney Gordon for News Five.

A Paraiso Villager is Shot at Home in Targeted Attack

In another act of gun violence this weekend in Corozal District, a man was shot at his own residence in a targeted attack. On Saturday, around eight p.m. thirty-four-year-old Joel [Ho-el] Sosa was at his home in Paraiso Village when a gunman arrived at his yard and fired up to three shots at him, before fleeing the scene. Here’s A.C.P. Hilberto Romero with more information.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, twenty-sixth of May, 2024, around seven fifty-three, police responded to a shooting at Paraiso Village, Corozal District. Upon arrival, they found Joel Sosa with gunshot injuries. He was taken to a medical facility where he is in a stable condition at this time. Information is that he was at Paraiso Village when a vehicle arrived, a male person came out of that vehicle and fired several shots towards his direction. We are seeking one suspect in regards to this shooting.”

Reporter

“Motive?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“We do not have a motive for this shooting.”

In Independence, Brother Kills Brother with a Shotgun

In Independence Village on Sunday, an argument between two siblings ended when one brother fired a shotgun at the other, fatally injuring him. According to police, the Ramos brothers were engaged in a fight when Eladio was shot and killed at the hands of his sibling. Sevin Ramos remains in police custody tonight, while directives on the charges to be brought against are being decided by the Office of the D.P.P. The incident involving fratricide was carried out with an unlicensed firearm.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, May twenty-sixth, 2024, police responded to a report at the Independence Polyclinic. Upon their arrival, they saw the lifeless body of Eladio Ramos and he was seen with a gunshot injury. Investigation revealed that Eladio Ramos had a fight with his brother Sevin Ramos who got a shotgun and fired the fatal shot towards him. Sevin Ramos is in custody, statements were being recorded and this matter will be sent to the D.P.P. for directives.”

Reporter

Any idea what may have led this man to fatally shooting his brother?

Hilberto Romero

“They were involved in a fight, they had some issues and that is what led to the shooting.”

Reporter

“You don’t know what the issues stemmed from?”

Hilberto Romero

“No, they were arguing and then one of them got the shotgun and fired the shot.”

Reporter:

“Sir, was the gun licensed.”

Hilberto Romero:

“It is an unlicensed firearm.”

Urgent Advisory on Air Quality Concerns Due to Wildfires

The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) and the Department of the Environment (DoE) are issuing a critical advisory regarding significant air quality concerns caused by ongoing wildfires affecting several communities in the Toledo and Cayo districts.

These wildfires have resulted in a considerable increase in air pollution due to smoke, posing health risks, especially to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

The following health advisories are being issued:

Stay Indoors: Residents are advised to remain indoors as much as possible, especially during periods of heavy smoke.
Keep Windows and Doors Closed: Ensure that your living spaces are sealed to prevent smoke from entering.
Use Air Purifiers: If available, use air purifiers to reduce indoor air pollution.
Limit Outdoor Activities: Minimize outdoor physical activities to reduce exposure to polluted air.
Seek Medical Attention: Individuals experiencing respiratory issues should seek immediate medical attention.
Wear Masks: Wear masks when outdoors in affected areas to filter out fine particles.

Efforts are underway to control the wildfires and mitigate the impact on air quality. The DoE is acquiring air quality monitoring equipment to be installed in strategic areas to detect changes in ambient air quality, aiding in the national response and decision-making process.