Prime Minister John Briceño was asked this morning about the investigation into allegations made by attorney Wendy Auxillou against Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez.
In August 2023, News Five broke the story of a sitting minister of government being accused of sexual harassment by a female attorney. Later that month, a release from the government was issued, stating that PM Bricecño “has accepted a request from Hon. Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, for a leave of absence from the Cabinet.”
That release also stated that “during his leave of absence, an investigation will be conducted into the recent allegations against Minister Perez. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs will advise the Prime Minister on whether there has been any actionable wrongdoing.”
Today, when asked if there was an actual investigation, PM John Briceño told reporters, “The investigation was that no laws were broken. You could question the judgement of the person, but no laws were broken that came to light.”
The PM stated that no one provided evidence to the Office of the Attorney General.
Auxillou alleges that no one from the Attorney General’s office approached her for the evidence she says she has. Auxillou has yet to file an official police report against the minister.
Perez denies all allegations. He was reinstated as Minister of The Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management in April 3, 2024.
Increased tensions in the Middle East may lead to higher fuel prices. Experts are expecting that Iran’s recent attack on Israel will potentially cause fuel prices to soar and disrupt global supplies if the conflict escalates further. Israel’s war cabinet has assessed military strategies for possible retaliation against Iran. Israel has declared its intent to retaliate and “exact a price” following the unprecedented drone and missile assault.
While oil prices initially surged in anticipation of such an escalation, they later stabilised. The International Energy Agency says that the escalating conflict underscores the vulnerability of oil markets. The recent attack by Iran also raises concerns about potential disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This is a critical passage for the global oil trade. Any significant disruption could have a profound impact on oil supplies and prices worldwide.
Strait of Hormuz/ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
While the conflict presents risks to oil markets, factors such as production from non-OPEC+ countries may offer some relief in mitigating these impacts in the short term.
Oil prices have surged alongside escalating tensions in the Middle East this month. U.S. benchmark crude futures rose by 5%, while global benchmark Brent crude gained nearly 6%. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical factor.” Iran’s ability to block the Strait of Hormuz is its secret weapon. The Strait serves as the world’s most important oil-transit chokepoint. Global oil inventories are already low, and any disruption to supplies could further deplete them, leading to higher oil prices.
News Five has confirmed that former Belize City councillor Alberto Vaughan is the new city administrator. Vaughan replaces the late Stephanie Lindo.
Last week, the Belize City Council said, “We understand the importance of this position in ensuring the effective functioning of our city, and each application is being carefully reviewed. We received three applications for the position of city administrator.”
The Belize City Council is expected to issue a release later today.
UPDATE (2:31 p.m.)
The Belize City Council issued a release on Vaughan’s employment.
The release says, “The Belize City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Albert Vaughan as the new City Administrator, effective April 15, 2024. This decision follows the recommendations of the interview committee, recognizing Mr. Vaughan’s exemplary track record. Albert Vaughan brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served diligently in various capacities on both the national and municipal levels. His extensive tenure within the public sector, coupled with his involvement in the private sector, underscores his unwavering commitment to service and effectively leading teams. Having previously served as a dedicated member of the council for six years, Mr. Vaughan is quite familiar with the workings of the city. His experience within the municipal sphere uniquely positions him to understand the challenges and opportunities facing Belize City. The Belize City Council is confident that, under Mr. Vaughan’s stewardship, the council will continue to make meaningful progress in fulfilling its obligations to the residents of Belize City. As we embark on this new chapter, the Belize City Council extends our warmest congratulations to Albert Vaughan on his appointment. We look forward to working closely with him to advance our shared vision of a thriving and vibrant Belize City.”
A recall petition launched by former UDP Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez has failed. These petitions were intended to trigger a recall referendum aimed at removing sitting Area Representative Gilroy Usher Senior from office.
Port Loyola has 4,950 registered electors. This meant that Martinez would have needed to collect 1,485 signatures, or 30% of the total number of voters in the division.
Martinez submitted 1,654 signatures, or 33.4%, to the Governor General. However, the total number of signatures approved totaled 1,389, or 28.06%.
The total number of rejected signatures totaled 265, or 5.35%. According to the Governor General, 188 signatures did not match the Elections and Boundaries Department’s record of registered voters; 14 petitioners were not registered; 41 petitioners are not registered in the division; 1 petition did not have a signature; and 21 petitions were submitted more than once.
Martinez is also told that it is an offence for a person to forge the signature on a recall petition or to willfully sign the petition more than once.
The Caribbean Community Council of Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) is expressing grave concern regarding the escalating violence in the Middle East, particularly the recent direct military engagements between Israel and Iran.
CARICOM said, “These developments not only exacerbate the already tense situation but also pose significant threats to regional stability and international peace.”
“The continued cycle of retaliation, including the recent attack on Israel by Hamas, Israel’s disproportionate response in Gaza, and the alarming new dimension of direct confrontations between Israel and Iran, leads to an untenable situation fraught with potential for greater regional conflict and global instability.”
COFCOR urgently calls for:
An immediate cessation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. We strongly urge both nations to halt any further military actions that could worsen the situation, endangering not only their own populations but also the broader international community.
The international community, particularly the five Veto-nations on the UN Security Council, to work assiduously towards an immediate ceasefire, ensuring the provision of necessary humanitarian aid and fostering conditions conducive to a lasting peace
All involved parties to re-engage in diplomatic dialogue, prioritizing peaceful resolutions and cooperation over military actions.
CARICOM says it stands ready to “support efforts toward de-escalation and the establishment of a durable peace in the region.”
Israel’s war cabinet is expected to reconvene soon to discuss actions in response to Iran’s attack.
Overnight on Sunday, a barrage of drones and missiles surged towards Israel, increasing tensions in the Middle East. The assault, launched by Iran, was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month. Several Iranian generals were killed in that attack.
Iran and its allies from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon launched approximately 350 rockets, comprising over 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles. The majority of these were intercepted, with minimal impact on Israeli territory, as reported by Israeli military sources and the White House.
The unprecedented attack marked a significant escalation in the region.
Israel continues to face pressure from its allies to refrain from escalating towards open warfare and instead pursue a path of de-escalation.
A video making its rounds on social media has forced the Ministry of Health and Wellness to launch an investigation. The video, which was recorded inside the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk Town, shows individuals, including a woman, who were seeking medical attention.
The person recording the video says the woman was suffering from heart pain, and officials from the hospital refused to help. Other patients were reportedly pleading with the hospital’s staff to help the woman. That did not work, and the woman decided to bring public attention to the incident.
In a press statement, the Ministry said, “The video suggests that there was a significant delay in a patient receiving necessary medical attention.”
While the situation was resolved, the ministry says it takes “any allegations of patient neglect and staff misconduct very seriously.”
Ministry of Health says it will investigation allegations of patient neglect.
The statement said, “In response to the video and the allegations made, we have already commenced a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding this incident. The Ministry condemns any behaviour that compromises patient care and safety.”
This is not the first time that patients have been ill-treated at the Northern Regional Hospital. In March, Jaime Castillo complained on Facebook that he was disrespected by a female security guard.
A member of the Belize Coast Guard was murdered last night near his home on Consuelo Street in Belize City. Twenty-six-year-old Charles James was shot around eight p.m. in Saint Martin’s area which falls under the state of emergency that was issued last month. When police arrived on the scene, a shootout between police and a suspect ensued. Before we go to that shootout, we first report on the murder. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Twenty-six-year-old Charles James was murdered in cold blood just a few steps away from his home in the Saint Martin’s area of Belize City. James was a member of the Belize Coast for four years and held the rank of seamen in the force. His death came as a blow to his community, who remembered Charles fondly. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams said that upon arrival, a shootout ensued in pursuit of the assailants, resulting in the injury of seventeen-year-old, Jamal Jones
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Last night around eight p.m., police received information of shots fired on Consuelo Street in the Saint Martin’s De Porres area. Upon arrival, police observed a male person, who was later identified as a member of the Police Coast Guard, suffering from gunshot injuries. He was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police, in responding to the incident, encountered two men who were fleeing the crime scene at the particular moment. They first encountered a police officer who was off duty, in plain clothes. And upon the police officer saying to them, police, they turned the weapon at the police but did not fire. But the police fired at them. Fearing for his life, he did fire at them.”
According to Williams, after investigating, Jones was determined to be one of two suspects involved in the shooting and was subsequently detained.
Chester Williams
“They continued fleeing and little after that, they encountered another police officer who was on duty and was dressed in BDU. And this police officer came face to face with the two alleged gunmen. And they fired shots at the police. The police returned fire and the two men continued to run. I can say the police officer’s uniform had bullet holes from the shooting, but thankfully he was not injured. Moments later, the police got information of a person who was seen bleeding at a particular location, and police responded where they found one Jalen Jones, who was suffering from a gunshot injury to the foot. And seemingly he had already gotten someone to assist him in tying the wound to stop the bleeding. police took custody of Jones and from all indications he was dressed in the same clothing that one of the two alleged gunmen were dressed in. And police also followed the blood trail from where the officers had fired shots at the gunman. And the blood trail led to where he was found. So, we are sure that he was one of those persons who is involved in the murder and was also one of those who shot at the police.”
James was the nephew of the late Winston “Tanga” James, a figure known for his gang affiliations. However, Williams maintained that this incident was not gang-related, and was instead, driven by a dispute over a romantic partner.
Reporter
“Do you believe mister James was targeted because of his family relations or because of the neighborhood he lives in or that he may be perceived? We know in the Peace Cup he may have been perceived to be affiliated with the BLC gang. Is that why he was targeted?”
Chester Williams
“We believe that it has to do with a woman.”
Britney Gordon
“And the mother, in her live, she claims that her son couldn’t have been the one because they are friends. So you believe that this dispute happened between associates?”
Chester Williams
“You know, you wonder, people they get killed and every time the mothers don’t come, they don’t know their son. You wonder who they do it, they must be me and Jules, right? Because, I don’t know, and that is, that is one of our problem. When we have mothers who are condoning, look at how quick this mother last night was in trying to find an excuse for her son. It’s just so sad but, again, who would know best where you are? Your friend, right? So, yeah.”
According to Williams, the murder weapon has still not been located at this time.
Chester Williams
“Yes, we do have overwhelming evidence to support the fact that he was one of the persons who went to the house and shot him.”
Reporter
“But no weapon at this time?”
Chester Williams
“We are going back to the area, we have been made to understand where the weapon had been dropped in the canal and so we’ll be going back to the era with some equipment to see if we can retrieve it.”
At the top of the news we told you about the shootout between police and the suspect in the Charles James murder. That suspect is a minor who was shot by police officers and taken to Racoon Street Police Station. His family rushed to the station, pleading that he be taken to the hospital for emergency care. Today, the family further detailed the incident as they saw it and explain that they are ready to take legal action if necessary. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Jaylon Jones’ mother Sherilee Barrow recounted the night her son was shot. She says that moments before, Jones had been eating food with her before leaving the house. Not long after, she saw her son running through the street but was unable to ask where he was going. After that, things escalated, and Barrow received information that her son had been shot somewhere nearby.
Sherilee Barrow
Sherilee Barrow, Mother of Shooting Victim
“My son mih come in a few minutes ago come eat some macaroni out of the pot with bread. So I tell he noh eat out all of the macaroni and thing. So he come outside, lock the door. My daughter ney come hail me, bring something for me. And they gone, I continue laid down in the bed there. And after that, I hear some gunshot gone off. And when I hear the gunshot gone off, I jump up. I frighten out of the lee doze weh I mi de ina because I always have to worry about my lee bwai ney. Because to me, they da wah target to the police, you know. And I always have to de pon my guards. I deh soh dih pray fi ney lee bwai every night not knowing it would happen close to home. And anyway, my son, I hear somebody come in the yard, so I pop my back blinds. And I pop my black blinds. I hear the person the run gwen soh, so when I look, I see dah my son, I sih halla fi ah, Jaylon, Jaylon, Jaylon but ih noh look back. He mi have on the same clothes he had on from all day, he mi tell me he need fi wash. H e neva had no clean clothes, a white shirt and a black pants da dat he mi have on. Continue run, but I noh tek it like that. So I gone inside gone tend to the baby because I dih do wa lee babysitting for my niece. And after that, when I look one of his friends come and after that I she Cory you noh see Jaylon because I just mishalla fih ah and ih run through the yard yah and ih noh stop. Da weh I did tell Cory and Cory seh miss Sher I just left Jaylon and Jaylon gone up the street. She ih di come back right now, ih gwen fi something. And I tell ah I just left Jaylon di eat some macaroni. He she miss Sher, I noh know, I noh know and he gone and after wa lee while, he come back. Cory come halla fii me and she miss Sherilee, da Jaylon ney shot and Jaylon look like he collapse over in the yard ova deh soh. Police deh round ah and ney no wah move ah. Miss Sherilee come emk ney move your son.That weh he di tell me right.”
Barrow said that she arrived at the scene as quickly as possible and found her son bleeding from a gunshot wound. Jones was taken into police custody shortly after.
Sherilee Barrow
“And I put on my clothes, jump and I got through there and I run through deh soh. And the whole neighborhood, dih rail up because they have inna the yard, and a whole amount of police circled around ah and they don’t want to move ah, right? And so I dih fight through ney, dih referee through ney, like dih bustle through ney, hustling and bustling between me and my daughter, the fight through fi get to he. And after that I halla fi ah and dat da howe he finally hear me. And he she m ma ma ney shot me ma. And after that I said please help my son. Please go to the hospital. Please go to the hospital. Officer seh I wa ker ah right now.That’s what he said. I wa ker ah right now. That’s what he said, And after that I said unu please help me but all ah ney just stand up and watch me. So after that I get weh from ney, and I pop round ney. And after that I gone hold my son in my hand and ask my son who hurt him. My son she ma when that happen, I noh know weh happen.. Ih she everybodt start to run and I end up get shot. I don’t know who shot me. Dah weh he dih tell me. Right? So when that done happen, all the police come and fight he fah me and they pick up and put he in the truck back.”
Barrow explained that she, her daughter and son-in-law followed the police to the station. She claims that upon arrival she was met with opposition from the police. She said that they pleaded for officers to take her son to the hospital for medical attention. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, however, said that would go against protocol.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“As you know, there is a standing protocol that we, um, Do not transport injured persons to the hospital. The police only transport the dead Injured persons are to be transported by the ambulance and so the police officers had took the young man to the Mahogany station Awaiting the ambulance to arrive so the ambulance could have transported him to the hospital For me, I personally would not want for the police to have escorted him For the main fact that he is the same one who had shot at the police Secondly, it was the same police officers that he had shot at who had him in custody. So to avoid any speculations, I would have preferred the ambulance to take him. I saw a live last night where, um, persons were going off and saying that the police had the man in the vehicle to bleed to death. Let me say the man’s injuries were, were, was not life threatening. The bleeding had stopped because they had tied it up with something and, uh, the police were just waiting for the ambulance to come and take him. Seeing that the ambulance took too long, the police eventually took him to the hospital. But again, persons were flustered because they were not allowed to go near the police vehicle. And that could be for the simple fact that when you have a person who is, um, accused of killing another, um, in the same area, you wouldn’t want to have any anybody approach the vehicle that he would be in because what if it would have been associated with the person, person that he had killed who would have want them to come and just kill him in the police vehicle. So police had to make sure that the accused was safe while in their care at that particular moment.”
Barrow maintains that her son was not the type to associate with gang members, nor did he have any conflict with his neighbors. She said that she was unaware that a second person had been detained for the murder and firmly believes her son is not familiar with any of the parties involved.
Britney Gordon
“Was there any conflict that your son was involved at anyone in the area recently?”
Sherilee Barrow
“No ma’am, and if my son be doing anything or involved in anything, I’ll be the first one to know everything cuz he always come confide in me. One thing my kids say, I raised him in a type of way they don’t hide nothing from me ma’am My son don’t have no conflict with nobody or nothing like that”
Brother-in-law of the victim, Joseph Camp stated that the family is prepared to take legal action against the department if necessary. He claims that the department is discriminating against his family members and alleges that both he and his mother-in-law were assaulted and pepper sprayed the night of the incident.
Joseph Camp
Joseph Camp, Brother-in-law of Shooting Victim
“So, we filed a, uh, a professional standards report this morning with the police department. We do intend to hire lawyers to prosecute every legal remedy that you are afforded. I do have my legal team in the United States aware of this, the U. S. Embassy as well, um, and I intend to seek every legal recourse for myself, my in laws, and my brother in law. Uh, reviewing what I spoke with the detectives this morning, they do not have any physical evidence connecting my brother-in-law to the shooting of What they have is speculation and they have a profiling of my brother in law, which I believe is very disturbing and very disgusting.”
With these recent incidents in southside Belize City, Police Commissioner Chester Williams says that the state of emergency needs to be extended for a longer period and expanded to the PIV gang area. He says that officers have been arresting men in that area believed to be gang members since Wednesday night.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “There are gang members who are involved in this matter. The suspects are from the PIV gang area. And you will know that when the SOE began, I had said that even though Martins, was a part of the proclamation we would not go after marathons, but as they were behaving. This has now changed that picture, and so certainly, we will have to deal with those persons from the PIV and they have to form part of the SOE. Again, I am pushing, to see if we can have the SOE extended for the simple fact that we believe that some of these young men have still not really gotten the message, and we need more time to be able to properly investigate those persons who are under the SOE. The one month period would not, would not suffice. So, I’m seeking to see if we can get it extended for another month.”
