We all know the rainy season runs from June to November, but what we sometimes forget is that rain brings more than just puddles. It brings mosquitoes. And with them, a spike in dengue cases. This week, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital sounded the alarm, reporting a sharp rise in dengue infections, especially here in Belize City. It’s got health officials urging everyone to take extra precautions. So, what can you do to protect yourself and your family? And just how serious is the situation? Director of Public Health, Dr. Melissa Diaz, breaks it all down for us.
Melissa Diaz
Dr. Melissa Diaz, Director, Public Health & Wellness, MoHW
“We have strengthened our surveillance team. We’ve strengthened the capacity in what they’re capable of doing. And we are ensuring that when we say heightened surveillance, we’re no longer waiting for persons to come in to say, I don’t feel well, but we’re going out to try to find persons who are ill. With regards to measles and malaria, I can happily report that we have not had any cases in the recent two cycles.”
Britney Gordon
“When it comes to dengue, are we observing an increase in the amount of cases that we usually have around this time of year, or is it around the same?”
Dr. Melissa Diaz
“With the surveillance aspect, we do monitor many of our diseases on a weekly basis. It’s called the endemic channels. And when we look at dengue, we know that for the same period last year, the number of country cases has reduced. However, they, when we look at the districts, the Belize district has shown over two hundred percent increase. In the last two weeks. So we know that there is ongoing transmission of dengue. There is an outbreak in the Belize District and we have increased the interventions that we’re doing. We’re getting help from Northern Health Region in terms of bringing in staff to help us to break this transmission. And we’re advocating to the public to please ensure that the, your yards are clean, that you don’t have any reservoirs holding stagnant water, that your drains are clean because these are the areas where this vector can produce and spread the disease.”
This week, George Cadle Price, affectionally known as Belize’s ‘Father of the Nation’, was honored at the Organization of American States’ Hall of Heroines and Heroes. A bust made in his likeness was unveiled at a ceremony celebrating Price’s legacy as a national hero and a symbol of peace. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca led the unveiling ceremony along with OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin. He shared more details on the celebration today.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“We unveiled the secretary general of the OAS, a bust of George Price in the Hall of the heroines and heroes of the Americas. Very proud moment for Belize in my view. We are all of the third CARICOM country to have our national hero our father of the nation displayed in those halls. So very proud moment for Belize we had quite a few people from the Belizean community there in DC there to witness it. So that is incredibly important recognizing the contribution that George Price made not only to Belize, but as a statesman to the region to the hemisphere.”
For a group of young, aspiring musicians in Belize City, this summer has been anything but ordinary. Over the past two weeks, twelve kids, some just starting out, others already finding their rhythm, came together at The Reef Recording Studio. It wasn’t just about beats and lyrics; it was about building confidence, making new friends, and channeling their creativity in a positive way. Today marked the end of their musical journey, for now, but the memories and skills they’ve gained will last a lifetime. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Some kids are born with musical talent, others discover it along the way and this summer, twelve young artists from Belize City got the chance to do just that. For the past two weeks, they’ve been working side by side with music producer Devin “DJ Perf” Peyrefitte at The Reef Recording Studio, sharpening their skills, exploring their creativity, and learning what it really takes to make music. It’s been a hands-on experience that’s all about growth, expression, and turning passion into potential.
Jaznique Diamond
Jaznique Diamond, Camper, Reef Recording Studio
“I was singing from I was five years old. I just come up with music from the top of my head, like a word and I just started writing form experience.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you sing often and if so where?”
Jaznique Diamond
“Yes sir, I think my neighbors are tired of hearing me. But, it is just something that is not just a hobby. It is something that makes you feel comfortable, that you could express yourself while doing it.”
For young music lover Jaznique Diamond, this summer was all about turning lyrics into something powerful. “DJ Perf” says every child who joined the program came in with a real passion for music and a hunger to learn more. And from the sound of it, they’re just getting started.
Devin “Dj Perf” Peyrefitte
Devin “Dj Perf” Peyrefitte, Manager, Reef Recording Studio
“So this is something we do with kids, really have them in an environment of creating music, not just sitting behind a keyboard and learning music but really being in the environment of creating music. That is what we offered the kids. We did like, the first day we show them how a studio is operated, the different section, a recording booth, we do song writing classes, beat making, a drummer came in show them how to play the drum. We did all those activities and did a talent show to have them write a song and have them perform for us today.”
The music didn’t stop at just beats and lyrics, these young artists also got creative with visuals. Each participant designed their own album cover art, capturing what their time at The Reef Recording Studio meant to them. Take Cameron Middleton, for example. He doesn’t express himself through vocals, but give him a drum set, and he speaks volumes. Over the past two weeks, Cameron’s rhythm and confidence behind the kit have grown by leaps and bounds.
Cameron Middleton
Cameron Middleton, Camper, Reef Recording Studio
“So, my cousin has this electric drum at home so every time I go play it I don’t know what to do. He teaches me but not like my drum teacher. So when Julia said we would have drum class she takes all of and she always bring us and drop us off. On the snare I could play the snare good and the high and the symbols. I could not play those good but now what I know I am good at it the three loudest ones.”
The Director at Hope Resource Center, Julian Mortis, plays a quiet but key role in the music camp. She is a driver, motivator, and an all-around supporter for the children, ensuring they get to the studio and learn what is being thought.
Julian Mortis
Julian Mortis, Director, Hope Resource Center
“It does a lot, because there is a lot of things happening in our community, a lot of negative things going on. So we try to grab as much kids in our community and do positive things with them, because we see the negative that they are seeing everyday and I am really trying to get as much kids as I can to bring them into places like this, the resource center, the Reef Studio, so that they have a place they can come and what I like is that this is a safe place.”
All participants received a certificate of completion today. This is the second music camp that The Reef Studio hosted. Peyrefitte says he plans to make it an annual event. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
It was a tense moment on the court Saturday night, not between players, but between a player and a fan. Belize City Thunderbolts forward Charles Garcia found himself in a heated exchange with Doctor Julio Sabido, the C.E.O. in the Ministry of Health. But on that night, Doctor Sabido wasn’t there in any official role, just a passionate basketball fan in the stands. Things got a little too intense in the final moments of the game, and today, Garcia stopped by our studio to set the record straight. He admitted he regrets how things played out and offered a heartfelt apology to his fans. He also told us he’s reached out to Dr. Sabido, and the two have since cleared the air. Both men acknowledged they could’ve handled things better; one as a player, the other as a fan. And in the end, they agreed to move forward with mutual respect. Here’s what Charles Garcia had to say about the incident and the lessons he’s taking from it.
Charles Garcia
Charles Garcia, Player, Thunderbolts
“First of all basketball is my passion, my job, my life, I have been doing it all my life. I am a passionate player, dedicated to my job and craft. You don’t know what a player is going through behind the scenes, he is supposed to perform. If I feel a fan is heckling which I respect, but then you hit someone with a threatening gesture, I am going to react, I am going to react. I have a lot of regrets. I have an image. I am a father. I have a beautiful daughter and I am a family man. My roots start from here in Belize. So of course, I feel some type of way. I couldn’t sleep, because everyone hitting my phone from states, Belize and it kills me. I have an image. I want to maintain that image. I am a good dude and seeing this, that is not who I am. My mom raised me well. It kills me to have this interview to say my piece because I am not trying to throw anybody under the bus, but I have to clear my name and image. Because now I am walking on the street and everybody is looking at me different. I was walking around comfortable now I am feel uncomfortable because of these reports. I just feel some type of way.”
Belize City Thunderbolts player Charles Garcia is breaking his silence after a courtside clash with a spectator during Saturday night’s game at the Sacred Heart Auditorium. That fan was Ministry of Health and Wellness CEO Dr. Julio Sabido, who attended the match in a personal capacity.
Today, Garcia came to our studios to publicly apologise and clear his name. He said the moment does not reflect the man he truly is.
“First of all, basketball is my passion, my job, my life. I have been doing it all my life,” said Garcia. “If I feel a fan is heckling, which I respect, but then you hit someone with a threatening gesture, I am going to react.”
“I have a lot of regrets. I have an image. I am a father. I have a beautiful daughter, and I am a family man,” he added. “I want to maintain that image. I am a good dude and seeing this, that is not who I am. My mom raised me well.”
Garcia said the backlash has been difficult. “Now I am walking on the street, and everybody is looking at me different.”
Dr Sabido has accepted Garcia’s apology and is not pressing charges.
France’s presidential couple is suing U.S. conservative influencer Candace Owens for defamation over repeated claims that Brigitte Macron is a man.
The lawsuit follows a year of failed attempts to get Owens to retract the statement and continuous reports. “Each time we’ve done that, she mocked the Macrons; she mocked our efforts to set the record straight,” said the couple’s lawyer, Tom Clare. “Enough is enough; it was time to hold her accountable.”
Clare told CNN they will seek “substantial” damages if Owens continues spreading what he called “lies.” The 219-page complaint includes “extensive evidence” that Brigitte Macron “was born a woman; she’s always been a woman.”
In a YouTube video, Owens dismissed the lawsuit as “an obvious and desperate public relations strategy,” calling France’s First Lady “a very goofy man.”
Owen’s long-standing investigation claims that Brigitte was born as Jean-Michel Trogneux. Conspiracy theories about Brigitte’s gender have circulated for years. The Macrons have been married since 2007.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has named Trinidadian Narendra Ramgulam as its new Deputy Director of Sustainable Tourism. The role is a newly established position designed to support the CTO’s regional focus on sustainable and regenerative tourism.
Ramgulam joined the CTO in 2024 as a Sustainable Tourism Consultant and has since contributed to advancing the organisation’s Reimagine strategy.
As Deputy Director, he will lead initiatives across member countries, including Belize, to strengthen tourism sustainability, develop regional strategies, build capacity, and monitor program effectiveness.
Ramgulam previously served as Director of Tourism Product Development and Destination Management at the Tobago Tourism Agency, where he led award-winning sustainability efforts and helped strengthen the island’s reputation for safety during the pandemic.
He will begin his new role in mid-August at CTO Headquarters in Barbados.
Former Mayor of Benque Viejo and ex-Ambassador to Cuba, 50-year-old Said Badi Guerra, was granted bail this morning after appearing in the Benque Magistrate’s Court. He was charged with sexual assault, harm, and procuring defilement by threat.
The complaint was filed last week and involves a minor, whom Guerra confirmed was a “16-year-and-seven-month-old” male from San Ignacio who alleges that the incident occurred on July 14 in Benque Viejo. The teen was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Guerra confirmed he knows the complainant, describing him as “16 and seven months.”
Guerra maintained his innocence. He told the media this afternoon, “Belize knows me because I’ve worked with children and young people over the years since I was very young, and this is the very first time that these allegations have popped up, the first time I’ve seen myself involved in these kinds of things.”
According to Guerra, the public has wrongfully judged him, stating that “society needs to be more compassionate.” Guerra added, “Don’t take the position of God. Society, what would Jesus do?”
He said, “Every time there’s an incident that some people happen to do things, the society immediately jumps up and condemns and crucifies when it’s only an allegation. I will emphasise the word allegations because you’re innocent until proven guilty. Today it is still an allegation.”
Guerra was released on $10,000 bail with two sureties of the same amount.
Police are investigating the tragic death of a 16-month-old baby girl in Georgetown Village, Stann Creek District.
According to the Belize Police Department, on Wednesday the mother left her home around 5:00 a.m. to go to work, leaving her daughter in the care of her neighbor.
The mother told police that when she returned home around 4:00 p.m., she found her baby unresponsive.
According to the neighbor, she fed the child rice and gave her a bottle of chocolate milk around 1:30 p.m., then put her to sleep. Approximately two hours later, she reportedly found the infant lying in vomit and unresponsive.
Police are investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred in the Kings Park area of Belize City shortly after midnight on Thursday, 24 July.
Police say the incident happened just after midnight in the Kings Park area, when a 32-year-old woman had just entered her residence. A male intruder reportedly followed her inside, struck her in the head, and attempted to sexually assault her.
The woman managed to break free and ran to safety.
