“If this will be problematic, I am prepared to take it down; I have no problem,” Mayor Earl Trapp told News 5 in response to criticism over the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Hall’s new title, the “Earl Trapp Building.”
According to Trapp, the decision to rename the town hall was made during a council meeting. “I want to go on record to say that I have 23 years in local government, 12 years as a councillor and 12 years as a mayor. Some of my councillors heard of many people mentioning why I have not named the synthetic football turf after my name or the town hall after my name,” Trapp said.
He added, “Someone took it seriously and brought it to the table as a resolution. To accredit my valuable contribution to this community… At the moment I said, To avoid public negativity, I prefer not to.”
Trapp explained that after continued dialogue, the decision was made to go with naming the building after him. He added that the building is also getting a fresh coat of paint to mark its tenth anniversary.
Chronic viral hepatitis continues to claim around 1.3 million lives annually, despite being largely preventable, treatable, and in some cases curable, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). This World Hepatitis Day, observed today, July 28, health experts are urging global action to break down financial, social, and systemic barriers that block access to testing, treatment, and prevention.
This year’s theme, “Hepatitis: Let’s Break It Down,” calls for the end of stigma and a push towards integrated, people-centred care. Investment in timely diagnosis and services like vaccination, safe injection practices, and treatment could prevent up to 2.8 million deaths by 2030.
New findings from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have also reclassified hepatitis D virus as carcinogenic to humans. It joins hepatitis B and C as known cancer-causing infections.
The World Health Organization notes that 10 countries, including China, India, and Indonesia, account for two-thirds of all hepatitis B and C cases globally. Despite advances in care since 2015, the pace of implementation remains slow.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Since 2000, investment in expanding global hepatitis B vaccination has already prevented almost 900,000 hepatitis B virus infections and over 65,000 hepatitis B-related deaths in the United States, saving $7.8 billion in estimated costs by 2070.”
“Hepatitis elimination is not only possible but achievable if we all work together to make it happen,” the World Hepatitis Alliance said in its statement. The organisation is calling for greater public awareness, stronger political support, and an end to stigma. It added that informed choices, adequate resources, and collective action are key to achieving the global goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
Six new community researchers have begun their journey with the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE), starting with their PADI Open Water Diver Certification.
The group will continue building skills in data collection and research techniques over the coming months. Once qualified, they will support ongoing scientific work in key protected areas, including the Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve.
These reserves are home to rich biodiversity and contested territory but are also one of its most vulnerable.
“Many of them free dive in Belize’s rivers and sea, and they are all keen to experience being underwater exploring our natural heritage using their new scuba skills,” TIDE said in a social media statement.
The training was led by instructors Nedia Chaplin and Moses Terry of Mango Creek and was supported by IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas and the Mesoamerican Reef Fund (MAR Fund).
Belize hosted a workshop this week focused on combating illegal firearms trafficking and improving coordination among Caribbean law enforcement agencies.
The 3-day event brought together the Belize Defence Force, Customs, Police, and the National Forensic and Science Service. The training included firearms tracing, identification, and marking.
Sharole Carr, CEO in the Ministry of Home Affairs, said the workshop strengthened coordination across agencies. “The results included a practical understanding of the complete tracking cycle, familiarisation with real forms and platforms, and improved coordination between police, prosecutors, and international actors.”
UNODC also donated drones to Belize for firearm detection and investigation. Roberto Rodríguez Codesal of UNODC said, “We understand the difficulties of conducting certain surveillance and investigations, and we believe that these drones can certainly help Belize.”
Rodríguez Codesal said integrated firearms centres are being promoted regionally to improve cooperation. “Firearms are a global crime, and it needs a united response, a global response… We think if all the regions have similar procedures, it will be easier for everyone to achieve the goals of these integrated firearms centres.”
This training was led by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with support from CARICOM IMPACS and the Government of Belize.
Police are investigating the death of Police Constable Ascenio Cus, 38, who was killed in a suspected hit-and-run early Monday morning. PC Cus was attached to the Ladyville Police Station.
Reports are that the incident occurred around 1:25 a.m. on the Philip Goldson Highway near Hakim Shipyard Bar & Grill.
PC Cus was heading toward Belize City on a motorcycle when he was knocked down by a vehicle on the Philip Goldson Highway near Hakim Disco Bar.
He was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where he was pronounced dead.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced today a new trade agreement with the European Union that will impose a 15 percent tariff on most European goods entering the United States, including cars.
The deal was struck days before the 1 August tariff deadline following talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “It’s a very powerful deal, it’s a very big deal, it’s the biggest of all the deals,” Trump said this morning.
Von der Leyen confirmed that some goods, such as aircraft components, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, would be excluded. She also clarified that the new tariff would not be added on top of existing duties.
Trump had previously threatened a 30 percent tariff if no agreement was reached. The 15 percent rate is higher than the 10 percent sought by the EU.
As part of the deal, the EU has agreed to purchase 750 billion dollars’ worth of US energy and invest an additional 600 billion dollars into the American economy. ABC News reported that Trump also stated the EU would be “purchasing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of military equipment.”
The Ministry of Human Development and the National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC) have strongly condemned all acts of sexual violence against children. In a joint statement, the Ministry and NCFC expressed “deepest outrage and unequivocal condemnation” of such crimes, calling for swift investigations, timely sentencing, and stronger protections for children.
It said, “Recent reports of heinous assaults on minors, including both boys and girls, highlight the urgent need for stronger community vigilance, swift justice, and comprehensive protection mechanisms for our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.”
It added, “No individual, whether an ordinary citizen or a high-ranking official, is above the law. Perpetrators of sexual violence against children must face the full weight of justice.”
The organisations are calling for immediate investigations into all child sexual abuse allegations and appropriate sentencing that prioritises children’s safety.
The most recent report involves former Benque Viejo mayor and ex-ambassador Said Badi Guerra, 50, who was released on a $10,000 bail with two sureties. Guerra is facing charges of sexual assault, harm, and procuring defilement by threat in a case involving a 16-year-old male.
Guerra denies the allegations. Meanwhile, the teenager spoke to News 5, stating, “I find it so unfair for all he did to me. At no moment I gave him consent, and he just took over me, and I feel violated.”
The minor’s mother provided News 5 with photos of the injuries her son sustained during the alleged rape.
Belize’s golden girls have done it again. From under-21 champions in 2024 to now dominating the under-23 category, Team Belize is officially the powerhouse of Central American women’s volleyball. On Thursday night, the Civic Center was electric as our national team faced off against Guatemala for the gold, and let’s just say, they didn’t disappoint. With a stadium full of passionate fans cheering them on, Belize sealed another historic win. News Five’s Paul Lopez was courtside for all the action and filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Belize’s U-23 women’s volleyball team struck gold in front of a sold-out Civic Center. Fans lined up early, some paying double, or even quadruple, for tickets just to witness the showdown against Guatemala. Inside, the energy was electric. Belizean flags waved, the crowd roared with every point, and Team Belize delivered a dominant four-set win to claim the Central American championship. National pride was on full display as the golden girls made history once again.
Voice of: Game Announcer
“MVP of the tournament, number twelve from Belize Kaya Gordon.”
Kaya Gordon
Kaya Gordon, M.V.P., Central America Volleyball Championship
“I am proud, I am a proud Belizean. I have been working hard on my shoulder, trying to strengthen my shoulder and I am just proud, proud of my teammates and that I get to represent Belize and do something great for Belize.”
Paul Lopez
“What did you understand coming into this tournament was your role?”
Kaya Gordon
“To lead and also to be one of the teammates to uplift my team and also to give my team grace.”
But winning two gold medals in consecutive Central American tournaments did not come overnight. Coach Lupita Quan has been one of the driving forces behind developing the team over the years. She has witnessed disappointing and heartbreaking losses, all culminating in this point. Belize is the most dominant team in the region in women’s volleyball.
Lupita Quan
Lupita Quan, Coach, National Women’s Volleyball Team
“It is a really proud moment for us, because it shows that we did not just do it once, but we are able to repeat it. It shows consistency. This is a real program in the making and that the girls are there in it all the time. And we are not just one and done.”
Paul Lopez
“I think a lot of countries want to know, what is the secret?”
Lupita Quan
“Well first of all, you have to seek out the players who really have the ability to play, regardless of economic circumstance and I think that is what really holds us from a lot of other countries. Anybody that can play and is willing to play can afford to play. It is not paid for. It is something that is open to every once you have the ability and the will to do it.”
One of the driving forces behind Team Belize’s golden run is Gareth ‘Mighty Mouse’ Bruce. Small in stature but huge in heart, Bruce has captained her team to not one, but two championship titles. On Thursday night, as the crowd roared and gold medals were draped around their necks, Bruce took a moment to reflect, not just on the win, but on the tough losses that came before it. From heartbreak to history, she’s led with grit, grace, and a whole lot of fight.
Gareth Bruce
Gareth Bruce, Captain, National Women’s Volleyball Team
“We are a very confident team. We had to tell our teammates that we need to stay confident. But we are very confident and positive in our preparation and coaches and we trust in each other and that is what made us successful.”
Paul Lopez
“Two gold years, back to back, you really have to look at this moment and embrace it don’t you?”
Gareth Bruce
“Yeah, Belize is a small country and we are a small team. Like I said before we have been losing before we started winning and right now as a team, if they were here before taking the loses or here now taking the wins, we got to appreciate. We have grown a lot as a country, a lot as a program and a lot as a team.”
Kaya Gordon also received an individual award for best attacker, while Nisaan Martinez received an individual award for Best Opposite.
Tonight, we continue our coverage of a troubling case involving former ambassador Said ‘Badi’ Guerra, who now faces charges for the sexual assault of a sixteen-year-old boy. The family, his mother and uncle, spoke with us under strict anonymity and gave permission for us to hear directly from the teenager. The mother, still reeling from the trauma, says she’s not only heartbroken by what happened to her son, but also frustrated with how authorities and medical personnel handled the situation. She told us that after her brother picked up the boy in Benque, they rushed to the San Ignacio Hospital, only to have his lungs and back checked. Unsatisfied, they went to a clinic in Benque Viejo, where a doctor finally called in the police and a social worker. Tanya Arceo has their story.
Tanya Arceo, Reporting
The sixteen-year-old at the heart of this case is still trying to make sense of what happened. He told us he feels overwhelmed, traumatized, anxious, and afraid to return to school. And it’s no wonder, his alleged abuser, Said ‘Badi’ Guerra, isn’t just a familiar face… he’s his third form teacher. With his family’s permission, we share part of what this young man told us.
Voice Of: Alleged Sexual Assault Victim
Voice Of: Alleged Sexual Assault Victim
“I find it so unfair because what for all he did to me um at no moment I give him consent and he just take action over me and I feel violated and also scared traumatized I feel very nervous I really want to go back to school but with all this that happened I feel very insecure what if I go back to school and he is there since he was one of my lecturers and if I go back to high school and I see him there I would get flash backs and that will just affect me mentally.”
Guerra has been arraigned and released on bail in connection with the alleged sexual assault of the male minor. The family says they are frustrated with how the case has been handled, pointing to gaps in the medical response and a report that doesn’t match what they were told by the doctor.
Voice of: Mother of Minor
Voice of: Mother of Minor
“I am not satisfied with what this morning the judge do because he gives bail to Mr. Guerra and he need to be punishment what had done to my son because it’s really true that he raped my son and I will do everything he pay what he had done to my son.”
Reporter
“And you have your medical record?”
Voice of: Mother of Minor
“I have all my medical report about what he had done to my son”
The teen’s mother says what she was told by the doctor and what ended up in the official medical report just doesn’t match. According to her, the doctor clearly said her son had been penetrated. But when she got the report, it said nothing of the sort. Even more concerning, the document was missing a signature she expected to see. Now, the family is left with more questions than answers, and they’re demanding clarity.
Voice of: Mother of Minor
“The doctor from Benque Viejo that make the full check up to my son he tells mepersonal me that he raped my son that he had hurt him all from inside and he had a lot of pain so it’s true that he hurt my son raping my son.”
Said Guerra had indicated to us that he would grant an interview, but this is still pending. The alleged victim remains confused and in shock, still dealing with a loose tooth reportedly caused by a punch, and hoping to receive counseling. I am Tanya Arceo for News Five.
As the situation involving Said Guerra remains under scrutiny, the Ministry of Human Development, in collaboration with the National Commission for Families and Children, has issued a joint statement strongly condemning all acts of sexual violence against children. The release emphasizes the urgent need for swift investigations, community vigilance, and stronger child protection systems. Authorities stress that no one, regardless of social or professional status, is above the law. They are also urging the public to report suspected abuse and to support survivors in their pursuit of justice and healing. No one is above the law, and every child has the right to safety, dignity, and justice. The NCFC further emphasizes, quote, such acts are unacceptable under any circumstances and must never be excused or minimized, regardless of the alleged perpetrator’s social, political, or professional standing, end quote.
