2025-05-26 - Greater Belize Media

Budget Talks Heat Up in Belmopan

It’s budget season in Belmopan and the numbers are big, bold, and stirring up plenty of debate. For the next three days, members of the House of Representatives are deep in discussion over a nearly two-billion-dollar national budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister John Briceño laid out his one-point-seven-eight-billion-dollar plan, covering everything from roads and infrastructure to education, healthcare, and social support. But not everyone is convinced. Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton came out swinging today, calling the budget “optimism passed with selective statistics.” In her opening remarks, she argued that while the Prime Minister’s presentation may have been polished, it missed the mark on addressing the real, urgent needs of everyday Belizeans.

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“The government has prioritized a single high visibility intervention, the NHI roll out for the Cayo district. While neglecting other key components, boost, grocery bag assistance, housing for the underprivileged, skills training for the unemployed, healthcare for the elderly and abuse, and labor protections for those who are victimized. All are necessary for a comprehensive and resilient social protection system. It is on this platform that the PUP was first elected to govern in 2020 and again in 2025. The rallying cry, the promise of plan Belize and Plan Belize two 2.0 is that everybody fuh win, todos ganamos, we the stay pan track, let us be fair. While the roll out of our community-based healthcare made accessible to all Belizeans is indeed welcome, one program does not a system make. I hope to make the case on behalf of all Belizeans that the numbers presented by this Briceño administration does not, and let me say that again, does not signal performance. Rather it reveals a government that is obsessed with spending and allergic to accountability, reform and measuring the economic impact of their failing social protection policies.”

Panton Slams Government Over Airport Security Contracts

The budget debate took a fiery turn today as Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar Panton zeroed in on what she called questionable government spending. Referring to reports of twenty-eight million dollars in airport security contracts awarded to two firms under the Briceño administration, Panton didn’t mince words. She argued that when the government wants to find money—it does. But when it comes to the real needs of the people, she says, the funds suddenly disappear. Panton went further, accusing the administration of fostering a culture of corruption and calling for an end to what she described as the misuse of public funds.

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“Why has the government not contributed financially to improve household resilience. For the avoidance of any doubt, those of us on this side of the house support the call of our teachers for overdue salary increments and an eight-point five increase in salary. This administration can find the resources for all sort of programs and initiative, so let us find the money to pay our teachers and public officers who are first on call to make sacrifices whenever the needs arise. There should be consented efforts to improve the efficiency of government service, to enhance oversight of the public resource uses. To rebuild a severely problem financial system and to mitigate against that misappropriation of public funds. Corruption is rampant, the misuse of public funds must stop. Doing so will allow this administration to address the pressing concerns within the public sector.”

Fonseca Fires Back at Opposition Leader’s Budget Response

Freetown Area Representative and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, didn’t hold back during today’s budget debate. He dismissed Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton’s response as nothing more than “empty, hollow rhetoric.” Fonseca criticized her remarks as weak and uninspired, even suggesting her notes were filled with Google searches and ChatGPT-generated content. He also took a jab at the opposition’s presence in the House, pointing out that Hugo Patt and Miguel Guerra were both absent from the debate, leaving their side short on representation. Fonseca’s comments added another layer of tension to what’s already a fiery exchange over the proposed national budget been.

Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown

“She said we are not here to just criticize and oppose, we are here to be balanced and so, but the absolute betrayal of that desire was almost immediate when she started to talk. What followed was empty hollow rhetoric, this dark meaningless rhetoric which offered no vision for the country not one plan for the country. She said nothing about what the UDP could do, no plan for the country, no vision, ideas, solutions. Typical UDP, so in my view it was a very weak, lazy response. I say that, before anybody say the lady weak, lazy, I said that about the former leader too, his response was always lazy. No thought or effort had gone into the preparation of their presentation. Just lot of googling, lot of google thing extracted and paced, a lot of cut and pace or googling. Chat GPT nuh. Very disappointing. Even two members of the other team on her side already have a slim team over there, a maga team and two of them couldn’t bother to show up. Two of them could not get them selves out of bed to witness the leader of the opposition.”

Opposition Leader, “this crowd di tek we fuh kunumunu”

The budget debate continued with sharp criticism from the Opposition today, this time over a twenty-six-million-dollar loan motion tied to the Western Highway upgrade. Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton took aim at the Briceño administration’s infrastructure strategy, questioning its priorities. She pointed out that while nearly half of the highway project is being funded through this loan, not a single dollar is being invested in upgrading bus terminals, a key part of the public transport system. Panton argued that the government is leaning too heavily on road construction as its main economic driver, while overlooking the everyday needs of commuters.

Tracy Taegar Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“To tell the Belizean people, at our very first working session, before the prime minister could dot the last I and cross the last a loan motion was approved for the sum of twenty-six million dollars to over forty-seven percent of road repairs from Democracia to Belmopan. According to the member for Cayo South, who is responsible for the ministry of housing and infrastructure development, urgent repairs are needed. To listen to his logic one would never understand that millions have been invested over the years for highway upkeep that include this eighteen mile stretch. There was a time when the member of Cayo south use to stand up and make the case that people cannot eat streets. Now this is lauded as this government’s preferred strategy to keep the wheels of this economy going. This crowd the take we for kunu munu.”

DPM Hyde Defends Record-Breaking Budget, Fires Back at Opposition

Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde is standing firmly behind the Briceño administration’s proposed 2025/2026 budget, calling it the largest in Belize’s post-independence history. During today’s House Sitting, Hyde didn’t hold back. He took a jab at Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton, questioning whether she had even listened to the same budget presentation delivered two weeks ago. Hyde also took a moment to reflect on the state of the economy when the Briceño administration took office in November 2020, painting a picture of how far the country has come under their leadership.

Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister

“I rise in support of this budget, the biggest in post-independence Belize, one point seven eight billion Belize dollars, three hundred and three million dollars for the ministry of education alone, a hundred and eighty-one million for the ministry of health and wellness. A hundred and sixteen million for the ministry of home affairs, eighty- four million for the ministry of National Defense, six hundred and ninety-eight million for wages, salaries and exgratia payments and pension for our teachers and public officer. We are putting our money where our mouths are. So we forget that when we took over in November of 2020 that it was absolute worst of times. It was in the middle of COVID and tens of thousands of Belizeans were not working and hundred we drying, a total of six hundred and eighty-five. And we had to borrow a million a day to pay salaries for teachers and public officers. We were on the edge of an economic cliff. We were facing a most uncertain future, but the prime minister led and the rest is history.”

Medina Bank in Shock After Village Leader Killed in Brutal Attack

Shock and fear ripple through the Toledo District tonight after a brutal and senseless killing. The small village of Medina Bank is reeling after its alcalde, Romano Cal, was murdered in cold blood. The attack happened Sunday evening around seven o’clock, and the details are as disturbing as they are heartbreaking—Cal was reportedly chopped to death. Police say the motive is still unclear, but they are now searching for a suspect very close to home: Cal’s own brother, Raphael Cal, who is wanted for questioning. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith has more on this chilling case.

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“As it relates to the murder in Medina Bank on Sunday, May twenty-fifth, 2025, at approximately eight ten p.m., acting upon information, police proceeded to a residence in that village where the motionless body of Romano Cal fifty years old was observed. The body exhibited apparent chop wound to the upper part of the body, The scene was processed and he was transported to. The Punta Gorda hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The matter is currently under the investigation and police are seeking Mr. Raphael Cal, who is a relative of Mr. Romano Cal.”

Reporter

“Any motive for why he may have been attacked?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“No motive has been ascertained thus far.”

Reporter

“Were they under influence?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“There is no indication of yay so far.”

Reporter

“Did they live together?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“The information that we have received suggests that Mr. Cal would have arrived at home and the incident occurred subsequent to that.”

Reporter

“Had they had a tumultuous relationship previously, any arguments?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“The investigation is ongoing and statements are being recorded from the family member to ascertain that.”

Reporter

“Were other family members around?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“There is no information of that as yet. However, the investigation is ongoing.”

Reporter

“The suspect, did he have any violent tendencies or any report against him in court?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“We have not ascertained any information to that effect so far.”

Raphael Cal remains at large.

Missing Man Found Dead in Well

A heartbreaking discovery was made in San Pablo Village, Corozal, on Friday, where the search for forty-nine-year-old James Mendez ended in tragedy. Mendez, a local mechanic, had been missing since May twenty-first. After days of desperate searching, police found his body at the bottom of a well on his farm. The grim find confirmed what his family had feared. Mendez’s body showed multiple stab wounds to the chest and neck and was already in an advanced state of decomposition. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith shared details of the case in an official report.

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“On Friday, May twenty-third at eleven a.m., acting upon information. Police visited a farm in the Orange Walk District where they discovered the motionless body of forty-nine-year-old James Mendez, a Belizean mechanic of San Pablo Village Orange Walk. The scene was processed by scenes of crime personal and the body of Mendez was transported to the Northern Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Mendez was reported missing on Wednesday twenty-first, May, 2025 by a relative, who stated that the last time he was seen was on twentieth May when he would’ve departed his residence for a job.”

Reporter

“Is it classified a homicide or investigation?”

ASP Stacy Smith,

“It’s classified as a homicide.”

Reporter

“Do you have any idea why somebody might want to hurt him?”

ASP Stacy Smith,

“We have no information in relation to that. The investigation is still ongoing.”

Reporter

“Cause of death?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“The cause of death has not been ascertained. However, an injury was observed to his chest area. The body now awaits a post-mortem.”

Mother of Four Perishes in Motorcycle Collision

Tonight, heartbreak grips the community of Ladyville as a family mourns the tragic loss of Celia Carballo, a mother of four who was killed in a devastating motorcycle crash over the weekend. The accident happened on Sunday, when Celia and her boyfriend were thrown from their motorcycle after a violent collision with another rider. The crash has not only left a family shattered but has also raised serious concerns about road safety for motorcyclists. News Five’s Britney Gordon has more on this tragic story and the growing calls for action.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

What started as a simple run to the store ended in heartbreak for a Ladyville family. On their way back home Sunday night, Celia Carballo and her boyfriend, Francisco Cortez, were just about to turn onto Marage Road when their motorcycle was suddenly hit by another rider. The crash was violent—and tragically, Celia didn’t make it.

Dorita Witzil, Friend of Deceased

“At this moment, I can’t even digest it yet because I cannot believe. I just find out like fifteen minutes ago that it’s she. Earlier this morning, I just knew that that she was in an accident. I didn’t know that she passed away until a while ago. And it’s hard for me, just to find out something like that. And I just spoke to her on Saturday. And she was fine and good.”

Celia Carballo hadn’t lived in Ladyville long, just a few years with her boyfriend, Francisco Cortez, and one of her daughters, but in that short time, she made a big impact. She built strong friendships and became a familiar, friendly face in the community. One of those friends, local bakery owner Dorita Witzil, is still trying to process the loss. She describes Celia as a fighter who faced life’s challenges head-on and never lost her spark. Now, she’s heartbroken that her friend’s journey ended far too soon.

Dorita Witzil

“She’s a happy person regardless of what she’s going through. She’s very happy, regardless of her daughter or not here. She’s happy with her daughter that is here, this mother one with her.”

Dorita Witzil found out about her friend’s death in the most heartbreaking way. She hadn’t heard from Celia that morning, so she went over to check on her, only to be met with the devastating news. Just days earlier, they had spent the evening together, laughing and chatting like usual. Dorita had no idea it would be the last time she’d see her friend alive.

Reporter

“What was your last interaction with her like?”

Dorita Witzil

“It was good, normal. That’s why it’s hard to believe Saturday she was here laughing and I supposed to see her early this morning, but it didn’t happen. And that’s why that’s the concern when we never see her early this morning.”

At this time, Cortez remains hospitalized. Britney Gordon for News Five.

More details to come as the investigation continues.

Teen Killed in Early Morning Motorcycle Crash in Santa Elena

A tragic road accident has claimed the life of a young Belizean over the weekend. Just after 6 a.m. on Sunday, a motorcycle carrying two people was crossing the Santa Elena New Bridge, heading toward Loma Luz Boulevard, when the driver reportedly lost control and slammed into a lamppost. The impact threw both riders onto the pavement. Sixteen-year-old Denver Jackson suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith says investigations are ongoing as authorities work to determine what led to the deadly crash.

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“On Sunday twenty-fifth, May, 2025, information was received of a road traffic accident at the corner of Loma Luz Boulevard and the Trapiche area of Cayo District. Upon arrival, white in color Lifan motorcycle was observed and some thirty-tow feet away from the motorcycle was a male minor, namely Denver Jackson, who was observed with injuries to the upper part of his body and being treated by paramedics. Jackson was rushed to the San Ignacio Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately six twenty-three a.m.. The scene of the accident was processed and the matter is under investigation. The police have issued a notice of intended prosecution in the matter to Mr. Fernando Funez, who is the driver of the cycle.”

Reporter

“So he was riding together?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“He was on the motorcycle along with Mr. Funez. That’s the information that we have so far.”

Reporter

“Were urine samples taken?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“Yes. Urine samples have been collected.”

Reporter

“Do you know how the accident occurred?”

ASP Stacy Smith

“We have received information, however, the information that we have will be disclosed when that becomes necessary to be disclosed.”

Elmer Nah Triple Murder Trial Delayed as New Evidence Emerges

The highly anticipated voir dire in the Elmer Nah triple murder trial has been postponed to June 9, 2025. The delay came after Nah’s defense attorney requested more time to review new evidence disclosed just hours before the hearing. Justice Nigel Pilgrim granted the adjournment, citing fairness to the accused. Before the adjournment, the court addressed several procedural matters. Thirteen witness statements were agreed upon by both sides, and 15 live witnesses are expected to testify during the voir dire. Tensions briefly flared when Nah, despite having legal representation, interrupted proceedings to request enhanced video footage of the shooting. Justice Pilgrim reminded him to communicate through his attorney and warned against further outbursts. The court also discussed plans for the retired lead investigator to testify via video link from abroad. Justice Pilgrim confirmed that rulings made during the voir dire will carry over into the main trial. Notably, no relatives of the victims were present in court. Despite a request for a closed hearing, the proceedings remain open to the public. Security was visibly heightened, with GI3 officers stationed around the courthouse.