2025-06-26 - Greater Belize Media

Defense Challenges Key Testimony in Nah Case

The courtroom drama continues in the high-profile case involving Elmer Nah, now in its second week of voir dire hearings. This morning, the spotlight was back on a key witness, a Justice of the Peace, whose testimony could determine whether a crucial statement makes it into evidence. She claims she witnessed the statement being taken from shooting victim Vivian Belisle Ramnarace. But under intense cross-examination, she admitted something surprising: she didn’t write her own statement—the investigating officer, PC Jose Carillo, took down the report. That revelation has defense attorney Doctor Lynden Jones digging deeper, questioning the credibility and process behind the evidence. With one more police witness expected to take the stand, all eyes remain on Justice Nigel Pilgrim, who will soon decide whether this statement will be allowed in the trial.

Kareem Musa Touts ‘Historic Gains’ in Policing

Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa says the past year has brought what he calls “historic gains”—from high-tech upgrades and station renovations to mental health support for officers and specialized training to tackle modern threats like cybercrime and human trafficking. But what do these changes mean for you, your community, and the future of policing in Belize?

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“Over the past year, the Belize Police Department has made historic gains in crime prevention, modernization and community engagement, gains you are now entrusted to uphold and build upon. In the area of infrastructure and service delivery modernization, we have renovated over fifteen police stations and substations countrywide, including Santa Cruz, Orange Walk, Mesopotamia and Sand Hill. With the support of the US Embassy, we installed interview recording systems in six major investigative hubs, bringing transparency and accountability to key moments in case development. And soon, we will launch the police records management information systems, a digital backbone that will modernize how we track crime and manage case data across Belize. In terms of our officer wellness and professional development, we opened the Lotus Center, Belize’s first dedicated mental health facility for police officers, a space where those who protect others can be supported themselves. The department also conducted forty-four specialized training sessions, from financial crime and fraud, to narcotics detection, human trafficking prevention and cybercrime and forensics, ensuring that officers are prepared for today’s evolving criminal landscape.”

Placencia Fights for Its Point: Gov’t Seeks Deal to Reclaim Beloved Beach

Earlier this month, we brought you the story of Placencia Village residents rallying for the return of a cherished piece of coastline, Placencia Point. It’s more than just a beach; it’s the cultural heart of the community and the iconic home of Lobster Fest. But right now, it’s in private hands, and villagers say that it just doesn’t sit right. They believe the land, rich in history and tradition, should belong to the people. After a protest earlier this June, the pressure is on. So, what’s the government doing about it? Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde says they’re working on a deal with the landowner—and in the meantime, he’s asked that the community be allowed to host this year’s Lobster Fest on the site. Here’s where things stand.

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources

“We met with the village council recently. That has been on the table for a bit. The beautiful Placencia point has been in private hands from the 1870s. It changed hands in 2022. The new owners have ambitious plans. But that area is near and dear to the Placencia Village Council, and they appeal to us to acquire it for a public purpose. We initiated that by doing a first publication in July 2023 which initiated a discussion between us and the owners. We are kind of far a part in terms of value to us and what the owners want. The owners want four and a half million, our valuation is closer to one point three. We have spend some time trying to reach some middle ground and we have not been successful. The village is worried about their ability to host the lobster fest there in the coming weeks. We have written to the owners to so do and then we will reach an agreement, and we are hopeful we can reach an agreement in time.”

Placencia Residents Protest Sand Mining as Erosion Threat Grows

Just weeks after rallying for the return of Placencia Point, residents of the coastal village are raising another red flag, this time over what they say is illegal sand mining along their windward coast. The community staged a demonstration last week, warning that the mining activity could worsen the beach erosion that’s already threatening their shoreline. And with the coastline literally slipping away, they’re demanding answers. So, what’s being done about it? We put that question to the man in charge Minister of Natural Resources and Mining, Cordel Hyde.

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources

“The mining director was out of the country the entire of last week, so I have not seen that letter. But, basically the last time we met with the village council we met with the mining director and went through those allegations previous to that. I know our people have been there trying to figure out what is happening. So I will communicate with the mining director for her to get on that pretty soon.”

Belize Honors Fishers, Confronts Marine Threats

It’s a day to honor the hands that cast the nets and the hearts that protect our seas. The Wildlife Conservation Society is celebrating Belize’s rich fishing heritage with its 2025 Fisher of the Year Award, an event that not only recognizes excellence in sustainable fishing but also highlights the urgent need to protect our marine ecosystems. Last year, Carlos Arevalo reminded us of the vital role fishers play in our economy and culture. Hector Martinez Senior, of Riversdale, is among the fisherfolk awarded this year. Accepting on his behalf is his daughter, Isela Martinez.

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Unions to Decide on GOB’s Latest Salary Offer

The Joint Unions Negotiating Team (JUNT) is expected to decide soon whether to accept the Government of Belize’s revised salary adjustment proposal, which includes an 8.5% increase and two frozen increments over two years.

As previously reported, Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde confirmed that the latest offer to the unions involves an increase of half a percentage to the initial rolloutof the 8.5%, which would bring it to 4.5% starting in October.

According to Caliz, the offer is split into two phases: 4.5% in October 2025 and 4% the following year, with increments scheduled for April 2026 and April 2027.

BNTU President Nadia Caliz stressed that union leaders alone cannot make the final call.

“They are giving us eight point five, whether it is four point five and four,” Caliz said. “I thought we agreed that we were going to take it to our membership and then go from there. But now that the government side went ahead to put it out there publicly, that again is a decision for our members to decide.”

GOB Offers Unions Half a Percentage More

The Government of Belize has tabled a new salary adjustment proposal to the Joint Unions Negotiating Team (JUNT). Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde told News 5 this afternoon that he remains hopeful that this time around, it may bring an end to weeks of deadlock in negotiations between the Government of Belize and

Talks resumed today at the ITVET compound in Belize City, as JUNT reviewed the government’s third proposal, a revised offer that includes an 8.5% salary adjustment and reinstatement of two frozen increments over two years, which have been key issues for teachers and public officers.

The latest proposal offers an increase of half a percentage, bringing it to 4.5% to start rolling out in October.

Hyde confirmed that the revised offer goes beyond the previously proposed 4%, stating, “Yeah, it’s actually going to be four and a half per cent on October 1st of this year, which is more than half of the original request of eight and a half per cent.”

He added that the government has laid out a clear two-year timeline for the full adjustment. “It took us a while for us to reach this point that we can say, ‘Okay, this is what we are going to be able to do, and this is a timeline,'” Hyde said. “We’ve spelt out to them very clearly the timeline in terms of how we are going to get those stuff done over the next two years.”

Union leaders are expected to present the proposal to their members ahead of a major public demonstration for this Saturday.

“We are hopeful that the membership will see that we’ve been a good fit and see that we’ve delivered on their demands, on their requests,” Hyde stated. “We have a third proposal and hopefully this is ‘THE’ proposal.”

US Deputy Secretary Presses OAS to Prove Its Relevance or Risk US Withdrawal

At the opening plenary of the OAS General Assembly in Antigua and Barbuda, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called on the Organisation of American States (OAS) to demonstrate real results in tackling pressing crises in the region or risk losing the support of the United States of America.

Landau spoke on behalf of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US delegation and confirmed that the US is reviewing its membership in all international organisations, including the OAS.

The review stems from an executive order by President Donald Trump requiring an assessment of whether these memberships align with US interests and are capable of reform.

“We must ask ourselves how the organisation remains relevant today and whether it’s achieving its lofty and noble goals,” Landau said. He pointed out the OAS’s long-standing mission to preserve peace, promote justice, and defend sovereignty. “Can we really say that the organisation is succeeding in these goals today?”

He used the recent crises in Venezuela and Haiti as examples of the OAS’s inaction. “The Chavez-Maduro regime has taken Venezuela from one of the most prosperous nations in our hemisphere to one of the most wretched,” Landau said. Despite widespread electoral fraud and an ongoing humanitarian crisis, he stated that the OAS had done “nothing of substance” in response.

He also criticised the organisation’s lack of engagement in Haiti, where gangs have taken over major parts of the capital and governance has all but collapsed. “The United States welcomes a role for the OAS in responding to the political crisis in Haiti,” he said. “If the OAS is unwilling or unable to play a constructive role in Haiti, then we must seriously ask ourselves why the OAS exists.”

Landau added, “It’s time for the OS to show results… The bottom line is that the United States is uniquely positioned at this juncture to be an active partner in the hemisphere. We’d like this organisation to be part of the solution, not the problem.”

Testigo sobreviviente relata la masacre de la familia Ramnarace

Yenie Alberto, la única sobreviviente del triple asesinato de la familia Ramnarace, ofreció este jueves su desgarrador testimonio sobre los hechos ocurridos en la noche de Año Nuevo de 2022.

Alberto, quien era pareja de David Ramnarace, recordó que esa noche la pasaron tranquilamente en casa junto a su cuñado Jon, su esposa Vivian, y el bebé de la pareja, celebrando las festividades en Maya Mopan. Horas después, todo cambió con el ataque armado que le costó la vida a los tres adultos.

El miércoles, tres médicos declararon en el juicio: dos doctores confirmaron que Vivian se mantuvo lúcida y coherente en los días posteriores al tiroteo, mientras que un especialista en salud mental explicó cómo ayudó a la madre a preparar a su hija para conocer la pérdida de su padre.

La última testigo fue la Jueza de Paz Catherine McKenzie, quien supervisó la declaración de Vivian antes de fallecer. Ese testimonio, que presuntamente identifica al autor del crimen, fue evaluado este jueves.

El juicio, presidido por el magistrado Nigel Pilgrim, sigue en curso.

Policía incauta 70 libras de presunta marihuana en King’s Park

Más de setenta libras de presunta marihuana fueron retiradas de las calles este miércoles tras un operativo policial en el área de King’s Park, Ciudad de Belize.

El operativo se realizó al mediodía, cuando agentes ingresaron a una residencia y hallaron treinta paquetes del supuesto estupefaciente. Parte de la droga estaba escondida en dos contenedores, incluyendo un barril de plástico negro.

En el lugar se encontraba Rebecca Marlene Daniels, una beliceña de 24 años, desempleada, quien ahora está siendo interrogada por las autoridades en relación con el hallazgo.

Las investigaciones continúan.