After nearly a decade of waiting, the government has finally increased the financial support allocated to the University of Belize, but the dollar amount isn’t exactly what the University was hoping for. The government has pledged to supply an eight point seven-million-dollar subvention to the institution- a one point three-million-dollar difference from the union’s initial demand. Previously, the government claimed that sufficient funds were being handed to the institution, but the union maintained that the university could not operate efficiently under its current conditions. Additionally, the ten-million-dollar demand was not a figure contrived entirely by the union. It was the original subvention provided to the university in 2000 but would later be reduced to eight-point-five million under the previous UDP administration. The People’s United Party then committed to restoring the ten million dollars but have yet to fulfil that promise.
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.
On Thursday night, we broke a major story, American casino boss Rima Ray has been in police custody for several days. Her arrest follows a months-long investigation, and now she’s facing a string of charges tied to illegal gambling. Back here in Belize, News Five reached out to the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Gaming Control Board with details of Ray’s arrest. Tonight, there is a major development. The Ministry of Finance has revoked the gaming license for GMK Sky Limited or Caribi Bleu Casino. A late afternoon release from the ministry says that the public should not engage in any activity with GMK Sky Limited. The ministry also says that all operations at the casino must cease and desist. Meanwhile, News Five is continuing its deep dive into Rima Ray’s operations in Belize. Paul Lopez has the latest in this developing story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Rima Ray, an American casino operator in Belize, is behind bars in the U.S. on charges related to gambling, fraud and the establishment of an illegal gaming business. And, if you are wondering why we refer to Ray as a woman, that is because she was born a female. Ray, however, transitioned to a man. In Belize she is known to most as Remington Ray. But even her inmate record refers to her as a forty-five-year-old female. She first came under our radar in October of 2024, after News Five received reports that Ray had acquired dozens of golfcart permits in an already traffic-congested San Pedro Town. At the time, Mayor Walberto Nunez denied those claims.
Walberto Nunez
Walberto Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro Town (File: Nov 6th, 2024)
“That is not a fact, initially when, I didn’t even know exactly when they changed ownership because it went from Pedros to Monetta and then Caribi Bleu.”
Mayor Nunez told us that he has knowledge of Ray but did not know her personally. And when we asked the Area Representative, Andre Perez about his knowledge of this individual, he denied knowing her.
Remington Ray
Paul Lopez
“Do you know an individual by the name of Remington Ray, the owner of Caribi Bleu Casino?”
Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South
“No I don’t.”
When the San Pedro Town Council’s Traffic Department gave us access to the traffic log, Mayor Nunez’s explanation checked out; twenty golfcart permits registered to Caribi Bleu Limited. But the story did not quite add up. News Five received video of golfcarts tucked away in a building adjacent to Rima Ray’s casino. However, when we gained access to that building, it was practically empty, except for a few old gaming machines. So, what was Ray hiding? It turned out that the real story was not in that empty room, but rather inside the casino itself. An unauthorized ATM machine, operational, dispensing U.S. currency.
Paul Lopez
“How is it that a casino can operate a casino undetected for a period of time?”
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank (File: Nov 27th, 2024)
“I have a better question, how is it configured? So, again the techies in my IT department could probably give me some idea.”
The Financial Intelligence Unit is now revisiting the case with the latest information in hand. Today, Chairman of the Gaming Control Board, Bob Bounahra, informed News Five that the gaming board is working with all relevant authorities, including the FIU, to deal with this matter under the scope of the law.
So, could there be a link between Rima Ray’s illegal gambling operation in Florida and her business dealings right here in Belize? And what about that shady ATM that was quietly removed after being loaded with U.S. cash? Authorities are now trying to trace the source of those funds. What we do know is this: when U.S. agents arrested Ray, she had over three hundred thousand U.S. dollars in cash. Her explanation? She claimed it came from selling part of her casino in Belize. But investigators aren’t just taking her word for it. There’s a lot more to uncover, and we’re following every lead.
We continue our deep dive into a hundred and sixteen locations across the country that the Government of Belize is currently renting. Today, we visited several of those locations in Belize City, including those along Regent Street, Albert Street, Euphrates Avenue, and the George Price Highway. By all indications these buildings are in use by the government agencies listed in the documents provided to News Five. The exterior of some of these structures is evidently in need of some urgent upgrades. And that is just the exterior. We have not gotten a chance, just yet, to take a thorough walkthrough of some of these structures to get a clearer picture of their interior condition, to better understand what our tax dollars are being spent on. But again, its one hundred and sixteen spaces, so we are in this one for the long haul, simply because Belizeans deserve transparency. On the other hand, we keep pressing the Ministry of Public Service to release those individual tenancy contracts so that the public can know if we are getting value for money.
It’s been nearly a decade since the landmark Maya Land Rights Consent Order was signed and today, the Caribbean Court of Justice held another monitoring hearing to check in on its progress. The case, brought by the Maya Leaders Alliance against the Attorney General of Belize, continues to shape how indigenous land rights are recognized and protected. At the start of today’s session, CCJ President Justice Winston Anderson acknowledged some positive strides, but also pointed to ongoing challenges that still need attention. So, where do things stand now?
Justice Winston Anderson, President, CCJ
“On the positive side we noticed that the draft policy has been shared with the appellants and that is very useful. No doubt we will hear from the appellants their views on the draft policy. There has also been very active engagement by the new Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Minister Zabaneh and we commend that effort on the minister’s part. There was a new executive officer, Mr. Williams, and he has also been involved. We recognize there was a meeting between eh appellants and the sub committee of Cabinet. We will hear a bit more about that, but that was a very positive move between the last monitoring hearing and today. We do have some challenges. We want to find out what progress has been made in terms of deliverables agreed to on the last occasion we were together.”
The road to securing Maya land rights just hit another bump. Today, during a monitoring hearing at the Caribbean Court of Justice, it was revealed that key deliverables from the last session haven’t been met. Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck, representing the Attorney General, admitted that the Maya Leaders Alliance wasn’t satisfied with the proposed policy and wants major changes. Meanwhile, CCJ President Justice Winston Anderson asked for an update on draft legislation that’s already made its way to Cabinet. The original plan was to iron out differences through that legislation, but now, it seems that approach may be shifting. Attorney Leslie Mendez, representing the MLA, also weighed in.
Andrew Marshalleck, Attorney-at-law
“I think it has. As I said the new minister has been getting his feet wet and met with the parties and decided how he would prefer to proceed. So he is making those proposals to Cabinet. Of course, a substantial part of that policy was already considered and approved by Cabinet. So if it is to be revisited in a substantial way then the issues will have to go back to Cabinet for reconsideration.”
Leslie Mendez, Attorney-at-law
“The issue that we raised in our July third letter are not new issues. Those are issues we have been asking the government for some time, I would say nearly two years. We had been asking them to engage with those issues and we have been waiting for their response to those specific point of disagreements we have with tje policy. Our July letter set those out, reiterating the issues and it is fair to say we have not reengaged in a dialogue, an exchange of ideas with how we can reach middle ground in these issues. I do also want to clarify that it is not our position, I don’t think it is as intransigent that legislation is absolutely not to be discussed or proceeded with why we seek to engage in policy.”
Earlier this week, Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca wrapped up a two-day visit to the Organization of American States headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was a high-level trip packed with important conversations, from border security to the fallout over the cancelled Millennium Challenge Corporation grant. That grant, worth a staggering one hundred and twenty-five million U.S. dollars, was scrapped back in April after the Trump administration shut down the program. Fonseca sat down with foreign representatives to discuss what this means for Belize and where we go from here. He shared some insight into those meetings.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“ I also had meetings with congressman, the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs house committee Congressman Meeks, Gregory Meeks of New York. And I had a meeting with the Chairman of the Republican, chairman of the House Committee for Foreign Affairs Congressman Mass, Chairman Mass. And again, there we talked about the different challenges Belize was facing. We discussed issues that we wanted their support with, including the MCC issue. Belize, Guatemala, we talked about as well. In many different areas of support that we could work on and collaborate on together. So that I found, again very useful.”
Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca was in Washington, D.C. this week, meeting with top officials at the Organization of American States to discuss some of the country’s most pressing issues, from border security to building strategic partnerships. But one meeting didn’t happen: Fonseca didn’t get face time with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Earlier this year, Rubio toured the Caribbean and Central America, meeting with leaders across the region, but Belize was left off the itinerary. Instead, Prime Minister John Briceño received only a phone call. So, what’s behind the diplomatic distance? Following his trip, we asked Minister Fonseca why Belize still hasn’t had a sit-down with the U.S. Secretary of State.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minster of Foreign Affairs
“Secretary Rubio has not met with any foreign minister, he’s met with leaders, heads of government, and as he had a very extensive phone conversation with Prime Minister about two months ago. So we’re absolutely satisfied with the discussions we had. As I said, we’ve had a number of meetings with members of the State Department, including the Deputy Secretary Landau, who is responsible for the Western Hemisphere, and that has always been the nature of the relationship between Belize and the Secretary of the State Department. We work with the on the Secretary who is responsible for the Western Hemisphere. So we have a great working relationship with. Deputy Secretary Landau. As I said on this visit, I met with Secretary Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security. We are absolutely satisfied with that and we are fully confident that Secretary Rubio is engaged, understands what’s happening, and is committed to a good working relationship with Belize.”
