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A Guatemalan national is hospitalized after he was shot on the leg inside the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Porfilio Ramirez Tirgeros, from the border community of La Rejoya, was along with another individual when they were caught poaching illegally, by an F.C.D. patrol. Ramirez Tirgeros is said to have advanced toward the patrol and this is […]
Written on June 8, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Guatemalan Shot Inside Chiquibul; Illegal Poaching Ongoing
The Organization of American States is conducting an investigation to determine the geographical location of a team of Belize Defense Force soldiers, who ventured into an area of the adjacency zone in southern Belize near Jalacte Village. This follows a report from Guatemalan media that the B.D.F. officers illegally entered into a settlement on the […]
Written on June 3, 2020 | Posted in
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Regional / International |
Comments Off on O.A.S. to Verify Whether Belizean Soldiers Crossed Over into Guatemala
There is a developing situation along the western border near Jalacte Village. Reports in the Guatemalan media claim that Belize Defence Force soldiers illegally crossed the border into Guatemala. The online media reports say that the B.D.F. soldiers crossed the adjacency line to take land measurements at a Guatemalan community known as Santa Cruz, San […]
Written on June 2, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on O.A.S. Asked to Confirm B.D.F. Soldiers’ Location
Voting will take place on June seventeenth for the Police Association of Belize. Long time president Corporal Arzu is seeking re-election and his opposing slate is being led by Sergeant Jane Usher. Arzu has had a rocky relationship with Commissioner Chester Williams who has questioned the legitimacy and legality of Arzu’s presidency. Today, Commissioner Williams told […]
Written on May 22, 2020 | Posted in
Defense |
Comments Off on ComPol Williams Says He Won’t Campaign Against Cpl. Eldon Arzu
The destruction of several clandestine airstrips across the country is an ongoing exercise being carried out by the Ministry of National Security, in light of their usage for the illegal landing of drug planes. While Chief Executive Officer Felix Enriquez did not divulge operational details or specific locations, he told News Five via phone this […]
Written on May 13, 2020 | Posted in
Crime,
Defense |
Comments Off on Destruction of Clandestine Airstrips Continue
Several clandestine airstrips have been identified for destruction in the Toledo District where an operation led by the Belize Defense Force will continue to see these makeshift runways being destroyed in the days ahead. The coordinated destruction exercise is being carried out by the B.D.F. demolition squad as part of the Ministry of National Security’s […]
Written on May 12, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Illegal Airstrips Destroyed in Toledo
A solemn ceremony was held in the village of Big Falls, Toledo, for fallen soldier Corporal Reynaldo Choco. His flag-draped casket was carried from his house in the village, to the Lady of Guadalupe Church and then to the burial site, where he received a gun salute. The corporal was one of four officers of […]
Written on March 4, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Corporal Reynaldo Choco is Laid to Rest in Big Falls
The Belize Defense Force has come under fire for the manner in which it handled the notification of the families of the deceased airmen. As with Jean Baizar, who lost a son in the fatal helicopter crash, Jasmin Choco also found out about the accident that claimed her husband’s life on social media. That was […]
Written on March 4, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Grieving Wife Not Satisfied with BDF Silent Treatment
While the B.D.F. effected its internal protocols to confirm that all four men had indeed perished in the crash before notifying their respective next of kin of the tragedy, it is facing serious criticism that the information could have been passed on in a more timely manner. In the case of Jasmin Choco, her tenacity […]
Written on March 4, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on “You can never be informed quickly enough” – Mike Peyrefitte
A preliminary report following an investigation into the deadly helicopter crash has been submitted to Rear Admiral John Borland, who is coordinating a probe into the incident that claimed four lives last Thursday. That initial draft was tendered to him earlier today by Captain Elton Bennett of the Belize Coast Guard. While details of the […]
Written on March 4, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Preliminary Report into Helicopter Crash Completed
The issue of compensation for the families of the four deceased airmen has been raised in light of the fact that B.D.F. personnel do not qualify for social security benefits. While News Five understands that recompense will be offered to the respective families by government, the Minister of National Security says that details of the […]
Written on March 4, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Families of Deceased Airmen are Expected to be Compensated
The untimely demise of the head of the B.D.F. Air Wing, as well as his second-in-command, has left a vacuum in the leadership of that military unit and in the days ahead, a succession plan will have to be implemented for another officer to assume its helm. While that consideration will be made sooner rather […]
Written on March 4, 2020 | Posted in
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Featured |
Comments Off on Who Will Now Lead BDF Air Wing?
Corporal Yassir Mendez joined the Belize Defence Force as a member of Intake fifty-three in 2010. He was posted to the air wing in 2011. He served there up to the time of his untimely death, along with three of his colleagues in the line of duty last week. Today Mendez was buried in his […]
Written on March 3, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Corporal Yassir Mendez is buried with military honours
The families of the fallen officers have made public their disappointment that they learnt of the demise of their loved ones on social media and not from the B.D.F. command. Today, we spoke to Retired Captain Derricia Jael who has a bachelor’s in aircraft maintenance. She formed part of the Belize Defence Force as the […]
Written on March 3, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Ret’d Capt. Comments on Tragic Helicopter Crash
According to the Ministry of National Security, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard Captain Elton Bennett is the lead investigator, under command of Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral John Borland, into the tragic incident. Experts from BATSUB, the U.S. and Mexico are also assisting in the investigation. A final report is expected in two weeks. […]
Written on March 3, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on What Caused the Helicopter to Crash?
As you have heard, the families of the deceased soldiers have complained that the Belize Defence Force failed to notify them that the men had gone missing even though there are procedures that should be followed in such an event. The anti-drug operation occurred on Thursday morning and it was not until Friday, that the […]
Written on March 3, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Families of Deceased Soldiers Learn of Crash on Social Media
Tonight, flags are flying at half mast at public buildings as the country mourns the deaths of four B.D.F. officers. The wreckage of the helicopter was removed from the crash site in Gales Point Lagoon over the weekend and experts are assessing the damage and cause of the crash. The remnants of the chopper have […]
Written on March 2, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Investigation underway into fatal heli crash!
The mother of deceased pilot Radford Baizar said on Friday that the family didn’t get an official word from the Ministry nor the B.D.F. that the pilot had perished. The family found out about his demise on social media, though at Friday’s press conference last Thursday, the Ministry said that the families were informed. Tonight, […]
Written on March 2, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on The Choco Family says Ministry nor B.D.F informed them of son’s death
The deaths so the B.D.F. officer is evoking strong sentiments everywhere. The People’s United Party critical of the handling of the worst airs disaster that claimed the lives of Major Adran Ramirez, Major Radford Baizar, Corporal Yassir Mendez and Corporal Reinaldo Choco. The P.U.P. notes that the inaction by Government, coupled with the lack of […]
Written on March 2, 2020 | Posted in
Defense |
Comments Off on PUP is critical over GOB’s inaction following the deadly BDF crash
Tonight we bring you more of our interview with the member of the civilian staff at the B.D.F. The victim has been working there for many years but as you heard in our Thursday night’s newscast, she doesn’t feel safe at her workplace. She feels that the culture at the B.D.F has encouraged some members […]
Written on January 31, 2020 | Posted in
Crime,
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Comments Off on Does the B.D.F. Tolerate Sexual Harassment of its Female Staff? One Victim Speaks Out
The head of the Belize Defence Force Brigadier General Steven Ortega today braced for reporters who sought answers after allegations of despicable acts of sexual abuse against female recruits was first reported by News Five. The Ministry of National Security has launched an investigation into the allegations of extortion, maltreatment, sexual assault and sexual advances at […]
Written on January 31, 2020 | Posted in
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Comments Off on B.D.F. Commander Comments on Allegations of Sexual Abuse in the Force
A special investigative team has been assigned by the Ministry of National Security. The team is being led by Assistant Superintendent Sherlette Ramclam and includes Inspector Shaida Mckenzie, Josephine Garbutt, and retired Commissioner of Police Gerald Westby, who is now the Chairman of the Civilian Complaint and Review Board. According to Ortega, no stone will […]
Written on January 31, 2020 | Posted in
Crime,
Defense |
Comments Off on Will B.D.F. Act Swiftly Against Sexual Predators?
The ranks of the Belize Defense Force grew by a one hundred and one soldiers today. After undergoing rigorous training, the young men and women donned their uniforms this afternoon as they officially became members of the B.D.F. The event was held at Price Barracks in Ladyville and it is traditional for the Minister of […]
Written on January 31, 2020 | Posted in
Defense |
Comments Off on B.D.F. Celebrates 42nd Anniversary with 101 New Soldiers
The Ministry of National Security has launched an investigation into a number of allegations against members of the Belize Defence Force. On Wednesday night, we broke the story about mounting reports of sexual assaults and other infractions committed against recruits. Well, the Ministry says that it is taking those allegations seriously and an independent team […]
Written on January 30, 2020 | Posted in
Crime,
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Comments Off on Independent Investigation into Allegations Against B.D.F.; Victim Speaks Out
A group of about one thousand migrants from Honduras and elsewhere from Central America have made their way into Mexico after travelling for several days through neighbouring Guatemala. The migrants are fleeing their country for various reasons and are making their way to the United States. The caravan was viewed as a threat and the […]
Written on January 20, 2020 | Posted in
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Foreign Affairs,
People & Places,
Regional / International |
Comments Off on Migrant Caravan from Honduras Makes Way into Mexico
