One of the officers implicated in Thursday’s drug plane landing is the assigned bodyguard for the Director of Public Prosecutions. The question of whether the matter will be prosecuted by her office was posed to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams during our sit down with him earlier today. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “The […]
A man was killed on Sunday night at the corner of Vernon and Mopan Streets in Belize City. The victim was apparently stabbed to death as he was socializing with others at a house. Assistant Superintendent of Police, Fitzroy Yearwood shared with the media today the particulars of the victim and the information that Police […]
And in relation to Friday’s bust and today’s arraignment, the Prime Minister said this morning that this historic bust will help to win back the trust of the public, and underscore that his administration will root out crime, even when high level officials may be implicated. Prime Minister John Briceño “When we come back […]
On Friday the details of the much touted Blue Bonds arrangement were finalized. The initiative includes the buy-back of over five hundred million dollars of the Super bond and the creation of a fund containing millions of dollars for conservation of marine areas in Belize. It is something the Prime Minister John Briceño says is […]
As you heard, the Prime Minister is calling the Blue Bond agreement a win-win for Belize and the globe. In terms of details, eighty million dollars will be invested annually in marine conservation. With approximately sixteen percent of Belize’s marine territory currently protected, under the Blue Bond agreement the Government of Belize has committed to […]
Not only is the purpose of the Blue Bond to protect the marine environment, the Government of Belize is realizing massive savings to the tune of more than have a billion Belize dollars. Negotiators were able to offer Superbond holders fifty five cents on the dollar. Belize Blue Investment Company, a subsidiary company of TNC, […]
These huge savings afforded to Belize through the Blue Bond agreement is not money in hand, however. The savings are translated into significantly less public funds going towards debt repayment, and greater investments in marine conservation. So for those asking if the Briceño Administration is now able to revert to paying teachers and public officers […]
Belize City and the twin towns of San Ignacio/Santa Elena will see an improvement in the services they receive from the National Fire services, with a donation of three fire trucks from Calgary, Canada. While the three trucks cost the government eighty five thousand dollars, this is a significant reduction in cost, because a single […]
The Marion Jones Sporting Complex has been the home of the National Fires Service in Belize City for the better part of 2021. And it will remain the home of those fire fighters until a fire station is constructed on Chetumal Street. Work is set to begin sometime next year. Fire Chief Collin Gillett gave […]
The family of Dr. Cecilio Eck is asking the public’s assistance in donating O positive type blood after he underwent surgery. Last week, Dr Eck was taken off a ventilator when his fight with COVID improved, but he had to undergo surgery on Sunday. His colleague, Dr. Fernando Cuellar gave News Five an update on […]
In Cop26 news, on Saturday as government leaders and climate change experts were holding discussions in Glasgow, Scotland, tens of thousands converged to protest against more talk and to advocate for climate justice. News Five’s Duane Moody captured the event. Duane Mood, Reporting From as early as six a.m., vehicular traffic in downtown Glasgow […]
Today, environment/climate change ministers from across the world get down to work, tasked with the important role of finalizing that critical document that will be produced out of COP26. Ambassador Janine Felson is the deputy head of delegation for Belize and the lead negotiator for the Alliance of Small Island States on Climate Finance. She […]
One concept that is being included is loss and damage. Ambassador Felson says that the barrier reef in Belize is at the brink of being destroyed as a result of climate change. She says that developed countries must be held accountable for liability and compensation to small island developing countries affected by their counterproductive activities. […]
The goal of the Paris Agreement signed back in 2016 is to limit global warming to well below two, preferably to one point five degrees Celsius, compared to pre industrialist levels by 2030. But the harsh reality, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projection, is that global warming will surpass and will register […]
Prime Minister Briceño also commented this morning on his experience in Glasgow at COP26, going this time as a national leader, and his frustration with some of the larger countries who have damaged their own environments but are now telling small countries to adapt to climate change. Prime Minister John Briceño “I have attended […]
On a somber note, the staff of news five would like to extend our condolences to our CEO, Marleni Cuellar, following the passing on Friday night of her mother, Mrs. Alvina Cuellar. She will be remembered by many of our viewers as a stern but fair teacher. During her 40 year career, she also served […]
A sizeable haul of cocaine was confiscated by local law enforcement officers when a twin-engine aircraft landed on the Southern Highway near Bladen Village on Thursday night. The last time that stretch of road was used as a runway for a drug plane landing was in November 2010 when several police officers were arrested for […]
Tonight, the Belize Police Department is tasked with investigating its own, as it is believed that a trio of officers was directly involved with the landing and discharging of the aircraft. The quantity of drugs that was seized in southern Belize is under heavy police guard as a probe is underway to determine the extent […]
Among the officers in police custody is the bodyguard assigned to the Director of Public Prosecutions. According to ComPol Williams, the tribunal process has seen the dismissal of a number of officers who have run afoul of the law. It is unclear what the fate of the suspected officers will be once they go before […]
In neighboring Guatemala, several law enforcement officers have also been arrested for aiding the landing and offloading of a drug plane that touched down overnight in Petén. The involvement of police officers in drug trafficking activity is not unique to Belize, says ComPol Williams. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “DEA agencies have been implicated […]
The Government of Belize and The Nature Conservancy today announced the finalization of its debt conversion agreement. The agreement will see hundreds of millions of dollars in savings and investments for marine conservancy in Belize. Announcements of the agreement being forged ahead of COP26 in Glasgow Scotland set the stage for Belize’s officials currently at […]
Thirty-six aspiring doctors received scholarships today to begin pursuing their goals. The opportunity was made possible for them through collaboration between the Belmopan City Council and American Northwest University. It’s a unique effort that will benefit students even outside the Belmopan proper. Marion Ali was on hand and filed this report. Marion Ali, Reporting […]
Eight months ago when she inherited the Belmopan City Council, Mayor Sheran Palacio indicated that the Council was financially challenged and had huge debts. We got the chance to ask her today about the financial status of the Council now. She said they are trying to come up with creative ideas to bring in revenue. […]
According to Mayor Palacio, the Council also took a loss when it had to give up revenues from the spaces it once rented to vendors near the centre of Belmopan. Those public spaces are now being used by the Ministry of Health as COVID testing sites. There was some pushback initially, but now Mayor Palacio […]
Last week Cabinet approved the administering of a third shot of COVID-19 vaccine, known as a booster shot, for persons who have already taken two doses of vaccine. As science reveals, the antibodies produced by the vaccine decreases over a period of time. A third shot is recommended as the adequate response to that reduction. […]
