On Wednesday night, News Five was the first to report on a formal protest issued by Guatemala in relation to the planned construction of a Forward Operating Base at the mouth of Sarstoon River on the mainland. That protest comes in the wake of an altercation between Guatemalan military and Coast Guard personnel – in […]
Just before leaving for Washington and Mexico today, Elrington told News Five that Guatemala’s position on the Forward Operating Base was conveyed in a very civilized manner, through a diplomatic note from that country. Because that territory is indeed in dispute, the Foreign Minister says that going to the O.A.S. is the right thing to […]
There have been two notable incidents in very recent months – first the capture of thirty-seven Belizeans in Belizean territorial waters by Guatemalan military, and then the altercation between Guatemalan soldiers and Belize’s Coast Guard. In the first, the Belizeans were taken against their will to Livingston, Guatemala, while in the second Coast Guard personnel […]
So the fate of the Forward Operating Base now lies in the hands of the O.A.S., and the territorial integrity of Belize will lie in the hands of the ICJ, if and when the dispute goes before that tribunal. For now, everything seems to be on hold, and Elrington says that is how it will […]
In June, a Guatemalan gunboat GC-651, the Tecum Uman, crashed into the reef near Middle and Long Cays, causing damage estimated at around forty-eight thousand dollars. With all dispatch, the vessel was pulled off its perch and allowed to return to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, with a bill to follow. Well, that bill has been sent, […]
Turning to crime; the discovery of a badly decomposed body on Wednesday morning in a shallow grave several miles outside the Mennonite community of Springfield, has resulted in the detention of at least two persons. Sometime around five a.m., a taskforce comprised of various units of the police department was deployed into an area off […]
A constant trickle of illegal Cuban immigrants into Belize, presumably with aid from a local human trafficking ring, has resulted in yet another bust in the Cayo District, this time near Roaring Creek. A predawn spot check conducted by Belmopan police has led to the arrest of eleven individuals, including their handlers, during separate operations. […]
Employees of K.H.M.H. are staging a go-slow on Friday and will not be accepting any referrals to the hospital in protest of being excluded from a recent salary adjustment for teachers and public officers. The long awaited salary adjustment comes after months of negotiating with government. But while the unions are benefiting from an increase […]
Twenty-two year old Devon Sankey walked free on Wednesday for the murder of Renan Reneau which happened back in April 2010. A no case submission was put forth to the court by Sankey’s attorney, Oscar Selgado, which Judge Troadio Gonzalez upheld. The crown’s main witness and girlfriend of Reneau, Arilee Sommerville, told the court that […]
There is a most disturbing report from Punta Gorda where a thirteen year old girl has been impregnated by her stepfather. Earlier this week, police and social workers went to the minor’s house and confirmed that the girl’s stepfather had been serially abusing her sexually since last November. Doctors have confirmed that she has been carnally […]
Earlier in the newscast, we told you that Guatemala is objecting to the proposed construction of a forward operating base. This morning, we also had the take of the Port Loyola area rep., Anthony “Boots” Martinez, who says that Guatemala can’t stop Belize from building an FOB in our own territory. Anthony “Boots” Martinez, […]
The People’s United Party has reached the point where politically connected and politically disconnected pundits have started offering advice. Advice of that sort can generally be disregarded, but today U.D.P. politician, Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, offered his own advice. Elrington told News Five that he doesn’t get the sense that there is any real strategic thinking […]
Anthony “Boots” Martinez is also offering his two cents on the Opposition party narrowing it on the leadership. Boots, who doesn’t live in Port Loyola, but Freetown, says he believes that Francis Fonseca is vulnerable in the constituency. Anthony “Boots” Martinez, U.D.P. Area Rep, Port Loyola “I want him to be leader; for me […]
Earlier this week, the P.U.P. confirmed that after reaching a mutual understanding, the party’s national campaign manager, Godfrey Smith, who took over the post in early 2014, was stepping down. Senior U.D.P. Minister, Anthony “Boots” Martinez, says Smith was “man enough” to do it and that P.U.P. Party Leader, Francis Fonseca, should follow suit. […]
In an extended interview with Minister Elrington, we also inquired about the installation of Nestor Mendez as Assistant Secretary General of the O.A.S. It’s an auspicious occasion since for the first time, a Belizean will be installed as Deputy Secretary-General of the Organization of American States. Elrington told us what that means for the country, […]
The Government of Belize and the Organization of American States today signed a cooperation agreement for an initiative targeting marginalized families. The three-year project, valued at two hundred and sixty thousand Belize dollars, is financed through the Development Cooperation Fund of the O.A.S., and will be implemented by the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation […]
According to C.E.O. Alpuche, the ministry is working with the O.A.S. and the United Nations to ensure that the BOOST program evolves. Alpuche says the pilot project goes beyond cash transfers to now strengthen family units. Judith Alpuche, C.E.O., Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation “Looking at families and what is […]
Two nights ago, we showed you artist’s Katie Usher’s creative approach to highlight how many lives have been taken as a result of the spiking crime. From her records, almost eighty people have been killed since the start of this year. We spoke with Usher today and she tells us that the idea was borne […]
Also as a part of Katie Usher’s Lab-Two installation going on at the Image Factory, several creative minds from across the country have started putting on exhibitions and artistic shows for everyday since Monday. Today when we stopped in at the Image Factory, local artist, Briheda Haylock was showcasing her own eye-poignant piece. Briheda […]
Over the past few years since they opened their doors, we’ve visited the Om Shanti Center for Yoga and Healing arts to share with you the latest addition to its services. Tonight, in Healthy Living, we return to learn more about a new yoga class they’ve added to their menu, one that we think may […]
