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U.D.P. Questions Sudden Termination of Central Bank Governor

The abrupt and unceremonious departure of Central Bank Governor Gustavo Manuel Vasquez on August thirteenth raises many questions about whether due process was followed in terminating his appointment as chief financial regulator.  On Friday, Vasquez informed members of staff that he was being removed from the post which he has held since being selected to […]

What’s the Real Reason for Vasquez Being Fired?

Vasquez’s letter to staff, which was read in its entirety this morning, speaks to protecting his integrity, his reputation, as well as that of the Central Bank.  The big question, raised by the U.D.P. today is whether the independence of the regulatory body is being preserved under the current administration.  The reason for the governor’s […]

Government’s Deal with Speednet, is it Nepotistic?

The recent announcement that the Government of Belize has contracted the services of Smart as a telecoms provider for various ministries, including foreign affairs and rural development, has been met with strong objections from various quarters.  The president of the Public Service Union is on record stating his dismay with government’s decision to transition from […]

U.D.P. Says B.T.L. Chairman is Silent on Smart and G.O.B.’s Contracts

The United Democratic Party is calling on former senator Mark Lizarraga who has since taken up the post as chairman of B.T.L., to address the issue.  According to Panton, Chief Executive Officer Ivan Tesucum has also spoken about the fact that there was no discussion with B.T.L. on the transition prior to the decision being […]

Advisory Issued for Tropical Storm Grace

The National Meteorological Services of Belize and NEMO issued an advisory today for Tropical storm Grace which was due west of Corozal Town this afternoon.  The storm is expected to continue its northward motion, making landfall in Mexico between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum late Wednesday and early Thursday as a category one hurricane.  The […]

Great Belize Television Dominates C.B.U. Awards

After a one-year break due to the pandemic, the Caribbean Media Awards resumed this year with television and radio stations from across the region submitted stories produced and aired in 2019 and 2020. The award show is the culminating event of the fifty-second Annual General Assembly of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, held this year under […]

15-year-old Student Fighting for his Life

Another youth lies critically wounded as a result of a mid-afternoon attack on Magazine Road in Belize City. But contrary to other media reports, his father says his son was not involved in any gang-related activity. The family says Cassman Gill loves school. Here’s News Five’s Marion Ali with the story.   Marion Ali, Reporting […]

Aragon Says There’s No Plan to Tackle Crime and Violence

The crime situation, particularly in Belize City, is spiraling out of control, notwithstanding a nightly curfew and other measures put in place amid the pandemic.  Former law enforcement officer, Elodio Aragon Junior, was also the Minister of State for Home Affairs during the U.D.P.’s term of office.  According to Aragon, there is no plan in […]

Hotelier’s Body Found in Hopkins

In some sad news from southern Belize, a Canadian woman has apparently drowned at her resort in Hopkins. Jeannette Barkman, the eighty-four-year-old owner of Jungle Jeannie’s by the Sea, went walking along the seashore early this morning.  When she did not return, an employee became concerned and began to search.  Her body was found in […]

Tires Burned on Caesar Ridge Road

Early this morning, News Five received images of tires burning on the Caesar Ridge Road in Belize City. Questions immediately arose about whether this incident is related to the Christian Workers Union’s notice of intended strike action against the Port of Belize Limited. We asked the President of the Christian Workers Union, Mose Hyde, if […]

Constitutional Claim Filed Against S.I. 74

Nine individuals have filed a constitutional claim in court against the Minister of Health, the Commissioner of Police, and the Attorney General in relation to Statutory Instrument seventy four. The claimants are frontline workers and private sector employees, including three police officers. Among a list of twelve reliefs, the Claimants are seeking, is for the […]

Antivaxxer Movement Behind Court Claim

A fix-date claim form was filed in the Supreme Court of Belize on Monday. The claimants are now waiting for a date from the court for the matter to be heard. But, how does the court claim separate the argument of fundamental rights from what some may view as actions by an antivaxxer movement? The […]

U.D.P. Supports Government’s Vaccination Effort

COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc across Belize’s healthcare system with the number of active cases increasing daily as we continue to experience a third wave of infections.  When the pandemic began in 2020, the United Democratic Party government, led by former Prime Minister Dean Barrow, was at the helm.  Since taking over, the Briceño administration […]

Back-to-Virtual School: Disappointment, but Adjustment

Students, parents and teachers were readying themselves for a safe return for face-to-face learning, but their return to campus has been pushed back indefinitely as the COVID-19 numbers continue to rise. Today, a News Five team stopped by Saint Catherine Academy as they were issuing laptops for virtual learning, as prescribed by the Ministry of […]

Young People Losing Out and Dropping Out

A recent survey has shown that a large number of students at all levels have dropped out of school due to the changes in learning instituted during the pandemic. Principal Salome Tillett also sits on the COVID-19 Taskforce and is a member of the Belize Association of Principals of Secondary Schools. She spoke to News […]

Scratch and Win Winner Takes Home $50K

Scratch and Win has launched several new games ranging from one dollar to ten dollars with prizes up to two hundred and fifty thousand dollar. Scratch and Win says it has raised payouts over eighty percent, making more opportunities for winners, like Antonio. He bought his three-dollar ticket from a store in Corozal and won […]

ComPol Debunks “Legal Opinion” on Corporal Martinez Intent

A document circulating on social media claiming to be a legal opinion from a former prosecutor argues that there is a case for Corporal Kareem Martinez to be charged for murder. Corporal Martinez, as we have reported, stands accused of killing fourteen year old Laddie Gillett on a beach in Placencia with his service issued […]

All Solutions to Rising Crime on the Table, including Gang Lockdown

As police commanders from across the nation gathered at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan on Monday to plan the Department’s response to crime, we asked the Commissioner of Police to speak on the recent increase in murders, particularly those which are gang-related or during curfew.   Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “The matter in […]

Two Officers Face Disciplinary Action for Assault on Detainee

Two police officers who are also in trouble with the law are Wilton Justin Montero and Jerome Emmanuel Ingram.  They were both charged for harm after being caught on camera assaulting a detainee who was already handcuffed and incapacitated.  That man was later identified as David Smalls of Santa Elena. Commander of the Professional Standards […]

Commission of Inquiry: Witness Testimony Continues

Last night we brought you details of the Monday morning session of the Commission of Inquiry into the sale of a number of government vehicles at the end of the U.D.P. administration.  The afternoon session continued in much the same way with witnesses explaining how they located and bid on vehicles, and the status of […]

Stakeholders Meet to Boost Belize’s Economic Development

Officials from several ministries, the Development Finance Corporation and the Central Bank of Belize as well as stakeholders in academia, will meet on Friday to put forth an outline for how to boost economic development in Belize.  News Five spoke with C.E.O. in the Ministry of Economic Development, Doctor Osmond Martinez about the range of […]

Stakeholders Meet to Boost Belize’s Economic Development

Officials from several ministries, the Development Finance Corporation and the Central Bank of Belize as well as stakeholders in academia, will meet on Friday to put forth an outline for how to boost economic development in Belize.  News Five spoke with C.E.O. in the Ministry of Economic Development, Doctor Osmond Martinez about the range of […]

“Ding Ding Walla Walla” – Intellectual Property & Copyright Issues Abound

Intellectual property is a private property right – in the same way that a person owns a house or a car. So even if your neighbour sees something happening in your house, if it is not illegal, they really cannot intervene. You, as the property owner, are the one that has to come forward and […]