Today, a News Five crew was back in Santa Familia Village where residents came out in huge numbers to express their outrage over the shooting death of B.D.F. soldier Jessie Escobar. The public protest started as early as six-thirty on Monday night when the main entrance to the village near the bus stop was almost […]
Police Constable 1189 Juan Carlos Morales was the police officer leading the joint patrol with B.D.F. on the tragic Sunday night. But as it turns out, he is not even a trained police officer. ComPol Chester Williams confirmed to the media today that Morales just recently assimilated into the Belize Police Department as a constable, […]
But even scarier is the fact that Officer Morales appears to have blatantly lied in his statement about what transpired on the night of the fatal shooting. Were it not for the surveillance footage that statement would have been the basis for the investigation – a misrepresentation of the facts of the incident. Viewers may […]
In the wake of the killing of Jessie Escobar, the wooden house rented by Officer Morales was set on fire. This case of arson is being investigated and ComPol Williams says that when the perpetrators are identified, they will be charged. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “Of course – that is an outright criminal […]
On Monday night, we aired an interview with the Chief of Staff of the Belize Defense Force on the rules of engagement that guide a soldier in populated areas like Santa Familia. The incident goes against those standard procedures. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the gathering today that the military officers have been removed […]
Prime Minister John Briceño shared in the House of Representatives on Friday that Belize and the Bond Holders’ Committee of the super bond had reached an agreement, in principle, on how they would proceed with settling the super bond. The debt, which has existed since 2007, now stands at five hundred and seventy-two million U.S. […]
Former Minister of Works Rene Montero is being sought by police for the crime of willful oppression. A wanted person flyer was circulated on Monday for information leading to his arrest. It’s a development that goes back to November 2020 when heavy equipment belonging to the Government of Belize was repossessed from the former Cayo […]
ComPol Chester Williams does not believe that the former minister is out of the country. Having seen the statement made by Montero’s attorney, he advises that the wanted former minister turns himself in to the police. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “Yesterday we issued a warrant in first instance for the arrest of Mister […]
The charge of “willful oppression” for which the former Minister of Works is wanted by police is a charge some say they have never heard of before. Today, attorney Dickie Bradley shared with News Five that in his view it is also a charge that can never stand against a former government minister in a […]
There was a shootout in southern Belize between criminal elements from Belize City and police officers. It started with officers responding to a robbery in Red Bank Village and led to a vehicle chase along on the Southern Highway. But there was an exchange of fire when the vehicle the robbers were travelling in ended […]
Senior Counsel Dean Barrow has filed an application for judicial review on behalf of his client, former Attorney General and U.D.P. Senator Michael Peyrefitte. Barrow is seeking leave to challenge the constitutionality of a contract awarded to Smart for the provision of Microsoft services to the Government of Belize. It is the attorney’s belief that […]
According to Barrow, not only does the awarding of the contract fly in the face of the Finance and Audit Reform Act, but the Contractor General, who ought to have reviewed the agreement prior to execution, was reportedly unaware of the tendering process. Barrow says that by sidestepping the Contractor General, the Ministry of Finance […]
The Christian Workers Union and the Port of Belize Limited have been at odds in the past over a number of labor issues. But tonight, they agree that the Ministry of Labor should stick to its commitment to mediate negotiations between the two parties. President of the Christian Workers Union, Evan “Mose” Hyde says when […]
In an attempt to further resist the Labor Department, the C.W.U. called for solidarity from its umbrella union, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. They asked the N.T.U.C.B. to represent to recuse himself from his seat on the Tribunal so it could not meet its quorum. Now Hyde says only the Labor Department can […]
This morning, Prime Minister John Briceño joined other Caribbean Heads of State in speaking at the first virtual African-CARICOM Summit. PM Briceño spoke on matters of partnership with Africa and the Caribbean, particularly through technical and educational cooperation. Prime Minister John Briceño “Our historic meeting comes at a unique and necessary time in history. […]
Reports are that Marconi Leal Senior, the area representative for Belize Rural North, was rushed to the K.H.M.H. for treatment for COVID-19. Reports are that Leal’s oxygen levels had gone dangerously low. News Five confirmed a short while ago that Leal has been transferred to the Belize Health Care Partners where he remains on oxygen […]
The Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations has spoken out on mining operations in the Chiquibul. A release today from the association calls Boiton Minerals Limited’s mining operation destructive and says it can bring further loss of forest resources. The organization notes that evidence gathered from an excursion to the Chiquibul National Park shows the […]
Pregnant women are being urged to get their COVID-19 Pfizer vaccination, following four maternal deaths over the last four weeks. The Ministry of Health and Wellness says the vaccine expectant mothers need is the Pfizer which is given in two doses, with twenty-one days between doses. This is available at vaccine centers. While there sometimes […]
Fourteen-year-old Laddie Gillett lost his life in an officer-involved shooting in Placencia back in July. The incident sparked public outrage as the teenager was shot and killed while fleeing from police officers, men Gillett and his companion thought were robbers. The police had been called out to the area by a security guard at a […]
