March, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Barrow Plans to Step Down If UDP Fails in 2025 General Elections

Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow says he will step aside from his leadership role should the U.D.P. fail in the 2025 general elections. Barrow also says that other party members will have to face the fact that some of them stand a better chance of succeeding at the polls while others will have to sit out the general elections.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“And I have already indicated that my vision is that we cut the fat and we narrow down to the eighteen that we believe can win and have honest conversations with our colleagues, not contentious, not anything disrespectful, not anything dismissive, but truthful in saying that you know what these colleagues have a better chance of winning, and your chances of winning are not as good and please understand that we have to focus on these colleagues because in the general elections it is win or die. Unless we make significant gains, I will allow someone else to come in. I believe my father did that in 2005. I believe he only gained a few seats in the House of Representatives and he said he would make way. The party asked him to stay on. I definitely will give my all for the general elections and I will do everything to make every adjustment, do every retooling, every adjustment so that we can have success, because we need to take it extremely seriously. We see all of the distractions, the interferences, all the monies will go.”

Murder Charge Against Shawn Hertular is Dismissed

Earlier today in the courtroom of Justice Derick Sylvester, accused murderer Shawn Hertular, who has been convicted of a similar capital offense in the past, saw the charge against him being dismissed. That’s because a Crown Counsel from the D.P.P.’s Office failed to appear in court for a hearing involving that matter this morning. Hertular was arrested and charged in connection with the stabbing death of Miguel Zaiden in November 2021. Zaiden, a resident of Amara Avenue here in Belize City, was viciously attacked and stabbed multiple times by a man as he attempted to drive away on a motorcycle. Prior to that incident, Hertular had been sentenced to twenty years in prison for a previous killing.

OJ Elrington Says He Resigned because He Got Busy

Ever since the U.D.P.’s legal advisor Orson “OJ” Elrington resigned from that position in January, speculation has been rife as to the reason for his sudden departure. Elrington has not publicly given his reason for the decision, so when Marion Ali caught up with him on Election Day in San Pedro, she asked him what triggered his resignation. He said, basically, he got busy with other matters.

Orson “OJ” Elrington, Former U.D.P. Legal Counsel

“Everything has its time and it’s season and everything has change, and so that’s fine with me. I still act as – I still offer advice to the party, to individuals, to anybody. really and truly, but specifically to party members. So it’s just my official capacity – there are other things which require a lot more time, so…”

Marion Ali

“Did you have a fall-out with the hierarchy of the party?”

Orson “OJ” Elrington

“No, absolutely not, absolutely not. I think, as far as I know, I’m in very good standing with everybody in the party, as far as I know.”

Marion Ali

“Is it a position that you would like to be reinstated in?”

Orson “OJ” Elrington

“No, I am the person who – I can’t ask to – if I wanted to, I’m pretty sure I could, but I don’t want to act as that.”

Family Needs Your Help in Finding Missing Woman

A Belize City family is asking for your help in locating sixty-nine-year-old Idolly Young. Young, who is diagnosed with dementia, was last seen on Tuesday, January 5th, near Sanker Street in Belize City. She was wearing a white blouse and a floral skirt. If you have any information that can help the family, you are asked to call +501 613-3361.

Man Convicted of Theft Found Dead in Prison

Forty-two-year-old Everaldo Garcia was found this morning in his jail cell at the Belize Central Prison. Prison officials do not suspect foul play. Officials say that prison officers were alerted by another inmate to the fact that Garcia was unresponsive. The head of the intelligence unit, Lismark Bennett, was informed of the matter.

According to reports, Garcia received medical attention on Wednesday and was last seen early on Thursday morning. There were no signs of foul play on his body.

Garcia pleaded guilty to theft in 2022. He stole two bottles of carpet cleaner in Belize City. He was fined $400. He was again convicted of theft in January 2024 and was serving a custodial sentence.

BREAKING: Belize Defence Force Vehicle Flips on Highway

A Belize Defence Force truck flipped earlier this afternoon as it was heading towards San Ignacio Santa Elena. The incident happened near mile 37. Witnesses say that four members of the BDF were injured and rushed to the nearest hospital. The soldiers were on their way to participate in this year’s La Ruta Maya canoe race which starts on Friday. This is a developing story.

https://edition.channel5belize.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Try-Magic-Write.mp4?_=1

PUP Leader John Briceño Thanks Voters

In a Facebook post, Prime Minister John Briceño expressed his gratitude to “all Belizeans who exercised their democratic rights yesterday during our nationwide municipal elections.” Briceño, who is the leader of the ruling People’s United Party (PUP), said that he was thankful that there were free, fair, and peaceful elections.

The 2024 municipal elections were held on March 6th in Belize. The PUP retained control of the two cities (Belize and Belmopan) and six towns (Corozal, Orange Walk, San Pedro, Benque Viejo del Carmen, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda). The UDP gains seats in San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town. The UDP took six out of the seven seats. PUP councillor Aarom Mai retained his seat.

In his statement, Briceño also extended appreciation to the public officers responsible for managing and overseeing the elections, recognising their competence and fairness in carrying out their duties.

PUP Dominates 2024 Municipal Elections

There were 67 seats up for grabs for the 2024 municipal elections. The ruling People’s United Party fielded 67 candidates. The United Democratic Party also fielded 67 candidates. The People’s Democratic Movement had 11 candidates in the race. There were 11 independent candidates. Out of the 101,190 persons eligible to vote, 58,155 cast ballots. This translated to a 57.47% voter turnout countrywide. 52.16% of the voters were female, and 47.84 were male. Orange Walk Town had the highest voter turnout with 64.53%, and Dangriga Town had the least with 51.27%.

While the UDP increased the number of seats when compared to the previous municipal elections, the PUP dominated the 2024 municipal elections, winning all but one town council.

Corozal Town

Registered electors: 7,826

Ballots Cast: 4,709

Voter turnout: 60.17%

Orange Walk Town

Registered electors: 10,511

Ballots Cast: 6,783

Voter turnout: 64.53%

Belize City

Registered electors: 37,224
Ballots Cast: 20,197

Voter turnout: 54.26%

San Pedro Town

Registered electors: 8,704
Ballots Cast: 5,397

Voter turnout: 62.01%

Belmopan City

Registered electors: 10,065

Ballots Cast: 5,623

Voter turnout: 55.87%

San Ignacio/San Ignacio Town

Registered electors: 13,729

Ballots Cast: 8,059

Voter turnout: 58.7&

Benque Viejo del Carmen Town

Registered electors: 4,816
Ballots Cast: 2,856

Voter turnout: 59.3%

Dangriga Town

Registered electors: 5,282
Ballots Cast: 2,708

Voter turnout: 51.27%

Punta Gorda Town

Registered electors: 3,033
Ballots Cast: 1,861

Voter turnout: 61.36%

Data compiled by the Elections and Boundaries Department in partnership with Total Business Solutions Limited shows that 452,073 voters were cast. The PUP received 63.23% of the total voters while the UDP received 35.15%. The UDP increased its number of seats in San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town when compared to the previous municipal elections. That was the only mixed slate with one PUP candidate retaining his seat.

Police Killed Notorious Cruz Castillo Killed on Cotton Tree Ranch

Last night, we reported on the gruesome killing of forty-year-old Shane Baizar a businessman of Bermudian Landing. We also told you that only two hours after Baizar’s body was discovered, police shot and killed the man they believe committed the heinous crime. The suspect was Cruz Castillo, a resident of Cotton Tree Village. Police went on a manhunt for Castillo and found him on a ranch in the village. According to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, Castillo pulled out a firearm when he saw police officers. As a result, those officers opened fire and fatally injured Castillo. But, what was not mentioned was the fact that Castillo was not alone on that ranch. His nephew was with him. Today, a News Five team travelled to Cotton Tree to locate the area where those officers encountered Castillo. The ranch he was killed on is owned by a villager who had no idea he was even there. We spoke off camera with Castillo’s nephew who told us that he and Castillo were sitting down when police opened fire on them. He described it as an ambush and argued that he did not see Castillo pull out any weapon.

Voice of: Nephew of Cruz Castillo

“I was in the back area in Cotton Tree Village, right close behind my house. We were in the pasture and in that area is when the police arrived and mih the do deh investigation.”

Paul Lopez

“They fired upon you when they saw you? Did you all see them before they began to fire?”

Voice of: Nephew

“No sir, when they fired, it was a surprise. I got surprise and I tried to fled and they told me not to move. Deh she nuh move or else yo ah dead. That’s when I just keep my head on the ground and never looked up.”

Paul Lopez

“The allegation is that Mr. Castillo had a firearm and he fired at the police officers.”

Voice of: Nephew of Cruz Castillo

“No sir, I didn’t know if Mr. Castillo had a firearm but it was just a surprise when the police arrived.”

Paul Lopez

“Did you see if he fired a firearm?”

Voice of: Nephew of Cruz Castillo

“No sir, after I fired all the shots that was it. I was on the ground and the police was all over.”

Paul Lopez

“And were you aware that he was being sought for anything?”

Voice of: Nephew of Cruz Castillo

“To be honest, not really. I heard a saying that he was wanted. And when I end up seeing him, dah never too long. The way it sound like he wanted some kind help but I couldn’t.”

Paul Lopez

“He call you and told you to link him.”

Voice of: Nephew of Cruz Castillo

“That’s when he saw me over there and called me and ask me why I nuh stay yah or something like that. The feeling I got was like, I wanted to tell him I won’t stay, I don’t know weh you deh pan. But it just slip my mind and I gone in the pasture and stayed there.”

Did Police Receive Directive to Shoot Cruz Castillo on Sight?

We also heard from Cruz Castillo’s brother, who spoke with us off camera. He told us that Castillo paid him a visit at home in the early part of Monday morning. He says that at the time they were unaware that he was wanted by police for questioning in connection with Shane Baizar’s murder. So, did police receive a directive to terminate Castillo on sight?

Voice of: Brother of Cruz Castillo

“I get fih understand when I watch the post deh she my family member shoot after the police dah back deh weh part deh end up the shoot ah. Alright, deh dah police weh got training and thing. Unu come shoot somebody fih get deh. Unu could shoot deh eena deh foot and mek justice tek ih course fih she mek the man guh dah jail or mek ih live ih life. I can’t say my breda dah somebody weh deh wah angel. Buh when yo really watch pan it, come on mein deh shot weh deh shot up the man, ih even look like ih brains mih the down deh. Dah come you come fih done this man life.”

Paul Lopez

“Do you believe that it was a case where an order was given to shoot on sight because of the reputation that your relative had?”

Voice of: Brother of Cruz Castillo

“Yo done know, I wah be honest with yo, Chester dah nuh nobody nice to play with when it comes to this and that. Everybody hear a lot of thing, when you hear this case and that. But to be real honest with yo, dah execute deh execute the man right deh. That dah execution right deh.”

Reporter

“Is it sort of an implicit directive to shoot on sight, highly dangerous person, and don’t shoot to injure, shoot to kill.”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Again like you rightly said, the individual has a violent history and one that don’t have any regard to law and order. The police officers knowing him are not going to wait for him to shoot at them. The fact that he took out a weapon and was about to shoot was sufficient for the officers who acted in self-defense. So we will still put the file together and send it to the DPP and she will make the determination as to whether the police officer’s action is justified.”