And, while the murder count has increased, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa is celebrating the fact that Belize’s crime rate has improved in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the past, Belize was considered the second and third most dangerous country in the region based on the murder rate. Belize is now number fourteen on that list.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“I believe we are number fourteen now in Latin America and the Caribbean. Last year for the first time we came out of the top ten and were at eleven. But as you would know, under the last administration we were at number three and four on the most dangerous countries in Latin America list. I am thankful that we have moved out of the top ten. We are not at fourteen and I look forward to us going even further down that list.”
As we reported on Wednesday, the twelve men charged with the landing of a drug plane on the Southern Highway in November of 2021 appeared in court. The Head of the Prosecutions Branch, Alifa Elrington called her fifth and sixth witnesses of what will be ten persons called during this juncture of the trial, which is called a voir dire. That process is necessary because before the trial can continue, the senior magistrate who is presiding over the matter needs to be able to determine if there is even a case for the defendants to face if what they are claiming is true. Several of the men are claiming that the police abused them while they were in their custody. The arguments by the prosecution, headed by Elrington and by Attorney Leroy Banner for the defence, are fiery. News Five’s Marion Ali spent most of the day in the courtroom at the Charles Bartlett Hyde building and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The first of two witnesses to take the witness stand on Wednesday was Police Corporal, Jose Uh, who has been with the Belize Police Department for twelve years. Now a corporal of police, he explained that at the time of the interception of the drug plane in November 2021, he was a police constable attached to the Quick Response Unit based in Belmopan. He told the court that at around twelve-thirty on the afternoon of November fifth, 2021, he was at home when he received a call from an Inspector Novelo, who asked him to record a caution statement from thirty-year-old Moises Perez, who was at the time detained at the Police Training Academy. Uh said that he asked Perez if he was giving the statement voluntarily, to which he responded “yes” and that after Perez said he had not eaten all night, he offered him food and water. He said he asked Perez if he knew why he was detained, to which Perz responded, “yes, for illegally bringing down an aeroplane.”
During the cross-examination, Defense Attorney, Leroy Banner challenged Uh strenuously on the way he carried out the process and suggested to Uh that he was aware of police brutality that Perez claims he was subjected to. Banner used a portion of Perez’ caution statement, in which he alleged that before Uh took his statement, a police officer kicked him so hard in his back that the officer’s service gun fell from its holster to the floor. In that statement, Perez also claimed that during his detention, a gun was shoved down his throat, demanding that he tell them quote, “where the things were” referring to drugs. Banner said to Corporal Uh, quote: “You’re aware that you must ask the detainee if he was beaten or if he was promised anything,” to which he responded “Yes.” And Banner contested, quote: yet, you did not say this in your three-page statement and did not tell the magistrate today,” suggesting that he was merely acting as a robot in taking the statement.
Uh repeated that the accused said he was giving the statement voluntarily. Though at one point, Uh admitted that Perez did tell him that an officer had kicked him in his back, and when he was pressed further by Banner on his reaction to this information, Uh said that he informed Inspector Novelo about it. Later on, he said that at no time Perez said he was in pain and that he (Uh) asked Perez if he wanted to see a doctor and he responded “no.” Banner pointed out that this was the first time since the arrests in 2021 that Uh has said this. Uh also told the court that he did not take any further action to find out if Perez was abused because he did not want to put himself further into the investigation. When Banner tried to suggest if it was because of Uh’s laziness that he did not find out if Perez was abused, the prosecutor, Alifa Elrington objected vehemently, arguing that the Defense should not be allowed to cast aspersions on the witness.
The Magistrate asked Banner to reword his question, but he elected to move on. The defense argued that Uh knew that the police had brutalized Perez and by him not doing anything about it essentially made him a part of that action. Furthermore, Banner asked, “how can he (Perez) give a statement voluntarily if he had a gun stuck in his mouth and was kicked in his back. The prosecutor rose to object, arguing that was not a question for the witness to answer. The next witness to be called was Martin Cal, a Justice of the Peace of twenty years who lives in Belmopan. He told the court that Corporal Uh called him on November fifth and asked him to witness the recording of Perez’ statement. He said that before they began to record the statement, he was given about ten minutes to talk in private with Perez and that during that time, he asked him if he was beaten and if he was giving the statement voluntarily.
He said Perez did not indicate to him at any time that he was beaten and he said he was giving the statement freely. He said he also heard when Corporal Uh told Perez that he did not have to give the caution statement and that he decided on his own to do it and that he indicated he preferred if Uh wrote out his statement for him instead of him writing it out himself. Cal aid the officer also gave him food in his presence. When the defense asked for his observations of Perez, he said he appeared to be calm. The case was adjourned until next Monday, April eighth, when Cal is expected to return to court for the completion of his testimony. Marion Ali for News Five.
Residents of the Corozal District are saying goodbye to the Laguna Seca and Pueblo Nuevo ferries and hello to two new bridges. Just before the Easter break, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing opened the Laguna Seca Bridge, which is expected to provide easier access to Sarteneja, Chunox, and other villages in the area. Some minor works are still pending before the bridge is fully completed. The Pueblo Nuevo Bridge is expected to be completed later this year. We spoke with Project Engineer, Michelan Gilharry.
Michelan Gilharry
Michelan Gilharry, Project Engineer “So I got to open the Laguna Seca bridge last week, Wednesday level of meaning that it only has the first layer of DBSD. It takes two. But like I said, the idea was to have it open before the Easter break, right? So we managed to accomplish that. So the commuters have a easier flow of traffic rather than waiting on the ferry. That bridge in length is a hundred meters, excluding the thirty-meter approaches which was done with MSE panels. The height of that bridge is about twelve meters in height. So that’s the description that I would like to give on the bridge. It’s about ninety to ninety-five percent completed. We still remain to do the guardrails and some erosion control features, line marking on the bridge itself. But it’s substantially complete. The second bridge is called Pueblo Nuevo. That’s still under construction at this time. We intend to have that completed by no later than September of this year. Because this project is a design and build project, technically, it has taken like over two and a half years. Because what was focused at the onset of this project was building of a portion of the road that was initially designed. Because of the scope or the nature of this contract, the contractor wasn’t technically obliged to start the bridge at the same time. It was until the design was completed. The design is approved, then they were able to start this bridge and that’s the reason we have a slight delay with respect to the other bridge, because It took us a long time to finalize, fine tune the details of the bridge and the cost, since the contract already had a numeration with it, and we now had to go back and design a bridge based on a figure that was already provided. So it was a challenge, but we anticipate that since the contract is not going to expire until July, the bridge is still done in a timely fashion. Now the one in Pueblo Nuevo, we may need to seek some additional time to have it completed by when I stated in September.”
The installation of the Laguna Seca and Pueblo Nuevo bridges in Corozal allows for easier access to the surrounding areas, providing a more efficient route for more commuters. While the opening of the Laguna Seca Bridge was received positively by residents, some noted that the feeling was bittersweet as they said goodbye to the ferry that has served them for many years. Project Engineer Michelan Gilharry told us what now happens to the ferry.
Michelan Gilharry, Project Engineer
“So the area that the bridge is located is between the Chunox area of the Corozal district. The importance of it is because this acted as a bypass in the sense that you didn’t have to go around through the Progresso village to reach all the way to Sarteneja for the Corozal town area, it’s a shorter route. Yes, we know it’s a bit of a bittersweet moment in that sense with the ferry, but I’m sure that everybody is relieved in a sense that their time is being reduced with respect to the road. They have a free flow and that’s the intention of the project. What the ministry has intention with the ferry, I believe we will try to salvage it and reuse it in other lake locations that it may be needed. So that’s the intention. So we’re still putting it to use.”
The Firearm and Ammunition Control Board has issued a public notice for persons interested in firearm safety instruction licences to send in their applications. It is among the first moves that the board has made since it was formed. Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa says he is in no rush to see the board move any more swiftly, while the gun dealers are asking that the moratorium on the issuance of gun licences be lifted.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“I am not eager or i am not behind this board to be acting any more swift than they actually are. They have been doing an excellent job in terms of necessary firearm reforms that are needed in this country. To me they are taking the right steps and moving in the right direction. So I am not like you looking forward to the day another license is issued. So, we are letting them do their work as they see fit and when that day comes it comes.”
Reporter
“How do you deal with the impatience of the gun dealers?”
Kareem Musa
“I don’t have to deal with that. I don’t care about that.”
Three years after being established, the Ministry of New Growth Industries finally has a budget. And one of the first moves of the ministry will be to hire businesswoman and former politician Nancy Marin as a consultant. As you may be aware, Marin has been spearheading the growth of an ostrich industry in the west. Minister Musa told us more about Marin’s hiring.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“The Ministry of New Growth Industries was initially set up as a sort of vehicle to set up new structures, different types of legislation that may be needed, hand in hand with other ministries like the Ministry of Economic Development, BELTRADE in advancing new industries. This year we have a budget and so we are currently speaking with Ms Nancy Marin to enter into a consultancy to see how it is that we can go from here in setting up the structure. As you know, she is very passionate and very innovative with her ideas. She is an individual who has come up with many types of new industries. So we look forward to working with Ms. Marin as we move forward.”
We also asked the Commissioner of Police for an update on the investigation into Clay Uter’s murder on Good Friday in Lake Independence. According to ComPol Chester Williams, investigators are following several leads and hope to soon make an arrest.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We are following some leads. WE have an idea who the persons are that are responsible and we are hoping we will be able to get the evidence. Again there are certain things we are looking at where evidence is concerned and we just have to work at it more.”
One of Belize’s former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Postmaster General, Charles Bartlett Hyde was laid to rest on Wednesday following a funeral service. The late Hyde, who was also at one time the chairman of the Public Service Commission and the father of Evan X Hyde, the publisher of the Amandala newspaper, passed away on March twenty-third. The former longstanding public officer was bestowed the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1977 on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second. Hyde was one hundred years old. News Five’s Marion Ali brings us a report on the funeral service that was held in his memory.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Draped with the Belizean flag, and carried by six members of the Belize Defence Force, the casket of Charles Bartlett Hyde filed past officials of the parliament at the Lord’s Ridge Cemetery, where the remains of the former Speaker of the House were interred. In death, Hyde was remembered as the person he was in life, a dutiful son of the soil. Speaker of the House, Valerie Woods, delivered the official remembrance at the funeral service at the Divine Mercy Church.
Valerie Woods
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
“C B. Hyde received his formal education at Holy Redeemer School and St. John’s College, where he graduated in 1940. He recounted getting his first job, however, at the tender age of 12 years, with Sergeant Maurice Fuller, who lived in an adjoining lot, where he would chop firewood and run errands for 25 cents a week. After graduating from St. John’s College, he got another job as office boy, as the term was back then at Mr. Turton’s office, with a weekly salary, now of 1. Interestingly, at one point, C. B. Hyde was at a crossroads in terms of his true calling in life. Should he become a machinist, an engineer, and seaman like his father? Or should he aspire for something different, which his mother encouraged due to his Cambridge school certificate. However, it was Providence that intervened in the form of the late Mr. Lindsey Jeffries. Treasury Superintendent, who suggested to his friend, Jim Hyde, that C. B. apply for the vacant post of messenger in the Colonial Civil Service, with a salary now of 15 a month. That was the genesis of his civil service career, and a lifetime of public service, which followed.”
One of Hyde’s sons, Dr. Ronald Hyde, delivered the eulogy.
Ronald Hyde
Dr. Ronald Hyde, Son of Deceased
“One thing was unquestioned throughout his life. He loved and respected his children and displayed an open mind to all of us. Never dictating to us, but encouraging the expression of ideas and arguments. Yes, those expressions, arguments were sometimes vehement, but never with animosity. It was an era when children were to be seen and not heard. And certainly when his friends came over to play cards, we adhere to the rules of the era. But otherwise it was a home where he was curious about our thought process and everyone had a valued opinion. Maybe that is why we Hydes seem to like engaging with people who have different opinions than us. As much as he relished intellectual pursuits and complex mathematical problems, Dad was a man who looked for the sporting side of life. Work was to be done promptly and well. Ideally, such labors would employ boy power, as he called it. Despite the family machine shop mantra that one bwai da bwai, two bwai da half a bwai, and three bwai da no bwai at all. But after work, it was fun and games. And he took those games seriously, always studying the methods and tactics of every discipline. And he was good at most of them as you’ve heard.”
The Belizean National Flag, which draped Hyde’s casket, was folded up by the six soldiers who bore the casket. During the interment, wreaths were laid by Acting Governor-General, Stewart Leslie, Prime Minister John Briceño, and Speaker Woods. Prime Minister Briceño presented Hyde’s eldest son, Evan X Hyde, with the flag that draped his casket. Fittingly, the Belizean National Anthem sung by the attendees to the live accompaniment of the B.D.F. Band, closed off the funeral service. Marion Ali for News Five.
Charles Hyde presided over the House of Representatives as the Speaker from November thirtieth, 1979 to November ninth, 1984. He was bestowed with the titles of Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1977 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1998. Born in 1923 to Eunice, née Lake, and James Bartlett Hyde in then British Honduras, Hyde served Belize for many years in the public service. He was Assistant Postmaster from 1960 to 1962 and when he retired in 1978, it was in the capacity of Postmaster General. For his outstanding contributions, the administrative building, formerly known as the Complex Building on Mahogany Street in Belize City, was named the Charles Bartlett Hyde Building in 2008 in his honour. Charles Hyde was a hundred years old.
Emergency Medical Technician Abner Bacab of the Island Emergency Services in San Pedro Town says he is being unfairly treated by the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee. According to Bacab, the committee rejected his application to receive permits for two motorcycles, which he uses to provide medical care across the island. Bacab explained that his motorcycles are equipped with advanced first aid kits, consisting of items such as IVs, gauze, neck colours, splints, and bandages. Bacab maintains that by having these motorcycles in operation, medical professionals can arrive at the scene of medical emergencies faster and stabilize patients while the ambulance is on its way. He claims that he had already received authorization to use these motorcycles from the town’s mayor and was very surprised by the recent rejection of his application. Here’s how he explained it.
Abner Bacab
Abner Bacab, Emergency Medical Technician, IMS, San Pedro
“Last week, I went to the town council expecting that all my permits were already approved, and when I arrived there, they said they had been denied. So I was really surprised, I was really surprised of the outcome of their meeting and the board basically denying our permit when it’s just a much needed service in San Pedro which is going to uplift our community services and our services in for our tourism, our people that visit us. So there was no grounds in saying what was the reason for the denial rather than saying they don’t see the need for it, to me that was a really bad response on them on making that decision as denying our motorcycle permits. Bear in mind, I’ve been working my motorcycles for months in San Pedro under the authorization of the mayor. I know the mayor sits on the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee, and so do many people that I know, so I don’t believe it is it was the right thing to do. Our company as an ambulance service as an emergency medical. Provider is actually challenging the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee decision where we’re going to take them to court because it’s, it wasn’t the right thing to do. If we go to court, I can tell you, I’m really knowledgeable about all the laws about emergency medical service here in San Pedro. I’m an EMT, so I know what’s going on. What we need to get done to be able to save people’s lives. Now, I’ve told the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee, I’ve been talking to the mayor, I’ve spoken to our area rep, Andre Perez, and they don’t seem to understand it. And I told them, I’ve went so far to let them know that if they go to court, they’re gonna lose, because they don’t have anybody in the Ambergris Caye Traffic Council Committee that knows anything about emergencies. It’s a losing case for you. I don’t have anything to lose. I’ve said it many times. I have so much to gain. I’ve tried to make communication with them to no prevail.”
Prime Minister John Briceño announced today that Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez is returning to cabinet as the Minister of Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management. Perez now assumes control of the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, and the National Fire Service. This announcement comes four weeks after the municipal elections and more than seven months after Perez went on leave following allegations of sexual misconduct. Those allegations were levied by female attorney Wendy Auxillou. When asked for comment, Minister Perez told News “I thank the Prime Minister for his decision to invite me back to Cabinet and will work hard every day for the Belizean people, especially the good people of Belize Rural South.” As for requests for an update to the investigation, Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre told us that the request would have to be made to the Office of the Prime Minister. But, one portfolio that Perez does not get back is Civil Aviation which now falls under the purview of the Prime Minister. Perez was one of the persons who led the P.U.P. to victory in San Pedro Town on March sixth. Also, Cayo Central area representative Alex Balona is now the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise. Belize Rural North Area Representative Marconi Leal is now the Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing. Cayo West Area Representative is now the Minister of State in the Ministry of Investment. The Office of the Prime Minister says “These adjustments and assignments come on the heels of an overwhelming mandate at the polls, a reminder not only of the confidence and trust in this government, but also of the tremendous responsibility we have to the people of Belize.”
