April, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Combating Climate Change Includes Adaptation

More intense heatwaves are one of the effects of climate change, and as Belize continues to bolster efforts towards climate resilience, extreme weather conditions worsen. Belize and other Small Island Developing States emit the least amount of carbon into the atmosphere but still experience the most impacts. Last year, the world observed one of the hottest days in recorded history, and according to the World Meteorological Organization, there is a high probability that this year will break the record. We spoke with Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon to hear what the trends are looking like moving forward.

Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist
“When you look at the longer-term climate trend, it is very clear that we are in an era where our temperatures are warming up. There is no denying that. So certainly, in the long term, we are seeing an increase in temperatures due to climate change. Climate change due to human induced climate change to be specific. However, there’s a thing called climate variability. So there will be exceptional years where it’s going to be extremely hot other than other years, you will have other years where the temperatures will dip a bit. So it’s the natural variables within the climate system. Last year in particular was extremely hot for two reasons. Of course, I mentioned we have human induced climate change, which is causing temperatures to increase, but on top of that, we’ve had a linear year, which means that conditions are actually hotter and warmer, and drier, in our area, so certainly those factors combined resulted in a very hot year last year, and what we are seeing right now, based on the current trend, is that we’re also heading for a very hot year I must mention that, on the short term, I’m talking about doing two things here. So on the short term, which is the water scale, we are going to see things changing a bit over the next few hours. Indeed looking at what we have done already to the climate system. It is very difficult to see that we can reverse the impacts. Certainly, we can alleviate and that what has that is what is being done, I believe, but the regional and the international level to try to mitigate the impacts now by reducing, of course, our carbon footprint. However, there are, there is already a lot of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and those take some time to actually come out of the atmosphere. They have a long life as such. Therefore, even if we cut emissions at this point. There will be some continuing heating and warming up of the atmosphere. So to answer your second point, I believe you mentioned that we need to adapt and that’s certainly one of the measures that we take in our region, because as most of us know. We are not a major emitter. So countries like ours, we are not the culprit, so to speak, of for what is occurring. So one of the things that we are encouraged to do is to adapt to the effects of climate change.”

Bullet Tree Residents Without Water Amidst Heat Wave

Residents of Bullet Tree Village in the Cayo District say they have been having water issues for quite some time. They say that they have no idea what to do as they have had limited to no access to potable water for over a month. One resident, Dale Holder, told News Five that the village might be facing this problem due to development and population expansion. He says that the village is supplied with water through a pump that is connected to a reserve. Holder says he has been without water for the past two weeks.

Dale Holder, Resident, Bullet Tree Village
“We’ve had water issues ever since I’ve moved here. That’s just normal. I found in Belize. And, you know, the whole area has water issues. But they have developed a new area here next to the village, the government has, and they expanded. So before they did the expansion, they put new system up on the hill, put new tanks and everything. And since they’re developing the other areas around here, the people here have lost some of the water supply. And I hear different things about they don’t have a pump big enough to pump now. And I tried to catch up with the local chairman. And I finally called, caught up with him later this afternoon, just around noon and he said he would meet with me. Because I’m trying to find out from him and secondhand, I’ve never been able to catch up on him and return my calls for some reason, but the new area, there’s quite a few people. I don’t know how many is over in that area now, five hundred to one thousand people. And the very first part of the new area is getting water from what I understand. And other than that, they aren’t getting any water. We lucked out the first night, must have been Saturday night. We got about fifty gallons of water. But I stayed up all night to get that and to haul it up. But, you know, we are getting some. There’s other people that aren’t getting any. We are getting some now. I’ve been able to pump up a few times to the storage tank. The other people in the village don’t have access to an additional pump or anything, and they don’t have no water. It’s dry right now, a lot of them collect water, and they have water for a haul, but the area person here does a lot of the hauling water. He’s broke solid, he couldn’t even get to me because I needed water and we were out. And so it’s becoming a problem for the local people that we can’t get water. Unless they can go to, you know, the river and get it themselves and bring it back.”

San Pedro Resident Left Desperate Amidst Land Dispute

A San Pedro man is claiming that he is being denied access to his land on the island. Fifty-eight-year-old Victor Gotay and his wife separated in 2020 but still live at the same address. He claims that he is being denied access to enter their shared business, Gotay Fruits Shop, or receive any profits from it. According to Gotay, the land is his, and all efforts to get authorities involved have failed. This is why he turned to the media to seek assistance.

Victor Gotay, San Pedro Resident
“My issue is I’m concerned about my piece of land in San Pedro. I have an issue with my ex wife. We have a problem with the front of the land. The business that the two of us own. But the thing is that she seemed like she want to be the one who I want to have more rights over the land than me. And that’s why I told her I tell her the problem is here. I own the land and the way she talked the way how she won, but the way I say always she want to Like she just want to kick me out of the place and not make me have no rights for the piece of place And got me that back and only she have rights over the business.”

Britney Gordon

“And are you two officially separated yet?”

Victor Gotay

“Well, I dih go through the process right now. It’s not really official like that, but then the problem is that this problem here, she continue doing things inside the place without my concern. And they make, nice in the place and so the last time I come for work, I hear a lot of nice and so I tell them where are the problem there and the first thing they got a police there, they mind the business, and the police tell me the boss lady come and tell, tell me to come out of my own place. I don’t have nothing against the police, he’s doing his job, but he don’t know where they going there. That’s why he didn’t ask me where I was going. He asked me where I was going and take me out of my place. That really made me upset. Because I said, I’m the one who built this place. How can someone just come and take me out and, you know, and tell me to just come out and come out of it?”

Britney Gordon

“So, are you still having any involvement in the business at all? Are you still receiving any income from that? No kind of income.”

Victor Gatoy

“I have nothing to do with it. That’s how they treat me. They tell nobody. And that’s the way it really concerned me too. And the next thing when she do, she want put maintenance for me. And make me maintain the kids. I don’t have nothing wrong with maintaining the kids. But how is she, the way I see it, if she want make me maintain the kids and she must have the business. So I don’t understand what she want try do with me.”

12,765 Amnesty Applications Still Under Review

Thousands of amnesty applications are still being reviewed. The government says that applications for twelve thousand, seven hundred and sixty-five migrants from thirty-two countries are still being vetted in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries. The new expected date of completion is the end of September 2024. Stakeholders are reminded that the valid “white” Amnesty Program receipt is a legal document entitling migrants to remain and work in the country until a final decision is made on their application. The Amnesty Program is being implemented for the purposes of national security, managing migration, economic development, and humanitarian assistance.

Belizeans safe following 7.4 magnitude tremor in Taiwan

In a statement, the Belizean Embassy in Taiwan said it “responded immediately by liaising with Belizean students located in different regions in Taiwan, as well as universities where Belizean students are studying, to confirm that students are safe.”

The embassy said, “While some Belizeans are understandably shaken emotionally, there has been no report of material effects on Belizeans.”

In the statement, the embassy advises students to monitor the news and official disaster management agencies’ broadcasts, which will keep them informed on the areas of Taiwan confronting infrastructural and physical damages.

On X, Prime Minister John Briceño said, “Our thoughts are with the government, people and our friends of Taiwan. This morning a 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred just offshore the east coast of the island nation, and felt in its capital city Taipei and many counties. The quake experienced was the strongest in 25 years.”

BDF Soldier Charged with Grievous Harm

Belize Defence Force soldier Lieutenant Clonal Omar Tzalam was read a single charge of grievous harm when he appeared in the Punta Gorda Magistrate court on Tuesday. The charge stems from a domestic dispute that occurred on March 29th, 2024. He pled not guilty and was offered bail.

Previously, Tzalam was recently charged internally for assault on a B.D.F. female. The Security Services Commission has yet to decide on Tzalam’s future in the B.D.F.

Taiwan Hit by 7.4 Magnitude Tremor

At least nine fatalities and over 900 injuries were reported following Taiwan’s most powerful earthquake in 25 years on Wednesday. Amidst the chaos, 50 hotel employees remain unaccounted for as rescuers work tirelessly to bring trapped individuals to safety using ladders.

Dramatic footage aired on television depicted buildings leaning in the mountainous and thinly populated eastern region of Hualien, near the epicenter of the 7.2 magnitude quake.

Subsequent aftershocks reverberated across the island.

Fatalities primarily occurred in Hualien County, including three hikers in Taroko Gorge and a truck driver on the Suhua Highway, where rocks caused fatalities and extensive damage. Collapsed buildings, power outages affecting thousands of homes, and landslides on major highways further compound the aftermath.

Authorities have warned of potential aftershocks up to magnitude 7 throughout the week. Military personnel have been deployed for disaster relief, while schools and workplaces suspended operations.

Friends Die by Drowning on Easter Sunday

Two friends lost their lives in a drowning incident on Easter Sunday. Esau Castillo and Eduardo Martinez were reportedly socialising at the riverbank near the Iguana Creek Bridge. Sometime during their visit there, they decided to go for a swim in the river. But the two men never made it out of the water alive. News Five’s Marion Ali has the story.

Marion Ali, Reporting
Two friends, Esau Castillo from La Gracia Village and Eduardo Martinez from Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala died while swimming together on Easter Sunday. The men were reportedly swimming in a race against each other when their outing quickly turned into a nightmare in the river near the Iguana Creek Bridge, Cayo. Despite efforts by the Spanish Lookout Fire Rescue team, it was too late to save them on Easter Sunday evening. Peter Friessen lives near the area where the incident happened.

Peter Friessen, Resident, Iguana Creek
“I live close to the bridge and I noticed the ambulance and the fire truck went to the river, so with my own interest I went there to see what happened. Apparently, friends were at the river and two guys decided to do a little race with the swimming. They never made it to their destination where racing to.”

According to Friessen, it didn’t take very long to recover the first victim’s body, but the search for the other one took a bit longer.

Peter Friessen

“As I reached there they had found one body already and took him out and they were searching for the second and within an hour they found the second one and Spanish to go with rescue team were out there to look at it and they had used a drone To look into the water and that’s where they find the second body In the river, so they were taken out as well before dark.”

Elisandro Paz knew both men who died. Castillo was his employee and the other, came by once a week. But the day they died, he saw them minutes earlier.

Voice of: Elisandro Paz, Employer of Esau Castillo

“I saw maybe 15, 20 minutes before that happened when I was in the river I do my barbecue there and, after that I was playing with my kids in the water. A few minutes I was in the water, they – somebody called me that the guys come down there and they come down in the river. I walked down there and we didn’t see nobody. Yeah.”

Marion Ali

“You had him working on your house, which means now that that work has stopped.”

Voice of: Elisandro Paz

“Yeah. Right now everything stop soh yeah, we feel so bad that happened, noh.”

Friessen and Paz lament that, from time to time lives are lost at the location. They hope that this tragedy serves as a sombre reminder of the dangers that can lurk beneath the surface.

Voice of: Elisandro Paz

“Especially how it’s hot I think most of the people want to swim a little bit, noh but yeah, I say they nuh take care because that was deep there. 02:16

Peter Friessen

“Every once in a while it happens, but people go a lot to the river to take a swim when it’s hot. I think it’s always good to take advice if people advise them not to swim. And watch the water and – but it’s a good thing to learn to swim from young.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Police Say Postmortem Examination To Certify Men’s Deaths

While all accounts are that Esau Castillo and Eduardo Martinez drowned after they went under on Easter Sunday, postmortem examinations will still have to be conducted on the bodies to certify their cause of death. Today, the Regional Commander, Eastern Division, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, told reporters that the bodies of the two friends are awaiting autopsies now.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, the 31st of March, 2024, around 4:33 p.m., police responded to reports of a drowning at Iguana Creek Bridge in the Cayo District. Upon their arrival, they found – somebody reported that two persons were swimming and they went under and did not resurface. Searches were done, where the lifeless bodies of Eduardo Martinez and Esau Castillo were found. Information is that they were both swimming in the area when they went under, they did not resurface. Both bodies were retrieved and were taken to the morgue and now await a post mortem examination. No injuries were observed on the bodies.”

Clay Uter Murdered on Good Friday in Belize City

A man was killed in his yard on Good Friday in Belize City. Fifty-two-year-old Clay Uter, also known as Clay Monsanto, was fatally shot by a gunman who jumped his fence and targeted him. Surveillance footage from the home shows the shooters climbing across a wooden fence, while a second individual on a motorcycle waited for him on the street. Moments later, shots rang out, and the perpetrator ran back towards the motorcycle. Both men sped off in the direction of Mahogany Street. Uter is no stranger to the law. He was wanted by the police in 2004 for murder. Uter was said to be a prominent street figure in those times. He spent the last twenty years in the U.S., was deported seven months ago, and was in the process of completely transforming his life, according to his family’s account. So, did his past catch him? News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Clay Uter was killed inside his yard on Mckenzie Street in Belize City, only three days after a state of emergency was declared. On Good Friday, Uter was sitting down next to his house when a gunman jumped his fence and opened fire in his direction. The gunman then got on a motorcycle and sped off, leaving behind a fatally injured Uter. The fifty-two-year-old shooting victim was deported to Belize seven months ago after spending time behind bars in the U.S. His brother, Raymond “Footie” Gongora, says Uter had made a complete change since returning home.

Raymond ‘Footie” Gongora, Brother of Deceased

“My mah from I seventeen, Clay mih nine, my sister my seventeen, the next one was eight and I was the head of the family. When Clay was younger, he was caught up in the gang world. Yes I understand that, but he got two of his kids got killed, he went away and twenty years later he come back deported. So he said, well you know Ray I have to get to know my kids them, show my grandkids them some love because if it wasn’t for that he would go right back. So, this is what he was trying to do, get fih know his kids deh now. One thing weh in ah mih, I don’t want to hear anybody say anything about when I gwen kill this one or that one for Clay, because at the end of the day if you kill a thousand man, ih still nuh wah please me, because it is still a black man, a black youth weh deserve a chance in life and that nuh wah bring back my breda.”

In 2004, Uter was wanted by police for questioning in connection with a murder. He was also wanted around the same time for questioning in connection with an attempted murder and an attempted burglary. Gongora says that while Uter had his past, he wants people to know that his brother was a jovial individual who transformed into someone who wanted to see better for his community. Gongora suspects, however, that his brother’s past may have caught up with him.

Raymond ‘Footie” Gongora

“Clay came and to be honest Clay never went anywhere like that. If you want to find Clay that is where you will find him, always at home. He never in nothing to plan to kill you. He mih more into his family and kids and try to get his life back. You gone so long. Like I told him Belize different, just try keep by yourself. Yes I know you have to be social with people, but just be careful because a lot of people link with all kind of gangs and once you get recognized with certain people then you will get recognized as one of those people. In Belize a lot of people get killed because of affiliation because they are guilty by association. So I told him, just stay right yah, no need to go nowhere.”

Raymond “Footie” Gongora is one of the lead mediators in the Belize Police Department’s Leadership Intervention Unit. Gongora spends a lot of his time mediating between members of rival gangs to quell flareups and prevent violent acts of crime. So, does his brother’s murder change his perspective on the work that he has been doing?

Raymond ‘Footie” Gongora

“Honestly no, it hurts. I loved that man, I love my brother and he loved me. But, there is a lot of other youths and we dah all black men and as I see it our race is at risk because we the kill out each other while other races look on. So, at the end of the day we still have to stop this. If because my brother got killed I just throw in the towel like that then I never had a heart in it and my heart is in the work I do, because I am one of those kids from that same environment weh know that some of them have peer pressure, some of them don’t have any outlets, so that is why they are in what they are in and the location they are in. So, why would I throw it in? If I throw it in , that means my heart was never in it.”

Uter lost two of his children to gun violence. He leaves behind ten other children.

Raymond ‘Footie” Gongora

“Me, only god knows best and I am here because of God and he is here because of God. And I have to say what God decides and what God makes happen no man can question. It is God’s will. So he knows what he is doing. That is one of the things that keeps me going to deal with this right now. It is not an easy thing as a human person. this is not an easy thing, you see I the talk, but I have to be the bigger person and say you know what, what God decides, no man can put different.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.