May, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

16 Track and Field Athletes Depart for CADICA Games

Today, sixteen, young, promising, Belizean athletes are making the trip to Costa Rica to participate in the annual Central American and Caribbean Athletic Championships. This prestigious event allows athletes across the region to showcase their talents and dedication in various sporting disciplines. In 2023, Belize brought home seven gold, eight silver and two bronze medals in various disciplines. Today, we attended a press conference held with the delegation before they departed for the competition. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The 2024 CADICA Games are almost here, and sixteen Belizean athletes are brimming with anticipation. Last year, the delegation returned home with seventeen medals, and the Belize Athletic Association is confident that this year will be another success. At the final press conference held before athletes left for Costa Rica, we spoke with BAA president, Cojac Smith, who said that they are simply encouraging the participants to do their best.

Cojac Smith, President, Belize Athletic Association

“We just encourage them to do their best and whatever results are yield from that, then we’re okay with it. So we just want the athletes to be okay, performing and at the peak level and don’t have any additional pressure in what type of medals they bring down. But to be honest with us, with you, and the Belizean public, the Athletic Association is very confident in this group of kids that we’re sending out. So we think that they’ll do well.”

Over the course of two days, the athletes will participate in a variety of running, throwing, and jumping events. Smith said that the level of preparation the athletes have been able to achieve while balancing schoolwork is commendable.

Cojac Smith

“It has been arduous. It’s a year in process. They’ve been training with their coaches. Some of them are from out district. One of the things that this association wanted to do was capture at least from throughout the country getting the best possible at least that we could get throughout the country. So we did some research and got somebody at least him from the high school nationals that went and we were able to get someone at least there. They went to the nationals that we did recently and they performed well and they met the standards. So it’s not a easy process balancing school as well as athletics. So you have to give kudos to these young people that are pushing forward and trying to balance both of it.”

The delegation will be accompanied by several coaches, chaperones, and a physiotherapist to assist with any discomfort or injuries. Minister of Sports, Rodwell Ferguson said that it is crucial that Belizeans continue to support sports as it is expensive to maintain.

Rodwell Ferguson, Minster of Sports

“I believe every citizen in this country should be proud to say I contributed for the team that went to represent our country because when they come back and they win, we all make a big hooray and say congratulations. But we don’t ask ourselves, how much have we contributed? And as the Minister of Sports, what I have noticed lately, that many letters are coming to the Ministry and the National Sports Council for requests. We do not know if these letters are authentic. Anybody who wants to do a quick fundraiser, wah write and seh I di do X, Y and Z in sports and I expect to get a contribution. Our budget is very small. We have to spend it wisely.”

Ferguson said that in order to assist the association with funding, he had to get creative.

Rodwell Ferguson

“Fortunately, you are lucky that when you came over two and a half months ago, I had to put on my thinking cap and we were able to sponsor over seventy-five percent of your trip going to Costa Rica, so we expect you to come back and make Belize proud. I also want to commend the coaches. Miska was in Venezuela that they go and they take very good care of our children. That is the most important thing. Because the parents expect that when they come back, you might see that the child was well disciplined, and they performed to the best of their ability.”

We spoke with Rupert Cardinez, who competes in one hundred and two hundred meter runs and hurdles. Last year, he brought home two medals for Belize.

Britney Gordon

“Last year, you said you took home a medal. What medal did you bring home?”

Rupert Cardinez, Athlete

“For one hundred I get a silver and for my next race in El Salvador I get a bronze for hurdle.”

Britney Gordon

“So how are you feeling? You’re about to make this long journey over to Costa Rica to represent Belize. How are you feeling right now?”

Rupert Cardinez

“Well I feel good Because I’m only going with one mindset. I just want everybody to be proud.”

Britney Gordon

“Are you confident.”

Rupert Cardinez

“Yes ma’am. Really.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Saturday Night is Fight Night Inside Civic

Saturday night is fight night inside the Belize City Civic Center as Belizean boxer Eduardo ‘Mecanico” Esquivel is set to take on Mexican Albino “Cobra” Meza. The championship match is being sanctioned by the World Boxing Council. Several fights are scheduled for the night, leading up to the championship bout. Boxers from five different countries will be competing on the night of the event. And to top it all off, Boxing Hall of Fame Referee, Joe Cortez will be in attendance. He is in Belize to work alongside the Belize Boxing Development Council to uplift the discipline here in the country. We spoke with Assad Martinez, founder of the Belize Boxing Development Council.

Assad Martinez, Founder, Belize Boxing Development Council

“This is what I would call the threshold event for the nation. Of course, we have the boxing hall of fame referee Mr. Joe Cotez that came from Las Vegas to help us build our intangible capacities for the sports. Those who have been coming to see our fights know what they are going to get. But this particular one is going to bring even more because we have two fighters from the U.S. Then we have this guy Albino Cobra who is fighting the Mechanico. He is very hard. He is very consistent, so this is a very difficult fight for us. But we do what we do to set the proper paradigm for our athletes to succeed, in particular in boxing. We have had boxing in the past, whether you want to go from Simon Lucas to Lightburn, to Dakers but we never set the proper intangible paradigm for the fighters to progress and join the global talent pool and make economics from it. Boxing is an economic sport and as Belizeans we have the physical attribute and the physical attribute and the intellectual temperament to succeed in this sport.”

The Importance of Water with Maya Mopan Primary School

March twenty-second was celebrated globally as World Water Day, but the conversation about protecting one of our most essential resources should extend beyond a single day. This year, the Public Utilities Commission invited schools across the country to participate in a poetry competition with the theme, “Water for Peace.” Primary school students showcased their talents, reciting spoken word poems that called for the protection of our water resources. One standout entry came from Maya Mopan Government Primary School. With a little over a hundred students, this school delivered a powerful message that captured our attention. Sabreena Daly traveled south to meet the students and learn about their message in this week’s Look on The Bright Side.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

On hot days or after a day of physical activities, the body yearns for rehydration. Whether it’s ice cold or room temperature, water is a source of survival for every living thing. It’s essential for bodily functions, ecosystems, and agriculture, making its preservation crucial for future generations. Saxil Cho participated in a poetry competition and spoke about the importance of water.

Saxil Cho, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“We drink it to stay strong and well. In baths and showers, we can tell. For plants and animals, it’s a live key. A precious resource for you and me.”

Cho was one of five students from Maya Mopan Government Primary School, who participated in a poetry competition organized by the Public Utilities Commision. Principal Magnolia Pop told us more.

Magnolia Pop, Principal, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“We wanted to show off the talent of our students here. Because most of the time, sometimes we feel like we are a forgotten school, you know, we are in the rural area. So I think this is the best opportunity for us to show what our students are capable of doing. And again, encouraging them in their writing, especially when it comes to poetry.”

Gia Teck emphasized the importance of protecting larger bodies of water, noting that while we enjoy water for leisure, we must also safeguard it, just as we do with smaller bodies of water.

Gia Teck, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“In Belize, by the Caribbean Sea, where water flows so wild and free, children play and laugh with glee as they learn of peace and harmony. Water for Peace, a theme so grand, it teaches us to work hand in hand to protect our rivers, lakes, and sea for a future where peace will always be.”

Stephanie Thomas, Teacher, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“They were talking about how important it is for them to keep the water clean. The use of water. For example, for it to water the plants. For them not to waste water. Those were some of the things that they included in their poem.”

Anya Pop, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“It’s about what’s happening on Earth and in Belize. There’s violence coming into the world, and that is how we pollute the water. It is violating the water with pollution and littering the water. And if it starts with us taking action to stop littering, and by bringing that action, it will bring it to the world, and we will have peace, like water.”

Enola Boucher, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School

“In Belize where the water flows, bringing peace to hearts aglow. From the Caribbean sea so wide, the caves where secrets hide. Blue hole deep, mysterious and grand. Maya mountains towering, a majestic land.”

Stephanie Thomas assisted many of the students with writing their poems. She observed that those who participated clearly understand the value of what they expressed.

Stephanie Thomas
“They did not take it for granted. One of the reasons why is because like, look at us right now. Water is needed and it’s really hot and what is keeping us active is the water. So, for them, they don’t take it lightly.”

Enola Boucher

“Well, water is part of our earth. It’s part of us as well. Water brings peace to our world. Without water, we wouldn’t be here. We wouldn’t survive. So then water is pretty much part of us, and it brings peace to our countries.”

Sabreena Daly

“So what was it like writing a poem like this to ensure that the public would know that water is peace and it’s important for us to preserve it?”

Enola Boucher

“Well, it was challenging and also interesting at the same time. I had to do some research, but I also had help from my family, my classmates, and my teacher.”

Anya Pop

“Water for peace. In rivers calm, peace finds its place. Oceans gigantic, a tranquil embrace. Each droplet speaks of unity. Let’s guard it with the greatest scrutiny. From kindness springs, let’s draw our sip, and wash away differences in its grip. Hand in hand, let’s spread the call, for water’s peace unites us all. Ki ki ha, se me ti du na, Agua Rica, nice water.”

Stephanie Thomas

“The message behind it is for us to know that as people we should unite together and to keep water, to remind ourselves that water is very important, not only us as people but for the animals, the plant and everything in Belize.”

Daijah Shol urged all Belizeans to do their part in recognizing the importance of water every day.

Daijah Shol, Student, Maya Mopan Government Primary School
“So let’s conserve and not waste. Water for peace, let’s make it a taste. Let’s share and care for every drop. In Belize, let’s make water our top. So here’s to 2024, Water Day. Let’s celebrate in a big way. Water for peace, let’s all unite. In Belize, let’s make it right.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.

Belizean Appointed a Resident Magistrate in Grant Turk

Belizean Patricia Arana, former Registrar of the Magistrate’s Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), has been appointed as the new Resident Magistrate in Grand Turk, the nation’s capital. This is being reported by Turks and Caicos Weekly News

Arana was officially sworn in on Monday and has since commenced her duties in the new role. Arana initially joined the Judiciary of the Turks and Caicos Islands as Registrar of the Magistrate’s Court in April 2022. Before that, she served as the Deputy Registrar General at the Supreme Court of Belize.

Arana began her judicial career as a Magistrate in 2010 and was promoted to Senior Magistrate in 2015. As Senior Magistrate, she worked in several districts in Belize and acted as Chief Magistrate on multiple occasions. Additionally, she was seconded for two years as Legal Counsel to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Belize.

Arana is an alumna of the University of the West Indies, where she earned a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) Degree, and the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, where she obtained her Legal Education Certificate. Notably, she was awarded the H.H. Dunn Memorial Prize for Legal Drafting and Interpretation at the Norman Manley Law School.

Regionally, Arana serves as an Executive Member of the Caribbean Association of Judicial Officers (CAJO) on behalf of the Judiciary of the Turks and Caicos Islands. She is also an active member of the Caribbean Association of Women Judges (CAWJ) and the National Garifuna Council (NGC) Orange Walk Branch.

Attempted Child Abduction in Belmopan

A woman took to Facebook last night to say that her daughter was the victim of an attempted abduction. According to the mother, the incident happened at around 4 p.m. yesterday.

She wrote, “I was about to take a bathe a little after 4pm while my daughter played in the yard with a neighbors child… Not even 3 minutes and the other child came and alerted me that someone was taking my child.”

She said she quickly pursued the man. She says that she has filed a police report.

According to the mother, the man told her daughter that he would buy her “chips and she seh she tell he no but she she mi fraid fi scream caz she neva want d man hurt her.”

“Parents please keep unu kids inside!!! They have some real maniac and child molesters bout the place!”

Her daughter is okay.

ComPol Williams Elected 1st Vice President of the ACCP

At the 38th Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) Annual General Meeting, held in Belize City, Belize, Commissioner of Police Chester C. Williams was elected as the 1st Vice President. In the previous executive, Commissioner Williams served as the 2nd Vice President.

Commissioner of Police Atlee Rodney from Antigua and Barbuda was re-elected as President. Commissioner of Police Crusita Descartes-Pelius from St. Lucia was re-elected as Secretary/Treasurer, while Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander from the Bahamas was elected as the 2nd Vice President.

This year, Belize hosted the event, providing a platform for commissioners of police from across the region to discuss strategies for tackling crime as a united front. During the conference, police commissioners addressed pressing issues such as gang violence and border security.

A U.S. judge rules that tacos and burritos are Mexican-style sandwiches

It’s a question that has stood the test of time—and one that sparked a legal battle in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the U.S.A.

Are tacos sandwiches? According to Allen County Superior Court Judge Craig J. Bobay, the answer is yes, including burritos. In a ruling on Monday, Bobay declared tacos and burritos “Mexican-style sandwiches.” This decision arose from a case on whether “Famous Taco” could open in a Fort Wayne shopping centre.

The zoning policy for the property bans fast food but allows restaurants to sell “made-to-order” or Subway-style sandwiches. Although the city commission initially denied the request, Bobay ruled that Famous Taco fits the criteria of serving “Mexican-style sandwiches,” noting that the policy doesn’t restrict to American-style sandwiches.

This isn’t the first legal consideration of food categorization. The USDA in 2005 labelled a burrito as a “Mexican style sandwich-like product.” Additionally, the Cube Rule, which categorises food by starch placement, would classify a burrito as a calzone and a taco as a taco.

For now, Judge Bobay seems to have settled the debate in Fort Wayne. “No amendment was necessary,” he wrote.

Worst Wildfire Residents of San Pedro Columbia Have Ever Seen

Forest fires are not uncommon at this time of the year. But reports coming out of San Pedro, Columbia are that wildfires have leveled more than fifteen hundred acres of land in the Toledo District over the last two days. These lands include an abundance of farmlands that residence cultivate to make ends meet. Area Representative Oscar Requena says he has had to join the fight over the last two days to put out fires in the community, as his property is also being affected. He says that while residents experience the destructive nature of wildfires annually, this is the worst it has ever been. Community members have been coming together to assist each other in protecting their livelihoods. But the task at hand is overwhelming and their resources are few. To add to the damage being done to farmlands, wildlife is also being lost to the inferno. Images of torched tapirs, ocelots and gibnuts have surfaced. We spoke with Requena over the phone. He told us that he believes this runaway wildfire originated from a careless farmer who left a small fire unattended.

On the Phone: Oscar Requena, Area Representative, Toledo West

“This is a very serious situation that happened in San Pedro Columbia and of course over the last few days we have witnessed fires burning in many other communities, Golden Stream, Medina Bank and Crique Hute and several other communities. This dry weather has of course severely been one of the main reasons why fires have really escalated and burn a lot of farmlands in San Pedro Columbia alone. I believe that well in excess of fifteen hundred acres of land have been destroyed, farmlands. Essentially what has happened is that people’s livelihoods have been destroyed and it is very difficult for them. I believe the source of the fire is as a result of a careless farmer who was burning and really left the fire untended. There is an urgent need to put in place these strategic plans as to how the communities being impacted are going to move forward as we prepare to mitigate the severe effects of fire. I am certain that from a community perspective we need to come together and get government agencies and NGOs to come together and develop a clear strategy as to how this is going to be dealt with because fires in the Toledo District, particularly in these areas is not something new. This has been happening quite frequently, but of course this year has been one of the worst years.”

NEMO On the Ground in Toledo to Assist Wildfire Victims

According to the Toledo West Area Representative, the National Emergency Management Organization, NEMO, has deployed personnel to the area to conduct assessments of the damage and its impact on the community. Requena is calling for a reconnaissance mission over the area so that Belizeans can get a better understanding of all that has been lost so far. Here is what he told us.

On the Phone: Oscar Requena, Area Representative, Toledo West

“What I can say is that I just spoke to the minister of NEMO and what has happened is that there has been activation on the ground and certainly here is a lot of work taking place. The first thing is to get the various agencies on the ground to conduct an assessment of what has occurred and how it is impacting the livelihoods of our people, issues associated with fires and smoke, possible health issues and really with a strategy to provide some sort of relief where possible. I want to ask that apart from just the great negative effects on the livelihoods of people it is really heart breaking to see the severe damage on the flora and fauna. You are talking about seeing tapir burnt, ocelots and gibnuts, just wildlife. It is really terrible. I want to call on the authorities to do a reconnaissance of the area and they would really, I think the nation would get a clear understanding of the damage and impact that has occurred to just lands in the Toledo District.”

Brushfires are Destructive to the Flora and Fauna

And while a vast part of Columbia Village is on fire currently, the rising temperatures are not helping the situation any. Today, a news team headed out along a portion of the George Price Highway, and while there was no burning bush along the stretch leading to the Belize Zoo, they captured evidence of wildfires that swept through the area a week or two ago. Other areas that are still burning are in the Mountain Pine Ridge, and the smoke that has drifted this way makes visibility upon the horizon difficult. Marion Ali reports.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Today the brushes along the George Price Highway showed all the signs of fires that have burnt through several areas. Large tracts of land show parched trees and greenery that are left bare by the blaze that ripped through. The Forest Department trains non-government personnel on how to fight wildfires, the agriculture department tackles agricultural blazes, and the fire department deals with fires that threaten or burn property. Chief Forest Officer, John Pinelo says that if you have to light a bush fire in a rural setting, there are some specific dos and don’ts.

Via phone: John Pinelo Jr, Deputy Chief Forest Officer

“We recommend that you burn fires in the morning or in the evening if you need to burn. And if you’re going to do that, you need a fire line. You need to have clearance around your boundary so that it does not jump in somebody else’s property. Unfortunately, too often, people like their fires and they walk away and leave it and then it jumps into somebody else’s property. And that. Becomes the beginning of a wildfire that can recover on hundreds of acres, maybe thousands of acres. That is one of the major issues we have in the country right now. We have this tradition of burning bush before the rain comes so we can plant and that is what is exacerbating this issue. We’re already having this climate change problem. And we have people still burning and doing these types of activities for the environment. It is not good for the. Air people with allergies, people with asthma are heavily affected. It is bad for visibility.”

Pinelo says the degree of damage and losses that these wildfires cause to the environment is unnecessary and is preventable.

Via phone: John Pinelo Jr.

“It’s dangerous and not to mention the loss of biodiversity that we’re having not only the trees, but in the thousands and thousands of wildlife that are getting killed because of these fires. They can’t really leave for animals that can’t be their area. They get burnt, we lose all of that biodiversity because of all these fires.”

Today, the horizon near Gracie Rock was barely visible from the George Price Highway because of the tremendous amount of smoke that has been caused by wildfires. Aside from the poor visibility, the smoke also triggers respiratory issues. These are some of the experiences, aside from loss of property that villagers of Columbia are facing now.

Via phone: John Pinelo Jr.

“Right now in Columbia, there’s a huge wildfire burning people’s farms. Threatening hoses, because somebody started a fire here and it came to it until it was done. So now we have this major issue burning our forces are burning people’s houses down, burning their crops because of negligence.”

Anyone who wants to light a fire for agricultural purposes must get a permit from the Forest Department. Failure to provide evidence of this to the police can lead to arrests. Marion Ali for News Five.