He was the man that filed a statement and provided material evidence to the police that ended with the conviction of attorney Oscar Selgado who is awaiting sentencing for abetment to commit murder. Today, it is that man, thirty-year-old Giovanni Ramirez, who was arraigned for being a member of a gang. Martinez, a resident of Seine Bight Village, Stann Creek District, is accused of being a member of the Back-Ah-Land Crips. Ramirez pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court today. He asked permission to speak and told the sitting magistrate that his arrest stemmed from a vehicle that he bought from a policeman. According to Ramirez, they took his vehicle, which he claimed he had for two years and then four days later, police came and arrested him and then he was charged with being a member of a gang. Ramirez asked what his vehicle had to do with his arrest, but the Magistrate told him she cannot answer or address his question as only the charge for being a member of a gang is before her. Ramirez was denied bail and was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until July twenty-fourth. It was a statement made by Ramirez that led the Crown to seal the conviction of Selgado for abetment to murder Marilyn Burns. Ramirez had told police that Selgado paid him to carry out a hit on Burns. Ramirez never showed up in court to testify against Selgado, but his statement was admitted into evidence in the trial against Selgado. It was alleged that Ramirez had recorded meetings he had with Selgado.
Month: May 2024
Man Walks from Murder Charge
Twenty-one-year-old Jahstar Wassani Gonguez is free of the November first, 2021, murder of Shawn Robert Palacio, also known as “Ras Shawn “. The case ended in a nolle prosequi when the main witness was too afraid and asked if the state can protect her. But when she was informed that there is no witness protection system in Belize, she chose not to testify in the matter. Gonguez spent two years, six months on remand. He was arrested and charged with Palacio ‘s murder on November eighteenth, 2021, seventeen days after the fatal shooting. On November first, 2021, forty-year-old Shawn Robert Palacio was gunned down while walking on Mudd Street on the Jane Usher Boulevard area of Belize City. In 2021, Palacio ‘s murder came as a shock to his community as he was not known to be involved in any violent activities.
Chinese Businessman Charged with Obtaining Property by Deception
A Chinese businessman is in trouble with the law after a fellow comrade alleged that he was conned out of almost a quarter million dollars’ worth of drinks. Owner of Ritchie’s Supermarket Limited, and Island City Supermarket Limited, thirty-seven-year-old Wen Yuen Zhen pleaded not guilty to the charge today and was offered bail of ten thousand dollars. The Court Prosecutor, Corporal Humbert Ayala had heavy objections to bail, including that he is a flight risk since he is just a naturalized Belizean and not a born Belizean. Furthermore, Ayala argued that there are no documents before the court to substantiate that Zhen has ties to Belize, but Zhen’s attorney, Immanuel Williams, submitted to the court that Zhen is a businessman with several properties in Belize and has no problem surrendering all his travel documents to the court with any necessary company documents to show his ties Belize. According to Williams, Zhen has been doing business in Belize for over seventeen years and that he has brought a civil suit against the virtual complainant. The magistrate offered Zhen bail of ten thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same, or two sureties of five thousand dollars each. It is alleged that Wen dishonestly obtained an assortment of drinks belonging to Caribbean International Brewery, all to a total of just under a quarter of a million dollars. According to police reports, on December second, 2022, the other Chinese businessman, sixty-two-year-old Kevin Xin of Carmelita Village, Orange Walk and Director of the Caribbean International Brewery Limited, (C.I.B.) reported to them that between April sixth, 2022 and August fifth, 2022, he sold an assortment of alcoholic drinks to Zhen. He said that Zhen paid with two Atlantic Bank cheques, which the bank later informed him could not be processed because a stop order had been made by another person. He said Zhen told him he would check on it, but he has not heard from him and has stopped answering his calls. But Zhen’s attorney, Immanuel Williams says Zhen is suing the brewery and Xin in a civil matter that is already before the court. In that suit, Zhen is asking for the removal of the beers and for the brewery to pay for warehouse storage fees. Williams shared some details on how the two businessmen ended up in court.
Emmanuel Williams, Attorney for Wen Yuen Zhen
“The matter is still in its infancy, so there’s not much I can state about the matter at this time. However, there is an agreement between the complainant and Mr. Zhen, and pursuant to that agreement, there was some bad faith between the parties, and the complaint was lodged, and subsequently my client was charged with the offence of obtaining property by deception. He is not to interfere with the witness and they encourage him not to be within a hundred feet of the witness and to visit the court every Friday until the conclusion of the matter.”
Zhen must appear again in court on July tenth.
Garbage Pollution in Canals Brings Crocs Closer to Belama Residents
Representatives from government departments that work with wildlife joined forces with the Crocodile Research Coalition earlier this week to capture a crocodile in Belama Phase Three. As we reported on Tuesday, a large croc spotted in the canal raised concerns among residents. These reptiles are known to inhabit the canal, but the size of the animal captured on video that day was enough for residents to call on authorities to capture and relocate it. Well, the team that set out to capture the crocodile was unable to locate it. They did, however, agree on one thing, the garbage pollution in the canal is leading crocodiles to venture closer to the properties of residents in the community. We spoke with Doctor Marisa Tellez, the Executive Director of the Crocodile Research Coalition.
Dr. Marissa Tellez, Executive Director, Crocodile Research Coalition
“When that video of the crocodile from Belama first went on Facebook, I was immediately contacted by colleagues, residents, other concerned citizens and I think a lot of people that were commenting on the Facebook page, nailed the real issue. The issue is not the crocodile, the issue is the trash in that area. And we must understand, pollution overall, if you want to look at the statistics and science, pollution us much more of a safety issue for the public than a crocodile, especially if it’s a species that is, according to experts across the world, not considered a “man eater”. Everyone knows there are crocodiles in the city, but if you want to make sure that a crocodile doesn’t get too close to the street, if you want to make sure the crocodile doesn’t start habituating to humans, clean up the trash. What happens is the trash starts attacking racoons, the street dogs, you are pretty much baiting the crocodile at this point. So, if the trash is cleaned up, it is most likely that large crocodile is not going to be in the area anymore. This is a concern where sure if you want to relocate the crocodile that is putting a band aid on the situation, the real situation here is the pollution in that area. This is where education comes into play, and I know there is so many great organizations and communities trying to clean up because they understand the concern about trash. Buit this is also about where the government can step in to assist with improving the waste management system.”
Farewell Doctor Fernando Cuellar
Doctor Fernando Cuellar was laid to rest today. The beloved medical professional dedicated his life to serving the nation in the private and public healthcare sectors. When he lost his battle to blood cancer in April, news of his passing sent waves of sorrow across the nation. As we reported, he passed away in the presence of his siblings at a hospital in the U.S. They have since returned to Belize to lay him to rest. This morning, his funeral procession stopped in front of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and the Belize Medical Associates where his former colleagues got to say their final farewell. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Doctors and nurses at the KHMH formed a line in front of the hospital’s entrance to pay respect to the late Dr. Fernando Cuellar. He lost his battle to blood cancer in April while seeking medical attention in the U.S. This morning, a funeral procession carrying an urn with Dr. Cuellar’s remains passed in front of the hospital where his former colleagues bade him farewell. Dr. Cuellar’s immediate relatives were there to great the hospital staff. His son, Shawn Cuellar, shared a few words.
Shawn Cuellar, Son of Dr. Fernando Cuellar
“It is beautiful to see all these people here. I would never gauge the amount of people or the level of impact that he had on this country. But by just seeing these people’s faces out there I am beginning to realize how much he meant to Belize and how much he cared for his work. I am extremely thankful, even if it is just a simple message, it means so much, so much.”
Chandra Cansino, C.E.O., KHMHA
“As you are aware, Dr. Cuellar was larger than life and he really was a part of the medical community everywhere in the country. He spent many years at Karl Heusner is several capacities as well. He was our emergency medicine, head of emergency medicine, then he was the director of health services. SO, he served at KHMH in many capacities. And even up until the end of this year he was helping us to cover shifts at the intensive care unit when we needed him. So he was always helping and serving. So it was very important for the medical community here at KHMH who may not have the opportunity to go to the church to bid him farewell.”
Chandra Cansino
“Doctor Cuellar was somebody I considered my friend. He was one of the few persons that checked on me when I got this job, always asking me how I was doing. And so, it is personal and it is professional and I really am glad we got the opportunity to say goodbye.”
After leaving the KHMH, the procession headed over to the Belize Medical Associates on St. Thomas Street. Dr. Cuellar worked at the private healthcare facility for the last twenty-three years of his life. There, his former colleagues also gathered to bid him a final farewell. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
Itz’at STEAM Academy is Officially Launched
This morning here in Belize City, government officials, including Prime Minister John Briceño and Education Minister Francis Fonseca, were on hand for the official opening of Itz’at STEAM Academy. The secondary school opened its doors to the first cohort of students at the start of the academic calendar in September of last year. News Five was there for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Here’s that story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
STEAM education is a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to learning that is crucial for high school students. At Itz’at STEAM Academy, young people are prepared with knowledge, skills, and integrated experiences in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics to build a sustainable future for themselves and their communities. STEAM education encourages students to think creatively and apply their knowledge in innovative ways.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“It’s an absolutely exciting day for education in our country, you know, we’ve talked for a long time about STEAM education and the importance of investing in STEAM education for the future development of Belize and that’s what Itz’at STEAM Academy high school is all about. It’s about providing a space in our education structure and education system for young people to develop the skills and aptitudes that they need to participate in the future of Belize’s development.”
With rapid technological advancements, STEAM programs such as the one offered at Itz’at, help prepare students for future careers that require a blend of technical skills and creative thinking. It also emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, skills that are highly valued in the modern workforce.
John Newport, Principal, Itz’at STEAM Academy
“At Itz’at STEAM Academy, our ambition is to create a diverse and inclusive school community that inspires young people, including girls, those from marginalized, social, economic and cultural groups, those with special needs to advance their knowledge and understanding of the world and to engage in concrete actions that lead to the improvement not only of their lives, but the lives of those around them.”
Construction for the new secondary institution began in September 2022 and was completed last year. The facility, with its two buildings, covers a total of thirty-five thousand square feet. STEAM education allows for personalized learning experiences, catering to diverse interests and strengths of students.
“We talk all the time about the green economy, the blue economy, and the orange economy. Well we can’t just talk about it, we have to prepare our people to participate in that new economy, new emerging economy. And so, education has to lead the way and we have to be at the cutting edge of technology and science, and art. So I am very, very proud of the fact that, you know, over the past three years we have spent a lot of time and effort focused on this project.”
John Newport
“Our campus is not just this, our campus is the wider community and our students are engaging in it. And so, at the end of this ceremony you will get a chance to see some of these students in action. And again, remember they are first formers, as you see them engage in transformative mathematics that lead to qualitative reasoning, as you see the robotics group. And I’d like to say, a school does not turn students into robots, a school is where students make robots out of Lego and machines and wires and they show that we in Belize can really do some cutting-edge, technological, transformative action.”
Isani Cayetano for News Five.
FM Fonseca Discusses Latest Sarstoon Encounter with GAF
Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca was in Guatemala recently on an official visit where he met with several diplomatic counterparts, including the foreign minister of Guatemala, as well as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He was there to discuss the regional issue of migration, but took the opportunity to raise Belize’s concern in the wake of the latest face-off between the Guatemalan Armed Forces and the Belize Defense Force on Sarstoon River.
Francis Fonseca, Foreign Minister
“I was in Guatemala from Monday to Wednesday participating in the follow-up meeting of what they call the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. The prime minister had attended the first meeting last year and this was a follow-up meeting with foreign ministers from Central America, Latin America and a few from the Caribbean, as well, along with the U.S Secretary of State, Secretary Blinken. So that’s why I was there. So Belize was able to make a presentation on the challenges we are facing in terms of migration and border security. But I also used the opportunity as well to meet with representatives of the U.S. Secretary of State and the U.S. Homeland Security Department, as well, to share with them some of these challenges. And of course I had the opportunity to meet with my counterpart in Guatemala, the Guatemalan foreign minister, and we had a very frank, open dialogue. I, of course, raised the issue of, as you describe it, these flare-ups that have been taking place and I really think we had a very positive, constructive dialogue and discussion on this matter. I made it very clear, Belize’s position in terms of our sovereignty and territorial integrity and we agreed that it was important for us to have a more structured approach to communicating, both at the military level and at the diplomatic level. But I think what’s most important is that both of the foreign ministers agreed that these matters are to be resolved diplomatically.”
There’s A Dire Need for Campaign Finance Legislation
Earlier this week, developer David Gegg appeared before the Senate Special Select Committee where he was grilled about the definitive agreement that was awarded under the previous administration. During his interrogation, Gegg, the principal of Portico Enterprises Limited, told the panel that a request for campaign financing was presented to him as a quid pro quo for the definitive agreement. The revelation once again has raised questions about the need for campaign finance legislation to be enacted. Prime Minister John Briceño shared his thoughts on the matter.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“That’s something that has to be taken [into consideration], we have to take a hard look at. We’ve been trying to find ways on how we can come up with some form of campaign finance legalization because there is no legislation, but it’s important that we be able to put something that can work. The United States, for instance, as an example, for the presidential elections, you know, they have campaign finance legislation and it’s running them over a billion dollars per candidate. Is that campaign financing legislation working? Absolutely not. So we need to find one that can work, I wish we could find one that would limit the amount of ads that you give, and t-shirts and everything else because it will make it easier for the political parties. So it’s something that I support and we’re looking at, and hopefully we can come up with something that can work for Belize.”
Isani Cayetano
“It requires political will, nonetheless, and you guys have a super majority in the house.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“But it’s not about the will, it’s about having something that can work. As I said all along, it is something I support. Don’t you think I’d want to be able to have, to run a campaign where we would spend a fraction of what is necessary? Of course we would, and we would make it so much easier for all the political parties.”
What is the Future of PACT?
The Protected Areas Conservation Management Trust, PACT, is the subject of concerns being raised APAMO. Representatives of the umbrella association met with Prime Minister John Briceño recently to discuss the future of PACT.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I met with APAMO, along with the minister and we were discussing, not necessarily on the legislation. They were concerned about the future of PACT and which direction it is going and questioning whether the changing of the executive director was at the right time. The minister explained and I think we have a good understanding on how to make sure that we ensure that PACT works the way it was envisioned. To give you a little bit of history, the UDP implemented PACT, but it was under my care that PACT really became the institution it was. And I remember when the past administration was making changes to the PACT legislation, I called the minister back then and I said why are we making these changes, because then you are opening it up for then even the government to be able to access funds. And he said, no, don’t worry about it and then here we are today. So yes, we need to take a look at how we can continue to improve PACT.”
Belizean Chef Gains Culinary Diploma Alongside Professionals
In late April, twelve Belizean chefs from across the country completed a diploma in a culinary arts program through the B.T.B., the Ministry of Education and the Florida International University. Over the course of nine sessions, these chefs were trained in various culinary skills with assistance from Belize’s own Chef Sean Kuylen, who blended Belizean culture into the experience. We spoke with a recent graduate today, to hear how they plan to make use of the knowledge and skills imparted on them. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Part of Belize’s reputation as a melting pot of cultures, includes the wide variety of food offered throughout the country. Across various hotels, restaurants and vendors, food tourism is a large contributor to Belize’s economy. Thus, creating opportunities for more people to hone their skills in the kitchen is a necessary part of keeping Belizean chefs in business. Recently, twelve people were able to gain a diploma in a culinary arts program through the BTB, the Ministry of Education and the Florida International University. Mirna Paul Greenidge chose not to become a professional chef but wanted to join in on the experience to gain the skills and knowledge.
Mirna Paul Greenidge, Culinary Arts Program Graduate
“It was a culinary arts class and it was a basic skills learning about different aspects and techniques of cooking and preparation of food and also doing safety, which is very important.”
Britney Gordon
“So how did you get involved in this program?”
“I got involved because I saw an advertisement from BTB, kudos to the people at BTB, the minister for his vision and his entire team, Mister Enriquez, who is the person that do all the training for the different aspects of hospitality in the country. Miss Tracy, who was very helpful for us, for encourage us and get us to get this training completed.”
The participants mastered a variety of skills, including cold food preparation and menu design.
Britney Gordon
“So I know you’re not a chef by profession. What made you decide that? Okay, I’m going to go and try this.”
“I have a passion for cooking. I’m really interested in being a barrister. And, of course, you understand that there is a principle of preparation, meeting, opportunity. So, I believe that we always have to learn new skills. That’s how I became also a masseuse. So, in that quest of trying to get self development.That is how I end up in this course. And of course, I plan to use it at home and who knows, maybe sometime doing some catering.”
Paul said that although this was all new to her, she was able to become adept through the guidance of her mentors and fellow classmates.
“Well, basically you learn techniques and you don’t take for granted especially in food preparation. There is a lot of measures of safety that you have to take, um, the purchasing of the food, how you store your food costing if you’re interested in being a chef, because many of my classmates were chefs, of course, and they’re working already in restaurants or resorts and it’s very important because at the end of the day, we are able to handle food properly and be able to cost it and do everything that we need to do in a good measure.”
She explained that the environment was welcoming to diverse participants, which only made her enthusiasm for the experience grow.
“It was very inclusive and we had good integration because we were very helpful. Those who had a little bit more experience, we were able to gain from that because we did a lot of group sessions. We also had theory in the few months that we were doing it and We’re at the commissary at Boeing and Boeing. That is where we did the practice. Level four kitchen. That’s the best of the best, the top. So we were able to even be exposed to what is expected in a real scenario of a restaurant. So everybody pitching, we did several things. We had chef Kuylen with us. That was very interesting. Putting the Belizean flavor to the French cuisine because that’s basically what we learn a lot about.”
Mirna Paul Greenidge
“The course is very interesting. It’s a way of enhancing your skills. And of course the better prepared people are for the hospitality and to serve the tourists. I think that is a plus for Belize. And I think that everybody you shouldn’t just be educated or just. You should be very much in tune to what you’re doing and have the skills and the qualifications to back it up.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.