Belize recently celebrated fifty years of being a member of CARICOM. The organization was founded in 1973 by Barbados, Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. One year later, on May first, Belize joined the group, further solidifying relations with countries in the region. Every year, Belize participates in CARICOM Week, which is dedicated to recognizing the importance of the group and appreciating the community. Deputy Director General of Foreign Trade, Tricia Gideon told us that this year’s activities will highlight Belize’s fiftieth anniversary with CARICOM.
Tricia Gideon
Tricia Gideon, Deputy Director General, Foreign Trade
“There’s several reasons why it exists and there are people who can delve into the history even better than I can, but one of the primary reasons is we’re small. And when you have many voices advocating for an issue, it makes it easier. As we have had the Guatemala issue at the forefront for years. And it hasn’t been a lobbying, and we haven’t been lobbying alone. We’ve had the support of our colleagues in CARICOM, as we have done for Guyana and their issue with Venezuela. When we look at climate issues, it isn’t done at one member state level. It’s done collectively. The reason we’ve been able to secure one of our biggest trade agreements with the EU is because we did it as a collective. And it is through funding that the EU has given the community that we have benefited from a number of projects. On CARICOM week to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary. We’ve been doing it for years, but this year we are going to have a number of activities, but particularly focused on Belize in CARICOM for 50 years. And we have an exhibition at the library in Belmopan. This will be a moving, a traveling exhibition as well. So other districts can appreciate it. We will also be doing presentation to high school and primary school students in Belmont Pan about what is CARICOM, who is CARICOM, and we will also be working with students in Duluth City, high school students for an art class. to paint what Caricom means to us and to identify some of the Caricom flags. So just a fun week of activities.”
The month of May highlights awareness for many causes. Mental health, skin cancer and hypertension are few of the health awarenesses that the world is paying a little more attention to during the next few weeks. But this month also looks at the plight of people living with Lupus, an autoimmune disease with no cure. This week, Sabreena Daly sat down with Dejanira Thompson, Vice President of the Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis Association. She found out more about the illness and what the association is doing to provide the necessary support. Here’s that story.
Dejanira Thompson
Dejanira Thompson, Diagnosed with Lupus “I remember my mom getting the call and she started crying and I was just ignorant to the fact that I’m like, well, yeah, it’s positive, but like so what? Like, I’ll just take the pills and I’ll be fine. And not knowing that a month from there, my whole life changed.”
Twenty-nine-year-old Dejanira Thompson recounts what it was like learning at the age of fourteen that she was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease.
Dejanira Thompson “My world was literally shifted upside down and I couldn’t eat the things that I wanted that I was used to. I couldn’t be in the sun. I couldn’t do a lot of things. There was a point where I couldn’t even get as excited for things because the emotions would trigger a flare up.”
The incurable medical condition takes various forms. For some, Lupus may be difficult to detect because of its asymptomatic presence. For others, Lupus is quite evident and manifests itself as an organ-eating disease that can be fatal.
Jorge Hidalgo
Dr. Jorge Hidalgo, Internist
“The traditional presentation of lupus is when we go into the internet, we see the famous butterfly rash in the face, skin rashes, and pain in the joints. That is the, the, the most common, figure that we see on the internet. But unfortunately, lupus can be presented in, in a silent mode and, also difficult to diagnose sometimes. Sometimes we have a very atypical presentation of lupus that even takes a couple of years to actually confirm the diagnosis because the presentation is so atypical, you know? But lupus can range from asymptomatic conditions with minimal symptoms to something that can be really aggressive and can compromise a patient really badly.”
Dejanira Thompson
“There are three different types. They have the SLE, which is the skin condition; the systemic lupus, that’s internal, it affects all the organs. They have the discoid lupus, which is the skin one, and then they have the ones that affect the kidneys directly. I have two of those. I have the systemic one and the discoid, which is why I have a lot of scars because of what happened in 2015.”
It’s been more than a decade since Thompson’s diagnosis. The worst of it was in 2015, when she fell into a coma that she has little memory of.
Dejanira Thompson “In 2015 was the scariest one, I would say. My lungs got affected. And I went into septic shock that caused me to go into a coma for eight days.”
Sabreena Daly
“How old would you have been around this time?”
Dejanira Thompson “I was 20. That was in 2015. I was 20.”
Dr. Jorge Hidalgo
“She is a fighter. I’m really glad that she is in the state she is right now. But, she had some periods in the journey of lupus that was a really difficult time for her. She was even admitted into the ICU. She was in an induced medical coma because of complications of lupus. But I’m glad that the team of people that work in the ICU for her, We managed to help her.”
Dejanira Thompson
“I guess it’s so traumatic, and that is why I always say that I tie in lupus with mental health, because it’s very important. I think it was so traumatic that my brain tries to protect me from remembering that, and so I vaguely remember it when people ask me were you in pain? I don’t remember being in pain.”
The Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis Association is an organization that’s seeking to spread awareness and support to the growing number of persons diagnosed and living with Lupus. The association has membership of almost one hundred persons living with this autoimmune disease. Six of seven executives are diagnosed with Lupus. President of the organization, Arlette Gomez shared why this should not be overlooked.
Arlette Gomez
Arlette Gomez, President, Lupus and RA Association “It is very concerning. And what is most concerning too, though, is that a lot of people, there are people walking around with it and not coming out and not. saying I have it, you know, it’s not a stigma. It’s not a shame. You, you are, you are battling something that is very debilitating and, uh, very mentally hard. So come let us help you.”
Dr. Jorge Hidalgo
“Lupus belongs to a condition that is also like rheumatoid arthritis. And these types of conditions are in the same category. And for Belize to be in a small country, the number of patients we see with lupus and all these rheumatological conditions is a lot.”
Sabreena Daly
“Is that concerning to you, doctor?”
Dr. Jorge Hidalgo
“Well, it’s a concern because, of course, there are many things. One is the ability to diagnose. Second, also some of the patients with lupus are required to be on medications, on several medications on a daily basis. Also sometimes, as I mentioned before, the condition can range from minimal symptoms to something very aggressive.”
Sabreena Daly
“Talk to me about why it was important for you to be a part of an association that advocates for persons to understand what lupus is, and of course, um, the support that is needed for persons battling with this.”
Dejanira Thompson
“So, I believe I’ve had it for 15 years. I didn’t think nobody thought that I would survive that long if I’m being honest. And so if I can do it, others can. And that’s the whole point behind the association. That if we can do it, and not everybody has that support like I have in those members, right? And that’s what we want to offer. Let us get together. Hey, you’re not alone. If this doesn’t work for you, let’s get you to the right person. Let’s get you the correct people that can donate. Cause we’re not, we’re not rich by any means, right? That is why we ask for donations. That is why we do these May activities to raise funds because the medications are very expensive.”
During the month of May, the association ramps up its campaign to spread awareness about Lupus and encourages supporters to give in any way that they can. May eighteenth is recognized as World Lupus Day and the association is asking the public to gather in Belize City and walk in support of persons fighting this illness.
Arlette Gomez
“We’re hoping to have that walk on the 18th of May. We usually walk in the evenings because the sun is not our friend. And so our walk usually starts at five in the evening, when the sun is about to go down. And we’re hoping to have that on the 18th of this month. Um, and it normally starts from the Civic Center and goes through downtown to Memorial Park. We ask people to buy the shirts, we ask, um, companies to encourage their staff to buy, or we ask, um, Companies to buy them for their staff and have them wear them on our pop day, uh, which is May 10th. And May 10th is also World Lupus Day. And then if the, if the, if the, um, companies buy the shirts for you, then, you know, you can give a small donation to the association.”
Regarding the shooting death of Elwin Rudolph Lewis, also known as “Bobo Youth,” which took place on Friday, March 22, 2024, police arrested and charged twenty-two-year-old Travis Jamaal Herbert with the crime of murder.
Lewis was gunned down on Friday night in front of Gwen Liz High School on Antelope Street in Belize City. He was driving a motorcycle heading in the direction from Elston Kerr Street towards Central American Boulevard when he was shot dead by someone on another motorcycle heading in the opposite direction.
Police arrested and charged thirty-year-old Lyson James Cacho with the murder of Jordan Waight. The twenty-four-year-old, who also went by the name Jordan Burns, was gunned down on November 23rd on Barbara Harris Street in Belize City.
Despite being rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, Waight was pronounced dead on arrival. Of note is that a previous attempt had been made on his life before his killing.
Police officially arrested and charged thirty-year-old Guatemalan Victor Manuel Castellanos. He stands accused of the murder of Pedro Antonio Hernandez and aggravated assault against Amelia Hernandez.
On Tuesday, Hernandez was murdered in his own yard after being lured outside by his assailant. Hernandez was chopped to death upon exiting his house.
The government of Belize recently issued a warning to its citizens regarding the insecurity and violence in Chetumal. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said “The Government of Belize is monitoring the recent rise in violent crime in Chetumal, Mexico and advises Belizeans to exercise caution when traveling across the Northern Border and visiting Chetumal.”
In response, Amir Padilla Espadas, president of Canaco Chetumal, emphasized the urgency for authorities to swiftly address and remove this warning. He stressed that its continuation could adversely affect the influx of Belizean visitors, who significantly contribute to the local economy, representing 30% of economic activity in the town.
He underscored the importance of government-to-government dialogue to coordinate actions and raise awareness.
Padilla urged prompt removal of the alert. He mentioned his role as president of Canaco and their efforts, alongside the Consul of Belize, to communicate with Belizean counterparts, informing them of the situation in Chetumal and the measures being implemented to safeguard tourist and commercial activities.
On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, Hipolito Novelo of News 5 Belize writes about how, more than ever, they are advocating for press freedom and the planet.
By Hipolito Novelo, Journalist & Digital Content Creator, News 5 Belize
As we mark World Press Freedom Day under the theme ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,’ here at News 5 Belize, our dedication to covering climate change and environmental stories is deeply ingrained. We understand the vital role of journalism in addressing urgent issues. We are the voice for the voiceless. We are the watchdogs of democracy, equity, and transparency. We have a duty to the public we serve.
Our approach to reporting on climate change and environmental stories is rooted in accuracy, responsibility, and the safety of our journalists. We have realised the importance of climate reporting and our role in raising awareness and properly educating the Belizean public.
The News Five team prioritises the well-being of reporters covering environmental crises. Though the risks are minimal and very few, we ensure that potential risks are considered in the planning process. Our journalists are constantly engaged in training and capacity building throughout the year to better equip themselves with the skills and knowledge necessary to report on the climate crisis.
Accuracy is paramount in our reporting. We conduct fact-checking. Our journalists are constantly in communication with experts. We present a balanced view of these issues. We understand the difference between climate reporting and climate activism. Our aim is to inform and educate while upholding journalistic integrity.
“The public trusts us with the information we share with them. We do not take that trust lightly, which is why quality climate reporting is paramount.”
As we witness the impacts of climate change firsthand, our coverage goes beyond the headlines, beyond the figures. We must make the people care. We humanise the story by spotlighting local perspectives, amplifying marginalised voices such as people with diverse abilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and women and children, and showcasing innovative solutions to combat environmental degradation. By highlighting the environmental, social, and economic implications, our news items empower individuals and communities in Belize to make informed decisions and take meaningful actions to address local climate challenges.
Reporter Paul Lopez and veteran videographer George Tillett
Investigative reporting is also crucial to what we do. Environmental injustices must be exposed. We invest in in-depth investigations that expose corruption, misconduct, questionable practices, and policies harmful to the environment. The public trusts us with the information we share with them. We do not take that trust lightly, which is why quality climate reporting is paramount. It contributes to the development of effective climate policies and initiatives tailored to Belize’s specific needs and challenges.
Collaboration with global partners enhances our understanding of environmental challenges. By sharing resources and insights, we contribute to a holistic view of these interconnected issues.
We are probably one of the smallest newsrooms in the region. They say journalism is an unforgiving career. It’s not an 8-to-5 office job. News is always happening. This means we are always working. We don’t do it for money or fame. We do it because we love it. If we hadn’t, we would have been in another field.
This is why, on this World Press Freedom Day, News 5 Belize remains steadfast in advocating for press freedom and the planet.
A man was shot and killed last night in Patchakan Village, Corozal. The victim has been identified as twenty-year-old Benito Canela. Police say that gunshots were heard just before 9 o’clock near the village’s park. Minutes later, police discovered Canela’s body on the ground. He has been shot multiple times.
Investigators say that a man exited a Ford 150 pickup truck and fired several shots at Canela, who was with his wife at the time of the shooting.
Tonight, there are portions of the country that are presently without electricity. In fact, this has been the case since ten a.m. when electricity was cut off in certain areas of Orange Walk District. The scheduled power interruptions will continue until eleven p.m. That’s because Belize is facing an energy crisis and B.E.L., its sole electricity provider, is scrambling to meet demand levels that have soared as high as one hundred and twenty-five megawatts. As it stands, the maximum in-country generation capacity is ninety-five megawatts and its supply from CFE in Mexico remains uncertain. The effect of the hours-long power interruption was most felt in San Pedro on Wednesday, and we will have full coverage of that untimely experience elsewhere in our newscast. Earlier today, the Chief Executive Officer of Belize Electricity Limited and other senior managers of the utility company held a press conference to inform the nation of the latest challenges that B.E.L. is faced with. C.E.O. John Mencias began by discussing the country’s present consumption.
John Mencias
John Mencias, C.E.O., Belize Electricity Ltd.
“The local peak, well the peak for Belize goes up usually about a hundred and fifteen megawatts, but it can go as high as it did earlier this year to a hundred and twenty-seven megawatts. There are times during the day, especially during the night when it falls to a hundred and fifteen megawatts which means that in-country supply is able to meet that peak. However, we had to take our Mile 8 gas turbine out of service because we are upgrading it and so we lost nineteen megawatts and that puts the local in-country generation capacity below a hundred megawatts which means, therefore, that once we’re in that situation to be able to meet demand most of the time, we have to rely on the fifty-five megawatts that we get from CFE. Whenever we can’t get power from CFE and we’re in that situation, then we have to resort to load shedding. So we were in a situation like that on Monday whereby CFE said we have to meet demand over here in Mexico and we are unable to supply you with the fifty-five megawatts that you need. In fact, you need to go down to zero at this time, and when they do that, we are unable to match demand with supply.”
According to Mencias, what has been taking place is load shedding, a controlled process of temporarily reducing electricity consumption across different areas to ensure the stability and continuous operation of the national electricity grid. During the presser, the Chief Executive Officer also informed that CFE, Belize’s energy supplier in Mexico, was only able to provide twenty megawatts to the grid until three o’clock this afternoon.
John Mencias, C.E.O., Belize Electricity Ltd.
“So we have to load shed and that is what happened on Monday. And that is actually what is happening right now as we speak, that CFE has agreed today to supply us about twenty megawatts up to 3:00 this evening. It’s three o’clock already? But as of three o’clock they are going to cut it down to zero which means that we have to take off even more feeders throughout the country. So those are the reasons for the recent power interruptions. There’s a shortage of generation capacity in the country. Now, I want to make it abundantly clear to everyone that CFE is not acting outside of the contractual arrangements with BEL. What we purchase from CFE is called opportunity cost energy. It use to be called economic energy which means that it is interruptible at any moment’s notice. However, CFE has worked with us, they have tried to give us two hours notice, sometimes it is less. The relationship with CFE goes way back. It goes way back to the 1980’s. They have been a reliable provider of electricity for Belize. They have enabled us to keep our costs down, but importantly, also, they have provided us with great support and to put that in context, our systems are interconnected. We are very small compared to them. Any jolt in our system, they are able to handle it for us and that is the importance of being connected to a big brother like CFE. However, we have been aware for some time that they have also been having generation shortage problems of their own and also what we call transmission congestion problems. And that is why we have been emphasizing that we need to build in-country generation capacity to a level to be able to meet our peak demand within our own country. That does not mean that we’re saying we don’t want to continue our relationship with CFE. We want to continue that relationship with CFE. They provide us, as I said, with grid support and when the price of energy from CFE is low, we want to purchase it. it’s to our advantage. However, our focus has been since 2019, on energy security. Well from before. But we have made a point, we are driving the point that we have to stop relying on CFE to meet peak demand in country.”
