July 27, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

U.S. Arrests Top Sinaloa Cartel Figures in Texas

On Thursday, July 26,2024, the U.S. federal authorities apprehended Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada and Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of the notorious drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, in El Paso, Texas. According to the U.S Justice Department, 76-year-old Zambada is a long-time leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel. Zambada and Guzmán López were taken into custody after arriving on a private plane.

Zambada had evaded capture for decades despite a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest. The BBC reports that In February, Zambada was charged by US prosecutors with a conspiracy to make and distribute fentanyl, a drug more powerful than heroin. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the significance of these arrests in the fight against drug trafficking contributing to the severe opioid crisis in the U.S. The Sinaloa cartel, once led by Zambada and Guzmán, remains a major player in the drug trade.

The arrest follows a complex operation involving Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI. Mexican authorities were informed of the detentions but were not involved in the operation. Zambada and Guzmán López are expected to face federal charges related to drug trafficking and organized crime.

NEMO Successfully Concludes Agile Bear 2.0 Training with Joint Task Force-Bravo

On July 26, 2024, NEMO, the Belize Defence Force (BDF), and the Coast Guard successfully completed the Agile Bear 2.0 training, a week-long program aimed at improving disaster response capabilities. The training, conducted in collaboration with Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-B), focused on advanced techniques such as Helo Casting and Drone Flying, enhancing the teams’ ability to perform rapid disaster response and surveillance in challenging environments.

Earlier in the week, on July 25, the partners continued their work on Operation Sentinel Watch, developing a Standard Operating Procedure for requesting assistance. This SOP is designed to align with JTF-B’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response framework.

The joint effort between NEMO, BDF, and the Coast Guard strengthens operational readiness and coordination, ensuring better preparedness for future emergencies. NEMO extends its gratitude to JTF-B and the US Army for their support in training first responders.

Potential System May Develop Near Caribbean in the Coming Week

After a period of tropical inactivity, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has identified an area of disturbed weather over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean. The NHC says that the system may interact with a tropical wave as it moves toward the Lesser Antilles early to mid-next week.

The NHC reports a nearly zero percent chance of development within the next 48 hours, with a 20 percent chance over the next seven days.

Belizean Pride Shaun Gill to Represent as Sole Athlete at Paris 2024 Olympics for the Second Consecutive Time

Shaun Gill will once again represent Belize as the flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking his second consecutive appearance in this prestigious role. Gill is set to embody the spirit of the ‘loneliest job in sport.’ This distinction places Gill in the company of three other lone athletes from Nauru, Somalia, and Liechtenstein, each bearing the weight of their country’s Olympic aspirations alone.

Gill, the nation’s sole competitor, will be accompanied by Cojac Smith, president of the Belize Athletics Association, and Giovanni Alamilla, Belize’s Head of Delegation. Hilly Martinez, president of the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (BOCGA), and Secretary General Allan Sharp will also attend the ceremony.

Gill, who recently graduated with a degree in engineering from Texas A&M University, will compete in the 100m sprint, with preliminary rounds beginning on Saturday, August 3. He previously participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, recording a time of 10.88 seconds in the preliminary round, and achieved a time of 10.77 at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.