July, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

CARICOM Leaders Address Key Issues at 47th Regular Meeting in Grenada

Grenada is hosting the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The summit has the participation of regional leaders, addressing pressing issues affecting the bloc.

Outgoing CARICOM Chairman and Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfan Ali, used his address to highlight the media’s failure to report on regional successes, especially regarding the situation in Haiti. “We left our normal duties and sometimes spent six, seven hours in the night working for the people we love, the people of Haiti, to ensure a return to democracy,” Dr. Ali said. He expressed frustration at the negative portrayal of their efforts by various media outlets. “Today, we have a presidential council and a prime minister in Haiti, and we remain committed to ensuring Haiti’s return to full normalcy, democracy, and governance.”

A significant highlight of the ceremony was the admission of Curacao as the sixth associate member of CARICOM. Prime Minister Gilmar Simon Pissers of Curacao assured that this membership would not affect their relationship with the Netherlands. “Our membership and commitments within the Kingdom of the Netherlands will not compromise our regional integration objectives,” he stated.

During the ceremony, former CARICOM Secretary-General Roderick Rainford and former West Indies cricket captain Sir Clive Lloyd were honoured with the region’s highest award, the Order of the Caribbean Community. In his acceptance speech, Lloyd urged the region to prioritise health issues, specifically prostate cancer. “It’s important for men to get tested. You don’t need to die; there are treatments available,” he emphasised.

Although not all leaders were present at the ceremonial opening, they are expected to participate in the formal deliberations starting Monday. The summit, originally scheduled for July 3-5, was postponed due to the impact of Hurricane Beryl. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada thanked the region for its support in the hurricane’s aftermath and announced that he would champion an ambitious digital transformation agenda as CARICOM’s lead on ICT.

“We have an opportunity in the Caribbean to ensure we are not left behind in this technological revolution. We owe it to the next generation to provide them with the tools and education to apply their skills globally while living in the Caribbean,” Mitchell stated.

The CARICOM leaders will also review progress towards achieving a 25 percent reduction in food imports by 2025, among other key issues. As the summit continues, the focus will be on ensuring sustainable development and regional integration for the benefit of all Caribbean citizens.

Olympic Games Criticised for Controversial Drag Opening Ceremony

The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony stirred up global ‘side eyes’ following a drag performance that critics argue disrespected Christian sensibilities. The performance included a segment that imitated Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ with drag performers dressed provocatively.

Catholic leaders, including representatives from the Vatican and French bishops, condemned it as “derisive” and disrespectful to Christianity. Bishop Emmanuel Gobillard, a spokesperson representing the Holy See for the 2024 Paris Olympics, told NBC News, “The fact that our religion should be mocked is usual, and we are used to blasphemy in France, but the context isn’t the same. In an event that brings together all or part of the population, I found this staging hurtful and out of place.”

After receiving global backlash, the Paris 2024 Olympics Committee has issued an apology, emphasising that the intention was to celebrate diversity and inclusion, not to offend. Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for the Committee, asserted that the performance aimed to promote community tolerance, though she acknowledged that the execution may have inadvertently caused offense. “We really did try to celebrate community tolerance. Looking at the results of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence, we are, of course, really, really sorry,” Descamps said.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Thomas Jolly, the artistic director, defended the performance as a tribute to diversity and French culture rather than a deliberate mockery of religious iconography. He said, “My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock. Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide. In France, we have freedom of creation, artistic freedom. We are lucky in France to live in a free country. I didn’t have any specific messages that I wanted to deliver. In France, we are republic, we have the right to love whom we want, we have the right not to be worshippers, we have a lot of rights in France, and this is what I wanted to convey.”

On July 26, the Games’ official X account shared additional images, revealing that the performance was instead inspired by the Feast of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry. The statement emphasised that the depiction was meant to highlight the absurdity of violence and celebrate community tolerance.

Nicky Doll was among the drag queens who carried the Olympic flame and also performed during one segment of the ceremony. Doll responded to the criticism, saying, “The opening ceremony did ruffle some feathers… and I LOVE it. Doll wrote on his Instagram Stories on Monday morning: “You know why? Because the Olympics are the biggest stage in the world and we queer people have always been the audience to other people’s lives and achievements. It is time that we are welcomed into this space.”

Venezuela’s Maduro and Opposition Both Declare Presidential Victory

Venezuela faces international scrutiny as both President Nicolas Maduro and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez have declared victory in Venezuela’s presidential election. This has triggered global doubts about the validity of the official election results. The election was held on Sunday.

The National Electoral Authority, which is allegedly controlled by Maduro loyalists, announced shortly after midnight that Maduro secured a third term with 51% of the vote to 44% for González.

The delay in official results—six hours after polls closed—has fueled scepticism and led the opposition to reject Maduro’s presidential win.

According to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, independent exit polls suggest a landslide victory for Gonzalez, who reportedly received 70% of the vote. The Council was criticised for not releasing the tallies from each of the 30,000 polling booths nationwide, only promising to do so in the “coming hours,” hampering the ability to verify the results.

The election period was marked by tension and sporadic violence, including a fatal incident in Tachira state and confrontations at polling sites in Caracas, reported Reuters. Police intervened to disperse a protest in Catia, a stronghold of Maduro’s supporters. The election results held heavy implications for Venezuela’s future. Amid an ongoing economic crisis and mass emigration, opposition leaders and supporters hoped that a change in leadership could restore stability. The country, grappling with severe inflation and widespread shortages, has been yearning for economic and political reform.

International reaction has been swift. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and several Latin American leaders, including Chile’s Gabriel Boric and Guatemala’s Bernardo Arevalo, expressed concerns about the credibility of the results. Blinken stated, “We have serious concerns that the results announced does not reflect the will or the votes of the Venezuelan people.”

Blinken criticised the Venezuelan National Electoral Authority, questioning its independence and alleging it serves as an extension of Maduro’s government. Maduro’s previous re-election in 2018 has been widely denounced as fraudulent by the international community.

Earl Trapp Wants Patrick Faber Out of the UDP

San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Mayor Earl Trapp wants the United Democratic Party to expel Collet Area Representative, Patrick Faber.

Trapp, who is the only UDP mayor in the country, wrote to party chairman Michael Peyrefitte on July 26th. In the letter, Trapp tells Peyrefitte that Faber committed violations and made “disparaging remarks regarding the Party Leader and the Party, which bring our entire Party into disrepute and violate the Party Constitution as well the August 20, 2022 and May 27, 2023 NPC Resolutions which prohibit members according Article 5(5) from engaging in behavior that is injurious to the Party.”

“Recently, when I spoke of the need for the UDP to reform, this is exactly one of the points that needs to be addressed, Party Officials whose repeated actions are not in the best interest of the Party must be held accountable,” he continued.

Trapp stressed that the party cannot allow repeated violations of its Constitution or NPC Resolutions without penalty. He said Faber’s destructive behaviour erodes public trust in the UDP and undermines their chances in the upcoming general elections.

He called for Faber’s expulsion, in accordance with NPC Resolution 5/27/23, to rid the UDP of internal elements with ulterior motives.

Trapp believes that Faber’s continuous disrespect for the Constitution and disregard for the party’s best interests necessitate his expulsion.

The matter is expected to be addressed at the NPC meeting on August 3, 2024.

On July 25, Faber took to Facebook to post: “I do not support dictatorship and censorship! If I’m unable to say how I feel in the party’s internal structures, I’ll say it here loud and clear! I don’t support the dictator leader of the UDP and he must go!”

Caribbean Islands Devastated by Hurricane Beryl as CARICOM Summit Begins

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit Martinique, along with Jamaica, bore the brunt of Hurricane Beryl’s fury, with Dominica, St. Lucia, and Barbados also feeling the storm’s impact. Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, who has assumed the chairmanship of the 15-member regional integration movement, outlined the extensive damage on the Grenadine islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique.

“Ninety percent of all buildings on these islands were destroyed,” Prime Minister Mitchell reported. “Homes, schools, commercial buildings, shops, the airport, port facilities, marinas, gas stations, the hospital, health centers, community centers—all severely damaged. The road infrastructure, the shoreline, the coastline, the economic sectors have been reduced to zero. Carriacou and Petit Martinique are primarily fishing and agricultural communities.”

“The boats, engines, and fishing equipment were all destroyed,” Mitchell continued. “Livestock were badly affected, with many animals dying. In summary, the agriculture sector, fishing sector, marine industry, businesses, and tourism were all badly devastated by Hurricane Beryl.”

Similarly, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines shared the experiences of his citizens on Canouan, Mayreau, and Union Island. In the archipelago of 32 islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, nine of which are inhabited, five of the southernmost islands suffered severe devastation.

“Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, and the resort islands of Mustique and Palm Island were hit hard. Further north, the main Grenadine island of Bequia, while not as devastated as the southern islands, still saw extraordinary damage and loss,” Prime Minister Gonsalves stated. “The main island of St. Vincent also suffered significant damage and loss.”

Grenada is hosting the CARICOM summit, which coincides with its 50th anniversary of political independence from Britain. Prime Minister Mitchell emphasized the importance of showing the world that Grenada is open for business despite the impact of Hurricane Beryl. The ceremonial opening of the summit takes place on Sunday, with usual agenda items including agri-food security, the CARICOM single market and economy, as well as Haiti and regional transportation.

CARICOM Assistant Secretary General Elizabeth Solomon expressed optimism about the developments in Haiti. “This meeting will demonstrate how effective we have been, especially in the last year. The commitment made by CARICOM heads of government to support Haiti through a difficult period has led to significant progress. We now have a Haitian-led, Haitian-owned process with a transitional presidential council and prime minister in place, entirely due to the efforts of Caribbean heads of government.”

During the opening ceremony, the Order of the Caribbean Community will be conferred on former West Indies cricket captain Sir Clive Lloyd of Guyana and Jamaican-born former CARICOM Secretary General Roderick Rainford. The Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland, is the summit’s special guest.

PISLM Unveils Phase 2 of SOILCARE Project to Strengthen Caribbean Land Management

The Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) held an inception workshop on July 18, 2024, at the Brix Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago, marking the commencement of Phase 2 of the CSIDS SOILCARE Project. This new phase aims to extend the project’s impact across the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS) by introducing sustainable land management practices and enhancing soil health.

Phase 2 builds upon the successes of Phase 1, which included national soil surveys and capacity building in six Caribbean countries. Executive Director Calvin James highlighted that the current phase will focus on mitigating land degradation and incorporating a comprehensive Drought Management Plan. SOILCARE will, “Find measures to mitigate against the drivers that are degrading our land space,” James stated, and added that it is, “poised to expand throughout the entire Caribbean and include a Drought Management Plan.”

The workshop gathered key stakeholders to discuss the project’s expansion into six additional Caribbean countries. FAO Representative Neila Bobb Prescott praised Phase 1’s achievements, emphasising the project’s role in promoting environmental sustainability and resilience. To date, six countries have completed national soil surveys, and over 500 regional technical staff have been trained. The Caribbean Soil Support Group continues to engage in international forums to advance these efforts. The Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED) Environment has also tasked the framework group with integrating sustainable land and soil management into climate change adaptation strategies.

Ohio Supreme Court Rules that ‘Boneless Wings’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Bone-Free Wings’

In a ruling that might make some diners rethink their wing orders, the Ohio Supreme Court declared on Thursday that “boneless wings” are not necessarily bone-free. The decision came after Michael Berkheimer experienced severe medical complications from eating what he thought was a “boneless wing.” He claimed that a bone in the ‘boneless-wing’ had lodged in his throat.

In a 4-3 ruling, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit from Berkheimer against the restaurant Wings on Brookwood in Hamilton, Ohio. Berkheimer argued that the restaurant’s ‘boneless wings’, which are nuggets of boneless, skinless chicken breast, should have been free of bones. He accused the restaurant and its supplier of chicken of negligence for not warning customers of the possibility of bones.

Justice Joseph T. Deters, stated that “boneless wings” refers to a style of preparation rather than a literal absence of bones. Deters noted, “A diner reading ‘boneless wings’ on a menu would no more believe that the restaurant was warranting the absence of bones in the items than believe that the items were made from chicken wings.”

But hold onto your forks and knives, because this culinary confusion doesn’t stop there. In May, News 5 reported about a similar dilemma in Fort Wayne, Indiana. At that time, Allen County Superior Court Judge Craig J. Bobay declared that tacos and burritos are, in fact, “Mexican-style sandwiches.” This unexpected classification comes from a zoning dispute involving a new restaurant, Famous Taco, which wanted to set up shop in a location that only permits “made-to-order” sandwiches.

With bones in wings and tacos reclassified as sandwiches, food fans might want to reconsider their menu expectations.

Kamala Harris Gains Traction Post-Biden in Tight Race to November Election

Kamala Harris Closes Gap on Donald Trump in 2024 Race

The recent polls indicate that Kamala Harris is narrowing the gap with former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race. Following President Joe Biden’s exit from the race and Harris’s subsequent emergence as the Democratic nominee, recent surveys show a tightening of the race. According to The Guardian, Harris now trails Trump by narrow margins in key swing states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Georgia.

Nationally, the competition is close with Trump leading Harris by just one point, a significant shift from the six-point lead Trump held over Biden earlier in July, reported The Guardian. Aggregated data from various polls suggests a near tie.

Women and Voter Perceptions Impact Harris’s Candidacy

While there is strong support for Harris among Democrats and women, there is also concern about her electability. Despite backing Harris, many women and people of color question whether the country is ready for a woman of color as president. The 19th News reported that the poll reveals that while the majority of Americans support Biden’s decision to withdraw and endorse Harris, many believe Trumdp would win if Harris is the Democratic nominee.

Harris’s campaign has seen a surge in enthusiasm and fundraising, particularly from women’s groups and Black women, who have mobilized quickly since Biden’s exit. Despite this, a portion of the electorate remains skeptical about Harris’s ability to win against Trump, particularly because of her race and gender, which some believe could impact her chances negatively.

Betting Markets and Financial Implications

Betting markets reflect a relatively stable outlook for Trump despite Harris’s ascent. Fox Business reports that as of this week, Trump’s odds of winning stand at approximately 63% on Polymarket, while Harris’s chances are around 32%. Although Trump’s odds have slightly decreased since Biden’s withdrawal, they remain strong.

Though Biden’s exit has surged the betting activity significantly, concerns from major donors about Harris’s progressive stances and the strategic implications of her campaign have surfaced. Adding another layer of complexity to the 2024 race.

Kamala Harris’s campaign has gained momentum since Biden’s withdrawal, with polls showing a narrowing gap with Trump and significant support from Democratic factions. However, uncertainties about her electability and concerns from financial backers and betting markets highlight the challenges she faces as the race continues to evolve.

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.