August 2, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize Wants Info on Venezuela Election Results

Venezuela’s Nicholas Maduro has claimed another victory at the polls, securing another six years in office as president. If this is so, Maduro defeated his main opponent by seven percentage points in a vote that was marred by widespread irregularities. But the opposition is saying that Maduro clearly lost the elections, demanding an audit of the exercise. Now seven regional countries have called for that audit and while there was a resolution at the O.A.S. following the elections, Belize abstained. Minister of Foreign Affairs says Belize wants more information on the election results before it can have a position on who is the new president.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“There was a resolution that was proposed before the Organization of American States. Belize abstained in terms of that resolution because we really want to get more information. We’re not satisfied that we’ve been provided with sufficient, reliable information so we join with those who say we need more transparency. We need more information provided, more data provided. So far the Venezuelan Government has said that they will provide that data and information. We expect them to do so. So we are prepared to wait for that to be done – a reasonable time period – but again, when we’re dealing with these issues, we have always found in Belize that it’s best for us to work through the organizations that we belong to, like CARICOM and SICA. So we’ve discussed this matter at the CARICOM level, not yet at SICA. Obviously there are different points of view but the great majority of the CARICOM countries abstained from that resolution for the very reasons I stated, that they need to see more information. They need to have more data presented to them. We are absolutely committed in CARICOM and as Belize to ensuring that there are free and fair elections in Venezuela, that’s critically important.”

Belize Joins CARICOM in Support of Cuba

The CARICOM Heads of Government meeting that took place at the end of July gave support to Cuba and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in that country. CARICOM pointed to the embargo it believes was wrongly imposed on Cuba and reiterated its call for the lifting of what it calls the unjust unilateral financial, economic and trade embargo. Today, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca expounded on that position.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“We’re doing it as a region so we haven’t broken down who will do what. But again, Cuba is going through a very difficult time. Not only are they dealing with an unjust economic blockade, but now on top of that they’re dealing with a designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, which is completely without basis, without evidence, without foundation. So it’s absolutely crippling for the Cuban economy and also very for the Cuban people. So all of CARICOM felt that we needed to provide support to our brothers and sisters in Cuba. Belize has consistently supported our friends in Cuba in any way we can and again through this new mechanism that CARICOM has put in place, we will do so again.”

80 Students Across Belize Awarded S.S.B. Scholarship

Classes will be back in session soon and eighty students from across the country are returning with the security of knowing that their tuition is covered. Today, the Social Security Board hosted its annual Scholarship ceremony where students from high school, college and vocational technical schools gathered at the Biltmore Plaza to receive their awards. These scholarships benefit children with financial need and have shown dedication to their studies. New’s Five’s Britney Gordon attended the ceremony today to meet some of the happy recipients. Here’s that story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Every parent wishes for their child to have access to the best education possible, but it is an unfortunate reality that many struggle with affording the cost of tuition, amongst other bills and responsibilities. For eighty students across the country, that burden just got a little lighter after receiving the annual Social Security Board Scholarship.

Javier Simmons, Scholarship Recipient

“Honestly, I was pretty ecstatic, because it releases a burden off of my grandmother, you know. We aren’t that most rich family, as people would say. So it really helps us a lot and helps me to further pursue my goals and aspirations in the future.”

The SSB has been granting the children of Belize scholarships since 2001. Since then, over one thousand primary and secondary school students have benefited from the award. This year, two hundred and twelve candidates applied to receive either associates, bachelors, or vocational technical scholarships. CEO Deborah Ruiz says that it is a highly competitive opportunity.

Deborah Ruiz, CEO, SSB

“We look at the deserving, you know? That persons who are struggling to meet their day-to-day commitments and are able to still maintain that enthusiasm. And we see the grade and the effort is there that they will do well in school.”

Twenty-three-year-old Fernando Landero is studying to become a chef in San Ignacio Town and is balancing school and work simultaneously. He is grateful for the opportunity.

Fernando Landero, Scholarship Recipient

“I’m currently focusing on that. I’m doing school and work. So it’s a challenge, but at the same time, I’m trying to focus a lot more in school so that I get this done.”

Reporter

“Would you say this is a life changing experience for you?”

Fernando Landero

“It actually is, and I believe it’s also for many of us that receive the scholarship because at times we struggle as. As young adults and whenever these opportunities come, we do have to take advantages of it.”

Ruiz explains that the board tries its best to ensure that recipients are selected from across the country. Fourteen-year-old Laura Davis wants to be a lawyer and now, with the scholarship, she is one step closer to achieving that dream. She will be attending Our Lady of Guadelupe High School in Belmopan.

Laura Davis, Scholarship Recipient

“My mom was happy to receive a for me to get a scholarship because she wasn’t gonna know how she was gonna pay for it. But I’m glad I got this scholarship, so she doesn’t have to worry.”

The scholars left the award ceremony with a feeling of pride, having earned the award and parents a sense of security, knowing their child would be able to receive the education they deserve.

Britney Gordon

“How has the reception been from them when they heard that you’re going to be receiving the scholarship?”

Javier Simmons

“They’re more happy than me. My grandmother included. She was, I don’t even know how to describe it, but it was really, really wonderful finding that out to be honest.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

B.C.V.I./Lions Expands Services through Rehabilitation

The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired and the Lions Club of Belize have been around for decades, assisting individuals with visual challenges. Today the two entities joined hands to open a new rehabilitation center. The expansion is located at the B.C.V.I. building on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City. News Five’s Marion Ali was there and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Today’s unveiling of the Lions BCVI National Eye Clinic and Rehabilitation Project by Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca and Lions President, Adelaida Guerra formalizes the expanded services that the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired offers the public to improve the quality of their lives.

Adelaida Guerra, President, Belize City Lions Club

“This building is where they will do the tertiary care of eye care, where they do the rehabilitation of those people who have been considered blind. Now you have those people affected by diabetes and so they’re also getting additional surgeries that they could deal with that cause.”

Gilberto Alcoser, regional coordinator for Lions in Central America, explained through translator assistance, how countries receive the monies for these types of projects.

Gilberto Alcoser, Regional Coordinator, Lions Club, Central America

“What we have is the Lions Club International Foundation that has money to provide these types of services that we are doing here in Belize. As a matter of fact, one of the Belize’s is the only country that has this special unit that we’re opening today.”

Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca said that what the B.C.V.I and the Lions Club are doing aligns with what the Ministry of Education is doing in terms of special education and inclusion for students.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“What they’re doing here aligns fully with the work that we’re doing at the Ministry of Education in terms of special education, inclusion, making sure that there are opportunities for people with visual impairment. It’s in line with the Disabilities Bill that we passed very recently in the National Assembly. It’s an exciting project. I want to tribute to both organizations.”

Fonseca said that the government, through the Ministry of Health, also contributed to the project. Marion Ali for News Five.

Fonseca says Reparations Progress is Slow but Steady

On Thursday, Belize celebrated the one hundred and eighty-sixth anniversary of emancipation. Paying tribute to the thousands of Africans who were kidnapped and brought to Belize where they were abused for over two hundred years. As a part of the freedom celebrations, Belizeans gathered to participate in the annual Eboe Town Festival in Belize City. This cultural festival was filled with music, food and communion, as the public gathered to celebrate their freedom. However, countries within the Caribbean impacted by slavery seek to remind the countries responsible for the Atlantic slave trade that their efforts to right their wrongs do not stop at freedom. For years, Caribbean nations have made calls for reparations. Today, Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs provided some insight into the work being done to acquire these reparations.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“We had a very good report from two of the commissioners. So yeah, there’s a lot of work taking place very quietly. So yes, our commission is operating but, again, what was very clear from the meeting is that there needs to be a lot more engagement regionally. So all pf the commissions needs to be engaged and dialoguing with each other Not enough of tat is taking place. But there’s a lot of good work taking place on that issue and the representatives who are there felt that with the new labor government in the UK, they felt that there is an opportunity for a more fast-tracked approach on this issue. So there is some new hope and optimism that we can discuss this issue in more detail in the weeks and months ahead.”

B.N.T.U. P.G. Branch to Hold Expo Saturday

The Belize National Teachers Union, Punta Gorda branch will hold an all-day expo on Saturday in the downtown area. According to Secretary of the B.N.T.U. P.G. branch, Iona Shantel Ramirez, there will be an opportunity for teachers, students and everyone in education to address their concerns at the event. It takes place on Jose Maria Nunez Street starting from nine to three.

Iona Shantel Ramirez, Secretary, B.N.T.U., Punta Gorda

“The expo is geared towards students, teachers parents and the Toledo district in general. But one of the things that we have done is that we’re bringing the BNTU National Executive officer, National Executive Secretary, and she will be dealing with whatever grievances because, you know, right before school begins, we have some serious grievances. And then we’re also bringing our supervisor, who is sister Keisha, who will also be discussing loans and other things that BNTU can offer. In addition, we’re bringing the P.C.C and the P.C.C brings with it Dickey Bradley. And so we’re bringing everything for teachers to be able to be back in the classroom and be comfortable.”

B.P.A. Joins Coast Guard & B.D.F. to Teaching Swimming

This past week, twenty-two students from Belize City took part in free swimming lessons. The event was organized by the Belize Port Authority, which teamed up with the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Coast Guard. The lessons took place at the Y.W.C.A. swimming pool on Saint Thomas Street and today the children received their certificates of completion. Acting Ports Commissioner, Kaylon Young told News Five that they decided on a maritime activity since it is not taught in the regular school setting, and Coast Guard Training Officer told us about the different components of the training.

Kaylon Young, Acting Ports Commissioner

“The Belize Port Authority along with the Belize Coast Guard and the Belize Defense Force, we developed a curriculum for summer camp and we planned the entire thing collaboratively. And so we’ve executed it at several different locations and this is just one of them. Things that teach them seamanship, things that if they go to sea if they want to be a fisherman, if they want to be a boat captain, if they want to work on board a ship, it’s just to get them excited about the maritime field.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Otto Garcia, Training Officer, Belize Coast Guard

“The Coast Guard assisted with the instructor. The instructor was part of the entire week and they did, um, basic knots and ties, basic CPR they learn about, safety at sea and those things that the kids should know. Everybody should know the basics of maritime safety. And one of the things that you teach the kids is how to breathe, how to do bubbles, and depending on level that they are, in terms of swimming, then you would be able to better teach them. And if you see, most of the kids are with the, what we call noodles, and that’s what they use if they’re just starting to swim and teach them different techniques.”

Children Swimmers Enjoyed Their Lessons

The children who participated in the event ranged in ages from six to ten and today when they received their certificates of completion, they were all smiles. Four of them were even excited to share with News Five what they learned from the program during the week.

Marion Ali

“What you mi like the most bout your swimming training?”

Orville Alvarez Jr., Recipient, BPO Swimming Course Certificate

“The freestyle because we get to play around in the pool.”

Marion Ali

“Soh if you neva come da this weh you mi wa di do, if you neva tek this swimming?”

Orville Alvarez Jr.

“Deh home di watch TV.”

Keith Nunez, Recipient, BPO Swimming Course Certificate

“When we mi di do CPR, I never really get a chance, but want me to watch everybody do it. It mi look easy, but I nuh really know because I never try or nothing.”

Marion Ali

“So it could be something that maybe you could do you think?”

Keith Nunez

“Yes, I could do it.”

Marion Ali

“Okay, good. And then in terms of the swimming techniques, like how you do your hand, and how you flap your foot.”

Keith Nunez

“Yes ma’am, we mi learn wa side stroke and what else. We mi learn doggy paddle, and we may learn fi blow bubbles.”

Diondre Gamboa, Recipient, BPO Swimming Course Certificate

“If I deh eena danger I could swim from the danger and I nuh drown.”

Marion Ali

“Were you afraid before now?”

Diondre Gamboa

“Yes, maa’m, I neva want come. I mi fraid cause I neva know if I mi wa fit in with the people dehn weh deh round me, soh I mi fraid and I neva mi want come. Then my ma mek I come and now ih fun.”

Marion Ali

“And how when yoh get in the water?”

Diondre Gamboa

“I forget everything.”

Damien Gomez, Recipient, BPO Swimming Course Certificate

“I like learning the CPR.”

Marion Ali

“Any particular reason why?”

Damien Gomez

“Yes, because if my family ever gets hurt and they’re unconscious, I can help save them. I’ve always liked swimming, fishing, hunting. It’s my type of thing.”

Police Minister Visits Youth Detainees at Wagner’s Facility

Police Minister Kareem Musa visited Wagner’s Youth Facility recently. He was. accompanied by representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and executives from the Ministries of Home Affairs and Human Development. According to a press release issued on Thursday August 1, 2024, the visit provided Minister Musa and the delegation with the chance to interact directly with the young detainees under the State of Emergency (SOE).

The young detainees, currently held under the SOE, expressed a strong interest in joining the Leadership Intervention Unit (LIU) programs upon their release. They emphasised their desire to forge positive relationships with peers from different communities, demonstrating their commitment to personal development and community integration.

The visit also included a tour of the New Beginnings Youth Development Center, where two minors, aged 13 and 15, have been successfully transferred. The Ministry of Home Affairs and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to prioritising the well-being and rights of these young individuals, ensuring that their developmental needs are met and their future prospects are supported.