September, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

G.O.B. Supports OAS Call Over Venezuela’s Election Results

Back in August, Minister for Foreign Affairs Francis Fonesca told reporters that Belize abstained from an O.A.S resolution calling for an audit of Venezuela’s recent elections. The resolution was triggered after the country’s opposition accused the Maduro camp of rigging the election. The Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher and representatives from the Elections and Boundaries Department were present during the elections as observers. Today, reporters asked Minister Fonseca for an update on Belize’s position. He explained that Belize supported the OAS’ latest call for transparency and accountability where the recent election results are concerned.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“My understanding is the minister of the public service did go. I don’t know if he went as an observer. I know a team from elections and boundaries were invited as observers. I think the chief elections officer and a few others. So, I believe the minister accompanied them. In what capacity, I don’t know. But he accompanied them. Now, in terms of the OAS resolutions that have been passed, I mean, Belize the last resolution that was passed, Belize, it was passed by consensus, what they call consensus. You don’t have to vote yes or no, but you’re present and you support. Belize supported that resolution calling for the disclosure of all the rules calling for more transparency, calling for accountability, calling for a halt to any human rights abuses, any imprisonment of any political persons. Belize supported that. That was a consensus vote. Some members of CARICOM did not attend that meeting. So, they did not support by consensus, but Belize deliberately made the decision that we would participate, we would attend. And we would support that consensus. Well, that’s the last O. A.S. Resolution, which believes supported.”

Embattled BAA President Says He Did Nothing Wrong

On Tuesday, we told you that the Belize Athletic Association moved to vote out President Cojac Smith and Public Relations Officer Gregory Meyers during a special meeting. We also heard from Smith, who told us that the decision violates the regulations that guide BAA decisions. Well, Smith and Meyers have taken their position one step further. They have retained the services of Glenn Godfrey’s law firm. Today, GDG wrote to the association on behalf of its clients. The letter says that his clients’ removal was not advised by the association’s disciplinary committee, which Godfrey asserts is contrary to the BAA’s constitution. Godfrey further contends that the BAA’s constitution provides no basis for removals based on personal grievances or through a vote of no confidence. The letter describes the move as an attempt at a hostile takeover that threatens the association’s standing with World Athletics. Godfrey refers to the motion as void and the appointment of Alvin Tillet as illegitimate and unlawful. Additionally, the letter calls on the BAA to cease and desist from any further slanderous statements against Smith and Meyers and to immediately remove its September second press release. Godfrey noted that failure to do so will result in Smith and Meyers seeking damages for defamatory publication. When we spoke with Smith on Monday, he contended that he did nothing to warrant a vote of no confidence.

Cojac Smith

“And what people seems to forget is that this is philanthropy work. This is not being paid for. I get nothing paid for this. A lot of times I take money out of my pocket and that is how we do it. It is both myself and the public relations officer that were victims of this situation. We weren’t given due process and the small handful of members that felt disgruntled with how things were handled, which you know people are always iffy on change, so they decided to take this route which is unconstitutional, and we are researching how we will deal with this going forward. I am always open to criticism. At the end of the day I am not perfect. I have things I can work on and change. However, this is also my profession. I do have degrees in these types of things, however management, so to be questioning my leadership based on what you think or your opinion that I should have done something when it is outside of the constitution, I actually following the constitution in relation to what they are stating out there. At the assembly I clearly articulated everything against the motion that was brought to me. However, it was just still go ahead and make the vote. I have no problem with taking criticism. However, in this instance I did nothing wrong. I followed the procedure. I made sure that whatever situation was brought to me was due process.”

LIVE: Mas Camp Night 3

Tonight, we continue with our nightly live coverage of the Carnival Mas Camps leading up to the annual Carnival Road March on Saturday. Joining us from the Black Pearl Junior Band mas camp is reporter Marion Ali and cameraman George Tillett with a look at what’s taking place with those revelers and their costumes.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/2xMNdVB1KGubysri/

UDP Says Tracy, Patrick, John & Beverly Are Not Members

The United Democratic Party has officially stated that Tracy Panton, Patrick Faber, John Saldivar, and Beverly Williams are no longer members of the party. This ‘clarification’ comes as the Alliance for Democracy announces a special unity convention scheduled for October 6th, which will address critical party matters, including reviewing executive appointments and voting on a motion to recall the current leadership and appoint an interim leader.

In response to UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte’s claim that several members had “constructively resigned,” Tracey Taegar-Panton declared, “We have not resigned; we will not resign from the UDP!” Taegar-Panton accused UDP Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow of violating the party’s constitution by appointing new standard bearers to replace the current ones.

Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber, Second Deputy Leader Beverly Williams, and former Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar, who joined Taegar-Panton at the press conference, have been vocal in their opposition to the current UDP leadership.

The application period to fill the vacancies for UDP Standard Bearers in the Albert, Belmopan, Belize Rural Central, and Collet constituencies will close on September 6, 2024.

Police Officer Gerson Jones Charged with Wounding in Domestic Dispute

A 42-year-old police officer, Gerson Jones, has been arrested and charged with wounding following an ongoing investigation into a domestic dispute. According to reports, the incident occurred around 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 3, in Bella Vista Village, where Jones allegedly assaulted his common-law wife, causing injuries classified as wounding by a medical officer.

On Wednesday, September 4, authorities formally charged Jones, who has since been placed on interdiction pending further investigation.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro declares Christmas to begin in October

Despite the ongoing political unrest and the arrest of thousands of critics, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro seems to have turned his attention to something entirely different: Christmas.

“It’s September, and it already smells like Christmas,” the 61-year-old remarked during his weekly television show on Monday night. He went on to announce, “That’s why this year, as a tribute to all of you and in gratitude, I’m declaring an early Christmas starting October 1.”

The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference quickly criticised this move, cautioning against using the holiday for political or propaganda purposes. They pointed out in a statement that Christmas traditionally begins on December 25.

This isn’t the first time Maduro has declared an early Christmas—he did so during the COVID-19 pandemic, though never this early. Despite the tense political atmosphere, Maduro insists the season will bring “peace, happiness, and security.”

Protests have erupted over the contested presidential election in July, where Maduro claimed a third term in office. Over 2,000 people have been arrested since.

Maduro’s declaration of an early Christmas, in the midst of Venezuela’s deepening political crisis, has been seen by many as a tactic to distract from the country’s troubles and bolster his own political agenda.

NTUCB Condemns Workplace Violence, Demands Immediate Government Action for Worker Safety

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has strongly condemned the recent violent attack on a security officer from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining (MNRSPM). The NTUCB says that the attack, which occurred while the officer was on duty, represents a grave threat to the safety and rights of workers.

According to the NTUCB, such acts of violence undermine workers’ ability to perform their jobs without fear of intimidation. The NTUCB is calling on the government to take immediate and decisive action to ensure that all workers can work in a safe environment.

The NTUCB has proposed several urgent measures. Firstly, it recommends implementing a strict no-weapons policy in workplace environments to reduce the potential for violence. Secondly, the NTUCB suggests enhancing security measures across all workplaces by installing surveillance systems and employing trained security personnel to deter and respond to potential attacks. Additionally, the NTUCB calls for mandatory training for employers and employees on conflict resolution and workplace safety, alongside public awareness campaigns to educate about workers’ rights. Furthermore, the NTUCB emphasises the need for clear and accessible reporting mechanisms that allow workers to report incidents of violence or intimidation without fear of retaliation. Lastly, it advocates for strengthening legal protections to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that victims receive necessary support.

As we have reported, on Tuesday morning, fifty-five-year-old Lebanese who is known as Joseph was seeking services at the Lands Department in Belmopan and pulled out a firearm during a verbal altercation with an employee at the department. The man, dressed in a red T-shirt, shorts, and a hat, was heard hurling threats. He moved closer to the door and then said, “I have one too,” before drawing a firearm from his waist. Chief Executive Officer Paul Thompson informed News Five that the man had visited the department and attempted to enter the express service line. A security guard reportedly informed him that he needed to obtain a ticket to join the line due to the ticketing system in place.

The man became agitated and drew his firearm. Thompson noted that two security guards and three Special Patrol Unit officers were on duty at the time of the incident. Despite the relatively high level of security on the premises, the man left the compound without being apprehended. The Ministry of Natural Resources has since met with police department members to develop a plan for enhanced security at the Lands Department. Currently, visitors are not screened for weapons, and vehicles are allowed to park on the premises. CEO Thompson informed News Five that these issues are being addressed. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, although the weapon was displayed.

Alliance for Democracy Announces Special Unity Convention

The Alliance for Democracy has announced a special unity convention set for October 6th, focusing on critical party matters. The convention will review the party’s executive appointments, vote on a motion to recall the current leadership and appoint an interim leader.

During a recent press conference, Tracey Taegar-Panton declared, “We have not resigned; we will not resign from the UDP!” This was in response to United Democratic Party (UDP) chairman Michael Peyrefitte’s claim that several members had “constructively resigned” from the party. Taegar-Panton accused UDP Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow of violating the party’s constitution by appointing new standard bearers to replace the current ones.

Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber, Second Deputy Leader Beverly Williams, and former Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar joined Taegar-Panton at the press conference. These members have been vocal in their opposition to the current UDP leadership.

Government of Belize and Millennium Challenge Corporation Forge $125 Million Partnership

The Government of Belize and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) have formalised a significant partnership, signing a five-year grant agreement valued at $125 million. The agreement, aimed at bolstering education and energy sectors in Belize, was signed by Prime Minister John Briceño on behalf of the Belizean government, with MCC’s CEO Alice Albright representing the U.S. agency.

The signing ceremony was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Belize, Michelle Kwan, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development & Investment, Christopher Coye.

The grant, part of the MCC’s broader mission to reduce global poverty through sustainable economic growth, will address key challenges in Belize’s education and energy sectors. The Belize Compact encompasses two major projects: the Education Project and the Energy Project, both set to be managed by the newly established Millennium Challenge Account-Belize (MCA-Belize Authority), a statutory body formed in August 2024. Implementation of these projects is slated to begin in 2025.

The Education Project aims to enhance postprimary education by improving teaching methods, expanding access to secondary education, and strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) framework to better align with labour market needs.

Meanwhile, the Energy Project focusses on reducing electricity costs through new power purchase agreements for renewable energy, modernising the electricity grid, and supporting policy reforms to optimise the use of cost-effective renewable energy.

The MCC, an independent U.S. government agency established in 2004, provides grants to support infrastructure and institutional reforms in countries meeting high standards for governance, anti-corruption, and democratic rights.

Joint Police Operation in Corozal Leads to Eight Arrests in Major Cocaine Bust

A joint police operation in Corozal on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, resulted in a significant cocaine seizure and the arrest of multiple individuals. The raid, conducted at approximately 4:00 p.m. at the residence of 57-year-old Alicia Margarita Montalvo, involved members of the Corozal Quick Response Team (QRT), the Mobile Interdiction Team (MIT), Sergeant Maroquin, and the Special Patrol Unit (SPU). Initially aimed at uncovering illegal firearms and ammunition, the search instead led to the discovery of eight parcels of cocaine weighing a total of 9.38 kilograms (20.679 pounds).

During the operation, officers focused on a specific room where one of the occupants admitted to possessing eight parcels of cocaine when asked if there was anything illegal to declare. The officers, upon further searching a black wardrobe closet in the room, found two rectangular parcels wrapped in a black shirt, both bearing the brand markings “Dolce & Gabbana.” These parcels were suspected to contain cocaine. Additional searches in the same wardrobe uncovered three more parcels inside a colorful pillowcase, and another three parcels were found in a wooden drawer within the room, all similarly marked “Dolce & Gabbana.”

The officers presented all eight parcels to the occupants of the residence, who were then informed of the charges against them. Among those present during the search were Seidy Anita Montalvo, a 30-year-old Belizean housewife; Abiel Imer Mateo Montalvo, a 37-year-old Belizean driver; Edney Ezequiel Montalvo, a 37-year-old Belizean taxi driver; Nadiel Jasiel Montalvo, a 22-year-old Belizean driver; Aida Cabañas, a 36-year-old Belizean domestic housekeeper; Enair Abieser Montalvo, a 31-year-old Belizean corporal of police; and a 17-year-old female minor, all from the Corozal District.

During the operation, Enair Abieser Montalvo, who identified himself as a Corporal of Police and claimed the premises belonged to his mother, arrived and was informed that any illegal items found would be presumed to belong to him as well. On Wednesday, September 4, police formally arrested and charged Alicia Margarita Montalvo, Enair Abiezer Montalvo, Nadiel Jasiel Montalvo, Edney Ezequiel Montalvo, Aida Cabañas, Seidy Anita Montalvo, Abiel Imer Mateo Montalvo, and the 17-year-old female minor with the offense of Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply to Another, specifically 9.38 kilograms of cocaine. All individuals, along with the seized items, were escorted to the Corozal Police Station for further processing.