October 25, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Family of Belmopan Kidnapping Victim Breaks Silence

Police have detained and charged four members of a Belmopan family in connection with the kidnapping and sexual assault of a twenty-three-year-old pregnant woman. The four were arraigned today in Belmopan Magistrates Court, where bail was denied, and they were remanded to Belize Central Prison until January 22, 2025. News Five’s Paul Lopez spoke with a relative of the victim, who shared that he came forward to shed light on the torment inflicted on her by the accused. Here’s more on that report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A family of four accused of kidnapping, aggravated assault, wounding, and sexual assault is tonight behind bars at the Belize Central Prison. The victim, a twenty-three-year-old pregnant woman, remains hospitalized tonight. One of the alleged perpetrators is her husband, twenty-four-year-old Luis Tiul Jr. Their relationship began inside a church as a beautiful love story. This is according to the victim’s brother, Wilmer Cruz.

Wilmer Cruz, Brother of Victim

“They attend this church and deh the guh and guh and guh and I get invited one time and it was so beautiful and the people were so beautiful. One time I meet this family and the lee gial grow up and at the age of eighteen she meets this lee bally that is the pastor’s son and they decided to get married.”

And after marriage, the couple had a child.

Wilmer Cruz

“When they married they start to live together and all this while I don’t know about them like that because we are not into, I have my own to tend to. They had a kid together and now this turn out to be the case now, a surprising story, meanwhile all this while I though they were living happily and everything.”

The victim’s family believed that if there was any safe place for her, it would be in the home of a pastor since she is married to his son. But that trust was shattered on Wednesday when police conducted an operation at the pastor’s home, discovering the woman, seven months pregnant, severely injured, tied to a step, and forced to sit in her own waste. According to police, the husband’s family held her captive after she attempted to leave him. Videos obtained by News 5 show the victim in a hospital bed, lying down in excruciating pain.

Wilmer Cruz

“Back then I hear a lee thing that the lee gial mih want separate and thing like that right. But from then I never hear no more form that, but now surprisingly my mom call me and said son, you hear what happen with the lee gial, she the eena hospital. I said, what cant’ be. I run to the hospital and when I see the lee gial, she the eena wah terrible condition. I find her in a condition like when you torture somebody, kidnap somebody and find them in a room, like a movie scene. Her hands all burned, swell, her feet scarred like they were tied. The lee gial maga, and she is pregnant. First thing come into your mind dah guh murder somebody and that is wrong, because I put myself in trouble. That is why I want justice serve among these people, because I want them to know that she have family to.”

The alleged culprits are forty-five-year-old Luis Tiul Senoir, Tiul Junior, forty-three-year-old Elizabeth Tiul and fifty-nine-year-old Matilda Games, who were all arraigned this morning in Belmopan. The charges range from administering noxious matter to aggravated assault, wounding, sexual assault, and kidnapping. We asked the family for comments as they were escorted by police.

Paul Lopez

“You guys have anything to say, you guys have anything to say? Are the allegations true. Are you a true a pastor. Do you have anything to say sir? Are the allegations true?”

Neither of the two men responded to our questions. A man who identified himself as Tiul senior’s son attempted to stop us from asking more questions.

Paul Lopez

“Please I am doing a job, are the allegations true? Do you have anything to say? Sir, do you have anything to say? Is the allegations against your family true, would you like to clarify?”

And then this happened.

“Move dah Camera, front of my face, move dah camera, front of my face. Move dah camera front ah my face.”

Wilmer Cruz

“To my acknowledgement the family has the same mentality like the accused. All of them look like they have the same vibe and the same mentality, because that tribe is a nutsy tribe. You see how they gone atta you and the camera man suh deh, that means you have people that will have to be caregul of those people, because they don’t think, they just act.”

Paul Lopez

“One of the questions that people are asking is where is her family, is it a case where the family was not checking up on her because they thought she was ok and living a happy life?”

Wilmer Cruz

“My mom told me that she nuh know because she doesn’t keep up like that. She knows that she lives with them and she have she business and kids and everybody have their own. So, if you decide to live then you suppose to live in a condition and maybe she couldn’t get to my mom, because they had her kidnapped.”

Paul Lopez

“Is it regretful though and perhaps a lesson that as family we should check up a bit more on our loved ones?”

Wilmer Cruz

“Correct we should check up on our loved ones, but when we talk about they married, everybody should keep in their own process. But in this condition, this is a big thing concerned to every Belizean, check up on your kids, check up on your family, stuff like that.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

ComPol Says Identities of Alleged Kidnappers Should Have Been Withheld

We also heard from the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, in Belmopan today, following the arraignment of the four accused. ComPol Williams told reporters that the department made a huge mistake when the photographs of the alleged perpetrators were released. He contends that public knowledge of their identities may lead to embarrassment and further victimisation of the woman.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I know police in Belmopan are looking at that matter carefully. If I, I saw that our press office issued the photograph of the arrestees. I would not have done that. That was ill advised. I have not spoken to Ms. Hortence about it, but by issuing photographs of those persons arrested, it then takes the public back to who the victim is. The heinousness in which the crime was perpetrated against her, I am sure it is going to bring shame against her. People who know her husband seeing his picture on the news would know exactly who the person is. I don’t think that in an instance like this we should expose her the way we did.”

Paul Lopez

“Is there an argument for police releasing those images so that the public is aware of who to be cautious of?”

Chester Williams

“No, that cannot justify it. Like I said I cannot blame my press office because I did not advise them about it. It was after I saw the photographs were released that it came to my mind I should have spoken to Ms. Hernandez about it. It was already released so I just left it as that. But, I would want to think that in the future we should guard against those things.”

Special Envoy Says Stronger Policies Would Deter Gender-Based Violence

And while the police were swift to deal with the family who are accused of assaulting and committing aggravating offences against the victim of the kidnapping in Belmopan, today the Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children, Rossana Briceño, also weighed in on gender-based violence against women. Briceño expressed her view that crime and violence, particularly against women, are on the increase because of a lax effort to strengthen the policies that deal with these crimes.

Rossana Briceño, Special Envoy, Development of Families & Children

“With all the stories that you’re hearing now, I get frustrated sometimes, and I personally feel, and this is my personal feeling here, that more can be done in terms of policy. We do have policies in place, but I think the implementation of the policies really need to take center stage now, and make sure that they are being implemented, and we need someone, someone to do the check and balance and evaluate if these things are really working because if they’re not working, we need to do better. And we have time. We can always do something, especially for women. Most of the time, it’s women that are the victims.”

Police Officer Detained in Connection with Belmopan Robberies

A woman police officer and her common-law husband are currently being questioned by police in connection with a series of robberies in Belmopan. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams revealed that authorities are investigating at least seven reported incidents in the city. The investigation led officers to the woman’s residence, where evidence allegedly linked to the robberies was discovered. Here’s what the commissioner had to say about the case.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“As I said to you all yesterday in my interview, we were narrowing down on those persons who we believe are orchestrators of the spate of robberies we have seen in the Belmopan area. I said a police officer was also being looked at. We went after those persons. A woman police officer was detained and her common law husband. From the information we are gathering, the two of them are the masterminds behind the robberies and there are some other persons who are players with them who are also detained. A search of the police officer home led to the discovery of a number of police uniforms for male officers and she is a woman, that includes the number one and the B.D.U.’s. Interestingly, many of these robberies committed, persons committing them were wearing either police uniform or the B.D.U.’s and found clothing matching those at the police officer house. We are putting together the files, gathering all the evidence. We also found the vehicle used, a rental vehicle that was used by them in committing the robbery that took place three days ago in Belmopan. We also found the motorcycle that has been seen at these robbery scenes and a number of other things, so I believe that by now and Monday we should be filing charges against a number of persons.”

Belize Steps Up Road Safety Measures for Motorists

The recent surge in fatal road accidents, especially involving motorcycles, has become a pressing concern for Belizeans nationwide. Reports of deadly collisions have become almost weekly, drawing attention to road safety practices. While some incidents are attributed to motorcyclists, a significant number involve careless car drivers who contribute to these crashes. The Department of Transport is working to strengthen road safety legislation. However, with both motorcyclists and drivers responsible, the impact of new regulations may be limited unless they address all motorists. Chief Transport Officer Leon Gentle provided further details on the project.

Leon Gentle, Chief Transport Officer

“On the seventh of October, we myself and the project manager for the road safety two, has met with PAHO, who has pledged their support in identifying how we can move forward with improving the legislation, as well as providing some technical support for that element of it. As you all know, PAHO is most interested in that because it puts a strain on the health system. And all of that, there is that collaborated effort. We are seeking regional funding to be able to provide that level of support, both technically and legislatively as it relates to improving the legislation. We are at that level.”

Reporter

“Would you maybe concede that it’s a problem, larger problem in terms of enforcement as well?”

Leon Gentle

“That’s a part of the problem. And we have made efforts to see how we can make adjustments to that level of it. There is a collaborative effort with the police department as well as the municipal authorities to be able to sit together and discuss how we’re going to attack the dynamics of that element as it relates to vehicles and driving habits and how we’re moving forward. Quite recently we had a session with a consultant who, and I’ve mentioned this in several interviews already, looking at safe driving manuals and to see how we can introduce the concept of a graduated driver’s license. So there’s an educational element of it, there’s a legislative improvement element of it, as well as to see how we can look from an enforcement standpoint to see how we can increase enforcement in areas such as highways, in rural areas, in areas where there are the hot spots as it relates to those motorcycles accidents and accidents on a whole.”

Companies May Be Granted Extension to Upgrade Buses

In early 2023, the Ministry of Transport introduced new standards for public transportation, setting age limits for various bus services. Road service permits would require premier buses to be no older than ten years, economy buses capped at twenty years, and rural buses at twenty-five years. Operators were expected to upgrade fifty percent of their fleet by December 2023 and fully update their entire fleet by the end of 2024. While efforts have been made to comply, bus operators have encountered challenges in meeting the proposed timeline, as Chief Transport Officer Leon Gentle explains.

Leon Gentle, Chief Transport Officer

“We did do an inspection last week. We are formulating that report and that report would be what helps us to make that decision as the way forward.”

Reporter

“So there is a possibility that the deadline might be extended?”

Leone Gentle

“There might be a possibility that it might be extended.”

Reporter

“What was maybe some of the major points of contention then from the bus operators?”

Leon Gentle

“Primarily the financial aspect of it. As you all know, we are trying to get them to transition to an upgraded buses. And the issue with that is finance. And so we have been working with them to be able to see how we can move that forward for them.”

Reporter

“But have they been putting in the effort?”

Leon Gentle

“They have been putting in the effort? That is something that is notable you would see. And I can say that from a standpoint of the registration of new buses. And so there has been an increase of that throughout the past couple of months, and we’ve seen where they have made their efforts in making that a possibility.”

501 Transit App Launched for E-bus Riders

It’s been three months since electric buses, the green alternative to public transportation, hit the streets of Belize City. Now, the 501 Transit app, a complimentary service to the e-buses, is here. The app allows users to track buses in real time, allowing easier city transit. News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the launch to learn how the app functions.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

In mid-July, Belize City welcomed the E-bus pilot program. This introduction of these environmentally friendly, wheelchair-accessible buses signalled a step towards the transformation of the transportation industry as Belizeans know it. Now, the 501 transit app is here to strengthen the accessibility features of the buses.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City

“Da wa additional milestone we reach. We started with the buses some while back. They are now up and running functional and I know the app. Really compliments that that process and is a key milestone because it really speaks to connectivity with the residents with the commuters and having them know in real time where the buses are at any given time.”

The project is funded through the European Union and is spearheaded by the Belize City Council with assistance from the United Nations Development Program. Mayor of Belize City, Bernard Wagner says that the pilot program has received tremendous feedback since its launch earlier tis year.

Bernard Wagner

“I even explain the sort of embrace that the residents of the city, especially with elderly people with students. I had a meeting with some of the schools who want additional buses to run opposite to how it is running to bring in students into the school zone. The elderly people with diverse abilities have really embrace it. And it is so good to see that our youths, our children are being brought into this new era of transformation in the transportation industry. The kids of today will no longer be subjected to substandard transportation.”

The app uses the customer’s geographical location to determine how far away a bus is from them and the distance from the nearest bus stops. Chief Transport Officer, Leon Gentle, explains.

Leon Gentle, Chief Transport Officer

“The idea of the app like we were talking earlier about, is to try to make the lives of commuters a little bit easier. The objective of the app is to be able to see live time when the buses are approaching your area or your stop. The whole idea is that you should be able to plan your trip if you want to leave at ten o’clock, you should be able to see where those buses are. From the Department of Transport standpoint, we want to make sure that the app is accessible to all. And that’s why it’s available both on Android and iOS, as well as to provide some level of information and data collecting to the Department of Transport. To help us to plan routes, to help us to plan areas passengers are available to catch these buses.”

While the app only tracks the location of the e-buses, the plan is to incorporate data of all the buses in Belize eventually.

Leon Gentle

“We have to be able to transition both from a scheduling standpoint, where you’re able to, on the national scene, be able to plan your trip countrywide. And so we would have a national schedule that would eventually go on this app. For persons to say, if I want to move from Belize City to Cayo, I know these are the buses and these are the operators that would be leaving from the bus terminal in Belize City and from areas that they should be based on their road service permits. Each road service permit has a time that you should be at a particular location and that is where we intend to make that transition. Eventually, we’re hoping that operators add the telematics, which would give us the real time data to their existing buses.”

Mayor Wagner explains that demand for more buses is high, but the team is attempting to secure more in the near future. In the meantime, he anticipates that the electric taxis will be rolling out within the next month.

Bernard Wagner

“Our e taxes are set to launch I think this month coming, November. The hardest setback has been getting the drivers in place because we want to get the right drivers and so we are set for this month.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

34 Officers Graduate From P.E.A.C.E Program Training

The Positive Engagement and Civic Education Program or P.E.A.C.E Program was launched in late 2023 to encourage youths to stand up against bullying and gang violence. The program was developed through a collaboration between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Education, with support from the U.S. Embassy. The program is expanding beyond the Old Capital. And today, the Belize Police Department graduated an additional thirty-four officers equipped with the necessary told to go out and engage youths on the program’s curriculum. We spoke with Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, at today’s graduation ceremony.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We are now expanding on that program. The expansion required that we had to train more police officers and instructors to go into the classroom and instruct on the content of the peace program. So, we are graduating thirty-four offices today and they are from across the country. Their task will be to ensure they go into the classrooms as we now expand the program across the country. We expect they are going to instruct the students on the content of this program. Again, it is a part of our community policing programs. You would know we are currently embarking more aggressively on the importance of community policing. If it is that we want to break the cycle of gangs, we have to start with children who are in that primary school age, making sure we raise the tree the right way is important, because if you neglect the tree and the tree bends it is going to be difficult to straighten that tree.”

MSME Roadshow Concluded in Belize City

Today, the annual national M.S.M.E. roadshow wrapped its second day of activities in Belize City. The event was launched in 2023 by the Office of the Prime Minister in partnership with the Economic Development Council and BELTRAIDE to provide support for micro, small, and medium enterprises. Monique Usher, Deputy Executive Director, of BELTRAIDE provided us with more details on the event.

Monique Usher, Deputy Executive Director, BELTRAIDE

“Today is the day two, which we consider the formalization clinic. So we did have a lot of the agencies that businesses would need to participate in the formalization step in attendance today.”

Britney Gordon

“And what will we see tomorrow?”

Monique Usher

“Tomorrow we have the Buy Belizean Expo, which we’re doing in partnership with the Belize City Council. So we’re joining their super sale. And so for the day three of the MSME Roadshow, we typically have an expo. And so tomorrow we have the participating businesses that had attended the bootcamp showcasing their different products and services to the public.”

Britney Gordon

“And what is the benefit for companies to come and participate in something like this? What do they have to gain?”

Monique Usher

“We offer capacity building in day one. They also have the opportunity to work with a business advisor from BELTRAIDE to assist them in their business, whether it’s looking at starting, improving, or expanding their operation. There’s also an opportunity to network amongst other MSMEs, and important also is for them to connect with some of the agencies, such as the Belize Companies Registry, to assist them with registering their business name and other, you know, formalization steps.

Britney Gordon

“And you said that this has been going on since June. When will it conclude the entire event?”

Monique Usher

“The Belize City is the final stop for the MSME Roadshow. However, we do have a signature event in November, which is the National Entrepreneurship Convention, which we dub as ENTRECON. And it’s a signature event for BELTRAIDE. It closes off all the activities that we have for the year. This year we do have a unique addition to it, which is the Glaze Award. Gala. So we’re very excited, you know, to be able to spearhead these activities.”

Mayor Wagner on City’s Swift Recovery After TS Nadine

Tropical Storm Nadine swept through southern Belize City on Saturday, bringing powerful winds and heavy rain that tested the city’s resilience. Despite the storm’s intensity, the old capital has shown a remarkable recovery. Mayor Bernard Wagner shared insights on how the storm impacted the city and praised the community’s swift response and resilience.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City

“No, it was to the best of my knowledge and the reports that I receive is that we just had the flooding in the streets. Some of the flood prone areas that are usually flooded, got extensively flooded, but with the king tides coming in and climate change and all of these converging it’s important that we put in place actions such as this climate action doing our part in reducing greenhouse gases. If we don’t do our part you’ll continue to see stronger storms more adverse climate conditions in our country.”