Feinstein is up against another legal battle, this time initiated by Atlantic Bank for alleged fraud earlier this year while Stake Bank Enterprises Limited was under receivership. Today, Smith emphasized that this is a separate case, set to be heard sometime in 2025. But what does this mean for Feinstein’s constitutional challenge? Here’s what he had to say.
Godfrey Smith, Attorney-At-Law
“That is a separate lawsuit. We have fully answered that. We have put in our defense. We have argued that there is no evidence of fraud or misrepresentation in any of the allegations made. That is a separate cause of action which is timetabled for some time next year.”
Reporter
“How will these two things be resolved, if later on the court says Mr. Feinstein get that land fraudulently, he is not entitled to any compensation.”
Godfrey Smith
“We believe in the strength of our argument. We believe we will be able to demonstrate clearly to the court that he lawfully came into possession of the twenty-three point four acres without any fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty or any allegation being made against him.”
Recently, Belize joined the global celebration of World Mental Health Day on October tenth. This annual event is a chance to raise awareness about the challenges people face in maintaining their mental health and to encourage everyone to help end the stigma surrounding it. This year’s theme highlighted the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace, emphasizing that mental health should be a priority in all aspects of life. In this episode of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Britney Gordon spoke with the team behind the National Mental Health Program to explore the resources available in Belize for those seeking help.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Mental health stigma is a global issue, fueled by cultural beliefs, lack of education, and insufficient resources for those in need. But mental health is just as important as physical health, and the Belize National Mental Health Program is on a mission to change that narrative. In the past, patients with different needs were all sent to Rockview Hospital, but now there’s a push for more tailored and compassionate care.
Ivette Quintanilla
Ivette Quintanilla, Mental Health Coordinator, MOHW
“The Mental Health Program in Belize has come a long way. Before we used to have Seaview Hospital in Belize City and then that was moved to Rockview Hospital in Rockville. Patients used to be admitted there. Persons who had problems with the law were referred there as well. If patients were in an acute crisis, they were also referred there. So. It was like having everybody with a mental disorder being sent to Rockview Hospital.”
Now fifteen years later, Belize has moved away from placing patients in institutions. They are now referred to the Palm View Center in Belmopan. This residential care facility offers a home for patients without family support, allowing them to live together, build a community, and regain their independence. Ivette Quintanilla explains that the country is making strides to ensure mental health resources are both accessible and welcoming for those in need.
Ivette Quintanilla
“We have moved now to a more of a community and type based of service that we offer. We have mental health clinics in all the districts with psychiatric nurse practitioners providing the services along with psychiatrists. We get the support from Cuba. And in Belize City, we also have our main psychiatrist, Dr. Matus, who works there as well. We have a few psychotherapists that also provide counseling services, and a social worker that also provides support when it comes to the family.”
Reaching out for help can be intimidating. This is due, in part, to the stigma that surrounds it. However, it is a step in the right direction. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Amy Link explains how they assist someone experiencing symptoms of anxiety.
Amy Link
Amy Link, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
“Reaching out to get psychiatric assistance is very nerve wracking. We do try and promote that, the information that you provide here will be secure and will be safe. And at any moment, if you’re not ready to speak up anything in your life, it is on your pace. So the anxious feeling now, when it comes to the symptoms, we do not just jump to a diagnosis. It is. Or jump to prescribing medication because often we have to see what are the triggers in your life that can be altered or sometimes those feelings are signs that our body is communicating with us about there’s something that needs to be addressed.”
September Tenth is usually a day of celebration in Belize, but it’s also a time to raise awareness for World Suicide Prevention Day. This year, the activities included a glow run and a candlelight vigil where people shared their personal stories of struggling with mental health and how they overcame those challenges. October tenth is recognized as World Mental Health Day. Link explains how this year’s events reinforced the message that mental health and physical health are deeply connected.
Amy Link
“The theme for World Mental Health Day was to prioritize mental health in the workplace. So our activities were really focusing in on those within the work field. And for Western Regional, we provided and also the community. We had yoga classes done by Frida. We had Zumba classes done by Ms. McKean. And we had massage day done with the organic spa. And even meditation done by Yuhan. So these individuals did all this for our workers and individuals in the community, free of cost. And it promoted the basic means of which we can make those changes in our life within our control to bring mental health into our life improved.”
As part of the celebrations, the Mental Health Department curated a serene space dedicated to meditation and relaxation. This room served as a respite for staff to unwind and rejuvenate, offering a tranquil escape designed to alleviate stress and promote well-being.
Ivette Quintanilla
“Our aim throughout the country was to provide activities trying to teach about how to manage stress and the importance of self care. As well, it is important to start with that management when it comes to making these changes. It all starts with each individual person recognizing that all of us have mental, mental health. And we need to work on ourselves first before we can provide that support within our businesses, within our other ministries. In order for us to promote mental well being in with our staff. Because we know that when, when we are not mentally healthy, it leads to burnout. It leads to absenteeism at work.”
Changing the narrative on mental health in Belize is a long journey, but there’s a movement underway. And it’s a movement that grows stronger with each passing year.
Ivette Quintanilla
“One of my biggest wishes is that we can reach more people, that people can be more cognizant of their mental health that we can decrease the stigma and discrimination and people become aware that they do not need to suffer in silence, that there is help. And it’s just a matter of them reaching out to us and for that help to be provided.”
On Wednesday, we showed you the brave individuals who risked their lives attempting to save six-year-old King Shakel Wade after he’d fallen into a canal in Belize City. Sadly, by the time they found him, it was too late. Tonight, we remember King for the lives he touched during his short time with his family. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
It’s been two days since six-year-old King Shakel Wade tragically drowned after falling into a canal, and the community is still reeling from the shock of his sudden death. Family, friends, and even those who only met the lively boy briefly, are in deep mourning. King’s aunt, Sharon Wade, shares what made her nephew so beloved by everyone who knew him.
Sharon Wade
Sharon Wade, Aunt of Deceased
“Everybody like the whole entire neighborhood around here because of who King is. And King that friend with big, literally big man round yah. Like when everybody here in the news, ney da like lee King? Noh mi lee friend King. It’s a shock. Everybody is still shocked because they know King. They know how sweet he is. They know how energetic he is because he would come, you would see him run up and down the street. He would taunt the dogs, them, and have them chasing him. That’s his fun. That’s his way of playing.”
When Wade talks about the shock, it’s no exaggeration. Arenel Smith, one of several men who dived in the canal in an attempt to rescue King, explains that even as he was searching for the little boy, he was hoping someone would tell him there had been a mistake and that King had simply wandered off.
Arenel Smith
Arenel Smith, Rescue Volunteer
“I see somebody will push him or something. I say, no man. This can’t be King. I noh really. I start think now. I start ask people, where this young bwai deh? I start hope this young boy either bang the lane or something right now. Or come home or something. I deh right there. I just di think. I she no bwai. When we find ah now, Eggy and ney bwai boy and ney lift ah up. I don’t know weh fi do. I also watch it. Like no man, can’t. Cya that happened right there so fast.”
It was King’s own cousin, Egbert Myers, who had the heartbreaking task of pulling his body to the surface. Egbert remembers seeing King’s smiling face every day as he passed by his usual hangout spot. Their bond was so strong that the moment he heard his little cousin was in trouble, he didn’t hesitate to rush to his aid.
Egbert Myers
Egbert Myers, Cousin of Deceased
“All I know that every day ih pass ya soh and we giva ah lee two dollars. When the man pass yah soh everyday when he go da school. Da the only thing, Cuz he da noh frm round ya like that. I hear ney tell me da who. I hear she da King soh I she I haffi go check. When iI hear da king. I haffi go.”
There is no doubt that the person who has felt the weight of King’s death the heaviest is his mother. Her sister explains that there is little one can say to comfort a grieving parent.
Sharon Wade
“She’s still in a state of shock, as is the family. To say how she feels, I don’t know.Yes, I’m a mother, as well as her. She has three kids, I have two. I can’t even wrap it around me to say, Oh, I know what you’re feeling, or I know what you’re going through. I cannot, up to this day, up to right now, we’re sitting here as a family together. I still don’t know what to say to my sister to comfort her like I stayed with her last night, and we were up. We haven’t slept as yet. And we, me and her were up and just talking. She cried, she stopped, we talked, we look back at memories and thing and I still don’t know what to tell her to make her feel better. There is no word.”
Comforting a grieving parent can feel overwhelming, but psychiatric nurse practitioner Amy Link emphasizes that building a strong support network is crucial for their healing journey.
Amy Link
Amy Link, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
“Someone that has lost an individual very close to them, especially a child, is very painful and can be very shocking because you don’t, you cannot prepare for that immense pain that follows. So when you do encounter that, it’s often best to leave the person in the support of a family and give them space to actually accept this is what happened. This is reality. It cannot be changed. There will be fluctuating of emotions. Sadness, reflection of what life was, hoping they could have made changes. And even at moments, have moments, where they don’t know if this is really. This has to be something that can be snapped out of. So in those times, the individual needs to be with family to support and accept what has happened.”
Link further explains that it is best to give the family space and respect their privacy, as they process their feelings. She encourages anyone experiencing difficulties to reach out to a loved one and seek professional help if necessary. Though King may no longer be with his family, the love he shared continues to shine brightly in the hearts of everyone who knew him.
Sharon Wade
“Everybody loved King. Like friends? He had that, whether old, whether his age, whether it was family, King had that around this neighborhood because of who he was, because of his personality, because of how sweet he was.”
Elmer Nah was charged in September for the triple murder that took place on New Year’s Eve 2022 in Belmopan. Since his arrest nearly two years ago, Nah has maintained his innocence. A crucial piece of evidence is a video from the victims’ home surveillance system, capturing the shooter in the act. However, the video doesn’t clearly identify the shooter. Nah insists it’s not him, while investigators believe they have the right man. Nah has hired Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith, well known for his unconventional defense strategies. Smith is now working to enhance the video, hoping to prove Nah’s innocence. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Three weeks ago, Elmer Nah was charged with six counts related to the brutal triple murder of Jon, David, and Vivian Ramnarace on New Year’s Eve 2022 in Belmopan. Investigators are convinced that Nah is the shooter seen in the victims’ home surveillance footage from that horrific night. This video is a key piece of evidence, but questions remain about its clarity. Nah’s lawyer, Godfrey Smith, has enlisted a U.S. video and audio forensics firm to enhance the footage, hoping to clear his client’s name.
Godfrey Smith
Godfrey Smith, Attorney-At-Law
“The video of the shooter on premises of the deceased person, shooting, will feature prominently. We have retained a highly reputable forensics video and audio forensics firm in Los Angeles to have a look at that, because it holds the answer to who did the shooting, if it can be enhanced.”
Nah claims innocence. On January third, 2023, while being escorted to the Belmopan Magistrate Court, Nah asserted that he was being wrongfully accused.
Elmer Nah
Elmer Nah (File: Jan 3rd, 2023)
“I just want to say I the be wrongfully accused, wrongfully accused breda, wrongfully.”
Earlier this year, on April eleventh, News Five got hold of a letter written by Nah from prison, where he claimed that an enhanced version of the surveillance footage from the night of the triple murder would prove his innocence. Addressing these claims, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters that the department has strong evidence against Nah, while also discussing the potential of enhancing the video.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police (File: April 11th, 2024)
“We have solicited the assistance of the U. S. Embassy and we had sent that video footage abroad and to some extent it was enhanced. Not as good as we wanted to, but the experts in the U. S. um, did do what they could do with it for us.”
Even though he is an ex-police officer, Nah is no stranger to running afoul of the law. He has faced ammunition and firearms related charges for which he has been found not guilty. The ex-cop is now dealing with multiple charges from a drug plane landing in Bladen Village back in November 2021, on top of the charges for the December 2023 triple murder in Belmopan. Just days after that tragic night, a relative of one of the victims shared their thoughts.
Deon Pascasio
Deon Pascasio, Relative of Murder Victims (File: Jan 17th, 2023)
“There are questions in the back of our minds, especially when we look at all that has been surfacing, that this particular individual, alleged perpetrator has been charged and has been involved in several different incidents and crime and has been able to walk away from every single one of them whatever reason, and that gives us some cause for concern.”
Attorney Godfrey Smith shared that the video and audio forensics firm they’ve hired believes the widely circulated surveillance footage has been distorted.
Godfrey Smith
“What they have come back to say is that look, the CD that you have may have been distorted. You need to get the video from the original recording source if there is to be a chance of seeing the face of the shooter.”
He noted that his firm has requested an original copy of the footage from the Belize Police Department.
Godfrey Smith
“They were able to point out on the recording we have that it was obviously adopted from the original source and that we need to get hold of the original source. We have also made an application to get contents of Mr. Nah’s phone and other things that are in the possession of the police.”
Nestled between Belize City and Dangriga, Gales Point Village is a unique gem with the sea on one side and a lagoon on the other. However, for villagers who need to travel and don’t own a car, getting around has become a real challenge. The public bus that used to connect them to Dangriga and Belize City no longer passes through the village. Before the highway upgrade, a dedicated bus operator served the community, but he stopped, and no one else stepped in to fill the gap. Marion Ali spoke with the village chairman and a resident to hear their concerns about this issue. Here’s the story.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Gales Point Village is facing a serious public transportation issue, and the residents are fed up with waiting for the Ministry of Transport to step in and fix it.
Kevin Andrewin
Kevin Andrewin, Concerned Resident, Gales Point Village
“People still have to hike out Moning, jva, and Gas Point, which is. And you know that because I know no ministers and nobody would want to have their daughter on a Sunday hike.”
Kevin Andrewin is a prominent member of the village. He mentions that the issue has impacted everyone, from shoppers to students, even though there’s a school bus available.
Kevin Andrewin
“Children population is growing and the more the children population is growing, the bus run will become a problem because the sixth time student will not have space on the bus run. They will have to continue hitching, right. You don’t want to hear a six farm student dead because dehn di hitchhike. Because after they graduate from fourth farm, the bus run, I mean one bus to run on that where they gave me some flowers, which is good. And that our benefit will look upon. Yes. The school bus, but then still the school bus will have to get bigger.”
Village Chairman Jason Altschaft told News Five that the problem goes back a few years, when there was only a dirt road as the Coastal Highway. Even though the new paved highway makes it easier to reach the village, there’s still no public transportation available to get there.
Jason Altschaft
Jason Altschaft, Chairman, Gales Point Village
“We had somebody that was doing the bus run when it was a dirt road and he was preparing to do it when it became a paved road, but unfortunately politics changed and therefore he didn’t get the – didn’t get the contract. The man that did it – tried a few days here and there, but he found that it wasn’t going to be profitable for him to drive his bus down there.”
Altschaft shared that when the bus service stopped, he reached out to the Minister of Transport, Rodwell Ferguson. The only reassurance they received was a promise that a bus would soon be passing through the village. But that was several months ago.
Jason Altschaft
“I’ve definitely reached out to minister Ferguson and talked to him personally at least three or four times. It’s always encouraging But nothing has still happened. Now. We have the same guy that wanted to do the bus run before but they haven’t they haven’t selected him. He’s willing he’s got a bus.”
The owner of Ritchie’s Bus Service, Dalmon Ritchie, told News Five that he had discussed the matter with the villagers, but he is still contemplating applying for a permit to run through the village.
Voice of: Dalmon Ritchie
Voice of: Dalmon Ritchie, Owner, Ritchie’s Bus Service
“When I met a certain person, you know, in the transport department, and they said that they don’t want one. They want newer buses, you know, like maybe some 2003, 2004, you know. So I never pushed that issue there harder than where I am today, you know. But I don’t want to apply for the Coast Task Force.
I wouldda want do it.”
Minister Ferguson mentioned that no bus operators have applied to run the route yet, echoing Andrewin’s concerns about the profitability of making daily trips through the village.
Rodwell Ferguson
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
“I understand the concern that the people of New England and Spain, that they want to reach at a certain point. We are asking people to apply to see how profitable the world will be. But because of the class of fuel, people are reluctant to wanna have most, some, we got to listening to the, but again, it’s a matter forr us to explore. So we are going to explore it again and see if there’s any possibilities. I give you at least two weeks to a month to figure out if we can find somebody who have interest to run through the coastal highway. We have no objection, Mr. Ritchie applies. But again, from December twenty twenty four, we are asking that the buses not two thousand and twenty two bus, but because the current bus is one and a half, so we should meet the criteria and we apply the above action.”
Minister of Transport Rodwell Ferguson recently returned from Quito, Ecuador, where he attended a regional conference on transitioning to electric buses. Organized by the Inter-American Development Bank, the meeting aimed to accelerate the shift from fuel-operated to electric buses across the region. The minister shared with News Five that Belize will need financial assistance to make this transition a reality.
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
“Their hope and dream is to figure out how the countries can go EV buses when it comes to transportation of the people. And they figured out they need to do a package for the entire Central America, South America, and the Caribbean to start the process. So they as a bank is trying to find a way [to see] how they can start to transform the industry into EV buses. That is the initial concept. We are hopeful that when we have the meeting next year, they would come and say we have found a solution to figure out how we can start to transform this nation into EV buses. So we are telling them that as a small country, we will need to be backed by the IDB or some other banking institution to help us reach the standard we want to reach and that is expected by the year 2050.”
Two weeks ago, Belize proudly sent one hundred and forty young athletes to compete in the Under-18 CODICADER Games in El Salvador. These talented students showcased their skills in athletics, basketball, football, and volleyball, representing high schools from across the country. Their performances were nothing short of impressive. To honor their achievements, Minister of Sports Rodwell Ferguson will host a celebratory dinner for the athletes at Old Belize on Friday night. He shared that despite not playing on home turf, the young athletes remained unfazed and gave it their all.
Rodwell Ferguson
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Sports
“We are going to have a dinner tomorrow evening at the Old Belize for all the athletes who went to Salvador to participate in the CODICADER Games about two weeks ago. As a country, a small country in the region, we did extremely well. We came in third place in female football, third place in volleyball, male and female, and likewise, second place in basketball, and you know the young lady who got gold medal in track and field I think it was the hundred-meters, and she also got a silver in some other event. So far we’re doing good as a country.”
Attorney Audrey Matura recently spoke about the conclusion of the case involving two of the four Belize Defence Force (BDF) soldiers who died in a tragic helicopter crash on February 27, 2020. Matura represented the families of Corporals Reinaldo Choco and Yassir Mendez, who had hired her to seek compensation from the government for their wrongful deaths.
Matura recounted that, initially, the government had promised compensation, but after a change in administration, her team had to file a claim within the one-year period stipulated by the Tort Act. According to Matura, the government eventually admitted liability for the deaths in negligence on April 12, 2022, but the issue of damages remained unresolved.
“However, what we could not agree on was the quantum of damages, the quantum of compensation. So from April 2022 to October 2024, there was a lot of filing of documents, but most of it was legal submissions to the court.”
The case passed through the hands of three different judges.
Finally, Justice Tawanda Hondora delivered a detailed ruling in October 2024, awarding the families over $760,000 in combined compensation. The amounts were distributed according to legal dependents and other factors. However, Matura noted that the government retains the right to appeal the decision, with a 21-day window to do so.
“And in essence, what happened, he ruled that, yes, these people are entitled to compensation; uh, combined, the two families get over 700,000 in compensation, but broken down for different parties, different individuals, different, um, dependence according to the law; of course, we can’t just. say that it’s a done deal because the government also has the right to appeal.”
Reflecting on the families’ reactions, Matura said their patience and resilience throughout the four-year ordeal. Both families have endured personal hardships, including financial struggles and emotional trauma. For instance, Mendez’s family, including his two young children, continues to cope with his absence, while Choco’s wife has had to navigate life without the future they had planned together.
“They have been through a lot of personal hardship that they don’t speak of publicly. They’ve been waiting for this ruling. Imagine over four years and you still can’t get it…So of course, they welcome this decision with with much glee, sadness at the same time because the money cannot replace their long one.”
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) says it is ‘disappointed’ with the “Government’s effective non-response” about the acquisition of the 24-acre extension of Stake Bank Island. According to NTUCB, in a letter dated September 23, 2024, the Prime Minister cited an ongoing court case involving Michael Feinstein as the reason for not providing answers.
The NTUCB said, “It is the opinion of the NTUCB that this is simply an indirect way of saying, “I don’t want to answer you.”
“Perhaps the Government prefers the NTUCB to bring a judicial review case against the Government or join the ongoing litigation to get the answers it seeks on an issue of public concern.”
The NTUCB criticised the government’s claim that the acquisition being necessary to “rescue” a private project contradicts public interest.
In response, the NTUCB plans to propose a Bill to amend the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Act and the Land Acquisition (Promoters) Act for future acquisitions. The Umbrella Union stated that it plans to submit their proposals to the Government in the New Year.
The Social Security Board (SSB) has addressed details concerning the case of former Police Officer Santiago “Santi” Ciau Jr., who passed away at the age of 37 after a prolonged struggle with a debilitating bone illness. Ciau passed away on October 8.
After the government retired him due to medical unfitness stemming from a 2009 workplace injury, he was reportedly faced with repeated denials for invalidity benefits from the SSB.
Today, the SSB said in a statement that Ciau received the maximum entitlement of 234 days of Sickness Benefits. After exhausting these benefits, he submitted an invalidity claim. The SSB noted that Ciau received Sickness Benefits from April 30, 2021, to December 19, 2021, with payments made directly to the Government of Belize as his salary continued, allowing him to receive his full salary. The SSB also noted that Ciau never applied for Employment Injury Benefits.
After exhausting his Sickness Benefits, he was denied further payments from February 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023, for exceeding the allotted days. The SSB explained that a GOB Medical Board later deemed him unfit for work, followed by a Medical Board declaring him “not an invalid” and that “the condition is susceptible to remedy with total hip replacement surgery so that he could return to gainful employment.”
The SSB said that the Appeals Tribunal upheld this decision on December 4, 2023, and Ciau chose not to appeal the decision of the Appeals Tribunal.
