October, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

FAO marks 5th anniversary of Family Farming Decade

As part of the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming, experts from regional institutions, governments, and civil society gathered to share experiences and reflections and to address the challenges of strengthening family farming in the region.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Executive Secretariat of the Central American Agricultural Council of the Central American Integration System (SECAC/SICA), and the Specialised Meeting on Family Farming of Mercosur (REAF/MERCOSUR) convened to share experiences and evaluate progress made in the framework of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was also an opportunity for the countries to reaffirm their commitment to continue promoting this key sector in the region.

The virtual event brought together prominent experts from SECAC/SICA, REAF/MERCOSUR, the Dominican Republic and Uruguay governments, and family farming associations. These experts reflected on how public policies and regional initiatives have supported the development of family farming and how to address the remaining challenges in the next five years of the decade.

Mario Lubetkin, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, opened the event by highlighting the actions that have positioned the region as a leader in this area.

“With the adoption of national plans, Latin America and the Caribbean has become an active voice in the development of regional strategies. This has allowed the creation of participatory and innovative solutions that strengthen family farming in its social, economic, and environmental dimensions,” he stressed.

He also called for increased efforts to create better opportunities for farming families. “More than ever, we must continue to work on these issues and build regional public goods that allow countries to advance an inclusive agenda for rural transformation in which family farming is established as a key player,” he said.

Lucrecia Rodríguez, Executive Secretary of SECAC, affirmed that the Decade of Family Farming is a tool they have embraced to align their actions, noting that “although we still need to consolidate some policy instruments, this has not been an obstacle for actions to follow a medium- and long-term strategic direction,” and reaffirmed the Secretariat’s commitment to the development of family farming.

Meanwhile, María Noel Salgado, representative of the Alliance for Popular Food Sovereignty, noted that one of the major challenges of the Decade of Family Farming is to achieve the transition to agroecology. “We believe that this is the key to sustainability, expansion, and growth, not only in terms of production but also in terms of the ability to make a living from it,” she said.

Finally, Fernanda Maldonado, Director General of the Secretariat of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries of Uruguay, said that despite the progress made, there is still work to be done to strengthen family farming in the region. “Only by building strong alliances and productive dialogues can we pave the way for hope and provide real solutions for the entire family farming sector,” she said.

The conclusions of this meeting will be crucial in identifying new strategies to achieve the goals set out in the action plans for the implementation of the Decade of Family Farming and to strengthen the sector through differentiated measures that improve access to financial services and new markets.

G20 backs FAO’s Blue Transformation for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture

The event also served as a prelude to the Global Forum on Family Farming, to be held in Rome, Italy, from October 15–17, which will showcase solutions and progress in promoting family farming worldwide, in line with the Global Plan of Action for the Decade of Family Farming.

United Nations Decade of Family Farming

In 2019, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028), highlighting the essential role of family farming in eradicating hunger, reducing poverty, and creating sustainable food systems.

At that time, 448 representatives of governments, civil society organisations, the private sector, and academic institutions from 113 countries agreed to take action to promote and strengthen family farming.

In August of the same year, the decade was launched in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the participation of 21 governments, representatives of civil society organisations, the private sector, and academia interested in developing the transformative potential of the sector.

FAO launches new analyses on progress in reducing hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean

Chief Justice Blenman Addresses 213 Graduates to Champion Caribbean Justice

Chief Justice of Belize Louise Esther Blenman delivered a stirring keynote address at the Hugh Wooding Law School graduation ceremony on October 5, 2024, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Blenman called on the 213 graduates “to uphold the rule of law and contribute to making the Caribbean as attractive and competitive as other regions of the world.”

In her address, CJ Blenman emphasised the essential qualities of integrity, dedication, professionalism, and hard work in the legal profession. She reflected on the evolving role of law in advancing justice and development across the Caribbean.

“Chief Justice also challenged the graduates to foster a strong Caribbean identity and contribute to the region’s unique community, advocating for the pursuit of what Her Ladyship termed the “Caribbean Dream,” as opposed to romanticising foreign ideals like the “American Dream,” a statement from the Senior Courts of Belize noted.

The statement also recognised the Hugh Wooding Law School’s prominence in Caribbean legal education and its recent 50th anniversary in July. An institution that has “a legacy of producing lawyers who have gone on to serve as Presidents of nations, Prime Ministers, Chief Justices, Presidents of the Caribbean Court of Justice, Ministers of Government, Attorneys General, principals of law schools, and heads of universities.”

U.S. Official Meets the Opposition to Discuss Key Issues in Belize

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Brian A. Nichols continues his diplomatic visit to Belize. On Tuesday, Nichols engaged with Leader of the Opposition (LOO) Moses “Shyne” Barrow at the Sleeping Giant Resort. In a statement posted on Facebook, the LOO stated, “We discussed education and how the MCC $250 million BZ grant will help enhance our education system.” He also addressed the high cost of living and citizen security, noting the “steps U.S. officials are taking to stop the flow of illegal firearms into Belize and the Caribbean.”

Additional discussions included the need for criminal justice reform, energy security, and efforts to “protect our democracy from electoral fraud and significant corruption.”

“We celebrate our 43 years of diplomatic relations with the United States and remain grateful for the contributions and partnership,” Barrow added.

This meeting follows Nichols’ meeting with Prime Minister John Briceño and Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca to discuss security and economic prosperity in the region.

Belizeans in the Path of Powerful Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton is on track to become one of the most destructive hurricanes in west-central Florida’s history, according to the National Hurricane Center. In NHC’s latest reports, the storm’s centre is moving northeast at 17 mph. It has maximum sustained winds of approximately 145 mph, making it a Category 4 storm. “Forecast to make landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast late tonight as a dangerous major hurricane,” said the NHC.

Milton’s wind speed increased by 95 mph within 24 hours and 80 mph in just 12 hours on Monday. As of late Tuesday, Milton boasted maximum sustained winds of 160 mph. These developments have made Milton the fifth-strongest storm in Atlantic history.

While some weakening is expected before landfall, it remains a major hurricane. Milton is forecasted to make landfall late Wednesday, with impacts beginning for Florida as early as Wednesday afternoon.

Predictions indicate storm surges could reach 10 to 15 feet in some areas of Florida. Additionally, the threat of tornadoes persists across central and southern Florida.

Ray Gongora, a Belizean living in Pembroke Pines, Florida, shared the emotional stress the hurricane is causing. “This is a monster. And because of that, it’s even affecting us emotionally. We are very anxious about the power that this storm will have and the effect it will have upon us. Many Belizeans who are living on the coast in Tampa, especially Naples, have moved inland with other Belizeans.”

Gongora explained that residents, including himself, have been going to areas where sand and bags are provided to prepare for Hurricane Milton. Many bring their own shovels to speed up the process. After filling the sandbags, they take them home and place them at their doors in an effort to prevent water from entering their homes.

The Honorary Consulate of Belize in Florida has provided a contact number for those needing shelter or assistance. For shelter updates, residents can visit www.floridadisaster.org/shelter-status/.

Drunk Driver Charged For Killing 19yo in Crash

Police say that 53-year-old Gustavo Cardenas from Douglas Village caused the untimely death of 19-year-old Kristian Beaza. Baeza was killed on Sunday night near the San Roman junction on the Philip Goldson Highway in a road traffic accident.

Investigators say that Cardenas was drunk and driving without a license at the time of the crash.

Cardenas rear-ended Beaza’s motorcycle, launching him off the bike and onto the pavement, where he sustained multiple injuries that proved fatal. Beaza was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.Cardenas was charged with causing death by careless conduct and manslaughter by negligence. He also faces charges for driving without a license, driving under the influence, and failing to provide a specimen.

This is not Cardenas’ first fatal accident. In 2003, he was behind the wheel of a Jeep Cherokee that collided head-on with a van, killing two men, one of whom was police officer Lincoln Kellyman.

Belizean Father and Son Abducted in Chetumal

Mexican authorities are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating a Belizean father and son who were last seen on October 8, 2024, in Subteniente López, Othón P. Blanco, Quintana Roo. The missing individuals are identified as 19-year-old Johan Josué Cámara and his father, 48-year-old Luis Josué Cámara. The father-son duo are residents of Louiseville Village in the Corozal District.

According to reports, Luis tried to defend Johán during an attack, which may have led to both of their abductions.

Authorities have provided descriptions of the pair to aid in the search. Johan is described as having dark brown skin, short wavy black hair, medium black eyes, standing at 1.70 meters tall, and weighing approximately 122 kg. He was last seen wearing a short-sleeved black shirt and black denim pants.

Luis is described as having light brown skin, short straight black hair with grey strands, medium dark brown eyes, and the same height as his son, weighing around 90 kg. He has a distinctive tattoo of the letter “L” in script on the upper left side of his back and was last seen wearing a sky blue short-sleeved shirt with a truck logo, light blue denim pants, and brown boots.

Bullying Victim Speaks Out

On Monday, we shared a story about the effects of bullying on kids in Belize. One of the cases we focused on was Dominick Alvarado, a thirteen-year-old, second-form student at Saint John’s College, who was seriously hurt in what appears to be a bullying incident. Tonight, Dominick and his mom are breaking their silence. News Five’s Britney Gordon caught up with Dominick to see how he’s doing. Here’s their story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Thirteen-year-old Dominick Alvarado used to love fishing and was a straight-A student at Saint John’s College. But now, instead of casting lines, he’s stuck in bed, twisting a Rubik’s cube to pass the time while his fishing rods gather dust in the corner. What should have been an exciting start to his sophomore year, filled with dreams of becoming a marine biologist, has turned into a painful recovery process. This is the harsh reality of bullying.

Dominick Alvarado, Bullying Victim

“I was up in front of my class by the door, standing up with my friend. And then because we could see them at the other side playing, they were playing this game with a cover, and if it goes in your, between your legs, they pat you. And we were there, and he just come out of nowhere and pat me.”

Dominick shares that when he first felt harassed, he tried to report it to a teacher, but the bully stopped him in his tracks.

Dominick Alvarado

“Before I reached to tell the teacher, he pushed me in the drain and at the time I didn’t feel the pain because I had meat, so I’m chunky, I didn’t feel the pain at the time, so then around a couple weeks now, when I was walking to go to school, it hurt so bad I couldn’t walk I had to limp, and it hurt, so I call, I text my mom on my laptop to come for me at school.”

After the incident was reported to the school administration, Dominick was initially facing suspension. However, two teachers stepped in to defend him, and he was spared from the punishment. Dominick revealed that this bully had been tormenting him since their primary school days. Natalie Alvarado, Dominick’s mother, got a frantic call from a relative whose child also goes to St. John’s College, urging her to come quickly. She remembers the shock of seeing her son, soaked and unaware of the severity of his injuries.

Natalie Alvarado, Mother of Victim

“When I saw him he was completely soaked with water. I mean completely head the toe. So books was wet, everything was wet. And I went into the office and asked them what’s going on and they told me that they pushed him down. So I figure from, I did not think, take it serious that from then he already hit, had that injury. I just, I thought he was going to grow it out, then he started limping, then it started getting worse.”

Dominick did not immediately feel the pain of his injury, but the damage was already done. Over time, the muscle on his hip started to deteriorate. It only worsened by the distance he had to walk daily, since he takes the bus from Boston Village to Belize City and walks to school from there.

Natalie Alvarado

“It’s like when you go to the ice cream store and buy ice cream, you’re licking off the ice cream melt off and just the cone remain. So that was what was happening to him, just the bone part was going to remain because the other piece is coming off.”

Dominick was rushed into emergency surgery and will need another one soon. At just thirteen, he now has a screw in his hip that will stay there for about a year. He’ll have to relearn how to walk, with his mom by his side every step of the way. This incident has turned Natalie and Dominick’s world upside down, forcing her to take time off work to care for him full-time while she looks for a caretaker.

Natalie Alvarado

“It is not a daily, it’s a twenty-four hours thing. It’s like a shift. Like a cycle now. So he’s thirteen, but now it’s just like he’s what, four or five all over because you have to teach him how to walk back. You have to learn how to sit up his back. So I have to help him sit on. I have to pick him up. I have to do everything for him. Bathroom. And he’s somebody that don’t like nobody to be watching at him. So his grandmother is here but he won’t call for his grandmother. He won’t call for his grandfather. He will call just for me. So I have to be there twenty-four seven.”

The financial burden and stress have taken a toll on the family. Natalie’s parents have had to pitch in to help with Dominick’s treatment and care. When he returns to school, his family anticipates that transportation expenses and special accommodations will be costly.

Natalie Alvarado

“We don’t live in the city where it’s just five minutes away from the school. We live twenty-six and three quarter miles away from the city. So gas and it’s going to be a sacrifice that I have to meet. And I’m not a person that’s making all that money. I’m a tour guide”

Natalie has penned a heartfelt letter to SJC, laying out her expectations for the school’s role in Dominick’s recovery. She starts by expressing her disappointment with the school’s initial lack of empathy and concern following the bullying incident that led to Dominick needing emergency surgery. As a parent, she believes every student deserves a safe and supportive environment, and it’s disheartening to see this wasn’t the case. To help Dominick fully recover, she’s asking St. John’s College High School for a detailed action plan covering several critical areas: mental and emotional well-being, spiritual support, physical rehabilitation, caregiver support, and academic accommodations. Natalie also urges all parents to act swiftly and decisively on behalf of their children.

Natalie Alvarado

“Don’t be afraid. Don’t be scared. If your son is going through something, speak up. Don’t wait too long until he gets what I am going through right now.”

Despite the adversities that Dominick is facing, he has decided to take the high road and ignore whatever mean comments people have to throw his way.

Dominick Alvarado

“I’m not gonna say nothing about it. I’m gonna let God deal with them.”

Britney Gordon for News Five

PM Briceño and King Charles III Hold Phone Conversation

It’s been almost a year and a half since King Charles III’s grand coronation, and today, Prime Minister John Briceño had a chat with him over the phone. Belize was well-represented at the coronation by Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam, Minister Francis Fonseca, and Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie, who all made the trip to London. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Briceño couldn’t make it to the event. During their call, Prime Minister Briceño and King Charles III talked about the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which is set to take place in Apia, Samoa, from October twenty-first to twenty-sixth. Just a reminder, King Charles III is the monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Realms.

Legal Assistant at DPP’s Office Faces Three Traffic Offenses

Thirty-nine-year-old Michael Zuniga, a legal assistant at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, was arraigned today on three charges, following a traffic accident in Ladyville on Monday. Police suspect that Zuniga might have been drinking, which is why he didn’t provide a blood or urine sample. Because of this, he was charged with failing to provide a specimen, along with two other offenses. Zuniga pleaded not guilty and is currently out on bail for six hundred dollars. The accident occurred between miles eight and nine on the Philip Goldson Highway. Zuniga, the son of attorney Phillip Zuniga, showed up in court with visible injuries on his face, including his upper and lower lips, and was limping. His parents were there to support him, stating that he was just making sure his son was okay and that they would seek legal advice from another attorney for the next court appearance. In court, Michael Zuniga faced three traffic charges: driving without due care and attention, failing to provide a specimen, and driving without a valid driver’s license. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. His next court date is set for December third.

23 More Years for Earl Baptist Jr., for Murder

Tonight, Earl Baptist Junior, is serving his second night of his remaining twenty-three-year sentence after he was found guilty of murder in July and handed down a twenty-five-year jail term. Earlier this year, Baptist Junior was found guilty of the murder of thirty-two-year-old Leslie Norman Gillett, a businessman who was tragically killed inside Matilda’s Shop, in Burrell Boom Village back in January 2022. Justice Derick Sylvester presided over the case. The Crown presented video footage of the murder and a police witness who identified Earl Baptist as one of the shooters. At his sentencing on Monday, the judge handed down a twenty-five-year prison term, although the Crown had pushed for thirty-five years for what they called a cold-blooded murder. The judge found no mitigating factors in the case. He was convinced by the Crown that they had proven the five elements of murder beyond a reasonable doubt: Gillett was dead, he died from harm, Baptist caused the harm, he did so with the intent to kill, and there was no lawful justification for the harm. Justice Sylvester also noted that the Crown successfully demonstrated that the electronic evidence was untampered, despite the defense questioning the integrity of the video footage. The footage from the murder scene was admitted as evidence against Baptist.