10 students and 2 teachers from Ocean Academy were involved in a serious traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway near mile 39 on Friday evening. The group were members of the Ocean Academy Male Basketball Team. The team was on their way to represent Caye Caulker at a regional tournament when the van’s tires blew out, causing the crash. Several individuals sustained serious injuries, with some requiring immediate medical attention.
Five persons were reportedly transported to Belize City for urgent medical care, while seven others are being treated at the hospital in Orange Walk.
As stated by the Caye Caulker Village Council, “3 students and 1 teacher need CT scans. One student needs about 8 scans alone.” The council added, “The Caye Caulker Village Council is already funding some of these scans, but we will need the community’s support.”
The Ocean Academy community is calling on everyone who is willing to help with medical expenses. Donations can be made to the Atlantic Bank in Belize under the account name Ocean Academy High School, labelled “Medical Assistance.” The account number is 100 299 151.
For international contributions, a PayPal link has also been set up, accepting Venmo, credit cards, and PayPal. Click here for international contributions.
“We are grateful for any support and for spreading the word,” said Ocean Academy.
Earlier this week, family and friends reported two Belizean taxi drivers, Marvin Cante and Juan Carlo Raymundo, missing in Belmopan. Both men were reportedly last seen on Wednesday morning, November 27.
Juan Carlo Raymundo, 32, is described as having a light complexion and Mestizo descent. He was wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt and long trousers when he disappeared. His cousin, 37-year-old Marvin Cante, also of Mestizo descent with a light brown complexion, was wearing a red polo shirt, a black baseball cap, and black trousers.
Marvin’s brother, Elmer Cante, shared on Thursday via a Facebook post: “My friends, please, if you have seen my brother Marvin Cante and my cousin John Raymundo, please let me know. They have been missing since yesterday. We have called them, and they do not answer, and they always answer my calls. Please contact me at 6340114.”
Elmer also said in a separate post on Friday night that the family will be carrying out a search party today and invited anyone who would like to assist in the search to join them. This followed an earlier search on Thursday, after Elmer found a vehicle he had rented to Marvin and Raymundo. The vehicle, which had bloodstains inside, was reportedly discovered with its engine still running on the road leading to the sanitary landfill at mile 25 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Elmer and other family members went to the scene and searched the surrounding area but found no trace of Marvin or Raymundo.
As the days go by without any sign of the men, the family grows increasingly concerned. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and help in the search.
Several members of the Ocean Academy Male Basketball Team were injured in a road traffic accident on Friday evening near mile 39 on the Philip Goldson Highway. The team was travelling to represent Caye Caulker at the regional tournament.
Several students and teachers sustained injuries, including cuts and fractures, with some in more critical condition.
According to the Caye Caulker Village Council, “3 students and 1 teacher need CT scans. One student needs about 8 scans alone.” The scans are important for assessing the extent of the injuries, and immediate action is necessary to provide proper medical care.
The council has already begun funding some of the scans but is calling for additional support from the community. “The Caye Caulker Village Council is already funding some of these scans, but we will need the community’s support,” it stated. Donations can be made through online transfers or deposits to the Caye Caulker Village Council with the label “Assistance for students.” The Council’s Atlantic Bank Account Number is 100 073 949.
Mexico has warned that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on imports could result in the loss of 400,000 U.S. jobs and higher prices for American consumers.Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard explained that the tariffs would hurt U.S. companies operating in Mexico and U.S. consumers, especially in the automotive industry. “88% of pickup trucks sold in the U.S. are made in Mexico,” Ebrard pointed out, adding that the price of these vehicles could increase by $3,000.
Trump has made it clear that the tariffs would remain until Mexico takes action to control the flow of drugs and migrants into the U.S. In response, Sheinbaum reiterated on Wednesday during her presidential morning briefing that Mexico would retaliate if Trump proceeds with the tariffs. “If there are U.S. tariffs, Mexico would also raise tariffs,” she stated, signalling Mexico’s readiness to act against its key trade partner.
Following the discussions, the Mexican peso strengthened, despite concerns over the economic impact of the tariffs. Analysts believe Trump’s tariff threats are more of a negotiation tactic than a definitive trade policy.
Ebrard stated that Mexico values regional cooperation over conflict, stating, “Mexico does not want conflicts and divisions but to build a stronger region.”
Kenny Brakeman, a 44-year-old mechanic from Belize City, is wanted by police in connection with a violent attack and kidnapping of his estranged wife, Sabela Brakeman. He is described as a dark-complexioned Belizean of Creole descent. Authorities are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers at 922, or report to the nearest police station.
On November 16, Kenny allegedly broke into Sabela’s home in San Pedro, assaulted her, and forcibly took her onto a jet ski. Sabela, who had left him due to domestic violence, managed to escape by jumping into the sea near a dock in Caye Caulker and swimming to safety.
Kenny remains wanted by police.
Sabela sustained severe injuries, including a broken cheekbone and damaged teeth, and is in need of urgent medical treatment. She has since moved with her three children, aged 11, 9, and 4, out of fear for their safety.
In an interview with News Five, Sabela expressed her hopes for Kenny to turn himself in, saying, “All I wish is to get him a message: let him turn himself in.” She added that she would not prevent their children from seeing their father if that was his concern.
Inspector Christopher Martinez, who pleaded guilty to wounding a businessman while detained at a police station, must remain incarcerated. The High Court dismissed his appeal, meaning that he must serve the remaining three months of the five-month sentence handed down by Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola in September. The appeal hearing, led by Justice Candace Nanton, skipped the appellant’s stay of execution and dove straight into the substantive arguments. After more than an hour, Justice Nanton dismissed the appeal, stating there was nothing wrong with the original sentence. She noted that the five-month sentence was not excessive and could have been longer. Martinez should consider himself lucky, as sentences can increase on appeal. Representing Martinez was Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington, with over fifty years of experience. The appeal ended with some tension between Elrington and the judge. In an interview, Elrington explained that he felt ambushed, believing the hearing was for a stay rather than the appeal itself. He requested more time, but this was denied. The crown was represented by DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal.
Hubert Elrington
Hubert Elrington, Attorney-at-law
“The learned judge of appeal sitting at the High Court level, felt that the magistrate had observed the legal requirements and [that] the sentence was not unduly harsh and would not cause the ordinary Belizean on Albert Street, say in the Brodies area, to be startled or alarmed by the harshness of the sentence. So she decided that she was not going to interfere with the sentence. She also gratuitously that a sentence appeal can be increased, as well as decreased, and she wanted to know from the DPP whether she was applying to have the sentence increased. The learned DPP indicated to her that they had not appealed the sentence, and she would not be jumping into that at this stage. She would remain at the stage that they had begun, they were not going to challenge the length of the sentence.”
Court Reporter
“So in the end, Inspector Martinez has to continue his five-month sentence. He has three months remaining.”
Hubert Elrington
“The sentence imposed on him by the Chief Magistrate in September, I think it was the thirteenth of September was upheld.”
Inspector Christopher Martinez admitted to wounding businessman Aaron Flowers back in 2022.
The Ministry of Education is still figuring out how to best support students in the areas hardest hit by the floods. For the past two weeks, we’ve been reporting on several communities left partially underwater following the passage of Tropical Storm Sara. Residents have had to wait for the waters to recede or find alternative ways to get in and out of their communities. Earlier this week, we shared the story of students in Crooked Tree Village who woke up at 3:30 in the morning to catch a boat out of the village. Today, we asked the Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca, about the efforts being made to help these students. Here’s what he had to say.
Britney Gordon
“For students that are living in these areas affected by the floods like Crooked Tree, there is some concern with residents of how early they have to get up to go to class and the struggle they’re having to pay attention and get back home and do their studies. Is there any assistance that’s being provided for them or any talks of possibly moving classes online?”
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“Yeah. There’s an ongoing discussion about that matter. As the ministry, when it was required, we cancelled classes, we postponed classes. But yes, we’re looking at all of those alternatives. In those cases, we work very closely with the management, we work with the principals of those schools. But we don’t want to do anything, any general policy. It has to be targeted certain schools are affected in, in one, in a manner, in a much more substantive way than others. So we address it on a school-by-school basis. But yes, we are working with all of those affected schools in those communities. Especially in the River Valley right now. To try to address those wherever students are not able to go to school. To come up with an alternative plan.”
Assessments are still ongoing to determine the extent of damage Tropical Storm Sara’s recent flooding has caused to the agricultural sector. Prime Minister John Briceño has already hinted that the numbers will be staggering. Meanwhile, reports are coming in that some products are being smuggled into the country and sold on the local market. In San Pedro, for instance, there’s been an influx of contraband watermelon, likely due to the impact on local supplies. Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai was asked about this issue.
Jose Abelardo Mai
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“That is one of the problem we have when we have very porous borders. If you have a problem with your production, with your supply then there will be illegal importation. But, San Pedro has always been a problem for us in contraband. Always. That does not surprise me that they have contraband in the market. But again, whenever you have bad weather and you lose you crop, your sweet peppers, your tomatoes, I mean they will try to find a way to import. Our officers go out in the field and ensure that there is no carrots, cabbage, tomato and then they will import. You will find that you give a small license to import cabbage and then a farmer in Valley of Peace have cabbage and then the railing up begins, who never report this. So, it is a constant challenge for us and sometimes farmers don’t report, and sometimes our officers slip up, but if there is no product somebody have to supply it. That is the challenge we have at this time.”
The Belize National Teachers’ Union has had enough. In a press release on Thursday, the union expressed its frustration over the government’s lack of progress in delivering the overdue increments to teachers nationwide. We asked Minister of Education Francis Fonseca how the government plans to respond to this outcry. He acknowledged the issue, saying the government shares the teachers’ frustration. Here’s more on that.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“It’s a frustrating issue. And As I have repeatedly said to the BNTU, everyone at the ministry of education. In fact, everyone in the government of Belize is committed to resolving this matter We don’t get credit for it, but this is a matter that goes back to 2018, 2018. We, our government, our ministry of education, working along with the treasury department and the accountant general, have brought back all of that from 2018 up to 2023. So what we’re dealing with now is 2023 and the current air trying to deal with those issues. Now we’ve almost resolved everything for 2023 So there are other issues in terms of 2024, but we are working tirelessly. Everyone is working and BNTU knows this because we have regular meetings with them to discuss this matter. So we’re trying to address and resolve this matter as quickly as possible. Obviously, we know that teachers want and deserve their increments, their allowances. So everybody’s focused on getting it accomplished. And we certainly hope that it will be resolved at the earliest possible time.”
Britney Gordon
“They asked to have it paid tax-free. Is this a feasible option?”
Francis Fonseca
“Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t want to speak on that because that’s something I would have to discuss with the Ministry of Finance. They’re the ones who would have to make that decision. But I’m certainly willing to have that conversation with the Ministry of Finance.”
Belize is still free from the New World Screwworm, but for how long? Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai has been holding weekly meetings with his technical teams to stay updated on the rising cases of New World Screwworms in the region. Today, one of these meetings took place in Yo Creek Village. After the meeting, we caught up with Minister Mai and BAHA’s Managing Director, Zoe Robinson-Zetina, for the latest update. In short, new cases are popping up in neighboring countries, and experts think it’s only a matter of time before Belize sees its first case. Meanwhile, strict surveillance measures are being put in place. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
A single case of the New World Screwworm in Mexico recently prompted the United States to ban cattle imports. Now, cases are cropping up in larger numbers in neighboring Honduras and Guatemala. During a technical meeting in Orange Walk, BAHA’s Managing Director, Zoe Robinson-Zetina, discussed the issue with Minister of Agriculture Jose Abelardo Mai.
Zoe Robinson-Zetina
Zoe Robinson-Zetina, Managing Director, BAHA
“First I want to confirm that we do not have screwworms in Belize and we are going through active surveillance to ensure we know the health status of our country. In our surrounding countries, we pay special attention to Guatemala, because they are the closest to us. And we know that Guatemala right now is reporting twenty-six cases and the closest case to us is in the far western area of Peten. And in that region they have only on reported case. The next closest to us is Honduras and Honduras is reporting just over seventy cases. And we believe that Honduras has been maintain or controlling the spread in that country.”
When the New World Screwworm burrows into an animal’s flesh, it can cause serious, often fatal damage. Studies show that the rise in reported cases is largely due to the illegal movement of cattle. Interestingly, Belize doesn’t import animals, which adds a unique twist to the situation.
Jose Abelardo Mai
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“There are about five important thing that you do to keep screw worm out or suppressed. The first one is education and awareness. Are we doing it? Yes. Are we doing it to the right people? Yes. Those that live on the periphery and the borders to the country of Guatemala. The second one is control point. Do not move animals form infected areas or do not move animals if you suspect it is. The third is treat wounds. Are we treating the wounds, yes. We are telling the farmers now you cannot have animals wounded on the farm then treat it. If there are no wounds then the fly cannot bear eggs. If the cannot bear an egg it dies. The fourth one is report all cases fast. And the last is the dispersal of sterile flies.”
The New World Screwworm poses the greatest threat to the local cattle industry, which is now valued at one hundred million dollars, according to Minister Mai. The risk of Mexico and Guatemala banning the import of Belize’s cattle is real. Minister Mai recently returned from a working trip to Mexico.
Jose Abelardo Mai
“As a matter of fact the Mexicans have been stopped from exporting cattle to the U.S. this is a serious matter. The U.S.D.A has banned Mexico from exporting cattle into the U.S.A for one screw worm in southern part of Mexico. So this is how serious they look at their cattle industry and the Mexican associations that represent eight hundred thousand cattle farmers wrote to their ministry of agriculture asking him to ban us and I said to them, we are the only country that has a program in place. The ministry of agriculture is a screwworm veteran. He knows what it is. So we quickly moved, as a matter of fact, the resources that government has put towards screwworm control right now is more than we get from the region. This is how serious the government is looking at this.”
Regarding the measures BAHA has put in place along the border, Managing Director Zetina mentioned that they’ve ramped up surveillance at both official and unofficial border points.
Zoe Robinson-Zetina
“We are doing active surveillance, and we are stremghtening our border points, both official and unofficial. We know it is no secret that we have agriculture goods going through Jalacte and Bullet Tree. What is good for Belize is that we are not importing animals in Belize. It is exportation that we do. But we are strnething those two check points for BAHA. We are manning them twenty-four hours to ensure there are no animals coming into this country. And also, for any vehicles that are passing through those points. To ensure that they are free and clear of any material that can transport the pest.”
Paul Lopez
“Can BAHA monitor pastures that have been cleared illegally by Guatemalans that have incurred on Belizean lands?”
Zoe Robinson-Zetina
“As long as that property is on Belizean terrorist then BAHA has jurisdiction to do surveillance and we are doing that at this time.”
The Ministry of Agriculture has already drafted an S.I. to quarantine a particular area in Belize wherever the New World Screwworm is detected. And, the experts believe that it is only a matter of time before Belize reports its first case.
Jose Abelardo Mai
“The worst case scenario is we have a case in Toledo. Plan, block off Toledo, control points in place which we have already, we have the S.I. ready, we have everything ready, block of Toledo, put the control in place. Twenty-four hours and work that area backwards to the border. Pump the area, saturate the area with sterile flies.”
Paul Lopez
“What is your response to the notion that it is an inevitable.”
Zoe Robinson-Zetina
“It is more than likely true. It is spreading so rapidly in Central America that we believe yes ti will be introduced in Belize. Like I said, it is people who are moving it. But people can move it through cattle, but they can also be brining their pet, dogs, pet cats, but it can come on people themselves as well.”
