Tonight, Xochil Lopez, the wife of businessman Joshua Ashburn from Western Avenue, finds herself behind bars alongside her husband. The thirty-seven-year-old Belmopan resident faces four criminal charges, including possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition, and two counts of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. Late this evening, Lopez appeared in Court #6, represented by attorney Dale Cayetano. She was charged with keeping a prohibited firearm without a license for a black .40 caliber Glock pistol, keeping prohibited ammunition for twenty-four live rounds, and two counts of possessing nearly nine thousand grams of cannabis. Lopez pleaded not guilty to all charges. Due to the severity of the offenses, the magistrate informed her that bail could not be granted under Section 16 of the Crimes Control Criminal & Justice Act. Consequently, she was remanded to Belize Central Prison until January twentieth, 2024. Lopez was advised that she could apply for bail at the High Court with her attorney’s help. She now joins her husband, forty-seven-year-old Joshua Ashburn, who is also in custody.
On Tuesday, a traffic officer was assaulted by up to three people, and tonight, one of the culprits caught on viral amateur footage is behind bars. The suspect, thirty-one-year-old Evan Nicholas Cain, a part-time bus conductor and caregiver from Biscayne Village, was brought to court this morning. Shortly before ten o’clock, Cain, who appeared without a lawyer, was read a single charge of aggravated assault on traffic officer Kenrick Deshield, a public officer performing his duties. Cain immediately pleaded guilty, saying, ‘I wah plead guilty, Mam”. The magistrate, exercising caution, asked if Cain understood what assault meant, to which he replied that he believed he did. After hearing the case details, Cain maintained his guilty plea. When asked what he wanted the court to consider before sentencing, Cain said, “I just want to get over this and get back home to care for my mom”. The magistrate noted his lack of remorse and asked if he wanted to apologize. Cain responded that he would apologize if given the chance, but the officer was not present. The magistrate explained the seriousness of the offense, emphasizing that Deshield was a public officer on duty. She decided to remand Cain pending sentencing and planned to summon the traffic officer so Cain could apologize in person. Cain was remanded to Belize Central Prison until next Wednesday, December fourth, 2024.
A Ladyville man convicted of sexually assaulting a twelve-year-old girl in April 2022 is back out on his old bail, despite the prosecutor’s objections. This morning, in the presence of Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington, the magistrate found 51-year-old Eric Allen guilty and detained him for sentencing at 2 PM. However, the sentencing was delayed when the court received a letter from his attorney, who was occupied with a High Court matter. The Senior Magistrate noted that typically, someone convicted of such a serious charge would be remanded to Belize Central Prison pending sentencing. However, Allen requested consideration for his medical condition, claiming he suffers from high blood pressure and seizures and needs medication twice daily. The prosecutor objected, citing the severity of the offense and the risk of Allen fleeing due to the potential jail time. After considering all factors, the Senior Magistrate decided that since Allen had consistently appeared in court while on bail and due to his medical condition, he would be allowed to go home. Allen was ordered to return to court on Monday, December 2, 2024, for sentencing. During the trial, Allen took the stand and denied the allegations, claiming the girl was lying.
Earlier today, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) shared an update on all the roads that are currently impassable due to flooding. For almost two weeks now, folks in northern and western Belize have been dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Sara. As the floodwaters travel down the Belize River, communities in rural and central areas are now experiencing rapid flooding. With water levels changing daily, we caught up with Nicole Zetina, the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Disaster Risk Management, to get the latest scoop on the affected areas.
Nicole Zetina
Nicole Zetina, Public Relations Officer, Disaster Risk Management “I will start with the Orange Walk District. So we have in the San Antonio Village, the main access road for that is accessible, but not for heavy duty trucks. So with there’s still water in the road. So we’re asking heavy duty trucks, you know, the big loaders and the dump trucks, not to pass by because with that weight, it will only make it worse. San Estevan, the ferry is closed. As everything that is closed or impassable is still underwater. For the Belize District, we have Burrell Boom, the main access road is impassable for small vehicles. And the road leading to the police station is also impassable for small vehicles. And that means anything that is very low. So if you have an SUV or a four-seater truck that’s a bit higher, that is possible for you for a smaller car. We’re not advising that you pass because the water level is, is high that it will cause some damage to your vehicle or for you not to even be able to cross the road. Grace Bank, the main access road is impossible. Crooked Tree, main access road is also impassible for Lucky Strike. Free Town Sibun, both impassible for small vehicles. May Pen, completely impassible. We have Flowers Bank, Bomba, Rancho Dolores, and the Sunset Park Western Paradise Community, all impassable for small vehicles. In the Cayo District, the San Ignacio Town, the low-lying bridge, is closed. Central Farm Baking Pot Ferry is closed. The Black Man Eddy is closed. Iguana Creek Bridge is now open. The San Jose Succutz Village is closed. So that’s the Xunantunich Ferry. And yeah, that’s about it for today. Every day in the morning, we try to, as early as possible as we get the information, and this is in conjunction with the MIDH, we try to post out this information so that our traversers know to proceed with caution. So we give a daily update as we get this information.“
On Tuesday, we shared the story of Crooked Tree Village residents, who are now relying on boats to get in and out of their flooded village due to Tropical Storm Sara. Folks in Northern, Western, and Rural Central Belize are still wondering when the floodwaters will finally recede. To get a better understanding of the situation, we chatted with Nicole Zetina, the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Disaster Risk Management. Here’s what she had to say.
Nicole Zetina
Nicole Zetina, Public Relations Officer, Disaster Risk Management
“I can’t give you an exact time period of when we anticipate water is going down. But I will say that we are in communication with the hydrology unit every day. Every morning, every afternoon, every evening, we get some updates on what we can expect. I think they would be best suited to give you a response for that, but I will say that NEMO is ready and prepared to assist however we can for however long it takes.”
Britney Gordon
“And what has that assistance look like in terms of relief and helping these people in and out of these areas and getting them possible to shelters and stuff like that?”
Nicole Zetina
“Okay, so we are currently doing what we call active operations. So currently, we are traversing persons in Crooked Tree by boats. We are being assisted by the Coast Guard, the BDF and the Forest Department. So we’re traversing persons in and out of Crooked Tree. We’re doing the same, however trucks, BDF trucks that’s for a Flower Bank area, and then we’re providing humanitarian aid, aid assistance, and we call this a quick assistance. So for forty-eight to seventy-two hours, we provide you with your basic necessities, and then we hope to sustain this as the weeks go by, if we see the need for it. And also, we’re providing basic groceries and cleaning supplies. in Belize Rural North and Central. We have stopped operations in Rancho Dolores because the water receded in that area. And when I say operations, I mean traversing of persons in and out because the water receded, but that’s how we’re helping. So we’re helping to get people in and out of their communities and also providing food for them and cleaning supplies and where they need assistance with going to a shelter. We’re also traversing persons to and from shelters as well.”
Today, the Belize Coast Guard celebrated its nineteenth anniversary by opening a brand-new station in Big Creek Village. This new facility will enhance their patrols along the southern sea and waterways. Since its inception in 2005, the Coast Guard has continually expanded, adding more boats, personnel, and training programs, with stations now spread across the country. News Five’s Marion Ali was at the ceremony and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The Belize Coast Guard marked its nineteenth anniversary today by opening a brand-new station in Big Creek. This state-of-the-art facility enhances security for Belize’s southern waters and provides private security to the nearby Big Creek Port through a joint venture. Commandant Rear Admiral Elton Bennett shared more details about this exciting development.
“This project here is a joint venture This project here is a joint venture with Belize Coast Guard, the government of Belize and the port of Big Creek. So they leased us this property, two acres property, for us to be able to collaborate better along with them. So our mere presence here we’ll need some of the demands that they have in place. Those international regulations, such as the International Ships and Ports Security Code, that they must have some elements of security system within the port for it to meet international standards. By the Coast Guard being here and for us to be able to provide water side security and water side patrols, that in turn adds to their security credibility.”
Marion Ali
“Because you have to give so much of your service or time to that private entity, would it take away from, if in the case there is an emergency elsewhere in the area?”
Rear Admiral Elton Bennett
“Very good question. What we’ve done is to develop a specific station that is called station Big Creek that is dedicated to supporting the port in different areas more than security, but for boarding, immigration support, customs support, and police support. So there’s a dedicated team for that. And then all the other Coast Guard functions continue to be conducted out at sea. So it’s a very necessary thing for the Belize Coast Guard to participate in this because the port is a vital infrastructure to the nation. All our training are international professional standards training. So, I have all the confidence that these sailors, these seamen who are here, they know their job, they’re always on alert, so whatever call they would get, they would be able to respond very quickly.”
The Minister of National Defense and Border Security, Florencio Marin Jr., announced that the Coast Guard will continue to see infrastructural and other upgrades at various bases. These improvements aim to better equip seafarers for any situation that may arise.
Florencio Marin Jr.
“These improvements aim to better equip seafarers for any situation that may arise. And we also have to do with other improvements in the bases. I mean, even the current base right on the main base still has a lot of improvements we need to do. We’re trying to improve our personnel as you’ve heard the admiral um I’ve spoken in his speech. Alright, we have a lot of plans that is ongoing and developing. Because you’ve noticed the threat keeps changing and we have to be able to be able to be prepared for them. Now, I mean, we’ve noticed we’ve had a significant decrease in the air traffic of interests. Significant decrease. But there’s also still the threat out there in our maritime waters. The Admiral reported what happened with Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. So we need to be prepared if at any point these things start coming into our waters.”
Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson believes the new facility will boost security and lighten some of the responsibilities currently on his shoulders.
Rodwell Ferguson
Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West
“I would get the call from different organizations, different communities, and say this is happening in my community illegally. What I do, I call whatever uniform forces that should respond, either the police or the BDF or the Coast Guard. to respond to a particular issue. But I try not to interfere, it’s their job, I just pass on the message to them, and they do what they have to do. With this facility, especially with the port nearby, and the open sea, I believe this will definitely mitigate the amount of activities on the sea, and I feel that this is a potential area to make sure the entire country has some safe activities going on.”
Bennett says the facility was built at a cost of around one million dollars and was outfitted for another half a million dollars. Marion Ali for News Five.
From a young age, kids are encouraged to express themselves and dream big, believing they can become anything they set their minds to. While many spend their whole lives searching for their passion, twenty-one-year-old artist Samir Habet has already found his. In today’s episode of Belize on Reel, we visit the Belmopan-born and raised painter in his home studio to hear how he discovered his love for art. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Two years back, Samir Habet dusted off his old paintbrush, eager to find a fresh way to channel his creativity. He decided to give painting a shot, and from that moment on, he’s been hooked. Now, you can hardly pry the brush from his hands!
Samir Habet
Samir Habet, Artist
“I don’t know if it’s healthy, but it’s an obsession, I guess every free time, I don’t really have free time because all of it gets consumed by painting. So it’s really about sacrificing, I guess.”
The twenty-one-year-old artist is entirely self-taught, using YouTube videos and online references to learn new skills and techniques. He shares that a lot of his artistic flair actually stems from his graphic design background.
Samir Habet
“I started off in graphic design. I watched a YouTube video on graphic design and I was very intrigued by it. So I started, and I found out that I was good at it, and that just kind of made me more, you know, obsessed with it. I wanted to get better and at a certain point I felt limited by searching for pictures on the internet. So I kind of wanted to do my own thing and could be able to do any, anything from scratch, and that’s how I got into painting..”
Habet estimates that he’s painted about thirty pieces over the past two years. Depending on its complexity, a single piece can take him up to a month to complete.
Samir Habet
“My art style right now is just experimenting. It’s street art, realism, anything that I feel could give a sense of what I’m trying to express, what medium works best.”
He finds inspiration in his everyday experiences, blending them with influences from artists like Jean Michel Basquiat. His work is known for its raw, gestural style and its blend of text and imagery. Basquiat’s art often explored themes of race, identity, and social issues, drawing from his experiences as a Black artist. Lately, Habet has been diving into bigger projects, and he’s excited to reveal them at his upcoming art show.
Samir Habet
“This painting is them nailing Jesus on the cross. And this is a part of a bigger project that I’m working on of the stations that, and the journey that Jesus took to dying on the cross. What went into this was a lot of time and, I don’t know, just trying to give a good idea or historical representation of what happened. Even though I wasn’t there, but I tried my best.”
Every corner of Habet’s bedroom is occupied by paintings and art supplies, as it doubles as his studio. He walked us through his favorite mediums to paint with.
Samir Habet
“I have my brushes here. Some of them are from out of district, but most of them you can find at Stationary House in Belize City. I have mostly acrylic paint. All of them are acrylic paint. I don’t know how to use oil paint. I find acrylic is just more convenient and it holds up to everything that I want to do.”
One of the standout pieces in his collection is called ‘Colour My Life’. It beautifully depicts two people stepping into a vibrant world after seeing life in dull shades. Habet first painted this piece a year ago and finished a second version earlier this year. Every time he looks at it, he’s reminded of how far he’s come.
Samir Habet
“This one was something that I felt a year ago and I was trying my hardest to express what it is that I had in my mind. And I really couldn’t, I didn’t have the technical ability even though I had the idea. And a year later, I was able to create something more close to what I had in my mind. So it was a really nice experience see how far I came in that year.”
No matter their background or skill level, Habet encourages all Belizeans to pursue their passions and let their creativity thrive.
Samir Habet
“I think that you just really need to want it. If you want it, you will seek it out and you will find it. And it’s, you don’t have to create anything extraordinary. It’s just whatever is in you, you can use art in a way to express that. And that is beautiful regardless of how the painting looks.”
Habet is gearing up for his first solo exhibition in March 2025, where he’ll finally get to showcase his art. In the meantime, anyone interested in his work can connect with him on Instagram. Britney Gordon for News Five.
A week ago, Major Roberta Usher, the B.D.F. Chief of Staff, shared with News Five that they are working on improving the living conditions for soldiers at Fairweather Camp in Punta Gorda. This effort is part of a broader renovation plan across all B.D.F. installations. Today, News Five followed up with the Minister of National Security, Florencio Marin Junior, about these upgrades. He mentioned that it’s a work in progress and that these issues have been around since before the current administration took office. He and his deputy are tackling them one step at a time.
Florencio Marin
Florencio Marin, Minister of National Defense
“You all knew from the beginning of this government, we inherited deplorable conditions, no, and we didn’t complain, we didn’t cry out and all that, try to make a scandal, we quietly, Minister Mira and I quietly rolled up our sleeves and we decided to get to work and I believe over the past four years you’ve seen us one by one sometimes going to different bases and creating some form of improvement. And now you now have two barrack rooms. in Price Barracks. We’re finishing up a kitchen there. We’ve done some repairs in Riley’s camp. We’ve done repairs in Camp Belisario. But the next biggest camp is Fairweather. And what we’ve just had, I would say about a month ago, we’ve had members from CABEI who were there. We will help provide the government to some fundings to refer to rebuild some barrack room. So it is an issue for us. We are not, we ourselves are not happy for the conditions, but at the very least it is livable at the moment and we are working to improve on it.”
It’s still up in the air whether the general elections will be called earlier than planned. However, in just a few months, the national security budget will be up for presentation and debate in the House. We asked Minister Marin if he plans to request a budget increase for his National Defense and Border Security Ministry. His response was a bit ambiguous—he didn’t give a clear yes or no.
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defense
“There’s already the budget call and I’m already sitting down with our commanders, having various meetings with them, putting our priorities on the table. All right. Of course, after that, then we’ll be meeting with the Ministry of Finance to finalize what the budget will be. But yes, as always, and I believe you’ve seen that over the years, we have had the welfare of our soldiers foremost, right? We are a country with some restrictions in terms of our resources, but we’ve always have their welfare first and whatever we can, we’ve always worked to improve on these. And I believe over the four years you’ve seen some significant improvements things that we that we’re there where we should be. Not yet. We’re working to it.”
Foreign exchange is vital for a small, open economy like Belize. Trading goods with other countries requires foreign currency, making Belize’s foreign exchange assets crucial. According to Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael, the country’s foreign holdings are in good shape. Right now, the entire banking system holds one point nine billion dollars in foreign exchange assets. Governor Michael shared more details during Wednesday’s Central Bank press conference.
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank
“Currently the foreign exchange assets of the entire banking system, those held by commercial banks and those of the Central Bank, stands at one point nine billion. And of this total the pool of official reserves by the Central Bank totals one billion, equivalent to four months of imports, comfortably above the three months benchmark. In contrast the pool of reserve held by the domestic banks are just under Central Bank’s one billion, at nine hundred million. And, this is the highest it has ever been on record. Factors driving this performance are tourism leading the way at one point two billion, up almost eleven percent for the year to date, January to September. Export Revenue is up marginally by point one percent or ten basis points and total seven hundred and sixty-three million, up to September. FDI very strong for the first three quarters of the year, by four-four percent, up one hundred and ninety-five point four million. BPOs helps to explain some of the labor market’s pressures or tightness, totals a hundred and sixty-nine point one million and up seven point four percent. Remittances up small, one point two percent, two hundred and twenty-two million. And loan disbursements, I don’t mind this one being down at all, fifteen point seven percent and total a hundred and forty-nine point four million dollars.”
