Police are investigating a case where a family member allegedly sexually assaulted a female minor. The ongoing investigation commenced when a woman and her child reported to police that on Tuesday, November 5, at about 5:30 p.m., while at home her grandfather had sexual relations with her. A medical examination was conducted on the minor, and at the conclusion, the doctor certified the child was carnally known.
Year: 2024
UK Keeps Belize’s Sugar Exports Duty-Free
Belize’s sugar industry has received a major boost after the UK confirmed that it will maintain its current sugar import policies. This includes keeping the Autonomous Tariff Quota (ATQ) for raw cane sugar at 260,000 tonnes for 2025, which allows Belize to continue exporting sugar to the UK at a 0% tariff rate. The announcement was presented in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on Tuesday.
Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Osmond Martinez, stated, “The UK’s commitment to preserving this vital access reaffirms the importance of Belize’s cane farmers, whose contributions support not only the economy but the livelihoods of thousands of Belizean families.” The sugar industry is one of Belize’s major sources of income, directly employing around 12,000 people and indirectly supporting 50,000 more in the northern districts.
This decision follows consultations between Belize and the UK government. Belize’s sugar exports will continue to enjoy duty-free, quota-free access under the CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
The UK has also pledged to continue discussions with Caribbean nations about future sugar policies, with the possibility of reviewing changes for 2026 and beyond.
Christopher Coye: ‘We Need $20 Billion to Protect Natural Ecosystems Worldwide’
Belize continues taking bold steps to accelerate its climate and biodiversity conservation efforts. At the recent COP 16 conference in Cali, Colombia, the country secured crucial funding for environmental preservation and continued to advocate for innovative solutions to address the global funding gap for biodiversity.
Christopher Coye, Belize’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, addressed the critical role of natural capital in closing the financing gap needed to protect the world’s ecosystems. “Biodiversity loss is accelerating, and an estimated $20 billion in annual funding is needed to protect natural ecosystems worldwide…However, current funding stands at just $400 million—only a fraction of what’s required to drive meaningful progress,” he said.
Belize has been at the forefront of these efforts, leading successful initiatives like the 2021 Blue Bond, which secured private investment for marine and coastal conservation. Minister Coye also shared that Belize is advancing a new blended finance model, set to be finalised by 2025.
When will Harris Give her Concession Speech?
Donald Trump, 78, was declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election early Wednesday, surpassing the 270 electoral votes needed to secure the presidency. Trump won key swing states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Georgia, and North Carolina, bringing his total to 277 electoral votes.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who was running to become the first woman of colour to lead the country, did not address her supporters on election night. Campaign spokesman Cedric Richmond explained, “We still have votes to count. We still have states that have not been called yet. We will continue, overnight, to fight to make sure that every vote is counted and that every voice has spoken.”
Harris has not yet spoken publicly or conceded. She is expected to speak later today after the final vote tallies. Harris cancelled an appearance on election night at Howard University, where she studied as an undergraduate, as the race tightened.
Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago watch party, Trump promised a “golden age” for America and declared, “This is a magnificent victory for the American people that will allow us to make America great again.”
Belize Hosts Lamb Workshop for Local Farmers and Chefs
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE), in partnership with Taiwan ICDF, hosted a hands-on “Lamb/Mutton Culinary Workshop” at Swift Garden in Bermudan Landing, Belize District. The workshop targeted local farmers, butchers, and restaurateurs to enhance culinary techniques and lamb carcass breakdown.
This workshop is part of the ongoing sheep and Goat project Phase II, bringing together more than twelve participants from the Belize District. MAFSE’s technical officers led the session, which included a live demonstration on breaking down a lamb carcass.
A local favourite, lamb stew, was also prepared, with step-by-step guidance on the key points for optimal preparation.
Four Including Cop Charged with Murder
Four men, including a police officer, have been charged with the murder of 43-year-old Shawn Ortiz. Investigators believe that police officer Kyle Domingo, Gasman Jones, Peter Perez, and Charles Brown attacked and fatally stabbed Ortiz on Sunday night in Belize City.
Ortiz, a well-known and beloved taxi driver, was fatally stabbed after a night out at Stephen’s Place on Jaguar Avenue, near Faber’s Road Extension. As he was leaving the establishment, a verbal altercation with three men escalated into violence, resulting in one of them stabbing Ortiz. Though he attempted to flee the scene, he collapsed a short distance away and was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
His girlfriend, who was at home at the time, later received the devastating news. His sister, Shanine Campbell, expressed shock and disbelief, sharing how the family was still recovering from the loss of their mother and father, and now they are faced with yet another tragedy. She described Ortiz, affectionately known as “Big Shawn” to his family and “Mack Shawn” to his friends, as a fearless and vibrant person who brought life and joy to those around him.
Police have yet to determine a motive for the fatal altercation.
Donald Trump Wins 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
Donald J. Trump has won the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, securing a second non-consecutive term in the White House. Trump, running as the Republican nominee, defeated the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris, in a closely contested race that has captivated the nation and the world. Trump is projected to have secured at least the 270 Electoral College votes he needs to return to the White House for a second time after his 2017-2021 term, The Associated Press says.
Trump’s win came after a nail-biting election night, with key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Georgia, and Arizona playing decisive roles. As the final votes were tallied, Trump surpassed the necessary 270 electoral votes, claiming victory despite strong challenges from the Harris campaign and a highly polarised political landscape
U.D.P’s Dr. Nelma Mortis Suspends Campaign in Caribbean Shores
She was the U.D.P.’s mayoral candidate for the March sixth municipal elections, with Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow as the undisputed leader at the time. But what a difference eight months can make! Now, there’s confusion over who the real U.D.P. leader is—Barrow or Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton. The big question is, who will be the standard bearers in the next general elections? Each leader wants their own executive and their own set of candidates to go up against the P.U.P.’s thirty-one. It’s been a week since Panton took over the party’s headquarters, along with the radio station and newspaper at the Youth for the Future Drive location. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali sat down with Doctor Nelma Mortis, the U.D.P.’s former mayoral candidate, who candidly shared that she has suspended her campaign as the Caribbean Shores Standard Bearer under the ‘Shyne’ Barrow banner until a court decides who the true U.D.P. leader is.
Many of you will recall Dr. Nelma Mortis, the UDP mayoral candidate from the March elections. She was appointed as the party’s standard bearer for Caribbean Shores in August, under the leadership of Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow. However, a lot has changed since then. Now, Mortis has announced that she is suspending her campaign until there is a clear decision on who is the true UDP leader.
Dr. Nelma Mortis, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Caribbean Shores
“People are asking what is happening. People that you don’t even know that they know you. What is happening with the party? Where are we going? I mean, it has affected all of us. I got endorsed the same day, boots Martinez got endorsed.”
Marion Ali
“So you’re still campaigning?”
Dr. Nelma Mortis
“I suspended until the clouds are clear.”
“That internal force that is causing all this chaos and confusion is not something bad at all. If the force would have occurred from outside, then we know it would have been an end of the United Democratic Party. But when change occur, and we are in a modern democracy, so change comes upon us. And when we do not accept it, things like this happen. So that internal force that is occurring within the UDP, should make us evolve. And that would be the beginning of reform or growth. Whoever takes the lead.”
Mortis says she will be guided by the court’s decision on who is leader. Until then, she agrees with Jamaican attorney, Dr. Christopher Malcolm on who is the present leader.
Dr. Nelma Mortis
“Professor Malcolm just solidified my position that I have been observing for very long in terms of saying by the constitution, by the law, that “Shyne” Barrow is the leader of the United Democratic Party.”
“So what’s your take on the convention that was held?”
Dr. Nelma Mortis
“I did not know that section of the constitution that says that a convention should be held every odd year. And so the odd year was last 2023, this is 24. So the next convention should have been 2025. According to the U.D.P Constitution.”
“But it also states that a special convention can be called if delegates.”
Dr. Nelma Mortis
“It says the special convention can be called in the case of an emergency. What is an emergency? Now, I will openly confess just like Professor Malcolm, that the constitution has room for interpretation and that is what is happening. They interpret it accordingly. And that is the first reform that should occur once the U.D.P. gets back its stability.”
Marion Ali for News Five.
Do Belizeans Care About the US Presidential Elections?
The big day is here! Americans are heading to the polls to choose their next leader. This election isn’t just about the U.S.—its outcome will ripple across smaller developing countries and those with diplomatic ties. To see how Belizeans think the results will affect Belize, News Five’s Britney Gordon hit the streets of Belize City. Here’s what she found out.
For many Belizeans, today might feel like just another Tuesday in November. But for Americans everywhere, it’s a pivotal day that will shape their country’s future for the next four years and beyond. It’s the final chance for Americans to vote and decide who will be the next president of the United States. This year’s contenders are Kamala Harris from the Democratic Party and Donald Trump from the Republican Party. Earlier today, we chatted with some Belizeans to see if they’re following the election. Some were very keen on the outcome, while others weren’t as concerned.
Tony Anthony, Belizean
“Yes, I’m keeping up with it and what really happened, I ride from Lemonal village, where I live, with my son-in-law. And all that we was talking about is the US election. But he say, man, if you tell me that Trump is in the lead, you go piss me off. I go crash this vehicle. I don’t want Trump in the lead. He want Kamala Harris win.”
Britney Gordon
“So what do you think is the best way to stay informed right now?”
“The best way to stay informed, if you have a phone, you click onto YouTube and hit the news about election.”
MIK, Belizean
“We right here, we keeping up to the elections.”
Britney Gordon
“How are you staying informed?”
MIK
“Well, I’m on the news logging in every day. I’m watching all the election go pass and everything that’s moving. So you know that right now we just want somebody strong coming to power. And get back we Belizeans ney home. Ney one weh need fi come home.”
Leah Myers, Belizean
“To be completely honest, I’m not. That’s not really much of my business, but I do have family across there. I’m not sure if they’re keeping up to date with it either because we haven’t discussed or spoke about it. But I’ve seen, a couple of videos and people voting and I’ve seen that people are voting for the female to come in. But I’m not sure, I’m not really looking into it like that.”
While the political climate in the U.S. might not be a top concern for some Belizeans, it’s a different story for the estimated one hundred thousand Belizeans living there. Many are anxious about the wellbeing of their family and friends who now call America home.
“I’m concerned about it because some people say that Trump is a nonsense man and Kamala Harris has got a little black blood, Haitian blood, going up against a white man. The last time Trump been in, he mi di deal with a lot of immigrants. And you can’t stop immigrants. People got to live. You know a lot of Belizeans weh deh ova soh and a lot of other countries we deh dah America. They take America as their savior country, U.S. dollars, yeah.”
Britney Gordon
“So do you have family in the states that you’re worried about?”
“I got a lot of family. A lot of family I got. Sisters, nephews, aunts.”
Mark Peyrefitte, Belizean
“The candidates, when they speak, certain things come out of their mouths. The first thing they will do when they come to office, Trump say what, what he will be the biggest. deportation of migrants and Belizean people, so Belizean people or whoever over America, they need to take this serious. Because if they choose that guy again, they’re going backwards. And to make it better, worse for them, they’re going home.”
The election also sets the stage for diplomatic relations between Belize and the United States. During Trump’s presidency, he didn’t appoint a U.S. ambassador to Belize. It wasn’t until the Biden administration that Michelle Kwan took on the role as the current ambassador to Belize. Belize and the U.S. collaborations have also increased through the Central America Regional Security Initiative Economic Support Fund (CARSI-ESF). CARSI annually supports civil society and good governance initiatives in Belize with funding from the United States government.
Gary Matus, Belizean
“The election is be the same thing. I all want the world. Everybody have to suffer. If Trump come inna power, everybody have to cry. You know, they are legalize everybody, deport everybody back da ney country. Everybody have to work for for surviving. Can’t survive. We can’t even eat. I have to pray for God and everything to give the strength of Jesus Christ and everybody have to start to believe in Jesus.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.
Murder Suspected in Death of Antiguan MP Asot Michael
Police were at the home of independent legislator Asot Michael, who was tragically found dead this morning in a pool of blood at his Saint John’s, Antigua residence. Authorities have yet to release a statement about the discovery of the Member of Parliament for Saint Peter, but his death has sent shockwaves throughout the nation. Crowds gathered outside his Dry Hill home on the outskirts of the capital. Born on December twenty-first, 1969, in Guadeloupe, Michael had previously served as a minister under Prime Minister Gaston Browne. He ran as an independent candidate in the January 2023 general election after parting ways with the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party. Here’s a report from our colleagues at ABS News.