2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Family Still Reeling from Death of Mentally Disabled Loved One

On Wednesday, we reported on the tragic discovery of Wilmer Che, whose lifeless body was found at the Red Bank dumpsite in the Stann Creek District. The twenty-five-year-old was found shirtless, bearing multiple cut wounds, in what police suspect to be a murder. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon traveled south to speak with Che’s family, uncovering the profound impact this unexpected loss has had on their lives. Here’s her story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It’s been two days since the devastating news of Wilmer Che’s murder reached his family. The twenty-five-year-old was found at the Red Bank dumpsite, discarded among the trash. His sister, Irma Che, remains in shock, struggling to comprehend how anyone could commit such a heinous act against her brother.

Irma Che, Sister of Deceased

“I mi just come in from work and I finished cook. Then I receive a call from the police saying that they need for his birth paper and social security. But I told the police that he lost it when he used to work. So then the police told me that he have a bad news for me. So, then I ask the police what is the bad news is. Then he tell me that. Miss Irma Che, your brother dead. Then I ask him how, why? And then he told me that they just killed your brother. I said what? I’m in shock because why didn’t have to do that to my brother?”

Over the past five years, Wilmer battled a mental disability that gradually worsened. Watching his mental state decline and seeing him become increasingly isolated from society has been incredibly challenging for his family.

Irma Che

“ I know my brother before he used to work and so but I just don’t know what happened to my brother. Who bad minded my brother like that? Why didn’t do he bad? And then from when he started to get like that, like he don’t sleep home. He goes sleep by the creek side. He goes sleep in the bush. My mom tried her best to help him five years. No, he’s like that. Sometimes we ask for help. Like, you know, sometimes like people just want to ignore you.”

Wilmer often wandered and found refuge in odd places. Despite the immense challenges of supporting him, Wilmer’s family never wavered in their dedication. They tirelessly cared for him, ensuring he was fed and dressed, always striving to provide the best care possible. Irma tells us that the memory of her brother is all she has left of him because they do not own a single picture of him.

Irma Che

“I remember my brother, when he does used to work, he’s a nice person. He’s respectful, he don’t disrespect nobody. You know, I remember when he used to go fishing, he bring us fish. He used to work. He was, he’s a nice person. He come and he talk to me. When he, when that, before this happened to him, he used to say that will work and then, he’s planned that to have his wife. But it never happen.”

The situation shines a light on the vulnerability of the mentally disabled population, they are highly susceptible to violent crimes. A community effort is often necessary to ensure that these individuals remain safe and cared for..

Irma Che

“When he go somewhere, some people that have good heart, some people, like, give him a clothes to change or give him food, some people talk to him, make a change, like, I don’t know if I don’t know then, I just confused. Because sometimes I sit down and I ask God why he is like that? Why \ people, bad minded, why they have to do my brother that. I don’t know why?”

Irma explains that the death comes at a difficult time for her because her mother is unwell. And she, herself is reeling from a car accident she was involved the day of her brother’s death.

Irma Che

“My mom is here. My mom, she’s not a healthy woman. My mom is sick as well. She has sweet blood and then she’s stressed. Don’t know what to do because We already lose one brother, my baby brother. He died like five years now. We lose the next one again. So I don’t know what more else could do. I don’t know.”

The family is now urgently seeking the resources needed to give Wilmer a proper farewell. As they await justice, Irma is reaching out to the public for any assistance they can provide. She can be contacted at 654-1815. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Police Raid PIV Drugs and Weapons Stash

A coordinated police operation unfolded in the Lake Independence area on a bustling Wednesday night. Officers from the Special Patrol Unit, Quick Response Team, and K-9 Unit converged on the residence of Leon Gray. Their efforts led to the significant discovery of marijuana, totaling one thousand, nine hundred and forty-three grams, cleverly concealed in a chair within the yard. During the raid, forty-year-old Chester Noralez, of Fern Lane, was present. He was promptly arrested and transported to the Raccoon Street Police Station, where he faced charges for possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. The night’s operations didn’t end there. Shortly after nine p.m., the officers proceeded to an abandoned cement house on Marigold Lane. A thorough search revealed three firearms: a .38 revolver, a 9mm pistol, and a .22 Ruger. These weapons were meticulously sealed and labeled as found property, marking the end of a productive night for law enforcement.

Police Allegedly Chokes Woman Under Drain Water

Tonight, a police officer finds himself on the wrong side of the law after being charged with harm. Thirty-year-old Andres Choc, a Belize City police constable, stands accused of a shocking assault involving beating, strangling, and submerging a woman’s head in polluted drain water. The incident allegedly occurred on October thirtieth around 12:30 a.m. when twenty-nine-year-old Janielle Lopez was socializing with Choc and two friends, Oliver Giron and Reyannie Duran, at Choc’s home. An argument erupted between Choc and Giron, and later, as Lopez stood outside with Giron, Choc reportedly approached and began smashing Giron’s windshield. Lopez claims that when she alerted Giron, Choc grabbed her by the neck, threw her into the drain, and choked her under the water. Duran, hearing the commotion, rushed out to help, allowing Lopez to escape into the house to grab a knife for self-defense. Choc was granted bail of one thousand dollars, plus a surety of the same amount, with strict conditions to avoid contact with the victim or her family, stay at least one hundred yards away from her, and refrain from any similar offenses, or his bail will be revoked. Despite these serious charges, PC Choc remains on active duty and has not been placed on interdiction.

Police Imprisoned for Extorting Tourist at Checkpoint

Tonight, another police officer finds himself in serious trouble with the law, facing charges of extortion. Jairo Amador, a police constable from Cayo District, stands accused of extorting a Canadian tourist and her husband back in 2022. The tourist, who was in Belize to view properties, alleges that she was pulled over at a checkpoint in Hattieville, where Amador falsely claimed that her rental vehicle was uninsured. He then allegedly told her she would be detained over the weekend unless she provided a “donation.” Out of fear, she handed over one hundred US dollars. The woman also claims that another officer at the booth restrained her husband from intervening during the exchange. After the money was handed over, the couple was allowed to leave. However, the police were alerted to the incident, and the money was found on Amador. Amador contends that he found the money in the bushes while relieving himself. This afternoon, he was found guilty and remanded to prison, with sentencing set for November twenty-fifth, 2024.

Belize City Man Goes Missing on Island

A Belize City man has gone missing, leaving his family fearing the worst. The relatives of Herman Good are urgently seeking the public’s help to locate him. According to his family, Good was left on an island off the coast of Belize City about two weeks ago to watch over it. However, when his employer returned to the island on October 25th, Good was nowhere to be found. Today, we spoke with Good’s sister, who expressed deep concern for his safety.

Samantha Smith-Reyes, Sister of Herman Good

“I last saw him like two weeks ago. Every time he passes by my business here, we chit and chat. I haven’t seen him since. I was made to understand that he went missing from one of my cousins and from his boss. He was left on an island, Turneffe island and he was left there alone to watch the island. They promised to return for him. When they did, he was not there. A search party is already looking for him, but so far nothing. I personally think that he got caught at the wrong place at the wrong time. I was made to understand that his boss has been with underworld stuff.”

Isani Cayetano

“So you fear the worst for your brother?”

Samantha Smith-Reyes

“I don’t know, anybody get missing from island they haven’t returned since. I think he wont return to us.”

Jungle Remedies, The Healing Nature Provides

In the heart of San Ignacio Town, one man has devoted his life to harnessing the healing power of nature. Seventy-six-year-old Harry Guy, a native of Punta Gorda, spent his childhood venturing into the jungle with the adults in his community. These early adventures sparked his enduring passion for traditional medicine. By the tender age of seven, Guy had already mastered the use of natural remedies to treat various sores. Fast forward more than six decades, and Harry Guy has become a celebrated figure, renowned for his company, Jungle Remedies. News Five’s Paul Lopez journeyed west to uncover the story of Guy’s lifelong dedication to traditional medicine. Here is his report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Seventy-six-year-old Harry Guy Senior, a resident of San Ignacio, has dedicated the past thirty years to running Jungle Remedies. From his home, he makes traditional medicines using a rich variety of leaves, herbs, and tree barks, primarily gathered from the lush jungles of Belize. His deep knowledge and passion for natural healing have made Jungle Remedies a trusted name in the community.

Harry Guy Sr, Owner, Jungle Remedies

“I work in natural healing. It is something I use to do from when I was a kid, because when I was seven years old I mih already know how to treat lesmanisis, what we call bay sore or chiclera. At the age of twelve I could ah mih done know how to treat snake bite and deh things like that. This dah something I grow up into from the time I was a kid.”

Guy invited us into his home to get a firsthand look at his operation. Inside his storeroom are sacks filled with the raw ingredients used to make his bottled products, like the quick fix. According to the label, this remedy not only promises to eliminate toxins but also boosts libido. Despite being a potent blend of four different herbs and barks, it goes down smoothly, ensuring a pleasant experience with every drop.

Paul Lopez

“What is the most prominent type of herb or natural product that you could find here in Belize.”

Harry Guy Sr.

“I think almost everything. But the most popular one, the one I use right now is the one called cat claw. It is a vine.”

Paul Lopez

“Tell me a bit about what it does.”

Harry Guy Sr.

“Cat claw could treat almost everything. That builds up your immune system. You can treat cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, outer immune diseases and different things you can treat with it. It’s an all purpose herbs.”

It took Harry Guy over a decade to perfect the recipes for his line of jungle remedies. His dedication has attracted clients from around the globe, many of whom report achieving their desired outcomes. In recognition of his success, Fox News featured Guy in a 2014 article. However, as he grows older, Guy finds it increasingly difficult to navigate the challenging jungle terrain to source ingredients. To ensure the legacy of Jungle Remedies continues, he has begun passing the torch to his son, Harry Guy Junior.

Harry Guy Jr., Co-Owner, Jungle Remedies

“The hardest thing is going to the jungle and stuff. It is not something new. When I was young I use to go with my dad to the jungle and stuff. Now I am really focused on it, trying to get all of his knowledge and trying to know all the plants and stuff like that.”

Paul Lopez

“How much joy does it bring you to learn this trade?”

Harry Guy Jr.

“It is a lot of joy. Everything we use is right here in Belize and people could just pass by and don’t know what it is used for. I am passing some of the knowledge to my son and so other young people that goes with us. My goal is to let the herbal business keep on and give the knowledge back to someone that will continue it.”

In our conversation with Harry Guy Senior, we asked him for his thoughts on the debate surrounding traditional medicine versus modern medicine.

Harry Guy Sr.

“To my knowledge I believe sometimes you have to use both of them. You could use this alternative medicine with pharmaceutical medicine because this one isn’t a drug. It is like a drink or food or some type of supplement. It does not counteract any type of medicine you are taking. Nowhere classify it as drugs, because if it was a drug they would stop you from using it, but its all natural.”

As wildfires continue to ravage Belize’s resource-rich jungles, much like they did earlier this year, Harry Guy’s business faces significant risks. It’s not aging or the jungle’s rugged terrain that poses the greatest threat to this family-owned traditional medicine enterprise, but the devastating impact of these wildfires.

Harry Guy Sr.

“Yes wildfire, that is the worst one right now. When Hurricane Richard a fire started form Gracie Rock. It came all the way through and jumped through Coastal Road, crossed the cave branch river, cross the Stann Creek Road. So, you could just imagine the amount of destruction. Well it makes everything harder for me, much harder.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Elderly Couple Gets New Home

Tonight, two senior citizens are resting easy in their brand-new home, thanks to the generosity of Heritage Bank and Hand in Hand Ministries. Urbano Flores and Olive Bennett, chosen from among several families, were deemed most in need of this wonderful gift. This afternoon, a heartfelt ceremony took place on Delsyia Goff Street, where the couple received the keys to their new wooden house. News Five’s Marion Ali brings us the story.

Marion Ali, Reporting

An elderly couple who was living in less than human conditions at their residence have a new, dry home to rest their heads tonight. Eighty-year-old Urbano Flores and eighty-eight-year-old Olive Bennett have been together for eighteen years, and they’ve also been living in less than comfortable conditions for many years. But not anymore and today Flores was grateful.

Urbano Flores, New Homeowner

“ Thank God and thanks to the Heritage Bank. And Mr. Duncan and all who help us work on it, contribute their labor, I’m thankful to all, even to you who di record it. I went and I applied and then well, we keep in contact and, eh, told me, they call me and tell me, well, they’re going to do it last Friday. And I was very happy because I was waiting for it.”

Reporter

“Can you tell us the condition of your previous house?”

Urbano Flores

“Well, the problem is that every time it rain, we have water problem. We have to struggle through the mud and the water and then I had an outside bathroom. So, it was very inconvenient. For It’s basically, because she’s 76, I’m 70, so to walk in that wire, each day when you get up, you go on there and travel through it.”

The gift came from Heritage Bank and Hand in Hand Ministries. Hand in Hand conducted the screening. Rasheida Belthran is the Director of Building for Change program, which operates Hand in Hand Ministries.

Rashieda Bethran, Director, Building for Change Prog.

“Ultimately, Heritage Bank decided on which family from the three that we Um, uh, well, we, we can handle for families of greater need, and it’s a challenging situation when we have to choose from a list of qualified partners, but from all those we have assessed during this process, Mr. Albano and Ms. Olive were one of the most needy at the time, based on their conditions, as you guys can see.”

Since 2017, Heritage Bank has been giving out homes to needy families. The one handed over to Flores and Bennett today was the nineteenth. And while many of us were in the warmth and dry of ours while it rained over the past weekend, the staff of Heritage Bank were at the Delcia Goff Street location hammering nails into sheets of board.

Stephen Duncan, Managing Director, Heritage Bank

“We try to do one every year, except in 2020 when we did one every month. So it’s something that we feel it’s helping to fill a need, fill a void, and so we are happy to do what we can to assist with the program. I think it’s a wonderful program, and we actually participate, the staff actually participate as the labor force when we do things like this. So, we were here Friday, Saturday, Sunday, even in the rain, trying to get this done. So I’m pleased to see that we were able to accomplish it.”

Duncan explained that the other families whose names were on the list of potentials will also get a home but sponsored by another company. Marion Ali for News Five.

MIDH Says Entrances to the City Will Be Fixed When Rains Subside

The recent rains have been blamed for washing away culverts and breaking up streets and roads. Personnel from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing have been working around the clock, seven days a week to repair and restore these important arteries across the country. And while it has been possible to carry out work for some of the damage, like replacing collapsed culverts, repairing or resurfacing streets and roads, it is not possible until the rain subsides. Both the northern and western entrances to Belize City are in deplorable condition and drivers are swaying left and right to dodge big potholes. C.E.O. at the M.I.D.H, Victor Espat assures that the Ministry has been responding to calls to fix the roads, and while they have adequate equipment, resources, and manpower, the rains have literally dampened the efforts to get those repairs done as quickly as possible. Espat said that the Philip Goldson Highway from the Buttonwood Bay Roundabout to the city is already going through the procurement process and work should start very soon to resurface that portion of road with hot mix. Streets in Belize City, meanwhile fall under the Belize City Council’s management and Deputy Mayor, Alan Pollard told us that those too will be repaired when the rains subside.

Did Belize and Other SIDS Waste Time and Money at COP28?

As COP29 approaches in Baku, Azerbaijan, global attention is focused on how the upcoming summit might drive climate action beyond what was achieved at last year’s COP28 in Dubai. Scheduled for November 2024, COP29 will continue the international efforts to combat climate change, with world leaders expected to build on COP28’s outcomes and strengthen initiatives to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. However, before turning to COP29, it’s worth reflecting on the mixed outcomes of COP28 for small island developing states (SIDS) like Belize and whether their participation yielded meaningful results or simply incurred significant costs.

The Setting of COP28: Controversy in Dubai

COP28, held from November 30 to December 12, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), was marked by controversy. Concerns centred on the UAE’s significant oil and gas industry, a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions. The appointment of Sultan al-Jaber, CEO of the UAE’s national oil company, as COP28 president raised questions about conflicts of interest, especially after leaked documents suggested the UAE might use its position as host to pursue oil and gas deals. Al-Jaber countered these criticisms by highlighting his background in renewable energy and advocating for industry reforms, yet doubts lingered regarding the integrity of the conference’s climate goals.

Key Outcomes of COP28: Progress or Promises?

One major development at COP28 was the unprecedented consensus on transitioning energy systems away from fossil fuels. This shift was framed as a “just, orderly, and equitable” process, highlighting the expectation that wealthier nations would lead the transition. While this commitment to reduce fossil fuel reliance was significant, the agreement lacked binding provisions or specific timelines, leaving its impact uncertain. Instead, a target was set to triple global renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030—a crucial, albeit voluntary, step in addressing global emissions.

Belize’s Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Orlando Habet, says, “There has been some progress. The adaptation fund, they even informed us that 100 billion that we had been asking for was reached in 2022. There’s no transparency on that part. So for COP 29, what we’re asking is more transparency on one, the acquisition of the funding, the facilitation of that funding and how it is being distributed.”

Habet added, “At COP 28 one of the big issues there and the discussion of the agenda was the GST which is the midway point of the of the 2030 agenda and see where we are from there.”

COP28 also underscored the importance of the 1.5°C temperature target set in Paris in 2015, which scientists deem essential for avoiding catastrophic climate impacts. However, despite the renewed emphasis, experts have warned that current policies could lead to a 2.7°C rise by 2100. This alarming forecast, coupled with the limited enforceability of COP28’s agreements, raised questions about the tangible progress made at the conference.

Participation of Small Island Developing States (SIDS): Costs and Considerations

The sheer scale of COP28—nearly 100,000 participants, including 200 national delegations and thousands of industry representatives—raised concerns for SIDS like Belize. Their attendance at such massive conferences is often financially and logistically demanding, and many questioned whether the benefits justified the expenses. Despite the presence of high-profile leaders, such as UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the influence of fossil fuel representatives also cast a shadow, as their attendance fuelled worries about industry lobbying and “greenwashing.”

Financial Aid and Climate Justice: Progress on the “Loss and Damage” Fund

At COP28, an announcement was made that the “Loss and Damage” fund, established at COP27, would finally begin disbursing payments to developing nations facing severe climate impacts. This fund aims to compensate countries suffering irreversible climate losses, especially those with limited resources for adaptation. Habet said, “The first thing that we need to show is, at least in the first day and the second day, the acceptance of having the loss and damage agenda on the program, the discussion, and very early in the initial days of the program. They accepted the loss and damage, not only the agenda, but it was approved. And then it built up to before the end of COP that there was over 700 million. Unfortunately, up to now, it’s been almost a year, and it’s still about 800-850 million. It’s very little for an area where many of the small island developing states really need to get some assistance with loss and damage.”

Habet told News 5 that he is disappointed with the amount that has so far been pledged. “Very disappointed. I would have believed it’ll be in the billions by now, but I think that what we are seeing now that for COP 29, the president of the COP from Baku is looking to put the finance agenda as one of the priorities for his COP. So we are trying to build on that also from CARICOM and from Belize itself. We are looking to see how we can gain into the finance area.”

As Minister Habet mentioned, the funding amounts pledged remain small, and the effectiveness of this fund largely depends on additional commitments from wealthier nations.

In a separate but related commitment, developed countries reiterated their goal to provide $100 billion annually to support developing nations, a target they were expected to meet by 2020 but have only likely achieved in recent years. The COP28 agreement, however, acknowledged a growing gap between financial commitments and the actual needs of climate-vulnerable countries, with no requirements for new contributions—a situation that could further strain SIDS’ climate resilience efforts.

The Debate Over Impact: Was COP28 Worthwhile?

Critics of the COP processvargue that these conferences risk becoming platforms for “greenwashing,” allowing countries and corporations to portray themselves as climate-friendly without enacting significant change. While the conferences do facilitate important international agreements, their success ultimately depends on the follow-through of participating countries. The landmark 1.5°C commitment from COP21 has inspired numerous climate actions globally, yet the pace remains insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement goals.

For SIDS, the outcomes of COP28 remain a mixed bag—while there were symbolic wins, such as the operationalisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, real, enforceable support from wealthier nations has yet to materialize. Whether COP28 will truly lead to actionable policies or whether Belize and other SIDS invested valuable resources in an overpromising platform remains a question for the years ahead.

Belizean Inflation Soars by 2.6%

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report reveals that consumer prices in Belize soared by 2.6% in September 2024, with the capital city of Belmopan experiencing the steepest inflation rates. In contrast, Independence had the lowest inflation rate at just 0.2%, benefiting from below-average increases.

Issued on October 30 by the Statistical Institute of Belize, the report highlights significant price hikes in essential goods and services. Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages were the largest contributors to inflation, rising by 5.1%. Notable price hikes included fresh vegetables, which increased by 8.3%, and fruits like grapefruits and limes, which saw a rise of 15.7%. The Restaurants and Accommodation Services category increased by 4.9%, while Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels rose by 1.4%, largely due to higher rental costs.

The month-over-month inflation rate for September compared to August was a slight 0.02% increase, driven by a 0.3% rise in the Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages category, despite a 0.4% decrease in Transport prices due to lower fuel costs.

Year-to-date, inflation for the first nine months of 2024 reached 3.6%, with the rise primarily led by Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, which were up 6%, and Restaurant and Accommodation Services, which rose by 8.8%. Other categories, such as Housing, experienced a 2.3% increase, and Personal Care saw a rise of 4.8%, while Information and Communication experienced a decline of 1.8%.