2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize’s Lynn Young Assumes Chair of OAS Permanent Council

On Friday, Lynn Raymond Young, the Permanent Representative of Belize to the Organization of American States (OAS), officially took over as the chair of the Permanent Council.

Young, son of former Governor General of Belize, Sir Coleville Young, will hold the position until December 31, 2024.

The handover ceremony took place at the OAS headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Young said in his inaugural speech, “As Chair, I will prioritise efforts in eradicating poverty and fostering inclusive economic growth. We must focus on strategies that empower the most vulnerable, enhance access to education and health care, promote decent work, and foster resilient economies.”

Young reiterated Belize’s dedication to the core principles of the OAS, which include democracy, human rights, security, and integral development. “These principles are not only the foundations of our organisation but also the pillars upon which our collective future rests. As President, I will work tirelessly to ensure that our deliberations and actions are guided by these values,” he added.

The outgoing President, Victor Fernandes, Permanent Representative of Barbados, expressed confidence in his successor. “I am pleased to hand over the gavel to my colleague from Belize this morning. I am confident that he will do an admirable job during his term,” Fernandes remarked.

Belizean Living in Merida Prepares for Hurricane Milton

Thirty-year-old Windel Castillo has made preparations as category 5 hurricane Milton is expected to brush the Yucatan Peninsula.

Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm on Monday as it moved through the Gulf of Mexico, heading toward Florida. A hurricane warning has been issued for parts of Mexico’s Yucatan state, which is expected to be sideswiped by the storm.

Castillo has been living in Merida for quite some time. When he heard that Milton had intensified into a category 5 storm, Castillo told News 5, “To be honest with you, I was not in such a panic because we had had Beryl, and then it went up, and now Milton, which is a Category 5.”

He added, “So I didn’t go in a panic; I just did what I know, which is getting my canned food, making sure that I have enough water, and the basic preparations that you need for like any hurricane.”

Castillo, who has been living in Merida for about three years, shared that this is the first time that they are experiencing back-to-back hurricanes. “So I always make sure I’m prepared, and for the last three months it’s been raining almost every day… I live on the north side. So normally the north side doesn’t have much flooding. It’s normally more in the central area, or the south does have a lot of flooding. But again, you always need to make sure you’re on the safe side because we use like water pumps to like get water and everything is connected to the vat.”

Castillo says he will continue to monitor the storm and rely on information provided by local authorities.

“Our Oceans Are in Crisis”

The United Nations Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea, part of the Office of Legal Affairs, is currently hosting a regional workshop aimed at enhancing the understanding of the BBNJ Agreement (the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) for small island developing states in the Caribbean.

This workshop is part of the Division’s ongoing efforts under General Assembly resolution 77/321 to promote awareness of the BBNJ Agreement and prepare for its implementation. Linked to a project funded by the European Union, titled “Promotion of a Better Understanding of the BBNJ Agreement,” the event seeks to build the capacity of developing states to join and implement the Agreement.

The workshop seeks to deepen participants’ understanding of the BBNJ Agreement, focussing on the rights and obligations it establishes. It is specifically designed to support states in their efforts to join the Agreement and prepare for its implementation. Attendees will explore a variety of modules, including the background and significance of the BBNJ Agreement, an overview of its key components, and the implications of becoming a party. Additionally, the workshop will cover the agreement’s substantive and cross-cutting elements, relevant legal frameworks, and the roles of global, regional, and sectoral organizations. Participants will also learn about the procedural steps required for states to become parties to the agreement.

A special focus will be placed on identifying technical needs and requirements for implementing the agreement, including legal and policy framework gaps, through needs identification and gap analysis exercises.

CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amalia Mai, said, “The BBNJ agreement is extremely important for its own substantive reasons, but its adoption was an achievement for multilateralism at a time when that issue is in serious doubt. The agreement signals a strong interest of states in further strengthening the international legal regime in relation to oceans and, importantly, a commitment to protecting our ocean’s diversity.”

CEO Mai added, “Our oceans are in crisis. Pollution from plastics, overfishing, the explosion of sargassum, and climate change are dealing an all-out assault on our oceans. The rate of ocean warming has doubled in the last twenty years. The high seas are becoming more acidic. Estimates indicate that the ocean is polluted by a plastic smug made up of an estimated 171 trillion plastic particles.”

High Commissioner of the UK to Belize, Nicole Davison, said, “The UK is very supportive of the BBNJ agreement, recognising it as an important step towards coordinators global action to tackle the climate and nature crisis.

The workshop is being hosted by the Government of Belize from October 7 to 10, 2024, at the Umaya Resort in Placencia, Belize.

Jamaican Study Advances Belize’s Firearms Management

Members of Belize’s Firearms and Ammunition Control Board (FACB) recently visited the Jamaica Licensing Authority “to learn about best practices and strategies related to firearms control, public safety, and regulatory compliance.”

The visit was from September 25-27, 2024.

The delegation toured operational facilities and participated in workshops covering critical topics such as data management, licensing protocols, and measures to combat the illegal firearms trade.

Sharole Carr-Saldivar, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Chair of the FACB, stated, “Our visit to the Jamaica Licensing Authority has been instrumental in broadening our understanding of firearms management and control. We are committed to adopting best practices that will enhance Belize’s regulatory frameworks and contribute to improved public safety.”

This collaboration is part of the FACB’s broader strategy to comply with international commitments regarding firearms control, particularly under the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.

Hurricane Milton Is Now Category 5

From the National Hurricane Center:

“Data from an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that Milton has strengthened to a category 5 hurricane. The maximum sustained winds are estimated to be 160 mph (250 km/h) with higher gusts. Data from the aircraft also indicate that the minimum pressure has fallen to 925 mb (27.31 inches).”

Milton is expected to move just north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday and Tuesday before crossing the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approaching Florida’s west coast by Wednesday or early Thursday.

The forecast suggests Milton will maintain its strength as it moves inland. Areas that were recently battered by Hurricane Helene are bracing for another hurricane hit. However, the current path may spare some southeastern states that suffered significant devastation just days ago from Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Milton Intensifies to Category 4

Hurricane Milton has intensified to a Category 4 hurricane. Milton’s winds reached 150 mph early Monday morning. According to the National Hurricane Centre, the storm is expected to make landfall on Florida’s western Gulf Coast, particularly targeting the Tampa Bay area.

Milton is expected to move just north of the Yucatan Peninsula on Monday and Tuesday before crossing the eastern Gulf of Mexico and approaching Florida’s west coast by Wednesday or early Thursday.

Venezuelan Ex-Presidential Candidate Says He’ll Return as “Elected President”

Venezuela’s former presidential candidate Edmundo Gonzalez said on Friday that he will be returning to his country on January 10 to assume office as the “elected president.” Gonzalez contested against Nicolas Maduro in the July 28 presidential election. Maduro was declared re-elected for a third term. But the opposition claimed the results were rigged.

In August, the OAS presented a resolution calling for an audit of Venezuela’s disputed presidential election. The election dispute revolves around tally sheets, known as “Actas.” The Actas serve as official evidence of election results.

The only independent organisation present at the Venezuelan elections, the Carter Centre, presented the Actas on October 2 during a session before the OAS. The Actas revealed the victory of the opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez. It was revealed by the head of the Carter Centre’s electoral mission in Venezuela, Jennie Lincoln.

This contradicts the results announced by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE), which declared Maduro the winner for a third term.

The data, which is only accessible to the regime and the Venezuelan Armed Forces, was obtained via “international mail,” Lincoln stated.

“I was sent this by mail, and I will show it to you… These are original records from Venezuela that have a QR code, which is significant and allows witnesses from thousands and thousands of polling stations to systematically gather information,” explained Lincoln.

González, now in exile in Spain since September 9, said on Friday, “I am going to return to Venezuela as soon as possible, when we restore democracy in our country… I am going on Jan. 10 to take office as elected president.”

US Official Visits Belize to Strengthen Ties on “Shared Priorities”

The US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols, is in Belize for an official visit from October 5–8. He is expected to discuss key issues affecting the country and the region. Nichols oversees the operations of U.S. diplomatic missions in countries across North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean. Nichols guides operations to represent U.S. interests and build relationships.

According to a statement issued by the U.S. Department of State, Nichols’ meeting with Prime Minister John Briceño and Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca will focus on “security and inclusive economic prosperity in Belize and throughout the region.”

The statement also recognises Belize’s active role in the “Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation.” It also cited the recent signing of a five-year grant agreement valued at $125 million, the “Millennium Challenge Corporation’s Belize Compact for Education and Energy Projects.”

Nichols said in a post on X, “Excited to meet our Belizean partners to discuss cooperation on investment, migration management, security, and other shared priorities. I am grateful to visit this beautiful country.”

Hurricane Milton Forms in the Gulf of Mexico

Hurricane Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. As of 1 p.m. today, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) reported that Milton has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 80 mph. Milton is still forecast to intensify into a major hurricane by late Monday.

It is expected to reach the west coast of the Florida Peninsula by midweek.

At the moment, the NHC is monitoring three hurricanes: Hurricane Kirk, located over the central subtropical Atlantic Ocean; Hurricane Leslie, located over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean; and now Hurricane Milton, located over in the Gulf of Mexico.

Bullying Incident Leaves SJC Student Injured

A bullying incident at St. John’s College High School has left a student with a broken hip and requiring emergency surgery. Niall Alvarado brought up the issue on Facebook, saying that the victim is his brother Dominick Alvarado, an honour student at SJC.

Niall said that Dominick’s life-altering injuries, emotional trauma, and financial toll on his family are the result of the serious effects of bullying. “The implications of such acts extend beyond immediate physical harm; they encompass emotional trauma, academic disruption, and financial strain on families,” he said.

According to Niall, Dominick’s experience and need for emergency surgery and recovery have hindered his performance in school. He said, “In the case of Dominick, the administration’s failure to adequately respond not only failed him but also sent a chilling message to other students about the efficacy of reporting bullying incidents.”

“The Ministry of Education and the Board of Directors at St. John’s College High School must conduct a thorough investigation into the bullying incidents,” Niall said. He pointed out that the investigations should include policies and practices that relate to bullying in the school.