The Belize Sugar Industries Ltd. (BSI) is ending 2024, hitting a major milestone as the company is getting ready to export a record 39,500 metric tonnes of raw bulk sugar to the UK. According to Communications and Government Affairs Director William Neal, the shipment, valued at over $45 million, is expected to provide a substantial boost to the nation’s GDP. Neal described it as “the largest single payload of any product from the country.”
Neal told News 5 that the company’s logistics improvements not only enhance efficiency but also reduce costs, with savings benefiting both the industry and local farmers. “Before establishing the logistics we have at Big Creek, loading such a large shipment would have taken about 40 days. Now, despite the rain, it will take about eight days,” Neal said.
He added that despite a slight delay due to road conditions and weather impacts, BSI anticipates kicking off the upcoming sugar crop season on December 27.
Last time it was the U.S. dockworkers on a 3-day strike for better wages; today it is thousands of Amazon delivery drivers demanding better working conditions, pay, and recognition as company employees. However, despite wearing Amazon vests and driving Amazon vans, many drivers are classified as independent contractors through third-party companies called “Delivery Service Partners” and not direct Amazon employees.
According to CNN, this has been a contentious debate over the employer-employee relationship, particularly in legal battles about whether Amazon should be considered the drivers’ employer, thus responsible for providing better wages and benefits.
Teamsters union members went on strike in several states, including New York, Illinois, Georgia, and California. The workers have cited long hours, excessive workloads, and insufficient support. Amazon claims the strike won’t impact holiday deliveries. However, Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien said, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon’s insatiable greed.”
Ash’shura Brooks, 29, from Illinois, stressed the need for better safety measures and work conditions. “You either sacrifice your safety to get things done faster, or you sacrifice your job,” she said.
With Amazon’s soaring profits, drivers believe the company has the resources to improve conditions. Trenton Knight, a delivery driver in Georgia who has been working for Amazon for five months, said that he is striking for improved wages and benefits and for drivers like him to be acknowledged as Amazon employees. “If we weren’t their workers, we wouldn’t be driving their trucks, we wouldn’t be wearing their gear, we wouldn’t be delivering their packages,” Knight said.
Since October, a mysterious illness with flu-like symptoms has been affecting the people in the southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The illness that killed over 143 people, mostly women and children, has been identified as severe malaria. The country’s health ministry confirmed the diagnosis on Tuesday.
“The mystery has finally been solved… It’s a case of severe malaria in the form of a respiratory illness,” said Congo’s health ministry. The disease, which initially baffled health officials, manifests as a respiratory illness with symptoms like fever, headache, cough, and body aches. The health agency stated that malnutrition in the most affected areas had compromised the local population’s immune systems, which makes them more susceptible to the disease.
The country has faced numerous disease outbreaks in recent years, including typhoid and anemia. The rainy season has also complicated malaria control efforts. In response, the World Health Organisation has distributed anti-malaria medicine and sent additional supplies to control further spread of the disease.
Amid escalating international pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, the United States and the United Kingdom have announced new sanctions aimed at disrupting Russia’s military supply chain. Among the sanctioned entities is Berezia Management, a Belize-based company accused of facilitating operations linked to Russia’s defence industry.
The U.S. Department of Treasury says that Berezia Management is reportedly connected to Perspective Technologies Agency (UPT), a Russian firm specialising in communication networks and submarine cables. According to U.S. authorities, Berezia Management plays a key role in supporting Russian infrastructure projects by operating within commercial networks designed to evade international restrictions.
The move is part of a broader effort by the U.S. and the U.K. to disrupt supply chains sustaining Russia’s war in Ukraine.
According to the U.S. Department of Treasury, Berezia Management Ltd is listed as a Specially Designated National (SDN) under Executive Order 14024, which targets entities linked to Russia’s defence, intelligence, and technological sectors. The company, established on February 25, 2016, operates out of Suite 302, Blake Building, Corner Hutson and Eyre Street, Belize City, Belize. The location appears several times in the Pandora Papers.
Berezia Management is one of several global firms sanctioned as part of efforts to cut off Russia’s access to dual-use products and military components. Companies in Turkey, China, Belize, Thailand, India, Hungary, Switzerland, and Cyprus have also been flagged for their role in supplying microelectronics, radio equipment, and industrial machinery that support Russian military operations.
Sanctions on other firms include suppliers of microelectronics, radio equipment, and industrial machinery, which, though often marketed for civilian use, have been repurposed for military applications on the battlefield in Ukraine.
The U.S. is also turning its attention to Latin American companies, warning of potential risks for businesses that may unwittingly engage with firms linked to Russia’s defence sector. Against the backdrop of growing geopolitical tensions, companies in the region are being urged to strengthen oversight of their trade partners and ensure transparency in their operations.
As we wrap up 2024, News 5 is excited to bring you our digital Year in Review! This year, we're diving into the highlights and challenges of the past twelve months, all organised by themes. Join us as we look back at the stories that shaped our year…
Revolutionising Education: Belize’s National Curriculum Transformation
In 2024, Belize’s education system underwent a sweeping transformation, driven by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology (MoECST). At the heart of this change was the introduction of the National Curriculum Transformation, a landmark initiative aimed at overhauling the country’s approach to teaching and learning.
This initiative marked a shift from traditional rote learning to a more competency-based approach, equipping students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and life skills. Education Minister Francis Fonseca described it as a necessary step to prepare Belizean students for a rapidly changing world. “We can’t just focus on what was done in the past. Our children deserve a curriculum that prepares them for the future,” said Fonseca.
The new curriculum emphasises interactive learning, student engagement, and the incorporation of technology. It encourages personalised learning pathways, allowing students to progress at their own pace. Teachers have undergone rigorous training to adapt to the new methodologies, ensuring smooth implementation across the country’s schools.
Bridging the Digital Divide With Digital Connect Centres
One of the standout achievements for 2024 was the launch of the Caye Caulker Digital Connect Centre, a state-of-the-art facility aimed at bridging Belize’s digital divide. Funded through a partnership with the Government of Taiwan, the centre offers high-speed Wi-Fi, computers, and digital literacy training.
During the launch event, Minister of Public Utilities Michel Chebat emphasised the transformative nature of the center. “This facility is more than just a room with computers. It’s a lifeline for our youth, our businesses, and our community members,” said Chebat.
Residents of Caye Caulker, especially students and small business owners, can now access essential government services, apply for vital documents online, and enhance their digital skills. With training programs on Microsoft Office and other essential software, the Digital Connect Centre aims to foster a more digitally literate population.
Digital Connect Centres have also been launched in other municipalities, including Belmopan and Orange Walk.
Access 501: A Digital Portal to Belizean Heritage
Education and cultural preservation took centre stage with the launch of Access 501, an innovative online platform showcasing Belize’s rich history and heritage. This multimedia resource offers content in 15 categories, including Belizean history, technology, music, cultural videos, and environmental education.
The platform was described as a “revolutionary tool” by Carlos Quiroz, Coordinator at 501 Academy. “Access 501 is an attempt to provide access to every Belizean to the raw material for our imagination,” Quiroz declared at the launch event. Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education, Dian Maheia, emphasised that Access 501 will serve as a crucial educational tool for teachers, students, and parents seeking Belize-specific learning materials.
The Ministry of Education sees this initiative as the starting point for the People’s Digital Archives, a project designed to document and preserve Belize’s collective story. Citizens are invited to submit personal stories, national builder profiles, and community narratives to build a shared national history.
STEAM Education at Itz’at STEAM Academy
Belize officially opened the Itz’at STEAM Academy, the country’s first high school dedicated to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education. Prime Minister John Briceño, Education Minister Francis Fonseca, and other officials attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, highlighting its significance in the country’s development agenda.
The academy, built to Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency (EDGE) standards, offers modern facilities, including bioengineering and robotics labs, media studios, and collaborative learning spaces. Its hands-on learning approach prepares students to participate in Belize’s growing “blue, green, and orange” economies.
John Newport, the then Principal of Itz’at, stated, “This school will empower students to engage in transformative mathematics, robotics, and creative arts. It will ensure that young Belizeans are ready to create solutions, not just seek them.” The academy has already begun offering programs where students design robots, develop creative media, and engage in project-based learning. Christine Coc is the acting principal.
Teacher Shortages, Licensing Delays, and Parental Involvement
While 2024 saw significant strides in education, it also faced challenges. Teacher shortages became a growing concern as many educators pursued better-paying opportunities abroad. Resignations were compounded by delays in the Ministry of Education’s processing of teacher licenses, which are now contingent on Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours.
According to Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) President Nadia Caliz, over 130 teachers were affected by licensing delays. Some teachers claimed that their CPD certificates, required to obtain a teaching license, had not been processed by the Teacher Learning Institute (TLI). However, the CEO of the Ministry of Education, Dian Maheia, reported that 80% of teachers had met the licensing requirements, and the remaining cases were under review.
The teacher shortage forced some schools, such as Our Lady of Lourdes RC in Maskall, to adapt by having parents step in as temporary teachers. Principal Herman Ramirez shared his frustration, stating, “It’s challenging when three teachers are missing, and we have to make do with the staff we have. Parents have been helpful, but it’s not a sustainable solution.”
Teachers were also upset over unpaid allowances and increments. In a meeting, teachers voted to demonstrate in early 2025—weeks before the next general election.
Students Sent Home Over Fees, Hair Policies Spark Debate
The education sector saw moments of controversy in 2024. Roughly 30 students at Orange Walk ITVET were sent home for failing to pay school fees, despite Ministry of Education policy forbidding this practice. Education Minister Francis Fonseca clarified that no student should be removed from the classroom due to unpaid fees and urged school administrators to work out payment plans with parents.
Separately, a debate over hairstyle policies erupted after several students at Anglican Cathedral College (ACC) were sent home for their hair length and braids. Minister Fonseca denounced the move, calling it “unlawful” and asserting that students’ constitutional rights must be protected. This issue reignited national conversations on cultural expression, school rules, and children’s rights.
Youth Engagement and Empowerment
Belize’s youth were empowered through creative platforms like the newly opened podcast studio in Port Loyola. Spearheaded by youth ambassadors in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy and the Love Foundation, the studio offers a space where young people can create podcasts on issues affecting them, such as mental health, gender equality, and community development.
One of the ambassadors, Devannie Apolonio, shared how she channelled her grief after losing her sister into the project. “This space is about having real conversations with youth and providing them with a place to be heard,” said Apolonio. The studio’s opening marked a significant step toward youth empowerment, providing young people with the tools to shape social narratives.
Child Stimulation Month 2024: Inspiring the Next Generation
March saw Belize’s youngest learners participate in Child Stimulation Month, a national initiative to promote early childhood education. This is one of the highly anticipated events for tens of thousands of students across the country. Students from across the country dressed as police officers, doctors, firefighters, and other professionals as they paraded through the streets.
The event served as a visual representation of Belize’s commitment to nurturing future leaders. Principal Education Officer Sebastian Cab underscored the importance of this early education initiative, stating, “When children see themselves as doctors and engineers, they begin to believe it.”
The Ministry of Education also launched a new preschool curriculum set to roll out in 2025. Minister of State for Education Dr. Louis Zabaneh said the curriculum would adopt a “learning-through-play” approach, building essential competencies in literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning.
Lincoln Daniel Diaz, who was just nineteen at the time of the July twenty-seventh, 2020, shooting of Ladyville businessman Orin Velasquez, also known as “Bredda O,” has been acquitted of both murder and manslaughter charges. Now twenty-three, Diaz walked free after the High Court’s decision this morning. Justice Candice Nanton delivered the not guilty verdict, explaining her reasoning to the parties involved. After more than four years on remand, Diaz left the courtroom smiling and happy, supported by his family. Throughout the trial, Diaz’s attorney, Lynden Jones, maintained his client’s innocence. Diaz admitted to planning a robbery but denied shooting Velasquez. Despite evidence presented by the prosecution, including a caution statement and an interview with police, the judge found that there was not enough proof beyond a reasonable doubt that Diaz intended to kill Velasquez. Justice Nanton emphasized that while there was a plan to rob, the intent to kill could not be established. She also rejected several statements, including one from a witness who claimed Diaz confessed to the shooting, due to credibility issues. Diaz’s defense was that he and another man, known only as “Coolie,” planned to rob Velasquez. Diaz stayed outside while Coolie went inside, and Diaz heard gunshots but did not participate in the shooting. The court found that the evidence did not prove Diaz’s intent to kill or harm Velasquez, leading to his acquittal. Late this evening, Emilda Velasquez, the wife of the deceased, spoke with News Five by phone.
On the Phone: Emilda Velasquez, Wife of Deceased
“ That was the worst day of my life. And it seems like it’s reliving this day because all that we wanted was justice for my husband. That’s all we wanted. It’s very rough because at the moment I was pregnant and my twins are three now and they grew up without a dad anytime I look for a child with ney pa. They want to know, like, where my daddy at? You know, and many days I tell my son, like, maybe daddy is sleep or he dih work. And that’s what they told people that my daddy to sleep or to work. In reality, we know that he’s not coming back. Because they know that there should be a mom and a dad and their dad is never around. You know, and for the oldest kids, it’s really rough and hard for, from four years ago till now. I mean. The next girl is graduating this year, but my son, he took it really, really hard because he literally witnessed everything and he was just 14 at that time to have somebody relive those when they come and give you a not guilty verdict. Really, really hurt. At the end of the day, you don’t know who you’re going to rob. It doesn’t matter if you pulled the trigger or not. You went there, nothing in and out of shock and concern. Nobody. Because we work hard for everything what we have on right now. I am a single mom and I’m working hard for my 4 children by myself, not a help from no one. And it’s really, really rough and hard, especially to explain to my children. Why their dad is not around.”
Initially charged with murder, Shane Roman Jones saw his charge reduced to manslaughter for the brutal beating of forty-nine-year-old Edwin Usher, who later died from his injuries. Jones, a well-known resident of Conch Shell Bay, is now behind bars awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of manslaughter for the November twenty-third, 2019, incident. Despite being badly beaten and losing consciousness at the scene, Usher managed to walk home but was hospitalized for seven days before succumbing to his injuries on November thirty, 2019. Video footage captured Jones attacking Usher, and although Jones claimed self-defense, the court rejected this due to the excessive force used. Justice Nigel Pilgrim ruled that Jones acted with excessive force, leading to his manslaughter conviction. The confrontation occurred at the corner of Vernon Street and Woods Street, where Jones was seen on video repeatedly hitting Usher, even jumping on his head while he was motionless on the ground. Jones’ defense claimed he was reacting to a threat, but the court found the force used unjustifiable. Justice Pilgrim emphasized that the evidence, including the video footage and post-mortem findings, did not support Jones’ claim of self-defense. The trial, which began in late October 2024, concluded with Justice Pilgrim’s decision, leaving Jones to await his sentencing.
A third suspect has been charged in the horrific double murder of cousins Marvin Cante and Juan Raymundo. Earlier today, twenty-year-old Ronald Frazer was arrested and charged with two counts of murder. He joins Carl Lindo and Christopher Smith as the third suspect in custody, while police are still searching for a fourth person connected to the crime. Cante and Raymundo were last seen in Belmopan on November twenty-seventh. When their families realized they were missing, they began a desperate search. They found the men’s abandoned vehicle near mile twenty-four on the George Price Highway, but there was no sign of the cousins. It wasn’t until last Wednesday that two shallow graves were discovered in the Dollar Bank area of Hattieville, containing the dismembered bodies of both men. Police believe the murders were the result of a drug deal gone wrong.
Glenford Logan finally walked out of prison on Monday after spending an unbelievable twenty-one years in pretrial detention for the murder of security guard Kingsford Obeng. Despite being charged with the fatal attack, Logan never faced trial and was held at the Belize Central Prison. During his time behind bars, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia by a psychiatrist. Earlier this week, Justice Nigel Pilgrim ruled that Logan’s constitutional rights had been violated, making him the longest inmate on remand in Belize’s history. Now back with his mother and family, Logan’s case has ignited conversations about justice and the need for legal reform. News Five caught up with seasoned attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley to get his take on this troubling situation.
On the phone: Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney-at-law
“Every time di Supreme Court di close all persons who are awaiting trial must be brought to the courts so that a judge reviews their situation. A person comes up, the judge already has the list from the prison, they know how long he’s in there, they know what is the situation and the judge would say, “but you were granted bail in the sum of ten thousand dollars, why are you still in prison?” And the person would explain that they can’t get two persons to sign or nobody wants to sign or whatever it is. Every person is entitled by law to have their temporary imprisonment reviewed. The first starting point, which means that there has been a terrible failure of the system that a human being can be in prison for so long without a trial. We are a big failure if one human being is kept in prison. It’s a big failure on the prison authorities, a big failure on the police and the prosecution, on the lawyers and on the courts. A huge, scandalous failure. The family of that person needs to sue for depriving him of all his constitutionally guaranteed rights. He’s not a potlicker, he’s not a dog that you can push off the streets and ih noh mean nothing. Da wahn human being who is in prison.”
Former police corporal Elmer Nah is awaiting trial for the brutal New Year’s Eve 2022 murders of siblings Jon, David, and Vivian Ramnarace in Belmopan. Despite being arrested, charged, and remanded for the killings, Nah maintains his innocence. But what if he’s not the real killer? Could investigators have rushed to judgment based on surveillance footage from that night? Earlier today, defense attorney “Dickie” Bradley discussed the concept of a prosecutor’s fallacy and how it might work in Nah’s favor.
On the phone: Richard “Dickie’ Bradley, Attorney-at-law
“I recently read in one of those legal articles about prosecution fallacy. You may have heard that I was sharing with the citizens of Belize, some who don’t quite take it in the correct light, but there is a strong possibility that the unhappy police officer who is charged for that double, triple murder in Belmopan. The decision to arrest and charge him falls right into this principle of prosecution fallacy. Somebody hollered, “Oh, that da da person. Dat da da police soh and soh and soh…” And that’s it, no further investigation to see the possibility. The family says they have all kinds of videotapes, he was at a function with over a dozen persons. Dehn noh wahn hear that, somebody looked at the video and said, oh dat da Nah , da he dat, dah soh ih walk, da soh ih run. That’s it, and now it is turning out that it is highly likely that they were dead wrong. No pun on the word dead. If he is exonerated in a court of law, I must say that there is nothing else he can do but to sue and not accept small money either, because mein, that is really an egregious error and a failure to give a person the opportunity to say, “We are charging you, we are going to charge you.” And for him to say, which he has been saying from the very outset, “It cannot be me. It can’t be me. I was with persons all night. We have videos. Dehn noh wahn interview nobody, dehn have wahn videotape which it turns out now is likely to show that it is somebody entirely different who was that murderous, evil person that did that crime.”
