The Belize Police Department is working towards acquiring facial recognition software to increase public safety. However, the agreement initially signed to bring the technology into the country is currently on hold. According to Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, there are concerns over the security of private data. Here’s what he had to say.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“That agreement is currently on hold. There is a need for us to see how we can work it out perhaps if it is that they can develop a software, and then we just get back to them. That software without the exchanging of data where we can keep our data in house, then we may be able to go with that. But even the company itself had also called to say that they could not go through because of some issue with the software that they had developed. So they’re looking to see if they can develop one that the countries we cannot just believe, but the many Caribbean countries that had signed on to it. But we have all decided we’re not going through with it because of the issue with the software, but we’re hoping that when a new one comes, that it’ll be one that we can use in house without having to share data to any outside entity. Particularly for the facial recognition, because that would require that we would have to use the database of persons who have been convicted of crime. So we’d rather host that in house as opposed to share it outside.”
Reporter
“And if in the event, the program cannot work unless you share the data, what happens then?”
Chester Williams
“Then we look at other sources because there are other sources out there that do provide the data without, do provide the software without us having to share the data. .”
Belize made a spectacular showing at the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards, held on a beautiful Friday night in Spanish Lookout. The picturesque venue was graced by guests from around the globe, all gathered to celebrate excellence in sustainable travel. Out of the twenty-one winners announced, Belize shone brightly, especially towards the end of the ceremony. In a thrilling moment, Belize was crowned the World’s Leading Sustainable Tourism Destination, one of four prestigious awards bestowed upon Belizean sustainable tourism initiatives. News Five’s Paul Lopez was on the scene to capture the excitement. Here’s his report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Friday night, the Oakridge venue in Spanish Lookout came alive with a celebration worthy of international recognition, as Belize hosted the inaugural World Sustainable Travel and Hospitality Awards. Cultural performances enthralled invited guests, while there was more than enough cultural cuisine to go around.
Justin Cooke
Justin Cooke, Executive Vice President, WSTHA
“It all began in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler and he started to tell me about an incredible sustainable financial initiative that Belize was pioneering called the Blue Bond. I suppose it kinda sparked the idea about how do we share these stories. There is all of this good stuff going on in the world.”
That’s Justine Cooke, the Executive Vice President of the international award which highlights’ the tourism industry’s top sustainable initiatives. The award ceremony places the efforts of global leader in net positive tourism on the world stage.
Nicole Solano
Nicole Solano, C.E.O, Ministry of Tourism
“It really has been a wonderful night, recognizing not only those within Belize who were leaders in sustainability, but from around the world and I think that really is the thing that makes tonight so special, that we are able to see where we fit in the global landscape.”
A global landscape indeed, as Green Initiative, known for its restoration projects in Costa Rica, Peru and Brazil received the World’s Leading Sustainable Organization Award. Andy De Silva, the C.E.O of Hotel Emporium, was recognized as the World’s Leading Sustainable Leader of Tomorrow. And, this is just to name a couple of the awardees, as twenty-one winners in total were announced.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
“I think it is wonderful for them to get this first award ceremony to take place in Belize. It is very important, but it showcases and really brings out what Belize has been doing for many years. Now finally we are coming to that time of fruition where Belize is being looked upon really on the larger scale out in the international community.”
And, throughout the course of the night there wasn’t a shortage of awards for Belize-based sustainable tourism initiatives. The first award of the night, the Leading Sustainable Cultural Heritage Project Award, went to Che’il Mayan Chocolate, headed by Julio and Eliadora Saqui in southern Belize.
Julio Saqui
Julio Saqui, Co-Owner, Che’il Mayan Chocolate
“The feeling is great. It is an absolutely great feeling. This is our first international award, but at the same time I feel great that the kind of work we are doing is finally paying off. We try to incorporate our work with culture and sell culture through and selling chocolate through culture.”
Turneffe Atoll Sustainable Association, TASA, was recognized as the World’s Leading Sustainable Marine Conservation Initiative.
Valdemar Andrade
Valdemar Andrade, Executive Director, TASA
“We take a lot of gratitude and pride. We are humbled by this award, because it is a world award. And we competed with, as you saw, thousands of participants around the world. So, we are appreciative of this, and we continue to do the world.”
For its community engagement, the Belize Tourism Industry Association received the Leading Sustainable Community Engagement Program.
Linette Canto
Linette Canto, Executive Director, BTIA
“So, through our festivals, our advocacy work, our training, we have really made an impact on the Belizean community and tourism industry. So, we are very happy and excited to receive this award tonight.”
The final award of the night, the World’s Leading Sustainable Destination Award, went to Belize. Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler says the award is a testament to the fact that Belize is a sustainable destination at core.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“That shows that the policies, the belief we have as a people have been working. So, we need to do a lot more protection of our natural environment and cultural assets that we have. This just to showcase to the world that we are a sustainable destination at core.”
Seventy-four years ago, the first political party in British Honduras emerged, challenging colonial leaders on pressing issues of the time. That pioneering organization, the People’s United Party (P.U.P.), celebrated its seventy-fourth anniversary on Saturday in Belize City, under the leadership of Prime Minister John Briceño. As the world has evolved from 1950 to today, so has the P.U.P. However, Briceño emphasized that the party has steadfastly upheld its core values of fighting for social justice, equality, and improving the quality of life for all Belizeans. News Five’s Marion Ali brings us this report.
John Briceño
John Briceño, Leader, People’s United Party
“PUP, PUP, PUP. Que Viva el Partido Unido del Pueblo. God Bless you, thank you so much.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
With its delegates in attendance in Belize City on Saturday, the country’s oldest political party, the People’s United Party, celebrated its seventy-fourth anniversary. Complete with a birthday cake made with the party’s traditional blue and white, the National Party Council passed three resolutions during their meeting. One was in support of the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation address, and of the initiatives and policies outlined in the address. The second was in support of Belize’s celebration of thirty-five years of diplomatic relations with Taiwan and to further the bilateral relations. The third resolution was the endorsement of the party’s thirty-one standard bearers who will contest the next general elections. Unwavering and outstanding P.U.P. delegates with long membership and hailing from various constituencies were also recognized during the event. Deputy Party Leader, Cordel Hyde paid tribute to the awardees, recognizing that the party’s success is because of the service of people like them.
Cordel Hyde
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Party Leader, People’s United Party
“We would not be here without the people dehn weh work hard fi we. We are nothing without our committees, without our campaigners, without our street captains, without the people weh sacrifice dehn families fi walk the streets night and day fi we, soh we have to reward dehn. We have to acknowledge unu. We have to give unu weh unu deserve.”
Hyde spoke of the P.U.P.’s success in turning around the country’s finances since taking office in November 2020, when COVID had buckled the economy and left over sixty thousand people jobless, and the previous government had to borrow a million dollars a day to pay public officers’ salaries. He gave credit to his party leader, Prime Minister John Briceno, for turning thing’s around.
Cordel Hyde
“The IMF came and insisted to the Prime Minister, you have to fire three thousand teachers and public officers and you have to raise GST to nineteen percent. Yoh understand weh ah di tell unu? These were the absolute worst of times. We worked really hard and we did some incredible things because we have a prime minister who is a man to be reckoned with. We have a prime minister who history will record as one of the great ones because. He did not buckle. The man smiled at the first Cabinet Meeting when the Financial Secretary come tell wi that the world di end. He opened up the country in the middle of COVID, opened up the borders when all the experts were saying “You can’t do that.” He renegotiated the Super Bond and put that behind us forever and gave us the Blue Bond. He renegotiated the Petrocaribe Loan, and he raised the minimum wage to five dollars when the experts all around were saying “You can’t do that.”
In his speech, Briceño reminded the audience that the party was founded by giants who left their successors with a philosophy and the purpose of its formation in the first place.
John Briceño, Party Leader, People’s United Party
“We stand on the shoulders of those who left us with a philosophy or a P.U.P. creed that says we must work to build a Belizean society that is rooted in social justice, equality and defend the principle that this P.U.P. belongs to all of us. (applause) Now seventy-four years is not just a measure of time, my friends. It is the formation of the DNA of our party. It is seven decades of struggle, progress, and triumph over our enemies. Seventy-four years ago, a small group of visionaries came together, united by a common cause to chart a better way for the masses of Belizeans.”
At the end of the event, John Briceño, flanked by the thirty-one P.U.P. standard bearers and to the tune of the Happy Birthday song, cut the cake. And thereafter, he told the media that once the P.U.P. does not drift away from its core values and remains united, it should be around for many more years.
John Briceño, Leader, People’s United Party
“Despite [the fact] that we may have our differences, we always remember what the P.U.P. is all about, which is to serve the people, and I’ve been telling people over and over, once we keep that in mind, that’s what drives us to serve the people. I have every confidence that we’ll be able to keep it together and to be able to continue to get the support of the Belizean people.”
Former Belmopan Mayor Sharon Palacio has been identified as a beneficiary of lands in the Innovabel Estate, acquired at significantly reduced prices. During the final days of Palacio’s tenure, numerous parcels within the estate were sold at a staggering ninety-percent discount. In some instances, the discounts soared to an eye-popping ninety-five percent. A leaked document from the council has brought to light the findings of the current administration, detailing the individuals who purchased these parcels and the amounts they paid. This ongoing investigation, spearheaded by Mayor Pablo Cawich and his team, aims to uncover the full extent of these transactions. News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us the latest on this developing story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
As the Belmopan City Council delves deeper into the controversial Innovabel Estate land transactions overseen by former Mayor Sharon Palacio, a cascade of alarming revelations is emerging. News Five has verified the authenticity of a detailed list that discloses the land costs, authorized prices, and actual amounts paid for forty-three parcels in Innovabel Estate. According to the leaked document, eight parcels went to the former city administrator and his son. The document uncovers a startling discrepancy: although the eight parcels were collectively valued at one hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars, a mere two thousand dollars was actually paid. The list also implicates former Mayor Sharon Palacio, who is noted to have received two parcels in Innovabel Estate. However, the document remains silent on whether she paid anything for these parcels. Adding to the intrigue, Palacio’s children, grandchildren, and brother are also mentioned, each having paid just two thousand dollars for lands appraised at over nineteen thousand dollars. In one instance, Belize All Phase Limited, a company that is reportedly connected to Palacio’s son, received eight parcels of land at five hundred dollars per parcel, a grossly discounted price. The list also includes names such as Stella Kalu, Celina Danladi, Tabe Beson, Juan Caal, Kahlil Enriquez and the council’s former finance director, Melvyn Edenojie. Danladi is the only person named that paid ten thousand dollars. The document also shows that former City Councilor Hope Amadi received six parcels of land, four under Rosyco Integrated Service and two under Amadi Hope. He allegedly paid thirty-five hundred dollars in total for all six parcels. The leaked document reveals a staggering valuation of seven hundred and fifty-eight thousand dollars for the forty-three parcels. Yet, the council’s coffers reflect a mere one hundred thousand dollars from these transactions. Highlighting this discrepancy, current Mayor Pablo Cawich pointed out in a September twentieth press conference that titles have already been distributed for most, if not all, of these parcels. These titles are absolute, and the titleholders are not obligated to make any further payments. He has, however, requested that they visit the council and decide on how to pay the balance out of good conscience.
Pablo Cawich
Pablo Cawich, Mayor, Belmopan
“I can’t say with any surety that everyone has received their tittles. What we do know is that many of them have received titles. Some of them, as I mentioned, the receipts for the councils will show that some of them paid after receiving the titles as well. The stance we have taken with every single recipient is that we are not trying to take away any opportunity. If it is that you have received eight titles, all we are asking you to do is to create a payment plan to ensure you are paying the full value of the land where we would try to rely on is your ethics and morals knowing that a piece of land in Belmopan is not worth two thousand dollars.”
Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. Belize continues to shine regionally in volleyball. The country’s Under-Seventeen National Women’s Volleyball Team put on a medal winning display in the Inaugural Under-Seventeen Women’s Central American Volleyball Championship.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The tournament was held from the twenty-fourth to the twenty-eight of September in Managua, Nicaragua. Team Belize is returning home with a hard-earned bronze medal. The bronze medal match was against El Salvador on Saturday night. Team Belize defeated El Salvador in three sets. They held them to eight points in the second set. Over the course of the tournament team Belize also defeated Guatemala and Honduras. They lost to Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the top two teams in the tournament. Their medal winning run did not stop at the bronze medal. The Under-Seventeen National Women’s Volleyball Team also swept up six of the twelve total individual awards. Akili Jones received Best Server, Best Scorer and second-Best Attacker. Dasialynn Thurton received Best Libero and Best Defender. Emaun Marin received the Best Attacker Award. We say congratulations to the under-seventeen women’s volleyball team.
And, while most people were still sleeping at five-thirty on Saturday morning, a group of competitive long-distance runners were out in the pouring rain for the Belize City Council’s half marathon. This is the run’s fourth year, and it sees the participation of half marathon, 10 K and 5 k runners. A total of twenty-one runners competed in the half marathon category, five women and sixteen men. They stood at the starting line as the rain began pouring. Five minutes later, they were still standing there as the rain grew increasingly stronger. At the peak of the downpour, the horn went off and the runners got on their way. The 10 K run got going under less taxing conditions. A total of twenty-three runners competed in this category. That included twelve men and eleven women.
In the 5K category, twenty-three runners competed, nine women and fourteen men. Twenty minutes and thirty-nine seconds later Eyon Anderson crossed the finish line as the 5k champions. He was followed closely by Shanir Thompson in second place with twenty-one minutes and eight seconds. Jonathon Chiquin finished the 5K run in third place with twenty-one, fourteen. Here comes Christopher Broaster with a strong first place finish in the 10 K run. He finished in forty-three minutes and fifty seconds. Kliuvert Cal finished the10K in second place with a close forty-four minute and seven seconds. Right behind him, Kenroy Westby came sprinting and crossed the finish line two seconds after. Broaster laid out on the pavement in agony after the race, a testament to the toll a 10 K run takes on the body. One hour and twelve minutes after the start of the half marathon race, Leon O’Brien turned the curve into Marion Jone Sporting Complex solo and in first place.
Just over four minutes later, Francisco Lima Caal finished the half marathon in second place. Defending Champion, Albert Davis finished in third place, three minutes slower than his 2023 performance. Special mention goes out to Jesus Contreras, who secured fourth place in the half marathon. Even though he did not make it into the top three, he won the hearts of everyone at the event after he got down on one knew during the award ceremony and proposed to his now fiancé. What an incredible moment to witness.
Now, let’s get into some basketball action. The Inter-office basketball league has officially concluded its regular season and is now moving into the 2024 playoffs. The Belize Coast Guard and the BACC Airport teams are advancing into the playoffs as the Division A number one and number two seeds respectively. Tuff E Nuff and BCC are advancing into the playoffs as the Division B number one and number two seeds respectively. IBL ended its regular season with an All-Star night on Friday inside the Belize City Civic Center. The Nando’s Slam Dunk Champion went to Lindsay Young of Transparent BPO. Douglas Valley from Tuff E Nuff was declared the 2024 Cellular World Three-Point Champion. Xylon Belgrove won the 2024 Recinos Imports Skills Challenge. From the all-star match, Keon Rowland was declared the All-Star MVP. The IBL play-in round begins on Thursday night with two matches.
And finally, for tonight, one of our faithful viewers sent us a very old newspaper clipping of what could very well be Belize’s first individual gold medalist. It says it right there in the headline. This is an image of five Belizean athletes from 1965 who went to compete in the 1965 Central American Weightlifting Tournament. Depicted in the image are Lincoln McKesey who won a gold medal in the middleweight category, Frank Hoare who won a gold medal in the heavyweight category, Cameron Pollard who won a silver medal in the welterweight category and Anthony Samuels who won a bronze medal in the bantamweight category. The fifth individual is Robert Mitchell, their manager. That’s a little piece of history for you. Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
A five-page letter addressed to Prime Minister John Briceño shares concerns about the government’s plans for Stake Bank Enterprises. The letter was sent by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) and says that the acquisition is ‘in no way for public purpose.’ The NTUCB criticised the government, saying that it prioritised international investors over Belizean interests and urged resolution through the courts.
The NTUCB suggested that if the government proceeds with the project, it should use the Land Acquisition (Promoters) Act (LAPA), which they believe is more appropriate than the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Act. They noted that LAPA “provides for the acquisition of private land by a promoter or developer after an inquiry which shows… the purpose for which the land is required… is likely to prove useful to the public.”
PM Briceño responded to the NTUCB, saying that the project’s public interest and economic necessity, particularly in revitalising cruise tourism. Briceño stated that the completion of the Stake Bank Project represents nearly 4% of GDP, therefore initiating the compulsory acquisition process while ensuring taxpayer protection through a comprehensive indemnity.
In response, the Feinstein Group labelled Briceño’s statements as “gross inaccuracies and misinformation.” At the People’s United Party 74th Anniversary, Briceño said, “I’m not surprised by the response of the Feinstein Group, but I’m not going to go back and forth to them. We have responded to the NTUCB. We firmly believe that what we’re doing is in the best interest of this country.”
Regarding LAPA, the Briceño remarked, “The two parties have to agree, and right now, there’s no agreement,” calling the promoter’s demands “unreasonable.” He stated that compulsory acquisition is the only viable option, which may involve negotiations and court intervention.
Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca addressed the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City on Saturday. Minister Fonseca touched on several global issues, including the Israel-Hamas war.
“In our region. Mr. President Belize rejects the continued denial of self-determination of the Palestinian people and calls for the eradication of the system of colonial domination and apartheid being imposed upon them, as Belize stated to the International Court of Justice.”
Minister Fonseca added, “In the recent advisory opinion, Israel cannot be permitted to continue flouting one of the most fundamental principles of international law with impunity.”
He said, “Impunity breeds inhumanity. Just two weeks ago, this assembly approved a resolution. proposed by Palestine affirming the ICJ’s advisory opinion and called on members to act to reinforce the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. The war, the oppression, and the inhumanity must end.”
In November 2023, Belize severed diplomatic ties with Israel. Belize also withdrew its approval for Einat Kranz-Neiger to serve as Israel’s Ambassador to Belize. All operations of the Israeli Honorary Consulate in Belize and the appointment of its Honorary Consul were suspended. Belize also suspended its Honorary Consulate in Tel Aviv.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) commemorated its 51st anniversary with a celebration, marking over five decades of resilience, service, and growth. The event brought together party supporters to reflect on the UDP’s legacy and its contributions to Belize’s development.
The party’s leader, Moses Barrow, said, “The UDP has won the most General Elections in post Independence and we have done the most to develop Belize!…Belize has always been better served by UDP Governments.”
In a press release, the UDP paid tribute to the party’s founding leaders, including Philip Goldson of the National Independence Party (NIP), Dean Lindo of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), Sir Manuel Esquivel of the Liberal Party, and former Prime Minister Dean Barrow of the UDP.
“We have within us the power to form the next Government of Belize once we stay focused and engaged with the people we want to serve! We shall continue to work hand in hand to strengthen and protect the Institution of the UDP so that the Party can elect many more Governments to develop Belize.”
The Office of the Prime Minister announces that Prime Minister John Briceño has departed for Mexico City to attend the historic presidential inauguration of President-Elect Dra. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, Mexico’s first female elected president.
In a statement, Prime Minister Briceño said, “It’s a history making presidential inauguration for Mexico. Our delegation is visiting our northen neighbor to mark the official installation of the first female elected President of Mexico H. E. Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum. I was received at the presidential hangar by the new Secretary of Infrastructure, Communication and Transportation Jesus Antonio Medina.”
The Prime Minister is expected to return on October 3, 2024. During his absence, Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining, will serve as Acting Prime Minister.
On Saturday, September 28, officers responded to a robbery report at Berry Street, Belize City. Rene Myvette and his assistant were approached by two armed men on bicycles. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Hilberto Romero stated that the assailants stole an cash and cell phones. There is no surveillance footage available. Police are looking for two suspects.
In a separate case, police are looking into a reported rape that occurred on Sunday, September 29, 2024. According to ACP Romero, the assault took place in Rancho Dolores Village in the Belize district. A woman reported that a suspect entered her bedroom and raped her. Authorities have one suspect in custody as the investigation continues.
