2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Latin Combo Promises Treat from Yore at B.I.M.F.F. 2024

While its members have been individually playing music for decades, the Latin combo that will play your favourite musical Latin hits in San Pedro this weekend have only been playing together for a few days. They will be the main feature for Belize on Latino Night at the 2024 Belize International Music and Food Festival. The two-day show festival will take place at the Saca Chispas Field, and to ensure that their sound is on point, the group has been rehearsing at the Artist Development Centre on King Street in Belize City. Today, the media showed up for day two to listen in and to talk with the band members and those who put it together. News Five’s Marion Ali serves you this week’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday in this report on the Latin Combo.

Marion Ali, Reporting

The Belize International Music and Food Festival is an international show that aims to help sell the Belize tourism product internationally, and on occasions like these, it gives people like our musicians another chance to shine on that level among invited international artists in the hopes of making it big at some other international stage. Sunday, the Latin Combo takes the stage.

Josue Carballo, Director, Industry Development, B.T.B

“Sunday, we’re starting off early from 3 to 12, and we’ll be having Punta Rock Legends and the Latin Explosion Combo both on that night. They will actually be entertaining us and we hope know that is all our hope that these combos and then eventually use the Music fest as a platform to then showcase to the world and who knows they’ll be invited in other places as a time goes by.”

The B.T.B.’s Director of Industry Development, Josue Carballo, says the band will be the prelude to the main event on Sunday night. These are the three vocalists who plan to wow you with their singing talents. What they and their band members describe as work was today literally music to our ears.

Philbert Leslie, Vocalist

“We work hard to blend and get the music going together, but yeah, it’s going well.”

Bernadette Gilharry, Vocalist

“I just feel excited and I’m proud of being part of the group.”

Roman Canul, Vocalist

“I started from when I was much younger and right now we’re taking it back into the music again.”

For more mature folks, these tunes are gems, but they are also tunes that most youths are not familiar with because they have been shelved and replaced with modern genres.

Philbert Leslie

“Bringing back music first that has played so many years when they placed it on the table, it was like, a lot of youths haven’t heard it ever. And I think it would be wonderful to let them know the music that was played before and enjoy what the elderly people used to play. They can look out for one of my singles in Mi Barrio. They can look for Miss Bernadette, one of her singles as well.”

Marion Ali

“Which is?”

Bernadette Gilharry

“Vete, vete.”

Philbert Leslie

“And the music from the Professionals that was given to us to rehearse and show the public and the world the kind of music we’re portraying and showing now.”

The whole show will come together through the efforts of people like Al Obando, a seasoned musician who has attended music festivals the world over. We asked him how they get their individual sounds to blend into that one harmonic tune that fans love.

Al Obando, Organizer, Belize Music Project

“This group is made up of members of five different groups. One love band, Mr. Watson group. Lucio and his original generation. And who else? Gilharry, Miss Bernadette, and Mr. Evan, one of the elders from the Gilharry 7 band. He’s been there from 1973, 74, one of them. Each combo has a leader. The leader of the Punta Rock Legends group is Chico Ramos. Carlos, Carlitos, I call him, is the curator for this group. You have Denmark Flores with the Paranda Soul group. And you have James, it’s a James Sanker for the Bruk Dong Roots Combo.”

The songs were carefully selected based on their popularity back in the day, and Al Obando says they hope to take you back to memory lane if you were around then, or delight your soul, if you weren’t here when these songs made the music charts.

Al Obando

“Many of us, all of us actually are happy to be playing these songs. We have never been played before. Like I asked the question, right? How come bands never play these songs from the professional harmonies? What happened? And so when you actually start playing it, we see all the challenges and then we say, man, those guys must have been like sick musicians that where they come from, because even for us to play it and the love back there, he have so many hours playing the saxophone, but you give him a challenge and then everything turned to reality, right, like it’s a serious stuff.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Marion Ali.

Latin music embraced at KTV the Remix

KTV The Remix Season Six is back tonight at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts in Belize City. So far, six people have been eliminated and the competition is intensifying. The wheel was spun revealing Latin music as the theme for tonight’s episode. Producer Viannie Reyes says that tonight’s episode will feature some of the greatest Latin hits including those from the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena.

Azain Heredia

“Alright can you run me through what’s going to happen tonight and what’s to be expected?”

Viannie Reyes, KTV Producer

“So tonight is night four of KTV the remix, we sent six people home so far. Last week we had Gospel as the genre, and we had our other guest judge which was, Father Jeremy, he did a phenomenal job. We spun the wheel and we are now at another night of eliminating two people to go home. Tonight, we’re expecting a lot of Latin music. That was the genre that it landed on last week when we spun the wheel, so we’re excited to see a combination of different types of music. So far, we been receiving, I’ll just give you like a small hint, I think Selena is one artist that a lot people do love and enjoy to hear her music, so that’s pretty much one artist we are going to hear a lot from, so we’re excited to see what the others are going to bring to the stage tonight. It’s taking place at the Bliss, it’s going to be a 8:00, but we do ask everybody to purchase their tickets long in advanced, and you can purchase your tickets here at channel 5 on Coney Drive, or you can also purchase it at 88 shopping center, it is available to purchase it there at the Bliss as of 6:00pm, but we do ask everyone to come early due to parking and better seating as well.”

Belize Launches First Field Epidemiology Training Programme for Frontline Workers

The inaugural Field Epidemiology Training Programme, Frontline-One Health, began on Monday at San Ignacio Community Hospital. The programme, which includes eleven frontline workers from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), the Forest Department, and the Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic, aims to enhance collaboration across sectors in epidemiological surveillance.

This 12-week course emphasises practical, action-oriented learning, with 20% classroom instruction and 80% field activities. The programme includes three levels of training: frontline, intermediate, and advanced (MSc). Belize’s commitment to field epidemiology training dates back to 2010, with over 100 students already graduating from the program. Eight have completed the advanced MSc level.

Chief Justice Louise Esther Blenman Addresses Legal Conference on Criminal Justice Reform

Chief Justice Louise Esther Blenman delivered a keynote speech at the inaugural Legal Conference on Criminal Justice Reform. Her address, titled “Advancing the Needham’s Point Declaration: Breaking through the Barriers,” centred on advancing the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). In a press release issued on July 10, the Senior Courts of Belize highlighted that the ongoing conference has engaged in comprehensive discussions and presentations concerning criminal justice reform, “focusing on enhancing the rule of law and ensuring justice is served promptly and fairly.”

Hosted in Georgetown, Guyana, the two-day conference convened over 300 attendees from across the Caribbean, including distinguished figures such as the President of Guyana, His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and various judicial heads and legal professionals. The conference focused on advancing collaboration and exchanging best practices among Caribbean legal experts, aligning with the goals of the Needham’s Point Declaration.

The Chief Justice’s keynote address spotlighted Belize’s transformative efforts in criminal justice reform, influenced by the CCJ. Initiatives such as the establishment of the Criminal Justice Board and Sentencing Guidelines Committees were highlighted as pivotal in alleviating case backlogs and enhancing efficiency within Belize’s judicial system.

Belize’s Maya Golden Landscape to Benefit from FAO Biodiversity Initiative

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with the support of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the Belizean government, launched a four-year project aimed at preserving biodiversity in the Maya Golden Landscape (MGL) of Toledo, Belize. Unveiled at Kiki Witz Resort in Belmopan, the initiative, “Mainstreaming Biodiversity in Belize’s Maya Golden Landscape,” is a joint effort between FAO and Ya’axché Conservation Trust.

The project targets farmers and organised groups from ten stakeholder communities within both protected and communal areas across the MGL. Ya’axché Conservation Trust, a leader in community-based conservation since 1998, will play a vital role in the project’s success. Key elements include developing culturally sensitive action plans for protected areas, enhancing community resource management, and providing gender-responsive training in sustainable agriculture.

CEO of Belize’s Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, Dr. Kenrick Williams, highlighted the project’s pivotal role in advancing sustainable development and biodiversity conservation. The initiative will be guided by a Project Steering Committee (PSC) and a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), with an 18-month work plan outlining the project’s implementation and future collaboration.

43-Year-Old Vincete Cerraras Convicted of Raping 14-Year-Old Girl

High Court Justice Candace Nanton found 43-year-old Vincente Cerraras guilty of two counts of rape. Cerraras raped a 14-year-old girl twice; on June 27, 2019 and on August 26, 2019.

The verdict was handed down on Monday.

Cerraras is expected to be sentenced on September 11. He is facing a minimum sentence of 12 years for each count.

Cerraras denied the allegations. However, DNA evidence presented by the prosecution implicated him in the crimes. Cerraras was represented by attorney Ronell Gonzalez, while Romey Wade represented the prosecution.

“Space? What are we going to do in space?”

Belize is set to ratify the Convention of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE), following a resolution passed by the Senate.

Belize signed the Convention on May 7, 2024, in Mexico City.

During today’s Sitting of the Senate, Lead Senator for the Opposition, Michael Peyrefitte questioned, “Space? What are we going to do in space?”

He continued, “This government, Madam President, can’t even finish one road on the Coastal Highway and we sign a treaty to go to space and coordinate with satellite?”

He questioned the government’s capability to handle such an advanced and costly initiative, given existing domestic challenges. Senator Peyrefitte also stressed the high costs associated with space technology, stating, “Space technology is like the most expensive technology you can get engaged in, right ahead of oil exploration technology. I would like to hear from the Minister of State, Senator Coye, exactly how much this will cost us. Because nothing you hear about space is cheap; space is expensive.”

Senator Peyrefitte further questioned the financial obligations detailed in the agreement. He emphasised the need for transparency regarding the costs that Belize would incur annually.

In response, Senator for Government Business, Eamon Courtenay, stressed the benefits and minimal costs associated with joining ALCE. “The purpose of this existing organisation is to use space and satellite technology to harness information to enable people to plan, to avoid disasters, to prepare for disasters, to collect information on soil on topography, to understand the forests that we have, and to increase our ability to have higher yields in agriculture, in order to protect our forests.”

Senator Courtenay reassured that there is no immediate cost to Belize: “There is absolutely no harm in us joining ALCE. Benefits will be down to Belize and Belizeans. There is, at this time, no cost to Belize. If cost is going to be incurred, it will be minimal.”

The Convention aims to establish an international organisation to coordinate cooperation in space technology, research, exploration, and related applications. This initiative is intended to contribute to and strengthen the comprehensive and sustainable development of a regional space programme that will benefit the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The ALCE will enhance the region’s capabilities in various fields, including Earth observation systems for agriculture, natural disaster management (such as droughts, floods, fires, and hurricanes), security and surveillance, oceanography, meteorology, exploration of natural resources, and urban intelligence and cartography.

COVID-19 Cases on the Rise

The Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed to News Five today that the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise in the country. Over the past four weeks, the ministry has observed a steady increase in infections, with the Belize District being the most affected area. Doctor Russell Manzanero, Director of the Epidemiology Unit, spoke with News Five via zoom today. Briteny Gordon has the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The number of COVID cases in the country is on the rise.

Dr. Russell Manzanero, Director of Epidemiology Unit, MOHW

“We’re seeing just an increase of cases everywhere. It’s global. So those cases are being seen again on the rise. As a matter of fact, COVID never left us. COVID has been here, and I believe it will be here to stay. It’s just that we are having these numbers, and of course, those that are testing are, is not, let’s say, adequate enough, because people are still not testing enough. We’re not doing that testing, so it’s severely underreported at this time.”

Which means that the number might be higher than it is on paper. Director of the Epidemiology Unit in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Russell Manzanero, told News Five that for the past four weeks, the ministry has been recording a slight increase in cases. He says that the Belize District is recording the highest number of COVID cases.

Dr. Russell Manzanero

“We do have, of course, based on population size. We’re talking about Belize district. We have a lot of mobility in the Belize district and by Belize district, I’m referring even to the keys. So a lot of interaction, a lot of movement there. So when we’re talking about these movement of individuals, all of that the tourism sector is, it’s booming. So we do have a lot of interaction with a lot of people. I’m not seeing the tourists per se, but I’m just seeing that there’s a lot of involvement interaction between individuals. Whenever that happens, you’re going to see an increase of cases of respiratory illnesses. And by that I also mean COVID.”

According to Dr. Manzanero, there has not been a severe COVID case or a COVID-related death recently. Cases have been moderate, with most being among the vulnerable population.

Dr. Russell Manzanero

“We have had a few admissions for COVID. Still, there are moderate cases, which means that they’re on high flow oxygen. No, nobody ventilated, nobody like that. And the people we’re seeing basically, again, is in our high risk groups. Over the past days, perhaps we’re seeing an increased cases in the elderly population. So we still have to take care of our elderly population. When you go visit your grandparents or your mother, your father, you still have to take those things into consideration. So if you have only flu or anything like that, make sure you use a mask. If you know they’re ill. But that doesn’t mean if you are if your mom or grandmother is a diabetic or have cancer or anything like that you take your measures and you protect them too, so you have to wear the mask as well. What we have seen in the past I believe for a month now. So for the couple, four weeks now, we’ve been seeing like a slight increase in cases, not significantly to say, okay, we have one outbreak or so it’s more. so these cases are starting to pop up once more. Similarly, we’re seeing other cases of flu viruses. So even though we have COVID, we also have influenza, we have RSV. So all of those other viruses are also circulating. Should the public be concerned? Measures won’t be the same. The vaccinations happen. It’s still there. You can still get vaccinated for both of them. But generally, this time, the concern is, of course, still with at risk groups. We have our elderly patients, we have our pregnant mothers, we have our children, our, all those same ones that we’ve been seeing, that we are seeing.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

After 21 Years in U.S. Prison, Belizean George Herbert is Returned Home

On Saturday, George Herbert, who was rounded up and sent to the U.S. to stand trial twenty-one years ago, was deported to Belize. Accused of being a former gang leader, Herbert was convicted by a U.S. federal court of several drug trafficking-related offences. Herbert was kidnapped by Belizean police officers and handed over to the U.S. Government to stand trial. He was accused of collaborating with Mexican and Colombian drug cartels and was convicted in December 2004 for importing several tonnes of cocaine into the U.S. between March 2001 and August 2002. Herbert was incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution Victorville in Adelanto, California. U.S. law enforcement presented evidence showing that Herbert shipped cocaine from offshore Belize to Calderitas, Mexico, on three occasions, knowing the drugs would be transported to the U.S. The evidence also revealed that Herbert collaborated with the Mexican Juarez Cartel, with the assistance of armed members of the “George Street Crew” street gang, to facilitate the drug smuggling operations. The cocaine was transported in speedboats supplied by Mauricio Ruda-Alvarez. Ironically, Ruda-Alvarez was found murdered in the trunk of a car in Medellín in October 2002, just two months after ordering the kidnapping of Herbert over a stolen cocaine shipment. While Herbert was serving time in a U.S. jail, a Belize court ruled in his favour regarding his extradition process. His family filed a lawsuit against the government, claiming a violation of Herbert’s constitutional rights due to a lack of due process. On the day he was handed over to U.S. law enforcement, Herbert was detained by Belize police officers. The court awarded fifty thousand dollars in damages to his beneficiaries and ten thousand dollars in court costs. Since returning to Belize, Herbert has been processed at the Queen Street Police Station by the G I-Three Unit and is required to sign in as part of the deportee monitoring programme.