2024 - Channel 5 Belize

U.D.P. Criticizes New Minister of State Appointments

U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte also took shots at the Prime Minister for appointing additional ministers of state. As we reported, three elected area representatives were elevated to ministers of state. Peyrefitte questioned the purpose behind that decision and the role that newly appointed ministers of state will fill. Here is how he puts it:

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“I guess the prime minister must find employment for those he believes delivered in the March sixth elections, or at least to give them an inner track to maintain that majority of sixteen in the next general elections. So, he wants to keep everybody happy at any cost. But we must remember ministers of state are not full ministers. They don’t sign any statutory instruments. They don’t play any role other than being in between the CEO and the minister. The minister is the minister, John Briceno said that himself when referring to Chris Coye. I can’t see what the purpose of some of them was other than a bump in salary and privileges. Again, this government does strange things. We have a non-minister of state who is more powerful than certain ministers with Cabinet privileges. So, they create whatever they want to create. They come up with all sorts of things and so it would be interesting to know what these new ministers will do that the CEOs and the ministers were not doing before.”

U.D.P. Motion to Expel John Saldivar and Danny Grijalva Withdrawn

A motion voted on by the U.D.P.’s Central Executive to remove John Saldivar and Danny Grijalva as standard bearers for their respective constituencies has been withdrawn. The motion was tabled after Saldivar, Grijalva, and other U.D.P. officials, including Patrick Faber, boycotted the party’s national party council meeting. This did not sit well with certain members of the party. But cooler heads prevailed, and the U.D.P. is once again singing kumbaya—well, for now—as they work to establish a strong presence in the 2025 general election. Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte told us more.

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“Cooler heads prevailed to the chagrin of the media. You don’t like to see the UDP at peace and moving forward. It is an internal matter. We are a democratic party you know. But we are also united in the cause to proper representation of the people. People have their opinions in the UDP. The opinions are strong and from time to time we make those opinions known and our opinions count. This is not like the PUP where a person like Allan Pollard, even though he tops the polls every time he is told he cant run for mayor. That is not the UDP. The UDP is open and democratic. People have their views and sometimes like any other family, it leads to some strong talks and some aggressive situations, but the cooler heads always prevail. That is the story of the UDP since 1973 and so it is not like anything to get excited about. It was an internal matter. It was dealt with internally and we moved forward.”

Belize On Reel

Books About Japan Donated to Leo Bradley Library

The Embassy of Japan in Belize donated an assortment of books to the Leo Bradley Library today. The donation falls under the Read Japan project which aims to provide readers with an accurate picture of Japan. While the project is mainly targeted at young researchers who are interested in Japan, it is also aimed at opinion leaders and intellectuals specializing in areas other than Japanese studies. Chief Librarian Lusiola Castillo says this will add to the library’s collection.

Lusiola Castillo, Chief Librarian

“Our patrons are always seeking new and relevant information to quench their information needs and for self-development. Therefore, we need to be constantly updating and expanding our collection to meet these needs. The Read Japan project, with its wide range of topics in its collection, will be an added collection that will enhance the knowledge acquisition of Belizeans and visitors alike. The books will compliment our international collection and provide interesting read to our patrons on Japan’s history, culture, society, literature, arts, economy, business, international relation, and politics. And as you can see the displays, we have some of the books that we have acquired through the collection to the project for the Leo Bradley library.”

BREAKING: Man Charged for American Woman’s Death

Police have charged forty-one-year-old Maynor Rene Ancona for the death of American national Jennifer Lynn Griffith. Ancona was charged with manslaughter by negligence. Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed to reporters today that Griffith died after being hit conch shell in the head. According to the Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, Ancone reportedly threw the conch shell by mistake during a brawl that took place in San Pedro Town over the weekend.

OJ Simpson Dies at 76

O.J. Simpson, the renowned football player and Hollywood figure who was famously acquitted of charges related to the killings of his former wife and her friend, has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced his death was from prostate cancer.

Simpson achieved immense fame and success in football and entertainment, but his life took a dramatic turn with the tragic events of June 1994, when his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman were killed. Despite being acquitted in a criminal trial, he was later found liable in a civil case and served prison time for unrelated offenses.

His arrest, especially the televised slow-speed chase, marked a stark fall from grace. Simpson’s life story seemed to transcend racial boundaries, from his days as a star athlete to his celebrity status.

The highly publicized trial, often dubbed the “trial of the century,” stirred national debates on race, domestic violence, and celebrity justice.

Despite damning evidence, including blood traces and a glove, Simpson’s defense famously argued, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”

Andre Perez Says He Hit the Road Running Returning to Cabinet

Minister Andre Perez returned this week to the Cabinet for the first time in many months. The Belize Rural South Area Representative was stripped of his Blue Economy portfolio last September amid sexual misconduct allegations made by a female attorney. But Perez, who had vehemently refuted the claim, was returned as the Minister of Blue Economy last week and on Tuesday he attended his first Cabinet meeting. His fellow Cabinet Minister, Francis Fonseca had told News Five last Friday that the Prime Minister reinstated Perez after the Attorney General’s Ministry had offered advice to the PM after looking into the claim. And today, Perez told News Five that he is grateful to his colleagues who supported him.

Via phone: Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy

“First and foremost, I want to thank my minister for his confidence: that he gave me the opportunity to come back in and invited me to serve in Cabinet. And of course the camaraderie and the support that I enjoy of my colleagues is what I value very much now. And they keep on reminding me of the work that I’ve done in the past and how I’ve done it and the stellar performance. It’s not for me to say they’re the ones that show on it for yourself. I’m humbled, I’m very grateful. And as I said, I hit the ground running. This is a full busy week as well. [I’m] Committed, and of course my first cabinet [meeting] yesterday. And again, today is just another day where we’re moving forward to, to reach out to the new different departments that fall under my ministry. So I need to go and visit them and familiarize myself with them.”

Andre Perez Said He Remained in Touch with His Constituents

Some political pundits had opined that Perez’s political career was done following the allegations and his subsequent suspension from Cabinet, but the attorney who claimed Perez has yet come forward to make a police report so that a criminal investigation could proceed. After the Attorney-General’s Ministry reviewed the matter and advised the Prime Minister, Perez was reinstated. But during those months of being away from Belmopan did not mean that the politician was out of sight or stayed indoors. In fact, he said he kept in touch with the people who put him in office, the people of Belize Rural South. And he does not think that time away from Cabinet will impact his performance upon returning.

Via phone: Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy

“I’ve been in Belize Rural South, so these past few months, I’ve used it to strengthen my connection and my relationship with the people of Belize Rural South namely, Caye Caulker and San Pedro. So it has been in some way, that has some very gratifying that you are as an area rep, which you are duly elected as that, to do the work on a daily basis. And that’s what I did. I engaged [people] especially in the evenings, walking from my office to home on a daily basis. It has been gratifying. So yeah, I wasn’t anywhere hiding. I’m here in town and doing the work, and so I’m very grateful and good to be back as well.”

Minister Dolores Weighs in on Minister Perez’s Return to Cabinet

Did a full-fledged investigation into the allegations against Minister Andre Perez take place? Well, Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos-Garcia told News Five today that she is not sure. Balderamos-Garcia sits next to Minister Perez in Cabinet. So, today, when we asked her about his return, she gave us her thoughts from that perspective. She also noted that a full-fledged investigation did not take place because there was no formal police report made.

Paul Lopez

“Are you satisfied with the investigation that took place in terms of your cabinet colleague minister Perez and his return?”

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“You know I am not sure if it was a full-fledged investigation because, and I had told myself I will not speak much on this because it was the prime minister’s decision, but I will say at least this, a full-fledged investigation may have taken place had there been a formal police report or complaint. No such thing has ever happened. And I only take the opportunity further to say that I sit close to Minister Perez in Cabinet and he is a hard working colleague and that is really as much as I will say right now.”

Strengthening Police Response to DV Incidents Is a Priority

Last month, Cabinet approved the Revised National Gender Policy 2024-2030. This updated policy sets out to achieve gender equity, and equality, and eliminate discrimination against women and girls in Belize. A 2021 document outlining the National Gender Policy Framework highlighted several issues within the Belize Police Department’s response to domestic violence. Despite the establishment of a Domestic Violence Unit a decade ago, trained officers often rotate to other units due to a lack of career advancement opportunities. Disparities in operational hours were noted, with the unit in Belize City operating around the clock, while units in other parts of the country only operate during regular business hours. The report also underscored the limited availability of shelters for domestic violence victims. In response, the latest revised version of the policy prioritizes enhancing police response and victim recovery services. Today, we asked Minister of Human Development, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, about these crucial areas.

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“I think the improvement will come with collaboration. The policy assists us in terms of the direction we want to go. And, because we have come a long way in combatting gender-based violence then what we have to do is work much more with partnerships. So, the policy will inform the actions that will be taken and thank you for raising the issue that the Domestic Violence Unit and the Police Department is understaffed. We will certainly be having discussions with the minister and the commissioner of police to see if we could provide more assistance there. I do know there have been many good interventions, even though in March we had some very sad and tragic occurrences. We had two murder suicides, and then we had other things that have happened, other incidents, a high-level officer of the BDF being accused of severe domestic violence. The message we have to send is that there will be zero tolerance and yes we need more facilities of shelters for people seeking help. Sometimes it takes as many as five to six tries for a woman to come out of a domestic violence situation, because she is so invested in the home, the children and the life she has that it is difficult to walk away when somebody is beating you. But we have had some good successes, and the policy will inform the actions going forward.”