2024 - Channel 5 Belize

SJCU Dangriga Branch Increases Membership

Saint John’s Credit Union in Dangriga is boasting spanking new offices. The branch opened its doors to Dangriga residents a little over a decade ago, and now it has moved into its own building. President of the Board of Directors, Alvan Haynes, explained what this means for its members in the Culture Capital.

Alvan Haynes, President, Board of Directors, S.J.C.U.

“We’re now at a membership of over 5, 500 in Dangriga, Stann Creek District. And we purchased a property some years ago and got it renovated, completely redone for, for our self-owned branch office. So this was the inauguration of our very own office that we now own. So we’ve moved from renting to establishing a permanent base in Dangriga town. It means obviously there’s, there’s a removal of rental costs. Ownership obviously also has responsibilities and liabilities. You’ve got to maintain your own building, pay taxes, et cetera. But, it means that we don’t need to undergo that concern that we’ll outgrow the building or we will need to ask for upgrades or extensions on the building because it’s now ours. We’ve planned for growth. We have the ability to, expand the building upwards as, as in the future, if required, we can also now invest in things like, um, our own backup generator to continue operations in cases of extended blackouts without having to require landlord’s permission to put permanent structures, etc. So, the overall feeling is one of comfort out.”

Belize Delegation Holds Talks with Tren Maya Officials in Mexico

A delegation led by Ambassadors of Investment Jaime Briceño and Haisam Diab, alongside Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico Oscar Arnold, convened with representatives from Mexico’s Tren Maya Railway Project.

The meeting took place at the Teya Tren Maya Station in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, on March 25.

The delegation engaged with Carlos Imanol Belausteguigoitia, Mexico’s Director General for Central America and Caribbean, along with officials from Mexico’s Secretary of National Defense (SEDENA). Among them were Brigadier General D.E.M. Germán Redondo Suárez, in charge of Corporate and Commercial Strategy Development for Tren Maya, and Lieutenant Colonel Jair Garcia Pineda, overseeing Social Communication at Tren Maya.

Key discussions revolved around the potential establishment of a station at Belize’s Northern Border with Mexico, facilitating passenger and freight services between Belize and southern Mexico.

This initiative also grants access to Mexico’s Interoceanic Railway, a pivotal route connecting major port cities on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Mexico’s Government has entrusted its military with the construction and management of Tren Maya routes to ensure competitive pricing and project security. Five out of seven routes have been completed, with the Chetumal to Cancún route slated for June-July 2024.

Ecuador’s youngest mayor shot dead

The youngest mayor of Ecuador, 27-year-old Brigitte García, and her communications director, Jairo Loor, were found shot dead Sunday morning. García, who served as the mayor of San Vicente, a small coastal city, was discovered in what appeared to be a rental car, alongside Loor, both having sustained fatal gunshot wounds.

Initial investigations indicate that the shots were fired from within the vehicle. The Ecuadorian Ministry of Government characterized the occurrence as a “criminal action”. No specific individual or group has been implicated in the killings.

Ecuador has been confronting a surge in violence perpetrated by armed gangs. In January, the nation declared a state of emergency following the escape of notorious gang leader José Adolfo Macías, also known as ‘Fito’, from a prison in Guayaquil. President Daniel Noboa subsequently declared an “internal armed conflict” and ordered military operations to curb the violence, resulting in the apprehension of over 2,000 individuals within two weeks of the decree.

Reinstatement of Emergency/24-Hour Passport Service

The Ministry of Immigration announced on Tuesday the reinstatement of the emergency/24-hour passport service. The ministry says that following diligent efforts to resolve technical issues affecting the passport system, the service is now fully operational.

A release from the ministry says that effective immediately, individuals requiring urgent passport services can once again access the emergency/24-hour service.

“The Ministry apologizes for any inconvenience caused during the temporary suspension and appreciates your patience and understanding. Our priority remains providing efficient and reliable passport services to all our citizens and residents.”

Belize Becomes First Caribbean Nation to Ratify Ocean Biodiversity Agreement

Belize made history by being the first Caribbean nation to officially ratify the ocean biodiversity agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).

The global commitment to safeguard 30 percent of the ocean by 2030 hinges greatly on the implementation of the BBNJ agreement, which spans two-thirds of the world’s oceans. This agreement is designed to promote the conservation and sustainable utilization of marine biodiversity, presenting opportunities for deep-sea research, capacity building, and the development and transfer of marine technology, particularly beneficial for small developing countries like Belize.

Belize’s ratification now sets the pace for the Caribbean’s engagement. The nation is actively collaborating with other Caribbean Community member states to raise awareness and build momentum for regional participation. A workshop in the Caribbean is scheduled for April 11 to 12, 2024, to further bolster the region’s efforts towards ratification, with Belize also slated to host a Caribbean BBNJ workshop later in the year.

Belize joins Chile and Palau to have ratified it so far. The BBNJ will “enter into force” when at least 60 countries ratify it. The agreement was opened for signature on September 20, 2023. It will be closed on September 20, 2025

Happiest Countries in the World List Shared, Belize Not on It

In the 2024 World Happiness Report, Finland clinches the title of the happiest country for the seventh consecutive year. Following closely are Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, and the Netherlands, as revealed in the annual survey released on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. This survey ranks countries based on the perceived happiness of their citizens. European nations, including Norway, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, continue to dominate the top 10.

An interesting note from the report is that the survey in Israel was conducted after the attacks on October 7, 2023, but before the subsequent escalation in the conflict.

Australia stands out as the sole non-European country in the top 10 for 2024, securing the 10th position. The United States experienced a notable decline, dropping to 23rd place from its 15th position last year.

Similarly, the United Kingdom slips one spot to 20th place compared to the previous year’s rankings.

Belize did not make the list and this may be because of a lack of data.

World’s 20 happiest countries in 2024

1. Finland

2. Denmark

3. Iceland

4. Sweden

5. Israel

6. Netherlands

7. Norway

8. Luxembourg

9. Switzerland

10. Australia

11. New Zealand

12. Costa Rica

13. Kuwait

14. Austria

15. Canada

16. Belgium

17. Ireland

18. Czechia

19. Lithuania

20. United Kingdom

At the bottom of the list

Afghanistan remains the world’s lowest-ranked country for happiness. Lebanon, Lesotho, Sierra Leone and Congo also ranked at the bottom.

Police Declares State of Emergency in Southside Belize City, Roaring Creek

A State of Emergency is now in effect in southside Belize City and Hattieville, as well as specific areas in the Cayo District such as Roaring Creek Village, Another World Area, Camalote Village, and Young Bank Area. This SOE comes after a violent weekend last week, when gun-related crimes increased at an alarming rate. Three persons were murdered in less than two days, with other shootings taking place in Belize City. The SOE will remain in place for one month. Statutory Instrument number fifty-eight gives the police the power to enter any premises, stop and search any vessel, vehicle, or individual, and seize anything found that they believe was intended to disrupt public safety and order without a warrant. We spoke with Commissioner of Police Chester Williams for an update on the situation.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“At this present moment, the police and the B.D.F. are on operations within, not just the Antelope area, but practically the entire south side Belize city. As you would be aware by now, a state of emergency was declared this morning covering the almost entire south side of Belize city and the Hattieville and another world area of Roaring Creek village, as well as Young Bank area of Camalote village. And so, we also have police and BDF operating in Roaring Creek and Camalote, picking up those persons who we believe are part and parcels of the flair up of gun violence in the Belmopan area. Here in Belize City, you know that we have had a slate of shootings, two of which were fatal and we have I believe about two other persons who are currently admitted in the hospital in a critical condition. Those were shot on Sunday in the Jane Usher Boulevard area and so due to the flare up of gun violence in the city as well as in the Roaring Creek and the Camelote area the state of emergency was declared, and we are now going after those persons we believe are part and parcel of those flair ups. Well, the truth is we have seen a long lull Belize City. Again, I always said it takes one idiot to pull a trigger and that could cause a flare up. And these flare ups are going to happen occasionally, and we have to be able to have the right approach in dealing with it. As I have said to the minister when we discussed the SOE that it had reached a stage where if we don’t do something, then the cancer is going to spread further and then the other gangs are going to feel like, oh, over there it’s flaring up and nothing’s been done to them, so better we have our own thing to. So we have to ensure that we do something that is measurable and that is going to bring some calm.”

Police Says State of Emergency Is A Necessary Course Of Action

The State of Emergency may be extended from time to time by a resolution passed by the National Assembly for further periods. As we mentioned, the SOE is a response to the recent flare-up in gang activity, which sparked concerns about public safety. Like in previous SOEs, residents in the targeted area say that this violates their human rights. Police Commissioner Chester Williams said that it is necessary for ensuring the good of the wider public.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I have never heard the government being critical of it. I’ve heard that the SOE must use as a measure of last resort. I don’t think that any reasonable Belizean would ever say that the government and the police is not doing enough. We have an entire LIU program which is geared towards helping young people to help those young men who are caught up to see how they can come out of living that lifestyle. We are doing interventions. They are given employment opportunity. So the truth is that the government and the police is trying but again, we all know that there are going to be those persons who will not want to live a peaceful life and may continue to live that violent lifestyle. And so the SOE is geared at going after those persons. The amount of persons we expect to be detained from the SOE is not a huge number. It’s going to be a small number of persons because we just want to be able to pluck out the bad seeds and allow those other persons who are part of the LIU program and are productive to continue to do so.”

Britney Gordon

“Some people feel that SOEs are a violation of human rights. How does the police respond to this?”

Chester Williams

“Which rights is more important? The rights of fifty persons who hold the country, the city hostage? Or the rights of fifty people? Over one hundred forty thousand in a city or the rights of four hundred forty thousand people. We have to strike a balance and I’m sure that some human rights activists are going to agree that as a part of human rights, we have to look at the greater picture to see if we’re going to allow these people whose right we believe should be protected to continue to extinct themselves. I think that if we allow the extinction to continue, then we will be in breach of human rights norms because we are seeing a trend and we just allow it to continue. The fact that we step in and do the SOE, so get them to have a pause and to rethink, I think goes in line with maintaining human rights norms.”

Compol Says SOE Does Not Mean Defeat

With the implementation of the State of Emergency, comes several criticisms. The Belize Police Department now must resort to delegating a large portion of its manpower and resources to monitor hotspots and known gang members. Today, Police Commissioner Chester Williams was asked if this latest move was an admission of defeat by the department. Here is how he answered:

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“To say a failure of the police, what does the police have to deal with? The police have to deal with the failure of society. You’re brothers, you’re children, your uncles, those persons who choose to live a violent lifestyle, da noh the police raised them. They’re raised in their respective homes and they turn out to be what many families do not desire them to have become, but that’s how they become. And so the police have to end up dealing with those persons. And yes, the country is huge. We all have a certain number of police officers. We can’t tag police to every criminal to make sure that we babysit them, that they don’t go and commit crime. So, to want to see that because we have the flare ups, it’s because of failure of police. I think that the police have been doing fairly well in making sure that we, we police the entire country in the most peaceful way that we can and try to make people feel comfortable. Yes, sometimes we fall short of that, but I’ve always said that the society have a role to play and we have working with us, the multi sectoral approach to fighting crime under the LIU. And we are seeing where other sectors of society are playing a role. But if the propensity or the mindset in the homes are not changed, then we’re always going to have this problem. When we have parents who are condoning what their children is doing, it is going to create problems. And already we are seeing where parents are calling, my son not this, my son not that, when in fact they know they pikni ney shoot gun. Right, but the minute the child is dealt with by the police, the parents want to come forward and swear for their children, we have to be real.”

Murder Of Ras Bobo Weighs Heavily In Community

We also asked Police Commissioner Chester Williams for an update on last Friday’s murder of Elwin “Ras Bobo” Lewis. Lewis was shot dead while driving a motorcycle in front of Gwen Lizarraga High School in Belize City. His murder shocked and saddened community members, as he was often regarded as a success story as a reformed gang member. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams said that his presence will be missed in the Leadership Intervention Unit.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I have sat in many interventions with Bobo and he has always been one of the positive ones. I’m trying to see how best he can help to quell the issues in the George Street area. Certainly, yes, his presence working with the LIU is going to be missed. We know that he did had issues with a particular group. And again, it’s a whole George Street fraction, as you would know that there’s a division in the George Street fraction and there was a group that was against him. But Bobo have always maintained his cool. And despite knowing that division and that and he mostly was there, he still felt comfortable moving in the area where the other factions were, hoping that the fact that he has been an elder, that he would be respected. But I guess what he had hoped for did not work out well for him.”

Reporter

”How close is the department in bringing charges against these alleged killers?”

Chester Williams

“We are working on that. We have a number of video footage that we are viewing. We have very good clues. It’s just a matter of us trying to put the pieces together. I will try to arrange for the investigators to see the DPP with the video footage and see if she’ll be able to provide some guidance to the police in terms of how we can proceed with the video footage that we currently have.”