Haiti’s unelected Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, has submitted his resignation amid escalating violence and looting across the country. The 74-year-old leader, who took office following the assassination of the previous president in 2021, announced his decision after an emergency meeting of regional nations, where Caribbean states called for a swift transition of power.
People fleeing violence/Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters
Henry, who has been leading Haiti without being elected, appealed for calm in a video address, stating that his government would resign immediately upon the installation of a transitional council.
However, Henry is currently stranded in Puerto Rico due to security threats from armed gangs, leaving the country in a state of chaos.
The gangs, led by Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, intensified violence and unrest in Henry’s absence, demanding his resignation and warning of civil war if he did not step down.
Haitian gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier/Associated Press
The situation in Haiti has deteriorated significantly, with widespread violence, looting, and concerns about food shortages. Regional leaders, including those from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), convened an emergency summit to discuss a political transition framework. Meanwhile, the United States has urged for an expedited transition amidst the ongoing turmoil.
Protesters in Port-au-Prince, Haiti/ Odelyn Joseph/AP
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that the United States Department of Defense is ramping up its financial aid to the Haitian population. The total contribution will now reach $300 million, with an extra $33 million designated to bolster food security efforts.
Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, said, “Belize is closely monitoring the escalating political and security turmoil in Haiti. Fully involved in urgent CARICOM talks, Belize is actively exploring strategies to aid the initiation of a transition towards reinstating political stability and security.”
Defense attorney Oscar Selgado has been found guilty of abetment to commit murder in an unprecedented ruling handed down by High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim. Justice Pilgrim determined that Selgado had attempted to hire a gang member to carry out the murder of Marilyn Barnes, who had filed a complaint against him for unethical behavior. The judge found that the prosecution’s main witness, Giovanni Ramirez, was truthful and reliable. News Five’s Hipolito Novelo was in court and has the following story.
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
From defense attorney to convict… Tonight, defense attorney Oscar Selgado is sitting in a jail cell at the Belize Central Prison. This is after High Court Justice Nigel Pilgrim handed down a historic verdict. Selgado was found guilty of abetment to commit murder.
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“Let’s just say justice was done. I don’t know of any other case. I’ve been here 23 and a half years.”
Selgado is facing up to seven years behind bars, based on precedence. He attempted to hire Belize City gang member Giovanni Ramirez to murder Marilyn Barnes, who had made a complaint to the General Legal Counsel against Selgado for unethical behavior. Ramirez was the prosecution’s main witness, and in his ruling, Justice Pilgrim determined that Ramirez’s evidence was truthful and reliable.
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
“He accepted the statement of Giovanni Ramirez. He found him to be truthful in his statement and that what was stated in that statement suffice to prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.”
From our records, this is the first time that a practicing attorney has been convicted of such a crime. In November 2023, after chastising the media, Selgado said he would comment when the trial concluded.
Oscar Selgado
Oscar Selgado, Guilty of Abetment to Commit Murder (File: November 3rd 2023)
“What is it that the media wants to ask me? To comment upon a case that is before a judge? I am not afraid of the media. I have nothing to hide. What I want you people to understand is to respect my privacy and I don’t want to see you back at this court until the case is finish. When the case is finished, I will give you an interview, and I will tell you what I think.”
Selgado appeared in court today in casual clothing. During the judgment, he stared expressionlessly away from Justice Pilgrim who pronounced him guilty. He had no words for News Five while being escorted to a waiting prison van at the end of the session.
Hipolito Novelo
“Mister Selgado, anything to say, sir?”
Oscar Selgado
“(No Answer)”
Hipolito Novelo
“You said you would comment at the end of the trial.”
Oscar Selgado
“(No answer)”
Hipolito Novelo
“How do you feel about the verdict today that you’ve been found guilty of abetment to commit murder?”
Oscar Selgado
“(No answer)”
Hipolito Novelo
“Any words for your family?
Oscar Selgado
Oscar Selgado
“(No Answer)”
Hipolito Novelo
“Will you appeal, sir?
Oscar Selgado
“(No Answer)”
It would not be unusual for Selgado to appeal the verdict; however, DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal says it will be difficult.
Hipolito Novelo
“Is there any indication from Mr. Sargaro’s attorney that they would appeal this matter?
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
“I don’t think they’ll be giving me that indication, but I’m certain that he will. I’m also certain that he’ll find it very difficult from what I heard to succeed on an appeal.”
Attorney Richard Dickie Bradley, who sat in the courtroom, described today’s events as quote, ‘a sad day’.
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
Richard “Dickie” Bradley, Attorney
“It is a sad day.”
Reporter
“What happens now? Obviously, he won’t be able to represent the accused people in the Bladden 12.”
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
“That is true. We have to make arrangements for them to be properly represented.”
Reporter
“What is the penalty or sentence that he faces?
Richard “Dickie” Bradley
“Well, the maximum under the law is that he can get life imprisonment.”
Selgado was represented by attorney Adolph Lucas Senior. He is to appear in court on April 29th for sentencing. Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.
It’s been several weeks since we broke the story of an incident that allegedly involved a prominent Belize City attorney who stands accused of raping a pair of women. Tonight, forty-two-year-old Orson Jerome Elrington, better known as OJ, is out on bail after appearing before the lower courts this afternoon. His arraignment followed a single charge that was brought by the D.P.P.’s office in respect of a criminal report made against him. It is alleged that he raped a woman on the night of January twelfth, 2024. Shortly after midday, Elrington was escorted to the Queen Street Police Station where he was processed. Two hours later, he was taken to the Magistrate’s court on Coney Drive where he was arraigned in the courtroom of a senior magistrate. Earlier today, we caught up with Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lyn Vidal who spoke briefly on the matter.
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“I met with the complainants in the matter and based on what they said to me, we did additional work and it was at the end of that process that we were in a position to make a decision.”
Meanwhile, in the lower court, Elrington was accompanied by his father, Hubert Elrington, and fellow attorneys Norman Rodriguez and Michelle Trapp. The Senior Magistrate explained to Elrington that due to the nature of the offense, she will not take a plea. When the prosecutor was asked if he had any objection to bail being granted to the accused, he raised no objection. With that, bail was offered in the sum of eight thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same amount. The conditions of his bail include reporting to the Belama Police Station every Tuesday, as well as surrendering his travel documents to the Clerk of Court. We spoke with Hubert Elrington and Norman Rodriguez following the arraignment.
Hubert Elrington
Hubert Elrington, Attorney-at-law
“We believe that it‘s going to be very difficult for any of them to defeat us in a criminal trial. That‘s all.”
Court Reporter
“Can I ask a question? We know that the norm here at court is that persons who are accused and charged with rape, normally there is an objection to bail. Today, there was no objection in court today. As it relates to the law, tell us how that was.”
Hubert Elrington
“I wasn’t in court when that was gone through so you would have to ask somebody who was there.”
Norman Rodriguez
Norman Rodriguez, Attorney-at-law
“As it relates to the bail, there was no objection and if there was no objection then we really have nothing more to day.”
Court Reporter
“Okay, but as it relates to the law, does the offense of rape, does it appear as one of those offenses that the court can or cannot grant bail?”
Norman Rodriguez
“It is not listed in Section 16 of the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act. As a result of that, the magistrate can grant bail and she did.”
Court Reporter
“Tell us a little bit about the conditions to his bail.
Norman Rodriguez
“It‘s the usual, he has to sign in once a week. He must stay or not come within a certain distance of the virtual complainant or any of the prosecution‘s witnesses. He is to surrender his passport and if he needs to leave the country, he has to get permission from the court. It‘s normal.”
An accused murderer is a free man tonight after a crown counsel in the D.P.P.’s office failed to show up in court. As we reported on Thursday, Shawn Hertular saw the charge dismissed by Justice Derick Sylvester because no one from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions appeared in court. Hertular was accused of fatally stabbing Miguel Zaiden in November 2021. Prior to that charge, he was sentenced to twenty years in prison for a previous homicide. So, the man who was once sentenced for murder and charged with another is now a free man. So, whose fault is it? That’s what we asked the Director of Public Prosecution, Cheryl Lynn Vidal, today.
Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“Sometime ago that file was assigned to a particular counsel, and that counsel did not show up to work or to court yesterday. and that matter will be dealt with. I don’t want to speak any further on it.”
Hipolito Novelo
“But the murder charge that has been dismissed, right?
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
“That was the indication from the marshal.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Yes. He’s basically a free man.”
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
“At the moment. Yeah.”
Hipolito Novelo
“(He) can’t be charged with the same crime again.
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
“We will make a determination as to how we are moving forward with the matter.”
Hipolito Novelo
“So who’s ultimately to blame here? Basically no one from the DPP’s office was sent. Is it you to blame?
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
“You’ve all been here. When I have matters, I show up on time.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Insubordination from your staff? I know we had issues between you and them in the past and the Attorney General’s office. Indication about ongoing tensions?”
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
“I said it will be dealt with. There was a counsel who should have appeared to conduct that trial yesterday and that counsel did not appear and that was the consequence.”
Anke Doehm is the sixty-three-year-old American woman who the High Court found guilty of cruelty to a child earlier this week. Doehm was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after a nine-member jury unanimously found that she neglected her adopted daughter, thirteen-year-old Fay Lin Cannon, who ultimately died because of that neglect. She is expected to be sentenced on Tuesday, March fourteenth. Doehm may also be facing additional criminal charges. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn Vidal, told News Five that based on what was revealed during the trial, her office will be pursuing additional charges against Doehm.
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“Yes, Anke Doehm was convicted on Monday of cruelty to a child. Unfortunately, during the course of preparing for and prosecuting that case, a lot more came to light. And it may be that further action may be taken against her in the coming months, it may be.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Is your office looking for the maximum penalty in this case?”
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
“I don’t think in the circumstances she will get the maximum penalty, but we’re certainly looking at a custodial sentence.”
The Caribbean Court of Justice today dismissed an appeal brought by Nevis Betancourt. He is the man who was convicted of the murder of Jose Castellanos. In July 2017, Castellanos was shot inside a restaurant in Santa Elena Town. Betancourt was subsequently indicted and tried for murder. He was convicted and sentenced to twenty years in prison. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal and affirmed the conviction. Betancourt appealed to the C.C.J. on the ground that the Court of Appeal erred in upholding the trial judge’s rejection of the defense of self-defense. The trial judge accepted the case for the prosecution, which was that Betancourt entered a restaurant, shot Castellanos twice before Castellanos chopped him with a machete. Betancourt continued to shoot Castellanos, who left the restaurant and thereafter died. The C.C.J. ruled that Castellanos did not act in self-defense, but rather that he was the aggressor. The Crown was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn Vidal.
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
Cheryl Lynn Vidal, Director of Public Prosecutions
“Yes, I had to unfortunately come out of court to go to receive that judgment and the appeal was dismissed and the conviction was affirmed.”
Hipolito Novelo
“On what grounds?
Cheryl Lynn Vidal
“Their argument was that there was a third version of events that the trial judge had not taken into account and so there was a resulting miscarriage of justice. Our response was that there was in fact no third version because on the facts that the trial judge accepted she had already found that he was not in fact acting in self defense. He was the aggressor and the court found favor with our arguments.”
This morning, during a sitting of the House of Representatives that succeeded a landslide victory at the polls in the recent municipal elections, the Briceño administration presented the 2024 budget. It’s another billion dollar financial plan that is expected to be implemented as of April first, the start of the new fiscal year. Prime Minister John Briceño broke down the budget into recurrent expenditures, including government’s massive wage bill, goods and service, as well as debt servicing.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“A total of $1.604 billion is proposed. Of this sum, approximately $1.1 billion will be recurrent spending covering wages, pensions, goods and services and transfers and debt service interest costs. In addition to recurrent costs, $430.7 million is programmed for capital investments during the new fiscal year of which some one hundred and forty-six million dollars or so-called Capital 3 funding drawn down from the various loans and grants already approved. One hundred and thirty million dollars is the amount projected for amortization payments. That is the repayment of principals on loans already contracted. The primary surplus is projected at $30.6 or 0.46% of GDP, while the overall deficit is projected at $85.842 million or 1.3% of GDP. Let me put this into perspective for all of us to understand the purpose of each dollar government spends. Thirty cents of every dollar will be for the wages of public officers. Seven cents of every dollar for public officers’ pensions. Eighteen cents of every dollar for operational costs to government, such as utilities and transportation. Seven cents for interest on loans and the remaining twenty-seven cents for capital expenditures which includes the funding of all projects and programs undertaken by government.”
PM Briceño then proceeded to emphasize that of every dollar government earns, only twenty-three cents is invested in social programs and infrastructure projects. He also spoke on public investment programs, including the expansion of National Health Insurance.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“In effect, seventy-three cents of every dollar simply keeps the machinery of governance running, leaving twenty-seven cents of every dollar for programs and projects. Now when we took office in 2020, the percentage of total spending available for programs and projects was at twenty-three cents on the dollar spent. In just three years then, we have managed to shrink government’s operating cost by more than five percent, allowing more money to finance programs and projects that will benefit the people. To a sampling of the principal capital projects that will be included in this year’s public investment programs. Of course, these all line up with Belize’s medium term development strategy, as well as the overarching goals of Plan Belize. Thirty-five million dollars to fund the continued expansion of NHI. Three point five million dollars for hemo-dialysis support programs. Twenty-one million to help fund the growing payables related to UDP land acquisitions. Ten million dollars for the repair and maintenance of major highways. Seven point five million dollars to support the ongoing expansion of solid waste transfer stations. Six million dollars for low-income homes and housing repairs. Five point seven million dollars for another phase of the PSW Goldson Highway rehabilitation, four million dollars for the upgrading of the Guinea Grass Road. The paving of the road, Abi Mai, yes.”
The prime minister only focused on two primary areas, including health, during this morning’s budget presentation. PM Briceño also spoke about the recent breaking of ground for the construction of the San Pedro General Hospital. He also spoke about CABEI’s involvement in funding assessments of existing health facilities across the country.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Now turning to my favorite minister, the Minister of Health. Turning now to health and wellness, among the highest core priorities of this administration is the provision of health and wellness care and services. Based on this conviction, so many massive investments are being made across the public healthcare system. These investments include, for example, CABEI’s funding of a modernization assessment of hospitals in Punta Gorda, Orange Walk Town and Belize City. This needs assessment will be followed by project financing to implement the modernization projects. Only last week, accompanied by the area representative and our mayor of San Pedro, we broke ground for the new hospital in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. How many times we mi vote da money in the National Assembly? The former Deputy Prime Minister could remind me. We bring dis bout three times eena di budget, that we were going to build, but it was never built. But this government, through the cooperative bill with Taiwan, government will invest thirty-three point four million dollars in a first-class, fully equipped hospital. As the saying goes, dehn talk, we work. Dehn promise, we deliver.”
