2024 - Channel 5 Belize

G.O.B. and Maya Villages Signs Consent Agreement for Electrification

Electricity is finally being introduced to two far-flung communities in the Toledo District. Over the weekend, residents of Jalacte and San Vicente entered into an agreement with the Government of Belize to have their communities electrified. The Belize Electricity Limited, LaitUp Belize, and European Union all signed on to the consent agreement. Those documents are necessary to implement any project within the Maya communities in Toledo. News Five’s Paul Lopez tells us more about the electrification project.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Saturday, the Government of Belize signed agreements with residents of Jalacte and San Vicente, under the Free Prior and Informed Consent Protocol. The signing signals the communities’ approval for an electrification project in their villages.

Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation

“Today is an important day because you have met, you have given the permission that you want electricity for you community. You want development for your community and that is why we are here. To celebrate this success.”

During his speech at the event, Minister Oscar Requena addressed reports that the Government of Belize and Maya communities in the Toledo District are at odds.

Oscar Requena

“Now I want to say to you and I have a responsibility to say this to you, recently you have been hearing some pronouncements. You have been hearing people expressing their concerns that oh the government is not supporting the Maya people, the government is not respecting the Maya people, but my friends that is totally contrary to what they are saying. Our presence here today, our presence to work with you and you working with us signifies and solidifies the fact that the people and the Government of Belize are working together. The government respects the Maya people, we are here to support you, you are here to support us so that we can bring development to your community.”

Deshawn Garbutt, the distribution engineer at Belize Electricity Limited, celebrated the signing of the agreement. Garbutt explained that the installation of a mini grid will supply electricity to homes, schools, health posts, and small businesses in both communities.

Deshawn Garbutt, Distribution Engineer, B.E.L.

“Today we celebrate a significant milestone that marks a very important step towards ensuring that every household is Jalacte is electrified by the implementation of a mini grid. The journey has its up and down but today we gather here to share a moment of triumph where the village of Jalacte wholeheartedly accepts the project. I must also mention that this is a step forward for our national framework which tend to provide electricity to all underserved communities.”

The first alcaldes of both villages addressed the gathering in Maya. Valentino Shal, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, also highlighted some of the challenges faced by rural communities that are without access to electricity.

Valentino Shal, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Rural Transformation

“I grew up in the Toledo district and I have visited Jalacte so many times and one thing that you can always count on is the people of Jalacte works hard. They work hard from early in the morning to late at night to take care of their families, to build their community. But they have always been neglected. They have always been left behind. They don’t have water, they don’t have lights, and they don’t have streets. Those things that every other part of the country enjoys, these villages way close to the border do not enjoy. I know the struggles of people without electricity, because I grew up without electricity. I know the struggles of these children who are unable to use a computer because they don’t have electricity. But children in other towns and districts, they have access to electricity, internet, computers, so you know what happens, they go further ahead and our children have to struggle to catch up.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Mayor Trapp on Fire For Alleged Overreach

San Ignacio Mayor Earl Trapp is under fire for allegedly circumventing the authority of central government to green light the construction of two soak-aways in the Macal Park. The mayor reportedly granted authorization to Mick Fleming, of Guava Limb Restaurant, to address an improperly constructed septic tank. Well, both the Department of Environment and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing wrote to Mayor Trapp disapproving his authorization. The DOE, in a letter dated February fifth says “The San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council should have consulted with the DOE on this matter before such permission was granted. The matter could have been jointly investigated and addressed favorably between the DOE, the council, Public Health Department and the Central Building Authority”. DOE noted that it will be addressing the matter with Mr. Fleming to ensure that the use of the public space is not diminished. M.I.D.H. in its letter to Mayor Trapp, dated February first, wrote, “a site visit was conducted… and the inspectors found two soak-aways that were constructed entirely. The contents of your letter are contrary to the Belize Building Act, which only allows the Technical Manager of the San Ignacio/ Santa Elena Unit or the Director of the Central Building Authority to approve such construction”. In a report elsewhere in the media, Mayor Trapp stated that he sees pure political mischief in those letters.

CARICOM 46th Heads of Government Meeting Underway

The forty-sixth Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government is underway in Georgetown, Guyana. Belize is being represented by Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca and Chief Executive Officer Amalia Mai. The event commenced on Sunday evening and will conclude on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering of regional leaders was Doctor Carla Barnett, Secretary General of CARICOM.

Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary General, CARICOM

“It is fitting as we continue to celebrate our landmark fiftieth anniversary year and as we did in Trinidad & Tobago in July 2023, that we gather in the home of the four signatories to the original Treaty of Chaguaramas, the framework and compass for our regional integration movement. On behalf of the community, I express heartfelt appreciation to our host and chairman of the conference for all the gracious hospitality he has extended and the excellent arrangements which have set the stage for a very productive three days of work. Excellency, I have now that under your guidance as chairman of the conference and with the support of your colleague heads of government, the secretariat and the regional institutions, the interests of our region will be accelerated. Over the last six months of 2023, our community was ably led by the honorable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica. We thank him for his unwavering commitment to his role which has brought tangible results for our member state. At the same time, we warmly welcome the honorable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, to the bureau of the conference and look forward to his robust involvement in advancing the interest of the community.”

Garifuna Collective Performs at CARICOM 46th Meeting

Performing at the opening of the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting was the Garifuna Collective. The critically acclaimed band joined several other singers, drummers and dancers from across the Caribbean on stage as they presented various cultural performances. Here’s a snippet from the cultural presentation featuring the Garifuna Collective.

Is Port Loyola Recall Referendum Purposely Being Frustrated?

Former Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez has been behind the Office of the Governor General since February sixteenth in an attempt to find out about the status of petitions that were collected from voters in Port Loyola to trigger a recall referendum in that constituency. Martinez is seeking the ouster of sitting Area Representative Gilroy Usher Senior by way of a vote. However, that effort, it would seem, is being frustrated by the GG’s office. According to Martinez, on several occasions he was informed that there was no update on the status of the petitions, only to find out earlier today that the petitions were only handed over to the Chief Elections Officer a few days after he called a press conference on the matter.

Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, Former Area Rep, Port Loyola

“It was disclosed this morning by the Chief Elections Officer that she had just received the petitions on the twenty-first of February. That was the day after we had the last press briefing. Now, ah wah tell yoh di real truth, what I find that to be. That is flouting the law. You, as the Governor General, you ascent all laws into play and have little things to do per day and all day to do it. I have some difficulty with that and I have difficulty, in my humble opinion, in the Governor General breaking the law. And I find that to be very delinquent, her office to be very delinquent, very disingenuous and totally dishonest. I will say this, numerous calls were placed to her office for which I believe as the person that launched the petition, my channel for answers is the Governor General’s office and when you say to me, your office says to me numerous times, the petition has not, yoh noh get wahn answer yet. You said, “No response yet on the petition.” When you know that you neva send di petition ova to the election, the Chief Elections Officer as the law mandates because the law says that the Governor General on receipt of the petition shall forward the petition to the Chief Elections Officer forthwith.”

Boots Says He’s Exploring Legal Action Against GG’s Office

According to Martinez, residents of Port Loyola are deserving of answers from the Office of the Governor General as to why it has seemingly flouted the law. He also says that all legal options are being explored in respect of consequences for breaking the law.

Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, Former Area Rep, Port Loyola

“The general public and especially the people of Port Loyola need, in my humble opinion, need answers to what happened there.”

Reporter

“So, now that you’ve learned this, will you take legal action?”

Anthony ’Boots’ Martinez

“Well, speaking with the senior attorney this morning, we are looking at legal action because everything is time and money. But it’s not here nor there, but talking with Mr. Barrow this morning, there should be some legal recourse that we could take against the Governor General and her office.”

Reporter

“You would have to prove though how you had losses.”

Anthony ’Boots’ Martinez

“Now that’s another case… I am saying to you, breaking the law, breaking the law noh have some consequence? And ih noh matter what I say in terms of what happen wah happen and I maintain that. But I am saying we noh reach there yet. I am saying we are contemplating on the avenues for what recourse is there before the court for somebody breaking the law. There has to be some kind of recourse. So I am just saying that we’re looking on that. Me and Mr. Barrow, we spoke this morning and we’re looking at what it is, because nobody is above the law.”

Late this evening, the Government of Belize issued a release responding to the statements made by Martinez that bring the Governor General into disrepute. The release goes on to say, “our laws further mandates that it is unlawful for any person to bring the Governor General in her capacity into contempt, disrepute or disaffection. Whether one agrees or disagrees with this, the fact remains that this is what the supreme law of the country and the laws of Belize command. Recent statements made by Anthony “Boots” Martinez to the media scandalizing and bringing Her Excellency into disrepute are unwarranted, unprecedented and unlawful. The Cabinet has requested the Attorney General to provide advice on this matter”.

Remembering Lamisha Moody

On Friday, there was a candlelight vigil held in honor of fifteen-year-old Lamisha Moody. The high school student was innocently shot and killed not far from where she lived in the Jane Usher Boulevard neighborhood. She was not the intended target of the deadly attack, as the gunmen were there to take aim at Troy Hyde. In the spray of bullets, both persons were mortally wounded. Friends, family, students, as well as the faculty and staff of Anglican Cathedral College attended the vigil and shared testimonies.

Aunt of Deceased

“Lamisha da mi wahn bright person. Lamisha smart. Lamisha love to sing. Lamisha da mi one ah di bravest person. When her grandfather died, when di Fada look pan Lamisha, ih seh how dis young lee gial gwein sing? She could stand up up deh? And she rocked that church. Lamisha was supposed to be one of our future… Lamisha’s life was taken innocently and I hope that the police get justice for my niece. They took her away from us. That was not right.”

ACC Student 1

“Lamisha was very close to me. She was like a big sister to me. Every evening we walked home, we told each other jokes. We dance, we sing and she would always tell me, just remember that I da di older one, and we would laugh and talk. I never expected this to happen because that same evening I was with her and when I heard the news, I was really broken. I did not know what to do and I just want Lamisha to know that I wah always deh ya fu she and I wah be strong.”

ACC Student 2

“[Good] evening. Me and Lamisha, we weren‘t that close but I will always remember the times when Lamisha told me to be strong, not only for her, but for my family. And the day that her accident happened, Lamisha told me that she would see me the second day. When I came to school, I was very heartbroken because I believed that I would have seen her. No one knew that this would have happened to Lamisha. All I pray is for Lamisha to know that I will always have her in my heart and I will always, always love her and she will forever be a part of the ACC family.”

Paddlers Race from Boom to Belize City and GPH Comes Alive

Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is two weeks away. The Boom to the City Canoe Race sets the stage for that monster event.

On Sunday morning, twenty-five canoes were at the starting line in Burrell Boom Village. The starting horn goes off and the paddlers began to dig deep as they all sped off.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

At Manatee Lookout, just outside of Belize City, Team Lucas is leading the charge. Team Guava Limb is close by in second place. Right on their tails are the Belize Coast Guard and Black Orchid Resort. Team PACT and Team Wild pressed on behind the four lead canoes, as did Westline, Wateva Boys and Riverside. At the Riverside Tavern in Belize City, two hours and forty-three minutes after the start of the race, the Belize Coast Guard crosses the finish line in first place, all alone. Almost a minute later, Guava Limb paddles across the finish, followed by Black Orchid Resort in third place. Team Lucas secured fourth place and PACT took the fifth spot. We spoke with the victors of this challenge.

Daniel Gregorio, Paddler, Belize Coast Guard 1.5

“It started to play in our favor when we were coming to the creek mouth from there we said alright then. We were in a set position. The position we didn’t want it, but we still ended up top three in it and from then we wade out wade out, wade out and the two top teams crashed each other and we took it from there and didn’t back down nothing.”

Let’s head back to the village where the Boom to City Canoe Challenge started, this time for the ninth Annual Boom Run. This run features races in three categories, the five, ten and fifteen kilometer races.

A total of nine runners took off from the starting line for the fifteen-kilometer race. Shortly after, the starting horn went off for the ten runners who ran the ten-kilometer race. The largest group of runners, more than two dozen, participated in the five kilometer run. Taking on the morning’s cool and asphalt road, one foot in front these runners raced on. At the five-kilometer finish line, Christopher Broaster ran in at first place. First place in the ten kilometer race went to Jovanny Baizar and in the female category; the first prize went to Jennifer Lopez. Albert Davis secured first place in the fifteen kilometer race, adding another gold medal to his collection. Dorisha Sabido also won gold for that distance in the female category.

From running the road to riding the highway, the second annual Alfred Parks Memorial Race was nothing short of exciting. For the elite race, the starting line was established in Cotton Tree Village. Riders rode west to the Loma Luz Boulevard, made a u-turn and then rode east to Belize City. From the starting line all the way to Central Farm, the field of riders remained together for the most part. The only time we saw breakaways were during sprints for station prizes. Here, on the Loma Luz Boulevard, we see the lead group of ten riders turning on the roundabout as they begin their ride east. The main field of riders only seconds behind.

In Roaring Creek, Jyven Gonzalez streams past in first place, closely followed by Guatemalan rider Roney Julaju. The main field of riders was just under a minute behind the lead group. Julaju pressed gas just outside of Belmopan and created a significant gap between himself and the lead group. Outside of Saint Matthew’s Village, Jyven Gonzalez is leading a group of eleven riders who are twenty seconds behind lead rider Julaju. A short distance from the Belize Zoo, Julaju’s lead has been cut down, bringing his valiant effort to an end. Melvin Torres makes the dash towards him. Bob Gabourel, from nowhere, challenges Julaju for the station prize. Approaching mile eight, Jyven Gonzalez opens a gap with a surprise attack as he sprinted towards the wheels of Bob Gabourel who was out-front.

With only a short distance left to the finish, Gonzalez gets out of his saddle and rides off ahead of Gabourel. Jyven Gonzalez won the race and was crowned the 2024 Alfred Parks Memorial Race Champion. Bob Gabourel took home the silver medal, followed by Oscar Quiroz in third place. And finally for tonight, we bring you some action from the William Dawson Peace Cup.

We bring you highlights from the match between Lake I FC and Hattieville FC. That game ended in favor of Lake I FC, two goals to one. Twenty minutes into the match, Carlton Roberts capitalized on this opportunity for Hattieville. Right before the close of the first half, Lawnie Leslie placed Lake I on the scoreboard with this skillful touch into the goal. Lake I FC secured another victory with this free kick from on top of the penalty box, given off a whistle for a hand ball.

Well Folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.

ACC Holds Candlelight Vigil for Slain Student

A candlelight vigil is underway at the Anglican Cathedral College where students, teachers and parents are gathered to mourn the loss of fifteen-year-old Lamisha Moody. The high school student was gunned down on Wednesday night here in Belize City, as she stood in front of a shop in the Jane Usher Boulevard neighborhood. Moody, along with Troy Hyde, a well-known street figure, was shot and killed during an attack in which Hyde was the intended target. The teenage minor had gone out to purchase foam plates ahead of a class trip when she was shot and killed. In the wake of the deadly shooting, the faculty and staff of A.C.C. issued a release condemning the wanton gun violence that claimed the lives of Lamisha Moody and Troy Hyde. On Thursday, the Commissioner of Police indicated that the vehicle believed to have been used in the deadly assault has been impounded. An arrest is yet to be made, however, police remain on high alert in the event of a reprisal.