2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Belmopan Bandits Rebranded as Belmopan F.C. Under New Ownership

The Belmopan Bandits Sports Club has officially undergone a transformation, now operating as Belmopan Football Club under new management. Cruz Gamez, a seasoned football executive and youth coach, has acquired the club from John Saldivar, although the financial terms of the transaction remain undisclosed.

Gamez is no stranger to Belizean football, having successfully managed several youth teams in the Cayo District and served on the executive board of the Football Federation of Belize. Gamez told News 5, “The decision to acquire the Bandits Football Club, now the Belmopan Football Club, the negotiation has been ongoing for a while now.” He added, “We had meetings with the previous owners, and we decided it is an opportune time to acquire the team and start to rebrand a new team in Belmopan for all that has been happening in the Bandits Club.”

Gamez said there is a need to reignite enthusiasm for football in Belmopan. “Presently, we are strategically planning our next move. We are doing our best to bring back football to Belmopan, because I think that the level of football in Belmopan has dropped a lot,” he said. “With this new initiative, I think we will be able to bring back football to Belmopan to the glory days that the Belmopan Bandits had at the time.”

Gamez is looking to forge international partnerships to strengthen the club’s structure and competitiveness. “I am about to partner with some strategic partner in Mexico,” he revealed. “We have the DBC Stars that recently was a meeting with them to partner with them so that they can assist us in turning the entire structure of the club. They are connected with a team in Oaxaca, Mexico, whereby they play on the second division, below the top league in Mexico. We are about to sign a partnership with them and hopefully that will work through.”

PACT Appoints Abil Castañeda as New Executive Director

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has announced the appointment of Abil Castañeda as its new executive director, effective today. PACT says that Castañeda brings over a decade of experience in sustainable development, tourism, and natural resource management to his new role.

“With a respected career in public service, spanning more than 13 years, he has significantly contributed to advancing sustainable policies and practices in the country in his various roles,” PACT said.

At the Belize Tourism Board, he served as Director of Cruise, Capacity Development, Quality, and Registrar of Hotels. PACT says his extensive expertise includes developing and implementing national policies, plans, and programs to advance sustainable practices in Belize’s tourism sector.

He holds a master’s degree in tourism management from Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey, Mexico, and a bachelor’s degree in tourism management from the University of Belize.

“The Board of Directors and management of PACT is pleased to welcome Mr. Castañeda, who will lead PACT’s strategic scaling up of resource mobilisation and improved governance towards strengthening Belize’s national protected areas system.”

PACT was established in 1995 as Belize’s national conservation trust fund and sources funding from local and international channels to support government agencies, NGOs, and community organisations managing the National Protected Areas System.

Heightened Police Presence for Christmas Season

As Christmas approaches, police are stepping up efforts to prevent road accidents and crime.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told News 5 that there is a challenge with dealing with fatal traffic accidents, especially those involving motorcycles. He said, “It is a very challenging one because as much as we try to educate drivers or riders of these motorcycles, we’re still seeing on the part of some of them who are very reckless in how they manoeuvre these motorcycles in the city and on the highways.”

ComPol Williams said that police are working with the Department of Transport to find ways to reduce these incidents.

For crime prevention, police will conduct the usual annual anti-crime campaign. Williams assured the public that over the next couple of weeks, police officers will patrol more actively, especially between 6 and 10 p.m. in business areas and crime hotspots.

“This is done with a view to ensure that those persons who wish to go out and do their Christmas shopping can do so in a crime-free environment,” Williams stated.

Scientists Reveal the First-Ever Image of a Photon’s Shape

Scientists have visualised the shape of a single photon for the first time, offering an unprecedented glimpse into the mysterious world of quantum mechanics. Researchers at the University of Birmingham created this visualisation through precise calculations of the photon’s wave function, capturing its intensity distribution as it’s emitted by an atom.

Photons, the fundamental particles of light, play a crucial role in our daily lives. They carry the information that allows us to see, whether through our eyes or through cameras, as they bounce off objects and reach our retinas or sensors. Despite their pivotal function, photons have remained enigmatic, especially when it comes to their own visualisation.

Unlike ordinary objects that can be photographed or directly observed, photons are quantum particles whose location and behaviour are defined by probabilities. The Birmingham researchers’ breakthrough came in mapping the “intensity distribution” of a photon. This map indicates where the particle is most likely to appear at any given moment, with brighter areas representing higher probabilities.

The team’s work also demonstrates how the photon’s wave function, an abstract quantum property, contains all the information about its intensity distribution even before it is detected.T

Residents Express Frustrations Over Garbage Collection Delays in Belize City

Residents in the Freedom Street area of Belize City are speaking out about the mounting garbage crisis as uncollected trash continues to overflow in their neighborhood. Two residents shared their experiences with News 5 and highlighted how the lack of timely garbage collection has disrupted their community.

One resident explained, “Sometimes they don’t come. Sometimes it’s just once a week, you know. They barely come pick up garbage. I don’t know what happened.” He noted that it had been two weeks since the garbage truck last came to his area.

Another resident, living just a few streets away, echoed the concerns. “Once they leave it, the garbage piles up more and more. Then animals tear it apart, and it’s all over the streets. It becomes a hazard.”

When asked for a message to authorities, one of the men replied, “Make them do their job, no?”

The Belize City Council owes Belize Waste Control over $800,000. The company is on a go-slow, focusing its limited resources on industrial clients and selectively collecting trash from some southside residences.

If the city council does not settle its debt by the end of today, the company will proceed with litigation.

The city resident News 5 spoke to acknowledged the city council’s inability to pay its garbage contractor was the root cause of the issue. However, he said, “If you don’t get paid, you can’t do your job. Nobody can work and not get paid.”

Belize Volleyball Association Prepares for 2025

The Belize Volleyball Association (BVA) held a full-day meeting on Saturday in Belize City with volleyball associations, clubs, teams, and officials. The meeting covered plans for the upcoming year, including national championships, talent development, training seminars, and international tournaments.

The BVA said that the key stakeholders also discussed improving administration and local competitions and strengthening collaboration with partners.

The meeting was facilitated by BVA President Allan Sharp and the Executive Board of Administration.

In a separate post, the BVA expressed appreciation for the active participation of everyone involved and for Caribbean Motors’ support.

Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on BRICS Nations

President-elect Donald Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS countries if they create a new currency to compete with the US dollar. In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that these countries must commit to not creating a new currency or backing one to replace the dollar or face severe tariffs and lose access to the US market.

BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and new members like Iran and Egypt, has been exploring alternatives to the US dollar for trade. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has downplayed the idea, stating that the group is not currently focused on creating a common currency.

Donald Trump Wins 2024 U.S. Presidential Election

Brazil’s President Lula proposed a South American currency in 2023 to reduce reliance on the US dollar, but economic and geopolitical differences make its adoption unlikely.

Trump’s threat follows his recent pledge to raise tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China as part of his “America First” policy.

Experts warn that Trump’s proposed tariffs could escalate global trade tensions, with potential consequences for inflation and international trade.

Mexico Threatens Retaliation Over Trump’s Proposed Tariffs

President Biden Pardons Son Hunter 2 Weeks Before Leaving Office

President Joe Biden announced on Sunday that he has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was facing sentencing this month for federal tax and gun convictions. The pardon, which is “full and unconditional,” means Hunter will not face prison time. It covers his tax and gun offences, as well as any federal crimes he may have committed from January 1, 2014, to December 1, 2024, including his work with the Ukrainian company Burisma.

The pardon came just weeks before Biden leaves office, overturning previous statements where he said he would not intervene in his son’s legal troubles. The timing of the pardon, following special counsel Jack Smith’s dismissal of cases against Trump, has added fuel to the debate. Both Biden and Trump now claim that their cases show how the justice system has been politicised.

Biden explained that he issued the pardon because he believes Hunter was “selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted” and that the charges were politically motivated. “I believe raw politics has infected this process,” the president said. However, critics, including former President Donald Trump, called the pardon an “abuse” of power. Trump supporters now argue that Biden’s use of pardons is no different from Trump’s controversial pardons during his presidency.

Hunter Biden has faced scrutiny for his business dealings abroad and his struggles with addiction. His lawyers notified the courts of the pardon, which will cancel upcoming sentencing hearings. In response, Hunter said he accepted the pardon and vowed to help others still struggling with addiction. This move marks the end of a six-year legal saga for Hunter Biden.

Kamala Harris Delivers Concession Speech

UDP Backs Up BNTU’s ‘Enough is Enough’

The United Democratic Party (UDP) is supporting the Belize National Teachers’’ Union (BNTU) against the Government of Belize. On Thursday, the BNTU blasted the Ministry of Education and other authorities over three months of unpaid increments and allowances. In its statement, the BNTU said teachers are still waiting on their rural hardship, commuting, and responsibility allowances.

BNTU Blasts M.O.E.: “Enough is Enough!”

Today, the UDP issued its own statement saying that the party “agrees with the BNTU that ‘enough is enough’—four years is enough time for the government to have ironed out recurrent challenges that lead to delay in payment of increments, rural hardship, community, and responsibility allowances.”

“Teachers were promised a twenty percent (20%) salary increase; instead, their salary was cut, their increment frozen, and thousands had their license revoked,” said the UDP. It added that, “Inflation the last four years has been backbreaking and higher than any period in the history of Belize.”

According to the UDP, “Like Prime Minister Briceno, the Governor of the Central Bank recently painted a glowing picture about the state of the economy. The UDP then questioned, “Why then has the government failed to deliver the bare minimum to teachers of Belize?” They pointed out that “not only have increments and allowances been withheld, but funding for training and scholarships to teachers has been cut while study leave with pay has been suspended.”

Cental Bank Says Economy Has Proven Itself Resilient Post-Pandemic

On Friday, Belize’s Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca, addressed concerns from the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) about unpaid increments and allowances. He said, “This is a matter that goes back to 2018. Our government, our Ministry of Education, working along with the Treasury Department and the Accountant General, have brought all of that from 2018 up to 2023.” Fonseca added that MOE continues to resolve outstanding issues for 2023 and 2024. “BNTU knows this because we have the meetings with them to discuss this matter,” he said.

Education Minister Addresses BNTU’s Demand for Unpaid Allowances

Rights, Health, Action: The Global Push to End AIDS

The world can end AIDS—but only if we protect everyone’s rights, says the World Health Organisation (WHO). This World AIDS Day (December 1st) is focused on the theme, “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!” WHO calls for global leaders and citizens to tackle inequalities and focus on human rights to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

In Belize, the National AIDS Commission celebrated World AIDS Day on Friday. Enrique Romero, the Executive Director, highlighted that the government now provides free HIV medications and preventive supplies. However, he stressed that ending HIV requires more than just medical solutions. Romero said, “One of the critical barriers is the fact that young people can consent to have sex at the age of sixteen, but they cannot access health services until they are eighteen. So that disparity creates a huge barrier.”

WHO reports that in 2023, about 39.9 million people lived with HIV, with 1.3 million new infections. WHO emphasises that everyone should have access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care without discrimination. Stigma and discrimination, especially for vulnerable groups like men who have sex with men, sex workers, and people in prisons, remain major barriers to care.

WHO also stated that new technologies, like mobile health apps and biomedical tools such as PrEP, will help, but stigma continues to be an obstacle.

WHO continues its commitment to the 95-95-95 goals—diagnosing 95% of people with HIV, ensuring 95% of them receive treatment, and achieving viral suppression for 95% of those on treatment. This World AIDS Day, WHO urges everyone to support the rights and health of people living with HIV, so they can say, “My Health, My Right!”

National Aids Commission Celebrates World Aids Day