2024 - Channel 5 Belize

19th of November, Celebrating the Garifuna Culture

One of the most anticipated and celebrated days every year in Belizean culture is November 19th, with many counting the days to celebrate one of the richest cultures in Belize. This morning’s episode of Open Your Eyes delved into the rich history of the Garifuna people, from their origins in Saint Vincent to their settlement across Central America. “Garifuna is a person comprised of three groups: the Amerindian Arawak, the Carib, and the African,” explained Sebastian Cayetano, a local Garifuna leader.

The Africans, hailing from countries like Nigeria and Ghana, and the indigenous Arawaks and Caribs originally settled in the Caribbean before European colonization. According to Cayetano, the Garifuna people were exiled by the British in 1797, with 5,000 survivors sent to the island of Balliceaux, where half perished. Later, they were relocated to Roatan, Honduras, marking the start of their diaspora in Central America, including Guatemala and Belize. Over time, their language and culture faced attempts at suppression, particularly after British colonisation banned the Garifuna language and practices.

In Belize, however, the Garifuna people slowly integrated and became vital contributors to society, particularly in education. They eventually gained acceptance through their community contributions.

“We were not accepted at first…we imposed ourselves,” said Cayetano.The Garifuna community now celebrates their heritage proudly, particularly during Garifuna Settlement Day, which marks their arrival in Belize. This holiday, officially recognised in 1977, honours the Garifuna people’s resilience and cultural contributions.

Today, efforts to preserve the Garifuna language and traditions continue through initiatives like the Battle of the Drums and Yurumein, a re-enactment of the Garifuna people’s arrival. The Yurumein celebrations will take place in both Belize City and Dangriga.

Lirahunu Ugundani: Preserving Garifuna Culture

Lands CEO Involved in Fatal Car Crash

Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining, Paul Thompson, knocked down and killed a man on Friday evening.

The fatal traffic accident occurred on the George Price Highway in Cotton Tree Village at around 5:50 p.m. The victim has been identified as 44-year-old Zacharias Tescecum. He was found facing down with severe head and body injuries, as well as a broken right foot above the ankle. He was unresponsive and not breathing.

According to investigators, Thompson, who was driving a 2020 Grey GMC Terrain SUV, suddenly saw a man walking on the highway. Thomspon told investigators that to avoid hitting Tescecum, he swerved left but still struck the pedestrian. According to police, Tescecum was dragged approximately 160 feet beneath the vehicle before Thompson came to a stop. Tescecum died on the scene. His body was later transported to the Western Regional Hospital, where it now awaits a post-mortem examination.

At this morning’s weekly police press brief, ACP Hilberto Romero would not release Thompson’s name, saying, “The driver has not been charged, so I won’t say it.” Reporters told Romero that in prior instances the name of the driver is released, especially if they have been served with a notice of intended prosecution (NIP).

Thompson was served with an NIP, and samples were taken from him. The investigation continues.

She Was Beaten and Kidnapped

Sabela Brakeman was visibly shaken and afraid when she spoke to News 5 today. Brakeman, a resident of San Pedro Town, was brutally beaten and kidnapped, allegedly by her ex-partner, Kenny Brakeman, on Friday night.

Sabela told News 5 that she and her roommate were asleep at home when they were violently awakened by an intruder. “When she screamed, it was my ex with some gloves on his hand and a stick that he was knocking her, and when I woke up, I was frightened. Then I just saw him knock her, then I just screamed too, and then he knocked me,” Sabela recalled.

She described how, despite her efforts to defend herself, he dragged her from the bed and began assaulting her relentlessly. “He hit me on my head, my forehead, and my mouth,” she said, visibly shaken by the memory. Her roommate managed to escape to seek help.

After knocking her unconscious, he dragged her outside, placed her in a red golf cart, and began driving towards his home. “He kept driving in his direction where he lives, and he says, ‘let me see which @%$hole will save you now. You don’t want to be with me. If you are not for me, you are for nobody else.'”

She was taken to a dock, where she was then placed on a jet ski. “We drive off…maybe 30 minutes. When we drove off now, he said, ‘I think that is Chetumal. This is Corozal. And that one, I don’t know which part that one. But if you relax and don’t say anything, I will let you go to Corozal. And I’m going across the border because police won’t catch me.'”

Sabela, still struggling, managed to escape when they reached a dock in Caye Caulker Village. “That’s when I knocked him, and I managed to escape him. I reached a dock, where I climbed the dock. And while I was climbing the dock, I was already feeling dizzy. I climbed the dock. When I climbed the dock, I continued to walk. I was running, crossing the street all over. Because the blood was too much on my face. Then, I see two golf carts go this side, this direction, yes. So I said, no one…I can’t see any people on the street. So I said those two golf carts. I have to follow them to seek help.”

She eventually found refuge at a police station, where she recounted the traumatic events. She was taken to the Caye Caulker Polyclinic for treatment, where doctors informed her that she would need surgery for broken gums and multiple other injuries, including bruises and cuts on her body.

“What I can say is he had an intention of killing me because he had even gloves on. He had on gloves.”

COP29 Day 8: Climate Finance, Youth Voices, and Urgency for Action

On day eight of COP29 in Baku, key concerns over climate finance and the urgent need for more action on global warming have surfaced.

As the conference progresses, participants have made initial progress on carbon market standards, but talks on climate finance remain slow. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), urged delegates to focus on broader issues, saying, “We can’t lose sight of the forest because we’re tussling over individual trees.” He warned against “bluffing, brinkmanship, and pre-mediated playbooks” that could waste critical time needed for ambitious decisions.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also stressed the need for stronger leadership from the world’s largest economies, declaring, “Failure is not an option” in the face of the climate crisis.

Meanwhile, children and young people made their voices heard at COP29, calling for more attention to the impact of climate change on their lives. They urged decision-makers to involve them directly in climate discussions. UNICEF estimates that nearly 1 billion children are affected by climate change, facing risks like air pollution, floods, and droughts, which disrupt their health, education, and well-being. As one young activist put it, “No decisions about us without us!”

COP29 President: “We are on a road to ruin.”

COP29 Weekend Brief: Tensions Rise Over Protests, Gender Talks, and Climate Finance

As COP29 continues in Baku, Azerbaijan, the climate conference has seen growing tensions over protests, stalled gender talks, and the global push for climate finance.

On Day 6, climate activists attempted to make their voices heard but were restricted by strict security rules. The protesters were told they couldn’t march through the streets and were limited to a rally inside the conference venue. Eduardo Giesen from the Global Campaign to Demand Climate Justice expressed frustration, saying, “It was like talking between ourselves.”

Discussions on integrating gender equality into climate policy have also stalled. The renewal of the Lima Work Programme, which aims to promote gender equality in climate action, has hit a deadlock due to disagreements over human rights and finance. Countries such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt are blocking key elements of the proposal, raising concerns that the talks could collapse or be delayed until next year.

The energy transition is another area of tension at COP29, with conflicting proposals on how to phase out fossil fuels. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has called for a dialogue on the energy transition, while countries like China and Saudi Arabia are pushing for a stronger focus on climate finance instead. Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad emphasised the importance of finance, stating, “Finance is critical for a successful fossil fuel transition,” and called for a robust climate finance goal to support this shift.

There are also concerns about the lack of women in leadership roles at COP29. Only 8% of world leaders attending the conference are women, a significant drop from last year, raising questions about gender equality in both leadership and policy.

Grenada’s Prime Minister Calls for Action on Climate Finance at COP29

Focus Back on Climate Finance

On Day 7, the focus shifted to climate finance, with UN climate chief Simon Stiell urging delegates to “find common ground” and finalise a new climate finance agreement. He stressed the urgency of reaching a deal to help developing countries fight climate change.

The European Union has called for wealthier countries like China and the Gulf states to contribute more to global climate finance. EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said, “With affluence comes responsibility,” but added that contributions could be voluntary, offering flexibility to countries resistant to formal commitments. He also acknowledged that private sector investment will be key: “There will never, ever be enough public money—from any source.”

COP29 has also seen criticism directed at certain countries. South Korea was awarded the “Fossil of the Day” for blocking a deal to end $41 billion in annual subsidies for oil and gas, with Climate Action Network (CAN) accusing the country of an “unconstructive negotiating position.” Finland also faced backlash for allegedly misreporting its climate finance contributions by counting market-based loans instead of actual funds, earning it a “dishonourable mention.”

Red Cross: “We Take Care of Those Displaced, Evacuated, or Affected”

Tropical Storm Sara made landfall in Belize over the weekend, bringing heavy rainfall that has elevated flooding risks nationwide. Although the storm weakened shortly after coming ashore on Sunday morning, the primary concern now lies in the persistent downpours and rising river levels.

“Right now, we’re still expecting the floods to increase, not decrease,” said Frederick Hunter, Disaster Risk Reduction Focal Point at the Belize Red Cross.

Since Thursday, some areas have received over 15 inches of rain, with others seeing between 4 to 8 inches. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued flood warnings for the Central and Northern parts of Belize, including areas around the Rio Hondo, Macal, Mopan, and Belize rivers, where the risk of “significant and life-threatening flooding” was high.

Hunter spoke on the importance of preparedness during a storm watch. He advised residents in flood-prone areas to always have “grab and go” bags with essentials like clothes, documents, and food.

While the Belize Red Cross doesn’t handle rescues during a crisis, Hunter explained that the organisation steps in for the relief efforts afterward. “We take care of those that have been displaced, that have had to evacuate, or that have been affected by the floods after the fact, not during the crisis itself,” Hunter said. The Red Cross also provides training for search and rescue teams in partnership with the Belize Institute for Search and Rescue Training (BISA) and the Coast Guard.

All-Clear Issued as TS Sara Weakens

BHS Delegates Gear Up for 10th Consecutive Model OAS Debate Conference

Belize High School (BHS) announced its participation in the 10th consecutive Model Organization of American States (OAS) Debate Conference, set to take place at the OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C., from November 20-22, 2024.

The Model OAS General Assembly (MOAS) offers students from across the Americas an immersive simulation of the political and parliamentary processes of the OAS General Assembly and Permanent Council. The event aims to foster democratic values, enhance leadership and communication skills, and provide students with hands-on experience in diplomacy and negotiation.

This year, BHS will be represented by 13 delegates who will assume the roles of Ecuador and Jamaica during the conference. This global engagement opportunity provides the students with a platform to showcase their leadership, public speaking, critical thinking, and networking skills on an international stage.

Happy 16th Anniversary Open Your Eyes

Today, the popular morning talk show Open Your Eyes is celebrating an incredible 16 years of bringing education, entertainment, and inspiration to viewers across Belize since its first debut in 2008.

Channel 5 CEO Marleni Cuellar, who was the original host, recalled the vision behind the show: “In 2008, when the show was launched, I came on board full time at Channel 5 primarily as a host… It was a vision to create a morning show that allowed us to have deeper conversations and look at different aspects of culture and life in Belize,” Cuellar said.

After 14 years, Cuellar passed the hosting baton to news anchor Sabreena Daly. Daly, who joined just over a year ago, shared how the experience has transformed her. “It’s been such a learning curve… I get to have these extensive conversations that would normally be controlled by the news cycle,” she explained.

Currently, Open Your Eyes is hosted by Sabreena Daly, April Martinez, Paul Lopez, and Isani Cayetano, who continue the legacy of providing engaging, insightful content every weekday morning from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Behind the scenes, producer Viannie Reyes plays a crucial role in the show’s success, ensuring everything runs like clockwork. “It takes preparation, dedication, and commitment to make a production successful,” said Reyes.

This year, Open Your Eyes received a Special Mention at the Caribbean Broadcasting Awards, a recognition of its high standards and consistent quality. Cuellar attributed the show’s recognition to the show’s commitment to excellence: “We ensure that we get guests who are well versed… that our hosts are as prepared as they can be… and I think that’s a standard we’ve carried through all these years.”

As the show looks to the future, the current team promises even bigger and better content for its viewers.

Happy 16th anniversary, Open Your Eyes!

All-Clear Issued as TS Sara Weakens

As of 12:00 PM on Sunday, November 17, 2024, Tropical Storm Sara has weakened into a tropical depression. The storm, now located about 55 miles west of Belize City, is moving west-northwest at 8 mph with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The tropical storm warning for Belize has been discontinued, and an All-Clear has been declared.

Despite the storm weakening, heavy rainfall continues to pose a flood risk. According to the National Emergency Management Organisation’s (NEMO) latest advisory, Belize has already recorded up to 18 inches of rain in some areas, with another 1-2 inches expected by evening. Flood warnings remain in effect, particularly for low-lying areas, and significant flooding is possible, especially in Cayo and Belize Districts.

Local roads are affected by flooding, with some routes only passable by large vehicles. Several bridges, including the Salvador Fernandez Bridge in Bullet Tree, are closed due to rising water. The Transport Department will provide an update on bus services later today.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) advises continued caution, particularly in flood-prone areas. Shelters remain open, and residents are urged to monitor conditions and follow emergency plans. The Philip Goldson International Airport is expected to resume operations on Monday, November 18.

All Three Dams Spilling Over

In a briefing this morning, Chief Hydrologist Tenielle Hendy confirmed that all three major dams in Belize—Chalillo, Mollejon, and Vaca—are spilling over due to heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Sara. Residents in low-lying areas have been urged to evacuate as a precaution.

Fortis Belize Limited (FBL) reported in an official statement that despite the spillage, the dams have continued to generate electricity and are being carefully monitored. The company reassured the public that the dams remain structurally sound.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has issued a severe flood warning for areas along the Macal River and its tributaries. While flooding has occurred, it has not reached record levels, and NEMO clarified that the Chalillo Dam is not at the same level of risk as it was in 2020. Flood waters at Chalillo have been slowly declining over the last 12 hours.

FBL has deployed staff to monitor the dams 24/7 as the storm passes, in close coordination with NEMO and Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). The public is urged to rely on official information from NEMO, which provides regular updates every three hours.