2024 - Channel 5 Belize

BREAKING: BEL Wants GOB to Declare Power Generation Emergency

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has requested that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) seek government approval to declare a power generation emergency as the country faces an impending shortfall in capacity.

In a letter dated November 8, 2024, BEL CEO John Mencias tells PUC Chairman Dean Molina that “as Single Buyer in the electricity market, hereby gives notice to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of an anticipated material shortfall in generation services pursuant to Section 19 of the Public Utilities Commission (Request for Proposals) Regulations, 2024.

Section 19 of the regulations stipulates that “the Commission, with the approval of the Government, shall declare that an emergency situation has arisen beyond the reasonable control of Belize if, in relation to generation services, the single buyer provides notice to the Commission that there will arise, within a period of twelve months, a material shortfall in generation services.”

BEL projects that peak electricity demand in the next 12 months will exceed available generation, necessitating the procurement of additional services.

BEL attributes this issue to a “systemic failure” in securing new generation capacity, compounded by ongoing drought and heatwaves that have reduced supply from Mexico’s federal power company, CFE. BEL also warns that future curtailments from Mexico may increase, citing recent dispatch shortfalls from CFE.

According to the document, rapid economic growth in the Yucatán Peninsula, including Mexico’s popular tourist destinations, has led to a significant rise in energy demand, similar to trends observed in Belize. Combined with climate change and delays in bringing new generation sources online in both countries, these factors are making it increasingly difficult to meet growing energy demands.

CFE Commits to 75 Megawatts to Belize’s National Grid

Considering the uncertain post-pandemic recovery of demand, the ongoing growth of Belize’s economy, and warmer climatic conditions driving up cooling needs and transmission losses, BEL projects a base case grid peak demand of 139.8 MW in June 2025. This forecasted peak includes the Caye Caulker load, anticipated to be connected to the grid by late April 2025.

BEL anticipates continued capacity challenges from its foreign supplier, CFE, throughout the dry and warmer months of 2025. As seen in 2024, CFE’s supply to Belize is expected to fall below the contracted 55 MW, with projected averages of 22 MW, 7 MW, 8 MW, and 34 MW for May through August 2025, respectively. BEL’s concerns stem from ongoing delays in generation expansion in the Yucatán Peninsula and congestion along the transmission route from Valladolid, which supplies BEL’s interconnection.

BEL is requesting that the PUC secure government approval by November 15, 2024, to declare a power generation emergency, which would enable the procurement of additional generation services.

Belize and Mexico Strengthen Border Security at Commanders Conference

The 18th Border Commanders Conference between Belize and Mexico concluded successfully earlier this week in Belize City. Military and naval leaders from both nations met to discuss security challenges, including drug trafficking, weapon smuggling, illegal migration, and contraband.

Representing Belize were Colonel Anthony Velasquez, Deputy Commander of the Belize Defence Force, and Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard. The Mexican delegation included officials from the Secretariat of Defence and the Secretariat of the Navy of Mexico.

The conference emphasised the importance of military cooperation in ensuring national security and addressing non-traditional threats like climate change, wildfires, and disaster relief. Both countries committed to sharing intelligence and conducting joint operations to combat transnational organised crime along their borders.

Are BDF Soldiers Operating with outdated Communications Equipment?

House Sitting Suspended Due to Power Outage

The Special Sitting of the House of Representatives has been temporarily suspended due to a power outage that is affecting several parts of the country. Prime Minister John Briceño had risen to introduce the bill to amend the Social Security Act when the power outage happened.

Affected areas include Belize City, Belmopan, and San Pedro.

At the start of today’s special sitting, Briceño outlined what his administration has accomplished in the past four years. He reflected on the task his administration faced in “fixing what was, at the time, a broken nation.” He acknowledged the overwhelming mandate the People’s United Party (PUP) received, describing it as “not an occasion for wild celebration,” but rather a “sobering and humbling experience,” as they were entrusted with leading the country through one of its most challenging periods.

Although significant strides have been made to steady the nation, PM Briceño stressed that the work is ongoing. Progress, he said, is incremental, and his administration is keenly aware of Belizeans’ concerns over the cost of living. Briceño pointed out that even a superpower like the United States grapples with inflation’s impact, underscoring how challenging it is for smaller nations like Belize to combat global inflation pressures. Nonetheless, he reaffirmed his commitment, declaring, “We are not afraid. We will not give up on the Belizean people.”

Belize, Electricity Limited!

Cop Charged with Extorting Tourists at Checkpoint

A police officer is facing serious allegations of extortion following a complaint by a Spanish-Mexican couple, who claim they were forced to pay money during a checkpoint stop on Newtown Barracks in Belize City. Manuel Ortiz, a 50-year-old mechanic, and his wife, Maribel Vargas, 51, reported to police that they were stopped last Friday, where an officer asked for vehicle documents they were unable to produce. According to their report, the officer then allegedly threatened to detain them until Tuesday unless they placed money on the back seat of the police vehicle. Ortiz complied, leaving 210 euros—about $580 Belize dollars—which the officer allegedly took.

After filing a report at Queen Street Police Station, police arrested and charged 38-year-old Police Constable Ausberto Daniel Pelayo, from Corozal Town, with extortion. Pelayo appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court alongside his attorney, Sharon Pitts, and pleaded not guilty. He was granted bail of $6,000 with two sureties of $3,000 each, which he met. Pelayo is expected to reappear in court on December 23rd, while police are considering potential disciplinary action against him.

6-y-o Injured in Corozal Shooting

Tropical Depression Likely to Develop in Caribbean by Week’s End

The National Hurricane Center reports that a tropical wave in the central Caribbean Sea is generating disorganised showers and thunderstorms, with environmental conditions favourable for development. Forecasters anticipate that this system could strengthen into a tropical depression by the end of the week as it gradually moves westward into the western Caribbean.

After reaching the western Caribbean, the disturbance is expected to slow down and linger over the area throughout the weekend before shifting northwestward early next week. Residents in the western Caribbean are advised to keep an eye on the system’s progress.

Chance of formation within 48 hours: 40%
Chance of formation within 7 days: 80%

If it strengthens, it could become Tropical Storm Sara.

Haiti Swears in New PM as Gunfire Grounds Flights

Haiti’s international airport in Port-au-Prince shut down on Monday after gunfire struck a Spirit Airlines flight approaching from the United States. Hours later, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé was sworn in as the country’s new prime minister, replacing interim PM Garry Conille. Fils-Aimé pledged to prioritise national security amid escalating violence.

The attack on Spirit Flight 951 from Fort Lauderdale forced its diversion to Santiago, Dominican Republic. The airline confirmed damage from gunfire, with one crew member sustaining minor injuries. Following this incident, Spirit and American Airlines suspended flights to Port-au-Prince, while local officials closed the airport to commercial traffic indefinitely.

Fils-Aimé, a businessman with limited political experience, takes office in a volatile climate. Since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, Haiti has faced rampant gang violence, deepening a humanitarian crisis and forcing over 700,000 people from their homes. Conille, backed by the international community, struggled to establish stability during his term. The presidential council dismissed him following accusations of inaction and disregard for local advice.

Spirit Airlines Flight to Haiti Diverted After Reported Gunfire Strike

Shots Fired at Police Officer’s Home

Shots were fired at the home of police corporal Martin Marin on Jaguar Street in Finca Solana area of Corozal. Marin, 35, was inside his home preparing for bed when he heard four loud bangs, which he immediately recognised as gunshots around 11:30 p.m. on Monday. After stepping outside, he heard a motorcycle speeding away.

A white Jeep Cherokee belonging to Inspector Kimara Lopez, parked in the yard, was struck by bullets, with one shot piercing the front windshield. A bullet hit the home’s front screen door. Crime Scene Technicians processed the area, retrieving several 9mm shell casings from the street. Surveillance footage has yet to be reviewed, no suspects have been identified, and statements are still pending as investigations continue.

Shyne Barrow is Back in Action at U.D.P. HQ!

Shyne Barrow is back in the building! He returned to the United Democratic Party’s headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive, thanks to a High Court ruling in his favor on Friday morning. Barrow, the Area Representative for Mesopotamia and Leader of the Opposition, is one of five claimants who took Tracy Panton and former Secretary General Philipa Griffith-Bailey to court over the building’s occupation. Barrow and his team are seeking various forms of relief, which the High Court will address at a later date. This afternoon, he sat down with News Five’s Isani Cayetano to discuss these latest developments. We kick off our newscast this evening with that exclusive one-on-one with Shyne Barrow.

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“We are thrilled, extremely grateful for the decision of the High Court to grant this injunctive relief. We are grateful to the lawyer, of course, counsel Immanuel Williams and the Glenn D. Godfrey law firm, and we just feel vindicated. We are extremely satisfied that Belize is a place of rules and laws that must be complied with, no matter how right you think you are. There are procedural norms that must be complied with and we were very confident that the High Court would comply with the case law, all the way to the Court of Appeals, as to how you treat with matters. You can’t just come and be a political gangster and use violence and use might to have your way.”

Isani Cayetano

“What does this mean in terms of a return to the status quo as it were before October twentieth and, of course the resulting events thereafter?”

Shyne Barrow

“Well, that is what the learned Justice Hondura said. His orders were that things would return to the status quo and that the property returns to the Central Executive of the United Democratic Party. In essence, acknowledging the claimants who came on behalf of the U.D.P.”

Isani Cayetano

“On both sides of this debacle, it has been argued that the building is symbolic, as the seat of the United Democratic Party. There’s also the argument that one does not necessarily have to administer the business of the U.D.P. from that particular location. What are your thoughts on that?”

Shyne Barrow

“The building is essential. That is our headquarters, that is where we operate. That is where we have our party organs. So I appreciate the spirit of comments that may have been made by the party chairman. Unlike the alliance, who marshalled a hundred people with force and aggression to take something that they said was inconsequential. We abided by the rule of law.”

High Court’s Decision on True U.D.P. Leader may Come After General Elections

The leadership tussle between Shyne Barrow and Tracy Taegar-Panton is also under the High Court’s scrutiny. Barrow’s claim includes a request for Justice Hondura to decide who the rightful U.D.P. leader is. The timeline will start in January 2025, with a case management session, but with general elections on the horizon, we asked Barrow if the legal outcome would even matter if he and the U.D.P. lose the national vote. Here’s what he had to say.

Isani Cayetano

“The matter that’s before the High Court where the legitimacy of the leadership of the United Democratic Party is concerned. If the general elections are called and held before March 2025, looking at the timeline that has been given by the court, in terms of when they will have a case management and then when they’ll have the trial or the substantive matter before the court, you lose and the United Democratic Party loses the next general elections, would the leadership debate or the leadership argument that’s before the court be an academic exercise at that point? Because they would be open and free to challenge your leadership at that point.”

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“I don’t know, because they are not members of the party. That’s something that you have to look at. These are people that have acted in complete circumvention of the United Democratic Party’s constitution and I believe that what happened in the High Court, the decision that was made by Justice Hondura really underpins the mindset and the behavior of these people, that they act outside of constitution. They act outside of rules, it’s whatever they say.”

Can U.D.P. Heal Before Next General Elections?

It’s highly likely that general elections will be called within the first three months of the new year, given that supplementary funds have already been allocated for the process. But the big question is: Can the fractured U.D.P. and Shyne Barrow mend fences with the Alliance for Democracy to mount a strong campaign against the People’s United Party?

Isani Cayetano

“Would you consider, perhaps, a mending of fences seeing that in this particular case you have two strong candidates who have won their constituencies, in the case of Mr. Faber, five times over, and in the case of Mrs. Panton, at least twice, consecutively. Would you consider, perhaps, making amends for the sake of being able to mount a formidable challenge?”

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“Initially, we had said to those that had seats, the elected members and the one standard bearer that’s from Queen Square. We had invited them when we were doing mediation that we would consider having them return to the fold. But I just don’t see how that is practical at this time.”

Isani Cayetano

“Do you feel confident, notwithstanding all the developments within your party over the past several months, that you would be able to mount a formidable challenge in terms of vying for government and, of course, the leadership of this country?”

Shyne Barrow

“We are confident that the Belizean people are very dissatisfied with this government and the elections in the United States gives very sound guidance as to elections being won on election day. One thing we have done in the leadership executive of the U.D.P. is to keep our standard bearers focused on their people, on the engagement, on the message, and that is a unique message, overall communication agenda but it is unique in every constituency because, as we know, politics is local. So candidates who have been there for maybe a year or two years, they should not have any difficulty.”