January, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

84-Year-Old Man Killed After Collision with Bus

An 84-year-old man lost his life this morning after being struck by a bus on the Thomas Vincent Highway in southern Belize. Cecilio Caal, a resident of San Roman Village, was reportedly riding his bicycle when he was hit by a 2007 Toyota Costa Bus that was driven by 65-year-old Domingo Torres.

Initial police investigations reveal that Caal was flung off the bike some thirty feet away from the site. The accident occurred between miles 27 and 28 of the highway. Reports indicate that Caal was travelling in the opposite direction but veered into the bus’s lane.

Police found his bike crushed under the rear of the bus, while the vehicle itself sustained damage.

Declining Pass Rates in Caribbean Students Raise Alarms

A troubling trend emerged last year when nearly 200,000 students across the Caribbean sat for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate exams, with only 4.9% passing five or more subjects, including crucial subjects like Mathematics and English. According to Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean, the low pass rate in Mathematics—just 36%—is raising alarms among parents and educators.

“The cumulative effects of years of poor educational outcomes are deeply concerning, especially given the well-established links between education and negative societal impacts such as crime,” said Paula-Anne Moore, spokesperson for the Group of Concerned Parents in Barbados.

Burunciuc points to a deeper issue: a systemic crisis in foundational learning. Many students leave primary school without mastering essential skills like literacy and numeracy, which severely hampers their ability to succeed in secondary school and beyond. This gap not only affects individual students but also underminwrutees economic growth by creating a less skilled workforce.

Burunciuc added that inequality in access to quality education further exacerbates the problem. In places like Guyana, overcrowded schools and a lack of resources limit students’ learning experiences, while in Belize, technical training programs makes a prime example that reflects this problem as well. Reuel Black, manager of the ITVET in the Belize District, said that Belizean students often lack the necessary foundation in mathematics and physics to grasp complex subjects like solar energy systems.

Black also pointed out the challenge of keeping students focused: “Some students stay on their telephones, and you have to actually tell them to pay attention.”

According to Burunciuc, the World Bank is working closely with Caribbean nations to address these challenges. Through initiatives like the Jamaica Education Project and the expansion of technical training in Guyana, the Bank is helping to improve teaching, upgrade facilities, and expand access to quality education across the region.

Guatemalan Potato Varieties Could Transform Belize

A team from the Ministry of Agriculture is exploring new potato varieties in Guatemala that could transform the country’s farming industry. Led by Minister José Abelardo Mai, the delegation is currently visiting potato farms in Poptún, Guatemala, to explore new potato varieties for processing markets. The ministry said it “focuses on adding value to other perishable crops, aiming to create long-term solutions for farmers.”

As part of their two-day visit, the delegation’s focus is on addressing the challenges faced by Belize’s potato and carrot farmers, particularly issues of market access and oversupply. One exciting opportunity lies in Guatemala’s white potatoes, which are processed by major companies like Frito-Lay into popular products such as potato chips. With Belize’s similar climate and altitude, these varieties could thrive locally and offer a new revenue stream for farmers.

The ministry’s push to add value to perishable crops could turn challenges into profitable opportunities, helping farmers reduce losses and improve their financial future. The delegation will return on January 24 after meeting with experts and seeing the successful farming methods up close.

Belize Advances Forensic Science

Belize is stepping up its crime-fighting efforts with a game-changing advancement in forensic technology. The National Forensic Science Service (NFSS). The Belize National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) has announced the installation of a cutting-edge Applied Biosystems RapidHIT ID instrument in its new Rapid DNA Section.

“This cutting-edge technology will allow for in-country rapid DNA testing for crime scene samples, human remains, and disaster victim identification for urgently needed investigative or identification needs” in as little as 90 minutes, NFSS stated. “This investment of taxpayers’ dollars into the expansion of the NFSS’s scope represents a solid commitment by the Government of Belize in advancing the nation’s forensic investigative capacity.”

According to the NFSS, streamlining identification processes, the technology frees up resources for more complex cases like sexual assault evidence or in-depth crime scene investigations and will even ease case backlogs and free up resources for more complex investigations.

It is set to be fully operational in the next three months.

Charged with Heinous Double Murder

Two men have been charged with the double murder of 37-year-old Felix Martinez and 40-year-old Adelita Gillett. They are 29-year-old Jovannie Rashad Jones and 23-year-old Jerwin Ormand Segura.

A couple was found shot to death in their vehicle near Mile 31 on the Philip Goldson Highway. Police suspect the murder is tied to a car deal gone wrong, with the couple reportedly meeting someone to collect money owed to them for a failed vehicle purchase. During the exchange, Gillett was allegedly counting the money in the back seat when they were ambushed.

A blood trail in the vehicle suggests the money was stolen. Police found bloodstains on the back seat and on a purse believed to belong to Gillett.

The couple, who lived in Burrell Boom with their 10-year-old son, had demanded repayment after paying for a vehicle in October 2024 and not receiving it. Gillett, a long-time employee of Brodies’ Pharmacy, was serving as pharmaceutical manager at the time of her death.

P.M. Briceno to Retire After Potential Second Term in Office

Prime Minister John Briceño has announced that he will retire from electoral politics after the 2025 general election. If his administration wins at the polls this year, he plans to serve out the term as his last, marking the end of a political career that has spanned over three decades. So, who will step up to replace Prime Minister Briceño as the leader of the People’s United Party? And can they avoid the kind of implosion the U.D.P. is currently facing? We asked the PM.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“If you were to ask me today I would tell you it is going to be my last election. That is my plan, my hope and even in family. But it is important that once you get elected, God willing we win the election. I don’t want to be in a position where people say oh he the lef, mek we start plan and connive and whatever. I find that unacceptable. I have to continue to mange the party and the government the way that I have done with a firm hand and I have to show that I have full command of the party and the government and the minsters, that is important, or else we will waste time the fight and not think about the government. So I do plan to stay in a finish my term and I am expecting and hoping I can spend time with. What has happened to the UDP is they had a very small bench. After Dean Barrow who could have taken over the UDP. When you look at it with all respect with Mr. Faber, he needed more and one of the most important think is financing. I do believe the PUP is in a much better position. We have a deep bench. From Francis Fonseca to Cordel Hyde, Anthony Mahler and Kareem Musa. I am just giving names right now, as I remember I am giving the names.”

P.U.P. Hopeful in U.D.P Stronghold, Mesopotamia

On Tuesday, we reported that businessman Lee Mark Chang has officially launched his candidacy in Mesopotamia. Chang will be going head-to-head with U.D.P. Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow and P.U.P. Candidate Larry Ellis. The big question is: Can Lee Mark Chang gather enough support to unseat Barrow and keep the constituency under U.D.P. control? Prime Minister Briceño believes Chang is popular in the division, but he also thinks the P.U.P. can capitalize on the U.D.P.’s split. This morning, we asked the Prime Minister for his thoughts on the developments in Mesopotamia and whether he thinks it gives his candidate the edge.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Wherever you have your opponents supports being divided, it gives you an opportunity. But you are right, Mesopotamia division has been voting UDP since 1974 when they defeated Lindy Rogers. It is on us to take advantage of it, but it is still difficult. We have a very good candidate. I am very hopeful he will be able to do well. Larry was born in that area. He grew up in that area. A really nice guy, so we will have to take advantage of this opportunity that has been offered to us.”

Reporter

“Do you view Lee Mark as a formidable candidate?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Of course. He is well known. He grew up in that area and his family business started in Euphrates in that area. He is well known, and I suppose he has access to enough funding. So yes, we see him as a formidable candidate.”

P.U.P. Looks to Financiers to Help Fund Campaign

With the general election on the horizon, though no date has been set, Prime Minister Briceño says the P.U.P. expects financiers to step up and fund their campaign. On Tuesday, during his appearance on Open Your Eyes, Lord Michael Ashcroft suggested that party financiers could take a vacation with their money, claiming the P.U.P. has essentially secured a second term. However, Briceño has a different take on the matter.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Any election cost money and I think that Mr. Ashcroft said that tongue in cheek because we have not asked him for no money and we won’t ask him for money. But our local financiers are helping us because we have been a good government. Our economy has grown tremendously. I think the last numbers I have it was like thirty point five percent, up to 2023, 2024, not to the end of 2024. So, we have done tremendous work and all business people have benefited form the work we have done. So, I am hoping and expecting they are going to provide some finances. It is expensive to run a campaign. It does not matter about the opposition. But, you have to put campaigners, get T-shirts, so many things, the TV ads, all of these things that has to be done.”

Orange Walk East is Ready for General Election

In Orange Walk East, P.U.P. area representative Kevin Bernard is eagerly awaiting the call for elections. Earlier today, he proudly highlighted a list of achievements in his constituency since his victory over his political opponent in November 2020.

Kevin Bernard, Area Representative, Orange Walk East

“I ready long time. I hate to see what’s happening in the UDP, but I really, I’m going to say this here, I don’t think I have any challenge. At the end of the day, I have been doing my work as a representative. The many things that I highlighted just now never existed for the thirteen years and I made sure that I fulfilled my commitment. When I looked at my manifesto, I started to check mark the manifesto that I did for Orange Walk East and I have achieved nearly every single thing that was on that manifesto. That’s the goal and commitment that I set. You do things and you commit to things that you know you can achieve and then the people will be happy. You make sure that you are communicating with your people. You’re making sure that they have access to you, whether it’s through the office or the services that we provide as a government, those are the things that a representative should do. And so, I’m ready whenever the prime minister calls this election.”

New Currency Notes to Be Unveiled on Thursday

On Thursday, the nation will get its first look at the designs for Belize’s new currency notes. The new notes, featuring images of Goldson and the Right Honorable George Cadle Price, are set to be unveiled by the Central Bank of Belize. Today, Prime Minister Briceño shared with reporters that these notes are not only modern but also packed with advanced features to prevent counterfeiting.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We have seen them before. I know what to expect. It is a beautiful note. We have been using our two national heroes, George Price and Phillip Goldson and we have them in different denominations. It is more modern and with more features to prevent counterfeit. It is something that Belizeans will accept, and it is our people on our note. I know some people will say well we don’t have the queen. Well the queen is dead and that has nothing to do with the Belize dollar, it is based on our economy and the amount of U.S. reserves, that is not the pound, it is the U.S dollar.”