January, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize Boosts Efforts to Expand Sugar Exports to CARICOM

Belize is making efforts to expand sugar exports to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with an aim to solidify its role as a competitive player in the regional sugar trade.

A key meeting between the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Osmond Martinez, the Directorate General for Foreign Trade (DGFT), and representatives from Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) focused on actionable strategies to overcome challenges and capitalise on opportunities in the CARICOM market.

Central to the discussions were issues such as optimising the Common External Tariff (CET) suspension regime, ensuring compliance with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, and enhancing Belize’s position in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

“We are determined to work collaboratively with BSI and other stakeholders to capitalise on export opportunities and ensure that Belize remains a key player in the regional sugar trade,” said the minister.

The DGFT stressed the importance of active participation in CARICOM’s Monitoring Mechanism for Sugar (MMS) and Technical Working Group (TWG) processes, which focus on the use of technical standards and specifications in the CET suspension process. Strengthening compliance and transparency through these mechanisms will not only bolster Belize’s trade capabilities but also contribute to a fair and sustainable trade environment across the region.

Belize’s efforts to export sugar to CARICOM reflect a pivotal move in diversifying its trade portfolio and reducing reliance on external markets. By navigating regional trade frameworks and leveraging opportunities in the CARICOM market, Belize can achieve greater economic resilience and sustainability.

Are B.D.F. Soldiers Demoralised?

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), recently addressed concerns regarding the morale and welfare of soldiers, including unresolved issues related to pay. General Loria echoed the sentiments of a former intellectual general of the BDF, stressing that he does not lead through social media but remains accessible for discussions. “If there are problems, come to me. My office is open,” he stated.

General Loria acknowledged that the matter of soldier pay remains under the purview of the Public Services Commission but assured that salaries continue to be disbursed without interruption. He expressed confidence that pay will not be cut and stressed that some allowances are currently in the pipeline. “I do not believe that it will be caught, but that is only my belief, and they continue to receive their salaries, every single one of them.”

He added, “There are some allowances that are in the pipeline as well. So I don’t know how that would be an issue whenever we have been hearing of even pay allowances for everyone.”

Turning to challenges faced by the BDF, General Loria pointed out the neglect of military installations during hurricanes, referencing the frequent damage seen at Price Barracks, where zinc sheets are often blown off. “ We have been neglected. The media is aware of that. When every hurricane comes, you all know what happens to our installations in Price Barracks. You see zinc all over the place.”

Despite these setbacks, he underscored improvements made during his tenure, including the replacement of a dilapidated kitchen, which had been on the verge of closure by the Ministry of Health, with a modern facility. “But we were trying to improve, and over the past in my tenure, for instance, that dilapidated kitchen that we had is no more. It was about to be closed on by the Ministry of Health. We have a brand new one. We have some, uh, top-of-the-line barrack rooms to withstand Category 5 hurricanes.”

Loria said they are trying to improve. “We wish the resources we have were infinite, but we must live within our means. We don’t have petroleum in this country,” he said.

Guatemalans Accused of Bribing and Surrounding BDF Soldiers at Machakilha

Police Continue Investigating Crooked Tree Double Murder

Police Commissioner Chester Williams provided an update on the double shooting that occurred last night on the Philip Goldson Highway, about a mile from its junction with Crooked Tree Road. Officers discovered the lifeless bodies of a male and female inside a vehicle parked at the side of the road. The victims were identified as Adelita Gillett and Felix Martinez. ComPol Williams shared that both individuals showed signs of gunshot injuries. After processing the scene, the bodies were transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Initially, it was reported that it was a murder/suicide as shared by police officers at the scene. Williams said, “From the inception of the information reaching the public, we observed that some media houses were reporting it as a case of murder/suicide. We are not aware of how they came to such conclusions, as the Belize Police Department at no time reported this incident as such. From our investigation, this is clearly a case of double murder and is being treated as such.”

Investigators have one suspect in custody who is being interrogated.

As for the motive, ComPol Williams said, “This person had some financial issue with the victims, and so we are exploring that angle as well as other possibilities. There is also nothing indicating that the victims were involved in any criminal activities.”

The Belize Police Department urges the public to come forward with any information that could assist in solving this case and bring closure to the victims’ family.

B.D.F. Soldier Shot Dead by Comrade

Tonight, a Belize Defence Force soldier is dead, and another is injured after a shooting incident at the Crique Sarco Conservation Post in Toledo. It happened on Sunday at around nine p.m.; several soldiers were on duty when an altercation escalated to violence between Private Clive Baizar and Private Alfred Robinson, after which several shots were fired. Baizar succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds, while another patrol member, Brandon Guzman, sustained two gunshot wounds and is currently in stable condition. Major Roberta Usher, B.D.F. Chief of Staff, provided more details on the incident.

Britney Gordon

“Back in May, there was a shooting incident. And in 2019, there was also a shooting incident. And in that case, the perpetrators were demoted in rank. What sort of consequences are we looking into for this incident?”

Major Roberta Usher, Chief of Staff, B.D.F.

“Well, this matter is now in police, on the police investigation; depending on what comes of it, then they will be charged accordingly. So, I can’t explain what he will receive, no.”

Britney Gordon

“And the other officer, the soldier that was injured, what sort of injuries did he sustain?”

Major Roberta Usher

“He received a wound to his left torso and then one near his hand around the pinky finger. He’s currently in stable condition at the Western Regional. The doctors are seeing if he requires surgery or anything at the moment, but he is stable.”

Britney Gordon

“Are we aware they are aware if alcohol was involved?”

Major Roberta Usher

“Again, the entire patrol, the samples have been taken, and they are going through their process of being investigated. However, on the initial outcome of the commanders on the ground and the commanders at Fairweather Camp, they do not believe alcohol is involved, but we will not know until these results are back.”

Britney Gordon

“Were they on duty at the time, or were they socialising?”

Major Roberta Usher

“Oh no, they were, they were on duty at the patrol base.”

Britney Gordon

“We understand that this area is sort of a hotspot for narco activity. So what sort of precautions are we taking to ensure the security of that base if incidents like this are occurring?”

Major Roberta Usher

“Right. So the infantry battalion commander has done all the efforts to be made to ensure that the patrol base continues to be secured. The patrol has been replaced. So we have to continue with our operational requirements. All of those have been in place and done already. So the patrol base is secured, and the individuals from the previous patrol have been brought in for their investigation.”

Was Alcohol A Factor in B.D.F. Shooting?

Violence within the B.D.F. is not unprecedented. In 2023, a BDF sergeant was demoted for shooting a fellow soldier at Fairweather Camp in 2019. In May 2024, police launched an investigation into an incident involving a soldier allegedly discharging a personal firearm at the same camp. Now, police are investigating the death of Private Clive Baizar, who was fatally shot on Sunday night at the Crique Sarco Conservation Post. While the motive for the incident remains unclear, preliminary reports suggest that alcohol may have been involved. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams provided more details.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Last night, sometime after ten p.m. thereabout, police received information of shots fired in the Crique Sarco area. That is in the Toledo district, and upon responding, they encountered the lifeless body of a male person who was identified as Clyde Baizar, a private in the Belize Defence Force. The body exhibited gunshot injuries. Police also found another private by the name of Alfred Robinson, who was said to be the one who had inflicted the gunshot injuries to Baizar. Alfred was taken into custody by the police, where he is currently detained pending further investigation. Initial information received so far is that the two soldiers were socialising at the B.D.F. outpost in that area when they had an argument between themselves, which resulted in Robinson firing a series of gunshots and fatally hitting Baizar, and another soldier was also hit. That other soldier is currently admitted at the Western Regional Hospital recovering. So that is what we have at this time.”

Reporter

“Sir, we know you said that you don’t give information about gunshots fired. We’ve been told that there are as many as nine. What could, from your investigations, have triggered this solar fire that many rounds?”

Chester Williams

“I was not here, but as I said before, they had an argument, and that was what led to the gunshots being fired.”

Reporter

“While police strategy has lowered gang-related violence, how do you know how to tackle this kind of violence where arguments escalate to a fatal?”

Chester Williams

“Well, I don’t think you would expect that we’d be able to stop these types of killings. They’re certainly outside the preventative reach of the police. We just need to advise people to try as best as they can to resolve issues utilising other means as opposed to utilising fatal means. Injuries either by way of gunshot or otherwise. It has a lot to do with how you manage yourself at home or within your domestic or social setting. And that will determine how we can reduce the amount of incidents we’re seeing.”

Suspect in B.D.F. Shooting Refuses to Provide Blood Sample

The motive behind the fatal shooting of Belize Defence Force soldier Private Clive Baizar remains unclear. Reports indicate that Baizar and his colleague, Lance Corporal Alfred Robinson, were on duty at the Conservation Post in Crique Sarco when a disagreement between the two escalated into violence. While it is uncertain whether alcohol played a role in the incident, Brigadier General Azariel Loria stated that it cannot yet be ruled out.

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, B.D.F.

“At this point in time, we do not rule out alcohol. The investigators, we passed the, the situation, the whole incident to the police department to investigate it. But we too, we have, we are investigating it parallel to the police department and we are not ruling it out. We were requested, as part of the regulations that they provide blood specimens, blood samples to which all but one complied. So, if the only person that did not comply is the prime suspect of the fatality. But all have been tested, their blood was taken or withdrawn by a qualified doctor in Punta Gorda and the samples were brought to Belize City for tests. So it’s thirteen of them and one refused. He even signed on the paper that he is foregoing that. From what we have been updated so far is that yesterday, Private Baizar and Lance Corporal Robinson were bantering, essentially, outside on the veranda of the building, where they are occupying it and it is when the Lance Corporal decided to go inside of the building, he got a smack, a big smack from Private Beiser, with allegedly using some words “Bwai go inside and leave me alone” because of the bantering. I think that the bantering was getting heavier. But the smack, some could classify it as a punch. It was too hard Probably that is what got to the Lance Corporal and he went inside the building Cranked his weapon or cocked his weapon in the military term for it and came in back outside and pull the trigger.”

Police Still Searching for Giovanni Ramirez’s Killers

It’s been nearly two weeks since Giovanni Ramirez was gunned down in broad daylight in Belize City. Ramirez is most notably known as the whistleblower in the case that led to the conviction and imprisonment of attorney Oscar Selgado. Ramirez was shot on Amandala Drive while he was driving toward Mahogany Street, and it’s believed that two men on a motorcycle ambushed him. However, police have yet to locate these suspects and make an arrest. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, provided an update.

Reporter

“Giovanni Ramirez. Has there been an update? I know last you said that people were being sought.”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Those persons who we were looking for at that particular moment have been found. They have not been able to get anything tangible from them, and so they released the investigators to come to the area looking for evidence. And we invite anyone who has any information that they believe can help us in solving that murder to please come forward, and let’s see what we can do.”

Reporter

“The vehicle he was driving, was that his?”

Chester Williams

“If that was?”

Reporter

“His?”

Chester Williams

“Yes.”

Was Randy Bowen Killed in Self-Defence?

The tranquil village of Gales Point Manatee was rocked last week by the tragic death of thirty-nine-year-old Randy Bowen, who was fatally stabbed at his home shortly after returning from work. The incident stemmed from a family dispute between Bowen and his stepfather. Tonight Commissioner of Police Chester Williams revealed that investigators are now examining whether the fatal act was one of self-defence.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The file went to the D.P.P. office. And D.P.P. has directed, or the D.P.P. representative has directed that the police do more investigation because there may seem to be some element of self-defence.”

Police Still Seeking Suspect in Fatal RTA

Police are actively searching for suspects linked to a fatal crash on the George Price Highway last Thursday evening. The collision occurred around 7:20 p.m. near Mile 47 and claimed the life of 50-year-old Maria Caal Xi, a Guatemalan national residing in Cotton Tree Village, Cayo. Authorities arrived at the scene to find a heavily damaged grey 1999 Toyota pickup and a wrecked 2025 Chevrolet Camaro about 30 feet away. The pickup’s driver, 70-year-old Manuel Juarez, told police that he saw a speeding vehicle approach before feeling an impact and losing consciousness. Witnesses reported that the Camaro’s driver fled the scene by jumping over a roadside barrier and disappearing into nearby bushes. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams provided an update on the ongoing investigation earlier today.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I don’t think we have found that person as yet. He was still being sought by the police.”

Reporter

“How is it that they have evaded if da just bushes?”

Chester Williams

“Well, the amount of time he had a good lead before the police got there he perhaps know the area well, and so he was able to escape. We’re hoping that we’ll be able to find him.”

Vehicle Flips After Ramming into Flatbed Truck

Over the weekend, a video surfaced on social media showing a vehicle crashing into the back of a flatbed truck in Santa Elena, Cayo. The impact caused the vehicle to flip onto its side, but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. The video has since sparked debate over who was at fault, with some pointing out the slow speed at which the truck was travelling. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shared his perspective on the incident. Here’s what he had to say.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“They do have speed limits specified in the laws. I think in towns and cities it is for trucks and buses; it is fifteen miles per hour, and for other people I think it’s twenty-five miles. I’m not too sure, but there are speed limits. And I did see that that incident where the SUV clipped the rear end of a flatbed, and then eventually that matter has been dealt with by the police. Obviously, the driver of the SUV is a thug, and I believe that he has been dealt with by the police.”