January, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

ComPol Williams Disgusted with Graham’s Actions

Fifty-two-year-old police constable Peter Graham has been charged with theft after he was caught stealing $550 from a store in Belize City. Graham was assigned to special duty at J&Y Block Factory on Mahogany Street.

The incident took place on January 6.

The footage shows the officer rummaging through a cash pan and taking money from behind the store’s counter. The owner, Jiabi Wang, told police that she briefly left her office, and upon returning, found Graham behind her desk. When questioned, Graham claimed he was locking a padlock. Wang later realised that $550 was missing and immediately reported the theft to the police.

Graham was placed on suspension with full pay pending the investigation.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters that he was disgusted with Graham’s actions.

“I really and truly wonder what goes through the minds of some police officers. His conduct is disgusting,” Williams stated. He added that, after receiving a report from the store proprietor, he had directed for Graham to be arrested and charged.

“I was told that he eventually took back the money with the hope that the matter would not be pursued. But, believe you me, what I saw on that video footage is certainly something that is unforgivable,” Williams said.

The legal office has been instructed to send Graham a letter, giving him 14 days to respond and explain why he should not be dismissed. “ So, I cannot say at this time what the outcome is going to be. It will look as if I have already made up my mind. But in fact, I will have to wait until I can hear from him and consider his response.”

PM Briceño Says No ‘Full Sweep’ Expected

The Prime Minister has yet to announce the date of this year’s general elections. But political observers expect it sooner rather than later. And while we remain on the edge of our seats, one thing is clear: PM John Briceño is keeping his cards close to his chest.

With the United Democratic Party in turmoil, can the People’s United Party (PUP) sweep the elections? They’ve done it twice pre-independence. The possibility exists, but PM Briceño does not believe that it will happen.

During his appearance this morning on Open Your Eyes, he said that a “full sweep” for the PUP would be difficult to achieve.

Briceño also said that he’s been consulting with various people and his Cabinet on the election timeline. “We’ve done our complete assessment in the national campaign management… also in readiness in our constituencies, most of them are pretty much almost there. I’ve also consulted the cabinet… Most of them from last year they wanted us to call elections… Some of them are of the opinion that it does not matter if you hold elections in February or November; we’re still going to win.”

“If you’re not properly prepared for elections, then you can’t win election day… You have to have success in the work you’ve provided and done well as a government—that’s the first thing,” Briceño said.

PM Briceño: ‘Who’s the Real UDP?’

The United Democratic Party (UDP) remains divided. Both Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton and Opposition Leader Moses Barrow claim to be the legitimate leader of the party. That battle is now before the court.

This morning, on Open Your Eyes, Prime Minister John Briceño weighed in on the ongoing leadership crisis within the UDP. He said, “I don’t really have time to be able to look at all the imaginations from the two sectors or the two UDPs. Which one is the real UDP? Well, I guess that’s left to be seen.”

Briceño called the situation unfortunate, adding, “Sometimes leaders, I think some leaders within the UDP believe that sometimes you have to broke down the dolly house and build it up again. And I guess that is what they are attempting to do.”

Briceño is no stranger to internal party woes. He experienced this back in 2011 when he resigned as leader of the People’s United Party (PUP). Briceño stated, “I said I’m going to step down because I was going to unite the party, and I still had different factions that refused to come around the table, so I walked away, but I did not try to be destructive about it. And I supported Francis Fonseca 100% and never tried to undermine him.”

Meanwhile, Panton opened a new party headquarters in Belize City last week.The office is located in the Mesopotamia Division and was facilitated by party vice chairman Lee Mark Chang. She added, “We have 18 standard bearers and 20 constituencies that align themselves with the work that we are doing.”

Despite this, Barrow maintains he is the UDP leader, focusing on preparations for the next general elections. “We have been campaigning, and we are prepared. We have intensified our campaign in recent months and weeks, and we continue to intensify, and we are ready to go,” Barrow stated.

UB Unveils Mahatma Gandhi Statue

On Friday, the University of Belize unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, the iconic political ethicist celebrated for his leadership in nonviolent resistance that led to India’s independence from British rule. Gandhi’s enduring legacy of peaceful protest continues to inspire civil rights and freedom movements worldwide.

High Commissioner of India to Belize, Dr. Pankaj Sharma, described the occasion as a profound privilege and honor. “This institution, as a beacon of learning and enlightenment, is a fitting place for the likeness of Mahatma Gandhi, who held education in the highest regard.”

Dr. Vincent Palacio, President of the University of Belize, reflected on the two-month anticipation surrounding the Mahatma Gandhi statue, which was hidden under a blue tarp awaiting the Prime Minister’s unveiling. Dr. Palacio stressed the statue’s alignment with the university’s mission of fostering critical thinking, compassion, and leadership, inspired by Gandhi’s principles of truth, harmony, and equality. “This unveiling of the Mahatma Gandhi statue is a ceremony and reflection of our values: peace, nonviolence, and the transformative power of education. Hosting this statue on our campus, on the campus of our university, this institution, is deeply fitting.”

Prime Minister John Briceño attended the unveiling. He said, “There are a lot of similarities with the Father of our Nation, George Price. Both of them were extremely spiritual. Both of them were extremely humble. But both of them had this will of steel that cannot be bent.”

A New Name for S.O.E.

Prime Minister John Briceño is considering renaming the “State of Emergency” (SOE) to better reflect its purpose against gang violence. In this morning’s appearance on Open Your Eyes, Briceño likened the measure to a “time-out,” a strategy used by parents to manage children’s behaviour.

“Sometimes you need a time out… At home, when you and your brother are fighting, what does a parent do? They’re like, ‘Okay, you go to your room.’ That same analogy works in the streets,” Briceño explained, adding, “I hate the words ‘state of emergency’ because it is not the entire state—the entire country, but rather some sections.”

Briceño stated that he has been in discussions with Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa and said they are exploring alternative terminology for SOEs, which are enacted in high-crime areas. “This is a temporary solution for things to calm down,” Briceño stated. He said that it is not a “band-aid” but a necessary step to bring relief to communities while longer-term solutions are developed.

“It is not fair to the people in these neighbourhoods who are good, decent, hard-working, law-abiding citizens who live in fear of these guys when they start out shooting. And then they shoot, and in many instances innocent people get hurt,” he said.

“If that is the only way that we can have peace on the streets, then we are going to do it,” Briceño added.

While SOEs have helped lower the murder rate, they also come with concerns about rights violations, especially for those who are suspected of gang activity. Despite this, Police Commissioner Chester Williams reported in September that SOEs have contributed to a noticeable decrease in crime.

Sugar Roads Being Repaired

Efforts to repair the dirt roads leading to cane fields in northern Belize are underway. Last week, the Corozal Sugarcane Producers Association issued a press release raising concerns about their inability to meet the daily sugarcane delivery quota. The fields where mature cane is planted are located in low-lying areas that have become inaccessible. The root of the problem lies in the poor condition of the roads, exacerbated by weeks of heavy rainfall and the constant use of heavy-duty equipment, which has further damaged the infrastructure. With a break in the rains, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing has begun repairing as many roads as possible.

Repairs have already been completed in parts of Caledonia, San Victor, and Louisville, with ongoing works in Pachacan and surrounding areas.

For cane farmer Jose Majil, the challenge is slightly different. Unlike other farmers who can’t access their mature cane, Majil has been unable to deliver any cane since the crop season opened in December because his crop won’t mature for another month. This delay translates to an estimated loss of $400 per day, based on the 39 tonnes of cane he should be delivering daily.

He said, “We cannot work, and some farmers have big machinery, so they try to take out the product, but at the time they’re hurting the roots too.”

The poor condition of the roads, worsened by persistent rains and the impact of heavy machinery, has made it difficult for farmers to transport their crops.

During his appearance on Open Your Eyes today, Prime Minister John Briceño explained that it is difficult to repair the roads when it’s raining constantly.

Belize Pushes for Tren Maya Expansion

Is the Tren Maya heading to Belize? Since early 2024, a delegation from Belize has been in talks with Tren Maya officials in Mexico. In March, they discussed the possibility of setting up a station at Belize’s northern border with Mexico.

In July, Amir Espadas, President of CANACO SERVYTUR, spoke about the potential benefits of extending the Tren Maya to Belize, saying, “The president said that there is the possibility of extending the Tren Maya, according to conversations with the government of Belize, into Belize.”

Prime Minister John Briceño also addressed the idea in an interview in May 2024. He said, “That is one of the meetings we are going to have with them to see how we can get the Tren Maya a little over three miles to be able to connect to our border.” He added, “Ideally what we want to do is connect it to our border, build the facilities, and get the tourists to come to Belize and also products. We no longer have to depend on transporting by ship.”

Yesterday, Riviera Maya News, a Mexican news outlet, reported that the government of Belize has officially requested Mexico to extend the Maya Train across the Hondo River and into Belize. In a formal letter to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Briceño proposed a two-phase expansion. The first phase would add over 7 kilometres of track from Quintana Roo into Belize, including a spur connecting Chetumal International Airport near the border, according to Rivera Maya News. The second phase would extend the train through Belize to Guatemala, reaching the famous Tikal National Park.

Briceño explained the significance of the proposal to Rivera Maya News: “The letter was to follow up on the two proposals we have; the first is that we can bring the train to the entrance of Belize from Chetumal, and the second is that it can go from here in Belize to Guatemala City.”

He added, “This would bring many benefits to Belize. It could open a new market for tourists since those who come to Cancun are often from Europe… With the Maya Train, it would be much easier for them to travel to Belize.”

“Also in trade, Mexico is a country from which we import millions of dollars, so with the train moving products from Mexico to Belize would be easier, and also moving our products not only to Mexico, but to the United States and Canada, so it is an opportunity for everyone to win,” he said.

Although studies are still needed, Briceño stated, “I am very hopeful that this can be consolidated.”

Police Officer Caught Stealing Suspended with Full Pay

Police Officer Caught Stealing Suspended with Full Pay

A police officer has been suspended after being caught on camera stealing money from a store he was assigned to protect.

The security camera inside the Belize City store caught Police Constable Peter Graham rummaging through a cash pan and pocketing bills behind the store’s counter. The store owner entered during the incident and found Graham standing behind the desk. Upon seeing the owner, Graham calmly stepped back to allow her access, though she appeared confused by his presence in the area.

In response to the incident, the Belize Police Department issued a suspension letter, effective January 11, 2025. The letter, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Bartholomew F. Jones, stated, “Please be informed that you are suspended from active duty with effect from the 11th day of January 2025, pending the outcome of an investigation into your conduct.”

It also confirmed that he would continue to receive his full salary during the suspension period. “During the suspension period, you shall receive your full salary.”

International Help Arrives to Battle L.A Wildfires

The scorching wildfires in Los Angeles, California, have swept through 39,000 acres, displacing over 153,000 people and killing 11 people. Canada and Mexico are stepping in to help Los Angeles battle the fires.

The fires have also impacted Belizeans living in Los Angeles. The tight-knit Belizean community forms part of the large Caribbean population in Los Angeles. Belizean DJ Easy, who lives close to the affected area, stated, “Everybody’s attention is on this, you know. Everybody wishing the best for everybody because a lot of friends, family, and loved ones are affected directly with this. Never, never had this happened here before.”

Another Belizean, Mirna Reneau, had reported that the fire led to the temporary closure of the university she works at. “UCLA cancelled undergraduate classes due to the fire. Graduate students are remote. It’s moving fast and very devastating,” she said, adding, “We have a lot of Belizeans that are caregivers and they work in these areas.”

On Friday, Canada and Mexico have stepped in with firefighting support. This International assistance comes despite recent tensions between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico over trade issues.

Mexico extended help, with President Claudia Sheinbaum announcing on Friday that firefighters from Mexico’s National Forestry Commission and the National Secretary of Defence would assist. “We are going to send support, not just because the people and government of Mexico have always been generous, but also because there are many Mexican people in this zone of the United States,” she said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced that Canadian teams from British Columbia and Quebec are already on the ground, providing crews, aircraft, and equipment. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith confirmed the deployment of additional resources, including water bombers and night-vision helicopters.

In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated on X, “California is deeply grateful” for the humanitarian help the state is receiving.

Building Near an Airport? BDCA Approval Required

Strict new construction regulations are now in place for areas near aerodromes, which require approval to prevent hazards to aircraft operations. The Belize Department of Civil Aviation (BDCA) has outlined clear guidelines, under the Civil Aviation Aerodrome Design and Construction Regulations 2023 (SI No. 126). The department states that no object posing a threat to aircraft should be within prescribed distances of runways.

For domestic aerodromes, the new rules focus on runways used for visual and instrument approaches. “No object that would pose a hazard to aircraft operations is to be situated inside the prescribed vicinity of said runway,” the BDCA stated. New buildings or extensions of existing ones are not allowed above certain safety zones, known as obstacle limitation surfaces unless they are shielded by existing structures.

At the Philip Goldson International Airport, the rules are even strictetr. “No new objects shall be permitted above obstacle limitation surfaces,” the BDCA added. This ensures that nothing interferes with aircraft operations at the country’s busiest airport, according to the department.

The BDCA also reminded the public that before starting any construction within 3,000 meters of a domestic aerodrome, or 6,000 meters of the Philip Goldson International Airport, a “letter of no objection” must be obtained. This letter confirms that the construction will not interfere with aviation safety.

Existing structures above these safety zones may only remain if they are deemed safe after an aeronautical study or if they are blocked from view by immovable objects. 3