January, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

$1 Port Fee Attached to Water Taxi Trips is Not a New Tax

Since late 2024, word has been going around that the Belize Port Authority would bring back the one-dollar one-way tax they had previously removed from water taxi travelers’ expenses to and from San Pedro and Caye Caulker. This dollar was part of a three-dollar fee that’s been around for years, covering the Port Authority’s inspections of the vessels. During the height of COVID, the government cut it down to two dollars. Now that things are back to normal, they’ve reinstated the dollar charge as part of the overall fees. This change took effect on New Year’s Day. While most travelers haven’t made a fuss when buying their tickets, there’s been some confusion, with some thinking it’s a new tax. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with the relevant parties and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

It’s peak tourism season in Belize, and the Caribbean Sprinters Water Terminal at the foot of the Swing Bridge was buzzing with activity today. Since New Year’s Day, everyone taking a commercial water taxi to or from Caye Caulker, San Pedro, or Belize City has noticed a dollar increase in their ticket prices compared to last week. But don’t worry, this isn’t a new tax—it’s just bringing the fee back to its original three-dollar rate. Andre Perez, the Area Representative for Belize Rural South, which includes San Pedro and Caye Caulker, assured everyone that this extra dollar isn’t an arbitrary price hike.

On the Phone, Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“It’s not an increase in ticket fees. That’s not true, alright. They – while the taxis are still charging a fee, they have not increased, you know. There is a rider fee or a port fee for every person that that boards the ports, and that is what they’re charging, but before it used to be three dollars, but during the COVID, it went down to two dollars. So now that we’re coming into the new year, and I think they made a press release on the 15th of December stating that it is only going to revert back. It’s not an increase. It’s just reverting back to what was the original fee, the rider fee, if you want to call it the passenger fee of three dollars. So, it’s only going back to what is normal. So that’s not an increase.”

The fee is only collected from passengers on these specific routes because they fall within the taxable price range of ten to a hundred dollars. The money goes to the Belize Port Authority, which uses it to conduct inspections at the departure and arrival points. Acting Ports Commissioner Kaylon Young told News Five that the three dollars collected are reinvested into services to ensure passenger safety.

Kaylon Young, Acting Ports Commissioner

“It’s ideal that we do this because of the plans we have for the maritime sector and services that we offer. Um, the inspection of vessels. We do want to do the inspection for waterways and do some surveying and do some Check the routes make sure roads are safe. Make sure we have adequate lights Adequate markers in the in the area and do some community outreach in the special areas like San Pedro and Caye Caulker. We must ensure that the water taxis are not overloaded with – that they are not taking, for example, cargo and passengers are not supposed to be on these boats. These boats are either registered for commercial cargo or commercial passengers, to ensure that they have proper life jackets, have first aid kits, have all of the safety equipment that would be needed in the case of an emergency.”

Young mentioned that inspection officers are dispatched to the terminals daily to carry out inspections. Additionally, the authority conducts random sea patrols and enforces regulations. Despite the reinstated dollar fee, Joel Ah, the Cargo Agent for Caribbean Sprinters Water Taxi, reported no complaints or slowdown in business.

Joel Ah, Cargo Agent, Caribbean Sprinters Water Taxi

“We have a lot of customers traveling at this moment.”

Marion Ali

“Are they questioning what’s this added dollar?”

Joel Ah

“No, they’re not questioning, they’re just paying what it is, yeah.”

Marion Ali

“Okay, so now to travel to San Pedro would cost how much?”

Joel Ah

“It is forty-four dollars.”

Marion Ali

“It is 43?”

Joel Ah

“Yeah.”

Acting Ports Commissioner Young explained that other commercial ferries, like those running between Placencia and Independence in southern Belize, charge less than ten dollars for the lagoon crossing, so no taxes are added to those fares. However, Young assured that the Port still conducts inspections and patrols at those locations too. Marion Ali for News Five.

Area Rep Perez Says He’s Impartial on Fuel Depot Project

In mid-December, residents of an upscale ex-pat community in Caye Caulker voiced their opposition to a proposed fuel depot in their neighborhood. But just as quickly, a group of tour operators on the island came out in support of the project. The Caye Caulker Tour Operators Association even issued a press release and a ‘No-objection’ letter backing the depot, proposed by Petrol Alliance Group Holding Company Limited. If approved, the depot would be located on parcel nine-fifty-seven, Block twelve, on the northern side of the village. When News Five spoke with Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez today, he said he’s staying neutral on the issue.

On the Phone: Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“ It’s a small community, right. However bearing in mind that the huge contribution of this community contributes not only to insect, but to the economy, you know. And it’s a, it’s an excellent location. It’s still we have to be mindful of the, of the community in terms of how nice and laid back it is there. When you go there, I myself, when I go there, I enjoy myself to spend overnight. You know, it’s a different experience as compared to San Pedro, right? So it’s important. We have leaders that we preserve that, that type of, um, you know, ambience and atmosphere and environment. But, of course, mindful of the feelings of the, of the community and I say community. We’re not only talking about the voters or the local, right? We’re talking, of course, that there’s a community of experts who chose or choose to be their home every time and home far away. I mean, from home they come, but in terms of development up north, the development is happening up north of is coming up quick and the vast majority. In fact, most of the land is privately owned already. Right. It is privately owned. There’s no such land as any public lands out there, except for a piece that is reserved. Right and that is actually held as a reserve by the government as an agreement. No, as not developed, you’re seeing more resource going up high rise buildings going up. You’re having more the added of water, which is the reaching the area there and eventually also electricity coming from the southern point of Burgess. You could join the northern part of and hook them up to the grid. So, as development happens, I mean, there’s no way that we’re stopping to putting a gas station there. I don’t want to say I’m in favor of it, but certainly I believe, and I think what we need to do is consultation and that’s what they have been following the entire, um, everything to the books they have reached out to the council requesting the no objection support there. And they are doing all their compliance as far as I’m concerned, what they’re doing is they’re following everything as per required by law. So, with that said, um. That that remains a weather consultations to be done and let the people speak about it as well. Although it’s a sensitive part of speaking about the gas station. But then again, let’s not forget the other side about the necessity of it. I didn’t need to serve the community because as a speaker, I don’t have 1 gas station. So, we have to be fair with, and I remain impartial. But in the end is the will of the people, uh, in Cocker. That it’s in their interest there, whether they want to support you or not. And, um, and I know the council are receptable receiving and having a discussion with the, with the interested, uh, people who want to invest there.”

Belize’s Heavy Showers Heading South as Cold Front Approaches

2025 started off with a bang—or rather, a splash! For Belizeans in the northeastern parts of the country, New Year’s Day was all about rain instead of fireworks, with rainfall totals reaching between five and seven inches. Chief Meteorologist Ronald Gordon explained that these showers are due to a lingering front over the region. When we asked Gordon about the upcoming weekend weather, he told us to expect more rain and cooler temperatures.

Voice of: Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist

“We have a front which has been lingering just north of the country. this front is very weak and diffused. And at the moment, extending across the Bahamas, Cuba, into the northwestern Caribbean Sea, up to northern Belize at the moment. Previously it was located over just the north of Yucatan and ahead of the front we have had a lot of prefrontal activity as we refer to it, and that is rainfall. This front is drifting very slowly to the south and will basically dissipate over the country over the weekend. However, it’ll continue, continue to produce some rainfall, which you will share now based on the forecast. So, I’m advancing the forecast frame up to this point, which shows the line of rain associated with the front, extending to Belize. And as we move into the weekend, farther, you will see that most of the activity will drift more to the south of the country. And that will persist throughout Saturday into Sunday, with most of the rainfall being recorded over the southern districts of Toledo and Stann Creek. However, we do expect that we still could expect some light rains over the other parts of the country, but not significant accumulations with this particular front as it dissipates. By Sunday, we should see better conditions as the front disappears even farther. And then what you’re seeing here coming across the United States is another significant cold front. Extending into the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. As I advance the frame up to Monday, you can see the front. Now, this new front extends across the central Gulf of Mexico into the Bay of Campeche and later Monday night into Tuesday, you begin to see these greens again over Belize, And this is associated with prefrontal activity from this next front, which is approaching around the middle. Or the early to the middle part of next week.”

ComPol Says Murder Count for 2024 is 89, Two More Than in 2023

As we mentioned earlier this week, the Belize Police Department will be releasing its latest crime stats next week. But today, while touring the Lake Independence area of Belize City, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams gave us a sneak peek at the murder rate. According to Williams, there were eighty-nine murders in 2024, which is two more than in 2023. He explained that despite their best efforts to keep the numbers down, there were moments when things got out of hand, citing the Monkey River triple murder and the recent incidents in Belize City over the Christmas holidays.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Well you know the devil is always busy. The police worked arduously to try as best as we could have to keep the murder count below last year’s figure, or at least at last year’s figure. That was my hope, and believe you me, I pushed my police officers, and I know that they were out there doing their part. But at the end, the devil got busy. We had the triple in Monkey River and then we had the double with the two persons with the drug deal in Hattieville, you know, then eventually we had the other two, which include one in Belize City. So, it just caught up with us and those were things that I do not see would have fallen within the preventative reach of the police. They happened and it took our number to 89 compared to 87 last year. I still believe that 89 is a huge accomplishment considering the fact that prior to me becoming commissioner of police, we were averaging around 130 to 140 murders annually. And since I became commissioner, we see the numbers steadily decrease. And again, while I do not take the credit for it, because, like I said before, there are different factors, but the leadership that not only myself, but also my minister, and the prime minister, are very instrumental. When we want equipment, when we want recruits, the prime minister always supports us to make sure that we get what we need. to be able to fight crime effectively. So, I have to thank the prime minister and my minister for the support that they had given us, um, to have been able to achieve what we have done, um, over the past few years. Moving forward, we just have to continue doing our utmost best, um, to try and reduce the murder count. It’s the main issue for me. Um, I know that every crime is a crime. But when you’re robbed or your whole home is burglarized or something is stolen from you, you still have your life. When your life is taken away, that is irreplaceable. And so, we must always try to work as best as we can to save lives. Even the lives of those people who we believe may not value their own lives, we must make sure we do what we can to help them to protect their own life as well.”

Domestic Violence Unit Renamed. New Approach to Policing

The Belize Police Department’s decision to rename the Domestic Violence Unit has sparked some controversy. Today, Commissioner of Police Williams addressed the criticism, noting that some people believe the new name, Gender-Based Violence Response and Investigative Unit, panders to the LGBTQ+ community. Williams emphasized that the police are committed to protecting everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or any other differences.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We have had the domestic violence unit in place for quite a number of years now and with the evolving of time, we saw the need to change the name from domestic violence unit domestic violence to gender based violence response and investigation unit. At the end of the day we have to look beyond he domestic issue in terms of what happens in a home between a man woman and child And see how we can encapsulate those other factors where gender violence is concerned and so the unit is now going to be tasked with that responsibility of making sure that we can capture everybody at the end of the day, as a police organization, we cannot discriminate. I know that there are some school of thought out there who are already spewing some of their own agenda, that this is being done with a view to accommodate the LGBTQ, whatever it may be. But, at the end of the day, we have to understand that whether a person is straight, bisexual, heterosexual, or whatever. We as a department must represent them. We cannot tell people that because you’re this, we cannot represent you. We are an organization that is created with the intent to make sure we protect everybody regardless of your race, color, culture, creed, sexual orientation as the case may be. So we are extremely proud of the move that we are making now to ensure that we have a progressive unit within our department to be able to address these issues, all forms of gender, gender based violence in Belize.”

ComPol Says More Training Needed for Police Officers

Williams acknowledged that officers need more comprehensive training to effectively handle sensitive gender-based violence cases. He also highlighted the importance of collaborating with relevant agencies and organizations, including those supporting the LGBTQ community, to address these issues together.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We have to look at extensive training again with a change of focus or with the additional responsibility given to the unit. Now, there certainly is going to be a need for more training for the officers who work within the unit. And not just those officers, but every police officer so they can understand the dynamism of gender-based violence. It cannot be that we give them certain responsibilities and we do not explain to them or give them something that will be able to help them to understand and properly respond to these issues. And so, training is going to be essential. And Mr. Jones and the director of training is also our work are going to work together to ensure that we get the right people on board to provide that training for us. Additionally, we have to look at also working with other organizations, human development, community rehab, even the, the LGBTQ communities. We have to look at them as well, so that we can get their input in terms of the training that we may need to sensitize our officers, in terms of how to deal with issues, um, involving them.”

More Police Stations to Be Built in 2025

The Commissioner announced that the department plans to build more police stations in key areas this year to help curb crime. For locations where new stations aren’t feasible, existing ones will be upgraded to enhance the working conditions and environment for officers.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“If you listen to if you have read my New Year’s message, I did allude to the fact that in 2025, we will see the continued rollout of the of the CABEI project. And, with that will come the construction of a number of new police stations as well as the renovation of some existing police stations across the country. So, these are things that are going to help not just. to provide a greater quality of service to the community, but also to help to boost the welfare and morale of our officers. The pictures from the academy, I believe those are old pictures because we have since renovated that dorm before recruits went in. So again, those are old pictures. We have renovated that, but I want to say to police officers that we can get everything we want one week. We take things in stride and, I can assure them that with time, the working environment is going to improve. We have seen That we have made great improvements in some years of the country. But you know, money is not there as we may want it to be. It’s a scarcity at times. And when we do get, we have to pinch a little for here, a little for there, so we can provide as best as we can to all police officers across the country. So those areas where we’re seeing buildings dilapidated. We’re coming to them, we’ll ensure that in 2025, we do better in terms of renovating them and make these offices or buildings more, a better working environment for police officers.”

ComPol Says He Did Not Expect to Be Named ComPol under UDP

Reflecting on the progress the police department has made under his leadership; Williams shared his thoughts as they move into 2025. He emphasized that it took a lot of hard work and dedication, and that true leadership means leading by example. As Belize’s longest-serving Commissioner of Police, Williams noted that his journey began unexpectedly under the previous administration, and he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in this role.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I am humbled by the opportunity that has been given to me by the previous U.D.P administration. Honestly, I did not think that I would have become commissioner under the U.D.P administration, but it happened, and I’m grateful for that. And then moving forward, we have the P.U.P. Coming into power. And again, the prime minister gave me the opportunity to continue as commissioner police. And so, I am grateful and humbled by that. I take service to the public very, very seriously. I do not underestimate nothing or nobody. I believe that if there’s a job to be done, they must do it to the best of your ability. Hard work, commitment and dedication do yield success. We cannot expect to lead. If we’re not leading by example, we can’t expect to lead if we’re not present. We can’t expect to lead if we do not know how to lead people and I I’m not perfect but I try my best to ensure I do the best I can to keep my team motivated As well as to make sure that I guide them to do the right thing and I believe that is what had Helped me to remain In my position of commissioner for such a long time.”

A Guide for Fitness Resolutions

As the New Year approaches, a surge in gym memberships signals a collective resolve to prioritize health and wellness. Yet, for many, that determination falters, often fading by the end of January when the initial excitement wanes. Recognizing this common trend, we sought out someone who defied the odds, took on the challenge last year, and achieved their fitness goals. Two years ago, we visited Belize City’s local gym, Burn Box. This year, our search brought us closer to home—just a few blocks from our studios at Body 2000. There, Sabreena met a dynamic duo: a dedicated client and her personal trainer, working together to crush their goals, one year at a time. Here’s their inspiring story.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

They say consistency and effort are the secret ingredients to success, and this is especially true when it comes to fitness goals. As the new year kicks off, fitness centers are buzzing with energy, filled with people determined to become the best version of themselves. Three years ago, Gabriela Salgado made the same decision. Although it wasn’t on January 1st, her journey is a powerful testament to the determination and resilience needed to achieve health and fitness goals.

Gabriela Salgado, Biggest Loser
“The first year was really challenging. I had days I didn’t feel like going; I felt logy. And I tried to change my mood. But after that year, I started to become addicted to the gym.”

Wait—did you think it was that simple? Not quite. One of the biggest misconceptions about fitness is that hitting the gym alone guarantees results. But nutrition is where the real challenge begins. For Gabriela Salgado, this challenge took on new urgency after a gallstone diagnosis forced her to make significant lifestyle changes.

Gabriela Salgado
“ The first year, I kind of changed my eating habits, but not completely. I used to still take my drinks on weekends and stuff like that. From the first year, when I started I only saw little results, maybe two to five pounds, but it came right back because I wasn’t eating healthily enough. Then after the surgery, when I cut out everything I lost up to twenty-five pounds in a three month span.”

Today, Gabriela shares her journey with confidence, reflecting on a transformation that was as much mental as it was physical. She credits her success not only to her dedication but also to the unwavering support of her personal trainer, Aaron Theus. His guidance and encouragement were instrumental in keeping her focused and pushing her to reach her full potential.

Aaron Theus, Personal Trainer
“ I’m extremely impressed and it’s things like that that make me continue to want to be a better trainer so I could do this for more people. There’s other people that I work with that have over the years gotten results and those things keep me focused. It keeps me pushing to be better. So I’m extremely honored to be working with people like that.”

Gabriela Salgado

“It was really effective and really helped me because i came to the gym and had somebody to push me.”

Aaron Theus, a seasoned professional in health and wellness for nearly a decade, attributes his success to a personalized approach—tailoring his strategies to each client rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all method.

Aaron Theus
“It’s important to have someone that can hold you accountable because it’s difficult to deconstruct certain habits that you’ve formulated over the years. So, to have someone that could show you the way, in a way that you can receive it is, I think it’s critical for your well being. I got into this business because of my dad. I think he was doing this for like about 12 to 13 years when I started. So a lot of the information that he got over the years, he just compounded it and gave it to me. And since then on my own, I developed my skills each year.”

Theus takes an unconventional approach to personal training, extending it to the unique motivation he provides. This year, he’s inspiring his clients to ‘Bet On Themselves’ with a fitness challenge like no other—offering financial rewards for the best results.

Aaron Theus

“It’s for my clients exclusively and it’s going to be 12 weeks. The beginning of January to the end of March. And the female winner and the male winner that produces the best results in that amount of time will get twenty-five hundred dollars each. The system is based on points, so it’s not merely based on aesthetics, it’s based on also being consistent at the gym. So it’s trying to foster consistency and not just wanting to lose as much weight as possible and picking up bad dietary habits. Nutrition is foundation of your success. You could get stronger, you could get more mobile, you could have more endurance, but in terms of physical changes, you have to prioritize your nutrition. And I think a lot of people don’t really understand that. They think that I could outwork my diet, but you can’t.”

So, what’s the golden nugget from this powerhouse pair? It’s something you’ve probably heard a million times. From Gabriela Salgado’s triumphs to her trainer’s sage advice, they both hammer home one key point: ‘Consistency and effort are the keys to making progress.

Gabriela Salgado
“Don’t be scared. If you want to start the gym, start it. And remember, it’s all in your mind. You just need to put your mind to it. Sometimes you’ll feel lazy and unmotivated but It’s all in your mind. Even then, show up, work out, and when you’re done, you’ll feel much better.”

Aaron Theus
“ Just start. Most people tend to think that, oh man, I don’t want to go to the gym because they might look at me. Everybody’s kind of focused more on themselves than anybody else. So just start. And as time goes along, you will get better at it. You will become more experienced in everything that you’re doing. So just take your time and start.”

Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.

Andre Perez Stresses Consultation Amid Caye Caulker Fuel Depot Concerns

Residents of Caye Caulker are expressing concerns over a proposed fuel station project near the popular Split. Many are worried about potential environmental damage and the lack of proper community consultation. Property owners, especially expatriates, feel they were not adequately informed about the project.

Area Representative for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez, told News 5 today, “There’s no way that we’re stopping to putting a gas station there and other amenities that serve the community there. I don’t want to say I’m in favour of it.”

Perez added, “I think what we need to do is consultation, and that’s what they have been following everything by the books; they have reached out to the council requesting the no-objection support there… As far as I’m concerned, what they’re doing is following everything as per required by law.”

Mark Leslie, the Director of Petrol Alliance Group Holdings, assured residents on Thursday that all necessary clearances, including environmental approval, had been obtained. “We have done major research before even going into this project, and we actually went ahead and applied for all our clearances and every other thing with the department as well,” Leslie said.

Despite these assurances, residents are also worried about the potential difficulty of securing insurance for properties near the proposed site. Leslie responded, explaining that local insurance providers had no objections to coverage and that alternative options would be available if necessary. “None of them had any objections… the worst-case scenario would be higher premiums or higher deductibles,” he stated.