February, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Measles Outbreak in Texas Sickens 24

A worsening measles outbreak in Texas has infected 24 people and hospitalised nine, with cases concentrated in Gaines County, where childhood vaccination rates have declined in recent years, The New York Times reports. Health officials confirmed that all infected individuals—22 children and two adults—were unvaccinated.

According to The New York Times, public health experts fear that such outbreaks could become more common as vaccine hesitancy grows nationwide. Dr Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease specialist at Duke University, warned that declining vaccination rates increase the risk of preventable diseases spreading.

Gaines County, which borders New Mexico and has a population of around 20,000, has one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas. More than 13% of students in the county have opted out of required immunisations for religious or personal reasons. While Texas mandates vaccinations for school enrolment, parents can apply for exemptions based on “reasons of conscience.”

Local health officials have responded by setting up drive-through vaccination clinics in Seminole, a city with a large Mennonite community. According to The New York Times, these clinics have been well attended as authorities work to contain the outbreak.

Measles can lead to serious complications, particularly in young children, including pneumonia and brain swelling. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that one in five unvaccinated measles patients requires hospitalisation. In this outbreak, all hospitalised patients have been school-age children, with several admitted to intensive care.

State health officials caution that more cases may emerge in surrounding communities due to the highly contagious nature of measles. Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that New Mexico has confirmed a separate measles case in a teenager living near the Texas border, though there is no known link to the Gaines County outbreak.

One Dead in Corozal RTA

A road traffic accident in the Corozal District has left one man dead and another injured. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon around 3 p.m. when brothers Gaspar and Santiago Cantun were travelling on Sarteneja Road in a Chevy Tracker. Reports suggest that Gaspar lost control of the vehicle, causing it to flip multiple times.

Both men were rushed to the Corozal Community Hospital. Gaspar succumbed to his injuries, and Santiago was treated and has since been released.

According to initial investigations, the vehicle was operating with an expired license plate at the time of the crash. Authorities are continuing to probe the cause of the accident.

Ex-Sports Council Accountant Gets 5 Years for $1M Fraud

The High Court of Belize has sentenced former National Sports Council (NSC) accountant Ivan Ayuso to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to theft and money laundering charges. Ayuso was found to have stolen over one million dollars from the NSC between 2013 and 2016 by making unauthorized salary payments to himself. The stolen funds were used to purchase a home, a luxury vehicle, and cover personal expenses.

Justice Nigel Pilgrim accepted a plea agreement that imposed a five-year sentence for each of the four counts, to be served concurrently. The court noted that Ayuso’s fraudulent actions severely impacted the NSC’s ability to secure funding and maintain credibility with donors.

In addition to his prison sentence, Ayuso has agreed not to contest the government’s move to seize his Belama property, which was allegedly purchased with the stolen funds. However, a third party has intervened in the forfeiture proceedings, delaying a final ruling on the matter.

While Ayuso expressed remorse for his actions, the court stressed the need for deterrence and accountability.

The Dark History Behind Valentine’s Day

The day of “love and friendship” is finally here, and while some may hate the day, there are those who look forward to it. Every February 14 is known for love, roses, and heart-shaped cards—but you may be surprised to know that its origins are far from romantic. And just like other well-celebrated holidays, it’s an opportune time for businesses to commercialise the holiday and maximise profits.

But what is the history behind Valentine’s Day? Well, it dates back thousands of years, and its origins are rooted in ancient Roman history and Saint Valentine’s legacy. For centuries, Romans observed “Lupercalia,” a pagan festival that celebrated fertility, until the 5th century when the Catholic Church ended it. The church then established February 14 as the feast day for Saint Valentine, though historians debate if it was a replacement for Lupercalia.

But who was Saint Valentine? Why is he linked to the day of “love?” According to CBS News, Saint Valentine was a Roman priest in the 3rd century who defied Emperor Claudius II. The emperor forbade marriages for young men because he thought that men without family burdens were better soldiers and ensured a strong army. Valentinus secretly married couples, angering the emperor. He was imprisoned and later martyred on February 14. Valentine’s martyrdom for his religion is what strongly resonated with people.

Pope Gelasius I established February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day in 494, and though removed from the Catholic calendar in 1969, the day remains a global celebration of love. The iconic symbol of love—Cupid—also has ancient Roman roots. The word comes from the Latin word “Cupido” and is both the offspring and helper of Aphrodite or Venus. Cupid embodies desire and the timeless nature of human attraction, CBS News reported.

Feinstein Appeals High Court Ruling on Stake Bank Land Acquisition

Businessman Michael Feinstein has filed an appeal against a recent High Court ruling that upheld the government’s acquisition of twenty-three point four acres of land on Stake Bank Island. The decision, handed down by Justice Rajiv Goonetilleke in late January, supported the government’s claim that the acquisition was legally justified and in the public interest. Feinstein argues that the ruling is flawed, asserting that the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Act does not specify a timeline for compensation, making it unconstitutional. He further contends that the government’s move was politically motivated, aimed at resolving ongoing litigation in favour of private investors rather than serving a genuine public purpose. Additionally, he claims that the acquisition should have been carried out under the Land Acquisition (Promoters) Act, which governs private developments, rather than the public-oriented legislation used. In his appeal, Feinstein seeks to have key portions of the ruling overturned, legal costs awarded in his favour, and any other relief the Court of Appeal deems appropriate.

How Will the U.S. Aid Freeze Affect Belize?

The Belizean government remains uncertain about the full impact of the Trump administration’s foreign aid restrictions. Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has halted funding for numerous international projects, including those focused on climate resilience. Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca says the government is still evaluating the potential fallout.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

”We had a very good discussion. They are still gathering information. So we don’t want to make any you know, premature requests. We want to wait until we get all the information and to see exactly what the impact will be. But of course we are also preparing ourselves and, and making sure that we are identifying resources and funds, as I said where there are any gaps that exist we will make sure that we fill those gaps.”

G.O.B. Remains Firm on Palestine’s Self-Determination

Last month, Belize officially filed to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. This aligns Belize with eight other nations to end the genocide of the Palestinian people. However, the United States of America has remained a steadfast supporter of Israel. Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca explains how the government of Belize is navigating this misalignment of allyship.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“ I think, you know, Belize, as you said, participated in the initial meeting of the Hague group. You know, there are changing circumstances and changing conditions and we have to constantly review those. The cabinet is aware of these issues, we are discussing these issues. So. You know, again, our position is that any of these organizations that we engage in, we do so on a principled basis really because of our strong commitment as a country to self-determination. That has been, you know, the critical focus for us in all of these fora that we participate. But, as I said, it’s something that we are reviewing and looking at. You know, and cabinet will discuss these matters in a more comprehensive way.”

Fonseca Unbothered, Too Focused to Know His Opponent

On Tuesday, Prime Minister John Briceño announced that Belizeans will head to the polls on March 12, 2025. With less than a month to go, candidates are in full campaign mode—but in Freetown, P.U.P. Standard Bearer Francis Fonseca isn’t breaking a sweat. In fact, he’s so confident in his re-election that he doesn’t even know who his political opponent is. Fonseca says his focus remains on his work and his constituents, not the competition.

Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Freetown

“ I am a representative. Of Freetown So I have to be engaged in campaign and political work. But of course I also have ministerial duties which I have to carry out. I’m doing that today. So it’s a balance. It’s a balance. But obviously, you know, this is political season, campaign season. So, you know, we’re carrying out our work. And finishing up some of the projects that we started. And then, as I said, campaigning. Campaigning obviously takes priority right now.”

Britney Gordon

“ What has the feedback been like from the residents in your constituency? Is there any areas of concern that you’re looking at addressing?”

Francis Fonseca

“No, I mean it’s, we have a great relationship with the people in Freetown. So I feel very confident about my relationship with them. But of course, of course, we talk to them about issues of concern to them. You know. Infrastructure is always an issue that we have to continue working on. People are always concerned about more job opportunities. People are concerned about their land, getting access to land, getting access to housing. Those are big issues. The cost of living, of course, is always an issue of concern. So we talk to our voters about all of those issues and try to you know, respond to them when they come up in a responsible way.”

Britney Gordon

”In terms of Abraham Flowers, how are you feeling having him as your opponent right now?”

Francis Fonseca

“No, I don’t know the gentleman, so I can’t comment on it. I don’t know him. I understand he’s a U.D.P. candidate you know, but like every candidate, I respect all of my candidates, this is my sixth election, I respect all of my candidates, and I never make my campaigns about who I’m running against, I make it about my work and my relationship with the people of Freetown, and that’s what I will do in this election as well.”

Police Investigating Rape Allegations Against Union Leader

Police are investigating allegations of rape made against a Belize City union leader. According to reports, a female coworker claims that she was sexually assaulted by the unionist back in 2019. Police recorded the statement of the alleged victim. We are told that the union leader was being questioned by Ladyville police on Wednesday night. No charges have been levied, and when we checked with the police department’s communication department, we were told that they have no knowledge of any such report.

San Pedro Resident Missing for Five Days

Police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate San Pedro Town resident Carlos Cassanova. He was last seen just before midnight on Saturday and Sunday morning. There are reports that Cassanova was in the back of a police mobile when he was last seen. His sister, Telma Corado, says she has received those reports, but the Belize Police Department has said that this narrative is not accurate. Corado told us, via telephone, what the family knows so far.

On the Phone: Telma Corado, Sister

“For right now, we’re a bit relieved since the police have taken our report seriously, because at first they weren’t really paying mind to it. So they’ve started their investigation and started reviewing nearby footage. I don’t know much for now. All we know at the moment is that he went missing on Saturday night. The last persons who saw are saying that he was last seen between the hours of twelve in the morning Saturday into Sunday morning. So, they’re currently investigating, and they’ll start getting videos from nearby stores that have cameras so that we can figure out what time more or less he came down. That’s really all we have for now. But I do feel relieved that the police have already taken my report and started the investigation.”

Benita Palacio

“We understand that he was last seen behind a police truck; is this true?”

Telma Corado

“Well, that’s what people are saying, and that’s what they’re investigating now.”

Benita Palacio

“We also understand that he left his phone in his room; is this true?”

Telma Corado

“Yes, that’s right. He left his phone, his wallet everything. He left everything; didn’t take anything with him. The only thing we see he might have taken is his keys because the door was locked.”