An investigation is currently underway into a suspected case of visa fraud. On February third, a traveler arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport and presented a fake Belizean visa to an immigration officer. The traveler has been identified as twenty-three-year-old Lazar Krivokapic from Montenegro in the Balkans. Krivokapic, who arrived on a COPA Airlines flight, handed over a travel document that lacked standard security features. Further checks revealed that Krivokapic had previously been denied a Belizean visa. Outside the arrival section at the airport, another individual was waiting to receive him. This person, identified as a resident of Camalote Village, presented a receipt for the previously rejected visa application. News Five has learned that the Special Branch of the Belize Police Department is leading the investigation. News Five also spoke with the Immigration C.E.O., Tanya Santos, for more details.
On the phone: Tanya Santos, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration
“The individual came in on a flight on Monday evening and presented his documents to the immigration officers and the nationality requires a visa to enter Belize. So the passport was viewed and the visa that was in the passport, the immigration officers noted right away that it looked suspicious and on closer inspection, it was determined to be a fraudulent, appear to be a fraudulent visa. So they reviewed it a little closer and discussed it a little further and transferred and did some interviews with the traveler and eventually included Special Branch in these interview processes.”
The Belize Immigration Department is investigating an alleged case of visa fraud, leading to criminal charges against a Belizean consultant from the Cayo District. The accused, forty-nine-year-old Craig Elliott Martin, who holds dual citizenship in Belize and Jamaica, claims to run his own consulting business in Camalote Village. This morning, around ten a.m., Craig was escorted to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on a charge of fabricating a permit. He appeared before a Senior Magistrate, alongside his attorney, Orson “OJ” Elrington, and pleaded not guilty. The allegations state that on January seventeenth, 2025, in Camalote Village, Craig fabricated a document to help Lazar Krivokapic enter Belize without a visa. Head of Prosecution, Alifah Elrington, represented the crown and requested that Craig surrender all his travel documents due to his dual citizenship. Despite his Jamaican passport being expired for over twenty years, the court granted Craig bail with strict conditions, including surrendering all travel documents and reporting to the Belmopan Police Station every Friday. Craig’s next court date is set for April fourth, 2025, in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court. After his arraignment, Craig was served with another charge related to aiding in the fabrication of an immigration offense. He pleaded not guilty to this charge as well. Since both charges stem from the same circumstances, his initial bail conditions remained. Craig was able to post bail by late afternoon after surrendering his travel documents and securing Belizean sureties. Attorney OJ Elrington spoke with the media after the arraignment.
Ryan Melendez, a construction worker from San Pedro, filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Police, and Sergeant Devon Makin. Melendez alleged that on July sixth, 2024, Makin struck him on the head with a gun while on the island. He claimed that Makin acted negligently and wrongfully with his firearm, seeking damages for negligence, assault, and battery. Melendez stated that Makin used a weapon to hit him in the face, causing bodily harm and using excessive force. In response, Makin disputed the allegations, explaining that he was approached by two minors who said they were being chased by armed individuals. Makin argued that he acted cautiously to ensure his safety due to the perceived threat and was fulfilling his duty as a police officer to protect life and property. Ultimately, the case was dismissed because Melendez did not provide the Government of Belize with the required thirty days’ notice before filing the claim. Makin was represented by Attorney Hector Guerra. However, Melendez still has the option to refile the case with proper notice.
Alberto August, an Opposition Member of the Elections & Boundaries Commission, has taken aim at the Facebook blog “Hot Off the Press” for spreading misleading information about the assignment of political colors for the 2025 General Election. In his statement, August said, “this is in response to the grossly misleading post broadcast by untrained individuals posing as journalists on the Facebook platform ‘Hot Off the Press.’ It’s actions like these that tarnish the noble profession of journalism”. He clarified that while the assignment of colors was discussed extensively in a recent Commission meeting, no final decision has been made yet. August explained that the Commission unanimously agreed that, under Section 15 (4) of the Third Schedule (Election Rules) of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 9, they must first consult with political parties contesting the election before making a final decision. He added, “For this to move forward legally, the Alliance for Democracy Party, led by their acting leader Tracy Panton, must first declare itself a political party, as the Commission can only consult with ‘political parties contesting the election”.
Every day, people around the world experience the direct effects of climate change, from more intense natural disasters to prolonged heat waves. This has made green initiatives like recycling a popular way for individuals to contribute to saving the planet. But recycling isn’t just about being eco-friendly. In tonight’s episode of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Britney Gordon discovers how many Belizeans are turning recycling into a way to earn money while also helping to clean up their country. Here’s the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
By 8:30 a.m., the Bowen and Bowen compound in Belize City is buzzing with activity. Workers are busy hauling away stacks of crates and bags filled with hundreds of empty bottles for processing. But where do all these bottles come from? They come from dedicated collectors like Alfonso Mejia, who gather and resell them to the company.
Alfonso Mejia
Alfonso Mejia, Bottle Reseller
“Well it’s hard work. You have to go and pick up all about and at the same timeyou buy and make you load. Maybe one time every fifteen days.”
Britney Gordon
“Where do you collect these bottles from?”
Alfonso Mejia
“Well, all in Belize. And I buy too.”
For about twenty years, Alfonso Mejia has been collecting and reselling bottles. He gathers both glass and plastic bottles, selling them for fifteen or twenty-five cents each, depending on the type. While it’s not a fortune, it’s enough to keep sixty-five-year-old Mejia coming back, especially as physical labor becomes tougher with age.
Alfonso Mejia
“I cannot work hard anymore like when I was young. So I have to dedicate myself in other things. It gives you money instant and I you don;t work to hard. You do your own job. Because while another person is working the whole day. But then with this, you just come make you lee money fast. Quick.”
After inspection, the company cleans and sanitizes glass bottles for reuse, while plastic bottles are compacted and sold abroad for recycling. Tricia Thompson, a mother of three, says the program has been a tremendous help for her family.
Tricia Thompson
Tricia Thompson, Bottle Reseller
“ I was working at the Burrel Boom sanitation spot for a while, just, you know, watching everybody, and I said, I’ve noticed that when you bring them to Bowen, you get a little extra more, and it helps me, because I have kids and everything, so it’s, it just helps make life a little easier.”
For about three years, Tricia Thompson has been selling bottles, and she estimates that she sells over eight thousand bottles every week.
Tricia Thompson
“ What we do, we have to get our crates. And then we have to separate them into each crates. If da coke, with coke. If da Sprite with Sprite. you know. And then they come count the crates and then we go and receive our money.”
Britney Gordon
“How does that differ from the process for plastic bottles?”
Tricia Thompson
“Well, plastic, we have to count them off when we’re at the work site. Then we bag them off and we come here. We tell them how many bags we have and sometimes they check them. And then we just say how much we have and we get paid at the counter.”
The bottles come from various sources. Mejia collects some himself and buys others, while Thompson gathers hers from work. Another collector, Luis Enrique Lainez, buys his bottles from the government. Today, he brought in a whopping six thousand bottles.
Voice of: Luis Enrique Lainez
Voice of: Luis Enrique Lainez, Bottle Reseller
“I do a recycling process where the government put in a process. I de da three miles. When we buy it, from people who di circuit it right there, and we pay the government, what what tariff make we take all them plastic from them.”
Lainez explained that he sorts and tallies up the bottles, then pays a fee to the collectors and the government. He’s been buying bottles this way for over twenty years.
Voice of: Luis Enrique Lainez
“It bring me a lot of benefit because from that I could buy stuff for my kids. And for that, I purchase things for school today and everything.”
Every morning, Frederick Neal, a dedicated Bowen and Bowen employee, is on hand to help sellers with the unloading process. He’s there bright and early, ensuring everything runs smoothly for the bottle collectors.
Frederic Neal
Frederic Neal, Bowen & Bowen Employee
“Usually I am out here with my supervisor talking to people, telling them how to put, how to organize the pints. And we usually get the crates for them in the morning, and we bring it out here for them to shuffle, and we just show them what to do.”
Britney Gordon
“And what is the busiest time of day, and how many people do you estimate that you see during that time?”
Frederic Neal
“I have to serve maybe like a hundred and fifty people every morning. And the busiest time will be from nine-thirty to like ten thirty.”
Every day is a new adventure for Neal at the site, as he meets a mix of new people and familiar faces. There’s always something different happening, keeping his workday interesting and dynamic.
Frederic Neal
“It’s all kind of thing every time. Sometimes people will bring their pints if someone is in the way. If it’s too busy, it will be a hassle.”
Britney Gordon
“What’s your favorite part of, doing this kind of work?”
Frederic Neal
“I like this job because I get to help Belizean people that don’t have it like that and this is an opportunity for them to make a little money.”
For most people, what happens to a bottle after finishing their drink isn’t a big deal. But for some, it’s a vital source of income.
Tricia Thompson
“Well actually this has changed my life a lot because I was struggling as a mother and this just made it much more easier.”
On Wednesday morning, San Pedro police carried out a drug destruction operation at the cemetery, burning a significant quantity of illegal substances seized on Ambergris Caye. The operation, approved by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, was witnessed by representatives from the magistracy and the National Forensics Science Services. The incinerated drugs included approximately three kilograms of cannabis, six kilograms of cocaine, 374 grams of crack cocaine, and 3.6 kilograms of hashish. The burn consisted of both found property and court-concluded exhibits.
The family of a San Ignacio resident is urgently seeking financial help for a lifesaving surgery. Alfredo Novelo shared with News Five that his son, Josue Novelo, was in a traffic accident on Sunday morning while riding his motorcycle home. Josue is now hospitalized at the Western Regional Hospital, with a ten-thousand-dollar surgery scheduled for next week. Unfortunately, his family can’t afford the cost. We spoke with his father over the phone to learn more about their situation.
On The Phone: Alfredo Novelo, Father of Accident Victim
“It was this past Saturday night, he was at a friend’s house in San Ignacio and it was a little late. His mom was calling him to come home, because it was already about two in the morning. He answered and say yeah he is coming. But he decided to come about three in the morning. So about three thirty we got a knock on our door form a police officer that knows us. He is a close member to the family. He knocked on the door and said Mr. Novelo I have bad news for you. We found your son by the new bridge and it looked like he crashed the motorcycle and he is broken up. His hand and his foot and maybe his back, but he is all broken up. That is how we found out he got in the accident. Financially we would really appreciate help form anybody that could assist us. The operation is going to cost ten thousand dollars and that is very difficult for the families. So we are asking friends and families if they can support for us to do the operation as quick as possible. He is talking about Monday, or Tuesday or somewhere around there.”
On Tuesday, the National Health Insurance (NHI) team met with medical professionals in Belmopan to talk about rolling out NHI in the area. The government is getting ready to accept bids from primary care providers to serve Belmopan residents under the NHI program. They aim to have NHI available across the entire Cayo District by mid-2025. Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, shared more details about the plan for nationwide coverage.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“As you are aware, the rollout of the entire district has commenced. There have been consultations that is taking place. The plan is that by the end of this year, we should have NHI across the entire country. So there is a process. I think that in May, we are looking at targeting the Cayo side and then Belmopan city, and then we go on to the other surrounding villages because Cayo district is very huge. It is our hope that by the end of the year, as I said, we would have full coverage of NHI across te entire country.”
In November, Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard and Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children Rosanna Briceño met with health officials to discuss Belize’s Memorandum of Understanding with Merida’s Hospital Horan. The government aims to provide treatment access for juvenile cancer patients in Belize and eventually expand to adult radiotherapy. Minister Bernard shared an update on this important initiative.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“There was an MOU that had existed that had expired. We have gone into, myself my CEO and Dr. Musa, along with my Special Envoy for families and children, we visited the Iran hospital executive team. We wanted to go earlier, but due to their transition change of presidents and the organization management team had some shifts. So we had a very successful meeting earlier this year with them. We are at the final stage of renewing that MOU. They are providing support, continuous support services for our children, young children who need that service. However, we wanted to also, we went to speak with them to see how they can assist further with women who need that service. We haven’t been able to sign to that yet because as they are, they have said as well, they have to look at the capacity that they can afford. And so with the expansion that they’re doing in Merida, then we will be able to sit down back, hopefully by the end of this year, early next year to look at that support that can come for our females. But the ministry is always looking at ways and means how we can continue to support those affected by this very dreadful disease. And we remain committed to ensure that we continue to build that partnership with the Horan Hospital, but at the same time continue to support these organizations, these local organizations in being able to have support as well, services for these persons suffering from these illnesses.”
Recently, there have been reports of a shortage of Risperidone in Belize. This medication is crucial for treating psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia because it’s both affordable and effective. We spoke with the Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, about the ministry’s plan to tackle this shortage.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
“If you’re referring to patients suffering from mental illness, there has been some issues but the Ministry continuously tries our very best to procure these medications in a timely manner. There are times that it’s very out of our control. But just recently, I know we, we recently ordered some of these urgent medications. These are very delicate medications and we are making sure we can make these available in a very timely manner. I cannot speak much to that, but I can tell you that we are doing very everything possible to ensure that we have supply in the country so that we’re able to attend to our patients that needs these services. Now, we have people that are host at the Palm View Center and other facilities that we do provide these services. The demand and supply chain sometimes constantly disrupts our medication supplies. And so we have to look around and see how best we can address those things. But let me assure those persons and those families that we’re doing our very best to ensure that we have those medication supplies so we can provide to those who need them.”
