March 7, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

La Ruta Maya 2025 False Start and Controversial Finish

The 2025 La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge had an eventful start this morning with its first-ever false start. As the race official was counting down, most teams took off before the starting horn was blown. They covered a lot of ground before realizing they had to turn back and restart. Once the race officially began, the fifty-four teams paddled for five and a half hours to reach the finish line in Banana Bank. The first of four stages ended with a controversial finish. Paul Lopez was there to cover the race and filed this report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge had a rocky start this morning. Paddlers gathered under the Hawksworth Bridge, but most teams took off before the starting horn sounded.

Several teams stayed behind after the false start.

Paddler

“Deh got the fault, they start five four, you don’t do that. You blow the horn and let everybody go.”

Fernando Oliva, Ready for Life, Male Pro

“More than half of the competitors didn’t move off this morning. It was just a communication issue. The officials did not say go. Someone else said go and it was the official’s time.”

Paul Lopez

“What do you wait for or listen for before taking off?”

Fernando Oliva

“In any competition, race, Olympics, it is an issue to pay keen attention on the voice that is the official voice. It could be a gun, a signal. You just have to focus, eliminate the noise from the crowd.”

After some deliberation, the event organizers decided to restart the race. The challenge was that many of the canoes, including the defending champions Slim and Trim Like Guava Limb, were already far ahead.

Emil Bradley, Manager, Guava Limb

“I don’t know which horn sounded but a horn sounded. It is the excitement. I didn’t know it was false until I saw some canoes and then they said it was a false start. It takes a lot out of a team to sprint to the distance where they turn back. It takes a lot, but everybody has to do the same thing, so yeah.”

One hour later, at eight a.m., all paddlers were back at the starting line and this time they got it right. Mayor Earl Trapp was present to welcome spectators to the Twin Towns.

Earl Trapp, Mayor, SI/SE

“I look at it as a very key and important race starting here in San Ignacio especially as it relates to tourism. This is a tourist destination and it brings many visitors from a far into our community. So, it definitely helps to stimulate the local economy.”

On the first day of the four-day race, paddlers set off from San Ignacio and made their way to the riverside in Banana Bank. About an hour and a half into the race, we caught up with them at the Baking Pot Ferry. Leading the pack were three teams: the defending champions Guava Limb, Memory Lane Global Mission, and Team Lucas Oil/Westrac. Interestingly, Team Lucas, which includes two men and a woman, is giving the two elite all-male teams a serious challenge.

Armin Lopez, Coach, Team Lucas Oil/ Westrac

“I think they have enough, no excuse, they have enough training, because we have a good sponsor, Westrac. Thank God they have a good sponsor. We really happy that Westrac the sponsor us and the give us a good support.”

Five and a half hours into the race, six lead canoes rounded the bend into the final stretch at the riverside in Banana Bank. With just under two hundred meters to go, Guava Limb and Global Missions broke away from the pack. They were neck and neck, sprinting towards the finish line. Suddenly, their canoes collided, nearly causing both teams to capsize. They quickly recovered, but Memory Lane Global Mission managed to gain a slight edge, crossing the finish line first to win stage one. Guava Limb followed just a few seconds later, securing second place. Team Lucas Oil came in third.

Carlos Lenares, Paddler, Memory Lane Global Mission

“Well you know the finishing is there, collapse happens, canoes stick and thing. They have certain things that you can’t avoid. I hear that they are going to protest on us because they say we hold their canoe, but everybody out here saw what happened. So, they could go head and protest. In life you have to learn to lose.”

Javier Guardado, Paddler, Guava Limb

“What exactly happened, those guys held our canoe and that was the problem there.”

Paul Lopez

“So you felt a hold?”

Javier Guardado

“I saw him hold my canoe.”

Paul Lopez

“So how do you go about settling this, do you go and make a protest, or do you reset and go into tomorrow?”

Javier Guardado

“Well, we have three days more left to go and we have God and faith and our teammates, so yeah.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Stephany Quiros Proves Plumbing Isn’t Just a Man’s Job

Plumbing has traditionally been seen as a male-dominated field, demanding skill, precision, and physical strength. However, one Belizean woman, Stephany Quiros, is breaking down those barriers. Through sheer determination and hard work, she has not only launched an inspiring business but also shattered stereotypes. Despite the challenges of juggling work, motherhood, and the pressure to prove herself in a male-driven industry, she continues to thrive. Sabreena Daly brings us her story in this week’s look on The Bright Side.

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

When you call a plumber, you usually expect “the man for the job” to be, well, a man. Plumbing demands skill, precision, and problem-solving, and it’s often seen as a male-dominated field. That’s why discovering Stephany Quiros, a twenty-four-year-old woman who not only studied plumbing but also started her own business, was a delightful surprise. Quiros is breaking norms and shattering stereotypes. And if you ask her what drew her to the field, she’ll gladly tell you.

Stephany Quiros, Owner, SQ Solutions

“Because it’s like a puzzle—everything is like a puzzle. You have to think about what’s going to happen next and plan ahead before it actually happens. It keeps you busy all day, and that’s what I love about it. I’m not the type of person to sit around all day—I like staying busy. That’s why I love plumbing.”

Quiros owns SQ Solutions, a company that offers top-notch plumbing services. Following her passion wasn’t easy, as the plumbing industry has been male dominated for a long time. This made it tough for her to break through, even during her school days.

Stephany Quiros
“It’s much more than that. Actually, it was very hard for me because when I started working or was in school, the males would laugh at you if you made a mistake. That made me feel very insecure. So it was tough. Sometimes, I had to go back online to double-check things, especially sizing. When you’re in front of customers, you have to know what you’re doing because, as a female, people are quick to doubt you. But it was challenging, yeah. Also, every day, you learn something new because plumbing is constantly evolving.”

At Bredda O’s Pizza in Ladyville, Quiros is the go-to handywoman, tackling everything from clogged sinks to bathroom fixture repairs. Owner, Emelda Velasquez admits she’s still amazed every time she watches her work.

Emelda Alarcon Velasquez, Owner, Bredda O’s Pizza
“It’s funny looking at a pretty girl—that’s what I thought—doing something like that. She actually helped fix the bathroom when it was clogged. And at home, she helped put the bathroom together as well. Watching her do her job is amazing.”

Quiros runs an online business with hopes of expanding it even further. Like many aspiring entrepreneurs, she knows that success demands sacrifice—even if it means breaking a few barriers along the way. Whether it’s navigating the challenges of a male-dominated industry or balancing work and motherhood, she remains determined to build a legacy that inspires others to follow their own paths.

Stephany Quiros
“It has been crazy—really busy for me, especially with a baby. It’s hard to manage being a mom, working, and trying to keep everything together so that everyone, including myself, is happy. Sometimes, I have many bookings in a day, and other times, people call, book, and then cancel. But it’s all part of the process, you know?”

Emelda Alarcon Velasquez
“I mean, you’re not stealing, you’re not robbing, you’re not doing anything out of the ordinary. It’s an honest living, and for me, it’s hats off to you guys. I adore it.”

Her message to young women and girls is clear—just go for it. Do it even when no one is watching, and especially if you’re the only woman on the job. Every step you take is a step toward breaking barriers and showing that skill has no gender.

Stephany Quiros
“I think my advice would be to just take the first step. For us females, the hardest part is taking that step. If we hadn’t decided to open that Facebook page and say, “You know what? Let’s commit to this and keep going,” none of this would have happened. We wouldn’t be known—we’d just be doing the same routine. So, just take that step.”

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

Dangriga Man Charged for Murder in San Pedro Shooting

Four months after the fatal shooting of 46-year-old Matthew Jonathan Moses near Secret Beach in San Pedro, police have formally arrested and charged 27-year-old Samuel Bolaños for murder.

Bolaños, a self-employed Belizean from Dangriga, was charged on Friday.

Moses was found lying in a pool of blood on an unoccupied lot with multiple gunshot wounds. Police reports indicate that his body showed signs of decomposition.

Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute.

Rescued Furrowed Wood Turtle Makes Miraculous Recovery, Set for Release

A Furrowed Wood Turtle, once critically injured after being crushed by a vehicle, is now on the verge of returning to the wild—thanks to months of dedicated care at the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic (BWRC).

In a statement on Facebook, BWRC shared that the turtle arrived at their facility after a compassionate rescuer transported her from Belize City to Mile 60 on the George Price Highway. The turtle’s shell was fractured, leaving her soft tissue exposed and vulnerable. Despite the severity of her injuries, the BWRC team worked tirelessly to stabilise and heal her.

“We fought for her. She fought for herself. Through months of intensive care, debriding, medication, and patience, we watched as nature worked its quiet “magic,” BWRC stated.

Now, nearly six months later, the turtle has made a full recovery and is preparing for release back into her natural habitat.

Belize Expands Vanilla Cultivation: New Nursery Opens, Women Lead the Charge

Women and girls in Belize are taking the lead in vanilla cultivation, as the second phase of training wrapped up with the official inauguration of the country’s third public vanilla nursery.

Located at the Western Region Youth Training Institute, the new nursery is fully stocked with two species of vanilla native to southern Belize. This marks another step forward in boosting the country’s supply of vanilla beans and expanding opportunities in the emerging sector.

With this initiative, the Office of the Prime Minister and the National Women’s Commission are looking ahead to a future where vanilla production becomes a key part of Belize’s agricultural diversification—one that empowers women and girls to take on leadership roles in the industry.

Op-ed: The Hidden Cost of Obesity: How Agrifood Systems Can Be Part of the Solution

By Daniela Godoy G. – FAO Senior Policy Officer for Food Security and Nutrition

Obesity is a public health problem associated with the diet of populations that has increased worryingly in the last 20 years.

According to estimates from the State of Food Security in the World (SOFI) 2024, the prevalence of obesity in adults affected 881 million people in 2022, and the number is projected to climb to 1200 million people by 2030. Latin America and the Caribbean is no stranger to this problem. Currently, 141 million adults are affected by obesity, which is equivalent to an alarming 29.9% of the population. This increase means it almost doubled since 2000, when the region registered a 15.4% prevalence of this condition.

In addition, the prevalence of overweight in children under 5 years of age reaches 8.6% in the region, also above the global estimate of 5.6%.

The consequences of this problem are severe and exceed the domain of health, due to the economic costs associated with countering its effects. The 2023 World Obesity Atlas estimated that the global economic impact of overweight and obesity will be $3.3 trillion in 2030 and $4.3 trillion in 2035. These economic losses are associated with higher health care spending and reduced income and productivity linked to absenteeism, presenteeism (lower productivity at work), and early retirement or death.

Measures for the transformation of agrifood systems and the development of healthy food environments against obesity include the promotion of healthy diets and school feeding programmes, together with social protection and policies that improve food environments, which contribute to greater access to and promotion of healthy diets.

In addition, food and nutrition education, integrating communication and technologies, incorporating nutrition into the curriculum and promoting active school environments and school gardens, are the ways to raise awareness and influence changes in eating patterns. This goes hand in hand with sustainable agriculture and the supply of nutritious food, which are part of healthy diets.

These efforts are strongly supported by measures such as the development of food systems-based dietary guidelines, legal frameworks for front-of-pack nutritional labelling, and the regulation of the promotion and sale of high-calorie, high-sugar, high-fat and high-salt foods around schools.

In the face of data that eloquently show the great challenge we face, FAO remains committed to supporting the implementation of these policies in different countries by delivering evidence, good practices and recommendations aimed at transforming agri-food systems against obesity in a framework of regional cooperation.

CCJ Overturns Belize Court of Appeal Decision in Riparian Rights Dispute

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled in favour of New Deal Limited (“New Deal”) in a land dispute concerning riparian rights along the Belize River. On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the CCJ set aside the decision of the Belize Court of Appeal and reinstated the original ruling of the Belize Supreme Court, which had dismissed claims made by landowner Arturo Matus.

Riparian rights refer to the privileges of waterfront property owners regarding access and use of adjacent water bodies. The case centred on whether Matus, the owner of Parcel 4105, could claim such rights despite the presence of Parcel 5031—owned by New Deal—lying between his property and the river.

The Belize Supreme Court had determined that Matus lacked riparian rights, as his property did not directly border the river. However, the Court of Appeal reversed that decision, ruling that the creation of Parcel 5031 was a mistake and exceeded the legal authority of the Registrar of Lands. The appellate court ordered modifications to the Land Register, imposed a permanent injunction, and awarded Matus damages for trespass and constitutional violations.

In its judgment, the CCJ concluded that Matus did not meet the legal requirements for riparian rights, reaffirming that such rights only apply to landowners whose property directly abuts a natural watercourse. Since Parcel 4105 did not have direct river access, Matus’ claim was invalid.

The CCJ also found no legal basis for declaring the creation of Parcel 5031 a mistake. Since Matus did not own the portion of land adjoining his parcel, the inclusion of that land in Parcel 5031 did not warrant changes to the Land Register. Likewise, the CCJ rejected the notion that the creation and transfer of Parcel 5031 to New Deal were void or unlawful, and it overturned the award of damages for trespass and constitutional breaches.

Additionally, the court dismissed any implied right of access through Parcel 5031 to the Belize River, noting that Parcel 4105 could be reached via public roads and other land owned by Matus.

South Carolina to Carry Out First U.S. Firing Squad Execution in 15 Years

South Carolina is set to execute a convicted murderer by firing squad today, marking the first use of the method in the United States in 15 years.

Brad Sigmon, 67, who was sentenced to death for the 2001 murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents, William and Gladys Larke, chose the firing squad over South Carolina’s other available execution methods—the electric chair and lethal injection. His legal appeals were exhausted on Wednesday when the state’s Supreme Court denied his final request for a stay of execution.

Sigmon will be strapped into a chair, hooded, and positioned before three volunteer marksmen who will fire live rounds from 15 feet away, aiming at a target over his heart.

His attorney, Bo King, argued that Sigmon faced an impossible choice, describing the firing squad as a method that would “break the bones in his chest and destroy his heart” while warning that lethal injection could result in a prolonged and agonising death.

Sigmon’s execution is set for 6 p.m. local time at the South Carolina Department of Corrections in Columbia.

Opposition to Sigmon’s execution has been mounting, including from Randy Gardner, whose brother, Ronnie Lee Gardner, was the last person executed by firing squad in the U.S. in 2010.

BELTRAIDE Partners with IICA to Boost Sustainable Livelihoods in Belize

The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) has partnered with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to advance a major sustainable livelihood initiative aimed at strengthening climate resilience and economic opportunities for Belizean communities.

As part of Component 2 of the Sustainable Livelihood Project, BELTRAIDE has been allocated BZD 744,500 to support the growth of nature-based enterprises. The funding will provide five community groups with business development training, technical assistance, and expanded market access to promote sustainable economic activities. This initiative aligns with Belize’s national strategy for climate resilience and sustainable development, particularly for communities dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods.

A key milestone in this collaboration was a meeting on February 27, 2025, between BELTRAIDE’s Executive Director, Ishmael Quiroz, and IICA’s Representative in Belize, Mauricio Guevara, to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will formalise BELTRAIDE’s role in the project, ensuring structured support for community-based enterprises.

The project is financed by the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) through the Adaptation Fund’s Enhanced Direct Access initiative. It forms part of the Building Community Resilience via Transformative Adaptation project, which seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate threats such as droughts, water scarcity, floods, and wildfires.

“World #1 Inventor” Andre Gray Sues 7News, Love FM Next

Belizean American Andre Gray has filed a defamation lawsuit in the High Court of Belize against veteran journalist Jules Vasquez and Channel 7 Media House, which is operated by Tropical Vision Limited. The claim, lodged on December 23, 2024, alleges that Vasquez published defamatory content about Gray through television broadcasts and social media posts, which were aired nationally and viewed internationally.

According to the claim, the defamatory statements were initially aired between January 13 and 15, 2023, and were later rebroadcast on December 30 and 31, 2023. The lawsuit states that these broadcasts have continued into 2024, allegedly damaging Gray’s reputation on a global scale.

Gray, who is described in the legal documents as an independent computer software developer, author, and inventor, is seeking damages, including aggravated and punitive damages, as well as an injunction to prevent further publication of the alleged defamatory statements. He claims that other media houses followed Channel 7’s lead, further injuring his reputation.

The lawsuit also seeks special damages, legal costs, and any other relief the court deems just. Additionally, Gray is requesting an injunction to prevent Vasquez and Channel 7 from making similar statements in the future.

Gray is being represented by his brother, attorney Ian Gray. We are told that similar legal action will be taken against RSV Limited/Love News.

Brent Tombs escaped legal action after deleting his Facebook post on the matter, apologising and settling out of court.

Gray says he is credited with over 16 globally recognised inventions and has authored more than 10 books.

Gray’s legal team argues that the defamatory statements were made with malice and intended to discredit him. However, the defendant’s attorneys, Godfrey Smith SC, Edgar Lord, and Hector Guerra, argue that there is no evidence to substantiate Gray’s claim. They say that the station presented factual information and raised legitimate questions about Gray’s awards.