March, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize Pays Tribute to Paranda Legend Aurelio Martinez

Belizeans from all walks of life are gathered at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts to honor the memory of Aurelio Martinez, the beloved Paranda legend whose music transcended borders and touched countless hearts. It’s an evening filled with heartfelt tributes, soulful performances, and poignant reflections on Martinez’s enduring legacy. As the community comes together to celebrate his life and contributions, the atmosphere is one of both sorrow and gratitude, a testament to the profound impact he had on Belizean culture and beyond. Here are the sights and sounds from the Bliss.

UNDP Belize Launches Rural Electrification Project in Mabil-Ha

According to UNDP Belize, “a preliminary Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) meeting was successfully held in Mabil-Ha, where community members learnt about the Deepening Access via Rural Electrification (DARE) Project and gave their full support for its implementation.”

During the meeting, community members expressed full support for the initiative, which will provide solar-powered electricity to local schools, households, and businesses. UNDP Belize said this marks an important milestone in closing the energy gap in Belize’s rural areas, particularly in Toledo District, where many villages remain without access to modern energy services.

It said that while 90% of Belize’s population has electricity, 27 villages—24 of which are in Toledo—still lack power. This lack of access to electricity hampers development and perpetuates poverty.

The project, supported by the IBSA Fund, will see solar microgrids implemented in the villages of Mabil-Ha, Otoxha, and Na Luum Caj. It aligns with Belize’s National Energy Policy (2023-2040) and the Rural Electrification Project led by the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics & E-Governance. The initiative will also empower female solar engineers through a South-South exchange programme with the Government of India.

With these solar-powered solutions, the project promises a brighter, more sustainable future for these communities, bringing affordable, clean, and reliable energy to underserved areas.

More Details of Young Father Killed in Highway Crash

A fatal accident on the Hummingbird Highway Monday night claimed the life of 26-year-old Michael Daniels, a bartender and father of two young sons. Daniels and his friends had just finished football practice in Saint Margaret’s Village and were heading home to Valley Community when he lost control of his silver Mitsubishi and crashed into a culvert.

He suffered severe head and upper body injuries and died at the scene, while his two friends sustained injuries.

Daniels, who worked at Caves Branch Resort, was known for his love of sports and family. At just 14 years old, he and his brothers placed second in the intramural category of the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. His older brother, Kenrick Daniels, shared that Michael had been planning a family reunion and a football game to bring their loved ones together. “He wanted to do a family reunion, football game, and this was his idea to do that—our family reunion football game down in our village, Valley Community,” Kenrick recalled.

His sudden passing has left his family heartbroken, especially his wife, Paulina Daniels, with whom he would have celebrated his fifth wedding anniversary on Friday. His mother, devastated by the loss, recalled that in the past two weeks, Michael had been bringing her flowers from work. “She told him that when she dies, he doesn’t need to bring any flowers because he already brought enough for her now,” Kenrick shared. “Not knowing that he was bringing them because he wouldn’t be there when my mom died.”

European Countries Warn Citizens About Travelling to the U.S.

American tourists planning international travel are likely familiar with the US State Department’s “travel advisories,” which provide information about the risks of visiting regions, totalitarian states, or countries with high crime rates, poor infrastructure, or other challenges.

On March 15, European countries issued a warning cautioning their citizens about the risks of visiting the US. These countries have concluded that under the new regime of Donald Trump, the U.S. has become a place where foreign visitors must ensure their documentation is in order, or they may face serious repercussions.

Germany also warned that having a visa or entry permit doesn’t guarantee entry to the US, and travellers could face arrest or deportation for small issues like overstaying a visa or giving false information.

Other countries, including Denmark and Finland, have expressed concerns about the US’s treatment of transgender and nonbinary travellers. The US entry system only allows visitors to choose “male” or “female,” which can cause problems for those who don’t fit these categories.

Additionally, Canada, the US’s largest source of tourists, has updated its advisory urging extra caution when dealing with US authorities. Tensions between the US and Canada stem from the tariff back-and-forth with President Trump and his comments about making Canada the 51st state.

What is 6G and Why is China Leading the Way?

6G, the next generation of wireless technology, promises to revolutionise communications by merging the physical and digital worlds in ways once seen only in science fiction. Think of some of your favourite movies featuring holographic technology, self-driving cars, or advanced healthcare and transportation systems – all things that seem far beyond our current reality. That’s the vision of 6G. It aims to enhance everything from AI-powered systems and telemedicine to holographic communication, bringing these futuristic concepts closer to everyday life.

However, while the technology holds vast potential, there is significant divergence in how countries are approaching its development. China is not one of those countries.

China is already ahead in the 6G race. The country has set up important rules for 6G and made three key technological standards under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2024. The country’s 2025 development goals include fostering industries like 6G.

A report in the Chinese journal Scientia Sinica Informationis pointed out that European and American operators are hesitant about advancing 6G, largely due to the slower deployment of 5G in these regions. “European and American operators are not willing to develop 6G due to the relatively lagging 5G deployment,” the report stated. Meanwhile, countries like Japan, South Korea, and China are more optimistic about their future.

How 6G Will Differ from 5G?

The evolution of wireless technology goes back to the time when 2G and 3G helped expand communication through voice and text. When 5G rolled out, it offered improved speeds and connectivity and made things like artificial intelligence (AI) possible. Now, 6G will go further, enabling the ‘fusion’ of human and digital interactions in unprecedented ways. It promises to offer even greater reliability, speed, and lower latency.

6G is expected to boost sectors such as telemedicine, smart cities, and intelligent transport systems. According to experts, 6G will also support technologies like holographic communications and digital twins, which are virtual models of physical objects, systems, or even humans, for real-time applications.

How is 6G Being Developed?

The development of 6G is a global effort, but it requires international agreement on the operational standards that will allow for its widespread implementation. The United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is leading efforts to establish these standards and is aiming to have them in place by 2030. The ITU works alongside other global bodies, such as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which brings together standards organisations from across the world, including China, the US, South Korea, and Europe.

Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are moving quickly. China’s rapid progress could give it an advantage in shaping the future of 6G.

While national research and development efforts are underway, the true test for 6G will come with the alignment of these efforts to create a globally compatible system. Ericsson, a major telecoms company, has projected that pre-commercial trials of 6G could begin as early as 2028, with proof-of-concept demonstrations expected even sooner.

Putting it simply, China is ahead in the race to define 6G, which is leaving the rest of the world to catch up.

Belize Government Defends LPG Importation Reforms at CCJ

Today marks the first day of a two-day hearing before the Caribbean Court of Justice involving a constitutional dispute from Belize. The appellants—the Controller of Supplies, the Minister of Economic Development, and the Attorney General—are challenging a Court of Appeal decision that found that the Government of Belize had violated the respondents’ constitutional rights to work and property by preventing them from importing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) into the country. The respondents, four privately owned gas companies in Belize, didn’t succeed in their claims of violations of freedom of association and equal treatment, prompting them to file a cross-appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on those grounds. The gas companies involved are Gas Tomza Ltd, Western Gas Company Ltd, Southern Choice Butane Ltd (Zeta Gas), and Belize Western Energy Ltd.

Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, one of the attorneys representing the government, told the court that the legislation was intended to address critical issues in the sector, including supply insecurity, transfer pricing, product quality concerns, and smuggling.

According to Courtenay, Parliament’s intent was to liberate the LPG sector from the dominance of the Zaragoza Brothers and establish a more stable and regulated system. Evidence presented in affidavits from Financial Secretary Joseph Waight and another outlined the rationale behind the reforms. Courtenay stressed that the government did not act in bad faith or seek to put private gas companies out of business.

The case continues before the CCJ as both sides present their arguments.

Carlos Pinto Rescued After Drifting on Makeshift Raft

57-year-old Carlos Pinto’s unexpected journey at sea left his family in shock. His daughter, Dayna Pinto, told News 5 that she believes he was trying to get home after growing tired of working as a security guard on an island. Without hearing from his boss, Pinto set out on a makeshift raft, taking only his personal belongings, food rations, and a wooden paddle. Dayna explained that her father doesn’t own a cell phone.

“We’d been looking for him since around the time of La Ruta Maya,” Dayna said. “We were told that he went to work out at caye. Upon hearing that, our minds were relaxed a little. We noticed that it was taking a bit too long not hearing from him because we know a day or two is the most that we don’t see him around.”

Dayna confirmed her father’s whereabouts after speaking with her aunt, who assured her Carlos was working on the Caye. Dayna was caught by surprise when she received a call from her uncle, who informed her that Carlos had been found by the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) and taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).

Initial medical assessment by the BCG indicated that his blood pressure was elevated, but aside from that, he was in a “fairly healthy” condition.

“I know that the young man employed him at the time and that he was watching the island for him. He gave me a call right away when he had seen the news,” she said.

The employer told Dayna he was unaware of how Pinto ended up drifting in the sea. Dayna believes her father simply grew tired of waiting and decided to leave. “I guess my dad, at that point, was just tired of being out there, so he decided to pack up his things and come home … I guess he was tired of waiting on the boss to bring him in,” she told News 5.

Carlos is now receiving treatment at KHMH, with his blood pressure being monitored. “I was amazed because like how my dad was on that thing, and nothing happened to him at the time… Sea rough sometimes,” Dayna added.

According to Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Pinto “seemed quite contented on board that little raft that he was on drifting out at sea.”

Health Ministry Issues Warning on Tainted Supplements

The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MOHW) is warning the public about tainted dietary supplements circulating in Cayo, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, and Belize districts. The advisory follows alerts from international health agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Mexico’s COFEPRIS, and Spain’s AEMPS, as well as MOHW’s own investigations.

The affected products—Artri King, Artribion, Artri Ajo King, and Vitafer-L—have been found to contain undeclared substances that could pose serious health risks.

As a precaution, the MOHW urges consumers not to purchase or consume these supplements and to only buy health products from licensed pharmacies and authorized distributors. The ministry also warns against purchasing medications or supplements from social media, street vendors, or other informal sources, as these products may be unregulated and unsafe.

Anyone who encounters these or other questionable health products is encouraged to report them to the MOHW at drugalerts@health.gov.bz or call +501-880-2363.

Fire Destroys Belize City Building

A fire broke out early this morning at a two-storey wooden building located at the intersection of Victoria and Castle streets. The blaze started around 6:00 a.m., and fire crews responded and managed to extinguish the flames shortly after.

Footage from the scene shows the building destroyed by the fire. Reports indicate that the property was abandoned and had no access to electricity.

Neighbours reported seeing a squatter occasionally entering the building. Fire officials suspect the fire may have been caused by something brought into the property.

No injuries have been reported at this time. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Police Investigate Fatal Crash on Hummingbird Highway

Police are investigating a fatal road traffic accident that occurred on the Hummingbird Highway on Monday night, which claimed the life of 26-year-old Michael Daniels.

Daniels and his friends had just finished football practice in Saint Margaret’s Village and were heading home to Valley Community when he lost control of his silver Mitsubishi and crashed into a culvert.

In a statement shared on social media, the family stated: “Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the sudden loss of Michael Daniels.” The family described Daniels as a “kind and gentle young man who will forever be remembered for the joy he brought to the hearts of all those who loved him.”

(Updated 3:11 p.m. local time)