March, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Pneumonia Delays Baby Ishmael’s Shunt Surgery; Fundraising Continues

Baby Ishmael Villamil was born prematurely on September 11, 2024, at just 28 weeks. Now six months old, he continues to fight for his life against the complications of his early birth, including underdeveloped lungs and hydrocephalus—a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, leading to pressure and potential brain damage.

Since his birth, baby Ishmael has been through multiple doctor visits and a major medical procedure to place a shunt that would drain the fluid building in his brain. It’s been weeks since that procedure, and baby Ishmael’s mom, Jennifer Larios, told News 5 in February that the shunt “isn’t working anymore,” and he needs another surgery to correct it. “If he doesn’t want to give up, why should we—why should I as a mom give up on him?” Jennifer said.

The cost of the surgery is estimated to be at least $12,000, a sum his parents are still aiming to raise.

In the recent weeks, baby Ishmael’s condition took a turn when he was diagnosed with pneumonia. According to his father, Eusebio Villamil, the doctors have advised waiting until his lungs clear up before proceeding with the surgery, as performing it while his lungs are still infected could lead to even greater risks.

In the meantime, the medical expenses have continued to mount. With regular doctor visits, transportation costs, and additional tests like x-rays and more, the young parents are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the financial demands. “Just as how we get the funds, sometimes we have to use it for his medical expenses,” Villamil said.

Your support can make a real difference in helping Jennifer and Eusebio cover the cost of baby Ishmael’s second surgery. If you would like to contribute to baby Ishmael’s surgery fund, donations can be made directly to the following bank accounts:

Belize Bank
Eusebio Alberto Villamil, Account Number: 255 502 010 160000
Jennifer Lizeth Larios, Account Number: 246 491 010 160000

Baby Ishmael’s mom, Jennifer, can be reached at 630-4946.

Over 530,000 Migrants Face Deportation as U.S. Revokes Legal Status

Over 530,000 migrants are currently at risk of deportation after the U.S. government announced it will revoke the legal status of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. According to the Guardian, these migrants were granted temporary protection under a Biden-era program. The sweeping change is set to take effect on April 24.

The decision is part of a continuation of the Trump administration’s stance against the use of humanitarian parole, a program meant to temporarily shelter individuals from war or political instability. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that parole is not a path to permanent status, and those affected must leave the country unless they have another lawful basis to stay.

The Guardian reported that while President Trump has hinted at expanding this policy to include 240,000 Ukrainians, there is uncertainty over how many migrants from the four affected countries will be able to find other legal avenues to remain. The policy, part of broader efforts to curb illegal immigration, has already sparked legal challenges. A lawsuit filed by citizens and immigrant groups claims the revocation will lead to “needless chaos and heartbreak” for thousands of families, The Guardian reported.

Karen Tumlin, founder of the Justice Action Centre, criticised the move, calling it “reckless, cruel and counterproductive.” The legal battle over this decision is set to unfold in federal courts in the coming months.

Belize Coast Guard Women Honour Legacy, Inspire Future Leaders

This Women’s Month, several women of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) came together to honour the memory of their fallen sisters by maintaining their graves and cleaning the surrounding areas. In a social media statement, the BCG shared, “Maintaining the grave of a fallen servicewoman not only preserves her legacy but also reinforces the value of service and remembrance within the community.”

Their dedication didn’t stop there. By engaging with young minds at a local preschool, they ignited curiosity and respect for the essential work of the Coast Guard. Through these efforts, they introduced the children to various pieces of equipment used by the Belize Coast Guard and explained their significance in maritime safety and security. As the statement added, these actions “instil an early sense of civic responsibility and encourage future generations to consider careers in service and leadership.”

While women make up only 11% of the Coast Guard’s 526 active-duty members, they serve across all areas, from logistics to operational duties. Alma Pinelo, Belize’s first female Acting Vice Commandant, reflected on her journey, saying, “Dealing with the whole minority aspect of women in the military has always been something that I have been dealing with my entire career. Knowing how to advocate for those that can’t from the onset. And so I said I had to learn how to be an advocate really early and realise that, okay, you’re shy, you gotta get over that because somebody else needs you.”

Pinelo hopes her leadership breaks the “glass ceiling”, paving the way for a future where women in leadership roles are the standard, not the exception.

Through their tireless service, these women are reshaping the future, proving that leadership, resilience, and strength are qualities that know no gender.

UN Declares 2025 International Year of Glacier Preservation, Warns of $4 Trillion Economic Fallout

The world’s glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, putting up to $4 trillion of global GDP at risk. The rapid disappearance of glaciers is not just an environmental disaster—it’s an economic one.

Due to climate change, driven mainly by human activities since the 1800s, these vital resources are rapidly melting, the United Nations reported. This led the UN General Assembly to designate 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to bring awareness to the importance of glaciers on World Water Day 2025.

According to the UN, “By 2050, the winter tourism sector alone could see losses exceeding $30 billion due to declining snow cover.”

Glaciers provide nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater, supporting agriculture, hydropower, and entire urban populations. According to the UN, as these vital ice reserves shrink, the financial fallout is projected to be catastrophic, which threatens billions of lives and industries worldwide.

In a statement, the UN pointed out that water scarcity could reduce economic productivity by up to 6% in some regions, pushing costs higher and disrupting industries. In South Asia, the loss of glacial water threatens agriculture, exacerbating food price volatility globally. In the U.S., diminishing snowpack in the Columbia River Basin could decimate hydropower generation, costing billions.

The UN added that regions heavily reliant on glaciers—like Peru, Pakistan, and parts of the European Alps—are facing critical water security risks. At the same time, infrastructure and real estate valued in the billions are increasingly exposed to glacier-related hazards such as floods, landslides, and rising sea levels.

With the UN declaring 2025 the International Year of Glacier Preservation, there’s a clear call to action. Financial institutions must embed glacier protection into their risk frameworks and investment strategies. The UN says that by doing so, they can help safeguard global water security, mitigate financial risks, and drive long-term economic resilience.

21-Year-Old Gunned Down in Belize City Streets

The McFadzean family’s world turned upside down on Friday morning when twenty-one-year-old Floyd McFadzean was tragically shot and killed. Floyd, an insurance company employee, was driving his Ford Fusion along Cemetery Road when it was suddenly riddled with bullets. He had two passengers with him who managed to escape unharmed, but Floyd wasn’t as fortunate and sustained fatal injuries. Today, we spoke with his father, who shared that his son was an innocent victim, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this heartbreaking story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The life of a twenty-one-year-old Belize City resident was tragically cut short just after midnight on Friday due to the gun violence plaguing the Old Capital. Floyd McFadzean Jr. was driving down Cemetery Road with two passengers when his vehicle came under heavy gunfire at the corner of Johnson Street. The passengers, twenty-one-year-old Troy Gentle and twenty-year-old Deon Gladden, managed to escape with minor injuries. However, McFadzean was trapped inside his Ford Fusion because the driver’s door could only be opened from the outside. His father, Floyd McFadzean Sr., shared that his son died at the scene.

Floyd McFadzean Sr., Father of Deceased

“I don’t know mein I gone sleep, before I got the news from police. I got up about eleven thirty and look in his room and I didn’t see him. I said what, how this bway nuh come yet and know he has to go to work tomorrow. But she said she does not want to call him because the last time she called him he was with a female and he said, mom I am a big man now, you know how deh thing guh.”

Floyd McFadzean Jr. worked as a messenger at an insurance company in Belize City and had a close relationship with his parents. His father shared that the family never received any reports of Floyd getting into trouble or making enemies. They believe he was an innocent victim, caught in the crossfire because of the company he was keeping.

Floyd McFadzean Sr.

“None at all I know those guys, none. But the two guys that got shot, one in the neck and one in the foot. But he take all the shots. His car door it can only open from outside and the rest of guys jumped out the car and ran. He is the only one that can’t open the door and right there they put the rest of bullet in him.”

Paul Lopez

“Is it characteristic of your son to be involved in criminal life?”

Floyd McFadzean Sr.

“No, I don’t know he as that. He never do that, always the home early, hang out with we on weekends. A day like today I get my pay. We go to my grandma and we play cards, take a little drink and when we ready I tell him he could go and hail his friends but he does not want to leave us until we reach back at this house, me and my wife. The guys he was with more than one people left there and called me to say the guys are nothing good to hang with.”

Floyd McFadzean Jr.’s tragic death has left a huge void in his family’s lives as they grapple with the loss of their twenty-one-year-old to the violence that has claimed so many. His father wants everyone to know that Floyd was a productive citizen who loved playing video games and cherished spending quality time with his family.

Floyd McFadzean Sr.

“He just get a PlayStation like December. He said that would keep him from going out. He never was going out for a while until the night we wanted to go out. He was just resting and my wife said he got a phone call. After that he gone and when we hear it done happen.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Pastor Mark Humes is Freed of Drug Charges

After spending two nights on remand and a total of four days in lockdown following his arrest and charge for possession with intent to supply one thousand, one hundred and thirty-seven grams of cocaine, Pastor Mark Anthony Humes from Burrell Boom Village is now a free man. This morning, just before ten, Pastor Humes, accompanied by his attorney Lynden Jones, had the charge withdrawn. We asked his attorney what led to this decision as he exited the courtroom. Outside, Pastor Humes’ wife and family supporters were overjoyed to embrace him. While Pastor Humes chose not to speak on the matter, his attorney explained that further investigation by the Belize Police Department revealed new information, leading them to drop the charge. Meanwhile, the six fishermen who were co-accused remain on remand at the Belize Central Prison, awaiting bail at the High Court. They have sought legal advice from Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson, who has begun the bail application process for them. On Wednesday, March nineteenth, 2025, Pastor Humes was arrested along with Lerman Norman Leslie, Freddy Estuardo Chavez, Angel Aragon, Marvin Teul, Ronyer Alexander Cruz, and Christian Merilyn White, following a bust in Orange Walk Town. Police say that around seven PM, officers from the Mobile Interdiction Team (MIT) and Highway Interdiction Team (HIT) intercepted a gold Dodge Caravan driven by Pastor Humes. He had been hired to transport the six fishermen from Belize City to Orange Walk, but the vehicle was intercepted before reaching its destination.

Fugitive Wanted for Child Pornography Arrested in Belize

An American fugitive, wanted by U.S. Marshals for possession of child pornography, was arrested earlier today in Placencia. Gregory Roth, also known as Chris, is wanted by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in Texas on eleven counts of possession of child pornography. Believing Roth was in Belize, the United States Embassy issued an appeal for information on his whereabouts and offered a reward for his capture. Roth was reportedly traveling and living in an RV.

MOHW Launches Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan 2025-2034

Just nine days ago, the Briceño administration received a fresh mandate from Belizeans at the polls. Since then, Prime Minister John Briceño has reappointed Kevin Bernard as the Minister of Health and Wellness, with Doctor Julio Sabido returning as his Chief Executive Officer. Their first order of business? Launching the Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan 2025-2034. This plan lays out a vision for tackling key health system challenges in Belize. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this in the following report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has unveiled its Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan 2025-2034, a transformative roadmap designed to bolster Belize’s health system. This plan is built on three key pillars: strengthening leadership and governance, creating an equitable system, and promoting healthier lifestyles. The vision is to achieve a healthy and empowered population, supported by an equitable, efficient, and high-quality health system. The mission focuses on improving system governance and service delivery, while fostering partnerships to address national health priorities. Leading this ambitious effort is Kevin Bernard, who has been reappointed as the Minister of Health and Wellness.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“As the minister I want to see that we can achieve universal health coverage. I want to see that we can bring better service delivery to our Belizean people in health care, that as we roll out NHI that our people are benefiting from these services, we want to see more improved facilities across the country and that is my goal.”

Meeting the needs of a growing population with increasing health challenges is no task for one person. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Belize, followed by cancer and accidents. Mental health is also a top priority in the health sector strategic plan. To support Minister Bernard in bringing this plan to life, Doctor Julio Sabido has been reappointed as the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Dr. Julio Sabido, C.E.O, M.O.H.W.

“We are determined to ensure that every Belizean, no matter their socioeconomic status or where they live, has access to quality healthcare. Today’s launch is not just the end of a planning phase. It marked the beginning of a shared responsibility. This success of this strategic plan depends on all of us, public and private sector, national and international partners.”

Among the international partners present at today’s launch were representatives from the World Health Organization and the European Union, showing their support for Belize’s health initiatives.

Xavier Canton-Lamousse, Representative, European Union

“This plan is built on the foundation of inclusivity, sustainability and innovation and it aims to transform the health sector for the benefit of all Belizeans.”

Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell, Belize Representative, PAHO/WHO

“Health is not solely the responsibility of the minister of health and wellness. Achieving the objective of the Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan requires collaboration across all sectors including health care, education, finance, social protection.”

Among all the goals in the strategic plan, the right to healthcare service stands out as the most empowering, especially for remote communities with little to no access. Minister Bernard highlights that this is where telehealth and telemedicine can make a significant impact.

Kevin Bernard

“Going into this term, our big agenda is to ensure there is telehealth and telemedicine. We want to ensure we reach the underserved population. We want to ensure that where we are unable to build a facility we can serve those people one way or the other. Talking about right to health, every Belizean have a right to access health care, at the primary care, secondary care and tertiary care level.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Bringing More Specialized Health Services to Belize

So, what’s the deal with those pricey, specialized healthcare services that we just can’t get here in Belize? Many Belizeans must pack their bags and head abroad to access these treatments, often shelling out tens of thousands of dollars from their own pockets. So, what’s the Ministry’s game plan to bring these services home? We had a chat with Minister Bernard to find out.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“One of the things as you know at least at KHMH we do these cardiovascular services. In the country we may not have all the necessary human skills to have this high-level treatment addressed. But what we need is prevention, to ensure that people live healthily. So it starts from the core. It starts with the policy we set out, the nutrition policy, the healthy earing in schools, staring with our young. I think once we implement and enforce these things people will live healthier lives. The plan speaks about healthier lifestyles, people habits are changed and turning these things around. Of course, accessing levels services in Belize is difficult. So, people have to go out. But it is our vision that at some point Belize can offer these services.”

Fake MOHW Survey Seeks Staff Opinion on Bernard and Sabido

Earlier this week, a survey popped up in the Ministry of Health and Wellness staff WhatsApp group, asking everyone if they were cool with Kevin Berard staying on as Minister and Doctor Julio Sabido as C.E.O. The message said the minister wanted to be open and inclusive about a big decision coming up. But then, the ministry’s Facebook page dropped a bombshell – the survey was fake! Today, we caught up with Minister Bernard to get the scoop on what really went down.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“I got wind of that after I was called to say if I knew about it. I had no idea about that specific survey. I think it is malicious by nature. I think there was games being played and it is obvious that somebody was trying to get after or create a division between myself and my CEO. That is not happening. I hold good confidence in my C.E.O. We have been working very closely to ensure we lead this ministry, and it is not only myself and my CEO, we have good people, a good management team. Look at what is happening today with Doctor Chel who is now our director of policy and planning. We have Dr. Musa, Dr. Polanco and all the other deputy directors and the leading technical advisors in the country. So I refuse to respond to negative issues when it comes to that. I think that is past gone and we are moving ahead. The prime minister has appointed me as the Minister of Health and I supported the reengament of Dr. Sabido as my CEO because I know we have been able to work together.”