As we reported, this morning, a bus traveling from Lord’s Bank to Belize City on the Philip Goldson Highway suffered a blowout and overturned, injuring up to thirty passengers. The former Belize Rural Central Area Representative, Beverly Williams, has stepped forward to offer her support to those affected and highlight the poor condition of many buses in the constituency. Here’s what she had to say.
Beverly Williams
Beverly Williams, Former Area Rep., Belize Rural Central
“I believe if you take a look at the tires on the bus. I understand there was some blowout on the rear tires. And when we passed by, you look at that bus. They’re not adequate. And if you have a blowout of that nature, the bus flipped. Some people were hurt. I offered some prayers immediately for them. And hopefully, those are some of the things that we can join hands with this community. And that we can enhance in terms of ensuring that we look at the safety and security of our people in this area. We need to ensure that proper licensing are done and monitoring that the buses provide a safe environment. That’s what I’m saying because when you look at the quality of the buses, it’s inadequate and therefore it bears heavy risk on the passengers and safety. This morning was just such a bad example. As two of my personal people were injured, civilian, injured. I saw the pictures. I don’t want to see, they were severely injured, but one person had the entire ear cut. And then so I see stitches straight across here to save the aear. So like I say, we have to ensure that we join hands in looking at the issues within this constituency and transportation, adequate and safe transportation for the people of this community here.”
Andre Gray has filed a defamation lawsuit against two media houses in Belize City: Tropical Vision (Channel 7) and RSV Limited (Love FM). Gray, known for his various inventions, is seeking damages for defamation and falsehood. He claims that several televised programs, including news segments and viral social media posts, have defamed him. Viewers might remember that when Gray visited Belize in January 2023, his credibility as an inventor was questioned. Reporters from both media houses tried to expose him as a fraud. Through his attorney, Gray is suing for damages, special damages, punitive damages, costs, and any other relief from the High Court.
Tonight, forty-five-year-old Deborah Sutherland and her twenty-year-old boyfriend, Dejon Medwood, are back behind bars. The couple was allegedly found with thirty-four bullets hidden in their home. Medwood initially pleaded guilty to a charge of keeping ammunition without a gun license, while Sutherland pleaded not guilty. This morning, both returned to court, represented by attorney Orson “OJ” Elrington. Medwood changed his plea to not guilty after seeking a sentencing indication. The Senior Magistrate informed him that he faced a prison term of three and a half years. Attorney Elrington argued for a non-custodial sentence since Medwood is a first-time offender. With the sentencing indication rejected, both Medwood and Sutherland were remanded to the Belize Central Prison until June 4th. Elrington has begun the bail application process for both, which could be heard as early as next Friday.
Police have formally arrested and charged twenty-seven-year-old Samuel Bolanos, a resident of Dangriga, in connection with the November eight, 2024, murder of Matthew Moses. As we reported, Moses got into an altercation with an individual near the Secret Beach area on Ambergris Caye. Moses was shot and left for dead. Bolanos’s charge comes four months later. Initial reports indicated that a licensed firearm was taken from the suspect after he was taken into custody.
By a unanimous vote, the Belize City Council has appointed first-time councilor Eluide Miller as the new Deputy Mayor for the 2025 to 2026 term. Following the announcement, Miller took to social media to express his gratitude to the council for their support and to commend the work of the former Deputy Mayor, Allan Pollard. He wrote, “I am profoundly honored by the trust and confidence placed in me by my fellow councilors. Your support humbles me, and I look forward to taking on the challenges and opportunities of this role. Together, we will continue working toward a stronger, more progressive Belize City. I also want to take this moment to recognize the outgoing Deputy Mayor. Thank you for your service”. Miller began his journey at the Belize City Council as an intern in the finance department and has risen through the ranks over the years, becoming the third-most voted councilor in the recent municipal elections. He also shared his excitement to work closely with Mayor Bernard Wagner, his father-in-law, and ensure that the voices of residents are heard, respected, and valued.
With just days to go before the 2025 general elections, the candidates for Belize Rural Central are gearing up for the big day. Former U.D.P. area representative Beverly Williams, current area representative Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, and U.D.P. newcomer David Almendarez are all in the race. In tonight’s edition of Meet the Candidates, we sat down with each of them to get the scoop on their campaigns. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
There are roughly seven thousand, eight hundred registered voters in the Belize Rural Central constituency. Beverly Williams served as the UDP area representative for five years before suffering a landslide defeat in the 2020 general elections. This time, however, she says residents are eager to bring “Bev” back. She shared her plans to continue where she left off if she is reelected.
Beverly Williams
Beverly Williams, U.D.P. Candidate, Belize Rural Central
“We had four years of program starting with basketball football program, or Yearly Mother’s Day program. We had a marching band. We did band fest. We did carnival and and Christmas parades huge Christmas parties on the field. And so it is building on those and experiencing and enhancing those because we want to really have interactive programs. Particularly we started with the basketball and football. It was more adult to keep and maybe the youths, keep those at risk youths. In positive activities, somewhere to go, some activity having, but now we’re complaining about absenteeism, so there’s no representation. So we want to enhance on those programs that we had.”
In 2020, the PUP swept through Belize Rural Central, voting Dolores Balderamos-Garcia as the new area representative. She is running for re-election to continue the projects she began during her previous term.
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, P.U.P. Candidate, Belize Rural Central
“We have done a lot but there is a lot more to do. We have done a tremendous amount, but we can’t get to everybody at the same time. I am asking our P.U.P.. people, our Belizean people, and our people of Belize rural central, I don’t want you to continue to work and we have seven thousand eight hundred voters in the least rural center and we have to work hard for each and every one of them.”
Political newcomer David Almendarez has entered the race as well. Running under the leadership of Moses “Shyne” Barrow, he promises a new era for the constituency, free from corruption.
David Almendarez
David Almendarez, U.D.P. Candidate, Belize Rural Central
“We want good jobs. We want better infrastructure in our community. We don’t mind you being a minister and everything, but at least be a minister for your area. We really need good infrastructure, drainage, whenever it rain, the street dey broke up, you patch up the street then with white limestone. We don’t want that. We want good, good streets. We want better health care, we di get older. We be able fi, if some a we drop down sick, some of we can’t go da Merida, so we have to make sure the health care system is tight. We want better jobs, because if you don’t make anything less than five hundred dollars a week right now, you’re tight”
Balderamos-Garcia admits that the large size of the constituency has slowed down some of her projects, but she assures residents that progress is ongoing and the work to improve the communities continues.
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia
“Educational support, support for infrastructure, support for our families, support for our children. Making sure, making sure that we try to reach out. Now, we have not reached everybody because one of the things that is pending is the need for land. But Cordell has pledged to us that he will help us to get new surveys in Belize Rural Central for our people so I am asking everybody to have the patience. You wa get yo land if you give us a little time.”
According to Williams, the reception has been warm and welcoming from the constituency. She believes that truly caring for a community means taking the time to get to know its residents and staying open to their concerns.
Beverly Williams
“It’s about love, I think it’s how we interact. Sometimes we would look at a person and say Miss Bev, but when they sit with me that’s where I’m at my best. Interacting on a personal level and so that’s the reason for sharing my contact information, asking them to reach out to me. If you tell me you need to see me, I will come. And so we begin the interaction at that level. And so it’s how we communicate at that personal level that will help us to grow together.”
Almendarez pledges to bring change and accountability. He asserts that he has the constituency’s best interests at heart and is confident that he can be the change he wants to see.
David Almendarez
“I am asking the people of Belize Rural Central. Noh get confused by the noise of the market. Check your change. I confidently walk the streets and everybody have said, they’ve had this one. Cuanto quire? Este? Este? Este or este? All of them are the same thing. I’m different”
The race is heating up as candidates in the general elections extend their campaign hours in these final days. In the Freetown Division, the contest is between the incumbent, P.U.P.’s Francis Fonseca, and U.D.P.’s Doctor Abraham Flowers. Both candidates kicked off their campaigns several months ago, each with their own views on the key issues for the area. Marion Ali spoke with both candidates and filed this report for News Five’s “Meet the Candidates.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
An exciting showdown is set to unfold on the north side of Belize City on election day. In the Freetown Division, the contest pits PUP’s Francis Fonseca against UDP’s Dr. Abraham Flowers. This marks Fonseca’s sixth bid in Freetown, having defeated all his previous challengers. On Nomination Day, Fonseca told News Five that his strong relationship with constituents has kept him in office, even during times when the PUP was out of power.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Area Representative, Freetown
“I’ve been very, very honored and fortunate to have the support of the people of Freetown for five consecutive general elections. For me, it’s all about my working relationship with the people of Freetown. Over those, you know, twenty plus years, I’ve been able to build a relationship that’s based on trust and confidence and working with the Freetown voters and residents to try to address their needs and concerns.”
For Dr. Abraham Flowers, this is his first run for political office. He shared that since he began canvassing the area last November, the response from the four thousand and eighty, registered voters has been mixed.
Dr. Abraham Flowers
Dr. Abraham Flowers
“Some people are very kind. All right, and we have that back-and-forth conversation while on the other hand, I’ve also received some negative reception with people just shouting, “Oh, I’m P.U.P.” and literally they would actually close their doors in my face. But you know what, as mentioned, that ain’t going to discourage me. I’m going to keep on fighting because I strongly believe that the people of freedom deserve a way better chance.”
Fonseca emphasized that his campaign has never been about money, and he operates on small budgets. Regarding the issues facing the rapidly growing division, he noted that they have remained consistent over time.
Francis Fonseca
“People are always are looking for more employment opportunities. We want to deal with the infrastructure in the area, in Belama, in King’s Park. People are of course concerned about the cost of living, concerned about crime – all of these issues, education, health, all of these are things that are concerned with the people of Freetown and we have always been able to work with them to try to address those issues.”
The issues that Doctor Flowers has prioritized have to do with more social assistance for the elderly and for single mothers.
Dr. Abraham Flowers
“Kings Park has a very high percentage of elderly and with that high percentage of elderly actually comes different needs, which means to say medical and under medical you have equipment medication also rehabilitation programs and also we can talk about social programs for them. And after I did the Belama Phase One, I went home to home, I’ve realized that it actually has a high percentage of single mother as well. So with single mother comes problems as well. And some of the questions that comes to mind is that do these mothers have the finance to pay rent for the kids to go to school? The proper program for tutorial for these kids. So if and I pray to God if I’m elected back here Then these are some of the problems that we actually want to fix and address in the in the coming years.”
Flowers acknowledges that with so little time left before election day, he won’t be able to visit every household in Freetown. However, he hopes residents have been keeping up with his initiatives since he started working in the area. He also plans to continue his projects after election day. Marion Ali for News Five.
While Fonseca and Flowers are preparing to face off next Wednesday, the winner in Pickstock has already been decided. Area Representative Anthony Mahler told reporters on Thursday that he had hoped for an election to demonstrate that the P.U.P. Pickstock machinery is alive and well, and among the best in the country. He expressed his disappointment, mirroring that of the constituents, that there won’t be an election in Pickstock. However, he understands why U.D.P. Standard Bearer Dean Samuels dropped out of the race, as he himself was in a similar position some years ago.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Area Representative, Pickstock
“I am an ultra-competitive individual and I wanted to go and put boots on the ground and continue to serve the people of Pickstock by winning the next election, noh, but it didn’t play out like that. To be honest, I can understand the situation from my opponent because if you don’t have the resources, then you can’t really compete and you just embarrass yourself, right?”
Marion Ali
“And then there’s always the allegation that Mahler buy over his opponent. Now you get a chance to respond to that.”
Anthony Mahler
“Well, they said that about me in 2011 and 2012 when I stepped down from Caribbean Shores. And no man, woman, anybody could go and tell yoh – dog – that dehn give me any money, so it was a strategic decision for me at that time, and so I can understand, because I was in that position, and anybody who seh dehn give me money, come prove that to me.”
Reporter
“I would imagine that your schedule has lightened, but the work does continue, so what divisions will you and your campaign team help since you’re not on the campaign?”
Anthony Mahler
“Well, I’ve promised the Prime Minister that I will try to help as many candidates in Belize City, especially on the south side, and we’ll see where we go from there, but my schedule hasn’t lightened. It has gotten a lot more intense.”
Earlier this week, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry unveiled the 2025 Business Policy Roadmap. This comprehensive guide aims to tackle some of the most pressing issues affecting Belize’s economy. The roadmap highlights key areas of concern, including corruption, labor force development, and immigration. B.C.C.I. President Katherine Meighan shared more details with us today about the roadmap’s tax reform policies. Here’s more on that.
Katherine Meighan, President, B.C.C.I.
“We have a tax system that is dated in many ways. You’re nodding your head, so you’re fully aware of that. And then secondly, we have a changing world. And that means changing local national interest as well. And tax reform is just a part of that. So that that wheel can function properly. There are many areas of tax reform. There is, and this is a part of it, the trade license. Yes. Right? And if I may, the process of grade B, sometimes grade C collaboration has led us to the part with trade license where we’re still not where we need to be. And so we could think about it, from a collaboration perspective, to bring this topic full circle as well, to say if we collaborate further, we can achieve. There’s other areas of tax reform. business tax, corporate income tax, income tax. All of these important parts play a significant role in how we can ensure that our investment climate or economic climate or development climate for most of us, including those who are the significant contributors, which are all of us, the Belizean community, the Belizean citizenry is gonna have an impact, right? Anybody who gives tax wants to know that they’re going to receive something in exchange, right? And they need to understand and believe that it’s healthy, and it’s transparent, and that it’s functioning in a way where they’re receiving something back at the same time.”
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.”
