April 11, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Second Wildcat Found Dead Near Maya Centre

A local tour guide has reported finding another deceased wildcat—this time an ocelot—just 500 feet from the site where a jaguar was found dead.

The discovery was made early Thursday morning around 6:30 a.m. by Ricky Pereira, a birdwatching guide, who spotted the animal while on tour.

“It’s the same area where I found the jaguar yesterday,” Pereira confirmed. “This time it’s an ocelot.”

The repeated incidents have raised alarm among community members and wildlife advocates. Tour guides from Maya Centre are now calling on authorities and conservation bodies to install wildlife crossing signs in the area, warning that the zone is clearly an active habitat for endangered species.

The cause of death in both cases is still unknown, but locals worry that increased vehicular traffic along nearby roads could be contributing to the fatal encounters.

Belizeans Call for Tougher Animal Cruelty Laws

A growing number of Belizeans are calling on the government to implement stricter animal welfare laws and harsher penalties for abuse, as reports of cruelty toward animals continue to surface across the country.

A petition launched on Change.org by concerned citizen Liz S. has garnered over 2,800 signatures, urging authorities to take immediate action to protect animals—particularly dogs, cats, and horses—from neglect and mistreatment.

“Every day, I see animals in dire conditions, starving, without a home or someone to care for them,” Liz wrote in the petition. “Our beautiful country has a dark side, as reports of animal abuse are continually surfacing on the internet. This reinforces that current laws are not sufficient to deter or penalise abusive acts towards animals.” 

The petition calls for comprehensive reforms, including:

Stricter legislation and harsher penalties for animal cruelty.
Enforcement of laws regulating animal ownership to ensure pets receive proper care.
Implementation of educational programmes on animal care and rights to foster a culture of compassion and responsibility.

Supporters argue that such measures are essential to curb the root causes of animal abuse and promote responsible pet ownership.

The petition also references studies from the United States, noting that regions with comprehensive animal protection laws experience fewer instances of animal cruelty. Advocates believe that similar legislation in Belize could significantly improve the welfare of animals nationwide.

As the petition continues to gain traction, its supporters hope that the Belizean government will respond by enacting and enforcing laws that ensure the safety and well-being of all animals.

To support the petition or learn more, visit Change.org Petition.

Drug Plane Trial Collapses After Magistrate’s Recusal

The long-running trial of seven men accused in one of Belize’s largest drug busts has collapsed and will now have to start over. The decision came on Tuesday, when Magistrate Kara Walters abruptly recused herself from the case, bringing an unexpected halt to proceedings that had been ongoing for three and a half years in the Cayo Magistrate’s Court.

The case stems from a major drug plane landing in late November 2021 in the Mountain Pine Ridge area, where police seized over 1,200 pounds of cocaine and detained several individuals, including a Mexican national identified as the copilot. It was a high-profile bust that drew regional attention and marked a significant success for law enforcement at the time.

The accused—Salus Penner, Eric Young, Miguel Angel Zetina, Edwin Armando Gonzalez, Jaime Umberto Maz, Edilberto Medrano, and Mexican national Jesus Alberto Quintero—have been facing charges related to the incident. Quintero has remained on remand since the time of the arrest.

There are five defence attorneys and two prosecutors assigned to the case, which had been making its way through court since early 2022. However, according to reports, recent courtroom sessions became heated. Hard words were allegedly exchanged between lead prosecutor Alifah Elrington and Magistrate Walters during the last two hearings—tensions which may have ultimately prompted the magistrate’s decision to recuse herself.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed that the move came after a formal submission from the prosecution.

“From the briefing I got from the prosecutor Ms. Elrington, there seems to have been some issue in the courtroom where she believes that the case was not going as it should and that there may have been some degree of bias on the part of the magistrate,” Williams explained. “And based on that, she made a submission to the magistrate for the magistrate to recuse herself. That submission was accepted and the magistrate recused herself, and so we just have to look forward to a new trial.”

But the implications are significant. With the trial now needing to restart under a new magistrate, defence attorneys say the prolonged delay could raise legal concerns.

Restarting the trial will not only prolong the process—potentially by several more years—but it also represents a costly legal undertaking, with multiple attorneys and defendants involved. For the accused, particularly those still in custody, the delays add to an already lengthy wait for justice in one of Belize’s most complex narcotics prosecutions in recent memory.

Citizen Flags Daily Unsafe Bus Stops on Highway

A concerned commuter is calling on the Department of Transport to take immediate action after repeated incidents involving a passenger bus dangerously stopping outside designated bus zones along the George Price Highway.

In a message sent to our newsroom, the individual highlighted a recurring issue involving a bus, which was once again seen stopping on a speed bump near Teakettle Village to pick up students on Wednesday morning. According to the concerned citizen, this is not a one-time occurrence but rather a daily hazard that puts both passengers and other motorists at risk.

“These buses are not stopping at the bus stops to pick up passengers,” the individual wrote. “Something needs to be done and penalize these bus companies as they put both passengers and other drivers at risk.”

The source also mentioned that they had previously reached out to other media outlets without success and urged that the matter be brought to the attention of the newly appointed CEO of the Ministry of Transport.

“This isn’t the first time this same bus is stopping on the bump for students—it’s a daily issue,” the message continued. “Please repost on your page to bring some awareness and let’s call on the new CEO for the transportation department to take action.”

Belize Launches Confidential Immigration Feedback System

The Ministry of Immigration in Belize has introduced a new confidential feedback system aimed at improving the delivery of services across its offices and ports of entry.

The system, which came into effect on Wednesday, allows members of the public to submit anonymous feedback—ranging from complaints and suggestions to compliments—by scanning QR codes posted at immigration facilities nationwide. Users can then send their messages via WhatsApp or email.

Officials say the initiative is part of wider efforts to boost transparency and professionalism in the public service. All feedback received will be handled confidentially and used to guide improvements across the Ministry’s operations.

In a statement, the Ministry said the move reflects its commitment to accountability and continuous improvement in how services are delivered.

“We believe that listening to the experiences of the public is essential to building trust and ensuring efficiency,” the statement read.

The Ministry has encouraged citizens and visitors to make use of the new platform to help shape a better experience at immigration service points.

BEL Proposes Electricity Price Increase in 2026

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has submitted a formal request to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to raise electricity rates beginning 1 January 2026. If approved, the average cost of electricity would increase from $0.40 to a minimum of $0.43 per kilowatt-hour, lasting through to the end of the current Full Tariff Period on 30 June 2028.

BEL is now awaiting the regulator’s review and response.

The company’s proposal also includes the full implementation of a previously approved Demand Charge Rate system, which combines time-of-use pricing with demand-based charges. This would apply to both traditional customers and those participating in distributed generation (DG) systems.

BEL cites several reasons for the proposed increase, including growing electricity demand met by increasingly expensive power sources, rising operational and maintenance costs due to inflation, and the need for substantial investment in grid modernisation.

Planned improvements include connecting new utility-scale renewable energy projects and battery storage systems.

BEL stated in a statement, “The proposed adjustment seeks to recover past energy supply costs borne by the Company to meet the demand for electricity, which were in excess of revenues collected from Customers.”