May 4, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

BNTU Announces National Demonstration

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) has officially announced a national demonstration for Friday, May 9, 2025, in Belmopan. Teachers are encouraged to wear green this week leading up to Friday’s demonstration.

The union is also encouraging the public for their support stating, “We matter – what affects me affects you.”

This move follows a vote on Wednesday, where over 2,500 union members backed industrial action. BNTU demands a salary adjustment and an increase in the minimum wage from $5 to $6 per hour. Coral Lord, Belize District President of BNTU, stated on Wednesday, “We are willing to take the appropriate actions to ensure that government meets its obligation to the public sector.”

The demonstration is part of a three-phase plan: Phase 1 includes the public demonstration, Phase 2 a two-day national shutdown, and Phase 3 a full strike. The union’s actions follow a recent salary increase for top government officials, including the Cabinet Secretary and Chief Executive Officers.

Belize Closes Shark Fishing Season Until October

The Belize Fisheries Department has officially announced the annual closure of the shark fishing season, effective from the 1st May, until 31st October 2025. The ban is part of the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulation under Statutory Instrument No. 128 of 2021.

Under the regulation, “No person shall take, buy, sell, possess, or export shark meat or fins during the period 1st May to 31st October in any year.” Authorities stress that breaches will be met with strict penalties. Offenders are liable to “a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000 or to imprisonment for 6 months or to both.”

The department said in a statement, “The public is advised to comply with the stipulated shark regulations.” It added that all citizens should be vigilant and report violations.

15-Year-Old Drowns in Cayo

15-year-old Deshawn Najera, a football player from San Ignacio, tragically drowned in the Macal River in Cayo District on Saturday, May 3, 2025. His body was recovered later that day.

Family members confirmed his passing on social media, with one stating, “I’m so sorry you’re gone… I just want to wake up from this damn dream.”

The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) issued a statement mourning the loss of Najera, one of its talented and promising young footballers. “His passion for the game, discipline on the field, and bright spirit made a lasting impact on those who had the privilege to know him and play alongside him,” FFB said.

Najera was a 2nd form school at Natius High in Santa Elena. The school also expressed their loss in a social media statement saying, “With heavy hearts, we extend our deepest sympathies… Deshawn will be remembered for his bright spirit and kind heart.”

Trump Posts AI Image Dressed as Pope, Catholics Outraged

President Donald Trump has been accused of mocking the Catholic Church after posting an AI-generated image of himself dressed as the pope, just days before a new pontiff is to be elected and while the Vatican remains in mourning for Pope Francis.

The image, shared on Trump’s Truth Social platform and the White House’s official X account late Friday, shows the US President in full papal attire, a white cassock, gold crucifix, and mitre, pointing skyward. It follows a recent comment by Trump that he would “like to be pope,” and comes less than a week after he attended Francis’s funeral in Rome.

According to BBC, the New York State Catholic Conference accused Trump of mocking the faith, stating: “There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr President… Do not mock us.” Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also denounced it, calling the post insulting and offensive to believers.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump, noting he flew to Italy for Pope Francis’s funeral and has long supported religious liberty. However, critics across the religious and political spectrum accused Trump of poor taste and self-aggrandisement, with Italian media branding it “pathological megalomania,” CNN reported.

UB Prize for Investigative Journalism Award Announced

The University of Belize hosted its annual Prize for Investigative Journalism on Saturday evening in Belize City.

The ceremony coincided with World Press Freedom Day. “Tonight we gather not only to hand out awards but to recognise something essential to our democracy—the power of truth,” stated UB President Vincent Palacio. “Investigative journalism has always stood at the intersection of justice and truth.”

A panel of distinguished judges, including Jacqueline Charles, Eyder Peralta, Kalilah Reynolds, and Freeman Rogers, reviewed the submissions.

Marco Lopez claimed top prize for Code Red in the Blue. News Five’s Paul Lopez, George Tillett and Joel Westby were finalists along with Channel 7. Rogers hailed News 5’s submission, calling it a standout. “I liked how that investigation showed curiosity… from golf carts to casinos… that natural curiosity was really interesting, sort of how local curiosity lead to his big story,” he said.

This year’s keynote speaker was Belizean-born CNN Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez, who delivered a powerful message on the state of press freedom and the growing challenges facing journalism today.