Good evening and welcome to this week’s installment of Sports Monday. I am Paul Lopez, here with the latest sports news. Basketball fans, get ready—there’s a new game in town. The Belize Premier Basketball League is making its grand debut, promising a thrilling night of high-level hoops and entertainment as it tips off its inaugural season. All eyes will be on the court as the freshly formed Belize City Thunderbolts take on the seasoned EZ Investments Dream Ballers in what’s expected to be a high-energy showdown. But it’s not just about the game. For the league’s executive team, this season is a proving ground. They’re aiming to show that Belize can support a second professional basketball league—and that this one has staying power. We caught up with league C.E.O., Doctor Gilbert Gordon, who shared his excitement and confidence in what’s to come.
Gilbert Gordon
Dr. Gilbert Gordon, Chief Executive Officer, B.P.B.L.
“In early November we heard about two meetings to try to get the BEBL off the ground but that did not come to fruition. So, in early January I contacted my team, the Hurricanes management team and told them how would you feel to be able to sacrifice what we have put together and the success we have built and let us focus on building pro basketball in Belize using that same managerial capacity we had. We put together a prospectus that was presented to all team owners and we sent right out all the way to Punta Gorda to see if we could built something, because of the ten years we have we understand the challenges and pitfalls. So we know what it is to run a professional basketball league.”
As the Belize Premier Basketball League kicks off its first season, we’ll be keeping a close eye on which of the seven teams rises to the top—and how the league’s leadership handles the challenges ahead. Speaking of challenges, four Belizean athletes have just scored big wins—not on the field, but in the classroom.
Over the weekend, standout thrower Mia Sylvester graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science. She’s not slowing down either—Mia plans to keep breaking records while pursuing a graduate degree.
Also celebrating academic milestones are Ernest Broaster and Francis Hauze, who both earned their bachelor’s degrees, and Thomas Garbutt, who completed his master’s program. These achievements are more than just personal victories—they’re powerful reminders that sports can open doors to academic success. We spoke with Hauze, who shared his inspiring journey from Belize City’s southside to the global stage. Their stories are proof that with dedication and drive, Belizean athletes can excel both in competition and in the classroom.
Francis Hauze
Francis Hauze, Graduate, Calumet College
“Sports is everything. You have a balance between sports and doing academics. If you are good in sports you will have a balance with managing sports and stuff like that. And that is what I did. This is a very proud moment, I graduated with honors and made my mom, family, and grandmother proud. And, I did it the day before mother’s day, so no better gift and I am very proud of my achievement. I would like to say thanks to everyone, because it is a lot of names, but I would like to thank everyone on this journey. You helped me a lot. You pushed me, given me encouraging words, prayed for me. So I would like to thank you all. I am very much appreciative of what you have done for me.”
It was a bounce-back weekend for the Belize Bank Bulldogs at Roger’s Stadium here in Belize City, as they faced off against the Wolfpack Softball Club in the 2025 Fast Pitch Tournament. Coming off a tough loss to the Beacons last week, the Bulldogs were hungry for redemption—and they delivered. The game opened with Wolfpack stepping up to bat first, but the Bulldogs quickly showed they were ready to turn the tide. With sharper plays and stronger teamwork, the Bulldogs flipped the script and gave fans a thrilling performance under the lights. It’s a big win that puts them back in the mix as the tournament heats up.
Helen Cassasola connects and sent a ground ball towards third base. She made it safely to first base. Cassasola then made it to second base after the catcher fumbled the ball. Alexie Flowers came from behind with a big hit that placed her on second base and Cassasola on third. And now bases are loaded with two outs and Kaylee Guerro up to bat. Her first swing sent a ground ball towards second base. The fielder fumbled the ball and Cassasola was able to make it across the home plate. They scored one run in the first inning. The Belize Bank Bulldogs came out swinging this weekend—and they didn’t let up. The action kicked off in the first inning when Janika Hilton made a daring dash to third base after a solid hit from teammate Agnes Lucas. Lucas paused briefly at first, then made a break for second. Wolfpack’s pitcher chased her down and got the out—but not before Hilton seized the moment and sprinted home, scoring the Bulldogs’ first run of the game. That early spark lit a fire under the Bulldogs. They added two more runs in the second inning, one in the third, and exploded with four more in the sixth, bringing their total to eight runs. Meanwhile, the Wolfpack couldn’t keep up. Their only run came in the first inning, and from there, it was all downhill. Final score: Bulldogs 8, Wolfpack 1. A commanding win that sends a clear message—the Bulldogs are here to play.
The energy was high and the talent on full display this weekend in Belize City, as the Anthony Mahler Youth Football Tournament continued with exciting matchups in both the female and male divisions. In the Under-15 Female Division, the Alvian Strikers and Goal Getters battled it out in a tightly contested match that ended in a 1–1 draw. Both teams showed grit and determination, giving fans a glimpse of the rising stars in girls’ football. Over in the boys’ division, Hattieville United and Sampson Academy delivered a nail-biter. Hattieville took an early lead with goals from Luke Rosado and Christopher Orellano. But Sampson Academy wasn’t backing down—Gilbert Gomez and Jerome Moore came through in the final minutes to level the score at 2–2. The tournament continues to be a platform for young athletes to sharpen their skills and dream big. With more matches ahead, the future of Belizean football is looking bright. Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
A fatal road traffic accident claimed the life of Francisco Melendez, also known as “Wero”, on Saturday night, May 10th, 2025, in Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk District.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero said that Melendez was riding his bicycle when the incident happened.
Melendez was riding along the San Martin Road heading home after purchasing a Mother’s Day gift for his wife when he was struck by an SUV.
“Melendez was taken for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries,” Romero added.
The vehicle was driven by Anastacio Bermudes, who remained at the scene. He is currently in police custody and “will be charged,” Romero added.Residents say San Martin Road has long been dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians, especially at night due to poor lighting and frequent speeding. “Make them put up street lights; it’s too dark,” a Trial Farm stated on social media.
A communication purportedly sent by Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, to United Democratic Party (UDP) Vice Chairman Alberto August reveals deepening internal tensions and a looming standoff within the main opposition party.
The message calls on the UDP’s current leadership to immediately honour the constitutional requirements for convening a National Party Council (NPC) meeting and a National Convention. The communication, addressed to “Vice Chairman (Status Quo Ante)” August, stresses the urgency and constitutional necessity of calling the NPC within 14 days of receiving a petition signed by members of the NPC.
“My understanding of the Party’s Constitution is that an NPC must be called 14 days after such a petition has been received,” Panton reportedly wrote. “A National Convention should also be held within 35-90 days of the NPC, where it is my hope that a new Executive Leadership Team will be installed.”
Panton, who ascended to Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives following the UDP’s recent electoral defeat, reportedly made it clear that her continued bid for leadership of the party is contingent upon the party’s adherence to its constitution.
“If it is not the intention of the UDP Leadership (Status Quo Ante) to adhere to the constitutional provisions of the party, I will withdraw my interest in leading the UDP and focus my time, efforts and attention on serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives and as the duly elected UDP Area Representative for Albert,” she allegedly warned.
When contacted for comment, Vice Chairman August declined to address the content or legitimacy of the message.
“With all due respect, Sir. I offer no public comment on matters relating to the internal and confidential business of the United Democratic Party. The party must be given space to sort out its internal affairs with at least some level of privacy. We ask to please respect this position. Thank you.”
Police continue to investigate the murder of 27-year-old Zinedine Pinelo, who was gunned down on Friday during what authorities suspect was a targeted robbery on Hunter’s Lane in Belize City.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, Pinelo travelled to the area with another man to conduct what was initially believed to be a motorcycle purchase.
“Information that he went to Hunter’s Lane, along with another male person, to do a business transaction. Thereafter, when he arrived there, there were six other persons there, and they attacked him, robbed him, and one of the persons shot him, causing his fatal injuries,” Romero told reporters.
Investigators now suspect that the transaction was a set-up. “We believe he was led there,” Romero added.
He had reportedly brought an undisclosed amount of cash and a licensed 9mm pistol, both of which were stolen.
Romero confirmed that two individuals are currently in custody in connection with the murder. Police have also located and are interviewing the person who accompanied Pinelo from San Pedro. That individual was unharmed during the incident and is not yet classified as a suspect.
Prime Minister John Briceño presented the national budget under the banner “From Promise to Performance”. He drew a contrast between the fiscal crisis inherited in 2020 and the economic achievements realised by his government.
According to the Prime Minister, Belize’s GDP grew by 8.2% in 2024, and unemployment fell to 2.1%. He said that the national debt-to-GDP ratio halved from 132% to 61%. The government achieved a primary surplus of 1.48% and capped the deficit at 0.26% of GDP in FY 2024/25.
The government closed FY 2024/2025 with a primary surplus of 1.48% of GDP and a narrow overall deficit of 0.26%. The 2025/26 Budget targets $1.74B in revenue and $1.78B in spending, including a record $528.8M in capital projects. Investments are heavily focused on healthcare, education, infrastructure, and renewable energy. Projects include full national roll-out of the NHI, expanded road upgrades, and clean energy plants.
PM Briceño touched on the nationwide NHI rollout, over $300M in clean energy investments, and a 6-fold increase in profits from the public management of the Boledo Lottery. Road upgrades, school modernization, and health infrastructure dominated the $528.8M capital program.
The new budget includes tax reforms, such as the creation of a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA) and electronic invoicing to curb evasion. He said, over 5,000 workers received tax relief, adding $5M in disposable income (Page 25).
Briceno warned of rising U.S. tariffs and the uncertain status of a $125M MCC Compact but emphasized contingency planning via the World Bank CAT-DDO line. The government is also navigating public sector wage negotiations while spending $698M on salaries and pensions—56% of recurrent expenses.
Still, he shared that Belize’s inflation rate fell to 1.7% in Q1 2025, well below global averages, and the country ranked 25th in the 2024 World Happiness Report, fifth in the Western Hemisphere.
The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) has confirmed that High Court Judge Shawn Innocent, who currently serves on the Criminal bench in Grenada, has been charged with an indictable offence.
According to an official statement released, Justice Innocent was charged on April 28, 2025, with assault with a deadly instrument, under Section 176(e) of Grenada’s Criminal Code. He has since been granted bail and is expected to appear in court to answer the charge.
In response, the ECSC has temporarily removed Justice Innocent from his judicial duties, a move described as “de-rostering.” Another judge will be assigned to the Criminal Court in Grenada effective June 1, 2025, in order to ensure that court operations continue without disruption.
The Court said that it is treating the matter “with the utmost seriousness,” while remaining “mindful of Justice Innocent’s fundamental rights under the Constitution.” The ECSC also reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining the integrity of the judiciary.
Police have confirmed that no criminal offense was committed in the tragic death of six-year-old Gabriel Orellano, a student at Stella Maris School, who drowned at sea after leaving the school premises unsupervised on Monday, February 3.
Little Gabriel managed to exit the school through the main entrance. A few short hours later, he was found drowned in the nearby sea. The case prompted two investigations, one by the Ministry of Education and another by the police.
Despite the completion of the police investigation months ago, no public update was given until Friday when newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado was questioned during the teachers’ demonstration.
Rosado told reporters that “the file was forwarded to the director of public prosecution office, and from what I can recollect, it was ‘no criminal offense was committed or were committed,’ and it was an internal issue that needed to be addressed by the institution.”
Rosado clarified that the matter was considered an internal issue to be handled by the school “because certain things should have been put in place.”
Mosquito Awareness Week, observed from May 12-16, is underway across the Caribbean, and Belize is stepping up its efforts to combat mosquito-borne diseases with both public outreach and enhanced vector control capacity.
This year’s theme, “Let’s Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites and Protect Our Community from Dengue,” reflects the growing regional concern over the rise of illnesses transmitted by mosquitoes, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
In Belize, the Ministry of Health & Wellness is marking the week by bolstering its vector control program. The Ministry announced the acquisition of six Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) foggers, valued at $170,000, which were distributed to all district vector control units. This investment raises the country’s total fleet of fogging units to 20, improving the Ministry’s capacity to tackle mosquito populations ahead of the rainy season, when mosquito-borne diseases typically spike.
“These vital equipment will significantly enhance the program’s capacity at a critical time when mosquito populations and dengue cases typically surge,” the Ministry said in a statement. “The ULV foggers will ensure that vector control teams are adequately equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to mosquito-related health threats.”
The Ministry is conducting outreach and education campaigns to engage communities in the fight against mosquitoes. Residents are being urged to eliminate standing water around homes, use insect repellent, and maintain clean surroundings—key steps in reducing mosquito breeding and preventing disease transmission.
A vibrant tribute to everyday Belizean life is now on display at the Bliss Centre for Performing Arts. The “Moments” art exhibit, which opens this evening, features thirty original works by artist Rachel Heusner and her 20-year-old son, Dean Martin.
“Basically, we do a lot of historical paintings between myself and my son,” Heusner said. “I came up with the theme ‘Moments’ because when you paint, you basically capture a moment in time.”
The paintings, drawn from scenes of daily life—such as buying fruit at the market or walking down Albert Street—aim to preserve both the mundane and meaningful fragments of Belizean culture. “Life happens every second,” she added.
Many of the pieces reflect iconic Belize City landmarks and businesses that are fading from memory. “There’s so much stories and memories… especially for those who live abroad. They miss Belize,” Heusner said.
Heusner and Martin, who reside in Trinidad and Tobago, say the project has been a chance for them to reconnect with Belize. “He works along with me… and in doing that, he gets to learn a little bit about the history of Belize,” she shared.
The public is invited to view the exhibit for free. “I don’t feel people should have to pay to look at art,” Heusner said. “Come and enjoy the art… If you want to take something home, then there’s a little fee.”
“Moments” will remain on display until Friday, May 16.
Grenada is under pressure to reform its laws after receiving 171 recommendations during its 2025 Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations in Geneva. Among the key suggestions was a call to legalise abortion under all circumstances by repealing Section 234 of the Criminal Code, which currently imposes a 10-year prison sentence for unlawful abortion.
Iceland led the push for broader human rights reforms, including abolishing the death penalty, adopting a reproductive health policy, and decriminalising same-sex relations. It also urged the elimination of barriers to justice for survivors of sexual violence and called for comprehensive sexual education in schools.
The United Kingdom recommended repealing legal discrimination based on sexual orientation and ratifying international human rights treaties. Other countries, including Italy, Nepal, and the Netherlands, called for stronger laws to combat gender-based violence and protect women and children.
Grenada is expected to review and respond to the recommendations as part of its ongoing human rights commitments.
