May 22, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

21 Belizeans Repatriated from the U.S.

The Government of Belize has confirmed the return of 21 Belizean nationals who were repatriated from the United States this morning via a U.S. Government-chartered flight.

According to an official statement, Belize was notified last Friday by the U.S. Government of its decision to repatriate the individuals. Since then, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration, in coordination with the Embassy of Belize in the United States and the Belize Police Department, worked to confirm the nationality of the returnees and ensure they had the necessary travel documents.

Upon arrival at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, the 21 individuals were received and processed “in the same manner as any other Belizean being repatriated to Belize by a foreign government,” the statement read.

The Ministry stressed its commitment to protecting the rights of Belizeans abroad, regardless of their immigration status. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration takes seriously its consular duty to ensure that the rights of all Belizeans abroad are respected and that they are treated with dignity in accordance with international law,” the release stated.

The Government also reiterated its stance on inclusivity: “The Government of Belize maintains its position that all Belizeans abroad are welcomed home.”

Truck Driver Found Murdered on Valley of Peace Road

Police are investigating the murder of a truck driver whose body was found early this morning.

Authorities responded to a call around 2:30 a.m. on Valley of Peace Road in the Cayo District, where they found a Freightliner truck with a yellow trailer loaded with sugar cane parked along the roadside. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered bloodstains and a machete.

A subsequent search of the surrounding area led to the grim discovery of a man’s body bearing multiple chop wounds. The victim was later identified as 32-year-old Fredi Michael Ortega, a Belizean truck driver from Roaring Creek Village.

The investigation continues.

Cabinet Reviews Hurricane Preparedness and Approves Key National Initiatives

Cabinet met on Tuesday and addressed a range of pressing national matters, including disaster preparedness, immigration, youth employment, and digital infrastructure development.

A major focus of the meeting was Belize’s readiness for the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Cabinet was briefed by the Chief Meteorologist and the Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) on emergency response strategies. The briefing outlined a framework for rapid disaster response using local, national, and international resources. This effort builds on the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan, which Cabinet approved on April 15, 2025.

Cabinet also endorsed a joint proposal by NEMO, the National Meteorological Service, and the National Hydrological Service to host a media training workshop on May 28, 2025. This training aims to strengthen communication between the national emergency system and the media to ensure the public receives timely and accurate early warnings.

The National Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee (NDPRAC) will convene on May 29, 2025, to further guide emergency preparedness and advise the Prime Minister on disaster risk management strategies.

In other decisions:

Cabinet approved the creation of a Digital and IT Infrastructure Project Vetting Committee. This body will oversee standards, risk management, and alignment with national digital strategies, ensuring efficient and secure digital development across the public sector.

Cabinet extended the Amnesty 2016 qualifying criteria to include individuals who can prove continuous residence in Belize up to December 31, 2019, opening the door for more individuals to qualify for residency.

Cabinet gave full backing to the 2025 Summer Internship Program, which will provide short-term employment opportunities to students from third form through junior college. The initiative is coordinated by the Ministry of the Public Service, with applications due by May 30, 2025.

Former Transport Minister: “I Want to Clear My Name”

An internal investigation within the Ministry of Transport has revealed serious concerns about financial mismanagement, with funds collected for services allegedly being diverted before reaching government accounts. The matter has now been formally handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review.

Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh, who assumed office only weeks ago, launched the investigation after identifying anomalies across several offices countrywide. “When we came in we found irregularities across the country,” he said. “We have a case with the DPP… I can’t speak to it specifically, so we are taking steps—that is our responsibility.”

The core issue, according to Dr. Zabaneh, involves public payments for services at ministry offices that never make it into government coffers. “Certain amount of money is collected at that level and it does not reach into the coffers of government. There are schemes that they use to take these monies into their own pockets,” he revealed. He added, “We feel that until we are able to make an example of rogue employees who are there stealing the resources of our people… maybe until then it continues business as usual. Hopefully people get the message we are serious.”

The investigation has fueled speculation about whether former Transport Minister Rodwell Ferguson may be implicated. But Dr. Zabaneh emphasized that no individual is currently being targeted: “At this point what we are looking at is in the hands of the DPP.”

Ferguson has issued a public statement defending his record and distancing himself from the alleged wrongdoing. “I want to make it categorically clear. I was informed by the Mennonite community of supposedly corruption at the Transport department office in Spanish Lookout. Right away I ask the internal auditor to launch an investigation,” Ferguson said.

He added that when he left office, the investigation was still ongoing and the estimated loss had already surpassed $70,000.

“I want the public to understand the Minister is not the accounting officer. He doesn’t sign on any document. There is a difference between the Minister and the CEO. The Minister is to implement policies and the CEO is responsible for the day-to-day activity of the Ministry,” he explained. “I want to clear my name.”

NOAA Predicts Above-Normal Hurricane Activity for 2025 Atlantic Season

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued its official outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, forecasting above-average activity with a 60% chance of an above-normal season. The season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.

According to NOAA’s forecast, there will likely be 13 to 19 named storms with winds of at least 39 mph. Of these, 6 to 10 are expected to become hurricanes, and 3 to 5 could strengthen into major hurricanes—Category 3 or higher, with winds exceeding 111 mph. NOAA says it has 70% confidence in these projections.

Several factors are contributing to the heightened activity this year, including warmer-than-average Atlantic Ocean temperatures, weaker wind shear, and a potential northward shift of the West African Monsoon, which often seeds powerful Atlantic storms. NOAA also cited ENSO-neutral conditions and reduced trade winds, which allow storms to intensify more easily.

“As we witnessed last year with significant inland flooding from hurricanes Helene and Debby, the impacts of hurricanes can reach far beyond coastal communities,” noted Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm. “NOAA is critical for the delivery of early and accurate forecasts and warnings, and provides the scientific expertise needed to save lives and property.”

Trump-Era Deportation Flight To Touch Down with 25 Belizeans Today

An Airbus A320 jet from the United States is scheduled to land at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) this morning, carrying 25 Belizeans being deported from the U.S.

The flight, originating from Louisiana, is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing deportation operations.

Most of the individuals on board are being repatriated for immigration-related offences, including illegal entry and visa overstays. They will be processed by relevant authorities at the airport.

They then will be taken to a police station in Belize City.

One of those persons on the flight is expected to be Jody Rhamdas who is wanted for an attempted murder charge dating back to 2023. He will be arrested immediately.

Will It Be Enough? GOB Scrambles to Avert Nationwide Teachers’ Strike

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) will vote today on its next industrial action against the Briceño Administration. A day before the vote, the government has issued a formal response to key union demands.

In a letter dated May 21, 2025, addressed to the Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT), Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde outlined several Cabinet-approved concessions following a meeting held on May 13 between union representatives and government officials.

The government’s letter said it is willing to move forward with elements of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and related worker benefits. “Cabinet has approved the execution of the General CBA Framework on 18th June 2025 or any other date agreed upon by the parties,” the letter states, adding that this is contingent on a 60-day maximum response period for counterproposals.

Among the most significant commitments is a partial salary adjustment in response to the unions’ request for an 8.5% salary increase and the reinstatement of two frozen increments. The Cabinet has approved “a 3% salary increase starting 1st October 2025” and “an additional increment at the start of FY 2026–2027.” The remaining 5.5% increase and the second frozen increment, however, are subject to further negotiations tied to measures for pension reform, cost savings, and revenue enhancement.

The letter also says that Cabinet “approved the disbursement of funds to meet TRANSFER GRANTS due and owing as agreed upon in the CBA 2021–2024.” The government also reconfirmed its pledge to raise the minimum wage to $6 in line with Plan Belize 2.0, though it stressed that this would follow consultation with key stakeholders.

Another notable point is the government’s move to assume full financial responsibility for teacher pensions. “Cabinet has instructed the Attorney General and the Financial Secretary to give legal effect to the Government’s assumption of 100% payment of Pensions and Gratuities for teachers in grant-aided institutions effective September 2024,” Hyde wrote.

The letter also outlines a broader framework for future negotiations, including “a CPI/COST OF LIVING (COLA) formula, Income Tax relief, Land access, Housing Programs, Education Scholarship Opportunities, Union officers benefits and privileges, and agreed upon performance targets.”

“We believe that all of the above reflect a good faith, responsible, respectful response to the matters discussed in our 13th May Meeting,” the letter concludes.

Today’s vote by the BNTU membership will determine whether teachers proceed to the next phase of industrial action. The union has already issued a 21-day strike notice and staged a demonstration earlier this month.