2025 - Channel 5 Belize

UDP Demands Redistricting Before General Elections

The United Democratic Party (UDP) is calling for a fair and meaningful redistricting process to be completed before the next general election. In a statement issued Monday, the opposition party criticized the Briceño administration, accusing it of politicizing the redistricting task force and failing to uphold its commitment to the High Court.

According to the UDP, the process was compromised from the start due to partisan influence, missed deadlines, lack of transparency, and high-level resignations. The party specifically accused PUP ministers of attempting to manipulate the exercise to benefit key government figures.

The UDP has joined forces with the Belize Peace Movement and activists Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey, calling on civil society and democracy advocates to demand that the government fulfill its promise of completing redistricting before the election.

“We implore all democratic allies of Belize, civil society, social activists and guardians of democracy everywhere to join in this fight. Equal representation matters in our sacred Democracy.”

22 Y/O Shot in Ladyville, No Suspects Identified

This afternoon, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, reported that police continue to investigate a shooting incident that occurred on Friday night on Perez Road in Ladyville village.

Romero said that 22-year-old Gerald Sutherland sustained gunshot injuries after being shot at unexpectedly while walking on Perez Road. Sutherland was unable to identify his assailant, who he reported was hiding in nearby bushes.Romero also confirmed that Sutherland sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment.

He added that Sutherland “has no idea of why someone would like to shoot him.” No one else was in the area when the police responded. Romero stated that police have searched the area where the incident happened, but no leads were found. Romero stated that the area was processed, but no leads were found.

Sutherland is currently in stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).

Tracy Panton Asks for Mediation, AGAIN!

Attorneys for Tracy Panton have sent a second letter, telling Leader of the Opposition Moses “Shyne” Barrow that she remains willing to mediate.

Both Panton and Barrow claim to the legitimate leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

In a letter from Senior Counsel Ellis Arnold, Panton reaffirms their willingness to mediate and suggested that the session take place on Thursday, February 13, 2025. They also proposed that, in the interim, neither party should make public comments—including on social media or to the press—regarding the ongoing High Court proceedings or the leadership status of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

Additionally, Panton recommended that both parties issue a joint statement confirming their intent to mediate and refrain from further public commentary until discussions conclude.

If the claimants agree to these terms, the scheduled February 14th court hearing could be postponed to a later date. The letter noted that King’s Counsel Peter Knox remains available to discuss the logistics of the mediation process.

This development comes as Prime Minister John Briceño is expected to announce the general election date soon.

Several Persons Arrested for Fatally Shooting Santiago Rajo

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, confirmed that authorities have “several persons in custody” for murder of a church leader in the Teakettle Village, Cayo.

Romero reported that police believe the motive behind the attack was the theft of a motorcycle. He added that police are actively pursuing “several leads” and that the individuals in custody will be questioned for further information.

Santiago Rajo, a well-known church leader at the local Seventh-day Adventist Church, was fatally shot on Sunday in the Arizona area of Teakettle. Reports indicate that Rajo tried to assist his brother, Tomás Rajo, and his wife, who were being attacked during a robbery around 1:30 AM.

Tomás reported that the robbers were three masked men armed with a gun and demanded money, cell phones, and other valuables. Tomás told News 5 that the robbers were communicating with one another in English.

Local residents have raised concerns over the rising number of violent crimes and have called for increased police patrols. “So many people have been attacked by these robbers, and nothing has been done,” said Rosa Rajo, Rajo’s wife, in an interview with News 5.

GoB Begins Roof Repairs at this Orange Walk Central School

The government of Belize launched a long-awaited project to repair the deteriorating roof of the San Estevan Roman Catholic School in the Orange Walk District. The project is set to be completed in just three months time.

The renovation is expected to provide teachers and students with a safe school building and eliminate issues reported, like “bat infestations, leaks during rainy weather, and exposure to other parasites,” the government said in a statement.

Rosaura Chan, Chairlady of San Estevan Village, pointed out the longstanding need for the project, stating, “Today marks the beginning of an important milestone for San Estevan RC School.” She added, “For years we have hoped and waited for this much-needed improvement, and today, we stand at the beginning of a transformation that will benefit our students and teachers for generations to come.”

The school’s principal, Leticia Perez, hailed the renovation as an “important milestone,” adding that “for years we have hoped and waited for this much-needed improvement, and today, we stand at the beginning of a transformation that will benefit our students and teachers for generations to come.”

Prime Minister John Briceño also attended the ceremony. San Estevan Village falls in his Orange Walk Central constituency. During his address, he stated that although “it is the management that is responsible for these schools, for the repairing of their schools and so forth—not the government.” He added, “But in many instances, the management, the church in this case, cannot find the necessary resources to be able to make these repairs.”

“And so as an area representative, I think I felt it incumbent on me to be able to see how we can find the resources to be able to fix the roof of this building,” Briceño said.

He further committed to addressing local infrastructure issues, including improving the village’s streets to reduce dust. “I know there is also some issues with the streets, about the paving of the streets to try and hold down the dust, so I want to make a commitment that I would try and get that done in the months to come or certainly sometime this year,” he said.

Belizean Athletes Shine with 10 Medals at Mérida Championship

Team Belize delivered a stellar performance at the Campeonato Invernal Pista y Campo 2025 in Mérida, Mexico, a World Athletics-sanctioned event, bringing home a total of 10 medals across multiple track and field events.

The good news was shared by the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association on its Facebook Page.

Leading the charge was Nyasha Harris, who dominated the U20 female sprint events, securing gold in both the 100m and 200m. In the men’s 100m open, Shaun Gill clinched gold, while Fred Usher Jr took bronze. Usher Jr also secured silver in the 200m open. Donovan Grinage Jr added to Belize’s medal haul with a bronze in the 400m hurdles open.

One of the biggest highlights came in the 4x100m relay open male, where Jalen O’Brien, Shaun Gill, Donovan Grinage Jr, and Fred Usher Jr powered their way to a gold medal victory.

Additionally, Juan Portillo put up a strong showing in the shot put and javelin, finishing 4th and 5th, respectively.

Special recognition was given to Coach Shelmadine Carr for her leadership in guiding the athletes to success.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Meets with Foreign Affairs Minister

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires David Hodge met with Prime Minister John Briceño and Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca last week to reaffirm the strong U.S.-Belize relationship. According to the U.S. Embassy in Belize, the discussions focused on key priorities of the Trump administration, including strengthening trade ties, enhancing regional security, and fostering partnerships to manage migration.

“Hodge highlighted the Trump administration’s priorities of making the United States safer, stronger and more prosperous while strengthening trade ties, creating partnerships to control migration, and enhancing our hemisphere’s security.” He highlighted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to make Central America his first official visit, signaling the administration’s focus on the region.

Both sides expressed optimism about continued collaboration over the next four years, further deepening diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.

Masked Gunmen Kill Church Leader in Cayo

Santiago Rajo, a known church leader at the local Seventh-day Adventist church in Teakettle Village, Cayo, was fatally shot after trying to help his brother, Tomás Rajo, and his wife during what they described as a violent robbery. According to Tomás, three masked men armed with a gun attacked his family around 1:30 AM. The men reportedly demanded items of value. “They were asking for belongings and money, cell phones, and things of value. All of them were all speaking English,” Tomás told News 5.

He added that his son responded in English and told the men that the family had nothing of value that they were looking for. Tomás said that the men then pointed the gun away from him and at his son’s forehead. “My son continued telling them that we didn’t have anything of value to give him,” he said, adding that this led him to react, which led to him exchanging blows with one of the attackers.

Tomás reported that after the robbers gathered his family’s belongings, taking with them a motorcycle he had on one side. He said the men left the scene on foot because they couldn’t start the motorcycle.

The robbers reportedly returned, now riding the motorcycle, while Tomás had gone to another part of the village to see if he could spot them.

“When this tragedy happened, I was on one side of the village, and my brother came out here towards the back of the house where there was a street and where they passed on their way back and were already coming on the motorcycle,” Tomás said. “It was there where they shot him with that 9mm that they had threatened me with in the house.”

Santiago, a respected and hard-working member of the community, is deeply mourned by his family and neighbours. The family is now calling for justice and urging authorities to address the escalating crime. Residents are seeking an increase of police presence in the area.

Santiago’s wife, Rosa Rajo, told News 5, “So many people has been attacked by these robbers, and nothing has been done.”

Teakettle Church Leader Shot and Killed, Family Seeks Justice

Police continue investigating the fatal shooting of Santiago Rajo, a church leader of Teakettle Village, Cayo. Rajo was shot in the Arizona area of the village on Sunday afternoon.

According to his family, Rajo was an elder at the local Seventh-day Adventist church. He was attempting to assist his brother-in-law, who had been attacked during a robbery.

Santiago’s wife, Rosa Rajo, told News 5 that “he got a phone call from his sister-in-law saying they were attacked at their home. He went outside, and the next thing I heard was a gunshot.” Despite rushing to the scene, she said she found that her husband had been fatally shot.

Villagers have expressed concerns over rising crime and a lack of police presence in the area. Rosa added, “So many people has been attacked by these robbers, and nothing has been done.” She added, “We need more police because sometimes when you call the station in Roaring Creek, it’s kind of far, so it takes long, you know, to reach up here.”

The Rajo family and other residents are now calling for increased security in the village, including a police station and more police patrolling the area.

Guatemala Mourns 54 Lives Lost in Tragic Bus Crash

Guatemala is in mourning after a tragic bus accident claimed the lives of at least 54 people beneath the Belice Bridge in the capital, Prensa Libre reports. Emergency crews continue rescue operations at the site, where an extra-urban bus plunged into a river in the La Paz roadway sector.

The bus, traveling from San Agustín Acasaguastlán, El Progreso, lost control for unknown reasons before careening into the ravine. Rescue teams have transported survivors to the General Hospital San Juan de Dios and the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security for treatment. The impact left the bus completely destroyed, with several victims’ bodies recovered from the polluted river below.

According to a report from the Volunteer Firefighters, the death toll has risen to 54, including 51 victims recovered at a temporary morgue, two individuals who died at the hospital, and the bus driver. The General Directorate of Transport (DGT) confirmed that the vehicle, identified as a 1995 International model with license plate C-898BHR, had an active operating permit valid until May 24, 2025, and was insured by Seguros Universales, Sociedad Anónima.

The bus followed a regular route from the village of Estancia de la Virgen in San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, departing at 3:00 a.m. and returning from Guatemala City at 4:30 p.m. The DGT expressed condolences to the victims’ families and joined the national mourning declared by President Bernardo Arévalo. Authorities have called for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and any possible legal liabilities.

Rescue operations and investigations are ongoing, with further updates expected in the coming hours regarding the final death toll and any factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.