2025 - Channel 5 Belize

CXC Pays Tribute to Sir Roy Augier, Former Chairman and Regional Visionary

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) is mourning the loss of Sir Roy Augier, a distinguished Caribbean historian and former Chairman of CXC®, who passed away recently.

Sir Roy, a Professor Emeritus of The University of the West Indies (UWI), played a pivotal role in shaping the regional examination body. He represented UWI at the Council’s inaugural meeting in 1973, later serving as Chairman from 1986 to 1996, and remained an active contributor on various Governance Committees until 2017.

“We have lost a visionary and pioneer who recognised the importance of a regional examination system,” said Dr. Wayne Wesley, Registrar and CEO of CXC®.

Dr. Wesley further acknowledged Sir Roy’s transformative influence: “His leadership and governance oversight inspired succeeding leaders and staff to establish CXC® as the preeminent standard for secondary certification in the Caribbean. His work ensured global relevance and broad international recognition of CXC®-issued certifications.”

Sir Roy recently marked his 100th birthday on December 17, 2024, a testament to a life dedicated to academic excellence and regional development.

Fire Destroys Former Children’s Home in Cayo

A fire early this morning destroyed a building on the Ontario Christian School’s compound in the Cayo District, which resulted in the cancellation of school for the day. The fire reportedly began around 4 a.m. and consumed the former Mulhollen Children’s Home. This structure had been unused for the past three years and stood less than a hundred feet from the school.

No injuries were reported, and no other buildings were damaged.

A local resident, Vilma Ramirez, said she is still in shock over the incident, saying, “I can’t believe it. Because that place deh from 1957. Very old place, so we couldn’t expect that bun up.” Teachers at Ontario Primary School reported smoke and soot in their classrooms, though the fire was contained without further damage.

Residents are grateful that the school was unaffected and are expecting classes to resume soon. Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, according to Kenneth Mortis of the National Fire Service.

Belize Celebrates International Customs Day

This week, Belizeans are celebrating the men and women of the customs department that ensure proper tax collection and smooth package clearances at every point of entry in Belize.

Observed every January 26, International Customs Day observes global efforts of customs agencies in enhancing supply chains, fostering collaboration, embracing technology, and supporting partners in the transformation process.

In her address, Comptroller of Customs Estella Bailey-Leslie celebrated the department’s achievements. “As we celebrate International Customs Day 2025 under the theme ‘Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity,’ we reaffirm our dedication to adopting international standards and leveraging technology to enhance supply chain security,” she said.

Bailey-Leslie also highlighted Belize’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery and the department’s role in driving significant revenue growth in 2024. She pointed out the importance of public-private collaboration. Looking ahead, Belize Customs is focused on modernising processes, including creating an electronic single window for trade to improve efficiency and reduce costs. A week of activities from January 27-31 will further engage stakeholders.

Belize marked International Customs Day with a forum in Belize City, discussing the key role of customs in global trade and supply chain security.

Op-ed: Food Security and Climate Resilience: An Essential Link for the Future

Mario Lubetkin, Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean

The Regional Overview of Food and Nutrition Security report 2024 underscores an undeniable reality: Latin America and the Caribbean is at a critical juncture in its fight against hunger and malnutrition. While hunger in the region has decreased over the past two years—from 45.3 million people in 2021 to 41 million in 2023—progress remains uneven and fragile. The situation is particularly concerning in some subregions, such as the Caribbean, where the hunger rate has risen from 15.4% to 17.2%.

The COVID-19 pandemic left deep scars, exacerbating existing structural inequalities and weakening food production and distribution systems. Adding to this are the devastating impacts of climate variability and extreme events—droughts, storms, and floods—that now affect 74% of countries in the region with increasing frequency. These persistent challenges not only reduce agricultural productivity but also drive-up food prices, limit availability, and compromise the stability of agrifood systems. Vulnerable populations bear the brunt of these disruptions.

Food security is closely linked to climate resilience. To ensure a hunger-free future, it is essential to promote sustainable agricultural practices that integrate nutritious foods into healthy diets, improve productivity, and mitigate environmental impacts. This includes fostering climate-resilient crops, adopting clean technologies, and protecting natural resources. At the same time, social protection programs must ensure access to nutritious food, especially during crises.

The ongoing transformation in the region, while still facing significant challenges, has demonstrated, over recent years, a strong commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at achieving more sustainable and coherent outcomes.

There are tangible and encouraging signs that governments in Latin America and the Caribbean have embraced the fight against hunger and poverty as an unavoidable priority—an urgent necessity that calls for concrete actions to ensure sustainable development. Hunger is incompatible with peace, development, productivity, and, of course, sustainability.

The Food Security, Nutrition, and Hunger Eradication Plan of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC FSN Plan 2030) is a milestone. It provides a valuable platform for coordinating efforts, sharing knowledge, and developing common strategies. The upcoming Meeting of Agriculture Ministers of CELAC 2025, to be held in Comayagua, Honduras, in early February, represents an opportunity to solidify these commitments and advance the implementation of policies and actions that strengthen food security and improve nutrition across the region.

However, government efforts alone are insufficient without the participation and contributions of multiple sectors. The fight against hunger requires a comprehensive approach that considers not only food availability but also accessibility, utilization, and stability in changing contexts. Broad collaboration among actors is and will remain essential to building more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems.

Latin America and the Caribbean’s progress in reducing hunger is at a historic moment, with implications for the region and globally. The fight against hunger has become a race against time. Yet, this region has demonstrated its potential to become a beacon of resilience, prosperity, and commitment to global objectives. Its contribution is key to ensuring a more just and sustainable future for all.

As Assistant Director-General and FAO Regional Representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, I have had the privilege of being part of this journey over the past years. However, this work does not belong to one individual or organization; it is a collective effort—a chance for each of us to contribute to a world free of inequality, hunger, and poverty, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Human Case of Bird Flu Confirmed in England

A rare human case of bird flu (H5N1) has been detected in the West Midlands region, England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The individual contracted the virus through close and prolonged contact with infected birds on a farm.

The infected person, currently in good health, was admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) unit for monitoring. Despite the detection, the UKHSA reassures the public that the risk of avian flu spreading to the general population remains very low.

The outbreak was identified after the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) discovered cases of avian influenza in a flock of birds. UKHSA has since traced and monitored all individuals who had contact with the infected birds. Those at high risk of exposure have been offered antiviral treatment as a precautionary measure.

The infected birds carried the DI.2 genotype, one of the strains currently circulating among birds in the UK. This strain differs from those detected in birds and mammals in the US.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, stated: “While avian flu remains highly contagious among birds, spillover to humans is rare. Robust systems are in place to detect cases early and respond appropriately. There is currently no evidence of onward transmission from this case.”

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss emphasised the importance of biosecurity: “This case highlights the need for stringent biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of avian influenza. Infected birds at the site have been culled, and the premises will undergo thorough cleansing and disinfection.”

Public Health Minister Andrew Gwynne added: “The risk of wider transmission remains very low, but the safety of the public is our priority. The UK is well-prepared for current and future health threats, with the H5 vaccine added to our stockpile as part of our preparedness plans.”

Officials continue to remind the public not to handle sick or dead birds and to follow government guidelines on reporting suspected cases of avian influenza. Further updates on this case will be provided by the UKHSA.

Sheinbaum Confirms Tren Maya’s Extension into Belize

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that the Tren Maya project will extend its route beyond Mexico, crossing through Belize on its way to Guatemala. This major development follows her discussions with Prime Minister John Briceño and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo.

The extension is part of an effort to make the transnational railway a reality, with both leaders committed to seeing the project through.

The primary aim of the route’s extension through Belize is to protect the environmentally sensitive El Petén jungle, a region rich in biodiversity. The plan to build the train’s railway sections from Chetumal in Mexico to Belize and then onto Flores, Guatemala, was initially proposed by López Obrador in June 2024. This extension is expected to create up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Briceño has previously reported strong support for the project but has outlined strategic conditions. Among the requests are the construction of a seven-kilometre railway section to cross the Hondo River into Belize and an extension of the route to the Guatemalan border.

In an interview earlier this month, Briceño told the press, “This would bring many benefits to Belize. It could open a new market for tourists since those who come to Cancun are often from Europe… With the Maya Train, it would be much easier for them to travel to Belize.”

Despite the project’s expansion facing significant hurdles, including environmental concerns and cross-border logistics, it also represents a chance to strengthen commercial and cultural ties between Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala.

1,000 Surveillance Cameras to be Installed Across the Country

During his appearance on Open Your Eyes this morning, Police Commissioner Chester Williams said that, “We will be installing, I think, about 1000 surveillance cameras across the country.”

This is one of the Department’s strategic measures to be more proactive in addressing crime. Equipped with advanced features like facial recognition, license plate reading, and motion detection, these cameras aim to enhance security across Belize, not just in Belize City. The motion detection system, for example, can identify unusual activity within a group, zoom in on the area, and alert authorities to potential issues.

“One of the features the cameras have in terms of motion detectors, let’s say, for example, you have a group of persons, and there is some unusual movement in that group; the camera sends an alarm to say to you that something is happening here. And it doesn’t only send an alarm; it also zooms in on the area where the problem is detected to pick up who is around.”

Panic buttons will be installed in key locations throughout the city. In case of incidents like robberies, pressing a panic button will immediately alert authorities, prompt cameras to focus on the area, and track individuals fleeing the scene until police arrive. “Let’s say, for example, you’re walking on Albert Street and you’re robbed; there’s a panic button there. Press that panic button that sends an alarm right away. The camera in the area will go to the area where the panic button is, and it will pick up who is around, and if there’s anybody fleeing, the camera follows them until the police arrive.”

Additionally, ComPol Williams has instructed commanders to conduct at least twice-weekly intensive operations targeting criminal activities. These efforts include home and base searches and closely monitoring individuals riding motorcycles, particularly when two persons are on one vehicle, as this is often linked to criminal behaviour.

Undocumented motorcycles will be confiscated as part of the department’s crime prevention strategy. He said police officers will be “going after those persons riding motorcycles, particularly when we see two on a motorcycle. Believe you me, 90 percent of the time, you’re going to commit a crime. So we need to ensure we target those people. We’ll also be taking away motorcycles that are undocumented.”

Installation is expected to begin in March.

Chetumal Police Arrest Canadian Man After Stealing Boat and Fleeing Toward Belize

A Canadian man was arrested by municipal police in Chetumal, Mexico, on Sunday after a dramatic water chase through Chetumal Bay. The man is accused of stealing a local fisherman’s boat from a pier within the bay, reportedly with the intention of crossing into Belize.

Authorities were quickly alerted to the theft, and the Navy was dispatched to pursue the suspect on open water. The man attempted to flee by jumping into the sea, but he was captured by Navy personnel and handed over to local police.

Following his arrest, the Canadian was transferred to a jail in Chetumal. The identity of the suspect has not been released, and Mexican officials have yet to provide further details about the motive behind the theft. The reasons for his attempt to flee to Belize remain unclear.

Belize’s Mexico Sports Centre Looks “Like a Ghost”

The President of the North America, Central America, and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA), Cristobal Hoffiz, visited Belize this weekend to chair the Association of Central American Volleyball Federations (AFECAVOL) general assembly.

One key issue that emerged from discussions was the deteriorating condition of the Mexico Sports Centre in Belize City. During his speech, Hoffiz said, “I was very sad and brokenhearted when I saw the Mexican Centre. That cannot continue like that. It’s not possible that almost for three years it has been abandoned.”

He added, “It’s destroyed. It’s like a ghost. We need to fix that.”

The centre was damaged by Hurricane Lisa in 2022. It later became an eyesore. “As I said, everything else is easy to obtain: equipment, coaches. Anything you need, and we can do that with NORCECA.”

He stated that the lack of suitable venues is a barrier to the development of sports in Belize. “You can have everything in sport, but if you don’t have venues where you can develop everything in sport, you are not going to go anywhere.”

Hoffiz urged Sports Minister Rodwell Ferguson to take stronger action to address this issue. He told to the Minister Ferguson, “We need you to yell, not to speak; we need you to bang your hands on the table and demand from the parliament of Belize, demand very strongly, don’t be afraid of demanding the necessary support and budget. You need to do that.”

When asked about it, Ferguson told News 5, “As the minister responsible for sports, I recognise that it was destroyed after the last hurricane.” He added, “I am in dialogue with Mexico, and I believe that they have agreed to figure out how we can bring back the Mexican centre to its original state.”

“We need to do something about that. It cannot be like that. We cannot just look the other way. We have to look at it every day, and we have to do something about the Mexican Centre,” Hoffiz said.

Suspect Remains in Custody Following Saturday’s Murder

Belize City police continue to investigate the murder of 24-year-old Mark Waight and the attempted murder of 33-year-old Francine Herbert.

Waight was found dead at the scene, while Herbert remains hospitalised in critical condition. The duo was targeted while they were on Central American Boulevard in Belize City on Saturday night. Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed that investigators found 9mm expended shells at the scene. “So far, police have one person detained, and our investigation in that matter continues,” he added.

That person is said to be a 22-year-old construction worker.

Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage after residents reported hearing over a dozen gunshots.

Authorities have not yet disclosed if a motive has been established.