2025 - Channel 5 Belize

GLC Says Norman Rodriguez’s “Conduct Amounts to Professional Misconduct”

The General Legal Council has concluded deliberations on a formal complaint filed by U.S.-based civil servant Bobbie Cain against attorney-at-law Norman Rodriguez. Cain, a part-time Belize City resident, accused Rodriguez of professional misconduct, alleging significant delays in filing a lawsuit for breach of contract against contractor Ainsworth Jones.

The Council found that Rodriguez breached multiple ethical obligations under the Legal Profession (Code of Conduct) Rules.

It was determined that his handling of Cain’s matter was unprofessional, marked by undue delays, inadequate communication, and a failure to act with the diligence required of attorneys. Rodriguez’s conduct violated Rule 28(1), which mandates attorneys to handle matters with expedition and provide progress updates, and Rule 69, which prohibits undue delay, negligence, or neglect.

The Council noted that Rodriguez had all necessary information to file Cain’s claim by November 2023 but failed to upload the Claim Form and Statement of Claim until March 2024—four months later. Despite receiving a $3,000 retainer in January 2020, Rodriguez took over 48 months to act, during which Cain made persistent follow-ups via WhatsApp messages and personal visits.

Rodriguez admitted to the delay and offered no satisfactory explanation, instead blaming the late submission of certain details, including the contractor’s address and the exact date of a 2018 oral agreement. The Council rejected this defence, stating that alternative legal provisions could have addressed these gaps, emphasising that the delays were avoidable.

In his testimony, Rodriguez denied failing Cain and maintained that her claim was not statute-barred. He cited delays caused by her late submission of critical information, including Jones’s address, which he claimed to have received in November 2023. He also pointed to challenges in obtaining the exact date of Jones’s alleged breach of contract.

Rodriguez admitted to failing to share drafts of the claim with Cain for review and to responding inadequately to her enquiries. During cross-examination, he acknowledged that he did not provide written responses to Cain’s WhatsApp messages or document his requests for information. He offered to partially refund Cain’s payment, citing time spent draughting the claim.

The Council was particularly critical of Rodriguez’s failure to act despite having all necessary information by November 2023. It described his delays as “inexplicable, inexcusable, and deplorable,” noting that they risked violating statutes of limitation and other legal thresholds. The Council stressed that filing claims is inherently time-sensitive and that Rodriguez’s inaction demonstrated a disregard for his ethical obligations.

The Council determined that Rodriguez’s conduct amounts to professional misconduct. He is required to provide a written explanation by December 12, 2024, to show cause why sanctions under Section 16(2) of the Legal Profession Act should not be imposed. Potential sanctions include fines, suspension, or disbarment, depending on the severity of the misconduct.

SP Taxi Federation Puts Protest on Pause

Vice President of the San Pedro Taxi Federation, Ademir Vega, told News 5 this morning that the taxi associations have put their protest on hold until next Wednesday. He said that a meeting between government officials and the federation is set to take place that day. Vega stated that based on the outcome of that meeting, the federation will then determine if its members will go ahead with the protest or not.

As we have been reporting, San Pedro taxi drivers gathered outside Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez’s office on January 9 and demanded a solution to what they see as unsafe and unlawful behaviour affecting their business and the safety of tourists.

The taxi drivers say that they have acquired a permit to organise a formal protest to continue pushing their cause.

Last week, Vega told us that golf cart rental companies are operating illegally at the San Pedro ports area and offering ‘unauthorised’ transportation to tourists. According to Vega, these companies are violating regulations, as their trade licenses specify they must operate from their office locations, not ports of entry. He said that despite raising concerns for nearly three years, there has been no action taken by local authorities.

Mayor Nuñez told News 5 that his administration has been looking into the issue with the guidance of an attorney. However, he clarified that the terminal is private property, limiting the council’s authority over the area.

Vega stated that the taxi associations would be taking legal action to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, on January 10, the San Pedro Belize Express (SPBE) issued a statement addressing concerns over taxi operations at their new terminal. The water taxi service clarified that no taxis are being banned from picking up or dropping off passengers. In fact, the terminal’s parking lot is still under construction, and the company is working on improving traffic flow for both taxis and passengers.

SPBE added the importance of maintaining order and reducing congestion, with security and police personnel on-site to assist with traffic management. The company has set a maximum wait time of 10-15 minutes for taxi pick-ups and drop-offs to prevent delays.

“Once the terminal’s construction is complete, proper signage will be placed throughout the compound to clearly guide the flow of traffic,” SPBE said in its statement.

Driver Flees After Fatal Crash on George Price Highway

A fatal crash on the George Price Highway near Mile 47 on Thursday night has left one woman dead and the driver of a pickup truck injured.

Authorities report that the woman was killed in the collision. The driver of the grey pickup truck was injured and transported to Western Regional Hospital for treatment.

The driver of the Camaro reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into nearby bushes. Police are actively investigating the incident and searching for the suspect.

The investigation is ongoing.

Gales Point Murder Marks Fourth for 2025

Known for its peaceful and quiet charm, Gales Point Manatee is nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Northern Lagoon, in the Belize District. However, on George Price Day, this serene village was shaken by tragedy as it recorded the country’s fourth murder of 2025. Thirty-nine-year-old Randy Bowen was fatally stabbed at home, shortly after returning from work. The details of what led to the fatal altercation with his stepdaughter’s boyfriend are still under investigation. News Five’s Marion Ali has more on this heartbreaking story.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Thirty-nine-year-old Randy Bowen had just returned home from his job as watchman at a nearby company in Gales Point Village. However, a heated argument with his stepdaughter’s boyfriend turned deadly, leaving Randy with two stab wounds, including a knife wound to his chest that proved fatal. His mother, Barbara Bowen, received the devastating call shortly after six p.m.

Barbara Bowen, Mother of Deceased

“My granddaughter, the second one, she call me and say “granny please come, bring somebody and come help mi pa cause dehn hurt mi pa.” Soh I ask ah “who hurt yoh pa?” Right deh ih say “granny. George hurt mi pa, George stab mi pa and mi pa need help.”

The accused isn’t from the village; he reportedly lived in Dangriga and was visiting his girlfriend, who is Bowen’s stepdaughter. Police have taken him into custody and are interviewing both his girlfriend and Bowen’s common-law wife, who were at home when the dispute broke out. Barbara Bowen, Randy’s mother, said that when she arrived at the scene shortly after getting the call, it was clear someone had tried to help her son, but he was already gone.

Barbara Bowen

“I reach da back deh and I see my son pahn the ground done dead, lifeless, but from the way how I see it, pahn the bandage pahn the ground weh deh mi di try do the dressing and soh. By the stab nuh have no blood or nothing. Dehn mi done clean it off mussi fi see if the thing mi wa stick, noh. When I gone deh everything deh pahn the ground right beside he.”

Chairman of Gales Point Village, Jason Altschaft remembers Bowen as a hardworking man who cared for his family.

On the Phone: Jason Altschaft, Chairman, Gales Point Village

“Randy was a wonderful man. He never had a day when he wasn’t taking care of his family. He got up every day and did something for his family. He raised two beautiful kids plus three step kids.”

Randy’s mom told News Five that she saw him a couple hours before he was killed.

Barbara Bowen

“I see him yesterday evening about three-thirty. He just come upstairs and ask me fi lend ah wa charger fi charge ih phone, soh I tell ah fi goh eena the room and get the charger, but I mi think he still deh downstairs with my next son. I neva know that he gone. That da the last time I see him. Ih neva tell mi if ih mi have any problem with anybody. Ih just pain my heart fi see how dehn just chance my son outta ih life because da young man he neva eva come ya before.”

Chairman Altschaft expressed regret that the incident happened just when the village was trying to stay clear of the stigma that it is a violent community.

On the Phone: Jason Altschaft

“We really aren’t a violent village. This is another person from outside the village causing trouble inside the village. This isn’t a village-on-village situation. So it’s depressing because this wasn’t our people, this was an outside thing.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Owner of Thelma’s Kitchen Escapes Prison on Gun, Drugs Charge

Sixty-one-year-old Telesfora Arana, better known as Miss Thelma, is famous across Belize City for her delicious Belizean dishes. But today, she narrowly avoided a prison sentence after being arrested and charged with firearm and drug offenses. Miss Thelma and her common-law husband, fifty-year-old Curtis Rhaburn, were charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, as well as possession of marijuana found at their home on the corner of Kraal and Caesar Ridge Road. The bust happened around 8:40 PM on Tuesday night. In court, Rhaburn admitted to borrowing the loaded weapon because he’s a farmer and expressed regret for his poor decision. This morning, the couple was escorted to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. Rhaburn pleaded guilty, while Ms. Thelma pleaded not guilty. Rhaburn’s character witness, Brenton Lopez, a Customs Examiner, spoke highly of him, describing him as a hardworking family man and a decent person. Their attorney, Orson Elrington, urged the court to consider Rhaburn’s remorse, his guilty plea, and the fact that this was his first offense. However, the Magistrate emphasized the seriousness of the offense and couldn’t impose a non-custodial sentence. Rhaburn was fined $1,200 for possessing over 100 grams of marijuana, which he must pay by March or face an additional four months in prison. A verbal appeal has already been filed on Rhaburn’s behalf, and Elrington hopes he can be released on bail while awaiting the appeal hearing. Elrington spoke with News Five following the court proceedings.

Orson “OJ” Elrington, Attorney- at- Law

“ The magistrate, after – there were two accused, Ms. Thelma and her common law, Mr. Rhayburn, Mr. Rhyburn has conceded and accepted that the items found were his items, and so he pleaded guilty, um, as a result, Ms. Thelma was freed of all charges against her, however, the court, in considering its sentence,made the decision that it could not fall within the provision of the law when it comes to firearms and ammunition So the firearm and ammunition act says that once you’re convicted of it that it carries a mandatory custodial sentence So when there’s a provisional that if it is that you do not have a previous offense conviction that you can Get a non-custodial sentence Our position was and is that, um, the previous offense did not fall underneath the firearm up, and therefore, he does not have a previous conviction. However, the magistrate in coming to his decision ruled that he believes that the, any conviction, and therefore he did not have the discretion to give him a non-custodial sentence. But the magistrate did in making his considerations and mitigating factors reduce what he thought to be the mandatory five-year sentence to reduce it all the way down to one.”

Confrontation on Caye Caulker over Public Road Barricades

On Wednesday afternoon, things got heated on Caye Caulker when Chairlady Seleny Villanueva-Pott clashed with a resident over an illegal barricade. Pott and her council members brought in a backhoe to remove the wooden posts blocking a public road. The resident, Wendy Auxillou, who had put up the barricade, tried to stop them, but the police stepped in, and the road was finally reopened to the public. Today, we spoke with Pott, who mentioned that these same barricades were taken down last year but were boldly put back up earlier this week. She also noted that yesterday’s operation cleared two public beach areas and one street area.

Seleny Villanueva- Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker

“She had created a temporary fence in that area, I believe early last year. She accuses me of saying I sent my staff to take it down. But in reality it was a member of the PUP committee that decided this is a beach access, streets, so we want to open it up to have the golf cart pass. So they removed one of the middle piece out of it. She was out of the island in exile and then she came back and when she came back in full force. She decided that she is going to block the area again. The record we have is that is indeed street and her mom has a license for beautification but it still remains street and should remain open to public access. If you can remember the fire last year, one of the main reason the fire truck could not get in is because on the opposite side where she own has been completely blocked, nothing has happened, she has actually reclaimed the property, reclaim beach and has a nice over the water bar. We have consistently ask her to bring in her document and now she want us to acknowledge that she has title for it. We have been reaching out to natural resources to see what documentation they can share with us. As far as we know, those areas remain queens land and everybody is suppose to have access to queen’s land.”

Property Owners Illegally Claiming Public Beaches

Villanueva-Pott pointed out that property owners all over the island are illegally claiming beaches as their own. She says it’s become a major problem, with some owners even putting up fences to block public access. Pott has put these property owners on notice, making it clear that this won’t be tolerated.

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker

“We are seeing more and more that not only locals, but foreigners and I don’t know what these real estate agents are selling foreigners, but a lot of them seem to think that they can own queen’s land, and we need to clear up that misconception. Queen’s land is a public space. There are many areas on Caye Caulker where you feel like there is no longer any beach and the community has been behind us to do something about these areas. They want their beach. They want when they go for a night stroll, they can go down to the beach and not be threatened by anyone. Where there is a street, you cannot own a street. Where there is a street that does not give you immediate access to that area. It is still the queen’s land and there is a process that needs to be done for you to even maintain or beautify that area and many people do not adhere to the process. They just go and do as such, and we really need to put a stop to that. If we sit down and watch, we will be taken over. The island has been pressuring us to claim what is rightful for the people of Caye Caulker.”

Palestinian Delegation Meets with Prime Minister

After arriving in Belize on Tuesday, a Palestinian delegation met with Prime Minister John Briceño today. Leading the three-member team is Mohamed Salam, the Commissioner of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Coordinator of the Anti-Apartheid Department. The delegation was invited by Nancy Marin, the Leader of the Belize People’s Front, who has Palestinian roots herself. She filled us in on their meeting with the PM and shared details about the rest of their visit.

On the Phone: Nancy Marin, Leader, Belize People’s Front

“There were several requests made, of course, and we make requests to the PM as we will to the public. Some of it is with the boycott of products, of things that we would like the public to stop buying products from Israel, because it’s what fuels the war and other things. It will have to be up to the Prime Minister to disclose, but I can tell you that because this is one that we’re going to be asking the Belizean public as well. The PM of course, could not commit to anything. His support is committed to the Palestinians as we all know, in the international course they have. They agreed that they would be speaking for Palestine. It would be – and as they have been doing, but as far as other requests that was made, the PM would have to consult with Cabinet with the House of Representatives as the process is, so he couldn’t commit to anything and we were not expecting him to. Mostly it was a cordial visit that we just wanted to meet, establish communication and that kind of thing. So, no, no commitments have been made. Today, of course, we met with Prime Minister Musa and his family along with Minister Musa and then we just finished a meeting with Prime Minister Dean Barrow.”

Marion Ali

“What are all these meetings designed at achieving?”

On the Phone: Nancy Marin

“We’re trying to establish support, exchange of ideas. I’m thanking them because when Prime Minister Barrow was in office, he did voice support for Palestine as he reconfirmed with us today in support for Palestine. Of course, Prime Minister Musa and his family are Palestinians and have been very vocal about their support for Palestine. So the entire visit was designed to be a familiarization visit of Belize and all our officials and so that Mr. Mohammed can get to know our people, our culture, and establish communications with people in authority.”

Israeli has sent a note to the U.S requesting to extend the date for the ceasefire.

No Meeting Between PLO Commissioner and Belize’s Foreign Minister

As we mentioned, PLO Commissioner Mohamed Salam touched down in Belize on Monday, invited by Belize People’s Front founder Nancy Marin. Salam, who also coordinates the PLO’s Anti-Apartheid Department, has a packed schedule, including a meeting with Prime Minister John Briceno earlier today. Interestingly, though, Salam isn’t scheduled to meet with Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca. When we caught up with Fonseca on Wednesday, we asked if there were any plans for a courtesy call with Salam.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“I have no plans to, I have not been informed of any meeting. So, I don’t know much about it. I think I received a message from someone about it, but we have no official meeting scheduled.”

A Botanical Garden is Inaugurated at the Price Home

In this week’s edition of Belize on Reel, we take you to the inauguration of a beautiful botanical garden at the Price residence on Pickstock Street. On Wednesday, Belize celebrated what would have been George Price’s 106th birthday by launching ‘Good Belizean,’ a heartfelt compilation of letters, and unveiling a new garden space. This is all part of an ongoing project to restore Price’s family home. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

George Price’s love for Belize went far beyond politics and community development. The late Father of the Nation had a deep passion for botany as well. In January 1973, George Price penned a letter to then Minister of Housing, Louis Sylvestre, urging the planting of trees in Belize City. He suggested beautifying areas like Central American Boulevard, Constitution Park, and Lopez Mateo Park. Price would have been a hundred and six years old on Wednesday and, to celebrate his birthday, a special ceremony has held with a particular focus on plants and gardening.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor, Belize City

“The Price Botanical Garden symbolizes growth, symbolizes resilience, and it symbolizes hope, the values that Mr. Price held dear to his heart. It is a space where we would be able to reflect on his love for country and his vision of a sustainable, and harmonious Belize.”

Tree planting is crucial not just for keeping our ecosystems balanced and supporting wildlife, but also for creating a healthier environment for future generations. On his birthday, attendees were given two special gifts, including a sprout, and were encouraged to plant them at home or in their neighborhood.

Rolando Cocom, Director, ISCR

“The second gift is a seedling from our Friends for Conservation and Development and we, in turn, ask that you take this gift back to your yard, back to your communities to plant it and to share it on social media.”

As Belize City expanded into new areas, Premier George Price recommended planting trees to create and preserve green spaces throughout the city.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture

“He loved to plant trees and, of course, other members of his family, including Mrs. Meg Craig, was very, very involved with the environment and the work of the Audubon Society and other organizations. And so we thought it was absolutely fitting for us to conceive this project of establishing a botanical garden right here in Mr. Price’s family home, in his backyard. So we teamed up with FCD, Friends for Conservation and Development, and, of course, through NICH and many other partners as well to make this a reality. It’s an absolutely exciting project. Of course, there are many other layers to this project. This project will see the restoration of the home, the Price home.”

Price’s letter to Sylvestre is one of many correspondences lovingly compiled in an exhibit booklet titled ‘Good Belizeans.’ This collection of documents has been published by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and the Belize Archives and Records Services.

Rolando Cocom

“A Good Belize, one who went through life, one who left through. This embodies the vision that guided his leadership. Today is more than a tribute, it is a call to plant the seeds of the peaceful, constructive revolution. In the words of Mr. Price, much work has been done, but more yet is to be done. As we look ahead, we certainly give thanks and we carry forward the work of Good Belizeans, those who rise each day to work hard, cherish family and find joy in our nation’s richness.”

Prime Minister John Briceno, who joined the ceremony celebrating Price’s birthday, also shared some exciting news about the makeover of George Price’s residence.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Here we are at this beautiful, historic home surrounding by a lush garden and it’s only fitting that we transform this space into a place of learning for children, an immersive experience which brings our history to life. In the world of museums and formal education, that’s the term we use, an immersive experience.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.