2025 - Channel 5 Belize

San Pedro Taxi Drivers Protest ‘Unlawful Golf Cart Hustling’

Taxi drivers in San Pedro are calling for immediate action to stop unlawful practices by golf cart rental companies at the island’s ports. On Thursday morning, a group of taxi drivers protested outside Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez’s office, demanding a solution to what they see as unsafe and unlawful behaviour affecting their business and the safety of tourists.

Ademir Vega, president of the Five Star Taxi Association, told News 5 that the issue has been discussed with the mayor and local representatives for nearly three years. Despite numerous talks, Vega says no real action has been taken. “We have been addressing it with the mayor and the respective authorities with the traffic ministry here in San Pedro as well. Nothing has been implemented,” he said.

According to Vega, golf cart rental companies are operating illegally at the San Pedro ports. “These companies are hustling at the ports of entry and leaving tourists to feel harassed and unsafe,” Vega said. He claims these companies are offering transportation to tourists without proper authorisation, which he describes as both unlawful and dangerous, he said that “trade license permit or certificate that rental companies get, specifies that they must operate from their offices locations.”

“Several guys that do not work for a company that will not even provide or have any job with somebody in a specific, but they will just go around asking tourists if they want a golf cart to try to see if they can make a commission out of selling a golf cart to anyone,” he said.
Vega described rental companies’ tactics as “against the law and unsafe and unprofessional” for tourists. He stated this puts tourists at risk when they are transported on overloaded golf carts.

He says that the situation has worsened, with rental companies now taking up parking spaces at the newly relocated San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi terminal. According to Vega, this has caused congestion and made it difficult for taxi drivers to park and pick up passengers. “Several guys that do not work for a company just go around asking tourists if they want a golf cart to try to see if they can make a commission out of selling a golf cart to anyone,” Vega explained.

Despite numerous complaints, the taxi federation claims that the traffic department and Mayor Nuñez have yet to act. Vega says that the Federation is now considering legal action after years of discussions. “We are moving forward with the next steps… We are proceeding now; whether they like it or not, we’re going forward. We are tired of doing it the easy way of talking and doing so much of meetings. So we don’t want to do that again. We are taking the second step,” Vega stated.

Elvia Staines, Iconic Restauratrice, Passes Away

San Pedro Town is grieving the loss of a beloved community figure, Elvia Staines, who passed away today at the age of 92. Known affectionately as Doña Elvia, she was the proud owner of Elvi’s Kitchen, a renowned restaurant on Ambergris Caye that has been a favourite destination for both locals and tourists for decades.

Born on January 31, 1932, in San Pedro, Elvia Staines was a lifelong resident of the island. She married Enrique Staines Sr., with whom she had six children. After her husband’s passing 23 years ago, she continued to manage Elvi’s Kitchen with the help of her daughter, Jennie Pinelo, and their dedicated team. The restaurant, which started as a small takeout window offering burgers and fries, evolved into a popular seafood haven known for its exceptional service and warm ambiance.

Elvi’s Kitchen was founded in 1974 as a humble “hole in the wall” known as Elvi’s Burger Isle. Over time, the restaurant expanded its menu and underwent significant renovations, including the addition of a bar and a lounge area beneath the island’s iconic flamboyant tree. The tree, which has stood tall for decades, continues to be a symbol of the establishment’s enduring presence.

Under Elvia’s leadership, Elvi’s Kitchen garnered national and international recognition, receiving accolades from the Belize Tourism Board, the U.S. and Guatemalan Embassies, and the Civil Aviation and Port Authority of Belize. In 1996, Doña Elvia travelled to Madrid to receive the prestigious International Gold Star Award for Quality and Excellence. Her restaurant was also featured in the Sol y Luna Central American Guide Book as one of the best dining establishments in Belize.

Elvia Staines is remembered as more than just a business owner; she is remembered as a vital part of the San Pedro community. In 2021, she was honoured with the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award by the Lions Club of San Pedro for her humanitarian efforts and dedication to the island. She had been an active member of the club for over 25 years, supporting numerous local and international initiatives. Her influence extended beyond her restaurant, as she helped preserve the culinary traditions of Belize, particularly with the Mayan buffet featured at Elvi’s Kitchen.

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) expressed its condolences on her passing this morning. “Mrs. Staines’ passion for Belizean cuisine, her warm hospitality, and her dedication to the community left an indelible mark on both locals and visitors alike,” BTB stated. “In 2022, Elvi’s Kitchen was honoured with the Restaurant of the Year Award, reflecting the enduring legacy of excellence she built over the decades.”

Her legacy has left a transcending imprint in Belize’s tourism and culinary scene.

President-elect Trump Sentenced

President-elect Donald Trump has been sentenced to an “unconditional discharge” in the New York hush-money case, becoming the first former U.S. president to be sentenced for a crime. Justice Juan Merchan announced the decision this morning, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of Trump’s legal team’s request to delay sentencing ahead of his January 20 inauguration.

The “unconditional discharge” ensures Trump’s conviction will remain on his record without imposing imprisonment, fines, or probation. Trump, who served as president from 2017 to 2021, was convicted in May on 34 counts of falsifying business documents related to hush-money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

The president-elect denies wrongdoing and has stated his intention to appeal the conviction. More details on this breaking story will follow.

Giovanni Ramirez Murdered in Belize City

Giovanni Ramirez, known as the whistleblower in the high-profile case that led to the conviction and imprisonment of attorney Oscar Selgado, is dead. Ramirez was gunned down this afternoon on Partridge Street in Belize City. The assailants, believed to be two men on a motorcycle, ambushed Ramirez while he was driving towards Mahogany Street, killing him on the spot. This shocking murder leaves a trail of questions about who was behind it and what it means for Selgado’s upcoming appeal. News Five’s Marion Ali has more on this developing story.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Residents near the intersection of Partridge and Mahogany Streets were left in shock just before 2 p.m. today when a barrage of gunshots rang out, followed by a loud crash. Rushing outside, they discovered a man in a red SUV had been shot and crashed into a cement fence. Police arrived quickly to find the driver’s window riddled with bullet holes and the driver dead inside. Shell casings were scattered across the street. The incident occurred alarmingly close to two schools and a construction site.

The victim was identified as thirty-year-old Giovanni Ramirez, who made headlines in June 2024 for his role in the case against attorney Oscar Selgado. Ramirez had provided crucial information to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, accusing Selgado of trying to hire him to kill Marilyn Barnes, who had filed a complaint against Selgado. Ramirez’s audio recordings of their conversations mysteriously disappeared, and he never testified in court out of fear for his life. Instead, Commissioner Williams relayed Ramirez’s account, leading to Selgado’s conviction. Selgado remains in prison, awaiting an appeal.

Ramirez also made news in May when he was arrested and charged with gang membership. He was detained while signing in at the police station, a condition of his High Court bail, pending an investigation into an attempted murder from two months earlier. Today, police recovered nearly a dozen shell casings and have begun their investigation into Ramirez’s murder.

Marion Ali for News Five.

Police Looking for Suspects in Latest Murder

Late this evening Police Commissioner Chester Williams told News 5 that investigators are looking at several possible motives related to the murder of underworld figure, Giovanni Ramirez. These possible motives include the fact that he was the key witness in the trial against convicted criminal Oscar Selgado and ongoing gang rivalry in the area. Williams also said that the department will be proactive in preventing any retaliation.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Sometime after 1.30 p. m. there about police received information of shots fired on Amandala Drive. That’s in the St. Martins area of Belize City. Upon arrival, they encountered a red Ford Explorer. And the Explorer exhibited bullet holes on the window inside that vehicle, police found the lifeless body of Giovanni Ramirez and his body exhibited multiple gunshot injuries. He was taken to the KHMH where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police are investigating the matter at this time as a case of murder. We have persons of interest that we are looking for, and we’re hoping that we will be able to get some tangible information that will be able to help us to solve in this latest murder.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do investigators believe that he was parked there for a long while? “

Chester Williams

“No, he was not parked there. He had just left an area on Cemetery Road, and he was going to set site to see his family who live in set site when he was attacked by two men on a motorcycle.”

Reporter

“Do you believe he was followed and ambushed?”

Chester Williams

“Well, it would appear that they might have been monitoring him from some time because he had left home, where he lived in, on Levi Usher Street and from there he went to see an attorney. And from there he went to the tire shop on Cemetery Road and from there he was going to CET site when he was ambushed by the two persons on the motorcycle who fired the fatal shots at him. At this time, we don’t have a definitive motive. I know that there are several theories out there at this time, but we cannot affirm those theories at this.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Giovanni Ramirez was an underworld figure and he was one of the prime suspect for one of the murders that happened last year. And of course, the main witness for the trial against Oscar Salgado. Are those factors that investigators are looking at?”

Chester Williams

“Of course, we have a look at every possibility. We’re looking at every possibility.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you believe that he was a hit on the hitman?”

Chester Williams

“We don’t have anything to substantiate that. And again, I don’t want to say nothing that would lead back to Mr. Selgado because I don’t see why Selgado would want him dead at this time. Honestly, I don’t see why but like I said before, we’re looking at every possibility. We’re looking at people from PIV and other areas as suspects.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Specifically BLC.”

Chester Williams,

“We’re looking at people from PIV and different areas as suspects.”

Hipolito Novelo

“In terms of the weapon use, some neighbors or witnesses are saying that they heard what appeared, what sounded like automatic weapon.”

Chester Williams

“We can’t say without if the weapon use was automatic, but there are handguns.”

Reporter

“It happened near a school as well Are police. I mean, what are you thinking of in terms of strategy and to prevent retaliation?”

Chester Williams

“We do have a police patrol in that area a foot patrol. But apparently the foot patrol was on the back street. So they were not in the area where it actually took place. So, the St. Martins area do have a substantial amount of police presence. But again, we know that criminals do monitor the movements of the police in order for them to execute what they want to do. So, we have a look at it more closely to see what can be done to tweak our efforts in the area. I was on the grounds earlier and I am sure that LIU is going to get on the grounds. At this time, I have been given the assurance that there’s going to be no retaliation, but I’m not going to sleep on that. I will still do what needs to be done to ensure that we stem whatever possible retaliation there may be.”

Police Charge Steven Flores with Murder of George Brown

Thirty-seven-year-old Steven Flores from Hopkins has been charged with the murder of eighteen-year-old George Brown. While this brings some relief to Brown’s family and friends, the public is buzzing with questions about how the Hopkins police handled Flores’ arrest. The incident allegedly began when Brown asked Flores to take off a jacket that belonged to him. Flores, who had been living with Brown’s sister, Evril Kelly, for the past eight years, refused. The two parted ways but soon crossed paths again, leading to a confrontation where Flores reportedly threw a bicycle at Brown. A fistfight ensued, and Flores allegedly pulled out a knife and fatally stabbed Brown. Evril Kelly is now speaking out, criticizing the police after an amateur video surfaced showing the arrest of her common-law husband. News Five’s Marion Ali has more on this story.

On the Phone: Evril Kelly, Sister of Deceased

“ Ih nuh change the feeling that we lost, we leave BABY, you know, in a change of feeling, we still hurt, we still hurt, we hurt, very hurt.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

Evril Kelly, the sister of eighteen-year-old George Brown who was stabbed to death on Wednesday morning says the murder charge brought against her common-law-husband, Steven Flores does not ease the family’s pain. Kelly also slams the police for the way they handled Flores’ arrest.

On the Phone: Evril Kelly

“ After watching a video yesterday, with the police, ih look like the police di protect he. It’s even more hurt for my family, very hurt. Going to the station to identify the murder weapon and seing the murder weapon with no blood on it, like weh happen to the blood weh mi deh pahn the knife? The murder weapon da the only knife we have in the house. That da the knife he kill my bredda with. I just use a knife the night before fi cook. He kill my bredda with the knife.”

Kelly questions the officer’s handling of Flores’s arrest.

On the Phone: Evril Kelly

“ I think if a different police officer was on the scene other than Mr. Palacio, I know him as “Bling”, as one of Steven’s friends, I think if it was any other police officer, ih mi gwein completely different.”

Marion Ali

“You’re saying that the policeman who went to arrest your common-law-husband is his friend?”

On the Phone: Evril Kelly

“Yes, that is his friend. I know him as his friend.”

Marion Ali

“They hang out together?”

On the Phone: Evril Kelly

“They hang out together. The police drive up to our house, pay Steven regular visits, you know. It hurt me to see that they nuh respect my lee bredda death. He di protect this man after this man done kill my bredda. He have the murder weapon in his hand like da wa toy. What happened to the blood on the murder weapon? I gone identify the weapon this morning and there was no blood on it. Who wiped the blood?”

Jaden Rubio is the cousin of the deceased, George Brown. He was with Brown the night before.

Jaden Rubio, Cousin of Deceased

“We were at Tandoori first, taking a couple drink and after that, he tell me let’s goh da Driftwood and have a nice burger because they sell nice burger deh. I tell ah “Real G, alright.” Cause I tell ah I tired ah eat at Tandoori. So we went to Driftwood last night, enjoy last night, not knowing that was the last night, I mi wa see my cousin. We ate burger together, drink a couple drink together. After that I tell ah G, mek wi goh home and chill out and watch a movie, you know. And after that we come and watch a movie, not knowing that was the last night I was gonna hang out with G.”

Rubio said he saw Brown the same morning, but from a distance and had planned to go meet him later that morning.

Jaden Rubio

“I start up my motorbike and then I hear my cousin Ezekiel call me. “You going to the gym for a coffee?” I tell him yes. And I see G came out, and G was like watching me. And I tell G, wait here G, I’m coming back for you right now. I’m just going to get a coffee, me and Ezekiel. And he be like, alright. And I saw him lock back the door, but my intentions now was like, G went back and sleep, you know, not knowing when we went all the way to the gym someone came here and, I don’t know, maybe his cousin came here and call him. That’s when he get in the altercation with the guy from Dangriga. But the guy approach my cousin approach him nice and ask him for his jacket. And he didn’t want to give my cousin his own jacket. So my cousin get a little bit upset and he, not knowing the other guy has a knife on him, that’s when my cousin try to protect himself and my little brother try to protect two of them and he end up grabbing my cousin and it look like he end up stabbing my cousin.”

George Brown would have turned nineteen next week. Marion Ali for News Five.

Did Police Officer Contaminate Murder Weapon?

According to Police Commissioner Chester Williams, investigators have an airtight case against Steven Flores. He has been charged with the murder of eighteen-year-old George Brown. However, the victim’s family has expressed concerns about the way that police officers on the ground handled the situation in Hopkins. They say that video clearly shows a police officer clearly contaminating the murder weapon. We asked Williams about it:

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Well, we believe that it’s a very good case. Again, the conduct of persons following the murder. I saw on the news yesterday, the video footage that was that were shared. It shows that there was absolutely no regards or respect given to the police. This accused person was already in police custody and here comes a group of persons showing missile at him. People have to understand when police have a prisoner in custody, the police have charge of that person security. So anything that happens to that person in the charge of the police, then the police becomes liable. And so the police have a duty to secure the safety of any prisoner in their care. So these people who stoned the man, whatever while he was in police custody, it was totally out of order. And the accused person, again, to have been armed with a machete, chasing behind these same people, again, that was also wrong. And that also showed poor judgment on the part of the police. So there’s some things that we need to look at in terms of training and sensitizing our officers in terms of how to react to situations like those. And I think for the most part, the officers were reluctant to use their weapons the way they could have because they feared that had they done so, they would be in trouble. But the young man with the machete chasing these people, certainly he presented a good opportunity for the police who have been able to shoot him. And likewise, those who are throwing missiles at the suspect. While he was in police custody. Police could have used force on them with their weapons, but the police did not. So on that respect, I do commend the police for exercising great restraint. But at the same time, I believe that they could have harmed the situation much differently.”

Hipolito Novelo

“The family sees it a different way. They told us that from what they saw on the ground was that police was basically protecting this individual because the accused person and the police officers are friends in the village.”

Chester Williams

“The police have a responsibility to protect every person in the police care. So if they’re saying that the police was protecting him, they are right. And that is a duty of the police. Can you imagine what would have happened if that prisoner was killed in care of the police? What the public would have said? What you the media would have also said, right? You would have chew the police and spit them out because the truth is that would have been unjustifiably. There’s nothing that the police would have been able to do or say to justify any such action and when it comes to compensation, we would have to pay, the state would have to pay because if a prisoner is even hurt in the care of the police unjustifiably so they can sue and collect compensation for it.”

Hipolito Novelo

“You spoke about treating fellow police officers reaction to a situation like that. What about handling what appeared to be evidence, the knife that was apparently used. The police officer did not wear any gloves, is concerned that he may have contaminated key evidence in that case.”

Chester Williams

“The would have been the ideal situation, yes, for the police to be wearing our gloves. But I don’t think that there’s any dispute to the effect that the young man had the knife and he stabbed the accused person. I think that is going to come clear, through evidence of the witnesses who were there. So I don’t see the actions of the police affecting the strength of the case any at all.”

Tracy Welcomes U.D.P. Supporters to New Secretariat

The United Democratic Party faction, led by Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton, has a fresh new secretariat on Euphrates Avenue. On Wednesday, the Alliance for Democracy, a movement within the divided UDP, welcomed party supporters to their new digs. Interestingly, the building is owned by businessman and former Senate President, Lee Mark Chang. We had a chat with Taegar-Panton earlier today, and she shared her vision and the necessity for a new headquarters under her leadership.

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Representative, Albert

“The UDP felt, the secretariat felt that we need to have a proper space for us to do our work. As you are aware, our campaign has been initiated, we are in active campaign mode and there has to be a space where we can do our business properly. The building that we now occupy is owned by the vice chairman of the party, Mr. Lee Mark Chang, and he made that resource available to us. We accepted it, of course, resources are limited, but we need to have a command center, if you will. As you know, there are eighteen standard bearers and twenty constituencies that align themselves with the work that we are doing and so we need to be able to, for those standard bearers and members of the executive committees to be able to come in and speak to us, or if there’s a list that needs to be printed. Whatever it is that is required for our readiness and for preparedness whenever the elections are called.”

Is Lee Mark Running Against Shyne in Mesop?

Is Lee Mark Chang gearing up to challenge Shyne Barrow in Mesopotamia? That’s the burning question on everyone’s mind, but the Alliance for Democracy is keeping mum for now. Mesopotamia has been a UDP fortress since the late Seventies, a small but significant constituency. In 2020, the reins were handed over from veteran politician Michael Finnegan to his nephew, Shyne Barrow. We caught up with Tracy Taegar-Panton to find out if Lee Mark is ready to dive back into the political fray.

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Representative, Albert

“I think we have remained steadfast in our desire to defend our democracy internally, within the party, and externally and we will continue to do that. Whether we have leverage or we don’t have leverage will be determined by the people who will come out and vote on election day.”

Marion Ali

“Okay, and then the report that Mr. Chang is also running in Mesopotamia under your leadership, can you confirm?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton

“I can’t confirm at this time. There is a process outlined in the party’s constitution on how we address when standard bearers need to be removed or replaced. That’s usually initiated by the executive committee of that constituency. It’s not initiated by a party leader. What I will tell you is that we are following, as best as we can, the constitution of the party and we have always been very respectful of the processes outlined in the constitution and we will continue to do so.”

Which UDP will Supporters Vote for on Election Day?

Who will United Democratic Party supporters back when they head to the polls on election day? Will it be the U.D.P. under Shyne Barrow’s leadership, or will Tracy Taegar-Panton take the helm? And perhaps the biggest question of all: can mediation resolve the leadership tussle before election day arrives? We posed these pressing questions to Taegar-Panton earlier today. Here’s what she had to say.

Marion Ali

“If I’m a UDP supporter but I’m a little confused as to who is the actual leader of the party and I see that on the ballot paper, when the election is called, there are two names under UDP, one under Mr. Barrow, and one under you. How do I decipher, as a UDP voter, who I vote for? Is one legitimate and the other not?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Representative, Albert

“I think that’s premature. I think that question is premature. We have agreed to a mediated process that will be facilitated by the court, and we do so with a very open mind as to how we are going to approach that mediation. We don’t know that we’re going to have more than thirty-one candidates running for the United Democratic Party. Certainly, as it relates to our movement, we maintain that the standard bearers of the party are the standard bearers of the party. They were either elected in a contested convention or they were approved or ratified in an endorsement convention, and you can’t just willy-nilly dismiss that. Like I said, the constitution outlines a process that needs to happen. And so, for us, there are thirty-one UDP candidates that will be running for the next elections.”