Students will remain at home this Friday, as their teachers are expected to attend a massive demonstration in Belmopan. But as the Belize National Teachers’ Union gears up for Friday’s protest, president Nadia Caliz is reminding its membership of their constitutional right to take industrial action. Caliz cites Section Thirteen of Belize’s constitution, which guarantees the freedom of assembly and association, including the right to form or join trade unions. Caliz advises school managements across the country not to intimidate or threaten union members participating in the demonstration, emphasizing the importance of respecting these fundamental rights.
Nadia Caliz
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teacher’s Union
“Every teacher has a constitutional right known as Freedom of Association. It’s connected to their fundamental rights within our Constitution. And even our Trade Union Act have a right to be a part of a union. You have a right to engage industrial action. All of those things cover us legally, and where we can prove that they’re being intimidated and denied up their rights, we’ll take it up legally too, because we cannot have this. Let me tell you, when you talk about a democracy like Belize. Inclusive participative democracy, not we’re talking about, we’re talking about allowing everybody to play their part. This is a part of democracy. Democracy means that people will disagree with you at times, they will agree with you, but don’t deny people of their constitutional right, because what they’re doing is not in alignment with your vision of stifling growth. That’s what they call it. ’cause this is a part of growth. Challenges of this nature is growth. We come out better, the union comes out better, the government better everything, because you’re addressing a concern that members have.”
A family in Corozal is reeling tonight after a violent altercation left father Sair Witz hospitalized. On Sunday night, Sair was viciously attacked with a machete by his son, Zakir Witz, during a heated argument that erupted while the two were socializing and consuming alcohol. In the process, the father was maimed. Police report that Sair is in stable condition, but Zakir remains at large. ACP Hilberto Romero provided further details on the incident, which has left the community in shock and the family distraught.
“On Sunday, fourth of May, 2025, police responded to a chopping incident at Louisville Village in the Corozal district. Upon their arrival, they saw Sair Witz with injuries to the body, information that he was involved in a fight with his family members, at which point his son Zakir Witz inflicted several chop wounds to him. He is presently at the hospital in a stable condition. We’re looking for Zakir Witz, and he has not been located since. they have been consuming alcoholic beverages. And that is what led to a fight, and that is what led to this chopping incident.”
Reporter
“Is the, is he on the run?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yes, he is. He has not been located, as yet.”
Reporter
“Were they intoxicated?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yes. They were.”
Reporter
“Can you go to the nature of the argument that led to chopping?”
Hilberto Romero
“Some family dispute? They had a fight ensued and that is what led to this chopping.”
The San Ignacio community is heartbroken after the tragic drowning of fifteen-year-old Deshawn Nazir in the Macal River over the weekend. Nazir, a promising football player, is fondly remembered by his peers and loved ones. Saint Ignatius High School, where Nazir was a beloved second form student, described him as having a bright spirit and kind heart. The Football Federation of Belize also mourned the loss, highlighting Nazir’s passion for the game, discipline on the field, and the lasting impact he made on those who knew him. The community grieves the loss of a young star whose potential was cut short far too soon.
“On Saturday thirtieth, May, 2025, around 8:55 AM police responded to a report of a drowning by the Hawkesworth Bridge in Cayo. Upon their arrival, they learned that a male person attempted to swim across river and he went under. Searches were conducted thereafter. The lifeless body of a male person was retrieved. He was identified as Deshawn Nazir, fifteen years. He was immediately rendered CPR, taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Information is that Deshawn was swimming with other persons in the area when he went under and thereafter his body was located.”
Akeem Elijah Tench, a forty-year-old security guard employed by Priority Security, is currently on remand at Belize Central Prison. Tench faces charges of keeping a firearm without a license and discharging a firearm in public. The incident occurred on Sunday, May fourth, 2025, when Tench allegedly fired shots to ward off intruders at his home on Vernon Street. He claimed he took his work-issued firearm home to deal with the situation. Appearing before Magistrate Ludlow Black, Tench explained that he was on duty when he received a call from his daughter about the break-in. Upon arriving home, he saw two men fleeing and fired shots. Tench pleaded guilty with an explanation, stating that his firearm was issued by his security company for use while on duty. However, there was no statement from his employer to support his claim. Magistrate Black adjourned the case until May twelfth, 2025, and remanded Tench due to the nature of the offenses. Tench expressed distress over being remanded, as he is the sole provider for his wife and daughter.
Anthony Mahler, the Minister of Youth & Sports, has responded to the Public Service Union’s strong opposition to potential job cuts at the Department of Youth Services and the National Sports Council. Mahler criticized the union for taking an uninformed stance, suggesting they should have reached out to him for more details on the restructuring plans. Speaking with News Five, Mahler highlighted that the P.S.U.’s concerns might have been better handled with some straightforward communication. He believes this would have helped everyone get a clearer picture of the proposed changes.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Sports
“To me, and I will tell you this first, my father was a union leader, and my adopted grandfather was prominent union leader, so I come out of union households. I had a picture with me, with my placard protesting in front of BEC with my child when I was a dad. So, I respect unions, but how can you go public without picking up the phone and call minister, “hey what did you say really”? What is it that you want to accomplish. That is the true meaning. You get out there and say a whole pile of thing when you only hear one side of the story. To me if you have almost three hundred people working with both entities and most of the programs are failing miserably then something has to be done. I don’t believe in taking bread out of people’s mouth. There are those concession stand out there to build up people and I don’t believe in firing hard working people. But if you are doing nothing, a ghost worker, you go home and have no apologies for that. Should it continue? There are no final numbers, the youth department is a government department. The National Sports Council is a statutory board, so it is ran by a board and the youth department and just fire people. That is how it works. Unu know me as being stupid, from what you see, you know my work right, tourism zero to highest record right.”
Three weeks after an American national hijacked a Tropic Air flight and was fatally shot, Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler is addressing the incident’s impact on Belize’s tourism sector. Mahler has been working closely with the National Security Council to ensure safety measures are in place. He reassures potential visitors that Belize remains a safe destination, emphasizing the country’s commitment to security and the well-being of tourists.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“We were a part of the entire discussion from the whole thing started. We were in constant communication with the security people and we had a national security council meeting that we were invited to on that same morning after the tragic event happened. I want to say thank you to the pilot and all the people on board who withstood that madness.”
Reporter
“Do you think it will have any negative impact on the tourism industry?”
Anthony Mahler
“Anything like that has an impact. It will, so we have to do damage control and send out the right information, that Belize is still a safe destination, compared to many and that it is still worthwhile coming to Belize.”
Plans to restructure the National Sports Council have led to a temporary pause in primary school sports tournaments. These annual events, which see schools competing in various sports at regional and national levels, are a highlight for many young athletes. Minister of Sports Anthony Mahler informed News Five on Saturday that while the tournaments are expected to resume by the end of the year, the current setup cannot continue as it is. The restructuring aims to improve the organization and effectiveness of these beloved events.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Sports
“We want to adjust the finances, adjust those programs. WE have some ideas on how we can improve those programs. But also, to me the biggest fall off in sports in Belize is in high school. There is a lack of competition in Belize, a lack of proper training, there is a lack of facilities. Victor Galvez in Cayo, we have invested in a brand new court, so they have a brand-new hard wood court down there for that stadium and we will continue to invest, but the program has to be focused and have to have some goals to say we will achieve these things.”
Paul Lopez
“So, will primary schools sports be held this year?”
Anthony Mahler
“We are putting it on pause for now and then we will reboot soon. Hopefully we can start the tournaments in October and November, when we restructure the national sports council and the finances.”
Paul Lopez
“So it is about restructuring. What was happening that was causing it to be chaotic or inefficient?”
Anthony Mahler
“Well, I am not saying it was chaotic or inefficient. It was just status quo and status quo does not work for me, status quo does not work for Minister Daly.”
Good evening and welcome to Sports Monday! I’m Paul Lopez, bringing you the latest in sports action. Tonight, we kick off with the exciting launch of the Seventh Annual Anthony Mahler Youth Football Tournament. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday at Berger Field, where the energy was palpable. Minister of Sports, Anthony Mahler, shared his thoughts on the event, emphasizing the importance of youth engagement in sports.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Sports
“When I started this with Tyrone Young and Stanley Reneau over seventeen years ago, it was to create an environment where young people could learn how to play football, but meet each other, become friends, play in competition with each other, so they know each other. For many of the young men especially, that they would think twice to pick up a gun and hurt one of their friends right. I know it happens, but they will think twice at least and to create an environment where they can learn discipline, teamwork, where they can learn comradery, all of these disciplines and things that sports teaches us. Discipline is important. One of the greatest hurdles for Belize to achieve its true and full potential is an undisciplined society. We drive how we want, run around on cycles. Everyday I run round I see cycles on the ground because we drive how we want, throw garbage on the ground how they want, we plant trees on the highway and they thief them.”
Saturday was all about the game as young athletes hit the field for the Seventh Annual Anthony Mahler Youth Football Tournament. The event officially kicked off with Minister Mahler’s ceremonial first kick, which was impressively blocked by one of the young players. The action continued with the first match of the day, featuring Berger F.C. against defending champions Belize United. By the end of the first period, the teams were neck and neck, tied at one goal each. In the second period, Berger’s Camron Brown was positioned in front of the goal when Belize United sought to clear the ball. Brown intercepted the pass and fired a shot towards the goalpost, putting his team up by one point.
Five minutes later, Berger’s Zoayen Jones launched a bullet toward the goalpost from midfield. That one was right on target. Berger extended their lead with three goals. In the third and final period of the match, the defending champs were desperately seeking an answer to the onslaught. This shot from Shae Gordon almost made it into the net but ricocheted off the crossbar. Another excellent attempt by Belize United off a header saw the same result. At the other end of the field, Zoayen Jones was able to deliver another goal for his team that took Berger to four goals. They brought down the defending champion in the opening match of the season. This year’s Anthony Mahler Youth Football Tournament is even more exciting with the inclusion of under-ten players. These young athletes are given two ten-minute periods to showcase their skills, with a rule ensuring every player gets at least two minutes of playtime.
Let’s dive into the matchup between Belize United and Ladyville Rising Stars. The young talents from both teams brought their A-game, making for an engaging and spirited competition. Seven minutes into this one, John Habet got a good look at the goal and kicked the ball over the goalkeeper’s head and into the net. He scored the first goal of the match for Belize United. In a thrilling moment during the second period, Alpheas Cleland of the Rising Stars seized control of the ball right in front of the goal. With skill and precision, Cleland scored, bringing his team level with Belize United at one goal apiece. The excitement is palpable as these young athletes showcase their talent in the Anthony Mahler Youth Football Tournament. Three minutes later, Azaire Gaynair, from the sideline launched an absolute beauty of a shot that flew above the goalkeeper’s head and into the goalpost. Belize United came out on top in this one, two goals to one.
From football, we move into some softball action. The Rogers Stadium came alive this weekend for the Belize District Fast Pitch Softball Tournament 2025 season opener. On Friday night, the Belize Bank Bulldogs faced off against Beacons Softball Club. Bulldog’s Janeka Hilton scored her team’s only run in the first inning after the catcher threw the ball to second base. Hilton took a tumble at the home plate but she scored the run. Sharon Vernon for Beacon now up to bat. She sent the ball flying into the right field. The outfielder missed the ball, giving Vernon an opportunity to sprint all the way to third base. Vernon made it across the home plate on the following play, equaling the score at one run apiece. Bulldogs’ Raven Card scored a second run in the second inning after the Beacons fumbled a pop-up ball that dropped near second base.
And that was the extent of the runs that Bulldogs made on Friday night. Beacons held them to two. On the other hand, Beacons went on to score five additional runs, two in the third inning and three in the fourth. They won the match, six runs to two. More exciting matchups are scheduled for later this week. Well folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
The government has officially declared new boundaries for seven towns.
Effective April 1, 2025, the towns of Punta Gorda, Dangriga, Benque Viejo, San Ignacio/Santa Elena, Orange Walk, Corozal, and San Pedro will operate under newly delineated boundaries. This decision stems from a Cabinet resolution in July 2021, which revived the Municipal Boundaries Re-Delineation Exercise initially started in 2012.
According to the government, the redelineation process, completed in the last quarter of the previous fiscal year, involved extensive consultations and sensitisation sessions with key stakeholders. These included town councils, buffering village councils, area representatives, and the general public.
The new boundaries are designed to align with the towns’ development and growth, ensuring effective management, administration, and delivery of municipal services without compromising the recognised boundaries of adjacent villages.
The previous boundaries for these towns were established in the 1980s and 1990s. The updated jurisdictions can be accessed through declarations published in the Gazette or via electronic copies from the respective town councils and the Department of Local Government.
The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) announced a national demonstration in Belmopan for this Friday, following overwhelming support for industrial action by its membership. More than 2,500 teachers voted in favour during a meeting of nearly 3,000 union members held last week.
The demonstration is the first step in a three-phase strategy that includes a potential two-day national shutdown and could end up in a full strike. The union is demanding a salary adjustment and a raise in the minimum wage from $5 to $6 per hour, citing recent pay increases granted to high-level government officials, including the Cabinet Secretary and the CEOs.
“When the CEOs got their 20% and we’ve been there waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting… it’s like, we’re not important. So we want the government to understand we matter. We have value. Please consider us,” the BNTU national president Nadia Caliz told News 5.
Caliz detailed the union’s demands, including an 8.5% minimum salary adjustment. The union is also asking the government to officially confirm in writing a past agreement so that members “so that people can receive what is rightfully theirs.”
Caliz suggested that the government focus on paying the union members who are actively contributing and supporting the negotiations to alleviate the financial strain it would cause to pay all public officers and teachers.
