hipolito - Channel 5 Belize

“He Started to Stab Him”: Passenger Recounts Harrowing Tropic Air Hijacking

On April 17, 2025, a routine Tropic Air flight from Corozal to San Pedro turned into a terrifying ordeal when 49-year-old American citizen and military veteran Akinyela Sawa Taylor hijacked the aircraft mid-flight. Armed with a knife, Taylor stabbed two passengers and the pilot, demanding the plane be diverted out of Belize. The incident ended when a passenger, licensed to carry a firearm, fatally shot Taylor, allowing the plane to land safely in Ladyville.

Among the passengers was Armin Burgos, who shared his firsthand account exclusively with News Five. Initially, Burgos mistook the commotion for a simple altercation: “All of a sudden, like two, three minutes after when we were in the air, I heard a lady shouting, ‘Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!’ So I thought they were fighting. I didn’t think anything.”

The situation escalated rapidly as Taylor confronted the pilot: “Then I saw the pilot; they’d like to turn back, and then [Taylor] told the pilot, ‘You’re not landing; you’re not turning back.’”

“He said, ‘Everybody go to the back.’ The guy that he stabbed, I saw him… Then I saw the whole thing, that he was stabbing the guy… So then I got a little frightened.”

Despite the danger, Burgos attempted to contact authorities:

“I tried to call police. But I called 911, and there was no answer. So I called one of my cousins; he’s also a police officer. I told him that, you know, they’re having a stabbing on the plane. I didn’t even know that it was hijacked.”

“If Mr Brown didn’t try to help, he would’ve been dead because [Taylor] was stabbing him… Mr Brown was trying to stop him and hold him.”

The ordeal concluded when a passenger shot Taylor as the plane prepared to land. “That’s when the shot… and he shouted for somebody to come and help the white guy. So I went with my belt, and I tried to tie his hand.”

Authorities are investigating how Taylor, previously denied entry into Belize, managed to board the flight with a concealed weapon. The U.S. Embassy in Belize is assisting with the investigation.

The incident has prompted discussions on aviation security protocols in Belize, especially concerning smaller airports.

FFB Launches Project Mexico-Belize to Boost National Team

The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) has kicked off Project Mexico-Belize, an initiative aimed at strengthening the Senior Men’s National Football Team ahead of June’s World Cup Qualifiers.

Belize will face Montserrat on June 4 and Panama at home on June 7 in Belmopan.

Leading the project is veteran football professional Daniel Bartolotta, who will serve as senior advisor. He’ll be supported by Diego Bartolotta, Enrique Meza Jr., and coach Enrique Meza Sr., all bringing international experience to help boost both the team and local coaching talent.

The support team’s involvement comes at no cost to the FFB.

The initiative includes a full-time player training camp with weekly stipends, fitness and nutrition support, and mental wellness services. It also offers Belizean coaches mentorship opportunities from seasoned international staff.

FFB President Sergio Chuc said the project is about more than this year’s qualifiers—it’s about building the future of football in Belize. With over $300,000 BZD invested, Project Mexico-Belize represents a major step forward for the national programme, combining global expertise with local development.

Fire at San Ignacio Transfer Station Brought Under Control After Day-Long Blaze

A major fire that erupted near the San Ignacio Transfer Station on Monday morning burnt for over a day. It threatened key infrastructure and prompted a large-scale emergency response.

Officials from the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA) have since confirmed that the fire is now under control and is expected to be fully extinguished by tonight.

The fire, which began in nearby brush around mid-morning on April 21, is believed to have been deliberately set. A person was reportedly seen in the area just minutes before the blaze ignited. Carried by strong winds, embers quickly spread into the transfer station compound, setting waste ablaze and endangering nearby buildings.

Security on site promptly alerted Station Supervisor Oleny Suntecum, triggering a rapid response by the San Ignacio Fire Department. Despite initial challenges due to persistent winds, coordinated efforts by the National Fire Service, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH), Belize Roadway Construction, the San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Council, and the Benque Viejo Town Council helped bring the fire under control.

Rojelio Pop, BSWaMA’s Operations Manager, reported that the priority shifted from containing the flames to protecting the facility’s buildings. “We created a buffer zone 15 to 20 feet away from the buildings to prevent damage,” Pop said. “With support from MIDH and private water suppliers, we managed continuous firefighting efforts using three fire trucks.”

The fire also raised serious concerns about public safety and the dangers of unauthorised outdoor burning.

While there are no nearby residential communities and the smoke is drifting towards the hills, the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management is urging the public to avoid setting fires near waste facilities, homes, or vegetated areas and to report any suspicious activity.

Shooting Victim Derrick Hines “Stable At This Time”

Police in Punta Gorda Town have arrested and charged a man in connection with the weekend shooting of Derrick Hines on Prince Street.

According to police, Hines was in his yard on Saturday, April 19, when a known individual approached and fired several shots in his direction. He was hit and taken for medical treatment, where he remains in stable condition.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero confirmed that the accused, Felix Gonzalez, has been charged with attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm.

Romero said the incident appears to be linked to an ongoing rivalry between two groups in Punta Gorda. Romero confirmed that Hines is known to be affiliated with one of the groups.

Hines was alone at the time of the attack.

KHMH Union Slams Pay Raises Amid ‘Pension Crisis’

The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) is blasting the Briceño Administration for what it calls “blatant disregard for frontlineworkers”, following salary increases for high-ranking government officials while hospital staff remain without pension benefits.

As we have been reporting, a March 28 memo from Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie confirms that salary hikes for top officials took effect retroactively from March 13—raising the Cabinet Secretary’s pay to $96,000 and CEOs’ salaries to $88,000, a 15.7% increase.

“KHMHA workers—nurses, doctors, technicians, administrative and support staff—continue to serve the people of Belize without a pension plan, without answers, and without respect.”

The union called the move “a slap in the face” and demanded:

Pension reform for KHMHA staff

A freeze on salary hikes for political appointees

Resumption of good-faith negotiations

“No more empty promises; No more excuses; No pension = action,” the union declared, warning that if justice is delayed further, it will explore “all available options—including industrial action.”

Belize Declares Mourning for Pope Francis

The Government of Belize has declared an official period of mourning following the death of His Holiness, Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide. The announcement was made today by the Office of the Prime Minister.

In honour of the late pontiff’s passing, Prime Minister John Briceño has directed Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie, who is currently acting as Governor-General in the absence of Dame Froyla Tzalam, to ensure that all Belizean national flags are flown at half-mast beginning midday on Thursday, April 24, until the conclusion of the Pope’s Committal Service on April 26, 2025.

Pope Francis passed away peacefully at his Vatican residence on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, the Vatican has confirmed. His death marks the end of a groundbreaking papacy defined by humility, inclusivity, and a strong focus on social justice.

His body will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica beginning April 23. Funeral arrangements will be finalised following a meeting of Cardinals.

Mass Stranding of Pilot Whales Reported Near Drown Caye – Public Urged to Stay Away

A mass stranding of pilot whales has been reported in the waters near Drown Caye, just off the coast of Belize City. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Belize, in coordination with the Belize Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, is currently responding to the incident.

Authorities are issuing an urgent advisory to all mariners and members of the public to avoid the area to prevent further distress to the animals and to ensure the safety of responders.

“Approaching stranded whales can pose serious risks. These are large, powerful marine mammals that may behave unpredictably when distressed,” the Institute said in a statement.

The public is strongly urged to:

• Stay clear of the area by both boat and watercraft.

• Do not approach the whales in any way.

• Report any sightings or related activity by contacting the response team at 615-3838.

Response efforts are ongoing, with teams monitoring the situation closely and working to provide necessary aid to the pod.

Officials thank the public for their understanding and cooperation during this critical time.

Earth Day 2025: “Our Power, Our Planet” – A Call to Triple Renewable Energy by 2030

Earth Day 2025 brings the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” urging global unity around renewable energy with the goal of tripling clean electricity capacity by 2030. As the climate crisis intensifies, this call is crucial in achieving the global target of limiting warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

According to the International Energy Agency, the world’s renewable energy capacity must grow from 3,700 GW in 2024 to over 11,000 GW by 2030. This massive shift requires increased investments, expanded infrastructure, and equitable access to clean energy, especially in vulnerable communities.

Earth Day events worldwide—ranging from climate marches to energy justice forums—are led by youth, Indigenous leaders, and activists, who emphasize the need for a fair transition. “Energy is power, and we are reclaiming it for a just and sustainable future,” said climate advocate Farhana Ahmed.

The movement also calls on individuals to take action—whether by supporting green energy policies, switching to renewable power, or advocating for local commitments to clean energy.

As Earth Day 2025 reminds us, the future of our planet depends on the choices we make today. “Our Power, Our Planet” is a call to act, united for a cleaner, more sustainable world.