News Five has confirmed that former Belize City councillor Alberto Vaughan is the new city administrator. Vaughan replaces the late Stephanie Lindo.
Last week, the Belize City Council said, “We understand the importance of this position in ensuring the effective functioning of our city, and each application is being carefully reviewed. We received three applications for the position of city administrator.”
The Belize City Council is expected to issue a release later today.
UPDATE (2:31 p.m.)
The Belize City Council issued a release on Vaughan’s employment.
The release says, “The Belize City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Albert Vaughan as the new City Administrator, effective April 15, 2024. This decision follows the recommendations of the interview committee, recognizing Mr. Vaughan’s exemplary track record. Albert Vaughan brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having served diligently in various capacities on both the national and municipal levels. His extensive tenure within the public sector, coupled with his involvement in the private sector, underscores his unwavering commitment to service and effectively leading teams. Having previously served as a dedicated member of the council for six years, Mr. Vaughan is quite familiar with the workings of the city. His experience within the municipal sphere uniquely positions him to understand the challenges and opportunities facing Belize City. The Belize City Council is confident that, under Mr. Vaughan’s stewardship, the council will continue to make meaningful progress in fulfilling its obligations to the residents of Belize City. As we embark on this new chapter, the Belize City Council extends our warmest congratulations to Albert Vaughan on his appointment. We look forward to working closely with him to advance our shared vision of a thriving and vibrant Belize City.”
Belize is hosting the fiftieth Caribbean Telecommunications Union Executive Council Meeting and the Caribbean ICT Ministers Seminar and Retreat. The Caribbean Telecommunication Union or CTU was established in 1989 to bring CARICOM member states together to develop inter-regional and international communication networks. Since its creation, CTU has become a key regional voice for the formulation of information and communication technology best practices and policies within the region. Members of that union are in Belize, not only to learn from how we have progressed as a nation but also to share their knowledge. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Representatives from twenty CARICOM member states all gathered inside the San Ignacio Hotel’s Bedran Hall for the Fiftieth Executive Council Meeting of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union.
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Minister of Public Utilities
“So we have representation from all twenty CARICOM member states. We have nine ministers and PS representing all the countries who are members of the CTU.”
The executive meeting is being held simultaneously with a Caribbean Information and Communications Technology Network. These events are being hosted by the Minister of Public Utilities, Michel Chebat.
Micheal Chebat
“I think this seminar really highlights the importance of this whole digital transformation agenda and the key role that IT is playing in transforming the lives of our citizens and our economies. So, having the presence of so many ministers from across the region really brings to the fore how important this sector really is.”
Regional digital collaboration is at the heart of this event. Through the development of regional strategies and policies, CTU member states have been learning from each other’s successes and failures. Hasil Bacchus is the President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union and the Minister of Digital Transformation in Trinidad and Tobago.
Hassel Bacchus
Hassel Bacchus, President, CTU (Hasil Backas)
“We are all on the same journey. We are all on the same journey. We are just in different stages of that journey. There are some things in which Trinidad and Tobago is a bit ahead. There are some things in which Barbados is a bit ahead. In terms of energy and energy works you find Belize is ahead. We find St.Kitts is trying to follow. That statement I made that together we are stronger, it is not just about the strong bringing the weak, it is about learning from everyone and all of us creating this economy of scale for the Caribbean that individually we cannot do.”
Through the seminar, the union will update its members on developments in the information and communication sector. As technology evolves, CTU has established itself as a preferred source of ICT advice for regional governments. Rodney Taylor, the Secretary General at the union shared some areas that will be discussed.
Rodney Taylor
Rodney Taylor, Secretary General, CTU
“Such as 5G developments, cyber security and we also have a special presentation on renewable energy. So, that is an opportunity for them to be brought up to speed on what is happening in the industry. Beyond 5G, our governments are doing a number of initiatives such as public sector modernization using technologies. 5G and next generation technology and connectivity are fundamental to that, because we want to make sure that everyone has good connectivity so that they can have access to these services in a digital environment. So, connectivity is high on the list and cyber security is also important, that as they connect in a secure environment, that these public services are secure as well and people’s personal data is well protected.”
Also present at the seminar was Doctor Cosmas ZavaZava. He is the Director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau under the International Telecommunication Union.
Dr. Cosmas Zavazava
Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, Director, TDB
“It is really a pleasure to be here and I want to thank the government and the people of Belize for the hospitality extended to me and the rest of the delegates. It is important because Belize is one of the Small Island Developing States and we are in the Caribbean and we are just almost getting to the UN Conference for SIDS and we try to find solutions with respect to connectivity and how connectivity helps to achieve healthy targets, agriculture, safeguarding the environment, etc. So all the sectors depend on connectivity.”
Michel Chebat
“So we have shared with them the progress we have made. We have spoken to them about the digital leave system we have for our public officers, we have spoken about our digital connect centers, about green energy and how that impacts ICT.You know we had a very interesting conversation with the representative from Cuba who spoke to us about their national ID and that is something we are embarking on. So it has been a great experience for all of us.”
With all the breaking and mending that has been taking place within the United Democratic Party, Chairman Michael Peyrefitte has been a constant party figure. There has been no conversation about him leaving the party, whether by force or willingly. So, does that mean that members are satisfied with Peyrefitte’s performance, despite the U.D.P.’s recent defeat at the municipal polls. Well, we asked him and he said his party is pleased with his performance, at least to his knowledge.
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“Listen to me, I was giving someone the statistics the other day. We look at this PUP like some juggernaut. When the UDP won the Belize City Council in 2006, it wasn’t for another twelve years that they won the city council if my math’s is correct. We have been in this situation for three years, going on four years. It is not a very long time; it feels like a long time given what has happened. And we have a current prime minister who was not the leader of the party eighteen months before he became prime minister. Things change. So, politics I am very fluid. What I can tell you about me is that nobody will tell me when it is time to leave. I will make that determination. I was voted in by the national convention to be the chairman. There are a provision within the constitution of the party, that you can call a national convention and you can remove me if you want. People are free to do that and then having not done it, and we show no lack of interest in triggering these things, if that is what people want to do within the party, they would have done that, but if enough people come to me in the party and tell me they want me to go, I’ll go.”
Earlier this week, Chief Engineer, Evondale Moody indicated that a portion of a budget has been allocated for the replacement of the BelCan Bridge but the remaining portion has to still be identified to replace the bridge that needs replacement. Moody also told us about major work on the Philip Goldson and the George Price Highways that are set to enter new phases in the coming weeks. He said that the work on a stretch on the Philip Goldson Highway should get started by September, while the work on the George Price Highway will begin sooner, perhaps in a couple of months.
Evondale Moody
Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, MIDH
“We have the Philip Goldson Highway project from mile 8 to mile 24.5. That project, we have awarded a contract to the consultants for them to do the design review for that project, and we expect to commence the procurement of contractors for that project within another three months. So we’re expecting to have a contractor on the ground for the upgrading of the Phillip Goldson Highway from mile 8 to 24, I would say, by September of this year. We are also looking at the George Price Highway, which the Belcan Bridge is a part of, because it’s, five sections. However, we have obtained financing from Caribbean Development Bank for Section 3 of the George Price Highway, which is from Belize City to Hattieville. And so we expect that we could commence the procurement process for that, maybe within the next quarter as well. So we should commence those works on the George Price Highway very soon.”
Politico is reporting that the detection of avian flu in a Texas dairy worker represents the initial confirmed instance of human infection with the illness in the United States, which has already afflicted cattle across multiple states in recent weeks.
This singular case, only the second recorded instance of H5N1 in the nation, has stirred unease among public health specialists who have long warned about the potential threat of avian flu. Authorities have identified only this one case, with no indication of human-to-human transmission. The worker’s illness is mild, and recovery is anticipated.
The CDC, FDA, and USDA confirmed that the virus was detected in a Michigan dairy herd that had received cows from herds in Texas. The strain in Michigan closely resembles those in Texas and Kansas, believed to have originated from wild birds.
While initial tests haven’t indicated changes making the virus more transmissible to humans, federal agencies continue monitoring the situation closely. Stockpiles of vaccines targeting avian flu are maintained, with the possibility of increased production depending on the situation’s progression.
The emergence of avian influenza in cows underscores the necessity of heightened surveillance among farmworkers and dairy employees, as the virus continues to pose a persistent threat, echoing concerns that have persisted for over two decades.
The State of Emergency may be extended from time to time by a resolution passed by the National Assembly for further periods. As we mentioned, the SOE is a response to the recent flare-up in gang activity, which sparked concerns about public safety. Like in previous SOEs, residents in the targeted area say that this violates their human rights. Police Commissioner Chester Williams said that it is necessary for ensuring the good of the wider public.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I have never heard the government being critical of it. I’ve heard that the SOE must use as a measure of last resort. I don’t think that any reasonable Belizean would ever say that the government and the police is not doing enough. We have an entire LIU program which is geared towards helping young people to help those young men who are caught up to see how they can come out of living that lifestyle. We are doing interventions. They are given employment opportunity. So the truth is that the government and the police is trying but again, we all know that there are going to be those persons who will not want to live a peaceful life and may continue to live that violent lifestyle. And so the SOE is geared at going after those persons. The amount of persons we expect to be detained from the SOE is not a huge number. It’s going to be a small number of persons because we just want to be able to pluck out the bad seeds and allow those other persons who are part of the LIU program and are productive to continue to do so.”
Britney Gordon
“Some people feel that SOEs are a violation of human rights. How does the police respond to this?”
Chester Williams
“Which rights is more important? The rights of fifty persons who hold the country, the city hostage? Or the rights of fifty people? Over one hundred forty thousand in a city or the rights of four hundred forty thousand people. We have to strike a balance and I’m sure that some human rights activists are going to agree that as a part of human rights, we have to look at the greater picture to see if we’re going to allow these people whose right we believe should be protected to continue to extinct themselves. I think that if we allow the extinction to continue, then we will be in breach of human rights norms because we are seeing a trend and we just allow it to continue. The fact that we step in and do the SOE, so get them to have a pause and to rethink, I think goes in line with maintaining human rights norms.”
A State of Emergency is being implemented in southside Belize City and specific sections of the Cayo District. Statutory Instrument 58 of 2024 states “a public emergency has arisen in the part of Belize consisting of the part of Belize City known as the Southside, and which is specified in Schedule I, and in the part of Belize known as Hattieville Area, Roaring Creek Village, Another World Area, Roaring Creek Village, and Young Bank Area, Camalote Village, all in the Cayo District.”
The SOE will remain “in force for a period not exceeding one month; but may be extended from time to time by a resolution passed by the National Assembly for further periods.”
Parts of Belize City and parts of the Cayo District in which a State of Public Emergency Exists:
1. All that area bounded on the South by George Price Highway, North by the Belize River, East by Central American Boulevard and West by Lake Independence Boulevard, including all streets and areas within.
2. All that area bounded on the East by West Collet Canal, West by Central American Boulevard, north by Cemetery Road and south by Race Course Street and North Creek, encompassing all streets within.
3. All that area bounded on the East by Central American Boulevard, North and West by George Price Highway and South by Fabers Road, encompassing all streets within.
4. All that area bounded on the East by Central American Boulevard, on the West by George Price Highway, South by by the Caribbean sea North by Fabers Road, encompassing all streets within.
5. All that area bounded by the North by Belize River, South by Cemetery Road, West by Central American Boulevard and East by Magazine Road, including all streets and area within.
6. All that area of land in Belize City bounded from Corner South Creek and Fairweather Street to corner Fairweather Street and the Caribbean Sea to the corner Kraal Road and the Caribbean Sea to the corner Caesar Ridge Road and Kraal Road up to the corner Caesar Ridge Road and Gill Street and corner Caesar Ridge Road and Central American Boulevard and South Creek, corner Central American Boulevard and South Creek to corner South Creek and Fairweather then corner Fairweather and the Caribbean Sea.
7. All that area of land known as or comprising the entire Hattieville Area, Roaring Creek, Village, Cayo District.
8. All that area of land known as or comprising the entire Another World Area, Roaring Creek Village, Cayo District.
9. All that area of land known as or comprising the entire Young Bank Area Camalote Village, Cayo District
Police were placed on high alert following the murder of reformed gang member Elwin Lewis, who is also known as Ras Bobo. He was gunned down on Friday night in front of Gwen Liz High School on Antelope Street, just feet away from the school’s front entrance. Lewis was driving a motorcycle heading in the direction from Elston Kerr Street towards Central American Boulevard when he was shot dead by someone on another motorcycle heading in the opposite direction. He was an employee of the Leadership Intervention Unit. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali went looking for answers. Here’s that report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
When he sang against violence with Heights of Vibez several years ago, Elwin Lewis, better known as Ras Bobo, was a popular musical artist. But he had gotten in trouble with the law when he was charged with being a member of a gang and had been making strides to live the straight and narrow. He was enrolled in the Leadership Intervention Unit’s infrastructure project. But on Friday evening, just before five, he became a target for murder.
“On Friday, March 22nd, 2024, around 4.50 p.m., police responded to a shooting incident near the Gwen Liz High School. Upon their arrival, they found Elwyn Lewis, 43 years with gunshot injuries to the body. He was taken to the KHMH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Thereafter, an investigation revealed that Lewis was riding a motorcycle in front of Gwen Liz when he was approached by another male person who fired several shots towards his direction, causing his fatal injuries.”
Dominique Noralez, who is the Director and Chairperson of the L.I.U, told reporters via Zoom this afternoon that she had seen Lewis just minutes earlier at the office.
Dominique Noralez
Dominique Noralez, Chairperson/Director, L.I.U.
“His murder hit me hard for very many reasons, but also it was more shocking because I saw him probably 30 minutes before it happened. He was in front of me. They were signing for their checks because it was payday on Friday and he signed for a check right in front of me and he asked me how I di do and we had a bit of small talk because check day is always very hectic. So he signed everything there and he gone and I got a message that he was in a shooting.”
Lewis was one of the L.I.U members who respected Noralez, she said, and that they shared a few commonalities and that she encouraged him to stay longer in the program, even when he wanted to change course.
Ras Bobo
Dominique Noralez
“He has been one of the most consistent people to speak with me pragmatically and with utmost respect. Like he didn’t think less of me because I’m a woman or because I’m younger, because he – we held – I think we meshed a lot. Our personalities were much of the same. And so I know he was doing a lot of work. In fact I, was very gracious to him because very many times he sat with me and said, “You know, boss lady, ah di think bout move on from the program, yoh know.” And da like, “No man, no man! Stay, cause yoh da wa important part of our structure, right. People respect you,” and so he stayed and his concern was just his farm and his children. And so he wanted to just deal with the farm works, “mash the farm work,” as he wudda say.”
An area resident told News Five off record that they heard the shots, and when they went outside to see what it was, they saw two young men on a motorcycle heading up to Elston Kerr Street and then making a left, as if heading towards Iguana Street Extension. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero told the media today that police have not yet established the reason for Lewis’ murder and have not yet charged anyone, but that they have detained a number of persons.
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“No one has been arrested or charged for this crime. Several persons are in custody and the investigation continues.”
Ras Bobo
Reporter
“Do police believe that Mr. Lewis was ambushed, in a way? Because we understand he goes to this area every two weeks to cash these L.I.U. checks.”
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“Yes, that is the information we have. He was there doing some transactions and when he was heading back, he was targeted. We have not ascertained a clear motive. All we know is that he was in that era and was targeted.”
Hipolito Novelo
“The persons being interviewed, are they from the area or a gang in the area?”
Ras Bobo
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“The persons are from the area.”
Meanwhile, as the L.I.U tries to keep gang activity at a minimum, the police have taken steps to discourage retaliatory actions.
Dominique Noralez
“It’s something that we’re trying to contain as much as possible, minimize or even eradicate as much as possible but we’re doing our best, collaborating with the police department, who has been one of L.I.U’s greatest partners, if not greatest partners, while also collaborating with the Department of Youth Services [on] behavior modification and conflict management services. The public, of course, while being cautious and having a bit more precaution, should rest assured that we’re doing all we can to manage the current increase in shootings.”
Ras Bobo
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“We have several measures that are in place in that area.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Those measures, are particular persons being monitored?”
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“Yes, particular persons are being monitored and will be detained for an interview.”
So far, the police say they cannot link Lewis’ murder to any of the other shootings or the other murder this past weekend in Belize City. Marion Ali for News Five.
The third murder of the weekend occurred in the Kings Park area of Belize City. It happened on Friday night, and the victim was thirty-year-old Nigel Williams. Williams was driving along Dunn Street towards Saint Thomas Street when he was approached by a male person and shot at, causing him to lose control of his car and crash into the drain. Williams exited his vehicle and attempted to flee but was pursued by the shooter and ultimately killed. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the full story.
Britney Gordon, reporting
Last Friday, the quiet of the night was disturbed as a series of gunshots rained down on the vehicle of thirty-year-old Nigel Williams. We spoke to the police for more details on the incident.
“On Friday, the twenty-second day of March, around ten fifty-two p.m., police responded to a shooting incident on Saint Thomas Street. Upon the arrival, they found Nigel Williams with gunshot injuries. He was taken to the KHMH where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Information is that Nigel Williams was in the area in a vehicle. And as he tried to turn a lane, he was approached by a male person who fired several shots towards his direction. Nigel Williams ran from that area, and he ended up by the stoplights on Saint Thomas Street where he collapsed and that is where police recovered his body. The vehicle was found in a drain in the area with bullet holes. An investigation was carried out and since then we have arrested and charged Tyreke Supal, twenty-three years for the crime of murder.”
Twenty-three-year-old Tyreke Supal has been arrested for the murder, and while police say that both men were known to them, they have yet to establish a motive for the crime.
Tyreke Supal
Hilberto Romero
“We have not established a motive. He was in the area visiting his girlfriend when he was targeted.”
Reporter
“Considering that he doesn’t live there, was the suspect lay-waiting him?”
Hilberto Romero
“That is the information we have. As soon as he turned a lane in the area, the person was there with the firearm and fired shots towards him.”
Reporter
“Do police have any information that these two may have been in contact prior?”
Nigel Williams
Hilberto Romero
“No, we don’t.”
Hipolito Novelo
“He’s not known to police? The victim?“
Hilberto Romero
“Yes, he is known, yes.”
Reporter
“And is the suspect known to police as well?”
Hilberto Romero
“The suspect is known to police as well”
Williams was a father of two, described as a loving and caring father and husband. His wife, Jessica Williams, stated that she has no idea why anyone would target her husband, as he was a joyful and well-beloved member of the community.
Britney Gordon
“Do you know if there could be any possible motive that anyone would want to target your husband?”
On the phone: Jessica Williams
On the phone: Jessica Williams, Wife of Victim
“Honestly, no. He was loved by so many It was, it was a shock. We didn’t know of there being any issues with anybody for anything. We understood that he was doing taxi. He enjoyed life. He loves to party, and he loves seeing people have a good time. So, there is really nothing that I would say anyone knew, regarding why this would happen.”
She said that Williams came from a very large family, which he prioritised in everything he did. He was the father of two sons—a fifteen-month-old and an eleven-year-old—from a previous relationship.
On the phone: Jessica Williams
“He was my slice of heaven or another way to say it, heaven on this side of earth. So he was a caring individual. He was loving. He was very adamant about me and ensuring that I was safe. No one could do any harm to me. So he, he was just that type of guy. He wanted to make sure everyone was good. He is very big hearted for his family, his nieces, his nephews, always taking them to the water, always, when we lived down in Corozal, coming up to city, picking them up and bringing them, you know, giving them an experience. Easter holiday was one of the many times of the year we all got together as a family and just, hung out and spent time and he just enjoyed it. Family, he was a very family friendly man.”
As Williams and her family are currently living abroad, she has started a GoFundMe in order to cover the cost of them flying over for the funeral as well as the funeral expenses.
On the phone: Jessica Williams
“We just put out the request, just because there is his mother that’s here in states and a couple of his siblings, myself, my son, of course his in laws off my side that all have to travel in. And also, we have to cover the cost of the funeral. So, while we’re covering our expenses to travel in, we’re just reaching and asking for those who want to show love and support stateside who can’t go, who wants to be a contributor of our final farewell. We’re just asking and giving the opportunity for people to share their love monetarily and send them off the way he should.”
Immigration officer Monique Escalante is being accused of extortion. Investigators say that she extorted Jamaican, Jahnoi Shaun Dhee Richards last week. Richards claims that she extorted him of three thousand US dollars while he was at the Philip Goldson International Airport. Prime Minister John Briceño, who is also the Minister of Immigration said that if the immigration officer is found guilty, she will have to face the music.
