Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca, also expressed his condolences on the passing of Bishop Nicasio on his Facebook page. He shared with News Five that the late bishop had dedicated much of his sixty-seven years to the clergy and to education, and for that, the government pays its respect and gratitude to someone he referred to as: a very good friend, a strong partner in education, and a good son of Belize.
Via phone: Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“Bishop Nicasio has been a priest for, I think 34 years, serving our Belizean community, our people. He has served in many communities across the country and is loved, beloved by Belizeans all across our community. So, you know, in education, we consider him a very good friend, a strong partner in education, someone who believes in the church state partnership of education and who worked very closely with the Government of Belize and the Ministry of Education to advance, you know, our goals for quality education in Belize. So we want to, on behalf of the Government of Belize, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, express our deepest sympathies to his family, and of course, to his colleague, priest in the Roman Catholic Church, and indeed to the entire Roman Catholic Church community, you know. We have lost a good son of Belize, who has given his life, to serving God, and serving our communities.”
A Belize City resident was shot and killed over the New Year’s weekend, as he left the parking lot of a popular nightclub. Tonight, police have turned over surveillance footage of the incident to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, awaiting further instructions. From the look of it, twenty-eight-year-old Trevor Brown got into an altercation with several other patrons in the parking lot and the situation escalated quickly, resulting in deadly gunfire. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with that story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A deadly New Year’s Eve shooting in Belize City bookended the violence that gripped the Old Capital during the Christmas holidays. In the wee small hours on Sunday morning, an altercation in the parking lot at Thirsty Thursdays ended in an exchange of gunfire and when the shooting subsided, twenty-eight-year-old Trevor Brown had been mortally wounded.
Anthony Perry
Anthony Perry, Stepfather of Deceased
“As the family, everybody is just mourning the loss of my son and really we noh happy wid weh happen, but we wahn mek God do ih course. Soh fi now, we actually di plan di funeral and we di wait fi sih more or less weh di police dehn wahn investigate so we know more or less who kill ahn.”
What transpire in the parking lot was an altercation between patrons leaving the establishment. Surveillance footage shows the vehicle that Brown was driving when it rear-ended a pickup truck nearby. The men then confront each other before Brown and occupants of his vehicle got in and attempted to drive off. In the process, it would appear as though he deliberately swerved in the direction of the person he had just exchanged words with. Brown exited and began firing.
“Police responded to a shooting at Newtown Barracks, at a parking lot. Upon their arrival, information was received that Trevor Brown received gunshot injuries and he was rushed to the KHMH for treatment. He was then pronounced dead on arrival at the KHMH. Information received was that Trevor Brown had an altercation with another male person at the parking lot and at some point both of them pulled out firearms and fire at each other.”
Brown’s older sibling was in bed when he received a phone call from their stepfather. Anthony Perry was calling to inform him of the deadly encounter moments earlier.
Travis Brown
Travis Brown, Brother of Deceased
“I mi deh eena my bed. Nobody know that I mi come back from down south because I deh mostly down south. I get wahn call from my stepfather and I sih he di call me and I return back fi he call. He neva know I deh eena my bed and he da like, “Ah call yoh fi tell yoh that dehn just shot Trevor and dehn kill Trevor.” We just talk Friday before I leff. We di talk bout vehicle. He just buy ih vehicle and di man tell me, ih seh, “Mek ah borrow yoh battery.” I seh, “Hold on to di battery ‘til Monday cause I noh wahn need it ‘til Monday. We deh fronta fi he vehicle and we di talk from one thing to the next. We gaan eena ih vehicle, show me ih radio cause I da di most one weh know bout vehicle, yoh know, and ih di show me ih radio. Ah tell ahn da probably just wahn lee fuse or something. I take off and I gaan south. That da di last time I sih or hear from my bredda.”
According to a situation report shared by the Belize Police Department, Brown was walking back to his Mazda when a pair of men came from behind and opened fire on him. The windshield of the vehicle was damaged and the men reportedly fled from the scene.
ACP Hilberto Romero
“Shortly thereafter, a male person was apprehended in the Yabra area and he was found with a gunshot injury to the head and he was taken to the hospital and he’s presently admitted receiving treatment. Several expended shells were found at the scene and vehicles were scene with bullet holes. A thorough investigation is being carried out in this incident and statements are being recorded. We have video footage and these will be forwarded to the DPP for determination. The person that is admitted at the hospital is still there and so we await when he is released to conduct an interview.”
Brown was among nine children being raised by his stepfather who told News Five this afternoon that the family is not interested in reprisal of their loved one.
Anthony Perry
“Pan fu we half as wahn family, we need fi mek sure that we stay strong as one and do what we need to do to lay my son to rest. Well I noh into this grievance and vengeance and weh everybody into. Everything weh I leff it deh eena God’s hands and when the time is right he wahn fix it. So fi now, that’s all I got fi seh.”
Admittedly, Brown, by his brother’s words, was no angel. He had flaws about himself, but the family did not think that the call they would receive on New Year’s Eve was to inform of his demise.
Travis Brown
“Ah noh something weh I wah seh I di run from, but ah just never expect it, especially fi di New Year, yoh know. My lee bredda and everything, ih do good, ih do bad, I cyant seh nothing, ih done happen.”
Police in Belize City continue to investigate the shooting murder of thirty-eight-year-old Jorge Lozano. On Friday night, Lozano was heading home on Madam Liz Avenue when he was targeted. He was shot several times and rushed to the K.H.M.H. where he died the following day. Police say that they have a possible motive but no suspects. News Five’s Hipolito Novelo reports
Hipolito Novelo reporting
Thirty-eight-year-old Jorge Lozano was shot several times on Friday night. At around six o’clock, Lozano was on his way home on Madam Liz Avenue and as he approached the front gate the gunman pounced, firing a barrage of bullets at Lozano.
“Investigation revealed that Lozano was at the street when a white car pulled out. A male person then fired several shots at his direction, causing his fatal injuries. No suspects at this time.”
Lozano was rushed to the hospital where he fought for his life. He died on Saturday morning. Investigators say Lozano is known to police and his murder might be gang related.
ACP Hilberto Romero “Yes, we have dealt with him in the past and the investigation at this time continues as we have no suspects at this time.
Reporter
“But do you believe that it is somehow gang related?
ACP Hilberto Romero
“Probably it is something to that effect.”
Following, Lozano’s murder, police received information of retaliation. As such, some of the victim’s relatives were detained for forty eight hours.
ACP Hilberto Romero
“There was some threat of retaliation and so we took some action to prevent any retaliation regarding this murder.”
Lozano became the second to last person to be murdered in 2023. Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.
This morning at eight a.m., the Christian workers Union and Social Security Board convened outside the Social Security Headquarters in Belmopan where they staged a peaceful protest. About thirty S.S.B. employees gathered in the hopes of meeting with their management in order to voice their displeasure on what they claim, is a recurring issue of unfair treatment of the union members and special allowances to nonmembers. This is what Leonora Flowers, President of the Christian Workers Union, had to say on the issue.
Leonora Flowers
Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers Union
“The inspectors have gathered out here today to voice and show their displeasure to management regarding an issue that we were informed about. They had made certain agreement with us when we queried an unfairness that was occurring and, unbeknownst to us, they changed on that plan. What was and is still so concerning is that this decision, the change occurred in a couple of days after we signed the agreement. So here we are chairing on SSB that we have signed our new CBA and then they’re changing the course on us. So we’re here gathered with our members to ensure that they know that this cannot continue. We need to be respected and the integrity that they demand from our inspectors, we also demand it from the management and of Social Security. The CEO was gracious, she allowed us to voice our opinion, everyone who wanted to have a say was able to do that. And we were able to impress upon her our sentiments, deep, grave, concerning, and the kind of agitation that we’re prepared to put forward to ensure that we’re heard and our members get the justice that they deserve. All we want is fairness. All we’ve ever wanted is fairness from SSV. And we continue to stand on that. It went as planned, but we have to give management their time to meet with their with the management to meet among themselves and to come back to us. And that’s what, that’s what the CEO offered, that they will get back to us. We tried to tie her to a time. But in all fairness, she said she was unable to give us a time. But we are hoping that the better judgment will rule out at the end of the day. The Act specifies certain things and we expect Social Security to live up to that”.
The Christian Workers Union’s issue with the treatment of S.S.B. staff by management does not stop at feeling disrespected. The union claims that the special allowances granted towards nonmembers are a subtle form of union busting. As per regulation, Social Security inspectors are to undergo a mandatory three-year rotation. However, one inspector has been given a six-year extension, and as another extension was approved, the union has had enough. Leonora Flowers, President of the Union had this to say on the matter.
Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers Union
“It usually begins with a member getting their letter of transfer, sometimes three, four months before that transfer is to take effect. It happens normally in the summer months so that people are able to take their children and their family, move families across the country. That has been going on for 42 years, since SSV began. It has only gone on that sometimes, a member spends an additional year over or under in a certain location. This specific person has spent nine years in one location and that has been the contention that we’re Out 4:38 looking at toda. It was brought up to them October 2022 and we discussed it in August and in September 23 and the decision was made. The person was not going to be transferred in September because it was too short a window. We agreed. But they decided that it would happen in January. We agreed to that. And we understand that the transfer letter was sent out. Lo and behold, it was just rescinded a couple weeks ago. And you can, “the rest is history”. The person we’re talking about getting the special treatment is not a union member. So it goes without saying that our members will believe it’s union busting. If you can’t mete out the same kind of justice to everyone, then our members are at a loss. So it is union busting. Some may say no, but we believe that it is. The facts will show. We did not give an ultimatum. We’re leaving it for the management to decide and to use their better judgment, their best judgment in this situation. No need for ultimatum as yet. And we will not show our hands. We know what we have at our disposal. Our members are firm about this. They’ve given us a clear directive and we will continue to take a stand on their behalf”
Following the last House Meeting in December 2023, Senator Eamon Courtenay, who served as the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, announced his departure from Cabinet and returning to private life. Courtenay, who has served in that capacity since the P.U.P. won the general elections in November 2020, is now working at his law firm. The government announced soon after that his replacement is the Minister of Education, Science, Technology, and Culture, Francis Fonseca, who has officially taken on the added portfolio. Today, News Five asked Fonseca how he is adjusting to the new assignment. He told us that he has acted in that capacity already, and with Courtenay’s guidance, the task should be doable.
Via phone: Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“I certainly did not seek this position. I certainly am honoured to take on the responsibility for our nation’s foreign affairs and foreign trade. I’m doing so, as you know, in addition to my continuing responsibilities for education, culture, science and technology. So, you know, I fully appreciate the critical importance of these duties and responsibilities to believe this national development and our future. You know, I certainly want to place on record, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, our deep gratitude to the outgoing Foreign Minister, Senator Courtney, who of course, over the past few years has led that ministry with absolute distinction, strong leadership, tremendous experience. In my view, [he is] the most effective foreign minister Belize has had certainly over the past 25 years, and as you said, he has offered his support and guidance and I certainly welcome that and fully support his continued engagement and certainly his leadership on behalf of Belize in respect of matters ongoing before the ICJ. As Foreign Minister, I will of course be fully briefed and involved in all discussions and decisions taken regarding the I.C.J., as I have over the past few years. Senator Courtney has kept me fully informed. When he has travelled, I have served already over the past year as the Acting Foreign Minister, so, you know, I certainly understand the role and responsibilities that come with these additional duties.”
But the portfolio of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade is among a country’s most critical because it speaks to how that nation is represented diplomatically and how it conducts business on the international stage with other countries. Fonseca, a senior minister, is already responsible for a very loaded portfolio – that of education, science, technology and culture. But how will He a take on this added ministry’s workload? He told us it’s all about team work.
Via phone: Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“It’s undoubtedly a great responsibility, but one I think I’m fully prepared and equipped to handle and take on, and I say that with some level of confidence because of the people I have around me, both at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. They have excellent – we have excellent people at both of those ministries, who are, you know, very, very capable, very competent. I think at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, we have already put in place a very firm foundation for success. We have an excellent team, leadership team there, senior management team. Of course, I’m supported by Minister of State, Dr. Louise Zabaneh, so I think all of us working together can make this work. Our job is to ensure that we are effectively carrying out, you know, government’s policy, and that we are advancing the interests of Belize.”
As Belizeans across the country welcome the New Year, some families are welcoming a baby into the world. Every year, the first babies born on January first are celebrated countrywide, as an outpour of gifts is showered on them from various businesses. On New Year’s Day, four babies were delivered at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. We visited the newborns and their families today at the K.H.M.H.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
While the rest of Belize celebrated with fireworks, the K.H.M.H. staff was assisting first-time mother, Sauri Robles in bringing her son into world. The newborn, who is yet to be named, was expected on December thirtieth, 2023, but instead arrived at 1:41 am on January first, 2024, weighing in at seven pounds.
Reporter
“What was that like going into labor?”
Sauri Robles
Sauri Robles, First-time Mother
“Pain, Hurt but it’s alright. You know every woman has to go through that so.”
Reporter
“And how are you feeling today after welcoming this baby into the world?”
Sauri Robles
“Nervous because it’s my first time but happy… excited that I could be a mother myself and teach a baby things….sometimes you feel bad how our mothers treat their child and it’s like if I were to be that baby’s [mother], I’d be a better mother than some mothers”
A few hours later, at 9:38 am, the second baby of the bunch was brought into the celebration; this time, a girl. Weighing in at six pounds two ounces, baby Segura was born. She was followed by baby Nyla. The third girl of the day was born to another first-time mother, Roshanna Andrewin. The baby was delivered by C-section at exactly eleven am, weighing six pounds 11 ounces. Andrewin’s only wish for her daughter is that she grows up to live a happy life.
Reporter
“How are you handling it?”
Roshanna Andrewin
Roshanna Andrewin, First-time Mother
“Good. It’s fine. Everything is fine.”
Reporter
“Do you have any special wishes for your child being one of the first born in this new year? Any wishes for throughout this year and the rest of her life?”
Roshanna Andrewin
“To always celebrate her birthday and always be happy to see the new year.”
Not to be excluded from the celebrations, another baby boy arrived five days before his expected delivery date at 8:01 pm weighing in at six pounds, two ounces. Mother of four, Jeneva Rubio, has yet to name her new son, but she is grateful for having and easy delivery.
Jeneva Rubio
Jeneva Rubio, Mother of Four
“This is my fourth child so he’s the baby but we we’ll raise him just like we raised the others. Treat him with love, treat them exactly the same way.”
Reporter
“Do you think this birth was easier or more difficult than your last?”
Jeneva Rubio
“Easier. I think he came out just like my second son. It was just easier. The two girls gave me more pain”
The babies and mothers were also celebrated by San Cas group who kept up their yearly tradition of sending gift packages for the first babies of the year. Included in the packages were Huggies diapers and wipes, Ovaltine, Seven Seas, Jergens, Kotex, and Dutch lady products.
