Breaking News - Channel 5 Belize

Attorney Raises Alarm Over Denied Legal Access Under State of Emergency

Good evening. We begin with growing concerns over the treatment of detainees under Belize’s current state of emergency. A prominent attorney is sounding the alarm, claiming that basic constitutional rights may be under threat. Leeroy Banner, who recently secured a major court victory for sixteen unlawfully detained men, is now challenging the Kolbe Foundation after a client was denied access to legal counsel. The prison says it’s following emergency regulations, but Banner argues that the law is clear: even in a crisis, the right to an attorney must be upheld.

Leeroy Banner, Attorney-at-law

“Just yesterday a colleague of mine shared with me an email from the prison and I cant believe that the prison would put this in writing. One of my colleagues went to the prison to see someone who is detained under this current SOE. And, the prison would put in an email that you can’t see your client because he is detained under an SOE. Like, you really put that in writing. How can you be so bold and misguided to say that your client cannot see and attorney and he needs a court order to see an attorney. That is ridiculous.”

Isani Cayetano

“That, in my opinion, falls under your fundamental constitutional right.”

Leeroy Banner

“Of course it does. You have a fundamental right to an attorney.”

We sought comments from the Chief Executive Officer at Kolber Foundation, Virgilio Murillo, but our calls and texts went unanswered.

Gang Charge Dropped, But Azzane Domingo Remains Behind Bars for Murder Case

Tonight, Azzane Domingo, a well-known figure linked to the George Street Gang, is no longer facing a gang-related charge. On Tuesday evening, he appeared in court, where a Senior Magistrate informed him that the charge of being a gang member was officially dismissed. Domingo is one of several men recently cleared of similar charges. Just weeks ago, Gilbert Wade had his gang charge dropped, and a few months earlier, Tony McDonald saw the same outcome. However, despite the legal win, Domingo isn’t walking free. He remains on remand at the Belize Central Prison, where he’s awaiting trial for a much more serious accusation — the murder of Winston Joseph James, also known as “Tanga,” and the attempted murder of Marybeth Wade. That incident happened on January twenty-first, 2022, in Belize City. Domingo was formally charged with the murder on September twenty-third, 2024, and has been behind bars since. He’s now waiting for a preliminary inquiry to determine if the case will proceed to trial.

Brandon Gillett Walks Free After Firearm Case Dismissed

It’s been a long road for municipal court bailiff Brandon Vaughan Gillett, but today, he walked out of court a free man. For two days this week, Monday and again today, Gillett was spotted outside the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, waiting for his case to be called. Off camera, he told us he had a feeling the case would be dismissed. And he was right. This morning, Gillett appeared before a Senior Magistrate, alongside Legal Aid attorney Monica Stuart, who was standing in for his usual lawyer. Inside, the prosecutor, a police sergeant, told the court that the case would be amended. Originally, Gillett faced five counts of altering a firearm. But the prosecution dropped four of those charges and stuck with just one. Even that didn’t hold up. The Senior Magistrate dismissed the charge, ruling that the items Gillett allegedly added to his licensed firearm didn’t actually alter it. The prosecutor explained that “altering” means changing the weapon’s function—like sawing off a shotgun barrel or removing a serial number. In Gillett’s case, the additions were just accessories and didn’t change the firearm’s caliber or structure. With that, the case was thrown out, and Gillett was free to go. This case dates back to December 2023, when Gillett was first charged with five counts of altering a firearm without written permission from the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board. At the time, he initially pleaded guilty and asked for a sentencing indication. But when he learned he could face a year in prison, he quickly changed his plea and was remanded—spending Christmas behind bars before securing bail from the High Court. The case was originally scheduled to be heard by Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers, but in her absence, it was reassigned to Court #2. Gillett’s arrest followed a family dispute at a funeral, where he was seen with an assault rifle. That led police to search his home, where they found his licensed firearm and claimed it had been illegally modified. Today, however, the court ruled otherwise.

Trump Administration Accepts Jet from Qatar

The Trump administration has accepted a Boeing 747 jet from the government of Qatar, potentially to be used as the next Air Force One. The decision has ignited a wave of bipartisan criticism and raised serious concerns about national security and the appearance of foreign influence over U.S. policy.

The jet, a gift from Qatar, was offered shortly after President Trump’s visit to the Middle East, where he met with leaders in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to discuss business deals. The Pentagon confirmed the acceptance of the aircraft, noting that it complies with federal regulations. However, officials admitted that the plane is not yet fit for presidential use and would need extensive upgrades, including missile defense systems, secure communication equipment, and protection from electromagnetic attacks.

Lawmakers from both parties have expressed alarm over the optics and implications of accepting such a gift from a foreign government. Some fear that the Air Force may be pressured to expedite the conversion process, risking the thoroughness required to ensure the president’s safety. Others have questioned Qatar’s motives, suggesting the plane could be part of an effort to gain influence or even potentially contain hidden surveillance devices.

Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) was particularly outspoken, calling the jet part of a troubling pattern of foreign governments giving Trump money or valuable gifts in exchange for favorable treatment. “This is the definition of corruption,” he said. “Foreign governments are putting money in the president’s pocket, and the U.S. is giving away national security concessions that hurt our own security.”

Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, defended the gesture, saying it was a normal act between allies and not intended to sway the U.S. government. “I don’t know why people are thinking this is bribery,” he said.

Belize City Hurricane Shelters Assessed Ahead of 2025 Atlantic Season

With forecasters predicting an above-average hurricane season for 2025, Belize City officials are taking no chances. The City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO), in close coordination with the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), has begun inspecting shelters across the city to ensure they are ready to receive residents if a storm hits.

According to forecasts from Colorado State University, the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season is expected to bring 19 named storms, including nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

“We have done a lot of training. They have been able to do what you call shelter inspection,” said Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner. “They have worked very closely with NEMO. I can say outrightly that this is the best relationship we have had with NEMO as a group, because the structure, the organizational structure of NEMO has really been put in place by the new leadership. We feel that with the coordinated efforts of NEMO and CEMO in the city we want to be prepared.”

As for when the public can expect an official list of shelters, Wagner explained that CEMO supports the process but NEMO leads it. “That is coordinated with NEMO and NEMO identifies the shelters. We just go along with them in terms of knowing in what capacity they are in—are they available, do they need repairs. If they need repairs we assist with that, but in terms of identifying and selecting shelters that is up to NEMO,” Wagner said.

Pork Shortage Forces Running W to Skip Agriculture Show

Running W Brand Meats has pulled out of this year’s National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) in Belmopan due to a national shortage of live pigs.

In a statement, the company cited “excessive exportation” as the main cause of the shortage, which has driven up prices and raised concerns about food security.

“This decision was not made lightly,” Running W said. “We believe that prioritizing a reliable supply for our consumers is the most responsible choice at this time.”

The company said it is working with local producers to maintain pork supply in stores and thanked customers for their continued support.

Belize City Launches Hands-On Hurricane Cleanup Ahead of Storm Season

With the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season set to begin in less than two weeks, the Belize City Council is shifting from planning to action.

Mayor Bernard Wagner and his team joined sanitation workers on the ground today to clean drains in flood-prone neighborhoods across the city.

Instead of the usual City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) Symposium, the council chose to “get their hands dirty” and tackle the issue head-on.

“It’s about identifying some of the six key flood-prone areas in the city and giving an added extra hand towards the work that has already been going on for a number of months,” said Mayor Wagner. “Our sanitation, maintenance and works team have always been on the ground working to ensure that we begin, we prepare for the rainy season.”

Mayor Wagner added, “What we normally have prior to the rainy season is a symposium.”

“And so I told my CEMO liaison officer, let’s do something out of the box this year. Instead of going in a conference room and sitting and having a symposium, let’s go on the ground, get your hands dirty, right? And really put in the work for the people.”

The initiative brought together councilors, sanitation workers, public health officials, and even youth shadow councilors in a display of community spirit.

Zabaneh Confirms Corruption Probe at Transport Ministry, DPP Now Involved

A sweeping investigation is now underway at Ministry of Transport, with potentially serious consequences for how the department has been managed over the past four years. Minister of Transport, Dr. Louis Zabaneh, has confirmed to News Five that a file detailing alleged irregularities has already been submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review.

Recently Public Service Union President Dean Flowers challenged both Minister Zabaneh and Transport CEO Clyde Williams to take immediate action to address claims of corruption within the ministry. Minister Zabaneh said that the investigation began two months ago.

“When we came in we found, irregularities across the country,” Dr. Zabaneh stated. “And in fact, we have a case with the DPP… we’re investigating.”

While Dr. Zabaneh declined to disclose specific details of the case due to its ongoing nature, he saidthat the ministry is taking the matter seriously. “We feel that until we are able to, in a sense make an example of rogue employees who are there stealing the resources of our people… maybe until then, it continues business as usual,” he said. “Hopefully at that point people start to get the message that we’re serious.”

According to the minister, the issue appears to involve deep-rooted collusion within various levels of the ministry. “What we’re seeing is that there’s collusion between various levels,” he explained. “When you don’t have a system in place where you have clear terms of reference for people, who is responsible for what, then there’s always a setting where people can point fingers and say, it wasn’t me. It was that one. It was the other one.”

We’ll keep following this story.

This story was updated at 3:38 p.m.

Behind Bars, Beyond Reach: SOE Detainees Denied Attorneys

The State of Emergency (SOE) currently in effect in Belize City and parts of the Belize and Cayo Districts has entered its second week, drawing increasing scrutiny over the suspension of basic legal rights. While the government maintains that the SOE is a necessary response to a surge in gang-related violence, concerns are mounting over how the rule of law is being applied, particularly regarding access to legal representation.

Dozens of young men, mostly from neighborhoods like Lake Independence, remain detained at the Belize Central Prison. Among them is at least one inmate whose attorney has reportedly been denied access, raising significant legal and ethical alarms.

Under normal circumstances, every Belizean citizen has the constitutional right to legal representation. But during this SOE, that right appears to be under threat. Reports indicate that the Belize Central Prison has blocked attorneys from meeting with clients detained under the emergency measures, citing security reasons. This decision has drawn strong criticism from members of the legal community, who say it sets a troubling precedent.

Attorney-at-law Leeroy Banner expressed disbelief at the actions of prison authorities. “Just yesterday a colleague of mine shared with me an email from the prison, and I can’t believe that the prison would put this in writing,” Banner said. “One of my colleagues went to the prison to see someone who is detained under this current SOE and the prison will put in an email, ‘You can’t see your client because he is detained under the SOE.’ Like, you really would put that in writing? How can you be so bold and misguided to say to an attorney that your client cannot see an attorney and he needs a court order for him to see an attorney? That is ridiculous.”

Legal experts warn that denying detainees access to legal counsel not only undermines constitutional protections but also places the justice system at risk of long-term damage.

Belize Champions Health Equity and Taiwan’s Inclusion at World Health Assembly

Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, is representing the country at the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, where global health leaders have convened to address urgent issues such as health emergency preparedness, equitable healthcare access, and international cooperation.

In his address to the Assembly, Minister Bernard said Belize remains steadfast in its commitment to the principle that health is a fundamental human right. “We continue to advance universal health coverage, strengthen our primary healthcare system, and improve health outcomes for our population,” he said.

Bernard highlighted Belize’s focus on equity, resilience, and community engagement, stressing the country’s determination to ensure that no one is left behind. He noted recent national progress, including the expansion of digital health, improvements in mental health services, and efforts to combat non-communicable diseases. The Minister also underscored the importance of preparedness, stating, “We are improving public health surveillance and emergency preparedness, recognising that in today’s interconnected world, no country is truly safe unless all are protected.”

A key part of Belize’s strategy, he said, is investing in the health workforce through training, retention, and supportive environments. Bernard also pointed to climate change as a critical health threat, noting that “climate resilience remains a key part of our strategy, particularly as we confront the health impacts of rising temperatures and extreme water events.”

Belize’s participation in the WHA also served as a platform to stress international solidarity and multilateral cooperation. “One World for Health must mean access to health, knowledge, innovation, and cooperation for all,” Bernard said, expressing Belize’s gratitude for its partnerships with PAHO, CARPHA, and the World Health Organization.

In a strong diplomatic gesture, Belize reiterated its support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in global health governance. “We therefore support the meaningful participation of Taiwan in the World Health Assembly and all the WHO technical meetings,” Bernard stated. “Taiwan’s contributions to global health are significant, and its 23 million people deserve representation in shaping the global health agenda.”