Breaking News - Channel 5 Belize

Tropic Air Flight Hijacking Not Classified as an Act of Terrorism

Details are still unfolding about Akinyela Taylor’s hijacking of the Tropic Air flight. Police report that Taylor was kicked out of PGIA for trying to board a flight without a ticket and was later denied entry to both Mexico and Belize. Commissioner Chester Williams says it’s still a mystery why Taylor came to Belize and what drove him to commit the crime.

Reporter

“In terms of the department investigation, has anything been uncover about why Mr. Taylor was here? If he had any contacts here what he had been doing before Thursday’s incident?”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We don’t have any information in terms of why he was here other than the fact that he might have been a tourist. In terms of contacts, I’ve seen some video footage that showed him in certain areas. People questioned him about what he was doing. And he said he was a normal backpacker moving around. So we do not per se, stop people from coming into the country if they’re coming as tourists.”

Reporter

“And then last thing in terms, I think there have been some that have been open about calling this a terrorist incident. I don’t think terrorism in the normal definition is what happened here, but would you be able to clarify that aspect?”

Chester Williams

“Under the Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorism Act, it would not meet the threshold of an act of terror. So should he have survived this this ordeal, he would’ve been charged perhaps for kidnapping, attempt murder along those lines, but not for terrorism.”

Guatemalan Authorities Withhold Support for Reef Protection Bill

Guatemala’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) and the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) have announced they cannot support a proposed law that would expand the Punta de Manabique protected area to include the ecologically valuable Cayman Crown Reef, citing legal and procedural shortcomings.

The proposed legislation, Bill 6499, aims to incorporate the reef, considered one of the best-preserved in the Guatemalan Caribbean, into the existing protected area framework. The reef plays a vital role in sustaining local marine biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of fishers in the Izabal region.

However, both MARN and CONAP stressed that the bill lacks the required technical foundation to move forward. According to Guatemala’s Protected Areas Law, any official declaration of a protected area must be based on a comprehensive technical study approved by CONAP. Such a study must assess the environmental, social, economic, and cultural conditions of the area and the potential impacts on the local population.

“Without an approved technical study, support from relevant government institutions, and clear social backing, MARN and CONAP cannot endorse the incorporation of Corona Caimán into the protected area.”

Environmental advocates have voiced concern over the delay but acknowledge the need for due process.

The reef, located between Belize and Guatemala within the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, is a key ecological site. It hosts spawning grounds for finfish and deep-water species and is considered part of the vital Mesoamerican Reef system.

Locals in San Francisco Del Mar now claim a six-mile stretch, including much of Belize’s Conservation Zone 4, as Guatemalan territory, raising fears that NGO patrols will cease and unregulated fishing will resume.

National Student Union Demands Action on Harassment Claims at UB

The National Student Union of Belize (NSUB) is demanding urgent action and a full investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against UB assistant professor, Dr. Pio Saqui.

Saqui is on administrative leave as the university conducts an investigation.

On April 16, News Five learnt that UB had records of complaints against Dr Saqui, who is also the president of the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union (UBFSU), with the most recent damning complaint dated April 8.

Four students accused Dr Saqui of unwanted touching, sexual remarks, invasive questions, and persistent physical contact “despite visible discomfort and refusal.”

News Five reached out to Dr Saqui several times through various means when we broke the story. He has yet to reply to our request for comments.

In its statement, the NSUB said it “unequivocally condemns all forms of sexual harassment and misconduct” and voiced firm support for students who have come forward with claims spanning over a decade, calling the allegations “deeply concerning.”

The union said it “demands a thorough and transparent response.”

“We urge UB to ensure that this process adheres to the principles of fairness, impartiality, and accountability,” the union said, citing the university’s Student Handbook and the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 2024.

The union also called on the university to protect students from retaliation and to provide mental health support throughout the investigation. “

The NSUB said it will “continue to monitor this situation closely” and work to ensure student safety remains a top priority.

GoFundMe Launched for Chito Martinez’s Funeral Costs

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the family of Chito Martinez, the first and only Major League Baseball player born in Belize, following his death on Sunday, 20 April, at the age of 59.

Martinez passed away at his home in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, after a series of recent hospitalisations. The cause of death has not been officially released, but according to the GoFundMe page, he had suffered a heart attack.

Ramiro Cortes, a close friend who organised the fundraiser, described Martinez as “a great friend who would give you the shirt off his back” and appealed for support to ease the financial burden on his widow.

“I have started this GoFundMe to help his widow with funeral and other expenses she will incur in the immediate future,” he said. “I ask that you search your heart for anything you can provide. Even prayers for God’s peace. It will bring great comfort in knowing that it will be one less thing she will have to deal with.”

Martinez’s funeral will be held Friday, 25 April, at Coleman Funeral Home in Southaven.

Domestic Violence Survivor Speaks Out After Near-Fatal Attack

A woman who narrowly escaped death after a brutal attack by her ex-partner is now pleading for public support as she works to rebuild her life.

The woman, formerly of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, relocated to Belize City for safety after the incident. She told Ladyville Highlights she survived multiple stab wounds inflicted by her former partner, including stab injuries to her head, face, and under her arm. “I tried to defend myself, and that’s how I got more injuries… Lotta blood I lose,” she said.

The mother of four said she fought back to survive for her children. “I fight back because I have my four beautiful children,” she stated.

She revealed the abuse had been ongoing, with several police reports made. “This situation been in police hands more than one time,” she said. Though she tried to leave, she claimed her ex repeatedly returned and intimidated her. “I tried my best to leave him,” she told Ladyville Highlights.

The woman is now recovering and staying with a friend during her “transition” into rebuilding her life. Though her children are not with her at the moment, she hopes to be reunited with them soon.

She is now seeking the public’s help for financial assistance to cover her ongoing medical expenses, including a CT scan and a full assessment of the injuries she sustained, as she continues her recovery.

“Anybody who wants to extend their hands to me and help me, because I really need the help,” she said. Assistance can be made through Ladyville Highlights.

“To the young ladies,” she advised, “listen to your parents, make your parents your best friends, talk to your parents.”

Belize Loses Access to $125M U.S. Grant as MCC Faces Shutdown

The Government of Belize is set to lose access to a five-year, US$125 million development grant from the United States following the sudden decision by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to shut down the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a major U.S. foreign aid agency.

The MCC had signed the grant agreement with Belize just seven months ago, in September 2024, marking a historic investment in the country’s education and energy sectors. The agreement was signed by Prime Minister John Briceño and MCC CEO Alice Albright and attended by U.S. Ambassador Michelle Kwan and Minister of State Christopher Coye.

Now, with the agency slated for closure, the future of the Belize Compact — which included transformative projects to expand access to education and reduce electricity costs — hangs in the balance. The new MCC-funded implementing agency, Millennium Challenge Account-Belize, was scheduled to begin project rollout in 2025.

An internal MCC email this week confirmed that the agency’s 320 employees have been offered early retirement or deferred resignations, with operations winding down within 90 days. DOGE is expected to present a resolution next week to formally terminate MCC’s global grant programmes, affecting 20 countries with over $5.4 billion in active funding.

The closure is part of a broader push by the Trump administration and DOGE head Elon Musk to dismantle select government agencies. Though Musk has announced plans to step down, DOGE continues its efforts to cut back U.S. foreign aid programs.

MCC’s compact with Belize aimed to reduce poverty by improving technical education and modernising the power grid with lower-cost renewable energy. Now, without the U.S. partnership, these long-planned initiatives face indefinite delays or cancellation.

Captain Howell Grange Discharged from Medical Care

Tropic Air announced that Captain Howell Grange has been discharged from medical care and is now resting and recovering at home. The airline expressed deep gratitude for the strength of its team and the support from the community during this challenging time.

In a statement, Tropic Air stressed its commitment to prioritising the well-being of all those affected by recent events. The airline is implementing enhanced security protocols and reviewing long-term safety procedures to ensure the continued safety of passengers, crew, and staff. Tropic Air CEO Maximiliano Greif assured that updates on these measures will be provided once fully in place.

The announcement comes in the wake of a terrifying mid-air ordeal over Belize, where American hijacker Akinyela Sawa Taylor was shot and killed by a passenger after hijacking a Tropic Air flight and stabbing three people.

Taylor, a U.S. military veteran and father of four, had arrived in Belize just nine days prior, on April 8, via an American Airlines flight from Miami, Florida.

Immigration records show this was his first time visiting the country.

In the days leading up to the attack, Taylor was involved in several troubling incidents. He caused a disturbance at the Philip Goldson International Airport when he attempted to board a United Airlines flight to the U.S. without a ticket, prompting security to remove him. On April 12, he tried to enter Chetumal, Mexico, via the Santa Elena Border but was denied by Mexican authorities and then refused re-entry into Belize. Taylor later surfaced in the Corozal Free Zone, where he reportedly spent the night in an abandoned building.

He was confronted by Corozal police and Free Zone security, during which he allegedly assaulted a police officer. Although initially detained, Taylor was released.

It remains unclear how Taylor returned to Belize or boarded the Tropic Air flight from Ranchito Airstrip early Thursday.

Belize’s First MLB Player, Chito Martinez, Dies at 59

The first and only Major League Baseball player born in Belize, Chito Martinez, died at the age of 59. His death was confirmed by the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, 22 April, in a tribute posted on social media.

“We mourn the passing of former Orioles outfielder Chito Martinez, the only native of Belize to play in the majors,” the team wrote.

Martinez passed away on Sunday following a heart attack in Lake Cormorant, Mississippi. An official cause of death has not yet been released, but he had recently undergone several hospitalisations, according to a GoFundMe page set up to support his family.

Martinez moved to New Orleans when he was two years old and became a baseball standout at Brother Martin High School. Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1984, he later joined the Orioles, making his MLB debut in 1991. He played three seasons with the club, batting .259 with 18 home runs.

His younger brother, Robbie Martinez, told Crescent City Sports, “They called Chito ‘Mex’ and called me ‘Little Mex.’ He introduced me to baseball. I worshipped those guys in 1983 and 1984 at Brother Martin. Even more, he taught me about life, about how to be a dad, about golf, above and beyond baseball.”

Chito’s high school coach, Barry Hebert, praised him as “a once-in-a-lifetime young man to coach. He led by example.”

Martinez is survived by his wife Millie, three children, and extended family. A funeral service will be held Friday, April 25, at Coleman Funeral Home in Southaven, Mississippi.

“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.