Category: Breaking News

Football Players Accuse FFB of Continued Mistreatment

FFB To Take Disciplinary Action Against Three Players

Three football players, Michael Salazar, Nanah Mensah, and Deshown Nembhard, are accusing the Football Federation of Belize of “continued mistreatment.”

The players shared a statement on social media following the FFB’s announcement of its decision to take disciplinary action against the three players. The FFB said that the three players chose not to participate in the June 8th match against the Nicaraguan team. The FFB said, “this decision was made just four hours before kickoff, significantly impacting the team’s performance in tonight’s match.”

In its statement, the FFB said, “The players in question were training with their national team counterparts for over a week. The FFB invested significantly in ensuring optimal conditions for the team, including substantial investments in travel expenses, accommodations, and stipends to support our athletes.”

The statement continued, “The sudden withdrawal of these three players, two of whom were part of the starting eleven, necessitated critical last-minute changes by the coaching staff.”

The FFB said it was disappointed and that the matter would be referred to the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the FFB for revision.

The Players’ Response

The three players, Michael Salazar, Nanah Mensah, and Deshown Nembhard, responded to the FFB’s statement on social media. The players said, “While it was an extremely difficult decision, we felt it necessary to take a stance against the continued mistreatment we have received from the Football Federation of Belize. On several occasions over the years, there has been unprofessional communication, lack of organization and poor conditions and accommodations.”

The players said they have “sat down with the FFB multiple times to express our concerns and discuss possible solutions to move forward.”

“However, at this time, nothing has been done to remedy the situation.”

They said that they did not feel it “fair or responsible to continue to be asked to play under such conditions and lack of professionalism.”

“Because of the current state of the actions being taken against us, we will not be able to give specific details at this time, however, when the time is right, we will provide further insight.”

Belize lost the match, 0-4.

Fisherman Murdered While Fishing in Port Loyola

A man was murdered in Belize City on Thursday evening. He has been identified as Alfredo Enrique Rodriquez David. According to Police, a couple that went fishing discovered David’s lifeless body face down at the edge of the seaside in an area near the Port of Belize. When the police arrived at the scene, they discovered a bicycle, a bucket with some fish inside and a brown school bag, all on the edge of the seashore. About one hundred yards away from the items, through a mangrove trail, police discovered David’s lifeless body with multiple gunshot injuries. Several expended shells were retrieved from the scene. We spoke to a relative of David. Here is what she told us that the family last saw him around eight-thirty on Thursday morning.

 

                    Voice of: Shantel Serrano

Voice of: Shantel Serrano, Relative of Deceased

“His wife was  already concerned form after eleven, because he told his wife he was going to be returning home before lunch. But to her knowledge, or what she though, was that when he was having a good day he would stay out and continue having a good day. So she was saying her husband is probably catching a lot fish. He is being successful so he is trying to finish the day. She became concerned a little after six when it got dark and he did not return. When she was talking to me, because I came home from work around after four. She was talking to me and she was concerned about him not return. So I told her relax she must have gone to visit someone or whatever the case may be. But she was very fidgety, up and down, could not sit down and I was wondering why. She was really worried so I told her just relax, if a certain time come she will reach. We saw Love News posted they found a body and the description was exactly the way he left home. As she saw that she came running up the stairs to tell me. When I went and saw the post, I don’t know how I skipped that, I was just looking at the details so I didn’t realize that until when we came to the police station and that is what they told us and we were like what, shot? My thing was when they found the body I thought because of the sting he got maybe he caught cramp, maybe he drown. But when we realize it is a police case then we wondered why and that is when we found out it was a shot. Why, why when Louis was someone if Louis doesn’t know you he would pass and speak to you. Louis speaks very English very few, he speaks mostly Spanish. He is a Honduran he doesn’t mingle a lot and he is a life of the party when it comes to cultural. Drumming’s he was there, but he is not a person that had a problem with anybody. Louis has been in Belize for many years, and you could ask the police they have never had to pick up Louis for no reason.”

Fisherman Found Dead at Sea, Three Days After Going Missing

The lifeless body of sixty-one-year-old Gilbert Flowers was found floating off Deadman Caye on Tuesday. Flowers, a former resident of Mullins River Village, who moved to Belize City a few years ago, spent most of his days at sea as a fisherman. Last week, he and two other men travelled to the area to prepare their gears ahead of the opening of the lobster season. Flowers, however, went missing on Saturday under what his family is describing as mysterious circumstances. His body was not found until three days later in a mangrove area not too far from where he was staying. Flowers’ relatives are tonight seeking answers as they wait for a postmortem to be concluded on his body. We spoke with his nephew, Albert Magdaleno who told us that reports of his uncle’s death came as a shock to them.

 

                            Albert Magdaleno

Albert Magdaleno, Nephew of Deceased

“At this moment everything is still mystery because for the past three to four years he has been working out at sea. He used to regularly send fish for me, so I get my fish supplies and I am telling you, big snapper, the man handle me. But this week, I think it was Monday or Tuesday, one of his co-worker friends called me and said boy I have bad news for you. They found your uncle floating up in the sea dead. I asked how, because he is a man known to the seas. He is originally from Mullins River, came to live in Belize City. When he came to live in Belize City he use to work on those boats where they go and dig sand from Robinson point and brought it to sell. So, sea and working on the seas dah nothing new for him. So to hear he drowned is like what. So, we are still trying to gather information. All we know is that the Coast Guard found his body somewhere out on Turneffe and then they brought in his body and took it to Burrel Boom for postmortem. I don’t know if it happened as yet. But from that point, we don’t know anything else.”

 

Paul Lopez

“From your knowledge, was there a period where he was missing?”

 

Albert Magdaleno

“For about three days until they made it publicly known that the was missing and then they called in the coast guard and the gentle men that were out there assisted to help find his body.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Do you know if anybody else was out there?”

 

Albert Magdaleno

“From what I heard, him and two other guys, cause they do lobster traps for cray fish, and so they have to prep the traps. It is only three of them that was supposed to be on the island. But I know his friend is very upset because he suspect that something went adrift, it is not normal.”

Kareem Franklin on Trial for Attempted Murder of Policemen

An alleged gunman also appeared before Justice Candace Nanton today where the Crown closed its case in a trial for attempted murder.  Kareem Franklin is accused of trying to kill a pair of police officers during a drive-by shooting that took place on Mahogany Street in March 2016.  Despite being caught on surveillance footage with a firearm in his hands, Franklin denies that he was ever on the scene and fired shots at the officers.  Franklin is on trial for the attempted murder of P.C. Stephen Choco and Joseph Sutherland.  It is alleged that the policemen were on motorcycle patrol on Mahogany Street when they came across Franklin who was also a passenger on a motorcycle.  The driver of the motorcycle was signaled to pull over.  Instead of doing so, the driver sped off and a pursuit ensued.  That’s when Franklin reportedly produced a handgun and opened fire in the direction of the officers.  Franklin claims that on the day of the incident, he was at home and around one o’clock that afternoon, he went over to a football field where his mother was watching him play football.  He says that’s when they heard the gunshots.  Kareem Franklin is being represented by attorney Ronnel Gonzalez.  Franklin is on remand at the Belize Central Prison.

Stolen Stake Bank Vessel Recovered, Minus Engines

On Thursday morning, four armed thieves made their way onto the Stake Bank compound near mile five on the George Price Highway.  While on the property, the men assaulted a pair of security guards before making off with a white and black Columbian vessel that was docked in a nearby canal.  Earlier today, the Belize Police Department reported that the thirty-two foot boat has been recovered, however, both two hundred horsepower Yamaha outboard engines are missing.  Anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of the engines are asked to contact Crime Stoppers Belize with that information.

Old Haulover Bridge is being Taken Down

A team of workmen contracted by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing has begun the painstaking process of dismantling the old Haulover Bridge.  The structure was built in the 1940’s and straddles the mouth of the Belize River.  Since it has been replaced by a modern bridge that was inaugurated a few weeks ago, the plan is to take down the existing structure and relocate certain sections to other parts of the country, including Cayo District.  Chief Engineer Evondale Moody explains.

 

                         Evondale Moody

Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, M.I.D.H.

“We decided, let’s see if we could salvage this structure and use it somewhere that could be beneficial to the public and so we thought that using it in Santa Familia would be an ideal location because the river span is not that long.  And so, we’re only using two sections of the Haulover Bridge at that location.  We expect to use the third section in Camalote where they have a road going to the A.T.M. Caves.  There’s a small wooden bridge structure there.  So once we could garner funds later this year, we expect that we would use that last section for the A.T.M. Caves.”

IDB Will Improve Urban Development in Vulnerable Neighborhoods in Northern Belize

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $10 million loan to support sustainable urban development in Belize’s northern municipalities. The initiative includes improved access to urban services, better drainage infrastructure and bicycle lanes.

The IDB’s Board of Executive Directors also approved a USD 2.5 million non-reimbursable facility for the same purpose.

This program aims to improve access to selected urban services,  foster local economic growth, and facilitate social and economic integration of vulnerable populations, such as women and migrants.

Vulnerable neighbourhoods and prioritized urban areas will see improved access to essential urban services such as drainage, sewage,  sidewalks, pavement, and bike lanes using the new or enhanced sidewalks with universal design. Integral investments include upgrading public markets, accommodations for local vendors, tourist centres,  kindergartens, primary health care and cultural centres.

These projects will improve the tourism product and potential in Orange Walk (OW) and  Corozal while fostering the social and economic integration of vulnerable populations.

This initiative will benefit an estimated 40,000 Orange Walk,  Corozal, and San Pedro residents. The direct beneficiaries will be residents of vulnerable neighbourhoods, users of public spaces, local vendors, consumers, small business owners, and workers in the tourism and commerce sectors.

The program also finances institutional strengthening actions, both local and national, which will also strengthen local capacities to guide the sustainable urban development of cities in a planned and controlled manner. This initiative underscores the IDB’s commitment to fostering inclusive, resilient and sustainable urban development in Belize.

The IDB loan is for a 25-year term and has a grace period of five and a half years.

(Press release)

Russian Naval Ships, Including Nuclear Submarine, to Visit Cuba

Next week, a group of Russian naval ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, will visit Cuba as part of the “historically friendly relations” between the two nations, according to the Cuban government.

The fleet will dock in Havana between June 12 and 17. The Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces emphasized that none of the ships carry nuclear weapons and that their visit does not pose a threat to the region.

Cuba noted that visits from naval units of friendly nations are a longstanding practice.

This visit marks the largest Russian naval presence in Cuba in years. It follows last July’s visit by the Russian Navy’s training ship Perekop and comes amid Cuba’s increasing reliance on Russian oil and aid during its worst economic crisis in decades.

The announcement also follows U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to conduct limited strikes inside Russian territory with American munitions, prompting a strong response from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The U.S. State Department and Pentagon anticipate increased Russian naval and air activity near the U.S. this summer, as part of routine maneuvers leading up to a global naval exercise in the fall.

Man Found Dead near Deadman Caye 

A man from Mullins River Village was found dead at sea earlier this weekend. He has been identified as sixty-one-year-old Gilbert Flowers.

His body was retrieved near Deadman Caye near Turneffe Atoll.

His nephew, Alberto Magdeleno of Ladyville Highlights said, ” He was one of the original guys who worked on sand boat sailing to Robinson point and back to Belize city on those classic sailing boats such as RADIO AND UNITED.”

He said they remain uncertain about how he died.

The investigation has revealed that Flowers and others left for Deadman Caye on May 31st in preparation for the lobster season, which begins on July 1st. Flowers stayed on the island, while the others reportedly returned to Belize City. When they went back to the island, Flowers was nowhere to be found.

His body was found on Tuesday morning by Coast Guard officers.

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