Breaking News - Channel 5 Belize

COCESNA endorses Belize’s CEO of Civil Aviation as Central American Candidate to the ICAO

During the 262nd Ordinary Board Meeting of COCESNA convened in Madrid, Spain, on March 19, Prime Minister John Briceño nominated s CEO in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, Kennedy Carrillo for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the term 2025-2028.

The Central American member countries on the COCESNA Board unanimously endorsed CEO Carrillo’s candidacy.

ICAO, a global UN body established to advance the safe and systematic development of civil aviation worldwide, convenes every three years to chart its course with input from its 193 member states. During these sessions, 36 member states are elected to the ICAO Council. Belize, as per its rotation agreement, is slated to occupy the Central American seat from 2025 to 2028.

Beverly Williams Replaced as UDP Senator

In a letter dated March 25, Opposition Leader Moses Barrow informs Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam of the appointment of Mark O’Brian as UDP senator. The letter says, “I write to you on this occasion in accordance with Part VI Section 64(2)(e) of the Belize Constitution to advise Her Excellency to declare the seat of Senator Beverly Williams vacant. In accordance with Part VI Section 61(4)(b) of the Belize Constitution, I hereby nominate Mr. Mark O’Brian to fill the seat left vacant by Beverly Williams.”

We note that Williams boycotted the UDP’s National Party Council meeting, which was held on Saturday at the party’s headquarters in Belize City. Instead, Williams joined John Saldivar, Patrick Faber, Edmund Castro, and others for a private meeting at the Biltmore Hotel.

Tensions between Venezuela and Guyana Escalate

Venezuela’s parliament has given the green light to establish a new state in the contentious and oil-rich Essequibo region, situated across the border in Guyana.

This move has drawn strong criticism from Guyana, which denounces it as a blatant infringement on its sovereignty. The decision comes after years of Venezuela asserting its claim over Essequibo, particularly since significant offshore oil reserves were discovered in 2015.

In response, Guyana’s foreign ministry condemned the action, labeling it a direct violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The international community was urged to reject Venezuela’s expansionist agenda and uphold the rule of law.

Essequibo, historically administered by Guyana and subject to ongoing border disputes at the International Court of Justice, has become a focal point of geopolitical tensions, exacerbated by the discovery of substantial oil reserves.

Official Police Report of Police Officer’s Murder

The Belize Police Department has released official details of the fatal shooting of twenty-nine-year-old Dylan Anthony, a resident of Camalote Village. The murder happened on the Roaring Creek bridge just before nine o’clock last night. Anthony was shot multiple times. Police say that Anthony “was travelling from an east-to-west direction towards Camalote Village when an unknown male assailant opened fire on him near the Roaring Creek Bridge. As a result, Anthony lost control of his motorcycle and fell onto the pavement where he succumbed to his injuries.”

Reports suggest that it is a case of mistaken identity.

UDP Holds NPC Meeting, Saldivar, Patrick Et.al. Boycotted It

The United Democratic Party (UDP) held its National Party Council meeting today at its Headquarters in Belize City. however, some high-ranking members of the UDP held their own meeting at the Biltmore Hotel. That meeting had the participation of John Saldivar, Patrick Faber, Beverly Williams, Ivan Williams, Denny Grijalva and Daniel Guerrero. Reports are that the group and others discussed the removal of Party Leader, Moses Shyne Barrow.

After a lengthy NPC meeting which concluded after three o’clock this afternoon, a confident Barrow told us he has the majority.

One Injured in Shooting in Roaring Creek

One man was injured following a shooting in Roaring Creek Village, Cayo, last night. The victim has been identified as twenty-three-year-old Daniel Lopez. Witnesses say that the shooters fired at a crowd, injuring Lopez in the leg.

Lopez was at a social gathering when two men on a motorcycle opened fire. Police are investigating.

Murder in Belize City

Thirty-year-old Nigel Williams was shot and killed last night in Belize City. It happened near Dunn and St. Thomas streets at around eleven o’clock. Williams was in his Toyota 4Runner when a gunman approached him and fired several shots. Williams subsequently lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a drain. He attempted to escape from the gunman on foot but collapsed moments later. Police are investigating.

Princess Kate Announces Cancer Diagnosis

Catherine, Princess of Wales, announced today that she’s been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing “early stages” of treatment. Princess Kate made the announcement in a pre-recorded video statement on social media.

Catherine expressed her diagnosis as a “huge shock.” She clarified that while a London surgery in January initially appeared to address a non-cancerous issue, subsequent tests detected cancer, prompting her medical team to recommend preventative chemotherapy, which she’s currently undergoing. She expressed anticipation for a return to her work once she’s fully recovered. She concluded with thoughts for those battling cancer, urging them not to lose hope.

MET Office Issues Heat Alert

The National Meteorological Office of Belize has issued a Heat Alert. The advisory says “Temperatures are expected to exceed 97F inland. Residents are advised to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities as much as possible, especially during afternoon hours.”

Inland is expected to be 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are some tips to stay hydrated in hot weather:

-Drink Plenty of Water
-Eat Hydrating Foods
-Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine:
-Take Regular Breaks
-Wear Light Clothing
-Replenish Electrolytes

Pet owners are also advised to keep their pets hydrated.

PM Briceño on Immigration Officers Accused of Theft

In an interview with PLUS TV in Belmopan on Thursday, Prime Minister John Briceño said, “What has happened, as we all know, the Jamaican national has made an accusation, and the police have reviewed the tape, and they believe that they have enough information or evidence to be able to do a full-fledged investigation.”

As News Five reported, a Jamaican national lodged an allegation against an immigration officer at the Philip Goldson International Airport. The Jamaican national is accusing the immigration officer of stealing several thousand U.S. dollars from them.

Chief Executive Officer Tanya Santos of the Ministry of Immigration said that, despite earlier social media reports, only one officer has been apprehended for interrogation.

In the interview, PM Briceño, who is also the Minister of Immigration, said, “I’m told that the Jamaican was, and I can’t go into too many details, but basically passed over monies, and then when he tried to leave the country, he was told he can’t leave the country, and so then he got upset and made this report.”

Briceño stressed that this sort of behaviour cannot be countenanced and that “it needs to end now, and we need to find a way to get rid of all of those people that behave in such a manner.”