Breaking News - Channel 5 Belize

Canadian Tourist Falls to Death at San Pedro Hotel

Police are investigating the death of a Canadian national who was found dead after a fall at the Watermark Hotel on Sunday. Initial reports indicate that the man, identified as 47-year-old Loran Radchenko, died after falling from the hotel’s 3rd floor balcony.

Radchenko, who was staying on the third floor, had spent Saturday night socialising with others in his room. His guests reportedly left him alone in the room the next morning.

Security footage captured the fatal fall at approximately 7:53 a.m. His body was discovered shortly after.

The Watermark Hotel issued a statement expressing condolences to Radchenko’s loved ones. It said, “We believe it’s important to acknowledge that emotional health is an essential part of overall well-being.” The hotel committed to “fully supporting local authorities as they review the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

It is not yet known whether foul play or other factors were involved.

Kenroy Cal Will Not Seek Re-election as Red Bank Village Chairman

Red Bank Village Chairman Kenroy Cal has announced that he will not be contesting the upcoming village council elections. In a message to residents on Monday, Cal expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reflected on the accomplishments achieved during his term.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as your chairman,” Cal wrote. He highlighted several achievements, including the distribution of land to first-time landowners, the maintenance and opening of village streets, and addressing major community concerns with the support of Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson and various government ministries under Plan Belize.

Cal acknowledged the challenges he faced during his tenure, including limited support from council members, but said he is proud to have met the goals he set when he first offered himself for service.

In August 2024, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Transport announced the termination of Cal’s duties as a CARICOM Youth Ambassador following serious rape allegations. The ministry, citing its zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence, said it is closely monitoring the legal process and stressed the need to respect the ongoing investigation. Since then, no official update has been provided on the outcome of the investigation.

Live Pig Shortage Triggers Pork Price “Adjustment”

Running W Brand Meats says it is experiencing “challenges in pork supply due to a shortage of live pigs.”

This has led the company to “adjust” its pork prices as of today.

Other than the worsening shortage of live pigs, the company attributed the price change to soaring production costs.

In a notice sent to customers, the company said it exhausted efforts to avoid a price change.

“This adjustment is a direct result of the ongoing supply constraints and rising input costs. While we have made every effort to minimise the impact, this step has become necessary to maintain product availability and high-quality products that we are known for,” it added.

While the company promised transparency and fair product allocation, it acknowledged that the change could cause disruption for buyers.

Will the BNTU Activate Green Machinery on Wednesday?

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) is calling on its members across the country to mobilise in large numbers on Wednesday to “formally register their discontent” with the Ministry of Education.

Speaking to members, BNTU National President Nadia Martin-Caliz stated, “Right now, we’re at the table where we need to register our discontent. You have emailed, texted, and met me personally and communicated your frustration, and you have also shared that with your branch leaders.”

She urged teachers, “We need you to come out in record-breaking numbers,” adding, “The only way we can continue is if you go out and you vote and give us the mandate, tell us the direction you want us to go… you formally register that you vote,”

Martin-Caliz revealed that teachers have raised serious concerns, including reports of being wrongly removed from the education system despite meeting licensing requirements.

According to Martin-Caliz, the union has “notified our stakeholders of the action that we are about to take.” She said that the BNTU’s next steps will depend on the response seen this Wednesday. “It is time to formally register our discontent,” she declared.

This follows a series of statements by the union after salary increases were approved for the Cabinet Secretary and chief executive officers days after the March 12 general election. The union called it a “tremendous concern,” adding, “We are now saying to you, the government of Belize, that the BTNU will be meeting with its affiliates and caucusing with its membership because we’re getting ready to take action.”

Update: More Details Emerge on Fatal Wild Pig Attack in Gales Point

A tragic and unusual incident occurred in Gales Point Village on Sunday when a pig attacked and killed a resident, now identified as Anthony Andrewin Sr.

Andrewin was in his yard when he encountered the aggressive pig, which had already been causing problems in the community by attacking dogs and other animals. According to villagers, Andrewin attempted to ward off the pig, but as he tried to control his dogs, the pig, likely startled, charged at him and bit him on the leg. The pig’s tusk severed a major artery, and despite efforts to rush Andrewin to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries en route.

The pig, which had been roaming wild in the village for about six months, was shot dead shortly after the attack and burnt at the location.

Gales Point Village Chairman Jason Altschaft told News Five that the community had been working to control the feral pig problem by encouraging residents to fence their animals and take proactive measures. However, the efforts were not implemented quickly enough.

“So, unfortunately, this had become a pig that we had all taken lightly, with just feral, just wild pigs in the village in general. We didn’t realise anything like this could be that serious,” Altschaft said.

“We’ve all chased the pig out of our yard because they’ve learnt to dig up all of our flowers and water and all sorts of things. So we’ve been working on trying to get everybody to comply. This pig had been about three years; for about six months, he’d been running wild, and he had just become wild.

Altschaft described Andrewin as a beloved community member — a hard-working family man who raised his son and two other boys and had many grandchildren. “He was a wonderful man,” Altschaft shared.

Belize Records 63 Screwworm Cases Since December, No Human Infections Reported

Belize has recorded 63 cases of New World Screwworm (NWS) infections since the first case was detected on December 26, 2024, according to Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai. The update was shared during a regional meeting in San Salvador, where Minister Mai is leading discussions among Agriculture Ministers from Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic on controlling and eradicating the pest.

Minister Mai said that despite the absence of sterile fly releases in Belize, the country has managed to contain the spread, with no human infections confirmed and no cases reported in the Corozal District.

Only two cases have been recorded in the Orange Walk District.

Nicaragua has reported over 121,000 cases and 94 human infections, placing Belize among the countries with the lowest infection rates in the region.

Minister Mai credited Belize’s success to strong collaboration among BAHA, the Ministry of Agriculture, BLPA, farmers, and international partners. He said this joint effort will continue as talks advance on a regional eradication plan.

Man Fatally Attacked by Pig in Gales Point

A tragic incident unfolded in Gales Point this afternoon when a man was fatally attacked by a pig in his yard.

According to reports, a group of pigs entered the man’s property less than an hour ago. When he went outside to chase them away, one of the pigs turned aggressive and bit him on the leg, severing a major artery. Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, he bled to death before receiving medical attention.

The pig responsible for the attack was shot and subsequently burnt.

Shyne Barrow Insists on Continuing as UDP Leader

In a letter written on Wednesday, former Area Representative “Shyne” Barrow said that he accepts the party’s call for him to continue as U.D.P. Leader until the next national convention. He cited the U.D.P.’s dormancy, lack of unity, non-compliance with the party’s constitution, and absence of vision and resources as reasons for his decision. However, a press release from the faction led by Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton later advised that Barrow is not authorized to speak or conduct any business on behalf of the U.D.P., as he no longer holds any leadership or executive role in the party. In response, Barrow issued another release late Wednesday evening, describing Panton’s statement as fake. He referred to Panton and her supporters as the Alliance for Democracy Party, claiming they were acting in the name of the U.D.P. Barrow asserted that until the court decides on this matter, he and the executive elected at the last convention will remain in place. He shared the relevant portion of the U.D.P. Constitution that he believes supports his position and explained that even if he were not the party leader, he would still be a member of the Central Executive. Today, Barrow sat down to explain why he remains the U.D.P. Leader until the court rules.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Area Representative, Mesopotamia

“When I had decided that I would turn over to Hugo Patt, rather than follow the procedures, follow the constitution, and set in motion the procedures that would allow for whoever it is the party wanted to be the next leader of the UDP -rather than do that, it is very unfortunate and a total miscarriage of justice and constitutional adherence that Mr. Hugo Patt decided to just flaunt all of our regulations and yield to Tracy Panton. As it stands, until Justice Hondora makes a decision, Tracy Panton has no standing in the UDP. It can’t be that there is a position that because someone is an elected member of the House, they can do whatever they want to do. I was not allowed to do that as an elected member of the House, and it has to be highlighted that I was not only an elected member of the House. I won in a national convention and then I was endorsed in a subsequent national convention, and none of that mattered. So Tracy Panton broke every rule in the UDP Constitution and the idea that because she won her seat, and I lost my seat, we should forget about procedures structure, constitutional compliance is absurd.”

Barrow’s Resignation Moot: Vows to Challenge Leadership Dispute

Barrow had submitted his resignation as U.D.P. Leader on March 17th to Michael Peyrefitte. Peyrefitte, who had urged Barrow to step down, also indicated he would resign as U.D.P. Chairman at that time. Today, Barrow explained that his resignation is moot because of Peyrefitte’s own resignation and the party’s request for him to return as leader. He added that even if Justice Hondora rules against him, he will challenge the decision all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Marion Ali

“After you resigned, that chairman also resigned.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition

“ Yeah, so he didn’t even, he didn’t even, he wasn’t even in a position – and I wrote to him, so he wasn’t even in a position to accept, and that’s why my resignation.”

Marion Ali

“So, you think because that was the case, your resignation was…”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Well, no, my resignation is whatever the party says it is and the party is the one that’s asking me to return. So that’s a moot issue. Tracy could say whatever she wants, but she’s been saying things against all of us: Alberto August, myself, everybody that supports myself and the central executive and the NPC. She has been saying that she is the UDP forever since. She said, “You didn’t need to do that. We resigned you October 20th.” That is her attitude and with that attitude, she’s not going to get anywhere until Justice Hondora makes a decision. And if that decision is in her favor, then she’ll have a temporary blight until the Court of Appeals and the CCJ gives finality to the matter.”

Barrow Defiant Amid Calls for Exit

Despite taking a beating at the polls, many U.D.P. supporters were already calling for Barrow’s exit on social media well before the October twentieth convention. They blame his management style for the party’s downfall and have been vocal about their belief that his political career is in shambles. However, Barrow sees things differently. He quickly recalled how two-time Prime Minister Said Musa was trounced twice at the polls before his political career made a comeback.

Marion Ali

“UDP supporters have been saying, and since the general election, “He never gives up.” A lot of people feel it’s time for you to move on, that your political career is behind you, at least for now.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition

“Oh wow! That’s interesting. Said Musa lost his seat to Dean Lindo at least twice and won it back every time before going on to become Prime Minister. So that’s ridiculous, Marion.”

Marion Ali

“But to get your response to…”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“I’m responding to you because you are telling me what Tracy supporters are saying, but those same supporters clap when Patrick Faber is appointed to the Senate.”

Marion Ali

“In the public domain, they are recognized as the UDP.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Who is recognized as the UDP?”

Marion Ali

“The faction that you refer to as the Alliance.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“According to who?”

Marion Ali

“In the public domain, they are UDP.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“What public domain?”

Marion Ali

“Whoever elected Honorable Panton.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“So who elected Miguel Guerra? Who elected Hugo Patt? Those were my candidates. Nobody had in mind that Miguel Guerra would win and even had a chance. And he was inextricably linked with me and he won. So that doesn’t matter to you?”