Breaking News - Channel 5 Belize

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?”

Pope Francis’ Funeral Mass Set for Saturday Morning

The coffin of the late Pope Francis will be officially sealed during a solemn rite on Friday evening, which will bring an end to public viewing ahead of his funeral on Saturday morning.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will lead the Rite of Sealing, a traditional Vatican ceremony marking the final stage of papal preparations before burial. According to The Vatican News, the ritual will take place inside St Peter’s Basilica and will be attended by senior Cardinals, Vatican clergy, and papal staff.

More than 50,000 mourners have paid their respects since the Pope’s body was placed in state on Wednesday. Public viewing concluded early Thursday morning, following extended hours at the Basilica.

The funeral Mass for Pope Francis is set for 10:00 AM on Saturday and will be led by Cardinal Re. It will also begin the Novemdiales, nine days of mourning Masses, continuing until May 5.

Trump Claims Chinese President Called, China Says No

Tensions between the US and China flared again on Friday, with both sides offering starkly different accounts of ongoing tariff negotiations. President Donald Trump claimed in an interview with TIME magazine that talks with Beijing were underway, even asserting that Chinese President Xi Jinping had called him directly. China swiftly denied any such discussions, accusing the US of “creating confusion.”

The mixed messages have deepened global uncertainty over trade policy, just as world finance leaders wrap up the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings in Washington. While US officials speak of swift progress, many international counterparts remain sceptical. IMF chiefs warn that the lack of clarity could put jobs and global growth at risk.

Signs of de-escalation have emerged, with China easing some tariffs on US goods. Yet Trump’s unpredictable stance, including threats of further duties, continues to rattle markets. Analysts say this chaos leaves key economies scrambling for clarity amid rising global stakes.

Guatemalan Man Busted with Unlicensed Ammo in Toledo

A Guatemalan labourer was arrested in Bella Vista Village, Toledo District, after being found with unlicensed ammunition during a police operation on Thursday, April 24.

Police reported that officers searched 46-year-old Carlos Alberto Gonzalez Marroquin and discovered three 12-gauge cartridges in his pocket.

Gonzalez Marroquin was unable to produce a valid gun licence and was taken into custody. He has been formally charged with Kept Ammunition Without a Gun License.

Fire Destroys House in Sandhill Village

A fire that destroyed a wooden house in Sandhill Village, Belize District, is now under police investigation. The incident occurred on Thursday, April 24, at Mile 16 on the Philip Goldson Highway.

According to police, they found the wooden structure fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters responded and brought the blaze under control and prevented it from spreading to nearby homes.Police reported that 23-year-old Darnel Arnold, a local fisherman, spotted smoke coming from his neighbour Darnell Gideon’s house and raised the alarm. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities are still working to determine the total value of the damages.

Gunman Steals SUV, Cash, Phones in Bold Daylight Robbery

Police are investigating an armed home invasion that occurred around 2:20 p.m. on Thursday, April 24, at Mile 11 on the Old Northern Highway in the Belize District. The homeowner told police he was at home when a man with a firearm approached his residence. Fearing for his life, he fled, leaving a staff member and a friend inside.

According to the victim, the armed suspect entered the home and stole a grey Honda Pilot SUV with license plate BZC-33404, registered to his son.

An undisclosed amount of cash and several cell phones were also taken. No injuries were reported. Authorities are pursuing leads as the investigation continues.

BPD Commends RPC Alana Reneau for Life-Saving Response

According to the Belize Police Department, Recruit Police Constable (RPC) Alana Reneau of Squad 98, attached to the Raccoon Street Police Station, is being recognised for her heroic actions on April 23rd, 2025.

While being transported after defensive tactics training, RPC Reneau encountered a mother whose baby had stopped breathing. The department reports that without hesitation, she took swift action—gently patting the baby’s back, rubbing his chest, and repositioning his tongue to clear the airway. When the baby gasped for air, she continued assisting by blowing in his face to help him breathe.

RPC Reneau ensured the mother and child were quickly taken to the Mahogany Sub-Station and then escorted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital by SPU Mobile for further medical attention.

The Belize Police Department stated that her rapid response and decisive action exemplify bravery and highlight the real-life impact of police training. They extended a heartfelt salute, saying, “Well done, RPC Reneau!”

Jeremy Enriquez Alleges Judicial Misconduct in Justice Hondora’s Ruling

Jeremy Enriquez has released a statement regarding his complaint about alleged judicial misconduct in a recent court case. Justice Tawanda Hondora dismissed Enriquez’s constitutional claim on February eighteenth, after hearing arguments from all parties involved.

On Thursday, Enriquez filed a formal complaint against Justice Hondora with Chief Justice Louise Blenman, who chairs the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. Enriquez claims there’s compelling evidence of judicial bias, pointing to a “disturbing conversation broadcasted from the judge’s active microphone during a recess.”

In his complaint, Enriquez alleges that associates of his attorney, who were observing the hybrid hearing from Trinidad, overheard Justice Hondora saying he had already decided to dismiss the case. Although these individuals recorded parts of the private conversation during the break, they did not capture the alleged comments. The full transcript of the remarks, supposedly made by Justice Hondora, has been included in the complaint. Enriquez is calling for Justice Hondora to be removed from the case and for an immediate investigation into the matter.

Family Desperately Seeks Answers After Belizean Man Mysteriously Vanishes in Mexico

Twenty-nine-year-old Williams Milan was last seen on April 19th after returning from a food run to his home in Chetumal, Quintana Roo. According to his mother, who lives with him, he never left his room again—and his belongings, including his chain and working boots, were all left behind.

His sister, deeply concerned and seeking the public’s help, told us, “He just went to buy his food and then returned back to his room… He came from buying his food, then he got inside his room, and from that entering he made, he never made it out again.”

Neither his mother nor the neighbours heard or saw anything unusual. “The neighbours also tell my mom that they do not see. They not hear nothing,” she said.

When asked if there could be any reason someone might want to harm him, she explained, “No, miss. My mom says that he went to cotton cane, and from cotton cane, he goes, goes and goes to his room, buys his food and locks himself up. He doesn’t have any friends. Yes, he smokes; he drinks, but he was not a person that would go and do, um, bad things.”

She also dismissed the possibility that he left on his own. “No, because all his stuff is there in his room, even his chain,” she stated. “My mom told me too that they found some blood stains in his, um, in his, in his room, in his blanket, in his working boots.”

The family is pleading with anyone who may have information about Milan’s disappearance to come forward.

Family of Leonard Baltazar Demands Justice as Case Reopens

The family of 22-year-old Leonard Baltazar is once again urging the Belize Police Department to deliver justice following his death on December 11, 2024, near Reef’s End Lodge on Tobacco Caye. Initial reports claimed Baltazar died while fleeing after an alleged burglary attempt, but his family disputes that version, insisting he was restrained and killed.

His stepfather, Vince Higinio, questioned the self-defense claim: “Once a person is fleeing, the claim of self-defense goes out the window… your life is no longer in danger.”

The case has since been reopened, but Higinio says the family has received no updates. “We’ve been unable to talk to Corporal Depas or anyone else,” he said. He also pushed back against criticism of Leonard’s past: “We all made bad decisions when we were young. That doesn’t deserve a death sentence.”

The family continues to call for transparency and justice.