As a lead-up to Belize’s 43rd Independence, the Government of Belize will be hosting some two dozen ambassadors from around the world for Diplomatic Week.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science, and Technology, Francis Fonseca, said, “We welcome our friends of Belize, the diplomatic core who are here with us, some two dozen ambassadors who have travelled to Belize to participate in this week’s Diplomatic Week in celebration of Belize, leading up to the independence of Belize, which they are here to celebrate with us.”
Belize celebrates its 43rd independence on September 21st. Fonseca added, “This 43rd anniversary of independence is not just a celebration of the past. It is a call to action for the future. Independence is not merely the absence of colonial rule. It is the presence of an engaged, informed, and active citizenry.”
Ambulance driver Josh Barrillas has been charged with two counts of manslaughter by negligence and two counts of causing deaths by careless conduct. This is in connection to a traffic accident that occurred on February 20, 2023, near the Beaver Dam Bridge in St. Matthews Village, Cayo, and killed two persons.
The victims, 42-year-old Salvadoran national from Harmonyville and 21-year-old Joana Samoza of Cotton Tree Village, were riding a motorcycle along the George Price Highway when an ambulance rear-ended them. The pair had just finished work, and Ayala was giving Samoza a ride home when the accident occurred. Barrillas was driving the ambulance.
At the time of the incident, Barrillas claimed he did not see the motorcycle in the poorly lit area.
The impact of the collision threw Ayala onto the road, where he died instantly. Samoza was flung over the bridge into the gully below, also resulting in her death.
Both victims were transported to the Western Regional Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
Barrillas was reportedly transporting a patient from Belize City to the Western Regional Hospital at the time of the accident.
Investigators believe that 43-year-old Peter Demetrio August acted in self-defence when he chopped 61-year-old Ubaldo Guzman on Thursday night. As we reported, Guzman had been drinking at home in Santa Elena when an argument between him and his drinking companion, August, turned violent. Reports are that Guzman attacked August with a machete before he seized it and chopped Guzman in self-defence, fatally injuring him.
August, a labourer from Cayo District, was arrested and charged with manslaughter. August also sustained minor injuries during the incident.
A man is dead following a fight on Thursday night in Santa Elena, Cayo. The deceased has been identified as 61-year-old Ubaldo Guzman Sr. According to reports, Guzman Sr. was socialising with his roommate, 43-year-old Peter August, when an argument ensued. August says that Guzman attacked him with a machete, but he managed to wrestle the weapon away and then chopped Guzman multiple times. Guzman was taken to the hospital, where he died. August is in police custody while the investigation continues.
Police have formally charged 57-year-old Simeon Herrera, a businessman from the Cayo District, in connection with the collision that claimed the life of 19-year-old Tamisha Jeal and left her brother, Keenan Wragg, hospitalised.
The accident occurred on Sunday, September 8, at the intersection of the George Price Highway and Carillo Puerto Avenue.
Herrera was charged with multiple offences, including manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, failing to give way when changing direction, driving without due care and attention, operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and driving a vehicle not covered by third-party risk insurance.
Tamisha, who had just celebrated her 19th birthday, was an aspiring wildlife veterinarian who graduated at the top of her class from Galen University earlier this year. She and her brother were travelling on a motorcycle when the crash occurred. Despite Keenan’s attempts to shield his sister, both were thrown from the bike, and Tamisha succumbed to her injuries shortly after.
At 1:13 p.m., Facebook user Pantha Pinkpantha went live on Facebook to share that there had been a traffic-vehicular collision on mile 37 of the George Price Highway. The incident reportedly happened at around 12:15 p.m.
The video shows an extensively damaged blue Ford Escape in the middle of the highway. The white minivan had extensive damage on its front portion.
When Pantha Pinkpantha asks, “Have you called the police?” Woman responds, “Police is not answering. 911 is not answering.”
Two female tourists were seen on the side of the highway.
When a News 5 team arrived on the scene, emergency personnel were clearing the scene of the accident. So far we have learnt that at least one person was confirmed dead. Everyone was taken to the Western Regional Hospital.
Travelling in the white van were the tourists and the driver.
A tragic traffic incident in Santa Elena Town over the weekend claimed the life of 19-year-old Tamisha Jeal. On Sunday morning, Jeal and her brother, Keenan, were on a motorcycle when they collided into a pickup truck. It happened at around 10 o’clock near the Puma Gas Station on the George Price Highway. The siblings were rushed to the Western Regional Hospital, where Tamisha later succumbed.
Tamisha, a recent graduate of Galen University and an Ariel Rosado Scholarship recipient, had earned an Associate degree in Veterinary Technology—Animal Health. She had just celebrated her 19th birthday the day before.
On Facebook, the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic posted, “There are no words that can truly convey the devastation we feel. Our cherished volunteer, former intern, and neighbour, Tamisha Jeal, has been taken from us far too soon. She wasn’t just a part of our team; she was the heart of it. Tamisha’s dream was to become a veterinarian, her love for animals boundless and pure. She gave her all, every single day, caring for creatures with a tenderness and dedication that touched us all. She never once asked for anything in return, never once complained, even when the days were long and the work overwhelming. Tamisha did more than care for animals she cared for us. Her daily motivational quotes on our whiteboard lifted us when we could barely stand, pushing us through the hardest days. Her future was as bright as her spirit, but life’s cruel hand has stolen her from us. It’s a heartbreaking truth everything good, everything pure, seems to leave this world too soon. Next week, as we go about our duties, her absence will echo in every corner. She will be missed in ways words can’t describe. Tamisha, may you now care for the creatures beyond the rainbow bridge, with the same love you gave here. We will never forget you. You were our light, and that light will forever be missed.”
Keenan remains hospitalised, receiving treatment for multiple injuries, including several broken bones.
Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE) posted on Facebook, “Our heart is with TIDE Community Researcher Keenan Wragg after hearing the tragic news of his and his sister’s traffic accident. TIDE sends our deepest condolences to Keenan and his family for the loss of his sister Tamisha Jeal. We pray for Keenan’s swift recovery.”
Two Belize City residents pleaded guilty for handling stolen goods after police caught them with several items that were stolen during a burglary at Courts Belmopan branch just over a week ago. Police conducted a search at the home of thirty-four-year-old Randy Slusher’s girlfriend in Belize City. There they found an Orange Radio Shack bag pack valued at one hundred and twenty-nine dollars, as well as a Samsung cellphone valued at seventeen hundred dollars. Both Slusher and his girlfriend were taken to the Belize City Magistrates Court where Slusher pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.
He explained that the only reason his girlfriend was caught up in the investigation was because he was at her home with the stolen items. As a result, she was set free. A search at the home of a second individual, twenty-six-year-old Roy Alvarez, led to the discovery of a Dell laptop valued at twenty-five hundred dollars. Alvarez, like Slusher, pleaded guilty. He explained that he bought the item for two hundred dollars knowing that it was stolen. The magistrate fined Slusher five hundred dollars for the backpack and seven hundred and fifty dollars for the cellphone. Alvarez was fined seven hundred and fifty dollars for the laptop. And while Slusher and Alvarez pleaded guilty and were fined, both were escorted back into custody today. They will be transferred to Belmopan and handed over to police in that jurisdiction, as they are expected to face other charges in connection with the Courts Belmopan burglary.
“Reference the aggravated burglary at Courts in Belmopan, police conducted several searches which led to the recovery of some cellphones and laptops and have since arrested and charged Randy Slusher, Tyra Diaz and Roy Alvarez for the crime of handling stolen good. They are all from Belize City. Further investigations are being conducted and other charges are expected to be levied. The items were recovered in Belize City. Yes, at their residents yes.”
The Galindo brothers from Santa Elena Town are notorious figures in the eyes of the public. Back in June, a shooting incident claimed the life of David Galindo, the older sibling. When David was rushed to the hospital, the brothers and other family members were accused of damaging public property at the San Ignacio Community Hospital, as well as threatening medical workers. Several individuals have been charged for disorderly behavior in relation to that incident. Subsequently, Santa Elena Town began experiencing a sharp increase in violent crimes, including murders. There is no public information to suggest that the incident involving the Galindo brothers is at all connected to this increase in major crimes. Dozens of police officers, including members of the G.I.3., have since been deployed to the twin towns to keep the peace. And the Galindo family are tonight saying that they are being constantly harassed on their property by those police officers. The family reached out to our newsroom today after an incident this morning in which they are accusing police officers of physically abusing several minors during an operation on the property. News Five’s Paul Lopez report.
Mynor Galindo
Mynor Galindo, Santa Elena Resident
“My point why I address the media, and it is concerning me now because we adults we get locked up many of times and that is not really my concern, but like what the commissioner says, he wants bring pressure he could bring pressure, but now when you want to interfere with children and I have video footage of it.”
Paul Lopez, Reporting
A police station was inaugurated a week ago in Santa Elena to address the crime situation in that town. Mynor Galindo says he has spent forty-eight hours behind bars, including within the new police station, at least twenty times over the course of the last three months. Police accuse Galindo, his brothers and other family members of being members of a gang. Mynor Galindo refutes those claims, though his main concern today was the children that live on their family property.
Mynor Galindo
“When you start interfere with children weh dah eight-year-old, nine-year-old, to carry them, actually carry them, back ah the house to ask them certain things, now you gone too far.”
News Five has obtained surveillance footage of an operation this morning. What we have been able to gather does not show much by way of abuse of authority. But, the family contends that it is because the officers disconnected their cameras and demanded that they do not record on their phones. There is one instance captured on camera that was brought to our attention. A senior officer from the Santa Elena formation was captured confronting another officer that was with the team. This happened while several individuals from the property were detained in the back of the police mobile. Galindo’s account is that the second-in-command was confronting the next officer over the ill treatment of the minors in the yard.
Mynor Galindo
“That happened this morning, around nine this morning all of we the sleep in our home, even the kids. They come knock down this and that, wake up we, nothing nuh wrong, like I said nothing wrong for them to do their operation, their patrol. The one from the GI3. Wah strapid one him. All of a sudden, the GI3 have its own office here. I won’t talk bad about them, because they have a job to do, but he the mek it his business to deal with the pikni deh. When he mih the dreg up the lee gial and do certain things even the, the one after Franco come out of the yard notice that you the mess with a lee bway or a lee gial.”
Paul Lopez
“I have to ask if these children are being used any at all to carry out any sort of illicit act because they can be viewed as innocent.”
Mynor Galindo
“Like what I told them, I dah Mynor Galindo and I know unu hear about me. If unu have any concern and want deal with me, deal with me. If unu want send me dah jail on an SOE send me, but please stop harras my family.”
We also heard from the children’s grandfather, David Young, who was brought to tears after reportedly witnessing the ordeal.
David Young
David Young, Father
“I nuh the live wah lovliest life……twenty years over, the police nuh live dah me and I dah nuh know wah alien deh and I know deh have better police man than what I see. Lesgo and I jump way deh and try hold his hand and a next one the try grab me. Deh thing is totally wrong. Lef the child lone. Dende dah the future of tomorrow.”
We also heard from Mayor Earl Trapp who, following the spike in major crimes within the twin towns in late June, supported the deployment of police reinforcement. Today he told us that he is not aware of all the details pertaining to the incident but that, while officers are necessary to uphold the law, children must be protected.
Earl Trapp
Earl Trapp, Mayor, SE/SI Town
“When we are advocating for security, for a safer municipality we need the police to uphold the law but at the same time I believe the police have bene trained and they must provide a service with principles. WE must understand that adults are adults and minors are minors. There is a law and we must protect our children.”
We have told you about the businesses in Santa Elena that took a significant hit on their income following the closure of Hawksworth Bridge for renovation four months ago. Since then, several initiatives have been undertaken to bring business back to the area while the bridge remains closed. The low-lying bridge has been made a two-way crossing to divert vehicular traffic to the area. Additionally, a group of business owners have since established the Santa Elena Business Association. This weekend, the association is hosting its very first event, a business expo. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Sandy’s Deli is opening its doors one last time on Friday. After three years, Sandra Rodriquez, the owner of the restaurant, has been forced to shut down. Sandy’s Deli operates along a one-hundred-and-fifty-meter stretch of the George Price Highway leading to Hawksworth Bridge. She says that business has been extremely slow since May when the bridge was closed for renovation.
“It has been very challenging because right now we can’t even eat meet the rent. Sometimes they have days where we only sell like a hundred dollars’ worth for the day. And, that does not even cover what we spend for the day to cover or buy the things them. So, it is very challenging and sometimes you have to pay the staff, your trade license and you cant come up with that right now since the bridge.”
The plight of businesses like Sandy’s Deli prompted other business owners to come together to form the Santa Elena Business Association. It is led by Nolberto Rancharan.
Nolberto Rancharan
Nolberto Rancharan, Chairman, SE Business Association
“Since the third of May I think the whole idea of the closure of the business was not thought out thoroughly. It was done for the traffic reasons in the business side of it put a dent on the businesses on this side of the road and that is what triggered the birth of the Santa Elena Business association.”
The first move was to request that the low-lying bridge which connects Santa Elena to San Ignacio be turned into a two-way bridge. Mayor Earl Trapp agreed and gave the order.
Earl Trapp
Earl Trapp, Mayor, SI/SE
“I have been very much concerned because of the different complaints from the businesses in that area that they have been nose diving. Hence the reason we decided to allow the low-lying bridge as a two-way especially for small vehicles, since it was only a one way before. There was no traffic int hat area so this allows traffic to that area. So, it has improved business but not to the extent that the businesses were expecting.”
With the new traffic regulation, motorists travelling from San Ignacio must now make a right turn off the low-lying bridge. This route takes them to an intersection near the Hawksworth bridge that diverts traffic into the affected areas. In addition, the association is planning a business expo for Saturday.
Almadelia Frutos
Almadelia Frutos, Vice-Chair, SE Business Association
“It is going to start from nine and up to five, everybody should leave at six. But we are expecting to see raffles, lots of foods, and lot of give away and these people coming they are coming to support us in Santa Elena since we have been down. So, we all have come together, and we are joining hands, and we are helping each other. And the business here from Mr. Max Studio to Santa Elena is going to be the area where the business expo is going to be happening, all the activities are going to be happening here. We want you to come out and bring your entire family.”
Timoteo Romero
Timoteo Romero, Branch Manager, Tropigas Santa Elena
“It has been challenging number of months for us but thankfully we are resilient along the with Santa Elena Business Association conducting different types of programs for us to help boost up the business in the area. I think it has been a positive thing for us as well as the area we are in. We are actually panning some very nice surprises, so we invite everyone to come out. WE are having a ten-twenty sale so that is ten to twenty percent off on cash. But it is going to be pretty much more than that.”
There is, however, one issue that the business association stayed clear of addressing. That is the cost of police security for Saturday’s event. The association wrote to the Belize Police Department requesting four officers for the expo. They have since been informed that four is insufficient. As a result, the department is sending additional officers reportedly at a cost of over three thousand dollars. Mayor Trapp contends that the department needs to strike a compromise given the hard times these businesses are facing.
Earl Trapp
“This is something I have been very much concerned about. Hence the reason I have been saying to the relevant authorities, especially the police in San Ignacio and Santa Elena. We must learn to give and take. It is a collaboration between the community and police. Many times, the police would come to the community and say we don’t have these resources in our office. We need a microwave, flashlights, gas, vehicles, but if you need and expect the community will give you, you can give back to the community by providing security. For example, especially when you have an event for non-profit and something that has no alcohol sale. At the least the police should provide police free of charge to just patrol the area.”
