People & Places - Channel 5 Belize

Mangrove Conservation Done Right!

In the heart of Belize, a remarkable initiative is taking root—the Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge. This inspiring competition is not just about winning awards; it’s about celebrating local heroes who are championing the conservation of mangroves. These vital ecosystems are nature’s unsung protectors, shielding our coastlines, nurturing diverse marine life, and playing a crucial role in the fight against climate change. As Belize faces the pressing need to preserve its natural treasures, the Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge shines a spotlight on innovative projects that blend development with sustainability, ensuring a resilient future for our coastal communities. On Thursday night, here in Belize City, an award ceremony was held to recognize the winners of the annual challenge. Here’s Isani Cayetano with that story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Belize’s mangrove forests are incredibly important for the country’s diverse wildlife and the health of the Belize Barrier Reef. These trees act like natural shields against storm surges, waves, and coastal erosion, with thick roots helping to keep shorelines stable and prevent land loss during extreme weather. Mangroves are also home to many marine and land species, serving as nurseries for young fish, crabs, and mollusks, giving them a safe place to grow. Unfortunately, there’s been a troubling decline in mangrove covers in key coastal areas.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“The first global mangrove assessment shows that more than fifty percent of mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse. In the absence of additional conservation efforts, by 2050, seven thousand, sixty-five square kilometers or five percent more mangroves will be lost and twenty-three thousand, six hundred and seventy-two square kilometers, or sixteen percent more will be submerged.”

To tackle this issue, the WWF teamed up with leading environmental and government agencies to launch a national competition. This contest is all about celebrating and rewarding individuals and groups who are pioneering mangrove-friendly projects on private lands.

Nadia Bood, Country Representative, WWF

“The reason we did this is because we realized that mangroves are under a lot of stress. We are seeing increasing loss of mangroves from development, you know, many people are driven to develop along the coast. We have hotels, resorts, expansion of communities, of municipalities, and so we said that we need to find a way that we can engage the public, we can try to engage the development sector, the government, the planners, in an initiative that can bring people together to effect change.”

Healthy mangrove ecosystems draw tourists and promote sustainable fishing. Keeping these ecosystems intact is crucial for the well-being and longevity of coastal communities. Mangroves are nature’s all-stars, offering protection, supporting diverse wildlife. Mangroves are amazing at soaking up and storing carbon dioxide, playing a big role in fighting climate change. They can capture up to four times more carbon per square meter than rainforests.

Beverly Wade, C.E.O., Blue Economy & Marine Conservation

“We have challenges that we have no control over, like climate change, as mentioned earlier, but we have challenges that are man-made challenges. We have development challenges which we are challenged to find that balance and for us to not see mangrove areas as an area that we need to mow down full and look pretty, but that it can be aesthetically pleasing and at the same time allowed to maintain its functionality which has so many other co-benefits.”

The Belize Tourism Board launched the Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program to tackle the health and safety challenges brought by Covid-19. This program introduced better guidelines and protocols for hotels and restaurants, ensuring guest experiences remain top-notch. It has significantly raised the bar for hotel operations across Belize. El Ben has not only met these high standards but surpassed them, and on Thursday night, they proudly took home the prestigious award from the Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge 2024.

Saira Mahabir, Manager, El Ben Cabanas

“I was really shocked and really, really happy, humbled that we were recognized. From the beginning when they were doing the development, the owner, Mr. McWaters, Brian McWaters, he saved a lot of the mangroves and used it to beautify the property, and he saved all the mangroves in the front of the sea so he can actually use it as a shield to the property. If you look at the seaside, you will see all the mangroves, you wouldn’t see the resort at all.”

The Mangrove Friendly Development Challenge tells an inspiring story of local efforts to boost environmental sustainability and resilience in Belize. Isani Cayetano for News Five.

BEL’s Request for Rate Increase is an Average of 3 cents kWh

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has announced why it’s asking to raise electricity prices starting January first, 2026. In a detailed ninety-one-page report to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), BEL is requesting an average increase of three cents per kilowatt hour, from forty cents to forty-three cents. If approved, this new rate will be in effect until June thirtieth, 2028. BEL explains that the price hike is necessary due to the rapidly growing demand for electricity, which increasingly relies on more expensive sources. Additionally, the company needs to recover past energy supply costs that exceeded the revenues collected. BEL assures that its proposal is backed by comprehensive documentation and data. The PUC is currently reviewing the request and will issue its initial decision within thirty days of the submission date, which was April fourth. News Five’s Marion Ali takes another look at the submission.

Marion Ali, Reporting

In its submission to the Public Utilities Commission, the Belize Electricity Limited has applied for an average of three cent per kilowatt hour increase for the period January first, 2026, to June thirtieth, 2028. The increase, however, if approved, would mean that there will be categories of customers who will pay more than the three-cent per kilowatt hour. Depending on how many kilowatt hours customers use, their light bill would include prices charged. Under the old rate structure, residential customers using more than two hundred kilowatt hours per month paid forty-three cents per kilowatt hour. But with the new tariff structure, customers using between fifty-one and two hundred kilowatt hours would pay forty-one cents. Those using between two hundred and three hundred kilowatt hours would pay forty-six cents, and if you use over three hundred kilowatt hours, you’d pay forty-eight cents.

BEL has indicated that its power supply resources, including the Mollejon facility, the Chalillo Dam and the Vaca facility. B.E.L. owns a power station comprising mobile diesel-powered generating units in Caye Caulker and two diesel-powered gas turbines, one at the Westlake Gas Turbine Facility at Mile Eight on the George Price Highway and the facility near the southern tip of Ambergris Caye. The cost associated with B.E.L.-owned generation is specified by a monthly capacity charge.

Minister of Public Utilities, Michel Chebat told News Five today that no load shedding is expected to occur this year because of supply and demand shortages. He indicated that there are mainly two aspects of providing power technically: the generation and the distribution aspects. In terms of power generation, the minister said that BEL is peaking at a hundred and fifteen megawatts and that there is sufficient in-country generation to cover that demand with the two plants that are in effect.

Where hiccups may occur, as they have over the past couple weeks in San Pedro has to do with line maintenance. As we enter the dry season, dust and debris accumulate on the lines and transmitters and can interrupt power flow. However, during these times, B.E.L. dispatches work crews to clean up the equipment to alleviate this problem. He added that there is also an invitation by the government to whomever is interested to set up an eighty-kilowatt solar plant. This should be in place within the next two years. Marion Ali for News Five.

Chester Defends Taking Alleged Cyberbully to Court

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is standing by his choice to take cyberbullies to court. Last week, a police officer found himself in court for allegedly bullying his own boss online. Fifty-one-year-old Barrington Gilbert Mai, also known as Barry Flowers, was charged with using a computer system to publish obscene and vulgar data. Mai paid a bail of five thousand dollars, with one surety of the same amount or two sureties of two thousand, five hundred dollars and is due back in court in June. Some criticize William’s decision to take the officer to court, believing it to be an overreaction. However, Williams, who recently took his brother to court for cyberbullying, says he has every right to do so.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“That is the view a view of those persons and I respect their view. I must say that as an individual, people say things about me on social media every day and, I don’t care. At the end of the day, I am a public figure and I am subject to be criticized. But when you are going to call me corrupt, I will not countenance it. I have worked in this department for over thirty-three years and I have done my utmost in my integrity. And so if a person were to say that I am corrupted, I’m a thief. I’m this or I’m that, I’m going to have them prove that to the court, bring the evidence before the court and prove that I am such I am not like the ordinary public who can go and back and forth, somebody on social media, I can’t do that. The nature of my office does not require me to do that. It is going to be unprofessional, and so I have to find other ways to defend my character, and so I defend my character using the code system. The law was put in place to protect against cyber bullying. And if it is that there are people out there who do not wish to make use of the law, that is their business. The law is there for all of us to use, and if anybody believe that they are being cyber bullied by another they have the same right as I do in going to the police making a complaint and take the matter before the court so that the person who is bullying you or whatever can go to court and say, to defend their position. And I, that is all I have to say on that matter.”

American Fugitives Detained in Belize

Earlier this week, two American fugitives were deported from Belize to the United States to face serious charges, including weapons trafficking and rape. The fugitives were tracked down and returned with help from the U.S. Embassy in Belize. Today, we spoke with Commissioner of Police Chester Williams about Belize’s teamwork with the United States to ensure that fugitives face justice in their home countries.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We continue we continue to work with our counterparts. Occasionally we get information of a fugitive bin here, there or somewhere. And once that occurs, then we get into motion working with the US Embassy in the final location. And then we do surveillance and eventually we move in and apprehend. We have done that recently with with a number of fugitives on the US and once that occurred, then they’re then taken back to the US where they would face whatever charge they may have to face. In the United States.’

Reporter

“Since January, have we had any belief on returnees deported?”

Chester Williams

“I have not been following the deportation much. I can’t really give you an answer, but I know that I have seen lists with a number of persons returning home but very little if any at all as it relates to persons of interest. Those persons that we have seen coming home are not persons of interest to us, and so we just normally go through, just go through the normal routine with them so we are with those who are of interest to us.”

Stolen License Plates Possibly Sold to Tourist

Police are still investigating a string of license plate thefts that occurred in southside Belize City earlier this week. At least nine vehicles on Maris Deena Street were targeted by thieves who made off with license plates and two car batteries. According to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, the motive of the theft is still unknown, but police are on the lookout for the perpetrators.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I know its something I know it’s something the police is looking at. I’m not sure if they have received any leads on that issue, but again, they’re working in tandem with the traffic department to see what, if anything can be obtained. I know that many of those persons who lost the license plate in that in that incident have reapplied to the transport department, and I’m speaking about city traffic. And it has been addressed from that standpoint. But again, if you know of anyone who is selling license plates, it’s good to report to the police so the police can go and see if, in fact, those plates are stolen. It seems to be something that is that farms part of the tourism industry because again, I know that sometime tourists may want to buy license plate and take back to their respective country so that they can show I was in Belize and I got this license plate from Belize, it’s something we have to look at very seriously. Because it can also be another issue where the license plates have been stolen with the intent that they be used to commit to place on other vehicles to commit crime. We have to look at it from all angles.”

Reporter

“Were you a case the owners would be safeguarded by the mere fact that the paperwork is at traffic?”

Chester Williams

“Certainly yes. If they report to the police that they had lost a license plate and, license plate is subsequently found or identified on a vehicle that is used in the commission of a crime, then that would absolve them to some extent to verify that it would’ve not been their vehicle that was used in the commission of that crime.”

Seatbelts Will be Required in the City

The time is fast approaching when Commissioner of Police Chester Williams transitions to C.E.O. of the Ministry of Transport. For years, the Belize Police Department has been trying to crack down on traffic laws to create safer roads and minimize fatal accidents. According to William’s this is work that he plans to continue at his new post. He also showed his support for the government’s decision to tighten seatbelt laws within the city. Here’s what he had to say.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I have seen a number of issues in the transport industry. A number of issues as it relates to the use of our roads, and these are issues that certainly would need to be addressed. I have been in dialogue with my future minister, Mr. Minister Zabaneh in terms of looking at some of the things that we want to see done within the transport ministry, and certainly road safety is a priority. I’m not going to go into details at this time in terms of what my plans will be because I believe that I would need to sit down with the chief transport officer or that is and his deputy, as well as to meet with the persons who are in charge of DOT across the country and get their input, get feedbacks from them. And based on that, they will put together a plan of action that is going to be implemented to make our highway safer. I will leave it at that for now, and when I fully takes over my new office, then we can have an entire dialogue on what the plan is going to be moving forward. The seatbelt issue is something that cabinet have agreed to and it came into law and I think that it was considered for good reasons. One might say why you seatbelt in a city when in fact you, cannot drive at a very high speed within city limits. But that is not true. I’m sure that you have seen every day vehicles within city limits driving at extremely high speed driving reckless, and we have had a number of fatal traffic accidents in the city where we believe that had the victims been wearing seatbelt when those accidents occurred, they may be alive today. So I do believe that it was done in good sense, one and two, it was also done to ensure that we safeguard the lives of our people as best as we possibly can.”

Chester and “Uncle” Make Amend, Cyberbullying Charges Dropped

The public feud between ComPol Williams and his brother, Arthur Roy Williams, also known as ‘Uncle,’ is now water under the bridge as the brothers made amends earlier today. As a result, the charges against Arthur were dropped by prosecutor Alifah Elrington this afternoon in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. Both brothers were present in court when Elrington, the Head of Prosecution Branch, informed the Senior Magistrate that the crown is withdrawing all four counts against Arthur Roy Williams. This decision came after the siblings reconciled and agreed to move forward. ‘I love my brother,’ said ComPol Williams. ‘Uncle’ promised the outgoing Commissioner of Police that he would no longer post anything negative or defamatory about him, leading to the charges being withdrawn.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Basically, Arthur Roy is my brother, we came from the same woman. Yes, there have been misunderstandings in the past with issue, but I believe that as a family we should always be able to work out our issues. And so, him and I spoke about the issue and we decided that it is best that we end it this way, as opposed to going through a court process.”

Reporter

“This is what they refer to as criminal mediation?”

Chester Williams

“No. No. There was no mediation done by the court. Myself and my brother, we discussed the issue and we came to our own agreement that it is best that we put it behind us and move on. Of course, I love my brother and I will always be there to support him. He has been there for me as a child when I was growing up. We have been very close in the past and I think that we can get back to where we used to be.”

Reporter

“So, Mr. Roy, what would you like to say today?”

Arthur Roy Williams

“It is what it is bang bye.”

Back on February 7, 2024, Arthur Roy Williams, a fifty-three-year-old driver for the Ombudsman and a resident of Dangriga, was initially arraigned on three criminal offenses, including two counts of using a computer system to disseminate false statements with the intent to cause public ridicule or embarrassment, and one count of using a computer system to intimidate under the Cybercrime Act, to which he pleaded not guilty. Then, about five months later, on July 3, 2024, ‘Uncle’ faced another charge of contempt of judicial order. Allegedly, between April and the end of June 2024, despite being ordered not to post anything about ComPol or the Belize Police Department, he continued to do so on social media.

ComPol Comments on Wet Drops in Belizean Waters

Earlier this week, we reported that the Belize Coast Guard found a kilo of cocaine on a fisherman in Turneffe. There have been more and more reports of fishermen scouring beaches in that area, looking for wet drops. Today, we asked Commissioner of Police Chester Williams if any charges have been filed against the fisherman and where the drugs might have come from.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I know that a person was in custody and I have to check if that person has been charged.”

Paul Lopez

“Is it a fact that this kilo may have come from a suspected capsized drug boat?”

Chester Williams

“We do know occasionally there would be instances where we have these wet drops. As much as we try to prevent the transshipment of drugs through the country, the maritime domain remain active and when we do have these instances where we have these wet drops it is normally due to these boats capsizing or due to these boats being pursued by law enforcement and in order to lighten the boat they would throw products overboard. So I cannot say if it is a matter of boat capsizing or them trying to evade law enforcement, but we have gotten information that there is a number of drugs floating in the water. The Coast Guard has been very active doing their best to see if they can find these drugs.”

Drug Plane Trial to Restart After Magistrate Recuses Herself

A drug trial in San Ignacio came to an unexpected halt earlier this week when the presiding magistrate recused herself from the case. The trial was related to a November 2021 drug plane landing that resulted in a large drug seizure and the detention of seven alleged traffickers, including the Mexican co-pilot. After years of hearings, the case will now have to start over with a new magistrate. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams explained why the magistrate stepped down and what the next steps are for the case.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The briefing I got from the prosecutor Ms. Elrington, there seems to have been issue in the court room, where she believe that the case was not going as should and that there may be some degree of bias from the magistrate and she made a submission to the magistrate for the magistrate to recuse herself. That submission was accepted and the magistrate recused herself and we just have to look for a new trial.”

ComPol Slowly Transitioning to CEO Position

And finally, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is just a short time away from stepping into his new role as Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Transport. Today, he’s still in his police uniform but mentioned that the day-to-day operations of the department have already been handed over to incoming Commissioner Doctor Richard Rosado. Here’s what he had to say about the transition period.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Myself and Mr. Rosado are going through a transition period. Certainly yes as a part of that transition period I have assigned most of the day to day responsibility of the commissioner to Mr. Rosado and I am just dealing with those issues I have to deal with as the legally constituted commissioner of police. So, we continue that transition period. The objective of the ministry is to make sure we can have a seamless transition where all the activities currently in motion. We have a number of projects and other things I need to bring Mr. Rosado with and so that when he takes over we can make sure those things continue. I have heard the criticism that this has not been in the past where you have transitions like this, but commissioners normally retire at age fifty-five. So, if you know that you are going to retire you prepare for that and obviously someone is going to understudy you so that when you go off that person will become the commissioner. So it is not a situation where you are the commissioner today and gone tomorrow without having ensuring your successor should have some level of experience in the seat. That is the reason why we are doing this. It is not that I want to stay. I indicated I would have wanted to leave Monday gone, but the transition is important and we are making sure it is done the right way. That is the reason why.”