Panton declined an interview with News Five today but has scheduled her first press conference since the general elections for next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Barrow has big plans for the U.D.P., focusing on reform. Before diving into changes, he wants to meet with his standard bearers to review the election results, recruit new delegates and standard bearers, and work on amending the U.D.P. Constitution.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition
“We have to have the necessary meetings and do our post-mortem and look at all of the procedures that need to take place. We need to get delegates, we need to get the caretakers or standard bearers, all of those processes need to happen properly. Delegates need to be elected, standard bearers need to be elected, and then you look at the national convention. We need to look at what can be done with village council because a month and a half has been wasted, so we need to look at constitutional reform. I definitely have spent the last couple of weeks looking at what the Constitution needs as far as improvement.”
In less than a week, the kidnapping and blackmail trial against William ‘Danny’ Mason and Belmopan resident Ryan Rhaburn is set to begin. Today, Mason’s attorney, Peter Taylor, appeared virtually before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, requesting an adjournment to May first, 2025. Taylor claimed he hasn’t been compensated by Mason yet. However, with the trial just days away, DPP Cheryl Lynn-Vidal objected, stating that witnesses are ready, and the trial cannot be delayed further. Justice Pilgrim denied the request and informed Taylor that arrangements would be made for his compensation. The trial will proceed as scheduled on April twenty-ninth. Taylor also noted that Mason hasn’t arranged finances to fly him and his team to Belize. Mason and Rhaburn face charges for the kidnapping of Mennonite couple Lloyd and Rosey Friesen on May thirty-first, 2016, with Mason also charged with blackmail. Allegedly, they detained the Friesens by force and demanded $2,500 weekly for protection. Rhaburn is out on bail, while Mason remains at Belize Central Prison.
Last night, we reported that Jeremy Enriquez is urging the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to investigate Justice Tawanda Hondora. The High Court judge presided over Enriquez’s constitutional claim against the Government of Belize regarding the incomplete redistricting exercise. With the claim dismissed, Enriquez alleges judicial bias, presenting evidence to Chief Justice Louise Blenman, Chair of the JLSC. One key piece of evidence is a recording from the judge’s active microphone during a lunch break, where Enriquez claims a group of attorneys in Trinidad heard Justice Hondora say he had already decided to dismiss the case. Today, we heard from Enriquez directly.
Jeremy Enriquez, Claimant
“We wanted to record our concern that was based on statements heard ton be made by the judge hearing our case on redivisioning. There were some attorneys who heard statements he made during the lunch break. That statement was submitted in an affidavit to the Chief Justice. We also wanted to inform and make sure that the matter is investigated to ensure that such misconduct does not continue to occur.”
Paul Lopez
“I gather that one of the most alarming parts of the statement was not recorded and is that because the unofficial recording began immediately after the statement was made?”
Jeremy Enriquez
“Right, it was heard. The attorneys were listening to the entire case and when they heard that statement that was made they quickly decided to record the rest of the statements. But, they swore in the affidavit that those were statements made by the judge.”
Saint John’s Credit Union (SJCU) is refuting allegations of missing member funds that have been circulating on social media. Recently, a woman claimed that around fifteen thousand dollars disappeared from her cousin’s account and accused SJCU of being unhelpful and dismissive. Tonight, SJCU responded, stating they are investigating the matter and have made several attempts to assist the members. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Last week, a frustrated family member of a St. John’s Credit Union customer took to social media with serious accusations. She claimed that over fifteen thousand dollars had vanished from her cousin’s account, with no transaction record to explain the missing funds. She demanded SJCU clarify where the money went. However, SJCU responded, stating there is no record showing that this money ever existed in the account.
Daisy Dawson
Daisy Dawson, General Manager, St. Johns Credit Union
“The credit union went ahead. We did her checks, and we went as way back as to when the member opened the account. And so we checked the entire history and at no point was that in the account. So we have all the trail, all the paper trail to show what was going on in that account. And it shows, it was mostly inbound. There was nothing going out of the account. And so fifteen thousand could not just disappear out of a member account because there are processes that you have to go through taking monies out of that account.”
General Manager Daisy Dawson stated that SJCU immediately contacted the member upon hearing the accusations and launched an investigation. The member was asked to provide evidence, such as a receipt, showing the funds were in her account, but she has not done so. Dawson emphasized that SJCU has robust systems in place to document every dollar’s movement in a member’s account.
Daisy Dawson
“The credit union can go back and say, let me see an audit trail on this member account. We also look at the history with the online banking. That will point to you how many times that person has been logging into their online banking, at what time, at what date, and then you can cross check it to see, but they check it on the state and when we crash, check in the system. But the balance was the same. So at what point, and so we asked to provide, do you have a screenshot to show that this was the balance so that we can do or, or check. There was none. If there are receipts that you said that you have that you don’t see it in your account, bring the receipt so we can cross check again.”
SJCU will be forwarding a comprehensive report of the member’s account, including the transaction history, to the Central Bank of Belize for review.
Daisy Dawson
“Firstly, we are answerable to our regulator who is the Central Bank. Two, we do year external audits, and three, we have internal personnel in terms of an internal auditor and a compliance officer who do checks on member’s account. And of course there are processes in place in terms of when a member is going to access their account. We have a system set up, I’m not sure if this is linked to her account, where members get alert via a text message when you’re doing a withdrawal or a deposit from your account. Also, the member has online banking and so that member can go in at any time to check their balances, and if they have any issue, they can reach out to the credit union right away.”
In an update to the initial post, the family member claims they received no assistance from SJCU and were threatened with a lawsuit. Daisy Dawson clarified that this was not the case, explaining that the member was advised to be cautious while both parties work together to investigate the allegation.
Daisy Dawson
“We are still hoping that the member will reach out to us, because as a member, you’re a patron of the credit union and we take these things seriously, you know, and so we have to be careful when we are making allegation because. St. John’s is a reputable organization. We have been around going now for eighty years, and we have provided so much to our community. We have done so much for the Belizean public, and we take these things seriously, not lightly.”
Tonight, a couple accused of attempting to murder a Lords Bank man in 2024 has been granted bail after spending over three months behind bars. Stacey Letricia Antonio, a twenty-three-year-old BDF soldier, and her common-law husband, William Alexander Flowers, faced charges of attempted murder, dangerous harm, and use of deadly means of harm against twenty-year-old Evan Pook Jr., along with theft of his cellphone. The couple was arraigned on December sixth, 2024, in Belize City Magistrate’s Court. Today, after exactly four months and sixteen days on remand, they appeared before the newly appointed Magistrate Ludlow Black. The prosecutor, a sergeant, stated he had no objection to bail, leading Magistrate Black to grant them bail at five thousand dollars each, plus one surety. Conditions for their bail include no interference or communication with the complainant, maintaining a distance of one hundred yards from him, and reporting every Friday at Ladyville Police Station. The stabbing incident occurred on December third, 2024, in the Lords Bank area, Ladyville, when Pook Jr. was attacked and stabbed multiple times while walking through a feeder road. His cellphone was stolen during the attack, leading to the arrest of Antonio and Flowers. The motive for the stabbing remains unknown.
Throughout April, our weekly Belize on Reel segments have been spotlighting longstanding businesses across the country. We’ve featured enterprises in Belize City, San Ignacio, and Punta Gorda. Tonight, we head north to Orange Walk to highlight Zeta Auto Parts, a business born from the Escalante family’s pivot from public transportation and ice production. With a second branch now in western Belize, the company is led by a third-generation family businessman. News Five’s Paul Lopez sat down with him and a long-standing employee to learn how they’ve thrived over the years and met their customers’ needs. Here’s that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Three years before Belize gained independence, the Escalante family in Orange Walk Town founded Zeta Auto Parts. Before venturing into auto parts retail, they ran Escalante’s Bus Line and later launched Zeta Ice Factory. Today, thirty-one-year-old Adriel Escalante Jr., a third-generation businessman, is the general manager of Zeta Auto Parts.
Adriel Escalante
Adriel Escalante, General Manager, Zeta Auto Parts
“It all started with my family running the Escalante Bus Line. Eventually the family decided to venture into ice and water business. They have sixty-four years running the business. Then some years passed and that is when they decided to open the Zeta Auto Parts in Town. I would say I was like eight or ten years I started to go with my dad, seeing how my dad worked with the auto parts business and then I said, I enjoyed it.”
Pedro Garcia is Zeta Auto Parts’ longest-serving employee, having been with the company for over two decades. He joined after leaving another auto parts business in town and recalls a time when Zeta Auto Parts was the only game in town for auto parts retail.
Pedro Garcia
Pedro Garcia, Employee, Zeta Auto Parts
“I came to Zeta and I asked for a job and because I already had knowledge on parts it was easy for me. The customer is our number one priority. They come in and we try to give them the best service. They offer things that they would need, not just on the parts they are buying. We try to tell them you need this along with that. Sometimes mechanics send them and tell them just get that and they have to come back. So we try to tell them what would work along with other parts so that they could take it with them first.”
At Zeta Auto Parts, the hustle never stops. During our visit, customers were constantly coming and going. Fifteen years ago, the business moved from Main Street to its current location on Liberty Avenue, expanding storage to offer more products and meet new customer demands. Despite competitors with larger inventories opening up in town, Zeta has maintained its edge thanks to its longstanding reputation.
Adriel Escalante
“This property was owned by my uncle and he passed it own to my grandfather. We are here now at sixty-four Liberty Avenue. I saw it growing. I remember all my past employees and how the business was. It has been growing ever since. Now we decided to open a branch in the Cayo District. We are located in San Ignacio Town. Now, we are also going to expand in another location as well. I won’t say where. It is just coming soon. We have customers throughout the country, Corozal, Belize City, Cayo, down south.”
Pedro Garcia
“I have customers from when I was in Belize with the other company. I come this side and they still call. I have been dealing with them for over nineteen years. They just glad that they could call me and when they need parts I find parts for them. The company is still growing. I heard the boss say they want to expand. I will be here until I can.”
Zeta Auto Parts has thrived since the late Seventies on three key pillars: family legacy, dedicated employees, and customer satisfaction. Sugarcane farmers, a significant part of their customer base, benefit from the store’s strategic location. Adriel Escalante emphasizes that for Zeta Auto Parts to continue thriving for another five decades, they must constantly evolve and meet the changing needs of their customers.
Adriel Escalante
“We are looking to expand and this year we are going to bring more products and we are going to expand our inventory and also along the way we are going to have mechanical services that we are going to offer to our customers as well. We have to keep updated with a lot of things, as technology is growing. We have to stay, how you say it, “top ah things”.
Belize’s agricultural sector is getting a major boost from the Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific program. This initiative is transforming sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of rural communities. By advancing entrepreneurship and market access, FO4ACP helps Belizean farmers connect to larger markets, increasing their income and economic stability. Sixteen local farmer organizations are involved, focusing on business management, productivity, and sustainable agriculture practices. This program is making Belize’s agricultural sector more resilient and capable of tackling various challenges. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The Farmers’ Organizations for Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific program is a game-changer for Belize’s agricultural sector. It boosts sustainable development and significantly improves the livelihoods of rural communities. FO4ACP advances entrepreneurship and market access by creating fair value chains and offering business development services. This initiative helps Belizean farmers connect to larger markets, increasing their income and economic stability while supporting business growth.
Servulo Baeza, C.E.O., Ministry of Agriculture
“Sixteen local farmer organizations are involved with FO4ACP, focusing on business management, productivity, and sustainable agriculture practices. Participants in projects like the drone training have included farmers, extension officers, and members of the cooperative department.”
FO4ACP focuses on empowering Farmers’ Organizations to deliver economic services, create a better business environment, and support institutional development. This initiative strengthens Belize’s agricultural sector, making it more resilient and capable of tackling various challenges.
Pedro Boareto, Food & Agriculture Organization
“This initiative highlights something that we in the FAO believe and are advocating for, in terms of the needs that we have and the strengthening of the farmers’ organization’s capacity and the role, the crucial role that we have in the different territories and how it’s important to provide the conditions that you lead the transformations that we need to face the challenges that we have in terms of climate change and inequalities. It’s in the farmers organizations that we can find the solutions to transform our production in a sustainable manner.”
The program fosters collaboration among governments, stakeholders, and partners to develop a unified sub-regional policy and program. This teamwork creates a supportive environment for agricultural growth and ensures policies meet farmers’ needs.
Servulo Baeza
“At the Ministry of Agriculture, we support smallholders a hundred percent. Our ministry has specific goals and objectives which include boosting agricultural output and efficiency, encouraging investment in the agricultural and food sectors, fostering private sector participation in agribusiness, creating an environment that supports competitive agricultural practices and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to protect the environment and ensure long-term viability.”
FO4ACP prioritizes knowledge management by mapping, capitalizing, disseminating, and supporting the scaling up of existing and new information. This approach keeps farmers informed about best practices and innovations, boosting their productivity and sustainability.
Gareth Murillo, Registrar of Cooperatives
“Locally, there has been several investments made within our cooperatives. We have had capacity building activities where our farmers have received training, not just on the production side, but also on the entrepreneurial development side. We have had farmers participate in exchange visits to other countries where the project is being implemented and we have had farmers from those countries also visit Belize. It is an exchange of information and an exchange of best practices.”
FO4ACP champions sustainable food and agricultural principles, which are crucial for Belize as it grapples with climate change and environmental sustainability. By adopting climate-smart practices, farmers can boost their resilience and productivity. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
Prime Minister John Briceño is backing Carolyn Trench Sandiford for another term as President of the Senate. After consulting with the United Democratic Party, they’ve thrown their support behind her re-appointment. PM Briceño appreciates this bipartisan cooperation for the nation’s benefit. This decision marks a continuation of Trench Sandiford’s leadership in one of the highest legislative roles in Belize, reinforcing her influence and commitment to the nation’s governance. As the Senate reconvenes under her leadership, Belizeans can expect continued efforts towards legislative reforms, social equity, and economic development. Meanwhile, discussions with the Social Partner Senators are still ongoing.
Fresh drama is unfolding in the U.D.P. as ousted Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow insists he’s still the party leader. In a letter dated Wednesday, Barrow addressed the “U.D.P. faithful,” stating he feels compelled to continue as leader until the next National Convention, as originally planned. He wrote, quote, after speaking with many of you and seeing how our beloved U.D.P. has gone dormant, with no attempt at unity, no compliance with the Party Constitution, no adherence to procedures and structures of the Party, no vision or resources to take the Party forward, I am compelled to accept your call for me to continue as Party Leader, end quote. Barrow further stated that under his leadership, the U.D.P. will push for a reform agenda, including necessary Constitutional amendments to rebuild the party. He claims his term doesn’t expire until the convention later this year. Notably, he had resigned as party leader five days after losing his seat in the March twelfth general election, handing over to Deputy Party Leader Hugo Patt, who then yielded to Tracy Panton as the rightful leader. While Panton subtly responded to Barrow’s claim on Facebook, today, an official press release from the U.D.P. squarely addressed the contents of Barrow’s letter. The release states that Barrow is not authorized to act, speak, or conduct any business on behalf of the U.D.P. in any official capacity. It reiterates that Barrow no longer holds any leadership or executive role within the party and that any reference by him to the titles “Honorable,” “Leader of the Opposition,” or “Party Leader” is inaccurate and misleading because he is not an official voice or face of the party. The release states in part, quote, Specifically, Mr. Barrow is not authorized to solicit or accept donations—whether in cash or kind—on behalf of the U.D.P. or as a representative of the Mesopotamia constituency. Any such representations are unauthorized and should be reported to the Party Secretariat, unquote. Meanwhile, Panton will lead the U.D.P. at its first press conference since the general elections next Tuesday to discuss matters of national importance.
Less than a week ago, Captain Howell Grange found himself in a life-and-death situation straight out of a movie. On Holy Thursday morning, he boarded his Tropic Air flight in Ranchito for what should have been a routine twenty-minute trip to San Pedro. Instead, the flight turned into a horrific two-hour hijacking ordeal. Despite being badly wounded, Captain Grange managed to land the plane safely and live to tell the tale. This afternoon, Tropic Air issued a statement thanking the community for their support during this challenging time. Shortly after, Captain Grange was wheeled out of Belize Healthcare Partners Limited, greeted by applause from hospital staff, friends, and family. Before heading home, Captain Howell Grange made his first stop at the Divine Mercy Church, where he and his family attend mass every Sunday. He was there to give thanks for surviving the ordeal. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Howell Grange
Howell Grange, Pilot, Tropic Air
“When I found out I was going to be released, I told my wife I need to go to church before we get home. I think I owe everything right now to the good Lord. That’s why I’m here because right when the deal started, I prayed to him and asked him to fill me with the strength and the knowledge to get to that man’s head, so all we have a good outcome for the day.”
Holy Thursday turned out to be a good day for the passengers and Captain Grange, despite the critical injuries inflicted by hijacker Akinyela Taylor. Taylor took control of the aircraft soon after takeoff, Grange recounted, as he relived the harrowing experience.
Howell Grange
“I took off normal, crossing over Cerros, then I started to hear the commotion and that’s when I saw when Mr. Brown, he was already injured and Mr. Castaneda was already injured, so I started to turn back to Corozal. Then that’s when he said it was a hijacking and then he demanded the little boy to go to the back, everyone to the back, and everyone went to the back. And he started telling me I was going to take him to the United States. So, I said, okay, no problem. So, I told him which airport you want to go? So, I found my airport in the GPS, the G-1000 equipment we use, and I put it in and I move it from the map. So he was not seeing where I’m going.”
Seeing two passengers bleeding, Captain Grange knew the situation was dire. He contacted air traffic control in Spanish to alert them about the unfolding crisis. Then, he cleverly flew over water to confuse the hijacker.
Howell Grange
“I started to head over to the international airport, but I passed behind the international airport. I told him we’re heading into Mexican territory, and I had spoken to the controllers over the radio and asked them to speak in Spanish and they understood what I was trying to do. Then I went out at sea, came back, but different direction, not in the same route. So he doesn’t recognize any area.”
Marion Ali
“Yes, we saw the loops.”
Howell Grange
“Yeah, so I was mainly trying to fly over water. It’s hard to get orientated over water and I was changing altitude every minute just to change the direction, you know, try to head back closer to Belize and just try to stay over water as much as I could. I had asked them to please get someone that speaks proper American English, and they got someone and they were vectoring me to the final, and this was already like an hour and change into flight, so when I was landing, he thought he was landing in the US.”
But the hijacker soon realized that he was not in the US and that was when he also stabbed Grange.
Howell Grange
“He said he doesn’t recognize the airport for me to go around. So, I went back out and that’s when we started to argue in the airplane, me and him. And he told me, if you’re not gonna take me to the airport, then we all gonna die here today.”
Marion Ali
“What airport was that?”
Howell Grange
“I don’t remember the name, it was one in the U.S, somewhere in Missouri, Mississippi, or something like that. I don’t really recall, but I started heading back. Well, I started to argue with him because I wanted to distract him from seeing me getting closer to the airport. At the same time I was descending that time. I only had about 10 minutes more of fuel, and I decided to land. When he realized it was not where he wanted to be, then the whole scuffle start inside the airplane.”
Marion Ali
“That’s when he stabbed you?”
Howell Grange
“Yeah, he stabbed me, yeah.”
After Taylor stabbed him, Captain Grange cut off the plane’s engine and they began to fight inside the aircraft. Taylor inflicted ten stab wounds on Grange, including one behind his ear that cut through his tongue and another serious wound to his right hand. Suddenly, two gunshots rang out.
Howell Grange
“He hit me in my chin here. He was a pretty skillful guy with the knife, pretty skillful guy with the knife. He tried to hit my temple, but I had my shades on and this was the biggest one. I was trying to hold his hand and then he just grabbed the knife and sliced it open.”
Grange is at home recovering now, something he said was first on his mind.
Marion Ali
“What was going through your mind?”
Howell Grange
“Getting home to my family, getting home to my family, that was playing through my mind. That’s all I wanted.”
Captain Grange endured ten stab wounds, each narrowly missing vital vessels that could have been fatal. He now looks forward to a full recovery and hopes to return to the pilot’s seat one day. Marion Ali for News Five.
