Selvin Ismael Ramos has been charged with the murder of Eladio Samael Ramos.
It happened on Sunday in Independence Village. According to the police, the Ramos brothers were engaged in a fight when Selvin shot and killed his brother Eladio with an unlicensed firearm.
ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander of the Eastern Division, explained the situation: “On Sunday, May 26th, 2024, police responded to a report at the Independence Polyclinic. Upon their arrival, they found the lifeless body of Eladio Ramos, who had suffered a gunshot wound. The investigation revealed that Eladio had a fight with his brother Selvin, who then retrieved a shotgun and fired the fatal shot. Selvin Ramos is in custody, statements are being recorded, and the matter will be sent to the DPP for directives.”
In Independence Village on Sunday, an argument between two siblings ended when one brother fired a shotgun at the other, fatally injuring him. According to police, the Ramos brothers were engaged in a fight when Eladio was shot and killed at the hands of his sibling. Sevin Ramos remains in police custody tonight, while directives on the charges to be brought against are being decided by the Office of the D.P.P. The incident involving fratricide was carried out with an unlicensed firearm.
“On Sunday, May twenty-sixth, 2024, police responded to a report at the Independence Polyclinic. Upon their arrival, they saw the lifeless body of Eladio Ramos and he was seen with a gunshot injury. Investigation revealed that Eladio Ramos had a fight with his brother Sevin Ramos who got a shotgun and fired the fatal shot towards him. Sevin Ramos is in custody, statements were being recorded and this matter will be sent to the D.P.P. for directives.”
Reporter
Any idea what may have led this man to fatally shooting his brother?
Hilberto Romero
“They were involved in a fight, they had some issues and that is what led to the shooting.”
Reporter
“You don’t know what the issues stemmed from?”
Hilberto Romero
“No, they were arguing and then one of them got the shotgun and fired the shot.”
Belizean music promoter Cyril Uruwei is entering the political arena and intends to challenge incumbent Area Representative Doctor Louis Zabaneh in the Dangriga constituency. Shortly before noon today, Uruwei made his way over to the People’s United Party’s headquarters at Independence Hall where he submitted an application to run against Doctor Zabaneh in that division. According to Uruwei, his foray into electoral politics is the result of a lack of development in his hometown.
Cyril Uruwei
Cyril Uruwei, Aspiring Candidate, P.U.P.
“I was born and raised in Dangriga. I’ve never really thought about going, getting into politics, especially at this level, but Dangriga has been downtrodden for too, too long. There are so many things that we need that we haven’t been getting. We have so many talented youths, we have Hubee, we have Supa G. Most of the ones that make it out of Dangriga da outta dehn own mind, outta dehn own creativity. If we have more opportunities, if we have our representative going to speak for us and ask for us, on our behalf, we can do a lot more in Dangriga. So, I have experienced firsthand the current area rep and I am dissatisfied, Dangriga is dissatisfied, so that’s what moved me to come to this juncture.”
Isani Cayetano
“You have submitted an application to run in a convention against Dr. Louis Zabaneh. Talk to us about the confidence that you have in this particular political endeavor.”
Cyril Uruwei
“I am self-made, self-made. Ever since high school and, for the record, the farthest education I have is high school. I have spent all my life in self-development. I’m a digital marketer, I’m a five-hundred hours certified yoga teacher, I am well read and I love people and love Dangriga. I have a passion for my people, for my culture and I don’t see that in Louis [Zabaneh].”
This afternoon, Doctor Zabaneh also spoke with News Five regarding the challenge and provided and update on the works that have been taking place in his constituency. Zabaneh has been in office since November 2020 when he was elected under the People’s United Party.
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Area Representative, Dangriga
“Our party has a mechanism in place and the Prime Minister and the party chairman opened up the period for persons to apply which I believe closes today. But at the end of the day, I can speak to the things that I have worked on, the things that I went through when I had to apply for the first time and I believe I brought to the table over thirty years combined work experience, academic achievement and that is what I presented to the people, I said based on this background that is here, that I am sharing with you, that you all are able to go and verify, I would like the opportunity to serve the people of Dangriga constituency and I was very humble and honored to have been accepted to do so.”
Isani Cayetano
“Dr. Zabaneh, as area representative for Dangriga, how would you respond to the criticism that some would say you seem to be disconnected from those on the ground, in terms of being able to provide the services that the constituency needs?”
Louis Zabaneh
“If you go and talk to the people of Dangriga you would find that that’s not the case. On the contrary, you would see me very active in the community. Being a minister of state in government also means that I have those responsibilities, so it’s not everyday that I can be in the constituency itself. people on the ground are able to see what has been achieved. I’ve worked very hard in various areas based on the promises I’ve made, the areas of priority that I was guided by the people to do, education, we’ve done quite a bit in that area. Besides Plan Belize that has free education now and we have Delille [Academy] and we have ANRI under that program. We’ve done over five hundred scholarships, preschool all the way to university and we’ve also brought ANRI to life again, it was dormant. We’ve also brought the ITVET back to life again. We also have the infrastructure. For the first time, Dangriga has seen in a short period of time, coming from central government, eighteen streets and these are not short streets, long streets that have been paved. The villages, we have Hope Creek and we have Sarawee, for the first time they have paved streets, we’re working on their sporting facilities, for example.”
In early February, the Government of Belize ordered a suspension of the dredging operations being conducted at Angelfish Caye by the company Angelfish Caye LLC. The island, popularly known as the Will Bauer Flats, is located off the coast of Placencia. This suspension order came because of the protest made by the fly fishermen on the island who say that that their livelihood depends on being able to catch bonefish in that area. However, recently, the suspension was lifted, once again, sparking outrage from the fly-fishing community. Area representative Rodwell Ferguson, of Stann Creek West, was asked what is being done about the situation. Here is his response.
Rodwell Ferguson
Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West
“I don’t even know who is Angel Fish, I think, the name of the organization. And again, the Fishermen, because I’m the area rep, contacted me about two or three years ago and said we are not satisfied with the dredging of the area because they have filled up a shovel with material right from the seabed, which is a fly fishing area. It came up in cabinet yesterday, and I think cabinet will have to enforce and give a notice to the Department of Environment to put a hold into this thing until we can satisfy that what they are doing is the right thing. And the fly fishers are appreciative and accept what they want to accomplish. What was suggested that they can maybe move their material from a further distance to that location if they want to fill to do some development Because at the same time we cannot stop development.”
The Placencia Polyclinic is finally open for business, and it is a welcome change for residents of the peninsula who, for years, have had to travel elsewhere to receive emergency medical attention. The clinic was built through the efforts of the Belize Tourism Board and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The Government of Belize recognized the need to provide better healthcare services to residents of Stann Creek District. It also ensured that one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations is now equipped with the necessary facilities to encourage longer stays. News Five’s Britney Gordon was on hand for the opening ceremony has that story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
For many years, residents of Placencia have had to journey by boat or land to receive emergency medical care in Independence Village. That inconvenience is now a thing of the past, as the Placencia Polyclinic was finally inaugurated this morning. Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, told us about the culmination of this project.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Heath & Wellness
“This initiative started ever since we got elected. Minister Ferguson had reached out to Minister Mahler and quickly to the Ministry of Tourism and BTB support, we were able to get this facility going. You will understand, as well, that a lot of the medical equipment was also contributed to the foundation, the Heineman Foundation and we also got some of the contribution from the recent donation that we got from Mister and Misses Lord that was handed over at that ceremony at KHMH. So some of the beds and so forth was also placed here. So it’s a joint effort.”
Construction of the clinic was made possible through a partnership between the BTB and the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Minister of Tourism, Anthony Mahler said that upgrades to various resources across Belize is an integral part of developing the tourism sector.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“If you really look into the infrastructure needed to support the tourism industry, health is one of them. Electricity is another, water, security, road infrastructure, all of those things. All of those things play an important role in making a premier destination available to people from all across the world and within Belize. And when we look at the growth rate happening On the Placencia peninsula and there was no polyclinic or hospital facility to the level that we think it should be. Then we partnered with a Norwegian from out of Harvester to build this facility here.”
Approximately three million dollars was invested in the clinic and there are plans for future expansion. According to Bernard, the clinic is still waiting for additional equipment to be delivered.
Kevin Bernard
“I can guarantee you that within no time this facility will have everything fully functional. As notice there’s an x ray room. We don’t have a radiologist here. We’re working on trying to get radiologists. That’s a big area where we need, where we’re seeing in terms of the health gaps, where we need more radiologists in the country. And so in finding people who are willing to come to the, to these areas to work is what we are faced with. But however, we are working very hard to do we are making sure that at least the major service, the main services that needs to be offered at the facility is be able to offer it. But as in terms of your question, in terms of making sure equipments, the equipments and medical equipments are available, we already identify what equipment’s are to be here. And those are the ones that we have earmarked to come this way.”
The clinic offers an array of services, including maternity and childcare, an asthma bay and a pharmacy. An ambulance was also donated to the clinic. In the event of an emergency, the clinic is also equipped with a generator and water reserves. Stann Creek West representative, Rodwell Ferguson, said that this clinic was long overdue.
Rodwell Ferguson
Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West
“This is a milestone for the entire Pacific Peninsula because it’s a major tourist destination. And then even likewise the locals, it have maybe about maybe three thousand to five thousand people in the peninsula all together and when there is a major health issue, the closest place is Independence. If you don’t have a boat, you can’t go across the lagoon. You have to drive all the way around to reach Independence or Dangriga. So this by itself might save lives. I’m hopeful that within the next six months, staff this building to be able to satisfy the need of the people of the percentage of peninsula, including person that’s in Placencia, Seine Bight, and Riversdale.”
In order to match the service provided by the Independence Polyclinic, this facility plans to offer twenty-four seven medical care. Minister Bernard told us that housing is currently in the works for doctors and nurses.
Kevin Bernard
“We know that one of the major challenge that have always been in terms of the doctors having a doctor’s station in, in Placencia Peninsula. Was always a critical issue. And so we are working on that as well to see if we could get the previous facility renovated so we could house the doctors there, that way doctors can be here available twenty-four seven. Of course, this will be a twenty-four hour facility and provide continuous service, emergency service, routine checkups other specialized care when the doctor come in.”
The first consultation in this phase will take place next Monday night in Dangriga. Mayor of Dangriga, Robert Mariano told News Five that the boundary for that municipality will be very close to Sarawee Village. The town, he mentioned, is also expanding in other areas. He explains.
Robert Mariano, Mayor, Dangriga
“The only nearby village is Sarawee Village and in the first and second consultation meeting, Sarawee was present and they don’t have an issue with Dangriga will reach near the village. And so we are not having any issues at all with any of the nearby villages as to where Dangriga will reach.”
Marion Ali
“Before the municipal election, you had told me that there was an entire community that’s being developed.”
Robert Mariano
“Yes, that is near mile three. We have a new community that is building up in that area. That is near the exact border. The border will pass that area, but that will be now inside Dangriga. Dangriga will be expanding. From the Stann Creek Valley Road, remember it is at mile two and now we’ll be going at mile three and a half. So Dangriga will be expanding in that area. And also on the San Jose Road, Dangriga should be expanded by nearly two miles, and also on the Commerce Bight Road. It should be expanded by two miles as well.”
A pair of fisherman, both residents of Dangriga, has been arrested and charged for the murder of Delroy Menzies. As we reported on Friday, Menzies, who recently relocated to Dangriga from Belize City, was shot and killed while socializing at the Kulcha Kitchen on February twenty-second. On Saturday, twenty-eight-year-old Egbert Martinez and twenty-one-year-old Maxwell Ventura were charged jointly for the deadly shooting. Here’s more from the Belize Police Department.
“On Thursday, February twenty-second, around 9:20 p.m., police responded to a shooting incident at Plum Street in Dangriga. Upon their arrival, they found the body of Delroy Menzies, thirty-two years old. He was taken to the hospital where he was to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. [An] investigation revealed that Delroy Menzies was at a veranda, at a business place, at a location when a male person came and fired shots towards his direction, causing his fatal injuries. Two persons are in custody awaiting charges in regards to this murder.”
One man is dead following a shooting in Dangriga. Thirty-three-year-old Delroy Menzies relocated from Belize City to Dangriga five years ago. In October, he moved into the area where he was killed, along with his partner. On Thursday night, Menzies, his partner and a close friend of his were at Kulcha Kitchen on Plum Street. That is where they spent most evenings socializing. But, on Thursday night the unexpected happened. A gunman walked up to Menzies outside the business establishment and shot him in cold blood. Tonight, family and friends of the deceased are reeling from the loss, as they try to put together the pieces. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Thirty-two-year-old Delroy Menzies, a father of one, lost his life to gunshot injuries he sustained on Thursday night while socializing. Menzies, his partner and the owner of Kulcha Kitchen were sitting down outside the establishment, as they do daily, when a gunman approached them. He opened fire and an injured Menzies fell to the ground.
Voice of: Friend
Voice of: Friend of the Deceased
“I was outside and Delly and my cousin which is his girlfriend and someone came to order a food and I get up go inside to get the food and as I reach inside I hear three gunshot and when I came outside, my cousin mih the bawl and I noticed that Delly get shot. So I called nine one one, I called the police.”
We spoke with Menzies’ cousin off camera. She told us the family is still without a clear picture of what transpired on Thursday night outside Kulcha Kitchen.
Voice of: Cousin
Voice of: Cousin of Deceased
“We try to put the pieces together because nobody gets the true picture as yet.
Somebody call and tell we what happened so up to now the police still nuh she nothing, suh we just have to go by what the police the do. It is very hard and it hurt very bad because it puts pain in everybody heart, not lonely his mother but everybody who loves and respects him and the community itself.”
Shortly before the gunman approached Menzies, a group of men drove past and uttered some words at him. But, his friend says that they didn’t sense any danger from those comments.
Voice of: Friend of Deceased
“Yes I mih the yah and a vehicle just pass and she hold your gial tight and that is it. I ask dah who and he said he doesn’t know who it is. I don’t know who it is, so we don’t know.”
Paul Lopez
“When you heard that and heard remarks coming from that vehicle that didn’t raise any suspicions from you at the time?”
Voice of: Friend of Deceased
“No because we nuh the think nothing. We just sit down and continue talk. We nuh the think nothing, he nuh the think nothing, cause he she he nuh know dah who. So we nuh the think nothing like that.”
During our interview with Menzies’ friend, a police mobile drove by with two men in the pan of the vehicle. News Five confirmed that the men are persons of interest in Menzies’ murder.
Voice of: Friend of Deceased
“The body was on the ground for like two hours and change and the police didn’t want anybody to take him to the hospital and everybody the ask take the man to hospital. Deh she deh cant touch the body, nobody could take ah dah hospital. We deh ask well, if yo lef wah person fuh dead, if dah unu, you mih wah want deh ker yo dah hospital right?”
In Dangriga, we heard from incumbent Mayor, Robert Mariano who is seeking a second term in office under the People’s United Party. Mariano and his slate were officially nominated today in that municipality. We also heard from the United Democratic Party’s Mayoral Candidate, Alex Lucas who was also officially nominated today along with his slate. Here is what they told us.
Robert Mariano
Robert Mariano, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate, Dangriga
“As you know we are coming out for nomination day and as you can see we have so much of our supporters who have turned out already to give me that support for nomination day. We will be having the Sweet Pain Band who will be backing us up all the way to Town Hall and from Town Hall we go to drums of our fathers and back to the party hall where we will be having a small social among our supporters and then we end one thirty pm.”
Alex Lucas
Alex Lucas, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Dangriga
“I am offering myself because we have a lot of work to do in beautiful Dangriga. WE need proper streets, proper drainage, we need assistance for tuition for students. We need elderly care, feeding programs in our school because kids are going to school hungry. We need employment opportunities for our youths. People are graduating and don’t have a job. We need to invite entrepreneurs and business people to Dangriga so we can improve our way of life in Dangriga.”
