2024-02-20 - Channel 5 Belize

Santander Employee Loses Life In Freak Accident While on Duty

A Santander employee died in a freak accident on Saturday while working on a cage that the company uses to transport sugarcane. Police reports are that Anastacio Vasquez, an employee of Santander for eight years, was repairing a tire on the machine when the cage slipped off and fell on him. He died on the scene. Santander says it spoke with the employees that were in the immediate area. Those employees informed management of the sequence of events that led to Vasquez’s unfortunate demise. We spoke over the phone with Beverly Burke, the PR Manager at Santander, who informed us that the company is still reeling from Vasquez’s death. She says Vasquez was executing a task that he has done countless times during his time of employment there.

On the phone: Beverly Burke, PR Manager, Santander Sugar Group

“Very sad time for us here at Santander, Mr. Vasquez has been with us for a total of eight and a half years, a long standing excellent worker for us. He worked for us initially as welder, his profession a mechanic. So, what transpired on Saturday night was we had one of the cages we transport sugarcane in, the tire went out and they jacked it up to make the necessary repairs. Mr. Vasquez went to the side of the cage to retrieve a tool and in so doing his assistant shouted to him that it was slipping and as opposed to, the direction he took was in the same direction where the cage was slipping and unfortunately it toppled over and crushed him.”

Paul Lopez

“Is this something that, in the company’s view warrants some sort of investigation?”

On the phone: Beverly Burke

“What we did was that immediately we were called and I informed the authorities within the jurisdiction. We came to the location and they did their investigation and we chalk it up to an unfortunate situation, I don’t know. It is one of those accidents that you are left with your jaw dropped thinking how did this even happen. I mean, we would classify it as a freak accident. These are stuff they work with all the time. The terrain we harvest through there are often times tires you have to change out and stuff like that so these stuff are jacked up often, tires are changed and they go about their normal scope of work. So it still is very much hard to process.”

Chinese Businessman Remanded for Shooting Customer

Twenty-nine-year-old Wenjing Lei, a Chinese businessman, appeared before a Senior Magistrate earlier today where he was read two criminal offenses, including one count of use of deadly means of harm and one count of wounding. It is alleged that on February eighteenth, Reno Castillo was standing in front of Guan Fa Store along with another individual when an argument ensued between Castillo and the shopkeeper. According to the welder, during the exchange of words between himself and the grocer, Wenjing Lei, who was inside his uncle’s place of business, produced a firearm and fired a single shot which caught him in the foot. In court this morning, attorney Richard ‘Dickie’ Bradley appeared on Lei’s behalf, where he informed the court that the virtual complainant was present to address the matter. The Senior Magistrate explained that there was no such instruction to the court and briefly adjourned the matter. This afternoon, Lei’s attorney did not return to court and his client was subsequently told that since the allegation made against him involved the use of a firearm, he would not be granted bail. With that, Lei was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until March first, 2024. We understand that Castillo has provided an additional statement to police in which he requested no further court action, however, that information has not been forwarded to the court.

Psychiatric Evaluation Ordered for American National

An American National is to undergo a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation in order to have her plea taken in court. She is thirty-eight-year-old Adeola Lara Ade-Ekisola, who was brought to court after allegedly assaulting a police officer. The mother of three appeared in court this morning where she had to be forcibly restrained for her safety and that of the others in the room during her arraignment. According to Ade-Ekisola, she is currently unhoused in Belize. She also stated that she is fearful of returning to the U.S. because of a threat to her life there and is seeking refuge in Belize. She demanded to speak to the U.S. Embassy to which the magistrate stated that they will be making contact on her behalf. Not much more could be made out from her statement, as they verged on incoherent. The court ordered that she undergo the evaluation as she in unable to give a plea. Until then, she has been remanded to Belize Central Prison.

CCJ Dismisses Appeal in Wilfred Elrington Vs Progresso Heights Limited

Today, the Caribbean Court of Justice handed down a ruling upholding the Court of Appeal’s decision in the matter between former Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington and Progresso Heights Limited. Just over a decade ago, Elrington as a shareholder in Progresso Heights Limited, visited the Lands Department and filed cautions on one hundred parcels of land that the directors were attempting to sell. This is after Elrington and the directors had a falling out. Progresso Heights Limited then brought a lawsuit against Elrington to have the cautions lifted. In 2019, the High Court ruled in favor of Progresso Heights Limited and awarded them over three hundred thousand dollars in damages. Elrington then appealed the matter at the Court of Appeal. The appeal was dismissed and the order of the trial judge was affirmed. Elrington then took the matter to the Caribbean Court of Justice to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision. The CCJ came to the conclusion that there was no need to interfere with the decision of the Court of Appeal. Here is that decision.

Justice Maureen Rajnauth- Lee, Caribbean Court of Justice

“The court held that there was no reason to interfere with the view expressed by the Court of Appeal, that the question of whether the claim was legitimately brought by the company did not arise on the pleadings and was therefore not an issue. It has not been disputed that that issue was never raised in the appellant’s defense. In addition, the appellant did not seek to strike out the claim brought by the company. Further, the appellant did not seek to appeal the trial judge’s ruling, granting the company application to permit Mr. L Schneider’s evidence to be given at the trial by video link, even though the trial judge had accepted by that ruling Mr. L Schneider had the requisite authority to make that witness statement. The court also observed that the appellant made no application to amend his defense to ledge that the company’s claim had been brought without the requisite authority despite the strong objections by counsel for the company during the cross examination of Mr. L Schneider on that issue. Following these judgments, the appeal was dismissed, the orders of the Court of Appeal was affirmed and it was ordered that the appellant pay to the respondent cost of this appeal as agreed to by the parties.”

Belize High School Lawyers Up Amidst Jamie Usher Termination

It has been six days since the Board of Governors at Belize High School took a decision to terminate former Principal Jamie Usher. But, is the school prepared to settle with Usher for alleged damages as a result of her termination? News Five is in possession of a leaked letter that was furnished to all board members on February sixteenth. The letter was written by Barrow and Williams LLP and signed by Dean Barrow, acting on behalf of Jamie Usher, their client. In the leaked letter, Barrow suggests that his client is entitled to a substantial damages award and would prefer not to litigate. News Five understands that Belize High School has scheduled a meeting with parents for Wednesday to discuss these developments. And today, the school issued a press release denying suggestions made by the United Women’s Group that the termination was based on issues of gender. In its release, the school state, “Neither is the issue about women being supported in leadership positions, and, as testament to this, the interim principal is another female leader at the school. It regrets that UWG, a political organization, would take a stance on an internal private matter without knowing the facts”. The school has also sought the services of attorney Audrey Matura. When we spoke with her today, she was not at liberty to share any details in relation to a legal challenge. She noted that the school is preparing to meet with parents and that the matter will first be discussed with them. She did however expound on the school’s latest press release.

Audrey Matura, Attorney

“It is only the United Women’s Group from the PUP that has said it is a gender issue, absolutely not. As a matter of fact, BES and BHS would not survive if it was not for all the women who are leaders there in the classroom, even the principal, administration, the women outnumber the men. Definitely it is not a gender issue. I can tell you it is a deeper issue than that. It is a pity that is a red herring and it has taken a political slant but like I say it is a private company and we would have preferred the matter stay in house. But I can categorically say that it is not a gender issue.”

Paul Lopez

“Are you able to speak whether from a legal or parent perspective what those deeper issues might be?”

Audrey Matura

“Now you wanted to know what are the deeper issues, again speaking legally, under the Labor Act, if you terminate someone with reasons and if that reason amounts to gross misconduct and like matters it simply means you are telling the person they have to leave now, you get no severance, especially if you work for more than five or ten years there is something for you to get. You get your notice pay only and your salary and your vacation pay. Your severance is usually your package. So I think the best way to put that is what is the lawful and legal position, that the high school acted in the law and whatever internal matters as juicy as it may be and people dying to hear, the board has taken a very professional stand saying the interest of the children comes first and putting their dirty laundry out there will help.”

Belize High School Regrets Political Spin Termination Took On

Matura further noted that Belize High School regrets that Jamie Usher’s termination has become an issue in the public domain. She says it is also regrettable that the matter has taken on a political spin, when asked if the board considered the fact that Usher is the wife of a prominent P.U.P. Minister. Here is what she told us.

Audrey Matura, Attorney

“Isn’t that minister the Minister of Public Service; it is so ironic how life can be. As the school it is very regrettable that this even made news. And you notice, it took us a week later to response and our response is as best as possible and reasonable and rational one to allay the concerns of any parents who don’t know the details, two to assure the teachers that their job is secure, the reputation of the school we are doing everything to protect it and to assure the students that their academic program will continue. So it is very regrettable. However you mentioned that it took a political spin. Of all people, the minister responsible for public service knows very well about hiring and firing. The government is well known for that. And, if anyone could look at the situation and would know the details they would know that to operate under the law as the board did and to terminate under section 37 was the best option at the time.”

Audrey Matura the Parent On Former B.H.S. Principal

Not only is Matura now the attorney representing Belize High School, she is also a parent at the private institution. As a parent, Matura spoke a bit more candidly about her experience with the former principal. Here is what she told us.

Audrey Matura, B.H.S. Parent

“Whatever miss Usher did as a leader, whatever passion she had, whatever work she did, that is the work she did. Nobody can take that away. So my personal objective and the objective o the board and members and staff is not discredit anyone as a professional. As a parent, my ultimate concern was that on the fourteenth of February Ms Usher sent out an email to all of us parents, she had been communicating to us parents before, parents of students going away on these trips that represent the school and my only regret was that on that on that morning when I woke up she had sent an email to me and all the other parents and unfortunately she made a decision to copy my child and all the other children in that email. I am speaking here as a parent now. I thought that was most inappropriate. There are certain things in that email I believe was confidential and certain things my child should have never read. I don’t believe that when adults have differences you bring in the child. I do a lot of family matters and as a parent I can tell you that I think it is most inappropriate to drag children through the battles of adults. For me, that could not fly.”

What’s the Delay with Port Loyola Recall Petitions?

Former Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez called another press conference today, a little over a month after delivering a sheaf of signed petitions to the Governor General back in January to trigger a recall referendum. Martinez is seeking to have the voters of Port Loyola recall Gilroy Usher’s seat in the House of Representatives via a referendum. But he is disheartened that several weeks have gone by and he is yet to get a formal response from the Governor General, despite what he believes are legitimate signatures that satisfy the requirement to trigger the recall mechanism.

Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Former Area Rep, Port Loyola

“I am very disappointed in terms of what has transpired. The petition was delivered on the sixteenth of January, 2024, and as the law allows the governor general to pass it to the Chief Elections Officer forthwith. Upon checking on Friday, well from Thursday, I called the Office of the Governor General and said to the secretary that I believe by law that the answer should be forthcoming by tomorrow which was the sixteenth, Friday, the sixteenth. Friday morning, I called and the secretary’s response was that let her check. After waiting on the phone for like two minutes, she came back and said no response. I called again about minutes to three that afternoon and it was the same thing, no response. So I tend to mean say, the month should expire, in my view, checking with attorneys and so, with attorney, Mr. Dean Barrow. Dean Barrow said, probably, it could mean the sixteenth is up to twelve o’clock Friday night. Fair. I called yesterday morning, no response back from Elections and Boundaries. That is the answer I get. Called this morning again and no response back.”

Boots Asks, “What’s the Hold Up With Referendum Petitions?”

According to Martinez, he attempted to get an update on the status of the petitions through the vice chairman of the United Democratic Party who sits on the Elections and Boundaries Commission.

Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, Former Area Rep, Port Loyola

“Through the representative of the UDP on the commission, Mr. Alberto August, he tried to intervene and being on the commission, to ask the commission and the Chief Elections Officer about the petition. And, rightfully so, she said she had no comment on the petition but referred the answers about the petition back to the governor general which, in my view, by law the governor general, now I don‘t know why or what is causing the stalling. I don‘t know if the Chief Elections Officer has gotten the petition. I don‘t know what is the situation but I noh di get no answer and at least you should get answers from the head of the stream, as the law allows for the timeframe. And so, I don‘t know the interpretation or the meaning of the word, in terms of the governor general, forthwith and I don‘t know what it means when you say you could be less than a month but not more than a month fi verify the signature. I don‘t know where the bottleneck is and it raises concerns, especially to the people of Port Loyola. We have checked around and spoke with Senior Counsel Dean Barrow to see the challenge that exists. One thing I want to make clear, you know, is that I, in dealing with this petition, I was very wary and careful of all the steps I was following in the law because like what I said to the governor general when I delivered the petition on the sixteenth of January. There is an old saying that was said to me by my old boss, Mr. Barrow, ’Have trust in God, but still tie your camel.” And that is what, to me, that old phrase comes to roost today.”

BMDC Refutes Price Gouging Claims Made in Political Ads

Is the Belize Marketing and Development Corporation (BMDC) unduly marking up prices on agricultural produce they supply to wholesalers? A recently released political ad claims that the statutory body is placing a sixty to three hundred percent price markup on imported produce such as potatoes, lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli. The ad alleges that a group of P.U.P. cronies are collecting up to two hundred thousand dollars weekly as a result of these markups. BMDC was established under the Ministry of Agriculture with a mandate to ensure food security and affordable prices among other objectives. So, we reached out to the administrator at the BMDC, Valentin Carillo, to find out if there is any truth to the claims being made in the ad. Here is what he had to say.

Valentin Carrillo, Administrator, BMDC

“I saw the ad and I saw that they have a price quotation in the ad and certain Mexican commodity has a certain price. First of all I would like to explain that it is not as easy as the people might think that we just go buy, bring it over and sell it. If they see and article or a product in Chetumal for let’s say twenty-two pesos, we come bring it twenty-two pesos is about three dollars, we come and we sell it for three-twenties for instance. That is not how it works. Let me explain a little, for example let us say for onion which is one of our strong commodities, we have been offered onions for twenty-two pesos a kilo. We cannot buy those onions. The onions we bought are almost double the price. For various reasons, because twenty-two pesos is the one they contraband and move cross the border, but the one we buy has to meet certain standards if not BAHA won’t allow us to bring it in. The one at twenty-two pesos, the conditions and the quality is inferior and as soon as it reaches here our wholesaler will complained which has happened with certain commodities. So these are things we need to be careful if you notice right now, I got a price quotation from Cheduarea. The price of a kilo of onion, similar to what we import is up to fifty-nine pesos. And if you go in the market at Chetumal, the regular market where the inferior quality is, you can find it for twenty-two pesos, even twenty-five. Those we need to be mindful. We cannot bring those commodities. Similarly, the broccoli which was in scrutiny also, the ones we import is especially placed in garbage, the black bag, filled with shaved ice so that they can be transported across the border and meet certain standards.”