A Mennonite farmer was arraigned on a single charge of murder when he appeared in the lower court in Belize City this morning. The victim, thirty-three-year-old Alexander Viamill, was reportedly engaged in a physical altercation with David Friesen when he was apparently strangled to death with a charging cable. The arrest of twenty-eight-year-old Friesen follows the discovery of Viamill’s body near a bus shed in Corozalito Village last Wednesday. Ladyville police were responding to a missing person’s report for Viamill and, while searching for him, happened upon his body a short distance from the roadside. An investigation revealed that on February seventeenth, Viamill attended a dance in Maskall Village and, upon leaving the event, was said to be heavily intoxicated. He was reportedly in Friesen’s company. Earlier today, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero provided a few additional details on the incident.
“On Wednesday, February twenty-first, police responded to a report at Corozalito Village in the Belize District, that the body of a male person had been found. Police visited the area where they found the lifeless body of Alexander Viamil with injuries to the neck and face. He was taken to the KHMH where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigation revealed that Alexander Viamil was last seen a couple days before Wednesday and was reported missing the day before. Police conducted an investigation and a post mortem examination was conducted on him and the results were handed to the investigator. As a result, David Friesen, twenty-eight-years old Belizean farmer of Corozalito has been arrested and charged for the crime of murder.”
Reporter
“Has Friesen related to the police why?”
Hilberto Romero
“The investigation revealed that they were involved in a fight, at which point Viamil received injuries which caused his death.”
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.”
An altercation at Starz Nightclub in Belmopan in the early hours of Saturday morning, ended with Belmopan resident Leon Hoare suffering from injuries he received after being shot. The incident happened in the Las Flores community where Hoare, a thirty-eight-year-old construction worker, was socializing at the establishment when he got into a misunderstanding with an unnamed individual. He left for home shortly thereafter and, upon arriving at his residence, was accosted and fired upon. Hoare reportedly ran inside his house and called the police. Despite receiving non-life-threatening injuries, the victim is refusing to cooperate with the police investigation.
“On Saturday, February twenty-fourth, around 2:45 a.m., Belmopan police visited an area at Las Flores, in Belmopan, where they found Leon Hoare with gunshot injuries. He was taken to the hospital where he was treated. Information was that Leon Hoare was at a nightclub in Belmopan when had an argument with some persons. Thereafter, he went home and that is where he was shot. Leon Hoare was treated and he has since been released from the hospital. [An] investigation into this report continues.”
Reporter
“Is he cooperating with police?”
Hilberto Romero
“No, he is not cooperating.”
Reporter
“Any suspects at this time?”
Hilberto Romero
“Not at this time. No.”
Reporter
“A possible motive?”
Hilberto Romero
“There was an argument at a nightclub before the shooting.”
The twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena are striving to stay on top of tourist activity with the addition of new park and boardwalk near the Macal River. Today, a double groundbreaking ceremony was held by the Belize Tourism Board to introduce phase one of the project. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the ceremonies today to learn more about the initiatives. Here’s that story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena are well-known for their luscious foliage and the shining waters of the Macal River separating the two towns. These assets have always been able to attract tourist and locals to the area, but with the addition of a boardwalk and park, the Belize Tourism Board is confident that the area is set to be bustling with activity within the next year. Today, two groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the banks of the Macal River to set into motion, phase one of these endeavors. We caught up with Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler in San Ignacio, who spoke with us about the El Cayo Boardwalk.
Anthony Mahler
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations
“Pretty much it’s just a groundbreaking for the development of this area. I think this is a beautiful era for people to gather and to enjoy the natural assets that Belize has. And we will continue to roll out these projects all across the country. Like I said, in another fifteen or twenty minutes we go over to the other side and do one on Santa Elena. And then on Friday we do in Succotz.”
Mahler explained that the boardwalk project, which he anticipates will be completed within the next eight months, will cost about nine hundred thousand dollars and is to be filled with various amenities for entertainment and leisure.
Anthony Mahler
“I always believe that any project that we do of this nature should create an environment where people could come in and generate a living. So it has to have some kiosks where people can sell their products. Whatever it is, it has to have some area for entertainment. And it has to have some of the basic facilities like bathroom and that type of thing and those are the infrastructural needs that a project like this would come with.”
Partnering in the project was Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, who expressed his excitement for the potential of the boardwalk
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management
“As a project I think it is very beneficial to our community because it will bring some economic activity, but also some entertainment. And it also provides a space for our people to come out, view the river be able to witness sort of on a grand stand, a larger landscape scale whatever is happening on the river, whether it’s sporting events, canoeing, the Ruta Maya and also we plan to have during celebrations, for example, the twenty-first September celebrations, we have our fireworks. We can do the fireworks on a platform in the river where people will be able to view not only the lights up in the sky, but also the reflection on the water and making it so beautiful.”
According to Cayo Central Area Representative, Alex Balona, this park project has been in the works for many years and will be a token of pride for residents of Santa Elena, especially.
Alex Balona
Alex Balona, Area Representative, Cayo Central
“For many years we have wanted to create something along the riverbank of the Macal, on the Santa Elena side. So today, our groundbreaking ceremony for the Santa Elena River Park, marks one of the things that we have in our manifesto. When I visited the people in Cayo Central, this, one of the things they ask for something where they can go and spend time, especially with their families. This here is something that will add to the attractions, the tourist attractions for Santa Elena, and also in the second phase of the project is where we will be creating these booths and stalls where people, small entrepreneurs who are engaged in handicraft can come display their products and sell them to the visitors to our town.”
Balona stated that this project, which costs around seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, is set to be completed within a year and aims to be as environmentally sustainable as possible.
Alex Balona
“The first phase shouldn’t take long because its basically addressing, creating the walk along the river here, having a wall retainer, everything, I want to stress that it is natural the sand, we might be importing some white sand, but the retainer wall, everything is natural because we want as much as create something that is attractive to our tourists, we want to ensure that it is eco friendly as well.”
On February twenty-third, the Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize, FECTAB, held a conference in order to voice complaints about the current state of cruise tourism in Belize. Even though it was reported by the B.T.B. that 2024 is set to be a record breaking year for arrivals, according to the association, local operators are struggling to make even a dollar after a day’s work. Among the complaints were the rising prices of entrance fees for archeological sites. We caught up with Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler for a response to those complaints.
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism & Diaspora Relations
“We’ll have to look into that, seriously. I’ve had conversations with all the vendors, all the people who operate out there, actually in, I believe in December we had a big gathering with them. I sat down and spoke to everybody but we have to be able to raise our game all across the country for us to be able to continue to generate the revenues necessary to sustain yourself and your business and your family. And so I’ll sit down and have a conversation with them. They know that we have an open door policy for them, I think the press conferences that they do is just a gimmick and they’re not serious about what they’re saying.”
Britney Gordon
“So about the concerns of the raise in fare to enter archaeological sites, is there anything being done to address that?”
Anthony Mahler
“In this country we have a tendency to undervalue the natural resources that we have, even our cultural resources. You can’t be charging ten dollars to go into Caracol. It makes absolutely no sense for the growth and development of the site. Most of these things will be passed on to the visitors. And there was a lot of noise about, for a little while, about the departure via the airport. But January was a record breaking month and February is on pace to be a record breaking month for overnight. Now, cruise is lagging a little bit behind because there is need for a docking facility, and I keep saying that. But we’re working on that, and I believe we’ll have some announcements very soon. Hopefully within the next few months.”
Electricity is finally being introduced to two far-flung communities in the Toledo District. Over the weekend, residents of Jalacte and San Vicente entered into an agreement with the Government of Belize to have their communities electrified. The Belize Electricity Limited, LaitUp Belize, and European Union all signed on to the consent agreement. Those documents are necessary to implement any project within the Maya communities in Toledo. News Five’s Paul Lopez tells us more about the electrification project.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Saturday, the Government of Belize signed agreements with residents of Jalacte and San Vicente, under the Free Prior and Informed Consent Protocol. The signing signals the communities’ approval for an electrification project in their villages.
Oscar Requena
Oscar Requena, Minister of Rural Transformation
“Today is an important day because you have met, you have given the permission that you want electricity for you community. You want development for your community and that is why we are here. To celebrate this success.”
During his speech at the event, Minister Oscar Requena addressed reports that the Government of Belize and Maya communities in the Toledo District are at odds.
Oscar Requena
“Now I want to say to you and I have a responsibility to say this to you, recently you have been hearing some pronouncements. You have been hearing people expressing their concerns that oh the government is not supporting the Maya people, the government is not respecting the Maya people, but my friends that is totally contrary to what they are saying. Our presence here today, our presence to work with you and you working with us signifies and solidifies the fact that the people and the Government of Belize are working together. The government respects the Maya people, we are here to support you, you are here to support us so that we can bring development to your community.”
Deshawn Garbutt, the distribution engineer at Belize Electricity Limited, celebrated the signing of the agreement. Garbutt explained that the installation of a mini grid will supply electricity to homes, schools, health posts, and small businesses in both communities.
Deshawn Garbutt
Deshawn Garbutt, Distribution Engineer, B.E.L.
“Today we celebrate a significant milestone that marks a very important step towards ensuring that every household is Jalacte is electrified by the implementation of a mini grid. The journey has its up and down but today we gather here to share a moment of triumph where the village of Jalacte wholeheartedly accepts the project. I must also mention that this is a step forward for our national framework which tend to provide electricity to all underserved communities.”
The first alcaldes of both villages addressed the gathering in Maya. Valentino Shal, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, also highlighted some of the challenges faced by rural communities that are without access to electricity.
Valentino Shal
Valentino Shal, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Rural Transformation
“I grew up in the Toledo district and I have visited Jalacte so many times and one thing that you can always count on is the people of Jalacte works hard. They work hard from early in the morning to late at night to take care of their families, to build their community. But they have always been neglected. They have always been left behind. They don’t have water, they don’t have lights, and they don’t have streets. Those things that every other part of the country enjoys, these villages way close to the border do not enjoy. I know the struggles of people without electricity, because I grew up without electricity. I know the struggles of these children who are unable to use a computer because they don’t have electricity. But children in other towns and districts, they have access to electricity, internet, computers, so you know what happens, they go further ahead and our children have to struggle to catch up.”
The recent construction of a jetty, which extends several hundred feet into the Corozal Bay, has been a cause for concern for residents of the Bay Shore Drive area of Corozal Town. Several residents have voiced their distress over the extent of the environmental impact that a project such as that can have in their community, stating that they have already begun to see a change in the sea immediately next to the site of the construction, leaving residents to wonder, what is being done to rectify the situation. Today, we spoke with Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Disaster Risk Management, Orlando Habet for an answer.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Disaster risk Management
“The owner, the developer makes an application, went through the EIA process and they get environmental clearance. Many times these developers, if you are not behind them on a more frequent basis, they sometimes go beyond what is given on their environmental clearance. So the Department of, Environment has been to look at it. I think they have had conversations with the owner. What I’m told is that part of it is hidden from public view. And so they couldn’t see it until it is already a sizable portion of the development. But they have spoken to the owners that I think they are now retracting a portion of that jetty and so hopefully it will be environmentally sound and it can be mitigated.”
San Ignacio Mayor Earl Trapp is under fire for allegedly circumventing the authority of central government to green light the construction of two soak-aways in the Macal Park. The mayor reportedly granted authorization to Mick Fleming, of Guava Limb Restaurant, to address an improperly constructed septic tank. Well, both the Department of Environment and the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing wrote to Mayor Trapp disapproving his authorization. The DOE, in a letter dated February fifth says “The San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council should have consulted with the DOE on this matter before such permission was granted. The matter could have been jointly investigated and addressed favorably between the DOE, the council, Public Health Department and the Central Building Authority”. DOE noted that it will be addressing the matter with Mr. Fleming to ensure that the use of the public space is not diminished. M.I.D.H. in its letter to Mayor Trapp, dated February first, wrote, “a site visit was conducted… and the inspectors found two soak-aways that were constructed entirely. The contents of your letter are contrary to the Belize Building Act, which only allows the Technical Manager of the San Ignacio/ Santa Elena Unit or the Director of the Central Building Authority to approve such construction”. In a report elsewhere in the media, Mayor Trapp stated that he sees pure political mischief in those letters.
The forty-sixth Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government is underway in Georgetown, Guyana. Belize is being represented by Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca and Chief Executive Officer Amalia Mai. The event commenced on Sunday evening and will conclude on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering of regional leaders was Doctor Carla Barnett, Secretary General of CARICOM.
Dr. Carla Barnett
Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary General, CARICOM
“It is fitting as we continue to celebrate our landmark fiftieth anniversary year and as we did in Trinidad & Tobago in July 2023, that we gather in the home of the four signatories to the original Treaty of Chaguaramas, the framework and compass for our regional integration movement. On behalf of the community, I express heartfelt appreciation to our host and chairman of the conference for all the gracious hospitality he has extended and the excellent arrangements which have set the stage for a very productive three days of work. Excellency, I have now that under your guidance as chairman of the conference and with the support of your colleague heads of government, the secretariat and the regional institutions, the interests of our region will be accelerated. Over the last six months of 2023, our community was ably led by the honorable Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica. We thank him for his unwavering commitment to his role which has brought tangible results for our member state. At the same time, we warmly welcome the honorable Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, to the bureau of the conference and look forward to his robust involvement in advancing the interest of the community.”
Performing at the opening of the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting was the Garifuna Collective. The critically acclaimed band joined several other singers, drummers and dancers from across the Caribbean on stage as they presented various cultural performances. Here’s a snippet from the cultural presentation featuring the Garifuna Collective.
