And following his brief interaction with protestors in front of the Assembly Building, reporters asked PM Briceño why there was no resolution to their demands over the last year. And, as he told them, unless the matter is withdrawn from the courts, his hands remain tied. He did, however, commit to meet with them immediately after the upcoming Easter break.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“These people are standing up for their own right. It is their money and we believe that we also have a responsibility to respond to their concerns. So what we will do is have a meeting after the Easter holiday, myself along with the attorney general, minister usher and we are going to go through the steps to windup the trust.”
Reporter
“They were here last year sir.”
Prime Minister John Briceno
“I know, and we had them do that but what I was explaining to them, it is in court and unless the persons who took them to court withdraws that then there is nothing we can do. We want to talk to them and come up with a plan. I promise them to take my time and sit down with them to come up with a plan of action so they could get what they want.”
The Belize Police Department recognized a trio of outstanding female police officers this morning, here in Belize City. As part of Women’s Month, the officers were formally acknowledged by the leadership of the police department for the respective roles that they play in community development and law enforcement. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with that story.
Carmella Cacho
Cpl. Carmella Cacho, Award Recipient
“It’s been a great journey being a police officer. I’ve always wanted to work in my community and serve the people of Belize. So I find that being a police officer is rewarding and it is allowing me to accomplish the goal that I have set for myself.”
It is important to emphasize the significance of gender equality and the recognition of women’s roles and achievements within law enforcement. At the Belize Police Department, three female officers were formally acknowledged earlier today by the brass, including Commissioner of Police Chester Williams.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We have come a very long way in terms of making sure that we do recognize the hard work and importance that women play in law enforcement. If you look at the rank structure of the department, we have two women in the higher echelon at the Assistant Commissioner [of Police] level and, more so, one of them is currently acting in the capacity of a DCP and then below them, we do have a number of other women police officers who are up there in rank and are right behind, following.”
A police department that includes both men and women benefits from diverse perspectives, skills and problem-solving approaches. Women bring unique insights and experiences that enhance the overall operational effectiveness of law enforcement. This hasn’t always been the case at BPD, where women can be there own worst enemies.
Carmella Cacho
“Well you know, eena every environment, working with female police officers is also sometimes challenging, but I find that we get together well and I communicate with everyone and I believe that everyone communicates with me.”
Corporal Carmella Cacho is an award recipient who is being recognized by her colleagues during this year’s celebration of Women’s Month. Women leaders in law enforcement have shattered glass ceilings, proving that gender should not limit career advancement. Their accomplishments inspire others and demonstrate that leadership roles are attainable for all.
Chester Williams
“From time immemorial, we have seen that women have been stifled. That is the truth, and when I became Commissioner of Police I said that, you know, we have to be fair to the women because sometimes we look at the women as only persons who can do secretarial work. “Di boss want a cup ah coffee, gimme a coffee.” “The place needs to be swept, sweep the place.” That’s not the role of a woman in law enforcement. When a woman decides to join the police, she decided to be a law enforcement officer, not a domestic worker. So we have to ensure that within the workspace we make that clear distinction that they are women in law enforcement and not domestic worker.”
Despite the commissioner’s best effort, sexism and gender bias remain a prevailing culture within the police department where promotions and assignments are concerned. For Corporal Cacho, it’s simply a matter of remaining positive and focused on career development.
Carmella Cacho
“I just always try to remain positive in everything that I do. I pray every day and give God thanks fi always be my guiding light eena everything that I do.”
When women are involved in policing, incidents of violence and aggression tend to decrease. This directly impacts public safety, as well as the wellbeing of both officers and citizens, as studies indicate that women officers are less likely to use excessive force or be accused of it.
Chester Williams
“For the first time, we had a woman as the head of Special Branch, that was Ms. Bodden, and as much as there was so many rumbling when she took over, “Oh, she has no Special Branch experience.” She is this, she is that, all sorts of things, Ms. Bodden went to Special Branch and she performed exceptionally as head of Special Branch. She now moved on to Commander of Administration and again, she has picked up the ball and she is rolling with the ball and is doing exceedingly well.”
Gender equality is not just a matter of fairness; it directly impacts the effectiveness of the police department, community relations, and overall safety. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
Today, the Belize Defense Force held a women’s symposium in conjunction with International Women’s Month. The ceremony included a guard of honour for Governor-General Froyla Tzalam. Today, the accomplishments of the top female achievers in the B.D.F. were highlighted and the campaign for gender-equality in the military was underscored. For Brigadier-General Azariel Loria, the contributions, successes, accomplishments and leadership roles of the few women in the military should be a topic of discussion and thrust going forward for the B.D.F. News Five’s Marion Ali was present for the ceremony and filed the following report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
There are very few female B.D.F soldiers who hold meaningful positions in the male-dominated profession. But today, an exception was made to highlight the successes of the female members, particularly in the very few leadership positions in the military. Brigadier-General, Azariel Loria said that in the pursuit of gender equality, today should serve as a reminder of the commitment to empower, uplift, and champion the invaluable contribution of women in the armed forces, and the need to ensure their safety, inclusion, and advancement through the ranks.
Cmdr. Azariel Loria
Commander Azariel Loria, Brigadier-General, B.D.F
“We have changed our policies, some of our directives, our sexual harassment policy, our SHARP policy, that is the sexual harassment and response prevention initiative. We have regulated our operational deployment when it comes to women – how they should be treated.”
Marion Ali
“What about their promotion and ensuring that they get equal opportunities to go abroad and study and meaningful positions within the BDF, leadership positions?
Commander Azariel Loria
“For the first time in the history of the Belize Defense Force that we have a promoted Lieutenant Colonel. Her name is Lydia Guerra, Dr. Lydia Guerra. She is the first-ever woman, female, to get promoted to such a high rank. She is now a senior officer and she has been appointed as our first medical officer. She controls, she is in control of our hospital and all our other doctors.”
That senior female B.D.F. officer, Dr. Lydia Guerra, told News Five that she started out as a cadet, as any other officer, but she was privileged to have obtained a scholarship to study medicine at the Mexican Military Academy. And she said that it was not easy then and still experiences a degree of discrimination now, simply because she is a woman in that position.
Lieutenant Col., Lydia Guerra
Lieutenant Col., Lydia Guerra, Force Medical Officer, B.D.F
“Being a cadet there on a whole has its challenges in terms of being in a male-dominated environment as well. And we also had to do just as all the men did there and meet our educational goals and expectations. Upon arrival back home, it has similar challenges being a part of the Belize Defense Force in terms of garnering that respect from our subordinates because arriving here I was commissioned to an officer and subsequently moved up to the rank of captain, that had been traditionally done for other doctors who joined the force. Also working in the capacity of the medical officer at the hospital, seeing our patients and we still have that stereotype where as they see a female, they automatically assume that it’s a nurse. So they would walk in and they’d ask, “Nurse, excuse me, can I see the doctor?” And I would have to say, “You’re seeing one and I’m doctor.”
In the B.D.F.’s enlisted bracket, Warrant Officer, Dianca Reyes also holds a senior position and, according to Commander Loria, is now in line to become the woman officer to take on a top role in the B.D.F. Governor-General, Dame Froyla Tzalam shared keen observations about girls and women having to work twice as hard as boys and men in the home.
Dame Froyla Tzalam
Governor-General, Dame Froyla Tzalam
“It seemed unfair to me as a child that despite working as hard as my brother on the farm, I still had to do household chores like preparing lunch when we came back from working in the fields. Whereas my older brother was not expected to do anything other than rest while we prepared the food. As an adult, I saw her woman who worked outside of the home still had to come home and cook and clean and do all the other household chores, while their partners – male partners – did minimal work. We women have to work twice as hard as men in our families when we do paid work outside of the home. At the same time, women in the workforce earn just 70 percent of men’s pay. A report from the World Bank released earlier this month stated that no country in the world gives women the same opportunities as men in the workforce. No country in the world.”
Aside from these realities for women, those who join the military oftentimes must endure sexual harassment from their male peers. But Commander Loria says this will not be tolerated in the military, and to ensure this, he expounded on what the SHARP policy prohibits.
Commander Azariel Loria
“The Sexual Harassment Assault Response and Prevention Policy is a crucial step towards creating a safer and more respectful military community demonstrative or commitment to eradicating sexual harassment. This policy not only serves as a deterrent against sexual misconduct, but also establishes support mechanisms for survivors. It is not just about reacting to incidents, but also about proactively creating an environment where such acts are unthinkable. It is mandated upon us to ensure that every member of our armed forces feel secure in reported incidents, confident enough that justice will be served.”
Loria says that the military’s commitment in leadership diversity is not only a nod to equality, but a strategic imperative that enhances the effectiveness of their operations. Marion Ali for News Five.
In mid-2023, a complaint of sexual harassment found its way to the B.D.F. Commandant’s desk. It was a complaint against a B.D.F. officer. Today, Loria brought us up to speed with how that matter has been dealt with. He said that he has dealt with the case and that it is now with the Security Services Commission for a final decision.
Cmdr. Azariel Loria, Brigadier-General, B.D.F
“I cannot talk much on that because it’s still a live case, but we have dealt with the situation. We have done our recommendations to the security services, so it’s incumbent on them to review the findings, the recommendation, and agree or disagree with it. It’s a sexual harassment case involving an officer. I would leave it at that.”
Earlier this month, we reported that the B.D.F. discovered an illegal road beingbuilt within the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. The road was located south of Rio Blanco, about a kilometer into Belize. Today, B.D.F. Commander, Brigadier-General Azariel Loria told News Five that the military has taken a few steps since the road was discovered.
Cmdr. Azariel Loria, Brigadier-General, B.D.F
“They were trying to access the creek and what we understand too is that they were pushing that road so that they could continue with their cattle-rearing. And other information that we got is that some Guatemalans, they wanted to subdivide that area into lots and sell it among them. We have patrols there now to prevent that. We have sent also that information to the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security and [we’re] asking for verification from the Organization of the American States. That’s where we are right now on that road.”
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital recently received a new CT Scan machine after ten years without that critical service being offered at the facility. Now that it has the machine, K.H.M.H. is providing that service at a much lower cost than at the various private medical institutions, but it’s not without criticism. Earlier today, C.E.O. Chandra Cansino gave the media access to the diagnostic X-ray scanner and briefly discussed its acquisition.
“As you know, we have officially received and started to operate the new CT Scan machine and we are extremely elated, particularly from the perspective of the patient and the doctors, because we are now able to perform that level of service that we needed to do a long time ago. This is a big win for the patients and the staff because now the patients don’t need to go outside of the hospital to get tested and also the doctors now have an additional diagnostic tool that is at a very high level that would enable them to make better diagnosis, prescribe better treatment and we have better results.”
Reporter
“Can you talk about the cost of the new service to patients?”
Chandra Cansino
“The new service varies. I think if you’re ever, which I hope you will never, do a CT Scan, it varies from a simple CT to this machine can do some very high tech operations and so right now what we call a basic CT would be between three hundred and three hundred and fifty dollars, depending on where you are doing the CT. That’s without contrast, and then with contrast which is with a dye that enables the doctor to see a little bit more, would be between three hundred and fifty and four hundred dollars.”
During our time with her, Chief Executive Officer Chandra Cansino also responded to criticism about the acquisition of the machine, as well as its placement at the K.H.M.H., here in Belize City.
Isani Cayetano
“How do you respond to the comments that were made by another medical practitioner to another media house yesterday regarding the CT-Scan and its placement here at the KHMH?”
Chandra Cansino, C.E.O., K.H.M.H.
“For us, our perspective is from a public service perspective. Access to quality healthcare is actually a part of poverty alleviation and so why not? Why shouldn’t the regular, normal man and woman off the streets of Belize City have access to such a superior service. And so, maybe that’s a private sector perspective. From a public sector perspective, we are extremely happy that everybody in Belize will have access to these services at an extremely affordable price.”
Reporter
“Their argument was also that while this CT-Scan here, the other public hospitals don‘t have one and that those persons from Corozal, Toledo and Dangriga, they have to travel all the way here to be able to get this service, as opposed to getting a less expensive CT Scan and placing them in all of the public hospitals.
Chandra Cansino
“Well remember, Karl Heusner is the only tertiary institution in Belize and so we, our concern is the provision of care from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Indeed, the ministry can explore options that were suggested but there are many things that go along with purchasing a CT.”
Tonight, a family is turning to the public to plead for assistance in saving twelve-year-old Jameer Lodge’s life. The standard five student was diagnosed with encephalitis, a brain inflammation that led to a rapid decline in his health, at the beginning of March. He has since been sent to Merida, where he is making a slow recovery, but the family has amassed a hospital bill of over ninety thousand dollars, and as his treatment is nowhere near its end, the bill is only growing. We spoke with a few of Jameer’s family members earlier today to hear how they are handling his treatment. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
It’s been just over two weeks since twelve-year-old Jameer Lodge was diagnosed with encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain that leads to several symptoms such as fever, seizures, loss of consciousness, and loss of motor control. What started out as a headache for Jameer, resulted in complete loss of movement in his body and ultimately, hospitalization. Jameer’s aunt, Kimberly Garcia, explained that while progress is being made in his condition, it’s a slow process.
Kimberly Garcia
Kimberly Garcia, Aunt of Patient
“Jameer is twelve years old. He’s a student of Saint Joseph Primary School and he’s been seeking medical treatment in Merida for encephalitis. And COVID nineteen positive earlier. So that’s what he’s getting treated for right now with Jameer’s condition. He’s stable right now, but he has a long way to go. He’s not able to talk because he’s incubated, but we’ve been seeing slight movements from him. So, it’s a very slow process. It’s a very slow process and we expect to see more movements from him, a lot more treatments. We have a long way to go with his medical treatment and that is why we’re here to seek assistance for him.”
Garcia said that everything happened so suddenly, the family was not prepared for such a large hospital bill. A debt, that has only been growing.
Kimberly Garcia
“This happened all of a sudden, and everything has been moving so fast. In regards to funds, I mean we’re pulling together as a family. Our friends here and abroad have been helping us significantly. But like I said, it’s very expensive. The treatment and the one here was costly, but the one in Merida is what’s just the medication alone, It’s over forty thousand dollars.”
Jameer’s other aunt, Rosalie Lodge, explained that Jameer’s medication, which is vital for his recovery, is a primary contributor to the significance of the bill because the dosages are administered according to the patient’s weight. According to them, Jameer needs about twenty-eight bottles, which cost around two thousand dollars each.
Jameer Lodge
Kimberly Garcia
“They’re mounting very rapidly. The medication alone for the inflammation on his brain is costing us almost forty-seven thousand. And that’s just for one medication. The doctor, he stands by that medication and we’re seeing the improvements because he left Belize unresponsive and he was unresponsive for over a week and it was just last week, Wednesday, after he started getting the medications Sunday evening, Wednesday, we started to see a little movement from him. He started twitching his eyes and stuff like that, but like we said the medication is very costly. Our bill, we’re over ninety thousand as of today because the hospital bill as well was over forty thousand and then medication is over forty thousand.”
According to his family, Jameer is a bright child and has hopes to go to Saint John’s College when he graduates and has a passion for cooking, music, and mechanical work.
Jameer Lodge
Kimberly Garcia
“Jameer deserves a fighting chance. He’s a sweet humble, caring, helpful young man. He has a lot to accomplish in this world. We are fighting for him. He, in the evenings after school, he would go along with my brother, he does he likes to trade as well. His dad is an auto mechanic as well. In the evening, he goes after school, he helps my brother. He could change a spark plug on his own. He could do, assist with brake suspension, brake pads. All sorts of thing, he’s twelve years old, but he’s wise beyond his age, he walks around with his own little cookbook and he knows how to make flour tortilla, johnny cake, waffles, sometimes he gets up in the morning, he surprises parents with breakfast, he’s very ambitious and business minded at a young age, so we know that our nephew, he could do wonders in this world.”
They said that they have reached out to as many avenues as they could for support, including businesses such as Santiago Castillo Limited and Grace Kennedy, which will both be donating a basket to raffle. And while they have received tremendous assistance, they are imploring the public to further aid them in their cause. Garcia said that this process has been hard on Jameer’s parents, Leila Gracia and Joel Lodge, but the family and community have been a great support to them and their son.
Kimberly Garcia
“So we’re trying our very best and we’re just appealing to the public to help in whatever way. He’s the only child for his parents. They do everything together. They sit at night, they eat together. Phones are barred from the table so they could have their quality time together with each other. They go to church. So, we could just imagine how. they feel and what they’re going through as well. Our family, the larger Garcia family were very close. We’re very close family. And that is what is getting us through this. The strong family support. We come together both families and we’re doing what It is, we could do, whatever possible because our nephew deserves a fighting chance. And so, we’re just asking the public, if they could give whatever smile, it doesn’t matter. Every, every cent comes at this point in time, and like I said, people have been helping and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts. It’s very. It’s amazing the amount of people that has reached out to us, Belize have some wonderful people. I’m telling you, it’s love. Belize is love.”
With World Meteorological Day just three days away, the National Met Service has already begun to celebrate. Today, hundreds of children from primary schools across the country visited their compound in Ladyville to take part in the various presentations held at the World Meteorological Day Fair. This year, Belize celebrates under the theme, “At the Frontline of Climate Action”. We stopped by to learn more about the event and its activities. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Every year, on March twenty-third, countries around the world join in the observation of World Meteorological Day. It is meant to commemorate the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization in 1950. This year’s theme highlights the very important role that weather and climate information play in advancing sustainable development goals and reducing the impacts of extreme weather and climate-related events on societies across the globe. Michael Holtz, a weather observer at the National Meteorological Service, gave us some information about the importance of the event.
Michael Holtz
Michael Holtz, Weather Observer, NMSB
“World Met Day is on March twenty-third, we’re celebrating a little bit earlier, but it’s about exposing the kids into the weather, how we get information from the weather, how that might be useful to them, and give them a little bit more insight about the rain, the weather, and So for the types of instruments we use and just to have them build up an interest in case they want to come work here work For a mutual job service and so they have a deeper understanding of science and how it works.”
Holtz said that the fair displayed a host of activities and informational booths for the kids to visit where they learned about the MET’s automatic weather stations, radar, and weather balloons. Around five hundred children attended the event, with some hailing from as far as Caye Caulker. Marina Chimilio explained why she thought it was important to make the visit to the fair along with her students.
Marina Chimilio
Marina Chimilio, Teacher, Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School
“I believe that it’s important for kids to be a part of these kind of fairs. Because they could use it in their science lesson and get to learn more and put it into practice. I want them to learn more about the satellite. When they came, they asked, Miss, what is that big ball there? And we went and asked a gentleman and he said that after the tour that they will know more about it.”
Britney Gordon
And you’re hoping to implement some of the things that they learn here today into their science lessons?”
Marina Chimilio
“Yes ma’am.”
Speaking with a few of Chimilio’s students, we learned what they gleaned from the presentations.
Amaya Tun
Amaya Tun, Student, Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School
“I learned that the sun recorder records how many, I don’t know how to say it, but the heat. It records all the heat that the sun projects.”
Britney Gordon
“So, can you tell me what you learned at today’s event so far?”
Penny Young
Penny Young, Student, Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School
“Okay, that the thermometers test the temperature of things.”
Britney Gordon
“So are you excited to be participating in today’s event?”
David Maradiaga
David Maradiaga, Student, Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School
“Yes.”
Britney Gordon
“Have you learned anything so far?”
David Maradiaga
“That there’s, that there’s four types of thermometers. And that there’s one of the thermometers, the max thermometer, is the closest to be those thermometers that the nurse give you.”
The highlight of the day’s activities was the releasing of a weather balloon used to measure temperature, wind, and pressure as it ascends. Michelle Augustine, Deputy Chief Meteorologist at the National Met Service, said that performing a simulation with the balloon for the children to observe was an important part of today’s event, as the balloon is a vital tool in weather observations.
“This provides meteorologists or forecasters with an idea of what is happening above the surface in terms of these weather parameters. And it helps us to basically better forecast the weather conditions over our area. Additionally, this information is very important from the weather balloon. During hurricane season. Because when we have the approach of a storm, the National Hurricane Center relies on this information from this ray of the sun that is released with the weather balloon to help them to assess or analyze the data over a particular area. So, the weather balloon will provide, for example, if a system is approaching, if the pressure is low, so it helps them to validate where the center of the storm is. Likewise, also the wind conditions. If the weather balloon goes up and measures, instrument, measures that the wind is very strong near our area, then the hurricane forecasters would be better able to pinpoint the location of the system.”
An Ohio woman abandoned her sixteen-month-old daughter to go on a vacation for ten days. The child, Jailyn, died. The mother, Kristel Candelario, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder and one count of child endangerment in a plea deal last month. She was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Candelario let Jailyn alone in a playpen with a few bottles of milk. Upon her return on June 16th of the previous year, Candelario discovered her daughter lifeless.
During her sentencing, forensic pathologist Elizabeth Mooney described the excruciating suffering endured by Jailyn, emphasizing the prolonged agony of abandonment, starvation, and extreme thirst.
Judge Brendan Sheehan delivered a stern rebuke, condemning Candelario for abandoning her child in a “tiny prison” while indulging in leisure.
He characterised her actions as a betrayal of the sacred bond between mother and child, denouncing her neglect as an act of ultimate treachery.
