2024-03-22 - Channel 5 Belize

BTV Says G.O.B. Should Do More for the Chiquibul

The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) says that the government should do more to protect the Chiquibul Forest. In a press release, the BTV said that the government must take “decisive steps to halt this invasion”. That invasion the BTV is referring to is the illegal activities being carried out by Guatemalans inside the Chiquibul Forest. Earlier this week, Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) that a flyover conducted recently revealed a newly constructed road inside the Chiquibul. The FCD says the road is for access to water, thereby facilitating for a more pronounced activity of cattle ranching activity in that southern region of the park by Guatemalans. Leader of the BTV, Wil Maheia told News Five that there must be an increase presence in the Chiquibul for its protection.

Wil Maheia, Leader, Belize Territorial Volunteers

“We find it very, very sad that on international days of environment, Belize is priding itself on protecting our natural resources yet turning its back to all the incursions and degradation that’s happening to our protected areas. We call on the government, we call on the UDP who has been very quiet throughout all this. This just didn’t start yesterday. This started more than 10 years ago and it continues to grow. There’s over 2000 hectares which is larger than the entire Belize city that has been deforested. Now the average Belizean cannot even go on the side of the road and clear land without being arrested. Why can’t the government stop the Guatemalans? Obviously they don’t care because they are not doing anything, right? Three years now since this government got into power. Nothing has been done to really stop the incursions into the forest in my opinion. Yes, I give the government a big applause for building the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. That has reduced the amount of illegal fishing. If we do the same in the Chiquibul it will reduce the incursions. It will reduce the degradation of our protected areas. This is Belize. This is what we have.”

Belize Celebrates International Day of Forest

On Thursday, Belize joined the global community in celebrating International Day of Forest. This year’s theme is Forests and Innovation: New Solutions for a Better World. The theme highlights the need for the development of new technological solutions to fight against deforestation. On Thursday, forest officers along with B.D.F. soldiers replanted about a hundred mangroves along the coastline of Cattle Landing Village in the Toledo District. We spoke to Forest Officer, Minerva Gonzalez.

Minerva Gonzalez, Forest Officer, Forest Department

“The theme for this year as every year there is a different theme, is forest and innovation. So it speaks to how we use technology in order to maintain our forest, conserve and protect and restore our forest. This here is a technology. While it might not be a computer, having any sort of intervention by man, using different equipment is the use of technology. We are being innovative in trying to restore the forest we have lost.”

Princess Kate Announces Cancer Diagnosis

Catherine, Princess of Wales, announced today that she’s been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing “early stages” of treatment. Princess Kate made the announcement in a pre-recorded video statement on social media.

Catherine expressed her diagnosis as a “huge shock.” She clarified that while a London surgery in January initially appeared to address a non-cancerous issue, subsequent tests detected cancer, prompting her medical team to recommend preventative chemotherapy, which she’s currently undergoing. She expressed anticipation for a return to her work once she’s fully recovered. She concluded with thoughts for those battling cancer, urging them not to lose hope.

MET Office Issues Heat Alert

The National Meteorological Office of Belize has issued a Heat Alert. The advisory says “Temperatures are expected to exceed 97F inland. Residents are advised to stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities as much as possible, especially during afternoon hours.”

Inland is expected to be 103 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are some tips to stay hydrated in hot weather:

-Drink Plenty of Water
-Eat Hydrating Foods
-Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine:
-Take Regular Breaks
-Wear Light Clothing
-Replenish Electrolytes

Pet owners are also advised to keep their pets hydrated.

PM Briceño on Immigration Officers Accused of Theft

In an interview with PLUS TV in Belmopan on Thursday, Prime Minister John Briceño said, “What has happened, as we all know, the Jamaican national has made an accusation, and the police have reviewed the tape, and they believe that they have enough information or evidence to be able to do a full-fledged investigation.”

As News Five reported, a Jamaican national lodged an allegation against an immigration officer at the Philip Goldson International Airport. The Jamaican national is accusing the immigration officer of stealing several thousand U.S. dollars from them.

Chief Executive Officer Tanya Santos of the Ministry of Immigration said that, despite earlier social media reports, only one officer has been apprehended for interrogation.

In the interview, PM Briceño, who is also the Minister of Immigration, said, “I’m told that the Jamaican was, and I can’t go into too many details, but basically passed over monies, and then when he tried to leave the country, he was told he can’t leave the country, and so then he got upset and made this report.”

Briceño stressed that this sort of behaviour cannot be countenanced and that “it needs to end now, and we need to find a way to get rid of all of those people that behave in such a manner.”