2024-04-02 - Channel 5 Belize

B.D.F. and Coast Guard Training in Jamaica for Haiti Peace Mission

Haiti continues to be plagued by violence as gangs engage in ongoing gun battles with police. This complicates efforts to find a political resolution to the crisis. Last week, you heard from Haitian Alexandra Pierre, who described the horror Haitians are living in. The need for international intervention is clear. Over the weekend, twenty Coast Guard officers and thirty-one Belize Defence Force soldiers arrived in Jamaica to participate in Exercise Trogon Shield. This brings together service members from Jamaica, The Bahamas, and now Belize as they integrate into a CARICOM Joint Task Force. The exercise primarily focuses on training, planning, and executing a variety of scenario-driven security activities. Exercise Trogon Shield aims to enhance regional cooperation and readiness among Caribbean nations. A release from the Canadian Defence Ministry indicates that approximately seventy Canadian Armed Forces members have been deployed to Jamaica. Their mission is to provide training to military personnel from CARICOM nations who are preparing to deploy to Haiti as part of the United Nations-authorized, Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission. We spoke to the Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Elton Bennett.

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“This training that we are currently undergoing is actually the second phase of training. We started to train along with the Canadian military in January of this year. And the same, very same team that is currently over in Jamaica did a one-week training here in Belize where the Canadian military came in country to do an introduction to what peacekeeping operations under the United Nations umbrella really looks like. So they looked at, issues such as international humanitarian law, um, use of force policy and so forth. So now we are moving over into Jamaica to do, um, more operational training along with those other countries that will form a part of the joint task force in preparation for a possible deployment into Hattie. So they’ll be there for four weeks and they would do operation operational training that will prepare them for the different scenarios in Haiti. We do understand and appreciate the level of risk that there will be taken into Haiti. Therefore this, this training is very, very crucial to prepare these men for the possible deployment. So you’re looking at peacekeeping and stability, operational, um, serials, what to do in certain events, looking at use of force policy and to ensure the men are best prepared to go into that very high risk environment.”

Commandant Bennett: “This is our very best”

The Canadian training initiative is designed to prepare CARICOM troops for deployment to support the efforts of the Haitian National Police (HNP) in restoring security for the people of Haiti. According to Commandant Bennett, the men sent for the training are the best that Belize has to offer.

Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard

“The guys that are deploying from the Belize Coast Guard. This is our very best These are members of the coast guard special operations group. They’re the best that we have to offer for high risk operations . So they are very well trained. They have been exposed in the region doing exercises, special forces exercises in Jamaica for the past two years. Last year they had the opportunity to go into Columbia to do exercise along with the different maritime forces in the region. So the exposure is there. This will be our very first operational duty. So we can only prepare these men at the best that we can. And, and in this case, the Canadian military is there to help us to prepare them with training and to ensure that they are mentally prepared to go into a situation like this. But we have all confidence that these guys are, are very well prepared to want to take this training and to be prepared for the level of operations that they could possibly be involved with.”

A Historic 94th Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic

The ninety-fourth running of the Annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic is in the books. It was one for records. After five hours and thirty-nine minutes of race time, Honduran rider, Luis Lopez emerged as the victor. He is the first Honduran national to win the race. Belizean Carlton Robinson placed fourth after a valiant effort in the one-hundred-and-forty-four-mile race. He was the first Belizean to cross the finish line. Even more impressive, the first nine riders to finish the race broke a sixteen-year finishing time record. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

At six a.m., one hundred and sixteen riders lined up at the starting line in front of the Digi Park in Belize City. According to the Cycling Federation of Belize, nineteen of them were foreign riders. Leading the pack at the starting line is defending champion Oscar Quiroz. After a ride through the streets of Belize City, the race officially began at mile one and a half on the George Price Highway. Just outside of Belize City, six riders broke away from the main field of riders, creating a small gap. Among them are Honduran Luis Lopez, Belizeans Gregory Lovell, Carlton Robinson, Brandon Cattouse and American John De Long. At mile twenty-six, it’s still these six riders leading the pace, riding some twenty-six miles an hour.

Just outside of La Democracia, Joslyn Chavarria Junior broke away from the group of lead riders as the chase group, in hot pursuit, was finally able to close the gap. By mile thirty-three the entire field of riders was back together. Three at mile thirty-five, a small group of lead riders has been formed, when out of nowhere, Honduran Luis Lopez emerged from the chase group and launched a massive attack. He blew across and began opening a massive gap. Into Belmopan, it was all Luis Lopez, that is until American Clayton Travis blew past Lopez. Wasani Castro was in hot pursuit of Clayton. Travis displayed an elite level of endurance and racing, riding into San Ignacio and crossing the halfway point with an over one-minute gap between himself and the main field of riders. In Unitedville, on the way back to Belize City, it is still Travis Clayton. He has been in the lead for more than thirty miles.

With American Cory Lockwood leading the pace, the main field of riders finally caught up with Travis heading into Camalote Village. Towards Rockville, Belizean Carlton Robinson and Joslyn Chavarria are on the chase with two American riders, as they try to catch up with American Cory Lockwood who had a thirty-second lead. It wasn’t long after that Lockwood was caught and it was a whole new race leaving Hattieville, with only two Belizeans in a lead group of seven. Heading into mile eight, Carlton Robinson sets chase behind Guatemalan Alex Julajuj, with the other lead riders in hot pursuit.

A few miles from the finish line, Luis Lopez is in the lead as he is being marked by Carlton Robinson and Alex Julajuju. Lopez launched an attack in front of the Lord Cemetery, Robinson answered the call along with two other riders and reined in Lopez. A mile outside of the finish line it’s all Luis Lopez. Fans assembled at the DIGI Park, cheering on, as Luis Lopez crossed the finish line first and claimed the coveted Garland. He was followed by Julajuj, Abner Maxwell in third, and Carlton Robinson in fourth, also the first Belizean to cross the finish line. With finishing times below five hours, forty minutes and twelve seconds, the first nine riders to finish the race, broke the record of five hours, forty minutes and twelve seconds set by Rayan Baumann in 2008.

Luis Lopez, 94th Cross Country Champion

“To have a good race for the most important competitions I really wanted to push myself hard to give me confidence for the important races that come later. I wanted to push it to the end. There was a big lead that came later, and I waited, I was very patient. I felt very exhausted, but I found that the ones ahead of me were much more exhausted, so I waited until the end to push myself although I was exhausted. The strategy was to hit it with everything I had, save nothing. I knew I was coming in with so many riders, but I knew if I put in a though race, possibly in the end I was going to have a small advantage, a difference and well that turned out in the end.”

Carlton Robinson, First Belizean to Cross Finish Line

“It was a day, a really really hard race. I just want to thank God, my dad, my sponsors. I really tried keep it together, I know if it was brought a bit closer I could have won it in a sprint. I know if ih came closer I could have won it in a sprint. I guess the guys figured I am very fast and so they started to attack, attack, attack and I couldn’t go anymore.”

Paul Lopez

“Despite the position you came, how does it feel to be the first Belizean to cross the finish-line?”

Carlton Robinson

“It feels amazing, but I really wanted the win, but I have to be happy with this result.”

Carlton Robinson Made Belizeans Proud on Holy Saturday

And, while a Belizean did not win the Ninety-Fourth Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, as we said, Carlton Robinson of team Alliance United came in only twenty seconds behind the winner. He was the first Belizean to cross the finish line. But who is Carlton Robinson? That is what many are asking, as his name rose to prominence on Saturday. News Five’s Paul Lopez sought to find out more about this young athlete. Here is that report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Twenty-four-year-old cyclist Carlton Robinson crossed the finish line in fourth place in the ninety-fourth Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. He was the first Belizean to cross the finish line. But who is this young man whose name filled the hearts of Belizeans with hopes of victory?

Carlton Robinson, 1^st Belizean, 94^th Cross Country Cycling Classic

“It is a wonderful feeling, but I don’t ride this race to be the first Belizean. I ride this race to win. It is an honor to be the first Belizean.”

Carlton Robinson picked up cycling in 2017, influenced by his father, Carl Robinson Senior, who rode as a hobby.

Carl Robinson Sr., Father of Carlton Robinson

“I got back on the bike due to some health complication. I was on the diabetic line, border line. I was overweight. I needed to shed some weight and that is when I personally took back the bike. So my oldest son was riding me at the time and this younger one wanted to ride and we got him a little mountain bike and that is when he started to ride. He met Byron Pope and from there he fell in love with the sport, and I could remember Andrew Ordonez telling me that I thought your older son was going to be it, but this guy right here, this younger one, he will be the one. As any good father would try, I encouraged him and stood by him, and I continue to encourage him and stand by him.”

A cyclist on the highways, and a tradesman by day, Carlton Robinson works alongside his father in their air conditioning business. A graduate of Sadie Vernon High School and ITVET, Carlton Robinson recalls first racing in competitions organised by Kaya Cattouse, a former women’s cross-country champion.

Carlton Robinson

“I started riding back in 2017 where my dad and my brother was just riding uncompetitively and I just decide to tag along with them. Kaya Cattouse headed some highschool series, where I went to try them out and fell in love with cycling.”

Recently, Carlton Robinson placed second in the DIGI Wallet Valentine Cycling Tour. And this is not his first time competing in a cross-country classic. However, his name was not ringing through your televisions or radios because Robinson did not complete his two attempts and he was the twenty-fourth rider to finish in 2023. But as fate would have it, he came in fourth place on his fourth ride in the classic.

Carlton Robinson

“The preparation was, we started to prepare for cross country from August. It is not just riding, we had a whole off season, went into the gym, did some gym work, some long hours on the bike, some seven, eight hours riding.”

Growing up in Belize City, Carlton Robinson encountered the same types of distractions and challenges that many youths are faced with in the Old Capital. But, his father and cycling kept him grounded.

Carl Robinson Sr.

“First of all you got to be stern, the rules got to be the rules. First of all you got to look out for their safety, because as we well know in Belize here it is very easy for the young men who don’t have any kind of guidance, parental guidance, especially a fatherly guidance to fall along the wayside. So I am heavy on getting an education and being compliant with the rules.”

Carlton Robinson

“Cycling will do that for you in a whole, when you are finished riding and you ride six to five hours, you don’t have time to do anything else. All you want to do is sleep. So that is the way.”

There has been an outpouring of congratulatory messages from Belizeans to Carlton Robinson, the first Belizean cyclist to cross the finish-line on Saturday. He says that he is overwhelmed by the support and that his heart is set on winning a Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic.

Carlton Robinson

“I know I put in the work to be here. This year I put in the most work I ever put in and I am just reaping what I put in.”

Carl Robinson

“For me as his father, I see it as a great achievement. We have come so far yet we haven’t reached where he wants to reach, where he should reach. I believe in him so very much; I know what he can do and I see how hard he works at getting what he wants to get done. I am super proud, as his dad, as a father, as a Belizean, because this is our national day of racing.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Ambassador David Gibson Passes

David Gibson, a distinguished Belizean ambassador and diplomat, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday in Belmopan. In a statement released on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed profound condolences to the family of Ambassador David Gibson, recognizing him as a genuine Belizean patriot and one of the nation’s most prominent diplomats. Gibson’s career included serving as the C.E.O. of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during Dean Barrow’s tenure as minister from 1993 to 1998. He continued his dedicated service under the Musa Administration. Following his diplomatic endeavors, Gibson took on the role of coordinator at the Think Tank Centre for Strategic Studies Policy Analysis and Research (CSSPAR), which he founded in 1995. His contributions to CSSPAR underscored his commitment to strategic analysis and policy research. Notably, Gibson played a significant role in the discussions aimed at resolving the Belize/Guatemala conflict. At CARICOM’s fiftieth anniversary celebration in 2023, Gibson recounted the pivotal role played by regional leaders in supporting Belize’s quest for political independence in 1981. Here is an excerpt of that clip.

David Gibson, Former Ambassador/C.E.O., Ministry of Foreign Affairs (File 05-04-2023)

“As Belize prepared for independence, CARICOM ministers converged in Belize to show solidarity and support, as the government faced fierce opposition to the heads of agreement signed by Belize, UK, and Guatemala. This was a last ditch effort to try to establish a basis for future negotiations in the post independence period. Strongly, these heads of agreement, and they were heads of agreement, and they were not actual agreements, strongly opposed by the United Democratic Party, the opposition, with even a suggestion that there might have been some collusion with the British to have the whole matter of independence postponed for 10 years, something which the Guatemalans would have wanted, having seen the cut of the jib and things going in the direction of an independence.”

Dr. Fernando Cuellar Diagnosed With Blood Cancer

Well-known Belizean Doctor Fernando Cuellar has been diagnosed with blood cancer. A statement from his family today said that the unfortunate discovery was made while Doctor Cuellar was in the process of seeking medical attention for a back fracture. He is currently in the U.S.A., receiving treatment. The family says that it has been a devastating blow to them and that his thoughts are with his family, patients, and the people of Belize. The release also notes that Doctor Cuellar longs for his return to his patients and the country he loves. The family is requesting privacy but asks for prayers at this time.

Autism Awareness Starts At Home

April second is internationally recognized as World Autism Awareness Day. A day meant to serve as a platform to foster appreciation for and honor individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder as well as bring awareness to some of the challenges people with autism and their families may face so that communities may extend acceptance and support for the individuals. News Five spoke with executive chair and founder of Autism Belize to learn more about the day’s significance. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Autism is a neurological and developmental condition related to brain development that impacts the way individuals perceive, socialize, and interact with others and their surroundings. Signs of autism can usually be observed in the early childhood years, with it affecting one in every fifty-eight children born worldwide, according to the CDC. Executive chair and founder of Autism Belize, Christy Castillo Almeida, explained their mission.

Christy Castillo Almeida, Executive Chair and Founder, Autism Belize

“Autism Beliefs started in 2020. We’re parents, we’re all volunteers, and we have four goals. We want to teach about autism, we want to promote awareness, we want to provide support for parents, and we want to show acceptance. So everything we do is about that. It’s all parent driven, and it’s about that support and creating that network for our families, and then educating Belize.”

Almeida said that Autism Belize was started in the midst of the COVID lockdown to spread the word about Autism Awareness Month and offer support to parents who were struggling to adequately support their children and their needs during the lockdown. It began with thirteen online sessions covering various autism-related therapies. She explained that Autism Belize is not meant to diagnose individuals; it is a community that helps others gain support, advice, and understanding.

Christy Castillo Almeida

“I’d never done a live before, but we were trying to get the word out there. And we had so many parents that came back to us like was coming in and saying, Oh my gosh, I thought it was alone. I don’t know where to go. I don’t know what to do. And so I NGO. It was definitely parent driven. It just people kept coming and we grew very rapidly, very fast during the COVID time when everybody was at home, struggling on how to deal with their children. And then coming out of COVID we had a lot of kids with developmental delays might not have been autism, but just because they were at home for those very instrumental years and not at preschool not getting that simulation. We had even more families coming and see. What can we do? And ever since then, we provide trainings every single month for parents.”

While April second is recognised as World Autism Day, Almeida said that the entire month is dedicated to autism awareness. Every Friday throughout the month, people are encouraged to wear blue as a sign of support.

Christy Castillo Almeida

“It’s really to start to get the world talking. A lot of times in the past, a lot of people go, Oh my gosh, I don’t know where it’s all coming from. We didn’t hear about autism and now everybody has an autistic child. It really isn’t that a lot of it was we would keep them hidden. These were the kids that they pull out in infant two and keep at home because they figured they can never learn. Spoiler alert, they can always learn. And we kept it hidden. And what we’re trying to do is take these kids, these invisible children and bring them out in the spotlight and say, Hey world, it’s time for you to adjust to us. Let them come live in our dynamic, vivid world, and so it is about the conversation. So worldwide, buildings light up blue. We’re talking Empire State Building, the Opera Center the Taj Mahal, all around the world go blue. Because of Easter and how we go, we actually do the whole month. And what we ask is for people to go blue for the month and also to wear blue on Fridays.”

Autism Belize will be partnering with several organizations throughout the month to host activities that draw the public out and encourage participation in events alongside neurodivergent individuals and their families.

Christy Castillo Almeida

“We partnered with Special Olympics. So the walk run Special Olympics is coming out and they’re bringing all their people to come out and support as well. And then every year we partner with Belize City Council, and we go in the Friday before and we do multiple sessions like an hour. so much. Every hour they send in like fifteen people from traffic, from court, from all over. And then we do these sensitization talks all throughout the day. So the same talk over and over again to different people. special needs families. So not just autism. We invite families of similar merits and we’re inviting special Olympics. And we have an event just for them in the park in the mornings. Afterwards they have for the general population, but they do that for us. And so we’re always really grateful. So we have that sort of event where families can feel comfortable to bring their children.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Ambassador and Diplomat David Gibson Passes

Belizean ambassador and diplomat David Gibson recently passed away. He died peacefully in his sleep.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X, “MFAFT extends its deepest condolences to the family of Ambassador David Gibson, a true Belizean patriot and one of Belize’s foremost diplomats. May his soul rest in peace.”

Gibson served as CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when Dean Barrow was the minister from 1993 to 1998. He also served under the Musa Administration. Gibson was also deeply involved in discussions to resolve the Belize/Guatemala conflict.

Gibson later went on to be the coordinator of the Think Tank Centre for Strategic Studies Policy Analysis and Research (CSSPAR). He founded CSSPAR in 1995.

Spellbinding Total Solar Eclipse in 6 Days

The next total solar eclipse to visit North America will be on April 8, 2024. The duration of totality will be up to 4 minutes and 27 seconds, almost double that of The Great American Eclipse of August 21, 2017.

As the total solar eclipse traverses Mexico, the United States, and Canada, spectators are in for a breathtaking experience.

*Map of April 8 Total Solar Eclipse 2024*

During a total solar eclipse, the moon entirely obscures the sun’s face for a brief yet mesmerising period called totality. This historic celestial event warrants pausing to appreciate its significance. After April, a total solar eclipse won’t be visible across the contiguous US until August 2044. Similarly, an annular eclipse, where the moon doesn’t fully cover the sun, won’t occur in this region until 2046.

Outside the path of totality, observers will witness a crescent-shaped partial eclipse as the highlight of the event.

*Boy watching annular solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14 2023*

The upcoming eclipse’s totality phase is projected to be longer than that of 2017, owing to the moon’s current proximity to the sun. Individuals positioned directly along the path’s centerline can anticipate a total eclipse lasting between 3½ and 4 minutes, according to NASA.

The corona, the sun’s scorching outer atmosphere, emits a radiant glow visible around the moon during the eclipse. Typically elusive due to the sun’s overpowering brilliance, the corona during totality manifests as luminous white tendrils, as described by NASA.

The total phase of this solar eclipse is not visible in Belize City, but it can be observed there as a partial solar eclipse. The partial solar eclipse which will begin 11:18:23. The moment the edge of the Moon touches the edge of the Sun is called first contact. The partial eclipse will end 13:44:30.

Boy lays on ground watching annular solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14 2023

Eye Safety for Total Solar Eclipses

Here are some important safety guidelines to follow during a total solar eclipse.

View the Sun through eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer during the partial eclipse phases before and after totality.
You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. (You’ll know it’s safe when you can no longer see any part of the Sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.)
As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.

An eclipse projector is an easy and safe way to view the eclipsed Sun. NASA

Do NOT use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. Those require different types of solar filters. When viewing a partial or annular eclipse through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes equipped with proper solar filters, you do not need to wear eclipse glasses. (The solar filters do the same job as the eclipse glasses to protect your eyes.) Seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device. Note that solar filters must be attached to the front of any telescope, binoculars, camera lens, or other optics.

Dengue Cases Increasing in the Caribbean

Washington, DC, March 28, 2024 (PAHO)- The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) today warned about the surge in dengue cases in the Americas. As of March 26, 2024, over 3.5 million cases and more than 1,000 deaths have been reported in the region.

“This is cause for concern, as it represents three times more cases than those reported for the same period in 2023, a record year with more than 4.5 million cases reported in the region,” PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa said during a press briefing.

While dengue is on the rise throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, the hardest-hit countries are Brazil (83%), Paraguay (5.3%), and Argentina (3.7%), which account for 92% of cases and 87% of deaths. This increase is attributed to the higher transmission season in the southern hemisphere, when the Aedes aegypti mosquito vector of dengue thrives due to warm and rainy weather.

However, Dr. Barbosa cautioned that “we are also seeing an uptick in cases in countries such as Barbados, Costa Rica, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Martinique and Mexico, where transmission is usually higher in the second half of the year.”

The PAHO Director also noted the presence of the mosquito vector and cases in new geographical areas, raising concerns that some countries may not be prepared to face an increase in transmission.

Several environmental and social factors contribute to the spread of dengue, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and the El Niño phenomenon. Rapid population growth and unplanned urbanization also play a crucial role: poor housing conditions and inadequate water and sanitation services create mosquito breeding sites through discarded objects that can collect water.

PAHO maintains a rigorous surveillance of dengue in the region and has issued nine epidemiological alerts in the past 12 months, providing essential guidance to Member States on disease prevention and control.
The presence of all four dengue serotypes in the region increases the risk of epidemics and severe forms of the disease. The simultaneous circulation of two or more dengue serotypes has been observed in 21 countries and territories of the Americas.

Dr. Barbosa emphasized the importance of taking prompt action to prevent and control dengue transmission and avoid deaths, noting that “despite the record increase in cases in 2023, the dengue case fatality rate in the region remained below 0.05%.” This, he noted, “is very encouraging, considering the spikes in cases we have seen since then.”

This accomplishment has been possible thanks to PAHO’s support to countries since 2010 through a comprehensive strategy to control dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. This strategy includes strengthening surveillance, early diagnosis, and timely treatment, and has contributed significantly to saving thousands of lives.

The PAHO Director called for action, urging intensified efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and protect against mosquito bites, increase preparedness in health services for early diagnosis and timely clinical management, and continuous work to educate the population about dengue symptoms and when to seek prompt medical attention.

“Facing the dengue problem is a task for all sectors of society,” Dr. Barbosa said, calling for “community engagement in order to succeed in our efforts.”

This unpleasant virus is spread through mosquito bites; it’s usually mild but it can be fatal. Symptoms include a fever, a severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pains, nausea and a rash.