2024-04-10 - Channel 5 Belize

Andre Perez Says He Hit the Road Running Returning to Cabinet

Minister Andre Perez returned this week to the Cabinet for the first time in many months. The Belize Rural South Area Representative was stripped of his Blue Economy portfolio last September amid sexual misconduct allegations made by a female attorney. But Perez, who had vehemently refuted the claim, was returned as the Minister of Blue Economy last week and on Tuesday he attended his first Cabinet meeting. His fellow Cabinet Minister, Francis Fonseca had told News Five last Friday that the Prime Minister reinstated Perez after the Attorney General’s Ministry had offered advice to the PM after looking into the claim. And today, Perez told News Five that he is grateful to his colleagues who supported him.

Via phone: Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy

“First and foremost, I want to thank my minister for his confidence: that he gave me the opportunity to come back in and invited me to serve in Cabinet. And of course the camaraderie and the support that I enjoy of my colleagues is what I value very much now. And they keep on reminding me of the work that I’ve done in the past and how I’ve done it and the stellar performance. It’s not for me to say they’re the ones that show on it for yourself. I’m humbled, I’m very grateful. And as I said, I hit the ground running. This is a full busy week as well. [I’m] Committed, and of course my first cabinet [meeting] yesterday. And again, today is just another day where we’re moving forward to, to reach out to the new different departments that fall under my ministry. So I need to go and visit them and familiarize myself with them.”

Andre Perez Said He Remained in Touch with His Constituents

Some political pundits had opined that Perez’s political career was done following the allegations and his subsequent suspension from Cabinet, but the attorney who claimed Perez has yet come forward to make a police report so that a criminal investigation could proceed. After the Attorney-General’s Ministry reviewed the matter and advised the Prime Minister, Perez was reinstated. But during those months of being away from Belmopan did not mean that the politician was out of sight or stayed indoors. In fact, he said he kept in touch with the people who put him in office, the people of Belize Rural South. And he does not think that time away from Cabinet will impact his performance upon returning.

Via phone: Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy

“I’ve been in Belize Rural South, so these past few months, I’ve used it to strengthen my connection and my relationship with the people of Belize Rural South namely, Caye Caulker and San Pedro. So it has been in some way, that has some very gratifying that you are as an area rep, which you are duly elected as that, to do the work on a daily basis. And that’s what I did. I engaged [people] especially in the evenings, walking from my office to home on a daily basis. It has been gratifying. So yeah, I wasn’t anywhere hiding. I’m here in town and doing the work, and so I’m very grateful and good to be back as well.”

Minister Dolores Weighs in on Minister Perez’s Return to Cabinet

Did a full-fledged investigation into the allegations against Minister Andre Perez take place? Well, Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos-Garcia told News Five today that she is not sure. Balderamos-Garcia sits next to Minister Perez in Cabinet. So, today, when we asked her about his return, she gave us her thoughts from that perspective. She also noted that a full-fledged investigation did not take place because there was no formal police report made.

Paul Lopez

“Are you satisfied with the investigation that took place in terms of your cabinet colleague minister Perez and his return?”

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“You know I am not sure if it was a full-fledged investigation because, and I had told myself I will not speak much on this because it was the prime minister’s decision, but I will say at least this, a full-fledged investigation may have taken place had there been a formal police report or complaint. No such thing has ever happened. And I only take the opportunity further to say that I sit close to Minister Perez in Cabinet and he is a hard working colleague and that is really as much as I will say right now.”

Strengthening Police Response to DV Incidents Is a Priority

Last month, Cabinet approved the Revised National Gender Policy 2024-2030. This updated policy sets out to achieve gender equity, and equality, and eliminate discrimination against women and girls in Belize. A 2021 document outlining the National Gender Policy Framework highlighted several issues within the Belize Police Department’s response to domestic violence. Despite the establishment of a Domestic Violence Unit a decade ago, trained officers often rotate to other units due to a lack of career advancement opportunities. Disparities in operational hours were noted, with the unit in Belize City operating around the clock, while units in other parts of the country only operate during regular business hours. The report also underscored the limited availability of shelters for domestic violence victims. In response, the latest revised version of the policy prioritizes enhancing police response and victim recovery services. Today, we asked Minister of Human Development, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, about these crucial areas.

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“I think the improvement will come with collaboration. The policy assists us in terms of the direction we want to go. And, because we have come a long way in combatting gender-based violence then what we have to do is work much more with partnerships. So, the policy will inform the actions that will be taken and thank you for raising the issue that the Domestic Violence Unit and the Police Department is understaffed. We will certainly be having discussions with the minister and the commissioner of police to see if we could provide more assistance there. I do know there have been many good interventions, even though in March we had some very sad and tragic occurrences. We had two murder suicides, and then we had other things that have happened, other incidents, a high-level officer of the BDF being accused of severe domestic violence. The message we have to send is that there will be zero tolerance and yes we need more facilities of shelters for people seeking help. Sometimes it takes as many as five to six tries for a woman to come out of a domestic violence situation, because she is so invested in the home, the children and the life she has that it is difficult to walk away when somebody is beating you. But we have had some good successes, and the policy will inform the actions going forward.”

Minister Comments on Her Ministry’s New Indigenous Affairs Director

In March, the Government of Belize appointed Gustavo Requena as the Director of Indigenous People’s Affairs. And his appointment has not come without criticism. The Toledo Alcalde Association has raised concerns over familial ties. He is the brother of Minister Oscar Requena. The Belize National Indigenous Council has also come out swinging, referring to the appointed as set up marred in partisan politics and lacking in integrity. Today, we asked the Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, about the concerns raised. She says Requena was not hired because his brother is a minister.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs

“We no longer have a commissioner for indigenous people’s affairs. We won’t be using that anymore. We have appointed a director which we feel it is best to have a director as opposed to a commissioner and the director is the person of Mr. Gustavo Requena. He happens to be the brother of Mr. Oscar Requena. But I can say categorically that Mr. Requena was not hired because he is the brother of minister Requena. He interviewed, he applied, he has vast experience in community work, having worked as a teacher at the Julian Cho Technical High and also, he was an outreach officer. We are very pleased because he made his application, he comes qualified, he is committed, and he has really hit the ground running in terms of our office in the south at the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs. So, let me take this opportunity to dispel whatever notion there might be that there was any nepotism or any such thing. Belize is small, very small and so we have to go with the talent and experience and what an individual brings to the table. So I have to say so far that we are pleased with Mr. Requena and we will continue our work.”

Updates to Maya Land Rights Policy Following Backlash Says Minister

Minister Balderamos-Garcia also gave an update on her ministry’s work with the draft Maya Customary Land Rights Policy. Viewers will recall that the policy received significant objections from several Maya communities after its distribution. Minister Balderamos-Garcia says revisions have been made, and along with her new director, they are seeking to balance the playing field in the Toledo district. Here is what she told us.

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia, Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs

“Our senior council, Mr. Marshalleck, along with Samantha Matute, we have gone back and looked at the policy and made a few adjustments to what was proposed. Because if you will remember, some of the Maya communities were saying that they didn’t like the section five, which gives you to begin with a concentric circle of a kilometer or two or three kilometers going out in terms of radius. They were not two happy about that. But I believe there was a misconception there. We were not saying to the Maya communities this is all the land you are going to get. What we were saying is that is your starting point without you having to prove use and occupation. Now one of the proposals in the policy is that if you wish to claim as communal land more than the two- or three-kilometers radius then you will have to prove use and occupation for at least thirty years. Some of them don’t want to hear that. But unfortunately, the government is not in a position to please one people, we have to create a balancing act. I can tell you that mister Requena will be reaching out to the non-Maya communities as well, Jacinto Ville, Yemeri Grove, Barranco, these are areas we also have to look at. We are waiting to hear from the legal advisor from the MLA group and then we will be reporting back to the Caribbean Court of Justice.”

Who’s Responsible for the Death of Jennifer Griffith?

A post-mortem examination of the body of forty-six-year-old Jennifer Griffith should determine what specifically caused her death and who is responsible. The resident of San Pedro Town was riding in a golf cart with her husband at the steering wheel on the northern end of San Pedro on Saturday night when they crashed into El Norte Bar. During the crash, Griffith reportedly suffered a head injury, but then she became embroiled in a fight with an employee of the establishment, who then used a conch shell to hit Griffith in the back of the head. Griffith, who refused medical attention, died the next morning. Today, Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez, who has just been reinstated as the Minister of the Blue Economy, told News Five that the incident should not shed any bad light on Ambergris Caye as far as tourism is concerned.

Via phone: Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“There is a huge expat community in San Pedro due to the vicinity of Belize to the north, especially in the U.S., and also the weather and the quick connectivity, we have a huge community of expats. But of course, they’re retired, and what I’m told is that there was some kind of – it’s a weekend – there was some kind of drinking involved. But it was an unfortunate incident, but certainly not to do where we are throwing the image that you have to be careful, you’re going to get attacked. It seems to have been an altercation when you drink a little too much and you get involved.”

Perez Laments over Griffith’s Refusal to Receive Medical Assistance

Following the fight, Griffith was taken to the San Pedro Polyclinic that night and a test was prescribed for her head injuries, but she reportedly refused and left the clinic. But by morning, Griffith was in such bad shape and in so much pain that she returned to the clinic. Unfortunately by that time, it was too late. Minister Perez said that Griffith’s refusal to receive medical assistance was perhaps as bad as the incidents themselves.

Via phone: Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“That is what I was told as well from the authorities is that she refused. She checked out herself. And for information, there is a brand new hospital there. It’s a private hospital, of course, in San Pedro that provides quality service in terms of CT scans, X rays and everything. And everything there was recommended and told by the hospital. And this person refused. So that’s another matter to be looking at again. I will not comment anymore on that because there is a police investigation that needs to carry on with that. So it’s an unfortunate incident.”

World Bank Projects 3.5% Growth in 2024 for Belize

The World Bank held its regional press conference today on the economic status of Latin American and Caribbean countries. According to the bank, the Latin American and Caribbean region has reached a critical juncture. According to the World Bank, while the region has made significant progress in economic stabilization over recent decades, growth has stalled, undermining progress. One of the greatest challenges for the region is crime, specifically the murder rate. So, what about Belize? News Five asked the Chief Economist for the region, William Maloney, what the World Bank’s projections are for Belize in 2024. He started first with the region’s challenges.

William Maloney, Chief Economist, LAC, World Bank Group

“A second challenge is the expanding in the presence of crime and organized crime as well. And violence, if we look at 1 measure of violence, lack is the highest homicide rates in the world. So you see the, so the central bars we’re at about 22.7 homicide 100, 000 population. That’s 10 times we’ve got in Asia and about 5 times we’ve got in North America and it’s about 5 times the level of countries with similar levels of income or poverty. And it’s even above countries with similar level of inequality. It’s related to organized crime, which is spreading throughout the region, even to countries where previously it was less evident and it’s now moved to being the principal social problem for 20 percent of Latin American Caribbeans. It’s ranked as in the as a top problem for 20%. This has big impacts for growth and for the quality of life of our citizens.”

Ana Elisa Luna, Communications Manager, LAC, World Bank Group

“From News Five Belize, how those Belize’s engagement with various IFIs, including the World Bank, contribute to the country’s long term development goals.”

William Maloney

“So, for Belize for 2024, we’re looking at 3. 5 percent and then 2. 5 percent going forward. Obviously, Belize is a reasonably small economy with a, a lovely tourism sector. We want to be more diversified. Any small economy would want to, but there are, it is constrained by scale. So, I’m not exactly sure what our programs are in Belize right now, but it’s possibilities for diversification are certainly worth looking at.”

Who Will be Belize City’s Next Administrator?

It has been about a month since the fatal shooting of Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt, who was the City Administrator up until that time. Lindo-Garbutt, described by everyone who met her as a charismatic and helpful person, was the victim of a domestic dispute that got out of control on the morning of March twelfth, when her husband, Oswald “Wally” Garbutt shot her and then himself at their home on Freetown Road in Belize City. The incident happened just days after the P.U.P. City Council slate was elected to office, and it put a delay on the first couple weeks of work until the new Council could proceed with its work without an administrator in office. According to Mayor Bernard Wagner, the deadline for the submission of applications for the post of City Administrator has come and gone and the Council will be conducting interviews soon. Thereafter it will make recommendations for ratification by Council. The Mayor did not indicate whether any of the applications were submitted by any current employee of the Council, but we expect a name will be announced in the coming days.