2024-07-22 - Channel 5 Belize

COVID-19 Cases on the Rise

The Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed to News Five today that the number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise in the country. Over the past four weeks, the ministry has observed a steady increase in infections, with the Belize District being the most affected area. Doctor Russell Manzanero, Director of the Epidemiology Unit, spoke with News Five via zoom today. Briteny Gordon has the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The number of COVID cases in the country is on the rise.

Dr. Russell Manzanero, Director of Epidemiology Unit, MOHW

“We’re seeing just an increase of cases everywhere. It’s global. So those cases are being seen again on the rise. As a matter of fact, COVID never left us. COVID has been here, and I believe it will be here to stay. It’s just that we are having these numbers, and of course, those that are testing are, is not, let’s say, adequate enough, because people are still not testing enough. We’re not doing that testing, so it’s severely underreported at this time.”

Which means that the number might be higher than it is on paper. Director of the Epidemiology Unit in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr. Russell Manzanero, told News Five that for the past four weeks, the ministry has been recording a slight increase in cases. He says that the Belize District is recording the highest number of COVID cases.

Dr. Russell Manzanero

“We do have, of course, based on population size. We’re talking about Belize district. We have a lot of mobility in the Belize district and by Belize district, I’m referring even to the keys. So a lot of interaction, a lot of movement there. So when we’re talking about these movement of individuals, all of that the tourism sector is, it’s booming. So we do have a lot of interaction with a lot of people. I’m not seeing the tourists per se, but I’m just seeing that there’s a lot of involvement interaction between individuals. Whenever that happens, you’re going to see an increase of cases of respiratory illnesses. And by that I also mean COVID.”

According to Dr. Manzanero, there has not been a severe COVID case or a COVID-related death recently. Cases have been moderate, with most being among the vulnerable population.

Dr. Russell Manzanero

“We have had a few admissions for COVID. Still, there are moderate cases, which means that they’re on high flow oxygen. No, nobody ventilated, nobody like that. And the people we’re seeing basically, again, is in our high risk groups. Over the past days, perhaps we’re seeing an increased cases in the elderly population. So we still have to take care of our elderly population. When you go visit your grandparents or your mother, your father, you still have to take those things into consideration. So if you have only flu or anything like that, make sure you use a mask. If you know they’re ill. But that doesn’t mean if you are if your mom or grandmother is a diabetic or have cancer or anything like that you take your measures and you protect them too, so you have to wear the mask as well. What we have seen in the past I believe for a month now. So for the couple, four weeks now, we’ve been seeing like a slight increase in cases, not significantly to say, okay, we have one outbreak or so it’s more. so these cases are starting to pop up once more. Similarly, we’re seeing other cases of flu viruses. So even though we have COVID, we also have influenza, we have RSV. So all of those other viruses are also circulating. Should the public be concerned? Measures won’t be the same. The vaccinations happen. It’s still there. You can still get vaccinated for both of them. But generally, this time, the concern is, of course, still with at risk groups. We have our elderly patients, we have our pregnant mothers, we have our children, our, all those same ones that we’ve been seeing, that we are seeing.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

After 21 Years in U.S. Prison, Belizean George Herbert is Returned Home

On Saturday, George Herbert, who was rounded up and sent to the U.S. to stand trial twenty-one years ago, was deported to Belize. Accused of being a former gang leader, Herbert was convicted by a U.S. federal court of several drug trafficking-related offences. Herbert was kidnapped by Belizean police officers and handed over to the U.S. Government to stand trial. He was accused of collaborating with Mexican and Colombian drug cartels and was convicted in December 2004 for importing several tonnes of cocaine into the U.S. between March 2001 and August 2002. Herbert was incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution Victorville in Adelanto, California. U.S. law enforcement presented evidence showing that Herbert shipped cocaine from offshore Belize to Calderitas, Mexico, on three occasions, knowing the drugs would be transported to the U.S. The evidence also revealed that Herbert collaborated with the Mexican Juarez Cartel, with the assistance of armed members of the “George Street Crew” street gang, to facilitate the drug smuggling operations. The cocaine was transported in speedboats supplied by Mauricio Ruda-Alvarez. Ironically, Ruda-Alvarez was found murdered in the trunk of a car in Medellín in October 2002, just two months after ordering the kidnapping of Herbert over a stolen cocaine shipment. While Herbert was serving time in a U.S. jail, a Belize court ruled in his favour regarding his extradition process. His family filed a lawsuit against the government, claiming a violation of Herbert’s constitutional rights due to a lack of due process. On the day he was handed over to U.S. law enforcement, Herbert was detained by Belize police officers. The court awarded fifty thousand dollars in damages to his beneficiaries and ten thousand dollars in court costs. Since returning to Belize, Herbert has been processed at the Queen Street Police Station by the G I-Three Unit and is required to sign in as part of the deportee monitoring programme.

Thea Garcia-Ramirez Responds to Allegations of Unfair Voting

It’s been over a week now since the P.U.P. held its convention in Corozal Bay to elect a standard bearer for the next General Elections. On Friday, the sitting Area Representative, Elvia Vega-Samos wrote a Facebook post that quickly drew a response from the party’s chairman, Henry Charles Usher, debunking her claims. The most serious of the allegations were that there were Mexican nationals who were allowed to vote, that persons were allowed to vote with just notepads, and that her supporters were denied the chance to cast their ballots. We were not able to reach Usher for a response, but the party’s press release states in part that the procedure for the finalisation of the Voter’s List for the convention was done with the full participation of both candidates and their representatives, and that only registered voters of the Corozal Bay constituency were allowed to vote. The release also advised Vega-Samos and her supporters to cease immediately from making what it calls further baseless and outlandish public statements. Meanwhile, the successful candidate, Thea Garcia-Ramirez, told News Five she had a machinery of about two hundred and fifty persons who campaigned for her. In terms of the allegations that there were Mexican nationals voting for her, Garcia-Ramirez said there was no way that could have happened. She says she reached out today to Vega-Samos, asking for her support, and is awaiting her response.

Thea Garcia-Ramirez, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Corozal Bay

I will tell you categorically that I have no knowledge of any Mexican nationals that were not on the approved voting list and the voting list. The process is you come in with the voters list, and I think that the cutoff date was June, so anybody that was registered to vote, accepted by Elections and Boundaries, to vote as of June 10^th, was on the first list. And you can’t be on the national on the elections and boundaries this unless you confirmed to certain requirements, one which is being a Belize national or a member of the Commonwealth, a resident, another sorry, not resident, a citizen of the Commonwealth, having resided in Belize for at least a year. So all the requirements have to be met. And then from that list, there was a vetting that vetting was done with the secretariat and both camps. We signed off on that list with the provision that we are human. We make errors. It was a little bit over six thousand five hundred names on the entire voting list for Corozal Bay as of June 10th. And, you we started about eight o’clock at night to vet, after a hard day of campaigning. We are bound to make mistakes. Like I said, we are human, and with that said, there is a provision at all P.U.P. conventions that if on convention day, both parties, there’s only two, there were only two candidates in this case could, agree that the person was indeed a P.U.P. voter that they would be allowed to vote that what that’s, rule number 14. And on that premise, we both signed. I received a message prior to the convention a day or two before that said to me that provision would no longer be available that was the list. I want to be fair and say that there were voters coming in for both candidates that were not allowed to vote. I have reached out to Honorable Elvia Vega, Minister of State. I’ve asked her to join my executive. I haven’t received – but I just sent it today, so I haven’t yet received a reply, and asked her to come in. let’s join hands. I think this is a real opportunity to show how women handle both victory and defeat. I think it is a teachable moment. I think it is a moment where we can really show our leadership skills, come together and be able to move forward, as a party, as women of the P.U.P. and women in politics on a whole.”

Belize Women’s Volleyball National Team Secures Historic Gold

On Saturday night, inside the Belize City Civic Centre, Belize’s Under-21 Women’s Volleyball Team made history. For the first time since the nation organised a national volleyball team in 1990, Team Belize secured a gold medal. Their victory in the twentieth Under-21 Women’s Central American Volleyball Championship marks a significant achievement, catapulting them to new heights. Despite being the country with the smallest population in the region, Team Belize dominated against countries with populations ten times larger. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there to witness the historic event unfold, and here is his report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A parade through the streets of Belize City is just one of the events organised to celebrate the National Under-21 Women’s Volleyball Team’s gold medal victory. For five days, Team Belize performed before cheering fans inside the Belize City Civic Centre. Night after night, they displayed dominance and overcame their opponents.

Allan Sharp, President, Belize Volleyball Association

“At lot of sports have come asking, how did you get there, what did you do? I think the number one thing to remember is it is not an overnight thing. It takes a long time to develop. Our first national team went out in 1990. None of you were born. You are under twenty-one.”

A press conference was held this morning at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex to celebrate the historic gold medal. Allan Sharp, the President of the Belize Volleyball Association, underscored the significance of this gold medal victory.

Allan Sharp

“What was fantastic with this one is that it was dominant, dominant, three zero every time. I think only Nicaragua get past twenty in one set. We made it known that little Belize, of the forty plus million people in all of Central America, we with the four hundred thousand, we got talent.”

Belize played its gold medal match on Saturday night against Guatemala, a team that has dominated the tournament in the past. But Guatemala was no match for Belize’s strategic plays, height, and strength. The stadium erupted in celebration the moment Team Belize scored its final point to secure victory. National pride beamed throughout the Civic Center. News Five witnessed the moment and spoke with the players.

Gareth Bruce, Team Captain

“This is such an emotional and amazing feeling. Belize made history. Our first gold medal ever. OMG, this is so amazing. It is so different because in 2022 we got silver. We lost to Guatemala. So not just getting gold is bringing the amazing feeling in this tournament, but also winning them again.”

Paul Lopez

“And you also did it in fine style, not only going undefeated but with a perfect score as well. How is it that you all were able to maintain your focus throughout this week and accomplish that?”

Gareth Bruce

“We had good coaching staff, good fans, good teammates, and as a leader I just had to keep my team motivated even when the times were getting difficult, I needed to keep them motivated and well disciplined.”

As the champions stood on the podium, proudly adorned with gold medals, confetti explosions marked the moment. Nisan Martinez received the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament award.

Nissan Martinez, M.V.P.

“Mein, I don’t know how to feel. I am so excited. I am so proud. All the hard work really pays off. I want to say a big thank you to my team, staff, coach, all of us who put our all into this all year round. Lately we have been focusing on this tournament. We went to the U-Twenty-Three in preparation for this tournament. So, that definitely paid off for real.”

We also heard from coach Nelissa Martinez. Coach Martinez has played on national teams that have medaled before. On Saturday, she celebrated the nation’s first volleyball gold as a guide and motivator on the sidelines.

Nelissa Martinez, Coach

“I was seh this pan news, I hope all the players get a piece of land, get money if it is possible. I am serious about it, because we invest a lot in volleyball, Ms. Lupita invest a lot in volleyball. We don’t want to just see faces come around all of a sudden to take pictures. We need them to do something for us. Do something for the team.”

Spoken like a true coach who understood the time, energy, and resources invested behind this gold medal win.

Minister of Sports Rodwell Ferguson was present at today’s press conference to congratulate the team. He announced that his ministry is working on logistics to reward the team with an all-expenses-paid weekend in San Pedro for the Belize International Music and Food Festival.

Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Sports

“We are trying to find a hotel room for you if you want to go, but it is a bit difficult. That would be our prize we offer to you from the Ministry of Sports to allow you to go to the fest in San Pedro once we find hotel rooms. So far it is almost impossible. But we are trying to get in Caye Caulker and makes sure we get a good boat to take you to Caye Caulker after the concert to make sure you get to Caye Caulker safely. So, by the end of the today we will call Mr. Allan. If you all want to go we will provide a room for you in Caye Caulker to visit on the weekend. If it is a good gift for you let me know, let me say yes or no so we can continue.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Dangriga Man Shot; Critical

A man lies critically wounded in the Southern Regional Hospital after he was shot. Today, the police informed the media that Rayshawn Middleton was at a wake when he got into a fight with other persons who were tampering with his motorcycle. Middleton left the scene, and when he returned to get his motorcycle, he was shot. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero told the media that the information suggests that the suspect was trying to steal Middleton’s motorcycle.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the 20th day of July 2024, police responded to a shooting incident at the Benguche area in Dangriga. Upon arrival, they found Rayshawn Middleton with gunshot injuries. He was taken for treatment and remains at the hospital in a critical condition. Information received that Middleton was in the area at a wake when he had an altercation with other persons. He then ran from the area and came back to check on his motorcycle, at which point he saw the other person tampering with his motorcycle. He intervened, at which point one of the persons pulled out a firearm and fired several shots towards his direction, causing his injuries. An investigation was carried out and we have since arrested and charged Norbert Smith for the crimes of attempt murder and use of deadly means of harm.”

Reporter

Did the victim know the suspect?

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“Yes, he knows the person.”

Reporter

“Was the suspect trying to steal the motorcycle?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“That is what it appears that he was taking the motorcycle.”

Police Arrest Minor for Orange Walk Shooting

There was another shooting that occurred at the start of the weekend, this time in the Orange Walk District. It happened on Friday on the outskirts of the town, in Trial Farm Village. Luckily for the complainant and his family, no one was injured, and police say the gunman was a seventeen-year-old minor. The motive – an “old beef.”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday, the nineteenth day of July, 2024, police responded to a shooting incident at Trial Farm in the Orange Walk District. Upon their arrival, they met Julio Castillo, who reported he was at home when he heard several bangs. Thereafter, he noticed that there were bullet holes on his front door. Thereafter he called the police. The police responded. An investigation was carried out. Since then police have arrested and charged a seventeen-year-old minor for the crimes of aggravated assault and damage to property.”

Reporter

“And the motive?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“Some rivalry that they have with this person.”

Robbery in Springfield

It is not one of the more modern communities in Belize, and perhaps that was why robbers targeted Springfield over the weekend. On Saturday, four gunmen held up four persons in the community, located several miles out of Belmopan off the Hummingbird Highway. The robbers got away with a vehicle, cell phones, and other belongings, as A.C.P. Hilberto Romero shared.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the twentieth 20th day of July 2024, police responded to a robbery report at Springfield. On their arrival, they found Richard Belisle and three other persons. They reported that they were at a farm at Springfield, when they were approached by four male persons who were armed with firearms. The persons proceeded to rob them of personal belongings, including cell phones, and thereafter stole a Ford Ranger pickup valued at seventy thousand dollars from Richard Belisle. The person then fled from the area. We have no suspects at this time for this robbery.”

Reporter

“How many persons was it?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“There were four persons at Springfield, and they were approached by four other male persons who did the robbery.”

Reporter

“Were they in the car at the time of the robbery?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“No, they were at a farm outside of the vehicle.”

Kareem Franklin Found Not Guilty of Attempted Murder

Belize City resident, Kareem Franklin, was found not guilty of two counts of attempted murder. However, Justice Candace Nanton found the twenty-seven-year-old guilty of two counts of use of deadly means of harm with intent to cause grievous harm. Investigators say that Franklin was involved in a shootout that took place in Belize City on March first, 2016 in the Saint Martin’s De Porres area. Sentencing is set for September 26, 2024, and he faces up to ten years imprisonment on each count. Franklin was accused of attempting to murder two police officers, P.C. Stephen Choco and Joseph Sutherland. On the day of the incident, the officers were on motorcycle patrol on Mahogany Street when they encountered Franklin, who was acting suspiciously. Franklin opened fire at the officers, but fortunately, he missed them. Franklin denied being present at the scene, claiming he was at home and later at a football field when the incident occurred. However, video footage captured near a dental clinic in the area showed a man identified by two separate police officers as Franklin with a gun in his hand. In her ruling, Justice Nanton stated that while the Crown did not prove Franklin intended to kill, his actions showed an intention to cause grievous harm. Franklin was represented by Attorney Ronell Gonzalez.

Sibling Dispute Leads to Hospitalization of Pregnant Woman and Arrest of Sister

A family dispute at the Tzul residence on North Front Street has resulted in one pregnant sister being hospitalized, while the other sister has been arrested and charged with grievous harm. This afternoon, twenty-three-year-old Monique Tzul, a cashier from Belize City, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on a charge of grievous harm. She pleaded not guilty to causing grievous harm to her twenty-one-year-old sister, Aailyah Tzul, a call agent. The incident allegedly occurred on Wednesday, July seventeenth, 2024. The prosecutor objected to bail, citing the possibility that Monique might interfere with her sister again and the serious nature of the offense. The matter was paused briefly to check the health status of the pregnant mother and her unborn child. Upon confirmation that both were in good health, the magistrate granted bail to Monique. She was released on bail of two thousand dollars with one surety of the same amount. Conditions of her bail include no contact with the complainant, maintaining a distance of a hundred yards from her sister, not reoffending while on bail, and signing in weekly at the Mahogany Street Police Station. Additionally, she is prohibited from visiting the family home on North Front Street while the case is ongoing and must reside at her home on Morning Glory Street. Her next court date is set for September twenty-third, 2024. In her report to the police, Aailyah stated that on the day of the incident, she had texted Monique, urging her to spend more time with her four-year-old daughter, who was being cared for by their mother. This led to a verbal altercation when Monique arrived at the house. The argument escalated, and Monique allegedly punched Aailyah in the head, causing bruising and swelling. Aailyah then retaliated, and Monique reportedly stomped on Aailyah’s stomach, despite knowing she was pregnant.

U.D.P. Standard Bearers Meet in O.W., Discuss “General Reform”

Last week, the United Democratic Party suffered a crushing defeat in the Toledo East by-election. The party’s candidate, Dennis Williams, lost to the People’s United Party’s Doctor Osmond Martinez. Doctor Martinez received three thousand two hundred and sixty-nine votes, while Williams garnered one thousand one hundred and fifty-nine votes. And it seems that key players in the U.D.P. are using this latest defeat to remove Party Leader Moses Barrow again. Reports reaching News Five indicate that at least eighteen of the party’s standard bearers convened for an informal session today in Orange Walk Town. The meeting reportedly included prominent leaders such as Tracy Panton, Second Deputy Leader Beverly Williams, and former leaders Patrick Faber and John Saldivar. Discussions centered around the need for “general reform.” A National Party Council meeting is scheduled for August 3rd, where recommendations concerning the future of the U.D.P. will be presented following its devastating defeat in the Toledo East by-election. We’ll keep following this story.