2024-08-15 - Channel 5 Belize

Galindo Family Alleges Police Abuse of Minors

The Galindo brothers from Santa Elena Town are notorious figures in the eyes of the public. Back in June, a shooting incident claimed the life of David Galindo, the older sibling. When David was rushed to the hospital, the brothers and other family members were accused of damaging public property at the San Ignacio Community Hospital, as well as threatening medical workers. Several individuals have been charged for disorderly behavior in relation to that incident. Subsequently, Santa Elena Town began experiencing a sharp increase in violent crimes, including murders. There is no public information to suggest that the incident involving the Galindo brothers is at all connected to this increase in major crimes. Dozens of police officers, including members of the G.I.3., have since been deployed to the twin towns to keep the peace. And the Galindo family are tonight saying that they are being constantly harassed on their property by those police officers. The family reached out to our newsroom today after an incident this morning in which they are accusing police officers of physically abusing several minors during an operation on the property. News Five’s Paul Lopez report.

Mynor Galindo, Santa Elena Resident

“My point why I address the media, and it is concerning me now because we adults we get locked up many of times and that is not really my concern, but like what the commissioner says, he wants bring pressure he could bring pressure, but now when you want to interfere with children and I have video footage of it.”

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A police station was inaugurated a week ago in Santa Elena to address the crime situation in that town. Mynor Galindo says he has spent forty-eight hours behind bars, including within the new police station, at least twenty times over the course of the last three months. Police accuse Galindo, his brothers and other family members of being members of a gang. Mynor Galindo refutes those claims, though his main concern today was the children that live on their family property.

Mynor Galindo

“When you start interfere with children weh dah eight-year-old, nine-year-old, to carry them, actually carry them, back ah the house to ask them certain things, now you gone too far.”

News Five has obtained surveillance footage of an operation this morning. What we have been able to gather does not show much by way of abuse of authority. But, the family contends that it is because the officers disconnected their cameras and demanded that they do not record on their phones. There is one instance captured on camera that was brought to our attention. A senior officer from the Santa Elena formation was captured confronting another officer that was with the team. This happened while several individuals from the property were detained in the back of the police mobile. Galindo’s account is that the second-in-command was confronting the next officer over the ill treatment of the minors in the yard.

Mynor Galindo

“That happened this morning, around nine this morning all of we the sleep in our home, even the kids. They come knock down this and that, wake up we, nothing nuh wrong, like I said nothing wrong for them to do their operation, their patrol. The one from the GI3. Wah strapid one him. All of a sudden, the GI3 have its own office here. I won’t talk bad about them, because they have a job to do, but he the mek it his business to deal with the pikni deh. When he mih the dreg up the lee gial and do certain things even the, the one after Franco come out of the yard notice that you the mess with a lee bway or a lee gial.”

Paul Lopez

“I have to ask if these children are being used any at all to carry out any sort of illicit act because they can be viewed as innocent.”

Mynor Galindo

“Like what I told them, I dah Mynor Galindo and I know unu hear about me. If unu have any concern and want deal with me, deal with me. If unu want send me dah jail on an SOE send me, but please stop harras my family.”

We also heard from the children’s grandfather, David Young, who was brought to tears after reportedly witnessing the ordeal.

David Young, Father

“I nuh the live wah lovliest life……twenty years over, the police nuh live dah me and I dah nuh know wah alien deh and I know deh have better police man than what I see. Lesgo and I jump way deh and try hold his hand and a next one the try grab me. Deh thing is totally wrong. Lef the child lone. Dende dah the future of tomorrow.”

We also heard from Mayor Earl Trapp who, following the spike in major crimes within the twin towns in late June, supported the deployment of police reinforcement. Today he told us that he is not aware of all the details pertaining to the incident but that, while officers are necessary to uphold the law, children must be protected.

Earl Trapp, Mayor, SE/SI Town

“When we are advocating for security, for a safer municipality we need the police to uphold the law but at the same time I believe the police have bene trained and they must provide a service with principles. WE must understand that adults are adults and minors are minors. There is a law and we must protect our children.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Jennison Vernon is Chopped to Death in Peini

On Thursday morning, shortly before midday, Punta Gorda police responded to information that the lifeless body of a man had been discovered near a pier on Front Street. Upon arriving at that location, the officers observed the lifeless body of forty-four-year-old Jennison Vernon. He was found face down next to the seawall by the fisherman’s cooperative. Vernon had been hacked to death and on his body were as many as seven chop wounds, from his upper shoulder to the middle of his head. Vernon was recently released from the Belize Central Prison and was reportedly homeless. We understand that the murder victim has no known relatives in P.G.

Couple Arraigned for Allegedly Stealing an SUV

A husband-and-wife couple is out on bail tonight after being charged for the theft of a vehicle here in Belize City. Forty-one-year-old Stacy Gillett and Alex Gillett, both of Antelope Street Extension, appeared unrepresented before the lower court today where they were arraigned on a single charge of theft. It is alleged that on July twenty-first, they stole a 2019 Nissan Rogue valued at thirty-five thousand dollars from Brenda Gabourel who reportedly inherited the vehicle from her deceased grandmother. According to Gabourel, while she was dealing with her grandmother’s funeral, the couple stole the keys to the mid-size S.U.V. and made off with the vehicle. On July thirty-first, police visited the Traffic Department where they received a copy of the title for the vehicle, along with an affidavit made by Alex Gillett, without Gabourel’s permission. A wanted poster was subsequently issued by the Belize Police Department and after three days in detention, Stacy Gillett was taken to court where she pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Third C.E.O. Steps Down from Ministry of Transport

Minister of Transport Rodwell Ferguson is changing C.E.O.s for a fourth time since taking office in November 2020. That’s because Doctor Gilroy Middleton, who has been the second in command of that government department since January, has resigned. According to Ferguson, his C.E.O. received a better job offer from the University of Belize and has decided to demit office. Since assuming that portfolio almost four years ago, Minister Ferguson has been assigned three C.E.O.s, including Marconi Leal Junior, Adele Catzim and Gilroy Middleton Junior. Earlier today, News Five spoke with Ferguson by phone, who told us that he shared a cordial and productive relationship with Doctor Middleton.

On the phone: Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport

“The C.E.O. and myself have a very good relationship and there was an offering for him at the University of Belize and he believes that the package was extremely excellent, especially with whatever comes with the package. He lives in Belize City and so said, “Minister, it is best that I live in Belize City and work in Belize City.” As C.E.O., he use to commute from Belmopan to Belize City. So he chose to go back to Belize City and that’s it.”

Isani Cayetano

“This would be the third C.E.O. you would be changing within the past four years or so. What’s next in terms of finding someone to replace him?”

Rodwell Ferguson

“I don’t know, that is the responsibility of the Prime Minister. So even when my second C.E.O. gone, it was because Minister Dolores [Balderamos-Garcia] said she wanted her to be her C.E.O., as a female. So there was no disparity between myself and the past C.E.O. and likewise Mr. Gilroy.”

Isani Cayetano

“What happens in terms of being able to deliver on the works of your ministry in the interim?”

Rodwell Ferguson

“Normally, once a C.E.O. leaves another C.E.O. holds over temporarily. But each department has a head and so we function as normal. But normally a C.E.O. receives the directives as assigned by the Cabinet Secretary or by the Prime Minister.”

Isani Cayetano

“When is Dr. Middleton’s resignation effective?”

Rodwell Ferguson

“I think on Monday.”

Isani Cayetano

“Do you have any succession plan in the short term?”

Rodwell Ferguson

“That is the prerogative of the Prime Minister and so he will decide between now and Monday as to who will be my new C.E.O. or whatsoever the case may be.”

BELTRAIDE Bids Adieu to Dr. Leroy Almendarez

As we reported on Wednesday, a new executive director is taking the helm at BELTRAIDE, as Doctor Leroy Almendarez assumes a new position as Chief Executive Officer at the Social Security Board. Doctor Almendarez has served as the head of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service for the past six years and his tenure is characterized as, quote, by his unwavering commitment to advancing Belize’s trade, investment, and economic development. His leadership has left a lasting impact on BELTRAIDE and the broader economic landscape of Belize, end quote. Doctor Almendarez has participated in several high-level trade and investment negotiation with Taiwan, Guatemala, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. On Monday, Ishmael Quiroz officially takes over as the Executive Director of BELTRAIDE.

Santa Elena Expo to Revive Dying Businesses in Town

We have told you about the businesses in Santa Elena that took a significant hit on their income following the closure of Hawksworth Bridge for renovation four months ago. Since then, several initiatives have been undertaken to bring business back to the area while the bridge remains closed. The low-lying bridge has been made a two-way crossing to divert vehicular traffic to the area. Additionally, a group of business owners have since established the Santa Elena Business Association. This weekend, the association is hosting its very first event, a business expo. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Sandy’s Deli is opening its doors one last time on Friday. After three years, Sandra Rodriquez, the owner of the restaurant, has been forced to shut down. Sandy’s Deli operates along a one-hundred-and-fifty-meter stretch of the George Price Highway leading to Hawksworth Bridge. She says that business has been extremely slow since May when the bridge was closed for renovation.

Voice of: Sandra Rodriquez, Owner, Sandra’s Restaurant

“It has been very challenging because right now we can’t even eat meet the rent. Sometimes they have days where we only sell like a hundred dollars’ worth for the day. And, that does not even cover what we spend for the day to cover or buy the things them. So, it is very challenging and sometimes you have to pay the staff, your trade license and you cant come up with that right now since the bridge.”

The plight of businesses like Sandy’s Deli prompted other business owners to come together to form the Santa Elena Business Association. It is led by Nolberto Rancharan.

Nolberto Rancharan, Chairman, SE Business Association

“Since the third of May I think the whole idea of the closure of the business was not thought out thoroughly. It was done for the traffic reasons in the business side of it put a dent on the businesses on this side of the road and that is what triggered the birth of the Santa Elena Business association.”

The first move was to request that the low-lying bridge which connects Santa Elena to San Ignacio be turned into a two-way bridge. Mayor Earl Trapp agreed and gave the order.

Earl Trapp, Mayor, SI/SE

“I have been very much concerned because of the different complaints from the businesses in that area that they have been nose diving. Hence the reason we decided to allow the low-lying bridge as a two-way especially for small vehicles, since it was only a one way before. There was no traffic int hat area so this allows traffic to that area. So, it has improved business but not to the extent that the businesses were expecting.”

With the new traffic regulation, motorists travelling from San Ignacio must now make a right turn off the low-lying bridge. This route takes them to an intersection near the Hawksworth bridge that diverts traffic into the affected areas. In addition, the association is planning a business expo for Saturday.

Almadelia Frutos, Vice-Chair, SE Business Association

“It is going to start from nine and up to five, everybody should leave at six. But we are expecting to see raffles, lots of foods, and lot of give away and these people coming they are coming to support us in Santa Elena since we have been down. So, we all have come together, and we are joining hands, and we are helping each other. And the business here from Mr. Max Studio to Santa Elena is going to be the area where the business expo is going to be happening, all the activities are going to be happening here. We want you to come out and bring your entire family.”

Timoteo Romero, Branch Manager, Tropigas Santa Elena

“It has been challenging number of months for us but thankfully we are resilient along the with Santa Elena Business Association conducting different types of programs for us to help boost up the business in the area. I think it has been a positive thing for us as well as the area we are in. We are actually panning some very nice surprises, so we invite everyone to come out. WE are having a ten-twenty sale so that is ten to twenty percent off on cash. But it is going to be pretty much more than that.”

There is, however, one issue that the business association stayed clear of addressing. That is the cost of police security for Saturday’s event. The association wrote to the Belize Police Department requesting four officers for the expo. They have since been informed that four is insufficient. As a result, the department is sending additional officers reportedly at a cost of over three thousand dollars. Mayor Trapp contends that the department needs to strike a compromise given the hard times these businesses are facing.

Earl Trapp

“This is something I have been very much concerned about. Hence the reason I have been saying to the relevant authorities, especially the police in San Ignacio and Santa Elena. We must learn to give and take. It is a collaboration between the community and police. Many times, the police would come to the community and say we don’t have these resources in our office. We need a microwave, flashlights, gas, vehicles, but if you need and expect the community will give you, you can give back to the community by providing security. For example, especially when you have an event for non-profit and something that has no alcohol sale. At the least the police should provide police free of charge to just patrol the area.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Administrator of Solid Waste Management Returns to Work

Last week, news surfaced that the administrator of the Solid Waste Management Authority was put on administrative leave while an investigation commenced on missing monies at the government agency. The Ministry of Sustainable Development issued a press release informing that it was in the process of investigating what appeared to be missing funds from the office. The suspicion then was that the funds had been mismanaged. When the Prime Minister touched on the matter, he said that the police would be involved at some point and that if there was any wrongdoing identified, there would likely be a court case. It’s been more than a week since then, and today we asked the Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet for an update.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Environment

“It is something that has already gone to an investigation through the Office of the Attorney General. She has been asked to make a report and respond to a letter that was submitted to her. She was placed on five days administrative leave, and she has –“

Marion Ali

“That’s already gone?”

Orlando Habet

“Yes, yes. I think yesterday. And then she has another four or five days to respond. That is as much as I can say to that, because we don’t want to prejudice whatever she will write or what we will be able to do because the investigation has to continue.”

Minister of Environment Says Study Needed on U.B. Hospital Land

The six-point-nine-million-dollar land acquisition for the University of Belize Hospital is situated near a sewer system on the outskirts of Belmopan. The initial plan was to build the hospital on the U.B. compound, but officials from the government have since reasoned that logistically, that location would not be ideal. Today, the Minister of the Environment, Orlando Habet weighed in on the issue. He told News Five that there will have to be some kind of study or environmental impact assessment before any construction begins. That document has not yet landed at that office.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Environment

“Just before the construction starts, either an environmental impact assessment will have to come – a request – come to the Department of the Environment, and if the department does their due diligence and goes out to the site, does their inspection, then they will decide whether or not it really needs an environmental impact assessment or maybe it just needs that low level environmental study. It depends on what they see. From what I understand, the sewer system initially was designed in such a way that the effluents are contained and that they are treated. So, I don’t see a major problem.”

Marion Ali

“Even in the event of a natural disaster?”

Orlando Habet

“Well, in the event of a natural disaster, then you’ll have to see whether or not it will have an overflow, whether you have to build berms for its containment, and look at the distance that from the sewer ponds to where the hospital proper will be. My understanding there is about five acres, uh, of distance between. So we have to see if that is sufficient. Um, whether or not there might have to be created additional, uh, open sites where overflow will flow so that it doesn’t go into the hospital area. Uh, I’m not searching what has been, uh, planned yet, but nothing has come to the Department of Environment as yet, but I imagine it will come soon.”

Protecting Belize’s Mangroves

Mangroves serve as a natural buffer to coastal communities in times of natural disaster, as well as provide a habitat for marine life near the coast. But there is a thin line between development and balance and with the ever-growing demand for more high-rise resorts and luxury stays in tourist destinations, there is a constant struggle for balance and managing the natural buffer that mangroves provide. In this week’s edition of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Marion Ali looks at the delicate harmony between both. Here’s that report

Marion Ali, Reporting

Mangroves provide a natural shield when hurricanes bear down on coastal communities. They protect against the force of tidal waves and wind. But a lot of Belize’s mangroves are being destroyed, wantonly in many cases, for the sake of development. There is a conscious effort on the part of the government to reverse that trend by implementing new measures.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Environment

“In our Bond Challenge Project, the restoration of a hundred and thirty thousand hectares of degraded lands and that also includes some mangrove restoration. I think it’s around six thousand acres of mangroves that will be restored and implanted between now and 2030. So we have a restoration desk at the Department of Environment and they are now fully involved, fully engaged, trying to start the project, but it is going to be a collaboration with the private sector, with the N.G.O.s who are working on there, for example, certain regulations that regulate the use and you say tearing down of the mangroves, especially in areas where you have these developments for tourism, especially of housing in the cayes and coastal areas.”

Property owners should acquire permits from the Forest Department before they clear away mangroves for development, but many times the law is not upheld. So, when the Department of the Environment gets the information, they assess the damage and impose a fine. As Belize’s tourism industry growsthere is a demand for more construction of resorts and hotels in coastal communities. It potentially means that mangroves will be cleared to accommodate these buildings. Of particular concern for the World Wildlife Fund is that most of the lands that contain mangroves are privately owned. Nadia Bood is the Senior Program Officer for Marine Science and Climate Change.

Nadia Bood, Senior Program Officer, Marine Science & Climate Change, WWF, Belize

“A key project that we are undertaking right now is looking at mangrove land tenure ship to understand, you know, who owns the private – to what extent, what percentage of mangroves in the country is in private hands. and it’s really important understand what percentage is still state-owned, where we can have some interventions. Our original estimation before we commenced this research is that you know somewhere in the vicinity of seventy percent of Belize’s coastal zone is in private hands, so that begs the need, you know, for us to work with these landowners because that will only put additional pressure on the existing mangroves that we have.”

The WWF is working with the government through the Lands and Surveys Department, the Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority Institute and the Forest Department to undertake a national land tenure analysis. It is with a view to develop an engagement strategy to work with landowners on how to sustainably develop around the mangroves that are on their property. What will serve to complement that effort is a partnership that Fragments of Hope is forging with Strong Coast, a U.S-based non-government organization, to provide training on how to trim mangroves.

Monique Vernon, Coral Practitioner, Fragments of Hope

“I don’t know of any actual method, like they don’t come and say, well, this is how to properly trim a mangrove. I don’t know of any documents or anything to that effect, so with this training that -with this collaboration that Fragments of Hope has with Strong Coast, more than likely, I would be trained into how to properly trim mangroves among other people and then that way we could come and train other people in Belize how to do that because from what I understand, mangroves can’t be cut any kind of way. It’s not like the normal trees you see out here. If you cut it in a bad way, the whole thing can die.”

In May 2023, Bowen and Bowen spearheaded a mangrove reforestation exercise on Goff’s Caye to curb erosion that has been occurring on the island for over a decade. Kent Garbutt, an assistant lab technician at the CZMAI explained to us that there was a special method being applied to the reforestation effort.

Kent Garbutt, Asst. Lab Technician, CZMAI

“We’re using the method called the Riley Encasement Method, I mus say of some sort because I have altered it to suit this area. So, the Riley Encasement Method is basically having something to enclose the mangroves in – a pipe, a bamboo, something of that nature. So basically it’s just cutting the pipe or the bamboo in the middle, facing it to the land because we want the water to go in but we don’t want a lot of water to go in.”

With the level of development happening along Belize’s coastal areas, it will require stringent enforcement and constant monitoring of the laws to stop the widespread destruction of the mangroves. The Ministry of Environment has established an office in San Pedro to monitor unapproved mangrove clearing. But there is a need for countrywide cover.

Orlando Habet

“That is part of our problem – personnel. We have to have more personnel to be able to monitor and have compliance ongoing. We will have to submit the request to Cabinet for support for funding for additional personnel that we can place at least one other person down south and possibly one in the north. We have the areas of Placencia, Hopkins, and other small islands where we have a lot of development, so we need that kind of monitoring and compliance.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Waves of Progress: Building Reef Resilience in Belize

It’s the one-year anniversary of the Reef Resilience Project in Belize. The project was launched to protect one of Belize’s most precious assets form further damaged caused by the effects of climate change. Today, stakeholders in the project gathered to discuss the progress made over the last year and further develop the roadmap moving forward. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the event today for more details.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The Belize Barrier Reef: some call it the rainforest of the sea. Famed scientist Charles Darwin once described it as the most remarkable reef in the West Indies. But to Belize, it is the pride and joy. Renowned for its diverse ecosystem and colorful structures, it stretches roughly three hundred meters across the Caribbean Sea. But like many other natural assets, it is in danger. And that is why environmental organizations are working in tandem to protect the reef from the effects of climate change. Tara Scarborough, the Chief Resilience Officer at the Coastal Zone Management and Institute, told us about this goal.

Tara Scarborough, Chief Resilience Officer, CZMAI

“I spearhead the Reef Resilience Unit at Coastal Zone. So essentially this entire event is for the Strategy for Reef Resilience in Belize. And we started strategizing in 2021. 2023, we ended up launching the strategy. And so today it’s one year of progress, challenges we’re highlighting. And also we’ve added a new project. to the strategy which we are launching today.”

In total, the strategy has eight projects and three flagship projects in play, all working toward the preservation of coral reefs in Belize. Assistant Country Director for Marine at Wildlife Conservation Society, Ralna Lamb-Lewis, updated us about the progress the project has made over the past year, which seeks to provide supplementary livelihoods for members of fishing communities.

Ralna Lamb-Lewis, Asst. Dir, Marine at Wildlife Conservation Society

“There are two marine protected areas whereby we work at Glover’s Reef and Saltwater Caye Marine Reserve. And there are vulnerabilities that these communities encounter as a result of climate change. Most of them, like I said, are reliant on fishing, so we were looking at what other type of supplementary initiatives could be implemented that would obviously, supplement their income base for the household. So the project that we were looking at we did first an audit report to basically identify what type of projects have been implemented in the past in these communities, what were some of the challenges. challenges in implementations, and what are some of the enabling factors needed in order for them to be successful during implementation.”

The project targets areas all over the country and has bolstered its support for vulnerable members of the community, such as women and people living with disabilities. The Research Institute at the University of Belize also spearheads a project in collaboration with Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association. Director of the research institute, Doctor Jake Snaddon, details the project.

Dr. Jake Snaddon, Dir, Research Institute, University of Belize

“This project really supports looking at the sort of the data behind reef resilience at Turneffe Atoll. So going back into the thirteen years of data that we’ve been collecting with TASA, so that the university of Belize has been collecting alongside TASA on an annual and sometimes biannual data that we need to work that up. So making sure that data is usable and accessible for the adaptive management. And the management of the at all overall. So making sure that the science is able to support that conservation effort.”

Adaptive Management Program Director of TASA, Virginia Burns Perez, says that through this collaboration, TASA was able to strengthen its team and upgrade its resources for the betterment of the managing reserves.

Virginia Burns Perez, Adaptive Management Program Director, TASA

“This was able to fund several things, but the key things for TASA was funding one of our staff positions, the conservation science officer who is a field officer and conducting a lot of these reef surveys. Through these funds, we were able to complete the agro surveys, which feeds into the report cards that will come out shortly. In this here. We’re also able to purchase some much-needed equipment such as dive tanks and dive gears. And so while this project is really focused on reef resiliency, we’re using a lot of this to, for other work, for fisheries management enforcement. And TASA as the co-manager of the reserve.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.