2024-09-02 - Channel 5 Belize

Feinstein Doubles Down on Decision to Challenge G.O.B. Acquisition

The Feinstein Group says it is moving full steam ahead to challenge the Government of Belize’s recent decision to compulsorily acquire twenty-three point four acres of Stake Bank Island. The company issued a release today outlining its reasons for objecting to the compulsory acquisition. The Feinstein Group argues that the acquisition lacks legitimate public interest. They contend that the existence of alternative docking facilities such as the Port of Belize and the Port of Magical Belize negates any urgency or necessity for the G.O.B. to seize the Stake Bank lands. The Feinstein Group further argues that Michael Feinstein holds one hundred percent of Stake Bank Enterprises Limited’s shares and that he legally acquired the additional twenty-three point four acres surrounding Stake Bank Island using his personal funds, with full transparency and approval from relevant authorities. The Feinstein Group asserts Michael Feinstein entirely financed the dredging equipment essential for the project’s development and that the expenditure for the projected amounted to one hundred and seventy million dollars with an additional forty million dollars in interest. The Feinstein Group further alleges that the decision is shrouded in malice and corruption intended to punish Michael Feinstein for his “outspoken stance against G.O.B.’s various egregious actions aimed at diminishing the project. Evidence exists that senior government ministers have been actively involved in efforts to coerce cruise lines away from SBEL’s cruise port, favoring competing projects instead”. The group remains unwavering in its commitment to defend Michael Feinstein’s property rights against this acquisition. The release notes that an independent international appraisal of the property is currently underway to ascertain its true value. It ends with a call for the Government of Belize to respect the rule of law, honor its commitments to local investors, and engage in fair and transparent dialogue to resolve this matter.

PM Explains Compulsory Acquisition of Stake Bank Lands

Over the weekend, we caught up with Prime Minister John Briceño in Orange Walk where sought a more in-depth explanation as to why the government has decided to pursue the acquisition of Stake Bank lands and why the same process was not done for the university hospital land. Here’s what he had to say.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“If you remember in 2014, I think and in 2018 we passed legislation deeming that Stake bank is in the national interest of the country and we gave them extensive exemptions so that they can get this work done. Fast forward to today probably what’s about five, six years that they’ve been working, and they have not finished the project. They have invested probably about two hundred and seventy million dollars and then unfortunately. The different business partners fell out of favor. And the bank, they were not paying the bank. One of the main investors decided to pay off the loan. And so now, we’re trying to find between the two parties, trying to find a way for them to be able to come to some agreement, we’ve been unable to do that. The number of cruise lines that are coming are decreasing because we do not have where they can dock. And then this asset is being washed away. We believe our, as a responsible government, we have put out a first notice for compulsory acquisition. Then that means that whosoever owns the lands could come to government and say, this is my land, I need to be compensated. There’s a negotiation and then if there’s no, we cannot come to an agreement, then we go to the courts. What is most important is that that the government got from the main investors a deposit in the bank in the name of the government of Belize and also an indemnity bond so that whatever happens in the next two, three years, is going to quite likely go to the Caribbean Court of Justice. The government of the Belize and the Belizean people would not have to pay a single penny in the settlement of this project.”

Britney Gordon

“So why wasn’t the hospital land compulsorily acquired as well?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Because then it cost us a lot more than what we’re paying for.”

Freight Truck Plunges Into Sea at Port of Belize Limited

A freight truck ran off the pier at the Port of Belize Limited and plunged into the sea with a container full of goods. Reports are that the truck was leaving the pier head when the mishap occurred. The guard rails broke off during the incident. The contents of the container were seen adrift at sea nearby. Fortunately, the driver of the check escaped the ordeal alive. So, who will be held responsible for the lost goods and failure to adhere to operational protocol the leading cause of this mishap? News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Voice of: Stevedore
“I got you, just relax, nuh get frighten. Nuh mek the rope knot you up, that is all you need to do.”

This is the moment on Sunday morning when a group of stevedores working at the Port of Belize sprung into action to rescue one of their fellow co-workers. The individual in the water is holding on to a rope let down by the group on the pier above. Behind him is a freight truck halfway submerged in the water.

Voice of: Stevedore

“You wah can’t pull him up like that. You have to get a ladder. He will get hurt. Just stay right there, don’t move. Stay right there rasta man, just relax your body and be comfortable.”

News Five reached out to the Port of Belize Limited seeking further details on what led to the freight truck ending up in the sea and its driver in need of being rescued. We await their response. But credible reports are that the driver was transporting a container filled with goods that had been offloaded from a ship moments prior. These are goods that were shipped to Belizean customers from overseas. The driver of the freight truck reportedly veered off the pier as he attempted to avoid hitting someone that was working on the pier. Images show the contents of the container spread across the sea’s surface near the ship. Many of the goods appear to have suffered significant water damage. There are now questions as to what exactly was in that container and whether the Port of Belize Limited will compensate those customers for the lost goods. In the meantime, News Five has been informed that the driver escaped the ordeal without injury, and he is taking the day off today.

Voice of: Stevedore

“Thank God ih nuh dead. Ey ras hear this right, me dah the only man weh only have on my socks and ready fih come for you. I just hope you know that right.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Cotton Tree Man Killed in Love Triangle

A resident of Cotton Tree Village was gunned down inside his home in the wee small hours of Sunday. Otoniel Mateo was inside his room when a pair of men arrived at the location. There was a brief scuffle, and a shot was fired. When the smoke cleared, Mateo, an employee of Santander, lay mortally wounded inside the apartment. By the time neighbors and other responders reported to the scene of the shooting, Mateo was already dead. This afternoon, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero provided a few details on the deadly incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“ Around 1:50 a.m., police visited Cotton Tree Village where there was a report of a shooting incident. Upon their arrival they found the lifeless body of Otoniel Mateo, thirty-one-years, with gunshot injuries. Information received is that Mateo was at his room when he heard a knock on his door. He came out and two persons were there and they were involved in a fight. Thereafter, he was shot. His body was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. We are seeking two known suspects for this murder at this time.”

Reporter

“Were these suspects known to Mr. Mateo?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, they were known to him.”

Reporter

“Do you have any idea about the motive?”

Hilberto Romero

“This stemmed out of a dispute about a female.”

Reporter

“Was there any prior altercation before the incident?”

Hilberto Romero

“Not that we know of.”

Police Detain Three Suspects for Korrie Cruz Murder

On Friday, San Ignacio police were summoned to Fifteenth Street where they found the body of twenty-one-year-old Korrie Cruz. There were obvious signs of injuries to the head and an investigation has led the police to make a few arrests. According to ACP Hilberto Romero, police have detained three suspects. He was unable to determine what weapon was used to murder Cruz.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday, the 30th day of August 2024 police visited Fifteenth Street San Ignacio, where they found a lifeless body of Korrie Anthony Cruz with injuries to the head. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. An investigation is being carried out and three persons are detained in regards to this murder. We are awaiting a post mortem examination to see what are the findings. Nothing was taken from him. This is over some rivalry he has with some persons in that area. Some items were recovered, but, uh, at this time, uh, these persons are being interviewed.”

American Firefighter Remanded on 3 Counts of Attempted Murder

An American firefighter finds himself remanded at the Belize Central Prison on three counts of attempted murder and four counts of use of deadly means of harm. The charges follow an altercation at Shisha’s Night Club on Newtown Barracks Saturday morning. In the incident, Ian Abraham, Javan Abraham, and Mark Usher had to be hospitalized for stab wounds. Today, forty-one-year-old Gilbert Lightburn Junior appeared unrepresented in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. Due to the nature of the offense, no plea was taken and Lightburn was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October thirtieth. During his arraignment, Lightburn Junior informed the court that he had an attorney, but none showed up. When he was asked if he understood the charges, Lightburn Junior said “I understand it, but I never attempted to murder anyone. I was defending myself. He asked when he would get to explain what happened and blurted out that he was afraid and that he had been robbed of his phone. The magistrate explained to him that he would need to apply to the High Court for bail and that it was best that he didn’t say anything else until his attorney was present. Meanwhile, a relative of the stabbing victim told the media that her son, Giovanni Abraham along with her cousin, Ian Abraham, have since been discharged from the K.H.M.H., but Javon and Mark Usher remain hospitalized. The relative said that Javon Abraham and Mark Usher experienced collapsed lungs and doctors had to insert tubes to remove blood. Today ACP Hilberto Romero told reporters what they have on the case.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday morning, there was an incident of Shisha Bar at New Town Barracks in Belize City. There was an altercation between some persons which resulted in Ian Abraham, Javan Abraham, and Mark Usher receiving stab wound injuries. An investigation was carried out into this report where no one, Gilbert Lightburn has been arrested and charged for three counts of attempted murder and three counts of use of deadly means of harm.”

Reporter

“In terms of what led to the incident, can you say?”

ACP Hilberto Romero

“They were drinking at the nightclub and there was a dispute between them which led to the stabbing.”

Reporter

“The stabbing happened inside or outside?”

ACP Hilberto Romero

“It started there and it ended up on the street.”

Reporter

“That area has seen several incidents. What, if anything, are police doing to ensure…”

ACP Hilberto Romero

“There were police posted at the area, but this person managed to enter the establishment with the weapon. But as soon as the incident occurred, they reacted and he was detained there immediately.”

Reporter

“Yes, and in terms of preventing future incidents?”

ACP Hilberto Romero

“Yes, we will be more thorough with the searches when these persons enter these nightclubs.”

Man Shot in Punta Negra Village

A man was shot while at home in the otherwise quiet village of Punta Negra in the Toledo District. The incident left the victim in stable condition and police are looking for the suspect. Investigators shared with the media today that Dion Garoy reported that the assailant literally kicked down the door to his house and then shot him. At this point, he said, police have no motive for the attack.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the thirty-first of August 2024, Dion Garoy reported that he was at Punta Negra when he heard someone knocking on his door. The person then stamped open his door and produced a handgun and shot him to the leg. He ran off; the person fired more shots at him, but he managed to escape. He then visited the Punta Negra Police Station where he made his report. We are seeking one known suspect for this shooting incident.”

Alliance For Democracy Backs out of Press Conference, Seeks Peace

The Alliance for Democracy says it wants peace with U.D.P. Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow. On Friday, the alliance called a press conference for today, after the U.D.P.’s central executive expelled Tracy Panton, Patrick Faber, John Saldivar and Beverly Williams from the party. The U.D.P., thereafter, sent out a request for applications for standard bearers in those four constituencies. Well, the Alliance for Democracy backed out of that scheduled press conference. We spent the day reaching out to the alliance to get information on the status of that press conference. Late this afternoon, a release was issued stating that it has been actively working behind the scenes to secure a retraction of the central executive’s decision. The alliance says the retraction is viewed as a crucial step, a conditional precedent, to returning to the mediation table and addressing the current impasse. The release says that considering this, the alliance has decided to stay its next course of action to give the process a fair chance to succeed. We will continue to follow.

Mai Says Sugar Inquiry Successful Thus Far

Last week, the first set of hearings for the long-awaited Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry kicked off in Orange Walk. The Commission’s mandate is to analyze the entire value chain of the sugar industry and provide recommendations on various aspects. After the hearings conclude, a final report is expected to be submitted to the Government of Belize by the end of November. We spoke with the Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai for some insight into the commission of inquiry thus far. Here’s what he had to say.

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“The commission of inquiry is going well. The commissioners, I am convinced, are experts, professionals, and I’m happy for that. All I want is for the commission of inquiry to result in recommendations that are sound, that are fair, and that will allow the industry to be a viable one in the long run. All I want is fairness for all the stakeholders, the farmers, and the miller. And I am confident that will happen.”

Santander Takes on Sugar Commission of Inquiry

The commission of inquiry into the sugar industry in Belize resumed today with presentations being made by representatives of the Santander Sugar Group. During the lengthy session, David Rodriguez outlined the benefits and disadvantages of Santander not falling within the Sugar Act.

David Rodriguez, Santander

“We definitely are not under the Sugar Act even though the Ministry of Agriculture has already given us a license for operating a mill in Belize. We have a license and a permit from the Department of Agriculture to grind and operate a sugar mill in Belize. The legal figure we are operating currently was formerly known as an EPZ, export processing zone, right now. It changed a couple of years ago to the DPA, designated processing area. We are operating on that and basically that’s a fiscal incentive program that the country offers. It’s the one that we made operate in Belize. With that legal status that we have or according to the way that we are operating here, since we are not under the umbrella of the Sugar Act, we don’t have access to some of the preferential markets that Belize as a country has access. We don’t have access to the TRQs from the United States, that it’s a quota for a country and not for a single company. So we don’t have access to that preferential market and as I mentioned before, we don’t have access to sell sugar to the local market.”