2024-10-02 - Channel 5 Belize

Chamber Warns: Dockworkers Strike Threatens to Escalate Inflation

As we reported on Tuesday, dockworkers on the U.S. East Coast have launched an indefinite strike against port managers, demanding higher wages and a ban on automated equipment. This labor dispute has significant implications for Belize. Jody Williams, Vice President of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, warns that the impasse could drive up the cost of imports from the U.S. East Coast. If local stocks run out before the strike is resolved, Belizean importers and wholesalers will be forced to seek alternative sources, likely leading to soaring prices.

Jody Williams, Vice President, Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry

“Here in Belize, you know, we import a lot of products, especially perishables and food products from the US. So. Right now, as we speak, we have the entire East Coast starting in the north from Maine, straight down to New York, down North Carolina, straight to Florida, and then taking that swing into the Gulf, you know, up to Houston. All of that is closed. And we can see here most of our imports come from that side of the US., whether through Florida, through New York, or through the Gulf, you know, from Houston. And definitely they will have not only national implications, but a global supply chain problem, because other than that, the most serious problem we see here, Marion, is that there’s no timeline or end date for this strike. It’s just begun. It could go on for weeks. It could go on for months. We will have shortages on the shelf. Um, it could be anywhere from one to two weeks, but it definitely will after the two weeks. We will see some problems, especially when we are here consuming these products and then now it can’t come to Belize due to the strike happening, so it won’t take long. And also for exports, you know, exporters that can’t get their products into the US market and they could say, okay, well, we’re going to use the West Coast, you know, ship through California, but we could see that most of our businesses get products from closer to the East side and central US. So that extra inland trucking, any business would incur ten to twenty percent more freight and other costs to do extra inland freight. And other than that, you know, we will see price increases and not only at the wholesale level, but also in the retail on the shelf. And, we know, Marion, that when there is a scarcity of goods, especially on the shelf, and there’s such limited supply, you know, a lot of times we will see those items price go up.”

If Strike Drags On, Xmas Hams Could Be Imported from Mexico

Williams, who also holds a stake in Marie Sharp Fine Foods, highlights that the strike will impact exporters like their company, which are striving to get Belizean products into the U.S. East Coast market. Additionally, there is growing concern among importers of perishable goods, such as hams and other frozen foods, which wholesalers are beginning to stock up on for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The strike could disrupt these crucial holiday imports, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.

Jody Willams, Vice President, Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry

“Just for a real-life example, like, you know, we at Murray sharp, you know, we right now we have to ship to a private port. In Pennsylvania, and this private port will be the only entry into the East Coast. But for us to use that port, you know, we are incurring extra costs. And then the thing is, these are a lot of uncertainty because more than likely, we’re not the only persons using that port. So we will also see congestion at that port. So how long will that congestion take place? And how long will it take for ships to dock in? And the same thing to get products to Belize, then businesses will have to either absorb the cost and leave the prices the same or they would have to pass those increasing costs to the final consumer. And right now, as we speak, you know, we have inflation in Belize. And, you know, definitely we’ll see a little hike up due to this global supply chain problem. And that’s the thing, Marion, as well, before this shot, before this strike happening, there were also other problems happening, like the Red Sea, and the drought at the Panama Canal. So this is just another shock to our supply chain and another potential increase to inflation in Belize and around the world. We try to be resilient. We’re looking for other ways to probably get containers to Belize, other two other ports from the West coast. Well, definitely we will see increasing costs in trying to do so. Around the countries. Yes, and that’s another thing. We can’t get the butter from the US. We can’t get the ham. Well, we have to look at Mexico, look at Guatemala, look at El Salvador. I think since COVID, you know, we have seen products from those countries import into Belize from those countries increase. And, you know, after COVID we’ve learned a lot. We have sometimes tiptoed trying to find new ways. And I think that this will probably, you know, we will see ham from those countries entering the country while this strike happens.”

The Road Towards A CARICOM Single Market Economy

The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) is an ambitious economic integration initiative designed to create a unified market for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This visionary concept was first introduced in 1989 during the Tenth Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government. Fast forward thirty-five years, and while there have been some strides forward, the journey towards fully realizing this single market remains fraught with challenges. Countries like Belize, facing these persistent obstacles, are increasingly seeking trade partnerships beyond CARICOM. In response to these ongoing issues, a delegation from the CSME has arrived in Belize to hear these concerns firsthand and gather recommendations for improvement. News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us the latest on this developing story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A delegation from the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) has arrived in Belize for a pivotal three-day mission. Organized by the CARICOM Secretariat, this visit aims to bolster regional cooperation and advance the development of a dynamic CARICOM Single Market. Leading the charge is Titus Preville, the Director of the CARICOM Single Market, who is set to engage with local stakeholders and address key issues to drive this ambitious integration forward.

Leo Titus Preville, Director, CARICOM Single Market

“The Secretariat is adopting a listening mode. We will be adopting a listening mode, in listening to the stakeholders and haring from them, what are some of their concerns with the CSME, how is it working or not working for them.”

Today, the CARICOM Secretariat team met with members of the public, including young professionals, union members, local government representatives and students from tertiary institutions.

Thomas Serrut, Galen University Economics Major

“What peaks my interest is open markets. There are many different currencies spread out across the Caribbean, but if we want to establish something similar to the EU then perhaps we should look at introducing a single currency for the Caribbean and becoming more interconnected in our financial firms and economic opportunities for Belizeans and just free trade.”

Zanah Reyes, Galen University Marketing Major

“I think I learnt currently a lot from the free movement. I would love the opportunity to travel to all these different communities and see what they have to offer and come back after I have learnt to incorporate it in our country.”

Paul Lopez

“As a young Belizean which of these opportunities do you see is of most value to you?”

Jonathon Chiquin, UB Marketing Major

“Most definitely the free movement one. We have the opportunity to move anywhere in the CARICOM community which is Jamaica, Saint Kitts, Saint Nevis and Saint Lucia.”

The discussion sparked a lively debate, with numerous questions raised about the labor opportunities available within the single market, the pursuit of fair wages, and the various challenges encountered in the implementation of the CSME. Participants voiced their concerns and sought clarity on how these issues could be addressed to ensure a more equitable and efficient integration process.

Leo Titus Preville

“As I said before to people who are here, CSME is not an event. It is a continuous process. When you think of the CSME you are looking at the implementation of five core regimes in the CSME, free movement of goods, of persons, free movement of capital, the right to establish business and the rights to provide service. If you ask yourself, how has development been in any one of those five areas, you will see that we have made significant progress in those core areas.”

On Tuesday, the delegation made a significant stop at Quality Poultry in Spanish Lookout. This Belizean company has been grappling with formidable challenges in its quest to penetrate the CARICOM market. The visit highlighted the ongoing struggles not only for Quality Poultry but also for many other local products facing similar uphill battles. The question remains: how can these barriers be overcome to ensure fair access and opportunities within the single market?

Leo Titus Preville

“I would say the answer to your question lies in what the minister of agriculture to Belize indicated to us yesterday. His concern is that perhaps the issue is not whether everything is in place to allow for the trade. It is perhaps whether there is the political will at the member state level to facilitate what they have agreed to.

WE believe the answer for that is continued engagement, continuous dialogue, building confidents, establishing standards. Those are the things we need to do to cause us to move in the direction that the minister of agriculture for Belize would have pointed out yesterday in our engagement with him.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

21-Year-Old Woman Charged with Making Child Pornography

In a shocking turn of events tonight, a resident of Gales Point finds herself behind bars at the Belize Central Prison. Twenty-one-year-old Shania Welch, a student at Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College, was arraigned late this evening on grave charges of creating child pornography and sexually assaulting a ten-year-old child. The allegations are deeply disturbing. Between December 2020 and January 2021, Welch is accused of making a video in which she engaged in explicit sexual acts with the minor. The video reportedly shows Welch coercing the child to perform sexual acts on her using an aerosol deodorant bottle. The young victim, accompanied by her mother and a social worker, recounted the harrowing experience to the police, identifying Welch as the perpetrator. Appearing in court today without legal representation, Welch was denied bail and remanded into custody. She will remain at the Belize Central Prison until her next court appearance on November 29, 2024.

Domestic Violence: A Stark Reality for the Working Class

This week, the spotlight turned to the troubling issue of domestic violence as it played out in the media. Popular artist Huston Alvarez, better known as “Hubee,” was escorted to court and charged with harm following a domestic altercation with his girlfriend last Thursday. In a Facebook post, Alvarez expressed deep regret over the incident. Despite his public apology, he pleaded not guilty in court, a move that has sparked criticism from some quarters. This incident is a stark reminder of the many domestic violence cases that occur weekly across the country. These cases often involve the police, the Women and Family Support Department, and both private and public sector counselors, all working tirelessly to help the affected parties regain a sense of normalcy. News Five’s Marion Ali delves deeper into this pressing issue in her report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Most calls for help in domestic violence situations are made through nine-one-one calls or through calls to the police landline. The calls are forwarded to the Family Violence Unit which responds to these cases.

A.S.P Mariette Robateau, Commander, Family Violence Unit, Eastern Division

“We would go to that person’s home and we would always take the person, and if that victim at that home – we see any injuries on that person, we would first take that person to the hospital. Then we would take the perpetrator, and we would detain that person if that person is around where we can find [them] right away.”

Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mariette Robateau says when police officers who deal with these cases get the report, they act promptly to prevent a bad situation from getting worse. After the victim makes a formal report, the matter is pursued in the court, where the victim can get protection.

A.S.P Mariette Robateau

“We would send victims to go to the Family Court, and they can apply for a protection order, they can apply for occupation order, and other services through the Family Court.”

Counseling is also offered at the Family Violence Unit and what they deem as cases that need advanced intervention are referred to the Women and Family Support Department. Onando St. Bernard is the Counseling Coordinator at that unit.

Onando St. Bernard, Counseling Coordinator, Women and Family Support Department

“Many survivors who come in will come in just for one session and they’ll vent. They’ll just vent with the pain and suffering that they’ve gone through. And so in those situations, we try to employ a solution-focused brief therapy, and we also try to ensure that we do a safety plan so that they have something in black and white that they can take with them to give them that confidence to know that they can get away or that they can do something, they can reach out to different organizations as well. For those individuals who come in and who are working with us for a longer period of time, there are different types of therapies that we will do with them.

The Department is spearheaded by Human Dev. Coordinator, Cynthia Willams. She says the problem is prevalent among people of working age.

Cynthia Williams, Human Dev. Coordinator, Women and Family Support Dept.

“Last year, 2023, nationally, there were one thousand two hundred and fifty reported cases of domestic violence and these are data that come from the Belize Police Department. In comparison to the previous year, in 2022, that was a five percent increase because it was only a thousand and ninety-nine cases. So one of the things that we notice, even as we deal with cases individually, we notice that most of these cases are within the age ranges of eighteen years and forty-five years.”

ASP Robateau says that in her relatively short time as commander of the Family Violence Unit at Eastern Division, something that concerns her deeply is an increase in cases of violence against the elderly.

A.S.P Mariette Robateau

“I have been here for a year at the Family Violence Unit as a commander and what I have seen arise in cases that are, abuse against older persons, especially when it comes to your parents, there has been an increase where it comes to like parent/child-abuse cases. We have seen the child abusing their parents. The society, you know, is changing and children are very being very disrespectful towards their parents now. So we have to pay keen attention when it comes to that and try to assist those elderly persons that are living in those homes with those abusive children.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Francis Gegg Appears in Indian Court; He’s Denied Bail for Drug Trafficking

Seventy-one-year-old Francis Gegg, brother of developer David Gegg, has been languishing in prison since his arrest on October 30, 2022, at Delhi airport. He was caught with nearly ten kilograms of heroin while traveling from Johannesburg to India via Doha. Customs officers intercepted him and discovered the alleged contraband during a baggage search. Earlier today, the Belizean national appeared before the Delhi High Court, seeking bail. Gegg argued that the conditions outlined in Section 50 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which require informing a person of their right to be searched by the nearest gazetted officer, were not met. However, the court found this argument unconvincing due to the nature of the search. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, relying on established judicial precedents, noted, “Section 50 is not applicable in this case as the search was of the applicant’s baggage and not his person, and that too in a public place. Moreover, the applicant was served with a notice under Section 50 of the Act. The issue was merely the absence of the word ‘nearest’ in the notice, which cannot be addressed at the bail stage as it is a matter for trial.” The court also highlighted that Section 37 of the NDPS Act, which imposes strict conditions for granting bail, was applicable since the quantity of contraband recovered was of a commercial scale. Consequently, the court concluded that there were no reasonable grounds to believe that Gegg was not prima facie guilty of the alleged offense under the NDPS Act.

Fungal Infection Threatens Sugar Cane Crops in Corozal

Farmers in the Corozal District are on high alert as the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) has issued a critical warning about a rapidly spreading fungal infection. This infection, known as fusarium, has been wreaking havoc on sugar cane crops for the past month, causing widespread wilting and yellowing. The situation is dire, with the infection already affecting approximately three-fourths of the district’s crops. The rise in temperatures has created an ideal environment for the proliferation of these harmful pathogens, exacerbating the spread of the disease. Marvin Garcia, Research Extension Officer at SIRDI, provided further insights into the crisis. He emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action to mitigate the damage and prevent further spread. Farmers are urged to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their crops from this devastating infection.

Marvin Garcia, Research Extension Officer, SIRDI

“It is through something that creates an opening to the plant can be environmental or can be true best creates an opening and then the fusarium gets in the plant and infect the plant. We have had a long drought season, and I think this is one of the main reasons we have this problem. The soil starts to crack whenever it cracks. It destroys the roots underneath and it creates openings for the plant. Once the plant is weak, the fusarium will infect also, we have stem worm and we have sugar cane weevils that bore through the stem of the cane create openings and the fusaium also goes in there. And also also you were asking if the fusarium will affect humans if we consume it. No, it’ll not. What we’ll do to cane, If it is severe, it depending on the variety of the cane. We have different varieties. Some of them, yes, it can destroy completely and some can be tolerant to it. And that we’re working on it and seeing which varieties are more tolerant. What we have seen in the variety that is more than sixty percent of the sugar industry is B79, 474. It is susceptible. To this fusarium, and we have seen even some areas with the mortality of this, this variety with the fusarium.”

Farmers are advised to clean all fire lines and equipment thoroughly and to avoid using potentially contaminated seeds.

Belizean Bird Enthusiasts Tired of Bird Misrepresentation in ART

Belize, a paradise for bird lovers, boasts over six hundred native bird species, making it a haven for birdwatchers. This vibrant avian diversity has made birdwatching a beloved activity among enthusiasts. However, a recurring issue has been noted by these keen observers: many artworks and images across the country feature bird species that aren’t native to Belize. To delve deeper into this trend, we spoke with several passionate birdwatchers. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with more on this intriguing story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Birds are an omnipresent symbol in Belize, gracing our buildings, clothing, and even our currency. They have become an integral part of the country’s iconic branding. However, there’s a troubling discrepancy. Despite their widespread depiction, many of these birds are not native to Belize. Avid birdwatcher Rudy Burgos has voiced his concerns about this issue. Here’s more on his perspective.

Rudy Burgos, Bird Watcher

“People want to use bird images in their advertising, whether it is t-shirts for national celebrations, or they put murals on the walls. For example, the education department put a mural on a wall with a bird or any or national monuments, like real bridges and arc and like that. And sometimes they just go to the internet and do a search. And they based on whatever image they find, which is really shameful because sometimes they come up with strange things that you would find.”

The keel-billed toucan is Belize’s national bird. During September celebrations, imagery depicting the animal appeared all over the country, including the Belize City annual independence mural on the wall of the Roger’s Stadium. This painting is true to the likeness of the bird. However, the same cannot be said for other paintings previously commissioned by the Ministry of Education on the side of school buildings.

Rudy Brugos

“Or they say, this is national bird, which is not. And it goes over and over again. A good example would be some years ago, they started repeating schools all over the country and they put the national symbols, national animals. Okay. and they use a wrong token. That is shameful. Imagine an education department that does not know their national animal so to speak.”

Nearly seventy percent of Belize’s overnight visitors touch down at the Philip Goldson International Airport, where they are welcomed by a striking arch adorned with vibrant macaws. Ironically, these colorful birds are a rare sight for guests during their stay in Belize. This curious mismatch between expectation and reality has not gone unnoticed.

Rudy Burgos

“We only have one type of macaw. We have ten species of parrots. One is a macaw, which is a scarlet macaw. Scarlet means red. You’ll see these macaws, they are not red. So it’s easy to see. They’re not Belizean.”

Spotting non-native bird species in Belize is not unheard of, as many birds migrate to warmer climates during the colder seasons of their native habitats. Earlier this week, an injured Caribbean Flamingo was discovered on the outskirts of Belize City, far from its usual home in Mexico. Despite the valiant efforts of the Belize Bird Rescue and the Animal Medical Center, the flamingo sadly succumbed to its injuries. Miguel Sho, Environmental Education Officer at the Belize Audubon Society, acknowledges the challenge of keeping track of which birds are native to Belize.

Miguel Sho, Environmental Education Officer, BAS

“In Belize you can find over six hundred species of birds, but that both includes the migratory species and the resident species. For the resident species It is, birds that are, that can be found all year round in Belize and getting to identify those birds can be a bit tricky.”

Sho explains that a simple way to ensure that the birds being depicted are accurate to Belize’s diverse environment, is to simply check.

Miguel Sho

“One way that you can get the correct identification of these birds is, by referring to the guides. We have the Birds of Belize guide by by Lee Jones. And there’s some other new editions of books by other authors as well. And those can be very helpful when it comes to identifying birds that are native to Belize.”

By educating Belizeans about what animals are native to the country, visitors will also become more informed about what the country has to offer and what they can expect from their stay. While it might seem like a minor issue to many, for those who cherish and seek to represent the true beauty of their country, it is something they simply cannot ignore. The accurate depiction of Belize’s natural splendor is a matter of pride and authenticity for them. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Bird-Enthusiasts Invited to Fourth Annual Birding Festival

The Belize Audubon Society is calling all birders to flock together for the fourth annual birding festival! This exciting event offers bird enthusiasts a chance to connect, exchange knowledge about Belize’s diverse bird species, and learn about conservation efforts. This year’s festival will take place on October fifth in Spanish Lookout. Miguel Sho, Environmental Education Officer at the Belize Audubon Society, shares more details on what attendees can expect.

Miguel Sho, Environmental Education Officer, BAS

“The Belize Birding Festival is a huge event that is, it’s the fourth annual event in Belize itself. And it’s very huge that a lot of birders nature lovers can get together, build network and meet people and also get to learn about, conservation in Belize and how, a bird is contributing to tourism in Belize as well. So the entrance fee for the event is thirty-five Belize per person, and that is at the door. You can also register, we have a website that you can register on, which is the belizebirdingfestival.org. But, the price is the same on the website and at the door. So thirty-five and five for kids. And it’s an entire day event. So it’s, there’s a lot of activities. There’s some workshops that is very useful for persons who are interested in learning birds. And we also collect data on a bird species that we haven’t believed. There’s also a workshop that is being done on how these data are used when it comes to conservation and tourism.”

Sheran Palacio Responds to Innovabel Land Distribution: “Poor People Need Land Too”

The former Mayor of Belmopan, Sheran “Sharon” Palacio is defending her Innovabel Land Distribution program in the Innovabel Estate. She stated, “I was glad to help ordinary Belizeans who would never have had the opportunity to acquire land.”

Criticising the current administration for attempting to undermine her legacy, she stated, “I am not surprised that the current Mayor and his cohorts are investing time and energy trying to erase my contributions.” She emphasised the need for land among the impoverished, asserting, “Poor people need land too.”

Addressing allegations of personal gain, she stated, “Let it be known that past Mayor Sheran Palacio has not gained a single copper from any land allocated to any of the current owners.”

Palacio highlighted that many city council workers, some employed since 2000, finally became first-time landowners through her program. “Their sweat, blood, and tears finally paid off when they were empowered to become first-time land (lot) owners,” she declared.

Palacio’s statements follow Mayor Pablo Cawich’s investigation into questionable land sales at the Innovabel Estate, where parcels were sold for up to 95% below appraised values. A leaked document lists 43 parcels, including sales to Palacio’s family for as little as $100. Cawich revealed that this resulted in an estimated $2 million revenue loss.