News Five conducted a Facebook poll, and it has revealed a near-even split among Belize City residents regarding the idea of a garbage collection fee. The poll asked, “If you are living in Belize City, would you support paying a garbage collection fee?” Participants could answer with a simple “yes” or “no.” Out of seven hundred and forty-eight respondents, three hundred and ninety-eight, or fifty-three percent, said they would support the fee, while three hundred and fifty, or forty-seven percent, opposed the idea. The poll also sparked a lively debate among users, with some offering conditional support and others suggesting alternative solutions. One user commented, “If it’s picked up on time and the city is kept clean.” Another expressed opposition, stating, “City council services that EVERYONE receives should be paid for via property tax.” As we reported, the Belize City Council is grappling with a financial crisis, owing Belize Waste Control over eight hundred thousand dollars in arrears.
Today, we received a letter addressed to Chief Election Officer Josephine Tamaifrom Doctor Omar Figueroa, the U.D.P’s Standard Bearer for Cayo North. In the letter, Figueroa urged Tamai to comply with a court ruling to remove over twenty names from the voter’s list, as determined by the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court. Figueroa claims that Minister Michel Chebat’s team has been fraudulently registering voters in Cayo North. News Five reached out to Chebat, who declined to comment, citing that the court’s ruling is currently under appeal in the High Court. He explained that the Election and Boundaries Department cannot act on the ruling until the appeal is resolved. Chebat mentioned he would be willing to speak with the media once the case is concluded.
Omar Figueroa
Dr. Omar Figueroa, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo North
“We believe there are certain elements within the election and boundaries department here that are involved in this scheme, right? And our concerns have really been disregarded from when we began raising them. And so it, it has become important for us to put it in writing because, yes, the court has ruled, but what will happen now? It appears that these registrations are continuing in the month of November using the same safe houses that have been used. So something has to be done, Marion, or else this thing will never stop. These persons have access to sensitive electoral data. They have access to these binders. I mean, when I go in there, I see it. So something has to be done. It cannot be that these persons would be left there with complete and total access to these original electoral database. I believe that the Election and Boundaries Department, in particular the Chief Elections Officer, now has a responsibility, a duty, and an obligation to follow up on the court ruling.”
We also touched base with Chief Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai, who mentioned she couldn’t comment due to the ongoing court case. However, she did share a response to Figueroa, highlighting that the Election and Boundaries Department operates strictly under the Representation of the People’s Act. In her letter, Tamai emphasized that the Act clearly lays out the procedures the department must follow during any objection or appeal process. Tamai also noted that the registering officer has received a notice of appeal to the High Court from twenty-three electors. She pointed out that there’s no final decision yet because of Chebat’s appeal. Additionally, she stated that the Department firmly rejects Figueroa’s claims. Figueroa had accused over a hundred people of being fraudulently registered in the constituency, but the court upheld the registration of most of the individuals he questioned.
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has announced Abil Castañeda as its new Executive Director. Mister Castañeda has been a key player in Belize’s sustainable development over the past decade, especially through his work in tourism, cultural development, and natural resource management. With over thirteen years of public service, he has made significant strides in promoting sustainable policies and practices. His various roles at the Ministry of Tourism include Project Liaison Officer, Tourism Officer, Chief Tourism Officer, and acting Chief Executive Officer. He also served as the Director of Cruise, Capacity Development, Quality, and Registrar of Hotels at the Belize Tourism Board.
Earlier today, Corozal Town hosted a brief but exciting ceremony to kick off an agricultural drone pilotage course. A drone expert has been brought in to lead the training, where participants will learn both the theory and hands-on skills needed to fly drones for agricultural purposes. This innovative initiative is spearheaded by the Ministry of Investment.
Jose Antonio Texocotitla
Jose Antonio Texocotitla, Course Trainer
“This drone handling course is going to be four and a half days long. It’s going to be sixty percent theory, forty percent practice and we aim to give the basis of the agricultural and drone piloting needs that every participant should have before being able to recognize that the most common troubles in agriculture and also be able to bring an optimal solution. We are going to start with a drone overview, their components, the handling, the assembling and disassembly of the most common parts. Of course, we are also going to have some words from the Ministry of Civil Aviation so they can know the regulations. We will also have some words with the participants, they are aware of the regulations of Belize and we are going to give the pest control assignment. We are going to show the methodology in the classroom and in the field. We are also going to implement a flying simulator so the student can learn in a controlled environment and flying tests so he can get more comfortable with flying without the risk or fear of having an accident having an accident.”
Recently, ACP Howell Gillett, Belize’s National Commander of the Community Policing Unit, was honored at Buckingham Palace with a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) award. This prestigious recognition celebrates Gillett’s years of dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the communities of Belize. Gillett made the trip to England to receive the award in person. We caught up with Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, who warmly congratulated him on this well-deserved acknowledgment.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Congratulations to him. I know that he received MBE or OBE award. I think he’s not the first police to get that. I got my MBE a couple years ago.”
Reporter
“It’s for community policing, I think.”
Chester Williams
“Yeah we get for different reasons, but he got an OBE or an MBE, and I have received mine about four years ago. We have had many commissioners before who have also received those awards. So he’s not the first, as you are saying. But I guess I was told that he traveled all the way to England to receive his which I find to be very unusual. But congratulations to him. He went on a trip, which I believe was a great experience to him. He reported in a conference this morning, some of his experience in meeting people meeting with come to policing officers in in London and exchange ideas. And so he came back with some ideas that he believe will be able to enhance our community policing efforts in Belize.”
Christmas is just around the corner, and Belizeans are getting ready to celebrate this festive season with their loved ones. As the streets fill with eager shoppers searching for the perfect gifts, the Belize Police Department will be out in full force to ensure everyone can shop safely. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shared the department’s plans to keep everyone safe this holiday season.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The police will continue to do what we can to avert these fatal traffic accidents involving motorcycles in particular. It is a very challenging one because as much as we try to educate drivers or riders of these motorcycles. We are still seeing on the part of some of them who are very reckless in how they maneuver these motorcycles in the city and on the highways. And the police continue to work along with the Department of Transport and in the cities and towns with the local traffic department. to see what we can do to be able to avert these things from happening. In terms of crime, again, for the Christmas period, we do what we normally do, which is, say, to conduct the annual Christmas anti crime campaign. This is where we see police officers would come out having worked their shift for the day. They come out in the evening time and do extra patrol between six and ten p.m. In the business areas, as well as the hotspots. This is done with a view to ensure that those persons who wish to go out and do their personal shopping can do so in a crime-free environment, feeling safe with the presence of the police, as well as for merchants to be able to conduct business in a safe environment. Again, looking at the hotspots, we maintain presence within those areas as well because we don’t want for people to be leaving those areas and going to the commercial zones and commit crime. and then go back into these areas. And at the same time, we also do it to guard against shootings and other violent crime that may occur in those particular areas.”
The Belmopan Bandits Sports Club has a new owner and a new name! Now called the Belmopan Football Club, the organization was acquired by Cruz Gamez from John Saldivar. Gamez, who didn’t reveal the purchase price, is well-known for his disciplined approach. He has successfully managed several youth teams in the Cayo District and has experience working with the Football Federation of Belize. Today, we caught up with Gamez to hear about his exciting vision for the club’s future.
Cruz Gamez
Cruz Gamez, President, Belmopan F.C.
“The decision to acquire the Bandits Football Club, now the Belmopan Football Club, the negotiation has been ongoing for a while now. We had meetings with the previous owners, and we decided it is an opportune time to acquire the team and start to rebrand a new team in Belmopan for all that has been happening in the Bandits Club. Presently, we are strategically planning our next move. We are doing our best to bring back football to Belmopan, because I think that the level of football in Belmopan has dropped a lot. We noticed the fan engagement, turnout, sponsorship has fallen a lot. With this new initiative, I think we will be able to bring back football to Belmopan to the glory days that the Belmopan Bandits had at the time. I am about to partner with some strategic partner in Mexico. We have the DBC Stars that recently was a meeting with them to partner with them so that they can assist us in turning the entire structure of the club. They are connected with a team in Oaxaca, Mexico, whereby they play on the second division, below the top league in Mexico. We are about to sign a partnership with them and hopefully that will work through.”
Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. The Belize City Council held its Second Annual Triathlon on Sunday in the Old Capital. At the break of dawn, swimmers, cyclists and runners gathered inside the Lord Rhaburn Plaza for the event.
In total, fifty-one athletes showcased their talents across five different categories. The competition featured two junior individual athletes, eight junior relay teams, seven men’s individual athletes, five men’s relay teams, and one senior mixed team. It was an exciting event with a diverse group of participants giving it their all. The event began with the swimmers taking to the water. The juniors are doing one lap towards the orange buoy near the pier and back. The seniors, including the only individual female, were required to do two laps around the entire course. Individual junior competitor Daylan Cruz is first out of the water. And Cruz was also a part of a junior relay group. He passed off one of his two-time chips to his team’s cyclist Kaille Burgess.
The other junior swimmers came in right behind him and one by one the junior riders began taking off from the starting line. They were required to do one lap from the start to the Pallotti High School roundabout and back. Here we see the second junior individual competitor Kyson Vernon, gearing up for the cycling leg, immediately after his swim. He also competed in the junior relay. In the meantime, the senior individual and relay competitors are working to complete their first lap around the swimming circuit, some seemingly taking a shortcut. There goes Kenroy ‘Smokey” Gladden, a former Lion Man, about to attempt his second lap. He is one of the seven men’s individual competitors.
Also competing in that category, was Kent “Bob” Gabourel, clearly winded after his first lap attempt. Behind him, the lead swimmers among the seniors. Kiluvert Cal led out of the water. He sprinted to his teammate cyclist Giovanni Lovel, passed over the time chip and Lovell was the first senior cyclist to get underway. 00:45 Swimmers Mario Cucul and Kian Trejo came behind and sent of cyclists Byron Pope and Steven Jergenson. Cucul also competed as a solo athlete. He geared up, jumped on his bike and rode off. Right behind them, out of the water is forty-four-year-old Guatemalan Triathlon Athlete Fransico Lima. He competed as a solo athlete. The senior riders were required to do two laps around the same route as the juniors.
Devyn Major is the first junior relay cyclist to finish his first lap. He passed his team’s time chip to Tamia Bennett who began the last leg of the triathlon, the run. Ahmaad Cherrington, the second youth relay cyclist, finished his ride and passed the team chip to Davae McCauley. Gladden, now out of the water and hoping to gain some ground on the cycling leg. Junior rider, Kelsi Castillo completed her one lap and left the last leg in the hands of Jalen O’Brien who made quick work of the transfer and sprinted off to catch up with the runners ahead of him. Bob Gabourel completed his swim at this time, jumped on his bike barefoot and began his two laps. Among the senior riders, Lovell was the first to complete his team’s two laps. But Byron Pope was steadily closing the gap. Leon Leslie was approximately two minutes behind the two lead riders, and there goes Jyven Gonzalez as the fourth rider around he first lap. Now here we have it folks, the first junior relay team to finish the triathlon. Tamia Bennett brought home the gold in the relay category for Team Chill Guys.
Tamia Bennett
Tamia Bennett, Gold Medalist, Team Chill Guys
“The running was a mental thing, because running a long distance you have to have a strong mind. I wanted to stop for a lot of time, but I just pull through.”
Kerwin Guild crossed the finish line in second place. Guild and his relay team from Wesley College secured silver. Jalen O’Brien and the Team Tri-hards secured the bronze medal in the relay category. senior riders began rolling in with Lovell leading the group. Lovell transferred to Ariel Avila, the first senior relay runner to begin the five-k run. Byron Pope only a few second behind handed his team’s chip over to Albert Davis who sprinted off behind Avila. Two minutes later, Jyven Gonzalez and Leon Leslie completed their two laps and handed over their chips to Derrick Chavarria and Levi “Yellow Flash” Contreras respectively. They had a great deal of grounds to make to catch up with the runners ahead of them. Franciso Lima, one of the solo competitors took of his riding gears and suited up for the last leg. Behind Lima, two additional solo competitors, Cucul and Gladden in third and fourth place in the cycling leg. And now, here we have it folks, the first senior relay athlete to finish the five-k run. Its none other than the “Yellow Flash” himself, Jesus Contreras representing team Juan-Leon, Jesus. He was followed closely by Davis in second place and Avila in third.
Jesus Contreras
Jesus Contreras, Gold Medalist, Team Juan-Leon-Jesus
“When I started, knowing that my rider had made up grounds already that had boost me up mentally. I said to myself, if he can take back a minute it is ours. I am in love with this team. The funny thing is, this was one of the team that had a last registration. But, with the swimmer, rider and runner included, we knew we were destined for top two at least.”
And now, the first solo athlete to cross the finish-line was Guatemalan Fransisco Lima. He is your 2024 individual champion. Team G-Flow was the only team in the mixed relay. That team included Leon Guild, Tyrin Tasher and Mirtha Welch. Daylan Cruz won gold in the junior individual category.
Kaya Cattouse
Kaya Cattouse, Organizer, Belize City Triathlon
“We have excellent cyclists and runners in the country; however, our swim is weak. From the triathlon association we are trying to work on this. We have partnered with the YWCA to use their facilities, and we get our high schools athletes there in the evening times to try and swim and become better. We are trying to do more open water swims in this area. We have tried to have just swim events where you just come out here, you set up the buoy and have small incentives to get people motivated that you are training in the pool but for something bigger.”
Well Folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially concluded on November 30, surpassing historical averages in activity. This season recorded 18 named tropical systems, significantly higher than the annual average of 14. Of these, seven were tropical storms, and 11 developed into hurricanes, with a surge in activity after the typically peak month of September.
Belize was impacted by two tropical storms, Nadine and Sara.
The hurricanes this season were categorised as follows:
Category 5: Beryl and Milton
Category 4: Helene
Category 3: Kirk and Rafael
Categories 1 & 2: Debby, Ernesto, Francine, Isaac, Leslie, and Oscar
Meanwhile, tropical storms such as Alberto, Chris, Gordon, Joyce, Nadine, Paty, and Sara remained below hurricane strength.
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) has announced the appointment of Abil Castañeda as its new executive director, effective today. PACT says that Castañeda brings over a decade of experience in sustainable development, tourism, and natural resource management to his new role.
“With a respected career in public service, spanning more than 13 years, he has significantly contributed to advancing sustainable policies and practices in the country in his various roles,” PACT said.
At the Belize Tourism Board, he served as Director of Cruise, Capacity Development, Quality, and Registrar of Hotels. PACT says his extensive expertise includes developing and implementing national policies, plans, and programs to advance sustainable practices in Belize’s tourism sector.
He holds a master’s degree in tourism management from Universidad Regiomontana in Monterrey, Mexico, and a bachelor’s degree in tourism management from the University of Belize.
“The Board of Directors and management of PACT is pleased to welcome Mr. Castañeda, who will lead PACT’s strategic scaling up of resource mobilisation and improved governance towards strengthening Belize’s national protected areas system.”
PACT was established in 1995 as Belize’s national conservation trust fund and sources funding from local and international channels to support government agencies, NGOs, and community organisations managing the National Protected Areas System.
