2024-12-10 - Channel 5 Belize

Ministry Mourns the Passing of Advocate for Persons with Diverse Abilities

The Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, alongside the Disability Desk, officially announced the passing of Kenrick Theus, President of the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA).

The ministry says that Theus was a steadfast advocate and tireless champion for the rights of persons with diverse abilities. He dedicated his life to fostering inclusion and empowerment within Belizean society. His advocacy and leadership have left a lasting impact, paving the way for a more equitable future.

The ministry expressed its profound sadness and extended condolences to Theus’s family and the members of BAPDA, describing him as a “beacon of hope” whose efforts have inspired positive change.

Theus’s family and colleagues mourn his loss deeply but take solace in the significant strides he made for persons with diverse abilities. The ministry committed to continuing his mission with the same dedication that defined his life’s work.

He was on his way to Brazil for a disabilities conference when he suffered a major heart attack upon landing in Panama, which tragically took his life. He was 55.

BTB and FCCA Bring Holiday Cheer to Children with Gift-Giving Initiative

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in collaboration with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), hosted a special holiday event aimed at spreading Christmas cheer to children from Liberty Children’s Home and Central Assembly of God Primary School. According to Lloyd Enriquez, Director of Cruise and Capacity Development at BTB, the initiative is part of a long-standing tradition by the FCCA, which has been carrying out similar events in Belize for over 20 years.

“This is the first one post-COVID,” Enriquez noted as he stressed the significance of the event’s return after the pandemic hiatus. He explained that the activity was designed to uplift the spirits of children from the two institutions. As part of the festivities, children received gifts from Santa, who arrived in Belize along with 17 crew members from the Sun Princess cruise ship.

Approximately 760 children were expected to receive gifts, though only 60 were able to attend the event in person due to various reasons.

Director Agatha Valentine of The Liberty Children’s Home says the event created a memorable holiday experience for its young residents. According to Valentine, coordination for the event required careful planning due to the fluctuating population of children at the facility. Children are often reunited with families or placed with foster families, making it necessary for Liberty staff and BTB personnel to maintain clear communication throughout the process.

Valentine described the children’s excitement upon learning about the outing, noting that Christmas is a particularly special time for them.

“They’re always excited about gifts. This is the best time of the year for them. The children have been looking forward to Christmas,” said Valentine. She said that the chance to leave the Liberty facility in Ladyville was also a rare treat, as most of their activities are limited to that area due to financial constraints.

Belize Inks $3.2M Contract for Design and Construction Supervision of Belmopan Hospital

The Government of Belize has officially signed a BZ$3.2 million (US$1.63 million) consultancy contract with Dar Al Omran International Engineering Consulting Company (DAO) for the design and construction supervision of a new 150-bed Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Belmopan.

The contract was signed by Financial Secretary Joseph Waight on behalf of the Government of Belize, while Managing Director Yacoub Shubeilat signed on behalf of DAO. The consultancy will span four and a half years, or 55 months, during which DAO will oversee key aspects of the project, from architectural design to on-site supervision and quality assurance.

The government says that the new tertiary hospital is being developed as part of Belize’s 2023-2026 Medium Term Strategy, which aims to strengthen social protection systems and improve healthcare access for vulnerable communities. The hospital will be built with financing from the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and government counterpart funding.

DAO’s responsibilities under the contract include:

Architectural and Engineering Design: Development of a comprehensive design for a 150-bed hospital complex.

Supervision of Construction: Overseeing the layout, construction, and landscaping of the hospital.

Quality Assurance: Ensuring that all design and construction activities adhere to standards required by the Government of Belize and the Saudi Fund for Development.

The design phase will take approximately 9 months, with construction expected to last 34 months. The project also includes a 12-month defects liability period to address any construction-related issues.

Belize and Central America Tourism Continues Recovery Post-Pandemic

Tourism in the Caribbean and Central America has surged after strong U.S. demand for short-haul travel, reported the article Travel and Tour World. The rise in tourism is noticeable across the Caribbean and Central America. Destinations have seen rapid recovery that has been driven largely by U.S. travellers seeking short-haul vacations.

Belize, like other countries in the region, benefits from its proximity to the U.S. and offers a diverse range of adventure travel options that appeal to environmentally conscious tourists.

According to the Belize Tourism Board, the number of overnight visitors grew by 86,355 visitors, a difference from 372,614 in 2022 to 458,969 in 2024. This data comes from the latest statistics released by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) on November 11, 2024.

Other destinations like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas were quick to recover post-pandemic as well. Puerto Rico’s passport-free entry and nearby locations like El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize are gaining popularity for ecotourism.

The Caribbean is also seeing significant cruise tourism growth of 14% more cruise capacity in 2024, which is largely due to the rise of mega-vessels and private islands. These developments help address overtourism and support local economies.

Cabinet Advances Tourism, Law Reforms, and Security Initiatives

Armed Robbers Beg for Lives on TikTok Live in Jamaica

Four armed men dramatically surrendered on TikTok Live after a botched robbery and intense shootout with police at a supermarket in Spalding, Clarendon, Jamaica, on Sunday. The standoff ended with the seizure of four firearms, including an AK-47 assault rifle.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) reported that police intercepted the gang during a robbery attempt. This led to a gunfight that left one officer and two of the suspects injured. The gunmen then barricaded themselves inside the supermarket, prompting a tense standoff with law enforcement.

The suspects used TikTok Live to broadcast their surrender, pleading for their lives in front of a live audience.

The JCF confirmed that the suspects will face criminal charges.

The condition of the injured officer has not been disclosed.

Ministry Calls for Road Safety Compliance Amid Recent Tragic Accidents

The Ministry of Transport is urging all road users to prioritise safety following a series of fatal traffic accidents. The ministry extended heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and friends of those who lost their lives.

With the holiday season underway, the ministry is calling on drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians to exercise greater caution. Key safety measures include adhering to speed limits, wearing seat belts, being mindful of road conditions, avoiding drunk driving, and overtaking only when it is safe and legal to do so.

In response to the tragic incidents, the ministry announced plans to ramp up its road safety enforcement. This will involve increased patrols and vehicle checkpoints, particularly at night, in collaboration with the police and municipal traffic authorities. Media outreach campaigns will be launched to educate the public on safe driving practices. Traffic violators, the Ministry warned, will face the full force of the law.

Over the weekend, ten persons died as a result of a crash on the George Price Highway—the worst car crash in recent memory.

Why Is the F.I.U. Silent on Caribi Bleu’s Unauthorised Use of ATM?

Prime Minister John Briceño told News Five that if Caribi Bleu Casino is found guilty of wrongdoing, it must face the full extent of the law. This statement follows News Five’s investigation that the casino in San Pedro was operating an unauthorised ATM that dispenses U.S. currency—a clear violation of financial regulations. The Central Bank has confirmed that ATMs, especially those dispensing foreign currency, are prohibited from being installed in casinos.

News Five’s investigation, which spanned eight weeks, revealed multiple layers to the Caribi Bleu story. Initial reports centred around the issuance of numerous golf cart permits for the casino. The San Pedro Town Council’s Traffic Master Log shows that Caribi Bleu Limited only has 20 golf carts registered under its name. However, during a site visit, News Five counted more than a dozen golf carts in the casino’s parking lot. A video later surfaced showing several carts being stored in a nearby building. But when reporters visited the casino at the request of a representative, they were shown an empty facility, and the representative denied that golf carts were being stored there.

The most alarming discovery, however, was the presence of an ATM dispensing U.S. dollars on-site. Prime Minister Briceño told News Five that the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Central Bank are responsible for investigating the matter. He stressed that he would not intervene in the investigation but encouraged the regulators to hold those responsible accountable. “Well, I am confident that the Central Bank is going to charge these people or take them to court, and they should; I would encourage them to do so,” Briceño stated.

Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael confirmed on October 27th that an investigation into the casino’s ATM is ongoing. He described it as a “live investigation” and noted that the Central Bank would issue a cease-and-desist order to Caribi Bleu Casino. Michael also raised a critical question: How was the ATM configured to dispense U.S. currency?

The Central Bank has yet to specify the penalties Caribi Bleu could face, but it is likely that sanctions could be enforced under the Currency Exchange Act or the National Payment Systems Act. While ATMs are legal in Belize, their use within casinos and their capacity to dispense foreign currency are strictly regulated.

Adding to the controversy is the lack of transparency from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which is the designated supervisory body for casinos. For three weeks, News Five sought comments from the FIU Director, but calls, emails, and messages went unanswered. The FIU is also responsible for investigating the source of the U.S. currency loaded into the ATM, which raises further questions about the casino’s compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.

An additional mystery is the registration status of Caribi Bleu Casino. According to the FIU’s official website, there is no registered casino by that name. This discrepancy has fuelled speculation about the casino’s operations, raising further questions about its legitimacy.

As it stands, both the Central Bank and FIU are tasked with uncovering how the casino was able to circumvent national regulations. Prime Minister Briceño was clear: “If that is so, then they need to be held accountable,” and that “if there are any persons that should be found guilty of any wrongdoing, they should be charged to the fullest extent.”

News Five will keep investigating.

City’s Garbage Collection Resumes

Garbage collection in Belize City has resumed after central government stepped in to assist the Belize City Council. Belize Waste Control (BWC) halted garbage collection after the council had fallen behind on payments, accumulating arrears of $800,000.

But over the weekend, workers were seen collecting garbage.

For the first time under a PUP-led City Administration, BWC refused to continue its service without payment. According to Mayor Bernard Wagner, a resolution was reached after the government intervened on behalf of the council.

With the agreement now in place, garbage collection will continue as usual, bringing relief to Belize City residents who had been dealing with uncollected waste as the holiday season approaches.

CCJ Dismisses Julio Recino’s Appeal, Upholds Conviction in Rape of a Child

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has dismissed Julio Recino’s application for special leave to appeal. Represented by attorney Nazira Uc Espat-Myles, Recinos was convicted for the offence of rape of a child by the Court of Appeal of Belize on August 16.

The virtual complainant was 11 years old at the time of the offence. She gave uncorroborated evidence that on 21 August 2016 she went to the Recino’s corn mill to purchase corn tortillas. Recinos began kissing her on her cheeks and lips, grabbed her, and raped her. When he saw a little girl approaching the shop, he stopped and put his pants back on. The virtual complainant returned home without reporting the incident to anyone. Five days later the police received an anonymous report that a minor had been abused. The child and her mother were then escorted to the police station, where the child provided investigators with an official complaint.

A doctor confirmed that the child was carnally known. Recinos was convicted on May 2, 2019, of the rape of a child and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

Recinos did not appeal his sentence. His appeal was on two grounds, namely: “That the learned trial judge’s directions to the jury were inadequate in that she omitted to point out a crucial discrepancy between the evidence of the VC and Dr. Perraza; and ii. That the summing up was not balanced, as the weaknesses in the Crown’s case were not sufficiently analysed and put to the jury.”

The Belize Court of Appeal dismissed both grounds in a unanimous decision.

Recinos then filed an application for special leave to appeal to the CCJ on the same grounds. The CCJ dismissed the application on the basis that there were no discrepancy between Dr Perraza’s testimony and the directions by the trial judge to the jury, that the trial judge had given a summation that was balanced and fair to both the accused and to the prosecution, and that there is no basis for considering that the Court of Appeal erred in dismissing this ground.