2024-12-12 - Channel 5 Belize

Biden Grants Clemency to 1,500, Pardons 39 Weeks Before Leaving Office

U.S. President Joe Biden announced today that he is granting clemency to nearly 1,500 people and pardoning 39 persons convicted of non-violent crimes. This decision comes weeks before Biden’s presidency comes to an end and makes it the largest single-day act of clemency in modern U.S. history.

In an address, Biden said, “America was built on the promise of possibility and second chances.” He added, “I have the great privilege of extending mercy to people who have demonstrated remorse and rehabilitation, restoring opportunity for Americans to participate in daily life and contribute to their communities, and taking steps to remove sentencing disparities for non-violent offenders, especially those convicted of drug offences.”

While the clemency announcements were widely welcomed by human rights groups and advocacy organisations, they also come on the heels of Biden’s controversial decision to pardon his son Hunter. However, White House officials insisted that Biden’s broader use of clemency is not influenced by that decision.

As his presidency winds down, Biden has promised further clemency actions. “I will take more steps in the weeks ahead,” Biden said. “My administration will continue reviewing clemency petitions to advance equal justice under the law, promote public safety, support rehabilitation and reentry, and provide meaningful second chances.”

Hope for Gilbert Jr.

Two weeks after a tragic accident in Orange Walk involving the Ocean Academy High School basketball team from Caye Caulker, there is a glimmer of hope amid the heartbreak. While the incident claimed the life of student Alex Bainton last week, another severely injured student, Gilbert Tec Jr., is showing promising signs of recovery.

Gilbert’s family remains hopeful as he continues to make small but significant strides toward healing. Two nights ago, he briefly opened his eyes from a coma, though he soon went back to sleep. Since then, his recovery has been marked by encouraging upper body movements, offering his loved ones a renewed sense of hope.

Despite these positive developments, Gilbert’s path to recovery is uncertain. He suffered a serious spinal injury, and it remains unclear if he will regain the ability to walk. The accident has been especially painful for his family, as he had recently been accepted to a U.S. university.

The accident occurred when the team’s van blew a tire and overturned multiple times off the highway. Eleven students and a teacher sustained varying degrees of injuries in the crash. As the community mourns the loss of Alex Bainton, they continue to rally behind Gilbert and the other injured students, offering prayers, support, and hope for their recovery.

Police Suspect Double Murder in Disappearance of Belmopan Cousins

The Belize Police Department is actively investigating a case that appears to be a double murder involving cousins Juan Raymundo, 32, and Marvin Cante, 37, who were last seen alive in late November in Belmopan. Concern grew after Raymundo failed to respond to messages from his common-law wife, prompting family members to report both men missing the following day. Their vehicle was discovered abandoned near Mile 24 on the George Price Highway with its engine still running.

Desperate for answers, family members launched search efforts, combing the area but finding no sign of the missing men. The investigation took a grim turn on Wednesday evening when Hattieville police uncovered two shallow graves along Dollar Bank Road.

While authorities have not yet confirmed the identities of the bodies, the families of Raymundo and Cante are anxiously awaiting updates.

The reason behind the cousins’ disappearance remains a mystery. Family members insist that neither man had conflicts with anyone that would suggest foul play. Alonzo remains adamant that Raymundo would never voluntarily leave his family behind, especially his children.

Sentencing for Convicted Murderer Julio Paiz Deferred

21-year-old Julio Paiz Jr. appeared in the Belize High Court before Justice Nigel Pilgrim on Wednesday for a mitigation hearing following his conviction for the 2021 murder of Hilberto Caliz. Paiz’s attorney, Emérita Anderson, attended the session virtually. In court, Paiz reportedly apologised to Caliz’s family.

Paiz’s sentencing decision has been deferred until December 18.

On December 11, 2021, Paiz shot and killed 35-year-old Caliz in the San Pedrito area of San Pedro Town. Justice Pilgrim ruled that Paiz had a motive for the murder, as Caliz had been responsible for Paiz losing his job.

Key circumstantial evidence was provided through the testimony of Ryan Sanker, who gave sworn evidence that Paiz was on the same golf cart as him before the shooting. Sanker stated that he saw Paiz armed with a gun and later witnessed him exiting the cart and running back with the firearm still in hand. Justice Pilgrim found Sanker’s testimony credible.

The Crown’s key witness, Emma Diaz—the common-law wife of Caliz—testified that she saw Caliz running as Paiz chased him, firing shots. She said Caliz fell to the ground, at which point Paiz stood over him and fired additional shots. Caliz sustained gunshot wounds to his chest and back.

Belize’s Imports Surge While Exports Dip

Belize’s imports increased by 14% in October 2024, while exports took a hit, dropping by over $1.5 million. The Statistical Institute of Belize reported that imports reached $281.1 million, compared to $246.6 million in October 2023, an increase of $34.5 million.

Imports of ‘Machinery and Transport Equipment’ recorded a spike of 24.2%. The ‘Mineral Fuels and Lubricants’ category also grew by $9 million. Meanwhile, ‘Manufactured Goods’ rose by $6.1 million due to higher imports of steel rods, plywood, and other construction materials. However, the ‘Chemical Products’ category saw a decrease, dropping by $1.7 million due to lower fertiliser imports.

For the first ten months of 2024, Belize’s total merchandise imports reached $2.448 billion, a 9.2% increase over the same period in 2023.

In contrast, Belize’s domestic exports for October 2024 fell by 5.4%. The SIB attributed this drop of $27.1 million from $28.6 million to lower sales of ‘Bananas, Sugar, and Marine Products’. Banana exports saw a significant drop of $2.1 million, and sugar exports fell by the same amount. Meanwhile, exports to CARICOM countries grew by $2.3 million due to higher sales of sugar and orange concentrate.

For the first ten months of 2024, Belize’s total exports reached $363.5 million, an increase of 1.5% compared to the same time period in 2023.

Belize’s Economy Grows by 6.6%

Belize’s economy grew significantly in the third quarter of 2024. This is according to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). It said that the economy expanded by 6.6% compared to the same period in 2023. The SIB reported that the total value of goods and services produced from July to September reached $1.23 billion, up $75.6 million from the $1.15 billion recorded last year.

According to the SIB, production in the primary sector for the third quarter of 2024 was valued at approximately $72.4 million. This reflects an increase of $1 million, or a 1.5% increase, from $71.4 million in the same period of 2023. The primary sector, including agriculture, recorded improvements in key crops such as bananas, citrus, and sugarcane. The fishing industry also grew by 25.5%, with production rising from 447.1 thousand pounds to 560.9 thousand pounds.

The secondary sector, covering industries like manufacturing and construction, grew by 3.3%. “Electricity generation grew from 88 thousand megawatt hours to 100.9 thousand megawatt hours,” reported the SIB. This was attributed to the higher rainfall experienced that led to a raise in water levels in dams to produce more electricity. However, the manufacturing sector saw a slight decline due to lower production of flour and dairy products. The production of beverages like rum and beer increased.

The largest contributor to overall growth was the tertiary sector. This sector includes services like trade, tourism, and transportation, and it grew by 9%. The “Accommodation and food services” industry reported a 20.7% increase due to a rise in overnight visitors. Despite there were fewer cruise ship arrivals compared to previous years, the increase in overnight visitors contributed to the strong performance in tourism.

Belize Wishes Brazilian President Swift Recovery

Belize has extended well wishes for a swift and speedy recovery to the President of Brazil, Lula da Silva. In an X post, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade said, “Belize extends well wishes for a swift and speedy recovery to President of Brazil, H.E. Lula da Silva. Our thoughts are with you during this time.”

The 79-year-old president is set to undergo a second medical procedure to “minimise the risk of future bleeding” after successfully undergoing emergency surgery on Tuesday to contain a brain bleed.

He will undergo the complementary procedure on Thursday, described as minimally invasive. The procedure, known as middle meningeal artery embolisation, aims to prevent the accumulation of blood between the brain and the skull by reducing the likelihood of future bleeding.

Lula’s medical ordeal began on Monday night in Brasília when he complained of a headache. An MRI scan revealed a haematoma linked to an accident that occurred on October 19, when the president fell and hit his head while trimming his toenails in the bathroom of the official residence.

Lula, a prominent leftist leader and two-term former president, returned to power in January 2023 after defeating Jair Bolsonaro in a contentious election.

Mexican Judge Shot Dead Outside Courthouse

Gunmen in Acapulco, Mexico, fatally shot Judge Edmundo Román Pinzón outside a courthouse on Wednesday afternoon. The attack occurred as the senior judge, who previously served as president of Guerrero’s highest court, was driving out of the courthouse car park.

Judge Pinzón was struck by at least four bullets. Police are interviewing witnesses and reviewing CCTV footage, but no arrests have been made. Security forces have intensified operations in the resort city to apprehend those responsible.

The judge presided over cases involving murders, kidnappings, and car thefts. While the motive for his murder remains unclear, officials say the crime shows escalating violence in Guerrero, a southern state plagued by deadly attacks on public officials.

Guerrero Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda condemned the killing, calling for “immediate justice.”

Acapulco, once a glamorous tourist destination, has become a battleground for rival gangs vying for control of the drug trade.