The highly anticipated One & A Million Jackpot drawing is on Saturday at ten a.m. A recent poll on News Five’s Facebook page has shed light on the sentiments of Belizeans when it comes to playing the lottery. A total of one thousand eight hundred and sixteen users participated in the poll, where they were asked whether they purchased a ticket for the drawing. Of the respondents, one thousand two hundred and fifty-four, or sixty-nine percent, said they did not buy a ticket, while five hundred and sixty-two, or thirty-one percent, said that they did. Among the users who did purchase tickets, many shared personal reasons for their decision. One user stated, “I need to change my house from board to cement.” Another said he opted out of purchasing a ticket, saying, “I will buy food with my money instead.” However, a recurring question was where to purchase tickets. Numerous users expressed confusion about where they could obtain a ticket.
Belize is buzzing with excitement as the first-ever one-million-dollar Boledo draw approaches, just in time for the Christmas holidays. Unlike other fun games with big cash prizes, this draw requires players to bet on four numbers, all of which must be drawn to win the jackpot. The draw is set for Saturday, and anticipation is high. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali visited 88 Shopping Plaza to check in with some shoppers. She found that sales were slow, but the excitement was still palpable. Here’s her report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Who will win the government’s million-dollar Boledo on Saturday? This first-of-its-kind event will be drawn at 10 AM, but the winner(s) won’t take home the full million. There’s a fifteen percent deduction, which will be shared among the winners or given to a single winner if there’s only one. This special Boledo draw requires buyers to pick four numbers from zero to nine, like the Sunday lottery jackpot. However, today, there weren’t many people trying their luck at 88 Shopping Plaza on Central American Boulevard. The store’s cashier, Shannon Tan, told us that sales have been mostly slow for this special Boledo draw.
Shannon Tan
Shannon Tan, Cashier, 88 Shopping Plaza
“I see a couple people buying from here. Like I buy the most? People buy likethat? Like a whole list? It all depends. Some people buy a lot, some people buy like one or two. It still sells, but Boledo sells more.”
Marion Ali
“Do you think maybe the price has something to do with it? Five dollars for a ticket?”
Shannon Tan
“Mmm, no.”
We met the man known in Belize as the “Fire Eater” outside the store. He said that he bought his tickets a few days ago.
Ronald Reneau
Ronald Reneau, Boledo Buyer
“I have about three of them, but I’ve got three. That’s secured. Yeah, that’s secured. I don’t want lose it if I take it out. But I buy already.”
Marion Ali
“How did you come up with the combination?”
Ronald Reneau
“Well, I used my grandchildren, my mother, my auntie and people that are close to me, my family. There’s so many to use. My mother died, my brother died, my uncle died. I have a daughter died, I have a son. I use the age, some of the age of them that already died. I done win already, and that’s my belief.”
Marion Ali
“So I need not waste my money?”
Ronald Reneau
“Well, I buy just to make sure. Yeah, but I thank God, and if I don’t win it, somebody will win it.”
Ellen Gentle told us that she’s not interested in the offer.
Ellen Gentle
Ellen Gentle, Belize City Resident
“No, girl, I don’t want to put myself in that because, you know, a lot of people deh fi win that.”
Marion Ali
“Yes, but every week people win the lottery.”
Ellen Gentle
“Yeah, but still, I don’t think my luck is there.”
Marion Ali
“You ever win a lottery?”
Ellen Gentle
“No, never, never Marion.”
Marion Ali
“You think you have numbers you would have maybe win though, and you’re just afraid to buy it?”
Ellen Gentle
“Yeah, you got that right.”
Marion Ali
“You want to share the numbers? Maybe somebody out there buy it and win and come back and say…”
Ellen Gentle
“No man, no man, no man.”
Patrick Gordon says he will have to take a little time and come up with the winning combination.
Patrick Gordon
Patrick Gordon, Boledo Buyer
“Whenever I go back home, then I will do.”
Marion Ali
“You will do what? Come up with the combinations?”
Patrick Gordon
“Yeah. Well, the combination eena thousands of people minds. As long as ih come eena my mind fi win it.”
The Ministry of Defense is revamping the salary system for Belize’s military and coastguardsmen. Today, we spoke with Minister Florencio Marin, Junior, who explained that the new system will mirror the one being introduced by the Coast Guard. He emphasized that this is an ongoing process for both organizations, ensuring fair and updated pay for their personnel.
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Defense
“This is a very important thing that we have to get right with the salaries of our seniors and our soldiers, noh, and as you can notice in the coast guard, what they have done, they have done like a special task force to address it. As well, we’re doing the same within the BDF and overseen by the ministry. Because it is something that we just have to deal with. We’re dealing with over like a thousand personnel. So it’s not something we can do within one week. We just have to go through it painstakingly, one by one, and hopefully we get it quickly within the next coming year.”
In 2024, the Coast Guard saw a wave of promotions, with one hundred and thirty-five seamen moving up the ranks. Among them, fifty-five apprentice seamen advanced to full seamen, twenty-four seamen climbed to petty officer third class, ten made it to second class, and thirteen reached first class. Officers also received promotions, bringing a boost in their salaries. Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, the Coast Guard Commandant, proudly stated that these advancements are being handled just right.
“When we recognized that we have shortcomings in salaries for our personnel. We went to the drawing table, and we came up with a people operation, a long-term and a short-term plan that will address the immediate shortcomings and then to put in place some long-term initiatives to ensure that this doesn’t recur. So we selected a small team. of clerks. Here at the Post Guard Headquarters, we also assigned personnel at the Ministry of National Defense. And then we did everything that we could have done in terms of providing resources and manpower to address this issue, and we’ve done quite a lot. We, we, since the start of this operation in September, we adjusted, thirty-five personnel in September. In October, it was 87, and in November, 96. So that requires a very large effort from a small team of individuals to ensure that their Coast Guard personnel receive the salary that they deserve.”
Earlier this week, Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Elton Bennett mentioned that two patrol boats slated for purchase in 2024 hadn’t been acquired yet. Today, Minister of Defense and Border Security Florencio Marin, Junior explained to reporters that there was a funding glitch but assured that the boats will still be bought.
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Defense & Border Security
“There was some complication with the CABEI cabay loans, and there was a deadline that we had to meet. And then, with the vessel of this magnitude, we had to take it through an international tendering process that we were not going to be able to meet the deadline. Now, that doesn’t mean necessarily that we have cancelled our plans on that, alright, but I’m just telling you there have been some delays in the procurement process.”
Known for their hard work and dedication to protecting the nation and deterring illicit activities on the high seas, roughly four hundred coastguardsmen enjoyed a special Christmas lunch today. They were joined by the Minister of Defense, Florencio Marin Junior, and Commandant Rear Admiral Elton Bennett. This event was a rare chance for the seamen to catch up with each other, given the nature of their job and their individual postings throughout the year. During the ceremony at their headquarters parade square off the George Price Highway in Belize City, awards were also handed out to outstanding seamen for 2024. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Every year, around four hundred coastguardsmen and women are treated to an end-of-year lunch to recognize their hard work and dedication in protecting Belize’s territorial waters. Minister of Defense and Border Security, Florencio Marin Junior, emphasized that this luncheon is a vital event, showing gratitude to those who keep us safe all year round.
Florencio Marin Jr.
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of Defense & Border Security
“They work 24-7 throughout the year, serving our country, protecting our maritime borders, you know, it’s the very least we can do to show them that we appreciate the sacrifices they do year-round. As you know, the work of the Coast Guard is not Monday to Friday, 8 to 5, it is 24-7. So, when they’re out on patrol, they don’t have the luxury of having to clock off compound. And right there 24-7, they’re out there protecting our borders, and they also help our civilians in times of need.”
Rear Admiral Elton Bennett agreed that recognition is well-deserved, especially since 2024 was a year filled with challenging operations for the seamen.
“We had some very difficult operations. We’ve, we’ve, we’ve always challenged in terms of, um, providing maritime safety and environmental protection for the country. Um, but the men and women of the British Coast Guard saw that through. And they performed very well. Um, so, this end of the year is when we set aside and recognize some individuals and units as well who were exemplary throughout the year.”
During the ceremony, several Coast Guard members were honored with year-end awards. Earl Bodden was named Seaman of the Year, while Dennis Hernandez took home Engineer of the Year. Daniel Gregorio was awarded Coxswain of the Year, and Windell Ogaldez was recognized as Patrol Commander of the Year. Adir Duran received the Serviceman of the Year award, and Jenaro Chan was honored with the Commandant’s Award. The Belize Coast Guard Medical Unit was named Unit of the Year, and civilian driver Abdul Zelaya received the Hermelinda Emmanuel Award. A special highlight was Guillermina Pinnock being named Sailor of the Year, marking the first time a female has won this award. Pinnock shared with the media that it was her late brother’s dream for her to achieve this honor.
Guillermina Pinnock
Guillermina Pinnock, Coast Guard Member
“I’m just so proud of myself because this was actually my brother’s dream to join Coast Guard. He, he, he got killed at an early age, at the age of twenty-three. And then I just, um, took up, took up the spot, took up and joined Coast Guard. It was never something that I dreamt about, but, okay, I just decided that I had to define my brother’s career, what he wanted to do. I’m just glad that I’m making him proud and I’m making my family proud also.”
Reporter
“So this one’s for him?”
Guillermina Pinnock
“This is definitely for him.”
Gianna Vanegas
Coast Guard seamen and women also won prizes for triathlon and other fitness competitions held throughout the year. In a touching gesture, the team that placed first donated their cash award to the family of Gianna Vanegas, a teammate and Coast Guard member who tragically passed away earlier this month in a road accident. Marion Ali for News Five.
While most people will be celebrating Christmas with family and friends, the dedicated members of the Belize Coast Guard will be on patrol, ensuring the safety of Belize’s waters. Today, Rear Admiral Elton Bennett assured that coastguardsmen will be on duty across the country throughout the weekend and the Christmas holidays.
“ There are members of the Belize Coast Guard forward deployed, forward deployed as far north as Concejo. Ensuring that our economy is protected through counter contraband efforts as far south as Haunted Key. Ensuring territorial integrity and ensuring sovereignty of rescue spaces. Somewhere along the atolls where the Belize Coast Guard forward operating base would be providing a search and rescue unit to ensure that. Mariners are safe throughout this Christmas season. Uh, we continue operations in Crooked tree, providing that transportation for those involved up there. So, throughout the Christmas season, members of the British Coast Guard are forward deployed, um, and performing the best that they can in support of their national mission.”
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has dragged on for over a decade, and now, foreign allies are taking a stand. To curb Russia’s relentless invasion, the United States and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on trade linked to Russia’s supply chain. These sanctions, which started in October, have been expanded as recently as this month. Among those affected is Berezia Management, a Belizean-based company reportedly tied to Perspective Technologies Agency (UPT), a Russian firm specializing in communication networks and submarine cables. We spoke with Doctor Osmond Martinez, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, to see if he expects these sanctions to impact Belize’s foreign trade. Here’s what he had to say.
Britney Gordon
“Amid escalating international pressure on Russia over the, it’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States and the United Kingdom have announced new sanctions aimed at disrupting Russia’s military supply chain among these sanctioned entities. Bereza management, a Belize based company is accused of facilitating operations linked to Russia’s defense industry. Do we anticipate that these sanctions will affect Belize’s trading ability?”
Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minster of State, Ministry of Foreign Trade
“I’m not familiar with that information. I don’t have the details, but I think this is a question that can be asked to, um, to be placed to the minister responsible for foreign [affairs]. But based on your question, I don’t think it will affect Belize.”
Accident victim Gilbert Teck remains hospitalized. A few moments ago, his sister shared an update on his health. She said, “Gilly hasn’t gained full consciousness as yet, but he’s been opening his eyes and moving his head a lot, hands and upper body.”
In a recent interaction, when his mother spoke to him and asked him to turn his head toward her if he could see her, he was able to respond by turning his head. “He’s been responding to our presence a lot more, and when we spoke to him yesterday, my mom told him to turn his head towards her if he could see her, and he did. Also, today his coworkers and I video chatted him, and he was able to communicate with them by shaking his head since he cannot speak as yet, and he also used his hands.”
He has not regained full consciousness.
“Once again he’s not awake as yet, and I know we all wish the rumours were true, but regardless, he’s making amazing progress, and I know he’ll come home to us all soon.”
On November 29, the Caye Caulker Ocean Academy High School boys’ basketball team was involved in a tragic traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway. They were en route to a regional tournament in Orange Walk when their vehicle overturned due to a blowout. There were 12 passengers.
One of the students, Alex Baiton, died while in the hospital.
Prime Minister John Briceño shared his Christmas message for 2024. In his video message, the Prime Minister expressed that there is nothing quite like the joy that Christmas brings to his heart. He said it is a time of love, sharing, and holding family and loved ones close. He reflected on the joy of watching children and family members eagerly rush to discover which gifts under the Christmas tree are theirs and the excitement that comes with unwrapping each present.
However, he reminded everyone of the true meaning of Christmas: “This time of year is filled with celebration, laughter, and merrymaking. It is about holiday luncheons, parties, and social events that bring together people who may have grown distant due to life’s challenges or competing priorities. But always remember the real reason for Christmas. When, as a world, we receive the most splendid blessings for the birth of the Christ child.”
In the spirit of blessings, Prime Minister Briceño encouraged everyone to hold their loved ones close, be kind to one another, and offer a helping hand to those less fortunate. “Put small and even large differences aside, because time is promised to no one, and always to God. I always know that we are truly blessed as a nation and as a people. We are alive, united, and spending another Christmas together in this nation we all love.”
He concluded by extending his Christmas wishes: “From my family to yours, Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!”
