2025-01-10 - Channel 5 Belize

Nine Vehicles Donated to Border Patrol Efforts

This morning, the United States Embassy in Belmopan handed over nine Isuzu pickup trucks to various government agencies for border patrol and safety. Ambassador Michelle Kwan presented the vehicles, which were received by Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa and several other CEOs. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Earlier today, the United States Embassy made a significant donation of nine vehicles to various agencies, including the Belize Police Department, the Immigration Department, and the Customs and Excise Department. This generous contribution aims to bolster Belize’s border security in the ongoing battle against transnational crime. With the proliferation of weapons, drugs, and human trafficking still posing serious challenges along Belize’s porous borders, these new vehicles are a much-needed boost to the country’s efforts.

Michelle Kwan, US Ambassador

“In conversations in the past two years since I’ve been here, with government officials, about how the United States can best help Belize meet its security challenges, the subject of mobility often comes up. I’ve heard often that despite Belize’s relatively small size, its unique geography presents real challenges for law enforcement, especially in securing Belize’s border. That is why I am so gratified, and I know it was years in the making, to hand over these nine vehicles today, to enhance the capacity of four agencies that play such a critical role… in border security.”

The fleet of vehicles, presented by Ambassador Michelle Kwan, highlights the strong partnership between Belize and the United States in tackling this ongoing issue. Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa was there to receive the donation, underscoring the importance of this collaboration.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“Today, we formally receive nine vehicles, tangible symbols of collaboration and shared commitment to a safer, more secure future for the Belizean citizens. On behalf of our government, I extend deepest gratitude to the US government and INL for their generous support and steadfast dedication in supporting us to strengthen our nation’s capacity to protect our borders and our communities. These vehicles are more than just resources, they represent trust, cooperation and mutual respect. They are tools that will enable our security forces, the police, customs, and immigration departments to respond swiftly to threats.”

The Ministry of Immigration is at the forefront of Belize’s national security efforts. Beyond maintaining a permanent presence at the border, it is also pushing for social and economic progress. Achieving this means effectively tackling the threats at Belize’s borders.

Tanya Santos, CEO, Ministry of Immigration

“To achieve economic and social progress and development, and to protect people’s rights and fundamental freedoms, it is foundational to people’s access to public services, curbing corruption, restraining the abuse of power and to re-establish the social contract between people and the state. The rule of law and development are strongly interlinked. It is powerful, but it is fragile and we have the collective duty to protect it. It is therefore essential to tackle the border security threats of illegal movement of people, drugs, weapons and contraband which pose significant threats to economic prosperity, national security, sustainable development and the rule of law.”

Transnational organized crime poses a serious threat to national security by funding terrorist activities and destabilizing governments. These crimes often include drug trafficking, human trafficking, and arms smuggling, leading to violence and putting citizens’ lives at risk. By cracking down on these offenses, law enforcement officers play a crucial role in protecting their communities, upholding the law, and making the world a safer, more stable place.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Transnational organized crime remains a very active issue that we as law enforcement agencies must address and while we have the three agencies represented here, each having different roles and responsibilities, certainly at some point our duties and functions intertwine and so the need for us to work together always presents itself. And so, this donation that we are getting today it certainly is going to help to reduce the threat that our country faces from transnational organized criminals.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Belize Audubon Society Concludes 125th Christmas Bird Count

This week, the Belize Audubon Society wrapped up its participation in the hundred and twenty-fifth Christmas Bird Count. This international bird-watching event runs from December fourteenth to January fifth across the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. This season, bird watchers recorded a staggering forty million, eight and seventy thousand and thirty birds, though the numbers continue to show a worrying decline despite increased preservation efforts. The count documented between one hundred and eighty-three and two hundred and sixty-five species at various field locations. Environmental Education Officer at the Belize Audubon Society, Miguel Sho, shared some insights into the bird count as the team made their rounds in Belize City. Here’s more on that.

Miguel Sho, Environmental Education Officer, B.A.S.

“ So fifteen miles in diameter is a really huge circle and we have several teams trying to cover the entire area. For the sector that we are in, we are covering the Belize River. Then we will be covering the left of Ladyville when you’re heading up to Orange Walk, the left side Lords Bank area, and other feeder roads that is within our sectors. Because it’s hard to get to the section by foot or by vehicle, we’re using water transportation provided by the Belize River Lodge to conduct our count on the Belize River itself. And currently, we have seen a good amount of birds so one of the highlights of which is a flyover was the Keel Bill Toucan and a Blue-Winged Teal that we saw on the water as well. And we also saw some wading birds, like the Great Blue Herons Snowy Egrets, and of course the, a majestic bear throated Tiger Heron”

Cameraman

“Why is it important to do the bird count?”

Miguel Sho

“The bird count is important because you are able to get so valuable data that can help promote conservation within Belize itself because each year we put do the count you would be able to see trends in bird populations and you would be able to get information such as bird movements within Belize itself. The data that we also gather from these counts can show you information on diversity of birds and also that indicates the ecosystem health because if there’s no birds, that means that something is wrong. But if you’re seeing more birds, then. That means that we are doing something good within the country itself because birds they need a good habitat in order for them to thrive.”

Content Creator Captures Belizean Culture

Thinking about diving into content creation? The first step is usually finding your niche—the kind of content your audience will come to expect from you. Back in 2019, Olajuwon Cadle, better known online as Captain Cadle, discovered his niche in Belizean content, proudly represented by the hashtag #Belize. What began as a platform for self-expression has blossomed into a personal brand that captures the essence of Belizean culture. Today, Cadle is an influencer who embodies Belizean experiences, traditions, and humor. But what makes his journey stand out, and how did he grow his platform in a way that many aspiring creators dream of? Sabreena Daly sat down with him to get a behind-the-scenes look at his popular TikTok videos and to uncover how he’s taken his content beyond those one-minute clips. Here’s more in this week’s edition of “The Bright Side.”

Olajuwon Cadle, Belizean Content Creator
“From the beginning I did Belizean content and I think that’s where the majority of the following came from. People who found relatability in the stuff that I was talking about, whether it was about Belizean food or traveling or anything, you know, just the idea and concept of Belize, people really found interest in that.”

Olajuwon Cadle, a twenty-two-year-old social media influencer and content creator, has built a platform with tens of thousands of followers. But he’s done more than just racking up numbers—he’s created a genuine community by sharing his story authentically. Cadle has become synonymous with beloved Belizean staples and experiences, making him a true icon in the Belizean social media scene.

Sabreena Daly

“And now there are things that we have come to identify you with whenever we see you. We know that when you see Captain Cadle, you see the person that loves September and Carnival. And also, your favorite food or your favorite type of food is Lee Chee fried chicken?

Olajuwon Cadle

“Yup! My followers know this about me—whenever I return to Belize and make a video saying I’m back, one of the main comments I get is, ‘Did you get a Lee Chee? Did you get fried chicken?”

The name “Captain Cadle,” as Olajuwon explains, represents an alter ego—a confident persona he embraces, quite different from the shy individual people might meet initially.

Olajuwon Cadle
“Captain Cadle sort of became like my superhero persona where I could just let go of that shyness and become the person who I really wanted to be. That confident, strong, not worrying about what anybody has to say is the type of person. And I think that the more that I’ve grown, the more that I’ve matured, Captain Cadle and my normal self, Olajuwon Cadle have sort of merged together. So I found that balance.”

Philipa Cadle, Mother

“ I always say that he has split personality because on one hand he’s very cool, calm and quiet and on the other hand, when he does those videos, no one would really think that that’s the same person.”

Cadle’s impact goes far beyond just connecting with viewers through shared culture. He took things to the next level by independently producing a documentary that dives deep into and celebrates the unique essence of Belize. This project showcases his dedication to highlighting what makes his country truly special.

Olajuwon Cadle
“In 2023, the idea came about that instead of doing those short videos, I would create a full length feature film or a documentary about Belize. And in summer of 2024, I got the opportunity to partner with the National Institute of Culture and History. And we travel Belize documenting, you know, the different cultures, the history, the beauty of Belize. And now we are putting all of that together and creating our own little independent documentary about Belize.”

Even working with agencies that share a similar message. Ilona Smiling, Director of the Museum of Belize and Belizean Art, explains the importance of what he does and the connection it has to their work.

Ilona Smiling, Director Museum of Belize & Museum of Belizean Art
“It is important that we have fresh faces like Captain Cadle because he always brings a new perspective to the cultural identity of Belize. You know, if you look at his platform, his TikTok, his Instagram videos, it’s always highlighting what we do and what we love within a new, and more innovative way. And, he’s also a great comedian. So we absolutely love the videos that he does.”

Olajuwon Cadle
“It was very educational and I learned a lot. Like, for example, I learned that Belize is one of the only, I think, if not the only place in the world to have a jaguar reserve, you know, that takes care of the jaguars and prevents them from becoming endangered species. And it’s things like that that I wanted to highlight, that, uh, Even though we are Belizeans and we don’t necessarily get to experience some of those things that we could still learn about it and educate ourselves with it.”

For Cadle, this could be just the start of many exciting future projects that go beyond his growing social media presence. Determined to make a lasting impact, this young content creator is furthering his studies to deepen his knowledge and skills. With a clear vision for the future, he aims to return to Belize ready to drive meaningful change and promote his country’s culture and heritage on a broader scale.

Olajuwon Cadle
“I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in media production at the University of Houston. And, for me, it’s more about creating content on a professional level. You know, I started off through social media, but I think that over time, content is supposed to evolve, and that’s what I wanted to learn the basics first before I can actually step into that field of professional content. I love creating. I have so many different ideas that come to my mind daily, whether it’s, you know, a new video idea or like a film or a documentary, a TV show, whatever it is. And I would want to bring those things to life. You know, I think that the future of Belizean entertainment is changing and I would love to see more Belizean content creators. I would love to see more. locally produced film, locally produced shows, movies, whatever it is. So I would love to tap into that field.”

Looking on The Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.

ComPol Addresses First Three Murders of 2025

Within the first nine days of 2025, Belize has recorded three murders. Despite this, the Belize Police Department has kept the annual murder count under 100 for the past two years, according to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams.

Williams told News 5 on Thursday that many murders are unpredictable. “While yes, we’re at three murders so far this year, it is three murders too much,” he said.

He also stated that the police continue working to address the root causes of violence through various interventions. “We can’t prevent everything, and we do hope that people do exercise some patience, adjust their attitudes, and always try to resolve conflicts by other means other than the use of lethal force,” Williams said.

The first murder of 2025 involved 59-year-old fisherman Godfrey Hyde, found dead with gunshot wounds on Turneffe Atoll on January 4. Police suspect the crime may be drug-related. On January 8, George Brown, known as “Guru,” was fatally stabbed in Hopkins Village by his brother-in-law, Steven Flores, over a jacket dispute. Flores was arrested and charged with murder. The third murder occurred just yesterday, on January 9, when Giovanni Ramirez, a key witness in the 2024 Oscar Selgado trial, was shot dead in Belize City by a gunman on a motorcycle.

Family of Missing Mason Patnett Searching for Body

It’s been six days since 38-year-old Mason Patnett disappeared, and his family is growing increasingly desperate for answers. The last time anyone heard from Mason was Sunday evening when he updated his WhatsApp status, but shortly after, he vanished without a trace. When his family checked his home, they found the door unlocked and food still cooking on the stove.

Sasha Patnett, Mason’s sister, told News 5 that the family has faced an intense emotional toll since his sudden disappearance. “When our search first started, we were…very hopeful, and we were praying to get him back home alive,” she said. “But regrettably, it’s been 6 days, and our hope is dwindling. The reality is really setting in now.”

The disappearance is especially difficult for their mother, who is already dealing with the loss of four children. “It’s really affecting my mom now,” Sasha explained. “She’s older and has her own ailments, and this is just scaring us…She keeps trying to figure out where he could be.” Sasha added that the family is now facing the possibility of finding Mason’s body. “We are most likely searching for a body, and so we’re just asking whoever took him to please just tell us where he is.”

The family also wonders if Mason’s past is connected to his disappearance. In 2012, he was charged with attempted murder, but those charges were dropped in 2018 after the alleged victim and suspect passed away. “We just want to find him at this point.”

The family is planning another search and continues to ask for the public’s help. “We are working on another search…hopefully we’re going to have information soon,” Sasha said. “We’re just asking; please just tell us where he is so that we can go get him.”

Chester Ain’t Going Nowhere

After reflecting on the latter half of 2024 at the biannual COMPSTAT meeting in Belmopan, the police commanders came together to review crime trends and the strategies they’ve been implementing under Chester Williams’s leadership in his 6th year as Commissioner of Police.

Williams, who said that six years in the role has felt like a long time, credited many of the department’s successes to the support he receives from the commanders and officers he works with.

While he is starting to think about his next steps, Williams made it clear he still wants to stay in public service. This is after he said last year that he would retire this year. “I am not saying that I am leaving now, but certainly I have started to contemplate my next plan, my next move, what I will do after this,” he said. “Yes, I am an attorney. I have a profession I can go to. But believe you me, I have fought all my life to put criminals behind bars. I don’t see myself fighting to take them out.”

In a separate interview yesterday, Williams stated that for now, he “remains a police officer.” He added that there is no need for him to request an extension, saying, “I’ll continue to serve until the minister and prime minister would say otherwise or decide otherwise.” He added that he is a “tenured public officer” set to retire at the age of 55 and is far from such age.

When asked if there was a possibility of him staying on as Commissioner of Police until 2035, Williams laughed and dismissed the idea.

ComPol Williams Says Jamaican Man Lied

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told News 5 on Thursday that Jamaican Christopher McIntyre is a liar. Williams says that McIntyre lied about being abused by officials at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) last month.

As we reported, McIntyre was detained following an issue with Customs officials upon his arrival on December 30. His accommodations seem suspicious to officials, and as such, he was denied entry.

American Sheila Williams, who invited him for his birthday, hired a lawyer and told the media that McIntyre was assaulted by police officers while at the PGIA.

However, ComPol Williams refuted these claims, releasing security footage of McIntyre throwing himself to the ground. “I am wondering if he is really from Jamaica. I think he is more from Hollywood,” Williams said. Williams said that footage showed McIntyre acting “boisterous” and becoming frustrated after being refused entry to Belize.

“You can see the gesticulations that he was doing, clearly indicating that he was boisterous,” he added. “He threw himself to the ground. No one touched him. And when he threw himself to the ground, the police officer picked him up to some extent and pulled him into the room.”

The people in the room said no one hit him, according to Williams. “The police, as far as we are concerned, exercised extreme care and extreme caution and applied our policy in terms of deescalation. So when he said that he was doing nothing and the police came from nowhere and punched, he is lying.”

It does not seem that McIntyre knew that cameras were in the area. “Perhaps not, but the man can go to Hollywood. He is a very good actor,” Williams said when asked.

Fortunately for McIntyre, he left the country on Monday, or else he would have been charged with a mischievous act.

And for those who condemned the department without knowing all the facts, Williams said, “I hope some of those persons who have crucified the police will be able to apologise for what they have said about the police.”

Rescued Osprey Dies Overnight

Gordon Kirkwood, a member of the Belize Animal Rescue Team, shared on Facebook that they rescued a young Osprey in Belize City on Wednesday evening. The rescue followed a call from a concerned motorist to Belize Bird Rescue (BBR).

The team successfully captured the bird and arranged for it to be transported via Zeta Water truck to BBR in Belmopan/Roaring Creek for care. Kirkwood stated, “People in my home country can only dream of seeing an Osprey, let alone seeing one up close as you do when you rescue one, as we did.”

However, he expressed sorrow over the news that the young Osprey had passed away overnight at BBR, saying, “I am so sad this morning after this beautiful young bird died overnight at BBR.”

The osprey, or sea hawk, is a striking bird of prey found near water worldwide. Known for its dramatic dives to catch fish, this raptor plays a vital role in maintaining aquatic ecosystems. With a wingspan of up to six feet and distinct dark eye stripes, the osprey is both a skilled hunter and an indicator of environmental health.

U.S. Embassy Donates Vehicles to Enhance Belize’s Border Security

The United States Embassy, through the Bureau of International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), donated nine vehicles valued at approximately US$380,000 to several Belizean law enforcement agencies.

The handing over ceremony was held this morning in Belmopan.

The recipients included the Department of Border Management and Immigration Services (1 vehicle), the Belize Customs and Excise Department’s Intelligence and Enforcement Units (2 vehicles), the Belize Police Department’s Mobile Interdiction Team (4 vehicles), and its Anti-Narcotics Unit (2 vehicles). These vehicles are intended to enhance the mobility and effectiveness of border security operations.

US Ambassador Michelle Kwan said, ”I am so gratified to hand over these vehicles today to enhance the capacity of four agencies that play such a crucial role in border security … It is significant that this event has a multi-agency focus. One thing we in the U.S. government have learnt is that only by working together, across agencies and departments, can we stay ahead of criminal organisations that are increasingly sophisticated and well-financed. I’m especially proud of the engagement the U.S. Embassy has, through our INL program, with various Belize law enforcement and justice sector institutions that are similarly working together toward this important goal.”

Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa, “We are here, not just as law enforcement representatives, but as representatives of the government and community bound by compassion and the shared belief in making a positive impact on the criminal justice system that we serve. Today’s donation is a testament to the power of collective willingness and the potential for positive change that occurs when we come together for a common cause. These vehicles are not just a financial injection; they are a vote of confidence in the work we do and the difference we strive to make for our country”.

There is Footage of Giovanni Ramirez Murder, Police Say

Giovanni Ramirez, 30, was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon in Belize City, and police say footage has captured the moment of the fatal attack. Ramirez, a key witness in the conviction of attorney Oscar Selgado, was ambushed by two men on a motorcycle while driving his red SUV on Amandala Drive in Belize City. The shooting caused Ramirez’s vehicle to crash into a cement fence. Authorities found him dead at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds.

Ramirez had provided crucial testimony in Selgado’s conviction for attempting to hire him to murder Marilyn Barnes, although he never testified in court due to fear, and recordings of his conversations were reported going missing. He was also recently charged with gang membership.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed the investigation is ongoing, saying, “We have persons of interest that we are looking for, and we’re hoping that we will be able to get some tangible information that will be able to help us to solve in this latest murder.”

Williams added, “We do have security footage that we are looking at at this time. And if it is that we are unable to identify those persons in the footage, then we will release it to the public so that they can help us identify who they are.”