Police are on the lookout for two suspects involved in a deadly crash near Mile Forty-seven on the George Price Highway Thursday night. The tragic accident claimed the life of fifty-year-old Maria Caal from Cotton Tree Village. Reports indicate that Caal was in a Toyota pickup driven by seventy-year-old Manuel Juarez, a vegetable vendor at the Belmopan market. They were exiting NEMO Drive near El Rancho when a speeding Chevy Camaro collided with them. The impact killed Caal, while Juarez was rushed to Western Regional Hospital for treatment. The occupants of the Camaro, identified as Jose and Leli Mendez, reportedly fled the scene on foot into nearby bushes. Caal, who also worked at the Belmopan market, was trapped inside the wreckage. Earlier today, News Five spoke with Samuel Cal, who shared his insights on the tragic incident.
On the phone: Samuel Cal, Son of Deceased
“I saw a message on Facebook. One of the people posted that they saw an accident happened near Mile 47 on the George Price Highway, saying that the victim was Maria Caal. So I called one of my people that I know close and I told them that something happened and my mother had gotten into an accident, and I rushed and tried my best to reach there. When I reached, a lot of cars were parked. We reached and the officers were right there doing their job. I see wah pickup bruk up and a next car was on the side of the road, but there was nobody in that car, looked like the guy ran away. So I say, “I hope it’s not my mom.” Well the guy, I told the guy that that’s my mother, Maria Caal. That is her, who was in the accident. When I gone, I saw my mom unconscious. I gone check on the other side and I asked one of the police what had happened with the other driver. He said he ran away. How? Nobody knows. Like how I said, when I reached just a little late but I still got the chance to see my mom in the pickup and then they put her in the police car and took her to Belmopan, but there was no space so they had to send her to Belize. We are really sad, my mother left seven of us, six here and one in Houston and we are really sad and don’t know what to do. We all need the people’s help because my mom was a hard-working lady, she was working at the market in Belmopan.”
The police are still investigating this tragic accident. Sadly, Maria Caal is the second female vendor from the Belmopan market to lose her life in a deadly collision in just five weeks. On December 3rd, 2024, Miriam Cordon, affectionately known as Miss Pretty, also died in a road accident on the George Price Highway.
In Belmopan, a seventeen-year-old high school student from Our Lady of Guadalupe High School suffered a nasty cut on his back during a confrontation with a mentally unstable man. The video shows the third-form student confronting someone when the man briefly chases him with an object and strikes him in the back. Residents have been voicing concerns about the mentally ill individual wandering the streets of Belmopan. The student’s family has chosen not to comment on the incident.
Tonight, the man known to Belizeans as Melbourne Wade Junior, the alleged scammer accused of swindling money from at least eight people in late 2024, is back in the spotlight. Wade reportedly took down payments from these individuals, promising to buy them vehicles, only to disappear along with the cars. One high-profile victim is former City Mayor Zenaida Moya, who has a pending case against Wade in Court #5. This morning, Wade caught a break as three of his alleged victims withdrew their charges of theft and obtaining property by deception. Appearing unrepresented in court, Wade faced two separate hearings where three victims requested no further action, leaving him with four pending cases. Outside the courtroom, the thirty-two-year-old Belama resident and car dealer claimed he’s a changed man. Wade insists his actions were ‘bad business’ rather than deception and says he’s working with the complainants to find a better resolution than jail time. He hopes to prove he’s not the con artist social media has painted him to be, but rather someone who made poor choices and is seeking redemption. On Monday, Floyd Ford appeared in Court #2 and requested no further action against Wade. This morning, two more women followed suit, though they are pursuing their money through civil court. One of the women has already reached an agreement with Wade for repayment in installments. Wade is due back in court on January thirtieth, 2025. His case with former Mayor Moya and three others is still pending. Wade remains optimistic that these cases might also be resolved through civil action.
Melbourne Wade
Melbourne Wade, Criminally Charged
“I was spending my last time in jail, laying back thinking about things that people have accused me of wrongfully doing. It was not really scamming or thiefing people, it was just bad business going wrong, right, and I am willing to own up to every responsibility, like I said. Four cases have been withdrawn against me and people are going the civil matter way. You know, it’s not the problem of paying back people their money or bad business or fixing what has gone wrong, but I have a changed life. I have family that out here that I should be out here for. So I have a little son that is ten and I am willing to do my utmost best to fix my name because all you have in your life is your name. There’s a lot of young folks out here running around and I am one of them trying to make a life for myself. It’s 2025, you know, I’m trying to make my life better and different. If anybody feels like, if I do you anything wrong, there’s the court way, there’s the civil suit way. There is the criminal way but it’s just gonna prolong me, to go to jail, not being able to take care of bills that I created, you know, and I’m not running from anyone.
Tensions are heating up in San Pedro as taxi operators clash with golf cart rental businesses over customers at the island’s entry points. Taxi drivers are frustrated, claiming that golf cart rentals are poaching their customers and cutting into their income. On the other hand, rental operators argue they’re providing a more affordable service, even though their licenses say they should only operate from their offices. News Five’s Paul Lopez visited the island today to get the full story. Here’s what he discovered.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Surveillance cameras outside the municipal airport in San Pedro caught a group of men in a couple of heated brawls. These clashes are the latest flare-ups in the ongoing feud between taxi drivers and golf cart rental businesses.
Emir Vega
Emir Vega, President, San Pedro Taxi Federation
“This started three years ago, we have been disputing on what is the taxi industry. We have been having controversies with golf cart rentals. The golf cart companies basically pick up at any port of entry, whether it is the airstrip, water taxis.”
Vega leads a taxi federation that includes ten associations and over two hundred members. He argues that golf cart rental companies are stationing their staff at entry points to snag customers, even though their trade licenses clearly state they should only operate from their registered offices.
Emir Vega
“They are doing soliciting, which is illegal, to start with. Whenever they come here, they try to sell a golf cart, when we know the trade license specified them to work from their office locations, specific locations. Then the taxi drivers we are a public service, and the ones expected to do the transportation for our visitors and local people, visitors to their different accommodations. We are to stay in a fight.”
According to Vega, it’s perfectly legal for golf cart rentals to pick up customers from entry points if they’ve prebooked. However, it’s against the rules for these companies to hang around and solicit customers on the spot. There’s also the issue of vehicle capacity. News Five has received several videos and images showing golf carts overloaded with luggage and passengers. In one case, a tourist’s luggage even fell off a cart! Meanwhile, taxi operators on the island use spacious mini vans that can comfortably carry both passengers and their belongings. One rental operator, speaking off the record, claimed they offer a much cheaper service than the taxis.
Emir Vega
“I can say they are taking the bread out of our table. All that is supposed to be our work they are taking over and sometimes when they do solicit and they cannot rent a golf cart they offer a taxi run to say ey I can take you for a five bucks. They can do that because they do not pay the fees that a taxi service pays.”
A visit to San Pedro Belize Express water taxi’s new location provided a firsthand look at the situation. Taxis line the streets here, while rental golf carts are scattered around the property. One enterprising operator has even set up shop right at the water taxi terminal. Mayor Wally Nunez says they are operating illegally from that location.
Wally Nunez
Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro
“The had also applied at the council to relocate their office. We had also expressed to them that the trade license will not be able to be relocated there because that takes a process. Whenever you are going to change your address for business purposes you have to apply before. They didn’t apply before. So, we will not be able to grant them a trade license in that location. We don’t want to encourage any golf cart rentals to be moving office there because it will create a problem with other golfcart rentals and the taxis. I understand they want to open a snack shop. If they do that, they still need a trade license. I have asked the police to check with them. If they don’t have a trade license they will have to shut down.”
Mayor Nunez and Area Representative Andre Perez met with federation members this morning after rumors of a protest began circulating. Mayor Nunez assured us that his council is striving to find a solution that benefits everyone involved. This afternoon, he also met with representatives from the water taxi company in Belize City. But is this just a symptom of a bigger problem? Could the island be facing an oversaturation of golf cart rentals and taxi operators? We posed this question to Area Representative Andre Perez.
Andre Perez
Andre Perez, Area Rep., Belize Rural South
“I have to agree with you that yes indeed it is one of the symptoms affecting us with the oversaturation of golfcarts on a whole. With the proliferation of many golf cart rental companies coming in. It also has to do with the demand. We have to understand that there is this tourism product that tourists come and one of their experience is the novelty of driving around in a golfcart. They are not use to it. It is only available to them in the U.S. if they go on a golf course. So, that in itself is part of the experience. So, we have to work along with them that they want to ride a golf cart or arriving at the port of entry, getting immediately into one. But we have to find a balance. We cannot displace the taxi people.”
On Thursday night, Caye Caulker’s Chairlady, Seleny Villanueva-Pott, issued a stern warning to property owners determined to block public roads and beaches. Her remarks followed a confrontation earlier this week between her council and a resident over the removal of a wooden barricade on a public road. Today, Area Representative Andre Perez echoed her sentiments. But are these property owners feeling empowered by the lack of enforcement from authorities? We asked Perez.
Andre Perez
Andre Perez, Area Rep., Belize Rural South
“That specific incident that occurred in Caye Caulker is unfortunate, but it highlights the issue we have been tackling. Again, it is not only enforcement, the laws state that certain waterfrontage, anywhere, including rivers, there are certain areas that is public. But we have to highlight that we need to cooperate and work with one another. Caye Caulker is a very small island and there is always grappling for space. There is nowhere that any space should be closed off to the public, no waterfront that should be closed off to the public. But, it is not only Caye Caulker, it is Ambergris Caye and even in Placencia we are having these issues as well where they have private investors coming in and believe these areas are designed just for their guests. We need to make that clear out there that the beach or sea front is public access anywhere. That goes not only for private individuals who want to close of their properties, but investors and businesspeople, resorts, restaurants, everything.”
Paul Lopez
“Are these private investors emboldened by a lackluster response from authorities, including the area rep and the council?”
Andre Perez
“I would not want to address it as a lackluster response. I think the point where we start off is that we have to tackle the problem. It is unfair to throw it to the authorities that we are not enforcing. We are saying that what we have in front of us is something that we have developed for years, that we are trying to fix. We have to get to the root of the problem.”
Perez pointed out that property owners are also blocking off beaches on Ambergris Caye. He added that the island is cluttered with docks because every property owner thinks they deserve one. But he made it clear that this stops today, putting real estate agencies on notice.
Andre Perez, Area Rep., Belize Rural South
“We need to get to the root of the problem, and one is the real estate agencies. We are working with them, and we had to sit down with them, let them know it cannot be that you cannot be selling a property and letting them know that with that property you are able to get a golfcart, a dock, develop anything. This is what real estate must look at. There is a development of a piece of property to the back where they want to develop and put lots, yet it is in the middle of the reserve. That property was given way back. They want to develop it, and the real estate agency says you can get golf cart rental and all of these things, when you are not guaranteed these things. So, it starts with the real estate agencies. They need to get their act together and let them know that when you sell a property to somebody you cannot guarantee these things. We have people soliciting our offices saying minister or mayor can you help me, these people want a golf cart, they want this, that is a different matter. When you have the investors coming in and saying they promised me a golf cart, a dock, that was only to sell. We must look at that, because the real estate companies are not driving the real issue of buying a property and what it entails, the responsibilities. Buying a waterfront property does not guarantee you tat you will be building a dock. In fact, we are making it clear, no more docks. We need to do beach reclamation and beach reclamation does not mean that belongs to you. Even the restaurant trying to take that space and say we will have more beach, we need to put something there, you can. You can do it temporarily, but you need to pay something to the village council or town council. But it cannot be permanent.”
On Thursday night, the Belize Medical Associates team and the Ministry of Health celebrated the grand opening of the brand-new BMA N.H.I. Clinic in Belama Phase Two. This primary care clinic offers a wide range of services, from treating everyday ailments like colds and flu to addressing more complex health concerns. The clinic has been serving patients since it opened its doors in December and was officially inaugurated one month later. News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the ceremony to bring us more details about this exciting new healthcare facility.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Belize’s National Health Insurance is broadening its reach with the opening of a brand-new health facility in Belama Phase Two. The Belize Medical Associates N.H.I. Clinic has been offering primary care to patients since it opened in December. On Thursday, an official ceremony was held to welcome the clinic to the community. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard shared more about this exciting new endeavor.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“NHI is a service that we’re providing primary care services to our population. And as you know, we are, we are rolling out N.H.I. in the other parts of the country and here in the northern part of Belize district in the Belize city area especially where BMA was able to win the tender. It’s where we can make access to more quality health care. While we have our public facilities, we also need to ensure that citizens have access to other services within the private sector. And this is how the partnership is built.”
The clinic, on Albert Hoy Avenue in Belama Phase Two, is a testament to the strong partnership between the National Health Insurance (NHI) and Belize Medical Associates (BMA). Dr. Victor Rosado, the chairman of BMA’s board, proudly shared that this clinic is the fruit of their well-established collaboration.
Victor Rosado
Dr. Victor Rosado, Chairman, Board of Directors, B.M.A.
“Belize Medical Associates has been with N.H.I. from its inception in 2001 when it was N.H.I., what we call the South Side City Pilot Project. And Belize Medical Associates started at that time with a clinic on Regent Street and fast forward twenty-four years, when they announced that they would have N.H.I. on the north side of the city, we tendered last year. We won the tender and we started building this clinic. And in December of last year, we opened our doors. And today is just the official opening of the Belize Medical Associates N.H.I. Belama Clinic”.
The clinic boasts a dedicated team of about ten professionals, including doctors, nurses, and specialists, all ready to provide top-notch care. According to Bernard, the clinic is ready to tackle common health issues and well as more complex services.
Kevin Bernard
“This is a primary care facility, so you will have when it comes to prenatal services, you have I mean normal common health issues, cough and cold is just the basic thing it will talk about. But there is also gynecology services, there is I understand that there is no In fact, you will see that they are even offering public health services. Well, it may not be part of the N.H.I. primary care contract, but they are making it available to their customers who come here. And so as you know, primary care is It can cover many other things, but the, the aspect of services ultrasound services, diagnostic services bloo, chemistry services are also offered here.”
The clinic is ready to offer services for up to twelve thousand participants in that area of Belize City and has already seen two thousand five hundred registrations in just two months.
Dr. Victor Rosado
“To register for N.H.I., all you need is a Belize social security card. That is all you need. Once you have a social security card and address, we can register you. Let’s say you live in Orange Walk. Let’s say you live in Cayo, but you work in Belize City. Then you can register with us because this is where you will spend most of your time. So you don’t necessarily have to live in Belama or in Belize City for all intents and purposes. So remember the goal here is for national rollout. So there will be N.H.I. this year in the entire country of Belize.”
Bernard stressed the importance of having more affordable healthcare providers throughout the country, so that every Belizean can access top-notch health services no matter where they live.
Kevin Bernard
“In layman terms, I would say it just costs a penny for you to access quality healthcare. Can you imagine a pregnant woman, as I said, can access, go to N.H.I., get his, get his her ultrasound and pay probably a fraction of that, which is about, sometimes in some cases, ten dollars, seven dollars, . Where would you have heard that that service would have been accessible before at that rate? While government is paying the service provider, through now the support from the Belize Boledo funds, we are now injecting money to help finance N.H.I. services, along with other funds that government, through the Ministry of Health, provides to N.H.I..”
Patients who depend on the Port Loyola Polyclinic are dealing with major inconvenience after the health center in the southside community was shut down on Thursday. The closure was due to mold being discovered at the facility, leaving many without their usual healthcare services. Health Minister Kevin Bernard confirmed this during a recent event.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“ One of the things that we had thought very hard about the Port Loyola Polyclinic in closing it down because we needed to ensure that the safety of the patients, the safety of the doctors there were, there are some mold issues in that facility. , I mean, we live in an environment where there’s a humidity and heat at the same time, so we have to look at all of these things. But so far right now, I understand that we’re temporarily going to move those patients out to other facilities, and while we look at a new facility that will be able to provide the service there. So it is an urgent matter like I said, it’s not something we wanted to do, but to protect the health and safety of our citizens, we had to make that tough decision.”
Reporter
“They don’t know how long it may be out of service, so to speak.”
Kevin Bernard
“Of course, while the facility will be out of service, the residents will still have access to other facilities within that area that can get the same service that they were getting at Port Loyola. So we’re not blocking, access, but we are making sure they have access somewhere else while we look at whether a new facility, or upgrading that one and renovating it completely or relocating completely on a new facility.”
Reporter
“And the staff? Where is the staff?”
Kevin Bernard
“The staff will just be incorporated within the city, so there’s no threat to staff losing their job or anything. So they will be placed at other facilities where they need the service, where they need to do their part of their work. So, some will go to Central Health Region, some will be at Mitchell and Albert, some will be placed at the other facilities, Cleopatra and White.. So, there is work, a lot of work in healthcare. And so, one thing, one assurance I want to make that they are not to be worried, but they will have, and continue to do their job. And we will, as soon as we can get a new facility for that area, then we will do so.”
Cardiovascular diseases have been a leading cause of death in Belize for the past five years, and according to the Ministry of Health, they were the top killer in 2024. The ministry warns that serious conditions like hypertension and enlarged hearts can be deadly, especially for those who smoke or indulge in too many sugary and fatty foods. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard outlined the ministry’s action plan to combat this threat in 2025. Here’s more on that.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“If you notice that Belize signed on to the HEARTS initiative last year. We launched the HEARTS initiative and it is very important that we address the issue of cardiovascular diseases that’s affecting our people, yes. And while it has been one of the highest, I believe it’s almost as in rank with the road traffic accidents that are also killing more people. And so we have to ensure that we’re eating healthy, we’re introducing healthy eating habits in the schools. As you know we’re phasing the issue of sugary bands in schools. We have to do that. We launched our nutrition policy, all about making sure people start to think and understand how you carry yourself, how you eat. So that we could start to live healthy. A lot of us drink the Coke every day. We eat a lot of sweet every day. We have to also look at our lifestyle and our eating habits. Growing up people feel like, Oh when you are, when you have a, a bigger weight. Then you’re more prone to heart attack, But you have younger people dying from heart attack. Because we have to look at the intake of food that we have, the type of fatty foods we are eating, and start to eat more healthier. And that’s one of the things that the ministry is working hard in ensuring that we push the healthy initiatives, not only in the schools, but at the workplace, at every facility that go to, everywhere we are around. Trying to eat healthy, and we’re encouraging people to follow the nutrition guidelines that we have set out as a nation as well to try and help that our people could start to eat much healthier and live happier and longer lives.”
Seventy-six women and girls from Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize districts have successfully completed an Animation Bootcamp and were celebrated at an award ceremony earlier today. Out of the seventy-six participants, nineteen entered the animation contest. Ms. Sogelyn Cabrera took home first place, while second place was shared by Ms. Ayanna Leslie and Ms. Inmaculada Sanchez. Miss Priscilla Acosta secured third place. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the full story.
Sogelyn Cabrera
Sogelyn Cabrera, Participant
“I knew what I did was wonderful, I put a whole bunch of hours into it and it was just a wonderful experience. It was just, all throughout, a wonderful opportunity and I’m gonna say it again, I thank all of those people who went out of their way to give Belize this chance to all women and girls.”
Women are vital to the animation world, adding richness, diversity, and innovation that make it a more vibrant and dynamic art form. They bring unique perspectives and experiences that enhance storytelling and character development, resulting in content that’s more relatable and inclusive for everyone.
Thea Garcia-Ramirez
Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Chair, National Women’s Commission
“It is truly an honor to join you all today as we celebrate, really, the culmination of the incredible animation bootcamp. And my, what an inspiring journey it has been to witness the creativity, determination and innovation of our young women and women as they explored the great big world of animation.”
Priscilla Acosta is one of several talented women who dove into an intense training program to master the art of bringing drawings, models, and computer-generated images to life, creating the magic of movement. Women animators have crafted some of the most beloved and culturally significant works in animation, shaping the industry and leaving a lasting impact on popular culture.
Priscilla Acosta
Priscilla Acosta, Participant
“It was a lot of hours; and not just working, it was a lot of hours crying. My husband can attest to that. He says that’s my process of working. Like I challenge myself, I can’t do it. I get frustrated, I cry, then I go back and, “Wow, look at what I did, right.”
The animation bootcamp, led by the Taiwanese Embassy, was a fantastic initiative. Having women in animation means female characters are portrayed more authentically and with greater depth. This kind of representation is crucial for audiences of all ages, especially young girls who can see themselves reflected in these stories.
Lily Li-Wen Hsu
Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Taiwanese Ambassador
“Among the numerous bilateral collaborative projects our two nations work together, the Women’s Empowerment Project is the most rewarding one. With the transformative power of technology and digital artistry, Taiwan is very proud to play a part in this wonderful program and accompany these talented participants in your journey of empowerment.”
Women in leadership roles within animation studios inspire and mentor the next generation of animators, fostering a more inclusive and supportive industry. They have been at the forefront of creative innovation in animation, contributing to groundbreaking techniques and styles that push the boundaries of the medium.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Keynote Speaker
“Animation is more than just an art form. It is a dynamic segment of the orange economy, blending creativity with technology. There are countries like Chile, Guatemala and Panama who have recognized its potential and so now Belize is joining their ranks. This bootcamp, ladies and gentlemen is a testament to our commitment to advancing Belize’s position in the global digital services arena.”
