2025-01-17 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize Women Celebrate Completion of Animation Bootcamp

Belizean women are stepping into new career opportunities after completing the Animation Bootcamp for Women Empowerment, a program designed to equip them with essential digital skills in animation and graphic design. This initiative is providing the tools needed for success in the expanding global market.

The bootcamp, which reached Corozal, Belize City, and Orange Walk, taught women and girls how to create original animated content that they can copyright and share online. A total of 76 women were awarded certificates during the closing ceremony, with the event concluding by recognising the top three participants for their outstanding work in animation.

After five months of training, the graduates are now ready to contribute to industries like film, gaming, and marketing, playing a key role in the growing “orange economy.” This sector, part of the global creative industry, contributes 3-6% to the world’s GDP.

The Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Lily Li-Wen Hsu, congratulated the participants and welcomed them to the digital world. “Use this new tool to tell stories… and transform your creative ideas and content in the ever-changing digital world.”

First place winner, Sogelyn Cabrera, called the bootcamp “a wonderful experience.” Third place winner, Pricilla Acosta, added that despite challenges along the way, she unlocked the creative side in her.

At the launch of the workshop in Orange Walk in August 2024, Prime Minister John Briceño stated that the animation industry could offer flexible job opportunities, especially for women unable to leave home due to caregiving responsibilities.

The program was led by the Ministry of Investment’s Investment Policy & Compliance Unit, the Taiwan Technical Mission, the National Women’s Commission, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

And The Fighting Continues…

Albert Area Representation Tracy Panton says Opposition Leader Moses Barrow abandoned the mediation process. Both are locked in a battle for the leadership of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

Panton issued a statement under the UDP banner, though the design and template are different from the ones we’ve seen before this dispute.

She says, “By walking away from efforts to amicably resolve the leadership dispute, Shyne has demonstrated his refusal to allow a fair and transparent process—particularly one that may include the holding of a leadership convention.”

Barrow recently filed a second application to the court seeking contempt charges against Panton. This, she says, indicates his unwillingness to mediate. “This move to undermine the mediation process underscores his intention to disregard the voice of the Party’s delegates and avoid any process that can jeopardise his position,” the statement said.

Panton says she remains committed to resolving the dispute in good faith. “She has submitted the names of two proposed mediators to the Court and has expressed her willingness to engage in a mediated settlement, even if it involves holding another convention to determine the Party’s leadership,” the statement added.

She further accused Barrow of undermining democratic principles. “Shyne’s actions are not only a blatant disregard for the Court’s processes but also a direct threat to the democratic values and principles that guide the United Democratic Party. This dictatorship-like approach will be met with resistance. We will fight tirelessly to ensure that democracy prevails, and the voice of the delegates is respected.”

Belize Hesitant to Send More Soldiers to Haiti?

Media in Haiti are reporting that the Belizean government is hesitant in sending more Belize Defence Force soldiers to Haiti. This comes after Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, told Belizean press that Cabinet was recently briefed on the matter by the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security. He said that guidelines remain. “I think there are a few outstanding issues that have to be resolved in terms of ensuring that our soldiers are ready. They have been training. So I think, around the end of the month, they will do another assessment. Around the end of January, they’ll do another assessment of where they are, and then they will report back to Cabinet.”

Belize joins Barbados as the second country to delay or reconsider its plans to send troops to Haiti.

Earlier this month, a contingent of 150 Guatemalan soldiers was deployed to Haiti to support an international mission aimed at restoring order in a country plagued by violent gangs.

Belize’s involvement currently includes two Belize Defence Force officers as part of the CARICOM Joint Task Force.

Haiti remains in a state of emergency, with gangs controlling much of Port-au-Prince and having freed approximately 3,700 inmates earlier this year in major prison breaks. Kenya has contributed nearly 400 police officers as part of the mission, which is expected to include 2,500 officers from multiple countries.

New NHI Clinic Opens in Belama II

The Belize Medical Associates (BMA) team, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, officially opened the new BMA National Health Insurance (NHI) clinic in Belama Phase Two on Wednesday evening. The clinic will offer primary care services for common illnesses like cold and flu, along with specialised services including gynaecology, ultrasound, and blood tests.

At the opening ceremony, Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard told News 5 about the importance of this new clinic in expanding healthcare access. “It’s a very important relationship because NHI is a service that provides primary care to our population,” Bernard explained. “While we have our public facilities, we also need to ensure that citizens have access to other services within the private sector.”

This clinic is part of the government’s initiative to enhance healthcare accessibility across Belize through the NHI program. Bernard pointed out the affordability of the services, saying, “It costs a penny… for you to access quality healthcare. A pregnant woman, for instance, can access an ultrasound for a fraction of the cost.”

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of BMA, Doctor Victor Rosado, added, “We firmly believe that healthcare should be accessible, should be affordable, and should be of high quality.” He said that the NHI management committee has been placing facilities in “strategic areas so that everybody has geographic access to these clinics.”

Mold Forces Shutdown of Port Loyola Polyclinic

Patients who depend on the Port Loyola Polyclinic on Belize City’s southside are experiencing significant disruption after the facility was shut down last Thursday due to mold contamination. Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard confirmed the closure, saying that the decision was made to prioritise the safety of both patients and staff.

Bernard explained that the clinic’s environment, which is subject to high humidity and heat, contributed to the mold issue. “I mean, we live in an environment where there’s 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 while we look at a new facility that will be able to provide the service there.”

According to Bernard, alternative healthcare options are available. “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.”

He added that the ministry is exploring options, including renovating the existing facility, upgrading it, or constructing a new clinic to ensure long-term solutions for the Port Loyola area.

Regarding staff members, Bernard confirmed that their jobs are secure and that they are being reassigned to other healthcare centres in the interim, such as the Central Health Region, Cleopatra White Polyclinic, Mitchell Polyclinic, and others. “One thing, one assurance I want to make is 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, uh, a new facility for that area, then we will do so.”

Automatic Expungement Now Available for Certain First-Time Offences

The Community Rehabilitation Department has announced the availability of automatic expungement for specific first-time offences, following amendments to the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act. The changes, which came into effect on November 29, 2024, involve the repeal and replacement of section 30 of the Act, streamlining the process for individuals seeking to clear their records.

Under the amended legislation, individuals with no prior criminal records may apply for automatic expungement of convictions in two specific cases. These include first offences for possession of cannabis or cannabis resin under section 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, provided the sentence involved a fine not exceeding $1,000, and first offences for any COVID-19-related infractions.

The Community Rehabilitation Department encourages eligible individuals to take advantage of this service by submitting their applications for expungement. This initiative aims to provide a fresh start for those who meet the criteria while supporting their reintegration into society.

GLC Says Norman Rodriguez’s “Conduct Amounts to Professional Misconduct”

The General Legal Council has concluded deliberations on a formal complaint filed by U.S.-based civil servant Bobbie Cain against attorney-at-law Norman Rodriguez. Cain, a part-time Belize City resident, accused Rodriguez of professional misconduct, alleging significant delays in filing a lawsuit for breach of contract against contractor Ainsworth Jones.

The Council found that Rodriguez breached multiple ethical obligations under the Legal Profession (Code of Conduct) Rules.

It was determined that his handling of Cain’s matter was unprofessional, marked by undue delays, inadequate communication, and a failure to act with the diligence required of attorneys. Rodriguez’s conduct violated Rule 28(1), which mandates attorneys to handle matters with expedition and provide progress updates, and Rule 69, which prohibits undue delay, negligence, or neglect.

The Council noted that Rodriguez had all necessary information to file Cain’s claim by November 2023 but failed to upload the Claim Form and Statement of Claim until March 2024—four months later. Despite receiving a $3,000 retainer in January 2020, Rodriguez took over 48 months to act, during which Cain made persistent follow-ups via WhatsApp messages and personal visits.

Rodriguez admitted to the delay and offered no satisfactory explanation, instead blaming the late submission of certain details, including the contractor’s address and the exact date of a 2018 oral agreement. The Council rejected this defence, stating that alternative legal provisions could have addressed these gaps, emphasising that the delays were avoidable.

In his testimony, Rodriguez denied failing Cain and maintained that her claim was not statute-barred. He cited delays caused by her late submission of critical information, including Jones’s address, which he claimed to have received in November 2023. He also pointed to challenges in obtaining the exact date of Jones’s alleged breach of contract.

Rodriguez admitted to failing to share drafts of the claim with Cain for review and to responding inadequately to her enquiries. During cross-examination, he acknowledged that he did not provide written responses to Cain’s WhatsApp messages or document his requests for information. He offered to partially refund Cain’s payment, citing time spent draughting the claim.

The Council was particularly critical of Rodriguez’s failure to act despite having all necessary information by November 2023. It described his delays as “inexplicable, inexcusable, and deplorable,” noting that they risked violating statutes of limitation and other legal thresholds. The Council stressed that filing claims is inherently time-sensitive and that Rodriguez’s inaction demonstrated a disregard for his ethical obligations.

The Council determined that Rodriguez’s conduct amounts to professional misconduct. He is required to provide a written explanation by December 12, 2024, to show cause why sanctions under Section 16(2) of the Legal Profession Act should not be imposed. Potential sanctions include fines, suspension, or disbarment, depending on the severity of the misconduct.

SP Taxi Federation Puts Protest on Pause

Vice President of the San Pedro Taxi Federation, Ademir Vega, told News 5 this morning that the taxi associations have put their protest on hold until next Wednesday. He said that a meeting between government officials and the federation is set to take place that day. Vega stated that based on the outcome of that meeting, the federation will then determine if its members will go ahead with the protest or not.

As we have been reporting, San Pedro taxi drivers gathered outside Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez’s office on January 9 and demanded a solution to what they see as unsafe and unlawful behaviour affecting their business and the safety of tourists.

The taxi drivers say that they have acquired a permit to organise a formal protest to continue pushing their cause.

Last week, Vega told us that golf cart rental companies are operating illegally at the San Pedro ports area and offering ‘unauthorised’ transportation to tourists. According to Vega, these companies are violating regulations, as their trade licenses specify they must operate from their office locations, not ports of entry. He said that despite raising concerns for nearly three years, there has been no action taken by local authorities.

Mayor Nuñez told News 5 that his administration has been looking into the issue with the guidance of an attorney. However, he clarified that the terminal is private property, limiting the council’s authority over the area.

Vega stated that the taxi associations would be taking legal action to resolve the issue.

Meanwhile, on January 10, the San Pedro Belize Express (SPBE) issued a statement addressing concerns over taxi operations at their new terminal. The water taxi service clarified that no taxis are being banned from picking up or dropping off passengers. In fact, the terminal’s parking lot is still under construction, and the company is working on improving traffic flow for both taxis and passengers.

SPBE added the importance of maintaining order and reducing congestion, with security and police personnel on-site to assist with traffic management. The company has set a maximum wait time of 10-15 minutes for taxi pick-ups and drop-offs to prevent delays.

“Once the terminal’s construction is complete, proper signage will be placed throughout the compound to clearly guide the flow of traffic,” SPBE said in its statement.

Driver Flees After Fatal Crash on George Price Highway

A fatal crash on the George Price Highway near Mile 47 on Thursday night has left one woman dead and the driver of a pickup truck injured.

Authorities report that the woman was killed in the collision. The driver of the grey pickup truck was injured and transported to Western Regional Hospital for treatment.

The driver of the Camaro reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot into nearby bushes. Police are actively investigating the incident and searching for the suspect.

The investigation is ongoing.