2025-01-18 - Channel 5 Belize

Trump’s First Immigration Raids to Target Chicago

Donald Trump’s incoming administration plans to launch its first immigration raid in Chicago on Tuesday, targeting over 300 individuals with violent crime histories, according to reports from unnamed officials. The operation, slated to last a week, will involve deploying 100 to 200 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to the city.

Chicago, known for its strong sanctuary city policies, has drawn criticism from Trump and his incoming border czar, Tom Homan, who vowed to prosecute local officials obstructing federal immigration enforcement.

While ICE officials have indicated that enforcement efforts will occur nationwide, including in New York and Miami, advocates fear the raids will sweep up individuals without criminal records or those with legal status. Community groups in Chicago have been mobilizing, educating immigrants about their rights, and preparing phone trees to alert residents of ICE activity.

Chicago officials, including Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, reaffirmed their commitment to sanctuary policies, with local Democratic leaders urging immigrants to stay calm, know their rights, and avoid granting officers access to their homes without warrants.

As Trump’s administration prepares for large-scale deportations, immigrant rights groups are bracing for legal challenges while attempting to shield vulnerable communities from the anticipated crackdown.

Guatemala has expressed willingness to accept citizens from other Central American countries deported from the United States as part of its efforts to foster a positive relationship with the incoming Trump administration. According to Prime Minister John Briceño, Belize will not.

When asked about possible pressure, he added, “We are a sovereign nation, and they cannot force us to accept people that are not citizens from this country. And as far as I am concerned, we are not going to accept any citizen that is not Belizean.”

Family Seeks Help After Vendor Dies in Highway Crash

The family of Maria Caal, a 50-year-old market vendor from Cotton Tree Village, is reaching out for financial assistance to cover funeral expenses estimated at $1,700 USD following her untimely death in a tragic road accident.

Caal, the mother of seven, including one residing in Houston, was well-loved and known for her dedication to her family and work at the Belmopan market.

The fatal accident occurred on Thursday night near Mile 47 on the George Price Highway. Caal was travelling in a Toyota pickup driven by 70-year-old Manuel Juarez, a vegetable vendor, when their vehicle collided with a speeding Chevy Camaro. The impact killed Caal, who was trapped inside the wreckage, and left Juarez hospitalised. The occupants of the Camaro, identified as Jose and Leli Mendez, reportedly fled the scene on foot into nearby bushes.

In an emotional interview, Caal’s son, Samuel Cal, recounted the devastating moment he learnt of his mother’s death.

“I saw a message on Facebook. One of the people posted that they saw an accident happen 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 closely, 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,” Cal shared.

The family is asking for prayers and any contributions to help with the funeral expenses. Donations can be made via PayPal, Venmo, or by check.

Caal is the second Belmopan market vendor to lose her life in a fatal collision in recent weeks. On December 3, 2024, Miriam Cordon, known as Miss Pretty, also died in a road accident on the George Price Highway.

CCJ Rejects Appeal Over Fraudulent Land Transfer Case in Belize

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has dismissed an application for special leave to appeal a judgement involving misrepresentation and fraudulent conveyance of property in Belize. The decision, issued on December 17, 2024, and explained in further detail today, also denied a request to stay the enforcement of the judgement.

The case centres on a 120-acre property in Serango Bight, Stann Creek District, owned by Belizean businessman George Dueck. Dueck had entrusted the late Thomas Pound, a U.S.-based real estate broker and missionary, to assist with the property’s development for tourism. Acting on Pound’s advice, Dueck transferred ownership to him to facilitate potential investments from U.S. buyers. However, Pound later transferred the property to a Belize-registered entity he controlled, Kingdom First Ministries International (KFMI).

In 2014, the Belize High Court found Pound liable for misrepresentation and fraudulent conveyance. Although the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling in April 2024, it reduced the damages payable to Dueck.

The latest legal challenge was filed by Kyle and Darin Pound, representing Pound’s estate and KFMI. They sought special leave from the CCJ to appeal, as they had missed the 42-day deadline to file an appeal with the Court of Appeal, as required by the Caribbean Court of Justice (Appellate Jurisdiction) Rules, 2024.

The applicants attempted to circumvent the rules by making a late appeal to the Court of Appeal, which had no jurisdiction to extend the deadline. After their application was denied, they filed for special leave from the CCJ, claiming the refusal constituted grounds for their appeal.

The CCJ deemed this approach an abuse of process and dismissed the application. Additionally, the court reviewed the intended grounds of appeal and determined they had no realistic prospect of success. As a result, the CCJ refused to grant special leave and dismissed the request to stay the original judgement.

Department of Transport Opens New Office in Independence

Residents of Independence and neighbouring communities now have easier access to critical transport services with the opening of a new Department of Transport office at the George Murray Bus Terminal.

The office is designed to improve service delivery for thousands of residents in the southern region. At the opening ceremony, local leaders and community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting event, where government officials spoke of the benefits of this new facility.

The office will offer key services, including vehicle registration, the issuance of driving and motor vehicle licenses, traffic management, and enforcement. This expansion ensures that residents no longer need to travel long distances to access these essential services.

Transport Minister Rodwell Ferguson said that the new office will improve access and convenience for residents.

Police Find Stash of “Gorilla Glue” Weed in Lake I Home

Yesterday, police found a quantity of marijuana branded as “Gorilla Glue” during a search operation at a residence in the Lake Independence area of Belize City.

A tip led officers to a two-bedroom home on Lavender Street where they searched a room identified by the 46-year-old homeowner as belonging to his teenage son.

During the search, officers discovered an opening in the ceiling. There they found five parcels of marijuana. Four of the parcels were sealed with the label “Gorilla Glue,” a name associated with a potent and popular strain of cannabis, while one of the parcels had already been opened.

The marijuana was seized, and the homeowner was arrested and taken to the Raccoon Street Police Station. The drugs, which weighed 4.5 pounds in total, were processed in the presence of a Justice of the Peace.

Authorities are treating the case as drug trafficking and are now searching for the homeowner’s 16-year-old son, who is believed to be connected to the stash.

The “Gorilla Glue” strain is known for its high THC content and popularity among recreational users.