A man facing an attempted murder charge has walked free for the second time. On Monday, twenty-six-year-old Leroy Thomas Bardalez, well-known to the police and courts, was released after the Crown stated there wasn’t enough evidence against him. Bardalez was accused of attempting to murder nineteen-year-old Melroy Pelayo, who was shot and injured on March eighth, 2019, while walking with friends during a power outage on Rio Bravo Crescent off Faber’s Road. Justice Candace Nanton told Bardalez he was free to go as the Crown was dropping the case. Bardalez was initially arraigned at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on March twelfth, 2019, and remanded on three criminal offenses, including attempted murder. In November 2024, Bardalez also walked free from murder charges. According to police, Pelayo was shot in the leg by one of two youths on bicycles. This led to Bardalez’s arrest and charges of attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, and wounding. Police believed the shooting stemmed from a dispute in the Faber’s Road area. On November twelfth, 2024, Bardalez was acquitted of the murder of Ricky Nelson Miguel, who was shot and killed on September seventh, 2020, on Faber’s Road. The case fell apart because one of the Crown’s witnesses refused to testify, and the other couldn’t be found.
Another man has walked free after his case collapsed in the High Court. Nearly two years after being charged with attempted murder of a man and a minor, twenty-three-year-old Ryan McCulloch is now a free man. The victims, Harrison Parks and his then-sixteen-year-old cousin, refused to testify against their alleged shooter in front of Justice Derick Sylvester. The trial was set to begin on Tuesday, but the Crown’s efforts to get the victims to testify, including four visits, were unsuccessful. As a result, the prosecutor had to enter a nolle prosequi, dropping the two counts of attempted murder against McCulloch. The shooting incident occurred on Valentine’s Day, February fourteen, 2023, at the corner of Edwin Parks Avenue and Billy Webb Street in the Lords Bank area. Parks was shot in the right thigh, and his cousin was shot in the abdomen. Around 8:30 PM, Parks, the intended target, was walking on Edwin Parks Avenue when a grey car drove by, and an occupant opened fire. The motive for the shooting remains unknown. Police reported that Parks refused to cooperate with their investigation, and his cousin stated she couldn’t recognize the shooter and wouldn’t be able to identify him again. McCulloch, who lived in the Lords Bank area at the time, now resides in Cayo.
Did the Minister of Home Affairs miss the mark on his Plan Belize Manifesto goal? When the People’s United Party campaigned for the 2020 general election, they promised to boost the Belize Police Department’s ranks to at least four thousand officers. However, they are still far from reaching that target. Here’s how the minister responded to this observation.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“I don’t know what you think or how much space we have at the police academy, but we can only facilitate, say, two hundred and twenty-five recruits.”
Reporter
“Yeah, but you made the pledge.”
Kareem Musa
“Yes, it’s over time. Have you heard that Plan Belize is a ten-year plan. Have you heard that yet? Okay, you are hearing it now.”
Reporter
“You all are moving the goalpost.”
Kareem Musa
“No, no. But in the last four years, I can assure you that we’ve had the most recruitments than any other administration and I think our numbers are all the way up to two thousand, six hundred, going up with the next recruit intake that’s coming up in May. So every year we’ve had at least one, if not two squads coming out from our PTA.”
Earlier today, the top brass of the Belize Police Department gathered at the National Police Training Academy in Belmopan for the first All Officers Conference of 2025. Prime Minister John Briceño and the Minister of Home Affairs were on hand to address the senior law enforcement officers. Kareem Musa announced that the police department is set to fulfill its promise of installing one thousand new surveillance cameras across the country.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“Today was our first all officers conference for 2025 and we had the good fortune of having the Prime Minister of Belize give his remarks to the officers, the high-ranking members of our department and it was a message of hope, a message of thanks to the officers. As you know, we’ve had two positive years, in terms of crime reduction, so we continue to receive the support, the full support of our prime minister and the administration, in terms of the resources that we need in this upcoming 2025 year, this fiscal year. We are also pleased to announce, the commissioner alluded to it a few days ago that we will be embarking on a very grand project, with one thousand CCTV cameras all across the country.”
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The message was to congratulate and thank the officers for a job well done during 2024, and I also emphasized to them that while we did well in 2024 that there is still room for improvement and as we enter 2025, we most look at those areas where we fell short in 2024 and see how we can improve on those areas in 2025. I must say that I was extremely grateful for the prime minister this morning, gracing us at the opening and again, his message was well received by the rank and file in the room. The commitment was that government will continue to do what they can to invest in the growth and professional development of the police department.”
Today, a diverse group of industry representatives and companies that use chemicals came together for a workshop focused on improving chemical management. The goal? To develop a National Strategy that ensures Belize meets its commitments to four key environmental conventions on managing chemicals that can turn into pollutants. The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change brought in consultant Stephen Sangster to lead the event. Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai emphasized the importance of proper chemical management for a healthy environment and hinted at upcoming legislation to regulate this area. News Five’s Marion Ali was on the scene and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Today, representatives from various agencies and industrial companies gathered for a workshop that examined how Belize handles chemical waste. Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai explained that once chemicals are used, they turn into waste. It’s then up to the Department of the Environment to make sure this waste is managed properly, so it doesn’t harm the environment or our health.
Anthony Mai
Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer
“Chemical has the capacity to create significant environmental harm and health-related harm. So it is important for the Department of Environment to put measures in place to be able to reduce the negative impact that chemicals could have on the environment and to human health. Today we’re here because we’ve hired a consultant to develop the base tool that we would need to guide our direction forward. So we have key institutions here because chemicals stretch across all sectors. Chemicals are used at the household level, at the health sector, in the agriculture sector, by academia, by the private sector, so it involves all sectors.”
Belize is already recognized as a trailblazer in the Caribbean and Latin America. To keep up the momentum, the Ministry has brought on board Stephen Sangster, a Chemistry Lecturer from U.B., as a consultant. His mission? To lead the charge in creating a solid framework for new legislation that ensures proper chemical management.
Stephen Sangster
Stephen Sangster, Consultant, Department of the Environment
“Belize is actually one of the leaders in the region when it comes to implementing these agreements, We have a lot of laws and frameworks in place. We do have some reports that we’ve done but there’s more that we can do.”
Sangster emphasizes that as environmentalists and the legal team work on updating the legislation, it’s crucial to launch an education campaign. This campaign would teach people how to properly handle and manage the chemicals they use every day.
Stephen Sangster
“One of the main things that Belize has done is phased out a lot of the very persistent chemicals that stain the environment for long periods of time. We’re making sure we’re not producing it in country, that they don’t come into country, but there are a few that we’re managing as we go. Things like mercury and DDT that we use to control malaria, those chemicals are useful in our current climate but what we want to do is make sure that everybody is aware of how to best manage the use and day-to-day interactions with these chemicals and how do we dispose of it when we’re done with it, making sure that it’s not leaking into our environment. There is a lot of information that these agreements have provided some technical assistance in how do we manage these chemicals.”
Mai points out that although Belize has a solid track record in managing chemical waste, there are new areas the global community is aiming to improve. That’s where we need to direct our attention.
Anthony Mai
“Currently there are some major international conventions that Belize is a signatory to. For example, there’s the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention, the Minamata Convention and recently there’s the Global Framework on Chemicals Management. All of these conventions are important. All of them look at chemicals from a different perspective and require different obligations from our country.”
Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, said that once the National Strategy is finalized, he will urge the Cabinet to take the necessary actions to implement it.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
“I will be taking some of these information papers and memorandum papers to Cabinet for their approval and those that will become the Act and Regulations will also have to go to the House for acceptance by the House of Representatives for them to become the Acts, but very importantly for us is that we comply but also because compliance is also providing human wellness that we need in our country, both for agriculture and human health, and in the broad sense, also for the environment.”
The Department of the Environment keeps a close eye on things, and when they spot violations and find those responsible, they don’t hesitate to take legal action against the offenders. Marion Ali for News Five.
Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, claims that if the Briceño administration gets a second term, they will hit citizens with a barrage of new taxes. He warns that up to five new tax regimes could be introduced, a move he says is a stark contrast to the policies under the previous Barrow administration.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“So if a bullet doesn’t kill you, the cost of living and all of these new taxes will. During the Barrow administration we never raised taxes for those thirteen years. But, the Briceno doctrine, if you are not aware, a vote for this PUP government in this coming general election, will result in at least five new taxes and increased taxes. We have the village trade tax where all ministers in Cabinet voted for the passage of the new trade license bill that now taxes roadside vendors, yard cleaners, run man, everyone trying to get into the economy. This from a prime minister, a minister of finance and a cabinet that boast record economic growth. Why are they going after those struggling to get into economic productivity?”
Barrow also highlighted a few specific taxes that are reportedly on the horizon, including a National Health Insurance Tax, a garbage tax for Belize City residents, and a hike in the hotel tax. He assured voters that if the U.D.P. is elected, they will not implement any of these taxes.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“You have the NHI tax which my colleague, which my colleague, brother Perrera is going to go into as the shadow minister of health, John Briceno pay as you earn NHI tax will be deducted from your pay just like income tax. So, while for thirteen years under the Barrow administration you saw none of this taxes, the PUP gives you less but wants to tax you more. You have the pension tax where money will be deducted from pensions to pay for NHI. This is the complete opposite of free healthcare. But as I said my colleague Mr. Perrera will expand in great detail about the scam that is NHI, which is one of the first thing we will fix in our hundred days as the next government o ensure NHI is public and works for the Belizean public. We have the city garbage tax. The government has already agreed with the city council that after elections they will approve a garbage collection tax for residents who already pay an increasing annual property tax. So, it will only get worse if you give this Briceno administration another term. If you think it is bad now you cannot imagine what it will be like if you give them another term. The UDP is here to tell you if we are given the privilege by you the Belizean people, we will not implement any of these taxes.”
Barrow claims that Belizeans are longing for the days when the U.D.P. was in office. He argues that more businesses are closing down under the Briceño administration compared to the thirteen years the U.D.P. was in power. Barrow also boasted about the record low inflation rates during their tenure.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“The people are yearning for the practical, common sense policies implemented by the UDP that saw our economy grow by four point five in successive years GDP. Keep inflation down to one percent. We went as low as zero point five percent. We created opportunities for all. You dint have Smiling Meats and Hofius and Santiago and all of these people going out of business during the Barrow administration. We made sure the guardrails were there for the vulnerable, the people in need. It is not that Belizeans want a hand out. Belizeans want and need a government that will do their sown oath of office. The people did not ask us to serve them. We asked the people of Belize to be area reps. The PUP begged for the job they have and it is up to the opposition and the people of Belize to hold them accountable for the promises they have made and the failures they have delivered to this country.”
Filly the Jaguar has safely arrived at the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin! Earlier this month, the Belize Zoo announced that Filly, one of their female jaguars, would be transferred as part of the Jaguar Species Survival Plan, a program designed to maintain genetic diversity among jaguars in captivity. Filly was rehabilitated in 2019 through the Human Jaguar Conflict Program after being classified as a conflict animal. These jaguars often struggle to compete for food and territory, leading them to prey on livestock and risk being shot or poached. After landing in Miami, Filly was driven to Wisconsin, arriving on the evening of January 23rd. The Milwaukee County Zoo shared on social media that Filly is “adjusting well, eating, and seems comfortable with her care team.” Filly has been paired with Frankie, the male offspring of Pat the jaguar, who was transferred to the zoo from Belize in 2008.
For the next two days, teachers from all over Belize are diving into an exciting training program hosted by the Institute of Creative Arts. The goal? To get kids pumped about performing arts. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the institute has brought together secondary school teachers, equipping them with the tools and techniques to inspire teenagers to explore music, drama, and dance. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts to capture all the details of this fantastic educational opportunity.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Whether it’s through music, drama, or dance, the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) is on a mission to get Belizeans fired up about self-expression. By sparking this passion in young people across the country, ICA hopes to see more talented performers stepping up for their annual Festival of Arts. Today, they kicked off a two-day workshop aimed at educating secondary school teachers on how to get their students more involved in the arts. Crysel Gabourel-Moro, the dance facilitator at ICA, shared the goals of this exciting training.
Crysel Gabourel-Moro
Crysel Gabourel-Moro, Dance Facilitator, ICA
“Festival of arts has been here since the nineties. The workshop is to help educate the teachers to properly train the students in order to come and give a full performance on stage in the areas of drama, in the areas of music, in the areas of dance, how to put together all of these items, how to differentiate between the different styles and techniques and genres and give them all the knowledge that we can possibly do to give better performances when they come on stage”
The Festival of Arts season kicks off with the preschool festival in March, followed closely by the secondary school festival. ICA director, Kim Vasquez, is hopeful that this training will build capacity and encourage more high school students to participate.
Kim Vasquez
Kim Vasquez, Director, ICA
“Participation is always good across the board, from preschool, primary and secondary, we want children, we want students to grow in the Festival of Arts. But sometimes we notice that at the high school level, other things, other factors come into play. Graduation, CXC, workload there’s a lot. But there’s also a need for additional support. Because this is the time too when careers start being decided. When if you’re going to be involved more in music seriously, or dance more seriously, or drama as a career, or this is something that you want to take up into your, beyond your high school years, this is the time to really hold on to them and support them.”
In just two days, teachers are diving into intensive training in various arts disciplines, guided by professional performers. At the end of the sessions, they’ll showcase their newfound skills in a mock Festival of Arts.
Crysel Gabourel-Moro
“ We have to try and give as much as we can in the time that we have and then have them execute a practical afterward, which is a mock FOA. So the teachers will actually be dancing. They will be singing and doing all the things that they need to go and teach their students, then we would adjudicate them and let them know or give them some pointers on how to make it better so that when they get on stage with their students, they produce outstanding performances.”
ICA teamed up with the Ministry of Education to handpick around sixty teachers from across the country to join the workshop in Belize City. Among them is Stefan Nolberto, a teacher at Julian Cho Technical High School in the Toledo district. He’s thrilled to bring the new knowledge and skills back to his students.
Stefan Nolberto
Stefan Nolberto, Teacher, Julian Cho Technical High School
“ One of the most things that I’m going to take back to my students is to be open-minded. I believe that my students focus on primarily one aspect of the arts. And you can’t blame them for that. What we have learned today in this workshop is that the arts is not a competition. It’s about honing skills and trying to see how we could master not only one, but hopefully all three.”
The Festival of Arts is ICA’s national platform for creative expression. This April, the festival is broadening its horizons by reviving the creative writing publication, offering more Belizeans the chance to get involved and showcase their talents.
Kim Vasquez
“Last year alone in the Festival of Arts actively participating we had over two thousand, I think it was like two thousand three hundred students from across the country. from all areas. And that’s just on the stage alone. You also have to factor in that their classmates, their schoolmates, their community comes to see them participate. So the impact of the National Festival of Arts in Belize is huge. It’s really significant.”
The Institute of Create Arts invites all schools to showcase their students’ talents by participating in the festival this year. Britney Gordon for News Five.
