2025-02-06 - Channel 5 Belize

Election Commission to Consult Political Parties on Color Assignments

Alberto August, Opposition Member of the Elections & Boundaries Commission, has criticised the Facebook blog “Hot Off The Press” for spreading misleading information regarding the assignment of political colours for the 2025 General Election.

August said, “This is in response to the grossly misleading post broadcast by untrained individuals posing as journalists publishing on the Facebook media platform as “Hot Off The Press”. It is these kinds of persons, by way of their irresponsible actions, that give the noble profession of journalism a bad image.”

He clarified that the assignment of colours was discussed extensively in a recent Commission meeting but remains unresolved.

According to August, the Commission unanimously agreed that, under Section 15 (4) of the Third Schedule (Election Rules) of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 9, consultation must first take place with political parties contesting the election before a final decision is made.

He said, “For this to be legally advanced and for a decision to be arrived at, it simply means that the Alliance for Democracy Party led by their acting leader Tracy Panton will first be required to declare itself a political party given that the Commission can legally consult only with ‘political parties contesting the election.'”

Is NRH Being Investigated after Patient Dies 1 Hour after Discharge?

A man dying just one hour after being discharged from the Northern Regional Hospital (NRH) has brought attention to the hospital once more. According to reports, the incident has triggered an investigation into potential medical malpractice.

When asked about the incident, Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard declined to comment, stating, “I cannot comment to that. We are doing our investigation.” He added, “I do not run on social media issues because there are many times information that are posted on social media are not factual.”

Bernard said that his team is looking into the matter and that he would await a full briefing from the regional manager Jorge Polanco, who is the Director of Hospital Services and Allied Health. Bernard added that the investigation is ongoing, adding, “I prefer to wait until I get a full briefing…before I can comment.”

Stella Maris honours Little Gabriel with Vigil

Today, Stella Maris School held a candlelight vigil to honour little Gabriel Orellano, an autistic student who tragically lost his life after wandering off campus.

As we have reported before, little Gabriel drowned in the sea near the hangar area in Belize City after leaving the school grounds. The vigil was organised to provide a space for students and parents to grieve together, with a call for people across the country to wear blue in honour of Gabriel’s life and autism awareness.

A sanitation worker, David Henkins, told News 5 he recalled seeing Gabriel running down Freetown Road, stating, “We mih want stop ah you know, because we know dah something wrong.” However, he explained that he didn’t stop him because he believed two individuals just behind little Gabriel were likely the child’s family members. Henkis later learnt of Gabriel’s tragic death, and said “that play in my mind whole day, all day, because i just mih want the Father just touch we fih mek we could go stop that the lee young bwai. We cried and all.”

Santa Elena Resident Injured in Motorcycle RTA Needs Your Help

A Santa Elena family is urgently seeking help to cover the $10,000 cost of lifesaving surgery for their son, Josue Novelo, who was injured in a motorcycle crash on Sunday morning.

The 27-year-old was returning home after visiting a friend when he lost control of his motorcycle near the new bridge in Santa Elena, Cayo. His father, Alfredo Novelo, told News 5 that a police officer informed them that Josue was found in critical condition. “He looks like he crashed his motorcycle, and he’s all broke up.”

Josue, who suffered a broken foot and a broken and dislocated arm, among other injuries. The family is preparing Josue for surgery in Belmopan. Blood donations, in blood type O positive, are needed along with financial support to go towards the $10,000 surgery that Josue will be undergoing.

“We’re asking friends, family, and anyone who can please support,” Alfredo said.

Donations can be made to Luz Minerva Perez at Atlantic Bank, account number 212 0022 326.

Protests Against Elon Musk’s Access to Sensitive Data of Americans

Hundreds of protesters, including Democratic lawmakers, gathered outside the Department of the Treasury in Washington this week to denounce Elon Musk’s alleged “hostile takeover” of federal financial systems. According to The Guardian, the rally was sparked by reports of Musk’s team, the “department of government efficiency” (Doge), accessing sensitive financial data of Americans, including Social Security, Medicare, and tax refund information.

Some experts are concerned that Musk’s action has also given him access to sensitive data of all his competitors in the tech industry.

The Guardian reported that representative Maxwell Frost voiced concerns, stating, “He has access to all our information, our social security numbers, the federal payment system. What’s going to stop him from stealing taxpayer money?” Lawmakers like Maxine Waters and Chuck Schumer joined the protest, with Rep. Jasmine Crockett vowing, “We are not going to sit around while you go and desecrate our constitution.”

Despite reassurances from the Treasury that the system remains secure, protesters, including former federal contractors, remain unconvinced about Musk’s involvement, The Guardian reported.

Police Destroys Over 30 kg of Drugs

The Belize Police Department conducted a massive drug destruction operation on Wednesday. Authorities burnt over 30 kilograms of illicit substances.

The operation, which was approved by the Commissioner of Police on July 14, 2024, saw the incineration of cannabis, cocaine, crack cocaine, and hashish, all seized in previous police actions.

A total of 69 parcels of found property and 157 parcels of court-concluded exhibits were destroyed by fire. The haul included 30,292 grams of cannabis, 5,705.8 grams of cocaine, 374.22 grams of crack cocaine, and 3,651.29 grams of hashish.

Representatives from the police, magistracy, forensic services, and government press office were present to oversee the destruction.

According to the police report, “All drugs were accounted for, and all witnesses were satisfied with the destruction process, which concluded at 2:00 p.m.”

Minister Fonseca Comments on Rubio’s Central America Tour

The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first overseas trip focuses on Central America, with immigration and the Panama Canal at the forefront of discussions. Rubio’s visit comes as the Trump administration seeks to curb illegal immigration and expand U.S. influence in the region, particularly against rising Chinese presence.

He had pointed out concerns over Chinese control of infrastructure along the Panama Canal, stating, “If China wanted to obstruct traffic in the Panama Canal, they could.” This aligns with President Trump’s push to regain control of the canal, though Panamanian officials reject any negotiations over its ownership.

Rubio’s tour includes stops in Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. However, the tour did not include Belize.

When asked about it today, Francis Fonseca, Belize’s Minister of Education, stated that no U.S. Secretary of State has ever visited Belize, and Rubio hasn’t visited any CARICOM states either, despite Belize being part of CARICOM. Fonseca said that Rubio’s trip was a “good” and positive sign, stating, “U.S. administrations have generally given very little attention to their own backyard—to Central America, the Caribbean.”

Fonseca also pointed out Rubio’s approach as the U.S.’s Secretary of State, stating, “Normally he would start in Europe… He said, let’s start in our own backyard,” and added that Rubio visited countries where there were “specific issues that he wanted to address with those countries on behalf of his administration.”