2025-02-10 - Channel 5 Belize

Man Murdered Trying to Save Brother from Burglars

Tonight, a family in Teakettle Village is mourning and the community is in shock after a tragic murder early Sunday morning. Forty-eight-year-old Santiago Rajo was fatally shot while trying to protect his brother, Tomas Rajo, from home invaders. According to the family, the robbers broke into Tomas’ home, attacked him and his family, and then fled on his motorcycle. Just moments after their escape, Santiago was shot and killed. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

In the early hours of Sunday morning, Tomas Rajo got out of bed to use the bathroom when he was suddenly hit on the back of his head and attacked. It was then that he realized, to his horror, that his home had been broken into.

Thomas Rajo, Brother of Deceased

“Three guys dressed in black arrived at my house, completely covering their faces. At that moment I had gotten up to use the bathoom outside around 1:30 in the morning when they were passing near or in front of my house. And when I realised, they had already grabbed me from behind, threatened me with a gun, and hit me on my back. Then my wife came out, and one of them grabbed her, took her into the dark, manhandled her, and threw her to the ground; they kicked her. One of them, the one who did that, also tried to abuse her; that’s what she told me after the men left.”

The intruders demanded valuables like cellphones and money. When Tomas’ son told them they had nothing valuable to give, the men started attacking them. The situation escalated dramatically when one of the intruders pointed a loaded gun at Tomas’ head.

Tomas Rajo

“They kicked me, threw me to the ground, and kicked me. And my son, crying, begging, told them not to kill me, not to continue hitting me, because I wasn’t doing anything to them; we didn’t owe them anything. And one of them, well, I think he took pity, I don’t know, and told the one who was hitting me and who threatened me and hit me with a gun, I think it was a nine milemeter. And then he checked it and put it in my head that he was going to shoot me, and one of them told him to calm down. Relax, relax, were the other’s words, and he told them to leave. The guy who had me against the ground, well, he kind of reacted at that moment and stopped hitting me. And then they went outside and took the motorcycle that I had stored in a ranch.”

After the intruders fled, Tomas hurried to his brother’s house, already alerted by his wife. The brothers began combing the area to see if the intruders were still around. Santiago was somehow spotted by the men and fatally shot just a few feet from his home. According to Santiago’s wife, Rosa Rajo, she heard two gunshots but didn’t realize her husband had been the one shot.

Rosa Rajo, Wife of Deceased

“He got up and he went outside. His brother came running by and said, They gone through this road. He said, call. But I did not hear what name he said, call. The next thing I knew that, I came inside looking for my phone. To see if I could get any image from a noise from a motorcycle behind my yard but as I was putting on the wi-fi on my phone I just heard it to one shot and I heard somebody was groaning so I ran out there thinking it was my brother in law, but when I reached here it was my husband.”

Several family members and village residents say crime has been increasing lately, but they claim the police have done little to stop it. Rajo points out that the nearest police station is in Roaring Creek. ACP Hilberto Romero says several men known to the police have been detained.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“ On Sunday, the nineteenth of February, 2025, police responded to a shooting incident at Tea Kettle Village. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Santiago Rajo with gunshot injuries. Information received is that three male persons arrived at the house Of Tomas Rajo and asked for the key for his motorcycle, and he mentioned to them that he did not have any key thereafter, he was hit on the face. The male person then got on the motorcycle and they rode off, at which point Tomas Rajo car looked for his brother. Santiago Rajo came out of the house and at that point, one of the mere persons only motorcycle shot him several times. We have several persons in custody for this investigation”

This tragic event has touched more than just Santiago’s immediate family. Rosa shares that Santiago was a devout man who dedicated his life to the church and the community. When he wasn’t working cutting grass, he was either at church or spending time with his family. His loss is deeply felt by everyone who knew him.

Rosa Roja

“He was the first elder of the Seventh day Adventist church here in Arizona. And we have been working here for a few years. He has been known to the villagers as a good person because he always out there helping in whatever form he could”

Santiago had lived in Teakettle with his family for over twenty-one years, serving God and providing for them. Tomas says he plans to spend the rest of his life honoring his brother’s legacy. Santiago’s dedication to his faith and family left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

Tomas Rajo

“My brother was something exemplary for me. He always encouraged me and supported me. It was he who brought me to this country of Belize. 15 years ago I stayed here. And it was with his support that I have been here, and we really get along very well. “And in cases like this, well, what we are going through right now, it is something sad, regrettable, but we leave the rest to God so that He is the one in charge of doing justice to each one of them who did that to my brother.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Who Shot Gerald Sutherland in Ladyville?

Last Friday in Ladyville, Gerald Sutherland was shot on Perez Road. Unfortunately, the police have no leads to catch the shooter. Sutherland told the police he realized he was shot while walking but couldn’t identify who did it.

A.C.P Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday, the seventh day of February 2025, police responded to a shooting on Perez Road in Ladyville. Upon their arrival, they learned that a male person had been taken to the KHMH. They visited the K.H.M.H where they found Gerald Sutherland with gunshot injuries. He reported that he was walking on Perez Road when he heard several shots coming from an area near some bushes. He could not see who shot him. He is listed in a stable condition at the K.H.M.H at this time.”

Reporter

“And he has no idea why somebody would want to…”

A.C.P Hilberto Romero

“No, he said he has no idea why someone wanted to shoot him.”

Knife-wielding Madman Subdued at Mahogany St. Precinct

Earlier today, residents in Lake Independence captured a disturbing incident involving a masked man wielding a knife. In the first video, a Special Patrol Unit officer confronts the man, shoving him in the neck and causing him to fall into a nearby drain. The officer then gets into a police vehicle, while the masked man chases after it with an object in hand. In another video, the man appears at the Mahogany Street Precinct with a knife, swinging at a flagpole before entering the building. A police officer in civilian clothes approaches from behind and strikes him on the arm with a baton, after which a team of officers subdues him. The cause of the incident remains unclear.

Will the date for the General Election finally be announced tomorrow?

Will the date for the general election finally be announced tomorrow? During today’s Special Sitting of the Upper House, Lead Opposition Senator Mike Peyrefitte hinted that Prime Minister John Briceño might make an announcement soon. This comes as letters are being filed about the long-delayed redistricting exercise. Peyrefitte’s comment followed the government’s move to borrow one hundred million ahead of the general election.

Mike Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator

“There are certain things you just shouldn’t do, you know, Madame President. You don’t come to the National Assembly one month before an election and ask the National Assembly… oh it will be announced tomorrow. You didn’t hear? You’ll catch up, you’ll catch up. You don’t come here at the end of your term to borrow a hundred and six million Belize dollars. No man, we don’t know if the Belizean people will validate the mandate they gave you in 2020. You don’t have any right to borrow in the name of the Belizean people if it’s something that can wait, since there is a difference between disbursement and borrowing. It’s 101, not 2.0, and, Madame President, you wait to get the blessing of the Belizean people that believed in you, for you to have the right to borrow another hundred and six million dollars. Quite frankly, Madame President, the people don’t see it and all these order papers given by Senator Courtenay. Ih sound good, but we don’t believe.”

Panton and the Alliance Continues to Call for UDP Mediation

Tracy Taegar-Panton and the Alliance for Democracy have reached out to Moses Shyne Barrow’s attorney, Christopher Malcolm, expressing their willingness to mediate. In the letter, Arnold and Company, representing their client, outlined steps to ensure effective mediation as soon as possible, suggesting Thursday, February 13th, for the session. They also recommended that neither party make public comments, whether on social media or to the press, about the High Court proceedings or leadership status during this period. They proposed that both parties announce their intention to mediate and refrain from further comments until mediation is complete. Panton’s attorney has also requested that the court hearing scheduled for Friday be postponed while mediation is underway. Stay tuned for updates.

KHMHA Workers Union Stages Protest to Demand Pension Benefits

On Saturday, around thirty members of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union staged a brief walk-out and protest on the hospital grounds. They’re calling on the government to bring back a pension scheme for them, like what other public health workers have. News Five has learned that the union members plan to give up their lunch break on Wednesday for another protest. This comes ahead of a meeting between Ministry of Health employees and union leaders. During Saturday’s protest, Union President Andrew Baird told reporters they’re fed up with talking about the same issue. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.

Andrew Baird, President, K.H.M.H. Workers Union

“We don’t have to sit down and dialogue. All the Prime Minister has to do is the stroke of a pen. So, put me back in our pension scheme, that government, the free pension that the public officers receive. We are public officers by the virtue of what we do. While our colleagues in the other hospital are receiving a nice pension, the employees in the other public hospital, the employees of the only National Referral Center are without a pension. So the government is to come to the table or else we will have to take the necessary step. We are not going to back down until we get our pension.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

On Saturday, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Workers Union, led by President Andrew Baird, issued a press release demanding the government set up a pension scheme for hospital employees. The release explains that since K.H.M.H became an authority, its workers have made the same sacrifices as other public sector employees but still face uncertainty about their retirement. It highlights a Provident Fund for employees hired from January 1, 2018, but notes that those who have served for over twenty years have no retirement plan. The last pension negotiation meeting was in October 2023, with no meaningful progress despite repeated efforts. Now, the employees are insisting their pension concerns be addressed.

Member, K.H.M.H Workers Union

“I just want my pension all the way to the hotel today like Mr. Baird said. I just need my pension, you know. I just want my pension, I think, just that. How much, how much does it mean for you, you are not 20 years old? Well, I got asthma, all of that. I have a health problem and I still live with all of that. Many days of work, I think. You know, all the way there. So we, we do know we don’t have problems. I think we need a pension. That’s what I got to say. We don’t work for it, you know? We deserve it. We want our pension now! Today! Before election! What do we want? Pension! When do we want it? Now!”

Lydia Blake shares that she’s been braving the challenges as a healthcare worker at K.H.M.H since 2013.

Lydia Blake, Member, K.H.M.H Workers Union

“ I have served in the government. My pension is there waiting for me when I’m 55. Two more years, Jules. But if I stay with Kush, I could work till I 62 and I get an next pension because the Prime Minister believes when I went to a meeting with him in December of 2021. 2020 even remember the a o he promised us after. We don’t put everything, all the things on paper there. Yes, you guys deserve a pension. Uno, go get the numbers, I’ll find the money. It’s 2025. And we still not reach our table for sign.”

News Five understands that a meeting is scheduled for the union leaders and representatives of the Ministry of Health but that the union plans to hold another protest on Wednesday at midday. Marion Ali for News Five.

Maria Rodriguez’s Appointment Debated in Upper House

The controversial appointment of Maria Rodriguez as Belize’s next auditor general was a hot topic at today’s senate meeting. The debate, which started during Friday’s House of Representatives session, continued with Senator Glenfield Dennison bringing it up in the upper house.

Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator

“I have absolutely no point of reference for Maria Anelle Rodriguez. I was not furnished with her resume, I was not furnished with her qualifications. I was not furnished with anything other than my little Google searches on who she was. I was also unaware and still remain so unaware as to the qualifications of any other applicants. I note that the motion seeks to appoint Ms. Rodriguez until the age of sixty-five. What I am sure of, Madame President, is that any change to the constitution could not have affected her tenure if we would pass this motion. So if it is as a country we are looking at how these offices are to work with one another and the selection process is to go, then I want to respectfully suggest that we look at a sort of model where we could possibly look at appointing her in a longer tenured period than we had suggested four months at the last time, but something that would not tie the people of Belize to an auditor general who we don’t know, who I don’t know anything about for twenty-three years.”

Business Senator Questions Maria Rodriguez’s Credentials

Business Senator Kevin Herrera, a certified public accountant, joined the debate on Rodriguez’s appointment. He questioned whether Rodriguez had taken and passed the same exams he had to become qualified.

Kevin Herrera, Business Senator

“I studied accounting, I did the CPA and when you are practicing, there are certain criteria that you have to meet. There are certain exams that you have to pass, and I see, in terms of the ad for the auditor general, these things listed but I am not sure if the current Ms. Rodriguez, I believe, Ms. Rodriguez. I don’t know if we held, if we maintained that demand that the person who we’re selecting has those qualifications. Sometimes, perhaps the system is not designed to work because the accountant general is supposed to report to the financial secretary and the financial secretary reports to the Minister of Finance. But who’s holding the accountant general accountable and keeping her on track with respect to the submission of these reports? This is a direct function of the executive and they’ve failed and they’ve been failing since independence on it, and no one has corrected it. There seems to be very little interest in this aspect of it, Madame President, and again we keep on with all the flurries and election is coming and everybody will be beating their chest about how many roads they are building, but nobody is checking about whether we’re getting value for money and how these things are being audited. But everybody feels so proud.”

2,500 First Time Offenders Gets Clean Criminal Records

Prime Minister John Briceño announced during Friday’s House meeting that 2,500 first-time offenders convicted of COVID-19 and cannabis possession offenses will have their criminal records cleared. This change takes effect immediately.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I am pleased to report that over two thousand five hundred first time offenders, persons having a conviction for a COVID-19 offense or possession of cannabis, but have no other criminal offense, will have the fines they were ordered to be pay be remitted and their criminal record expunged for it to be a thing of the past. It is being gazette this morning by achievement of remissions that were signed by her excellency the governor general on the advice of my government. This was done in fulfillment of my government’s commitment to reforming the justice system and the criminal justice system we continue to deliver on Plan Belize.”

G.O.B. Regulates Manufacturing of National Symbols

On Friday, the House of Representatives passed a bill to regulate the use of Belize’s National Symbols. The legislation targets the commercial importation, sale, and manufacturing of materials featuring these symbols. The opposition supported the bill, and the Minister of Culture, Francis Fonseca, clarified that it doesn’t apply to creatives or public use.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“I am a creative and I know all about intellectual property and I have made a fortune, and my dreams come through because of my intellectual property rights. The national symbols of Belize are the intellectual property of the state on behalf of the people for Belize. So, this is long overdue.”

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture

“Most of the progressive countries have established a regulatory framework, a legal framework around their national symbols so that they are not abused or misused. These are our national symbol, so we have an obligation as a country and certainly as a government to ensure that we are protecting and safeguarding the use of the national symbols. There is no effect on citizens, you flying the flag in your yard, anybody else doing that. No effect at all on that. The creative people, no impact on that at all. It simply applies to importation, manufacturing and selling, if you are selling it. We want to make sure you are in compliance with he standards we have set for these national symbols.”