2025-02-10 - Channel 5 Belize

GoB Begins Roof Repairs at this Orange Walk Central School

The government of Belize launched a long-awaited project to repair the deteriorating roof of the San Estevan Roman Catholic School in the Orange Walk District. The project is set to be completed in just three months time.

The renovation is expected to provide teachers and students with a safe school building and eliminate issues reported, like “bat infestations, leaks during rainy weather, and exposure to other parasites,” the government said in a statement.

Rosaura Chan, Chairlady of San Estevan Village, pointed out the longstanding need for the project, stating, “Today marks the beginning of an important milestone for San Estevan RC School.” She added, “For years we have hoped and waited for this much-needed improvement, and today, we stand at the beginning of a transformation that will benefit our students and teachers for generations to come.”

The school’s principal, Leticia Perez, hailed the renovation as an “important milestone,” adding that “for years we have hoped and waited for this much-needed improvement, and today, we stand at the beginning of a transformation that will benefit our students and teachers for generations to come.”

Prime Minister John Briceño also attended the ceremony. San Estevan Village falls in his Orange Walk Central constituency. During his address, he stated that although “it is the management that is responsible for these schools, for the repairing of their schools and so forth—not the government.” He added, “But in many instances, the management, the church in this case, cannot find the necessary resources to be able to make these repairs.”

“And so as an area representative, I think I felt it incumbent on me to be able to see how we can find the resources to be able to fix the roof of this building,” Briceño said.

He further committed to addressing local infrastructure issues, including improving the village’s streets to reduce dust. “I know there is also some issues with the streets, about the paving of the streets to try and hold down the dust, so I want to make a commitment that I would try and get that done in the months to come or certainly sometime this year,” he said.

Belizean Athletes Shine with 10 Medals at Mérida Championship

Team Belize delivered a stellar performance at the Campeonato Invernal Pista y Campo 2025 in Mérida, Mexico, a World Athletics-sanctioned event, bringing home a total of 10 medals across multiple track and field events.

The good news was shared by the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association on its Facebook Page.

Leading the charge was Nyasha Harris, who dominated the U20 female sprint events, securing gold in both the 100m and 200m. In the men’s 100m open, Shaun Gill clinched gold, while Fred Usher Jr took bronze. Usher Jr also secured silver in the 200m open. Donovan Grinage Jr added to Belize’s medal haul with a bronze in the 400m hurdles open.

One of the biggest highlights came in the 4x100m relay open male, where Jalen O’Brien, Shaun Gill, Donovan Grinage Jr, and Fred Usher Jr powered their way to a gold medal victory.

Additionally, Juan Portillo put up a strong showing in the shot put and javelin, finishing 4th and 5th, respectively.

Special recognition was given to Coach Shelmadine Carr for her leadership in guiding the athletes to success.

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Meets with Foreign Affairs Minister

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires David Hodge met with Prime Minister John Briceño and Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca last week to reaffirm the strong U.S.-Belize relationship. According to the U.S. Embassy in Belize, the discussions focused on key priorities of the Trump administration, including strengthening trade ties, enhancing regional security, and fostering partnerships to manage migration.

“Hodge highlighted the Trump administration’s priorities of making the United States safer, stronger and more prosperous while strengthening trade ties, creating partnerships to control migration, and enhancing our hemisphere’s security.” He highlighted Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to make Central America his first official visit, signaling the administration’s focus on the region.

Both sides expressed optimism about continued collaboration over the next four years, further deepening diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.

Masked Gunmen Kill Church Leader in Cayo

Santiago Rajo, a known church leader at the local Seventh-day Adventist church in Teakettle Village, Cayo, was fatally shot after trying to help his brother, Tomás Rajo, and his wife during what they described as a violent robbery. According to Tomás, three masked men armed with a gun attacked his family around 1:30 AM. The men reportedly demanded items of value. “They were asking for belongings and money, cell phones, and things of value. All of them were all speaking English,” Tomás told News 5.

He added that his son responded in English and told the men that the family had nothing of value that they were looking for. Tomás said that the men then pointed the gun away from him and at his son’s forehead. “My son continued telling them that we didn’t have anything of value to give him,” he said, adding that this led him to react, which led to him exchanging blows with one of the attackers.

Tomás reported that after the robbers gathered his family’s belongings, taking with them a motorcycle he had on one side. He said the men left the scene on foot because they couldn’t start the motorcycle.

The robbers reportedly returned, now riding the motorcycle, while Tomás had gone to another part of the village to see if he could spot them.

“When this tragedy happened, I was on one side of the village, and my brother came out here towards the back of the house where there was a street and where they passed on their way back and were already coming on the motorcycle,” Tomás said. “It was there where they shot him with that 9mm that they had threatened me with in the house.”

Santiago, a respected and hard-working member of the community, is deeply mourned by his family and neighbours. The family is now calling for justice and urging authorities to address the escalating crime. Residents are seeking an increase of police presence in the area.

Santiago’s wife, Rosa Rajo, told News 5, “So many people has been attacked by these robbers, and nothing has been done.”

Teakettle Church Leader Shot and Killed, Family Seeks Justice

Police continue investigating the fatal shooting of Santiago Rajo, a church leader of Teakettle Village, Cayo. Rajo was shot in the Arizona area of the village on Sunday afternoon.

According to his family, Rajo was an elder at the local Seventh-day Adventist church. He was attempting to assist his brother-in-law, who had been attacked during a robbery.

Santiago’s wife, Rosa Rajo, told News 5 that “he got a phone call from his sister-in-law saying they were attacked at their home. He went outside, and the next thing I heard was a gunshot.” Despite rushing to the scene, she said she found that her husband had been fatally shot.

Villagers have expressed concerns over rising crime and a lack of police presence in the area. Rosa added, “So many people has been attacked by these robbers, and nothing has been done.” She added, “We need more police because sometimes when you call the station in Roaring Creek, it’s kind of far, so it takes long, you know, to reach up here.”

The Rajo family and other residents are now calling for increased security in the village, including a police station and more police patrolling the area.

Guatemala Mourns 54 Lives Lost in Tragic Bus Crash

Guatemala is in mourning after a tragic bus accident claimed the lives of at least 54 people beneath the Belice Bridge in the capital, Prensa Libre reports. Emergency crews continue rescue operations at the site, where an extra-urban bus plunged into a river in the La Paz roadway sector.

The bus, traveling from San Agustín Acasaguastlán, El Progreso, lost control for unknown reasons before careening into the ravine. Rescue teams have transported survivors to the General Hospital San Juan de Dios and the Guatemalan Institute of Social Security for treatment. The impact left the bus completely destroyed, with several victims’ bodies recovered from the polluted river below.

According to a report from the Volunteer Firefighters, the death toll has risen to 54, including 51 victims recovered at a temporary morgue, two individuals who died at the hospital, and the bus driver. The General Directorate of Transport (DGT) confirmed that the vehicle, identified as a 1995 International model with license plate C-898BHR, had an active operating permit valid until May 24, 2025, and was insured by Seguros Universales, Sociedad Anónima.

The bus followed a regular route from the village of Estancia de la Virgen in San Cristóbal Acasaguastlán, departing at 3:00 a.m. and returning from Guatemala City at 4:30 p.m. The DGT expressed condolences to the victims’ families and joined the national mourning declared by President Bernardo Arévalo. Authorities have called for a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the crash and any possible legal liabilities.

Rescue operations and investigations are ongoing, with further updates expected in the coming hours regarding the final death toll and any factors that may have contributed to the tragedy.

Belize Secures $77M for Sugar Industry Climate Resilience

The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and the Government of Belize launched the Building the Adaptive Capacity of Sugarcane Farmers in Northern Belize (BAC-SuF) project. The initiative aims to safeguard the vital sugarcane sector from climate change impacts, which threaten the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

The Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, said during his address on Friday that the project’s groundbreaking role in Belize’s agriculture calls it a signal that the country is “serious about accessing climate finance that will impact our country’s most vital sector and most vulnerable communities.”

Mai cited the significant losses from the 2019-2020 drought, which reduced sugarcane production by 20%. “Losses like this are devastating for the economy and even more so for the livelihood of these farmers,” he said.

The BAC-SuF project, which will last five years, has received a total of over $77 million Belize dollars in funding.

Colin Young, Executive Director of CCCCC, spoke about the project as the first to focus on building resilience in Belize’s sugarcane industry. He described it as “a demonstration of Belizean leadership and innovation” and a sign of the CCCCC’s ability to create impactful projects.

The BAC-SuF project will focus on three core components aimed at strengthening the resilience of Belize’s sugarcane industry. The first component, Climate-Adapted Sugarcane and Improved Agronomy, will involve establishing climate-resilient sugarcane nurseries, replanting 10,000 acres, and implementing improved soil and ratoon management practices to enhance productivity and sustainability.

The second component, Sustainable Water and Land Management, will focus on investing in irrigation, drainage, and pest management systems that align with Climate Smart Agriculture standards, ensuring that farmers can better cope with changing environmental conditions.

The third component, Knowledge Hub and Capacity Building, will develop a training and information-sharing centre to enhance industry-wide expertise, equipping farmers with the necessary skills and resources to adapt to climate challenges.

Overall, the project is expected to directly benefit over 5,000 sugarcane farmers in Northern Belize and positively impact approximately 87,000 people within their communities.

KHMHA Workers Union Vex with Government

On Saturday, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) staged a walk-out in Belize City. The union is demanding that the government “immediately address the long overdue pension matter affecting dedicated hospital employee.”

In a press release, the union said, “KHMH workers are not asking for favors or handout- they are demanding what they have rightfully earned through years of services to this nation’s healthcase system.”

According to the union, the KHMHA has a Provident Fund in place, which serves as a retirement benefit plan for employees hired from January 1, 2018. It says that those who have served at the institution for two decades or more were never granted retirement benefits, let alone a pension. “These dedicated workers, who have spent decades caring for the people of Belize, face an uncertain and unstable retirement.”

The union added that the last pension negotiation meeting was held in October 2023, but since then, despite repeated efforts by the union to engage in dialogue, no meaningful action has been taken.

“These delays directly threaten the retirement security of long-serving healthcare professionals who have sacrificed for the people of Belize. Meanwhile, the absence of a clear pension plan has forced many experienced staff members to leave KHMH for other healthcare institutions that provide better financial security.”

“The Union demands that the Government of Belize fulfill its duty to these workers-just as it does for every other public servant doing the same work. The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now.”

Man Shot Dead in Teakettle Village

Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a resident from Teakettle village that occurred on Sunday afternoon. The victim, Santiago Rajo, was reportedly shot and killed in the Arizona area of the village.

Villagers are voicing concerns over rising crime and the lack of police presence in the village.

A family member of Rajo condemned the killer and is calling for justice: “The blood of my brother-in-law on the ground cries in the darkness and asks for justice,” he said via Facebook.

This is a developing story.