This morning in Belize City, Gion ‘Gizmo’ Bernard, who was wheelchair-bound, was shot and killed right outside his home. The thirty-nine-year-old had just left his yard on Castle Street in his wheelchair when he was ambushed and shot. Bernard collapsed and died on the spot. Despite numerous run-ins with the law, those close to him say he had been trying to turn his life around, especially after a gunshot wound years ago left him paralyzed from the waist down. News Five’s Marion Ali was on the scene shortly after the murder and filed this report.
Voice of: Landlady
Voice of: Landlady
“Since he get shot and get paralyzed, he nuh really get eena trouble. Everybody know Gizmo da nuh a threat to nobody.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
Gion ‘Gizmo’ Bernard moved into the lower flat of his landlady’s house about a month ago, coming from Orange Walk. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned that while he had a bit of a temper, he wasn’t a troublesome person.
Gion ‘Gizmo’ Bernard
Voice of: Landlady
“Even if he and somebody wudda ketch in an argument, yes ih wa got wa lee hard talk, but at the end ah the day, before the hard talk done, Gizmo done come back and apologize and everything straight with you and he again.”
‘Gizmo’, a father of three adult children, was charged in 2012 with the attempted murder of Jermaine ‘Horse’ Garnett and had several other encounters with the law. A few years ago, a gunshot wound left him paralyzed. A friend who saw him just hours before his murder mentioned that Bernard was well-liked by everyone in the neighborhood.
Voice of Friend of Deceased
“He da neva wa fearful person, whereby at the end of the day, if somebody want to do he something, he nuh was stay eena ih house, even though he in a wheelchair, you understand me?”
Marion Ali
“And he started to use a wheelchair because of an accident?”
Voice of Friend
“As far as I remember, he got shot in his spinal cord. So, he end up in a wheelchair, you know. But again, like I said, I wouldn’t know what really happened, but he da my friend, you know. And he da wa friend to a lot of people around the neighborhood where he live. Can’t talk nothing bad about him. He was a good friend to a lot of people around the neighborhood.”
The friend shared a voice message with us, claiming it was sent by Gizmo just before he was murdered.
Voice of Friend
“He messaged, voice noted me this morning and tell me, say, “Hey, mek will link up and take wa two drink.” Well, I a nuh wa drinker like that, so, at the end of the day, I tell ah, “Boy, me nuh into da drinking right now. That was that and probably mussy wa couple hours after that, I come out of my yard and somebody say somebody get shot pon the street ya. When we come out, the man got ih face pan the tar. He da somebody weh just like relax and probably just deh pon the block and whosoever know ah might stop and give ah wa lee hand-out or whatever and he take wa drink or two. He cool with everybody and he da always respect yoh. Ih call me old school.”
Police are investigating this latest homicide. Marion Ali for News Five.
Two women were shot on Vernon Street around 6:30 PM on Tuesday evening. Police report that forty-year-old Stephanie James and fifty-five-year-old Maria Cruz were walking with a man they knew when another man suddenly pulled out a gun and started shooting at them. However, James told us she had just closed the snack shop she cleans and was waiting for her two sons, while Cruz was simply passing by when they were shot. News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with James and filed this report.
Voice of: Stephanie James
Voice of: Stephanie James, Shooting Victim
“When I see he pull out the gun, I could tell yoh, I hear at least about five or six shots first. Then after that, when I run, he continue open up more fire. He continue shoot.”
Marion Ali
“You realize you were hit…”
Voice of: Stephanie James
“From the first shot I get, I realized I was hit.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
At around 6:30 PM on Tuesday evening, two women were shot on Vernon Street. One of the victims, Stephanie James, shared her story with News Five.
Voice of: Stephanie James
“I deh right deh soh di talk to two ah my friend deh, just done lock up the shop and when I look, wa gunman just open fire. Eena the midst ah me di try fi run da then I get hit. But my thing is why Berger Field? Dehn di try fi she Ghost Town deh deh but at the end of the day, dehn can’t she Ghost Town di give no trouble. And ComPol know this, Ghost Town nuh di give no trouble. Da one set ah people di give trouble.”
James was hit by three bullets in her right arm, but fortunately, none of the wounds were serious. She was treated and released from KHMH. The incident has left her and her family feeling uneasy, and now she can’t let her sons play ball on the field.
Voice of: Stephanie James
“There is our go-to spot my son they play football. A lotta people always deh pon the field da night, and yes we do have police presence in the area, but it’s not like – dehn know weh the trouble di come from. They nuh target dehn people and they not stop and mek sure dehn people nuh di exit their community. Someone could have lost their life the way that young man came and opened fire. Like he literally didn’t care. He didn’t care who got hit. He didn’t care if it was – kids, who are always out there most of the time, he didn’t care if it was a female like me, he didn’t care if it was someone elderly like the lady. He didn’t care.”
Despite her concerns for her children’s safety, James says the incident won’t dampen her spirits.
Voice of: Stephanie James
“ To be honest, Marion, they can stop my good heart, but I just wa be more alert. I just nuh wa have my kids pon the field. Ih just so sad because I just di deprive dehn ah deh fun, but we just have to be more careful out deh.”
Cruz was shot in the ankle and is still in the hospital. James hopes this incident will lead to increased police presence in the area. Marion Ali for News Five.
In a surprising twist during a High Court case before Justice Derick Sylvester, the defendant, businessman Patrick Robinson, fired his two well-known attorneys, Norman Rodriguez and Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington, only to change his mind and ask them to stay. Despite their discomfort, Justice Sylvester refused to accept their recusal, so they continued representing Robinson under duress. Robinson is on trial for five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, which allegedly occurred between January 2019 and June 2022 at his home and business, Leiva Funeral Home. During the trial, Robinson took the stand, denying all allegations and calling three alibi witnesses, including an employee who testified that he never saw any inappropriate behavior. The Crown, represented by Shenell Fernandez, suggested that Robinson exchanged a stove for sex with the minor, which Robinson denied. Justice Sylvester will address both sides on March 28, 2025, before summing up the case and delivering a verdict.
Tonight, a couple is behind bars after police found thirty-four live rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition in their home during a shooting investigation. The suspects are forty-five-year-old K.H.M.H. employee Deborah Harris Sutherland and her twenty-year-old boyfriend, Dejon Medwood. This afternoon, they appeared in court without representation and were each charged with keeping ammunition without a gun license. The bullets were discovered hidden in a drum at their Mahogany Street home in Belize City. Medwood took full responsibility, claiming Sutherland knew nothing about the ammunition, and pleaded guilty. Despite this, the charge against Sutherland hasn’t been dropped, and both were remanded to Belize Central Prison pending sentencing on Friday, March seventh, 2025. Sutherland, who has asthma triggered by confined spaces, broke down in court. The Senior Magistrate explained she couldn’t grant bail but would note Sutherland’s condition for the prison authorities.
When residents of the Queen Square constituency head to the polls on March twelfth, they’ll have four candidates to choose from. Two are running under the U.D.P. umbrella, one represents the People’s United Party, and another is from the People’s Democratic Movement. The United Democratic Party has controlled this division since 1984, but could the tides be turning in favor of another party? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the story.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Former Prime Minister Dean Barrow won eight straight elections in Queen Square. After he retired from politics, his sister, Denise “Sista B” Barrow, took over the constituency in 2020. Queen Square is a stronghold for the UDP. Now, one of Sista B’s closest allies, Godwin Haylock, is running for the seat with her backing.
Godwin Haylock
Godwin Haylock, U.D.P Candidate, Queen Square
“My roots are really deep in Queen Square, so deep that Queen Square is my birthplace, on Fairweather Street. It has also been my workplace for the last twenty-five years with the U.D.P. I have been in the trenches for the last twenty years pushing to get every vote. At the time it was honorable Dean Barrow, then Honorable Denise Barrow. Now, I finally get the opportunity to push for votes for me.”
Haylock is running under the Alliance for Democracy, a faction of the United Democratic Party. Interestingly, his fellow UDP opponent, Shane Williams, is contesting the Queen Square election under the leadership of Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Denise Barrow’s nephew. Haylock beat Williams at a constituency convention in 2023. However, Williams believes it was God’s plan for him to run in the division.
Shane Williams
Shane Williams, U.D.P. Candidate, Queen Square
“God’s way is not my way. When I ran I wanted a direct path to the leadership. Of course things work out in a different way and I am here to take full advantage of that, because it is not everyday that someone like me gets that opportunity. I wish it was under better circumstance. I wish it was the direct path that everyone dreams for but not everyrone has that direct path. At the end of the day my goal is to bring whatever resources possible to my community and however I can get that or whatever direction or path leads me to that, it is what I am willing to take.”
Interestingly, Williams hasn’t put up any campaign flags or banners in the constituency yet. He says the money his party leader gave him for that will instead be used to repair Saint John’s basketball court and host two basketball tournaments. Meanwhile, the People’s United Party candidate, Dr. Lorna McKay, is aiming to break the UDP’s undefeated record in Queen Square.
Lorna Mckay
Dr. Lorna Mckay, P.U.P. Candidate, Queen Square
“Actually it was an easy decision to make. I have been in politics from I was seventeen. I have campaigned for a period of time and I left it to do my career. But, as I retired I decided to come back in. When I returned it was always on the table for me to become a member of parliament.”
Paul Lopez
“What do you make of your chances in that constituency and what would ou see is key to getting the victory?”
Dr. Lorna Mckay,
“People are changing, people are coming over. I have quite a bit of U.D.P.s that have come over.”
Haylock points out that the drainage and streets in the constituency are in terrible shape, and he blames the PUP city council for it. He’s confident he’ll win the upcoming election.
Godwin Haylock
“My confidence can only be as strong as what I see out there. When I step into the homes, I am not a new face. They know me. They have been waiting for me. They want to see the pantry system returned, they want to see the education system get better, many things when it comes to our Queen Square Learning Resources Center, they want it equipped with computers, do more with that and that is my plan.”
In today’s social media era, Williams recently experienced a cyber-attack that caused Meta to deactivate his accounts. This setback has slowed his campaign, but he’s determined to finish strong.
Shane Williams
“My main thing to them is that on March thirteenth, the day after the election and we have seen it over and over, I can tell you on the day after the elections the office of the politicians are locked and they come around every so often. We need the type of leadership that is there every single day. I live in Queen Square. I am the only candidate in this race that lives in Queen Square, every night I go to sleep I see the things we need to work on when I wake up in the morning.”
Dr. Mckay argues that having the P.U.P. representing Queen Square will be more beneficial for the residents.
Dr. Lorna Mckay
“Actually there is no representation in the constituency right now. So, I believe if I win, I will be able to do a lot. There is no hpe in Queen Square and I am brining hope to Queen Square. There needs to be somebody that represents those people in Queen Square and I am that person believe that can represent those people in Queen Square.”
As we count down to Election Day on March 12th, we’ll take a closer look at the Caribbean Shores Constituency. Voters there will choose between the incumbent P.U.P. candidate and two U.D.P. candidates. In tonight’s “Meet the Candidates,” we’ll hear directly from the candidates as they make their final push to connect with supporters. Here’s News Five’s Benita Keme-Palacio with the details.
Benita Keme-Palacio, Reporting
On March twelfth, voters in the Caribbean Shores constituency will see three names on the ballot: two from the United Democratic Party and one from the People’s United Party. Incumbent Area Representative Kareem Musa is feeling confident and is aiming for another big win in his division.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, P.U.P. Candidate, Caribbean Shores
“The entire Caribbean Shores team is out here today, and we are ready to deliver another massive victory for Caribbean Shores. “I take all my opponents seriously. And so at the end of the day, we have to do our work, we have to bring out our pledges, and I am very confident we’ll deliver a big victory.”
Having served as Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries for the last four years, Musa describes his tenure as a valuable learning experience and is confident that the improvements he’s made during his term have resonated with the broader public.
Kareem Musa
“You know it has been a very rewarding experience for me, a learning experience to see the progress we have made over the years, starting in 2020. And to see crime gradually go down based on the policies we have been putting in place, the improvements that we have made in the police department and improving the overall impression that people have of the police department. Because at the end of the day, we have to work with the law-abiding citizens of this country, so trust and confidence in the department is very important, and we have restored that.”
To secure another victory, Musa will have to defeat two U.D.P. candidates, Andrew Bradley, who is running under Tracy Panton’s leadership, and Tyrone Louriano, who’s running on Shyne Barrow’s slate. After locking in his name on nomination day, Bradley is looking forward to working for his constituency.
Andrew Bradley
Andrew Bradley, U.D.P. Candidate, Caribbean Shores
“This is the second time I’m doing this, because I did run for city council seat already, but the second time, pretty okay. Because you know what you want to do, you have the love for the people, so you want to work for the people, that’s why I decided to write my name down.”
If he secures victory, Bradley hopes to bring an accessible area representative for the people of Caribbean Shores.
Andrew Bradley
“I’ve been putting the groundwork, I’m in the Caribbean Shores for the past umpteen years-I went to school in Caribbean Shores so my grassroot from Caribbean Shores. I hope to see changes in area representative, work for the people, who hear the people concerns, bid the people the time of day, and make sure the people live a comfortable life. The Caribbean Shores should have an area representative who they have access to to time.”
Meanwhile, Louriano is hitting the streets of Caribbean Shores, going door-to-door, connecting with voters, and listening to their concerns. He believes this approach is key.
“So far the reception that I have been getting from the voters in Caribbean Shores has been my main motivating factor; they like the fact that they have a choice when they go to the polls on March 12. I also know that there are two persons under the traditional red banner; however, we do know that there’s only one U.D.P. I have no issues with Mr. Bradley; I have no issues with the other candidate, Mr. Musa, just the same. But what I can tell the voters in the Caribbean Shores is that I am a choice on the ballot.”
Although Louriano is disappointed that two candidates are running for the U.D.P., he’s still confident about his campaign. As he challenges incumbent Kareem Musa, Louriano emphasizes the importance of making sure voters can recognize him and distinguish him from the other candidates.
Tyrone Louriano
“You know in the beginning they said it was a David and Goliath’s race, but as I go through my constituency, I am not feeling so much like a David.”
On March twelfth, just like in past elections, there will be restrictions on buying and selling alcohol. These restrictions start when the polls open at seven a.m. and last until midnight. Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai told News Five that the police will be making sure this law is enforced.
Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer
“ The law states that liquor should not be sold on election day, right? And it goes up until midnight. So for that entire day, no liquor should be sold. Even when it comes to hotels, they should not be selling liquor. And so if persons are false selling alcohol on that day, then the police will charge them, because it is an offence.”
On Tuesday, we told you about the sweeping tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump on goods coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico and an increase on previous duties levied on China. The twenty-five percent tariffs were followed by prompt retaliation from the neighboring countries and China. The impending trade war may have detrimental impacts on smaller countries that depend on the United States for goods. In tonight’s edition of the Five-Point-Breakdown, we take a closer look at what led to the implementation of these tariffs and what possible impacts they may have on Belize. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Countries around the world are bracing for what many call an international trade war. A trade war is an economic conflict between countries that typically arises when one retaliates against unfair trading methods. On March fourth, President Donald Trump imposed a twenty-five percent tax on goods from Canada and Mexico, and an extra ten percent tax on Chinese goods, these taxes are otherwise known as tariffs, and their implementation has resulted in international uproar and unease as countries formulate a response plan. But why did President Trump impose these tariffs? He says it’s to pressure governments to crack down on the illegal trade of fentanyl, a drug that kills tens of thousands of Americans each year.
Trump Imposes Heavy Tariffs on Trade Partners
Donald Trump
Donald Trump, President, U.S.A.
“Just so you understand, vast amounts of fentanyl have poured into our country from Mexico. And as you know, also from China where it goes to Mexico and also Canada. No room left for Mexico not for Canada. The tariffs, they’re all set. They go into effect tomorrow.”
In response to these tariffs, Canada, Mexico, and China quickly hit back with strong tariff packages on U.S. goods. Both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have labeled Trump’s actions as “unjustifiable” and see them as the first step towards a trade war.
Canada, Mexico & China React to US Tariffs
Claudia Sheinbaum
Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexican President
“It is by no means our purpose to start an economic or trade confrontation, which is unfortunately and regrettably, is the opposite of what we should be doing. That is integrating our economies more to strengthen our region.”
While Sheinbaum voiced her disappointment in Trump’s actions, Trudeau announced plans to retaliate. He argued that the tariffs are unnecessary since less than one percent of fentanyl entering the U.S. comes from Canada.
Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau, Canadian Prime Minister
“Canada will be implementing twenty-five percent tariffs against a hundred and fifteen billion dollars’ worth of American goods.”
Trump has also threatened to impose similar tariffs on European countries. These tariffs are not just about curbing illicit drug trade. The Trump administration also wants to boost the economy by bringing manufacturing back to America. However, this move could hurt the economy in the short term, with rising costs of goods and falling stocks on the global market. Prime Minister John Briceno says Belize plans to strengthen its resilience as North America deals with the fallout.
How Will Belize Avoid the Fallout of a Trade War?
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“What we have to do is then to try to see that maybe start to look at other areas to import from. Most of imports come from the United States. And what I’m sure that Mr. Trump understands is that when he raised tariffs, the tariffs is not the country that’s selling the product pays it. It falls on the consumer. On their consumers so that the prices of imports from China into the United States will probably go up. So that maybe we need to look at maybe import from Mexico or other countries or even Canada as opposed to from the United States. Right? But that’s not a decision that we will make as a government. The private sector, they’re nimble. They’re going to refining and scouting out where they could get things that are going to be cheaper.”
Briceño says Belize will do its best to stay out of the line of fire. However, economist Dr. Leroy Almendarez points out that Belize needs to consider the bigger picture. He explains that smaller countries relying on American imports might not have enough time to adjust to the price spikes, which will affect various industries.
Possible Impacts of a Trade War on Belize
Leroy Almendarez
Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Economist
“The impact is far reaching. I mean, when you really, I looked at and I just look at just quickly at 2022, we imported over six hundred million. We exported about eighty-six million. So, what’s the what’s the trade inbalance that exists there? It simply tells you that we are very import dependent and in agriculture, let’s take agriculture. We might have final products but what about the inputs? If we import inputs like fertilizer, whatever it is from the United States, and those prices are marked up, then what happens to our agricultural products? The cost of production will go up. The cost of consumption in Belize will also go up if it’s for domestic consumption, if people really consume it locally. But what about exporting it? It drives up the cost of production, which simply means now it will cost you more to produce a unit of a product, so you’ll produce less.”
Almendarez suggests boosting Belize’s manufacturing capabilities and diversifying trade relations with Central America and CARICOM to counter the tariff impacts. We also ran a non-scientific poll on social media to see how Belizeans feel the impending trade war will affect the country.
Are Belizeans Concerned About an Impending Trade War?
The majority of participants— forty-nine percent of the one thousand, thirty-nine voters, expect a strong negative impact, while thirty-one percent foresee a disastrous outcome. They predict higher prices for goods, suffering exports, and struggling trade-dependent industries. Eight percent think the outcome will be somewhat bad, seven percent believe it won’t be bad at all, and five percent are optimistic, suggesting the tariffs might open up more trade opportunities between the U.S. and Belize. Britney Gordon for News Five.
It’s been three months since our last update on the Caribi Bleu Casino investigation in San Pedro. Tonight, News Five revisits the story with fresh details. We’ve confirmed the Central Bank’s findings on the unauthorized ATM dispensing US currency inside the casino. Plus, new information has surfaced about the company’s golf cart operations. And why isn’t the casino listed among the FIU’s registered entities? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the latest.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
In late 2024, News Five published several investigative reports on the operations at Caribi Bleu Casino.
Leni Ysaguirre McGann
Leni Ysaguirre McGann, Director, F.I.U. (File: Dec 18th, 2024)
“The FIU to protect the integrity of these processes and to protect the investigation are under strict confidentiality obligations.”
Kareem Michael
Kareem Michael, Governor, Central Bank (File: Nov 27th, 2024)
“I am sure you will appreciate that I cant say much on that, because it is a live investigation.”
Our investigation started with allegations that the company received 200 golf cart permits on an already traffic-congested island. But it didn’t stop there. We uncovered an illegal ATM inside the establishment that dispensed U.S. currency. The Central Bank of Belize and the Financial Intelligence Unit are now on the case. News Five has confirmed that no charges or fines were levied against the casino’s proprietor Rima Ray. Central Bank Governor Kareem Michael told us that the legislation governing the use of ATMs does not allow for administrative penalties. He further explained that fines can only be imposed through a summary conviction. So, what happened? The owner received a simple slap on the wrist for operating an unauthorized ATM that dispenses US currency inside a Belizean casino.
Rima Ray quickly removed the ATM from the casino and promised not to run such operations again. The owner was also required to attend a meeting about national payment system regulations and guidelines. We obtained a document with an official Customs stamp stating that the machine would leave the country through the Belize/Mexico border on December seventh, heading to Chetumal for servicing and repairs. However, the letter raised many questions. It mentioned that the machine would return to Belize once the repairs were completed. Now, there are doubts about whether the machine actually left the country and if Customs had approved its initial importation.
New details have also emerged about the Caribi Bleu Limited’s fleet of golf carts. In November 2024, News Five visited the San Pedro Town Council’s Traffic Department and met with Miguel Perez, the aide to Mayor Gualberto Nunez. We discovered twenty golf carts registered under Caribi Bleu Limited, parked openly in the casino’s parking lot. But you might recall the extra golf carts stored in a building next to the casino that mysteriously disappeared. News Five has obtained images to show that they were moved to a fenced property not too far away for safe keeping. Since then, Caribi Bleu Limited purchased a golf cart company, Time Out Golf Cart Rental. A Companies Registry document shows that the transaction was finalized on the sixth of January 2025. News 5 has been reliably informed that Caribi Bleu Limited has an additional eighteen permits under Time Out Golf Cart Rental.
What’s even more intriguing is that Caribi Bleu Casino also operates under the name GMK Sky Limited, as shown on this flier for a raffle of a brand new 2024 golf cart. GMK also appears on this wire transfer receipt. In August 2024, Rima Ray transferred fifty thousand dollars through TD Bank to Belize Management and Consulting with special instructions for the GMK Hotel Project. However, when we checked the list of registered casinos under the FIU, neither Caribi Bleu Casino nor GMK Sky were listed. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Last night, we aired an in-depth interview with Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay about the Jeremy Enriquez and Anand Ramlogan case. During the interview, Courtenay was also asked about an affidavit from his client, Prime Minister John Briceño. The question arose because, in the court document, Prime Minister Briceño claimed he didn’t know of any other head of government who had announced a general election date inside the National Assembly. However, records show that former Prime Minister Said Musa did just that in 2003. Here’s what Courtenay had to say.
Eamon Courtenay, Attorney-At-Law
“That was obviously a mistake, I can tell you that I didn’t remember Prime Minister Musa announcing it, but it’s immaterial. It’s a mistake and we all make mistakes.”
Reporter
“But a mistake in a sworn affidavit is a matter of consequence, when especially when it’s from the highest office in the land.”
Eamon Courtenay “Agreed. Agreed. And I think, I mean, you interviewed him. I mean, I don’t think he denied. I mean, I didn’t see. I don’t know but you interviewed him. We will not insist to the contrary. But I obviously say it was a mistake that was made, and, we would have easily have said that the it was done once, as far as I know, if it’s the only occasion.”
