2025-03-17 - Channel 5 Belize

Singer Aurelio Martínez Among Six Dead in Lanhsa Plane Crash

A tragic plane crash near the Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport in Roatán has claimed the lives of six people, including renowned Honduran singer-songwriter Aurelio Martínez.

Authorities have confirmed that Martínez was among the passengers aboard the Lanhsa aircraft that plunged into the sea on its way to La Ceiba. The accident has sent shockwaves through the music community and beyond, as fans and fellow artists mourn the loss of a cultural icon.

Martínez, an internationally recognized Garifuna artist, was celebrated for his contributions to Honduran music, with hits like Pompis con Pompis gaining widespread popularity. His passing marks a significant loss for the Garifuna community and the broader Latin American music scene.

Rescue efforts managed to save four individuals from the wreckage, while the remaining victims are believed to be trapped beneath the water. Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

Tributes have begun pouring in on social media, with fans and colleagues remembering Martínez’s legacy and impact on Garifuna music. His influence extended beyond Honduras, as he served as an ambassador of his culture on the global stage.

PM Briceño 2nd Term Cabinet Sworn-In

Over the weekend, Prime Minister John Briceño unveiled his Cabinet appointments for the new term. While most positions remain unchanged, there are a few noteworthy updates. For instance, three ministers of state now report directly to the prime minister, including two senior ministers. The portfolio of Youth and Sports has been handed over to Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler, who will be joined by Minister of State Devin Daly. Political newcomer Thea Garcia-Ramirez has been appointed as the substantive Minister of Human Development. Meanwhile, Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes has taken on a junior ministerial role in the Ministry of Education, much to the dismay of his constituency teams. We also heard from Prime Minister John Briceño.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It is a lot of work trying to put together a Cabinet that you have some sort of regional balance, ethnicity as best as you possibly can. You have also gender. In the case it is only one and it is very tough. For me one of the most difficult things is Ramon Cervantes, Monchi Cervantes, very highly qualified person and I would love to put him in a position but the problem is we already have three ministers from Orange Walk, and if I do that, I could get into trouble because my colleagues will say one concentrate only on Orange Walk when you become the prime minister for the entire country. So, it is a though process, long hours, and a little bit of concentration. But, at the end of the day it is up to me, I as the leader of the party and the Prime Minister, thanks to my colleagues, I am the one that try to find the right fit when setting up this Cabinet.”

Paul Lopez

“When should we expect the CEO appointments?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“CEOs should be in place by tomorrow, Wednesday the latest. Many of them are going to stay.”

“Monchi” Supporters Not Pleased with Appointment

Prime Minister Briceño acknowledged that P.U.P. voters in Orange Walk North are feeling disappointed because Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes didn’t land a substantive ministerial role. Instead, he was appointed as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education. Here’s how P.M. Briceño addressed the concerns of those supporters.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I could understand the disappointment but you need to remember you are not elected to be a minister, you are elected to be a representative. Monchi has been an excellent representative and the results demonstrate that. I think he won by an even bigger margin this time round, but as compensation I put him in a senior ministry, which is the ministry of education, to go along with Oscar Requena, a very good person, an easy person to work with. I believe that between the two of them there is a lot of work to do in the ministry of education, so this is as best as I could have possible to try to find that balance.”

Three Ministers of State Under Prime Minister Briceño

As mentioned earlier, Prime Minister John Briceño now has three ministers of state under his wing, including senior ministers Dolores Balderamos-Garcia and Rodwell Ferguson. How does Ferguson feel about his new role? Unfortunately, he declined our request for an interview today. However, Prime Minister Briceño did share his reasoning behind appointing three ministers of state under his leadership.

Prime Minister, John Briceño

“It is not a matter of a political grave yard, Minister Dolores made it clear that this is her last election and she will be retiring. So, I felt like what we did with Mr. Price, we make her a senior minister. Because of the size of the Cabinet it was difficult to bring her as a senior minister. But what I did is to bring her as a senior minister of state with Cabinet privileges, meaning she can attend Cabinet meetings. We will also, I give her a special task to be in charge of the National Aids Commission and the National Honors Committee. She also expressed in working with the elderly. So I have already spoken with minister Garcia that Dolores will work with her and she is already happy. And by Minister Ferguson to work in the ministry with me, what I plan to do is use him to do special task. If there is a issue going on in the country or whatever I will say please go take a look at it and see how we can solve these problems.”

PM Speaks on Thea Garcia Ramirez Appointment

The latest Cabinet appointments have everyone buzzing, especially the appointment of newcomer Thea Garcia-Ramirez. In her first term, she’s been handed the reins at the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support, and Gender Affairs. Some are questioning if favoritism played a role in this decision. However, PM Briceño firmly denies these claims, explaining that with only two women in his administration, it was essential to appoint one as a substantive minister.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Simply because as I said, there are only two women and I had to bring her in Cabinet unless I would be jumped upon and they would say you brought no women in your Cabinet. So, since Minister Dolores is retiring, on her way out, then we felt it is important to bring her in to take over. Then, you don’t want to just give her a ministry for giving a ministry sake, but also something substantive and to make the point that Thea is a very competent woman. She has demonstrated that everywhere she is and how she works. I feel that I didn’t want to give her a token ministry, but a ministry where there is a lot of work and she has a passion for women and families and children and this is where she can take her passion and ideas and policies of government into place and practice to make a difference in the lives of people.”

Paul Lopez

“How do you dispel the notion that she is being favored?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I don’t know how you come to that, how you could ask such a question when I just explained to you why is it that we put her there.”

Thea Garcia-Ramirez Humbled By Ministerial Appointment

We also had the chance to chat with Ramirez, who expressed her deep honor at being chosen by the prime minister for this role. When asked about the rumors of favoritism, she confidently responded that the prime minister recognizes her as a hardworking individual who knows how to deliver results. Here’s more from our conversation with her.

Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Minister of Human Development

“I am humbled, honored, to have been chosen by the P.M. for this huge responsibility. I feel like I am up to the task. I am going to lean heavily on Minister, the honorable Dolores Balderamos Garcia. She has an infinite amount of knowledge and energetic and passion for the ministry. I like to say she is that ministry.”

Paul Lopez

“Of the few you are the only first-time elected representative that is getting a substantive ministry, there must be some sort of disappointment among your colleagues, even those who have some sort of experience and yet a couple of them even got ministry of state positions.”

Thea Garcia-Ramirez

“I think you will have to ask them how they feel, I don’t know to speak on anyone’s feelings unless it is my own.”

Paul Lopez

“You know how these things go. Do you feel like there is some level of favoritism here?”

Thea Garcia-Ramirez

“I think the call to serve comes from the prime minister. It is his choice, so you will have to ask him why he chose, but generally will tell you that women we have to work, three times harder than men to get half of the recognition if we are lucky sometimes. But I know my prime minister sees me for a hard worker, sees me somebody who delivers. I was ready to serve just in my own constituency if that is what he chose. I think I am correct in saying that if he thinks I am not up to task he will demote me and put me where I am suppose to me. It is not favoritism.”

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia Embraces New Role

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, who is the aunt of Thea Garcia-Ramirez, has confirmed that this will be her final term in office. She mentioned that she’s ready to support her niece, the newly appointed Minister of Human Development, whenever needed. When asked if she would have preferred a more senior role in the Briceño Cabinet, Minister Garcia confidently stated that her new position is indeed a senior one.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of State, O.P.M.

“I have served with distinction under the governments of both Said Musa and John Briceno. I have been privileged to do so. Having bene in politics for a long, long period, I embrace a new role and I will continue to serve to the best of my ability. The decision is the prime minister’s I will embrace it, continue to serve and I will be able to carve out some of the role I will play. At this point my top priority is the people of Belize Rural Central who has reelected me with and overwhelming mandate. So, that will be my top priority.”

Reporter

“Will you be working with Ms. Thea seeing she will be taking over the mantle you leave behind?”

Dolores Balderamos- Garcia

“If she request then certainly, but being senior minister of state in the office of the prime minister, the directives and request of the office of prime minister will of course comes first.”

Paul Lopez

“Would you have wished for more of a senior position or a substantive ministry role?”

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

“No, this is a senior position which I will absolutely embrace.”

MOEST Gets New Minister Appointed

The Ministry of Education has a new leader. Minister Oscar Requena, who previously served as the Minister of Rural Transformation, is stepping into the role. He takes over from ministers Francis Fonseca and Louis Zabaneh. We caught up with Requena to hear about his exciting plans for the ministry and the unique value he brings to the education sector.

Oscar Requena, Minister of Education

“In terms of my value that I bring to the ministry, I want to say I spend twenty-four years in education before venturing into the field of politics. So, I serve form a primary school teacher, to a principal, curriculum officer to a district manager. So, I feel over the last twenty-four years that I served I have learnt a lot. I come prepared, certainly I will make use of professionals and people in the field to support the work that we do at the ministry of education. We bring a vision to the ministry of education. First and foremost it is to ensure that education is a life long process and that we equip all of our children at the different levels, with lifelong skills and values to be able to have their own personal growth and development in education, but most importantly for all Belizeans to contribute to the socioeconomic and political development of our country. Education is the game changer, education has to be the way out of poverty. It has to be the key to the future of our country.”

Doctor Zabaneh Removed from Ministry of Education

Doctor Louis Zabaneh, who previously served as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, has now taken on a new role as the Minister of Indigenous Constitution, Religious Affairs, and Transport. Given his significant contributions to curriculum reform over the past four years, why wasn’t he appointed as the main Minister of Education? Should Doctor Zabaneh feel disappointed by this decision? We posed these questions to the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“There are many things I look at when I am trying to appoint ministers. So, I don’t think that Dr. Zabaneh should anyway feel that. We have actually elevated him, made him a full minister. Mr. Requena has moved from Rural Transformation to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Minister Fonesca holds on to the post of Culture, something he is passionate about. He is also passionate about education, that is why when I asked him to take over foreign affairs, he wanted to finish the work he started at education before exiting an concentrating on the ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade, Culture and Immigration, which is now part of the ministry. I had to hold it on for a little while until he can assume all of those ministries.”

Man Murdered Near PG Cemetery; Police Suspect Friend

Over the weekend, a tragic incident occurred near the Punta Gorda cemetery where a man was murdered. Police suspect that the killer was one of the two individuals he was socializing with. Today, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero informed reporters that Dueton Coy was shot multiple times on Sunday night. Romero mentioned that the suspect is currently unknown to the police.

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

“On Sunday, the sixteenth of March 2025 around seven p.m., Punta Gorda police visited an area around the cemetery in Punta Gorda Town where they found the lifeless body of a male person identified as Dueton Coy with gunshot injuries. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigations revealed that Coy was along with two other persons in that area consuming alcoholic beverages when several gunshots were heard and police found him with the gunshot injuries. There is one person in custody at this time. We are seeking one more in connection to this murder investigation.”

Marion Ali

“Who is the main suspect?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“ One is one of the persons that was at the scene at the time.”