2025-03-18 - Channel 5 Belize

Gilroy Usher Jr. Charged for Attempting Run Over His Sister

Gilroy Usher Junior, forty-four, who was recently called to the bar in Belize in late 2024, is facing serious allegations. He’s accused of trying to run over his sister, Monica Usher, thirty-seven, with a Ford F150 pickup truck. Today, he appeared in court to answer to a single charge of aggravated assault. Usher Junior, the son of Port Loyola Area Representative Gilroy Usher Senior, stood unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate, where he pleaded not guilty. With no objections to bail, the magistrate set it at two thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same amount, with strict conditions. He must not interfere with his sister, any family members, or prosecution witnesses, and must stay at least twenty-five feet away from her. His next court date is scheduled for May fifth, 2025. Court records revealed that Usher Junior owed fifty dollars for a 2017 traffic conviction for using an unlicensed vehicle, which he had to pay before posting bail. Outside the courtroom, Usher Junior described the situation as ‘an ongoing family issue’ and denied his sister’s allegations, calling them total embellishment. He admitted there was an incident but insisted it was nothing like what she claimed. The family feud between Usher and his siblings has been simmering for some time.

PG Mayor Responds to BTIA Over Chocolate Fest Cancelation

On Monday night, the Belize Tourism Industry Association Toledo Chapter announced the cancellation of the 2025 Chocolate Festival. According to a BTIA release, Mayor Carlos Galvez and the Punta Gorda Town Council have undermined the event, despite efforts to engage in dialogue. News Five has learned that the association is upset about a Christopher Martin concert being promoted by the council, using the name Chocolate Fest, for the same weekend. BTIA Toledo fears that the event will divert attention and revenue from the actual Chocolate Festival. Today, we spoke with Mayor Galvez to address BTIA’s concerns and asked about his connection with CG Promotions, one of the companies behind the Christopher Martin concert.

On the Phone: Carlos Galvez, Mayor, Punta Gorda

“Let me say this, it is sad. It is unfortunate. I believe very respectfully that it was done immaturely. There must be some room for dialogue. There is in no way Punta Gorda Town Council or the office of the mayor, my colleague, the councilors would ever want to undermine, sabotage, such an event that brings a lot of attraction, revenue in every aspect of tourism to promote the Toledo District. What happened is that we found out that there is a block or a spot that is left empty in terms of the weekend events for the Chocolate Festival. In that I say that the wine and chocolate is on Friday night. During that period we expect everyday to attend. The concert that the town council plan, the Christopher Martin concert that is the following day, on Saturday. In no way we believe that would undermined the wine and chocolate. It complements the wine and chocolate and the wine and chocolate also compliments the Christopher Martin show.”

Paul Lopez

“I see that on the flier it speaks to a CG Promotions. Are you behind the CG promotions? The inference I draw is that it is a Carlos Galvez Promotions. Are you behind that?”

On the Phone: Carlos Galvez

“That promotion exists from long years, from 2003 that promotion exist. But this is nothing personal. This is for the public.”

Paul Lopez

“The criticism is also that you personally, you are winning, because the CG Promotions, the Carlos Galvez Promotions is pushing this concert organized by the council you lead.”

On the Phone: Carlos Galvez

“I find that to be, in now way shape and form there is a winning for Carlos Galvez, I will rule that our point blank.”

Empowering the Next Generation: Girls4Tech 2025

Belize Bank, in partnership with Mastercard, hosted the second annual Girls4Tech program in Belize, showcasing their dedication to empowering young girls through STEM education. Three hundred primary school girls are gathered here in Belize City to gain essential STEM skills and explore future careers in technology and finance. This year’s participants include students from Holy Redeemer Primary School and Grace Primary School in Belize City, as well as Pancotto Primary School from Sandhill Village.

Namrita Balani, Director, Science & Technology

“As the Director of Science & Technology at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and proudly as a girl in tech, myself, this moment resonates deeply with me. I know the challenges that can come with stepping into a space where women and girls have traditionally been underrepresented, but I also know the power of opportunity, mentorship and access and how they can change lives. Recent data reveals an interesting trend in our country: while the ratio of boys and girls in preschool, primary, and high school is nearly equal, it changes significantly at the sixth form and university levels, about seventy percent girls and thirty percent boys. However, in technical and vocational education training, this trend is reversed, with seventy percent boys and only thirty percent girls enrolled. This shows us that while our girls are excelling, we must continue to encourage them to step into spaces like tech and engineering, where they are still underrepresented.”

Rodolfo Zavaleta, Regional Commercial Director, Mastercard

“We are proud and honored to be able to serve this incredible purpose, not to teach, not to insert new ideas into our young girls that we work with in this program, but rather to maintain what they already have in them, to potentiate, to amplify what our young girls in the world bring with them. So I’m very, very honored and very inspired. Thank you, Mr. Alario. Mastercard is proud to be here, our signature STEM education program, Girls4Tech aims to close the gender gap.”

More Training for Journalists

Reporters are getting two days of intensive training in investigative journalism, thanks to funding from Global Financial Integrity (GFI) and support from the Belize Network of NGOs. The workshop is zeroing in on illicit financial activities. Leon Dawson, Regional Manager for GFI, shared why they believe Belizean journalists need this training, while Dion Vansen, a reporter for the San Pedro Sun, talked about what stood out to him on the first day.

Leon Dawson, Regional Manager, Global Financial Integrity

“This training is focused on illicit financial flows, beneficial ownership, then we will deep dive into investigative journalism techniques. It’s funded by NORAD, the Norwegian Agency for Development, and we are being supported by a local partner, B.N.N. – Belize Network of NGOs. Our lead journalist is Miss Holly Edgell, and she will be doing the deep dive in investigative journalism while the G.F.I. team or regional director and our program advisor will lead the presentation on illicit financial flows, beneficial ownership, and how these ties into corruption.”

Marion Ali

“And this is important for a journalist because…”

Leon Dawson

“This is important for a journalist because our journalists are the ones who bring corrupt activities towards the public and they need to have the necessary skills in order to bring this efficiently and effectively to us while having the necessary tools to report accurate information.”

Dion Vansen, Journalist

“The first day was very informative. All the information that was shared with the presenters, I think that it can help me and help me and anyone in journalism in investigative reporting. I believe that the different tools of the different information that was shared is a good base for you to work on an investigative story.”

Rev. Louis Wade Jr. Appointed as Church Senator

The National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) has announced the appointment of Rev. Louis Maximo Wade Jr. as the new Church Senator, following a collaborative decision with the Belize Council of Churches and the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches.

In a statement issued today, NEAB President Rev. Santiago Valencia confirmed that the selection was endorsed by more than 240 pastors nationwide.

“We are confident that Rev. Louis Wade Jr. will discharge his duties in the Senate with excellence, wisdom, and significant contribution, as he has done throughout his entire career as an exemplary servant leader in Belize,” the statement read.

Rev. Wade, a well-known religious leader and media personality, has been a strong advocate for faith-based values in Belize.

He is the manager of Shamax Productions Limited which operates Plus TV and is the host of Rise and Shine.

He replaces Bishop Alvin Benguche.

Gillnets Still Being Used In Belize by Guatemalan Fishermen

Despite the 2020 ban on gillnets in Belize, illegal fishing continues to be a significant issue. Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Coast Guard Commandant, told News 5 that the Southern Waters, particularly around Sarstoon, Barranco, and Hunting Caye, remain a hotspot for illegal gillnet use.

“That is still an area of concern for us,” Bennett stated. He also revealed that, so far this year, over 3,000 feet of gillnets have been confiscated—surpassing the total amount seized “in the entire 2024 period.”

The legislation, passed in 2020, made it illegal to use or possess gillnets in Belize’s territorial seas, Exclusive Economic Zone, and internal waters.

Bennett stated that enforcement remains a challenge. “We know that there are illegal fishers operating in that area; therefore, we patrol that area more often.”

He added, “It just takes a lot of patrolling effort to deter and interdict those illegal fishing in that area.”

Bennett explained that while no Guatemalan vessels were spotted in the area, the gillnets are believed to belong to Guatemalan fishermen. He said, “No one was in the areas, so we can’t confirm,” but that the nets were found “very close to Guatemala, so we believe it is Guatemalan.”

Briceño Defends Former Minister Ferguson’s New Role in Cabinet

Prime Minister John Briceño’s new Cabinet formation has received some criticism from members of the public.

Some ministers were re-instated to oversee the same ministry; others were swapped, and in some cases, some were stripped of their previous role and placed in a role with less of the heavy responsibility of a full ministry.

In this morning’s episode of Open Your Eyes, Prime Minister John Briceño discussed the new ministerial appointments and the key figures in his cabinet. Among them is Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, whom Briceño appointed as Senior Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister. He said she will lead the National AIDS Commission and focus on issues affecting the elderly. The PM also shared that this would be her final term. She will be collaborating with her niece, the newly sworn-in Minister of Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs, Thea Garcia-Ramirez.

In the case of Rodwell Ferguson, former Minister of Youth, Sports and Transport, many viewed his appointment as a “demotion” after challenges in his previous portfolio, as he now holds the position of Minister of State: Office of the Prime Minister.

Briceño defended his decision to make him Minister of State and described him as someone of high “likeability .” Briceño added, “I want to be able to use him in special assignments” due to his strong people skills and ability to resolve issues on the ground. “If there’s an issue going on in a ministry or whatever, I would say listen, go there, find out what’s going on for me and let’s see how we can solve these problems. So more of a troubleshooter kind of thing.”

When asked about his last term’s performance and if Ferguson was a good fit for that ministry, Briceño responded, “I don’t think so, back then.”

Caribbean Democrat Union Congratulates Belize’s 1st Female Leader of the Opposition

The Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU) has extended its congratulations to Tracy Panton on her historic appointment as Belize’s first female Leader of the Opposition.

Panton, who has represented the Albert constituency since 2015, was elected as interim leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in October 2024 following a special convention. The CDU said, “This landmark achievement not only signifies a progressive step for Belize but also serves as an inspiration for women across the Caribbean region.”

The CDU expressed confidence in Panton’s leadership: “The CDU is confident that under Hon. Panton’s leadership, the opposition will effectively contribute to Belize’s democratic process, advocating for policies that promote prosperity, equality, and justice. Her vision for elevating political dialogue and focusing on the pressing issues facing Belizeans today is commendable.”

Last week, Panton was officially sworn in as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, making her the first woman to hold the position. Her appointment came after the United Democratic Party (UDP) lost the March 12 general election. The UDP won only five of 31 seats.

Panton, who led the Alliance for Democracy faction within the UDP, secured enough support to assume the leadership role. She received backing from key party members, including Lee Mark Chang and Godwin Haylock, solidifying her position despite earlier challenges from former Leader of the Opposition Moses Shyne Barrow. Barrow lost his seat to Chang in the Mesopotamia Division.

Cause of Plane Crash that Killed Aurelio Martinez Revealed

At least 12 people, including renowned Honduran musician Aurelio Martinez, lost their lives Monday evening when a small passenger plane crashed into the Caribbean Sea shortly after takeoff from Roatán, a popular tourist destination.

The Lanhsa Airlines Jetstream 41 aircraft had just departed at nightfall, bound for the mainland port of La Ceiba, when it veered sharply to the right of the runway and plunged into the water, according to civil aviation official Carlos Padilla.

Dramatic footage shared by the Honduran national police showed emergency responders carrying an injured passenger on a stretcher over jagged rocks along the shoreline.

Roatán fire captain Franklin Borjas said the survivors were rushed to a nearby hospital. He described the rescue operation as challenging due to the crash site’s difficult terrain.

Martinez, widely recognised for his mastery of punta rock, was a central figure in the La Ceiba music scene. He founded the Lita Ariran ensemble, one of the first Garifuna groups to gain international recognition, according to the Kennedy Center.

According to police, the crash occurred about half a mile from Roatán’s coast and was attributed to an “apparent mechanical failure” on the British-made Jetstream 41 aircraft.

In response to the tragedy, Honduran President Xiomara Castro announced that she had “immediately activated” an emergency response committee consisting of the armed forces, firefighters, and other agencies to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.

In a statement on X, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Martínez, describing him as a great friend of Belize and a dedicated champion of Garífuna culture and music.

“Aurelio was a great friend of Belize and a true champion of Garífuna culture and music. As a renowned Garífuna musician, Aurelio was a powerful voice in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Garinagu people,” the statement noted.

Martínez, alongside Belizean music legends Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor, played a crucial role in bringing Garífuna music to the global stage, earning international recognition for its unique rhythms and storytelling traditions

Briceño Warns Cabinet: No Room for Personal Gain in Second Term

The Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceño, warned his newly inaugurated members of Cabinet about engaging in unacceptable actions following the party’s re-election.

In an appearance on Open Your Eyes, Briceño discussed the challenges of maintaining humility and focus, especially with the re-election of several candidates for a second term. He warned against complacency, stating that success shouldn’t lead to arrogance.
Briceño stated that it “means nothing… If you’re not looking after the needs of your people and working for them and serving them and keeping in touch with them.”

He cautioned against the temptation of putting personal gain ahead of duty and public service. Briceño did not hesitate to warn his Cabinet about engaging in corruption or exploiting their position, as it would result in removal.

He said, “I did not come into politics to enrich myself,” adding, “I came to help people, to be able to serve people.” Briceño stated that his ministers and colleagues must also prioritise public service. “If you want to be part of the government that I lead, it has to be that you want to be here to serve the people of this country.”

Briceño followed with a strong warning to his newly inaugurated cabinet, “The day I feel that you are not doing that and that you are putting other priorities, you’ll not be able to stay in the cabinet that I manage.”