2025-03-21 - Channel 5 Belize

21-Year-Old Gunned Down in Belize City Streets

The McFadzean family’s world turned upside down on Friday morning when twenty-one-year-old Floyd McFadzean was tragically shot and killed. Floyd, an insurance company employee, was driving his Ford Fusion along Cemetery Road when it was suddenly riddled with bullets. He had two passengers with him who managed to escape unharmed, but Floyd wasn’t as fortunate and sustained fatal injuries. Today, we spoke with his father, who shared that his son was an innocent victim, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this heartbreaking story.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The life of a twenty-one-year-old Belize City resident was tragically cut short just after midnight on Friday due to the gun violence plaguing the Old Capital. Floyd McFadzean Jr. was driving down Cemetery Road with two passengers when his vehicle came under heavy gunfire at the corner of Johnson Street. The passengers, twenty-one-year-old Troy Gentle and twenty-year-old Deon Gladden, managed to escape with minor injuries. However, McFadzean was trapped inside his Ford Fusion because the driver’s door could only be opened from the outside. His father, Floyd McFadzean Sr., shared that his son died at the scene.

Floyd McFadzean Sr., Father of Deceased

“I don’t know mein I gone sleep, before I got the news from police. I got up about eleven thirty and look in his room and I didn’t see him. I said what, how this bway nuh come yet and know he has to go to work tomorrow. But she said she does not want to call him because the last time she called him he was with a female and he said, mom I am a big man now, you know how deh thing guh.”

Floyd McFadzean Jr. worked as a messenger at an insurance company in Belize City and had a close relationship with his parents. His father shared that the family never received any reports of Floyd getting into trouble or making enemies. They believe he was an innocent victim, caught in the crossfire because of the company he was keeping.

Floyd McFadzean Sr.

“None at all I know those guys, none. But the two guys that got shot, one in the neck and one in the foot. But he take all the shots. His car door it can only open from outside and the rest of guys jumped out the car and ran. He is the only one that can’t open the door and right there they put the rest of bullet in him.”

Paul Lopez

“Is it characteristic of your son to be involved in criminal life?”

Floyd McFadzean Sr.

“No, I don’t know he as that. He never do that, always the home early, hang out with we on weekends. A day like today I get my pay. We go to my grandma and we play cards, take a little drink and when we ready I tell him he could go and hail his friends but he does not want to leave us until we reach back at this house, me and my wife. The guys he was with more than one people left there and called me to say the guys are nothing good to hang with.”

Floyd McFadzean Jr.’s tragic death has left a huge void in his family’s lives as they grapple with the loss of their twenty-one-year-old to the violence that has claimed so many. His father wants everyone to know that Floyd was a productive citizen who loved playing video games and cherished spending quality time with his family.

Floyd McFadzean Sr.

“He just get a PlayStation like December. He said that would keep him from going out. He never was going out for a while until the night we wanted to go out. He was just resting and my wife said he got a phone call. After that he gone and when we hear it done happen.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Pastor Mark Humes is Freed of Drug Charges

After spending two nights on remand and a total of four days in lockdown following his arrest and charge for possession with intent to supply one thousand, one hundred and thirty-seven grams of cocaine, Pastor Mark Anthony Humes from Burrell Boom Village is now a free man. This morning, just before ten, Pastor Humes, accompanied by his attorney Lynden Jones, had the charge withdrawn. We asked his attorney what led to this decision as he exited the courtroom. Outside, Pastor Humes’ wife and family supporters were overjoyed to embrace him. While Pastor Humes chose not to speak on the matter, his attorney explained that further investigation by the Belize Police Department revealed new information, leading them to drop the charge. Meanwhile, the six fishermen who were co-accused remain on remand at the Belize Central Prison, awaiting bail at the High Court. They have sought legal advice from Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson, who has begun the bail application process for them. On Wednesday, March nineteenth, 2025, Pastor Humes was arrested along with Lerman Norman Leslie, Freddy Estuardo Chavez, Angel Aragon, Marvin Teul, Ronyer Alexander Cruz, and Christian Merilyn White, following a bust in Orange Walk Town. Police say that around seven PM, officers from the Mobile Interdiction Team (MIT) and Highway Interdiction Team (HIT) intercepted a gold Dodge Caravan driven by Pastor Humes. He had been hired to transport the six fishermen from Belize City to Orange Walk, but the vehicle was intercepted before reaching its destination.

Fugitive Wanted for Child Pornography Arrested in Belize

An American fugitive, wanted by U.S. Marshals for possession of child pornography, was arrested earlier today in Placencia. Gregory Roth, also known as Chris, is wanted by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in Texas on eleven counts of possession of child pornography. Believing Roth was in Belize, the United States Embassy issued an appeal for information on his whereabouts and offered a reward for his capture. Roth was reportedly traveling and living in an RV.

MOHW Launches Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan 2025-2034

Just nine days ago, the Briceño administration received a fresh mandate from Belizeans at the polls. Since then, Prime Minister John Briceño has reappointed Kevin Bernard as the Minister of Health and Wellness, with Doctor Julio Sabido returning as his Chief Executive Officer. Their first order of business? Launching the Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan 2025-2034. This plan lays out a vision for tackling key health system challenges in Belize. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on this in the following report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has unveiled its Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan 2025-2034, a transformative roadmap designed to bolster Belize’s health system. This plan is built on three key pillars: strengthening leadership and governance, creating an equitable system, and promoting healthier lifestyles. The vision is to achieve a healthy and empowered population, supported by an equitable, efficient, and high-quality health system. The mission focuses on improving system governance and service delivery, while fostering partnerships to address national health priorities. Leading this ambitious effort is Kevin Bernard, who has been reappointed as the Minister of Health and Wellness.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“As the minister I want to see that we can achieve universal health coverage. I want to see that we can bring better service delivery to our Belizean people in health care, that as we roll out NHI that our people are benefiting from these services, we want to see more improved facilities across the country and that is my goal.”

Meeting the needs of a growing population with increasing health challenges is no task for one person. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Belize, followed by cancer and accidents. Mental health is also a top priority in the health sector strategic plan. To support Minister Bernard in bringing this plan to life, Doctor Julio Sabido has been reappointed as the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Dr. Julio Sabido, C.E.O, M.O.H.W.

“We are determined to ensure that every Belizean, no matter their socioeconomic status or where they live, has access to quality healthcare. Today’s launch is not just the end of a planning phase. It marked the beginning of a shared responsibility. This success of this strategic plan depends on all of us, public and private sector, national and international partners.”

Among the international partners present at today’s launch were representatives from the World Health Organization and the European Union, showing their support for Belize’s health initiatives.

Xavier Canton-Lamousse, Representative, European Union

“This plan is built on the foundation of inclusivity, sustainability and innovation and it aims to transform the health sector for the benefit of all Belizeans.”

Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell, Belize Representative, PAHO/WHO

“Health is not solely the responsibility of the minister of health and wellness. Achieving the objective of the Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan requires collaboration across all sectors including health care, education, finance, social protection.”

Among all the goals in the strategic plan, the right to healthcare service stands out as the most empowering, especially for remote communities with little to no access. Minister Bernard highlights that this is where telehealth and telemedicine can make a significant impact.

Kevin Bernard

“Going into this term, our big agenda is to ensure there is telehealth and telemedicine. We want to ensure we reach the underserved population. We want to ensure that where we are unable to build a facility we can serve those people one way or the other. Talking about right to health, every Belizean have a right to access health care, at the primary care, secondary care and tertiary care level.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Bringing More Specialized Health Services to Belize

So, what’s the deal with those pricey, specialized healthcare services that we just can’t get here in Belize? Many Belizeans must pack their bags and head abroad to access these treatments, often shelling out tens of thousands of dollars from their own pockets. So, what’s the Ministry’s game plan to bring these services home? We had a chat with Minister Bernard to find out.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“One of the things as you know at least at KHMH we do these cardiovascular services. In the country we may not have all the necessary human skills to have this high-level treatment addressed. But what we need is prevention, to ensure that people live healthily. So it starts from the core. It starts with the policy we set out, the nutrition policy, the healthy earing in schools, staring with our young. I think once we implement and enforce these things people will live healthier lives. The plan speaks about healthier lifestyles, people habits are changed and turning these things around. Of course, accessing levels services in Belize is difficult. So, people have to go out. But it is our vision that at some point Belize can offer these services.”

Fake MOHW Survey Seeks Staff Opinion on Bernard and Sabido

Earlier this week, a survey popped up in the Ministry of Health and Wellness staff WhatsApp group, asking everyone if they were cool with Kevin Berard staying on as Minister and Doctor Julio Sabido as C.E.O. The message said the minister wanted to be open and inclusive about a big decision coming up. But then, the ministry’s Facebook page dropped a bombshell – the survey was fake! Today, we caught up with Minister Bernard to get the scoop on what really went down.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“I got wind of that after I was called to say if I knew about it. I had no idea about that specific survey. I think it is malicious by nature. I think there was games being played and it is obvious that somebody was trying to get after or create a division between myself and my CEO. That is not happening. I hold good confidence in my C.E.O. We have been working very closely to ensure we lead this ministry, and it is not only myself and my CEO, we have good people, a good management team. Look at what is happening today with Doctor Chel who is now our director of policy and planning. We have Dr. Musa, Dr. Polanco and all the other deputy directors and the leading technical advisors in the country. So I refuse to respond to negative issues when it comes to that. I think that is past gone and we are moving ahead. The prime minister has appointed me as the Minister of Health and I supported the reengament of Dr. Sabido as my CEO because I know we have been able to work together.”

MOHW Minister Supports CEO’s Reappointment

As you heard, Minister Bernard is backing Doctor Julio Sabido’s reappointment as the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Back in 2022, critics weren’t too thrilled about Sabido’s appointment because he was seen as a junior member of the team and hadn’t led any regional teams yet. So, he’s back now, but did that come after some tough talks between him and the minister?

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“Doctor Sabido and I have had great discussions. I know when I just became the minister, I did not know Doctor Sabido. We got to know each other. We worked very closely together so it was not a difficult task to say I fully support Doctor Sabido. And, as I said to him, we are here to work and ensure that the Belizean people get a better health system and a ministry that would work for each other. At the end of the day we serve the Belizean people we want to ensure that we are here to do our job and ensure the Belizean people benefit from the decisions we make as a government and ministry so that we can always look back down the road and say we place in a better position than we found it.”

BTB Honors Women in Tourism

Today, the Belize Tourism Board celebrated several women in the tourism industry as part of Women’s Month. These inspiring women shared their stories during a panel discussion at the Biltmore Plaza. They spoke about their humble beginnings, and one woman highlighted how being a woman in the industry often means working harder to achieve the same results as male-led businesses. News Five’s Marion Ali has more on their remarkable journeys.

Marion Ali, Reporting

This morning, the Belize Tourism Board honored the hard work and perseverance of women in the tourism industry. They hosted a panel discussion featuring women who are founders or managers of tourism businesses. Among them was Meggs Yearwood, who started her family business two decades ago. She shared that the journey has been filled with its fair share of trial and error.

Meggs Yearwood, Manager, Barefoot Business, Placencia

“I did not have a plan. I didn’t write a business plan. The opportunities just presented themselves. I’m always a person looking for opportunities to better my life. And the family that I come from, um, I have no lawyers in my family. No senior accountants, so. For me, it was organic. I worked at one hotel in Placencia and at that point I realized, there’s a way to literally make a living here and meeting a superior that encouraged me to learn and apply myself, I think that also helped. So throughout my career, I’ve always had women in my corner. My first website, I built in my apartment with a woman, so I didn’t really have a plan.”

Lucy Fleming’s world-renowned Chaa Creek Lodge started from very humble beginnings several decades ago when she and her husband Mick settled in the beautiful Cayo District. Their journey from modest roots to global recognition is truly inspiring.

Lucy Fleming, Co-owner, Chaa Creek Lodge

“Our small cabin was our home and our workshop. And after bathing in the river, we pulled out our sleeping mats and listened to the BBC World Service on the radio at night. It was an existence of calloused hands, aching muscles, and an unrelenting determination to survive. Within six months, we were selling vegetables and eggs in the early morning market, using our meager earnings to buy provisions and heading back by horseback or canoe as night fell. Before we knew it, young European travelers were appearing at our dusty doorstep. These young souls provided the impetus for the first Chaa Creek Cottage, built by our own hands in 1981, offering an introductory price of eight Belize dollars per person per night.”

Fleming’s journey was made much easier thanks to the unwavering support of her husband, Mick. Nicole Solano, CEO in the Ministry of Tourism, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that having supportive men can make a significant difference in the workplace.

Nicole Solano, C.E.O, Ministry of Tourism

“The support is not only from other women, but it’s from other men, right? We have to work together, all of us. I’ve been very fortunate, I – my boss is a man. Now I have two ministers, I have a minister and a minister of state, and I have to say that just from the interaction with both of them this week, I see the importance of all the years that I’ve worked with Honorable Anthony Mahler, the amount of space that is created for women to be able to lead. And that is necessary for those men who have the responsibility to open the table up for discussion at all levels.”

Timotea Mesh manages the San Antonio Women’s Cooperative. She shared how being in a remote location brings its own unique advantages and challenges for tourism.

Timotea Mesh, Manager, San Antonio Women’s Cooperative

“We are away from where the tourism centers are. And then we are in a remote area, so those are one of the challenges as when we are seeing it for business but then San Antonio is located right on the way going to Caracol Road. We saw that was one of our strengths when we looked at challenges. We still have strength as well. People pass by.”

Mesh pointed out that being married to farmers presents another challenge for rural women, as they often spend most of their time managing household duties. However, she emphasized that making the most of their time helps keep their work visible. Meggs Yearwood echoed this sentiment, believing in the often-used expression that women need to work harder to gain recognition.

Meggs Yearwood

“I definitely feel like it has been more challenging being a woman. I’m a mom of two girls, but I’m happy that I have two girls because I have some gas behind me with the experiences that I’ve had to prepare them to thrive in a place like Belize. To be taken seriously, I have to be firm. But they interpret it as aggressive or negative. But if a man was doing business as usual, he’s just seen as a man. But when a woman does, they expect us to be dainty and soft and sometimes in business that doesn’t necessarily work.”

The BTB hopes that the women’s panel discussion will inspire more women to start their own journey in the business world.

Felicia Pelayo, Communications Specialist, B.T.B.

“A lot of them have overcome challenges in their journey, and we want them to know that they’re not alone, that we celebrate them, not just today, not just during Women’s Month, but every day. And we want to push their stories, we want to push their businesses, whatever platforms they have to the forefront.”

The BTB has also launched a social media campaign to highlight the women and their businesses. Marion Ali for News Five.

Kevin Bernard Draws Highest Election Polls; Does Not Want Leadership

His division scored big at the polls with a whopping eighty-six percent on March twelfth. It’s the first for Orange Walk East, and with that win, people are starting to wonder if he should step up and lead the party once PM Briceño steps down. Kevin Bernard isn’t new to success either – before joining central government, he had a stellar career as a three-term mayor and even served as a town councilor in Orange Walk. Today, we asked Bernard if he should be seen as a potential leader for the P.U.P.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“I believe in one thing, I have always said this to myself and my family have always said, we do it with humility. We start from somewhere. I started off seeing that I wanted to make a change in my community where I started as a councilor, I decided that I think I could do a done much more and so I served as mayor for three consecutive terms. I then thought that I believe that I can do even much more and serving in the capacity as an area representative and I want to thank the great people of Orange Walk East for having given me that opportunity and I have been now re-elected. My plan is to continue to work for the people in the constituency, and we will cross that bridge when we get there at some point. Of course, as I said, as long as the people of Orange Walk East puts me here, I’m prepared to work for the benefit of them, and the benefit of Belize, and I know that people have been asking me about that, but for me, that’s not the priority at this stage. That is not my priority. My priority is to continue to work for people, for Orange Walk East. We will see where that trajectory takes us or where it takes me at some point. We have great people in this party that can lead this party at some point down the road. For now, I’m focused on the fact that John Briceno is our prime minister. He’s our leader, and as long as he’s leading this party, I’m there to support our leader. You could look at every area and there, there are people that can lead this party. Once and whenever the Prime Minister decides to leave politics, I mean, you have great people in the west. You have great people in the south. You have people in the north, and of course in the city there are great people that can be lead. As the Prime Minister mentioned, he has a good bench of individuals that can at some point take on the mantle of leadership, but I don’t think that at the end of the day, it’s about whether Belize City or Belize District is the strength of the political power within any party. I think that it’s up to the delegates of a party whenever that time comes around, who will decide who they want to lead the party whenever that time comes. So for now, as I said, my focus is to continue to work on Orange Walk East to ensure that we continue to support our leader in his quest and vision to build on planBelize and planBelize 2.0 so that we can achieve our objectives and a third term sometime down the road.”

Mental Health Policy to See Adjustments

As part of the new ten-year health strategy, there’s a big change coming to the mental health policy. Minister of Health Kevin Bernard says it’s crucial for better addressing the needs of those facing mental health challenges. He talked about a policy that goes beyond just hospitalizing people – it’s about helping them access the services they truly need.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“There are several things that we are working on in terms of not just to focus on the institutionalization, but to look at the programs and activities that we need to do. We have to ensure that the wellness side of ministry starts to become more active in terms of making people understand and be part of the different programs because mental health is not just the notion of people being, as you will say, belongs in a home, but it’s all about many of us walking around this country. And you might never know what is affecting him or her. And so we have to ensure that people have access to seek attention, to seek services. And that’s what we want to do in this ministry, to ensure that mental health remains a focal point in our agenda and in this strategic plan that is highlighted there where people have access to the services.”