2025-03-22 - Channel 5 Belize

18-Year-Old Charged with Murder of Floyd McFadzean

Eighteen-year-old Shenyon Levi Barrow, a fisherman from Belize City, was arrested and charged today, March 22, in connection with the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Floyd McFadzean. Barrow faces charges of murder, two counts of attempted murder, dangerous harm, grievous harm, and two counts of using deadly means of harm.

The shooting occurred on Friday, March 21, when McFadzean, an insurance company employee, was gunned down while driving along Cemetery Road. His vehicle was riddled with bullets at the corner of Johnson Street. While his two passengers, Troy Gentle and Deon Gladden, escaped with minor injuries, McFadzean was unable to flee due to a jammed car door and died at the scene.

McFadzean’s father, Floyd Sr, described his son as an innocent victim, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. He believes his son was not involved in any conflicts that would have led to such violence.

Pope Francis To Be Discharged from Hospital, Returns to Vatican

Pope Francis is set to be discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, 23 March, following successful treatment for an acute respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia.

According to the Vatican News, the 86-year-old pontiff will return to his residence, Casa Santa Marta, to continue his recovery. Doctors confirmed his condition has improved steadily since his hospitalisation on 14 February.

Dr Sergio Alfieri, head of the medical team, told the Vatican News that while the Pope’s pneumonia has been treated, he will require a minimum of two months of convalescence. Despite this, the Pope remains active in staying informed about global and church affairs and has been a cooperative patient throughout his treatment.
The Vatican reported that although Pope Francis will not resume his full schedule of public engagements immediately, he is expected to gradually return to his normal activities.

Pneumonia Delays Baby Ishmael’s Shunt Surgery; Fundraising Continues

Baby Ishmael Villamil was born prematurely on September 11, 2024, at just 28 weeks. Now six months old, he continues to fight for his life against the complications of his early birth, including underdeveloped lungs and hydrocephalus—a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, leading to pressure and potential brain damage.

Since his birth, baby Ishmael has been through multiple doctor visits and a major medical procedure to place a shunt that would drain the fluid building in his brain. It’s been weeks since that procedure, and baby Ishmael’s mom, Jennifer Larios, told News 5 in February that the shunt “isn’t working anymore,” and he needs another surgery to correct it. “If he doesn’t want to give up, why should we—why should I as a mom give up on him?” Jennifer said.

The cost of the surgery is estimated to be at least $12,000, a sum his parents are still aiming to raise.

In the recent weeks, baby Ishmael’s condition took a turn when he was diagnosed with pneumonia. According to his father, Eusebio Villamil, the doctors have advised waiting until his lungs clear up before proceeding with the surgery, as performing it while his lungs are still infected could lead to even greater risks.

In the meantime, the medical expenses have continued to mount. With regular doctor visits, transportation costs, and additional tests like x-rays and more, the young parents are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the financial demands. “Just as how we get the funds, sometimes we have to use it for his medical expenses,” Villamil said.

Your support can make a real difference in helping Jennifer and Eusebio cover the cost of baby Ishmael’s second surgery. If you would like to contribute to baby Ishmael’s surgery fund, donations can be made directly to the following bank accounts:

Belize Bank
Eusebio Alberto Villamil, Account Number: 255 502 010 160000
Jennifer Lizeth Larios, Account Number: 246 491 010 160000

Baby Ishmael’s mom, Jennifer, can be reached at 630-4946.

Over 530,000 Migrants Face Deportation as U.S. Revokes Legal Status

Over 530,000 migrants are currently at risk of deportation after the U.S. government announced it will revoke the legal status of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans. According to the Guardian, these migrants were granted temporary protection under a Biden-era program. The sweeping change is set to take effect on April 24.

The decision is part of a continuation of the Trump administration’s stance against the use of humanitarian parole, a program meant to temporarily shelter individuals from war or political instability. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that parole is not a path to permanent status, and those affected must leave the country unless they have another lawful basis to stay.

The Guardian reported that while President Trump has hinted at expanding this policy to include 240,000 Ukrainians, there is uncertainty over how many migrants from the four affected countries will be able to find other legal avenues to remain. The policy, part of broader efforts to curb illegal immigration, has already sparked legal challenges. A lawsuit filed by citizens and immigrant groups claims the revocation will lead to “needless chaos and heartbreak” for thousands of families, The Guardian reported.

Karen Tumlin, founder of the Justice Action Centre, criticised the move, calling it “reckless, cruel and counterproductive.” The legal battle over this decision is set to unfold in federal courts in the coming months.

Belize Coast Guard Women Honour Legacy, Inspire Future Leaders

This Women’s Month, several women of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) came together to honour the memory of their fallen sisters by maintaining their graves and cleaning the surrounding areas. In a social media statement, the BCG shared, “Maintaining the grave of a fallen servicewoman not only preserves her legacy but also reinforces the value of service and remembrance within the community.”

Their dedication didn’t stop there. By engaging with young minds at a local preschool, they ignited curiosity and respect for the essential work of the Coast Guard. Through these efforts, they introduced the children to various pieces of equipment used by the Belize Coast Guard and explained their significance in maritime safety and security. As the statement added, these actions “instil an early sense of civic responsibility and encourage future generations to consider careers in service and leadership.”

While women make up only 11% of the Coast Guard’s 526 active-duty members, they serve across all areas, from logistics to operational duties. Alma Pinelo, Belize’s first female Acting Vice Commandant, reflected on her journey, saying, “Dealing with the whole minority aspect of women in the military has always been something that I have been dealing with my entire career. Knowing how to advocate for those that can’t from the onset. And so I said I had to learn how to be an advocate really early and realise that, okay, you’re shy, you gotta get over that because somebody else needs you.”

Pinelo hopes her leadership breaks the “glass ceiling”, paving the way for a future where women in leadership roles are the standard, not the exception.

Through their tireless service, these women are reshaping the future, proving that leadership, resilience, and strength are qualities that know no gender.

UN Declares 2025 International Year of Glacier Preservation, Warns of $4 Trillion Economic Fallout

The world’s glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, putting up to $4 trillion of global GDP at risk. The rapid disappearance of glaciers is not just an environmental disaster—it’s an economic one.

Due to climate change, driven mainly by human activities since the 1800s, these vital resources are rapidly melting, the United Nations reported. This led the UN General Assembly to designate 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to bring awareness to the importance of glaciers on World Water Day 2025.

According to the UN, “By 2050, the winter tourism sector alone could see losses exceeding $30 billion due to declining snow cover.”

Glaciers provide nearly 70% of the world’s freshwater, supporting agriculture, hydropower, and entire urban populations. According to the UN, as these vital ice reserves shrink, the financial fallout is projected to be catastrophic, which threatens billions of lives and industries worldwide.

In a statement, the UN pointed out that water scarcity could reduce economic productivity by up to 6% in some regions, pushing costs higher and disrupting industries. In South Asia, the loss of glacial water threatens agriculture, exacerbating food price volatility globally. In the U.S., diminishing snowpack in the Columbia River Basin could decimate hydropower generation, costing billions.

The UN added that regions heavily reliant on glaciers—like Peru, Pakistan, and parts of the European Alps—are facing critical water security risks. At the same time, infrastructure and real estate valued in the billions are increasingly exposed to glacier-related hazards such as floods, landslides, and rising sea levels.

With the UN declaring 2025 the International Year of Glacier Preservation, there’s a clear call to action. Financial institutions must embed glacier protection into their risk frameworks and investment strategies. The UN says that by doing so, they can help safeguard global water security, mitigate financial risks, and drive long-term economic resilience.