2025-04-09 - Channel 5 Belize

Government Warehouse Manager Charged for Theft of 43 Laptops

A government employee has been charged in connection with the theft of 43 Lenovo Chromebook laptops, valued at over $33,000, stolen in February from the Government Bookshop on Saint Joseph Street, Belize City.

Police investigations led to the recovery of nine of the stolen devices in Orange Walk Town. Following this discovery, authorities arrested and charged Ezbert Felix Ramclam Jr., also known as “Suga”, who serves as a government warehouse manager.

He is accused of dishonestly appropriating the laptops between February 18 and February 28, 2025, with the intent to permanently deprive the Government of Belize of its property. He pleaded not guilty.

Bail was granted in the sum of $3,000 with one surety or two sureties of $1,500 each, which he met. Ramclam is due back in court on June 4, 2025.

The investigation began on March 29, when a project coordinator for the Ministry of Education reported the missing laptops. Police recovered three devices on April 2 at San Lorenzo Housing Site in Orange Walk and five more at additional locations in the town. All eight were confirmed to be among the stolen items.

Further investigation revealed that a 59-year-old entrepreneur from Orange Walk claimed he purchased nine laptops from a man he knew as “Suga”, leading to Ramclam’s arrest.

Maya Land Rights Progress Delayed by Elections, CCJ Hears

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) held a virtual hearing on Monday to monitor the progress of the Maya Land Rights Consent Order, agreed upon by the Belize Government and the Maya Leaders Alliance in April 2015. The order requires the government to implement a mechanism to recognise the land rights of the indigenous Maya people.

During Monday’s session, the parties provided updates on the delays caused by the recent elections. The lead government attorney, Andrew Marshalleck, stated that February’s dissolution of the National Assembly stalled the review of a draft of legislation intended for Cabinet.

He said, “The National Assembly was dissolved on the 11th of February, just days after the draft was presented to the Cabinet subcommittee. The result is that they have not looked at it and have not reverted. The general elections were held on March 12. A new minister responsible for Indigenous Peoples Affairs was appointed.”

Marshalleck added that although progress had been made, three deliverables remained unfulfilled. He stated that the new minister, Louis Zabaneh, was briefed on the issue, as he was not involved in previous Cabinet discussions.

The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs is also without a Chief Executive Officer. Marshalleck assured that the current CEO has been assisting in the transitional period as Zabaneh takes office.

Belize Extends Condolences to Dominican Republic Following Nightclub Tragedy

The government and people of Belize have expressed profound sympathy to the Dominican Republic in the wake of the devastating roof collapse at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo. The tragic incident, which occurred early Tuesday during a merengue concert, has resulted in at least 124 fatalities and over 250 injuries.

Among the deceased are notable figures, including merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing at the time, and former Major League Baseball players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco.

Rescue operations are ongoing as emergency teams continue to search for survivors amidst the rubble. The cause of the structural failure remains under investigation.

In a statement, Belizean officials conveyed their deepest sympathies to the victims, their families, and the entire Dominican nation during this period of mourning.

Trial Farm Village Councillors Accuse Colleagues of Power Grab

In a statement on social media on Tuesday, Councillor of the Trial Farm Village, Eusebio Chebo Urbina, stated that two members of the village council “seem determined to tarnish my name and reputation.”

He accused the men of “spreading blatant falsehoods.”

According to Urbina, most of the Council are against these members’ disruptive actions, with a petition gathering support. Urbina condemned their efforts to undermine the authority of the Council, stating, “It is wholly unacceptable that two members believe they can arrogantly usurp the authority of the entire Council and act unilaterally.”

In a letter dated April 5, 2025, to Chairman Oscar Cornel, Urbina and four other councillors criticised the removal of the Secretary and Treasurer without the council’s approval.

The councillors stated that “such decision requires the consensus of the majority, constituting at least four councillors to meet the quorum requirements.” The group said that it is a matter of grave concern that one councillor has been unilaterally assigned the responsibilities of secretary, treasurer, and vice chairman. They described this as ‘consolidating power’, which goes against the principles of fair governance and breaches both legal and ethical standards.

The councillors also pointed out their “concerns regarding transparency and accountability” after a new bank account was opened without the Council’s consent and the failure to disclose financial reports for the centenary celebrations.

In the letter, the councillors demanded an immediate and thorough audit of the council’s finances, claiming that village council funds are allegedly being “misused for personal and political propaganda.”

PSU Opposes ‘Proposed Job Cuts’ in Departments of Youth and Sports

The Public Service Union of Belize (PSU) has opposed what it described as proposed plans to cut up to “approximately 100” jobs in the departments of youth and sports.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Anthony Mahler has said there are no cuts.

But the PSU believes otherwise. “While the PSU acknowledges the need for strategic reforms to improve efficiency, we urgently appeal to the Ministry to prioritise a human-centred approach that safeguards livelihoods and addresses systemic issues before resorting to job cuts,” said the PSU in its statement.

According to the PSU, slashing staff “without first addressing longstanding inefficiencies, alleged corruption, and potential “ghost workers” would disproportionately harm vulnerable communities.”

The union suggested reviewing staffing needs, identifying redundant roles, and investigating “ghost workers.” They also recommend aligning employee skills with organisational goals and exploring redeployment options across ministries to minimise job losses.

It also called into question the fiscal management and potential corruption within the Sports Council. PSU demanded an independent audit to verify budget figures and investigate corruption allegations.

These demands come after the Minister of State, Devin Daly, stated on the Open Your Eyes morning show that a budget of $7.5 million is shared between youth and sports. Of that figure, $7 million is spent on staff salaries, leaving only $500,000 to “really bring programmatic work and also to upkeep our facilities, utilities and all those stuff.”

Belize Audubon Society Launches Earth Day Tree Giveaway to Keep Belize Green

As Earth Day 2025 approaches, the Belize Audubon Society is inviting the public to become “Greening Across Belize Ambassadors” by participating in a nationwide tree-planting campaign. The initiative, aimed at promoting environmental awareness and action, offers Belizeans a chance to pick up a free mahogany tree to plant in their communities.

The tree giveaway begins today, and will continue while supplies last. Participants can collect their trees from two key locations:

Guanacaste National Park, or
Belize Audubon Society’s office in Belize City, located at #16 Taiwan Street, across from Memorial Park.

By encouraging citizens to plant native trees like mahogany, BAS hopes to support reforestation efforts, reduce carbon emissions, and beautify the nation.

Participants are also encouraged to scan the QR code or visit https://bit.ly/4i86tnu to log the location where they plant their tree. This will help the Belize Audubon Society track the impact of the campaign and monitor the growth and health of the trees over time.

Tragic Nightclub Collapse in Santo Domingo: 98 Dead

At least 98 people were killed and 160 injured early Tuesday when the roof of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed during a merengue concert attended by politicians and athletes.

Rescue crews continued searching for survivors nearly 12 hours after the collapse, using drills, wood planks, and hand tools to sift through the rubble. Authorities focused on three areas inside the one-story building where faint sounds were reportedly heard.

Among the victims was Nelsy Cruz, governor of Montecristi and sister of MLB All-Star Nelson Cruz. She called the president shortly after the collapse, saying she was trapped. Officials later confirmed she died at the hospital, AP reported.

Late Night Murder in Belize City

Police are investigating a murder that happened on Tuesday night in Belize City.

At around 10 o’clock, Luis Marin was shot multiple times while on Majestic Alley near North Front Street.

He succumbed to his injuries. According to reports, Marin’s murder may have been linked to a previous shooting incident in Belmopan.

Belize Government Consults Private Sector on U.S. Tariff Impact

The Belizean government held a crucial follow-up consultation on Tuesday to assess the impact of President Trump’s 10% reciprocal tariff policy on the country.

A release says that the meeting built upon last week’s discussions at the Central Bank and brought together a wide range of businesses, from small enterprises to major exporters, alongside key industry associations.

The meeting was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture and Immigration, Francis Fonseca, and Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Marconi Leal. The session addressed the challenges posed by the tariff on Belize’s export sectors. Participants expressed concerns over rising costs, disrupted trade, and competitive pressure, particularly due to shipping uncertainties.

While businesses showed a willingness to explore diversification strategies, they stressed the need for government support to lower domestic business costs.The issues will be taken to Cabinet. The government says it will engage with U.S. authorities to seek clarifications and possible exemptions.