Over the past year, Mayor Earl Trapp of San Ignacio/Santa Elena has been vocal about the poor management of garbage at the western landfill facility run by the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority, located just outside the town. Trapp’s main concern is that the garbage hasn’t been moved to the transfer station at mile twenty-four on the George Price Highway quickly enough. This has led to heaps of trash piling up, even in front of the buildings at the landfill, leaving little room for more waste. Today, we noticed some improvements as the garbage piled at the front has been cleared away. However, Trapp is still urging for a proper system to be put in place.
Earl Trapp
Earl Trapp, Mayor, San Ignacio/Santa Elena
“They will need to put proper procedures in place to manage the garbage and to dispose of it so that we don’t come to that again because we were there in December of last year and it was really out of control, so I think that BSWAMA will need to do something to better is disposed of and then carried to the station. Get it out of that compound in a timely manner so it will not pile up like we saw in December. Right now I have a truck there from morning and still it cannot empty. Benque has garbage to take, the resorts have garbage to take so something has to be done so that garbage can be disposed of there as quickly as possible.”
Aldo Cansino, the Acting Director of the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority, told News Five that the issue wasn’t about procedures but rather contract management. He assured that the problem has been resolved with the contractor, and garbage should no longer be piling up in the front yard of the landfill facility in San Ignacio.
Aldo Cansino, Acting Director, BSWAMA
“We sat down with the operator, we highlighted several issues with the contract; he highlighted several concerns. Through dialogue, we were able to iron out some of those issues on both sides and we were able to proceed.”
Marion Ali
“Can you share those concerns?”
Aldo Cansino
“The road caused a delay and that diminished the number of trucks that came in. And from our end we had issues with timely payments. So these things – dialogue is important and that’s how we are able now to work together. We are joined at the hips because he has a contract and we have an obligation. So we’ve been trying to work it out. If you had come here sometime last year you would have seen that garbage was piled all the way to the front. Working with them, we almost had it back to normal so the plan that we had been executing was working. We also was looking at contingencies in the event that didn’t work so we already had identified how we would have addressed it like a plan B and a plan C.”
Today, the Government of Belize declared a period of mourning for the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday. In statements issued by the Office of the Prime Minister and the Office of the Governor General, Belize extended its heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community worldwide. The statement further announced that in honor of his memory, all national flags are to be flown at half-mast from midday on Thursday until the conclusion of his committal service. In an official statement, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan reflected on Pope Francis’ legacy as a voice for peace and justice. We spoke with Father Scott Giuliani, a priest at the Divine Mercy Church in Belize City, for more details on the legacy he is leaving behind.
Father Scott Giuliani
Father Scott Giuliani, Priest, Divine Mercy Church
“It’s not by chance by chance that his last blessing that he gave to the world was a time on the greatest feast that we have of the year where we celebrate Jesus resurrection, that over sin and suffering and death, we had the victory in Christ and the resurrection. And at this time, this beginning of the celebration of Easter, it’s in this season that Pope Francis, after a time of suffering during Lent, he’s called to go home at that time in his last public appearance, was wishing everyone a happy Easter and giving that blessing to his people. And so I think that for us is, it’s a great reminder of where we’re going. We’re celebrating Jubilee year this year as well. And we’re called to be pilgrims of hope. And so Pope Francis really reminds us of what a pilgrim of hope means as he lives his life as a pilgrim. And now we, he hopes to be fulfilled and be in that peace, place of peace in heaven. Pope Francis, you love him or you hate him. He was a figure that really touched people’s hearts and he. From the very beginning, after he was elected, usually the Pope goes off and he would take a ride back in, in a different special car. Like he jumped on the bus with all his brother Cardinals. And he just would do these sort of things where he would try to build these bridges beyond these kind of social barriers that we have. And he, by choosing the word Francis, after this St. Francis Assisi, this kind of guided his pontificate. Where Pope St. Francis, he was in a time of conflict and battle in the war. Also Pope Francis in time with Ukraine and Gaza and Sudan and these different conflicts around the world, he preached peace. He was a man of creation, speaking about the responsibility for our common home. So what, speaking about integral ecology says whether the care for the environment can’t be separated from the care for the dignity of the human person, especially those most vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, to both poor and rich. He was a man of great dialogue. He was always breaking social barriers in a lot of ways. And so he’d reach out to people who have different faiths, different creeds, and he’d come together in a fraternity. Give us an example of how we meet with people who perhaps not share the same ideas as we do, but we meet in peace and mutual respect. And he gives a great example of that way.”
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Belize is currently addressing a mass stranding of pilot whales in the Drown Caye area, just off the coast of Belize City. Authorities have issued an urgent advisory for the public and all marine vessels to avoid the area immediately. Approaching the stranded whales poses significant risks to both humans and animals. Pilot whales, known for their size and strength, can react unpredictably when distressed. The Institute’s response team, in collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, is closely monitoring the situation and providing necessary aid to the whales.
Jamal Galves
Jamal Galves, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute
“We’re looking at the incidents currently and I must say that these incidents have been occurring on a yearly basis, we’ve seen it over the last few years and we continue to monitor it. Currently, we’re just observing from a distance, hoping that they’ll make their way back to deeper waters before intervening. Should it become more urgent, should the animals come more closer to the coastline, should they get into more areas that are problematic for them, then we would intervene, of course in collaboration with the Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, along with our team, to see what best we can do. Pilot whales are typically some of the best navigators of the sea, so when they get into a situation like this, it already alludes that there are some problem that is [happening] among their pods. One of the common things is that pilot whales have very tight bonds with their pod, so one pilot whale could be sick or disoriented and it will cause the entire pod to get into problems.”
Whale sharks, typically seen in Belize during the spawning season, have been notably absent for some time. Experts suggest several possible reasons for this change, including climate change and unmonitored tourism activities. Additionally, there may be a decline in fish spawning, which affects the whale sharks’ feeding patterns. These gentle giants are known -to seek out warmer waters in this region to feed during spawning times. Jamal Galves from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute Belize says that whale sharks, just like pilot sharks, are being spotted in our waters.
Jamal Galves
Jamal Galves, Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute
“During the spawning season, whale sharks are known to be in Belize and records have shown that they haven’t been here for a while. That could be attributed to many things, climate change, it could be unmonitored tourism activities. Maybe the fish aren’t spawning as much as they used to, but I know of our whales, particularly, these parts of the world, the warmer waters is what they really seek to feed during these times. Pilot whales are typical in Belize, they’re normally offshore so people are not aware of them, you’ll find them off Lighthouse, Glovers Reef and those places. Actually, after the post was made, somebody reached out to me and they said that they saw pilot whales in Glovers’ Reef this weekend. It could possibly be the very same pod that is making its way into the coast. There are numerous reasons for pilot whales to strand, it could be simple things like marine traffic, shipping noises, seismic testing. Ocean noises can affect their hearing and their ability to navigate. One of the most important thing is that we want mariners to be aware of it, if possible, avoid going into that area. You don’t want to cause additional problems to a pod that is already compromised. People may be intrigued to want to go out there and see, but pilot whales can be dangerous, they do have teeth, unlike some other baleen whales, they can bite and so we’re asking people to stay away from them as best as possible.”
Galves contacted News Five with an update late this evening. He clarified that the initial report was based on a distant video showing what seemed to be pilot whales. However, new, closer footage clearly shows they are false killer whales. The public advisory hasn’t changed.
The much-awaited Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic has come to an end. As you might already know, British rider Jim Brown clinched the victory for his team, the Miami Blazers. The first Belizean rider finished in fourth place, just like in 2024. Tonight, we’ll hear from the champion and other riders who performed exceptionally well under the scorching heat. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Ninety-Fifth Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic saw British Cyclist Jim Brown from the Miami Blazers emerge victorious. This was Brown’s first time riding the race, and he completed the entire ride in five hours, forty-five minutes and forty seconds.
Jim Brown
Jim Brown, Winner, 95th Cross Country
“Super difficult to be honest. I am really not use to this hot weather, so that was really difficult part of it for me. But, I will take the win.”
Marion Ali
“Tell us how the ride went, where you made the decision to make a breakaway and how difficult it was to hold that?”
Jim Brown
“To be honest, I was not feeling good at all in the middle part of the race, in the early middle part of the race. I told Kory, our team leader, I said to him I am not in a good day, I will just try to and follow moves and hopefully we can set the race up for you. So I took it upon myself to follow the defending champion because I saw him ride away and then two more came across. We were a good working group and I think the cohesion was not good behind. We just took off and that was that.”
At mile twenty-seven, heading into Belize City, Brown was a part of a four-men breakaway group leading the race with a one minute time gap. Defending Champion, Luis Lopez was among the four riders. No Belizean was present. Luis Lopez was dropped at mile twenty-six, while three riders pressed on. As the race headed into Belize City, the leading trio became a duo. Jim Brown secured the victory with a thrilling sprint finish, while Alfredo Bueno from Legions of Los Angeles took second place.
Alfredo Bueno
Alfredo Bueno, Second Place, 95th Cross Country
“It was hot, very lots of bad luck. I was kind of on the back foot all day. I just stayed locked in my mind and ended up riding to every move I missed. I ended up riding with Jim that ended up being the one, so I am pretty happy with my racing tactics today.”
Mation Ali
“What happened, why Jim beat you at the tape.”
“I think there is a simple answer to that. He is just better. This guy has won races way. I actually felt pretty good and he did too. Me and him felt fine. It is just like in these types of races he is superior in every way. He has done well in flat races in the past also.”
Tenis Star Rider, Omar Espinosa finished in third place, rounding off the top three.
Omar Espinosa
Omar Espinosa, Third Place, 95th Cross Country
*In Spanish*
The results mirrored last year, with no Belizean rider finishing in the top three. Just like in 2024, the first Belizean to cross the finish line came in fourth place. This time, it was G-Flow Rider Derrick Chavarria, who was warmly embraced by Cycling Federation President Glenn Flowers at the finish line.
Derrick Chavarria
Derrick Chavarria, Fourth Place, 95th Cross Country
“Yeah, so I am fourth place and the strategy honestly we slip up the get somebody in that key break away around mile thirty-one and form there everything gone south. If we had a representative I would have been proud. But nonetheless we have to go back on the drawing board and start again for next year.”
Concego died three days after being critically injured in a motorcycle accident on April 17 in Armenia Village. He was hospitalised at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he later passed away.
Romero said the incident occurred when Concego, who was on the motorcycle, attempted to overtake another vehicle and collided with a van.
According to Romero, the van’s driver, Luis Esquivel, told investigators that “he was driving a van when a motorcycle attempted to overtake another vehicle collided into his vehicle.”
Esquival has been served with a Notice of Intended Prosecution. A urine sample was obtained as part of the investigation, and the case file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Concego was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer known for his energetic performances and cultural contributions to Punta Rock, performing in both Garifuna and Creole. His song “Namule” remains a fan favourite.
Police in Punta Gorda Town have arrested and charged a man in connection with the weekend shooting of Derrick Hines on Prince Street.
According to police, Hines was in his yard on Saturday, April 19, when a known individual approached and fired several shots in his direction. He was hit and taken for medical treatment, where he remains in stable condition.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero confirmed that the accused, Felix Gonzalez, has been charged with attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm.
Romero said the incident appears to be linked to an ongoing rivalry between two groups in Punta Gorda. Romero confirmed that Hines is known to be affiliated with one of the groups.
Police have charged two men, including a minor, in connection with the brutal killing of 29-year-old Jeremiah Coc, whose body was found with multiple chop wounds in the Indianville area of Punta Gorda Town on Friday, April 18.
On Monday, April 21, authorities formally arrested and jointly charged 27-year-old Belizean construction worker Axel Goevany Zetino and a 17-year-old Guatemalan national for murder.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero said Coc was out drinking with several individuals when a dispute broke out. “They were drinking, and they had some dispute. That is what led to the chopping incident.”
Coc, who had a chop wound to the neck among other injuries, was found dead around 9:00 a.m. on Mahogany Street. Romero confirmed that the accused and the victim knew each other. Both suspects are known to police.
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) is blasting the Briceño Administration for what it calls “blatant disregard for frontlineworkers”, following salary increases for high-ranking government officials while hospital staff remain without pension benefits.
As we have been reporting, a March 28 memo from Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie confirms that salary hikes for top officials took effect retroactively from March 13—raising the Cabinet Secretary’s pay to $96,000 and CEOs’ salaries to $88,000, a 15.7% increase.
“KHMHA workers—nurses, doctors, technicians, administrative and support staff—continue to serve the people of Belize without a pension plan, without answers, and without respect.”
“No more empty promises; No more excuses; No pension = action,” the union declared, warning that if justice is delayed further, it will explore “all available options—including industrial action.”
