2025-04-28 - Channel 5 Belize

PM Briceño, U.S. Secretary Rubio Hold Phone Call on Trade and Regional Issues

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister John Briceño this morning held a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss a range of bilateral interests.

The ministry reports that discussions focused on investment opportunities, cooperation under the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the ongoing trade tariffs regime. Prime Minister Briceño also updated Secretary Rubio on the status of the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

They discussed the deteriorating situation in Haiti, agreeing on the urgent need for strengthened international support to avert further crisis.

Mexican Construction Worker Falls to Death in San Pedro

Police are investigating the fatal fall of 40-year-old Hever Badal Torres on Saturday in San Pedro. The Mexican national was reportedly fixing zinc sheets on the roof of a four-storey structure when he stepped on a weak section and plunged to the ground.

Witnesses said a loud noise was heard moments before Torres was found unresponsive. Despite efforts from emergency officials and colleagues to save him, Torres was pronounced dead shortly after at the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II.

Reports suggest the fall may have been caused by a damaged or unstable section of the roofing. His body has been taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City for a post-mortem examination.

A second fatal fall occurred the day after and involved a 47-year-old Canadian national who was found dead after falling from the Watermark Hotel’s 3rd-floor balcony. Authorities are still investigating if any possible foul play or other factors were involved.

Canadian Tourist Falls to Death at San Pedro Hotel

Police are investigating the death of a Canadian national who was found dead after a fall at the Watermark Hotel on Sunday. Initial reports indicate that the man, identified as 47-year-old Loran Radchenko, died after falling from the hotel’s 3rd floor balcony.

Radchenko, who was staying on the third floor, had spent Saturday night socialising with others in his room. His guests reportedly left him alone in the room the next morning.

Security footage captured the fatal fall at approximately 7:53 a.m. His body was discovered shortly after.

The Watermark Hotel issued a statement expressing condolences to Radchenko’s loved ones. It said, “We believe it’s important to acknowledge that emotional health is an essential part of overall well-being.” The hotel committed to “fully supporting local authorities as they review the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

It is not yet known whether foul play or other factors were involved.

Kenroy Cal Will Not Seek Re-election as Red Bank Village Chairman

Red Bank Village Chairman Kenroy Cal has announced that he will not be contesting the upcoming village council elections. In a message to residents on Monday, Cal expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reflected on the accomplishments achieved during his term.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as your chairman,” Cal wrote. He highlighted several achievements, including the distribution of land to first-time landowners, the maintenance and opening of village streets, and addressing major community concerns with the support of Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson and various government ministries under Plan Belize.

Cal acknowledged the challenges he faced during his tenure, including limited support from council members, but said he is proud to have met the goals he set when he first offered himself for service.

In August 2024, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Transport announced the termination of Cal’s duties as a CARICOM Youth Ambassador following serious rape allegations. The ministry, citing its zero-tolerance policy on sexual violence, said it is closely monitoring the legal process and stressed the need to respect the ongoing investigation. Since then, no official update has been provided on the outcome of the investigation.

Live Pig Shortage Triggers Pork Price “Adjustment”

Running W Brand Meats says it is experiencing “challenges in pork supply due to a shortage of live pigs.”

This has led the company to “adjust” its pork prices as of today.

Other than the worsening shortage of live pigs, the company attributed the price change to soaring production costs.

In a notice sent to customers, the company said it exhausted efforts to avoid a price change.

“This adjustment is a direct result of the ongoing supply constraints and rising input costs. While we have made every effort to minimise the impact, this step has become necessary to maintain product availability and high-quality products that we are known for,” it added.

While the company promised transparency and fair product allocation, it acknowledged that the change could cause disruption for buyers.

Will the BNTU Activate Green Machinery on Wednesday?

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) is calling on its members across the country to mobilise in large numbers on Wednesday to “formally register their discontent” with the Ministry of Education.

Speaking to members, BNTU National President Nadia Martin-Caliz stated, “Right now, we’re at the table where we need to register our discontent. You have emailed, texted, and met me personally and communicated your frustration, and you have also shared that with your branch leaders.”

She urged teachers, “We need you to come out in record-breaking numbers,” adding, “The only way we can continue is if you go out and you vote and give us the mandate, tell us the direction you want us to go… you formally register that you vote,”

Martin-Caliz revealed that teachers have raised serious concerns, including reports of being wrongly removed from the education system despite meeting licensing requirements.

According to Martin-Caliz, the union has “notified our stakeholders of the action that we are about to take.” She said that the BNTU’s next steps will depend on the response seen this Wednesday. “It is time to formally register our discontent,” she declared.

This follows a series of statements by the union after salary increases were approved for the Cabinet Secretary and chief executive officers days after the March 12 general election. The union called it a “tremendous concern,” adding, “We are now saying to you, the government of Belize, that the BTNU will be meeting with its affiliates and caucusing with its membership because we’re getting ready to take action.”

Update: More Details Emerge on Fatal Wild Pig Attack in Gales Point

A tragic and unusual incident occurred in Gales Point Village on Sunday when a pig attacked and killed a resident, now identified as Anthony Andrewin Sr.

Andrewin was in his yard when he encountered the aggressive pig, which had already been causing problems in the community by attacking dogs and other animals. According to villagers, Andrewin attempted to ward off the pig, but as he tried to control his dogs, the pig, likely startled, charged at him and bit him on the leg. The pig’s tusk severed a major artery, and despite efforts to rush Andrewin to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries en route.

The pig, which had been roaming wild in the village for about six months, was shot dead shortly after the attack and burnt at the location.

Gales Point Village Chairman Jason Altschaft told News Five that the community had been working to control the feral pig problem by encouraging residents to fence their animals and take proactive measures. However, the efforts were not implemented quickly enough.

“So, unfortunately, this had become a pig that we had all taken lightly, with just feral, just wild pigs in the village in general. We didn’t realise anything like this could be that serious,” Altschaft said.

“We’ve all chased the pig out of our yard because they’ve learnt to dig up all of our flowers and water and all sorts of things. So we’ve been working on trying to get everybody to comply. This pig had been about three years; for about six months, he’d been running wild, and he had just become wild.

Altschaft described Andrewin as a beloved community member — a hard-working family man who raised his son and two other boys and had many grandchildren. “He was a wonderful man,” Altschaft shared.

Belize Records 63 Screwworm Cases Since December, No Human Infections Reported

Belize has recorded 63 cases of New World Screwworm (NWS) infections since the first case was detected on December 26, 2024, according to Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, Jose Abelardo Mai. The update was shared during a regional meeting in San Salvador, where Minister Mai is leading discussions among Agriculture Ministers from Central America, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic on controlling and eradicating the pest.

Minister Mai said that despite the absence of sterile fly releases in Belize, the country has managed to contain the spread, with no human infections confirmed and no cases reported in the Corozal District.

Only two cases have been recorded in the Orange Walk District.

Nicaragua has reported over 121,000 cases and 94 human infections, placing Belize among the countries with the lowest infection rates in the region.

Minister Mai credited Belize’s success to strong collaboration among BAHA, the Ministry of Agriculture, BLPA, farmers, and international partners. He said this joint effort will continue as talks advance on a regional eradication plan.