Belize News - Channel 5 Belize

Putin Visits North Korea, Seeking Military Aid for Ukraine War

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea to meet with its leader, Kim Jong Un, signaling the deepening alignment between the two countries. This visit marks Putin’s first to North Korea since 2000 and is notable as he has made few overseas trips since invading Ukraine in 2022.

The visit aims to strengthen the partnership between Russia and North Korea, founded on their shared hostility towards the West and driven by Russia’s need for munitions for its war in Ukraine.

Putin’s itinerary includes signing a new strategic partnership agreement with Kim, replacing previous agreements from 1961, 2000, and 2001. The visit is being closely watched globally, especially by the US and South Korea, who have accused North Korea of supplying military aid to Russia. Both countries deny these claims.

Following North Korea, Putin will visit Vietnam, underlining Russia’s ties with another communist-governed nation, which is likely to unsettle the United States. Putin’s trip also comes amid high tensions on the Korean peninsula and ongoing international concern about North Korea’s military ambitions.

This visit reciprocates Kim’s trip to Russia last year and is seen as an opportunity for Putin to bolster support for his war in Ukraine. It also provides a platform for both leaders to demonstrate their defiance against Western pressure and sanctions.

Overtopped Culvert Caused Coastal Road Damage

The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing explained that damage to the Coastal Plains Highway was caused by a 3.0m x 1.5m box culvert that was overtopped due to backwater from Soldier Creek, approximately 180m away.

In a press release, the ministry said that this backwater resulted from a blockage in the creek and deforestation caused by recent wildfires, which expanded the catchment areas around the culvert.

“The Road Maintenance Unit of the MIDH, along with the contractor, has been mobilised to execute clean-up and minor restoration works on the pavement. In addition, the MIDH is conducting further assessment of the area to determine any additional contributing factors that forced run-off away from the intended Soldier Creek.”

According to the ministry, this suggests that the culvert’s overtopping and subsequent pavement erosion were due to the unexpected intensity of rainfall and flash flooding, along with debris overwhelming the culvert’s capacity.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education announced the “suspension of classes for all levels in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts for today, 17th June 2024. This suspension is necessary due to excessive rainfall, which has impacted both districts since early this morning.”

Power Outage Affects Court Proceedings

According to Belize Electricity Limited, a “burnt crossarm on a transmission structure in a remote area of the Corozal District” was identified as the fault that led to an unplanned power outage that affected certain parts of the country. B.E.L. teams conducted temporary repairs to restore power supply. The company said that “an emergency outage will be required after 4:00pm today to complete repairs.”

On Monday night, B.E.L. issued a press release apologizing to customers.

It said, “We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the extended load shedding, which we were forced to carry out due to a shortage of in-country generation capacity after supply from CFE (Mexico) was abruptly curtailed. As we had earlier informed customers, our gas turbine at Westlake on the George Price Highway, which is one of our major backup power sources, is being upgraded and is currently out of service. This generating unit is scheduled to be brought back online early next week. We are also installing a gas turbine in San Pedro, and this should be completed before the end of May. Together, these additional generation sources will put us in a much better position to meet demand if supply from CFE is curtailed, especially during the high demand months of May through July.”

This morning, attorney Arthur Saldivar was asked about the release. He said it should be a matter of great concern to all Belizeans. “During the day here at court, we are seeing where it is inconveniencing the judiciary and the administration of justice.”

Saldivar went on to say, “Sad to say, but we no longer live in a peaceful country as we once did. It is a very violent place, and the blackout at night is very concerning, especially in the city.”

B.E.L. assures customers that it is making “every effort to maintain safe, reliable, and sustainable energy supply to all service areas countrywide.”

Haitian Man Charged with Double Murder

The Belize Police Department has confirmed that fifty-nine-year-old Robert Joseph has been charged with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

A tragic shooting incident at the Belmopan Market claimed the lives of Laura Fiorito, aged forty, and eight-year-old Megan Klassen, a neighbour’s child. Security cameras captured when they were fatally shot by Joseph, who had been living in Belize since 2012.

The incident occurred while Fiorito, her husband, Salvatore Lopes, and their two children were at Paradise Café.

*Security cameras captured the interactions between the victims and Robert Joseph*

The motive behind Joseph’s attack has left many puzzled. He claims the family attempted to poison him.

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters yesterday, “Police have interviewed a number of persons in respect to that matter and we are trying to see how we can come up with a definitive motive…We are still trying to put the pieces together. We have gathered several statements and we have obtained some video footages that is helping the investigation pretty good. So, the accused was immediately detained by the police and the weapon used was also detained by police. So we have a good case going forward.”