2015-01-19 | Channel5Belize.com (2024)

House of Representative Passes Amendments to the Sugar Act

The sugar crisis is a volatile one and has occupied the public conscious for months. On Sunday, the crisis came closer to resolution when the B.S.C.F.A. agreed to sign on with the millers, ASR/B.S.I. We’ll have that later in the newscast, but we go to this morning sitting of the House of Representatives in Belmopan. […]

DPM Says Government’s Hand Was Forced by B.S.C.F.A.

As justification, Prime Minister Barrow indicated that it was essential that the bill be pushed through all stages because of the new associations in play, and the complexities involved in ensuring that all operate on a level playing field. And so, notwithstanding the protest by the opposition, Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega introduced those amendments. […]

Francis Fonseca Says Treachery and Betrayal Forced Caneros to their Knees

That justification didn’t impress P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca, who then declared open season on the government, and on those he called their moles and cronies within the B.S.C.F.A. Fonseca says history will record that it was the treachery and betrayal of the government which forced caneros to their knees. Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader “We […]

“Why You Gotta Be So Rude…to Audrey Matura-Shepherd?”

Fonseca also reserved special attention for Prime Minister Dean Barrow, asking him why he has to be so rude…to attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd, that is. The P.M. recently referred to her as a junior grade, empty-vessel attorney. Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader “What does ASR have over this Prime Minister and his government? What is really […]

Caneros Protest House Meeting

Even as the debate raged inside the House, outside cane farmers and supporters were gathered in protest. There weren’t many of them – at peak probably fifty – but there was representation from the N.T.U.C.B., V.I.P., COLA, ROC and even random activists. Mike Rudon has that story from outside the House. Mike Rudon, Reporting […]

John Briceño Speaks on What P.U.P. Has Done for Farmers…

Inside the House today, Orange Walk Central Area Representative today handed out his share of licks to his colleagues on the government’s side of the House. He started by making fun of government’s ad on saving the industry, and of course took the opportunity to, in his words, remind them of just a few of […]

…And Chastises G.O.B. for Playing Politics

Briceño, after outlining what the P.U.P. has done for the industry, chastised the government for what he calls playing politics with an industry which affects the lives of fifty thousand persons in the north. John Briceño, Area Representative, Orange Walk Central “I dislike the idea that we are playing politics with an industry that […]

PM Blames P.U.P. for Destruction of the B.S.C.F.A. and the Industry

As we’ve heard, government took its licks today over an issue which is serious business. The government has come under serious and sustained fire during the weeks of impasse. Government has been accused of siding with ASR/B.S.I. against the farmers – playing big brother to those farmers and then withdrawing support at a serious time. […]

B.S.C.F.A. Signs on to ASR/B.S.I.

Like it or not, protest or not, duress or not…the general assembly of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association passed on Sunday a resolution to sign onto the agreement with ASR/B.S.I. That means that pending normal pre-crop procedures by the SICB and the SCPC – like verification of quotas and delivery schedule – the 2015 […]

Honduran Woman Murdered in San Pedro

According to the murder stats for 2014, San Pedro has quickly become a most dangerous town. The island accounted for the second highest amount of murders last year. On Saturday around noon, murder victim number was found. The body of a Honduran woman, who had been missing for four days, was discovered north of San […]

Written on January 19, 2015 | Posted in Crime | Comments

B.D.F. Volunteer Stabbed to Death in the City

In Belize City, the grieving family of Denver Villafranco says various persons watched as the B.D.F. volunteer was cold-bloodedly murdered by a group of three men believed to be persons with whom he had a previous altercation. The murder happened on Saturday night in proximity of where he lived with his mother. Police recovered the […]

Written on January 19, 2015 | Posted in Crime | 1 comment

Fatal Traffic Accident in Corozal

There was a fatal traffic accident in Ranchito Village, just outside of Corozal town on Saturday night. Twenty-four year old Eric Vellos was traveling home when he lost control of the vehicle he was driving and overturned several times between miles eighty-one and eighty-two on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Vellos was flung from the vehicle […]

Written on January 19, 2015 | Posted in Auto Accidents | Comments Off on Fatal Traffic Accident in Corozal

Mark Vega Acquitted of 2002 Murder

On Friday night in the Orange Walk Supreme Court, the murder re-trial of well known street figure, Mark Vega ended in his acquittal. A jury of twelve found thirty-one year old Vega not guilty of the June thirteenth, 2002 murder of Susan Petkau. At the time, she was travelling with her husband Enrique, when she […]

Written on January 19, 2015 | Posted in Trials | Comments

Said Musa Calls House Meeting Crap!

Usually the Prime Minister closes the session in the House, but today Area Representative of Fort George, Said Musa, felt inspired. He pulled no punches, claiming that the government’s entire reason for the session today is crap, their argument is crap, and just for good measure, Musa added that the junior attorney much scorned by […]

PM Ridicules Fonseca in the House

Now there was a senior amount of mud-slinging at government today – as we’ve pointed out, it was open season. But if there’s one man who can give as good as he gets, its Prime Minister Dean Barrow. And while today’s sitting was serious, he had his fun – targeting P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca who, […]

Newest Member in the House Takes the Oath

We end tonight’s coverage of the events on Independence Hill with the event which actually started the House meeting. Recently elected Cayo North Area representative Omar Figueroa was sworn in as a member of the House of Representatives. Because he won in a by-election and thus was the only member sworn in, the Speaker gave […]

Written on January 19, 2015 | Posted in ,Politics | Comments Off on Newest Member in the House Takes the Oath

“Broken Images” – a Report on Gender Based Violence on Belizean Youth

Today, Women’s Issues Network WIN-Belize launched “Broken Images,” a report on Gender Based Violence with a focus on Belizean Youth. The research, which was done in collaboration with the Women’s Department, was carried out last year. Over one hundred and fifty youth and women between the ages of fourteen and sixty-four from high schools, non-government […]

Written on January 19, 2015 | Posted in ,Social Issues | Comments Off on “Broken Images” – a Report on Gender Based Violence on Belizean Youth

Belmopan Bandits win the PLB Championship

Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The road to the PLB 2014 title reached money time Saturday night at the Isidoro Beaton stadium inside Belmopan where 2 teams entered on equal footing after a scoreless stalemate in game 1 of the championship series. Belmopan Bandits with 3 of last 4 […]

Written on January 19, 2015 | Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Belmopan Bandits win the PLB Championship