Belize Times July 2, 2017

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The Belize Times

Established 1957

The Truth Shall Make You Free

2 JULY 2017 | ISSUE NO: 5052

www.belizetimes.bz | $1.00

THE JOKE IS ON BOOTS GREEN CARD OR BANGLES?

Thursday, June 29, 2017 According to UDP Minister Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, like his colleague Edmond Castro he has been invited to come into the US Embassy, but so he can be given a green card. And just like his colleague Edmond Castro, Martinez has not yet accepted that invitation. He says he has not made up his mind, but could it be that he is afraid that bangles, rather than a green card, may be waiting for him if he visits the Embassy?

On Wednesday, when he reported to the Senate to be questioned by the Special Select Committee on his involvement in corruption in the Immigration Department, UDP Minister Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez was told that the Committee was not ready for him and he would have

PENNER CHARGED Pg. 3

to return at a later date. The Minister was furious that his busy schedule was interrupted for no good reason and in an extended interview with the media outside the National Assembly dismissed the hearings as a circus, and a joke.

Martinez’s name has come up in the Auditor-General’s report, but even more compelling than that, he was accused of Immigration illegality and corruption recently during testimony given by Alvarine Burgess. Burgess told investigators that on separate occasions she asked Martinez to facilitate Visas for Chinese nationals and he did so for a fee of $2000 each. She asserted that in order to do the facilitation through

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NEW LEADERSHIP IN COROZAL TOWN

PACHECO POINTS FINGERS AT CABINET Pg. 2

HIT THE ROAD JACK…

BRADLEY BIDS COUNCIL BYE-BYE

Dion Leslie

Phillip Willoughby

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TINGS DREAD UNDAH DIH RED

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2 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

HIT THE GREEN CARD OR BANGLES? ROAD JACK… Thursday, 29 June 2017 Reliable reports to the Belize Times today suggest that yesterday, Wednesday, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley informed those close to him that he had decided that he would not contest the upcoming Mayoral elections. Bradley had been conspicuously absent when most of his Councillors handed in their names to confirm that they would remain on the ticket for elections in March 2018.

We have confirmed also that there is open warfare within the Council, which may have forced the Mayor’s hand where his departure is concerned. He has publicly gone on record to describe his relationship with his Councillors as a “bad marriage.” And that marriage only soured after the Mayor arbitrarily moved on entertainment spots on Newtown Barracks after a meeting with residents. The Mayor decreed, on the morning following that meeting, that noise pollution laws would be enforced effectively immediately, meaning that no entertainment spot in the area would be able to play music without soundproofing in place. Councillors were heard asserting that with that one move, the Mayor had committed political suicide.

We note that Pier 1 Bar, located at the BTL Park, would also be directly impacted by the Mayor’s decision, and that did not sit well with prominent Council member Dion Leslie whose family owns the bar.

The Belize Times has confirmed that two persons have expressed interest in the seat – Dion Leslie and Phillip Willoughby. Neither of them had handed in their applications for Councillor, suggesting that both knew the post would have soon been vacant.

Bradley has been a lame duck throughout this past term, and indeed since the money from his municipal bond ran out. He has been unable to successfully complete any other major project and has been in constant financial difficulties at the Council. The streets cemented with the $20M from the municipal bond have all broken up and deteriorated, and the entire city is now a flood prone zone despite millions spent on flood alleviation. In stark contrast to the Mayor’s bold boasts, the city is the dirtiest and most decrepit it has ever been. Bradley, and his entire Council have been invisible in recent years.

In addition, the Mayor and all his Councillors have been roundly criticized because this Council has enjoyed the largest salaries and stipends of any, despite every member still being able to hold on to their full time jobs otherwise. Bradley, for example, is paid as a full-time Mayor but still practices law fulltime, even using his taxpayer-funded City vehicle to attend Court in the districts.

The Belize Times understands that while his incompetence and his ‘bad marriage’ to his Councillors were big factors in his decision, he is also intent on becoming the representative of Caribbean Shores. We suggest that he should rethink that move, for his own sake.

LOCAL 29 Jun

WEATHER 30 Jun

1 Jul

Continued from page 1 a recommendation, ‘Boots’ asked for the same payment that his colleague Edmond Castro allegedly got to do the same.

According to Burgess, three separate Ministers facilitated Visas for her – Edmond Castro, Boots Martinez and Erwin Contreras, though she says Contreras did not charge her for the service since he was friendly with her husband, now deceased.

But today an infuriated Boots said Alvarine should not even have been allowed to give testimony before the Committee because she was not

named in the report. “In my opinion no terms of reference allowed Miss Burgess to testify before this Senate,” he stated to the media. As to the fact that his character has been called into question, the UDP Minister said glibly – “I don’t worry about my character being called into question. My character is called into question almost on a daily basis.”

“I have some fundamental difficulty. I think this Senate Inquiry to me has become a kind of circus,” he insisted when pressed by the media.

Martinez was pushed aside on Wednesday so committee

PACHECO POINTS FINGERS AT CABINET Thursday, 29 June 2017 During testimony last week, Ady Pacheco revealed that she was intimidated by UDP Ministers who brought in applications for Visa and nationality, and that it was understood that applications brought in by Ministers, their drivers or secretaries would be approved even though they would most times be incomplete. Pacheco went further to say that even now there are probably hundreds of incomplete files at the Immigration Department even though the documents sought have long been approved and received.

This week Pacheco, who is considered an integral part of the corruption in the Immigration Department was on the hot seat once again.

And again, she insisted that there would be no verification done of applications brought in by Ministers or their cohorts. In response to intense questioning from Senator Mark Lizarraga, Pacheco stated – “This is what I am trying to make you understand that there is no set person, or section that dealt with only verification. There were no verifications done at the time.” “Nobody verified at the

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department,” she reiterated.

When Lizarraga stated, “You paint the picture of a department with very little rules,” Pacheco responded, “I am telling you how things were.”

Ady Pacheco attempted to convince the Senate investigators that the Department was lax in cross-checking that people were not manufacturing fraudulent documents.

According to Pacheco, the investigation section was fundamentally non-functional, and the senior officers recommending persons for Belizean documents were not cross-checking or doing investigations into the authenticity of submitted files. They were - Pacheco alleges - not examining supporting documents like passports from other countries that were fake, or Belizean documents, such as fraudulent birth certificates, and stamps for visa extensions, residency, work permits, or even arrivals and departures.

Another surprising reveal from Pacheco was that Prime Minister Barrow’s Cabinet allegedly directed that the security clearance process for applicants, especially Chinese, be discontinued. She said that Continued on page 6

members could continue their examination of Ady Pacheco, the woman many feel was the government’s go-to person in the Immigration Department where the approval of invalid applications was concerned.

Pacheco has testified that she was intimidated by UDP Ministers and that the rule at the Department was that whatever they brought in would be approved even if the applications were not completed and the required documentation was not provided. Today Boots claimed that he doesn’t even know Ady Pacheco and dismissed her assertion that she was intimidated by UDP Ministers, telling media that there are guidelines in the Immigration Department which should be followed.

Boots admitted, however, to making recommendations for persons of various nationalities in his political career since 2003, for all manner of things including passports. But he never checked the validity of those for whom he signed recommendations, insisting that - “I don’t need to do no vetting.” He claimed that is the responsibility of the personnel at the Immigration Department.

Before the Committee, Elvin Penner testified that the Prime Minister and Cabinet knew what was happening in the Immigration Department during the time in question because they were given monthly reports.

When asked about that today, Boots refused to entertain the question – “I will not confirm or deny it. Cabinet is confidential so I will not confirm or deny. That is not a discussion that we should have.”

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

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4 Jul

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2 JUL

2017

THE BELIZE TIMES

PENNER CHARGED Thursday, 29 June 2017 Elvin Penner, one of the most hated UDP politicians today, who got away with abusing his authority as a Minister of Immigration, gave the Belizean people another reason to condemn him when he knocked down and killed a hard-working man from the Cayo community of Unitedville. Penner has been criminally charged for the death of 41 year-old Kenrick Myvette, a dedicated father and husband.

4 days after he killed the gentleman, Penner accepted blame for the accident and told the media he is at fault since he hit this man while trying to overtake another vehicle. Facing up to his actions this time is a stark contrast to his pretence of innocence, in the face of overwhelming evidence which shows that he exploited Immigration Department weaknesses and his ministerial power to get a passport for the South Korean fugitive, Won Hong Kim. From his own account, Penner left his family company, Koop Sheet Metal, in Spanish Lookout sometime after 6 p.m. on last Friday, June 23. He was driving home to his house in San Ignacio Town. Kenrick Myvette, who was coming in the opposite direction, went to collect his pay earlier that evening in the twin towns. He also bought some groceries to take home to his family. He was heading home on his motorcycle.

The accident itself happened right in front of the Running W Meats business place, which is located a few miles

BODY FOUND – A FAMILY’S WORST FEARS REALIZED Wednesday, June 28, 2017 A family from Teakettle Village in Cayo have begun to put their lives back together after the body of their loved one was finally found. 24 yearold Marky Mendez went missing for 5 days, and his family was sure that he had been murdered. Their suspicions were confirmed on Monday evening, June 26, when two hunters came across his remains in a remote area of the village.

Mendez was last seen alive on Wednesday evening, June 21, and his mother Verna Mendez, told the press that she last spoke to him when she left their home at around 2 p.m. Verna Mendez said that he intended to take his slippers to a shoe repairman to get it fixed, and so he left the house to go do that. She beContinued on page 7

Kenrick Myvette away from Santa Elena. Penner admitted to Police and to the press that he attempted to overtake a red minivan. Just that moment, Myvette was coming in the opposite direction, and he was using the correct lane on the highway to try and get home. Penner claims that he didn’t see the motorcyclist coming, but Police have determined that his lights

were in perfect working condition. This newspaper understands that Penner’s first line of defense was to suggest that the motorcycle had no lights and that’s why he couldn’t see it coming. The victim’s family blocked him on that tactic, insisting that Myvette only recently repaired all his lights before heading out.

Police have confirmed that.

So, Penner modified his story slightly, insisting to the press that the accident happened so fast he didn’t see or have time to react to avoid hitting Myvette. He said that while overtaking the van, he saw the motorcycle coming at him, and so he swerved into the van, damaging it, all in an attempt to avoid hitting Myvette. It was not enough and the motorbike hit the left side of Penner’s SUV. The impact catapulted Myvette forward, and when he landed on the ground, he suffered severe injuries to his head and body.

Penner was allowed to go home

03 3 until the Police finished putting together their investigation. On Tuesday, March 27, he was charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, and driving a motor vehicle without due care and attention. He has been arraigned, and released on bail of $5,000, and he must return to court on October 27.

This newspaper was told by several persons on the scene that Penner appeared to be under the influence and smelled of alcohol. Police say they took a urine sample, but up to press time have apparently not got back the results.

Responding to questions from the press, Penner acknowledged that he was at fault for the accident, but he still insisted that he wasn’t behaving negligently. He said, “The legal charges they normally give you are based on traffic law. So based on the traffic laws, yes indeed the guilt will be on my part. But in terms of the negligence or purposefully doing something or overseeing something or doing something wrong, I don't see how because I really did not see the cycle coming.”

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Questions to Ministers Would the Member for Queen Square and Minister of Finance please say how much Jafari and Wasani Castro paid to the Customs Department after they were caught with 89 cases of contraband beer? Could he confirm or deny reports that in fact they did not have to pay anything?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please say what role his law firm will play in the new and very lucrative round of litigation which he will enter into against his friend Lord Michael Ashcroft? And could he say how much his firm stands to make while going to the Caribbean Court of Justice again?

Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please confirm or deny reports that the land bandit Gaspar Vega is now preparing to enter the leadership race in the UDP, since he has recently been seen at two public functions after a long absence from the spotlight?

Would the unelected Senator, political puppet and Minister of Natural Resources please say if she will ever commence an investigation into the compensation scam carried out by her UDP colleague Gaspar Vega, in which millions of dollars were robbed from taxpayers?

Would the unelected senator, political failure and Attorney-General please provide an update on the optical hunt to retrieve monies illegally obtained

by Andre Vega and Sharon Pitts from the Ministry of Natural Resources?

Would the Member for Collet and Deputy Prime Minister please say when last he hit a female while under the influence of alcohol? Could he further say if he has sought help for his drinking and for his woman-beating fetish?

Would the Member for Cayo Central and Minister of Works please provide an accounting of all monies and assets, including land and properties, obtained by he and his CEO at the Ministry since 2008?

Would the Member for Belize Rural North and Minister of NEMO, Transport and general scurviness please provide a list of monies and assets, including land, properties, canefields and businesses which were obtained or are being operated for his profit since 2008? Could he also include any land placed in the names of other ‘special friends?’

2 JUL

2017

IF DAH NOH SOH!

Betrayed…

I’m so frigging angry with Phillip Willoughby right now. Seriously I feel like I’ve been played. For months I was pretty rough on the ‘special’ guy – yes Kim, special in quotes. And then… the heartbreaking news that the poor guy had gone through three major surgeries recently – not one, not two but THREE. I’m thinking my lerd…this guy must have had a lobotomy just like Mr. Middleton. I felt like crap – you know, like kicking a sad little defenceless puppy kind of crap. I sent him flowers. I apologized via text. I went to Church and prayed for him and for his full recovery. It was clear that this guy had been knocking on Heaven’s door. THREE MAJOR SURGERIES. He told Jules that with the cutest little sad face you ever did see. And then…I find out today that these major surgeries were for haemorrhoids, tonsillitis and an ingrown toenail. Like seriously Phillip? An ingrown toenail. I can’t. I just can’t with this guy.

Scar tissue…

And I dislike him even more now because it’s 2:43am as I’m writing this and I just went on the transcript for Channel 7 news where Phillip was telling Jules about the three major surgeries and get this – he asks Jules if he wants to see the scar tissue. Like WTF! Jules if it’s the scar tissue from the haemorrhoid surgery I’ll pray for you brother. I know I won’t be able to sleep after getting that image in my head. Thanks a whole hell of a lot Phillip.

Told you…

Don’t say I didn’t tell you that Gapi ‘el Gran Ladron’ Vega is planning a comeback. See…he feels that because he lay low for a couple months, people have forgotten all the millions stolen from the Ministry of Natural Resources. He feels like people have forgotten the thousands and thousands of acres he took for himself and gave to his family members. He feels like people have forgotten the 1600-acre farm in Carmelita which he ‘acquired’ for himself. In just a week, the man who currently holds the title for most corrupt Minister while in office has made two public appearances, grinning from ear to ear like a proper loon.

It’s an interesting development for sure…but take my word for it – it’ll be short lived. That…you can take to the bank.

More scandal…

Did we mention short-lived? Gapi showed up at two public events – one on Saturday and one on Monday. And by Monday evening another pile of documents had been delivered to us straight out of the Ministry of Lands. It’ll take us a couple days to go through it carefully, but let’s just say that from what we’ve seen so far, you can add another 400 acres of prime riverfront property to what Vega already acquired for himself during his term. And we’ve been reliably informed that there’s much more where those came from. Don’t you just love the UDP? As much as it makes me want to puke, I gotta give the woman-beater props for ambition and determination. Mark Espat breathing down his neck, and not in a good way - Gapi Vega not ready to throw in the towel and Mason’s playgirl model (yuck) ready to throw him under the bus. I almost feel sorry for the little fellow.

Actually no, I don’t. He’s an idiot and I don’t like him.

Jeez…

Sometime last week the man who allegedly tried to fondle a Taiwanese chaperone while on an official visit to that country met with a very high level delegation from Singapore. This is serious. No laughing matter. I cringed when I watched pictures of Edmond Castro meeting with these officials…lerd – somebody please tell this man to buy a suit for these occasions. But hey, suits are expensive and the Minister says he’s broke so I can give him a pass there. And then I heard his interview after the visit. He was asked what Belize could get from Singapore. Castro said – well we can always learn from them because Singapore knows a lot about maritime things and stuff. Ladies and Gentlemen…the Minister of Transportation. God help us.

B-SCAM… So here’s the thing. We’re hearing that Abdullah Jamal Moses Ben Levi Al-Achoo Bin-Laden Barrow, bless his soul and may his fruit always fall far from the tree, has been collecting big money on behalf of artists and composers. In fact, there are reports that the young deported American Jewish Belizean fellow has received some rather large checks from certain hotels, clubs and radio stations who have fallen for his ‘I love the artists and I’m only looking out for them’ bullshit line. Don’t feel bad. The man formerly known as Shyne does have a certain degree of game, probably picked up dodging romantic propositions in the penitentiary. But the real question is this. Read carefully. How much has Shyne collected so far on behalf of YOU? How much have you collected from Shyne? Have you collected anything at all? How will you know how much Shyne has been paid and how much you are to collect? If you’re satisfied with the answers to those questions, carry on smartly. The End.

2 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

EDITORIAL A Sense of Entitlement

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n Monday, the Police reported the arrest of Gian Espadas, 22. Espadas was busted with over 5 kilos of marijuana, and he was charged for drug trafficking.

Moving with that amount of drugs means that Espadas is a relatively large player in the drug underworld. Espadas is known as a George Street affiliate. He is also a very close affiliate of the sons of Minister Edmond Castro. A little over a week ago, he was in the vehicle, along with Jafari and Wasani Castro, when Customs busted them with 89 cases of contraband beer.

Interestingly, when asked if drug trafficker Gian Espadas was the same person caught with the Castros smuggling contraband, Police said no. They would later admit, after the media insisted and even provided pictures of Jafari Castro and Espadas together, that it was indeed the same Espadas, the close Castro affiliate, who had been caught with a major cache of drugs.

The purpose of this editorial is not to suggest that the Castro boys are trafficking drugs or other illicit items, though the association between Espadas and the Castros and George Street could indeed be cause for such speculation. What we instead want to point out is that the Castro brothers enjoyed a get out of jail free card when detained by Police last week, and apparently enjoy the protection afforded by the rank of their father and his influence over senior Police Officers.

The sons of Edmond Castro are known to be very arrogant, and very conscious of their father’s status. But because of their actions they can no longer operate in relative obscurity in Belize. The nation is still in awe of the fact that both brothers allegedly assaulted cops, one of them inside the Police Station, and yet both were allowed to walk without even one charge laid against them. The protection afforded them was blatant and no matter what the Commander of the Southside and the Commissioner of Police say, or don’t say, the truth is clear. But the brothers will pay yet for their arrogance. There is no doubt that every rank and file Policeman will be on the lookout for the Castro clan which seems to have an unnatural propensity for wrongdoing. The media will also be watching. And so too, will be the Belizean public.

A situation of Police protection much the same occurred with the son of Senator Minister Godwin Hulse. Kenzle Hulse was accused of pistol-whipping and beating an elderly man. The man was not armed and posed no threat to anyone.

But buoyed by his father’s position in Government, Hulse felt that it was okay to take out his weapon and hit the man with it. His arrogance and sense of self-importance were borne out by the subsequent action of the Belmopan Police. Or perhaps we should say inaction. Kenzle Hulse was never detained. And it took months and constant media pressure before the Police very grudgingly moved to charge him. He was called into the office of the OC and then quietly arraigned in Court for a much lesser charge of harm – not aggravated assault as his actions with a deadly weapon warranted.

The matter of the former Deputy Prime Minister’s son Andre is no exception.

What happened in the Ministry of Natural Resources under Gaspar Vega was stinking rotten corruption – plain and simple. Andre Vega was gifted with $400,000 of taxpayer dollars through an outrightly unethical and illegal deal concocted by his father. That money has not been returned to public coffers by Andre Vega, and if we are to judge by the current status quo, the matter is done. This UDP administration will never really seek to get back that money. The necessary optics will be provided whenever the media raises the question, but that will be the end of that.

The Prime Minister, now relegated to paper tiger status, was forced when interviewed to blithely dismiss the actions of the Castros. Even if it were not that Mr. Barrow is rendered toothless by his imminent departure, the fact is that he has not led by example. The PM’s son Anwar, from relative obscurity in 2008 when the UDP came into office, is now a multi-millionaire. His financial windfall is a result of his father’s position in government. He was placed at the helm of BTL by his daddy when he was clearly not qualified for the position. We are told that he received close to $60,000 a month while in that position, and that his severance package after only a couple years was in the region of $1.2M. The Prime Minister’s nepotism has been so blatant and outrageous that it would be impossible for him to chastise any of his Ministers about the behaviour of their offspring.

What we have seen, over the past years, is a sense of entitlement by these UDP Ministers, their children and their cronies. For the longest time now these people have helped themselves to resources placed in their trust but not at their disposal.

They have wronged Belizeans and we have seen where all our systems designed to safeguard law and order and punish wrongdoing have been subverted to protect those in positions of privilege. The time is coming when the people will rise up, and those arrogant fools who feel secure in that privilege will realize, very painfully, that it was only a false sense of security.

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en Español Un Sentido de Derechos Privilegiados

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l lunes, la policía informó de la detención de Gian Espadas, 22.

Espadas fue arrestado con más de 5 kilos de marihuana, y fue acusado por tráfico de drogas. Moverse con esa cantidad de drogas significa que Espadas es un personaje relativamente importante en el submundo de la droga. Espadas se conoce como un afiliado de George Street. También es un filial muy cercano de los hijos del Ministro Edmond Castro. Hace poco más de una semana, se encontraba en el vehículo, junto con Jafari y Wasani Castro, cuando los agentes de aduanas los atraparon con 89 cajas de cerveza contrabandeada.

Curiosamente, cuando se les preguntó si el narcotraficante Gian Espadas era la misma persona atrapada con los Castros contrabandeando, la policía dijo que no.

Reconocieron más tarde, después de que los medios de comunicación insistieran e incluso proporcionaran fotos de Jafari Castro y Espadas, que de hecho era el mismo Espadas, el allegado de Castro, quien había sido atrapado con una cantidad importante de drogas.

El propósito de esta editorial no es para sugerir que los jóvenes Castro están traficando drogas u otros artículos ilícitos, aunque la asociación entre Espadas y los Castros y George Street podría causar tal especulación. Al contrario lo que queremos señalar es que los hermanos Castro disfrutaron de un pase gratis de salida de la cárcel al ser detenidos por la policía la semana pasada y al parecer disfrutan de la protección otorgada por el rango de su padre y su influencia sobre funcionarios de la policía.

Los hijos de Edmond Castro son conocidos por ser muy arrogantes y muy conscientes del estatus de su padre. Pero debido a sus acciones ya no pueden operar en oscuridad relativa en Belice. La nación está todavía asombrada de que ambos hermanos presuntamente agredieron a policías, uno de ellos dentro de la estación de policía, y sin embargo ambos salieron sin un sólo cargo contra ellos. La protección que se les brindo fue descarada y no importa lo que el comandante de la zona sur ni el Comisionado de policía digan o no digan, la verdad es clara. Pero los hermanos tendrán que pagar todavía por su arrogancia. No cabe duda de que todo policía estará vigilando al clan Castro que parece tener una tendencia natural para la delincuencia. También estarán pendiente los medios de comunicación. Así también, estará el público beliceño.

Una situación de protección policial muy parecida ocurrió con el hijo del senador y Ministro Godwin Hulse. Kenzle Hulse fue acusado de darle culatazos de pistola y una golpiza a un anciano. El hombre no estaba armado ni representaba ninguna amenaza a nadie. Sin embargo animado por la posición de su padre en el gobierno, Hulse sintió estar a bien el sacar su arma y golpear al hombre. Su arrogancia y sentido de auto importancia fueron apoyadas por la acción de la policía de Belmopán. O mejor quizás digamos la inacción. Kenzle Hulse nunca fue detenido. Y fueron meses y presión constante de los medios de comunicación antes de que la policía se moviera muy a regañadientes a acusarlo. Fue llamado a la oficina de la OC y luego tranquilamente lo arraigaron en la corte por un cargo menor – no una agresión agravada como sus acciones con un arma mortal justificaba.

El asunto del hijo del ex Vice Primer Ministro Andre no es la excepción. Lo que sucedió en el Ministerio de Recursos Naturales bajo Gaspar Vega fue una hedionda y podrida corrupción – simple y sencillamente. A Andre Vega le fueron obsequiados $400.000 dólares de los contribuyentes a través de un acuerdo flagrantemente inmoral e ilegal tramado por su padre. Ese dinero no se ha devuelto a las arcas públicas por Andre Vega, y si hemos de juzgar por el status quo actual, este asunto ya concluyo.

Esta administración UDP no tratará de recuperar ese dinero. La óptica necesaria se proporcionará siempre que los medios de comunicación planteen la cuestión, pero eso será el fin de eso.

El Primer Ministro, ahora relegado al estado de un tigre de papel, se vio obligado cuando fue entrevistado, alegremente a hacer caso omiso de las acciones de los Castros.

Incluso si no fuera que el Sr. Barrow se encuentra descolmillado por su salida inminente, el hecho es que no ha liderado con ejemplo. El hijo del PM Anwar, de la oscuridad relativa en 2008 cuando el UDP entró en gobierno, ahora es un multimillonario. Su ganancia financiera inesperada es el resultado de la posición de su padre en el gobierno.

Fue puesto al mando de BTL por su papi cuando claramente no estaba calificado para la posición. Se dice que ganaba cerca de $60,000 al mes mientras en esa posición, y que su paquete de indemnización después de un par de años fue de aproximadamente de $1.2 M. El nepotismo del Primer Ministro ha sido tan descarado y escandaloso que le sería imposible reprender a algunos de sus ministros sobre el comportamiento de sus hijos.

Lo que hemos visto en los últimos años, es un sentido de derechos privilegiados por estos ministros UDP, sus hijos y sus compinches. Durante mucho tiempo ahora estas personas se han adueñado de recursos puestos en su confianza, pero no a su disposición. Han ofendido a los Beliceños y hemos visto que todos los sistemas diseñados para salvaguardar la ley y el orden y sancionar irregularidades han sido subvertidas para proteger a las personas en posiciones de privilegio. Está llegando la hora cuando el pueblo se levantará y se darán cuenta estos necios arrogantes que se sienten seguros en ese privilegio, de forma muy dolorosa que era sólo una sensación falsa de seguridad.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

GOB HAS FAILED TO PROTECT THE REEF Thursday, June 29, 2017 The Government of Belize has utterly failed to protect the Belize Barrier Reef – World Heritage Site, according to WWF and the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage. The international NGO, WWF, teamed up with local partners including the Belize Tourism Industry Association, Wildlife Conservation Society, OCEANA Belize and Belize Institute for Environmental Law and Policy to produce the annual Reef Scorecard.

At the top of the list is the issue of offshore oil. The Report highlights that “offshore oil continues to threaten the Belize Barrier Reef and the livelihoods of Belize’s population.” None other than Prime Minister Dean Barrow promised in December 2015 that offshore oil would be banned on the reef. In typical fashion of government making false promises, the report underscores that the Government of Belize is yet to take the necessary steps to carry through with their commitment. The score of 1 (one) given to Belize means that there has been no progress made at all on this very important issue.

Belizean marine scientist, Nadia Bood, who works for WWF, said, “Both the Belize Barrier Reef and the people of Belize deserve actions, not words.

The government needs to show it is serious about protecting the Belize Barrier Reef by legislating to ban offshore oil exploration and the sale of

public land in the World Heritage site.”

The assessment included five other thematic areas including mangroves, coastal development and tourism, fisheries, environmental regulation and world heritage value. In the area of the protection of mangroves, Belize only received two points as the government is yet to adopt legislation to protect the mangroves that are under threat due to coastal development and upstream pollution. The report noted that while some progress has been made there is not enough being done. Similarly, and surprisingly, two points were also received in the area of Coastal Development & Tourism noting that there has been effort made but still insufficient. The report recommends that the Government of Belize make the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan guidelines legally enforceable. There are still way too many developments happening in full violation of Belizean environmental laws.

Fisheries also scored two out of six as it has seen some progress but there is still the need to revise the current fisheries regulations to include greater protection. A mere one point was given when it comes to Environmental Regulation as there has been no progress at all and the Belize Barrier Reef is in dire need of proper protection with stronger, revised environmental regulations. The sixth area assessed was

the World Heritage Value of the reef in which two points were given. Like all the other areas, there have simply not been enough progress on major issues. One of the major issue in this area is that the Lands Department under Dr. Carla Barnett has failed to pass the required legislation to cease the sale and lease of public lands on the marine protected areas that make up the World Heritage Site. Dr. Barnett has not shown any interest in complying with the government’s agreed plan of action with UNESCO. This report card comes less than a week before the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee begins in Krakow, Poland. In the 10-day session the committee will not only consider requests for the inscription of new sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List but they will also examine the state of conservation of sites already inscribed on the List including the Belize Barrier Reef.

WWF says that commitments made by the Government of Belize to UNESCO in 2015 to ensure the reef’s protection must be implemented by December 2017. WWF’s online petition has garnered over 400,000 signatures all of which has been sent to Prime Minister Dean Barrow but he has chosen to ignore them. This attitude of the Prime Minister is symptomatic of how his government has been treating the reef and taking it for granted.

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2017

PACHECO POINTS FINGERS AT CABINET Continued from page 2 when she was transferred over to the Nationality Section, she questioned her superiors why that was so, and she says that she was told that it was a directive from the Cabinet. She says that this was a very important background check, and indeed it is. It allows - or allowed - for the Department to look at red flags for human trafficking, human smuggling, terrorism, international fugitives trying to hide out in Belize and for persons using Belize as a transit hub to travel illegally into North America.

She said that this discontinuation of the background checks weakened the Immigration Department’s policies.

We note that former UDP Minister Elvin Penner has insisted that Cabinet knew what was happening in the Immigration Department because they were provided with a monthly report. The Prime Minister has said he does not remember those reports, but promised to check to see if it were indeed so. Not surprisingly, that has been the end of that.

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2017 BODY FOUND – A FAMILY’S WORST FEARS REALIZED Continued from page 3 came worried when he didn’t come home, and he didn’t get in touch by phone to say that he was going to sleep over at someone else’s house.

His absence and lack of communication was very unusual, and so his family and friends reported him missing the next day, and they started forming search parties to look for him. They eventually found bloody clothes and a pair of slippers that gave them cause to fear the worst.

The villagers started suspecting that he was killed, and that the bloody clothes belonged to his attacker.

It became urgent for them to locate Mendez, who they were already convinced was dead. So, these search parties combed the entire village and surrounding areas and on Saturday, June 24, their panic and frustration was directed at the Belmopan police. These worried family members and friends were not satisfied with the police effort and resources assigned to look for their missing loved one. The Belmopan Police commander said that the police officers teamed up with these villagers to do all that they could in the form of river patrols and land searches, but for the river searches, they needed the assistance of the Belize Coast Guard. Unfortunately, the weekend was very rainy, and so the Coast Guard could not perform dives in flood waters that have poor visibility and strong river currents.

Both of those pose risks to the safety of the officers, but unfortunately, this worried family disregarded those, choosing to interpret the absence of such diving teams as a lack of effort and interest. So, they piled old tires on the Western Highway, and lit them on fire. It caused the obstruction of traffic for half an hour on Saturday until Police and firefighters finally restored order.

Despite all the heightened emotions, and the resolve to locate Mendez’s body, the searches conducted on Sunday and Monday turned up nothing. It was two hunters who discovered his body in a creek on the outskirts of the village. That location is in the remote forest areas where the Teakettle and Ontario Villages meet. His body was found caught in fallen tree branch in the water. It was retrieved, and an on-site post-mortem examination was done. It confirmed the family’s fears, that he was murdered. The cause of death was determined to be a gunshot to the head.

As soon as police released the body to the family, they immediately took him to the burial site they had prepared in anticipation of this outcome. There they held a quickly organized funeral to lay him to rest finally.

It was not the outcome that anyone in their position would want, but the family expressed that the discovery settles the uncertainty that they were struggling with since Thursday, when they realized that he didn’t come home, and likely never would.

THE BELIZE TIMES

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SAN IGNACIO MAN AMBUSHED AND MURDERED Tuesday, June 27, 2017 A family from San Ignacio Town is reeling from the loss of a loved one who was murdered in his hometown.

The victim is 21-year old Akeem Guzman. According to police reports, on Sunday morning around 12:50, Guzman was going to visit a friend on Flamingo Avenue in San Ignacio Town when he was ambushed.

A lone masked gunman dressed in full black came out of the bushes and fired a single shot catching Guzman in his back. Guzman was taken to the San Ignacio Hospital. He succumbed around 1:40 am.

A young woman who resides at the home that Guzman was visiting told the Belize Times that she was not there at the time of the incident but that her brother (Guzman’s friend) told her that Guzman arrived at their

home and sat on a blue soft drink crate.

She said that Guzman and her brother were talking when a lone gunman, dressed in full black clothing and a mask appeared by the fence and fired a single shot in Guzman’s direction. Guzman and her brother got up and ran toward a wooden bathroom in the yard where Guzman collapsed.

“I wasn’t here but my brother told me that he mih dih sit down there on that crate and then right the by the fence, a masked man dress in full black just come and shoot him, and then my bredda and him gawn towards the bathroom and right deh Akeem drop, then they took him to the hospital,” she told the Belize Times.

Guzman’s friend whom he was visiting is a 16-year-old minor and he was detained by Police immediately after the incident but later released.

In an interview with the media, Guzman’s mom, Geraldine Flores said that her son wasn’t a saint but he was not involved in gangs. “He had his run in with the law, but for other stuff …. He wasn’t a saint but don’t shoot him in the back. If I would see that person, I would say, I forgive you.” Flores says that she is hurt because they took her sons life but she leaves it all in the hands of God. “I would tell those mothers out there…tell them every day you love them no matter what. Spend time with your children and always be there. I wish I could have talked to him more but there is only so much you can do for them,” Flores said.

This is the fourth murder in the area in one month. Last weekend Mynor Portillo was murdered in Santa Elena Town. Police have not charged anyone for that murder.

0 88 Thursday, 29 June 2017 Intense infighting in the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) has led again to sporting embarrassment for the country as the Federation’s 10th Ordinary Congress was sidetracked as a result. On Saturday June 24th, the 50 plus 1 required quorum was not met due to a boycott by a majority of delegates hailing from five football associations. Therefore, elections for a new president and vice president could not be held.

Marlon Kuylen who was free to run for president has been acting in that post since April 30, 2016 when the FFB made FIFA history after going into 22 rounds of elections for president – the longest in history. Immediate past president Ruperto Vicente and football giant Sergio Chuc were the ones tied in the incredible battle for president and it appears they are the ones going at it again in this round of elections.

With Congress matters stalled for now, Kuylen continues to act as president until another congress is organized within the next few months.

At the 10th Congress held at the Ramada Princess Hotel in Belize City, only six of 20 voting delegates appeared to represent the Belize, Stann Creek and Toledo associations. Another three delegates from the Premier League of Belize and the Corozal Association did not get past the rigorous security check when they were unable to prove their credentials as delegates.

Also present was a FIFA representative and Marco Leal, CONCACAF Director of Member Associations who said that similar situations have happened around the world but noted that “it’s not the optimal thing given the situation – the political tension that Belize is going through. For the past three elections we’ve encountered tensions here in Belize. It’s always the same situation…We want to look toward the future of Belize, toward the development of football in the country and sometimes this politics gets in the way and hinders the normal operation of the federation.”

THE BELIZE TIMES

Marlon Kuylen

FFB IN LIMBO – ELECTIONS DERAILED

Marco Leal Considering it an internal matter that must be resolved by the relevant arms of the Federation, Leal said CONCACAF would not intervene at this time but would be monitoring to see if the situation escalates. The FFB statutes provided for a 24-hour wait to try to reach quorum but come Sunday that had not happened and so those present continued with the other matters on the agenda separate from the election. However, midway through, they stopped abruptly and so not even the budget was approved.

Sergio Chuc whose candidacy was rejected by the FFB’s Electoral Committee and his appeal dismissed by the Electoral Appeals Committee told the media that since the process would be starting afresh, he is now

2 JUL

2017 cleared to run. He has therefore ended a process to take the matter up for final decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Switzerland which would have cost him a pretty penny. Starting in February this year, Chuc was accused by his opponent, Ruperto Vicente of bribery, corruption, conflict of interest and attaining an advantage in seeking the office of the presidency. CONCACAF is not investigating those allegations currently as they have to be presented with clear evidence to proceed.

Leal has said that there will be a comprehensive statute revision to ensure that situations like that which happened at the 10th Ordinary FFB Congress do not repeat themselves. He did note though that it is within the right of delegates not to attend the congress. Those who have stayed away say they will not participate until there is a free, fair and transparent election process.

Kuylen classed the situation as embarrassing and unfortunate with politics bringing out the “ugly side of football.”

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THE BELIZE TIMES

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10 SPORTS

THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

EDGAR NISSAN ARANA, TARALEE ORDONEZ & NASHEN YSAGUIRRE Win CFB National Road Championships

1st Elite Edgar Arana

Belize City, June 25, 2017 Westrac Alliance’s Edgar Nissan Arana won the Elite race, Belize Bank Swoosh’s Taralee Ordonez won the Women’s race and Team Cabral/ Marin’s Nashen Ysaguirre won the Junior race when the Cycling Federation of Belize held its National Road Championships from the “Drums of Our Fathers” monument in Dangriga on the Hummingbird and George Price Highways, finishing at Leslie’s Imports in Belize City on Sunday.

Team DigiCell 4G LTE’s Giovanni Lovell won the Elite Under-23 division, Team C-Ray’s Kaya Cattouse won the Women’s Elite division, Derrick Chavarria won the Youth division and Robert Liam “Flying Scotsman” Stewart won the Masters’ division.

Elite (105 miles) 1st Nissan Arana – Team Westrac Alliance - 4:26:05 2nd Brandon Cattouse - Team SMART C-Ray Western - 4:33:10 3rd Ron Vasquez

Taralee Ordonez

4th Robert Liam Stewart (unattached) 4:33:10 - Masters’ Over-45 division 5th Giovanni Lovell – Team DigiCell 4G – 4:40:29 - 1st Under-23 division 6th Tarique Flowers – Team Benny’s Megabytes – 2nd in U-23 division.

Top 3 Masters - Cassasola 3rd, Liam Stewart 1st, Fitzgerald Joseph 2nd

Taye Parkinson & Devesh Hukmani Win SMART Junior Table Tennis Championship Belize City, June 25, 2017 Taye Parkinson of St. Joseph’s RC School won both the under-18 and the Under-12 Divisions, and Belize Elementary’s Devesh Hukmani won the Under-15 Division; when the Belize Table Tennis Association hosted the annual SMART junior table tennis championships at the BES auditorium in Belize City on Sunday.

In the U-12 category, Taye Parkinson won the championship finals: 3-0 over Continued on page 11

7th Herman “Hijo” Requeña – Team Westrac Alliance - 5:00:32, 8th Angel Tzib – Team Westrac Alliance - 5:17:35 9th Shane Jones – Team Westrac Alliance – 3rd in U-23 division 10th Darnell Barrow – Team Benny’s Megabytes 11th Fitzgerald “Palas” Joseph – Team Lampaz - 2nd Masters 12th Leroy Cassasola - Team DigiCell 4G – 3rd Masters 13th Keion Robateau – Team Westrac Alliance - 5:27:03.

Women (58 miles from Armenia) 1st Taralee Ordonez - Belize Bank Swoosh - 3:26:00 – 1st Youth 2nd Kaya Cattouse – Team C-ray 3rd Alicia Thompson - Belize Bank Swoosh 4th Patricia Chavarria - Team Chavarria

Top 7 Champs

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2017 2016

5th Kaylynn Gillett - Belize Bank Swoosh – 3:35:00 – 2nd Youth.

6th Paulita Chavarria – Team Chavarria - 4:06:00 – 3rd Youth Juniors (62 miles from Cave’s Branch “Blue Hole”) 1st Nashen Ysaguirre – Team Cabral/Marin - 2:59:23 2nd Wilhelm Coye – Team Imani’s 3rd Shaun Codd (Unattached) - 3:00:15.

4th Gian Lino – Team Cabral/Marin 5th Joshua Fuller – Team SMART 6th Patrick Williams – Team SMART - 3:02:17.

7th Derrick Chavarria – Team Chavarria - 3:05:19 – 1st Youth.

8th Darnell Augustine WKC Strikers - 3:05:19 9th Shayle Paredes Team Chavarria - 3:15:28.

10th Shawn Armstrong - 3:19:36, 11th Nelson Zayden Jr 12th Efrain Mencias – Team Cabral/Marin 3:41:12.

13th Fernando Rosado - Team Imani’s - 3:46:15.

CFB president Dion Leslie presented the champion’s jersey to the 1st place winners in each division, and the top 3 in each division also won medals.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2016 2016 2017

BSF Hosts Team USA for Softball Friendlies

Jordan Cargille strike out 14 batters

Belize City, June 24, 2017 The Belize Softball Federation hosted a team of high school softball girls from North Carolina, USA for a series of international friendlies at the Rogers Stadium in Belize City last Saturday, and Team USA won 6-4 against the defending national champs - Belize Bank Bulldogs and 2-0 against a mixed selection from DigiCell and Beacon.

In Game 1, DigiCell’s Mary Flowers and Kemani Smith and Beacon’s Kenisha Sutherland gave up 3 hits, striking out 6 batters and walking 3. USA’s Erin McDonald scored in the 5th inning, and Tay Puetz scored in the 7th inning. Team USA’s pitcher Jordan Cargille struck out 14 batters and gave up 6 hits, but the USA diamond forced the Belize girls to leave 6 runners on base and no runs scored.

In Game 2, Team USA won 6-4 as they got 13 hits off Bulldogs’ pitchers Kenisha Richards and Kenreen Gillett. Cierra Harris and Allison Singleton scored 2 runs apiece, while Danielle Myers and Taylor Waddell scored a run apiece. USA’s Meredith Mize gave up 9 hits, struck out 6 batters, and walked one. Kenreen Gillett, Sharette Vernon, Marsha Will and Sandy Gongora scored a run apiece for the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs' Renisha Richards

Kenisha Sutherland

BCC Dragons, Bulldogs, Kings & Warriors Win in BDBA Interoffice Basketball Belize City, June 23, 2017 The Belize City Council Dragons, Belize Bank Bulldogs, Kings and Mayan Man Warriors all posted big wins in the Belize District Basketball Association’s (BDBA) interoffice competition at the newly constructed St Martin’s Swift Hall over the weekend.

In Game 1 Friday night, the Bulldogs stopped DigiCell 4G: 82-78 as Roscoe Rhys top scored 22pts; Lincey Lopez added 18pts and Brian “Brybo” White scored 14pts, grab-

Taye Parkinson & Devesh Hukmani

Continued from page 11 2nd place winner Che Waight, after advancing out of the semifinals by a 3-0 win over 3rd place winner Gabrielle Gabourel. Waight entered the finals with a 3-0 win in the semifinals over 3rd place winner Huang Yo Yang.

In the U-15 category, Devesh Hukmani won the championship finals: 3-2 over BES’ Terry Su. Hukmani advanced to the finals by a 3-0 win in the semifinals over SJC’s Rohit Pagarani. Terry Su made the cut to reach the finals with a 3-1 win in the semifinals over 3rd place winner Amiri Hoare.

In the U-18 category, Taye Parkinson won the championship: 3-2 over CJC’s Joshua Gegg. Parkinson qualified to the finals with a 3-0 win in the semifinals over SJC’s Latrell Solis.

Gegg reached the finals with a 3-2 win over 3rd place winner Rohit Pagarani in the semifinals.

SMART’s representative Adelaide Sabido presented trophies to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in the awards ceremony after the finals.

Mayan Man Warriors

Dragons 84-60 Infotel

Tom Moguel scored City Boys 1st goal vs Rising Stars

Heights FC Takes on City Boys in SMART Mundialito Finals

bing 17 rebounds. DigiCell’s Jason Vasquez had 23 pts, Lennox Bowman added 16pts, and Jason Lamb posted 12pts. Chadwick Ysaguirre had 11pts.

In Game 2, BCC Dragons scorched Infotel: 84-60; led by Akeem Watters with 21pts. Steve Bonnell and Eyan Rene scored 11pts apiece; and Andrew Vasquez and Auburn Rivero tossed in 9pts apiece.

Infotel’s Elton Anderson scored 18pts, Elvis Olivera added 16pts, and Darwin “Dawgy” Elijio posted 9pts.

In game 3 on Saturday evening, the Kings blew away the Grace Kings: 99-35; led by Farron Louriano and Jacob Leslie with 18pts apiece. Jorret Jones added 17pts, Mark Swift posted 15pts, and Cassian Flowers put up 12pts. Grace Kings’ James Witty led with 11pts, and Wayne Garbutt added 9pts.

In game 4 Saturday night, the Mayan Man Warriors upset Tuff E’ Nuff: 63-61; led

by Marvin Skeet with 13pts. William Black added 12pts; Brandon Rogers scored 9pts and Benedict Terry – 8pts. Tuff e’ Nuff’s Tyrone “Mission” Edwards scored 15pts; Linsford Flores added 14pts and Raul Roches posted 13pts, 12 rebounds.

Upcoming games: Friday, June 30 Kings vs Infotel/Mars Grace Kings vs. Tuff e Nuff.

Saturday, July 1 Bulldogs vs Central Health DigiCell 4G vs BCC Dragons.

Oswald Young scored Hattieville's 1st goal vs Heights Fc

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THE BELIZE TIMES

ON THE Cayo North Tour

MOVE

Back to Basics The Hon John BriceĂąo's tour of constituencies countrywide brought him to the Cayo North Division on Saturday the 24th of June 2017.

The visit started with a working breakfast meeting held with Michel Chebat, Western Caucus Chairman and the members of the Cayo North Executive.

The Party Leader used the opportunity to communicate to the executive the expectations of the Party and the responsibilities borne by the executive in carrying out the goals and objectives of the party.

After the breakfast meeting, the Party Leader along with Michel Chebat and the Cayo North Executive visited the Kontiki area of San Ignacio. The visit served for the residents to communicate directly with the Party Leader their concerns and expectations of him when he becomes the next Prime Minister of Belize.

Primary among the concerns expressed were the rising levels of crime in the area, the lack of jobs, housing and access to adequate health care. The residents also raised concerns about the political victimization experienced at the hands of the UDP. In laying out the plan of his future government, the Party Leader expressed that his Government will be based on 5 Pillars; Land, Housing, Health Care, Education and Jobs.

Whenever elections are called, the PUP will deliver Cayo North.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

ON THE

MOVE

Official opening of the PUP Office in Benque Viejo del Carmen Town by Senator Michel Chebat, Chairman of the Western Caucus. Joining him is National Campaign Manager Mr. Servulo Baeza, PUP Secretary General Mr. Linsford Castillo and Deputy National Campaign Manager Mr. Nigel Espat. The road to victory begins today....Hasta La Victoria.

ON THE

MOVE

Corozal Town Council Team Swearing in

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THE BELIZE TIMES

MY PERSPECTIVE

By Dolores Balderamos Garcia

LIVE AND LET LIVE Early in the year 2000, shortly after I was appointed Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission, I set out to do as much as I possibly could to vigorously fight the epidemic. I spearheaded and steered through Cabinet and the House of Representatives a Bill to make the knowing transmission of HIV a criminal offence, thinking, as I did then, that this would show that Belize was very serious about fighting the growing HIV epidemic.

I must have been very determined because no one stopped me from taking this misstep.

However, as I grew in the job and became exposed nationally and internationally to a human rights based approach to combatting HIV/AIDS, I realized how wrong it was to single out HIV for the specific sanction of the criminal law. Now, I am not saying that there cannot be culpability for engaging in unprotected sexual activity with full knowledge of one's HIV positive status. But the rest of the Criminal Code is still there in such circumstances. Enacting this legislation was a bad step, because everyone should have the responsibility to protect herself/ himself. In addition, selectively criminalizing knowing HIV transmission only serves to stigmatize and drive persons underground who are most in need of access to care and treatment. I now believe that this law should be repealed, since respect for human rights and the removal of stigma and discrimination are key factors in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Actually it is through my experience in spearheading the AIDS Commission that I came to hold the strong anti-discrimination and respect for human rights views that I now hold. We all learn from our mistakes, and in all spheres of human endeavour human rights based responses are always essential. I therefore decry in the strongest terms all intolerance, insensitivity and bigotry towards anyone who identifies as LGBTI. There is simply no room in modern day Belize for extreme views of intolerance towards the LGBTI community. One can have religious views, but these should never trump our responsibility to prac-

tise respect for all human beings, all of whom must enjoy the basic human dignity that is guaranteed to all under our Constitution. There must be respect for all, regardless of sexual orientation or identity.

What then was the Government of Belize doing in setting up the so-called Morality Commission? I have asked before: Whose Morality? I agree wholeheartedly with Senator Valerie Woods that this so-called commission is nothing but a farce. And the Government is to be condemned for pandering to the few and merely throwing a sop to the three-headed monster of intolerance, insensitivity and bigotry. The constituting of the commission was nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction done in order to propitiate and appease those whose religious positions made them most uncomfortable with the ruling of Chief Justice Benjamin in the Caleb Orozco Constitutional challenge.

And to what end? We have seen that not one, but two respected Church leaders, the Anglican and Methodist leaders, have withdrawn from the socalled commission because of their firm conclusion that their views were not being taken into account. We have to ask, therefore, what was the purpose of this apparent farce? GOB cannot have it both ways. If you try to appear politically correct to certain church leaders and congregations, you risk coming across as indecisive as to whether or not you truly respect the human rights of every person.

I just cannot understand the position of a certain Roman Catholic Bishop in the United States, who has said that LGBTI persons should not receive Communion or Last Rites. Even Pope Francis has famously said “who am I to judge?” in relation to our LGBTI sisters and brothers. Egg is on the faces of those in Government who believe that a so-called morality commission can do any good in our multi-cultural and respectful Belizean communities in which, I say, there is no room at all for intolerance. It is only right to live and let live.

2017

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

Over the weekend I was invited to speak at the closing ceremonies for Police Week here in Orange Walk. It is an invitation I gladly accepted because I feel that it is important for the Police Department to understand that it has the support of the community, and certainly the support of the Mayor and the Orange Walk Town Council. As I mentioned during that event, far too often the Police are unappreciated and criticized and condemned as they go about their work. If they do their job well, they are criticized. If they fail at their job, they are criticized. It’s tough being the Mayor of Orange Walk, but I wouldn’t give it up to be a Policeman.

I notice that another son of Orange Walk, as he loves to refer to himself, the junior Minister in charge of the Police, did not feel it important enough to attend the ceremony and to show his support for our men and women in uniform. I thought that he should have. I guess he was busy elsewhere. But this is not about Elodio Aragon Jr. Quite frankly, I have little time to spend on thoughts of him. What I wanted to write about here are things I wanted to say to the Police this weekend but decided not to because it may not have been the right place or time.

The Belize Police Department is going through a terrible time.

That is the truth. This is the department which is put in place to protect law-abiding citizens from those who would break the law.

This is the Department charged with keeping us safe, and in ensuring that we do the right thing.

As law-abiding citizens, we should feel a sense of comfort and confidence when we see Policemen patrolling the streets, and when we see those vehicles circling our neighbourhoods. So how did we get to this point where our people have lost confidence and faith in the Police? How did we get to this point where many of our people fear the Police, and even hate them?

As I have said, and I mean it, we as citizens should all give our full support to the Police. We should be proud of our officers who put their lives on the line every day. It can’t be an easy job.

But just as we are proud of those who consistently do the right thing, we must hold those who do not to task. We have to hold our Police Department up to a higher standard. We must demand more of them. And we must come down on them when they do not do the right thing.

Every week I visit schools in Orange Walk and there is one message I send out to our students every single time - whether they are in primary school or secondary school or pursuing education at the tertiary level. Integrity and honesty are critical if we are to grow as good human beings and if we are to help to develop our community and country. I tell them to set goals in life. I tell them to work hard to achieve those goals. I tell them to shy away from distractions, from peer pressure, from alcohol and drugs. I tell them to be the very best at everything they do, to always help others in need, to be kind and compassionate.

While that is what I say to students, I believe the message is relevant across the board. We need our men and women in uniform to hold themselves up to the highest standard. Imagine, even during Police Week we heard stories about officers robbing tourists at gunpoint in San Pedro and in San Ignacio. We hear stories about Police officers sexually assaulting junior female officers. We hear stories about Police officers twisting the law, or in some cases ignoring the law so that they can serve their political masters. There are so many stories.

It is time for our Police Officers to stand tall and to stand strong and to make us proud once again. Our officers should not be afraid to do the right thing. Our officers should not be intimidated by politicians. Our officers should not be coerced into doing wrong.

And trust me when I say that this message needs to be heard by Police officers at every level, because we have seen wrongdoing also at the very highest levels.

Police Week has come and gone, but I ask our men and women in uniform to take the job seriously, and to take their roles in our community seriously. We look up to you. Please, do the right thing.

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2017

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THE BELIZE TIMES For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee

What Have We Become?

You know…it’s the strangest thing.

I saw it years ago on Facebook. Here’s a pretty damned decent looking woman posting pics of herself in a bikini, or wearing suggestive clothes – no commentary, no message, just the pics – and she gets hundreds of likes and comments from people she probably never met and will never meet. That same woman posts a comment, no pic – just a comment maybe on something that happened in her life (no sex and no drama) and she gets 7 likes and maybe, maybe a couple grudging comments.

I saw it when I was at Channel 5 too.

Every night we would get people complaining about all the violence and bad stuff making the news – all the murders and blood and despair and tragedy and scandalous, outrageous politics. We’d get people bashing us about a particular story which was too sensational. Maybe we showed a little too much blood. Or maybe we dug too deeply into a politician’s personal life for gory details. Really…these complaints from certain persons were so predictable that I’d dodge their FB posts. You see…they were able to complain with such clarity because they watched with such focus. They were watching – every speck of blood and every single body on the ground.

They were watching. And trust me on something else. If we started the news with a heart-warming manatee story or a thrilling climate-change interview, they would switch channels faster than you could blink.

We’re beyond ecstatic when we scroll down our newsfeeds and see videos of women fighting. We watch over and over again. Better yet if it’s a video of schoolgirls fighting in uniform, pulling hair, slapping, punching kicking, shouting obscenities. If they roll around on the ground and we get a flash of panties, my lerd we’re in our glory. The other day there’s this lil girl, had to be bout 12 years old, spouting sexual obscenities on FB and that shit went viral…the amount of shares and likes and comments was off the charts. And I mean the sickest sexual commentary and men propositioning

this lil girl. Out in the open…on Facebook.

As a people we live for that crap.

We love the bad stuff. We love the obscene. We love the sleck and sexual and suggestive. We love nasty. We love blood and guts and gore. We’re drawn to tragedy and pain and misery and death like the bodachs in Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas novels.

I’ve been making a move to get closer to God lately. I’ve always believed in God and trust me when the shit hits the fan I’ve never been hesitant to call on Him to bail me out. Hell, that’s the way of the world. We get in trouble, we find God. But it has to be about more than that. I’ve lived a tumultuous life, more often in some sort of trouble than not. I’ve been down more often than not. I continue to battle addictions and make mistakes and pick myself up only to fall flat on my face again. But maybe I’m closer to Him than I’ve ever been in my life. And maybe for the first time in my life, I don’t feel so alone when battling my demons.

But it’s a funny thing. I feel that some of my very few friends are more comfortable with the blasphemous, unapologetically coarse me than the me who is becoming a little more spiritual. It harks back to my first point about the bikini pics. As a people we can deal with that stuff. But we’re uncomfortable with feelings and emotions and God. Ain’t that the craziest thing.

Anyway I said all that to say this.

I cringed when I got the video of the accident on Friday. I was first sent it through Whatsapp and I had trouble sleeping after watching it. Maybe I’m not as cold and callous as I once was.

And then, on Sunday, this video pops up on my newsfeed on FB. While this man was on the ground broken and bleeding and crying out in pain, somebody stood over him and shot video from a phone, focusing on his torn face and other injuries. And that video is now making the rounds of the social media. At one point, yesterday, it had been shared 199 times.

How sick is that? Nobody cared that the dying man’s dignity was stripped from him when that video was taken, and stripped again every time it was shared. Nobody cared about the grief his family members and loved ones must have felt to see him like that. We just don’t care.

How did we get to this point?

When is it that we lost our humanity and sense of basic decency? Maybe I’m not the only one who needs to get closer to God.

Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd., a company duly registered under the Companies Act, Chapter 250 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition, 2000, and having its registered office at Cor. Albert and Bishop Streets, Belize City, Belize, hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under a Deed of Mortgage made the 30th November, 2012, between MARIA DE LOS ANGELES ARRIAZA (now known as MARIA PARHAM) of St. Margaret’s Village, Cayo District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Mortgagee”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 29 of 2012 at Folios 143-210, the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the schedule hereto.

All offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing and full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained from the said Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd. SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 92 containing 1184.397 Square Yards situate in St. Margaret’s Village, Cayo District and bounded and described as shown by Plan No. 593 of 2012, TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 20th day of June, 2017.

MUSA & BALDERAMOS LLP 91 North Front Street Belize City Attorneys-at-Law for Scotiabank (Belize) Ltd.

VACANCY INTERNAL AUDITOR PACT is an environmental trust fund promoting the sustainable management and development of Belize’s natural resources and protected areas. It is a statutory authority managed by a Board of Directors with the mission of supporting the involvement of large and small organizations in the implementation of environmental conservation projects and programs through a strategic and transparent grant process.

Position Description: The Internal Auditor is primarily responsible for providing a systematic, disciplined, and risk based approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of PACT’s risk management, control, and governance processes.

The Internal Auditor shall provide independent and objective assurance and insight regarding how well risks are being managed in order to add value and improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, with economy within PACT. The Internal Auditor reports directly to the Board of Directors.

Professional and Skill Requirements:  

At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or equivalent.

At least five-years work experience with a focus on financial risk and regulatory requirements. Internal Auditing experience and exposure to operations management will be an asset.

Experience working with International Funding Institutions will be an asset.

(Equivalent combination of education with work experience will be considered.)

Skill Requirements          

Advanced computer skills in MS Office, accounting software and databases; Ability to manipulate large amounts of data and to compile detailed reports; Proven knowledge of auditing standards and procedures, laws, rules and regulations; High attention to detail and excellent analytical skills; Sound independent judgment; Excellent problem solving skills; Strong skills in negotiating, relationship building, problem solving, and timely problem escalation; Excellent time management and organizational skills; Effective written and oral communications skills; and Ability to work under pressure and meet required deadlines.

Remuneration: Compensation package commensurate with qualifications and experience. * Terms of Reference are available upon request.

Applications with résumé listing two referees’ name and contact information; recommendation letters are to be provided upon request. Applications should be submitted no later than Monday, 10 July, 2017 to:

Acting Executive Director Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) #3 Mango Street /P.O. Box 443 Belmopan, Cayo Re: Internal Auditor Vacancy

16

2 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

Dear Voters of Dangriga, I Debbie Jones is humbly seeking your support on

23rd July, 2017

for councilor candidate for the upcoming Municipal elections.

Forging Partnerships. Impacting Lives

CONNECTED

THE MANY FIRSTS OF BELIZE WOMEN A female Prime Minister in Belize? Once upon a time it happened. It was 2005 when the Hon. Said Musa was out of country and the Hon. Silvia Flores was the acting Prime Minister. She was the first woman Minister of Defence and National Emergency Management. She was also the first woman of Garifuna cultural heritage to be elected to the House of Representatives. This was after being the first woman Speaker of the House.

There is so much rich and proud history of Belizean women in politics dating back to the early 1900s, women who have left their imprint on modern Belize. Not enough is documented on them or the women’s movement. Yes, women have contributed to the experiment of Belize, influencing policy, legislation and working environments.

The History Club of St. John’s College under the stewardship of Yasser Musa, the Institute of Culture and Research and the media through their reporting continue to give us snippets into this interesting past of Belize. But it is Carolyn Trench Sandiford’s From Bembe to Elected Office and In Between that offers a particularly insightful compilation. She herself also ranks amongst the firsts, as she was the first woman to serve as a party chair of a major political party.

Carolyn Trench-Sandiford’s presentation was prepared for a Belize Women’s Political Caucus in May of 2016. It is well overdue for the history of women trailblazers in Belize to not only be properly archived but to be taught to our young girls and boys.

Women and young girls in Belize should be proud of these female giants that stood their ground and prepared the way for greater access to equality for women and women political consciousness.

BUT first, they must know who they are and what they did. Carolyn Trench-Sandiford pieces together this work of several women, the majority of whom the UWG proudly recognizes as members or active supporters of the PUP. A few examples, as showcased by Trench-Sandiford, illustrate this point.

Elfreda Reyes (1902- 1992) rose as the champion in the early 1920s agitating for better wages and working and living conditions.

A very relevant issue that even in 2017 demands attention. She was the first woman activist for maternal and infant health care and the protection of working women. She is regarded as the first woman to speak on a political podium and the first to fight for communities’ rights to access potable water.

Gwendolyn Lizarraga (19011975) the founder of the PUP’s United Women’s Group was the first woman elected to the House of Representatives and the only woman to have ever repeated this three times and the first female minister of Government of a pre-Independent Belize. A lone woman in the House, but a giant among the men in providing land, housing and education for the young girls and women of Belize. Her mission was laser-focused: to help women become economically independent.

Jane Ellen Usher (1917-present) became the first woman in the House of Representatives in a post Independent Belize after successfully winning two consecutive terms in the Pickstock Division in 1980-1984 and 1984-1989. She served as the President of the National Women’s Commission and lobbied actively for Belize’s commitment to the Convention on Elimination of all forms of Violence Against Women (CEDAW). In her career at the Holy Redeemer Credit Union (HRCU) she successfully lobbied for legislation to create the Credit Union League of Belize. As manager of the HRCU, she expanded the growth of this hallmark financial institution. To this day it is a critical lifeline to thousands of Belizeans.

Today she is the longest serving CEO in the country.

There were many firsts by women in Belize. The PUP has a proud history of being the party of choice to so many of these outstanding women leaders. It is long overdue for the PUP to regain its strength with women especially being the only party on record that has done so much for women rights in Belize.

Women in politics do matter and have mattered in Belize. Be the change you want to see. Connect.

Join the movement by contacting belizeuwg@gmail.com or call 677-9168. Your voice matters in helping to create the next Women’s Agenda of the PUP.

A few Facts about Debbie Jones: 1. Councilor for 9 years 1997 – 2006 2. 2 x Deputy Mayor 3. Only female councilor to be elected 3 x back to back to back 4. Was instrumental in building the first bus shelter in Dangriga 5. Worked alongside BEL and got over 300 new lights installed throughout town 6. Was involved in the overseeing of the building and refurbishing 17 roads in the town. eg: Benguche Ave., Harry Servio St, 11th St. Powell St. Solid Rock Rd. just to name a few 7. Have always been a dedicated member and worker of the People’s United Party

Vote: JONES, DEBBIE “X” Elections & Boundaries Department Charles Bartlett Hyde Building Mahogany Street Extension P. O. Box 913, Belize City

Telephone: 501-222-4992/4042 Email: electbound@btl.net

Fax: 501-222-4991 Website: www.elections.gov.bz

____________________________________________________________________________________

26th June 2017

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

The Elections and Boundaries Department hereby inform electors that in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 9, Part V section 59(1), “transfers from one divisional 2017 to 31stinform August register toThe another divisional register” will be held duringDepartment the period 1st July hereby Elections and Boundaries 2017.

electors that in accordance with the Representation of the

Chapter 9, PartisVto allow section 59(1),who “transfers ThePeople purpose of Act, this annual activity (exercise) those persons have relocatedfrom from oneone Electoral Division to another who may wish to transfer their registration into that divisional register to another divisional register” willnew be division, to apply for transfer into the division he/she now resides. held during the period 1st July 2017 to 31st August 2017.

To facilitate the process, electors are encouraged to bring along their Voters Identification Card or any other picture identification such as: Passport, Social Security Card or a Driver’s License The purpose of this (exercise) is to allow and a utility bill to assist the officers in theannual verificationactivity of addresses given.

those persons who have relocated from one Electoral Division to another who may wish to transfer their registration into that new division, to apply ~~END~~ for transfer into the division he/she now resides.

To facilitate the process, electors are encouraged to bring along their Voters Identification Card or any other picture identification such as: Passport, Social Security Card or a Driver’s License and a utility bill to assist the officers in the verification of addresses given.

~~END~~

2 JUL

obeyed a mandamus order from the Supreme Court to investigate Penner for the Immigration Scandal. The actions of those two senior members of the Belize Police Department leave no doubt that in Belize today political connection trumps the law anytime. It explains why the two brothers and other politically connected person are untouchable when they break the laws any time of the day. Due to this one-sidedness in dealing with crime in this nation only a few hours after the Castro brothers were released scot-free in Belize City, they were busted in Orange Walk Town with close to 90 cases of contraband beer in the same vehicle. Note that after paying a minimal fee to the Customs Department, the brothers were again allowed to drive off in the same vehicle despite being in violation of several traffic offences.

According the Southside Commander through his mediation efforts the Police Officers decided not to press any charge against the Castro brothers and in return the brothers agreed not to press charges against the officers for allegedly assaulting them. Total hogwash!

To avoid conflict of interest in the execution of their duties, a directive from Commissioner Whylie to all Commanders explicitly prohibits them from negotiating with criminals or suspected criminals. When ordinary persons in detention threaten to sue the Police for allegedly breaking their hands, jaw, foot, or ribs senior Police Officers do not intervene to drop any charges against such individuals. Now all of a sudden they drop all charges against the Castro brothers out of fear of being sued for allegedly pointing a phone in one of their faces and allegedly using a little force to subdue them for resisting arrest. It is common knowledge that the Belize Police Department advises persons who would like to make complaints of abuse against Police Officers to contact the Professional Standards Branch in Belmopan.

Every day at Police checkpoints across Belize, regular citizens are prosecuted for driving a vehicle without a valid driver’s license or driving a vehicle without a license or license plates. Why weren’t the Castro brothers treated the same way?

Those officers who chose to do their jobs when they encountered the two politically connected young men in the streets are role models.

The senior Police Officers who did everything possible to ensure that the Castro brothers were released free of any charge, as if they had done nothing wrong in the society, are puppets of the Ministers in Belmopan.

PUPPETS

By Gilroy Usher Sr. Following the news last week Belizeans saw how senior Police Officers went out of their way to protect two of Minister Castro’s sons from prosecution for a) driving a vehicle without a valid driver’s license, b) driving a vehicle with neither license nor license plates, and c) assaulting two police officers.

The Southside Commander was not a witness to the Police ordeal with the Castro brothers.

Nevertheless, on arrival at the station he literally threw the three officers who dealt with them under the bus. In doing so the ACP said that the officers who dealt

with the brothers fabricated some of the things in their story against them and he vehemently denied the existence of statements in which the Police requested Court action against the two brothers although the statements have been posted on Facebook for everyone to see. The Southside Commander also implicitly condoned attacks against the Police by persons in detention when he said that one of the officers caused one of the two brothers to assault him and fight with him in the station because the officer pointed a cell phone in the person’s face. The ACP then had both of the Castro brothers released from the station.

With their well-connected UDP attorney Herbert Panton overlooking everything, the two brothers were allowed to leave the precinct in the same unlicensed white vehicle despite all the offences they had committed in it.

In speaking to the press, Commissioner Whylie said that he fully supports the decisions of the ACP in dealing with the matter. This is the same Commissioner who dis-

17

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTY Chetumal Boulevard, Belama Phase 1, Belize City

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following property at No. 170 Beltex Avenue, Belama Phase 1, Belize City on Monday 3rd July 2017 at 1:30 pm:

REGISTRATION SECTION Caribbean Shores/Belize

BLOCK 16

PARCEL 2867

(Being an elevated concrete building [24 ft. X 38 ft.] + back portion 6 ft. X 17 ft. + two porches [6 ft. X 17 ft. and 6 ft. X 16 ft.] and lot [341.277 Sq. Yds.] situate on Chetumal Boulevard (near the Bridge), Belama Phase 1, Belize City, the freehold property of Mr. Edilberto Reyes Jr.) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - www.belizebank.com (foreclosure listing)

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 224 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

NOTICE

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between ROSALIO EK JR. of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 489.00 square yards being Parcel 712, Block 1 in the Corozal North Registration Section situate on G Street South, Corozal Town, Corozal District, Belize TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of ROSALIO EK JR. DATED this 14th day of June 2017 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

18

2 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

CAYO FLOODS AFTER HEAVY RAINS

Monday, June 26, 2017 Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s election rhetoric in Cayo was that he was going to spend millions and millions of the Petrocaribe monies on infrastructure.

But on Saturday, June 24, 2017, a sudden storm hit Cayo and those millions Barrow promised to spend were invisible Last week, the National Meteorological Service had forecast heavy rains and issued an advisory on flash flooding. But in Cayo, nobody expected that the rains would cause such severe flood conditions. Within hours, roads, villages, schools and houses were under water.

The Bullet Tree Road that leads to the San Ignacio Hospital, Santiago Juan Layout Area and Bullet Tree Village was completely inundated and impassable.

Many residents along the Bullet Tree road in San Ignacio were pleading for help because their houses were flooded. On

Saturday social media was flooded with the complaints of persons who needed to but could not reach the hospital, along with pictures of the line of vehicles which could not pass through the water on the road.

San Ignacio resident, Eliu Yacab’s house was flooded.

He told the Belize Times, “My house is flooded, everything was under water, it was raining so hard my family, my sister, my wife, my dad, my cousins, everybody was helping to take out the water out of the house. I lost some of my things and well God is in control we don’t know why it happens, everything is under water. The water is very high.”

Yacab says his house had about 8 inches of water and he lost a total of $8000 in items from his home.

Residents in Bullet Tree Village were also affected as the

road at the entrance to the village was flooded. Some of the houses were flooded and without electricity because one of Belize Electricity Limited’s posts had fallen and BEL sent personnel were out to take care of wires that had fallen in the village.

Bullet Tree Village remained without running water for 4 days.

In San Ignacio, a family’s fence was washed away because of erosion that the flooding caused and a lot of debris lay in front of the San Ignacio Police Station.

The Macal River Park in San Ignacio town was under water and portions of the George Price Highway going to Benque Viejo del Carmen became flooded and impassable.

The Santa Rita ceme-

tery in San Ignacio town was under water to the extent that the funeral service for Councillor David Morey was put on halt.

The San Ignacio market and part of the Welcome center were under about one foot of water as ven-

dors tried to secure their produce.

The San Ignacio/ Santa Elena Town Council clearly has no real plan to mitigate the flooding or install proper drainage in the towns and the Prime Minister’s millions are still nowhere to be seen.

Villagers Protest Police Corruption

Monday, June 26, 2017 Last Wednesday, villagers from Santa Familia held a community meeting to discuss their concerns about the escalation of crime in their village and problems with the Police assigned to their village. Most of the concerns arise from the Police being drunk most of the time, using the Police vehicle to drink in, taking special constables along with him and bribing the people.

They were also concerned about the selection of the Special Constables for their village. According to the villagers, OC Rosado met with them on one occasion and took their applications and said he would get back to them after vetting. However, the villagers claim that they were unaware of the selection process and of the swearing in of the Special Constables.

They claim that no proper vetting was done. They want the police to formally present the Special constables to the village.

The villagers claim that when

there is a problem in their village, and there is no assistance from San Ignacio police. It was a consensus among villagers that the officer assigned needs to go. “Queremos saber que vamos a hacer con el policia, porque lo queremos fuera, el siempre anda en los bar tomando y no esta serios de su trabajo y tambien los Special Constables solo son para perder tiempo aqui,” one of the villagers said.

There are eyewitnesses who say they saw the Police mobile parked at the bar and the police officer drunk at the same time Emy Guerra was being

murdered.

The Chairman of the Village Council says that there are numerous complaints of the officer bribing the villagers and letting people go without even taking them to the San Ignacio police station but that the villagers need to unite to request his removal.

Deputy Commander for San Ignacio, Assistant Superintendent Daniel Iche was at the meeting and recorded the complaints. At the end of the meeting, the group decided that they would prepare an official letter from the village with signatures demanding the removal of the

corrupt police officer and requesting a new one whom they would line up with their village rules when appointed. “The villagers and the entire country has lost all confidence in the police department,” a very irate villager told Iche at the meeting. Iche encouraged the group to form their neighborhood watch committee to assist the police.

Cayo is known and recognized for being the district with the most community involvement. There are three large community oriented groups that work with the San Ignacio Police: the Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association, the People’s Coalition of Cayo and the Volunteer Special Constables Committee.

While the Police are claiming that they are working hand in hand with the community, yesterday’s open day demonstrated otherwise as there was no member of any of the major community groups at the event.

2 JUL

19

THE BELIZE TIMES

2017

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Chargee under and by virtue of a Charge registered at the Land Registry between JOHN A. PINELO and SELINA PINELO (Jointly) of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land comprising 222.257 square yards being Parcel 1253, Block 20 in the Belmopan Registration Section situate on Lionel Del Valle Loop, Market Square, Belmopan, Cayo District, Belize TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of JOHN A. PINELO and SELINA PINELO (Jointly).

DATED this 28th day of June 2017 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738

PUP NOTICE The People’s United Party informs all supporters in the San Pedro Town that applications are now being accepted for the posts of Mayor & Councillors for the March 2018 Municipal Elections. The closing date for all applications for those interested in any of the above positions is Monday, July 3, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. The Convention Date for San Pedro is Sunday, September 3, 2017. Please contact your local Executive Chairperson or the PUP Secretariat for further information.

PUP Secretariat: Email: secgenpup@gmail.com Facebook Page: True Blue Secretariat Website: www.pup.org.bz PUP Face Book Page: True Blue PUP Vibes Media FB Page: Vibes Media Radio & TV

www.belizebank.com

20

22JUL JUL

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES

ESPAÑOL

CONFIRMAN NUEVE MUERTOS EN NAUFRAGIO EN REPRESA DE COLOMBIA

Unos nueve muertos y 22 desaparecidos es el saldo del naufragio de una embarcación que transportaba 150 personas en la represa El Peñol de Guatapé, un sitio turístico del noroeste de Colombia

2017 2017 Por Redacción / Colombia 25 de Junio de 2017 "A esta hora un Helicóptero UH-60 ÁNGEL de la Fuerza Aérea Colombiana procede hacia Guatapé (departamento de Antioquia) para apoyar la emergencia presentada por el naufragio de una embarcación con alrededor de 150 personas", indicó la institución en un comunicado, sin aclarar si la nave se había hundido o volcado.

Según versiones preliminares, la emergencia se presentó en la tarde de este domingo 25 de junio.

Organismos de socorro trabajan para ubicar a los 22 desaparecidos. Por el momento hay nueve muertos y 139 sobrevivientes.

Por el momento se desconocen las causas de este grave incidente. La información inicial es que se trata de una embarcación de 4 pisos.

Las autoridades y miembros encargados de labores de socorro y emergencia se desplazan a esta hora al municipio ubicado al oriente del departamento de Antioquia.

Según informó el cuerpo de bomberos de Rionegro, tres personas perdieron la vida en medio de la tragedia.

Los esfuerzos de la Policía por frenar la violencia no dan resultado en México

Luis Almagro, secretario general de la OEA reveló detalles de una propuesta si dejaba el cargo.

ALMAGRO DICE QUE RENUNCIARÍA A OEA A CAMBIO DE "LIBERTAD" DE VENEZUELA El secretario general de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), Luis Almagro, afirmó este sábado que renunciará cuando haya "libertad" en Venezuela, descartando así alejarse del cargo a cambio del retorno del país petrolero a la entidad Por agencias AFP y EFE 24 de Junio de 2017 "He recibido una propuesta de negociación: mi renuncia a cambio del regreso de Venezuela a la OEA", reveló Almagro en un video, para añadir: "ofrezco mi cargo a cambio de la libertad de Venezuela".

"Jamás renunciaremos hasta tener en nuestras manos la libertad de Venezuela", dijo el diplomático uruguayo en su mensaje.

Almagro especificó que dejará su posición "cuando se realicen elecciones nacionales libre y transparentes, con observación internacional y sin inhabilitados, cuando se libere a todos los presos políticos y se amnistíe a los exiliados" en Venezuela.

Entre las condiciones para presentar su renuncia también mencionó el procesamiento "a los asesinos de cada uno de los manifestantes, así como a su cadena de mando".

En una rueda de prensa con corresponsales extranjeros el mandatario venezolano, Nicolás Maduro, había dicho el jueves que Almagro "debería renunciar a la OEA y permitir que los países nos ocupemos de recuperar y reorganizar la OEA (...).

Sería la única forma que yo pensaría en algún regreso".

Este sábado, un allegado del secretario general que habló bajo condición de anonimato dijo a la AFP que no hubo una propuesta formal presentada a Almagro sobre esa idea de renunciar a cambio del retorno de la OEA, pero "en su video dobló la apuesta". "el video es muy claro sobre las condiciones que deben darse" para que Almagro se aleje del cargo, dijo y puntualizó que esas condiciones "son las mismas que expresó el Papa".

Venezuela inició en abril el proceso para salir de la organización, que tomará dos años en completarse.

A pesar de los insistentes esfuerzos de Almagro, la Asamblea General de la OEA, reunida esta semana en el balneario mexicano de Cancún, no logró consenso para emitir una declaración sobre la situación del país, que vive una crisis política marcada por intensas movilizaciones que ya dejaron un saldo

Cont’do pagina 21

SECUESTRO MASIVO EN SINALOA; ENCUENTRAN RESTOS DE PERIODISTA La violencia sigue imparable en México: hombres armados asaltaron un hotel en Sinaloa, en tanto que los restos de periodista fueron hallados en Michoacán.

Por AFP y EFE 26 de Junio de 2017 Al menos ocho personas fueron secuestradas mientras se encontraban en un céntrico restaurante en la capital del estado mexicano de Sinaloa (noroeste), uno de las más golpeados por la violencia del narcotráfico, informaron este lunes autoridades locales.

El incidente ocurrió la madrugada del lunes cuando hombres armados, a bordo de cuatro vehículos, arribaron al restaurante Mar and Sea y privaron de la libertad a comensales, meseros y músicos que trabajaban en el local, dijo a periodistas el subsecretario de seguridad estatal, Cristóbal Castañeda.

El funcionario agregó que hasta el momento no se ha podido identificar a ninguno de los secuestrados.

El restaurante, ubicado en una de las zonas comerciales más concurridas de Culiacán,

es uno de los preferidos de la clase política y empresarial locales.

El hermano de Chávez, conocido como “El Borrego”, fue asesinado de tres balazos en la cabeza, informó Castañeda.

La violencia en Sinaloa, cuna y centro de operaciones de importantes narcotraficantes mexicanos, ha escalado a niveles no vistos en seis años, con más de 760 asesinatos hasta inicios de junio, según datos de la secretaría de seguridad estatal.

El incremento de los crímenes responde principalmente a la guerra interna por el liderazgo del poderoso cártel de Sinaloa tras la captura y extradición a Estados Unidos de su líder Joaquín el Chapo Guzmán.

La violencia también aumentó en otros estados

del país, haciendo del pasado mes de mayo el más letal para México desde que se inició el registro oficial en 1997, con un total de dos mil 186 homicidios dolosos.

Hallan restos de comunicador El periodista mexicano Salvador Adame fue encontrado este lunes sin vida en el fondo de una barranca de la región de Tierra Caliente, en el occidental estado de Michoacán, confirmó el fiscal estatal, Martín Godoy, en una rueda de prensa.

Adame, quien colaboraba para varios medios locales y se convierte así en el octavo periodista asesinado en lo que de este año, había sido secuestrado por un grupo armado el 18 de mayo pasado en el municipio de Múgica.

De acuerdo con las primeras investigaciones, el periodista fue asesinado por un grupo de sicarios al mando de un narcotraficante identificado por el fiscal como “el Chano” Peña, con quien mantenía problemas personales.

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2017

18 JAN

THE THEBELIZE BELIZETIMES TIMES 2015

Se presenta solicitud de extradición contra exministro de Gobernación a EE.UU. por narcotráfico El Ministerio Público presentó este lunes la solicitud de extradición contra Mauricio López Bonilla, que es requerido por Estados Unidos por narcotráfico Por Redacción 26 de Junio de 2017 El trámite lo efectuó ante la Secretaría de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, pues la Corte del Distrito de Columbia, Washington, Estados Unidos lo requiere por los delitos de asociación delictuosa y conspiración para el tráfico de drogas.

La solicitud formal de extradición en contra del exministro López Bonilla fue recibida por el MP el viernes 23 de junio pasado.

El exministro de Gobernación afirmó que durante su gestión todo lo relacionado a narcotráfico era de conocimiento de EE. UU., país que ahora lo acusa de trasegar droga.

La acusación la Fiscalía de Estados Unidos la hizo a finales de febrero pasado en una corte de Nueva York, donde lo acusó de narcotráfico.

Según EE. UU., López Bonilla conspiró, junto a la ex vicepresidenta Roxana Baldetti, para trasladar cinco o más kilogramos de cocaína a ese país.

El 8 de enero pasado, el Departamento de Justicia de Estados Unidos presentó por separado las acusaciones contra la exvicepresidenta Roxana Baldetti y el exministro de Gobernación Mauricio López Bonilla, ante la Corte del Distrito de Columbia, en la cual se señala a ambos exfuncionarios guatemaltecos por acciones relacionadas con tráfico de drogas.

En el expediente se indica que Baldetti y López Bonilla habrían colaborado con traficantes de cocaína que desde el sur del continente trasladaban el alcaloide hacia territorio estadounidense, y que su vínculo podría haberse originado en el 2010 y mantenido hasta el 2015.

La información llegó a la embajada de ese país en Guatemala el 22 de febrero, y dos días después se hizo pública.

Exministro de Gobernación, Mauricio López Bonilla

Mauricio López Bonilla y la exvicepresidenta Roxana Baldetti son los exfuncionarios del gobierno del desaparecido Partido Patriota (PP) con más procesos penales en su contra, por supuestos hechos de corrupción durante la referida administración.

Otros casos contra el exministro de Gobernación El Juzgado Noveno Penal ordenó que el exministro enfrente proceso por peculado por uso y cohecho pasivo, en la investigación denominada Patrullas.

El caso se divide en dos fases. La jueza Silvia Morales decidió ayer que López

Bonilla y otras ocho personas permanezcan en la cárcel mientras la Fiscalía concluye la investigación en su contra, mientras que otros nueve fueron beneficiados con arresto domiciliario por fianzas que llegan a montos de hasta Q25 mil.

El exministro es sospechoso de haberse beneficiado con Q3.8 millones de los Q12 millones que la dependencia a su cargo destinó para la reparación de autopatrullas al servicio de la Policía Nacional Civil.

El segundo caso se denomina Blindados, por el supuesto arrendamiento irregular de 47 vehículos blindados que

Corte Suprema permite que decreto migratorio entre en vigor parcialmente

Por EFE y DPA 26 de Junio de 2017 La decisión de los jueces implica que el Gobierno de Trump podrá negar la entrada a Estados Unidos de los individuos que no tengan familiares en territorio estadounidense o que no hayan tramitado su ingreso en ese país para asumir un puesto de trabajo.

El veto migratorio fue bloqueado por dos tribunales que consideraron que Trump abusó de su poder y que esta medida discrimina a los musulmanes como minoría religiosa. ¿Cuál es la situación actual?

Trump quiere que durante 90 días se prohíba la entrada en el país a personas de Irán, Libia, Somalia, Sudán, Siria y Yemen.

En ese periodo, el Gobierno quiere trabajar en el desarrollo de mejores mecanismos para investigar a los solicitantes de un visado. Además, también se prohibiría el ingreso en Estados Unidos a los refugiados de cualquier país durante 120 días. Varios tribunales federales bloquearon la entrada en vigor del veto migratorio y varias cortes de apelación confirmaron estos fallos, por lo que el Gobierno acudió al Tribunal Supremo.

¿Cuáles son los argumentos del presidente y de los opositores del decreto?

Trump defiende su decisión por motivos de seguridad ante el terrorismo.

Sin embargo, los opositores consideran que se trata de una medida dirigida contra los musulmanes y se remiten a las declaraciones del presidente durante la campaña electoral. ¿Qué desea obtener el Gobierno del Tribunal Supremo?

La Administración Trump ha apelado las decisiones judiciales de bloqueo emitidas por tribunales inferiores. El Gobierno quiere que el Tribunal Supremo estudie la legalidad del decreto y que mientras tanto ordene su entrada en vigor. El juicio oral no comenzaría hasta octubre, una vez pasadas las vacaciones.

También sería posible que el Tribunal aplazase las vacaciones de verano y que tomase una decisión rápidamente, pero esto parece poco probable.

Celebra "victoria" El presidente de EE.UU., Donald Trump, celebró este lunes que el Tribunal Supremo determinara que pueden entrar en vigor alguno de las partes del veto

migratorio que él impulsó contra los refugiados y ciudadanos de seis naciones de mayoría musulmana, al considerar que le permitirá “proteger” al país.

El Supremo aceptó hoy estudiar durante su próximo período judicial (de octubre de 2017 a junio de 2018) la legalidad del veto migratorio del presidente, bloqueado por dos tribunales que consideraron que Trump abusó de su poder y discriminó a los musulmanes como minoría religiosa.

No obstante, hasta tomar una decisión definitiva, el Supremo autorizó al Gobierno de Trump a negar la entrada a Estados Unidos de las personas afectadas por el veto que no tengan familiares en territorio estadounidense, o que no tengan planes ya establecidos para trabajar o estudiar en organizaciones de Estados Unidos.

“Como presidente, no puedo permitir que entre en nuestro país gente que quiere hacernos daño.

Quiero a gente que pueda amar a Estados Unidos y a todos sus ciudadanos, y que vayan a trabajar duro y ser productivos” , subrayó Trump en el comunicado.

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serían ocupados por la cartera del Interior para el transporte de funcionarios, investigadores y testigos de casos de alto impacto.

El contrato que se otorgó a la empresa que fue beneficiada ascendía a Q32 millones.

El último proceso penal de López Bonilla, en el cual también está vinculada Baldetti, es el que se denomina Cooptación del Estado de Guatemala, en la fase llamada La Cooperacha.

Cada uno de ellos, por su posición en el gobierno del PP, habría realizado diferentes funciones. En general, el MP describe que la investigación se hizo en contra de una supuesta red que se habría beneficiado con comisiones ilegales por haber entregado contratos a empresas que en el 2011 financiaron la campaña del referido partido político.

El exministro pudo haber recibido soborno por la contratación de la empresa Escorpión para brindar seguridad a las sedes del Registro Nacional de las Personas (Renap) y utilizar parte del dinero para comprar regalos lujosos al expresidente Otto Pérez Molina.

Baldetti es señalada como la artífice de la estructura, la cual habría comenzado a operar en el 2007.

Roxana Baldetti enfrenta varios procesos En el caso Cooptación también se hacen señalamientos contra Baldetti por haber dado en usufructo un terreno de la Empresa Portuaria Quetzal a la entidad Terminal de Contenedores Quetzal (TCQ), la cual habría entregado US$30 millones de soborno a las autoridades. A esa fase del caso se le denomina TCQ. Baldetti también es sospechosa en el caso de defraudación aduanera llamado La Línea, que se habría beneficiado con comisiones ilegales cobradas a importadores, a quienes se les reducía el pago de impuestos y sus contenedores eran revisados con menos controles.

En contra de la exvicemandataria también hay otro proceso por la compra de un líquido que sería utilizado para limpiar el agua del Lago Amatitlán, al cual se le denomina Agua Mágica.

Otros funcionarios del PP que afrontan la justicia son Pérez Molina, Rudy Gallardo, exdirector del Renap, y la exdiputada Daniela Beltranena.

ALMAGRO DICE QUE RENUNCIARÍA A OEA A CAMBIO DE "LIBERTAD" DE VENEZUELA

Cont’do de pagina 20

de 75 muertos.

En la Asamblea, 20 países promovieron un documento, pero la reunión terminó sin una resolución o una declaración sobre el tema al no alcanzar el mínimo necesario de 23 votos.

En su mensaje de este sábado Almagro dijo que "el silencio permitió el ascenso de Hitler y el genocidio en Ruanda", aunque señaló que "en la OEA no hay silencio cómplice".

Al día siguiente de que terminara la Asamblea, Maduro afirmó que Venezuela "más nunca" retornará a la OEA. Maduro definió la falta de acuerdo del bloque continental como "una victoria diplomática y política" de Caracas, aunque aseguró de antemano que desconocerá cualquier decisión futura del ente hemisférico.

El mandatario socialista anunció esta semana la renuncia de Delcy Rodríguez como canciller de Venezuela para participar de la próxima Asamblea Constituyente. En su lugar, nombró a Samuel Moncada, quien se desempeñaba hasta ahora como embajador ante la OEA.

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2 JUL

THE BELIZE TIMES NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION

Notice is hereby given SEAL GROUP LTD. commenced dissolution on 22nd June, 2017; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given FIREWILD GROUP S.A. commenced dissolution on 22nd June, 2017; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given COOPER BUSINESS CORPORATION commenced dissolution on 22nd June, 2017; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

PVCI MANAGEMENT (BELIZE) LTD.

2017

NOTICE ORIX VENTURES INC. #160, 201 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that ORIX VENTURES INC.: a) Is in dissolution b) Commenced dissolution on the 23rd day of June 2017; and c) ALFONSO DONAIRE, whose address is C. Prat de la Creu, 83, baixos, AD500 Andorra La Vella, is the Liquidator of the Company.

MACLACHLAN & DENNIN LIMITED Registered Agent

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given MARS FINANCE LTD. and BEECROFT CONSULTING LTD. both commenced dissolution on 3rd July, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given PALISADIA FINANCE CORP. and XISCO HOLDINGS LTD. both commenced dissolution on 6th July, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given MOBILITY TRADEMARK S.A. and BRIVAL INTERNATIONAL S.A. both commenced dissolution on 8th July, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given HUNTLEIGH BUSINESS GROUP LTD. and LG ADVISORY S.A. both commenced dissolution on 8 th July, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given LOWRY MANAGEMENT CORP. and GEORGES ALLIANCE INC. both commenced dissolution on 8 th July, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given TRENTON INVESTMENT LTD., HENDRA FINANCIAL CORP. and DUFRESNE DEVELOPMENT S.A. all commenced dissolution on 9th July, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

NOTICE OF COMMENCED DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given MAITLAND TRADING CORP. commenced dissolution on 10th July, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the company.

Notice is hereby given HUSCARAN UNIVERSAL S.A. and DOLWEN INVESTMENT LTD. both commenced dissolution on 14th July, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Notice is hereby given CAPPOCINA UNIVERSAL S.A. and VENANGO PARTICIPATION CORP. commenced dissolution on 15th July, 2015; and Belizean Liquidators Services Inc. whose registered office is at 50 Shirley Street, P.O. Box CB-13917 Nassau, Bahamas, is the Liquidator of the companies.

Morgan & Morgan Trust Corporation Belize Limited

NOTICE AMER CONSULTING CORP. #153, 576 (“the Company”) Pursuant to Section 102 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that AMER CONSULTING CORP.: a) Is in dissolution b) Commenced dissolution on the 27th day of June 2017; and c) MERCEDES ODERAY TUNON, whose address is Avenida Samuel Lewis y Calle 58, Urbanizacion Obarrio, Edificio P.H. Torre ADR, Piso 8, Panama, Republic of Panama, is the Liquidator of the Company.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

2 JUL

2017

23

THE BELIZE TIMES

BERT VASQUEZ TRIAL FINALLY BEGINS to run. She did not come to a stop until she realized he was not following her. While waiting on the roadside, she was assisted by a passer-by whom she asked to take her to the Ladyville Police Station. On the way however, she passed her pastor’s house and decided to be left there instead. The female pastor then took her to the Police where she made her statement and a medical examination was ordered.

During the victim’s testimony, Justice Lucas called for another brief adjournment based on an objection that she was including details of a witness who had been disallowed because the prosecution failed to prove that she was in the country prior to disclosure. There was yet another hiccup for the Crown when a copy of the medical report was presented instead of the original and therefore was considered unsuitable to be included as evidence.

The trial continued on Thursday June 29th. In court, Vasquez was cautioned to allow the media to do its work when he went on a tirade about his name being slandered. His own attorney also had to calm him down by reminding him that he has his ducks in a row as defense attorney. Vasquez is also on remand for the June 2012 murder of 13-year-old Jasmine Lowe in Cayo.

Wednesday, 28 June 2017 The fate of Bert Vasquez is in the hands of nine jurors selected today, Wednesday June 28 to hear evidence in his 2011 case of “forcible abduction,” “intentional harm” and “aggravated assault” against a 16-year-old female.

The trial got started in the courtroom of Supreme Court Justice Adolph Lucas on Wednesday, six years since the incident. Prosecuting is crown counsel Sheringe Rodriguez while the defense attorney is Oscar Selgado.

The prosecution got off to a shaky start when crown counsel Rodriguez misread the charges forcing a short adjournment for clarification. Thereafter, the court proceeded to hear testimony from the victim, now 22. She relayed that on Friday May 13, 2011, having missed the 8:00p.m. Ladyville bus to head home, she was awaiting another when she was accosted by a man in a vehicle. She reported that he pulled up in a small car, lowered the front passenger side window and asked if she had missed her bus. Getting an affirmative response, he emerged from the car and approached her with a gun wrapped in a white T-shirt and then forced her inside.

She told the Court that he beat her multiple times to ensure that she kept calm during the Wednesday, June 28, 2017 drive to Vista del Mar Sports is one of the many with one stop at a gas areas in which Josue Carballo station to refuel. Once has continued his active parin Vista del Mar, he ticipation as the PUP leader in forced her to take off her Orange Walk East. For the past blouse and physically agmonths it has been evident gressed her once more that his love for sports and the when she tried to fight connection with our youths is a him off. He then forced strong one and is growing. her to perform oral sex This past Saturday June on him and thereafter 17th, overcoming the pourattempted to shoot her ing rain, the Chan Pine Ridge but the gun snapped.

7-a-side U-12 football compeHe then told her to gathtition ended with the fanfare er her belongings and it deserved. After weeks of ordered her out of the competitive football, Bishop car with the instruction

PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTIES PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTIES Cohune Walk, Belmopan, Cayo District

Cohune Walk, Belmopan, Cayo District

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo w following Belize Bank Limited’s Parking Lot,Belize Constitution Belmopan, Cayo District BYproperties ORDERatofThe the Mortgagees, Messrs.

The BankDrive, Limited, Licensed PUBLIC AUCTION SALE: PROPERTIES Saturday 8th July 2017 at 11:00 am: Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the following properties atThe Belize Cohune Walk, Belmopan, Cayo District

Bank Limited’s Parking Lot, Constitution Drive, Belmopan, Cayo District on

BY ORDER of the Mortgagees, Messrs. The Belize Bank Limited, Licensed Auctioneer Kevin A. Castillo will sell the Vacant Adjoining Lots -July Cohune Walk Area, Belmopan, 8th 2017 at 11:00 following properties at The BelizeSaturday Bank Limited’s Parking Lot, Constitution Drive,am: Belmopan, Cayo District on

District: Vacant Adjoining Lots - Cohune Walk Area, Vacant Adjoining Lots - Cohune Walk Area, Belmopan, Cayo Belmopan, Cayo District: District:

Saturday 8th July 2017 at 11:00 am:

C

Vacant Adjoining Lots: Cohune Walk, Walk, Belmopan, Cayo District Vacant Adjoining Lots: Cohune Belmopan, Cayo District Registration Section Address Address Section Block BlockParcels Parcels # # Registration 1 Belmopan 20 3475 Parson Brown Street, Belmopan, Cayo District 1 2 Belmopan 20 34763475Parson Parson Brown Street, Belmopan, Cayo District Belmopan 20 Brown Street, Belmopan, Cayo District 2 3 Belmopan 20 3476 Parson Brown Street, Cayo Belmopan, Belmopan 20 3477 Parson Brown Street, Belmopan, District Cayo District 3 4 Belmopan Parson Street, Cayo District Belmopan 20 20 34883477Sunshine Street,Brown Belmopan, Cayo Belmopan, District Belmopan 20 20 34893488Sunshine Street, Belmopan, Cayo District Cayo District 4 5 Belmopan Sunshine Street, Belmopan, Belmopan 20 Street, Belmopan, Cayo District 5 6 Belmopan 20 34903489Sunshine Sunshine Street, Belmopan, Cayo District (Being Six (6) vacant adjoining lots situate between Parson Brown and Sunshine Streets in the Cohune Walk 6 Area of Belmopan, Belmopan Street, Belmopan, Cayo District Cayo District, the20 freehold 3490 properties ofSunshine Messrs. Indeco Enterprises Limited) (Being Six (6) vacant adjoining lots situate between Parson Brown and Sunshine Streets in the Cohune W (Being Six (6) vacant adjoining lots situate between Parson Brown and SunArea of Belmopan, Cayo District, the freehold properties of Messrs.

TERMS: STRICTLY CASH Indeco Enterprises Limited) KEVIN of A. CASTILLO shine Streets in the Cohune Walk Area Belmopan, Cayo District, the freeTELEPHONE: 223 4488 hold properties of Messrs. Indeco Enterprises Limited)CASH STRICTLY Email:TERMS: kevinacas@yahoo.com

KEVIN A. CASTILLO Facebook: Belize Auctions

TELEPHONE: 223 4488

Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com TERMS: STRICTLY CASH Facebook: Belize Auctions KEVIN A. CASTILLO TELEPHONE: 224 4473 Email: kevinacas@yahoo.com

Face Book: Belize Auctions

JOSUE CARBALLO… For the Love of Sports

Rising Stars came out as the Champions, with home teams Barcelona, Young Stars and Real Madrid settling for 2nd, 3rd and 4th place respectively.

Best goalkeeper was awarded to Justin Carrillo, Zeni Novelo came out as M.V.P., and top goal scorer went to Adid Torres. Carballo collaborated hand in hand with the Chan Pine Ridge Village Council. In addition, Chairman Cornelio Torres received support from the Leiva and Torres families, and other local business sponsors to make this a huge suc-

cess.

Volleyball finals also took place simultaneously at the Orange Walk Multi-Purpose Complex Building that night where once again Josue Carballo was present as a patron.

The Open Male Championship was won by Orange Walk’s very own Bad News. There were also championship awards to Inter-office and Female volleyball. O.W.V.A. President Mr. Ben Ramos Sr. openly acknowledged Jos-

ue’s continued assistance and participation in both court and beach volleyball competitions within the district.

The events continued on Sunday, June 18th with Carmelita village as the spotlight. Carballo was in full support of community activist Wilfredo “Chato” Perez in organizing the 4th of its kind 3 a-side beach football tournament. Finals were held at the Sandy Field. The Championship went to Los Mismos, with Heart and Soul obtaining second place. Head organizer ‘Chato’ on his personal FB page commended Josue Carballo for “always being there supporting… not only on this 3 a-side but in other activities”.

As for the current OW East Area Representative, Aragon Jr., well much is left to be desired from his poor representation. For an entire year he was Junior Minister of Sports, and nothing changed to bring sports in our area and in our district to another level.

In that light, we remain hopeful that the East can someday be a better place for everyone, under a PUP government, with Josue working for the people. In Josue’s own words: “Let us continue to build partnerships with our athletes and community organizers. Always work with love for the games.” It is evident that for him true leadership are hands-on crafts, not only optics.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2 JUL

2017