Belize Times November 3, 2019- Land For Votes

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The Belize Times Established 1957

The Truth Shall Make You Free

3 NOVEMBER 2019 | ISSUE NO: 5171

www.belizetimes.biz | $1.00

Aldo Says No Time for Senate Report “If there is one thing that can and would bring down this government, it is hustling in Immigration. I have heard that ministers are procuring visas for people. I’ve said pretty much in every second Cabinet, if you [the Ministers] are doing so (I have no proof), for God sakes stop it! Stop it! That is what would cause the government to fall.” Dean Barrow, to his Cabinet. (October 2013)

Pg. 2 DON’T DRINK THE WATER

LAND FOR VOTES Pg. 2

Pg. 16

13 MURDERS IN OCTOBER 2019

SCA girls win CSSSA volleyball champs

Pg. 2 Inmar Welch

Micheal Gladden

Darren Gentle

59 DAYS TO ANOTHER SSB INCREASE

Pg. 19

02 2

3 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

LAND FOR VOTES

Aldo Says No Time for Senate Report Continued from page 1 Since then up to now, the Belizean public has been bombarded by the PetroCaribe 2015 elections and a plethora of corruption-based scandals that in the words of our Party Leader, the Hon. John Briceño, have Belizeans “weary from worry—about their personal safety; worry, about their economic security; worry, about poverty and deprivation; worry, about an uncertain future and more so worried about the kind of nation we are building for our children. (Belmopan, September 21, 2019) The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB)—the umbrella organization of ALL UNIONS in BELIZE—has formally written the Government of Belize to express disappointment that the 1st draft of the Senate Special Select Committee report on the Immigration scandal has still not been released. The Special committee was put together in September of 2016 with the hearing commencing the following December.

That October the BNTU lead a historic 11-day strike to ensure that the hearing does occur along with a laundry list of governance issues the UDP government was forced to deal with.

The long-drawn Senate hearings that had the UDP on their collective toes were done to investigate the findings of Auditor General Dorothy Bradley’s Special Audit into the Passport, Visa and Nationality Department for 2011-2013. Without a doubt, TWO damning revelations were these: 1. A list of minister recommendations from United Democratic Party (UDP) officials, including Minister Elvin Penner, Minister Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister Edmond Castro, Minister John Saldivar, Minister Erwin Contreras, were brought up in the Senate hearing.

2. Another stinging allegation points to a government elected fraudulently at the 2012 Double Elections. At the root of this was the super expedited nationalization of persons who were then shovelled into the voters list. Viola! UDP squeaked an electoral win.

In October 2016, the BNTU were out to get their pound of flesh. They demanded Hulse’s head, that Saldivar be investigate by international investigators, UNCAC signing, salary adjustments, and that the Senate does carry out the Immigration hearings among other national concerns. The UDP seemed to flinch and a timeline was agreed upon for the demands to be met. If we fast forward to today on these concerns, it is easy to say that the UDP was dishonest at the bargaining table. They signed to get the unions off their back but have not shown indications that they meant to follow through. Today, John Saldivar have been returned as Minister of National Security and has reigned over a period of the worst of criminal activity going unpunished. UNCAC is still an unknown acronym to the Belizean people. And, there is still no sign of any immigration report documenting the hearings.

The Senate Special Select Committee was formed under much duress as the UDP didn’t want anything to do with an impartial committee. They circumvented anything to make sure that Aldo Salazar was chair for the sake of being UDP and not for impartiality. For 12 months the hearings went on and the Belizean public was privy to the arrogance of the United Democratic Party ministers and ex-ministers who refused to give the hearings any urgency nor respect. Under oath meant very little. Castro, Heredia et al scoffed at the questions. How dare the Special Select Committee question them?

But Also Salazar, the chair of the committee, was compromised. How? Unbeknownst to Belizean public was that Belize was the sanctuary for the LARGEST INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE SCAM in UNITED STATES history. This conundrum of global proportions was given life in 2003 in a well-documented SRWR corporation that had Williams of Barrow and Williams at the legal secretarial level breathing life into the farce. Of course, the prospect of heavy fees blinded any ability to underscore the fraud. Eventually, one of the said law firm partners became the Prime Minister of Belize. During this time, with any minimal Internet search of Pukke would reveal AmeriDebt and a GIGANTIC RED Flags that this was one fraudulent client to reject.

But no, under the UDP government Sanctuary Bay flourished. It became quite a beautiful place. Beltraide lead by Mike Singh even recommended tax exemptions to the tune of 157 Million Belize Dollars and this was countenanced at the Cabinet level. The PM in June 2019 attempted to shroud this by saying that the help was for EcoFutures not Sanctuary Bay. All this was a part of the scam. The fraudsters formed multiple companies to evade. But the fine print was clear. In the Cabinet document it said Ecofutures was located in Sanctuary Bay. During the time of the Senate Select Hearings in question, Aldo Salazar was full of “exigencies” that most likely dealt with Sanctuary Bay Enterprises as he had to be shuffling and dealing out property foreclosures. His personal and business affairs have been touted by him as the main reason the Immigration report has not been submitted.

This one is easy. If his personal and other business affairs are in conflict with the time he ought to provide to Senate duties then he should resign. Give it up to somebody who has the people at heart. The UDP has no time for Belize; they have countless more important exigencies.

The PUP will complete the Immigration scandal report.

United States

on page 31 ExchangeContinued rate (USD): $ 0.50 of One Belize Dollar

Barbados (BBD): $ 0.97

Eastern Caribbean Euro (XCD):$ 1.32 (EUR) : $ 0.43

2019

The United Democratic Party is stark-eyed desperate. All of the UDP Ministers are reminiscent of Gapi Vega at 5pm on July 21 at Trial Farm—in despair as he was losing and heading to the exit. They are running around the nation employing all the lessons learnt from the Sanctuary Bay scam.

The only classes left to sit in the Pukke Course is that of the trial coming up January 21, 2020.

The UDP does not have the luxury of time.

So without knowledge of ethics or legalities, the Patt and Pablo duo are dabbling in the issuing of land in a not so masked quid pro quo—I give you land and you vote UDP. Pablo would be hoping that the public also forgets all the babies dying unnecessarily and all the expired Pharmaceuticals. Patt seems to be reviving the notion that the lands department is a “hotbed of corruption.”

The unholy exchange is of course very flexible on the UDP side since their litany of sins spreads through the widest of spectrums.

The versions of corruption within the UDP is only surmounted by their incompetence. The land offer is the UDP’s Neuralyzer—please for-

get the past.

During the VCE, Hugo Patt practised with a mobile version of his hotbed. Early on, he narrowly edged out a few wins in Corozal north after the issuing of applications to land. He fooled some people for a short-lived victory. Now Marin and Patt can be seen at the table working side by side with the lands department. UDP operatives in Red can be seen also helping at the table. Fooling all the people for visionless Marin will prove an impossible task.

Marin, Patt and the UDP do not get it. If they had governed successfully, there would be no need for gimmicks. They know fully well that their time has expired and Belize has no morgue for their political carcasses.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

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ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

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3 NOV

2019

THE BELIZE TIMES

03 3

EDITORIAL LOADING

B

elizeans are by nature a peaceful and patient people, oftentimes too much so.

It takes a lot to rile up the ire of Belizeans. It seems however, that Senator Aldo Salazar knows exactly what buttons to push to elicit just this reaction.

As we approach the second anniversary of the conclusion of the Inquiry of the Senate Special Select Committee the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has begun to question when, if ever we might expect a report from its Chairman Senator Aldo Salazar. His response to the query is nothing short of absurd… “The exigencies of my professional life, as well as my personal life and so on, have not allowed me to complete it. That’s not to say that it won’t be completed, or that’s not an excuse. But that is the reality, I am working on it. That’s all I can say.” It most definitely sounds like a poor excuse for failure to complete an assigned task which has cost Belizeans almost half a million dollars and forty one hearings over the span of fourteen months.

These so called urgent matters that have prevented the good senator from the fulfilment of his duties are many. After all, he and his business partner Ricardo Pelayo, who was the CEO of the now debunked Atlantic International Bank (AIB), own/worked at several companies all of which provided services to investors who were eventually victims of the Sanctuary Bay scam. These companies, the ones we are aware of include: Atlantic International Corporate Services, Professional Advisory Service and Premier Accounting Services. This is in addition to his law firm Salazar and Associates, his role as Senator and his duties as Chairman of the Senate Special Select Committee. The good senator has also been derailed by his brief detention and questioning by the Federal Trade Commission in relation to the AIB for whom he was the legal representative, not in relation to immigration matters as was previously reported.

To say that Senator Aldo Salazar has his plate full would be an understatement. He certainly has kept very busy, and no doubt is beginning to realize he may have bitten off more than he can chew.

However, that is of no consequence to the Belizean public who demand answers. In light of the recent changes in the Immigration Department and the promotion of a new Director of Immigration the report on the findings of the Special Select Committee are now more urgent than ever especially given the fact that already pictures have surfaced of Ministers visiting the Immigration Department in Belmopan, perhaps in preparation of the coming election year. The report is necessary because unless it is tabled, there will be no one to hold accountable for the gross breach of law and ethics that led to the questionable nationalization of hundreds if not thousands of immigrants.

These practices if left to continue unabated will cost Belizeans our Democracy! The past COMPOL refused to act on a Writ of Mandamus handed down by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin in 2014 to investigate Elvin Penner for violations of the Belize Passport Act and Belize Nationality Act. The current COMPOL has also brushed that particular incident under the proverbial rug, content instead to focus his energies on a police song competition in collaboration with political aspirant Shyne Borrow. Just as we continue to wait for the final report from the Chairman of the Special Select Committee on Immigration, we wait also for the COMPOL to act. Belizeans are tired of waiting…tired of the unimaginative excuses, the inaction and the apathy of this GOB and its minions. Belizeans demand results and answers now!

04 4

THE BELIZE TIMES

en Español EDITORIAL CARGANDO

L

3 NOV

2019

os beliceños son por naturaleza un pueblo pacífico y paciente, a menudo demasiado. Se necesita mucho para levantar la ira de los beliceños. Sin embargo, parece que el senador Aldo Salazar sabe exactamente qué botones presionar para obtener esta reacción. Al acercarnos al segundo aniversario de la conclusión de la investigación del Comité Especial Selecto del Senado, el Congreso Nacional Sindical de Belice (NTUCB por sus siglas en inglés) ha comenzado a cuestionar cuando, si es posible, podríamos esperar un informe de su Presidente el Senador Aldo Salazar. La respuesta a la pregunta es nada menos que absurda... “Las exigencias de mi vida profesional, así como mi vida personal, etc., no me han permitido completarla. Eso no quiere decir que no se completara, ni que sea eso una excusa. Pero esa es la realidad, estoy trabajando en ello. Eso es todo lo que puedo decir.” Definitivamente suena como una mala excusa para no completar una tarea asignada que les ha costado a los beliceños casi medio millón de dólares y cuarenta y una audiencias en el lapso de catorce meses.

Estos llamados asuntos urgentes que han impedido que el buen senador cumpla con sus deberes son muchos. Después de todo, él y su socio Ricardo Pelayo, que era el CEO del ahora desacreditado Atlantic International Bank (AIB por sus siglas en ingles), poseen/trabajan en varias empresas que proporcionaron servicios a los inversores que finalmente fueron víctimas de la estafa Sanctuary Bay. Estas empresas, las que conocemos, incluyen: Atlantic International Corporate Services, Servicio de Asesoría Profesional y Servicios de Contabilidad Premier. Esto es además de su bufete de abogados Salazar and Associates, su función como Senador y sus funciones como Presidente del Comité Especial Selecto del Senado. El buen senador también se ha visto descarrilado por su breve detención e interrogatorio por parte de la Comisión Federal de Comercio en relación con el AIB, de quien fue el representante legal, no en relación con asuntos de inmigración como se informó anteriormente.

Decir que el senador Aldo Salazar tiene su plato lleno sería un eufemismo. Ciertamente se ha mantenido muy ocupado, y sin duda está empezando a darse cuenta de que puede haber mordido más de lo que puede masticar. Sin embargo, eso no tiene ninguna consecuencia para el público beliceño que exige respuestas. A la luz de los recientes cambios en el Departamento de Inmigración y el ascenso de un nuevo Director de Inmigración, el informe sobre las conclusiones del Comité Especial Selecto es ahora más urgente que nunca, sobre todo dado el hecho del que ya han surgido imágenes de Ministros que visitan el Departamento de Inmigración en Belmopan, tal vez en preparación del próximo año electoral.

El informe es necesario porque, a menos que sea presentado, no habrá nadie a quien responsabilizar por la grave violación de la ley y la ética que condujo a la cuestionable nacionalización de cientos, si no miles de inmigrantes. ¡Estas prácticas si se dejan continuar sin cesar, le costarán a los beliceños nuestra Democracia! El anterior COMPOL se negó a actuar sobre un escrito de Mandamus dictado por el juez jefe Kenneth Benjamin en 2014 para investigar a Elvin Penner por violaciones de la Ley de Pasaportes de Belice y la Ley de Nacionalidad de Belice. El actual COMPOL también ha barrido ese incidente concreto bajo la alfombra proverbial, y en su lugar está muy satisfecho en centrar sus energías en un concurso de canciones policiales en colaboración con el aspirante político Shyne Barrow. Del mismo modo que seguimos esperando el informe final del Presidente del Comité Especial Selecto de Inmigración, esperamos también a que el COMPOL actúe. Los beliceños están cansados de esperar... cansados de las excusas poco imaginativas, la inacción y la apatía de este Gobierno y sus secuaces. ¡Los beliceños exigen resultados y respuestas ahora!

3 NOV

2019

05 5

THE BELIZE TIMES

QUESTIONS TO THE MINISTERS

Will the Minister responsible for Natural Resources please inform the Belizean people, especially the residents of Belize City, what measures will be taken to correct the current problem with water in Belize City? Will the Minister also say if the current situation is one more blatant example of UDP incompetence?

2. Considering the fact that on a previous occasion the Prime Minister expressed grave concern over the problems at the Immigration Department and also considering the fact that at the time the Prime Minister admitted that hustling at Immigration was one thing that could bring down his government and further exclaiming: “for God’s sake, Stop it!” Will the Prime Minister say if he is once again equally concerned by the presence of UDP Representatives like Gaspar Vega and Pablo Marin’s renewed presence at the Immigration Department?

3. In the context of good governance, which includes openness and transparency, will the Minister of Works, Rene Montero please provide Belizeans with the full list of all the persons provided with land compensation for the road improvement project from Roaring Creek to Santa Elena? And will the Minister also say if any compensation was awarded to any of his family members for any works or projects that were done in this exercise and, if so, would he agree that this would be a gross form of nepotism which is, in fact, one form of corruption?

4. Considering the strong rebuke of Senator Aldo Salazar at the NTUCB, the fact that they found his excuse for the delay in the publication of the findings of the Senate Select Committee into wrongdoings at the Immigration Department ludicrous and also considering the involvement of Aldo Salazar in one of the biggest scandals in the History of Belize, the Sanctuary Bay Scandal and his critical role in this scam, will the Prime Minister say if he considers Aldo Salazar unfit to serve in the Senate and, if so, will the Prime Minister seek his resignation from the Senate immediately after he presents the Report on the Immigration Scandal?

5. Will the Prime Minister confirm if the “street talk” that his office has been in receipt of the Senate Report is true or is it false?

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 CYNTHIA ROMANA CASTILLO 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 343.61 square metres being Parcel 861, Block 16 in the Vista Del Mar Registration Section situate at No. 39 Damselfish Drive, Vista Del Mar, Ladyville, Belize District, Belize TOGETHER with all erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of CYNTHIA ROMANA CASTILLO DATED this 15th day of October 2019 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

6 06

3 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2019

13 MURDERS IN OCTOBER 2019

For Sale

By Order of the Mortgagee

There were two murders in the final weekend in October 2019 bringing the total number for the month to 13.

On Friday October 25, a man who was no stranger to the law was gunned down in Gales Point Manatee village.

According to reports sometime after 6 p.m., Inmar Welch, 28, left home on his bicycle to run an errand. That’s when somewhere along the way a gunman took the opportunity to shoot at him.

According to police several of the bullets hit him including one to the head killing him on the spot On Monday, police said they had detained several persons but as of Thursday there was no update as to whether anyone was charged.

The second murder which is even more gruesome took place in Belmopan where a man was beheaded. Micheal “Wangsta” Gladden, 32, left home on Saturday evening for a night of socializing, but little did his family realize that would be the last time they would see him alive. That night “Wangsta” as he was fondly known was seen attending a football game and a night club in Belmopan. Early Sunday Morning his body without the head was found in some bushes on Mount Pleasant Road, Belmopan. The head was found the following day just a couple yards from where the body was found. ACP Jospeh Myvett, Commander, National Crimes Investigation told the media at Monday’s Press Brief “we do know that one of the leads being followed is that it may be over a female but we are still following that at this point in time.”

Other Victims in October 2019: Brindel Munnings , 44, Belize City | Jamal Elijio, 27, Belize City | Juan De La Cruz, 56, Santa Familia, Cayo | Troy Polonio, 20, Belize City | Hazid Samir Diaz, 33, Orange Walk | Santiago Pop, 58, Cow Pen Village, Stann Creek | Paul Castillo, 66, Corozal | Issac Marin, 17, Caye Caulker | Brandon Benett, 27, Belize City | Darren Gentle, 26, Orange Walk | John Doe, Orange Walk | Inmar Welch, 28, Gales Point Manatee | Micheal Gladden, 32, Belmopan

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 13th day of February, 2012, between ADOLFO YASCAL of Hope Creek Village, Stann Creek District, Belize (hereinafter called “the Borrower”) of the one part and SCOTIABANK (BELIZE) LIMITED (hereinafter called “the Bank”) of the other part, and recorded in Deeds Book Volume 4 of 2012 at Folios 485-510, 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 Block 53 comprising of 3.00 acres situate along the coastal road in the vicinity of Hope Creek Village, Stann Creek District, Belize and bounded and described as shown on Plan No. 540 of 2011 dated 13th day of December, 2011 attached to Minister’s Fiat Grant No. 540 of 2011 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon.

DATED this 31st day of October, 2019.

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

Party Leader’s Weekly Message 1st November 2019

“Water, Water Everywhere and not a Drop to Drink” So now the problem is with the water in Belize City. There seems to be no end to this UDP Government’s incompetence.

You know the role of government is first and foremost to protect citizens from threats at home and abroad. Sometimes I think the real threat to our national security IS the United Democratic Party.

When they and their cronies don’t have us embroiled up in some International Scandal like the Sanctuary Bay Saga, they have us worried about local issues like their response to the recent drought in the north and now the water problem in Belize City.

Time and time again you have heard us say they are incompetent. Imagine, now we have a serious problem in Belize City with the drinking water. It is not enough that our sewage system can collapse at any minute. It is not enough that our health system is such that we have a dengue outbreak and a shortage of anti-retro viral medications.

It is not enough that we all leave our homes literally in fear of street violence in our Cities and Towns.

Now we have to worry about the water we drink.

It’s like I said in my Independence Day address, the UDP has us weary with worry.

Listening to the response from the Belize Water Services CEO was unbelievable. Mr. Alvin Haynes actually admitted that this problem is because of abundant rain. Do we not have abundant rain every rainy season? Do we not have a rainy season every year? Common sense would tell you to plan for these events.

More alarming was his pronouncement that the plant in Belize City is currently not able to deal with the minerals in the water. Did we not plan for this in advance? Did Alberto August, the UDP Party Chairman, and politically appointed Chairman of the BWS Board of Directors not know of this problem?

A problem with our drinking water puts us all at risk when it makes us sick. Currently, we are in more than a crisis, this is an emergency. I agree with Glen Tillett that there should be, and I am quoting him here: “thorough, as in comprehensive, independent review, assessment, and analysis of our entire national water supply and sewage system, and that report should be public.”

More importantly, we all have to hold this government accountable. They have failed us in so many ways and it is time for them to get out of the way so that we can get to work on building a Belize That works for Everyone.

Thanks, God bless and have a safe week.

3 NOV

2019

07 7

THE BELIZE TIMES

BELLY of the

BEAST

King Khalid For a very long time now Khalid has been missing in Belmopan, basically nowhere to be found except for a photo op every now and then.

We’ve tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, because he seems like a really nice guy. And besides, he does look a lot like Kobe, so we figure he deserves some points for that. But fun and joke and Kobe aside, somebody really needs to investigate the Mayor after pictures of his mansion went viral. There is no way that a Mayor’s salary can support that monstrosity being built in Belmopan, especially considering the fact that the Council is in chronic financial problems. We’re pretty sure that before becoming Mayor, Khalid didn’t have much going for him, so where did he get the money to build such a huge building? At the Belize Times we did our own investigation, behind the scenes, and some birds in the Mayor’s own camp say that while they don’t know exactly where he’s getting all that money, he seems to have become flush with cash around the same time that the Hilltop property in Belmopan was sold to some mysterious Asian gentlemen for a pittance. We also asked about that guy, Mr. Simplex, since nobody seems to have seen him, and we were told, unofficially, that the deal was concocted by a certain Minister who has been friends with the Mayor from way back, since they were in the phone business together. We don’t know how true it is, but it makes perfect sense to us.

Serious business The plump Minister from Belmopan is set to officially launch his campaign for leader of the UDP soon, but you better believe that he’s more concerned about the Mason verdict right now. While Mason’s best friend has been making the rounds and posing with Ministers, we hear that Faber has been busy meeting with delegates, and we also hear that Mason’s name somehow always comes up in that conversation. And we can see why? Mason dropped a bomb on his former best-buddy when he produced a witness who confirmed that Mason gave a statement claiming that he was framed by the Minister. Now that’s serious business. Why would Mason say something like that?

What kind of relationship did Mason have with Saldivar for him to feel that Saldivar framed him for a gruesome murder? And then there’s also the fact that Saldivar’s right hand, Jesus Castillo, was in that bar drinking with Mason when the head was found in Mason’s pickup. At the very least, there needs to be some serious scrutiny on our Minister of National Security, who was never questioned after the murder even though it was allegedly he who introduced Mason and Pastor Lue. There are a lot of things to make you go hmmm. And Patrick is pulling out all the stops when he’s meeting delegates. This one will go down to the wire, folks. Best believe that.

Election watch The UDP’s leadership convention is set for February, and the Prime Minister has stated that elections will be around the end of 2020. Still, there are some shady moves taking place which suggest that elections will be long before that. Lately, we’ve seen UDP Ministers camped out at Immigration offices across the country; and, we also notice that Minister of Natural Resources Hugo Patt has been giving out land left, right and center in areas where the UDP feels threatened. Here at the Belize Times, all we’ll say is please, Mr. Barrow, please call elections very soon. The people have had enough, and this one you can take to the bank – whenever elections are called, the UDP will be sent packing.

No doubt about that at all.

Bad Vibes We’d like to take this opportunity to offer free legal advice to the PM’s law partner, Rodwell, who can’t seem to figure out how to write a proper submission in a lawsuit being filed against our friends from Vibes Radio. We hear that the submission has been sent back for re-writing three times already. Of course, we’d be happy to help. It shouldn’t be rocket science for a lawyer with Rodwell’s experience, but we’ve noticed that he doesn’t exactly seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed for a while now. Still, he doesn’t need to be the most brilliant and brightest when he’s got a friend like Dean who makes sure that when those closed-door deals like the one done in Miami with the Lord take place the law firm gets a hefty piece of the pie. It’s good to have a friend like Dean.

VACANCY Mechanic We hereby invite application from qualified persons to fill the post as Mechanic in the Mechanical/Electrical Department in the Port of Belize Limited.

Duties & Responsibilities: • All mechanical repairs and maintenance of all company assets.

• To perform inspection, checks, services, oil & filter changes.

• To test, troubleshoot, install and repair all equipments.

• To diagnose/trouble shoot automotive & Diesel Equipments Qualifications and Experience: • An Associate's Degree in the field of Mechanic. Minimum three (3) years experience working as a Mechanic. Must possess a valid driver’s license.

• Basic Knowledge to scan Electronic Engines • Basic knowledge on Propane Fuel System Salary: Will be competitive and in accordance with the companies salary structure.

Interested individuals are asked to submit their application packages and include the following documents: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Application letter with Curriculum Vitae Copy of Certificates & Diplomas Two (2) recent reference letters Copy of recent Police Record Copy of a valid Social Security Card

Applications should be sent by email to jobapplications@portofbelize.com Closing date for receipt of application is Friday, November 22, 2019.

VACANCY Senior Mechanic - Heavy Duty Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill the post of Senior Mechanic in the Mechanical Department in the Port of Belize Limited.

General responsibilities include: • • • • •

Provide operational support for all land and marine based equipment.

Provide technical support and supervision of staff with regards to preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance.

Research, provide solutions and systems for the approval of management.

Ensure correct maintenance procedures relating to the Port's equipment are carried out in accordance with service manuals.

Ensure the proper maintenance and relevant records, relating to the Ports mechanical equipment.

Specific responsibilities include: • • • • • • •

Plan and execute major repairs of heavy duty equipment to include mechanical, electrical, electronic and hydraulic components.

Identify and coordinate the procurement of spares and supplies.

Receive process and deliver upon work orders to the Mechanical Department.

Maintain the electronic fleet maintenance software (TATEMS).

Assist with recruiting of mechanics from time to time.

Assist with mechanics’ education, training and development.

Provide supervision and leadership to the Mechanical Department.

Qualifications and Experience: • • • • • •

An Associate's Degree in Mechanical Engineering with certification in heavy duty diesel equipment along with a minimum of five – ten (5-10) years working experience in the field.

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

A Bachelors Degree in Mechanicalwith a certification in heavy duty diesel equipment along with a minimum of three (3) years working experience in the field would be an asset.

Prior experience as Chief Mechanic, workshop manager or fleet service manager in a company or organization with heavy duty equipment would be an asset.

Knowledge of heavy duty equipment, experience operating, servicing and trouble-shooting heavy duty diesel equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, etc.

Previous experience with fleet maintenance software.

Knowledge in diagnosing Electronic Engines, and Hydraulic Systems

Salary: Will be competitive and in accordance with the Companies Salary Structure.

Interested individuals are asked to submit their application by email including the following documents: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Application Letter with Curriculum Vitae Copy of Certificates & Diplomas Two (2) recent reference letters Copy of recent Police Record Copy of a valid Social Security Card

Applications should be sent by email to jobapplications@portofbelize.com. The closing date for receipt of application is Friday, November 22, 2019.

8 08 8

Farmers lose 50M! Government ‘helps’ with 2M Hon. Jose Mai has incessantly been on the radio waves and on social media always looking out for the farmers of Belize. He was one of those who sounded the alarm that Belize was in a dreadful state of drought. It took weeks before the government reacted and only at the behest of the banking sector who need to be on the same page with the farmers and loan payments.

The following are Hon. Mai words as the farmers are feeling disrespected with the level of help that the UDP government will afford them. This help will come after an 8-month survey, now working on negligent backlog, is completed. The survey is a basic population count of the farmers but even this is too difficult for an incompetent administration.

Hon. Mai: “What sick joke is this? Farmers lose $50M due to drought.

But government will give 5400 cane farmers $2M to share among themselves!!

That’s $370 for each cane farmer if you are to divide it equally.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

Ahaaaaaa but remember the government gave away $400,000 to Andre Vega and $400,000 to Sharon Pitts...... that’s almost $1M to share between two persons!!

So 5,400 cane farmers will share $2M among themselves while two persons will share almost $1M...

What a sick joke Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture are playing on the poor, hard-working cane farmers of this country!!

It’s time for you to go!! Please leave!!”

2019

Weaponization of Falsehoods

Yes Mr. Prime Minister your falsehoods have gained a life of their own and they are destined to cause doom on the Belizean people. It is inevitable that the people will take these falsehoods and weaponize them into electoral sorties. These salvos will clear the Belizean land and the corrupt UDP must flee.

The most popular of the falsehoods is “No Sanctuary Bay has ever been tabled at the Cabinet level meeting and I have chaired all of them.”

Yes, you can make mistakes.

Of course, you can.

But here are some Prime Ministerial level goofs and there are Barrow goofs. Prime Ministerial Goofs should be followed by an apology which can only be construed as real if it is stamped forthwith a resignation.

Since such a resignation would render you a dishonourable discharge you should also refuse any pension payments for a trio of incomplete administrations—three failed attempts.

Your weaponization of falsehoods unto the Belizean people are not Right nor Honourable. The anti-corruption machete was a falsehood. All the utility bills would go down is another. Oil refinery was a good one. And so on and so on…

Please do not equate your verbosity with righteousness.

The Washington Post has counted Trumps lies to 13,500 lies in a 1000 days. Now Barrow has been Prime Minister for 4280 miserable days for most normal Belizeans.

How long would this short to the point article be if we list our PM’s falsehoods? The people will fill the checklists of checklists as soon as the PM Barrow and the UDP have the intestinal fortitude to finally understand that you are chugging along with ZERO mandate.

3 NOV

THE BELIZE TIMES

2019

Darios Meatpie aggravated assault and burglary

amount of money.

During the armed robbery Perdomo and mother, Ofelia Hernandez were physically assaulted. The men escaped with the money but police investigations have led to the apprehension of three persons. One of them has so far been charged for aggravated burglary. He is former employee, Joseph Richard, 23. Richards has been granted bail and is to reappear in court on December 30. No word as yet on whether charges will be levied on the other persons in police custody or if they have been released.

October 30, 2019 No one is safe today. Two family members of the popular Dario’s Meat Pie Bakery located on Hyde’s lane, Belize City, were victims of an aggravated home invasion and armed robbery on Saturday, October 26. Nicole Perdomo, daughter, 43, reported that she counting money on the second floor of the establishment when two armed masked men entered and proceeded to steal an undisclosed

COUNCIL OF LEGAL EDUCATION ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FOR ADMISSION IN 2020 TO: NORMAN MANLEY LAW SCHOOL (Jamaica)

EUGENE DUPUCH LAW SCHOOL (The Bahamas)

ENTRANCEEXAMINATION EXAMINATION FOR ADMISSION ENTRANCE FOR ADMISSION IN 2020 TO: IN 2020 TO:

Legal Education Certificate - Two Year Programme NORMAN MANLEY LAW SCHOOL (Jamaica) NORMAN MANLEY LAW SCHOOL (Jamaica) HUGH WOODING LAW SCHOOL (Trinidad & Tobago) Applications are invited from holders of SCHOOL a first degree in Law obtained from a EUGENE DUPUCH LAW (The Bahamas) HUGH WOODING SCHOOL (Trinidadwith & Tobago) recognized institution in a commonLAW law jurisdiction (in accordance Article 3 of the EUGENE DUPUCH LAW SCHOOL (The Bahamas) Treaty Establishing the Council of Legal Education), or holders of the Common Legal Education Certificate - Two Year Programme

Professional Examination Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Law from a recognized institution (UK)from together withof vocational training, who wish be considered for in a comApplications are invited holders a first degree in Lawand obtained from to a recognized institution selection for the Two-Year Legal Education Certificate Programme.

ALL APPLICANTS mon lawLegal jurisdiction (in accordance with Article 3- of the Treaty Establishing the Council of Legal Education), or holdEducation Certificate Two Year Programme will be required to sit an entranceCertificate examination which willDiploma be held in inLaw July from 2020.a recognized institution ers of the Common Professional Examination or Graduate (UK) together with vocational training, and who wish to be considered for selection for the Two-Year Legal Education Applications areapplicable invited from of toaUniversity degree inWest LawIndies obtained This is not to holders of the of the LL.B. Certificate Programme.

ALL APPLICANTS willholders be required sitfirst an entrance examination which will befrom held inaJuly degree. recognized institution in a common law jurisdiction (in accordance with Article 3 of the 2020.

Treaty Establishing the Council of Legal Education), or holders of the Common

Thisapplicable examination is intended assist determining priority to the Law ThisProfessional is not to holders of thetoUniversity of the WestDiploma Indies LL.B. degree.

Examination Certificate orwith Graduate in placing Law from a recognized Schools and IS SUBJECT TO SPACE AVAILABILITY. institution (UK) together with vocational training, and who wish to be considered for This examination is intended to assist with determining priority placing to the Law Schools and IS SUBJECT selection for the Two-Year Legal Education Certificate Programme. ALL APPLICANTS TO SPACE AVAILABILITY. The examination will consist of testing in basic core courses. The courses are:

will be required to sit an entrance examination which will be held in July 2020.

The examination will consist testing in basic core courses. The- courses - of Law of Contract Equity are: This is not applicable toTort holders of the University of Law the West Indies LL.B. - Law of - Criminal - degree.

Law of Contract - Real Property - Equity - Law of Tort - Criminal Law - RealCANDIDATES Property MUST ATTAIN A MINIMUM PASS MARK OF 40% IN EACH OF THE

This examination is intended to assist with determining priority placing to the Law FIVE and COURSES. Schools IS ATTAIN SUBJECT TO SPACE CANDIDATES MUST A MINIMUM PASSAVAILABILITY. MARK OF 40% IN EACH OF THE FIVE COURSES. The application form and instruction and information sheet are available from the The The application form andwill instruction information sheet core are available fromThe the website examination consistand of testing in basic courses. courses(under are: ‘Downloads’): website (under ‘Downloads’): www.nmls.edu.jm www.nmls.edu.jm

- Law of Contract - Equity For further information you may contact - Law of Tort - Criminal Law - Real Property The Registrar, Admissions Board The Registrar A MINIMUM PASS

Hugh Wooding Law School P.O. Bag 323, MARK OF 40% IN EACH OF Tunapuna TRINIDAD (868) 662-5835/5860

THE

The application form and The instruction and information sheet are available from the Registrar website (under ‘Downloads’): www.nmls.edu.jm Eugene Dupuch Law School P.O. Box SS 6394

Nassau For further information you may contact THE BAHAMAS (242) 326-8507

The Registrar, Admissions Board The Registrar Norman Manley Law School Hugh Wooding Law School All applications together with the transcript must be submitted to the Secretary, Admissions Board, Norman Manley P.O. Law All School, 8 Ring Road, UWI, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica with a P.O. non-refundable and non-transferBox 231 Bag applications together with the transcript mustalong be submitted to the323, Secretary, rable fee of Admissions US$150.00 and oneNorman recent passport sizeSchool, picture 8noRing laterRoad, than January 31, 2020.

Kingston 7 Tunapuna Board, Manley Law UWI, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica along with a non-refundable and non-transferrable fee of US$150.00 and JAMAICA TRINIDAD Please see the Instruction & Information Sheet on www.nmls.edu.jm for further details. recent passport size picture no later than January 31, 2020.

(876)one 927-1899/1235 (868) 662-5835/5860 Please see the Treaty on the website: www.clecaribbean.com

Please see the Instruction The & Information RegistrarSheet on www.nmls.edu.jm for further details.

Please see the Treaty on the website: www.clecaribbean.com Eugene Dupuch Law School

P.O. Box WILL SS 6394 NOT BE CONSIDERED. LATE APPLICATIONS Nassau

Vacancies: MD Monower Hussain needs a worker at Jalalabad Store located at # 13 Dunn Street, Orange Walk Town. Call 669-0521 for more information.

Wai Tong Shop needs a Shop Supervisor to work at # 67 Cor. East Collet Canal & Cemetery Lane, Belize City, Belize District.

Call 664-3488 for more information.

Jian Kang Li Retail Grocery Store located at # 15 Dolphin Street, Belize City, Belize District needs a Store Clerk. Call 666-6091 for more information.

COUNCIL EDUCATION HUGH WOODINGOF LAWLEGAL SCHOOL (Trinidad & Tobago)

Norman Manley Law School P.O. Box 231 CANDIDATES Kingston 7 MUST ATTAIN FIVEJAMAICA COURSES. (876) 927-1899/1235

099

Leone Shope has a vacancy for a Shop Keeper. Visit # 5 San Roman Village, Corozal District or call 6251388 for more information.

Ma Afsana Grocery & Laundry Mat located at Farmer’s Market, Belize City has a vacancy for a Cashier. Call 665-3110 for more information.

BD Sweets & Bread Factory needs a Chef/Cashier to work at # 953 Pink’s Alley, Belize City. Call 660-1590 for more information.

Atlanta Express needs a Cashier to work at # 11 North Front Street, Belize City. Call 666-5326 for more information.

A shop Supervisor is needed at 21 Store located in DFC Area, San Pedro Town. Call 614-8887 for for more information.

Shop Supervisor is needed at Chen Pei Store located in Santa Cruz Village, Stann Creek District. Call 629-6655 for more information.

Hugh Hung Store located on Savannah & Marigold Road, Independence Village, Stann Creek District needs a Cook. Call 6008000 for more information.

10

VOICE OF THE COMMON MAN

REGULATING AGAINST POVERTY- A MUST

By Hilly Bennett Thursday October 17, 2019 was observed as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted resolution for 47/196 on December 22nd 1992 declaring the 17th of October as a day to reflect on the poverty-stricken masses and strategize to alleviate this anomaly. Poverty is a violation of Human Rights which was established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed at the Trocadero in Paris in 1948 The theme for 2019 was “Acting together to empower children, their families, and communities to end poverty.”

There was a deafening silence within the ranks of the UDP government insofar as identifying new methods to combat poverty in Belize or in the least recognising the DAY. The empirical realities today makes conspicuous this festering phenomenon.

Complexities in defining poverty aside the simplistic definition proffered by the CRC Policy Brief done by Manchester University is stated as ‘not being able to satisfy ones basic needs i.e. not having a certain minimum level of food, health, education and other essential services.

Importantly the ‘Brief’ proffered that ‘the policy response aimed at combating poverty tends to be of two main types depending on what is considered to be the cause of poverty.” Low productivity can be the main cause and the focus should be on expanding opportunities for the area of work.

However, if the intention is to protect the living standards of the non-productive poor then the policy response is ensuring poor people access to resources and services through targeted subsidies or social programs. The incidence of poverty in Belize necessitates the policy response of these two main types. The Barrow administration response has been solely concentrated on the latter.

Upon taking office in 2008, the United Democratic Party failed to consider the benchmark 1st Millennium Development Goal: the reduction of poverty by 50% in 2015.

During its first term, the UDP launched its “Pro-poor Pol-

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THE BELIZE TIMES

icy.” This included the infamous Building Opportunity for Our Social Transformation (BOOST), Food Pantry, and Conditional Cash Transfer programs (CCT’s) which actually was not a novel idea of the UDP. Amidst the depth of the financial downturn in 2008 to 2009, the more developed nations view it as vital to assist poorer nations bear the financial costs in order to assist regulating against poorer countries(e.g.

Belize) to create various social plans. These nations realized the need for better care for the poor and that growth was not evenly distributed around the economy.

There was strong pressure to include those left out.

Along with developing nations, organizations such as the World Bank, the International Labor Organization(ILO), The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC), bought into the programs in their attempt to alleviate world property. ILO information suggested 72 of the social programs existing.

The United Democratic Party was also the recipient of 450 million in Alba PetroCaribe funding to alleviate the conditions of the poor. Also, there was also 120 million in funding from other international agencies earmarked for rural poverty alleviation. Plus 6 million from the Republic of China Taiwan for the same—rural poverty alleviation.

However, under the stewardship of Dean Oliver Barrow, the three term don, the poverty indicators are instead standing close to 50% with 16% of the population being identified as indigent.

Clearly, this illustrates the Barrow administration lack of political will and also political conscience in attending to the poorer class of Belizean Society trapped at the bottom of the societal ladder. The Red Hydra remains far removed from the realities being lived on a daily basis

by Belizean families across the haven of democracy.

The red regime heralded social programs have been nothing but UDP political spigot—the faucet that runs red with UDP political pandering.

An adviser on social policy in the region stationed in Panama, stated on one local media in Belize, that the implementation of UDP welfare programs have failed in realising its target

regarding poverty in Belize. He further suggested that when the UDP instituted the welfare programmes in Belize that there were “errors of inclusion” and “errors of exclusion” meaning people who were qualified when left off the roll, whilst those who were not qualified got on the roll.

The 2019 Article IV for preliminary findings suggest the need for an updated assessment of the social programs. Also, and audit of Barrow’s social gimmickry is of dire importance and results must be made public.

The mind-set within the UDP is not to help the needy but to feed the greedy. The focus is on holding on to national power and the creation of schemes to consolidate their position. They continue to extract resources from the citizenry/taxpayers through corrupt acts to grow their own fortunes.

Unless the regulators pinpoints the right persons—the poorest, the neediest, the elderly, the sick, the disenfranchised youths and the school children,

2019 then the day of eradicating poverty under the United Democratic Party is nothing but a joke.

Funding for poverty alleviation continues to become available to Belize through our International partner. Nonetheless the political pandering must come to an end.

The distribution of monetary assistance must be done fairly. This requires firm management of finances secured for the welfare of the poor.

Narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, the haves and have-nots is not only ethical but makes sound economic sense. Helping the poor can translate in the long term into the necessary human capital needed to grow the Belizean economy.

The Hon. John Briceño and the People’s United Party has insisted on tackling poverty as a priority. At the top of the PUP 2020 agenda is a reduction of poverty by half within the next 10 years. This is a clear re-direction from the UDP who is pointing the Jewel to a social and generational catastrophe.

STATUTORY NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE ESTATE of MIRNA MARINA GOMEZ, Deceased of 15 Baldy Sibun Street, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize NOTICE is hereby given pursuant to Section 36 of the Administration of Estates Act Chapter 197 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, that all creditors and other persons having any claims and demands upon or against the Estate of MIRNA MARINA GOMEZ, Deceased of 15 Baldy Sibun Street, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize who died on the 17th day of April, 2017 and in whose estate Grant of Administration has been granted to ALMA DELIA GOMEZ of # 15 Baldy Sibun Street, Belmopan City, Cayo District, Belize (the “Administrator”) should lodge such claims with the said Administrator on or before the expiration of (3) three months from the first publication hereof AND NOTICE IS ALASO HEREBY GIVEN that at the expiration of the said (3) three months the said ALMA DELIA GOMEZ shall proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased MIRNA MARINA GOMEZ, amongst the beneficiaries entitled thereto, having regard only to claims and demands of which particulars are lodged and the Administrator shall not be liable for assets of the deceased or any part thereof so distributed to any person or persons whose claims or demands they shall then not have had notice.

DATED this 28th day of October, 2019 DEAN E. MOLINA Attorneys-at-Law for ALMA DELIA GOMEZ Executor in the Estate of MIRNA MARINA GOMEZ

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2019

THE BELIZE TIMES

11

Hon. John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

Vision for Belize

Excerpts taken from his Independence Day Address

• With the dawn of the third decade, of this still new millennium, should come a new awakening in our beautiful Belize and we in the People’s United Party are ready to meet and deliver for our people in this new age.

• I commit to lead the effort in working towards a gradual increase so that in the near future every Belizean worker can expect NO less than five dollars an hour minimum wage.

• Government and business must once again re-engage in a constructive partnership where laws are respected and applied equally to all. Where rules are fair; and an enabling environment is created so that business can thrive again.

Where a renewed spirit of entrepreneurship will not only be encouraged but vigorously pursued and supported.

• If there is one issue that Belizeans are very angry about it is the issue of corruption. It is clear that we politicians are incapable of policing ourselves. This current culture of corruption is endemic, and it must stop. If we can halt corruption, we can bring an end to poverty. So, we must, and we will, finance a fully-functional anti-corruption agency.

• After a decade of rising crime and violence, where more than 1,200 young men and women have died, we must do something. We hear and feel the frustration of our people. It is safe to say that government has failed to keep our communities safe.

• We must and my Party will declare an all-out war on crime and violence, and we will win this war and once again make our country safe.

• Today we are committing to reducing the cost of diesel to $9.00 a gallon or less. This will allow the productive sector to grow but more importantly it will put more money in the pockets of Belizeans.

• We are optimistic about our plan to build affordable housing for the middle class, for new families and to partner with community organizations to provide affordable housing for the poor.

• We believe we can create an education system that awards merit and provides a space for all our children to learn and develop their God-given talents where they are afforded the best possible start in life.

• We know we can provide adequate healthcare for our people, from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye to San Pedro Colombia and from Bomba to Benque. And that is why the next PUP Government will roll out National Health Insurance to every Belizean man, woman, and child.

• I have set before you today our vision for the kind of nation our people deserve. Everything that has been laid out is achievable • So, join us, and with the guidance of our Creator, let us together make our generation’s chapter in the history of our nation one that fulfilled the promise of prosperity by building a Belize that works for everyone.

51 12

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THE BELIZE TIMES 2019

ON THE

MOVE

Party Leader John Briceño welcomes Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Julie Chung of the US State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

3 NOV

2019

Corozal North: Standard Bearer David Castillo

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2019

18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

Cayo North East: Hon. Landy Habet

In the beautiful village of San Antonio supporting the San Antonio VC and Chairman at their Village Life.

Along w/ members of the PUP Duckrun-1 VC, signs and speed bump installed in front of the Primary School. Our children are precious. Help us protect them!

13

Belize City Council: The work continues! The Sanitation Department and RMMS Unit continue to work on flood prevention. ~Your BCC...Always ‘Bout The People.

OW North: Standard Bearer Ramon ‘Monchi’ Cervantes Working with the Trial Farm Village Council

PUP moving the north forward

Orange Walk Town Council:

Mesopotamia: Standard Bearer Candice Pitts Family Fun Day. A New Beginning…

The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and the OWTC would like to thank Jason’s cycling club for being proactive within the Orange Walk community. They ‘white washed’ all trees on Liberty Avenue.

Great example.

Pickstock: Standard Bearer Anthony Mahler

Winner of the Pickstock raffle for October

Computer donation to afterschool program

OW/Corozal/Belize City Municipal leaders: Fruitful meeting with investors, interesting discussion of potential projects.

Belize Rural Central: Standard Bearer Dolores Balderamos Garcia

Donation of a Cart

Painting of the playhouse for the children of Ladyville Evangelical School.

Dolores and her committee continue their commitment to schools!!

Ms. Dolores and Ladyville Chairman at work assisting with the drainage in Vista Del Mar !! Grateful to the business community

PUP READY TO LEAD, READY TO WIN

14

THE BELIZE TIMES

Noh Figet

3 NOV

2019

HEADLINES and Excerpts from Belize Times issues published in 2011

3 NOV

2019

15

THE BELIZE TIMES SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL CLEAN UP CAMPAIGN IN PORT

Monday October 28, 2019 In promoting a clean, healthy, and safe community, Gilroy Usher, Sr. and a number of residents of the Port Loyola Division participated in the annual cleanup campaign in the division.

This year the cleanup campaign was conducted in the Jane Usher area of Port. Streets covered in the cleanup campaign included Jane Usher Blvd, Curl Thompson St., Tamarind St., Man-A-War St., Swallow St., and Jr. St. At the conclusion of the event the area residents expressed great appreciation for the attention given to the community.

Sincere thanks to the Belize City Council and the Jane Usher Blvd (JUBN) committee, for their assistance in making the event the success it was.

UDP INFAMY JACKASS The Prime Minister of Belize spent a dirty dozen years at his filthiest during House of Representative meetings. There he mistook immunity with impunity as he blasted his way into debate rebuttal infamy The three time failure transformed the Prime Ministership into a bona fide bully pulpit where seemingly he felt divinely untouchable. There he destroyed, eviscerated and skewered the notion that parents could allow their children to listen to a Prime Minister’s House presentation or rebuttal.

In March 2010, he called to a PUP member of the House a Jackass.

Belizeans gasped as the beep less comment entered their living room. This acrimony leaves no doubt as to why the UDP is not interested in anti-bullying legislation. Much like why the UDP has no Contractor General under contract, they do not need anyone obstructing UDP Injustice.

To be fair to Donkeys, these are hardworking animals who should be respected by the Prime Minister. He should not automatically think that hurling a Donkey nickname, Jackass, would be tantamount to an insult. Such action renders him dumb and not the only the architect of the insult.

During his Fight-To-Clear-himself presser, the PM, unbeknownst to himself, slighted many normal Belizeans. When he was NOT saying that the FTC was incompetent or lying he was saying that their, the FTC’s, documented court submissions were “not even heresay, dis dah yeriso”. What is clear here is that he meant subliminally that the creole word was insulting but the English equal was ok.

Heresay better than yeriso was his first version of ‘campesino better than peasant’.

Back to his preferred locale for his bastion of insults, during the 2019 Village Council Elections he attempted to castigate Hon. Julius Espat by saying he, Espat, was no campesino but “nothing but a peasant.”

This was rebuked first by Hon. Espat with the assertion that peasants are hard workers. Thereafter, Barrow and the UDP slid faster down in an avalanche of defeat at the rest of the Village Council elections. The defeat that was imminent was magnified by the Belizeans that are in reality hard working peasants who keep our economy going.

Rural Belize ought to be lauded in every way possible. But the UDP only insults, ignores, mal administers, and plunders our rural areas. Just as they do with the rest of Belize. The Village Councils were clear in the message sent to UDP...respect us. The only clearing the UDP is already doing is clearing out and taking their insults.

Bullies will flee the jewel and remain only in the Halls of UDP infamy.

NOTICE Starbright Capital Management Ltd. #63,699 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, notice is hereby given that Starbright Capital Management Ltd. has been dissolved as at 15th October, 2019 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

NOTICE Shiplock Ltd. #80,262 (“the Company”)

Pursuant to Section 102 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, Chapter 270 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011, notice is hereby given that Shiplock Ltd. has been dissolved as at 24th October, 2019 and has been struck off the Register of International Business Companies.

CILTrust International Limited Registered Agent

16

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THE BELIZE TIMES

2019

Belize City Water Supply:

A Public Issue Demanding Urgency by: Dr. Gerald Zuniga, Holistic Clinician The high level of iron in the water supply system of Belize City announced and explained by the CEO of our water company and in any public water supply system in any country to that matter, only evidenced his poor knowledge of the importance of water in public health but more importantly of his indifference, reflected in his choice of words and intonations, towards an issue of potential public health significance is intolerable. Belize is plagued with individuals in decision making post with poor knowledge, experience, apathy, and are as psychological egotists. They know they don’t know and are not surrounded by a team that helps them to know neither do they resign because they don’t have the ethics neither do they want to lose the perks and privileges that comes with their post and more so that our society including its various organization are also indifferent on our national issues unless it affects their interest.

Metallic and non- metallic elements or substances in water is expressed in ppm. The higher the ppm, the higher the presence of the element or substance. This is directly proportional to the LD50.

That is, the lethal dose. The dose necessary to kill which is different for each element or substance. The lethal of cyanide is smaller than that of most elements or substances.

The presence of high level of iron as announced by the CEO and without specify the ppm, implying that we are not intelligent enough to understand, in the water whether as ferric or ferrous alters the pH of water which can renders the chlorination process useless allowing the water an ideal breeding ground, which it is normally the case, for waterborne diseases including those caused by Cholera Morbus and E. coli especially in susceptibles groups like school children and the elderly. Both pathogens are of gastrointestinal health importance especially in a country that has recklessly abandoned its constitutional duty of providing adequate health care service to us Belizeans which is our constitutional and human rights.

As a medical professional with over 20 years in the practice of holistic and conventional medicine, I categorically reject the statements issued by such CEO , eventhough the Belize Medical and Dental Association and other association whether in health, health allied or others considering the importance of water which quality is important for quality of all lives say nothing. One of the basic quality of water is to be colorless and more so if it to potable.

Though, I must clarify to my reader that colorless water doesn’t mean it is potable or drinkable whether it

comes from a piped water system. It is also imperative that any individual or individuals supervising or treating public water supplies should be morally, ethically, and psychologically sound and free from any drug use, abuse, or misuse whether licit or illicit. That is how touchy or important public water supply is. It is normally highly protected from terrorist intentions. The situation of the public water issue of Belize City only reminded me about the scandalous situation in Flint, Michigan a few years ago with lead in their water and the political and medical impact it had on their society. I am sure that there are issues with the potability of our piped water countrywide. There is a high concentration of chlorine in our water which corrodes even plastics making them brittle. Yet, the Belize Kidney Association says nothing.

Iron irritates the stomach lining and is a health risk factor to patients with erosive gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, and stomach cancer.

Even when we prescribe ferrous sulfate and even ferrous fumarate we need to be careful with such prescription especially with patients suffering from what I just mentioned and constipation. It is always recommended to take ferrous sulphate with Vitamin C for better absorption.

Also it can stain the dental enamel especially in children and such iron rich water SHOULD NOT BE USED TO DRINK TETRACYCLINE for those who still drink tetracycline.

High iron level in water makes the water acidic and acidic water is detrimental to our health as it affects the absorption and synergism of other vital minerals important for our wellbeing especially for bone, teeth,

and heart health. It can also alter our body homeostasis making our bodies an ideal environment for certain cancers to flourish as it is scientifically proven that cancer flourishes in an acid medium meanwhile an alkaline medium is a deterrent; an ailment that we should now take of public interest since it is now a pandemic.

However, there are yet more serious actions to be taken about cancer. Right now it more the traditional ‘blablaitis.’ There is poor knowledge and understanding of cancer to the point of a couple last weekend cutting their hair supposedly in support of cancer patients when it is in the terminal stage of cancer that you would expect hair fall because of nutritional deficiency issues. It is not the cancer that drops your hair. It is the side effects of the chemotherapeutic agent used by the oncologist that drops your hair since the chemotherapeutic agent/s indiscriminately attack any fast growing cell in your body of which the hair cell is a part. You are never told this. So don’t tease a cancer patient by cutting your hair thinking that you are solidarizing. It only reflects ignorance and stupidity. I had to take the opportunity to clarify this.

The situation of the water supply of Belize City is of public health significance and I call on the authorities for an immediate solution of this problem and should never happen again. There must be an urgent attention to improve the filtration process. The highways can wait since there is always budgetary justification; that is for sure. In 2019, with ample technology available there is no justification for this problem to exist.

During his press conference, my attention was captured when the CEO referred to poor agricultural practices which is also a contributing factor to the pollution of the New River in Orange Walk. The problem seen in Belize only implies that we have a failed State. The impact of the factory in the river must also be technically and professionally assessed.

For the meantime, the household should first pour the water in a transparent glass and check the transparency before even washing their clothing; and since the potability of our piped water is dubious, and also that it is yet raining, it is better to boil the water. Better yet we should consume filtered water. Also, considering that our water supply has a high concentration of chlorine and conscious of our economic constraints to buy filtered water, ironically a rich country with poor people, I advise you to leave your piped water for a day or two out in an open container for the excess chlorine to evaporate before drinking it. Boiling it immediately removes the excess chlorine and dangerous bacteria but not the heavy metals, though.

Your health is your responsibility, foremost! However, as a health professional it is my moral responsibility to guide you in your health endeavour.

Ed. Note: Water in Belize City has been deemed NOT SAFE TO DRINK. Public outrage will boil over if this is NOT addressed quickly. The author has provided us with a basis as to why we should not drink Belize City’s piped water as its potability has been compromised by Iron. We all have the human right to turn on a faucet and have access to water that we are able to drink immediately.

3 NOV

2019

THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT

HENRY GORDON CONDEMNING DEAN BARROW Henry Gordon was clearly impressed with a list of policy initiatives published in the Belize Times when Hon. Francis Fonseca was at the helm of the PUP ship. The PUP, as most educated Belizeans know, is way above the UDP in terms of ideas and visions for the country. Hon. Johnny Briceno has recently been giving voice to his vision of where Belize needs to go and he is in the process of appointing committees to draft policy proposals.

Henry Gordon is a university-trained Belizean. He was the Head of the Weather Department. He was handpicked to be the Cabinet Secretary in a previous UDP government. He writes a weekly column in the Amandala newspaper. He is a staunch supporter and defender of the UDP. Like most sensible UDPs, he is embarrassed and ashamed that the UDP government under Dean Barrow is the most corrupt and worst government Belize has ever had.

Mr. Henry Gordon reproduced the following in the Tuesday Amandala newspaper.

“An election in a proper, functioning democracy should never be about who can buy and bribe poor voters to cast their ballots for a few dollars more. That is the Dean Barrow, UDP way”.

“The proper moral thing that an election should be about is the caliber of the candidates and the quality of their ideas”.

Mr. Gordon does not use quotation marks in his column, so it is difficult to tell when he is quoting and when he is expressing his own views. Mr. Gordon is a UDP and from all indications he will remain a UDP. Like most sensible UDP’s it is hard to accept, much less admit, that Dean Barrow is the worst Prime Minister this country has ever experienced.

Under Dean Barrow the word corruption is on every one’s mind. Hustling and stealing in government is the norm. The nation’s treasury has been pillaged.

The hogs are fattening their bank accounts at the public trough. The nation has been raped and sodomised. Every important institution has been subverted.

There is no reform. The same government Barrow met in 2008 is the same one he is leaving, only worst.

Speaking of Barrow, borrowing has gone way out of control. It is now more than the country’s gross domestic product.

Poverty has gone from 44% in 2008 to 50% under Barrow.

It is not clear when Mr. Gordon is quoting or these are his words. Whichever, it seems clear he endorses.

“IT IS TIME TO CHANGE GOVERNMENT. FIVE MORE YEARS OF DEAN BARROW AND THE UDP WILL BE A HORRIBLE DISASTER. ” A MAN LOST HIS HEAD The significance of what has been happening must not be lost on us. There is a sick person or persons living in our midst. Another murder by decapitation has taken place. Over the weekend Michael Gladden lost his head, literally.

His body was found in the bushes around mile 45/46 on George Price Highway. Two years ago Hilton Wade had his head cut off in the Cotton Tree Village.

His head was placed at a bus stop on the road side. There are two of five known decapitation dating back to 2010 when a young mother from Belize City went to retrieve her baby in Roaring Creek Village. Although neither head nor body were found, one or three persons charged for the murder gave a statement that the mother’s head was cut off and both head and body thrown in the river.

Murder by decapitation is so alien to our culture, so un Belizean It must surely be cause for suspicion that most of these heads being cut off have been happening in the vicinity of Cotton Tree Village.

ATTORNEY GENERAL IS CONTRACTOR GENERAL Belize has sunk to a new low, or rather the government of Belize has sunk to a new corrupt low. The law that there is to be a Contractor General to protect the nation against any corruption by government in giving big money contracts to UDP cronies and hustlers and outright crooks has been completely subverted.

As worthless as it is that government has not appointed a suitable person as Contractor General for the past few years, the government is doing the Contractor General’s job.

Incredible. The rat di mind the cheese.

The cat is in charge of the fish on the table.

The Attorney General, a political appointee and a highly party political person announced that his staff are doing the work of the Contractor General.

What the hell is the country coming to?

DRINKING YELLOW WATER Belize is stuck in such a horrible state of mismanagement and incompetence that we are being told to drink yellow water.

The yellow water started flowing, into our homes from pipes connected to Belize Water Services, BWS. The water looks like vomit. How the arse anyone can tell us it is okay to drink yellow water.

And guess who is telling us? Not the Ministry of Health but the officials of BWS. Their explanation is that their water is treated with certain chemicals and these chemicals react a particular way when there is too much iron in the water.

BWS says it happened before. In Cayo District there was a chemical re-

17

action between chemicals BWS put in the water and a build-up of iron. At that time the water was red.

We reject BWS good intentions in explaining why there was no water in Hattieville for over 24 hours, and why yellow water started appearing from our pipes in Belize City. We respect Alvan Hayes and his team.

What we reject and take issue with. Health matters are for the Ministry of Health. Under the Minister of Health this important government department has been run to the ground. It is not for water technicians to be assuring us that what we eat and drink is safe and healthy. It is the duty of the Minister of Health, waste of time Ministry.

We are in a bad situation under this government.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES

Notice is hereby given that Karl H. Menzies is applying for a Publican General Liquor License to be operated at “Karl H. Menzies Co. Ltd” located # 104 Barrack Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Eugene Jex Jr. is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Mile 23” located at 23 1/4 Miles Philip Goldson Highway, Biscayne Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Felipa Barrella is applying for a Beer Liquor License to be operated at “Barrella’s Fruit & Veg Shop” located # 6484 Jasmine Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Christina Solis is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Double Deuce” located in Maskall Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jose Oscar Miranda is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Blue Coral Management Ltd.” located at Little Caye Bok, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Wallace Kurtis Usher is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Yu Store” located at # 11 Logwood Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Guo Hong Deng is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Sen Sen Game Room” located at# 43 Daly Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Fleur Del Valle Musa is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “The Factory Kitchen” located on North Front Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jianyang Rong is applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Union City” located on Vernon Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Lorena Yasmin Cervantes is applying for a Restaurant Liquor License to be operated at “Ceviche Express” located at #6 St. Peter’s Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Yongfa He & Xiang Hui He are applying for a Shop Liquor License to be operated at “Fa Shop” located in SandHill Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Yongfa He & Xiang Hui He are applying for a Malt & Cider Liquor License to be operated at “Fa Shop” located in SandHill Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Michael Webb is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Crooked Tree Lodge” located in Crooked Tree Village, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Holanda Chan is applying for a Night Club Liquor License to be operated at “Foxxi’s Bar” located at # 63 Cemetery Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Jin Zhi Tan is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Key Ley Restaurant” located at # 146 Freetown Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

Notice is hereby given that Virginia Medina Ruano is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “The Military Cool Spot” located at # 16 Orange Street, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

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33 NOV NOV

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THE BELIZE THE BELIZE TIMESTIMES

SPORTS 19

SCA girls win CSSSA volleyball champs Belize City, October 24, 2019 The St Catherine Academy girls will represent the Central region at the upcoming National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) volleyball championships in Dangriga on Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, having won their 21st Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) volleyball championship! They spanked the Belize High School girls 2-0 in the finals at the Swift Hall last Wednesday and Thursday.

In Game 1 Wednesday, the SCA girls dominated BHS: 25-3, 25-11, 25-11. MVP Gareth Bruce scored 12pts, Fatima Ramirez added 6pts, and Olivia Mckenzie hit 5pts. Marci Mejia and Jazanni Rodriguez added 2pts apiece, and Iman Safa and Jayda Smith served an ace apiece.

BHS Dhwani Gurnani, Joslynn Kee and best receiver Aejelee Thurton scored 2pts apiece, and Himanshi Chandwani, Kim Nandwani, Jaelynn Crawford, Alexandra Lausen and Hannah Zetina helped receive and set the ball.

In Game 2 Thursday, the SCA girls made short work of BHS: 25-9, 25-9, 25-9! Gareth Bruce tallied 20pts, Fatima Ramirez, Marci Mejia, Kyra Phillips and Olivia Mckenzie hit 9pts apiece, and Jayda Smith added 5pts. Salima Barrow scored 3pts, Jazanni Rodriguez and Avianka Avila hit 2pts apiece. Most of BHS’ 27 points came from SCA’s 10 service faults and 15 errors!

The 1st and 2nd place winners received team trophies and individual medals from CSSSA committee official Keith Madrill in the awards ceremony after the finals.

Individual awards: Best Attacker - Gareth Bruce - SCA Best Server - Marcie Mejia - SCA Best Setter - Iman Safa -SCA Best Blocker - Dhwani Gurnani – BHS Best Receiver - Aejelee Thurton - BHS Most Valuable Player - Gareth Bruce – SCA

Olivia Mckenzie hits BHS Alexandra Lausen volleys the ball

SJC boys win 2nd CSSSA volleyball champs Belize City, October 24, 2019 The St. John’s College boys will represent the Central region at the upcoming National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) volleyball championships in Dangriga on Friday and Saturday, November 8-9.

SJC are 2-peat back-to-back Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) volleyball champs, as they hammered the Belize High School boys 2-0 in the finals at the Swift Hall last Wednesday and Thursday.

In Game 1 Wednesday, the SJC boys dominated BHS 25-23, 25-19, 25-19, led by Gavin Taylor with 14pts. MVP Kevin Cortez and Malcolm Murillo scored 9pts apiece, Lysel Thompson hit 8pts, and Kurt Smith added 6pts. Julian Alamilla scored 2pts and Oscar Castro served an ace.

BHS Alan Auil Jr scored 11pts, Jared Mena added 6pts and Joel Creary hit 5pts. James

Courtenay had 4pts, Aidan Arnold scored 3pts, and Jared Boden , Jonah Coye and Ally Fernandez scored a point apiece.

In Game 2 Thursday, SJC

had to go the full 5 sets to win 23-25, 25-19, 25-18, 23-25, 1510. Gavin Taylor tallied 17pts, Lysell Thompson scored 13pts, and MVP Kevin Cortez added 10pts. Malcolm Murillo hit 9pts,

and Julian Alamilla and Kurt Smith served an ace apiece.

BHS’ Allan Auil Jr and Joel Creary hammered 16pts apiece, James Courtenay added 7pts, and Jared Mena scored 6pts. Anthony Usher hit 4pts, and Aidan Arnold – 3pts.

The 1st and 2nd place winners received team trophies and individual medals from CSSSA committee official Keith Madrill in the awards ceremony after the finals.

Individual awards: Best Attacker - Kaylon Ingram – E.P.Yorke Best Server - Kevin Cortez - SJC Best Setter - Kevin Cortez -SJC Best Blocker - Gavin Taylor – SJC Best Receiver - Tyrell Lucario - SJC Most Valuable Player - Kevin Cortez – SJC

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THE BELIZE TIMES TIMES THE BELIZE

2016 2017 2019

BCC Dragons 3-peat FBL champs Belize City, October 26, 2019 The BCC Dragons won their 3rd back to back to back Firms Basketball League (FBL) championship beating Tuff eNuff 2-1 in the best of 3 Finals series at the Swift Hall over the weekend.

In Game 2 Friday night, the Dragons toughed it out 95-89 against Tuff eNuff, led

by Eyan Rene and Sydney “Bucket” Bradley with 18 pts apiece. Kevin Hamilton and Gabriel Taylor posted 11pts apiece, Auburn Rivero hit 2 treys for 10pts, and Kyle Young added 9pts. Cordel Gonzalez Jr and Andrew Vasquez shot 6pts apiece, and Kenroy Usher added 4pts.

Francis Arana led Tuff eNuff with 20pts, Elvis Olivera posted 18pts, and Everald Tablada put up 14pts. Orlan Ferguson shot 13pts, Jamal Kelly nettede 10pts, and Keith Pollard had 8pts. Raul Roches threw in 3pts.

In Game 3 Saturday night, the Dragons came from behind, whittling Tuff eNuff’s 6444 lead to tie the score at 69-69 and win 8277! Andrew Vasquez top-scored with 18pts Sydney “Bucket” Bradley added 16 pts, and Cordel Gonzalez Jr shot 4 treys 12pts. Eyan Rene netted 9pts, Gabriel Taylor and Auburn Rivero scored 8pts apiece, and Kyle Young added 7pts. Kevin Hamilton had 4pts.

Tuff eNuff’s MVP Francis Arana answered with 17pts, Elvis Olivera and Everald Tablada scored 14pts apiece, and Jamal Kelly shot 13pts. Julian Thiessen netted 7pts, Orlan Ferguson and Keith Pollard Sr threw in 4pts apiece, and Jay Palacio added a bucket.

The champs and 2nd place winners received team trophies from the National Sports Council and Imam Naveed Mangla of the Ahmadiyya Basketball league. Francis Arana won regular season MVP, and Sydney Bradley won playoffs MVP.

Sydney “bucket” Bradley scored 18pts

Everal Tablada scored 16pts

SJCJC girls & UB men win ATLIB national volleyball champs San Pedro Town, October 26, 2019 The St John’s Junior College girls and University of Belize Jaguars won the Association of Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB) national volleyball championships hosted by the San Pedro Junior College at the SPHS auditorium last Saturday, October 26.

In Game 1, the Southern regional champs, the Stann Creek Ecumenical Junior College girls outlasted the Western regional champs, the Galen University girls: 17-25, 25-21, 15-13.

In Game 2, the Central regional champs the SJCJC girls dominated the the Northern regional champs, the Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College girls: 25-11, 25-13.

In Game 3 the consolation match for 3rd place, the Galen University girls hammered CEMJC: 25-22, 25-17.

In Game 4 the championship final, the SJCJC girls cruised past

Champs - SJCJC girls

Champs - UB men

the Ecumenical girls: 25-11, 25-16.

In Game 1 of the men’s competition, the Northern regional champs - the Corozal Junior College Scorpions, dominated the Southern regional champs, the Independence Junior College men: 25-15, 25-20.

In Game 2, the UB Jaguars mauled the Central regional champs, the St. John’s Junior College men: 25-20, 25-19.

In Game 3 the consolation match for 3rd place, the SJCJC men smashed the IJC men 2519, 25-17.

In Game 4 the championship final, the UB men stung the CJC Scorpions: 25-19, 27-25.

The 1st 2nd and 3rd place winners received team trophies and individual medals from the Dean of San Pedro Junior College, Mr. Froylan Gilharry. The Most Valuable Player awards went to SJCJC’s Morgan Miles and UB’s Edgar Martinez.

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Estados Unidos empezaría a enviar esta semana a solicitantes de asilo a Guatemala Por Prensa Libre 29 de Octubre de 2019 - 09:21 HS Washington anunció US$47 millones para implementar el acuerdo

migratorio.

El cumplimiento del acuerdo migratorio es la única forma en la que Guatemala puede beneficiarse de un programa de Washington para el Triángulo Norte Centroamericano. a administración de Donald Trump estarían enviando a Guatemala a partir de esta semana a los primeros solicitantes de asilo, informó el diario Washington Post, en el marco del acuerdo migratorio suscrito en julio último.

Ese grupo se podría integrar de salvadoreños y hondureños adultos, y no familias, de acuerdo con el diario, que cita a funcionarios familiarizados con el convenio y que hablaron bajo condición de anonimato.

Esta sería la puesta en marcha del acuerdo a pesar de que se requiere una aprobación del Congre-

so, según resolución de la Corte de Constitucionalidad (CC). La administración de Trump señala que el documento solo requiere de la participación del Ejecutivo guatemalteco.

El Post menciona que el acuerdo ha sido criticado por el presidente

electo Alejandro Giammattei, quien asume en enero de 2020, pero funcionarios de Trump insisten en que el cumplimiento del convenio es la llave para aplicar al programa América Crece, que establece cooperación en generación de oportuni-

dades económicas, gobernanza y fortalecimiento institucional, entre otras áreas para evitar la migración irregular.

Además, ese acuerdo ofrece un programa de visas temporales de trabajo para guatemaltecos en Estados Unidos, empezando en el área agrícola y posteriormente en servicios y construcción.

El Departamento de Seguridad Nacional de Estados Unidos, a cargo de Kevin McAleenan, quien renunció al cargo, será la agencia encargada del transporte de los migrantes hacia Guatemala.

Guatemala sería el primer país centroamericano que pone en funcionamiento el acuerdo ya que El Salvador y Honduras también firmaron documentos similares para frenar la migración indocumentada.

Para el efecto, Estados Unidos ha ofrecido US$47 millones para “construir el sistema de asilo en Guatemala”, con ayuda del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para Refugiados (Acnur), precisa el Post.

Plantean articular instituciones para combatir la corrupción en Centroamérica Por EFE 25 de Octubre de 2019 14:38 HS Centroamérica debe articular las instituciones del Estado y fomentar la transparencia para reducir la impunidad y la corrupción “endémica”, mejorar el desarrollo de sus países y atraer inversiones foráneas.

Hugo F. Rodríguez Jr., subsecretario adjunto de estado para Asuntos del Hemisferio Occidental del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos, habla durante el último día del IX Foro Centroamericano de Donantes en Tegucigalpa, Honduras. EFE Así lo concluyeron expertos que participaron en el IX Foro Centroamericano de Donantes, que termina este viernes en Tegucigalpa y contó con la participación del subsecretario adjunto de Estado para Asuntos del Hemisferio Occidental de EE.UU., Hugo Rodríguez.

En su disertación, el alto cargo estadounidense dijo que cuando la educación de un país no está bien “las economías no prosperan”. Rodríguez destacó además “el valor estratégico” de las Alianzas Público-Privadas (APP) para “mejorar el crecimiento económico” en la región centroamericana.

La Agencia de Estados Unidos para el Desarrollo Internacional (Usaid) ha trabajado “estrechamente” con los centroamericanos para “mejorar sus medios de vida, fortalecer instituciones, mejorar la seguridad”, subrayó.

“Es un trabajo que tiene programas para mejorar los problemas de la migración, mejorando la seguridad de los ciudadanos y abordando la corrupción,

todo esto ayuda atraer inversión del sector privado”, enfatizó el subsecretario adjunto de Estado para Asuntos del Hemisferio Occidental de Estados Unidos.

La corrupción en Centroamérica “es endémica, minimiza la fe en las instituciones de gobierno y aleja la inversión foránea y, por tanto, se detiene el crecimiento económico”, señaló Rodríguez, quien afirmó que su país continuará apoyando a la región.

Agregó que los gobiernos de la región deben crear “un terreno fértil para la inversión doméstica” y trabajar con la sociedad civil para “reducir la impunidad y la corrupción, mejorar el presupuesto y tener mejor transparencia”.

Los países centroamericanos también deben articular instituciones en

función de los problemas que enfrenta la región, dijo a Efe la directora del Observatorio de la Violencia de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (UNAH), Migdonia Ayestas.

“La articulación tiene que ver con disminuir la corrupción y la impunidad en los países para mejorar toda la estructura o el andamiaje de la pobreza vinculada a este flagelo, el mal gobierno o el desempleo”, subrayó.

Centroamérica, especialmente El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras, que integran el Triángulo Norte, también requiere reducir “el involucramiento de las instituciones o de las personas con actividades delictivas”, añadió.

Los tres países centroamericanos tienen “la misma problemática”, por

lo que deben desarrollar “esfuerzos comunes”, indicó Ayestas, quien hizo un llamamiento a la comunidad internacional a “articular las acciones” de apoyo a la región. Dijo, además, que es necesario fortalecer las instituciones del Estado para mejorar la seguridad, la convivencia y la transparencia en el uso de los recursos públicos.

La directora del Instituto Universitario de Opinión Pública de El Salvador, Laura Andrade, coincidió con Ayestas en subrayar que en la región es necesario impulsar el fortalecimiento institucional y la transparencia que permita a la ciudadanía exigir “las responsabilidades que tienen los Estados”. También se requiere “un cambio cultural” y “una coordinación” entre los países para enfrentar problemas como la corrupción, la impunidad y la violencia, añadió.

Andrade dijo que la ciudadanía es la “principal víctima” de la corrupción, que es, dijo, un “mal endémico que todos los padecen”. La corrupción “sistemática y arraigada en todo el sistema inhibe y contrae los servicios públicos y deteriora las condiciones de vida”, por lo que se requiere “un compromiso” de las autoridades, señaló.

Para muchos políticos ese compromiso será “un suicidio en términos de la palestra pública”, indicó la experta salvadoreña, quien aseguró que la corrupción es un flagelo que se “puede prevenir”.

El IX Foro Centroamericano de Donantes, cuyo tema central es “Progreso en la encrucijada”, es auspiciado por la Fundación Internacional Seattle, la Fundación Hondureña de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial y la Cámara de Comercio e Industrias de Cortés.

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WhatsApp sues Israeli firm over phone hacking claims

30 October 2019 Facebook-owned WhatsApp has filed a lawsuit against Israel’s NSO Group, alleging the firm was behind cyber-attacks that infected devices with malicious software.

WhatsApp accuses the company of sending malware to roughly 1,400 mobile phones for the purposes of surveillance.

Users affected included journalists, human rights activists, political dissidents, and diplomats.

NSO Group, which makes software for surveillance, disputed the allegations.

In a court filing, WhatsApp said NSO Group “developed their malware in order to access messages and other communications after they were decrypted on target devices”.

It said NSO Group created various WhatsApp accounts and caused the malicious code to be transmitted over the WhatsApp servers in April and May. “We believe this attack targeted at least 100 members of civil society, which is an unmistakable pattern of abuse,” WhatsApp said in a statement.

The affected users had numbers from several countries, including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico, according to the lawsuit.

WhatsApp said it is seeking a permanent injunction banning NSO from using its service.

The firm, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014, said it was the first time an encrypted messaging provider had taken legal action of this kind.

WhatsApp promotes itself as a “secure” communications app because messages are end-to-end encrypted. This means they should only be displayed in a legible form on the sender or recipient’s device.

• WhatsApp discovers surveillance attack • Why the WhatsApp spies may have eyes on Iran NSO Group said it would fight the allegations.

“In the strongest possible terms, we dispute today’s allegations and will vigorously fight them,” the company said in a statement to the BBC. “The sole purpose of NSO is to provide technology to licensed government intelligence and law enforcement agencies to help them fight terrorism and serious crime.”

Twitter to ban all political advertising 31 October 2019 Twitter is to ban all political advertising worldwide, saying that the reach of such messages “should be earned, not bought”.

“While internet advertising is incredibly powerful and very effective for commercial advertisers, that power brings significant risks to politics,” company CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted.

Social media rival Facebook recently ruled out a ban on political ads.

News of the ban divided America’s political camps for the 2020 election.

Brad Parscale, manager of President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, said the ban was “yet another attempt by the left to silence Trump and conservatives”.

But Bill Russo, spokesman for the campaign to elect Democratic front-runner Joe

Biden, said: “When faced with a choice between ad dollars and the integrity of our democracy, it is encouraging that, for once, revenue did not win out.”

Reacting to the move, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg defended his company’s policy.

“In a democracy, I don’t think it’s right for private companies to censor politicians or the news,” he said during a conference call with journalists.

Twitter’s ban will be enforced from 22 November, with full details released by 15 November.

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REGIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

NEWS

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Portuguese doctor suspended after baby born without a face

Bolivia polls: Morales claims victory amid fraud claims BBC.CO.UK Bolivia’s incumbent president, Evo Morales, has claimed victory in the presidential election, saying that he has enough of a lead to stave off a run-off next month.

With 99% of the votes counted, his lead was just above the 10 percentage points he needs to win outright. He said that if his lead were to drop, he would accept the result and go into a second round.

But he also accused rival Carlos Mesa of trying to “steal the election”. Mr Mesa had previously said that the vote count had been a “gigantic fraud” and had accused Mr Morales of trying to hold on to power illegally. Electoral observers from the Organization of American States (OAS) have also expressed their concern.

With 99% of the votes counted, Mr Morales had 46.95% of the vote compared to Mr Mesa’s 36.6%, according to the electoral authority’s official website. That gives Mr Morales a 10.35-percentage-point advantage, just above than 10 percentage points lead he needs to stave off a second round on 15 December.

But the electoral authorities have not yet declared a winner and not all votes have been counted yet.

Sixteen People Sentenced to death

A Bangladesh court has sentenced 16 people to death for the murder of a student set on fire after accusing her teacher of sexual harassment.

BBC.CO.UK Nusrat Jahan Rafi, 19, died in April in Feni, a small town some 160km (100 miles) outside the capital Dhaka. Those convicted of murder included the headteacher Nusrat had accused of harassment and two female classmates.

Her murder shocked the country and led to a series of protests demanding justice for Nusrat. The trial has been one of the quickest in a country where such cases usually take years to conclude.

Prosecutor Hafez Ahmed told reporters it proved “that nobody will get away with murder in Bangladesh”.

However, the quick conclusion of the case did little to ease her mother’s agony on Thursday. “I can’t forget her for a moment,” Shirin Akhtar told news agency Reuters through tears upon hearing the verdict. “I still feel the pain that she went through.”

Lawyers for the defendants say they will appeal. The family welcomed the verdict, asking for the sentence to be carried out quickly. In Bangladesh, the death penalty is carried out by hanging.

BBC.CO.UK A Portuguese obstetrician has been suspended after a baby was born without a nose, eyes or part of his skull.

The parents of baby Rodrigo had not been aware of their son’s severe physical abnormalities until he was born earlier this month.

Medical council officials have voted to suspend Dr Artur Carvalho over allegations of negligence.

It has emerged that other complaints, dating back more than a decade, have been made involving other babies. Reports of those cases, detailed by Portuguese media, have provoked widespread outrage.

Dr Carvalho has not commented publicly on any of the allegations and the BBC has been unable to reach him directly. Rodrigo was born on 7 October at São Bernardo Hospital in Setúbal, about 40km (23 miles) south of Lisbon.

His parents had been under Dr Carvalho’s care for three ultrasound scans throughout their pregnancy at a private clinic and say he raised no concerns about the foetus’s health. The mother then reportedly had a fourth, more detailed, 5D ultrasound at a different clinic while six months pregnant.

During that scan the possibility of abnormalities was raised, only for Dr Carvalho to allegedly dismiss concerns.

After Rodrigo’s birth and his abnormalities became clear, his parents were reportedly told he would only survive for hours. However, more than two weeks on, the boy is still alive under hospital care.

His parents have reportedly submitted a complaint about Dr Carvalho to the Portuguese Prosecutors’ Office. Amid outrage at baby Rodrigo’s case, other complaints against Dr Carvalho have come to light.

At least six medical complaints are currently open against him, dating back to 2013, according to health officials.

24

THE BELIZE TIMES

3 NOV

2019