标签： Belize

In a significant legal development, the High Court has formally terminated the rape case against prominent attorney Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) filed a nolle prosequi, effectively ending the two-year judicial proceedings. The decision came abruptly this morning when Crown prosecutors indicated they would not move forward with the trial.

The case’s dismissal follows a recent directive from Justice Nigel Pilgrim, who had requested DPP Cheryl-Lyn Vidal to present the complainant’s stance on whether the trial should be conducted in private sessions. The required statement was never submitted to the court, contributing to the prosecution’s decision to discontinue the case.

Elrington had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her mid-twenties in January 2024. Throughout the proceedings, his defense attorney, Alifah Elrington, vigorously advocated for maintaining public access to the hearings, emphasizing that her client was entitled to his constitutional rights. She noted the unusual media scrutiny surrounding the case, stating that such public attention is typically reserved for high-profile individuals rather than ordinary citizens facing similar allegations.

The defense attorney further expressed that while they accept the court’s outcome, the extensive damage to her client’s reputation remains irreparable. Elrington himself described the prolonged legal battle as ‘the most difficult and darkest period’ of his life, maintaining that the matter never should have reached judicial proceedings. The attorney indicated that future actions would be determined based on subsequent legal consultation, with a comprehensive report scheduled for broadcast on News 5 Live at 6 p.m.

BELIZE CITY, BELIZE – March 3, 2026 – Noticiero 5 Semanal, Belize’s pioneering Spanish-language television newscast, is commemorating its first anniversary this week after revolutionizing media accessibility for Spanish-speaking communities nationwide. Launched in March 2025 by Greater Belize Media, the program has established itself as an essential information source for Spanish-dominant households across the multicultural nation.

The weekly broadcast, airing Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., has developed a distinctive format that combines comprehensive national coverage with innovative audience engagement features. Each episode delivers meticulously produced segments covering political developments, community affairs, cultural events, and issues impacting daily life in Belize. The program’s success demonstrates the growing demand for linguistically diverse news content in the Central American nation.

A signature innovation of Noticiero 5 Semanal is its interactive weekly poll, which invites viewer participation on pressing national issues. The production team collects responses throughout the week and incorporates them into the broadcast, creating an unprecedented platform for Spanish-speaking citizens to contribute to public discourse.

The program further expands its perspective through ‘Pulso Internacional,’ a dedicated segment examining major regional and global developments that affect Belizean communities. This international coverage provides context and connections beyond national borders.

Producer Hipolito Novelo expressed both gratitude and ambition regarding the program’s trajectory. ‘The overwhelming acceptance across Belize has been both humbling and motivating,’ Novelo stated. ‘We’ve cultivated viewership beyond our borders and demonstrated that this service addresses a genuine need within the population. Our evolution over these twelve months merely sets the foundation for greater innovation in coming years.’

Noticiero 5 Semanal has significantly enhanced its digital footprint, expanding social media engagement and attracting younger, digitally-native audiences who primarily consume news through online platforms. This multi-platform approach ensures the program remains relevant amid changing media consumption patterns.

The anniversary coincides with News Five’s Audience Survey 2026, which invites viewers to shape the future of Belizean media through direct feedback.

The Belize City Council has formally approved a landmark agreement that will transfer jurisdiction of critical highway segments from national to municipal control. This strategic move follows the passage of a motion introduced by Mayor Bernard Wagner during the Council’s October 2024 session, establishing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH).

The transfer encompasses significant portions of the city’s transportation network: the George Price Highway stretching from Faber’s Road roundabout to its convergence with Central American Boulevard; the complete span of Central American Boulevard from that junction to the Princess Margaret Drive ‘flag’ roundabout; and the Philip Goldson Highway section between the flag roundabout and Chetumal Street roundabout.

Mayor Wagner articulated that this decision resolves longstanding administrative ambiguities regarding maintenance responsibilities for these vital corridors. ‘For years, a jurisdictional grey area has persisted concerning upkeep of medians and adjacent infrastructure,’ Wagner stated. ‘This formalization eliminates uncertainty and establishes clear municipal accountability.’ Deputy Mayor Pollard drew parallels to previous jurisdictional challenges with Cemetery Road, noting the arrangement would place Central American Boulevard entirely under city purview.

Chief Engineer Evondale Moody provided crucial clarification regarding the implementation timeline, noting that under the Public Roads Act, MIDH currently maintains authority over all highway systems, including urban segments. Moody detailed the existing highway alignment, explaining how the official corridor forms a loop connecting the Save U roundabout with the George Price Highway junction.

The transfer process will unfold gradually over a three-year period coinciding with comprehensive infrastructure enhancements. Moody confirmed: ‘The Council has agreed to adopt these sections exclusively after MIDH completes necessary upgrading works. The Memorandum will likely be executed upon project conclusion, facilitating the official jurisdiction handover.’

The motion received unanimous support from council members following thorough deliberation, marking a significant step toward decentralized infrastructure management in Belize’s urban center.

Belizean authorities have issued an urgent plea to maritime operators following a distressing spike in manatee fatalities caused by boat collisions throughout February. The Belize Fisheries Department’s alert comes after the national Marine Mammal Stranding Network documented eight manatee strandings across multiple coastal communities last month.

Scientific analysis confirmed three adult manatees succumbed to traumatic injuries consistent with high-impact vessel strikes. On February 11th, marine responders recovered an adult female manatee bearing fatal collision wounds in Belize City waters. Mere days later on Valentine’s Day, another adult female was found fatally injured near Hopkins. The pattern continued on February 16th when an adult male manatee was discovered in Belize City with catastrophic injuries attributed to boat propulsion systems.

Beyond these confirmed cases, two male calves were reported stranded in Consejo Shores and Placencia respectively. While the Placencia calf’s death resulted from perinatal complications, the Consejo Shores incident remains under investigation. Additional strandings involving adult manatees occurred in Gales Point and Corozal, with another male calf reported in Gales Point—all currently undergoing forensic examination.

The Greater Caribbean manatee enjoys absolute legal protection under Belizean wildlife statutes. Legislation explicitly prohibits harming, harassing, or killing these marine mammals, with violations carrying substantial financial penalties and potential criminal prosecution.

Marine biologists emphasize that vessel collisions represent the most significant anthropogenic threat to manatee populations, particularly in shallow coastal ecosystems where these herbivores frequent seagrass beds and nursery areas. The Fisheries Department has intensified calls for mariners to reduce speeds in designated manatee protection zones, rigorously observe no-wake ordinances, and maintain vigilant watch in critical habitats including Corozal Bay, Belize City harbors, Gales Point lagoons, and the Placencia peninsula estuary network.