Forestry Minister’s Son Granted 30-Year Logging License in Reserve

Tonight, another Minister of Government is under scrutiny, but not for any involvement with payments under the ten thousand dollar threshold. In this case, 7News has unearthed evidence showing that Minister of Sustainable Development with responsibility for Forestry Orlando Habet's son received a 30-year logging license in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.
So, is it another case of what would be called "self-dealing"? That's when a public official uses their official position to benefit their family and private businesses.

Jules Vasquez put the evidence together-based on questions we asked Minister Habet one year ago:

This is the 30-year logging license granted to Arch Timbers in August of 2022 for the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve.

A 30-year license has high commercial value and based on reports we were getting at the time-we asked the Minister if there was a related party involved:

Reporter
"Do any of your relatives or any related parties to you have any interests in a company named Arch Timbers which has a license to log in the MPR?"

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"I believe in a company yes, as a member or a shareholder in a company yes."

The Minister's uncertainty was puzzling, because it's not just any relative or related party; it's his son, Arturo Pulido, who co-owns the company.

And Habet can't claim ignorance of this close relation because one and a half years before that interview-he initialed the document alongside his son, "AP".

According to company documents leaked to 7News, the other owner is Christopher Windsor, son of former Chief Forest Officer Marcello Windsor.

Arch Timbers was formed in February 2021, and within a year and a half-with no proven track record-it had obtained a lucrative 30-year logging license.

Reports we received at the time-and since confirmed-is that they then tried to sell the company-whose only value was the lucrative license signed by the co-owner's father-and two pieces of old equipment: one skidder and one backhoe.

In June, Forester Cesar Gudinez told us he was the 70% owner of Arch Timbers and said that he was paying for its cutting permits. We understand that ownership stake is now the matter of legal dispute.

So, was it a scheme-a come up?: get the license, and sell controlling interests in company whose only asset was that license?

In July of 2025, we heard that might be the plan so we asked Habet about that specific scenario-again, he was clueless:

Reporter
"We have received multiple reports of licenses being acquired by companies and then sold for a premium to other companies. Are you aware of this practice?"

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"No I am not aware, not during our time at least."

Reporter
"This makes it appear that connected people, preferred people get licenses and then sell it for a profit to other companies - your response?"

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"Not that I am aware of."

And while the corporate affairs of Arch Timbers is not the Minister's domain-it is his son's, who the company documents still say is a co-owner.

In June of 2025, Pulido, writing on behalf of Arch Timbers, has applied to the Forestry Department for an Ecotourism/Recreational Permit for Dan Shaw and Rio Hon Pools and No Objection for Zip Line Infrastructure at Rio Hon Pools.

Acting Chief Forest Officer John Pinelo responded favorably, noting technical requirements that would have to be fulfilled and saying, quote, "The Forest Department supports the idea of diversification within your concession area since it provides multiple sources of funding for your company while ensuring that the touristic value of the areas can still be enjoyed by public."

We reached out to both company owners, Pulido and Windsor, for comment-but up to news time, we had not received a response.

Leaked Documents Reveal Cabinet Secretary Co-Owns BDF Supplier

And tonight Jules also has new information about the owners of RSL Group-a company that got a supply contract to supply BDF rations, mainly seasoning. A leak of company documents shows that the Cabinet Secretary is the co-owner of the company, whereas last week he told us he was only a director. Here's the latest:

Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie told me via phone last week that he was only a Director of RSL Group Limited and, quote, "not an active shareholder".

But, that was inaccurate. Leslie is a Director, a shareholder, and one of the ultimate beneficial owners for this Non-Specialized Wholesale Trade business-which may explain its name which has the initials of both owners: R presumably for Roel Cabrera and SL for Stuart Leslie.

The company was incorporated in late October 2025, and it submitted a tender for the supply of BDF rations in early January of 2026-72 days after the company was registered.

These are the items it supplied to the Ministry of Defence in May of 2026. It includes items from black pepper to KRAFT sliced cheese to Smoked Paprika. Leslie told us the company imports from Chetumal.

But, Leslie stressed to us more than once that he did not make a dollar from this company's business. But that was also when he told us he was a director, but now we know he was the ultimate beneficial owner.

Screenshots show that between May 13 and June 4th, RSL was paid 85 thousand dollars from the Ministry of Defence, with another 49 thousand dollar invoice pending clearance.

It raises questions because of the Cabinet secretary's involvement and because of the history. The leaked tender document we have shows that in 2023-2024 the seasoning budget was $376,440.84 with a company named Tunesca providing the most competitive prices, but the highest dollar value contract was awarded to Kukulcan-which we now know is owned by former Minster Florencio Marin's secretary.

So, the question must now be asked: how did the politically connected RSL get included in the 2026/2027 supply contracts-are they providing the most competitive prices or is it a contract awarded based on who they know? Leslie denies using his influence to get the contract, but he also told us he was not an owner-which we now know he is.

We did reach out once again to Cabinet Secretary Leslie. He admitted that he is, in fact, a part owner. He said he accepted the partnership thinking the company wouldn't be doing much business. He repeated that he has not earned any money from the company and that he did not use his influence to secure any supply contract.

Encalada Sentenced to Two Life Terms for Double Murder of Wife and Brother

Miguelito Encalada has been sentenced to two life terms for the 2023 murders of his wife, Desiree Elizabeth Gonzalez, and his brother, George Vincent Rochester.
In a sentencing hearing in the High Court today, Justice Candace Nanton ordered that the 42-year-old Encalada must serve a minimum of 40 years before becoming eligible for parole. The sentences will run concurrently and have been backdated to April 24, 2023, the date he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison.
The court arrived at a starting point of 42 years, citing the gravity of the double murder. Justice Nanton reduced the sentence by two years after considering several mitigating factors, including Encalada's good conduct while on remand, positive community contributions before his imprisonment, and favorable reports regarding his character and role as a father.

Nevertheless, before sentencing, Encalada addressed the court, offering condolences to both families while maintaining that he was innocent. He insisted he was not responsible for the shooting deaths and claimed the real perpetrator remains at large. Despite his statements, the court upheld the jury's guilty verdict and found that a life sentence with parole eligibility after 40 years was the appropriate punishment.

Juan Carlos Novelo Acquitted in Caye Caulker Wife Murder Case

And while Encalada will spend decades in jail, another accused wife killer, Juan Carlos Novelo, will not. He was today acquitted of the murder of his common-law wife, Leslie Margarita Verde, after Justice Candace Nanton ruled that he was not guilty of the charge.
Novelo, who had been accused of killing Verde in November 2023 at her home in Caye Caulker, walked free following the brief court announcement. Justice Nanton said she will provide her full reasons for the decision in a written judgment at a later date.

Outside the courtroom, Novelo maintained his innocence and expressed relief following the verdict.

Reporter
"Mr. Novelo, how does it feel?"

Juan Novelo, Acquitted
"It feels good, you know, because I never killed my common-law wife. I just want say to the family, deep down my heart, I never what they think I do. So I'm happy with this verdict and I feel good."

Verde, a mother of two, was found dead inside her home in the Bahia area of Caye Caulker during the early hours of November 4, 2023. She had been beaten and strangled.

Cotton Tree Family Demands Accountability Following Aggressive Arrest

Tonight, a family in Cotton Tree is calling for the Police Department to take accountability for what they call aggression employed when attempting to arrest Jessy Hyde over the weekend. The video went viral on Saturday and Jaleeza Roberts got more from the family:

This is the video that went viral on social media over the weekend, showing a physical dispute between police and civilians in Cotton Tree Village. The police and a social worker were trying to detain Jessie Hyde for cyberbullying. But her mother wasn't having it; she held her ground and fiercely defended her daughter in a squalid struggle.

Here's how that went:

And it happened after Jessy Hyde was reportedly wanted for several cybercrimes. But the aunt whose home it happened inside and then in front of explains what transpired:

Susanna Velasquez, Aunt of Victim
"The only thing I could say is when I look, I see my niece run come to my house, right, and right after that the police, they surrounded my house. Well, they asked me if the little girl was there, I told them yes because I can't hide her, and I couldn't what you call it, so I responded back, yes."

"My children asked them for a search warrant, they told us yes, they have one, but so far they haven't responded nothing to us. So, one of the police officers just walked in and she went, because my niece ran into my daughter's room, and he went straight inside, and I told him yes, the little girl is here, and he took her out and then she come out, and that's where all of them surrounded the little girl, and the lady that was with them, I know her as a social worker, and when I called her mom, I told her that are abusing your daughter."

This is the result of ongoing personal disputes, but the aunt says that nevertheless they should not have treated her like an animal:

Susanna Velasquez, Aunt of Victim
"We tell a run because it's really hard to see how they're dragging her like an animal on the street."

"I think she is threatened, that is my opinion. I think she's getting too much bully and too much things she is going through to be so young, and I don't think it's fair to what they are doing to her because we are all human, we all one family, and we all have children. And I will be honest, I wouldn't want nobody to do my children that, just like what her mom said, that she thinks they are taking advantage of her daughter."

"They never should have dragged her like that, they never should have treated her how they treated her."

Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.

We did ask police to address it today in their weekly press briefing-but they did not. We do know that there have been multiple ongoing issues between Jessy Hyde and police both in Hopkins and Cotton Tree.

Off-Duty Police Officer Shoots Man During San Pedro Domestic Dispute

San Pedro police have launched criminal and internal investigations into a shooting incident involving an off-duty police officer using his personal weapon to defuse a domestic dispute. In the process, he shot a man named Maverick Fuentes. Today we spoke with the victim's common-law wife via phone, who gave us her side of what had happened. ASP Stacy Smith also gave us the police side of the story:

Delia Martinez, a resident of San Pedro, claims police used excessive force against her common-law partner, Maverick Fuentes, in front of their five-month-old child-and she says she has the video to prove it.

According to Martinez, the incident began as a private argument between her and Fuentes. She states that an off-duty police officer-who happens to be their neighbor-barged into their home, adding that this was not their first run-in with him.

Voice of (Delia Martinez), Says Police Shot her Spouse
"This same police has shot my dog 2 times in front of my house on 2 different occasions, last year November and this year February."

"Now yesterday this man walked way in our house and stand up in front of my guy a distance of 5 feet and I was on the opposite side with my baby because we have a 5 month baby with us and I was like 5 or 6 feet away from them and the officer I didn't recall what he said he said something like he wants to know what is happening or something like that but we just wanted to know what the police was doing here because we were having a confrontation. So now quickly the police walked straight into him and when I see, I was the only witness and I sat on the bed with the baby, and he just pinned my guy down and started to rumble with him and pin him down and bring him down on the sofa."

Martinez claims that she saw a firearm in the waist of the officer and she feared that he would use it on her spouse, and as things escalated, Martinez's worst fear unfolded before her eyes.

Voice of (Delia Martinez), Says Police Shot her Spouse
"Now when I see we are in the bathroom and my baby is outside on the bed crying because she hears all the noise she got frightened he is rumbling in the bathroom with my guy and I am still trying to pull him off again, and I tried to pull him off again he still had the upper hand. He was on top of my guy again still rumbling in the bathroom And I was trying to pull him off and at that same time I saw his gun again. And I said they are going to pull this gun and he will want to shoot my gun, this felt like it was getting out of hand you know."

"The quickness of when I thought it and moved away from the police because I let him go for a while he pulled his gun quick and I just heard a Pop, It happened quick quick quick."

"I left it to god and this man still pulled his gun and shot him knowing my guy didn't have a knife or nothing that would threaten his life to say he had to defend himself and pull a gun."

"The police at no time came in with a warning or told us that oh I will have to arrest you or I will call the back up time like a bigger police, no he went straight to take things into his hands and himself and he started to rough up and man handle my guy."

When we followed up with the Police Department today at their press briefing, ASP Smith gave us a different version of events, that the officer had been assaulted while attempting to defuse the situation which ultimately resulted in him using his personal firearm.

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Police are investigating a shooting incident which resulted in the injury of Maverick Fuentes which occurred on Sunday 19th, July 2026 in San Pedro town. What we have learned is that a police officer who had reported off duty at that time was making his way home and upon entering his apartment building he observed that there was an ongoing domestic disturbance. He reportedly sought to de escalate the situation however that proved futile he further reportedly called into the station requesting police intervention but shortly after doing so the domestic altercation became violent and he made a decision to intervene with a view of detaining the male person. The officer reportedly alleged that upon doing so he was assaulted by the male person as well as the female which led to him withdrawing his personal protection license and firing a single shot which caught Mr Fuentes to the leg. Both the police officer and Mr Fuentes sought medical attention. A concurrent criminal and internal investigation has commenced in this matter."

Jomarie Lanza:
"Did he call for assistance upon entering the home and attempting to diffuse the situation? Or did he call after he shot the individual?"

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"I am not clear as to the sequence of events however the briefing, as I stated in that order that it was given to me he arrived home, he observed there was a domestic disturbance, I don't believe it was inside the home I think it was some common area because it was an apartment building and he called but the mobile was not in the immediate vicinity, however during this time the altercation escalated into a violent nature according to him and that is why he made the decision to intervene. As you would know situations of a domestic nature have the propensity to escalate rather quickly and I believe if it is that the officer acted in the manner that he said he acted it was done with a view to preserve the life of the female who he thought was a victim at the time."

The firearm was taken into custody and an expended shell was also retrieved at the scene. Martinez claims that she did file a report but ASP Smith says that to her knowledge that report has not made its way to her as yet.

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"I will also say that when I spoke with OC San Pedro he stated that the female has not come in to give any report as yet so certainly we are asking for the female to come in and give her report and put on record what she saw transpired, but what I was told by officer commanding San Pedro is that she was not being cooperative, neither stating anything against the police officer or her common law husband."

"I stated that when he sought to intervene to prevent the ongoing violence he was attacked by both the male and female that is what he is alleging yes."

Jomarie Lanza:
"So at point did he feel that withdrawing a weapon and shooting the man was the best way to deescalate the situation? Given that there was also a 5 month old child in the room"

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"I don't know exactly where in happened as I said I was told that it was in the common area but you said it to me that he was being attacked by 2 persons. Everyone has the right to defend themselves if I see someone that is armed with a firearm it will not be a decision or a choice of mine to fight that person but Ms Lanza all these matters will be fleshed out in relation to the investigation so that is the extent to which I will comment at this time and again urge all persons to come forward."

Viral Video of Dog Abuse Prompts Police Investigation into Animal Cruelty

And in another pressing police matter, a video that has gone viral on Facebook showing a man repeatedly striking a chained dog has outraged the public and led police to launch an investigation into animal cruelty. ASP Stacy Smith says they are still working to ascertain exactly where the incident occurred, and who is the owner of the animal.

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"That video has come to the police's attention. We are in possession of it and the commissioner has directed for the information as it relates to where it occurred to be ascertained. I believe what we have received so far is that it is in Cotton Tree Village. I am not sure if it has been confirmed, but certainly it is a matter that the department takes seriously because, I mean, there is absolutely no justification for what was seen on that video. So, certainly it is being investigated and as progress is made, that will be forwarded to the media."

Reporter:
"What kind of charges may be brought against the perpetrator?"

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Cruelty to an animal."

At The Center Of The Promotion Controversy, ASP Stacy Explains Process

On Friday we told you about the distribution of signed letters by Commissioner Richard Rosado informing multiple veteran Assistant Superintendents of Police that they will not be recommended for promotion to Superintendent. The letters, dated July 8, 2026, congratulate officers on technically passing their interviews before the Promotional Board; however, they also inform other officers that they were rejected and unable to be promoted due to limited availability of vacancies.
The letters explicitly warn affected veterans that these recommendations will result in their "supersession"-meaning junior officers will be promoted over them.

The controversy, however, is that the letter also details a formal recommendation that ASP Stacy Smith be promoted to the rank of Superintendent. When we asked her about this today, she explained the promotional process.

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Whenever anyone reaches the rank of inspector, the process for promotion no longer entails a promotional exam, i.e., a written exam. Below that rank, you would do a written exam and based upon completing the exam or how you perform in the exam, you would move to the interview process, and based on the performance of the interview process as well as other factors, a decision will be made. When it comes to persons of the rank of inspector and above, the process entails an application by the interested officer to go before the promotional board. A promotional board is convened-I think it is a five-member panel consisting of senior officers as well as representatives from the Security Services and the Ministry-where the individual officers are placed in front of the panel of 5 persons and each of them gets an opportunity to ask that officer questions relevant to the post to which they wish to occupy. After that is done, the grades are submitted to the Commissioner's office and based on that, he reviews that as well as the performance appraisal and the needs of the department in terms of the administrative needs, and a recommendation is forwarded to the Security Services Commission for the promotion of officers."

Belize River Valley Inter-Village Dispute Leads to Attempted Murder

A dispute between two villages in the Belize River Valley area has resulted in the attempted murder of a 29-year-old man, Kenton Young. ASP Stacy Smith told us what officers observed when they responded to the scene:

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Police are investigating a shooting incident that resulted in the injury of Kenton Young, a 29-year-old Belizean laborer of Bermudian Landing Village in the Belize District. The investigation commenced on Saturday 18th of July at around 10:25 PM when officers were alerted that there was a shooting in the vicinity of Mussel Creek Bridge within that village. Upon officers' arrival, they observed an SUV and on board that SUV was an injured Mr. Young. Mr. Young reported that he was traveling on board his vehicle when, upon reaching that area, he was accosted by a male person who was driving a motorcycle, and that male person fired several shots which resulted in the injury of Mr. Young. Mr. Young is currently listed in a critical but stable condition."

Jomarie Lanza:
"Is he known to police?"

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Mr. Young? Not to my knowledge. I'm not sure, I will have to make inquiries."

Jomarie Lanza:
"Any motive or suspects detained?"

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"We have the motive, it is an ongoing dispute between persons between Bermudian Landing Village and Lemonal Village. 2 persons were detained and another is being sought."

Defence Attorneys Association Demands Seat on Judicial Services Commission

A war of words has erupted between the Association of Defense Attorneys and the Bar Association of Belize. It started with the Judicial and Legal Services Commission recommending former Deputy DPP Sheiniza Smith, a Guyanese resident in Belize, and Peter Carter, a Trinidadian, to be appointed as High Court judges on the Criminal bench.
The ADA sent out a fiery release on Friday saying, quote, "What is particularly irksome is the almost arrogant behaviour of ignoring and disrespecting half a dozen Belizean attorneys who applied and who possess more than adequate qualifications, experience and practical knowledge."
This time around two Belizeans who applied, Trenia Young and Sharon Fraser, were not even shortlisted-in fact, Fraser said she did not receive any feedback on her application until the recommendation was made.

And while the ADA says their release on Friday was leaked, they have clarified their position and their grievance in a press briefing held today. Here is what the president, Richard "Dickie" Bradley, explained to us.

Richard "Dickie" Bradley, President, ADA
"Every time there is an appointment in the judiciary for judge or magistrate, you can guess the outcome. It is not going to be a Belizean. For those of us who are involved in this profession, that is glaring because there are way over 100 attorneys at law that you are basically saying to, 'Well, we're still a young nation,' you're saying to a young nation, 'Not one of you, not a single one is suitable.'

"For some time among ourselves as lawyer, when we would say, 'You see the vacancy? Yes. I expect you to apply.' 'Waste of time, they will pick a foreigner.' That is the stock response to us. We are going to be humiliated and asked all kinds of things and we will not even be considered. That is what has been happening, that is the reality."

"Listen, there are judges right now sitting in the court who were not even magistrates where they came from or anywhere, they were never a magistrate, worse, they were never a judge. We don't have anybody that can do that? So the truth of the matter, just that bad vibes they send out, discourages a number of people who actually have said to us that they are prepared to make that sacrifice, close their law firm or if they have partners, put the heavy burden on their legal partners and come and assist us on the bench. That's the first thing. The second thing, nobody even try to think that the people who applied are not up to standard. I'm on the media so I can't use the word to describe that, but don't even let them come with that anansi story that there are persons in this country who have been attorneys more than a decade ago, who have given up, because that is what you do when you go and work in the public sector, you give up the better benefits of the legal profession."

And while they know it won't completely solve the problem, the ADA is now demanding representation on the council so that, at the very least, they will be involved in the process. Secretary Orson Elrington explained more.

Orson "OJ" Elrington, Secretary, ADA
"The Association of Defense Attorneys represent almost 95%-and I give 95% because as I was saying during the break, I will say 5% maybe that I don't know-of those attorneys who sit on the criminal bench. The latest two appointments are for two judges on the criminal bench and I want to be clear, we are not saying that the judges who have been selected are not competent, we're not saying that anything against our CARICOM brothers and sisters, we are not saying any of that. What we have been saying for some years is that the Association of Defense Attorneys who represent 95% of the people who sit on the criminal bench-and essentially our courts are set into the civil and criminal bench, so we represent 50% of the judiciary-must have a say and must be involved in the process. So right now we are in the dark, as to the rest of the public, as to who applied, what are the qualifications, we don't know. Yet we are the people who have interactions with these people."

"We have had those discussions for years now, successive governments have agreed that it is a necessary change that the Association of Defense Attorneys has a seat on the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, we have been promised that over and over again and, oddly enough, even the executives from the Bar Association claim that they too have said that the Association of Defense Attorneys by law should have a seat on the Judicial and Legal Services Commission."

"It is our intention that if there is not a change in the composition of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission and at least a public commitment by the government to ensure that there are changes in the constitution of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to include the Association of Defense Attorneys, that we will be taking legal action to enforce that constitutional right on behalf of the association and membership."

Judge Aspirant Sharon Fraser Expresses Disappointment in Bar Association Stand

As we mentioned, the initial leaked release from the ADA sparked tension and led the Bar Association to issue its own release. They condemned the ADA's remarks, calling them egregious and an attempt to undermine the constitutional process. The Bar also criticized the ADA for requesting the removal of the Chief Justice as the JLSC chairperson.

Fraser, one of the overlooked Belizean applicants, explained that she is disappointed in the Bar Association because she believes its priority should be the local members of the judiciary.

Sharon Fraser, Member, ADA
"I must say, for someone who has been practicing for as long as I have, I was very disappointed because I would have come back to my country, made sacrifices thinking that there was an association that would fight for me and all the other attorneys in Belize. The truth of the matter is I can't go be a judge in Trinidad, I can't be a judge in Guyana, I can't be a judge in Barbados. The situation is that I decided to come home and give back to the government and people of this country. I didn't run away, I stayed and I did what I needed to have done, and here I am and I'm sitting and saying, 'Okay, these people who are being appointed, what do they have over somebody like myself?' And the truth is the only thing they have is that they're not Belizean. So what does that say?

"Why I'm disappointed about the release from the Bar Association is because they're supposed to be representing me and other attorneys, and that is not how it felt, it felt as if they were representing the status quo. If you look at the laws and you look at what it's saying the association is supposed to be doing, it makes you wonder, it makes me wonder, and I'm sure there are others who are wondering, what is the purpose of them belonging to an association if they are not going to fight for us?"

Courtney Menzies:
"What did you make of the Attorney General, after we saw the document saying yes, these are the two judges that will be appointed, we went to him and he said the process is still ongoing..."

Sharon Fraser, Member, ADA
"He's right. The process is still ongoing because officially it is not a done deal until the Governor General puts her stamp of approval, and so he's right, it's not done, but traditionally once that recommendation comes out, it is a done deal because yes, the Prime Minister has to concur, so he could probably say, 'Given all that has happened, I will not concur,' but people tell me, what is the likelihood of that happening?"

Defence Attorneys Issue Ultimatums Over Unfulfilled Legal Aid Fees

And that's not all for the ADA-they're also demanding an increase in legal aid fees to fairly compensate the attorneys who offer their services. According to Elrington, they were promised an increase two years ago, but the ADA will no longer accept new legal aid matters under the current fee structure beginning August 1st. Here's what he told us today.

Orson "OJ" Elrington, Secretary, ADA
"The Association of Defense Attorneys, again, I will be very pessimistic and say, do 95% of these matters. Because, again, we're talking about murder trials. All right. And I have seen where there is an issue that I must bring to the attention of the public where, again, us doing this is not an attempt to cripple the judiciary and to cripple the access to justice for those persons who cannot afford it."

"But this again has been a commitment that the administration has made and committed that they would change it, understanding that it was costing our membership to represent people. When you're going to travel all the way to Toledo, hotel, etc."

"And my good brother had mentioned a five, it's $2,000. $2,000. When my good brother can tell you at the private bar, you're looking at a minimum of about $15,000 if you're going at the private bar."

"We had come to a compromise and they said $7,500 so that it is somewhere in the middle to cover your expenses, etc. and something for your time. All right. So our decision is that come the 1st of August, our membership will not take any more court-appointed matters."

"Now, some might say, well, the members of the Bar Association can go ahead and go and do that. But guess what happened? I have seen where persons who have never done an indictable matter before. I'm not talking about murder, much less murder."

"They've never done a murder matter before. And because they are so quick to say, I completed a case, they assign it to somebody. And that poor person is put before a judge. And you know what is the conclusion of that, right?"

"That's not proper justice. That is not proper justice whatsoever. If you're going to put a practitioner who has never done an indictable matter and much less a murder matter, that is like somebody going to take surgery with a general practitioner who has never done surgery before."

Reporter
"So what happened to the compromise of that 7,500"

Orson "OJ" Elrington, Secretary, ADA
"We have not implemented it. They simply have not. They have not. A promise from last year that we have had meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting."

"It was a year before, is it?"

Kolbe Prison Acting CEO Addresses Contaminated Well Water Concerns

There is concern tonight about the quality of water being used by prisoners at the Kolbe Foundation.
A September 2025 public health inspection by the Ministry of Health at the Kolbe Foundation led them to conclude that the well water at the prison-used for "food preparation, washing, bathing and flushing waste"-was contaminated with "fecal coliform".

So have corrective measures been taken? When we spoke to the acting prison CEO today via phone, he explained that they increased water rations to meet hygiene standards.

Voice of: Francis Woods, Acting CEO, Kolbe Foundation
"From what I recall, in September of last year, we got a notice from the Ministry of Health and that change was immediate because, apparently, there was some call-ins from skin rashes from bathing with that water. So, immediately, the past CEO had added additional 2 gallons of water to what inmates get so that they can bathe with potable water."

"Each inmate gets five gallons of water. With that water, they are expected that will provide for drinking, for washing, and bathing."

"They were already receiving rations of water; they just increased that ration to make oral standards as far as inmate per day and water needed. Now, we do not use BWS water for flushing toilets, we use well water for that. So, the potable water is just for drinking, washing clothes, and for bathing."

Prison Water Shift Driven by High Iron, Not Coliform, Says CEO

Acting CEO Woods explained that their decision to revert to BWS water was due to high levels of iron being present in their Reverse Osmosis system, not because it tested positive for fecal coliform.

Jomarie Lanza:
"Our sources say from 2002 you all knew the water was contaminated because of an improperly designed septic system contaminating the water. Can you speak on this?"

Voice of: Francis Woods, Acting CEO, Kolbe Foundation
"The well water we have been using has been there as far back as I can remember, and we do test it frequently. And the problem we had with it was a heavy, heavy content of iron on it, so we were not able to use any RO systems with it. So, it is until that gets came out that we found out about Coliform."

"We did have an RO system, but we found that the more and more we used that water, the heavier the iron content got. And we did multiple attempts to drill several wells, and we found that the iron content in the other wells were even higher."

Reporter
"What would you say then to the allegations that the prison was knowingly using the contaminated water because the water from BWS was so expensive? Is this true?"

Voice of: Francis Woods, Acting CEO, Kolbe Foundation
"Definitely not. Health is one of the primary things we worry about here, you know. The kitchen that uses the BWS water not only feeds inmates, it feeds staff, it feeds board members when we have meetings here, so health is super important."

Kolbe Foundation Abandons Unfeasible Reverse Osmosis System

And now the prison is down to two water sources, with only one of them safe for usage. According to Acting CEO Woods, fixing their reverse osmosis system was no longer a feasible option for them. He explained why.

Voice of: Francis Woods, Acting CEO, Kolbe Foundation
"We had abandoned that RO system many years ago, several years ago, because of the same issue I told you about, because of the iron. The iron content would plug the filters and it was cost prohibitive to maintain the system with the filters it needed, so we just reverted back to BWS water."

Jomarie Lanza:
"Would you be able to say, or can you determine when you stopped using the system? You said sometime ago?"

Voice of: Francis Woods, Acting CEO, Kolbe Foundation
"At least four years ago."

Jomarie Lanza:
"And then you reverted back to BWS?"

Voice of: Francis Woods, Acting CEO, Kolbe Foundation
"Correct."

"It was just not cost sustainable. It was very expensive to replace the filters so frequently because of the iron content. It was like a rust type of material that plugs the filters, so it just was not sustainable."

PUP Town Council Candidate Detained After Border Threats and Assault

Tonight, an aspiring Corozal PUP Town Council candidate is in police lockdown after he allegedly threatened and assaulted his common-law wife following a trip to Chetumal, Mexico, on Sunday night.
Tommy Zetina is in custody pending investigation for "threatening words" and "harm."
Police say his 28-year-old partner, Iris Gonzalez, reported that she, Zetina, and her cousin had spent the day in Chetumal. According to Gonzalez, Zetina had been drinking throughout the day and became increasingly aggressive toward them.
She told investigators that at around 9:10 p.m., while passing the Mexican immigration building, Zetina accelerated the vehicle and allegedly threatened the occupants, saying, "I will kill unu and I no fraid fi dead." Fearing for their lives, Gonzalez said she attempted to calm him as they traveled toward the Belize border.

Police say the vehicle eventually stopped in the parking lot of Princess Vegas, where the cousin exited and sought help. Iris Gonzalez alleges that while she remained inside the vehicle, Zetina told her, "The next time I wah kill you," leaving her in fear for her life. Security personnel and a police officer responded to the scene, and all parties were escorted to the Northern Border Substation as investigations continue.

Ministry of Education Hosts First-Ever STEAM Festival in San Ignacio

With a focus to encourage more young girls to pursue their studies and a career in STEAM, the Ministry of Education held its first-ever STEAM festival in San Ignacio on Saturday, giving students a chance to showcase their innovative solutions to community challenges with the help of science, technology, engineering, and arts. Here are the highlights from the event.

Yolanda Gongora
"When we first envisioned this program in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology, our ambition extended far beyond teaching coding, robotics, or artificial intelligence. We set out to create something transformational: an extra-curricular program that would inspire girls to see themselves not simply as users of technology, but as innovators, creators, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will draw upon the fourth industrial revolution skills-such as critical thinking, resilience, adaptability, curiosity, collaboration, and environmental stewardship-to build a stronger Belize."

Dr Consuelo Godfrey, Consultant, Girls in STEAM project
"So today's event is really a culmination of 2 weeks of hard work for the high school. But prior to this day, which is the main event, we had a primary camp which lasted one week, and we had the participation of 17 different primary schools across the country, and we were working with over 300 girls from standard 4, 5, and 6. And the goal was for those girls to be exposed to all aspects of STEAM-science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics-and the girls built robots, they did problem solving, they did prototyping, they did designing, they did critical thinking, analytical thinking. And we have a primary showcase here at the festival so when guests come in, they could see what the girls did in that one week. Following that, we had 2 weeks of high school camps where we worked with first and second form girls, and the goal was for the girls to add technology to all the different STEAM areas, so science, technology, more technology. So, we had a gaming-had them do a game design, we had them do a windmill, a digital windmill, we had them build robots that could move and have different behaviors. The girls were allowed to have guests come into the school, and the guests were from different sectors of society-conservation, arts, engineering, folks from the agriculture unit, we had folks from the ITVET come in and work with the girls and talk to the girls about real-life STEAM initiatives led by women, because it is women in STEAM."

WestJet Announces Non-Stop Winter Flights Connecting Winnipeg to Belize

For thousands of Canadians facing the bite of another prairie winter, salvation will soon come in the form of a non-stop flight south.
WestJet has announced its winter 2026 schedule, introducing a brand-new weekly non-stop service connecting Winnipeg directly to Belize City starting December 14, 2026.
For the Belize Tourism Board, the announcement is a vote of confidence and a new air route connecting the chilly Canadian prairies to our tropical shores.

Currently, Canadian travelers make up about 6% to 7% of all overnight visitors to Belize.

National Trade Union Congress Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Documentary

Over the weekend, the NTUCB celebrated its 60th anniversary with the launch of a documentary. According to the president, Ella Waight, it wasn't easy gathering documentary materials detailing the history of the union, but in the end, they received enough assistance to produce the doc. She explained more on Saturday.

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"We had major difficulties. We have some documents in our office from decades ago, but they're simply letters, finance information. There's no history recorded on those documents and so we had to reach out to the different affiliates asking them for their pictures, footage. We reached out to media houses who were willing to assist to help us with any footage they would have of any activities union-related. We got some. We had some pictures in our office that we used. Thankfully, we had historians in Belize that assisted us as well with information, and we also had a book written a few years ago that had some information as well. So, we compiled everything, we got someone that was willing to create the documentary for us, and we think it's a success. It allows us now to have a beginning of some place we can go to for this information. It took us 60 years to get here to document, but it's a start, and we hope that it can be continued throughout the life of the congress."

"It does get you emotional because this is something for me, not just a job, it's a passion. It's something that when I got elected as president, it was one of my objectives to not let this labor movement die. It's sad because when we look around, most of the people involved in labor movements are over the age of 35. We don't have a lot of young people. Like I mentioned in the documentary, in 2025, December 2025 when we had our AGM, we ensured that we amended our constitution to have a youth arm of the NTUCB. We now have a youth director, but I know the struggles he's having to get young people involved in the movement. It's either because they don't know the history of the movement, don't appreciate what this movement has done for them, what it can do for them, and if this movement dies, it will be a very sad day in this country if we don't have labor unions in this country. It will be a tragic day because then, if you think things are bad in this country, then we will see what is really bad. So, it does get me a bit emotional to see persons like Sister Kathleen, persons like Sister Sharon here, our senator here. It does open my heart that we do have person that are still willing to ensure the NTUCB succeeds."

NTUCB President Clarifies Sister's Appointment to RECONDEV Board

And as a labor unionist, when asked about the changes made to the RECONDEV board, Waight explained that the new chair is her sister, Myrna Waight. Waight replaces Brian Mira, who had come under scrutiny, while the rest of the board remains the same.

The NTUCB president explained that while her sister does support the PUP, she has no ties to the Mira family.

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"I will have to be a little bit biased on that, and I'll be very biased. The chair is now my sister, Myrna Waight, daughter of Samuel Waight."

Reporter:
"But she doesn't have any link to the Miras?"

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"No."

Reporter:
"Because people are claiming that..."

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"Wow, you see. No, she is not married to anyone. Her name is Myrna Waight, daughter of Samuel Waight. And she is a retired teacher from Belmopan, and yes, I will have to say that she does campaign for the PUP-that's her prerogative. But yes, I think when the Prime Minister said the board, I don't know if he meant every single member of the board, because as far as I know, the board did not do anything wrong. If he wanted to remove what was seen as the issue, which would have been Brian Mira, then that is what he should have done only. But I think for any institution, you want continuity, so I don't think it would make sense to remove everybody from the board because you don't have any continuity, but that's my personal opinion. The question I have to be fair to answer is to say that is my sister. I'm very proud of my sister. She has been doing well as a member of the board, and now she is the chair of the board."

Trade Union Union Leader Says Suspended Ministers Should Remain on Leave

The media also asked Waight about the audit currently being done at the Ministry of Defense. Ministers Florencio Marin and Oscar Mira were put on a three-month leave, but what if the audit takes longer than that? Well, Waight believes the former ministers should remain on leave.

Ella Waight, President, NTUCB
"If it extends beyond 3 months, they should keep them on leave. They have to show to the citizens of this country that when it comes to the limited resources, the financial resources we have, that it's being taken seriously how it is executed when it comes to these contracts. So, for us to take them serious that they want to make meaningful change, they have to make sure that happens. If it extends more than 3 months, they have to be off for more than 3 months."

"My problem would not have been if you already had a business that supplied that product before coming into government, before your relative came into government, before you even got that contract. The thing is that it is not logical that you get a contract for products that you just opened a business for when there are persons who have been in that business for many years, probably decades, that would not have had that opportunity. So, it does show that something is not right. There may be some level of nepotism or fleecing money from the public purses, so there is concern. But again, we have to look at what products were received. The entire investigation has to be given to us. While we did not take part or call for members to take part in the rally that the UDP had was one, because it's a political rally-no matter how you frame it, it's a political rally-and two, we would want to see what are the results of the investigation. NTUCB does not jump up because of emotions; we have to jump up when it comes to facts."

Jules Vasquez Nominated for Regional Defender of Media Freedom Award

Channel 7's News Director Jules Vasquez has been nominated for the CMIA-CBU Caribbean Defender of Media Freedom Award, a regional honour recognizing outstanding journalism and contributions to protecting press freedom across the Caribbean. Wesley Gibbings and the Media Institute of the Caribbean are also nominated for the award, which is presented by the Center for Media Integrity of the Americas and the Caribbean Broadcasting Union. The selection committee cited Vasquez's more than three decades of investigative journalism, highlighting his fearless reporting, commitment to holding those in power accountable, and his resilience in the face of legal challenges, political pressure, and personal attacks. The winner will be announced during the opening ceremony of the 57th Caribbean Broadcasting Union Annual General Assembly on August 18 in Georgetown, Guyana.

Cayo Police Arrest Suspect in Retail Cocaine Bust

And finally tonight, police have also made another retail-grade cocaine bust, this one in the Cayo district over the weekend. ASP Stacy Smith explained:

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Police have formally arrested and charged 37-year-old Santos Ramirez of Bullet Tree Falls Village for the offense of possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply. The arresting officer reported that on 16th of July 2026, he was on patrol in the Bullet Tree Falls Village when his attention was drawn to Santos, whose conduct aroused that officer's suspicion. Mr. Santos was detained, and a search of his person resulted in the discovery of a bag containing suspected crack cocaine, which, when weighed, it amounted to 9.2 grams."

Santa Elena Operation Yields Illegal Firearm and Ammunition

And then in Santa Elena, another police operation led to the detention of a man for an illegal firearm and ammunition. ASP Smith told us what police found.

ASP Stacy Smith, Police Staff Officer
"Police have formally arrested and charged 37-year-old Simon Baitman of Santa Elena Town, Cayo, for the offense of kept ammunition without a gun license. The arrest of Baitman follows the execution of an intelligence-led operation at the residence of Baitman, Friday 17th July, for illegal firearm and ammunition. A search on Baitman's person resulted in the discovery of four rounds of 9mm ammunition, and given that he is not the holder of a gun license, he was subsequently charged for kept ammunition without being the holder of a gun license."

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