Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English
Tonight, there is bad news for an up-and-coming luxury resort in southern Belize.
Bullock Island's luxury resort recently opened its doors, but in a matter of months, its owner, former NBA star Reggie Bullock, could lose his investment. That's after a claim was filed in the Belize High Court to enforce a multi-million-dollar US "personal injury" judgment here.
The claim comes after Bullock reportedly failed to compensate a woman named Janai Burrell as per their settlement agreement.
After exhausting Bullock's assets in the US, Burrell is now looking at Bullock's known asset of significant value in Belize: Bullock Island. Courtney Menzies looked at the court documents and has this story.
This is Bullock Island, a 5-acre private island owned and developed by former NBA player, Reggie Bullock. It sits five miles southeast of Placencia and accommodations include oceanfront cabanas, an open-air restaurant, access to the pool, spa, and sporting facilities. An all-inclusive experience includes a private chef, unlimited drinks, a 30-minute jet ski experience, and more.
Bullock bought the island in 2022, and the luxury resort was fully opened in December 2025. But 7 months later, he could lose it all.
It stems from a claim filed by Janai Burrell in March 2022 at the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. She sought compensatory damages from Bullock, quote, "as a result of his battery and negligent transmission of an incurable sexual disease." End quote.
Then in May 2024, Burrell and Bullock entered into a Settlement Agreement with Bullock agreeing to pay 2.1 million US dollars in 4 installments.
The final payment was to be made in December 2025. However, up to today, she claims Bullock only made the first payment of 500,000 US dollars. Since then, Burrell has tried to recover funds from Bullock's assets in the US and has managed to accrue 600,000 USD. According to the Illinois judgment, Bullock still owes Burrell over 1.5 million US dollars. And the only other known asset of his is Bullock Island here in Belize, which-the court documents say-is valued at over 3 million Belize dollars.
According to the affidavit from Elise Waisbren, who represents Burrell, she has, quote, "instituted proceedings in the Belize High Court seeking to enforce the Illinois Judgment. The only known asset of significant value in Belize against which the judgment may be enforced is Bullock Island, though the Defendant may also hold other assets in Belize." End quote.
Waisbren's affidavit also detailed that, post-judgment, they had discovered that Bullock's accounts were depleted through cash withdrawals, wire transfers, Zelle payments, and ATM withdrawals. By the time the Illinois judgment was entered in January 2025, the combined balance in all known accounts associated with Bullock had been reduced to just 53 US dollars. Still, construction on the island continued; the court documents allege Bullock never disclosed the source of funds. And that's why Burrell is also seeking an injunction restraining Bullock from selling, leasing, charging, or transferring the title or otherwise disposing of the island.
We reached out to the general manager of Bullock Island, who explained that he is unable to comment and advised us that Bullock is in communication with his attorneys.
We requested contact information for Bullock's attorneys; however, up to news time, Young has not responded.
Tonight, the family of 2023 murder victim Leslie Verde is speaking up, saying that the justice system has failed them by allowing Juan Carlos Novelo to be acquitted.
You saw him on the news last night walking out of court after his acquittal.
Now, the family says they don't agree with the verdict and feel cheated of the opportunity to hear it being delivered. Jaleeza Roberts has this story:
This is what Juan Carlos Novelo said outside of court yesterday after he was acquitted:
File Date: July 20, 2026
Juan Carlos Novelo "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."
But today, the family of Leslie Verde is demanding answers after the man charged with her 2023 murder was acquitted, saying they feel the justice system has failed them.
Speaking to 7News, Verde's cousin, Myra Verde, said relatives were left shocked and hurt after arriving at court for what they believed was a 3:00 p.m. verdict, only to learn the decision had already been delivered at 2:30 p.m.
She described the experience as "very disrespectful," saying the family had attended every hearing throughout the trial and expected to be present for its conclusion, and now their only question is why?
Myra Verde, Cousin of Leslie Verde "Yesterday when I heard that verdict, I felt like I failed her, I failed her children, so now all we are asking for is the reason why. Why did the judge decide that he's not guilty? And we want these answers. We feel like we're back at square one when this happened in November four, twenty twenty three, we're back at square one not knowing who did it. Why was it done?"
"To me, our justice system failed us, you know, our justice system failed us. I no longer have faith in our justice system. This was a mother of 3 kids that were left abandoned, that were left without justice, so our system failed us, that's all I can say at this point."
Verde, a mother of three, was murdered on November 4, 2023; she had been strangled to death.
While acknowledging that the court has said written reasons will be issued at a later date, the family says they intend to seek legal advice once those reasons are released:
Reporter "Do you believe that he's the one that killed your cousin?"
Myra Verde, Cousin of Leslie Verde "I do believe, I do believe after, like I said, going there to sit at every hearing, listening to every statement, all the witnesses that went there. You know, I didn't study any thing you with law and whatever. But, you know, I you're the basic knowledge that you have, you know, that it leads up to him."
"So last night when you heard that he gave a spoken apology when he was acquitted and he walked away from the court. And what was your reaction to that?"
"Well, I don't think he meant that. I don't think that it came from his heart. I, um, it's him and God, like, like I told my family, um, maybe our justice system didn't give us justice. But there is a God above that we trust and that is alive, and that we know that justice will be served. Maybe not earthly, but justice will be served."
Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
The trial judge, Candice Nanton, has said she will give the reasons at a later date to be announced.
At 11:00 this morning, an attempted robbery was reported at Handy Money Loans pawn shop on Handyside Street. Food vendors in the vicinity told 7News that they all heard a single shot, and shortly after, a man was seen bleeding from his foot outside of the store. Police and the Scenes of Crime Unit responded to the area a few minutes later. The injured person, later identified as Miguel Guerra, the owner of the business, was rushed to a hospital. Eyewitnesses say the assailant escaped on a bicycle. No stolen goods or cash have been confirmed as yet.
It might be the most popular barbecue joint in Belize City, but tonight, Tony's BBQ at the foot of the Belcan overpass has one month to move.
It's part of the upcoming renovation of the Belcan Bridge, and the decades-old eatery was told it would have to relocate.
They challenged it in a grievance letter requesting a review and justification for the decision.
Well, MIDH wrote back saying that it stands by the decision that Tony's will have to move for the safe and efficient implementation of the Belcan Bridge Replacement Project. Their letter states that there needs to be unobstructed pedestrian access to the temporary crossing, and emergency and evacuation requirements must be met.
Additionally, regarding the justification, MIDH added that they have not granted Tony's BBQ any lease, license, permit, concession, or legal authorization to construct, occupy, or operate within the public road reserve.
In response, Tony's wrote back to MIDH stating that for years they had been operating under a tent which a storm destroyed. Afterward, DIGI sponsored the building they now operate out of. At that point, they received permission from the City Council to erect the structure at that location. They also began paying a Trade License as opposed to a peddler's license.
MIDH also stated that they will not authorize Tony's to move back to its original spot following the completion of the Belcan Bridge. They added that they do not believe they are under any obligation to assist Tony's with the relocation. However, the City Council has identified an alternative location and is willing to assist them. But Tony's insists that the location isn't suitable. In their response to Moody, they state, quote: "The site is currently a green area with no flooring, restroom facilities, or other infrastructure necessary to meet public health and sanitation requirements." End quote.
Though MIDH has given Tony's until August 15th to relocate, they plan on fighting back in the court of public opinion, and we will be speaking with them tomorrow.
Things have taken a positive turn for the Pitbull that was captured being abused in Cotton Tree Village. And it's all thanks to a woman named Jessica Schreiber and her family.
After seeing the abuse video, Schreiber picked up the dog from where it was being held in Cotton Tree and later made this Facebook post stating, "There was gasoline poured in his eyes and then the beatings, tied to a chain so long his hair is gone around his neck, skin and bones and so afraid right now.....With everything he has been through he is showing such kindness, rests his head in my hands."
No one has been charged as yet for animal cruelty, but police say they are investigating.
In fiscal year 2023-2024, the BDF was purchasing 1,320 pounds of baby back ribs annually.
But Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez today told us he has never eaten BDF baby back in his 32 years in the army.
So, where did all those ribs go? Here's what he said when we asked him today:
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "I said I've never eaten baby back ribs, which is true. I've never had, but that doesn't mean that it's not purchased, right? We tell the Ministry of Defense, 'This is what we want.' And we want baby back ribs and conchs and shrimp and lobster for special events. One special event we had was last week, Wednesday, when we had the recruit passing out and the change of responsibility."
"However, after these events are over, we stock some of them as well, and then whatever remains in stock, we give to the soldiers, so we send it to the battalions, the units in P.G. and Belizario. And few soldiers get to enjoy these because the ones on camp get to enjoy it, not the ones being deployed. So it's a small number of soldiers that actually get to enjoy these things. Like I told you before, like I mentioned before, I've never had it, the privilege of having it, you know, the baby back ribs, but some soldiers do, and they enjoy it. And then what we do as well is some of the extra stuff that we have, we use on a, if we have a cooking course, the new cooks, they do a culinary delight or treat, and everyone here, for example, at Price Barracks, is invited to go and sample these exquisite food that they make."
Jaleeza Roberts: "Did you yourself see that persons around you or around your table were enjoying these baby back ribs?"
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "I have never seen. Yes, I have heard. I have spoken to some other commanders, and they have received, the unit commanders, the battalion commanders, they have received the baby back ribs and the conchs and everything else, and they have given it to their soldiers."
But has the increase in budgetary layouts for the BDF translated to improved rations for soldiers? Well, the Commander says to an extent, yes:
Jaleeza Roberts: "Is the increased spending on food translating into better rations for the BDF?"
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "Yes, it has. Like I mentioned, it has translated into better rations, but we're not there yet at the point where we can say, 'Okay, let's move on to the next problem,' right? So it's a constant challenge so far, but it has translated into better food for the BDF, period."
But did the BDF have any say in who these suppliers were, or were they even aware of who was getting these contracts? Short answer: No. Here's why:
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "My job here as the commander of the Belize Defense Force is to, first of all, whenever these suppliers, I don't know their background. I know they do a bidding, and then the Ministry of Defense determines who becomes suppliers. But my job here is that when these suppliers bring the supplies here, that's exactly what we ask for. First of all, we ask for the supplies from the ministry, and the ministry sends to us, 'This is what the supplier will bring.' Whenever the supplier reaches here, we cross-check our list with theirs. 'Is this the correct thing that you brought?' And if that's the correct thing, then we take it. If not, we tell them, 'This isn't what we ordered. Take it back.' Or if it's not what we ordered, 'Ensure that you fulfill what we ordered and bring back the rest that you didn't bring.' So that's just my concern, that we receive what we ask for. Now, about prices and everything else, I don't determine those prices, and it's not a chief concern of the commander of the Belize Defense Force."
Jaleeza Roberts: "So when you see the prices that they were paying, did it ever occur to you that, why do they pay so much and we never get that?"
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "It never occurred to me. My concern is that we receive what we ask for."
And when it comes to the uniforms, the BDF has also seen an increase in budget. Velasquez says that they have better boots and uniforms:
Jaleeza Roberts: "We also see that when it came to the spending on the uniforms, it was increased sharply. Does that mean that the BDF has better uniforms and boots?"
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "Yes it does. We have better boots now. We get the boots that we want. We have a new ceremonial uniform, the white uniform that you have seen that we use for ceremonies. We're still rolling that out. Each and every soldier doesn't have one yet, but slowly but surely we're working towards that. So those are the signs of the increase in the budget."
Jaleeza Roberts: "The budget increasing over the years, is that due to the fact that you have more soldiers when it comes to the uniforms?"
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "That and the fact that we're having different uniforms now."
Jaleeza Roberts: "Okay, and so we're looking at two different kinds of uniforms, yes? Two or three?"
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "For now, we're rolling out one. In the near future, we'll get another new camouflage uniform as well. And then in the mid to long term we'll have a new, what we call a number five, the khaki uniform that the officers use. We'll have a new one in the mid to long term. So that budget reflects the fact that we're expanding the scope of our uniforms."
But the question remains: why has the Ministry taken control of procurement instead of leaving it in the hands of the BDF? Well, the Commander explained that it all started in 2017 when misappropriation of funds and resources was identified:
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "So this started from around 2017, 2018, there-ish, when a scandal broke out about German training in Belize, and there were allegations that misappropriation was happening with the German account, or the training account. The Belize Defense Force controlled all their accounts at that time, right? And there were some serious allegations that misappropriation was happening with the funds that the German army was depositing into that account for the BDF. So the account was taken from the BDF and the ministry started to handle that."
"A couple years later, there was again concerns about misappropriation or mismanagement or just inadequacy, what's the word, just not doing the proper things, right? But with the Belize Defense Force volunteer vote, right? So that was taken from the BDF again and sent to the ministry. Around 2020, thereabouts, there was again a huge concern about the Belize Defense Force, the people in the Belize Defense Force who handled these accounts, about the rations that were being bought. You made some mention about the cost and everything else, right, the prices. There were some huge concerns that, again, misappropriation was happening. So that vote was taken from the Belize Defense Force and the ministry started to handle that. So by 2021, thereabouts, the completion of that evolution happened, right? So all the purchasing ability was taken from the BDF and the ministry had it."
But have all these increases benefited the BDF? Well, the Commander says it has its advantages and disadvantages:
Jaleeza Roberts: "Do you think that this evolution has benefited the BDF?"
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "In a way, yes. There is advantages and disadvantages to everything, right? One advantage is that the headache of sourcing vendors, sorting all these contracts, dealing with these people and paying them has been taken from us, right? So that's one less thing that we, or commander, has to worry about on a daily basis. However, a negativity to that is that we don't actually control how our spending is done, right? So it could create certain gaps in acquisition, right? But then we have to manage that, yeah."
Jaleeza Roberts: "Okay, do you still have a procurement department or a services and support battalion, or what do you do?"
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "Yeah, we have a services and support battalion. A few years ago, we separated the services and support battalion, so we had a services battalion and a support battalion. Now they are amalgamated again, but that's immaterial. That doesn't matter. We still had a department that dealt with purchasing, right, that dealt with acquisition, and they still exist. Now we are going to a new evolution where we might change the way how that is composed, because eventually if we, I am sure you heard about a proposal to privatize the mess and to give the soldiers an allowance for food, right? So when that rolls out, if it happens and it comes to fruition, then we will transform the way how our acquisition teams operate."
And the defence budget will have to keep increasing because the General says the number of soldiers must increase. He says it is most necessary:
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, BDF "We have done an assessment, a capabilities assessment, and determined that we need to increase the size of the force because of the tasking that we have countrywide. That's why the plan, the government, I believe, has agreed to our plan to increase the size of the force over the next three years."
"That's why you're seeing constant recruiting. Like I mentioned before, we had one last year. We have one this just passed out. And October will start a new intake. And then the following year, we'll do two more intakes as well."
The Prime Minister is currently away in the United States on leave, but there's a lot still brewing, and some of that has to do with the new appointments to the RECONDEV Board of Directors.
When he returned from his last vacation in mid-June, the PM said he would name a new board as a matter of urgency:
John Briceno, Prime Minister "I will also ask to appoint a new board at RECONDEV, so that we can, to remove any semblance of of any kind of issues of whether, you know, supposedly, as you, you allege that the Miras are, controlling there at RECONDEV."
Jules Vasquez "Well, his brother is the Chairman."
John Briceno, Prime Minister "Yes. So we we will change. I said, I told the Cabinet Secretary that we will go through the process of appointing a new one."
This weekend, the names of the new appointees to the board went public, and it caused quite a stir of public discontent.
First off, it can hardly be called new since four of the appointees are holdovers from the last board. And while Brian Mira has been removed as Chairman, he's been replaced by the previous Deputy Chair, Myrna Waight, who is known as an Oscar Mira loyalist. The other holdovers on the board are Cedric Borland, Lysandra Berbey, and Wilfredo Galvez. The new appointees to the board include party uber-loyalists Mike Rudon, George Castro, known as an Oscar Mira campaigner, and Carla Bradley.
Tonight, the former Ombudsman is raising serious questions about the welfare and legal status of nine young Haitian girls in Belize. Retired Major Gilbert Swaso has gone public with shocking allegations of human trafficking and major government inaction.
The story began back in mid-2023, when nine minor-aged Haitian girls entered Belize. According to official documents, their arrival came at a time when the Belizean government had an active moratorium on visas for Haitian nationals. There were no official documents from the Haitian government authorizing their movement or relocation.
Somehow, according to the former Ombudsman, the children ended up living in Spanish Lookout under the care of Canadian nationals connected to an organization called Beauty Out of Ashes. But concerns quickly mounted. UN agencies, including UNICEF and the UNHCR, formally filed a complaint with the Ombudsman's office. They pointed to serious red flags: a complete lack of legal guardianship documents, unverified immigration status, which are signs consistent with human trafficking, and distress among the children, who appeared fearful of state officials. Former Ombudsman Swaso states that credible evidence pointed to a strong possibility the girls were victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
Despite these alarms, state agencies he says dragged their feet. Swaso says that before his office got involved, government authorities had taken insufficient action. He reveals that over two years after the girls arrived, an independent Best Interests Determination had still never been completed by authorities.
Then, he says the investigation ground to a sudden halt. Swaso's tenure as Ombudsman ended on December 31st, 2025, leaving the office vacant.
Now, Swaso is taking direct action to prevent the case from dying. He has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre, demanding clear answers. He insists that administrative transitions and a vacant constitutional post must not leave vulnerable children without protection or justice.
The government now has 14 days to respond to his request-we'll see if they do so.
The proposed Broadcasting Act, 2026 was released to stakeholders last week Thursday, and it promises sweeping changes to the information landscape, including online broadcasters, streaming services, and social media content creators who will now face unprecedented government oversight and license requirements.
The landmark legislation officially expands the legal definition of "broadcasting" beyond traditional radio and television to cover internet-dependent digital platforms, Over-The-Top services, and "National Online Broadcasters" targeting Belizean audiences for commercial gain.
Attorney Marissa Longsworth discussed the exemptions to this:
Ms. Marissa Longsworth, Attorney-at-Law "Exemptions are to be prescribed for national online broadcasters to consider that licenses should only be those that meet criteria such as commercial benefits of the broadcast, audience size, availability and accessibility to the broadcast, and frequency. So the way this act will work is that once you broadcast online, you will fall within this act. The question comes whether you should be licensed for that purpose. And how does the BBA decide who should be licensed or not? Let's say, for example, I have something to say to the public. I go on Facebook and I go live, but I have, I don't know, maybe 900 friends. I have never gone further than that on Facebook, right?"
"So in this sort of situation, I could go live to my 900 friends. Maybe 20 of them will watch my live. It is limited, the public can't view my page, the public can't view my live. So if you report me to the BBA, the BBA will look at that and say, 'Well, how many people did Marissa reach during that live? How many times did Marissa do a broadcast? Did she do a weekly podcast show? She has sponsors? BTL is sponsoring her credit or, you know? Is there a commercial benefit being derived from her online podcast?' That is a consideration. 'How frequent does she broadcast?' That is a consideration. 'Who has access to her broadcast? Is it the general public? Is it a special group? Is it a very small group?' That is a consideration."
Under the new framework, online outlets and digital content creators generating ad or sponsorship revenue from Belizeans will no longer operate in a regulatory vacuum; they must now obtain an official license or secure an explicit exemption from the Belize Broadcasting Authority.
And the new proposed regulation-which, we stress, is at the consultation stage-is increasing the Belize Broadcasting Authority's enforcement powers and the fines and penalties it can impose.
In fact, the BBA can issue administrative penalties reaching BZ$10,000 per compliance order.
And one of the issues it will have to be very specific about is what constitutes a bad word which cannot be used on air. The BBA's legal advisor discussed that and a word often hinted at which begins with "R":
Ms. Marissa Longsworth, Attorney-at-Law "The regulations will have a schedule-the Code of Conduct regulations will have a schedule of words, so it may be the first legislation where you have 20 bad words just lined out because you have to state in our lingo-and I will say the word, but Jules has already gone, I would let him teach us that-in our lingo, maybe when you say that is lone madrass, maybe in our lingo that is not offensive, maybe it is, so does it go in the schedule? If it goes in the schedule, then every time Jules says it, there is a fine, right? And so that is the way when we get to the Code of Conduct regulations, there will be consultations on this, so bring every bad word that you know to that consultation and it will be duly considered as part of the schedule, right? So."
We'll keep following the progress of the consultations.
With the flurry of scandal over abuse of the threshold limitation on government spending, the Attorney General has been tasked with revising the financial orders that will go under review for recommendations and changes. Last week, the AG gave us a timeline for what they are working on:
Reporter: "And to your knowledge, have the financial orders been reviewed before? I know that this may have happened decades ago, but my understanding is that the changes, the recommendations were never taken into account, so no change happened."
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General "Well, I am not quite sure if it were done before, but what I can say definitively is that the Prime Minister has given an undertaking to the nation, and I can tell you that we are well on our way to ensuring we will have new procurement laws and regulations before the end of the year."
Reporter: "So you all are intimately involved in that?"
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General "Yes, so AG's Ministry, these matters will have to be passed to us for review."
Reporter: "Do you consider the FARA also needs to be reviewed and amended?"
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General "Well, again, I don't want to pass judgment on that as yet, but what I can say is that everything is under review."
And as for other matters on the AG's radar, he was also asked about Alberto August and what would happen if he decides to file a constitutional claim for the cyberbullying charges wrongly brought against him:
Reporter: "Do you expect that as the government that Alberto August would file a constitutional claim against the government or the Police Department in relation to that cyber crime charge?"
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General "Well, I am not sure. I don't want to pass comment on that; we will just wait and see."
Reporter: "Is it that since the charge has been withdrawn, can a constitutional claim still be brought?"
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General "So again, I mean, in theory, yes, but then you would have to look at the contours. You would have to look at the specific claim-what is it alleging? What is the specific right or rights that are being or were infringed? So we would have to look at that, no."
And do they need to revise all the cybercrime laws so that it cannot be abused by public officials? We asked the AG:
Reporter: "The directive to review and amend the cyber crime law, did that come directly from the PM or is it that there are other bodies that are asking for such a review to take place?"
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General "It is not the entire act which is subject to review, the only specific provisions, because one has to be, caution has to be said here, because a cyber crime legislation is necessary. It is important and necessary to regulate the conduct of persons on social media and in other, and any other form where bullying takes place, so cyber bullying is real. The concern, and it is a valid concern that was raised by the public, was that whether certain provisions might be such that it actually addresses, as one of my colleagues have referred to it, as criminalizing defamation. And so in that respect, the concern was to look at those provisions that may be regarded or possibly can be regarded as criminalizing defamation and ensuring that it in fact does not do that. Because whilst we appreciate and accept that cyber bullying is something real and something that has harmful effects on members of the society and people at large, and it is important that the state regulates that, but at the same time, we don't want to have a situation where you have on your law books provisions that are more, as I indicated, in the realm of possible criminalizing of defamation. So those are things that are under review, and we are hopeful we might be able to have an amendment at the next House meeting."
And finally tonight, a 44-year-old man from Mahogany Heights has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison following allegations of sexual assault against a minor.
Police detained Sheldon Lewis yesterday after a female report was filed at the Mahogany Heights Police Station. According to authorities, Lewis allegedly attacked a female minor at a local park and grabbed her breast.
Lewis appeared before Senior Magistrate Mannon Dennison this morning, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge of sexual assault. Due to the nature of the offense, bail was denied.
Lewis has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to reappear in court in August 2026.
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Tonight, there is bad news for an up-and-coming luxury resort in southern Belize.
Tonight, the family of 2023 murder victim Leslie Verde is speaking up, saying that the justice system has failed them by allowing Juan Carlos Novelo to be 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."
"Yesterday when I heard that verdict, I felt like I failed her, I failed her children, so now all we are asking for is the reason why. Why did the judge decide that he's not guilty? And we want these answers. We feel like we're back at square one when this happened in November four, twenty twenty three, we're back at square one not knowing who did it. Why was it done?"
At 11:00 this morning, an attempted robbery was reported at Handy Money Loans pawn shop on Handyside Street. Food vendors in the vicinity told 7News that they all heard a single shot, and shortly after, a man was seen bleeding from his foot outside of the store. Police and the Scenes of Crime Unit responded to the area a few minutes later. The injured person, later identified as Miguel Guerra, the owner of the business, was rushed to a hospital. Eyewitnesses say the assailant escaped on a bicycle. No stolen goods or cash have been confirmed as yet.
It might be the most popular barbecue joint in Belize City, but tonight, Tony's BBQ at the foot of the Belcan overpass has one month to move.
It's part of the upcoming renovation of the Belcan Bridge, and the decades-old eatery was told it would have to relocate.
In fiscal year 2023-2024, the BDF was purchasing 1,320 pounds of baby back ribs annually.
"However, after these events are over, we stock some of them as well, and then whatever remains in stock, we give to the soldiers, so we send it to the battalions, the units in P.G. and Belizario. And few soldiers get to enjoy these because the ones on camp get to enjoy it, not the ones being deployed. So it's a small number of soldiers that actually get to enjoy these things. Like I told you before, like I mentioned before, I've never had it, the privilege of having it, you know, the baby back ribs, but some soldiers do, and they enjoy it. And then what we do as well is some of the extra stuff that we have, we use on a, if we have a cooking course, the new cooks, they do a culinary delight or treat, and everyone here, for example, at Price Barracks, is invited to go and sample these exquisite food that they make."
And when it comes to the uniforms, the BDF has also seen an increase in budget. Velasquez says that they have better boots and uniforms:
But the question remains: why has the Ministry taken control of procurement instead of leaving it in the hands of the BDF? Well, the Commander explained that it all started in 2017 when misappropriation of funds and resources was identified:
The Prime Minister is currently away in the United States on leave, but there's a lot still brewing, and some of that has to do with the new appointments to the RECONDEV Board of Directors.
This weekend, the names of the new appointees to the board went public, and it caused quite a stir of public discontent.
First off, it can hardly be called new since four of the appointees are holdovers from the last board. And while Brian Mira has been removed as Chairman, he's been replaced by the previous Deputy Chair, Myrna Waight, who is known as an Oscar Mira loyalist. The other holdovers on the board are Cedric Borland, Lysandra Berbey, and Wilfredo Galvez. The new appointees to the board include party uber-loyalists Mike Rudon, George Castro, known as an Oscar Mira campaigner, and Carla Bradley.
Tonight, the former Ombudsman is raising serious questions about the welfare and legal status of nine young Haitian girls in Belize. Retired Major Gilbert Swaso has gone public with shocking allegations of human trafficking and major government inaction.
The proposed Broadcasting Act, 2026 was released to stakeholders last week Thursday, and it promises sweeping changes to the information landscape, including online broadcasters, streaming services, and social media content creators who will now face unprecedented government oversight and license requirements.
"So in this sort of situation, I could go live to my 900 friends. Maybe 20 of them will watch my live. It is limited, the public can't view my page, the public can't view my live. So if you report me to the BBA, the BBA will look at that and say, 'Well, how many people did Marissa reach during that live? How many times did Marissa do a broadcast? Did she do a weekly podcast show? She has sponsors? BTL is sponsoring her credit or, you know? Is there a commercial benefit being derived from her online podcast?' That is a consideration. 'How frequent does she broadcast?' That is a consideration. 'Who has access to her broadcast? Is it the general public? Is it a special group? Is it a very small group?' That is a consideration."
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General