Former Deputy Prime Minister Called before Commission of Inquiry
Chinese Businessman Says he Loan Herrera Money to Purchase Government Vehicle
Commission of Inquiry Looks into Sale of Government Vehicle
Leader of the Opposition Calls Commission of Inquiry a “Witch Hunt”
Opposition Demands Apology from Prime Minister Briceno
The Commission of Inquiry reconvened today for its second session which went for about three hours. Eight witnesses were called before the Commission but only seven gave testimonies.
Businessman Zhou Rong Li was the second witness to testify before the Commission of Inquiry. Li who is also represented by Attorney Bennett, explained how he got involved in the purchase.
Once the vehicle was bought from the Government, the vehicle was then placed on the market. This is where Said Perdomo came into the picture.
Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber led a press conference this afternoon to address several national concerns. There was a long list of concerns including today’s session of the Commission of Inquiry where the Chairman of the Commission Andrew Marshalleck told elected Area Representative that he could be disqualified from Parliament. Senator Michael Peyrefitte commented on the Marshalleck’s not so subtle threat.
Opposition Leader has declared that there is now a signature style of Prime Minister John Briceno where he speaks down to individuals. One specific instance cited was the interview aired on Love News yesterday where PM Briceno suggested that the former union President shut her mouth.
Another issue of concern was the case of the Director of Health Services Dr Marvin Manzanero. Faber noted that their defence for Dr Manzanero has nothing to do with Manzanero or the party that he supports.
Dr Marvin Manzanero is currently on leave after he was accused of misconduct. The allegation surrounds his rejecton of the use of the BAHA facility for testing.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness reported that Covid-19 has claimed no lives in the 24-hour period starting 1pm yesterday. The number of COVID-19 deaths remains at three hundred and fourteen.
Belmopan Mayor Khalid Belisle has less than one week in office. Belisle announced some months ago that he would not be seeking re-election. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz spoke with him on his two terms in office.
While the country’s active COVID-19 cases continue to grow, the Belize Central Prison has managed to prevent any new cases, and have been Covid free for several months now.
Last year the biggest prison break happened with twenty-eight prisoners breaking free from the Belize Central Prison. All escapees have been recaptured and now adjustments in prison protocols have been made to prevent it from reoccurring.
The Belize Central Prison is managed by the Kolbe Foundation. The prison currently houses one thousand and seventy inmates who are under twenty-four-hour surveillance of a staff of only two hundred and fifty guards.
The Government of Belize has moved to extend the curfew for an additional 30 days starting March 4, 2021.
A member of the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) has been identified as the index case for the UK Covid-19 variant found in Belize.
Association of Public Service Senior Managers is tonight condemning in the strongest of terms the acts and treatment of Doctor Marvin Manzanero by the Ministry of Health.
The APSSM says that the treatment of Doctor Marvin Manzanero by the Briceno Administration only demonstrates the evils of political interference into the work of public servants.
We also managed to get an update from the Prime Minister regarding the COVAX vaccines.
Construction of Stake Bank’s cruise ship docking facility “Port Coral” commenced today.
This morning the Government of Belize signed a Memorandum of Understanding with APEX, the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions during a short virtual ceremony.
On the international stage, when compared by the number of recorded COVID-19 cases Belize ranks one hundred and thirty-four of two hundred and twenty-one countries.
The tough economic constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic saw much of the nation’s export markets take a heavy hit last year resulting in severe losses in the nation’s Gross Domestic products. Industries that were affected include the Sugar, Citrus, and Livestock industries.
Today the University of Belize held its first Gian Ghandi Memorial Lecture, honouring the legacy…
It was first held in 1998 and since then it has grown as the country’s biggest sporting event. Everywhere thousands of Belizeans line up along river banks to watch dozens of paddlers compete in the four day Belikin La Ruta Maya River Challenge.
A fire over the weekend in the Toledo District is believe to be arson. Paul Mahung has the details.
———————]
The Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Enterprise held a ceremony to commemorate the launch of a pilot project on voluntary use of third-party assurance programs. The project seeks to strengthen compliance with national food security and enterprise to enhance safety protocols for agricultural exports. Cayo correspondent Fem Cruz was present at the event and has the story.
