Jose Hernandez

Jose Hernandez, San Pedro Resident

“Today there is another problem; I’ve always worked for the town council and yesterday morning the boss called me immediately. She told me, “Mr. Jose: Bring the key, Andres Perez wants the van and its key.” That’s what she told me.  They didn’t inform me that I was fired or anything. They just call me and say, “Bring the keys” and that’s it. I mean, I don’t know, they should notify me. As far as I understand, that’s how it goes. Two weeks in advance they notify you that you are fired. They also haven’t paid me Social Security. Nothing. I have been working for the town council since before the pandemic, but there was a pause once. When I started again, that’s when they fired me from the job. I have five children, I can’t and don’t have money to give each of them their twenty dollars so they can go to school and have lunch money. I live ten miles north from the center. So, I am far away. And well, with those twenty for each one, it’s for them to have lunch. But now I have no job and I don’t have money either.”

Hernandez Rejects ‘Disingenuous’ Land Allegation

The back and forth over land ownership in San Pedro has taken a more personal turn. Jose Hernandez is refuting claims that he tried to secure a second land title while his wife already had one. Area Representative Andre Perez accused Hernandez of being “disingenuous” about his family’s land situation, but Hernandez says that’s simply not true. He’s now making it clear that he and his wife have been separated for three years, and that the land she acquired is hers, not his. Hernandez insists he’s only been trying to secure a piece of land for himself because, as he puts it, he currently doesn’t own any.

                  Jose Hernandez

Jose Hernandez, San Pedro Resident

“ Well, Mr. Heredia, who was from the red party, gave her a piece of land and gave me a piece of land. I can’t rely on something that isn’t mine, it’s not in my name, that’s my wife’s, it’s not mine. I can’t depend on that land, because to begin with we have issues that aren’t very good, but I am attentive to the children, who are five. I am always keeping an eye on them and taking care of them. She was on the land that Mr. Heredia gave her, but the same thing happened to her. The PUP took it away, Mr. Pérez took that land from her and gave it to someone else. I don’t know how she applied for that, and well, she managed to get the land. Well, that’s her thing anyway. But the land that I have, that Mr. Heredia gave me, Minister Andre Perez comes and takes it away from me. It’s not the same when things are for my wife, and when things are mine. What is mine is mine; what is hers is hers. I don’t count on hers.”

A simple political jab has now morphed into a deeper fight over family ties, fairness, and who actually has a rightful claim.

Perez Says Hernandez’s Termination Was Inevitable

Perez isn’t letting Hernandez’s claims slide. He says he had nothing to do with Hernandez being fired from the San Pedro Town Council. According to Perez, once he reached out to the council, he was told that parents had filed repeated complaints about Hernandez’s performance, and that his termination was already in motion long before the political noise. Perez says it’s “unfortunate” that the opposition is now using Hernandez’s situation to score political points. Here’s how he puts it.

On the Phone: Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“I actually had to inquire why he was terminated. I knew the issues with him and did not know the specifics. But I have gotten the information from the council. Apparently, he was not performing at the standard of what is expected of him. He was hired as the driver to take students from the North Ambergris area to bring them to school. But I understand from the council that the parents complained a lot about him not being on time. I think they were telling that the children would not be reaching until after six to North Ambergris because he would stop at different places and the children are saying they are reaching late because of that. At no time did I request to hand over the keys. The van is for school purposes. It was donated by my office but handed over to the town council to manage the driver, the maintenance and if their parts to be replaced then they reach out to me and I will replace the parts. But I have nothing to do with the hiring or firing of this gentleman. I am a bit saddened that the opposition is going to use this poor gentleman for political gain and they are using the woes of a person for political mileage. But he has done his media rounds and I will respond, he claims that the land he is squatting on that he has developed it. But I have the proof and I will send the screenshots of what we have, up until 2021 there was no kind of activity on that property.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Speaking Out Against Perez Allegedly Costs Hernandez His Job first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                    Jose Hernandez

Jose Hernandez, San Pedro Resident

“Minister Andre Perez took away my land where I have lived for eleven years. My children have grown up. When I moved there, there was no street. And I have struggled a lot to get to where I am now, and it is not fair that today another person comes with another title. I have papers here showing that I started paying for everything. I paid five hundred and fifty dollars that had to be paid first. And then I applied for the purchase price. Here I have another receipt showing a zero balance, and I applied for the purchase price. Two months later, they told me it was already approved. On December fifteenth, some other person now has title for it.”

                       Andre Perez

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“I want to refer to an issue about a gentleman who stood by his side stating that he was displaced. Let me be clear. Yes, he showed documents. He did show documents. I do respect the man. Actually, he works for the town council. He drives the bus that we, as a representative, I provided a school bus for the children that live up North Ambergris. It’s part of my CDF funds. We bought a van to bring down the students. And he’s the designated driver that is paid for by the town council. He represents the actual, what people think that the government doesn’t know. His wife had a piece of property. He didn’t say he had a piece of property, but he was squatting on a piece of property next to his wife and saying that he got displaced. So I said, listen, the one beside your wife seems to be available. Let’s proceed. And then I’ll assist you to get that property for your wife. And then you can move your building on the land and it’s all over. So he agreed and we did that process to get the title for his wife. So, we were unbeknownst to us. We thought that everything was fine.”

With each side holding firm to its account, the dispute is shedding new light on how land decisions are handled and shared with the public.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Perez Counters Accusation in Heated Ambergris Caye Land Dispute first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Britney Gordon

“Are you aware of the petition from the residents in Belama to open up El Celaso Lane? That was a street that was surveyed and approved, but it has been sold as private property and they’re asking for that street back.”

                    Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think that’s something that happened under the previous government, and it has come to our attention. I’ve spoken to the DPM and and the DPM is saying their technical people are taking a look to see whether it was road reserve or not. And and then you can take it from there.”

                             Sergio Alaya

Sergio Alaya, Belama Landowner

“The issue is that the street El Celaso Lane has been taken away from us and we are here to take our stands to try to make sure that the street comes true because it is something that is very needed. Everybody says they have an issue, including me when I come, I have to reverse or turn in my yard. I don’t have a house, so I can do that. But if you have a house in your yard, you cannot do that. So that’s the biggest issue.”

Britney Gordon

“What are you guys being told right now is the reason why it’s not being opened?”

Sergio Alaya

“There was never a reason why it wasn’t open, but we needed to open because it will serve the neighborhood. Other than that traffic will always be a big problem.”

The post Belama Residents Petition Government Over Lost Street first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Dr. Sade Thompson, along with two fellow American investors, says they’re pulling out of the Howler Jungle House and Cabanas project in Burrell Boom. They claim their Belizean business partners, Kenny and Shanna Williams, charged them way too much to build and manage three structures and other amenities on the property. Dr. Thompson told News Five that trust has completely broken down. She and her partners now want the buildings removed from the site altogether. But the Williamses aren’t staying silent. Their attorney, Andrew Bennett, is firmly rejecting the accusations.

Voice of: Dr. Sade Thompson, American Investor

“And then once we told them we gave them a thirty days notice and that is when  they completely blocked Jasmyn from the property. They decided she was not allowed for no reason. They said we have guest we don’t want to disrupt them. So, we gave notice. So, we sent it by email from our lawyer. They said, oh that is not enough.”

Jazmynn Tillett has been acting on behalf of the American investors in Belize. And Bennett says his clients did not block Tillett from the property without reason.

Andrew Bennett

Andrew Bennett, Attorney-at-law

“We want to be clear, because we anticipate this may lead to litigation. We have written to their attorneys and offered solutions in respect to the removal of these structures and that is still a live matter and we want to be careful.”

Back on September twenty-fourth, Morales and Company sent a letter to Courtenay Coye LLP suggesting that any relocation of the buildings be pushed to the tourist off-season, ideally May 2026. But Dr. Thompson isn’t on board with that timeline. She says they’ve already lined up contractors who are ready to move the structures now, even if it means taking a financial hit.

Voice of: Dr. Sade Thompson

“That is where we are all kind of at and where we have recognized the loses and it is really frustrating and that is why when Shanna came back and said May, we were just like why so long. Our plan is to get the buildings and have them ready by high season. 26they are a really good contracting company.”

Andrew Bennett

“These were built from scratch. It was so the removal and dismantling of these structures, as you noticed when we are coming in, the passage is not good for a mass removal and so within our conversation or communication we were told that they would dismantle and take out. But there are still little things that needs to be worked out as far as that is concerned.”

Basically, the Williamses don’t want Tillett anywhere near the property anymore; their working relationship has completely fallen apart. And back in June, the American investors made it clear, they ordered the buildings to be locked up and taken out of use. So now, those three structures have just been sitting there for months, untouched.

Voice of: Dr. Sade Thompson

“The main thing we want is to be able to take our property and move it. They even have a clause in the agreement is that if it is breached you guys can move according to the agreement and we believe that all the fraud we uncovered is a breach and we don’t want to work with them anymore.”

Andrew Bennett

“Imagine somebody comes and they want peace and tranquility and when they come they hear construction happening and the road access blocked. You don’t get the value and enjoyment of Belize because of that. This is the height of the tourism season. Doctor Thompson does not understand Belize tourism season.”

Legal tensions are heating up in the Howler Jungle House dispute, and the paperwork is under the microscope. Barrow and Williams LLP have flagged several inconsistencies in the lease agreement tied to the Burrell Boom property. In a letter to Dr. Sade Thompson, the firm warned that without proper legal structure, the current setup will continue to cause problems. One major issue? The land hasn’t been surveyed or subdivided as required by the Land Utilization Act. That step is crucial for transferring titles to each investor. The firm recommends a more formal approach, setting up a limited liability company where each investor becomes a shareholder. Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground continues. Shanna and Kenny Williams argue that despite claims from Tillett that she’s been locked out of the property, surveillance footage shows individuals entering and removing items in boxes. At this point, both sides will need to sit down, with their lawyers, and figure out how to move forward. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The post Burrell Boom Investment Dispute Escalates first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The distant roar of howler monkeys echoing through the lush rainforest of Belize, as they swing playfully from tree to tree. Tucked away in this tropical paradise is a cozy wood cabin, modern amenities, air conditioning, the works. It’s the kind of getaway most of us dream about. Welcome to the Howler Jungle House and Cabanas in Burrel Boom Village. For Shanna and Kenny Williams, this dream started a decade ago with just one house. Today, it’s grown into four luxury accommodations, thanks to a partnership with three American investors. But what began as paradise for those investors has now turned into what they call a horror story.

              Voice of: Dr. Sade Thompson

Voice of: Dr. Sade Thompson, American Investor 

“We did Zoom meeting, we had our first Zoom meeting and they pitched the idea to us and said it would be like a Mennonite structure. I didn’t even know what that meant. Mennonite structure, I live in Los Angelese, California, and it sounded very good. The price would be fifty thousand U.S dollars for a one bedroom and I told them I was interested in a two-bedroom and they gave me a quote of eighty thousand U.S dollars. And so, we thought that all sounds good, so what do we do. We let them know we are not wealthy American we are working and we have to pay as we go along because we don’t have this large amount of money to fund this.”

So, here’s how the deal was set up: the American investors signed a lease agreement with Shanna and Kenny Williams. In that document, it’s clear, the Williamses remain the beneficial owners of the property. What they offered was permission for the investors to use part of the land to run three units. Now, this wasn’t just a handshake deal. The agreement spelled out a long list of fees the investors would pay to the Williamses, everything from hotel management and monthly damage costs to operational expenses, security, reception, cleaning, landscaping, maintenance, even social security contributions. In short, the Williamses were still very much in control.

Voice of: Dr. Sade Thompson

“There were no red flags so we continued sending the money until the project, they started working on the project and we met the contractor and they said, the wood had to be upgraded and the structure has to be a certain way. They started adding these luxury things and putting more and more. So my cost went from original eighty thousand to a hundred twenty-four thousand U.S. dollars and my sister and friend their quote went from fifty thousand U.S to eight thousand U.S. dollars. So we began asking for explanations. We already had put so much money between the soil and other testing and it is hard to back out at this time.”

The investors say they kept sending money into the project, even as the bills started climbing, because they believed in the dream. They were confident that, in the medium-to-long term, their investment would pay off. But then, things took a turn. The relationship between the American investors and their Belizean partners began to sour. So, a consultant was brought in, not just to help steer the business back on track, but to mediate between both sides. And that’s when the bombshells started dropping. The consultant began revealing things the investors say they never saw coming.

Voice of: Jasmyn Tillett, Consultant 

“In Belize you know how we get a quote, like if you ask for something from the hardware store and pay for it. They were taking the quotes and billing the investors. So, they had a lot of quotes, but they were not necessarily receipts. If it was under a hundred thousand dollars Belize I would say business happens and things happen, but when it got into a five hundred thousand dollars U.S.”

Now, those investors claim they’ve been duped. They’re pointing to what they call a laundry list of fraud, everything from inflated employee salaries and questionable electrical upgrades to bogus invoices, road construction scams, and even discrepancies in consultant payments. And that’s just the beginning of their allegations. But Shanna and Kenny Williams are refuting every single claim. In fact, they’ve lawyered up and made it clear they’re taking this seriously. Today, they even invited us out to the property to see things for ourselves. While there, we spoke with attorney Andrew Bennett.

                 Andrew Bennett

Andrew Bennett, Attorney-at-law

“My clients categorically deny all these false allegations that have been made against them. We find them libelous and defamatory, and we are considering taking legal action on the heels of that letter. What is fact is that Dr. Sade Thompson entered into an investment agreement. This is what we are seeing right now. Three structures were placed on my clients’ property and the purpose was to jointly operate these structures as tourism accommodation. What has happened is that six months after commencing the operation of these vacation homes, in our view, Dr. Thompson listened to bad advice and that led to the dispute currently before us.”

According to Bennett, the Williamses ran their operations by the book. He contends that the cost of the works carried out to prepare the property and construct the three structures are well within a justifiable range.

Andrew Bennett

“What we will say is that those structures are very unique to the property and they have their aesthetic appeal and that is why we invited Channel 5 to see for themselves what these investors got. It is not every American voice that becomes the truth. You have to listen to Belizean investors. Kenny and Shanna they have conducted their business above reproach. It is because of their ethics and business and professionalism is what brought these investors to this property.”

The American investors say they’re ready to pack up, take their structures off the property, and move on with their lives. But that’s easier said than done. This tug-of-war has turned into a full-blown legal battle, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. We’ll have more details for you in an upcoming newscast. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The post From Paradise to Legal Battle: Howler Jungle House Dispute Turns Ugly first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

When Independence Village resident Sherene Garbutt went public with her land troubles, it caught the attention of Natural Resources Minister Cordel Hyde. On Friday, Hyde admitted something surprising, Garbutt’s lease application for twenty-two acres never even made it to his desk. Yet, he signed off on a purchase application from Orange Walk resident Charles Price, submitted long after Garbutt’s. Hyde says Price has agreed to return the land, but it’s not going back to Garbutt.

               Cordel Hyde

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources

“It is swampy land surrounded by some bigger parcels of land owned by some big land owners. But it is deep swamp. So, I have said to our people, we should not have issued that permission to survey in the first place, because it is swampy land and we should not have issued the purchase price in the second place. So on account of that, we have reached out to Mr. Price and said to him please bring back the tittle and transfer the land back to government. He has agreed to do that.”

Minister Hyde says the government plans to turn that land into a protected area. So, where does that leave Sherene Garbutt? She told News Five, quote, ‘Swap or not, I want it back. I don’t want any land outside the village.’ But how did Charles Price’s application for those twenty-two acres land on the minister’s desk before Garbutt’s, when Price submitted his paperwork more than a year later?

Cordel Hyde

“Because we have opened up things where anybody could go apply for a land often times without an area rep recommendation, we encourage people to just apply and it moves up the chain and we are able to make a determination. It reaches my desk as to who gets it, who has a better plan, who is the first time land owner, who I deem, based on a number of things, is deserving. Unfortunately, that is not what presented to me. The two files were not presented to me to make a determination as to who is fitting to get the land. Only one file was presented to me and so that person benefited from getting that tittle. Some people may say well oh people are connected and that kind of stuff. I don’t think you can say because someone is related to someone who works for a minister or someone is related to someone who works for the ruling party or in the public service that they cant get a piece of land, you know.”

A sketch showing the GPS coordinates for those twenty-two acres reveals something else. Just above that parcel, entry number 11696, one hundred acres, already has a name attached to it. So now, Sherene Garbutt is asking the obvious question: Why is the land she’s fighting for being singled out as a protected area, when the larger piece right next to it shares the same natural features?

Cordel Hyde

“The challenges is keeping up, the volume is just a lot. So mistakes will be made. Errors will be made. So this is not the first mistake that was made. Often times we are able to solve it before it goes too far, we are able to work it out so that everybody is satisfied. We have a willingness to help people. We have a commitment to help people. Unfortunately, the matter got stuck and for months the language and communication between Ms Garbutt and our ministry personnel was not the best. So they did not make much headway unfortunately. So, we are here.”

Garbutt isn’t budging. She says she won’t accept any land outside her community and now she’s threatening to take the ministry to court. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The post Sherene Garbutt Fights Back as 22 Acres in Independence Go Protected first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

For nearly thirty years, one Ladyville resident has been locked in a battle to secure a piece of the Jewel, a seventy-two-acre island just four miles off the village’s coast. Back in 1998, his group, the Brotherhood Association, first applied to survey Hen and Chicken Caye. That survey finally happened in 2007, and the Ministry Natural Resources gave its stamp of approval. But after all that time, the fight isn’t over. So, what’s standing in the way?

                     David McCulloch

David McCulloch, Brotherhood Association

“This is seventy-two point nine three acres of island. This is a so much million-dollar estate. We wanted to create three hundred lots subdivision for Belizeans first. We are tired of our islands and coastline going to foreigners and when they subdivide it Belizeans cannot get a walk on these islands and coastlines.”

The ministry issued a lease to the association and then a purchase price of eighteen thousand, nine hundred and sixty-two dollars in 2008.

David McCulloch

“This is the purchase price, the government had given us purchase price. The lease states under these conditions, lease number 870/2008 is still in effect until freehold time is issued. When we tried to pay, we went to Belmopan to pay and the account was closed and we could not make payments. We liaised with that time prime minister, and we did not get any results.”

Back in 2008, the political winds shifted from the People’s United Party to the United Democratic Party. And David McCulloch has never hidden the fact that he’s a die-hard PUP supporter. Fast forward to 2022, McCulloch takes his case straight to Minister Cordel Hyde. The result was an inspection order being issued. But what does that mean for his decades-long fight?

David McCulloch

“After the inspection, the thing gone dead. Nobody wants to address the issues. I have made fifteen trips to the minister’s office. The secretary has met with me, they take down copies, pictures of the purchase price, the blueprint, phone number. Five trips in Belmopan. I meet with the secretary they cant do nothing. I meet with Ms. Georgette. I guh dah land’s office to try pay, Belmopan to try pay. If the big man deh want the place, there is no way our organization could fight and will not have no fight with no big man. If they are going to take us as the sacrificial lamb to if they are going to take us for the sacrificial lamb to violate our constitutional rights and politically victimize us by no fairly processing our documents and fairly dealing with us, then if you want the place then fairly compensate us.”

McCulloch laid out his association’s vision for the property, which he says includes a Christian retreat center, as well as refuge for victims of domestic violence, drug addicts and at-risk youths. According to McCulloch the association has already constructed a road and a marina on the island.

David McCulloch

“I personally wanted Belizean first to end up with a piece of that island. it is a difficult thing when a man like me is called to do the Lord’s work and the world’s work and some of our projects are shut down. The negative force does not want us to achieve certain goals. So they might have to kill me for trying to establish Belize International Island Holy Ground Convention Center, Retreat Center, Unity Foundation. Or maybe they have to block me so that it doesn’t reach me so I can achieve these goals. A lot of people have said to me, Mr. McCulloch, how comes your own party could do this to you. You party nuh genuine to you. I am not saying they are not genuine. I am saying they cant meet everybody request at the same time. Why these issues have not come to press is because we were not trying to bring it to the press, not trying to put our bosses on the frontline.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The post Ladyville Man’s 30-Year Fight for Hen and Chicken Caye first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                           Cordel Hyde

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources

“As I understand it in this particular case with this land, it is swampy land, not beach front land as people suggest. It is swampy land surrounded by bigger parcels of land owned by big landowners. It is deep swamp and so I have said to my people we should not have issued that permission to survey in the first place, because it is swampy land. And we should not have issued a purchase price in the second place. So, on account of that we have reached out to Mister Price and said to him please bring back the tittle and transfer the land back to the government. He has agreed to do that and is in the process of doing that today or sometime soon. And we will plan to make that land into some type of reserve, because it is entirely swamp and outside of its obvious benefit of having it stay in its natural state, it would cost a lot of money to full that land. We are talking about millions of dollars. So that is what happen. In the case of that application from Ms. Garbutt, I never saw that application. That never reached my desk.”

Paul Lopez

“The land commissioner told her it was on its way to the minister’s desk.”

Cordel Hyde

“The truth of the matter they tell everybody that. Everybody that comes to check the land, everybody at Lands tell them it is on my desk. My desk is full but it is not that full. They always say that. She got permission to survey in 2022. She got it surveyed very quickly and applied for lease after. But, when I checked that particular file was stuck at inspection for all this time. So you are talking about it being there for three years, it never reached my desk.”

Paul Lopez

“But, how is it that does not reach your desk, but the man how comes after his application reaches your desk. You approve the lease and sign a second document to approve purchase. His one seem to have been fast tracked.”

Cordel Hyde

“So, some people apply for lease and some people apply for direct purchase. In this case this person applied for direct purchase.”

Paul Lopez

“So a lease number was on the application to purchase, 680/2024.”

Cordel Hyde

“You are giving me more information than I remember. As I understand it, he applied for direct purchase. He got the purchase price. He paid the purchase price and got the title. Ms. Garbutt applied in 2022, Ms. Garbutt applied in March of last year. And, sometime earlier this year that file came in front of me. Often times, and it should be this case, when you apply for a land and multiple people apply for a land, then multiple files should come to me at once to make a determination who will get the land. In this case, that other file never reached me, only the file of Mr. Price.”

The post Cordel Hyde Addresses Malacate Beach Land Scandal first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources

“I can’t tell you how is it that particular file never reached to my desk and that happens often.”

Paul Lopez

“Could it be that people within the ministry are conspiring by identifying real estate with huge potential that somebody is already in the process of acquiring and passing it on to cronies?”

Cordel Hyde

“What I will say is this, when people apply and there are thousands of applications in the system, thousands, how these officers go about determining which one moves up, at this time these files would normally require inspection, sometimes they reach me in a reasonable time, sometimes they don’t. Other times you have area representatives or other people constantly coming to the officer to expedite their process. We have land clinics, applications are expedited there. I can’t tell you what happened in this particular case.”

Paul Lopez

“The fact is though that you signed off on a price of ten thousand dollars for twenty two acres in the Malacate Beach area, how do you justify that?”

Cordel Hyde

“You must understand that the price government sells land for is different from the market value. If we were to sell land at the market value then ordinary people will never get an opportunity to buy a piece of land. Government sells land at a subsidized rate. Our valuators value at varying prices. I cannot recall exactly what was the value on that, whether it is four hundred or five hundred an acre, often times it is in that range.”

Paul Lopez

“So will Mr. Price get a portion of comparable value  in return for what he is bringing back to the government?”

Cordel Hyde

“He has not requested such from us. He has indicated that with all this mess he does not want any part of that. So he will return it. We will return whatever he paid of course.”

The post Minister Hyde Defends Land Acquisition Process and Low Price first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

New information has surfaced in the ongoing land scandal involving the Ministry of Natural Resources, and it’s putting even more pressure on officials to explain how prime beachfront property in Independence Village ended up in the hands of someone with close ties to the corridors of power. News Five has obtained an internal document showing that an application to purchase twenty-two acres of land at Malacate Beach was approved for Charles Anthony Price, a resident of Orange Walk. But here’s the part that’s causing concern, credible sources tell News Five that Price is the brother of the Prime Minister’s driver. For Sherene Garbutt, the Independence villager who was actively pursuing a lease for that same land, this revelation only deepens her frustration, and her suspicion that something isn’t right.

On the Phone: Sherene Garbutt, Independence Village Resident

“To my shock and dismay, I later discovered that the land had already been sold and titled to Mr. Charles Price on April 29, 2025. I also learned that Mr. Price is the brother of the Prime Minister’s driver, which raises serious concerns about political favoritism and a potential conflict of interest.”

For three years, Sherene Garbutt followed all the steps laid out by the Ministry of Natural Resources. She got approval to survey the land, paid for it, and submitted her lease application. But somewhere in the middle of that process, the land was quietly sold to someone else. Here’s what we’ve learned: the application to purchase was submitted to Minister Cordel Hyde on April twenty-ninth, and it was approved. But by that time, lease number 680 of 2024 had already been issued to Charles Price. Was the Lands Commissioner unaware of all this when he told Garbutt, just this past July, that her paperwork was still sitting in the minister’s files? He even told her he was working on her documents. Now, Garbutt is left wondering whether this was a case of miscommunication, or something more troubling.

On the Phone: Sherene Garbutt

“I have documented communication with Mr. Bracket, who at one point acknowledged that the file was still under ministerial review. However, as time went on, my inquiries were ignored. It is highly concerning that political influence may have played a role in the reassignment of this land. The individual to whom the land was granted may not even be familiar with its location. Meanwhile, citizens like myself who follow proper procedures are pushed aside without explanation or justice.”

The official purchase price for those twenty-two acres of prime beachfront land was just ten thousand dollars. That’s right, ten grand for a massive piece of property in one of the most sought-after areas in southern Belize. To put that into perspective, a quick online search shows that land on the southern side of Malacate Road is going for as much as forty-five thousand U.S. dollars for less than an acre on the private market. So how did someone walk away with twenty-two acres for a fraction of that price?  It turns out Sherene Garbutt isn’t alone. Since News Five broke the story on Wednesday, more people have come forward with similar claims, and one case has even reached the High Court. San Pedro resident Lisa Guerrero says she’s been living on and investing in a piece of land in Secret Beach since 2004. But despite applying for a lease last September, the ministry gave the title to someone else just three months later, Orange Walk resident Beverly Anglin. Now, Guerrero is suing Anglin, the Attorney General, the Lands Registrar, and Minister Cordel Hyde. She wants the title cancelled, claiming it’s unlawful and violates her rights. She’s also seeking damages, and she’s being represented by Barrow and Williams LLP. Garbutt’s demands echo Guerrero’s, raising even more questions about how land is being handled by the ministry.

On the Phone: Sherene Garbutt

“I am therefore requesting that the Government honor my legitimate expectation and either, return the original twenty-two point twenty-four acres of land to me, or provide a comparable parcel of land within the Malacate area, not in an unrelated location. If this matter is not resolved promptly and fairly, I will be forced to pursue legal action, including engaging legal counsel and contacting the media to bring public attention to the mishandling of land matters in the Lands Department. This situation is not only unjust but also indicative of broader systemic issues that must be addressed.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

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