Bertchel Ramirez was the 33rd murder in Belize for 2013. The 31st was a female resident of Belize City, 36 year old Veronica Gonzalez. As we reported last night, she was in Sarteneja for the Easter with her sister, Wendy Aragon. The pair were savagely attacked at a village dance by Wendy's sister in law, 39 year old Norma Pena.
Norma is alleged to have stabbed up both sisters, but got Veronica fatally in the neck with a kitchen knife. The attack was likely motivated by jealousy: Veronica, who was leaving the country on Monday was freely dancing and took a dance with Norma's husband. That seemed to incense Norma Pena - who reportedly allegedly had been drinking heavily and already had issues with her sister in law.
So, she lurked in the corners and when Veronica was going to the restroom escorted by her sister, she pounced and attacked them both with a knife. Today, Veronica still nursing multiple stab wounds told us what happened next:
Wendy Gonzalez - Stabbing Victim
"When she reached, she didn't say anything to me and just started stabbing me - she gave me like three stab wounds in my breast, and then she gave me another one here and then she went to my sister. When my sister started screaming out, "Randy, Randy… they are stabbing up wendy, run, run!" And that's when Elena jumped on Veronica and stabbed my sister. And that's when I came and bit her leg and dashed her to the floor. When I dashed her to the floor that's when she started to struggle with me. And I wanted to take away the knife from her so that she wouldn't stab me more. From there I didn't know what to do I ran outside to holler for help. I was covered in blood, I was telling them to save my sister and on the way to the hospital my sister died."
Wendy Gonzalez claims the real origin of her sister in law's jealously is a home Wendy's husband built on Antelope Street, when his brother, Norma's husband hadn't built his home yet.
Norma Pena has been charged for murder and attempted murder and remanded to prison. Her family claims that Veronica had been having a relationship with Norma; husband. Wendy says that relationship was form a long time ago.
Senior Public Officer Remanded To Prison
He shot a man in a misunderstanding in San Pedro, and tonight Reynaldo Verde is in prison because of it. The San Pedro Sun reports that The senior public officer - who is a supervisor at the GST Department Headquarters, appeared in San Pedro Magistrate court where he was read a single charge for dangerous harm with a firearm. The Sun reports that Police Prosecutor Sergeant Raymond Berry objected to the bail when requested by Verde's Attorney Michael Peyrefitte. Berry pointed out to the court that it was not the first time Verde has been before a court for a similar offence and because the crime involves a firearm, bail should be denied.
Magistrate Sherigne Rodriguez agreed and Verde has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his next court appearance on for May 30th. But he is eligible for Supreme Court bail and today Peyrefitte told us he is getting that application ready right now - and hopes that, with a waiver from the DPP - he can get VERDE bailed by Friday. And while it is a firearm offence for which remand is automatic, it is the least serious that could have been brought, considering that he was not charged for discharging a firearm in public or even attempted murder.
Verde and Allen Martinez had a misunderstanding in at a hotel in san Pedro - which resulted in an altercation. Verde then pulled his licensed weapon and shot Allen, shattering his pelvis.
It is of note that In November of 2004, Verde was arrested and charged for attempted murder, aggravated assault, use of deadly means of harm and discharging a firearm in public after he allegedly shot Jose Nunez inside MJ's Nightclub on Newtown Barracks in Belize. At that time Verde got into an altercation with Nunez where he pulled out his licensed weapon and shot Nunez in the left arm.
A Tale Of Two Passports
Last week we reported on the new Guatemalan passports - which include Belize, separated only by a dotted line. The issue has been gaining traction and building outrage on social media - but there's really nothing that Belizean authorities can do. We do note however that the new Guatemalan passport defies even the norms of SICA - where it had been agreed five years ago that all passports in this region would depict the entire Central American isthmus - with the map of the specific country highlited. Belize opted instead for the CARICOM passports. But Guatemala was using the SICA model - highlighting their territory and showing Belize as distinct. But, now, they've gone in the other direction. The problem is that the Guatemalans have suddenly run out of passports - and are currently extending digital passports with a stamp - which is unheard of! Thar's because the news government did not extend the contract with the company that used to supply the passports. The Government tendered out the new contract for printing but the tender process ended up in the Guatemalan courts. So with time to tinker, the Guatemalan Government took what is viewed as a retrograde position and meddled with the map. Seasoned observers believe that it is because of the ICJ process that the Guatemalans don't want to seem to be prejudicing their own case with a passport that recognizes Belize.
It is of note that prior to the adoption of the Central American Passport, Guatemalan Passports had NO map.
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