Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado is putting relationships at the heart of crime-fighting. At today’s COMPSTAT meeting, he emphasized the need for stronger bonds, not just within the police force, but with the communities they serve. Doctor Rosado says teamwork and collective decision-making among commanders are key to transforming how the department tackles crime. But he also acknowledged a major challenge: investigating gang-related violence, where victims and suspects often come from the same tight-knit neighborhoods, making witnesses hesitant to speak out.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“Today we had the opportunity indeed to review our achievement discuss ourchallenges and find new opportunities on how we can address the growing or evolving stress of crime we have indeed seen a downward trend in major crimes and for the first six months murder is down by twenty nine percent when compared to the same period last year. First of all as a commissioner of the police my first few months have focused on establishing a vision of transparency, accountability, a stakeholder centric approach I believe my leadership style has been transformational yet inclusive racing collective input adapted decision making and engagement and I think our commanders now feel more empowered more motivate in moving the department forward to address the many challenges we face in the department.”
Tensions are heating up between the University of Belize and the Government, and it all comes down to a ten-million-dollar promise that’s been left hanging for nearly a decade. The UB Faculty and Staff Union says they’ve waited long enough, and now, they’re drawing the line. At a recent NTUCB solidarity rally, UBFSU President Julianne Pasos didn’t mince words, she says the university is underfunded, staff morale is slipping, and the union is ready to do whatever it takes to get that long-overdue subvention delivered.
Julianne Pasos, President, UB Faculty & Staff Union
“Our faculty and staff are demoralized at this point, and they do want to. The nine percent is ten years coming. In 2015 when we got our five percent, I just got an email that reminded me that at that point we were negotiating for fourteen percent and we only got five and we did not get the additional nine percent. So this is long in the making, so our faculty and staff are really going to do whatever it takes to get it. And so they, I just have to say, be prepared for whatever.”
Reporter
“Even if that means pushing school back>”
Julianne Pasos
“I don’t know. I can’t say, you know, and honestly, at the cabinet meeting on Teusday, we plan to be out there for that meeting on, and I invite the students to come and join us because doesn’t only impacted faculty and staff, but it also impacted students. So I invite the students to come join us and the public come on. It affects all of us there. What affects our national university affects the entire country of Belize. At this this point, I believe you’re aware of the last stand, the issuing that came out. We are calling on a meeting for requesting a meeting with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance to discuss the subvention for the university. That meeting has been postponed to hopefully next week after the meeting with Cabinet. We have been informed the issue of the university subvention will be tabled on the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. So hopefully we make some headway after that.”
After six weeks of back-and-forth negotiations, the Belize National Teachers’ Union has finally struck a deal with the government, a two-year, four-point-five percent salary adjustment and increment plan is now on the table. It wasn’t easy. The B.N.T.U. leaned on the strength of solidarity from other unions, and with over three thousand, five hundred members casting their votes, the majority said yes to the government’s offer. But not everyone’s celebrating. Some members of the public are calling it a sellout. B.N.T.U. President Nadia Caliz isn’t having it. She told us the fight is far from over as the union now shifts focus to the long-awaited Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers’ Union
“The public senator accused the unions of selling off. But if you look at what is happening here today, union members are here, where are they? Where are the keyboard warriors? Where are all of those who are accusing us of collecting IES from the government? Where are they for this change to take place, it’ll take every single Belizean, even the keyboard warriors to play their part. But when you start that kind of narrative, you the same movement. You want to see take life through your language, whatever you write, whatever you say, you kill it. But as a leader, I stay true to the cause and I ensure that my members understand what is the cause. Because the cause starts with them. We are gonna submit our proposals. One of the things I’m looking at for my teachers happens to be the resource allowance. They spend a lot of money out of their pockets for the classrooms, and we want two things with that. We want that they’re given an allowance either in July of every year or monthly for those resources. The other thing that we want for them. Is that they can use those receipts for the things that they acquire to file against their taxes. So all of that we have in it. Then you have the longevity award. If you are on a particular point, if you’re at the end of the pay scale, let me say for three years, then at the end of the third year you can apply for a longevity award, which is equal to an entire year’s increment. And for the public service, they get to do that three times. For educators, we are only once, so through this medium, we need to change that. So, so that it can match it. And a lot of things that we see public servants being given the BNTU is now looking at mirroring that.”
There’s a renewed push for transparency and accountability in government spending. In the upper house, Government Senator Eamon Courtenay moved a motion to finalize the makeup of the Joint Public Accounts Committee, or JPAC. The committee, which plays a key role in overseeing how public funds are used, will now include nine members: six from the House of Representatives and three from the Senate’s social partner senators. On the House side, names like Julius Espat, Kareem Musa, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia and Godwin Haylock are on the list. And now, the Senate has nominated Senators Kevin Herrera, Glenfield Dennison, and Janelle Chanona to round out the team.
Eamon Courtenay
Eamon Courtenay, Senator for Government Business
“Madame President, I move that whereas Standing Order 73A of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives provides that the Joint Public Accounts Committee shall consist of nine members, as follows: six members nominated by a committee of selection to consist of four members who support the government and two members who will not support the government, unless they are now members or insufficient members of the House of Representatives who do not support the government, and three members nominated by the President of the Senate from among the social partner members of the senate. And, whereas on the twelfth of May, 2025 when the House of Representatives appointed the following six members to serve on the Joint Public Accounts Committee: Lee Mark Chang, Julius Espat, Kareem Musa, Kevin Bernard, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, and Godwin Haylock. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the senate nominates Senator Kevin Herrera, Senator Glenfield Dennison, and Senator Janelle Chanona to be the social partner members in the Joint Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives.”
It’s a significant move toward keeping government spending in check and making sure every tax dollar counts.
Taiwan took center stage in the Senate as both sides of the aisle came together in a rare show of unity. Government Senator Eamon Courtenay and Opposition Senator Patrick Faber delivered strong statements in support of Taiwan’s right to self-determination and Belize’s long-standing friendship with the island nation. Courtenay called on China to adopt a more mature and enlightened approach, urging an end to threats and pressure against Taiwan. Meanwhile, Faber echoed that support, highlighting Belize and Taiwan’s thirty-six-year diplomatic relationship built on shared values like democracy, human rights, and mutual respect. It was a powerful moment of bipartisan solidarity on the international stage.
Eamon Courtenay
Eamon Courtenay, Senator for Government Business
“We call on the People’s Republic of China to have a more mature and a more enlightened posture with respect to Taiwan. Simply put, the people of Taiwan have a right to self-determination. They have a right to determine their future, they have a right to determine that they wish to exist as a country, separate from the People’s Republic of China. And we call on the People’s Republic of China to desist from the threats and the use of force, and the threats of the use of force in relation to Taiwan and, in fact, to remove its obstacle to Taiwan fully participating in the international organizations of which Belize is a member.”
Patrick Faber
Patrick Faber, Lead Opposition Senator
“I rise on behalf of the opposition to give my full and unwavering support to this important motion, a resolution that affirms Belize’s commitment to democracy, freedom and the unbreakable bond of friendship with the people and government of Taiwan. Belize and Taiwan have shared thirty-six years if strong and meaningful diplomatic ties, but more than that, we have shared a partnership built on mutual respect and shared values, the belief in human rights, self-determination and democratic government. These are not abstract ideals, they are principles that shape our daily lives and strengthen the foundation of our nation.”
Lawmakers are pushing the Thirteenth Amendment Bill, calling it a bold step to crack down on crime. But critics say it could come at a steep cost: your constitutional rights. If passed, the amendment would give the government sweeping powers to declare ‘special areas’—zones where police could search, seize, and arrest without a warrant. It also proposes a brand-new Gun and Gang Court and aims to retroactively validate past states of emergency, even those already ruled unconstitutional by the courts. Supporters, including Police Commissioner Doctor Richard Rosado, say it’s a necessary move to keep communities safe. But legal experts and human rights advocates are sounding the alarm, warning that this could open the door to government overreach.
Darrel Bradley
Darrel Bradley, Attorney-at-law
“I’m very concerned with that and I do not support it. And the reason I don’t support it is because you cannot deal with fundamental changes in one sense and not deal with structural changes in the other and that type of power in a system overall that has inequalities and structural problems can inure to the detriment of certain element of society which we’ve oftentimes punished. So the face of crime in Belize, not that we don’t have a serious crime situation and we need policing and so forth. But those kinds of fundamental changes to our constitution and our democratic must be one within the context of other structural changes that rebalances the negative harm. So when you’re talking about those serious types of powers, it’s actually dangerous.”
Just days after police officially closed the investigation into the death of nineteen-year-old Kevin De Paz, new evidence is shaking things up. De Paz was fatally stabbed during a chaotic street brawl in Caye Caulker, an incident that involved duty police officers. Surveillance footage appeared to back the officers’ claims that they stepped in after De Paz’s group knocked a man unconscious. But what followed was a violent escalation, leaving five people stabbed. The officers say it was self-defense, but the case is far from over. Police are now awaiting directives from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado gave us an update on where things stand.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“In reference to the fatal stabbing incident that occurred the thirtieth of June, 2025 in Caye Caulker, further directive was given to the investigators. Additional evidential material were collected and those will be forwarded to the DPP for her guidance and directives.”
Reporter
“You can’t tell us what kind of evidence?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“It included both video evidence and additional witness statements.”
A quick trip to the store nearly turned deadly for one man in Dangriga last week. What started as a routine errand ended in chaos when three armed men stormed into Naybaz convenience store. In the terrifying moments that followed, the suspects burglarized the shop and shot one of the patrons. Thankfully, he survived, but the incident has left the community shaken. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero has a brief report on this brazen attack.
Hilberto Romero
ACP Hilberto Romero, Head of Crime Investigation Branch
“On Friday, police responded to a robbery at a Naybaz store in Dangriga. Upon the arrival, they learned that the store had been robbed by three male persons. There were three females at the store and one customer. There was a struggle between the customer and the robbers where the customer was shot. He was identified as Ashton Bodden. He received gunshot injuries to the hand. Quick police response ed to the detention of one suspect. The fled in the vehicle. Several other parts run out from the vehicle. Investigation was carried and since then Tyree Steven has been arrested and charged for three counts of robbery and one count of use of deadly means of harm. The victim is receiving treatment of the KHMH and is in a stable condition. We are seeking three other suspects in regards to this investigation. Recovered was the vehicle used in the robbery and a thousand dollars from the robbery.”
It’s a proud moment for Belizeans everywhere, seventeen-year-old Lewis Cheek is earning global recognition for his brilliance. This young Belizean/American just clinched a silver medal in science at the 2025 STEM Olympiad in Barcelona, Spain. It’s a major international competition where students from around the world put their skills to the test in real-world problem-solving, critical thinking, and innovation. We caught up with his proud mom, Samantha Hessler, who shared more about Lewis’s incredible journey and what this win means for their family, and for Belize.
On the Phone: Samantha Hessler, Mother of Lewis Cheek
“He’s been there since July ninth and he’s leaving going back to the us tomorrow July fifteen he has been doing very well and so far he has won a silver medal in science and a medal of recognition for math. I feel very proud and excited and I want to big up my son and make people know, because I come from a small country of Belize, my kids are half Belizean and they are so smart, and I want other children to feel like, there’s no limit you can accomplish anything.”
Britney Gordon
“And have you heard from him since the competition began? How is he feeling?”
Samantha Heffler
“I’ve spoken to him every day, including the day every time he goes to sit for the competition. When he did the science and the math competition, he told me that he is feeling a little, not sure about the math, but was very confident with the science.. And so far his medals has shown that he has done very well with the science and the math.”
Good evening, sports fans, and welcome to another exciting edition of Sports Monday. I’m Paul Lopez, bringing you the latest action from courts, fields, and stadiums across the country. We’re tipping things off out west in San Ignacio, where the weekend’s spotlight was on the Belize Elite Basketball League. The Cayo Western Ballers were back on their home court, hosting the Belize City Thunderbolts, just days after handing them a tough loss at the Civic Center. Could the Thunderbolts bounce back, or would the Ballers keep the momentum rolling? Let’s dive into the highlights.
Four minutes in, the Thunderbolts have a nine-point lead, fourteen to five, as Flowers finds Jamie Carbajal who powered his way in for the layup. Check this play out shortly after, ball to Dennis Flowers the third. He sees Jaheim Ciego. A two versus one situation and Ciego dunks off the alley hoop. The first quarter ended with the Thunderbolts on top, twenty-nine to twenty-one points. Second quarter action, Victor “Vito” Evans, drives, spins, jumps and makes the shot. What a beauty. Thunderbolts up by eleven. Darnell Oden on the other end, immediately after, sizing up Charles Garcia and makes the jump shot to cut down the lead.
Let’s fast-forward to the last few minutes in the third quarter. All through the quarter, the Thunderbolts were able to maintain a lead, going up by eight points in a few instances. Here they’re only up by two points after a three from Ciego. Evans drives and dishes off to a wide open Clency “Cope” Lopez at the three point-line. Lead extends to five points. On the other end, Alrik Nicolas scores a three-pointer to bring the lead back to two. Nicolas again, off the assist from Ciego, this time to take the lead. But that quarter still ended with Thunderbolts up by two points, sixty-seven to sixty-five. The fourth quarter was where the Thunderbolts truly turned up the heat. With this clutch shot from Mathew Young, they stretched their lead to seventeen points. The Cayo Western Ballers weren’t going down without a fight, though, they clawed their way back to within four points with just twenty-three seconds left on the clock. But in the end, it was the Thunderbolts who sealed the deal, taking the win 87 to 81.
Now, from the hardwood in San Ignacio to the volleyball court in El Salvador, Belize’s National Senior Men’s Volleyball Team had a busy weekend at the Men’s Final Four Championship. They kicked things off strong with a 3–1 victory over the host team, El Salvador. Saturday brought a nail-biter against Guatemala that went the full five sets, but Belize came up just short. Still, they bounced back on Sunday with a win over Nicaragua to bring home the silver medal. Big congratulations to Team Belize!
And volleyball fans, the action isn’t over yet. This weekend, all eyes turn to the Belize City Civic Center as Belize gets ready to host the Under-23 Women’s Central American Volleyball Championship. We caught up with Belize Volleyball Association President Allan Sharp to hear what fans can expect from this highly anticipated event.
Allan Sharp
Allan Sharp, President, Belize Volleyball Association
“Last year our girls pulled gold. It is the first time ever for Belize to pull gold and that is the U-21. For the most part it is the same girls. But we have been able to strengthen a little bit, because it is the U-23, one year later. So we have added some big guns to the team. The girls in the U.S. have returned. Five teams will be here, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala and Belize. It starts Sunday. There are two matches per day.”
Team Belize is set to play on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Game time is at seven thirty p.m. each day.
Now, shifting gears from volleyball to cycling, three young Belizean athletes made waves in the U.S. over the weekend at the Manhattan Beach Grand Prix. Devyn Major, Keith Enwright, and Ahmaad Cherrington took on the Category Four race, and they didn’t just show up, they showed out! Major sprinted to a first-place finish, Enwright followed right behind in second, and Cherrington rounded out the top ten in seventh. Big congratulations to these rising stars repping the Jewel with pride.
And finally, we head back home to the pitch for the William Dawson Peace Cup, where the mission is unity through sports. Saturday’s showdown between Graveyard FC and Survivors FC was a thriller. Three goals lit up the first half, with Survivors taking a slim lead. Graveyard pushed hard in the second half, but it was Survivors’ Tyrique Ciego who sealed the deal with a late goal, his second of the match, giving his team the win. Well Folks, that is all we have for you in this week’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
