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.
Police continue investigating the fatal chopping of Carlos “Galazan” Garvin, whose body was discovered near a liquor establishment in Cowpen Village on the night of 12 July, the Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado told the media this afternoon.
“The victim sustained fatal chop wounds to the upper part of the body. Our preliminary investigation revealed that the attack may have been motivated over a bicycle,” ComPol Rosado added.
According to Rosado, the suspect has been apprehended, and “charges will be laid today.”
A friend remembered Garvin as a man with deep biblical knowledge despite his struggles. “He was a man who, despite his mistakes, had a deep knowledge of the Bible.”
Belize’s Senate came together in a rare moment of unity to reaffirm the nation’s support for Taiwan and its sovereignty and its right to self-determination.
The motion “Resolution to Support Democratic Taiwan and Strengthen Bilateral Bond,” was passed in the Senate, which reaffirmed Belize’s commitment to Taiwan’s democracy and international participation.
Government Senator Eamon Courtenay pointed out the strength of Belize and Taiwan’s 36-year diplomatic relationship and cited the “common values of democracy, freedom and human rights.”
“Taiwan is not only a faithful ally and a development partner of Belize but also an active contributor to addressing pressing global challenges,” Senator Courtenay added.
Opposition Senator Patrick Faber also supported Belize’s long-standing diplomatic ties with Taiwan, stating, “I rise on behalf of the opposition to give my full and unwavering support to this important motion, a resolution that affirms Belize’s … the unbreakable bond of friendship with the people and government of Taiwan.”
Senator Courtenay called on China to end its threats toward Taiwan. “The people of Taiwan have a right to self-determination. They have a right to determine that they wish to exist as a country, separate from the People’s Republic of China.”
“It is an opportunity for us today to reaffirm our commitment to that relationship,” Courtney added.
Belize’s Men’s National Volleyball Team secured silver at the AFECAVOL Men’s Final Four Championship in El Salvador over the weekend. It was a close five-set match against gold medallists Guatemala.
The win represents Belize’s best showing yet at the regional tournament. Francis Hauze earned 1st Best Attacker, while Hakan Godoy was named 2nd Best Blocker.
President of the Belize Volleyball Association, Allan Sharp, said the team came just four points shy of gold. “It’s definitely a time that we want to celebrate… This is a step closer now. In fact, we were four points away from getting gold. So, we came so, so close, but it shows the growth of the programme, and it shows that the guys are putting in a lot more work.”
The team’s return home was delayed after getting stuck in a teacher-led blockade in Guatemala. Sharp confirmed that the roadblocks stemmed from a nationwide strike by the Guatemala Education Workers Union.
“We did our best to try and leave as early as possible. So, we missed a few of the roadblocks but unfortunately missed this one by just a few minutes,” Sharp said. “They told us to just get ready for a long wait; sometimes they let the traffic through in some stages… so we’re hoping for that. If that doesn’t happen, then we just have to wait it out, unfortunately.”
The team waited for a few hours before they were able to peacefully pass at around midday.
The persistent invasion of sargassum along Belize’s coast continues to drive community action. Over the weekend, volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at (AMJ) joined a clean-up in Caye Caulker to help remove the seaweed from the island’s shores.
“The community joined residents and local stakeholders to remove large amounts of the seaweed, which continues to threaten marine life, damage tourism, and create health hazards due to its foul odor and decay,” AMJ said on social media.
The problem is not limited to Caye Caulker. Sargassum has been piling up in San Pedro and even along Belize City’s coastline as of last week.
Just last month, Minister of Blue Economy Andre Perez described this year’s influx as a “relentless” challenge, surpassing previous years.
Meanwhile, Belize is among a group of countries preselected by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for funding to support innovative solutions that convert sargassum into valuable resources for industries such as agriculture and renewable energy. However, the country’s participation is still pending a due diligence process.
