2025 - Greater Belize Media

Ministry Responds to Abuse Allegations, Says Incident Was Accidental

The Ministry of Education has issued an official statement in response to reporting done by News 5 regarding allegations of abuse and negligence at Louisiana Government School.

As we reported, several parents at the school accused a teacher of aggressive behavior, including attempting to strike a child with a book and mocking students. While the acting principal described the teacher as strict but not openly aggressive, she confirmed the school issued oral reprimands and forwarded complaints to the Ministry of Education. Parents remain unsatisfied, claiming their concerns have been ignored by both the school and the Ministry.

The Ministry has concluded that a reported student injury, initially cited by parents as part of a broader pattern of abuse, was the result of an accident. In its press statement, the Ministry said, “The Ministry’s findings indicate that the injury sustained by a student was an accident. The students in question accidentally bumped into each other during play, causing one to suffer a cut to the upper cheek.”

The Ministry said a parallel investigation conducted by the Belize Police Department supported the Ministry’s finding, concluding that the injury was not caused by misconduct or negligence.

Despite this conclusion, the Ministry acknowledged the seriousness of public concern. “The Ministry takes all allegations of misconduct, negligence, and abuse extremely seriously and promptly initiated a full investigation upon learning of this incident,” the official statement read.

ComPol Rosado Outlines Long-Term Strategy to Tackle Gang Violence

In his first week as Commissioner of Police, Dr. Richard Rosado found himself confronting a rapidly deteriorating gang situation on the streets of Belize City. It led to the implementation of a state of emergency (SOE), a move often criticised as a temporary fix to deep-rooted crime issues. But Rosado insists there is a broader, long-term strategy in place to address the surge in gang violence.

He outlined his three-pronged approach: prevention, intervention, and enforcement.

“Our effort has always been three-fold: prevention, intervention and the enforcement strategy,” he explained. While enforcement and prevention remain key areas of focus for the Belize Police Department, Rosado stressed the critical role of community and stakeholder collaboration in the intervention phase.

“The intervention aspect of it, we rely on our stakeholders, we rely on the Leadership Intervention Unit,” he said. “They have been instrumenting in terms of the opportunistic programs, in terms of the mediation and the other intervention programs and support services.”

He further stressed that these three elements—prevention, intervention, and enforcement—must work together in a cohesive and well-coordinated effort. “All three levels must be coordinated and communicated with one another for it to be effective,” Rosado stated.

While the immediate use of a state of emergency may be necessary to stabilize volatile situations, the Commissioner made it clear that sustained peace will depend on long-term strategies built on partnerships, proactive policing, and meaningful community engagement.

One Dead, One Injured in Motorcycle Crash in Blue Creek Village

One person is dead and another hospitalised following a motorcycle crash this morning in Blue Creek Village, Orange Walk District.

Authorities responded to the scene around 9:00 a.m. and discovered a Lifan motorcycle lying on top of a Honda XR150L at the roadside. Both riders had already been transported to the Northern Regional Hospital (NRH) by the time officers arrived.

The deceased has been identified as 37-year-old Abram Peters of Blue Creek Village. Preliminary investigations indicate that around 7:30 a.m., Peters was exiting his property and attempting to cross the road on his Honda motorcycle when he was struck by a Lifan motorcycle driven by 70-year-old Reinaldo Colomer of San Felipe Village.

Peters sustained severe head and body injuries and was pronounced dead on arrival at NRH. Colomer suffered multiple injuries and remains hospitalised as investigations continue.

Labour Minister Urges Patience as JUNT Negotiations Continue

The Minister of Labour, Florencio Marin Jr, is urging patience as negotiations continue between the government and the Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT). The Belize National Teachers’ Union is demanding an 8.5 percent salary adjustment. While teachers have voiced their demands, Minister Marin said that resolving the matter will take time and careful dialogue, not a swift decision.

“I think you’ve heard the Prime Minister saying that he’s nominated a team that [is] gonna actively engage with them for discussions to see how they could come to a solution to this process,” he said. “So, I think we just have to wait out how that consultation would work with the teachers and with the team from Cabinet to bring about a solution to that.”

The labour minister made it clear that his ministry will only step in if necessary, once the initial talks have run their course. “I don’t want to jump ahead of that consultation process. So let’s find out what results that will lead to and then from there our ministry would participate where necessary,” he explained.

The BNTU has issued its 21-day strike notice to the Briceño administration, signalling their readiness to take industrial action if negotiations with the government fail.

New Documentary “WEALTH UNTOLD” to Premiere in Belize

A powerful new documentary highlighting the efforts of women leaders protecting Belize’s barrier reef and the livelihoods it supports will premiere on television in Belize later this month.

WEALTH UNTOLD, produced by independent filmmaking company Eclectic Aspirations, tells the story of a multigenerational network of women working to safeguard Belize’s marine environment.

The film, created over four years by a team of ocean advocates and filmmakers, had its world premiere at the 17th Belize International Film Festival in November 2024, where it received widespread praise. Following the premiere, a panel discussion on climate justice featured key participants, including filmmaker Eladio Arvelo and producer Phil Karp.

Director Arvelo described the film as a deeply personal exploration of the natural beauty and cultural richness of Belize, emphasizing the human side of environmental activism. “My greatest hope is that viewers come away feeling inspired—not just by the challenges we face, but by the courage and creativity already rising to meet them,” he said.

WEALTH UNTOLD will be broadcast nationwide on Great Belize Television (Channel 5) on Saturday, May 24 at 3 p.m., with a repeat airing on Saturday, May 31 at 5 p.m. The broadcast is made possible through a partnership with Belize’s Blue Bond and the Finance Permanence Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister.

Memorial Service to Honor Former BAPDA President

The Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) will host a celebration of life ceremony this Saturday for Kenrick Raymark Theus, who served as the organisation’s president before his unexpected passing last December.

The memorial service will be held at The Hub on Chetumal Boulevard in Belize City from 1PM to 5PM, giving community members an opportunity to pay their respects and honour Theus’ legacy of advocacy and leadership.

Theus, who was born on June 27th, 1970, passed away on December 8th, 2024, at the age of 54. He died in Panama City while en route to Brazil, where he was scheduled to attend a disability conference. Sources close to the situation reported that he suffered medical complications during his journey.

During his tenure as BAPDA president, Theus was widely recognised as a powerful voice for inclusion, accessibility, and the rights of persons with disabilities throughout Belize. He was known for passionately advocating for greater access to education, employment, and social services for people with diverse abilities.

She Spoke Out, Now Faces Death Threats

A parent who raised concerns about a teacher at Louisiana Government School in Orange Walk says she received a death threat from an unknown social media user on Wednesday night, May 14.

“Watch your r*** caz all a your family wa get killed,” the message read. “Target da u.”

The parent says this is the first time she has received a threat of this nature. It follows public allegations made by a group of eight parents, who claim a teacher at the school subjected their children to emotional trauma, physical harm, and psychological abuse.

“It seems that is a fake profile,” the parent told News 5. “These threats make me feel unsafe. It shows how insane the person behind the profile is. To threaten to kill a family is psychotic.”

The parent has confirmed that she “will be formally filing a police report of the threats.”

“Any parent with sense of love for their child would speak up, and it is our right to do so to make sure our kids and future kids are protected,” she added.

As previously reported, the allegations have been reported to the Ministry of Education (MOE). In a letter dated March 20, 2025, the parents outlined multiple incidents of mistreatment, including cases of emotional distress, humiliation, and even medical emergencies.

The school administration confirmed the allegations have been shared with MOE and that internal monitoring is ongoing.

Belize Flats at Risk: BFFA Demands Urgent Government Action

The Belize Flats Fishery Association (BFFA), representing professional flats-fishing guides and stakeholders, is calling on the Government of Belize to take immediate and effective steps to protect the country’s flats and mangrove ecosystems. The group criticised current enforcement as weak and warned that ongoing dredging and mangrove clearing threaten the $240 million flats fishery and the livelihoods of hundreds of Belizeans.

While the government’s 2024 purchase of Will Bauer Flats was welcomed, the association says unsanctioned development continues in key areas, violating Belize’s conservation commitments under the Blue Bond. Although a stop order is in place for Cayo Rosario, BFFA says this is not enough and calls for permanent protection. The group also condemned dredging at Sandfly Caye and urged authorities to halt harmful activities.

BFFA demands stronger enforcement, transparency in permits and environmental assessments, and inclusion of community stakeholders in decision-making. They also urge NGOs and conservation groups to unite to safeguard Belize’s natural heritage before irreversible damage occurs.

Teachers Demand Full Audit at St. Paul’s Anglican School in Corozal

Six teachers at St. Paul’s Anglican School in Corozal have submitted a formal request for a financial audit following concerns they have raised about the management of inheritance funds received by the institution.

In a letter dated December 3, 2024, addressed to Principal Nancy Aguilar, the teachers claim there are inconsistencies in the reported amounts. According to them, while staff were initially informed that the inheritance totaled $21,000 BZD, a later report referenced a first tranche of $41,000, and a second amount of $87,872.34.

“We are tired of fighting an uphill battle,” the teachers wrote in their letter. The teachers are demanding full disclosure of financial documents and transparency in the management of the funds.

The teachers have requested transparency and access to financial documentation. Their letter, which News 5 has reviewed, was also sent to Jeremy Cayetano, General Manager of Anglican Schools, who has stated in a written response that the matter is being handled by the appropriate church and legal authorities. He said, “There are no matters being swept under the rug, and any insinuation that this office is not doing its due diligence could be libellous.” She added, “No ultimatum or threats made against an administrator in our management… will ever be honoured.”

She confirmed that the inheritance funds “will remain frozen until the entire matter has been ventilated” by those authorities.

News 5 has learnt that an “independent audit” is already underway and is expected to be completed by June.

The Ministry of Education has yet to respond to requests by News 5 for comment. Meanwhile, the Ministry has indicated that, “if a school receive an inheritance it’s a matter for the school and the board to manage, to see what’s happening there.”

On May 6 2025, News 5 contacted Aguilar for comment, but she declined to speak officially. She referred all questions to her lawyer or to Cayetano. Cayetano also declined an on-the-record interview when contacted that same day, stating only that the matter is being handled internally and confirming that an independent audit is currently underway.

At the time of reporting, the matter is under formal review by church and legal authorities.

Caye Caulker Residents Launch Petition to Put Cannabis Legalisation on Ballot

A grassroots campaign is underway in Caye Caulker to let residents decide whether cannabis should be legalised and regulated on the island.

Beginning today, registered voters can sign a petition calling for a referendum to be held alongside the Village Council elections on June 29, 2025.

Organizers say the initiative is focused on creating a responsible, transparent cannabis industry that would generate local tax revenue, create jobs, and support infrastructure and social services. The petition needs 400 signatures from registered Caye Caulker voters to qualify for the ballot.

The proposed referendum question reads: “Should the Government of Belize pass legislation to create a responsible, regulated, and taxable legal cannabis industry on the island of Caye Caulker with a portion of the revenue going directly for the benefit of Caye Caulker and its residents?”

Campaign supporters argue that legalisation would reduce illegal activity, support small businesses, and boost sustainable tourism while generating revenue that stays on the island.

“We have an opportunity to take control of our future and create a self-sustaining and surplus-generating Caye Caulker,” said Councillor Ilya Rosado, one of the campaign’s organizers. “This is about improving infrastructure, education, and the overall standard of living — especially for working families.”