The Belize Educational Fund and Day in the Park Committee announced the cancellation of Belize Day in the Park Chicago 2025. The committee cited growing concerns within the immigrant community over recent U.S. immigration enforcement policies.
In a statement released by Committee President Dr. Phyllis V. Hughes, the organisation expressed regret over the decision but stressed that the safety and well-being of the Belizean Diaspora remain a top priority.
“We recognise that the recent immigration deportation policies have caused fear and anxiety in immigrant communities,” the statement read. “These policies have resulted in an increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within these communities.”
The committee acknowledged the disappointment this cancellation may bring but hopes for understanding in light of the circumstances.
The annual event is a celebrated cultural gathering for Belizeans living in the U.S., particularly in the Midwest, and serves as a cornerstone for community connection and heritage celebration.
The solemn and secretive process to elect a new pope will begin Wednesday morning in the Sistine Chapel, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88.
According to the Vatican News, 173 Cardinals, including 130 Cardinal electors, participated in the twelfth General Congregation. The cardinals, all under the age of 80 and drawn from 71 countries, will enter the conclave after a special Mass in St Peter’s Basilica.
Once inside, they will be cut off from the outside world until a new pontiff is chosen. The conclave, rooted in centuries of ritual, opens with oaths of secrecy under threat of excommunication. Once a pope is elected, he will be asked two questions: acceptance and name choice.
Tracy Panton confirmed in a statement that a formal petition has been submitted to convene a National Party Council (NPC) meeting, in line with the UDP Constitution and under the status quo ante legal framework, which preserves the party structure prior to last year’s court injunction.
Panton said that the UDP “is seeking to ensure a sound path forward by asking for our next steps to be ones done under the status quo ante.”
According to the statement, Vice Chairman Alberto August “was not prepared to perform his duty to call a meeting of the National Party Council,” which prompted Panton’s support for the constitutional petition.
Under party rules, a valid petition mandates an NPC meeting. Secretary General Shary Medina and Vice Chairman August are now “constitutionally obliged to carry out the will of the petitioners and proceed with convening the NPC,” Panton added.
The National Party Council meeting is proposed for either May 17 or 24. According to Panton, she has the full support of Hugo Patt, the First Deputy Party Leader, to serve as Interim Leader until the next leadership convention.
Authorities are investigating the early morning shooting death of 31-year-old Kadeem Orosco in Belize City. Orosco was shot and killed near the intersection of Ebony Street and Sarstoon Street.
Police are investigating possible links between the killings as part of an ongoing gang conflict. Security cameras in the area have been identified, and authorities say they are awaiting review of the footage as part of their ongoing investigation.
This killing comes just one day after police detained dozens of individuals in gang-related operations. Despite these efforts, violence in the city continues to escalate.
Family members arrived at the crime scene shortly after the shooting. A relative told News 5, “We will not retaliate, because we do not pick up guns; we pick up Bible instead.”
Orosco’s father also came to the scene, emotionally pleading with officers, “This is my son; I need to see my son.”
The area was cordoned off as forensic teams processed the scene.
Orosco’s murder adds to a string of violent incidents in recent days, including the weekend slayings of Aaron Lindo and Nelson Henry, also known as “Mung.” Police are also probing an earlier attempted shooting of 27-year-old Jimmy Rojas.
On Monday, newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado stated that he would fully support a six-month state of emergency following rising tensions between rival groups in the city. He described the increase of gang-related activities as a ‘critical situation,’ adding that a possible SOE is “up for discussion.”
Investigators are currently at another murder scene in Belize City. The latest victim has been identified as Kadeem Orosco. He was on Ebony Street when he was targeted.
We start tonight’s newscast with unfortunate news of violence that has left another family in mourning. Early this morning, the peaceful rural community of Double Head Cabbage Village was shattered by the murder of Aaron Lindo, a father of two. Lindo had just left home and was walking with his mother-in-law, Jonelle Bood, when attackers ambushed him. News Five’s Marion Ali brings us the latest on this tragic incident.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Just after six o’clock, the tranquil morning in Double Head Cabbage Village was violently interrupted by the sound of gunshots. Residents were jolted awake by the echo of eight shots fired on a dirt road leading to the main thoroughfare. Thirty-six-year-old Aaron Lindo was walking along this road with Jonelle Bood, his girlfriend’s mother, when they were ambushed. According to Bood, two men emerged from the bushes. One of them opened fire on Lindo, while the other stood watch. The attackers’ faces remained hidden, leaving the community in shock and fear.
Voice of: Jonelle Bood
Voice of: Jonelle Bood, Mother-in-law of Deceased
“They just come from behind and just open fire by him and he drop on his face and then he was finish ah. We was going to the main to catch the bus out there in the front there. I usually wait for him mek he catch the bus before I go to my work.”
Today was supposed to be just another day for Aaron Lindo and Jonelle Bood as they walked down a familiar dirt road. But fate had other plans and neither arrived at their destination. The attack was swift and calculated. Despite the precision of the ambush, Bood recalls that Lindo never mentioned feeling threatened. The community is left grappling with the sudden and deliberate violence that shattered their morning peace.
Voice of: Jonelle Bood
“Nothing, nothing that I know of.”
Marion Ali
“Soh ih neva come and seh, yoh know..”
Voice of: Jonelle Bood
“Nothing. Whatever he have, he never tell tell we nothing. So I nuh know. Up to now I still eena shock.”
Aaron Lindo, who had made Double Head Cabbage Village his home for the past five years, was on his way to catch a bus to Belize City when tragedy struck. Lindo, a father of two, had settled into village life, but his work took him to the Lake Independence area. Jonelle Bood, his girlfriend’s mother, knew little about his life outside the village. However, another villager revealed that Lindo commuted to Belize City for work.
Voice of: Villager
Voice of: Villager
“Ih heng, ih work – I nuh know if ih work – weh part ih work I do not know, but I know he work back ah Saint Martin’s, some part ah Martin’s ih heng. But he work, ih come home to ih family every day. He goh da morning; ih come back da evening, da night.”
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero announced that the village patrol will be strengthened with additional officers to ensure the community’s safety.
“This morning around 6:45 AM police responded to a shooting at Double Head Cabbage. Upon arrival, they saw the lifeless body of a male person identified as that of Aaron Lindo, 36 years, with several gunshot injuries. Information is that Lindo was walking to catch a bus in the area along with two other persons when two male persons came out of the bushes and they fired several shots at him. We have the River Valley Patch Patrol and yes, I think an additional patrol will be placed in that area.”
His family and the entire community are reeling from the tragic loss. Lindo, remembered as a loving family man, leaves behind two children and a heartbroken village grappling with the senseless violence that took his life.
Voice of: Villager
“The guy is a very nice guy. He very dedicated to his family.”
Police are yet to make an arrest for the killing. Marion Ali for News Five.
In a brazen daylight attack, thirty-seven-year-old Nelson Henry, known as “Mung,” was gunned down on Yellowtail Street in Ladyville during the lunch hour. The shocking incident occurred right in front of his children’s home, leaving the community in fear. Henry was targeted by two men on a dirt bike, and police suspect the killing is gang-related. As the investigation continues, the Ladyville community is grappling with the violence that has shattered their sense of security. Marion Ali has more on this developing story.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Residents of Yellowtail Street in Ladyville are in shock after a deadly shooting claimed the life of 37-year-old Nelson Henry. The incident occurred just before 12:30 PM, right in front of his children’s home. Eyewitnesses reported that Henry was approached by two men on a dirt bike who fired multiple shots at him. He collapsed near the edge of a drain and died at the scene. By two PM, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero briefed the media on the details gathered so far, as the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event.
“On Monday, the 15th of May, 2025, around 12:20p.m., police responded to a shooting at Yellowtail Street in Ladyville. Upon their arrival, they saw the lifeless body of a male person. He was identified as Nelson Henry of Majestic Alley. He had received several gunshot injuries.”
Romero said that the unsuspecting Henry was targeted by two men on a motorcycle.
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“Information is that he was walking along with a female in the area when a motorcycle came to the area, the person came off the motorcycle, fired several shots at him causing his fatal injuries.”
Police suspect that the daylight shooting of Nelson Henry in Ladyville may be gang-related, though they have yet to confirm any connection to the earlier murder of Aaron Lindo in Double Head Cabbage Village. The community has been rocked by a spate of gang-related shootings since Saturday. Witnesses reported that after killing Henry, the gunmen sped off on a dirt bike down Crabcatcher Street and then Scissorstail Street. Henry, who had previously walked free from a 2018 murder trial due to lack of evidence, was targeted in front of his children’s home. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero shared these details during a press briefing, as the police continue their investigation into the recent surge of violence. Marion Ali for News Five.
Twenty-seven-year-old Jimmy Rojas, a well-known street figure, was shot on Saturday on Croton Lane in Belize City. Although he survived, the incident has sparked a spate of shootings, including two today outside Belize City. Rojas, a resident of Lake Independence, was rushed to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. He is linked to the January twelfth, 2024, murder of Jose Matus, who was found dead in a GMC SUV with multiple gunshot wounds. Matus was pronounced dead at the scene, while two women injured in the attack were taken to the hospital. Adding to the tragedy, Rojas’ father, Clay Monsanto, was also killed last year, shortly after Matus. Police are now investigating the latest incident, seeking to bring those responsible to justice. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero shared details on the Rojas shooting, as authorities work to quell the violence.
“On Saturday, 30th of May, 2025, around 9:30 in the morning, police responded to a shooting at Tibruce Street. Upon their arrival, they found Jim Rojas with gunshot injuries. He was taken to the K.H.M.H., where he’s presently admitted in a stable condition. Investigation is that he was working in the area when a vehicle pulled up, a male person came out and fired several shots towards his direction causing his injuries. Police immediately responded and there was an exchange of gunshots, and another male person was also shot. He was identified as Eric Frazer. He’s presently at the K.H.M.H, also in a stable condition. Investigation to this shooting continues.”
Reporter
“Are you able to see who was the intended target?”
Wednesday night brought shock and sorrow to Belize City as residents learned of the tragic murder of sixty-one-year-old mechanic Carlos Avelar. Gunfire erupted on Coney Drive around 8:15 p.m., prompting police to rush to the scene where they found Avelar’s lifeless body. Avelar was quickly transported to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Assistant Commissioner Hilberto Romero provided further details on the incident, as authorities continue their investigation into this senseless crime.
“On Thursday, the first day of May, 2025, police responded to a shooting at Coney Drive in Belize City. Upon their arrival, they found a lifeless body of a male person identified as Carlos Avelar, sixty-one years with gunshot injuries. Information is that, Avelar was walking alone on Corney Drive when the motorcycle pulled up with two male persons, one of the persons came off the motorcycle fired shots towards his direction causing his fatal injuries. Investigation into this murder continues. We have no suspects at this time and we have not established a motive for this murder.”
Reporter
“Any surveillance footage gathered from the area that may have indicated where these men played or where they came from?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yes, have some surveillance footage and that is being reviewed, but that is all we have at this time. Two persons came on a motorcycle and one of them fired the shots”
Reporter
“Did Avelar’s families say whether he was receiving any threats? Did he have a problem with anyone?”
Hilberto Romero
“No. They have no such information that he had received any threats.”
Reporter
“And he’s not known to police?”
Hilberto Romero
“No.”
Reporter
“He was the only one in the area at the time, so it could not have been anybody else they were looking for?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yeah, he was walking alone at the time at Corney Drive.”
Reporter
“Do police fear this could have been some sort of senseless act?”
Hilberto Romero
“We are looking at every angle, but at this time, we have no suspects.”
With the murder count on the rise, Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado has taken command at a crucial moment. He highlighted escalating tensions among rival groups in Lake-I over the past few weeks, stressing the urgent need for intervention. Rosado is convinced that the criminal elements involved need a timeout and is committed to further reducing the murder rate. His leadership aims to bring stability and safety back to Belize City.
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“I do believe that the public judge us by the violent crime and murder. One of my top priorities is to reduce the violent crime and murder, while still placing emphasis on the property crimes, but the violent crimes must be addressed and reduced further. I think that with the way forward, we will be able to do that. The process will not be overnight. It will take some time. I believe it is doable. I am taking over office when the situation on the ground is a critical situation and we are doing our best to ensure that we address those situations, critical situation on the ground, but I do believe that the situation is so critical that the guys on the ground need a time out.”
Paul Lopez
“Are the guys on the ground testing you and pushing back on this change?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“I don’t believe so, I think the tension has existed for the past few weeks and we have been putting things in place to try to address it. It just happen that the criminal with take opportunities that presents themselves to get back at their rivals and it is up to us to try to see how we can stem that or address those situations.”
