Shirley Botchwey, a seasoned diplomat and former Ghanaian Minister for Foreign Affairs, has made history as the first African woman to lead the Commonwealth, a group of 56 nations representing a third of the world’s population. Earlier today, Secretary-General Botchwey delivered her first message to the people of the Commonwealth Caribbean. She shared her vision and commitment to serving the region and making its voice heard on the global stage, especially during these times of international tension and changing alliances. With Antigua and Barbuda set to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next year, her exclusive video message is especially timely and relevant for the Caribbean. It gives an early look at her plans and highlights the Commonwealth’s ongoing focus on regional priorities.
According to the Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, Kareem Musa, the option of reintroducing a State of Emergency (SOE) remains “on the table.”
Musa added, “I think we came fairly close with the commissioner, to declaring a state of emergency, but it was never done.”
Last year, the government implemented an SOE to address increased gang violence but lifted it after several months. Now, with tensions rising again, Musa told reporters, “I can say here, now that it still is on the table, we were monitoring it.”
“I know at the time of the election we were specifically looking at six different gangs,” he added.
“We are in discussions not just with the commissioner and the police department but also with the leadership intervention unit to get their feedback because it is that we would want to have a targeted SOE as opposed to a blanket net pass over everybody,” Musa said.
Today is a day dedicated to raising awareness for individuals with unique ways of experiencing and interacting with the world. It’s also a day to honour those who have been lost—sometimes because of a lack of understanding or support in communities that don’t know how to respond to unprecedented situations. Today is the day the world observes World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD).
World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was first recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 to raise awareness about autism and promote the rights of autistic individuals.
What started as a call for awareness has grown into a movement focused on acceptance, inclusion, and celebrating the invaluable contributions of autistic people to society.
This year’s theme is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” The goal is to highlight how neurodiversity supports the global effort to achieve sustainable development while continuing to push for equal participation and opportunities for autistic individuals.
Here in Belize, the focus this month is closer to home. The theme for Belize’s Autism Awareness Month, “Kindness in Action, Understanding Autism, Building Community,” resonates deeply with the recent, heartbreaking events that have impacted Belizean communities.
One of those events being the tragic loss of little Gabriel, an autistic and non-verbal 6-year-old. Little Gabriel drowned in Belize City in February after leaving school grounds unnoticed. His death left a deep scar in Belize and made the need for awareness and action even more urgent.
In an interview with Christy Almeida, the founder of Autism Belize, she said, “Having this month, where we can focus on education, on getting the general public to be a little bit more aware, a little bit kinder, a little bit more accepting, there is such a need for that.”
She added, “I think that’s part of why this theme this month—building community—is so important. Life loss… it’s hard. The country felt it tremendously this year… It’s time to go back to the village where we look out for each other.”
“Even if it is just learning a little bit more about it… Let us build a community to protect our most vulnerable,” she said.
April is packed with events across Belize. One of the main features of the month is a series of walks and runs. Here’s where and when you can join:
Caye Caulker – Friday, April 4, at 6:00 pm, starting at the basketball court
San Pedro – Friday, April 4, at 6:00 pm
San Ignacio/Santa Elena – Saturday, April 5, at 6:00 am, starting at Santa Elena Rotary Park
Independence – Friday, April 11, at 9:00 am, starting at Independence Primary School
Belmopan – Saturday, April 12, at 6:00 am, starting at the Governor-General Field
Dangriga – Friday, April 4, at 5:30 am, starting at BTL Park
Hopkins – Saturday, April 12, at 6:00 am, starting at the Hopkins Junction
Belize City – Saturday, April 26, at 6:00 am, starting at BTL Park
Corozal – Saturday, April 26, at 6:00 pm, starting at Town Hall
Punta Gorda – Wednesday, April 30, at 9:00 am, starting at Central Park
Orange Walk – Saturday, May 3, at 6:00 pm
As Almeida stated, these events serve as a reminder to all of us to approach each day with a little more kindness, awareness, and understanding. Whether it’s participating in a walk or simply learning more about autism, it’s about building a stronger, more compassionate community for everyone.
“Even if it is just learning a little bit more about it… Let us build a community to protect our most vulnerable,” she added.
Petillo’s family recently complained about police officers visiting his home, allegedly searching for him in connection with a dispute between rival gangs.
Williams responded, stating that police act on credible information and stressed that being paralysed does not exempt someone from being investigated. “You could be in Timbuktu and commit a crime in Belize,” he said. He added that once the police receive such information, they must act swiftly.
Meanwhile, Garcia’s mother, Rosalie McLaughlyn, is still searching for closure, stating, “I just need justice fi mi son because it’s been three weeks now. And then I really not di get no answers. I really noh hear nothing about the case.”
On the progress of the investigation into the gang-related incident, Williams said there is a lack of cooperation from those involved. “The issue with that is the fact that they are not cooperating. I’m sure they know who was in that vehicle, but they are not saying it to the police,” he said.
“We believe the reason they are not saying so is because they have intentions of retaliating, maybe not the Joseph Garcia family, because they are not known to be gang members, per se,” Williams added.
Williams clarified that while Petillo has named individuals allegedly involved in the incident, he has yet to provide an official statement. He said, “I said to him, ‘you can’t just tell me; you have to give me a statement,'” to which Petillo reportedly responded, “Boss, you know how the street work, I can’t give you a statement.”
A Facebook post asking anyone to help a suffering horse has reignited urgent calls for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws in Belize. The post read, “Please, somebody come help; it’s near Calvary Baptist on Kraal Road” in Belize City.
Pictures and video accompanying the post show a severely malnourished and dehydrated horse that was left abandoned in a drain. It was reportedly left suffering without food and water for more than 24 hours.
Attempts to save the horse were futile.
Michelle Rudon, leader of the animal rescue group SPARK (Society for the Promotion of Animal Rescue and Kindness), shared a heartbreaking update:
“We tried with her, but she just died. We got Dr. Chimilio out there, and the Belize City Council also showed up to help, but it was too late. She died. ”
Rudon expressed deep frustration over the widespread indifference to animal cruelty:
“Many people passed and saw her, and nobody cared enough to do anything. They left her right there. Things need to change like NOW! Animal Welfare needs to become a priority. There are way too many cases of cruelty, abuse, and neglect.”
Chester Williams is preparing to leave his current role as police commissioner. He told reporters today that he’s hopeful that the department remains “effective” after his departure.
He also stated that he found the letter issued by Sharole Rose Carr-Saldivar, CEO of the Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, “displeasing.”
“I worked 33 years to be where I am, and I was extremely displeased with the letter,” he said. “The CEO has no legal authority to have wrote the letter that she did. I had already explained to our minister, Kareem, what I intend to do before leaving.”
According to Williams, he opted to leave his current post and “move over to my new era of responsibility.” He said, “To be able to avoid any in-house fighting, I decided that it’s best I pop up and leave… I don’t want to have a fight with nobody.”
When questioned about a series of transfers within the police department ahead of his leave, including one for his special assistant, Williams said it had already been discussed and approved by the minister before being carried out.
“Whatever I did, I had explained to the minister before I did. And I’ll leave it at that,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, praised Williams’ tenure as commissioner, stating, “Belize has undoubtedly seen one of the greatest commissioners.” He added, “His record speaks for itself; I think you can look at his entire tenure in office – it has been an accomplished record.”
Two officers from the Anti-Narcotics and Special Patrol Units were detained and released in connection to the recent drug plane landing near Graham Creek, Toledo.
Information is that the names of these police officers appeared on a list of individuals who had received $50,000 USD for facilitating the landing. When asked about it, Police Commissioner Chester Williams said, “Those officers were brought in just as we would’ve done with any other ordinary person. They went through the mills. We put together an investigative team of senior investigators to investigate that matter to see if there was anything credible to the information. So far we have not been able to unearth anything to indicate that those police officers were involved in that plane landing.
Williams added that the officers had voluntarily submitted their electronic devices for forensic examination by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Again, the fact that they agreed to that showed how transparent they want to be with the investigation.”
The aircraft landed near the Guatemalan border and was deliberately set on fire after use. Authorities also detained a village council official after communication equipment was found at their residence.
Outgoing Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters this morning that the first quarter of 2025, as it relates to crime statistics, “looks good.”
He said, “It’s not what I would want it to be. Certainly, you would know that I am very big in terms of preserving life…those type of crimes that affect life, like murders and attempted murders and so forth, are the ones that I would normally do my best to guard against, and again, for the simple fact that they do affect the livelihoods of others.”
Williams added that the number of murders is down compared to the same period in 2024. “Overall, major crime is down by 7% compared to the same period to last year.”
“I am happy that I am handing over to the incoming commissioner with a crime rate below last year’s figure.”
The fate of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance once more. The platform first “went dark” for US users in January after a law took effect and banned the app unless it was sold by its parent company, ByteDance.
The app came back online less than a day after, just as Donald J. Trump took office as the 47th president of the US. He signed an executive order and delayed its sale or ban by 75 days, which will be up by Saturday, April 5.
According to the BBC, if a sale is not finalised by 5 April, TikTok could be pulled from app stores this time.
Trump has hinted at extending the deadline, saying the administration is in talks with multiple potential buyers, including Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Elon Musk, and companies like Microsoft.
The BBC reported that there are reports of a 50-50 partnership between ByteDance and the US government.
Should TikTok be banned, competitors such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts stand to benefit from the app’s 170 million US users, according to the BBC.
The first African woman begins her leadership as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has officially taken office and marked a historic moment for this role as the one to lead the association of 56 countries.
In her inaugural speech on April 1, 2025, Botchwey pointed out the global challenges ahead, from economic instability to the escalating climate crisis. She stressed the urgent need for the organisation to unite and take bold action in these uncertain times. “The challenges we face are real and serious, but together we are more than equal to them,” she said.
Botchwey added, “The value of our Commonwealth stands in bold relief in a time like this. For over 75 years, the Commonwealth has been a unique and powerful force for good. Now we must seize the moment to realise the transformation our societies seek.”
Botchwey committed to three strategic priorities for her tenure, including empowering youth and women, revitalising trade, and tackling climate change head-on. She said her leadership will focus on continuing the “values that bind us – democracy, good governance, peace, human rights, and equal opportunity.”
“It is a great honour to be the first African woman to serve as Secretary-General,” Botchwey stated.
