State of Emergency Across Belize City

Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam has signed a proclamation declaring a State of Public Emergency covering large sections of Belize City and several communities in the Belize District, effective May 8, 2026, as violent crime continues to claim lives across the country.

Statutory Instrument No. 49 of 2026, gazetted Thursday, invokes Section 18 of the Belize Constitution and identifies two schedules of affected areas. Schedule I covers eleven defined zones across both the Southside and Northside of Belize City, including areas bounded by Freetown Road, Princess Margaret Drive, Barrack Road, Cemetery Road, the Philip Goldson Highway corridor, and portions along the Haulover Creek and the Caribbean Sea. Schedule II extends the emergency declaration into Ladyville Village, Burrell Boom Village, the Fresh Pond Community, Buttercup Estates, Bermudian Landing Village, Lemonal Village, Isabella Bank, Rancho Dolores Village, and Double Head Cabbage Village.

The public emergency has arisen as a result of action “taken or being immediately threatened by any person or body of persons of such a nature and on so extensive a scale as to be likely to endanger the public safety.” Under the Constitution, the emergency takes effect immediately and will remain in force for up to one month unless revoked earlier, with the National Assembly having the power to extend it for additional periods of up to twelve months.

The declaration comes against the backdrop of a shocking spike in violent crime in Belize City. On Thursday evening, a night meant for business turned into a crime scene when gunfire erupted inside Da Buzz Lounge on the Philip Goldson Highway shortly after opening, killing 34-year-old mother of three Salma Funez. Police have since charged a 16-year-old male in connection with the shooting. Less than two hours later, 29-year-old construction worker Jamal Samuels was shot dead in the Cet Site area of Belize City after gunmen stepped out of a dark vehicle and opened fire on a group of men gathered outside.

Just days before, Belize City police investigated a brazen midday shooting along the Philip Goldson Highway near Mile 4 at the Haulover Bridge, where victims Hubert Baptist and Eric Fraser were targeted by a gunman in a midsize SUV that chased their vehicle, pulled alongside, and opened fire. More than a dozen shots were reported, and the victims’ vehicle lost control and flipped.

The recent wave follows weeks of escalating violence. Among the earlier victims are 19-year-old Jamir “Jam” Cambranes of Euphrates Avenue, 17-year-old Alwin Marin Jr., and 19-year-old Jaheil Westby, all of Belize City, as well as 24-year-old deliveryman Steve Lewis of Dangriga.