“Call Them Out”: Belize Renews Call for Sex offender Registry

A wave of outrage is sweeping across Belize tonight, as one case forces a long-simmering issue into the spotlight. The shocking allegations against a Bullet Tree Falls teacher have ignited urgent demands for a national Sex Offenders Registry, with many asking: how are children being protected in the very spaces meant to keep them safe? The Office of the Special Envoy is now amplifying those calls, pushing for stronger safeguards and accountability within schools and other trusted institutions. For many, this is no longer just a conversation, it’s a call to act. Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

What happens when those meant to protect children abuse that trust? Across Belize, cases are rising and they’re happening in homes, schools, and other places meant to be safe. The latest involves forty-one-year-old Santa Elena teacher Elias Tzib, now charged with four counts of assault and two counts of rape after a student’s report. His arrest has raised serious questions about child safety and oversight. In response, the Office of the Special Envoy is pushing for a national Sex Offenders Registry, a move backed by the Ministry of Human Development, as officials warn reports of abuse are climbing.

 

Adele Catzim Sanchez, CEO, Ministry of Human Development

 ”We do note that there’s an uptick in reported sexual crimes against children. We have seen an increase in reported cases, so our in-house database does record that there are more cases reported to us each year. So we are excited, and we’re ready to work or collaborate with our partner agencies including the Office of the Special Envoy and the Ministry of Home Affairs to make sure that this, the sex offender registry is operational.”

 

One of the first lessons taught to many children is stranger danger, however, they are also taught that they can rely on certain trusted adults to protect them such as teachers, health care workers and police officers. Earlier this month, suspended police officer Dexter Diego was back behind bars after being charged with four counts of child rape involving a ten‑year‑old and an eleven‑year‑old in incidents spanning 2024 and 2025. The charges follow earlier allegations involving a fourteen-year-old, pointing to a troubling pattern. Advocates say stronger public accountability, including a registry, could help break it.

 

Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs

“I cannot understand how someone would look at a child, you know without saying any names, but children as young as four years old. We have to make sure that we treat their people in a different kind of way. We cannot tolerate the abuse of children from anybody, you know, and be it male or female. I think that I fully support her call. I think that if you are convicted of something like that, then the public should know who you are.”

 

Another case that made headlines this year was that of San Pedro educator, forty-seven‑year‑old Alex Noralez. In January, Noralez was found guilty on two of three counts of sexual assault and is still fighting to remain out of prison while he challenges the verdict. Similar claims have surfaced before. In 2025, teacher and former UDP senator Macario Coy faced allegations of sexual misconduct. Although he was later cleared, cases like these continue to raise concerns about how often teachers are accused, and how vulnerable students remain.

 

Adele Catzim Sanchez

“What we know historically and from research is that people who have a tendency to be sex offenders seek out professions in which they will have access to children and people who can become their victims. And so it’s in the professions that are supposed to be helpful, like teaching professions, health professions, other professions civil society, where we might see people gain access to children or those who become their victims.”

 

Advocates say Belize needs a sex offenders registry now, warning that repeat offenders continue to pose serious risks. They argue a centralized database would give authorities, and eventually the public, the information needed to prevent abuse and better protect vulnerable groups. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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