Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Police Seize 72 Rounds of Ammunition in San Pedro

Police uncovered a stash of seventy-two live rounds of ammunition in San Pedro during an operation on Tuesday night.

The operation focused on areas north of San Pedro Town, where law enforcement uncovered a variety of ammunition. Items recovered included an AK-47 magazine containing twelve 7.62mm live rounds, a red box with twenty-three 5.56mm rounds, and a 60-round capacity magazine with thirty-seven 5.56mm rounds.

Authorities confirmed that no one was present at the scene during the operation. The items were promptly labelled, sealed, and deposited as found property.

In a separate operation, conducted on Monday, three men were arrested and charged with multiple firearm offences after an operation north of San Pedro Town. Police reported uncovering a stash of illegal weapons and ammunition, including high-powered rifles and a loaded pistol.

Belize City Magistrate Court Closed Due To Mould Infestation

The Belize City Magistrate Court has announced its closure from midday today until Monday, February 17, 2025. This measure follows after News 5 reported on the complaints from court staff who have reported health issues, including kidney problems, migraines, and chest pains, due to prolonged exposure to the mould.

One employee told News 5 on Tuesday, “They have said that they’re trying to work on it, but it’s nothing so far. So, we just decide as a staff that we need to take action to make them decide what they will do now. Don’t give us no small solutions. We need a big solution to fix the problem right away.”

Chief Magistrate Jayani Wegodapola confirmed that this closure is necessary to address the hazardous situation, with operations resuming on Tuesday, 18th February 2025.

In the meantime, court dates have been rescheduled: cases originally set for 13th February will be heard on 18th February, those for 14th February on 19th February, and cases for 17th February will be heard on 20th February. Urgent applications will be heard in exceptional cases.

Election Day Announced as Public and Bank Holiday

March will now see two public and bank holidays within the same week. On Tuesday, Prime Minister John Briceño announced that general elections will be held on March 12. Shortly after, the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries issued a notice declaring that the day will now be observed as a public and bank holiday. The announcement, which follows the dissolution of the National Assembly, was confirmed under the Holidays Act.

“It is hereby notified that Wednesday, March 12, 2025, will be observed as a public and bank holiday. This declaration is made in accordance with Part II, Section 9 of the Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011,” the ministry stated.

In lieu of Sunday, March 9, National Heroes and Benefactor Day will be observed on Monday, March 10, which falls within the same week as the date of the general election.

Three Arrested in Major Firearm Bust

26-year-old Daniel Anthony Lagos, 23-year-old Zephaniah Mariano, and 21-year-old Zylon Kihal Castillo were arrested and charged with multiple firearm offences after an operation north of San Pedro Town. The operation was conducted on Monday, February 10, in a bushy area where a camp was located.

Lagos, Mariano, and Castillo were discovered at the camp, where authorities found a 9mm pistol with an extended magazine containing 22 live rounds. The three men are facing charges including possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of ammunition without a license, and the illegal possession of firearms with serial numbers removed.

Police reported uncovering a stash of illegal weapons and ammunition, including high-powered rifles and a loaded pistol.

Additionally, an AR-15 rifle was seized, along with two magazines holding 25 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and 26 rounds of .223 ammunition. A black SG rifle with 12 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition was also found, as well as additional rounds, including two 5.56mm rounds, one more 5.56mm round, and 15 live .223 rounds.

Tracy Panton: ‘Shyne Barrow Has No Interest in Mediation’

March 12 of this year is officially the day Belizeans will be marching to the polls and casting their votes, and despite the ongoing legal battle within the United Democratic Party (UDP), Tracy Panton stated today that her faction is “absolutely prepared” for the upcoming elections.

Panton said that the recent “demonstration of the teachers, the sickout by the firefighters, the concerns of the Belize Defence Force, the undercurrence in the public service, and the concerns expressed by our healthcare providers is indicative” of the need for “new leaders to take up the governance of this country,” she said.

While she expressed readiness for Decision 2025, the UDP is yet to come to a common table and come through with mediation. She claimed that Mesopotamia’s area representative, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, is the reason behind the delay in the mediation process. She said, “Shyne Barrow has no interest in sitting and talking, has no interest in finding a solution for the United Democratic Party, and he certainly doesn’t have any interest in us to make our strongest case for the Belizean people to become the next government.” Panton added, “If we are in limbo, it is because he is adamant and he refuses to respect the voices of the people.”

In about 30 days from today, the ballots will be in the hands of many Belizeans, and reports made by Hot Off the Press suggested that the Election and Boundaries Commission had recognised two factions of the UDP and would allow both to use the traditional red party colour on official ballots.

Panton stated that the 31 candidates under the UDP flag include candidates that support her leadership and those that support that of the “status quo because the institution and the colour red, they believe, are going to be a determining factor in the next election—that is their prerogative,” she said.

Barrow and his legal team did not hold back and formally requested clarification from the Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) regarding recent reports about ballot designations for the 2025 general elections in a letter issued on February 10. The letter, sent by attorney Christopher P. Malcolm, challenges the claims that the EBC would allow two factions of the UDP to use the party’s red colour on ballots. Malcolm warned that any such decision would overstep the EBC’s authority and urged a swift public clarification to prevent misleading the public and damaging the electoral process.

With a date now set for Election Day, will the UDP come forward in mediation? Panton stands in that “the people in the United Democratic Party can be assured that our action that we in good conscience and good faith have done everything we humanly can to find a solution. Shyne has expressed zero interest in that matter. In fact, he has used the narrative to suggest that we are weak because we want to sit at the table.” She added, “I am a member of the United Democratic Party, and Shyne Barrow or his attorney cannot declare me not a member.”

Baby Ishmael Needs Your Help for Life-Saving Surgery

5-month-old baby Ishmael Villamil is in need of your help so that he can undergo a life-saving surgery. Born prematurely at just 28 weeks on September 11, 2024, baby Ishmael weighed only 2 pounds, 2 ounces.

His early birth caused complications, including underdeveloped lungs and hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, leading to pressure and potential brain damage. In November 2024, baby Ishmael underwent surgery to place a shunt to drain the fluid building in his brain.

Today, baby Ishmael turned exactly 5 months, and his parents, Jennifer Larios and Eusebio Villamil, are once again in a very difficult position. Jennifer told us that only one month after the first surgery, baby Ishmael’s head started growing again. She said, “I sent a video to the doctor that did the surgery on him, and he told me to bring in the baby.”

She added that after the doctor’s assessment, it was revealed that the “shunt isn’t working anymore. They also realised that my son has a complication with his lungs, once again.”

Doctors have given Ishmael less than a year to live, but Jennifer and Alberto have chosen to fight for their precious baby. “He’s 5 months, and he’s so tiny for his age, but we see him fighting so much that we had like four doctors holding him down just to find an IV,” Jennifer said.

“The doctors, they realised how strong he is and how he wants to fight,” she added. “If he doesn’t want to give up, why should we—why should I as a mom give up on him?”

Jennifer and Eusebio are now trying to raise at least $12,000 for a second surgery that could give baby Ishmael a fighting chance. This time around, the surgery would be to fix the shunt “and place it the way to where it belongs so it can function the way it should,” Jennifer added.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep him here with us,” she said.

Anyone who would like to help baby Ishmael can make donations to the following bank accounts:

Belize Bank, Eusebio Alberto Villamil, account number: 255 502 010 160000

Belize Bank, Jennifer Lizeth Larios, account number 246 491 010 160000

Ishmael’s mother can be contacted directly at 630-4946.

22 Y/O Shot in Ladyville, No Suspects Identified

This afternoon, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, reported that police continue to investigate a shooting incident that occurred on Friday night on Perez Road in Ladyville village.

Romero said that 22-year-old Gerald Sutherland sustained gunshot injuries after being shot at unexpectedly while walking on Perez Road. Sutherland was unable to identify his assailant, who he reported was hiding in nearby bushes.Romero also confirmed that Sutherland sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment.

He added that Sutherland “has no idea of why someone would like to shoot him.” No one else was in the area when the police responded. Romero stated that police have searched the area where the incident happened, but no leads were found. Romero stated that the area was processed, but no leads were found.

Sutherland is currently in stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).

Several Persons Arrested for Fatally Shooting Santiago Rajo

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, confirmed that authorities have “several persons in custody” for murder of a church leader in the Teakettle Village, Cayo.

Romero reported that police believe the motive behind the attack was the theft of a motorcycle. He added that police are actively pursuing “several leads” and that the individuals in custody will be questioned for further information.

Santiago Rajo, a well-known church leader at the local Seventh-day Adventist Church, was fatally shot on Sunday in the Arizona area of Teakettle. Reports indicate that Rajo tried to assist his brother, Tomás Rajo, and his wife, who were being attacked during a robbery around 1:30 AM.

Tomás reported that the robbers were three masked men armed with a gun and demanded money, cell phones, and other valuables. Tomás told News 5 that the robbers were communicating with one another in English.

Local residents have raised concerns over the rising number of violent crimes and have called for increased police patrols. “So many people have been attacked by these robbers, and nothing has been done,” said Rosa Rajo, Rajo’s wife, in an interview with News 5.

GoB Begins Roof Repairs at this Orange Walk Central School

The government of Belize launched a long-awaited project to repair the deteriorating roof of the San Estevan Roman Catholic School in the Orange Walk District. The project is set to be completed in just three months time.

The renovation is expected to provide teachers and students with a safe school building and eliminate issues reported, like “bat infestations, leaks during rainy weather, and exposure to other parasites,” the government said in a statement.

Rosaura Chan, Chairlady of San Estevan Village, pointed out the longstanding need for the project, stating, “Today marks the beginning of an important milestone for San Estevan RC School.” She added, “For years we have hoped and waited for this much-needed improvement, and today, we stand at the beginning of a transformation that will benefit our students and teachers for generations to come.”

The school’s principal, Leticia Perez, hailed the renovation as an “important milestone,” adding that “for years we have hoped and waited for this much-needed improvement, and today, we stand at the beginning of a transformation that will benefit our students and teachers for generations to come.”

Prime Minister John Briceño also attended the ceremony. San Estevan Village falls in his Orange Walk Central constituency. During his address, he stated that although “it is the management that is responsible for these schools, for the repairing of their schools and so forth—not the government.” He added, “But in many instances, the management, the church in this case, cannot find the necessary resources to be able to make these repairs.”

“And so as an area representative, I think I felt it incumbent on me to be able to see how we can find the resources to be able to fix the roof of this building,” Briceño said.

He further committed to addressing local infrastructure issues, including improving the village’s streets to reduce dust. “I know there is also some issues with the streets, about the paving of the streets to try and hold down the dust, so I want to make a commitment that I would try and get that done in the months to come or certainly sometime this year,” he said.

Masked Gunmen Kill Church Leader in Cayo

Santiago Rajo, a known church leader at the local Seventh-day Adventist church in Teakettle Village, Cayo, was fatally shot after trying to help his brother, Tomás Rajo, and his wife during what they described as a violent robbery. According to Tomás, three masked men armed with a gun attacked his family around 1:30 AM. The men reportedly demanded items of value. “They were asking for belongings and money, cell phones, and things of value. All of them were all speaking English,” Tomás told News 5.

He added that his son responded in English and told the men that the family had nothing of value that they were looking for. Tomás said that the men then pointed the gun away from him and at his son’s forehead. “My son continued telling them that we didn’t have anything of value to give him,” he said, adding that this led him to react, which led to him exchanging blows with one of the attackers.

Tomás reported that after the robbers gathered his family’s belongings, taking with them a motorcycle he had on one side. He said the men left the scene on foot because they couldn’t start the motorcycle.

The robbers reportedly returned, now riding the motorcycle, while Tomás had gone to another part of the village to see if he could spot them.

“When this tragedy happened, I was on one side of the village, and my brother came out here towards the back of the house where there was a street and where they passed on their way back and were already coming on the motorcycle,” Tomás said. “It was there where they shot him with that 9mm that they had threatened me with in the house.”

Santiago, a respected and hard-working member of the community, is deeply mourned by his family and neighbours. The family is now calling for justice and urging authorities to address the escalating crime. Residents are seeking an increase of police presence in the area.

Santiago’s wife, Rosa Rajo, told News 5, “So many people has been attacked by these robbers, and nothing has been done.”