The Department of Local Government, with support from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Council (A-TIPs), conducted a series of regional training sessions in January for Trade and Liquor Licensing Boards across Belize’s municipalities.
The sessions targeted newly appointed members of licensing boards across nine municipalities and ten liquor boards. The sessions, aimed at strengthening the boards’ effectiveness, brought together representatives from municipal bodies, the District Association of Village Councils, and private sector partners. Participants received insights from various public sector stakeholders, including the magistracy, police, and health departments.
These entities provided crucial information on the roles and support available to boards in processing trade and liquor license applications. The Department of Local Government called on all license holders to consistently meet regulatory standards to ensure a safer, more productive society.
Earlier today the lifeless body of a young boy was discovered near the hangar area in Belize City. The family identified the child as 6-year-old Gabriel Pablo Orellano.
Police were alerted to the scene just after 1 this afternoon after reports of a drowning. Reports indicate that young Gabriel is an autistic student at Stella Maris School who had reportedly run away during lunch break.
His body was discovered by passersby in the water, who quickly pulled him from the sea and notified authorities.
Initial reports from the Scene of Crime (SOC) team indicated that Gabriel’s body showed no visible injuries. His family identified him at the scene, and his remains were transported to the KHMH morgue for a post-mortem examination.
The lifeless body of a 6-year-old boy was discovered near the hangar area earlier today. Police are on the grounds and have recovered the boy’s body. Reports indicate that the young child had slipped away from school, made his way to the hangar, and went for a swim in the sea. Teachers were reportedly the first to arrive at the scene.
Notorious gang leader Brandon Baptist, who was on a path to reform after turning to faith, was shot and killed Friday night during a football game at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex in Belize City. The shooting, which occurred just after 9 p.m., also left three others wounded: 37-year-old John Grinage, 26-year-old Herson Mena, and 21-year-old Cameron Williams. While Williams was treated and released, Grinage and Mena remain hospitalised.
Baptist died on the scene.
He had been actively involved with the Leadership Intervention Unit (LIU), an organisation focused on helping at-risk youth in the community. LIU employed Baptist along with several other at-risk youths from his neighbourhood.
Dominique Noralez, Director and Chairperson of LIU, told News 5, “There have been a few persons who have passed as a result of murder that have really impacted me, and Brandon Baptist is one of those… He was always full of life, always willing to talk.”
“I considered him to be not only an employee of the socioeconomic programs that LIU has. I considered him to be a friend. And I am, I’m very sad about how this happened,” Noralez added.
Noralez said that LIU’s role has been one that is important in the rehabilitation of violent communities, by providing employment and social programs, including a new apprenticeship initiative with the Community Rehabilitation Department, which offers young people opportunities for vocational training and job placements.
“All the specialised units that are now on the ground, we have to remain in contact with them to advise them about the way to approach because we are not a securitisation unit. That is not our role. Our role is one of rehabilitation, one of restoration, one of simply giving people a listening ear, and supporting them through this time,” she said.
“You never want to, irrespective of whatever this is, dehumanise a person after they have passed,” Noralez added. She said no one should assume that others “deserve” poverty or suffering just because it hasn’t affected them personally. Noralez said, “You cannot divorce yourself from the experience of persons who live on a certain side of the Halowa Creek.”
Authorities in Quintana Roo have issued an urgent request for assistance in locating a 32-year-old Belizean man. Rogaciano Nayib García was reported missing since January 26, 2025. García was reportedly last seen in Chetumal, located in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco.
Garcia is described as having a robust build, standing at about 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing approximately 240 pounds. He has short, straight black hair and large black eyes. Notable identifying marks include a tattoo on his left chest of a child’s face, a death figure tattoo on his left arm, and other tattoos on both arms. Additionally, he has a scar above his left eyebrow.
At this time, there is no information available about what García was wearing when he disappeared. The public can contact the Fiscalía General del Estado de Quintana Roo at (983) 8350050 ext. 1132.
A newly released report from the environmental group Sea of Life sheds light on the growing plastic pollution crisis in Belize. According to data gathered from schools across the nation, plastic waste is not only widespread but also alarmingly predominant in the environment.
The Sea of Life’s “More Pride Less Plastics” campaign, which focuses on tackling single-use plastics, used data from the 5 Gyres Institute’s TrashBlitz app to audit waste at 11 sites across five school districts. The findings are concerning. The report shows that about 75% of the trash collected was plastic, or a combination of plastic, metal, and paper. Among the culprits are bottled water and food wrappers from well-known brands.
“When we actually sort and lay out all of the waste and litter in bulk patterns, it’s startling to see and often prompts disgust from volunteers,” said Paulita Bennett-Martin, co-founder of Sea of Life. “The careful, deliberate, and consistent collection of data is key to truly understanding what the nation’s waste and litter burdens look like. TrashBlitz gives people pause, and the data analysis allows us to identify solution pathways.”
Crystal Bottled Water: A Symbol of Belize’s Plastic Problem
How many times today have you purchased a bottled water or ‘shilling wata’? One, two, or maybe none? Well, according to the report, the most common brand found in the waste was Crystal bottled water. It appeared more than any other brand across the country, showing just how much plastic water bottles are contributing to the pollution problem in Belize. Coca-Cola bottles were also widely found, coming in second place. These findings point to a major issue with single-use plastics in daily life.
“Crystal Water and Coca-Cola made up 36% of the identifiable brands study-wide,” the Sea of Life reported. Let’s take a moment to think of effective ways to cause a dent in this number. Well, if none came to mind, here’s one—water filling stations.
Back in September, water-refilling stations were installed at Wesley College. Since its installation, the data shows an impressive 85% reduction in plastic water pouch waste. Based on this report, it demonstrates the potential effectiveness of refillable alternatives in curbing plastic pollution.
Data-Driven Approach: TrashBlitz Reveals the Size of the Problem
Sea of Life’s TrashBlitz campaign is an annual audit campaign that serves as both a data-gathering tool and an education platform. This time around, involved volunteers collected and logged data on plastic waste at 11 sites in Belize.
A total of 18,735 pieces of trash were recorded. Of that waste, around 75% was plastic or mixed with plastic materials. Beverage containers and food wrappers made up over half of the waste collected, while non-branded plastic bottles and wrappers were also commonly found.
“One important trend identified is the large percentage of high-sugar and fat snacks and beverages. When grouped together, chip, biscuit, ice cream, candy, punch, and soda brands made up 42% of all identifiable brands,” it reported.
Sea of Life’s report also noted a troubling increase in non-branded plastic bottles and wrappers, primarily used for fruit-flavoured drinks marketed as “natural juice,” despite their high sugar content. The organisation calls for greater transparency in labelling to promote more sustainable choices.
Belize, a nation with a population of 420,000, is heavily dependent on tourism and fisheries, sectors that are increasingly vulnerable to plastic waste. This data shows just how dependent Belize has become on single-use plastic. These plastics don’t just clog up public spaces—they end up in the environment, threaten wildlife, and pollute the nation’s waterways.
Community Science: Empowering Belizeans to Tackle Plastic Pollution
One of the standout features of the TrashBlitz initiative is its use of community science. More than 320 local stakeholders, including students, teachers, nonprofit workers, and community members, were trained to collect, sort, and log waste during the audits. This hands-on approach not only produces valuable data but also builds a sense of shared responsibility and stewardship for Belize’s environment.
Naomi Sylvania, a teacher at New Hope High School, said, “I have conducted 3 trash audits all in one year… Conducting clean-ups is okay, but let’s be realistic; this is not the solution.” She added, “Now is the time to make the policies for a better tomorrow before we consume plastic in larger amounts.”
A Path to Sustainable Solutions
There is no clearer way for this report to say this: Belize’s plastic waste is a clear indication there needs to be changes in policies. The organisation urges policymakers to enact stronger legislation on plastic waste, including a nationwide ban on non-essential single-use plastics and the promotion of refillable water stations in public spaces.
The report exemplified the success seen at Wesley College, proving that refilling systems are not only effective in reducing plastic waste but also economically beneficial, saving families money and generating income for schools. “In less than six months of implementing refillable water on Wesley Campus, the decline in shilling wata litter was tremendous. Additionally, the water refilling stations will save parents over $300.00 a year per student,” it reported.
They suggest installing more refill stations in schools, offices, and tourist areas to help reduce the need for bottled water.
“Water refill stations on school campuses, in offices, and in high-traffic tourism hot spots offer a clear pathway to reducing the demand for and litter from single-use plastic bottles and pouches,” the organisation reported.
Another key recommendation is for Belize to implement bans on products like plastic bottles and food wrappers, similar to the Coca-Cola ban at Nazarene High School. The school’s decision to stop selling Coca-Cola products led to “the school recording 97.2% fewer Coca-Cola products than other schools across Belize.”
Sea of Life’s data and recommendations could be a turning point. But the responsibility to reduce plastic waste doesn’t fall solely on one group—it’s a shared effort from all Belizeans, from everyday citizens to businesses and government officials.
After nearly a decade of service, former police corporal Deandre Reid was dismissed for shooting and killing the Governor General’s dog while on duty. Reid has taken to social media to detail his version of the story.
According to Reid, police officers at Government House, where the Governor General resides, are required to be present around the clock, which means that interactions with the dogs there are inevitable.
In a video posted online, Reid said, “I wasn’t working sentry duties for long. I’m not fully aware of how these dogs carry themselves. I’ve heard stories; I’ve seen entries in the diary about previous incidents whereby officers were there and the dog tried to bite them, attack them, growl, bark, and so forth.”
Reid claimed he had received warnings from fellow officers about the dogs’ aggressive nature, with some officers using pepper spray when the dogs displayed hostility.
Reid detailed the incident, saying the dog initially barked at him, and he attempted to chase it away. After the dog retreated, he walked out of the booth to see where the dog had ran to, in which he adds that the dog came at him once more.
Reid says that fearing for his safety, he ran into the police booth and later fired a shot, which, he claims, struck the dog in the head. He admitted that in the heat of the moment, he did not immediately document the incident in the diary. According to Reid, the son of Governor General Froyla Tzalam, he heard the shot go off.
Reid said that he later received a letter stating “Discharging a Firearm without the authority of the Commissioner of Police,” adding, “Causing the death of a canine at the property of the Governor General of Belize.” In that letter it said that Reid was “fined $250.00 to be deducted in two equal installments of $125.00 each, on June 30th, 2024, and July 31st, 2024…. He was further advised in relation to section 24(9) of the Police Act, a sentence proposed to be imposed by any superior officer or other person delegated by the Commissioner of Police shall be notified to the Commissioner by the office or person and be subject to the approval of the Commissioner, who may confirm or remit the whole or any part thereof, or may enhance it, or may substitute any other sentence which is authorised to be imposed under this section.”
Two and a half months later, he said he received a letter from Commissioner Chester Williams, notifying him of his dismissal and requesting him to “give him a reason as to why they shouldn’t be dismissed.”
Reid stated, “In the footage, you could see clear how the dog come back da di door, I walk out check see if e no di deh, and it’s shown that I di run back ina the booth. It no show when I shoot the dog and all a that… I don’t know how they can come to the conclusion that intentionally gone shoot the dog.”
An officer stationed at the Governor General’s residence has been dismissed from the Belize Police Department after fatally shooting the Governor General’s pet dog. Police Constable Deandre Reid was charged with discharging a firearm without authorisation following the incident on May 20, 2024.
On Thursday, the Police Commissioner Chester Williams, confirmed the dismissal, stating, “The matter went before a tribunal; the tribunal found him guilty, dismissal was recommended, and I upheld the decision.”
However, News 5 reported that leaked reports show that the tribunal recommended a fine, not dismissal. It stated that Reid was initially fined $250, with the fine to be paid in two installments.
Today, reporters asked Commissioner Williams about this discrepancy. Williams said that he erred when he told reporters on Wednesday that a tribunal recommended the dismissal of P.C. Reid.
Williams said, “The only person who has authority to dismiss a police officer is the commissioner of police,” he said. “The law do provides the Police Act that in circumstances where the commissioner believes that the punishment emitted by the tribunal is either too lenient, he can opt it; if it’s too harsh, he can reduce it. And so in the circumstances, considering the nature of what the officer did, I exercised my power under the police act, and I opted for the punishment from a fine to a dismissal,” ComPol Williams added.
However, the police diary shows a record of the dog’s aggressive behaviour. According to Williams, he was not aware of such records.
Williams went on to say, “I saw no aggression. I saw a situation where the dog arrived at the door, saw the police, retreated, and the police followed the dog and shot the dog.”
He questioned, “Wouldn’t it be reasonable to say that when a dog retreated, the police should not have followed the dog?” In his view, the situation could have been avoided if the officer had remained in the booth instead of chasing the dog.
Starlink, the satellite internet service provider operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is under investigation by authorities in Antigua and Barbuda for failing to pay the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) on its services.
The government has identified over 100 users of Starlink, yet the company has not reported or collected the 17% tax required of other telecommunications companies. Minister for Information, Melford Nicholas, told local news channels that while there are no plans to disrupt services, the government aims to ensure compliance with tax regulations. “We do know that there are over 100 people utilising Starlink at the moment,” said Lionel Hurst, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister.
“There was no discussion about disrupting the service. The focus was on collecting the taxes that are owed because all telecommunications companies must pay the ABST—17% on the value of the service they provide,” Hurst added.
Meanwhile, in Belize, Starlink’s application to provide nationwide broadband services was denied by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), limiting its operations to underserved areas, aircraft, and vessels during emergencies. Sheena Garnett, PUC’s Communication Manager, stated, “We are going to allow end users to operate their Starlink terminals at these fixed locations that are currently in these parts of the country where there is no service or underserved areas where existing internet providers are unable to provide that service.”
Earlier this month, Prime Minister John Briceño supported the PUC’s decision, explaining the need to protect local providers while still assisting those without internet access. He said, “We are not giving them [Starlink] an open license, but if a citizen comes and says, and we have been doing that forever. We want a satellite dish; you get a permit to do that. So if you come and live deep in the bush and do not have access to internet service and want to bring it in, they will approve it. So, I think that is the best compromise.”
A 200-page document compiled by the PUC included all the feedback received. In it was an email where the minister, Michel Chebat, stated, “Should approval be considered, Starlink’s operations in Belize should be facilitated through a local agent, ensuring alignment with local industry dynamics and subject to our national tax regime.”
A Belizean female patient at an Illinois hospital was found unresponsive on the roof and pronounced dead 14 hours later, leaving investigators and her family demanding answers about the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death.
The family of 28-year-old Chelsea Adolphus has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Vista Medical Centre East in Waukegan, Illinois, after she was found dead on the hospital’s roof last week. The lawsuit, filed by attorney Ben Crump, claims premises liability, negligence, and medical malpractice. Chelsea, of Sana Elena, Cayo, had been admitted to the hospital for a minor medical issue, but her body was discovered hours later on the roof. “I want answers. The family needs answers, and we need answers immediately,” said her brother, Paul Adolphus Jr.
According to the Lake County Coroner’s Office, Chelsea died from hypothermia after being exposed to freezing temperatures. She had been missing for nearly seven hours before hospital staff found her unresponsive. “Her body temperature was 50 degrees Fahrenheit when she was found,” said Coroner Jennifer Banek.
The family is struggling to understand how she ended up on the roof, as investigators say the door was locked from the outside. The hospital has launched an internal investigation and is cooperating with authorities. Still, the family is demanding more transparency. “We want surveillance to be released; we want 911 calls to be released,” Crump said. The investigation is ongoing.
