Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Should Belize Issue Travel Advisory to 15 US States?

Recently, the United States reissued a travel advisory for Belize urging its citizens to “exercise increased caution” due to a surge in violent crime, particularly gang-related violence. The advisory was updated on December 30, 2024, with serious safety risks, including armed robberies, home invasions, and sexual assaults, even in popular tourist areas.

When asked about this yesterday, Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa, defended the country’s safety record. According to Musa, he has brought up these concerns in talks with the U.S. embassy, especially over the past two or three years. He says that with the decrease seen in the number of homicides each year, Belize’s homicide rate is now lower than that of around fifteen U.S. states.

“It could be argued that Belize should be issuing a travel advisory to those fifteen states… And it is something that I flag each year, and it certainly doesn’t make sense in my opinion why it is that these travel advisories are issued when in fact there is that downturn,” Musa said.

Musa added that the significant rise in overnight visitors in 2024 reflects the contrary, stating, “But no doubt I think travellers on their own have seen the beauty and charm of Belize. They don’t find it as a violent destination.”

This morning in the Open Your Eyes morning show, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler, stated that while the crime rate in Belize may be a factor that affects tourism, he said, “I like the trend that we’re seeing—the murders go down, major crimes go down.”

Just last week during the CompStat report, the Belize Police Department reported that eighty-nine murders were recorded, a slight increase from the eighty-seven in the previous year. According to the report, this reflects a sixteen percent decrease in major crime.

The Canadian government issued a similar advisory in December 2024.

Wanted Man Shot in the Leg by Police

A 26-year-old man from Corozal, Moises Verde, is recovering after being shot by Sarteneja police on Thursday. Verde, who was wanted for aggravated assault with a firearm, allegedly pulled out a gun and fired several shots at officers who were trying to apprehend him.

Today, the Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, said that further details on this matter are still unclear. “ That’s a matter in certainty. At this time, that’s the matter in Sarteneja; I don’t have any further details.”

Williams said that Verde awaits arraignment; as soon as his health conditions are determined suitable to be arraigned, he will be arraigned. “He will be charged by the police for aggravated assault,” Williams added.

Reports indicate that police had been searching for Verde when they spotted him walking with another man. When they ordered him to stop, he reportedly drew a .38 pistol and fired at the officers.

The police returned fire, hitting Verde in the leg.

Authorities recovered the .38 revolver at the scene, along with three live rounds and expended shell casings.

Beating Your Dog Can Lead to Charges

It’s more common to see animals abused than to hear about someone being charged for it. However, the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, told reporters today that if there is enough evidence of someone beating a dog, they can face charges.

“If it is that there is evidence that can substantiate the charge, then certainly yes, that is going to be the case,” said Williams.

Last week, police officer Mauricio Wright was charged with animal cruelty after video footage showed him repeatedly hitting a dog with a machete in Orange Walk.

The footage was sent to the Humane Society in Orange Walk.

In response, the Humane Society of Orange Walk issued a statement on social media, “Section 326 of the Criminal Code, Chapter 101 of the Substantive Laws of Belize (Revised Edition) 2020. This is the section of our Belizean law that states that animal cruelty is a CRIMINAL offence that can be LEGALLY punished.”

It added, “Legal measures MUST be taken in cases of animal abuse; it simply cannot continue…It is just as serious as other forms of abuse and violence… ANIMAL CRUELTY IS A CRIMINAL ACT!”

Commissioner Chester Williams added that after the video was reported to the Humane Society in Orange Walk, it was then sent to the police. “Based on that complaint, police acted, and the police officer was charged for that matter.”

ComPol Williams Saves ‘Dr. Sutherland’ From Unreasonable Charge

Last week, Harrison Sutherland, also known as “Dr. Sutherland,” was slapped with an unusual charge. He was arrested for carrying a water bottle in a way that allegedly hindered his control of his bicycle.

The 34-year-old said that he was helping an elderly woman by transporting her water. Following public outcry, Police Commissioner Chester Williams announced on his Facebook that the charge would be withdrawn.

But does he possess the power to do so? When we asked him what power enables him to withdraw a criminal charge, he said, “I guess you’re listening to some stupid person on Facebook. I’m not going to answer that question.”

According to Williams, the charge did not take into account everyday situations such as transporting water or grocery bags.

“We have to look at even in the absence of the good gesture that Mr. Sutherland was performing…to arrest a person for carrying a five-gallon water on a bicycle. It’s not reasonable, and I think as police officers we have to apply best judgement.”

Williams told reporters that bicycles are a primary mode of transportation for many people, and the law is meant to address issues like dangerous loads that impede traffic, such as large furniture or lumber, not water bottles or grocery bags.

Although instructions were given for the charges to be dropped, a $200 bail was set for Sutherland. Williams clarified that the bail is not paid in money but rather a signed commitment.

PM Briceño Says No ‘Full Sweep’ Expected

The Prime Minister has yet to announce the date of this year’s general elections. But political observers expect it sooner rather than later. And while we remain on the edge of our seats, one thing is clear: PM John Briceño is keeping his cards close to his chest.

With the United Democratic Party in turmoil, can the People’s United Party (PUP) sweep the elections? They’ve done it twice pre-independence. The possibility exists, but PM Briceño does not believe that it will happen.

During his appearance this morning on Open Your Eyes, he said that a “full sweep” for the PUP would be difficult to achieve.

Briceño also said that he’s been consulting with various people and his Cabinet on the election timeline. “We’ve done our complete assessment in the national campaign management… also in readiness in our constituencies, most of them are pretty much almost there. I’ve also consulted the cabinet… Most of them from last year they wanted us to call elections… Some of them are of the opinion that it does not matter if you hold elections in February or November; we’re still going to win.”

“If you’re not properly prepared for elections, then you can’t win election day… You have to have success in the work you’ve provided and done well as a government—that’s the first thing,” Briceño said.

PM Briceño: ‘Who’s the Real UDP?’

The United Democratic Party (UDP) remains divided. Both Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton and Opposition Leader Moses Barrow claim to be the legitimate leader of the party. That battle is now before the court.

This morning, on Open Your Eyes, Prime Minister John Briceño weighed in on the ongoing leadership crisis within the UDP. He said, “I don’t really have time to be able to look at all the imaginations from the two sectors or the two UDPs. Which one is the real UDP? Well, I guess that’s left to be seen.”

Briceño called the situation unfortunate, adding, “Sometimes leaders, I think some leaders within the UDP believe that sometimes you have to broke down the dolly house and build it up again. And I guess that is what they are attempting to do.”

Briceño is no stranger to internal party woes. He experienced this back in 2011 when he resigned as leader of the People’s United Party (PUP). Briceño stated, “I said I’m going to step down because I was going to unite the party, and I still had different factions that refused to come around the table, so I walked away, but I did not try to be destructive about it. And I supported Francis Fonseca 100% and never tried to undermine him.”

Meanwhile, Panton opened a new party headquarters in Belize City last week.The office is located in the Mesopotamia Division and was facilitated by party vice chairman Lee Mark Chang. She added, “We have 18 standard bearers and 20 constituencies that align themselves with the work that we are doing.”

Despite this, Barrow maintains he is the UDP leader, focusing on preparations for the next general elections. “We have been campaigning, and we are prepared. We have intensified our campaign in recent months and weeks, and we continue to intensify, and we are ready to go,” Barrow stated.

A New Name for S.O.E.

Prime Minister John Briceño is considering renaming the “State of Emergency” (SOE) to better reflect its purpose against gang violence. In this morning’s appearance on Open Your Eyes, Briceño likened the measure to a “time-out,” a strategy used by parents to manage children’s behaviour.

“Sometimes you need a time out… At home, when you and your brother are fighting, what does a parent do? They’re like, ‘Okay, you go to your room.’ That same analogy works in the streets,” Briceño explained, adding, “I hate the words ‘state of emergency’ because it is not the entire state—the entire country, but rather some sections.”

Briceño stated that he has been in discussions with Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa and said they are exploring alternative terminology for SOEs, which are enacted in high-crime areas. “This is a temporary solution for things to calm down,” Briceño stated. He said that it is not a “band-aid” but a necessary step to bring relief to communities while longer-term solutions are developed.

“It is not fair to the people in these neighbourhoods who are good, decent, hard-working, law-abiding citizens who live in fear of these guys when they start out shooting. And then they shoot, and in many instances innocent people get hurt,” he said.

“If that is the only way that we can have peace on the streets, then we are going to do it,” Briceño added.

While SOEs have helped lower the murder rate, they also come with concerns about rights violations, especially for those who are suspected of gang activity. Despite this, Police Commissioner Chester Williams reported in September that SOEs have contributed to a noticeable decrease in crime.

Belize Pushes for Tren Maya Expansion

Is the Tren Maya heading to Belize? Since early 2024, a delegation from Belize has been in talks with Tren Maya officials in Mexico. In March, they discussed the possibility of setting up a station at Belize’s northern border with Mexico.

In July, Amir Espadas, President of CANACO SERVYTUR, spoke about the potential benefits of extending the Tren Maya to Belize, saying, “The president said that there is the possibility of extending the Tren Maya, according to conversations with the government of Belize, into Belize.”

Prime Minister John Briceño also addressed the idea in an interview in May 2024. He said, “That is one of the meetings we are going to have with them to see how we can get the Tren Maya a little over three miles to be able to connect to our border.” He added, “Ideally what we want to do is connect it to our border, build the facilities, and get the tourists to come to Belize and also products. We no longer have to depend on transporting by ship.”

Yesterday, Riviera Maya News, a Mexican news outlet, reported that the government of Belize has officially requested Mexico to extend the Maya Train across the Hondo River and into Belize. In a formal letter to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Briceño proposed a two-phase expansion. The first phase would add over 7 kilometres of track from Quintana Roo into Belize, including a spur connecting Chetumal International Airport near the border, according to Rivera Maya News. The second phase would extend the train through Belize to Guatemala, reaching the famous Tikal National Park.

Briceño explained the significance of the proposal to Rivera Maya News: “The letter was to follow up on the two proposals we have; the first is that we can bring the train to the entrance of Belize from Chetumal, and the second is that it can go from here in Belize to Guatemala City.”

He added, “This would bring many benefits to Belize. It could open a new market for tourists since those who come to Cancun are often from Europe… With the Maya Train, it would be much easier for them to travel to Belize.”

“Also in trade, Mexico is a country from which we import millions of dollars, so with the train moving products from Mexico to Belize would be easier, and also moving our products not only to Mexico, but to the United States and Canada, so it is an opportunity for everyone to win,” he said.

Although studies are still needed, Briceño stated, “I am very hopeful that this can be consolidated.”

Police Officer Caught Stealing Suspended with Full Pay

Police Officer Caught Stealing Suspended with Full Pay

A police officer has been suspended after being caught on camera stealing money from a store he was assigned to protect.

The security camera inside the Belize City store caught Police Constable Peter Graham rummaging through a cash pan and pocketing bills behind the store’s counter. The store owner entered during the incident and found Graham standing behind the desk. Upon seeing the owner, Graham calmly stepped back to allow her access, though she appeared confused by his presence in the area.

In response to the incident, the Belize Police Department issued a suspension letter, effective January 11, 2025. The letter, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Bartholomew F. Jones, stated, “Please be informed that you are suspended from active duty with effect from the 11th day of January 2025, pending the outcome of an investigation into your conduct.”

It also confirmed that he would continue to receive his full salary during the suspension period. “During the suspension period, you shall receive your full salary.”

International Help Arrives to Battle L.A Wildfires

The scorching wildfires in Los Angeles, California, have swept through 39,000 acres, displacing over 153,000 people and killing 11 people. Canada and Mexico are stepping in to help Los Angeles battle the fires.

The fires have also impacted Belizeans living in Los Angeles. The tight-knit Belizean community forms part of the large Caribbean population in Los Angeles. Belizean DJ Easy, who lives close to the affected area, stated, “Everybody’s attention is on this, you know. Everybody wishing the best for everybody because a lot of friends, family, and loved ones are affected directly with this. Never, never had this happened here before.”

Another Belizean, Mirna Reneau, had reported that the fire led to the temporary closure of the university she works at. “UCLA cancelled undergraduate classes due to the fire. Graduate students are remote. It’s moving fast and very devastating,” she said, adding, “We have a lot of Belizeans that are caregivers and they work in these areas.”

On Friday, Canada and Mexico have stepped in with firefighting support. This International assistance comes despite recent tensions between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico over trade issues.

Mexico extended help, with President Claudia Sheinbaum announcing on Friday that firefighters from Mexico’s National Forestry Commission and the National Secretary of Defence would assist. “We are going to send support, not just because the people and government of Mexico have always been generous, but also because there are many Mexican people in this zone of the United States,” she said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced that Canadian teams from British Columbia and Quebec are already on the ground, providing crews, aircraft, and equipment. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith confirmed the deployment of additional resources, including water bombers and night-vision helicopters.

In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated on X, “California is deeply grateful” for the humanitarian help the state is receiving.