Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

Minors May Be Arrested in SOE as Gang Violence Escalates

Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado has indicated that minors may not be exempt from a possible 6-month State of Emergency (SOE) aimed at restoring public safety. “We will do what we need to do, and as law enforcement officers, our job is public safety, and whatever needs to be done to maintain the safety on the grounds, we will do it.” That is what he said when he was asked if minors will be arrested under the SOE.

According to the Commissioner, the situation between rival groups, primarily the PIV, BLC and their affiliates, has reached a dangerous tipping point. “Presently, from our assessment, we have made it’s only the PIV, BLC and its affiliates that are going after one another. And it is at a critical stage right now that drastic measures must be taken.”

Authorities have already increased patrols, deployed intelligence officers and expanded investigative teams. “We have also assigned or increased the investigative team in order to identify and disrupt this network,” Dr. Rosado said.

The police commissioner said discussions are underway with the National Security Council about implementing a minimum of 6-month State of Emergency, which he believes is necessary given the current critical situation. A decision is expected later today.

Will A 6-Month SOE be Implemented?

Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado has confirmed that discussions are underway with the National Security Council regarding the possible implementation of a state of emergency (SOE).

“With the death of Brandon Baptist, the security threat was high, and with the shooting of Rojas, it has now escalated to a critical level,” Dr. Rosado told reporters this afternoon. He added, “Presently we are discussing with the National Security Council to see if we will implement a state of emergency, but I do believe that at the critical state it is right now, there’s a need for it.”

The commissioner said he is “lobbying” for the SOE to be enforced for “6 months at the very least.”

As previously reported, over 60 alleged gang members are currently in police custody following the increase of gang-related activities, which Rosado described as a “network” requiring “extensive investigation and interview of all the players them, hence the reason they were detained.”

Dr. Rosado assured the public that the department is “using all available resources, deploying all available resources, to ensure that we restore peace, safety and normalcy to the street.” He added, “I am not perturbed, I am not disturbed, and I am not overwhelmed by what’s happening; we will do what we need to do.”

A decision from the council is expected later today.

‘Suspicious’ Motorcyclists to Be Stopped and Searched

The Belize Police Department is intensifying efforts to monitor and intercept individuals using motorcycles to commit violent crimes. While a State of Emergency will not be declared at this time, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero confirmed that additional measures are being taken to prevent further violence, including monitoring the use of motorcycles in criminal activities.”

“We have seen an increase in the use of motorcycles to commit these murders. So, we are targeting individuals on motorcycles, but we know there are a number of motorcycles in the city, so as soon as we identify suspicious persons, they are followed and searched,” ACP Romero stated.

He assured the public that the police are not acting indiscriminately: “We know the key players, so once we see them on motorcycles then we need to target them.”

Romero confirmed that over sixty alleged gang members have been detained following the recent murders in the last 48 hours. The detained individuals are currently being held for questioning.

60 Gang Members Detained Following Increase in Gun Violence

A routine school drop-off turned into tragedy this morning when 31-year-old Kadeem Orosco was shot and killed near his home in what police believe is a gang-related murder. Information from police indicates that Orozco was walking alone on Ebony Street when he was targeted by an unidentified gunman who opened fire.

According to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, investigators have received information that Orosco’s murder is connected to the ongoing gang feud. Orosco had just walked his seven-year-old daughter to St Martin’s School when he was killed. When asked about a possible connection between Orosco’s murder and the two other killings within the last 24 hours, ACP Romero responded, “I cannot say if it is connected; however, we have several leads we are following up and several persons in custody in regard to these recent murders.”

Despite police ramping up anti-gang operations and detaining around sixty gang members, Orosco’s killing marks the third murder in Belize City in less than 48 hours. This has raised fears about public safety and escalating gang violence. Romero added that police “are conducting several operations in the Belize district, and we continue with our works on the ground.” Surveillance footage from a nearby camera is being reviewed for leads regarding Ororsco’s murder.

Conclave to Begin as Cardinals Prepare to Elect New Pope

The solemn and secretive process to elect a new pope will begin Wednesday morning in the Sistine Chapel, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88.

According to the Vatican News, 173 Cardinals, including 130 Cardinal electors, participated in the twelfth General Congregation. The cardinals, all under the age of 80 and drawn from 71 countries, will enter the conclave after a special Mass in St Peter’s Basilica.

Once inside, they will be cut off from the outside world until a new pontiff is chosen. The conclave, rooted in centuries of ritual, opens with oaths of secrecy under threat of excommunication. Once a pope is elected, he will be asked two questions: acceptance and name choice.

Tracy Panton Calls for NPC Meeting to Elect New Chairman

Tracy Panton confirmed in a statement that a formal petition has been submitted to convene a National Party Council (NPC) meeting, in line with the UDP Constitution and under the status quo ante legal framework, which preserves the party structure prior to last year’s court injunction.

Panton said that the UDP “is seeking to ensure a sound path forward by asking for our next steps to be ones done under the status quo ante.”

According to the statement, Vice Chairman Alberto August “was not prepared to perform his duty to call a meeting of the National Party Council,” which prompted Panton’s support for the constitutional petition.

Under party rules, a valid petition mandates an NPC meeting. Secretary General Shary Medina and Vice Chairman August are now “constitutionally obliged to carry out the will of the petitioners and proceed with convening the NPC,” Panton added.

The National Party Council meeting is proposed for either May 17 or 24. According to Panton, she has the full support of Hugo Patt, the First Deputy Party Leader, to serve as Interim Leader until the next leadership convention.

Did Security Cameras Capture Latest Murder?

Authorities are investigating the early morning shooting death of 31-year-old Kadeem Orosco in Belize City. Orosco was shot and killed near the intersection of Ebony Street and Sarstoon Street.

Police are investigating possible links between the killings as part of an ongoing gang conflict. Security cameras in the area have been identified, and authorities say they are awaiting review of the footage as part of their ongoing investigation.

This killing comes just one day after police detained dozens of individuals in gang-related operations. Despite these efforts, violence in the city continues to escalate.

Family members arrived at the crime scene shortly after the shooting. A relative told News 5, “We will not retaliate, because we do not pick up guns; we pick up Bible instead.”

Orosco’s father also came to the scene, emotionally pleading with officers, “This is my son; I need to see my son.”

The area was cordoned off as forensic teams processed the scene.

Orosco’s murder adds to a string of violent incidents in recent days, including the weekend slayings of Aaron Lindo and Nelson Henry, also known as “Mung.” Police are also probing an earlier attempted shooting of 27-year-old Jimmy Rojas.

On Monday, newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado stated that he would fully support a six-month state of emergency following rising tensions between rival groups in the city. He described the increase of gang-related activities as a ‘critical situation,’ adding that a possible SOE is “up for discussion.”

BNTU: “We have value. Please consider us”

The Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) announced a national demonstration in Belmopan for this Friday, following overwhelming support for industrial action by its membership. More than 2,500 teachers voted in favour during a meeting of nearly 3,000 union members held last week.

The demonstration is the first step in a three-phase strategy that includes a potential two-day national shutdown and could end up in a full strike. The union is demanding a salary adjustment and a raise in the minimum wage from $5 to $6 per hour, citing recent pay increases granted to high-level government officials, including the Cabinet Secretary and the CEOs.

“When the CEOs got their 20% and we’ve been there waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting… it’s like, we’re not important. So we want the government to understand we matter. We have value. Please consider us,” the BNTU national president Nadia Caliz told News 5.

Caliz detailed the union’s demands, including an 8.5% minimum salary adjustment. The union is also asking the government to officially confirm in writing a past agreement so that members “so that people can receive what is rightfully theirs.”

Caliz suggested that the government focus on paying the union members who are actively contributing and supporting the negotiations to alleviate the financial strain it would cause to pay all public officers and teachers.

Will a Six-Month State of Emergency be Implemented Soon?

Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado is supporting a six-month state of emergency following rising tensions between rival groups within the Martins area in Belize City.

On Saturday, 27-year-old Jimmy Rojas, previously charged in connection with the 2024 murder of Jose Matus, survived an attempted shooting on Croton Lane in Belize City. By this morning, suspected rival Aaron Lindo was shot and killed in Double Head Cabbage, and just hours later, Nelson Henry, also known as “Mung”, was gunned down in Ladyville.

Police are investigating possible links between the killings as part of an ongoing gang conflict.

This morning on Open Your Eyes, Commissioner Rosado described the increase of gang-related activities as a ‘critical situation.’ He said, “I do believe there’s a need for a State of Emergency to address security concerns when the violence has reached a critical situation.”

He said an SOE is “up for discussion” and that he would “surely support” it to allow the authorities to “reassess the situation.” Rosado also stated that “Rather than doing a one-month or a 3-month period, I think we need to pursue a 6-month period… I would extend it.”

Man Shot Dead in Ladyville

Police are investigating the fatal shooting of Nelson Henry, also known as “Mung,” who was gunned down in Ladyville earlier today. His death occurred just hours after another man, Aaron Lindo, was shot and killed in Double Head Cabbage village.

Lindo was a known affiliate of the PIV gang, and investigators are looking into whether the two killings are connected as part of a wider gang conflict.

Henry had a history with law enforcement and was once charged in connection with the 2011 murder of Edward Lord Jr., another PIV affiliate. Lord was previously implicated in the high-profile killing of George “Junie Balls” McKenzie, the reputed leader of the Majestic Alley gang.