The Belize Police Department has brought charges against a trio of men for their alleged involvement in gang activity. Earlier today, forty-four-year-old Ian Arthurs, a resident of Rivero Street was charged with being a member of a gang. Also charged were twenty-four-year-old Kenroy Linares and twenty-four-year-old Eric Thompson.
Eric Thompson Kenroy Linares
These individuals are the latest to be arraigned for being members of a gang. On Thursday, thirty-one-year-old Austin Underwood and forty-eight-year-old Doris Grant were also arraigned on a similar offense. As we reported, the couple came under gunfire on Sunday morning while driving home from a concert even here in Belize City. Underwood and Grant were both injured in the shooting. They were treated and released before being arrested and charged.
Inspector of Police Christopher Martinez appeared before the Chief Magistrate today in a sensational case where the law enforcement officer is accused of physical abusing an individual who was in detention at the Raccoon Street Police Station. Aaron Flowers, a businessman, was inside a holding cell when he was reportedly struck over the head with a padlock. It is alleged that Inspector Martinez inflicted the injury on Flowers when he discovered that Flowers was the person who allegedly opened fire at his residence with a firearm. In court today, Flowers said that he has been harassed repeatedly and offered bribes by fellow police officers to drop the charges against Martinez. His attorney sought clarification of the sentencing indication should the officer plead guilty. The Chief Magistrate, who has set the matter for trial indicated, that her range of sentence will be guided by the law. Martinez is looking at possible jail time due to the nature of the offense. The Chief Magistrate also made it clear that she would be imposing a custodial sentence. With that, Martinez rejected the court offer and a date for trial was agreed upon. Of note is that Martinez’s attorney, Andrew Bennett, has since recused himself from the matter, leaving the police officer unrepresented.
In honour of World Refugee Day, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) organised a football match in Trio Village, bringing together refugees and local community members. The event saw participation from numerous UN agencies, humanitarian and development partners, and civil society organisations.
World Refugee Day, designated by the United Nations, celebrates the resilience and bravery of those forced to flee their homes due to conflict or persecution. This year, the focus is on fostering solidarity with refugees and promoting a world where they are welcomed and supported.
Worldwide, over 120 million people are forcibly displaced, including 43.5 million refugees. UN Resident Coordinator Raul Salazar echoed the UN Secretary General’s message, emphasising the importance of honouring the strength and courage of refugees and enhancing efforts to protect and support them throughout their journey. This day underscores the need to assist and welcome refugees, uphold their human rights, including the right to seek asylum, maintain the integrity of the refugee protection regime, and ultimately resolve conflicts to enable their return home.
Belize hosts more than 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
“Celebrating this day helps us reflect on our progress and share our stories with the world,” said Jonathan, a Honduran refugee living in Belize for 11 years. “Today, I felt immense joy being part of something significant, momentarily forgetting the struggles my family and I have faced. I encourage everyone to learn more about refugees, especially now when more people are being displaced globally.”
UNHCR has been supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Belize since opening its office in Belmopan in 1987. “Everyone has the right to seek asylum and safety. This World Refugee Day, I invite you to stand in solidarity with refugees, whether by joining them in a game of football or advocating for their inclusion,” stated Myrat Myradov, UNHCR Head of Office. “Refugees have much to contribute to Belize, and we appreciate the generosity of host communities in welcoming them.”
The UNHCR acknowledges the United Nations’ commitment to refugee inclusion in all UN activities, including the UN Common Pledge 2.0. This pledge aims to enhance refugee inclusion in national plans, budgets, datasets, and service delivery systems, ensuring no one is left behind as efforts under the Sustainable Development Goals are accelerated.
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing advises the public that water has receded, and the Coastal Plains Highway is now open for access. Road conditions will continue to be closely monitored as further rainfall is expected throughout the weekend. The MIDH thanks all road users for their patience and cooperation and reminds all to drive with care and attention, take note of the gauges present at the floodways that indicate water depth, use seat belts, adhere to the posted speed limits, do not drink and drive and do not text and drive.
The Ministry of Education today responded to a press release issued by the University of Belize Faculty and Staff Union (UBFSU).
As we have reported, UBFSU criticised the Briceño administration over what it described as “unfulfilled promises.”
In its release, the ministry stated that it is “deeply committed to the responsible, sustainable development of the University of Belize (UB).”
“The Ministry’s objective is to have a clear plan for the sustainable, responsible financing of the national university. An element of that plan is to increase the subvention to UB from the current level to BZ$10M in the 2025/26 financial year,” the release further stated.
In an interview with News 5 on Thursday, the union’s president, Dr. Pio Saqui, told the government to “restore the subvention as it was prior to COVID and make good on the promise orhonor the promise that they made to increase the subvention a million dollar each year, up to fifteen million dollars which is where it should be around now.”
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) is supporting the UBFSU. In a press release, the umbrella union urged the PUP to “demonstrate accountability,” as they stand in solidarity with “UBFSU’s call for the PUP to honour its commitments to the University of Belize and its faculty, staff, and students.”
Police in San Pedro Town are investigating the fatal shooting of forty-six-year-old Steven Francis Arceo.
Arceo was shot last night at around 9:45 near Secret Beach. An official statement from the police says, “Officers found the lifeless body of a man with gunshot wounds, partially inside a house.”
Police say that twenty-seven-year-old Alexi Marcelo Chavarria shot Arceo several times.
Investigators say that Chavarria was asleep when he heard “strange noises.”
“Investigating the sounds, Chavarria discovered an intruder entering his home through a kitchen window. Chavarria then shot the alleged intruder with his licensed 9mm pistol,” the official police report stated.
Arceo’s body was transported to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination is pending.
The Department of Environment (DOE) today officially opened its office in San Pedro Town.
The office opens avenues for development and change on Ambergris Caye, as the D.O.E. is responsible for managing natural resources, preserving and protecting the environment, and controlling pollution.
The office houses three departments: NEMO, DOE, and the Forest Department.
Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change Orlando Habet told News Five, “I think it is very important because it lends itself to a lot of collaboration and partnership.”
“It also reduces costs in terms of transportation. It reduces time because when you get a call to do some inspection or some type of compliance for the forest or the Department of Environment then you have to send people from Belmopan to here. It costs you in hotel and food and everything else. So I think that really helps us”, added Minister Habet.
During the opening, Minister of the Blue Economy and Disaster Risk Management Andre Perez stated, “We come together to celebrate a very historic occasion…We are ensuring that the people of San Pedro are served well. Not only San Pedro, of course, but Caye Caulker, Caye Chapel, and other islands, including Turneffe.”
The Coastal Plains Highway is currently impassable, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing (MIDH) informed in a press release earlier this morning.
It said the highway is “impassable for small vehicles as a result of heavy rainfall and associated flooding over the past 24 hours.”
The Manatee Bridge, Corn House Creek Bridge approaches, and two of the four concrete floodways are submerged under approximately 24 to 30 inches of water. However, the water levels are receding quickly. The MIDH has deployed its maintenance team to monitor the situation and undertake remedial work in these critical areas.
Further updates will be provided throughout the day. Motorists are advised to use the Hummingbird Highway for southbound travel and to drive cautiously, adhering to posted speed limits.
The Belize Defence Force (BDF) has issued an update to clarify the situation regarding the salary adjustments for its soldiers.
It said that a nationwide education campaign has been launched to inform all personnel about the discrepancies in the pay scale.
According to the press release, in 2019, an error in the salary adjustment for enlisted soldiers was identified. “To address this, the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security engaged with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment and agreed that the Job Classification and Compensation Unit from the Ministry of Public Services, Constitutional and Political Reform, and Religious Affairs would conduct a thorough reassessment.”
The BDF says this reassessment will take into account rank, years of service, and job specifications to ensure a fair and accurate pay scale. The reassessment will be conducted under the guidance of the Ministry of Finance.
Once the reassessment is complete, the Ministry of Finance will review the pay scales and recommend the next steps. “No soldier’s salary will be adjusted until this exercise is completed. After the review, all salaries will be placed on the new pay scale based on the revised findings.”
The Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, alongside the Ministry of Public Services, is working to establish new allowances for BDF soldiers and officers through the Joint Staff Relations Council. These allowances aim to increase overall monetary compensation and include jungle, maritime, and specialist allowances.
The Office of the Prime Minister informs that the Prime Minister, Hon. John Briceño departed the country on 20th June2024, to attend the “Belize Diaspora Summit” held in Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Prime Minister returns to Belize on Monday, 24th June 2024. During his absence, Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology, will hold over as Prime Minister.
