Police have upgraded the charge against Peter Demetrio August from manslaughter to murder in connection with the death of sixty-one-year-old Ubaldo Ernesto Guzman.
Guzman died on September 12, 2024, after he was allegedly chopped with a machete by August during a drinking session at Guzman’s home in Santa Elena Town. Reports are that the two got into an argument, during which Guzman allegedly attacked August with a machete. August claimed he acted in self-defense.
Guzman’s niece, Shamira Badillo, told News Five that her uncle was never known to be aggressive, even when drinking.
Twenty-three new Peace Corps Volunteers have been sworn in to serve under the Youth Empowered by Sports (YES) Project, an initiative focused on empowering young Belizeans through mentorship and organised sports.
The ceremony took place in Belmopan on Friday following the completion of 11 weeks of training. These volunteers will now be deployed to communities across Belize and will be joining two existing YES cohorts already in the field.
Peace Corps Belize Country Director Dr Nadine Rogers said, “These 23 Americans came to Belize ready to serve. They came committed, and they’ve sustained that commitment throughout the training period.”
The YES Project is a partnership between Peace Corps Belize and the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations.
Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam highlighted the enduring mission of the Peace Corps, saying, “Although the program goals have shifted over the decades, the mission and values of the organization have not. I note that this current cohort of volunteers will work with one of our most precious assets: the children and youth of Belize.”
Peace Corps Belize will welcome another group of education volunteers next month.
Belize has officially contained the recent measles outbreak. The Ministry of Health and Wellness made the announcement stating that “Belize has recorded no new measles cases for more than two full incubation.”
The April outbreak, traced to international travel from Mexico, resulted in 34 confirmed cases across Corozal and Cayo. All were unvaccinated. One person was hospitalised, and no deaths were reported.
“The outbreak was controlled due to the diligent public health measures of healthcare teams, the cooperation of affected individuals, and the support of the Belizean public,” MoHW added.
With measles resurging across the region, authorities urge parents to ensure children receive the MMR vaccine. Travellers should also confirm their vaccination status at least two weeks before leaving the country.
The ministry continues surveillance of fever and rash illnesses.
Two masked gunmen broke into Marla’s House of Hope in Belmopan early Monday morning.
Armed with handguns, the men confronted a female caregiver and forced her to lead them to another staff member. They then ordered the second caregiver to show them the rooms where the children were sleeping.
The gunmen demanded someone by name, but staff told them that no one by that name was there. After searching the building and finding nothing, the intruders left.
A weekend on the water turned tragic when a jet ski accident claimed the life of a young boy. Fourteen-year-old Axel Oroman was out on the sea with fifty-five-year-old Roy Alvarez when things took a devastating turn. Both were thrown from the watercraft, but only one of them made it back to shore. What followed was a massive two-day search effort, led by the Belize Coast Guard and fueled by the determination of volunteers who refused to give up hope. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
What started as a casual jet ski ride on the Belize River took a heartbreaking turn on Saturday. Fourteen-year-old Axel Oroman, who was behind the controls, suddenly lost control of the watercraft. Both he and his passenger were thrown into the water, but only one of them came back up. Axel, a young teen from Corozal, never resurfaced.
Hilberto Romero
ACP Hilberto Romero, Head of Crime Investigation Branch
“Upon arrival they met one, Roy Alavarez, who reported that he was on he jet ski with one Axel Oroman. He reported Axel Oroman lost control of the jet ski, and both of them fell into the river. Searches were made. He was not located thereafter. Further searched were done on Sunday and the body of Oroman was recovered from the river. We are now awaiting a post-mortem examination.”
As soon as bystanders realized Axel hadn’t come back up, the Belize Coast Guard was called in. Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, the Coast Guard’s commandant, says their search and rescue team was on the scene within minutes. They wasted no time, scanning the surface while a dive team searched the waters below, hoping for any sign of the young teen.
“It was late in the evening. Visibility was very poor. We commenced underwater searches on Saturday and that was un successful, we continued our investigation, we expanded our search era and looked for a suitable search pattern in order to best locate the individual who was missing. That search pattern stretched one hundred meters north and one hundred meters south of the entrance to the Haulover River, that’s what our computer system showed us. It was a very large search era. It was very complicated because you have long shore currents, you have river currents, and you had the tidal difference throughout a twenty-four-hour period that would’ve impacted the most probable location of the body.”
In the wake of the tragic accident, the Belize Port Authority issued a reminder to the public: operating a jet ski isn’t just fun and games, it comes with serious responsibilities. Under Belize’s maritime laws, anyone using a personal watercraft like a jet ski must have a valid certificate of competency, and the watercraft itself must be registered and licensed. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, young Axel Oroman didn’t have that authorization. He wasn’t licensed to operate the jet ski that day.
ACP Hilberto Romero
“A permit is required to drive at jet ski, but the information we got is that he took that jet ski without the consent of the owner and made his way to the river.”
Reporter
“Can the adult be held responsible?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“Well he is saying that he was the passenger on the jet ski and Oroman was driving the jet ski.”
Jet skis are usually equipped with a safety feature called a lanyard kill switch; it’s designed to shut off the engine instantly if the operator falls off. But in this case, that didn’t happen. Video from the scene shows the jet ski spinning wildly out of control after Axel Oroman and Roy Alvarez were thrown into the water. It’s a chilling sight. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero says the investigation is still ongoing as authorities try to piece together exactly what went wrong.
ACP Hilberto Romero
“An investigation will be carried out. That is the initial information we have at this time. But a full investigation will be conducted. Also an investigation will be done by Port Authority.”
Reporter
“And can anything come out of the fact that he was a minor who was on his own on a Saturday? One would say, and as far as we know, he wasn’t in school either.”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“Yes, that would be a part of the investigation. Likewise, the information we have that he was in that area where he does some chores and at some point he took the jet ski from there.”
It wasn’t until Sunday evening that volunteers would locate Oroman’s lifeless body. It was revealed that he was not wearing a life vest, which is mandatory for riders and operators of jet skis.
Rear Admiral Elton Bennett
“Had you been wearing a life jacket, we believe the outcome would’ve been very different. Also the adult on board he assisted in the search immediately after he went overboard. But he wasn’t able to grab a hold of the young Axel.”
And just a reminder to everyone heading out on the water, safety should always come first. The Belize Port Authority is urging the public to follow all maritime rules and regulations when using personal watercraft. It’s not just about avoiding fines, it’s about preventing tragedies like this one. Britney Gordon for News Five.
There’s a deeply troubling story out of Bella Vista Village in the Toledo District, one that has left an entire community in shock. Just before six p.m. this evening, unconfirmed reports surfaced that the bodies of two young girls, just nine and seven years old, were found at the bottom of a well. Details are still coming in, and at this time, police have not confirmed whether foul play is suspected. It’s a heartbreaking development, and tonight, many are asking how something like this could happen. We’ll continue to follow this story closely and bring you updates as soon as more information becomes available.
Here’s a strong message from the Ministry of Human Development, one that leaves no room for compromise when it comes to the safety of our children. Just days ago, an alarming incident was reported at the New Beginnings Youth Development Centre. A minor was allegedly subjected to violence by a staff member, and the ministry has wasted no time in responding. The child was immediately given medical attention, and by the next day, escorted to the Hattieville Police Station to give an official statement. The family was informed right away, and now, the ministry is awaiting their feedback to move forward with the criminal investigation.
Thea Garcia-Ramirez
Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Minister of Human Development
“When we learned of the situation and we do have footage, we took immediate action. The CEO immediately, with the help of the supervisors, put the two people involved on administrative leave. So they were escorted immediately off the compound, put on administrative leave and because this happened after lunch and into the evening of Thursday, the preparations and the paperwork for their termination was ongoing on Friday and it was not completed. I am assured that that process has been completed today, and so the ministry has terminated their employment immediately. These are stressful situations, life is stressful, but there can be no excuse for an adult to hit a child. And so, that is the position of the ministry. That is my personal position, that cannot be either encouraged, condoned, or tolerated. So that’s where we stand on that. We have moved very swiftly. We try very hard to maintain the dignity of our residents.”
In the meantime, swift disciplinary action has been taken. The officer involved has been placed on leave and barred from returning to the facility. Steps are already underway to terminate their employment. But this isn’t just about one incident. The ministry is doubling down on its zero-tolerance stance against corporal punishment, not just at New Beginnings, but across all state care facilities in Belize. With help from international partners, the center is undergoing a full-scale reform, aiming to create a safer, more rehabilitative environment for our youth.
Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development
“I think the kindest thing we can do is what we’re trying to do at the facility to ensure his mental and his physical integrity and ensure that he is restored as much as possible. We are ensuring that not only his physical wellbeing and his health are restored, but also ensuring that he gets the help that he needs. It was certainly a traumatic event, I don’t want to lie to you, and while I am not at liberty to show you the footage, I can tell you that I was deeply affected by it, and I can just imagine the child as well. As a mother, I put myself in the situation where it could have been one of my children, it certainly could have been. It could have been any one of us and I think that the child’s wellbeing and the wellbeing of all children in Belize should come first. And so while we want to ensure that we select our staff very carefully, and ensure that there is ongoing training, sensitization, and maybe, some sort of therapy sessions with them, they also need to call for help if they need help.”
This afternoon, police held a press briefing at the Racoon Street Station, where Head of Crime Investigation, Hilberto Romero, shared details of a brazen attack at the Espat residence in San Pedro. Heavily armed gunmen stormed the property in what can only be described as a frightening ordeal. Thankfully, no one was physically hurt, but the damage to the home and the emotional toll on the family were significant. But here’s where things took an unexpected turn. Instead of launching a manhunt for the suspects, police took the Espat brothers, Logan, Mark, and David, into custody. That decision has a lot of people asking, what really went down that night?
Hilberto Romero
Hilberto Romero, ACP, Head of Crime Investigation Branch
“On Saturday police responded to a shooting in the San Pedrito area of San Pedro upon the arrival they learned that someone came to that area pulled out a weapon and fired several shots towards two doors of an apartment the rooms belonged to Logan Espat and Mark Espat and no one was injured several shells were found in the area an investigation is being carried out at this time. We do not know who the suspects are for this shooting but yes we know the rivalry they have in San Pedro with other persons”
Tonight, a father is speaking out, defending his sons and questioning the actions of the police. Gilberto Espat, the father of Logan and Mark Espat, says he’s baffled by the charges brought against them. The two were arrested after their home came under gunfire, but according to their father, they’re not criminals; they’re hardworking fishermen who are lucky to be alive. Espat says anyone who truly knows his sons knows they’re not involved in gang activity. So why, he asks, are they the ones facing charges?
On the Phone: Gilberto Espat, Father of Espat Brothers
“Around four thirty we were waking up to go fishing. My son was awake and all of sudden he heard something like a gun was cranking up. He ran to the bathroom and he start to hear machine gun, bap, bap, bap, twenty gunshots. He lay down in the bathroom. The gunfire eased down. He opened the door and checked what was going on, one of my son that lives on the other house he saw some men jumping off the fence. He find out the gunshot was right in the house. When he went to check on his little brother that is when he opened the door and said bway, look like somebody wanted to kill us, because they shot up the place. Police didn’t take too long like five minutes, and we reach and they start to figure out what happened and we told them we have cameras and they can check it right now. My son bring them and they start check on the camera and that is how we figure out it was three guys that do the shooting. We report it and the police instead of going and find who did it they come and arrest my son them, lock them up for forty-eight hours and after they forty-eight they say that they will charge them for being a gang members, because those same ones are the ones that do the shooting. How can they shoot their own self when the cameras show people are coming in the yard. They took two of my sons, took them to Hattieville and we have to try to get a lawyer to get Supreme Court bail, we don’t want my sons to go to jail after almost getting killed.”
Paul Lopez
“You dispute the charge that they are members of a gang.”
On the Phone: Gilberto Espat
“Of course, because I can’t say that my sons are members of a gang. The people that knows them know that they are fishermen.”
