2025-04-02 - Greater Belize Media

Fire at Abandoned Building Could Have Been Deadly

A wooden building went up in flames around 8:30 PM on Tuesday night in Belama Phase Four. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but fire officials are worried that this fire, like others recently, could have been deadly for nearby homes. Station Supervisor Gladstone Bucknor from the National Fire Service told reporters that the property, although owned, had been abandoned for months and was likely being used by drug addicts for illegal activities. He believes the National Fire Service should team up with the Belize City Council to demolish abandoned and rundown buildings that pose a danger to the community.

Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Officer, National Fire Service

“We received a call of a structural fire in Belama Phase Four. Both of our stations responded to that location. On their arrival, they witnessed a wooden structure engulfed in flames, so they got into operation and knocked it down very quickly I might say. What caused it is not determined at this moment. We know it started at the western side of the building and there was no electricity. There were no utilities at the building. The building was abandoned. No one lived there for the past months from last year November. I guess that we need to work more in hand with the council so we could try and look at these abandoned structures and try get them torn down or get them sorted out.”

Marion Ali
Because going on trends, what has been the cause of these fires?

Gladstone Bucknor

“Well, normally people will actually occupy the building. A random person will pass through the building. So, you got drug addicts, and these buildings are known for criminal activities. When I say we need to work closely, should in the event that our abandoned building is next to an occupied building, just imagine that building catches fire – the abandoned building – and you have other buildings next door to it. I mean, people will burn out of their homes.”

Irresponsible Use of Fire Can Be Deadly

Bucknor also cautioned about the dangers of using fire improperly as the hot summer months approach. He highlighted that bush fires can pose serious threats to farms, rural homes, and wildlife. Bucknor reminded farmers that they need to inform the relevant authorities before burning their fields to prevent any potential disasters.

Gladstone Bucknor, Belize District Station Officer, National Fire Service

“When it comes to bottles, please dispose of the bottles properly because remember, with the sun and bottles, it can cause fires. And people who have their farms, please do the fire path. The fire path is very important and when they do burn, please notify the Department of Environment and different authorities that needs to be informed so that they can go and check that you have made your fire path properly.”

Marion Ali

“And what about lit cigarettes?

Gladstone Bucknor

“Cigarette smokers, they must be aware that in dry season it is very dangerous, even in a home when you’re sleeping, it’s very dangerous. Dispose of it properly.”

BFB Donates Baseball Equipment to Belize City Schools

This morning, five primary schools in Belize City received a donation of baseball equipment. The schools include Saint Luke Methodist, Unity Presbyterian, Saint John Vianney, Saint Ignatius, and Saint Martin’s de Porres. The Baseball Federation of Belize provided the gear to help develop the sport at the primary level, as baseball is making a comeback across the country.

Carlyon Flores, President, Baseball Federation of Belize

“Belize has now become a member of the Babe Ruth Baseball family. We are part of their charter, we have fostered very significant and meaningful relationships with the great Gary Matthews Sr., whom I had the privilege to call twice. He gave me access to his number so I could call him directly into his home which I have done and we spoke extensively. He wants to come to Belize. It’s something that we’re gonna work on. Mr. Greg Burrowes who is the regional director of Babe Ruth Baseball, Caribbean Region, he is a very good friend of mine as well. I give him many thanks because it is because of him that we have become a member of the Babe Ruth team. Mr. Greg Burrowes also expressed his interest in coming to Belize and help with the development of baseball, him and his team.”

Lucien Dawson, Marketing Strategist, Baseball Federation of Belize

“Today is a day that baseball is moving forward. Today is a day that we begin to plant a seed that we will be able too see something. Just to give some context, sports has the potential to increase our economy. One of the things that I have been researching is that sports doesn’t just affect sports. Once we get this right, it affects also industries such as the food industry, such as the hospitality industry, such as the building industry as well, because the more attractions we bring to Belize, we need more stadiums, we need more staffing for those stadiums. And one of the long-term goals of the Baseball Federation of Belize is that we have acquired ten acres of land in Biscayne Village. That was the land available to us, but we want to thank the Ministry of Natural Resources for that aid for us, and one of that is for us to build a professional grade baseball system in Belize.”

The First African Woman to Lead the Commonwealth

Shirley Botchwey, a seasoned diplomat and former Ghanaian Minister for Foreign Affairs, has made history as the first African woman to lead the Commonwealth, a group of 56 nations representing a third of the world’s population. Earlier today, Secretary-General Botchwey delivered her first message to the people of the Commonwealth Caribbean. She shared her vision and commitment to serving the region and making its voice heard on the global stage, especially during these times of international tension and changing alliances. With Antigua and Barbuda set to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting next year, her exclusive video message is especially timely and relevant for the Caribbean. It gives an early look at her plans and highlights the Commonwealth’s ongoing focus on regional priorities.

Will SOE Take Effect Again?

According to the Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, Kareem Musa, the option of reintroducing a State of Emergency (SOE) remains “on the table.”

Musa added, “I think we came fairly close with the commissioner, to declaring a state of emergency, but it was never done.”

Last year, the government implemented an SOE to address increased gang violence but lifted it after several months. Now, with tensions rising again, Musa told reporters, “I can say here, now that it still is on the table, we were monitoring it.”

“I know at the time of the election we were specifically looking at six different gangs,” he added.

“We are in discussions not just with the commissioner and the police department but also with the leadership intervention unit to get their feedback because it is that we would want to have a targeted SOE as opposed to a blanket net pass over everybody,” Musa said.

Month-Long Autism Awareness: Learning, Encouraging Kindness, and Building Community

Today is a day dedicated to raising awareness for individuals with unique ways of experiencing and interacting with the world. It’s also a day to honour those who have been lost—sometimes because of a lack of understanding or support in communities that don’t know how to respond to unprecedented situations. Today is the day the world observes World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD).

World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was first recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 to raise awareness about autism and promote the rights of autistic individuals.

What started as a call for awareness has grown into a movement focused on acceptance, inclusion, and celebrating the invaluable contributions of autistic people to society.

This year’s theme is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” The goal is to highlight how neurodiversity supports the global effort to achieve sustainable development while continuing to push for equal participation and opportunities for autistic individuals.

Here in Belize, the focus this month is closer to home. The theme for Belize’s Autism Awareness Month, “Kindness in Action, Understanding Autism, Building Community,” resonates deeply with the recent, heartbreaking events that have impacted Belizean communities.

One of those events being the tragic loss of little Gabriel, an autistic and non-verbal 6-year-old. Little Gabriel drowned in Belize City in February after leaving school grounds unnoticed. His death left a deep scar in Belize and made the need for awareness and action even more urgent.

In an interview with Christy Almeida, the founder of Autism Belize, she said, “Having this month, where we can focus on education, on getting the general public to be a little bit more aware, a little bit kinder, a little bit more accepting, there is such a need for that.”

She added, “I think that’s part of why this theme this month—building community—is so important. Life loss… it’s hard. The country felt it tremendously this year… It’s time to go back to the village where we look out for each other.”

“Even if it is just learning a little bit more about it… Let us build a community to protect our most vulnerable,” she said.

April is packed with events across Belize. One of the main features of the month is a series of walks and runs. Here’s where and when you can join:

Caye Caulker – Friday, April 4, at 6:00 pm, starting at the basketball court
San Pedro – Friday, April 4, at 6:00 pm
San Ignacio/Santa Elena – Saturday, April 5, at 6:00 am, starting at Santa Elena Rotary Park
Independence – Friday, April 11, at 9:00 am, starting at Independence Primary School
Belmopan – Saturday, April 12, at 6:00 am, starting at the Governor-General Field
Dangriga – Friday, April 4, at 5:30 am, starting at BTL Park
Hopkins – Saturday, April 12, at 6:00 am, starting at the Hopkins Junction
Belize City – Saturday, April 26, at 6:00 am, starting at BTL Park
Corozal – Saturday, April 26, at 6:00 pm, starting at Town Hall
Punta Gorda – Wednesday, April 30, at 9:00 am, starting at Central Park
Orange Walk – Saturday, May 3, at 6:00 pm

As Almeida stated, these events serve as a reminder to all of us to approach each day with a little more kindness, awareness, and understanding. Whether it’s participating in a walk or simply learning more about autism, it’s about building a stronger, more compassionate community for everyone.

“Even if it is just learning a little bit more about it… Let us build a community to protect our most vulnerable,” she added.

ComPol William Says Being Paralysed Doesn’t Exempt You from Investigation

Police Commissioner Chester Williams responded today to questions regarding the ongoing gang tensions that led to the drive-by shooting and vehicle crash at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) on Sunday, March 9.

Ronlee Petillo, Joseph Garcia, and Shamar Faber were ambushed near the Haulover Bridge as they entered Belize City. Their vehicle was being followed by two others, one of which overtook them and opened fire. Garcia died from his injuries.

Petillo’s family recently complained about police officers visiting his home, allegedly searching for him in connection with a dispute between rival gangs.

Williams responded, stating that police act on credible information and stressed that being paralysed does not exempt someone from being investigated. “You could be in Timbuktu and commit a crime in Belize,” he said. He added that once the police receive such information, they must act swiftly.

Meanwhile, Garcia’s mother, Rosalie McLaughlyn, is still searching for closure, stating, “I just need justice fi mi son because it’s been three weeks now. And then I really not di get no answers. I really noh hear nothing about the case.”

On the progress of the investigation into the gang-related incident, Williams said there is a lack of cooperation from those involved. “The issue with that is the fact that they are not cooperating. I’m sure they know who was in that vehicle, but they are not saying it to the police,” he said.

“We believe the reason they are not saying so is because they have intentions of retaliating, maybe not the Joseph Garcia family, because they are not known to be gang members, per se,” Williams added.

Williams clarified that while Petillo has named individuals allegedly involved in the incident, he has yet to provide an official statement. He said, “I said to him, ‘you can’t just tell me; you have to give me a statement,'” to which Petillo reportedly responded, “Boss, you know how the street work, I can’t give you a statement.”

Suffering Horse Left for Dead in Drain

A Facebook post asking anyone to help a suffering horse has reignited urgent calls for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws in Belize. The post read, “Please, somebody come help; it’s near Calvary Baptist on Kraal Road” in Belize City.

Pictures and video accompanying the post show a severely malnourished and dehydrated horse that was left abandoned in a drain. It was reportedly left suffering without food and water for more than 24 hours.

Attempts to save the horse were futile.

Michelle Rudon, leader of the animal rescue group SPARK (Society for the Promotion of Animal Rescue and Kindness), shared a heartbreaking update:

“We tried with her, but she just died. We got Dr. Chimilio out there, and the Belize City Council also showed up to help, but it was too late. She died. ”

Rudon expressed deep frustration over the widespread indifference to animal cruelty:

“Many people passed and saw her, and nobody cared enough to do anything. They left her right there. Things need to change like NOW! Animal Welfare needs to become a priority. There are way too many cases of cruelty, abuse, and neglect.”

Outgoing ComPol Chester Williams Says “I Don’t Want to Fight”

Chester Williams is preparing to leave his current role as police commissioner. He told reporters today that he’s hopeful that the department remains “effective” after his departure.

He also stated that he found the letter issued by Sharole Rose Carr-Saldivar, CEO of the Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, “displeasing.”

“I worked 33 years to be where I am, and I was extremely displeased with the letter,” he said. “The CEO has no legal authority to have wrote the letter that she did. I had already explained to our minister, Kareem, what I intend to do before leaving.”

According to Williams, he opted to leave his current post and “move over to my new era of responsibility.” He said, “To be able to avoid any in-house fighting, I decided that it’s best I pop up and leave… I don’t want to have a fight with nobody.”

When questioned about a series of transfers within the police department ahead of his leave, including one for his special assistant, Williams said it had already been discussed and approved by the minister before being carried out.

“Whatever I did, I had explained to the minister before I did. And I’ll leave it at that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, praised Williams’ tenure as commissioner, stating, “Belize has undoubtedly seen one of the greatest commissioners.” He added, “His record speaks for itself; I think you can look at his entire tenure in office – it has been an accomplished record.”

Did Two Police Officers Receive $50,000 USD for Drug Plane Landing?

Two officers from the Anti-Narcotics and Special Patrol Units were detained and released in connection to the recent drug plane landing near Graham Creek, Toledo.

Information is that the names of these police officers appeared on a list of individuals who had received $50,000 USD for facilitating the landing. When asked about it, Police Commissioner Chester Williams said, “Those officers were brought in just as we would’ve done with any other ordinary person. They went through the mills. We put together an investigative team of senior investigators to investigate that matter to see if there was anything credible to the information. So far we have not been able to unearth anything to indicate that those police officers were involved in that plane landing.

Williams added that the officers had voluntarily submitted their electronic devices for forensic examination by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Again, the fact that they agreed to that showed how transparent they want to be with the investigation.”

The aircraft landed near the Guatemalan border and was deliberately set on fire after use. Authorities also detained a village council official after communication equipment was found at their residence.