2025-04-02 - Greater Belize Media

1st Quarter of 2025 “Looks Good”, Says ComPol Williams

Outgoing Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters this morning that the first quarter of 2025, as it relates to crime statistics, “looks good.”

He said, “It’s not what I would want it to be. Certainly, you would know that I am very big in terms of preserving life…those type of crimes that affect life, like murders and attempted murders and so forth, are the ones that I would normally do my best to guard against, and again, for the simple fact that they do affect the livelihoods of others.”

Williams added that the number of murders is down compared to the same period in 2024. “Overall, major crime is down by 7% compared to the same period to last year.”

“I am happy that I am handing over to the incoming commissioner with a crime rate below last year’s figure.”

TikTok’s Future in the U.S. Hangs in the Balance Again

The fate of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance once more. The platform first “went dark” for US users in January after a law took effect and banned the app unless it was sold by its parent company, ByteDance.

The app came back online less than a day after, just as Donald J. Trump took office as the 47th president of the US. He signed an executive order and delayed its sale or ban by 75 days, which will be up by Saturday, April 5.

According to the BBC, if a sale is not finalised by 5 April, TikTok could be pulled from app stores this time.

Trump has hinted at extending the deadline, saying the administration is in talks with multiple potential buyers, including Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Elon Musk, and companies like Microsoft.

The BBC reported that there are reports of a 50-50 partnership between ByteDance and the US government.

Should TikTok be banned, competitors such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts stand to benefit from the app’s 170 million US users, according to the BBC.

Shirley Botchwey, First African Woman to Lead the Commonwealth

The first African woman begins her leadership as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has officially taken office and marked a historic moment for this role as the one to lead the association of 56 countries.

In her inaugural speech on April 1, 2025, Botchwey pointed out the global challenges ahead, from economic instability to the escalating climate crisis. She stressed the urgent need for the organisation to unite and take bold action in these uncertain times. “The challenges we face are real and serious, but together we are more than equal to them,” she said.

Botchwey added, “The value of our Commonwealth stands in bold relief in a time like this. For over 75 years, the Commonwealth has been a unique and powerful force for good. Now we must seize the moment to realise the transformation our societies seek.”

Botchwey committed to three strategic priorities for her tenure, including empowering youth and women, revitalising trade, and tackling climate change head-on. She said her leadership will focus on continuing the “values that bind us – democracy, good governance, peace, human rights, and equal opportunity.”

“It is a great honour to be the first African woman to serve as Secretary-General,” Botchwey stated.

Trump Announces ‘Liberation Day’ Tariffs Despite Growing Economic Concerns

President Donald Trump declared “Liberation Day” today, April 2, as he prepares to implement sweeping new tariffs. This marks the second wave of tariffs, following a brief pause after it briefly took effect in February.

This time around, the tariffs threaten to escalate the ongoing trade war and disrupt the global economy. Details of the tariff plans remain vague, but the measures, which are set to take effect immediately, could include universal tariffs on all imports, potentially reaching up to 20%, according to CNN.

CNN also reported that the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the tariffs would roll out, despite concerns from investors, economists, and business leaders about their potential economic impact. “If that happens, we get a serious recession,” Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, told CNN on Tuesday. Zandi predicted the tariffs could lead to millions of job losses and a 1.7% drop in GDP.

According to CNN, while Trump’s advisers are publicly backing the tariffs, some fear the move could result in retaliatory tariffs from other nations that can harm US industries.

There are growing concerns over recession and stagflation, but the White House maintains that the tariffs are necessary to protect American workers. “It’s for their kids and their grandkids to ensure that there are jobs here in the United States of America for their children to live the American Dream,” Leavitt said at a press briefing Tuesday afternoon.

Fisherman Charged with Attempted Murder After Shooting at Police

Police have formally arrested and charged 36-year-old Stanley Flowers, a Belizean fisherman from the Belize District, with attempted murder after he shot at police officers on Sunday night.

He was also charged with three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of damage to property, one count of dangerous harm, and one count of use of deadly means of harm.

The incident unfolded outside Fire Nightclub on the Philip Goldson Highway, where Flowers, armed with a firearm and knife, allegedly opened fire on Corporal Manuel Chub.

According to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, the officers were responding to reports of an armed individual when they approached Flowers. “He took out a firearm and fired multiple shots at the vehicle,” Williams said. Chub was hit four times but was later treated and released from the hospital.

After fleeing on a motorcycle, Flowers engaged in a high-speed chase with police, firing at officers and damaging their vehicle. He was eventually apprehended when officers knocked him off his bike. A 9mm pistol was recovered from him, and he remains in custody awaiting charges.

Man Charged for Allegedly Murdering 20-Year-Old Santiago Garcia

31-year-old Kenroy Kelvin Smith has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the death of 20-year-old Santiago Garcia.

He is accused of fatally stabbing Garcia on Sunday night in Pomona Village, Toledo.

On Monday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero stated, “Santiago Garcia and Jason Sharp went to the residence of Smith to purchase cannabis. There was an altercation between them. A fight started, at which point Smith took out a knife and inflicted the injuries to both persons.”

According to Garcia’s sister, Melissa Lemus, Smith had intentions of hurting her brother for about a year. She said, “We know that it was a threat from years ago… he was telling other people that he would do something to my brother.”

Both Sharp and Garcia received stab wounds and were taken to the hospital, where Sharp received treatment, and Garcia was pronounced dead.