2025-05-05 - Greater Belize Media

Man Shot Dead in Double Head Cabbage, LOO Condemns Violence

Police are investigating the murder of Aaron Lindo from Belize City this morning.

Lindo was fatally shot in Double Head Cabbage Village.

Video footage circulating online shows Lindo lying on the ground being held by two females.

Police processed the scene and have not confirmed the motive, and suspects remain unknown.

The Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, condemned the growing violence across Belize in a social media statement. “The brazen killing of Aaron Lindo as he stood at a bus stop with his wife is yet another painful reminder that violence has spiralled dangerously out of control in our nation,” she stated.

Panton added that “far too many Belizeans are living under siege, gripped by fear and uncertainty,” and stressed that “every act of brutality chips away at the foundations of our society.”

Cabinet Approves Key Reforms in Transport, Trade, and Tourism Sectors

An official summary of the Cabinet meeting held on Monday, April 29, 2025 has been released. Several key announcements and policy decisions were made, including updates on the National Assembly, transportation fees, and international trade agreements.

Prime Minister John Briceño informed Cabinet that he has recommended to the Governor General that the inaugural sitting of the 14th Session of the National Assembly will take place on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The session will be held in front of

Cabinet received an update on arrival procedures for commercial recreational vessels and pleasure yachts entering Belize. To support the growth of nautical tourism, the Minister of Tourism has been tasked with initiating legislative and policy reforms to address current operational and financial challenges in the sector.

In response to feedback from the transportation sector, Cabinet approved a reduction in the axle fee for cargo trucks from $30.00 to $10.00. The move aims to ease the financial burden on Belizean truckers and ensure a more equitable rate structure.

Cabinet approved the launch of the Single Registration regime for professionals under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade. Relevant government agencies will work with the Directory of Foreign Trade to implement this initiative. Consultations will continue with professional associations that are not yet ready to participate.

Amendments to the Customs and Excise Duties Act have been approved to reflect scheduled duty reductions. These changes align with Belize’s commitments under the Belize-Taiwan Economic Cooperation Agreement, as well as the CARIFORUM-EU and CARIFORUM-UK Economic Partnership Agreements.

Police Investigate Bomb Threat at Immigration Office in Belmopan

Police are currently investigating a reported bomb threat at the Immigration Department offices in Belmopan.

Authorities responded early this morning after receiving information about the potential threat. As a safety precaution, staff members of the Immigration Department, along with nearby vendors, were instructed to evacuate the area.

Police have cordoned off the scene and are conducting a thorough search of the premises. The BDF’s bomb expert is expected to inspect the building.

WHO Calls for Better Hand Hygiene and Less Glove Waste in 2025 Campaign

Each year on May 5, the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign by the World Health Organisation (WHO) aims to maintain a global spotlight on the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing infection. Now in its 17th year, the 2025 campaign carries the theme “It Might Be Gloves. It’s Always Hand Hygiene.” The global initiative focuses on infection prevention and control (IPC), particularly through optimal hand hygiene and responsible glove use.

“Gloves can get contaminated as easily as bare hands and do not protect 100%,” WHO said in its statement. Proper hand hygiene is the most effective defence against the spread of infections. The WHO estimates 136 million cases of antibiotic-resistant infections linked to healthcare occur annually. In response, WHO urges stronger infection prevention and control (IPC) efforts worldwide.

“IPC interventions such as hand hygiene and ensuring access to high-quality water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services can reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by up to 70% and have a high economic return on investment,” the WHO stated.

The overuse of medical gloves is also contributing to rising healthcare waste, with hospitals producing increasing volumes annually. “Using gloves when not indicated wastes resources and does not necessarily reduce transmission of germs,” the WHO stated.

According to WHO, an average university hospital generates 1,634 tonnes of medical waste yearly, a figure growing by 2–3% since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Hand hygiene at the right times and in the right way is still one of the most important measures to protect patients and health workers in healthcare,” it added.

The WHO has set 2026 as the deadline for countries to establish hand hygiene compliance monitoring in all reference hospitals. “By 2026, hand hygiene compliance monitoring and feedback should be established as a key national indicator.”

Son Attacks Father with Machete in Corozal

Police are searching for a man who attacked his father with a machete in Louiseville, Corozal.

Reports indicate that the two were socialising and consuming alcohol when the son attacked his father, Sair Witz, with a machete. The motive behind the incident has not yet been disclosed.

Witz was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital and later transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital with severe injuries. His condition is currently unknown.

Authorities are actively seeking the suspect and urge anyone with information to assist in the investigation.

Experts Predict Active 2025 Hurricane Season

Researchers at Colorado State University (CSU) are predicting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season for 2025.

According to the CSU forecast released at the National Tropical Weather Conference, the 2025 hurricane season could see 17 named storms, with 9 expected to become hurricanes. Of those, 4 could become major hurricanes—Category 3 or stronger, with winds of at least 111 miles per hour.

The main reason for the predicted increase in hurricane activity is unusually warm ocean temperatures in the eastern Atlantic and Caribbean Sea. Warm waters fuel hurricanes, making them more likely to form and grow stronger.

CSU scientists say this warmth is linked to weaker winds in the region, which creates conditions that make it easier for storms to develop. In addition, they expect the El Niño climate pattern—which usually suppresses hurricane activity—to remain inactive this year.

The forecast includes a 56% chance of a major hurricane making landfall somewhere in the Caribbean, which is higher than the historical average of 47%. Belize and neighboring countries are urged to prepare early and stay informed.

“It only takes one storm near you to make it an active season,” said Dr. Michael Bell, one of the researchers behind the forecast.

Was Anyone Culpable for Gabriel’s Death?

While many city residents have taken to Facebook and other platforms to share their opinions on who is to blame for Gabriel’s death, the investigation is still ongoing, according to Minister Fonseca. He emphasized that the Ministry carefully selects school wardens who are equipped to handle children with special needs. Fonseca also highlighted Stella Maris’s impressive track record, noting that the institution has served Belize exceptionally well for decades and will continue to do so.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“Stella Maris School, I can assure you, and I’m sure the Belizean people have a long, long history with Stella Maris School. It goes back to my childhood. That’s a school that has served this country exceedingly well. We have very well-trained teachers at Stella Maris School. We have a good principal. The entire team there, we have good – I know them personally. I know all of them, the school wardens, I know, care deeply about these children. The teachers care very deeply about these children, so I want to encourage the Belizean people to withhold judgment until we have a final report on this matter. The principal and staff and representatives of the ministry will have a meeting with – after everything is settled with Pablo and he’s laid to rest – a meeting with the school community, the parents and everybody to answer all of their questions, to respond to all of their concerns, and to address them, so that they feel very secure and comfortable, sending their children there. We tried to carefully select school wardens who, we think were mature and understood and caring and patient and understood the importance of that responsibility. Of course, the entire staff, as I said, are responsible for the care of these children. They watched them very carefully, very closely. This was a tragic, unfortunate accident, but as I said, that’s why we brought in the police. Young Pablo died, so there’s an investigation taking place.”