2025-05-29 - Greater Belize Media

Alleged Rape at Belmopan School Under Investigation

Police are investigating an allegation of rape involving two students at Belmopan Comprehensive School that reportedly took place on Wednesday.

According to reports, the incident occurred on school grounds during a planned staff absence.

A female student sought help from the vice principal and school medic after experiencing bleeding. School staff initially assumed it was as a result of menstruation and provided care.

The student was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure. The situation escalated when a family member arrived at the hospital and made allegations of rape.

The matter has since been referred to authorities for a full investigation.

When we contacted the school we were told, “We’re unavailable right now, but will respond as soon as possible.”

Police Officer Slapped with Criminal Charge for Firing Gun

Police officer Richard Gillett was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court today on a single charge of discharging a firearm in public. The charge stems from a widely circulated video shared by News 5 last night.

The video shows Gillett firing a warning shot while ordering some residents to return to their yard.

The video, which appears to be recorded near a police booth, has raised serious questions about the officer’s conduct. Viewers have been questioning whether the use of a warning shot was justified and whether the officer was sober at the time of the incident.

Gillett was granted bail in the sum of $1,000 with one surety of the same amount. His case was adjourned.

Indigenous Leaders Urge New Pope to Return Sacred Artifacts

Indigenous leaders across Canada are calling on Pope Leo to fulfill his predecessor’s promise to return thousands of sacred artifacts housed in Vatican museums and storage vaults.

The collection includes ceremonial objects dating back centuries, from an Inuvialuit sealskin kayak to embroidered Cree gloves and a 200-year-old wampum belt. Critics say these items were taken as “trophies” by Catholic missionaries during a dark chapter of cultural suppression.

The artifacts were gathered in 1923 under Pope Pius XI, who called on missionaries worldwide to send Indigenous objects to Rome for a major exhibition. This collection drive coincided with Canada’s residential school system, where Indigenous children were forcibly separated from their families and forbidden to practice their culture.

The push for repatriation gained momentum in 2022 when Indigenous delegates visited Rome for discussions about residential school abuses with Pope Francis. During a tour of Vatican collections, they were shocked to see their ancestors’ belongings stored thousands of miles from home.

Following that visit and his subsequent apology tour of Canada, Pope Francis promised to return the relics. However, nearly all items remain in Vatican custody, with only a wampum belt briefly loaned to Montreal for 51 days in 2023.

Dangriga Police Hear Community Concerns During Weekly Meet and Greet

As part of their ongoing community outreach, the Dangriga Police Formation conducted their weekly Meet and Greet operation on Wednesday, visiting residents along Melinda Road and Saint Berry Street.

Officers visited a total of 11 homes, where residents largely expressed that they feel safe and that the area remains calm. However, some took the opportunity to raise concerns, requesting the installation of speed bumps and repairs to a nearby roundabout.

Present for the outreach were Deputy Officer in Charge of Operations, ASP J. Tillett, along with other members of the Dangriga police team.

Belize Launches First-Ever Industrial Strategy Focused on Green and Blue Economy

The Ministry of Investment, in partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), has officially launched stakeholder engagement for Belize’s first national Industrial Strategy, centered on blue and green economic policies.

Senior government officials, private sector leaders, and international partners gathered to begin shaping a strategy aimed at driving sustainable, inclusive, and export-led industrial growth.

The strategy will focus on key sectors including light manufacturing, agro-processing, energy, and emerging opportunities in the blue and green economy. It aims to boost productivity, reduce poverty, and align with global sustainable development goals.

The session also included discussions on industrial policy design, data tools like the EQUIP Toolkit, and the importance of monitoring and evaluation.

Nationwide Picketing Planned as Unions Ramp Up Pressure on GOB

Union members across Belize are mobilising today in a nationwide show of force, as part of a strategic response to what they call the government’s failure to address fair salary adjustments and the reinstatement of frozen increments.

According to an internal action plan obtained by this newsroom, Thursday’s coordinated demonstrations, branded “Branch Picketing”, will see union members lining major highways and roads near schools, dressed in green shirts and holding posters to attract public and commuter attention.

The protests are scheduled in two phases: a morning roadside picketing targeting commuters and the general public and lunchtime picketing in town centers aimed at raising awareness among parents, business owners, and other community members.

Alongside these physical actions, unions are ramping up a community education campaign. They will be visiting businesses and institutions to distribute flyers, engage the public, and encourage support for their cause. The plan urges members to take photos and flood social media using hashtags like #WeMatter to amplify their message.

The picketing follows the Belize National Teachers Union’s recent rejection of the government’s proposed 3% salary adjustment.

UDP Slams PUP’s “Lowball Offer” To Teachers

The United Democratic Party (UDP) is throwing its full weight behind the unions, publicly backing the teachers, public officers, and essential workers who have rejected what the UDP calls the government’s “paltry and unacceptable” 3% salary adjustment offer.

The party is accusing the government of betraying its promises. “We call on this heartless and brazen PUP government to immediately honor the commitments made to these essential service workers before the 2020 and 2025 General Elections,” the release stated.

The UDP blasted the government’s budget debate speeches as tone-deaf, saying they were filled with boasts about a “booming economy” while ignoring the real struggles of those still earning 2020 wages. “In light of the government’s continued disregard and inadequate response… the UDP fully supports the union’s decision to institute industrial action,” the release affirmed.

The party also pointed to the government’s approval of up to 20% raises for top officials, contrasting it with the unions’ call for an 8.5% adjustment for frontline workers. “If the government can justify granting a 15% to 20% salary increase to the highest-paid persons… then our teachers’ and public officers’ request is not only fair — it is extremely modest and measured,” the UDP said.