2025-06-12 - Greater Belize Media

Peru Considers Sending Foreign Inmates to El Salvador’s Notorious Prison

Peru is considering transferring what it deems to be highly dangerous foreign inmates to El Salvador’s controversial mega-prison, Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén announced on Thursday, according to CNN. The potential move mirrors recent U.S. actions that have involved funding El Salvador to detain alleged gang members, particularly Venezuelan migrants.

While Adrianzén did not specify the terms of any formal agreement, the suggestion raises significant questions about the scope of the plan. It remains unclear whether only Salvadoran nationals imprisoned in Peru would be returned, or if the proposal includes other foreign inmates as well.

If enacted, Peru would be sending inmates to the CECOT prison, El Salvador’s maximum, security facility that has drawn widespread criticism from international human rights organizations for its harsh conditions and treatment of prisoners.

In the same briefing, Adrianzén revealed that Peru is also seeking financing from international development banks to construct new prisons in response to severe overcrowding and a surge in violent crime.

To combat rising insecurity, the Peruvian government has declared multiple states of emergency across the country, including the capital, Lima. One of the most violent recent incidents occurred in May, when illegal miners abducted and murdered 13 mine workers in the northern district of Pataz.

Hanging by a Thread: HIV Treatment in Belize at Risk Amid Financial Fallout

A regional health emergency is quietly unfolding across the Caribbean, with serious implications for thousands of people living with HIV. In Belize, the situation is becoming increasingly urgent following recent cuts to U.S. government funding that once supported vital HIV prevention and treatment services.

A new survey conducted by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) reveals that 80% of HIV service organizations across the region are now facing financial instability. With over 3,700 Belizeans living with HIV, the impact is both personal and profound.

Dolores Balderamos-García, Chair of the National AIDS Commission, has sounded the alarm. In an interview with News 5, she described the extent of Belize’s reliance on U.S. assistance and outlined the steps being taken to stabilize services.

“The National AIDS Commission along with the Ministry of Health, we have put up a cabinet paper,” Balderamos-García explained. “And, basically what we’re saying in that paper is we are asking for all hands to come back on deck.”

She said there is the need for cross-sector collaboration. “We have still a serious situation on our hands and we need everybody to cooperate—asking of course for the cooperation of key ministries: Education, Human Development, and especially the Ministry of Health. And then of course our community service organizations and NGOs.”

One promising development has come in the form of a policy shift by the Ministry of Health, which had initially resisted the use of self-testing HIV kits. According to Balderamos-García, “There was initially a reluctance on their part… but we have had a complete change in policy there so that the Ministry of Health now is fully on board with the National AIDS Commission in utilizing what we call differentiated service models.”

She explained, “Not everybody might want to go to the clinic.”

Car Dealers Travelling Through Mexico Are Being Warned

Belizean auto dealers are being asked to be extremely cautious when travelling through Mexico.

Local auto dealers bringing vehicles from the United States to Belize are reporting increasing threats from both law enforcement scrutiny in the U.S. and violent “road pirates” in Mexico.

A Belizean vehicle importer, speaking under strict anonymity due to safety concerns, shared chilling details of the risks involved. He described the journey as a high-stakes “game of hide and seek,” starting from the moment cars are picked up at U.S. auction lots.

“We’re targeted from the beginning,” he said. “From the time we pick up the vehicles, there’s pressure from American police. But once you cross into Mexico, that’s where the real danger begins.”

According to the dealer, convoys of importers are frequently stalked by armed “road pirates” who lie in wait along remote stretches of highway.

He recounted a recent experience on June 2, when a group of five to six vehicles, travelling together for safety, was followed and nearly intercepted just after leaving port.

“They know the routes. They know we’re coming,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s morning, noon, or night…the risk is constant.”

PEACE Program Graduates 250 Youth in Benque Viejo

A spirit of pride and promise filled the auditorium of Mopan Technical High School as 250 young students graduated from the Positive Engagement and Civic Education (PEACE) Program, led by the National Community Policing Unit.

According to the Belize Police Department, the graduates, aged 10 to 14, represented eight classes from Mount Carmel Primary, Hills of Promise Adventist, and Howard Smith Nazarene schools.

The department said that the PEACE Program, rooted in community policing principles, guides students through a six- to twelve-week journey in civic responsibility, respect, and leadership. Participants explored the role they play in society. “They gained a deeper understanding of their voice, their choices, and the impact they can have on their communities,” the department said.

Police officials commended the students’ discipline, maturity, and community spirit.

Belize Hosts First-Ever Public Health ‘Data-thon’

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has launched an ambitious initiative aimed at strengthening Belize’s health data systems, with the ultimate goal of improving healthcare delivery and saving lives. For two days this week, key health stakeholders from across the country are gathering in Belize City to participate in Belize’s first-ever public health “data-thon.”

The event, held in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), seeks to bring together institutions to examine and streamline the collection, sharing, and use of health data across Belize.

“This is Belize’s first public health data-thon,” said Dr. Andrei Chell, Director of Policy Analysis at the Ministry of Health and Wellness. “We’re working with our partners, both locally and from Washington, to map out where health data is coming from, identify gaps, and ultimately use that information to guide policy and action.”

Dr. Chell said that the data-thon isn’t just about technical improvements. “Better data leads to better decisions, which leads to better health outcomes,” he explained. “The Ministry is aiming to become the steward of health data governance in Belize. As we move into the era of digital health transformation, ensuring the quality and accuracy of

Motorcyclist Killed in Crash Outside Dangriga

A man was killed in a road traffic accident approximately seven miles outside of Dangriga on Wednesday night. The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Oscar Caal, a caretaker from the area.

According to initial reports, Caal was riding a motorcycle when the accident occurred. It is alleged that he was attempting to overtake another vehicle at the time of the crash, but family members dispute this claim, stating there is no clear evidence to support that account.

Caal sustained severe bodily injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. He is survived by his young daughter.

Prison Guards Walk Off the Job Over “Petty” Matters

A group of prison officers staged a walkout yesterday at the Belize Central Prison, protesting what they describe as poor living conditions in the officers’ barracks, including issues over shared locker space.

According to the protesting officers, between 11 and 15 guards walked off the job, claiming they have faced systemic mistreatment and were recently informed that their overtime hours would be cut. The action is reportedly in response to dissatisfaction with the recent barracks renovations, particularly the allocation of lockers and bunk bed arrangements.

Prison CEO Virgilio Murillo downplayed the protest, calling it a dispute over “petty” matters. “They all want their own locker, which is impractical given the number of guards,” Murillo said.

He added, “Whether they’re at the prison or not, they just want a locker to be assigned to them, remain locked with whatever personal items they may have in there while they’re on their shift off, which is seven days.” He explained that the barracks contain 40 bunk beds and 83 lockers for over 200 officers.

“ Similarly, they did not want to sleep on the top bunks. They all want an individual bed because they want to be low on the ground,” Murillo added. He described the request as “unreasonable.”

According to Murillo, the majority of those who walked off were recently hired and still on probation.

Murillo insisted that prison operations were unaffected by the walkout and that senior staff remain on duty. “If they walked off the job, they’ve essentially terminated their services,” he stated. “If they want to return, they will need to submit a letter of apology.”

British Man Survives Deadly Air India Crash That Killed Over 200

A British passenger has miraculously survived a devastating Air India plane crash that killed more than 200 people on a flight bound for London. Authorities say the aircraft went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, bursting into flames as it plunged into a residential area.

The sole survivor was identified as Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who was seated in 11A according to the passenger manifest. Ahmedabad police commissioner GS Malik confirmed the survivor is currently receiving treatment in hospital. He suffered only minor injuries and was able to walk away from the wreckage unaided.

Footage circulating online appears to show a man emerging from the crash site, adding to the extraordinary nature of his escape.

The aircraft, carrying 242 people including 12 crew members, was en route to London when it went down. Over 204 bodies have been recovered, but the total number of fatalities is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to sift through the charred debris.