En medio de crecientes preocupaciones entre oficiales de policía que expresan miedo y frustración en redes sociales, el Comisionado de Policía, Dr. Richard Rosado, aclaró cuál es el protocolo cuando un oficial está fuera de servicio pero presencia un delito.
Según el Dr. Rosado, de acuerdo con el capítulo 1-38 de la Ley de Policía de Belize, todos los agentes están considerados en servicio activo sin importar si están en turno o no. Esto significa que, por ley, deben intervenir si presencian la comisión de un acto criminal.
“Si se está cometiendo un acto criminal en su presencia, por ley, deben actuar,” afirmó el Comisionado.
Esta declaración responde a inquietudes de oficiales que temen actuar fuera de servicio debido a posibles repercusiones públicas y riesgos personales, pero que, legalmente, tienen la obligación de intervenir para proteger a la comunidad.
Belize ha logrado superar su meta de proteger el 30% de sus áreas marinas para el año 2030, liderando los esfuerzos globales en conservación oceánica. Sin embargo, expertos y organizaciones señalan que la verdadera prueba es garantizar que estas zonas protegidas prosperen y tengan un impacto duradero en el ecosistema.
Desde 2022, el Fondo Belize para un Futuro Sostenible ha jugado un papel clave apoyando iniciativas locales, financiadas con recursos de los Bonos Azules, que incluyen investigaciones científicas y promoción de pesca sostenible. La directora ejecutiva del fondo, la Dra. Leandra Cho-Ricketts, destaca la importancia de aliarse con socios adecuados para generar un cambio significativo y duradero, priorizando la protección de la biodiversidad marina.
El cambio climático ha causado daños severos a los arrecifes de coral. Organizaciones como Fragments of Hope, con el apoyo del fondo, trabajan en la restauración de arrecifes en sitios como Gladden Spit y Silk Caye, replantando corales y estudiando el impacto del blanqueamiento. Natasha Gibson, de Fragments of Hope, explicó que a pesar de avances, las recientes pérdidas por el cambio climático son devastadoras.
Por su parte, MarAlliance monitorea especies marinas emblemáticas, como tiburones ballena, tortugas y rayas. Kirah Foreman-Castillo, coordinadora de programas, alertó sobre la preocupante disminución de tiburones ballena en el sur de Belize, y la importancia de entender los factores que afectan la megafauna marina.
Para reforzar la vigilancia, se instaló una cámara de visión nocturna con un rango de nueve millas en el Parque Nacional Laughing Bird Caye, permitiendo al Departamento Forestal y a la Asociación Ambiental del Sur monitorear mejor esta área protegida. Elizabeth Mushchamp, directora ejecutiva de la asociación, indicó que la presencia de estas cámaras ha disuadido incursiones ilegales y brinda seguridad a la comunidad pesquera.
El Fondo Belize distribuye su financiación entre proyectos gubernamentales y organizaciones no gubernamentales, buscando simplificar el acceso a los recursos. Josué Oliva, gerente de programa, señaló que las subvenciones comunitarias apoyan a grupos emergentes, seleccionando proyectos alineados con temas clave como biodiversidad, pesca sostenible, resiliencia climática e innovación en negocios azules.
Aunque el fondo cuenta con un monto fijo de ochenta millones de dólares estadounidenses para invertir hasta 2041, la administración cuidadosa de estos recursos es crucial para garantizar la protección continua de la biodiversidad marina, apoyar medios de vida y fortalecer la resiliencia nacional frente al cambio climático.
La labor de conservación es un reto constante que requiere pasión, paciencia y compromiso. Gracias a la colaboración entre organizaciones y comunidades, Belize continúa avanzando en su misión de proteger sus riquezas marinas para las futuras generaciones.
Kevin De Paz, un joven beliceño-americano de 19 años, fue asesinado a puñaladas durante un violento incidente en Caye Caulker, apenas días antes de alistarse en el Ejército de Estados Unidos. El hecho ha sacudido a la comunidad isleña y ha levantado cuestionamientos sobre el actuar de dos oficiales de policía involucrados en el altercado mientras se encontraban fuera de servicio.
El incidente ocurrió alrededor de las 2:30 a.m., durante lo que inicialmente fue una salida nocturna por comida. Según el Comisionado de Policía, Dr. Richard Rosado, la Unidad de Crímenes Mayores de Belmopán ya se encuentra en el lugar realizando una investigación exhaustiva.
“Nuestra investigación preliminar indica que dos agentes fuera de servicio estaban en un establecimiento de comida rápida cuando otros dos individuos agredieron a una víctima, dejándola inconsciente. Los oficiales intervinieron, lo que desencadenó una pelea que resultó en múltiples heridas con arma blanca,” detalló Rosado. Añadió que al menos tres personas portaban armas durante el enfrentamiento.
En total, cinco personas fueron heridas con arma blanca, entre ellas los dos oficiales y Nishan Allen, quien fue hospitalizado en estado crítico pero ya se encuentra estable.
El fallecimiento de De Paz ha provocado indignación en la comunidad y entre sus seres queridos, quienes afirman que el joven no representaba una amenaza. Aunque los oficiales alegan haber actuado en defensa propia, han sido puestos en licencia administrativa mientras se completa la investigación, la cual será remitida a la Oficina del Fiscal General.
Rosado aseguró que ambos agentes estaban en pleno uso de sus facultades mentales y no había preocupaciones previas sobre su estado emocional. No obstante, la familia de De Paz ya ha anunciado que tomará acciones legales.
Seleny Villanueva, presidenta del Consejo de Aldea de Caye Caulker, expresó el sentir de la comunidad: “Caye Caulker es una comunidad unida, y cuando uno de nosotros es afectado, todos lo sentimos. Mi corazón está con la familia.”
La muerte de Kevin De Paz ha dejado una profunda herida en la isla, mientras las autoridades enfrentan presión pública para asegurar justicia y transparencia en el proceso.
A midafternoon brawl between two intoxicated men in Xaibe Village nearly turned deadly and tonight, we’re hearing both sides of the story. Seventy-year-old Porfilio Copo is at the center of the incident, and while his family says he was attacked without cause, the accused man’s relatives are claiming it was all in self-defense. But what happened next took us by surprise. While speaking with the accused’s family, one of his relatives suddenly lashed out, assaulting News Five’s Paul Lopez with a machete. Thankfully, Paul escaped unharmed and brings us this firsthand report from the Corozal District.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
A violent midday altercation in Xaibe Village has left a seventy-year-old man hospitalized and another resident in police custody. The incident unfolded just outside Rufo’s store, where what began as a confrontation quickly escalated into a chopping. Amateur video captured the dramatic aftermath, showing the alleged perpetrator calmly handing himself over to police. Off camera, we spoke with Jahier Alcoser, the brother of the accused, who claims his sibling acted in self-defense.
Voice of: Jahier Alcoser
Voice of: Jahier Alcoser, Brother of Alleged Perpetrator
“As I come this morning in the shop, this old guy was making trouble with a man here and he gone home and grab his machete and came back and then the owner of the shop chased him from the shop cause he don’t want trouble here. Then he came with this person and they had an altercation and chopped this guy and this guy had a pint and broke it and try to defend himself. So, then he handed over himself. He didn’t run. He just handed over himself to the CIB. He said, he didn’t think he was doing wrong or hiding by police because he get injured first.”
According to accounts from the scene, despite suffering deep cut wounds to his arm and shoulder, Copo managed to get back on his bicycle, only to collapse a hundred feet away in front of a nearby yard. He was rushed to the hospital for urgent medical care. Both Copo and the alleged attacker were reportedly intoxicated at the time. And while the video shows the accused calmly surrendering to police, it also reveals no visible injuries on his body—raising questions about the self-defense claim. We spoke with Copo’s niece, Diana Itzab, who shared their side of the story.
Voice of: Diana Itzab
Voice of: Diana Itzab, Relative of Chopping Victim
“I hear people are saying he gone after this person because he returned after the incident, but that was hours after. And that was not true because he was right here at my house saying that he had an incident with somebody earlier, that somebody knocked him with a bottle and he didn’t do anything. I won’t say that my uncle is a saint, because he is not a saint. When he drink he like to rail up and thing, but that is it. And, somebody had to do him something for him to go after that person with a machete, because that is what they are saying. But right there if you ask anybody anything they will say the same thing because they are family and friend. Nobody will tell you what happened. Everybody will stay with the same story and say it against him. But they are saying it is with a bottle. I don’t understand how somebody would want to cut someone with a machete and say my uncle chop this person, that he wanted to chop the person on the head but that didn’t happen. Then they said the person got cut on the hand, but where is the cut that the person is saying. There is no cut, because people see it. He had no blood plus the family was laughing like he did something good.”
Paul Lopez
“They are claiming self defense.”
Diana Itzab
“Still if it is self defense, you should be concerned for you family doing something like that, he almost killed somebody.”
Voice of: Owner of Rufo’s Store
But the story doesn’t stop there. Public drinking and aggressive behavior under the influence appear to be ongoing issues in Xaibe Village. When we arrived at the scene, the owner of Rufo’s Store was also visibly intoxicated. He interrupted our interview and, surprisingly, asked for beers in exchange for giving a comment. Here’s a clip from that encounter.
Voice of: Owner of Rufo’s Store
“He does not know because he was not here.”
Paul Lopez
“You don’t want to talk because you want beer. I don’t have beer, so I have to talk to him.”
Voice of: Owner of Rufo’s Store
“Alright.”
After our interview, we were speaking with more relatives of the accused who were sharing videos and images with us. That’s when things took a dangerous turn. The shop owner, upset that we refused to buy beers from his store, pulled out a machete and swung it at me, striking my lower back. Thankfully, I wasn’t seriously hurt, though I felt a sharp sting afterward. Assaulted on the job by a drunken store owner—just for saying no to beer. Even his own nephew admits that alcoholism and machete violence are serious problems in the community.
Voice of Jahier Alcoser
“This happens from years ago, this community is really well known as a, how you say it, mal infame. Notorious is the word, notorious village.
Porfilio Copo is listed in a stable condition. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
A Mile 8 resident is behind bars tonight after being accused of kidnapping and assaulting his wife, a teacher, during a domestic dispute. Twenty-eight-year-old car dealer Anfernee Conorquie was arraigned in Belize City Magistrate’s Court for kidnapping and common assault. He pleaded not guilty to the assault charge, but no plea was taken for kidnapping, which is an indictable offense. Bail was denied, and he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. According to police, Conorquie allegedly violated a protection order by confronting his wife at their home, forcibly taking her dog, and later dragging her into a vehicle. She claims he assaulted her, took her phone, and sped off with her against her will. Despite her attempts to signal the police, Conorquie reportedly evaded capture during a high-speed chase across multiple highways before eventually releasing her. He now also faces a separate charge for breaching the protection order.
La policía investiga un audaz robo ocurrido a plena luz del día en Orange Walk, cuando empleados de Triple A Imports fueron interceptados por una camioneta SUV mientras circulaban por la calle Arthur el pasado viernes.
Según los informes, dos hombres enmascarados descendieron del vehículo bloqueador. Uno portaba una pistola y el otro un martillo. Ambos obligaron a los empleados a entregar una suma no revelada de dinero antes de huir en la misma SUV.
La Asistente Superintendente de Policía, Stacy Smith, informó que una persona ha sido detenida en relación con el caso. “No hay indicación en este momento que pueda concluir definitivamente que fue un trabajo interno. Sin embargo, por cómo se desarrolló el incidente, se pueden hacer inferencias en ese sentido,” indicó Smith.
La investigación sigue activa mientras las autoridades tratan de identificar a los responsables y recuperar el dinero robado.
The Caye Caulker branch of the Justice of the Peace Association is calling for urgent national intervention following what they describe as a disturbing pattern of police violence on the island. In a strongly worded release, the group condemned years of alleged abuse by local officers, highlighted by the recent death of a young resident. Justice of the Peace Javier Novelo stated that officers who act as aggressors “forfeit their right to serve,” and called for immediate removal of those with violent histories. The association is demanding an independent investigation, officer reassignment, mandatory retraining, and full judicial accountability. Andrew Novelo, the individual seen in the video being roughed up by Caye Caulker police, is the grandson of Javier Novelo. The Justice of the Peace recounted part of the incident, which involved also a traffic warden, with News Five.
On the phone: Javier Novelo, Justice of the Peace
“So he’s asking and continues to ask the warden, “What have I done wrong? Why did you take my golf cart?” And no one could give him any answers and the male warden walked up to him and chest bumped him and told him, “What yoh gwein do about it?” And he is basically saying, “All I want is answers, tell me why you took the golf cart and if I have committed an offense, give me my ticket and let me go on my way.” He’s all hyped up and they’re exchanging words right there and they could not give him an answer so he decided to take the cart and he was driving out of the compound. He was bringing the golf cart back home when the police were coming and the male warden running out, shouting, “That’s him, that’s him. Stop him!” So he immediately stopped, came out of the cart and put his hands up. The officer just came to him, grabbed him in the sweatshirt that he had on, actually ripped it, and punched him, threw him on the golf cart. He then started questioning them, “Why are you beating me? What did I do? Explain to me why you are beating me and coming to me in this aggressive way. And he’s right there, back and forth with the officers, and basically telling him to shut up and to shut up and the other officer that was there from behind, put him in a headlock. He said it was a very aggressive headlock, that he felt his air going, so he began tapping the officer on the arm and letting him know that he felt his throat burning and tapping him so that they could release him. He was held in that headlock until they put handcuffs on him. They put him back on the golf cart and he was asking, what was happening. Tell me. He’s all hyped up, as anyone would be. You’re trying to get answers and no answers. They can’t tell you why they took your golf cart, what is the reason and no answer is given. They put him and had him on the cart there and the officer just slapped him really hard. You can hear it in the video and he was taken to the police station. This is all the way they’re taking him there, they’re hitting him on the head, on the face.”
The Caye Caulker Justice of the Peace Association says it stands with the Caye Caulker Village Council and pledges to support victims through legal and advocacy channels.
Un trágico accidente de tránsito en la Carretera Thomas Vincent Ramos cobró la vida de Jeffery Cal, un joven de veinte años originario de la aldea San Isidro. El incidente ocurrió cerca de la milla 45, cuando su motocicleta colisionó con un peatón identificado como Aaron Cal, de diecinueve años.
Ambos resultaron heridos y fueron trasladados de urgencia a la Policlínica Independence. Sin embargo, Jeffery Cal no sobrevivió a las lesiones sufridas.
La Asistente Superintendente de Policía, Stacy Smith, brindó detalles del accidente. “Las investigaciones preliminares revelaron que Aaron Cal caminaba cerca de la milla cuarenta y cinco, dirigiéndose a Bella Vista, cuando fue impactado por una motocicleta conducida por Jeffery Cal,” explicó Smith.
Las autoridades continúan investigando las circunstancias del incidente para determinar si hubo factores adicionales que contribuyeron al fatal desenlace.
A routine drive home turned into a nightmare for Sandra Vallesteros on Monday night. She says another driver, identified as Marvin Williams, slammed into her vehicle, causing it to flip. Miraculously, she walked away without serious injuries, but her car was left badly damaged. Now, Sandra is speaking out. She says despite what happened, authorities have refused to charge the other driver. Tonight, she’s sharing her story, seeking answers, accountability, and justice.
Tanya Arceo
“Where exactly did the accident happen?”
On The Phone: Sandra Vallesteros, Accident Victim
“The accident happened after twenty minutes after I left my work site and I went to drop a product by after green estates by Lords Bank and then coming back to Ladyville Mr. Marvin speed up and crashed to me I work in the Lord Banks road and he came from a small road and he crashed to my right side to the back door near to the back booth tire.”
Tanya Arceo
“What injuries did you sustain as a result of the accident?”
On the Phone: Sandra Vallesteros
“Well no bones broken I just have a lot of pain especially my neck area, my shoulder, my truck turn over I don’t know how many times but I am sure that I was driving twenty-five kilometers per hour because I had just crossed a bump
Tanya Arceo
“Were you alone in the vehicle.”
On the Phone: Sandra Vallesteros
“Yes I was alone in the vehicle and I was a professional cyclist for years so I guess that helps a lot. The police reach like 37 or 40 minutes after I don’t know who call the police because my phone was on the truck.”
Tanya Arceo
“Did you receive any medical attention following the accident.”
On the Phone: Sandra Vallesteros
“Yes after the accident the police told me to better find a way to the hospital because I was in pain.”
Tanya Arceo
“I also understand that they refused to charge Marvin Williams were you given any explanation as to why Marvin Williams hasn’t been charged?”
On the Phone: Sandra Vallesteros
“Yeah I have asked why he has not been detained he is free they told me that it’s not a crime crashing into somebody.”
Tanya Arceo
“And what type of damage did your vehicle sustain.”
On the Phone: Sandra Vallesteros
“The vehicle is not good for nothing anymore I guess that turned over like two times I don’t know that was so fast I don’t know how exactly I just remember that a light came in from that small road that hit me hard.”
Despite the rollover and the complete loss of her vehicle Sandra Vallesteros is grateful to have walked away without major injuries but the emotional and financial toll remains and so do the questions, Sandra says she is left wondering how someone can cause so much damage and walk away without accountability. “It all happened so fast” she says, now she is hoping her story leads to answers and action.
Tras las devastadoras inundaciones que afectaron a comunidades en el Distrito de Orange Walk, muchos residentes se preguntan cómo pudieron haber sido tomados por sorpresa. Sin embargo, la Organización Nacional para el Manejo de Emergencias (NEMO) asegura que sí se emitieron alertas tempranas.
El Coordinador Nacional de Emergencias, Daniel Méndez, explicó que tanto el Servicio Hidrológico Nacional como el Servicio Meteorológico de Belize habían advertido sobre la posibilidad de lluvias excesivas e inundaciones en las áreas afectadas.
“El Servicio Hidrológico Nacional había emitido advertencias, incluida una vigilancia de inundaciones para las áreas afectadas,” indicó Méndez. “El Servicio Meteorológico también proporcionó actualizaciones, pero predecir exactamente dónde ocurrirán estos eventos es extremadamente difícil.”
Méndez reconoció que, aunque los sistemas de alerta funcionaron, cada emergencia representa una oportunidad de mejora. “Reevaluaremos nuestra estrategia y haremos las revisiones necesarias. Como he dicho antes, cada evento sirve como una oportunidad de aprendizaje,” afirmó.
Las autoridades insisten en que es vital que el público preste atención a las alertas oficiales, ya que el cambio climático continúa generando eventos climáticos extremos cada vez más impredecibles.
El Director del Servicio Meteorológico, Ronald Gordon, explicó que fue el sistema del viernes el que trajo la mayor cantidad de lluvia, con precipitaciones concentradas en zonas específicas.
“Tuvimos cantidades muy significativas de lluvia sobre el Distrito de Orange Walk,” detalló Gordon. “En Tower Hill se registraron alrededor de trescientas treinta milímetros de lluvia, equivalentes a unas doce pulgadas. Y en Douglas, un poco más al norte, se registraron casi trece pulgadas.”
Según el funcionario, la mayor parte de esta lluvia cayó entre el viernes y la madrugada del sábado, lo que provocó un rápido aumento del nivel del agua en comunidades como San Pablo, dejando a varias familias damnificadas.
El sistema meteorológico continúa vigilando el desarrollo de nuevos fenómenos climáticos mientras las autoridades evalúan los daños causados por estas lluvias excepcionales.
