Police have arrested and charged 21-year-old Santos Absolom Chirinos in connection with the New Year’s Eve murder of 39-year-old Keith Neal in Independence Village. Chirinos, a Belizean construction worker from Bella Vista Village, was charged on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, with murder and escape from
For dozens of aspiring doctors, the path to a medical career began at American Northwest University. But that promise has collapsed into silence and uncertainty. The school marketed itself as an international medical institution in Belize, offering accredited medical degrees, U.S. clinical rotations, and government
An eight‑year‑old boy is recovering after being hit by a motorcycle while crossing the street in Hopkins Village. Karter Benedit, a Standard Two student at Holy Family RC Primary School, was struck as he crossed the road with classmates shortly after school dismissal on Tuesday.
Since the start of 2026, Belize has recorded several motorcycle‑related incidents across the country. On January third, Brian Miguel was killed after being thrown from his motorbike during a collision with a Ford F‑150 along the George Price Highway. Just days later, eight‑year‑old Karter Benedit
And now, an important update for Belize’s growing drone community. The Belize Department of Civil Aviation says it’s heard the concerns, loud and clear. The agency has acknowledged feedback from drone operators and other stakeholders and confirms that it’s reviewing those concerns as part of
The proposed Thirteenth Amendment certainly stirred the pot nationwide. From town halls to public forums, many Belizeans made it clear they weren’t convinced. Critics from across society argued the amendment missed the mark, saying it didn’t tackle the real roots of crime and instead raised
Belize is still without an Ombudsman, and that’s raising serious concerns. The position, which many see as a last line of defense for everyday citizens facing unfair or illegal treatment by public authorities, remains vacant after the previous Ombudsman’s contract was not renewed. Now, the
Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca, a senior Cabinet member, also weighed in on the vacant Ombudsman post. Fonseca argues that the government was under no obligation to renew the former Ombudsman’s contract. He also indicated that a new Ombudsman will be identified and appointed within the
The President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, Ella Waight, is pushing for more direct talks with the government. She’s calling for quarterly meetings with Prime Minister John Briceño and his team, saying consistent dialogue is needed to make sure public funds are
We’re learning tonight that dozens of police officers could be owed money that they’ve been waiting on for months, and in some cases, years. News Five has been reliably informed that as many as two dozen officers who were transferred or promoted are still waiting
