And in Pomona Village, the year ended with the deaths of two young men. Twenty-three-year-old Zion Samuels and twenty-two-year-old Luke Chavarria were shot and killed on New Year’s Eve. Police say a lone gunman opened fire on the group of six friends gathered at Samuel’s
Tonight we start the newscast with the first murder that occurred on New year’s eve. It happened in Belize City, at the corner of Waight Street and Faber’s Road. Forty-five-year-old Ian Arthurs was shot dead. His family is now left to grapple with grief and
And while Ian Arthurs’ family insisted that he was not a member of any gang, police say Arthurs had a court case alleging gang membership and a prior charge for possession of a prohibited firearm. [caption id="attachment_76781" align="alignright" width="300"]
Tonight, police are seeking two men from Bella Vista for questioning. They are twenty-two-year-old Santos Chirinos and twenty-two-year-old Dixon Caceres. Their wanted posters say police are seeking them for questioning, without specifying the nature of the investigation. But as we reported earlier this week, drug
And in the Old Capital, tensions are rising again between rival gangs. The Belize Police Department says it is working to reassure residents that operations and community efforts remain in place to deter violence. This heightened sense of alarm comes after Ian Arthurs was shot
[caption id="attachment_76762" align="alignright" width="300"] Henry Cawich[/caption] Police arrested a thirty-six-year-old Trinidad Village man during a late-night anti-narcotics operation in Orange Walk District on December thirty-first. Acting on intelligence, officers searched the residence of
The Chiquibul Forest, one of Belize’s most biodiverse and fragile ecosystems, is facing a new chapter. With the newly paved Caracol Road opening access to pristine wilderness, proposals for eco-tourism are now under government review. From high-end cabanas by international companies to community-led conservation initiatives,
Under the Barrow Administration, a comprehensive 15-year sustainable development plan for the Chiquibul–Mountain Pine Ridge–Caracol complex was unveiled. The aim was to guide economic growth while safeguarding the fragile ecosystems and cultural heritage. Back then, officials warned that without careful planning, increased access to the
Meanwhile, the Briceño Administration is moving closer to establishing a protected area for scarlet macaws near Red Bank Village. This consideration follows consultations with residents, landowners, and tour operators. Minister of Sustainable Development Orlando Habet explains that Cabinet discussions on the proposal began several years
According to Minister Habet, community response to the plan has been mixed. Some residents have questioned what direct benefits the village would receive, particularly from tour operators who bring visitors to view the macaws. During consultations, government officials suggested community-based opportunities such as handicraft production,
