A Belizean domestic violence survivor faces renewed trauma and financial hardship after her assailant was unexpectedly released from prison, leaving her in a perpetual state of fear. Ilsida Navas, 37, suffered life-altering injuries when her partner assaulted her with a machete as she slept last August, resulting in the amputation of her left arm and severe torso injuries.
The attack occurred in the predawn hours while Navas was asleep. “I had gotten sleepy and went to sleep, and around three in the morning he attacked me with the machete,” the mother of four recounted to local media. Beyond the physical trauma, the incident has devastated her ability to provide for her children as a single parent—their father having left for the United States six years ago without providing support.
Navas now navigates the challenges of amputee life while seeking funding for a prosthetic arm. Medical professionals in El Salvador have quoted her $3,800 USD for the essential limb replacement, prompting her to seek public assistance for the procedure.
The situation intensified when Navas discovered her attacker had been freed from Belize Central Prison. “The surprise that I get right now is that the man is already out… He’s walking. I don’t know why,” she expressed, highlighting the justice system’s failure to protect vulnerable victims. Her case underscores ongoing concerns about domestic violence prevention and judicial accountability in Belize.