In a sudden leadership shake-up of the Belize Police Department that has drawn public attention, Assistant Superintendent Aaron Gamboa, who led the Special Patrol Unit for nearly 10 years, has been removed from his post with immediate effect. This personnel change is part of a broader restructuring of the department’s senior leadership pushed forward by Home Affairs Minister Julius Espat.
Following Gamboa’s removal, official reports confirm he has been reassigned to a new role at the National Operations Office, and an interim commander has already been appointed to take over leadership of the elite Special Patrol Unit. As the restructuring unfolded, questions quickly emerged regarding the level of involvement Prime Minister John Briceño had in the decision to replace Gamboa, and how much advance knowledge he held of the specific personnel changes.
When pressed by reporters on these points, the prime minister acknowledged that Espat had previously informed him of planned restructuring across the police department, but said he had not been given details on which specific officers would be reassigned. “Minister Espat has been carrying out a number of changes, shaking up the Belize Police Department, and we need that. We can’t keep doing business as usual,” Briceño told reporters. “I will need to speak with him for more details, but I am confident he has solid reasoning behind this personnel change.”
Reporters also brought up a widespread circulating rumor that claimed Briceño had ordered Espat to avoid making changes connected to the high-profile Budna case. Briceño flatly denied the claim, telling reporters to disregard unsubstantiated gossip. “Don’t listen to rumors. You can ask me the question directly. Did I tell him? No, I did not tell him,” he stated.
This report is adapted from a transcribed broadcast evening newscast, edited for clarity and context for online readers.