BELIZE CITY – Tensions escalated in Belize on February 4, 2026, when police authorities detained prominent activist Brian “Yellowman” Audinett hours before a scheduled public demonstration. The controversial apprehension occurred in the Mesopotamia Division, with Audinett subsequently transported to Queen Street Police Station where he remained detained throughout the morning.
The incident has ignited a sharp legal and political confrontation between law enforcement and civil rights advocates. Attorney Orson Elrington, representing Audinett, asserts that his client was targeted solely based on his alleged gang affiliations rather than concrete evidence of wrongdoing. Elrington provided detailed accounts indicating Audinett was coordinating protest participation from his constituency when police initiated contact and subsequent detention.
Contradicting this narrative, Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado presented an entirely different justification for the detention. According to Rosado, Audinett had been disseminating text messages explicitly inciting violence, prompting what he characterized as a necessary law enforcement response. The Commissioner emphasized the police department’s theoretical support for lawful protest while maintaining that Audinett’s actions crossed legal boundaries.
The conflicting accounts have raised questions about police transparency and protest rights in Belize. Investigators from the GI3 unit, led by Officer Sutherland, are conducting an ongoing investigation into the alleged inflammatory messages. Legal experts note the case highlights the delicate balance between maintaining public order and protecting civil liberties, particularly regarding pre-protest detainments.
Audinett’s detention period and potential charges remain uncertain as investigations continue. The situation has drawn attention to police protocols regarding protest organization and the evidentiary standards required for preventive detention in potentially volatile situations.