In a harrowing account of survival and resilience, San Ignacio resident Ilsida Navas is courageously rebuilding her life after surviving a vicious domestic assault that resulted in the amputation of her left arm. The August 2024 incident saw Navas attacked with a machete while sleeping, sustaining severe chop wounds to her limbs, stab injuries to her chest, and ultimately losing her left arm entirely.
Navas recounted the terrifying prelude to the attack, describing how her partner had initially denied her basic necessities before forcing her to drink cleaning fluid. The violent escalation occurred around 3:00 AM when he assaulted her with the machete, attempting to drive the weapon into her heart before inflicting the injuries that would cost her limb.
The single mother of four now faces new challenges in her recovery journey. While a Salvadoran physician has agreed to provide a prosthetic arm, the $3,800 cost presents a significant barrier. Navas has launched a public appeal for assistance to fund the prosthetic, which would restore her independence and ability to provide for her children.
Compounding her trauma, Navas recently learned that her attacker has been released from Belize Central Prison, forcing her to live in constant fear while simultaneously navigating physical recovery and single parenthood. The father of her children relocated to the United States six years ago and has provided no support, leaving Navas as the sole caregiver despite her life-altering injuries.