分类： society

Belize’s leading tertiary healthcare facility, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), is advancing toward the selection of a permanent Chief Executive Officer following the conclusion of candidate interviews in February. The position has remained unoccupied since October 2025 upon the departure of former CEO Chandra Nisbet-Cansino.

During the five-month interim period, hospital operations have been managed through a provisional administrative framework while the Board of Directors conducted a comprehensive search for qualified leadership. The selection process reached a critical milestone last week as the board completed final interviews with a shortlisted cohort of candidates.

Notable contenders for the executive position include Ann-Marie Thompson, recognized for her role as Acting Labour Commissioner during the peak of Belize’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The candidate pool also features Sharine Reyes, the hospital’s incumbent Financial Director, and Timothy Seguro, a current assistant administrator with prior experience as KHMH’s Acting CEO. Additional candidates comprise Dr. Gilroy Middleton, former CEO within the Ministry of Immigration, and Gilda Diaz Hall.

The hospital’s board is presently conducting final evaluations of the candidates before submitting its official recommendation. Health sector observers anticipate an appointment decision within coming weeks, which will determine leadership for Belize’s most essential public medical institution.

BELIZE CITY – Noticiero Cinco Semanal, Belize’s pioneering Spanish-language weekly newscast, has commemorated its inaugural year of broadcasting, establishing itself as an essential media voice for the nation’s Spanish-speaking population. Launched in March 2025 by Greater Belize Media, the program has experienced consistent growth by delivering content that resonates deeply with both domestic and international audiences.

The Thursday evening broadcast at 7:00 PM has become a staple for viewers seeking comprehensive coverage ranging from national developments to cultural features, complemented by interactive polls and global news summaries specifically curated for Belizean perspectives. The program’s success stems from its unique positioning as the only Spanish-language news product catering specifically to Belize’s linguistic diversity.

Co-producer Benita Keme-Palacio emphasized the program’s foundational mission: “The team identified the overwhelming need to provide this service to Belizeans who primarily speak Spanish. Our growth throughout this first year demonstrates how profoundly the community has embraced having representation in Spanish-language media.”

The production operates in close collaboration with News Five, with journalists working throughout the week to compile and translate the most relevant stories into a cohesive Spanish-language format. This ensures Spanish-speaking citizens receive information simultaneously with their English-speaking counterparts, eliminating previous information disparities.

The program’s impact became particularly evident during a recent outreach to Independence in southern Belize, where producers discovered substantial viewership despite the region’s distance from the broadcasting center. This discovery has inspired plans for expanded regional coverage throughout Belize in coming months.

Noticiero Cinco Semanal maintains multiplatform accessibility through traditional television broadcasting and active social media engagement via Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, ensuring content reaches Belizeans both domestically and within the international diaspora.

Authorities in Belize City have apprehended a suspect linked to the brutal daylight homicide of Edward Saldano, a 26-year-old locally known as “Scrubby.” The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon at the intersection of Amara Avenue and Dean Street, marking another episode of urban violence that has rattled the community.

Law enforcement officials were dispatched following multiple reports of gunfire in the area. Upon arrival, crime scene investigators documented several spent shell casings and blood evidence on the pavement, confirming witness accounts of a violent altercation.

Critical surveillance evidence captured the sequence of events, showing Saldano navigating the neighborhood on his bicycle when an assailant approached from the opposite side of the street. The footage reveals a physical confrontation between the two men, culminating in Saldano being forced to the ground. The perpetrator then produced a firearm and discharged multiple rounds at close range, striking the victim in both the torso and head area before escaping on foot.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith provided official commentary: “The altercation escalated rapidly, and the assailant was recorded retrieving a lethal weapon which he employed to fire several rounds, directly causing Mr. Saldano’s tragic death.”

Emergency medical services transported the critically wounded Saldano to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where medical personnel subsequently confirmed his demise. Police operations continued throughout the afternoon, resulting in the detention of a person of interest within the vicinity of the shooting.

When questioned about potential gang affiliations motivating the homicide, ASP Smith maintained that the investigation remains active and no definitive motive has been established. Saldano himself was previously known to law enforcement, with prior legal encounters including a robbery charge filed in 2024.

The Belize Police Department has launched Women’s Month celebrations with a dedicated symposium focused on the critical issues facing women in law enforcement. The event, held on March 5, 2026, served as both an educational platform and recognition ceremony for female officers across the nation.

Senior Superintendent Dehanne Augustine, Second in Command of the Belize District, emphasized the significance of addressing specialized topics including career advancement opportunities, trauma management, and cancer awareness. “This symposium covers important topics that are necessary for our growth,” stated Augustine. “These discussions extend beyond today’s event—they represent our ongoing commitment to addressing vital issues affecting women in our force.”

The comprehensive program highlighted the dual challenges and achievements of women serving in policing roles. Beyond educational components, the department formally honored 22 exemplary female officers from the Belize District alone. Awards recognized diverse contributions including exceptional community service, investigative accomplishments, long-term dedication, and organizational leadership.

Organizers described Women’s Month as providing an essential platform to celebrate achievements while honestly addressing the unique challenges women encounter in law enforcement. The initiative reflects the department’s broader commitment to gender inclusion and professional development within policing services. The symposium represents part of a larger institutional effort to support female officers’ personal and professional advancement while recognizing their substantial impact on community safety and departmental excellence.

PUNTA GORDA, BELIZE — Law enforcement authorities have identified a person of interest in connection with the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Jimmy Cus and the injury of 18-year-old Darwin Meraz. The individual is now the subject of an active search operation as investigators work to establish possible connections to other violent crimes in the community.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, the incident occurred Wednesday evening around 8:00 PM on New Road, where both victims were reportedly walking when they were approached by an armed assailant. Responding officers discovered Cus deceased with multiple gunshot wounds while Meraz sustained a leg injury and received treatment at Punta Gorda Community Hospital.

ASP Smith revealed that investigators are examining potential links between this shooting and another recent homicide in Punta Gorda. Both victims had previous encounters with law enforcement, with Smith noting that community organizations and police had attempted intervention strategies. “Multiple mediation rounds were implemented to guide them toward becoming more productive societal members,” Smith stated, acknowledging that these efforts “ultimately proved challenging.”

Police continue to pursue active leads while working to determine the motive behind the targeted attack and its potential connections to ongoing violence in the town.