Authorities are still piecing together the circumstances surrounding the tragic killing of Police Constable Oswald Young, a 42-year-old officer with 23 years of service, who was fatally shot in Unitedville, Cayo, on the evening of Friday, October 13, 2025. The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. as Young awaited transportation to Belize City, where he was due to report for duty at the Belama Precinct Four Police Station. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, Young, who was in uniform at the time, was approached by an unidentified male who fired multiple shots, leaving him with fatal gunshot wounds. Smith confirmed that while no motive has yet been established, the police are actively pursuing several leads in their investigation. ‘We are following up on various theories presented to us,’ Smith stated, emphasizing the commitment to bringing those responsible to justice. The community remains in shock as they mourn the loss of a dedicated officer who had served Belize for over two decades.
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BREAKING NEWS: Canefield man robbed and shot in Mahaut
A resident of Massacre, Canefield, is currently receiving medical treatment at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) after being involved in a violent shooting incident in Mahaut on Tuesday. According to police reports, the victim sustained a head injury, was robbed of his cash, and was shot in his right leg. Authorities have launched a thorough investigation into the matter, though further details remain undisclosed at this time. The incident has raised concerns about public safety in the area, prompting calls for increased vigilance and law enforcement presence. The victim’s condition is reported to be stable, but the community remains on edge as the investigation unfolds.
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No Signs of Foul Play in Body Found, Police Say
Authorities in Belize City are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying a man whose body was discovered floating in the waters near Southern Foreshore on Sunday, October 14, 2025. According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, the deceased is described as a dark-complexioned male who was found unresponsive in the sea. Preliminary investigations have revealed no indications of foul play or violence, and no significant identifying marks were observed on the body. Police are urging individuals who may have missing relatives matching this description to visit either the Raccoon Street or Queen Street Police Station with photographs to aid in the identification process. The case remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
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Trump Administration Launches Deadly Strike in Caribbean, Killing Six
In a recent escalation of military operations in the Caribbean, the Trump administration has confirmed its fifth airstrike in the region since early September. The latest strike, conducted on October 14, 2025, targeted a vessel off the Venezuelan coast, resulting in the deaths of six individuals described by the U.S. as narcoterrorists. Former President Donald Trump announced the operation on social media, asserting that it was carried out under his authority as Commander-in-Chief. He claimed the strike targeted a boat linked to a ‘Designated Terrorist Organization’ and occurred in international waters, with no U.S. casualties reported. However, Trump provided no concrete evidence to substantiate claims that the vessel was involved in drug trafficking. The attack follows a series of similar U.S. military actions in the Caribbean, including strikes on September 2, 15, 19, and October 3, bringing the total reported death toll to 27. Critics and human rights organizations have condemned these operations, arguing they violate international law, as suspected drug traffickers are not classified as combatants. The Trump administration has defended the strikes as part of a broader campaign against ‘narco-terrorists,’ with the White House recently informing Congress that the U.S. is engaged in a ‘non-international armed conflict’ with drug cartels, labeling them as ‘unlawful combatants.’ The strikes coincide with increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and heightened tensions with Venezuela. Trump has also accused Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of sending criminal gangs, including the Tren de Aragua, into the United States, though no evidence has been provided to support these allegations.
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Abiamofo: Bemoedigende resultaten bij biedingsronde voor nieuwe offshoreblokken
The Surinamese government has taken a significant step forward in its offshore oil exploration efforts, as the State Oil Company (Staatsolie) presented the outcomes of the recent bidding round for shallow offshore blocks 9 and 10. The presentation, held at the Cabinet of the President on Monday, was attended by key stakeholders, including Natural Resources Minister David Abiamofo, who described the results as ‘encouraging.’
The bidding process, which ran from November 2024 to May 2025, targeted oil exploration in shallow waters off Suriname’s coast. International oil companies (IOCs) were invited to submit proposals for the two blocks. Following the conclusion of the bidding period, an independent evaluation committee reviewed the submissions and prepared recommendations, which were subsequently presented to the government by Staatsolie.
Minister Abiamofo revealed that the proposal will be further discussed in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday. ‘What I can already say is that the results are encouraging. Multiple bids were received, and for each block, a different international consortium has been proposed as the operator,’ he stated in a release from Suriname’s Communication Service. The minister emphasized that the current focus is on oil exploration and production, with the potential presence of associated natural gas to be addressed in later development phases.
This bidding round is part of Staatsolie’s broader strategy to develop Suriname’s offshore potential and attract new investors in anticipation of expected oil production in the coming years. The initiative underscores the country’s commitment to leveraging its natural resources for economic growth and energy development.
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Man Charged for Deaths of Two Mexicans
In a devastating incident on the George Price Highway in Belize, two Mexican nationals lost their lives in a fatal road traffic accident late Thursday night. The collision, which occurred between miles 13 and 14 after 11:00 p.m., involved a Ford pickup truck, a Freightliner, and a Nissan compact car. According to reports, the Ford, en route to Belmopan, struck the rear wheel of the Freightliner, lost control, and collided head-on with the Nissan. Tragically, the occupants of the Nissan, 35-year-old Othoniel Vasquez Moreno and 46-year-old Amisadai Valdez Dominguez, were trapped inside and pronounced dead at the scene. Mexico’s Ambassador to Belize, Martha Zamarripa, expressed profound condolences and assured the bereaved families of the embassy’s full support. Dominguez’s family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, including repatriating his remains to Mexico. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Osman Pineda, the driver of the Ford, faces multiple charges, including manslaughter by negligence and careless driving. Pineda’s two young children, aged five and nine months, who were passengers in the vehicle, sustained injuries in the crash. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith confirmed the charges, emphasizing the gravity of the incident.
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Attorney Appeals 10-Year Sentence for Abetment to Murder
The Court of Appeal commenced the hearing for Oscar Selgado, a 56-year-old attorney convicted of abetment to murder in the case of Marilyn Barnes, on October 14, 2025. Selgado, sentenced to 10 years by Justice Nigel Pilgrim in June 2024, is contesting both his conviction and the severity of his sentence. His legal team, comprising Arthur Saldivar and Darrell Bradley, argued that the trial was marred by procedural flaws, including an allegedly incomplete transcript and the disputed admissibility of a key witness’s statement. Giovanni Ramirez, the crown’s primary witness, did not testify in person due to claimed fears for his safety. His statement was admitted under a voidaire, a legal mechanism for fearful witnesses. Saldivar also contended that the 10-year sentence was disproportionate, citing a similar case where the defendant received a six-year term despite Selgado’s lack of prior convictions. He further criticized the crown for not providing adequate protection for Ramirez or exploring virtual testimony options. Cheryl Lynn-Vidal, the Director of Public Prosecutions, defended the crown’s position, asserting that Ramirez’s fear was genuine and corroborated by other witnesses. She emphasized that without Ramirez’s statement, the case against Selgado would have been untenable. Lynn-Vidal also dismissed the feasibility of virtual testimony, stating that Ramirez consistently refused to participate due to credible threats from Selgado. The full story will be covered on News 5 Live at 6 p.m.
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US military strikes fifth suspected drug boat off Venezuelan coast
In a significant development, former President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that U.S. military forces executed a strike on a small vessel suspected of drug trafficking in international waters near Venezuela. The operation, announced via a post on Truth Social, resulted in the deaths of six individuals aboard the boat, with no reported casualties among U.S. personnel. This incident represents the fifth such lethal strike in the Caribbean, part of the Trump administration’s controversial policy of treating alleged drug traffickers as “unlawful combatants” subject to military intervention. Official figures indicate that at least 27 people have been killed across these operations. The escalating use of military force has drawn bipartisan criticism in Congress. While some Republicans are pressing the White House for a clearer legal rationale and operational details, Democrats argue that these strikes violate both U.S. and international laws. The debate intensified last week when the Senate rejected a war powers resolution aimed at restricting the administration from conducting further strikes without explicit congressional approval.
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34 Saint Lucian swimmers set to make a splash at OECS contest
The Saint Lucia national swimming team, bolstered by a mix of seasoned athletes and rising stars, is set to compete in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Swimming Championships next month. The event, scheduled for November 7-9 at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre in St Vincent & the Grenadines, offers Saint Lucia an opportunity to improve upon their fourth-place finish from last year. This year’s team features Olympic swimmers Mikaili Charlemagne and Jordan Augier, alongside CARIFTA champions Sapphire Parks and Antoine Destang, who returns after a year-long hiatus. The squad also includes promising young talents like Kayla Rose Richards and Kenya Andrew in the Under-9 division, as well as regional veterans such as Noah Dorville and Jayden Xu. Despite the absence of key swimmers like Naima Hazell and Fayth Jeffrey, the team, under the guidance of coach Marlon James, appears well-positioned to make a strong showing. The championships will test the nation’s ability to reclaim its standing in regional swimming, with hopes of surpassing last year’s performance.
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155 Derelict Vehicles already Marked for removal as National Cleanup Begins
The National Solid Waste Management Authority has initiated a comprehensive nationwide cleanup campaign in Antigua and Barbuda, targeting abandoned vehicles and neglected properties. In the first phase, authorities have identified and marked 155 derelict vehicles for removal. The initial sweep focused on the Villa and Point areas, where 75 vehicles were tagged by police, followed by an additional 80 vehicles in the Yorks area as the program expanded. The campaign, described by Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph as a ‘deep, deep cleanup,’ aims to restore the country’s appearance and enhance public health. The operation involves collaboration between the Defense Force, Solid Waste, the Central Board of Health, and Public Works. Beyond vehicles, the initiative also addresses derelict homes, overgrown lots, and unsightly fences. Property owners who fail to maintain their premises post-cleanup may face charges added to their property value under existing legislation. Cleanup efforts are being conducted systematically using mapped grids, with teams progressing through communities in phases. Sir Molwyn emphasized that the government intends to make this cleanup an ongoing, structured effort tied to health, sanitation, and national pride.