标签： Belize

The Old Capital community is confronting a disturbing surge in violence following two separate fatal shootings occurring within a remarkably short timeframe. The latest incident claimed the life of 41-year-old Earl Archer, a local contractor, who was fatally shot on Pelican Street Extension late Saturday evening. Law enforcement authorities report that the attack transpired shortly after 10:30 p.m., with responding officers discovering Archer suffering from critical gunshot wounds. He was urgently transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital but was subsequently pronounced dead upon arrival. This tragedy follows closely on the heels of another homicide that occurred merely the previous night. The initial victim was identified as Wayne Myles, a prominent local street vendor widely known by the moniker ‘Pie Bwai,’ who was shot inside his residence on 11th Street. Police discovered Myles with a fatal gunshot wound to the upper left torso. As investigations into both cases intensify, officials have yet to establish any confirmed motives for either shooting, leaving a community on edge and searching for answers.

On International Jaguar Day, the Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center emerged as the nation’s sole authorized jaguar rescue facility, showcasing its critical conservation work with these endangered predators. Since 2003, the institution has provided sanctuary to over 25 jaguars, including non-releasable individuals that now serve as conservation ambassadors.

The zoo recently highlighted three distinctive residents: Edgar Hill, a popular attraction during both daytime and nocturnal tours; Ben, a formerly dominant male from Cockscomb Basin rescued in weakened condition after livestock conflicts; and Hero, a Toledo-confiscated cub now contributing to research programs. These animals represent the frontline of Belize’s jaguar preservation efforts.

Alarming incidents underscore the ongoing threats to jaguar populations. During September’s patriotic celebrations, a female jaguar was fatally shot in Independence Village with one canine tooth removed—a clear indication of trophy poaching. Authorities conducted a formal burial while emphasizing the species’ protected status under national law.

Just weeks prior, law enforcement intercepted a jaguar pelt in Belize City, resulting in charges against Lidear Lino for attempted online trafficking. These events demonstrate persistent challenges including illegal wildlife trade and human-animal conflicts.

The Belize Zoo’s educational initiatives aim to foster greater public support for habitat protection, positioning rescued jaguars as living symbols of ecological balance. As apex predators, jaguars play crucial roles in regulating prey populations and maintaining ecosystem stability throughout their range.

BELIZE CITY – The local community is reeling from the tragic shooting death of 61-year-old Wayne Myles, affectionately known throughout the city as ‘Pie Bwai,’ who was killed in his residence on Friday evening. The incident has sent shockwaves through the neighborhood where the popular street vendor was a familiar and cherished figure.

According to official police reports, authorities responded to a distress call at approximately 8:00 p.m. on November 28, 2025, arriving at the victim’s residence located at #9 11th Street. Officers discovered Myles unconscious in his apartment, suffering from a critical gunshot wound to the upper left torso. Despite emergency medical efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Floyd Myles, the victim’s brother and key witness, provided investigators with crucial testimony indicating he heard approximately three distinct gunshots in the vicinity. He further reported observing a silver-colored vehicle fleeing the area at high speed immediately following the auditory evidence of violence.

Belize City Police Department representatives have confirmed that the investigation remains in its preliminary stages, with no established motive or suspects identified at this time. The case has been prioritized as a homicide investigation, with law enforcement appealing to the public for any additional information that might assist in identifying potential perpetrators.

The sudden violence has left residents and fellow vendors expressing both grief and concern regarding community safety. Myles had become a neighborhood institution through his long-standing presence as a street merchant, known for his friendly demeanor and popular food offerings that earned him his distinctive nickname.

A contentious proposal from the Ministry of Transport mandating training for all motorcycle operators has ignited vigorous public debate. Government authorities maintain that this initiative will significantly enhance road safety and prevent fatalities. However, motorcycle-dependent communities perceive it as an additional financial strain.

The existing licensing protocol, as detailed by Kevan Jenkins, Traffic Department Manager, requires applicants to be over seventeen years old. The process involves obtaining a learner’s permit for $30, which necessitates a completed application form, medical certification from a physician, two passport-sized photographs, and valid proof of address and identification documents. This permit remains valid for three months, allowing a two-week preparation period for the written examination. Following successful completion, another two-week window is provided for the practical riding assessment. The final motorcycle license is issued upon payment of a $90 fee.

Michael Graham, proprietor of Graham’s Runman Services and a delivery rider, offers an alternative perspective. He contends that road accidents frequently result from other motorists’ failure to respect motorcyclists’ right of way. While acknowledging the inevitability of the new regulations, Graham expresses skepticism about their financial practicality. The proposed $300 training fee, he argues, poses a substantial economic challenge for professional riders who may view the certification as merely bureaucratic rather than genuinely beneficial for safety improvement.

In a stark defense of controversial new road safety measures, Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh has declared mandatory motorcycle training requirements will proceed despite public opposition. The policy initiative follows a devastating year on the nation’s roads, with 108 traffic fatalities recorded in 2024—50 of which involved motorcycle accidents.

The Ministry of Transport’s proposed mandate, developed in response to these alarming statistics, aims to strengthen enforcement of existing traffic regulations while introducing specialized training protocols for motorcycle operators. The program has drawn criticism for its associated $300 fee, which some critics argue imposes undue financial burden on lower-income riders.

Minister Zabaneh offered an uncompromising rebuttal to these concerns during a recent press briefing. ‘We’re not here to be jumping when somebody posts on social media that $300 is too much for a poor man,’ stated the Minister. ‘Consider the alternative: $1,500 for your casket, plus the immeasurable cost to those you might injure in an accident.’

The Minister elaborated on the hidden costs of traffic incidents, noting that serious injuries could leave families caring for disabled relatives indefinitely. ‘If you have the misfortune that you have to go to the hospital and are left vegetative, your family must provide care for the rest of your life.’

Addressing the training curriculum itself, Zabaneh revealed the program had been substantially condensed from an initial six-week duration to a more accessible two-week format. He clarified that the frequently cited $300 figure represents a maximum threshold rather than a fixed fee, suggesting actual costs might be lower.

The Ministry maintains that these preventive measures, while potentially inconvenient, represent a necessary investment in public safety that ultimately saves both lives and long-term economic costs associated with traffic fatalities and serious injuries.