标签： Belize

A devastating arson attack in San Felipe Village, Orange Walk, has left a community in mourning after a mother and her young son perished in a house fire early Monday morning. Thirty-five-year-old Angelita Magaña and her six-year-old son, Tishan Godoy, were among four individuals asleep in the home when the blaze erupted. Angelita’s daughter and her common-law husband, Miguel Novelo, narrowly escaped, but Angelita and Tishan tragically did not survive. Authorities have identified the prime suspect as Angelita’s former common-law husband, Francisco Godoy, who was found injured at the scene and is now in police custody. Godoy had recently been released from custody after serving time for domestic violence charges against Angelita. Neighbors recounted the harrowing moments as flames engulfed the home, with one individual, Leon, hailed as a hero for saving Angelita’s daughter. The Ministry of Public Service, Governance, and Disaster Risk Management has extended condolences to the family, while the community rallies to support funeral expenses and medical care for the injured daughter. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

In a dramatic turn of events, employees at Mo’s Supermarket in Corozal successfully foiled an armed robbery attempt on the evening of October 19, 2025. The incident unfolded at approximately 6:40 p.m. when 29-year-old Ryan Delgado entered the store brandishing a Crossman air pistol, intent on carrying out a heist. However, before Delgado could execute his plan, vigilant store employees intervened, preventing the robbery and detaining the suspect until police arrived. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith provided details on the incident, confirming that Delgado was taken into custody and the weapon was seized as evidence. Reports suggest that Delgado sustained injuries during the altercation, allegedly inflicted by the store’s employees. ASP Smith emphasized that if evidence indicates any actions taken against Delgado were unlawful, the police would pursue appropriate legal measures. This incident highlights the bravery and quick response of the supermarket staff, who ensured the safety of the establishment and its patrons.

In a heated land dispute in Independence, Belize, resident Sherene Garbutt is refusing to back down despite the government’s decision to designate 22 acres of land as a protected area. The conflict began when Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde confirmed that the land, originally leased to Orange Walk resident Charles Price, would be returned to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Garbutt, who had applied for the same land earlier, claims her application never reached Hyde’s desk, while Price’s application, submitted over a year later, was approved. Garbutt is now questioning why her parcel was singled out for protection when a larger 100-acre plot with similar natural features remains untouched. Hyde acknowledged administrative errors but emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving such disputes. Garbutt, however, remains steadfast, demanding the return of the land within her village and threatening legal action if her demands are not met.

For over thirty years, David McCulloch, a resident of Ladyville, Belize, has been embroiled in a relentless battle to secure ownership of Hen and Chicken Caye, a 72.93-acre island located just four miles off the coast of his village. McCulloch, a staunch supporter of the People’s United Party (PUP), initiated this struggle in 1998 through his organization, the Brotherhood Association, which aimed to develop the island into a residential subdivision for Belizeans and establish a faith-based retreat center. Despite obtaining a lease and a purchase price of $18,962 in 2008, McCulloch claims that successive governments have obstructed his efforts to complete the transaction. According to Paul Thompson, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the purchase price expired in 2011, and there is currently no active application for the island, which remains undeveloped national land. McCulloch’s repeated attempts to resolve the issue, including multiple visits to government offices and direct appeals to Minister Cordel Hyde, have yielded no results. He alleges political victimization and constitutional rights violations, expressing frustration over the lack of progress. McCulloch envisions the island as a sanctuary for domestic violence victims, drug addicts, and at-risk youth, alongside the proposed retreat center. Despite the setbacks, he remains determined to see his vision realized, even as he faces mounting challenges and skepticism from within his own political party.

A devastating accident in Belmopan on Thursday evening resulted in the death of an 18-year-old motorcyclist, Jonni Cano, and left another teenager, Hamin Pat, seriously injured. The collision occurred at the intersection of Saint Jude and Saint Matthew’s streets around 5 p.m. According to police reports, Cano was driving a Skygo motorcycle with Pat as his passenger when they collided head-on with a Westline Bus driven by 23-year-old Jonathan Estrada. The impact was severe, ejecting both riders from the motorcycle. While Pat remains in stable condition, Cano tragically succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital. Authorities have issued a Notice of Intended Prosecution to Estrada as investigations into the incident continue. This tragic event has left the community in mourning and raised concerns about road safety in the area.