标签： Belize

Belize marked the annual commemoration of its founding father, the Right Honourable George Cadle Price, with a solemn ceremony at Independence Hall in Belize City on January 15th. The event transcended political formalities to celebrate the philosophical foundations Price instilled in the nation’s consciousness.

Henry Charles Usher, Price’s great-grandnephew and a prominent political figure, articulated the deeper significance of the day during his address. “When we speak about George Price, we are not only speaking about independence and politics. We are speaking about a mindset,” Usher stated, emphasizing his great-granduncle’s core tenets: leadership as service, the primacy of the people, and democracy as a daily practice rather than a mere decoration. He framed the day as a vital reminder that the nation was forged through “faith, patience, and a steady commitment to unity.”

Prime Minister John Briceño echoed this sentiment, recalling Price’s personal counsel that public service represents the highest calling for any Belizean, demanding seriousness of purpose but not self-importance. This philosophy of humble service was a recurring theme, with Usher adding that for Price, leadership was never about “portfolios or positions” but fundamentally about “people” and executing the work they entrusted to their leaders.

However, the report by Shane Williams for News Five presents a contrasting public perception. For many citizens and the business community, George Price Day is often viewed pragmatically as another costly public holiday that halts economic activity without delivering tangible benefits—a perspective met with some ire from commercial sectors.

In response to this critique, Usher proposed a transformative vision for the holiday’s future. Advocating for a rebranding of January 15th as a ‘National Education Day,’ he urged Belizeans to honor Price’s legacy by dedicating the time to self-improvement and learning. “I am hoping that January fifteenth can evolve… A day when Belizeans take some time to learn something new,” Usher suggested, encouraging activities like reading or acquiring new skills to make informed decisions for home and country. This, he argued, would align with Price’s own advocacy for using leisure time productively for personal and national advancement.

A law enforcement officer from the Belize Police Department has been placed under formal investigation following the emergence of a controversial video depicting an altercation with a civilian. The incident occurred in Belize City during a family gathering held to mourn the passing of an infant, where attendees had assembled both within the residence and along the adjacent roadway.

Digital footage disseminated across social media platforms captures police personnel instructing mourners to relocate indoors. The situation rapidly escalates as verbal exchanges occur between officers and civilians, culminating in the apparent shoving of a female individual who was documenting the encounter. The force exerted resulted in the woman falling to the ground.

The viral nature of this recording has ignited substantial public condemnation and revived ongoing debates regarding appropriate police conduct and community relations. Senior Superintendent Reymundo Reyes, serving as Eastern Division Regional Commander, has officially verified that the case has been forwarded to the Professional Standards Branch for comprehensive examination.

Superintendent Reyes provided additional context regarding police operations during such gatherings: “Our officers approach these situations with the primary objective of incident prevention. When individuals congregate in street areas, they potentially become targets for violence. We have repeatedly witnessed how public gatherings can attract opportunistic shootings.” While acknowledging that the officer’s execution may have lacked professionalism, Reyes emphasized that the underlying intention was to ensure public safety by moving people to more secure areas.

Authorities have indicated that the investigation will proceed formally should the affected party file an official complaint at a police station. This episode has sparked broader conversations about balancing public safety protocols with respectful community engagement during sensitive events.

BELIZE CITY – Two individuals are currently under police detention following a shooting incident that occurred in the vicinity of Midnight Lounge during the early hours of the morning. Law enforcement authorities have identified the suspects as Guadelupe Escalante, 28, and Kenyon Maskall, 19.

The investigation was initiated after police discovered multiple expended shell casings scattered across the pavement and within a red Kia Soul vehicle parked near the establishment. A comprehensive search of the automobile yielded significant evidence, including a .38 caliber revolver and twenty-two live rounds of ammunition.

According to official statements from Senior Superintendent Reymundo Reyes, Regional Commander of the Eastern Division, the violent episode originated from a physical confrontation inside the nightclub premises before escalating into gunfire outside the establishment. “We responded to reports of a shooting incident. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported from this event,” Superintendent Reyes confirmed.

Police intervention led to the successful interception of the vehicle containing both suspects. The law enforcement official further elaborated that “a search was conducted on the vehicle, which led to the discovery of a .38 revolver and ammunition on board.”

The two detained men are expected to face serious criminal charges related to illegal firearm possession. Superintendent Reyes indicated that “persons will definitely be charged for kept firearm without a gun license and ammunition” as the investigation continues to develop.

In a significant community-led security enhancement initiative, local businesses in Belize City have donated a fully-equipped police booth to the Belize Police Department. The new structure, located on Orange Street, replaces a temporary tent previously used by officers operating at a critical checkpoint between rival gang territories in the Taylors Alley and George Street areas.

Senior Superintendent Reymundo Reyes, Regional Commander of the Eastern Division, explained the operational importance of this upgrade. “Administration previously removed tents from this and other city locations after observing reduced officer mobility and a concerning spike in shooting incidents within close proximity,” stated Reyes. “The community itself identified the need and approached administration in Belmopan to facilitate this donation.”

The strategically positioned booth serves as a business hub transit point, enabling police to more effectively minimize armed robberies and shootings through consistent presence. While currently operational with open doors for ventilation, authorities are addressing design modifications. “This afternoon I will have somebody take measurements for rear windows to maintain visual surveillance of approaching vehicles and individuals,” Reyes confirmed regarding security enhancements.

Though constructed primarily from plastic materials, the structure provides essential shelter from extreme heat and offers officers a secure space for meal breaks during extended shifts. Superintendent Reyes emphasized departmental appreciation for the donation, noting it significantly improves working conditions while strengthening crime prevention capabilities in one of the city’s most challenging security environments.

In an innovative approach to holistic healing, Belize is witnessing the emergence of Creole Kulcha Therapy—a therapeutic practice that harnesses the power of traditional music, dance, and storytelling to foster mental wellness and cultural preservation. Spearheaded by Wilford Felix, President of the National Creole Council and certified mental health counselor, this movement represents a unique synthesis of cultural celebration and psychological healing.

Felix’s methodology draws from profound childhood memories of improvisational music-making using everyday objects like buckets, glass bottles, and graters. These early experiences evolved into a dedicated mission to preserve Creole cultural traditions following the passing of elder pioneers. As a second-generation member of the Boom and Chime band, Felix maintains century-old musical traditions, including playing a drum crafted shortly after the 1931 hurricane that remains operational today.

The therapeutic sessions are intentionally designed as participatory experiences that combat modern mental health challenges like depression and anxiety by facilitating social connection—a fundamental human need often inhibited by these conditions. Through call-and-response patterns, rhythmic engagement, and collective movement, participants experience what Felix describes as “cultural repair” that operates on deeper psychological levels than mere entertainment.

This innovative approach has found synergistic partnership with Michelle Shanti Williams of Om Shanti Belize, who recognizes parallel elements between Creole Kulcha Therapy and Eastern practices like Kirtan chanting and free movement meditation. Their collaboration offers designated spaces for varied engagement—from active participation to meditative listening—accommodating different comfort levels while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

The practice represents more than cultural preservation; it demonstrates how traditional art forms can address contemporary mental health needs while strengthening community bonds and cultural identity. As Felix emphasizes, the healing power of cultural expression lies in its ability to reconnect individuals with their roots, their community, and ultimately, with themselves.

Belize City authorities have launched a formal investigation into an early morning shooting incident that transpired in proximity to the Midnight Lounge and Night Club on January 16, 2026. The episode, occurring approximately at 3 a.m., culminated in the interception of a vehicle and the subsequent confiscation of an unlicensed firearm.

Senior Superintendent Raymundo Reyes provided official commentary regarding the police operation. “Law enforcement personnel successfully intercepted an automobile containing two individuals,” Reyes stated to press representatives. “A comprehensive search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of one .38 caliber revolver alongside corresponding ammunition.”

Despite initial reports of gunfire discharge, police authorities have confirmed that the incident resulted in no physical injuries to civilians or officers. The two occupants of the vehicle now face serious legal consequences, with official charges being prepared for unlicensed possession of both firearm and ammunition.

While police investigations remain ongoing, preliminary reports from eyewitnesses suggest the situation originated from a verbal confrontation inside the establishment involving 28-year-old driver Guadelupe Pedro Escalante and passenger Kenyon Maskall. The altercation reportedly continued outside the nightclub premises, ultimately escalating to the discharge of firearms and the subsequent police intervention.

A Belize City police officer is under formal investigation by the Professional Standards Branch after video footage of an altercation showing the officer shoving a woman during a family wake went viral on social media platforms. The incident has triggered significant public outcry and raised questions about police conduct during community interactions.

Senior Superintendent Raymundo Reyes provided context for the officer’s actions, stating the intervention was primarily motivated by safety concerns. He explained that police officers frequently intervene in such situations to minimize risks and protect civilians from becoming potential targets of crime, particularly shootings, in areas known for violence.

According to the viral footage, the incident occurred outside a residence where a family was holding a wake for their deceased infant. The grieving mother, who was recorded standing near her doorway, explained to officers that she saw no necessity to move completely indoors. The confrontation escalated when an officer questioned, “Is this a veranda then?” before physically pushing the woman recording the incident, causing her to fall to the ground.

Superintendent Reyes acknowledged the problematic nature of the officer’s conduct, conceding that while the intention was to move civilians to a safer area, the execution was fundamentally flawed. “Maybe the way how the police officer handled the situation was not that perfect or professional, but his intent was to have them in a safe area inside the premises,” Reyes stated during a press briefing.

The law enforcement official confirmed that the officer will undergo internal review procedures. Furthermore, authorities indicated that should a formal complaint be filed by the affected family, the investigation would expand to include additional disciplinary measures and potential sanctions based on established protocols for professional conduct violations.