标签： Belize

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.

The Belize Bus Owners Association (BBA) has issued a forceful condemnation of two bus drivers captured in a viral social media video engaging in a physical confrontation. The widely circulated footage depicts one driver boarding another bus on a public highway, issuing threats, and launching a physical assault against the other operator.

In an official statement released on January 16, 2026, the transportation industry group characterized the behavior as ‘completely unacceptable’ for the public transit sector. The association emphasized that such conduct jeopardizes passenger safety, erodes public trust, and tarnishes the reputation of the entire industry.

The BBA further clarified that neither bus line involved in the incident holds membership within their organization. The association explicitly stated it does not represent or affiliate with the operators shown in the video, noting their actions contradict the standards and code of conduct maintained by BBA members.

Despite the non-affiliation, the association announced plans to contact the involved operators to address the serious public safety concerns and promote industry stability. The BBA reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward violence and misconduct within the transportation sector, committing to continued advocacy for standards that protect both passengers and operators while preserving the integrity of Belize’s public transportation system.

Authorities in Belize have launched a coordinated nationwide offensive against illegal logging operations, resulting in significant legal penalties and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The enforcement initiative, spearheaded by the Forest Department in collaboration with the Programme for Belize, Belize Defence Force, and local police, has uncovered substantial unauthorized timber harvesting across different regions.

In a major operation on January 9, enforcement teams intercepted five individuals in the Shipyard area of Orange Walk District found in possession of 31 mahogany logs without valid harvesting or possession permits. The suspects were apprehended and formally charged with unlawful possession of forest produce. The confiscated timber remains secured under Forest Department custody as judicial proceedings continue.

Just two days later on January 11, maritime authorities discovered another significant violation aboard the vessel ‘Surveyor’ near Caye Caulker. The inspection revealed 25 palm logs, each measuring approximately 16 feet in length, transported without required forestry permits or seaworthy certification. Three individuals—Ronal Noe Martinez, Donald Guevara, and Johan Penner—were detained in connection with the incident.

Penner subsequently entered a guilty plea in court and received a substantial penalty of BZ$7,500 plus court costs, with payment required by December 2027. Failure to comply with the financial penalty carries a potential one-year prison sentence. Additionally, Penner faces separate charges from the Belize Port Authority for maritime regulatory violations.