标签： Belize

On May 5, 2026, a groundbreaking shift in Belize’s approach to criminal justice moved into the public spotlight at a joint symposium hosted by the University of Belize and the Leadership Intervention Unit. Unlike traditional correctional frameworks that prioritize punishment over reform, the event centered restorative justice—a model that reframes the justice system around accountability, victim healing, and second chances for justice-involved individuals. While policy experts and criminal justice leaders debated the future of the approach, the most resonant moment of the day came from a deeply personal firsthand account of life transformation after incarceration.

That story belongs to Lane Grinage, a reform advocate who once served time in a Belizean prison for a criminal conviction that altered the course of his life. When Grinage first entered the correctional system, he confronted the reality of the wrong turn he had taken—and found a new path through the Ashcroft Rehabilitation Center (ARC) program, a restorative justice initiative that teaches participants critical social and life skills to prepare them for reentry into society. For Grinage, the loss of freedom that came with his sentence also brought an unflinching moment of reckoning that pushed him to engage with restorative justice practices. Instead of only completing a court-ordered term, he was guided to confront the real human harm his actions had caused to victims and communities, laying the groundwork for long-term personal change.

Today, Grinage is out of prison and working to support other formerly incarcerated people as they rebuild their lives, but he openly acknowledges that the road to full societal reintegration has been far from easy. The persistent stigma of being labeled an ex-convict continues to create barriers, from employment discrimination to social exclusion that tests his commitment to reform. When asked whether bias against former inmates persists among employers and the broader business community, Grinage confirmed that discrimination remains widespread. Still, he maintains a pragmatic, determined outlook: consistent productivity and personal discipline will eventually open doors for those committed to turning their lives around.

During a discussion at the symposium, Grinage raised concerns about a persistent imbalance in Belize’s correctional system, noting that many facilities still prioritize harsh industrial discipline over meaningful rehabilitation. Nasir Acosta, director of Wagners Youth Facility, responded by affirming that this gap is exactly what restorative justice is designed to fill. Acosta explained that the core work of restorative programs lies in rebuilding the individual sense of self-worth that is often stripped away by the correctional system. Through these initiatives, participants learn to see themselves beyond the label of “offender” or “perpetrator,” developing the internal tools they need to sustain long-term change after reentry.

For criminal justice and criminology students at the University of Belize who attended the event, Grinage’s story offered a tangible, human perspective that cannot be learned from textbooks. Shaheed Mai, one of the participating students, noted that the account brought the theory of justice reform to life, highlighting that real change is possible when people have the drive to improve and access to supportive programming. The symposium closed with a reminder that justice is not only about holding people accountable for harm—it is also about creating space for transformation, one honest conversation and one second chance at a time. This report was prepared by Shane Williams for News Five.

In a landmark development for Belize’s juvenile justice reform efforts, criminal justice students from the University of Belize (UB) presented new, on-the-ground research at a national restorative justice symposium on May 5, 2026, offering a data-backed assessment of the Wagner Youth Facility’s flagship restorative justice programming for young male offenders.

The student-led case study, focused exclusively on one of the country’s primary youth detention centers, delivers a nuanced picture of progress alongside unaddressed gaps, turning academic inquiry into a actionable plan for systemic improvement. Lead researcher Shaheed Mai explained that the project, conducted alongside two fellow UB classmates, centered on evaluating whether the facility’s rehabilitative model is successfully breaking the cycle of recidivism for young male detainees.

“Our analysis confirms that the core restorative justice framework at Wagner’s is working,” Mai told attendees, noting that the facility has made tangible strides moving away from traditional punitive models toward a rehabilitation-centered approach. Still, the team uncovered critical unmet needs that are limiting long-term outcomes for detainees. Major gaps identified include insufficient access to vocational training, limited pathways to higher education, and ongoing stigma that leaves young people framed primarily as inmates rather than individuals working toward reinvention.

Mai shared that many detainees currently housed at the facility expressed a strong personal desire to build skills, repair harm done to their communities, and contribute productively after their release — outcomes that are out of reach for many without expanded support systems.

Wagner Youth Facility Director Nasir Acosta welcomed the independent student assessment, echoing the team’s focus on centering holistic rehabilitation to cut down on repeat offenses. Acosta emphasized that therapeutic work to help young offenders process their emotions and understand their actions is a foundational first step to lasting change. “Before a young person can find the internal motivation to make amends to society, they first need to understand themselves,” Acosta explained. “Many arrive here without a clear grasp of their own emotions, how they ended up in detention, or how they can navigate the world after release. That is why therapeutic work comes first — it helps them acknowledge where they went wrong, build self-awareness, and prepare to find their place and do better moving forward.”

The collaborative effort marks a rare example of student research directly shaping public sector reform, with the study’s recommendations set to serve as a roadmap for updating programming at one of Belize’s leading youth detention facilities. This report is adapted from a televised evening news transcript, with Kriol-language remarks standardized for clarity in written transcription.

Ten-year-old Raheem Nu’Man has built his young life around two very different, equally demanding passions, proving that ambition does not have to fit into a single box. For years, he has nurtured two big dreams: one on the soccer pitch, where he trains to become a professional player inspired by global icon Cristiano Ronaldo, and another in the classroom, where he has long chased a spot at the top of the regional Anglican Schools Spelling Bee Competition. That long-held dream became reality in 2025, when Raheem walked away from the competition with the first-place title, capping off months of disciplined daily study.

In May 2026, Raheem returned to the same competition venue at the invitation of organizers, but this time, he took on a new role: supporter and mentor for the new cohort of young spellers. Accompanied by his father Saleem Nu’Man, the 2025 champion spent the day encouraging competitors, sharing his own experience of the challenge and reward of the competition. For Raheem, the greatest value of the spelling bee extends far beyond the trophy. “The benefit of it is that you get to learn new and challenging words and helps you to know better words,” he explained of what the competition has given him.

What has stood out most to those around Raheem is not just his work ethic or his competitive success, but his uncommon empathy and character. Following his 2025 victory, Saleem Nu’Man recalled being genuinely surprised by his son’s immediate reaction. “Honestly he told me that he felt bad for the ones that did not win, that really caught me off guard. He felt bad winning, being the champion, the level of empathy,” the elder Nu’Man shared.

That empathy comes from Raheem’s own intimate understanding of how much work goes into competing. He recalled the rigor of his preparation for the 2025 event: “For me I personally studied every few days, for an hour or two, studying one hundred words every day. The most challenging part about studying is that everyday after school it was stressful and you have to do it everyday and it was just very nerve wrecking.” His years of preparation were no accident; spelling bee glory was a goal he nurtured from his earliest years in primary school. “It has been a dream of him from infant one, infant two, he always wanted to go into spelling bee. So, going through the years when he told me he was entering I was not surprised,” his father added.

For Jeremy Cayetano, General Manager of Anglican Primary Schools, events like this spelling bee fill a critical gap in modern childhood education. “We know it is important for children to know how to spell especially in this time in 2026 where text language is very prevalent,” Cayetano explained, noting that the competition aims to foster a love of language and mastery of core skills that will serve students for life.

With his spelling bee title secured, Raheem now turns his attention to the next set of goals he has set for his future. He plans to continue pursuing his two passions long into adulthood: “Well, me personally I would like to be a football player and a police officer. I like the law and sports,” he shared.

In the 2026 competition, Jair Gordon of Saint Andrews Anglican in the Cayo District took home the first place title, carrying on the legacy of excellence that Raheem helped establish a year prior. For Raheem, though, his experience has already taught him a lesson far more valuable than any trophy: success is not only about winning, but about the heart you bring to every challenge, and the kindness you show to others along the way.

On May 5, 2026, law enforcement in Belize City launched an investigation into a fatal public shooting that shook the community along the Philip Goldson Highway, a major thoroughfare that sees regular daily traffic. The brazen attack, carried out in full view of daytime passersby, has left one man dead and a second victim with non-fatal injuries, according to initial official updates.

Authorities have publicly identified the two men targeted in the attack as Hubert Baptist and Eric Fraser. The assault unfolded just after 3:00 p.m. local time, as the pair were traveling through the Mile 4 district near the Haulover Bridge. Within minutes of the incident, first responders arrived at the scene to secure the area and provide emergency medical care, but Baptist could not be saved.

Witness accounts and preliminary police reports detail a coordinated premeditated attack: a midsize sport utility vehicle pursued the victims’ car for an unknown distance before pulling alongside to the passenger or driver side. Once aligned, an unidentified gunman inside the pursuing vehicle opened fire directly on the victims. Multiple witnesses reported hearing more than 12 gunshots ring out in quick succession during the assault.

Struck by gunfire, the victims’ vehicle went off the road and lost control, eventually flipping over before coming to a stop. First responders extracted both men from the overturned vehicle immediately after the shooting.

As of the latest update, Belize City police have not released any information about possible suspects, motives for the attack, or a timeline for further public updates. This investigation remains an active, developing story, with law enforcement still processing evidence and interviewing witnesses to piece together the full sequence of events.

As the 2026 Anglican Schools Spelling Bee kicks off, a familiar face took a new spot in the crowd this year: last year’s champion, 10-year-old Raheem Nu’Man of All Saints Anglican Primary School, traded the competition stage for the audience to cheer on the next generation of young spellers.

Nu’Man claimed the 2025 championship title after months of rigorous preparation that saw him memorize and practice up to 100 new words every day. Looking back on the intensive training process, the young champion acknowledged the pressure of the experience, but emphasized that the challenge left him with valuable skills and unforgettable rewards.

“It was very challenging, but in the end it was nice,” Nu’Man shared in an interview ahead of this year’s competition.

Today, the 10-year-old balances his primary school academic work with his growing passion for football, and he has already set clear, ambitious goals for his future: he hopes to pursue careers as both a professional athlete and a police officer, working toward multiple dreams at once.

His father, Saleem Nu’Man, said that the trait that has stood out most to him since his son’s 2025 win is his remarkable humility for a child his age. Even after claiming the top spot, Raheem did not gloat over his victory; instead, he felt empathy for the fellow competitors who did not place high in the event.

“He felt bad for the ones who didn’t win,” Saleem Nu’Man shared.

Event organizers echoed the longstanding value of the annual spelling bee, noting that it remains a key educational activity to strengthen primary school students’ literacy, vocabulary, and language skills even as digital communication grows more pervasive in daily life and learning environments.

A full in-depth report on this year’s Anglican Schools Spelling Bee will air tonight on News 5 Live at 6:00 PM.

Every year on May 5, people across North America gather for street parties, plates of savory tacos, and icy margaritas to mark Cinco de Mayo — but for many celebrants, the deep historical meaning behind the date remains widely misunderstood. A common misconception frames the holiday as Mexico’s celebration of independence from Spanish rule, but the actual historical event it honors is far more specific, and far more remarkable: the 1862 Battle of Puebla, where an outnumbered Mexican force pulled off an upset victory against one of Europe’s most powerful armies.

Leading the ragtag Mexican militia was General Ignacio Zaragoza, who commanded a force of roughly 4,000 poorly supplied troops that stood against more than 6,000 well-trained, well-equipped French soldiers. At the time, France had invaded Mexico with plans to seize control of Mexican territory and install a European-backed puppet regime. Against all military expectations, Zaragoza’s troops defeated the French invasion force at Puebla, a major victory that became a enduring symbol of Mexican national resilience and resistance to foreign aggression.

Today, the holiday is observed with far less fanfare across most of Mexico, with large-scale celebrations concentrated almost exclusively in the city of Puebla where the battle took place. But across the border in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has grown into one of the most widely celebrated cultural holidays honoring Mexican-American heritage, transforming over more than 150 years into a vibrant showcase of Mexican art, music, food, and community identity.

Historical records show the earliest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the U.S. date all the way back to the 1860s, just months after the Battle of Puebla. During the height of the American Civil War, Mexican communities living in California held organized gatherings to mark the victory, as both the U.S. and Mexico opposed French intervention in North America. Over the following decades, the holiday spread across the country, boosted in part by marketing efforts from food and beverage companies that turned it into a mainstream cultural event.

While modern celebrations are often centered around food and drink, historians and community leaders emphasize that the core meaning of Cinco de Mayo endures: it is a reminder of what marginalized, outnumbered communities can achieve when they stand together in defense of their sovereignty and identity, a legacy that still resonates with Mexican and Mexican-American communities today.

It has now been two weeks since Jericho Humes, a 39-year-old father of three from Dangriga, was laid to rest — but his grieving family has not been able to find closure, as key details surrounding his April 2026 disappearance and death remain locked behind official silence.

Humes was last seen by his loved ones on April 1, 2026, before he vanished without warning. Weeks later, local police recovered a heavily decomposed body in an undisclosed location, and DNA testing confirmed the remains belonged to the missing man, Humes’ older sister Arsenia Humes told local reporters in an interview this week.

After months of waiting for news of their missing family member, the Humes family finally received Jericho’s remains and held a private burial service roughly 14 days ago. But the resolution the family had hoped for never materialized, Arsenia explained, because authorities have refused to share basic information about the case and denied the family’s request for an independent autopsy.

“His whole death just feels wrong, it feels off,” Arsenia said of her brother. “I formally requested a full autopsy to find out how he died, but I was told it could not be done. When police released his body to us, they told us nothing — no cause of death, no where they found him, no details about what condition he was in when he was found.”

Arsenia described her brother as a well-known member of their small Dangriga community who struggled with alcohol abuse but was never a violent or confrontational person. She said the complete lack of a formal investigation into his death is deeply alarming, not just for her family, but for other residents of the area.

“He drank often, that’s true, but he was always calm,” she emphasized. “I don’t understand why there hasn’t been any investigation into what happened to him. Police need to do this work, they can’t just leave this case open and unanswered. If they let this go, what’s to stop this from happening to someone else here?”

Troubling evidence collected by the family in the early days of Humes’ disappearance raises even more questions about the case. Shortly after Humes went missing, family members went to check his home and found it had been ransacked: windows were smashed, the front door had been forced open, and a partially burned cap was left inside the property.

A week after Humes vanished, one of his family members also received a ransom call from a phone number registered in Mexico. The caller demanded a $10,000 payment for Humes’ safe release, and accompanied the demand with a photo showing a knife pressed to Humes’ neck, as well as audio recordings of the kidnapping. The family turned over all of this evidence to police immediately, Arsenia confirmed, but has not gotten any update on what investigators have done with the materials.

Nearly two months after Humes’ disappearance and two weeks after his burial, the Humes family says they will not stop pushing for transparency and a full investigation into Jericho’s death. They have called on local law enforcement to release all public details of the case and answer the basic questions that have left them grieving without closure.