Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) were found operating within Belizean territory for the second time last week. Reports of the Guatemalan naval ships in Belizean waters first emerged on Saturday morning. One of the ships named Quetzal was spotted off the coast of Barranco Village.
Despite being informed by the BDF that they were outside their jurisdiction and provided with GPS coordinates, the Guatemalan forces refused to leave. The situation was only resolved when the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) intervened. Several hours went by before the Guatemalan vessels departed
Major Roberta Usher, Chief of Staff of the BDF, said that the patrol, which was routine, detected the Guatemalan vessels near their Forward Operating Base (FOB). The vessels, numbering between three and five, were seen moving between Belizean and Guatemalan waters over the weekend. The BDF conducted reconnaissance and collected information, while the Coast Guard mapped the territorial boundaries. Authorities are now awaiting confirmation on whether the Guatemalan vessels were illegally intruding or if there were other issues at play. The BDF is working to gather all necessary information before determining if any breach of sovereignty occurred.
In response to these incidents, the United Democratic Party has criticised the Guatemalan actions as intimidation and is urging the Briceño administration to establish a formal protocol for operations on the Sarstoon River.
Every September 10, Belize celebrates the historic Battle of St. George’s Caye, which took place from September 3 to 10 in 1798. This historic conflict saw British woodcutters, known as Baymen, fend off Spanish forces off the coast of what was then ‘British Honduras.’ The Baymen’s victory led to the establishment of the settlement as a British colony and shaped Belize’s future as an English-speaking nation.
The annual commemoration ceremony was held at Belize City’s House of Culture. Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner spoke about the historical significance of the battle. He stated, “226 years ago, the baymen, free men, and the enslaved found it important to stand united and firm against a mighty force… They fought to preserve a dream. A dream of a land where we can all live free, where our future would be our own to shape.”
Wagner also emphasised the importance of embracing modern advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI). He highlighted AI’s potential to revolutionise Belize’s future, from improving weather forecasts to enhancing healthcare services. Wagner urged Belizeans to adopt a bold and ambitious approach, using the E-Bus transportation project as a model for progress. “We must be willing to work, especially when it is necessary to carry us forward,” he added.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology, was the ceremony’s keynote speaker, and echoed Wagner’s call for forward-thinking. He urged Belizeans to consider the legacy they wish to leave for future generations, advocating for “unity over division, action over complacency, and hope over despair.” Fonseca called for collective effort to build a stronger, more just, and united Belize, “Let us honour the sacrifices of those who came before us by building a Belize that is stronger, more just, and more united,” Fonseca added.
The ceremony concluded with the official crowning of the New Queen of the Bay, Queen Deanni Laing.
The Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, Logistics, and E-Governance has rolled out a new initiative aimed at boosting sustainability and supporting the livelihoods of fishermen in Stann Creek. Today, 100 solar kits were distributed to local fishermen in Dangriga Town. This provides them with a reliable, eco-friendly source of energy to improve their operations.
The solar kits, which include high-efficiency solar panels, batteries, and energy-efficient lighting, will enable fishermen to power essential equipment with minimal environmental impact. These kits offer a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, helping to lower operational costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This initiative, funded by the European Union through the Lait Up Belize Technical Assistance Project, aims to improve economic efficiency, cut energy costs, and enhance safety during nighttime fishing activities with solar-powered lighting. Training and support were provided to ensure that fishermen are able to fully utilise the technology.
The Ministry views this as a significant step forward in empowering local communities and promoting sustainable development in Belize. It is expected that this project will positively impact the fishing industry in Stann Creek while also contributing to larger global efforts to combat climate change.
A tragic road accident in the Orange Walk District has claimed the life of 18-year-old Alvin Guardado. Guardado, a labourer from Blue Creek, was reportedly driving in an area between San Felipe and August Pine Ridge, known as “El Rancho,” when he crashed into a cow. He was severely injured, including a large open wound to his forehead.
Guardado was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital by ambulance. However, despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The incident happened on Monday night.
Guardado’s father explained that his son was on his way home after visiting his girlfriend.
An AR-15 rifle has been reported missing from the Belize Defence Force (BDF) training hall in the Corozal District. BDF personnel discovered the rifle’s absence during a recent inventory check, although it remains unclear when and how it went missing. According to BDF Chief of Staff Major Roberta Usher, the missing rifle was non-functional and used primarily for ceremonial purposes.
Despite its inoperability, Major Usher says that the BDF is taking the situation seriously and is actively working with law enforcement to locate the weapon and prevent similar incidents in the future. Usher also indicated that further details regarding the circumstances of the disappearance will emerge once the investigation progresses.
This is not the first time a BDF weapon has gone unaccounted for. In August 2023, an M4 commando rifle went missing from Camp Belizario in the Cayo District but was recovered by police ten days later.
A mother and her daughter were shot to death this morning in Corozal Town and the suspected killer, Deysha Hill’s ex-boyfriend, is on the run from police. The incident happened this morning, shortly before eleven o’clock when Edwin Marin reportedly stopped by Hill’s house and wanted to take custody of his daughter. In the process, there was an exchange of words between both parents during which Hill allegedly threatened Hill and her mother, Natasha Clarke. Marin left the residence and is said to have returned as a passenger on a motorcycle a short while later. He entered the home and reportedly opened fire on the mother and daughter, fatally wounding both women. It is a heartbreaking story that has left the community shaken and a manhunt is underway for Edwin Marin. Of note is that Marin is no stranger to the law and has a history as a violent offender. We begin our newscast this evening with an interview that was conducted with Shian White, the sibling of Natasha Clarke.
Shian White
Shian White, Relative of Deceased
“This morning at approximately 10:47 a.m., my sister, Natasha Vanessa Clarke, and my niece, Deysha Monique Hill, were brutally murdered in their home right here in Corozal Town. This is a situation that I wouldn’t want anybody to ever go through. I mean it’s still fresh. It turns out that my niece’s ex-boyfriend who had already threatened to kill here and has a history of domestic violence came earlier in the morning and wanted to take their daughter, their two-year-old daughter. My niece refused to let him take the child and then he said that he would come back and kill them. And at about 10:47, he came back on a motorcycle, as a passenger on a motorcycle. I am not a hundred percent sure, but they claim that the person who was driving the motorcycle is a Corozal run-man and at which point he entered the home and proceeded to shoot my sister and niece, killing both of them. So at this point in time, what we want is to have the authorities do their best effort to apprehend the suspect. His name is Edwin Marin. He has already been charged, I believe, for murder a few years ago and I don’t understand how it is possible that he is out. And there are a lot of families in Belize going through things like this and you never really understand it until supposed to do.”
This afternoon, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero provided a few details corroborating White’s account of what took place. He also confirmed that Edwin Marin was previously arrested when he ran afoul of the law. Our records reveal that Marin was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm in March 2020, following an incident when he opened fire on Vanessa Matus in Corozal Town. While she escaped unscathed, her attacker was arrested and later charged. Here’s ACP Romero, Regional Commander of Eastern Division.
“On September twenty-ninth, around 10:54 a.m., Corozal police visited a house in Corozal Town where they found two females with gunshot injuries. They were identified as Deysha Hill and Natasha Clarke. Information is that they were at the house when there was a domestic dispute with one Edwin Marin who pulled out a firearm and shot them both. They were taken to the hospital where both were pronounced dead. We are looking for Edwin Marin who fled from the area after the shooting.”
Reporter
“[Edwin] Marin, can you say when he was released from prison?”
Hilberto Romero
“I cannot say at this time. I need to check.”
Isani Cayetano
“This is seemingly someone who has run afoul of the law before. What background do you have on the suspect?”
Hilberto Romero
“I know he was charged before for one incident that is all I know. That is all we have on him at this time.”
Reporter
“Do you know the relationship between him and one of the victims?”
Hilberto Romero
“Yes, Deysha Hill has a child for him. They were in a relationship.”
Reporter
“Do you think that he might have fled across the border?”
Hilberto Romero
“We do not know at this time. All we know is that he fled from the area after the shooting.”
While the rest of the country celebrates Belize’s independence, one family is mourning after losing their loved one to gun violence on Saturday evening. Twenty-six-year-old Dornell Talbert was driving to his home in Double Head Cabbage Village when he was approached by a driver in a grey SUV, who proceeded to fire several shots in Talbert’s direction. Talbert was taken to the K.H.M.H. where he would succumb to his injuries. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
What should have been a day of celebrations ended in tragedy with the death of Dornell Talbert who was shot and killed in broad daylight. Like many other Belizeans that day, Talbert wanted to go see the carnival road march. He was on his way to his home in Double Head Cabbage to get ready for the occasion; but wouldn’t make it to his destination. Dornell’s grandmother, Rita Talbert, is still at a loss as to why he would be the target of such a heinous attack.
Rita Talbert
Rita Talbert, Grandmother of Deceased
“He’s a very handsome person. I never know he to get inna and no trouble with nobody. Just from work to home.”
Britney Gordon
“And what did he do for work?”
Rita Talbert
“Fisherman.”
Britney Gordon
“He worked at caye, right?”
Rita Talbert
“Yes.”
Britney Gordon
“So that day he was, he was going to work, and he was coming back?”
Rita Talbert
“No, he was going to a party. But then him a want go to the carnival. The police say he come and left from the party. But come home come change.”
Talbert was targeted in Scotland Halfmoon Village. It happened in the middle of the road, just a few steps away from a local barbershop. He was shot in his chest, the bullet exited through his shoulder. Police have several suspects in custody.
“On Saturday, the seventh day of September 2024, police responded to a shooting incident at Scotland Half Moon. Upon arrival, they learned that a male person had been shot and taken to the KHMH for treatment. Police visited the KHMH where they found Darrold Talbert with gunshot injuries and thereafter he was pronounced dead. Investigation revealed that Darrold Talbot was driving a vehicle in the area when another vehicle pulled up beside him and someone from that vehicle fired several shots towards him causing his fatal injuries. We have since recovered that vehicle and several suspects are in custody for this morning. Interviews continue at this time.”
Police believe that the incident stemmed from an ongoing rivalry in the River Valley area. According to Talbert’s family, he lived a simple life. He fished and spent time with his family as often as he could, working to build a home for himself.
Britney Gordon
“What kind of father was he?”
Rita Talbert
“He da a family father cuz he tek care of his kid.”
Britney Gordon
“What kind of dynamic did you guys have as a family?”
Rita Talbert
“We have a good relationship. No quarrels. No fight or nothing in the family.”
Dornell’s death is another hard blow to the family, who also lost a loved one not too long ago.
Rita Talbert
“Everybody start to cry, brukdown as she hear it about four o’clock it happen. Everybody start to bawl ad faint and thing cuz it hurt.”
Shelma Broaster
Shelma Broaster, Aunt of Deceased
“Cuz we just left from a funeral. We bury one a fi we friend. So we neva expect for get wa news like that. So it really rough. It rough.”
Neighbors and other residents say that until recently, Double Head Cabbage has always been a peaceful Village and that the spike in crime may be trickling in from neighboring villages. They recall the murder of Malcolm Reynolds who was shot and killed near the Boom and Hattieville junction in April. A feeling of unease has since settled within the surrounding areas. As for the Talbert family, they are mourning together and will continue to support each other as a family. Rita Talbert says she will remember her grandson fondly.
Reporter
“How would you want to remember him?”
Rita Talbert
“For his loving and kindness. He loving. He tell you he bring in some fish so me and my oldest daughter mi di come down fi go down soh and he tell mi oldest daughter, I got some fish fi you. Ih she but granny I left it down by mi stepfather so we did neva get the fish.”
Britney Gordon
“Did he used to do that often? Bring fish for you guys and his family?”
Rita Talbert
“Yes. Treat we good man. Ih give me money and all because when he meet me pon the road. He she weh happen granny? Ih she you want change then I tell he thank you and he give me fifty dollars. That da the last time I get money., this last trip when he come in. He give me the fifty dollars and I give my granddaughter ten and I kept forty. He mi quiet. No disrespectful. No disrespect nobody.”
A fifty-eight-year-old resident of Camalote Village was killed about a mile away from his home in that western community. Belhem Guzman, a father of three, was last seen on Thursday. His family grew concerned on Friday when they were unable to locate him. They made a Facebook post seeking public assistance to locate him and on Sunday morning a search party located his badly decomposed body off the side of the George Price Highway. Guzman’s body was found wrapped in a blanket with multiple stab and chop wounds. His murder has left the family and community in shock as they question who would want to hurt him. News Five’s Paul Lopez travelled west today. He filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The lifeless body of fifty-eight-year-old Belhem Guzman was found wrapped in a blanket in some bushes off the side of the George Price Highway. His hands were tied behind his back. His feet were also bound. Investigators found multiple stab and chop wounds on his body.
Telford Guzman
Telford Guzman, Brother of Deceased
“He dah somebody weh guh dah my house everyday or when ih want to miss. Thursday one of my daughter took food for him around six o’clock and he was not home> So when I come in like around after nine ten, I understand that some food the deh for ah, so I decided to take some food for him. When I reach ih house, cause he nuh got electricity. So I usually use my phone light. When I shout after him he would answer woi. So I decided the night, I would not shout for him. When I start to spot about the light I didn’t see him in so I gone back home.”
The following day, Telford stopped by but did not find his brother at home. His daughters also passed by and did not find him at home. That’s when the family grew concerned and took to social media to seek public assistance with locating Belhem Guzman.
Telford Guzman
“He always been seen and when nobody respond back and say they don’t see him we get concerned, because when nobody the see him something wrong. And my sister said we have to start to look. We get out the Sunday morning and some pf us went all the way to Armenia, because he have a daughter live down the road and some people said this and that and we really couldn’t understand what happened. And about after twelve to one my sister call me back and said they ground the man. When she said they find the man, she couldn’t talk to me, because it sounded like a hollering, like deh the bawl. So I continue the call the phone, but my siter in law pick up the phone and said they found the man. I asked, dead or alive. She said, dead, the body done the decompose. So, we just gone pan the site and when I see the situation of the man I knew it was a terrible thing, that somebody. I believe it is young people, but I nuh the stress pan that. The man tie up in a blanket. He does carry his bedding out, those are not his bedding. So from the time we saw that we knew he was murdered and the situation he was in. I looked at him. I didn’t get a full scene, but what I understand he was tied up. I also get fuh understand that his neck was cut.”
Telford Guzman believes that his brother was killed in a senseless act perpetrated by a group of young men in the area. He described Belhem Guzman as free-spirited with a colorful personality. One video obtained by News Five shows the deceased in a jovial mood, singing.
Telford Guzman
“In the village here, the provoked him by calling him a little nick name then yeah he have an action. But it is not like his action was… He get so much damage in his life, hundreds of damage and he never try respond to any of them. People do him crazy things and he never tried challenge it or make noise. We know he was not a person of violence.”
Paul Lopez
“A tough guy and I remember a time when a snake bit his finger, he chopped off his own finger to save himself.”
Telford Guzman
“Right over there by those coconut tree, he was getting coconut and he said a snake bit him and he cut off one of his middle finger and deh bway does always tell ah dah cock spur stin ah, but I believe the man see the snake and do that.”
Today, Telford and other relatives and friends were inside the Camalote Cemetery preparing a tomb for Belhem Guzman’s burial.
Telford Guzman
“When we see that situation that is not knockdown, that is cruelty that dah murder. We the try keep piece and we wah do what we have to do and hope for a better day, that is all.”
Police are still working to ascertain a motive behind the murder of fifty-eight-year-old Belhem Guzman. Today, A.C.P Hilberto Romero told reporters that their investigation is yet to produce a suspect.
“Police visited Camalote Village and about one hundred and fifty feet off the highway they saw the lifeless body of a male person. He was identified as Belhem Guzman. He had chop wounds to his body. He was declared dead and transported to the medical facility. And investigation is being carried out at this time and we have no suspects at this time. He was last seen two days prior to his body being found.”
Reporter
“He is an elderly man, well known in the village. The family suspects that younger residents in the village attacked him.”
A.C.P Hilberto Romero
“We do not know at this time. The investigation is ongoing right now. No motive at this time.”
