Chester Williams is preparing to leave his current role as police commissioner. He told reporters today that he’s hopeful that the department remains “effective” after his departure.
He also stated that he found the letter issued by Sharole Rose Carr-Saldivar, CEO of the Ministry of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, “displeasing.”
“I worked 33 years to be where I am, and I was extremely displeased with the letter,” he said. “The CEO has no legal authority to have wrote the letter that she did. I had already explained to our minister, Kareem, what I intend to do before leaving.”
According to Williams, he opted to leave his current post and “move over to my new era of responsibility.” He said, “To be able to avoid any in-house fighting, I decided that it’s best I pop up and leave… I don’t want to have a fight with nobody.”
When questioned about a series of transfers within the police department ahead of his leave, including one for his special assistant, Williams said it had already been discussed and approved by the minister before being carried out.
“Whatever I did, I had explained to the minister before I did. And I’ll leave it at that,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries, praised Williams’ tenure as commissioner, stating, “Belize has undoubtedly seen one of the greatest commissioners.” He added, “His record speaks for itself; I think you can look at his entire tenure in office – it has been an accomplished record.”
Two officers from the Anti-Narcotics and Special Patrol Units were detained and released in connection to the recent drug plane landing near Graham Creek, Toledo.
Information is that the names of these police officers appeared on a list of individuals who had received $50,000 USD for facilitating the landing. When asked about it, Police Commissioner Chester Williams said, “Those officers were brought in just as we would’ve done with any other ordinary person. They went through the mills. We put together an investigative team of senior investigators to investigate that matter to see if there was anything credible to the information. So far we have not been able to unearth anything to indicate that those police officers were involved in that plane landing.
Williams added that the officers had voluntarily submitted their electronic devices for forensic examination by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Again, the fact that they agreed to that showed how transparent they want to be with the investigation.”
The aircraft landed near the Guatemalan border and was deliberately set on fire after use. Authorities also detained a village council official after communication equipment was found at their residence.
Outgoing Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters this morning that the first quarter of 2025, as it relates to crime statistics, “looks good.”
He said, “It’s not what I would want it to be. Certainly, you would know that I am very big in terms of preserving life…those type of crimes that affect life, like murders and attempted murders and so forth, are the ones that I would normally do my best to guard against, and again, for the simple fact that they do affect the livelihoods of others.”
Williams added that the number of murders is down compared to the same period in 2024. “Overall, major crime is down by 7% compared to the same period to last year.”
“I am happy that I am handing over to the incoming commissioner with a crime rate below last year’s figure.”
The fate of TikTok in the US hangs in the balance once more. The platform first “went dark” for US users in January after a law took effect and banned the app unless it was sold by its parent company, ByteDance.
The app came back online less than a day after, just as Donald J. Trump took office as the 47th president of the US. He signed an executive order and delayed its sale or ban by 75 days, which will be up by Saturday, April 5.
According to the BBC, if a sale is not finalised by 5 April, TikTok could be pulled from app stores this time.
Trump has hinted at extending the deadline, saying the administration is in talks with multiple potential buyers, including Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, Elon Musk, and companies like Microsoft.
The BBC reported that there are reports of a 50-50 partnership between ByteDance and the US government.
Should TikTok be banned, competitors such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts stand to benefit from the app’s 170 million US users, according to the BBC.
The first African woman begins her leadership as the new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has officially taken office and marked a historic moment for this role as the one to lead the association of 56 countries.
In her inaugural speech on April 1, 2025, Botchwey pointed out the global challenges ahead, from economic instability to the escalating climate crisis. She stressed the urgent need for the organisation to unite and take bold action in these uncertain times. “The challenges we face are real and serious, but together we are more than equal to them,” she said.
Botchwey added, “The value of our Commonwealth stands in bold relief in a time like this. For over 75 years, the Commonwealth has been a unique and powerful force for good. Now we must seize the moment to realise the transformation our societies seek.”
Botchwey committed to three strategic priorities for her tenure, including empowering youth and women, revitalising trade, and tackling climate change head-on. She said her leadership will focus on continuing the “values that bind us – democracy, good governance, peace, human rights, and equal opportunity.”
“It is a great honour to be the first African woman to serve as Secretary-General,” Botchwey stated.
This time around, the tariffs threaten to escalate the ongoing trade war and disrupt the global economy. Details of the tariff plans remain vague, but the measures, which are set to take effect immediately, could include universal tariffs on all imports, potentially reaching up to 20%, according to CNN.
CNN also reported that the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the tariffs would roll out, despite concerns from investors, economists, and business leaders about their potential economic impact. “If that happens, we get a serious recession,” Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, told CNN on Tuesday. Zandi predicted the tariffs could lead to millions of job losses and a 1.7% drop in GDP.
According to CNN, while Trump’s advisers are publicly backing the tariffs, some fear the move could result in retaliatory tariffs from other nations that can harm US industries.
There are growing concerns over recession and stagflation, but the White House maintains that the tariffs are necessary to protect American workers. “It’s for their kids and their grandkids to ensure that there are jobs here in the United States of America for their children to live the American Dream,” Leavitt said at a press briefing Tuesday afternoon.
He was also charged with three counts of aggravated assault, two counts of damage to property, one count of dangerous harm, and one count of use of deadly means of harm.
According to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, the officers were responding to reports of an armed individual when they approached Flowers. “He took out a firearm and fired multiple shots at the vehicle,” Williams said. Chub was hit four times but was later treated and released from the hospital.
After fleeing on a motorcycle, Flowers engaged in a high-speed chase with police, firing at officers and damaging their vehicle. He was eventually apprehended when officers knocked him off his bike. A 9mm pistol was recovered from him, and he remains in custody awaiting charges.
On Monday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero stated, “Santiago Garcia and Jason Sharp went to the residence of Smith to purchase cannabis. There was an altercation between them. A fight started, at which point Smith took out a knife and inflicted the injuries to both persons.”
According to Garcia’s sister, Melissa Lemus, Smith had intentions of hurting her brother for about a year. She said, “We know that it was a threat from years ago… he was telling other people that he would do something to my brother.”
Both Sharp and Garcia received stab wounds and were taken to the hospital, where Sharp received treatment, and Garcia was pronounced dead.
Twenty-year-old Coby Ledlon was shot on Monday morning on Iguana Street Extension, just around the corner from his home on Pelican Street Extension. The police were in the middle of a media briefing about the weekend’s crime news when the morning’s quiet was shattered by gunshots. Officers quickly rushed to the scene and, within an hour, detained three individuals as the investigation continues. News Five’s Marion Ali has the story.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, along with A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, was among the first to respond to the mid-morning shooting of twenty-year-old Coby Ledlon on Monday. They were in the midst of briefing the media on the weekend’s crime news when they got word of the fresh shooting. The Scenes of Crime officers arrived at the location and secured the perimeter. Coby Ledlon was shot by an unknown attacker while standing in front of a gate on Iguana Street Extension. Residents reported hearing two gunshots. Ledlon was hit twice in the upper body and collapsed to the ground. He was quickly rushed to K.H.M.H.
His mother arrived at the scene just minutes later and was seen getting into a vehicle to meet her critically wounded son at the hospital. Before Ledlon’s passing, the family had planned a candlelight vigil for tonight to pray for his recovery. Now, they are preparing for his funeral. A.C.P. Hilberto Romero informed reporters shortly after the shooting that investigators had detained three suspects.
“A short while ago, police responded to a shooting here at Iguana Street Extension. Upon arrival they saw Cody Ledlan, with a gunshot injury. He was taken to the K.H.M.H. for treatment. Initial investigation is that he was in this area when two persons came, one fired shots towards him. He was taken to the K.H.M.H. in critical condition at this time. Initial information is that there is an internal feud with persons in this area.”
Reporter
“Have you guys detained anyone as yet?
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“Yes, we have three persons in custody who were apprehended a short distance away from this area.”
Reporter
“Can you confirm if they knew each other; how many of them were gathering in the yard?”
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“Yes. We have information that they all know each other.”
Up to news time, no charges had been filed against anyone. Marion Ali for News Five.
It’s been over three weeks since Joseph Garcia tragically died after crashing into the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital while desperately seeking medical help for gunshot wounds. Garcia, along with passengers Ronlee Petillo and Shamar Faber, was driving along the Phillip Goldson Highway when they were suddenly attacked. While Petillo and Faber were lucky to survive, Garcia sadly didn’t make it. His mother is still searching for closure. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
On March eleventh, three individuals made headlines after their vehicle crashed into the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Behind the wheel was twenty-two-year-old Joseph Garcia, who tragically lost his life in the crash. Today, Garcia’s mother, Rosalia McLaughlyn, is still seeking answers.
Rosalie McLaughlyn
Rosalie McLaughlyn, Mother of Deceased
“I just need justice fi mi son because it’s been three weeks now, right? And then I really not di get no answers. I really noh hear nothing about the case. And then as a grieving mother, it hurt and thing, and then fi she that how my son dead inna the type of way, it very hurt because my son was innocent as to what was said on the news when it happened.”
McLaughlyn says that the case hasn’t seen much progress, and she’s desperate for answers. She explains that her son was just an innocent victim, caught in the deadly attack after he kindly offered Faber and Petillo a ride into Belize City. This was confirmed by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams in his initial briefing of the incident.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police (File: March 11th, 2025)
“The young man who died is certainly innocent. He is from Dangriga. Apparently, he just came up and took Petillo to the Maxboro area and because he was with Petillo he became a victim of those circumstances.”
Both Petillo and Faber have been discharged from the hospital. Petillo, also known as Nino Brown, is now paralyzed due to his injury. KHMH CEO Chandra Cansino described the sheer force of Garcia’s crash into the building.
Chandra Cansino
Chandra Cansino, C.E.O., KHMHA (File: March 11th, 2025)
“They came straight to the hospital. Unfortunately, I think because of the seriousness of the injuries, the driver was unable to make it to the emergency unit. They drove straight into the building. Where you saw the truck is actually the cafeteria and so, thankfully, there are no patients there, but we do have our staff there. So we were concerned both for them and the integrity of the building.”
McLaughlyn states that while nothing can bring her son back, justice would bring her some closure.
Rosalie McLaughlyn
“I really haven’t gotten any closure as yet and if something would’ve come up, somebody detained or wa suspect, at least I would’ve feel wa relief and at least they’re coming a step closer, to find who is responsible or something like that. So that just how I feel, and I mean that my oldest child and fi see the way he he get killed. It really hurt me. It really hurt me.”
Garcia is fondly remembered by his family and friends as a joyful and humble soul, always smiling and eager to learn from others. McLaughlyn feels her son’s life was tragically cut short and hopes that by reaching out to the public and the police department, some progress will be made in the case.
Rosalie McLaughlyn
“The day when I get this news, because he went up the Thursday and he was supposed to come back home on the Sunday and the Sunday morning when I get this news, it very heartbreaking for me. You understand? Very heartbreaking. And so I just mi di appeal to the police, something they’re must missing. Or even the public, somebody that knows something that can help with the case. Something weh ney di miss maybe somebody could come forward and say something,”
