The tragic murder of Orosco remains shrouded in mystery as police continue to search for a motive. Despite his father’s assurance that Orosco had no ties to street gangs, the Commissioner of Police, Doctor Richard Rosado, revealed today that Orosco’s residence in a highly unstable area may have played a role in his untimely death. The community’s volatility adds a complex layer to the investigation, leaving many questions unanswered.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“Presently, we are still exploring several theories to establish the motive, but we do know that his connection to a certain faction, while he might not be an active member of a group, the area in which he lives is associated to one of the affiliates in the Martin’s area.”
Reporter
“So was he kind of an innocent casualty?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“I wouldn’t want to get into the merits and demerits of the case, but we do know that all the recent shootings – they’re closely connected to the rivalry in the Martins [area] between the two main factions.”
Just a week into his new role, Police Commissioner Doctor Richard Rosado is already dealing with a surge in gun violence in the Belize District. Despite the challenges, Rosado remains unfazed and committed to restoring peace in Lake I. While he hasn’t specified when a State of Emergency might be declared, over sixty individuals are already in custody. If implemented, the S.O.E. could see those detained held for at least six months. Rosado also plans to reassign police officers to better address the situation. He assured that the upcoming union demonstration in Belmopan on Friday won’t interfere with current policing efforts.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“I want to start off by saying that with the death of Brandon Baptist, the security threat was high, and with the shooting with of Rojas, it has now escalated to a critical level. So at present we are discussing with the National Security Council to see if we will implement a State of Emergency, but I do believe that at the critical stage that it is right now, there’s a need for it. I believe that one month will not suffice, two months will not suffice and we must start off at six months at the very least. But at any case, there must be some drastic measures to be taken. But before I continue with that, I want to assure the public that we’re using all available resources. We’re deploying all available resources to ensure that we restore peace, safety, and normalcy to the streets. Those incidents that recently happened, it’s totally unacceptable. And we are doing everything that is possible to bring those individuals to justice. With change in any command vacancy will be created and with vacancies, we must put people that are best fitted and qualified in those posts. And it is true that we have a number of – when one vacancy opens, it creates a number of other vacancies. So, there will be a number of shuffling that will be happening around.”
Reporter
“If the S.O.E is implemented, any idea if that is going to affect the unions’ plan to demonstrate in Belmopan, given that the police may be stretched thin?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“The unions have a right to demonstrate as long as they do that in the context of the law and we support any peaceful demonstration provided it is done in the context of the law and the unions have always done their demonstration peacefully, so I don’t so expect anything out of the ordinary.”
In a shocking display of audacity, the murder of Kadeem Orosco happened right under a public surveillance camera this morning, raising serious concerns. This isn’t the first time such a brazen act has been captured on camera, prompting us to question the newly appointed Police Commissioner about the effectiveness of these surveillance tools in solving high-profile murders. As the community grapples with this latest tragedy, the spotlight is on law enforcement to deliver justice and restore a sense of security.
Marion Ali
“These men don’t seem to be at all deterred by these cameras. How effective are these surveillance cameras, and in terms of the court aspect, in terms of the prosecution, do they really end up in convictions?”
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“ A number of our cases that we have solved, a number of the cases that have been in violent crimes, the security cameras have assisted us and they have served as important evidential material in cases and in court.”
The Leadership Intervention Unit is playing a crucial role in maintaining peace among street gangs. This morning, as Kadeem Orosco was tragically killed, LIU members were actively meeting to prevent gang conflicts. Despite their efforts, if these interventions fail, a State of Emergency will be enforced. In an initial sweep, sixty individuals have already been detained. When asked if minors would be included in the SOE, ComPol Rosado stated that the police will take all necessary actions to ensure public safety.
Richard Rosado
Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police
“You have to appreciate that our strategies on the ground are threefold: prevention, intervention, and enforcement. And the LIU was doing the intervention component of it, but all three components must work in consort with one another.”
Marion Ali
“Speaking about the intervention that you spoke of, have you ventilated all aspects of that why you’re considering the SOE at this point?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“ Anything that we do, we discuss with our stakeholders and the L.I.U. is an important stakeholder. While we are still in discussion on what next step will be taken, they know that the situation on the ground is extremely critical and it has reached a heightened level that it threatens public safety and welfare in the affected community. So we are considering all options, and I want you to appreciate that we have a wide continuum of policing strategies available to us, and we are exploring those options.”
Marion Ali
“So while you have detained 60 men at its minimum, how many are you expecting to detained at the end of the day when it is in full effect?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“You have to appreciate that in investigation, those individual who are detained are members of both P.I.V. and B.L.C. and their affiliates. The interview, when they’re interviewed, it’ll determine who else need to be detained.”
Reporter
“Any minors looking to be swept up in this proposed State of Emergency?”
Dr. Richard Rosado
“You have to appreciate that we will do what we need to do. And as law enforcement officers, our job is public safety and whatever need to be done to maintain the safety on the grounds, we will do it.”
In a bid to curb escalating gang violence in Belize City, the Belize Police Department is zeroing in on the use of motorcycles in criminal activities. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero stated that they are aware of the key players and will be targeting any suspicious individuals on motorcycles. This focused approach aims to disrupt the use of these vehicles in violent crimes and restore peace in the Old Capital.
“We have seen an increase of the use of motorcycles to commit these murders. So, we are targeting individuals on motorcycles, but we know there are a number of motorcycles in the city, so as soon as we identify suspicious persons they are followed and search. It is to say you are not randomly targeting individuals. We know the key players, so once we see them on motorcycles then we need to target them.”
On Monday night, Belizeans endured an unexpected power outage that left many sweltering in the heat for up to an hour. The blackout, which began at 11:50 p.m., affected the entire country except for those with solar power. With summer fast approaching, such power failures are particularly unwelcome. Belize Electricity Limited (B.E.L.) attributed the outage to a sudden generation emergency in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, which forced their main supplier, Comisión Federal de Electricidad, to cut off electricity to Belize. Despite the disruption, B.E.L. quickly initiated restoration efforts using in-country generation supplies, including the San Pedro and Mile Eight gas turbines. Power was restored to the north and west by 12:28 a.m., with full restoration completed by 12:47 a.m. As temperatures rise, the reliability of power supply remains a critical concern for Belizeans.
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Interim Leader of the United Democratic Party, has reaffirmed her commitment to unity as the party navigates recent leadership changes. Following the resignations of former Party Leader Shyne Barrow and Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte after the March twelfth General Elections, a petition has been submitted to convene a National Party Council meeting. This move aims to keep the party cohesive and focused on future goals. Despite the departures, deputy leaders and the vice chairman remain in their positions. After discussions with Vice Chairman Alberto August, who was initially reluctant to call an NPC meeting, Taegar-Panton has backed a constitutional petition to convene the NPC. According to the U.D.P. Constitution, a valid petition automatically triggers the call for an NPC meeting. Secretary General Shary Medina and Vice Chairman August are now required to organize this meeting, proposed for either May seventeenth or May twenty-fourth. The agenda includes electing an Interim Chairman to replace Peyrefitte and setting a date for the next National Convention. The U.D.P. is determined to navigate these leadership changes and prepare for its future.
Today, a brand-new firetruck touched down at Philip Goldson International Airport, arriving via military cargo plane. This vital piece of equipment is headed to the Punta Gorda fire station to serve the Toledo District. The generous donation comes from the Racine Rotary Club of Wisconsin, which also provided several pallets of medical, school, and emergency supplies. We caught up with Olive Woodye, President of the Punta Gorda Rotary Club, for more details on this impactful contribution.
Olive Woodye
Olive Woodye, President, Punta Gorda Rotary Club
“ We are receiving a firetruck today for the Toledo District and this was made possible through the Racine Rotary Club of Wisconsin. They have been donating a lot to our community and over the past four years, they we have gotten like they’ve been doing a lot of CPR training in different departments in the Toledo district and also with teachers. Now this is their fourth year of a ten year commitment for the Toledo district.”
Britney Gordon
”Is this a much-needed donation?”
Olive Woodye
“It is a much needed donation. I don’t know if you recall last year, about the fires, that raged through the forest, through our rural areas. And so we have presently, I think one fire truck and this one coming in will, it’ll deeply enhance our district. The firemen can, I think they will better be equipped to be out there. This is our fourth year of a ten year commitment to the Toledo District.”
Britney Gordon
“So we can expect more donations to come from them?”
Olive Woodye
“Definitely. Definitely. And we thank them so much. I think it’s like a combination of different resources from different areas in Wisconsin.”
Ceviche, the vibrant dish from South America, has become a beloved staple in Belizean cuisine. Originally a Peruvian creation made with fish marinated in citrus juice, Belizeans have added their own unique flair to this classic dish over the years. In this week’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday, we catch up with the owners of Don Ceviche, a popular food truck in Belize City, to discover the secrets behind authentic Belizean Ceviche. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with a full story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Ceviche, a dish adored by Belizeans, is a must-have at social gatherings and seaside restaurants across the country. Originally hailing from Peru and made with fresh tomatoes, onions, and fish, Belizeans have added their own twist, making it a beloved national delicacy. In Belize City, you can find this tasty treat at many spots, including the popular Don Ceviche food truck, conveniently parked in front of the Baron Bliss Lighthouse.
Paul Schmidt III
Paul Schmidt III, Co-owner, Don Ceviche
“Ceviche has always been, I don’t wanna say a staple, but has always been around different tables. If you go to a party event, you try it and be like, okay, I don’t like it this time. I do like it. But me personally, I can make ceviche, but really Ruben is, for me, the person who can make the best ceviche. And so when that came about we were thinking of a job to do at the time. And so I said, well, let’s just put a little bit of money together. And we’ll try to do something on the weekends”
Don Ceviche, co-owned by Paul Schmidt III and chef Ruben Mejia Garcia, started as a small venture selling ceviche outside their homes. As word spread and demand grew, they expanded to a food truck, allowing them to offer a variety of ceviche flavors. Today, Don Ceviche is a beloved spot in Belize City, known for its delicious and diverse ceviche menu.
Ruben Mejia Garcia
Ruben Mejia Garcia, Co-owner, Don Ceviche
“It start as an idea from a side job from home, and then it gets bigger because people want it, eventually they want to have more and more in the in the menu because we start only with shrimp ceviche. Then we become to add in more types of the ceviche. And now we have a full menu as you see in the front. We already have depends of the season of course. Because we are just going with the season, the shrimp is the only one that don’t have season right here in Belize and that is the only one that we always have. Then we have octopus, conch ceviche. We have even squid. We try once, but people no, go that way.”
Across Latin America, ceviche is made with a variety of proteins, but in Belize, shrimp and conch are usually the highest in demand.
Paul Schmidt III
“The main menu is shrimp, conch, octopus, if we have it, even fish ceviche sometimes, when we can do it. And we also do sal picon as well. So sal picon I don’t know if it’s, I think it’s more a Belizean thing. The way how we prepare it, because I know sal picon like in Mexico is more like a stew in Mexico, but sa;l picon for us is basically we substitute the protein, the fish or in this case, the shrimp for pork. So it’s either smoked pork or it might be arrachera beef.”
Chef Ruben Mejia Garcia, originally from El Salvador, had seen ceviche in his homeland but never truly appreciated it until he moved to Belize a decade ago. It was here that he fell in love with the dish, embracing the Belizean twist on this South American favorite and making it a central part of his culinary journey at Don Ceviche.
Britney Gordon
“ Have you had ceviche before you came to Belize? Is this something that’s made in El Salvador?”
Ruben Mejia Garcia
“This is something that is Latin American. Everybody knows how to do ceviche, but they have their own recipe. And when I was in Salvador, to be honest, I never tried to do ceviche. Until when I came here is when I learned to do ceviche.”
According to Schmidt, while ceviche is a simple dish, everyone prepares it differently and those subtle changes can be the difference between a good and bad bowl.
Paul Schmidt III
“ I think what we stay true to is freshness. We always try to make sure that it is made fresh. So he’s really the one who makes ceviche. So when we even thought about the name or when I thought about the name, I said, if you’re the one that is the boss of ceviche, or like a mero mero we say in Spanish, right, which is like the best and you’re the don. So I said, you’re gonna be Don Ceviche.”
The owners try to support local fishermen and farmers by locally sourcing all their ingredients.
Britney Gordon
“Which one is your favorite to make and to eat?”
Ruben Mejia Garcia
“Well to make is the conch because that is what people like. But if you ask me to eat ceviche, I will prefer shrimp that I could eat every day.”
Britney Gordon
“Do you ever get tired of ceviche?”
Ruben Mejia Garcia
Not really. That is something that I think when you love what you do, you no get tired.”
Schmidt and Garcia have grown a loyal customer base in the seven years they have been in operation and are confident that their business will continue to thrive as long as Belizeans continue to love ceviche.
Paul Schmidt III
“Ceviche is sort of a luxury food. And you want to have ceviche with a drink. You know, we don’t have drinks here at the park. Or we don’t have a license for that, but some guys, you know, some families will come out, maybe they’ll have a beer in hand or something, or some drink, or they’re gonna go home with their beers and what they need, their ceviche. So it’s a part of their staple now, you know, at least a weekend staple.”
On Saturday, a group of at-risk children from Belize City embarked on an exciting adventure at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. Guided by dedicated mentors, the kids explored the sanctuary’s diverse landscapes and wildlife, finding inspiration and hope in nature’s beauty. This memorable trip was part of an initiative to support and uplift vulnerable children from crime-ridden neighborhoods. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Over the weekend, a group of at-risk kids from Belize City enjoyed a day of adventure at the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary, thanks to the mentorship of Timmy Stamp and Perry Smith. The children participated in various activities, including birdwatching, as part of an initiative by the Jah Love Foundation. This grassroots organization, founded by Stamp and Smith, aims to support vulnerable children from crime-ridden neighborhoods, offering them a chance to experience nature and find hope for a brighter future.
Timmy Stamp
Timmy Stamp, Manager, Jah Love Foundation
“Jah Love da wah group weh work with kids, weh try sih that we have a better future for the kids them because if dehn da di leaders ah tomorrow then it’s only right that we try our best to try guide dehn eena tomorrow.”
In response to the pervasive gang violence gripping many communities in Belize City, the Jah Love Foundation has stepped up with a powerful solution: mentorship.
Perry “Stix” Smith
Perry “Stix” Smith, Jah Love Foundation
“Todeh we have youths from George Street, Taylor’s Alley, Third World, PIV. We integrated youths from different communities and bring dehn out ya da Crooked Tree to be a part of the wildlife sanctuary; view the birds, get to see cashew roasting, and to me it’s a beautiful experience, a beautiful experience.”
Nestled just off the Phillip Goldson Highway, the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is a sprawling sixteen-thousand-acre haven of natural beauty. This sanctuary features a diverse landscape of lagoons, creeks, logwood swamps, broadleaf forests, and pine savannas. It’s not just a birdwatcher’s paradise; the sanctuary is also home to crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, and turtles. This adventure provided them with a unique opportunity to interact with nature, exploring the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the sanctuary.
Derek Hendy
Derek Hendy, Site Manager, Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary
“We usually work with school groups. As they come here we give them a little education outreach about the types of vegetation within our wetland system and give them a little tour, show them some different species of birds so that they can appreciate the nature of the environment.”
The experience aimed to inspire and uplift these children, offering them a refreshing escape from their everyday challenges.
Dajahaun Hope
Dajahaun Hope, Participant
“I like it because we gaan and see di sea, di river, di animal tracks, foot tracks.”
Mentorship is crucial for at-risk children because it provides them with guidance, support, and positive role models. Having a mentor can steer children away from harmful activities and towards healthier, more productive choices.
Timmy Stamp
“We try open different lee evening schools eena different communities fi try organize di youths dehn fi come together, bring dehn together, yoh undastand me, bring dehn together instead ah have dehn fight gainst one another, just bring dehn together. We have da problem fi forty-two years, you know, weh nobody seem to care about. By we bringing di evening schools together we could have di kids dehn from different communities and ker dehn pan different lee trips and have dehn mingle with one another.”
This sanctuary is a paradise for bird lovers, boasting over two hundred and fifty species of resident and migratory birds. The Jabiru stork, one of the sanctuary’s most famous residents, nests here from November to April.
Derek Hendy
“What happened, we covered the boatbill heron trails and we covered the limpkin trails. Again, the basic things that we try to find are the different species of animals that we can find on the trails and the different plants.”
Limpkins, those intriguing large wading birds, are a common sight in the wetlands of the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. With their long legs, elongated necks, and distinctive heavy, slightly curved bills, they might look a bit awkward at first glance. However, these birds are surprisingly graceful in their wetland homes, effortlessly navigating floating vegetation and foraging in shallow waters. Their unique appearance and elegant movements make them a fascinating subject for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Janelli
Janelli, Participant
“I see lots of birds. We went by the riverside and we went over bridges.”
Kenjay Thomas
Kenjay Thomas, Participant
“What I like bout di trip [is] that we had fun and we got to see a lot of things.”
Field trips provide a holistic approach to learning and personal development, making them an invaluable tool for supporting at-risk children. These excursions offer new experiences, hands-on learning, and social interaction, helping kids build confidence, relieve stress, and find inspiration. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
