Good evening and welcome to another exciting edition of Sports Monday! I’m Paul Lopez, and tonight we have some thrilling highlights from the final match of the Belize District Football Association’s First Division Tournament. You might remember that the finals were postponed due to a tragic incident during the semi-finals, where a spectator was fatally shot. But on Saturday, the atmosphere was much safer with heightened security measures. Over a dozen police officers were on duty, and everyone’s bags were thoroughly checked at the entrance to the Marion Jones Sporting Complex.
Now, let’s get to the main event! Tut Bay F.C. faced off against Survivors F.C. in a thrilling showdown for all the marbles. Thirty-one minutes into the game, a throw in for Survivors went into the penalty box. The ball was set up right in front of the goal, and Troy Augustine was in the perfect spot to score for his team. Less than a minute into the second half, Tut Bay’s Calvin Thurton spots an opportunity after the goalkeeper fumbles a Hail Mary. Thurton seized the opportunity and kicked the ball into the net while the goalkeeper was out of position. With that, Tut Bay leveled the score. Twenty minutes later Tut Bay’s Raheim Herbert broke away from midfield with the ball. He sprinted down the left wing and launched a bullet towards the goal before the defense caught up. Herbert gave his team the lead, but the match was far from over.
As the sun set and the stadium lights came on, Survivors got another chance. A major blunder by Tut Bay in the penalty box set up Shemar Gillett perfectly, and he didn’t miss, tying the game once again. Well folks, this long anticipated showdown went into overtime. Four minutes into overtime, Survivors executed a beautiful pass through the legs of Tut Bay’s defender. Devon Augustine was in position to clean up and make the goal count. Twelve minutes into overtime, Augustine made another move down the left field. He gave the defender a hard shove, almost like a push, sending him crashing into the goalkeeper. Augustine scored the ball in an open goal. Tut Bay saw some relief from this long pass across the field, with the chase down by Tut Bay’s Calvin Thurton led to a faceoff with the goal keeper. A controlled tap over the keeper’s head placed the ball in the goal.
And that’s the final score, with Survivors F.C. edging out Tut Bay F.C. four to three. Survivors F.C. are your 2024-2025 Belize District First Division Champions and will represent the east in the upcoming inter-district tournament. Now, let’s check out some of the individual awards handed out during the tournament. Best Management of the Season and Best Coach went to Jermyn Swift and the Reggae Boyz.
From football we move over to some softball action. Saint Catherine Academy took on Pallotti High School on Saturday in the Central Secondary School Softball Tournament. Here is how that one played out. S.C.A. is first up to bat. K’lee Kelly swings and sends the ball towards third base. She sends her teammate to the home plate and makes it to third base after stealing two bases. Number eleven for S.C.A up to bat. The pitcher fielded the hit, but the first baseman fumbled and then overthrew it to the catcher, allowing Kelly to score. S.C.A. racked up six runs in the first inning, and their cheerleaders went wild.
Still in the first inning, Pallotti High School took to the batter’s box. Chriselda Thomas is up to bat with runners on second and third. She hits towards first base. S.C.A. gets the out, but it’s a small sacrifice for Thomas, because she brought in two runs. Pallotti had their best inning in the second, scoring seven runs. However, S.C.A. managed to hold them to just two more runs for the rest of the game. Meanwhile, S.C.A. scored three runs in the third inning, four in the fourth, and one in the fifth. In the end, S.C.A. emerged victorious with a score of fourteen to eleven.
In other softball news, the University of Belize Jaguars dethroned Independence Junior College to win the ATLIB Softball National Championship over the weekend. The games took place in Esperanza Village and featured five tertiary institutions. Congratulations to the U.B. Jaguars on their impressive achievement.
And finally, for tonight, Cyclist Derrick “Young Phenom” Chavarria travelled to the Dominican Republic last week to compete in the nation’s Intendance Cycling Tour. By the end of the tour, Chavarria had an impressive haul: a silver medal in the Under-23 category, another silver for consistency, and a gold medal for winning stage five. Congratulations to Chavarria. Well folks, that is all we have for you in today’s installment of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
The Ministry of Education kicked off Child Stimulation Month in Belize with a lively parade this morning. Children from across the country took to the streets, dressed as their future selves—aspiring doctors, lawyers, and police officers, among other professions. March is celebrated nationwide for the importance of early childhood education.
In Belize City, Mayor Bernard Wagner told News 5 about the importance of “taking this walk” with the children. He said, “What better way to start off in the month of March, when there’s better weather, the sun is out, and we have our young preschoolers with us?”
Wagner added that over 3,000 participants, including students and teachers, were involved this year. “This is their sort of celebration of them as preschoolers, showing to the world and the country that we are investing heavily in our children,” Wagner said.
With nearly 30 preschools represented, the parade showcased a whole new generation of children with promising futures.
Belize City Councillor Evan “Boo-Boo” Thompson has issued a public statement following the public fight he was involved in over the weekend.
In his statement, Thompson asserted that he was the victim in the incident, acting solely in self-defence after being aggressed. He said that the video does not provide full context.
“The footage does not provide the full context of the situation, and witnesses, including law enforcement, have confirmed that the other individual was the aggressor. At no point was I arrested or taken into custody in relation to this matter.”
Thompson apologised. “I sincerely apologise if this incident has been perceived negatively. It is in no way a reflection of the Belize City Council or the People’s United Party, both of which I proudly serve with integrity and commitment.”
The altercation has sparked public discussion regarding safety and rising incidents of violence in nightlife areas, with calls for increased security and law enforcement presence to prevent similar incidents. Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters that those involved in the fight will be charged with disorderly conduct. Mayor Bernard Wagner says he supports Thompson.
Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner stands in support of Councillor Evan “Boo-Boo” Thompson following a recent altercation outside the Digi Park/Shisha Lounge. Wagner told News 5 that Thompson was provoked: “You can see in that situation clearly, he was provoked; I’m behind him; I support him.”
Despite his support, Wagner criticised that mixing politics and nightlife activities does not end well. He said, “Politics and clubbing don’t mix like oil and water. And so on that side, maybe he has had poor judgement in going into these clubs.” Wagner added that he has always advised councillors to avoid such environments.
Instead, Mayor Wagner suggested engaging in other “positive activities” that will “serve the communities rather than serving the clubs.” He added, “Being in a club at one or two at night will serve no purpose.”
As previously reported, Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed that Thompson and others involved would face charges for disorderly conduct. “I already sent that matter to Mr. Romero… those persons involved must be picked up and get charged,” Williams stated.
This morning, Police Commissioner Chester Williams addressed the controversial incident in which police shot a dog during a domestic dispute response in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo.
Williams said that initially, there were claims that officers had unnecessarily shot the dog, but further details revealed the police were responding to a domestic violence call.
“Domestic situations are not things that we take very lightly because we can see where it can go from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds,” Williams stated. He added that upon arriving at the scene, the officers encountered the dog, which attacked after coming out of a confined veranda.
Williams said that this prompted the officers to shoot the dog in self-defence. “The police had no choice but to shoot the dog,” Williams said. The dog was taken to a vet but later succumbed to its injuries.
When police returned to the house the following day, “The corporal was met with a great deal of hostility from the young man and his brother, who, as you can see, just stood at the gate with machetes shouting and insulting the police in the most derogatory manner.”
Williams confirmed that he ordered the two men involved to be arrested for insulting police and aggravated assault. One of the men is possibly facing an additional charge of theft after the common-law wife reported that he had stolen her phone.
“We can’t have situations where people are openly insulting police, obstructing the police from carrying out their duties, and we just leave it at that. It is going to send a wrong signal to the public,” he said.
“Women police officers and civilian staff from the Belize Police Department joined their commanders in a community-driven effort on Sunday March 2nd, 2025, to start Women’s Month with a special church service across multiple churches. Community members and leaders attended the service and highlighted their societal contributions while their presence symbolized unity and support from women worldwide.
The event motivated future female leaders and reinforced female police officers’ commitment to community protection and service.
During Women’s Month let us recognize women’s achievements across every field while we persist in our efforts for equal rights and empowerment for everyone.”
Statement From the Belize Police Department via Facebook
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams confirmed that two Belizeans, Aron Tunn, 18, and Michael Whittaker, 27, were found dead among the five bodies near the Rio Hondo River in Sacxan, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Williams confirmed they had fled Belize to evade the “effective” anti-drug operations in the North, which have put pressure on individuals who affiliate with cartel operations. “The incident involving those individuals is drug-related,” Williams stated.
The victims showed signs of torture and had gunshot wounds to the head, with two bodies displaying cardboard signs. One read, “This is for all those who are charging protection fees and those who do not allow businesses like cigarette vendors… Stop stealing. Sincerely, you know who.”
According to police investigation, Williams said, “These people seemingly are operating for the cartels in Mexico, and they are collecting fees. And the fees being collected is being stolen by them. So they’re not reporting to their bosses on their collections.”
Police are looking for one person of interest they believe escaped the same fate. “There’s another person of interest that we’re looking for: one Joshua Hall. He, from what we understand, was along with that group, but he was able to escape. And from what we are getting is that he is back in Belize, and we are looking for him. We do have a bench warrant for his arrest. So once he’s found, then he’ll be taken into custody,” Williams said.
Williams clarified that while these deaths were drug-related, they are not connected to Raheem Usher’s case. “We are certain to some extent that Raheem Usher was killed by locals,” Williams told reporters, adding that police “have good information in terms of who those locals are.”
Investigators believe that the persons responsible for Usher’s death are dead. “Two of them we believe are dead,” Williams said.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed that persons involved in the recent altercation outside of Digi Park/Shisha Lounge in Belize City will be criminally charged. One of those persons involved is Belize City councillor Evan “Boo-Boo” Thompson.
Williams said, “I already sent that matter to Mr. Romero, and he’s here with instructions that those persons involved must be picked up and get charged.” They are expected to be charged with disorderly conduct.
This is not the first or the worst incident that has happened along the party strip, and it probably won’t be the last.
The increasing number of fights on Belize’s party strip is a growing concern. It raises questions about whether police can effectively control and resolve the issue. While law enforcement is present in the area, violent incidents continue to occur, often involving intoxicated patrons, personal disputes, or gang-related tensions.
As to solving this problem, Williams said, “I wouldn’t say it can’t be solved. We just need to do what needs to be done. I think that once we constantly arrest those in there, it sends a message to other persons that if you do the same, you’ll end up in the same situation.”
Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed the recent landing of an illicit aircraft in Belizean territory. He stated that on the previous night, sometime after 11:00 p.m., authorities received intelligence that a suspicious aircraft had departed South America and was heading toward Belize.
As is customary in such cases, law enforcement coordinated efforts through the Joint Intelligence Operations Centre (JIOC) to deploy personnel to various locations where the plane was suspected to land.
“Our counterparts have indicated to us that the plane landed in Belizean territory near the border, Guatemala, in some extremely rugged terrain,” Williams said.
Aerial reconnaissance was conducted, and a specialised team comprising police and military personnel was deployed to the location. Officers on the ground successfully located the aircraft within Belizean territory. Commissioner Williams confirmed that the aircraft, a small jet, had been deliberately set on fire after landing. No cargo was found on board.
The aircraft landed on an existing makeshift airstrip between three and four o’clock this morning.
The United Democratic Party (UDP), led by Moses “Shyne” Barrow, intends to take legal action against the Elections and Boundaries Commission (E&B) over what they call “unauthorised” use of its traditional red colour on the 2025 General Election ballot. This comes after the E&B declared on Wednesday that the traditional red colour will be allocated to all 41 candidates nominated on February 24 under the UDP banner.
In the application for judicial review, Barrow argues that the decision by the E&B Commission is unlawful and damages the party’s reputation. He stated, “There are persons purporting themselves to be members of the United Democratic Party who are not authorised by the Executive of the U.D.P. to be candidates or to act in anyway on behalf of the party.” He added, “The nature of this “passing off” I believe, is an attempt by those persons to capitalise on and enjoy the goodwill and reputation of the organisation to which I am leader.”
Barrow pointed out the risk of vote splitting and confusion among voters, potentially harming the UDP’s election prospects. He said the candidates under his leadership are having “serious and legitimate concerns and frustrations with me that there could be a potential “splitting of the vote” if persons who are not authorised to use the “traditional UDP red, including but not limited to the Alliance for Democracy Party, use the colours which are associated with the UDP.”
According to Barrow, despite his legal team’s multiple written objections, the E&B Commission has not responded. Barrow described the Commission’s actions as “an overreach and an abuse of power” and warned that this could undermine the fairness of the election process. He is now seeking judicial intervention to halt the misuse of the UDP’s likeness.
