Police have confirmed that no criminal offense was committed in the tragic death of six-year-old Gabriel Orellano, a student at Stella Maris School, who drowned at sea after leaving the school premises unsupervised on Monday, February 3.
Little Gabriel managed to exit the school through the main entrance. A few short hours later, he was found drowned in the nearby sea. The case prompted two investigations, one by the Ministry of Education and another by the police.
Despite the completion of the police investigation months ago, no public update was given until Friday when newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado was questioned during the teachers’ demonstration.
Rosado told reporters that “the file was forwarded to the director of public prosecution office, and from what I can recollect, it was ‘no criminal offense was committed or were committed,’ and it was an internal issue that needed to be addressed by the institution.”
Rosado clarified that the matter was considered an internal issue to be handled by the school “because certain things should have been put in place.”
Mosquito Awareness Week, observed from May 12-16, is underway across the Caribbean, and Belize is stepping up its efforts to combat mosquito-borne diseases with both public outreach and enhanced vector control capacity.
This year’s theme, “Let’s Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites and Protect Our Community from Dengue,” reflects the growing regional concern over the rise of illnesses transmitted by mosquitoes, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika.
In Belize, the Ministry of Health & Wellness is marking the week by bolstering its vector control program. The Ministry announced the acquisition of six Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) foggers, valued at $170,000, which were distributed to all district vector control units. This investment raises the country’s total fleet of fogging units to 20, improving the Ministry’s capacity to tackle mosquito populations ahead of the rainy season, when mosquito-borne diseases typically spike.
“These vital equipment will significantly enhance the program’s capacity at a critical time when mosquito populations and dengue cases typically surge,” the Ministry said in a statement. “The ULV foggers will ensure that vector control teams are adequately equipped to respond swiftly and effectively to mosquito-related health threats.”
The Ministry is conducting outreach and education campaigns to engage communities in the fight against mosquitoes. Residents are being urged to eliminate standing water around homes, use insect repellent, and maintain clean surroundings—key steps in reducing mosquito breeding and preventing disease transmission.
A vibrant tribute to everyday Belizean life is now on display at the Bliss Centre for Performing Arts. The “Moments” art exhibit, which opens this evening, features thirty original works by artist Rachel Heusner and her 20-year-old son, Dean Martin.
“Basically, we do a lot of historical paintings between myself and my son,” Heusner said. “I came up with the theme ‘Moments’ because when you paint, you basically capture a moment in time.”
The paintings, drawn from scenes of daily life—such as buying fruit at the market or walking down Albert Street—aim to preserve both the mundane and meaningful fragments of Belizean culture. “Life happens every second,” she added.
Many of the pieces reflect iconic Belize City landmarks and businesses that are fading from memory. “There’s so much stories and memories… especially for those who live abroad. They miss Belize,” Heusner said.
Heusner and Martin, who reside in Trinidad and Tobago, say the project has been a chance for them to reconnect with Belize. “He works along with me… and in doing that, he gets to learn a little bit about the history of Belize,” she shared.
The public is invited to view the exhibit for free. “I don’t feel people should have to pay to look at art,” Heusner said. “Come and enjoy the art… If you want to take something home, then there’s a little fee.”
“Moments” will remain on display until Friday, May 16.
Grenada is under pressure to reform its laws after receiving 171 recommendations during its 2025 Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations in Geneva. Among the key suggestions was a call to legalise abortion under all circumstances by repealing Section 234 of the Criminal Code, which currently imposes a 10-year prison sentence for unlawful abortion.
Iceland led the push for broader human rights reforms, including abolishing the death penalty, adopting a reproductive health policy, and decriminalising same-sex relations. It also urged the elimination of barriers to justice for survivors of sexual violence and called for comprehensive sexual education in schools.
The United Kingdom recommended repealing legal discrimination based on sexual orientation and ratifying international human rights treaties. Other countries, including Italy, Nepal, and the Netherlands, called for stronger laws to combat gender-based violence and protect women and children.
Grenada is expected to review and respond to the recommendations as part of its ongoing human rights commitments.
Prime Minister John Briceño says Belize could receive a judgment from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the long-standing territorial dispute with Guatemala.
“I am further advised that it is likely that before the end of this term, we will receive the ICJ judgments,” the Prime Minister said on Friday.
Belize’s ICJ case, which was officially submitted to the court in 2019 following a national referendum that saw the majority of Belizeans vote in favor of having the court resolve the dispute.
“I am advised that we are awaiting the date of hearing of the Guatemala/Belize and Belize/Honduras cases from the International Court of Justice,” PM Briceño said.
Belize and Guatemala have been at odds for more than a century over territory that Guatemala claims as its own—roughly half of Belize’s landmass. The matter was taken to the ICJ after both nations agreed, through referenda, to submit the case for a final and binding resolution.
Briceño added, “We are confident that we will prevail at the ICJ. We are confident that we will retain all our land, sea and islands. We fully expect that the unfounded claims against our territory will be defeated.”
Authorities are investigating what could be a high-level cannabis smuggling ring with ties inside the Customs Department. At the center of the investigation is a box containing 15 pounds of high-grade marijuana—discovered in early April among consolidated packages shipped from the U.S.
According to reports, the package arrived as part of a regular freight shipment, typically associated with barrel and household goods deliveries. But when a customs officer inspected one specific box, what he found was not the expected “bath and body” products. Instead, tightly sealed plastic bags of premium cannabis were inside—worth an estimated hundreds of thousands of dollars on the illicit market.
What makes this case especially noteworthy is that, prior to the inspection, the officer had reportedly received calls from two fellow customs officers—male and female relatives—urging him to clear the box. Though it was addressed to someone else, they insisted the contents were innocuous. When the cannabis was discovered, the officer reported it to his supervisor and contacted the female officer, who was reportedly en route to collect the package. Security footage reportedly shows her vehicle entering the Customs compound before turning back upon receiving the call. Since then, she has reported sick and has not returned to work.
Commissioner of Police Dr. Richard Rosado confirmed that the case is being thoroughly investigated.
He said a joint investigation is underway between law enforcement and the Anti-Money Laundering Unit into the suspected smuggling of high-grade cannabis involving customs officers.
Investigators have applied for court warrants to search the electronic devices of those linked to the case. While no charges have been filed yet, authorities are continuing to gather evidence.
According to Rosado, only individuals for whom there is sufficient evidence will be detained or charged, and some customs officers have already been interviewed as part of the ongoing probe.
The United States and China have agreed to a 90-day pause in their escalating trade war, slashing tariffs on both sides in what President Donald Trump called “a total reset with China” this morning at the White House, according to The Guardian.
Following two days of high-level talks, US tariffs on Chinese goods will drop from a peak of 145% to 30%, while China’s retaliatory duties will fall from 125% to 10% by Wednesday, or “maybe at the end of the week,” Trump added.
The breakthrough comes ahead of a conversation between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The talks, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, produced a joint statement confirming the dialogue.
The Guardian reported that Bessent spoke on the progress made, telling reporters, “Neither side wants a decoupling,” and suggesting the truce could be extended “as long as there is good faith effort, engagement, and constructive dialogue.”
Police are investigating a shooting incident that left four people injured during a Mother’s Day event at a bar in Frank’s Eddy Village, Cayo.
The incident occurred around 11:50 p.m. on Saturday. Officers were informed that four individuals had already been transported to the Western Regional Hospital for treatment.
Preliminary investigations indicate that a single shotgun was fired from outside the establishment, striking four patrons who were attending the celebration. The victims have been identified as 23-year-old Marleny Ho, a self-employed Belizean; 38-year-old Derrick Gordon, a forklift operator; 36-year-old Ashley Vellos, a caretaker; and Rosalia Domingo.
Two of the victims were treated and released, while the remaining two are currently hospitalized in stable condition.
Belmopan was awash in green and yellow today as thousands of teachers and public officers took to the streets in a powerful show of unity and frustration. An estimated three thousand, five hundred demonstrators rallied against the Briceño administration, marking the launch of phase one of the Belize National Teachers Union’s three-phase protest plan. At the heart of their demands? A call for an eight-point-five percent salary increase—one of five key issues the union is pressing. The protest was sparked by the government’s recent decision to raise the salaries of Chief Executive Officers and the Cabinet Secretary at the start of its second term, a move that didn’t sit well with many in the public sector. Despite a last-minute invitation from the government to meet at the negotiation table on May 13th, the union pressed forward. The message from the streets was loud and clear: they’re ready to fight for what they believe is fair. Paul Lopez was on the ground and brought us the full story in tonight’s newscast.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The streets of Belmopan were packed this morning as thousands of demonstrators marched to send a strong message to the Briceno administration: public officers are fed up and ready to be heard. Leading the charge were members of the Belize National Teachers Union, joined by the Public Service Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers. At the front of the crowd was BNTU President Nadia Caliz, who didn’t hold back. In a fiery interview on the ground, Caliz called out Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education, Dian Maheia, and school managers, accusing them of turning a blind eye to teachers’ struggles. At the heart of the protest is a demand for an 8.5% salary increase—just one of five key issues the union is pushing. With chants, signs, and a sea of green shirts, today’s demonstration made one thing clear: the fight for fair compensation is far from over.
Nadia Caliz
Nadia Caliz, President, B.N.T.U.
“If this was up to ministry of education, you already know what will happen, because she is talking already. What I need her to do is to take out of whatever millions there and fix the issues in education, the real issues and lets start getting after these managers abusing the teachers, let’s get after these managers that are not fixing these classrooms. Let us confront the elephant in the room. Because what you all do, this is why I am fired up, some of these management are not doing their job as management and the side with managements and condone the bullshit and that is why you see them running to management, because I cover your dirt and you cover my dirt, but the BNTU will not be silenced. That is the kind of bullshit and we will talk about it, because you will solve it.”
A warning couldn’t stop the wave of green that swept through Belmopan today. Ahead of the demonstration, teachers from Catholic public schools were reminded that skipping class to protest could cost them a day’s pay. But that didn’t stop them. According to Caliz, over three thousand, five hundred demonstrators showed up anyway—loud, united, and undeterred. Their message to the Briceno administration rang out clearly: respect, fairness, and better pay are non-negotiable.
PSU Member 1
“We want government to ensure they respect the union, and certainly we want our reward as well and if they don’t there will be resilience.”
BNTU Member 1
“No money for me, means no money for you. No money for me, means no money for you. We value teachers. We matter.”
BNTU Member 2
“The CEOs say they deserve it, CEOs we deserve it too. CEO we do more so deserve it too. PM, don’t be arrogant we deserve our salary adjustment, listen to us, listen to us, everybody here.”
As government officials gathered for the ceremonial opening of parliament at the Sir Edney Cain Building, a different kind of gathering was unfolding just outside. Thousands of demonstrators, led by the Belize National Teachers Union, marched around the entire Belmopan Ring Road—making sure their presence was felt, even if they couldn’t get close. Security barriers kept the crowd at a distance, blocking them from reaching the very leaders their chants and signs were aimed at.
Nadia Caliz
“They are not worried about that, just hearing the BNTU speaks volumes, just seeing the BNTU speaks volumes, we don’t have to be before them for the see us. They know what we are capable of.”
Just as the demonstration was looping back to its starting point, a buzz rippled through the crowd: the government’s ceremonial event was wrapping up, and officials were making their exit. Without missing a beat, a group of determined teachers picked up the pace. Leading the charge, they found a back entrance to the Sir Edney Cain Building’s compound—just in time to cross paths with Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde. Hyde, who is part of the government’s negotiating team set to meet with union leaders on May thirteenth, was met face-to-face by the very educators demanding change. It was an unplanned but powerful moment—one that underscored just how serious these demonstrators are about being seen and heard.
BTNU Member 3
“Let me tell you something, for me in the PUP you are one of the best and I expect you to fight for us. I watch how you speak with love for our country, please listen to our cries.”
Cordel Hyde
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister
“We will meet on Tuesday and that negotiation will take place in earnest. Weusually have very serious discussions but in a cordial respectful and insightfulway and I expect the same to take place when we get together on Tuesday.”
But President of the Public Service Union, Dean Flowers, is not so optimistic about that March thirteenth meeting. According to the union representative, without a clear agenda on the table, any upcoming discussions with the government could unravel in minutes. “You can’t negotiate in the dark,” he warned, stressing the need for structure and transparency ahead of the May thirteenth meeting.
Dean Flowers
Dean Flowers, President, P.S.U.
“To be honest with you, the only thing that can be expected is that the meeting last ten minutes, because I don’t know what it is that we are going there to talk about. Similar to the prime minister, the only meeting he would have convened without the union, they showed up without an agenda. How can we prepare, how can I know what to expect.”
Today’s demonstration also saw the presence of NTUCB Senator Glenfield Dennison.
Glenfield Dennison
Glenfield Dennison, NTUCB Senator
“These are not crying for money, these people are crying for money, they are crying because they want to live comfortable doing the job they chose to do.”
Spokesperson for the Maya Leaders Alliance, Christina Coc.
Christina Coc
Christina Coc, Spokesperson, MLA/TAA
“The teachers are calling for a dignified life, the right to a dignified life, that is not different than what the alcaldes have always been calling for.”
And, Christian Workers Union President, Leonarda Flowers.
Leonora Flowers
Leonora Flowers, President, C.W.U.
“The government cannot continue to do what they want to do. The last aggression they did was increase salaries to the CEOs.”
