2025 - Channel 5 Belize

ComPol Awaits Change in Command Ceremony

Today, the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries finally announced the official one-month orderly transition of the Commissioner of Police as the current top cop, Chester Williams, prepares to step down. At the end of this one-month period, Doctor Anthony Rosado will assume Williams’ post as ComPol. Williams will then become the new C.E.O. in the Ministry of Transport. The ministry explained that this transition reflects a commitment to stability, professionalism, and continuity within the leadership of the Belize Police Department. An official handover ceremony will also be held to mark the formal change of command. Prior to the official announcement, Chester Williams shared his enthusiasm for the transition ceremony.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I am certain that is in the making. It’s not like you think, it’s not that I am being pushed out of the way. Certainly this was something that was well planned in terms of me leaving and whoever could transport. It doesn’t matter how it ended up at the end in terms of the actions of the CEO. But the intention of Kareem, my minister, and the Prime Minister, it is good. And it’s an opportunity for me. It’s a elevation in the government service moving from a head of department to a CEO. And so I certainly look forward if there should be that handing over ceremony. I have no issue the participate.”

Reporter

“But you should be allowed that. You’re the greatest commissioner in his space. Longest serving for a reason.”

Chester Williams

“I am grateful for your comments. I can’t sing my own praises in terms of whether I’m the best sir or whatever. I have worked with some very good commissioners, Mr. Zuniga, Mr. Zetina, Mr.Westbey, Mr. Hughington Williams. Yeah. I’ve worked on very good commissioners, even Mr. Whylie, as much as we didn’t see eye to eye on many issues I do believe that he set a platform for me. Some of the policies that he had in place. I just continued those. I watched him, I was his deputy in Eastern Division when he was Commander Eastern Division, and I learned a lot from him too. So even though we have diverse views on certain issues I do believe that he do. He did a hell of a job.And he did his part as well. He had his strength and his weaknesses, and we must judge him in his total authority and not just based on his weaknesses.”

Musa Says CCTVs Will Make a ‘Big Splash’ in Belize

Besides the upcoming leadership change in the police department, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa announced an exciting new initiative: the installation of one thousand CCTV cameras across the country. We asked Musa about these plans and the need for more officers in the force. Here’s what he had to say.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“Yes absolutely. The biggest splash, so to speak for this year is going to be the introduction of one thousand CCTV cameras. We are already set up here in the Belmopan area. I think when you came into Belmopan, you might have seen them at the roundabouts. We are establishing a headquarters here in Belmopan for the camera room, along with BTL, they will be the service providers. And so we’re growing exponentially, I think by some four hundred percent in the number of cameras. I think currently we have around two hundred or so cameras. And we just want to grow in terms of our use of these assets, these tools like innovation and technology because we have seen where a bulk of our crimes are solved with cameras, whether it is these CCTV cameras or private cameras on establishments, they’re of great use in solving crimes. And so that is going to be the big splash for this year.”

Britney Gordon

“Is there any sort of movement to acquire new officers? Because I know that the department is stretched quite thin right now.”

Kareem Musa

“Yeah, so we, I wouldn’t say we’re stretched thin. I think we are reaching close to the levels we were at in 2015, 2016, around two thousand six hundred officers. We did have a lot of attrition over the last. Early on five years ago, but we are now growing those numbers. We have a recruit squad that will be graduating sometime in June of this year, and then we could look forward after that to maybe enlisting additional officers. As we only have capacity here at the training academy for two hundred twenty-five officers at any given time, and that’s a six month training. So it can’t be that we grow one thousand every single year. We actually have to do it incrementally.”

ComPol Completes Slew of Special Transfers Before Departure

On Friday, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams received a blunt letter from Sharole Saldivar, C.E.O. of the Ministry of Home Affairs, instructing him to step down and take on the role of caretaker for the department. This move would prevent Williams from making any transfers or promotions. However, before transitioning to the Ministry of Transport, Williams went ahead with several special promotions. On Wednesday, he was asked about these transfers. Here’s his response.

Reporter

“The criticism can be made that on Monday when we had that press briefing in Belmopan, I think we were up there. I had interviewed you that day. By Monday afternoon, you pushed through a dozen special transfers, including one for, I don’t know if he da your godson too, but your special assistant, another of the Makin officers. Were you feathering your nest, so to speak in these last days?”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Everybody da my godson. I wonder if you’re not my godson too. Because when you don’t know the status of somebody to me, then you add a status to it. Very clever. But again, like I said to you, whatever I did, I had explained to minister before I did them, and I’ll leave it at that.”

Was the Police’s Gang Mediation a Failure?

Tensions between gangs in Belize City have been escalating, and the Belize Police Department is taking strategic steps to reduce the violence. Last month, Joseph Garcia was killed by gunmen while in a vehicle with Ronlee Petillo and Shamar Faber, who police believe were the intended targets. In February, the police tried to mediate between the rival gangs, but some reports suggest this attempt was unsuccessful. Here’s what Commissioner of Police Chester Williams had to say about the situation.

Reporter

“There is the failed mediation that you hosted where you heard a direct threat made to Ronlee and to Ms. Grant as well, from the same person he has implicated. Where do you start to pick up the pieces?”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“You come with this nonsense again?”

Reporter

“The mediation failed. Sir. There’s been so much bad that has happened since then.”

Chester Williams

“Stop. Stop bing nonsense to me. Please. Any other questions?”

Reporter

“Did you not hear a direct threat to Ronlee Petillo in the mediation?”

Chester Williams

“We have spoken about. We have spoken about this at a previous interview.”

Reporter

“Because it fails sir.”

Chester Williams

“But you have a mindset that I can tell your world is so unique. You have a unique world, all kind of thing happen in that world. I don’t know,”

Reporter

“Sir, direct threats were made and things happened that fulfilled those threats out of the mediation. That’s a failed mediation.”

Chester Williams

“That is, that is your version and I’ve explained to you what was our version.”

ComPol says Dismissed Cop had Multiple Signs of Cartel Activity

A veteran cop was recently dismissed from the Belize Police Department after twenty-one years of service. Reports suggest this officer was named in a cartel note found with the body of missing man Raheem Usher. Although Commissioner of Police Chester Williams denied that Usher’s death was linked to cartel activity, the officer was subsequently dismissed after allegations of him being involved in cartel activity. Additionally, two other officers were named in a note accusing them of facilitating a drug plane landing, but they were released after questioning due to lack of evidence. Commissioner Williams shared more details on the incident.

Reporter

“These people, their names are on a paper or on a I should say, on a satellite phone related to this entire narco activity in Graham Creek.”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“No, that’s not true. Their names are not on no satellite phone and you cannot compare this with the previous case. It’s like compare night and day, The circumstances involving that particular officer it is not just today that we have been hearing about him. It has been for a very long time. There have been numerous information obtained as it relates to his involvement in these illicit activities, and so it’s not the same. So I would hope that you divorce the two and do not keep them together, no. The job of the commissioner is not an easy one, you have to make some very tough decisions. And I guess that’s ehat makes good leadership. Good leaders, being able to make tough decisions. Even when it is not popular. As I said to you earlier, that there have been many allegations in respect of that individual. And the thing is that even the people who works with him were not comfortable working with him because of the allegations that they were hearing. They were fearful that they would be at work with him, and then people would come and target him, and then they’d become victims of that. So it’s, it was not an easy decision to be made, but it was one. I believe that was necessary.”

Kareem ‘Satisfied’ with Ministry of Home Affairs Post

Following the P.U.P.’s victory in the 2025 general elections, Prime Minister John Briceño reshuffled the Cabinet. Dolores Balderamos-Garcia and Rodwell Ferguson, among several others, were moved to new roles, and some ministries were restructured and reassigned. However, Kareem Musa, the Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, remains firmly in his position. He shares why he’s pleased to stay in the ministry.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“I said it prior to the election, and I will say it again. I serve at his pleasure, at our government’s pleasure to be able to do the best in my capacity that I can. It is clearly, in my opinion, a vote of confidence by a Prime Minister to put me back here at the Ministry of Home Affairs because he knows that I will serve with integrity. I have preserved my reputation despite your meaningful attacks to try to destroy me. I wish. I know you’ll continue to do and I appreciate that But no, I look at it as a challenge and a blessing Jews to be able to serve in any capacity to serve my country. While any minister would say they want to see a promotion or they want a, another ministry to do the best that they possibly can, I am totally satisfied with this ministry.”

Ten Years of Jalsa Salana in Belize

Today, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is getting ready to celebrate its tenth annual Jalsa Salana in Belize. This week-long spiritual event brings people together to promote brotherhood in the community and welcomes visitors to join in the festivities. This year’s peace-themed conference kicks off at 10 a.m. on April 4th at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at mosque. News Five’s Britney Gordon has more on this story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It’s been ten years since the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community started the Jalsa Salana Conference in Belize. What began as a small gathering of about thirty people blossomed into a celebration with hundreds of attendees. The Jalsa Salana brings people together to learn about the Islamic community and join in exciting activities. Missionary Ata’ul Haq warmly invites every Belizean to join the festivities.

Ata’ul Haq, Missionary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at

“Jalsa Salana is, an event, again, a spiritual event in which we want to invite every single person. It’s not just a Muslim event. We want to invite our Christian friends, our Hindu friends, Jewish friends, every single person. You are more than welcome to come and to sit with us, because this year the theme is Islam, a Religion of Peace, and we want to show you that we are truly peaceful and loving people. Our motto is Love for all and hatred for none.”

As the community celebrates the ten-year anniversary of Jalsa Salani in Belize, National President Arslan Warraich reflects on their impact over the past decade.

Arslan Warraich, National President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at

“Belize has enabled us and welcomed us with such open arms. The media, you know this, that in America and stuff, they don’t give, they don’t give publicity or even any care towards other fates, right? But they give us a fair chance to speak and to invite and to host people, right? So now with these conventions, the thing is that people like yourselves, humble, kind, kindhearted people that come to this event and they see that wait, everything that the media is seeing in the US or wherever is all nonsense. That these are such peaceful, loving people, and then they feel much more comfortable. So the annual convention is just one aspect of that, to remove these misconceptions, right? And for us to break bread together because that helps bridge these gaps that society tries to create.”

Even though the community is growing fast, the event isn’t about changing anyone’s beliefs. It’s all about celebrating and appreciating the unique differences.

Ata’ul Haq

“Tomorrow they will be having a ladies session, ladies only session as well. Three thirty P.M. tomorrow for the Jalsa Salana here at the Maji. No, on a mile and a half George Price Highway. Every single person can also bring their children because we will have a kids’ play zone as well, in which they will be taken care of, so you as a parent can come. Don’t worry. Your children will be well taken care of, and they will be safe, and you can enjoy the proceedings of the Jasa Solana bouncy castle. They will have a bouncy castle and snacks and everything. There is no fee, not a single dollar you need to pay to come here and enjoy. All right. We also have a exhibition that we would like for everyone to come and see, just to see the history of our community in Belize as well.”

The Ahmadiyya basketball league will also be joining in on the celebration. Belizeans are invited to attend and cheer for their favorite teams to bring the gold home.

Ata’ul Haq

“We will be having the semi-finals for the U18 and the U22 at St. John’s College. And then followed by that. We’ll, at 10 o’clock in the morning, we will start all the final matches at Civic Center, right? And there, there’s gonna be the U50, the U12, U15, the U18 for the females, U18 for the males, and the U22. So all of that will be happening at the Civic. All of that will be happening at the Civic. Please note that usually there is an entrance fee, but for the finals, there will be no entrance fee, and we want to encourage everyone to come out and support their teams. We have teams that, we have five teams from Mexico that are still in the playoffs, so they’ll be making their way over to Belize as well. Everyone is encouraged to come out and support their local Belize team Belize teams and, give that support.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Top Police Officials Visit Police Officer Who Was Shot

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado visited Corporal Manuel Chub at his home. A statement from the department said, “This visit was a testament to the department’s deep concern for the health and well-being of its officers.”

Commissioner Williams assured continued support for Corporal Chub and his family.

“Both Commissioner Williams and Deputy Commissioner Rosado commended Corporal Chub for his bravery, and Commissioner Williams offered assurances of continued support to his family, reinforcing the department’s dedication to the safety of all,” the statement added.

Earlier this week, Chub was shot and injured outside Fire Nightclub, while three other officers were held at gunpoint, and two police vehicles were damaged in the incident. Stanley Flowers, 36, of Crooked Tree, was charged with eight criminal offences.

Belizean Juan Olivares Earns Commercial Pilot Licence

Belizean pilot Juan Olivares has achieved a milestone, earning his Private Pilot License, Instrument Flight Rating, and Commercial Pilot License. His dedication, discipline, and professionalism have set an example within his aviation school. The school posted on social media, “We proudly celebrate your great achievement in completing your Private Pilot License, Instrument Flight Rating, and Commercial Pilot License. Your dedication, responsibility, and professionalism have been exemplary within our school.”

Olivares was awarded his licence from Escuela de aviación PANAL.

Founded 50 years ago as an aerial agricultural fumigation company, PANAL has grown into a recognised aviation school, becoming the most experienced pilot training centre in El Salvador.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Belize Celebrates Annual Jalsa Salana

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Belize is celebrating its 10th annual Jalsa Salana this week. The purpose of the event is to gain a nearness to God and develop ties of brotherhood within the community. The Jalsa Salana serves as a spiritual gathering to bridge misconceptions about Islam and promote understanding among diverse religious communities.

It started in 1891 by the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – the Promised Messiah. “He claimed himself to be a prophet, and he wanted people to meet him so that they can see that he does have a connection with God,” said Ata’ul Haq Gabb, a missionary in Belize City.

This year’s theme is ‘Islam, a Religion of Peace’. Haq stated that it “reflects our mission to demonstrate that we are peaceful and loving people.”

While the event is hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, it is open for people of any faith to participate. “We want people to come so that we can also treat them as wonderful guests of whom we believe is the prophet of God. We want to garner a connection with the people of Belize,” he added.

The celebration includes motivational talks, a children’s play zone, and an exhibition showcasing the history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Belize. “Your children will be well taken care of, and they will be safe, and you can enjoy the proceedings of the Jasa Salana,” Haq added.