Will a Six-Month State of Emergency be Implemented Soon?

Newly appointed Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado is supporting a six-month state of emergency following rising tensions between rival groups within the Martins area in Belize City.

On Saturday, 27-year-old Jimmy Rojas, previously charged in connection with the 2024 murder of Jose Matus, survived an attempted shooting on Croton Lane in Belize City. By this morning, suspected rival Aaron Lindo was shot and killed in Double Head Cabbage, and just hours later, Nelson Henry, also known as “Mung”, was gunned down in Ladyville.

Police are investigating possible links between the killings as part of an ongoing gang conflict.

This morning on Open Your Eyes, Commissioner Rosado described the increase of gang-related activities as a ‘critical situation.’ He said, “I do believe there’s a need for a State of Emergency to address security concerns when the violence has reached a critical situation.”

He said an SOE is “up for discussion” and that he would “surely support” it to allow the authorities to “reassess the situation.” Rosado also stated that “Rather than doing a one-month or a 3-month period, I think we need to pursue a 6-month period… I would extend it.”