Family Desperately Seeks Answers After Belizean Man Mysteriously Vanishes in Mexico

Twenty-nine-year-old Williams Milan was last seen on April 19th after returning from a food run to his home in Chetumal, Quintana Roo. According to his mother, who lives with him, he never left his room again—and his belongings, including his chain and working boots, were all left behind.

His sister, deeply concerned and seeking the public’s help, told us, “He just went to buy his food and then returned back to his room… He came from buying his food, then he got inside his room, and from that entering he made, he never made it out again.”

Neither his mother nor the neighbours heard or saw anything unusual. “The neighbours also tell my mom that they do not see. They not hear nothing,” she said.

When asked if there could be any reason someone might want to harm him, she explained, “No, miss. My mom says that he went to cotton cane, and from cotton cane, he goes, goes and goes to his room, buys his food and locks himself up. He doesn’t have any friends. Yes, he smokes; he drinks, but he was not a person that would go and do, um, bad things.”

She also dismissed the possibility that he left on his own. “No, because all his stuff is there in his room, even his chain,” she stated. “My mom told me too that they found some blood stains in his, um, in his, in his room, in his blanket, in his working boots.”

The family is pleading with anyone who may have information about Milan’s disappearance to come forward.

Family of Leonard Baltazar Demands Justice as Case Reopens

The family of 22-year-old Leonard Baltazar is once again urging the Belize Police Department to deliver justice following his death on December 11, 2024, near Reef’s End Lodge on Tobacco Caye. Initial reports claimed Baltazar died while fleeing after an alleged burglary attempt, but his family disputes that version, insisting he was restrained and killed.

His stepfather, Vince Higinio, questioned the self-defense claim: “Once a person is fleeing, the claim of self-defense goes out the window… your life is no longer in danger.”

The case has since been reopened, but Higinio says the family has received no updates. “We’ve been unable to talk to Corporal Depas or anyone else,” he said. He also pushed back against criticism of Leonard’s past: “We all made bad decisions when we were young. That doesn’t deserve a death sentence.”

The family continues to call for transparency and justice.

BTIA Celebrates 40 Years of Adventure and Excellence

The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) is gearing up to celebrate its 40th anniversary on April 26, marking four decades of thrilling adventures and leadership in Belize’s vibrant tourism sector. According to BTIA, since its inception in 1985, the association has been the heartbeat of the industry, championing stakeholders, promoting sustainable development, and nurturing the growth of Belize’s tourism landscape.

With nearly 300 members nationwide, BTIA says it has been the mastermind behind some of the most exciting initiatives that have shaped the industry. From the launch of signature events like BETEX (Belize Tourism Expo) to the publication of Destination Belize magazine—the country’s go-to guide for all things tourism—and the coordination of festivals that showcase Belize’s rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty, BTIA has been instrumental in positioning Belize as a world-class destination.

BTIA President Efren Perez shared, “This 40-year journey reflects the passion, resilience, and collaboration that define BTIA. Our achievements have been rooted in our mission to uplift our industry and showcase the very best of Belize. We are proud of our history, but even more excited about what lies ahead. Together with our members and partners, we remain committed to building a vibrant, sustainable tourism sector.”

Linette Canto, Executive Director of BTIA, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the association’s enduring impact: “Our greatest strength lies in the partnerships and relationships we’ve cultivated over the years—with our members, communities, and industry partners. As we look to the future, BTIA is focused on innovation, collaboration, and championing initiatives that will ensure Belize’s tourism industry continues to thrive for generations to come.”

And here’s the cherry on top! In celebration of its 40th anniversary, BTIA is offering a 20% discount on membership fees for new and renewing members from April 26 to May 31, 2025.

Belize Turns Up the Volume for World IP Day 2025

Belize is turning up the volume this week in celebration of World Intellectual Property Day 2025, with the theme “IP & Music: Feel the Beat of IP.” Led by the Belize Intellectual Property Office (BELIPO) under the Attorney General’s Ministry, this year’s events are all about showing how intellectual property (IP) protects musicians and helps Belize’s creative industries grow.

Throughout the week of April 22 to 25, BELIPO lined up a series of engaging activities to raise awareness and support local creators. It kicked off with a free webinar on April 22 titled “Copyright for the Music Industry,” which gave artists and music professionals useful tips on how to safeguard their work. On Wednesday, invited guests from the music industry gathered for a private roundtable to share personal experiences and advice about dealing with IP in the real world.

The celebration wraps up with a lively music showcase today in Belmopan, featuring talented Belizean artists. The goal is not only to enjoy the music, but also to shine a light on the importance of protecting the work behind the beats.

All week long, BELIPO is offering 25% discounts on IP application fees, free consultations, fun social media trivia, and daily IP tips to keep the public informed and involved.

World Intellectual Property Day is officially observed on April 26 and is celebrated worldwide to recognize the role of IP in encouraging innovation and creativity.

Unions Demand 8.5% Salary Adjustment

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Prime Minister John Briceño, the Joint Union Negotiating Team (JUNT) — representing the Public Service Union of Belize (PSU), the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers (APSSM) — has called for an 8.5% salary adjustment for public officers and teachers, citing rising economic hardship and growing disparities in compensation across the public sector.

The unions expressed deep frustration over what they described as a lack of equity in government spending. The letter highlighted recent increases in executive-level salaries and benefits, including for Chief Executive Officers, while frontline workers continue to shoulder the burden of past austerity measures.

The JUNT says this, “represents a grave injustice and a blatant disregard for the principles of equity and shared sacrifice.”

“These actions are perceived by our members as a betrayal of the trust and commitment they have shown to the Government and people of Belize.”

The unions argue that since the imposition of salary cuts and an increment freeze five years ago, inflation has significantly eroded the real income of public servants. They are proposing a phased implementation of the 8.5% salary increase to reflect this economic loss and are also advocating for a similar adjustment for pensioners.

In addition, the unions are calling for an increase in the minimum wage from $5.00 to $6.00 per hour, citing the rising cost of housing, utilities, and daily essentials.

Mom Saves Toddler from Swallowing Dollar Coin

A Belizean mother took to Facebook to share a frightening moment that no parent ever wants to face — her young daughter nearly choked after swallowing a one-dollar coin.

The incident occurred while the mother was preparing to make tortillas. She noticed her daughter showing signs of distress — choking, grabbing her throat, and her eyes rolling back. In a moment of panic and prayer, the mother acted quickly, attempting to remove the object from the child’s mouth.

“I screamed, ‘GOD PLEASE HELP ME,’ and hit her back with force,” she wrote. That action led to a hard swallow from the child, followed by crying — a sign that she was able to breathe again. “Fifteen seconds felt like forever,” she said.

The family rushed to the hospital, where an X-ray confirmed that the toddler had swallowed the coin — not the smaller shilling the mother had assumed. According to doctors, the girl was incredibly lucky. The coin travelled straight down her oesophagus without becoming lodged in her throat, avoiding a potentially life-threatening situation.

The doctor assured the family that the coin would pass naturally within a few days. The mother ended her post by saying, “Being a mother can be scary sometimes. I just pray I’m always around when things like this happen, because in an emergency, people often don’t know what to do.”

 

Belizean Captain Honoured for Completing Elite U.S. Army Training

The Belize Defence Force (BDF) is celebrating a proud moment as Captain Ruhesi Jarrod Elijio has successfully completed the prestigious Manoeuvre Captains Career Course (MCCC) at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, Georgia, USA.

On April 23, 2025, CPT Elijio earned the title of “Grenadier” after meeting all the rigorous requirements of the elite U.S. Army course. The BDF lauded Elijio’s accomplishment, highlighting it as a testament to his dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

 

Dominican Republic Deports Over 130 Haitians from Hospitals

According to the BBC, the Dominican Republic deported more than 130 Haitian women and children on Monday, the first day of a controversial crackdown targeting undocumented migrants in hospitals.

Dominican authorities confirmed that 48 pregnant women, 39 new mothers, and 48 children were detained and sent to a detention centre, where their biometric data was collected before they were handed over to Haitian officials at the Elías Piña border crossing.

The operation is part of a 15-point immigration plan introduced by President Luis Abinader to reduce undocumented migration from Haiti, the neighbouring country it shares the island of Hispaniola with.

Despite government claims that the deportees were treated with dignity and transported in buses equipped with basic amenities, the move has been met with harsh criticism. The Dominican College of Physicians labelled the deportations “inhumane” and warned that fear of arrest could deter undocumented migrants from seeking urgent medical care.

The BBC noted that the Dominican Republic, with a population of 11 million, hosts at least 500,000 Haitians.

President Abinader has defended the crackdown, insisting that “generosity will not be exploited”, and announced that hospitals must now check patients’ IDs, work permits, and proof of legal residence. Deportation will follow once treatment is complete for those without proper documentation.

So far in 2025, the country has deported over 80,000 people to Haiti.

Shyne Barrow ‘Not Authorised’ to Represent UDP, Says Party

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has publicly disavowed Moses “Shyne” Barrow, stating in a formal release that he no longer holds any official role within the party and is not authorised to speak or act on its behalf.

The statement makes it clear that Barrow’s use of titles such as “Honourable”, “Leader of the Opposition”, or “Party Leader” is “inaccurate and misleading”, as he currently holds no such positions within the UDP.

“Mr. Barrow is not an official voice or face of the UDP,” the release said. It said that any statements or actions by Barrow should not be viewed as endorsed by the party.

The UDP also said that Barrow is not authorised to represent the Mesopotamia constituency under the party’s banner and asked that any unauthorised actions be reported to the Secretary General.

This statement comes after Barrow said he will remain UDP Party Leader until the upcoming National Convention, saying the party has become “dormant” and lacks unity, direction, and structure.

Carolyn Trench Sandiford Nominated for Second Term as Senate President

Prime Minister John Briceño has decided to nominate Carolyn Trench Sandiford for a second term as President of the Senate.

The decision comes following consultations with the United Democratic Party (UDP), which has expressed its support for Sandiford’s reappointment.

The Prime Minister welcomed the bipartisan backing, calling it a “constructive cross-party support in the national interest.”

 

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