Belizean Delegation Travels to Honduras for Aurelio’s Funeral

The Garifuna nation and fans of the legendary Aurelio Martinez are mourning his passing on Monday night. Martinez’s music touched many lives in the region, leaving a lasting impression on his fans, especially in Belize. Today, over thirty individuals from Belize set off for his funeral in Honduras. Sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the National Institute of Culture and History, the delegation will attend a wake tonight and the funeral service tomorrow in La Ceiba. News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with some of the attendees and filed this report.

 

Marion Ali, Reporting

A Belizean delegation, including officials, musicians, family, friends, and fans of Aurelio Martinez, is on its way to La Ceiba, Honduras, to attend his funeral. The group of thirty-one departed Belize this morning by chartered boat. Among them is Aurelio’s business partner and friend of three decades, Ivan Duran, who shared that this feels like a tragic déjà vu, reminiscent of the loss of Andy Palacio, the man who introduced him to Aurelio.

 

Voice of: Ivan Duran, Friend of Deceased

“We’re here to pay our last respects for Aurelio. In my case, I’ve known Aurelio for 30 years, more or less, when Andy Palacio invited him to Belize and we started working on the Paranda album around 1997. This is a very very difficult moment for us. For me I feel like I’m reliving what happened seventeen years ago when Andy passed away tragically and suddenly. It’s a very hard blow, but we’re here to celebrate his life and his music.”

 

The Ministry of Culture and NICH isNIC NICH will isis represented at the funeral by April Martinez.

 

On the Phone: April Martinez, Representative, Ministry of Culture

“I will be providing a small statement on behalf of the Government and the people of Belize tomorrow at the funeral. So, we are here, documenting as well, on behalf of the Institute for Social and Cultural Research and I am here as a state representative.  We are here in solidarity and we are here and representing the Garifuna community as well. There are a lot of family and friends of Aurelio Martinez that have come with us on this trip to pay their respect.”

Arlette Gomez, Aurelio’s girlfriend and manager, along with his youngest son, Newani, are both experiencing similar emotions during this heartfelt journey.

 

On the Phone: Newani Martinez, Son of Deceased

“It’s heartwarming seeing the support, having all the support, seeing all the love of people who are inspired and cherished my father and who also are here to be support to me as well. So it’s really heartwarming for me. It helps a lot to have good people around me, especially at this time.”

 

On the Phone: Arlette Gomez, Manager/Girlfriend of Deceased

“We were on the boat, we did a nice prayer and we did the “Our Father” in Garifuna and everybody’s just talking about our experiences that we’ve had with Aurelio. So it is a, it’s a little bittersweet. We have some Belizean musicians who came to pay tribute to Aurelio, along with his son, Newani. We’ll be paying tribute to him I think tonight at the Odeko Center, and then tomorrow at the funeral.”

 

Today, the United Democratic Party and Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, issued a release expressing condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Aurelio Martínez. The statement beautifully captures Aurelio’s legacy, describing him as a cultural icon whose music transcended borders, bringing the vibrant spirit and rich traditions of the Garifuna people into the world. His artistry was a powerful force in preserving and promoting Garifuna heritage, and his voice united and uplifted communities across Belize, Honduras, and beyond. Marion Ali for News Five.