The Belize Police Department’s decision to rename the Domestic Violence Unit has sparked some controversy. Today, Commissioner of Police Williams addressed the criticism, noting that some people believe the new name, Gender-Based Violence Response and Investigative Unit, panders to the LGBTQ+ community. Williams emphasized that the police are committed to protecting everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or any other differences.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We have had the domestic violence unit in place for quite a number of years now and with the evolving of time, we saw the need to change the name from domestic violence unit domestic violence to gender based violence response and investigation unit. At the end of the day we have to look beyond he domestic issue in terms of what happens in a home between a man woman and child And see how we can encapsulate those other factors where gender violence is concerned and so the unit is now going to be tasked with that responsibility of making sure that we can capture everybody at the end of the day, as a police organization, we cannot discriminate. I know that there are some school of thought out there who are already spewing some of their own agenda, that this is being done with a view to accommodate the LGBTQ, whatever it may be. But, at the end of the day, we have to understand that whether a person is straight, bisexual, heterosexual, or whatever. We as a department must represent them. We cannot tell people that because you’re this, we cannot represent you. We are an organization that is created with the intent to make sure we protect everybody regardless of your race, color, culture, creed, sexual orientation as the case may be. So we are extremely proud of the move that we are making now to ensure that we have a progressive unit within our department to be able to address these issues, all forms of gender, gender based violence in Belize.”
Williams acknowledged that officers need more comprehensive training to effectively handle sensitive gender-based violence cases. He also highlighted the importance of collaborating with relevant agencies and organizations, including those supporting the LGBTQ community, to address these issues together.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We have to look at extensive training again with a change of focus or with the additional responsibility given to the unit. Now, there certainly is going to be a need for more training for the officers who work within the unit. And not just those officers, but every police officer so they can understand the dynamism of gender-based violence. It cannot be that we give them certain responsibilities and we do not explain to them or give them something that will be able to help them to understand and properly respond to these issues. And so, training is going to be essential. And Mr. Jones and the director of training is also our work are going to work together to ensure that we get the right people on board to provide that training for us. Additionally, we have to look at also working with other organizations, human development, community rehab, even the, the LGBTQ communities. We have to look at them as well, so that we can get their input in terms of the training that we may need to sensitize our officers, in terms of how to deal with issues, um, involving them.”
The Commissioner announced that the department plans to build more police stations in key areas this year to help curb crime. For locations where new stations aren’t feasible, existing ones will be upgraded to enhance the working conditions and environment for officers.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“If you listen to if you have read my New Year’s message, I did allude to the fact that in 2025, we will see the continued rollout of the of the CABEI project. And, with that will come the construction of a number of new police stations as well as the renovation of some existing police stations across the country. So, these are things that are going to help not just. to provide a greater quality of service to the community, but also to help to boost the welfare and morale of our officers. The pictures from the academy, I believe those are old pictures because we have since renovated that dorm before recruits went in. So again, those are old pictures. We have renovated that, but I want to say to police officers that we can get everything we want one week. We take things in stride and, I can assure them that with time, the working environment is going to improve. We have seen That we have made great improvements in some years of the country. But you know, money is not there as we may want it to be. It’s a scarcity at times. And when we do get, we have to pinch a little for here, a little for there, so we can provide as best as we can to all police officers across the country. So those areas where we’re seeing buildings dilapidated. We’re coming to them, we’ll ensure that in 2025, we do better in terms of renovating them and make these offices or buildings more, a better working environment for police officers.”
Reflecting on the progress the police department has made under his leadership; Williams shared his thoughts as they move into 2025. He emphasized that it took a lot of hard work and dedication, and that true leadership means leading by example. As Belize’s longest-serving Commissioner of Police, Williams noted that his journey began unexpectedly under the previous administration, and he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in this role.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I am humbled by the opportunity that has been given to me by the previous U.D.P administration. Honestly, I did not think that I would have become commissioner under the U.D.P administration, but it happened, and I’m grateful for that. And then moving forward, we have the P.U.P. Coming into power. And again, the prime minister gave me the opportunity to continue as commissioner police. And so, I am grateful and humbled by that. I take service to the public very, very seriously. I do not underestimate nothing or nobody. I believe that if there’s a job to be done, they must do it to the best of your ability. Hard work, commitment and dedication do yield success. We cannot expect to lead. If we’re not leading by example, we can’t expect to lead if we’re not present. We can’t expect to lead if we do not know how to lead people and I I’m not perfect but I try my best to ensure I do the best I can to keep my team motivated As well as to make sure that I guide them to do the right thing and I believe that is what had Helped me to remain In my position of commissioner for such a long time.”
As the New Year approaches, a surge in gym memberships signals a collective resolve to prioritize health and wellness. Yet, for many, that determination falters, often fading by the end of January when the initial excitement wanes. Recognizing this common trend, we sought out someone who defied the odds, took on the challenge last year, and achieved their fitness goals. Two years ago, we visited Belize City’s local gym, Burn Box. This year, our search brought us closer to home—just a few blocks from our studios at Body 2000. There, Sabreena met a dynamic duo: a dedicated client and her personal trainer, working together to crush their goals, one year at a time. Here’s their inspiring story.
Sabreena Daly, Reporting
They say consistency and effort are the secret ingredients to success, and this is especially true when it comes to fitness goals. As the new year kicks off, fitness centers are buzzing with energy, filled with people determined to become the best version of themselves. Three years ago, Gabriela Salgado made the same decision. Although it wasn’t on January 1st, her journey is a powerful testament to the determination and resilience needed to achieve health and fitness goals.
Gabriela Salgado
Gabriela Salgado, Biggest Loser “The first year was really challenging. I had days I didn’t feel like going; I felt logy. And I tried to change my mood. But after that year, I started to become addicted to the gym.”
Wait—did you think it was that simple? Not quite. One of the biggest misconceptions about fitness is that hitting the gym alone guarantees results. But nutrition is where the real challenge begins. For Gabriela Salgado, this challenge took on new urgency after a gallstone diagnosis forced her to make significant lifestyle changes.
Gabriela Salgado “ The first year, I kind of changed my eating habits, but not completely. I used to still take my drinks on weekends and stuff like that. From the first year, when I started I only saw little results, maybe two to five pounds, but it came right back because I wasn’t eating healthily enough. Then after the surgery, when I cut out everything I lost up to twenty-five pounds in a three month span.”
Today, Gabriela shares her journey with confidence, reflecting on a transformation that was as much mental as it was physical. She credits her success not only to her dedication but also to the unwavering support of her personal trainer, Aaron Theus. His guidance and encouragement were instrumental in keeping her focused and pushing her to reach her full potential.
Aaron Theus
Aaron Theus, Personal Trainer “ I’m extremely impressed and it’s things like that that make me continue to want to be a better trainer so I could do this for more people. There’s other people that I work with that have over the years gotten results and those things keep me focused. It keeps me pushing to be better. So I’m extremely honored to be working with people like that.”
Gabriela Salgado
“It was really effective and really helped me because i came to the gym and had somebody to push me.”
Aaron Theus, a seasoned professional in health and wellness for nearly a decade, attributes his success to a personalized approach—tailoring his strategies to each client rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all method.
Aaron Theus “It’s important to have someone that can hold you accountable because it’s difficult to deconstruct certain habits that you’ve formulated over the years. So, to have someone that could show you the way, in a way that you can receive it is, I think it’s critical for your well being. I got into this business because of my dad. I think he was doing this for like about 12 to 13 years when I started. So a lot of the information that he got over the years, he just compounded it and gave it to me. And since then on my own, I developed my skills each year.”
Theus takes an unconventional approach to personal training, extending it to the unique motivation he provides. This year, he’s inspiring his clients to ‘Bet On Themselves’ with a fitness challenge like no other—offering financial rewards for the best results.
Aaron Theus
“It’s for my clients exclusively and it’s going to be 12 weeks. The beginning of January to the end of March. And the female winner and the male winner that produces the best results in that amount of time will get twenty-five hundred dollars each. The system is based on points, so it’s not merely based on aesthetics, it’s based on also being consistent at the gym. So it’s trying to foster consistency and not just wanting to lose as much weight as possible and picking up bad dietary habits. Nutrition is foundation of your success. You could get stronger, you could get more mobile, you could have more endurance, but in terms of physical changes, you have to prioritize your nutrition. And I think a lot of people don’t really understand that. They think that I could outwork my diet, but you can’t.”
So, what’s the golden nugget from this powerhouse pair? It’s something you’ve probably heard a million times. From Gabriela Salgado’s triumphs to her trainer’s sage advice, they both hammer home one key point: ‘Consistency and effort are the keys to making progress.
Gabriela Salgado “Don’t be scared. If you want to start the gym, start it. And remember, it’s all in your mind. You just need to put your mind to it. Sometimes you’ll feel lazy and unmotivated but It’s all in your mind. Even then, show up, work out, and when you’re done, you’ll feel much better.”
Aaron Theus “ Just start. Most people tend to think that, oh man, I don’t want to go to the gym because they might look at me. Everybody’s kind of focused more on themselves than anybody else. So just start. And as time goes along, you will get better at it. You will become more experienced in everything that you’re doing. So just take your time and start.”
Residents of Caye Caulker are expressing concerns over a proposed fuel station project near the popular Split. Many are worried about potential environmental damage and the lack of proper community consultation. Property owners, especially expatriates, feel they were not adequately informed about the project.
Area Representative for Belize Rural South, Andre Perez, told News 5 today, “There’s no way that we’re stopping to putting a gas station there and other amenities that serve the community there. I don’t want to say I’m in favour of it.”
Perez added, “I think what we need to do is consultation, and that’s what they have been following everything by the books; they have reached out to the council requesting the no-objection support there… As far as I’m concerned, what they’re doing is following everything as per required by law.”
Mark Leslie, the Director of Petrol Alliance Group Holdings, assured residents on Thursday that all necessary clearances, including environmental approval, had been obtained. “We have done major research before even going into this project, and we actually went ahead and applied for all our clearances and every other thing with the department as well,” Leslie said.
Despite these assurances, residents are also worried about the potential difficulty of securing insurance for properties near the proposed site. Leslie responded, explaining that local insurance providers had no objections to coverage and that alternative options would be available if necessary. “None of them had any objections… the worst-case scenario would be higher premiums or higher deductibles,” he stated.
Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams pointed out that this comes as an effort to be a more inclusive unit. “We must look beyond the home and address all forms of gender violence,” Williams said.
ComPol Williams added that officers can look forward to more training to properly handle these cases. Williams said, “There certainly is going to be a need for more training for the officers who work within the unit. And not just those officers, but every police officer as well. So they can understand the dynamism of gender-based violence.”
The unit will now focus on addressing sexual violence, human trafficking, and other gender-based abuses.
Earlier this week, Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos-Garcia supported the change, stating that the term “gender-based violence” covers a wider range of abuses, including workplace harassment and street violence, rather than being confined to the home. She added, “Gender-based violence cuts right across the board.”
Yolanda Saldívar, convicted in 1995 of killing Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla Pérez, has filed for parole nearly 30 years after the singer’s death. Saldívar, 63, is currently imprisoned at the Patrick L. O’Daniel Unit in Gatesville, Texas, and her parole review is scheduled for March 30, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Saldívar, once the president of Selena’s fan club and manager of her boutiques, fatally shot the 23-year-old singer on March 31, 1995, at a motel in Corpus Christi, Texas. She was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
Selena’s family had fired Saldívar earlier in 1995, accusing her of embezzling funds. In court, Selena’s widower, Chris Pérez, testified about their mistrust of Saldívar. Saldívar has denied embezzlement allegations and claimed the shooting was accidental, reiterating her stance in a 2022 Oxygen docuseries, which received backlash from Selena’s fans.
The Texas parole review process includes assessing letters of support and protest, along with a case summary. The review typically begins several months before the eligibility date.
Following a series of shootings and other incidents at the start of the New Year, Police Commissioner Chester Williams visited the Lake Independence area today to address growing tensions within the BLC gang. Though he did not reveal new details of the incidents, Williams explained that his visit’s objective was to help defuse the situation before it escalates further.
“There are rising tensions in the area within the BLC. And so, I am here along with Mr. Gamboa to see what we can do to try and defuse the issue before it goes any further,” Williams said.
Williams said that while he leads the police force, crime reduction is a collective effort. “I am one man, and I alone cannot reduce crime… The policies I make will not work if the people on the ground do not execute them properly. I give the praises to my commanders and the foot soldiers,” he said.
Williams also pointed out the importance of working with various organisations, including the Leadership Intervention Unit (LIU), to reduce crime. “Every organisation that can lend to the reduction in crime, I welcome it,” Williams stated.
Established in 2021, the LIU was formed to address gang violence in Belize City. When asked about the role of former gang members who have turned their lives around, Williams confirmed they assist in keeping the peace, especially for younger individuals involved in gangs.
He also reaffirmed the police department’s commitment to working with the Leadership Intervention Unit (LIU) to provide a path for those seeking to leave a life of crime. “The police department is going to continue to work with LIU… to provide a way out for those who wish to become law-abiding members of society,” Williams added.
Your “thirsty Thursdays” could be putting you at risk for cancer. Over the last few decades, there have been several things people consume daily that have been linked to cancer. While some experts agree that “moderation consumption” is key to the health risks these habits may cause, a U.S. Surgeon General states that the risk of breast, throat, and mouth cancer increases even with one or fewer drinks a day.
According to Dr. Vivek Murthy, alcohol consumption is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, behind tobacco and obesity. It contributes to 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 related deaths each year, he added. The U.S. Surgeon General has called for new health warning labels on alcohol to include the increased risk of cancer. This has prompted Dr. Murthy to demand that alcohol labels reflect this deadly truth.
In a recent advisory, Dr. Murthy pointed out that despite decades of research linking alcohol to cancer, “only 45% of American adults are aware that consuming alcohol increases their risk of developing cancer.”
Alcohol’s carcinogenic effects have long been recognised by global health organizations. The National Toxicology Program classified alcohol as a carcinogen in 2000, and the World Health Organization’s agency did the same in 1987. However, Murthy stressed the public’s lack of awareness on the matter.
