2025-04-15 - Channel 5 Belize

Security Forces Complete Rigorous Seven-Week Medic Training

A group of officers from Belize’s national security forces have successfully completed the Basic Medic Course 1/25, a seven-week programme designed to equip participants with critical emergency medical skills. The course ran from February 24 to April 11 and brought together members of the Belize Defence Force, the Belize Coast Guard, and the Belize Police Department.

The training began with five weeks of intensive instruction covering the fundamentals of emergency medical care, including trauma and medical patient management—from initial assessment to hospital transfer. In the final two weeks, participants were immersed in high-pressure simulations, learning to care for casualties in hostile operational environments, with an emphasis on battlefield medicine.

Upon graduation, the new medics will now shadow senior medical personnel and work under the supervision of medical officers before being cleared for full deployment in field operations. Select graduates will also have the opportunity to pursue advanced medical training locally and abroad.

Top performers of the course were:

1st Place: Pte. Henry Miguel – Services Battalion

2nd Place: LCpl. Reynaldo Choc – Special Operations Task Unit (SOTU)

3rd Place: LCpl. Giovanni Baizar – Echo Company (E Coy)

IDU Raises Alarm Over Arrests and Democratic Backsliding in Dominica

The International Democracy Union (IDU) has expressed deep concern over recent events in the Commonwealth of Dominica, warning that the country’s democratic principles, transparency, and rule of law are under serious threat following the March 19, 2025, protests.

Several individuals, including Ronald Charles, a prominent attorney and member of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) were arrested. Charles was arrested on April 9, weeks after leading efforts to legally represent peaceful protesters detained during the demonstrations. He has since been granted bail, but his arrest has raised alarms both locally and abroad.

In a strongly worded statement, the IDU said, “The protection of fundamental freedoms and rights is paramount to the health of any democracy.” The group stressed that freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly must be upheld, even in politically tense environments.

The March 19 protests stemmed from growing public frustration over economic hardship, rising unemployment, and demands for greater transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. Citizens also called for social justice and meaningful reforms, particularly in light of Dominica’s long-standing electoral reform process.

The IDU called for greater transparency and judicial independence, stating that the arrest of legal professionals like Charles may signal an overreach by police and a troubling politicization of justice. “It is essential that the judiciary operates independently, free from any political influence, to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all citizens,” the statement read.

Murder Charges Dropped Against Kenner Gomez in Punta Gorda Double Slaying

Kenner Gomez, the man once charged with the double murder of Lawrence and Medardo Canelo, is now a free man after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) entered a nolle prosequi in the case.

Gomez had been accused of opening fire at Flash Bar and Cool Spot in Punta Gorda in August 2021, fatally wounding the uncle and nephew duo as they were reportedly tallying the day’s sales. Aura Pacham, who was also present, sustained injuries during the attack.

Police had arrested and charged the then 27-year-old Gomez with two counts of murder and grievous harm, believing the shooting stemmed from a personal rivalry.

However, during a recent court appearance, the prosecution informed the court that it would no longer be proceeding with the case, effectively withdrawing all charges against Gomez.

The nolle prosequi, a legal declaration that halts prosecution, means Gomez cannot be tried again. Gomez was represented by attorney Leslie Hamilton.

Back in 2014, Gomez was identified as the suspect in the murder of 26-year-old Janice Vargas.

Malaria Resurfaces in Belize: First Local Cases in Six Years Confirmed in Cayo

The Ministry of Health & Wellness is urging the public to stay alert following the confirmation of locally transmitted malaria cases in Belize—the first such cases in over six years.

The ministry announced today that four cases of malaria have been confirmed, three of which are due to local transmission. The cases were detected in Santa Elena Town and Cristo Rey Village in the Cayo District.

The initial case was identified on January 17, followed by additional detections on March 11 and April 5. One of the four confirmed cases has been classified as imported from Petén, Guatemala, while the remaining three are the result of local transmission.

Malaria is a febrile illness caused by parasites and transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected persons usually experience recurring episodes of fever, accompanied by chills and sweating, every 48 to 72 hours.

According to the ministry, the cases were identified through routine surveillance conducted at both public and private healthcare facilities. In response, the Vector Control Program, in collaboration with regional health surveillance officers, has swiftly launched multiple intervention measures, including:

House-to-house fever screening
Mosquito fogging and larviciding
Community education campaigns on symptoms and prevention

All individuals diagnosed with malaria have since received supervised medical treatment and have tested negative on follow-up.

To prevent further transmission, enhanced surveillance has been activated in high-risk zones, particularly in the Santa Elena neighbourhoods of Santa Cruz and Hillview, as well as in Cristo Rey Village. Health teams are actively testing anyone who currently has—or recently had—a fever within the past 30 days.

The ministry is encouraging residents experiencing fever and chills, particularly those who have travelled to neighbouring countries, to visit the nearest health facility for free malaria testing.

In a public advisory, the ministry reminded citizens about the importance of preventing mosquito bites, especially when travelling to malaria-endemic areas. People are encouraged to:

Use insect repellent.
Sleep under bed nets.
Clean yards and eliminate standing water around homes.

Village Council Protests Proposed Subdivision of Nature Park in OW

Chairman of the San Jose Nuevo Palmar Village Council, Orlando A. Ayuso, has written to the Chairman of the Palmar Lands Advisory Committee, Wincy Perez, strongly opposing a decision reportedly made to subdivide the Sibbal Yuum Nature Park.

In a formal letter dated April 2025, Ayuso expressed concern following what he described as a meeting organised by the Palmar Lands Committee during which “the decision to subdivide Siibal Yum Nature Park was taken.”

He reminded the committee that “on October 27, 2024, this aforementioned area was declared a park and public area via an official inauguration ceremony.” He added, “Present were the then-elected Palmar Lands Advisory Committee and the present-day Village Council.”

Ayuso referenced Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, the Village Council Act, which he said “makes provision for Village Councils to declare areas for parks and recreation.” He noted that the parcel of land in question, “measuring 1,244.39 square yards, has been declared a nature park, which is a green area.”

He warned that “areas such as these are protected by environment and climate change ministries and activists” and pointed out that “the amendments to the National Land Use Policy make provision for securing green parcels when subdivisions are being made within a community.”

Ayuso appealed to the committee to reverse course: “Via this medium I am petitioning that you and your committee reconsider the decision to subdivide this already established nature park.”

He said that “members of the community are already enjoying this area” and that “this community-based development is continuous with many future environmentally friendly plans”. According to the letter, “well over $20,000 Belize has been invested. This was once a grassy area which was being used as a dump.”

“In the past this was an eyesore and a hazard for those living in that area of the village. Today it is the pride and joy of our community,” he said. “It is a recreational area visited not only by our villagers but also by adults and children of the surrounding town area and villages. Just yesterday we had a day of fun in a safe and clean environment.”

He closed the letter with a strong warning: “We respectfully and politely ask that you refrain and desist from launching an attack on Sibbal Yuum Nature Park. We will be taking legal action at the court, as damage to public property is a serious offence, especially this being a declared green area.”