2025-05-23 - Channel 5 Belize

UDP Demands Independent Probe into Deepening Transport Ministry Scandal

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has once again called for a full and independent investigation into what it describes as “widespread corruption” within the Ministry of Transport.

In a press release issued Thursday, the UDP criticised CEO Chester Williams’ suggestion that the issue is limited to underreporting by mid-level staff, calling it “scapegoating and misdirection.” The party warned against any attempt to shield political elites from scrutiny and urged Williams not to succumb to political pressure.

The UDP claims it has been raising concerns about irregularities in the Ministry since early 2022, citing credible reports of a stolen vehicle ring under investigation by law enforcement agencies.

The UDP has rejected any internal investigation led by individuals previously involved in the Ministry, insisting that only the Office of the Auditor General can credibly and transparently handle the matter.

“Investigating oneself is neither credible nor transparent,” the party stated. “Only a full, independent investigation—free from political interference—can uncover the truth and restore public confidence.”

Attorney Blocked from Seeing Client; Prison Says SOE Rules Justify Action

A recent complaint by a local attorney, who said that he was denied access to his client at the Belize Central Prison, has sparked debate over the rights of detainees held under the current State of Emergency (SOE). Leeroy Banner claimed that his client’s right to legal representation was violated. However, the CEO of the Kolbe Foundation, Virgilio Murillo, has pushed back, asserting that the prison is operating within the law.

Murillo clarified the prison’s stance, citing the legal framework governing SOEs. “I’m not too sure if you have read the regulations governing SOEs,” he began. “All I can tell you is that while I am not a liar, I do have a proper command of the English language. And what I read in the regulations is that, you know, when people are detained and a detention order [is] signed by the minister, they’re not entitled to bail nor… not even the high courts can summon these [individuals] to be brought before them for anything whatsoever.”

Murillo said that the interpretation of the regulations has been consistently applied throughout multiple states of emergency. “That is what we have applied for every state of emergency that has taken place over the years,” he said. “Remember, SOE is nothing new to the prison. This is our 10th SOE, if you’re not tracking it. And, um, yeah, so we are too familiar with how we handle these things.”

He also noted that the particular detainee in question had no active criminal charges. “The particular individual that the attorney had asked to come and see had absolutely no criminal charges pending against him,” Murillo stated. “There was nothing criminal against him, so there was no legitimate reason for that attorney to come here—unless he wanted to come here and kinda ease his detention by spending half an hour with him.”

Murillo insists that the prison is acting in accordance with SOE regulations as interpreted by the institution.

Mentally Ill Man Jailed for Riding Bicycle Without Headlamp Dies by Suicide in Prison

The death of 26-year-old Tyreick Rodriguez, a mentally ill man who died by suicide just four days after entering Belize Central Prison, has sparked widespread concern and renewed scrutiny of how the justice system handles individuals with mental health conditions.

Rodriguez was sentenced to a week in prison for two minor offences: riding a bicycle without a headlamp and possession of controlled drugs. He was admitted to the facility on April 19 and placed in a cell designated for psychiatric patients.

Virgilio Murillo, Chief Executive Officer of the Belize Central Prison, confirmed the circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s short time at the prison. “He was admitted into prison on the 19th….he had a conviction of one week for riding [a] bicycle without a headlamp. And then he was also remanded on a charge of possession of a controlled drug, which would indicate that he was caught with crack cocaine,” Murillo explained.

Murillo noted that Rodriguez was not charged for marijuana possession, saying, “Today, the police do not arrest you for small quantities of marijuana… quantities below 10 grams… it was decriminalised some years ago.”

Rodriguez was placed in what the prison refers to as a psychiatric cell. “That is the only condition that we can really subject a mentally challenged person to,” said Murillo. “He was being observed… this is the first time he has been in prison. Maybe he has been arrested before; I’m not too sure about that. However, this is the first time he came to the facility.”

The case has prompted an outcry from many who are questioning why Rodriguez, given his known mental illness, was sent to prison rather than a mental health facility.

Belize, Taiwan Work to Restore Driver’s License System

The Ministry of Transportation is working with Taiwanese officials to restore the Belize Motor Vehicle Registration and Licensing System (BMVrals), which has been offline due to unpaid service fees.

A high-level meeting was held this week between the Ministry and representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The Belizean delegation also included senior officials from the Ministry and the Central Information Technology Office (CITO).

The BMVrals system, developed in collaboration with Taiwan and launched in 2018, is essential for processing and issuing driver’s licenses and managing vehicle registration data across the country. Since the system went offline, Transport Offices nationwide have only been able to issue receipts for license renewals, as no new licenses can be printed. Drivers must present these receipts at checkpoints in place of physical licenses.

Contrary to earlier assumptions of a technical failure, the disruption stemmed from the non-payment of contractual fees to the Taiwanese system developers. While the necessary funds were available in a designated government account, administrative oversight delayed the payment, leading to suspension of the service.

Mentally Ill Inmate Dies in Custody at Belize Central Prison

A 26-year-old man with a history of severe mental illness has died by suicide while in custody at the Belize Central Prison. He has been identified as Tyreick C. Rodriguez. His passing has prompted renewed calls for systemic reform in the handling of individuals with mental health conditions within the criminal justice system.

Rodriguez’s family shared that his struggles with mental illness began at the age of 15. According to his mother, he experienced a sudden psychological break after returning home from school, and he was never the same again. She believes the onset of his condition may have been linked to substance use.

Rodriguez was recently detained over a minor incident involving a bicycle.

In a statement, she responded to public speculation about her son’s life and her role as a caregiver: “Tyreick was my child, and I fought for him every single day. Addiction is a disease not a flaw in character. We got him treatment. We took him back in time and again. We cried, prayed, and exhausted every option we had. But sometimes, love alone is not enough.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, support is available. Please reach out to a mental health professional, a trusted community leader, or a local crisis line for help.