This afternoon, the Belize Coast Guard held a passing out ceremony for sixty recruits. Of the bunch, Recruit Marlon Cucul received two awards: for Champion Shot and Champion Swim, while the Champion Female award went to Jianna Vanegas and the Champion recruit went to Elden Dawson. In delivering the keynote address, Prime Minister John Briceño […]
P.M. also told the new recruits that their contribution to this country will be an invaluable service and urged them to remain humble and steadfast and to be an example for the next generation. . Prime Minister John Briceño“To the 11th graduating class, I express my utmost gratitude for your selfless commitment to protecting our […]
We also heard from Kareem Musa, the Minister of Home Affairs, on the reports of ComPol Williams’ pre-retirement. Minister Musa says he reached out to Williams this morning after receiving queries about the report. ComPol Williams told him what he told us that he made the announcement as a joke. Kareem Musa, Minister of […]
The Commissioner of Police and his Eastern Division Commanders held a meeting with members of the Special Patrol Unit today in Belize City. According to ComPol Williams, the unit that has played such a huge role in subduing violence in the Old Capital for the past weeks has been slacking off. The meeting with the […]
As for the competence of the S.P.U. Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aaron Gamboa, ComPol Williams says he is one of their strongest commanders. ComPol Williams also addressed recent allegations of misconduct brought up against Gamboa. Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police “I am sure the allegations against Mr. Gamboa has no merit. I can […]
This evening, the sixty-sixth passing out ceremony since the commissioning of the Belize Defense Force in 1978, was held at Price Barracks in Ladyville. Over a hundred recruits spent the last sixteen weeks engaged in intensive training in military discipline, defensive and offensive operations, transitional operations, internal security, drill, weapon handling, and map reading. They […]
They have not enlisted new seamen in four years, but this year the Belize Coast Guard is looking for sixty men and women to join the ranks of the naval military unit. Application is open until July fourteenth where Belizeans can go online and sign up to be part of the 2023 recruits for the […]
The Belize Police Department has commenced a new public relations campaign that aims to familiarize residents across the country with the commanding officers in their respective jurisdictions. It’s an initiative that began with two well-known senior officers introducing themselves to the public via the media this afternoon. Senior Superintendent Reymundo Reyes is an officer with […]
Senior Superintendent Christopher Noble is also responsible for Eastern Division as the lead administrator. This afternoon, he also reintroduced himself to the Belizean public. Sr. Supt. Christopher Noble, Administrator, Eastern Division “I think you guys already know me. I am Christopher Noble, Senior Superintendent, I am in charge of the administrative side of Eastern […]
The first set of communications equipment that will be deployed to Belize Defense Force outposts was handed over today to Brigadier General, Azariel Loria. The B.D.F will benefit from an investment of thirteen million dollars in equipment and infrastructure works, procured under the Belize Integral Security Program. Under that program, the Central American Bank for […]
In the wake of the decision taken by the court to deny bail to Tehje Vaughn for the shooting death of Charles Canton, the Association of Defense Attorneys has issued a release saying that it is concern about two recent incidents involving the liberty of Belizeans who appeared before the courts. The association, which was […]
The Association of Defense Attorneys agrees, however, that bail could have been denied for various reasons, including for protection of the defendant or that the person poses as a flight risk. But the association is also concerned about the interpretation of the law. Michelle Trapp, Vice President, Association of Defense Attorneys “Having to do […]
Earlier today, Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, has recused herself from the Elmer Nah double homicide case. According to P.M. Briceño, while the D.P.P. no longer has relations with former Deputy Commissioner of Police Marco Vidal, the uncle of the accused, she has informed the Commissioner of […]
Police intake one hundred and ninety-six is making history by becoming the first cohort to receive structured training in human rights and the use of force. The Human Rights and Use of Force Curriculum has been under development for some time. It was officially launched today at the National Police Training Academy where the course […]
The United States Embassy in Belize handed over a significant donation to the Belize Police Department today in Belmopan. The donation, which is estimated at a little under one million U.S. dollars will certainly bolster the department’s crime fighting efforts, if used effectively. It includes buildings, vehicles, and a number of other equipment used within […]
Today, the Belize Defence Force expanded its fleet of vehicles when it was officially handed five heavy duty military trucks. The donation from the U.S. Government is to the tune of one point two-five million Belize dollars. The gift will strengthen Belize’s capacity for disaster relief, humanitarian assistance and border security. A brief ceremony was […]
The guessing game in tracking illicit activity when it comes to drug plane landings is soon to be over. The Belize Defence Force will shortly acquire an air asset, by way of a donation from the United States government, to assist not only in the expansion of its air wing, but also the improvement of […]
While the media spoke with the Acting Chief of Staff of the Belize Defence Force, Lieutenant Colonel Jermaine Burns, he was asked about an update on the forward operating base at Sarstoon. As we reported earlier this year, the F.O.B. had been compromised by erosion and the soldiers had to be relocated to Barranco Village […]
Today, in the village of Lord’s Bank, the British Army Training Support Unit, BATSUB, officially inaugurated a bridge in the community that provides access to the Belize River. The project which is valued at twelve thousand U.S. dollars saw a troop of engineers who recently arrived in the country demolish an unserviceable small bridge in […]
The bridge will provide access to an area for riverine and jungle exercises by both military forces. Lt. Col. Jermaine Burns, Acting Chief of Staff, B.D.F. “We had come at the back here along with our British partners to look at a way that we could bridge the gap between riverine training all the […]
A News Five team was back at Price Barracks for the conclusion of two events. The first was a proud moment for hundreds of men and women of the Belize Defense Force who received land certificates, following a two-day land clinic hosted at the military base by the Ministry of Natural Resources. News Five’s Duane […]
The Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, along with a team of engineers, visited the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base in the Toledo District on July twenty-ninth. The visit follows reports concerning the integrity of the FOB due to erosion. During the trip, engineers conducted a site survey and collected data with a view to […]
When twenty-three-year-old Micah Miguel took her own life last week, her grieving family did not expect that they would have to forego a proper sendoff for the Belize Defense Force soldier. Suicide is not an issue that is often covered in the media, however, the circumstances surrounding the treatment of the woman while enlisted raises […]
When asked about the tragic incident, Minister of National Security Florencio Marin Junior told the media that there are ongoing efforts to seek psychiatric assistance, as well as help with financial literacy for B.D.F. personnel. Minister Marin refrained from responding to questions regarding the family’s concerns. Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Security “We […]
Today, Jasmine Hartin walked up the stairs of the Supreme Court for an indictment hearing before Justice Ricardo Sandcroft. The hearing was in reference to the manslaughter by negligence charge on the Canadian national for the shooting death of Superintendent Henry Jemmott, which occurred on May twenty-eighth, 2021. During the proceedings this morning, Hartin pled […]
