Stacy Smith

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“It was reported that two male persons, one of whom was armed with a firearm went to that establishment and with the use of threat demand that the attendant handed over the proceeds of the days sale. Being in fear, the attendant complied and the male persons made good their escape. This matter was reported to police and police’s response, including dispatching an investigative team at the scene of the incident with a view of reviewing the available footage. And it also included mobilizing a joint operational team, which was done with a view to cardoning the area and creating a drag net. Based on the investigation and the use of drone, the police officers were able some one hour after the incident to apprehend these two male persons, Villanueva and Rancheran. And in Mr. Rancheran’s position. Police found a point 38 revolver, which also contained six live rounds of point-thirty-eight caliber ammunition. Whilst Mr. Villanueva was found in possession of items, believed to be the proceeds of the robbery.”

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Drone Assist Leads to Swift Corozal Robbery Arrests   first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Aruderio Carrillo

Aruderio Carrillo, Artist

“ I am so proud. I always wanted to paint a Sarteneja sign until that project came out and I was so happy to do it.”

Aruderio Carrillo didn’t just grow up in Sarteneja Village, he carries the community in his heart. So, when someone asked if he’d take on the job of painting the village’s welcome sign, he didn’t hesitate. He jumped in with both feet. Carrillo refused to take a single dollar for his time or talent. The only money he accepted from the local youth group was for paint and supplies. Everything else, the design and the hours, he gave freely. It was his way of giving back to the place that shaped him.

Aruderio Carrillo

“I was approached by the Sarteneja Youth Group with Ms. Mora for the first time she approached me to paint the sign. Miss Stephanie came with idea of the sunset, and I think, which is a good idea, sunset because here in Sarteneja the sunsets are so, so beautiful.”

Carrillo says the concept quickly took shape, inspired by one of the village’s most breathtaking features. But the mural goes far beyond a sunset. Every brushstroke reflects daily life in this coastal community.

Aruderio Carrillo

“ For example the palm tree, I decide to palm trees so that represent the beaches of Sarteneja. The fishermen, the guy with the canoe, the local fishermen. And of course the regatta, those boats that represent the regatta and those are wooden boats. And I think here in Sarteneja is the only place that they still would build wooden boats.”

The project meant something deeper to Carrillo. The phrase on the sign “Where the Sun Meets the Water” captures a view locals know well.

Aruderio Carrillo

“I know it doesn’t sound right because some say it where the suns meet the water, but we just say where the sun on the water, because on the summer, the sun more like on the water than inland.”

Beyond art, there’s the heart of the village itself.

Aruderio Carrillo

“It’s a small village, peaceful, lovely as you could see. We have different places to visit here, you know. Also the sea, which is good. And the people are so friendly here.”

Darnel Cruz, the Village Council Secretary, says the sign truly reflects Sarteneja’s long-standing pride as a fishing community with deep cultural traditions.

Darnel Cruz

Darnel Cruz, Village Council Secretary, Sarteneja

“ The drawings, if you might have seen it, is depicting what, what CJA is about. It has been painted over, but the idea is there cja, a fishing community. Eh, people, how friendly, how lovely the people are. Our culture, we share, eh, well, we mostly, we are mesti here in Sarnia, no, but almost more than ninety percent of the men are, are fishermen. So the idea will be there. And this idea, well, what I know, eh, came about, well, as I mentioned this initial youth group was, were the ones that worked towards this. And they wanted, well, almost in many places within Belize, they were. Starting to erect these types of signs. No. And they wanted certain, they had to be part of that also, that initiative. So they, they had a and we couldn’t say no to that. We, we had to go with, with development. No. So we, we are pro-development and it looks beautiful and it’s attractive. We have many visitors coming to the village and that’s one of their stuff. In front of the sign, snap some pictures and, you know, have, have fun in the village.”

The sign has quickly become a favorite photo stop for visitors and a symbol of local pride. And if you’re thinking of making the trip north, Cruz says there’s no better time than the upcoming Easter season.

Darnel Cruz

“We want to invite people to come out, visit our village see what we have to offer. One of the best times to visit during these is Easter season. We have the seafood fest that we had in the month of October. Now we’re having Easter. It’ll be a whole weekend of events that we will have. We will have a, a marathon, the regatta regatta that we have. And I invite everybody to come out. Come out and enjoy. At least for that weekend. Know more about Sarteneja.”

From its golden sunsets to its wooden boats and welcoming people, Sarteneja’s new sign stands as a colorful symbol for a village proud of its history and culture. Shane Williams for News Five.

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

Watch the full newscast here:

The post Colorful Village Sign Becomes Symbol of Sarteneja Pride first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Shane Williams, Reporting

Eugene Myers seemed to be a man running out of time. Just last December, gunmen tried to take his life while he was simply shopping at a supermarket in San Antonio Village. His pickup was left riddled with bullets, and he was forced to leave Corozal Town for a quieter spot in Calcutta Village. But despite the danger, Myers still made frequent trips back into town. And it was one of those familiar visits that turned deadly, ending in gunfire and heartbreak inside the lobby of a Corozal hotel.

                            ACP Hilberto Romero

ACP Hilberto Romero, Head, National Crime Investigation Branch

“Information received is that Myers was in that area waiting for someone when a person with a firearm arrived and fired a single shot causing his fatal injury.”

Myers collapsed at the doorway. By the time officers arrived, he was already dead. The hotel manager then called his common‑law wife, Keisha Rivero, to deliver the heartbreaking news.

                            Keisha Rivero

Keisha Rivero, Spouse of Victim

“My last conversation with Eugene yesterday was around six-thirty, six-forty-five before my live. He told me, what time are you doing live because I’m soon coming home. So I told him I’m doing my live at seven. He said that he was going at the hotel to meet his friend ’cause his friend was supposed to drop off some money for him. He said he’s gonna do that and then shoot up home. So I’m like, okay I’ll wait for you. Now I am into my live and I would say around seven-thirty, no, I would say seven forty-five, I got the call from Steve, the hotel owner, and he told me sit down, you need to talk. So I sit down, I tell him what happened. He say Keisha they just shoot Eugene. I da like, what? Weh you mean they just shoot Eugene? He say Keisha they just shoot Eugene and I – I tell him, is he okay? Is it critical? He said, Keisha, he dead. Weh yo mean is he critical? He dead, he get headshot.”

For Keisha Rivero, the news was devastating. She says Myers was a devoted father who adored his two-year-old son, Kennedy, cherishing opportunities to take him on adventures across the country. It means that young child will face life without a father.

Keisha Rivero

“Kennedy started to take everything that Eugene does: the way how he sleeps, the way how he snores, his attitude. And I’m like, even if I want to say it’s not yours, he’s everything. He’s everything like you and Eugene, all he does is play with Kennedy. When I get up, Kennedy is not in my bed. Eugene has already took Kennedy, gave him a shower, put him in his clothes, fed him everything. When I come downstairs, my son has this hall full of toys. Eugene is sitting here just looking at him. He would take us to Placencia, to Belize, just so Kennedy can explore places. I am not a person that traveled, so when he took us traveling, it’s like an experience for me and my son. He said this year he wanted to take Kennedy to the zoo. I told him Kennedy won’t even remember that, but when Kennedy’s on the tablet he mimics the animals. So he’s like okay, but he wa do that and I want see that.”

Investigators say the shooting was no coincidence. Myers had survived a shooting attempt just weeks ago in December, when his parked truck was riddled with bullets outside a supermarket in San Antonio Village. He was also out on bail for a 2019 Corozal border robbery, a case set to go on trial in February. And tonight, police say that detail is now an important piece of their wider investigation.

ACP Hilberto Romero

“We are seeking one suspect in regards to this murder. We believe it was drug related. The deceased had issues with several persons in Corozal and he was waiting for someone to do a transaction involving cash.”

Reporter

“On November ninth, I believe sometime. His vehicle was shot at. Is it related to this incident?”

ACP Hilberto Romero

“That is correct. He has been receiving threats and the person came there and fatally shot him.”

Reporter

“No criminal history for the deceased?”

ACP Hilberto Romero

“Yes, he’s on bail for robbery and other crimes.”

For the people who loved Eugene Myers, whatever is written in a police file doesn’t come close to capturing who he was. To them, he was a partner, a father, and a man whose life was cut short in a violent way no family should ever have to face. And for Keisha and her little boy, answers alone won’t heal the wound, but they’re holding on to hope that justice will.

Keisha Rivero

“I do hope. I do hope they do their best to bring justice to this because previously when they had shot up the pickup in town, we didn’t find out who it was. So now since they have that and now he is now dead, I am hoping and praying that something is done about this because I do not feel safe. Regardless if, if you could find my location, who can’t find my location, so I noh feel safe. I mean it’s just me, my lee bredda, my baby and my pa. My pa can’t walk. Soh who wa defend me now? Eugene was my defendant. He was always there, especially in times of troubles and problems.”

Shane Williams for News Five.

The post Eugene Myers Executed In Corozal Hotel first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

              On the Phone: German Edel Zetina

On the Phone: German Edel Zetina, Fire Victim

“I got a little brother that lives with me there because I was working at Belize, but then when I got informed by my little sister, Lilian Romero, she called me and she sent me a message and I saw it that my house was burning and it got burn down. So when I reached there, it was everything got burn, everything.”

Britney Gordon

“Do you guys have any idea what started the fire?”

On the Phone: German Edel Zetina

“At the moment, no, ma’am, because they told me that they have to wait for the fire firefighters to tell them what was the cause or whatever. But at the moment, I don’t have no idea why or what caused it.”

Britney Gordon

“What are some of the things that you need right now? Are you in need of clothes, finances, materials?”

On the Phone: German Edel Zetina

“The most is the, to build a house is like materials and a little finance for the labor and so pay so they and can help me and the material. Yeah, because everything I have, clothes from my little babies. My one, everything that I had here, all my stuff, TVs, everything, beds, everything. Everything. Nothing could save.”

Zetina says he still doesn’t know what sparked the fire, and police are now waiting on firefighters to determine the cause. What he does know is that everything he owned, clothes, furniture, appliances, was destroyed. Now, he’s appealing to the public for building materials and financial help to put a roof back over their heads.

The post Devastating Corozal Fire Destroys Family Home first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

A concerned resident told News Five that the problem has persisted for years, with trash repeatedly dumped along the roadside near the designated disposal site. Broken glass and cans, the resident said, pose risks to motorists and villagers alike. “We’re having the same problem again and again,” the resident said, noting that political division often undermines community efforts.

“If the red is doing, the blue is not happy. If the blue is doing, the red is not happy,” the resident said, adding that this mindset makes it difficult to address shared problems.

According to the resident, the village council has already created a proper access point to the garbage site and encouraged residents to dispose of waste responsibly rather than along the roadside.

Vice Chairlady Docia Chan said the current council inherited a dump site that was “in a mess” and made cleaning it a priority because it sits at the entrance to Caledonia. “We want our village to be kept clean at all times,” Chan said. “It’s the first thing visitors and villagers see.”

Chan explained that council members cleaned the area on Sunday, only to find bags of garbage dumped along the roadside the following day. This happened despite the disposal area being accessible and warning signs posted.

While unsure whether the continued dumping is politically motivated or simply a lack of cooperation, Chan said the council is now urging residents to be more responsible. “I am calling the attention of all villagers to be conscious and to put the garbage in its proper place,” Chan said.

If the behaviour continues, she warned, the council may seek assistance from authorities. “We will have to consult with police officials and investigate what actions we can take,” she said.

Calling for unity, the resident urged Caledonians to put politics aside and work together. “We are affected, all of us, not only one person.”

The post Recurring Garbage Problem Sparks Frustration in Caledonia Village first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

On Wednesday, Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Development Dr Osmond Martinez met with farmers’ associations, factory representatives and support agencies at the Sugar Industry Control Board HQ in Buena Vista Village, Corozal. The meeting brought all major stakeholders to the table, including BSI/ASR, SIRDI, the Cane Production Committee and several growers’ associations.

Discussions focused on harvest readiness, cane testing, factory updates and the need for improved sugar roads. Participants also reviewed plans to expand technical support and make financing easier for farmers, including streamlining grants under the Climate Resilient and Sustainable Agriculture Project (CRESAP).

“Stakeholders agreed on next steps, responsibilities, and follow-up mechanisms to ensure that programmes and activities are better coordinated,” the official press release read.

Last season, over a hundred thousand tonnes of sugarcane were left to rot, simply because there weren’t enough hands to harvest. Prime Minister John Briceño has said the core issue is delays and labour availability rather than fees, while industry leaders argue that the rising cost of bringing in foreign cane cutters remains a major challenge.

The post Good News for Belize’s Sugar Industry? first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Speaking this week, Briceño outlined the government’s strategy: merging the Ministry of Enterprise with the Ministry of Home Affairs to ensure a stronger, more active police presence inside the zone. The goal, he said, is to enhance safety for business owners, employees, and the thousands of visitors who pass through each day.

“That’s the very reason why we put Enterprise with the Police,” Briceño explained. “We want law enforcement to play a more active role at the Free Zone to ensure peace and stability. It’s an important area that creates a lot of employment, and it’s important for us to protect those workers and make sure everyone feels safe.”

The Prime Minister noted that there have been no widespread complaints about security issues in the zone. However, he said the government is acting early to maintain order and ensure the area continues to operate smoothly.

“We just want to take that extra precaution,” he added.

The post PM Briceño Moves to Strengthen Security at Corozal Free Zone first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                                  Oscar Mira

Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs

“I am scheduled to meet with the CEO of Freezone very shortly, along with the chairman of the board. We are going to ensure we look at everything. We are there to ensure that the business people in the Freezone can do their business and they can do it without fear. That is what we are working at. I still have not gotten that briefing from them as yet. But as soon as I do, we will go from there. But, our aim is to ensure that businesses in the Freezone can do business without fear and that business happens.”

Paul Lopez

Do you believe that the police department can out man and even outgun the level of alleged cartel influence within the Freezone?

Oscar Mira

“I really need to find out where these allegations are. We are going to put all our resources together to ensure the area is safe for business and that is our aim.”

The post Can New Home Affairs Minister Secure Corozal Free Zone? first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                           ASP Stacy Smith

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“On Sunday ninth 2025 at approximately five forty-five p.m. police responded to reports of shots being fired in the vicinity of China Store, located along Santa Rita Road in Corozal Town. What police have been able to ascertain is that a male person along with his common law wife visited that establishment and made his way inside when he heard a number of shots being fired. He made his way outside when he observed his red pickup truck was the target of a shooting. We have spoken to the owner of the vehicle and during the course of that interview he said he had no reason to believe he was the target. Police investigation continues which includes the review of surveillance footage and he canvassing of the area with the hope of ascertaining what may have resulted in this incident.”

For now, the motive remains a mystery, and the community is left wondering what sparked the gunfire.

The post Who Shot Up His Truck? Corozal Man Wants Answers first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Daniel Mendez

Daniel Mendez, National Emergency Coordinator

“Belize is no stranger to the effects of disasters. Every year we experience hurricanes, floods and droughts because you’ve seen this, you lived it last year and this year and you know what I am talking about. But time and again, we see the strength of the Belizean people, neighbors helping neighbors, communities coming together and young people stepping up to support response and recovery efforts. That spirit of unity and service is what disaster resilience is truly all about. At NEMO, our mandate goes beyond responding to emergencies. We are focused on education, preparedness and building a culture where every citizen understands their role in reducing risk. In that mission, you, the youth, are essential. You are the ones who can use technology to share accurate information, to develop innovative solutions and inspire others to act responsibly, whether it’s creating awareness on social media, organizing cleanup drives or helping to develop a community emergency plan, your contributions make a difference.”

The post Youths Lead Disaster Preparedness in Corozal first appeared on Greater Belize Media.