By Aaron Humes: The Government have declared a partial state of emergency following escalating gang violence between the PIV and BLC gangs, both rooted in the St Martin’s area. This decision follows a spate of violent incidents, including a recent high-speed highway shooting targeting a gang figure and the murder of Jamal Samuels in the CET site area, believed to be acts of retaliation.
During a press conference on Monday, Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado announced that a total of nine individuals have been detained under the state of emergency, which will last for an initial period of 30 days. The Commissioner emphasized that the decision was made after thorough intelligence assessments indicated “an imminent threat to life and property.”
But who precisely are they? There were few hints on offer – certainly no names. Asked whether any minors were among them, Commissioner Rosado confirmed that all nine persons detained are adults from Belize City – no minors. Later, they were described as “not only the shooters but also the influencers and the leaders,” adding, “so while it is limited it is targeted.”
When questioned about the potential for more detentions, Dr Rosado affirmed that law enforcement would continue to assess the situation and respond accordingly. “If the need arises and it is a continuous assessment we are doing on the situation on the ground, and based on the assessment, there may be additional individuals.”
The police say they have also put in place a detailed vetting process for those detained to ensure accountability throughout the state of emergency: “I believe what we are doing now if you notice – we have a limited, we refer to it as a limited state of emergency because it is targeted it is transparent and it is accountable and we have necessary mechanisms in place to ensure that those individuals who are placed under state of emergency go through a thorough vetting process so it is, we have a more accountable process.”
The Commissioner reassured law-abiding citizens that the enforcement of the state of emergency would not disrupt their daily lives. He concluded, “…our main intent is to preserve the life of these youths within Belize City, and I believe what we have put in place we will be able to contain further violence, and I believe that what is in place will allow us not to put any other individuals under the state of emergency but there may be it all depends on the situation on the ground.”
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By Aaron Humes: The Government have declared a partial state of emergency following escalating gang violence between the PIV and BLC gangs, both rooted in the St Martin’s area. This decision follows a spate of violent incidents, including a recent high-speed highway shooting targeting a gang figure and the murder of Jamal Samuels in the
The post Who are the nine detainees so far under State of Emergency 2026? Police offer few hints appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.