By Belize Live News Staff: Tensions continue to rise in Belize’s River Valley as violence between rival village factions escalated over the weekend, leading to a shooting incident in Lords’ Bank. The clash left two men injured: Jaden Young of Bermudian Landing Village and Coast Guard officer Cyril Banner from Lemonal Village. Both men suffered gunshot wounds after their vehicle was ambushed by gunfire from a trailing SUV along the Lord’s Bank main road.
The latest incident appears connected to a broader, ongoing dispute among villages in the Belize River Valley, a rivalry that has increasingly spilled over into violent confrontations. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, addressing the incident, stated that this was the second major outbreak of violence tied to this feud. He mentioned prior mediation efforts with local councils aimed at diffusing the hostilities but acknowledged that tensions remain high. “It seems those young men involved don’t want to back down,” he remarked, adding that police would be intensifying their presence and operational focus in affected areas.
Commissioner Williams also cited social media as a potential factor fueling the unrest, noting that sports rivalries, particularly in cricket, may have exacerbated the situation but have since evolved into deeper conflicts. Additional police resources have been deployed to the villages of Burrell Boom and Bermudian Landing to maintain order. The chairman of Lemonal Village is reportedly under investigation as police work to identify key figures involved in the feud.
In light of the escalating violence, police are urging the public to avoid amplifying tensions through social media and remain vigilant as they work toward a resolution.
