Dangriga teacher protest charges have now been filed against several educators who participated in the June 4, 2025, roadblock demonstration in southern Belize. The protest, which disrupted traffic in Dangriga and Bella Vista, has led to official court summonses for at least eleven teachers.
One of the named teachers, Eli Villalta, confirmed on Facebook that he received two charges and must appear in court next week. He joins ten other educators facing legal consequences for their involvement in what police describe as an “unlawful assembly.”
The list of charged individuals includes Rosalyn Cornelius, Denise Henry, Derrick Martinez, Ifasina Efunyemi, Loretta Montero, Phidalia Castillo, Victor Williams, Clifton Lorenzo, Francis Williams, and Derrick Walton. These eleven educators must appear before the Dangriga Court of Summary Jurisdiction on Wednesday, June 11, at 9:00 a.m.
According to the court documents, the group allegedly “unlawfully assembled with the purpose of committing a riot,” a charge under Section 229 of the Criminal Code, Chapter 101 of Belizean law. Additionally, Villalta faces a second charge for allegedly obstructing a police officer during the protest. That charge falls under Section 38(1)(a) of Chapter 138.
The roadblock protest formed part of the ongoing dispute between the Belize National Teachers’ Union and the government over salary adjustments and unpaid increments. Protesters used their vehicles to block key junctions, which severely disrupted both traffic and emergency services.
Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith acknowledged that teachers have a right to protest. However, she emphasized that police must act when public safety is at risk. Authorities reportedly gave protesters a two-hour window to move their vehicles before intervening.
The Dangriga teacher protest charges signal that legal proceedings are moving forward. The court has warned that failure to appear could result in arrest warrants or judgments in absentia.
