The Special Olympics Belize Torch was hosted in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, by the island’s police formation after arriving from Belize City on Tuesday, December 3rd. Each year, the torch is brought to San Pedro as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). This event takes place in anticipation of the Special Olympic Games, scheduled to begin on Friday, December 6th, at the Marion Jones Stadium in Belize City. The mission of the LETR is to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics movement.
The torch was warmly welcomed on the island and presented to students, Councillors Dani Aranda and Johnnia Duarte. Later that day, Region Four Commander Senior Superintendent Alejandro Cowo, along with Inspector Darwin Serano and other San Pedro police officers, joined students and cadets at the central park. The torch was formally presented, and the evening’s activities concluded with a fundraising drive to support the Special Olympic Games.
On Wednesday at 8:30 AM, the torch was paraded through the main streets of downtown San Pedro. Members of the police department, the San Pedro Town Council, and students from San Pedro High School participated in the event. Senior Superintendent Cowo led the run/walk along Pescador Drive, which then continued down Barrier Reef Drive, ending at Central Park. Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez greeted the crowd and praised those involved in this annual initiative.
The LETR began in Punta Gorda, Toledo, located in southern Belize. After leaving San Pedro, the torch will travel to Corozal Town in the northern part of the country. It will then stop in Orange Walk Town before arriving in Belize City for the games. Corporal Wilfredo Petillo, one of the officers leading this year’s event, emphasized that this activity is conducted for a worthy cause: supporting children with intellectual disabilities. “With this, we are trying to raise awareness of the importance of inclusion and continue supporting the talents that these individuals have despite their disabilities,” he said. Petillo mentioned that the torch run began in 2012 but became inactive in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that the event will take place annually if there are no major obstacles.
The Special Olympics International Organization promotes a global initiative to raise awareness for individuals living with disabilities. In Belize, this project continues to receive support from various agencies, including the Customs and Excise Department, the Belize Police Department, the Belize Coast Guard, the Belize Defence Force, the National Fire Service, and the Kolbe Foundation.
