Mango Creek Man Dies at Western Border During Medical Transfer from Honduras

A planned medical transfer from Honduras ended in tragedy over the weekend when a Mango Creek man died at Belize’s western border, prompting public concern and an official response from the Ministry of Immigration.  Nasar Arsenio Reyes, who had been battling cancer, had traveled to Honduras on January 20 for surgery. Arrangements were later made for him to be transported back to Belize in a Honduran ambulance so he could continue receiving treatment locally.  However, reports circulating on social media suggested that the ambulance was denied entry at the border despite Reyes reportedly being in critical condition and experiencing seizures during the journey. He was subsequently pronounced dead at the border by attending Honduran medical personnel.  The incident has deeply shaken the Mango Creek community, where residents had been closely following and supporting Reyes throughout his illness.  In a press release issued today, the Ministry of Immigration, Governance and Labour extended condolences to Reyes’ family and provided clarification on the circumstances at the border. The ministry stated that at approximately six-thirty a.m. on February 21, the Honduran ambulance arrived at the Belize Western Border Station with Reyes, two family members, and two Honduran medical personnel. Officials noted that while the family members were processed, the Honduran medical personnel did not have passports, presenting only national identification cards. Despite this, immigration officers indicated they were prepared to facilitate entry given the grave medical circumstances, pending clearance of the ambulance by the competent authority. The ministry further stated that a Benque Viejo ambulance was dispatched and arrived at the border shortly after 7a.m. Belizean medical personnel examined Reyes while he remained in the Honduran ambulance and determined that he had already passed away. The Ministry of Immigration maintains that all actions taken were consistent with established procedures and carried out with humanitarian consideration.