By: Omar Silva, Editor-Publisher

www.natinalperspectivebz.com

Belize City, Belize – April 17, 2025

🇧🇿 NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE BELIZE – SPECIAL REPORT

In an unprecedented and chilling act that has shattered the tranquillity of Belize’s peaceful skies, an American citizen has committed what must be called—by every definition and legal standard—an act of terrorism.

On Thursday morning, 14 innocent passengers aboard a Tropic Air flight became victims of terror when Akinyela Sawa Taylor, a U.S. national and suspected military veteran, hijacked the aircraft mid-flight at knifepoint. Taylor stabbed three Belizean nationals, including the pilot and a fellow passenger, before being fatally shot in the chest by a courageous traveller with a licensed firearm.

Let it be clear: this was not a mere “incident,” nor was it an “unfortunate situation.” It was a calculated act of terror that endangered lives, threatened civil aviation, and pierced the very core of Belize’s sense of safety and sovereignty.

Hijacking in the Skies: An Attack on Our Homeland

According to Police Commissioner Chester Williams, the assailant pulled a knife while in flight and demanded the pilot divert the plane to another country. The pilot, demonstrating outstanding calm and bravery, continued to circle the airspace around northern Belize and Belize City, nearly running out of fuel.

Three Belizean nationals were wounded. Had it not been for the timely intervention of a civilian hero, this flight could have ended in a mass casualty disaster.

The government has since launched an investigation into how Taylor—who had previously been denied entry into Belize—managed to enter the country and board the plane armed with a deadly weapon. As noted by the Commissioner, municipal airstrips like Corozal lack sufficient security infrastructure, such as passenger scanning and baggage checks. This tragic failure has now been violently exposed.

This Was Terrorism—Let Us Not Soften the Language

When a foreign national boards a civilian aircraft, assaults the crew and passengers, and attempts to force the plane into an unlawful international deviation under threat of violence, that is an act of terrorism.

This event must not be categorized as a mere security breach or a lone act of violence—it was an assault on our national safety, civil aviation system, and citizenry. It was an act of terror. And if we fail to name it, we risk setting a dangerous precedent that could allow future acts to be minimized or overlooked.

American Silence, Belizean Consequences

While the U.S. Embassy has stated it will assist in the investigation, the response thus far has been measured, cautious, and disappointingly vague. A brief remark by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce acknowledged the unfolding of events but lacked any strong condemnation or accountability.

We must ask ourselves—would the U.S. have reacted with such restraint had the perpetrator been a Belizean national hijacking an American plane? Would we not have been branded immediately and globally?

Tropic Air and the Heroic Response

Tropic Air CEO Maximillian Greif praised the pilot for his heroic composure and affirmed the company’s commitment to safety. Indeed, the pilot’s actions likely saved all lives onboard. However, no amount of praise can undo the trauma experienced by the passengers, or the three Belizeans now recovering from stab wounds inflicted in the skies.

Government Reacts—But Too Late?

The Belize Airports Authority has pledged to fast-track security upgrades, including screening equipment and bag checks. However, this begs the question: Why did it take an act of terrorism to prioritize the most basic standards of air safety? Why were these protocols not implemented after past warnings? Will this promise now be another talking point, or a genuine shift toward international aviation security standards?

A Warning for the Future

Belize must treat this moment as a turning point. Terrorism has touched our homeland. The soft underbelly of our air travel network has been exposed. And if we do not demand reform—swift, transparent, and thorough—we risk more than just a single hijacking. We risk becoming a target.

Let this never happen again.