_{His amputation has not impeded him from moving on…}

by Apolinar A. Tzul, M.Ed

ORANGE WALK TOWN, Mon. July 21, 2025

He did not migrate to Belize in 1960 as an emancipated slave, nor as an indentured servant like the Chinese and the East Indians before him, but, rather, as a free Mexican national seeking a better living condition and a way of life here in this Jewel of ours. His name is Don Carlos Enriquez, affectionately known to this entire northern populace as “MEX” and, for his impeccable technical wisdom, as Belize’s Best Bike Guru. This tiny giant has shared a picturesque history of his becoming a citizen of a place he now calls home.

MEX landed his first job as a “jarocho” (Spanish for “cane cutter”) in Calcutta Village, Corozal District, soon after stepping foot on Belizean soil through La Union, a Mexican frontier community on the Belize/Mexican border, as an illegal immigrant. As a youth in his 20s, he became flabbergasted by the lush green cane fields of the North, and with the panoramic enticements of beautiful Belize, especially the Orange Walk District, according to his exuberant testimony which he shared with this writer. 

After an entire decade of toiling in the scorching cane fields here in the North as a “jarocho,” during which he was barely making ends meet, and did not know what was up for him, MEX said that he starting looking to establish himself in town, more comfortably. So, it was on Bakers Street that he became fascinated by a small bike repair shop, where he later set up his own bicycle repair shop, to test his newly acquired skills, from what he had seen and learned.

The years passed, and along with them came new modes of transportation. However, MEX embraced the stunning times, having to service every “poor man’s vehicle,” starting with the Judge’s daughter’s bike, to Ministers of Governments’ children’s bicycles, to the ordinary citizens’ traditional way of moving around. His name had quickly become a hallmark as the ONLY BICYCLE GURU in town, with so many locals seeking his repair work services. 

Five years ago, MEX almost lost his battle to diabetes when his right leg was amputated, but that downfall did not impede him from moving on with his bicycle repair services. Today, he can walk around with his prosthetic leg, ready to greet his customers and, as a proud father, willing to give a sound advice: “Always study and stay in school. Even if you want a career in bicycle repair, it will take you an entire year before you grasp the loose ends of this business. Learn a trade and develop a skill, but don’t punish your life in slavery like I did when I just came here.”

Best wishes to Mr. Carlos “MEX” Enriquez, and every blessing to all his life’s endeavors!