A family of four from Hattieville is now homeless after a fire destroyed their home early Friday morning. Oris Bailey recounted that just after midnight, she and her two children were asleep in their two-bedroom wooden house when she woke up to the smell of smoke. Realizing the house was on fire, they quickly escaped without injuries, but the house and everything inside were destroyed. Bailey’s mother, who lives in a neighboring wooden house on the same property, also had to flee for safety and suffered burns to her arm. Thankfully, her home was not damaged. When we arrived at the scene this morning, fire personnel were still investigating. We spoke with Bailey to get her account of the incident.
Oris Bailey
Oris Bailey, Fire Victim
“At around twelve twenty-eight, twelve thirty, I was sleeping with my two kids and between sleep and wake I smelled smoke. When I got up I smell portion of my kids room already in flames. During that time I hurry woke up my two kids and we ran through the door because the house was already in flames. Well, the only thing that was going through my mind to make sure they come out safe. With the amount of fire in the building the smoke mih thick and we mih the try save what we have put couldn’t save anything because the whole house was in fire. It is a fully furnished house, everything was completely lost. The TV, the fridge, the washing machine, the three beds, everything.”
Paul Lopez
“Do you have any idea what happened?”
Oris Bailey
“I have no idea sir, no idea. I never leave on any stove, I never have no fly fish on, leave on nothing anything, nothing mih lef on, so I don’t know how the house caught on fire.”
Paul Lopez
“In terms of the possibility of it being arson, you have any of that going through your mind as a possibility?”
Oris Bailey
“It could be, I don’t know how the house would catch fire if nothing was lit or left on. It could be. I done lose everything, so I don’t have anything, no clothes, my food gone, everything gone so any assistance would be greatly appreciated. And if they want to reach me they can contact 629-6524.”
A Belizean first-year law student at the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica has made history. Ebony Gabourel has become the first student to receive five awards in a single year from the law school. She topped her class of 200 students and was named the Most Outstanding Year One Student for the 2023-2024 academic year. But that’s not all—Gabourel also took home the Michael March Memorial Prize, the Williams McCoy and Palmer Prize, the Justice Courtney Scipio Orr Memorial Prize, and the Justice Dennis Morrison Memorial Prize. Talk about a clean sweep! Gabourel, who is the daughter of Attorney Sharon Pitts and the granddaughter of former Attorney General B. Q. Pitts, shared with us what it meant to achieve these incredible goals, especially while battling a health condition.
Ebony Gabourel
Ebony Gabourel, Law Student
“It was a challenge because the law school is a very rigorous program. It’s very intense. And, you know, it always feels like you don’t have enough time in 24 hours in each day. It feels like there’s always, well, there is always a lot to do, always a lot to tackle. So it was quite challenging and I also had a sudden onset health condition that affected my studies quite a lot and made it much more challenging than it already was. Uh, however, with the grace of God, I was able to persevere and just keep going so that I was able to not just complete my year, which is what I set out to do, but to get these awards that I’m very honored to have received. I’m proud as a Belizean and, you know, hope to have made my country very proud by doing so. There are a set of awards for first year students and then there’s a set of awards for second year students. I, and for the compliment, the compliment, full compliment of students at the law school. And, um, as far as I know, I know that I was the, at least for this academic year that I was speaking about, I received the most award of the students who received the most awards that have been received. It does raise a bar higher from me to myself. I think, honestly, I’m my biggest critic. And so I tend to be reluctant to celebrate achievements when like, The job is not done, so to speak, because the job I set out to achieve is completing the entire program and receiving my CLE at the end of it.”
In a male-dominated field, Cynthia Reyes is showing that women belong in AC repair too. As a technician at Dave’s AC World, she has overcome many challenges to make her mark in the industry. Being the only woman in her class at ITVET, Reyes tackled every obstacle head-on and excelled. Her journey is not just about breaking barriers but also inspiring other women to consider trades as a viable career path. News Five’s Sabreena Daly has the story.
Sabreena Daly, Reporting
For twenty-five years, Amanda Betancourt, the owner of Dave’s AC World, has been in the air conditioning business. In all that time, she had never seen a female AC technician—until now. Cynthia Reyes is one of Belize’s formally trained female AC technicians, making her mark in the trade.
Amanda Betancourt
Amanda Betancourt, Owner, Dave’s AC World “ We do have a female on staff that is an AC technician and does electrical as well. And yes, she does get up there and service the units. She also knows how to install and repair. And that goes good as well too because when she takes trouble calls, When people are calling and say, well, this is not working, that is not working, she knows exactly which questions to ask, so that when we dispatch the guys out, we know exactly to tell them to look for this or to look for that, or to try this to repair it.”
In Belize, more women are stepping into trades traditionally dominated by men, like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and AC repair. Despite facing cultural perceptions and a lack of female mentors, their interest in these fields is growing. Their presence is challenging gender norms and proving that passion and skill have no gender boundaries. Cynthia Reyes’ journey wasn’t easy. She was the only woman in her AC technical studies at ITVET, but she didn’t let that stop her. She embraced the challenge and excelled.
Cynthia Reyes
Cynthia Reyes, AC Technician, Dave’s Ac World “ I was the only female in my class in high school and in ITVet. I was the only female in my class. It was a bit challenging being the only female, but I did my best. I tried. I had a little bit of competition, but I got awards first in little things. I got an award for the trainee of the year. I was involved in even helping with the school to promote females and to help them to come to ITVET.”
Reyes’ passion for the trade began early. She noticed a growing demand for AC technicians in her community of Orange Walk as air conditioning became more popular in Belizean homes and businesses. Seeing this opportunity, she decided to pursue the field despite the challenges, determined to make her mark in the industry.
Cynthia Reyes
“Because Belize is hot, and not everyone can repair an AC. I’d say about 80% of the population now has an AC too. In Orange Walk, there weren’t many AC technicians, and many would travel to Belize City to work for AC companies. So, I decided that when I got older, I wanted to have my own company and become an AC technician. That’s why I went to study AC at IT Vet.”
Reyes isn’t just breaking barriers; she’s also educating customers about the importance of AC maintenance. She emphasizes the need for regular service to keep systems efficient and maintain good air quality.
Cynthia Reyes
“We recommend servicing AC units every three months, including for businesses. The main reason is that the filters get dirty, and with so many illnesses going around, keeping them clean helps maintain air quality. Regular servicing also prevents dust buildup, which can clog airflow and make the fan work harder. When the AC has to force itself to function due to dust obstruction, it eventually stops cooling efficiently. As a result, the unit consumes more electricity, leading to higher energy bills.”
Amanda Bentancourt hopes that Reyes’ success will inspire more women to break barriers and pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. She believes that seeing women excel in trades like AC repair can encourage others to follow their passion, showing that skill and determination matter more than gender.
Amanda Betancourt Owner, Dave’s AC World
“I would think that it should be encouraging for any female to see that you can do it, that nothing is there that you can’t do. And yes, there are limitations, but there are limitations in everything. In every occupation, there are limitations. There may be limitations for men to do clerical work, too. So, I think it should be encouraging to any female to know that if there’s something that I like or a field that I like, there’s nothing that I can’t do.”
Cynthia Reyes
“I would say being in a male-dominated field is challenging, but it’s important not to give up. At times, it can be complicated, but as my boss mentioned, we women are capable of doing jobs traditionally dominated by men. It’s not impossible, and while it may be challenging, it’s not something that should be seen as too difficult to accomplish.”
Thanks to trailblazers like Cynthia Reyes, AC repair in Belize might soon see more women in the field, proving that women belong in every trade. As more women take on these roles, they challenge outdated norms and inspire future generations to follow their passions without limits. Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.
The newly sworn-in Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton, has made it clear that rebuilding the United Democratic Party (UDP) is her top priority. Panton mentioned that this is something her legal team will handle.
Panton spoke about the challenges ahead, describing the task of rebuilding the UDP as “running on fumes” after a difficult journey. “This is day one. We are getting ready now to be the next government in 2030,” she stated this afternoon.
Panton also pointed out the importance of unity within the UDP. “We have to meet as a wider UDP family… do a proper postmortem of what has happened,” she added.
The party faces significant challenges, not only in rebuilding but also in addressing internal leadership disputes with Barrow’s continued claim to the party’s leadership until “a national convention is held to elect a new leader among those who are qualified to be leader,” he said in his concession address.
A family of four in Hattieville has been left homeless after a fire destroyed their home early this morning. Oris Bailey, who was asleep with her two children in their two-bedroom wooden house, woke to the smell of smoke just after midnight. Bailey and her children managed to escape unharmed, but the blaze consumed their entire home and all their possessions, including furniture, appliances, and clothing.
Bailey’s mother, who lived in a neighbouring house on the same property, also had to flee for safety and sustained minor burns to her arm. Her home was not damaged in the fire. Bailey says she has “no idea” what may have caused the fire. She stated, “I never left anything on,” and added that she had no explanation for how the fire started, suggesting it could have been arson.
Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the fire. Bailey appealed for assistance, stating that she had lost everything, including essential items such as food and clothing. She provided a contact number for anyone wishing to offer support.
She said, “I don’t have anything, no clothes, my food gone, everything gone so any assistance would be greatly appreciated. And if they want to reach me they can contact 629-6524.”
Tracy Panton was officially sworn in as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, making her the first woman to hold the position. Her appointment came after the United Democratic Party (UDP) lost the March 12 general election. The UDP won only five of 31 seats.
Panton, who led the Alliance for Democracy faction within the UDP, secured enough support to assume the leadership role. She received backing from key party members, including Lee Mark Chang and Godwin Haylock, solidifying her position despite earlier challenges from former Leader of the Opposition Moses Shyne Barrow. Barrow lost his seat to Chang in the Mesopotamia Division.
Belize remains under the BLU wave for the next five years—let’s unpack the March 12 general election. Leading up to election day, there were several experts dissecting the possible outcomes, with a few of them landing as expected.
Before midnight, 26 candidates of the People’s United Party (PUP) were celebrating their victory. Out of 31 constituencies, 26 went blue for the PUP and 5 went red for the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Although the UDP remains in opposition, the party’s internal battles may have cost the party’s return in this year’s general election.
UDP’s Pyrrhic Victory in the 2025 General Election
The United Democratic Party (UDP) entered the 2025 general election fractured after the October 2024 “unity convention,” which was held to elect a new party leader. The convention was organised by the Alliance for Democracy, led by Tracy Panton, despite Panton and other key UDP figures being labelled as “constructively resigned” from the party by the then UDP leader, Moses “Shyne” Barrow.
In a statement issued the following day, and branding the official UDP’s press release header, it said that the UDP was “proud to announce that Hon. Tracy Panton has been elected as the Interim Leader of the UDP, making history as the first female to lead a mass political party in Belize.” The aftermath of the convention is what led to the months-long power struggle between Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Tracy Panton over who is the legitimate leader of the UDP.
This internal conflict ended with Barrow and Panton leading their separate slate of candidates under the UDP banner in the 2025 general election.
On election night, as polling stations closed and results began to trickle in, Barrow’s defeat was confirmed—not by a PUP opponent but by Lee Mark Chang, a candidate from Panton’s faction within the UDP. Barrow lost his seat in Mesopotamia to Chang, who garnered 601 votes to Barrow’s 318.
Barrow conceded defeat shortly after 9 p.m., stating, “The people have spoken; congratulations to Lee Mark Chang—he’s now the new area representative of Mesopotamia, and I wish him well.” He added that the voter turnout was a clear reflection of the public’s sentiment. “I was confident; that was the interaction I was having with the people, but they made a decision to go in another direction, and I respect that,” he added.
Chang’s victory marks a historic moment for the constituency and Belize as a whole. His win against Barrow makes him the first Belizean-Chinese to secure a seat in the House of Representatives.
For those wondering why winning this seat was important for Barrow, it’s simple: it was the key to continuing his leadership of the UDP.
In another blow to Barrow, Panton secured her third term in the Albert constituency, while another key Panton ally, Godwin Haylock, also triumphed in Queen Square—a stronghold previously held by Barrow’s father, Dean Oliver Barrow, and aunt, Denise ‘Sista B’ Barrow.
Meanwhile, Barrow’s faction was only able to secure two victories: Hugo Patt in Corozal North and first-time candidate Miguel Guerra in Cayo West.
With only 5 seats in the House of Representatives, and Barrow not being one, who is the new Leader of the Opposition?
Tracy Panton is the first female candidate leading a major political party. She will be sworn in later today as the first female Leader of the Opposition.
While Panton’s victory marks an important moment in Belize’s political history, it comes with a bittersweet reality. After all, her defeated UDP brothers, Patrick Faber and John Saldivar, will not be treading the same path she’s to face now. Faber lost his seat in Collet, while Saldivar failed to reclaim his seat in Belmopan.
Voter Turnout: A “Boring” Election or Just Peaceful?
Whether you followed #Decision2025 on Channel 5, kept up with News 5 Live on social media, or experienced it firsthand, it was hard to ignore the sense that this election felt ‘slow’—or as many on social media put it, it just felt “boring.” Was it a sign of voter apathy, or was it simply a reflection of a peaceful election where citizens quietly exercised their democratic rights?
According to the Belize Election and Boundaries, the voter turnout was noticeably lower this election compared to previous elections. Only 64.97% of registered electors participated, a significant drop from the 81.86% turnout in the 2020 election. Out of 197,018 registered voters, only 128,002 ballots were cast. Of those, 125,299 were valid, while 2,703 ballots were spoilt.
Corozal North boasted the highest turnout at 80.22%, while Dangriga recorded the lowest at 47.08%. Corozal North’s area representative is Hugo Patt for a fourth consecutive time. He won the division with a total of 3,497 votes, his PUP opponent received 2,385, and the Belize Justice Movement’s candidate received 44 votes.
Voter engagement in Dangriga was particularly low, with only 2,925 ballots cast out of 6,213 registered voters. For a second time, Louis Zabaneh of the PUP won the Dangriga seat by a wide margin, with 2,237 votes, while independent candidate Cyril Garcia garnered 628 votes.
A Fresh Face in Collet
One of the most surprising victories of the 2025 election was Patrick Faber’s loss of Collet, a position he had held for 22 years. Faber, a veteran UDP and long-time fixture in the constituency since 2003, was unseated on March 12 by PUP’s Devin Daly. Daly narrowly triumphed, winning by just 163 votes—1,271 to Faber’s 1,108.
Faber’s bitter defeat was nothing short of shocking. Throughout the campaign, he appeared confident, dismissing Daly’s challenge. He believed that his extensive five-term track record gave him the edge. He had said in an interview, “People are telling me that they know the relationship we’ve shared for many years, and they have no intention of changing course.”
But the results of the voter count showed otherwise. In a social media statement, Faber conceded defeat on election night, saying, “Tonight, while the election results were not what we hoped for, I respect the will of the people. Congratulations to the new area representative—I pray that he serves with integrity and puts the people of Collet first.”
Now, Collet will see both the passing of the mantle from a “once-young” leader and the shift in power from the UDP’s red to the PUP’s blue. Faber, who first won the seat at 25, has seen his reign end, handing it over to 29-year-old Devin Daly—another “young, fresh, and energetic” leader.
What can be learnt from Collet, a constituency that has produced two young leaders who have both risen to prominence and built a connection so deeply with their community?
Surviving Scandals, Losing Battles
While politics can bring breakthroughs and moments of inspiration, it is also a field often marked by its messiness. Scandals, power struggles, and bitter battles are all part of the terrain. This is especially the case as election day draws near and tensions rise.
One of the most notable controversies was the fracture within the UDP, but the PUP was not without its own scandals. Alex Balona, the PUP candidate for Cayo Central, found himself at the centre of two viral incidents that sparked intense scrutiny.
The first scandal occurred in 2020 when a video surfaced showing Balona spitting at his UDP opponent. Balona defended his actions during an appearance on the Open Your Eyes morning show, explaining that he had been provoked by an assault in the form of a phone being thrown at him.
Just days before election day, Balona was captured again in a separate video where he appeared mocking a local journalist’s speech impediment during a campaign rally in San Antonio Village. In response, Balona posted an apology video on social media, saying, “I, Alex Balona, deeply regret what occurred on Thursday night at the public function. I sincerely apologise to everyone.” He continued, “I want to extend my heartfelt apologies to all members of our community, especially to those who live with impairments or challenges, including Mr. Kent Pandy.”
Despite the controversies, Balona’s support in Cayo Central remained strong. Out of 5,514 votes cast, Balona received 3,031, winning the division by 721 votes over his opponent, UDP candidate Mark O’Brien. Experts questioned whether the scandals would impact his electoral chances, but Balona’s victory demonstrated that his support base remained intact.
In contrast, Kaya Cattouse, another PUP candidate, faced a different fate. Cattouse contested the Albert constituency against the prominent UDP incumbent Tracy Panton. Cattouse earned 1,014 votes out of 2,340 cast, while Panton received 1,243. The 229-vote difference is a reminder of just how some factors can ultimately sway an election result.
Some argue that Cattouse’s downfall may have stemmed from the snarky remarks she made during a campaign event in Independence Village, Stann Creek. Confident that the PUP would win across the country, Cattouse boldly declared, “Because the PUP will win across the north, the south, the west, and in Belize District. We will win, Albert, and do you know why? Because Tracy’s time has come, and Tracy’s time is done.”
It was her follow-up comment that raised eyebrows. Cattouse added, “Because mek we be real, she can’t keep up with me—nuh pan the bike, worse on the campaign trail—and nuh mek we talk bout we ina the mirror.” Panton condemned the remarks as “body shaming” and labelled them as “poor, poor taste.” Cattouse defended her comments, explaining they were taken out of context, stating, “This is a competition… And for anybody who took my comments to be other than that, definitely got my message wrong.” Cattouse called her statements an “introspection,” adding, “Take a book out of Michael Jackson’s page—The Man in the Mirror. When I look in the mirror, I see a young, fresh, new politician. One that no opponent can keep up with. And that is what I was referring to.”
Though the Prime Minister himself, John Briceño, walked shoulder to shoulder with Cattouse in support during a campaign walk in the constituency, Cattouse was defeated. Some political panellists wonder: will Kaya Cattouse return to the ballot for the next general election?
Tensions were also high in Corozal Bay, where a bitter feud between PUP candidate Thea Garcia-Ramirez and former PUP area representative Elvia Vega-Samos dominated the division. The conflict traces back to a July 2024 convention, where Garcia-Ramirez defeated Vega-Samos to become the PUP’s standard bearer. Vega-Samos accused the party of electoral malpractice, alleging that her supporters were removed from the delegates’ list and that coercion was used to ensure Garcia-Ramirez’s victory.
Vega-Samos responded by declaring herself an independent candidate for the general election. In turn, the PUP expelled her from the party, citing the constitution’s prohibition against running for public office without the party’s endorsement. Vega-Samos stood firm in her candidacy.
On March 12, the results were clear: Garcia-Ramirez emerged victorious with a massive 3,122 votes, while Vega-Samos received 1,160 votes. Garcia-Ramirez’s victory was a testament to her strong support, despite the internal party conflict.
Caught in the middle of this feud was UDP candidate Hernan Riverol. Running under Tracy Panton’s slate, Riverol was accused of “betraying” his party. Barrow dismissed Riverol’s chances of winning, calling his candidacy a “betrayal,” adding that Riverol “has no chances of winning.”
2025’s General Election Women Leaders
As mentioned earlier, UDP’s Tracy Panton, who led 13 candidates under her slate, secured her seat in the House of Representatives. Also victorious was Thea Garcia-Ramirez of the PUP, who won the Corozal Bay constituency.
Another notable victory was Dolores Balderamos-Garcia of the PUP, who won Belize Rural Central for the fourth time. A long-serving female politician, Balderamos-Garcia secured 2,895 votes, defeating two UDP candidates—Beverly Williams, who ran on Tracy Panton’s slate with 1,367 votes, and David Almendarez, who received 142 votes under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s faction. Even when combining the votes of the two UDP candidates, Balderamos-Garcia’s margin of victory was overwhelming.
Of the 10 women candidates running in this year’s election, only three managed to secure seats—two from the PUP and one from the UDP.
OAS Observes Belize’s 2025 Election Process
As part of its commitment to promoting election transparency, the Organization of American States (OAS) deployed a 12-member observation team to monitor the election process in Belize. The team was led by Chief of Mission Maricarmen Plata as they tracked the election from start to finish and ensured its fairness and transparency.
Plata noted that the election day was peaceful and orderly, with a good turnout. “We have seen a very calm election… good turnout,” she said. Plata also encouraged more people to come out and vote in the afternoon.
One issue raised by the OAS was the lack of campaign finance regulations in Belize. Plata pointed out the need for stronger laws governing campaign spending. “We will issue a report at the end of the process… that will include recommendations on these issues,” she added.
This is the fourth OAS electoral observer mission in Belize.
After the Election High: What’s Next for Belize?
For many, the election excitement has come and gone, and just like that, March 13 rolled in, certainly quiet. There are still remnants of the campaign—red and blue banners clinging to light poles and campaign t-shirts thrown to the corner of some people’s closets. What now? What comes between now and 2030?
The winning party wasted no time in outlining his government’s next steps, which they call Plan Belize 2.0. A second phase to the transformative era of Belize, Prime Minister John Briceño said in his victory address on Wednesday night. Briceño was re-elected for a second term.
Today, Briceño was sworn in for his second term, following the decisive victory of the People’s United Party in the recent general elections. In his formal swearing-in ceremony, Briceño expressed his gratitude. “It is an honour and privilege to be re-elected in Orange Walk Central,” he said. “But also, to have the support of my colleagues in the National Assembly to be appointed Prime Minister.” He acknowledged the challenges ahead and declared his commitment to adapting to the evolving global landscape while prioritising the well-being of Belizeans.
The ceremony also featured a wreath-laying tribute at Lord Ridge Cemetery to honour the late George Price, marking the 75th anniversary of the PUP.
Despite his defeat in the March 12 general election, outgoing Mesopotamia area representative Shyne Barrow has vowed to continue working for his constituents. In a social media post, Barrow said, “When I was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2020 I went back to work the next day, even though I was not reelected on Wednesday I am here today continuing the work I started 12 years ago when I first began my journey to serve the people in Parliament.”
He added, “My love for the people of Mesopotamia is unconditional! I will continue to work with our Mesopotamia family to develop our Constituency!”
Barrow secured only 318 votes. UDP’s Chang won the constituency by a total of 601 votes. Meanwhile, the People’s United Party’s (PUP) candidate, Lawrence Ellis, garnered 503 votes. The total voter turnout on March 12 in the Mesopotamia constituency stood at 1,422 out of 2,253 registered voters.
On Wednesday, when asked about the future of the UDP party, he stated, “I certainly will resign effective once we have a national convention to elect a new leader. Obviously you can’t be a leader of the United Democratic Party once you’re not a member of the House, and I would not want to be appointed as a senator or anything to hold on to the leadership.”
The Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize, abruptly closed a few days ago. The resort’s management informed guests in an email about the closure and offered refunds for their reservations. In a March 7th email to a guest, the resort stated, “We have just been informed by our manager that Royal Kahal has been ordered to close temporarily,” adding, “This was completely unexpected… Please know this is the last thing we wanted.” While the reason for the closure remains unclear, authorities are investigating the deaths of three American women in one of its rooms.
On February 22, Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26, were found dead in their room. Initial reports suggested a drug overdose due to froth found around their mouths, and alcohol, along with “gummies,” was discovered inside the room.
This conclusion was met with scepticism from the victims’ families. According to MailOnline, a source close to the families informed the news outlet that early findings from a second autopsy, being conducted in the US, suggest that carbon monoxide poisoning might be the actual cause of death.
The Belizean authorities initially ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning. Colin Gillet, the fire chief of the Belize National Fire Service, confirmed that officers conducted two separate tests for carbon monoxide and “found nothing.”
DailyOnline reported that a separate investigation has found that other non-fatal incidents related to carbon monoxide have occurred at the Royal Kahal resort. The news outlet added that investigators are now in contact with another American tourist who had suffered a similar incident.
The remains of the three women have returned to the US, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Massachusetts is conducting a second autopsy. As of now, the official by the examiner is still pending for at least another month, DailyOnline reported.
In a statement, the women’s families called the deaths “mysterious” and “suspicious,” adding, “We are seeking answers to understand what happened in Belize.” They also urged both Belizean and US authorities to provide clarity on the circumstances.
According to the news outlet, Ira Novoselsky, a city councillor from the women’s hometown of Revere, accused Belizean authorities of obstructing the investigation. He claimed that Belizean have been slow to provide answers, only offering negative responses, such as blaming the women and mentioning the discovery of “gummies and vapes.” He added, “We don’t know if they had drinks or what happened before they returned to the hotel, so everything is up in the air.” MailOnline reported that “Novoselsky speculated that Belize authorities were ‘trying to protect their own’ and ‘make the city [of San Pedro] look good.'”
Authorities in Belize have sent out human toxicology samples to the US—that official report is expected to be issued in the coming weeks.
The Organization of American States (OAS) Electoral Observation Mission has praised Belize’s 2025 General Elections for their peaceful and transparent execution. In a statement issued by Chief of Mission Maricarmen Plata, the OAS commended Belizean voters for their enthusiastic participation in the March 12 polls, as well as electoral authorities for the smooth conduct of the process.
The mission, composed of 12 experts and observers from seven countries, was present in 12 of the 29 electoral divisions. Observers monitored the elections from the opening of polling stations to the transfer and counting of ballots, ensuring transparency throughout the process. Plata noted that the mission engaged with key stakeholders, including electoral authorities, government officials, political parties, candidates, and civil society organisations, to gain insight into the election’s organisation and overall framework.
In addition to congratulating elected and re-elected members of the National Assembly, the mission welcomed Prime Minister John Briceño’s commitment to implementing OAS recommendations. These include the redrawing of electoral boundaries early in his new term and exploring options for campaign finance legislation tailored to Belize’s political and social context.
The OAS mission expressed its gratitude to the Government of Belize, particularly the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Elections and Boundaries Commission, for their cooperation. Special recognition was also given to international donors, including Canada, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, and Panama, whose financial contributions made the mission possible.
Plata concluded by commending Belizeans for their strong commitment to democracy, highlighting their patience, civic duty, and peaceful participation. The mission hopes its findings and recommendations will contribute to strengthening future electoral processes and reinforcing democratic principles in Belize.
