Belizeans saw a slight increase in inflation in February 2025. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reports that the inflation rate for February 2025 stood at 1.6%, with an increase from 118.0 in February 2024 to 119.8. This rise was mainly driven by higher costs in the ‘Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages’ and ‘Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels’ categories, which together accounted for two-thirds of the overall inflation.
Food prices increased by 2.5%, affecting cereal products, fruits like limes and watermelons, and meats. However, fresh vegetables saw a decrease of 2.4%. Non-alcoholic beverages, including fruit juices and soft drinks, also rose by 8%.
Housing costs grew by 2%, primarily due to rising home rental prices and an increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which saw a price rise of $7.19 for a 100-pound cylinder. Personal care products, including toiletries and hygiene items, experienced a 3.3% rise.
The ‘Information and Communication’ sector saw a 1.7% decrease, attributed to lower mobile phone prices.
Belmopan recorded the highest inflation at 4.1%, while Independence Village saw a rare deflation of 1.2%.
The year-to-date inflation rate for January and February 2025 compared to 2024 is 1.9%, largely driven by increases in food, housing, and transport expenses. Meanwhile, February’s inflation rate compared to January 2025 was nearly flat at 0.01%.
The families of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El Arar have issued a statement following confirmation from the U.S. Embassy in Belize that the three women died from acute carbon monoxide poisoning, likely caused by a faulty instant water heater.
In their statement, the grieving families expressed devastation over their loss but welcomed the findings of the investigation, commending the thorough and independent work carried out by officials. They also noted that a separate independent review by authorities in Massachusetts is still ongoing.
The families reiterated their initial concerns regarding the handling of the case, stating that early reports in the media had been misleading. “We have said since the beginning of this investigation that their deaths were suspicious and raised concerns about initial reports in the news media.”
“While today’s official finding puts to rest those initial reports, we hope this will give authorities in law enforcement pause before they make similar suggestions during future investigations. Survivors such as our families deserve their best, honest work. We received it today but needed it throughout this investigative process,” the statement added.
A toxicology report has confirmed that carbon monoxide poisoning caused the deaths of three American women found in their hotel room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The tragic discovery of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El Ararwas was made on February 22. Since then, investigators have been working hard to determine what happened. The women were on vacation from Massachusetts. After the shocking discovery, their families demanded answers from local authorities, including the Belize Police Department. Earlier today, the results were shared with their loved ones, revealing the silent killer that claimed their lives.
Gian Cho
Gian Cho, Director, National Forensics Science Service
“So we received the toxicology results for the deaths of the three US nationals from the hotel in San Pedro. We received those results today. The testing took, I believe, about three weeks, more or less, from the time the laboratory received the samples. And the results came back today which we shared with the medical examiners because they will need the toxicology results so as to update the cause of death. If you recall, the cause of death was written as acute pulmonary edema due to pending toxicology and histology. So the medical examiner has received the report so they can revise or update the cause of death. The police department’s case officer has received it as well and before we scheduled this interview, we also made sure that the family received the toxicology results as well through the US Embassy which has been acting as the liaison. And we did a comprehensive toxicology screening which is why it took a bit longer than the two weeks that we were anticipating that it would take. As the commissioner mentioned to you previously, when we requested the toxicology analysis, we asked them to expedite the testing and because we asked for several different tests to be done it’s not uncommon for sometimes the results to take longer than the time that the lab gives. So we were screening for all commonly encountered illicit drugs, pharmaceutical medications, we also screened for carbon monoxide, as well as volatile gases.”
According to Gian Cho, Director of the National Forensics Science Services, investigators didn’t find any illegal drugs in the hotel room. However, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams informed reporters this afternoon that a carbon monoxide test was conducted on the same day the bodies were discovered. Although those results came back negative, another test was later carried out by the Department of the Environment. Williams mentioned that they are still waiting for those results to be provided in writing.
Gian Cho
Gian Cho, Director, National Forensics Science Services
“So no illegal drugs, no illicit drugs, and the results revealed that the three victims all had fatal exposure to carbon monoxide. So carbon monoxide is being revealed, or has been revealed as the contributing or underlying exposure that led to the acute pulmonary edema which was the final cause of death.”
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“The same day when the, or the following day, rather, after the bodies were found, tests were done inside the room for carbon monoxide and the test result was negative. Nonetheless, following information that we have gotten through the US Embassy, supported by what you all from the media had reported, there were some reports coming from persons who had stayed at the room before, indicating that they had used their own carbon monoxide tester and had detected carbon monoxide in one of the rooms. That prompted us to do another round of testing for carbon monoxide. Again, that was done by the Department of the Environment and [the National Fire Service] and we are still awaiting the results of that test that they did the second time around. So we have not received that in writing the second time around.”
Reporter
“ComPol, however, the Department of the Environment, the chief had said that they had detected levels of carbon monoxide, but you are saying that nothing has been sent in writing. Like what could be leading to that delay?”
Chester Williams
“Indeed, we have not received anything in writing from them and again, we have always been focused on the fact that we want to await the results coming from the National Forensics [Science] Services that they had sent abroad. We believe that that would have been a more accurate and conclusive finding and so we would have preferred to use that as the official release to indicate a cause of death. We are happy that the Forensics Department has now received that report, giving us a better insight in terms of a conclusive cause of death.”
Now that the results are out, is the Belize Police Department thinking about pressing charges against the island resort’s owner? Also, how long will the Royal Kahal Beach Resort stay closed since we’ve learned what caused the tragic deaths of its three guests?
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“Certainly, from an investigative standpoint, carbon monoxide now being determined as the cause of death, it would not be, I don’t think it would fall within the criminal domain. Nonetheless, we will still be forwarding the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions and then she is going to have the final determination on whether or not she believes that the hotel can be held criminally liable. In the absence of that then it would be a civil matter. I am sure that BTB and the Ministry of Health is going to look at this very closely now in light of the results that we have received and you would know that under the hoteliers act, hoteliers have an obligation to ensure their hotel is kept in a safe and secure manner, for those persons who were supposed to stay there. As a matter of fact, there’s an annual inspection that has to be done by the health inspector and that report is sent to the Ministry of Health, as well as to BTB, and if they do not pass that inspection then that can lead to their license being suspended or revoked. So, in light of this, there certainly does exist some health hazard. BTB and the Ministry of Health will definitely do what needs to be done in ensuring that the hotel is not reopened until they are satisfied that the hazard that existed no longer exists no longer exists.”
Six months ago, Ivan Ayuso, a former employee at the National Sports Council, admitted to laundering money and stealing over a million dollars from the organization. On Monday, Justice Nigel Pilgrim delivered his verdict in the High Court. During the forfeiture proceedings, Justice Pilgrim expressed hope that this case wouldn’t be the last of its kind, emphasizing Belize’s role in the global fight to eliminate the profits from crime. The forfeiture has left Ayuso and his ex-wife without their family home. Justice Pilgrim’s order outlined what will happen over the next six months. The house where Ayuso lived with his then-wife, Tanya Racquelle Savery, on Jack Fruit Crescent in Belama Phase 2, Belize City, is to be sold. The market value is nearly six hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars, with a forced sale value of around half-a-million dollars. From the sale, seventy percent will go to the government, and thirty percent to Ayuso’s ex-wife. As part of a plea deal, Ayuso agreed not to contest the forfeiture, allowing the Crown to take the house, which he had paid off using stolen money. Representing the Crown were Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn-Vidal, Crown Counsel Chanelle Fernandez, and Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Leni Ysaguirre-McCann, along with Janelle Thomas-Shorter from the FIU. Ayuso was represented by attorneys Darrell Bradley and Kimberly Wallace, while attorney Erin Quiroz represented Ayuso’s ex-wife as an interested party. The interested party can help find potential buyers for the property to ensure a timely sale. The FIU will handle the property’s maintenance, including security, utilities, repairs, and general upkeep until it’s sold. The FIU will also take immediate steps to sell the property. A Report Hearing is scheduled for September twenty-third to update the court on the progress of the sale. Ayuso appeared virtually from his cell at Belize Central Prison, where he is serving a five-year sentence after pleading guilty to theft and money laundering charges.
In late February, twenty-five-year-old Elroy Williams pleaded guilty to attempted murder. Back in 2018, Williams attacked his estranged wife’s boyfriend, thirty-three-year-old Michael Jones, with a two-by-four wooden plank in Lord’s Bank. Fast forward seven years, Williams is now hoping for a non-custodial sentence as he faces six years in prison. Today, the court held a mitigation plea where Williams asked for a second chance to be with his family. He brought in two character witnesses, his mother and sister, to vouch for his good character. In his final comments to the court, Williams expressed hope that Jones’ family could forgive him for his actions. Jones’ impact statement was read aloud in court, detailing how his life was forever changed after the brutal attack. He recounted being in a coma for days, suffering broken bones and severe swelling. Jones shared that his medical treatment was costly, and he was bedridden for months, unable to work. He said he wouldn’t wish his condition on anyone. Williams was initially out on bail but was placed on remand in 2024 after failing to appear in court. The trial judge is expected to hand down a sentence on Thursday.
On Tuesday, environmentalists and concerned residents of San Pedro protested the Cayo Rosario Project. This large-scale development is planned for one of the islands near San Pedro, right within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which has everyone worried. Oceana Belize, along with the residents and environmentalists, is calling for stronger protection of the country’s marine ecosystems, highlighting their crucial role in both the environment and the economy. In a statement on Facebook, Oceana Belize emphasized the growing threats to Belize’s marine resources, which are essential for the tourism and fishing industries that many communities rely on. Although the project underwent an Environmental Impact Assessment a few years ago, Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai reassured everyone that the developers have met all environmental requirements so far and clarified that no dredging has started yet.
On the Phone: Anthony Mai, Chief Environmental Officer, D.O.E.
“There was a protest done, yes, but the protest was because people are misinformed. First and foremost, people believe that they were doing excavation or dredging, which they were not and so they were saying that the dredging was illegal, which again, if they do it according to the E.C.P. it’s not illegal. So the current activity is not illegal. They do have permits to do that. The dredging component, if they use the proper – if they dredge following the proper method, it won’t be legal as well because they do have clearance to dredge. The biggest issue, Miss Ali in relation to this project, back then around 2017 was in relation to the fly-fishing area. Apparently, the area is a very good area for fly fishing and so they had some concerns in relation to that because the project does have, I think about 40 over-water structures that has been approved for that island. So, the project received environment clearance in 2018 after they signed onto an Environmental Compliance Plan. Since 2018, the E.C.P has been modified just slightly, not anything significant and some development has occurred slightly. And then they were doing more background information, finalizing the architectural plans, working with C.B.A. to get C.B.A.’s approval, working with the Mining Unit to get permit to the dredge et cetera. So the project now is moving forward with creating the first tier, and I think they had requested permission to build model homes, just some of the buildings, to demonstrate to the public what the development is all about. So they’re currently on site, or they were on site yesterday with a barge and an excavator. They were installing piles for the pier, so they were not excavating, they were not dredging and they’re not doing any of that. And so the D.O.E. did respond along with personnel from the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and we observed that the activities on site is permissible under the current E.C.P.”
Mai said the D.O.E will have a meeting shortly, including with its San Pedro office to develop a monitoring program for the project to oversee it as it progresses. News Five also reached out to Minister of the Blue Economy, Andre Perez, who is the Area Representative for Belize Rural South. He indicated that the entire Cayo Rosario project is now being dealt with fully by all relevant government departments and that a meeting is set for Monday to further discuss the project and to review all the documents pertaining to the development of Cayo Rosario
On Tuesday, Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat submitted his thirteenth integrity report. By being open about his finances, Espat builds trust with the public. When elected officials declare their assets, it shows they’re not using their position for personal gain. This kind of transparency boosts the integrity of public service and strengthens confidence in government institutions. It’s crucial for holding officials accountable and can deter corruption by making it harder to hide illicit gains and spotting any unexplained wealth or conflicts of interest.
On the phone: Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South
“I think it’s extremely important. It’s to show transparency and accountability in your personal assets. The law is designed that any individual that is elected and that goes for the mayors and all the area reps. They should declare their assets from the first year that they have been elected. The law also says that when you stop from being elected, you still have to submit the declaration for five years more. It’s part of accountability, it’s part of good governance and I think it’s something that’s healthy for democracy and I would strongly recommend that every elected official do so. I have done so from the first day that I was elected. This week was my thirteenth declaration, and there are penalties. If I’m not mistaken, there are penalties of a hundred dollars a day from the day that you haven’t handed in your last declaration. I don’t believe anybody has been charged with it, but that’s the law. As far as I remember, the United Democratic Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Barrow, had cleared all area reps from declaring up to 2016. We had that vigorous debate in the house as to why he did that, but it was done. As far as I understand, it is from 2016 to date that is pending.”
The United Democratic Party has announced the appointment of three new opposition senators in the National Assembly. Former Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber is the new Lead Senator for the Opposition. Faber, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2003 at age twenty-four, served five consecutive terms for the Collet Division. He is well-known for his long tenure as Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, where he led significant reforms in education and youth development. Joining him is attorney Sheena Pitts, who has served as Chairperson of the Labour Complaints Tribunal and Commissioner on the People’s Constitution Commission. She is also the Interim Chair of the U.D.P. Lastly, Gabriel Zetina, a resident of San Pedro who has worked in youth outreach, has been appointed as an opposition parliamentarian. The United Democratic Party believes these appointments reflect a renewed focus on principled leadership, constitutional reform, and people-centered governance. However, Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton has expressed the need for representation of the south.
