U.S. Marshals successfully apprehended Gregory Roth, a 67-year-old fugitive from San Antonio, Texas, in Belize. Roth was wanted on 11 counts of possession of child pornography, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
The arrest was part of a coordinated international operation led by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (LSFTF), in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service Office of International Operations, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and Belizean law enforcement. Roth, who previously held multiple positions in the healthcare sector, was initially arrested in November 2022 and indicted in 2023. He failed to appear for sentencing in December 2024, prompting a bench warrant for his arrest.
In January 2025, the Texas Attorney General’s Office sought the assistance of the LSFTF to locate Roth, who had fled the U.S. in a rented motorhome. Authorities tracked him to Placencia, Belize, where he was apprehended without incident following extensive surveillance. Roth is pending extradition to Bexar County.
The families of the three young women found dead at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on February 22 have released a statement. They continue to demand for a full investigation into the deaths of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El Arar. The families said, “It has been one month since our beloved Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae passed. Our families remain and will always be shattered by the loss.”
The family said that they “continue to await the results of the primary investigation” both in Belize and the one being conducted in Massachusetts.
“We speak today because we want the public and authorities, particularly those in Belize, to hear this: Kaoutar, Imane and Wafae deserve your best. They deserve an honest and full investigation, and we ask all of those in power in both Belize and the United States to join us in demanding answers to the true cause of this tragedy,” the statement added.
The families say the deaths of their loved ones “are suspicious.”
“We continue to believe the deaths of Wafae, Imane and Kaoutar are suspicious. We are hopeful the authorities will fulfill their responsibility to complete their reviews in a timely but thorough manner to ensure we know the full truth about what caused this tragedy,” the statement read.
The families also shared concerns about reports of carbon monoxide levels in the hotel. They said, “We are deeply alarmed by news reports which suggest that carbon monoxide levels in the hotel could have been at dangerously high levels and that the resort has now suddenly closed without public explanation.”
Last week, Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters, “it was agreed that a second round of testing be done at the hotel. This was after we had received reports from some previous guests at the hotel who had indicated that while they were there, they had done some tests with their own carbon monoxide test and they had detected carbon monoxide. So it was agreed to go back in and do a second round of testing.”
In late February, Colin Gillet, the Fire Chief of the Belize National Fire Service, told US media that officers conducted two separate tests for carbon monoxide and “found nothing.”
Last Wednesday, Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler confirmed that the resort’s shutdown was voluntary due to property issues. “We found some issues with the property, and so we had a discussion with them, and they decided to shut down to take remedial actions to deal with the issues that we had found,” Mahler said. He said that toxicology tests are still pending to determine the cause of death, including the possibility of carbon monoxide. “I can assure you, the families believe that we will do the right thing in terms of putting the information forward as we get the information,” he added.
The resort’s abrupt closure in early March was described by the family as ‘deeply alarming’ as they demand “a clear explanation for this action. We respectfully urge the resort’s management and Belizean authorities to share any information they have immediately.”
Dr. Chile Eboe-Osuji, an internationally renowned jurist from Nigeria and Canada, has been appointed as a judge to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). His appointment follows the upcoming retirement of the Justice Andrew Burgess, who will retire on April 11, 2025.
According to the CCJ, Dr. Eboe-Osuji brings with him extensive legal experience, having served as a Judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague from 2012 to 2018, where he was later appointed as its President from 2018 to 2021. Prior to his tenure at the ICC, he worked as the Legal Advisor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, contributing to amicus curiae submissions to the European Court of Human Rights and the U.S. Supreme Court. The CCJ says he also played a pivotal role as principal appeals counsel for the prosecution in the Charles Taylor case at the Special Court for Sierra Leone and held several significant positions at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.
Dr. Eboe-Osuji has been a practicing barrister in both Nigeria and Canada, where he appeared before the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. He is also an academic, having taught international criminal law at the University of Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Eboe-Osuji has an extensive publication record, including books such as International Law and Sexual Violence in Armed Conflicts and Protecting Humanity, and he serves as the editor-in-chief of the Nigerian Yearbook of International Law.
A highly accomplished scholar, Dr. Eboe-Osuji holds a Ph.D. from the University of Amsterdam, an LLM from McGill University, and an LLB from the University of Calabar. He was called to the bar in Nigeria (1986) and in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada (1992).
The appointment of Dr. Eboe-Osuji follows a rigorous and independent recruitment process overseen by the Regional Judicial and Legal Services Commission (RJLSC). The Chairman of the RJLSC and President of the CCJ, the Honourable Mr. Justice Adrian Saunders, highlighted the merit-based nature of the process, which saw 26 applications from countries such as the USA, Canada, Nigeria, and several Caribbean nations. After thorough consideration, five candidates were shortlisted, and Dr. Eboe-Osuji was selected for the position.
Venezuela has agreed to resume repatriation flights of migrants from the United States, following a two-week standoff over recent deportations. President Nicolás Maduro confirmed on Saturday that the flights would begin on Sunday, stating, “Tomorrow, thanks to the government’s perseverance, we’ll resume flights to continue rescuing and freeing migrants from prisons in the United States,” according to Reuters.
This agreement comes after a brief pause in deportations after Venezuela objected to the US about sending Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador’s prisons. The Trump administration had claimed that many deported were linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, a designation Venezuela disputes.
The news outlet reported that Venezuela’s interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, welcomed the first group of 199 deportees back in Caracas. “Flights are resuming,” Cabello said. “We are ready to receive Venezuelans wherever they are.”
Relations between the US and Venezuela have been tense, particularly after the US did not recognise Maduro’s re-election to a third six-year term last year, following allegations of electoral fraud.
By 2022, an estimated 275,000 Venezuelan migrants were living in the US without authorisation, according to the Pew Research Centre.
A man from San Pedro, Belize, has been arrested and charged with rape following a report by a U.S. tourist. Reports indicate that the woman, accompanied by her brother, was at Wayo’s Bar and Grill on Thursday night, March 20, when they met the suspect, Oscar Noe Nal, who introduced himself as “Omar”.
After socialising, they returned to her hotel around 3:00 a.m. on March 21. She went for a ride with Nal, who drove her to a gazebo where he assaulted her.
The victim reported the incident to police on March 22. A medical examination confirmed her injuries. Police reviewed surveillance footage and identified Nal, a 35-year-old labourer from San Mateo. On March 22, the victim identified him in a police lineup. Nal was formally charged with rape on March 23 and remains in custody.
Today marks a special occasion, National Puppy Day, a reminder for all puppy owners about the importance of starting their fur babies off right in life. According to Forbes, experts are reminding the importance of socialising puppies during their first few months to help prevent fear-based behaviours down the road. One fun and effective way to do this? Puppy parties!
As reported by Forbes, puppy parties provide a controlled setting where puppies are introduced to other dogs, making it the perfect opportunity to teach them how to interact positively. While puppy parties are still a new concept in Belize, there’s something else that has already made a great impact here: June Erickson’s efforts to prevent pet loss through microchipping.
Back in December 2024, News 5 shared June’s story after her service dog, Ranger, went missing. Determined to help others avoid the same heartache, June founded the Ranger Warriors Foundation and introduced a microchipping program to ensure that pets can be easily reunited with their owners. Since then, over 120 pets have been microchipped, and June is continuing her efforts to install more scanning stations across the island to increase access.
“I have a meeting with the health department in the coming days. I want to make sure that all island government health, fire department, police, and traffic, all have scanners,” June told News 5 today.
June’s ultimate goal is to “microchip all the cats and dogs in San Pedro first, before pursuing expansion outside of the island.” She hopes to hold two microchipping clinics in both April and May to make up for not having it in February and March.
“Knowing that your pet is easily identifiable and that you can be contacted if they go missing provides peace of mind for pet owners,” June added.
June explained that one of the most critical aspects of microchipping is registration. Without registering the microchip, it’s just a string of numbers. When registered, the chip links directly to the owner’s contact information, making it easy for shelters or vets to reunite lost pets with their families. Unlike collars, which can be lost or removed, microchips offer permanent identification. By keeping contact details up to date, owners ensure their pets can be identified at any time.
For those who are passionate about supporting this cause, a GoFundMe page remains active for donations. You can also contribute directly to Belize Bank, account number 195866010140000, under the name June Young-Figueroa.
On this special day for puppies, it’s a time to celebrate not only the little furry companions but also the tireless efforts of those working to keep them safe and connected to their families.
Pope Francis made his first public appearance since being hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. As he was leaving, he greeted nearly 3,000 people gathered outside. The Vatican News reported that the Pope blessed the crowd, waving and saying in a faint voice, “Thank you to everyone!”
The 88-year-old pontiff was admitted to the hospital on February 14 for a severe respiratory infection, which later developed into pneumonia in both lungs. His condition has since stabilised, allowing him to be discharged. According to his medical team’s update on Saturday, he will continue his recovery at his residence in the Vatican, Casa Santa Marta, for the next two months.
Before returning to the Vatican, Pope Francis visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where he offered flowers to the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani as a gesture of gratitude for her care and protection.
Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man which occurred this morning in Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District. The victim has been identified as Charles Bradley. He was shot dead at his residence on Ramos Road just after 9:30.
Police responded and were processing the scene along with scenes of crime technicians.
Eighteen-year-old Shenyon Levi Barrow, a fisherman from Belize City, was arrested and charged today, March 22, in connection with the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Floyd McFadzean. Barrow faces charges of murder, two counts of attempted murder, dangerous harm, grievous harm, and two counts of using deadly means of harm.
The shooting occurred on Friday, March 21, when McFadzean, an insurance company employee, was gunned down while driving along Cemetery Road. His vehicle was riddled with bullets at the corner of Johnson Street. While his two passengers, Troy Gentle and Deon Gladden, escaped with minor injuries, McFadzean was unable to flee due to a jammed car door and died at the scene.
McFadzean’s father, Floyd Sr, described his son as an innocent victim, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. He believes his son was not involved in any conflicts that would have led to such violence.
Pope Francis is set to be discharged from Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, 23 March, following successful treatment for an acute respiratory infection and bilateral pneumonia.
According to the Vatican News, the 86-year-old pontiff will return to his residence, Casa Santa Marta, to continue his recovery. Doctors confirmed his condition has improved steadily since his hospitalisation on 14 February.
Dr Sergio Alfieri, head of the medical team, told the Vatican News that while the Pope’s pneumonia has been treated, he will require a minimum of two months of convalescence. Despite this, the Pope remains active in staying informed about global and church affairs and has been a cooperative patient throughout his treatment.
The Vatican reported that although Pope Francis will not resume his full schedule of public engagements immediately, he is expected to gradually return to his normal activities.
