The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) held its annual press conference in Barbados, where President Daniel Best outlined the bank’s future plans and how it will impact the region. The theme for this year’s 2-day conference is “Rebirth: Innovate, Transform and Thrive for a Resilient Future.” It focuses on the bank’s goals for regional economic growth and transformation.
Belize, a borrowing member country, has already received significant CDB funding over the past years for infrastructure, education, and energy projects.
In an interview with News Five, O’Reilly Lewis, CDB’s Director of Projects, described Belize for its strong project implementation. “Belize has been one of our stronger performing countries in terms of implementation,” he said.
In February, the CDB, along with the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Government of Belize, launched a USD 20 million Ninth Consolidated Line of Credit. This funding supports key sectors such as MSMEs, agriculture, education, energy, and low-income housing. “That loan would impact several layers of lives in Belize in a positive way,” Lewis added.
Valerie Isaac, the bank’s Division Chief for Environmental Sustainability, added that the bank is also aiming to expand on disaster resilience in Belize. The first phase of this project was done a few years back in Toledo “that proved to be quite effective, and we’re currently building out a project to conduct another phase of this, and we want to expand it to other communities within Belize,” Isaac said.
Lewis announced that in early April, CDB will be visiting Belize to conduct a portfolio review. He said the team will be working with various government ministries to assess current projects. “We will be having discussions about where their priorities are and how they see us as partnering with them to help solve some of those developing challenges,” Lewis said.
A young jaguar named Filly has successfully transitioned to her new home at Big Cat Country after being transferred from The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center. According to the Milwaukee County Zoo, her arrival marks the final step in a carefully coordinated effort by zoo teams to ensure a smooth adaptation process.
“Filly and Frankie may start to see each other depending on where they are in the back dens and will first be introduced when she is confident in all jaguar habitat areas and not until she shows signs of oestrus. After the first meeting, the animal care team will follow Filly and Frankie’s cues to let us know if they want to be together.”
Filly was transferred as part of the Jaguar Species Survival Plan, a programme designed to maintain genetic diversity among jaguars in captivity. Filly had been rehabilitated in 2019 through the Human Jaguar Conflict Program after being classified as a conflict animal. These jaguars often struggled to compete for food and territory, leading them to prey on livestock and risk being shot or poached.
The women—Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26—were found dead in their room on February 22. While initial reports suggested drug overdoses, their families expressed scepticism. A second autopsy in the U.S. reportedly indicates carbon monoxide poisoning as the cause of death.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters that “we had a meeting whereby we had representatives from the police. We had from the fire department, the environment, and even from the Ministry of Health. And 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,” he explained.
The second round of testing has since been carried out, but authorities are still awaiting an official report on the results. “I am not sure yet what the result of that test is. We have not received a report from the fire department or the Department of Environment on the result of that test, so we are waiting for that,” Williams added.
Authorities are awaiting the results of toxicology tests, expected within the next week or two. “That is going to give us some good guidance in terms of what may have led to the death of these three women,” he said. “I still don’t want to speculate at this time and await the result of the toxicology report.”
Previously Colin Gillet, the fire chief of the Belize National Fire Service, said that officers conducted two separate tests for carbon monoxide and “found nothing.”
The families have called the deaths “mysterious” and “suspicious,” demanding more transparency from both Belizean and U.S. authorities.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of 36-year-old Wendy Mendez, a resident of Concepcion Village, who was found unconscious on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
According to Police Commissioner Chester Williams, Mendez was transported for medical treatment after being discovered, but she later succumbed to her injuries on Friday.
“We are still awaiting the post-mortem examination to be conducted, and once that is done, then we will be able to ascertain the definitive cause of death,” Williams stated. “I don’t know if there is any evidence to the fact that the husband had beaten her,” Williams added.
The husband has been interviewed by police but has not provided any substantial information. Williams also noted that there were no known previous reports of domestic violence at the residence.
The fatal shooting occurred on Sunday, March 16, around 7 p.m. near the cemetery in Punta Gorda Town. Officers responded to the scene and discovered Coy’s lifeless body with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to investigators, Coy had been in the area with two other individuals consuming alcoholic beverages when gunfire erupted. Police arrived shortly after and found him suffering from gunshot injuries.
In October 2023, we reported that Lopez was arrested in the USA following a series of incidents at a Franklin Gateway apartment complex in Marietta, Georgia. The events included burglary, criminal damage, and a domestic disturbance with gunfire. Marietta police characterised the night as one filled with chaos. Marietta police SWAT team was called to the scene.
Just after nightfall on Monday, heartbreaking news emerged about the death of Garifuna musical and cultural icon, Aurelio Martinez, in a plane crash. The small Lanhsa Airlines plane had just taken off from Roatan Islands, heading to La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland, when it reportedly made a sharp right turn and plunged into the Caribbean Sea. The aircraft, along with its seventeen passengers, sank one hundred and sixty feet into the sea, but divers quickly located most of the passengers by 9 p.m. Tragically, among the deceased was the beloved Aurelio Martinez, a Honduran Garifuna musical ambassador who also called Belize home. The news of his passing struck Belizeans like a thunderstorm, prompting an outpouring of sorrow and regret on Facebook. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Marion Ali, Reporting
These poignant images of Honduran police and rescuers carrying victims from a small plane crash on Monday night brought heartbreaking news to the Garifuna communities in both Honduras and Belize. Among the deceased was Aurelio Martinez, a cultural icon who had long called Belize his second home. He had been in Roatan promoting an upcoming fiesta and had just posted a promotional video on Facebook before the tragic accident. The devastating news hit hard. Newani Martinez, who was on the basketball court at the time, recounted the moment he received the call from the U.S. Embassy. Both he and Aurelio are U.S. citizens, and the loss was deeply felt.
Newani Martinez
Newani Martinez, Son of Deceased
“I received a call from the U.S Embassy and they told me your father has passed, sorry to bring the news and things of that nature, but I was first to hear the confirmation from the U.S. Embassy and this was at the basketball court at the time.”
Aurelio’s manager and girlfriend, Arlette Gomez, struggled to keep her composure as she talked about the exciting project they had planned—a video recording with Tanya Stevens in Belize.
Arlette Gomez
Arlette Gomez, Manager, Aurelio Martinez
“He was coming in May to shoot a video with Tanya Stevens. That was in the pipeline for him and Tanya to shoot a video in Placencia. That’s what we were working on. It’s a song written by both Aurelio and Tanya and that would have been filmed in May.”
With Aurelio’s passing still so recent, and everything in the early stages, Gomez and Stevens are uncertain about whether they will move forward with the project.
Arlette Gomez
“I spoke with Tanya this morning and yes, she says the same thing that you said – it’s preliminary. We’re all still trying to process this loss, but we’re not closing any doors. This was a really, really big project that Aurelio was holding very dear to him. It was all about cultural inclusion and cultural fusion, and so, I’m sure that ifwe are going to see it through.”
Yasser Musa was right there in the early days when Aurelio was deepening his musical connection to Belizean roots. Together with the late Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor, they breathed new life into the fading Paranda rhythm. Aurelio’s passing really hit home, highlighting the painful reality of losing someone close.
Yasser Musa
Yasser Musa, Friend of Deceased
“I first started to think about his children. I first started to think about his mom and dad. I know his dad is a Parandero himself. His mom is a great singer, a Garifuna singer, so I started to think about his family, his immediate family ‘cause you know, when you hear someone pass so suddenly like that, you think of your own self and your own family, your own mortality, and what would happen if someone like that passes in your family.”
Condolences flooded Facebook from everyone who knew and loved Aurelio. His manager shared that his magnetic personality even influenced her grandchild’s musical journey.
Arlette Gomez
“One that stands out is my little granddaughter, Aria. Aurelio gave her her first guitar when she was five years old. I remember telling him wasting money buying this guitar for this baby and he was like, no, she asked me, she could barely say guitar. He’s asking, she’s asking me for this guitar. I’m going to, we’re going to take this guitar for her and we came home and he gave her the guitar and she was the happiest little girl on the face of the earth because her abuela gave her what she wanted.”
Marion Ali
She called him “Abuelo?”
Arlette Gomez
“Yes, she called him “Abuelo” and, she now plays the guitar. She’s taking guitar lessons. And my daughter said that every strum of that guitar will have a whole new meaning for her now.”
For Gomez and her family, Aurelio was also the life of the gatherings.
Arlette Gomez
“We were laughing this morning, my sister in Florida ’cause we were visiting her and we have some pictures and videos of him in her mango tree picking mango, you know, that was just Aurelio and who he was. He was able to fit in, in any situation because of his personality and that that jovial personality that he had.”
Just like Gomez’s granddaughter who picked up the guitar thanks to Aurelio, Newani says his dad’s music will always be a part of him. Even as he embarks on his career with the U.S. Coast Guard later this year, that musical legacy will live on.
Newani Martinez
“I want to do Coast Guard, so I’m going to go to the U.S. very soon. Actually, I was planning to go in July to go and start to get my career started over there. So that was already in planning and me and my dad were planning to discuss that because we just talked the other day about me going to Honduras to spend my birthday with him and I will keep his music, his legacy alive. So it is something that I will venture into and to broaden out and, you know, not only be just music, but outside of music – everything having to do with culture, having to do with the people, things like that. That’s what I want to do and always make sure that my dad’s name is always present and he’s always known.”
Former Mesopotamia Area Representative Shyne Barrow has stepped down as leader of the United Democratic Party, effective immediately. His resignation comes just five days after losing his seat to Lee Mark Chang in the General Election. In a letter to U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, Barrow wrote, ‘I write to inform of my resignation as party leader of our beloved United Democratic Party with immediate effect, handing over to Deputy Party Leader Hon. Hugo Patt to serve as Interim Leader of the U.D.P. until the next National Convention to be held this year as per the U.D.P. Constitution.’ Barrow’s sudden departure marks a significant shift from his stance on Nomination Day regarding the leadership of the opposition party.
Tracy Taegar-Panton has officially received the backing of the United Democratic Party to become its new leader. Party members gathered at the Biltmore today to chart the way forward for the U.D.P., following the resignation of former leader Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow. In his resignation letter, Barrow mentioned that he would be passing the reins to Deputy Party Leader Hugo Patt. Patt was present at today’s meeting, which was led by Tracy Taegar-Panton. Everyone in attendance agreed that Panton should step up as the party leader. Panton announced that a leadership convention will be held soon, but she expects it to be more of an endorsement for her leadership, as she doesn’t anticipate any challengers.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Party Leader, United Democratic Party
“We have all agreed that it is time to move the party forward. We are now preparing to become the government in 2030. We are united in this effort. We are untied in the cause for the UDP but most importantly on behalf of the people of Belize. This meeting was to discuss the way forward for a united UDP and we have been able to achieve that in fine fashion. I a most grateful to all my colleagues who made it here today. We had one apology who is fully onboard, the honorable Miguel Guerra. He had a funeral in his constituency that he could not avoid. He is fully on board and fully supports my leadership and the way forward for the UDP.”
Reporter
“As it relates to a national convention, when will one be held?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“Well the plan is within two weeks we will have a formal national party council meeting. The group of 28 has agreed to that and the NPC will set the date for a national convention. We believe it is going to be an endorsement convention. We believe we are doing it as a matter of formality so the matter of the issue of the leadership of the party can be done in line with the party’s constitution. We came together today and we are leaving this room united. It is the mark of a good leader that is able to do this in such short amount of time. Healing does take time, but we are committed to the process. What we will not do in the future is air our laundry in the public domain. Family business will be family business.”
Today, everyone present signed two important documents: a resolution outlining the future direction of the U.D.P. and a pledge of support for Tracy Taegar-Panton as the party leader. Panton expressed confidence that she won’t face any challenges, based on the commitments she received today. We asked her about it.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Party Leader, U.D.P.
“That is not the message I received from my colleagues. We are fully united behind my leadership to move the UDP forward.”
Paul Lopez
“So essentially it will be an endorsement convention.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“It is a convention that will settle all the leadership ambiguities of the party. It will be done in accordance with the UDP constitution as we did in October of last year and then we proceed in getting the work of rebuilding for the party’s sake.”
Reporter
“Yesterday when Mr. Barrow resigned, he referred to Mr. Patt as the interim leader. In terms of the constitution, how does that work out?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“The constitution of the UDP does not speak of an interim situation for party leadership. Section eight speaks to the issue if we lose the leader of the opposition in the house. Certainly, my esteemed colleague, Mr. Hugo Patt can speak for himself. We have all agreed unanimously that we will unite around one leader, and we will work, take our time, energy and resources to rebuild the party so that we can form the government in 2030.”
When it comes to the party’s representation in the Senate, Panton emphasized that there will be a fresh perspective with new faces representing the U.D.P. So, what’s next for former Lead Opposition Senator Michael Peyrefitte under Tracy Panton’s leadership? We asked her.
Reporter
“Will you extend an invitation to Mr. Peyrefitte?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Party Leader, U.D.P.
“What sort of invitation do you think I should extend to him?”
Reporter
“Will you embrace him?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“He has never been expelled or effectively resigned in terms of his participation as a member of the UDP. He has not been excelled. Whether he is apart of the party’s rebuilding efforts will be up to him. I can say to you there will be a new outlook for the party as it relates to the representation in the Senate. There is going to be a new outlook as it relates to the leadership arrangement moving forward. Mr. Peyrefitte has served in the senate as a member of the U.D.P. His tenure is now over and we move forward with fresh new talent that I will bring to the table. We will have a full slate. We will have thirty-one standard bearers representing the UDP that will be duly elevated in tandem with the constitution of the united Democratic Party. We are going to make those decision based on consensus and the decisions taken not only at the National Party Council, but at the national convention when we hold it.”
Paul Lopez
“So what we are looking at here is not the final list of standard bearers moving forward?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“What we have here is five elected representatives and caretakers for the rest of the constituencies for the UDP until we take the necessary steps in accordance with our constitution.”
