While many aspects of Raheem Usher’s murder remain unclear, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is confident that the department’s efforts in northern Belize are paying off. Here’s how he puts it.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“What we were getting before was cartels coming over from Belize and conducting operations and people form Belize working so openly with the cartels, that has disappeared. Again, no matter what we do, even the countries with the most sophisticated crime fighting, these crimes are still occurring. I am not disappointed to see that for the length of time we have been in the area we have only had about two of these incidents. So, I think from a reasonable standpoint one can say we have done well and the monies spent by the state is monies well spent to ensure the safety and security of our people in the northern districts.”
Reporter
“You mentioned suspects are you closing in on them?”
Chester Williams
“We do have some people of interest we are looking at.”
Earlier this week, Belizean authorities deported three men back to Guatemala, believed to be members of the extremist Jewish sect Lev Tahor, which is based in Guatemala. Authorities confirmed that two of the men are wanted for multiple child abductions in Guatemala. Tonight, it’s suspected that a fourth individual may still be in Belize with thirteen missing Guatemalan children. Belizean authorities are on high alert, and the identities of the missing children and the suspect have been released. The police are now asking for the public’s help.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I had just shared with the media the pictures of those children and the persons of interest who it is believed those children may be with. We do have reasonable cause to believe they were in Belize or May still be in Belize. We are on high alert and has informed our commanders across the country to be on the lookout for them. We appeal to the public, once you see the photographs of those children, encounter them anywhere or someone that looks like them, please let us know so that we can respond in the manner we should to capture those children and return them to their rightful homes.”
Paul Lopez
“If he is in Belize, is it that he is being harbored by locals or do they have an arm of the sect here in Belize?”
Chester Williams
“I do not think they have an operation in Belize. So, if they are here they are being harbored by locals.”
Today, we visited residents in the Fort George and Pickstock electoral divisions to hear their thoughts on the automatic wins of their People’s United Party candidates. It turns out that both Henry Charles Usher and Anthony Mahler are very popular in their areas. Everywhere we went and every home we visited, people were happy about the victory, even if it means there won’t be any election day votes for them.
Errol Alvarez
Errol Alvarez, Pickstock Resident
“Right now I think you are talking to the wrong guy because Minister Mahler is my boss. And I think it is great for the community.”
Paul Lopez
“What has de done for you, your family and community?”
Errol Alvarez
“A lot, he has done a lot. Mr. Mahler is good for Pickstock community. He has done a lot.”
Voice of: Pickstock Resident
“Well I know Mahler dah the don so I know he would have win.”
Alex Sanker
Alex Sanker, Pickstock Resident
“I never vote fifty-four years of my life. I vote on canvas. That is the most effective way. It is no news me and Anthony Mahler is at odds with him disrespecting my work, but at the end of the way people got me twisted because Mahler is to me the best tourism minister ever graced this country and that is fact.”
Voice of: Pickstock Resident
“I don’t really feel no way, because end of the day Mahler would have win anyway. He would defeat Samules. Mahler have around here locked.”
Paul Lopez
“What do you think is the reason he has around here locked?”
Voice of: Pickstock Resident
“He definitely does a lot for his constituency so much respect to him and that is why round yah dah blue.”
Voice of Fort George Resident
“Yes we know we nuh wah get a chance to go, which in a lot of we would have wanted to go, but we still love it that we win it like that, because regardless of what the man mih wah tek beating like a drum, because the last time he got three to one, he would get five to one. Henry Charles Usher all the way. He has done a lot with education, health, where the kids are concerned and everything. The man is a man that helps the community. Like evertihng people might nuh want the sih weh the go on, but I see and know because I live yah, I born here and I grow yah, suh me sih.”
Voice of Fort George Resident
“Well I don’t have to go in the sun to stand up, number one.”
While those residents won’t get to vote, one attorney is pushing for prisoners on pretrial detention to have their voting rights. Attorney Michelle Trapp has written to the Elections and Boundaries Commission and the Attorney General asking that prisoners on pretrial detention for less than twelve months be given this opportunity. The Belize Police Department is responsible for keeping peace at polling stations across the country. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says that if prisoners are allowed to vote, police officers will be available to ensure order. However, he doesn’t support the cause.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“My honest opinion. I don’t believe in it. That is just me. But if the powers that be believes that should be the case then we will fall in line and do what needs to be done to ensure that we provide the policing service to keep that polling station peaceful. When it comes to the issue of conducting elections,t hat is the duty of the Elections and Boundaries Commission. We are not the one who decides where polling station goes. Once the E.B.C. says we want a polling station here, we are going to put one here, then we are going to make sure that we police that polling station.”
Last week, we reported that a magistrate in Punta Gorda was physically attacked by a suspect while on the bench. This incident has sparked serious security concerns. Tonight, Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre is pledging to implement stronger security measures.
Anthony Sylvestre
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“I had a couple meetings last week with the current Chief Magistrate, the Chief Magistrate who use to assume the position, as well as with the magistrate in Punta Gorda who had to go through that traumatic experience. There is a number of issues we identified, which moving forwardwill be addressing. One of the things coming out of that is how virtual hearing could be effective in dealing with this. So, it is not every defendant who we need to come to court physically. You have a defendant who may be at the prison, so and adjournment could be taken. A trial, if the persons so agrees. We discussed a number of ways to mitigate and minimize incidents like that. That incident is regrettable and unfortunate. There were a number of police officers in the court at the time, I am not quite sure additionally what could have been done. But I say it si regrettable, unfortunate and I commiserate with he Magistrate for that.”
Today, when asked if he could spare officers for the Magistrates Court, the Commissioner of Police suggested hiring security guards to assist the police. Williams explained that the department’s resources are already stretched thin, and the lower court isn’t as high a priority as the High Court.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We do have a number of police officer working at the Magistrate court. We don’t provide security for the Magistrates Court as we do for the High Court. I tis a very tough one because we are really constrained with police officer. Everybody wants police and we only have so much. We have some areas of concern where we must maintain our presence. Mr. Romero, I don’t know how he is doing right now, but he must be good at playing chess. He has to constantly be moving people around to meet the policing demands. We cant wait until the next recruit squad to come out to complement some areas. We have the police station in Trial Farm that has been completed. We have to find police to man that station. We do have increase of number in Bella Vista, Teakettle. We are putting a police station in Teakettle. It is a lot. I cant really promise but I would advise they hire security to assist police in that area.”
On Wednesday, we reported about a car that caught fire on Vernon Street after a tense gang mediation session. The car’s owner, Doris Grant, claims she received threats about her common-law husband during the session. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, who was present at the mediation, stated that the meetings are confidential, so he can’t disclose details. He admitted that calming the rising tensions between rival factions has been quite challenging.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“You would know that as a part of confidentiality I will not be able to disclose whatwas discussed in mediation. To do so will be unethical on my part. The discoursein mediations is confidential. If it is the party to the mediation wants to divulge to you what took place in there that is on them. For me as the facilitator to come out and say what took place would not be right. You would know that in every mediation where tensions are high, even if you take a divorce mediation, a land mediation, there are going to be choice words. People are going to say things that ought not to be said, and it is the job of the mediator to apply his or her skills to defuse the tensions. I think we were able to defuse tension and regroup and at the end the mediation went well. Yes, tensions are extremely high in the city, and I would want to think you would agree, despite the tensions being high, our efforts are paying off so far. It is not easy.”
Reporter
“But the torching of the vehicle after mediation, is that not a message being sent?”
Chester Williams
“I cannot say because at this time we are not certain who torched the vehicle. You would know.”
The investigation into the mysterious deaths of three American women at a hotel in San Pedro is ongoing. The women, identified as twenty-three-year-old Kaoutar Naqqad, twenty-four-year-old Imane Mallah, and twenty-six-year-old Wafae El-Arar, were found dead in their room at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort. An autopsy confirmed they died from acute pulmonary edema, but a toxicology report is still pending. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams revealed that surveillance footage showed the women taking a bottle of tequila back to their room. Investigators are now trying to determine if tequila played a role in their deaths.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I had said in an interview I gave to the international press was that they consumed non-alcoholic beverage while they were in that area. They purchased a bottle of tequila which they took with them to the room. We have no video footage of them consuming that tequila. If they consumed it in their room, we will not be able to see that because the rooms do not have cameras.”
Reporter
“It may be someone that look like top shelf they sell, Jose Cuervo or whatever but it is a cheap knock-off that is poisonous.”
Chester Williams
“I have done some research on tequila since the discovery. I do not drink alcohol, not even champagne, wine, I don’t drink. I did my research on tequila and yes even the not so fake one can have deadly consequences at some point in time if it is abused. The National Forensic Service are on top of this and every evidence, including the tequila is being tested to see what they contain. I also had the opportunity to yesterday to have a conference call with all three family members of the young ladies and I gave them an update in terms of what we have done and what we will be doing moving forward with respect to the investigation.”
With just thirteen days left before the 2025 general election, the People’s United Party (P.U.P.) launched its Plan Belize 2.0 manifesto on Thursday night. The event took place in San Ignacio, a strategic choice as the party aims to improve its performance in the upcoming municipal election there. Plan Belize 2.0 builds on the original Plan Belize, promising starter homes, more road construction, another minimum wage increase, and the continued roll-out of National Health Insurance. News Five’s Paul Lopez gives us an in-depth look at the manifesto launch event. Here’s his report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Thursday night, the People’s United Party unveiled its Plan Belize 2.0 manifesto in the lively town of San Ignacio. This new manifesto builds on the solid groundwork laid by the original Plan Belize, promising to continue the progress and bring even more positive changes.
Cordel Hyde
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Party Leader, P.U.P.
“You know we have not been perfect, and we wouldn’t dare tell anyone we are. But from where we started and where we are now, we have come a long way. The great George Errol once wrote that poverty alights the future. I dare say we are annihilating poverty and lighting up the future.”
Party Leader John Briceño announced several key undertakings that the PUP intends to fulfil once elected for a second term.
John Briceño
John Briceño, Party Leader, P.U.P.
“Thirteen days from now the Belizean people will get a chance to decide who will govern this nation for the next five years. March twelfth is a moment to cherish. On March twelfth we will engage in free and fair elections to decide on those thirty-one people who best represent the interest of all Belizeans. I say to you now, the most qualified, the most destined and the best thirty-one people you can find for this job are right here on this stage.”
Among the PUP’s biggest promises are raising the minimum wage from five to six dollars, constructing five hundred homes with a ten-million-dollar budget, and passing laws to make GST-free weekends a permanent event twice a year.
John Briceño
“I am pleased to announce that right here in San Ignacio, effective next school year Sacred Heart College will be the school to enjoy free education from first form to fourth form. We all remember what it was like in 2019 and 2020 but look at where we are now. Just four years later, we have turned things around. We have steadied the ship of state. There is no weeping or grieving because we are not just back on track but right pan track ladies and gentlemen.”
Briceño also revealed the completion of the National Health Insurance rollout under Plan Belize 2.0, huge investments in solar energy, and an impressive eight hundred-million-dollar public-private investment in the Port of Belize Limited.
John Briceño
“We will transform the Port of Belize that we the Belizean people now own. Under Plan Belize 2.0 we will build hospitals in San Pedro, Belmopan and Punta Gorda. And we will defend our territory and we will win at the I.C.J. Yes we will raise the minimum wage again so that we can continue the fight against poverty and raise the standard of living. And I know the ladies are going to love this. We will pass laws to make GST to make GST free weekends permanent for Christmas and back to school.”
Choosing San Ignacio for the Plan Belize 2.0 manifesto launch was no accident. It’s the only town that voted for a United Democratic Party majority in March 2023 municipal elections. The PUP aims to change that on March twelfth. On Thursday night, all the PUP candidates from the west had a chance to speak directly to their voters. Briceno made it clear what he expects from them.
John Briceño
“Are you ready Cayo? Are you ready for the sweep? We want six. How much? How much? That is right six and most important ladies and gentlemen we have you the starters of the revolution. Together we are the PUP and just as wedelivered on Plan Belize we are going to deliver on plane Belize 2.0.”
Regarding housing, the Plan Belize manifesto promised that the P.U.P. government would build at least ten thousand low-income homes during this term. Today, we asked the PM about the project’s progress. He explained that the government has helped many households, including single mothers, to get their own homes. He assured that this plan will continue if the P.U.P. is re-elected.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“PlanBelize is not a five year document. It’s a 10, 15, 20-year document. Secondly, when we said that we want to see that ten thousand homes being built, it does not necessarily mean that it’s only the government that’s going to build them. We work with the private sector, so the private sector has had several thousands of homes. So when you compare what the government has done, we’re probably not at the ten thousand, but thousands of homes have been built in Belize. What are we doing? As always, as a government of social justice our party that Belize believes and practices social justice. We need to go to the marginalized. We need to go to those that need the most help. And who are those – single mothers that are struggling to be able to have a home for their children, are struggling to pay the rent. So we came up with this innovative idea, building these starter homes. They come for about twenty thousand dollars for the cost. They pay no interest; they pay $100 a month. And then, we look at them, we provide them with the plans. So with time when they save money, they could put another room. These buildings would be expanded to include at least two more rooms, three bedrooms. So, this is what we do when it comes to housing.”
