Police have formally arrested and charged Gilbert Kenneth Moore for Dangerous Harm in connection with the November 27, 2024, stabbing of Lionel Dewehene in Gales Point Village.
Back in November, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero told reporters that the victim was hospitalised after being stabbed during a fight with Moore. The two men, who were both from Gales Point and reportedly intoxicated at the time, had a prior acquaintance. Following the incident, Moore had been on the run.
Belizean immigration officials have detained two Americans and one Canadian wanted in Guatemala for offences against minors.
The men allegedly entered Belize illegally just before their scheduled court appearance.
“I’m not aware of them travelling with minors, but I know that yes, they are detained, and the matter is currently being looked into by immigration and police,” Williams stated. Reports suggest they may be linked to the controversial Lev Tahor sect, but Commissioner of Police Chester Williams stated there is no confirmation of this connection.
Late last year, Al Jazeera reported that Guatemalan authorities rescued 160 children and 40 women from the Lev Tahor sect following allegations of severe abuse, including rape, forced marriages, and human trafficking. The operation took place in Oratorio, about 78 kilometres southeast of Guatemala City.
According to prosecutor Nancy Paiz from the Office Against Human Trafficking, medical examinations and testimonies confirmed cases of forced marriages and other forms of abuse. The Attorney General’s Office also reported the discovery of a child’s remains during the raid.
Lev Tahor, a fundamentalist Jewish sect founded in Israel in 1988, has faced numerous allegations of kidnapping, child marriage, and physical abuse. The Guatemalan Jewish Community has publicly distanced itself from the group and expressed support for authorities in their efforts to protect vulnerable individuals.
Phillip Willoughby, the United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate for Port Loyola under the leadership of Tracy Taegar-Panton, shared deep concerns about his constituency’s struggles under current leadership. According to Willoughby, he “sees people suffering in inhumane conditions” in Port Loyola.
Willoughby says he plans to transform the area if he wins. “If I am the area representative—and I knew that my mother lived on the street, I would have probably fixed the street by now. It would have been the street of gold, like in the Wizard of Oz.”
He criticised the sitting area representative, Gilroy Usher of the People’s United Party. He stated, “My heart cries and grieves for the kids who have to walk in the conditions that I have shown you. My heart cries and grieves for the senior citizens who have underlying conditions that they have to battle with every day.”
Last week, Usher defended his record on road improvement. He said he’s made significant improvements in housing and several streets.
Willoughby also criticised the economy under the Briceño Administration. He said, “The economy that Mr. Briceño speaks of—the strength of that economy—is not being felt in Port.”
He confidently added, “I am the best choice for the people of Port Loyola. It is simple as that. I am the best choice.” He added that his “fervent hope” is that “the people of Port Loyola will give me the opportunity to serve them, to work for them, to deliver for them.”
Willoughby is set to challenge incumbent Usher Sr. and Dr. Nelma Jones of the UDP under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s leadership. Anthony “Boots” Martinez is also coming for the constituency as a UDP candidate, though he’s going at it alone without backing from Tracy Panton or Moses “Shyne” Barrow.
Former Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony “Boots” Martinez was nominated as a UDP candidate on Monday, though he’s going it alone without backing from Tracy Panton or Moses “Shyne” Barrow. He faces two other UDP candidates and incumbent Gilroy Usher Sr. of the People’s United Party.
In the Panton-led UDP, Martinez will challenge Phillip Willoughby, while in the Moses Barrow-led UDP, he faces Dr. Nelma Mortis Jones.
Martinez was asked what it meant for his candidacy as he showed up for nomination between the hours of 12 pm and 2 pm, a slot normally reserved for ‘independent candidates.’ He said, “The main thing is that you could ah mi come from 10 until 4, but it doesn’t really matter. The main objective is to get on the list. So now, I am properly nominated, and I was telling people before this that it was nearly over, but now it’s over now.”
Despite being sidelined by both UDP factions, Martinez stated, “The only opinion that I take is the opinion of the people in Port Loyola. This thing about who is with who in terms of leadership, that doesn’t matter me.”
He added, “I am the only ‘longest-serving representative—four times in a row’ for Port Loyola, including beating Mr. Usher 2 times in a row… My colours are red, white, and blue—I da di original.”
Martinez stated that he is focused on his strategy ahead to secure the constituency. If he had to worry about his contenders, he said, “I not even mi wa come get nominated.”
The families of Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El-Arar, 26, have heavy-heartedly expressed the loss of their loved ones.
In a GoFundMe account, the Naqqad family stated, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Muslim sister, daughter, and friend, Kaoutar Naqqad.” The family added, “May Allah grant Kaoutar eternal peace, forgive her sins, and grant her the highest level of paradise.” Kaoutar was the youngest among the women.
Mallah’s father, Abdelmalek Bezzez, asked for the public to keep his daughter Imane in prayers. He shared his pain in a GoFundMe statement after losing his daughter. Bezzez said, “No parent should ever have to endure such pain, and the grief is overwhelming.”
Wafae was described as a “bright, kind, and loving soul who touched the hearts of everyone she met” by her sister, Sabrina Elarar. She added, “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Muslim sister, Wafae.”
The GoFundMe campaigns for each of the women were set up by relatives to alleviate the costs of repatriating their bodies and funeral expenses. As of today, the online fundraisers for three Revere women have raised over $80,000 USD. The account set up for Wafae hit almost double the targeted amount.
On social media, the city of Revere, Massachusetts, confirmed that the three women were members of that community. The city expressed condolences to their families and friends. “The City of Revere extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the three local women who tragically and unexpectedly passed away in Belize,” it said.
The three women were found dead in their suite at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on Saturday morning, February 22. A postmortem examination is set for early this week to determine the cause of death. On Monday, Police Commissioner Chester Williams stated that police are looking into a possible drug overdose after finding alcohol and gummies among the belongings of the women. “We’re not saying at this time that the gummies cause death, but we’re looking at every possibility,” Williams said.
Pope Francis is continuing his recovery after a restful night at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican reported that the 88-year-old pope is battling bronchitis, pneumonia, and mild renal insufficiency.
A statement Monday evening noted that, despite the severity of the Pope’s condition, he has shown slight improvement. “No episodes of asthma-like respiratory distress occurred [Monday], and some laboratory tests have shown improvement. The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels.”
Despite his serious condition, Pope Francis continues to make decisions for the Vatican. He recently met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to approve decrees for potential saints. The Vatican News also reported that he received the Holy Eucharist and made a heartfelt phone call to the pastor of Holy Family parish in Gaza.
Meanwhile, hundreds gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Monday evening to pray the Rosary for the Pope’s health. Cardinal Pietro Parolin led the prayer, asking for divine intervention for Francis’ recovery. This global show of support comes after an outpouring of prayers worldwide, with Masses and Rosaries held across various dioceses, including Buenos Aires, the Pope’s birthplace.
Should Pope Francis pass, the Vatican will follow centuries-old protocol: the Camerlengo will announce his death, initiating a nine-day mourning period. His body will be displayed at St. Peter’s Basilica, and his funeral will be held shortly thereafter. Following his burial, the College of Cardinals will convene in a conclave to elect his successor.
Three potential candidates have emerged to lead the Catholic Church: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Archbishop Matteo Zuppi, and Pierbattista Pizzaballa.
The United Democratic Party (UDP), under Moses “Shyne” Barrow, has formally written to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC), demanding exclusive use of the colour red in the upcoming 2025 general elections. In a letter addressed to EBC Chairman Oscar Sabido Puga, John Nembhard stated that the party’s traditional colour should not be assigned to any other political faction.
The letter said, “The appropriate point of departure in this regard is to highlight the fact that it is accepted that the United Democratic Party has traditionally used red as its representative colour for all purposes since the inception of the party.”
The letter reiterates that “factionalism” is strictly prohibited under the UDP Constitution, and no outside entity—including the EBC—has the authority to determine UDP membership or candidacy. “No member of that faction is a UDP, as they were all expelled from the party. With the exception of the Hon. Tracy Panton, no one has challenged such expulsion.”
According to the letter, while Panton has legally challenged her expulsion, the matter is set for trial on March 31, 2025. It says that even if she remains a party member, the Central Executive Committee has “decided that neither Tracy Panton nor the other members of her faction will represent the UDP in the upcoming general elections and the EBC cannot decide otherwise. The UDP candidate for Albert, where Tracy Panton will contest the elections is Jose Uc Espat.”
The letter warns that if the EBC assigns red to any candidates outside the ‘official UDP slate, it would constitute an overreach of its legal authority. “This is tantamount to interfering in the internal affairs of the UDP and by extension, the elections. This has not been requested by the party nor has it been sanctioned.”
Today was Nomination Day across the country, and both major political parties presented candidates in all thirty-one constituencies. Third parties and independent candidates also joined the excitement, though some struggled to gather the six people needed for their nominations. It was a historic day as two People’s United Party candidates were declared winners in their divisions sixteen days before the general election. Fort George Area Representative Henry Charles Usher retains his seat in the House of Representatives after his opponent, Melvin Hewlett, failed to show up for the U.D.P. elections this afternoon. Pickstock Area Representative Anthony Mahler, who drew a massive crowd during this morning’s parade, also secured another five years in parliament when Dean Samuels didn’t show up for his nomination, despite attending the U.D.P.’s march to the Civic Center. Joining me this evening is News Director Isani Cayetano with a recap of Nomination Day activities across the country.
On Saturday, the Moses “Shyne” Barrow-led United Democratic Party unveiled its slate of thirty candidates for the upcoming general election. The only constituency without a U.D.P. candidate is Corozal Bay, where they are backing independent candidate Elvia Vega. Barrow and his team also launched their manifesto during the event at the U.D.P. Headquarters. News Five’s Paul Lopez was on the scene to get the details.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On Saturday, just two days before Nomination Day, United Democratic Party Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow held a press conference to introduce his team of thirty candidates for the March 12th general election.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, U.D.P Leader
“These ladies and gentlemen, my brothers and sisters that have taken up the call to action of our democracy, to hold this government accountable and to provide a viable alternative for the people of Belize. The people of people to rescue themselves form this PUP government and that is the beauty of democracy. These ladies and gentlemen here with me from our beloved United Democratic Party, are asking you to give them a chance to do better than what the wretched PUP has done. We are asking for that chance to do better because you deserve better.”
Barrow’s UDP team of thirty features mostly new faces, along with some familiar ones like Barrow himself, Hugo Patt, Omar Figueroa, and Tony Herrera. During his speech, Barrow didn’t hold back, taking jabs at the Tracy Panton faction and their candidates running under the same UDP banner.
“Today we celebrate the fight, because though they try to distract us, though they send traitors to infiltrate us and be treasonous and to betray their oath to the Belizean people and cause mischief and distraction form the real issues, we have not relented. Certain independent parties say that they would showcase thirty-one candidates. They had twelve and struggled to pick up a few others. Here we are with thirty candidates, because we will not field a candidate in Corozal Bay.”
On Saturday, Barrow and his candidates rolled out their manifesto. This three-page document covers various aspects of governance, including sports, healthcare, housing, and citizen security.
Nelma Mortis, U.D.P Candidate, Port Loyola
“Our manifesto will be reflecting greatly and I know our youth will love to hear this. We will now focus on ensuring that our national university if fully funded to allow access to free education at the tertiary level for all Belizeans.”
Abraham Flowers, U.D.P Candidate, Freetown
“Under the UDP we will upgrade all existing health facilities with proper medical equipment, ranging from basic equipment such oximeter, EKG or ECG machine etc, to complex equipment such as CT scan machine, dialysis machine, Chemotherapy machine, radiology machines.”
Tyrone Louriano, U.D.P Candidate, Caribbean Shores
“We will increase the salaries of our police officers by five percent. This I believe will afford the officers some relief from their daily obligations and allow them to be able to focus on their duties to ensure the safety of their duties. We intend to double the budget for the National Forensic Unit.”
Shane Williams, U.D.P Candidate, Queen Square
“The next UDP government will finally treat those athletes who wear the country’s names and colors on their chest with the appreciation they deserve. All current national team players will be placed on a full livable salary. They finally will be able to focus on their training to deliver their absolute best. No more begging on the side of the road to go an represent your own country.”
“I confess to you the Belizean people, there are days that my head hot mih, mih head the spin, but I know God, because I have been through hell, the worst that a human being can go through. And when my head the spin I say for the Belizean people, for what I know I can do for this country, for what I could leave for my daughter and grandchildren, mek mih head spin. By the grace of God I will continue on until my last breath.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
The results of postmortem examinations and a police investigation are expected to reveal how three tourists tragically died in their San Pedro hotel room late last week. The women had checked into the resort for an unspecified stay on the island. They were last seen alive on Thursday night after returning from a private tour. On Saturday, resort staff found their bodies in their first-floor room. News Five’s Marion Ali went to San Pedro on Sunday to bring us this report.
The bodies of three friends—twenty-three-year-old Kaoutar Naqqad, twenty-four-year-old Imane Mallah, and twenty-six-year-old Wafae El-Arar, all originally from Morocco but now U.S. nationals—were found in their suite at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort on Coconut Drive in San Pedro just before noon on Saturday. They were last seen alive around seven PM on Thursday night, heading to their ground-floor room after a full day of touring the island. Bert Novak, the General Manager of the resort, told News Five that there were no signs that anything was wrong.
Marion Ali
”Can you say when they checked in if there was, it was only three of them or somebody else with them, if there was any forced entry in their room, anything like that?”
Bert Novak, General Manager, Royal Kahal Beach Resort
“ No, nothing at all. They came back from a tour, and they went back to the room, didn’t leave the room and then we checked that evening. That’s when we found them.”
Marion Ali
“So they went on a tour on what? Saturday?”
Bert Novak
“No, on Thursday. Thursday and Friday is when we went and checked on them on Saturday.”
“They were supposed to check out?”
Bert Novak
“No, no. They’re supposed to check out on the 19th.”
Bert Novak
“That’s what I heard as well, but until we get the autopsy report, we can’t say something official.”
Inside the suite, police discovered gummy bear candies, snacks, drinks, vapes, and electronic devices. Although the sight of three bodies being removed from the resort could have alarmed tourists and hurt business in the area, Katherine Hubbard, a local condo owner, praised the authorities for their efficient handling of the situation.
Katherine Hubbard, Neighbour
“We hardly didn’t even know what was going on because they were, they were so professional in how they handled it.”
Marion Ali
“You mean the police or the management?”
Katherine Hubbard
“Everybody was. We knew something was going on because we saw the ambulances, we saw the police, you know, but I think how everybody handled it was very professional. They kept it very confidential. I still don’t know exactly, you know, what’s going on.”
According to Novak, the incident hasn’t hurt business at the beach resort. However, management has provided counseling for the staff to help them cope.
Bert Novak
“Of course, everybody’s traumatized and I’m making arrangements for my staff to see somebody as a trauma person so they can talk to them because it’s unfortunate. It affects everybody.”
While the staff of the resort are distressed by the incident, Hubbard expressed sympathy for the families of the three women.
Katherine Hubbard
“I just pray for the families.”
Marion Ali for News Five.
