2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Dean Samuels: “I Put Myself First”

Dean Samuels was 1 of the 4 UDP candidates under Moses “Shyne” Barrow who failed to show up today to be officially nominated to contest the March 12 election. He took to Facebook to announce that he will release a video tomorrow to explain the situation. He stressed that he does not owe an explanation to anyone except those he holds in high regard and the people he aspired to represent—many of whom placed their trust in him.

“Hey guys .. will do a video tmr explaining situation.. I really owe nobody, any .. ( but those who means a lot to me and those I hold in high regard )

He stated that, for once, he made the decision to put himself first, and acknowledged that few would truly understand the realities he faces. Samuels made it clear that he has no intention of tearing anyone down, creating narratives, or casting aspersions on the party he still believes is best for the country.

“In the end I chose to do something today I never really practiced doing. I put myself first. in end nobody would understand the realities I face.”

Describing his statement as simply his truth, he said it would be his final word on the matter. As for how others feel about it, he remarked that it is their own concern.

Dennis Williams of the UDP did not show up on Nomination Day for the Toledo East. Melvin Hewlett did not show up for Fort George. Norman Usher did not show up for Toledo East.

Kaya Cattouse Cites Michael Jackson in “Body Shaming” Defence

The political rivalry between Kaya Cattouse and Tracy Panton intensified over the weekend following comments made by Cattouse during a People’s United Party (PUP) campaign event in Independence Village. The Albert constituency candidate took aim at Panton, the sitting United Democratic Party (UDP) Area Representative, in a fiery address that later sparked controversy.

Cattouse declared to supporters, “Because the PUP will win across the north, the south, the west, and in Belize District. We will win Albert, and unu know why? Because Tracy time come and Tracy time done.”

She followed up with a remark that drew sharp reactions: “Because mek we be real, she can’t keep up with me—nuh pan the bike, worse on the campaign trail—and nuh mek we talk bout we ina the mirror.”

Panton swiftly responded via social media, calling the remarks “body shaming” and labeling them “in poor, poor taste.” She insisted that she has intentionally avoided negative campaigning, adding, “Voters are more interested in what I am bringing to the table… Ms. Kaya Cattouse attempts to ‘body shame’ me in Independence yesterday was not well received.”

Cattouse has since defended her comments, stating they were taken out of context. In an interview, she explained:

“I think this is a competition, Isani. And for anybody who took my comments to be other than that, definitely got my message wrong. Looking in the mirror, it’s an introspection. Take a book out of Michael Jackson’s page—The Man in the Mirror. When I look in the mirror, I see a young, fresh, new politician. One that no opponent can keep up with. And that is what I was referring to. So, for anybody who took it other than that.”

Schools and Youth Groups Awarded Climate Grants

The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Education, honoured several schools and youth groups at the National Grant Fund Awards Ceremony held on Friday. The ceremony celebrated exceptional climate change proposals across Belize.

Five primary schools were awarded BZD 2,000 each to support their climate initiatives, including Bullet Tree SDA Primary School and Yo Creek Compassion School. Meanwhile, two youth groups, Belize Youth Movement and ILS Phoenix, received generous awards of BZD 10,000 and BZD 6,000, respectively.

Three high schools were also recognised for their contributions: St. Catherine Academy, Our Lady of Guadalupe High School, and Methodist High School, each receiving BZD 5,000.

In the statement, the ministry said, “These schools and youth groups are being recognized for their efforts to engage with climate change solutions and raise awareness in their communities.”

4th UDP Candidate A-No Show

Reports reaching News 5 indicate that Dennis Williams of the UDP did not show up on Nomination Day for the Toledo East. He is the fourth UDP candidate to have not shown up. The PUP’s candidate, Dr. Osborne Martinez, will still be challenged by an independent candidate and a third-party member.

This is what we reported earlier:

With nominations closed at 4:00 p.m. today, two divisions will see PUP Standard Bearers running unopposed. This marks a historic moment in the country’s electoral process, as Anthony Mahler of Pickstock and Henry Usher of Fort George faced no challengers. Under the Barrow UDP faction, Dean Samuels was expected to be nominated, and so was Melvin Hewlett in Fort George. Meanwhile, in Dangriga Town, supporters waited on their UDP candidate, who did not show up.

Three UDP Candidates Failed to Show UP on Nomination Day

This is a developing story.

Police Say Former Councillor Killed by Three Men

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, “Three male persons fired shots towards the direction, causing the fatal injuries to Requeña and injuries to Novelo.”

Tyrel Requeña Sr., a former village councillor and Justice of the Peace, was installing a camera system when three men emerged from nearby bushes and opened fire. Villagers reported hearing up to 20 gunshots. The incident happened on Saturday afternoon in Hattieville, Belize District.

Requeña was accompanied by his goddaughter, Kiana Novelo, who was also injured but has since been treated and discharged from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). Requeña was pronounced dead at the KHMH after 3:00 p.m.

Romero stated that police investigation revealed that Requeña was not the intended target. “We have information that the intended target was someone else,” he said, adding that the shooting is linked to a wider surge in gang-related violence, “between the two, uh, groups in Belize City.”

Romero added that several individuals are in custody for questioning, but no charges have been filed.

ComPol Williams Defends Decision to Dismiss Former PC Deandre Reid

Commissioner Chester Williams has defended his controversial decision to dismiss former police officer Deandre Reid over the fatal shooting of the Governor General’s dog. In response to claims that the investigation was flawed, Williams firmly rejected suggestions that his decision should be overturned, stating, “I have read the opinion, and I disagree with certain aspects of it.”

Reid appealed the Commissioner’s decision to the Belize Advisory Council on September 5, 2024. The Attorney General’s Ministry, in a memorandum, stated that Reid “is alleging that the decision of the Commissioner is unlawful, as there was a breach of legitimate expectation, natural justice, and procedural irregularity, and further that the decision to dismiss was unreasonable and disproportionate.”

In his appeal, Reid argued that the disciplinary proceedings were rushed and that he was not given adequate notice, depriving him of a fair opportunity to respond to the charges.

When reporters questioned Williams about the matter, he said, “I think that to some extent the counsel from the AG Ministry was not privy to all information when he wrote that opinion because, one, when we have breaches of our disciplinary code, we don’t need to issue a notice of complaint.”

Williams defended his handling of Reid’s case, describing the advice given by the AG Ministry as an “opinion,” not a definitive statement. He said that Reid’s case did not fall under the specific conditions that would require such a notice and that the decision-making process was lawful. While Reid was fined $250, Williams stated, “I exercised my discretion in dismissing him on the basis that the response given was not satisfactory, right? And so for the council to have said that natural justice was not followed, that’s not true.”

One Suspect in Police Custody for Murder of Boris Mannsfeld

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters today that the murder of 56-year-old Boris Alexander Mannsfeld “has all indications of a hit.” Williams stated that Mannsfeld had just come into Belize the day he was shot dead, adding that he was “in and out of the country following the death of Borja.”

Williams stated that the motive remains unclear and that police are focusing on “looking at the business transactions that Mr. Mannsfeld may have with other individuals, with our view to see if we will be able to close in on a possible motive and perhaps suspect.”

News 5 asked ComPol Williams if there is any connection between Mannsfeld’s murder and the deaths of his two associates, Ricardo Borja and Darren Taylor. Williams said, “It will not be wrong for one to assume that there may be some connection there, and we’re looking at that possibility.”

Mansfield, who was reportedly involved in several civil legal disputes, including claims of questionable business practices, was shot in the back of the neck. Williams confirmed that Frik De Meyere is currently in custody as part of the investigation, stating, “He’s a suspect, and again, let me make it clear that Frik, or whatever his name is, is the person of interest who is in police custody at this time, and he’s just a suspect in this matter.”

“Gummies” Found at Scene of Three Women’s Deaths in San Pedro

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police, told reporters this afternoon that the police are still investigating the deaths of three women found in their suite at the Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro on Saturday morning.

Williams stated, “The police did a thorough search of the scene, along with the pathologists and scenes of crime. There was nothing of substance that could have been found other than alcohol and some gummies.”

Williams added, “We’re not saying at this time that the gummies cause death, but we’re looking at every possibility.” He stated that police are investigating if the gummies were substances that they brought in to Belize or bought locally.

ComPol Williams confirmed that a postmortem examination by the National Forensic Service is scheduled for today or tomorrow to help determine the cause of death. He stated that police have reviewed surveillance footage that confirmed the women going in their room on Thursday and were not seen to exit the suite after that, adding that “nobody was seen going into the room.”

“We’re trying to do as best as we can, including to see where they may have gone on Thursday before they went home, what if anything they consumed. All these things we’re looking at,” Williams said.

The women were due to leave Belize on February 23rd, and their families have been in contact with the U.S. Embassy, which is assisting with the investigation. The women were identified as Kaoutar Naqqad (23), Imane Mallah (24), and Wafae El-Arar (26).

Williams also stated that “based on what the pathologist said when he visited on Saturday evening, is that they could have been dead 20 hours prior.”

The victims were of Moroccan descent holding U.S. citizenship and were discovered by hotel staff after they failed to respond to housekeeping checks. In the initial police investigation, it was reported that no signs of injury were found on their bodies, but that vomit and froth were found around the women’s mouths, leading authorities to suspect a possible drug overdose.

PUP Leader on “Body Shaming” Comments

At a PUP campaign event in Independence Village, Kaya Cattouse, the PUP candidate for Albert, took a direct jab at her opponent, Tracy Panton of the UDP. Cattouse said that Panton’s time in office was over and went on to say that her opponent “can’t keep up” with her, both physically and on the campaign trail. She said, ““Because mek we be real, she can’t keep up with me—nuh pan the bike, worse on the campaign trail—and nuh mek we talk bout we ina the mirror.”

Panton responded via social media, accusing Cattouse of body shaming and labelling the remarks as “poor, poor taste.”

News Five asked Leader of the People’s United Party (PUP) about Cattouse’s comments. He said, “Kaya can defend herself, and Kaya can clarify whatever it is that she said. But I can tell you here that our party, um, has been a very strong supporter of women.”

He added, “As a government, we have been the government that appointed the most women in the history of any government. And so we continue to support women.”

“Politics is a contact sport, you know, and sometimes you kind of speak out of turn, but I don’t think that whatever, Kaya said. I don’t think she said it maliciously.”