Kahlil Enriquez: I did not participate in any land grab

Kahlil H. Enriquez has responded to allegations concerning a leaked Belmopan City Council document that revealed individuals who purchased land in the Innovabel Estate at below-market prices. In his statement, Enriquez denied any wrongdoing, clarifying that he paid $15,000 for his parcel—down from an original price of $20,000—as a first-time landowner. He said that his initial $1,500 payment was part of a structured plan, not the total amount. 

“While my name shows by far the highest payment among all on the list, media reports suggest that I might be involved in that scandal. I wish to disassociate myself from any implication of wrongdoing,” Enriquez stated. He added, “I did not negotiate a discount, nor did I perceive the offer as an illicit deal.” 

Enriquez learnt from the new city administrator about the land’s undervaluation and adjusted his payment schedule accordingly. 

“I remain committed to fulfilling my full payment obligations,” he said. “I want to make it unequivocally clear, therefore, that I did not participate, receive any title, nor have any desire to participate in any ‘land grab,’ hustle, or illegitimate transaction,” Enriquez asserted. “As a Belizean youth, I just want to legitimately own my first plot of land in our jewel.”

These statements follow an investigation by Mayor Pablo Cawich into former Mayor Sharon Palacio’s questionable land sales, where parcels sold for up to 95% below their appraised values. A leaked document lists prices for 43 parcels, revealing significant undervaluations, including sales to Palacio’s family members for as little as $100.

Mayor Cawich noted that the council received only $100,000 from these transactions, resulting in an estimated $2 million loss in revenue. He described some documentation as “fraudulent” and emphasised the need for ethical responsibility among landowners.