Tag: 2025-03-19
PG Police Charge Laborer for Dueton Coy’s Murder
Punta Gorda police have arrested a suspect in connection with the Sunday night murder of Dueton Coy. Twenty-five-year-old Roland Cody Lopez, a laborer from PG, will stand trial for the crime. Coy was tragically shot around seven PM near the cemetery in Punta Gorda Town. According to police, Coy was with two other people, drinking alcoholic beverages, when the shooting happened. On Monday, Assistant Commissioner Hilberto Romero informed reporters that they had one suspect in custody and were searching for a second. It’s believed the argument that led to the shooting was over a thirty-dollar debt owed to one of the suspects.
Police Say No Evidence of Domestic Violence in Woman’s Murder
Police are waiting for the autopsy results on Wendy Mendez, a thirty-six-year-old from Concepcion Village. She was found unconscious on Sunday, March ninth, and sadly passed away last Friday. On Monday, ACP Hilberto Romero mentioned that investigators were exploring the possibility of a domestic issue being involved. However, today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams stated that there’s no evidence to support that theory.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We’re still awaiting the post examination to be conducted and once that is done, then we’ll be able to ascertain the definitive cause of death, and then we go from there. I don’t know if there’s any evidence to the fact that the husband had beaten her. We’re still investigating how she got the injury that she exhibited when she went to the hospital.”
Reporter
“Is the husband cooperating with you all?”
Chester Williams
“I believe that he has been interviewed by the police, yes, but there was nothing of substance obtained during that interview.”
Reporter
“And had there been any previous reports at this household for the domestic violence?”
Chester Williams
“Not to my knowledge, no.”
Police Officer Questioned for Desecration of Grave
Earlier this month, Belizeans Michael Whitaker and Aaron Tun were found murdered in Chetumal. After being laid to rest, their graves were shockingly desecrated the next day, with Whitaker’s head removed from his body. A police investigation led to the detention of a police officer. Today, Police Commissioner Williams stated that the officer was taken in for questioning and that they are looking into several others who might have been involved.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“That that police officer was brought in. he was detained for forty-eight hours during which he was interviewed by the police intensely. We have received certain information from him. I’m not going to go into details, but there are other follow-ups that we’re doing and there’s a need for us to bring in additional people to be interviewed. We’re looking at the officer in question and many other people as possible persons of interest in respect of that issue and other issues. I don’t want to go too much into details and just await for investigation to be carried true.”
Toxicology Results from Royal Kahal Resort Due in One Week
It’s been over a month since the tragic discovery of the bodies of three American tourists in their hotel suite in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The initial test of the room found no trace of carbon monoxide, but this conflicts with a report from Massachusetts last week. Today, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams announced that Belizean authorities have decided a second round of tests is necessary. This decision comes after another complaint surfaced about a previous guest experiencing carbon monoxide issues in the same suite. Williams emphasized that the case remains a death investigation pending the autopsy report.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We had a meeting whereby we had a representative from the police. We have, we had from the fire department, the environment, and even from the Minister 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. So it was agreed to go back in and do a second round of testing. And that was done. 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 Enrollment on the result of that test. Um, so we are waiting for that. I guess again, that was the reason why the hotel owner had closed the hotel to allow the investigators from police, fire, and enrollment to go in and conduct further testing if it is found that there was carbon monoxide in this room, can the hotel be. Criminally liable? No, that would be far within the civil domain. Um, I am hopeful that the, the result of the toxicology tests will be received within the next week or two, and that is going to give us some good guidance in terms of what may have led to the death of these three, three women. So I, I still don’t want to, to speculate at this time and await the result of the toxicology report.”
Tourism Minister Says Hotel Closed Down Voluntarily
The situation sparked international outrage, especially from the families of the deceased. Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler mentioned that his office is fully informed about the incident. He noted that the hotel’s decision to temporarily close was voluntary. Depending on the results, the hotel might reopen for business soon.
Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
“It was a voluntary shutdown. We found some issues with the property and so we had a discussion with them and they decided to shut down to take remedial actions to deal with the issues that we had found. But in terms of the tests and the toxicology tests, we’re still waiting on that to determine the true cause of death.”
Paul Lopez
“Nothing about carbon monoxide has passed your desk as yet officially?”
Anthony Mahler
“Well, we’ve had a discussion about that. That is a possibility. We’re not ruling anything out, but I can assure you, the families believe that we will do the right thing in terms of putting the information forward as we get the information.”
Paul Lopez
“Are there plans to reopen the hotel when the investigation is completed?”
Anthony Mahler
“Well, as long as it’s approved by the necessary agencies to be opened.”
U.D.P. Leadership Court Hearing Still on For March 31st?
Will the High Court case between Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Tracy Taegar-Panton continue now that Panton has taken over the party leadership? The court hearing is scheduled for March thirty-first, and Barrow was confident that he and his team would be vindicated. However, with Barrow resigning after his election defeat and U.D.P. members rallying behind Panton, we asked her on Tuesday if the case had become irrelevant.
Reporter
“In relation to the case you have your one day trial on the thirty-first unless you expect Barrow will withdraw that?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Party Leader, U.D.P
“Well you would have to ask him that question whether he intends to withdraw. What I can say is that there are three of the claimants who are now making steps to withdraw from the case.”
Reporter
“So if a convention is held and you are elected the leader, endorsed, then a case does not matter.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“I did not drag myself to court and I did not drag this party to court. That was done by the former party leader and the former chairman. They will have to answer those questions. If we have to show up to court we wild o so. We have a very capable, competent leadership team representing us and I am sure that they will make the argument that will vindicate us in the court.”
What is Barrow’s Future in the U.D.P.?
What about Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s future in the U.D.P.? Will the party welcome him back? We asked Panton for her thoughts on this.
Paul Lopez
“Will an olive branch be offered to Mr. Barrow to play a role in the party moving forward any at all?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Party Leader, U.D.P.
“That is not a matter for Tracy Panton. It is a matter for Shyne Barrow. It is a matter for the people of Mesop. It is not a matter for Tracy Panton. Healing will take time and we are not going to make any harsh or hard and fast decisions. We are going to allow the time that it takes to do the steps we must take to solidify this team and the U.D.P. moving forward.”
Reporter
“I know it is your prerogative, but is there any room for Mr. Faber and Saldivar in the Senate perhaps?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“I will announce the Senate appointments at the appropriate times.”
Reporter
“The party headquarters, any likelihood given what has happened so far that you will get to go back?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“It is a matter for the court at this point. There was a temporary injunction period to our former party leader and until that matter is cleared up in court then we respect the decision of the court in that respect.”
Reporter
“You never harbored any ill will towards those who supported Mr. Barrow. Despite everything that happened there was a rallying behind you today.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“There could be no ill will, the people in the various constituencies determined who they want their standard bearers to be. I respect the people. This U.D.P. under my leadership will be people centered.”
Briceño Administration Announces C.E.O. Appointments
Prime Minister John Briceño has announced the new Chief Executive Officer appointments for all seventeen government ministries. There are some notable changes from the Briceño administration’s first term. Beverly Wade, who previously led the Blue Bond Unit, has been appointed as the CEO in the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation. Belize Defense Force Captain and Pilot Francis Usher is now the CEO in the Ministry of Defense and Border Security. Economist Carlos Pol has been appointed as the CEO in Economic Development, while Milagro Matus will serve as the CEO in the Ministry of Sustainable Development. Joseph Waight is returning as Financial Secretary. Aside from these four new faces, all CEOs from the previous administration are returning to their posts.
Paving the Way for a Resilient Future in the Caribbean
With geopolitical tensions heating up between the United States and various countries worldwide, the Caribbean region is figuring out how to adapt to the shifting economic scene. Since the Trump administration took office earlier this year, the US has put a hold on funding for international environmental sustainability projects, putting many vulnerable nations at risk. Today, the Caribbean Development Bank held its annual news conference to unveil a new strategic plan aimed at bridging some of the gaps left by the US and supporting Caribbean nations on their path to a resilient future. News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the University of the West Indies in Barbados this morning to cover the event.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Every year, tourism remains one of the largest contributors to economic growth in the Caribbean region, but the industry is at risk as the geopolitical landscape around the world begins to change.
Countries like the US have started cutting back on funding for environmental sustainability projects, which means nations like Belize, that depend heavily on their natural resources, need to look elsewhere for financial support. That’s why the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) is stepping up, committing to another year of backing climate resilience projects throughout the region.
Daniel Best, President, C.D.B.
“As we look forward to the future with all its uncertainties, but more so, its opportunities. I can think of no other word that encapsulates my vision for the bank than rebirth. Rebirth signals the bank’s renewed focus on delivering excellence to the people of this region. We will practice excellence in each stage of every process, whether we are providing policy advice, appraising and implementing projects in our countries, or formulating country engagement strategies. As we support our Caribbean in the march towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, excellence will be our hallmark.”
Best explains that this new chapter for the bank will be guided by the theme “Rebirth: Innovate, Transform, and Thrive for a Resilient Future.” Over the past year, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has funded several projects to enhance infrastructure and education in Belize. In February, the CDB supported the Development Finance Corporation in launching a consolidated line of credit to provide Belizeans with loans for education, renewable energy projects, and small to medium-sized businesses. Director of Projects, O’Reilly Lewis, highlights that thanks to initiatives like coastal protection projects across the region, the bank has seen the second highest levels of disbursements and approvals in the last decade.
O’Reilly Lewis, Director of Projects, C.D.B.
“Belize has been one of our stronger performing countries in terms of implementation and we are working to continue to build that. The other project I spoke to was the DFC, the Development Finance Corporation in Belize, which we are a traditional financer of, and who, and they themselves credit us with helping them exist, being in existence and being such a impactful company. We approved, I think it was a twenty million loan with them last year, to deal with the MSMEs in agriculture, renewable energy projects, student loans. So all aspects of. So though that loan will impact several layers of the, of life in Belize in a positive way.”
In 2024, Belize faced one of its longest dry seasons ever, resulting in the loss of thousands of acres of farmland and forest reserves to wildfires. Environmental Sustainability Division Chief, Valerie Isaac, assures that the bank is actively working to mitigate future risks of such natural disasters.
Valerie Isaac, Division Chief, Environmental Sustainability, C.D.B.
“One of the interventions that we have planned. I’m not sure the top of my head, the scope, meaning the regions in Belize, it was covered with early warning system. So early warning system there for flood risk, multi-hazard warning system. And that is one of the things that are being considered.”
According to Lewis, the CDB and the Government of Belize are already working towards implementing the next phase of several projects this year.
“We will be in Belize the first week of April, doing what we call a portfolio review, where we look at the current portfolio of projects with the government with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Education and all of the other nine ministries, Ministry of Environment, and we will have also have discussions about where their priorities are and how they would see us as partnering with them to help solve some of those developing challenges.”
As trade relations remain unclear, the CDB encourages CARICOM members to diversify their markets and reduce their dependency on tourism.
“We will work with our membership to support the birth of a new, dynamic, diverse, internationally competitive private sector. A region where every citizen lives free from the fear of violence, the sustainable development of Haiti and the economic and social upliftment of its people, trade facilitation and interconnectivity through regional cooperation and integration and gender equality and diversity, equity and inclusion across all strata of Caribbean life.”
The region’s debt level has gone up by 3.3 percent due to a higher need for borrowing. However, there’s a silver lining: the debt to GDP ratio has dropped by 5.7 percent. In 2024, Belize was one of five countries to get an upgrade to their sovereign credit rating. Britney Gordon for News Five.