Belizean Family Confronted in Chetumal Over Car Ownership

Around 2,600 Belizeans crossed into Mexico over the long weekend, many for vacation or medical visits, Belize’s ambassador to Mexico, Oscar Arnold, said. Among them was a Belizean woman and her daughters, who said they were surrounded by several men after leaving a store in Chetumal.

“The individuals identified themselves as police or as some level of police authority there, but they were in plain clothes,” Arnold explained. They claimed there was a problem with her car and asked her to accompany them to the public prosecutor’s office. Although they presented identification, the woman doubted its authenticity.

She contacted the Belizean Honorary Consul in Chetumal, who quickly arrived and accompanied her to the authorities. Officials later discovered an anomaly with the vehicle’s VIN number, prompting the vehicle theft unit to investigate. 

The car, imported from Mexico years ago and later sold in Belize, was eventually cleared, and no charges were filed. Arnold added that the consul did not believe the incident was an outright attempt at theft or extortion.

He warned, however, that Belizeans buying cars from Mexico can sometimes run into trouble like this and urged travellers to contact embassy or consular officials if they encounter suspicious situations.