Benita Keme-Palacio - Greater Belize Media

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.”

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.

Pope Francis Shows Early Signs of Kidney Failure

Pope Francis continues to battle serious health issues as he remains in critical condition at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The Vatican reported earlier today that the 88-year-old pope is being treated for double pneumonia and has shown early signs of kidney failure. Despite this, the Pope remains alert and responsive, attending Mass while receiving high-flow oxygen.

The pope’s doctors remain cautious. According to Dr. Sergio Alfieri, head of the Pope’s medical team, Pope Francis is not in immediate danger of death but remains “not fully out of danger.”

Pope Francis has been battling a complex lung infection, which, combined with his age and pre-existing respiratory issues, makes his recovery uncertain. The Vatican has confirmed that his hospitalisation could extend into the coming week, with concerns over possible sepsis due to respiratory germs.

Man Arrested in Connection with Murder of Devon Chable in Corozal

Authorities have formally arrested and charged 32-year-old Azael Josimar Garcia, a mechanic from Corozal District, for the murder of 22-year-old Devon Jorge Chable. According to police reports, Garcia is accused of being involved in the tragic death of Chable in January.

The incident unfolded in the Altamira area of Corozal Town, where Chable was chased on his bicycle by three individuals in a pickup truck. The pursuit ended when the truck driver allegedly ran Chable over near Naybaz Store. Despite being rushed to Corozal Community Hospital, Chable succumbed to his injuries.

While two suspects were quickly apprehended, Garcia managed to flee but is now in police custody.

Former Village Councillor Shot Dead in Hattieville

Police continue to investigate the fatal shooting of Tyrel Requeña Sr., a former village councillor and Justice of the Peace. The incident happened on Saturday afternoon in Hattieville, Belize District.

According to reports, Requeña was installing a camera system when three men emerged from nearby bushes and opened fire. He was in the company of his goddaughter, 20-year-old Kiana Novelo. Both were transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where Requeña was pronounced dead at 3:00 p.m. Novelo received treatment and was discharged.

Villagers reported hearing up to 20 gunshots.Requeña was mourned by his son, who said on social media, “February 22, remember this date. It’s the day Belize lost the most famous TikToker, a justice of the peace, a pillar of the community, and a father of six, Tyrel Requena Sr., my dad. Rest in peace, Dad. Love you forever.”

We are told that two men were detained for questioning.

Elvia Vega-Samos Stands Firm as Independent Candidate for Corozal Bay

Elvia Vega-Samos is standing firm in her decision to run as an independent candidate for Corozal Bay, despite being officially expelled from the People’s United Party (PUP) on Saturday. The PUP revoked her membership yesterday after she announced her candidacy for the upcoming general elections the day before. The committee cited the party’s constitution, which prohibits members from running without the party’s endorsement.

In response, Vega-Samos has been vocal on social media, reaffirming her independent candidacy to the people of Corozal Bay. “Save the paper and the time taken to point out the obvious! I choose to stand on the side of what is just, what is fair, and what is best for the people of Corozal Bay!” she said, adding, “I shall not be moved! I’m resolute, I’m determined, and I’m independent!!”

Vega-Samos has framed her decision as a stand against political constraints, stating, “I know that I have been a victim of the greed and self-serving behaviour of certain people you know all too well. But I’m here to show them and everyone that I am not a victim. I am a survivor!”

Vega-Samos rejects the party’s control and gears up to challenge the PUP’s standard bearer, Thea Garcia-Ramirez, and Hernan Riverol, who is the candidate for the Alliance of Democracy under the United Democratic Party (UDP), led by Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton. According to the UDP faction led by Moses “Shyne” Barrow, they will be supporting Vega-Samos as an independent candidate.

Tracy Panton Accuses Kaya Cattouse of Body Shaming

The People’s United Party (PUP) held a campaign event in Independence Village on Saturday that became the backdrop for a sharp exchange between two political rivals. Kaya Cattouse, the PUP candidate for the Albert constituency, wasted no time in launching a direct critique against her opponent, the sitting Albert Area Representative, Tracy Panton of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

In her address, Cattouse confidently stated, “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.”

Her follow-up comment raised eyebrows when 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.”

In response, Panton took to social media, denouncing Cattouse’s comments as “body shaming” and calling them in “poor, poor taste.” She said, “I have intentionally stayed away from negative campaigning because I believe 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.”

Panton added, “Not even to the PUP voters she was trying to appeal to. It was in poor, poor taste, and the feedback to me was quick and furious. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Enough said!”