7 News Belize

US Embassy Reinforces “Criminal Immunity” Clause
posted (October 11, 2017)
But it seems that there will be no notice of intended prosecution for US diplomat Justin Guidry - who police say, caused the accident that killed 30 year old Samantha Castillo, 23 year old Martha Nayeli Vasques, and her one year old child Deanna Castillo. The three were in a Honda Element - which Guidry hit while overtaking at mile 2.5 on the George Price Highway.

The Police Department has refused to say if he will be prosecuted or not, but today the US Embassy did reply to one of our questions about the accident.

In response to our question about whether Guidry is covered by diplomatic immunity - The Embassy's Public Affairs Office says, quote, "The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations affords criminal immunity to diplomatic agents and members of the administrative and technical staff of an Embassy."

When we asked what Guidry was owing in Belize, they said, quote, "We have no further information to provide at this time."

As to our question about whether he has left the country, as reported, the Embassy says, "We are unable to comment due to privacy reasons."

And when we asked, if the U.S. Embassy will be discussing possible compensation with the family, or offering to cover costs, the Embassy's reply?: "We are not able to discuss this due to an ongoing investigation of the accident."

That is the same answer they gave when we asked if Mr. Guidry submitted a urine or blood alcohol level sample to any relevant authority.

Matthew Castillo - who is Martha Vasquez's husband, Deanna Castillo's father, and Samantha Castillo's brother has expressed to us his dismay that the family which lost three members did not even get a call from the US Embassy. In this regard, he noted that his sister, Samantha was a US Citizen who only returned to Belize three years ago.

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