Important Note: This Internet version of 7 News is a verbatum
transcript of our evening television news script. Many interviews on our newscast
are conducted in Creole. In the interest of clarity for our foreign readers,
we attempt to paraphrase the Creole quotes in English
Last week we told you that John Pinelo returned as Deputy Chief Forest Officer despite the serious allegations of professional misconduct made against him. He went on leave last month after being accused of bribery and extortion; however, since then, Sustainable Development Minister Orlando Habet said that there wasn't enough evidence against him. This is despite his accuser, Cesar Godinez, writing to the Ministry outlining a complaint of alleged extortion and adding that he has evidence of his allegations which he is prepared to share. But the Ministry of Sustainable Development never reached out for that evidence and claims to have conducted an internal investigation-which allowed Pinelo to return to work as the Deputy Chief.
So will the complaint of corruption go any further than that? Or is it just like that old Yellowman song: "nobody move, nobody get hurt?" Seems so!
According to Public Service Minister Henry Charles Usher, they can't act until they get a report from that Ministry. Here's how he explained it today:
Reporter: "How does the public gain trust in relation to what has transpired with that entire thing? Because he's allowed to apply for the post. But in terms of any actual, like, serious investigation into the allegations, to be seen that that was done adequately?"
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service "It's a fair question you ask, because the Minister of the Public Service can't act unless we receive something from whatever ministry there is an issue. So we have not had the opportunity to see anything yet when in reference to this particular set of events. And so the Public Service Commission as well has not been able to act, it has been an investigation that was done internally at the Ministry of Sustainable Development. And we hope that we can get full disclosure as to what that investigation actually revealed."
Reporter: "So is it that the post of Chief Forest Officer will be advertised?"
Henry Charles Usher: "So the post had been advertised before there was an acting Chief Forest Officer. I think when the former Chief Forest Officer retired, there was some time in between when he had some leave, and so he didn't actually leave office until a few months later. So that vacancy was pulled back to say, okay, we'll wait until the substantive post is actually vacant until we publicize that post again. So that will happen very soon."
While officials claim they cannot act on the allegations against Pinelo-or simply lack the political will to do so-is the Ministry of the Public Service turning its sights on the whistleblowers?
We asked if an investigation is underway into the SmartStream leaks coming from within the public service-leaks that exposed such shady payment practices to connected companies that the Prime Minister was forced to put two Cabinet members on leave.
So how does Usher feel about public officers exposing their own Government? We asked him:
Courtney Menzies: "How do you feel that these are employees under your ministry?"
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service "Well, they're employees of the Government of Belize, not necessarily under the Ministry of the Public Service. And I think that the information was readily available. I don't know exactly who you are referring to when you're praising them."
Courtney Menzies: "The leaks?"
Henry Charles Usher: "But, you know, I think that, you know, nobody really has been called, I don't know. So it's just a general phrase that's being done by the opposition. I wouldn't expect anything less."
Courtney Menzies: "But it's the public officers who are sort of, you know, sending all these things to the media houses and whatnot."
Henry Charles Usher: "Okay, so what's the question?"
Reporter: "Do you agree where there is an idea or some suspicion of corruption, that this is made public?"
Henry Charles Usher: "Well, I think that the information has been put into the public domain. You're seeing the Auditor-General going in there and doing an audit and let's see what the audit brings out. I think it's important that if there are areas that need improvement, that those areas are improved, if there are additional controls that need to be put in place. If you would recall when you first asked me this question, even before the Auditor-General stepped in, I said, what is important is that an audit is done. And I think that that process is ongoing now and we have to see what report comes out from the Auditor-General."
And aside from the public service, Usher took charge of the Enterprise portfolio after Oscar Mira was placed on Cabinet leave.
Enterprise includes the Free Zone where reports say containers have not been moving out of the zone to Mexico.
We also know that the zone is synonymous with smuggling. We asked Usher about these nefarious elements hardwired into the zone's DNA, but he was more focused on the recent anniversary festivities:
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service "I don't know what issues you're referring to, but I know that yesterday was the 31st anniversary of the free zone. So, there was an event in there where some of the investors were honored for the work that they have done and for the fact that the free zone remains a vital part of the economy in the north and for Belize on the whole. And it's something that we have to continue to promote in terms of job creation, 3,000-plus persons working in the zone, 333 businesses operating in the zone. So those are the areas that we focused on yesterday."
Reporter: "How do you feel about actually having, like when you declined to take police, did you also have an issue with Enterprise given all the claims of corruption and narco-elements linked to the free zone?"
Henry Charles Usher: "So, you know, it wasn't that I declined the portfolio, can't decline the Prime Minister when he comes and says, 'I want you to handle this responsibility.' It was an ongoing discussion that we had when it comes to this same civil service modernization exercise that had already been started, and I said, you know, it will be hard for a new minister to come in now and pick up exactly where it is. At least let us get through this process. I'm happy now that we've been able to get the approval from the IDB. We are moving forward with the modernization, and it's a project that I think is important for the overall services that Government provides, the overall services in terms of in the ministries, both to the civilians, or citizens, and also the public officers, because the Ministry of Public Service, our main customers are public officers, and we have to be able to respond to their needs more efficiently as well when it comes to taking leave, promotions, transfers, etc., we have to be able to respond to those more effectively. So this process will help both areas."
Courtney Menzies: "But were you wary of taking the Enterprise because of the allegations of all of these things?"
Henry Charles Usher: "As I said, it was a discussion more having to do with Public Service. It wasn't about what Prime Minister was offering, it was more about what responsibilities I asked him to continue to carry out. When he asked me recently to hold over the portfolio of Enterprise, I said, okay, I can hold it over. We are further along in civil service. I don't know how long I will hold over the portfolio, but I'm there to make sure that all of the regulations, all of the compliance is done in accordance with our laws."
Nimrod Tillett is no stranger to the news, having been accused of murder three times in Belize. He was never convicted, but this time Mexican authorities want him extradited for an alleged murder in Chetumal that occurred in 2019. The reports are that he killed his girlfriend and threw her body in a dumpster, and the act was caught on surveillance footage.
And while he is on remand awaiting extradition, in 2024, a British attorney who specializes in these cases offered to assist him pro bono. Tim Prudhoe from a law firm in Turks and Caicos was in Belize two years ago; however, today his junior appeared virtually in the civil matter regarding his client. Tillett is alleging that the facility in Chetumal where he will be imprisoned if he is extradited isn't suitable for him. That's because he is still on crutches after he was shot multiple times in 2023.
However, his attorney presented no evidence to substantiate that claim and did little more than delay the extradition. This has led to Justice Derek Sylvester dismissing the claim. The matter now returns to the Magistrates' Court for the resumption of the extradition process.
Denvoy and Delroy Bartley, twins from the Banak area, were shot on Saturday night in Unitedville. Denvoy becomes the fourth murder victim in Unitedville for 2026, and they are likely all connected and a result of the ongoing drug war in the area.
Police have since charged one person for this latest murder, and Staff Officer ASP Stacy Smith told us more:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer "Police have formally arrested and charged 20-year-old Kevon Anthony Alford of Unitedville Village, Cayo District, for the crimes of murder, attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, and holding in connection with the ongoing investigation into the murder of 25-year-old Denvoy Bartley and shooting injury of Delroy Bartley. The investigation commenced at approximately 8:34 p.m. on Saturday 25th July 2026 in Unitedville Village. The investigators reported that they responded to reports of shots being fired, and what they have learned so far in the course of the investigation is that both Denvoy and Delroy Bartley were along with another male person in front of a residence in Unitedville Village when a male person emerged from nearby bushes and fired a number of shots resulting in the fatal injury of Denvoy Bartley and the injury of Delroy Bartley."
Jaleeza Roberts: "Has any motive been established?"
ASP Stacy Smith: "So far what the investigation is suggesting is that it is as a result of the ongoing dispute for drug trade within that village."
Jaleeza Roberts: "Has the police department increased any security in that area, being that this is about the third murder, if I'm not mistaken, for this year alone in Unitedville?"
ASP Stacy Smith: "There has been a number of strategic operations. I know we'll also know that after the last incident, I cannot recall the gentleman's name, but the officers were able to make an interception of a vehicle of interest and a recovery of two firearms, so that speaks to the department's tactical posture, and as you can see, the response in terms of their risks with this most recent incident. So in addition to arranging our tactical response, I must say that we have liaised with community members who are adamant about wanting this type of activity outside of their neighborhood, and we have been liaised with them and sharing with them as it relates to investing in the technology that has played a role in bringing this investigation to the state that it is now."
And here in Belize City, there was an early morning fire yesterday on Albert Street near the swing bridge.
A popular store caught on fire, and firemen had to approach this blaze very carefully. Jaleeza Roberts reports:
At approximately 12:44 a.m. on Sunday morning, huge clouds of smoke started wafting across the heart of Downtown Belize City. Femina Store has sat on the ground floor corner of the Abdo building for over 30 years. The appliance store was on fire, but from the inside, with the shutters closed.
Because the fire was churning inside, waiting to feed on oxygen, Fire Department personnel had to use different strategies to get to it. They initially cut a small hole in the shutter because a rush of oxygen would have created a backdraft, causing the fire to explode. From that small hole, they were able to bring the fire under control.
Despite this deft work, the Fire Department had no comment today.
Police gave us the bare facts.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer "What we have learned so far in the course of the investigation is that the owner of Femina Store reported that he left his property, and he was only alerted that a fire occurred, and he visited and made the observation. He stated that the building is one that he rents. However, the contents are his, and they were insured."
Today there was charred debris outside, and inside, surely, a tower of destroyed inventory. The store immediately beside it was spared, but their appliances did receive smoke damage.
But, what caused a fire inside a shuttered store in this long-standing building?
Jaleeza Roberts: "Have you all been able to determine if someone set it on fire?"
ASP Stacy Smith: "The department is currently awaiting the report from the National Fire Service as to whether the fire was as a result of electrical, you know, where it's gone bad, or if it was deliberately set."
Jaleeza Roberts, 7News
So far, no statement has been issued by the Fire Department.
There were two fatal traffic accidents over the weekend-and both accident victims were women driving motorcycles.
Tatiana Alvarado was the first. She lost her life in Bella Vista near the Independence cutoff on Saturday.
She was a courier southbound on the TV Ramos Highway when she allegedly made a wrong turn, colliding into a vehicle that was overtaking her:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer "Police have issued a notice of intended prosecution as a part of the ongoing investigation into a traffic accident that claimed the life of 39-year-old Tatiana Alvarado of Bella Vista Village. The incident occurred at approximately 4:35 p.m. on Saturday 25th July 2026 near the Independence Cut-Off. Investigators have established thus far that Alvarado was riding a motorcycle in the direction of Punta Gorda and traveling immediately behind her was a Ford Escape. It is alleged that the driver of the Ford Escape, in the process of attempting to overtake the motorcycle being operated by Alvarado, when Ms. Alvarado is alleged to have taken a sudden left turn resulting in the collision, and that collision resulted in her fatal demise."
Jaleeza Roberts: "Do you know if the person driving the vehicle at the time was under the influence?"
ASP Stacy Smith: "I am not able to say, and I actually made inquiries as to whether urine samples were extracted from him. I've not been able to confirm that so far. But from what I've heard, he has been cooperative with the investigation."
And another woman, a Mexican national, was also killed in a fatal accident. It happened late last night near the Corozal Free Zone:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer "Police have issued notices of intended prosecution as a part of the ongoing investigation into the death of 31-year-old Mexican national Lydia Galdamez Hernandez, which occurred at approximately 9:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026 near the Belize-Mexico border. The investigation has so far disclosed that Hernandez was operating a motorcycle and she was heading towards the Mexican border and traveling behind her was a green Chevrolet motor vehicle. It is alleged that Hernandez swerved into the opposite lane of traffic and collided into a Dodge Altitude that was coming in the opposite direction, resulting in a collision and her being fatally injured. Urine samples have been extracted from drivers of both of the vehicles as a part of the ongoing investigation."
Police today released details on a shooting that left cops rattled. It happened within gang turf last week in the early hours of Thursday, when police came under fire from a heavy-caliber weapon inside a vehicle they were pursuing.
ASP Stacy Smith told us more:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer "What I can say in relation to this investigation, to that incident, sorry, is that the officers of the GI3 stated that they sought to intercept a vehicle of interest and that vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle eventually collided into a lamppost and three persons exited the vehicle, and when one of those persons who was in the front passenger seat was exiting, he fired upon the police officers who returned fire. All three persons were able to evade custody, capture, sorry. However, the vehicle of interest has been impounded and great strides have been made as it relates to the investigation of this matter."
A small fire inside a home on Baghdad Street in Belize City last night uncovered a troubling discovery.
A birth certificate near the flames led investigators to a young child left behind by his mother. Police say the woman had asked a neighbor to call her a taxi, and after the child fell asleep, she left the residence and never returned. Police say the mother has since been located, and the child is now in the care of Human Services:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer "As it relates to the incident with the child on Baghdad Street in Belize City, what I've been able to ascertain so far is that sometime last night, police were called to a residence on Baghdad Street because there was a fire on a stairs. And the lady stated that when she extinguished the fire, she noticed a birth paper was near where the fire occurred. It was only because of this, another female who lived not too far away realized that the name on the birth paper is that of a female who had visited her earlier and left her child there with her. That particular woman reported that a female known to her solely by first name, and it's not someone that she was intimately acquainted with, visited her and began a conversation and asked her to call a taxi for her. And during that time that they were waiting for the taxi, the child fell asleep. So the child was placed to sleep within the residence. The female, which is the mother of the child, left, and she did not return any at all. It was only when that incident happened that she realized that something may have gone awry. Investigators have since been able to locate the mother. The child was placed with Human Services, and I've been advised that a consultation and welfare check should happen sometime during the course of the day to see what exactly went wrong that caused the mother to take that course of action that she took."
In other crime news, the Atlantic Bank Ladyville Branch was targeted by biurglars last week, but they did not get into the bank. ASP Smith said that there was damage to the ATM:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer "On Thursday 23rd July, investigators were called out to the Atlantic Bank Ladyville branch as there was indication that a burglary occurred. A review, however, of the building showed that nothing of significance was taken, and the Scenes of Crime technicians were able to process the scene and leave a number of prints and the hope is that we would be able to ascertain exactly what occurred."
Reporter: "Was there any damaged property?"
ASP Stacy Smith: "Yes, yes, the building was damaged, um, resulted in them gaining entry, but certainly I won't disclose how they did that."
Jaleeza Roberts: "Would you at least be able to say, was it the ATM they were going for?"
ASP Stacy Smith: "I believe, um, the ATM was damaged, but I believe entry was made in the building, so the ATM damage was, I believe, from inside the building."
This is the second recent report of an attempted ATM theft.
Today Public Service Minister Usher clarified that the incident occurred during the UDP's administration, and while he can't explain why the payment has taken so long, he reassured her that she will be paid:
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service "A case that was taken to the High Court and she got the judgment in her favor. But Channel 7 said, and I want to be clear, that she wrote the Ministry of Public Service numerous times and did not get any answer. To be clear, those letters and the medical boards were done in a previous administration, because it made it sound like it was happening recently. The case happened recently, but those medical boards and those correspondences were done, I believe, in 2017 and 2018. I just wanted that clarity, in case people are wondering if it's something that was happening currently. In terms of the judgment has been passed, the Government has accepted the decision of the court, and we're working on a payment schedule so that she can get the payments that she is entitled to."
Courtney Menzies: "Why did it take 17 months? And why has nobody contacted her?"
Henry Charles Usher: "No, I think the judgment happened in 2025, if I'm not mistaken. So this is something that we need to see why the, putting the judgment into effect, enforcing the judgment might have taken longer, but it's something that we intend to satisfy very soon."
The Attorney General also told us today, quote, "The Government has been in communication with attorneys for the public officer with a proposal for payment. On behalf of the Government, I extend sincere apologies to the public officer for the delayed resolution to this matter." End quote.
Last week you heard that Corozal Councillor candidate for the PUP Tommy Zetina stepped down after he was arrested following allegations of domestic abuse while intoxicated.
However, one has to ask: if the report was not publicized, would Zetina have stepped down on his own, or would the PUP have asked him to? Today Minister Usher said it doesn't really matter anymore:
Courtney Menzies: "Do you believe that if this report did not come out, he would have been asked to step down regardless?"
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service "Well, he withdrew his application. He sent in a letter to the Secretariat and we're proceeding with a contested convention on August the 9th. Two slates. One of the slates has one less person on the team in terms of six. And so, you know, we proceed from there."
Courtney Menzies: "But if the report didn't become as public as it did, would the PUP have asked him to step down?"
Henry Charles Usher: "It's kind of a moot point because he withdrew. Next question."
Reporter: "How many conventions are y'all having? And how many mayoral races are contested?"
Henry Charles Usher: "Well, we have nine municipalities and we expect contested conventions in five of them."
Minister Usher also gave an update on the National Fire Service's proposed headquarters. It's been six years since they were moved from Cleghorn Street and put into makeshift quarters at Marion Jones, which have proven unsuitable for the firefighters.
Usher is hoping that soon, they will be able to relocate to an area near the Eleanor Hall building:
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service "When the National Fire Service headquarters was sold by the UDP administration, there was no plan for it. There was nowhere for National Fire Service to go. They have been begging lodging at the Marion Jones Stadium, a place that was not suitable for the National Fire Service. We are preparing and we are in plans now to get the new National Fire Service headquarters built very close to the Eleanor Hall building. There's land designated there, so we're happy that we're proceeding with that. We're looking for funding for that particular project as we speak. Currently, a space is being rented for a part of the National Fire Service, not the full headquarters. The administrative headquarters is there, as well as the north side fire station is there. The mechanical yard has been moved to Ladyville and other areas have been moved to other areas because we just don't have the space available in the other locations. But when we do build a new headquarters, we'll be able to have the administrative headquarters, the mechanical yard, the training yard, etc., for the National Fire Service. So it will be good."
A police constable, 29-year-old Dexter Diego, appeared in the High Court this morning to answer to the charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. The incident is reported to have first occurred when the minor was 13, on four separate occasions between December 2022 and March of 2026. Diego's trial was to begin today when he appeared before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, but he ended up pleading guilty to the four counts of unlawful sexual intercourse. Justice Pilgrim deferred Diego's sentencing to September 8th, after ordering that a prison report, social inquiry report, and a victim impact statement be taken. Diego was represented in court by Attorney Hurl Hamilton.
Guyana is recovering from the deadliest maritime accident in Caribbean history and it has engaged two prominent Belizeans to help.
Attorney Godfrey Smith has been appointed to chair an independent Commission of Inquiry into the ferry disaster involving the passenger vessel MV Barima, which sank on Saturday, July 18, 2026. The confirmed death toll currently stands at 73 with 30 passengers still unaccounted for.
The international panel was formally named by Guyanese President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Sunday morning. Joining Smith on the five-member high-level committee are naval architecture expert Dr. Andre Jesse Anungski of Poland, Jamaican maritime surveyor Captain Hamada Fauda, Trinidadian admiralty lawyer Nairi Dawn Alfonso, and former Trinidadian defense chief Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard.
Smith and his panel will examine the events and circumstances surrounding the vessel's departure and capsizing, evaluate emergency responses, and deliver recommendations to prevent future maritime disasters.
And Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay has also been called upon by the government of Guyana to help. President Irfaan Ali today announced the launch of the HEART Initiative, a program designed to provide direct economic, medical, and psychological relief to victims and families affected by the ferry disaster. Former Foreign Minister Courtenay has been tasked with mobilizing financial assistance for affected persons.
Two Belizeans were recently killed abroad in separate shooting incidents; one in the United States and the other in Guatemala.
36-year-old Belizean Kieshayne Young was fatally shot inside an apartment building in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on July 10.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Young was inside the apartment with three others when a male suspect entered the building, opened fire, and fled on foot. Young was pronounced dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner later confirmed he died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Meanwhile, on July 17th in Guatemala, Belizean Tyson Ãlvarez Franzua was also shot and killed in the town of Livingston. Guatemalan police reported that the fatal shooting occurred in the Nevago neighborhood, where Ãlvarez Franzua sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Belize has never seen or known a tsunami, but planners warn that we can never be too careful.
And as of today, the city has officially achieved UNESCO's Tsunami Ready recognition. But what exactly does that mean? The Disaster Risk Management Minister told us more:
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service "This is really just the beginning of the process because this is all about continuing to be ready, continuing to be prepared, continuing that community engagement, preparedness, education, awareness when it comes to tsunamis. So it's the beginning of a process. The residents have to know where the evacuation routes are, the signage, etc. so it's important that Belize City is designated, but that we continue this process throughout the country."
Reporter: "So it's not that we should be breathing easier or maybe just slightly?"
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service "No no no we can't we can't take these things lightly. It's very serious. The last warning we got for a tsunami was in 2025. Luckily, we did not see any. I remember that one vividly in 2018 when we also got the tsunami warning. It's something that happens more frequently in the Pacific, but it's not, it can never happen here in the Caribbean. It does happen at times. So I think it's important that we stay ready."
"So there are evacuation areas in Belize City, gathering points, you know, see the signage throughout the city that has been put up. And those are the areas where persons can go and gather. And then evacuation routes explain to them how they would go or where they would go in the event of a tsunami. Remember, this thing happens very fast."
Christa Von Hillebrandt Andrade, Manager, International Tsunami Information Center "The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of Unesco has established 12 steps for a community get ready for a tsunami. And Belize would have followed these guidelines. And it consisted in, first of all, in divided into three areas. One is awareness, preparedness and response. So Belize, in order to receive the recognition of Unesco ISC as a tsunami ready community, it had to know its threat. It had to map the hazard. It had to know how many people lived or could be affected by the tsunami in Belize City. And then also what were the resources, which resources would have on hand to respond to a situation like a tsunami? Also then in the area of preparedness, Belize City prepared a tsunami evacuation map, which would indicate, the areas that had to be evacuated, the safer areas, and how to get from the hazard zone to those safer areas and areas where people could assemble. Also then they had, install signage to inform the public, on the evacuation routes and these assembly points. They developed education and outreach material, and this material was shared through public and outreach events and a tsunami exercise to test the procedures for responding to a tsunami."
As part of the Hub Resource Center's annual "Summer Blasts" program, they hosted an interactive and dynamic career day expo today to expose campers to the types of careers available to them in the future. Jomarie Lanza stopped by the event, and here's her report:
The Belize Diabetes & Hypertension Association hosted its Diabetes Warrior Type 1 Youth Camp at the Lions Den. It's an initiative aimed at empowering young people living with Type 1 diabetes through education and support. We stopped in and spoke with Nairobi Cortez, who told us what her 16-year journey has been like:
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Last week we told you that John Pinelo returned as Deputy Chief Forest Officer despite the serious allegations of professional misconduct made against him. He went on leave last month after being accused of bribery and extortion; however, since then, Sustainable Development Minister Orlando Habet said that there wasn't enough evidence against him. This is despite his accuser, Cesar Godinez, writing to the Ministry outlining a complaint of alleged extortion and adding that he has evidence of his allegations which he is prepared to share. But the Ministry of Sustainable Development never reached out for that evidence and claims to have conducted an internal investigation-which allowed Pinelo to return to work as the Deputy Chief.
"It's a fair question you ask, because the Minister of the Public Service can't act unless we receive something from whatever ministry there is an issue. So we have not had the opportunity to see anything yet when in reference to this particular set of events. And so the Public Service Commission as well has not been able to act, it has been an investigation that was done internally at the Ministry of Sustainable Development. And we hope that we can get full disclosure as to what that investigation actually revealed."
While officials claim they cannot act on the allegations against Pinelo-or simply lack the political will to do so-is the Ministry of the Public Service turning its sights on the whistleblowers?
And aside from the public service, Usher took charge of the Enterprise portfolio after Oscar Mira was placed on Cabinet leave.
Nimrod Tillett is no stranger to the news, having been accused of murder three times in Belize. He was never convicted, but this time Mexican authorities want him extradited for an alleged murder in Chetumal that occurred in 2019. The reports are that he killed his girlfriend and threw her body in a dumpster, and the act was caught on surveillance footage.
Denvoy and Delroy Bartley, twins from the Banak area, were shot on Saturday night in Unitedville. Denvoy becomes the fourth murder victim in Unitedville for 2026, and they are likely all connected and a result of the ongoing drug war in the area.
ASP Stacy Smith: 
And here in Belize City, there was an early morning fire yesterday on Albert Street near the swing bridge.
There were two fatal traffic accidents over the weekend-and both accident victims were women driving motorcycles.
And another woman, a Mexican national, was also killed in a fatal accident. It happened late last night near the Corozal Free Zone:
In other crime news, the Atlantic Bank Ladyville Branch was targeted by biurglars last week, but they did not get into the bank. ASP Smith said that there was damage to the ATM:
Last week, we told you about the former public officer who had become ill while working at the Income Tax Department. She had asked to be moved several times but was ignored, and her medical bills in Mérida began adding up. She sued the Government and won her case, but 17 months later, she has not received her payment.
Turning now to politics...
Guyana is recovering from the deadliest maritime accident in Caribbean history and it has engaged two prominent Belizeans to help.
Two Belizeans were recently killed abroad in separate shooting incidents; one in the United States and the other in Guatemala.
Belize has never seen or known a tsunami, but planners warn that we can never be too careful.
Christa Von Hillebrandt Andrade, Manager, International Tsunami Information Center