U.S. Issues Advisory in Cayo District Following Double Murder in Teakettle

It didn’t make it in the news on Thursday, but the U.S Embassy did send out a release issuing condolences to Paul Signorino and Julian Jones, the two American nationals who were killed a week ago in Teakettle. In that same release, the U.S Embassy said that it’s a strong proponent of citizen security that is, for Americans, Belizeans or others and pledged their continued work with the Government and the Police to advance security. And on their facebook page, the Embassy also posted a security message for travelers and residents about the increase of violent crime in the area between Roaring Creek and Teakettle. The information says, “In light of a recent rise in violent crime, the Embassy urges U.S. citizens to use extra caution while transiting the area between Roaring Creek and Teakettle. There is no evidence to suggest that U.S. citizens are being targeted.”  The message goes on to outline security best practices and listed the specific area of concern, where eleven murders have taken place since January first, 2015. The Embassy highlighted the area in a diagram also posted online and ended by reminding U.S Citizens that, “Belize is a country that suffers from an unusually high crime rate. U.S. citizens should exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings at all time.”