The International Backlash following Murder of American Citizen

Hugo Patt

The murder of American citizen Elizabeth Rousseau and the attack on her husband Gary Hakes adds to the list of foreigners who have fallen victims to major crimes in the country. The Consejo area of Corozal is known as a haven for Canadian and American expats who have chosen Belize to retire. It also makes them a clear target for criminals. Today, Cabinet Minister Hugo Patt called for the culprits to be brought to justice.

Hugo Patt, Area Rep., Corozal North

“It is very concerning to us. Corozal itself, Consejo, we have heard of certain crimes happening around in the vicinity but it does not happen often but when it does it is to the scale that it reaches national and international attention so this is not necessarily the message that we want to send out there. I mean Corozal as you know would traditionally has been a very peaceful and quiet community. And so we enjoy that peacefulness within the district and so we want to keep it as such. In my opinion the best way to get a halt on this is to bring those who are responsible for these types of actions to be brought to justice.”