Man Drowns in Belize River

Hilberto Romero

On Wednesday morning, the body of Salvadoran national Raul Rivelo was retrieved from the Manatee Lookout area in the Belize River.  Rivelo’s friend, Walter Gomez, reported to police that Rivelo was trying to swim across the river when he suddenly went underwater and didn’t resurface.  The authorities searched the area didn’t find the body until around nine-thirty.  Today, police told the media that Rivelo’s post-mortem showed that he died as a result of drowning.

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero, Deputy Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“In regards to the incident involving Raul Rivelo who went swimming in the Belize River, on Wednesday his body was recovered from the Belize River. A post-mortem examination was conducted which revealed that he died as a result of drowning.”

Andrea Polanco

“Sir, so, he was just there swimming – nothing else?”

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero

“That is the information we have. That he was swimming in the area at the time when he went under and didn’t resurface.”

Andrea Polanco

“Was he alone or was he accompanied by friends?”

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero

“There were other persons there and he was seen going under and never resurfaced.”

Reporter

“Is that an area where he would normally go? You’ve spoken to people who were with him?”

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero

“Yeah that is an area where people would go to fishing or sometimes they would make their way across the river.”