Official Reports from Mexico on Suspected Killing of Belizeans

Oscar Arnold

News Five today spoke with Belizean Ambassador to Mexico Oscar Arnold about the reports of another two Belizean nationals killed in neighboring Mexico. Ambassador Arnold says that his office has also received these reports and they are awaiting confirmation on the identities of the bodies and whether they are in fact Belizeans. So far, no one has come forward to say that their relatives have gone missing in Mexico. Here’s what Ambassador Arnold had to say.

Oscar Arnold, Belizean Ambassador to Mexico

“We did receive those reports. I’ve reached out to the authorities in that municipality as well as in the state to get some confirmation of what took place. So far, they’ve listed a number of deaths by gun violence. They do suspect that there may be individuals who are of Belizean nationality that were killed, but until we can confirm their identity, they don’t want to confirm and say yes, these are Belizeans. The way it works, it is similar as in Belize; until somebody comes forward and says okay this is a family member of mine, this is his name; see we have an ID here, then that nationality can be confirmed. If they don’t have anyone in the municipality or in that vicinity that can do that, then it takes a little bit longer because they would have to provide, along with other missions, photographs and then we try to piece that back with maybe the Vital Stats Unit or maybe the Immigration [Department] in Belize to find out if in fact Belizeans did travel officially. If it is unofficially, it makes it even harder. But ultimately, it comes down to trying to identify the individuals who they think or who they claim or suspect to be Belizean.”