Marcus Canti Found Safe as Police Probe Abduction Claim and Video

Indian Creek Alcalde, Marcus Canti, has resurfaced after days of uncertainty.  Police say that shortly after three o’clock this morning, they received information that Canti had returned home safely. According to initial reports, Canti told investigators that he was abducted by two men, taken into the bushes, and tied up, before being released earlier today on the outskirts of Indian Creek Village.  But even with his return, more questions than answers remain tonight, especially as police examine a newly surfaced video showing a confrontation at his home just before his disappearance, and ongoing tensions within the community tied to a land dispute.  Correspondent LJay Wade updates us on this story.

Ljay Wade, Cayo Correspondent: “Yes, good day believes and beyond this is Lj Wade reporting Live from the capital city of Belmopan. If you’ve been following the news you know about the disappearance and abduction of the Alcalde 41 year old Marcus Canti from Indian Creek in the south of the country. Now on Monday April 13 Mr. Canti was reported missing by family and friends around 2:30 on Monday the 13th of April Mr.Canti went to his farm, and this is what the reports are saying of course. He went to his farm and he disappeared. Family and friends had no idea where he went and he remained vanished without a trace for the next two days. Now a day after his abduction and disappearance a leaked audio from what we can only believe to be audio recording of Mr. Canti being abused and tortured that leaked to the public and leaked to the residence of Mr. Canti’s village which he presides over. There’s a lot of growing concern regarding where Mr.Canti is but earlier this morning around three o’clock this morning we have received reliable reports that Mr. Canti has been found and that he was returned to his home in Indian Creek Village. Now apparently he did sustain a number of injuries which again correlate with the audio recording of him being tortured and abused. Now because of the extent of his injuries he was transferred to a medical center and I have been able to confirm that that medical center is here in Belmopan for the sake of Mr.Canti’s privacy we will not wish to disclose the name of that medical institution just as yet as he is still present receiving some check ups. Now like I said we have confirmed that he is in fact here in Belmopan. I reached out to Ms.Christina Doc who has been speaking on behalf of the residence regarding the abduction of Mr.Canti and she has refused to give an interview at the time, understandably so but she did inform me that they are planning to hold a full detailed press briefing we’re currently unsure of the time if it’s going to be happening this week or next week but plans are in the works for Ms.Christina Coc and the Alcalde Mr.Canti to have a full press briefing describing what happened over these last three days regarding his disappearance. But just a quick recap Mr.Canti has been found. This morning he was returned to his home in Indian Creek and from there he was brought to Belmopan where he is currently undergoing treatment and they’re just running some checks to see the extent of his injuries. So Mr. Canti is alive and well and we look forward to that press conference where more details will be explained and given to the Belizean public. So that’s just been the quick recap of what’s been happening today and over the next two days regarding Mr. Canti.”

In a strongly worded statement issued today, Toledo Private and Lease Landowners Limited welcomed Canti’s safe return but is calling for a full and transparent report into what transpired during his disappearance.  The group also raised serious concerns about what it describes as intimidation within the community, alleging that threats were made against village leaders, including the chairman and other local officials.  Additionally, the organization criticized the initial police response, claiming there were delays due to limited resources at the Punta Gorda Police Station, which required assistance from other jurisdictions.  The statement goes further, pointing to what it calls conflicting narratives surrounding land rights in Indian Creek, and urging the Government of Belize to take decisive action to restore order and address the broader dispute.  Meanwhile, police say their investigation remains active as they seek to piece together the full sequence of events, from a reported confrontation at Canti’s home, to his disappearance, and eventual return, to determine whether any criminal activity occurred.  Love News is following this developing story.