Toledo Alcalde Association Demands Answers in Marcus Canti Kidnapping Probe

The Toledo Alcalde Association is demanding answers from police investigators into the alleged kidnapping of Indian Creek Alcalde Marcus Canti, saying that more than three weeks after the incident, the association has received little information on the status of the investigation.  The concern was raised during a meeting held last week, where TAA President Pedro Teul said members of the association are frustrated by what they describe as a lack of communication from authorities following the April thirteenth incident. Teul said the association believes the matter is serious and deserving of urgent attention, especially given the role alcaldes play within their communities.

Pedro Teul, TAA President: “The Alcalde of Indian Creek is not chosen village member or does he? No. He holds a very high position. He is an Alcalde. He is elected by the village. He is a Maya leader under customary law.  As a local magistrate under the Inferior Court Act of Belize. My people, this attack against him was an attack against customary law and the Inferior Court Act. For this reason, the TAA urges that we expect the police department when the file reaches the Department of Public Protection that the statement of Mr. Cantí on what happened is fully investigating leaving no stone unturned. This is the expectation of the assembly of Alcaldes, village councils and also our Mayan communities in the Toledo district.”

According to reports, Canti was allegedly taken from his home in Indian Creek Village by armed men and later released. The incident sparked concern among community leaders and residents in southern Belize, with calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction.  Speaking publicly about the ordeal, Marcus Canti described the frightening experience of being removed from his home and taken away from the village.

Marcus Canti, Alcalde, Indian Creek Village: “Unfortunately on April 13th I made one wrong decision. To go to my farm by myself to pick up my tomatoes and I can only suspect that they were monitoring my movements because before that time I always have someone I trust with me but I wasn’t there for more than a few minutes. And I had already picked my tomatoes when I was suddenly attacked, hit and forcefully taken. The first four men came to grab me and they were joined by a fifth who held me at gunpoint and took me to a truck waiting on the road side. And I got to realize there was a sixth person in the vehicle where I was pushed in, tied up and bound. My hands, legs, mouth, and eyes were bound. These men wore face masks but I was able to identify a few of them by voice ID. Since the investigation is still ongoing I cannot get into the details of my abduction because I am the prime witness and my security is critical to this case. I remain a threat because I was able to identify some of them and so this means that my life is at high risk. I want to say though that I am very concerned at the slow pace that the police is taking. I am concerned that there is no regular updates from the investigating unit.”

The Toledo Alcalde Association says it intends to continue pressing for updates from law enforcement authorities and is calling for those responsible to be identified and brought before the courts.