Tonight, Belize is making the worse kind of international headlines after a tourist Dr. Gary Swank was murdered along with a tour guide on Sunday morning.
Swank - who is a cardiologist from Virginia - had arrived in the country with his family for vacation on Saturday - and was staying at a home on the north end of Ambergris Caye.
On Sunday, he went fly fishing with tour guide Mario Graniel - but he couldn't have known that Graniel was marked for death by one of the island's ruthless drug gangs. When he and Graniel were returning, they were shot and killed, executed inside the boat named Johnny G, by a gunman in a skiff.
The killing of a tourist under these circumstances has has caused a major black eye for Belize's tourism product and is reportedly resulting in cancellations at some hotels on the island.
That larger effect today prompted police Commissioner of Police Chester Williams to travel to San Pedro to assure townspeople and tourists that police have stepped up operations. Here's what he told the media:
Voice of: Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Yes we are going to beef up our presence. We have sent out additional officers to the island to see how they can complement the officers who are already out here. Coast Guard is also sending out other officers to be able to patrol the maritime domain and so we believe that moving forward we have things in place to ensure that residents of the island stay safe."
Reporter
"Has there been any progress in terms of this investigation as of yesterday?"
Voice of: Chester Williams
"Yes, of course as we go along and the investigators are collecting the relevant information they need to collect, recording statements, interviewing people and that is going well for us at this time. we are not yet where we want to be, but I am sure we will get where we want to be."
Reporter
"A primary suspect has been identified?"
Voice of: Chester Williams
"Yes we have and we are currently in search of that person."
Reporter
"Has US authorities contacted your office in terms of the murder of the tourist?"
Voice of: Chester Williams
"Yes, we are working very closely with the US Embassy. We have 2 representatives in San Pedro who are working with us with a view to see what guidance and expertise we can also offer to the investigation."
