Belize Still Awaiting Canadian Update in Kennedy Carrillo Investigation

More than a month after Belize partially waived Kennedy Carrillo’s diplomatic immunity to facilitate a Canadian police investigation, the Government says it is still awaiting an update from Canadian authorities.  Carrillo, Belize’s Permanent Representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization in Montreal, was detained and questioned by Canadian police in late July after being identified as the alleged aggressor in a reported domestic dispute. The full circumstances surrounding the incident have not been publicly disclosed.  Following a diplomatic request from the Canadian Embassy in Guatemala, the Government of Belize granted a limited waiver of Carrillo’s immunity. That waiver applies specifically to the investigation and does not constitute a complete removal of her diplomatic protections.  Minister Francis Fonseca says the matter has now become a waiting game, as the investigation falls within the jurisdiction of Canadian law-enforcement authorities. He says the Government must await their findings before determining what action, if any, should follow.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “No update as yet, we are awaiting a further report from the authorities in Canada, in Toronto. I think the Metropolitan Police are doing an investigation. We are awaiting that report. As soon as we receive it then we’ll be able to review it and discuss it and make whatever decisions are required.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously pledged Belize’s full cooperation with the investigation and reiterated the Government’s zero-tolerance position on gender-based violence.  Carrillo was appointed Belize’s Permanent Representative to ICAO in September 2025, following the country’s election to the organisation’s thirty-six-member council. The Government has not announced any change to her diplomatic appointment while the Canadian investigation remains pending.