Albert Cattouse, a 72 year old taxi driver and a long-standing member of the political organization COLA – Citizens Organised for Liberty through Action – was killed around 8 p.m on Thursday, 12 October of 2017. He was found by the police near a drain in Hicatee Street, Belize City, behind the steering wheel of his taxi with two shots on the back of his head.

Cattouse was well known in the community and respected as an activist who fought for social justice and was very critical of corruption and the government.  The very week before the murder, he was on a demonstration against the increase in fuel prices.

Despite his reputation as activist, the fact that he was shot on the back of his head and the lack of evidence of any stolen goods, the police refuses to believe it might have been a political crime. Prime Minister Barrow himself gave a press conference about the case denying any political connection in the murder and presenting the official theory of a criminal ambush.