By Belize Live News Staff: Guests at the Royal Kahal Resort on Ambergris Caye were blindsided on Friday when they received last-minute emails informing them that the resort had been ordered to “close temporarily.”
The sudden announcement forced arriving travelers to scramble for alternative accommodations, while those already at the resort were quickly relocated to other hotels. Adding to the confusion, reports indicate that security personnel were stationed around the property on the day of the closure.
The resort’s email to guests, some of whom were already flying into Belize, acknowledged the unexpected nature of the situation. “This was completely unexpected, and it came to light within the last 15 minutes,” it read, adding that refunds would be issued but no alternative lodging could be provided.
The abrupt closure comes just 15 days after the deaths of Kaoutar Naqqad, Imane Mallah, and Wafae El Arar, three American women who were found dead inside their hotel room under mysterious circumstances.
Their families issued a joint statement on Monday, expressing frustration over the lack of information regarding their loved ones’ deaths. “The circumstances surrounding this tragedy remain unclear and suspicious, and we are seeking answers to understand what happened in Belize,” the statement read. They urged both Belizean and U.S. authorities to conduct a full and transparent investigation to uncover the truth.
Belizean officials have not commented on whether the closure was mandated by officials or whether it is linked to the ongoing investigation. However, the presence of security personnel at the resort on Friday has raised further questions.
As speculation grows, so does the urgency for answers. With the families of the victims demanding transparency and international scrutiny increasing, all eyes are now on Belizean authorities to provide clarity on both the resort’s closure and the mysterious deaths of the three American women.
