March 25, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Police Officer Shot Dead in Roaring Creek Village

Three persons were shot and killed over the weekend including a reformed Belize City gang member and a police officer. The increase in shootings in Belize City in particular has authorities considering to implement a State of Emergency. We know that several measures have been put in place since the increase of gun violence over the weekend. Aside from the SOE, one of the measures include monitoring key gang figures in southside Belize City. We start of tonight’s newscast with the murder of the police officer from Camalote Village that sent shockwaves through his community and the Belize Police Department. Twenty-nine-year-old Police Constable Dylan Anthony was on his way home when he was ambushed by a gunman on the Roaring Creek Bridge. Described as a humble giant, Anthony comes from a family of police officers. He is known to have been committed to his job and family. So, why would anyone target him? Was it a case of mistaken identity? News Five’s Paul Lopez travelled west today and has the following report:

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Twenty-nine-year-old Police Constable Dylan Anthony was shot and killed on Saturday night in Roaring Creek while heading home. Anthony travelled to Belmopan on his motorcycle to withdraw some cash from an ATM. On his way back to Camalote, at the approach of the Roaring Creek Bridge, a gunman opened fire in his direction. We spoke with his partner, Denise Gonzalez.

Denise Gonzalez, Common-Law Wife of Deceased

“I called him the morning and he never answer. From morning ih the mess with a bike weh ih jus buy. But i know before the day done ih mih wah call.”

But Gonzalez never received the call that she was expecting from her partner and the father of her five-year-old son. Instead, the call she received was one that no partner wants to hear.

Denise Gonzalez

“When they call me after nine, dah fih tell me that deh done shot up ah, deh done shot up ah. I said no, nuh Dylan. Who would ah want to shoot him up like that? He nuh bother a fly, a soul, he dah one of the sweetest persons I ever know.”

We also heard from PC Anthony’s father, Herbert Anthony, who gave twenty-eight years of his life to the Belize Police Department. In fact, Herbert inspired Anthony and two of his other children to join the force. As a former cop, Herbert was one of his son’s main career advisors.

Herbert Anthony, Father of Deceased

“I give him great encouragement to join. The man does seh, dad I want be just like you. I told him go for it son. He was a very humble guy, cool, nuh interfere with people. When I use to talk foolish things he said dad why nuh stop talk fool. The man seh, dad that nuh wah mek yo big, stop yo fool. The man gone for it and joined the job. The man seh dah I love the job, but the lee transfer, when deh transfer me to Corozal I really wanted to go in the unit weh you deh. I tell ah bway sometimes you have to tek weh yo get because sometimes people bad mind yo eena yo job and send you to places you feel like you can’t handle.”

Credible information to News Five is that Anthony’s murder was a case of mistaken identity. His helmet fully covered his face as he rode his motorcycle. It is believed that his body structure is similar to that of the individual that the gunman intended to target. PC Anthony was a bodybuilder. He spent a great deal of time inside the Camalote Community Centre’s gym alongside his body-building mentor, Dean Lewis.

Dean Lewis, Friend of Deceased

“Dylan, I saw him grow up from baby. As he progressed, went to high school and everything, he came out to the community center a lot. I saw that body built for body building so when he got older i spoke to him and said listen up do you want to try work out at the gym an do something. He said no problem let me see what i can do. Automatically he liked it, fell iin love with it and he has been going for a while. Dylan was one of the young men that you could look at him and know that he was going to be a productive young man in the area. It is sad that he is gone, because then who takes up his slack?”

The Belize Police Department issued a press release following Anthony’s murder, noting that he served with honour and distinction in his duties to protect and serve the community. The release further stated that the department is working diligently to investigate this senseless act of violence and bring those responsible to justice.

Denise Gonalez

“Still eena shock, still eena shock. The family, we cant take it, we cant take it. Now my baby leff with no daddy. He and his son mih suh close. Nuh wah day guh by without he call my baby.”

Herbert Anthony

“My son, I am not taking up, everybody knows he nuh interfere with people. He into any sport like barbell lifting. Everybody knows he is not a bad person cuz.”

Reporting for News Five I am Paul Lopez.

Police Investigate PC Anthony’s Murder

At today’s police press briefing, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero provided an update on the murder of PC Anthony. Romero confirmed that Saturday night’s shooting is connected to a shooting incident that occurred on Friday night in the village. That night, two men on a motorcycle drove up to a group of individuals that were socializing in a yard and opened fire in their direction. Daniel Lopez was shot in the leg. He posted on Facebook, saying that he is not a gunman or a thief and that he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. ACP Romero told us more.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“An investigation is being carried out into this report. We have several people in custody and are seeking other persons as well this time.”

Reporter

“Was he the intended target?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“The intelligence we are gathering is that it is a case of mistaken identity. But the person that was on the bridge firing the shots, he targeted the police officer who was on that motorcycle.”

Hipolito Novelo

“The people in custody and those being sought from the same community?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“Yes, they are from the same area of Roaring Creek.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Is one of those persons someone who was recently released from prison?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“I will not give the names of the persons detained at this time. We have several persons who we are looking for.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Not names, but someone who was recently released from prison.”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“Yes, that is a persons we are looking for yes.”

Hipolito Novelo

“You said it is a case of mistaken identity, but do you believe it was related to a prior shooting in Roaring Creek?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“Yes that is the information I have. It is related to a prior shooting that had occurred in the area.”

Hipolito Novelo

“This is the one related to Daniel Lopez who was shot.”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“That is correct yes.”

A.C.P. Romero says it is a tragic event and the department sends its condolences to the Anthony family and those who were close to him.

Several Persons Detained for Ras Bobo Murder Investigation

Police were placed on high alert following the murder of reformed gang member Elwin Lewis, who is also known as Ras Bobo. He was gunned down on Friday night in front of Gwen Liz High School on Antelope Street, just feet away from the school’s front entrance. Lewis was driving a motorcycle heading in the direction from Elston Kerr Street towards Central American Boulevard when he was shot dead by someone on another motorcycle heading in the opposite direction. He was an employee of the Leadership Intervention Unit. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali went looking for answers. Here’s that report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

When he sang against violence with Heights of Vibez several years ago, Elwin Lewis, better known as Ras Bobo, was a popular musical artist. But he had gotten in trouble with the law when he was charged with being a member of a gang and had been making strides to live the straight and narrow. He was enrolled in the Leadership Intervention Unit’s infrastructure project. But on Friday evening, just before five, he became a target for murder.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday, March 22nd, 2024, around 4.50 p.m., police responded to a shooting incident near the Gwen Liz High School. Upon their arrival, they found Elwyn Lewis, 43 years with gunshot injuries to the body. He was taken to the KHMH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Thereafter, an investigation revealed that Lewis was riding a motorcycle in front of Gwen Liz when he was approached by another male person who fired several shots towards his direction, causing his fatal injuries.”

Dominique Noralez, who is the Director and Chairperson of the L.I.U, told reporters via Zoom this afternoon that she had seen Lewis just minutes earlier at the office.

Dominique Noralez, Chairperson/Director, L.I.U.

“His murder hit me hard for very many reasons, but also it was more shocking because I saw him probably 30 minutes before it happened. He was in front of me. They were signing for their checks because it was payday on Friday and he signed for a check right in front of me and he asked me how I di do and we had a bit of small talk because check day is always very hectic. So he signed everything there and he gone and I got a message that he was in a shooting.”

Lewis was one of the L.I.U members who respected Noralez, she said, and that they shared a few commonalities and that she encouraged him to stay longer in the program, even when he wanted to change course.

Dominique Noralez

“He has been one of the most consistent people to speak with me pragmatically and with utmost respect. Like he didn’t think less of me because I’m a woman or because I’m younger, because he – we held – I think we meshed a lot. Our personalities were much of the same. And so I know he was doing a lot of work. In fact I, was very gracious to him because very many times he sat with me and said, “You know, boss lady, ah di think bout move on from the program, yoh know.” And da like, “No man, no man! Stay, cause yoh da wa important part of our structure, right. People respect you,” and so he stayed and his concern was just his farm and his children. And so he wanted to just deal with the farm works, “mash the farm work,” as he wudda say.”

An area resident told News Five off record that they heard the shots, and when they went outside to see what it was, they saw two young men on a motorcycle heading up to Elston Kerr Street and then making a left, as if heading towards Iguana Street Extension. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero told the media today that police have not yet established the reason for Lewis’ murder and have not yet charged anyone, but that they have detained a number of persons.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“No one has been arrested or charged for this crime. Several persons are in custody and the investigation continues.”

Reporter

“Do police believe that Mr. Lewis was ambushed, in a way? Because we understand he goes to this area every two weeks to cash these L.I.U. checks.”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“Yes, that is the information we have. He was there doing some transactions and when he was heading back, he was targeted. We have not ascertained a clear motive. All we know is that he was in that era and was targeted.”

Hipolito Novelo

“The persons being interviewed, are they from the area or a gang in the area?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“The persons are from the area.”

Meanwhile, as the L.I.U tries to keep gang activity at a minimum, the police have taken steps to discourage retaliatory actions.

Dominique Noralez

“It’s something that we’re trying to contain as much as possible, minimize or even eradicate as much as possible but we’re doing our best, collaborating with the police department, who has been one of L.I.U’s greatest partners, if not greatest partners, while also collaborating with the Department of Youth Services [on] behavior modification and conflict management services. The public, of course, while being cautious and having a bit more precaution, should rest assured that we’re doing all we can to manage the current increase in shootings.”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“We have several measures that are in place in that area.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Those measures, are particular persons being monitored?”

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero

“Yes, particular persons are being monitored and will be detained for an interview.”

So far, the police say they cannot link Lewis’ murder to any of the other shootings or the other murder this past weekend in Belize City. Marion Ali for News Five.

Belize City Taxi Driver Chased and Gunned Down

The third murder of the weekend occurred in the Kings Park area of Belize City. It happened on Friday night, and the victim was thirty-year-old Nigel Williams. Williams was driving along Dunn Street towards Saint Thomas Street when he was approached by a male person and shot at, causing him to lose control of his car and crash into the drain. Williams exited his vehicle and attempted to flee but was pursued by the shooter and ultimately killed. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the full story.

Britney Gordon, reporting

Last Friday, the quiet of the night was disturbed as a series of gunshots rained down on the vehicle of thirty-year-old Nigel Williams. We spoke to the police for more details on the incident.

A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday, the twenty-second day of March, around ten fifty-two p.m., police responded to a shooting incident on Saint Thomas Street. Upon the arrival, they found Nigel Williams with gunshot injuries. He was taken to the KHMH where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Information is that Nigel Williams was in the area in a vehicle. And as he tried to turn a lane, he was approached by a male person who fired several shots towards his direction. Nigel Williams ran from that area, and he ended up by the stoplights on Saint Thomas Street where he collapsed and that is where police recovered his body. The vehicle was found in a drain in the area with bullet holes. An investigation was carried out and since then we have arrested and charged Tyreke Supal, twenty-three years for the crime of murder.”

Twenty-three-year-old Tyreke Supal has been arrested for the murder, and while police say that both men were known to them, they have yet to establish a motive for the crime.

Hilberto Romero

“We have not established a motive. He was in the area visiting his girlfriend when he was targeted.”

Reporter

“Considering that he doesn’t live there, was the suspect lay-waiting him?”

Hilberto Romero

“That is the information we have. As soon as he turned a lane in the area, the person was there with the firearm and fired shots towards him.”

Reporter

“Do police have any information that these two may have been in contact prior?”

Hilberto Romero

“No, we don’t.”

Hipolito Novelo

“He’s not known to police? The victim?“

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, he is known, yes.”

Reporter

“And is the suspect known to police as well?”

Hilberto Romero

“The suspect is known to police as well”

Williams was a father of two, described as a loving and caring father and husband. His wife, Jessica Williams, stated that she has no idea why anyone would target her husband, as he was a joyful and well-beloved member of the community.

Britney Gordon

“Do you know if there could be any possible motive that anyone would want to target your husband?”

On the phone: Jessica Williams, Wife of Victim

“Honestly, no. He was loved by so many It was, it was a shock. We didn’t know of there being any issues with anybody for anything. We understood that he was doing taxi. He enjoyed life. He loves to party, and he loves seeing people have a good time. So, there is really nothing that I would say anyone knew, regarding why this would happen.”

She said that Williams came from a very large family, which he prioritised in everything he did. He was the father of two sons—a fifteen-month-old and an eleven-year-old—from a previous relationship.

On the phone: Jessica Williams

“He was my slice of heaven or another way to say it, heaven on this side of earth. So he was a caring individual. He was loving. He was very adamant about me and ensuring that I was safe. No one could do any harm to me. So he, he was just that type of guy. He wanted to make sure everyone was good. He is very big hearted for his family, his nieces, his nephews, always taking them to the water, always, when we lived down in Corozal, coming up to city, picking them up and bringing them, you know, giving them an experience. Easter holiday was one of the many times of the year we all got together as a family and just, hung out and spent time and he just enjoyed it. Family, he was a very family friendly man.”

As Williams and her family are currently living abroad, she has started a GoFundMe in order to cover the cost of them flying over for the funeral as well as the funeral expenses.

On the phone: Jessica Williams

“We just put out the request, just because there is his mother that’s here in states and a couple of his siblings, myself, my son, of course his in laws off my side that all have to travel in. And also, we have to cover the cost of the funeral. So, while we’re covering our expenses to travel in, we’re just reaching and asking for those who want to show love and support stateside who can’t go, who wants to be a contributor of our final farewell. We’re just asking and giving the opportunity for people to share their love monetarily and send them off the way he should.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

High-Ranking U.D.P.’s Boycott NPC

We now turn to politics….The United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) held its National Party Council (N.P.C.) meeting to evaluate its performance in the 2024 municipal elections. However, a group of high-ranking members, including John Saldivar and Patrick Faber, boycotted the meeting and held a separate gathering at the Biltmore Hotel. They refused to comment on their absence or the purpose of their meeting. Meanwhile, U.D.P. leader Moses Shyne Barrow remained at the headquarters, emphasizing that the majority of members were present and reaffirming his leadership. News Five was at both meetings and Hipolito Novelo reports.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

At its headquarters at the foot of the BelChina Bridge, the United Democratic Party held its National Party Council meeting on Saturday. On the agenda: an assessment of the party’s performance in the 2024 municipal elections.

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“Well, it was an NPC meeting for the parties, internal party matters that we discussed. But, you know, one can imagine that a big part of it was an assessment of the March 6th elections. What we did wrong, what we did right, and how we could improve. Pretty much that’s it.”

But three miles away, inside the Black Orchid Room at the Biltmore Hotel, a private meeting- an anti NPC meeting . Inside high ranking senior members of the UDP including John Saldivar, Patrick Faber, Edmond Castro and Beverly Williams. They spent about two hours meeting. They then emerged saying No comment.

Hipolito Novelo

“Mister John Saldivar, sir”

John Saldivar, Member, United Democratic Party

“No comment.”

Hipolito Novelo

“They are claiming that this group boycotted the NPC. How do you respond.

John Saldivar

“No comment. Please respect me. I said no comment.

Hipolito Novelo

“Miss Dianne Finnegan says that you are all following negativity.

John Saldivar

“No Answer”

Hipolito Novelo

“Mr. Saldivar, are you able to say whether you are happy with the leadership of the UDP?”

John Saldivar

“No answer”

Hipolito Novelo

“Was this meeting to oust Shyne barrow as the leader of the UDP?”

John Saldivar

“No answer”

Hipolito Novelo

“Mister Faber are you able to say why you boycotted the UDP NPC meeting at the headquarters?

Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet

“No answer

Hipolito Novelo

“How do you feel at the end of this meeting today?

Patrick Faber

“No answer.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you feel that the goal was met today with the other UDPs?

Patrick Faber

“I will not comment at this time.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Miss Bev, are you able to say why you boycotted the NPC meeting?”

Beverly Williams, Member, United Democratic Party

“I don’t have any comment at this time.

Hipolito Novelo

“How do you feel about the meeting today? “

Beverly Williams

“Very positive.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Its goal was met? Was the goal to remove Shyne Barrow as the leader of the UDP?”

Beverly Williams

“I don’t know of any such goal. No comment.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Mister Castro, if I could ask you why is it that you boycotted the NPC meeting with Shyne Barrow.”

Edmund Castro, Member, United Democratic Party

“No man, no man you can’t ask me about…there is nothing to say.”

Hipolito Novelo

“But there was an NPC meeting scheduled today. You didn’t show up.

Edmund Castro

“I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.

Hipolito Novelo

“Mr. Barrow and the chairman are still at the HQ.”

Edmund Castro

“There are they? Maybe I go look for them.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Maybe we go there.”

Edmund Castro

“Maybe I’ll go look for them.”

Meanwhile, Party Leader Moses Shyne Barrow, Party chairman Michael Peyrefitte, along with UDP caretakers and officials were still meeting. The NPC meeting lasted about five hours, and during those five hours Barrow says he wasn’t aware of any other meeting. But one thing he was aware of is that he has the majority.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader, U.D.P.

“I don’t know where people are as far as who did not attend. I know Hugo, um, had a family emergency with the death of his family. He’s still mourning. Um, he had his representatives here. The majority. The far majority of constituencies were here and that is all that matters.”

John Saldivar

“People are always absent from NPC meetings. it’s not news when anybody is.”

Hipolito Novelo

“I mean, in this case, they boycotted the NPC meeting. John Saldivar, Patrick Farber, Mr. Guerrero from San Pedro, Mr. Denny Grijalva from Orange Rock, Mr. Ms.Beverly from Belize Rural.”

Michael Peyrefitte

“Is that what they said? I don’t know. I don’t know. We just talked.

Hipolito Novelo

“They were invited to this NPC.”

Michael Peyrefitte

“Well, all members of the NPC are invited.

Hipolito Novelo

“They had their own meeting at Biltmore.

Michael Peyrefitte

“But I don’t know about that. We have an NPC. All members of the NPC are invited. And who comes? Comes, who doesn’t come come. It’s a free country.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“You need a majority. And I have the majority here at the National Party Council. I have been re elected by the National Convention. So obviously we know the history of the party and we know the individuals who have their ambition to lead the party. And that is what it is, but I’m more concerned with the majority that was here.”

Michael Peyrefitte

The National Convention has taken a position on the leadership situation of Shane Barrow, so I don’t see how any meeting at the Biltmore can change that. The National Party Council meeting, the only meeting recognized by the party, happened at the party headquarters. Today, that’s the only meeting I know about. The national convention said that the honorable shine borrow is the leader of the UDP until the 2025 general elections. I don’t, there’s no higher body than the national convention. So any so called meeting to discuss that is mute. Nothing changed that. I don’t know what’s the purpose of that.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.

Beverly Williams Replaced in Senate

As you saw in the story, one of the persons who boycotted the U.D.P.’s National Party Council meeting was Beverly Williams, the party’s standard bearer for Belize Rural Central. She was also a U.D.P. senator. We say “was” because Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow has replaced her. In a letter dated March twenty-fifth, Opposition Leader Moses Barrow informed Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam of the appointment of Mark O’Brian as U.D.P. senator. The letter says, in part “I write to you on this occasion…to declare the seat of Senator Beverly Williams vacant… I hereby nominate Mister Mark O’Brian to fill the seat left vacant by Beverly Williams.”

U.D.P. Leader Accuses ‘Yellowman’ of Theft

Tonight, Moses Shyne Barrow is also facing opposition from Brian “Yellowman” Audinette. Audinette reportedly filed a police complaint against Barrow on Friday and has been posting defiant messages on his Facebook page. For instance, he posted, “The P.U.P. are happy with Shyne Barrow at helm of the U.D.P. because they will continue to win…Shyne needs to go and go now”. When we asked Barrow about Audinette on Saturday, he told us that two police reports have been filed against Audinette.

Hipolito Novelo

“Are you from, are you aware as we reported last night that “Yellowman” filed a police complaint against you?”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader, U.D.P.

“No, I have not been notified of any such thing. I know that the police, two police reports were filed against him, one for stealing and one for threatening one of our party officials.”

Hipolito Novelo

That stealing happened when?

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Monday the 18th, I believe. Yes, Monday the 18th. He stole a fridge and a TV and a microwave from our property, which is why he was terminated.”

Hipolito Novelo

And threatened who?

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“He threatened one of the party officials.”

Yellowman Says He Did Not Steal from UDP HQ

Well, today we heard from Brian “Yellowman” Audinett. He invited the media to the U.D.P.’s Queen Square office, where he refuted claims that he was fired because he stole appliances from the U.D.P. headquarters. Audinett says he took what was rightfully his. Here is how he puts it.

Brian “Yellowman” Audinett, Former U.D.P. Councillor Candidate

“I take two refrigerator, a TV and a microwave to the United Democratic Party when Ms. Carol Babb was the secretary general of the party. On Monday March eighteenth I went to work and received a letter. I want to read that letter which was sent to me by Ms. Sharry Obano which was sent to her by the Leader of the Opposition, soon to go, Shyne Barrow, I forget his name and all. Dear Mr. Audinett pending review of your overall job performance and in keeping with adjustments necessary in order to position the party for victory in the next general election, it has been decided it is best to discontinue your employment at the UDP secretariat. Nothing fih do with theft, nothing fih do with me carry any fridge, microwave and TV. The thing is, when I moved my stuff out the building is when this letter was sent to me and I told Sharry and Michael Peyrefitte that since I can’t come back to the party office, the party I fought for all my life while Shyne sat down in a prison in America that I will take my stuff from the office. This is after receiving this letter. That is an absolute lie.”

Reporter

“Do you have a receipt for it?”

Brian “Yellowman” Audinett

“Yes, I will present my receipt. If I knew you all would have asked me for a receipt, I would have gotten it for you. I think I have one for the fridge. I have two for the fridges. I don’t know for the TV.”

Reporter

“Is it for you or Ms. Carol Babb?”

Brian “Yellowman” Audinett

“It is mine, not Ms. Carol. I went and got those, and I bring those. At the time the office had no fridge and nothing.”

Yellowman Says He Was Fired for Speaking Against Party Leader

And as we mentioned, on Friday, Brian “Yellowman” Audinett, visited the Belize Police Department to file a report against his party leader, Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Police are reportedly investigating the allegations that Audinett raised in that report against Barrow. In the meantime, Audinett contends that the real reason he was fired from the U.D.P. is because he told Barrow that he was not fit to be party leader.

Brian “Yellowman” Audinett, Former U.D.P. Councillor Candidate

“This party belongs to the people and there is no way “Shyne” Barrow or anybody would stop me from going to the office.”

Reporter

A settlement deed was proposed, did you sign it?

Brian “Yellowman” Audinett

“Absolutely not. Shyne believes that everybody is chasing money, and that people are desperate. We get here because the election happened on the sixth of March. The Monday after the election when we lost, we called a meeting with the Mesopotamia executive and so. When we called that meeting, I told everybody we needed to speak up. I said, you can’t the talk behind that man back and nuh tell the man the truth. I said, you wah hear right now, because the man deh wah tell yo how deh feel. Well, I speak out and I said Shyne, I am going to be honest with you, from the first time you run against Tracey, cause the first time ih run against Tracey I told him personally, I don’t believe you are fit enough to represent the party as the leader of the party. In that very same meeting, I said Shyne you are not fit. We have been in opposition for the last three years and we make absolutely no gain. Our numbers in Belize City were up and went down. While we were on the campaign trail the people were saying we will not vote for unu if you don’t get rid of Shyne. It is not that we don’t respect Shyne, but I be honest with him, the people in Mesopotamia are upset. Our numbers dropped drastically in Mesop, why because the people don’t like how he speaks to them, how he talks to them. He disrespects the people and I being the one weh nuh fraid fih speak out tell him and because I speak out, he fired me. What he needs to tell the media is the absolute reason why he fired me is because I told him he is not fit to lead the party. And there is no joke about that. He is not fit.”

U.D.P. Mesopotamia Chairman Refutes Yellowman’s Claims

Rodney “Files” Lord, Audinett’s brother, invited the media to speak with him at the U.D.P.’s Mesopotamia constituency office late this evening. Lord is the U.D.P. Chairman of the constituency. He says he was the one who called the meeting that Audinett claims led to his termination. And, according to Lord, Audinett barely even spoke in the meeting. So, he is refuting his brother’s claim against Opposition Leader, Moses “Shyne” Barrow.

Rodney “Files” Lord, U.D.P. Chairman, Mesopotamia Constituency

“There is a member in this party, you know weh you call deh caucus? I don’t know nothing about that. I know about UDP. Deh could seh all kinda thing. The party leader been the tek lick from all over the corner and it is never true. So if I am to either compel if Yellow is telling the truth or a lie, if it is left up to me, it is a lie. The UDP gawn through how many leaders so far, two since 2020, Mr. Faber and Mr. Barrow. We make a change from Mr. Faber due to all kind of allegations. The party make their fight, and that had to do with the Caucus of Change to nuh? Yellow man saying that the party leader needs to go as leader of the party? Who will be the next leader of this party? Everybody try, Ms. Tracey tried and failed. I don’t know what my good brother, my beloved brother gets his story from or what he is trying to do. I am the one who caused that meeting to happen because there were things that needed to straighten out and it had nothing to do with the party leader, if anybody do something wrong, if anybody take any money from him or do anything that has to do with the election. We had that meeting based on a postmortem, what went wrong. We nuh loose eena Mesopotamia. I could have been better, but that meeting had nothing like that. That was a positive meeting.”