On Monday night, we told you that the Alliance for Democracy, a faction of the United Democratic Party led by Tracy Panton, is seeking to mend fences with party leader, Moses “Shyne” Barrow. The party recently took a decision to deem four of the alliance’s members, including Panton and Patrick Faber, constructively resigned. The alliance is now looking to have that declaration rescinded. When reporters asked Peyrefitte about all that has played out to date, his response was that the U.D.P. is not worried because the party will be fine.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“I know of the United Democratic Party. And I have seen a couple side shows over the past years and I won’t entertain or dignify any of that with any response. I think the internal matters of the UDP can easily be left in UDP. We will figure it out. We have always figured it out. We have had situations where when you compare that, this, this is nothing. I mean, we’ve had a national hero of this country belonging to the UDP break away from the National Alliance for Belizean Rights and then join with the UDP a couple of months before a general election and we win. So, I’m not even concerned about that.”
Reporter
“Okay, so are you going to retract this? They’re calling it an effective expulsion. Is that what it is?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Me? I think you already are aware of what the central executive decided, but like I said, things can, I’m always the hopeless romantic in the bunch. I always think that things can work out and we can talk through things, and we can unite and we can heal. I will always want to believe that up to a certain point. And I could also want that, but it takes two to tangle. So, let’s see how it progresses from here. But what I’m saying, what I will maintain is this, the internal business of the UDP in comparison to what’s happening in this nation right now, and the PUP always sorts itself out. The PUP always, the UDP always figures away. The UDP always sorts itself out. And so, I’m not worried about that, we’ve seen bigger problems than this and we worked our way through it. So, I think it is proven that nothing and no person can destroy the UDP. Nobody ever will. So, we’re not worried about the UDP. The UDP will be fine.”
And, while the U.D.P.’s central executive committee says Panton, Faber, Beverly Williams and John Saldivar constructively resigned, those four view the move as an expulsion from the party. In fact, requests for applications for standard bearers in these constituencies are already out. But what does this move mean for those constituents who voted for Panton and Faber under the U.D.P. banner? Do they still have U.D.P. representation? We asked Peyrefitte.
Paul Lopez
“They voted for a United Democratic Party era representative, which they still have, but them being expelled. I’m interested in getting your take in terms of how that works. They’re no longer members of the United Democratic Party, but yet they’re representatives, doesn’t that do sort of a disservice to those residents?”
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“Show me where the UDP has taken a position where we see they were expelled.”
Paul Lopez
“Constructively resigned.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Show me where the UDP has stated that anybody has been expelled. Show me where. You said expelled.”
Paul Lopez
“I mean, so, so that is to say that there are still members of the United?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“No, no, no, I’m saying, show me where I’m saying. We’re wasting good time worrying about things that will work itself out. It will work itself out. It’s always happened.”
Paul Lopez
“But what do you say to the residents in that area?”
Michael Peyrefitte
“We’re asking people in not just those two areas, we’re talking about two out of thirty-one. We’re asking the country to have the fear that they always have in the UDP to bounce back and form the government and deliver for the good of the people. That’s how we’re focused on. All those other internal issues that we have we will always work them out the way we’ve always worked them out, which is as a family.”
Reporter
“When you as the party chairman stated that these four people had effectively resigned, does that mean that the UDP considers it can do without them and whatever consequences after that be done? Because You have a stronghold in Patrick Faber and also in Tracy Panton. I don’t know if you can find other people who would be able to win those constituencies for the UDP.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“You’re trying to bait me into saying something, but this is what I will say. I will say this and you take what you want from this. No one person nor few persons are bigger than the United Democratic Party. The UDP is bigger than Shyne Barrow, it’s bigger than me, it’s bigger than Hugo Patt, it’s bigger than Beverly Williams, bigger than Alberto August, and that’s the executive leadership. The UDP is bigger than all five of us individually and all five of us together.”
This afternoon, a little girl was knocked down and seriously injured as she rode on the back of a motorcycle with an adult. The incident happened on New Road shortly after two p.m. The minor, in her school uniform, was not wearing a helmet when the driver of the motorcycle collided into an oncoming vehicle. We do not know the extent of the child’s injury; however, the accident came several hours after the Belize City Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Unicomer, the parent company of Courts Belize, for a traffic safety campaign. There has been a significant increase in the cases of road traffic accidents involving persons on motorcycles. The alarming rate of these RTAs has prompted several agencies, including the Traffic and Transport departments to join forces for law enforcement. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has the following story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Traffic safety prevents accidents that can lead to injuries or fatalities. With a marked increase in the number of motorcycle accidents recorded since the beginning of the year, the Belize City Council and Unicomer have joined forces to raise public awareness on the recurrent issue of road traffic accidents involving motorcycles. RTAs are a significant public health concern, resulting in death or serious injuries that have long-term impacts on health and quality of life.
Bernard Wagner
Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
“We have been noting for some time now that motorcycle accidents have been on the rise. You can see for this year that twenty-seven out of sixty-five fatalities were through motorcycles, and as a city and a responsible municipality, we couldn’t sit by without taking some proactive steps. Being able to partner with Unicomer and Courts and the entire and the entire AKT team was something substantial for us.”
CitCo and the parent company for Courts Belize have entered a memorandum of understanding that will see a joint effort in public information being shared on road safety. Edgar Alvarez is the Commercial Regional Manager for the automotive division of Unicomer.
Edgar Alvarez
Edgar Alvarez, Commercial Regional Manager, Unicomer
“We see it very important to take care of the people that are in the streets, you know, not just as the mayor mentioned, riding the bikes but the people that are surrounding the streets. It’s not just the driver that is the person that is one hundred percent responsible for the accidents. We have some pedestrians and we have other people that are involved in different accidents that are not behaving the way they should be.”
Courts Belize is the agent for AKT motorcycles. Following its growth in Colombia, the company decided to expand its reach into Central America and the Caribbean through the Unicomer Group. The well-known AKT 150GT was introduced to Belize four years ago.
Edgar Alvarez
“So we saw the increase in the sales of the motorcycles, the increase in the accidents that were happening in the streets and we decided to go the best way possible with the Belize City Council to really have an impact on the society and the people that are driving the motorcycles.”
Traffic accidents can be costly, involving medical expenses, repairs and lost productivity. Reducing accidents through safe driving practices helps minimize these economic burdens. Adhering to traffic laws is a legal obligation. Violations can result in fines, penalties, or even imprisonment, depending on the gravity of the offense.
Bernard Wagner
“What this will do now is really assist us in providing the equipment for some of our enforcement officers, being able to have the necessary equipment to enforce the traffic laws within Belize City. We also looking at how we could raise awareness through campaigns and we also have to ramp up enforcement, that is the key part. So it has to be a kind of multi-sectoral approach. We require, again, assistance through the Transport Department, as well, in terms of really looking at how we could enhance the existing laws that we have in place, in terms of penalties.”
By prioritizing traffic safety, motorists can contribute to a safer, more efficient, and more harmonious road environment for everyone. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
A mother of a student attending Anglican Cathedral College has lashed out at the school for sending home her daughter on the first day of classes. The teenager was informed that she is not to return until her hair is cut shorter than the length displayed when she reported to school on Monday. It’s not a new conflict between parents and school administrations over their children’s hair style or length. It has gone on for years, with the Supreme Court ruling once in favor of a student. It is also an issue that the Minister of Education had publicly discussed and concluded that students should not be sent home simply for the way they wear their hair. In this case, the mother told News Five that she is not opposing any school rule, but that the way the high school enforces the rule is malicious. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Marion Ali, Reporting
This note from Anglican Cathedral College, sent home with the third form student has prompted the mother of the girl to blast the high school. In this Facebook post, the mother expressed her frustration that ACC’s school rules are not specific in its handbook about the length of hair that their students are permitted to wear. In fact, this page taken from ACC’s School Rules on Appearance speaks nothing at all about the length of hair for female students. The mother says she is not against school rules, but she is upset for two reasons: the school was not clear in its rule on hair length for girls, and two, her daughter lost out on an afternoon of classes and would have also not been able to attend classes if they were not able to take her to get her hair cut today.
Voice of: Mother of ACC Student
“The issue wasn’t with the rules, it’s how the principal went about doing it, you understand, applying it, or actually, you know, enforcing it. The handbook clearly state their hair should be neatly combed, right? If it’s dyed and tinted, then it shouldn’t be, shouldn’t be loud, right, and distracting. Her hair was actually just below her shoulder, right? Just, just like upon the breast or maybe in that area. And, her hair was not distracting or anything in that regard. I mean, I remember when I sent her to the hairdresser, the hairdresser said I will put it at this length because she’s going back to school, and we won’t do it long because she’s going back to school. But like I said, it’s not the rule because you can’t enforce a rule. It’s how you went about doing it because you did not update, you did not inform the parents, hey, you know what, this is what I want. At the end of the day and that’s the thing that bothered me because you interrupted a day of learning for something you were not clear about.”
The same parent explained that she also has a son attending St John’s College and his barber did not keep the top of his hair within the one-inch length. She said her son was also sent home with a note, but at the end of the day she believed that SJC was considerate to give them until the following Monday to comply with their rule. The parent said her daughter returned to school today after her hair was cut and wearing a bond. She said the school had her remove the bond to measure her hair and still said it was too long. Two years ago, also at the start of the school year, the Minister of Education, Francis Fonseca spoke with the media on the matter. He said that while school rules are important, he supported the removal of the rules that prevent children from entering the classroom based on the length of their hair or hairstyle.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
“Schools do have the right to set rules. We want our students to be disciplined of course, but, these rules cannot be unconstitutional, they cannot be arbitrary, they cannot be discriminatory in any manner. We have a fundamental objective and responsibility at the Ministry of Education to ensure we protect the fundamental constitutional rights of our students, as well as our teachers. In this case, we are talking about our students. So, people have kind of put up this straw argument about it being about discipline. It is not about discipline. We are all in favor of discipline. Everybody wants our young people to be disciplined. We want productive, positive citizens, produced in our education system, but, the education system also has to follow the laws of the country and rules of the country.”
In January of 2017, the then Supreme Court of Belize ruled in favour of a former student of Stann Creek Ecumenical College who was attending classes with uncut hair. The court ruled that the student, Imhotep Diego may continue to attend classes with his hair uncut for the duration of his tenure at Stann Creek Ecumenical College. That ruling was made with the provision that Diego kept his hair tidy and well groomed while attending classes and on school premises. We went to ACC this morning and asked to speak with the principal on the matter, but we were informed she was in a meeting. We visited several high schools around Belize City to find out about their hair policy but none of them were willing to talk to us. Marion Ali for News Five.
A policeman has been charged with four counts of rape of a child. The charges against thirty-four-year-old Anival Carillo were filed after the child, a fourteen-year-old girl from Corozal, accompanied by her mother, made a police report in August. The girl alleges that between 2022 and 2023, a police officer had sexual relations with her several times. Carrillo was arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court. No plea was taken because of the severity of the offenses and Carrillo was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. His case will be called again on November twenty-sixth.
A sixty-year-old man who pleaded guilty to stealing almost forty thousand dollars’ worth of drinks from his boss was fined today. Frederick Pitts, a resident of Caye Caulker Village, was fined three thousand dollars but begged for mercy, expressed regret, and said he has two children. The magistrate considered his plea and fined him two thousand dollars, to be paid by December thirtieth. It was then discovered that Pitts owes the court fines for several old offenses stemming back to 2018. The magistrate had no choice but to remand Pitts until those fines are paid in full. It is alleged that between January seventeenth and August twenty-seventh, Pitts stole several crates of beer, water, coke, and stout from Darren Casson, a Canadian businessman of northside Caye Caulker and owner of Lotus Restaurant and Bar.
The government and the Inter-American Development Bank have come to an agreement to develop areas in San Pedro. Recently, Prime Minister John Briceño and representatives from the I.D.B. assessed areas in the San Mateo area of San Pedro to determine what areas can be improved with funding from the bank. Here’s what he had to say about the consultation.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“What happened is that the IDB is coming up with a program in developing urban areas. And we went to show the officials of IDB. That once you put in good road, the people there start to improve their homes, the quality of homes. And they have left a section that was not paved so that we can still put in a sewerage and water system in that area. Which we believe is the next phase that we want to do. They are very pleased and they’re prepared to continue to support us. They’re going to give us a grant of several millions of dollars to be able to do some work in San Mateo. Along with the law that we’re doing to upgrade and do more work in Orange Walk town and the Corozal Town along with San Pedro.”
It’s been a long-fought battle to save the Will Bauer Flats from destructive development. The fishing community of southern Belize value the area as a prime location to fly fish; however, the threat of deterioration from proposed developers Angel Fish Caye LLC, threatened the livelihood of these fishermen. After months of public outcry, the government has decided to acquire the land from the owners, who will now be compensated for the loss. Prime Minister John Briceño provided us some details on this decision.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It’s unfortunate also that the fisher folks and the fly fishing association did not alert us early to be able to stop that development. There’s the NEAC, the people ensure the entire process. But now that they’re starting to develop it, we see now a number of people are saying that is one of the best fly fishing areas. And so we need to protect it. And and we, there was no option but to compulsorily acquired that, so that the government can protect it. And I hope for generations to come.”
Seven applicants have been awarded permanent residency cards through Belize’s Amnesty Program. The program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Immigration and the UN High Commission on Refugees, created to regularize the number of immigrants living in Belize without legal documentation. The distribution of the residency cards comes on the heels of the new refugee asylum center that was opened in Benque Viejo. The recipients attended a ceremony where they were handed their cards and officially welcomed to Belize. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Belize is leading the charge in response to immigration challenges by providing a more compassionate and inclusive approach to tackling the issues. Seven permanent residency cards were handed over through Belize’s amnesty program, ensuring that these people breathe a sigh of relief that they are legally allowed to call Belize their home. Tanya Santos, CEO of the Ministry of Immigration, welcomed the refugees to Belize.
Tanya Santos
Tanya Santos, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration
“Today, we gather to mark a momentous occasion in celebration of our new permanent residents and their families. We celebrate with you here at the intersection where your time living in the shadows has ended. And when your new chapter has begun, we are glad to be here to share your hopefulness and optimism. These permanent resident cards that you will be receiving shortly are not just a document that verifies your full recognition as a resident of this beautiful country. These cards also represent your resilience, your courage, and your enduring hope for a better future in this country. that so many others before you have made their home.”
Jose Samaniego is the Director of the Regional Bureau for the Americas, an office of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees. In his presentation today, Samaniego spoke on the perennial issue regarding the movement of people across Latin America.
Jose Samaniego
Jose Samaniego, Director, UNHCR
“Today we experience an unprecedented displacement crisis in the world as a result of endless conflict, violence, extreme poverty, exacerbated by the impact of climate change. The number of people forced to flee has doubled in the last decade from sixty million persons in 2014, to one hundred and twenty million in 2024. Closer to us, in countries of the Americas host more than twenty-three million forcibly displaced persons. In addition to that, last year we had a record number of people engage in mixed movements, crossing the Darien [Gap] towards North America.”
Many refugees flee their home countries to escape persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Granting amnesty provides them with safety and protection from these threats.
Tanya Santos
“Many of you arrived years ago, in times when our country ignored your situation or were talks of protection and amnesty were at the inception. Therefore, I am honored to be here to see the culmination of a process that allows you full recognition as legal residents of Belize. In line with the objectives of Plan Belize, this amnesty envisioned your place in building the nation. In recognizing you as permanent residents, we continue our government’s commitment to ensuring a safe society, justice for all and family well-being.”
It’s been six months since Le Petit Café in Belize City closed for renovations. And the public has since eagerly awaited the return of the beloved café. Now, the wait is finally over. From six am to one pm, Belizeans can stop by the new Le Petit Café on Marine Parade Boulevard to satisfy their hunger and quench their thirst. Earlier today, News Five’s Britney Gordon stopped by the café for a taste of the new selection. Here’s the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
There is little more that one could wish for than a refreshing drink after travelling under the blazing Belizean sun. Perhaps a spot of shade, or a cool place to rest their feet. At the Le Petit Café located on the Marine Parade Boulevard, visitors can find all that and more. After six months, the café has reopened, boasting the sweet treats Belizeans know and love as well as some tasty new additions.
Efren Alvarez
Efren Alvarez, Food & Beverage Manager, Fort George
“The concept we started with the concept The same concept, but we added more values, our drinks, coffees, pastries. Especially now with the smoothies, because that’s something we don’t have in the last years, but we added more value for that. And maybe the portion was a little more big, than we have in the past. And the concept will start to change, that the people can see more different things, and we start to present it, a special items that the people can feel comfortable with them. Price and ingredients quality.”
A new menu and a new look. Despite being on wheels, customers can sit back, relax and sip on a drink while the sea breeze wafts over them. All the while gentle music plays from nearby, creating an atmosphere of utmost relaxation.
Efren Alvarez
“It’s more that cafeteria We’re looking for more like ice place that we have a families here. They can get a seat in that place We have umbrellas. We have a chairs and the people can come enjoy the Coffee and they can take a seat. They can see the ocean. There’s smoothies. They can get like a fresh smoothie. They can say I want to have something with me in front of a watermelon and that’s something fresh Okay, that’s something what the people can get very easy here because we have the fresh ingredients every day.”
The menu boasts drinks that satisfy the tongue and strengthen the body. They are made with ingredients such as yogurt, carrots, spinach and strawberries and lightly sweetened with honey.
Efren Alvarez
“People is in this moment from yesterday and today, we see the people asking more like a healthy drink, for example. We have the tropical green, it’s a smoothie made with the spinach pineapple. Watermelon. We don’t add any like a sugar or something like that for the smoothie. We need something like a more healthy drinks in the morning that they’re looking for. Especially the people is working in this area that they’re looking for in this place.”
Chef Luis Vega says the same love and attention poured into the drinks are kneaded into the pastries made fresh every day.
Luis Vega
Luis Vega, Chef, Le Petit Café
“We try to do, of course, the best presentation of our products, but we try to don’t loss the quality of the products, which is very important, how I tell you. For us, it’s very important the freshness of the products. The presentation and the quality of the of our product. And we, for us, it’s very important that our customers be happy with our products.”
Whether it’s for an afternoon snack or breakfast on the go, anyone can stop by and choose from a variety of foods made with the customer in mind.
Britney Gordon
“Le Petit’s known for their pastries. We got cookies, muffins, banana bread, but can people come Belizean stuff like powder bun and Johnny cake?”
Efren Alvarez
“We have powder bun, Johnny cake. We have both. That’s something we cannot miss actually here because we know the local guests and at the end of the day, this is very important to keep in the place. Always is asking for powder bun always is asking for Johnny cakes in the morning. And we cannot delay that.”
And with confidence in the team behind the counter, plans to expand the menu and opening hours are already underway, so that anyone craving something of Le Petit’s quality, can find it any time they want.
Efren Alvarez
“We starting six o’clock in this, in at the moment until one o’clock. But in the moment we’ll see if we can increase our schedule maybe at night for, do something different here. But this is something we’ll look at it in the future.”
It’s not just a bakery at Le Petit, it’s an experience.
Luis Vega
“It is a very nice atmosphere because we are in front of the sea. We have small tables by the food truck. And you can sit there, enjoy your food, your bakery, your coffee, fresh coffee. Also, we have a very nice coffee. And the, our products, which is very important. Also, we have the fresh smoothies and different kind of drinks. It’s not only bakery, we can offer to our customers different kind of the products. It’s very important for us that our customer can be happy with their, our things or what things are we are offered to them.”
