And finally, from Moses Barrow, he says that he has fortified the U.D.P.’s headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive. According to Barrow, he did so because he received credible information that the Alliance supporters would storm the building and forcibly take over.
Marion Ali
“The locks at the headquarters building were cut and replaced. Why?”
Moses Barrow
Moses Barrow, Leader. U.D.P.
“No, they weren’t cut and replaced. Just fortified the building. Just strengthened the security of the building because we received credible information that there were threats that the Alliance would try to breach the building and illegally enter the building.”
Marion Ali
“You feel that there is a potential for violence had you not change the locks or is that still the case?”
Moses Barrow
“Definitely I believe there is a serious threat from the alliance to use violence, to use whatever illegal means. I mean, this is who they are. Once you begin the foundation of your political organization in corruption, deception and fraud.”
We caught up with Halima Hoy outside the Phillip Goldson International Airport this morning, right before she checked in for her flight out of the country. Hoy is on her way to make final preparations before the 73rd Miss Universe Pageant in mid-November in Mexico City. We also heard from Wendy Castillo, the fundraising director at the Miss Universe Belize Foundation, about how Belizeans can contribute to ensuring Hoy’s success.
Halima Hoy
Halima Hoy, Miss Universe Belize 2024
“The journey has been incredible. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but it is also a testament to hard work and dedication and how transformative change can be once you really put one hundred percent of what you have. Not only myself but my team. They have been very inst4rumental in the person I am today, not only a new person but someone that is ready to take on an important role such as the miss universe title and someone that Is ready to represent my country to the fullest. I have been saying this over and over again, this tittle is not about me it is about my country and how well I can represent our people, our strength, intelligence, poise and friendliness. So, I want to see those flags in the crowd. I want them to know this is a reflection of you. You are a part of my journey and I am a part of yours.”
Wendy Castillo
Wendy Castillo, Fundraising Director, Miss Universe Belize Foundation
“There is an opportunity for Belizeans to support her, give her massive support by simply going to the Miss Universe page or at Choicely.com where you can actually vote for Halima. Once we get the amount of vote, the first vote is free. Then you can pay three dollars, fifteen dollars, forty dollars and up to two hundred dollars that secures a thousand votes for Halima. Once she gets the amount of support that puts her in the top thirty.”
Belize’s Coastal Zone Awareness Week kicked off with a forum in Belize City. It was organized by the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute. The event highlighted the critical importance of protecting Belize’s coastal resources—its beaches, mangroves, and barrier reef. This year’s theme asks, “What would happen if we failed to manage Belize’s coastal zone?” Presenters emphasized that without planning, these ecosystems, vital to Belize’s identity, food security, and economy, are at risk. The week’s activities include a trivia challenge for primary students and a coastal awareness run. The C.E.O. of the institute shared more.
Chantalle Samuels
Chantalle Samuels, C.E.O., CZMAI
“The talks will track the evolution of the organisation over time, beginning with how the concept of coastal zone management all started. And the historical significance to the formation of the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, and then we will be featuring the various programs. So, coastal planning—why is it important to plan? We will be featuring water quality monitoring and reef resilience. We also do site management for Goff’s Caye. And so through the storytelling, we hope that we can increase the public’s awareness about the CZMAI and they can join in our various events and assist us in tackling key coastal management challenges. Once today’s events end, we will then be hosting another important event tomorrow. which is a trivia challenge, and it is catered to students at the primary school level. It’s a very important platform for us to share information. with various target groups in the country of Belize on the work that we do, the impact we want to have, and how the public can join us. And then finally, on Saturday, we will be hosting our fun run for the coast. I think there’s still time to register. The event will start at the BTL Park at six a. m. If you’re not athletic, you can still come out. Take a fun walk or stroll along the seaside, taking in the nice Caribbean Sea, and just enjoy the significance and the blessings that we as Belizeans have in terms of our wealth of natural resources.”
Nine-year-old karate student from the House of Shotokan Karate Academy Oliwia Ruta achieved three big wins this weekend at a karate competition in the United States. The Belen International Karate Tournament was held in New Mexico on Saturday. In her category, Ruta brought home three trophies in the three different divisions. We had the opportunity to speak with the academy’s Shihan, Raymond Kelly, and Ruta.
Raymond Kelly
Raymond Kelly, Shihan, The House of Shotokan
“She has travelled out to Mexico and has placed in karate competition and taekwondo competition; she has placed first place in the majority of her wins in Mexico. And she has travelled as of recently to the United States. And at that competition, she won first place, dominating all her categories at a nine-year-old level. That was Saturday, this past Saturday, the 19th of October, and the location was in New Mexico. So it was an international karate event that was held in the state of New Mexico in the United States. She came back with three trophy awards. She won one in the KATA division, another in the Fighting division, and another in the weaponry division. There’s a competition that is on taekwondo competition in Chetumal and also a karate competition in Chetumal. So there’s two that’s coming up for the month of November to close the, to close the year out for, for competition for the school.”
Oliwia Ruta
Oliwia Ruta, Karate Student, The House of Shotokan
“I’m really happy that I successfully got all first place. And I got three first place in KATA, Fighting and Weapon in the intermediate girls division. I didn’t win Grand Champion, but I’m planning to win it on the next tournament. When it actually got hard for me, I didn’t give up. My family cheered me the whole way. So if something is hard for you, you should never give up on your dreams.”
Hugo Patt says he is not associated with the Alliance for Democracy. A statement from Patt states, “I, Hugo Patt, would like to clearly state that I am not associated with the event held this past Sunday by the Alliance for Democracy.”
Patt reiterated that he continues to serve as the duly elected 1st Deputy Party Leader and a member of the National Executive and leadership team, alongside Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, and Deputy Chairman Alberto August. He says all were elected at the National Party Convention on August 13, 2023.
“As a dedicated and loyal member of the United Democratic Party, I will continue to work and advocate for our party and the people of Corozal North.”
Belize Defence Force soldier Genario Che Junior died on Monday night following a road traffic accident near Jacintoville on the Thomas Vincent Ramos Highway. Che died on the scene.
Major Roberta Usher, Chief of Staff of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), said the force lost “a dedicated member of our team. He served with honour and commitment, and it’s a difficult time for all of us. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, and loved ones.”
The 26-year-old soldier, who lived in Silver Creek, was off duty at the time and was due to return to work at 2 PM but never did. “All of that is being investigated as to why he did not return at 2 and whatever caused what occurred.”
Che soldier had been socialising with a friend, another BDF soldier. “Yes, we understand that they were recreating at a bar together and drinking.”
He had served in the BDF for seven years as a member of Alpha Company in the 1st Infantry Battalion. His colleagues described him as a quiet, productive, and committed individual. While he may have experienced personal challenges, he remained dedicated to his work.
In terms of family outreach, Major Usher explained that when such incidents occur, the battalion closest to the family reaches out to offer condolences. The police are conducting an investigation, but the BDF is also conducting its own internal review to understand the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s off-duty activities.
The incident involved a motorcycle and a pickup truck. Che was on the motorcycle.
The “Cell Phone Repair Course for Women and Youth” has been extended to the Orange Walk District. This initiative aims to provide women and youth in Orange Walk Town and surrounding villages with self-employment opportunities by equipping them with skills in cell phone maintenance and repair.
Fourteen participants are currently enrolled in the training program, addressing a pressing need for qualified technicians in the region. With no other training of this kind available in Belize and limited access to cell phone repair services, particularly in rural areas, the program is filling a crucial gap.
Following the success in Corozal, where half of the trainees now offer repair services, the expansion to Orange Walk is expected to yield similar results.
The program also aligns with efforts to diversify the district’s economy, particularly by fostering skills development and entrepreneurship in the Orange Economy. Through this training, women will be empowered to earn additional income from home by repairing cell phones—essential devices for content creation in the growing Orange Economy.
The Alliance for Democracy stirred up the political scene on Sunday with a Special Unity Convention that saw U.D.P. delegates casting their votes for Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton as the new leader of the U.D.P. However, this move has ignited fierce contention between Taegar-Panton’s Alliance faction and the elected executive of the U.D.P., headed by Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow. Barrow contends that the Alliance has no right to hold a legitimate U.D.P. event, claiming they’ve been expelled from the party. The Alliance, however, argues that they are fully entitled to convene and that Barrow has effectively hijacked the party and leveraged the executive’s authority to impose his will. It’s a political mess, and from the looks of it neither side is backing down. So now the question really is: Who is the true leader of the U.D.P.? Reporter Marion Ali was at the convention and looks deeper into the U.D.P.’s constitution. Here is that report.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Representative, Albert
“Let me hear you, mi gente! UDP! UDP! UDP!…music starts, balloonsreleased, crowd shot and Tracy give thumbs up)”
Marion Ali, Reporting
In what can only be described as an unbreakable show of support by UDP delegates for Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton on Sunday, the Alliance for Democracy elected her as the new “interim leader” of the United Democratic Party. The status of who is the rightful leader is still not clear and may quite likely be subject to a court battle. Both sides are relying on different sections of the UDP Constitution to bolster their position for calling the convention. The Alliance makes its case on Article Six (e) which states, “A sitting of the National Convention shall be scheduled and arranged and a Call to National Convention shall be issued upon a majority vote of the National Party Council or upon petition of one-fourth of all Delegates or as may be provided for in the Party Rules.”.
The Alliance had presented that petition signed by two hundred and thirty-two of the five hundred and twenty-eight UDP delegates countrywide, which was more than needed to trigger the convention. And by Sunday’s convention, that number grew to three hundred and forty-seven delegates in attendance, three hundred and thirty-four of whom voted in support of Taegar- Panton’s leadership and the new executive she brings. That executive also includes Interim Chairperson Sheena Pitts who, according to the Alliance, has replaced Mike Peyrefitte and Interim Vice Chair Lee Mark Chang who has replaced Alberto August. When she spoke with the media following the event, Taegar-Panton said that the results of the voting were final, and that the Alliance would now do whatever it takes to ensure that the results are honoured by the UDP.
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Albert Area Representative
“I am now the interim leader of the United Democratic Party. The mandate by the delegates and the mandate by the UDP supporters who are out here today in the thousands is a clear indication and I will take up that mandate and I will lead this party. I will ensure that the party is united, and I will do everything in my power to have the party rebuild to its days of glory. We will leave no stone unturned; I know have a clear mandate from the delegates and the national convention, which is the highest decision makers of this party. And I act on that mandate.”
The UDP’s current elected area representatives, aside from Taegar-Panton are Collet’s Area Rep, Patrick Faber, Queen Square’s Denise “Sista B” Barrow and Corozal North’s Hugo Patt. And its other elected officials are Mayor Earl Trapp and Councilor Bernadette Fernandez from Cayo. Faber was the only one present of all these elected UDP officials. But there was notable presence by Audrey Wallace, former CEO in the Prime Minister’s Office when Shyne Barrow’s father, Dean Barrow was Prime Minister; as well as by former Ministers Anthony “Boots” Martinez and Edmond Castro and former UDP Port Loyola Standard Bearer, Phillip Willoughby, as well as other party standard bearers. Castro told News Five that he had to show his support for the Alliance after he realized that Barrow was not taking the UDP down the right path. Interestingly, he said that the Alliance kept Hugo Patt as the UDP’s First Deputy Leader.
Edmond Castro, former UDP Minister
“After today, Tracy Taegar-Panton will be the new leader of the United Democratic Party, Hugo Patt will be the First Deputy [Leader], Beverly Williams, Second Deputy, Sheena Pitts will be the chairperson and then we got Lee Mark as the deputy chair.”
Reporter
“So you’re saying that Hugo Patt has now joined forces?”
Edmond Castro
“I just gave you the slate.”
Marion Ali
“Mr. Barrow has said what you all are doing here is a non-UDP event, simply because they are no longer UDP members.”
Edmond Castro
“He is not a UDP. He is a just-come. He nuh understand how the bricks were laid to even build the headquarters. He nuh know nothing much about United Democratic Party. I gave him an opportunity to lead, but he nuh di cut it and I told him, “If you nuh di cut it, I will be vocal against you, my brother.”
News Five has reached out to Hugo Patt for his reaction to Castro’s comments, but he did not respond to our calls or messages. But as it relates to Barrow’s popularity, a question we ask now is this: Is Sunday’s U.D.P. delegates’ overwhelming vote for Taegar-Panton a reinforcement of the recent Viking Poll? That poll determined that while Barrow is Belize’s second most known politician after Prime Minister John Briceno, his favorability ranking is extremely poor, at thirty-fourth out of thirty-six. Barrow and the executive that call the convention and the voting illegal rely on the argument that Taegar-Panton, Faber, and Belmopan and Belize Rural Central Standard Bearers, John Saldivar and Beverly Williams had constructively resigned in late August.
The UDP Central Executive cited repeated violations of the UDP Constitution, particularly Article Five (1) (b) and (с); Аrtісlе Five (5)(а), (b), (с) and (d) аnd Аrtісlе Seven (11).” Barrow also turned to the Speaker of the House, Valerie Woods to kick Taegar-Panton and Faber out of the UDP isle. That never happened because Woods quoted from the Constitution of Belize, which trumps any other constitution. Woods ruled that the two UDP parliamentarians have not informed her office or the House of their resignation as Members. We asked Taegar-Panton at the start of Sunday’s event why didn’t the Alliance take the matter to court for a resolution. She explained that they first needed the vote, then they will proceed to court if necessary.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“If we need to, we will, but we have to first have the mandate of the people. We must first get the mandate of the delegates, and that is what happens today. And the mandate will be clear after today’s convention, what the people want to see happen within the United Democratic Party. If we need to go to court, we go to court. There’s no turning back.”
Geraldine Tillett presented the motion to rescind him as UDP Leader. The voting started at twelve-twenty and ended at two-fifty pm.The Alliance bussed in delegates from all thirty-one constituencies in a total of seventy chartered buses. It presented nine motions altogether at the convention, including the motion presented by Ernest Banner from Cayo South who presented the motion to rescind Mike Peyrefitte as Chairman of the UDP; Vanley Jenkins from Lake Independence who presented the motion to rescind Alberto August as Vice Chairman, and Geraldine Tillett, who has lived all her life in the Mesopotamia Division where Barrow represents. Marion Ali for News Five.
