The UDP’s Standard Bearer for Cayo North, Omar Figueroa, has expressed serious concerns about the internal conflicts facing the United Democratic Party (UDP).
In a letter sent to Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Figueroa says the strong show of unity from UDP delegates and supporters during the convention cannot be dismissed. He added that this display of solidarity was one of the most powerful in years.
According to Figueroa, the Cayo North executive conducted meetings, surveys, and consultations across campaign zones, discussing solutions with zone leaders, campaigners, and party veterans. He said that many supporters suggested a National Leadership Convention by December 1, 2024. However, given the current fragmentation within the party, such a convention seems unlikely, and immediate action is necessary.
He added that the Cayo North Executive believes it is essential for all constituency executives to take a united stance to resolve the crisis. Figueroa said Cayo North joins the call of the delegates, endorsing Tracy Taeger Panton as interim leader, Sheena Pitts as interim chairman, and their executive as the sole leadership of the UDP.
Elodio Aragon Jr. and his delegates of the Orange Walk East Constituency have endorsed Tracy Panton as leader of the United Democratic Party. In a letter signed by Aragon Jr. and the delegates, Moses “Shyne” Barrow is told that after thorough discussions and a deep consideration of the party’s leadership and future direction, Aragon and his constituency have concluded that Panton is best suited to guide the UDP forward.
Aragon noted that listening to the voices of UDP members, supporters, and sympathisers in Orange Walk East made it clear that moving forward with Tracy Panton aligns with the collective will of the party’s rank and file. He said that the overwhelming support displayed by delegates at the October 20, 2024, convention cannot be overlooked.
Aragon endorsed Tracy Panton as the UDP’s interim leader, Sheena Pitts as the interim chairman, and their executive team, aligning firmly with the delegates’ clear preference for Panton’s leadership.
Belizeans and companies are divided over the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) consideration of an internet license for Elon Musk’s Starlink. While the PUC has released a detailed Public Comment Compilation revealing over ten letters of objection, many individuals and businesses also support the initiative.
Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is among the key objectors, stating, “The market is already highly competitive with 16 operators who have to share a mere population of 400 thousand.” They also expressed concerns about data safety, noting that “local data could easily be routed and stored outside the country’s boundaries, comprising data sovereignty.” Furthermore, BTL argued that Starlink would likely “require little to no manpower,” which could lead to job losses.
Other groups, including the Belize Communications Workers Union and the Belize Business Bureau, have also voiced objections. The CEO of the Social Security Board, which holds shares in BTL, has expressed opposition as well. The Association of Beneficiaries and Retired Public Officers (ABRPO) echoed these concerns, urging the rejection of Starlink’s application.
In an email thread, Minister Michel Chebat stated, “should approval be considered, Starlink’s operations in Belize be facilitated through a local agent, ensuring alignment with local industry dynamics and subject to our national tax regime.” He warned that failing to do so could create an “unfair market advantage” for Starlink over existing providers.
Support for Starlink includes testimonials from residents like Daniel Henrich, who wrote, “As a resident of a very rural part of Belize, I would very much appreciate a positive decision on granting Starlink Belize, LLC the license.” Among the other supporters are businesses like KwiqPass and Intertek, which described ongoing struggles to access reliable internet services as business grows.
The PUC has put together a detailed 200-page document containing all the feedback received and will take this information into account to determine its decision.
On October 30, 2024, a coordinated police operation involving multiple units, including a Quick Response Team and the K-9 Unit, executed a search based on intelligence at a residence in Belize City.
During the search, K-9 Axel indicated the presence of drugs in a chair on the property. Officers inspected the chair and uncovered several parcels of suspected cannabis wrapped in transparent plastic. A male occupant present at the residence was cautioned, arrested, and taken to the Raccoon Street Police Station along with the seized drugs.
The cannabis was weighed, totalling 1,943 grams. Police plan to locate and apprehend two additional individuals connected to the case.
On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, around 9:10 p.m., the Special Patrol Unit (SPU) Operations Team, accompanied by SPU 1 and P2 Quick Response Team, conducted a search in an abandoned cement house on Marigold Lane. This operation led to the discovery of three firearms wrapped in a cloth: a chrome Colt D.A.41 .38 revolver, a chrome and black Ruger P89 9mm pistol with a pistol grip, and a brown and black Ruger .22. No individuals were found in the immediate vicinity. The firearms were taken to the Mahogany Police Station for labelling, sealing, and storage as found property.
On November 4th, 2021, Belize took a bold step in reshaping its economic future with the signing of the Blue Bonds deal. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the government committed to one of the most transformative financial restructurings in the country’s history, built on the foundations of marine conservation and sustainable fisheries. This landmark agreement, officially titled the Blue Loan Agreement and Conservation Funding Agreement, positioned Belize as a global leader in aligning economic growth with environmental stewardship.
The agreement obligates the government to protect 25% of its ocean space. Belize has legally designated 20.05% of its total ocean space, equivalent to 669,046 hectares as Biodiversity Protection Zones (BPZs). To meet the Milestone 4 target, a minimum of 165,100 hectares, or 4.95% of Belize’s ocean space, is being proposed for designation as Medium Protection Biodiversity Zones. Milestone 4 must be met by the deadline, which is November 4th, 2024.
The government’s latest proposal includes areas like Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Glovers Reef Atoll, and East of Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, but concerns are mounting that fisherfolk and other local stakeholders have not been adequately consulted.
As Belize approaches a critical milestone in its Blue Bonds deal, growing friction reveals underlying tensions between stakeholders. While the government moves forward to meet the commitment of designating 30% of Belize’s waters as protected zones, some local fishermen and others fear the deal’s rapid implementation is sidelining their livelihoods and interests. As stakeholders weigh in, it becomes clear that a balanced approach is essential—not just for Belize’s marine ecosystem but for the well-being of its coastal communities.
Fishermen in Belize are expressing concerns about the government’s handling of the Blue Bonds deal. Central to this concern is a troubling lack of transparency surrounding fisheries, particularly in stock assessments and the accuracy of resource data.
In February, Belize’s government claimed that recent stock assessments indicated strong recruitment and stable fish populations, suggesting sustainable fisheries. However, fishermen and the Belize Federation of Fishers (BFF) expressed serious concerns, particularly highlighted in a workshop that revealed a significant decline in fish stocks, notably conch. Discussions pointed to overharvesting of juvenile fish, the need for improved enforcement of regulations, and illegal fishing by neighbouring countries. The Fisheries Department dismissed these concerns as baseless and accused the BFF of ulterior motives, criticising their reliance on unvalidated data. Dr. Daniel Pauly, a leading fisheries expert from the Sea Around Us initiative, which recently helped to assess Belize’s fisheries stocks, highlighted the targeting of juvenile fish as a critical issue, jeopardizing future reproduction. He explained, “Belize’s coastal fishery is heavily overfished. Currently, the fish present are mostly juveniles, resulting in very few breeding adults that can sustain the population.”
The BFF, headed by Executive Director Nigel Martinez, was part of a larger group that applied the Freedom of Information Act request to have the Fisheries Department release information regarding its fish stocks. After delays and frustrations, Acting Fisheries Administrator Rigoberto Quintana emailed documents requested, some of which contained pages of redacted data. Martinez, who continues to review the data, says it is not satisfactory.
Without transparent data and effective stakeholder engagement, the path to conservation could alienate those it aims to benefit most.
They fear that the urgent push to meet conservation targets is disregarding their input and threatening their livelihoods. As the November 4th, 2024 deadline for establishing new marine protected areas approaches, local fishermen worry that inadequate consultation may lead to decisions that do not address their needs.
On August 17th, 2024, the Belize Fisheries Department posted a list of 9 dates and locations for “consultations” on the expansion of the BPZs. The first consultation was scheduled for August 21st and the final for the 28th.
Critics argue that the “science and stakeholder-driven process” touted by the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) and the Belize Fisheries Department (BFD) has been anything but inclusive, with consultations seen as hurried and lacking transparency.
One of those critics is the Belize Federation of Fishers (BFF) and its Executive Director Nigel Martinez, who says the consultation was “poorly organised” and lacking necessary information. According to Martinez, the lack of proper communication between consultants, organisers, and fisherfolk was evident, especially at the Belize City meeting he attended, where only a few fishers showed up. He noted that for zones like Lighthouse Reef and Glovers Reef, the consultation should have included more participants directly impacted by the proposed expansions.
But words have meaning, and some fishers quibble with how “public” and “consultation” are used in these settings. Martinez criticised the use of the term “public consultation,” stating that it was misused and that the organisers failed to meet the necessary threshold to truly engage the fishing community. He also questioned the transparency of the process and pointed out the absence of a management plan or detailed information about the proposed expansion areas. Martinez added, “Of the 300 people that participated in the countrywide workshop, 24 percent of them were fishers.”
The fishermen Channel 5 spoke with want to be included. They want to participate. It’s clear they are not against public participation or that they don’t attend meetings. However, they want proper communication and consultation. For instance, career fisherman Dale Fairweather was out at sea when the Belize City consultation was held. He said he was unaware of it. He believes that the recent consultations were simply a procedural step to fulfil obligations under the Blue Bond Agreement. Despite his concerns, Fairweather said that it is important for fishers to attend consultations to stay informed, even if they feel that the process is flawed. He added that firsthand knowledge is crucial because secondhand information often leads to misunderstandings or scepticism among the fishing community.
Fairweather asked whether the regulations for these deep-sea zones would be extended as part of the expansion, and he was told that the rules would remain the same, leaving the deep waters open to everyone. However, reporting from Amandala/XTV has shown that the confidence Fairweather and others have in the government’s assertions may be at least partly misplaced.
Local fisherfolk, who rely on these waters for their livelihoods, are especially concerned that they are being sidelined in the rush to meet international obligations. The Belize Fisheries Department insists that these meetings will allow all stakeholders to weigh in, but critics see this as little more than a formality, with decisions already largely made.
At the Belize City consultation was Acting Fisheries Administrator Rigoberto Quintana, who said that over the past six to eight months, there have been focused discussions between the Fisheries Department and various stakeholders, including the Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute, the Belize Sustainable Plan, the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future, the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit, the BFF, local fisherfolks and NGOs such as Oceana Belize and the Belize Audubon Society. He said that to ensure participation, the department is visiting key communities like Chunox, Copper Bank, and Sarteneja. According to Quintana, meetings in San Pedro and Caye Caulker saw about 40 fishers attending, which Quintana described as a good turnout, although he acknowledged the need to reach a larger number of stakeholders.
When asked how the department tracks the involvement of fishers, Quintana clarified that while there is no specific percentage of fishers they aim to engage, they rely on local community associations to spread the word and encourage participation. Quintana stressed that the consultations are not merely informational but also serve as negotiations. An accurate recording of the number of fishers and other stakeholders engaged, therefore, is difficult to gauge based on available data.
Widely praised as “innovative” and “game-changing” by Environmental Science, the US $364 million bond received accolades at the Environmental Finance’s Bond Awards 2022. It won in the categories of sustainability bond structure and sovereign sustainability bond.
The bond has been lauded by conservationists and big finance as a model for other emerging market countries aiming to meet climate goals without increasing their debt burden. It provided Belize with long-term sustainable financing for marine conservation through debt relief rather than adding new debt. This structure allowed the country to secure critical funding for marine resource conservation while delivering significant financial and environmental benefits.
Belize has reduced its national debt by approximately $190 million through the bond, while also committing around $180 million to its blue economy via an independent conservation fund.
Jamani Balderamos, Marine Spatial Plan Specialist for The Nature Conservancy (TNC), explained that the criteria for identifying the additional 4.7% of Belize’s ocean space for biodiversity protection zones are based on equity, transparency, and inclusiveness, alongside a science-based approach. He said the criteria consider ecological, economic, and social-cultural factors, as outlined in the Conservation Funding Agreement. According to Balderamos, stakeholder engagement has been a crucial part of the process. He added that one of the key activities in this engagement was the ocean use survey, where TNC and the lead agency visited 27 communities to collect data on how and where they use the ocean. Through a tool called SeaSketch, community members were able to map out their ocean use areas, indicating the value they placed on each. This information was collected using tablets in the field.
Ray Hilborn is a professor of the School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences at the University of Washington College of the Environment in the US. While he might not have specific experiences in Belize, Hilborn is a respected expert on sustainable fisheries. According to Professor Hilborn, the concept of sustainability varies significantly among different individuals. For instance, Sylvia Earl, a renowned figure in deep ocean exploration, asserts that no fishing can be considered sustainable since it alters the ocean, which contradicts the notion of sustainability. On the other hand, the traditional view holds that sustainable fishing is possible if it benefits humans, primarily through food and sometimes tourism, while ensuring these benefits can be enjoyed by future generations.
Hilborn explains that sustainability encompasses two main aspects: the ability to continue harvesting fish without depleting resources and ensuring that those reliant on fishing for employment can sustain their livelihoods. However, international classifications, such as those by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), often overlook socio-economic impacts in their definitions of sustainable fisheries. Instead, they focus on maximising yield, labelling fisheries as unsustainable if they do not achieve this goal, even if the fishery can persist across generations.
Hilborn says that sustainability should also consider socio-economic structures, particularly for communities in places like Belize where fishing is integral to their culture and livelihoods. Hilborn says that priority must be given to food production and employment in fisheries discussions. He warns that large-scale fishing closures, often promoted by NGOs, could harm local fishermen’s livelihoods. Instead, he advocates reducing fishing pressure as a more effective solution. He cautions that large-scale fishing area closures, often pushed by well-intentioned NGOs, could unintentionally harm local fishermen’s livelihoods, comparing it to a form of colonialism.
As Belize pushes forward with plans to expand Biodiversity Protection Zones (BPZs), there is growing scepticism among fishers and conservation experts about whether these initiatives are founded on credible data and inclusive planning. While the goal of protecting 30% of Belize’s waters is a bold step toward the global 30×30 conservation target, critics argue that the government’s accounting of fish stocks and baseline data lacks transparency, fuelling concerns that local fishers’ needs and the true state of the marine environment may be overlooked.
Fisheries expert Ray Hilborn emphasises that effective conservation requires a delicate balance of ecological, economic, and social needs. When communities dependent on these resources feel excluded, conservation efforts risk alienation and potential non-compliance from those most impacted.
While Belize’s conservation ambitions at sea are commendable, critics insist that these efforts must be built on a foundation of solid, verifiable data, clear baseline assessments, and active multistakeholder involvement. Otherwise, they warn, the large-scale drive to protect the oceans may create instability for both ecosystems and the communities tasked with stewarding them.
GoB is required to expand it to cover 30% of Belize’s ocean with the marine spatial plan completed, approved, signed into law, gazetted, and implemented on November 4, 2026.
The United Democratic Party’s headquarters saw a significant change on Tuesday morning as supporters of interim leader Tracy Panton took control of the upper floor of the building on Youth for the Future Drive. Access to the party leader’s office and the conference hall was secured after the police officers assigned to the building withdrew from their posts. After the takeover, Shyne Barrow, who has been ousted as leader of the U.D.P., called the actions of the Alliance for Democracy unlawful. In a one-on-one interview with News Five later that day, the embattled politician announced that legal action would be taken against Panton and other alliance members for breaking into the property. A release issued by Barrow’s faction of the U.D.P. says, “The actions of the Panton/Saldivar Alliance are dangerous attacks on Democracy and have created circumstances that could have led to bloodshed. The actions of Panton/Saldivar demonstrate a frightening disregard for the rule of law and an insatiable hunger for power by any means even if criminal or violent. No citizen occupying a property can be forcibly removed by a band of thugs without a Court Order”. Appearing on Open Your Eyes this morning, Panton discussed the takeover, stating that a party trustee had granted full authority to access the building. We begin our newscast tonight with an excerpt from that interview with the interim party leader.
Tracy Panton
Tracy Panton, Interim Party Leader, U.D.P.
“After the convention on October twentieth, there were some supporters who said let’s go and take over, we have spoken and we need you to be able to operate the business of the United Democratic Party from the headquarters. I have gone on record to say, [the] institution is not the building, the institution is the people and the institution has been in place for fifty-one years because of the people. But the building is iconic, it is symbolic to the United Democratic Party and I was clear in my mind and the leadership team was clear in our mind that we would do things properly and legally. And so, we had done the research, we knew who the trustee of the property was and after the convention, we met wit the trustee to ensure that the trustee would afford us the opportunity to access and occupy the building for the work of the United Democratic Party. And that’s what happened on Monday. We had the full authority to access the building. I believe that the…because most of the people who were out there were delegates to the national convention. The police were there, indeed, but I really felt that the police, in my opinion, operated outside of their authority. The role of the police officers was to ensure that there was law and order and that we maintain the peace and there really was no reason to have, I think I was guarded by twenty-five police officers that day from all different units of the police department.”
When we spoke with Barrow on Tuesday, the Mesopotamia Area Representative shared that he was keeping a cool head and turning to the courts to settle the issue.
Isani Cayetano “You are no longer with an office at the UDP headquarters because Tracy Panton and her team have effectively taken over the entire building which would include Wave Radio and the Guardian Newspaper. So you are, essentially, evicted from the establishment. How do you, then, proceed to do the work of the UDP, albeit as divided as it is, without having a place to call home?
Shyne Barrow
Shyne Barrow, Area Representative, Mesopotamia
“Well that’s why the courts will treat this matter with urgency, and I am happy that you asked that question. So that’s why we go through the judiciary. I will not allow anyone to evoke an emotional response for myself, or members, which will be dangerous and lead to harm to people. So we must allow the courts to intervene and in the mean time we will continue to make do and continue to engage with the standard bearers and the executive in the best means possible.”
Elsewhere in the U.D.P.’s press release, it goes on to say, “The U.D.P. finds the failure of the ComPol to protect against these unlawful acts disheartening. We are reliably informed and he conceded as much publicly that his instructions to the police was for them to do nothing despite the police report filed by U.D.P. deputy Party Chairman, despite live video of Panton/Saldivar operatives breaking and entering the U.D.P. offices, despite admitting to the press that the Alliance needed a court order to take possession of our property”. While the Barrow faction claims that the police failed to secure the property, Tracy Panton argues that the officers acted beyond their responsibilities.
Tracy Panton, Interim Party Leader, U.D.P.
“We are a civilized people, we are a civilized organization. We have dissent, we have our views, but we are a UDP family and I had no doubt that the transition would go as smoothly, under the circumstances.”
Isani Cayetano
“You will forgive me for throwing this in then, it has been described otherwise as a roguish and a thuggish takeover, so to speak.”
Tracy Panton
“I walked through the door [and] there was no breaking down of doors. We went to the headquarters with the proper authority, the documents were served to the coordinator who was in the building, Mr. Ian Jones and the door was opened and I walked in. There has to be…to ensure that there is safety and security of the assets of the United Democratic Party. We, you know, had the locks changed which is something any management would do if we don’t have access to the keys.”
When asked about the overwhelming support for Panton’s control of the United Democratic Party, Shyne Barrow downplayed the turnout on October twentieth, estimating it at just eight hundred supporters, and insisted that it doesn’t validate Panton’s leadership. Here’s what he said about other members of the party who shifted their allegiance.
Shyne Barrow, Area Representative, Mesopotamia
“People change affiliations, so eight hundred people, U.D.P. supporters, known UDP affiliates, along with other prominent members, does not change the constitution. Out of the forty thousand or thirty-odd thousand people that voted for the UDP, you can’t say that eight hundred people will determine the future of the party. Out of, we had about four thousand people at the national convention last year. So that doesn’t count for anything? I don’t know how eight hundred people gathering makes it official. It certainly says that they have eight hundred supporters that normally support the UDP and may vote for them in the next general election under the AFD banner. If you feel that illegal activities, if you feel that criminal activities, acting outside of the law, not using the law to say, “Listen, we have rights, the UDP is not respecting our rights…courts, let’s set this straight” which is what we are doing now as a party. We are at a crossroads. We could take back the headquarters by force, but I believe that would be irresponsible and dangerous and will lead to people getting hurt.”
