The need for urgent replacement of key infrastructures in Belize City, including the Swing Bridge and BelCan Bridge, remains pending. These structures are part of the George Price Highway Upgrade Project.
Discussions surrounding the replacement of these bridges have been well over 2 years.
Back in April of this year, Chief Engineer Evondale Moody from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing stated, “It’s a structure that really needs to be replaced… we have seen based on the assessment that we have done that the pairs that are there are at risk because of the spalling of the concrete from the piles.”
Moody confirmed that a procurement process for the new structures was initiated but subsequently stalled at the Ministry of Finance level. “We had begun the procurement process for the replacement structure; however, that was put on hold by the Ministry of Finance. We are currently awaiting their decision so that we can proceed with construction,” he explained.
In May, News 5 spoke with Minister of Infrastructure Development Julius Espat. He stated that his ministry has completed all necessary studies to seek funding for the project. “We have done our job. It is up to the Ministry of Finance to make the final decision,” he reiterated. Espat expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the Ministry of Finance, stating, “From day one, I have been waiting for a response. If the allocation is given to us, the work will start immediately. I have no clue about what their budget plans entail.”
The urgency of replacing the ageing bridges has become increasingly pressing. Visual inspections reveal further deterioration. Cracks and structural wear have become more evident. The possibility of the bridges collapsing is increasing.
The former City Administrator for the Belmopan City Council, Sherlene Julien, has publicly addressed allegations concerning her acquisition of land in the Innovabel Land Distribution program. Julien stated, “I am compelled to respond to the recent allegations made against me concerning land I lawfully received as part of my employment contract during my tenure as City Administrator of the Belmopan.”
Julien denied the accusations. She calleda leaked Belmopan City Council document that revealed individuals who purchased land in the Innovabel Estate at below-market prices as “intentionally distorted” and “riddled with errors.”
According to Julien, she has never operated a company named “Almeya Consulting Limited.” She explained that she received four parcels of land totalling 0.608 acres as part of a legally negotiated contract, “not 8 parcels as was falsely publicised,” she said.
In her statement, Julien states that the land she received was part of her employment contract as city administrator. She clarifies that the value of these parcels was used to offset payments owed to her for her nearly three years of service to a financially struggling city council. This means that instead of receiving a cash payment for her work, she was granted land that represented the value of her compensation.
The Belize City Animal Aid is calling on the public to help with the overwhelming number of stray animals in Belize City that are in need of care. “It’s literally been case after case after case. We need more people to step up and help. Please,” said animal rescuer Michelle Rudon.
Taking it to social media, Rudon shared recently rescuing a dog named Buttercup. “Our adventure for tonight… getting this girl out from under the wet, muddy drain where she went, probably to die,” Rudon recounted.
Buttercup was taken to the Animal Medical Centre, where she received a diagnosis of heartworms, tick fever, and an infected mammary tumour, along with severe anaemia and underweight conditions.
The organisation emphasised the pressing need for more foster homes, stating, “It takes a village; everyone, and our SPARK villagers are overwhelmed and completely exhausted.”
Tonight, our in-depth coverage of the Alliance for Democracy continues as we delve into the events that led to the United Democratic Party’s dramatic turning point a few weeks ago. This pivotal moment saw the expulsion of the Albert and Collet area representatives. Earlier today, we had an exclusive interview with Tracy Panton. The hashtag “I Am with Her” has rapidly gained traction among U.D.P. members, highlighting the party’s ongoing internal strife. In our conversation, Panton shared the origins of this powerful movement.
Tracy Panton
Tracy Panton , Area Representative, Albert
“There were several colleagues of mine who shared a similar view, in terms of the party departing from its own democracy and disregarding the constitution of the party which is, for u, the most important institutional tool that we have in terms of our governance of a mass political party. And so, we felt that something had to be done so we can put the democracy back into the UDP. So we got together and it wasn’t an overnight exercise. It’s not a group of sixteen colleagues who just decided to go rogue. It was a process of trying to dialogue and trying to find a productive way forward internally. But when we were effectively removed from the internal communications of the party then we had no other option.”
Isani Cayetano
“The Alliance for Democracy includes two individuals who, at one point, were going head-to-head for leadership of the UDP. This would be Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber and former Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar. How do you find this partnership working, notwithstanding the history of these two individuals?”
Tracy Panton
“I think the partnership is working quite well. It’s not a three-person alliance. It’s an alliance of sixteen colleagues who share a similar view and share similar values and want to do what is right for the party. In both cases, in both cases, our member for Collet and our member for Belmopan, they voluntarily stepped down when the situation arose that would have caused some kind of harm to the party. And so they decided, you know what, we are not prepared to that to the party just for our own self-preservation.”
Coordinating the mobilization of hundreds of U.D.P. delegates from all corners of the country is no small feat. This immense effort, spearheaded by the Alliance for Democracy, involves a substantial financial investment. But just how challenging has it been to orchestrate this massive event?
Isani Cayetano
“Let’s talk about the Unity Convention and the planning for this event. You are trying to mobilize as many delegates from across the country as possible to converge on the Birds’ Isle on October twentieth. What has it been like, in terms of being able to reach out to these individuals and pitch to them the idea that this is the event that they want to attend in terms of trying to make change in the party?”
Tracy Panton
Tracy Panton, Area Representative, Albert
“It hasn’t been as hard as one would think. The delegates that are part of the alliance have all shared the same values and where there are delegates with colleagues who may not be supporting the alliance as yet, some of those delegates have reached out to us and said we are interested in hearing what your platform is, why it’s important at this time. And so, we have been reaching out to delegates, visiting with delegates, those who are members of the alliance and those who are not members of the alliance. We all agree that the current situation is untenable and there needs to be some definitive action to make sure we right the ship.”
In certain factions of the United Democratic Party, skeptics have cast doubt on Panton’s credentials. Their skepticism stems from her family’s well-known allegiance to the People’s United Party.
Isani Cayetano
“How would you respond to some critics, or perhaps your detractors within the very same UDP who would say, well she’s not originally of UDP blood, so to speak. What makes her think that she would rise one day to lead this party, considering the history of her family in party politics?
Tracy Panton
Tracy Panton, Area Representative, Collet
“I would say I am in good company, so was Philip Goldson. Philip Goldson was not a member of a UDP. Philip Goldson left the coalition that they had to form the UDP. I believe that my track record speaks for itself. I have worked for this party, I have made a commitment for this party and I have not even winked in terms of my commitment. And Philip Goldson was not a UDP until the UDP was formed.”
Isani Cayetano
“Is it of any concern to you what has been put out there by the leadership of the party that whatever decisions taken come October twentieth, are essentially null and void since it flouts whatever agreement has been put in place to keep the leader there until after the 2025 generals?”
Tracy Panton
“There is nowhere in the constitution of the party that says that the delegates don’t have the option to change their mind. If twenty-five percent of the delegates sign a petition and say they want a national convention, a national convention shall be convened.”
The chairman of the United Democratic Party, Mike Peyrefitte, has become a divisive figure amid the internal turmoil that has crippled the organization. The Alliance for Democracy has repeatedly voiced their frustration with Peyrefitte, citing unanswered letters and criticizing his dismissive and often authoritarian decision-making style. So, what is Tracy Panton’s take on the chairman’s controversial approach?
Isani Cayetano
“It would seem, from, perhaps, all outward appearance that the chairman of the party is acting in a heavy-handed manner, in terms of his approach to decision-making and of course mitigating this situation.”
Tracy Panton, Area Representative, Albert
“Absolutely, I think he has…gross dereliction of his duties as chairman and he has a responsibility to the party. He should ensure, he is the gatekeeper to ensure that the constitution is followed and that we protect the constitution, that we defend the constitution and that we ensure that the constitution guides us in all our decision making.”
During our exclusive sit-down with Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber on Wednesday, we dug into the contentious issue of the United Democratic Party’s decision-making process. We specifically questioned the seemingly heavy-handed tactics employed by the party’s chairman, seeking clarity on this assertive approach.
Isani Cayetano
“The chairman of the United Democratic Party is, himself, an attorney and one would argue [that] he’s well versed in law and is able to understand the constitution of the UDP. Do you believe that, perhaps, he’s acting outside of his scope in respect of the decisions that he’s making that count against the positions being held by the Alliance for Democracy?”
Patrick Faber
Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet
“It’s not that I think that he does not understand or cannot comprehend. It is blatant, it is enabling of the dictator that is Shyne Barrow. It is an advantage-taking of the membership of all the branches of the party’s government. It is an affront to the members of the central executive and the members of the national party council, but especially to the members of the national convention who have signed petitions at least twice, signed a petition at least twice, appealing to him. But it does not shock us that Peyrefitte behaves in this way. This is a man, I’m sure, in the media, you have seen some of the clips that in our chat groups, uses the basest of terminology, profanity, just downright indecency to respond to those of us in the party who are trying to indicate to him, let’s do the right thing. So, it does not shock us and maybe Peyrefitte is acting in some kind of self-preservation mode because he feels that, of course, if Barrow leaves that he would absolutely have to pack his bags and leave along with him. But that is just what I surmise, I don’t know his mind. But what I can tell you is [that] I don’t think it’s because of any lack of understanding, on his part, of the constitution.”
Patrick Faber’s stint as leader of the United Democratic Party was anything but smooth. His brief tenure was marred by personal challenges that significantly impacted his ability to lead the U.D.P. effectively. Now, having stepped down, the Collet Area Representative has had the opportunity to look back and ponder what he might have done differently.
Isani Cayetano
“In terms of everything that has happened politically over the past two or three years, involving your leadership of the party and seeing what is taking place now, what would you say is the primary lesson that you have learned as a politician, seeing what’s unfolding in the UDP?”
Patrick Faber
Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet
“Well, I suppose that a lot could have been done differently and within the ranks of the UDP, we have to start trusting each other and giving each other the benefit of the doubt over time. You will recall that once I became the leader in 2020, led the party into the election and lost the election, there was immediately a gun pointed to my head because my attempts were to try to give the party an opportunity to breathe before we immediately said all the people who were former candidates of the party can come back. That was criticized heavily and, of course, I was attacked for it, but time has now proven that that might have been the bigger approach. And we’ve even seen new people come who we know can’t win. Many of them who surround Shyne Barrow now are not people who can win, but because of the need to try to continue this jostle for leadership, and to be clear, I am not aspiring for any leadership position, nor have I done so in the last four years. My last bid for leadership was in July 2020 and in fact I fought for the recall victory in 2021. But the lesson, again, is that we really need to get to a point where we are honest with each other and honest among the membership of the party. We need to listen to the members of the party. I tried to do that when I found myself with my issues, not wanting to tie an albatross around the neck of the party. I said, “Okay, I’m walking away.” In this instance, Shyne Barrow would be smart to do the very same thing. It is clear, the people of this party are saying, the people of this country are saying he is not the person they want for leadership.”
The Belize Defence Force is currently probing alarming reports of their soldiers being encircled by potentially hostile, armed Guatemalans at the Machakilha Conservation Post. This tense standoff occurred on September seventh, following the detention of several Guatemalan men by a B.D.F. patrol for illegal logging in the Columbia River Forest Reserve. In a bid to avoid bloodshed, the patrol commander made the contentious decision to release the men along with their chainsaw. This incident has brought to light serious allegations that Guatemalans have been bribing soldiers for years to overlook these illicit activities. Hipolito Novelo has been delving into these claims for the past three weeks. Here is his detailed report.
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
On September seventh, a group of Belize Defence Force soldiers was surrounded by over ten possibly armed and hostile Guatemalans near the Machakilha Conservation Post. The last order the patrol received from Fairweather Camp before losing communication was to, “man your ground”. Soldiers report hearing two shots. They were outnumbered and outmanned. On September 28, we asked Minister of National Defence & Border Security Florencio Marin Jr. about it.
Florencio Marin Jr.
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defence & Border Security
“I don’t have the specifics. I do know that there was some aggression that we were able to work with the Guatemalan side to be able to bring that to a resolution. So I know sometimes when the, when the first news come out, they come out, you know, I mean, a little bit shady and all, uncertain, but I do know that we have managed to resolve that.”
But was the situation truly resolved? The reason these potentially armed and hostile Guatemalans encircled the soldiers was due to the detention of a group of Guatemalan men caught red-handed, illegally logging in the Columbia River Forest Reserve. The soldiers, dispatched to dismantle two wooden bridges constructed by the same Guatemalans, were alerted by the sound of chainsaws in action. Major Roberta Usher, the B.D.F.’s Chief of Staff, confirmed to News 5 that the bridges were indeed located within Belizean territory.
Roberta Usher
Major Roberta Usher, Chief of Staff, B.D.F.
“We can confirm that the legal infrastructure, including the bridges, were identified within the lease, and in response, the proper protocols aligned with the confidence building measures to ensure appropriate actions were taken. So, yes, we conducted operations and our teams encountered individuals and equipment at said locations. Whether or not they were surrounded is still under investigation.”
The soldiers arrested fifty-six-year-old Santiago Gomez and his seventeen-year-old son, both caught with timber six hundred meters inside Belize. A Guatemalan family, suspected of smuggling logs, was also intercepted nearby in a retrofitted pickup truck. The family was part of a larger illegal operation involving other detained chainsaw operators. Juan Jose Garcia, believed to be the on-the-ground boss, was arrested, but the mastermind, “Salvador,” remained in Guatemala. After the search, Lydia Ramirez and the minors were released and escorted to the border.
The other five men and their chainsaws were taken to the conservation posts. On their way, Garcia started a conversation with the patrol commander. During that conversation, Garcia tells the patrol commander, “Échame La Mano” which means “help me out.” News Five obtained an audio recording of a portion of the conversation.
Via Phone: Juan Jose Garcia
Voice of: Juan Jose Garcia, Guatemalan
“Look boss, but help me out. You know, as I tell you, we are all human beings. What can I tell you? You suddenly appear here…at least I can do and visit you and we can talk and see if I can work or can’t work. We can talk and you can tell me if it is possible for me to work here. I am not going to work if it is not possible. But, we can talk and if you say I can work then I will work but if you tell me I cannot work and I won’t. Help me out.”
According to documents reviewed by News 5, Garcia allegedly tried to bribe a soldier multiple times, but the soldier refused. The shocking part? Garcia admitted to bribing commanders at the CP to continue his illegal activities, even describing who he has bribed. He claims he has been doing so for the past five years. Minister Marin says it’s the first time he has heard the allegations.
Florencio Marin Jr.,
“I mean, this is the first time because I know that every time we know of these bridges, except if for certain things that the OAS have to inspect, we immediately advise the general to be able to remove these illegal fortifications that are possibly, possibly put on the ground.”
Major Usher would not confirm or deny the allegations, saying that an investigation has been launched. The patrol commander who decided to release the 5 Guatemalans and 2 of the 4 chainsaws is facing disciplinary charges. He is being accused of failing to destroy the illegal bridges and, unofficially, of accepting a bribe. A search of the commander and his team revealed no money or illegal items. The extended version of this story can be found on Channel 5’s website. Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.
