October, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Panton Says They had “Full Authority to Access the Building”

After the October 20 convention called by the Alliance for Democracy, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has faced tensions regarding its leadership. The newly elected interim Party Leader at that convention, Tracy Taegar-Panton, addressed these issues on the Channel 5’s Open Your Eyes.

Panton stressed the need for her supporters to move forward, stating, “We have spoken, and we need you to be able to operate the business of the United Democratic Party from the headquarters.” She clarified that while she has previously stated that the “institution is not the building. The institution is the people,” the party’s headquarters “is iconic. It is symbolic to the United Democratic Party.”

On Monday, Panton and her leadership team took over the party headquarters with “full authority to access the building” from trustee Phillipa Bailey. This move faced backlash from opposition leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow, who called the takeover “essentially criminal.” In response, Panton asserted, “There was no need for a court order.”

Despite the intense developments over this week, Panton urged Barrow to “respect” the leadership transition. “I really call on my colleague, the Honourable Moses “Shyne” Barrow, to respect the decision of the people of the United Democratic Party, the highest decision makers of the Party, determined on the 20th that there must be a leadership reset and even called on the former party leader and all the colleagues in the National Assembly to do what is right and ensure that the leader of the party is the leader of the opposition in the House,” Panton said.

Fireman Arrested in Orange Walk for Drug Possession

Police have arrested a 40-year-old man from the Orange Walk District on two counts of possession of controlled drugs.

On Tuesday, October 29, around 6:15 p.m., officers executed a search warrant at the home of Nelson Balan, a Belizean fireman. Upon their arrival, Balan was observed fleeing into a room and discarding two transparent plastic bags. These bags were retrieved and found to contain suspected cannabis.

A subsequent search revealed two additional small plastic bags with suspected cannabis and one bag containing suspected cocaine. The suspected cannabis weighed 24 grams, while the suspected cocaine weighed 0.72 grams. Nelson Balan was arraigned and fined $1,200 BZD, along with $5.00 in court costs.

Man Found Murdered in Red Bank Dump

Police are investigating a murder in the Stann Creek District. The investigation commenced after police responded to a report at the Red Bank Dump at approximately 3:47 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29. Upon arrival, officers discovered the lifeless body of 35-year-old Wilmer Che, who had suffered multiple cut wounds. The body was subsequently transported to Southern Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Taiwan Pledges Support for Belcan Bridge Reconstruction in Belize

This morning, Prime Minister John Briceño, along with Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs, accompanied Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-Lung, and his delegation on a visit to Belize City’s Belcan Bridge. The visit follows Minister Lin’s recent commitment that Taiwan will financially support the bridge’s reconstruction. As we reported, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-Lung is in Belize on an official visit to mark 35 years of diplomatic ties.

He met with Minister Fonseca, who expressed gratitude for Taiwan’s support in building a San Pedro hospital. Lin confirmed Taiwan’s financial backing for the reconstruction of Belize City’s Belcan Bridge. Both leaders acknowledged these projects’ alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals, with Fonseca reiterating Belize’s commitment to supporting Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations.

Watchman Goes Missing Watchman Goes Missing

Forty-year-old Harman Good has been reported missing. The watchman was last seen on an island within the Turneffe Atoll Reserve along with five other men. They had delivered construction supplies to a fishing camp on October 16. Good reportedly stayed on the island with two other men until October 22. According to police, the men left for the mainland that day, claiming to have seen Good before they departed.

But when one of them returned, Good was missing. Multiple search efforts have been made, but Good’s location remains unknown.

Good is described as being of Creole descent, approximately 6 feet 3 inches tall, with a medium build and visible scars on his left cheek and right kneecap. He was last seen wearing a black undershirt, black jersey shorts, and slippers.

Spain’s Deadliest Flooding in 30 Years Claims 64 Lives

At least 64 people have lost their lives in Spain’s most devastating flooding in three decades after torrential rains lashed the eastern region of Valencia on Tuesday, leaving entire areas cut off.

Rescuers in dinghies worked through the night, evacuating trapped residents in hard-hit towns like Utiel. Videos showed people clinging to trees to escape the fast-rising waters, while others were carried to safety in bulldozer buckets. Meteorologists reported that Valencia received an entire year’s worth of rain in just eight hours, causing severe damage to the region responsible for nearly two-thirds of Spain’s citrus production.

Carlos Mazon, Valencia’s regional leader, said access to some isolated areas remains “absolutely impossible” despite intense rescue efforts.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez extended condolences, promising to rebuild destroyed infrastructure and adding, “For those still searching for loved ones, all of Spain stands with you.”

The floods have also halted essential services and led to widespread school closures. Emergency services have advised against road travel as military rescue units join the efforts in the most affected areas.

These floods are Spain’s deadliest since 1996, when 87 people perished near the Pyrenees.

Climate experts attribute this extreme event to climate change, with rising Mediterranean temperatures increasing water evaporation and making torrential rains more frequent and intense. “Events like this, which once happened only every few decades, are now recurring with greater destructive force,” explained Ernesto Rodriguez Camino, senior state meteorologist and Spanish Meteorological Association member.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Visits Belize to Celebrate 35 Years of Diplomatic Relations

Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-Lung made an official visit to Belize this week. He met with Belize’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Francis Fonseca. The visit marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, an occasion recently honoured with a motion in Belize’s National Assembly.

In their discussions, the ministers highlighted shared goals to enhance poverty reduction, economic development, and quality of life for citizens in both countries. Minister Fonseca thanked Taiwan for its support in constructing a hospital in San Pedro, a project set to improve healthcare access for locals and tourists alike.

In response to a request from Prime Minister John Briceño, Minister Lin confirmed Taiwan’s financial assistance for the reconstruction of the Belcan Bridge in Belize City. Both ministers noted these initiatives align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and spoke about Taiwan’s potential contributions to the global community. Minister Fonseca reiterated Belize’s commitment to supporting Taiwan’s inclusion in the United Nations and international organisations.

Minister Lin expressed Taiwan’s appreciation for Belize’s steadfast support of Taiwan’s sovereignty and right to self-determination. Both ministers pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation, reinforcing the enduring friendship between Taiwan and Belize.

Minister Osmond Martinez Visits Key Agriculture Sites

Osmond Martinez, Minister for Foreign Trade, toured the Royal Mayan Shrimp Farm and the Banana Growers Association (BGA) earlier this week to recognise their economic impact and address pressing industry challenges.

At the Royal Mayan Shrimp Farm, Minister Martinez observed sustainable aquaculture techniques used to produce seafood for local and international markets. “The farm representatives expressed their optimism about entering the Taiwan market in the first quarter of 2025. The Mexican market remains a prospect for the farm.” However, the company needs affordable financing and renewable energy to tackle annual electricity costs, which currently total around BZ$600,000.

Minister Martinez then visited the BGA, where he praised the association’s efforts to expand market access and support growers despite ongoing high production and labour costs. With labour supply heavily reliant on immigrant workers, the BGA’s leadership said that securing adequate staffing remains a challenge as production demands grow.

The Minister was accompanied by Andy Sutherland, Director General for Foreign Trade, and other Ministry officials.

The Alliance Takeover of U.D.P. HQ is Complete

Tonight, the takeover of the United Democratic Party’s headquarters in Belize City is officially complete. Earlier today, supporters of the Alliance for Democracy and its interim leader, Tracy Taegar-Panton, successfully gained access to the second floor of the building, which houses the party leader’s office and the U.D.P. convention hall. This follows Monday’s attempt to occupy the property and seize control of all party organs, including Wave Radio and the Guardian Newspaper. Earlier this evening, we spoke with Shyne Barrow, whose removal as party leader now appears finalized. Here’s what he had to say about these latest developments.

Shyne Barrow, Party Leader, U.D.P.

“What has happened is criminal. It has gone beyond the illegalities that we saw with them convening conventions in the name of the UDP that were not sanctioned. But this seems to be a pattern with the Alliance for Democracy that they will resort to absolutely any measure to accomplish their end. What we saw yesterday and today is criminal, the continued occupation of the United Democratic Party’s headquarters is a criminal offense. We have reported the breaking and entry to the Belize Police Department and it was our hope that the police would respond promptly, but while the Commissioner of Police has said that they did not follow the proper procedures that the Alliance, Tracy Panton and her cabal should have gotten a court order. That is the prudent and lawful way by which to remove any from a property in any such dispute. They did not do that, rather they took things into their own hands which was extremely irresponsible and dangerous because if I were not the leader that I am which is bound by the rule of law, which appreciates our judiciary and our law enforcement and will exercise all of those remedies, then we could have had a very dangerous situation.”

Isani Cayetano

“All things considered, the result of this all, including what has transpired yesterday and today, is you being overthrown as leader of the United Democratic Party. It’s what we call a defenestration, you have been tossed out the window, so to speak. How do you look at that in comparison to the masses of other supporters who you say are behind you?”

Shyne Barrow

“If you call criminal and illegal acts something that people should be proud of then I am disappointed to know that that is your perspective. We keep running away from the facts, people doing illegal things does not make it right.”

Who has Legal Rights Over U.D.P.. HQ Property?

On Monday, the property rights to the U.D.P. headquarters were officially transferred to Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton and her faction of the party. This handover was executed by former U.D.P. Secretary General Phillipa Griffith-Bailey. However, a debate has arisen regarding whether she possessed the authority to make such a transfer.

Isani Cayetano

“As it stands, there is an argument over who has the actual right to the property in question. On one hand, members are saying, okay, Phillipa Bailey rightfully conferred the rights to the property to the alliance members. On the other hand, they are saying now, no, she is not in any capacity to be able to do so, based on her resignation as secretary general of the UDP several years, if not over a decade ago or so ago. Where do you stand on that in terms of this not being taken up in court as a legal matter, to begin with?”

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“Well it has to be now taken up in the courts, but the proper procedure would have been for the alliance to go to court with whatever documents they had and have the courts issue an order, but I believe the reason they did not go to court is because the documents that they have do not support any rightful ownership or authority by Mrs. Bailey to transfer any rights. The owners of the UDP headquarters are the United Democratic Party. That is what is written on the land title. Mrs. Bailey signed as the agent for the UDP in her capacity as secretary general at the time and, as you said, she has retired eleven years ago and so she has no authority to transfer anything to anyone. In fact, the central executive, as per the United Democratic Party constitution, explicitly states that in 17 subsection 2, that the central executive directs trustees, people who hold anything in trust for the party as to how to manage those assets manage those assets.”