November, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

PM Says He Will Call General Election “Anytime in 2025”

Any rational person might think the Briceño administration would seize the chance to call a general election while the U.D.P. is dealing with its internal conflicts. However, P.M. Briceño confidently states that it doesn’t matter when the election is held—the U.D.P. won’t win.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Both sides recognize that they are not going to win. But they believe that once we have the elections things will settle and they can settle their affairs. So they are looking at the elections for that. And, yes if I was another kind of politician I would have called the election six months ago. But it us not about that. It is about doing the work you are elected to do. I take that very seriously and I know sometimes we joke around and whatever, but this is an awesome responsibility that has been entrusted on us. And, me as the leader and the Prime Minister, I cannot be gloating and boast. I am looking and saying, when will be best to hold the election. Yes, I also have to think when will be best so we have an advantage of wining. If I don’t say that nobody would believe me. That is apart of the calculus. Right now we have a lot of work that is why we have said we will not call elections in 2024. Anytime in 2025 we will be able to call the election. That is why I tell everybody get ready, but you should have been ready from day one.”

Barrow and Patt No Show to House Committees

At the last house meeting, Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow removed Tracy Panton and Patrick Faber from various House Committees. This left Barrow and Hugo Patt as the only opposition members in over a dozen working groups. However, when it was time for those committees to meet and discuss the bills today, both Barrow and Patt were nowhere to be found. Panton didn’t hesitate to call them out on their absence.

Tracy Taegar Panton, Area Rep., Albert Division

“I think it is, if I can be candid, a travesty, almost a national disgrace. The two members form the opposition side who have been assigned to all committee meetings are not here. And when you silence the voices of the people you silence, and you impact negatively the democracy of the country. You silence the people, and you compromise the democracy of the country.”

Paul Lopez

“Did you or Mr. Faber make any attempt to enter the meetings?”

Tracy Taegar Panton

“No, we did not. It is the prerogative of the leader of the opposition to determine who will sit in house committee meetings and he did not extend that to us. WE try to be very much respectful of the processes in parliament and also we have an opportunity to voice our concerns when the sitting of the house resumes.”

Panton Confident High Court Will Ultimately Rule in AFD’s Favor

While Panton has been criticizing Barrow for missing the House committee meetings, he scored a victory over her last Friday. Following a High Court ruling, Panton and her team have vacated the U.D.P. headquarters. We asked her how confident she is that the court will eventually rule in her favor. Here’s what she had to say.

Tracy Taegar Panton, Area Rep., Albert Division

“I am very confident. I had a very long meeting yesterday with the attorneys representing us in this matter. The interim injunction is temporary and deals with a singular matter, which is the occupation and use of the headquarter. I have gone on record to say and I continue to maintain that the institution of the party is not a building, it is a people who have been a part of this party for a long time who have worked tirelessly for the United Democratic Party.”

Paul Lopez

“What is your interpretation of returning to status quo?”

Tracey Taegar Panton

“What the judge says and certainly you should get a copy of the perfected order, it says limited to the use and occupation of the headquarters.”

Panton Confident of Victory at Polls

With rumors of a general election on the horizon, the big question is whether the U.D.P. can mount a strong challenge against its rivals. And under whose banner will Tracy Taegar-Panton run? We asked her, and here’s what she had to say.

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Rep, Albert Division

“I am running for the U.D.P as representative for Albert.”

Paul Lopez

“How do you ensure your name reaches the U.D.P slate knowing that Shyne will appoint another standard bearer?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton,

“Let us see what he does. I have every confidence in the strength of our case. I have every confidence in the will of the people and I will be running in Albert and I plan to run as a member of the U.D.P.”

Paul Lopez

“And with your desire and aspirations what have you been doing to prepared?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton,

“What I have been doing for the last for last nine years, serving the people in the Albert constituency.”

Paul Lopez

“As for the rest of the country and those people support you, I understand you are on a national tour right now, is that to prepare for the next general election?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton,

“Certainly to ensure that our constituencies start readying themselves for when the next general election is called. It is going to be in 2025. Some people predict it will be early. Whenever it is called we will be ready.”

Paul Lopez

“Do you share the view that the U.D.P will not win in the next general elections?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton,

“I absolutely do not share that view.”

P.M. Briceño Celebrates Four Years in Office

Monday, November eleventh, marked the fourth anniversary of the Briceño administration’s election victory. During today’s sitting of the house, Prime Minister John Briceño took a moment to reflect on the 2020 election and how his administration has delivered on its promises. In a half-hour address, PM Briceño covered a wide range of topics, including inflation, poverty, health, education, and agriculture. His language had the tone of a state of the nation address or even a campaign speech. With a general election on the horizon, he seized the opportunity to remind Belizeans of the achievements his administration has made with their support.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Four years ago, yesterday, the people of Belize entrusted my party the People’s United Party with the task of fixing what at the time was a broken nation. It was an overwhelming mandate. It was not an occasion for wild celebration. It was a sobering experience, because we were trusted with the responsibility to steward this nation through what was essentially the worst of times. Must have been done to right our ship. But, the work continues. Good progress is incremental. Once again, on behalf of our party, the P.U.P, I sincerely thank all Belizeans for the awesome responsibility they have entrusted us. I promise we will never take your for granted or betray your confidence. As you all know 2025 is an election year and we will be once again asking the Belizean people for us to continue to build a Belize where everybody fih win.”

Speaker of the House, Valerie Woods, Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Today, Speaker of the House Valerie Woods shared some shocking news: she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She broke the news to her parliamentary colleagues just before the day’s session ended. To make matters even more heartbreaking, she made the announcement on her birthday. Despite this, she assured everyone that she plans to continue her role as Speaker, a position she’s held since 2020, although her treatment might affect her attendance. Here’s what she had to say.

Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House

“Members before I put the question to adjourn, I feel obliged to inform members that my presiding over the meetings of this house for the remainder of the parliamentary session may be affected in the coming weeks due to my recent diagnoses of breast cancer. Now while I fully intend to discharge my duties, I hope you can understand that I may have to be absent as I undergo treatment. So it goes. So, thank you for your understanding. And with that, I put to question. All those in favor, kindly say I…those against, kindly say no…I think the I’s have it.”

B.E.L Calls on P.U.C and G.O.B to Declare Generation Emergency

Belize Electricity Limited has alerted the Public Utilities Commission about a looming shortfall in power generation. As a result, the company is urging the commission, through the Government of Belize, to declare a generation emergency. They predict that within the next twelve months, peak electricity demand will surpass the available generation capacity, potentially leading to more load shedding or widespread blackouts. B.E.L has requested that the P.U.C. secure the government’s approval by November fifteenth. Today, we asked Prime Minister Briceño if he believes a generation emergency should be declared.

Paul Lopez

“There are reports suggesting that Belize electricity Limited requested through the P.U.C that the Government of Belize declare a power generation emergency. It is ironic that here we are sitting in a house meeting and only an hour in we lost power.”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think it is important that you don’t try to confuse. So don’t ask two questions. Your first question is why do we have a blackout. It is because I am told, I have not spoken to the C.E.O, but Mr. Chebat who is the minister of energy should be informed, that there has been some issue at mojo Hon that is why most of the country was on a blackout, with the exception of Orange Walk and Corozal. Why does two, I don’t know. On declaring the energy, I have not spoken to the C.E.O, but we have had many discussions on this and he has pointed out under the act that we can declare an emergency to quickly get investors to sign up for energy. He believes that if he does that, by the end of next year he could have a sixty or eighty megawatts. I also need to remind you that we have had a discussion with a group of partners that have access to a ship that could bring eighty megawatts. So, for that eighty megawatts to come in to Belize and provide energy during the times when we need it in April, we need to be able to sign a contract with them. To do it you need to sign and emergency. All things equal, there may be or there may not be a shortage in April, May. WE are doing everything in place possible to avoid that.”

Paul Lopez

“What B.E.L is saying is that the next twelve months of generation will not meet peak demands. Are they misspeaking?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Definitely not, I am not going to argue with them. They are the experts. I am not the expert. From my view we are trying to see how we can start to generating the process to go as quickly as possible.”

How Much Can Government Lotteries Make on $1,000,000 Raffle?

A cool million dollars is up for grabs in the Belize Government Lotteries raffle! Tickets are already on sale, and the big draw is set for December twenty-first. They’re promoting it as a celebration of the lottery’s one-year anniversary. But remember, the house always has an edge! Despite that advantage, the Cabinet announced in a late afternoon briefing that the profits will be directed to the National Health Insurance (NHI) and other social programs and charities across Belize.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“In this case what we have done is that Boledo is a game of statistics, chance. So, looking at the statistics the people at the Boledo/ lottery believe we can create enough hype to sell more than a million dollars and make money out of it. Imagine paying five dollars and you could potentially win a million, or half a million, or a hundred thousand, depending on how much people win that. For five dollars, people are going for it. I must confess in the U.S. I buy the mega bingo or Power Ball. I pay my two dollars, and you know what, I never check back if I win. But Belizeans know about it. I sure you done buy your number.”

P.M. Briceño Weighs in on Trump Mass Deportation Policy

The United States is one of Belize’s closest diplomatic allies. Prime Minister John Briceño has already congratulated President-Elect Donald Trump. As for Trump’s mass deportation policy, P.M. Briceño remains optimistic, saying there’s plenty of work in Belize for everyone.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We do that through the ministry of foreign affairs. The following morning, we did send out a note of congratulation to president elect Trump. As you know the U.S. is our biggest partner and most important partner. We have worked very closely with them. I don’t foresee any major changes for us. Short of the MCC Compact that has just been signed. We believe we are going to strengthen the relationship.”

Paul Lopez

“What are your thoughts on his mass deportation policies, trouble for Belizeans?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Absolutely not, we need more workers in Belize. So if they bring back the Belizeans we need workers. But again, the American people in their wisdom voted for a man that says he is going to do mass importations. We may not agree with the voters, but we have to respect the voters.”

M.S.C Eyes Still Set on Stake Bank, But Waiting on Court Case

The Mediterranean Shipping Company is still keen on Stake Bank. Prime Minister Briceño has confirmed that talks are still in progress for the sale and purchase of the developing cruise port, even with the ongoing court battle. P.M. Briceño has made it clear that he’s not directly involved in the negotiations, emphasizing that his main concern is what’s best for the country.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“That is not a negotiation for me that I am dealing. As far as I know the negotiations continue between M.S.E and the bank. But that is something I am not sitting around the table in the negotiations. I am encouraging both parties, like any other party we would want to partner with the bank or buy over the project to do so. It is in our interest. So the last I heard they continue talking and negotiation and hopefully they could come to some agreement. But again we have to wait until January when the court hears the case that Mr. Feinstein has put against the acquisition of the land.”