2024 - Channel 5 Belize

Will Godwin Haylock be Kicked Out of UDP Too?

Queen Square Standard Bearer Godwin Haylock, Sista B’s successor in this long-time UDP stronghold, openly criticized Barrow during the takeover of the UDP headquarters two weeks ago. Haylock’s bold stance against Barrow, the nephew of incumbent area representative Denise ‘Sista B’ Barrow, has raised questions. Today, we asked Barrow if Haylock will face repercussions for picking a side in the leadership battle.

Isani Cayetano

“Do those thirty-one candidates include Godwin Haylock? I ask simply because Queen Square has been the stronghold of the United Democratic Party of for all these many years and when you look at the succession that…”

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“Mesopotamia is the longest, since 1979.”

Isani Cayetano

“When you look at the succession in Queen Square though, it went from Dean Barrow, your father, to Denise Barrow, your aunt, to Godwin Haylock. But Godwin Haylock was among them who essentially came out against you when that palace coup was effected post October twentieth.”

Shyne Barrow

“This is the thing, as I said, I don’t want to take anything off the table because I am guided by the majority. Of what my colleagues think is best for the party. We have to have an open mind and open heart towards the possibility of healing and reconciliation but with this crowd I just don’t see it and no one did anything to Godwin Haylock. He decided to be a part of, as you said, the palace coup and I don’t see any return, and I don’t even know that they have any interest in returning because according to them, they have their own executive and their own anything.”

Isani Cayetano

“But can you field a candidate in Queen Square at this present moment that would be able to hold his or her own against Dr. McKay, given the short space of time that one would have to actively campaign in that constituency?”

Shyne Barrow

“Yes.”

Alfonso Noble Exits Wave TV Gracefully

Uncertainty continues to loom over the U.D.P. and the management of its political organs. Last week’s court ruling ordered Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton and her executive to vacate the premises, which also meant their support staff wouldn’t be there. So, instead of the usual Wave TV and Radio talk show co-hosts Alfonso Noble and Joe Bradley this morning, former U.D.P. City Councilor Dean Samuels and former U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate Dr. Nelma Mortis took over. Up until last Thursday, Noble was the editor of the Guardian Newspaper under the Panton faction, which had occupied the compound and to whom he had pledged allegiance in the ongoing leadership struggle. Panton and her executive believe she is the rightful leader of the U.D.P., based on a convention held on October twentieth at the Belize City Civic Centre, where a majority of U.D.P. delegates voted to replace Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow with her. Barrow, however, argues that the convention was not valid because it wasn’t presided over by U.D.P. Chair Mike Peyrefitte. Today, Alfonso Noble made a brief appearance at the start of Wave TV’s Fus Ting Da Mawning Show to announce that he would be stepping down indefinitely.

Alfonso Noble, Former Wave Talk Show Host

“I’ve just been notified that I’ve been put on pause from doing the morning show, but I thought it necessary to advise our viewership that you guys will be on this morning and I’ll take a sidestep until matters are fully resolved. It has been a very, very excellent time for me. I’m working at Wave Radio. It’s really, really good. I’ve done what I can to forward the position of the party as much as I can. And I guess a decision will be made as to my status. I’ve received a call this morning and I just thought it necessary to tell the audience cause, um, you know, um, people tune in and, and, and it’s, it’s, it’s many, many, many, many, many viewers who, who loyally listen to the, um, to the show and listen to, um, myself and Joe Bradley every morning. And I think it necessary to give a little explanation as to why myself and Joe will not be present this morning and what will happen um forward not going forward So I just want to thank all of those people who have always tuned into us, whatever is taking place at this point in time and make my graceful exit at this point in time. So Miss Delma and Dean, carry forward, push the U.D.P. agenda forward.”

Joe and Fonso are Out!

Outspoken talk show hosts Alfonso Noble and Joe Bradley have been ousted from Wave Radio’s Fus Ting Da Mawnin. The staunch U.D.P. supporters made scathing remarks against Shyne Barrow last week after the Alliance for Democracy took over the party’s headquarters. Following Friday’s court ruling, Barrow and his team regained control of the building, along with the U.D.P.’s media outlets, including Wave Radio and the Guardian Newspaper. Noble, who has been the editor of the weekly publication and a fixture on the morning show since 2008, was also affected by these changes. Here’s how Barrow responded to the recent shake-up.

Isani Cayetano

“Many were tuned in this morning to Wave Radio and Television to see what if any new changes in terms of the lineup of host and cohost would have been and, not surprisingly, two new faces showed up this morning to take on the morning. What’s the fate of Joe Bradley and Alfonso Noble where the radio and the TV show is concerned?”

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“The behavior of Alfonso Noble was reprehensible and it was telling, I guess, to how he always felt. No employer, no organization can have people in those positions that behave that way, and to go along with the criminal, illegal takeover does not sit well with many, but the party chairman and the secretary general are dealing with that as whatever formal notices. And there are some people that say well let them apologize and so we’ll see what the permanent decision is, but I have always been guided by many colleagues who felt that we needed a change on Fuss Ting Da Mawnin and we needed to diversify the hosts. And so, this is a good opportunity to bring different people on different days and offer some diversity. We look forward to having a day where a different standard bearer would host on that day.”

Late this evening, Tracy Taegan Panton issued a statement on U.D.P. letterhead, announcing that she has secured the backing of the majority of the U.D.P. Orange Walk South Executive Committee. According to Panton, thirteen out of fifteen delegates from that constituency signed a letter endorsing her as the party leader. She claims this brings the total number of constituency committees supporting her to eighteen. In her statement, Panton also called out German Tillett, the constituency leader, noting that he has yet to publicly support her leadership. Copies of the signed endorsements from the U.D.P. Orange Walk South Executive Committee were attached to the release.

Man Found Dead Near Secret Beach

A disagreement between two men in San Pedro has turned deadly, leaving one man dead and another facing charges. Mathew Moses was found dead near the Secret Beach area in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Reports indicate that he got into a dispute with a male acquaintance, who then shot him and left him for dead. ACP Hilberto Romero provides more details on the incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday, the eighth day of November, 2024, police responded to a call in San Pedro where information was received that somebody was there motionless with gunshot injuries. Police visited the area where they found the body of a male person. He was identified as Matthew Moses. He had several gunshot injuries. Investigation revealed that Mathew Moses had an altercation with a male person in that area. This person has been taken into custody. A licensed firearm was retrieved from him. An investigation is being carried out. The conclusion will determine if any charges will be levied.”

Reporter

“Can you say what was the motive?”

Hilberto Romero

“It was a long misunderstanding they had over a period of time. That is what led to the shooting.”

Police Still Investigating Death of Guillermo Martinez

On Friday, we reported on Guillermo Martinez, whose body was discovered floating in the Dangriga River just a week after his release from Belize Central Prison. The circumstances surrounding Martinez’s death remain unclear, as police have yet to determine the cause of death or identify any suspects. Today, ACP Hilberto Romero shared the full police report with us.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Friday the eighth day of November 2024, Dangriga police visited an area in Dangriga where they saw the lifeless body of a male person in the water the body was retrieved and he was identified as Guillermo Martinez of Dangriga. This person had been reported missing days prior and thereafter his body was found. We are awaiting a post-mortem examination to determine his cause of death.”

Reporter

“Were any injuries observed on the body?”

Hilberto Romero

“It is decomposed so we are waiting for the doctor to conduct the post-mortem.”

Man Murdered Over Money Dispute in Independence

On Friday, we reported on Selvin Humes, a construction worker who was tragically stabbed to death during a fight with an acquaintance in Independence Village. His loss has deeply affected the community, who knew him as a peaceful man. Police have since identified and charged a suspect with his murder. Here’s ACP Hilberto Romero with the details.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Thursday, the seventeenth of November 2024, around nine p.m. Independence police visited an area in Independence Village where they found a male person with stab wound injuries. He was identified as Selvin Humes and he was taken for treatment. Selvin Humes later succumbed to his injuries. Investigation revealed that Selvin Humes had an altercation with Randell Montero in Independence Village who inflicted stab wounds to him. An investigation was carried out and one Randel Montero has since been arrested and charged with a crime of murder.”

Britney Gordon

“Any motive?”

Hilberto Romero

“They were having a fight over money.”

Reporter

“Do they know each other?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, they knew each other. “

Reporter

“Both person were consuming alcohol?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, they were drinking before the stabbing.”

Six-Year-Old Shot in Corozal Released in Stable Condition

Over the weekend, a man and a six-year-old child went through a harrowing ordeal when gunshots rained down on their home in the Corozal District. This scary incident took place on Saturday night on Pine Street. Thankfully, both have been released from the hospital and are now in stable condition. ACP Hilberto Romero will share more details on the incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, the ninth of November, there was a shooting at Pine Street. In Corozal, police visited a house where they saw some bullet holes. Investigation revealed that two persons had been taken for treatment at the hospital. The persons were identified as Glenn Suazo, and a six-year-old minor. They received injuries. They were treated and thereafter released from the hospital. Investigation is ongoing into this matter. No persons are detained in reference to this shooting.”

Man Dies in Motorcycle Accident in San Pedro

Tonight, a family is heartbroken after a tragic motorcycle accident claimed another life in Belize. The victim, Eric Williams from San Pedro, was found injured on the ground early Sunday morning. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Williams sadly succumbed to his injuries. ACP Hilberto Romero has more details on this heartbreaking incident.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, the tenth 2024, there was a fatal road traffic accident in San Pedro. Police visited an area around one a.m. where they saw a motorcycle with damages. Also, they saw the body of a male person. The person was taken to the hospital for treatment for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as Eric Williams of San Pedro. Investigation revealed that he was riding his motorcycle when he crashed into a lamppost. And thereafter, he was taken and succumbed to his injuries.”

Peyrefitte Criticizes GoB for Supplementary Budgets

Courtenay introduced the second reading of a bill to allocate additional funds for public services for the 2024-2025 financial year. He emphasized that this bill aligns with the national policy of presenting supplementary appropriation bills to the National Assembly, ensuring the public is informed about extra spending beyond the approved budget before April first. However, Opposition Senator Mike Peyrefitte voiced his concerns, attributing the need for roughly ten percent more funds to poor planning, sloppiness, and misjudgment by the government.

Mike Peyrefitte, U.D.P. Senator

“I see something here in the Supplemental for general elections. Now that one line item, Madam President, I fully support and we fully support. The rest we do not support. Madam President, I urge the government to use this money, use every penny to call the general elections now because you’re budgeting for it. And if it comes in a supplementary that is in a budget cycle that will end in March 2025, it means clearly then that the general elections is going to be before the end of March 2025. So don’t be secret about it, Madam President. Say what you’re going to use the – now to be fair, you’re saying what you’re using it for – general elections: three hundred and forty-three thousand, seven hundred and eighty-seven dollars. So, Madam President, what they should do, the Leader of Government business should announce the date for the elections. Now you come to the National Assembly and you say approve us one hundred and six million dollars. That’s what we’re talking about today, in this nondescript room, this body will decide that the people of Belize need to approve a hundred and six million dollars more on top of the billion-dollar budget that was present earlier this year. With a full four to five months left, you come here, and you ask for about ten percent of what you asked for in 2024. Madam President, that’s unacceptable.

Ministry of Finance was approved ten million plus and now they’re coming back for four million plus – forty percent – that’s how much you have miscalculated how much you needed for 2024-2025 and we’re only in November, Madam President. Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for Cap 11 was two hundred and twenty thousand. Today you’re asking for three point two million dollars. Either you nuh know how fi do a budget if you are the minister for that or this da wa hustle. What do you need that money for that you didn’t need it for just in March?”

More information on the supplementary budget: : https://edition.channel5belize.com/pm-was-prepared-to-end-budget-debate-in-absence-of-opposition/

https://edition.channel5belize.com/pm-briceno-says-budget-is-designed-to-help-everyone/

Business Sen. Concerned over Amounts of Supplementary

Business Senator Kevin Herrera pointed out several line items requesting additional funds, raising concerns about the amounts being asked for. He noted that the supplementary budget represents a significant request for new spending. Herrera expressed hope that the P.U.P. administration will continue to maintain fiscal discipline, as it has done in reducing foreign debt. He also criticized the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security, accusing them of simply ‘copying and pasting’ their requests.

Kevin Herrera, Business Senator

“The Ministry of National Defense and Border Security [it] seems like they’re copying and pasting previous budgets, and the numbers really didn’t make sense. I highlighted this is my budget presentation last year and this year, in terms of the new personnel, in terms of what was required, in terms of the supplies and – it just didn’t make sense. So it doesn’t come to me as a surprise, Madam President, in looking at these figures, the Ministry of National Security and Border Security is asking for three point three million dollars more or fifteen percent of the nineteen million dollars that was budgeted earlier. It’s a significant ask in terms of new spending, Madam President, and I wanted to highlight that. But also, I think we have to look at in terms of what we were trying to achieve in March. What we had in March, Madam President, is we had a margin of less than one percent of expenditures over revenues, so there was a very small financing gap that was required, and I think that spoke to fiscal discipline. We were trying to really balance those number so now that begs the question: when you throw a hundred and six million dollars on top of that, what does that mean in the larger context? Does that mean that we’ve thrown that fiscal discipline aside and we’re saying let’s expand the deficit? Or does that mean that we’ve brought in unforeseen or unexpected additional revenues into the system, and we’ll maintain those ratios?”

More information on the supplementary budget: https://edition.channel5belize.com/business-senator-weighs-in-on-2024-2025-budget/