The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has announced plans to introduce a new electricity licensing framework that would grant licenses to individuals and businesses under various categories. The proposal aims to streamline the licensing process and enhance energy resilience in Belize. The proposed categories include: Minor Self-Generation and Supply—Allows off-grid users to generate electricity strictly for personal use without the ability to sell or distribute power. Minor Distributed Generation—Permits grid-connected users to generate electricity for personal use while selling excess power under regulated capacity limits. Backup Generation and Supply—Authorises businesses and individuals to generate backup power in case of outages or install energy storage systems below 1 MWe capacity, with restrictions on selling electricity to utilities. The PUC cited key reasons for the proposal, including simplifying the licensing process, reducing processing time, and integrating prosumers into the energy system. The framework also seeks to improve grid resilience by facilitating backup power generation for businesses and critical infrastructure.
Month: February 2025
Elvia Vega Samos Declares Independent Candidacy for Corozal Bay
Elvia Vega Samos has officially announced her candidacy as an independent contender for the Corozal Bay constituency in the upcoming General Elections. She stated that after listening to her constituents and consulting with her family, she made the decision to step forward once again to represent the division. “After carefully listening to my beloved constituents of Corozal Bay and having a heart to heart discussion with my family, I have made the decision to offer myself to the people of Corozal Bay as an independent candidate for the upcoming General Elections.”
Vega Samos described the upcoming elections as a defining moment, noting that many candidates are choosing to run through non-traditional avenues. She said that her decision to contest independently reflects her commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard.
Referring to the nearly 1,200 supporters who backed her in a previous convention, as well as those who she claims were excluded from the voters’ list, Vega Samos asserted that they deserve representation. “I am their voice, their hope, and without a doubt, their representative,” she declared.
She concluded her announcement with a message of perseverance and dedication, stating: “Seguiremos siempre adelante con perseverancia y amor a la Bahía de Corozal! We move forward with perseverance and love for Corozal Bay!”
CARICOM Leaders Wrap Up Summit Amid Concerns Over Trump Policies
As Caribbean leaders conclude their three-day summit, they remain keenly aware of the challenges posed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies toward the region. While these policies are expected to create difficulties—including mass deportations, cuts to development aid, and a shift in U.S. engagement with Cuba and Venezuela—leaders agree that opportunities may also emerge.
One of the most pressing concerns is Trump’s immigration stance, which now targets nearly half a million Haitians living in the U.S. under temporary legal protection. CARICOM leaders acknowledge that every country has a right to enforce its immigration laws but remain concerned about the economic and social fallout for returning migrants.
Former St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and current Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue with Washington.
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne also acknowledged the potential strain on Caribbean economies due to U.S. policy shifts, saying regional governments must find ways to sustain development despite the challenges.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves observed that while President Trump was absent from the summit, his policies loomed large over discussions. However, he noted that Trump’s approach may have encouraged greater engagement from other international partners, such as the European Union.
Meanwhile, Bahamian Prime Minister Phillip Davis urged CARICOM to avoid entanglement in geopolitical tensions that could negatively impact the region. Similarly, Montserrat Premier Reuben Meade, returning to regional politics after a decade, advised Caribbean nations to reduce their reliance on the U.S. and seek alternative global partnerships.
Beyond immigration, U.S. aid to the region has significantly declined. President Trump has ordered a freeze on funding and a review of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). In 2003, USAID provided $456 million in development assistance to the Caribbean, with Haiti receiving the largest share at $393 million, followed by Jamaica with $26 million and Belize with $20 million. However, aid contributions to CARICOM nations have since dwindled, raising concerns about the future of key development projects.
Shyne Barrow Still Wants Tracy Panton Committed to Prison
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, along with four other senior United Democratic Party (UDP) members, has filed an urgent appeal against a recent court ruling that dismissed their application to commit Tracy Taegar Panton to prison for contempt of court.
The appeal challenges the decision handed down by Justice Tawanda Hondora on February 14, 2025.
The ruling dismissed Barrow’s application, which sought multiple court orders regarding the UDP leadership dispute. The judge also ruled that the applicants must cover the legal costs of the case. However, Barrow and his co-appellants—including Michael Peyrefitte, Shary Medina, Alberto August, and Hugo Patt—argue that the judge erred in his interpretation of the “status quo ante” ruling, which they believe should have affirmed Barrow’s leadership within the UDP.
In the appeal, the group contends that the judge failed to properly consider the political context of the case and the implications of his decision on the party’s leadership ahead of the March 2025 elections. They also argue that the judge did not invite legal submissions on the test for contempt of court, leaving critical issues unresolved.
The appellants are seeking to overturn the February 14 decision and obtain an interim non-disclosure order. They maintain that the court must recognise the urgency of resolving leadership disputes within the UDP as the party prepares for the upcoming elections.
Historic Queen Street Baptist Church Destroyed by Fire
A fire early this morning reduced the historic Queen Street Baptist Church to rubble, leaving the congregation and the wider Baptist Association of Belize in mourning.
Residents of Eve Street awoke around 4:45 a.m. to see flames engulfing the wood-and-cement structure. Despite firefighters’ efforts, the church was completely destroyed, and the adjoining Queen Street Baptist School suffered water damage.
Founded in 1822, Queen Street Baptist Church is one of Belize City’s historic landmarks. Just last night, congregants gathered there for a meeting, unaware it would be the last.
The Baptist Association of Belize expressed its grief, stating, “Our Baptist Association of Belize Family woke up to the tragic news that our beloved Queen Street Baptist Church was totally destroyed by fire. It’s a very sad day, but we know the Lord got us.”
Pastor Lloyd Stanford, Sister Nancy Stanford, and the church community are receiving an outpouring of support, with the association assuring them, “We have you all in our thoughts and prayers. Know that we are here to support you.”
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Classes for over 100 students at the adjoining school were cancelled.
Taegar-Panton Presents Fifteen Candidates for the U.D.P.
Nomination Day is set for Monday, and today, U.D.P leader and Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton officially introduced a team of fifteen candidates for the March twelfth election. Taegar hopes to win with her entire team and at least one more candidate from Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow’s faction. While she is counting on Barrow’s slate to help secure a win, she is confident that Lee Mark Chang, nominated under her banner, will replace Barrow in Mesopotamia. Taegar-Panton also reached out to Barrow’s supporters, expressing her desire to work together in unity after the election. News Five’s Marion Ali was at the presentation and filed this report.
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader, U.D.P
“We are running as one United Democratic Party.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
This morning, U.D.P Leader and Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton officially kicked off her party’s campaign and introduced the candidates for the March twelfth general election. While she has presented fifteen candidates, she insists that the UDP has a full slate of thirty-one to represent all constituencies nationwide. However, she expressed doubts about the candidates aligned with Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow.
“There are 31 standard bearers who represent the United Democratic Party. They were either contested, they either sat in a contested convention, or they sat in an endorsement convention. Those are the candidates that we recognize as the legitimate standard bearers for the United Democratic Party. I doubt very much and I would be very surprised if any of those handpicked persons who were foisted on us as a United Democratic Party has any chance in winning any seats for the United Democratic Party.”
“We consulted with constituents of the Mesop constituency and we consulted with our UDP supporters in Mesop and it was almost unanimous that there was time for a change and Lee Mark. was their preferred candidate.”
Despite the nearly year-long leadership feud between Panton and Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow, she is confident that Barrow will lose his second attempt to win office in Mesopotamia.
“There is no way that Shyne Jamal Barrow is going to win his seat in Mesop. The people of Mesop and I say I bet on the people every time, will make that determination for the rest of us.”
So, how does the candidate aiming to unseat Barrow feel about this challenge? He says he takes no challenge lightly.
Lee Mark Chang, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Mesopotamia
“I like to fight as the underdog at all times. I fight and I fight hard. So I will make no premature prediction, just that I will say that I’m very comfortable where I am. If you have time, maybe you should go and speak to some of the people or do your own polling in the division and you will hear a clear and resounding poll of their feelings.”
Marion Ali
“In terms of the campaign financing, where is all of that coming from?”
“Well, I mean, the party has their financiers that they get money from. I’ve gotten some from the party. I’ve gotten some from people that I know.”
Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber invited the public to stay tuned for their manifesto launch.
Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet
“Those ideas, I promise you will be very solid. We are putting our time and effort into making sure that we prepare a very solid agenda for you for the next five years and we will come with very solid ideas. We promise you.”
Faber is one of the key seats Panton is banking on for the March 12th election, and he is confident he’ll be elected for a sixth consecutive term.
“When I go to houses, it’s all love in the homes and people are telling me that I have no worry. Um, that they know the relationship that we’ve shared for the many, many years and they have no intention of changing course.”
Taegar-Panton also delivered a direct message of unity to UDP members who support Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow’s leadership.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“We say to you here publicly that we embrace you as part of our wider UDP family and we look forward to joining hands and hearts with you after we win the general elections on March 12th, 2025.”
Marion Ali for News Five.
How Will U.D.P Candidates Differentiate Themselves on the Ballot?
The latest dispute within the U.D.P. is how candidates will set themselves apart from those running under Shyne Barrow. Panton says her team will stick with the traditional U.D.P. red but mentioned some tweaks to identify her candidates. She also took a jab at the other U.D.P. candidate running in Albert for good measure.
Tracy Taegar, Panton, Leader, U.D.P.
“If in fact we cannot come together before nomination day and it requires a symbol I am one hundred percent sure that the people who are supporting the team that is being led by me will know exactly who to vote for. I will use myself as an example. I am undisputedly the UDP Area Rep in Albert. No – and I want to be kind, I would say imposter but let me be kind. Da wa imposter noh, can come into Albert handpicked and thrown in the mix and expect that the U.D.P supporters and the people of Albert will accept him as their U.D.P. area representative.”
Hernan Riverol is the Most Recent Panton Candidate Secured Today
The latest addition to Panton’s team is Hernan Riverol, who was originally chosen by Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow. Panton secured Riverol’s candidacy under her leadership just this morning. Initially, Riverol was running as an independent candidate. Panton clarified that Riverol hasn’t switched sides but has decided to run under her leadership after being approached by Barrow.
Tracy Taegar-Panton, U.D.P Leader
“When we spoke when we started to look - prepare for the elections, as you say, to interview candidates and see their work on the ground, Mr. Riverol was not yet confirmed by the executive committee of Corozal Bay. I think they had a couple candidates that they were considering and Mr. Riverol is now the standard bearer for Corozal Bay, the UDP standard bearer. I can tell you that his candidacy was determined by Shyne really but he – the people in Corozal Bay have said to him, his committee has said to him, and the constituents that they feel that he has a better chance if he’s a part of our team because of the things that we say we stand for.”
Marion Ali
“So he has switched allegiance from Mr. Barrow?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“I don’t know if he has switched allegiance, I don’t know if he had declared his allegiance for Shyne, but I do know that Shyne had spoken to him about running for the party.’
Panton Believes Willoughby Will Deliver in Port
The Port Loyola Area has four candidates, three of whom are from the U.D.P. There’s former Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, who isn’t aligned with either leader. Then there’s Doctor Nelma Mortis, running under Shyne Barrow’s ticket, and Phillip Willoughby, running under Panton’s leadership. Besides competing against each other, they are also up against the P.U.P. incumbent, Gilroy Usher. When asked about Martinez’s chances, Panton said she would welcome him but is confident that Willoughby will secure Port Loyola.
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader, U.D.P
“Boots is a friend, Boots is a former colleague. Boots has always aligned himself with the United Democratic Party and Boots has run for multiple constituencies on behalf of the United Democratic Party. I will say this and I want it to be clear: whatever happens in Port Loyola, whichever UDP candidate emerges as the winner, and when I say UDP candidate, we only have one, but any UDP-associated person, we will embrace them and we will welcome them back to the party. But I believe that Philip has the wherewithal to deliver the seat for Port.”
A Third Party With 7 Candidates Fights the PUDP
Roody Wade, from the Cayo District, is taking on both major parties. As the Leader of the Belize Justice Movement, he has introduced a slate of seven candidates. The BJM is one of the few third parties running in the March twelfth election. Historically, third parties haven’t received much support at the polls in Belize. On Wednesday, we asked Wade about this challenge.
Roody Wade, Leader, Belize Justice Movement
“It is so sad in this country how this two-party system has us, especially the youths. They don’t really know the history of these people. If you dig back to the history of these people you kind of want to think twice to go and vote for a PUP or a UDP. But if we watch how the two party system governs our country for decades, they don’t want people to be empowered. So, hopefully at some point the Belizean people will see a need for change. 2025, where are we at. We need change. The only thing that can happen in terms of change is the people. They are the only one that can make a change.”