The Belize Peace Movement is asking the High Court to decide if the current constituency boundaries violate the Constitution of Belize. Unlike the Jerry Enriquez case, the seven claimants aren’t seeking immediate injunctive relief but rather a clear ruling from the court. The Belize Peace Movement filed the claim in November 2024. The High Court then asked all parties to explain why this matter shouldn’t be considered already resolved by the court. Those submissions have been made, and the claimants are now urgently waiting for a court date, as an election date has already been announced. We heard from Paul Morgan, one of the claimants, at a press conference today.
Paul Morgan
Paul Morgan, Claimant
“On the thirteenth of January both presentations from the defendants and the claimants were in. At this point in time we are waiting for the court to call us, that is over am month now, to call even though we asked for urgency because we believe the election would be called. Even though, elections are not due until five years, which is in 2026 they can go to call these elections. It is not because elections are urgent, the prime minister chose to call elections early for whatever he feels. That is his prerogative under law. He can call elections whenever he wants to. What he does not have the right to do is to mingle, get a situation where the court and the executive comes in conflict. That is what is happening at this point in time. We are waiting now for the court to call us and for this press conference, I think the main idea is that we are asking you the press and the people who will be hurt if the election is called, without fixing Schedule 1, our rights with be violated.”
Attorney Sharon Pitts is representing the seven claimants in the Belize Peace Movement case. We also heard from Rudy Wade, another claimant. They both emphasized the urgency of their claim and the pressing need to establish a court date.
Sharon Pitts, Attorney-At-Law
“To put it in a nutshell and you don’t even have to crack the nut, it is not a hard one. The schedule to ROPA where the constituencies or political division for the purpose of the polls are inconsistent and in flagrant violation of the constitution, ROPA is null, and the representation of the People’s Act is null and void. That is our view. What we seek, I represent these gentlemen who have gone compatriots, before the court of Belize, to seek with clarity, that answer.”
Paul Morgan
Paul Morgan, Claimant
“Mr. Johhny Briceno would be the first prime minister in Belize to ask for an election when in fact an issue for Schedule is before the court.”
Rudy Wade
Rudy Wade, Claimant
“As a Belizean, a voter, a tax payer and one who had contested election and is going to contest an election, it affects me dearly. Hence the reason why I am so passionate to see that redistricting is being done. So far, it is only me, this administration has held two illegal election and if he holds another, it is going to be illegal. He hold the power to call an election. All we are asking for is to make it equal.”
Before learning that the High Court dismissed Jerry Enriquez’s claim, we asked the Belize Peace Movement if their claim was similar. Attorney Sharon Pitts explained that both cases are related, and the court might decide to combine them. With the latest developments, will this claim face the same fate?
Paul Morgan, Claimant
“It is like two buckets, one has three quarters and the other has five eights. Our case is centered around ROPA, schedule one of ROPA. It is asking the court a simple question, whether or not Scheule One comports with the constitution. If they say yes then we lose. If they say no, the Elections and Boundaries has a responsibility to fix it. The election and boundaries has no right to run an election that is illegal.”
Sharon Pitts
Sharon Pitts, Attorney-At-Law
“Claim 730 of 2024 just by the number, predates the claim which I believe you referred to. It is open for the parities and the court in its own discretion and volition if it takes judicial notice to consolidate or join the matters. Mr. Morgan use an analogy of two buckets. It seems to me what we have is clearly the subject matter has to do with the voters, the division, the constitutional formula for voters and constituents or divisions to participate, the weight of each vote.”
On Monday, former Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony “Boots” Martinez called P.U.P. Standard Bearer Gilroy Usher Senior a failure. Martinez, who is running for the seat on March twelfth, accused Usher of not improving the lives of constituents over the past four years. Surprisingly, Gilroy Usher Junior has sided with his father’s opponent, posting on Facebook that Port Loyola residents were better off under Martinez’s leadership. We spoke with Usher Senior today to get his response to Martinez’s claims, but first, here’s what he had to say about his son’s comments.
Gilroy Usher
Gilroy Usher, P.U.P. Candidate, Port Loyola
“I will tell you the truth, I have not seen the post so I cannot comment on a post I have not seen.”
Paul Lopez
“I am telling you exactly what the post says.”
Gilroy Usher
“Well, I am telling you I haven’t seen the post.”
Paul Lopez
“What would trigger him to say something like that?”
Gilroy Usher
“Well you would have to go ask him. I haven’t seen the post so I cant comment on it.”
Paul Lopez
“How detrimental would this be to your candidacy?”
Gilroy Usher
“I cannot comment on a post I have not seen. So if I were to make a comment Iwould be prejudging something I have not seen.”
Paul Lopez
“Is this uncharacteristic of him or unlike him to oppose you knowing well that you are family member.”
Gilroy Usher
“Again I am saying I have not seen the post. I cannot comment on what somebody else is telling me or saying or so. I Gilroy Usher the Area Rep for Port Loyola has not seen the post.”
Paul Lopez
“If and when you see it, is it comment you would hope he didn’t make in public?”
Gilroy Usher
“I don’t want to prejudge. I have not seen the comment.”
Paul Lopez
So can I show you the comments or you don’t want to see the comments??
Gilroy Usher
“I don’t want to prejudge, I am not a Facebook person and I don’t follow what is on Facebook., because many times things are written on Facebook with fake profile and all kinds of thing. So I am not one that takes Facebook word for word.”
Now, let’s hear Usher’s response to Anthony “Boots” Martinez. Usher claims he’s made strides in housing infrastructure, having built a dozen starter homes for residents. He showed us a property with three of these homes already in place. Usher emphasized that this is just the beginning of what he plans to offer his constituents.
Gilroy Usher
Gilroy Usher, P.U.P. Candidate, Port Loyola
“We promised the people we would give them proper housing, so what have the PUP done? We have built starter homes for the people, cement starter homes with ceiling, partition, electrical wiring, and basic plumbing facilities. These houses cost the home owners only twenty-five dollars for week, or a hundred dollars for month. In terms of the amount of houses, Port Loyola has already obtained eleven starter homes, three right here, one on the boulevard, one in Jane Usher, one in Burrel Boom and one in Black Berry and residents in Port Loyola are also slated to receive five more starter homes in Blackberry as soon as the houses are distributed along with houses for other constituency. So this talk about me not doing anything for the resident in terms of housing, is total nonsense, hot air, by someone who is a failure in the division for thirteen years. Secondly, with their support of MIDH, under Minister Julius Espat, we have given residents of Port Loyola dozens of house grants that has ranged from five hundred to one thousand five hundred dollars. I myself has given scores of persons housing grants in the division.”
When it comes to road infrastructure in Port Loyola, “Boots” Martinez claims that Usher has poorly maintained the streets. However, the P.U.P. standard bearer strongly disagrees, stating that he has been actively working on paving the streets in the constituency. Here’s what he had to say.
Gilroy Usher
Gilroy Usher, P.U.P. Candidate, Port Loyola
“When it comes to Fabers Road they want to talk about Fabers Road. They built Fabers Road for eight million dollars, when all the competent road experts said that road should have cost the Belizean taxpayers no more than four million dollars. What have I done in terms of proper roads? We paved Penn Road, the full length of Penn Road from Baldwin Drive to the boulevard, one of the longest roads. We paved Nurse Finley Crescent. We have paved Ceasar Ridge from the Custom to Reggae Street. In terms of paving, we paved the main Curl Thompson Street and upgraded all the inlets. We recently paved Freedom Street and all the inlets. So, the record is there that Mr. Usher has been working. We went about securing these lands for the people, that is why thirty residents of Port Loyola became first landowners in this area here. In further addressing the needs of the constituency, because I know if you give people house lots they need infrastructure to reach their lots. This road here way to Arlington Drive and the other one is almost complete. Gilroy Usher built those roads there so that the people can reach their land.”
On Monday, we introduced you to some of the candidates from Orange Walk Central, North, and South who are running in the 2025 general elections. Tonight, we bring you the remaining three standard bearers from the United Democratic Party and the People’s United Party for Orange Walk North, South, and East. News Five’s Britney Gordon caught up with the candidates to get more details on their campaigns.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
It’s been over four years since Ramon Cervantes beat Carlos Zetina by more than one thousand, four hundred votes to become the Area Representative of Orange Walk North. Now, they’re facing off again, and while some think it’s anyone’s game, Cervantes is confident he has the votes. He shared with us the efforts he’s been making to secure support in his constituency.
Ramon Cervantes
Ramon Cervantes, Standard Bearer, OW North, P.U.P
“ We rehabilitated a lot of the sugar roads, the village roads. We are paving a very main road in Trial Farm Village, which is the largest village. We built a community center at the park. We have given, education, health, a lot of assistance in health, and lighted up, we have lighted up many of the football fields that have been left abandoned by the previous administration, and given a lot of support to sports, tournaments and competitions.”
Cervantes, affectionately known as “Monchi” by his supporters, stays connected with his constituents by attending events and visiting homes. However, his opponent, Carlos Zetina, disputes this, claiming that if elected, he would have a stronger presence in the community. Meanwhile, in Orange Walk South, German Tillett is calling for better infrastructure. Drawing from his experience as a sugar farmer, Tillett explains that farmers have been struggling for years due to the poor condition of the sugar roads.
German Tillett
German Tillett, Standard Bearer, OW South, U.D.P.
“We have an area representative who is from Orange Walk Central, who is representing Orange Walk. And that is the things that needs to be fixed for us to get some better assistance here in Orange Walk. You see the road infrastructure that we have here. We have more than four years that no grader, nothing has come to fix the road here in August Pine Ridge. There’s a culvert that was put right there. We were speaking to the family that is beside the culvert. That the drain, it’s not even fixed well so that the water can flow. So we have many things here. August Pine Ridge is a big area. It’s a big village. And it is very abandoned here by the representatives.”
Moving over to Orange Walk East, standard bearer Kevin Bernard is confident that he has built a strong connection with the people of Orange Walk. Reflecting on his time as mayor of the namesake municipality, he believes these bonds will help him in the upcoming election.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Standard Bearer, OW East, P.U.P
“One of the things that I have done and I think the people of Orange Walk East appreciate is the fact that I have always been there for them. We have brought infrastructure improvement, we have improved our parks and playgrounds, we are constantly working on road infrastructure. We have always assisted in education and health so we have always been there for our people. So we have been there for our people.”
The United Democratic Party still hasn’t revealed who will run against Bernard in the 2025 elections. With nomination day just around the corner, it’s unclear if they’ll even appoint a candidate for the constituency. Bernard shared with us the areas he plans to improve if he’s reelected.
Kevin Bernard
“We want to make sure that we continue to build on the road infrastructure in Orange Walk. However, there are other areas of health that we are looking at expanding. Community, community health services, for example, Carmelita. We need to make sure we can bring that to the people there, we are very committed, and I am committed to making sure that the main road into Santa Marta is paved. We are already working in Palmar. We want to make sure that our rural communities are also addressed. We have done a lot in Orange Walk Town, with the municipalities, but my vision has always been for us to improve the rural community, and more the communities as well. Apart from that, of course, we have to provide much more social services to the people. Education is very important.”
Tillett promises to enhance the healthcare system in his constituency. He points out that residents of Orange Walk South often have to go to great lengths to get emergency medical help.
German Tillett
“We have a healthcare system facility right here in August Pine Ridge. If you go right now to the healthcare facility, it is abandoned. We have some persons right there, but we have many doctors here in Orange Walk, so doctors that can, we can be able to provide them with a job so that they can be able to provide us with a service for the community here, not only from August Pine Ridge but Trinidad and neighboring villages. You see right now, what is the problem? If an accident happens here in Agaspan Ridge or in San Felipe, We need to call an ambulance and it takes more than half an hour or an hour for them to reach right here. But with the facility that we have here, if we have proper, a proper ambulance, a doctor and everything, we can be able to save lives. Because every minute counts,”
Cervantes says that he is humbled by the support shown and promises more improvements to public facilities and roads.
Ramon Cervantes
“We’ll continue the paving of streets and overhauling some of the sugar roads so that people can bring their produce in comfort, that the villagers can travel in comfort, and even in the villages, the streets, that is one main thing that we need. Keep improving the sports facilities by putting bleachers. We have put lights, so we need to put more bleachers, more lighting. So that is what we will get ahead of.”
These days, internet connection is more than just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Every day, billions of people use the internet to communicate, learn, and stay updated on the latest news. Many of you at home might be using the internet right now to watch this newscast. But have you ever wondered about the early days of the internet in Belize and how it has evolved over the years? In tonight’s episode of Kocha Tuesday, News Five’s Britney Gordon delves into how the internet has shaped Belizean culture.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
In 1994, the Belize Telecommunications Authority (now known as BTL or Digi) launched internet services in Belize, sparking widespread excitement across the country. Back then, BTA was the only internet provider, and the launch was a big deal. Ervin Marin, who worked at BTA at the time, recalls the buzz and celebration surrounding this groundbreaking event.
Ervin Marin
Ervin Marin, Former BTL Employee
“ We started out with the dial-up internet. That was the only thing available. People were excited about it because it moved away from the telex and the telegram and we moved over to the dial-up. People were excited. You had homes that were connected and you had most of the offices that were using it as well.”
Belize may have been late to the internet party, arriving nearly a decade behind, but once it hit, Belizeans jumped right in. They flocked to chat rooms like AOL and MSN to connect with family, friends, and even strangers. Crios Munnings, who owns Sigertronic Systems in Belize City, remembers the explosion of popularity these chatrooms enjoyed.
Crios Munnings
Crios Munnings, Owner, Sigertronic Systems
“It took a few years before BTL, who was the primary ISP at that time, brought about internet and that was using a telephone line, what we call dial up. And at 56K, it was our lifeline in order to connect. To the world before cell phones, before it was our primary means of communication, reaching out to the online chat boards such as America Online, as we know it as AOL, and it was the only way of really reaching out to the world, hello world, and communicating, getting information, getting advice, communicating with people, sharing resources at that time.”
Before long, Belize rolled out its first internet-capable cell phones, and Belizeans couldn’t wait to get their hands on them. People rushed to the stores, eager to experience the new technology and stay connected on the go.
Ervin Marin
“When we launched the CDMA phones we had introduced, I think it was about a thousand phones for the entire country. I’m not sure the exact amount, but that was a crazy launch. There was some smart phones, but we had, I think one of the offices, I think it was in PG, the doors were broken down by the customers wanting a phone. They were really excited about getting the first cellular phone launched in Belize.”
The internet is more than just a way to stay connected, it is a means of accessing knowledge. Nowadays, the answer to most of life’s questions is a few taps away, but before Google, there were chat rooms.
Crios Munnings
“Again being the birthplace of chat groups, it was how we could gain knowledge and learn basically right now where we have Google, that was a precursor to Google, where it was there wasn’t a database of all this information, nor was there even a search engine. But there were means of just basic communication with others out there that, that were sharing their knowledge that was, that were coaching Belizeans and others.”
Marin notes that many customers initially struggled with computers, facing a steep learning curve. However, the younger generation, who grew up with the internet, quickly outpaced their parents in tech skills, becoming household experts.
Ervin Marin
“I think the young people are more knowledgeable of the way to use the internet and I think it comes natural for them. I’m still learning. I still have to ask my daughter what to do here, what to do there. It comes very easy for young people. It’s struggling sometimes. It’s hard. I’m getting there.”
In 2007, Facebook overtook Myspace to become the world’s top social media platform. Its knack for showing users content based on their location and interactions drew millions. In Belize, where it’s often said that everyone knows everyone, Facebook’s popularity soared just the same. Today, with features like Groups and Facebook Marketplace, Facebook remains a hit in Belize, helping many small businesses advertise their products and reach a wider local audience.
Crios Munnings
“Businesses can use it to reach the masses of the people. As actually as a media for news, entertainment, for everything, just as you’re saying, it actually has migrated a lot of people away from television screen or from the movies or from, from many of the traditional ways of reaching the eyes of everyone.”
The internet is vital today. Marin advises all Belizeans to remain involved in online spaces so that they do not miss out on life’s most important developments.
Ervin Marin
“I think technology is moving very fast and it’s exciting to see what would be next. You’re always thinking about what would be next. Everything is done online now. I think eventually that will be the new norm. Everything is online. So to me, I speak for myself. If you don’t keep up with the times you’ll be behind.”
Early this morning, thirty-six-year-old Leon Gray was shot while walking near the Princess Hotel and Casino with another man. Police report that Gray and thirty-seven-year-old Emmeth Baptist were on Newtown Barracks around 2:45 a.m. when two men got out of a parked car and opened fire, hitting Gray. He has since been treated and released from K.H.M.H. This incident follows a Saturday assault that injured Akeem Smith. Smith and three others were returning from a trip at sea when two gunmen ambushed them near the Belize City Swing Bridge. Police are now implementing a special operation to prevent retaliation. These shootings come on the heels of the January thirty-first death of thirty-nine-year-old Brandon Baptist at the Marion Jones Complex. Smith and Gray are reportedly members of the same gang, while Baptist was linked to a rival gang.
On Monday, the K.H.M.H. Workers Union leaders met with government representatives in Belmopan to discuss gratuity and pensions for about three employees. These workers have been at the hospital since as far back as 2000 but still lack these benefits. A pension scheme was introduced in 2018 for employees hired from that year onward. In 2023, Prime Minister John Briceño promised to form a committee to create a compensation formula for these long-serving employees. The committee was formed, and they had two meetings, but there have been no follow-ups since October 2023. This lack of progress led to two protests by the employees over the past two weeks. Today, News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with Andrew Baird, President of the K.H.M.H. Workers Union, for an update and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
On Monday, thirty employees from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital joined the leadership of their workers union for a meeting with government representatives. The session aimed to further discuss the reinstatement of the employees’ gratuity and pension benefits. According to President Andrew Baird, the meeting was amicable and productive.
Andrew Baird
Andrew Baird, President, K.H.M.H. Workers Union
“We discuss probable ways of how a payout could occur. We have not made any agreement. There were just proposals on the table there. We and we had discussion in reference to those proposals and stuff like that. There was a commitment from both sides where the government side would need to set forward not a criteria, but a template of requirements for the three hundred employees to ensure that they meet the requirements to be compensated for their services.”
The union will complete the template with each employee’s years of service to calculate their gratuity and pension. Baird mentioned that although this issue dates back two decades, the government is clearly committed to paying the employees.
Andrew Baird
“I can be honest and to say this meeting really shows that especially from the FinSec position that they want to get this over with and we would hope that within the next two, three months that we will have this behind us.”
Since 2010, the hospital has been trying to set up a preparatory committee to create a pension scheme or provident fund. In 2018, it was decided that a provident fund would be best for new staff as their retirement fund, but nothing was set up for the existing staff who continued working. According to the K.H.M.H Act, hospital employees should have pensions, but the previous government chose to have the hospital run by a statutory board instead of as a government institution, without ensuring a pension scheme was in place. Baird believes that despite this oversight over the years, it’s an easy fix for the Government of Belize.
Andrew Baird
“It takes a stroke of a pen from the prime minister to say to the Governor General let’s make the staff of Kark Heusner public officers so that they can be pensionable in accordance with the Government Pension Act because the pension act is clear for you to be pensionable from the government, you have to be a public officer. So, without that declaration of us becoming public officers, we won’t be able to collect the government pension, but the government does acknowledge that we are to be compensated because of the Karl Heusner Act.”
Baird mentioned that another meeting between the K.H.M.H Workers Union and the government is set for two weeks from now. By then, the government will have provided a template for the union to use in determining the employees’ benefits. Even though the meeting is just before the general election, Baird told News Five that the employees are ready to push for their retirement benefits right up to and beyond the election. Marion Ali for News Five.
