February, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Injunction Application Filed in High Court to Delay General Election

A legal injunction to stop the upcoming general elections has been filed in the High Court. Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph, and Jessica Tulcey, represented by Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, have been in talks with the Government of Belize for weeks. Ramlogan wrote to the Briceño administration, stating they would challenge the constitutionality of the general election if redistricting wasn’t completed before the national vote. They also requested a five-day notice before announcing the election date. On Monday, Courtenay Coye LLP, representing the government, informed them that the prior notice request couldn’t be honored. Today, PM Briceño announced the general election for March twelfth. Enriquez told us that his team filed their application through the court’s online portal on Monday night, but technical issues delayed any action before the PM’s announcement.

Jeremy Enriquez, Claimant

“Following the letter we received from Courtenay and Associates, Senator Courtenay and his law firm on behalf of the attorney general, we received that letter yesterday evening and so last night when we realized there would have been no warning by the prime minister we worked into the night to file and injunction so we did file in the court’s portal last night, hoping that this morning around eight thirty or so we would have some kind of response. Unfortunately, we learnt that there was some problem with the portal and we had to get some printed documents into the court and so to get four hundred pages took a while and we were a little late in filing. But, it is disappointing but at the same time it shows the country the entrenched system we have. Not only that it is entrenched, there is strong resistance and insistence to have the status quo remain. We did have that expectation for decency and respect by the government, especially that we sent the preauction letter to them to indicate. We also sent to the governor general to say listen, can you give us a little bit of time before so that we can file our injunction. We did not get that response from the governor general, or the minister and they went ahead in a kind of an ambush to get the process done to call the elections without redistricting. But, I am still hopeful that the judges are reviewing the situation and we will see what happens from there.”

Can Claimants Force Election Date Postponement?

So, can Enriquez and the other claimants get the High Court to postpone the elections? Enriquez says we’ll have to wait and see. However, he argues that if the election goes ahead without redistricting, the results would be fraudulent.

Jeremy Enriquez, Claimant

“In this case, in a sense when the prime minister said in his statement, something to the effect that we are a model democracy, that is a blatant lie. We are calling an election that is in violation of the constitution. The prime minister promised the beginning of this term that he is going to find ways to rectify that situation and we are going back with the same thing we are starting with, the status qou.”

Reporter

In your mind, what should be happening?

Jeremy Enriquez

“What I am grateful for is that people are more aware. A lot of people are not aware that they are being taken advantage of over and over. So hopefully more organizations, more people will register their opposition to this kind of fraudulent election and not participate. That is a tall order but what we also hope for is that we will continue this thought he court process even after the election.”

Reporter

So do you have any hope of forcing the government to postpone the election based on the lack of redistricting.

Jeremy Enriquez

“This is unfolding moment by moment and we are waiting to see what the judges say. I don’t want to preempt that so we will have to wait and see. The bottom line is that there has been no resolution to redistricting and we are entering an illegal election with all the gross, severe malapportionment of electoral divisions.”

Paul Lopez

What do you advise people to do?

Jeremy Enriquez

“I am not voting, so I am encouraging people not to vote. And if we have people in mass not to do that it could register our voice and what we feel about the election. Secondly, any observer of our electoral process, whether OAS, or Common Wealth, I want them to know already that they are coming to observe something fraudulent.”

Taegar-Panton Says Redistricting Can Be Held After Elections

Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton was more lenient with the government on redistricting. She emphasized that it’s crucial for fair play but hoped it could be tackled right after the March twelfth election. Panton mentioned she supported this effort even when she was part of the previous government.

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Representative, Albert

“We need to ensure that there is fair representation by all those who have a voice in terms of who are registered to vote. I don’t know which court, though, can fetter the power of the government. And so, I think it is unlikely, but I might be corrected that decision will take hold prior to this upcoming election on March 12th. It should have happened, and I’m really hoping that right after this election, that will be the first order of business for us to work on the redistricting exercise.”

“Shyne” Barrow Says Redistricting Is Necessary before Elections

Despite today’s injunction to stop the March twelfth election, Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow believes there’s still time for redistricting. He highlighted certain constituencies with glaring voter discrepancies, arguing it would be unfair to hold the elections before addressing these issues.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“When you have Fort George being merged with Caye Caulker that is atrocious, absolutely ridiculous. Belize Rural South should have been split in half, creating another constituency. Fort George should have been folded into Caribbean Shores because that is the entire best practice, requisite that constituencies that are contiguous with each other usually would form the new constituencies that were not followed. No best practices were followed.”

Shyne is Not Open to Mediation

Just a month before the general election, we asked Barrow if he’s open to mediation with Tracy Taegar-Panton and the Alliance for Democracy. On Monday, Taegar-Panton’s lawyer wrote to Barrow’s attorney requesting mediation between the U.D.P. factions. When we sat down with Barrow, he practically dismissed the question, insisting there are no factions in the U.D.P. Here’s how he responded.

Marion Ali

“Are you open to mediation now having heard the election, um, date being March 12th? Are you open to mending fences at any point?”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“I’m open to forming the next government and doing better for the Belizean people because they certainly deserve much better than they’ve gotten over the last four years. This is one of the worst governments ever, most disingenuous, dishonest, total betrayal of their policies and promises and we need to do better for the Belizean people.”

Marion Ali

“So no mediation with the faction you call or the group you call the Alliance for Democracy?”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“There is no faction in the U.D.P.”

Taegar-Panton Says Barrow Has Shown No Interest in Mediation

Taegar-Panton said Barrow’s refusal to accept the October twentieth convention results and his unwillingness to follow the court’s advice for mediation have stalled the process. The court suggested both sides work out their differences, but Barrow hasn’t shown any interest. This, according to Taegar-Panton, is what initially frustrated their efforts to resolve the issues.

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Representative, Albert

“I don’t think Shyne has ever expressed any interest in mediation. In fact, his attorney, some Dr. Malcolm out of Jamaica has said clearly that Shyne was dispensing with mediation. The court, the judge in this matter, Hondura strongly, in the strongest terms, recommended mediation. And not only that, when we had the convention on the 20th of October 2024, our commitment to the supporters of the United Democratic Party and to the delegates of the United Democratic Party is that we would have done everything we possibly could to unite the party, to find a way to come together, to settle our differences, if possible. They could be settled or to find somewhere where we could collaborate in the interest of this country. And at every opportunity, Shyne Barrow has said, “I have no interest in doing that.”

23-Year-Old Carpentry Teacher Murdered in Hope Creek

Police are investigating the death of a twenty-three-year-old teacher in Hope Creek Village. On Monday night, they found Simon Arana Junior’s lifeless body at his home. Initial reports suggest he was socializing when gunshots rang out, leading to his tragic death. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Today, the home of twenty-three-year-old Simon Arana is empty and silent. Just yesterday, he was relaxing here after work. Tragically, it was his last evening at home. Just before 8:30 p.m., police responded to gunshots and found Arana’s lifeless body. He lived alone in a small house in Hope Creek. Neighbors describe him as reserved but friendly and easy-going. The Stann Creek Technical and Vocational Institution, where Arana taught carpentry, was also unusually quiet today. Classes were dismissed early out of respect for him, and a small ceremony was held to recognize his contributions. At the entrance of the campus sits a chair he built, a testament to his hard work and dedication. Police are still investigating and have not yet made any arrests.

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Staff Walks Out of Magistrates’ Court Building Due to Mold Infestation

This afternoon, employees of the Belize City Magistrate’s Court staged a mass walkout from the Coney Drive building. They’ve repeatedly complained to the Chief Magistrate about their poor working conditions. The building is mold-infested, and staff members are falling ill. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with the story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

This afternoon, administrative work at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court came to a standstill as staff members walked out of the building, leaving their posts. For weeks, staff have been voicing their concerns about the poor working conditions. The building is infested with mold, and the lack of proper ventilation has been making people sick.

Voice of: Employee, Belize Magistrate’s Court

“We currently have a mold problem and our staff, everybody di complain bout the same issue: headache, migraine, chest pain. We just decided that we just wah walk out and mek dehn decide weh dehn need fi do because people di get sick and when we noh cohn da work, we short ah staff, everybody haffi di tek up each other work and stuff. Soh dehn need fi figure it out.”

The ground floor of this concrete building hosts several courtrooms, including the Chief Magistrate’s bench. When we arrived, many staff members were outside under a tent, and the lower courts’ work had been suspended. The ceiling throughout the building is covered in fungus.

Isani Cayetano

“Has this been something that has been brought to the attention of those responsible for the building?”

Voice of: Employee

“It has. They have said that they’re trying to work on it but nothing so far. So we just decide as a staff dat we need fi do actions fi mek dehn decide weh dehn wah do now and noh wait til no further action and noh di give us no small solutions.”

To address the issue, the property owner has patched parts of the ceiling with sheetrock, but the fungus keeps growing and spreading indoors. The recurring problem is likely due to condensation.

Voice of: Employee, Belize Magistrate’s Court

“Everybody di get sick and nothing noh di get done. If you know that you di get sick too and you noh di do nothing fi stop it then what? We cyant do no temporary solution. We need wah big solution now because da everybody di complain now. When di little people dehn mi di complain bout it, nothing neva really mi di get now soh everybody di complain now. So we need fi tek action.

Isani Cayetano

“How does this affect the work of the magistracy, though, the lower courts? I know that on a day-to-day basis you have people who come through this building on criminal matters. Now that you’re all outside of work, how does this create a bottleneck or how does this stop the workflow?”

Voice of: Employee

“Well, we da di head. We open through corona. We service the public as best as possible. People cohn pay and we collect government funds and the court haffi open up to criminal matters, civil, traffic. So if we noh di work then how di people and di public dehn wahn get assisted? How di government wahn collect dehn funds?”

Mold in damp buildings can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, respiratory infections, and can worsen asthma and allergies. Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Sashawna Thompson is Resident Magistrate for Toledo

Magistrate Sashawna Jody-Ann Thompson, originally from Jamaica and now the Resident Magistrate for the Toledo District, was called to the Belize Bar of Attorneys for the High Court on February 7, 2025. She earned her Bachelor of Law from the University of the West Indies (Mona) in 2018 and her Legal Education Certificate from the Norman Manley Law School in 2020. Thompson has been an accomplished Defense Attorney in Jamaica since 2021 and has worked with the Magistracy for three years. Now, she’s qualified as an attorney in two jurisdictions, all before turning 30. She was called to the bar by Honorable Madam Justice Martha Alexander, with Senior Counsel Philip Zuniga assisting. In her five years of legal practice, Magistrate Thompson has dedicated herself to the legal community. She’s trained in court-annexed criminal mediation, first responder protocols, and digital forensics on criminology from UNODC Spain, among other achievements. Thompson gives back to the Toledo District through philanthropic work, including motivational speeches at schools, lectures for teachers and students, and sensitization programs on constitutional rights with non-profits. Beyond her legal work, Thompson is deeply involved in the creative arts, including acting, performative poetry, writing, and directing. Her poetry often explores the human condition, social issues, and women’s empowerment. She continues to work with citizens and stakeholders to inform, protect, and promote justice in Belize.

Accused Rapist Acquitted Two Years Later

In October 2022, a 17-year-old high school student claimed she was raped after a night out at Eruption Night Club. She reported to the police that she was found partially clothed in an abandoned vehicle near the club. Michael Flowers, 27, was charged with the crime. However, after spending a night in lockup for being late to court, Flowers was freed this morning. The case against him was dropped because the main witness, the victim, did not want to testify. Flowers had been dealing with this serious charge for over two years. He was initially granted $10,000 bail and was set to stand trial on February 10, 2025. But when he showed up late, he was remanded overnight. Today, he was relieved to hear the case was discontinued. Police investigations revealed that the victim had attended a wake and then went to the club, where she lost consciousness. She woke up in a vehicle, wearing only her underwear. A neighbor had seen a man and a woman walking on the highway and recognized the man as Michael Flowers. A medical exam confirmed the assault, leading to Flowers’ charge. Conviction for rape can result in a minimum of 8 years to life imprisonment. Flowers was represented by attorney Ronell Gonzalez.