Month: February 2025

Governor-General Proclaims March 12 as General Election Date

Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam has officially proclaimed Wednesday, March 12, 2025, as the date for Belize’s general elections, following the dissolution of the National Assembly on February 11, 2025.

The proclamation, issued under Section 85(1) of the Belize Constitution, grants the Governor-General the authority to set an election date within three months of Parliament’s dissolution, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister. In accordance with this provision, Belizeans will now head to the polls on March 12 to elect a new House of Representatives.

The announcement officially sets the stage for an intense campaign season, with political parties mobilising their supporters and finalising their strategies ahead of Nomination Day on February 24, 2025.

Voter Cut-Off Date Confirmed for March 12 General Election

The Elections and Boundaries Department has officially announced that the cut-off date for voter eligibility in the upcoming March 12, 2025, General Election was January 10, 2025. This means that only individuals whose names appeared on the electoral register as of Nomination Day, February 24, 2025, will be allowed to vote.

The department clarified that the cut-off date is necessary to ensure all applications undergo the required verification process, which includes the publication of supplementary lists and the revision court process mandated by law. Individuals who applied for voter registration after January 10, 2025, will not be eligible to participate in the upcoming election.

Additionally, the department is urging individuals who registered since July 2, 2018, but have not yet collected their voter identification cards, to do so as soon as possible.

Related Articles:

It’s Confirmed: General Election is March 12th

PM Briceño Calls General Elections for March 12, 2025

UDP Challenges Election and Boundaries Commission Over Ballot Controversy

Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout

Legal Challenge Filed to Halt General Elections Over Lack of Redistricting

 

 

 

We Walk As One Founder Slams Faber’s Remarks on Gabriel’s Tragedy

Brian Guardado, founder of the We Walk As One Foundation, has strongly criticised Patrick Faber for his remarks in the House of Representatives following the tragic death of Gabriel Orellano, a child with special needs who drowned in Belize City.

In a statement, Guardado expressed disappointment over Faber’s dismissive comments regarding the public’s decision to wear blue in support of Gabriel’s cause. He said that every small act of awareness matters and should be encouraged, not ridiculed.

He called out Faber’s tenure as Minister of Education, questioning what real efforts were made to support children with autism and improve institutions like Stella Maris School. “The question that we must all ask ourselves is this: Had the Ministry of Education, under his leadership or any other leadership, addressed the needs of children with autism in a meaningful way, could this tragedy have been prevented? Our children deserve more than rhetoric; they deserve action.”

Before his speech, Faber asked the House for a minute of silence in Gabriel’s memory. He addressed the growing concerns over child safety and school attendance, noting the complex social challenges that contribute to the issue. He noted that while the Ministry of Education is responsible for ensuring children remain in school, the task is far from simple.

Faber acknowledged the School Warden Program, crediting Cordel Hyde for its introduction and affirming that it had been supported throughout the UDP’s 13 years in government. He also pointed to efforts by school management to secure campuses with fences and deploy truancy officers or school liaison officers, tasked with monitoring absentee students and engaging with parents.

However, Faber pushed back against the notion that addressing truancy is a straightforward matter, noting that many parents struggle with economic hardships and multiple dependents. Arresting parents for failing to send their children to school, he argued, could further destabilise families, leaving other children without a guardian.

While recognising recent stakeholder discussions on improving attendance, Faber stressed that systemic issues need to be tackled to create a truly safe and supportive educational environment for Belizean children.

Baby Ishmael Needs Your Help for Life-Saving Surgery

5-month-old baby Ishmael Villamil is in need of your help so that he can undergo a life-saving surgery. Born prematurely at just 28 weeks on September 11, 2024, baby Ishmael weighed only 2 pounds, 2 ounces.

His early birth caused complications, including underdeveloped lungs and hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain, leading to pressure and potential brain damage. In November 2024, baby Ishmael underwent surgery to place a shunt to drain the fluid building in his brain.

Today, baby Ishmael turned exactly 5 months, and his parents, Jennifer Larios and Eusebio Villamil, are once again in a very difficult position. Jennifer told us that only one month after the first surgery, baby Ishmael’s head started growing again. She said, “I sent a video to the doctor that did the surgery on him, and he told me to bring in the baby.”

She added that after the doctor’s assessment, it was revealed that the “shunt isn’t working anymore. They also realised that my son has a complication with his lungs, once again.”

Doctors have given Ishmael less than a year to live, but Jennifer and Alberto have chosen to fight for their precious baby. “He’s 5 months, and he’s so tiny for his age, but we see him fighting so much that we had like four doctors holding him down just to find an IV,” Jennifer said.

“The doctors, they realised how strong he is and how he wants to fight,” she added. “If he doesn’t want to give up, why should we—why should I as a mom give up on him?”

Jennifer and Eusebio are now trying to raise at least $12,000 for a second surgery that could give baby Ishmael a fighting chance. This time around, the surgery would be to fix the shunt “and place it the way to where it belongs so it can function the way it should,” Jennifer added.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep him here with us,” she said.

Anyone who would like to help baby Ishmael can make donations to the following bank accounts:

Belize Bank, Eusebio Alberto Villamil, account number: 255 502 010 160000

Belize Bank, Jennifer Lizeth Larios, account number 246 491 010 160000

Ishmael’s mother can be contacted directly at 630-4946. 

Mould Infestation at Lower Courts Disrupts Operations; Staff Demand Immediate Action

A serious mould infestation at the Lower Courts building in Belize City has led to health issues among staff, forcing employees to take drastic action in demanding a permanent solution. Workers have reported suffering from kidney problems, migraines, and chest pains, all of which they attribute to prolonged exposure to the mould.

One worker told News Five, “We currently have a mould problem, and our staff, everybody, complain about the same issue. Kidney, migraine, chest pain. So, we just decided that we will just walk out and make them decide what they need to do because people get sick. When we don’t come to work, we become short of staff. Everybody has to pick up each other’s work and stuff. So, they need to figure it out.”

Despite repeated complaints, they say no effective measures have been taken to resolve the problem. “They have said that they’re trying to work on it, but it’s nothing so far. So, we just decide as a staff that we need to take action to make them decide what they will do now. Don’t give us no small solutions. We need a big solution to fix the problem right away.”

According to the employee, the mould infestation has significantly impacted daily court operations, which handle criminal, civil, and traffic matters and collect government revenue.

With court staff unable to work in the building, public services have been disrupted, creating delays and inefficiencies in the judicial system. “If we don’t work, how will the public get assistance? How will the government collect its funds?” the employee questioned.

The staff, estimated at around 30 to 40 employees, has now reached a breaking point, insisting that authorities take immediate and decisive action. They warn that failing to address the problem could further affect court operations, delaying justice and services for the public.

Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal Established to Address Port of Belize Dispute

The government has officially constituted the Essential Services Arbitration Tribunal to address an ongoing industrial dispute between the Christian Workers Union (CWU) and Port of Belize Limited (PBL).

The tribunal was formed following a January 31, 2025 letter from the CWU, which invoked a 21-day notice of industrial action in accordance with the Settlement of Disputes in Essential Services Act, Chapter 298 of Belizean law. In response, on February 3, 2025, the Minister of Labour referred the matter to arbitration before the notice period expired, ensuring that the dispute is handled through legal mediation.

Tribunal Members

The appointed tribunal members include:
🔹 William Lindo – Chairman (Minister’s nominee)
🔹Carlos Magana – Minister’s nominee
🔹Arturo Lizarraga – Minister’s nominee
🔹Marcello Blake – Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry nominee
🔹Clifford Martinez – National Trade Union Congress of Belize nominee

The tribunal’s primary role is to facilitate fair resolutions to trade disputes while maintaining industrial harmony. The ministry has called on both the CWU and PBL to engage constructively with the tribunal to reach a mutually beneficial settlement.

Under Chapter 298 of the Act, no industrial action is permitted while the matter is under tribunal review.

Legal Challenge Filed to Halt General Elections Over Lack of Redistricting

A legal injunction to halt the upcoming general elections, citing the absence of a constitutionally mandated redistricting exercise, has been filed.

The claimants argue that proceeding with the elections without redrawing electoral boundaries violates the principle of equal representation. They contend that significant disparities in constituency sizes undermine the democratic process. The government maintains that it has fulfilled its constitutional obligations by presenting redistricting proposals to the National Assembly.

The legal challenge seeks to ensure that the redistricting process is completed before any general elections are conducted.

In a press release, Jeremy Enriquez, the claimant said, “Following yesterday evening’s refusal of our request, we immediately filed an application for an injunction to restrain the Prime Minister from calling elections until the electoral boundaries are redrawn in compliance with Section 90 of the Constitution. Since then, we have been anxiously awaiting an emergency hearing from the Honourable Chief Justice and the Registrar, to grant us an emergency hearing this morning to allow us the opportunity to be heard by the Court in the public interest. Despite this pending legal action, the Prime Minister has proceeded to dissolve Parliament and announce that general elections will occur on March 12, 2025. This action appears to be a calculated attempt to
preempt judicial review, circumvent due process, and undermine the rule of law. Such a maneuver raises serious concerns regarding constitutional integrity and the fundamental right of all Belizeans to participate in free and fair elections.”

 

 

 

Police Investigate Fatal Shooting in Hope Creek

Police have launched an investigation into the shooting death of 23-year-old Simon Francis Arana Jr., a Belizean teacher, in Hope Creek Village.

Authorities responded to reports of gunfire around 8:25 p.m. on Monday. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered Arana’s motionless body inside a residence.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Arana was socialising at the home when gunshots rang out, fatally wounding him. He was later identified as the carpentry instructor at ITVET Dangriga.

Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout

Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout – Channel 5 Gears Up for Unmatched Election Coverage

The countdown to Belize’s general elections on March 12, 2025, has officially begun, and Channel 5 Belize is set to deliver comprehensive, in-depth, and engaging coverage before, during, and after the polls.

With the theme “Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout,” our election programming will provide exclusive insights, expert analysis, and voter perspectives as the nation prepares to decide its future.

What to Expect from Channel 5’s Election Coverage?

🔹 Pre-Election Features – Leading up to March 12, we will explore the key issues shaping this election, from the economy and governance to social policies and national security. Expect in-depth interviews with candidates, analysis of campaign promises, and on-the-ground reports from constituencies across the country.

🔹 Voter Perspectives – What matters most to Belizeans heading to the polls? Our coverage will gauge voter sentiment, featuring perspectives from first-time voters, community leaders, and everyday Belizeans on the streets.

🔹 Expert Commentary & Unique Angles – Political analysts, former leaders, and policy experts will break down the strategies, debates, and developments, helping viewers and readers understand the stakes of Decision 2025.

🔹 Election Day Live Updates – As Belizeans cast their ballots, Channel 5 will provide real-time updates, on-the-ground reports from polling stations, and early voter turnout trends.

🔹 Results & Post-Election Breakdown – Whether it’s a landslide victory or a tightly contested race, we’ll deliver accurate, up-to-the-minute results and an in-depth analysis of the political landscape moving forward.

Decision 2025 will be one of the most pivotal elections in Belize’s history. Will it be a “Blowout” victory for one party or a “Show Out” moment for the other party to demand change? Stay tuned to Channel 5 Belize for the most trusted election coverage.

📡 Follow us on all platforms for updates and live coverage! #Decision2025 #BelizeVotes #BlowOutOrShowOut

UDP Challenges Election and Boundaries Commission Over Ballot Controversy

The legal team representing Leader of the Opposition Moses “Shyne” Barrow and key members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) has formally written to the Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC), demanding a public clarification regarding recent reports about ballot designations for the upcoming 2025 general elections.

The letter, dated February 10, 2025, was sent by attorney Christopher P. Malcolm on behalf of Barrow, Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, Shary Medina, and other senior party members. It challenges claims made in a Hot Off the Press article, which suggested that the EBC had recognised two factions of the UDP and would allow both to use the traditional red party colour on official ballots. The report framed this as a victory for Tracy Taegar Panton, whom Barrow’s camp has contested as an illegitimate claimant to UDP leadership.

According to Malcolm, such a decision would be beyond the constitutional powers of the EBC and could influence ongoing court proceedings. He reminded the Commission that the High Court is set to rule on Panton’s UDP membership status on March 31, 2025, and urged the EBC to refrain from interfering in the party’s internal dispute.

While Malcolm noted that he does not believe the EBC has taken the actions described in the article, he called for an immediate public clarification to avoid misleading the public and maintain confidence in the electoral process. He warned that allowing misinformation to spread could undermine democracy and bring the EBC into disrepute.

The UDP legal team has requested a response from the Commission without delay. The issue underscores the high political stakes surrounding the upcoming elections and the internal divisions within the UDP.

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