Prime Minister John Briceño has officially announced that Belizeans will head to the polls on March 12, 2025, seeking a renewed mandate for the People’s United Party (PUP). The announcement follows the dissolution of the National Assembly, which was advised by the Prime Minister earlier today.
Nomination Day for candidates across Belize’s 31 constituencies has been set for February 24, 2025.
Briceño recalled the state of the country four years ago, describing it as virtually bankrupt, with public sector wages frozen, high unemployment, and a shrinking economy. He credited his government’s leadership for turning the situation around, stating that Belizeans are now working, earning higher wages, and benefiting from economic expansion driven by private sector investment and responsible public spending.
“With this sterling report card in hand, and after careful reflection and prayer, I have decided to deliver. That now is an appropriate time to seek from you a renewal of our electoral mandate.”
He urged all Belizeans to exercise their right to vote and to consider key factors such as performance, stability, and leadership readiness when making their decision.
“Election Day is your chance, a chance to be cherished, where in free and fair elections, you choose the person and the party that can best represent your interests.”
Prime Minister John Briceño has confirmed to News Five that this year’s general elections will be held on March 12th. Briceño said that he just left the Governor General’s house where he has instructed the GG to dissolve parliament.
With the United Democratic Party (UDP) facing internal challenges and the People’s United Party (PUP) riding a wave of relative stability, the timing seems ripe for a significant political showdown.
The call for elections comes amid ongoing debates about the need for redistricting. The Belize Peace Movement (BPM) and other advocacy groups have been vocal about the constitutional requirement for redistricting before any new elections. This legal challenge could potentially delay the election process, but the Prime Minister will proceed regardless.
Last week, the law firm Courtenay Coye, representing the Government of Belize, responded to a letter from Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan. Writing on behalf of his clients, including Jeremy Enriquez, Ramlogan requested that the government provide at least five days’ notice before announcing the date of the general election.
In its response, Courtenay Coye acknowledged receipt of Ramlogan’s letter, dated February 6, 2025, which was received via email at 10:14 p.m. The firm noted that Ramlogan had demanded a commitment from the prime minister by 4 p.m. on Friday. However, as the House of Representatives was in session, Courtenay Coye stated it was not possible to consult with their client and provide a response within the short timeframe given. They cited the Pre-Action Protocols Practice Direction and indicated that a more detailed response would be issued by Monday. In reply, Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan reaffirmed the necessity of a clear commitment from the Attorney General of Belize. While Courtenay Coye clarified that the Briceño administration would not announce the election date on Friday, Ramlogan stressed that the Attorney General should provide written notice to the claimants’ attorney at least five days before any decision to dissolve Parliament and set an election date, as mandated by the Constitution. Courtenay dismissed demands for a legal undertaking regarding redistricting, asserting that the Government of Belize has complied with the 2022 Consent Order. In a letter to attorney Ramlogan, Courtenay maintained that the National Assembly had already considered redistricting proposals, fulfilling the government’s constitutional obligations. “Your clients’ intended claim is wholly misconceived. The government has and continues to comply with its constitutional obligations. We are therefore instructed to indicate that the Prime Minister declines your request for an undertaking,” Courtenay stated.
News Five has learnt that Ramlogan plans to slap the government with an injunction following the announcement.
Prime Minister Briceño has indicated that this election will be his last if his administration secures another term.
Political analysts suggest that the PUP is in a strong position to win the upcoming elections, given the UDP’s internal divisions and leadership struggles.
Tonight, a family in Teakettle Village is mourning and the community is in shock after a tragic murder early Sunday morning. Forty-eight-year-old Santiago Rajo was fatally shot while trying to protect his brother, Tomas Rajo, from home invaders. According to the family, the robbers broke into Tomas’ home, attacked him and his family, and then fled on his motorcycle. Just moments after their escape, Santiago was shot and killed. News Five’s Britney Gordon brings us the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
In the early hours of Sunday morning, Tomas Rajo got out of bed to use the bathroom when he was suddenly hit on the back of his head and attacked. It was then that he realized, to his horror, that his home had been broken into.
Thomas Rajo
Thomas Rajo, Brother of Deceased
“Three guys dressed in black arrived at my house, completely covering their faces. At that moment I had gotten up to use the bathoom outside around 1:30 in the morning when they were passing near or in front of my house. And when I realised, they had already grabbed me from behind, threatened me with a gun, and hit me on my back. Then my wife came out, and one of them grabbed her, took her into the dark, manhandled her, and threw her to the ground; they kicked her. One of them, the one who did that, also tried to abuse her; that’s what she told me after the men left.”
The intruders demanded valuables like cellphones and money. When Tomas’ son told them they had nothing valuable to give, the men started attacking them. The situation escalated dramatically when one of the intruders pointed a loaded gun at Tomas’ head.
Tomas Rajo
“They kicked me, threw me to the ground, and kicked me. And my son, crying, begging, told them not to kill me, not to continue hitting me, because I wasn’t doing anything to them; we didn’t owe them anything. And one of them, well, I think he took pity, I don’t know, and told the one who was hitting me and who threatened me and hit me with a gun, I think it was a nine milemeter. And then he checked it and put it in my head that he was going to shoot me, and one of them told him to calm down. Relax, relax, were the other’s words, and he told them to leave. The guy who had me against the ground, well, he kind of reacted at that moment and stopped hitting me. And then they went outside and took the motorcycle that I had stored in a ranch.”
After the intruders fled, Tomas hurried to his brother’s house, already alerted by his wife. The brothers began combing the area to see if the intruders were still around. Santiago was somehow spotted by the men and fatally shot just a few feet from his home. According to Santiago’s wife, Rosa Rajo, she heard two gunshots but didn’t realize her husband had been the one shot.
Rosa Rajo
Rosa Rajo, Wife of Deceased
“He got up and he went outside. His brother came running by and said, They gone through this road. He said, call. But I did not hear what name he said, call. The next thing I knew that, I came inside looking for my phone. To see if I could get any image from a noise from a motorcycle behind my yard but as I was putting on the wi-fi on my phone I just heard it to one shot and I heard somebody was groaning so I ran out there thinking it was my brother in law, but when I reached here it was my husband.”
Several family members and village residents say crime has been increasing lately, but they claim the police have done little to stop it. Rajo points out that the nearest police station is in Roaring Creek. ACP Hilberto Romero says several men known to the police have been detained.
“ On Sunday, the nineteenth of February, 2025, police responded to a shooting incident at Tea Kettle Village. Upon arrival, they found the lifeless body of Santiago Rajo with gunshot injuries. Information received is that three male persons arrived at the house Of Tomas Rajo and asked for the key for his motorcycle, and he mentioned to them that he did not have any key thereafter, he was hit on the face. The male person then got on the motorcycle and they rode off, at which point Tomas Rajo car looked for his brother. Santiago Rajo came out of the house and at that point, one of the mere persons only motorcycle shot him several times. We have several persons in custody for this investigation”
This tragic event has touched more than just Santiago’s immediate family. Rosa shares that Santiago was a devout man who dedicated his life to the church and the community. When he wasn’t working cutting grass, he was either at church or spending time with his family. His loss is deeply felt by everyone who knew him.
Rosa Roja
“He was the first elder of the Seventh day Adventist church here in Arizona. And we have been working here for a few years. He has been known to the villagers as a good person because he always out there helping in whatever form he could”
Santiago had lived in Teakettle with his family for over twenty-one years, serving God and providing for them. Tomas says he plans to spend the rest of his life honoring his brother’s legacy. Santiago’s dedication to his faith and family left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.
Tomas Rajo
“My brother was something exemplary for me. He always encouraged me and supported me. It was he who brought me to this country of Belize. 15 years ago I stayed here. And it was with his support that I have been here, and we really get along very well. “And in cases like this, well, what we are going through right now, it is something sad, regrettable, but we leave the rest to God so that He is the one in charge of doing justice to each one of them who did that to my brother.”
Last Friday in Ladyville, Gerald Sutherland was shot on Perez Road. Unfortunately, the police have no leads to catch the shooter. Sutherland told the police he realized he was shot while walking but couldn’t identify who did it.
“On Friday, the seventh day of February 2025, police responded to a shooting on Perez Road in Ladyville. Upon their arrival, they learned that a male person had been taken to the KHMH. They visited the K.H.M.H where they found Gerald Sutherland with gunshot injuries. He reported that he was walking on Perez Road when he heard several shots coming from an area near some bushes. He could not see who shot him. He is listed in a stable condition at the K.H.M.H at this time.”
Reporter
“And he has no idea why somebody would want to…”
A.C.P Hilberto Romero
“No, he said he has no idea why someone wanted to shoot him.”
Earlier today, residents in Lake Independence captured a disturbing incident involving a masked man wielding a knife. In the first video, a Special Patrol Unit officer confronts the man, shoving him in the neck and causing him to fall into a nearby drain. The officer then gets into a police vehicle, while the masked man chases after it with an object in hand. In another video, the man appears at the Mahogany Street Precinct with a knife, swinging at a flagpole before entering the building. A police officer in civilian clothes approaches from behind and strikes him on the arm with a baton, after which a team of officers subdues him. The cause of the incident remains unclear.
Will the date for the general election finally be announced tomorrow? During today’s Special Sitting of the Upper House, Lead Opposition Senator Mike Peyrefitte hinted that Prime Minister John Briceño might make an announcement soon. This comes as letters are being filed about the long-delayed redistricting exercise. Peyrefitte’s comment followed the government’s move to borrow one hundred million ahead of the general election.
Mike Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator
“There are certain things you just shouldn’t do, you know, Madame President. You don’t come to the National Assembly one month before an election and ask the National Assembly… oh it will be announced tomorrow. You didn’t hear? You’ll catch up, you’ll catch up. You don’t come here at the end of your term to borrow a hundred and six million Belize dollars. No man, we don’t know if the Belizean people will validate the mandate they gave you in 2020. You don’t have any right to borrow in the name of the Belizean people if it’s something that can wait, since there is a difference between disbursement and borrowing. It’s 101, not 2.0, and, Madame President, you wait to get the blessing of the Belizean people that believed in you, for you to have the right to borrow another hundred and six million dollars. Quite frankly, Madame President, the people don’t see it and all these order papers given by Senator Courtenay. Ih sound good, but we don’t believe.”
Tracy Taegar-Panton and the Alliance for Democracy have reached out to Moses Shyne Barrow’s attorney, Christopher Malcolm, expressing their willingness to mediate. In the letter, Arnold and Company, representing their client, outlined steps to ensure effective mediation as soon as possible, suggesting Thursday, February 13th, for the session. They also recommended that neither party make public comments, whether on social media or to the press, about the High Court proceedings or leadership status during this period. They proposed that both parties announce their intention to mediate and refrain from further comments until mediation is complete. Panton’s attorney has also requested that the court hearing scheduled for Friday be postponed while mediation is underway. Stay tuned for updates.
On Saturday, around thirty members of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union staged a brief walk-out and protest on the hospital grounds. They’re calling on the government to bring back a pension scheme for them, like what other public health workers have. News Five has learned that the union members plan to give up their lunch break on Wednesday for another protest. This comes ahead of a meeting between Ministry of Health employees and union leaders. During Saturday’s protest, Union President Andrew Baird told reporters they’re fed up with talking about the same issue. News Five’s Marion Ali reports.
Andrew Baird
Andrew Baird, President, K.H.M.H. Workers Union
“We don’t have to sit down and dialogue. All the Prime Minister has to do is the stroke of a pen. So, put me back in our pension scheme, that government, the free pension that the public officers receive. We are public officers by the virtue of what we do. While our colleagues in the other hospital are receiving a nice pension, the employees in the other public hospital, the employees of the only National Referral Center are without a pension. So the government is to come to the table or else we will have to take the necessary step. We are not going to back down until we get our pension.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
On Saturday, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Workers Union, led by President Andrew Baird, issued a press release demanding the government set up a pension scheme for hospital employees. The release explains that since K.H.M.H became an authority, its workers have made the same sacrifices as other public sector employees but still face uncertainty about their retirement. It highlights a Provident Fund for employees hired from January 1, 2018, but notes that those who have served for over twenty years have no retirement plan. The last pension negotiation meeting was in October 2023, with no meaningful progress despite repeated efforts. Now, the employees are insisting their pension concerns be addressed.
Member
Member, K.H.M.H Workers Union
“I just want my pension all the way to the hotel today like Mr. Baird said. I just need my pension, you know. I just want my pension, I think, just that. How much, how much does it mean for you, you are not 20 years old? Well, I got asthma, all of that. I have a health problem and I still live with all of that. Many days of work, I think. You know, all the way there. So we, we do know we don’t have problems. I think we need a pension. That’s what I got to say. We don’t work for it, you know? We deserve it. We want our pension now! Today! Before election! What do we want? Pension! When do we want it? Now!”
Lydia Blake shares that she’s been braving the challenges as a healthcare worker at K.H.M.H since 2013.
Lydia Blake
Lydia Blake, Member, K.H.M.H Workers Union
“ I have served in the government. My pension is there waiting for me when I’m 55. Two more years, Jules. But if I stay with Kush, I could work till I 62 and I get an next pension because the Prime Minister believes when I went to a meeting with him in December of 2021. 2020 even remember the a o he promised us after. We don’t put everything, all the things on paper there. Yes, you guys deserve a pension. Uno, go get the numbers, I’ll find the money. It’s 2025. And we still not reach our table for sign.”
News Five understands that a meeting is scheduled for the union leaders and representatives of the Ministry of Health but that the union plans to hold another protest on Wednesday at midday. Marion Ali for News Five.
The controversial appointment of Maria Rodriguez as Belize’s next auditor general was a hot topic at today’s senate meeting. The debate, which started during Friday’s House of Representatives session, continued with Senator Glenfield Dennison bringing it up in the upper house.
Glenfield Dennison
Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator
“I have absolutely no point of reference for Maria Anelle Rodriguez. I was not furnished with her resume, I was not furnished with her qualifications. I was not furnished with anything other than my little Google searches on who she was. I was also unaware and still remain so unaware as to the qualifications of any other applicants. I note that the motion seeks to appoint Ms. Rodriguez until the age of sixty-five. What I am sure of, Madame President, is that any change to the constitution could not have affected her tenure if we would pass this motion. So if it is as a country we are looking at how these offices are to work with one another and the selection process is to go, then I want to respectfully suggest that we look at a sort of model where we could possibly look at appointing her in a longer tenured period than we had suggested four months at the last time, but something that would not tie the people of Belize to an auditor general who we don’t know, who I don’t know anything about for twenty-three years.”
Business Senator Kevin Herrera, a certified public accountant, joined the debate on Rodriguez’s appointment. He questioned whether Rodriguez had taken and passed the same exams he had to become qualified.
Kevin Herrera, Business Senator
“I studied accounting, I did the CPA and when you are practicing, there are certain criteria that you have to meet. There are certain exams that you have to pass, and I see, in terms of the ad for the auditor general, these things listed but I am not sure if the current Ms. Rodriguez, I believe, Ms. Rodriguez. I don’t know if we held, if we maintained that demand that the person who we’re selecting has those qualifications. Sometimes, perhaps the system is not designed to work because the accountant general is supposed to report to the financial secretary and the financial secretary reports to the Minister of Finance. But who’s holding the accountant general accountable and keeping her on track with respect to the submission of these reports? This is a direct function of the executive and they’ve failed and they’ve been failing since independence on it, and no one has corrected it. There seems to be very little interest in this aspect of it, Madame President, and again we keep on with all the flurries and election is coming and everybody will be beating their chest about how many roads they are building, but nobody is checking about whether we’re getting value for money and how these things are being audited. But everybody feels so proud.”
