Hugo Patt continues to serve as the Deputy Party Leader of the United Democratic Party. We spoke with him about Barrow’s resignation letter, which named him as the interim party leader. He also shared his thoughts on why he decided to support Panton as the new party leader. Here’s what he had to say.
Hugo Patt, Deputy Party Leader, U.D.P.
“As far as I am concerned we only have one leader and we move forward from there. The U.D.P is untied under the leadership of the honorable Tracy Panton and from there we move on.”
Reporter
“And there can be no pressure in your view now. The election decided.”
Hugo Patt
“The people spoke and the message as clear, we need to unify and that unification will only happen under the leadership of honorable Tracy Panton.”
Paul Lopez
“Was your decision primarily based on the fact that Mr. Barrow lost his constituency?”
Hugo Patt
“My decision was based on unification, we need a united UDP and that is what we got today.”
Reporter
“Do you regret the choices you made to support Shyne?”
Hugo Patt
“The elections actually decided everything. That chapter has closed, that book has closed. We are starting a new one and together we move forward.”
Earlier today, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) congratulated Tracy Taegar-Panton on making history as the first woman to become the Leader of the Opposition in Belize. The NTUCB’s statement continued with, quote, this monumental achievement marks a significant milestone in the nation’s political landscape, as Hon. Panton breaks the proverbial “glass ceiling” and sets a powerful precedent for women in Belize. Her rise to this prestigious position is a testament to her dedication, unwavering determination, and commitment to serving the people of Belize, end quote.
Aurelio Martinez, a name synonymous with Paranda music, has left an indelible mark on Garifuna culture. With his soulful melodies and expressive lyrics, Martinez has not only preserved but also elevated the rich traditions of the Garifuna people. From the vibrant rhythms of his acoustic guitar to the heartfelt stories woven into his songs, Aurelio’s music transcends borders, resonating with audiences worldwide. His collaborations with fellow Garifuna legends like Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor, along with his partnership with Stone Tree Records, have brought international recognition to this unique genre. In tonight’s special edition of Kolcha Tuesday, we examine the legacy of Aurelio Martinez, a true cultural ambassador whose contributions will forever inspire and uplift the Garifuna community.
Aurelio Martinez
Aurelio Martinez, Garifuna Artist
“So Garifuna music is a special music. This culture comes from a special mix with African people and Arawak Indians on a Caribbean island, St. Vincent. From this mix comes a new culture, Garifuna culture, Garifuna community. It was declared by UNESCO as an intangible patrimony of humanity.”
The soulful sounds of acoustic guitars, maracas, Garifuna drums, and other percussion instruments are the signature elements of Aurelio Martinez’s Paranda music. These instruments are the heart and soul of his craft, defining the unique and captivating rhythms that have made him a celebrated artist.
Ivan Duran
Ivan Duran, Producer, Stone Tree Records
“It’s indescribable… He is there and I really commend him because he is the most professional Garifuna artist I’ve ever had the privilege to work with. He is the most complete, and again, if he were to stop making music tomorrow, he would still be one of the greatest and it’s because at the human level what Aurelio represents is something that doesn’t happen very often.”
Paranda is a genre that fuses traditional Garifuna rhythms with Latin and Spanish influences, crafting a unique sound that’s both rhythmic and melodic. Andy Palacio, Paul Nabor, and Aurelio Martinez are among the standout artists who have catapulted Paranda music to international fame, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and fascinating storytelling traditions.
Ivan Duran
“Music has no borders like Yalifu, the pelican song that Aurelio wrote. Music has no borders and people have no borders, feelings have no borders and if you make music that touches you, that’s all we care [about].”
Aurelio wasn’t just a leading figure in Garifuna music; he was also a prominent artist across Latin America. In 2017, he teamed up with Stone Tree Records to release Darandi, Garifuna for thirty, celebrating three decades of Paranda. His best and most personal songs on the compilation album were Dugu and Naguya Nei, in honor of Andy Palacio and Paul Nabor.
Aurelio Martinez, Garifuna Artist
“I introduced this special song as a tribute to my good friend who passed away, my first friend from Belize, Andy Palacio. And the other one Naguya Nei because Paul Nabor, for me, was my grandpa, my dad, and Naguya Nei was very easy for other people around the world to repeat, “Lau ba la banda habunana.” In Japan, the UK, a few days ago in Australia, I made people sing the song easily, and people started to sing with me everywhere.”
Paranda music often delves into social commentary and the struggles faced by the Garifuna community, with lyrics that weave heartfelt stories and convey deep emotions. Unlike the upbeat rhythms of Punta, Paranda is known for its slower pace, soulful melodies, and reflective themes.
Ivan Duran
“This sound belongs to a group of dedicated people, both in the studio and on the stage, who have committed their lives and feel a pride for each note, and each sound, and each effect, and each image that it’s indescribable.”
The National Evangelical Association of Belize has conveyed a congratulatory message to Prime Minister John Briceño and the P.U.P. on their election victory. NEAB also extends its congratulations to the new Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Taegar-Panton. In a press release issued today, NEAB also expresses its pleasure at the announcement of the appointment of Rev. Louis Wade Junior as the Senator for the Churches. The NEAB release indicates that Wade’s selection was made with collaboration among them, the Belize Council of Churches, and the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches. Aside from these organizations, Wade’s appointment was endorsed over two hundred and forty pastors from across Belize. NEAB expresses confidence that Wade will discharge his senatorial duties with excellence and wisdom, and that he will make significant contributions as he has done before in his career. Late this evening, we spoke with activist Caleb Orozco of the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM). Here’s his reaction to Wade’s appointment.
Belize’s Network of NGOs has officially endorsed Janelle Chanona to continue as its representative in the Senate. According to a release from BNN, they invited nominations from organizations in good standing, as recognized by the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry. With no new nominations and multiple endorsements for Chanona, she was chosen to maintain her Senate position. Chanona has been serving as the NGO senator since 2022. Today, we spoke with her about her reappointment.
Janelle Chanona
Janelle Chanona, NGO Senator
“I think it is really gratitude and acknowledgment from the registered NGOs in good standing and really just being grateful for the opportunity to serve as their voice of power in the corners of power. We are really trying in every way shape and form to reiterate our commitment to collaboration to pooling resources, our voices, strengths and really making sure that pays dividends particularly for marginalized people, specifically Belizeans on a whole.”
Paul Lopez
“Will difference will you bring to the Senate in terms of your approach this time around.”
Janelle Chanona
“Well if you remember I came in 2022 following the resignation of the previous senator. We are committed to good governance agenda. NGOs have said we are held to a certain standard as NGOs. We have been speaking this morning at length about accountability and transparency and NGOs are among those groups held to the highest account and responsibility. We need to see that reflected. What we are witnessing beyond the attacks on freedom and justice and liberty everyday, perhaps on rights we took for granted, seeing a commitment to protecting those rights and enhancing those rights moving forward. But, also to call for the type of leadership we know we deserve.”
When will the Senate Special Select Committee’s report on the Portico Enterprise Limited Definitive Agreement be presented in the Senate? The committee wrapped up its investigation before the National Assembly was dissolved, but the report wasn’t tabled at the last Senate meeting. Today, we caught up with NGO Senator Janelle Chanona to find out what’s next for the report. Here’s what she had to say.
Janelle Chanona, NGO Senator
“Well I think it flags to the wider community a couple things, parliamentary wise, that those are areas of the standing orders and parliamentary rules that we need to look at to make sure we can be accountable in terms of all committees being able to carry forward with that work. We were certainly very committed to completing our task. It was out of our hands once we learnt the parliamentary session would end. But, certainly once we learnt of that of really going through every challenges, hurdle, obstacle to our preferred timeline and making sure in the end we were committed to delivering thar report. I cant speak to what happened in terms of the rationale over and beyond what has been shared publicly but it is about making sure the Belizean people know we completed our task and I think it is showing the importance of having these exercises more regularly so that we can see the gaps and address those gaps, but it highlights that there is much to be desired in terms of as public officials who is collecting a pension and putting their selves of for leadership that there is a legitimate expectation for that to be reciprocated when there are questions asked.”
Reporter
“But now should the report see the light of day?”
Janelle Chanona
“My personal opinion is that the Belizean people paid for that report so I think there should be a delivery of that report. There was a statement made that it was about protecting Belizean tax payers dollars, and if that is the case then there is also an onus that tax payer dollars was used and it was public funding. We have a whole budget report in that draft. I would certainly hope that from the National Assembly there is clarity as to what can happen next.”
Gilroy Usher Junior, forty-four, who was recently called to the bar in Belize in late 2024, is facing serious allegations. He’s accused of trying to run over his sister, Monica Usher, thirty-seven, with a Ford F150 pickup truck. Today, he appeared in court to answer to a single charge of aggravated assault. Usher Junior, the son of Port Loyola Area Representative Gilroy Usher Senior, stood unrepresented before a Senior Magistrate, where he pleaded not guilty. With no objections to bail, the magistrate set it at two thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same amount, with strict conditions. He must not interfere with his sister, any family members, or prosecution witnesses, and must stay at least twenty-five feet away from her. His next court date is scheduled for May fifth, 2025. Court records revealed that Usher Junior owed fifty dollars for a 2017 traffic conviction for using an unlicensed vehicle, which he had to pay before posting bail. Outside the courtroom, Usher Junior described the situation as ‘an ongoing family issue’ and denied his sister’s allegations, calling them total embellishment. He admitted there was an incident but insisted it was nothing like what she claimed. The family feud between Usher and his siblings has been simmering for some time.
On Monday night, the Belize Tourism Industry Association Toledo Chapter announced the cancellation of the 2025 Chocolate Festival. According to a BTIA release, Mayor Carlos Galvez and the Punta Gorda Town Council have undermined the event, despite efforts to engage in dialogue. News Five has learned that the association is upset about a Christopher Martin concert being promoted by the council, using the name Chocolate Fest, for the same weekend. BTIA Toledo fears that the event will divert attention and revenue from the actual Chocolate Festival. Today, we spoke with Mayor Galvez to address BTIA’s concerns and asked about his connection with CG Promotions, one of the companies behind the Christopher Martin concert.
On the Phone: Carlos Galvez, Mayor, Punta Gorda
“Let me say this, it is sad. It is unfortunate. I believe very respectfully that it was done immaturely. There must be some room for dialogue. There is in no way Punta Gorda Town Council or the office of the mayor, my colleague, the councilors would ever want to undermine, sabotage, such an event that brings a lot of attraction, revenue in every aspect of tourism to promote the Toledo District. What happened is that we found out that there is a block or a spot that is left empty in terms of the weekend events for the Chocolate Festival. In that I say that the wine and chocolate is on Friday night. During that period we expect everyday to attend. The concert that the town council plan, the Christopher Martin concert that is the following day, on Saturday. In no way we believe that would undermined the wine and chocolate. It complements the wine and chocolate and the wine and chocolate also compliments the Christopher Martin show.”
Paul Lopez
“I see that on the flier it speaks to a CG Promotions. Are you behind the CG promotions? The inference I draw is that it is a Carlos Galvez Promotions. Are you behind that?”
On the Phone: Carlos Galvez
“That promotion exists from long years, from 2003 that promotion exist. But this is nothing personal. This is for the public.”
Paul Lopez
“The criticism is also that you personally, you are winning, because the CG Promotions, the Carlos Galvez Promotions is pushing this concert organized by the council you lead.”
On the Phone: Carlos Galvez
“I find that to be, in now way shape and form there is a winning for Carlos Galvez, I will rule that our point blank.”
Belize Bank, in partnership with Mastercard, hosted the second annual Girls4Tech program in Belize, showcasing their dedication to empowering young girls through STEM education. Three hundred primary school girls are gathered here in Belize City to gain essential STEM skills and explore future careers in technology and finance. This year’s participants include students from Holy Redeemer Primary School and Grace Primary School in Belize City, as well as Pancotto Primary School from Sandhill Village.
Namrita Balani
Namrita Balani, Director, Science & Technology
“As the Director of Science & Technology at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and proudly as a girl in tech, myself, this moment resonates deeply with me. I know the challenges that can come with stepping into a space where women and girls have traditionally been underrepresented, but I also know the power of opportunity, mentorship and access and how they can change lives. Recent data reveals an interesting trend in our country: while the ratio of boys and girls in preschool, primary, and high school is nearly equal, it changes significantly at the sixth form and university levels, about seventy percent girls and thirty percent boys. However, in technical and vocational education training, this trend is reversed, with seventy percent boys and only thirty percent girls enrolled. This shows us that while our girls are excelling, we must continue to encourage them to step into spaces like tech and engineering, where they are still underrepresented.”
“We are proud and honored to be able to serve this incredible purpose, not to teach, not to insert new ideas into our young girls that we work with in this program, but rather to maintain what they already have in them, to potentiate, to amplify what our young girls in the world bring with them. So I’m very, very honored and very inspired. Thank you, Mr. Alario. Mastercard is proud to be here, our signature STEM education program, Girls4Tech aims to close the gender gap.”
Reporters are getting two days of intensive training in investigative journalism,thanks to funding from Global Financial Integrity (GFI) and support from the Belize Network of NGOs. The workshop is zeroing in on illicit financial activities. Leon Dawson, Regional Manager for GFI, shared why they believe Belizean journalists need this training, while Dion Vansen, a reporter for the San Pedro Sun, talked about what stood out to him on the first day.
Leon Dawson
Leon Dawson, Regional Manager, Global Financial Integrity
“This training is focused on illicit financial flows, beneficial ownership, then we will deep dive into investigative journalism techniques. It’s funded by NORAD, the Norwegian Agency for Development, and we are being supported by a local partner, B.N.N. – Belize Network of NGOs. Our lead journalist is Miss Holly Edgell, and she will be doing the deep dive in investigative journalism while the G.F.I. team or regional director and our program advisor will lead the presentation on illicit financial flows, beneficial ownership, and how these ties into corruption.”
Marion Ali
“And this is important for a journalist because…”
Leon Dawson
“This is important for a journalist because our journalists are the ones who bring corrupt activities towards the public and they need to have the necessary skills in order to bring this efficiently and effectively to us while having the necessary tools to report accurate information.”
Dion Vansen
Dion Vansen, Journalist
“The first day was very informative. All the information that was shared with the presenters, I think that it can help me and help me and anyone in journalism in investigative reporting. I believe that the different tools of the different information that was shared is a good base for you to work on an investigative story.”
The National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) has announced the appointment of Rev. Louis Maximo Wade Jr. as the new Church Senator, following a collaborative decision with the Belize Council of Churches and the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches.
In a statement issued today, NEAB President Rev. Santiago Valencia confirmed that the selection was endorsed by more than 240 pastors nationwide.
“We are confident that Rev. Louis Wade Jr. will discharge his duties in the Senate with excellence, wisdom, and significant contribution, as he has done throughout his entire career as an exemplary servant leader in Belize,” the statement read.
Rev. Wade, a well-known religious leader and media personality, has been a strong advocate for faith-based values in Belize.
He is the manager of Shamax Productions Limited which operates Plus TV and is the host of Rise and Shine.
