March, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Panton Defends UDP Leadership Amid Court Challenge from Barrow

The High Court earlier today heard Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s legal challenge against UDP Leader Tracy Panton and former Secretary General Philippa Bailey regarding the legitimacy of the October 20th “unity convention”. Barrow’s attorney, Christopher Malcolm, argued that the convention was flawed due to “improper notice” and a “lack of evidence verifying voter eligibility,” citing a Jamaican case. He also questioned the authority behind the appointment of the new executive committee. The defence, led by King’s Counsel Peter Knox, said the delegates’ right to vote. However, Barrow maintained the convention violated UDP rules and could not be considered legitimate.

In an interview, Tracy Panton defended her leadership, stating, “The people of this country have spoken, the delegates of the United Democratic Party have spoken, and I am the leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly.” She added that her leadership was “unanimously supported by all members on opposition side”.

When asked about the potential for mediation outside the court, Panton responded, “We certainly tried, bend backward, if you will, for a mediated process to happen. There is no need to waste, in my opinion, the time of the court when the will of the delegates should not be thwarted by a technicality.” She said that every attempt at mediation had been “denied by the claimant”.

“We have to move forward. We have to accept the will of the delegates. We have to accept the will of the electorate,” Panton Added.

Court Hears UDP Leadership Dispute as Barrow Rejects Panton

The High Court has heard arguments in the legal dispute over UDP leadership, brought by former Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow against Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton and former UDP Secretary General Philippa Bailey. Barrow’s attorney, Christopher Malcolm, argued that the October 20th “unity convention” was invalid due to procedural failures, including improper notice and a lack of evidence verifying voter eligibility.

Meanwhile, the defense, led by King’s Counsel Peter Knox, defended the delegates’ right to vote, asserting that their decisions should stand. However, Barrow insisted the event did not follow UDP rules.

Following the hearing, Barrow spoke with the media:

“I heard the learned Justice Hondora repeatedly question the defendants as to their contradictory positions, which is that the rules were not followed in regards to the expulsion and dismissal of Tracy Panton. Yet, when it comes to the rules and the compliances necessary for the October 20th event that they held, they’re saying that they didn’t have to follow the rules.”

Barrow explained that while he had initially stepped down in the hope of resolving internal UDP disputes, Panton and her faction refused to recognize the process he believed should have been followed.

“What proceeded was Ms. Panton saying, ‘Shyne didn’t need to resign. We resigned him October 20th,’ maintaining that she and her cabal are the central executive and the duly elected leaders, which I reject, Alberto August rejects, Shari Medina rejects. A majority of us reject.”

Barrow argued that this lack of consensus made it necessary to continue the court proceedings to resolve the dispute. He insisted that the UDP’s National Party Council (NPC), led by Alberto August, remains the only legitimate body capable of determining leadership matters.

“For those of us that would want to be Prime Minister of this country one day or to sit in Cabinet or even to sit in the National Assembly, we have to demonstrate to the public that we adhere to the rule of law and that we will be compliant with whatever oath of office it is that we take,” Barrow added.

ComPol Williams Discusses Bulletproof Vests for Officers

In response to concerns about police officers not wearing bulletproof vests during certain operations, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams acknowledged the importance of having such protective gear. “We do understand that bulletproof vests are a necessity, and we have tried our best to obtain some recently,” Williams stated.

He explained that acquiring enough vests is challenging due to their high cost. “The cost of bulletproof vests is expensive, but at the same time, I must say it is far less than if an officer were to be killed in the line of duty,” he said.

Williams said that the department is actively working towards acquiring more vests. “It is more effective for us to be able to get these vests, and so it is something that we have to discuss and see what we can do to make sure that every police officer has one,” he added.

Hand Grenade Found in San Pedro

Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, confirmed this morning that a police team discovered a hand grenade in an abandoned building north of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, during a search operation conducted shortly after 8 a.m.

“That search led to the discovery of a hand grenade inside one of the rooms,” Williams said. “That grenade is currently at a secure location.”

Williams said that the Belize Defence Force (BDF) bomb experts have been notified and are expected to arrive in San Pedro shortly “to examine the grenade and to destroy it in San Pedro,” Williams added.

US Deports 17 Alleged Gang Members to El Salvador Amid Legal Challenges

The United States has deported 17 alleged gang members to El Salvador despite ongoing legal disputes over the removal process, according to the U.S. State Department.

As reported by the BBC, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the deportees included individuals linked to the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs. Salvadoran officials confirmed to the BBC that the group consisted of both Venezuelans and Salvadorans.

The deportations come amid a legal battle over the Alien Enemies Act, a law from 1798 historically used in wartime. Earlier this month, a federal court temporarily halted deportations under this law. However, it remains unclear under what legal basis the latest deportations were carried out.

Rubio described the deportees as “murderers and rapists” but did not provide specific details regarding their alleged crimes or any prior convictions.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele posted a video on social media showing the individuals being escorted from a plane into prison cells.

Drug Plane Update: “we have not found anything to incriminate those two officers”

Police continue investigating a drug trafficking operations in southern Belize after a drug plane was discovered burnt after landing on a makeshift airstrip near Graham Creek, Toledo, close to the Guatemalan border.

On Friday, BDF Commander Brigadier General Azariel Loria confirmed the plane’s connection to a drug ring and stated that the investigation is ongoing, with one suspect from a nearby village detained. Loria said, “It’s a drug trafficking network that we’re trying to dismantle in the south.”

The Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, told reporters today that a team of police and the Belize Defence Force (BDF) responded to the area and discovered the plane’s burnt remains. Williams confirmed that there “was no cargo.”

Williams added that the operation team remained in the area to continue their investigation. Two individuals were eventually detained near the site of the plane’s landing. “Those two persons are currently in police custody being questioned,” Williams confirmed.

Williams also addressed reports that two police officers were detained in connection with the incident. According to Williams, the two men were brought in for questioning to determine whether they were connected to the incident. “We had two police officers who were brought in for questioning… It was just done with a view to see if, in fact, the information obtained was accurate and to see if there was any involvement of these officers,” Williams said.

“So far, the investigation has probed into this matter, and we have not found anything to incriminate those two officers as it relates to the plane landing,” Williams added.

BSI Releases Third Cane Price Estimate for 2025 Crop

Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) has announced its third estimated average cane price for the 2025 crop, setting it at $54.31 per ton, an increase from the previous estimate of $53.75 per ton. According to BSI , this improvement is attributed to marginal gains in the estimated prices for USA raw sugar and export Direct Consumption (DC) sugar. It added that the increase was partially offset by adjustments in the estimated Tons Cane per Tons Sugar (TC/TS) ratio due to year-to-date results reflecting variations in cane quality.

A significant challenge facing the industry this year is Fusarium, a newly emerging disease affecting sugarcane. Given the uncertainty surrounding its impact on cane supply and quality, BSI’s current projections assume 950,000 tons of cane will be available for milling, with a TC/TS ratio of 11.00. The company said that these estimates reflect the expected deliveries from farmers rather than the mill’s guaranteed capacity.

BSI’s cane price estimate assumes that the 950,000 tons of cane will yield approximately 86,363 tons of sugar and 32,725 tons of molasses, with 15,747 tons of sugar and 9,842 tons of molasses designated for local consumption. Around 30,973 tons of raw sugar is expected to be sold to the EU market at an estimated CIF price of $433.85 per metric ton (MT), while 11,102 tons of sugar will be exported to the U.S. market at an estimated FOB price of $600.00 per MT. Additionally, 9,842 tons of bagged DC sugar will be sold to T&L Sugars Limited (TLS) at an estimated FOB price of $530.00 per MT, with another 10,039 tons going to the EU market under a combination of CIF and FOB shipping terms.

The local market is expected to receive 15,747 tons of sugar, including 11,810 tons as Plantation White Sugar (PWS) and 3,937 tons as brown sugar, while 9,842 tons of molasses will also be allocated for local consumption. Meanwhile, 8,661 tons of bagged brown sugar will be exported primarily to Caribbean markets, generating an estimated net revenue of BZ$7.7 million.

BSI also noted that freight rates for export shipments remain uncertain, as actual costs will only be known at the time of vessel chartering for the 2025 crop.

Belize City Shooting Leaves One in Critical Condition

A shooting incident occurred earlier today on Iguana Street Extension, leaving one person injured. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, the victim was identified as Coby Ledlon.

Lenon was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) for treatment. “He is listed at the KHMH in a critical condition at this time,” Romero said.

Romero confirmed that initial investigations revealed the victim was in the area when two individuals approached him, and one fired shots at him.

Romero also clarified that the shooting is believed to be linked to an ongoing internal feud in the area. “This is an internal feud with persons in the area,” he said.

Romero added that three persons are in police custody for questioning.

Police Provide Details on Drowning of Newly Baptised Teen

Cayden Stewart, a student of Edward Percival Yorke High School in Belize City, drowned over the weekend in Gracie Rock.

The 16-year-old has joined others of the Queen Street Baptist Church for a baptism ceremony on March 29. After the baptism, Stewart and other attendees went swimming. About ten minutes later, Stewart was seen submerging and not resurfacing. Despite immediate search efforts, Stewart was found lifeless on the riverbank. No visible injuries were reported, and the body was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero provided details to reporters this morning.

He stated, “On Saturday, police responded to a report of a drowning at Gracie Rock. Upon arrival, they saw the lifeless body of Cayden Stewart, 16 years. Information that he was along with several other persons, swimming when he went under the water and did not resurface.”

Romero added that those present at the scene began searching for Stewart. “No signs of injuries were observed on the body.”

Romero confirmed that the tragic incident took place following a baptism. “They had a baptism prior to going swimming in that area…The area is deep and he went under and he was not seen until the persons began to search.”

Edward Percival Yorke High School said in a statement, “This one hit hard … Cayden was to graduate on June 1st. Life is fragile … may each day we love genuinely and let those we love know how much we love them. Do not take people, life, and time for granted.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education stated, “We extend our heartfelt condolences to Cayden’s family, friends, teachers, and classmates during this difficult time. His passing is an immense loss not only to his school community but to the entire education family.”

ComPol Williams: “I Will Leave Very Shortly”

Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters this morning that “I will leave shortly.”

Police Commissioner Chester Williams addressed questions regarding the authority of a letter reportedly sent by the CEO in the ministry, informing him that he should act as a “caretaker” during his transition.

Williams said, “The CEO has no authority to write such a letter. I’ve not seen it, but if that is so, she has no authority. My appointment comes from the Governor General and so only the Governor General can alter the terms of my authority as Commissioner of Police or the Prime Minister.”

On his timeline for departure, Williams explained, “I have advised the Cabinet Secretary that I want to leave as quickly as possible. It’s a matter of the Cabinet Secretary and the Prime Minister working out my exit package. And once that is done, then I am prepared to leave.”

“I’m excited about going to take over my new role. I believe that it is going to be something good for me. It’s a new opportunity for me to be able to go and apply myself, to see how I can continue to contribute to the safety of this country…I will leave very shortly.”

Williams is expected to be appointed as CEO in the Ministry of Transport.