Month: March 2025

Court Hears Case Over Legitimacy of UDP’s Leadership Convention

The High Court is currently hearing the claim involving Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton and former United Democratic Party Secretary General Philippa Bailey. The claim was brought by former Opposition Leader, Moses “Shyne” Barrow. This court hearing comes days after the general election, in which Barrow lost his Mesopotamia seat to his UDP opponent, Lee Mark Chang. 

Barrow’s attorney, Christopher Malcolm, argues that an extraordinary general meeting held by the UDP lacked proper authorisation. Drawing from a similar Jamaican case, Malcolm contends that the meeting’s notice and the subsequent appointment of a new committee were invalid due to lack of executive authority.

According to Malcolm, no evidence has been provided to validate the voter eligibility for the October 20th “unity convention” that named Panton as the new interim leader of the party, along with a new executive committee.

The defence, represented by King Counsel Peter Knox, focused on the delegates’ rights to vote, asserting that this right cannot be denied.

The case is expected to conclude with Justice Hondora reserving a ruling at a later date.

Trump Suggests a Possible 3rd Term, Claims “There Are Methods”

In an interview with NBC News on Sunday, President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of seeking a third term in office, despite the constitutional limitation set by the 22nd Amendment. Trump stated that “there are methods” to circumvent the two-term restriction.

Trump suggested one possibility where Vice President JD Vance could run in 2028, then step down, allowing Trump to assume the presidency. While Trump didn’t elaborate on other strategies, he insisted he was “not joking.”

The 22nd Amendment, ratified in 1951, prohibits any person from being elected president more than twice. Legal experts have pointed out that such an approach could violate constitutional provisions, with Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller clarifying that Trump could not serve as vice president if he were ineligible for the presidency under the 22nd Amendment.

The proposal to amend the 22nd Amendment, introduced by Republican Rep. Andy Ogles, would allow for non-consecutive terms but faces significant political and legal hurdles, CNN reported.

Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, who served two consecutive terms, would not be eligible for a third term under Rep. Andy Ogles’ proposed amendment. Only Trump, who won in 2016 and 2024 but lost in 2020, could potentially benefit from such a change. However, not all Republicans support altering the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Trump added the idea was premature, stating he is “focused on the current.”

20-Year-Old Murdered in Pomona Village

Police are investigating the fatal murder of 20-year-old Santiago Garcia. The incident occurred in Pomona Village on Sunday night at around 9 p.m.

According to police reports, Garcia’s stepfather, Jason Sharp, had asked Santiago to pick him up and take him to buy marijuana from a man known as “Soap”.

At “Soap’s” yard, Santiago was attacked by another man. Sharp rushed to assist but was soon involved in the struggle. As Santiago stepped back, he collapsed to the ground.

Santiago was later confirmed dead.

Police Officer Shot in Attempted Murder at Nightclub

A police officer was injured early this morning during an attempted murder at the Fire Night Club, located on Mile 11 Phillip Goldson Highway in Belize District.

Police reports indicate that at around 12:50 a.m., Corporal Manuel Chub and another police officer were conducting checks at the nightclub when they were alerted to a man on a motorcycle, armed with a firearm and a knife.

Chub approached the man and ordered him to raise his hands. When he did so, the suspect pulled out a 9mm pistol and fired multiple shots, injuring Chub. The suspect fled towards the Burrell Boom Junction, where police personnel from the Belize River Valley pursued him. During the chase, the suspect opened fire on the police vehicle, damaging the hood and windshield before he was eventually apprehended.

The suspect was identified as 36-year-old fisherman Stanley Flowers from Crooked Tree Village. Flowers was arrested after the chase, and a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol, along with expended shells, was recovered.

Flowers suffered abrasions and was admitted to the hospital in stable condition, along with Chub.

Graham Creek Residents Outraged by Alleged BDF Harassment

Residents of Graham Creek are expressing their concerns following what they describe as harassment by two Belize Defence Force soldiers.

In a Facebook post, local resident Lutillia Coc shared a video that appears to show the soldiers confronting three young men in the village, one of whom was a minor.

Coc described the situation as deeply disturbing, alleging that one of the young men was threatened with being burnt by the soldiers using a lighter. “Do these soldiers really have the right to do these things to innocent people?” Coc asked in the post.

She said villagers had always welcomed the soldiers with open arms, offering food and drink. “How could they do this? They were supposed to protect the people instead of hurting the people, because whenever they came here, all the people did was welcome them with an open heart and give them food to eat and drink,” she said.

FFB Congress Approves 2025 Budget and Statutory Amendments

The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) held its FFB XIX Congress on Saturday, chaired by Acting General Secretary Ian Jones.

During the session, the 2025 Annual Budget and the 2024 Activity Report were formally presented and unanimously approved. The congress also saw the tabling and ratification of significant statutory amendments, in line with FFB Statutes, marking a crucial milestone in the continued development and governance of football in Belize.

The congress was attended by key figures including FFB President Sergio Chuc, Vice President Onan McLean, Executive Committee Members Shane Orio, Marlon Kuylen, and Jacqueline Pelayo, as well as 19 of the 21 voting delegates from FFB’s member associations.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports, and Diaspora Relations, also attended.

American Tourist Released from Hospital After Boating Accident

American tourist Mark Strus, 45, has been released from the hospital following a boating accident near Caye Caulker on Thursday afternoon. Contrary to earlier reports, Strus was not in critical condition, though he did suffer injuries.

The incident occurred around 4:00 p.m. while Strus was kayaking with his three children on the northern side of the island. Witnesses stated that a boat en route to San Pedro crossed their path, and in an attempt to avoid a collision, Strus and his son jumped from the kayak.

Strus went underwater and sustained a head injury.

Man Shot While Fishing in San Pedro

A 25-year-old man was shot early Saturday morning while fishing near a mangrove area south of Hol Chan Resort.

He and his fishing partner had left San Mateo, San Pedro Town, around 5:00 a.m. to catch bait when a gunshot rang out. The man, who was steering the boat, was hit in the upper left arm.

His partner rushed him to Ambergris Hope Hospital, where doctors confirmed the bullet fractured a bone. He was later transferred to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for further treatment.

Police are investigating.

Belize City Fisherman Gunned Down Outside Mechanic Shop

Police continue to investigate the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Belize City fisherman Elvis Aldana, who was gunned down on Saturday night.

According to an official situation report, officers responded to reports of gunfire around 8:27 p.m. at a mechanic shop located near the corner of Electric Avenue and McKay Boulevard. There, they discovered Aldana’s motionless body in the yard. He was dressed in a yellow T-shirt and blue shorts and bore apparent gunshot wounds.

Initial investigations revealed that around 8:20 p.m., Aldana was approached by a male of Hispanic descent, dressed in a dark grey T-shirt and black shorts. The assailant, armed with a firearm, fired several shots before fleeing down Electric Avenue toward the direction of the Complex Building.

Scenes of Crime personnel processed the murder scene, photographing the area and recovering expended shells. Aldana’s body was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead at 10:30 p.m. His body now awaits a post-mortem examination at the KHMH morgue.

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