Patrick Robinson, a forty-four-year-old undertaker and owner of Leiva’s Funeral Parlor, has been found guilty of three counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Robinson was accused of having sex with an eleven-year-old girl and continued until she was fourteen. Late Monday evening, Justice Derick Sylvester convicted Robinson on three of five counts. Robinson was represented by Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington and attorney Norman Rodriguez, while the Crown was represented by Shanell Fernandez from the DPP’s office. Still in shock after the guilty verdict, Robinson lay down in the back of the police pickup, despite being told to sit up while being escorted to Belize Central Prison. He will remain there until April 25th, 2025, when his mitigation plea will be heard before sentencing.
Year: 2025
Chandra Cansino To Be SSB New Chairperson
Chandra Cansino, CEO of Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, is the new Chairperson of Belize’s Social Security Board (SSB). With over 20 years at SSB before joining KHMH in 2021, she brings extensive experience. Her appointment follows Dr. Leroy Almendarez’s sudden resignation as SSB CEO in January after less than a year. She replaces Nigeli Sosa.
Nine Years of Growth: Sheep and Goat Project Ends in Belize
A closing ceremony was held on Monday to mark the conclusion of the Taiwan ICDF Breeding Sheep and Goat Production and Guidance System Enhancement Project (Phase II). The ceremony was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE) at the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Centre in Central Farm, Cayo District. It celebrated the successful completion of a nine-year initiative that enhanced Belize’s sheep and goat industry.
The event “marked a historical milestone of the Breeding Sheep & Goat Industry in Belize but also highlighted the country’s growth within this sub-sector,” the ministry said in a press release.
According to the ministry’s press release, the combined investment of BZ $12,337,108.00 from Taiwan ICDF and the Government of Belize resulted in significant growth within the sector, contributing to a 100% increase in production over the last decade.
“The project’s achievements included the construction of a state-of-the-art National Sheep and Goat Breeding Centre in Central Farm, the importation of genetic stock of sheep and goats, the training of over 900 farmers, teachers, students, and technicians, the establishment of a traceability system and the establishment of a functioning local market for sheep and goat products and by-products,” the ministry said in its statement.
Key Stakeholders Convene for High-Level Meeting Focused on Maritime Safety in Belize
Government officials and key stakeholders in Belize are stepping up efforts to ensure safer waters after a series of alarming maritime incidents. A high-level meeting convened on Friday was led by Michel Chebat, the Minister of the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy, and Logistics.
The session included key stakeholders such as the Belize Coast Guard (BCG), Belize Tourism Board (BTB), and the Tourism Police Unit (TPU).
The primary goal of the meeting was to discuss recent maritime casualties and how to prevent further tragedies. In an official statement, the Belize Port Authority stated, “The meeting highlighted the need for both immediate and long-term actions to protect lives, enforce lawful maritime operations, and safeguard the marine environment.”
The focus is not just on preventing accidents but also on enforcing lawful maritime operations and protecting the marine environment for the future.
Barrow and Panton Face Off in the High Court
Justice Tawanda Hondora’s courtroom was busy today with the legal battle between Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Tracy Taegar-Panton. Both sides brought in top-notch lawyers to argue their case about the October twentieth unity convention that took place last year, as well as the ensuing expulsions. Doctor Christopher Malcolm flew in from Jamaica to represent Barrow, while King’s Counsel Peter Knox came from the UK to represent Panton. Interestingly, Hugo Patt, one of the original claimants, has withdrawn from the case. With Barrow having already stepped down as party leader, is this just a matter of proving who’s right and who’s wrong? Panton thinks so, but Barrow argues that it’s about defending democracy and the rule of law. News Five’s Paul Lopez spent most of the day in the courtroom, listening to all the arguments. Here’s his report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Moses “Shyne” Barrow is moving forward with his case against Tracy Taegar-Panton and former UDP Secretary General, Phillipa Griffith-Bailey in the High Court of Belize. Despite losing the election on March eleventh and stepping down as leader of the UDP, Barrow is asking the court to decide if the unity convention on October twentieth, 2024, led by Panton, violated the party’s constitution. The court is also being asked to rule on the validity of Panton’s expulsion and that of several other members. Barrow was present at today’s proceedings, represented by Dr. Christopher Malcolm.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former U.D.P. Leader
“I heard the learned Justice Hondora repeatedly question the defendants as to their contradictory position which is that the rules were not followed in regards to the expulsion of Tracy Panton, yet when it comes to the rules and the compliance necessary for the October twentieth event that they held, they are saying they didn’t have to follow the rules, once their right was being infringed upon themselves to do whatever.”
The courtroom was packed, mostly with supporters of Panton and her party executive. Representing Barrow, Malcolm argued that the October twentieth convention was held without proper authorization. He also pointed out that there’s no evidence showing that the delegates who voted at the convention were eligible to do so.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“Those who want to be prime minister of this country one day or to sit in Cabinet or the national assembly, we have to demonstrate to the public that we adhere to the rules of law and that we will be compliant with whatever oath of office we take.”
On the other hand, King’s Counsel Peter Knox contends that the UDP delegates have a right to vote and that such right cannot be taken from them. He argued that even though some members of the party executive distanced themselves from the convention, they still had a duty to uphold the delegates’ right to vote.
Peter Knox, Attorney-at-law
“On the expulsion case we say the constitution is clear. There is no room for any doubt what it meant at all. To the point as whether Ms. Panton could call the convention, our point simply was that the constitution did not say one way or the other as whether she could or not, therefore she could.”
Reporter
“They are arguing that roles and functions are usurped and there was a breach of the contract.”
Peter Knox
“They are saying that. We say there is no breach. The reason we say that is because they were not doing what they were supposed to be doing, so of course Ms. Panton was entitled to give effect to the delegates’ rights the way she did.”
In one of his arguments, Dr. Malcolm pointed out that Panton didn’t involve the Secretary General in organizing the national convention. The Secretary General is responsible for validating the list of eligible delegates before a convention. Knox, however, countered this argument.
Peter Knox
“We had all the information anyway, we had, in practical terms, all the information she would have had. So we would have been able to communicate with all the people she would have been able to communicate with. Of course, if that had not been the case, the fact that we did not go through the secretary general might have been important. We say so what, we had all the information she had, so we sent out all the relevant information and minutes and agenda that she would have done, so why does it matter that she didn’t do it?”
Justice Tawanda Hondora has decided to reserve his ruling for a later date. But with Barrow stepping down as party leader and Panton being endorsed as the new leader, is this just an academic exercise to determine who was right and who was wrong? Barrow argues that there is real damage involved, as Panton’s leadership challenge led to him and many of his colleagues losing their seats.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“When the campaign was initiated against me, the key words were structure, rules, the constitution , we have to follow the rules, dictatorship, one person, a few people, the partly leader and the Chairman can’t do what they want. So, we need to see that all the way through for the benefit of the institution of the U.D.P.”
Attorney Knox says otherwise.
Peter Knox
“In one sense, they are a little bit moot, because in one sense Panton is the leader of the opposition. In practical terms she would say, for all intent and purposes, the leader of the U.D.P. So what is the point of this litigation when one of the question was who is the leader of the U.D.P. There was an issue about that before the general election, now in real life there is not an issue about that particular point at all.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
High Court Can’t Solve All UDP Problems
At the end of today’s session, Justice Tawanda Hondora pointed out that the court case might not solve all the issues at hand. He urged both sides to consider other ways to address some of the problems, possibly through mediation between Barrow and Panton. Attorney Knox shared his interpretation of Justice Hondora’s suggestions.
Peter Knox, Attorney-at-law
“There are a lot of issues. He might say the convention might have been a valid convention. It was not necessarily invalid just because the chairman did not show up. It was not invalid because the SG did not sent the relevant documents. He will still have to verify if the relevant verification process was undertaken, as matter of fact, we say it was, they say it was not. We will still have to decide whether the delegates that showed up were real delegates or not. I would rather suggest there is some questions marks about that. Those are some of the main issues that would have to be covered. Questions of fact, rather than questions of principle.”
Panton on UDP Court Case, “This Is an Academic Exercise”
After today’s hearing, we spoke with the Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Taegar-Panton. She believes this whole situation is just an academic exercise since party members are supporting her leadership. When asked about the possibility of mediation to resolve other disputes, Panton mentioned that they had tried mediation before, but it didn’t work.
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“I think that this is an academic exercise. The people of this country have spoken. The delegates of the U.D.P. have spoken and I am the leader of the United Democratic Party, unanimously supported by all members on the opposition side who get to make that determination.”
Paul Lopez
“Is it your view that mediation outside of this hearing would be in futility because of all that is taking place?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“We certainly tried, bent backward for mediation to happen. There is no need to waste the time of the court when the will of the delegate should not be thwarted by a technicality. Every attempt, every single attempt to seek mediation and even before coming to court today to say let’s withdraw this matter and settle it within has been denied by the claimants. So, we are here because they have dragged us here. This does not help the party move forward. We have to move forward. We have to accept the delegates, we have to accept the will of the electorate.”
Barrow Frowns on Patt ‘s Decision to Pass on Leadership
Tracy Taegar-Panton has the support of U.D.P. Deputy Leader Hugo Patt, which bolsters her claim to leadership. When Barrow resigned two weeks ago, he handed over the reins to Patt. Barrow was surprised to find out that Patt then passed the leadership to Panton. He believed a different course of action would be taken upon his resignation. Barrow argues that Patt didn’t have the authority to endorse Panton as leader after taking on the responsibility.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former U.D.P. Leader
“One of the reasons I didn’t want to hand over to Hugo was because I was afraid that the process would not be seen through and we would end up back at square one. Once the party chairman as the ultimate authority in the party, barring the NPC and National Convention, disagreed with my position, that I continue to be leader until another leader was elected, I yield to the party chairman. It was my hope, cause I spoke to the party chairman and he mentioned that he spoke to Hugo and Hugo understands that he has to maintain the interim leadership until a national convention is called. But what process was Ms. Panton saying Shyne never need to resign, we resign him October twentieth, meaning that she and her cabal are the central executive and the duly elected leaders, I reject, Alberto August reject and Sharry Medina reject, a majority of us. So nothing was solved by my resignation and that is why we have to continue with court. I was hoping Ms. Panton would have done was to say Ok, interim leader Hugo, Vice Chair, August, please call and NPC and let us sort ourselves our, who could run for party leader, who could fill the vacant seats, let us set all of this straight.”
UDP NPC Meeting to Set Convention Date Coming
Panton is now focused on leading the United Democratic Party forward. She mentioned that the National Party Council will meet soon to set a date for the national convention. Panton plans for the event to be an endorsement convention, as she doesn’t expect any challenges to her leadership.
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“It is very important for the national party council to meet, for the wider UDP family to meet so we can bring them up to speed as to where things are and also have a plan and a way forward. I am not a dictator. There is no dictator in my leadership. So, it is of paramount importance to me.”
Reporter
“How do you view the fact that in our interview just know the fact thar Mr. Patt has thrown his support behind you, Mr. Barrow is saying he did not have the authority to delegate leadership. They are still holding on to this idea that they are still the true UDP?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“Well who is causing the chaos? How could a former Area Rep and a former party leader and a former leader of the opposition determine what an elected official will do or say. Hugo Patt has his own prerogative to determine what is right to move this party forward. He has said that loudly and clearly and body to the public. He said that to the court by asking for his name to be removed by the claimant. We have to stop listening to the noise and I implore you as members of the media to stop yielding to the confusion being created by one individual in the U.D.P.”
Barrow Says Panton’s Leadership Will Not Go Uncontested
But Barrow insists that Panton won’t have an uncontested leadership convention. He claims that some members of Panton’s team are planning to run against her and that there’s a petition against her. In response, Panton says Barrow’s claims are false. Here are both sides of the story.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former U.D.P. Leader
“We don’t know what will happen, because I can tell you now, within her own alliance grouping there are people passing a resolution forward to amend the constitution so that anyone can offer themselves to be leader. So, the support she may think she may not be there. I will send it to you, but there is a petition circulating right now where in the alliance where people say we are not happy with having Tracy as our only option. It is not simple as she won her seat, so all hail the queen. That is the same dictatorship they criticized and complained about. So, these things need to be sorted out.”
Reporter
“Can you even decide at this point that the leadership won’t be contested, that you will be endorsed when there is a national convention?
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition
“That is a completely untrue statement and he must be held accountable for continuing to cause chaos and spread lies in this party. We had a meeting on March eighteenth at the Biltmore Plaza. We came together and signed a declaration, a commitment and we signed a declaration and commitment to move this party forward under my leadership and that is exactly how it will go.”