2025 - Channel 5 Belize

Dr. Zab and Cyril Uruwei to go Head-to-head on March 12th

In the vibrant political landscape of Dangriga, the upcoming general elections are set to be a closely watched contest between two prominent figures. Dr. Louis Zabaneh, the incumbent area representative and a member of the People’s United Party, brings a wealth of experience and a track record of educational and economic initiatives to his campaign. Opposing him is Cyril “Uruwei” Garcia, an independent candidate whose grassroots approach and call for change have resonated with many voters. Garcia’s decision to run independently followed his rejection by the PUP, fueling his determination to offer new ideas and a fresh perspective for the people of Dangriga. As the election draws near, both candidates are gearing up for a spirited battle to win the hearts and minds of their constituents. In our ongoing campaign trail coverage, we look at Dangriga. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

In mid-June 2024, Cyril Garcia faced a major letdown when the People’s United Party turned him down. He wasn’t just upset about missing the chance to challenge the current area representative at a political convention; he also felt that the party’s open call for candidates was insincere.

Cyril “Uruwei” Garcia, Independent Candidate, Dangriga

“I was rejected when I applied. I was given no valid reason, and while I was given no valid reason, I was asked to support a man who I have publicly said that I don’t see this man do anything. I have no admiration for the individual and you will come and ask me to support this individual. That’s a slap in the face, it’s very disrespectful if you ask me.”

That person is Dr. Louis Zabaneh. He rode the wave of the PUP’s Blue Tsunami in November 2020 to become the area representative for Dangriga. Since then, Dr. Zab has been hard at work, addressing the needs of his constituents in the town and the nearby communities of Hope Creek and Sarawee.

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Area Representative, Dangriga

“We’ve been able to do quite a bit with scholarships for education, with land for first-time homeowners, with jobs, in particular. We were able to attract Ready Call Center to Dangriga. We did quite a bit, the Commerce Bight port is now reopening, [and] we now have a beautiful multipurpose park that has started already, a number of things. Yes, so in that sense I feel we’ve done quite a bit.”

But is it enough? That’s the question his political opponent is raising. It’s been over four years since Zabaneh took office as the area representative, but Garcia remains unconvinced that significant progress has been made.

Cyril Garcia

“There are so many people out there in Dangriga, Sarawee and Hope Creek who just want better. People are starting to see and understand that the same old, same old UDP/PUDP thing is not working, is not cutting it. It’s obvious, it’s evident that they have been waiting for something new, something fresh and I believe I can fill that space.”

As the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology, Dr. Louis Zabaneh has played a key role in pushing forward educational and economic projects in his constituency. His strong academic background highlights his dedication to sustainable development and effective leadership. As a member of the PUP, Dr. Zabaneh remains committed to policies that enhance the lives of his constituents and promote growth in Dangriga.

Dr. Louis Zabaneh

“Infrastructure, for example, roads, drains are another big area that we have to put in a lot of work. That’s part of the manifesto going forward. So, while we’ve accomplished a lot, as I said, there’s a lot more that we would be working on once the people give us that opportunity. In a sense, I feel fortunate to have been out since May doing house-to-house visits, so it will not be a lot more area to cover now. So that’s one difference because I had prepared before. The other one is that I see a lot more welcoming to homes. This is something that was different from before, of course I was a newcomer then and so it took a little bit more of an introduction at that time.”

Garcia challenges Zabaneh’s power as a voter in his own constituency.

Cyril Garcia

“In Dangriga, we had an area rep who doesn’t live among us. He doesn’t live among us, he doesn’t understand our plight. We have an area rep, I’m not sure, I think, I’m learning now that he just got registered to vote or transferred to Dangriga in the second half of last year. He wasn’t able to vote for himself in his own constituency, he wasn’t able to vote for his councilors, he wasn’t able to vote for his mayor which is rallying behind him heavily. I don’t even know what to say about that.”

Despite facing sharp criticism, Zabaneh admits that education is the key to empowering his constituents.

Dr. Louis Zabaneh

“We have to be very innovative in how we work with limited resources. I think that has been the biggest challenged because people have genuine needs and sometimes it’s heartbreaking when you can’t do everything that they ask you for. And so, what we’ve focused on is to see how we can empower our people through training like at ITVET.”

So, what unique qualities and ideas does Cyril Uruwei offer as an independent candidate?

Cyril Garcia

“I intend to be inclusive. People are crying out, no opportunities. I mean, we’re just. We’re not properly represented. Now, as to what I am going to do. All that I am, all that I have, I plan to give to my town, to Sarawee, to Hope Creek and represent them. Should they elect me to represent them, I’ll do exactly what they elect me to do, to speak and act on their behalf.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

Candidates Promise to Bring Back Agriculture to Belize Rural North

With just over a week until the general election, the candidates in Belize Rural North are in full campaign mode, trying to connect with as many voters as they can. This constituency has three fresh faces entering the race. In tonight’s edition of “Meet the Candidates,” we introduce you to the contenders from the P.U.P., U.D.P., and P.N.P., all vying for a seat in the 2025 general elections. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the details.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

After serving just one term, Belize Rural North Area Representative Marconi Leal decided not to run for re-election in the 2025 general election, stepping down as the People’s United Party’s candidate for the constituency. Shortly after, his son, Marconi Leal Jr., stepped up to the plate, taking over as the standard bearer. Although this isn’t his first foray into politics, it is his first time running for this position. He shared his plans to continue the work his father started.

Marconi Leal Jr., P.U.P. Candidate, Belize Rural North

“ Well, I’ve been the chairman of the P.U.P. Belize Rural North Executive for the past four years, supporting my dad. So the work continues. I’ve been supporting him, the project that we’ve been executing, supporting our twenty-five different villages. I’ve been involved. So I’m excited about continuing the work. People believe in P.U.P. and the work that they have been seeing that has been done across the country. And so definitely excited to be serving the BUP and serving the people of Belize Rural North.”

Also new to the scene is Leal’s opponent, Eustace Shaw. He admits that he hasn’t had much time to campaign in the large constituency, but he’s doing his best to show the people of Belize that he plans to make a positive difference in the area.

Eustace Shaw, U.D.P. Candidate, Belize Rural North

“One of the things I hope to bring to Rural North is to stop all victimization and try to work with everybody. Because at this time, people, some people don’t get attention because they are branded one color or next. And with my candidacy, I promise that I will try to end the victimization. I will work for the people of Belize Royal North. Whether red or blue, green, doesn’t matter. I entered into this race it has been a dream of mine. And when I was asked to represent the people of Belize Rural North, seeing all the problems that we have faced, experiencing it personally, I thought it would be a good thing to enter the race and assist people in this area to try to overcome all the trials and tribulations that we face.”

The third candidate competing for the seat in Belize Rural North is Andrew Reynolds from the People’s National Party. He threw his hat into the race after feeling dissatisfied with both P.U.P. and U.D.P. representation throughout the years.

Andrew Reynolds, P.N.P. Candidate, Belize Rural North

“ I’m sick and tired of seeing what UDP, PUP, PUP, UDP, UDP, PUP is doing to our country. Alright, many people right now don’t even want to vote. Because of the lies, the deception, and the trickery with these parties. So for me, I want to see better for my people. Better for my country. I want to work on the farm. Let people get back to the farm. Let them start plant again. Let our youths start loving farm again.”

Leal admits that the constituency is a vast area to manage, but he’s determined to fix the crumbling infrastructure in many of the villages.

Marconi Leal Jr.

“There’s a lot. We have twenty-five villages. There’s a large road of, network of roads. So, it’s definitely infrastructure. Continue the work that we’ve been doing, paving the Crooked Tree paths. Right now, we’re hot mixing from Lucky Strike to Mascal. We’ve done some work on the Burrell Boom riverside, but there’s so much more because of the twenty-five villages that we serve. So, infrastructure is definitely one of the most important things, continue to work on education, continue to support our libraries, citizen security for our different networks of police booths that we have there’s a lot of work to do in Belize Rural North on that. How do we support tourism, because we have different tourism sectors.”

Shaw says the residents have welcomed him with open arms. He believes their concerns are manageable and is confident that, if given the chance, he can make a real difference in their lives.

Eustace Shaw

“I don’t see the problem of why we have so many stuff that’s not done, why people are struggling in Belize Rural North. And for the most part, we can bring back Belize Rurall North into what used to be like the breadbasket of this country. Agriculture has been one of the greatest things in Belize Rural North, but that have died. With no assistance from government, that have completely gone or almost completely erased.”

Britney Gordon

“And what makes you the candidate to step up to the plate and address these issues?”

Eustace Shaw

“Because I have experienced it firsthand. I know what it is like. Imagine growing your own stuff and being able to feed yourself. It’s a different feeling from going to the market and buying. People know me, people know what I stand for. That’s why I am definitely the person for Village Rural North.”

Reynolds aims to breathe new life into the farming industry in the constituency. His vision is to build a community where both young people and elderly people can thrive and support themselves.

Andrew Reynolds

“Right here where I’m campaigning right now, in Cookred Tree. All the people, the road is very bad, alright? It’s bad, these people are complaining about their road. In Lemonal, a place like Lemonal, in Rancho Dolores, the roads there are bad, no farmers get no assistance. These people continue come and lie to our people, and when they get nominated they, when they win the election, we don’t see them again. Me, I want to come and sit with the people. I want to come and help them with their roads, with their farm. We need to get back to the farm. We need to plan. Because famine is coming on this land, miss. We already can’t go to the grocery store. Because when you go to the grocery store, what are you taking back home? But if we get invested in the farm, we could sell, we could eat. You understand? We could be secure.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Returning and Presiding Officers Train for Election Day Duties

For many voters, this Election Day will be their first time voting for a U.D.P. candidate in several constituencies where there are multiple red boxes on the ballot paper. On March twelfth, this might cause some confusion about which red box to mark. However, Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai assures us that each candidate has a specific number assigned to them. And if you’re unsure and make a mistake, don’t worry, you can request a new ballot paper.

Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer

“ I want to emphasize that at all times, it’s only one seat. So, persons can only mark the X beside one candidate. If you mark your X beside more than one candidate, your ballot paper will be rejected. So, you have to vote for one. No more and no less. But if there’s an error, and I would imagine there would be, especially where people have visual challenges and so forth, and their alignments aren’t, you know, in sync, so they might mark the X beside the wrong red.”

Marion Ali

“Can they ask for a new ballot or is it with a pencil that has an eraser on it that they can erase?”

Josephine Tamai

“No. What we do is we utilize indelible pencils. And so it does not have an eraser. You cannot remove the mark from there. But when a voter goes into the polling station, if that voter makes a mistake on the ballot paper, that voter would need to return that ballot to the presiding officer, inform the presiding officer that the ballot is spoiled. They will give the ballot back to the presiding officer. Who will cancel that spoiled ballot paper. The presiding officer will retain that ballot paper and re issue and re and issue a new ballot paper to that voter.”

Marion Ali

“ And destroy the spoiled ballot in front of the voter?”

Josephine Tamai

“ No, it would not be destroyed. They have a separate envelope that they will put that and that will be marked cancelled because a ballot, a spoiled ballot paper does not go into the ballot box. And so I know that sometimes people confuse what is a spoiled ballot paper with what is a rejected ballot paper. A spoiled ballot paper is a ballot paper whereby the voter makes an error during polling, returns that ballot paper, and they are issued with a new ballot. When it comes to a rejected ballot, no. That is a ballot paper that is inside of the box and when it is being counted. So at that time, at counting, The returning officer will decide if the ballot is a rejected ballot.”

Public Officers Train for Election Day Duties

On March twelfth, Belizeans will head to the polls to elect a new government. To ensure everything runs smoothly, public officers who will serve as returning officers, presiding officers, and election clerks are undergoing training. Today marked the second round of training. While some officers are familiar with the process, the new ones have a few things to learn. Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai emphasized that the training aims to ensure everyone fully understands their roles and responsibilities, leaving no room for confusion.

Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer

“We need to ensure that the forms that they submit to us are filled out accurately and properly. And so we’re actually doing practical exercises today with those officers.”

Marion Ali

“Okay, so they’re learning things like what, for the new ones?”

Josephine Tamai

“Well, for the new ones, we introduce the forms to them. We also want for them to ensure that they fill out the form properly and for example, sometimes when people make errors on a form, people would write over rather than just putting a line through and properly initialing it. So we’re doing training in terms of the importance of those things for those persons because at the end of the day, we need to ensure that the information that they provide that was on the forms are accurate. These forms are the forms that they will utilize to come up with the persons who have the most votes on election day. And so we need to ensure the additions are accurate. We have done some of the training for them. We also introduce an application that makes it easier for them to cross-check that the forms are added properly and so it makes it so much easier for officers. So we’re training them on how to utilize it. This is not the first time we’re utilizing it, but at the same time we have some officers who are new to the process. And so we need to ensure that they’re competent and capable of ensuring that the information is accurate.”

How to Identify Your U.D.P. Candidate

Tamai assured that having multiple red boxes on the ballot paper shouldn’t be an issue, even for first-time voters. She explained that each candidate will have a unique number next to their name. So, once you find your candidate, just mark an X beside their name. It’s that simple.

Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer

“One of the things that I try to advise on, and especially when it comes to voters, I know that traditionally people have been saying, well, in Belize, we actually vote by colors. And yes, that is true, but at the same time, every single candidate has a number assigned to them. So let’s say, for example, you have four candidates. You will see number one, two, three, four. And so, you could tell persons to say, okay, vote for number, whatever number on the ballot you want them to mark. The ballot also has their names, and so, it has a color as well. And what they can do is to mark one X.”

Election Officers Will Be Prepared Regardless of Lawsuit

What about the lawsuit Moses “Shyne” Barrow filed against the Elections and Boundaries Commission over the color assignments? Tamai said that while the case is still before the courts, her department must be prepared to act accordingly. That’s why she’s continuing with the training sessions, regardless.

Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer

“I’m certain that that will be dealt with, with the legal persons, but at the same time, I want to say that we still need to be prepared. And if the High Courts would make whatever decision, then we will act based on the decision that has been taken. That is why we’re still continuing training. We still need to do what needs to be done. And similar to what happened when we had a referendum a couple years ago, we have to be prepared as Election and Boundaries. And so whatever decision will be taken, we will take action based on that decision.”

Hague Group Withdrawal Inconsequential for ICJ Case

Last week, Prime Minister John Briceño hinted that Belize might be stepping away from the Hague Group. This coalition, formed on January thirty-first, 2025, aims to support the rulings of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. While P.M. Briceño didn’t confirm the withdrawal, he stressed Belize’s ongoing support for Palestine. Today, Eamon Courtenay, a top legal expert and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, was asked if this move could curry favor with the International Court of Justice in our border dispute.

Eamon Courtenay, Attorney at Law

“I don’t believe there will be any evidence before the ICJ as to who is in the Hague Group and who is not in the Hague Group. I don’t think membership or non-membership should give rise to any legal issue. If membership of a group like the Hague Group influences judges, then in my opinion they are not independent. So, I do not believe there will be any deleterious effect, whether or not we are a member of the Hague Group.”

Reporter

“Do you think that leaving the Hague Group would be advisable in light of the fact that the U.S. is staunchly pro-Israeli at this time?”

Eamon Courtenay

“I would say that every country in the world, particularly those in this side of the world, Belize is undergoing a review of its foreign policy in relation to changes not only in the U.S., but changes in the Europe as well. I know the Foreign Minister is actively looking at different aspects and issues, the position of Belize. He and I have spoken about it from time to time, so I know that the ministry is deeply looking at analyzing the position. All I will say, and I will say no more about this.”

What does North American Trade War Mean for Belize?

The escalating trade war between the United States, Mexico, and Canada has sent ripples through the global economy, with significant implications for small importing countries like Belize. Initiated by the imposition of twenty-five percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods by the U.S., this conflict has prompted swift retaliatory measures from both neighboring countries. For Belize, which relies heavily on imports and maintains close economic ties with the U.S., the fallout from this trade war could lead to increased costs for goods, disrupted supply chains, and broader economic instability. As the situation unfolds, Belize and other small nations must navigate these challenges to mitigate the adverse effects on their economies. Earlier today, News Five sat down with economist, Doctor Leroy Almendarez, for his perspective on the trade dispute.

Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Economist

“Certain wars are triggered, others might just have been saying, “Well this is how my economy is working.” As you know, there has been an existing trade relationship between Canada, the US and Mexico, reconfigured at different times, NAFTA, and then it was changed in terms of its dimensions. But what has happened, I think that there’s another part to it. The President of the United States is saying, or President Trump is saying, “Mexico, you have a problem with your cartels and illegal immigration, so we want these people to, really, if you don’t do anything to stop them from coming across our border then we will do something for you to act. In the case of Canada, they are saying the same thing, you know, that drugs are coming into the United States. And so, he believes that if you levy these tariffs on goods from Canada, goods from Mexico, but goods from China, as well, but China is the… when it comes to that trade relationship between China and the United States, I mean, China holds the largest part of America’s debt. So that’s an issue in itself. So, when these tariffs were levied, if you look at it just as a one-way thing, what would basically happen is immediately, as soon as they are levied, you’ll have to mark up your prices. Prices of goods from Canada going into the United States, those prices will go up. But what Canada has done and if you listen to the outgoing Prime Minister, really, Trudeau, he decided to levy reciprocal taxes.” It’s the same thing with Mexico. Mexico has not responded in kind as yet, but more than likely the tax will be reciprocal, meaning one for one. In the case of China, China will do the same thing.”

Will Trade Dispute Impact Inflation in Belize?

Higher import costs can contribute to inflation, reducing the purchasing power of Belizean consumers. This could particularly affect low-income households, worsening economic inequality.

Dr. Leroy Almendarez, Economist

“But for us, when it comes to inflation, we have to look at increasing our manufacturing capability, domestic production… but not only domestic production, but ensuring that whatever is put into our cost of production can make the price, without compromising quality, but the price is competitive. Because if the price is higher, we tend to see sometimes where they say products produced domestically at times when you’re trying to price it because of the cost of inputs, it doesn’t make you competitive. See, it doesn’t make you competitive. We have to look at other markets. We have to strengthen our relationship with Central America. We have to do intra-regional trade with CARICOM, we have the CARICOM Single Market & Economy. We have to take full advantage of that as well. And so, in terms of penetration in there, I mean, it’s duty-free trade and so we must take full advantage of that. We have SICA, but we also have SIECA, SIECA is the economic integration.”

Family Says Drowned Man Did Not Attempt to Steal Motorcycle

On Monday, we reported on Herbin Bans, who was found dead along Old Well Road. Police said the forty-two-year-old Lord’s Bank resident tried to steal a motorcycle and escaped by swimming in nearby ponds. He was found floating in the water the next day. However, tonight, a family has come forward to clarify that Bans never tried to steal their motorcycle. Nalini Prado, the motorcycle’s owner, shares more details on the incident.

On the phone: Nalini Prado, Lord’s Bank Resident

“I live da di location. Weh happen I have, I may buy a new motorcycle and it have alarm. The alarm went off. So my husband get up and he gone outside fi check weh mi di happen. So we mi think somebody mi di thief the bike, but there was no one outside. So we gone inside back. Then we hear wa screaming. When we come outside again, we hear the screaming through the pond then. We never see nobody, but we hear the bawling, so I gone get the headlight, my husband’s headlight, and with a flash we see, that afterwards we see the person, way inna the pond, inside the pond water.”

Britney Gordon

“Was he still alive at that point?”

Nalini Prado

“He was alive. We call the police at the moment because we never know da who that person so we neva want risk fi come outside and say maybe they want trap to make somebody kill we or whatever you understand me.”

Britney Gordon

“So what happened when the police arrived? If you guys saw him, how come they did not find him?”

Nalini Prado

“When the police arrived, it looked like he saw the light from the truck and he hopped from the other pond to the other pond. So the police went and looked for him.”

Britney Gordon

“So if he was screaming for assistance or help, why is it that he ran from the police?

Nalini Prado

“I have no idea, ma’am. That’s the reason I don’t have no idea why he ran. But before he, before the police reached he hollered and said in Spanish that nobody no love ah and that they come to kill ah. That’s the way the man said before the police reached.”

Britney Gordon

“Do you think that he may have been drunk or injured?”

Nalini Prado

“He was really wasted. I have no idea who he was with but he is not somebody that goes back there at us.”