Moses “Shyne” Barrow, along with four other senior United Democratic Party (UDP) members, has filed an urgent appeal against a recent court ruling that dismissed their application to commit Tracy Taegar Panton to prison for contempt of court.
The appeal challenges the decision handed down by Justice Tawanda Hondora on February 14, 2025.
The ruling dismissed Barrow’s application, which sought multiple court orders regarding the UDP leadership dispute. The judge also ruled that the applicants must cover the legal costs of the case. However, Barrow and his co-appellants—including Michael Peyrefitte, Shary Medina, Alberto August, and Hugo Patt—argue that the judge erred in his interpretation of the “status quo ante” ruling, which they believe should have affirmed Barrow’s leadership within the UDP.
In the appeal, the group contends that the judge failed to properly consider the political context of the case and the implications of his decision on the party’s leadership ahead of the March 2025 elections. They also argue that the judge did not invite legal submissions on the test for contempt of court, leaving critical issues unresolved.
The appellants are seeking to overturn the February 14 decision and obtain an interim non-disclosure order. They maintain that the court must recognise the urgency of resolving leadership disputes within the UDP as the party prepares for the upcoming elections.
A fire early this morning reduced the historic Queen Street Baptist Church to rubble, leaving the congregation and the wider Baptist Association of Belize in mourning.
Residents of Eve Street awoke around 4:45 a.m. to see flames engulfing the wood-and-cement structure. Despite firefighters’ efforts, the church was completely destroyed, and the adjoining Queen Street Baptist School suffered water damage.
Founded in 1822, Queen Street Baptist Church is one of Belize City’s historic landmarks. Just last night, congregants gathered there for a meeting, unaware it would be the last.
The Baptist Association of Belize expressed its grief, stating, “Our Baptist Association of Belize Family woke up to the tragic news that our beloved Queen Street Baptist Church was totally destroyed by fire. It’s a very sad day, but we know the Lord got us.”
Pastor Lloyd Stanford, Sister Nancy Stanford, and the church community are receiving an outpouring of support, with the association assuring them, “We have you all in our thoughts and prayers. Know that we are here to support you.”
The cause of the fire is being investigated.
Classes for over 100 students at the adjoining school were cancelled.
Nomination Day is set for Monday, and today, U.D.P leader and Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton officially introduced a team of fifteen candidates for the March twelfth election. Taegar hopes to win with her entire team and at least one more candidate from Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow’s faction. While she is counting on Barrow’s slate to help secure a win, she is confident that Lee Mark Chang, nominated under her banner, will replace Barrow in Mesopotamia. Taegar-Panton also reached out to Barrow’s supporters, expressing her desire to work together in unity after the election. News Five’s Marion Ali was at the presentation and filed this report.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader, U.D.P
“We are running as one United Democratic Party.”
Marion Ali, Reporting
This morning, U.D.P Leader and Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton officially kicked off her party’s campaign and introduced the candidates for the March twelfth general election. While she has presented fifteen candidates, she insists that the UDP has a full slate of thirty-one to represent all constituencies nationwide. However, she expressed doubts about the candidates aligned with Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“There are 31 standard bearers who represent the United Democratic Party. They were either contested, they either sat in a contested convention, or they sat in an endorsement convention. Those are the candidates that we recognize as the legitimate standard bearers for the United Democratic Party. I doubt very much and I would be very surprised if any of those handpicked persons who were foisted on us as a United Democratic Party has any chance in winning any seats for the United Democratic Party.”
So, how is Panton confident that the UDP will form the next government if Barrow’s candidates don’t win? While she isn’t counting on all of Barrow’s candidates, she believes that with her fifteen candidates and at least one more, they can secure a win. Panton also has faith in candidates like Manuel Heredia in Belize Rural South and John Saldivar in Belmopan, despite their previous losses, because they were chosen by their communities. Regarding Lee Mark Chang’s selection in Mesopotamia, Panton said it was done according to the UDP Constitution after the October twentieth convention she led.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“We consulted with constituents of the Mesop constituency and we consulted with our UDP supporters in Mesop and it was almost unanimous that there was time for a change and Lee Mark. was their preferred candidate.”
Despite the nearly year-long leadership feud between Panton and Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow, she is confident that Barrow will lose his second attempt to win office in Mesopotamia.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“There is no way that Shyne Jamal Barrow is going to win his seat in Mesop. The people of Mesop and I say I bet on the people every time, will make that determination for the rest of us.”
So, how does the candidate aiming to unseat Barrow feel about this challenge? He says he takes no challenge lightly.
Lee Mark Chang
Lee Mark Chang, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Mesopotamia
“I like to fight as the underdog at all times. I fight and I fight hard. So I will make no premature prediction, just that I will say that I’m very comfortable where I am. If you have time, maybe you should go and speak to some of the people or do your own polling in the division and you will hear a clear and resounding poll of their feelings.”
Marion Ali
“In terms of the campaign financing, where is all of that coming from?”
Lee Mark Chang
“Well, I mean, the party has their financiers that they get money from. I’ve gotten some from the party. I’ve gotten some from people that I know.”
Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber invited the public to stay tuned for their manifesto launch.
Patrick Faber
Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet
“Those ideas, I promise you will be very solid. We are putting our time and effort into making sure that we prepare a very solid agenda for you for the next five years and we will come with very solid ideas. We promise you.”
Faber is one of the key seats Panton is banking on for the March 12th election, and he is confident he’ll be elected for a sixth consecutive term.
Patrick Faber
“When I go to houses, it’s all love in the homes and people are telling me that I have no worry. Um, that they know the relationship that we’ve shared for the many, many years and they have no intention of changing course.”
Taegar-Panton also delivered a direct message of unity to UDP members who support Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow’s leadership.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“We say to you here publicly that we embrace you as part of our wider UDP family and we look forward to joining hands and hearts with you after we win the general elections on March 12th, 2025.”
The latest dispute within the U.D.P. is how candidates will set themselves apart from those running under Shyne Barrow. Panton says her team will stick with the traditional U.D.P. red but mentioned some tweaks to identify her candidates. She also took a jab at the other U.D.P. candidate running in Albert for good measure.
Tracy Taegar, Panton, Leader, U.D.P.
“If in fact we cannot come together before nomination day and it requires a symbol I am one hundred percent sure that the people who are supporting the team that is being led by me will know exactly who to vote for. I will use myself as an example. I am undisputedly the UDP Area Rep in Albert. No – and I want to be kind, I would say imposter but let me be kind. Da wa imposter noh, can come into Albert handpicked and thrown in the mix and expect that the U.D.P supporters and the people of Albert will accept him as their U.D.P. area representative.”
The latest addition to Panton’s team is Hernan Riverol, who was originally chosen by Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow. Panton secured Riverol’s candidacy under her leadership just this morning. Initially, Riverol was running as an independent candidate. Panton clarified that Riverol hasn’t switched sides but has decided to run under her leadership after being approached by Barrow.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, U.D.P Leader
“When we spoke when we started to look - prepare for the elections, as you say, to interview candidates and see their work on the ground, Mr. Riverol was not yet confirmed by the executive committee of Corozal Bay. I think they had a couple candidates that they were considering and Mr. Riverol is now the standard bearer for Corozal Bay, the UDP standard bearer. I can tell you that his candidacy was determined by Shyne really but he – the people in Corozal Bay have said to him, his committee has said to him, and the constituents that they feel that he has a better chance if he’s a part of our team because of the things that we say we stand for.”
Marion Ali
“So he has switched allegiance from Mr. Barrow?”
Tracy Taegar-Panton
“I don’t know if he has switched allegiance, I don’t know if he had declared his allegiance for Shyne, but I do know that Shyne had spoken to him about running for the party.’
The Port Loyola Area has four candidates, three of whom are from the U.D.P. There’s former Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, who isn’t aligned with either leader. Then there’s Doctor Nelma Mortis, running under Shyne Barrow’s ticket, and Phillip Willoughby, running under Panton’s leadership. Besides competing against each other, they are also up against the P.U.P. incumbent, Gilroy Usher. When asked about Martinez’s chances, Panton said she would welcome him but is confident that Willoughby will secure Port Loyola.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader, U.D.P
“Boots is a friend, Boots is a former colleague. Boots has always aligned himself with the United Democratic Party and Boots has run for multiple constituencies on behalf of the United Democratic Party. I will say this and I want it to be clear: whatever happens in Port Loyola, whichever UDP candidate emerges as the winner, and when I say UDP candidate, we only have one, but any UDP-associated person, we will embrace them and we will welcome them back to the party. But I believe that Philip has the wherewithal to deliver the seat for Port.”
Roody Wade, from the Cayo District, is taking on both major parties. As the Leader of the Belize Justice Movement, he has introduced a slate of seven candidates. The BJM is one of the few third parties running in the March twelfth election. Historically, third parties haven’t received much support at the polls in Belize. On Wednesday, we asked Wade about this challenge.
Roody Wade, Leader, Belize Justice Movement
“It is so sad in this country how this two-party system has us, especially the youths. They don’t really know the history of these people. If you dig back to the history of these people you kind of want to think twice to go and vote for a PUP or a UDP. But if we watch how the two party system governs our country for decades, they don’t want people to be empowered. So, hopefully at some point the Belizean people will see a need for change. 2025, where are we at. We need change. The only thing that can happen in terms of change is the people. They are the only one that can make a change.”
Dane Khalil Gillett, twenty-seven, has been acquitted of the shocking, execution-style murder of fifteen-year-old Dwayne Gabourel, an SJC student, who was gunned down in September 2021. Gabourel’s death was believed to be a gang-related retaliation for Michael Henry’s murder. Wearing a red shirt, Gabourel was shot four times by a masked gunman who jumped off a motorcycle, approached him at a shop, and fatally shot him before speeding away. After his acquittal, we spoke with Gillett and his attorney. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano.
Dane Gillett
Dane Gillett, Acquitted of Murder
“Dis just go fi show that di system full ah lotta abstract, yoh undastand. Di court clearly prove todeh that whateva dehn mi charge me fah, no evidence deh fi prove that di person, da me da di one weh pull di trigga. No evidence deh fi prove that.”
After spending three years and five months on remand for the shocking murder of a fifteen-year-old SJC student, the alleged shooter, Dane Gillett, is now a free man. Today, Justice Derick Sylvester delivered a thirty-five-page ruling, setting a new precedent.
Orson “OJ” Elrington
Orson “OJ” Elrington, Attorney-at-law
“We had both oral submissions and, as well as written submissions, and at theconclusion, the judge felt as though the evidence was so tenuous that a conviction on the evidence presented by the crown would have been unsafe and, therefore, upheld our no case submission.”
The case relied heavily on video and circumstantial evidence, which was too weak to convict. Justice Sylvester concluded that the evidence was so tenuous that a jury couldn’t safely convict the accused.
Dane Gillett
“And dehn know that fi dehn evidence weh dehn got mi cyant prove that from di start. Dehn still mek I sihdown da jail three years and five months and tek weh lotta time outta my life and outta my family, yoh undastand. I just mi wah mek people sih. End a di day I just wahn di system do dehn job properly because then at the end ah di day fi deh backa dehn place deh soh, man di suffer back deh, back deh rough.”
Dwayne Gabourel
Dwayne Gabourel was tragically shot on September twenty-fifth, 2021, while running an errand for his mother at a grocery store on North Front Street. He was an innocent bystander, targeted simply because he was wearing a red shirt. The murder was thought to be in retaliation for Michael Henry’s execution. After being released, Gillett expressed his condolences to Gabourel’s family.
Dwayne Gabourel
Dane Gillett
“I just woulda wahn tell di lady condolences fi ih loss. I know how ih feel fi lose somebody close, like that. I got somebody weh mi dead, fourteen years old, dehn shot he up nine times, yoh undastand. No justice neva come out fi he neither. So I know how da lady wah feel. I know dehn mussi di sihdown deh and dehn mussi bex right now because dehn mussi feel like da me kill dehn pickney. Ah hope dehn realize that di court prove todeh that I da noh di one weh do di crime, yoh undastand. So I just would wahn dehn clean fi dehn heart towards me. I just wahn dehn clean it up. Condolences and everything towards di people and love all the time.”
The long wait is over! This morning, the Department of Transport started handing out license plates, stickers, and driver’s license cards to those who have already paid. Many drivers, especially in rural areas, have been waiting for months, even years, for these. The department began its tour in Belmopan today, where we spoke with Minister of Transport Rodwell Ferguson. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
After years of waiting, Belizeans can finally collect their license plates, stickers, and driver’s licenses. Today, the Belize Transport Department launched a nationwide distribution tour in Belmopan, sending out multiple teams to district offices across the country to provide extra support. Minister of Transport Rodwell Ferguson admitted that the delay has caused significant inconvenience to the public.
Rodwell Ferguson
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Transport
“ I feel very guilty to a certain extent because I’m the minister responsible for transportation that covers rice and plates and stickers. And so on a regular basis, I keep telling the staff that we need to fix this issue. And so over the last month and a half, the CEO and myself sat down and tried to find a solution. And so we made a very large order to the Ministry of Finance and asked them for their approval. So today and over the next three weeks, we are going to have ten thousand license plates total of different categories.”
This initiative is designed to make the distribution process smoother, clear up the backlog, and improve customer satisfaction. It kicked off today in Belmopan and will continue in Belize City on Friday, then move to Corozal and Orange Walk on Monday, and wrap up in Dangriga, Independence, and Punta Gorda on Tuesday.
Rodwell Ferguson
“So we’re hoping that we can now be able to come back to normalcy to make sure we always have license plates and stickers. As a person comes to license, he’s a whole vehicle. It’s an embarrassment to the ministry and I want to make sure that embarrassment is over. So I can safely say that this will be a thing of the past. So today, as we are issuing, I think in San Ignacio, Santa Elena and Belmopan, and eventually we’ll go north, Belize City, and end up all Punta Gorda. So I asked the staff to also have a license plate show, so that the people come in and bring their receipts and get their license plates and their stickers as they come in.”
To pick up their documents, customers need to show their receipts as proof of payment and the original Certificate of Title from the same office where they paid. One driver, Daniel Orellano, is relieved to finally have his license in hand.
Britney Gordon
“So how long have you been waiting to get your driver’s license or license plate?”
Daniel Orellano
Daniel Orellano, Cayo Driver
“Around one month. Yeah.”
Britney Gordon
“So how are you feeling after coming here today and finally picking it up?”
Daniel Orellano
“Well, after a long, a long month waiting, I feel comfortable already. Becauseevery time I pass through a checkpoint, they always, they ask for the plate, for the license. So now, I feel good.”
Britney Gordon
”Which one are you picking up?”
Daniel Orellano
“The plate and the license.”
Ferguson has implemented a new strategy with the Transport Department to ensure that this delay never happens again.
Rodwell Ferguson
“It could be a miscalculation. And we live in a very small developed country, we don’t expect to have so many motor vehicles. So I emphasize to the staff that now there must be a minimum stock level and a maximum stock level. So once you reach a hundred for argument’s sake, it’s time to reorder license plates. Don’t wait until you reach zero or five.”
Ferguson says the ministry is pushing for a budget increase to keep enough stock on hand and prevent future shortages.
Rodwell Ferguson
“There should be no shortages. And hopefully by May, because of the backlog and present requests by May, we can put in another big order. We even asked the Minister of Finance to increase the budget for license plates and stickers. We’re hopeful that this will not happen in the future.”
On Wednesday night, we reported that Belize Sugar Industries (B.S.I.) is temporarily halting sugar production for the 2024-2025 season. B.S.I. explained that heavy rains have led to poor quality and low quantities of sugar cane, and bad road conditions have made the situation worse. Today, we heard from the Minister of Agriculture, Jose Abelardo Mai, during his appearance on Open Your Eyes.
Jose Abelardo Mai
Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“The mill has closed because of insufficient cane reaching the mill. The fields are excessively wet. The quality of the cane is horrible. The mill will run out of excess bagasse. They burn baggase to produce energy. There is a cold front coming in that will bring some rainfall. If the mill closes because of this issue, or if sugar cane is not reaching the mill, the mill will be forced to closed down, because they are using up all the reserved baggase. They will be unable to restart the crop. That puts at risk the entire sugar crop for 2025. So, I read that thing on Facebook. It is wrong and political mischief. But I must say that we continue to fix sugar roads and because of the weather, the frequent rainfall pattern, it is destroyed. You fix it again, it is destroyed. So, the government is losing. The cane farmer because of the quality is losing. The TCS, the ton of cane to sugar is at sixteen tons. You are losing money.”
