Who is Gladys Paredez? The Fort George resident was Shyne Barrow’s choice for U.D.P. standard bearer in the Collet Division, set to challenge five-time Area Representative Patrick Faber. But things quickly took a turn for the worse. Right after her endorsement, questions arose about Paredez’ loyalty to the U.D.P., with many suspecting she was a P.U.P. supporter at heart. On Sunday, Paredez attended the P.U.P.’s delegates convention and was soon seen wearing a PUP T-shirt. So, how did the U.D.P. react? Earlier today, they announced that as of February tenth, Paredez is no longer their standard bearer.
Year: 2025
Figueroa Says 124 Voters on Cayo North List Are Outsiders
Back in December, Omar Figueroa, the U.D.P. Standard Bearer for Cayo North, raised concerns about alleged electoral fraud in his constituency. After a favorable court ruling, he called on the Election and Boundaries Department to investigate 124 names on the voters list, claiming they didn’t belong to the constituency. Despite his efforts, those names remain on the list. Today, the Elections and Boundaries Commission issued a statement reaffirming that there has been no electoral fraud and that all voter registration processes comply with the Representation of the People Act. They assured that any challenges regarding voter residency are being properly addressed through legal channels. The commission also committed to upholding the integrity of Belize’s electoral system. We spoke with Figueroa for his reaction.
Omar Figueroa, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo North
“In total we are dealing with a hundred and twenty-four electors which we believe are fraudulently placed on the list. In the first instance, there are a hundred and one which was a case stated submission, which means a hundred and one electors in the process of transferring to Cayo North, some were new registrations, but most were in the process of transferring to Cayo North. One hundred and one was held up, because of a case stated. These electors were never on the list. When that submission was made the Magistrate was clear that because of the case stated those electors should go back to the constituencies were they came from. But the elections and boundaries went ahead and processed and finalized those applications. That is a cause of serious concern. There are twenty-three additional electors. These we objected to for the annual review. They had transferred in July but was already on the list when we objected for the annual review. But again, the Magistrate’s ruling was clear, it said that these twenty-three names should be removed form the Cayo North list. The Magistrate actually visited the locus in these cases. There were impromptu court sessions with the landlord and neighbors where they had to swear on a bible that they were testifying in court and it was clear that none of these electors were ever living where they said they were living.”
“Boots” Returns to Port Loyola for A Final Hoorah
Today, we visited the Port Loyola constituency to speak with Anthony “Boots” Martinez. Martinez is a familiar face here, having served four terms as the area representative for the U.D.P. After running in Pickstock in 2020, he’s back in Port Loyola, hoping the community still has a soft spot for him. Martinez claims that the current Area Representative, Gilroy Usher, has let residents down by neglecting road repairs and housing projects.
Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Standard Bearer, Port Loyola
“That is absolutely so. See this big place like Jane Usher Boulevard, one of the largest area geographically in this constituency, one house ih build in five years’ time in this whole area, if you move around this area you will see around forty to fifty of what they call Boots house. Dah nuh like I need fuh she.”
Paul Lopez
“One of the pains for residents in this constituency is road infrastructure. What is your commitment to road infrastructure?”
Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“In truth in Port Loyola here, I left this constituency in good hands. All the representative needed to do was maintain what is here. This street here I put this street in from nothing, with light, water, everything and as simple as you see it, it needs the constant maintenance just like Jane Usher Boulevard. It was properly paved but need maintenance. There was no lot of need in my view in Port Loyola for having a lot of new street, just maintain what is there. Including, apart from the new house, you see those house behind you, that was built by the PUP and the ministry of housing and the PUP mortgage it to social security. During my tenure they took all those houses from those people and what I did, I initiate with government to have the houses write off.”
Which U.D.P. is Anthony “Boots” Martinez Running Under?
So, under which banner is Anthony “Boots” Martinez running in Port Loyola? The many political signs around the area hint that he’s with the U.D.P. If that’s true, Port Loyola might have three U.D.P. candidates on the ballot on March 12th. Today, we asked him to clear things up.
Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Standard Bearer, Port Loyola
“I am running like Boots, BOOTS. Two things happen, one is you run first and foremost as representative. For me my umbrella, as we speak, if you notice I have gone pay my deposit and my deposit nuh say no UDP, no nothing. This deposit says towards nomination as a candidate for the upcoming 2025 general election. I am not saying I am running independent. I am running as the candidate Boots who the people know and ih nuh really matter to me, the color nuh really matter.”
Paul Lopez
“What you also need to explain is why is it that your name and Phillip Willoughby’s name are on lamp post across the constituency?”
Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“I nuh have no paraphernalia and superman logo. I got Boots. This dah nuh no cartoon character. This is about serious business. What would be a problem for me is If I am fighting against the people, party is not important that is just a vehicle. It is the people. If I was fighting against the people I wouldn’t even put up my name, dah the people dah the important equation eena this, nuh individual the people.”
Paul Lopez
“One resident asking you to come back is my brother right here. You have on a right on track t-shirt.”
Port Loyola Resident
“We nuh worry bout the shirt, he dah nuh bout party. He hdah somebody nuh worry bout PUP and UDP. I nuh have to say anything, everything speaks for itself.”
Orange Walk Candidates Promise Better Opportunities in 2025
Last week, we introduced you to the Corozal candidates running in the 2025 general elections. This weekend, we headed to Orange Walk to meet with the United Democratic Party standard bearers as they campaigned in their constituencies. On Sunday, the People’s United Party held a national convention in Belize City, where we caught up with their candidates for the upcoming elections. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the details.
Our first stop was the Orange Walk Central constituency, where we sat down with Yara Cal Villeda, the United Democratic Party standard bearer. Villeda, a long-time resident of Orange Walk Town, has been an educator for over fifteen years. This isn’t her first foray into politics; she’s run for the town council twice before. Although she didn’t win, she believes the experience will help her unite Belizeans and create better opportunities for the youth.
Yara Cal Villeda, U.D.P. Standard Bearer, Orange Walk Central
“Our youth are the future. And I know it may sound cliche, but if we don’t help them, who will? And we all know that the cost of living is tremendously high. So most of our parents are finding it so difficult to send them to a sixth form. Yes, we have some schools, for example, Orange County Middle and High School has the free education program, but what after that? Do we just leave them to hang and dry there after fourth form? And we all know that after fourth form, you are not really assured a good future with just a high school diploma.”
Villeda’s opponent is Belize’s current Prime Minister, John Briceño. He is confident that the strong connection he has forged with his constituency will be evident on election day. Briceño explained how he juggles these relationships alongside his demanding ministerial responsibilities.
John Briceño, Standard Bearer, Orange Walk Central, P.U.P.
“It does help that you live in your constituency. So people come to my house, come to the office. It’s not that easy. But since you live in your constituency, it makes a big difference, so I think that I manage to keep in touch with people, usually on their Thursdays, Saturdays, and some Sundays. I just helped develop relationship with the voters. For some, it’s basically become like a friendship, like a family,”
Yara Cal Villeda
“ We have to, first of all, rally for funding. Nothing can be done without the funds. Be the voice for them, because I think that so many times, we look at infrastructure, which is good, don’t get me wrong, all of that is wonderful, but we need to look at our human resource also. And as good as our streets are, if we don’t have the people who are going to work the afterwards, if we don’t have, the people who are going to build up our economy, Then we don’t have anything.”
“I always tell people you never take the voters for granted. You have to make sure you continue to work for them and to engage with them. And to ensure that they understand that you are there for them, and that your main job is to look after them. I tell everyone, I can only be Prime Minister because the people of Orange Walk give me that confidence and I never forget that.”
Heading over to Orange Walk North, we meet the standard bearer, Carlos Zetina. Zetina has served as the chairman of Douglas village for nearly a decade. He feels that the people of Orange Walk North have been overlooked and need change..
Carlos Zetina, Standard Bearer, Orange Walk South, U.D.P.
“They have not been reaching out to the cane farmers because remember we are in the north and this is specifically we have the cane farmers and they need a lot of assistance when it comes to their sugar roads. They cannot take out their cane because the roads are in a deplorable condition. Alright, and besides that we have we have the government putting this new NHI program where people go there, they see long lines and they don’t work on Saturdays and Sundays. Therefore, where will people go if they, you go to the Northern Regional Hospital, and they don’t have the adequate materials so that they can take care of these people. That ends up putting a burden on people’s lives.”
On the other hand, Jose Abelardo Mai of Belize Rural South believes he has built a strong connection with his constituency over his sixteen-year political career. He shared some of the positive feedback he has received from his supporters.
Jose Abelardo Mai, Standard Bearer, Orange Walk South, P.U.P.
“First and foremost, Orange Walks low is a rural community. We depend on the agriculture sector. Agriculture is a It’s the highest point in the history of the country. Everybody’s employed. Everybody’s getting salary. Not less than five dollars, more than half the power. So that is a great achievement for us. The mere fact that there is unemployment so low, and that the salaries have increased, it makes them so comfortable, so happy, and pleased with the government.”
Zetina reflects on the work he has put into developing his community. He maintains that if elected, he will be able to double his efforts in serving the needs of the people.
“ I have started a lot of programs. I have. Involved the youth in sports. I’ve tried a garbage recollection program in the villages. I have started dealing with single mothers, trying to assist them, the elderly. They need help. So these are, this is where we start because we cannot just say, you know what, we are going to, we are going to make a bridge and then you have people suffering from hunger. So we need to take care of our people first.”
Jose Abelardo Mai
“Public spaces in the villages. There’s enough land. We have enough public spaces. What we need to do, is because of climate change, work on a plan to improve all the rural network of roads. Sugar roads or farm roads. Because the weather has really changed and it’s affecting us seriously. So resilient, resilient, the term resilient now really takes precedence.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.
Akeem Smith Grazed by Bullet in Murder Attempt
On Saturday evening, a man was shot in downtown Belize City, near the Belize City Swing Bridge. Thirty-two-year-old fisherman Akeem Smith and three others had just returned from a sea trip. As their boat approached some riverside buildings, two men on a ledge opened fire on them. The shooters had hidden on the cement ledge over the river, waiting for the group to pass. Smith and his companions managed to jump into the river, avoiding serious injury. Today, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero informed the media that several people have been detained for questioning. He also mentioned that measures are in place to prevent any retaliation.
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division
“On Saturday, 15th of February 2025 police responded to a shooting incident not from streets in Belize City. On arrival, they learned that one person had been shot and taken to the cage image for treatment. Checks are made at the K.H.M.H where police found Akeem Smith with gunshot injuries. Information is that Smith was along with three other male persons in a boat in the river when two male persons who were on the concrete deck fired several shots towards their direction, causing the injuries to Smith. Smith was treated and has since been released from the cage in which we have several persons in custody in regards to the shooting for questioning. There is an ongoing operation at this time to try and prevent any retaliation. Several patrols in the area as well.”
Marion Ali
“Can you say what the motive of this attack was?”
A.C.P Hilberto Romero
“This is a result of gang rivalry in the city.”
San Pedro Employee Charged with Theft of over $500,000
A woman from San Pedro might be looking at jail time if she’s found guilty of theft. Police investigations revealed that thefts happened over several years. The charge against Bethsa Ramirez came after businesswoman Lisa Guerrero reported her in January. Guerrero had hired Ramirez as her personal assistant and bookkeeper but soon discovered alarming issues with her finances. She reported it to the police, and an investigation confirmed several irregularities. Today, A.C.P. Hilberto Romero shared the details with the media.
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division
“On Tuesday, the 21st day of January 2025, Lisa Guerrero, business owner of El Diamante Limited in San Pedro, made a report to police. She stated that she hired an accountant, one Bethsa Ramirez from 2019 to do work for their business. Thereafter, information was received that some funds were missing. An investigation was carried out. Several checks were obtained, and as a result, Bethsa Ramirez has since been arrested and charged with a crime of theft for the amount of 516, 000 Belize currency. When it was identified then the report was made to us, so that is when the arrest was made. So, it took some time before they found out, but this person had been hired from 2019.”
Ramirez Denied Bail at Court; Remanded to Prison
Today, thirty-four-year-old Bethsa Ramirez appeared in court in San Pedro to face theft charges but was denied bail. Her attorney, Audrey Matura, argued that Ramirez isn’t a flight risk since she’s a naturalized Belizean. Matura will now have to seek bail through the High Court. Meanwhile, Ramirez is spending her first night behind bars. No plea was taken from her, and she was remanded to prison until April twenty-third. Matura has stated that she will apply for bail and that Ramirez will have the opportunity to clear her name.
Audrey Matura, Attorney-at-Law
“Miss Lisa Guerrero, the owner of Le Diamante is claiming that from 2019 to 2023, her employee, which was just an accounts clerk but whom she clearly wants to give the responsibility of an accountant, she’s claiming that this employee took money from her and she’s claiming that there are checks made out to the employee that amounted to some sums more than checks, but there’s this overall discrepancy. A key thing with this: according to my client, definitely this happens in many workplaces, too many times your employer says, let me put a check in your name so you can cash it for me because I need cash for X, Y, and Z. A lot of that happens. But we need for the evidence to come out and we will know what actually transpired. It’s one thing to say you have these charges against a person. It’s not a thing to prove it. Based on the information we got from police, there is not an audited financial statement. And clearly, my client will be able to clear up her name. But in the meantime, of course, it will be all over the place. It might affect her job, we don’t know, but it might affect her reputation, but the thing is, she’s innocent until proven guilty. And if Le Diamante is a properly operating business, you would have been doing your financial audits annually. You would have caught up on something if there’s such a thing that’s happening. But sometimes it’s not about whether you get to prove the case or not. It’s that you go after someone, and you damage their reputation before you have a chance to even defend yourself.”
Gas Station Robbed on Valentine’s Day
What started as a regular Valentine’s Day turned into a nightmare for employees at the Oil and Energy Gas Station on Lindo’s Alley in Belize City. Around one PM on Friday, three masked men targeted the station. One of them approached the pump attendant and placed an order. Just as the attendant was about to serve him, a second man came up from behind and threatened him with a gun, demanding money. The thieves made off with cash and the pump attendant’s gold chain. Meanwhile, the third accomplice kept watch. Today, police announced they are on the hunt for the three culprits.
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division
“On Friday, the 14th day of February 2025, police responded to a robbery report at Oil and Energy Gas Station at Lindo’s Alley in Belize City. Upon arrival, one of the attendants reported that three male persons arrived at the gas station, one of which ordered some gas. The attendant went to serve the gas, at which point one of them pulled out the FIM and stole from him a amount of cash and a gold chain. Three male persons thereafter fled from the area. We’re looking for three suspects in regards to this robbery.”
PM Says no Contract was Signed at the Belize Port Authority
This morning, Prime Minister John Briceño was questioned by Channel Seven news about a letter he received from the Belize Port Authority in December. The letter asked for his approval on a contract that the board claimed was unanimously approved. However, the Prime Minister clarified that no contract had been signed yet and reprimanded the media house for even bringing up the question.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Why are you beating a dead horse? Actually, this is ridiculous. Honestly, when I saw that letter and I spoke with the financial secretary, we decided that we needed more information before it could be approved. That’s why it was never approved and there was no contract was signed. End of story. Next question.”