Meet the Candidates in Cayo Central and Cayo North

Our Meet the Candidates coverage continues in the Cayo District! Tonight, we’ll also hear from candidates in the Port Loyola constituency. But first, let’s head to the Cayo Central and Cayo North constituencies. Each of these divisions will feature a candidate from both major parties, plus a third-party contender. Once known as the Red Hills, these areas turned blue in 2020. Will that change on March 12, or will it stay the same? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

With the third largest number of registered voters in the Cayo District, this constituency will see three political candidates face off in the March twelfth general election. Alex Balona, the People’s United Party candidate, is hoping to win back the voters’ trust and secure a second consecutive term in office.

 

Alex Balona, P.U.P Candidate, Cayo Central

“Well our executive as you can see behind me, they are an excellent team and they have been with me throughout the four and a half years. And they know exactly what to go and tell our constituents. I know the people are wise. The next government will be a PUP government and Cayo Central will remain P.U.P.”

 

Balona is facing some heat after a 2020 election day video resurfaced on social media, showing him spitting in the face of a U.D.P. member. Balona recently explained that he was first assaulted with a phone. So, the big question is: will March twelfth be free of any spitting incidents as United Democratic Party candidate Mark O’Brien takes on Balona?

 

Mark O’Brien, U.D.P Candidate, Cayo Central

“The people has eyes to see, ears to hear, and they also feel what is going on. Across the nation the people are complaining about high cost of living. In our area, the farmers are telling us they love farming. They are not asking for ham, turkey, handouts or money. They are not even asking for seeds. They are asking for that opportunity to have better road access to be able to harvest their crops and come out and make a return on their hard work they have invested in their agriculture field.”

Elections in Belize have always been a tough climb for third parties. But that doesn’t deter Roody Wade, the leader of the Belize Justice Movement. Despite having little to no resources, he’s been putting his name on the ballot for decades and is ready to do it again in Cayo Central.

 

Roody Wade, B.J.M Candidate, Cayo Central

“What is working in my favor, I am glad you ask it, because people are tired of that two party system. You will find out that people are showing that energy that yes, I will take their fifty dollars and a hundred and they will be surprised what will catch them. We see the constant flooding never stop. The neglect per say totally. People utter to me I don’t even see this area representative from the time he got elected. I have not seen him.”

 

Keep an eye on Cayo North. As the second largest constituency in Cayo, it’s definitely one to watch. Michel “Micho” Chebat is feeling confident about being reelected for a second consecutive term.

 

Michel “Micho” Chebat, P.U.P Candidate, Cayo North

“This has been an honor of a lifetime for me. The people of Cayo North entrusted their faith and trust in me and that is something we take very seriously. We have been working over the past four years. We have been delivering to them on our promises. We are very confident that we will be returned on the twelfth of March.”

 

In 2020, Chebat defeated former U.D.P Area Representative Omar Figueroa. The one-term representative has returned to challenge Chebat, in hopes of a victory.

 

Dr. Omar Figueroa, U.D.P. Candidate, Cayo North

“There was a wide tsunami in 2020, no one will deny that. But when you look at what has happened from 2020 to now, that is what is at stake here. That is the report card that people will evaluate. So it is not about what happened din 2020. It is about what happened since 2020 up until March twelfth. And as you walk the streets, you sense what the people of Cayo North are feeling and I am telling you Paul we have every confidence that in Cayo North I will deliver.”

 

The Belize Justice Movement has introduced their candidate for Cayo North, Leroy Lisbey. As a retired public officer, Leroy believes he’s the fresh face and change that the people have been eagerly waiting for.

Leroy Lisbey, B.J.M. Candidate, Cayo North

“I am very optimistic because I am running grass root, people centered campaign. I am not like the two political parties who are running on broken, empty promises. I am walking the streets and hearing what people need. That is my passion. I will work for them on the basic things. I will ensure that fair land distribution is there. Improve the healthcare system, unlimited opportunities for the youth and promote economic growth.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.