Brianna Bennett - Channel 5 Belize

Shyne Barrow Insists on Continuing as UDP Leader

In a letter written on Wednesday, former Area Representative “Shyne” Barrow said that he accepts the party’s call for him to continue as U.D.P. Leader until the next national convention. He cited the U.D.P.’s dormancy, lack of unity, non-compliance with the party’s constitution, and absence of vision and resources as reasons for his decision. However, a press release from the faction led by Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton later advised that Barrow is not authorized to speak or conduct any business on behalf of the U.D.P., as he no longer holds any leadership or executive role in the party. In response, Barrow issued another release late Wednesday evening, describing Panton’s statement as fake. He referred to Panton and her supporters as the Alliance for Democracy Party, claiming they were acting in the name of the U.D.P. Barrow asserted that until the court decides on this matter, he and the executive elected at the last convention will remain in place. He shared the relevant portion of the U.D.P. Constitution that he believes supports his position and explained that even if he were not the party leader, he would still be a member of the Central Executive. Today, Barrow sat down to explain why he remains the U.D.P. Leader until the court rules.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Area Representative, Mesopotamia

“When I had decided that I would turn over to Hugo Patt, rather than follow the procedures, follow the constitution, and set in motion the procedures that would allow for whoever it is the party wanted to be the next leader of the UDP -rather than do that, it is very unfortunate and a total miscarriage of justice and constitutional adherence that Mr. Hugo Patt decided to just flaunt all of our regulations and yield to Tracy Panton. As it stands, until Justice Hondora makes a decision, Tracy Panton has no standing in the UDP. It can’t be that there is a position that because someone is an elected member of the House, they can do whatever they want to do. I was not allowed to do that as an elected member of the House, and it has to be highlighted that I was not only an elected member of the House. I won in a national convention and then I was endorsed in a subsequent national convention, and none of that mattered. So Tracy Panton broke every rule in the UDP Constitution and the idea that because she won her seat, and I lost my seat, we should forget about procedures structure, constitutional compliance is absurd.”

Barrow’s Resignation Moot: Vows to Challenge Leadership Dispute

Barrow had submitted his resignation as U.D.P. Leader on March 17th to Michael Peyrefitte. Peyrefitte, who had urged Barrow to step down, also indicated he would resign as U.D.P. Chairman at that time. Today, Barrow explained that his resignation is moot because of Peyrefitte’s own resignation and the party’s request for him to return as leader. He added that even if Justice Hondora rules against him, he will challenge the decision all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Marion Ali

“After you resigned, that chairman also resigned.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition

“ Yeah, so he didn’t even, he didn’t even, he wasn’t even in a position – and I wrote to him, so he wasn’t even in a position to accept, and that’s why my resignation.”

Marion Ali

“So, you think because that was the case, your resignation was…”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Well, no, my resignation is whatever the party says it is and the party is the one that’s asking me to return. So that’s a moot issue. Tracy could say whatever she wants, but she’s been saying things against all of us: Alberto August, myself, everybody that supports myself and the central executive and the NPC. She has been saying that she is the UDP forever since. She said, “You didn’t need to do that. We resigned you October 20th.” That is her attitude and with that attitude, she’s not going to get anywhere until Justice Hondora makes a decision. And if that decision is in her favor, then she’ll have a temporary blight until the Court of Appeals and the CCJ gives finality to the matter.”

Barrow Defiant Amid Calls for Exit

Despite taking a beating at the polls, many U.D.P. supporters were already calling for Barrow’s exit on social media well before the October twentieth convention. They blame his management style for the party’s downfall and have been vocal about their belief that his political career is in shambles. However, Barrow sees things differently. He quickly recalled how two-time Prime Minister Said Musa was trounced twice at the polls before his political career made a comeback.

Marion Ali

“UDP supporters have been saying, and since the general election, “He never gives up.” A lot of people feel it’s time for you to move on, that your political career is behind you, at least for now.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition

“Oh wow! That’s interesting. Said Musa lost his seat to Dean Lindo at least twice and won it back every time before going on to become Prime Minister. So that’s ridiculous, Marion.”

Marion Ali

“But to get your response to…”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“I’m responding to you because you are telling me what Tracy supporters are saying, but those same supporters clap when Patrick Faber is appointed to the Senate.”

Marion Ali

“In the public domain, they are recognized as the UDP.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Who is recognized as the UDP?”

Marion Ali

“The faction that you refer to as the Alliance.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“According to who?”

Marion Ali

“In the public domain, they are UDP.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“What public domain?”

Marion Ali

“Whoever elected Honorable Panton.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“So who elected Miguel Guerra? Who elected Hugo Patt? Those were my candidates. Nobody had in mind that Miguel Guerra would win and even had a chance. And he was inextricably linked with me and he won. So that doesn’t matter to you?”

Barrow Plans U.D.P. Reform Amid Panton’s Silence

Panton declined an interview with News Five today but has scheduled her first press conference since the general elections for next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Barrow has big plans for the U.D.P., focusing on reform. Before diving into changes, he wants to meet with his standard bearers to review the election results, recruit new delegates and standard bearers, and work on amending the U.D.P. Constitution.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Leader of the Opposition

“We have to have the necessary meetings and do our post-mortem and look at all of the procedures that need to take place. We need to get delegates, we need to get the caretakers or standard bearers, all of those processes need to happen properly. Delegates need to be elected, standard bearers need to be elected, and then you look at the national convention. We need to look at what can be done with village council because a month and a half has been wasted, so we need to look at constitutional reform. I definitely have spent the last couple of weeks looking at what the Constitution needs as far as improvement.”

Family Demands Justice for Leonard Baltazar

The family of Leonard Baltazar is once again pleading with the Belize Police Department for justice following his death on December eleventh, 2024. Initial reports claimed Baltazar fell to his death while trying to flee after an alleged burglary attempt, but his family disputes this, pointing to conflicting accounts that suggest he was restrained and killed. Tonight, they are demanding answers and justice for their late son. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

It’s been about four months since twenty-two-year-old Leonard Baltazar was found dead outside a cabana at Reef’s End Lodge on Tobacco Caye. Staff discovered Baltazar around 2:20 a.m. Initial reports claimed he fell to his death after attempting to burglarize the room of two tourists at the resort. However, his family disputes this, pointing to conflicting accounts suggesting he was chased out of the room, restrained, and killed. Vincent Higinio, Leonard’s stepfather, believes that if the latter is true, the incident cannot be ruled as self-defense.

Vincent Higinio, Stepfather of Deceased

“He thought that the intruder might have been dangerous. If he thought that, then why would you put your life in danger? Do you and as a citizen, your responsibility, your duty is to call the police not to pursue an intruder. You have the option, but his responsibility, was to call the police or call somebody to because he, his life was no longer in threat. Now I’m hearing also the question about a young man making bad decisions. And I believe we all were young, and we all made bad decisions at one time in our life. That doesn’t deserve a death sentence.”

The family has been pleading with the police to reopen the case and has been following up with them weekly. Leonard Baltazar’s mother, Maris Sanchez, says the police have not been forthcoming with information.

Maris Sanchez, Mother of Deceased

“So I haven’t gotten no feedback about nothing about my son, and it’s going on to five months now. On the eleventh of this month coming, it will be five months and no worry at about nothing.”

Sanchez explains that she filed for a death report about three months ago but has yet to receive it.

Maris Sanchez

“Everytime I go, they, I haven’t gotten no feedback on the report. And same way, like when I try to reach out to the CI Bs, who was getting my son murder, it’s like nobody try to come out to con, answer my questions or phone calls or any like that.”

The family remains uncertain whether the police are still investigating the incident. They claim that two months ago, they were informed by the police that the case had been reopened, but they haven’t received any updates since.

Reporter

“The case has been reopened, then that means that the case is now open. It hasn’t been closed. You haven’t been told that it was closed again.”

Vincent Higinio

“Since talking to him almost two months ago, we haven’t heard anything. Trying to call him. Going down to the Dangriga Police Department. He’s never available. So up to two months ago, we don’t know what the status of the case is.”

The inconsistencies in the reports and the lack of information from the police have deepened the family’s distress. They hope that by making a public plea, the police will provide more transparency in the investigation.

Vincent Higinio

“As a whole I would say poor people in Belize is very disrespected. The life of Leonard Baltazar is just as important as your life and everybody else’s life.”

The family warns that if no progress is made in Baltazar’s investigation, they will pursue legal action. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Family Seeks Help to Find Missing Belizean William Milan in Mexico

A Belizean national has gone missing from his home in Mexico, and his family is urgently appealing to the public for help in bringing him back safely. Twenty-nine-year-old William Milan was last seen by his mother on April nineteenth at their shared home in Chetumal, Quintana Roo. According to her, Milan entered his room and shortly after, vanished. We spoke with his sister, who shared that the family is at a loss, unsure of where he might have gone or if he was in danger.

On the Phone: Sister of William Milan

“He just went to buy his food and then returned back to his room.”

Britney Gordon

“So they didn’t see him leave his room?”

Sister of William Milan

“Nope. He come from buying his food, then he get inside his room and from that entering he made, he never made it out again.”

Britney Gordon

“And did your mom hear anybody else enter the house or hear sounds outside?”

Sister of William Milan

“No. Miss the neighbors also tell my mom that they no see they no hear nothing.”

Britney Gordon

“Do you guys know if there’s any reason why anyone would want to hurt him? If maybe that’s the case or was he known to wander?”

Sister of William Milan

“No, miss my mom say that he went to cut cane and from cutting cane he go and goes to his room, buy his food and lock himself. He don’t have no friends. Yes, he smoke, he drinks, but he was not a person that will go and do bad things.”

Britney Gordon

“Okay. And do you think there’s any possibility of him possibly running away or just going to live somewhere else and not telling you guys?”

Sister of William Milan

“No, because all his stuff are there in his room, even his chain. And my mom told me too that they found some blood stains in his room, in his blanket, in his working boots. If somebody see him or know about something, because I don’t know what happened in that room. If he come and cross the river and come here and he’s afraid and doesn’t want to reach to us, but staying away from us because of afraid, fearing for his life. So, I don’t know, miss. I don’t know what to say because it’s an emotional feeling, not knowing where he gone. What happened to him.”

Danny Mason’s Kidnapping Trial to Begin Next Week

In less than a week, the kidnapping and blackmail trial against William ‘Danny’ Mason and Belmopan resident Ryan Rhaburn is set to begin. Today, Mason’s attorney, Peter Taylor, appeared virtually before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, requesting an adjournment to May first, 2025. Taylor claimed he hasn’t been compensated by Mason yet. However, with the trial just days away, DPP Cheryl Lynn-Vidal objected, stating that witnesses are ready, and the trial cannot be delayed further. Justice Pilgrim denied the request and informed Taylor that arrangements would be made for his compensation. The trial will proceed as scheduled on April twenty-ninth. Taylor also noted that Mason hasn’t arranged finances to fly him and his team to Belize. Mason and Rhaburn face charges for the kidnapping of Mennonite couple Lloyd and Rosey Friesen on May thirty-first, 2016, with Mason also charged with blackmail. Allegedly, they detained the Friesens by force and demanded $2,500 weekly for protection. Rhaburn is out on bail, while Mason remains at Belize Central Prison.

Enriquez Calls for Investigation into Alleged Bias in Redistricting Case

Last night, we reported that Jeremy Enriquez is urging the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to investigate Justice Tawanda Hondora. The High Court judge presided over Enriquez’s constitutional claim against the Government of Belize regarding the incomplete redistricting exercise. With the claim dismissed, Enriquez alleges judicial bias, presenting evidence to Chief Justice Louise Blenman, Chair of the JLSC. One key piece of evidence is a recording from the judge’s active microphone during a lunch break, where Enriquez claims a group of attorneys in Trinidad heard Justice Hondora say he had already decided to dismiss the case. Today, we heard from Enriquez directly.

Jeremy Enriquez, Claimant

“We wanted to record our concern that was based on statements heard ton be made by the judge hearing our case on redivisioning. There were some attorneys who heard statements he made during the lunch break. That statement was submitted in an affidavit to the Chief Justice. We also wanted to inform and make sure that the matter is investigated to ensure that such misconduct does not continue to occur.”

Paul Lopez

“I gather that one of the most alarming parts of the statement was not recorded and is that because the unofficial recording began immediately after the statement was made?”

Jeremy Enriquez

“Right, it was heard. The attorneys were listening to the entire case and when they heard that statement that was made they quickly decided to record the rest of the statements. But, they swore in the affidavit that those were statements made by the judge.”

Enriquez Demands Justice Hondora’s Removal

Enriquez has submitted an affidavit to Chief Justice Louise Blenman from witnesses who heard the alleged remarks. He’s demanding an investigation and wants Justice Hondora off his case. Although the claim was dismissed, the cost is still being appealed.

Jeremy Enriquez, Claimant

“The focus was what was heard during that break, what was recorded, and we want to ensure that it does not happen again. It distorts the integrity of the justice system and it may call into question the fairness of a judge who is making those statements during that lunch break. The judge will have to answer as to how he had made those kinds of decisions and statements. It clearly made us question the fairness and integrity of the system in which those kinds of decisions are made. This is a serious constitutional matter we brought up. Against all odds, we were fighting to preserve the democracy of Belize and for the government to abide by the constitution, that they had sworn to do and repeatedly said they would do. They did not. That did not happen. So when we took the matter to court, it is because we trusted the court to look at it objectively, to look at the chronological order and to make a reasonable judgement after hearing the entire case.”

Paul Lopez

“What if any response have you received from the Chief Justice in her position as chair?”

Jeremy Enriquez

“No response yet to acknowledge the receipt of our complaint. But those were hand delivered to the office of the Judicial and Legals Service Commission and also to the office of the Chief Justice and also sent by email to the Chief Justice herself.”

Belizean Neurologist Bestowed with Prestigious Award in US

Doctor Randall Edgell, a Neurologist who attended Saint John’s College and pursued his medical education in the U.S., has been honored with the prestigious Sydney Souers Award. Edgell, the son of Belizean author Zee Edgell and brother of journalist Holly Edgell, is a Professor of Neurology and Surgery and the Director of the Souers Stroke Institute at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. For the past eighteen years, he has led the institute’s stroke services in education and research. Speaking to News Five today, Edgell shared that he plans to use the monetary award to fund further research.

Dr. Randall Edgell, Award Recipient, St. Louis University School of Medicine

“Sydney Souers was a wealthy philanthropist. I guess he started his life as an admiral in the US Navy in World War II. He actually was the first person to lead the C.I.A. in the United States and unfortunately had a stroke. He was treated at our institution back in the 1970s, and at that time, he felt he received good care. His family was very grateful and then later in the 1980s, his wife left some money to the university to create this position, this endowed professorship in stroke care. And this was the award that I was lucky enough to receive a few days ago. All universities have this type of award in endowed professorship. It’s one of the highest honors you can receive as a university professor, and it’s given to people who stand out in their career for having accomplished special things in terms of teaching or research or national prominence. I don’t get to spend the money itself. I have access to – it is invested in stock market and I get to spend the interest that accumulates on that fund. And so that’s what I have access to each year. I think in my case, I’ll be using it to advance a type of research that I am involved in, looking at stents. Stents are small metal cylinders that are used to open up blocked blood vessels and there’s a particular area in the back of the neck called the vertebral artery that takes blood to the back of the brain and that’s an area where there’s not a lot of research on stenting.”