What about citizen security during election season? It’s a question that we put to Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa earlier today. He referred to Belize’s history as a peaceful nation where free and fair elections are part of the democratic process.
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“As you know, we have the privilege of living in a beautiful country where we have had free, fair, peaceful elections for decades and so we don‘t see any issue coming out of this one, but at the same time, of course, the police department has to be ready, has to be in full gear and we‘ve made sure of that. So we don‘t expect any issues because as a peace-loving people we don‘t fight over politics and that sort of thing.”
In May 2022, two men, who had never been before the court on any criminal allegations, were charged in connection with a shooting incident that occurred outside of Icon Call Center. Those shots were fired into a vehicle that was being driven at the time by former Belize City Councilor Micah Goodin. As a result, Kenyon Tillett and Tarique James were arrested and slapped with four charges. But today, the crown withdrew three of those four charges leaving only one charge against the men. That is one count of discharging a firearm in public. Instead of the trial kicking off today, as was scheduled, the prosecutor informed the court that they will not be moving forward with the offenses of aggravated assault upon Tae Medina and Micah Goodin and one count of wounding upon Tae Medina. In court, Tillett and James’ attorney, Richard “Dickie” Bradley had issues with the prosecution wanting to proceed on the discharging a firearm charge because the alleged victims no longer wanted to take court action against his client. But the sitting Senior Magistrate told Bradley that it is the crown’s case and that she is prepared to commence the trial. The matter has been adjourned for a later date.
In the Capital City, both major political parties are fielding candidates for March sixth. This morning, the People’s United Party’s candidates paraded through the streets of Belmopan on their way to be nominated inside the Belmopan Civic Center. The United Democratic Party candidates followed in the afternoon with a motorcade. News Five’s Paul Lopez was in Belmopan. Here is his report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The People’s United Party says it is on track to secure a second consecutive municipal victory in the City of Belmopan. And this morning, at approximately ten a.m. the party’s seven municipal candidates were officially nominated inside the Belmopan Civic Center.
Pablo Cawich
Pablo Cawich, Belmopan Mayoral Candidate, P.U.P. “We started campaigning last year June, that is when we started hitting the ground. The slate was already complete and that is when we started engaging the residents to get information as to what their concerns for the city were.”
Cawich and his team of candidates held a procession from Cemetery Road in Belmopan to the Civic Center. They were joined by at least a hundred supporters wearing the party’s “Stay Pan Track” t-shirts and waving the party colors.
Pablo Cawich “A lot of the working class in Belmopan is not able to come out at this time. Likewise, they don’t truly show any political support when it is time that they can come out as well. It is one of the realities of Belmopan, that the crowd size will always be different than other municipalities.”
The United Democratic Party was scheduled to submit the names of their nominees at two p.m. Unlike the PUP’s procession, Mayoral Candidate Jacklyn Burns and her team of councilor candidates held a motorcade that began in front of the home of former UDP Area Representative John Saldivar.
Jacklyn Burns
Jacklyn Burns, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan “He has been an active part of the campaign. I am happy to have him as our strategist for this campaign. His knowledge of political games are what contributes to our daily movements and so we are excited to be affiliated with him. The PUPs even recognize it with that super big billboard and we are happy to have him here.”
In 2021 the United Democratic Party lost the municipal election in Belmopan to PUP’s Sharon Palacio. That year the UDP was only able to garner thirty-two percent of the votes casted in the Capital City. Burns, a former Belmopan City councilor, was also the UDP’s Mayoral Candidate at the time.
Jacklyn Burns
“I am a teacher by profession and it is report card day on March sixth. Let’s see what the people has to say. That is all I have to say.”
Paul Lopez
The people did however speak resoundingly at the last election, so the question is, what in roads have the UDP made in Belmopan?
Jacklyn Burns “A lot of people who study politics and study elections would tell you that there is a certain demographic of Belizeans who vote out instead of in and the type of service we have had from the blue politicians in Belmopan left a lot to be desired to say it nicely.”
John Saldivar was present to show his support to the Burns and her slate. They walked away from the Civic Center in a friendly embrace. He however decided to remain out of the limelight and declined requests for an interview. On the other hand, Oscar Mira, the P.U.P. Area Representative for Belmopan did not shy away from the cameras. He says his relationship with Cawich is well; something he could not say for the outgoing PUP Mayor.
Oscar Mira
Oscar Mira, P.U.P. Area Representative, Belmopan “The relationship has been well. We have sat down and managed to look at what Belmopan needs, needs of the residents and voters and we can’t do it alone. It has to be a collaborative effort and working together with City Council and Area Representative, many things can be achieved. The previous council we had our difficulties, but that did not stop me from doing the work. If you notice, Belmopan had work from the time I got elected all the way up to now. We never stopped. So any work that is happening right now are scheduled world and not just because election. With Pablo Cawich as the Mayor of Belmopan I think our relationship is going to be stronger and better.”
Earlier today in Sugar City, the People’s United Party, as well as the United Democratic Part, also led throngs of supporters, along with their municipal candidates to the Sandy Hunter Library where two slates were officially nominated. Here’s correspondent Dalila Ical with that story from Orange Walk.
In Dangriga, we heard from incumbent Mayor, Robert Mariano who is seeking a second term in office under the People’s United Party. Mariano and his slate were officially nominated today in that municipality. We also heard from the United Democratic Party’s Mayoral Candidate, Alex Lucas who was also officially nominated today along with his slate. Here is what they told us.
Robert Mariano
Robert Mariano, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate, Dangriga
“As you know we are coming out for nomination day and as you can see we have so much of our supporters who have turned out already to give me that support for nomination day. We will be having the Sweet Pain Band who will be backing us up all the way to Town Hall and from Town Hall we go to drums of our fathers and back to the party hall where we will be having a small social among our supporters and then we end one thirty pm.”
Alex Lucas
Alex Lucas, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Dangriga
“I am offering myself because we have a lot of work to do in beautiful Dangriga. WE need proper streets, proper drainage, we need assistance for tuition for students. We need elderly care, feeding programs in our school because kids are going to school hungry. We need employment opportunities for our youths. People are graduating and don’t have a job. We need to invite entrepreneurs and business people to Dangriga so we can improve our way of life in Dangriga.”
The time is drawing nearer to the 2024 municipal elections. On March sixth, Belizeans from all over the country will gather at the polling stations in their respective city or town to cast their votes for the new council. Until then, electoral candidates set off on their campaign trail, visiting the homes of voters in their area in the hopes of securing vote in their favor. Tonight, we are heading west to the town of Benque Viejo Del Carmen where you will be introduced to the mayoral candidates of the People’s United Party and The United Democratic Party, as well as a few of their councilors. Here is tonight’s episode of Meet the Candidates.
Marco Tesucum
Marco Tesucum, U.D.P Mayoral Candidate, Benque
“My name is Marco Antonio Tesucum. Most people know me as Marky. I have lived here all my life and I have been a teacher for approximately thirty-five years and so basically I know most of these people in this town. We are looking forward to work with the institutions, the high schools especially, and try to assist them as much as we can with students. Many students go to classes without, um, breakfast perhaps, or even though they might go, but they might not have for lunch. So we are planning, for example, on a Saturday, they can work at least half day and they can earn some money for their week.”
Jorge Rosales
Jorge Rosales, P.U.P Mayoral Candidate, Benque
“So really why I got into politics. I’m the mayor of Benque Viejo at the moment, 2021 to 202. And why I got in into the mayor candidacy was because the area where I live, which is at the Carolina area up in the hills, we never had the roads fixed and I was a contractor at a time. Being a contractor I had some vehicles and the way of life that was over there. I didn’t like it. So I decided, I said one day I will be mayor and I’m trying to come and fix everything that is wrong in Benque. We will try to implement two hundred thirty works like call center and remove the where the, bus terminal is at the moment, which is not a terminal. It’s just a parking area where they’re parking and move, uh, Make a central bus terminal by the cancha where that’s where the call center will be and that will bring in the socio- economic businesses to a point that will be the center area of Benque Viejo”.
George Iglesias, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate
“I’m pushing for opportunities for the young people, for single mothers. For a better like clinic, have a 24 hours clinic so people don’t have to go to Ignacio. So that’s about it. And how is the campaign going so far? It’s going very good. I think we do have an opportunity for the 6th of March. I think we’re gonna OUT 0:33 come out victorious.”
Jenny Martinez
Jenny Martinez, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate
“I’m a medical scientist by profession and an entrepreneur in Benque and I’m looking forward to serve my community, which is a passion of mine. We are campaigning on various issues social issues, education. Health is one of my priorities. Prioritize the health sector, education, and the social well being of the community on a whole.”
Britney Gordon
“What inspired you to join the campaign this year?”
Maria Martinez
Maria Martinez, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate
“Of course my love for my beautiful town and to also to uplift it from where it is. To take it to another level because my whole life I’ve been a teacher and I’ll always look for the benefit of everybody in this country, the children, the adults and the youths in a whole. So that’s where got my inspiration and because I’ve also been in politics before. So I feel like I have that to be with the people and help people.”
Shamir Polido
Shamir Polido, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate
“We have a lot of youths in BenqueViejo and if I go in the municipality on March seventh, I want to help the youths to start their new businesses. Start giving them incentive so they can prosper. Or also, help them with trainings or other forms of materials so they can use for their businesses.”
Last weekend was bustling with activity in Benque Viejo, as both U.D.P. and P.U.P. candidates set off to continue their campaign trail and secure voters for the upcoming municipal elections. Leading the red campaign is former councilor and first-time mayoral candidate, Marco Tesucum, while the blue is led by current Mayor of Benque Viejo, Jorge Rosales. Tesucum believes that there is much social work to be done in the area with an emphasis on youth involvement, while Rosales seeks to further the development him and his team accomplished in infrastructure and industry development. Ultimately, it will be the voters who decide who is most fit to fill the positions. We visited Benque Viejo to find out what the residents of Benque Viejo are most hopeful for this election, Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon With that report.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Although quiet in the weeks approaching elections, Benque Viejo is still decorated with banners and flags, signaling the big event to come and the PUP and UDP parties are both hard at work on their campaign trails trying to secure the votes for the big day. The UDP candidates who were out in the afternoon comprised of Mayoral candidates, Marco Tesucum and his councilors who emphasize their desire to assist the youths in the community through sports programs, jobs, and education.
Marco Tesucum
Marco Tesucum, Mayoral Candidate, U.D.P.
“We are looking forward to work with the institutions, the high schools especially, and try to assist them as much as we can with students. Many students go to classes without, um, breakfast perhaps, or even though they might go, but they might not have for lunch. So we are planning, for example, on a Saturday, they can work at least half day and they can earn some money for OUT 2:00 their week”
The PUP candidates are comprised of current mayor, Jorge Rosales and his councilors who are seeking to further their infrastructural work and create job opportunities.
Jorge Rosales
Jorge Rosales, Mayoral Candidate, P.U.P.
“We will try to implement two hundred thirty works like call center and remove the where the, bus terminal is at the moment, which is not a terminal. It’s just a parking area where they’re parking and move, uh, Make a central bus terminal by the cancha where that’s where the call center will be and that will bring in the socio-economic businesses to a point that will be the center area of OUT 3:51 Benque Viejo”.
But what are the residents of Benque Viejo asking for come March sixth? We asked a few residents what they are hoping to see implemented in their hometown. Some residents expressed a desire to see further infrastructural development.
Britney Gordon
“What are some concerns that you have about Benque and what are you hopeful for this upcoming election?”
Elias Castellanos
Elias Castellanos, Resident, Benque
“Well, just to make them fix good then streets.”
Britney Gordon
“What’s one change that you would like to see implemented as a result of the upcoming elections?”
Raul Jimenez
Raul Jimenez, Resident, Benque
“Well, one result I would like to see is that they can kind of fix the streets because there’s where Like places, like up there, there’s like a lot of streets that have a lot of holes, so when it rains a lot, it gets really muddy, really horrible to be in there.”
Alongside the roadworks, a reoccurring issues was the need for jobs in the area.
Marion Ali
“The next municipal government, which will be elected on March sixth, what would you like for them to address?”
Errol Coleman
Errol Coleman, Resident, Benque
“As I have been seeing from them is that they have been working on it, make them keep it on working and on, and if they could develop more, what. We have not been seen here in Benque or what we usually is, we need is that create more employees for the youth that they come on for from high school or whatsoever. It’s, they prefer to go outside. It’s something that we doesn’t have as much as creating maybe one call center here. Jobs, like great jobs so that people could have their money.”
Britney Gordon
“What are you hoping come out of this election?”
Gustavo
Gustavo, resident
“We all hope that if the government changes or not we need jobs in this town.People are jobless here.”
Whether the vote will skew red or blue, only time will tell on March sixth. Britney Gordon for News Five.
As you all know, today the entire country was teeming with activity as the candidates for the upcoming municipal elections were officially nominated. That, off course, includes Corozal which saw its P.U.P. nominees parade through the streets in the morning, followed by an Independent candidate, and the U.D.P. candidates later that day. Then, after the respective festivities of the parade, candidates entered into the Corozal Magistrate Court to be nominated. We attended the event today in Corozal to see it unfold.
Britney Gordon
“So you’ve officially been nominated, can you tell me what this means for you and your candidacy?”
Rigo Vellos
Rigo Vellos, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate, Corozal
“It’s always a privilege to be able to give and be given the opportunity to serve our people of Corozal. So we are all excited and we’re happy. We’re happy that this process has happened. We can leave it behind and we can focus now on what we need to focus. Which is to make sure that we win on March sixth.”
Britney Gordon
“And what will you be doing moving forward to ensure that?”
Rigo Vellos
“The work continues. As a council, because we are elected, the work continues. But of course, on the campaign trail, we’ll still be visiting our people asking and pledging for that support on March sixth.”
“I’m very privileged and honored. I’m feeling energized. I thank all the supporters who came out this morning. It is showing that the PUP is still strong here in Corozal. We are ready to continue the work with Mayor Rigo Vellos and my team PUP7.”
Britney Gordon
“So it’s much harder to promote yourself as an independent candidate. So what are you doing to let people be aware that you’re running?”
“I have been, like I told you, I’ve been working with the for years. I even have, things that I did in the past about Christmas parade, giving our gifts, back to school, the kids giving away, some food to some people, some all over the area that they incur that, I mostly deal with the, mostly the needy person though, the ones that need the help in Corozal.”
Ricardo Ake
Ricardo Ake, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Corozal
“Nomination Day, the day that everyone is looking forward to put their name on that ballot. But nevertheless, a little bit nervous but at the same time very enthusiastic, energized. Words cannot express what the people are bringing to me here. Even if they are not here, even if work has them, or showing their support in being here.”
Benjamin Maestro
Benjamin Maestro, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate, Corozal
“I feel very enthusiastic. I feel that we have the support of our people. Our people know what’s coming, and it’s a good message for all of us the candidates in the street for the UDP.”
While in Belmopan, we also caught up with Tanya Santos, the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Immigration. She was asked for an update on the ongoing investigation at the Immigration Department Belize City Branch. As we reported, one employee has been placed on administrative leave following reports that falsified passports receipts were being entered into the system leaving numerous passport holders with illegitimate passports. Here is what C.E.O. Santos told us.
Tanya Santos
Tanya Santos, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration “So far, the investigation continues, clearly but we have had suspension of the officer and we are still gathering more information. So it is, bit by bit, day by day, the more we are finding out so.”
Reporter “How many passports were illegitimately issued using this false receipt system?”
Tanya Santos “I am not at liberty to say that at the moment but there were a few that we have encountered and people are also coming in to report it and still wanting to claim their passport that they paid for.”
Reporter
“When they come to say they paid for it, you all don’t have a legitimate receipt for that payment.”
Tanya Santos “No we don’t and so it is an issue we are internally addressing as well, attempting to resolve and correct on behalf of the applicant. The scam isn’t per say with the passport. The scam is amounting to a financial issue. It could have occurred in any particular department of any Ministry. It really is the falsification and fraudulent production of receipts. And that could have happened in police. It could have happened in Lands. It could have happened anywhere but the fact that it is related to passports makes it a lot more egregious. So yes we do take it seriously which is why we wasted no time once we found out. We took the necessary steps and an investigation is still underway. We have made reports already. We have staff who have made reports and the investigation is taking its course.”
Reporter
“Might these passports have ended in nefarious hands since it was a fraudulent process that someone was selling these passports through?”
Tanya Santos “I don’t think it ended up in nefarious hands. But anything is possible at this moment as the investigation continues and yes there is a loss of revenue and we are still determining the extent of that loss of revenue.”
C.E.O. Santos says an official police report will be filed following the ministry’s internal investigation.
It has been just over a month since Santos took over the reins as C.E.O. of the Ministry of Immigration. Contrary to reports suggesting that she took the post with great reluctance, Santos says she embraced the challenge. She was asked about her experience working at the ministry over the last six weeks. Here is what she told us.
Tanya Santos, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration
“I realized the big challenge it would have been. I also recognized that it is a big vote of confidence on my part from the Prime Minister and the leadership of the government. Therefore I embraced the challenge. I am not somebody who looks to be wasting time. I take my job vey5r seriously. I know there are struggles in this ministry. I know that there are challenges within the ministry but also with the service the public receives. I am also on the receiving end when I go for services in the Ministry of immigration and I have expressed to the staff as well that I have been the recipient of bad treatment and service. I absolutely embrace this challenge and it is one day at a time, one challenge at a time, one problem at a time. It is a big, big cake to eat but a little of it day by day.”
