Minister Andre Perez returned this week to the Cabinet for the first time in many months. The Belize Rural South Area Representative was stripped of his Blue Economy portfolio last September amid sexual misconduct allegations made by a female attorney. But Perez, who had vehemently refuted the claim, was returned as the Minister of Blue Economy last week and on Tuesday he attended his first Cabinet meeting. His fellow Cabinet Minister, Francis Fonseca had told News Five last Friday that the Prime Minister reinstated Perez after the Attorney General’s Ministry had offered advice to the PM after looking into the claim. And today, Perez told News Five that he is grateful to his colleagues who supported him.
Via phone: Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy
“First and foremost, I want to thank my minister for his confidence: that he gave me the opportunity to come back in and invited me to serve in Cabinet. And of course the camaraderie and the support that I enjoy of my colleagues is what I value very much now. And they keep on reminding me of the work that I’ve done in the past and how I’ve done it and the stellar performance. It’s not for me to say they’re the ones that show on it for yourself. I’m humbled, I’m very grateful. And as I said, I hit the ground running. This is a full busy week as well. [I’m] Committed, and of course my first cabinet [meeting] yesterday. And again, today is just another day where we’re moving forward to, to reach out to the new different departments that fall under my ministry. So I need to go and visit them and familiarize myself with them.”
Some political pundits had opined that Perez’s political career was done following the allegations and his subsequent suspension from Cabinet, but the attorney who claimed Perez has yet come forward to make a police report so that a criminal investigation could proceed. After the Attorney-General’s Ministry reviewed the matter and advised the Prime Minister, Perez was reinstated. But during those months of being away from Belmopan did not mean that the politician was out of sight or stayed indoors. In fact, he said he kept in touch with the people who put him in office, the people of Belize Rural South. And he does not think that time away from Cabinet will impact his performance upon returning.
Via phone: Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy
“I’ve been in Belize Rural South, so these past few months, I’ve used it to strengthen my connection and my relationship with the people of Belize Rural South namely, Caye Caulker and San Pedro. So it has been in some way, that has some very gratifying that you are as an area rep, which you are duly elected as that, to do the work on a daily basis. And that’s what I did. I engaged [people] especially in the evenings, walking from my office to home on a daily basis. It has been gratifying. So yeah, I wasn’t anywhere hiding. I’m here in town and doing the work, and so I’m very grateful and good to be back as well.”
The internal fighting in the United Democratic Party continues. Following major losses at the municipal polls, differences between certain members continue to build. Former U.D.P. Party Leader, John Saldivar, and Orange Walk Central Standard Bearer Denny Grijalva are fighting to keep their heads above water. Their fate will be decided by the U.D.P.’s National Party Council on Wednesday. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Former U.D.P. Area Representative for Belmopan, John Saldivar’s future within the party remains uncertain. A U.D.P. National Party Council Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April tenth to decide the fate of Saldivar and U.D.P. Orange Walk Central Standard Bearer Danny Grijalva in the party. A U.D.P Central Executive motion passed on March twenty-sixth says that while a previous NPC meeting resolved that both men continue as standard bearers, their tenure has yet to yield any significant electoral progress within their constituencies. The motion accuses both individuals of engaging in activities conducive to disunity and factionalism, contrary to the best interest of the U.D.P. The motion was passed by the U.D.P’s Central Executive only days after Saldivar and Grijalva boycotted the party’s NPC meeting on March third to attend their own meeting at the Biltmore with other U.D.P. officials.
John Saldivar has since written to U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte on the motion. In his letter, Saldivar noted that the party’s Central Executive Committee does not have the authority to vote on the dismissal of a standard bearer, candidate or caretaker. He goes on to say that he has sought legal advice on the matter and the motion is ill-conceived and illegal. Chairman Peyrefitte responded by saying ‘you and I can write each other until thy kingdom come and it will make no difference”. He noted that the legality of the motion will be put before the NPC on April tenth. Peyrefitte said that he hopes that cooler heads prevail and that the party gets back to focusing on winning sixteen seats in the upcoming general election. Reports are that Chairman Peyrefitte has strong objections to the motion. Meanwhile, on Sunday the National Party Council reaffirmed its August 2023 decision to endorse Moses “Shyne” Barrow as the U.D.P.’s leader until after the 2025 general elections. This likely will bring a screeching halt to any plans that may have come out of that March twenty-third side meeting to oust Barrow as party leader. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
The C.E.O. of the Ministry of Economic Development, Doctor Osmond Martinez, wants to be the next Area Representative of Toledo East under the People’s United Party. Martinez explained that he is in the early stages of the process; however, he is hopeful that his endeavor will be successful. The problem here is that the P.U.P. already has an area representative for that division in the person of Mike Espat. Our information is that Espat is not too happy that Martinez is putting his hat in the ring. We asked him about that today.
Dr. Osmond Martinez, C.E.O., Ministry Economic Development “Well, it’s not a decision as yet, you know. There is a process that any person who wants to, to run for politics will have to go through. One of those is that you have to submit an application to the National Party Council. The National Party Council will have to accept you. So, for now, I am the CEO of the Ministry of Economic Development. When the time comes to submit an application, I will submit an application. But for now, I’m just the CEO. I am not an official person who is running. But yes, I will submit an application.”
Reporter “When do you believe may be that opportune time? And do you believe that will go smoothly with the party?”
Dr. Osmond Martinez “I don’t know when that opportune time will be. So I’m just for now, I’m just. What I have done is I have just tested the social medias and I am really impressed that I was well received in my home, which the places where I grow within the banana farms and Bella Vista Village.”
Brian “Yellowman” Audinett withdrew the criminal complaint he filed with the Belize Police Department against Leader of the Opposition Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow. When News Five asked Police Commissioner Chester Williams the reason for Audinett’s decision to withdraw the complaint, he said, “I don’t know, I wish I would know but I don’t know.”
In a previous interview, Williams said that Audinett alleged that “information reaching him is that the leader of the opposition placed a hit on him.”
Audinett was fired from the United Democratic Party by Barrow. Barrow claimed that Audinett stole items from the party’s HQ. Audinett denied stealing anything.
Franklin “Kranka” Polonio, the U.D.P.’s mayoral candidate in Punta Gorda Town, wants a re-election in that municipality. Polonio filed an election petition through his attorney Lynden Jones against P.U.P. Mayor Carlos “Obeah” Galvez and Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai. In the petition, Polonio says that there were some discrepancies as it pertained to the ballots, and with the considerable quantity of ballots deemed void, it leads to speculation that there was fraudulent destruction. Galvez won the mayoral seat by twenty-five votes. Polonio says that initial counting showed that he was in the lead and that after a recount, there was a considerable decrease in the ballots in his favor and an increase in the ballots in Galvez’s favor. He adds that after the counting ended, Polonio was informed that several ballots were deemed void or not having an official signature. So, with that, Polonio is demanding a re-election or a recount. We’ll keep following this story.
During the interview with Minister Orlando Habet, he was also asked about the P.U.P.’s performance in the March sixth municipal elections in San Ignacio and Santa Elena. The U.D.P. gained seats in that municipality, with only one P.U.P. candidate who was successful. Habet mentioned that the area has traditionally supported the U.D.P., leading to challenges when attempting to implement projects.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Area Representative, Cayo Northeast “San Ignacio has always been difficult. Currently the last PUP mayor that we had since I came out in 2003 we have lost all the municipal elections until last, the previous election where we had five councillors. Before I got in, there was also 21 years of UDP administration in San Ignacio. So it’s practically a UDP town. But, we have been, able to make some inroads. For example, Cayo North, which was really, really red. And we have won some seats in there already. We have won twice in the national elections with Mr. Mahmood and Mr. Chebat. I won it by 65 votes when I was the mayor of the town. And when I lost, I also won it, but because of Santa Elena Town, we really have lost many of the municipal elections. Kudos to the current mayor, Mayor Trapp. He has his way of doing things. In my constituency, I think I am pretty safe. I won most of the solid votes in the five boxes that we had in the elections and also, I won five councilors in my constituency. So, I lost the mayoral by 57 votes, and it was on the split votes that they caught us up. What happened, and I don’t really know, but I was in the counting station, and the split votes many of them were six blue, red mayor, six blue, red mayor. So it was sort of like a protest vote. But part of the problem also and the public must know, is that it is really difficult to work with a mayor who is in opposition, who doesn’t want to work with you. So even though I am the. I’m a representative for Cayo Northeast, and Poling Area 72, is part of my constituency. The mayor has jurisdiction over the town. But it cannot be that every time I want to plant a tree on a park, I will have to ask him for permission. Or if I have to do a project, I have to ask him for permission. And if he doesn’t want to work with me, what will we do? So that is, that makes it very difficult.”
Now news from the Senate Sitting today…the U.D.P.’s Antonio Herrera was the only opposition senator that was present inside the chamber of the National Assembly in Belmopan. Herrera, however, spent only a short time inside before walking out in protest, but not without Senator for Government Business, Eamon Courtenay making a point of his departure. Here is how that went.
Eamon Courtenay, Lead Senator, Government Business
“You should bow when you are leaving Senator Herrera and make sure that we all see. You are leaving for the day? Alright, have a happy day. With your leave, I will record historically that it is a disgrace and stain for the county of Belize that on the debate for the budget that at the next fiscal year the UDP is not present in this chamber. I say it is a stain and disgrace like it was in the house last debate.”
We now turn to politics….The United Democratic Party (U.D.P.) held its National Party Council (N.P.C.) meeting to evaluate its performance in the 2024 municipal elections. However, a group of high-ranking members, including John Saldivar and Patrick Faber, boycotted the meeting and held a separate gathering at the Biltmore Hotel. They refused to comment on their absence or the purpose of their meeting. Meanwhile, U.D.P. leader Moses Shyne Barrow remained at the headquarters, emphasizing that the majority of members were present and reaffirming his leadership. News Five was at both meetings and Hipolito Novelo reports.
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
At its headquarters at the foot of the BelChina Bridge, the United Democratic Party held its National Party Council meeting on Saturday. On the agenda: an assessment of the party’s performance in the 2024 municipal elections.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.
“Well, it was an NPC meeting for the parties, internal party matters that we discussed. But, you know, one can imagine that a big part of it was an assessment of the March 6th elections. What we did wrong, what we did right, and how we could improve. Pretty much that’s it.”
But three miles away, inside the Black Orchid Room at the Biltmore Hotel, a private meeting- an anti NPC meeting . Inside high ranking senior members of the UDP including John Saldivar, Patrick Faber, Edmond Castro and Beverly Williams. They spent about two hours meeting. They then emerged saying No comment.
Hipolito Novelo
“Mister John Saldivar, sir”
John Saldivar
John Saldivar, Member, United Democratic Party
“No comment.”
Hipolito Novelo
“They are claiming that this group boycotted the NPC. How do you respond.
John Saldivar
“No comment. Please respect me. I said no comment.
Hipolito Novelo
“Miss Dianne Finnegan says that you are all following negativity.
John Saldivar
“No Answer”
Hipolito Novelo
“Mr. Saldivar, are you able to say whether you are happy with the leadership of the UDP?”
John Saldivar
“No answer”
Hipolito Novelo
“Was this meeting to oust Shyne barrow as the leader of the UDP?”
John Saldivar
“No answer”
Hipolito Novelo
“Mister Faber are you able to say why you boycotted the UDP NPC meeting at the headquarters?
Patrick Faber
Patrick Faber, Area Representative, Collet
“No answer
Hipolito Novelo
“How do you feel at the end of this meeting today?
Patrick Faber
“No answer.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Do you feel that the goal was met today with the other UDPs?
Patrick Faber
“I will not comment at this time.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Miss Bev, are you able to say why you boycotted the NPC meeting?”
Beverly Williams
Beverly Williams, Member, United Democratic Party
“I don’t have any comment at this time.
Hipolito Novelo
“How do you feel about the meeting today? “
Beverly Williams
“Very positive.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Its goal was met? Was the goal to remove Shyne Barrow as the leader of the UDP?”
Beverly Williams
“I don’t know of any such goal. No comment.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Mister Castro, if I could ask you why is it that you boycotted the NPC meeting with Shyne Barrow.”
Edmund Castro
Edmund Castro, Member, United Democratic Party
“No man, no man you can’t ask me about…there is nothing to say.”
Hipolito Novelo
“But there was an NPC meeting scheduled today. You didn’t show up.
Edmund Castro
“I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know.
Hipolito Novelo
“Mr. Barrow and the chairman are still at the HQ.”
Edmund Castro
“There are they? Maybe I go look for them.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Maybe we go there.”
Edmund Castro
“Maybe I’ll go look for them.”
Meanwhile, Party Leader Moses Shyne Barrow, Party chairman Michael Peyrefitte, along with UDP caretakers and officials were still meeting. The NPC meeting lasted about five hours, and during those five hours Barrow says he wasn’t aware of any other meeting. But one thing he was aware of is that he has the majority.
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader, U.D.P.
“I don’t know where people are as far as who did not attend. I know Hugo, um, had a family emergency with the death of his family. He’s still mourning. Um, he had his representatives here. The majority. The far majority of constituencies were here and that is all that matters.”
John Saldivar
“People are always absent from NPC meetings. it’s not news when anybody is.”
Hipolito Novelo
“I mean, in this case, they boycotted the NPC meeting. John Saldivar, Patrick Farber, Mr. Guerrero from San Pedro, Mr. Denny Grijalva from Orange Rock, Mr. Ms.Beverly from Belize Rural.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Is that what they said? I don’t know. I don’t know. We just talked.
Hipolito Novelo
“They were invited to this NPC.”
Michael Peyrefitte
“Well, all members of the NPC are invited.
Hipolito Novelo
“They had their own meeting at Biltmore.
Michael Peyrefitte
“But I don’t know about that. We have an NPC. All members of the NPC are invited. And who comes? Comes, who doesn’t come come. It’s a free country.”
Moses “Shyne” Barrow
“You need a majority. And I have the majority here at the National Party Council. I have been re elected by the National Convention. So obviously we know the history of the party and we know the individuals who have their ambition to lead the party. And that is what it is, but I’m more concerned with the majority that was here.”
Michael Peyrefitte
The National Convention has taken a position on the leadership situation of Shane Barrow, so I don’t see how any meeting at the Biltmore can change that. The National Party Council meeting, the only meeting recognized by the party, happened at the party headquarters. Today, that’s the only meeting I know about. The national convention said that the honorable shine borrow is the leader of the UDP until the 2025 general elections. I don’t, there’s no higher body than the national convention. So any so called meeting to discuss that is mute. Nothing changed that. I don’t know what’s the purpose of that.”
As you saw in the story, one of the persons who boycotted the U.D.P.’s National Party Council meeting was Beverly Williams, the party’s standard bearer for Belize Rural Central. She was also a U.D.P. senator. We say “was” because Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow has replaced her. In a letter dated March twenty-fifth, Opposition Leader Moses Barrow informed Governor General Dame Froyla Tzalam of the appointment of Mark O’Brian as U.D.P. senator. The letter says, in part “I write to you on this occasion…to declare the seat of Senator Beverly Williams vacant… I hereby nominate Mister Mark O’Brian to fill the seat left vacant by Beverly Williams.”
