According to Foreign Minister Fonseca, it is important to maintain military presence at the Sarstoon FOB so as to deter illegal activity, including encroachment and drug trafficking.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
”It’s been a very rewarding experience, you know, it’s something I certainly wanted to do. As you said, I took over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on January first, and obviously, our territorial sovereignty is a priority issue for us at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So it was absolutely important for me to engaged with the Ministry of National Security and Border Defense and arrange this visit to the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. You know, I talk about it all the time when I meet with our counterparts and when I attend any function where we have to speak on behalf of Belize. I talk about the importance of the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. So I am very happy I was able to come here today, I had a very good briefing from the officers who are stationed here about the importance of the work that they are doing here. It’s about, first and foremost, establishing a presence, a military presence here, making a very clear presence that this is Belizean territory. But also, it’s about protecting our territory, our waters, our terrain, from illegal encroachments, illegal fishing, drug trafficking. So this is a very, very important base and my message to them today was that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is here to support the work of our Belize Defense Force.”
A total of one hundred and sixty-three candidates are vying for the sixty-seven seats that are up for grabs on March sixth for the municipal elections. According to an official report from the Elections and Boundaries Department, both the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party have full slates across all nine municipalities. The People’s Democratic Movement nominated eleven candidates in Belize City. Eleven independent candidates were nominated on Wednesday and the Belize Progressive Party nominated seven candidates in Punta Gorda. Last night, we brought you coverage of Nomination Day from six of the nine municipalities. Tonight, we continue our Nomination Day coverage, starting with Punta Gorda.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Punta Gorda is the southernmost municipality in the country. Notwithstanding its geographical location, on March sixth, residents of the town will get an opportunity to decide which of the twenty-six candidates nominated on Wednesday will lead the town council for the next three years. The People’s United Party is fielding seven candidates, led by Carlos “Obeah” Galvez.
Carlos “Obeah” Galvez
Carlos “Obeah” Galvez, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate, Punta Gorda
“This is a powerful moment, a wonderful feeling. This is the day where you officially become a candidate for your party. this is the moment the day and I am proud to put my name back on the ballot, thanks to the people of PG who came out from day one to support me. This is a proud moment to be a PUP. We have a great history, the peaceful constructive Belizean revolution. This party has a great history. I am proud to be associated, affiliated, and proud to be a member of the People’s United Party.”
The United Democratic Party also nominated seven candidates. UDP faithfuls gathered in front of the nomination station in Punta Gorda to show support for the team of candidates being led by Franklin “Kranka” Polonio.
Franklin “Kranka” Polonio
Franklin “Kranka” Polonio, U.D.P. Mayoral Candidate, Punta Gorda
“First of all I must say that it is a great feeling to see that we have past ministers in the person of Eden Martinez and Joseph Cayetano. We have past chairman also. So, of course we are very untied. The feeling we have is one of joy. We already know what time it is. After this we know it is time to continue going back to houses, listen to people’s cries, hear and continue to serve in whatever capacity we can.”
And, a part from the two major political parties in Punta Gorda, the Belize Progressive Party, a decade-old third party in the municipality, is once again fielding candidates. In spite of the party’s repeated failed attempts to succeed at the polls, on Wednesday, it nominated a municipal slate of seven candidates. Punta Gorda is the only municipality with BPP representation this time around. Their bid is being led by Anita Nicholas
“I can say it is overwhelming. I am overjoyed. This is the day, the day that the lord has made. The day that PG will go down to the history that it always needed, someone with a vision, someone who is intuitive and innovative to make a difference for our town, our town has been underdeveloped for too long. And, it is time that our town gets the change it rightly deserves. That is the reason why I decided to offer myself as the candidate for the Belize Progressive Party in honor and memory of the late Bap Marcel Palma. We continue his legacy.”
Five independent candidates were also nominated on Wednesday in Punta Gorda. Among them is Orlando Muschamp. He contested the Toledo East seat in the 2020 general election as an independent candidate. Muschamp is optimistic that the results at the polls on March sixth will be more favorable for independent candidates.
“It is a great feeling out here and it has been a difficult task to bring along this team, this working team, a team hailing from an election, a contractor, a professional business woman, Antony Gabriel another electrician and myself another business owner. I have my own business and we we want to offer ourselves to our community and the voters of Punta Gorda an opportunity , an option so as for them to see yes we do have the love for this community.”
Reporter
“What is the feedback like from the people in the town?”
Orlando Muschamp
“The feedback is simple, they are tired of seeing the red and the blue coming with people who are not qualified to do the job. The come, get nominated and that is it. You never see them again, receiving a stipend without filling the spaces to accommodate the people, with the public service we so dearly deserve in this community.”
The government’s recent Draft Maya Customary Land Policy has come under fire by a human rights organization known as the Minority Rights Group which claims to work with ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide. In a recent post, the organization urged the Belizean government to, “respect the human and property rights of the Maya People of southern Belize and demands the immediate suspension of alarming terms contained in a recent draft policy related to Maya Customary lands that, if enacted, would severely limit Maya lands to a few kilometers at most”. The statement further goes on to stress the importance of land to the Mayan community, as they are connected through various means such as farming, hunting, gathering, as well spiritual connections. The organization claims that hostile reactions from government officials are fuelling anti-Maya sentiments in the dominant society and that the policy is a breach of international conventions.
On Sunday, a public consultation was held in San Pedro, Columbia in Toledo in order to discuss the government’s Draft Maya Customary Land Policy. These public consultations are a necessary part of the legislative process as the impacted communities are able to give their input before a law is put into effect. As there are over forty Mayan villages to consult with, the process has only just begun, but it would seem that San Pedro, Columbia has made its mind with a resounding no to the proposition of communal land. We attended the public consultation for more information. News Five’s Britney Gordon Reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Residents of San Pedro, Columbia are regarding the recent public consultation a success after the community was able to voice its opinions regarding the Draft Maya Customary Land Policy. A major point of contention was the proposition of communal land for residents, which would result in the suspension of any private land titles currently held in that area. We spoke with Minister of Rural Transformation Oscar Requeña who stressed the importance of these consultations.
Oscar Requeña
Oscar Requeña, Area Representative, Toledo West
“This is an ongoing process. As you are aware, the government continues to go community to community engaging. The villagers in consultation on the draft Maya land policy. Columbia is just one of those stops here today, and I must say that I’m very grateful that the community came out. We, you saw that the people had an opportunity to be able to listen, to ask their questions, and to get clarifications. My position has been very clear that, at the end of the day, the government presents the draft policy engages the communities in consultations to get the feedback. And at the end of the day, we have to respect the wishes and the will of the people. That is democracy. We cannot, we are not in any way, imposing one over the other to the communities. We have to respect the will of the people.”
Requeña noted that, although the turnout appeared small, it was a good representation of the Mayan Community in San Pedro, Columbia.
Oscar Requena
“I’ll tell you what. San Pedro, Columbia is a very unique village. And I don’t want you to get a misrepresentation of the numbers that you see here. Generally for meetings, this is, in fact, today I think you have gotten a very good attendance. Really and truly, because generally, people don’t really come out for meetings here in the community. So I think that if you were to really take, a census of the people who are out here today that represents a good percentage of the community being out here.”
Chairman of San Pedro, Columbia, Basilicas Choco, explained that one of the positive outcomes of the public consultation was being able to gather the opinion of the community on matters that have previously remained unresolved, such as that on communal land.
Basilicas Choco
Basilicas Choco, Chairman, San Pedro, Columbia
“Today I am very happy because of the fact that, Before, we have several meetings. We have had meetings with MLA. We have had meetings with the government side. But the community has never taken a position. And up to today, we still haven’t taken a position. There are questions in the air as it regards to communal land. And today, I believe that is clear for majority of our people. And the next step, as I was telling them in our meeting, which I had planned for a meeting today with an attorney, which is supporting us in finding alternatives, because our community doesn’t want communal land. Majority of our community doesn’t want communal land. We are trying to seek advice, independent advice. Not from MLA, not from government. So our next meeting would be scheduling, looking at the alternative and that’s what I explained to them.”
Choco further explained that consultation helped to educate residents as a first step towards independent land ownership.
Basilicas Choco
“Since a majority of our community doesn’t want communal land, as I said to them, we want to identify people who have leased land, we want to identify people who have private property, we want to identify people who are living on land that is not measured or surveyed yet, then we want to identify our people who do not have land at all. Then we are going to propose to government this is what we want. We don’t want this to come out of community land, and we don’t have an alternative. We have, and we have been thinking ahead. But we want to educate our people first, and I believe today was a great day to educateour people.”
We also spoke with a resident of San Pedro, Columbia to hear how he feels about conclusion of the consultation.
Cipriano Salam
Cipriano Salam, Resident
“I feel it about it’s very difficult concerning this communal land, what’s happening, and all of us, well not the whole community, but very few of the community that they have a lease land and a private land. And we are not used to that again because our community is growing big. This village here, I know when I was a little boy here around the school here; it’s a big tree here. This is a big tree, but now, the population, it’s growing now. You go to the back street here, we have a lot of people, a lot are there in the bush. And some of them, they have a lot of children at their home, they don’t have no land, and that’s very difficult to us, that’s why we are not interested of communal land. We are interested of our own private property or lease land, but we are interested of that because we have our grand pikni. I have a grand pikni, about thirty of them. There are a lot of them. So where these kids are going now whenever I die? I know I’m not going to carry nothing to die, but I’m going to leave something for the inheritance of my grand pikni.”
On Sunday afternoon in southern Belize, the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, along with representatives of the Attorney General’s Ministry, convened a meeting with residents of San Pedro, Columbia to discuss the Draft Maya Customary Land Policy. The public consultation was the first since the last time that a similar session was held in Punta Gorda on January twenty-seventh. The village is one of many recognized as an indigenous community in Toledo District, however, a majority of residents are not in favor of communal land. They attended the meeting, heard what was presented by the government officials and shared their views on what is being proposed. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with that story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A customary land policy is important because it recognizes and validates traditional land rights and uses. It is necessary for ensuring tenure security, promoting sustainable practices, reducing conflicts, and facilitating development. A policy also provides a framework for sustainable land management practices that balance environmental, social, and economic needs. In southern Belize, the government has been meeting with various communities, including the village of San Pedro, Columbia, where representatives held their latest public consultation.
Andrew Marshalleck
Andrew Marshalleck, S.C., Attorney-at-law
“The Consent Order and the decision by Chief Justice Conteh back in 2008 both recognize that the rights of the Maya people to use land in the ways that they have customarily and historically used land is protected under the constitution. The form of protection it gets is that these rights, they constitute intangible property and the constitution protects this right to property.”
San Pedro, Columbia remains undecided when it comes to communal land rights. It is one of few Maya villages still on the fence regarding that controversial issue.
Resident 1
Resident 1, San Pedro, Columbia
“If we choose to go communal, it means that all those leases, all those titles are lost and it means that all the work that we’ve done on those farmlands is also lost because it becomes communal property. My question would be, what mechanism or mechanisms are envisioned to ensure that there is equitable distribution within the communal system because if you noh like somebody and you responsible fi distribute land, we know how that can go. And so, the becomes very important.”
The implementation of that Consent Order as mandated by the Caribbean Court of Justice, in affirming the decision of the Supreme Court, has been a long drawn-out process. It has also been a divisive course of action.
Andrew Marshalleck S.C.
“There’s a system for the state to recognize and certify where ownership lies and what it is saying is that in operating that system, you have to have regard to other people who are within those spaces and some fair way of deciding has to be established as to who gets what when more than one person is claiming the same space, even when it’s the village claiming that space. And the primary, the primary criteria for deciding those issues is who is in fact there using it.”
Customary land policies help secure land tenure for indigenous and local communities, which can lead to improved stewardship of the land and natural resources. Nonetheless, the idea of owning it collectively does not sit well with everyone.
Resident 1
“If it is for everybody, it is for nobody. So I think that in Columbia, there is already a system where people recognize who owns which piece, we respect that already and, therefore, I am asking, let us consider it very keenly because if we make the wrong decision then we’re going back to square one and all the investments that we have all made on our lands could potentially be lost.”
Clear policies on customary land rights can help prevent disputes over land use and access to natural resources. During the meeting held on Sunday, the question was raised whether past alcaldes of San Pedro, Columbia gave consent on behalf of the community to join as an interested party in the matter that was before the CCJ.
Resident 2, San Pedro, Columbia
“Has the government come across any affidavit signed by any alcalde of this community indicating that they are onboard with this case presented to the CCJ? And I can attest to it that Jorge Coc, the then alcalde at that time when all these things were coming up, did not sign. Brother Sylvestre Caal did not sign. If they did it, it was solely on their own without public consultation.”
The Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs was in Big Falls Village over the weekend to consult with residents on the Draft Maya Land Tenure Policy. A release from the ministry states that the consultation exercise was a success. The release noted that villagers gave valuable insights and perspectives. The community is viewed as one where most residents are against customary land rights. So, there was not much resistance to be expected. But, what does the minister responsible for lands think about the ongoing tensions in the Toledo District? He was asked if potential first time land owners that reside outside of Maya communities stand to lose as a result of these new policies and if he thinks these Maya villages have lost trust in the government.
Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources
“You are right we are in the business of politics and people will say things and you cant be thin skin in this. You have to be motivated and challenged by criticism and try to do better all the time. I don’t know that is the position of the minister. I think she has done a lot of heavy lifting since she got in. She is met with these communities over a long period of time, almost every weekend they are down there trying to engage with the communities and reach some kind of consensus as to the way forward. Just know that this issue has been with us for ears and years. it is a vexing and difficult issue and everybody won’t be happy. She has a string and needle and it will be hard. The only way to get that done is by talking and discussing with each other, and give and take and try to compromise and see eye to eye. Ultimately it is about Belize. We are one nation, one people and we are trying to make sure we have agreement and that we move forward as one nation and people. We are going to have bumps along the way, challenges and we are going to disagree. But it is about sitting down and working through our disagreements. The Africans say we talk until we agree and I believe that. We have been talking. I have been down there with here. I have seen her talk. I have seen her engage. So, I know that she is putting her best foot forward. I know her team is working hard and other arms of government try to provide support so that ultimately in the shortest time possible we can reach to some agreement that everybody can live it. This is a draft policy we are looking at. This is in the infancy stages. We have some ways to go. This is not going to be tabled in the House next week, next month. There is a lot of work that the government has to put in until we are comfortable to say you know what, we have something that can work, that the Mayans can agree to and ultimately we emerge from this as a better nation as a more unified nation as difficult as that might seem right now. I believe we can get that done. There is no problem in this country where there is not a solution.”
Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde was also asked about government’s investments into the delineation process in the Toledo District. Several organizations have reportedly invested significant sums into the process. But, does the Government of Belize have a budget to contribute to the efforts? Here is what the Deputy Prime Minister had to say.
Cordel Hyde, Deputy Prime Minister
“It is not easy. It is ultimately there will be a cost to this thing but it is about agreeing to certain principles and agreeing to the nuts and bolts of it and the granular details. I believe once it is decided how the villages will look and the size of the villages and one village versus another village, once we reach that agreement then government has to find the resources. It is government’s great responsibility to implement this court order, this court order that is coming from the highest court in all of our land. So government can’t have any excuse in implementation. It is just about how that implementation looks and what is the ultimate final make up of that agreement and solution. Government will have to spend and there is going to be a cost and we understand that. But it is just about trying to get things done.”
Tonight, we officially commence our pre-election coverage of the 2024 municipals with a series of profiles that will introduce mayoral and councilor candidates from all nine cities and towns to the masses of Belizean voters. In our inaugural segment, we take you to Punta Gorda where we met with mayoral hopefuls from the Belize Progressive Party, the People’s United Party, as well as councilor candidates from all three political organizations. Here’s our first episode of Meet the Candidates.
Anita Nicholas
Anita Nicholas, B.P.P. Mayoral Candidate, PG
“From a child, I was always around with politics with both of my grandparents, my grandfather and my grandmother. When they would go to any political activities, they would take me along with them and I thought there was where my interest and my love for politics grew. However, I decided, based on what I have seen and based on what I have learned, to hold the politicians accountable and I was not seeing accountability in both of the major political parties, I decided to join the Belize Progressive Party which was a new party and that was how I decided to run with the Belize Progressive Party.”
Seleni Cus
Seleni Cus, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate
“What motivated me was that I saw the state our town is in at the moment and as a youth, I have been out before I even thought to get involved with politics and I thought that, you know, I could make a difference here in town and I would be a voice for the youths and women here in my town as well. Based on records, I believe that we don’t have most females being involved in politics and being the first Maya female to put up my name on a ballot paper here in Punta Gorda, I think that it is something, you know, that our youths can look at, especially young females. They can look at that and, you know, take a stand because it’s time for females to come up and join the political field.”
Jahrine Avila
Jahrine Avila, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate
“For me, personally, I’ve always been involved with different organizations in my community, giving back and always volunteering my time. So when I was approached by one of our past leaders, Mr. Galvez, he spoke with me and my first thought was, you know, I’m not that type of person to be into politics but he was like, look at the bigger picture, look at what you have done in your community and see what you can do now on a bigger platform. So I thought about it and said, “Hey, why not!” This is not for myself, but for my community. I’ve always been involved. I have love for my people and my community, so why not give it a shot and do what you do best.”
Kevin Choc
Kevin Choc, U.D.P. Councilor Candidate
“What inspired me to run again, put my name on the ballot, is the people, you know. I have a passion to serve, you know, and the people have seen that and they, basically, I have a group of people who are behind me, pushing for me to be, some ah dehn mi even wahn I run fi mayor, but, you know, yoh haffi climb up di ranks. I believe that everything takes time. So di people is what inspired me to put my name on a ballot.”
Isani Cayetano
“What do you believe is perhaps different this time around from the previous time you ran for office?
Kevin Choc
“What is different is being in opposition. That is very different, you know, and I believe that hard times create strong men.”
Malcolm Galvez
Malcolm Galvez, P.U.P. Councilor Candidate
“PG needs a lot of help, you know. We need people, well we need leaders that are willing to stand up and speak on behalf of the voters, on behalf of the residents. One of the things that I personally did was, I got up at our national party council meeting and I mentioned that, you know, Toledo East has always been, the south has always been known as a PUP stronghold. I mentioned that to the prime minister and deputy prime minister and at the time we had the worst streets in the country. It’s not the best place to mention some of the problems, but it is important to us, so every opportunity the current council got, we tried to mention those issues.”
“I went there because I realize that we need to build that hope again, you know, that trust, that integrity as Belizeans and also as politicians. I believe that trust needs to build back and that’s one thing that I basically have with the people of Punta Gorda.”
Carlos ‘Obeah’ Galvez
Carlos ‘Obeah’ Galvez, PUP Mayoral Candidate
“People, voters here in PG, had asked me on numerous occasions to come back in participate in electoral politics and, you know, I decided after thirteen years, I decided, you know what, I said listen it’s at the call of the people, at the request of the people, why not?”
You just met several of the candidates vying for a seat at Town Hall in Punta Gorda on March sixth. They are all optimistic that their respective slates will be successful on Election Day. Beyond the campaigns, however, are serious concerns being shared by residents of PG and those issues have to do with the deplorable conditions of streets and drains. In the following story, News Five’s Isani Cayetano takes a look the infrastructure crisis that is frustrating Punta Gorda’s socioeconomic progress. Here’s that story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The southernmost municipality is often described as forgotten, lost in a world of its own where growth seems to evolve at a much slower pace than in other parts of the country. Infrastructure is a key factor for socioeconomic development, as it provides the physical and digital means for people to access opportunities, goods and services. All of that is quickly changing and residents of Punta Gorda are keenly aware of what it takes for their hometown to advance in those respective areas.
Punta Gorda Resident
Punta Gorda Resident
“When it comes to, like, road infrastructure, I don’t think anybody that lives here or that has come around here will think that they are doing a good job. However, we have seen some work going on. I don’t know how much that is going to accomplish, but until we see much and see how much it has done then we‘re going to be in a good place to render judgment. When it comes to roads, I think they are still lagging behind.”
As municipal leaders, the aim is to leverage social and economic infrastructures to support sustainable growth and development. It is necessary to invest in projects that meet the needs and demands of the citizenry, as well as align with the strategic vision and goals of the town council.
Carlos ‘Obeah’ Galvez
Carlos ‘Obeah’ Galvez, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate, PG
“The crying you’re hearing from a lot of people is infrastructure, infrastructure, infrastructure. With the present conditions of the streets and roads in town, we need to get to work as of now, not waiting until we get into office. So currently, we are currently working and repairing a lot of streets, major streets.”
For some, the recent roadwork may be long-awaited, given the deplorable state of streets and drains across the town. For others, it remains an extremely difficult situation that hinders the development of Punta Gorda.
“We have a municipality right now [that] is ailing in all aspects, you know, in regards to, when it comes to roadwork, when it comes to the economy, you know.”
Roads and physical infrastructure are critical because they improve the connectivity and integration of different communities in PG.
Punta Gorda Resident
“Weh da di improvement ah PG? I noh sih nothing. Dis maanin’ ah ride gone by da bridge, by Joe Taylor deh, di way I sih di foundation, da bridge, dehn got sohn lee, weh dehn wah do deh? Wah lee pass walk… dehn tek down Haulover Bridge and dehn ker it da Cayo. We noh got no two-way bridge, soh why dehn neva bring dat ya? Infrastructure, we have a lot of things here [that are] yet fi get done and we noh di sih no movements yet. Now I need fi send wah message to my government, to my prime minister and di government that I support, I need di staat sih my Joe Taylor Bridge staat build, I need fi staat sih my road paved.”
Transport networks, including bridges, can facilitate the mobility of people and goods, reduce trade costs and connect markets. Returning mayoral candidate Carlos Galvez contextualizes this by looking at the achievements of the present Punta Gorda Town Council.
Carlos ‘Obeah’ Galvez, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate, PG
“What they have done, they have initiated that Joe Taylor Bridge. That’s approximately two million dollars, a new bridge, a two-lane bridge. The contract has been signed already, M&M Construction, and also six major streets.”
Social infrastructure, on the other hand, improves the quality of human resources, such as education, health, and social services, which leads to an increase in the wellbeing and efficiency of the population. As an example, public education can enhance the skills and knowledge of the workforce, as well as foster innovation and creativity. Together, they foster social cohesion, cultural diversity, and political stability.
“On my manifesto, there are two things, two big things that we looked at, one is a House of Culture. When we get a House of Culture built here in PG, we will be looking at the tourism industry, the sector, you know, affecting that in all manner. We have the different cultures, we know that PG is one of the melting pots in Belize, you know. That will bring jobs, we have different crafts, different food items in PG. And of course, another one is looking at a call center. That will very much boost the economy of PG, money will be spending and things will begin to look better in that regard.”
To create a more livable, resilient, and prosperous municipality for the people of Peini, municipal leaders should collaborate with other stakeholders, such as the private sector, civil society, and international organizations, to mobilize resources and expertise in infrastructure development. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
Earlier today, when we caught up with Minister of Culture Francis Fonseca we asked him about the possibility of a House of Culture being built by NICH to benefit the cultural development of Punta Gorda. Here’s what he said.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture
“That’s definitely something we’ve discussed and that’s on the agenda. We’ve been talking to the Belize Tourism Board about partnering with them. As you know, I think they have a welcome center there in PG and we want to see how, perhaps, we can partner with them to develop and expand that welcome center into a House of Culture. So it’s something under discussion, but I think you’re absolutely right, you know. PG is a unique culture and I think we need to put a House of Culture there. So it’s certainly something we would like to do. When we can do it is another matter, we’ll see. But we’ve been discussing it with BTB.”
