2024-02-21 - Channel 5 Belize

P.U.P. Draws Massive Support on Nomination Day

Across the country today, thousands of voters and supporters of the various political organizations paraded through the streets of their cities and towns to usher they candidates of choice to be nominated. In Belize City, Belmopan, and Orange Walk, much like in San Pedro and other parts of the Jewel, the spirit was festive, as motorcades and processions kept the mood energized. Tonight’s newscast is a look at the sight and sounds, as well as the campaigns leading up to March sixth.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Today is significant for politicians, seasoned and novice, because it marks the formal process of being selected as a candidate for a political party. It is also the first step in the election cycle where politicians are officially recognized and supported by their respective organizations to run for office.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor Candidate, P.U.P.

“Nomination Day is always an exciting time for the party machinery, being able to galvanize the number of people we saw out there this morning. Essentially, the horses are now at the gate and we have to dig in deeper as a team.”

It is crucial because it validates the eligibility and readiness for the slate to move advance to the municipal elections on March sixth. It also signals to voters and other politicians that these candidates are the official choice of the People’s United Party.

Kareem Musa, Area Rep, Caribbean Shores

“It’s an exciting time. I know that the people of Caribbean Shores are waiting for March sixth to deliver another victory for Mayor Bernard Wagner and his team and I think I speak not only for myself, but my predecessor, Santi Castillo, and it’s not often that you get two candidates, the predecessor and the current candidate endorsing a mayoral candidate like Mr. Wagner and so I think that speaks volumes of his integrity as a mayor and the hard work he has put in.”

Nomination Day is one for celebration and commitment, as it sets the stage for the approaching electoral contest. Today, the incumbent administration, led by Mayor Bernard Wagner, shored up the support of as many voters from across Belize City. It began with a procession from Independence Hall, the seat of the People’s United Party, and made its way to ITVET where all councilor candidates, as well as the two-time mayor, made their formal application.

Allan Pollard, Councilor Candidate, P.U.P.

“I’m feeling good, and I am amped up. With that crowd today and I was feeling the vibes of the residents of the city was a good way to get here. You know, I just feel blessed, in general, just to wake up and to have the opportunity to run on the slate again, this is my third municipal election so I’m pretty hyped, I’m pretty hyped.”

Isani Cayetano

“What’s different about this time around for you?”

Allan Pollard

“What’s different? For me, it’s like we have a lot of new candidates in it. I think now, for me when I was just coming in, it was sort of a newcomer type. So right now I feel a little bit of nostalgia and also being more senior to it. It’s just a different role now. So that’s kind of the contrast there.”

This is Bernard Wagner’s third bid for the highest seat at City Hall. Is he poised for another victory at the polls?

Bernard Wagner

“I never want to say that you are overconfident, you always want to maintain humility throughout the whole process and ensure that you do what you need to do as a team, as a party, as a machinery and let the other chips fall in place.”

Isani Cayetano

“With that said, how satisfied are you with the work that you’ve been able to accomplish in office over the past three years?”

Bernard Wagner

“I am so amazed at this team and the resiliency of this team. I always stress it, the perseverance and the tenacity of the team, the six years that I’ve been there. We have really faced some tremendous crisis.”

With those challenges, including the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic behind it, the People’s United Party is once again ready to lead the residents of the Old Capital into the next three years.

Allan Pollard

“I think the residents have received us well. They are excited for the election and of course they have seen the work that we have been doing over time. So, for them, they are excited to go to the polls just as we are.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

U.D.P. Shows Up and Shows Out on Nomination Day

The United Democratic Party also had its turn this afternoon and, like the People’s United Party that came before it, did not fail to disappoint. The procession began at its headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive and ended at the ITVET a short while later, but it was also energetic and festive. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with another report.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

This afternoon, the United Democratic Party also led a parade of supporters from the foot of the BelChina Bridge to Freetown Road, where its slate of candidates presented themselves for nomination. Notwithstanding the challenges that the U.D.P. has been facing internally, it was able to muster a throng of supporters to rival the numbers brought out by the People’s United Party earlier today. Leading the charge for his party its team of eleven was Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow.

Shyne Barrow, Party Leader, U.D.P.

“I want the Belizean people to see, with all humility, this is my projection, nine, nine municipalities and it is not farfetched. There was a time where the United Democratic Party administered all nine municipalities and no municipality is out of reach because the cost of living, the neglect, as Dr. Mortis Jones mentioned, people just don’t feel the love. They feel abandoned, they feel neglected and maybe it was the over-promising, maybe it was the hardies and brodies that the People’s United Party sold, rather than be practical and give deliverables that they could actually meet.”

Dr. Nelma Mortis Jones is the U.D.P.’s mayoral candidate. She is a first-time politician running under the red banner. She is optimistic about her chances of taking City Hall.

Dr. Nelma Mortis Jones, Mayoral Candidate, U.D.P.

“I was confident from I was in the field because of the expression and the sentiments of the people that I associated or made relationships on the ground.”

Reporter

“While you were campaigning, what were some of the criticisms or complaints you’ve been hearing?”

Nelma Mortis

“Basically, the issues are more of national issues and the people feel that the People’s United Party has no love for them. The relationship was not there and so that was one of the major complaints for them. The local issues were secondary and we can understand that, people’s basic needs come first.”

Of particular interest is the fact that the U.D.P.’s mayoral candidate was endorsed by the sitting party leader, as well as his predecessor. For the most part, they haven’t seen eye-to-eye on a number of issues within the party.

Patrick Faber, Area Rep, Collet

“At the end of the day, we’re all UDPs and that’s what we have always maintained. I did not want to ever leave my party and so when the election gun is sounded I am here and we are going to do our best to bring victory for our party on March sixth.”

Isani Cayetano

“How practical, in your opinion, has the campaign been in terms of trying to muster the support of voters across the country?”

Patrick Faber

“Well I think there’s been a really wonderful exercise on the part of the UDP. Of course, there are many new candidates and, as I am in those areas and I’ve visited many of them over the last couple of weeks, it is a testing of their machinery, it is putting in place that machinery if it didn’t exist. And I feel that win or lose for the party overall, the UDP will leave on March sixth with a victory and that victory can well be translated into a further victory whenever the general elections are called because we would have had a stronger machinery as a result of going through these elections on March sixth.”

With the possibility of a U.D.P. victory in Belize City on March sixth, a new mayor and a new team of councilors would mean that they would have to work with a People’s United Party central government. Here’s how the U.D.P.’s mayoral candidate responded to that question.

Nelma Mortis

“I am hoping to change that kind of politicking, in the sense that we’re supposed to move towards development. This is for all Belizeans and so I am hoping [that] if my opponents are still the central government and of course we’ll change them very soon, that they will see the relevance of my work and my leadership to serve the people of Belize and not to serve a UDP or a PUP person, but the people of Belize.”

Isani Cayetano for News Five.

P.D.M. Says Belizean Voters are Ready for Change

The People’s Democratic Movement, despite the controversy that it faced last week, also turned up for Nomination Day. Led by Estevan Perrera Senior, the P.D.M. arrived at the ITVET compound at midday and proceeded to sign up its slate of candidates who will contest the vacancy at City Hall. After officially entering his name in the political race, we caught up with mayoral candidate Perrera.

Estevan Perrera Sr., Mayoral Candidate, P.D.M.

“It feels good, it really feels good because I never thought that this day would have come and now that is has come, it even spurs me up more to fight for the people of Belize.”

Reporter

“You’ve been campaigning leading up to today, what’s the sentiment from the residents of Belize City as you campaigned?”

Estevan Perrera Sr.

“Well a lot of the sentiments from the Belizean people is that they are tired of the red and blue and it’s time that they leave them. And while we are in this movement right now it’s because and why we strongly believe that we will make it is because these people like in Gungulung and you got the other places like Ghost Town and you have Jungle, these are the places that I think the UDP and the PUP have really neglected because these people are living in some deplorable conditions and I think the government should take a walk behind there and see what’s happening. And I think it’s because of them that I really want to defeat the PUP and the UDP because they have to understand that they preach these things about everybody fi win and if they go behind there, it proves that not everybody wins, only a few groups win. So we are here for one thing, I want to stamp out corruption and that’s one of the main things I’m aiming at and also the wasteful spending of the taxpayers’ money.”

Kareem Musa, “This is a Litmus Test.”

For the past few months, quite a lot has been invested in the upcoming municipal elections. So much so that one would think that both parties are actually gearing up for general elections. The reality is that the big dance is only a year or so away and everything is being invested to secure a victory on either side. When we caught up with Caribbean Shores Area Representative Kareem Musa, he shared his views on the upcoming municipals.

Isani Cayetano

“How is the People’s United Party looking at the municipal elections? It’s only a year between the next one.”

Kareem Musa, Area Rep, Caribbean Shores

“This, as you know, is the first big elections after the general elections and so there is that mobilization nationally, across the country. We are of course looking at this as a litmus test, so to speak, but definitely the energy is there across the country and you can feel the victory in the air. The spirit, the vibes, the love, everything is there and the people are saying they want the People’s United Party again.”

Reporter

“How many people were you able to mobilize from Caribbean Shores?”

Kareem Musa

“A hundred constituents.”

Reporter

“Were you putting in a huge effort? The numbers seem to be smaller than what we’ve seen before

Kareem Musa

“No, I think this is a robust showing by the People’s United Party this morning. I think other constituencies brought a larger crowd, but I was asked to bring out a hundred which I did. Quite easily.”

Citizen Security Remains Paramount During Election Season

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.”

Three of Four Charges Dropped Against Men in May 2022 Shooting

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.

P.U.P. and U.D.P. Nominates Municipal Slates in Belmopan

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, 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, 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, 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.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Sugar City Comes Alive on Nomination Day

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.

Dangriga Nominates Their Municipal Candidates

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, 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, 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.”

Meet the Candidates of Benque Viejo Del Carmen

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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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.”