2024-07-23 - Channel 5 Belize

Can U.D.P. Leader Moses Barrow Survive Another Recall Petition?

Are moves being made for U.D.P. Albert Area Representative Tracy Panton to challenge Moses “Shyne” Barrow for the party’s leadership? Tonight, the United Democratic Party is displaying signs of significant internal division. Key figures within the party have reportedly launched a petition to remove Barrow as Party Leader. As we reported on Monday, eighteen U.D.P. standard bearers met in Orange Walk to discuss “general reform.” Panton, second deputy leader Beverly Williams, and former leaders Patrick Faber and John Saldivar participated in the meeting. And things are moving fast as Saldivar, the U.D.P. Standard Bearer for Belmopan, has reportedly called a meeting with the party’s western standard bearers tonight. Plus, Panton’s supporters are making it publicly known that they are with her. Several prominent U.D.P. figures took to Facebook to pledge their support for Panton, using the phrase “I am with her.” Among those who made these social media posts were John Saldivar, Patrick Faber, and Beverly Williams. Except for John Saldivar, who wrote, “the first loss she took it on the chin, now all she is going to do is win,” no one gave an explanation behind their post. Today we caught up with the Chairman of the U.D.P., Michael Peyrefitte, and we asked him about the U.D.P.’s internal turmoil. Here is how he responded.

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“Well I think it is only on social media because social media exists. There have been riffs in the U.D.P. since its formation in 1983. So that is nothing new. That is not news. That is what we do. We are active. We are not monolithic. We have our opinions. We have our positions that we take and we create an environment where people can express themselves and say what they want. So, I don’t see it as a riff. It’s just what we do.”

Paul Lopez

“Do you know if there is an intention to overthrow the current party leader. We interestingly See individuals like Patrick Faber, Beverly Williams, throwing support behind Tracy Panton.”

Michael Peyrefitte

“I haven’t heard of that. I am not aware of any intentions. I know we have a party leader. There is a process if you want to change party leaders. I don’t know that any such process has begun. But, time will tell. I mean like I said earlier we don’t put a limit on what people can do in the party. If that is what they want then that is what they do. But I don’t know. I am not hearing anything like that.”

Paul Lopez

“Are you aware that there was a meeting in Orange Walk yesterday. I understand Patrick Faber was at that meeting as well as Ms. Bev and that perhaps that is where a lot of this originated and the idea of replacing Mr. Barrow for Ms. Tracy originated.”

Michael Peyrefitte

“No, I am not aware of such meetings. I am only aware of central executive meetings and N.P.C. meetings. Any other meeting other than that, and I know we have a national party council meeting on August third. But other than that I am not aware of any other meeting.”

Paul Lopez

“What is scheduled to be discussed at that meeting and will the party’s leadership moving forward be discussed?”

Michael Peyrefitte

“I cannot say what will be discussed at that meeting but leadership issues cannot be discussed there. According to our constitution the N.P.C. cannot discuss that, there is a different procedure for that. But, we always have N.P.C. meetings after an election to discuss what we did right, what we did wrong. As far as I am aware that is the purpose of the meeting. But of course, the party can bring up any other matter at any time to discuss. But when it comes to, as you are alluding to, I am not aware of it, but as far as I know, when it comes to removing a leader there is a process that has to take place that has nothing to do with the N.P.C.”

Paul Lopez

“Where do you stand personally? Do you remain neutral? Is your position that you have to remain neutral?”

Michael Peyrefitte

“I remain in the position of whatever is in the best interest of the party. If there is a petition, then that petition then that petition has to be fleshed out. But I will not participate in anything that reduces the rich history of the UDP and I will make sure that whatever is done is done fairly and within the constitution of the party.”

Is Tracy Panton’s Preparing to Challenge Moses Barrow’s Leadership?

And, Peyrefitte says he is not acknowledging any rumors or reports of a plot to overthrow Moses “Shyne” Barrow because he has not received any official correspondent. We also asked him where he stands on the issue and if he believes the U.D.P. can return to office with Barrow at the helm.

Paul Lopez

“What do you say to these individuals, Patrick Faber, John Saldivar, Bev Williams, individuals who you have relationships with. They are a part of the fabric of this party, and some would argue long before the current leader.”

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“I would say nothing to them at this point.”

Paul Lopez

“Is there any intent to bring them all together in a meeting of sort and have a discussion on how the party can move forward with a unified front?”

Michael Peyrefitte

“We talk every day and that is what we strive for. So, to attempt to do that is nothing more than we do every day, so.”

Paul Lopez

“In your view, can the United Democratic Party return to office with Moses “Shyne” Barrow at the helm?”

Michael Peyrefitte

“I will say if the P.U.P. can have Johnny Briceño as their prime Minister and their leader anybody can be prime minister then anybody can be prime minister. So I am confident that is possible.”

Paul Lopez

“What’s your thoughts on the idea that the party basically has the leader of the Opposition because you need his financing. He is the financier right now.”

Michael Peyrefitte

“Listen, the people of the U.D.P. will decide that. It is not something for us to analyze. I mean the people will decide whether or not they want to keep Mr. Barrow as leader or whether they want to remove him. That is totally for the people if we get that far.”

Paul Lopez

“So you do acknowledge there is a riff.”

Michael Peyrefitte

“I never said there was a riff. You are saying there is a riff. I haven’t received anything to indicate there is a change. I don’t have anything in front of me. I won’t follow what social media says or what rumors say or what people put in a chat. If I don’t get official documentation as far as I am concerned, we are carrying along as we are. The U.D.P. survived the walking out of Phillip Goldon you know, Hubert Elrington and we can go back in history. The U.D.P. is an organization that will survive no matter what.”

U.D.P. Chairman on Toledo East Loss: “We fought the hard fight.”

Finally, from our interview with U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte, we asked him for his thoughts on the party’s embarrassing loss at the polls for the Toledo East by-election. Peyrefitte was on the ground, working, and says the U.D.P. fought a hard fight. He is predicting that the next general elections will yield much different results.

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“I wouldn’t put it in a negative light like that. If you have the Toledo East constituency the entire government was down there to back their candidate in one constituency. You can tell that by the amount of Minister and government vehicles that were down there. I mean they should have beat us by ten to one with the efforts they put in. We did the best we could. We fought the hard fight and we have no regrets about that. We have to do what we can to put our case to the people. If we are not victorious we are not victorious. We go back to the drawing board and recoup. What will he the real test is when the general election come and Osmond Martinez is there by himself. I can tell you this, on election day John Briceño won’t be in Toledo East. You cannot look at what the Government does with full backing and resources against an opposition party. And maybe you know, maybe people decide if we vote for the U.D.P. in that by election there isn’t much they can do for us. That person won’t be a Minister. So maybe they believe if they election someone from the current party they will be able to get something. But the general could be very, very different and we expect it to be very different. I really don’t understand the over analysis of the U.D.P. From 2006 to 2018, twelve years the P.U.P. didn’t win an election, except for some seat in Orange Walk, from 2006 to 2018 and we are only less than one third of that time. Politics works in swings and with the pendulum. Right now, they have the momentum and they are winning at the polls but it’s not to wonder what is so wrong with the U.D.P. People sometimes vote for change and the U.D.P. only looks like some juggernauts because it’s their time.”

Senate Debates Fiscal Incentives Act Amendment

Senators debated a proposed amendment to the Fiscal Incentives Act brought from the House of Representatives. The amendment seeks to standardise the incentive and concession package provided to investors undertaking projects in Belize with a value of more than two hundred and fifty million U.S. dollars. Senator for Government Business Eamon Courtenay explained that this is the sole purpose of the amendment. Opposition Senator Michael Peyrefitte, however, questioned why an investor with access to so much capital would need such incentives and concessions.

Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator

“The purpose is to avoid where possible and as much as possible, the necessity to negotiate every time one of these bug projects come in, there is a negotiation with government, they want tax exemptions from all sort of things for particular period of times and it varies depending on who is negotiation and what government is in power. We are trying to standardize it to make it clear this is what you are going to get if you have an investment over U.S. two hundred and fifty million dollars. We also make recommendations for highly skilled workers to allow them to bring in some of their personal effects with limited duty exemptions. The purpose is to standardize the exemption package and continue to attract investments so as not to have it on a one by one, looking at it a negation with one developer here and another one is in agriculture, so you give him something different, something is in tourism or industry. It is going to be standardized and that is the purpose.”

Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator

“There is an age-old question, if you don’t plan on doing anything wrong then why you need indemnity right. If you have two hundred and fifty million U.S dollars, why you need so many exemptions? You broke? You have two hundred and fifty million U.S dollars. Why is it that the only time we can attract people is when they say they have a certain amount of money. I will get into what the bill proposes. The bill doesn’t say you have to have it or that you have to show you have it. The bill doesn’t say before we even give you these things you need to park that money in Belize and if you change your mind, you have no choice but to spend it but here.”

Senator Coye Says Investment in Belize On the Rise

Business Senator Kevin Herrera also weighed in on the debate. He questioned if the Briceño Administration has set the bar too high at two hundred and fifty million U.S. dollars. Senator Christopher Coye explained that for the first time in 2022, Belize has surpassed a billion dollars in investments by domestic and foreign investors.

Kevin Herrera, Business Senator

“My question is where does these two hundred and fifty million dollars come from? If we develop a policy or we pass a policy such as this today, will it be effective to capture the type of investments we want to capture. Two hundred and fifty million U.S dollars in such a small economy like this seems excessive, especially if you look at it in the context of our annual budget. You could round it off to two billion dollars in terms of spending for a year and so if you look at two hundred and fifty million U.S., you are actually looking at twenty-five percent of the total annual budget. Which is a large amount, so I don’t know where the two hundred and fifty million or five hundred million Belize dollars is coming from, but it seems pretty large. In my mind I am wondering if we will really have investments of this size and if the objective is to provide these incentives so that you could attract investments in these areas, that bar may be a little bit high.”

Christopher Coye, Government Senator

“Between 2009 and 2019 the average growth in investment, that is measures by gross fix capital formation on our G.D.P. stats, was on average growth about one point four percent a year. In 2020, because of COVID, it dramatically contracted by twelve percent. But in 2021 we saw a tremendous increase in investment and that investment is not foreign direct investment only. It includes local investment. That increase was upward of thirty-eight percent in 2021 alone. It increased further in 2022 by another twenty percent. In 2023, this is preliminary, but it is roughly twelve percent increase. That is in stark contrast to an average investment growth rate of about one to one and a half percent in the prior dozen years.”

Senate Debate Southern Deep Port Project

Residents in Dangriga are anticipating the start of a fifty-million-dollar project to rebuild the Commerce Bight Port. The construction phase and the completion of the project will reportedly create numerous job opportunities for residents in southern Belize. The project is being undertaken as a public-private partnership in collaboration with Southern Deep Port Limited. So, it was brought to the Senate today for debate. Here is how that went.

Eamon Courtenay, Lead Government Senator

“It is expected that this will create jobs and most importantly a new part of the tourism sector which is a marina where yachts can come in harbor and enjoy the beauty of Belize and be based there. I understand from the Minister of Tourism that in Guatemala in Rio Dulce the yachts have to come out of the country of Guatemala for a minimum of three months. They would love to do it in Belize but there is no marina. This seems to be a solution to that particular problem, aside from attracting other yachts that want to use marinas in our water. Most importantly it will provide economic stimulus for residents of Stann Creek District, creating jobs, attracting investments and we believe this will be very beneficial to the economy of Belize.”

Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator

“Who are these people? Who is this developer we are talking about that we will give a port of entry to? I ask it genuinely. I see that the agreement was signed by an Emilio Zabaneh and the government. But, who else is involved in this project? Who are the funders of this project, because this agreement has some striking clauses in there that we could come here today, debate and agree. From what we know Emilio Zabaneh is a Belizean. But there is nothing that prevents him from unilaterally divesting himself of these shares next week without telling the government, or if his company can’t meet his obligations these funders can come in and take over the port.”

Southern Workers Union Supports Commerce Bight Project

The Southern Workers Union has thrown its full support behind the Southern Deep Port or Commerce Bight Project. Their position was brought to the fore by N.T.U.C.B. Senator Glenfield Dennison. On the other hand, N.G.O. Senator Doctor Elma Kay shared that this is yet another port projection without a comprehensive cruise port policy and plan for the country.

Glenfield Dennison, Union Senator

“I bring a message from the Southern Workers Union who have been actively seeking an audience with me and invited me personally to Dangriga to be able to appreciate more deeply why they are in support of this bill. I have prepared some notes but it would be remise of me not do give you directly from the mouths of that union. The workers of that union wrote me and I quote, we have observed that the government of Belize is committed to the growth, development and transformation of the nation’s economy. There is a pressing need for economic activity to take place in Dangriga Town. It is for those reasons that the Commerce Bight Pier Port as is being brought to us by the Southern Deep Port Facility Bill is essential for job creation, economic sustainability and development that was done with consultation with the southern workers and its members.”

Dr. Elma Kay, N.G.O. Senator

“This bill really reminds us of or has once more brought up a discussion for yet another tourism port for Belize while to date we continue without a comprehensive cruise port policy and plan for the country. We really need some clarity on our direction with respect to cruise ports. The repurposing of an existing facility like this commerce bight facility, the smaller size of the development, the nature of the development, as a public private partnership investors, are all leagues ahead of the ongoing mega cruise tourism port fiasco our country has found itself embroiled in. as a country we do need to do better and we will continue to challenge our government administration to work with all stakeholders in developing a vision and plan, particularly as it concerns ports and tourism.”

Belize Supports I.C.J. on Israel’s Practices in Palestinian Territory

Belize has expressed its support for the International Court of Justice’s stance on Israel’s policies and practices in Palestinian Territory. The government’s Press Office issued a press release, stating Belize’s support of the I.C.J.’s position in which it ruled that quote, “Israel’s legislation and measures constitute a breach of Article Three of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination” to which Belize is a party,” end quote. According to Article Three, States Parties condemn racial segregation and apartheid and seeks to prevent these practices in territories under their jurisdiction. The release goes on to state that the I.C.J. opinion upholds Belize’s National Assembly resolutions in 2022, which affirm that Israel’s regime of systemic oppression of Palestinians is a regime of settler colonialism and apartheid. Belize takes special interest in the fact that the I.C.J. determined that as a consequence of Israel’s practices, Palestinians have been deprived of their right to self-determination for decades now. The I.C.J. concluded that Israel must end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as quickly as possible and provide full reparation for the damage caused by its wrongful acts that have displaced Palestinians.

Man Receives Life Saving Surgery at K.H.M.H.

Tonight, we bring you the inspiring story of sixty-one-year-old Caryl Meighan, who is expressing heartfelt gratitude for being alive after receiving life-saving heart surgery at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Meighan was told last November that he needed surgery to replace a mitral valve in his heart. Earlier today, we sat down with Meighan, who shared that just a few months earlier, he had tragically lost his brother to the same condition. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the full story of Meighan’s remarkable recovery.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The ticking you are hearing is coming from Caryl Meighan’s chest. It’s coming from a valve placed inside his chest. It’s that valve that is keeping him alive today. Meighan is a survivor. About ten months ago, the sixty-year-old began experiencing pain in his chest and a shortness of breath. He sought medical advice and was told that he would need to undergo heart surgery to fix the issue. Meighan was scared.

Caryl Meighan, Patient

“Now for me it was very a bit scary because I had lost my brother during the same surgery, similar to that, but the only difference was that he did his surgery in November. Los Angeles, California. Just six months before I was there. When I mention it to my woman and family members, he sent up some red flags like you sure and where are you? Where are you going to do? I tell him when I’m going to do it at K.H.M.H.”

The word ‘surgery’ is alarming enough, but “heart surgery”? That would scare even the bravest soul. But, despite his anxiety about the procedure, Meighan knew he couldn’t continue living in that condition. He recognised that he needed to undergo surgery for the sake of his future and that of his family.

Britney Gordon

“What was like the breaking point for you that really made you think I have to try and do it?”

Caryl Meighan

“My mobility, the tiredness, I was feeling it was coming on more and I couldn’t do certain things for myself. I was that was getting into my head. I figured, I gotta deal with this. I start launching more questions to doctor about the surgery and stuff like that. For me, I really made up my mind to do it after I was directed to a patient that had a year or so earlier successfully and go to surgery done by the I’m going to be the same doctor and after speaking to the lady, she’s a little bit older than me. I felt comfort. I said to myself, if she can do it, I can and then I saw her mobility or she was moving around yes, that’s what I want to do. That was when I decided I’m going to do it.”

Meighan’s surgery took place in June at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, and since then he has been recovering. Everything had to be perfect to allow for a high percentage of success. That is why anesthesiologist Lydia Blake and her colleagues had to properly prepare for this life-saving surgery.

Lydia Blake, Anesthesiologist

“I remember we had to cancel him the first month because of the same breathing problem he had and the day before we did it, I went to visit him with my anesthesiologist that comes Dr. Rice that came for doing the surgery because I told him this is one of my patients that they really need us to put all our eyes and teeths together because he has everything and he will be a challenge. And he was a challenge for me just in the intubation after I put on this arterial lines. I had to sit him in a sitting position to do, intubate him, got him, thank God.”

Though challenging, Meighan’s surgery was a success. Blake says that Meighan was one of the most difficult cases she’s experienced in her eleven-year career. But it is success stories like his that make her grateful for the work that she does.

Lydia Blake

“I just went on my knees and I thank God and I say, these are the things that make me want to continue to be part of the cardiac team. And not just the cardiac team, but working in KHMH, because we do miracles every day here. Despite everything, we come and we give our all and we do. And the greatest satisfaction is when I see those patients walking out there and remembering me and calling me, Hi, Nurse Blake.”

And it is because of the nurses and doctors at the K.H.M.H. that Meighen is now able to walk around his house, laugh, and be with his family. For that, he is grateful. A procedure like this is not unusual for the team at the K.H.M.H. Meighen is around the seventieth open heart surgery patient whose life has been saved by the doctors and nurses.

Dr. Adrian Coye, Cardiologist

“The most important thing is that he had the opportunity to have the procedure done here in Belize to be around his family in very close support. And therefore, again, it justifies what we are continuing to do which is to build, a service advanced cardiac program that will service all our patients in their times of needs and of course in the future we’d be able to do emergency heart surgeries.”

Although still in recovery, Meighen is ready to hop back into action and live his life to its fullest potential.

Caryl Meighan

“I plan to recoup and get back to work as soon as possible, you know. That’s it sitting home is kinda killing me, it’s get, I’m bored already.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Opposition Senator Chides Briceño Administration Over Borrowing

The Government of Belize is borrowing a total of twenty-four million U.S. dollars from the Inter-American Development Bank. The matter was debated today by way of two loan motions. The first is for ten million U.S. dollars to be invested in sustainable urban development projects in Orange Walk, Corozal, and Ambergris Caye. The second is for fourteen million dollars meant to improve the efficiency, quality, and access to healthcare across the country. These loans will also come with five million U.S. dollars in grant funding. Michael Peyrefitte, the Lead Opposition Senator argued that the Briceño Administration has borrowed exorbitantly since taking office in 2020.

Michael Peyrefitte, Lead Opposition Senator
“Madam President we keep borrowing and borrowing and borrowing. We keep hearing the Minister of finance say we are doing so well, and the economy is expanding. The economy is expanding at such an alarming rate, but we have to borrow approximately fifty million Belize dollars to do essential services from what I see you are saying you want to do on the paper. From the life of me I cannot, I don’t want to hear this is practically free money, loan dah loan. And we are up to one point seven billion in under four years. We have come to this National Assembly to borrow one point seven billion with a B with nothing to show for it. That is not counting anything like treasury bill. The government issued a treasury bill note in July to be matured in October for sixty-four million dollars. We are not counting those. This is straight external loans we take on in less than four years, one point seven billion dollars.”