The leadership struggle within the United Democratic Party is heating up with new developments. A lawsuit has been filed against Interim Party Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton and former U.D.P. Secretary General Phillipa Griffith Bailey. On November fifth, an ex parte application notice was submitted by Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow, along with Michael Peyrefitte, Shary Medina, Alberto August, and Hugo Patt. These individuals are the members of the Central Executive Committee of the embattled party. The lengthy document filed with the High Court is seeking to restore the previous state of affairs by granting immediate custody and possession of the U.D.P. Headquarters to chairman Mike Peyrefitte. The application also requests an order to allow Shyne Barrow and the Central Executive Committee to immediately re-enter and take control of the headquarters. Additionally, it seeks to have Tracy Taegar-Panton, and her executives promptly removed from the building. In another legal move against Taegar-Panton and Griffith-Bailey, the applicants are asking for a declaration to clarify whether Barrow or Taegar-Panton is the true leader of the U.D.P. Barrow is also seeking a ruling that Taegar-Panton has no legal or trust-based authority to possess the U.D.P. headquarters. Additionally, he wants declarations stating that Taegar-Panton cannot remove the claimants from the headquarters and that she unlawfully took control of the Guardian Newspaper and Wave Radio, which are U.D.P. organs. Shyne Barrow and the four other claimants have attorney Immanuel Williams in their corner, representing them on behalf of Glenn D. Godfrey & Company Limited.
This week, two different digital versions of the Guardian Newspaper made the rounds. One was edited by Alfonso Noble, who has been at the helm of the publication for the past sixteen years, working out of the office at Youth for the Future Drive. Noble is now under the leadership of Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton, who took over the headquarters last week. That version clearly lists Noble as the editor. The other copy focuses mainly on the efforts of Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow, who is currently in a legal tussle with Panton over control of the headquarters and the party’s radio station and newspaper. It has no named editor. News Five’s Marion Ali reports on the confusion these two versions are causing among U.D.P. supporters.
Marion Ali, Reporting
U.D.P. supporters and the general public were likely scratching their heads this week when they received not one, but two different digital versions of the Guardian Newspaper. Last week, the only edition of the Guardian was a digital one, released after Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton took over the U.D.P. Headquarters and assumed control of Wave Radio and the Guardian Newspaper. Circulated last Thursday, it featured the headline “New Leadership, New Direction for the U.D.P.” prominently on the front page, showcasing Panton, her Deputy Leader Beverly Williams, and Attorney Sheena Pitts as part of the new U.D.P. Executive.
On the lower right-hand side of page two, you’ll see Alfonso Noble listed as the Editor. Noble has been at the helm of the Guardian since 2008 and continues to oversee the edition produced from the party headquarters. This week, things took an interesting turn with two different digital versions of the Guardian Newspaper making the rounds. Both versions sported the same front-page font and logo, but with different headlines. The version on the left, titled “Investing in the Future,” prominently features Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow throughout the publication. This version lacks a staff box and doesn’t name an editor.
On the other hand, the version on the right, headlined “U.D.P. Names Central Executive,” was produced at the Youth for the Future headquarters with Alfonso Noble listed as the editor. When we asked Noble about these dual versions, he dismissed the one he didn’t edit, calling it child’s play and suggesting it would only add to the confusion among U.D.P. supporters.
Alfonso Noble
Alfonso Noble, Editor, Guardian Newspaper
“I thought it was a school project. You know, children are given these assignments to do various things, sometimes in the media and what have you, and create a newspaper and that kind of thing. And I was flattered, actually, that a child, um, would actually, um, come up with such an idea. way of, um, of, of, of doing a school project and absolutely no concern whatsoever. The Guardian newspaper is a Guardian newspaper. When you open it in the, um, the, the, the first, the first page after the headline, you have the, who publishes it and the name of the editor and what have you. So it is clear who the Guardian newspaper is.”
Noble was direct in his criticism of the author of the other edition of the Guardian.
Alfonso Noble
“The child, I guess, um, must be suffering from some Maccoby Goma of what has taken place in the leadership of the UDP and they would want to place the former leader on every page That they possibly could have mustered and I’m happy for them. I really am but thanks to that child for flattering us in this manner.”
Marion Ali
“You refer to the individual as a child Is a U.D.P. supporter as well. He just supports the other.”
Alfonso Noble
“I think it to be a school project that’s really when I first saw it. I saw this is a school project somebody’s school project.”
Marion Ali
“Nonetheless, there are issues that are addressed in the, in their edition that that clearly opposes what you guys are putting out. So you have opposing views or you have differing views or you have different views or different issues. And so there is confusion because people out there, your supporters, particularly UDP supporters, want to know, well, which one is the correct edition of the Guardian that I should be reading.”
Alfonso Noble
“The reader must be able to decipher for themselves what is real and what is not, what comes from the multiverse from the other dimension, or the parallel reality.”
Noble maintains that he and the version that he edits represent the work of the U.D.P. under the leadership of Tracy Panton.
Alfonso Noble
“We are working out of the United Democratic Party headquarters. We are doing the work. Of the United Democratic Party, we’re serving our people. And that is as much as, that can be said, we, there is no confusion here.”
News Five tried to get in touch with Shyne Barrow to find out who his editor is, but we didn’t get a response. We also attempted to identify the author of the other version of the Guardian, but the people we contacted, who are Barrow’s supporters, were either surprised to hear about its circulation or had no idea where it came from. Marion Ali for News Five.
Amid the confusion over which version of the Guardian Newspaper is legitimate and who the rightful leader of the U.D.P. is, last week saw Alfonso Noble taking to Wave Radio with some serious accusations. He claimed that Moses “Shyne” Barrow was undermining the Guardian staff by withholding their week’s salary, instructing a signatory not to sign the checks. Today, Noble explained that when he went public with this information, Albert Area Representative Tracy Taegar-Panton was unaware of the issue. She quickly took steps to ensure the staff got paid. While Panton declined an interview to discuss the two versions of the newspaper, Noble assured that she has made sure the staff will receive their pay moving forward.
Alfonso Noble
Alfonso Noble, Editor, Guardian Newspaper
“When I had went public, our party leader was not aware of the situation. If you would have noticed during the morning show, I took a break. I took a break from the show, um, to come out and take a call. And I generally offer the respect, that kind of respect to our party leader. And, um, she, um, told me in no uncertain terms, you will get paid, that whatever you’re exposing, you need to control yourself on that because this is not the way of the United Democratic Party doing business, and she assured me that we were going to be paid. We were paid on that very day. As a matter of fact, immediately after the morning show, checks were issued, and everybody and staff that needed to be paid was paid. The party leader is continuing to maintain that position until our accounting systems are put in order.”
The Ministry of Human Development has rebranded the Women’s Department as the Family Support and Gender Affairs Department. This change, announced today in a Cabinet Brief, reflects the Ministry’s commitment to equality and inclusion. We reached out to Minister Dolores Balderamos-Garcia for more details on this update.
On the Phone: Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Human Development
“I think the name change, and of course names are important, the name change reflects the focus of our ministry in the modern day, much better than when we were just saying Women’s Department or Family Department. I think we wanted to signal that we are inclusive. As you know the motto of our ministry is equality and inclusion and we wanted to signal that not only do we deal with women, but we also support families, children, men and the most important word of course is gender. So it is Family Support and Gender Affairs Department. We are not just signaling to the Belizean people that we are only looking at women. Gender is a set of issues that have to do with men, women, children and all the roles we play.”
Today, a twenty-three-year-old man named Brett Mejia was sent to prison after being accused of trying to murder his sister’s boyfriend. His family insists he was acting in self-defense. Over the weekend, reports started circulating about a man who had stabbed his sister’s boyfriend, allegedly to stop him from raping her. Mejia, a self-employed food vendor, showed up in court without a lawyer and faced charges of attempted murder and using deadly means of harm against twenty-four-year-old Kenroy Lanza. Because of the serious nature of the crime, Mejia didn’t enter a plea and was remanded to Belize Central Prison until January sixth, 2025. After the court session, his sister shared her side of the story, explaining what led to her brother’s arrest.
Voice of: Mejia’s Sister
Voice of: Mejia’s Sister
“He grabbed me and my shirt and I end up to release me hard. And I run ova to my ma. When I run ova to my ma, he run behind me with a knife and a machete fi want chop my ma. I mi di try help my ma get the machete and I couldn’t get ot so I run gone hail my breda. My breda reach, when my breda come, my breda mi di try get the knife and the machete but the knife end up di turn right back round and stab my bwai.”
Reporter
“So your brother came to your aid because of what he saw your boyfriend was doing to you?”
Voice of: Mejia’s Sister
“Yes ma’am.”
Reporter
“You said that you all went to make a report but the police she, you di talk lone fool?”
Voice of: Mejia’s Sister
“He said I dih seh lone stupidness. Nothing weh I di seh di mek sense. Well my brother mi charge but ih noh done because weh happen I noh think I could get he back because dat da past craziness. Just mek he keep fi he way. Best thing I could do da just get wa restraining order. What he want give he son, he could give ih son through the police. I wa try fight it with my baby the best I could because I no wa left nobody fi kill my ma and me and just go like that. And now my brother gone da jail.”
Today, the Belize Social Security held its second media mixer to chat about social security matters. This was the first mixer since Doctor Leroy Almendarez and his deputy, Jerome Palma, took on their new roles. Interestingly, the data showed that payouts hit a high of around sixty-seven million dollars in 2020 due to COVID. Another interesting point was that when the minimum wage went up, the contributions didn’t follow suit because no adjustments were made. Since 1981, there have only been two changes to the scheme’s contributions and payouts. The latest actuarial report suggested it’s time for another update. We asked the C.E.O. how the S.S.B plans to move forward with this.
Leroy Almendarez
Dr. Leroy Almendarez, C.E.O., S.S.B.
“I know there’s a proposal to increase the retirement age, that requires its own discussion because unions are having their own discussions where that is concerned as well. In terms of, since 1981, because that’s when the scheme started, 1981, and those who have been at Social Security before the 12 of us, my understanding is there have only been two adjustments. Imagine, in 43 years, with all the economic changes, with all the fact that if you take what is called a personal, a personal analysis of social security, especially the E, the economic, and some of the downturns, etc., the climate change responses, the environmental aspects, and all of those different things that have happened, and only two changes, or two adjustments have been made, and yet When the last one was made, I know there was, it was not immediate acceptance, but let’s understand this. If you want to, especially when it talks about taking more of my money, you have to convince me why there’s a need to take out more of my money. And so it is our responsibility to do this, to have tongue house and to listen. And this afternoon we’ll be doing that as well. Right. We have a stakeholder consultation this afternoon. Because when we talk about the way forward, these are some of the things that we have to look at. But you have to prepare people. You have to sell it to them. And for them to understand that if you pay a dollar more, the returns on paying that dollar in terms of benefits will far exceed. And not only that, it’s not only for you, but for the son, the daughter, those who will join the labor force and will expect you know, those kind of benefits as well.”
We also asked Almendarez to clear up a topic that often leaves people scratching their heads: when can you claim and qualify for injury benefits? Today, Almendarez broke it down for us, but the key takeaway for anyone looking to claim is that you must have been injured on the job to qualify for those benefits.
Leroy Almendarez
Dr. Leroy Almendarez, C.E.O., S.S.B.
“Remember you transition from injury to invalidity. How that works is this: and that is why you have to understand that if you get injured on the job, if you get sick on the job, and you make your claim, there’s a period of time for which – it’s twenty-six weeks – after you are assessed to see whether or not you can continue to work because the injury could have made you disabled or unable to work anymore. The illness could also make you unable to work anymore. Then you claim, or make a claim for invalidity and once you make a claim for invalidity, that’s when you get a medical assessment, even the injury. Because remember, some injuries can also be self-caused injury and it must be on the job. If the injury was not caused on the job, then that injury does not really qualify. But you make your claim and that investigation takes place, it’s not just a no. The investigation takes place.”
According to the latest info, most of S.S.B.’s sickness claims since the COVID pandemic have been for upper respiratory illnesses. While it’s pretty straightforward for patients to claim sickness benefits for these conditions, it’s going to take a lot longer before we can claim for anything related to long COVID or lingering health issues from COVID. The reason? It’s still tough to get a definitive diagnosis for long COVID, and we won’t have enough data to make those connections for at least another ten years. Plus, the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization are still in the early stages of developing the diagnostic codes doctors need to identify long COVID-related illnesses. Sean Sebastian, S.S.B.’s Manager of Research and Analysis Services, explained the lengthy process before these options can even make it onto the sick forms that doctors fill out.
Sean Sebastian
Sean Sebastian, Manager, Research & Analysis Services, S.S.B.
“When we collect data, the sickness benefit claims data, we use a data classification system called ICD 11. It’s International Classification of Disease, version 11. That’s the most recent version of that system in the world right now, so we are already using that at Social Security Board. But that paper came out in 2024, so they haven’t included that sickness code into the International Classification of Diseases system as yet. So as soon as that is done, we will update our system and include that so the doctors would have that code to correctly classify or identify the Long COVID diagnosis, and then we’ll be able to accurately measure and report on the impact that Long COVID has had on our working population.”
Mahogany is one of Belize’s most treasured resources, having played a crucial role in the country’s economic history. But for local sculptor Carl Gordon, mahogany is more than just wood—it’s a canvas for his art. In this week’s episode of Belize on Reel, we chatted with Carl to uncover the passion and craftsmanship behind his creations and to find out what has kept him inspired for forty-six years. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with the story.
See when you look at the wood, it suggests what it wants you do with it. It’s only for you to find a way to find that and work with it.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Stepping into the home of Belizean artist Carl Gordon feels like entering a museum. Every inch, from floor to ceiling, is adorned with sculptures he has meticulously crafted over the past forty-six years. Gordon’s artistic journey began when he was just a schoolboy, and his passion has only grown since then.
Carl Gordon
Carl Gordon, Wood Sculptor
“I used to love to draw. That at one point, I actually stole my uncle’s drawing book and I took it to school. He was very good at drawing. And what I did was, I traced over some of his drawing and to kind of get the indication. So my friends, my classmates, they could have seen what I was doing. And when they saw me doing that, they got sort of interested and wanted to, wanted me to draw for them. They didn’t know what I was doing. So I would then do it for them, but without them looking at me.”
Gordon started honing his drawing skills on his own, steadily improving over time. It wasn’t until he reached adulthood that he discovered wood carving and fell in love with it. Nowadays, he finds his inspiration in the clouds, letting their shapes and forms guide his artistic vision.
Carl Gordon
“What really influences me in doing what I’m doing is the inspiration I get from looking in the clouds on a daily basis, because the clouds has all the formation of whatever I have in here, I would see it in the clouds.”
Gordon shares that he has a near-photographic memory, allowing him to vividly recall the images he sees in the sky during the morning and evening. He considers this ability to draw inspiration from the clouds and transform it into his wood carvings a true blessing. His art often reflects a deep connection to his African ancestry, a recurring theme in his work.
Carl Gordon
“When I look in the clothes and I see some of these formations and I put it together it’s like it kind of invokes me in a provocative manner. You understand? And I really do have to do something about it. So, I get wood, I look at the wood, I think about what I had seen, And I start the work. I start working and everything start coming together, you know? And this, this is the theme, from my ancestors. It’s like I am following their footsteps.”
Standing proudly in the center of Gordon’s pieces is a sculpture titled “Emancipation”. It depicts an African girl breaking the chains of oppression. He walks us through the creation of this piece. It started with a dying Mahogany tree that he saw on the side of the road.
Carl Gordon
“It was an old, rotten looking mahogany tree, but it was pretty solid. Rotten on the outside, but solid on the inside. And I had the opportunity to cut that tree. And he had given a piece to me. So this is what I carved from that piece of wood. But to get to this point, I used my chainsaw. I use, I do a lot of chainsaw cutting. Then I have my grinder, I have a disc grinder that I would grind it down with after getting it to the point. I do my chiseling, I work with my hatchet. You know, I do all that. So it’s a lot of things I have to put together in order to reach to this point that it is presently.”
Most of the wood Gordon uses is driftwood, found washed up on the seashore. It can take him nearly a year to transform each piece into something even more beautiful than when he found it. Despite the challenges of sourcing materials and the countless hours he pours into each creation, Gordon can’t imagine a future where he isn’t pursuing his passion for wood carving.
Carl Gordon
“That’s love. That’s what I am blessed by the Father’s hand. You understand what I’m saying? This is my calling. I don’t want to be doing nothing else but carve and sculpt. You understand? So, it doesn’t really feel no way to me.”
You’ve probably seen him with his saxophone, either at DIGI Park or at a live event. Allan “Di Real” McCoy is celebrating nine years of playing the saxophone. His vibrant and outgoing personality makes him stand out, perfectly complementing his passion for music. His journey into music was guided by his parents, who noticed early on that McCoy was different from most kids. They bought him a keyboard when he was just five, and he quickly became fascinated with musical instruments. In his family, learning a trade is a natural part of growing up. Today, Allan “Di Real” McCoy not only serenades beauty pageant contestants, but also gets his hands dirty working on transmissions in his father’s mechanic shop. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
At just thirty years old, Allan McCoy and his well-loved saxophone are a familiar sight, entertaining anyone willing to listen. Whether he’s in public parks, on street corners, or at beauty pageants, Allan sets up his gear wherever he can and often plays for hours on end. His passion for music shines through every note, captivating audiences wherever he goes.
Allan McCoy Jr.
Allan McCoy Jr., Musician
“It all started from I was about small, nine or ten, listening to saxophone music on the radio when I get something to eat and then after this, I said I wanted to learn the saxophone so badly and I didn’t get to touch the saxophone until I was nineteen. At the time when I was enrolled at Gwen Lizarraga High School there was no brass instrument and wind instrument. After I left with a high school diploma, I waited patiently until I got assistance from Mr. Chris Bradshaw, the man from Wesley College.”
From a very young age, McCoy’s parents noticed he was different from the other kids at school. Even as a baby, he stood out with his unique interests and talents. Allan McCoy Senior told us that he bought five-year-old Allan McKoy a musical keyboard that he became fixated with.
Voice of: Allan McCoy Sr.
Voice of: Allan McCoy Sr., Mechanic
“He was different because he was considered a special needs child. He was a bit of a struggle in the beginning, because we didn’t have this situation. What we did we spoke with specialist who advised us that kids like him need, they usually focus their attention on one thing and we need to find out what that was. So, from the age of five or six we bought him his first keyboard and within one month we was playing the keyboard on his own. I went in his room and I asked him to play Barney and because he was into that I said can you play that for me because I wanted to see if you have learnt something and the kid literally started playing the song.”
And playing the saxophone is not Di Real’s only talent. He is also a mechanic employed at his father’s shop. McCoy’s father made sure each of his kids learned a trade. Now, McCoy Jr. pitches in wherever he can, helping out with vehicle transmission repairs.
Allan McCoy Jr.
“I have been involved in this mechanical work for the past thirteen years, and I have been doing transmission. I only deal with transmission as a mechanic, and I work with my dad from Monday to Friday. I am also learning to help my dad rebuilding the transmission. I enjoy it really good because when people have issued with their transmission, I take them to my dad and let him do all the situations there.”
Voice of: Allan McCoy Sr.
“One of the thing I want to stress on is that when he was going to school he was not a smart child in school but he had a thing with him that he said dad I know I am not smart and I have to struggle to keep up, so I will try harder and study harder and that has always been his drive that he knows his situation, limitations, so he pushes himself harder to get things done. He has succeeded in that way of life.”
He does not mind his son skipping work at the mechanic shop from time to time to be present at one of his music gigs. Today, Allan McCoy Jr. is marking a special milestone—nine years of playing the saxophone. He invited us to join in the celebration through this interview, sharing his journey and passion for music.
Allan McCoy Jr.
“My most memorable moment is when I do some live performances for beauty pageants, for example Queen of the Bay, or my favorite Ms. Universe Belize, I enlighten the ladies with a bright smile on their face.”
Voice of: Allan McCoy Sr.
“Just be there for your child. My son is thirty years old and he still lives at home. I have never told him you need to find a place. Sometimes I get upset with him when he gets out. But I tell him listen if you cant respect the home find somewhere else. I have never sat him down and say you need to find your own place. As far as I am concerned they are my children and I will take care of them until I can no more.”
