2024-11-08 - Channel 5 Belize

A Legal Victory for Barrow, He Regains Control of UDP HQ

The tide has turned in favor of Moses “Shyne” Barrow, as the United Democratic Party’s leadership battle heads to court. Attorney Immanuel Williams from Glenn D. Godfrey and Company LLP, representing Barrow, Michael Peyrefitte, Shary Medina, Albert August, and Hugo Patt, urgently sought court intervention to reclaim the U.D.P. headquarters through an interim injunction. The court granted this request, allowing Barrow and his team to take back the property, although the fixed date claim filed by Williams is still pending. Now, Barrow and his executives have the green light to repossess the U.D.P. building. But the big questions remain: Who is the real leader of the U.D.P., and did Panton and the Alliance for Democracy trespass when they took over the Youth for the Future property? News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Tracy Taegar-Panton and the Alliance for Democracy made a bold move by storming the UDP headquarters, seizing control of the party’s iconic building on Youth for the Future Drive, along with Wave Radio and The Guardian Newspaper. This dramatic takeover happened just days after Panton and her movement held a national convention to appoint a new UDP leader. Tonight, a High Court Order has swung the pendulum back, granting Leader of the Opposition Moses “Shyne” Barrow and his executive team the authority to reclaim the headquarters and resume their operations.

Immanuel Williams, Attorney-At-Law

“This morning was the hearing of an interparty injunction. Our clients, the applicants, filed an injunction in court last week to remove the respondents from the, to vacate from the, UDP headquarters and for themselves to reenter the premises. So, the court heard that application this morning, considers the evidence before it and the submissions on both sides. The practical effect is that the court order takes effect immediately, therefore the applicants, Mr. Barrow and his colleagues can attend the U.D.P headquarters and repossess the property today.”

A few hours after the High Court’s decision, Tracy Taegar-Panton took to social media to express the disappointment felt by her supporters. She explained that the court granted an interim injunction allowing temporary occupation of the headquarters, emphasizing that this injunction is only provisional.

Immanuel Williams

“The relief extends until the determination of the main claim which, based on the issues there and how it will be resolved in court, may affect this application today and the orders granted.”

In their main claim, the respondents want the court to determine whether Panton or Barrow is the rightful leader of the UDP. They argue that Panton has no authority under a trust to control the UDP Headquarters and that she unlawfully took over Wave Radio and The Guardian Newspaper. These are just three of the many issues the court will start addressing on January fourteenth. We spoke with attorney Sheena Pitts after today’s injunction hearing. Panton appointed her as interim party chair on October twentieth, and she insists that Panton is still the UDP leader based on the recent convention.

Sheena Pitts, Attorney-At-Law

“What happened this morning is an interim injunction relief, temporary, it is not permanent. What was discussed or argued this morning, has nothing as to honorable Panton party leadership. That has not been argued. And so, there is no room for suggestion that anything changes the validity of the October twentieth convention and the results therefrom. So, the interim injunction does not change the fact that honorable Panton is the interim party leader.”

But Williams contends that no one should be declared leader of the United Democratic Party, not Panton nor Barrow, until the court makes its decision on that argument.

Immanuel Williams

“Because it is before the court I would urge to say it is an opportune time to not in fact declare anyone as a party leader since it is before the court, and it has to be addressed, and I appreciate that the media also wants to protect itself in a case like that.”

So, until the High Court hears the full case, Moses “Shyne” Barrow and his executive team can reclaim the headquarters that Panton and her team took over on October twenty-eighth. Meanwhile, the Alliance for Democracy insists that Barrow has been recalled.

Sheena Pitts

“It is important to understand that this injunctive relief does not change the reality that Honorable Shyne Barrow has been recalled. All this temporary relief is saying, before we determine the validity of that convention, we will grant an order to say, allow him to be there, you are still opened to challenge that order to be there, and we will move forward to determining what the real issue is. It is not that we are trespassers, the real issue is that she is the duly elected interim party leader by the majority from that October twentieth, 2024, unity convention.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

Panton Shows Up to Court Hearing Without Legal Counsel

This afternoon Panton issued a release under the United Democratic Party’s letter head. The release says “this order is strictly restricted to occupancy of the building and not a declaration by the Court on who is or is not the Leader of the U.D.P. The court will now proceed to case management and subsequently set a date for the actual hearing of the case at which time attorneys for Hon. Panton and Philippa Bailey will be heard”. Interestingly, Panton showed up to today’s hearing without a lawyer. She requested a postponement, but the court turned her down. Attorney Sheena Pitts also tried to step in as a friend of the court, but that request was denied too. Pitts later explained why Panton appeared in court without legal representation.

Sheena Pitts, Attorney at Law

“That is the thing, why we had wanted, why honorable Panton had wanted an extension of time, her representation is outside the jurisdiction and there are certain things that must be done in order to establish being able to be heard by those attorneys in this jurisdiction and that has not been done. So, what happened today is Honorable Panton from her own mouth was able to indicate to the court and advise the court to appreciate that this is not a matter of trespass, this is a matter of the convention. That is why the court was very clear in saying that both parties must participate and assist the court in identifying what the real issue is.”

U.D.P Court Battle Could Hinder General Election Performance

With case management for the Barrow-Panton court case set for January fourteenth, 2025, it looks like this legal battle could drag on for months. How will this impact their chances in the upcoming general elections, which rumors suggest might be held early? Will the U.D.P. have enough time to mount a strong challenge against the P.U.P. in any constituency? Today, we asked Barrow’s attorney if the urgency of the situation is being considered.

Immanuel Williams, Attorney at Law

“There is a date of January fourteenth 2025 for a hearing of the fixed date claim form, which essentially will be case management hearing.”

Reporter

“So we are looking at a period of months, because that is just case management.”

Immanuel Williams

“Indeed we are looking at a period of months, because after case management you have orders to be complied with and the court directing the parties to see how best we can handle the case and deal with the matters going forward.”

Reporter

“The parties here don’t have all that time to settle this dispute because an election is likely within the next six months. Is there anyway the court can be, or is it in your clients interest to apprise the court of the urgency of the matter?”

Immanuel Williams

“The matter is urgent. The earliest day the court will address the matter is in January and that is the best time given the circumstances. I think it is an opportune time to see how the matter will be addressed, whether in court or otherwise.”

Barrow Can Request Police Assistance to Execute Court Order

And finally, there’s no indication that Panton and her team won’t hand over the keys to the U.D.P. headquarters. With today’s ruling, Barrow can even request police assistance to enforce the court order. While damages for unlawful possession and conversion of property are among the reliefs sought in the fixed date claim, they weren’t granted today. According to attorney Immanuel Williams, damages alone wouldn’t be enough.

Immanuel Williams, Attorney-at-law

“The UDP Headquarters is a symbolic relic within the UDP, Belize and our clients, the applicants. Therefore, if they were to be paid damages which is monetary compensation instead of repossession that would not fix the problem of not having possession. Our clients are political figures, and they utilize this political infrastructure for political purposes. Therefore, monetary compensation would not suffice. The order takes effect immediately so they can go and ask for the keys or ask police to assist them in enforcing the court order.”

Paul Lopez

“And the consequences if the other side chooses not to?”

Immanuel Williams

“Contempt of court.”

Construction Worker Fatally Stabbed in Independence Village

Tragedy struck Independence Village on Thursday night when a construction worker was fatally stabbed during a confrontation with another man. The victim, Selvin Humes, was known to his family as a peaceful person, so they were devastated and shocked by the news of his violent death. The incident occurred on Toucan Street, right in front of a local business. News Five’s Marion Ali covered the heartbreaking story in her report.

Jeremy Garbutt, Cousin of Selvin Humes

“My auntie call me and da right deh I get the news, then I, hmm. By the time I get down ya, dehn she the body done gone da Griga. I mi really want see the man body and all ah that, never did.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

The family of twenty-eight-year-old Selvin Humes is reeling from shock and grief as they prepare for his funeral. On Thursday night, Humes, a construction worker, was involved in an altercation with another man just before nine. His cousin, Jeremy Garbutt, shared with News Five that Selvin had been living with his mom. Their work schedules often kept them apart, so Jeremy only saw him occasionally while commuting to and from his job site.

Jeremy Garbutt

“I mi deh da Dangriga di work and he mi deh with my mom when I mi deh da Dangriga, he mi di tek care ah my mom fi the meanwhile. He mi di work construction with a contract fi my uncle. I mi di see my cousin here and there, I see he eena the pickup. He wudda she bwai cuz yoh arite. I wudda she yeah cuz, I good, I gwein da work.”

Humes’ aunt, Ileonie King, shared with News Five that Humes moved out of her house about three weeks ago, after having stayed with her for many years. When he did, she grew concerned because she hardly saw him.

Ileonie King, Aunt of Selvin Humes

“Ih mi deh wa good while with we but sudden one ih pick up ihself and gone and ih seh auntie ah gwein live with mi ma. Fi the longest I neva see he, wa good lee while, from the time ih lef from ya. From last month he left from ya till today I hear bout ah. Ih sad fi know ih gone da kinda way deh.”

Humes was stabbed in the throat and died the same night at the Independence Polyclinic. Police have detained the suspect pending investigations. The tragic incident has left the villagers who knew Humes in a state of shock, as shared by Independence Chairman, Clifton Garbutt.

Via phone: Clifton Garbutt, Chairman, Independence Village

“He’s a young man who has made this village his home. It’s shocking and unsettling in a community where we are familiar with one another. These acts of violence disrupt our peaceful atmosphere. And listening to villagers this morning, there was a sense of disbelief and in my discussion this morning with the police, the young man they have in custody is someone I an personally familiar with since he worked with the council for over a year.”

Humes’s relatives say he was a man who kept to himself, so the news that he was killed during an altercation has left them with many questions.

Jeremy Garbutt

“He nuh wa talk to yoh unless yoh tap he or something cause he distracted wth his headphones eena his own world.”

Ileonie King

“Madaz an he da wa cool person and deh just hurt ah like that. What da the problem why dehn hurt ah. If anybody fast wid ah da then he get ignorant because he da wa cool person and he nuh do nothing outta the way fi seh mek people hurt ah da kinda way. That da weh I know he as.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

“Fonto King” Found Dead in Dangriga River

A man who had just been released from Belize Central Prison a week ago was found dead in the Riverside area of Dangriga this morning. Guillermo Martinez’s body was discovered floating between two boats in a well-known part of the river, right across from the bustling Dangriga Town Market and just a short distance from where vendors sell their produce and goods. News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with a friend of Guillermo, who mentioned that locals affectionately called him the ‘Fonto King’ and that he had seen him earlier this week. Here’s the full report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Guillermo Martinez, who was released from Belize Central Prison just last Friday, was tragically found dead this morning. His body was discovered floating in the Riverside area of Dangriga shortly after six. Known to his friends as ‘Fonto King,’ Martinez had spent the past year behind bars for a theft conviction. One of his friends shared with News Five that he last saw Martinez on Monday night in the same area.

Friend of: Guillermo Martinez

“Probably after ten I see the man walking along the riverside and I give the man a lee buzz and that was that. I never see ah again cause Tuesday I went out to the cayes cause I da wa fisherman and we came in last night and then this morning I went to the market very early and by the time I walk eena the market, somebody seh dehn have a body over there. By the time I look cross by the river wa bwai di seh bwai da yoh bally “Fonto King.”

Martinez’s friend said he was known to many as “Fonto King” because he made a living selling tobacco.

Friend of Guillermo Martinez

“I know him as wa vendor weh he and ih whole family sell tobacco, dehn sell fonto, that’s why dehn call the man fonto king. Dehn sell fonto and lee food and what’s not.”

The have not yet released any information on this death. Marion Ali for News Five.

Matthew Moses is Shot and Killed in San Pedro

This afternoon in San Pedro, a fatal shooting claimed the life of Matthew Moses. According to initial reports, Moses allegedly attacked an unnamed man with an object. In response, the man, who reportedly has a licensed firearm, shot and killed Moses during the confrontation. The Belize Police Department has yet to release an official statement on the incident. Stay tuned for more details in our Monday evening newscast.

Airport Employee Tells Court He Accidentally Injured Himself During Scuffle

Today’s arraignment was anything but ordinary for two ramp agents from the Philip Goldson International Airport in Ladyville. It unfolded in the lower courts following a near-fatal confrontation where a knife was involved, leaving one employee injured. Initially, reports claimed one worker had stabbed his colleague. However, another version suggested the injury was self-inflicted when the aggressor accidentally fell on his own knife during the scuffle. Earlier today, the injured man admitted that he hurt himself. At ten a.m., twenty-seven-year-old Darvin Jamaal Sutherland and nineteen-year-old Jiovanni Ishmael McKenzie faced charges in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. McKenzie, who was injured, received police bail, while Sutherland was detained and brought to court in handcuffs. McKenzie, clearly in pain from his injury, needed assistance from his cousin and stepfather to enter the courtroom. During the proceedings, McKenzie’s odd behavior raised concerns about his ability to comprehend the court process. Before the charges were read, McKenzie announced he was there to drop the charges against his cousin, Darvin Sutherland. However, the prosecutor explained that McKenzie couldn’t withdraw the charges on the spot. He was informed that to drop the indictable charge, he must return to the precinct where he initially reported the incident and request no further court action. Only then would the D.P.P. issue directives to the court.

19 Students Awarded PACT Academic Grants

This morning, nineteen students from across Belize were the recipients of academic grants under the Protected Areas Conservation Trust’s Youth Academic Support Grant Program. These grants provide students with the necessary funds to complete their higher education with the goal of preparing them to contribute back to Belize in the future. Today, News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the award ceremony in Belmopan to meet the fortunate awardees.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) aims to sustainably enhance Belize’s socio-ecological systems through strategic financing and partnerships. For nearly three decades, PACT has been funding organizations dedicated to preserving the country’s natural resources. Today, however, the thousands of dollars PACT is investing are going directly to individuals. At the award ceremony for PACT’s academic grants, Chairman Dr. Kenrick Williams explained how these grants align with the organization’s mission.

Dr. Kenrick Williams, Chairman, PACT

“We have refocused our mission to say that it’s not just about the environment and conservation. It’s about the people. And how these two things work together. How we use and sustainably manage our natural resource. That is the mission of PACT. And so we felt it fundamentally important. That we invest in our young people, that we invest in our people, who use and depend on these resources.”

Williams explains that PACT sought to expand the types of students selected for that grant, so that the environmental field may be supported from all fronts.

Dr. Kenrick Williams

“Our investment and our thought is not just on the biologists and the natural resource management students. We’re investing in a cross section of students that does business, that does economics, that does environmental conservation. Because you are going to be the people who are going to drive AI and machine learning in conservation. You’re going to be the people who does environmental economics and natural resource valuation. You’re going to be the people who does the carbon credits. You’re going to be the people who drive all the new ideas of environmental conservation and management. And how we as a country who have sustainably used our resource go out there and say, hey, this is what Belize have done. We’ve made an investment. How much are you going then to support that?”

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree received a generous $10,000, while those going for an associate degree got five thousand dollars. These students are heading to various schools, including the University of Belize, Corozal Community College, and Independence Junior College. Among them is Chantel De Leon, who is excited to study hospitality and tourism management at Galen University.

Chantel De Leon, Grant Recipient

“I am actually very interested in the sustainability area and as well in the culture area. I am part of NICH also and I am part of a dancing group. And I always like to preserve, to try to help in a way to the environment. And this scholarship will help me because it is a great opportunity for me that I am really having difficulties to pursue this degree. But with the help of PACT I am sure that I will be doing my bachelor’s degree.”

At the ceremony, students were advised to pursue careers in-country upon the completion of their degrees. PACT hopes that by assisting students with their education, they will be motivated to invest their skills back into their country. Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, elaborated on this goal.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“Last year, we constituted the program and said that it is a way for where can also have some investment. It’s not only on the protected areas management conservation of biodiversity, whether it’s plants, animals, water, but also to have an investment on the people And in this case the students who will be some of our future leaders, and also some of the people who will be leading these conservation organizations, working to, towards the reduction of those factors that cause climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution. But, if you heard, it wasn’t only those that are pursuing academic careers in environment and natural resource management, it’s We looked at areas of biology the social studies, because all it has to do with conservation.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Will U.S. Continue Funding Belize’s Climate Projects?

Earlier this week, the United States held its 2024 presidential election, with Republican candidate Donald J. Trump emerging victorious over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. During his previous term, Trump limited interactions with Belize and other smaller developing nations. Throughout his campaign, he pushed for reduced government spending. His policy blueprint, Project 2025, even proposed cutting funds for climate-resilient projects abroad. Although Trump has since distanced himself from this plan, questions linger about whether the U.S. will continue supporting Belize’s environmental initiatives and stay committed to the Paris Agreement. We spoke with Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, to get his take on the matter. Here’s what he had to say.

Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development

“Difficult to tell what will happen, but I believe that and they have in a State Department, I think, that some of their commitments that are on the table might continue. We don’t know what the President will do in the next few days, and whether or not he’ll make decisions now before he takes over in January. But if we know about Project 25, and Project 25 will practically state that they will withdraw from the Paris Agreement that is a problem because they have some contributions to make. And also because they are one of the biggest emitters, they are responsible for coming up with some of the funding for the developing countries. I think I read somewhere also that they might withdraw some funding from projects like USAID, which is bad for us also because we are also recipients of some of that funding. But it seems to me though that he has different been put together that might advise him to do otherwise different from what he did in the first term. But who am I to say what he will do, right? But we are hopeful still. I think the relationship that we have with the United States of America has been practically on level ground, whether our administration changes in Belize or whether their administration changes in the U.S..”