2025-04-24 - Channel 5 Belize

More UDP Drama Unfolds Over Leadership

Fresh drama is unfolding in the U.D.P. as ousted Mesopotamia Area Representative Moses “Shyne” Barrow insists he’s still the party leader. In a letter dated Wednesday, Barrow addressed the “U.D.P. faithful,” stating he feels compelled to continue as leader until the next National Convention, as originally planned. He wrote, quote, after speaking with many of you and seeing how our beloved U.D.P. has gone dormant, with no attempt at unity, no compliance with the Party Constitution, no adherence to procedures and structures of the Party, no vision or resources to take the Party forward, I am compelled to accept your call for me to continue as Party Leader, end quote. Barrow further stated that under his leadership, the U.D.P. will push for a reform agenda, including necessary Constitutional amendments to rebuild the party. He claims his term doesn’t expire until the convention later this year. Notably, he had resigned as party leader five days after losing his seat in the March twelfth general election, handing over to Deputy Party Leader Hugo Patt, who then yielded to Tracy Panton as the rightful leader. While Panton subtly responded to Barrow’s claim on Facebook, today, an official press release from the U.D.P. squarely addressed the contents of Barrow’s letter. The release states that Barrow is not authorized to act, speak, or conduct any business on behalf of the U.D.P. in any official capacity. It reiterates that Barrow no longer holds any leadership or executive role within the party and that any reference by him to the titles “Honorable,” “Leader of the Opposition,” or “Party Leader” is inaccurate and misleading because he is not an official voice or face of the party. The release states in part, quote, Specifically, Mr. Barrow is not authorized to solicit or accept donations—whether in cash or kind—on behalf of the U.D.P. or as a representative of the Mesopotamia constituency. Any such representations are unauthorized and should be reported to the Party Secretariat, unquote. Meanwhile, Panton will lead the U.D.P. at its first press conference since the general elections next Tuesday to discuss matters of national importance.

Fire Extinguished at Cayo Dump Site but Delays Persist

Two days ago, we reported on a fire at the Cayo transfer station facility. While the blaze didn’t halt garbage collection, it significantly slowed down operations. Although the fire has been extinguished, smoldering trash underneath is still being doused to prevent reignition. Today, San Ignacio Mayor Earl Trapp informed us that there’s still a delay in offloading garbage at the facility. We spoke with Rojelio Pop, Operations Manager of Belize Solid Waste Management, who explained that aside from the fire, space constraints at the facility are causing additional issues.

On the Phone: Rojelio Pop, Operations Manager, BSWAMA

“Once we have charred or burned materials on the ground, it is a highly – what would be the best word – improper. Yes. It’s not logical for us to place any more waste on the compound, so until we can finalize that the fire is completely out, there’s no sort of embers, there’s nothing that can trigger an outbreak of the fire, then we’ll completely push all that waste down the hill, cover it with clay, so that it’s fully contained, then we can resume taking more waste. Currently, we have capabilities to manage right now because the compound isn’t clear. Thirdly, the transfer station has a certain capacity, and right now for it to work as it should, it cannot be overfilled. Right now it’s overwhelmed with waste because San Ignacio produces a lot of waste and then you combine it with other communities, Benque, other private providers, the system is so small that the capacity is overwhelmed easy. So the machines cannot go into the transfer station and for them to load from the chute, the machines have to go into the transfer station, they have to have maneuverability. That doesn’t exist currently. So really it’s about capacity. There are many challenges that the contractor is facing. So, it’s multifaceted, but even with that, if we push all of that chart burned waste from where it is right now and clear the component, and we – my aim would be to clear that off by next week, then we would be able to place more waste. And yes, we would not see behind the curtains of what is actually occurring because there’s that lingering problem with the contractual issues. That is a long-term problem. I’m not sure we are going to address that within a short period of time, but we would be able to place more incoming waste onto the compound because it will be safe, but the problem would still persist.”

Mom Saves Toddler from Swallowing Dollar Coin

A Belizean mother took to Facebook to share a frightening moment that no parent ever wants to face — her young daughter nearly choked after swallowing a one-dollar coin.

The incident occurred while the mother was preparing to make tortillas. She noticed her daughter showing signs of distress — choking, grabbing her throat, and her eyes rolling back. In a moment of panic and prayer, the mother acted quickly, attempting to remove the object from the child’s mouth.

“I screamed, ‘GOD PLEASE HELP ME,’ and hit her back with force,” she wrote. That action led to a hard swallow from the child, followed by crying — a sign that she was able to breathe again. “Fifteen seconds felt like forever,” she said.

The family rushed to the hospital, where an X-ray confirmed that the toddler had swallowed the coin — not the smaller shilling the mother had assumed. According to doctors, the girl was incredibly lucky. The coin travelled straight down her oesophagus without becoming lodged in her throat, avoiding a potentially life-threatening situation.

The doctor assured the family that the coin would pass naturally within a few days. The mother ended her post by saying, “Being a mother can be scary sometimes. I just pray I’m always around when things like this happen, because in an emergency, people often don’t know what to do.”

Belizean Captain Honoured for Completing Elite U.S. Army Training

The Belize Defence Force (BDF) is celebrating a proud moment as Captain Ruhesi Jarrod Elijio has successfully completed the prestigious Manoeuvre Captains Career Course (MCCC) at the Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, Georgia, USA.

On April 23, 2025, CPT Elijio earned the title of “Grenadier” after meeting all the rigorous requirements of the elite U.S. Army course. The BDF lauded Elijio’s accomplishment, highlighting it as a testament to his dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Dominican Republic Deports Over 130 Haitians from Hospitals

According to the BBC, the Dominican Republic deported more than 130 Haitian women and children on Monday, the first day of a controversial crackdown targeting undocumented migrants in hospitals.

Dominican authorities confirmed that 48 pregnant women, 39 new mothers, and 48 children were detained and sent to a detention centre, where their biometric data was collected before they were handed over to Haitian officials at the Elías Piña border crossing.

The operation is part of a 15-point immigration plan introduced by President Luis Abinader to reduce undocumented migration from Haiti, the neighbouring country it shares the island of Hispaniola with.

Despite government claims that the deportees were treated with dignity and transported in buses equipped with basic amenities, the move has been met with harsh criticism. The Dominican College of Physicians labelled the deportations “inhumane” and warned that fear of arrest could deter undocumented migrants from seeking urgent medical care.

The BBC noted that the Dominican Republic, with a population of 11 million, hosts at least 500,000 Haitians.

President Abinader has defended the crackdown, insisting that “generosity will not be exploited”, and announced that hospitals must now check patients’ IDs, work permits, and proof of legal residence. Deportation will follow once treatment is complete for those without proper documentation.

So far in 2025, the country has deported over 80,000 people to Haiti.

Shyne Barrow ‘Not Authorised’ to Represent UDP, Says Party

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has publicly disavowed Moses “Shyne” Barrow, stating in a formal release that he no longer holds any official role within the party and is not authorised to speak or act on its behalf.

The statement makes it clear that Barrow’s use of titles such as “Honourable”, “Leader of the Opposition”, or “Party Leader” is “inaccurate and misleading”, as he currently holds no such positions within the UDP.

“Mr. Barrow is not an official voice or face of the UDP,” the release said. It said that any statements or actions by Barrow should not be viewed as endorsed by the party.

The UDP also said that Barrow is not authorised to represent the Mesopotamia constituency under the party’s banner and asked that any unauthorised actions be reported to the Secretary General.

This statement comes after Barrow said he will remain UDP Party Leader until the upcoming National Convention, saying the party has become “dormant” and lacks unity, direction, and structure.

Carolyn Trench Sandiford Nominated for Second Term as Senate President

Prime Minister John Briceño has decided to nominate Carolyn Trench Sandiford for a second term as President of the Senate.

The decision comes following consultations with the United Democratic Party (UDP), which has expressed its support for Sandiford’s reappointment.

The Prime Minister welcomed the bipartisan backing, calling it a “constructive cross-party support in the national interest.”

St. John’s Credit Union Denounces Fraud Allegations as ‘False and Malicious’

St. John’s Credit Union Ltd. (SJCU) is pushing back against what it calls “malicious and defamatory” social media posts that allege funds were wrongfully removed from a member’s account.

In a press release, the long-standing financial institution dismissed the allegations as baseless and assured the public that no financial losses have occurred.

“We wish to inform our valued members and the general public that the entirety of the information contained in the said social media posts are malicious and defamatory,” the statement reads.

SJCU said it operates under the strict oversight of the Central Bank of Belize and adheres to the regulations outlined in the Credit Union Act.

The institution is investigating: “We are in the process of wholly establishing to the regulator and all affected concerned parties that there were no actual or incurred financial losses.”

St. John’s Credit Union reassured its members that all transactions are traceable and backed by proper records and audit trails.

Hotel Set Ablaze as Protests Erupt Over Death of 11-Year-Old in Guyana

The people of Guyana are in shock following the discovery of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge’s body in the pool of the Double Day Hotel. The young girl had been reported missing on Wednesday afternoon after visiting the hotel with her grandmother and other relatives. Despite initial searches by family members and police, her body was not found until early this morning.

President Irfaan Ali has intervened directly, ordering a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Adrianna’s death. He has instructed the Commissioner of Police to assemble a special team to lead the probe and stressed that no resources will be spared in uncovering the truth.

The discovery of Adrianna’s body has sparked intense public outrage, leading to protests in the Tuschen community. Residents have blocked roads, burnt tires, and even set parts of the hotel ablaze, demanding justice and accountability.

Many have drawn parallels to a 2012 incident at the same hotel, where a young mechanic was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Although charges were initially brought against the hotel owner’s son and a staff member, both were later acquitted.

Belize’s Coconut Sector Unveils Strategy for Sustainable Growth

Belize is betting big on coconuts—and not just for coconut water or oil. The country is rolling out a fresh plan to revitalise the coconut industry.

Earlier this week, the Coconut Sector Task Force met in Belmopan for its first quarterly meeting of the year. The gathering brought together farmers, processors, trade experts, and government reps—all focused on the same goal: making Belize’s coconut industry stronger, more sustainable, and more profitable.

This effort is part of the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, a global programme led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. And for Belize, coconuts are the product of choice.

The task force is finalising three key documents that will act as the backbone for the sector’s revival: a Coconut Sector Development Strategy, a Three-Year Roadmap, a Trade and Investment Prospectus.

These tools are designed to fix some of the industry’s biggest problems—like inconsistent productivity, limited access to global markets, and missed opportunities to create value-added products. At the same time, they’ll help ensure farming practices stay environmentally friendly.

But it’s not just about paperwork. The strategy also includes hands-on training for farmers and producers, covering everything from soil conservation and pest management to business skills and market planning.

The meeting pulled in key players from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, BELTRAIDE, CARDI, and private sector leaders.

Everyone in the room agreed: coconuts aren’t just a crop—they’re an opportunity. With the right support and smart planning, Belize’s coconut sector could become a major driver of rural jobs, exports, and innovation.