June, 2025 - Greater Belize Media

Son Accused of Causing Father’s Death

A family dispute in San Pedro Town ended in tragedy just one day before Father’s Day. The incident occurred on Saturday when Daniel “Dano” Salazar allegedly caused the death of his father, Rubio Salazar, during an argument reportedly involving their dogs.

Reports are that Daniel’s pitbull attacked Rubio’s dogs, which led to a fatal confrontation between the two.

Rubio allegedly struck his son with a wooden board, which caused Daniel to reportedly retaliate with a machete.

Daniel’s reaction inflicted fatal injuries to his father’s neck.

A family friend said about Daniel, “What a bad decision, it’s so sad. Dano is not a person that gives trouble.”

Rubio was pronounced dead, and his body has been transported to Belize City for a post-mortem examination.

Police have detained Daniel as investigations continue.

Celebrating Fatherhood over Sunday Dinna?

Father’s Day fell on a Sunday this year in Belize, so does this mean ‘Sunday dinna’ for fathers across the country? Or backyard BBQs, fishing trips, church tributes, and cultural family gatherings?

Whether spending time with Dad or remembering those who’ve passed on, today is all about celebrating fatherhood. Families, businesses, and institutions have taken to social media to share heartfelt tributes and express gratitude for the men who stand tall it the title of being a dad.

One institution wrote, “Thank you for being incredible fathers at home and dedicated professionals at work.” Another added, “Today, we celebrate the quiet strength, the guiding hands, and the endless love that fathers give so freely.”

Meanwhile, some fathers themselves took to social media to share their experiences in the fatherhood realm. One proudly posted, “I thank God every day for one of His most precious gifts, fatherhood. I’ve loved every moment with my Grace. So proud to be her dad!”

Despite growing challenges felt globally, such as the economic pressures, many fathers continue to serve as the backbone of their households.

Today, Belize salutes its fathers, the unsung heroes who quietly sacrifice, steadily support, and proudly stand tall in every district, village, and city.

Shyne Barrow Condemns Rally That Halted UDP Unity Meeting

The scheduled National Party Council (NPC) meeting of the United Democratic Party (UDP) failed to proceed yesterday after the internal party conflict led to the meeting’s disruption.

The meeting was to take place at the UDP secretariat on Youth for the Future Drive in Belize City. Just a short walk away, a rally organised by UDP’s Albert Area Representative, Tracy Panton, was drawing crowds in resistance of the meeting, which Panton labelled “unconstitutional” and “illegal.”

In an interview before the scheduled meeting, Panton told News 5 that the NPC “is not a meeting that seeks to unite the base of this party. When 50% of the caretakers and executive committees are excluded, then it cannot be a constitutional or a legal NPC.”

UDP’s Moses “Shyne” Barrow condemned the disruption of the meeting on social media, calling the actions of Panton’s supporters “repugnant,” and a “shame and disgrace.”

Barrow further stated, “This is the same reason that Tracy Panton and her cabal were expelled from the United Democratic Party, for acting outside of the framework that guides our institution, which is that of the constitution.”

According to Barrow, the NPC meeting would have been an opportunity for the UDP to finally unify and amend the party’s constitution.

“Today we would have passed motions to lift the expulsion of Tracy Panton and others… to allow everyone, even those former members that ran with Tracy Panton, to contest in constituency conventions. Today, we would have made recommendations to the constitution in order to reconcile inconsistencies, clarify ambiguities, fill gaps and strengthen the weaknesses that we have in our constitutions that have led to the type of behaviour where everyone tries to have their own interpretation of the constitution, and it leads to chaos.”

He added, “The judge ruled that Tracy Panton was never the leader of the UDP and never had any authority to do any of the things that she did.”

Power Struggle Shadows UDP’s Push for Unity

The United Democratic Party is gearing up for what could be a pivotal weekend. On Saturday, the party is set to host a National Party Council meeting right here at its Belize City headquarters, a gathering aimed at healing internal rifts and setting a clear path forward as the country’s main opposition. But unity may be easier said than done. The meeting is already stirring controversy, with First Deputy Leader Hugo Patt calling it illegitimate and clashing with Party Leader Shyne Barrow, who stepped down and later rescinded his resignation. Earlier this week, we brought you the back-and-forth between Patt and the UDP’s Vice Chairman, and we also heard from Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton on where she stands. This morning, News Five caught up with Vice Chairman Alberto August, who explained the purpose of the meeting and why some key figures won’t be getting an invite.

Alberto August, Vice Chairman, United Democratic Party

“Why are we doing this? We are right now at the raw stage of organizing our party. We are aware of some opposition out there who might even be protesting the meeting of the National Party Council on Saturday, and they are well within their rights. But what we are saying is that at this raw stage, it would be almost foolish if you invite the opposing elements of this party to a meeting at this point in time. You were there for the last meeting of the National Party Council, we never had this level of rift within the party and that meeting of the National Party Council, sir, as you are aware, did not even go beyond the reading of the agenda for that meeting. It ended up in a total disaster. The chairman had to immediately postpone the meeting. Total disaster. I have heard people saying, well if you want to be inclusive, bring these people together. We are not going to go anywhere at this raw stage in the unification process. So once we have agreed, once the National Party Council agrees to move forward in terms of resetting the party then several things happen.”

Assumptions and Innuendos? August Responds to NPC Criticism

As the U.D.P. gears up for its National Party Council meeting this weekend, questions about its legitimacy continue to swirl. First Deputy Leader Hugo Patt has openly challenged the validity of the gathering, but not everyone agrees. We asked Party Chairman Alberto August to weigh in on Patt’s claims. While he chose his words carefully, August made it clear he believes the deputy leader is being misled — basing his stance, he says, on assumptions and innuendos rather than facts.

Alberto August, Vice Chairman, U.D.P.

“I am thinking hard before I respond to your question, simply for the purpose of not wanting to drag this party any farther into where it is. I have nothing but respect for the honorable Hugo Patt. I believe that in this instance, the honorable Hugo Patt was ill-advised. The reason why I say that is because the National Party Council is mandated by the constitution to meet at least once every three months. In other words, four times per year. The National Convention, like I told you just a while ago, is mandated to meet every two years. So, within one meeting of the National Convention the party council would have met eight times. So this is just basically a routine meeting of the National Party Council. Like I said, the National Party Council meets eight times before the National Convention meets. I would have suspected, and of course, it’s in hindsight now, after the fact, for the honorable, first deputy leader of our party to have attended Saturday’s meeting of the National Party Council and on the basis of the information that he receives then makes his decision, either here nor there. But like I said, I don’t want to be dragging the party’s business into the political fray like this, but for the honorable gentleman, for the honorable Hugo Patt for whom I have nuff respect, to have based his decision on assumptions and innuendos, does not speak well.”

Shyne’s Final Move Seeks to Amend UDP Recall Rule

The countdown is on for Shyne Barrow’s leadership of the United Democratic Party, at least according to Party Chairman Alberto August. He says Barrow’s time at the helm will officially end on October fifth, when the U.D.P. holds its National Convention. But before that happens, Barrow is making one last major move. He’s proposing a change to the party’s constitution, specifically, Article Eighteen, which currently allows the leader to be recalled at any time, without needing a reason. It’s a bold amendment that could reshape how leadership challenges are handled within the party.

Alberto August, Vice Chairman, U.D.P.

“The leadership tenure of Shyne Barrow, with effect from today, is finite. There’s only one hundred and fourteen days from today to the fifth of October. The honorable Shyne Barrow, under the present situation, cannot, after the fifth of October, even purport to be the leader of the United Democratic Party and I would just leave it at that. Let me explain something to you, the honorable Shyne Barrow can come to the meeting tomorrow and he can propose to the National Party Council that “I want to remain the leader of the party until I die.” Just going to an extreme situation, he can propose whatever he wants, but the national, the constitution of our party, at article eighteen, states that any motion or resolution for amendment to the constitution must be brought to the floor of the national convention, put to a vote and will only pass if a two-thirds majority of those in attendance of the national convention. Surprisingly, in terms of amendment to the constitution, Shyne is proposing one aspect, as far as I know, to amend the constitution and that is, he is saying that he will propose an amendment that will make it difficult for any future leader of the United Democratic Party to have to go through what he went through while he was the leader of this party. What is he proposing? The constitution of our party states, I don’t know how it came in there but that’s another matter, states that the leader of our party can be recalled at any time, for no reason whatsoever. Now in this life dehn tell yoh, man for everything you have to have a reason. Now you are going to constitutionally remove the leader of your party and you don’t have to give no reason. Once you get the requisite amount of signatures then you can move for a resolution to recall your party leader. Shyne Barrow is saying, “Hold on, mein. That is what has us in the predicament that we are in today.”

Union Under Siege? NTUCB Sounds the Alarm

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is not holding back. In a fiery press release, the NTUCB is calling out what it describes as a wave of union busting and targeted attacks, including ads and online videos, aimed at discrediting union leaders across the country. The Congress says these actions are more than just political jabs, they’re a direct threat to workers’ rights and to the democratic values Belize stands on. And they’re sending a clear message to both government and employers: the right to unionize is protected by the Constitution, and any attempt to silence union voices will be met with strong resistance. The NTUCB says it’s standing shoulder to shoulder with its affiliate unions and it’s ready to take legal and industrial action if necessary.

Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union

“The Government of Belize, through its press office operatives, have chosen a path of division, defamation, and deception, instead of dialogue. They have launched a taxpayer funded campaign to discredit the joint unions and personally attack my character. This government has once again weaponized the state resources to spread false financial claims about the salary adjustments we seek, aiming to turn citizens against hardworking public officers. They have engaged in union-busting tactics that promote hatred and undermine the dignity of Belizean workers. I call on all right-thinking Belizean to reject these despicable actions. Public funds must serve the people, not finance political vendettas. To public officers aiding the government in these attacks, If you use your position in the press office to attack the unions that is fighting for you, then please do the honorable thing, man. Formally renounce future benefits won by the PSU. Submit a written declaration to the Financial Secretary and please copy in the PSU.”

Gerald Henry Claims Retaliation After Protest

It’s a classic case of protest and punishment, or at least, that’s how Gerald Henry sees it. After more than twenty years in the Office of the Auditor General, Henry took to the streets this week, picketing against what he calls unfair treatment within the very institution he serves. But just days later, he received a letter, not of support, but of salary deduction. The office claims he’s been habitually late, racking up over nine hundred minutes of tardiness from February to May. That’s now costing him over four hundred dollars. Henry, however, says this is no coincidence, he expected retaliation the moment he went public. So, is this about discipline… or dissent?

Gerald Henry, Public Officer

“This has been something that has been an issue throughout the entire public service, especially for officers who reside in Dangriga. There is only one bus you can catch from Dangriga in the morning that is reasonable, which is a six thirty express from James. If you miss that bus it’s all over, because there is no other bus that will get you here for eight. Some public officers, a lot of public officers have been suffering in silence. There is a lot of them that have been forced to catch that five o’clock bus to reach here for sixty-thirty or seven, because there is no other bus. Once you miss that five o’clock you are left to catch six thirty. So it is always full all the way from PG, so there is no room for anyone to get on. This is something that I expected to happen and compared to previous time we have refused to do their bidding, this actually came late. I expected that something would have been done from Tuesday. We did our action Monday morning and we expected Tuesday morning to get something. So I am a little disappointed if you want to put it that way. But it is clearly retaliation against the actions we took for our rights and what we are duly owed. That is just the nature of the public service and the officer w work for currently.”

Henry noted that he was never given any previous warning and there is no justification for the assessment period to begin from February first. He further explained that he has been waiting for two years to have his appraisals done.

Gerald Henry is Benched for Blowing the Whistle

Imagine being tasked with guarding the nation’s checkbook, only to be sidelined for trying to do just that. Gerald Henry, a key figure in the Office of the Auditor General, says he’s been benched for standing up against what he believes is an illegal Code of Ethics. And here’s the kicker, he actually agrees with the public’s long-standing criticism of the office he serves. According to Henry, if he were simply allowed to do his job, corruption in public spending could be drastically reduced. So, what’s really going on behind the scenes at the agency meant to keep our government accountable?

Gerald Henry, Public Officer

“I understand my role as a public officer and as an auditor. We should be playing critical roles in terms of the accountability of the public funds. For several years now we have not been doing so. I still remain hopeful that at some point, I was hoping we would have a new auditor general and that the direction would have changed. We are going further in the same direction. So, it is a bit discouraging and I only have a few more years left. Whatever contributions I can make to the country, that is how I see it. People out there won’t understand that I do not assign myself work, I wish I could do that. Trust me, we would not have half the corruption that is taking place over the years. But I cant. I have to wait until I am assigned tasks by the auditor general through my supervisor. That is how it is suppose to be. Unfortunately for the past two and a half years from October 2022 I was not assigned to do a single piece of work in the office. Although we weren’t working, I still had to come all the way from Dangriga, just to clock into the office, do nothing all day and then clock out when there is a telecommuting policy that could have been applied. Since you don’t want me to do any work we will workout that you stay at home until we resolve this thing in whatever way, but no they wanted to punish me.”

Belize Bus Owners Challenge Monopoly Move

The wheels are turning on a bold new vision for Belize’s public transportation system, but not everyone’s on board. The Ministry of Transport is pushing ahead with plans to create a single national bus company, a move that Minister Louis Zabaneh says would streamline services much like utility companies do. But while the government sees efficiency, bus operators are seeing red flags. Since the idea was first floated in May, concerns have been mounting. Now, the Belize Bus Owners Association is demanding transparency, specifically, they want to see the financial blueprint behind this proposed monopoly. And with growing unrest among trade unions, skepticism is only gaining speed. Tonight, we hear from Association President Thomas Shaw, who’s calling for answers.

Thomas Shaw, President, BBOA

“When Rodwell left he was talking about a tier system. He had promised operators a five to ten year permit. What operators are looking at is that they went through this process just to find out now that you want to form a national company of which operators in our meeting, they are saying you are looking at a brand, their livelihood, what they fought for all their lives. It is the only business or industry left that is owned and operated by Belizeans. We look at the sugar industry, we look at the citrus, everything is failing right now, and the crisis with teachers, KHMH, stevedores and it goes on and on. Operators are a bit hesitant with taking heed to this concept. Whenever we are taking about a concept operators want to see something tangible where it is going to benefit commuters, country, themselves and the government on a whole.”