A legal notice issued by Pitts Pitts & Associates on behalf of Moses “Shyne” Barrow tells Hugo Patt that Barrow is the Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP).
The letter dismisses any claims of an interim leadership and warns of legal consequences for further attempts to ‘unseat him.’
The letter said, “This is a position that he was duly elected to via a National Convention in March 2022 and August 2023. Whereas you continue to serve as the 1st Deputy Leader of the UDP, Hon. Dr. Barrow at all material times continues to be Leader of the UDP. Therefore, we reiterate that there is no “interim” party leader, and there cannot be any without first undergoing the official processes outlined in the UDP Constitution, that would be ultra vires.”
The notice tells Patt that according to the UDP Constitution, any change in party leadership must occur through Article 9(7), which requires a two-thirds majority vote at a special National Convention. The legal team asserts that no such process has taken place, rendering any claims of interim leadership or actions taken by the Alliance for Democracy’s Convention as “null and void.”
“Party Leader Barrow’s March 17th 2025 resignation offer was never accepted by any Party Official which would have required further acceptance by the NPC who would have had to declare the Party Leader’s office vacant then set a date for a National Convention to elect a new Party Leader.”
Hugo Patt, interim Party Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), is calling on all UDP delegates to boycott an National Party Council meeting scheduled for Saturday.
According to Patt, the meeting, summoned by Acting Party Chairman Alberto August, is being held against his directive and without proper consultation.
Patt revealed that he had formally instructed August to postpone the meeting to allow time for a joint review of the delegate list. However, August refused. As a result, Patt is urging all UDP members to boycott what he calls a “purported meeting” and instead wait for a properly convened session.
“For the sake of democracy and in the best interest of our beloved party, DO NOT attend the purported meeting,” Patt stated.
He also called on members across the country to rally behind their constituency organizations and support his stance. Patt assured members that steps will be taken to reschedule a legitimate NPC meeting “at the earliest opportunity.”
The initiative, led by WCS, WWF, The Nature Conservancy, and Papua New Guinea, aims to safeguard reefs most likely to withstand climate change. Signatories, including Belize, France, Indonesia, and Palau, have agreed to integrate reef protection into national climate and biodiversity strategies, reduce local threats, and prioritise community-led conservation.
Prime Minister John Briceño addressed the conference, saying, “As a small developing nation, our valiant conservation efforts alone can’t shield our oceans. The overarching, ever-reaching impacts of rising seas, warming temperatures and extreme weather of climate change dwarfs our actions. We need concerted, coordinated global action to protect our oceans for the benefit of generations to come.”
The pledge is supported by cutting-edge science, including WCS’s upcoming “50 Reefs+” analysis, and early backing from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Global Environment Facility.
A head-on collision occurred earlier this morning near Scotland Half Moon in the Belize District, involving a white Ford SUV and another white vehicle.
Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.
According to preliminary information, the driver of the Ford SUV was reportedly overtaking a bus when the vehicle collided head-on with the oncoming car.
Photos from the scene show both vehicles suffered extensive damage to their front ends.
Despite the severity of the collision, all individuals involved sustained only minor injuries.
Belizean pilot Howell Grange is making a remarkable recovery in Western New York after surviving a rare and violent mid-air hijacking attempt that nearly cost him his life.
The Tro[ic Air captain was flying a routine route in mid-April when the plane was hijacker by 49-year-old American citizen and military veteran Akinyela Sawa Taylor. Taylor stabbed two passengers and the pilot, demanding the flight leave Belize, but was fatally shot by an armed passenger, allowing a safe landing in Ladyville.
Grange calls the day he survived the assault his “second birthday.”
News of the attack made its way to Dr. Richard, a chiropractor in West Seneca where Grange is now receiving intensive rehabilitation.
Through a family connection, Grange was introduced to Dr. Richard’s clinic, where a custom, high-intensity recovery plan was put in place. The program included multiple daily chiropractic and physical therapy sessions, along with additional recovery treatments.
“Two chiropractic sessions and two physical therapy sessions, and also a recovery session at our wellness center,” Grange told 2WGRZ.
While doctors describe his recovery as miraculous, Grange remains grounded and focused. “You never know how you’re gonna act on an emergency until you’re in an emergency. And I think I did very well. I think I did really, really well, actually,” he said.
“I forgive the guy, ’cause I don’t know what he was going through in life. But I forgive him. And that’s the only way I could move forward.”
Grange is nearing the end of his recovery program, with his doctors reporting he has already regained 95% of his physical function.
The Public Service Union is standing its ground in the fight for better pay for public workers. Today, union leaders made it clear they’re not accepting the government’s latest offer, two small salary increases spread out over three years. Early this morning, the PSU leadership team marched peacefully to the Ministry of Labor in Belmopan, where they hand-delivered a formal declaration of a trade dispute. Their message? Public officers deserve more and they’re ready to push for it. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there to capture the moment. Here’s that story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
This morning, the streets of Belmopan saw members of the Public Service Union taking to the pavement. Their destination was the Ministry of Labour. Over the weekend, PSU members made their stance crystal clear, ninety-four percent voted to reject the government’s pay offer, and ninety-two percent backed declaring a trade dispute. So today, the union’s leadership followed through, marching straight to the ministry to hand-deliver that declaration. It was a bold and peaceful show of unity, as the PSU continues its push for fairer wages and better treatment for Belize’s public officers.
Dean Flowers
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“It is not our intention to create any damage to this society, any harm to any citizen, any harm to any government property, but what we will do, we’ll stand for justice. We’re not here to bring down any government. We’re not here to push any political card. We’re here. To defend livelihoods and dignity and we pension. We wa fight for that.”
The Public Service Union has officially declared a trade dispute, using Section Eleven of the Essential Services Act to do so. Now, the ball is in the government’s court, the Minister of Labour has twenty-one days to review the case and decide if it’s valid. In the meantime, the PSU says it will keep pushing for fairer wages and better treatment for public officers.
Dean Flowers
“While the honorable Minister of State might be accustomed to having his way in the private sector, having his way in, what I believe is clearly the exploitation of labour in the private sector. I wish to serve a serious warning. It ain’t gonna happen in the public sector, my brother, because we’re prepared to die for that pension and we will die for that pension.”
The Joint Union Negotiating Team continues to demand an eight-point-five percent salary adjustment for public officers, teachers, and pensioners and an additional increase in the minimum wage for public sector workers from five to six dollars. The government, however, maintains that this is not an achievable request to meet in this fiscal year.
Dean Flowers
“Perhaps they might want to look at their economic model to ensure that we tax contribution is concerned, tax contribution is concerned, we will continue to do our part, but the private sector and more importantly, these far foreign investors must not be held accountable to pay their fair share. And the fleecing must stop where these statutory bodies are concerned. We want to see audited financial statements in the next sitting at house of representative for all of these statutory bodies.”
The Public Service Union says it’s time for the government to go back to the drawing board and restart talks with the Joint Union Negotiating Team. Until then, their fight persists.
Dean Flowers
“ On June 5th, 2025, the government wrote to the joint forming its position on the minimum wage in the public service. And subjecting a 4% salary increase to contributor pension. Subsequently, we also serve further, notice that if an amicable solution is not arrived at or before the expiration of 21 days, the union hereby notifies you of our intention to strike based on the trade dispute with the government of Belize.”
PSU President, Dean Flowers says that this is a cause that is willing to die for, but us hopeful that a resolution can be made in good faith for the benefit of Belizeans. Britney Gordon for News Five.
The PSU now awaits a response from the government to the declaration of the trade dispute.
Public Service Union President Dean Flowers is hitting back at Police Commissioner Doctor Richard Rosado, after being accused of having ties to a major investigation. The hostility began when Flowers criticized the police’s handling of a recent teachers’ protest in Dangriga, accusing Commissioner Rosado of using intimidation tactics against the demonstrators. Rosado fired back, denying the claims and instead throwing a curveball, he urged the media to ask Flowers whether his phone number is connected to a “high-profile investigation involving public officers.” So, we did just that. And here’s what Flowers had to say.
Dean Flowers
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“ I want to be very careful because. As I stated, does not have an iota of proof linking 600;5110 or 615-3110 to any investigation since the declaration of self-government since 1964. And as I stated, he, in his anger and in his emotion and his and in his failure to appreciate that what I was doing was simply saying to him, your strategy must be much more effective. You cannot govern and rule based on fear, which is what in my view, the police department attempted to do in Dangriga. Instill fear. It is no secret that the state has weaponized legislation against its citizens, primarily black men, primarily black men. It is no secret that an administration that is being accused of being a racist administration is now weaponizing the constitution retroactively against black men. And I said, I will not stand for that. Because what stops them from weaponizing the law against union leaders? Yeah. What stops them from doing that? What stops them from declaring Maya Mopan or Salva Pan or anywhere any union leader reside and so we can’t mobilize. And so we need to pay attention, and that was what I was calling out. His ego was bruised, and it’s not about me and him, it’s about the teachers and public officers, which includes him. And he needs to recognize that. He needs to recognize that if it was not for the Public Service Union of Belize, he would never be commissioner of Police. Never.”
A major investigation is underway at the Belize Customs Department after over one hundred pounds of marijuana were discovered in early April, hidden among packages shipped from the U.S. What looked like ordinary household goods turned out to be carefully wrapped parcels of cannabis, raising red flags about a possible high-level smuggling operation with inside help. Now, the investigation has taken a dramatic turn. On Monday, Police Commissioner Doctor Richard Rosado hinted that Public Service Union President Dean Flowers might be connected to the case, suggesting that his phone number could be linked to the probe. Flowers has strongly denied any involvement. Today, when asked whether he knew of any union leaders being arrested in connection with the investigation, Flowers didn’t hold back. Here’s what he had to say.
Dean Flowers, President, Public Service Union
“I didn’t see any such report. And so I do not wish to comment on something that I’m not aware of. I to the best of my knowledge, no union leader was detained. None can and will be detained, And I can say to you, the investigating officers, it would be prudent for them to properly brief the commissioner and for the commissioner to give a press conference to express to this nation where they are with that. But I will say this, my brother, I’ve walked a straight road, especially when I took up this leadership, and I will not allow anybody to try to show low blows, shade on my character, I will not allow it. It will not work with Dean Flowers. Dean Flowers is a man of his word. That’s all I got my word. And when I choose to lead people and defend their rights and the rights of their children, because what we do, we’re fighting for good governance. I will not compromise myself. And so as I stated, I know that this matter will be drawn out and he will have to respond, but I encourage him to be very careful because his investigating officers are on record, are on record this associating whatever number he’s talking about.”
Two public officers are speaking out, claiming that the system meant to measure their work is being used to punish them instead. On Monday, Gerald Henry, who still works in the public service, and retired officer Doreth Obermayer held a quiet protest outside the Ministry of Public Service in Belmopan. They say the rules and performance review system are being misused by department heads to target employees they don’t like, and they believe many others are quietly facing the same treatment. They’re calling it a “weaponization” of the Public Service Regulations. But the Office of the Auditor General, where Henry currently works, says that’s not the case. In a statement, the office said both Henry and Obermayer were flagged because they didn’t agree to follow the professional code of ethics, something required for audit work. Because of that, they weren’t given assignments or performance reviews. The office added that Henry has now been placed on an audit team, hoping this will help improve his evaluation going forward.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Government of Belize, which employs more than 15,000 public officers, requires that workers be evaluated twice a year. These performance reviews help decide who gets raises, promotions, and other rewards. But now, a senior employee at the Office of the Auditor General is speaking out, claiming the system isn’t fair. He says he received a score of zero on his most recent evaluation and believes the process is flawed. Under public service rules, it’s up to CEOs and department heads to make sure these reviews are done properly. But this latest complaint is raising serious questions about whether the system is being used fairly, or being misused to punish certain employees.
Gerald Henry
Gerald Henry, Public Officer
“We were instructed back in 2022 not to do any work in the Office of the Auditor General, absolutely nothing in October 2022. I can do nothing perfectly. Now our performance appraisal is based on the task that you do, the task assigned to us and how well we do that. That makes sense, so if you assign me a task to do nothing and I do nothing perfectly then my appraisal should reflect that, which is ten. Both myself and my colleague and another colleague of hours, we got zeros. But the thing is that the appraisal scale goes from one to ten, so how can I get a zero if the grade starts from one, and what motivates that individual, who happens to be the auditor general to give us that grade, because she was the supervisor who gave us that grade.”
The Office of the Auditor General is pushing back after Monday’s protest, saying Gerald Henry and retired officer Doreth Obermayer were flagged as “audit risks.” Why? According to the office, they refused to follow the professional code of ethics required for auditors. Because of that, previous management decided they couldn’t be trusted with audit assignments and since they weren’t doing audit work, they weren’t eligible for performance reviews either. And there’s more. Earlier this year, Henry applied for a promotion to become Supervisor of Audit. But his application was turned down.
Gerald Henry
“I believe that a lot of public officers are suffering in silence. I spoke to a lot of public officers and they told me that they are going through the same thing. I think that anyone who sacrificed to get their master’s degree, because it is not easy, a masters from UWI is not easy. So if I had to sacrifice, all that I went through was to achieve that. The reason I did that was to get promoted, elevated in the job. I didn’t do it for any other reason on that.”
While the union talks with the government are a separate issue, there’s a new twist; the government now wants to link salary increases and increments to performance reviews. But retired public officer Doreth Obermayer isn’t buying it. She says supervisors often use the appraisal system to punish workers they don’t like. Obermayer joined Gerald Henry in Monday’s protest to make that point loud and clear.
Doreth Obermayer
Doreth Obermayer, Retired Public Officer
“We are starting with our office and extending the invitation to other public officers who feel that injustices have been done to them, be it by the Public Service Regulations, whereby it is being used as a weapon against other public officer. So if you are not in cohort with your supervisor then the first thing they say to you, your PR is going to pay for that. Then there are other injustices as it relates to promotions where you would have completed all the necessary requirements. You have the qualification, the years of service, but because you are not in support of the injustice or the wrong things that have been done then your promotion is thrown out, put aside or not even considered.”
Henry and Obermayer say they will continue to picket until they believe their concerns have been adequately addressed. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
All charges have been dropped from the eleven teachers involved in a protest staged in Dangriga last week. The teachers, all members of the Belize National Teachers’ Union, were accused of disrupting the flow of traffic during a motor blockade. The situation escalated when authorities arrived at the scene and attempted to remove the teachers from the road. All charges, however, have since been dropped, much to the relief of B.N.T.U. President, Nadia Caliz. This morning in Belmopan, Police escorted the Public Service Union to the Ministry of Labour, where P.S.U. President Dean Flowers delivered a declaration of a trade dispute. While there, Caliz expressed her gratitude to the department and those who aided in getting the charges dropped, but reaffirmed her commitment to the unions’ collective mission- securing an eight-point-five salary increase for teachers and other public officers. Here’s what she had to say.
Nadia Caliz
Nadia Caliz, President, Belize National Teachers Union
“I appreciate the fact that the police department is doing the right thing because the evidence is showing that they aggravated the situation. So I’m very happy for that. I also need to thank the lawyers, those who volunteered, who came forward ton for working with us. Pitts and Elrington, Mr. Saldivar, Senator Dennison, everybody that came forward to assist the BNTU, I must say. Thank you. Thank you very much for that.”
Britney Gordon
”And what are the next steps in terms of demonstrating for the union? I know you can’t exactly get into the details, but what is the plan moving forward?”
Nadia Caliz
“Lemme just say that the BNTU has its eyes on the prize, eight point five and that government needs to realize that we ain’t playing no game. And you are dragging out the negotiations and I’m watching all little dance that you’re doing and we are dancing with you because right now we want to see if you are genuine about the people, genuine about workers. You know, that is key. But right now where we sit, where the BNTU sits, you are trying to drag it up because school di close and yo think we no got no leverage. Teachers smart. Worry about reopening. So dreg it out. Worry about reopening.”
