Although the vendors at Belmopan Market Plaza are unhappy with the new individual trade license regulation, Mayor Pablo Cawich believes it’s actually in their best interest. He explained that the decision to cancel the Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) between market owner David Zabaneh and the previous city council was due to concerns raised by the Belize Tax Service. According to Cawich, the M.O.U. contradicted the Trade License Act of Belize and shouldn’t have been signed in the first place. He mentioned that the city council reached out to Zabaneh late last year to discuss these issues, but they still haven’t found a solution that works for everyone. Here’s more on that.
Pablo Cawich
Pablo Cawich, Mayor of Belmopan
“This MOU particularly just for us to be clear, was signed in 2021 with Maypr Palacio and it had agreements for a five-year term for a thirty thousand dollars anual trade license fee. I would like to point out that based on historic records that we saw, market stalls market, areas used to generate over three hundred thousand dollars a year for Belmopan, that has now been cut to just thirty thousand. When we started the formal or written communication with Mr. Zabaneh, we got a response in writing as well with a second, MOU attached. We did not have knowledge or any record of this second MOU. This second MOU changes two portions. It changes the term of the MOU, which is now based on the second MOU, thirty years. It also increases the rate to thirty-two thousand a year. At which point I would like to mention that in the previous years, up until now, April, 2025, the maximum funds we have received from the Belmopan Market Plaza are thirty thousand dollars annually in installments. So for now I think we have received their first payment for the 2025 year. And it’s only the first installment, which is a five thousand dollar install.”
We asked Mayor Pablo Cawich if canceling the Memorandum of Understanding between David Zabaneh and former mayor Sharon Palacio was part of a broader effort to reverse her decisions. Recently, Belmopan residents were upset about the retraction of the Innovabel land distribution project. Cawich firmly denied these claims, stating he’s simply following the law. The M.O.U. with Zabaneh also included writing off over one hundred thousand dollars in debts owed by the city council. Cawich addressed whether the council is prepared to handle these costs if the M.O.U. is nullified. Here’s more on that.
Pablo Cawich, Mayor of Belmopan
“I have not focused any at all on the previous mayor’s actions, any of the previous mayor’s actions. We are ensuring that we analyze operations, we analyze documentation, and we move forward with that in mind. Obviously, if irregularities are found, then they need to get dealt with at that point in time. Obviously the land issue was not something that. The city council brought up as a problem. It was individuals who brought it up as an issue to the media. Similarly, this market plaza situation, it is not a case where we are trying to undo anybody’s work. As I stated, clearly it is to legalize the operations. We have taken on many liabilities that previous mayors have committed to. Once proper proof can be provided to the council, if it is a valid statement that Mr. Zabaneh had provided funding to the council, then there should be a record of it. And once the proof is found, we always live up to our liabilities. As is obvious with the amount of work and advancement this develop council has done in the past year.”
On Saturday morning at the ITVET Compound in Belize City, the United Democratic Party held a National Party Council meeting to discuss the future of the opposition party. One of the main topics was the upcoming leadership convention to endorse Tracy Taegar-Panton as the leader of the U.D.P. and to elect a new executive team. Key party members, including Mesopotamia Area Representative Lee Mark Chang, were present. After the meeting, Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton spoke to the media.
Tracy Taegar-Panton
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Interim Leader, U.D.P.
“I am the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and that is undisputedly the case. I am also the interim party leader. At the convention on October twentieth, we recalled Shyne Barrow and the delegates of the party asked me to serve as interim party leader until after the election when a leadership convention will be convened. Everything will happen in this party in due course. It will happen conscientiously; it will happen constitutionally. I can tell you already a number of new persons who are prepared to step up and support the party, to run for the party, but we are going to do things properly. And, what we will not do is what Shyne Barrow did to this party. We are going to follow the constitution and we are going to take things in due course. In the meantime, I have shown over and over again that I have the ability and the fortitude to move this party forward. I have the ability and the fortitude to make difficult decisions in this party. We will do what serves the best interests of this party, but most importantly we are going to make decisions that serve the best interests of this country.”
Seven people have filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Anthony Sylvester and the Elections and Boundaries Department. They want the court to decide if the current electoral boundaries violate the Constitution of Belize. The case was heard today by Justice Tawanda Hondora, who has reserved his judgment. The defendants argue that this issue was already addressed in 2019 when six of the seven claimants brought a similar case, and it should be dismissed. However, the claimants insist this is a new case because the court has not yet ruled on the constitutionality of the current boundaries. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
This morning, Justice Tawanda Hondora heard arguments in a case brought by seven people against the Attorney General and the Elections and Boundaries Commission. The claimants are asking the court to declare that the current electoral boundaries violate the Constitution of Belize. Senior Counsel Hubert Elrington represented the claimants, stepping in for attorney Sharon Pitts.
Hubert Elrington
Hubert Elrington, Attorney-at-law
“We are saying to the Elections and Boundaries Commission that you have a duty not to hold any old election. Your election must be constitutional and we are going to bring you to the court to compel you to do that if you do not know what your duty is. And, if the attorney general does not know what he should advise you, we are going to bring you, despite his defects and shorting comings. He is the one that should be fighting for us. We were depending on the attorney general to fight for us.”
Meanwhile, the defendants’ attorneys, Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay and Hector Guerra, have asked the court to prevent all seven claimants from pursuing the case, arguing that it should be dismissed under the principle of res judicata. It prevents a case from being tried again once it has been decided by a competent court. The defendants argue that six of the seven claimants, except for Roody Wade, were claimants in Case Fifty-five of 2019. That case ended with the widely reported redistricting consent order.
Hector Guerra
Hector Guerra, Attorney-at-law
“We presented arguments on two points. We presented arguments that the matter was res judicata, meaning there was a previous case, the Paco Smith case from back in 2019, which addressed similar issues and which six of the seven claimants today was also involved. We advanced arguments to say that this is abusive, this matter has already been decided by the court and in fact a consent order was issued by the court that was agreed to by parties and addressed the very same arguments that are being advanced my the claimants, that is malapportionment.”
The defendants also argued that although Roody Wade wasn’t a claimant in the 2019 case, he shares a mutual interest and relationship with the original claimants.
Hector Guerra
“The simple fact that we are trying to advance, the simple argument that we are trying to make is that Mr. Wade shares a simple interest along with the other claimants. The was aware of the previous claim by way of reading the decision of Justice Nabi. He has advanced evidence by way of affidavits in these proceedings and the relief that was sought in the Paco Smith claim and this claim all surrounds the issue of electoral division.”
The seven claimants argue that neither the 2019 case nor the 2023 case, where they sought to enforce the consent order, resulted in a final decision on whether the current electoral boundaries are constitutional.
Hubert Elrington
“The constitution gives certain powers to the National Assembly, it gives certain powers to the court and to the Cabinet. But it also gives a specific constitutional duty to the elections and boundaries constitution, though shall hold general elections me every five years at the most which are constitutional. The issue as to whether the schedule to the ROPA, the question as to whether the proposal put forward in this purported exercise of its constitutional function of the EBC. That has never come before the law, so it is a new matter. So this idea to strike them out because they are res judicate, they have been heard and dealt with by the court before, is clearly nonsensical.”
Notably, prior to the March twelfth general election, Prime Minister John Briceño committed to seeing the redistricting exercise completed within the next two years. A few days after the election, he doubled down on his initial commitment.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño, File: Mar 17th, 2025
“I said that before the end of 2026, but I suspect, I am giving myself until the end of 2026 but I am aiming for the end of 2025.”
Based on these remarks, Guerra says the ongoing claim is moot.
Hector Guerra
“So really this entire case is moot, because the constitutionally envisioned process is now in motion. My instructions are that the Elections and Boundaries Commission is fully prepared and on standby, ready, willing and able to carry out whatever duties they are able to do under the constitution.”
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust and the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future have teamed up to boost funding for Belize’s National Protected Areas System. Today, they signed an important agreement to ensure better and more coordinated financing for the country’s protected areas and natural resources. This partnership will focus on several key areas: raising funds together, creating consistent conservation financing policies, engaging with stakeholders, and working together in international conservation events. They also plan to raise public awareness about conservation through joint campaigns and a National Conservation Summit in 2025.
Orlando Habet
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
“Today’s MOU [signing] between PACT and the Belize Fund is a major step towards achieving these goals. It reflects a shared commitment to strengthening conservation efforts, enhancing community engagement and ensuring that Belize’s ecosystems continue to thrive for generations to come. PACT, with nearly thirty years of experience, and the Belize Fund, a bold initiative under our Blue Bond Agreement, have already invested over sixty-four million Belize dollars into conservation. Together, their impact will grow even stronger through collaboration in policy, public awareness, financing, and shared action. The collaboration in national and international forums will continue to build Belize’s identity as a leader in conservation and sustainable development. These partnerships can allow both organizations to reach broader audiences and areas, expanding their impact. Combining the knowledgeof both organizations can lead to more effective and innovative solutions.”
The agreement will last for five years, during which both organizations will regularly review their progress and work together on projects to improve Belize’s conservation efforts. PACT and the Belize Fund are dedicated to supporting Belize’s National Protected Areas System, which protects the country’s natural and cultural treasures and vital ecosystem services.
Abil Castaneda, Executive Director, PACT
“This was a few months in the making, to be honest, even before my arrival at PACT there was already some discussions happening about how both funds can really begin to work with one another for the sake of conservation and of building Belize and communities. But I must say, as was related in the introduction, we are very happy, we are very pleased and excited to be with a signed document, even though we started well before we signed the document. But at the end of the day, it is about putting Belize first. It is about ensuring that we put all of our resources together to make sure we achieve the commitments and the goals we have for sustainable development. As the minister put it, there is a huge financing gap in conservation in Belize, around the world, but Belize is no exception.”
Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts
Dr. Leandra Cho-Ricketts, Executive Director, B.F.S.F.
“We saw the need to work together, coordinate and rationalize what the real need was to be able to provide funding that compliments each other rather than duplicate. So that’s one of the biggest drivers, of course, as two funds with similar missions we are all working for the same space in Belize and we felt that it was important for us to partner where we can look at joint efforts for mobilizing additional funding from outside. So, you know, two is better than one and working separately. So we’re looking forward to this partnership and we see that it was just natural to get together and work because rather than compete, then we work, you know, can partner.”
The Briceño administration has appointed attorney Hector Guerra as a P.U.P. senator for its new term. Earlier today, we chatted with Guerra about his new role and whether it might lead to bigger political ambitions. Here’s what he had to say.
Hector Guerra, Government Senator
“I think it is an absolute privilege, and I must commend the government and theprime minister of Belize for having confidence in young people. I think more andmore we must engage our young people in the process because more and more young people are not attracted to the idea of politics and what is involved in that process. So, I look forward to serving the country in this new role.”
Paul Lopez
“Is this a steppingstone to furthering your political career?”
Hector Guerra
“I think that I am embracing this role and I would want to first engage and immerse myself in what it means to be a senator.”
Cayo Rosario is a development project approved back in 2018 to build a resort extending into the sea. San Pedro residents are upset because they believe that the project will affect the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a protected area. Despite assurances from the Department of the Environment and other agencies that the project will be closely monitored, many tourism-related organizations and companies oppose it. The Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development is leading a meeting with San Pedro residents on Tuesday night. They hope to rally more protests to push the government to revoke the developer’s permit. News Five’s Marion Ali spoke with two group members today and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Despite reassurances from government environmental agencies just a week ago, tour-related groups in San Pedro are firmly against the Cayo Rosario project. Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai stated that the project was approved back in 2018 after meeting all environmental requirements. Last week’s statement also promised close monitoring of the project. However, Phillip Leslie, co-chair of the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development, argued that it makes no sense to declare a reserve and then allow development within it.
Phillip Leslie
Phillip Leslie, Co-chair, Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Dev.
“In 2015 after years of consultation and deliberation, that whole area was identified as an extension to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve because of the important bajos, which are the shallow banks where bonefish, tarpon, and permit use for habitats. So in 2015, it was declared a protected area. This is the fact that the DOE and other government departments are failing to see. You protect it for a reason. Why change? In the rules and regulations, which are laws, for that protected area, which was an extension to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, it clearly states no structures, no dredging.”
Chief Environmental Officer Anthony Mai explained that there is a legal process for developers to gain private use of the seabed, which was followed in this case. He emphasized that the approval was based on scientific and technical data. However, Elito Arceo, another member of the association, questioned what other developments might be allowed in the future.
Elito Arceo
Elito Arceo, Concerned San Pedro Resident
“Should we have over-the-water bungalows at Half Moon Caye? Or at the Blue Hole? So where is this gonna stop? It doesn’t belong to them. It belongs to the people of Belize. Those people should be working for us. How in God’s name you gonna sit down there and even consider, much less approve a project that sits in a marine reserve! You protected it for a reason.”
The meeting is set for seven Tuesday night at the San Pedro Lions Den. Marion Ali for News Five.
The Belize Chess Federation is excited to send two talented chess players to Tegucigalpa, Honduras next week for a regional tournament. The stakes are high, as the winner will earn a spot at the Chess World Cup 2025. Nathaniel Reyes, a proud member of the Belize National Chess Team, shares more about this thrilling competition.
Nathaniel Reyes
Nathaniel Reyes, Chess Player, Belize National Chess Team
“So the tournament is being hosted in Honduras, in Tegucigalpa and it’s a pretty big one. Many countries will be participating such as Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and more. The tournament is going to consist of nine rounds, a Swiss system, with every match being ninety minutes with thirty seconds increment. The tournament includes many prizes. First place wins the person a coveted spot in the Chess World Cup, and second, third, fourth, fifth, and below come with cash prizes, trophies and more.”
Isani Cayetano
“Let’s talk a bit about your love for chess and your involvement with the sport at the federation level.”
Nathaniel Reyes
“Chess has always been a sport that I love dearly. I learned how to play chess when I was eight years old. My father taught me. Chess has always been something that I play from time to time, over the years. But as of a year ago, I started taking it a lot more seriously. Last year was the first time that I represented Belize internationally in September, for the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. I’d say that was the one event that really made me, really inspired me to pursue chess more seriously and professionally.”
Isani Cayetano
“How are you guys preparing, either individually or as a team at the federation level for the tournament on May thirteenth?”
Nathaniel Reyes
“So, as of right now the Belize Chess Federation is sending two players. My teammate, Charlton Roches, and myself. Me and my teammate, we’ve been getting together for practice games, studying together for the past few weeks and we feel like we’re well prepared for this tournament coming up.”
Good evening and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday. I’m Paul Lopez. Cycling fans all over the country are getting excited about the Annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. Before the big event, we have two major weekend races. The first one, the Junior Cross Country Cycling Classic, took place on Sunday. Over two dozen junior and youth male riders started their race in San Jose Succotz Village, while the female junior and youth riders began in Cotton Tree Village. Here are some highlights from Sunday’s thrilling race, brought to you by the Cycling Federation of Belize.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Turning on to the George Price Highway from the Loma Luz Boulevard in Santa Elena Town, many of the riders were still together in one group. In Roaring Creek Village, there was a nasty spill involving five riders, including Guatemalan rider Kevin Rojas, who would later surprise the entire field of riders. Heading into Saint Matthew’s Village, Malachi Myvette and Ayden Busano were leading the race with a gap of forty seconds between the main field of riders.
With twenty-seven miles left to the finish line, it was still Myvette and Busano. They extended their lead to almost two minutes. Young Keith Enwright Junior broke away from the chase group, three hours into this one to catch up with Myvette and Busano. Guatemalan Kevin Rojas was involved in that spill early in the race, but he got back up and maintained pace with the chase group, until he decided to launch an attack outside of Rockville. Rojas broke away from the chase group and set his focus on the two lead riders.
Rojas caught up with the two lead riders shortly after. He then launched an attack on those two lead riders, showing that he still had a great deal of energy left in the tank. Rojas rode the rest of the race all alone. He spent approximately one hour in the lead before crossing the finish line in first place. A chase group of five riders sprinted to the finish line for second and third place. Kaden Sutherland finished in second place, while Keith Enwright Junior secured the third position. Notably, Kevin Rojas finished second place in 2024.
Kevin Rojas
Kevin Rojas, Winner, Junior Cross Country Cycling Classic
“Bueno muchos gracias….”
He said thank you for the invitation, thanks to Belize for making him a part of this race, thank you to his teammate and family and everyone that supported him along the way.
In the female category, Irene Baki finished in first place, Liani Choto finished in second place while Kelsi Castillo secured the third position. This weekend will see elite women cyclist take to the George Price Highway for the Thirty-Fourth Annual Women’s Cross Country Cycling Classic.
From cycling, we move into some football action. The Belize District First Division Football Tournament is back for its closing season. Here are some match highlights from the game between Kelly Street and Ceasar Ridge Football Club. Four minutes into this one, Ceasar Ridge’s number twenty-one launches towards goal from midfield. Ajani Vaughan picked up on the kick inside the penalty box after it the ball bounced over the goal keeper’s head. Vaughan scored the first goal of the match.
Thirty-nine minutes into this one, Launie Leslie, with a kick towards goal from midfield. This one is precisely on target at went over the head of the goalkeeper and into goal. What a stunning shot from Leslie. Ceasar Ridge FC had two goals to zero lead at the end of the first half. The third goal of the match came in the last three minutes of the game. A kick towards goal from number three caught an opponent in the back. Devin McCauley took advantage of the pain his opponent was experiencing and launched an open shot towards the goal. Ceasar Ridge FC won this one, three goals to zero.
And finally, tonight, the Amadiyyah Basketball League wrapped up its finals over the weekend with exciting matches in five different categories. The top teams in the under-twelve, under-fifteen, under-eighteen males and females, and under-twenty-two categories battled it out. In the under-eigteen females’ category, Fenix Academy took on Sparks in a low-scoring game, with Fenix winning forty-two to twenty-four. The Mayan Men narrowly defeated the Titans in the under-twenty-two championship game, scoring fifty-eight points to the Titans’ fifty-six. Team 24/8 clinched the title in the under-eighteen male category, while Fenix Academy B team won the championship in the under-fifteen category. Lastly, Team MVP triumphed over ABS Hard Rock in the under-twelve category, securing their first league championship.
Well folks that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.
