Politics Take Over Punta Gorda’s Independence Celebration

Punta Gorda’s Independence Day ceremony took a political turn. UDP mayoral candidate Frank Polonio raised questions about the country’s leadership. Toledo East Area Representative Dr. Osmond Martinez responded.

Polonio used his address to speak about the challenges facing Belizeans, including the rising cost of living, access to basic services, public money and the need for greater accountability.

Polonio said independence should mean more than a celebration, saying it should give Belizeans the opportunity to live with dignity and be free from “neglect, discrimination, and freedom from a system that tells ordinary people they must know someone powerful to get ahead.”

Martinez responded by challenging Polonio’s record during his six years as deputy mayor of Punta Gorda. “I want him to show me and compare the work that he did in six years compared to the work that we have done in the last two years in Punta Gorda,” Martinez said.

Martinez also raised Polonio’s land issue and accused him of discrimination while campaigning against a PUP candidate of Maya descent. “I didn’t want it to go this low,” Martinez said.

Polonio later said in a Facebook post that Martinez had insulted and belittled him even though he had not mentioned Martinez by name during his speech. He said political opponents should be able to respectfully share their views during Independence celebrations and that colour and ethnicity should not divide Punta Gorda, writing “Attempts to divide PG is a NoNo !!”