A family of four in Hattieville has been left homeless after a fire destroyed their home early this morning. Oris Bailey, who was asleep with her two children in their two-bedroom wooden house, woke to the smell of smoke just after midnight. Bailey and her children managed to escape unharmed, but the blaze consumed their entire home and all their possessions, including furniture, appliances, and clothing.
Bailey’s mother, who lived in a neighbouring house on the same property, also had to flee for safety and sustained minor burns to her arm. Her home was not damaged in the fire. Bailey says she has “no idea” what may have caused the fire. She stated, “I never left anything on,” and added that she had no explanation for how the fire started, suggesting it could have been arson.
Authorities are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the fire. Bailey appealed for assistance, stating that she had lost everything, including essential items such as food and clothing. She provided a contact number for anyone wishing to offer support.
She said, “I don’t have anything, no clothes, my food gone, everything gone so any assistance would be greatly appreciated. And if they want to reach me they can contact 629-6524.”
Belize remains under the BLU wave for the next five years—let’s unpack the March 12 general election. Leading up to election day, there were several experts dissecting the possible outcomes, with a few of them landing as expected.
Before midnight, 26 candidates of the People’s United Party (PUP) were celebrating their victory. Out of 31 constituencies, 26 went blue for the PUP and 5 went red for the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Although the UDP remains in opposition, the party’s internal battles may have cost the party’s return in this year’s general election.
UDP’s Pyrrhic Victory in the 2025 General Election
The United Democratic Party (UDP) entered the 2025 general election fractured after the October 2024 “unity convention,” which was held to elect a new party leader. The convention was organised by the Alliance for Democracy, led by Tracy Panton, despite Panton and other key UDP figures being labelled as “constructively resigned” from the party by the then UDP leader, Moses “Shyne” Barrow.
In a statement issued the following day, and branding the official UDP’s press release header, it said that the UDP was “proud to announce that Hon. Tracy Panton has been elected as the Interim Leader of the UDP, making history as the first female to lead a mass political party in Belize.” The aftermath of the convention is what led to the months-long power struggle between Moses “Shyne” Barrow and Tracy Panton over who is the legitimate leader of the UDP.
This internal conflict ended with Barrow and Panton leading their separate slate of candidates under the UDP banner in the 2025 general election.
On election night, as polling stations closed and results began to trickle in, Barrow’s defeat was confirmed—not by a PUP opponent but by Lee Mark Chang, a candidate from Panton’s faction within the UDP. Barrow lost his seat in Mesopotamia to Chang, who garnered 601 votes to Barrow’s 318.
Barrow conceded defeat shortly after 9 p.m., stating, “The people have spoken; congratulations to Lee Mark Chang—he’s now the new area representative of Mesopotamia, and I wish him well.” He added that the voter turnout was a clear reflection of the public’s sentiment. “I was confident; that was the interaction I was having with the people, but they made a decision to go in another direction, and I respect that,” he added.
Chang’s victory marks a historic moment for the constituency and Belize as a whole. His win against Barrow makes him the first Belizean-Chinese to secure a seat in the House of Representatives.
For those wondering why winning this seat was important for Barrow, it’s simple: it was the key to continuing his leadership of the UDP.
In another blow to Barrow, Panton secured her third term in the Albert constituency, while another key Panton ally, Godwin Haylock, also triumphed in Queen Square—a stronghold previously held by Barrow’s father, Dean Oliver Barrow, and aunt, Denise ‘Sista B’ Barrow.
Meanwhile, Barrow’s faction was only able to secure two victories: Hugo Patt in Corozal North and first-time candidate Miguel Guerra in Cayo West.
With only 5 seats in the House of Representatives, and Barrow not being one, who is the new Leader of the Opposition?
Tracy Panton is the first female candidate leading a major political party. She will be sworn in later today as the first female Leader of the Opposition.
While Panton’s victory marks an important moment in Belize’s political history, it comes with a bittersweet reality. After all, her defeated UDP brothers, Patrick Faber and John Saldivar, will not be treading the same path she’s to face now. Faber lost his seat in Collet, while Saldivar failed to reclaim his seat in Belmopan.
Voter Turnout: A “Boring” Election or Just Peaceful?
Whether you followed #Decision2025 on Channel 5, kept up with News 5 Live on social media, or experienced it firsthand, it was hard to ignore the sense that this election felt ‘slow’—or as many on social media put it, it just felt “boring.” Was it a sign of voter apathy, or was it simply a reflection of a peaceful election where citizens quietly exercised their democratic rights?
According to the Belize Election and Boundaries, the voter turnout was noticeably lower this election compared to previous elections. Only 64.97% of registered electors participated, a significant drop from the 81.86% turnout in the 2020 election. Out of 197,018 registered voters, only 128,002 ballots were cast. Of those, 125,299 were valid, while 2,703 ballots were spoilt.
Corozal North boasted the highest turnout at 80.22%, while Dangriga recorded the lowest at 47.08%. Corozal North’s area representative is Hugo Patt for a fourth consecutive time. He won the division with a total of 3,497 votes, his PUP opponent received 2,385, and the Belize Justice Movement’s candidate received 44 votes.
Voter engagement in Dangriga was particularly low, with only 2,925 ballots cast out of 6,213 registered voters. For a second time, Louis Zabaneh of the PUP won the Dangriga seat by a wide margin, with 2,237 votes, while independent candidate Cyril Garcia garnered 628 votes.
A Fresh Face in Collet
One of the most surprising victories of the 2025 election was Patrick Faber’s loss of Collet, a position he had held for 22 years. Faber, a veteran UDP and long-time fixture in the constituency since 2003, was unseated on March 12 by PUP’s Devin Daly. Daly narrowly triumphed, winning by just 163 votes—1,271 to Faber’s 1,108.
Faber’s bitter defeat was nothing short of shocking. Throughout the campaign, he appeared confident, dismissing Daly’s challenge. He believed that his extensive five-term track record gave him the edge. He had said in an interview, “People are telling me that they know the relationship we’ve shared for many years, and they have no intention of changing course.”
But the results of the voter count showed otherwise. In a social media statement, Faber conceded defeat on election night, saying, “Tonight, while the election results were not what we hoped for, I respect the will of the people. Congratulations to the new area representative—I pray that he serves with integrity and puts the people of Collet first.”
Now, Collet will see both the passing of the mantle from a “once-young” leader and the shift in power from the UDP’s red to the PUP’s blue. Faber, who first won the seat at 25, has seen his reign end, handing it over to 29-year-old Devin Daly—another “young, fresh, and energetic” leader.
What can be learnt from Collet, a constituency that has produced two young leaders who have both risen to prominence and built a connection so deeply with their community?
Surviving Scandals, Losing Battles
While politics can bring breakthroughs and moments of inspiration, it is also a field often marked by its messiness. Scandals, power struggles, and bitter battles are all part of the terrain. This is especially the case as election day draws near and tensions rise.
One of the most notable controversies was the fracture within the UDP, but the PUP was not without its own scandals. Alex Balona, the PUP candidate for Cayo Central, found himself at the centre of two viral incidents that sparked intense scrutiny.
The first scandal occurred in 2020 when a video surfaced showing Balona spitting at his UDP opponent. Balona defended his actions during an appearance on the Open Your Eyes morning show, explaining that he had been provoked by an assault in the form of a phone being thrown at him.
Just days before election day, Balona was captured again in a separate video where he appeared mocking a local journalist’s speech impediment during a campaign rally in San Antonio Village. In response, Balona posted an apology video on social media, saying, “I, Alex Balona, deeply regret what occurred on Thursday night at the public function. I sincerely apologise to everyone.” He continued, “I want to extend my heartfelt apologies to all members of our community, especially to those who live with impairments or challenges, including Mr. Kent Pandy.”
Despite the controversies, Balona’s support in Cayo Central remained strong. Out of 5,514 votes cast, Balona received 3,031, winning the division by 721 votes over his opponent, UDP candidate Mark O’Brien. Experts questioned whether the scandals would impact his electoral chances, but Balona’s victory demonstrated that his support base remained intact.
In contrast, Kaya Cattouse, another PUP candidate, faced a different fate. Cattouse contested the Albert constituency against the prominent UDP incumbent Tracy Panton. Cattouse earned 1,014 votes out of 2,340 cast, while Panton received 1,243. The 229-vote difference is a reminder of just how some factors can ultimately sway an election result.
Some argue that Cattouse’s downfall may have stemmed from the snarky remarks she made during a campaign event in Independence Village, Stann Creek. Confident that the PUP would win across the country, Cattouse boldly declared, “Because the PUP will win across the north, the south, the west, and in Belize District. We will win, Albert, and do you know why? Because Tracy’s time has come, and Tracy’s time is done.”
It was her follow-up comment that raised eyebrows. Cattouse added, “Because mek we be real, she can’t keep up with me—nuh pan the bike, worse on the campaign trail—and nuh mek we talk bout we ina the mirror.” Panton condemned the remarks as “body shaming” and labelled them as “poor, poor taste.” Cattouse defended her comments, explaining they were taken out of context, stating, “This is a competition… And for anybody who took my comments to be other than that, definitely got my message wrong.” Cattouse called her statements an “introspection,” adding, “Take a book out of Michael Jackson’s page—The Man in the Mirror. When I look in the mirror, I see a young, fresh, new politician. One that no opponent can keep up with. And that is what I was referring to.”
Though the Prime Minister himself, John Briceño, walked shoulder to shoulder with Cattouse in support during a campaign walk in the constituency, Cattouse was defeated. Some political panellists wonder: will Kaya Cattouse return to the ballot for the next general election?
Tensions were also high in Corozal Bay, where a bitter feud between PUP candidate Thea Garcia-Ramirez and former PUP area representative Elvia Vega-Samos dominated the division. The conflict traces back to a July 2024 convention, where Garcia-Ramirez defeated Vega-Samos to become the PUP’s standard bearer. Vega-Samos accused the party of electoral malpractice, alleging that her supporters were removed from the delegates’ list and that coercion was used to ensure Garcia-Ramirez’s victory.
Vega-Samos responded by declaring herself an independent candidate for the general election. In turn, the PUP expelled her from the party, citing the constitution’s prohibition against running for public office without the party’s endorsement. Vega-Samos stood firm in her candidacy.
On March 12, the results were clear: Garcia-Ramirez emerged victorious with a massive 3,122 votes, while Vega-Samos received 1,160 votes. Garcia-Ramirez’s victory was a testament to her strong support, despite the internal party conflict.
Caught in the middle of this feud was UDP candidate Hernan Riverol. Running under Tracy Panton’s slate, Riverol was accused of “betraying” his party. Barrow dismissed Riverol’s chances of winning, calling his candidacy a “betrayal,” adding that Riverol “has no chances of winning.”
2025’s General Election Women Leaders
As mentioned earlier, UDP’s Tracy Panton, who led 13 candidates under her slate, secured her seat in the House of Representatives. Also victorious was Thea Garcia-Ramirez of the PUP, who won the Corozal Bay constituency.
Another notable victory was Dolores Balderamos-Garcia of the PUP, who won Belize Rural Central for the fourth time. A long-serving female politician, Balderamos-Garcia secured 2,895 votes, defeating two UDP candidates—Beverly Williams, who ran on Tracy Panton’s slate with 1,367 votes, and David Almendarez, who received 142 votes under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s faction. Even when combining the votes of the two UDP candidates, Balderamos-Garcia’s margin of victory was overwhelming.
Of the 10 women candidates running in this year’s election, only three managed to secure seats—two from the PUP and one from the UDP.
OAS Observes Belize’s 2025 Election Process
As part of its commitment to promoting election transparency, the Organization of American States (OAS) deployed a 12-member observation team to monitor the election process in Belize. The team was led by Chief of Mission Maricarmen Plata as they tracked the election from start to finish and ensured its fairness and transparency.
Plata noted that the election day was peaceful and orderly, with a good turnout. “We have seen a very calm election… good turnout,” she said. Plata also encouraged more people to come out and vote in the afternoon.
One issue raised by the OAS was the lack of campaign finance regulations in Belize. Plata pointed out the need for stronger laws governing campaign spending. “We will issue a report at the end of the process… that will include recommendations on these issues,” she added.
This is the fourth OAS electoral observer mission in Belize.
After the Election High: What’s Next for Belize?
For many, the election excitement has come and gone, and just like that, March 13 rolled in, certainly quiet. There are still remnants of the campaign—red and blue banners clinging to light poles and campaign t-shirts thrown to the corner of some people’s closets. What now? What comes between now and 2030?
The winning party wasted no time in outlining his government’s next steps, which they call Plan Belize 2.0. A second phase to the transformative era of Belize, Prime Minister John Briceño said in his victory address on Wednesday night. Briceño was re-elected for a second term.
Today, Briceño was sworn in for his second term, following the decisive victory of the People’s United Party in the recent general elections. In his formal swearing-in ceremony, Briceño expressed his gratitude. “It is an honour and privilege to be re-elected in Orange Walk Central,” he said. “But also, to have the support of my colleagues in the National Assembly to be appointed Prime Minister.” He acknowledged the challenges ahead and declared his commitment to adapting to the evolving global landscape while prioritising the well-being of Belizeans.
The ceremony also featured a wreath-laying tribute at Lord Ridge Cemetery to honour the late George Price, marking the 75th anniversary of the PUP.
The Royal Kahal Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize, abruptly closed a few days ago. The resort’s management informed guests in an email about the closure and offered refunds for their reservations. In a March 7th email to a guest, the resort stated, “We have just been informed by our manager that Royal Kahal has been ordered to close temporarily,” adding, “This was completely unexpected… Please know this is the last thing we wanted.” While the reason for the closure remains unclear, authorities are investigating the deaths of three American women in one of its rooms.
On February 22, Kaoutar Naqqad, 23, Imane Mallah, 24, and Wafae El Arar, 26, were found dead in their room. Initial reports suggested a drug overdose due to froth found around their mouths, and alcohol, along with “gummies,” was discovered inside the room.
This conclusion was met with scepticism from the victims’ families. According to MailOnline, a source close to the families informed the news outlet that early findings from a second autopsy, being conducted in the US, suggest that carbon monoxide poisoning might be the actual cause of death.
The Belizean authorities initially ruled out carbon monoxide poisoning. Colin Gillet, the fire chief of the Belize National Fire Service, confirmed that officers conducted two separate tests for carbon monoxide and “found nothing.”
DailyOnline reported that a separate investigation has found that other non-fatal incidents related to carbon monoxide have occurred at the Royal Kahal resort. The news outlet added that investigators are now in contact with another American tourist who had suffered a similar incident.
The remains of the three women have returned to the US, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Massachusetts is conducting a second autopsy. As of now, the official by the examiner is still pending for at least another month, DailyOnline reported.
In a statement, the women’s families called the deaths “mysterious” and “suspicious,” adding, “We are seeking answers to understand what happened in Belize.” They also urged both Belizean and US authorities to provide clarity on the circumstances.
According to the news outlet, Ira Novoselsky, a city councillor from the women’s hometown of Revere, accused Belizean authorities of obstructing the investigation. He claimed that Belizean have been slow to provide answers, only offering negative responses, such as blaming the women and mentioning the discovery of “gummies and vapes.” He added, “We don’t know if they had drinks or what happened before they returned to the hotel, so everything is up in the air.” MailOnline reported that “Novoselsky speculated that Belize authorities were ‘trying to protect their own’ and ‘make the city [of San Pedro] look good.'”
Authorities in Belize have sent out human toxicology samples to the US—that official report is expected to be issued in the coming weeks.
The Honourable “Shyne” is no longer ‘Honourable’ after he lost his division in the March 12 general election. Just after 9 p.m., Moses “Shyne” Barrow conceded defeat after being unseated by another candidate running under the same United Democratic Party (UDP) banner, businessman Lee Mark Chang.
Barrow secured only 318 votes. UDP’s Chang won the constituency by a total of 601 votes. Meanwhile, the People’s United Party’s (PUP) candidate, Lawrence Ellis, garnered 503 votes. The total voter turnout on March 12 in the Mesopotamia constituency stood at 1,422 out of 2,253 registered voters.
Upon his defeat, Barrow addressed the outcome, stating, “The people have spoken; congratulations to Lee Mark Chang—he’s now the new area representative of Mesopotamia, and I wish him well.” He added that the voter turnout was a clear reflection of the public’s sentiment. “I was confident; that was the interaction I was having with the people, but they made a decision to go in another direction, and I respect that,” he said.
Chang’s victory marks a historic moment for the constituency and Belize as a whole. Chang’s win against Barrow had made him the first Belizean-Chinese to secure a seat in the House of Representatives. Despite running under the UDP banner, Chang was part of Tracy Panton’s slate of 13 candidates. This was because an October 2024 “unity convention” led by Panton was the beginning of the haemorrhaging fracture of the UDP. A series of legal disputes followed after that convention, with both Barrow and Panton claiming to be the rightful leader of the party.
Chang had previously stated during an appearance on the Open Your Eyes morning show, “We need to remove the ‘cancer,'” referring to Barrow. He went on to accuse Barrow of leaving voters disillusioned with unmet promises, claiming, “The people are realising they have been bamboozled.”
To add insult to injury, Panton, who is leading her slate under the traditional UDP red banner, was re-elected for a third term as the area representative of the Albert constituency.
Barrow’s defeat raises critical questions regarding the ongoing internal divisions of the party. When asked about the future of the UDP party, he stated, “I certainly will resign effective once we have a national convention to elect a new leader. Obviously you can’t be a leader of the United Democratic Party once you’re not a member of the House, and I would not want to be appointed as a senator or anything to hold on to the leadership.” He added once more, “The people have spoken here.”
Let’s take a closer look at women in politics for this year’s general election—one like no other. Historically, political power has been dominated by men, and it has taken decades, even centuries, for women to secure leadership roles. In recent years, the world has witnessed a powerful shift, with women stepping into the highest political offices.
Take Barbados, for example, where it took 52 years to elect its first female prime minister, Mia Mottley. In contrast, Mexico took over 200 years to elect its first female president.
In the case of Belize, a country that just recently celebrated its 43rd year of independence, the number of women in politics has steadily grown, especially over the last couple of elections. The steady rise suggests that their presence and contributions have consistently shown their ability to influence and shape key decisions, despite the ongoing challenge of under-representation.
For the first time in Belize’s history, the 2025 general election will see a female candidate leading a major political party in the race and vying for the office of Prime Minister.
Another 9 female candidates will also be contesting their respective constituencies. Which means that out of 90 nominations that were confirmed on Monday, February 24, only 11% or 10 candidates are women.
There will be 6 political bodies coming out on March 12, including the People’s United Party (PUP) with 31 candidates, the Belizean Justice Movement (BJM) with 7 candidates, and the General Opportunity Development Party (GODP) with 1 candidate. The People’s National Party (PNP) is bringing 2 candidates, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) 4 candidates, and finally 4 candidates running as independents. The United Democratic Party (UDP) entered the 2025 election with 41 candidates that are split between two leaders. Moses “Shyne” Barrow entered with 28 candidates, and Tracy Panton with 13 candidates.
Here’s a brief overview of these women candidates and the constituencies they will be vying for:
Tracy Panton
Panton is vying for the Albert constituency in Belize City for a third term as a UDP candidate. She has held the seat since 2015, after taking over from Herman Longsworth of the UDP. In the 2020 election, Panton won her second term by a narrow margin of just 41 votes. That election year, she received 1,271 votes, while her opponent, PUP’s Paul Thomson, was right behind her with 1,230 votes. In this year’s elections, Panton is also leading 13 candidates under the UDP banner, a major political party. While she is vying for the office of Prime Minister, her slate would have to secure the majority of the seats out of 31. A figure that would put great challenge against her slate of 13 candidates.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are PUP’s Kaya Cattouse, PDM’s Cornelio Galvez, and Jose Espat, who is running under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s UDP slate.
Kaya Cattouse
Cattouse is a first-time candidate vying for the Albert constituency in Belize City as a PUP candidate. She’s a well-known multi-sport athlete with a particular focus on cycling, track & field, and football. Over the years, she’s built a platform to empower women in sports. Cattouse is coming in strong for Albert with the backing of the blue machine.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are the incumbent UDP candidate Tracy Panton, PDM’s Cornelio Galvez, and Jose Espat, who is running under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s UDP slate.
Dr. Lorna Mckay
Dr. Mckay is a first-time candidate vying for the Queen Square constituency in Belize City as a PUP candidate. In the past 5 elections, Queen Square has remained a UDP stronghold. Former Prime Minister Dean Oliver Barrow secured the division for 4 consecutive terms, from 2003 until 2020, when Denise “Sista B” Barrow entered the race as UDP’s candidate and won. The career educator, Dr. Mckay, is putting her bid to turn Albert blue with the backing of the blue machine.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are PDM’s Garry Matus, UDP’s Shane Williams under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s leadership, and Godwin Haylock of the UDP faction led by Tracy Panton.
Dr. Nelma Mortis Jones
Dr. Nelma Mortis Jones is vying for the Belize City-based Port Loyola constituency as a UDP candidate in Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s slate. She is a former educator and a past Belize City mayoral aspirant who vied for the position in 2024. Jones will be going up against four other candidates, including 2 other UDP candidates—one that is running under Tracy Panton’s leadership and the other as a stand-alone UDP candidate. She is also aiming to unseat the incumbent PUP candidate Gilroy Usher and claim the constituency back under the UDP banner. Prior to Usher’s win in 2020, Port Loyola was under UDP’s Anthony “Boots” Martinez for four consecutive terms.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are the incumbent PUP candidate Gilroy Usher, PDM’s Wilmore Tablada, UDP’s candidate Phillip Willoughby under Tracy Panton’s leadership, and UDP’s Anthony “Boots” Martinez. Martinez held the constituency from 2003 to 2020, four consecutive terms.
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia is vying for the Belize Rural Central constituency as a PUP candidate for the fourth time. She is one of the longest-serving female politicians. Balderamos-Garcia is seeking re-election to add to her 2020 victory when she defeated UDP’s Beverly Williams with a voting turnout of 3,409 votes. Williams was left behind by a 1,243-vote difference, securing 2,166 votes. After her 2020 victory, Balderamos-Garcia served as the Minister of Human Development, Families & Indigenous People’s Affairs.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are PDM’s Estevan Perera, BJM’s Aaron Wilson, and 2 UDP candidates—UDP’s David Almendarez as part of Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s slate and UDP’s Beverly Williams for a third time. Williams is a UDP candidate under Tracy Panton’s leadership.
Beverly “Ms. Bev” Williams
Beverly Williams is vying for the Belize Rural Central for a third time as a UDP candidate. Williams ran for the first time for the constituency in 2015 and won. She challenged 2 other opponents in that election year and secured the division by a very small margin of vote difference. She received 2,560 votes, only 57 votes ahead of her PUP opponent Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, who received 2,502 votes. During her term between 2015 and 2020, Williams served as a Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development, and Immigration. In the 2020 elections, Williams lost the seat to Balderamos-Garcia by over 1,200 votes, securing 2,166 votes and her opponent 3,409 votes.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are the incumbent PUP candidate Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, PDM’s Estevan Perera, and BJM’s Aaron Wilson. Williams will also be facing another UDP candidate, David Almendarez, who is running under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s leadership.
Thea Garcia-Ramiez
Garcia-Ramirez is vying for the Corozal Bay constituency as a PUP candidate for the first time. Over the years, Garcia-Ramirez has built a strong platform to advocate for human rights. She’s also served as the General Manager of the Belize Airports Authority, the President of the National Women’s Commission, a Commissioner of the People’s Constitution Commission, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Social Development Fund. Gracia-Ramirez was also elected as the Corozal Bay’s PUP standard bearer in a July 2024 convention, defeating Elvia Vega-Samos. Since that convention, there have been a series of internal challenges within the two women. Despite the challenges, Garcia-Ramirez remains confident in her odds to secure the constituency.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are UDP’s Hernan Riverol running in Tracy Panton’s slate and independent candidate Elvia “Elvie” Vega-Samos.
Elvia “Elvie” Vega-Samos
Elvia Vega-Samos is vying for the Corozal Bay constituency as an independent candidate for the first time. While she was serving as the PUP’s area representative for the division, Vega-Samos was not the candidate that ran in the 2020 election. In the 2020 election, her brother, the late David “Dido” Vega, was elected to the seat for the PUP. Following his passing, she was elected in a by-election to succeed her brother. Vega-Samos was then part of a July 2024 convention that she lost against her PUP opponent, Thea Garcia-Ramirez. After that convention, a series of challenges erupted within the PUP. This led to Vega-Samos announcing her candidacy as an independent candidate in the upcoming general election. In response, the PUP expelled her, citing the party’s constitution, which prohibits members from seeking public office outside of the party’s endorsement. Vega-Samos reaffirmed her decision to run as an independent candidate for the constituency the day after.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are UDP’s Hernan Riverol running in Tracy Panton’s slate and PUP’s candidate Thea Garcia-Ramirez.
Condace “Lowe” Espedido
Condace Espedido is vying for the Corozal North constituency for the first time and as a candidate of a third party, the Belizean Justice Movement (BJM). The BJM is one of the few third parties in the race, although third parties in Belize historically struggle at the polls. Espedido will be challenging 2 candidates of the two largest political parties in Belize. This includes the incumbent UDP candidate that has had hold of the division for 3 consecutive terms and is seeking a fourth win.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are the UDP’s incumbent Hugo Patt running as a candidate in Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s slate and PUP’s third-time runner David Castillo.
Yara Villeda
Villeda is vying for the Orange Walk Central for the first time as a UDP candidate in Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s slate. Villeda is a teacher by profession and also serves her community as a Justice of the Peace. Villeda is challenging two other candidates for the seat, including the PUP’s party leader, prime minister, and candidate for Orange Walk Central this year’s election, John Briceño. Villeda is aiming to turn this division red under the UDP banner and defeat the five-term winning candidate, Briceño. She will also be challenging a UDP candidate running in Tracy Panton’s slate.
Her opponents in the 2025 general election are the PUP’s incumbent 5-term winning candidate John Briceño and Tracy Panton’s UDP candidate Denni Grijalva Cruz.
Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout
Channel 5 Belize is gearing up for comprehensive coverage of Belize’s general elections on March 12, 2025, with the theme “Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout.” The programming will offer pre-election features, voter perspectives, expert commentary, and live updates during Election Day. Viewers can expect in-depth analysis of key issues like the economy, governance, and national security, as well as real-time election results and post-election breakdowns. Channel 5 promises to deliver the most trusted and engaging election coverage. Join us on Facebook and Youtube.
The body of 33-year-old Elton Rhaburn was discovered near the Bel China Bridge on Saturday morning. His mother described him as a quiet and loving son, stating, “He was the quietest of my three sons, always so loving toward me.” She added that Rhaburn was about to finish his studies at the University of Belize.
Rhaburn’s mother told News 5 that he had fallen from his second-floor veranda the previous evening. “The way how he fell, I know that it wasn’t that he threw himself,” she said.
Rhaburn visited the hospital following the fall and was complaining of a sharp pain in the back of his head. His mother said that during his hospital visit, he became visibly agitated. She requested that the medical staff restrain him by strapping him down while being treated. Despite his condition, Rhaburn insisted on leaving. He eventually removed his IV drip and walked out of the hospital.
“Everybody just came in and looking that he’s walking out and said they can’t do anything,” his mother said.
The following morning, Rhaburn’s body was found near the Bel China Bridge around 8:30 a.m. Police later contacted his mother to identify the body. “The police officer didn’t know my son; they picked him up as a John Doe,” she said.
KHMH CEO Chandra Nisbet Cansino said she was not aware of Rhaburn’s case. She told reporters, “We do have patients that come in and self-discharge—that’s within their right as human beings and as patients to do that.” Cansino added, “I would assume that’s what happened in this case, but I don’t have any details on that particular case.”
Rhaburn’s mother said that the hospital did not do enough for her son. “They hurt me very bad. KHMH hurt me very bad, they took away my son.” She explained that the medical personnel could have done more of her son; she added, “The medical team saw his elevated blood pressure and still didn’t give him the necessary medication. They ignored my request to restrain him. If they had done their part, I might still have my son today.”
A deadly shooting in Belize City led to a tragic crash at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), according to Police Commissioner Chester Williams.
Reports indicate that the driver, Joseph Garcia, who had been shot, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the KHMH’s front entrance while trying to get medical help. The crash caused major damage to the hospital and injured an on-duty security guard.
The driver and passengers were rushed to the emergency ward, but one person did not survive.
Commissioner Williams explained that the victims—Ronlee Petillo, Garcia, and Shamar Faber—were ambushed near the Haulover Bridge as they entered Belize City. Their vehicle was being followed by two others, one of which overtook them and opened fire.
Garcia died from his injuries, while one of the passengers is in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit. Petillo was grazed by a bullet on the back of his head and was shot in the hand, but he is stable and in good spirits.
Williams told reporters that Garcia was an innocent victim from Dangriga.
Rafael Caseres was murdered on Sunday afternoon, shortly after midday, in the Arlington Drive area of Belize City. Caseres was found inside his home with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters this morning, “It is our belief that the shooting death of Caseres is a direct retaliation for the death of Mark Usher.”
Williams confirmed that one suspect has been arrested in connection with Caseres’ murder and is expected to undergo an identification parade. He added, “It is our hope that he will be identified and will be charged for the murder of Caseres, hopefully by the end of the week.”
Williams said that following Usher’s murder, police “detained all the Caseres brothers but didn’t go for Rafael.” He said the reason why police did not go for him is because Rafael had not “been in the loop” and was being “a good law-abiding citizen” that was working.
Williams called Caseres’ death “painful for everybody; he was certainly living well, living with his family. Not bothering anybody, and when you venture to kill somebody innocent just because you couldn’t get the ones you want, that is troubling.”
Williams said that although the Caseres brothers were picked up after Usher’s murder, police arrested and charged Andre Arthurs, 27, for the murder of Usher. Arthurs was “an affiliate of the Caseres brothers,” Williams said.
Williams said that this weekend’s killing has activated police mobilisation to the area to bring justice to Rafael’s death.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed that Mark Usher’s death is believed to be tied to escalating tensions between two rival groups in the Faber’s Road Extension area in Belize City.
During this morning’s police briefing, Williams said, “I do believe what we are seeing in the investigation is an issue between the two groups in the Faber’s area.” Williams added that these tensions had been a problem for some time, with both groups operating in the area. He added, “It is believed that his death is as a result of that issue between the two groups.”
On Saturday night, police responded to reports of gunfire in the area. “Upon responding, police found one Mark Usher, suffering from gunshot injuries,” Williams added.
Though Usher was rushed to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in critical condition, he later died from his injuries. Police have arrested and charged 27-year-old Andre Arthurs, a Belizean construction worker from the Belize District, in connection with Usher’s murder.
According to Williams, the police were already taking steps to address the escalating tensions. He also said that this has led to the individuals involved in the unrest to go “into hiding,” but that the Leadership Intervention Unit (LIU) was notified and is also monitoring the rising tensions.
On Wednesday, thousands of Belizeans will head to the polls and cast their vote. With 90 candidates vying for 31 seats, the outcome of those choices will determine who will take office for the next five years.
This year’s election is historic for many reasons, but one that stands out the most is the internal divisions within the United Democratic Party (UDP). The ongoing tug-of-war between Tracy Panton and Moses “Shyne” Barrow has led to the haemorrhaging fracture of the party, with both claiming to be the rightful leader. A dispute that failed to meet a resolution by the time nomination day came. This led to the Election and Boundaries Commission resorting to recognising all 41 candidates running under the banner and allocating the traditional red to all 41 candidates.
This unprecedented situation means that, for the first time in Belize’s history, voters in certain constituencies will see multiple UDP candidates vying for their vote, all under the same traditional red banner.
The UDP is one of the 6 political bodies coming out on March 12. There’s also the People’s United Party (PUP) with 31 candidates, the Belizean Justice Movement (BJM) with 7 candidates, and the General Opportunity Development Party (GODP) with 1 candidate. The People’s National Party (PNP) is bringing 2 candidates, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) 4 candidates, and finally 4 candidates running as independents.
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 constituencies you’ll want to keep an eye on for March 12 and why:
ALBERT:
The Albert constituency in Belize City will see a highly contested race with four candidates: PUP’s Kaya Cattouse, PDM’s Cornelio Galvez, and two UDP candidates, Jose Espat and the incumbent Tracy Panton. Panton has held the seat since 2015, after taking over from Herman Longsworth of the UDP. She is now seeking a third term, having won her second term by a narrow margin of just 41 votes. In the 2020 election, she received 1,271 votes, while her opponent, PUP’s Paul Thomson, was right behind her with 1,230 votes.
This time around, though, Panton will be facing Espat under the UDP banner.
Meanwhile, tensions between PUP’s Kaya Cattouse and Panton spiked a couple of weeks back after Cattouse fired off a bold statement. During a PUP campaign in Independence Village, Stann Creek, Cattouse confidently stated, “Because the PUP will win across the north, the south, the west, and in Belize District. We will win, Albert, and do you know why? Because Tracy time has come, and Tracy time is done.” It was her follow-up comment that raised eyebrows. Cattouse added, “Because mek we be real, she can’t keep up with me—nuh pan the bike, worse on the campaign trail—and nuh mek we talk bout we ina the mirror.” Panton condemned the remarks as “body shaming” and labelled them as “poor, poor taste.” Cattouse defended her comments, explaining they were taken out of context, stating, “This is a competition… And for anybody who took my comments to be other than that, definitely got my message wrong.” Cattouse called her statements an “introspection,” adding, “Take a book out of Michael Jackson’s page—The Man in the Mirror. When I look in the mirror, I see a young, fresh, new politician. One that no opponent can keep up with. And that is what I was referring to.”
Following the exchange, Prime Minister and Leader of the PUP John Briceño walked shoulder to shoulder with Cattouse in support during a campaign walk in the constituency. Meanwhile, Galvez and Espat have also been campaigning fiercely. Espat in particular has been very vocal about his intentions for his constituency under Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s leadership within the UDP.
PORT LOYOLA:
The race for Port Loyola’s seat in the upcoming March 12 elections is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and dynamic in Belize City. A total of five candidates are vying for the position, with three from the UDP: Dr. Nelma “Mortis” Jones, Philip Willoughby, and Anthony “Boots” Martinez.
The incumbent, Gilroy Usher of the PUP, seeks a second term, facing off against his son-in-law, Willoughby. In the 2020 election, Usher emerged victorious with a voting turnout of 2,106 votes. He led Willouhby by almost 800 votes.
The contest is marked by intense criticism and bold promises. Usher, who has touted his record on housing and land distribution, defended his work, stating, “We have built starter homes for the people… these houses cost the homeowners only twenty-five dollars a week.” However, his opponents argue his efforts have fallen short.
Willoughby, Usher’s son-in-law, decided to challenge him by branding the red banner in Tracy Panton’s slate. He vowed to address the area’s neglect if elected. He proposed transformative change, stating, “If I am the area representative—and I knew that my mother lived on the street, I would have probably fixed the street by now. It would have been the street of gold, like in the Wizard of Oz.”
Willoughby is not the only UDP candidate that criticised Usher and the Briceño administration. Though running under the same traditional red, Dr. Jones is a candidate in Barrow’s slate. She also criticised the sitting area representative Usher for having Port Loyola “neglected.” Meanwhile, PDM’s Tablada argued that residents suffer from a lack of land, with the poor receiving less favourable plots.
Then there is former four-term representative “Boots” Martinez, who is also seeking to reclaim Port Loyola. He claims that under his tenure, he built 40-50 homes in the area, a stark contrast to Usher’s record of just one house in five years. Martinez is a veteran UDP, calling himself UDP’s “original,” and is running independently of the two main leaders of the party. He is not forming part of Barrow’s or Panton’s slate. On nomination day, Martinez locked in his name as a stand-alone UDP candidate. This was despite his notable support for October 2024’s “unity convention,” where he stood firmly that Panton was now the interim leader of the UDP.
MESOPOTAMIA:
Mesopotamia is also another key constituency to keep an eye on in the upcoming March 12 elections. UDP’s incumbent candidate, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, is facing a fierce challenge from within his own party. Businessman Lee Mark Chang locked in his name on nomination day and entered the race as a UDP candidate under Tracy Panton’s leadership. This positioned Chang as a potential contender against Barrow. Also in the mix is PUP’s candidate Lawrence Ellis.
Compared to this year’s election, Barrow only had to go up against one opponent, Dr. Candice Pitts in the 2020 election. That year, Barrow secured the seat with a total of 910 votes, while Pitts received 751 votes.
In an interview in January 2025, Prime Minister John Briceño recognised the internal divisions within the UDP and acknowledged the potential for the PUP to capitalise on the situation. “Mesopotamia division has been voting UDP since 1974… it is still difficult,” Briceño said but expressed confidence in his candidate, Ellis.
Meanwhile, a key figure on this Mesop’s ballot is Chang, who has openly criticised Barrow, stating, “We need to remove the ‘cancer.’” He claims that many voters are disillusioned with unfulfilled promises and are flocking to Panton’s camp. “People are realising that they have been bamboozled,” Chang declared during a recent interview on Open Your Eyes.
Chang even facilitated the opening of a new headquarters for Panton’s UDP faction in the same Mesopotamia constituency. This headquarters was opened in January 2025, after Panton and her supporters demanded access to the UDP Headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive in Belize City.
With two UDP candidates and one of the PUP going head to head for the seat, this constituency is set to be an intense one. The ball for this one is in anyone’s court.
COLLET:
In the case for the Collet division, there are two candidates vying for the seat. Voters there will have to choose between the incumbent UDP candidate Patrick Faber and first-time runner Devin Daly from the PUP.
29-year-old Daly is rapidly positioning himself as the fresh face the constituency needs after getting endorsed by the PUP back in September 2024. Known for his athleticism and leadership on the basketball court, Daly is now applying those qualities to a political career. He argues that it’s time for new leadership and did not flinch at locking in his name on nomination day. “I’m young, fresh, and energetic. I have a lot to bring to the table,” he said in an interview in February.
Faber appears to be unfazed about the challenge Daly is bringing. He believes his extensive five-term track record gives him the edge—talk about strongholds! “People are telling me that they know the relationship we’ve shared for many years, and they have no intention of changing course,” Faber told News 5 in February. One of Faber’s best voting turnout was the 2020 election, where he secured a vote count of 1,834 compared to the 1,142 votes that his opponent Oscar Arnold of the PUP received.
This time around, Faber is running as a UDP candidate under the Tracy Panton-led UDP.
Faber has maintained a hold on Collet since 2003, giving him 22 years as the division’s area representative. In those 20+ years, Faber has challenged four different PUP candidates, led the UDP to general elections in 2020, faced a domestic violence complaint, and been removed as Leader of the Opposition twice.
CAYO NORTH:
Over at Cayo North, voters will be seeing three candidates coming in strong for the constituency. These three candidates are the incumbent PUP candidate Michel “Micho” Chebat, UDP’s Omar Figueroa, and BJM’s Leroy “Lee” Lisbey.
The constituency has been closely contested between the red and blue parties in the past elections. On March 12, 2025, Figueroa will face Chebat for the third time. Figueroa won the seat in 2015 but lost to Chebat by over 700 votes in 2020, a sharp contrast from their 2015 race, where Chebat was right behind by just 150 votes.
The number of votes became a conversation after Figueroa accused incumbent Chebat of electoral fraud as he launched his “Bring Back Omar for Cayo North” campaign. For the past months, he raised concerns about 124 names on the voter list and claimed they don’t belong to the constituency. Despite a favourable court ruling, Figueroa said the names remained. He said in an interview in February that these voters “should go back to the constituencies where they came from.” Two days later, on February 19, the Elections and Boundaries Commission reaffirmed the integrity of the electoral process, confirming there has been no fraud and that all registration processes follow the law.
Meanwhile, Lisbey, a retired public officer, is joining the mix. He’s focused on running a grassroots, people-centred campaign and addressing the pressing needs of the local community. He has also criticised the Chebat as the current area representative, stating, “I am not like the two political parties running on broken, empty promises. I am walking the streets and hearing what people need. I will work for them on the basic things.”
Incumbent Alex Balona of the PUP is hoping to secure a second consecutive term after defeating UDP’s Rene Montero in the 2020 election, ending his three-term reign. That year, Balona secured 3,434 votes, leaving behind Montero by 735 votes. After his defeat, Montero was charged with “wilful oppression” in 2023 for alleged misuse of public property during his tenure as Minister of Works. This allegation allegedly happened between 2016 and 2020 when he lost to Balona.
But Balona’s campaign has been under major scrutiny after two scandals stemmed from separate videos that went viral on social media. The first one involved him spitting at his UDP opponent during the 2020 election. Balona defended his actions during his appearance on the Open Your Eyes morning show, claiming that he was first assaulted with a phone. Just days after he had cleared up this drama, he was captured again in a separate video where he appears to be mocking a local journalist’s speech impediment during a campaign rally in San Antonio Village. Balona apologised through a video he posted on social media. He said, “I, Alex Balona, deeply regret what occurred on Thursday night at the public function. I sincerely apologise to everyone.” Balona added, “I want to extend my heartfelt apologies to all members of our community, especially to those who live with impairments or challenges, including Mr. Kent Pandy.”
Will these videos affect in any way his voting turnout on March 12 compared to his 2020 election numbers?
Joining the race this year is also UDP’s Mark O’Brien, GODP’s Francisco Escobar, and BJM’s Roody Wade.
Meanwhile, BJM’s Roody Wade is leading 7 candidates in his slate and vying for Cayo Central. The BJM is one of the few third parties in the race, although third parties in Belize historically struggle at the polls. Wade said in February, “If we watch how these two-party systems govern our country for decades, they don’t want people to be empowered, so hopefully at some point the Belizean people will see a need for change.”
COROZAL BAY:
Going up in the northern part of Belize, in the serene constituency of Corozal Bay, there will be three candidates vying for the seat. Voters there will be choosing between PUP’s Thea Garcia-Ramirez, UDP’s Hernan Riverol, and former PUP candidate Elvia Vega-Samos.
In the 2020 election, the late David “Dido” Vega was elected to the seat for the PUP. He secured his victory with 2,402 votes, and ended the UDP’s hold for three terms under Pablo Marin. Marin was left behind with 1,994 votes.
Following Vega’s passing, his sister, Vega-Samos, was elected in a by-election to succeed her brother. Heading closer into the general election year, political tensions brought up attention to the internal drama unfolding within the PUP.
A bitter feud that erupted in 2024 between PUP’s Garcia-Ramirez and Vega-Samos came down to a controversial standard bearer convention in July 2024. Garcia-Ramirez emerged victorious at that convention, defeating the incumbent representative, Vega-Samos. The aftermath and transition of leadership between the two women was short of amicable. The event was marred by allegations of electoral malpractice. Vega-Samos accused the party of manipulating the delegates’ list, claiming that some of her supporters were removed, and there was coercion to secure votes for Garcia-Ramirez. She also criticised the PUP’s handling of the convention, suggesting that she was denied a fair contest.
In response, the PUP Secretariat dismissed Vega-Samos’s claims as “baseless” and warned her against making unfounded public statements. The tension deepened when Vega-Samos was allegedly evicted from the constituency office she had been using, to which the prime minister, John Briceño, said, “That building belongs to the PUP, and so I want to leave it as that,” in an August 2024 interview.
On February 21, 2025, Vega-Samos took the bold step of announcing her candidacy as an independent candidate in the upcoming General Elections. In response, the PUP expelled her, citing the party’s constitution, which prohibits members from seeking public office outside of the party’s endorsement. Vega-Samos fired back the day after standing firm in her decision to run as an independent candidate for the constituency, stating, “I shall not be moved! I’m resolute, I’m determined, and I’m independent!!”
Joining the political tension in Corozal Bay is Hernan Riverol, the candidate for the UDP. His candidacy forms part of Tracy Panton’s slate, a decision that Moses “Shyne” Barrow referred to as a “betrayal” to his party. In February, Barrow publicly endorsed Vega-Samos and stated that Riverol “has no chances of winning.” According to Barrow, his decision to endorse Vega-Samos came so as to not “complicate things in that constituency.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Briceño said the same thing about Vega-Samos, “She knows she can’t win… If she is a good PUP as she claims to be, then she and her supporters will support the candidate of the PUP. That’s the oath that she took.”
Despite Barrow’s endorsement and growing tension, Garcia-Ramirez remains confident in her odds to secure the constituency. She dismissed Vega-Samo’s challenge, stating that it does not affect her campaign “at all.”
Will the Bay remain blue, go red, or go turquoise for the independent candidate?
COROZAL NORTH:
Coming in for a fourth win for the general election in 2025 is UDP’s incumbent candidate Hugo Patt. Challenging him for a second time is PUP’s David Castillo. BJM’s Condace Espedido is also joining the race.
Over his last runs, Patt has managed to improve his voting turnout. His best number yet was reflected in the 2020 election, where he received 3,479 votes, defeating his opponent PUP’s Castillo by over 900 votes. Castillo secured 2,563 votes, while Alfonso Acosta of the BPF received 66 votes.
As deputy leader of the UDP, Patt has sided with Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s leadership. Though he had stated his disappointment over the UDP’s fractured state. During his appearance on the Open Your Eyes morning show, Patt acknowledged the turmoil that plagued the party, calling it a “very unfortunate” situation for the UDP.
Over in Tracy Panton’s UDP faction, there were no candidates nominated.
March 12 will be PUP’s Castillo’s third race against Patt. Both runs were decisive wins in favour of Patt. Entering the race for the first time is BJM’s Espedido.
BELMOPAN:
Over in the Belmopan division, voters will see three candidates vying for the seat. The race for the constituency will be between 2 UDP candidates against the incumbent PUP candidate Oscar Mira.
For Mira, securing a second term is crucial for Belmopan’s rapid growth. According to him, his team has focused on investing in the city’s infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and the “work in Belmopan must continue,” he said during an interview in February. Mira led the voting count against Saldivar in the 2020 election by large. He secured 4,172 votes, leaving Saldivar behind by 2,168 votes.
Mira will face John Saldivar for a second time on March 12. Saldivar has made it clear he’s coming to reclaim the seat after his 2020 defeat. Saldivar had held the seat for three consecutive terms before his defeat. On nomination day, Saldivar officially entered the race for a fifth time.
Saldivar’s return to the political scene has been clouded by controversy. In November 2022, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the public designation of Saldivar for significant corruption, which barred him and his family from entering the U.S. He was accused of accepting bribes for immigration documents and misusing public resources, allegations he denies as baseless and politically motivated.
The bribery scheme led to Saldivar’s loss of the UDP leadership. Despite these challenges, he has remained loyal to the UDP banner. Saldivar has been one of the key figures who has fully supported Tracy Panton in the UDP leadership dispute with Moses “Shyne” Barrow. After Barrow “constructively resigned” Saldivar and other supporters, Saldivar maintained his allegiance to the UDP. Saldivar will be running as a UDP candidate under Panton’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Ralston Frazer, named by Barrow as the UDP candidate for Belmopan, is focusing his campaign on addressing “a growing segregation in Belmopan.” He claims this has been an issue for some time now. Frazer is challenging both Mira and Saldivar in the race.
The UDP candidates are David Almendarez and Beverly Williams. Almendarez is a candidate in Moses “Shyne” Barrow’s slate, and Williams is a candidate under Tracy Panton’s UDP faction. Williams is also the second deputy leader in Panton’s UDP faction.
Running for a fourth time is Balderamos-Garcia. She is seeking re-election to add to her 2020 victory when she defeated Williams with a voting turnout of 3,409 votes. Williams was left behind by 1,243 voting difference, securing 2,166 votes. Williams had represented the constituency for five years before suffering 2020’s major defeat.
Williams is also looking to make a comeback. She said her focus is on community development, including sports programs, cultural events, and youth outreach initiatives.
Meanwhile, David Almendarez is a newcomer to politics. He is running under the U.D.P. banner and represents a new generation of leadership. While Almendarez is new to politics, he confidently claimed that his approach would bring a much-needed change.
Also entering the race are PDM’s Estevan Perera and BJM’s Aaron Wilson.
Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout
Channel 5 Belize is gearing up for comprehensive coverage of Belize’s general elections on March 12, 2025, with the theme “Decision 2025: Show Out or Blowout.” The programming will offer pre-election features, voter perspectives, expert commentary, and live updates during Election Day. Viewers can expect in-depth analysis of key issues like the economy, governance, and national security, as well as real-time election results and post-election breakdowns. Channel 5 promises to deliver the most trusted and engaging election coverage. Join us on Facebook and Youtube.
