Belize was represented at the 11th Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment Promotion (SHEP) International Workshop in Ethiopia, with Extension Officer Marvin Blades, Catherine Hob from the Ministry of Agriculture, and Jenilee Donis from the University of Belize in attendance.
The SHEP approach, which encourages farmers to treat agriculture as a business, is being integrated into Belize’s agricultural programs. “SHEP encourages farmers to shift their mindset from simply ‘growing and selling’ to treating farming as a business,” the Ministry said in a statement on social media. Seven farmer groups across six districts in Belize are already involved in the initiative.
Originally introduced in Kenya by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), SHEP has expanded to over 59 countries. The approach teaches farmers how to calculate production costs, analyse market trends, and align crops with market demands for maximum profitability.
The workshop aims to facilitate information sharing among participating countries. The event is funded by JICA and the Ethiopian government.
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada once more. This time, threatening new tariffs on Canadian lumber and dairy products. Trump announced this from the Oval Office on Friday.
According to CNN, Trump claimed Canada had been “ripping off” the United States for years in these sectors, citing a 250% tariff on U.S. dairy exports. “We’re going to charge the same thing. It’s not fair,” Trump stated, and added that he may do it as early as Friday, or “wait until Monday or Tuesday,” CNN reported.
CNN also reported that Canada’s Trade Minister, Mary Ng, swiftly rebutted, calling Trump’s claims “not true” and the proposed tariffs “completely unjustified.” This latest threat comes just a day after Trump announced a one-month pause on tariffs under the USMCA, which offered temporary relief to industries like agriculture and autos.
While the markets initially reacted negatively, the Dow ultimately closed up 222 points, buoyed by positive economic outlooks from the Federal Reserve. However, experts warn that prolonged tariffs could exacerbate the economic uncertainty, particularly affecting housing affordability due to lumber price hikes.
A fire in San Mateo, San Pedro Town, destroyed a wooden structure late Friday night. The blaze broke out around 11:00 p.m. and was extinguished shortly after. Footage of the scene shows concerned islanders gathering as emergency teams worked to control the fire. The videos showed large flames engulfing the structure, which was next to the multi-story building, Hero Grocer. The extent of the damage remains unclear.
In a separate incident, another fire broke out in Orange Walk Town on San Francisco Street. Two firefighting trucks responded swiftly and attempted to control large flames coming from a wooden structure with zinc sheets. Initial investigations suggest the fire started in a kitchen at the back of the house. Police were also on the scene.
The cause of fire for both incidents are still under investigation.
The 2025 La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge kicked off with a thrilling yet chaotic start this morning. Though the official start time was 7 a.m., eager paddlers jumped the gun, paddling off from under the Hawksworth Bridge before the horn sounded. This premature departure led race organisers to call for a restart, but by that time, many competitors had already ventured far down the river. The race was officially underway at 8 a.m. after everyone returned to the start line.
The four-day, 175-mile journey from San Ignacio to Belize City began with participants facing strong currents and testing their endurance. The defending champions, Guava Limb, are among the top contenders, with their manager expressing confidence in their team’s performance.
The Belize Tourism Board shared their excitement over social media, stating, “The 2025 Belikin La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge is officially underway! At the break of dawn, the energised teams set off from the Hawksworth Bridge in San Ignacio, heading to today’s finish line at Banana Bank.” The race continues to capture the spirit of adventure and competition in Belize.
A commuter bus travelling from Lord’s Bank to Belize City overturned on the Philip Goldson Highway near mile six and a half this morning at around 6:30. The accident, involving a Central Transit bus, injured approximately thirty passengers, who were quickly transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). Reports indicate there were no fatalities, and all victims are reported to be in stable condition.
In a statement on Facebook, KHMH expressed gratitude for the swift response of their staff, many of whom were not scheduled for duty. “This RTA produced 30-plus patients at our Accident and Emergency with varying degrees of injury, prompting our staff to spring into action as ONLY WE CAN!” said KHMH in a social media post.
Images from the scene revealed injured passengers, including distressed children, as emergency responders assessed the situation. Police officers were also seen on-site, managing the aftermath of the accident.
Though the bus was later flipped back over, the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
You heard right! Channel 5 is launching its full-length and televised Spanish-language newscast, Noticiero 5 Semanal. Starting today, viewers can tune in every week at 7:00 p.m. to catch top local and international stories of the week, from politics to culture, all presented in Spanish by the news presenter Franzella Hermoso.
Producing the newscast is Digital Editor Hipolito Novelo; he says Noticiero 5 Semanal is a long-awaited initiative aimed at directly serving the country’s Spanish-speaking communities. “According to the 2022 census by the SIB, 75% of the population speaks English, 54% speak Spanish, so that means that some people might feel more comfortable consuming news in Spanish, especially in areas where it is the dominant language,” he said.
“To our knowledge, this will be the first televised Spanish newscast with a nationwide impact. This station is once again leading the way,” Novelo said. “The goal isn’t just to translate the news but to ensure that Spanish-speaking communities are represented in the stories we cover.”
The newscast will focus on a range of issues, including politics, social developments, culture, and daily life. Its introduction follows News 5’s shift toward an integrated newsroom with a digital-first approach. “Our Spanish news is a continuation of this transformation,” Novelo explained. “We aim to keep people informed, not only through their preferred medium but also in their preferred language. With over half of Belize’s population speaking Spanish, this is a natural step forward.”
While other languages like Creole and Garifuna are also spoken in Belize, Novelo pointed out that Spanish is the second most widely used language in the country. “In some areas, there are more Spanish speakers than English speakers. The latest census confirmed this, and we are simply expanding our reach to ensure inclusivity.”
Novelo pointed out that the soft launch of this new product has received “overwhelming support” from viewers, with “comments on social media showing that this is something that the viewers wanted and needed for many years. People want to see themselves reflected in the news, and this newscast gives them that space.”
The team at Channel 5 is encouraging supporters to reach out with any story idea, report, or news they would want to see aired in Noticiero 5 Semanal every Friday at 7 in the night, just after the 6:00 p.m.’s traditional newscast airs.
Viewers are welcomed to reach out to the tip line at 672-5555. Tune in tonight on Noticiero 5 Semanal, and every Friday, at 7:00 p.m. on TV, YouTube, Facebook, and even on TikTok (@noticiero5semanal).
A new police substation has officially opened in the Orange Walk district, specifically on West San Martin Street in Trial Farm Village. The inauguration ceremony was led by Orange Walk North area representative Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes.“
This new and much-needed Trial Farm Police Substation. Indeed, it is a big deal, because it enhances the security of our citizens,” Cervantes said in his address. “It adds to that feeling of safety.”
Cervantes pointed out the station’s “strategic location,” stating that it will support more efficient deployment of police officers within the village and surrounding areas within the district.
The inauguration of this new police station comes less than a week before general elections on March 12.
Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan has informed Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay that his client, Jeremy Enriquez, has decided to withdraw his application for an expedited hearing regarding a case over overdue redistricting. The application was initially filed on February 11, in which Courtenay represents the Attorney General.
This comes after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) rejected an appeal for special leave earlier this week. Ramlogan had sought the CCJ’s intervention to speed up proceedings, following a dismissed claim at the High Court and an ongoing appeal at the Court of Appeal.
“I have advised that it would be pointless to pursue the instant application for an expedited hearing of the appeal filed herein. There would be nothing urgent in the appeal to justify an order for an expedited hearing,” Ramlogan said in his letter to Courtney.
Ramlogan explained that with the general election scheduled for March 12, the appeal holds no urgency, making an expedited hearing unnecessary. He said that the withdrawal was intended to save time and avoid further costs for all parties involved. “It would be pointless to pursue the instant application for an expedited hearing,” Ramlogan stated in his letter.
Ramlogan added, “I have advised that it would be pointless to pursue the instant application for an expedited hearing of the appeal filed herein. There would be nothing urgent in the appeal to justify an order for an expedited hearing.”
Police are investigating the murder of 51-year-old taxi driver Romualdo Bartolo Vasquez, who was fatally stabbed on Wednesday night in Orange Walk.
According to reports, around 8:30 p.m., authorities responded to a call on West San Martin Street in Trial Farm Village, where they discovered Vasquez’s crashed Volkswagen Jetta taxi.
Vasquez was found outside his vehicle with multiple stab wounds. The attack reportedly followed an argument with a passenger.
Reports indicate that Vasquez tried to drive away despite his critical injuries but lost control of his car and crashed. He was transferred to Northern Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities recovered a stainless steel knife with a yellow handle inside the taxi.
In 6 days, on March 12, more than 204378 registered voters (as of January 2025) will head to the polls to decide which party will form the next government.
The ongoing rift in the opposition, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has led the Election and Boundaries Department to recognise 41 candidates across 31 constituencies. This is the first time in Belize’s history that voters in several constituencies will have the option to choose two candidates, and in some cases, three candidates, under the UDP banner.
This is only one of the factors that makes this election not only unique but also historical.
The 2020 Shift in Power
On February 11, Prime Minister John Briceño and Leader of the People’s United Party (PUP) officially announced the date of the election. March 12 is 244 days away from the end of Briceño’s five-year term.
A total of 149,650 votes were cast in the election, representing a voter turnout of 81.86%. The PUP secured the majority with 88,040 votes, accounting for 58.83% of the total. The UDP received 57,374 votes, making up 38.34%. The Belize Progressive Party (BPP) secured 548 votes (0.37%), the Belize People’s Front (BBF) received 820 votes (0.55%), and independent candidates collectively garnered 924 votes (0.62%).
The Rise of the Honourable Dr. Moses “Shyne” Barrow
Moses Michael Levi Barrow, known as Shyne, was born on November 8, 1978, in Belize City and moved to Brooklyn, New York, in his youth. Rising to fame in the late 1990s, he signed with Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records and released his debut album in 2000, which went gold. However, in 1999, Shyne was involved in a nightclub shooting with Combs and Jennifer Lopez, leading to his conviction on charges of assault and weapon possession in 2001. He served eight and a half years of a 10-year sentence, during which he converted to Orthodox Judaism and changed his name in 2006.
After his release, Shyne was deported to Belize, embracing his heritage and pursuing a political career. In 2010, he was appointed Belize’s Music and Goodwill Ambassador by his father then Prime Minster, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, promoting the country’s culture and youth initiatives. Shyne’s political involvement deepened over the years; in the 2020 general elections, he took over his uncle’s, Michael Finnegan, constituency and secured a seat in the House of Representatives for Mesopotamia asa member of the United Democratic Party (UDP). Barrow defeated the PUP’s Dr. Candice Pitts for the Mesopotamia. Barrow secured 910 votes (53.06%), while Dr. Pitts received 751 votes (43.79%).
In June 2021, he became the Leader of the Opposition after the UDP’s Central Executive Committee met to set a date for a recall convention to determine the then Opposition leader Patrick Faber’s fate. This followed weeks of scandal surrounding Faber, which led three opposition parliamentarians, including Shyne, to inform Governor General Froyla Tzalam that Faber no longer had their confidence as Leader of the Opposition. As a result, Barrow was sworn in as the new Leader of the Opposition, marking the first successful step in removing Faber. However, Faber would then survive the recall and return as Leader of the Opposition. Then, in January 2022, Faber’s fiancée reported to the Domestic Violence Unit that Faber had damaged her laptop and assaulted her as she was about to leave their home. This led to the police issuing a warrant for his arrest. Although she later withdrew her complaint, describing the situation as a “misunderstanding” and expressing the couple’s intent to resolve the matter privately, there were growing calls for Faber’s resignation from various quarters, including the Special Envoy for Families and Children, Rossana Briceño, and UDP Chairman Michael Peyrefitte. Under mounting pressure, Faber announced his resignation as both Leader of the Opposition and Shyne assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition – for the second time.
During a House debate on domestic violence, Barrow acknowledged his own past allegations of domestic violence involving a previous partner. He expressed deep remorse, stating, “I myself have been accused, and it is not something that I take lightly.” He apologised to his wife, daughter, mother, mother-in-law, and supporters.
His rise to political prominence was portrayed in the documentary ‘The Honourable Shyne.’ The documentary debuted in the U.S. and was screened for Belizean audiences on November 23, 2024, in Belize City. Barrow described the film as “a Belizean success story, a global success story,” but insisted it was not a political campaign tool. “I don’t believe that the documentary is campaigning for me to be the next Prime Minister.” However, when asked about a possible sequel, he said, “The part two is me being the prime minister of Belize.”
While the documentary gained attention and debuted at #1 on Hulu, a political story of a different story was unfolding. In October 2024, Tracy Panton founded the Alliance for Democracy (AFD) within the UDP and held a “unity convention.” This is after she and others were deemed “constructively resigned” by the UDP Executive Committee led by Leader of the Opposition, Barrow.
Panton maintains that she has not resigned and claimed that this convention resulted in her being elected as the new leader of the UDP. Five months later, a series of legal disputes over the party’s leadership has unfolded for public scrutiny.
This year’s general elections will feature Briceño at the helm of the PUP, while the UDP enters the race with a divided front—two leaders, Barrow and Tracy Panton, both staking their claim to the party’s leadership.
The UDP Fractures Ahead of Election Year
The UDP is currently embroiled in a significant internal conflict that threatens prospects in the upcoming elections. This dispute centres around leadership legitimacy, control of party assets, and divergent visions for the party’s future.
On October 20, 2024, a convention was convened by the Alliance for Democracy faction within the UDP, resulting in the election of Tracy Taegar-Panton as the party’s new leader. This move was met with resistance from Barrow, who continues to claim to be the legitimate leader of the party. Barrow dismissed the convention as unlawful, asserting that Panton and other involved members, including Patrick Faber, were no longer part of the UDP due to their rejection of the party’s anti-corruption and political reform agenda under his leadership.
The leadership dispute escalated when Panton’s faction occupied the UDP’s Belize City headquarters. On October 28, 2024, they took control of the building, citing authorisation from Philippa Griffith Bailey, a former UDP Secretary General and alleged trustee of the property. Barrow’s camp disputed this claim, questioning Bailey’s authority and labelling the occupation as criminal. They reported the incident to the Belize Police Department, expressing concerns over the legality of the takeover.
Barrow accused the Alliance for Democracy of attempting to mislead the public by using the UDP’s logo and name without authorisation. Barrow took the matter to court, and in November 2024, Barrow successfully secured an interim injunction to reclaim the UDP headquarters. In his interpretation, Barrow said that the court established his faction to be the true leadership of the party. In February 2025, the court clarified that the November ruling applied solely to the possession of the UDP headquarters on Youth for the Future Drive in Belize City and not to the leadership dispute.
According to Panton, there were several attempts on her side to mediate with Barrow. She said, “Shyne Barrow has no interest in sitting and talking, has no interest in finding a solution for the United Democratic Party, and he certainly doesn’t have any interest in us to make our strongest case for the Belizean people to become the next government.”
This has led the leadership dispute to see no progress, with the court now setting a date to resolve this dispute until after election day. Panton and Barrow’s attorney must prepare a trial bundle, including pleadings, relevant documents, and submissions, by 14 March 2025. Oral submissions are scheduled for March 31.
Panton is now operating from a new UDP headquarters in the Mesopotamia Division in Belize City. The building is owned by a candidate running for that constituency under her leadership—Lee Mark Chang. Chang’s candidacy seems aimed at unseating Barrow. During the unveiling of candidates running under Panton’s UDP leadership, Chang said, “When I fight, I don’t fight to lose; you could ask any one of my opponents. I don’t fight to lose. I fight to win, and I don’t come here as a spoiler. I come to win the division and take care of the people. I believe the people of Mesop want the seat to stay for the UDP, but they cannot support that individual, Mr. Shyne Barrow.”
Two UDPs- One election – What will the ballot look like?
With political campaigning in full force from the blue side and the two factions of the red side, what will the ballot look like on March 12?
Two days after nomination day, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) issued a statement addressing concerns, particularly from UDP supporters. The EBC announced that, following a 4-1 vote, it had decided to allocate the traditional red colour to all 41 candidates nominated under the UDP banner. This decision came despite efforts by Moses Barrow to block it. In an interview prior to the EBC’s ruling, Barrow had threatened legal action against the commission. “We are waiting for the official decision of the commission, and then we will proceed with civil action if the decision is not fit. The election and boundaries have no right to recognise anybody who claims to be a UDP when we have sent them an official list of who the UDP are when all that will do is cause confusion in the constituencies,” he said.
Meanwhile, Panton supported the EBC’s decision, stating, “I think it is a fair decision,” adding that “there will be no symbols as I understand it—it is the colour red.”
Legal Challenge Filed to Halt General Elections
Meanwhile, a legal challenge looms over the electoral process. Trinidad and Tobago Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is facing intense scrutiny in Belize following his handling of a constitutional claim aimed at halting the country’s upcoming March 12 general election. Representing three citizens—Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey—Ramlogan sought to challenge the constitutionality of Belize’s electoral boundaries. The case was dismissed on February 18 after concerns were raised about procedural irregularities. They argue that proceeding with elections under the current boundaries would be unconstitutional and infringe upon voters’ rights to fair representation. The High Court dismissed Enriquez’s application for interim relief, citing insufficient legal grounds for his claim.
Justice Tawanda Hondora, who presided over the case, raised red flags over the use of digitally superimposed signatures on affidavits and exhibits submitted by Ramlogan’s clients. “There is more than a whiff that someone was given digital copies of the deponent’s and the Commissioner’s signatures,” Hondora noted. The judge questioned who authorised the use of these digital signatures and ordered Ramlogan to provide further explanations. Additionally, Enriquez’s filings were criticised for being overly lengthy and resembling legal arguments rather than standard court documents. Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan was directed to clarify his legal practice arrangements in Belize and provide details about how documents were prepared and submitted. Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay criticised Ramlogan, stating, “Jerry has been writing about this for years, but you can’t wait until 2025, just before the election is called, and say, “I want to go to court now… I think the judge felt that there was too much of a delay here.”
Despite losing his case against the government at the High Court, Enriquez filed an appeal to block the March 12 general election. A virtual case management hearing was held on Monday to set dates for filing affidavits and responses, with the court yet to schedule a hearing. Ramlogan filed an appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which denied the application for special leave to appeal.
The government’s failure to implement redistricting reforms has raised concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement and the legitimacy of the upcoming elections. Legal experts warn that holding elections under the existing boundaries could lead to a constitutional crisis, with possible invalidation of election results and political uncertainty.
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.
