Belisle Eyes Comeback as PUP Faces Heat in Belmopan
Belmopan’s political race is heating up earlier than expected. With municipal elections still months away, shifting alliances and growing controversy are already reshaping the field, especially in the Garden City. Questions surrounding Area Representative Oscar Mira have added a new layer of intrigue, setting the stage for an intense showdown between incumbent Mayor Pablo Cawich and former mayor Khalid Belisle, who’s eyeing a comeback. News Five’s Shane Williams breaks down what’s unfolding and what it could mean for voters.
Richie Galvez
Richie Galvez, Mayoral Candidate, Belmopan
“My name is Isidoro Richie Galvez and yes, I am running for Mayor of Belmopan.”
Shane Williams, Reporting
What was shaping up to be an easy win for the PUP in Belmopan is quickly turning into one of the most closely watched races in the country. With the party’s area representative under pressure and a strong, popular challenger stepping into the spotlight, the political landscape has shifted. Now, UDP caretaker Khalid Belisle is gaining confidence, eyeing an opening to reclaim the Garden City.
Khalid Belisle
Khalid Belisle, Belmopan Caretaker, UDP
“It’s roughly eight months to go by the time we hit the end of this month, Shane. You are really going to see not only our city council team, but myself out on the streets going house to house visiting residents. I prefer to listen rather than to speak. I would much rather hear what is on the minds and in the hearts of residents of the city as we prepare to contest an election so that provided that we are successful when we win, then the incoming city council will be able to address those concerns in as timely and prompt a fashion as they possibly can, no?”
We visited City Hall to ask Mayor Pablo Cawich about the work his council is putting in and how he plans to stave off the challenge from Belisle’s UDP slate.
Pablo Cawich
Pablo Cawich, Mayor, Belmopan
“ My team and I have submitted our application. The full team, we are running again as a team. And the deadline you’re referring to is the PUP application deadline. So yes, we are running under the PUP banner again, and we do all have intentions to continue serving the people of Belmopan. We continue trying to improve services for the public. We are scheduled to release some new systems that will hopefully bring benefits and ease of access to our residents.”
Even with a long history of political scandals in Belmopan, and plenty of ammunition for both sides, candidates say they’re steering away from mudslinging and committing to clean, issues-focused campaigns.
Pablo Cawich
“Politics is politics and it is a very nasty game. I don’t – I personally don’t like the negativity in politics.”
Khalid Belisle
“I personally don’t lean into those negative aspects of our politics. Anybody that knows me will understand that’s not what I’m about. I have never been about trying to stand on the shoulders of somebody else by, by bringing them down to elevate myself.”
Honorable words by men who will no doubt be urged by their teams to use all the dirty tricks to secure victory in the scandal-rocked capital city. Shane Williams for News Five.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.