Breaking News - Greater Belize Media

Opposition Raises Concern Over Reported ‘Nepotistic’ Hiring in Corozal Bay

According to the U.D.P.’s Deputy Chairman, Alberto August, who is a member of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, there have been several nepotistic appointments. Reports are that the sibling of an elected area representative has been appointed as the New Elections and Boundaries Registrar for the Corozal Bay constituency. The U.D.P. says it raises concerns about her impartiality when conducting her duties. U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte told the media today that this is concerning.

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“We have serious concerns, especially when siblings of area reps or contestants for constituencies are working in the registration office. There is a lot that has to be done when a person is registered. You should go and check that the person lives there for example. Sometimes that has to take place at night, during the day. There is always the legitimate fear that if you have someone there assisting in a particular capacity then they can bypass all those checks and balances required for a person to be registered there. We would like to know exactly what role the person is playing there. We were informed for example that the relative of somebody in Corozal was employed for just a month. But, why just a month. What was so peculiar to have that person there for just a month. And, not only that, what did that person do, what was their role or purpose there. It just means we have to be vigilant with our scrutineering, we have to be vigilant to watch every aspect. Like when you play basketball sometimes you say, from the referee we have to beat.”

U.D.P. Criticizes New Minister of State Appointments

U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte also took shots at the Prime Minister for appointing additional ministers of state. As we reported, three elected area representatives were elevated to ministers of state. Peyrefitte questioned the purpose behind that decision and the role that newly appointed ministers of state will fill. Here is how he puts it:

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“I guess the prime minister must find employment for those he believes delivered in the March sixth elections, or at least to give them an inner track to maintain that majority of sixteen in the next general elections. So, he wants to keep everybody happy at any cost. But we must remember ministers of state are not full ministers. They don’t sign any statutory instruments. They don’t play any role other than being in between the CEO and the minister. The minister is the minister, John Briceno said that himself when referring to Chris Coye. I can’t see what the purpose of some of them was other than a bump in salary and privileges. Again, this government does strange things. We have a non-minister of state who is more powerful than certain ministers with Cabinet privileges. So, they create whatever they want to create. They come up with all sorts of things and so it would be interesting to know what these new ministers will do that the CEOs and the ministers were not doing before.”

U.D.P. Motion to Expel John Saldivar and Danny Grijalva Withdrawn

A motion voted on by the U.D.P.’s Central Executive to remove John Saldivar and Danny Grijalva as standard bearers for their respective constituencies has been withdrawn. The motion was tabled after Saldivar, Grijalva, and other U.D.P. officials, including Patrick Faber, boycotted the party’s national party council meeting. This did not sit well with certain members of the party. But cooler heads prevailed, and the U.D.P. is once again singing kumbaya—well, for now—as they work to establish a strong presence in the 2025 general election. Party Chairman Michael Peyrefitte told us more.

Michael Peyrefitte, Chairman, U.D.P.

“Cooler heads prevailed to the chagrin of the media. You don’t like to see the UDP at peace and moving forward. It is an internal matter. We are a democratic party you know. But we are also united in the cause to proper representation of the people. People have their opinions in the UDP. The opinions are strong and from time to time we make those opinions known and our opinions count. This is not like the PUP where a person like Allan Pollard, even though he tops the polls every time he is told he cant run for mayor. That is not the UDP. The UDP is open and democratic. People have their views and sometimes like any other family, it leads to some strong talks and some aggressive situations, but the cooler heads always prevail. That is the story of the UDP since 1973 and so it is not like anything to get excited about. It was an internal matter. It was dealt with internally and we moved forward.”

Belize On Reel

Books About Japan Donated to Leo Bradley Library

The Embassy of Japan in Belize donated an assortment of books to the Leo Bradley Library today. The donation falls under the Read Japan project which aims to provide readers with an accurate picture of Japan. While the project is mainly targeted at young researchers who are interested in Japan, it is also aimed at opinion leaders and intellectuals specializing in areas other than Japanese studies. Chief Librarian Lusiola Castillo says this will add to the library’s collection.

Lusiola Castillo, Chief Librarian

“Our patrons are always seeking new and relevant information to quench their information needs and for self-development. Therefore, we need to be constantly updating and expanding our collection to meet these needs. The Read Japan project, with its wide range of topics in its collection, will be an added collection that will enhance the knowledge acquisition of Belizeans and visitors alike. The books will compliment our international collection and provide interesting read to our patrons on Japan’s history, culture, society, literature, arts, economy, business, international relation, and politics. And as you can see the displays, we have some of the books that we have acquired through the collection to the project for the Leo Bradley library.”

BREAKING: Man Charged for American Woman’s Death

Police have charged forty-one-year-old Maynor Rene Ancona for the death of American national Jennifer Lynn Griffith. Ancona was charged with manslaughter by negligence. Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed to reporters today that Griffith died after being hit conch shell in the head. According to the Police Commissioner, Chester Williams, Ancone reportedly threw the conch shell by mistake during a brawl that took place in San Pedro Town over the weekend.

OJ Simpson Dies at 76

O.J. Simpson, the renowned football player and Hollywood figure who was famously acquitted of charges related to the killings of his former wife and her friend, has passed away at the age of 76. His family announced his death was from prostate cancer.

Simpson achieved immense fame and success in football and entertainment, but his life took a dramatic turn with the tragic events of June 1994, when his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman were killed. Despite being acquitted in a criminal trial, he was later found liable in a civil case and served prison time for unrelated offenses.

His arrest, especially the televised slow-speed chase, marked a stark fall from grace. Simpson’s life story seemed to transcend racial boundaries, from his days as a star athlete to his celebrity status.

The highly publicized trial, often dubbed the “trial of the century,” stirred national debates on race, domestic violence, and celebrity justice.

Despite damning evidence, including blood traces and a glove, Simpson’s defense famously argued, “If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit.”

Two Men Charged with Police Officer’s Murder

Investigators believe that twenty-nine-year-old Hugh Middleton and eighteen-year-old Marlon Gideon murdered police officer Dylan Anthony on Saturday, March 23rd. Police Commissioner Chester Williams told reporters on Monday that “from our investigation, it tells us that Gideon was the driver of the motorcycle and Milton was the pillion rider and the one who executed the act upon PC Anthony.”

The twenty-nine-year-old Camalote Village resident was on his way home when he was murdered in a case of mistaken identity.

Caribbean Opposition Leaders Form New Grouping

Over the weekend, seven opposition leaders from the Caribbean region gathered in Saint Lucia to establish a platform titled the ‘Leader of the Opposition Political Parties Forum’.

The meeting saw the participation of Allen Chastanet from Saint Lucia, Dr. Keith Mitchell from Grenada, Dr. Godwin Friday from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamal Pringle from Antigua and Barbuda. Also in attendance were Dr. Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow from Belize, Dr. Ronnie Yearwood from Barbados, and Roy McTaggart from the Cayman Islands.

According to Chastanet, the preliminary meeting focused on raising awareness about the constitutional significance and subsequent responsibilities tied to the role of the Opposition. He said that the meeting aimed to establish a framework for parliamentary oppositions across the Caribbean to exchange best practices and fortify their constitutional mandates.

‘Yellowman’ Withdraws Criminal Complaint against Shyne

Brian “Yellowman” Audinett withdrew the criminal complaint he filed with the Belize Police Department against Leader of the Opposition Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow. When News Five asked Police Commissioner Chester Williams the reason for Audinett’s decision to withdraw the complaint, he said, “I don’t know, I wish I would know but I don’t know.”

In a previous interview, Williams said that Audinett alleged that “information reaching him is that the leader of the opposition placed a hit on him.”

Audinett was fired from the United Democratic Party by Barrow. Barrow claimed that Audinett stole items from the party’s HQ. Audinett denied stealing anything.