2025-06-11 - Greater Belize Media

Shyne to Hugo: I am Party Leader

A legal notice issued by Pitts Pitts & Associates on behalf of Moses “Shyne” Barrow tells Hugo Patt that Barrow is the Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

The letter dismisses any claims of an interim leadership and warns of legal consequences for further attempts to ‘unseat him.’

The letter said, “This is a position that he was duly elected to via a National Convention in March 2022 and August 2023. Whereas you continue to serve as the 1st Deputy Leader of the UDP, Hon. Dr. Barrow at all material times continues to be Leader of the UDP. Therefore, we reiterate that there is no “interim” party leader, and there cannot be any without first undergoing the official processes outlined in the UDP Constitution, that would be ultra vires.”

The notice tells Patt that according to the UDP Constitution, any change in party leadership must occur through Article 9(7), which requires a two-thirds majority vote at a special National Convention. The legal team asserts that no such process has taken place, rendering any claims of interim leadership or actions taken by the Alliance for Democracy’s Convention as “null and void.”

“Party Leader Barrow’s March 17th 2025 resignation offer was never accepted by any Party Official which would have required further acceptance by the NPC who would have had to declare the Party Leader’s office vacant then set a date for a National Convention to elect a new Party Leader.”

UDP Power Struggle Continues: Hugo Patt Orders Boycott of June 14 NPC Meeting

Hugo Patt, interim Party Leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), is calling on all UDP delegates to boycott an National Party Council meeting scheduled for Saturday.

According to Patt, the meeting, summoned by Acting Party Chairman Alberto August, is being held against his directive and without proper consultation.

Patt revealed that he had formally instructed August to postpone the meeting to allow time for a joint review of the delegate list. However, August refused. As a result, Patt is urging all UDP members to boycott what he calls a “purported meeting” and instead wait for a properly convened session.

“For the sake of democracy and in the best interest of our beloved party, DO NOT attend the purported meeting,” Patt stated.

He also called on members across the country to rally behind their constituency organizations and support his stance. Patt assured members that steps will be taken to reschedule a legitimate NPC meeting “at the earliest opportunity.”

Belize Backs Global Commitment to Protect Climate-Resilient Coral Reefs

Belize has joined a global coalition of 12 countries pledging to protect climate-resilient coral reefs, signing on to a new commitment unveiled at the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France.

The initiative, led by WCS, WWF, The Nature Conservancy, and Papua New Guinea, aims to safeguard reefs most likely to withstand climate change. Signatories, including Belize, France, Indonesia, and Palau, have agreed to integrate reef protection into national climate and biodiversity strategies, reduce local threats, and prioritise community-led conservation.

Prime Minister John Briceño addressed the conference, saying, “As a small developing nation, our valiant conservation efforts alone can’t shield our oceans. The overarching, ever-reaching impacts of rising seas, warming temperatures and extreme weather of climate change dwarfs our actions. We need concerted, coordinated global action to protect our oceans for the benefit of generations to come.”

The pledge is supported by cutting-edge science, including WCS’s upcoming “50 Reefs+” analysis, and early backing from Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Global Environment Facility.

Head-On Collision Near Scotland Half Moon, No Fatalities

A head-on collision occurred earlier this morning near Scotland Half Moon in the Belize District, involving a white Ford SUV and another white vehicle.

Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.

According to preliminary information, the driver of the Ford SUV was reportedly overtaking a bus when the vehicle collided head-on with the oncoming car.

Photos from the scene show both vehicles suffered extensive damage to their front ends.

Despite the severity of the collision, all individuals involved sustained only minor injuries.

Howell Grange Reclaims Strength in Western New York

Belizean pilot Howell Grange is making a remarkable recovery in Western New York after surviving a rare and violent mid-air hijacking attempt that nearly cost him his life.

The Tro[ic Air captain was flying a routine route in mid-April when the plane was hijacker by 49-year-old American citizen and military veteran Akinyela Sawa Taylor. Taylor stabbed two passengers and the pilot, demanding the flight leave Belize, but was fatally shot by an armed passenger, allowing a safe landing in Ladyville.

Grange calls the day he survived the assault his “second birthday.”

News of the attack made its way to Dr. Richard, a chiropractor in West Seneca where Grange is now receiving intensive rehabilitation.

Through a family connection, Grange was introduced to Dr. Richard’s clinic, where a custom, high-intensity recovery plan was put in place. The program included multiple daily chiropractic and physical therapy sessions, along with additional recovery treatments.

“Two chiropractic sessions and two physical therapy sessions, and also a recovery session at our wellness center,” Grange told 2WGRZ.

While doctors describe his recovery as miraculous, Grange remains grounded and focused. “You never know how you’re gonna act on an emergency until you’re in an emergency. And I think I did very well. I think I did really, really well, actually,” he said.

“I forgive the guy, ’cause I don’t know what he was going through in life. But I forgive him. And that’s the only way I could move forward.”

Grange is nearing the end of his recovery program, with his doctors reporting he has already regained 95% of his physical function.