Rifts within the United Democratic Party show no signs of healing, and tonight, a familiar face is stepping back into the political spotlight, but this time, with a message of both hope and frustration. U.D.P. Chairman Michael Peyrefitte officially re-entered the political arena last week, following what he described as a “unified agreement” among key party leaders, including Shyne Barrow, Hugo Patt, and Alberto August. The idea is to chart a clear and cohesive path forward for a party that has faced internal divisions in recent months. But that unity, it seems, may have been short-lived. Despite what Peyrefitte calls “significant concessions” made by senior members to foster reconciliation, he now says recent developments suggest the party remains fractured and elusive in its direction. So, what’s next for the U.D.P.? Peyrefitte tells us that discussions are underway to implement a new framework aimed at restoring party stability and rebuilding public trust. While details remain under wraps, he emphasized the urgency of the moment and the need for decisive leadership.
Michael Peyrefitte
Michael Peyreffite, Chairman, U.D.P.
“Well as I said last week or the week before when I came back as Chairman that we would be charting a way forward to bring about unity and peace within the UDP. As Chairman I called a leadership meeting, myself, Shyne Barrow, Hugo Patt, Alberto August, Omar Figuerroa, Tony Hererra and Aldo Salazar, those are the respective regional leaders and executives of the UDP. We decided we’d have a healthy, meaningful discussion and I am happy to report that things are looking very very very positive. There were people in that meeting who it would be fair for the public to say they were “pro-Shyne” and some were “Pro-Tracy”, it’s fair to say that and both sides had sober conversations with the first priority and only priority being the welfare of the UDP. We will be releasing to the media the terms of what we came to and to indicate the way forward what we will be presenting to the central executive and to the national party council but I think that we made great great progress together a lot of it has been miscommunication and I just thought that we have people in the room who can communicate properly and then disseminate that information to the rest of the party but as I said there will be more information coming out later on today.”
Just when it seemed the waters couldn’t get any murkier within the United Democratic Party, Chairman Michael Peyrefitte is stepping in to clear the air, both in the courtroom and within party ranks. In an interview with News Five, Peyrefitte broke down the legal interpretation behind Tracy Panton’s controversial expulsion, offering much-needed clarity on a ruling that’s sparked plenty of debate. But he didn’t stop there. The Chairman also addressed what he called ongoing “miscommunication” within the U.D.P., stressing the need for better internal dialogue to prevent further division.
Michael Peyreffite, Chairman, U.D.P.
“We had a ruling, a clarification ruling if you will, by Justice Hondora last week, in my view, in every respectable lawyer’s view, he did nothing more than just further explain his judgement and what the expulsion meant for Tracy Panton in particular. He just said that he gave a further definition of what void and no land void meant but it did not change the fact that he reiterated that for Mrs. Panton to be brought back into the UDP there has to be a vote, that part of the judgement was not changed and that part of the judgement in my view was even amplified and it’s not strange, it’s not strange That of course at the next NPC that will be coming up very shortly will be item one in the agenda, do you vote to bring back the honorable Panton from expulsion? Do you vote to have those members not in good standing be in good standing and I can tell you from my perspective I will be voting yes and have them come back, join back the UDP be a part of the UDP family so we can move on.”
The following story is from Caye Caulker, where the newly re-elected village council has issued a powerful and emotional press release addressing growing concerns about police conduct on the island. In a statement released earlier today, the Caye Caulker Village Council expressed deep concern over what they describe as a ‘slowly escalating level of violence and abuse of authority’ by local police officers, particularly toward the island’s youth. The Council emphasized that law enforcement should be a shield for all citizens, not just a select few. The release recalls a troubling pattern, cycles of abuse that have, tragically, ended in the deaths of young men from the community. A decade ago, a similar incident sparked national outrage. Now, the council is calling for action once again, urging that this latest tragedy be met not with retaliation, but with resolve. “We cannot remain committed against violence if we respond with violence,” the council stated. Instead, they are advocating for accountability, de-escalation, and a renewed focus on what community policing should truly mean, protection for every citizen, regardless of background or behavior. It leaves no room for doubt: breaking the law should not mean forfeiting one’s right to life, safety, or dignity. The council is urging that officers who serve must do so with integrity, restraint, and a commitment to justice, not brutality. The statement ends with a reminder that wearing a badge is not just a job, it’s a solemn duty to uphold the law to the highest standard. And in these difficult times, they are calling on the community to stand together, to demand better, and to ensure that Caye Caulker remains a safe haven for all. We’ll continue to follow this story closely and bring you updates as they unfold.
Tonight, a chilling case of blackmail takes center stage in the High Court. Elijah Buller, the man accused of threatening to kill his own uncle and family unless he was paid two thousand dollars, has officially pleaded guilty. The incident, which dates back to July 2023, shook a quiet neighborhood in Belize City, and now, nearly two years later, Buller is facing the consequences. This morning, before Justice Nigel Pilgrim, Buller was reindicted and once again heard the charge of blackmail read aloud. He accepted the agreed facts of the case and entered a guilty plea as part of a plea bargain with the Crown. The court confirmed that Buller’s plea was made voluntarily, without pressure or promises. The details are disturbing: a loud knock at the door, a firearm raised, and a terrifying threat: ‘You, your wife, and daughter will die if you don’t give me two thousand dollars by Sunday.’ That’s what Jason Reneau and his wife Sheila say they endured at the hands of a man they once called family. Now out on bail, Buller is set to be sentenced this Friday, July fourth, at nine a.m. He’s expected to receive a non-custodial sentence and will be ordered to pay compensation to his victims. We’ll be following this story closely and will bring you updates as they unfold.
Forty-nine-year-old Ervin Middleton has learned his fate after being convicted earlier this year for the rape of a thirteen-year-old girl. His sentence? Seventeen years, ten months, and twenty-seven days behind bars. Justice Nigel Pilgrim handed down the sentence today, calling Middleton a predator who abused trust and inflicted deep psychological harm on his young victim. The court heard that Middleton, more than thirty years older than the child, waited until she was alone before attacking her, an act the judge described as premeditated and deeply disturbing. The victim, now eighteen, bravely testified in court, recounting how her life was upended, not just by the assault, but by the emotional fallout, including being separated from her siblings and struggling academically. Her words painted a heartbreaking picture of trauma and isolation. Justice Pilgrim made it clear: the court has a duty to protect children and send a strong message, those who exploit positions of trust to harm minors will face serious consequences. Middleton’s sentence was increased due to aggravating factors, including his prior convictions and lack of remorse. He will also undergo mandatory counseling and psychiatric treatment while incarcerated. This case, dating back to 2020, has now reached its legal conclusion, but the impact on the victim, and the message to society will resonate far beyond the courtroom.
In the fight against crime and the illegal flow of firearms across Belize, a new tool is now in the hands of law enforcement, thanks to a continued partnership with the Organization of American States. Today, the OAS officially handed over a third firearm marking machine to the Ministry of Home Affairs during a ceremony at its Belize City headquarters. Belize first received one of these machines back in 2011, followed by a second in 2023. Both are currently used by the Belize Police Department to mark police-issued weapons. But this third machine? It’s expected to play a broader role in tracking and controlling firearms across the country. News Five’s Paul Lopez has more on how this latest addition could help tighten the net on illegal gun trafficking. Here’s that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The Organization of American States (OAS) donated a third firearm marking machine to Belize today, aimed at helping track and control guns. The machine will be used by the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board as part of ongoing efforts to fight gun violence. Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa accepted the donation on behalf of the government.
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“This firearm marking machine we are receiving today, thanks to the OAS, has been used in automative, aerospace, medical and by heavy and light industries. It will allow the FACB to permanently mark firearms with unique Identification details, such as country code, serial numbers, model information and other identifying marks. Once a firearm is marked, it will enable the FACB and other relevant authorities to trace the origin and movement of firearms which is crucial in criminal investigations and will also serve as a tool to prevent arm trafficking and to hold gun owners and licensed gun dealers accountable who are in possession, sale or the use of firearms.”
When it comes to fighting gun crime, every detail matters and according to Belize’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bart Jones, that includes the tiny markings on a firearm. Speaking on the importance of firearm marking, Jones says each unique stamp tells a story, from the weapon’s legal origin to whoever ends up holding it. It’s a powerful tool for law enforcement, helping trace guns used in crimes and holding the right people accountable.
Bart Jones
Bart Jones, Deputy Commissioner of Police
“Why do markings matter? The unique markings in etched in weapons tell a story. It enables us to trace firearms from its lawful origins to the last point of possession. In practical terms this donation strengthens our investigative reach, reduces time to solve gang related crimes and most important save lives.”
OAS Country Representative, Doctor Luiz Coimbra emphasized the organization’s support for member states like Belize in combatting gun violence. He explained that this support begins with capacity building or ensuring that countries are in possession of the right tools to trace firearms and identify those being used in illicit activities.
Luiz Coimbra
Dr. Luiz Coimbra, Country Representative, OAS
“Today the Organization of the American States through the Program of Assistance on the Control of Firearm and Ammunition is donating a third firearm machine to the Government of Belize. PACAM is a comprehensive strategy of the OAS to support the efforts of its member states to reduce armed violence through the prevention and control of the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition. One of PACAM’s components focuses on the strengthening of state capacities to control and authorize access to arms and ammunition, considering the obligations of the Interamerican convention against illicit manufacturing and of trafficking in firearms, ammunition, explosive and other related materials.”
Magistrate Mannon Dennison, who serves on the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board, took a moment to thank the OAS for its continued support. He also reaffirmed the board’s commitment to doing its part, making sure the mandate to regulate and monitor firearms in Belize stays on track.
Mannon Dennison
Mannon Dennison, Member, Firearms Control Board
“We are grateful for the assistance that has been given to us by OAS. Whenever we ask they reach out, whether it is for machinery, tools to assist in the fulfillment of our mandate or for training, they are always there. We are grateful.”
The machine will support the ministry and the Firearms and Ammunition Control Board in enhancing firearms traceability and strengthening controls against the illicit trafficking of these items in Belize. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
Tonight, the backbone of northern Belize’s agriculture is officially in crisis. In a rare and urgent move, the four major sugarcane producers’ associations have come together to declare a state of emergency in the sugar industry. The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association, Northern Sugar Cane Growers Association, and Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association say the industry is under siege from pests, disease, and the growing threat of climate change. Yields are down, quality is suffering, and livelihoods are on the line. In a joint resolution, the associations are calling on the government to act now. Their proposals include a levy on molasses-based alcohol to fund a Cane Sustainability Fund, a price hike on domestic sugar with most of the gains going toward sustainability, and a boost in electricity tariffs from bagasse to support green infrastructure. Without swift and decisive intervention, Belize’s largest agricultural foreign exchange earner could collapse. The resolution has been formally submitted to Prime Minister John Briceño and key ministers. The clock is ticking.
Fifty million dollars in losses, and that’s just the beginning. Belize’s sugar industry is facing a serious threat, and it’s coming from a fast-spreading plant fungus called fusarium. It crossed over from the north in 2024 and wasted no time, covering five miles in just five weeks. Now, not a single sugarcane field in northern Belize has been spared. So, what exactly is fusarium? How does it wreak havoc so quickly? And more importantly, what’s being done to stop it before the next crop is wiped out? News Five’s Paul Lopez breaks it all down in this week’s Five Point Breakdown.
(Where Did Fusarium Originate?)
It started just across the border in Chetumal, and now it’s taken over every sugarcane field in northern Belize. Researchers at the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute, SIRDI, have traced the origins of the destructive fusarium fungus to neighboring Mexico. In just a few months, it spread like wildfire, carried by air, water, and even heavy machinery, wreaking havoc across Corozal and Orange Walk. The fungus attacks the plant’s roots, cutting off its access to water and nutrients, and forcing it to fight for survival.
Marvin Garcia
Marvin Garcia, Extension Officer, SIRDI
“But since this fusarium is so aggressive, it cannot fight it. We need to the plant in this case.”
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Sugarcane is the economic lifeline in northern Belize and now this all-important plant is being wiped out by a deadly soil-borne fungus, fusarium. Today, we found out that of the tens of thousands of acres not a single one is fusarium free.
(How Fusarium Attacks)
Marvin Garcia
“Once the fusarium is in the roots, they concentrate themselves in blocking the xylem, responsible for transporting the water to the plants. Once that is blocked nothing can go up and they start to deteriorate the roots. Once that happens like what you are seeing, this is a plant that has seven leaves; two of them are healthy. The rest are already infected with the yellow coloration. The ones infected are not fully functioning doing photosensitize.”
(Policy Makers Declare Existential Crisis)
There’s growing concern in the sugar industry, and stakeholders are sounding the alarm. If the fusarium fungus continues to spread, the 2026 crop could see some of the lowest sugar yields in history. And the warning signs are already here. Just five days ago, this year’s sugar season came to an early and disappointing end, with Prime Minister John Briceño calling it the worst crop in recent memory. The industry’s projected loss this year is estimated at fifty million dollars. The prime minister declared the fusarium attack an existential crisis.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“We cannot and we will not allow, what happened to the sugar industry in the south to happen to our sugar cane farmers in the north.”
The Minister of Agriculture, Jose Mai says the worst may be ahead of us.
Jose Mai
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“We expect that those fields showing mild chlorotic symptoms will produce very little cane this year coming. If we see a field showing one third chlorotic symptoms, by the end of this year the entire field will be covered.”
(Farmers Taking Home Less Income)
Farmers who rely on bank loans to grow sugarcane are feeling the pinch. With crops dying and yields dropping, many are struggling to cover basic needs like education and household expenses. On Monday, four sugar associations came together with a clear message: the industry is at a breaking point. They’re now calling for higher prices on molasses, local sugar, and electricity generation to help offset their growing losses.
Alfredo Ortega
Alfredo Ortega, Chairman, BSCFA
“As we speak right now, today is them, and this fusarium is spreading fast. So, if we don’t do anything right now, if we don’t get the assistance needed then we will end up with a sugar industry where we don’t have any production.”
Vladamir Puck
Vladamir Puck, Chairman, CSCPA
“How will they service their fields, how will they feed their families? That is something this government should look after, how this year or how future years will be treated.”
(Trichoderma: The Hope of the Sugar Industry)
But all hope is not lost in the medium and long term. There is a silver lining in this dark cloud, Trichoderma is a fungus proven to be stronger, more aggressive and able to defend the sugarcane plant against fusarium. The experts at SIRDI are studying this defense mechanism, using four strains from different parts of the world, through confrontation tests.
Luis Gongora
Luis Gongora, Laboratory Officer, SIRDI
“As you can see from the plates, this white stuff is the fusarium affecting the sugarcane. And then the green stuff here is the Trichoderma fungus. As you can observe here it already engulfed the fusarium here.”
Paul Lopez
“How are these one performing?”
Luis Gongora
“Pretty good also. Here at the top is the fusarium and the green stuff here is the Trichoderma. It has reached to the point where the fusarium is. So the fusarium wont continue developing. And this other plate, the Trichoderma has already engulfed the fusarium and you cannot see it here. It means this strain is pretty good, aggressive.”
Marvin Garcia
“This is a very serious pest we have. It is going to really affect us. But after all I have this confidence that the roots are going to get clean over again and we are going to continue. We might be living along with this pest, but we will still be able to produce.”
The Government of Belize has already committed five hundred thousand dollars to a pilot project that will see this biological control applied to fields to combat fusarium. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
So, while those confrontation tests are yielding positive results, Minister of Agriculture Jose Mai says the industry will likely have to wait an entire year to see vast improvements. That spells trouble for the next sugar crop, as biological threats to the industry multiply.
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
“But we also hope to have positive results from what we are doing now. The cure for brining back the industry has to start now. We may not see results immediate this year, but next year we may start to see positive results. Right now we are only looking at controlling the fusarium fungus and we are now informed that it is not only fusarium. It is accompanied by other pathogens. Nematodes could be one of them, but we have sent samples for testing for nematodes. Fusarium is not working alone. It is a compliment. We know fusarium is one, stemborer is another one. We suspect nematodes but we have sent samples for testing. So yes the situation is serious.”
On Tuesday, we took you to Laughing Bird Caye National Park, just off the coast of Placencia, where we got a close-up look at the incredible work being done by the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future and its partners to protect our precious marine spaces. Well tonight, we’re heading even farther south, this time to the breathtaking Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. There, with support from the Belize Fund, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment, and the Belize Coast Guard, a dedicated team is working tirelessly to safeguard not just Belize’s borders, but the rich natural treasures they hold. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Just thirty-seven miles off the coast of Punta Gorda lies one of Belize’s most prized, and most contested, natural treasures: the Sapodilla Cayes. This stunning atoll, rich in marine life, has long been the subject of territorial claims by both Guatemala and Honduras. And with its abundant resources, it’s no surprise that fishermen from across the border often venture into these waters. But there’s a renewed sense of hope for the future of this marine reserve. Thanks to support from the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment is on the ground, making sure these protected areas are truly protected. Executive Director Leonardo Chavarria Jr. gives us a closer look at the impactful work TIDE is doing with the help of the Belize Fund.
Leornardo Chavarria Jr.
Leornardo Chavarria Jr., Executive Director, TIDE
“Under the Belize Fund Project, what we do is that our rangers are fully equipped, so we have the vessels to undertake effective patrols. We have the different capacity building for rangers under the project and the living facilities. The accommodations that you see here on Hunter’s Caye are all funded by the Belize Fund, and of course other partners that have engaged over the years.”
In just four years, the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve has grown massively, from thirty-eight thousand acres to over three hundred thousand. That’s more than eight times its original size. It’s a huge area to manage, but the team at TIDE didn’t back down from the challenge. After spending more than three years studying the region, they officially stepped in to co-manage the reserve in 2023. And get this, they’re doing it all with just seven rangers. That’s right, seven people covering the entire reserve, without any direct presence from the Fisheries Department. So how do they do it? TIDE’s Project Manager, Florencio Coc, gives us a look at how his team is making it happen.
Florencio Coc
Florencio Coc, Project Manager, TIDE
“Our mandate is to execute the fisheries guidelines. That is our mandate. So in terms of anything that has to do with illegal entry, that goes channeled on to the immigration officer. Anything else? Immigration officer or the Coast Guard, because again, the Coast Guard also has a mandate as. As us if we are not present here, the Coast Guard has the legal authority to make arrests the same for immigration. So anything else that falls under the Fair Fisheries, it is us that conducts.”
Protecting the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve isn’t without risk. Many of the fishers who cross into Belizean waters are armed and may resist arrest. That’s why TIDE teams up with the Belize Coast Guard. Twice a day, two Coast Guard officers join TIDE patrols to help keep the team safe. Lieutenant Allen Armstrong explains the vital role they play in these joint operations.
Lieutenant Allen Armstrong
Lieutenant Allen Armstrong, Belize Coast Guard
“We also conduct what we call the Operation Lighthouse, or better known as theDotted Line Patrol. The Dotted Line patrol is whereby we conduct patrols from here out at Hunter’s Caye all the way to Sarstoon. This is along the equidistance line, so this is patrols that is conducted. At least four times per the month, so it’s one per week. Beside from that, we also conduct what we call the Corona Reef Patrols as well. The Corona Reef Patrol are better known as the Cayman Crown Patrol is also conducted once per week, so these patrol are conducted. Four times for the month as well. So we’re looking at eight patrols at the post guard does within the Cayman Crown, and then along the dotted line for the entire month.”
It’s one of the most beautiful, and most vulnerable, locations in Belize’s southern waters. The Cayman Crown area of the Sapodilla Cayes sits right along the border with Guatemala, and that makes it a hotspot for illegal fishing. In just the past two years, authorities have intercepted ninety-eight vessels and seized seventeen pieces of illegal fishing gear, including gill nets and long lines, many of them traced back to this very area.
Leornardo Chavarria Jr
“One of the primary concerns that we have is the issue of this by nature is a transboundary area. So we have a lot of illegal fishing that is carried out by our Guatemalan and Honduran neighbors. So we have fishing communities from Guatemalan and Honduras who are in close proximity, about forty-five minutes from here. And then they engage in illicit fishing activities. So they use gill nets, which are very destructive. They use long lines. They do night fishing. They use illicit spears for example. And so these type of things are already major concern to us because they do not fish like Belizean. These people, we have like hundreds of fishers that are utilizing these waters and doing so illegally.”
So far this year, the Belize Coast Guard has hauled in over fifteen thousand feet of gill nets, that’s roughly a hundred nets taken out of our waters. And they’re not doing it alone. With support from the Belize Fund through the Government Strategic Allocation program, the Coast Guard has stepped up its game. They’ve added two high-tech drones to their toolkit, these can soar up to thirteen thousand feet and cover distances of up to one hundred and ten miles, giving them a serious edge in spotting illegal activity from the sky.
Lieutenant Allen Armstrong
“Of recent, we’ve been using it mostly in what we call area two down south, which is by Barranco. So the drones would, or the drone team would then use these drones to go out, monitor the area, and once we encounter or see any Guatemalan fishers in the area, then of course the patrols would then go out and then intercept these vessels.”
Thanks to support from the Belize Fund, TIDE now has a powerful long-range camera stationed on Hunter’s Caye. It can spot activity up to ten miles away, day or night. On days when the sea is too rough for patrols, this camera becomes an extra set of eyes on the water, helping protect Belize’s marine reserve even when boots can’t be on the ground.
Leornardo Chavarria Jr.
“The Belize Fund has also provided the Belize marine protected areas network of which TIDE is a part of with, allocation for ranger salaries for an additional two year basis. So in other words the Belize Fund currently pays rangers working out here. And likewise, we have a big project that is about to complete in the next year or so, and we are eligible to reapply for another project.”
From north to south, Belize’s ocean spaces are getting a boost, thanks to the Belize Fund. Whether it’s protecting coral reefs, supporting marine patrols, or funding high-tech tools, BFSF is helping organizations across the country keep our waters safe, healthy, and thriving. Britney Gordon for News Five.
