Minister of Education and party chairman, Patrick Faber picked up major support over the weekend in his bid for U.D.P. deputy party leader. Faber hosted delegates from the entire Belize District at an event on Saturday night. Of the thirteen constituencies, eleven offered support. Big players in the U.D.P., such as two former party leaders, […]
The second highest post in the country is that of the Deputy Prime Minister, which is currently held by Gaspar Vega. The post is usually held by the Deputy Party Leader of the ruling political party but the powerful Vega will face a challenge at the United Democratic Party Convention in February 2013. The Chairman […]
Also in the political arena, a report on gender and politics was released this morning by the National Women’s Commission and the scale is heavily tipped in favor of men. The report looks at the situation of women’s representation globally, in the Caribbean region and narrows it down to Belize. It also studied the data […]
With the number mothers and newborns who have suffered severe complications, the People’s United Party says the time has long passed for stringent action. The P.U.P. is calling for the immediate suspension of the doctors and other medical personnel involved in alleged crisis at the Northern Regional Hospital. It also wants an independent investigation to […]
The government’s counter offer is posted on the Central Bank of Belize website. But the bond was not the only item of business attended to at today’s House Meeting. Eight bills and two motions were vetted into a compact session. There was a frivolous argument over two ambulances that were donated by a group in […]
The United Democratic Party is heading to its national convention next February. For months there have been signs that Party Chairman and Minister of Education, Patrick Faber would launch a challenge to unseat Gaspar Vega who is the Deputy Party Leader and the sitting Deputy Prime Minister. Faber has been an up and coming heavyweight […]
The Prime Minister also touched on his party’s internal politics. Minister of Education Patrick Faber will reportedly be mounting a challenge against the Deputy Prime Minister, Gaspar Vega. Faber wants to unseat Vega as deputy party leader. Under Vega’s watch, the U.D.P. stronghold in the north was severely diminished in the last general elections. Prime […]
As we reported on Friday there is a turf war in the Corozal Bay where the former opposition standard bearer Gregorio “Papas” Garcia was removed at a sudden closed door meeting on Saturday. The constitution of the People’s United Party is explicit that elections for the constituency’s executive must be held only with prior notice, […]
In news of a political nature, there is trouble tonight in the usually united Northern Caucus of the P.U.P. According to reports, Florencio Marin, Deputy Party Leader and Corozal South East Representative Florencio Marin Jr. is trying to flex his muscle in the caucus by endorsing a New Executive in the Corozal Bay. At the […]
This afternoon, the Peoples United Party (P.U.P.) held a two hour press conference inside the Independence Hall headquarters. The room was filled with party supporters and elected representatives. The focus of the press conference was to update the nation on crime and health. Doctor Marco Tulio Mendez, the Area Representative for Orange Walk East delivered […]
Crime was the second focus of today’s press conference and the keynote was delivered by Party Chairman, Henry Charles Usher. Usher did not mince words for the Ministry of National Security, which he believes is failing the country. Instead of providing solutions, Usher lambasted the Minister of National Security for touring the police stations. […]
Earlier in the newscast we told you about the P.U.P.’s press conference that focused on crime and healthcare. During the Q and A session, Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca fielded questions about the government’s bond negotiation with international creditors. Fonseca believes the government’s negotiation has stalled. Moreover he says that his Party has still […]
There’s a new initiative to encourage women to participate in electoral politics. The Women’s Issues Network Belize has embarked on a two year project, starting with a two-day forum at the Radisson that brought out about one hundred and twenty-five participants from across the country today. Belize has had little female representation in the National […]
Although the talk at the House was strictly about sugar, all was not sweet. The Opposition took a few aimed shots at Minister of Immigration Godwin Hulse for his remarks about the B.S.I. sale to ASR. Hulse, who is also a farmer, was appointed to the B.S.I. Board before his ministerial appointment and has remained […]
While it appeared in our first story that there were fiery exchanges between the Prime Minister and the Opposition, it was more a juxtaposition of points rather than a heated exchange. That is because when the PM was wrapping up the debate sometime after one o’clock, aiming his usual first shot at Said Musa, the […]
It has been a month of celebrations to mark the anniversary of Independence and over on Queen Street, the People’s United Party is also gearing up to celebrate its sixty-second birthday. It’s a huge moment because last September, the P.U.P. also suffered a major loss with the death of George Price, under whose leadership nationhood […]
This Wednesday, a thirty day grace period for a missed coupon payment of the five hundred and fifty four million dollar super bond is due. Up to news time there not been word from the government and the Debt Review team on whether the payment will be met but there are reports that government has […]
Earlier in the month the executive of the People’s United Party took an unusual decision, which goes against the well established party regulation that allows challenges to the current leadership. The resolution protects the party leader and current elected P.U.P. area representatives from challenges at the next national convention. The resolution was presented by deputy […]
From time to time we have reported on alarming land transactions at the Ministry of Natural Resources. The allegations have centered on what is considered ministerial abuse in the sale of huge acreages of prime land to family members or highly connected party supporters at rock bottom prices. Recently, we reported on a long list […]
Well this morning, the P.U.P. called a press conference on the statement made by the prime minister. The main star was village council chairman Orlando Balam who was brought in from the north to clear up the mess of land purportedly issued in San Jose Nuevo Palmar, to Florencio Marin Jr. Balam exonerated the Corozal […]
But who’s telling the truth? Marin Junior, who has been at the center of the controversy, called into question the prime minister’s integrity following remarks made during the special sitting in which P.M. Barrow accused him of land grabbing. According to Marin, he declared all of his assets before the Integrity Commission when he was […]
Also taking the podium at Independence Hall, was Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca, who condemned the blatant nepotism which he alleges is taking place at the Ministry of Natural Resources. Fonseca charged that the entire Lands Department is littered with family and friends of Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega who have been appointed to key positions […]
The P.U.P. is condemning the lack of adequate notice for Friday’s House sitting. According to the P.U.P., members of the opposition received notice of Friday’s meeting on Tuesday and a bare agenda on Wednesday. The party is railing up that the government is hiding behind the so called special meetings to prevent the opposition from […]
Day two of the annual budget debate continued today inside the House of Representatives, where members from both sides of the floor scrutinized the fiscal budget for 2012-2013. By far, the most engaging exchange took place this afternoon between Caribbean Shores Area Representative, Santino Castillo and the member for Cayo South, Julius Espat. Espat, in […]
As we mentioned, Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat shared his view on the billion dollar budget earlier today, strongly criticizing the Barrow Administration for its highly praised pro-poor initiatives. He also had a few choice words for the Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation. On Wednesday, Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez’s presentation celebrated […]
