It is a by-election for a single town board seat that will have absolutely no effect on the balance of political power in Benque Viejo or anywhere else. But don’t tell that to the dozens of high-powered national political figures who descended on the hills of Benque like a swarm of red and blue locusts. […]
A swearing in ceremony for the president of the Senate and eleven Senators took place today at the National Assembly Room in Belmopan. The ceremony marked the official opening of the sitting of the first session of the ninth Senate. Sworn in at the opening session are: President Sylvia Flores, Vice President Clara Zetina, along […]
Barrow also announced that the party has replaced two of the standard bearers, citing personal commitment as the reasons why they will not be able to contest the upcoming general elections. Mario Galvez of Lake I, has been replaced by Louis Leslie, who ran an unsuccessful convention in the Port Loyola Division, and Colin Gillett […]
While today’s sitting of the House of Representatives was by all accounts routine, certainly the topics up for discussion weren’t. Today bills regarding terrorism, money laundering and liquor were ordered to lie on the table, and without much surprise, became the subject of debate. First up was the new law on terrorism, a subject which […]
Needless to say, the ongoing saga between Government and B.T.L. also got its time on the floor. Leader of the Opposition Dean Barrow got his piece in today, voicing concerns about the telecommunications contract between G.O.B. and Intelco. Barrow also addressed the latest political rumours that the United Democratic Party may be courting B.T.L.’s chairman, […]
The business community has announced its choice for Senator, as specified by the recent amendments to the constitution…and he is no stranger to government service. Fred Hunter served as member of the House of Representatives as well as a Minister in several PUP governments. He ended his political career as an organiser of an unsuccessful […]
In political news, the United Democratic Party has entered the fray over the future of telecommunications in Belize. In a press release issued today, the Opposition strongly denounced the deal made public yesterday between government and Intelco. According to the UDP, the fifteen-year exclusive contract under which Intelco will supply telecom services to the government […]
Benqueños are tonight preparing to be on the receiving end of what’s sure to be serious campaign efforts by both political parties. After Councillor Pedro Guerra Mena passed away late last year, the Ministry of Local Government has decided to hold a bi-election to fill his seat on the Town Council. News 5 understands that […]
The Opposition United Democratic Party has appointed a new Senator as prescribed by the new constitutional amendment. She is Maria Windsor of Benque Viejo. Windsor, a teacher for the past twenty years also has knowledge of journalism and curriculum assessment. She presently teaches English and Spanish at Mount Carmel High School in her hometown. Her […]
It has all the earmarks of reinventing the wheel, but Cabinet this week finally decided that fighting crime is so important that the Prime Minister will personally spearhead a set of initiatives to fight it. P.M. Said Musa will chair a ministerial committee consisting of Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Dickie Bradley, Mark Espat and Maxwell Samuels. […]
While the leadership of CAPU has been careful to keep the anti-BTL movement out of partisan politics, it is not surprising that both parties have sought to put their own spin on the protests. Leader of the Opposition Dean Barrow, has been vocal in his condemnation of government’s role in events leading up to the […]
It used to be that any dissension and debate in the ranks of Government took place in the veiled confines of the Cabinet room, and by the time the ruling party presented legislation to the House of Representatives, it was with the face of perceived unity. From there it would be expected that the issue […]
The United Democratic Party called a press conference this morning to expose what it claims is a major scandal in the Housing Department. Citing a leaked document from the Auditor General, area representatives Dean Barrow and Michael Finnegan alleged that L and J Trade and Management Company, appointed to collect loan payments on behalf of […]
Elections might be two years away but you’d never know it the way both political parties have tried to dominate the public stage. On Sunday, the United Democratic Party held its national convention at the Belize City Centre and by all accounts, music played, people came and the politicians took to the podium. News 5’s […]
On last night’s One on One, Prime Minister Musa focussed the discussion to the negative effects of September eleventh and Hurricane Iris that Belize will experience. P.M. Musa maintained that despite the grim outlook, he is confident that Belize will overcome the challenges ahead of her. Near the end of the hour, the P.M. switched […]
In this next story, we’ll let you connect the dots. In a government press release sent out late tonight from the office of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister John Briceño has agreed to REMAIN in the post as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, the Environment, Commerce and Industry. Both men have […]
The United Democratic Party won a victory last week when Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh ruled that land situated at the south end of the BelChina Bridge and home to UDP headquarters is in fact the property of the Opposition. Today in a defeat of sorts, CJ Conteh ruled that the UDP counterclaim for exemplary damages […]
While the PUP political volcano, which erupted on Friday, has now subsided to a state of occasional hissing and belching, the forces which lie beneath the surface are not expected to cool off any time soon. The resignation of Johnny Briceno from the post of Deputy Prime Minister has been confirmed, although he has agreed […]
The political rumour mill is still in high gear tonight after a midday news flash indicated that there had been at least two high level resignations from government. Sources close to the governmental hierarchy tell News 5 that this morning, Minister of Natural Resources Johnny Briceño handed in a letter, resigning from his post as […]
But the biggest story emerging from the Prime Minister’s press conference had nothing to do with the hurricane. This afternoon, the P.M. announced the Cabinet shuffle instigated by the resignation of Minister of National Security, Jorge Espat. In January, the Prime Minister will give up the Foreign Affairs portfolio to Ambassador Assad Shoman, who will […]
In other news that will only add to the Prime Minister’s financial headache, Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh ruled this morning that the Government of Belize acted wrongly when, following the 1998 elections, it occupied and constructed houses on land at the Bel-China Bridge owned by the United Democratic Party. In his ruling the Chief Justice […]
Ava Lovell “Janelle I understand you have some political news as well, could you enlighten us?” Janelle Chanona There are strong, rumours tonight, it has not been confirmed officially, but apparently Minister of National Security Jorge Espat has submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Musa. He apparently did this Monday night. But as I said, […]
The occasion was normal enough: the passing out ceremony of Recruit Squad Seventy-Four at the National Police Training Academy. But the guest speaker’s words were somewhat of a surprise. After congratulating the recruits and his ministry for their hard work, Minister of National Security Jorge Espat then began a barrage of criticisms against his government. […]
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Dean Barrow took a slightly different route, choosing to focus on what he believes are the shortcomings of the government in power. Dean Barrow, Leader of the Opposition “Millions are spent to build ninety thousand dollar homes that you can’t afford and even less want. And a new city not […]
On the political scene, the UDP standard bearer has been chosen for the Albert Division, and he might not be who you think. The campaigns were vigorous and candidates confident but in the end, the one who emerged victorious was Sydney Fuller. Fuller beat out his competitors, Delroy Cuthkelvin and Dale Trujeque by significant margins. […]
