Politics and Government

With a margin of 19 votes, Patrick Faber narrowly wins the post of UDP leader-elect over John Saldivar. Wilfred Elrington took only 10 votes.

The Mayor of San Pedro Town, Daniel Guerrero, has shown his support to Belmopan Area Representative, Honourable John Saldivar for the leadership post of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP). On Sunday, July 12th, the UDP will host a second convention in Belize City to elect a party leader. The two aspirants for the post are Saldivar and Minister of Education, Honourable Patrick Faber.

The UDP will attempt to elect a new party leader on July 12th - contenders are Wilfred Elrington, Patrick Faber and John Saldivar.

The State of Emergency in Belize will officially be lifted as of July 1st. However, a few restrictions still remain, including masks and social distancing.

PM Barrow claims that talks were underway to secure funding to refurbish a former tourism property into a hospital, but COVID-19 happened.

"I write to register my deep concern that as you are the Area Representative for Belize Rural South and the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, there has been no public address by you, the Director of Tourism and the Director of Civil Aviation on the most devastating tourism crisis to hit Belize. After 3 months, at minimum, one should have heard from your Ministry on what plans, procedures or processes are being worked on to help with a slow restart of the industry, to guide the industry on preparing for the coming difficult months and since you are the current Area Representative, to help the residents of Belize Rural South for which tourism is the core of the revenue generation for the community."

Despite a previous July 1st start date to opening the International Airport, Belize has had to acquiesce to IATA's regulations to await rapid-testing for travellers.

Island leaders have gone on the record saying that no massive water taxi terminal will be built in front of the former Ruby’s Hotel - by SPBE or any water taxi company.