Area Representative

After years of community requests, the Department of the Environment (DOE) is preparing to open an office in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The tentative opening date is mid-June, and the office will have jurisdiction over Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Caye Chapel. The San Pedro DOE office will collaborate closely with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, further emphasizing the community's role in this endeavor.

San Pedro Town Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez announced his bid for Area Representative in Belize Rural South (Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker) (BRS) on April 29th. For the electorate, this meant challenging the current Area Representative, Honourable Andre Perez, a member of his own party, the People’s United Party (PUP). Nuñez was determined. However, a directive from the PUP Secretariat has reportedly forced him to reconsider his decision. The note allegedly said that none of the recently elected Mayors would be allowed to participate in any contested convention for the post of standard bearer. The note added that a mayor could only participate in an endorsement convention if no other candidate was interested in the seat.

San Pedro residents commemorated Earth Day on Saturday, April 20th, with an educational and fun fair at the Boca del Rio Beach Park. The family activity was themed ‘Neon Glow Night.’ The gathering included educational booths, mechanical games, music, lively presentations highlighting the importance of preserving the planet, and the presence of Miss Earth Reyna Choj.

Area Representative for Belize Rural South (BRS) (Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker), Honourable Andre Perez, donated several wheelchairs to San Pedro Lions Club members. The handing over of the wheelchairs took place on Wednesday, January 24th, at the BRS office on Coconut Drive.

Area Representative for Belize Rural South (BRS) (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker), Honourable Andre Perez, was granted a leave of absence from Cabinet and consequently from his Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation in August 2023 following allegations against him from a woman. An investigation was to occur before his return to Cabinet. Almost five months have passed, and the BRS representative remains out of Cabinet without a ministry. On Wednesday, January 17th, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño told the media that no decision has been made regarding Perez's return to Cabinet and his ministerial duties.

Following a meeting on Saturday, September 2nd by the National Party Council (NPC) of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Jazelie ‘Jaz’ Azueta was formally removed as Standard Bearer for the Belize Rural South (BRS) constituency. According to members within the party, this is the consequence of not supporting the protest held by Belize City members of the UDP in San Pedro Town on Thursday, August 31st, against the current People’s United Party (PUP) government. The decision to remove Azueta was not welcomed among UDP supporters on the island, and on Monday, September 4th, Azueta released a statement on her dismissal.

Students in North Ambergris Caye will no longer struggle with transportation. For families living ten miles north of San Pedro Town, sending their children to schools in the downtown area has been especially difficult. Following an agreement between island businessman Walter Moreno and the local authorities (San Pedro Town Council), a solution has decided. The deal entails that Moreno’s company Elite Transfers, transports the students to and from their schools and, in return, is receives fuel assistance. Moreno is transporting 15 students from the northern community.

The 44th Zone 59 Lions Club National Convention was held over the weekend in San Pedro Town, hosted by the island’s local Lions Club. The three-day event started on Friday, May 12th, when attendees and conventioneers reflected on the goals and objectives of Lionism. The convention saw the participation of all active Lion Clubs in the country from Belmopan City, Belize City, San Estevan, the host San Pedro and two recently installed branches in Sarteneja Village and Corozal Town. The annual event also included the participation of a special guest from Campeche, Mexico.