Leader of the Opposition

On Tuesday, September 17th, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño delivered his first State of the Nation address in the Capital City of Belmopan. The Prime Minister shared with Belizeans that the country's state is strong, and the gross domestic product has significantly increased, along with a robust tourism industry and a low unemployment rate. Among other important topics discussed, the highlight of his speech to many was the announcement of a break in income tax for wage earners making up to BZ$29,000 annually.

While across the country on Sunday, September 10th, Belizeans were celebrating the 225th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye, a group of Belizeans headed to the Sarstoon River on the southern border with Guatemala to celebrate the occasion with a flag-raising ceremony. The event was spearheaded by the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV), and as on previous occasions, it was interrupted by the Guatemalan armed forces. The BTV said the Guatemalan military personnel removed three Belizean flags planted on Belize’s soil. The Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to respond to this latest incident, but the Opposition issued a statement condemning the actions by the Guatemalan military.

During the recent sitting of the House of Representatives in the Capital City of Belmopan, the government introduced the 11th Amendment, which seeks to elevate the standard of members in the National Assembly. One feature of the bill is raising concerns with the Opposition in that it seeks to disqualify anyone from being an elected government member if convicted of a major crime and sentenced to over a year in Belize or the Commonwealth. Honorable Dr. Shyne Barrow, the Leader of the Opposition, was incarcerated in the United States for almost a decade and took this as a personal attack. The government, however, explained that it was not about Barrow’s situation but an attempt to set higher standards.

American Olympic saber fencer Monica Aksamit was spotted in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The Olympic medalist was seen having dinner at the Hidden Treasure Restaurant south of town on Wednesday, December 14th.

As confirmed in a zoom interview with reporters yesterday, August 22nd, by Chairman of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Senator Michael Peyrefitte, a protest took place in Belize City on Tuesday, August 23rd, against the current administration under the People’s United Party (PUP). Even though the Belize Police Department did not approve to conduct the demonstration, it went uninterrupted and with no incidents.

Moses 'Shyne' Barrow, a Belizean rapper who grew up in New York City, USA, was incarcerated for almost ten years following a shooting incident and then deported to Belize, has turned his life around in an extraordinary manner. On Sunday, March 27th, Barrow was elected party leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), which has minority representation in the National Assembly. The new leader now has the task of uniting the party and winning the 2025 general election.

In a rare occurrence, the Belizean Parliament joined forces on Friday, February 4th, during the Sitting of the House, and agreed on new legislation against gender-based domestic violence. The Bill sets out specific measures the government will take against this issue. The motion responded to the increasing reports of domestic abuse, including the recent allegation of abuse made against former UDP Leader of the Opposition Patrick Faber. 

On Tuesday, February 1st, and for the second time, the Area Representative of Mesopotamia, Honourable Moses 'Shyne' Barrow, was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition (LOO) under the United Democratic Party (UDP). This came after Patrick Faber resigned from the post after being involved in a domestic issue with his fiancée. Although he is no longer the LOO, Faber continues being the leader of the UDP.