Leader of the Opposition

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.

Domestic violence has been an ongoing issue affecting communities across the globe. The recent events involving public figures, such as the case between the Leader of the Opposition (LOO) and his fiancée, leave no doubt that this issue affects everyone in society. In San Pedro Town, stakeholders have launched initiatives such as Hope Haven Children’s Home and the Hope Haven Domestic Violence Outreach Center to tackle this concern and guide victims safely out of unhealthy situations.

Leader of the Opposition and the United Democratic Party, Honourable Patrick Faber, announced his resignation on Monday, January 24th, via Facebook. Both concessions are to become effective on January 31, 2022. Faber remains Area Representative for the Collet Constituency in the Belize District.