By: Staff Writer
March 7, 2025
General elections in Belize is set to take place on March 12 with Belizeans set to either re-elect Prime Minister and leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP) Johnny Briceño and his team, or elect leader of the opposition People’s United Party (PUP), Moses Michael Levi Barrow and his slate of candidates.
Briceño said earlier this year that he plans to retire after his second term. Briceño mentioned that this decision has been a topic of discussion with his family, considering he has dedicated over 30 years to public service in the political arena. “It’s quite likely this will be my last election,” he said. “That’s my plan. I will continue managing the party and, more importantly, the government the way we have done so far, with a firm hand.” Briceño stated that if he is re-elected, he will complete his final term in office by delivering his best work, after which he plans to retire to spend more time with his family.
One poll conducted by Viking Strategies last year said that Belizeans are concerned about the high levels of crime under the UDP government.
That same poll also said that for the economic situation in Belize, most of the respondents indicated that they have enough money to buy the necessities and extras to purchase other items, but they cannot afford major purchases like a car. Five years ago, these respondents were stating the opposite, which is that they had money to purchase food, but they were struggling to pay their utility bills.
There are over 90 candidates vying for different constituencies across Belize with the UDP fielding 41 candidates to the PUP’s 31 candidates.
Barrow, who is the son of former Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow, is trying his hand at the political scene in his country of birth after having spent many years in the USA as a hip-hop artist. “Shyne,” as Barrow’s stage name, was deported from the USA in 2009 after having spent time for a nightclub shooting in 2001 where the now infamous music producer, Sean “Diddy” Combs was involved.
There is also a third party vying for seats. The People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) officially launched its Manifesto earlier this week. The PDM presented a document that details the party’s values and priority areas for its four candidates. The manifesto contains 21 development pillars which are grouped under the areas of reform, empowerment, and prosperity. In its agenda, the PDM unveiled ambitious goals such as constitutional reform which would see the Prime Minister Elected in the same way a mayor is elected in the municipal elections. The party is also pushing for a proportional representation model of governance, which it says will allow for greater accountability in government. Party Chairman George Myvett says that the Manifesto will guide the PDM in providing Belizeans with an alternative from the major political parties.