Dr. Osmond Martinez Wins Toledo East with Sweeping Victory

Dr. Osmond Martinez is the new Area Representative for the Toledo East constituency after securing a sweeping three-to-one victory yesterday against UDP’s Dennis Williams and PNP’s Wil Maheia. His victory in the bi-elections has propelled him to Parliament after serving for over three years as Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Economic Development. Martinez and his party mobilized thousands of voters and numerous political leaders for the election, which saw a little over sixty percent in voter turnout. Reporter Vejea Alvarez was on the ground since Tuesday night and filed the following report.

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: Blue and white waves washed onto to Toledo East constituency yesterday as the People’s United Party’s Dr.Osmond Martinez secured a commanding win in the bi elections. It was a day filled with political fervor as voters turned out in significant numbers to elect Martinez as the new area representative. The political newcomer backed by his party mobilized massive support across the constituency culminating in him receiving 70% of the total votes. 

Returning Officer: “William Wil Maheai, 202 votes. Osmond Reynaldo Martinez 3,269 votes. Dennis Desho Williams 1,159 votes. I therefore declare Mr.Osmond Reynaldo Martinez as the duly elected candidate for the Toledo East division.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News:  Martinez bested his opponents Denis Williams and Wil Maheia by over two and three thousand votes respectively. A decisive win that he described as humbling and gratifying. 

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative, Toledo East: “First and foremost I want to say thank you to our Heavenly Father who gave me the strength and endurance and thank you to my family who suffered through this time and it’s a victory that was delivered. Thank you our Jesus Christ.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: Did you expect to win by such a huge margin ? 

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative, Toledo East: “We had our targets and we worked towards it. We did a lot of data science analysis. We were not worried about the margin our main objective was to win. “

Vejea Alvarez, Love News:  Throughout the day government ministers, CEOs, mayors and councilors under the PUP banner walked the constituency in support of Martinez. A strong political showcase that Prime Minister John Briceño says was the result of his party’s hard work and unity.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Here is another election where win three to one. It is a mandate. People are speaking out. The people are saying that they are satisfied with the work of the PUP government that we have been doing as best as we can, that we have turned this around in this country. When you look at where we were in November of 2020 what was the former Prime Minister saying ? That he weeps for the next government. We did not weep, we worked and look at where we are.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News:  While there was visibly weak turnout from the opposition throughout the day the Leader of the Opposition insisted that his party was cautiously confident and denied not having a well oiled political machine behind his candidate. 

Vejea Alvarez, Love News:  I haven’t seen some of the sitting members but we’ve seen other members of your party, talk to me about bringing them out. 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “Well I know you’ve seen Hugo Patt.”

Reporter: We spoke to Michael Peyrefitte too.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “But you’ve seen Hugo Patt he’s a sitting member.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News:  No I didn’t see him, where was he ? 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “He was right here in Bella Vista. So he’s a sitting member. Senator Herrera is a sitting member, Micael Peyrefitte is a sitting member, Mark O’brien was here he gave an interview.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News:  We didn’t see Ms.Tracy and Mr.Faber though.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “Tracy is out sick that’s why she hasn’t been attending. I guess Mr.Faber is in California.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: Of the 10 polling areas Martinez’s homeland Bella Vista saw the largest voter turnout which Martinez says not only reflects the community’s confidence in him but that of the entire constituency.

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative, Toledo East: “We won everywhere including Punta Gorda. I was well embraced and for the first time in history we won Monkey River. And the Mayan communities we did excellent there when you look at the numbers it’s almost 85% of the voters from there so while Bella Vista had the highest voter turnout that does not mean that it was only Bella Vista. It’s Toledo East that supported me today.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News:  It was also a record setting election for the PUP as the party not only buried the opposition but secured a victory in Monkey River after decades of losses in that community. That combined with Martinez’s sweeping win was a birthday gift welcomed by the Prime Minister. 

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “I’m not surprised. I knew were going to win and we were going to win big but now I’m being told the margins is 3:1. It’s really humbling that the people can give you that kind of support. And confidence in Osmond and the People’s United Party government.”

Paul Mahung, Toledo Correspondent: The People’s United Party Dr.Osmond Martinez has won in Monkey River.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Which is historic that has never happened. Obviously we’re very elated but now even in the hardcore NIP / UDP areas that the PUP can win it speaks volumes the work.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News: For Dr.Martinez the position is one that he hopes to use as a platform to uplift residents of his constituency and make meaningful changes in their lives. 

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative, Toledo East: “The celebration is fine but more important is for us to start to work, to do proper planning. I mean people who live in poverty have no time to wait you know and while we celebrate we have people that are hungry. This shows that of the unity of the party. We had support from each and every minister in one way or the other and again all that I can say is that the PUP is stronger than ever after four years in office and I think next year for general elections it will be be even stronger.”

Vejea Alvarez, Love News:  Martinez who replaces the Late Michael Espat will be sworn in sometime in August.