New Political Parties Announce Candidacies to Challenge Belize’s Two-Party System

Several political newcomers are looking to throw their hat in the ring on Election Day. At today’s meeting, the Belize Justice Movement (BJM) and the General Opportunity Development (G.O.D) Party announced their intentions to take on the two mass parties. The BJM says it will be putting forward a total of fourteen candidates across the country and is open to accepting additional members. The BJM’s Leader Rudy Wade spoke to our newsroom about his rationale for entering the political arena and his party’s chances.

Rudy Wade, Leader, BJM: “It’s so sad in this country how this two party system has us, especially the youths because they don’t really know the history of these people. So if you dig back on the history of these people you kinda want to think twice voting a PUP or a UDP. But if we watch how this two party system governs our country for decades I mean they don’t want people to be empowered. So hopefully at some point the Belizean people will see a need for change because you know 2025 where we’re at. So you know we need change and the only thing that can happen in terms of change is the people. Because they are the only ones that can make the change.”

While the BJM has several candidates, the G.O.D Party is a one-man show. Its leader Francisco Escobar is seeking to run in the Cayo North Division and says he has a plan to grow the economy. 

Francisco Escobar, Leader, G.O.D Party: “I have my manifesto made and accordingly even the PUP has been using it so it must be very good.”

Reporter: So based on today’s meeting do you feel that you have everything prepared moving forward to the general elections ? 

Francisco Escobar, Leader, G.O.D Party: “Oh I’ve been prepared from 2020. So what I have been seeing that it’s good if it’s been used by the PUP it’s good enough for me too so that gave me a lot of motivation to put my name on the ballot. If you want to change things you have to be made. Next thing is that I am not trying to continue this borrowing from I’d rather try to grow my own money in Belize and to help everybody else. So to end poverty you cannot be borrowing and borrowing so you’re making the people more poor. So if we learn to grow our own money we can develop and most of the things that PUP are doing halfway.”

Cyril Uruwei was the only independent candidate to attend today’s meeting. He will be seeking to represent the Dangriga Constituency.