As Belize prepares for its March 2027 municipal elections, the ruling People’s United Party (PUP) has officially launched its full roster of mayoral and city council candidates, marking a major milestone in the country’s upcoming electoral cycle. The unveiling took place on Saturday, October 4, 2026, during the PUP’s National Party Council gathering held in Belize City, an event that doubled as a celebration of the party’s 76 years of political activity in the nation.
Across all nine of Belize’s municipalities, the PUP has put forward complete candidate slates, mixing first-time contenders with experienced incumbents seeking re-election. In the key race for Belize City mayor, Elude Miller was formally introduced to party members and supporters as the nominee to replace outgoing sitting Mayor Bernard Wagner. Miller will appear on the ballot alongside a 10-person council slate including Kaya Cattouse, Simon Noralez, Sherwin Garcia, Edmund Kwan, Dorian Usher, Darwin Leslie, Stephanne Hamilton, Kirkland Smith, Brendan Bouloy and Kristian Alpuche. Addressing the crowd, Miller emphasized that while internal debate is natural, collective unity around the party’s mission of public service remains the group’s top priority. “We may not always agree on everything, but we must always stand together under the same banner focused on serving our people and sticking to our winning ways,” Miller stated.
Incumbent mayors lead the PUP ticket in several other municipalities, bringing established track records to their re-election campaigns. In Belmopan, Pablo Cawich is seeking another term leading the capital’s municipal government, running alongside his full sitting council: Christopher Enriquez, Florita Botes, Lawrence Tush, Sanie Cal, Radin Santos and Coretta Banner. Cawich struck a confident tone in his remarks, asserting that the PUP continues to hold the confidence of Belizean voters. “People are talking about a new era, I want everyone to know that this is still the PUP era,” Cawich said.
In Orange Walk Town, Ladrick Sheppard is leading the PUP ticket for the third consecutive election cycle, with a council team including Doreth Pascasio, Alondra De La Fuente, Joesi Cantun-Castillo, Allen Yu, Cadir Escalante and Fernando Sanchez. Corozal Town will see Rigo Vellos run for a fourth term, calling his council slate – made up of Marleni Tapia, Beldemar Pech, Miguel Montalvo, Otoniel Riveroll, Rodolfo Narvaez and Hugo Gonzalez – “the undefeated team.” On the island of San Pedro, Wally Nuñez returns as the PUP’s mayoral nominee, joined by candidates Adaly Ayuso, Marina Kay, Johnnia Duarte, Gilberto “Gil” Nunez, Steve Bowen, and Faith Edgar, who holds the title of Miss World Belize.
For the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Aaron Mai leads a council of Edel Espat, Eliu Yacab, Joe Awe, Nasim Lisbey, Nadime Habet and Mathew Preston. In Benque Viejo del Carmen, Jorge Rosales heads the ticket with running mates Edgar Cocom, Ricky Cunil, Jorge Iglesias, Jorge Martinez, Ali Morales and Pio Vacha. Dangriga’s PUP slate is led by Robert Mariano, who issued a bold challenge to the opposition, promising his team of Sharone Ramirez, Hilberto “Hil” Bernardez, Jerris Valentine, Tina Castillo, Morlin Bull and Howard Melendrez would “put a beating on the United Democratic Party.” Rounding out the national slate, Maclovio Ack leads the PUP ticket in Punta Gorda, with council candidates Indira Coleman, Anthony Fuentes, Gloria Avila, Roberto Vairez, Olivia Sho and Kerlin Moreira.
PUP Leader and Belize Prime Minister John Briceño addressed gathered supporters, reinforcing the party’s message of unity as the campaign period officially gets underway. Briceño acknowledged that internal policy and ideological differences occasionally emerge within the party, but argued that shared commitment to public service keeps the PUP cohesive. “In March 2027, guess what, we are going to win again for the People’s United Party,” Briceño said. “I can tell you that we have been working together, and yes, from time to time we may have different ideas and views, but that does not mean that we are not united, because we are the PUP.”
The PUP has set an ambitious goal of securing victory in all nine municipalities in next year’s election. The party’s announcement comes one week after the main opposition United Democratic Party revealed its own slate of nine mayoral candidates, setting the stage for a competitive electoral contest across the country.