Months ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Belize’s San Ignacio and Santa Elena, more commonly known as the Twin Towns, a high-stakes political contest is already taking shape that will test the political endurance of one of the country’s longest-serving local leaders. After 21 consecutive years of United Democratic Party (UDP) control over the Twin Towns municipal government, three-term incumbent Mayor Earl Trapp has confirmed he will seek another term at the head of the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council, setting the stage for a competitive showdown with a sitting councilor from the opposing People’s United Party (PUP).
Trapp, whose tenure has made him a staple of local Belizean politics, says his record of steady, transformative development justifies another term in office. Ahead of the UDP’s internal nominating convention scheduled to take place within the next 30 days, the mayor confirmed that roughly 10 candidates have applied to serve on his council slate, and the full team will be finalized by the end of the convention. “The work has never stopped. I am excited, ready, and willing to continue delivering for our community,” Trapp said in an interview with News Five.
This election cycle marks an unusual challenge for the incumbent: Trapp’s opponent is Aaron Mai, a sitting PUP councilor who currently serves inside the Town Council itself. Mai, who has held his council seat for two consecutive terms, is the only PUP representative to win a seat on the UDP-dominated council over the past six years. Now, he is running on a platform of intergenerational change, arguing that after more than two decades of single-party leadership, the Twin Towns are ready for a new vision.
Mai emphasized that he recognizes the progress made under Trapp’s leadership, saying “we have to honor the past” while pushing to build a brighter future for local residents. “It’s time for new leadership, for a younger vision that matches where the Twin Towns are heading,” Mai said. “The people are calling for change, and I am ready to deliver that change.” The challenger’s candidacy has already earned the public backing of Orlando Habet, former Twin Towns mayor and current Area Representative for Cayo Northeast, who also framed the election as a moment to open the door for new leadership.
Habet praised Trapp for his years of public service, but argued that no political office should become a permanent position. “After a while, voters start to look for new perspectives,” Habet said. “For his own health, his family, it is also time for him to move on.”
Trapp has pushed back against the argument that his 20-plus years in office should disqualify him from seeking re-election, countering that effectiveness and results, not tenure length, are what matter most to Twin Towns residents. When asked to respond to critics who say he has held office too long, Trapp noted “it’s not about being here long. It’s about how effective and efficient you’ve been for this community. Why fix what is not broken? This has been the most progressive municipality in all of Belize during my time in office, and that progress will continue if voters return me to office.” He added that he welcomes public scrutiny of his record, saying he is prepared to address any uncompleted projects and explain their status to voters.
For Mai, the campaign will center on asking voters to extend his track record of work as a councilor to the mayor’s office. “Residents have seen what I have delivered for them over the past six years as a councilor,” Mai said. “Just imagine what I can do as mayor of the Twin Towns.” As both candidates prepare for the official election campaign, the race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched municipal contests in Belize this cycle.