On August 9, 2026, the People’s United Party (PUP) is holding its highly anticipated mayoral nominating convention in Corozal today, which will determine who will represent the party in the upcoming local mayoral election. The race pits three-term incumbent mayor Rigoberto Vellos against political newcomer Shajerie Rogers, each campaigning alongside their full slate of town council candidates.
Incumbent Vellos, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term leading Corozal Town, has put forward a team of seven council hopefuls: Hugo Gonzalez, Miguel Montalov, Rodolfa Narvaez, Baldemar Pech Jr., Otoniel Riveroll and Marleni Tapia. On the opposite side, challenger Rogers has assembled a five-person council slate consisting of Hilberto Clarke, Hiram Riveroll, Victoria Riveroll, Leslie Rodriguez and Lizbeth Ucan.
In statements leading up to the opening of the convention, both candidates have expressed their readiness for the outcome of the internal party vote. Rogers, whose campaign has been focused on grassroots engagement, highlighted that her team has spent weeks connecting directly with residents across Corozal Town. “We have walked our streets, visited your homes, listened to your concerns, and shared our commitments to improving our beautiful Corozal Town,” Rogers said, adding that she is prepared to accept whatever decision the voting delegates make today.
For his part, Vellos struck a confident tone in his morning remarks, saying he welcomed the high turnout of PUP members who came to cast their ballots and exercise their right to choose the party’s nominee. He called the convention a key moment for Corozal’s PUP branch, and said he remained certain that he and his council slate would earn another victory to advance to the general local election.
Today’s vote comes after several weeks of escalating internal political tension within the PUP’s Corozal division. As reported late last week, Vellos publicly accused his intraparty opponents of orchestrating efforts to sabotage his sitting municipal council, claiming that joint development projects between the Corozal Town Council and the national central government have been deliberately delayed as part of the effort to undermine his re-nomination bid. Additionally, multiple political sources confirm that current Corozal Bay Area Representative Thea Ramirez has thrown her full political weight and backing behind challenger Rogers’ campaign, deepening the divide within the local party ahead of today’s decisive vote.