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Eight months after residents of Caye Caulker went to the polls in a historic referendum on the legal use of marijuana on the island, Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez is reflecting on what he describes as a landmark moment in local democracy. The October 2025 referendum marked the first time residents of the island were directly asked to decide whether marijuana should be legally permitted within their community. While the issue generated spirited debate on both sides, Perez says the exercise demonstrated the willingness of Caye Caulker residents to engage in the democratic process and make their voices heard on matters affecting their future. Speaking with Love News, Perez described the referendum as unprecedented and commended residents for participating in the process regardless of their position on the issue.
Andre Perez, BRS Area Representative: “That is democracy at its best, and I’m proud to represent a country and people who believe in democracy. So, I would not want to take any sides. I am a Catholic Christian. They were against it. The proponents, they are looking at it from a medical, from a technical standpoint. I just chose to remain on neutral. What I want to say is let the people decide. That is the most important thing. Let the people decide what they really wanted to do. But I’ll tell you, looking back at it, and really now that this has happened and look at it I said this is unprecedented. It was something that set up, that a referendum was triggered. And that’s one for the books. And how I see it, on the positive side.”
Perez said that such exercises are classic instances where there is immense value in public consultation and community participation in decision-making.
English (US) ·