Ritchie Galvez Sees Growing Momentum in Belmopan Mayoral Bid

The race for Belmopan mayor is already heating up, with political newcomer Ritchie Galvez expressing confidence in the support his campaign is attracting ahead of the March 2027 municipal elections. In an interview with Love News, Galvez said he is impressed by the number of voters applying to transfer their registration into Belmopan proper. While those transfers must still be processed and approved by the Elections and Boundaries Department, Galvez believes the interest signals growing momentum behind his mayoral bid.

Galvez says young people will be central to his campaign and, if elected, to his administration. He says the capital’s youth must be given a meaningful role in shaping Belmopan’s future.

Ritchie Galvez, UDP Mayoral Aspirant: “We’re focusing on the new registration at this moment and the transfers. We know that the transfer period ends in August so we’re making sure that we do our part to get our people registered. Very impressive the numbers. Oh my gosh. My Belmopan youngsters I’m very proud of you. We have a long list of people that we need to get registered and we’re trying to do it daily and it’s working out pretty fine. Very impressed. Very impressed. I was once 20 years old, I was once 25 years old and I’ve always advocated for young people to have a voice, a seat at the table, you know, and I think right now is a great time for young people to, like I said, ignite, to wake up and to take advantage of this opportunity we have right now. Young people know what I’m about, I represent them from day one so it’s nothing new. They have a relationship and a bond with me and I think that plays a huge role in what’s happening right now.’

Galvez is seeking to unseat incumbent Mayor Pablo Cawich, who is pursuing a second term after leading the People’s United Party to control of Belmopan City Hall in 2024. Cawich defeated his mayoral opponent by almost nine hundred votes in that election and has publicly dismissed Galvez’s chances of defeating him when voters return to the polls in March 2027.

Galvez, however, says he is not discouraged by the mayor’s confidence. Asked by Love News to respond directly to Cawich’s assertion that he has no chance of winning, Galvez said the final decision rests with the people of Belmopan.

Ritchie Galvez, UDP Mayoral Aspirant: “I said from the get go I’m not into the back and forth. I’m not into the personal attacks. I’m more focused on the solutions we need to the problems and issues we have here in Belmopan, practical solutions to the challenges that we endure here in our city. Youth empowerment, the better relationship with the business community and just putting Belmopan on a different level. So I, yes, if you want to say it I am inexperienced when it comes to old politics but I’m experienced when it comes to new politics. And yes, indeed, I do have a huge, a big popularity when it comes to the villages of Roaring Creek and Camalote. Why? Because when I started my community services and projects in Belmopan decades and years ago they had asked for help. And I am somebody if I can help you I’ll help you. I don’t care if you could vote for me or not, it’s from the heart and they show me back love. So of course people will say, Bwai Roaring Creek and Camalote have Ritchie.” Belmopan and majority of the country as well because I’ve helped a lot of people but one thing I won’t do is help people and talk about it or help people and post it up and I think that’s exactly what happened in this situation. But yeah, it’s sad, it’s kinda sad to dismiss the young people of Belmopan and I will be honest ever since that interview that the mayor did he has galvanized the young people, sparked them and the list is just going now. So I should say “Thank you Mayor.” 

The emerging contest pits Cawich’s record as the sitting mayor against Galvez’s call for new leadership and stronger youth involvement. With the municipal elections still several months away, both men are working to consolidate their support in a capital city that has experienced closely watched political battles in recent years. Ultimately, Belmopan’s voters will decide whether to grant Cawich another term or place City Hall under Galvez’s leadership./