By Belize Live News Staff: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has little to celebrate after the 2025 General Elections, but one of its few victories came in Cayo West, where Miguel Guerra defeated PUP incumbent Jorge Millin Espat.
Espat’s loss makes Cayo West the only seat the PUP failed to retain, a stark contrast to their dominant performance nationwide, where they secured 26 out of 31 seats.
Miguel Guerra’s victory signals that despite the UDP’s national struggles, certain divisions still favor the party. His campaign, which focused on economic concerns, rural development, and discontent with Espat’s leadership, resonated with voters in the district.
This victory allows Guerra to join a small UDP contingent in the House of Representatives, alongside Tracy Panton (Albert), Lee Mark Chang (Mesopotamia), Godwin Haylock (Queen’s Square), and Hugo Patt (Corozal North).
While Guerra’s win in Cayo West may be a stepping stone for the UDP to rebuild, it remains a small consolation as the PUP now controls an overwhelming majority in Parliament. However, for Espat, the loss marks a disappointing end to his tenure, proving that even in a landslide election, no seat is ever truly safe.
