Shyne To Resign As Belize's Leader Of The Opposition After Election Defeat

Shyne is on the outs as Belize’s leader of the opposition after narrowly losing a election.

The former Bad Boy rapper has been Opposition Leader in the House of Representatives and the leader of the Belize United Democratic Party since 2021, and had hopes of becoming the prime minister in this year’s elections.

However, Belize’s general election saw Shyne (real name Moses Barrow) unseated by another candidate within his own party, Lee Mark Chang.

Shyne lost by just 98 votes to Chang.

Following the results of the election, the 46-year-old said in a statement: “The people have spoken. Congratulations to Lee Mark Chang — he’s now the new area representative of Mesopotamia and I wish him well.

“I was confident. That was the interaction I was having with the people, but they made a decision to go in another direction and I respect that.”

Shyne also addressed his future in politics, signaling his intent to resign as opposition leader.

“I will tender my resignation effective once we have a national convention to elect a new leader,” he added. “Obviously, you can’t be a leader of the United Democratic Party once you’re not a member of the House, and I would not want to be appointed as a senator or anything to hold on to the leadership. The people have spoken here.”

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Shyne entered politics in his home country of Belize after he was released from prison in 2009 over his involvement in a controversial 1999 nightclub shooting in New York.

When he was re-elected in 2023, the “Bad Boyz” hitmaker was congratulated by his former label boss and co-defendant in his shooting trial, Diddy.

Puffy, who Shyne would later call “the Devil” after he was accused of sexual assault and sex trafficking, wrote on Instagram: “Words can’t explain how proud I am of Shyne. It’s truly remarkable to see everything he’s gone through and to see him turn his life totally around and get on the path to making a positive impact on his country and his people.

“His re-election is a major victory for him, Hip-Hop globally, and the people of Belize. Next stop, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE! We’re not going to stop until my brother is the Prime Minister. I believe in you! I love you! I’m proud of you!!”