BELIZE GARIFUNA ACTIVIST THEODORE ARANDA BORN
Aranda, born in Stann Creek Town, British Honduras (now Dangriga, Belize), earned a Master of Arts (1967) and a Ph.D. (1971) in Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In 1974, he joined the new United Democratic Party (UDP), was elected in 1979 to represent the Dangriga district, and was UDP leader from 1979-83—Belize’s 1st Opposition Leader. Aranda left the UDP in late 1982 for the Christian Democratic Party. After losing an effort to retake the Dangriga seat, he joined the People’s United Party (PUP). With PUP, he re-captured the Dangriga seat in 1989, lost it in 1993, and regained it in 1998. He did not seek reelection in 2003. In 2000, Aranda formed the World Garifuna Organization, a body claiming to represent Garinagu across the world and in Belize, through the official Belizean body is the National Garifuna Council. He died on July 10, 2022, in Belize City.
Sources:
Khaila Gentle, “Remembering Dr. Theodore Aranda,” Amandala Newspaper, 7/13/2022. Retrieved 11/15/2023, Remembering Dr. Theodore Aranda | Amandala Newspaper
Flag Copy: Caleb Moore, 12/31/1981. Flag of Belize. Public Domain.
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