BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 20, 2022
Yesterday, June 19, former Speaker of the House and lifelong educator Carlos Castillo passed away. Castillo was a UDP stalwart of the Corozal District and the principal of Wesley High School in the 1970s, before becoming principal of Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico in Corozal.
He was the president of the Belize Teachers Union for a while, and also a lifelong supporter of the United Democratic Party. He was appointed Speaker of the House during the first UDP government from 1984 to 1989. He also served as 2nd Deputy Party Leader of the UDP and was a standard-bearer for Corozal Bay.
“The UDP Corozal Bay Executive Committee expresses its Deepest Condolences to the Family of the late Mr. Carlos Orlando Castillo,” a post from the committee shared by Albert area representative Tracy Panton says. In her post Panton stated, “The UDP Albert ACTION Committee joins other Members of our extended United Democratic Party Family in expressing our most heartfelt condolences to the Family of Mr. Carlos Orlando Castillo. May his soul RIP and Rise in the Fullness of God’s Glory. ”
Current UDP leader, Hon. Moses “Shyne” Barrow, in a post on Facebook said, “REST IN PEACE HON. CARLOS CASTILLO!!! Deepest sympathies to the family of our former Speaker of the House of Representatives and UDP stalwart. We are grateful for your contributions to the United Democratic Party and the many lives you’ve touched in Corozal!”
Reports are that a wake will be held in the Corozal District on June 21, with a state funeral to follow on the 22nd and 23rd of June.