Will Gapi Vega Become Belize’s Next Prime Minister?

Dean Barrow

There have been persistent rumours from within the United Democratic Party and in other sectors that there is a plan underway to elevate current Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega. Of course, that would mean the U.D.P. would have to be victorious in general elections. If it is…sources say PM Barrow has indicated that he would be inclined to step down due to health reasons and pass the baton to Vega. Today, Barrow told us those rumours are patently false.

Dean Barrow, U.D.P. Leader

“Absolute nonsense, sir. Not that….please don’t take that as any sort of indictment of or lack of confidence in the Deputy Prime Minister. But two things, I will attempt to go full terms—health and strength permitting—leaving just before the next elections will be due so that whoever the party would by then have chosen as my successor—and I will not have a cent in that dollar, I will be on my way out—can have some months to in fact take over the reins of government and go into the elections as prime minister. But god, you are definitely looking at somewhere beyond the four-year marker. And I really want to repeat as you see in contrast to the other side; we have operated completely democratically internally. And so who will be the next U.D.P. leader is a matter to be determined by the party at a national convention called for that purpose.”