New Melchor Mayor has high level support
And while it may not have had all the pomp and circumstance of the Presidential gala, another Guatemalan public official was inaugurated today…and I had the privilege of attending.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
Bearing all the markings of a victorious politician, and flanked by loyal supporters from both sides of the border, this morning seventy-one year old Theresa Casanova, the new mayor of Melchor de Mencos, officially began her new term of office.
This is Casanova’s second time as Alcadeza of Melchor and though her actual swearing-in was short, by all accounts her popularity is strong, enabling her to obtain the majority of the votes in the municipality with a population of more than one hundred thousand people.
Theresa Casanova, Mayor, Melchor
“Muy Buenas tardes a todo mi gente, a mis amigos…alcaldes de Benque Viejo.”
The speech that followed was standard politics: promising to bring to new life to the impoverished town by way of new jobs, a revitalized economy and an end to the corruption of the past administration.
But Casanova’s campaign is unique because of her political connections on both sides of the border. Showing up to steal the show today was the presidential runner-up in Guatemala’s national elections, Alvaro Colon…who just happens to be her son-in-law.
Alvaro Colon, Guatemalan Presidential Candidate
“Doña There is my mother in law and I am very happy that she win the election.”
Colon is the leading figure of the Union Nacional de Esperanza party and many Guatemalans think he will be the next president.
That’s also the hope of Casanova’s son, Rolando Torres, was also a presidential candidate in previous elections and is the leader of his own political party.
Here in Belize, her circle of friends and family include daughter Narda Garcia, son-in-law Dr. Gregorio Garcia, Mayors Said Badi Guerra of Benque and Mario Naravez of Corozal, and Minister of Health, Vildo Marin.
Janelle Chanona
“While attempts to facilitate a peaceful settlement of the Belize Guatemala dispute continue to navigate diplomatic channels, the presence of strong friendly ties on both sides of the border help to ease tension in towns like Benque Viejo Del Carmen and here in Melchor de Mencos.”
Theresa Casanova
“We are going to work, we are going to get rid of those houses that are in Belize. I am offering to the government of Belize all the support they need, the same way they have supported me. I am very grateful for that. And if, God willing, we will work hand in hand and all those problems will be solved.”
Said Badi Guerra, Mayor, Benque Viejo del Carmen
“I believe it is my duty as a Belizean. I love my country and I must stand up for my country, defend my country as far as it has to go, but try to do it in peace. That is why I have been organising cultural events. And in most of the events that I believe that it is important for a Guatemalan representative to be there, Doña Theresita has been always there with us, bringing this unity and trying to ease down things. But I think it is going to work out, it has been working out and this is a start.”
With newly elected Guatemalan President Oscar Berger yet to announce his intentions on the Belize issue, Doña Theresa Casanova and her supporters could prove instrumental to a peaceful end to the dispute.
Alvaro Colon
“Belice is a priority for us. We have to solve the problem with that we have with the border. I think that our people like to be totally and completely… that the problem will have a good resolution.”
