P.U.P. Postpones Belmopan Convention as Arthur Saldivar Seeks Injunction

Attorney Arthur Saldivar is turning against his own party, which he wants to represent. This is all because he is not allowed to run for P.U.P. standard bearer in the Belmopan constituency. On June fifteenth, Saldivar filed an application requesting an injunction at the Supreme Court to halt the convention which was scheduled for this coming Sunday.  Saldivar is seeking that his candidacy be qualified, but before that matter is heard, he needs the court to grant him the injunction to halt the convention. In the claim, Saldivar is seeking to be reimbursed a hefty amount of campaign funds, as much as two hundred thousand dollars, which he says he spent preparing for the convention.  The P.U.P.’s vetting committee told the executive that they cannot consider the application because Saldivar was under suspension.  During a press conference, P.U.P. Leader John Briceño explained that Saldivar was placed on a two-year probation period after his suspension was lifted in May of this year. However, Saldivar believes that the decision by the vetting committee is unjust and opted to have the court resolve the issue. The matter was scheduled before Justice Shona Griffith today, but was adjourned to July sixth. But in court today, Senior Counsel Andrew Marshalleck explained that since he recently took over, it would be convenient for the case to be heard at a later date. Saldivar’s attorney, Christophe Rodriguez, agreed and in light of that development, Marshalleck also stated that the P.U.P.’s Belmopan Convention has been postponed. This morning, Saldivar told the press that he considers the postponement a small and immediate victory.

Arthur Saldivar

Arthur Saldivar, Suing the P.U.P.

“Today was somewhat momentous because it is not usual that we have these kinds of applications in court but I want it to be made clear that my action is not an action against my party. It is my party. We have trustees of the party and those trustees are elected by the members of the party like as are these my supporters behind me who have faith that they will uphold the constitution, principles and values of the party. I want to be able to represent my people. I want my people to be given a chance to choose between me and anybody else that want to run in a convention in Belmopan. I believe that it is the democratic right of every individual to be able to decide in their own volition which qualified candidate they want to represent them who they believe that would be best to bring about the changes that they need. The claim is about establishing my validity as a member of the People’s United Party. Certain trustees within the party were saying that my membership should be in some way qualified. The immediate effect is that there is no convention on Sunday. That is the immediate effect which, don’t you believe is a victory of some sort.”