Mike Espat Explains Why P.U.P.’s Southern Caucus Will Vote ‘No’ to the I.C.J.

The People’s United Party’s Southern Caucus has decided that it will vote against taking the Belize/Guatemala dispute for resolution to the International Court of Justice. The caucus met earlier in the month and agreed that the Southern portion of the country stands the most to be negatively affected in the event of an unfavorable ruling. Toledo East Area Representative Mike Espat explained the caucus’ position.

Mike Espat

Mike Espat, Toledo East Area Representative

“We took our position as the Southern Caucus after a lot of discussion, after talking to a lot of people in that area. You have to understand that San Vicente, Jalacte, San Benito Poite, Dolores, Otoxha, most of these people come from Guatemala. So they are here because they cannot find the type of life on that side of the border. So they are now in Belize. A lot of them have nationality. A lot of them have Belizean children. Yu think they want to go back to what they left? I do not think so.”

Cayo South Area Representative Julius Espat has also announced that he too will vote ‘NO.’