Saldivar’s Fate to be Decided by U.D.P. Special Committee

Former Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar was designated by the United States government as an individual who has been significantly corrupt in public life during his tenure as a minister in the Barrow administration. The designation has resulted in Saldivar, and his entire family, including his wife and children, being unable to travel to the United States.The allegations brought against the erstwhile Minister of National Security are quite serious and casts an equally dark shadow over the United Democratic Party.  In the wake of the action taken against him by the U.S. State Department, the U.D.P. has convened a special committee to look into the claims made against Saldivar, who remains in the race for Standard Bearer of his constituency. This afternoon, Party Leader Shyne Barrow spoke at length with the media outline the course of action that will be taken to afford Saldivar due process.

Shyne Barrow

Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“In keeping with the opposition’s anti-corruption policy, we have convened a special committee to examine and consider the U.S. State Department’s designation of former minister John Saldivar, a designation which has cited significant corruption.  We have to accept that the Americans have a very rigorous judicial system and a system of governance, whether it’s investigating former presidents and the like, and certainly, this coming from the Secretary of State is serious and we can’t get around that.  That does not preclude Mr. Saldivar from having some type of due process, it is important.  It is a part of all robust democracies that people will be accused, in this instance designated, but still have an opportunity to present their side and that is what we are doing with the special committee. This is a process that must be undertaken and it begins, and it began last week.  As soon as I got the information, we began to contemplate the best way forward and we will have a conclusion of this matter no later than December ninth.  Mr. Saldivar will have the opportunity to appear before the special committee on December second and thereafter, the special committee will make a determination on this matter no later than December ninth.  So no later than seven days, they may conclude on that day what their decision is, or they may conclude a few days later.”