U.D.P. Blames Briceño Administration for Mounting Sugar Woes
The United Democratic Party has also weighed in on the sugar debacle in the north. This afternoon, Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow met with reporters briefly to discuss the unpredictable state of affairs in the sugar industry. From a political perspective, Barrow places the blame for the ongoing sugar crisis squarely at the feet of the Briceño administration, going as far pointing out what appears to be a disconnect between the prime minister and the P.U.P.’s Northern Caucus.
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
“I believe that there has been turmoil in the sugar industry for the last three years and the reason there has been turmoil in the sugar industry for the last three years, in particular, is because of the pathological liars that John Briceño, Abelardo Mai, and, in particular, the P.U.P. members from the north are. They lied to everybody, they set everyone up, they make fools of people with these false promises and it is clear to the United Democratic Party that Abelardo Mai and Briceño are the worst enemies of the caneros because of the false promises that they continue to feed them and the P.U.P. is divided. It is Abelardo Mai and the so-called Northern Caucus looks as if they have expelled Briceño from the Northern Caucus or they operate as a party within a party because they are saying one thing and the prime minister is saying another thing. Rather than stay hunkered down, boots on the ground, sleeves rolled up and solving this matter, the prime minister saw it fit to go on personal leave. We have priorities and the sugar industry is one of our priorities as a nation. That sector needs to succeed, a deal needs to be worked out for the long term.”