P.U.P. Belmopan candidate drops out of race

The People’s United Party’s effort to choose a candidate in the newly created Belmopan constituency was always something of a cat and mouse game, but an announcement over the weekend makes it look more like a case of “Where’s Waldo?”

When the establishment of the new division was announced a few years back it looked like the widely respected and popular mayor Tony Chanona was a shoo-in. Chanona was a reluctant candidate at best, however, and while he hemmed and hawed and consulted, others planned. By the time Chanona finally made up his mind, a more focussed opponent, former ambassador to Guatemala, Moises Cal, had already rounded up the votes. Cal easily won the December third convention by a margin of one hundred and sixteen ballots. That should have been the end of the story–at least until the general election–but over the weekend something strange happened: Cal dropped out. According to a press release, the reasons were “personal and family.” Why those supposed constraints were not known three months ago is unclear and sources in the nation’s capital have suggested that Cal’s withdrawal may be rooted in some negative publicity that may soon be coming to light.

In the meantime, conventional wisdom dictates that Tony Chanona will quickly be installed to fill the gap. But not so fast. This afternoon when News Five talked to the former mayor and current senator, he was unequivocal: “I have not the desire nor interest to contest the vacant seat in Belmopan,” said Chanona “I don’t want to go down that road again.” So where does that leave the P.U.P.? Looking for a warm body to face off against heavy U.D.P. favourite, John Saldivar.