P.U.P. May Lose Another Area Representative

Marco Tulio Mendez

There are two stories coming out of Orange Walk tonight. The first is a serious allegation about who put a hit on Ramon Cervantes Senior. A recording has been broadcast from a man who is a main suspect in the murder but is on the run. We will have all that coming up. But also in the north, there is a report that a P.U.P. area representative is considering not seeking re-election. This is on the heels of a decision by Cayo North Area Representative Joseph Mahmud, who handed in his resignation for what we are told are personal reasons. Shortly after, political aspirant in Collet, Micah Goodin, stepped out for…again…personal reasons. And now there are reports that very popular Orange Walk East Area Representative Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez may not seek re-election because of his health. Today we took the opportunity to ask P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca for a clarification, and he confirmed the reports, though it’s not final just yet.

Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader

Francis Fonseca

“Dr. Marco Tulio has been getting medical treatment. He just returned from Guatemala a few days ago. His doctors had given him some advice. I have discussed that matter with him but a final determination, a final decision on whether he will be fit and able to continue to run, continue to serve as the standard bearer for the P.U.P.  You know he is the area representative for Orange Walk East and he will serve out his term. But whether or not he will be fit and able to run again is a matter that will be determined by his doctors. So yes, he has brought that to my attention, we’ve had a discussion about it but no final decision has been made.”

Reporter

“Are you guys considering or making steps in the event that the doctor’s advice are going to be acted on?”

Francis Fonseca

“Well we have to be prepared for anything, yes we have to be prepared for anything. But that process will not start unless honourable Doctor Marco Tulio Mendez says that his doctors have indicated to him in very clear terms that he is not going to be able to run a campaign again.”

As we said, the decision by Mendez is not yet final, but is under consideration.