People’s Assembly in Cayo on Sunday; Will the G-10 Be There?
Dan Silva
On Wednesday, twenty-one of thirty-one P.U.P. Standard Bearers and the executive of the party met at Independence Hall. It was to have been a showdown between the Fonseca faction and a group of twelve standard bearers, including former P.U.P. leader John Briceño, who are demanding a long-delayed national convention and the restructuring of the National Executive. There was no showdown, though, because two of the original twelve – Pickstock’s Francis Smith and Belize Rural North’s Lloyd Jones – crossed the floor, so to speak. Ten standard bearers did not show. There’s been no official release from the group of ten, but the clear understanding coming from them is that they are dissatisfied with the direction the party is taking, and its leadership. So what happens next? Well that’s anybody’s guess, but there will be a P.U.P. People’s Assembly in Cayo this weekend, a first stop on a planned countrywide tour. Dan Silva is the P.U.P.’s senior politician in Cayo, and he is also one of the G-ten. This afternoon we asked him via phone if he and his supporters will be at the People’s Assembly, since the group has boycotted the last two executive meetings of the party.
On the Phone: Dan Silva, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo Central
“About three weeks ago we met and a People’s Assembly was planned for the Cayo area and we had to postpone last week but this week it is on at the Teodocio Ochoa Park here in San Ignacio.”
Mike Rudon
“All eyes will be on Cayo this weekend this weekend especially against the backdrop of what is happening within the Party at this time. Will you be out there and will your people be out there?”
On the Phone: Dan Silva
“Yes. We will be bringing in buses from the villages and we are asking our people to come out and support the People’s Assembly.”
Mike Rudon
“If I can ask…is this an indication…should people take this to mean that all is well within the party – that there is some mending of the ways?”
On the Phone: Dan Silva
“No. This was planned weeks ago. I am not fighting with the Party. I want to see our Party reform itself so that we can be in a better position to win the next election. So this is the people here in Cayo so this is something separate from the other movement.”
Mike Rudon
“Are you all satisfied with what the Party has said is their concession? They have said yes we will have a national convention, uncontested, and they have said that they have caved in on the other two concerns expressed by the twelve as well.”
On the Phone: Dan Silva
“I think we are awaiting a letter from the Chairman. Once we get the letter we will analyze it and see what it is that is being offered. We want the Party to get stronger because of this movement.”
Multiple sources have told News Five that the group of now ten standard bearers will be meeting next week to decide on a way forward.
