What Does Manny H Have to Say About Gapi’s Resignation?

Gaspar Vega

The decision by Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega not to seek re-election as Deputy Party Leader and Area Rep for Orange Walk North has sent the U.D.P. in a tailspin. The party convention takes place this weekend in Dangriga and while elections for the DPL post are not scheduled, there are some positioning themselves to fill the top spot. Over the weekend, it is reported that supporters of second deputy party leader, Erwin Contreras nudged him to move up as first deputy to replace Vega. Contreras today did not offer details to the report that he contemplates moving up, but his cabinet colleague, Manuel Heredia, the Minister of Tourism gave his comments on the Vega resignation.

Manuel Heredia Jr., U.D.P. Minister

“As politicians, everyone of us has a right to decide what to do. I don’t know what motivated Mister Vega; he supposed to have his personal reasons why he did so and as Mister Vega, there are others that are thinking that we have served for a long time and it is time that younger blood comes around. If the party needs us, perhaps we can have second thoughts to that. But as a representative, I have every right to choose what direction I want to go. I’m still a very good friend of Mister Vega…we work very close together. Whatever he has decided, I will support it and I will support whatever I feel that my party does in the good interest of Belize.”

Reporter

“Do you see it as a betrayal to U.D.P. because he was so good in his jurisdiction. He brought five of eight seats in Orange Walk. Talk to us about that.”

Manuel Heredia Jr.

Manuel Heredia Jr.

“I don’t think it is a betrayal; he has served three terms already and I believe that he feels that he has his own personal business and he feels that it is time for him to go in his private business. And I will accept and I will be supportive in whatever he needs to do. We are a team and as a team, whatever decision each person makes, we have to respect it and we have to go with it.”

Duane Moody

“Mister Vega has been at the helm of the Ministry of Natural Resources; that is until the portfolio was given to Mister Godwin Hulse and it is believed that that is what has caused him to step down as deputy party leader. Can you comment on that?”

Manuel Heredia Jr.

“I don’t think that it is so. The prime minister is the one that decides which portfolio we hold. In my case, I have the ministry of tourism for three consecutive terms; prime minister believes that I am the one, then I will never disapprove of what he believes I can do. He has a great respect for me; I have to respect when he makes a decision. And likewise, it doesn’t mean to say that probably Mister Vega…I think Prime Minister said it rightly, from about eight months before, he had said that he would like someone else to head that ministry because I have to admit that ministry is headache. I for one wouldn’t take that ministry…”

Duane Moody

“I believe he said it’s a hotbed of corruption.”

Manuel Heredia Jr.

“Well that is prime minister’s words…if you said he said that, I will not get involved into that. I respect my prime minister; I support him, I am loyal to him, extremely loyal to him. And whatever he says, he knows why.”