Gapi Vega Explains His Abrupt Departure

Gaspar Vega

Day-two of the budget debate started promptly at nine this morning. All eyes have been on the representative for Orange Walk North, Gaspar Vega. In the biggest political news of this time, Vega resigned abruptly as first Deputy Leader on March eighth. He wrote to the Party Chairman and copied his resignation to the Prime Minister calling it quits as first deputy leader and saying he won’t seek re-election in Orange Walk North. Since then he’s operated on the down low, and was a no show at the U.D.P.’s National Convention this past weekend. He did turn up for the debate, however, and presented late this afternoon. We got a chance to speak to him as he exited the National Assembly after his presentation, and right off asked him about the reasons for his very unexpected, very abrupt departure.

Gaspar Vega, Area Representative, Orange Walk North

“A long thought; a very hard difficult decision…one of the most difficult ones I’ve done in my life. But I know I would never be an area representative forever; the time had to come. I thought that it was the best thing to do so that I can give the people of Belize, but most importantly the people in Orange Walk North—those that coldheartedly supported me—to give them enough time so that together we can search for the most appropriate candidate to take over my position. I think it would have been worst and it’s not within my character to mislead the people that I’ll be running next general elections and six months prior to the elections… So I thought this was the most appropriate and most decent and mature thing to do.”

Mike Rudon

“Sir the last time we spoke to you was just after November fourth—I believe the swearing in. I had asked you if you would consider putting your hat in the ring for the top seat and you had said that it is something you are definitely considering. What happened between then and now?”

Gaspar Vega

“It’s just that my political life has put a toll on my life and my family’s life—especially my wife and kids. The last year and a half has been really difficult for us…you know with this stupidity of the charge that they made on my character. And it was really rough; a lot of people I don’t think realize how bad it is. It is just that I am not a crybaby and I try to handle things in the most manner.”