Ex-DPM Remains O.W. North Rep; Barrow Acknowledges Transaction Was “Mistake”

Dean Barrow

Vega has been in cabinet since 2008 and was first named Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources. According to the Prime Minister, “his personal friend,” is not demitting office as area representative for Orange Walk North.  PM Barrow was rather circumspect, curt even, in responding to the question of the dubious land transactions when asked by the media at Thursday’s press conference.  After confirming the facts of the shady business deal involving Vega’s son, Andre, PM Barrow made an about-face.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“As of now, Gaspar is not resigning from the House of Representatives and will, it appears, for the foreseeable future, continue to represent his people in Orange Walk North. I just want to make clear that I am extremely saddened by what has happened.  Gaspar Vega certainly was with me as my deputy from the time we first won in 2008 and before that.  He was one of the fiercest battlers and most effective leaders of the United Democratic Party.  In addition to all that, he was and remains my personal friend.  I have the greatest affection for him.  You will all know that whatever else might be said, he is one of the most warmhearted, caring, genuine individuals that I have had the good fortune to come across. On Thursday I believe it was, after we had finished the meeting with the B.N.T.U. where the media asked me about the disclosures with respect to the Lands Department, in particular, surrounding two parcels of land that were originally titled or titled to Sharon Pitts and Hilmar Alamilla; Hilmar’s parcel was afterwards sold, it was discovered that the titles were issued in consequence of an error that the parcels of land were actually owned by a private individual so that when government issued its titles the land was not government’s to give.  After the mistake was discovered compensation was paid to the persons who then held the titles that were initially issued by government to Sharon Pitts and Hilmar Alamilla.  I said to the media on Thursday that I wasn’t briefed at the time and indicated that I would speak after I had been briefed.”