Did Angel Campos Interfere in Free Zone’s Business?

We have been reporting on the problems in the Corozal Free Zone, where C.E.O. Valentino Blanco has been suspended on the order of the Board of Directors. After about a month and a half on the job, accusations of nepotism and high-handed behaviour by Blanco and his political benefactor, Corozal Southwest area representative Doctor Angel Campos, forced their hand. Today it was brought up in the House and Prime Minister Dean Barrow issued a defense of Doctor Campos’ actions in the affair.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I don’t agree that my colleague is guilty of any political interference, so how can I answer you?”

Reporter

“Have you studied the situation? Have you spoken to the business persons there, to arrive at that position?”

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“I have had text messages or WhatsApp messages from two of the investors. One, in fairness, did make it quite plain his view that the Minister was interfering; the other didn’t. I have raised it with the Minister. And when he explains what happened on the day when there was the walk-out and the C.E.O. having asked him to assist in certain regards – I don’t know that that is interference; so I don’t accept, at all, the premise of the question. The Minister recognizes, though, that appearances are critical in politics, and I believe that he is being very careful to do nothing that might be misinterpreted in the way some of his earlier actions were misinterpreted.”