Arthur Saldivar Hopes for Political Comeback in Belmopan
Arthur Saldivar
On July first the People’s United Party will select its standard bearer for Belmopan. Last week, we understand at least three persons submitted their application; those persons are Patrick Andrews, Oscar Mira and Arthur Saldivar. It has been a while since we last heard of Saldivar and politics. If you can recall, in the 2012 general elections, Saldivar ran against U.D.P.’s Edmond Castro in Belize Rural North, Saldivar was soundly defeated but now he is trying to make a comeback in politics. This time he is in Belmopan hoping to square off with two other P.U.P. hopefuls for a bid in the general elections. When we ran into him today we asked him why he is offering himself in Belmopan.
Arthur Saldivar, P.U.P. Belmopan Standard Bearer Hopeful
“As a resident of Belmopan, a long time, original resident of Belmopan – a Belmopanese – I have seen where the Capital has not been represented well. We have widespread unemployment, all across Belmopan. The local economy in Belmopan has been suffering so much because of high taxation. And there has been no representation at all. John Saldivar has abandoned his role in Belmopan. He is a disgrace.”
Andrea Polanco
“Do you think you have what it takes to go up against these two persons who are permanent fixtures here in Belmopan?”
Arthur Saldivar
“Well, again, I welcome the challenge. If given the opportunity, there is still the need for the vetting to take place, the need for approval to be had. But the people will decide whether I am worthy to go forward and do what is necessary to give John Saldivar the come-uppance that he deserves.”
Andrea Polanco
“You know we have critics and they may say that you have gone up in another constituency and didn’t win; why are you coming to Belmopan and do this?”
Arthur Saldivar
“Well, yes, I had offered myself in another constituency and I think I did quite well considering where we were in that constituency prior to my candidacy. I think w had lost by one thousand two hundred and sixty votes in the previous election before I entered that race and we brought that margin down to a little over five hundred votes. So, that was tremendous work considering that we were on a shoestring budget and a shoe string campaign at the time. But Belmopan is my home. I have been in Belmopan since 1974 and as I explained I am an original Belmopanese and in this area, Belmopan, I have widespread support.”
