John Saldivar Already Campaigning for U.D.P. Leadership
John Saldivar
Despite having lost to Collet’s Patrick Faber for Deputy Party Leader in May 2016, John Saldivar has reemerged as a serious contender. The Belmopan area representative is already on the ground campaigning. According to Saldivar, the current focus is on delivering services required by all Belizeans through the Ministry of National Security, in order to present a solid track record of competence. We caught up with him deep in the Chiquibul at the official launch of the South Cebada Conservation Post.
John Saldivar, Area Representative, Belmopan
“I don’t think that it has been any secret that I do aspire to one day lead our party and one day lead our country, however, the process to begin that, to do that hasn’t started as yet, so the campaign hasn’t been ramped up to that extent yet. But yes, to quell all concerns or to quell those who want to know, yes I will be offering myself as a candidate for the leadership of my party.”
Isani Cayetano
“I know you mentioned that the full campaign hasn’t begun in earnest, but I know you’ve also been making some inroads as well, in terms of talking to your colleagues and what have you. What has that been like in terms of trying to garner some of the numbers on your side?”
John Saldivar
“I think at this time we are more focused on trying to deliver the goods and services for our people. We are aware that within the next two and a half years or so we will be going back to the polls and we would have to have a record of accomplishments and service delivery and so our party at this time is much more concerned about that. You will also know that there is re-registration that has also been mandated by law and so our party machinery is more occupied with trying to ensure that we get our people back on the voters register so that we can be prepared for when the next election comes. The leadership thing, I believe, will start getting more loud in a few months and when that happens I will ramp up my campaign.”
