A Political Spar over Exercise Equipment

Pablo Marin

The Leader of the Opposition also took on Minister of Health Pablo Marin over exercise equipment.  In May, Minister Marin handed over exercise equipment, which was donated by the Taiwan Embassy, to five municipalities.  Valued at around twenty-two thousand U.S. dollars, the equipment was handed over to the Mayors of Punta Gorda, Santa Elena/San Ignacio, Belmopan, and San Pedro.  In Belize City, the equipment was received by Minister of Sports, Patrick Faber. This prompted Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner to fire off a two-page release in which he said “The premise that the Deputy Prime Minister is in charge of sports for the people, does not alter the fact that all recipients of the equipment are representatives of one political party, while those who were absent are representatives of another.” In response, Marin said that Wagner acted “really childish” and accused him of going to the media for political mileage.  Today, Briceño responded to Marin’s comments:

John Briceño

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

“It is shameful that the Minister of Health would stoop so low but I am not surprise with the Minister of Health. Almost anything that he does would not surprise me. But it shows the low mindedness of this government that they would put politics even to the point where we are talking about having exercise equipment. I mean, he is almost behaving like a fool. He should know better. The people of Belize City, they decided that they want a P.U.P. city council. Respect!”