Is Gapi In or Out in OW North?
Gaspar Vega
The United Democratic Party is yet to name a new candidate to fill the void in the Orange Walk North constituency, following the abrupt resignation of Standard Bearer Homero Novelo over the weekend. The electoral district is presently being represented by Gaspar Vega whose presence in parliament has all but vanished since being removed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources amid a land scandal involving his son Andre Vega back in 2016. Despite his absence from the House of Representatives, Vega has informed his party colleagues, including U.D.P. Chairman Alberto August, that he is planning on firing up political activity in Orange Walk North, but has stopped short of declaring his candidacy ahead of the 2020 General Elections. This afternoon, August told News Five that an official candidate in the wake of Novelo’s resignation is yet to be selected.
Alberto August
Alberto August, Chairman, United Democratic Party
“I have been in close contact with the honorable Gaspar Vega, we have spoken from time to time, I think two or three times over the last week. He has not indicated any such intention at this point in time. I know he told us that he wants to stimulate the political activity in the constituency, but that is as far as his goals. He has not officially indicated that or said that he wants to enter as a candidate of the United Democratic Party at this time.”
Isani Cayetano
“So where do we go from here in terms of Homero Novelo’s resignation over the weekend and the fact that you would have about, perhaps, a year or so to get another standard bearer in that constituency?”
Alberto August
“Well I was advised by the secretary general and she sent me a copy of Mr. Novelo’s resignation letter and the next process is for the leadership of the party to meet and to decide because obviously a vacancy was created in the constituency in regards to Mr. Novelo’s sudden departure. So the leadership of the party is going to be meeting and then we are going to decide on the way forward in terms of a replacement for Mr. Novelo.”
