Ramon Cervantes and Carlos Zetina Face Off for OW North

A seat held by the U.D.P. up north is the Orange Walk North constituency. It has been a stronghold since Gaspar Vega first won in 2008.  But Vega has been disgraced and is now ending his political career so that seat is up for grabs. The P.U.P.’s Monchi Cervantes has been working that area gaining ground since the last election when he narrowed the gap. Carlos Zetina is running for the U.D.P. and believes he can deliver a fourth consecutive term for the U.D.P.  Tonight, we take you to Orange Walk North where the campaign is different for both sides. Here is Hipolito Novelo with a report.

Hipolito Novelo, Reporting

The P.U.P.’s Ramon Monchi Cervantes and the U.D.P.’s Carlos Zetina both have been walking the streets of Orange Walk north with the hopes to replace the retiring Area Representative, Gaspar Vega.

Carlos Zetina, U.D.P. Standard Beater, OW North

“I can tell you that I am very confident. I know that I have the support of my constituency. I am ready. I am ready to win.”

Ramon Cervantes

Ramon Cervantes, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, OW North

“I have met more people this time around. Actually I started the campaign from February.  I believe that we will be victorious. I have the confidence that in Orange Walk North we will deliver the seat for the People’s United Party.”

It is the largest constituency in Orange Walk District with over seven thousand voters and the U.D.P. has held a stronghold since 2008 when former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega came to office. With Vega retiring, the fight is  between Cervantes and Zetina. Cervantes, says he has being gaining ground, closing the gap by almost fifty percent in the last general elections.

Ramon Cervantes

“It has been very good. We have covered a lot of area, most of what is Orange Walk North has been covered. I am walking house to house, walking the streets, visiting everyone house to house. I am not doing selective campaigning. I am visiting everyone. So it has been going very good. The people have been very responsive, positively. The people want a change. And that has been the resounding message that the people want change.”

But Zetina is confident that Orange Walk north will remain loyal to the U.D.P. for a fourth term in a row. Zetina, though, has met challenges on his campaign trail due to COVID-19.

Carlos Zetina

Carlos Zetina

“It something that has not been that easy, but I found ways to reach to the people. The most important thing is that we need to reach to the people. So I will say to those people that  haven’t reached to them, I am just telling you just be patient. I will try my best to reach everyone. I think that we must reach everyone but we need to take precautions because for me the life of the people is more important that voting.”

And the constituency will be won on elections day when the last vote is cast. Each candidate is hoping that they have persuaded voters based on the issues that their campaigns have focused on.

Ramon Cervantes

“The issues have been for the people mainly, jobs land, education, free education, the recovery of the economy. That is what the people are clamoring for. They have felt the suffering because of policies and lack of police of this government which have caused a lot of suffering on the people.”

Hipolito Novelo

“What are the issues that you are campaigning on?”

Carlos Zetina

“Well, the people are positive. I am trying to reach as much people I can. It is looking very positive for me. I am confident and I am going to be the next minister in this area for Orange Walk North constituency.”

Reporting for News, I am Hipolito Novelo.