Is Agriculture Minister Concerned About His Personal Safety?

On Wednesday, we showed you a throng of angry caneros when they encircled the Minister of Agriculture’s vehicle as he attempted to leave from the SIRDI compound in Orange Walk District.  Fortunately, the situation did not escalate to violence the Orange Walk South Area Representative gave assurances that he was meeting with Prime Minister Briceño later that afternoon.  But was there any fear for his personal safety, given the tension among the cane farmers who congregated outside of SIRDI?

Jose Abelardo Mai

Jose Abelardo Mai, Minister of Agriculture

“I’ve seen worse than that in the times of the UDP and the farmers know who has genuinely worked for them.  Actually, they didn’t want me to leave because they want an answer now and then, and so I understand the frustration of the farmers.  Many of them are my friends, many of them are my supporters, many of them know that I have been supporting them for a very long time as a cane farmer and now as a person in Cabinet.  My interest is to ensure the best benefits for all the producers in this country.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Are you expecting that industrial actions may increase in intensity.  I mean, you had mentioned on Facebook, you don’t mess with people who prepare your food or make your food.”

Jose Abelardo Mai

“One thing, you don’t want to get people pissed off who produce the food and that’s across the world.  It is sad that we have to reach to this and you will recall that we have tried.  In opposition, we said that in a hundred days we would review the Sugar Industry Act and in a hundred and ten days, I think, we had a draft of the Sugar Industry [Act].  We consulted with them and they said they needed more time.  There response was that, you know what, I am not interested in your regulation.”