Francis Fonseca retaliates to P.U.P. executive’s decisions

For months they were asleep, but now there’s no shortage of news from P.U.P. and the internal fighting between the old and new guards of the Opposition party. The last salvo has come from Francis Fonseca, who was defeated by John Briceño at the leadership fight in March and who is seen to be aligned with the old guard. Late this evening, the Freetown representative, Fonseca, issued a seven-point news release about his attendance at the Florencio Marin Junior Corozal Southeast Special Convention held on Sunday. Fonseca says he attended in support of Marin as a friend and colleague since Marin had previously supported him in his bid as party leader. Fonseca said he regretted that the National Executive had seen it necessary to expel the Chairman of the Corozal Southeast constituency, Joe Ellis, and to suspend the members of the branch committee. Fonseca also expresses disappointment that the National Executive did not convene a full meeting of the National Council to discuss the matter openly.

And in a direct hit at Briceño’s leadership, on a decision to look into the actions of the former leaders of the party, Fonseca says he views this threat as petty, mean-spirited and unbecoming of a leader that spouts unity. To end, Fonseca criticizes government for having victimized Freetown residents.

In another developing story, Mike Espat, who also attended the southeast convention, has been dumped. Independence Hall announced today that Espat is being replaced by Rodwell Ferguson as new Southern Caucus Chairman. Elections were held on Wednesday in Dangriga. The new line-up includes Leonardo Cal as Vice Chairman, Giget Villanueva as Secretary and Treasurer is Ivan Ramos.