PM says ‘Clear the Land’ Castro fired because of land transaction

Edmund Castro

On Wednesday the Prime Minister announced that the high profile Minister of State in the Ministry of Works, Edmund ‘Clear the Land’ Castro was fired from his post.  There were many rumors circulating for the very abrupt dismissal. The Prime Minister put an end to the rumors and explained today that it was over a land deal. Castro, at the House meeting today, was moved to the furthest end of the bench where he was busy checking a spreadsheet. But before the PM had a chance to speak, ‘Clear the Land’, cleared out very quickly from the House of Representatives.

Edmund ‘Clear the Land’ Castro, Area Rep Rural North

“I done talk yesterday…”

Jose Sanchez

“What’s next for clear the land? [Pats on shoulder]”

Dean Barrow

dean barrow

“You saw the press release. I don’t propose to say more than that except to indicate that it was over an incident having to do with land. I say that because all sorts of rumors are flying. I do want to make it clear that it was over an issue having to do with land. It is not my intention to embarrass honorable Castro. As I said in the press release, I was satisfied that the standards I expected to be upheld as has not been the case in the past where we think about minister’s visas having being pulled by the U.S., one who sold land to popper which turned out to be the wrong land. I, as I’ve always indicated, will act when I come into position of evidence that convinces me that any member of my government has not stuck to the straight and narrow in the way I expect. I won’t go beyond that.”

Jules Vasquez, Channel 7

“But if there is indication of fraud, obtaining property by deception, perhaps theft?”

Dean Barrow

“I won’t go beyond what I’ve said. It’s an incident involving land. To the extent that anybody has been wronged and that it is within the power of government to set it right. Whenever there is proof given to me concerning wrongdoing on the part of any member of my government, I will act.”

The specifics of the land deal, as we understand it, involve complaints made to the prime minister with substantiating evidence that Castro had swindled money for a piece of land which he did not deliver to a Belizean living abroad. After his firing on Wednesday, Castro indicated he would go back to his constituents in the Belize Rural North and continue doing what he does best.