P.U.P. buys newspaper, radio station, headquarters for $725,000

It’s been the cause of serious tension in the People’s United Party but after weeks of “delicate negotiations”, a press release issued by the political organization today confirms that an agreement has been reached for the purchase of the Belize Times, Independence Hall and Positive Vibes Radio. According to party leader John Briceño, through a financial settlement, the People’s United Party is now seventy percent owner of Positive Vibes, fifty percent owner of the Belize Times and one hundred percent in control of Independence Hall. According to Briceño, the price tag for the assets is seven hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The P.U.P. has already made a hundred thousand dollar down payment and through fundraising efforts in every constituency, hopes to pay the balance by the end of the year. While the party’s legal advisors are now discussing whether the shares will be put into a trust or a company, Briceño says the owners will always be the members of the People’s United Party. “This is an important step for party supporters” he said. “Most of them were dismayed that assets weren’t in hands of the party. With this agreement, we have fulfilled the mandate given to us at the special convention in Orange Walk to gain full control of the assets. Now we just have to find ways to pay for it”. In case you were wondering, the sellers of those assets are believed to be companies controlled by former Prime Minister Said Musa and former Minister of Home Affairs Ralph Fonseca. According to Briceño, Mike Rudon is now running things at the Belize Times and is also looking after the affairs at Positive Vibes. In related news, after Amalia Mai declined the offer to take over as Secretary General of the P.U.P., Servulo Baeza has been tapped to assume that post on an interim basis.