Dan Silva intends to reclaim Cayo Central

Dan Silva

And while Michael Silva is allegedly coming back…Dan Silva is coming back for sure. The successful former politician and P.U.P. Minister says he intends to reclaim his old stomping grounds in Cayo Central. Silva served as Minister of Trade from 1989 to 1993 and as Minister of Agriculture from 1998 to 2003. He then departed the political scene, but reports surfaced early this morning that he intends to return to electoral politics. News Five travelled to Cayo to confirm those reports. Silva did so, and told us his reasons for stepping back into the arena. He also touched on the challenge he will face against Luke Espat, who has declared his candidacy and is already campaigning for the P.U.P. in Cayo Central.

Dan Silva, PUP Political Aspirant, Cayo Central

“It is true. Last night there was a meeting with the Cayo Central Executive and with the village leaders and executives and they unanimously asked me to run and they gave me their full support, so I accepted. It is a tough decision. I see my country slowly sliding into the abyss. Here in Cayo there is more unemployment. I see for example the milk industry…we used to have one hundred and thirty-four farmers. Today we have thirty-three farmers. The milk farmers are being wiped out. Our area is a farming area and I think our farmers need more support. For example you’ve heard about the onions…while the farmers are planting onions in this area permits are being given out for container loads of onions to be coming in. so those are some of the areas that we need to be helping our farmers to survive. I don’t see no problem. I served the PUP in a distinguished manner as Minister of Agriculture. I’ve served my constituency also. We’ve done many, many great projects in Cayo Central. They say you should take every challenge serious so we’re taking everyone serious but you know, I’ve been working in that constituency for twenty years now so…I anticipate no problem. We will not wage a dirty campaign…it’s about the people actually and who can best serve the constituency. We have a proven record. I can name you hundreds of projects we’ve done in the area…schools, water systems, even Galen University, sixth form, St. Ignatius, I’m the founder, so the list goes on. I left my job in 2003 and that was it. I never left or returned again. Yes I served when Johnny Briceno was leader. I served as deputy leader. But I didn’t run in 2008 and I didn’t run in 2011. So to say that I’ve been in and out is just propaganda. I left in 2003 and that was it. Ten years after…”