Collet Montejo endorses Luke Espat for convention in Cayo Central

Both political parties are holding conventions even though elections are not due until 2017. In Cayo Central, the convention is set for April twenty-seventh, so that campaigns among the contenders are in the full swing. Collet Montejo ran for the People’s United Party in the last general elections in the constituency; he is currently a senator. Today, at a press conference held in Belize City, Montejo revealed that he will not be contesting and in fact was throwing his support behind Luke Espat. Espat welcomed the endorsement, but that doesn’t mean that he will be spared because he will have to run against the formidable and former government minister, Dan Silva. But here is the crux…Montejo initially support Silva, but now says he’s had a change of heart.

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Collet Montejo, Former P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo Central

“I finally decided after very short meeting with our party leader this morning that I will not contest the convention for the Cayo Central Constituency. But at the same time, I looked at the current candidates that are still in the race and in my heart’s mind and in my heart of hearts; I basically decided that I had to choose between the two and decided to come out publicly today endorsing the candidacy of Luke Espat.”

Luke Espat

Luke Espat, Political Aspirant

“In speaking with Collet over a period of time—despite we have had our disagreements on how to approach subjects—I think at heart we feel the same way. The last election was stolen and we all know what happened in the last elections. But I can assure you all this that I will continue to fight going up towards the convention to be the standard bearer for the People’s United Party.”

Reporter

“Evaristo who I believe was the chairman or some high level functionary; this was September of 2013. The date for convention is so and so. We are trying to secure…Mister Montejo has agreed to step down to support Dan Silva, but with the condition that you pay some bills he owes in the division and it is a bit. Anyone wants to give small donations, etc, etc; he gave his number. Were you in negotiations with the Dan Silva camp to support Mister Silva if in fact whatever bills you had were paid?”

Collet Montejo

Collet Montejo

“We were in discussion, serious discussion. As a matter of fact, initially—and it is no secret, there is nothing to hide here—we were prepared to support Dan Silva. But again like Luke mentioned just now, politics is something that evolves.  And a decision you make today may not necessarily be a decision that you make tomorrow. After I evaluated the entire situation, I asked myself what would be best for the people of Cayo Central. The option for me was Dan or Luke and this was totally personal…nothing against Dan, I just decided to endorse Luke’s candidacy.”

Reporter

“However you can see how one might take the interpretation that Mister Silva and his group did not pay your bills and you went to Mister Espat who did agree to pay your bills.”

Collet Montejo

“No, that is a concept that people can deduce and in politics you will deduce just about anything. But the reality is that we share the same views.”