7 News Belize

Is Schackron a US Citizen; Can She Run For Elected Office In Belize?
posted (February 10, 2012)
Yolanda Schackron - she's been a public figure for some two years now - championing the cause of Belizeans for Justice. But since Monday, she's taken it to another level, emerging as the PUP's replacement candidate for Lake Independence after Cordel Hyde suddenly stepped down.

Because of her high public profile and no-nonsense reputation, she's still considered by some to be the favorite to win that PUP-inclined division - even with her late entrance.

But, she may face a stumbling block that no amount of popularity or recognition can overcome. Today 7news received information from a credible source which tells us that Yolanda Schackron holds U.S. and Belizean citizenship. It's not a crime; many people do, but section 58 of the constitution of Belize says plainly that "No person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Representatives who-

(a) is, by virtue of his own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or State." That means elected representatives cannot hold dual citizenship. Indeed, the present UDP administration had tried to change it earlier in its terms, but during consultations, the public pushback was too great, and they scrapped it.

And so the law stands, but does Shackron's candidacy fall by it? Well, first she'd have to confirm that she does hold dual citizenship. 7news Director, Jules Vasquez, called her this afternoon and asked that same question.

First, she asked who had told him that. He replied, "a reliable source." No answer, and so he asked again, "Does she hold U.S. and Belizean Citizenship?" She hesitated - and asked to call us back because she was with someone. She still has not called back - and more importantly, has not answered a very simple question - that only requires a yes/no response.

The fact that she has not answered leads us to believe that our information, which, again, comes from a credible source, is accurate. If so, major moves will have to be made before the election. But, really, the options are simple: either she gives up the U.S. Citizenship - if she does hold such citizenship, or she withdraws from the race.

But before we contemplate any of that, we await a response from Schackron.

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