The pressure continues to build against the embattled Orange Walk East Area Representative, Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez and, tonight, police from Orange Walk are following up on allegations of indecent assault made by 2 teenaged girls. We've been reliably informed by police sources that they have tasked an investigator to check into whatever information the females have provided to the Department of Social Services. They're checking to see if the information provided can result in criminal charges - which information suggests could be brought early next week.
Politically, pressure groups have now emerged to agitate against Mendez, and it led to a protest in front of the Orange Walk Town Council today. The agenda is to unseat him as area representative for Orange Walk East. We'll show you that later in our newscast, but first, we got a chance today to speak with Dr. Lesly Mendez, the wife of Dr. Marco Tulio. She figures prominently into the story because she's separated from Dr. Mendez.
She decided today that she would speak with us on behalf of her children and herself, who, she says, have become victims of attacks from members of the community in the wake of the emerging scandal against her husband.
She told us this afternoon that it is unfortunate that because her family decided to seek outside help to solve this very serious issue, they are now being targeted by political operatives from both sides. Here's her impassioned plea to the public to be left alone while this situation unfolds:
Dr. Lesly Mendez - Wife of Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez
"The situation is that we are a common family. A family like a normal family. We are not an abnormal family or like how I've been hearing over the radio or any other media that something must be wrong with this family, since we are a numerous family. The situation is that we have identified a problem in our family. We cannot name that problem as yet. We are being brave enough to identify the problem. I think that is what the Belizean population should look at because many families, many women, many children, many men, they have problems, but they are afraid to identify, they are afraid to look for help. We went to look for help to solve the problem. To see if there is any problem, but sadly, we are just being used as political poppets. I haven't received any call of support. I haven't receive any professional help, any therapist, offering help, any high profile whatever you want to call, offering us help. Only things I have received are hate calls, hostility, people throwing stones to my husband, to my family, to my children - but no help. I haven't received that community support. I feel just used and I think that is completely wrong and I really condemn that. I think that is why so many issues are not being properly addressed and I think that's why our children are being misled, because we adults are not showing them the proper way to do things. We certainly are going through a very difficult time. But are looking for the best way to solve the problem, but the people are not allowing us to do that in a healthy way."
And while Dr. Lesly Mendez is looking for support instead of hatred from her community, she is still cognizant that there are political consequences of the allegations against her husband. She discussed that with us also, while informing us that she and her husband have been estranged for a year, due to the seriousness of what Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez is being accused of:
Daniel Ortiz
"We've been unable to reach Dr. Mendez himself. Is he in Orange Walk Town? Is he out of town? Is he out of the country?"
Dr. Lesly Mendez - Wife of Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez
"You know because of this problem, we've been separated for more than one year, so we do not really keep close contact. I know that he is in Belize, definitely he is not in Orange Walk. I don't know where he is."
Daniel Ortiz
"How long ago did this problem emerge within your family?"
Dr. Lesly Mendez - Wife of Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez
"It's like a year. We've been separated for a year because of this issue. Because we've been trying to find answers, looking for professional help. Sadly, in our country, Belize, people have the brains just red and blue and that is very sad. I want to take this opportunity to ask the people to please be sensible, respectful. If you cannot help, then don't destroy people's lives. We are talking about a family here. We are talking about children involved. How is it that I am receiving threats? What have I done? I know that this is a very sensible issue, but I will not tolerate to be use for political agendas, being red or blue - I don't care. I am not talking about juts my case, but I've seen the destructions and the in two weeks when another worse topic arrives, people will just forget us, but will left myself and my children with a very strong pain, with a stigma in our lives."
"My duty as a mother, as a wife, is to look for the truth, for the correct answers and if there is someone that should be punish, they should be punish. But I cannot tell you yes, my husband did this, my husband did that."
Daniel Ortiz
"How do you answer to those when they see you speaking, they will say, Dr. Mendez is trying to cover for her husband, how do you explain to those people, look I am not covering for my husband, I am just trying to be objective and to be fair?"
Dr. Lesly Mendez - Wife of Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez
"Did I sound to you like I am trying to cover for him?"
Daniel Ortiz
"Not to me, but there may be people who want to make mischief out there."
Dr. Lesly Mendez - Wife of Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez
"That's my point, that in this type of situation, we cannot entertain that type of assumptions. You know how many garbage I been receiving? A lot. But my conscience is clean, my heart is clean, my children are stable and I hope my husband will finally clarify his name, if that is possible. That is not in my hands."
Viewers may have noticed that Dr. Mendez has a bruise under her right eye. She told us it happened when she was almost run over by an unknown vehicle. She is a Guatemalan Belizean and it happened at the Western Border., She told us that after her most recent trip across the border last week, she was about to get into her vehicle. That's when a vehicle she didn't recognize, being driven by an unknown person, charged toward her, and trying to get out of the way, she was struck by the oncoming vehicle's mirror.
As for her husband Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez, a relative told us that contrary to what has been reported, he remains in the country in the company of friends and family. He is awaiting the laying of charges against him - and, sources tell us, he plans to travel to Guatemala for medical treatment after that. As his party Leader Francis Fonseca says, he plans to defend himself against any accusations and has retained Richard Dickie Bradley as his attorney. Those charges could be brought as early as Monday.
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