7 News Belize

Southern Caucus Called In to Leader’s Office
posted (October 11, 2018)

On Tuesday you saw the PUP Southern Caucus, and members of the Western Caucus forge out on their own - ahead of their party - to meet with the anti-ICJ Peace Movement.  

When we asked them about whether it would displease their party leader - they clearly said that he was “ok” with it:

Hon. Oscar Requena, Toledo West
"The party met and we had extensive discussions. Coming out of our national executive meeting the decision was made that we are going to vote our conscience. I think it is important that we lay that on the table, because the party leader has gone on record to say that we are all entitled to our own individual positions and we are making that out. As leaders we need to speak to other leaders in this country who I believe shares common interest, common issues and I think that is what we are doing today."

Dr. Luis Zabaneh, PUP Standard Bearer - Dangriga
"Let me first say, our party leader was informed that we will be at this meeting and more power to him. I think that the position that the party has taken which is that we vote our conscience, I think ought to be applauded and I think our party leader has shown to the country that he has these qualities where he respects other people who have different views."

But that was Tuesday.  Today, multiple reports from within the PUP told us that Party Leader John Bricneo, through his Chief of Staff Stuart Leslie, has summoned the Southern Caucus to a meeting tomorrow morning.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that it is to reprimand them for proceeding with a No to The ICJ” campaign - but, again, that is unconfirmed.  By tomorrow we’ll have a clearer idea of what the meeting was about.

The truth is there is tension between the party leadership and the southern caucus - which has long been waiting for the party to declare a firm formal position on the ICJ.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize