And while there were a good many of those extra seats, Briceno said he has the full, unwavering support of his party. But, is it because he has bent to their demands - going from his personal, public position of a "yes" to the ICJ - to a party position of "no". We asked him a question about the role of a leader:
Jules Vasquez- Reporter
"Do you think you have shown the requisite firmness and strength and character in your leadership because it seems like you have shifted from leadership to followship. You in your mind know what you believe is right but the party says something and because of the politics of the situation you can't afford to say yes while your party says no because somebody out there will say, 'We going for John Briceño head. Sir, that is the reality."
John Briceno- Leader of the PUP
"If that is what you feel that is what you feel. What I have been saying and what I've been maintaining is that I continue to maintain the support of the people of this party. As a leader you have to listen to your people; you are not a dictator."
Jules Vasquez
"However, had you stuck to your conscience, your gut, your appointment with history, based on the track that the PUP set in 2006, would you still have that support had you just decided, 'You know what, you all are saying no, it is a vote of conscience, I must say yes, you all are free to say no.' You would not then have that unanimous support of the party. You have their support because you are doing what they are telling you to do."
John Briceno
"I think you did not listen to me earlier. As a leader you need to listen to your people. You give them the options and then you try to form consensus within your party. And that is what I did."
Briceno says he will be holding meetings in his constituency of Orange Walk Central to get out the "NO" vote.
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