7 News Belize

Patt is Proud
posted (February 11, 2020)

As we showed you earlier, Hugo Patt was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister today.  He was elected first deputy on Sunday - and won that post by the largest margin of any person elected to the executive.  

Today, at Belize House in Belmopan, before Governor General Sir Colville Young, he took the oath of office as Deputy PM - which, we should note is really not required - but more of a show ceremony.  

Except Hugo Patt is no show-man.  He’s an unassuming rural representative who told us he is proud:

Hon. Hugo Patt - Deputy Prime Minister
"Well Jules it's very much emotional, really I think when we started our political career, it was a challenging one but we always believe in service to the people and for me, the best way you can invite anybody to support you is by producing results and so what you will see is across the two terms that I have serviced in the Corozal North constituency, you will see we have always believed in that and that is one of the reasons that we have been able to garner much support."

Jules Vasquez
"So you said it earlier that in your village, in Pachakan, they call you boy. Explain to me how you have always been very clear, you are a village boy, so explain to me now that you hold the second most powerful office in the country, how do you reconcile those 2 realities in your head. You're a very powerful minister, deputy prime minister and minister of natural resources."

Hon. Hugo Patt
"Two things, one is my personal lifestyle and my capacity as a area rep for Corozal North and secondly is my designation as deputy prime minister of this country. While there are times that we might have to balance both, when I am at home, it is Hugo Patt and people love me for that. When I have this capacity then, I assume that responsibility."

Jules Vasquez
"Finally, I take it that formality and cocktails and all of these high society events is not something that you happily embrace."

Hon. Hugo Patt
"Definitely not. I enjoy being Hugo Patt you know, so I've always known to be myself as simple as can be, as down to earth as can be and that will not change."

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