Tonight, Belize's political landscape has been completely re-mapped: John Saldivar has stepped down as UDP Party Leader Elect - less than 72 hours after he was elected by a large margin in a lavish national convention. And, he has been suspended indefinitely from Cabinet.
It is a stunning reversal of fortune and a precipitous fall from grace; two days ago he had reached the political pinnacle, sworn in as party leader, and said he would be in discussions to take over as Prime Minister after the budget presentation in March.
But, tonight, Saldivar is on the political equivalent of life support after a meeting in the Cabinet room where Prime Minister Dean Barrow used the full weight of his office to force him to step down.
An emergency Cabinet session at 10:00 this morning turned into a meeting of all 31 ministers, area representatives and standard bearers where Saldivar's political and ministerial fate would be decided. Here's what we saw outside the meeting:
Jules Vasquez reporting
Ministers and standard bearers started arriving from before 10:00 AM, but when the Prime Minister arrived at 09:50, he had a GSU escort - 6 armed officers who formed a line and kept our cameras away as he walked into the building through the side door.
Patrick Faber arrived in jeans, looking like a man taking a break after he just lost a big race.
Finnegan played the familiar role of the clown to show how relaxed he was
While Gaspar Vega came with his northern ally Tony Herrera and Port Loyola's Phillip Willoughby and, on this day, the election psychic didn't want to comment neither did Wilfred Elrington. He was the last to go in around 10:15.
The media just waited around after that, for about two hours. and when we went to the back to see who would slip out - police tried to move us and after that the officer commanding Belmopan kept a stern and scolding eye on the press, making it clear that we should be in the front.
Of course, the media pressed on - but the line was firm, only the Prime Minister would talk.
Hon. Anthony Marttinez
"The Prime Minister will be making a statement shortly."
That's the same message we got out at the front. But the party chairman did say a few words.
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, UDP Party Chairman
"For right now with respect for the PM I'll wait until he issues his statement."
Jules Vasquez
"But he speaks on executive matters. Can you speak on the party, you are in custody of the party."
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte
"I will speak after the Prime Minister speaks."
And the Deputy Prime Minister also had some words
Jules Vasquez
"Sir are you prepared if necessary to be the party leader?"
Hon. Hugo Patt, Deputy Prime Minister
"The Prime Minister will make a statement, that's all I have to say at this point in time."
Reporter
"We received reports that delegates received caye land bought for a $1,000, or sold to them for a $1,000. Is that true."
Hugo Patt, Deputy Prime Minister
"I dont know ma'am, I really don't know."
Reporter
"You look shaken."
Hon. Hugo Patt, Deputy Prime Minister
"There is a policy where land is issued and a set price and I think that a cabinet decision was taken to that effect and all we are doing is complying. I don't see the issue of a Belizean getting a piece of and paying the social price that all people pay. What is the issue with that?"
Reporter
"A cabinet decision to what effect?"
Hon. Hugo Patt, Deputy Prime Minister
"I will give you a piece of land too, don't worry."
The UDP on the defensive and on the retreat - what we can now expect as the standard mode of engagement in the tense remaining months of their administration.
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