Tonight, the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association is publicly complaining about what it is referring to as, quote, "an illegal AGM Scheduled to happen this Sunday, January, 9th, by non-registered farmers" End quote. They're basically alleging that non-members of their association are attempting to hijack their democratic process to force an election that is incompatible with their by-laws.
Earlier this week, a letter related to this issue started circulating around in private WhatsApp groups. In it, Health Minister Michel Chebat gave permission to Everaldo Uk, who the Minister identifies as a representative of the CSCPA. In that communique, Minister informs him that as long as they behave responsibly and protect the association's members from the dangers of COVID, they can hold a Special General Meeting, presumably to elect a new leadership of the association.
The problem is that according to Vladimir Puck, the CSCPA Chairman - whose position would also be challenged - this would be an illegal meeting. Puck insists that Everaldo Uk is not a member of the association, and so, he has no authority to call for a special meeting.
Via teleconference, Puck shared his dispute on the matter this evening:
Vladimir Puck - CSCPA Chairman
"This is a petition that we saw from this gentleman, Mr. Everaldo Uk requesting to conduct a special meeting is the big question, he formally is not a member of this organization, he has been expelled for the past 2 years, so it is something that is very concerning, how can a non member be applying for something as important as an AGM looking at the situation with covid which makes it worse."
Daniel Ortiz
"What will happen since you all disagree that this person who you say is a non member has urged for an AGM?"
Vladimir Puck
"Well firstly, general meetings are held in the month of November and those things that we need to have in mind, same thing as October is used to do elections, so those are the time set, so it is very surprising that at this point in time anyone can apply for a special meeting for an organization which is private and conduct one as such. Number one is that this gentleman is not a member of the CSCPA that is the first rule that is being broken there."
Daniel Ortiz
"What will happen this weekend?"
Vladimir Puck
"Well that will happen this weekend, that's a very good question, I can clearly say it is an illegal meeting and that is being addressed at this moment as we speak by our legal minds."
We'll keep following this developing story into the weekend.
As viewers will remember, Vladimir Puck is the same association chairman who was attacked outside the compound of Tower Hill last week Monday, during the official start of the new sugar grinding season. That happened 1 day before the Cane Truck Blockade and protest launched by the membership of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association.
