The news went out like wildfire this morning that Ralph Fonseca had written a letter to the prime minister announcing his resignation. The signed letter, dated September 22nd, which went out to the media this morning sees the investment minister telling the prime minister that he's resigning because of the recent show of no confidence in his performance. It would be a great story, if it were true... turns out it isn't, the letter is a well designed hoax complete with signature and letter head. The prime minister himself today confirmed to 7 news that Fonseca has not given him any such letter:
Jules Vasquez
"You've seen a letter circulated to the media, supposedly written by minister Ralph Fonseca, a letter of resignation. Do you have any comment on it."
Hon. Said Musa – Prime Minister
"Well it one of those many bogus things that are floating around. There is clearly some mischief maker in Belize. (Laughing)
Q: "Is that within the PUP or without?"
I was very careful how I put this. In Belize. We obviously trying to destabilize the minds of some people but they can't destabilize me or the People's United Party (Laughing)."
Q: "Are there changes afoot in the PUP for the national party council meeting next Wednesday?"
"Not at all. On the 29th of September we'll be having a national party council meeting to celebrate the birthday of the People's United Party. It will be a celebration of unity, of re-unity in the PUP."
A Fonseca aide this evening told us that it is either the opposition or a faction within the party that is responsible for the letter, and whoever did it is, quote "afraid to face him." And while Fonseca has not lost his bluster, there is more afoot than just this letter. Last Night, 7 news received a copy of a letter purportedly written by tourism minister Mark Espat. That letter was supposedly sent to the Secretary general of the PUP advising him that changes need to be made in the party structure, starting with next week's national party council meeting.
Espat's camp has confirmed that that letter, also signed and bearing a letter head, is also a hoax. On the surface It's entertaining, but with all indications pointing to the likelihood That the letters are being concocted by warring factions within the PUP, it certainly seems to show a party deeply divided and conflicted after August's G-7 rift.