Presently, the PUP control all 8 seats in the north of the country. But with what the opposition predicts will be a major swing against incumbents - they hope to take over a majority of those seats. And the toughest battle in Orange Walk is in central where John Briceno has won for three successive terms. But this time he’s going against a well resourced UDP candidate who used to work with Briceno. We found out what makes this one interesting.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
Just look at the signs and you’ll know that politics in Orange Walk Town is fierce: it is personal, it is passionate and it is full combat. Well known businessman Chendo Urbina is on one side, and on the other is PUP Deputy Leader John Briceno. We met Chendo Urbina campaigning in the heart of Orange Walk Town along with Mayor Ravell Gonzalez and UDP First Deputy Gaspar Vega. Urbina was going from one business house to the next talking to proprietors and patrons, asking for their support.
Chendo Urbina, UDP Candidate - O/W Central
“My strategy is to go from house to house meeting all the people and asking them for their support and discuss the issues with them, how they see I am based on issues, based on whatever they would like, and I am hearing the people. I understand that my opponent mentioned that he came down from being Deputy Prime Minister so that he can come to campaign and show me how to campaign but I haven’t seen that because I know that I am campaigning more than he is. I don’t know what his strategy is.”
His strategy is also house to house. We met Briceno on San Narciso Street with his supporters. He said familiarity is what makes it easy for him.
Johnny Briceno, PUP Candidate - O/W Central
“I have constantly worked for the people of Orange Walk Central. When I visit them right now I have all confidence to go to them, since as I tell them, you don’t see me only around election time - you see me all year round.”
And while each candidate has his platform, Urbina says national issues take the forefront.
Chendo Urbina,
“I don’t have to tell people what is happening countrywide on the issues. People already know and if they have some concerns, they want to know my position on certain things, for example they want to know my position on education - what will I do about education, what will I do about health, what will I do about the immigrants, what will I do about taxes, the economy - that is what they want know. What we are telling them is that we have to work with the people to change so that we can have a change in government because we need the change. Everybody knows, everybody is telling me - 'last week I went to the grocery shop and this week I went with $100 and I can’t get what I got last week for $100’ - that is the issues.”
Jules Vasquez,
How hard is it going around as an incumbent, taking around the baggage of ten years?
Johnny Briceno,
“What is important to point out is that Belize has come a long way over the past ten years. Here in the Orange Walk District for instance in Orange Walk Central there were two high schools and there are four high schools now. Every school has gotten help from the government, be it new classrooms, buildings, computers, teachers - we have been working for the people of this district. So that whilst yes there are certain things that we have no control over and people understand that. At the end of the day they are looking at who is it that can lead this country in the future.”
Jules Vasquez,
So the name Musa is perhaps, not in politics the blue chip name that it was in 1998. As the Prime Minister in a difficult time he has taken a pounding. How much has the politics changed in terms of is the candidate - are you now putting yourself more out front and putting the Prime Minister or the leadership of the party in the background and making it personal between you and your voter?
Johnny Briceno,
“Its important to know that all politics is local. At the end of the day the people in Orange Walk Central, they will decide who is the better candidate: is it Johnny Briceno or the opposition. It has nothing to do, at the end of the day, who is the leader.”
And that leader was in Orange Walk the night before we visited, embracing Briceno and also giving the main speech at a well attended rally.
Johnny Briceno,
“Well it’s certainly a huge momentum builder. When you see the thousands of thousands of supporters all full of energy, getting ready for this day, for the 7th of February it energizes us again.”
Jules Vasquez,
Last night Mr. Briceno said he had a crowd of over 8,000 at his rally last night. Are you concerned that the PUP last night with that showing may be having a last minute momentum push?
Chendo Urbina,
“I don’t think so because if you would notice around with me, I have some of these people that were campaigning for him on the street. The show that he did yesterday was 8 constituencies, Corozal and Orange Walk, as a matter of fact the people from Orange Walk didn’t want to go to the front. It was Corozal people who were put in the front. Orange Walk people, Johnny Briceno does not have the support that he used to have. It is a different UDP that is in Orange Walk.”
And that different UDP has taken over downtown Orange Walk plastering it with signs.
Jules Vasquez,
Why when driving through the town on the main, one has the impression that the UDP is winning the war of signs, you don’t see a lot of John Briceno signs in town, you don’t see a lot of PUP signs? I know the PUP is known for a smothering approach usually, they blitz you with everything. Why is it that you don’t have that edge driving through the heart of town?
Johnny Briceno,
“Well here in the heart of town is usually where the NIP/UDP live. Every election you are going to see those very same people put up their flags and put up their signs. All the signs that they put up, all the dirty signs, they have them all over town, let them squander their money on the signs. We will be working with the people of Orange Walk Central."
But while Urbina is winning the war of signs - Briceno is pounding him with negative commercials on his television and radio stations.
Chendo Urbina,
"Right now I am not worrying about what people are doing or what people are saying. They have me on the television like how I tell you but that is because I am doing something. If I wasn't doing something worthwhile they wouldn't put me on and I thank for the free advertisement."
Two candidates that are being pounded, but rolling with those punches in a division that has the fierce feel of a boxing ring.
