Prime Minister Dean Barrow held his first formal Cabinet session today in Belmopan. It was preceded by a political caucus with all elected UDPs where one pressing issue was the question of who will be in charge of the Corozal Free Zone. It’s like a self-contained fiefdom and in the past, it was a choice plum gifted to PUP backbenchers Valdemar Castillo and Florencio Marin Sr. And, we are told that the man who beat Valdemar Castillo, Nemencio Acosta was hoping to get the CEO’s job. Defeated Orange Walk Central candidate Chendo Urbina was also rumored to be interested.
But Barrow confirmed to us today that he told his northern representatives at the caucus that no politician – be he backbencher or standard bearer will head the Free Zone. It’s likely to cause some discord, but Barrow told us he heard none at the caucus meeting, and will stick to his position regardless.
After the caucus, the Cabinet met and the Ministers discussed the appointment of CEOs and other general government business. Two high profile appointments are: the CEO in the newly restored Ministry of Tourism will be businessman Michael Singh and the CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be veteran diplomat Alexis Rosado.
Barrow also told us that the first meeting of the House of Representatives will be on March 14th.
