What was Elodio Aragon doing at the airport last week Friday. Looked like he was picking up some Chinese VIP's - but the PUP got carried away and created a whole narrative about it.
Tonight Aragon has issued a statement referring to, quote "wild and ridiculous accusations of impropriety on my part." End quote.
Today, in an interview with Jules Vasquez, he sought to set the record straight about what his business was at the airport. We spoke to him via Zoom:
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Just let me ask plainly: what was your business at the airport?
Hon. Elodio Aragon, UDP OW East
"You know definitely over the weekend I saw a number of posts on social media, right? And these posts that were there were basically suggesting illegal activities taking place at the airport."
"But Jules, I just want to clear the air and tell you exactly what happened, and what transpired at the airport last week Friday was that I had a friend that was coming in that I knew through mutual people and when that friend came in I went to the airport, I got to the airport about 1:30, I think the plane had landed sometime about 12:30. So I went there and basically I was out there and I'll tell you, they did not clear the airport until about, I would say, until about two hours later."
"From what I know they went through all the normal inspections, which was immigration, customs, BAHA, they cleared all of that, they came out, I greeted the person and from there, I, we, went to Radisson, and that was it, Jules."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"You're a public figure, but you're also a VIP, we saw pictures like you went into the actual arrival hall at the airport. The perception I have is that whenever a minister or a senior person in government goes in there, it's to clear the red tape, run interference as the case may be, fi just bring you out, no questions asked."
Hon. Elodio Aragon, UDP OW East
"I went in, I stood out there for nearly two hours, I would say. And then I, just right up to where they leave the airport, and I inquired with the immigration officer, or somebody there, and asked them what was the situation, if there was a situation or anything. They said no, they are just going through their procedures, and that was it, Jules."
"I would never go into any place without anybody authorizing me, you understand, Jules? Because it's sad for me to know that somebody to know that somebody can't even go at the airport to pick up somebody or go at the airport and meet somebody that's coming in. Jules."
"Just like somebody comes into the country and its a close friend of yours - you would go out there, you understand me and I just went out there simply to say hi and to exchange a few words."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"You understand the appearance it would give right. This is inevitable. You live in Orange Walk East, you travelled about 50 miles to Belize City."
Hon. Elodio Aragon, UDP OW East
"I was already in Belize City, Jules. But I understand in terms of where we are right now with politics and no matter what you do right now, right now with the flick of a camera anybody would take your picture and Jules I am not afraid of anybody taking any pictures from me."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"We saw a couple known police officers there. Were they apart of your entourage or your friend's entourage?"
Hon. Elodio Aragon, UDP OW East
"No, none at all Jules. As far as I know I know I think I saw a police that works at special branch at the airport. They were there and definitely they were not with me."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"So now, what is the involvement of Minister Contreras, because that was the perception - you were both at the airport at the same time."
Hon. Elodio Aragon, UDP OW East
"I can't comment in terms of him. All I could assume is and from what I know is that he went to meet somebody there too likewise. I think it could be from the same entourage with that. You would have to ask him that."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Now, I have to ask you, you are a public figure. I have to ask you about who your friends are, because they say you tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are. Are these people investors? Are you involved in a venture with them or what the status?"
Hon. Elodio Aragon, UDP OW East
"No, Jules. This is just someone I know from through mutual acquaintance. As far as I know these are investors."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"The timing - we are weeks away from an election. Are they campaign supporters? Do they help finance your campaign? We know there are no regulations against that."
Hon. Elodio Aragon, UDP OW East
"No Jules, just through a personal friend that I know. Like I said all I know is that they had told me that they will be coming in and they will have some face masks to assist me with and that was about it. Nothing else there. I would wish if they would come and help me with some money, because I'll tell you the people in the east need that help."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"So, what's the status with the mask?"
Hon. Elodio Aragon, UDP OW East
"With the masks - I'll tell you the truth, I haven't gotten the masks yet neither, because when I picked up the person, I just dropped him at the Radisson. I think the whole entourage went to the Radisson as far as I am concerned. But from there I had to leave. You know I have this personal matter to tend with, Jules and so when I look at purportedly PUP release, they talk about me going to Placencia, Its lies."
In his statement this evening, Aragon refers to, quote, "gross lies and acts of sheer desperation and defamation of character on the part of the PUP."
He also, quote "puts Channel 5 on notice that…legal action will be taken against them." End quote.
Aragon also adds that he was, quote, "in Orange Walk Town dealing with a death in the family and not in Placencia as suggested in the frivolous reports." End quote.
That death was the COVID-related death of his mother in law, and you'll hear him speak about that loss later on in the news.
