Of course, the PUP has its own cautionary tale of Cabinet level visa revocation. Going back 20 years ago - when Briceno was Deputy Prime Minister - Immigration Minister Max Samuels had his visa revoked, but it wasn't the end of his political career with the PUP.
And, that may be fueling Saldivar to fight back with his own consistent counter-narrative that he did nothing wrong. He has chosen to put this out in two Facebook posts - the first of which we told you about last night. Well, he made another early this morning - stating that he recalls a car dealer who he claims gave the Americans a false story about him receiving bags of money on a weekly basis while he was Minister of Immigration. The story had reached Prime Minister Dean Barrow who raised it with him. Saldivar says he dismissed it at the time but now believes that it's come back to haunt him. He says, quote, "the actions of the State Department are based on a preposterous lie." End quote.
Tonight Jules Vasquez looks back to 2013, when evidence of UDP ministers signing visa recommendations for Asians was coming in fast and furious and we asked the then Minister of Immigration if he was in on it too. Here's the story with some historical context:
The US Department of State's Fact Sheet on John Saldivar's alleged "significant corruption" says, quote,
"Specifically, he accepted bribes in exchange for improperly facilitating the acquisition of Belizean immigration documents"
Well, in 2013 I asked him about that - and he denied signing any documents or taking any money:
John Saldivar, Former Police Minister
"Area Representatives are called upon by their constituents to give recommendations for various government services and we do that in the normal course of things and I will repeat since you not have gotten that memo "I am not in any way involved in any visa scam."
Jules Vasquez
"But a legitimate visa in the normal course wouldn't need a recommendation per se; a covering letter from a minister or even a generic covering letter."
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"I have never issued any letter. I have simply called at times to try to see the process through, but that's about it. I have never written any letter - that has never occurred with me."
Jules Vasquez
"It's an ugly question, but it has to be asked in the current climate; is this a service that elected representatives offer that, I'll make a call in consideration, not for an inducement, but perhaps I need some funding for my summer camp or campaign financing or..."
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"Noh man. Loaded question Jules. Obviously not, that's not how we operate. We do a service for our constituents and we don't charge any money for the service that we do."
But, the Americans say he did and to that, Saldivar says, basically, prove it:
"I know for sure I have not been involved in any bribery or corruption at immigration and there is no evidence that the US State Department can produce to say otherwise.
...the State Department will never be able to produce any evidence against me. All they have is hearsay."
And, indeed, the United States has not offered any evidence - they never because they never have to, such is the prerogative of empire:
Reporter
"The US Secretary of State if accusing Saldivar of significant corruption because he has credible information. Would that information be shared with Government of Belize so we can pursue any criminal actions against Saldivar here?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well I don't know if they will share it with us. In many instances the US government would refuse to share, because one of the things they try to do is to protect the people that give them the information. But certainly, if we can get the information, we would want to take a look at it."
Saldivar says there's nothing to look at - stating defiantly, "Nothing has changed with this designation. I will continue to offer myself to the community I love as they and only they will be the judge of me."
But, the judgement from the State Department is harsh and unprecedented - the only parallel IS the 2003 revocation of then Immigration Minister Max Samuels' visa.
And the lesson in there it's that one month after that - Samuels remained a PUP Candidate and went on to win his seat in the next general election by an increased margin.
So, is it the end for Saldivar? By all political logic it should be, but, it probably isn't and we get the feeling this political soap opera has a long way to go.
As we noted last night, UDP Leader Shyne Barrow issued a statement which specifically did not preclude the possibility of a Saldivar candidacy. It says, quote,
"Notwithstanding our zero tolerance of corruption by public officials we must be guided by the fundamental principles of due process and in the Belize Judicial system all are innocent until proven guilty." End quote.
Saldivar is considered Barrow's closest inter-party ally.
