Tomorrow, the UDP Special Committee will meet to consider the fate and the future of John Saldivar in the party - and tonight, the party's former leader is sharing his perspective on the Saldivar saga.
In an interview today about another mate - we asked Dean Barrow what he thinks about the predicament of his former Minister - now accused by the US of taking bribes, quote, "in exchange for improperly facilitating the acquisition of Belizean immigration documents." If it did happen, it would have been when Dean Barrow was Prime Minister.
While Barrow has no specific knowledge of that - he did speak about Saldivar's designation as "significantly corrupt" - and agreed that he is right to demand the evidence - but concedes that he's probably wrong to think he still has a political future:
Dean Barrow - Former UDP Leader
"I think Mr. Saldivar has a point - one hell of a point - when he says, 'where's the evidence?. We operate under a system where the rule of law is supreme, and that rule of law puts me, John Saldivar, in a position where I can demand to see the evidence and I can say to the public, you need to remember that I am to be presumed innocent unless, and until there is evidence disclosed that shows me guilty.' I think he make a hell of a case.
Politically, I don't think that gets him anywhere. There will be persons who will say, because he's right, then the UDP has to allow him to contest the conviction. But so very many more of the rest of the public will say 'No, man'. In politics, perception is reality and the perception that perhaps pre-existed this latest development - but certainly the perception that exists now is in my view. I haven't taken a poll. But it is my sense, so negative, that Mr. Saldivar's position is most uncomfortable. And without telling you what position I take - because I take no position - I'm not in politics. I can see how there are those who may feel that his position is not just uncomfortable, it is untenable.
The fact that there are those who will say there is no smoke without fire - this has now become a configuration - not a fire, a bonfire. And in those circumstances, UDP would be making a mistake if they were to allow Mr. Saldivar to participate in a convention. It's a matter of, which way you're going to come down.
The thing that happened with Penner, there was no doubt in my mind that Penner was guilty of the charges, not formal charges, but of the reports about his corruption. So, I fired him, and then you all, the public, said 'when will you charge him and lock him up?' And I - remember - the famous last words said 'but there's a difference between factual -'
Daniel Ortiz
"Factual guilt and legal guilt.
Dean Barrow
You all nearly killed me. But it's true! So we are right back where we started. The public might feel - or some members of the public - that they are in no doubt about Mr. Saldivar's factual guilt. Mr. Saldivar is saying, 'Oh yes? That doesn't go to court. Bring the evidence and establish my legal guilt. Otherwise.
Daniel Ortiz
Remove your designation.
Dean Barrow
precisely."
So the difficult decisions lie now with the Special Committee of 7 - which meets tomorrow. Barrow says he doubts they will get any evidence from the US State Department - though it has been requested. That leaves them only with John Saldivar's denial - which is a position Dean Barrow also faced when he was Prime Minister in 2020, and Saldivar had just been elected party leader - but was exposed two days before that for getting tranches from Lev Dermen. Barrow discussed then and now:
Dean Barrow, Former UDP Leader
"They've written to the US. Now if the US provides them with evidence. Oh, then they're off and running, but I don't see that happening. So, I can see why you are saying well this business of an inquiry or giving him a chance to - as it were - clear his name is a mockery. Because you are saying all the committee will have is Mr. Saldivar saying, 'not so, all of this is false.' But they will have nothing, on the other hand to be able to say to Mr. Saldivar, 'But here is this, that tape with Lev Dermen. That doesn't necessarily connect the dots in terms of the bribery allegations.
Alindy Marisol Amaya - Krem News Director
Court documents, the tranches. I'll meet you in Miami, or I'll send my guy to Miami."
Dean Barrow, Former UDP Leader
But, Marisol, what did Saldivar say? 'Yes, I got."
Daniel Ortiz
"And that matter also got him in trouble with you as Prime Minister, sir. Remember? He categorizes it as a failure to disclose. But everybody else takes the position that. "No... you lied by omission."
Dean Barrow, Former UDP Leader
"Well indeed, and so, that is one thing, but it's quite another. So, that's why, in fact, I had to remove him from the Cabinet. And that's why I didn't think at that point he'd continue to be a candidate for leadership. But I was never able to say, "No, no, it's not just that you lied. You took a bribe from -." I couldn't say that; I could never say that. Up to now I can't say that. So, I had to rest my case on, 'Well, you weren't straight with the Cabinet.' And that's it."
