John Saldivar was designated by the US State Department on November the 15th - and today, 17 days later, a UDP Special Committee met to decide his fate and his future in the party.
They met at Party Headquarters where Saldivar appeared before the Committee of 7 for upwards of an hour in a closed door meeting.
That finished at 12:30 - and the committee, led by Chairman Mike Peyrefitte concluded its deliberations by about 1:45 - and their decision, though not unanimous, was simple: John Saldivar, presently in the running for a Belmopan convention, should no longer represent the party as a candidate.
Party Leader Shyne Barrow embraced the decision and held a press conference by 2:30 to say he fully embraces and endorses that decision:
Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Well, the decision is that we feel it is the best interest, the special committee - I agree categorically, unconditionally with the special committee that Mr. Saldivar should not run as a candidate and should withdraw from politics at this time. And I am pleased that the special committee has made a decision that indicates clearly to the nation and to the world that the United Democratic Party has a zero tolerance for endemic corruption, has a zero tolerance for any of our members that will engage repeatedly in personal misconduct."
Reporter
"How was this decision arrived at in the absence of the evidence that was being sought from the US State Department earlier this week?"
Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"I just said, if you would have listened to me that we are not the supreme court of Belize, we are not the magistrate's court of Belize and it is not our search for a perfect justice. Our search is as an institution, the government in waiting, the constitutional opposition and our responsibility to the nation to demonstrate that we are a viable alternative. In my conversations with the media never said that this was black and white and that it was a matter of well if they have the evidence then we will make a decision, if they don't, well as some may have speculated that this was a kangaroo court and we were just going through the motions, because there is no sufficient legal or technical evidence. There is a mountain of circumstantial evidence of allegations of significant corruption all the way back to when Prime Minister Barrow moved Mr. Saldivar according to Mr. Saldivar himself from the Ministry of Immigration where his sister remained the CEO of immigration and corruption continued in immigration."
Jules Vasquez
"Mr. Saldivar indicated in his press conference that he would wish to appeal any decision made against him, if it's an adverse decision to the national party council. Will he be permitted to appeal to the national party council?"
Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Absolutely. That is a part of natural justice and due process."
Jules Vasquez
"So, its not over then?"
Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"It is my position as the duly elected leader of the United Democratic Party that John Saldivar should not run for the UDP and should withdraw from politics in the position as an area representative or a standard bearer and deal with all of the matters that have befallen him and I think a retirement from politics at this time is the wise decision. I am saying that I have a vote in the NPC and I will vote that the recommendation, the decision of the special committee stand and I will do everything to encourage my colleagues to respect the decision of the special committee for the best interest of the party. I am grateful to Mr. Saldivar for all of his contributions to the party, but it is my firm belief that the decision made by the special committee signals the end of his political career."
Jules Vasquez
"Sir, but you were instrumental in installing him or endorsing him as western region coordinator and you gave that famous speech where you said he's a man of the people, he's a humble man, he has serve this party. You did that just a few months ago, sir. So what explains this total reversal?"
Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"It is not a reversal. It is a fluid situation. It has developed. I am big on reform, I am big of rehabilitation, I am big on redemption, I am big on second chances, so while others were not prepared to give Mr. Saldivar a second chance, an opportunity to redeem himself - I had no difficulty with that, because I have been in a position where I needed the people in Mesopotamia, the people of this country to give me an opportunity to prove myself, so I did that and you make mention of it. I did it unreservedly. I was not trying to be fancy. I was wholeheartedly behind this opportunity for redemption and it did not work out. We have now a situation where there is a designation by the United States Department, there is a criminal investigation by the Commissioner of Police. It is just too much for the party to continue to carry."
