Last night on the news you heard the Leader of the Opposition Shyne Barrow say that he's boycotting a special Joint Sitting Of The National Assembly on Sunday to welcome the President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel. It's a historic first visit by a Cuban president to Belize and the first time in Independent Belize that the national assembly meeting is being held outside of the capital, Belmopan. But Shyne says he is boycotting because he says the Cuban state is guilty of human rights violations and oppressive anti democratic measures against its citizens.
Well, for the second week in a row, the UDP leader has taken a position aligned with the US State Department, and he stands alone and isolated within his party.
Today his first Deputy Leader Hugo Patt made a pro-Cuba post, praising the Cuban revolution, and noting that country's support in 1981 for an independent Belize. He says, quote, "Belize will forever be a true and loyal friend, partner, ally and advocate of the dreams and aspirations of Cuba…long live Cuba!"
And, while he sent that bout, the UDP's Second Deputy Beverly Williams was busy meeting with the Cuban Ambassador Maria Labrada. A post from John Saldivar says he accompanied her, as representatives of the UDP Caucus for Change to, quote, "express the solidarity of the Caucus for Change with the Government and People of Cuba on the visit this Sunday of (the) Cuban President." End quote.
And, one of the UDP's Representatives, Tracy Teagar Panton also made a post saying, quote, "This historic, first, official visit of a Cuban President to Belize can only help to strengthen the bond of friendship and mutual respect we have nurtured over the past three decades. I look forward, on behalf of all Belizeans….to warmly welcome…Miguel DIaz-Canel Bermudez, the President of the Republic of Cuba…" End quote.
