At the top of the news we told you both the historic first visit of a Cuban president to Belize. It is the culmination of a 28 year diplomatic relationship between the two countries. And when Belize established diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1995 - Dean Barrow was Foreign Minister.
But, as we have reported, his son Shyne takes a starkly different view on Cuba - he sees it as a dictatorship and that's why he boycotted Sunday's ceremonial sitting. We asked one of his fellow UDP parliamentarians who did show up about her leader's absence:
Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Representative, Albert Division
"I don't know what was part of his decision making."
Jules Vasquez
"Did he consult you?"
Tracy Taegar-Panton
"I can say it's his alone. Boycotting such an event is not the consensus of the United Democratic Party. He certainly did not consult me and he feels he has a right to his position."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you embarrassed?"
Tracy Taegar-Panton
"I think it's unfortunate that the leader of the opposition for Belize would boycott a historic event such as this one with the visit of the Cuban president to the country."
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
"I see that other members of the opposition have come out to give support to this visit and that is extremely good on their part, but they didn't teach Belize/Cuba relations on the streets on Brooklyn, so if you did not grow up here you would not be able to appreciate the history between our 2 countries and so I think it just has to do with that."
Jules Vasquez
"What do you make of the boycott by leader of the opposition Shyne Barrow?"
Said Badi Guerra, Former Ambassador to Cuba
"I'll tell you this. I respect each and everyone's opinion. As a UDP he speaks for himself. That's his personal opinion. I respect that. We all have our personal opinions, but that is not the position of the party."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it an embarrassment to you?"
Said Badi Guerra, Former Ambassador to Cuba
"I was shocked to hear that, because of the ties we have with Cuba. Cuba has always been there for us. When we needed votes, Cuba has been there for us. With the Belize/Guatemala situation Cuba has always been along with us. Cuba has been an ally ever since with Belize, so it was a shock. But I respect that."
"In the family not everyone can agree."
Jules Vasquez
"He is the father of your family, your political family."
Said Badi Guerra, Former Ambassador to Cuba
"As I said I respect his opinion. That is not my opinion."
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Constitutional Reform
"I think Shyne needs to learn history and know the facts. If he would actually read a little bit, instead of listening probably to propaganda, then he would know that Cuba has many elections. In fact, they have a national elections next month for their entire parliament. Just last year they had the election on the family code which was another referendum. They had their municipal elections last year as well. They are a democratic country. As I said 90% turnout on the last referendum for the new constitution."
