The Prime Minister returned at 1:00 and shortly after that his Minister of Agriculture faced a hostile crowd at the SIRDI headquarters in Buena Vista, Corozal. He had just come out of meetings with the BSCFA executive and was going to the Yo Creek Agricultural Station to meet with the Prime Minister when he was braced by a hostile crowd.
Our team was there and here's the story:
Today at around 1:00 pm - the cane farmers blocked the highway in front of the SIRDI headquarters once again.
That's after they gave a midday deadline today - and told the Deputy Commissioner they were tired of waiting for an answer - and he was more than agreeable:
Dr. Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"Give them some more time."
Protestor
"More? Alright, new year's, Christmas eve - what more time they want? 3 years ago we are at Tower Hill and then you all come with the same bull@#$% again. No man we have patience."
Dr. Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"We are working with the cane farmers. We are working with you guys. If you notice we are more tolerant than anything. Back then we would have use brute force. We are working with you, you have our support, but all we ask allow the negotiation to continue."
"We agree, the people have a right to demonstrate, but they must do so peacefully and we are allowing them to do that. The thing is we do have a continuum of strategy available to us. At this moment we are trying to negotiate with them to remove the blockage. We have our operational plan in place. At this moment we are just in diplomatic stage discussing with them."
Reporter
"And that includes BDF soldiers?"
Dr. Richard Rosado, Deputy Commissioner of Police
"We have our contingency plan in place."
They didn't activate that plan, because the meeting between the BSCFA executive and the minister of agriculture finished shortly after:
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"We are going to meet the prime minister right now. There has to be a decision made today."
Protestor
"I mi di stand right een deh - how much time we gwen wait."
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"The prime minister is going to meet with us in Orange Walk."
Reporter
"Do you believe he will be able to bring this to an end?"
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"He has to. We have to find an end to this."
Reporter
"How will he do that sir?"
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"Somebody has to bend. Something has to give in. The farmers are tired. The farmers are frustrated, they want to deliver their cane, so we must come to a resolution. So we are going to meet the prime minister right now and tell him that this is a serious matter that needs to be addressed now."
Reporter
"It's obvious that the police are trying to solve this in a diplomatic manner, but do you believe diplomacy will work at this point?"
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"We hope so."
It didn't work there as Minister Mai was blocked - reportedly by a former supporter - who would not let him pass
He had to leave with a police escort and even when he got to his Toyota Prado, they also blockaded it: - wi9th Mai pleading with them - assuring them of his support.
Reporter
"You notice the farmers have grown impatient, they want a decision now and will they get a decision now?"
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"I am aware of that. We are going to meet the prime minister right now. There has to be a decision made today."
Reporter
"That meeting is taking place where?"
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"It will take place somewhere in Orange Walk."
Reporter
"How long is that meeting expected to take? I ask, because the farmers are saying they cant wait no longer, they want a decision now from your government."
Jose Mai, Minister of Agriculture
"I understand the farmers, I understand the concern and I understand the frustration. We are trying to end this today. We are in a very tough position right now."
Mai had to negotiate to get into his own vehicle - with police being as gentle as possible:
Mai then continued to negotiate with the famers who held strong against his door - he spoke amiably to one of them and hugged him - a known supporter - but this is the most tense and difficult moment this politician has likely ever seen.
Still, the men stood in front of his vehicle - blocking him. The crowd remained militant - and again, police did their best not to engage them
After about 3 minutes, police - with difficulty - were finally able to get the vehicle to drive out.
A stormy and sheepish retreat for this senior minister and Deputy Leader of the PUP
