Opposition Calls Out Government Over Budna Report and Rosado Reinstatement

The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Tracy Panton and her parliamentarians held a press conference this morning at their Euphrates Avenue headquarters in Belize City, to update the public on pressing matters affecting the lives and circumstances of all Belizeans. A myriad of issues were discussed but chief among them is: The Joseph Budna Report and the subsequent reinstatement of Commissioner of Police Richard Rosado after being put on 45 days of administrative leave by no less than the Prime Minister John Briceno.

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “It seems that cabinet is acting as its own kangaroo court, reviewing evidence in secret, deciding who is implicated and who may not be implicated, and worse, seeking to protect its own. Commissioner Rosado publicly contradicted himself and misled Belizeans on multiple occasions. He was definitive in his pronouncements without having reviewed or been privy to the details of this kidnapping. In any credible system, he would have stepped aside willingly, not placed on leave until the investigation is complete. Instead, what cabinet announced yesterday that he is now being reinstated with immediate effect. This, my friends, is a political decision. Why is the case filed? The preliminary report, the surveillance videos have not been handed over. And why is it that the cabinet insists on violating the very fundamental principle of our democracy that deals with the separation of powers between the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary? The case of Joseph Budna reeks, in my opinion of a state sanctioned kidnapping and now a cover-up. The question is, who is John Briceno protecting and why? If indeed the government wishes to restore any semblance of public confidence, then it must address this matter with openness and the highest degree of transparency.”

The representative for the Queen Square Division, Hon. Godwin Haylock tackled the gang warfare being experienced in the country, particularly in the old capital over this past weekend. 

Godwin Haylock, Area Representative, Queen Square: “This gang warfare has become a national crisis mismanaged by the current government. Broad daylight shootouts, brazenly near to the courthouse or highways. It makes Belizeans feel nowhere is safe. Since last Thursday, there has been four suspected gang murders, three of them happened in Belize City within hours apart of each other. There have also been five other persons who were injured in shootings over the weekend. And the worst part of this tragedy is that the government is lost and with no real solution to curb crime in Belize City. Now what does this gang warfare reflect? It really reflects the social, economic, realities of a certain class of citizen in the city. How many of these people within the suspecting gangs are actually educated? By my knowledge, very few of them even possess a high school degree. So how can we expect them to earn a decent job and a decent living? I say, not enough opportunities are being given to Southside youths.”

United Democratic Party Senator, Patrick Faber took issue with the government not properly socializing CARICOMs Full Free Movement of People protocol which comes into effect today in Belize, Barbados, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Nationals from these countries can now live and work freely in each other’s territories without the need for work permits or skills certificates.

Patrick Faber, Senator:“I am willing to bet that if you go in the churches, I’m willing to bet that if you go to the market, I’m willing to bet that if you go into the business places and ask the employers, the potential employers, what is the full scale effect of Belize signing onto this and it coming into effect today, October 1st, they will tell you that they don’t know and that is to be put squarely on the shoulders of the Government of Belize.”

Senator Sheena Pitts claimed that the Cannabis Legalization Campaign Committee is falsely associating her and or the UDP Party with supporting their cause. A cause she categorically denied.

Sheena Pitts, UDP Senator:“The group  promoting the legalization of marijuana in Caye Caulker without authorization, without consent  has sought to use  video recording of my presentation  in the Senate debating the Bill for the country.  They have stamped that video  with  their logo, suggesting the imprimatur of my involvement with their doing in Caye Caulker and by extension the United Democratic Party.  I state categorically my position  on the legalization of marijuana in the Senate then, had to do with the country and not Caye Caulker.  My position then does not equate to a yes vote.”

While the bulk of the press conference centred around non-partisan national issues, Mesopotamia representative, Lee Mark Chang zeroed on a matter close to the heart of UDP delegates.

Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia: “The Vice Chairman has advised all constituents to finalize their delegates list by  October 15th. That means for sure it come.  So that  delegates can be sworn in and ready to participate  at this historic national convention.  Five key positions will be contested.  The party leader?  You’ll be endorsed, okay. Well, up for grabs then.  First Deputy,  Second Deputy,  Party Chairman  and Vice Chairman.  This Convention will determine the future direction of the United Democratic Party  and ensure we remain strong and ready to hold the present administration accountable  for scandals and corruptions.”

The United Democratic Party National Leadership Convention takes place on November 30.