BPF Comments on the Lev Matter
For: Press Release
Date: January 23, 2020
It is with deep regret that the Belize People’s Front learned that once again the good people of Belize are handed a black eye through the questionable dealings our ministers seem to be involved in.
Today it was announced through Belize media that the Hon. John Saldivar’s name was mentioned in documents submitted as evidence in a United States of America (USA) court case involving fraud and the fleecing of American’s money by one of the ministers’ known associates.
Recently at the news conference held by the Prime Minister (PM), though very subtle, in retrospect our PM Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow seemed to be softening this blow which was yet to come.
The PM has steadfastly supported Hon. John Saldivar in past questionable activities. He still, to date, has not addressed this current situation. Nor has he withdrawn his support for Hon. John Saldivar for their party’s leadership.
The Lev Dermen character whom is the accused, has fleeced Americans of over 510 Million US Dollars. Did some of that ill- gotten gain make its way into the UDP?
The PM should not be protecting his cabinet from local justice. He should protect justice from some in his cabinet. Justice and the people should be thought of as one and the same.
Therefore, the Belize People’s Front firmly encourages the Prime Minister who wields party power, according to him in his last press conference, to do the following in the name of beginning the restoration of Belize’s good name:
- Immediately suspend Hon. John Saldivar from Cabinet.
- Call for an investigation into whether Hon. John Saldivar received any monies as a part of bribery from Lev.
- Pending results of such investigation that the PM withdraw his support of Hon. John Saldivar for Party Leader.
The Belize People’s Front further calls upon the people of Belize to reject the Oppositions’ feigning of being outraged when they have been known to engage in similar sleazy doings while in power.
The Belize People’s Front promises to enact la Comisión Internacional Contra la Impunidad en Belice (CICIB) in English, The International Commission Against Impunity in Belize Office within the first year of being in power should the people give us the majority in the next election.
A CICIB Office will be charged with investigating corruption by all Government Officials and the None-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) Leadership and will have independent investigation and prosecutorial powers and financed independently, so they can be free of political manipulation and nepotism. A CICIB Office in Belize could have prevented so much ministerial indiscretions that have occurred in both, the People’s United Party (PUP) and in the current United Democratic Party (UDP) Government.
It’s time for a real change with the Belize People’s Front.
