BELIZE CITY, Mon. Nov. 14, 2016–The People’s United Party (PUP) is seeking to recall former Cabinet Minister and Orange Walk North area representative, Gaspar Vega.
The recall mechanism was introduced into law by the United Democratic Party during the first of its three successive terms in government. This law allows for the removal from office of any elected area representative who the public feels is not acting in its best interest. Thirty percent of voters must sign on to a petition for recall to be successful.
During the UDP’s second of its three successive terms in office, an effort by the PUP was made to recall embattled Immigration Minister and Cayo Northeast Representative, Elvin Penner, but the effort failed.
The PUP’s northern caucus met on Saturday in Ranchito Village, Corozal District, where it was updated on the process, procedures and requirements for the recall of a sitting Member of the House of Representatives.
According to a statement released by the northern caucus, “Gaspar Vega should resign immediately from the House of Representatives because the land issues involving his son Andre Vega, Sharon Pitts, his niece Rosita Aragon and compadre Derrick Gillette clearly point to blatant nepotism, cronyism and egregious cases of conflict of interest.”
Additionally, the caucus calls for the immediate disclosure of a list of persons compensated by the Lands Department.
While the Government of Belize has only called on Vega and Pitts to return the $400,000 each they received in compensation for private land they knowingly acquired, there is a demand by the caucus for the full recovery of monies paid out in compensations for other shady land transactions.
“The PUP Northern Caucus calls on the Prime Minister to hold accountable the present and past CEO’s of the Ministry of Natural Resources (Accounting Officers), whose signatures appear on the various questionable agreements with Andre Vega, and Sharon Pitts. The Caucus also demands that adequate charges levied against them for their role in these land hustles,” said the press release.
Lastly, the caucus calls for an independent investigation into the Lands Department during the tenure of Hon. Gaspar Vega.