BELIZE CITY, Mon. Aug. 9, 2021– Today, the Ministry of Health and Wellness denied clearance for the United Democratic Party’s Belmopan constituency to hold its scheduled convention on August 15.
Previously it was reported that Patrick Faber, the leader of the UDP, had announced that John Saldivar, who most consider to be his foremost rival within the party, had indicated to him his intention to lead the division of Belmopan once more. His opponent would be recently deposed senator Khalid Belisle, a known Faber supporter.
That convention won’t be taking place on the scheduled date, however, after Minister Chebat wrote to the UDP’s representative, Ismael Garcia, informing him that the government is not in support of the holding of such an event at this time.
“I hereby take the opportunity to inform you that at this time, such event is not being supported by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. We ask for your support and understanding,” Minister Chebat’s letter states.
In Hon. Chebat’s response to the party’s request, he stated that the country is currently in its third wave of the Covid-19 virus and that at this time tertiary hospitals are operating at 50% of their capacity due to an elevated number of Covid-19 patients— a number that is expected to increase, the Health Minister said in his letter.
Hon. Chebat’s letter went on to state, “With the presence of variants of concern that have high infectivity rate and spread. The current scenario is expected to worsen if we do not obey and follow all public health measures and do our part as community leaders.”
The convention, which was to be held at the UB Gymnasium, has therefore, by all indications, been put on hold. That is unless the party finds some way of carrying out the voting virtually.
Just recently, news broke of a major shift in the UDP convention standing committee, with longtime chairperson of the committee, Juliet Thimbriel, being removed from her post by party leader Faber. Thimbriel, a former Faber supporter during his battle for the post of party leader, has now publicly expressed her opposition to the leadership of the still embattled UDP leader.