Manuel Heredia Back from Retirement in Belize Rural South

On Thursday, Tracy Panton introduced Manuel Heredia as her candidate for Belize Rural South. Heredia, who served as the area’s representative for nearly 20 years before losing to Andre Perez in 2020, seemed to have retired from politics. His return has surprised some people. Today, we asked him why he decided to come back and whether it might be better for the party if he stayed retired. Here’s what he had to say.

 

Manuel Heredia, U.D.P. Candidate, Belize Rural South

“From the day that it was announced, the night, because I hadn’t decided. I had no intentions of running. On Monday night that decision was made and it dropped like a bombshell on the island. People were clamoring that I run one year after election, because the difference between myself and the now area representative is clear, like day and night. The job that I did, the humility I brought, cannot be compared to arrogance and the dictatorial system of government of our Area Representative cannot be tolerated on the island.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Some are of the view that your time is up, that you should stay in retirement as you embraced after the election. Why come back?”

 

Manuel Heredia

“I do agree and I personally believe that younger blood suppose to be there. But, nobody wants to come forward. Leadership is very scarce int hat constituency. There are very few leaders, but I believe like yourself, the time is there when the younger people have to come up. So what I will do this time around is to have somebody behind me, guiding someone so that as soon as this term is over someone is already there prepared to lead Belize Rural South.”