Opposition Leader Boycotting Cuban President Visit

Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow

The President of Cuba is expected to arrive in the country on Sunday. But don’t expect to see Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow at any of the events scheduled for the official visit. Barrow has repeatedly gone on record to speak out against what he views as an anti-democratic and dictatorial regime in Cuba. And today, he told us he could not support or celebrate the president’s visit.

Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“I will not be attending any of the events brought up by this visit.”

Paul Lopez

“Is this because of your strong stance against Cuba?”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

“Against anti-democracy, dictatorship, just as we as Belizeans are very forgiving, very compassionate nation, once the Cuban government or the Cuban powers that be, or the Cuban authority allows for free and fair democratic elections, once they have leader of opposition, once they allow for opposition parties, and allow for the people to have a choice then I could celebrate them. But, I will be a hypocrite, I would betray my core values and believes, I would betray what we stand for as Belizeans. I can’t emphasize enough how privileged we are to live in a democracy where we have a free press, a free election, where people after five years or three years can change government, local governments, where parties can change leaders. Where members of parties can disagree with their leaders and choose someone else in another constituency in defiance of what their leaders have said. That is the beauty of democracy and I treasure that and I value that and so in the name of all the people in Cuba suffering because they don’t have a choice, suffering from the inhumane treatment. In the name of those who have been executed, whether in the press, whistle blowers, whether it be people trying to bring attention to the pain and suffering of the Cubans under a dictatorial regime. I cannot attend anything and give celebration and credibility to such a despotic leader.”