Meet the Candidates in Belmopan and Cayo South

Tonight, we will continue our “Meet the Candidates” series. In this segment, we’re heading west to Belmopan and Cayo South. Voters in these areas will have to choose between the incumbent P.U.P. candidate and two U.D.P. candidates. It’s shaping up to be an unprecedented election season for these divisions. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The race is really heating up with just two weeks to go before the March twelfth general elections. Constituencies in the Cayo District nominated their candidates on Monday and are all set to cast their votes. In Belmopan, it’s a three-way showdown between two United Democratic Party candidates and one People’s United Party candidate. P.U.P. incumbent Oscar Mira is hoping to secure a second term in office.

 

Oscar Mira, P.U.P Candidate, Belmopan

“It is a humbling experience. It is an honor a very few have gotten the opportunity. I thank the Lord for giving me that opportunity. I also thank the people of Belmopan for putting their trust in me.”

 

Mira says his team has made significant investments in the Capital City over the last four years. He says equitable educational and healthcare access were also priorities.

 

Oscar Mira

“The infrastructure work in Belmopan must continue. We are growing too fast, and we must keep up with the demands of infrastructure, the demands of water and light and all the utilities we have to have in Belmopan. Another high school for Belmopan, a vocational high school for Belmopan, as well as the hospital for Belmopan. It is not time that we in Belmopan have a covered infrastructure for sports.”

 

But to secure a second term, Mira will have to overcome two U.D.P. candidates on March twelfth—a challenge no P.U.P. candidate has faced before in Belmopan. Luckily for Mira, his U.D.P. opponents, John Saldivar and Ralston Frazer, are at odds with each other. Frazer has claimed that the Capital City has become divided under the PUP’s leadership.

 

Ralston Frazer, U.D.P Candidates, Belmopan

“In one word you can call it inequity, fairness is not being applied in Belmopan. I am going to touch on this a bit. I know it is going to be controversial. There is a growing segregation in Belmopan. We all know, and I think we need to make every effort to let it not be. This did not happen by the will of the people in Belmopan. There are certain elements among us in Belmopan who are propagating this, because they benefit from it. The whole divide and conquer situation. And we cannot afford this anywhere in the world, in Belize and Belmopan, we do not want it in Belmopan.”

 

On the other hand, John Saldivar argues that Belmopan has been rapidly deteriorating under Oscar Mira’s representation. Saldivar is hoping to regain control of the constituency after failing at the polls in 2020.

 

John Saldivar, U.D.P Candidate, Belmopan

“Land issues has become a serious issue. People’s land has been taken away from them. Pantry programs have been ripped away from the poor and elderly of this city and people are going to rebel against that when election day comes. I don’t think the people of Belmopan will be confused at all. They know what is happening and who the traditional leader is here in Belmopan, and they understand the leadership riff which has nothing to do at all with who is on the ballot in Belmopan. They understand that John Saldivar is the man for Belmopan.”

 

The Cayo South constituency, which borders Belmopan to the west, is made up of thirteen villages. In the upcoming March twelfth general election, two U.D.P. candidates are competing for the seat. However, they’ll have to unseat the incumbent area representative, Julius Espat, who is aiming for a fourth term in office.

 

Julius Espat, P.U.P Candidate, Cayo South

“We built a primary school in Saint Matthews which was extremely important. We are building a primary school in Roaring Creek which is much needed. We have paved about half of the villages, the main arteries. We have opened farmers roads. We have dealt with most if not all the education assistance request. NHI is now in Cayo South. It will start in about a month’s time. That will alleviate the health problems. We continue, there is a lot of employment and work going on. We are working on every facet of life. The idea is to raise the quality of life for rural residents so that they will be on par with urban residents and I think we have come a long way.”

 

The U.D.P. candidates in Cayo South are Dr. June Young and Jose Samayoa. We caught up with Dr. Young to hear what she’s been hearing from constituents on the ground.

 

Dr. June Young, U.D.P Candidate, Cayo South

“Some of the challenges are the same. We have some constituencies where people are clamoring for light, water, for land to have access to their homes in some areas to the back of the villages. They do not have access where vehicles can take them to their homes. So, they need to walk for miles to get to their homes. So those are the issues. We know the issue of crime. The other day Mr. Samayoa was shot in Arizona. The villagers are telling us we need a substation in the village, polyclinic and if possible a multigrade school so our children do not have to walk that far to go to school.”

 

In our conversation with Jose Samayoa, he conceded that Julius Espat is a strong opponent, while asserting that Espat has been unable to fulfill his promises to the people.

 

Jose Samayoa, U.D.P Candidate, Cayo South

“What inspires me is that we are hurt in Cayo South. We had this area rep out there. He is very strong because he is within the government. He promised a lot to the people of Cayo South. He is a liar. We know already. The reason why I am here is to serve the people of Cayo South and I guess I am ready. I am telling my people of Cayo South I am ready and let us make Cayo South great again.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez