The Alliance Takeover of U.D.P. HQ is Complete

Tonight, the takeover of the United Democratic Party’s headquarters in Belize City is officially complete. Earlier today, supporters of the Alliance for Democracy and its interim leader, Tracy Taegar-Panton, successfully gained access to the second floor of the building, which houses the party leader’s office and the U.D.P. convention hall. This follows Monday’s attempt to occupy the property and seize control of all party organs, including Wave Radio and the Guardian Newspaper. Earlier this evening, we spoke with Shyne Barrow, whose removal as party leader now appears finalized. Here’s what he had to say about these latest developments.

 

Shyne Barrow, Party Leader, U.D.P.

“What has happened is criminal.  It has gone beyond the illegalities that we saw with them convening conventions in the name of the UDP that were not sanctioned.  But this seems to be a pattern with the Alliance for Democracy that they will resort to absolutely any measure to accomplish their end.  What we saw yesterday and today is criminal, the continued occupation of the United Democratic Party’s headquarters is a criminal offense.  We have reported the breaking and entry to the Belize Police Department and it was our hope that the police would respond promptly, but while the Commissioner of Police has said that they did not follow the proper procedures that the Alliance, Tracy Panton and her cabal should have gotten a court order.  That is the prudent and lawful way by which to remove any from a property in any such dispute.  They did not do that, rather they took things into their own hands which was extremely irresponsible and dangerous because if I were not the leader that I am which is bound by the rule of law, which appreciates our judiciary and our law enforcement and will exercise all of those remedies, then we could have had a very dangerous situation.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“All things considered, the result of this all, including what has transpired yesterday and today, is you being overthrown as leader of the United Democratic Party.  It’s what we call a defenestration, you have been tossed out the window, so to speak.  How do you look at that in comparison to the masses of other supporters who you say are behind you?”

 

Shyne Barrow

“If you call criminal and illegal acts something that people should be proud of then I am disappointed to know that that is your perspective.  We keep running away from the facts, people doing illegal things does not make it right.”