Shyne Confirms UDP Vote; Faber Left Off Reinstatement List

While appearing on Open Your Eyes earlier today, Party Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow confirmed the results of an online voting process during the U.D.P.’s National Party Council over the weekend. But what really caught attention was his explanation for why former leader Patrick Faber was left off the list of members up for reinstatement. According to Barrow, nearly everyone agreed, except for one.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Area Rep., Mesopotamia

“I will say this. We have to have it own way, not both ways. As I have tried to explain to you why we are having the difficulties we are having you say to me, oh but people nuh want hear about that. Tired of the discord. So I am not interested in talking about that one member who we all know committed another infraction by attempting to interfere with the NPC meeting. I have no interest in rehashing that and everyone agreed, except for one person abstained, he didn’t object, just abstained that the person should not be reinstated at this time based on the actions. We just cant have that type of behavior. That is not the message we want to send to our membership and to our country. We have to respect the rule of law. Things don’t always go the way you ant it to go, but you have to know when and where.”

 

Faber vs. Almendarez: Tensions Boil Over Behind Closed Doors

Patrick Faber says, “Don’t believe the hype.” He’s vehemently denying claims that he crashed Saturday’s meeting just to stir up trouble. According to Faber, that version of events is completely backwards. He insists he was on his best behavior, even if he did refuse to leave when asked. And as for the real disruption? Faber says he was the one who got confronted by none other than former Belize Rural Central candidate David Almendarez. Here’s how Faber breaks down what really went down inside that meeting room.

 

Patrick Faber, Lead Opposition Senator

“And for those who believe the narrative that I went their and created a scene. I know that you and others were their. You saw me go up to that meeting and I saw you took my picture and when I went up there, let me tell you what happened because the narrative spun is completely different. I was greeted with hugs and handshakes. I made my way to the left corner of the room by the podium and I sat their and refused to move and I sat their quietly and endured the abuse, very little from Michael Peyrefitte, which clearly shocked me. He clearly has something personal, because in the room he had very little to say. He did not even ask me to leave. It was Alberto August who asked me to leave and I said quietly to August I am not leaving, I have all rights to be here, I have not been expelled. I am a former leader, a lead senator, I have all right to be here. I know that as a former party leader, in fact Peyrefitte said Shyne is a member of the central executive and the NPC and national convention for life and so is Dean Barrow, well so is Patrick Faber. In fact the only ruckus that happened is when David Almendarez physically assaulted me and that was when, cause I heard you say on your report you said their was a ruckus and you heard they assault me. Others had to intervene to say that is disrespectful to our former leader, put the man down. That was what happened. And when Yellowman came in, not to ask me to leave, he said Faber has a right to be here. I will show you the video where Shyne Barrow phsycally picked up yellow and pushed him through the door. That is what caused the ruckus.”

 

Panton Rejects Reconciliation: Calls for UDP Leadership Overhaul

So, where does the United Democratic Party go from here? Well, that really depends on who you’re talking to. Ask Moses “Shyne” Barrow or Michael Peyrefitte, and they’ll tell you the door is wide open; Panton, Beverly Williams, and John Saldivar are welcome back in the fold. But Tracy Panton? She’s not buying it. In fact, she’s calling for a full-on leadership reset, saying Barrow shouldn’t even be steering the ship. According to her, it’s time for serious change at the top.

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“Let me be clear, Jamal Barrow lost in Mesop. He came in third in a three man race. And, any prudent and responsible leader of the UDP would respect the will of the people. He cannot, under the current constitutional construct be the leader of the UDP. He lost his seat. And so, the rest of us in this party need to come together and stand firmly on what is constitutionally right and more important what the people of this county are saying, what they said in the general election and what they are saying now. We need a leadership reset in the UDP and we must allow that to happen in the shortest amount of time.”

 

UB Union Marches to PM’s Office Demanding $10M Subvention

Just weeks after the government wrapped up tough negotiations with the teachers’ and public service unions, another union is stepping into the spotlight and they’re not coming quietly. This time, it’s the UB Faculty and Staff Union demanding action. Their call is for a ten-million-dollar subvention which they say has been overdue for nearly a decade. And this morning, they made their voices heard, marching right up to the prime minister’s office to send a clear message that they are done waiting. News Five’s Britney Gordon was on the ground in Belmopan and brings us the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The call is growing louder for the Briceño administration to make good on a promise to the University of Belize. At the heart of it? A ten-million-dollar subvention that the UB Faculty and Staff Union says is long overdue. When the university was first established back in 2000, it received the full ten million from the government. But that figure was slashed to eight-point-five million under the previous UDP administration, a move the now-ruling People’s United Party strongly criticized at the time. Fast forward to today, and despite pledges to restore and even increase the funding, the union says the government still hasn’t delivered.

 

                 Julianne Pasos

Julianne Pasos, President, UB Staff & Faculty Union

“Last year we called year we called out the government on their promise and they put a true press release saying that it was due to COVID. They could not live up to that. But they promise that in this budget, in the budget for this fiscal year, they would increase it and the budget was red and there is no promise for increase.”

 

Staff at the University of Belize say morale is at an all-time low as the institution grapples with dwindling resources and struggles to offer competitive salaries to its educators. The UB Faculty and Staff Union is calling on the government to restore its financial support to at least ten million dollars, arguing that the boost is essential to keep the university functioning effectively. However, not everyone agrees. ander Francis Fonseca says the government is already providing significant funding and suggests the university needs to manage its current budget more efficiently.

 

                  Francis Fonseca

Francis Fonseca, Former Minister of Education

“They have obviously have every right to protest it, the UB Union. What I can say for the record is that this government, this Ministry of Education, has provided unprecedented support to UB. In addition to the subvention that they get, we provide over five million dollars a year in assistance to university, which is used to pay salaries, which is used to provide support to students. Unprecedented support. More money is going to UB under this government than ever before.”

 

It’s a growing divide at the University of Belize, the government says it’s doing its part, but staff say they’re still being left behind. Former Education Minister Francis Fonseca insists that extra funding is helping to pay teachers. But here’s the catch, university staff say they haven’t seen a real raise in nearly a decade. Now, the President of the Christian Workers Union, Leonora Flowers, is stepping in, throwing her support behind the university’s faculty and staff.

 

                      Leonora Flowers

Leonora Flowers, President, Christian Workers Union

“For ten years.  Imagine living on the same salary for ten years. You can’t pay your bills properly. You can’t, you’re barely surviving. You’re barely making ends meet, and you’ve been promised this increase. And it has not come about, as I said ‘todos ganamos’, but we really, who’s winning, the people of the UB aren’t winning. The citizens of Belize aren’t winning.”

 

The union’s peaceful demonstration occurred just outside the Sir Edney Cain Building in Belmopan, where government officials were arriving for a scheduled cabinet meeting. It turns out the timing was no accident. The University of Belize staff made sure their voices were heard, loud and clear. Their message was a protest and a strategic move. And it worked. Minister of Transport Dr. Louis Zabaneh has confirmed that the issue will be brought to the Cabinet table.

 

                     Louis Zabaneh

Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport

“Well  have to discuss it at cabinet, right? That’s the idea for everybody to be here to let cabinet hear the voice of the people and especially for hardworking faculty at UB. So we’ll see how it goes.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So is that on the table for today?”

 

Dr. Louis Zabaneh

“I believe so. I think that was mentioned that we would be discussing it, but we’re here to talk about all the important issues that the country faces, and of course we hear our wonderful faculty from UB.”

 

According to UBFSU President, Julianne Pasos. The increased funds would not only benefit the teachers’ pay, but also the university’s infrastructure and classroom resources.

 

Julianne Pasos

“I believe that the faculty and staff will push for it until they get it. So in terms of classes, we hope that, and we call on our students to be understanding the increase in subvention is for all of us because if we can improve the university, we can improve it for our students, for our faculty, and our staff. And in terms of moving the class, it might be a little sacrifice that we all have to do.”

 

The fight isn’t over yet, not by a long shot. While there’s still no guarantee that the University of Belize will get the increased government subvention it’s asking for, the union isn’t backing down. Union leader Julianne Pasos says if the government doesn’t follow through on its promise, they’re ready to take the next step and that means turning up the pressure on the university’s administration and board of trustees. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Government Pushes 13th Amendment to Bolster Crime Fight

With gun violence and organized crime on the rise, the government says it’s time to strengthen the fight. This Wednesday, the public will get a chance to weigh in on the proposed Thirteenth Amendment during a consultation at Swift Hall. Now, officials are making it clear, this isn’t about introducing new laws but about giving the Constitution more teeth to enforce the ones already on the books. And alongside that push, the government is also calling for a specialized gun and gang court to tackle the growing threat of illegal firearms and bold criminal activity head-on.

 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Homa Affairs & New Growth Industries

“You know the thirteenth amendment is a constitutional amendment and we are engaging in the public consultation this Wednesday I believe deputy this Wednesday at swift hall ten AM on Wednesday at Swift Hall, in terms of the thirteenth amendment I’ve said it before and Ill say it again this is not a new legislation this law has been in existence since the year nineteen ninety three we are merely moving it, upgrading it, so to speak to give it an extra layer of protection in our constitution as deputy was able to demonstrate today in our COMSPTAT meeting in explaining the contents of this thirteenth amendment there are more safeguards now in this thirteenth amendment with the declaration of special areas than there are state guards for the state of emergency law that both administrations ours and the previous have been using when it comes to declaring state of emergency. In terms of the specialized gun and gang court I think the time has come for that because we have seen where so many of the offenses that are happening right now across the streets of this country involve illegal fire arms and there is no fare on the part of criminals to be importing or using shooting people recklessly and the case just a week and a half ago with an elderly mother and her handicap son prove that very point that today criminals know no bounds in todays day and age.”

Shyne Backs 13th Amendment After Tragic Double Murder

Former Mesop Area Rep Shyne Barrow has made a move that’s catching everyone off guard. He is throwing his support behind the government’s proposed Thirteenth Amendment Bill. His reason? A heartbreaking double murder in Belize City that claimed the lives of sixty-six-year-old Evadnie Jones and her disabled son, Luke. Barrow says he’s had enough of the violence plaguing our communities. While he’s clear that he doesn’t support any abuse of power, he believes it’s time for bold action against those who continue to terrorize innocent families.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Former Area Rep., Mesopotamia

“I said when I expressed support was on the heels of the murder of Mrs. Jones and her son which is abhorrent, shocking and something has to be done. I have been a vociferous critic of the Briceno administration, minister of police, former ComPol, but at some point you have to find middle ground and support an effort being made to deal with the crisis of crime. It does not mean that I support the violation of anyone’s civil rights. But if we have to make a decision between the civil rights of those terrorizing our nation and those who are innocent civilians, such as the innocent mother gunned down in her yard and her son, then difficult decisions has to be made. I asked the government to consider the constructive criticism of the stakeholders and take into plan, into mind, what it is they say can make the legislation better and let us try to come up with as good a bill as practical.”

Seaweed Sisterhood: Belizean Women Lead a Blue Revolution

Off the coast of southern Belize, something remarkable is happening beneath the waves and it’s being led by women. In Placencia Village, seaweed farming is more than just a livelihood, it’s a movement. These women are not only cultivating the ocean’s bounty, but they’re also building businesses, protecting the environment, and inspiring the next generation to dive into the maritime world with confidence and purpose. News Five has partnered with the Belize Fund for a Sustainable Future to highlight its work with various community-based, environmental organizations under the Blue Bond initiative. Here’s Isani Cayetano with the following story.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

In the warm, clear waters off Belize’s coast, a quiet revolution is taking root, led by women. In Placencia Village, these ladies aren’t just helping out, they’re leading the way in seaweed farming. It’s more than just a job. For many, including Jalima Gold, it’s a lifeline that supports their families, strengthens their communities, and even helps protect the environment.

 

                 Jalima Gold

Jalima Gold, President, Belize Women Seaweed Farmers Association

“I’m very passionate about our waters here in Belize and so when I kind of found out that you could do farming in the ocean, that’s for me, personally, kind of where it sparked like an interest, you know. Something that you could farm in the ocean, in the environment where I always felt comfortable and happy.”

 

Belize is the first country in the Americas to seal a groundbreaking deal that turns national debt into a powerful tool for ocean conservation. Through the Blue Bond initiative, the country has pledged to protect thirty percent of its marine territory, that’s ten thousand, one hundred and thirteen square kilometers of sea space, and it’s doing it by bringing everyone to the table, including the Belize Women Seaweed Farmers Association.

 

                 Alisha Westby

Alisha Westby, Member, Belize Women Seaweed Farmers Association

“I’ve been hearing about this association for years, through Ms. Jalima Gold. She’s always been a big advocate, and so, through her, I got to know about… that they were even accepting members. I had no idea about all the particulars until like she kinda sat me down and was like, “Hey this is a great association that you should join.”

 

Back in July 2019, a group of determined seaweed farmers came together to form the Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers Association. Their mission? To grow more than just seaweed. They’re building an industry from the ground up, turning locally farmed Eucheuma into high-value products like seaweed gel and powder.

 

Jalima Gold

“There are many uses to these same types of seaweed that we have here. We have two different types. We have the Kappaphycus alvarezii and we have the Euchumatopsis isiformis. They are both in the red algae [species], they are part of the red algae. We have brown algae, and we have red. But those two are part of the red algae.”

 

It might look like just another plant from the sea, but Eucheuma seaweed is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s packed with protein, fiber, omega-3s, vitamin C, and a whole range of essential minerals. In Belize, this seaweed isn’t new, it’s been a staple in traditional drinks and puddings for generations, blending health benefits with rich cultural flavor. And here’s something cool, it’s also the source of a gel-like carbohydrate, a natural thickener used in everything from food to cosmetics.

 

Alisha Westby

“I have a little business called Natural Goddess Scrub and I use all natural ingredients. So it kinda makes sense that eventually I will add the seaweed into my scrubs, I just have to get the science down. The science is kind of lagging for me. I plan to start making seaweed-based soaps to go alongside with my scrubs that I will eventually, hopefully get the science for to narrow down how to make it to my all-natural, oil-based sugar scrubs.”

 

When added to soap, they bring a whole lot to the table: natural moisture, gentle exfoliation, and a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. Plus, they give the soap a beautiful green tint and a fresh, ocean-inspired scent. The magic happens when powdered seaweed is mixed into the soap as it thickens, turning a simple bar into a spa-like treat.

 

                     Dawn Dean

Dawn Dean, Founder, Barranco Botanics

“Their plan is to use seaweed in all of the soaps that they make. I think, sometimes in Belize, as small business owners, as entrepreneurs, we are reluctant to share our knowledge about how we create what we create. But I personally believe that that there is space in the industry for a lot more soap because, ideally, everyone bathes everyday.”

 

In seaweed farming communities, it’s often the women who are leading the charge, not just in the water, but in shaping a more sustainable future. They’re the ones championing eco-friendly practices, managing vital resources, and driving local projects that help their communities grow stronger and more resilient.

 

Our cultivation line three-eights inch.

 

Jalima Gold

“That’s one of the main things for me. I have a daughter who wants to be a captain. She does scuba diving, she’s in the maritime space and when you talk about women and seaweed, it’s not just women in like the seaweed farming aspect, right. It’s women in maritime space, in general. And so it’s very important for us to start pushing boundaries and kind of breaking those barriers for other young females, young women and little girls to feel like they have a safe space and it’s something that if they’re interested in or if they’re passionate about that they can go forward and do that.”

 

So, when we talk about women in seaweed farming, we’re really talking about something much bigger; it’s about opening doors across the entire maritime world. Whether it’s farming, diving, or captaining a vessel, women are stepping up and showing the next generation that the ocean is theirs too. And with fishers, scientists, and community leaders all working together through marine spatial planning, Belize is not just protecting its waters, it’s shaping a future where everyone has a place in it. Isani Cayetano for News Five.

 

Art Beyond the Grave: Preserving Belize’s Ancient Artifacts  

Last week, we told you about the incredible find at the Caracol Archaeological Site, where researchers believe they’ve uncovered the tomb of an ancient ruler, possibly Caracol’s very first king. But it’s not just the tomb that’s making headlines. Surrounding it was a stunning collection of ancient art and jewelry, offering a rare glimpse into the lives and legacy of the Maya elite. In tonight’s Kolcha Tuesday, we take you inside the tomb and show you how experts are working to preserve these priceless treasures for generations to come. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

They say art speaks across time and deep in the jungles of Belize, it’s doing just that. Archeologists recently uncovered the tomb of an ancient Mayan ruler, and inside, they found more than bones. Dozens of intricately carved and painted artifacts were discovered, each one a masterpiece, crafted with care and fit for royalty. Rumaru Ku, an archaeologist with the Institute of Archaeology, says these pieces are powerful symbols of a civilization that continues to inspire.

 

                       Rumaru Ku

Rumaru Ku, Archaeologist, Institute of Archeology

“This person who was actually found in there was of course one of the dynastic rulers. When it comes to that, he was not buried with common households. Items he was buried with very elite, very high-end material. So when it comes to ceramics, you usually find a lot of ceramics everywhere when it comes to sites. These ceramics are really important because not only are they painted, they’re polychrome, meaning that they have different designs on them, but they’re also formed in a way that they present something. So if you see the top of the lids for all of these pieces, they all represent an animal on them. So that itself just goes to show that they took time to make these types of potteries.”

 

You can tell just how valuable these ancient pieces are by the way they were made, from the materials used to the intricate carvings etched into every surface. Among the treasures found were several pairs of jade earpieces and beautifully detailed bone carvings, each one telling its own story. Right now, these priceless artifacts are being kept safe in a secure facility, where a dedicated team is working carefully to digitalize them, making sure they’re preserved and accessible for generations to come.

 

                     Katherine Coye

Katherine Coye, Research & Enforcement Officer, Institute of Archaeology

“But the reason we do this is because sometimes things happen. We live in a region that’s prone, not but we are prone to natural disasters. And because we don’t have maybe sometimes the best facilities that will properly protect these things from floods or hurricanes. One way we can perfectly preserve an artifact as it’s been found, is through digital photogrammetry. So the process of that is taking several pictures from every possible angle of the object, and the program basically stitches those together and it creates a nice little model in 3D space.”

 

For the past two years, the Institute of Archaeology has been working behind the scenes to digitize Belize’s entire national collection. They’re making the country’s rich history accessible to everyone, no matter where they are, preserving it for generations to come. Husband-and-wife archaeologists Allen and Diana Chase uncovered a tomb believed to belong to an ancient Mayan ruler, not far from another tomb found years ago. Ku says the added to the historical record and strengthened cultural ties with nearby communities, who see the artifacts as a powerful connection to their heritage.

 

Rumaru Ku

“Adding to lineage of Caracol really put a mark there because it gave us more attachments to outside territories from only Belize. We were able to find out that we were having communication with other countries outside, and that added on to, at least for me, it just showed that it, we can talk from all over. We’re not just a simple site. We can converse and have relations and connect f rom even outside our very own surroundings.”

 

When we think of Belize’s rich history, iconic treasures like the Jade Head often come to mind. But now, there’s a whole new way to experience these national artifacts and you don’t even have to be in a museum to do it. Thanks to a major digitalization effort, every piece found in Belize, from ancient tools to royal jewelry, is being carefully scanned, restored, and catalogued. And here’s the exciting part: viewers can now explore these artifacts like never before, looking underneath, behind, and all around them. The Institute of Archaeology says it’s a game-changer for both public engagement and research.

 

Katherine Coye

“Whether it’s just a tiny pot shard or if it’s a magnificent like jade mask. All of these things are considered a part of the national collection. However, some things cannot be manipulated in the way that we need to for photogrammetry. During my, I guess my live session with you guys, you saw that I was flipping it over and putting it down and spinning it. Some of these things, if you do that, they might just fall apart again. And we would really not, we wouldn’t wanna put them in a position to be more damaged. Because sometimes you can’t put things back exactly as they were.”

 

Context is everything in archeology, and these pieces are offering a backdrop to the story of Belize’s past.  Coye says that offering a way for everyone to access that experience is crucial to the work that they do.

 

Katherine Coye

“ It’s great for students that would like to know more about artifacts because. During our work at the institute, we have noticed that sometimes people aren’t fully aware of the length and breadth of all the kinds of artifacts that are in Belize. So it’s really important for us to document as many things as we can and to be able to share those, especially with our Belizean students so that they can learn more about archeology. And demystify what’s happening in the Maya region.”

 

The National Collection is available on Ministry of Education’s Access 501 website, where anyone can view Belize’s ever-expanding collection and be inspired to connect with the communities that helped shaped Belize’s present-day culture. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Opposition Slams CARICOM Free Movement Deal as ‘Sinister’

The Opposition isn’t staying quiet about a major regional move. They’re raising concerns over the free movement agreement that Prime Minister John Briceño signed with several CARICOM nations last week in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Now, the PM says it’s just a three-year trial, and that it’s meant to help fill labor shortages here in Belize. But Lead Opposition Senator Patrick Faber isn’t convinced. He’s calling the deal ‘sinister’ and says while the Opposition supports regional integration in principle, free movement needs to be weighed carefully, especially when it comes to job opportunities for Belizeans.

 

                     Patrick Faber

Patrick Faber, Lead Opposition Senator

“It means that CARICOM nationals who qualify as skilled workers, artisans as professionals or entrepreneurs will be able to enter Belize without visa and work permit. Artisans with CVQs. It is actually what ITVET should be churning out when they train a carpenter, a welder or train a carpenter or a mechanic. But our ITVETs have not worked the way they are suppose to work, so that put us at a disadvantage. But the ITVETs in the Caribbean are working. The have well qualified welders, well qualified electricians, they have well qualified carpenters and plumbers and they are now able to hop on a boat, plane, train, without a visa, work permit to get the jobs that Belizeans are struggling to get, or if they get, they don’t have the wherewithal or proper skills, because we have failed to produce quality skilled labors in this country. It will also include media workers. All the media people need to be on notice. Those that don’t have qualification in the media realm, they will hire those people. Nurses will be able to come and fill those gaps, teachers and other professionals. We have agreed to put all of that into effect by October first 20205. Let me repeat, we are a hundred percent for regional integration.”

 

UDP en crisis: exclusión y conflicto entre líderes

El drama político dentro del Partido Unido Democrático (UDP) continúa sin tregua. Apenas un mes después de que una reunión del Consejo Nacional del partido (NPC) terminara en caos, el UDP intentó retomar el control el pasado sábado bajo la presidencia de Michael Peyrefitte, reinstalado con la intención de unificar el partido.

Durante la sesión se presentó una resolución para reintegrar a todos los miembros expulsados, excepto a Patrick Faber. Peyrefitte explicó: “La resolución: ‘Que todos los que fueron expulsados del partido y no están en buenos términos con el partido, excepto Patrick Faber, se propone que estas personas sean invitadas a regresar al partido, y que se proceda con las convenciones y la convención nacional el cinco de octubre.’ Pero, dada su conducta y su falta de respeto hoy, estamos votando y proponiendo al NPC que no se permita su regreso al UDP, y yo fui el primero en votar para que no regrese.”

Al cierre de la jornada, el Consejo Nacional aprobó por unanimidad la reincorporación de los expulsados, exceptuando a Faber. Este respondió con firmeza: “El señor Peyrefitte puede decir lo que quiera. Yo he estado aquí más tiempo que él. He servido a este partido desde los catorce años. Esto no se trata de mí; Collett no necesita una convención. Esa división no está en riesgo, pero aún debemos hacer lo correcto. Que hablen, no me molesta. Al final del día, conozco mi valor, no solo para este partido, sino como persona. Así que sus palabras no importan.”

Peyrefitte, sin dar margen a dudas, sentenció que mientras sea presidente, Faber no podrá postularse bajo la bandera del UDP en ninguna elección futura: “Patrick Faber cree que es intocable, que las reglas no aplican para él. Pero el UDP no es una mujer maltratada. El UDP no será intimidado. No permitiremos que nuestras puertas sean derribadas por un individuo perturbado. Y quede claro: para las cinco en punto hoy, creo que el UDP dejará en evidencia que ya no queremos a Patrick Faber en este partido. Mientras yo sea presidente, cuando se abran las postulaciones para las convenciones de las divisiones, incluida Collett, el nombre de Faber no será aceptado, si es que se atreve a postular.”

Sin embargo, Faber no se da por vencido y cuestiona el proceso que el partido ha seguido para excluirlo. Según él, el UDP es un partido democrático que debe respetar sus propios estatutos: “Este es un partido democrático. Si quieren acusarme de ser disruptivo o violar la constitución del partido, no tengo problema con eso, pero deben seguir el procedimiento adecuado. Presenten los cargos, llévenlos al Comité Ejecutivo Central y declaren: ‘Faber debe irse’. Luego, remitan el asunto al Comité de Ética. El comité me citará, exigirá una explicación y finalmente decidirá, ya sea expulsión, suspensión, multa o reprimenda. Esos son los únicos cuatro resultados posibles. Permítanme ser claro: el tribunal ya confirmó que no hubo una expulsión legal. No pueden simplemente ‘reinstaurarme’ porque nunca dejé de ser miembro. Si quieren que me vaya, deben seguir el debido proceso, comenzando con un cargo formal ante el Comité Ejecutivo Central. Les estoy diciendo cómo hacerlo.”

La división dentro del UDP persiste y la lucha por el control del partido continúa mientras se acerca la convención nacional programada para octubre.

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