PUP Convention Delivers Surprises Beyond Mayoral Race

The mayoral showdown may have commanded the spotlight, but Sunday’s convention also produced a new team of councilor candidates. Ten contenders secured their place on the PUP ticket, including four newcomers. Kristian “El Toxico” Alpuche emerged as the convention’s top vote-getter with five hundred and sixty-four votes, while Darwin “Puppy” Leslie delivered the day’s closest finish, edging sitting Councilor Malcolm Nunez by just one vote. Party officials swore in the successful candidates immediately after announcing the official results.

 

Kristian “El Toxico” Alpuche, PUP Councilor Candidate, Belize City

“You know, when you are being genuine people see that. And like I always say, through my platform I do a lot of good and the results today just show that. I have a great team behind me. I first have to thank God. My family support, because they sacrificed a lot of hours. We are here. I am glad my team made it. But now it’s time for me to prove to the people that doubted me that I will make it happen. As I walk out that yard and hold my son I will start to cry, because I dah nuh wah politician, but I know about people and I know how to deal with the people. I the come unu way and unu wah see it.”

 

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie, PUP Councilor Candidate, Belize City

“I have been a people person for over twenty years. I have been in the community for twenty years and City Council is public service. So I have been an unofficial public servant for twenty years. Thanks to the great People’s United Party they have made me an official public servant today.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How did you pull off this win.”

 

Darwin “Puppy” Leslie

“Well, I want to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ. I think it is by one vote I made it in. And I also want to thank every single delegate.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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