The Return of John Saldivar?

“Unity” is the goal for Sunday, according to supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP). Yet with two days to go before the convention, the focus has shifted to a heated three-way contest for Party Chairman that is drawing more attention as the party’s national convention nears.

The three candidates contesting the role are Sheena Pitts, Roosevelt Blades and John Saldivar.

Each candidate enters the convention with influential backing. Pitts is supported by UDP’s leadership front-runner Tracy Panton. Blades is the campaign manager for Mesopotamia’s Lee Mark Chang, one of the party’s key financiers. Saldivar has the support of the northern caucus, including Deputy Leader Hugo Patt.

While Saldivar is a veteran member of the UDP’s red banner, his name comes with a heavy weight of controversies.

He first won Belmopan in 2008 after the constituency was redistricted and was re-elected in 2012 and 2015. His rise continued until February 2020, when he won the party leadership vote to replace Dean Barrow. However, just hours later, Saldivar was named in court documents associated with convicted fraudster Lev Dermen in Utah, USA. Dermen was tied to a major fraud and money laundering case.

Saldivar was forced to resign as leader-elect and was suspended from his Cabinet post. In November 2022, the U.S. Department of State formally designated him for “significant corruption”, citing improper acquisition of immigration documents and misuse of resources during his time in office. The designation also barred him and his immediate family from entering the United States. Saldivar has denied the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.

Despite the controversies, Saldivar remained active. His most recent political run was in the March 12, 2025, general election under Panton’s leadership. He went up against PUP incumbent Oscar Mira and a fellow UDP candidate under Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Ralston Frazer.

Saldivar lost to Mira with a voter count difference of over 2,200. The decisive gap left many wondering if that marked the end of Saldivar’s political future.

Shaking off a controversial past is never easy, especially when vying for the role of Party Chairman. When asked about the party’s decision to allow John Saldivar to run for chairman, Chang said he has his own views but leaves the final decision to Sunday’s voters. “I have my own certain opinion on it, but of course the people make the decision at the moment; they decided to allow him to run, so it is what it is.”

The upcoming November 30th convention has been slated as a chance for the party to finally regroup and rebuild its credibility as an effective opposition.