Abi Mai Reveals What Really Drove His Cabinet Exit

Health concerns were part of former Agriculture Minister Jose Abelardo Mai’s decision to step away from Cabinet, but he now says there was more to it. Rumors surrounding the Corozal Free Zone, including allegations of cartel activity, also weighed on his decision, particularly as he considered the potential impact on his family. Mai explains why he felt it was time to take a step back, focus on his health and allow the situation to settle. Here’s what he said.

 

Jose Abelardo Mai, Former Agriculture Minister

“There was a lot of speculation, as you said. A lot of rumors circulating from the Free Zone and the attempted cartels and so on. A lot of it was on the media. I think it was the correct time for me to say, ‘Hey, let me take a step backward.’ Because whenever these rumors start coming out, see, a lie told a thousand times becomes truth if it’s not refuted. So I think the time for me was opportune to say, ‘Hey, let me take a step back and take care of my health and my family.’ Because there’s life after politics, right? And being the Minister in the Free Zone with all the rumors and all the things that are happening in the Free Zone, you cannot separate yourself from it. Either directly or indirectly, it affects you in some way or the other. And I didn’t want to put my family in a position. Already my family was a little concerned. I wouldn’t like anything to happen to them because of rumors, right?  Because of strong allegations of cartels and so on. So I decided the time was right for me to say, ‘Hey, take a break. Go look after your health. Take your time, and let the dust settle.”

 

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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