Alberto August to Patt: Respect the Constitution or Step Aside

Acting Chairman of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Alberto August, has responded to Hugo Patt who asked party delegates to boycott Saturday’s National Party Council meeting.

August says that the UDP Constitution does not grant the Party Leader, any interim leader, or a Deputy Leader the power to direct the Party Chairman in such matters.

“Article 7(6) of the Party’s Constitution clearly states: ‘The National Party Council shall meet at least once every three (3) months. Meetings shall be called by the Chairperson'”

August says that given that the last NPC meeting occurred on January 25, 2025, the upcoming meeting is not only valid but overdue.

August also recounted efforts to seek legal guidance on party matters, noting that although Patt initially suggested consulting attorney Aldo Salazar, no progress was made.

August says he took the initiative to contact Salazar himself after failed attempts. However, he stressed that the authority to determine NPC membership lies solely with the Central Executive Committee, as outlined in Article 8(2)(e) of the UDP Constitution. He further explained that a meeting of the Central Executive Committee was convened on May 18, 2025, at the UDP Headquarters in Belize City. Despite Patt’s absence, first due to scheduling conflicts and later despite being offered the option to attend virtually, the meeting proceeded as planned.

August says that during the meeting, four major resolutions were passed: the reinstatement of all expelled party members, the scheduling of special constituency conventions for all 31 constituencies beginning in July 2025, the setting of a National Convention for the first week of October 2025, and the continuation of the current leadership executive until a new one is elected at the National Convention. August confirmed that the required 14-day notice for the NPC meeting was issued on May 28, and that all members have been informed and consulted accordingly.

August concludes by telling Patt, “The Party has been going through hell for over five years. We went into the March 2025 general elections totally divided. This division must come to an end. Since the recent resignation of the Chairman, I have been engaged overtime in the effort to unite our Party. We are now seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, please do not convert that glimmer of hope into the headlight of an approaching train. While it is our desire to have you in attendance, not attending the scheduled meeting of the NPC is totally up to you, all we ask is that you seek not to usurp the authority of the Central Executive Committee, the Party Chairman and by extension the National Convention of the United Democratic Party.”