Orange Guayaberas Set Off Tense Parliamentary Exchange

Orange is the new blue, if only for one day. Members of the Briceno administration showed up in bright orange guayaberas, a symbolic gesture as Belize marks Sixteen Days of Activism against gender-based violence. But things got heated when Prime Minister John Briceno compared their orange attire to the UDP’s infamous ‘Who Thief Budna’ t-shirts. That sparked a fiery back-and-forth across the aisle.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I am sure you are wondering why all of us are in orange. Well we will have our honorable Minister of Human Development that will make a statement. But I want to make a big difference between the opposition and our side. The opposition come with t-shirts defending a criminal, defending a child predator, wanted by Interpol. I will not give a point of order.”

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“The point of order is that he is attributing some kind of clandestine motive of the opposition when he well and knows that is not the intention. The intention of the opposition is to ensure that all Belizeans.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I am not insinuating anything. It is just a fact. Here we come standing up for gender based violence for the sixteen days of activism and you could see a big difference. I am not making any insinuation. So, with that I think I have made a point. What is the section.”

 

Tracy Panton

“Would you allow me? Are you the speaker of the house? When did you become judge, jury and executioner? Again the prime minister insist that on suggesting that we were here in whatever we just to wear as a matter of improper motive and that is not acceptable Madam Speaker.”