Indeed, there are rumblings in the PUP tonight - and alarms that something serious was afoot went off when the party's Communication Director Narda Garcia sent out a most unusual press release today. It states that there was a special meeting of the Northern Caucus last night in Patchakan Village.

But the release makes it clear that not only the northern caucus was there. It states that 14 other chairpersons from constituencies all over the country joined the 9 member Caucus, to support a resolution endorsing the leadership of John Briceno and calling for party unity.

According to the release, those 14 other constituencies include notably, Fort George, all of Corozal, all of Orange Walk, all of Cayo, as well as Pickstock and Caribbean Shores.

The release says that the resolution was unanimously supported by all Caucus Members present and, quote, "received the approval of all other representatives."

The resolution endorses Briceno for a national convention and requests, quote, "that the Party hold its National Convention as early as possible..."

We're naturally wary of such resolutions as the cover of the Northern Caucus has more than once been used to blow political smoke and make bogus endorsements.

We did speak with Belize Rural North hopeful Arthur Saldivar who we know attended the meeting to find out if he voted for any such resolution. He said he left before it was passed. He referred us to Fort George Chairman Henry Charles Usher who could not be reached for comment.

Communications Director Garcia says they got signatures of the members of the southern and caucus who signed unto the resolution and they expect the western caucus to do so tomorrow.

But before the ink could dry, last night's meeting was followed by a National Executive meeting this morning where it was decided that a National Party Council meeting would be called for Saturday. That Party Council meeting will - supposedly - ordain events for the national Convention - rumored to be planned for September 26th.

The PUP is bound by its party constitution to hold a national convention before the end of this year - and it was expected to be held in November.

Political insiders say that Deputy Leader Espat has been rallying support to challenge Briceno's leadership. But he may not have the opportunity because the national convention could be held as soon as late September.

Speaking with Espat this evening, he said he did not attend the meeting of the national executive - and believes that neither did any of the three other deputy leaders. But he said he has serious concerns about the process leading to a national convention in late September.