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Schakron Says She Is "In Process" Of Renouncing Passport
posted (February 15, 2012)
And while the rich political pageant dominated today's headlines - the issue of Yolanda Schakron's candidacy remains the burning issue.

As we reported last night, Schakron did go to the US Embassy in Belmopan yesterday, but we could not reach her to find out what for.

Well, today she told the media that she has started the process of renouncing her US citizenship - but was a little spotty on the details of when it might end.




Yolanda Schakron - PUP Candidate, Lake Independence
"The process has started for renunciation of my dual citizenship. I cannot comment much on it today. I visited the embassy yesterday, and as time progresses, you can speak to Ms. Lisa Shoman. They will give you an update."

Marion Ali - Love News
"Can you say how long the process will take? Will it be finished before you are nominated on Friday?"

Yolanda Schakron
"I believe that it has started, and it will - I'll let you guys know more on Thursday."

Jules Vasquez
"You realize that it's not finished until you get a declaration of renunciation, which can take some time?"

Yolanda Schakron
"No, that's not true, Jules. I have to give you some literature to read. Once you give the oath of renunciation, that's it. That shows that you have given up your citizenship."

Jules Vasquez
"But, you've only done the questionnaire so far."

Yolanda Schakron
"Jules, I will update you guys on Thursday through my lawyers. It started, Jules, but I'll give you the literature so that you can read."

We have scanned a good bit of information about renunciation, and, as we told you last night, it is a quite involved process. And while she says we'll know on Thursday where things stand, what we've been wondering is where they stand with her Belizean passport.

We wondered; does the Guatemalan born US citizen have one? Here's what she said:

Jules Vasquez
"Are you a naturalized Belizean?"

Yolanda Schakron
"I am a Belizean by decent. All my family - I come from a family of 13, my mother had complications. She used to live in San Ignacio, so I had to go over to - she had to go over to Melchor, and have me there. I came back to Belize the following day. I have no ties to Guatemala. I am born there. Jules, we can't tell our parents where we want to be born. I am a Belizean by decent."

Jules Vasquez
"But, you have a Belizean passport."

Yolanda Schakron
"Belizean, do you want to see it?"

Jules Vasquez
"I'm just checking."

Yolanda Schakron
"You know where I grew up right? At Conch Shell Bay."

Jules Vasquez
"I know that you did."

And so while Schakron can smile that one away - she's not smiling about her missing US passport.

In fact, she says it was stolen - in a burglary at her Vista Del Mar home where only one item was taken. She told us about it today:

Yolanda Schakron
"Well, I have reported that to the US Embassy. I am really saddened that the United Democratic Party had to have someone break into my home and steal a passport that is not my property. It is the property of the United States of America. I have given that report too, and I just hope - I am saddened our prime minister knew what was happening, because he did make reference that he would have evidence later on that I am a US citizen."

Jules Vasquez
"Okay, but maybe you misplaced it. I've lost a couple passports."

Yolanda Schakron
"Let me tell you something, Jules. I don't misplace anything, okay. How come you had it on your TV Station? That is my passport."

Jules Vasquez
"That is a copy of your passport."

Yolanda Schakron
"The United States of America told me yesterday that they do not give any information on anybody - no American citizen. So, whoever has the passport, return it to the US. It's not mine anymore. I have started the process of renunciation, so return it."

Marion Ali - Love News
"When did the burglary happen?"

Yolanda Schakron
"On Saturday. I had to change all my locks. Shame on the UDP Government."

Marion Ali - Love News
"Only that was stolen?"

Yolanda Schakron
Yes, only that."

Jules Vasquez
"But there is no proof that it was stolen."

Yolanda Schakron
"There is proof, Jules, because I can tell you. My kids' passports and my passport were together, and that was the only passport missing."

Aaron Humes - Amandala Press
"Will a report be made to the police department as well?"

Yolanda Schakron
"Yes, I have just spoken to a police officer, and I will be making that report today. Shame on the UDP Government. They don't like women, so they go into a woman's house - who is single with two children - burglarize her home for a passport. Look at how low they are."

Jules Vasquez
"But, were there any signs of forced entry? You are all the way at burglary."

Yolanda Schakron
"My backdoor was opened."

Henry Usher - Chairman, PUP
"You don't need forced-entry for a burglary to occur. You know that very well. Anybody can come into a home - even if it's not breaking and entering - they can come in, and if they commit a crime inside that home, then it's burglary. And obviously, a crime was committed because her passport was stolen."

Jules Vasquez
"But people lose things, Chairman."

Henry Usher
"Well, she's making a report to police department that her passport was stolen."

Jules Vasquez
"But people misplace things."

Henry Usher
"People misplace things; I agree with you, but in this event, she did not."

Yolanda Schakron
"I did not misplace it."

Henry Usher
"This was stolen by somebody, and then somebody sent you a copy of it - or whatever it is. But you had a copy of it; I can tell you that Ms. Schakron did not give you that copy; the US Government did not give you that copy, so you obviously got that copy from somebody who has the passport. You have to be very careful."

Jules Vasquez
"That is a false conclusion."

Henry Usher
"Well, it is a conclusion that can be made though."

Jules Vasquez
It is a false one."

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