7 News Belize

Hon. "Boots" Says Saldivar Story Shady
posted (October 9, 2013)
And so while the arrest and search warrant story is looking, hmm..., UDP senior member Anthony Boots Martinez says for him the entire Saldivar scenario is suspect. Today Martinez told the media that there are lots of missing pieces in the story as he sees it – but he did let on what we've heard privately from multiple UDP ministers – that the state believes Arthur Saldivar is handling government property.

Here's that interview:

Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez - Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation
"I have my own skepticism about Mr. Saldivar. He talked about rescuing documents which were about to be burnt. Those documents look clean. Also too, I see some of the documents on television where, to me, doesn't have any signature, indeed like he pointed out. I saw a little portion of the interview, where the picture looks like a corpse. This is modern technology; this is cut and paste and all kinds of things. The authentication of those documents need be verified, and also too, apart of from that. If those are property of the Government of Belize, then Arthur Saldivar is handling stolen goods. I don't buy his story. The things don't look legit to me; I am being honest with you. It doesn't look legit to me, and it if is legit, why don't you come forward with your information? He is an attorney, man, but you have to understand Arthur Saldivar. He is a politician; he wants to try to see if he can get to the National Assembly for the first time because automatically, he is a failed politician."

And while Martinez and Immigration Minister Hulse aren't moved by the Arthur Saldivar revelations, the UDP is reflexively falling in behind Elvin Penner as the PUP are organizing a recall petition against him. 7news has confirmed that ranking Ministers have been deployed to the 7 villages of Cayo Northeast to rally the troops. One example of this last night is Deputy Party Leader Gaspar Vega in Santa Familia, and today Michael Finnegan was seen in Esperanza. Martinez told us that Penner has been punished by the Prime Minister, and now they must stand with him:

Hon. Anthony "Boots" Martinez
"I am not devorcing myself from Mr. Elvin Penner, and I stand behind Mr. Penner at this point because as the Prime Minister rightfully pointed out, that at this point, Mr. Penner has been punished at least to the stage where he deemed it to be punishable. I will be going out there to support the United Democratic Party, and the Hon. Elvin Penner, who is the representative."

And while the UDP is huddling to protect Penner, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize wants him criminally charged. They issued a release today saying quote, "even the blind can see that "laws have been broken here! Vital processes have been circumvented and the integrity of our sovereign nation has been shattered!"' End quote. It continues, quote, "The Congress DEMANDS the following as of NOW: 1. An Independent investigation is conducted immediately!!! 2. Criminal proceedings are convened by all the relevant parties as the laws of this land make provision for!!! 3. All "players" found liable of any form of wrongdoing in this alleged scandal, are dealt with to "the fullest extent of the law"!!!" End quote.

On Penner it says, the NTUCB supports the activation of the "recall mechanism" (and) Penner, MUST be made answerable…This nation has lost confidence in him and a mere slap on the wrist will not do!

It concludes, passionately, "Prime Minister, no more defending ANYONE!.... ALL affiliates of the Congress stand ready to ACT; to see this through!!!

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