7 News Belize

Cervantes Family Accuses A Politician of Patriarch's Murder
posted (November 5, 2014)

This afternoon a wave of political sensation rippled across the country – when LOVE FM's live broadcast of a press conference aired a sensational claim: that a prominent politician had orchestrated the murder of Orange Walkeno Ramon Cervantez Sr.

Now, to be clear up front: we will not disclose the name of the politician who was implicated because we have no compelling proof against him. All that we have is the recording of a phone call made on October 8, 2014 in which the allegation is made. We know what is claimed – and who they say is claiming it; but we don't know for sure who is on the phone call.

And so while we will not delve into the sensational claim, it is a matter of significant public interest because – even without proof – it would seem to notch up the country's political temperature, and, for those who believe it, it also changes the tone of our political discourse.

Still, there are more questions than answers and we put those to Cervantez this afternoon:

Daniel Ortiz

"For those who would criticise that a political conspiracy is hard to believe, how do you go about convincing those, you aren't trying to excite without reason, you don't want to sensationalise but this is what you truly believe in."

Ramon "Monchie" Cervantes, Son of deceased

"Firstly, it was Manuel Castillo that called. So we had no control over that, he is the one that said what he said. He was the one that mentioned those names, he was the one who mentioned I was the target. Frankly, I don't see anything political about that. My father is dead, that's the reality; They killed him, it was a hit. It wasn't just a kidnapping for money. Frankly, I wished this was just a dream and a nightmare and I would wake up tomorrow and find out this is just a bad dream. It's a reality and I always maintained if you checked your archives, I told the media as time goes by, we will keep the public informed."

Daniel Ortiz

"Mr. Castillo was trying to name names and give other evidence. If you take his conversation as serious as required, some questions must be made towards whether or not he is blameless in all of this in your father's death. What is your reaction to those comments that he is innocent?"

Ramon Cervantes

"He is the one that the police are looking for. I think he will have to do that explanation when he is caught."

The Cervantez family to our knowledge has not made a police report with this new information - but they say they will hand the recording over to police.

Now, we have to note that while there are all kinds of questions arising from this press conference – and about the legitimacy of the claims being made, we note also that on the other hand, we doubt the Cervantez family would seek to exploit for any political purpose, the murder of their patriarch.

All that being said, it leaves us baffled – completely.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize