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Former PUP Candidate and Senator Montejo Lashes Out Against Party
posted (April 15, 2015)

In the 2012 general election, PUP Candidate for Cayo Central Collet Montejo came within 44 votes of beating UDP incumbent Rene Montero. That near upset was the greatest surprise coming out of the very close general election, and Montejo was rewarded with a PUP seat in the Senate for his valiant showing. But, shortly after, his fast rising political star seemed to burn out as quickly as it had ascended; internal PUP emails said that he had accrued many bills and needed help to pay them off.

Montejo, the politician was last seen endorsing PUP Cayo Central aspirant Luke Espat who lost resoundingly in a convention to Dan Silva. That should have been his swan song – but the opera ain't over, not quite yet at least.

We say that because Montejo penned an open letter to the PUP in yesterday's Amandala. It is a scathing attack on the PUP in its current configuration. He writes, quote, "the current leadership of the PUP can see that with names such as Fonseca, Musa and Julius Espat as its voice and face, the people of Belize will not vote PUP anytime soon…the party is headed for another resounding defeat at the polls…they are cursed to the point where they will not listen to reason."

And that's just for starters! He continues on to say, quote, "despite the missteps of the ruling administration, the PUP…with its current leadership…is not an option or a risk the voters are willing to take." The letter goes on to speak of, quote, "millions upon millions that disappeared into private bank accounts still haunts our minds." End quote.

Montejo says there needs to be a radical change in the party leadership – and adds, quote, "only an insane individual will deceive themselves into thinking the people of this country will be voting PUP with Musa/Fosneca/Julius at the helm."

Mimicking the Dr. Seuss style from another internal PUP critic, Montejo ends with a flourish, saying quote, "I care not how they leave…be it by plane or train, bicycle or tricycle, walking or running I care not, Musa, Fonseca Julius leave the leadership…"

Very acerbic stuff from a man who was representing the PUP just a few years ago, and Montejo today told the media that he stands by what he says and remains a loyal PUP, just not a supporter of the current leadership.

In response, Deputy Leader Julius Espat today told us, quote, "Montejo is the same person who endorsed Dan Silva and then endorsed my cousin Luke Espat the following week – that should speak loudly of the personality." End quote.

And what did he have to say about the substance of Montejo's allegations? Espat said, quote, "it is one person's opinion, a person that has not been able to garner any public support since the (2012) election."

Espat adds that he believes the letter was written not by Montejo but by a group of PUP's and UDP's who don't want any accountability in government, which is what he is fighting for.

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