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Ivan Ramos, Resigned - PUP Rep. For Dangriga
"I went to Belize City and yes, I submitted to the party leader, after all was said and done, that I will step aside that it doesn't have to be me because obviously I would not have the support, I would not have the full participation of those that I believe should lead the charge. So, yes I had a conversation with the party leader and he accepted. Well, even if he didn't accept then obviously the writing was on the wall as far as I'm concerned. Those remarks were not well received but those were the truth and that's how I saw it and that's what I said, but those were not well received. Thereafter, nobody really called me with the exception of the Honorable Mike Espat."

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Opposition Leader
"We have been in touch with, not only me but our Campaign Manager's team, the Southern Caucus over the weekend. So many efforts and attempts were made and I am satisfied as I said. I am satisfied that the entire process was handled with dignity, it was handled with respect. We did everything possible to try to ensure that the Honorable Ivan Ramos was satisfied and that he could in fact continue to represent the people of Dangriga for the remainder of his term."

Reporter
"Now since the announcement of you not running as standard bearer in the next election, has there been any communication or any contact with any of the members of the National Executive?"

Ivan Ramos, Resigned - PUP Rep. For Dangriga
"I responded to a call from the Rt. Honorable Said Musa, who basically was giving me every assurance not to, in a sense worry about those that or I believe in the case of Julius Espat, that was creating mischief or whatever. As I understand it many people in the National Executive didn't take it well, that he was calling me out to be sanctioned."

Will PUP's Stay Home In Dangriga?

And so with Ivan Ramos departing under such cloudy and contentious circumstances, what will happen with the PUP in Dangriga in 31 days? That's July 8th, date of the bye-election - and we asked Party Leader Fonseca if he fears the PUP faithful will stay away:..

Jules Vasquez
"After the Mahmud Cayo North election, the conclusion was that the people stayed home and so the poles reflected that because of the disproportional size of the victory. Are you concerned, Mister Ivan Ramos had 268 people at the event yesterday, these are 268 of his supporters who are PUP's, they were still chanting PUP? Are you concerned that these people will also stay home as they did in the case of Joseph Mahmud, these good PUP's? Is that a concern of you Sir?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader
"Sure, yeah obviously of course. We are always concerned about any potential PUP voters who decide to stay at home."

Jules Vasquez
"So then but the no strategy was effectively executed in the Mahmud case and in so far as Mister Mahmud did not come out and help the PUP. Mister Ainsley Lesly did not come out and help the PUP - the 2 former PUP representatives in that area. Will you all be able to bring out those people as you are unable to do in Cayo North?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader
"Well, as I said, Jules we're having meetings even today. We'll get a report on those issues tomorrow at our meeting and I think we will be in a better position to speak to those issues."

Jules Vasquez
"Are any of Mister Sabal's people here? Was he invited? Are his people invited? Did you ask him for a list of maybe people he would want you to help out? Has there been that communication?"

Ivan Ramos, Resigned - PUP Rep. For Dangriga
"No, I will admit that I have invited a few people. An announcement was put on the cable and radio I believe. That's it."

Under Fonseca Nine candidates have either been pushed out, stepped down or been replaced

And while Ramos remained cool - he is one more PUP Canddiate that has gone. In the past three and a half years under Fonseca's leadership as many as nine candidates have either been pushed out, stepped down or been replaced. An unprecedented three of those were sitting opposition representatives. We asked Fonseca if this is a trend:

Jules Vasquez
"Arthur Saldivar, Marco Tulio Mendez. Joseph Mahmud, Anthony Mahler, Mark Espat, Collet Montejo, Richard Harrison, Ivan Ramos and I will include John Briceno who walked away from leadership. These are all people who have walked away. I won't include Micah Goodin. These are all candidates who either left or were made to leave under your leadership since 2011. None of them left under John Briceno's leadership. Why have these 10 persons left and is there a trend in the party that is somehow a reflection on your leadership?"

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Opposition Leader
"You would have to ask them why. These matters have been exhaustedly discussed Jules. In each case we've discussed each of them. The ones before the last general election, those are matters that have been extensively discussed. In each and every case what I can say I feel absolutely comfortable with the process that is taking place. I have at all times acted I think properly, acted with respect, treated the individuals with dignity. But I will not allow anybody to coarse me to take any course of action that I do not want to take and certainly the good old days of solving problems with money are no longer as far as I am concern and I made it clear to everybody, even if the PUP had the money, they would not get it if they are trying to force me to do things that I do not believe are in the best interest of the party or the country."

Jules Vasquez
"If we look at it, 3 of the sitting representatives in opposition have indicated that they won't run again. Two of them have resigned. That is an unprecedented number for a party in opposition. Furthermore, shouldn't the public be concerned? Or isn't there reason for the public to be concerned that you are having a difficulty managing 14 people? When a government is elected you would have to manage much more, at least 16 ministers who are in business. That's how it goes when you are in government - you're in business."

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Opposition Leader
"Again, you seem to have on red blinders Jules. You are saying these things from one perspective. The other side of it is that we are properly managing the party and those who are not interested in being a part of that properly managed party are falling on the wayside."

Caye Caulker Chaos

Earlier on in our Newscast, we told you about how 18 year-old Hilberto Sotz died while in police custody. Well, as we told you, the family and the villagers are furious at the circumstances, they don't believe that he died of natural causes - they believe police killed him.

And that has led to civil unrest on the island. Right now, as this video shows, a crowd of persons has started a riot on the island. We're told by persons on the ground that the Gang Suppression Unit has been called in to quell the unrest. It's unprecedented and a very volatile situation, which we'll keep following. You'll be able to see a full report tomorrow.

Another Galvez Loses Life, This Time In PG

The Galvez family is again mourning the loss of another family member tonight. 73 year old Isidoro Galvez AKA Charlie Card died in an accident yesterday on the Southern Highway. Galvez was heading to a family function in Big Falls Village from Indian Creek when his Mazda pickup flipped several times about 20 miles on the highway. He was flung from the windshield and received massive head and body injuries. He died on the spot. His wife 46 year old Margarita Cal was also along with him. Cal's right leg was stuck in the vehicle and had to be amputated. When we spoke to Galvez's son this evening he told us that Cal told him that Galvez was uneasy and very emotional on the road before the accident - saying that Galvez was shouting out his daughters name: Rosalie Galvez - Rosalie, was shot and killed a month ago at the Belmopan Junction. The family is not sure exactly what happened on the road but police continue to investigate. A post mortem is scheduled for tomorrow so that should shed some more light on this case.

PM Volleys Bouquets At Bradley

And the UDP has also replaced its Caribbean Shores Candidate. Santiago Castillo stepped down from his elected seat giving way to Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley. He held his endorsement convention yesterday and Castillo was not there - his people told us he had not been invited. But that didn't stop the party leader from heaping praise on Bradley:

Until the time that the next general elections are called, Bradley will keep his elected post as Mayor of the Belize City Council.

Ramos Explains Why He Said Yes To Petrocaribe

And we close tonight with two more stories on that new favorite buzzword in political and social parlance: Petrocaribe. As we showed you earlier Ivan Ramos exited public life at a petrocaribe funded event. To accept the money he went against his party's policy. He told supporters why he did it:..

Ivan Ramos, Resigned - PUP Rep. For Dangriga
"There are many people here, I don't want to call their names, that even before told me, 'take the money it's our money, we will pay it back anyhow,' and yes the party leader made a declaration during the debate in the house that the PUP will no longer participate in anything that has to do with Petrocaribe. Yes, but let me say to you then that when we went into the members' room, many of the representatives were very concerned and they expressed their concerned that, 'hey, if this is the case, what will we do?' All our participation in the Petrocaribe fund in the Christmas cheer went back to many of you here and others in the form of groceries which many of you appreciated and things of this sort."

Faber Used Petrocaribe To Take Collett To Corozal

And while that's Ramos' take on Petrocaribe spending, Collet Area Rep., Patrick Faber took his constituency members on a trip to Corozal Town, courtesy petro funds from the Mother's Day/Father's Day cheer program.

Here's how he explained it while speaking at Darrell Bradley's Endorsement Convention:

Hon. Patrick Faber
"We were able in the collet constituency to roll 22 loaded buses to Corozal Town today and we had a wonderful family day courtesy of Petrocaribe and our Prime Minister, the Honorable Dean Barrow. We danced to Jorge Enesto Babb the Caribbean Roots Band. We took a bath in the sea, the beautiful Corozal Bay Sea that looks turquoise and milky and it's beautiful. We ate tacos and we ate pibil and we ate barbeque. we had a feast, but most importantly we bonded as the collet family and we were able as well to share with the constituencies of the North; Corozal North, Corozal Bay, Corozal South East and Corozal South West and it would not have been possible if we did not have the kind of support from our Prime Minister and our Party Leader and also from the Petrocaribe funds."