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Minister Campos Denies Free Zone Meddling
posted (June 13, 2017)
In late April and early May, there was an uproar at the Corozal Free Zone resulting in the suspension of CEO Valentin Blanco. The Free Zone Chamber of Commerce was adamant that Balnco's in-law and UDP Corozal southwest Representative, Dr. Angel Campos was meddling in the Zone's business. Campos has never publicly responded to that charge, but he did today when we asked him. Not surprisingly, he said there is no political interference on his part.

Dr. Angel Campos - Minister of State, Min. of Health
"The Free Zone, I think everybody can have access. I usually go to the free zone whenever I need to see my friends. I have various friends there, friends that I go and sit down and have tea with, they are Indians and they are there and I have tea with them. The only thing that was the president of the chamber, I think he had an issue with the CEO, who is my brother in-law, so they taught that I went there to talk, usually if it is your brother in-law, you have a little bit more access just to get in there and say hi. I don't think there is a limit as to who can go there. You know, you knock the door and you sit down and talk and they believe that my presence there made me somebody that wanted to meddle with the Free Zone. We cannot do that. The Free Zone has its own board and I think he is part of that board as well and the government has its minister that represents the zones which Minister Erwin Contreras, I cannot make any decisions there, but just my presence there probably made him feel shaky. I'm not sure what his intentions were when he said that but I cannot meddle with the zone, the zone board is the one that has all the authority in the zone."

Courtney Weatherburne
"But you understand somebody in your position and your connection with the CEO would raise some red flags in terms that, just the idea that you may be able to have some influence there?"

Dr. Angel Campos - Minister of State, Min. of Health
"I don't know which influence we would have, politically, I don't think we have much influence in the zone, probably just for hiring people, it has to go through the board. So, everything goes through the board. I don't know what they were..."

Courtney Weatherburne
"So the president, he made false accusations against you. Those are completely false."

Dr. Angel Campos - Minister of State, Min. of Health
"To my knowledge and that's why I had not come to the media. I heard him on the TV and I just listened. I know we cannot put your finger on the sun and the sun will go. The truth usually comes out. I have nothing to hide and he can accuse of whatever. If he has proof, let him bring it, if not, I don't need anything."

Blanco remains under suspension until August.

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