Belmopan Area Rep comments on Sharon Palacio’s move to not run for reelection

Belmopan’s Area Representative, Oscar Mira, has commented on the stepping down of Sharon Palacio as a mayoral candidate for the next municipal elections.  Palacio had resorted to social media in recent weeks, criticizing and condemning the People’s United Party for expecting her to go to convention with other mayoral aspirants.  According to Mira, the situation is unfortunate.

Oscar Mira, Area Representative, Belmopan: “It’s regrettable that the current mayor is not here, you know, on this convention. It’s very regrettable. I, for one, have always supported women in leadership, women in politics. I want to ensure that I give them that opportunity. I supported her fully. She has chosen not to run and that’s her decision. I respect that. At the end of the day, we have two mayoral candidates right now. One of them is going to be victorious this evening. As for the current mayor, it was her decision, regrettably so. I have no issues in working with anyone. I have worked with her very closely. I supported her very much in the beginning and I made sure that I support women in politics and women in leadership. I think we’re proud to have the first female mayor of Belmopan and the only mayor in the country. But democracy is such, you know, that it is always a way for the people to decide who they want as the mayoral candidate. Perhaps you could have worked better. Yes, there’s always room for improvement. You never work with a hundred percent cooperation. But as the area representative, I can work with anyone and I think I gave her the support that she needed. She decided not to run in this convention, it’s her right and that’s her choice and I respect that. I would have wanted her to be in this race, but she chose not to do it. Much respect to her.”

Mayor Palacio is currently out of the country, and had not attended yesterday’s convention.