Opposition Leader responds Hon. Kareem Musa’s Jab Over Vybz Kartel Connection

Last week, Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa took a comical jab at the Leader of the Opposition Moses “Shyne” Barrow over the connection with music icon Vybz Kartel. Musa jokingly said that if Kartel comes to Belize he should be aware of ‘flying tamales” referencing an incident where Barrow’s office was defaced with a tamale. Barrow says that he is unbothered by the jab as his connection with Kartel is good for Belize’s tourism sector. Barrow says he hopes that the Minister of Tourism will partner with him to welcome Kartel on his visit as tourism is an issue that is bigger than politics.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “I don’t mind the tamales shot. I take these things in full stride. You know, I have, you know, like the commissioner and I we don’t see eye to eye because it is our job to criticize him and to be an oversight body for him and so he doesn’t appreciate that. But when I see him personally, you know, we shake hands and we embrace and I let him know, you know, it’s not personal. I will continue to lash you and you do what you have to do because what I want is the best from you on behalf of the Belizean people. So I don’t take the cheap shot that the minister rendered to me. I appreciate the fact that he was honest and that he appreciates the contribution, that visit from Vybz Cartel will make to the tourism sector and to our economy and just the mention of Belize from Vybz Cartel saying that he wants to visit the impact that would have and I say to you here and now that that is not a UDP thing, that is not a PUP thing, you know we should all come together. But you know I look forward to talking to the minister. I haven’t gotten a chance, we’ve missed each other, I’ve been in Jamaica and I think he’s still on vacation with his family. But I look forward to welcoming Vybz Cartel with the Minister of Tourism and us being great hosts for Vybz Cartel. You know this is not a political thing. He’s my friend, he’s my brother, of course he supports me and he thinks I should be the next Prime Minister of Belize, but that’s not what this is about.”

Barrow said that apart from meeting with Vybz Kartel, he met with various notable figures in Jamaica as part of his work to strengthen partnerships with countries in the region.