PUP’s Elvia Vega Samos Alleges Unfair Treatment in Corozal Bay Convention Loss

On Wednesday night, PUP Leader Prime Minister John Briceno said his party is as united as it has ever been. However, that may not be the case anymore in Corozal following last week’s convention in Corozal Bay. Today, the current Area Representative Elvia Vega Samos took to Facebook and alleged unfair treatment in the convention. Vega, who lost to the new Standard Bearer Thea Garcia Ramirez, claims to have been undermined by her party. She wrote QOUTE “As I reminisce on the past days, past weeks, and even past 3 years, I am cognizant of the fact that I was never given a level playing field. From having limited authority to give jobs to being greatly undermined….. to being the only sitting area rep to contest a convention. I agreed to it believing that it would be a fair convention but unfortunately, that was not the case.” UNQUOTE. Vega’s claims range from supporters being intentionally removed from the voter’s list, Mexican nationals being allowed to vote, and persons being threatened with termination if they did not support her opponent. Our newsroom was unable to reach Vega for comment, but we spoke with Caribbean Shores Area Representative Kareem Musa about the claims this evening.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs: “You know I saw the post I think this afternoon and it’s clear that Honorable Elvie is extremely aggrieved by the results of the convention and what took place and you know that is her belief and she has the reason to believe that way but I think that moving forward as a party every one of us within the party whether it’s on the executive, in cabinet we all need to reach out to Honorable Elvie. She’s a very close friend of mine as was her brother, my Brother Dido Vega and she has done remarkable work in Corozal Bay whatsoever. She has been incredible as an area representative and we want to see her involved and so I know that I will do my part as an area representative and minister to reach out to Honorable Elvie because clearly there needs to be some healing.”

Reporter: So you feel like the comments she’s making is more from the bruise of the loss and there’s not really any material behind it ? 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs: “I can’t say. I was not involved in the election process whatsoever and so that would need some investigation again by the party representatives who were in charge of the convention. And so I wouldn’t be able to speak on that.”

Reporter: So it’s safe to sat that you supported Elvie since we know Mr.Chicken Dread here was feeding her camp ? 

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs: “I like I said Honorable Elvie has been nothing but amazing in my opinion and so it’s unfortunate hat it went to the extent of a convention. I certainly would have wanted her to continue to do the good work in Corozal Bay but we now have a new representative and we must support Ms.Thea Garcia as well, Thea Garcia Ramirez. She is the new standard bearer moving into the next general election. That is the choice of the people of Corozal Bay and that is who we must now support.”

The first-time parliamentarian is the current Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Families, and Indigenous People’s Affairs.