After taking his party to a crushing defeat at the polls on February 7th, PUP Party Leader Said Musa ended his term as PUP leader yesterday. But in the aftermath of the party’s worst defeat ever, identifying a successor has been complicated. And that is because – best we can tell – there are two PUPs – or at least two ideas of the PUP: one that controls the past and the living present of the party, and one that is trying to sever itself from the legacy of some of the recent past, and take the party into the future.
And so when the PUP faithful convened for a special convention to elect a new leader yesterday, the battle was not only tactical and political, it was for the very soul of Belize’s grand old party. High stakes indeed and 7NEWS was in Belmopan to see how it all played out.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
The streets of Belmopan were bannered Briceno’s slogan was “tek back wi party” versus a very status quo appeal of just “Francis For Party Leader.”
A sizeable crowd gathered on the compound of the Belmopan Civic Center and it looked like some kind of political fair, creative landscaping and all – but this was no day at the park, it was war. And while supporters jostled outside, inside Briceno and Fonseca were cordial and Briceno also greeted Said Musa on the last day in his 12-year term as leader.
Outside, the signs covered the area, sometimes they were right beside each other, but in terms of number of supporters Briceno had a visible edge and Fonseca had placards in reserve- but simply not enough supporters to carry them all.
But what happened outside was just scenery, what counted was this line leading to this desk where delegates queued up and were vetted to enter the Civic Center. Only 652 whose names were on the delegate list were allowed inside.
Some candidates and their delegates like Rodwell Ferguson from Stann Creek West wore their loyalty on their shirts. And Dan Silva from Cayo who is a Briceno supporter had to argue for his standing as a delegate to go inside. But beyond the door was much calmer as Briceno and Fonseca lined up to greet their delegates and candidates.
At noon the line was closed and after some jostling at the entrance, it was locked to outsiders. The media was also locked out, and we had to peer in through the burglar barred side doors. First to come out after voting was Leader Emeritus George Price who was taunted with cheers for John Briceno.
[Crowd Shouting: ‘Johnny, Johnny!’]
And as the crowd cheered on, Mike Espat seemed oblivious to what they were shouting as he left. And they got even more vocal when Briceno came to the door. And outside the entrance it turned into a shouting match between soldiers for both sides.
[One Group shouting ‘Johnny’ & another shouting ‘Francis’]
And while the festival atmosphere over the top, it was no child’s play inside where the votes were being counted and tallied. Briceno stepped out to a huge lead and it became apparent that he would win, leaving Fonseca’s team looking crestfallen while the Briceno crowd erupted. And after a quick embrace with Said Musa – the celebration inside continued and outside, pandemonium erupted under the blue tent, only this time there was one name being chanted.
[Crowd Shouting: ‘Johnny’ & then Chanting ‘We don’t want no Fonseca, bring back di PUP’]
The sound and the fury of people who had taken back their party, and inside Fonseca and Briceno were taking the obligatory picture - notably without outgoing leader Said Musa. And with a congratulatory kiss from his wife Rosanna, Briceno gave his acceptance speech.
Johnny Briceno, PUP Leader
“My friends I told you that there were three good men who entered this race, men who I believe love this party with all their hearts. To Francis my brother, my friend, my colleague – I offer my thanks for being a worthy opponent and a true and honorable man. To my friend Mark Espat I also offer my thanks for all always reminding us that we must do right by all manner of persons.
Our victory is one not only for the party but for the country and now we must begin to make good on our promise that we will be back in Belmopan in 5 years time.”
Jules Vasquez,
Francis do you believe your campaign was blighted by association with the Musa/Fonseca axis?
Francis Fonseca, Defeated
“I don’t know Jules, I don’t want to attribute my loss to anything at this point. I think I will have to look back and reflect on it.”
Jules Vasquez,
Sir are you surprised at the sudden reversal? One week ago you were about to be installed or endorsed as leader and now you are the losing candidate for leader in just a week. How could he come from behind and overtake you so quickly?
Francis Fonseca,
“Well I don’t know that he came from behind. Yes he had withdrawn from the race but that does not mean that he had lost support from people. When he reentered the race, obviously the same people who had been supporting him came back to him.”
Johnny Briceno,
“I wish I could describe it but I am humbled by the people, the delegates who came out to give me their support and I want to promise them that I will not let them down, I will do my best to serve the PUP and this country.”
Jules Vasquez,
John is this a defeat for the Musa/Fonseca axis, is it about that as much as it is about John Briceno?
Johnny Briceno,
“This is a victory for the party, we have shown that we could come here as one family and elect a new party leader.”
Jules Vasquez,
But the Musa/Fonseca tandem did not support you, Said Musa and Ralph Fonseca worked against you in this election.
Johnny Briceno,
“Well I don’t know who the former party leader supported but the important point is that here we came as a family, no fighting, we decided who we wanted for our leader.”
Jules Vasquez,
Will you work towards expelling Mark Espat; procedures are already underway to expel him? As party leader will you pursue that?
Johnny Briceno,
“Mark Espat is a good PUP, Mark Espat has worked for the PUP, Mark Espat has helped to make the PUP a successful party and I look forward to continue to work with Mark Espat in the PUP.”
Jules Vasquez,
John do you think about what if you had not chosen to take up this mantle and had left it at where it was that you would not pursue because this process, you said, is fraudulent? You won in the fraudulent process?
Johnny Briceno,
“What is important to talk about is that we decided that this party is so important to all of us because we love this party and we are committed to this party and when I started getting calls across this country who are saying that we need to do something, we need to bring hope to this party, we need to bring unit to this party, we need to get back together and work. And I listen to their calls and I am humble that just in 5 days of campaigning that the people came back with me, the delegates stood by me.”
Francis Fonseca,
“It was a close election but Johnny Briceno is the new leader of the People’s United Party and Francis Fonseca is going to do everything to ensure that he succeeds as the party leader.”

And outside the crown took him on a wave of jubilation, they had taken back their party, reason for passionate excitement and the hope that this Leader of the Opposition won’t hold that ‘Opposition’ title too long.
The final count was 330 delegates for Briceno to 310 for Fonseca. 13 delegates were absent. After Belmopan, Briceno returned to Orange Walk where there was a massive motorcade followed by an impromptu rally. But the celebration is over now and there are sure to be some tremors as Briceno takes over as only the third leader of the PUP in the past 50 years.
First, 7NEWS is reliably informed that the PUP does not own the party headquarters, nor the party paper, nor Positive Vibes media; all those are reportedly owned by private companies or interests affiliated with the party.
Second, Godfrey Smith who served as Francis Fonseca’s campaign manager and has a hostile, possibly contemptuous relationship with Briceno – is a deputy leader and would not be expected to serve under Briceno, though he has not handed in his resignation and neither has he indicated that he will do so. There are reports that the other deputy leader Vildo Marin will resign.
Third, two other senior posts are occupied by sons of Said Musa; they are Communications Director Yasser Musa and Secretary General Henry Charles Usher and there are also expected to be changes in those areas.
Fourth, Senator Magali Marin, the sister of Florencio Marin Jr. who supported Fonseca has resigned as senator, giving Briceno the freedom to pick a designate of his choosing. Also, Rodwell Ferguson, who gained his senatorial seat from Godfrey Smith in exchange for a pledge of support, is expected to resign as Senator as well.
And how will Briceno fill those newly vacant posts? Well, on the executive he may give a nod to Mark Espat and Cordel Hyde who are expected to occupy senior posts. As you heard, Briceno reached out to Espat in his acceptance speech, as the delegates delivered by the Hyde/Espat tandem proved pivotal in his victory.
The same is expected for principal advisor Eamon Courtenay who may take over as national campaign manager as Ralph Fonseca demits that office. Briceno’s other chief strategist Stuart Leslie has been rumored for the secretary general’s post.
Of course, right now these are all just possible choices as the PUP’s entire institutional identity has been reset and settling in for the new leader will take some time. A reset because while the party father figure, George Price handed over to Musa in 1996 – in this case, Price openly endorsed Francis Fonseca and opposed Briceno – so the continuity is disrupted. Read More

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