By Belize Live News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño took a swipe at UDP candidate Dean Samuels, who failed to appear on Nomination Day, reportedly due to a medical issue. Samuels, who was supposed to contest the Pickstock division, sent in a doctor’s letter stating he had suffered fainting spells and could not make it.
Briceño dismissed the explanation with sarcasm, questioning whether Samuels was hospitalized or bedridden. When informed that Samuels had suffered syncope, Briceño scoffed, asking, “He had what?” before bluntly responding: “Fainting spells.”
The Prime Minister went on to ridicule the situation, stating that it only takes a short time to sign a nomination form and that Samuels’ absence suggests he realized he had no chance of winning against PUP’s Anthony Mahler.
“It is obvious that Mr. Samuels realized that there’s no way that he could win Anthony Mahler and figured why would I embarrass myself?” Briceño said.
With Samuels missing, Mahler was elected unopposed, adding to the UDP’s growing election-day embarrassment. The ruling party has since capitalized on the UDP’s struggles, framing them as signs of internal disorganization and lack of confidence among its candidates.
With elections looming, Samuels’ absence has only fueled speculation about the state of the UDP’s readiness to mount a serious challenge against the PUP.
