Manuel Heredia Jr. Under Fire for Racial Remarks
Hon. Manuel Heredia
7 News Belize – Reacting to the fatal shooting of Cpl. Gavin Sanchez by Sgt. Paulino Reyes on the compound of the San Pedro Police Station on Thursday – the following is what Minister of Tourism and Belize Rural South Area Representative Manuel Heredia Jr. had to say…
[March 18th, 2010] Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism: “In the past many of the officers responsible for taking control of the island, that is what they used to do. Times have changed and it is very regretful because now with the human rights and so, there are many people who will say oh you are taking away the privilege of particularly when it happens to the Creole descent, that is the first thing that you will hear. But again I feel that if we have to do that then we have to do it because we have to regain our community.”
Well those words have ignited a firestorm of controversy. The People’s United Party today sent out a release, calling his suggestion an “apartheid type measure” and asking the Cabinet to reject it at its next meeting. They asked Heredia for a retraction and apology. But there was none forthcoming today – what did come forward was a clarification.
In a press release from the Government Press Office titled “media interpretations” – Heredia expressed regret that his statement has been interpreted by some to contain an element of racial bias. It continues to say that the reference to the draconian crime prevention tactic of deporting potential trouble-makers from the island was simply to highlight the fact that the last time it was used – it was viewed as racist. It ends by saying that he will continue to advocate for fair and equal treatment of all people.
