Sir Manuel and Kathy Esquivel Resign From All Government Posts/Appointments

Sir Manuel Esquivel and his wife Kathy have resigned all government posts and appointments in protest of their eldest daughter Laura being pushed out as Director of the Belize Tourism Board.

Sir Manuel confirmed to us that he resigned as Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister in a letter sent to the Prime Minister last Thursday March 13th. He confirmed also that he is stepping down as government appointed Director on the Boards of BTL and BSI. Esquivel would not comment on the reasons for his blanket resignations, only to say, "There is a tide in the affairs of men." Thursday March 13th is also the day that Kathy Esquivel resigned as Chairman of the National AIDS Commission. She had been on the board since 2002 as opposition representative, and was named Chairperson in 2008. She told us that she is resigning for personal reasons.

These dramatic resignations come after their daughter Laura Esquivel officially resigned as BTB's Director of Tourism on Wednesday March 12th.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow did not answer our requests for a comment today.

It is a notable event in the UDP as the Right Honourable Esquivel is an icon of the party. He was leader for 15 years and ushered in the modern era of the UDP by leading the party to its first general election victory in 1984. He is also a two term Prime Minister. His resignation - and that of his wife - can only be taken as an indictment of current UDP Leader Barrow for what they take to be an affront - that their daughter was kicked to the curb during a UDP administration.

Indeed, Laura Esquivel fell from the greatest of heights when she was pushed out of the BTB by a palace coup 12 days ago - a coup which informed observers believe had to have been orchestrated at a high level - high enough that the managers felt confident enough to undermine and humiliate sir Manuel's daughter - without worrying that they would lose their jobs.

So have Sir Manuel and PM Barrow spoken about his abrupt and complete departure? Short answer is, "No." Esquivel tells us that when he wrote the PM last Thursday, the PM wasn't in the country, and he doesn't even know if he has seen the letter.

Sir Manuel who is in semi-retirement tells us that he will now be fully retired. As for how it will or won't affect the rank and file of the UDP - party insiders point out that while Esquivel is a respected past leader, he does not have die-hard loyalists, per se, within the Barrow administration, so it is not a blow to the government.

Channel 7

Mass resignation by the Esquivel Family from senior government posts

Manuel Esquivel

The Esquivel family - Sir Manuel, his wife Kathy and their eldest daughter, Laura; prominent names in the hierarchy of the United Democratic Party - has resigned from key appointments under the Barrow Administration. It is a serious blow to the U.D.P. because the Esquivels are considered a powerful family within the echelons of the party. Tonight, we can confirm that the two-term former prime minister has relinquished his post as senior advisor to Prime Minister Dean Barrow. We can also verify that Kathy Esquivel has stepped down as chair of the National AIDS Commission.�

Kathy Esquivel

As former prime minister, Manuel Esquivel plays a major role in the U.D.P. Most recently, he served as chairman of the Central Bank until six months ago when he was replaced by John Mencias, following the cancellation of his annual contract. But Esquivel has been serving on numerous boards since he demitted office as prime minister in 1998. Both resignations come less than a week after a coup by executive managers of B.T.B. which resulted in Laura's leaving her job as Director of Tourism. �When we contacted them today, the Esquivels maintained that their resignations are for personal reasons.�

Laura Esquivel-Frampton

Sir Manuel Esquivel served as prime minister of Belize from 1984 to 1989 and then from 1993 to 1998. Kathy Esquivel has been instrumental in raising HIV/AIDS awareness in Belize, serving as chair of the board of directors for the National AIDS Commission for several years.� Laura Esquivel is a former city councilor and was employed at B.T.B. as Director of Product Development and was promoted to Director of Tourism in 2012 when she succeeded Seleni Matus.� It is believed that the string of resignations is a protest for her ouster from B.T.B.

Channel 5