On Tuesday, October 6th, Prime Minister Honorable John Briceño announced changes to Cabinet portfolios, assigning new responsibilities to several ministers. Oscar Mira and Florencio Marin Jr. remain without portfolios amid an ongoing audit of the former Ministry of National Defense and Border Security.
Under the reshuffle, Honorable Michel Chebat assumes responsibility for the Belize Police Department and the armed forces through the new Ministry of National Security. He also retains responsibility for Energy and Ports, with Honorable Gilroy Usher continuing as Minister of State for those portfolios.
Honorable Ramon Cervantes Jr. has been assigned the Ministry of Public Utilities and Solid Waste Management, with Honorable Ramiro Ramirez remaining Minister of State.
Honorable Dr. Osmond Martinez has been promoted to full minister, leading the Ministry of Economic Transformation. Honorable Henry Charles Usher assumes responsibility for Enterprise while retaining the Public Service, Disaster and Risk Management portfolios.
Briceño retains responsibility for Finance, Investment, Civil Aviation and E-Governance. Honorable Dolores Balderamos-Garcia continues to support him as Senior Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Honorable Cordel Hyde remains Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining. Honorable Francis Fonseca continues as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology, supported by Honorable Marconi Leal Jr.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries remains under Honorable Rodwell Ferguson, with Honorable Alex Balona serving as Minister of State for Agriculture.
Honorable Kareem Musa retains responsibility for Immigration, Labor and Governance. Honorable Anthony Mahler continues as Minister of Tourism, Sports and Diaspora Relations, supported by Honorable Devin Daly.
Honorable Kevin Bernard remains Minister of Health and Wellness, while Honorable Orlando Habet continues as Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change. Honorable Oscar Requena retains responsibility for Rural Transformation, Community Development and Local Government.
Belize Rural South Area Representative Honorable Andre Perez continues to lead the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation.
Honorable Dr. Louis Zabaneh continues to oversee Indigenous, Constitution and Religious Affairs and Transport. Honorable Thea Ramirez remains responsible for Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs.
Briceño thanked Honorable Julius Espat for temporarily overseeing the former Ministry of Home Affairs, which included responsibility for the Belize Police Department. Espat continues to lead the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing.
Anthony Sylvester remains Attorney General, while Ambassador Stuart Leslie continues as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff.
Mira and Marin Jr. have not been assigned portfolios as the audit of the former Ministry of National Defense and Border Security continues. Mira has been on leave since June, while Marin Jr. has been on leave since July.
The investigation followed public scrutiny of procurement practices within the former ministry, including reports that contracts were awarded to several of Mira’s family members. During the period under review, Marin Jr. was the substantive minister with overall responsibility for the ministry, while Mira served as Minister of State with delegated responsibilities.