Cabinet Shake-Up Continues as PM Defends Second Portfolio Remix in One Week

Cabinet wrapped up its weekly meeting just after two o’clock this afternoon inside the conference room at the Office of the Prime Minister.  According to PM John Briceno the meeting had a more serious than usual ambience.  In our coverage tonight, we will first start with the remix of the portfolios.  For the second time within one week, the government has had to issue changes in portfolios.  This has triggered criticisms against the Briceno Administration, but the Prime Minister says it’s all about keeping on top of the important issues for the people.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “I would venture to say that this government has been the most successful government we’ve had since independence. The amount of, the tremendous amount of work that we’ve done in fixing the economy, paying down the debt, improving national security, fighting poverty, creating jobs for people, scholarships for people, just about two, three weeks ago, Minister Requena brought a paper where we had to approve another $5 million to be able to keep up with the scholarships that we’re doing. We have a proud record, a record unparalleled, unmatched by any government and I stand by that. As to a celebration, it’s not necessarily a celebration, it’s a milestone where we are saying, ok we’ve done five years and look at the work that we’ve done and then it is time also to refocus and to relook. After a time you know you could if you just do the same thing over and over you tend to get into a rut. So it’s good sometimes to do some changes.” 

Recently, the Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Panton spoke of a crumbling Briceno Administration.  She noted that she met recently with the US Charge d’Affaires, and that, quote, “Our international partners are watching closely, and they have expressed clear interest in stability, accountability, and adherence to democratic norms.”  End of quote.  According to Panton, the Cabinet remix ‘exposes a government that is being dismantled by the weight of its own incompetence and internal discord.’  PM Briceno was asked to respond to her comments.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize:  “Does this look crumbling? We’re right here. It’s funny. Sometimes I kind of feel bad for the Leader of the Opposition and I commiserate with her some times because when we were in opposition you’re trying to find anything that we can grab on to create that issue or to create that issue of instability or whatever it is. I wish her well. I wish her well. But it’s nonsense. There’s nothing more I can answer to that.”

As it pertains to the rest of the Cabinet, in a notable update, Minister Rodwell Ferguson has been tapped to lead the Agriculture, Food Security & New Growth Industries portfolio with Alex Balona as Minister of State for Agriculture.  Several ministries remain unchanged from the first reshuffle, while others now reflect minor administrative refinements: Julius Espat continues at Infrastructure Development & Housing; Kareem Musa remains responsible for Immigration, Labour & Governance; Anthony Mahler continues with Tourism, Youth, Sports & Diaspora Relations, supported by Minister of State Devin Daly; Kevin Bernard retains Health & Wellness; Orlando Habet continues at Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Solid Waste Management, supported by Minister of State Ramiro Ramirez; Michel Chebat remains at Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics, with Gilroy Usher as Minister of State; Henry Charles Usher retains responsibility for Public Service & Disaster Risk Management; Oscar Mira continues to lead Home Affairs & Enterprise; Oscar Requena remains in charge of Rural Transformation, Community Development & Local Government; Andre Perez stays at Blue Economy & Marine Conservation; Dr. Louis Zabaneh continues with Indigenous, Constitution & Religious Affairs & Transport; Florencio Marin Jr. retains the National Defence & Border Security portfolio; Thea Ramirez remains at Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs; Anthony Sylvester continues as Attorney General, and Ambassador Stuart Leslie has been reaffirmed as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff.