Former PUP Minister Ralph Fonseca Dies at 75

Former elected representative, Ralph Fonseca, has passed.  First elected in 1993, the 75-year-old served as the PUP Area Representative for Belize Rural Central.  It is a post he held on to up until 2008.  His presentations in the House of Representatives, during his tenure, were sparked with passion and knowledge of economics and finance.  Many have regarded him as a business mind ahead of his time.  A prominent member of the People’s United Party (PUP), after entering electoral politics, Fonseca quickly rose through the ranks, known for his sharp intellect and innovative policy proposals. He held portfolios such as Minister of Budget Management, Investment, and Public Utilities, and later Minister of Finance, Home Affairs, and Public Utilities, among others.  During his tenure, Fonseca was instrumental in spearheading significant economic reforms and infrastructural projects that shaped contemporary Belize.  One former colleague who remembers him fondly is the former Prime Minister, Dean Barrow.  History shows that back in 1984, Fonseca did try to unseat Barrow in the Queen’s Square Division but lost by 580 votes.  Love News spoke with Barrow about his experience working with Fonseca.

Dean Barrow, Former Prime Minister: “We’ve been political opponents ever since 1984 when we both contested our first general election against each other in the Queen’s Square constituency. But I am happy to say that we’ve always had a relationship of mutual respect. We’ve attacked each other. We lobbied missiles at each other in the National Assembly but throughout was, I believe, a healthy sense of mutual respect that there was and that marked the relationship between the two of us. He was a force of nature, there’s no doubt. He was larger than life. He was somebody absolutely chock full of ideas and of energy. It was clear that he had a sense of vision. He was completely self-confident. He believed in his own worth and in his own value and he always knew that he was capable of and indeed was making giant contributions to his party and to governance in Belize and of course therefore to his country.”

Former UDP Minister Michael Finnegan, in his years in politics, made it no secret that he and Fonseca were comrades.  He spoke with Love News on Fonseca’s passing.

Michael Finnegan, Former Politician: “Mister Fonseca treated people with dignity, respect and with love for whether you’re a big person in the society or whether you’re a small person in our society. He was always dignified and respectful to people. We have always been good friends. He has his job to do and I have mine to do and we do it squarely and fairly. And sometimes we agree on issues, sometimes we don’t agree on issues but I can’t remember an open confrontation at all. Once you treat people with dignity, respect and love I will always remember that remember you must not only be important but you must treat people important.”

Fonseca passed away this morning just after three o’clock in Belize City.  Tributes have begun to pour in from across the political spectrum and from international partners. The People’s United Party has issued a statement expressing profound sorrow, highlighting Fonseca’s “unwavering dedication to Belize” and his “visionary leadership that helped lay the groundwork for our nation’s prosperity.” The funeral service for the honorable Ralph Fonseca will take place on Tuesday, June 10 at 2pm at Divine Mercy Church.