Michel Chebat Takes Over Ministry of National Security in Latest Cabinet Reshuffle

Michel Chebat is now the fourth minister to take charge of policing under the Briceño administration, following another Cabinet reshuffle announced yesterday. His appointment as Minister of National Security, Energy and Ports ends Julius Espat’s three-month interim assignment and marks the third change in leadership for policing in less than a year.  The reshuffle also leaves Oscar Mira and Florencio Marin Junior outside Cabinet, with no explanation from the Office of the Prime Minister about their future. Their exclusion from the latest lineup points to neither returning for the foreseeable future. That, however, remains an inference. OPM has not confirmed whether either former minister will be brought back.  For Espat, the appointment closes his Home Affairs chapter. He is returning his full-time focus to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, which he continues to lead. Prime Minister John Briceño thanked him for what he called his “stellar work.”  In closing the chapter, Espat thanked police officers for their dedication during his three months overseeing the department. He described the assignment as an honour and urged them to continue their work with integrity and commitment to keeping Belize safe.  Chebat takes over a portfolio that has changed hands repeatedly over the past year. Kareem Musa held Home Affairs for approximately five years before moving to Immigration, Labour and Governance in November 2025. Henry Charles Usher was initially named as his replacement but declined the portfolio. Oscar Mira then took charge before being granted leave in June, while procurement matters linked to his previous tenure at Defence were audited. Espat subsequently stepped in on an interim basis.  The latest changes also promote Ramon Cervantes to Minister of Public Utilities, Logistics and Solid Waste Management, with Ramiro Ramirez serving as Minister of State. Gilroy Usher is listed as Minister of State for Energy and Ports under Chebat.  Dr. Osmond Martinez becomes the substantive Minister of Economic Transformation, moving up from Minister of State. Henry Charles Usher takes substantive responsibility for Enterprise, in addition to Public Service and Disaster Risk Management.

This brings the number of identifiable rounds of portfolio changes since the administration took office in November 2020 to at least eight, including the post-election reorganisation and temporary assignments