2025 - Channel 5 Belize

PM Briceño Explains Cabinet Decisions, Ministerial Appointments

In an interview with News 5, Prime Minister John Briceño explained his decision-making process behind his cabinet appointments.

Briceño explained the complexities of forming a cabinet, stressing the need for a careful balance of geographic representation, ethnicity, and gender. “It’s a lot of work trying to put together a cabinet that you have some kind of regional balance, a geographic balance, ethnicity as best as you possibly can. You have also gender, and in this case, it’s only one. And it’s very, very tough,” he shared.

One of the most difficult decisions, he revealed, was regarding the appointment of Ramon Cervantes, who he described as a highly qualified individual. However, with three ministers already from the Orange Walk District, Briceño faced potential political challenges. “If I do that, then I could potentially get into some kind of trouble then because my other colleagues would say why concerntrate in only Orange Walk and when you become Prime Minister you become Prime Minister for the entire country.”

“But we need to remember, you’re not elected to be a minister. You’re elected to be a representative,” he said.

The Prime Minister also tackled criticism surrounding the inclusion of three Ministers of State within his ministry, particularly addressing concerns about the perceived sidelining of experienced ministers such as Minister Dolores Balderamos Garcia and Minister Rodwell Ferguson. Briceño clarified that Minister Balderamos-Garcia had already made it clear that she would retire after the election. “ Because of the size of the Cabinet it was difficult to bring her as a senior minister. But what I did is to bring her as a senior minister of state and with cabinet privileges, meaning that she can attend cabinet meetings.” Balderamos-Garcia will also be overseeing the National AIDS Commission and the National Honors Committee.

Minister Ferguson was given special tasks, allowing him to address issues across the country. “ By putting Minister Ferguson to be working in the ministry with me, I, what I plan to do is then to use him to do special tasks. If there’s an issue going somewhere in the country or whatever I said, please go take a look at it and see how I can solve these problems,” Briceño added.

As for the appointment of new ministers, Briceño spoke about the appointment of newcomer Thea Garcia to a substantive ministry. The decision, he explained, was influenced by the need for gender representation in his cabinet. “I had to bring her in to Cabinet or I’ll be jumped upon and they”ll say ‘hey, you didn’t put any women in the Cabinet.’ So since Minister Dolores is as I said will retire, on her way out, then we felt it was important to bring her in.”

Responding to rumours about promotions, including the potential appointment of Chester Williams as CEO of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Briceño clarified that Williams was still the Commissioner of Police. “Not as far as I know, he’s still the commissioner of police,” Briceño stated.

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister confirmed that CEO appointments would be finalised by mid-week. “Many of them are going to stay,” Briceño said.

Guatemalan Vessel Escorted out of Belizean Southern Waters

On Sunday morning, March 16, the Belize Coast Guard intercepted a Guatemalan military patrol operating in Belizean waters. Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG), confirmed that “a patrol that was based out at Hunting Caye spotted a Guatemalan vessel that was inside Belizean waters.”

Bennett explained that the Coast Guard team stationed at Hunting Caye quickly deployed to intercept the Guatemalan vessel. During the encounter, “there was an exchange of information, an exchange of words between the Guatemalan navy and members of the Belize Coast Guard,” Bennett said.

The Guatemalan military officers aboard the vessel claimed they “were lost” and experiencing “mechanical issues, that they lost one of their engines, and also that they were disoriented,” according to Bennett. He added, “They did not agress our patrols.”

The Guatemalan vessel was described as smaller than usual for the area, and the officers were cooperative. “We escorted them out from that location with no problem,” Bennett stated.

When asked about potential damage to the reef, Bennett clarified that it couldn’t be confirmed. “When we intercepted that vessel, it was not on the reef; it was not near the reef, so we cannot say that they ran aground on the reef.”

Association of Defense Attorneys Congratulates Attorney General on Reappointment

The Association of Defense Attorneys has extended its congratulations to Anthony Sylvester on his reappointment as Attorney General of Belize. In a letter signed by Secretary Orson J. Elrington, the association praised Sylvester’s dedication, legal expertise, and unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law.

The letter stated, “Your continued service in this esteemed position is a testament to your dedication, legal expertise, and unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law in our nation.”

“As the legal community works towards ensuring justice, fairness, and the protection of rights for all Belizeans, we look forward to continued collaboration with your office,” the letter added.

The Association of Defense Attorneys said it is dedicated to “fostering an environment where legal practitioners, regardless of their role, can effectively contribute to a system that is fair, transparent, and accessible to all.”

UN Judge Convicted for Forced Labour Abuse

A British jury convicted Ugandan High Court judge Lydia Mugambe on Thursday for forcing a young Ugandan woman to work as a slave whom she “exploited and abused” in the United Kingdom.

According to her profile on the UN website, Mugambe had been appointed to a United Nations court in 2023. The Guardian reported that three months after her appointment, police were called to her address in Oxfordshire. Reports made against her are that Mugambe tricked the victim into coming to the UK with promises of work in a diplomatic household but instead forced her into domestic servitude. Once there, the victim was coerced into unpaid labour, and her passport was confiscated.

The Associated Press reported that the prosecution lawyer Caroline Haughey described Mugambe as exploiting the victim’s lack of rights awareness. Mugambe was studying for a doctorate in law at the University of Oxford when the offences occurred.

Mugambe denied the charges, and insisted she had treated the woman with care and love.

In footage released by Thames Valley Police, Mugambe tried to invoke diplomatic immunity during her arrest, claiming, “I am a judge in my country; I even have immunity. I am not a criminal.” Any immunity she held as a UN judge was waived by the United Nations.

The officer asked to reaffirm that she had immunity; she told the officer, “Yes, I have a diplomatic passport.”

Mugambe will be sentenced on 2 May.

Briceño Reshapes Cabinet for Second Term with New Faces and Portfolios

Prime Minister John Briceño has reshuffled his Cabinet for his second term, introducing new ministerial portfolios and reassigning key positions. These are the key changes, additions, and removals.

John Briceño (Prime Minister)

Previous: Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Civil Aviation, and Immigration
Now: Finance, Investment & Economic Transformation, Civil Aviation, and E-Governance
Key Change: Economic Transformation added, Immigration removed, E-Governance added.
Ministers of State: Dolores Balderamos Garcia (Office of the Prime Minister), Rodwell Ferguson (Office of the Prime Minister), Dr. Osmond Martinez (Economic Transformation)

Cordel Hyde

Previous: Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum & Mining
Current: Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Natural Resources, Petroleum & Mining
No change

Jose Mai

Previous: Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, & Enterprise
Current: Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, & Enterprise
No Change
Minister of State Alex Balona: Agriculture

Julius Espat

Previous: Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
Current: Minister of Infrastructure Development & Housing
No Change

Kareem Musa

Previous: Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries
Current: Minister of Home Affairs & New Growth Industries
No Change

Kevin Bernard

Previous: Minister of Health and Wellness
Current: Minister of Health and Wellness
No Change

Francis Fonseca

Previous: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science, and Technology
Now: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration
Key Change: Education, Science & Technology removed; Immigration added.
Marconi Leal Jr. is Minister of State: Foreign Trade.

Oscar Requena

Previous: Rural Transformation, Community Development, Local Government & Labour
Now: Education, Science & Technology
Key Change: Shifted from Rural Development to Education.
Ramon Cervantes is Minister of State: Education, Science & Technology.

Dr. Louis Zabaneh

Previous: Minister of State in Education, Culture, Science & Technology
Now: Full Minister of Indigenous Constitution, Religious Affairs & Transport
Key Change: New portfolio focusing on indigenous affairs and transport.

Michel Chebat

Previous: Public Utilities, Logistics & E-Governance
Now: Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics
Key Change: E-Governance moved to the Prime Minister’s portfolio. Energy added.
Gilroy Usher Sr. is Minister of State: Public Utilities, Energy & Logistics.

Henry Charles Usher

Previous: Public Service, Constitutional & Political Reform, and Religious Affairs
Now: Public Service & Governance and NEMO
Key Change: Constitutional & Political Reform removed, NEMO (National Emergency Management Organisation) and Governance added.

Orlando Habet

Previous: Sustainable Development & Climate Change
Now: Sustainable Development, Climate Change & Solid Waste Management
Key Change: Solid Waste Management added.
Ramiro Ramirez is Minister of State: Sustainable Development & Solid Waste Management.

Anthony Mahler

Previous: Tourism & Diaspora Relations
Now: Tourism, Youth, Sports & Diaspora Relations
Key Change: Youth & Sports added.
Devin Daly is Minister of State: Youth & Sports.

Andre Perez

Previous: Blue Economy & Disaster Risk Management
Now: Blue Economy & Marine Conservation
Key Change: Disaster Risk Management removed, Marine Conservation added.

Florencio Marin Jr.

Previous: National Defence & Border Security
Now: Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour & Local Government
Key Change: Moved from Defence to Rural Transformation.

Oscar Mira

Previous: Minister of State in National Defence & Border Security
Now: Full Minister of National Defence & Border Security
Key Change: Promoted to full minister.

Thea Ramirez (New Addition)

Portfolio: Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs
Key Change: New minister replacing Dolores Balderamos Garcia in a restructured ministry.

Elvia Vega-Samos (Previously: Minister of State in Human Development). Not listed in new Cabinet. She ran as an independent and was not elected.

Jorge “Milin” Espat (Previously: Minister of State for Investment in Finance, Economic Development, Civil Aviation, and Immigration). Not listed in new Cabinet. He was not elected.

Anthony Sylvester is the Attorney General.

Ambassador Stuart Leslie will serve as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff.

First Picture of Pope Francis Since Hospitalization

Pope Francis was photographed for the first time since his hospitalisation in mid-February. The photo shows the 88-year-old pontiff concelebrating Mass at the Gemelli hospital in Rome on Sunday, March 16.

Pope Francis was captured seated in a wheelchair, dressed in alb and stole, during a Mass held in the private chapel on the hospital’s tenth floor. He appeared to be praying before the altar, with his attention focused on the crucifix. The photograph was released by the Holy See Press Office.

The Vatican press confirmed that this was the first Mass he had concelebrated in the hospital, although he had been participating in daily Eucharist and liturgies in previous weeks.

Since his admission to the Gemelli hospital on 14 February, the Pope’s condition has remained stable, and his medical care, including respiratory and physiotherapy treatments, continues, the Vatican reported.

Around 200 children gathered outside Gemelli Hospital on Sunday in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Pope.

Man Shot Dead in Punta Gorda

Police are investigating the murder of Dueton Coy on Sunday night in Punta Gorda.

Initial investigation revealed that Coy was shot multiple times. Despite being rushed to the Punta Gorda hospital for treatment, Coy succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities have yet to release any information on suspects or motives.

This is an ongoing story.

Briceño Forms Cabinet for Second Term After PUP’s 2025 Election Victory

Prime Minister John Briceño has announced a series of new Cabinet appointments, which he will recommend to Her Excellency Governor-General Dame Froyla Tzalam, in accordance with sections 40 and 45 of the Constitution. The appointments include a combination of Ministers of Government and Ministers of State, along with the Attorney General position.

Prime Minister Briceño will continue to hold the portfolios of Finance, Investment and Economic Transformation, Civil Aviation, and E-Governance. Dolores Balderamos Garcia and Rodwell Ferguson have been appointed as Senior Minister of State and Minister of State, respectively, within the Office of the Prime Minister. Additionally, Osmond Martinez will serve as Minister of State for Economic Development.

Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde will retain his roles overseeing Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining, while Francis Fonseca will continue to manage the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Culture, and Immigration, supported by Marconi Leal Jr. as Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Jose Abelardo Mai will remain responsible for Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise, with Alex Balona as his Minister of State.

Ambassador Stuart Leslie will maintain his position as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff. The appointment of Chief Executive Officers will be announced at a later date.

Other key appointments include Julius Espat as Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Kareem Musa as Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, and Anthony Mahler as Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports, and Diaspora Relations, with Devin Daly serving as Minister of State for Youth and Sports. Kevin Bernard will continue to lead the Health and Wellness Ministry, while Orlando Habet will oversee Sustainable Development, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management, with Ramiro Ramirez as his Minister of State.

Michel Chebat has been appointed as Minister of Public Utilities, Energy, and Logistics, supported by Gilroy Usher as Minister of State. Henry Charles Usher will manage Public Service, Governance, and NEMO, while Oscar Mira takes on the National Defence and Border Security portfolio.

Oscar Requena will continue as Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, assisted by Ramon Cervantes as Minister of State. Andre Perez will remain responsible for the Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, and Louis Zabaneh will lead Indigenous Constitution and Religious Affairs and Transport. Florencio Marin will oversee Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour, and Local Government, and Thea Ramirez has been appointed as Minister of Human Development, Family Support, and Gender Affairs.

The role of Attorney General will be filled by Anthony Sylvester.

Trump Weighs New Travel Ban for 40+ Countries

The Trump administration is considering a new travel ban that could impose restrictions on citizens from 43 countries, including several in the Caribbean and Latin America, according to The New York Times.

A draft list divides nations into three categories of restrictions. Cuba and Venezuela are among 11 countries that could face a full visa suspension. Another 10 nations, including Haiti, would see partial suspensions affecting tourist and student visas. A further 22 countries—including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis—have been warned they could face restrictions if they fail to meet US security requirements within 60 days.

The report suggests concerns over passport security, insufficient traveller data sharing, and citizenship-by-investment programs may have influenced the categorisations. The Trump administration argues the restrictions are necessary for national security, echoing the controversial travel bans imposed during his first term.

While the proposal is not yet final, its potential impact on regional mobility and economic ties has raised concerns.

FFB’s Sergio Chuc Re-Elected as CONCACAF VP for Central America

The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) has announced that its president, Sergio Chuc, has been re-elected as Vice President for the Central American region on the Concacaf Council. The election took place in St. Lucia during the Concacaf Congress, marking a major milestone for Belizean football on the international stage.

In his role, he will continue working with other regional football leaders to strengthen the sport, create new opportunities for players and federations, and drive key initiatives within Concacaf.

“I am deeply honoured by this appointment and the trust placed in me by my colleagues,” Chuc said. “This is a victory for Belizean football and a recognition of the strides we have made. I look forward to continuing our efforts to grow the game at all levels and ensure progress in the region.”

The FFB congratulated Chuc on his achievement and expressed confidence in his ability to advocate for football development in Belize, Central America, and the broader Concacaf community.