2025-03-15 - Channel 5 Belize

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.

NGOs Endorse Janelle Chanona to Continue as Belize’s 13th Senator

Following the 2025 general elections, Belize’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have officially endorsed Janelle Chanona to remain as their representative in the Senate. The announcement came after the Belize Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (BNN) invited nominations from organisations in good standing, as recognised by the Belize Companies and Corporate Affairs Registry (BCCAR).

No new nominations or objections were received, with multiple endorsements instead submitted in favour of Senator Chanona, who has represented the NGO community in the Upper House since March 2022.

Chanona said, “It has been my honour and privilege to serve as your voice in the corridors of power. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to collaboration and cooperation with the Government of Belize to leverage the strengths of our collective voice, skills, and resources to shape governance proposals that benefit all Belizeans, especially women, youth, and marginalised groups. As the world bears witness to the fragility of democracy and freedom, we are united in the fight to defend these hard-won rights daily. Advocating and advancing our shared goal of good governance to achieve sustainable human development remains the priority.”

The BNN Board of Directors will now formally request her reappointment from the Governor General, in accordance with Section 61, 4(1) of the Belize Constitution. Chanona is expected to be officially sworn in at the first Senate sitting of the new parliamentary session.

Tracy Panton Becomes Belize’s First Female Leader of the Opposition

Tracy Panton was officially sworn in as the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, making her the first woman to hold the position. Her appointment came after the United Democratic Party (UDP) lost the March 12 general election. The UDP won only five of 31 seats.

Panton, who led the Alliance for Democracy faction within the UDP, secured enough support to assume the leadership role. She received backing from key party members, including Lee Mark Chang and Godwin Haylock, solidifying her position despite earlier challenges from former Leader of the Opposition Moses Shyne Barrow. Barrow lost his seat to Chang in the Mesopotamia Division.