A significant leadership transition has officially commenced at the Belize Coast Guard (BCG), marking the dawn of a new strategic chapter for the nation’s maritime defense. In a formal ceremony attended by senior government officials, diplomatic corps members, and military representatives at BCG headquarters in Belize City, Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis formally assumed command on January 29, 2026.
Formerly serving as Vice-Commandant since 2019, Soberanis now shoulders the responsibility of steering the force’s future trajectory. The change-of-command ritual symbolized both continuity and evolution for an institution that began two decades ago with merely fifty personnel borrowed from the Belize Police Department and the Belize Defense Force’s Maritime Wing.
Under the foundational leadership of retired Brigadier General Cedric Borland, the BCG has matured into a professionally recognized maritime entity with expanded personnel, vessel inventory, operational responsibilities, and nationwide bases. The newly appointed Commandant emphasized that his career development within the organization has systematically prepared him for this leadership role, noting the importance of institutional investment in military officers to ensure command continuity.
Soberanis brings substantial international academic credentials to his new position, including graduation with honors from the prestigious United States Naval War College in 2016, where he received the Leadership Award for international students. He additionally holds a Master’s Degree in International Strategic Studies from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
The Rear Admiral outlined his vision for enhanced collaboration with both domestic and international partners, emphasizing that strengthened cooperation would increase effectiveness in addressing evolving maritime threats. He stressed commitment to maintaining organizational course while shifting cultural dynamics within the Coast Guard to better fulfill national responsibilities.
Prime Minister John Briceño expressed unequivocal confidence in Soberanis’s leadership capabilities, particularly noting his strong moral character and Christian principles as foundational attributes for service excellence. The ceremony also highlighted the crucial role of family support in military service, with Soberanis’s mother, Darlene Graham, recounting early signs of her son’s leadership destiny, and his sister, Judy Soberanis, traveling from the United States to witness this professional milestone.