In a long-awaited announcement following marathon closed-door negotiations, Belize Prime Minister John Briceño has announced a sweeping restructuring of top government leadership that reshapes key Cabinet portfolios and reconfigures the country’s internal security governance framework, dated October 6, 2026.
After days of public speculation and behind-the-scenes negotiations, the most significant shift sees senior politician Michel Chebat take control of the newly renamed Ministry of National Security, absorbing the former Home Affairs portfolio that had been held on an interim basis by Julius Espat. This appointment grants Chebat one of the most powerful positions in the national government, combining oversight of the country’s entire internal security apparatus with his existing control over two major economic sectors: energy and ports. The new portfolio will officially be styled as the Ministry of National Security, Energy and Ports.
Other key adjustments across the Cabinet include a senior role shift for Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes, who will take the helm of the newly reorganized Ministry of Public Utilities, Logistics and Solid Waste Management. Ramiro Ramirez will retain his position within the ministry as Minister of State, maintaining continuity in the sector’s day-to-day governance. The reshuffle also includes a well-documented promotion for Osmond Martinez, who steps up from his previous role to become a full Cabinet minister leading the portfolio of Economic Transformation. Meanwhile, Henry Charles Usher has been appointed to the substantive full ministerial post with oversight of Enterprise, cementing his role in the government’s economic growth agenda.
While Prime Minister Briceño publicly praised Julius Espat for what he called Espat’s “stellar work” guiding the former Home Affairs portfolio in its interim phase, the official government announcement omits any detail of a new Cabinet portfolio for Espat, leaving his future role in the restructured government unconfirmed publicly. Beyond individual appointments, the renaming of Home Affairs to the broader Ministry of National Security signals a deliberate policy shift to expand the scope of internal security governance across the country.
Following the official release of the reshuffle details, on-the-ground reporter Shane Williams pressed Prime Minister Briceño for additional context outside the Sir Edney Cain Building in the capital city of Belmopan. When asked why the Prime Minister selected Chebat for the senior national security role and whether he was satisfied with his new Cabinet line-up, Briceño confirmed that Chebat was the best possible choice for the position. He reaffirmed his gratitude to Espat for his interim service, noting that Espat would be better placed in his new role at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Development and Housing (MIDH). When pressed on whether any members of the previous Cabinet held hard feelings over their changed roles, Briceño dismissed the suggestion outright, saying the negotiations had concluded with a productive, amicable meeting and that no friction remained between team members. He declined to add further comment, noting the extended length of the day’s negotiations.
This report is a transcribed excerpt from an evening television newscast, with Kriol-language dialogue preserved using standard Kriol spelling conventions for accuracy.