In a recent cabinet overhaul that reshaped key leadership positions across Belize’s government, Prime Minister John Briceño has named Michel Chebat as the new head of the country’s high-stakes Ministry of National Security, the department responsible for overseeing three critical national security bodies: the Belize Police Department, Belize Defence Force (BDF), and Belize Coast Guard.
Briceño laid out his rationale for the appointment in public remarks, emphasizing that Chebat’s professional background as an attorney, combined with his practical, results-oriented leadership style and commanding presence, makes him the ideal candidate to steer the ministry through ongoing security challenges. The Prime Minister told reporters he is confident Chebat will deliver meaningful improvements to police operations and strengthen collaborative efforts between the country’s law enforcement and military branches.
“His background as an attorney equips him to navigate the legal framework that governs policing work, and beyond that, he is a no-nonsense, hands-on leader with a strong personality,” Briceño explained.
For his part, Chebat has already begun laying the groundwork for his tenure, spending the first two weeks after his appointment immersing himself in the operations of the three agencies under his portfolio. He has prioritized meeting with senior commanders to map out existing strengths, as well as unaddressed gaps in day-to-day operations.
Looking ahead, Chebat has made citizen security his top policy priority, with border protection ranking as his second key focus. He highlighted two recent high-profile incidents that will demand immediate attention: ongoing tensions in the Sarstoon region, and the recent incursion of a Guatemalan aircraft into Belize’s airspace, both of which his office will prioritize resolving.
The appointment follows a last-minute change in plans for the Prime Minister, who initially offered the national security role to existing Minister Julius Espat. However, Espat opted to retain his current position leading the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, a role he said he preferred to keep despite agreeing to take on the national security portfolio on an interim basis when first asked.
“Minister Espat ultimately preferred to stay in his existing role. When I first approached him to take over the ministry temporarily, he agreed reluctantly,” Briceño confirmed.
Looking forward, the Prime Minister said he expects strong collaborative working relationships between Chebat, Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado, and the ministry’s Chief Executive Officer. Briceño closed his remarks by calling for actionable progress from the leadership team, saying “I expect all of them to literally roll up their sleeves and get the job done.”