In a significant restructuring of the country’s executive branch, Belize Prime Minister John Briceño announced a wide-ranging Cabinet reshuffle on October 6 that reassigns key national portfolios, welcomes two new ministers to top government posts, and consolidates security responsibilities under a new leadership. The overhaul marks a strategic adjustment by the Briceño administration to align government departments with its core policy priorities, from national security to long-term economic growth.
The most impactful shift in the reshuffle sees veteran political figure Michel Chebat take the helm of the newly expanded Ministry of National Security, Energy and Ports. This consolidation brings all responsibilities previously held by the separate Ministry of Home Affairs into the broader national security portfolio, placing the country’s entire policing and internal security apparatus directly under Chebat’s oversight. Prior to the reshuffle, Julius Espat had served as interim minister for home affairs; in his public announcement of the changes, Briceño formally recognized Espat for his service in that acting role. Espat will retain his existing position as Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing following the reshuffle.
Two new faces join the full Cabinet in the restructuring: Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes Jr., the area representative for Orange Walk North, and Dr. Osmond Martinez. Cervantes has been appointed to lead the new Ministry of Public Utilities, Logistics and Solid Waste Management, a portfolio that oversees critical public services and infrastructure projects with direct impacts on household costs, business operations, and national development progress. Ramiro Ramirez will remain in his post as Minister of State within this new ministry to support its operations. Dr. Osmond Martinez, meanwhile, takes charge of a newly created Cabinet position: Minister of Economic Transformation, a dedicated portfolio centered on advancing the Briceño administration’s core economic growth and modernization agenda.
Another prominent adjustment affects incumbent minister Henry Charles Usher, who adds the substantive responsibility for Enterprise to his existing portfolio. Under the revised structure, Usher will now oversee Public Service, Disaster Risk Management, and Enterprise, bringing business-focused duties alongside his current public sector and disaster management mandates. As of the announcement, the administration has not released a detailed breakdown of the exact scope of the new Enterprise assignment.
Beyond these high-profile changes, the reshuffle clarifies responsibility assignments across most other existing government portfolios, with most senior ministers retaining their current posts. Prime Minister Briceño will continue to hold responsibility for Finance, Investment, Civil Aviation, and E-Governance. Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde remains in charge of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining. Francis Fonseca retains oversight of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education, Culture, Science and Technology, with Marconi Leal Jr. continuing as Minister of State for Foreign Trade. Rodwell Ferguson stays on as Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, supported by Minister of State Alex Balona.
All other existing portfolios remain with their current leadership: Kareem Musa retains responsibility for Immigration, Labour and Governance; Anthony Mahler continues to oversee Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations; Kevin Bernard remains in charge of Health and Wellness. Orlando Habet keeps his post as Minister of Sustainable Development and Climate Change, while Oscar Requena continues leading Rural Transformation, Community Development and Local Government. Andre Perez remains responsible for Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, Louis Zabaneh oversees Indigenous, Constitution and Religious Affairs and Transport, Thea Ramirez retains Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs, and Anthony Sylvester continues as Attorney General. The reshuffle also formally confirms Ambassador Stuart Leslie in his dual role as Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff.