In a key administrative shift within Belize’s government, the Ministry of National Security has implemented a new leadership structure aimed at addressing the country’s pressing public safety and defense priorities, with two core portfolios now consolidated under a single experienced chief executive.
Effective immediately, Francis Usher, the long-serving CEO for National Defense, has taken on permanent oversight of both National Defense and Home Affairs, marking the latest leadership transition for the ministry that oversees Belize’s three primary security agencies: the Belize Defense Force (BDF), the Belize Coast Guard, and the national police department.
For Usher, the expanded role is not uncharted territory. In an interview following the formal appointment, he recalled serving as interim CEO for both portfolios for seven weeks in late 2025, giving him critical on-the-ground experience balancing the demands of the two roles. While he acknowledged the expanded appointment brings a significant increase in workload and requires careful balancing of competing priorities, he expressed confidence in the existing systems and seasoned leadership across the country’s security apparatus.
“All three major departments under the Ministry of National Security are already well-oiled machines,” Usher explained. “Each branch has its own experienced service chief: the commander of the BDF, the commandant of the Coast Guard, and the commissioner of police. I rely heavily on their on-the-ground guidance, we meet regularly, communicate multiple times a day, and collaborate closely to make decisions aligned with national security needs.”
Usher added that the leadership team’s approach will center on building on existing successful strategies while refining processes that have fallen short of expectations, continuing to adhere to global best practices for public safety and national defense.
The newly appointed Minister of National Security, Michel Chebat, has also hit the ground running, bringing a new hands-on style of leadership to the role. Usher noted that Chebat, who brings a professional legal background to the position, has prioritized digging into the root causes of national security challenges rather than only addressing surface-level issues. By encouraging diverse perspectives and open debate among the leadership team, Usher said the ministry is better positioned to develop effective, long-lasting solutions for the issues Belize faces.
“Bringing different perspectives to the table and bouncing ideas off one another, even when we have differing opinions, ultimately helps us land on the best possible solutions for the security challenges our country confronts,” Usher added.
This report is a transcribed excerpt from an evening television newscast published online, with Kriol-language remarks standardized to conventional spelling for accessibility.