In a recent cabinet reshuffle announced by Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño, attorney Michel Chebat has been appointed to the top position at the Ministry of National Security. In an exclusive interview with local outlet News Five, Briceño laid out the full reasoning behind the timing of the reshuffle and his selection of Chebat for the critical security role.
The reshuffle was pushed forward after an extended waiting period for the Auditor General’s official report, which Briceño confirmed remains incomplete. Though the report was initially projected for release within three months, that timeline has lapsed, and the final document is not expected to be published until sometime in 2027. The prolonged uncertainty left sitting cabinet ministers in an uncomfortable position, Briceño explained, creating a need to resolve the portfolio ambiguity regardless of the delayed audit.
The previous candidate for the National Security role, Minister Espat, ultimately chose to retain his current position leading the infrastructure development portfolio – a role where Briceño confirmed Espat has already compiled a strong track record of performance. With Espat opting to stay in his existing post, Briceño turned immediately to Chebat as his top pick for the security portfolio, saying he had no hesitation in making the appointment.
Briceño highlighted two key attributes that make Chebat well-suited for the role. First, Chebat’s professional background as an attorney gives him a deep, nuanced understanding of the legal frameworks that govern policing and national security operations in Belize. Second, Briceño described Chebat as a results-driven, hands-on leader with a forceful personality that will enable him to deliver meaningful, positive reforms to the Belize Police Department.
A core priority for Chebat in his new role will be exploring more effective coordination between the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and the Belize Police Department. The overarching goal of this integrated approach, Briceño emphasized, is to deliver more reliable, responsive security services that protect all Belizean citizens and maintain public safety across the country.
This report is a transcript of an evening television broadcast, with all Kriol-language remarks transcribed per standard spelling conventions for the publication.