Cabinet Reshuffle: Changes and New Faces in Briceno Administration

Several Cabinet portfolios were shuffled earlier today within the Briceno Administration.  The move saw Andre Perez re-instated into Cabinet; it also saw Alex Balona given a Minister of State portfolio as well as Jorge ‘Melin’ Espat; while Orlando Habet has been stripped of Disaster Risk Management, NEMO, and the National Fire Service.  Rumors of the reshuffle surfaced yesterday evening, and by three o’clock this afternoon the official announcement came in.  After holding over the portfolios of Blue Economy since August last year, Prime Minister returned the responsibility to Perez, but interestingly, he held on to Civil Aviation.  Perez was also given Disaster Risk Management and responsibility for NEMO and the National Fire Service.  These three areas were initially assigned to Minister Orlando Habet who has retained the portfolio of Sustainable Development and Climate Change.  Cayo Central’s Alex Balona is now a newcomer to Cabinet as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Enterprise, under Minister Jose Abelardo Mai.  Another newcomer is Marconi Leal of Belize Rural North who has been appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, under Minister Julius Espat.  The third newcomer is Jorge Melin Espat of Cayo West who has been given Minister of State in the Ministry of Investment, under Prime Minister Briceno.  The Government’s release on the reshuffle notes that, quote, “These adjustments and assignments come on the heels of an overwhelming mandate at the polls, a reminder not only of the confidence and trust in this government, but also of the tremendous responsibility we have to the people of Belize.”  End of quote.