Cabinet Changes - June 2007
Belmopan - 04 June, 2007
The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Said Musa, has advised His Excellency the Governor-General to effect a number of changes in his Cabinet.
Against the background of two Ministers being asked to leave Cabinet, the upcoming national Convention of the People's United Party set for July 1, 2007, and the run-up to General Elections due within nine (9) months, the changes being made are as follows:
The Prime Minister has invited veteran politician, Corozal Southeast Representative, the Hon. Florencio Marin, into his Cabinet, and offered him responsibility for the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. Hon. Florencio Marin will be retiring at the end of this term. Former Minister of State for Labour, Hon. Valdemar Castillo will be appointed Executive Chairman of the Commercial Free Zone at Corozal to replace Hon. Florencio Marin.
The Hon. John Briceño has declined to accept any other post in the Cabinet.
The Hon. Eamon Courtenay [and Senator] has also indicated his unwillingness to continue to serve in the newly restructured Cabinet and the Senate.
The Hon. Vildo Marin will be appointed Deputy Prime Minister and retain his portfolio responsibilities for Agriculture and Fisheries.
The Hon. Rodwell Ferguson will be appointed Minister of Defence, Youth and Sports.
The Prime Minister will appoint Her Excellency, Ambassador Lisa Shoman as a Senator, and the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
The Prime Minister will assume the portfolio responsibility for National Development into the Ministry of Finance.
The changes in Cabinet will take effect on Tuesday, June 5, 2007.
THE NEW CABINET (JUNE 5, 2007):
Rt. Hon. Said Musa - Minister of Finance, National Development and the Public Service
Hon. Vildo Marin, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Attorney General, Minister of Labour, Education and Culture
Hon. Godfrey Smith, Minister of Tourism and National Emergency Management
Hon. Ralph Fonseca, Minister of Home Affairs, Public Utilities and Housing
Hon. Jose Coye, Minister of Health, Transport, Communications and Local Government
Hon. Sylvia Flores, Minister of Human Development
Hon. Michael Espat, Minister of Works
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Defence, Youth and Sports
Hon. Florencio Marin, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment
Hon. Lisa Shoman, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
MINISTERS OF STATE (JUNE 5, 2007)
Hon. Mario Castellanos, Minister of State (National Development)
Hon. Marcial Mes, Minister of State (Education)
Hon. Ismael Cal, Minister of State (Home Affairs)
Hon. Dave Burgos, Minister of State (Agriculture and Fisheries)
Hon. Servulo Baeza, Minister of State (Natural Resources)
Hon. Ainslie Leslie, Minister of State (Works).
Ministers of State are not members of Cabinet, but may attend by invitation.