PM Briceño Breaks Silence on Courtenay’s Resignation

Prime Minister John Briceño

Senator Eamon Courtenay demitted office as Minister of Foreign Affairs at the end of December, but he retains certain rights and privileges as it pertains to Cabinet.  When news of his pending departure was made public several weeks ago, it led to speculations that all is not well within the Briceño administration.  The Office of the Prime Minister had issued a single release confirming his resignation and informing that he would be replaced in that capacity by Education Minister Francis Fonseca who assumed that portfolio.  But according to PM Briceño, notwithstanding Courtenay’s departure, he leaves behind a competent team that is capable of handling the demands of the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade desks.  He also said that Courtenay’s leave was simply based on a three-year commitment.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has competent people, so I am very confident that they are going to continue that work, that amazing work, that historic work that Minister Courtenay did when he was the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.  I think he, so far, has gone down in history as being the best foreign minister and foreign trade and we did not want to lose him, but I understand that he also has other commitments and it was a commitment that he made to me three years ago.  As much as I would have wanted for him to stay, he felt it was time for him to move on but also a very grateful that he decided to stay on as the Leader of Government Business in the Senate and to also have Cabinet privileges.  By that, I simply mean that this is not the first time that this has happened.  Remember the late Fred Martinez, the UDP government, when he was Leader of Government Business had him attend cabinet meetings.  For us it is important to continue to have former minister Courtenay, now as the Leader of Government Business to be also able to participate in Cabinet meetings whenever he can because he also has a very busy agenda.”