Ministers Speak on Potential Firings in Ministries

Michel Chebat

On the day that he was sworn in as the country’s new Prime Minister, John Briceño sent a subtle warning to all U.D.P. political appointees, asking them to tender their resignations. There are reports that some of those individuals are refusing to step down, while others are expected to be fired. On Monday, we asked two ministers, Michel Chebat and Anthony Mahler, if there will be mass replacement of persons in their respective ministries.

Hipolito Novelo

“Will there be mass firing in the Ministry of Health?”

Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness

“I don’t even want to go down that road because that is such a general and I don’t know if we want to go down there. Listen the story is this. This is the story. If you have worked and you merit, if you have proven yourself and you have done what you need to do then you don’t knave anything to worry about. You know what we are in a country where so many people have lost their jobs. That is not what we are about. We are about getting the correct people in place to do the job.”

Anthony Mahler

Hipolito Novelo

“You are looking at the re strategizing the tourism pathway for Belize as we move forward. Will that also include the replacement of top posts, B.T.B. director?”

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations

“Well we have to have some discussions there. I don’t know who all are there currently so I will have a meeting with the Director of Tourism first thing in the morning and one with the C.E.O. tomorrow and then we will see where that goes.”