BELICE TIENE POR PRIMERA VEZ UN NEGRO COMO SU PRIMER MINISTRO

On Februaury 7, 2008 Belizean went to the polls and elected a new Prime Minister. The change of government came after years of mis-management by the PUP Government. It is hoped that the new Prime Minister will make true his promises to restore to Belize economic stability. Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow of the UDP ( United Democratic Party) becomes the first balck Prime Minister of Belize.

Dean Barrow has announced his new cabinet featuring 16 ministers, with Barrow heading the Ministry of Finance.

BELMOPAN, Belize, February 13, 2008 - Prime Minister Dean Barrow has announced the composition of his new Cabinet, at a packed-to-capacity room at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. The cabinet features 16 ministers, with Barrow heading the Ministry of Finance.
Barrow's United Democratic Party (UDP) won 25 of the 31 seats contested in the February 7 general election. The new Prime Minister mentioned that high on a list of priorities for the new Cabinet was the need to try to put Belize's finances in order and to attempt to lower the cost of living and lower the price of fuel in the country.
The Cabinet features Gaspar Vega as Minister of Natural Resources and the Enviornment and Erwin Contreras as Minister of Economic Development, Commerce Industry and Consumer Protection.
The Ministry of Education is to be headed by Patrick Faber, while Carlos Perdomo will lead the Ministry of National Security.
Also announced was that the Minister of Housing and Urban Development was Michael Finnegan and that Wilfred Elrington would serve as Attorney General, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. The new Minister of Works is Anthony "Boots" Martinez and the Ministries of Tourism and Civil Aviation will be lead by Manuel Heredia.
Pablo Marin is to serve as the Minister of Health and Gabriel Martinez is the new Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development. The Minister of the Public Service, Governance Improvement and Elections and Boundaries is now John Saldivar.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries went to Rene Montero, while the Minister of Public Utilities, National Emergency Management, Transport and Communications is now Melvin Hulse.
Finally the Minister of Human Development and Social Transformation is Eden Martinez while the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is to be headed by Marcel Cardona.