From crime on Belize’s streets to threats along its borders, Michel Chebat now oversees some of the country’s most pressing security concerns. His appointment follows a series of ministerial changes since the 2025 general elections, as Prime Minister John Briceño looks to bring stability and clearer leadership to the security apparatus. Speaking publicly for the first time since taking charge of Home Affairs and National Defense two weeks ago, Chebat says he has been assessing the institutions under his command, pinpointing weaknesses and deciding where government must act first.
Michel Chebat, Minister of National Security
“ I spent these last two weeks familiarizing myself with the organizations, speaking to the high command mostly, trying to understand exactly what’s going on with each organization, trying to identify the gaps that there are, um, the, the processes they have in place, and just trying to get a feel for what’s happening within the organizations.”
Shane Williams
“What’s your priority areas in the Ministry of National Security?”
Michel Chebat
“Several, our citizen security is absolutely number one. The security of our borders is also a very high priority. You know, we’ve had some incidences in the Sarstoon. We’ve had the plane fly over, and so these things are very much on top of our list.”
Shane Williams
“ You mentioned it earlier, it’s a lot of work. You have a super ministry. Two CEOs, several departments. What’s the strategy?”
Michel Chebat
“So I think the competency of my two CEOs is critical. As you know, Dr. Almendariz has a lot of experience in the energy sector, and the port and energy sector is nothing new to us. We’ve been working in these sectors for the past four years. I think the new areas are the BDF, the Coast Guard, and the Police Department, which I am fortunate enough to have CEO Francis Osha, who is capable. And within these organizations, we have the existing structures that are working. So it’s not like we have to start from zero. I think the task is really to identify what’s happening, understand what’s happening, and how we can make it better.”
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
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