With speculation mounting about changes at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister John Briceño is moving to set the record straight on the future of Chief Executive Officer Amalia Mai. With her one‑year contract set to expire, the Prime Minister says this is not a dismissal, but a carefully discussed transition. He explains that both Minister Francis Fonseca and CEO Mai agreed the timing may be right for new leadership at the ministry. Briceño also underscored Mai’s value to the country, making it clear that government plans to continue tapping her expertise in another role. In fact, reports suggest Mai could soon take up an overseas diplomatic posting, keeping her service to Belize firmly on the international stage.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“The Office of the Prime Minister is not removing Amalia Mai as CEO. She had a one year contract where she gave me a letter saying she will not remove her contract. CEOs are named by the prime minister, but obviously it has to do with consultations with her respective ministers. In this instance there is a mutual understanding between the CEO and the minister, that probably CEO Mai wanting another challenge, something else different. She has been doing this for the past five years. The minister’s feeling is that this is an ample opportunity to bring in a new CEO and to either continue with what is going well, because there is a lot of good work we are doing in the ministry and if there is any adjustment we can do, this is a perfect opportunity to do so.”
Reporter
“Have you identified an ambassadorial post for Amalia?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It is not about identifying for Amalia. She is one of the best diplomats we have in Belize. We are working on how we are going to use her. We want to use Amalia. But I am also talking with Minister Fonseca to decide how who will be the best person to take over from Amalia. When that is done we will decide where to put Amalia. But we will use Amalia’s talent.”
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