Fonseca Recovering, PM Steps In, But Why Not Osmond Martinez?

A key ministry is now under the Prime Minister’s watch and it’s raising questions about who’s next in line. Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca is recovering after triple bypass surgery, with Prime Minister John Briceño temporarily taking over the portfolio. But today, attention turned to Economic Transformation Minister Dr. Osmond Martinez, as reporters pressed him on why he wasn’t tapped as an interim replacement.

 

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of Economic Transformation

“That’s a question to the prime minister, but I don’t think a temporary minister is needed. I know the prime minister is looking into it, and he’s the one who’s holding that position, and I believe it’s only right. I don’t think anyone can replace Minister Fonseca. And I want to take this opportunity to wish him well and a fast recovery we’ve been praying to him. In addition to a collogue he’s a good friend and a mentor that I have. I don’t know if they have promoted Marconi Leal but I know that he is in foreign trade. I am not in foreign affairs and foreign trade. I am at the ministry of economic transformation, which is the ministry under the prime minister’s office.”

 

Minister Fonseca is a key figure in Belize’s diplomatic relationships abroad, but for now, the foreign trade portfolio stays in the prime minister’s hands.

 

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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