Oscar Arnold to Take Over as MOFA CEO on June 2

Prime Minister John Briceño has confirmed that Oscar Arnold will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 2, with the formal transition set for June 1.

Briceño made the announcement during an appearance on Open Your Eyes, revealing that Arnold is already inside the ministry shadowing outgoing CEO Amalia Mai in preparation for the handover.

Arnold previously served as Belize’s ambassador to Mexico, a posting Briceño described as a successful one.

Mai, meanwhile, will not be leaving government service. She is set to take up a diplomatic posting in Mexico, where she will also carry responsibilities for SICA and Argentina, along with a non-resident ambassadorship to Brazil.

The transition follows weeks of public speculation. Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca had declined to confirm or deny reports of a leadership shakeup at the ministry earlier this month, deferring instead to the Prime Minister. Briceño subsequently stepped in to clarify that the change was not a dismissal, describing it as a mutual agreement between Mai and Fonseca, with Mai’s one-year contract having run its course after five years of service at the ministry.

The Prime Minister took the opportunity to praise Mai’s tenure, saying she worked diligently and long hours on behalf of the country.