On Tuesday it was announced that the Coast Guard Commander, Admiral Elton Bennett would take over as the CEO for the the Ministry of Home Affairs and Enterprise.
That created an immediate opening at the top of the BNCG-with three possible candidates for leadership.
Today it was unofficially announced that the appointment would go the logical choice, Deputy Commander Greg Soberanis.
Here's the story of how the selection was made:
A new Coast Guard Commandant has been named, following the departure of Admiral Elton Bennett who moved on to be the new CEO of Home affairs. While it is not official just yet - the CEO of the Ministry Defence explained why Captain Gregory Soberanis was the most suitable for this role.
Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of Defense
"The current acting commandant of the coast guard is captain Gregory Soberanis. He was the vice commandant or the deputy of the coast guard for the last 3-4 years. He was away for one of the years that commandant Bennett or Admiral Bennett was the commandant of the coast guard. So he is the acting commandant and the only reason he is the acting commandant is because like we said earlier the prime minister is the one who appoints the commandant of the coast guard so we are expecting - while it is not official until it is official- we are expecting that Captain Gregory Soberanis will be the next substantive Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard."
"Captain Soberanis started off here in the BDF as a member of the maritime wing, the Coast Guard was born out of the BDF the maritime wing, when they broke off in 2005 some BDF officers went along with them, Johnny Borland, Elton Bennett, Gregory Soberanis and a few others so he has been with the coast guard from its inception, more than 18 years. The coast guard celebrated 20 years this year. He has a wealth of experience. He has commanded at all levels: area command, fleet command, he has been the vice commandant for a few years. So captain Gregory Soberanis, like general Anthony Velasquez they have been, they have held senior and strategic positions throughout their various security services and both we have all confidence in the world that both are ready and we must thank their predecessors, general Loria, and admiral Bennett we must thank them for properly preparing the succession plan or both the BDF and the Coast Guard."
And it's the PM's vote that has the final say. We asked him how he came to select Soberanis as Bennett's successor.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"He has always been second in command and commandant, acting commandant Soberanis has been a great officer and there is absolutely no reason why we should not do that. And so I think it was just a natural transition and that he can continue the work that has already started. We believe that he is going to be successful as commandant of the Coast guard."
The veteran guardsman expressed gratitude and humility:
Capt. Gregory Soberanis, Acting Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard
"I am humbled and grateful, appreciative really that I have been given the opportunity to train and prepare for this time"
"I've been in the Belize coast guard since 2007 so the coast guard has prepared me and the coast guard has given me the exposure and experience for me to now take up or atleast at this moment having the opportunity to be acting commandant of one of the, of a prestigious organization that serves the maritime interest as it relates to security and defense of this nation"
