Tonight, the Briceno administration is on its way to losing one of its strongest and most capable ministers. After rumors made it into the news cycle yesterday - Government confirmed today that Eamon Courtenay is resigning as Foreign Minister and returning to his law practice. The government release says he served in Cabinet for three years, quote, "as was agreed with the Prime Minister at the time of his appointment."
And while he's back in private practice - he will enjoy a unique arrangement, straddling both worlds. The release says "Courtenay will continue to serve as Leader of Government Business in the Senate, with Cabinet privileges, and will retain overall responsibility for Belize's two cases currently before the International Court of Justice."
So, who takes over for him? Well, it falls to the Prime Minister's most trusted Cabinet ally, Senior Minister Francis Fonseca - who takes on the Foreign Affairs portfolio and will also continue to serve as Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Technology - a very full executive plate. The responsibility for the often contentious and onerous Ministry of Immigration will now fall under the Office of the Prime Minister.
