John Briceño
Encyclopedia
Juan Antonio Briceño, commonly known as "John" or "Johnny" (born 1960), is a Belize
an politician who has been the leader of the People's United Party
(PUP), as well as the Leader of the Opposition, since 2008. Previously, he was Deputy Prime Minister from 1998 to 2007.
. He was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Commerce and Industry in 1998 after the PUP returned to power in the 1998 election. In August 2004 he led a group of ministers, known as the G-7 alliance, who made a number of reform demands, including the dismissal of Ralph Fonseca
from the Cabinet. When Prime Minister Said Musa
failed to meet these demands, the group resigned; however, Musa subsequently agreed to all of the demands except for the dismissal of Fonseca and the G-7 ministers remained in the Cabinet. Briceño was later one of the ministers who opposed Musa's proposal to settle the country's Universal Health Services debt; as a result of this, Musa attempted to demote Briceño from his position as Deputy Prime Minister, but Briceño refused to accept the lesser posts in the Cabinet that he was offered and instead resigned from the Cabinet on June 5, 2007.
At a national convention of the PUP in July 2007, Briceño was re-elected as one of the party's deputy leaders. In the February 2008 general election
, in which the PUP was defeated, Briceño was re-elected in his constituency of Orange Walk Central; he was one of only six successful PUP candidates.
On March 30, 2008, Briceño was elected as the leader of the PUP at a party convention in Belmopan
, succeeding Musa. He defeated Francis Fonseca
, who was considered to be the candidate preferred by the party establishment, receiving 330 votes against 310 for Fonseca.
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
an politician who has been the leader of the People's United Party
People's United Party
The People's United Party is one of two major political parties in Belize, and currently the main opposition party. It is a Christian Democratic party; the current Party Leader is Francis Fonseca....
(PUP), as well as the Leader of the Opposition, since 2008. Previously, he was Deputy Prime Minister from 1998 to 2007.
Political career of Briceno
Briceño was born in Orange Walk TownOrange Walk Town
Orange Walk Town is the second largest town in the nation of Belize, with a population of about 13,400 . It is the capital of the Orange Walk District...
. He was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Commerce and Industry in 1998 after the PUP returned to power in the 1998 election. In August 2004 he led a group of ministers, known as the G-7 alliance, who made a number of reform demands, including the dismissal of Ralph Fonseca
Ralph Fonseca
Ralph Henry Fonseca is a Belizean politician and a member of the People's United Party.- Political history :In 1984, he became a candidate for the House of Representatives in Queen's Square, running against attorney and city councillor Dean Barrow...
from the Cabinet. When Prime Minister Said Musa
Said Musa
Said Wilbert Musa is a Belizean lawyer and politician. He was the Prime Minister of Belize from August 28, 1998 to February 8, 2008.-Early life and education:Said Musa was born in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize...
failed to meet these demands, the group resigned; however, Musa subsequently agreed to all of the demands except for the dismissal of Fonseca and the G-7 ministers remained in the Cabinet. Briceño was later one of the ministers who opposed Musa's proposal to settle the country's Universal Health Services debt; as a result of this, Musa attempted to demote Briceño from his position as Deputy Prime Minister, but Briceño refused to accept the lesser posts in the Cabinet that he was offered and instead resigned from the Cabinet on June 5, 2007.
At a national convention of the PUP in July 2007, Briceño was re-elected as one of the party's deputy leaders. In the February 2008 general election
Belizean legislative election, 2008
A legislative election was held in the nation of Belize on February 7, 2008. Beginning with this election, Belizeans elected to the House of Representatives 31 members instead of 29...
, in which the PUP was defeated, Briceño was re-elected in his constituency of Orange Walk Central; he was one of only six successful PUP candidates.
On March 30, 2008, Briceño was elected as the leader of the PUP at a party convention in Belmopan
Belmopan
Belmopan , estimated population 20,000 is the capital city of Belize.Belmopan is located at , at an altitude of 76 metres above sea level. Belmopan was constructed just to the east of Belize River, inland from the former capital, the port of Belize City, after that city's near destruction by...
, succeeding Musa. He defeated Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca is a Belizean politician and a member of the People's United Party . First elected to office in 2003 as the Area Representative for Freetown in the Belize District, he served as Attorney General and Minister of Education, Culture and Labour until February 2008, when the PUP lost a...
, who was considered to be the candidate preferred by the party establishment, receiving 330 votes against 310 for Fonseca.