List of Prime Ministers of Belize
Encyclopedia
The government of Belize is directed by the Prime Minister
, who is also the leader of the governing party; the post is currently held by Dean Barrow
of the United Democratic Party
(UDP). As the country has a two-party system
, only the People's United Party
(PUP) and the UDP have headed the government.
(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
, who is also the leader of the governing party; the post is currently held by Dean Barrow
Dean Barrow
Dean Oliver Barrow is Prime Minister of Belize and leader of the United Democratic Party. An attorney by trade, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1998 and was then Leader of the Opposition until the UDP won the February 2008 election...
of the United Democratic Party
United Democratic Party (Belize)
The United Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in Belize, and currently the ruling party, having won the 2008 general elections. A centre-right conservative party, it is currently led by Dean Barrow.-Founding:...
(UDP). As the country has a two-party system
Two-party system
A two-party system is a system where two major political parties dominate voting in nearly all elections at every level of government and, as a result, all or nearly all elected offices are members of one of the two major parties...
, only 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) and the UDP have headed the government.
(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)
| Tenure | Incumbent | Affiliation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Honduras British Honduras British Honduras was a British colony that is now the independent nation of Belize.First colonised by Spaniards in the 17th century, the territory on the east coast of Central America, south of Mexico, became a British crown colony from 1862 until 1964, when it became self-governing. Belize became... |
British Crown Colony | ||
| 7 April 1961 to 1 January 1964 | George Cadle Price George Cadle Price George Cadle Price PC was the first Prime Minister of Belize and is considered to have been one of the principal architects of the country's independence, and is today referred to by many as "the Father of the Nation".... , First Minister |
PUP | |
| British Honduras British Honduras British Honduras was a British colony that is now the independent nation of Belize.First colonised by Spaniards in the 17th century, the territory on the east coast of Central America, south of Mexico, became a British crown colony from 1862 until 1964, when it became self-governing. Belize became... |
Self-Governing British Crown Colony | ||
| 1 January 1964 to 1 June 1973 | George Cadle Price George Cadle Price George Cadle Price PC was the first Prime Minister of Belize and is considered to have been one of the principal architects of the country's independence, and is today referred to by many as "the Father of the Nation".... , Premier |
PUP | 1st Time |
| Belize 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... |
Self-Governing British Crown Colony | ||
| 1 June 1973 to 12 September 1981 | George Cadle Price George Cadle Price George Cadle Price PC was the first Prime Minister of Belize and is considered to have been one of the principal architects of the country's independence, and is today referred to by many as "the Father of the Nation".... , Premier |
PUP | (contd.) |
| Belize 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... |
Independent country | ||
| 21 September 1981 to 17 December 1984 | George Cadle Price George Cadle Price George Cadle Price PC was the first Prime Minister of Belize and is considered to have been one of the principal architects of the country's independence, and is today referred to by many as "the Father of the Nation".... , Prime Minister |
PUP | (contd.) |
| 17 December 1984 to 7 September 1989 | Manuel Esquivel Manuel Esquivel Sir Manuel Esquivel, KCMG, PC is a Belizean politician. As leader of the United Democratic Party, he served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989, and then again from 1993 to 1998.-Biography:... , Prime Minister |
UDP | 1st Time |
| 7 September 1989 to 3 July 1993 | George Cadle Price George Cadle Price George Cadle Price PC was the first Prime Minister of Belize and is considered to have been one of the principal architects of the country's independence, and is today referred to by many as "the Father of the Nation".... , Prime Minister |
PUP | 2nd Time |
| 3 July 1993 to 28 August 1998 | Manuel Esquivel Manuel Esquivel Sir Manuel Esquivel, KCMG, PC is a Belizean politician. As leader of the United Democratic Party, he served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989, and then again from 1993 to 1998.-Biography:... , Prime Minister |
UDP | 2nd Time |
| 28 August 1998 to 8 February 2008 | 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... , Prime Minister |
PUP | |
| 8 February 2008 to present | Dean Barrow Dean Barrow Dean Oliver Barrow is Prime Minister of Belize and leader of the United Democratic Party. An attorney by trade, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1998 and was then Leader of the Opposition until the UDP won the February 2008 election... , Prime Minister |
UDP | |