Francis Fonseca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francis Fonseca
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Fonseca in 2022
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| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 3 November 2011 – 31 January 2016 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | Colville Young |
| Prime Minister | Dean Barrow |
| Preceded by | Johnny Briceño |
| Succeeded by | Johnny Briceño |
| Member of the Belize House of Representatives for Freetown | |
| Assumed office 5 March 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Jorge Espat |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Francis William Fonseca
11 March 1967 Belize City, British Honduras (now Belize) |
| Political party | People's United Party |
| Residences | Belize City, Belize |
| Alma mater | St. John's College University of Southwestern Louisiana University of the West Indies |
Francis William Fonseca was born on March 11, 1967. He is a politician from Belize. Since 2024, he has been the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Before that, he was the leader of the People's United Party (PUP). He also served as the Leader of the Opposition of Belize from 2011 to 2016.
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Early Life and Education
Francis Fonseca was born in 1967. He went to St. John's College in Belize City. Later, he studied at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. There, he earned a degree in economics. In 1994, he got a law degree from the University of the West Indies.
Political Career
Francis Fonseca started his political career in 2003. He was first elected to the Belize House of Representatives. He represented the Freetown area in Belize City.
Serving in the Cabinet
From 2003 to 2008, Fonseca held important roles in the government. He was the Attorney General. He also served as the Minister of Education, Culture, and Labour. These roles were part of Prime Minister Said Musa's team.
In 2008, the People's United Party (PUP) lost the general election. The United Democratic Party (UDP) won. Even though his party lost, Fonseca kept his seat in the National Assembly. He was one of only six PUP representatives to do so.
Leading the People's United Party
After the 2008 election, the PUP needed a new leader. Francis Fonseca ran for the position. He was a strong candidate, but he lost to Johnny Briceño by a small number of votes.
In 2011, Johnny Briceño stepped down as party leader. Francis Fonseca ran again and successfully became the leader of the PUP. He led the party in the 2012 election. The party was very close to winning but was narrowly defeated.
In 2016, the PUP held another meeting to choose its leader. Francis Fonseca ran again, even though he had announced he would retire from politics. However, Johnny Briceño won the leadership position this time.
Current Role in Government
After the November 2020 General Election, the People's United Party won. Francis Fonseca was then appointed as the Minister of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology.
Currently, since 2024, he serves as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. He took over this role from Eamon Courtenay.
