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 (born 11 March 1967) is an important politician from Belize. He currently serves as the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. This means he helps manage Belize's relationships with other countries.
From 2011 to 2016, he was the leader of the People's United Party (PUP). During that time, he also served as the Leader of the Opposition of Belize. This role means he was the main voice of the political party not in power.
Early Life and Education
Francis Fonseca was born on March 11, 1967. He grew up in Belize City. For his early education, he went to St. John's College in Belize City.
He then went to the University of Southwestern Louisiana in the United States. There, he earned a degree in economics. Later, in 1994, he studied law at the University of the West Indies. He became a lawyer after finishing his studies.
Political Career and Leadership
Fonseca first became a member of the Belize House of Representatives in 2003. He represented the Freetown area of Belize City. This is like being a representative for your local community in the government.
He served in the government of Prime Minister Said Musa. During this time, he was the Attorney General. This role involves being the chief legal advisor to the government. He was also the Minister of Education, Culture, and Labour.
In 2008, his party, the PUP, lost the general election. Fonseca was one of only six PUP members who kept their seats in the National Assembly.
After the election loss, the PUP chose a new leader. Fonseca ran for the position but was not chosen at first. Johnny Briceño became the new leader instead.
However, in 2011, Fonseca successfully became the leader of the PUP. He then led the party in the 2012 election. His party lost that election by a small number of votes.
In 2016, the PUP held another meeting to choose its leader. Fonseca ran again, even though he had said he might retire from politics.
After the 2020 General Election, the People's United Party won. Francis Fonseca was then appointed as the Minister of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology. This role means he helps manage schools and cultural programs in Belize.
In 2024, he took on a new role. He became the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. He replaced Eamon Courtenay in this important position.
