Johnny Briceño facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Johnny Briceño
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Briceño in 2022
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| 5th Prime Minister of Belize | |
| Assumed office 12 November 2020 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II Charles III |
| Governor-General | Sir Colville Young Dame Froyla Tzalam |
| Deputy | Cordel Hyde |
| Preceded by | Dean Barrow |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 31 January 2016 – 12 November 2020 |
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| Prime Minister | Dean Barrow |
| Preceded by | Francis Fonseca |
| Succeeded by | Patrick Faber |
| Member of the Belize House of Representatives for Orange Walk Central | |
| Assumed office 30 June 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Leopold Briceño |
| Chairman of the Caribbean Community | |
| In office 1 January 2022 – 30 June 2022 |
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| Secretary-General | Carla Barnett |
| Preceded by | Gaston Browne |
| Succeeded by | Chan Santokhi |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Antonio Briceño
17 July 1960 Orange Walk Town, British Honduras (now Belize) |
| Political party | People's United Party |
| Spouse | Rossana Briceño |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
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| Alma mater | St. John's College University of Texas |
John Antonio Briceño (born 17 July 1960) is a politician from Belize. He is currently the fifth and current Prime Minister of Belize. He started this important role on 12 November 2020. He is also the leader of the People's United Party (PUP) since 2016. Before becoming Prime Minister, he was the Leader of the Opposition twice. He also served as the Deputy Prime Minister from 1998 to 2007.
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Early Life and Education
Briceño was born in Orange Walk Town, which was then called British Honduras, on 17 July 1960. His father, Elijio Briceño, was also a government minister in the 1980s.
He finished Muffles College in 1978. He then earned an associate degree in business administration from St. John's College in 1980. Later, he got a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Austin in 1985.
In 1990, Briceño and his brother Jaime started a company called Centaur Communications. This company first offered cable television. Later, it grew to include Internet service, TV news, and radio.
Political Career
Briceño first became a member of the Belize House of Representatives in 1993. He represented the Orange Walk Central area. In 1994, he also won a seat in the town council elections for Orange Walk Town.
In 1994, Briceño was chosen as the Co-Chairman of the People's United Party (PUP). Two years later, in 1996, he became the Deputy Party Leader.
Deputy Prime Minister
When the PUP won the 1998 elections, Briceño was given a big role. He was appointed as the Deputy Prime Minister. He also became the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment.
In 2004, Briceño led a group of ministers who wanted some changes in the government. This group was known as the G-7 alliance. They asked for certain ministers to be removed from the Cabinet. When Prime Minister Said Musa did not agree at first, the group resigned. However, Musa later agreed to most of their requests. The G-7 ministers, including Briceño, then returned to the Cabinet. Briceño also took on another important role, leading the Ministry of Finance.
Later, Briceño disagreed with Prime Minister Musa about a national debt issue. Because of this disagreement, Musa tried to give Briceño a less important role. Briceño refused and resigned from the Cabinet on 5 June 2007.
Party Leadership
In July 2007, Briceño was re-elected as one of the PUP's deputy leaders at a national meeting. In the February 2008 general election, the PUP lost. However, Briceño was re-elected in his Orange Walk Central area. He was one of only six PUP candidates who won their seats.
On 30 March 2008, Briceño was elected as the leader of the PUP. This happened at a party meeting in Belmopan. He took over from Said Musa. Briceño won against Francis Fonseca, who many thought would win.
In October 2011, Briceño stepped down as both the PUP leader and the opposition leader. He said it was for health reasons. He kept his seat in the National Assembly. Francis Fonseca then took over both leadership roles.
Prime Minister of Belize (2020–present)
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On 11 November 2020, the People's United Party, led by Briceño, won the general election. They defeated the United Democratic Party. Briceño officially became the Prime Minister of Belize on 12 November 2020. He is the first Prime Minister who is not from Belize City.
In July 2021, Briceño's government passed a new law. This law set a fixed seven-year term for the Governor-General of Belize. During the discussion about this law, he mentioned that Belize should think about becoming a republic. This would mean replacing the monarchy (the King or Queen as head of state) with a president.
Personal Life
Briceño is married to Rossana Briceño. She also went to Muffles College. They have three sons together.
On 24 November 2020, just two weeks after becoming Prime Minister, he announced he had COVID-19. He said he was feeling well. On 1 February 2022, it was announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 again.
Honours
: The Order of Propitious Clouds with Grand Cordon
See also
In Spanish: Johnny Briceño para niños
