Manuel Esquivel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Manuel Esquivel
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Esquivel in 1993
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| 2nd Prime Minister of Belize | |
| In office 17 December 1984 – 7 September 1989 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor General | Elmira Minita Gordon |
| Deputy | Curl Thompson |
| Preceded by | George Cadle Price |
| Succeeded by | George Cadle Price |
| In office 3 July 1993 – 30 August 1998 |
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| Governor General | Elmira Minita Gordon Colville Young |
| Deputy | Dean Barrow |
| Preceded by | George Cadle Price |
| Succeeded by | Said Musa |
| Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office 7 September 1989 – 3 July 1993 |
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| Prime Minister | George Cadle Price |
| Preceded by | Florencio Marin |
| Succeeded by | George Cadle Price |
| Member of the Belize House of Representatives for Caribbean Shores | |
| In office 14 December 1984 – 27 August 1998 |
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| Preceded by | (constituency created) |
| Succeeded by | Jose Coye |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 May 1940 Belize City, British Honduras (now Belize) |
| Died | 10 February 2022 (aged 81) Belize City, Belize |
| Political party | United Democratic Party (1973–2022) Liberal Party (1969–1973) |
| Spouse | Kathleen Levy (m. 1971) |
| Children | 3 |
Sir Manuel Amadeo Esquivel (born May 2, 1940 – died February 10, 2022) was an important politician from Belize. He led the United Democratic Party (UDP). Sir Manuel served as the Prime Minister of Belize two times. His first term was from 1984 to 1989, and his second was from 1993 to 1998. When his party won in 1984, it was a big moment for Belize. It was the first time an opposition party had won a general election there.
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Early Life and Education
Manuel Esquivel was born in Belize City. At that time, Belize City was the capital of a British colony called British Honduras. He went to St. John's College in Belize.
Later, he studied in the United States. He earned a degree in physics from Loyola University New Orleans. After that, he went to Bristol University in England. There, he got a special certificate to teach physics.
Manuel Esquivel's Political Journey
Starting in Politics
After an election in 1969, Manuel Esquivel became the head of the Liberal Party. This party was focused on business. In 1973, the Liberal Party joined with two other parties. Together, they formed the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Esquivel was elected to the Belize City Council two times. He also served as the chairman of the UDP from 1976 to 1982. In the 1979 election, he ran for a seat in the Belize House of Representatives. He lost to the leader of the People's United Party (PUP), George Cadle Price. After this, Esquivel was appointed to the Belize Senate.
In 1983, Manuel Esquivel became the leader of the UDP. He was the first politician to become a major party leader while serving in the Senate.
Becoming Prime Minister
In December 1984, Esquivel was elected to the House of Representatives. He represented a new area called Caribbean Shores in Belize City. Soon after, he became Prime Minister for the first time. The UDP's win in 1984 was very important. It was the first time an opposition party had won a general election in Belize since 1954. He kept his seat in the House until 1998.
Economic Changes and Later Roles
When Esquivel became Prime Minister, Belize was facing financial challenges. His government worked to improve the economy. They encouraged businesses from other countries to invest in Belize. They also helped the tourism industry grow.
During his second term, he made some tough decisions. For example, he introduced a 15% value-added tax (VAT) in 1995. This tax was on goods and services. Some people called him "VATMAN" because of it. Even though the VAT was later removed, a similar tax was put in place by a future government.
After the UDP won the election in 2008, Prime Minister Dean Barrow asked Esquivel to be a senior advisor. He also became the Chairman of the Central Bank of Belize in 2011. He left these roles in 2013 and 2014.
Even after retiring, Esquivel continued to share his thoughts on important issues. He was part of the committee that designed the national flag. He believed the flag and the coat of arms should have clear rules. He also supported a vote in 2019 about a land dispute. When COVID-19 vaccines became available for older citizens, he and his wife were among the first to get vaccinated.
Personal Life
Manuel Esquivel met his wife, Kathleen Levy, while he was studying in Bristol, England. They got married in 1971. They had three children: David, Laura, and Ruth. Laura followed her father into public service. She worked as a Belize City councilor and later at the Embassy of Belize in Washington, D.C.
Esquivel was involved in two car accidents in 1996 and 2009. Both happened on the Western Highway when the roads were wet. He had only minor injuries from the first accident. After the second, he needed facial surgery.
Kathleen, Lady Esquivel, wrote a book about her husband's life. It was called Still Waters and was published in 2021. Manuel Esquivel passed away on February 10, 2022, at the age of 81.
Honours and Recognition
In 1986, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Manuel Esquivel to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. This special appointment meant he could use the title "Right Honourable" for the rest of his life. He also received an honorary doctorate from Loyola University.
In 2010, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). This is a high honour from the United Kingdom.
In 2021, the Belize City Council named an overpass after him. A coastal road connecting two districts in Belize is also named in his honour.
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Esquivel (político) para niños
- Politics of Belize
- Ministry of Finance (Belize)
