Prime Minister John Briceño Tuesday announced a re-shuffle of his cabinet eight months after he led his ruling People’s United Party (PUP) to a convincing victory, winning 26 of the 31 seats with the remainder going to the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP).
According to the announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, Foreign Trade, Culture and Immigration Minister, Francis Fonseca has been given the added portfolios of Education and Technology.
Prime Minister John Briceño
The statement said Jose Abelardo Mai, will remain as Minister of Agriculture, Food Security with the added portfolio of New Growth Industries.
Kareem Musa, who previously was the Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries will now be responsible for Immigration, Governance and Labour with the new Minister of Home Affairs and Enterprise being Henry Charles Usher, the former Public Service and Governance and NEMO Minister.
Oscar Requena, who was the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, will now assume the portfolios of Rural Transformation Local Government and Community Development, while Florencio Marin, the Minister of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government is now the Minister of Public Service and Disaster Risk Management.
The announcement from the Office of the Prime Minister did not give any reasons for the cabinet changes, noting only that they will become effective from Monday, November 17.
The 65-year-old Briceño was re-elected as prime minister in March this year.