Gregory Soberanis Appointed Acting Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard

Gregory Soberanis has been appointed to act as Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard as the organization moves forward under its established succession plan. The appointment ensures continuity of leadership within the maritime security arm of Belize’s national defense architecture.  Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, Francis Usher, says the transition follows internal planning and is not unexpected. According to Usher, Soberanis has been thoroughly prepared to assume command, having progressed through the ranks with extensive operational and leadership experience.

Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of National Defence and Border Security: “The current acting commandant of the Coast Guard is Captain Gregory Soberanis. He was the vice commandant or the deputy of the Coast Guard for the last about three to four years. He was away for one of the years that Admiral Bennett was the commandant of the Coast Guard. So he’s the acting commandant and the only reason he is the acting commandant is because, like we said earlier, the prime minister is the one who appoints the commandant of the Coast Guard. So we are expecting, while it’s not official until it is official, we are expecting that Captain Gregory Sobranis will be the next substantive commandant of the Belize Coast Guard. Like Admiral Bennett, Captain Soberanis started off here in the BDF as a member of the Maritime Wing. The Coast Guard was born out of the BDF, the Maritime Wing. When they broke off in 2005, some BDF officers went along with them, Johnny Borland, Elton Bennett, Gregory Soberanis and a few others. So he’s been with the Coast Guard from its inception, more than 18 years. The Coast Guard celebrated 20 years this year. He has a wealth of experience. He’s commanded at all levels, area command, fleet command. He’s been the vice commandant for a few years. So Captain Gregory Soberanis, like General Anthony Velasquez, they’ve held senior and strategic positions throughout their various security services and both we have all confidence in the world that both are ready and we must thank their predecessors, General Loria and Admiral Bennett. We must thank them for properly preparing the succession plan of both the BDF and the Coast Guard. The process of the transition from Admiral Bennett being the commandant to becoming the CEO in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Enterprise, that was I wouldn’t say it was a surprise based on Admiral Bennett’s experience but it did happen quickly so we were waiting to see, we have made the recommendation from the ministry to the Prime Minister and when the Prime Minister able to substantively name Captain Soberanis, if he sees fit,  then we’re expecting that in short order.”

CEO Usher emphasized that the succession plan was designed to guarantee stability and readiness, noting that Soberanis’ training and familiarity with the Coast Guard’s operations position him well to lead at this time. Meanwhile, Prime Minister John Briceno did confirm Captain Soberanis as the incoming substantive Commandant for the Coast Guard.

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “He has always been second in command. And acting Commandant Soberanis has been a great officer. And there’s absolutely no reason why we should not do that. So I think it was just a natural transition and that he can continue the work that was already started. And we believe that he is going to be successful as commandant of the Coast Guard.”

Reporter: Okay but he is acting for now, we anticipate that he will step to the role fully ?

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “That is a plan. We hope to do it early next year but right now since we had to appoint a new CEO, Admiral Bennett, now that has been the appointed as the CEO he has to take over his job immediately. So there’s some transition, some steps that need to be taken and I believe that that’s going to be done early next year.”

The Ministry says the Coast Guard will continue its core functions, including maritime patrols, border security, and counter-narcotics operations, without interruption as Soberanis takes on his new responsibilities as Acting Commandant.