Diplomatic shift: Oscar Arnold becomes Foreign Affairs CEO, Amalia Mai succeeds him as ambassador in Mexico

BELMOPAN, Tues. Apr. 28, 2026

   Belize’s ambassador to Mexico, H.E. Oscar Arnold, is demitting office to take up a higher post as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the leadership of Hon. Francis Fonseca. Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed that an “excellent switch” is being made, with H.E. Amalia Mai set to replace Arnold as Belize’s ambassador in Mexico.

   Reports that Mai would be leaving her post surfaced several weeks ago. When asked about the matter, Minister Fonseca deferred to the Prime Minister, who is responsible for such appointments. The Prime Minister later explained that Mai had only requested a one-year contract after the PUP secured a second term. He added that in February, Mai informed him that she would not seek a contract renewal. He noted that the selection of CEOs is done in consultation with the minister, and there appeared to be agreement that “probably CEO Mai wanted another challenge, something different.” At the time, the PM described the transition as a perfect opportunity to make any adjustments needed to “continue with what is going well, because there is a lot of good work we have been doing in the Ministry…”

   It was Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that first formally signalled Ambassador Arnold’s departure. In a Facebook post on Monday, the Ministry announced that it was welcoming two new ambassadors and bidding farewell to Ambassador Arnold. He has been serving in the position since February 2021 after the Briceño-led People’s United Party came to power in late 2020. Mai was appointed CEO in November 2020.

   Speaking on the switch, Briceño stated, “Ambassador Arnold was very successful in Mexico, and Minister Fonseca felt he can be very helpful at the Ministry. And Amalia is among our most seasoned and successful diplomats. Both of them will do well in their new posts.”

   As Mai takes on her new role in Mexico, she will report to CEO Arnold, who returns home to oversee the day‑to‑day management of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s operations, coordinate foreign policy initiatives, and carry out oversight of Belize’s missions abroad.

   As for Mai, a career diplomat and former ambassador, she steps back into a frontline diplomatic role, with Mexico being one of Belize’s most important partners for trade, tourism, and security cooperation. Mai previously served as CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs beginning in 2006. Her diplomatic career spanned almost two decades. She has served as ambassador to Cuba, High Commissioner to Canada and ambassador to CARICOM.