UDP Dean Barrow sworn in as Prime Minister

Belmopan, Belize: Attorney Dean Barrow was sworn in as Prime Minister of this Central American Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country for a second consecutive occasion, less than 24 hours after he led his United Democratic Party (UDP) to a slender majority for control of the 31 seat parliament in the general elections, according to a CMC report.

The 61-year old Barrow was accompanied by his wife Kim and young daughter, as he took the oath before Governor General, Sir Colville Young. The Prime Minister and his family go on a weekend retreat in southern Belize, where he will begin the process of assembling his 15-member cabinet.

The CMC reported that Barrow’s pick of ministers to form the next cabinet has shrunk as he is barred under the country’s constitution from naming more than two-thirds of the lawmakers on the government’s bench – 11 MPs this time around – and up to four from the non-elected 12-member Senate.