Thea Garcia-Ramirez
Thea Garcia-Ramirez | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs in the Cabinet of Belize | |
| Assumed office March 2025 | |
| Governor‑General | Froyla Tzalam |
| Prime Minister | John Briceño |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | People’s United Party (PUP) |
| Education | Mary Hill Roman Catholic School, Corozal |
Thea Garcia-Ramirez is a Belizean women's rights activist and politician of the ruling People’s United Party (PUP). In 2025, she was appointed Minister of Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs in the Cabinet of Belize.
Career
[edit]Prior to entering parliamentary politics, Garcia-Ramirez was General Manager of the Belize Airports Authority.[1] She then worked as President of the National Women’s Commission of Belize,[2][3] where she called for national legislation to deal with femicide,[4] campaigned against domestic violence and violence against women[5][6] and praised Belize's waiving of tax on menstrual products.[7] In May 2022 she represented Belize as delegate to the Organization of American States (OAS) 39th Assembly of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) at the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO) headquarters.[8]
In July 2024, at the PUP Corozal Bay standard bearer convention, Garcia-Ramirez ran against[9] and defeated the incumbent area representative Elvia Vega-Samos for the nomination.[10][11][12] At the 2025 Belizean general election in March 2025, Garcia-Ramirez ran against Hernan Riverol of the United Democratic Party (Belize)[2] and Vega-Samos, who ran as an independent candidate,[13][14] and won the Corozal Bay seat.[15]
After the general election, Garcia-Ramirez was appointed Minister of Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs in the Cabinet of Belize by Prime Minister John Briceño.[16][17] In post, Garcia-Ramirez introduced the Families Bill to the National Assembly in May 2025[18] and has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to launch the "People Living with HIV" (PLHIV) program to support nutrition for people living with a HIV diagnosis.[19] Garcia-Ramirez has also met with the Ambassador of Japan to Belize, Nobuyuki Shirakata,[20] and has represented Belize during an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Regional Dialogue on Violence Against Women meeting in Mexico City.[21][22]
Garcia-Ramirez's aunt is PUP politician Dolores Balderamos-Garcia.[11][23]
References
[edit]- ^ Bennett, Brianna (29 May 2025). "Former BAA General Manager Clears Air on Contracts". Greater Belize Media. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ a b Palma, Zoila (18 February 2025). "Thea Garcia Ramirez and Hernan Riverol face off in Corozal Bay". Breaking Belize News. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Belize Has New Gender Policy". Greater Belize Media. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "NWC president calls for legislation to deal with femicide in Belize". CNC3 News Trinidad and Tobago. 18 July 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "NWC Intensifies Efforts to Combat Domestic Violence in Belize". Love FM Belize News & Music Power. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Bennett, Brianna (23 November 2024). "16 Days of Activism: No Excuse for Violence Against Women". Greater Belize Media. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Belice elimina el IVA a productos de higiene femenina". Centroamérica360 (in Spanish). 5 March 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Cowo, Janelle (28 May 2022). "Mrs. Thea Garcia-Ramirez represents Belize at the Organization of American States (OAS) 39th Assembly of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM)". The San Pedro Sun. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "High-stakes PUP Convention in Corozal Bay: Vega Samos faces Garcia-Ramirez". Belize Live News. 14 July 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Humes, Aaron (15 July 2024). "BREAKING: Thea Garcia-Ramirez knocks off incumbent Elvia Vega-Samos as standard bearer for PUP in Corozal Bay". Breaking Belize News. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Record Turnout in PUP Conventions: Thea Garcia Ramirez and David Castillo Secure Victories". The Reporter. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Why Thea Garcia-Ramirez Decided to Run". Greater Belize Media. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Palma, Zoila (11 March 2025). "Hours to Election Day: Thea vs. Elvia in Corozal Bay". Breaking Belize News. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Elvia Vega-Samos Goes Independent, Challenging PUP in Corozal Bay". Love FM Belize News & Music Power. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Thea Ramirez-Garcia Tapped for Government Role". Love FM Belize. 17 March 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Bennett, Brianna (18 March 2025). "PM Speaks on Thea Garcia Ramirez Appointment". Greater Belize Media. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Human Development Minister Reflects on First Months in Office". Love FM Belize. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Bennett, Brianna (13 May 2025). "New Families Bill Aims to Strengthen Protection for Belize's Most Vulnerable". Greater Belize Media. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Gladden, Charles (27 August 2025). "GoB launches nutrition program for people living with HIV". Amandala Newspaper. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Courtesy Visit to Hon. Thea Garcia Ramirez, Minister of Human Development, Family Support & Gender Affairs". Embassy of Japan in Belize. 2025. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Keme-Palacio, Benita (5 June 2025). "Caribbean Women Leaders Lead Regional Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence". Greater Belize Media. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Cowo, Janelle (5 June 2025). "Minister Thea Garcia Ramirez Represents Belize at High-Level IDB Regional Dialogue on Violence Against Women in Mexico City". The San Pedro Sun. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ Keme-Palacio, Benita (18 March 2025). "Briceño Defends Former Minister Ferguson's New Role in Cabinet". Greater Belize Media. Retrieved 7 September 2025.