Biographical Information

Francis William Fonseca was born on March 11^th 1967 in Belize City to Mr. William and Molly Fonseca.

He attended St Catherine’s Elementary School and then moved on to further his education by attending St John’s High School then St John’s Junior College.  He then pursued a Bachelors Degree of Science in Economics at the University of Southwestern Louisiana which he completed in 1988. Between the years of 1989-1990 he worked as a Research Officer in the Society for the promotion of Education and Research (SPEAR).  He then moved on to work in the Ministry of Economic Development as an Economist in 1990-1991.

Mr. Francis Fonseca had an interest in defending the rights of citizens and as a result decided to pursue a Degree in Law at the University of the West Indies completing in 1994. He received his Certificate of Legal Education (C.L.E.) from the Norman Manley Law School in 1996. After completion of his legal studies he served in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as Crown Counsel in 1996 – 1997. After gaining recognition and experience he then worked as an Attorney in Private Practice in 1997-2000. In 2001 Mr. Fonseca served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister.

Hon. Francis Fonseca has served in many Boards of Service and Associations such as:

• Volunteer – Belize Legal Aid Center 1992

• Member – Board of Directors of the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) 1997

• Legal Advisor – United Belize Artist Associations (UBAA) 1997

• Member – Friends of Scouts 1997

• Campaign Manager – People’s United Party (Fort George Division) 1997

• Chairman – Fort George Community Association 1998

• Director – Central Bank of Belize 1998

• Chairman – Fort George Division – People’s United Party 1998

• Member – Central Executive – People’s United Party 1998

• Member – Board of Directors of the Small Farmer’s and Business Bank Ltd. 1998

• Past Executive Member – Bas Association of Belize 1997 – 1999

• Director - Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) 1997 – 1999

• Member – Board of Directors, University of Belize 1999

• Treasurer – Peoples’ United Party 1999

Hon. Francis Fonseca was the co-author of “Social Studies Alive Workbook” along with Mr. William Fonseca which was published in 1997.

His political Career has been an experience as he has served in many areas such as:

• Elected to the National Assembly as the Area Representative for the Freetown Constituency in 2003

• Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, Culture, Labor and Attorney General  2003 -2008

• Re – elected to the National Assembly of Belize as the (Opposition) Area Representative for the Freetown Constituency 2008

• Senior Deputy Party Leader – 2009 – October 2011

• Elected as People’s United Party, Party Leader October 2011

• Sworn in as the Leader of the Opposition November 3, 2011