Hon. Dr. Osmond Martinez

Belize
Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation

Dr. Osmond Martinez was appointed as Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on August 13, 2024, and joined Belize’s House of Representatives on September 13, following a decisive victory in the 17 July bi-elections for Toledo East, where he earned over 70% of the vote. Leading a dedicated team of economists, Dr. Martinez is advancing Belize’s trade policies and strengthening the country’s investment and development capacities.

In March 2025, Dr. Martinez won the general election in Toledo East and became the Area Representative. Following this major win, he was appointed as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Transformation; a post he currently holds.

Before his electoral success, Dr. Martinez served as CEO in the Ministry of Economic Development, appointed by Prime Minister John Briceño in 2020. During his tenure, he held multiple key roles, including Belize’s National Designated Authority to the Green Climate Fund and Executive Director at the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), where he was later appointed Constituency Director representing Belize and the British Caribbean Islands.

Earlier in 2020, Dr. Martinez also served as CEO in the Ministry of Public Service, Constitutional, and Political Reform. He holds a Doctorate in Economics with a focus on Poverty and Social Development from Universidad De Baja California, Mexico. His doctoral research on Sustainable Tourism Development explored its impact on poverty alleviation and socioeconomic growth in Belize. He also holds a Master’s in Economic Development and a Bachelor’s in Agriculture.

Dr. Martinez’s career spans academia and regional economic roles, including his time as an Assistant Professor of Economics at Galen University and as Regional Manager for Farallon Aquaculture S.A. in Panama, where he coordinated shrimp larvae production across Central America, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

Committed to integrating academia into economic policymaking, Dr. Martinez believes that education itself embodies sustainable development. A passionate advocate for climate justice and the mobilization of climate finance, he played a pivotal role in expanding public sector investment in Belize, negotiating public finance projects with impactful outcomes. He is also the author of two significant research papers:

  1. Sustainable Tourism Development: Implications for Poverty Alleviation and Socioeconomic Development in Belize
  2. Poverty Resilience: Maximizing Equitable Use and Increasing Production of Agricultural Land in Belize

Raised on a banana farm in southern Belize, Dr. Martinez’s life journey and professional dedication position him as a leader committed to reducing Belize’s trade deficit and enhancing economic opportunities for its citizens.