10 Facts About Ralph Fonseca

Ralph Henry Fonseca was born on 9 August 1949 and is a Belizean politician and a member of the People's United Party.

Ralph Fonseca lost and returned to private life until 1989, when he was appointed a Senator and Minister of State in Finance and Leader of Government Business in the Senate until 1993.

Ralph Fonseca served in Cabinet as Minister of Budget Management, Investment and Home Affairs until 2003, when he was moved to Finance again while keeping Home Affairs.

Ralph Fonseca became the PUP's national campaign manager in 1985.

Ralph Fonseca was defeated, in what was considered an upset, by the UDP's Michael Hutchinson, a relatively unknown candidate.

Ralph Fonseca attended St John's College High School and Sixth Form before going to university in Canada to major in information technology, specialising in systems analysis and control data.

Ralph Fonseca is a cousin of former PUP leader and Leader of the Opposition Francis Ralph Fonseca.

Supporters argue that Growth Economics is behind Belize's consecutive gains in total growth; detractors say any benefits from growth economics only accrues to PUP interests and in reality Ralph Fonseca has damaged Belize's international reputation due to high debt and poor economic indicators.

Ralph Fonseca has further been accused of practicing official corruption, granting favors to party supporters in return for shares in the profits.

Ralph Fonseca has a notably tense relationship with certain media houses antagonistic to his policies.