Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana, Wed. Jan. 13, 2016–Daniel Gutierrez, the man who has served as the marketing, logistics & communications manager for Belize Natural Energy Ltd. since 2006, was appointed today as Belize’s Ambassador to CARICOM, according to a statement released out of Guyana, where the CARICOM Secretariat is located.

The appointment coincides with the CARICOM Committee of Ambassadors meeting in Georgetown on Wednesday.

Reminiscent of the pre-election slogan of Belize’s ruling party, the United Democratic Party, “the best is yet to come,” Gutierrez said, “The best years of CARICOM lie ahead…”

“The hard work of our colleagues who diagnosed our hurdles and proposed a strategic plan must be matched by action. 2016 must be a year when words are made flesh; low hanging fruit must be addressed [with] haste and conviction…

“We owe them, the pioneers of Chaguaramas, and all our children our most energetic and unflinching commitment. Ladies and gentlemen, at CARICOM, we must make 2016 a year of action,” Gutierrez said.

On the occasion, CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, who accepted the Letters of Credence from Ambassador Gutierrez, told the diplomat that he will have the opportunity to help shape the future direction of the integration movement by helping to take action at the national level to ensure the implementation of CARICOM decisions.

He also urged Gutierrez to use his experience in communications and marketing to increase public awareness about CARICOM and its benefits to Belizeans.

Ambassador LaRocque added that Belize has used its unique position as a member of the Caribbean Community and the Central American Integration System (SICA), to act as a catalyst for stronger ties between the two regions – a role that CARICOM Member States have appreciated for the great potential that exists.