Cordel Hyde (born 20 August 1973) is a Belizean politician. He is the current Deputy Prime Minister of Belize since 16 November 2020.[1] He is a member of the People's United Party and has represented the Lake Independence constituency in the Belize House of Representatives since 2015.[2] He currently serves as the Deputy Leader of the People's United Party.[3]

Cordel Hyde
9th Deputy Prime Minister of Belize
Assumed office
13 November 2020
Prime MinisterJohnny Briceño
Preceded byHugo Patt
Member of the Belize House of Representatives for Lake Independence
Assumed office
4 November 2015
Preceded byMark King
Member of the Belize House of Representatives for Lake Independence
In office
28 August 1998 – 8 February 2008
Preceded byHubert Elrington
Succeeded byMark King
Personal details
Born (1973-08-20) 20 August 1973 (age 51)
Political partyPeople's United Party
Children9
Alma materSt. John's College
Le Moyne College

Early life and education

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Hyde was born in Belize City and is the son of prominent Belizean media executive Evan X Hyde and professional Belizean baker Claudette Courtney née Coleman.

Hyde is an alumnus of St. John's College, a junior college in Belize City. He went on to receive a bachelor's degree in English communications from a university in Upstate New York.

Career

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Upon completing his university studies, Hyde returned to Belize and entered politics. He won his first elections in 1998, becoming the Area Representative for Lake independence. Hyde was appointed various ministries during the two-term administration under Prime Minister Said Musa, including Education, Youth, Sports, Housing, Transport, and Defense.[4]

Hyde continued to serve the people of his constituency until 2012, when his son was diagnosed with a deadly cancer. His son passed away later that year in New York. Hyde returned to Belize to work for his family's business.

In 2014, Hyde announced his return to politics, defeating the incumbent in the 2015 elections and reclaiming his old seat.[5]

After the overwhelming victory of the People's United Party in the 2020 elections, Hyde was appointed the Deputy Prime Minister of Belize. He also oversees the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum & Mining.

References

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  1. ^ "P.U.P. Area Representatives Sworn In as Cabinet Ministers | Channel5Belize.com". Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  2. ^ "Cordel Hyde officially sworn in as Standard Bearer for Lake Independence". Breaking Belize News. 2020-10-04. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  3. ^ "You can't attack Petillo's cause, says Hon. Cordel Hyde | Amandala Newspaper". amandala.com.bz. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
  4. ^ "Cordel Hyde celebrates 46th birthday". Breaking Belize News. 2019-08-20. Archived from the original on 2019-08-20. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
  5. ^ "Cordel Hyde celebrates 46th birthday". Breaking Belize News. 2019-08-20. Archived from the original on 2019-08-20. Retrieved 2020-11-13.
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