Dr. Manuel Esquivel (born 2 May 1940) is a Belizean politician. As leader of the United Democratic Party, he served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1989, and then again from 1993 to 1998.
Esquivel, born in Belize City when it was still the colony’s capital, studied a Bachelor of Science in physics at Loyola University New Orleans; he subsequently pursued post-graduate studies in physics at Bristol University, England.
He was appointed to Her Majesty’s Privy Council by Queen Elizabeth II. This life-time appointment confers the title “Right Honourable”. He also holds an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Loyola University.
After the UDP won the February 2008 election, Esquivel was appointed by Prime Minister Dean Barrow as senior advisor to government with the rank of minister on February 12, 2008.
Esquivel is married to wife Kathleen (Kathy), with three children. Daughter Laura has followed in her father’s footsteps as City Councillor under the UDP since March 2006.