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Global oil prices climbed above US$100 a barrel on Thursday as renewed conflict involving Iran disrupted major shipping routes, raising the prospect of higher fuel prices in Belize, where transport costs are already the largest driver of inflation. Brent crude, the international benchmark that influences fuel prices in Belize, rose to US$100.60 per barrel on Thursday, while U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) climbed to US$91.63. The surge follows escalating military

Belize People's Front Leader Nancy Marin is calling for a "Buy Belize First" procurement policy, arguing that government spending should prioritize Belizean-made goods to strengthen local businesses and reduce the country's dependence on imports. Marin unveiled the proposal as part of a broader economic policy statement in which she argued that government procurement should become a tool for building domestic industries rather than supporting overseas producers where local al

Belize's weighted-average deposit rate remained near a record low at 0.816% in May 2026, after falling to an all-time low of 0.780% in March, underscoring how abundant banking-system liquidity is reshaping returns for savers while lowering funding costs for banks. The weighted-average deposit rate stood at 0.816% in May 2026, according to the Central Bank of Belize's latest interest rate statistics. While slightly higher than the record low of 0.780% recorded in March 2026, i

Water contaminated with fecal bacteria was being used at the Kolbe Foundation Central Prison to pre-wash food, including vegetables and meat, and for inmates to bathe, according to a Ministry of Health and Wellness inspection carried out last year. The findings prompted the prison to immediately change how water is used at the facility. The Ministry completed its inspection in mid-September 2025 after assessing three separate water sources on the prison compound. The report c

The Government of Belize and UNICEF Belize have launched the country's first comprehensive assessment of how climate change and environmental hazards affect children and other vulnerable groups. The Climate Landscape Analysis for Children Plus (CLAC+) Report was officially launched on July 17 during a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Solid Waste Management through its Sustainable Development Unit and Climate Change Department, in

The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is urging the Government to immediately strengthen financial controls over public procurement, arguing that many reforms can be implemented now without waiting for ongoing investigations or a broader review of procurement laws. In a June 29 letter to Prime Minister John Briceño, BCCI President Giacomo Sanchez said the recent procurement and payment-processing irregularities should serve as an opportunity to strengthen the sys

The world's principal institutions overseeing energy, finance, development and trade say the immediate shock from the Middle East war is easing, but warned that the global economy remains vulnerable and governments should remain prepared for further disruption. In a rare joint statement issued after a high-level coordination meeting on July 7, the heads of the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group and World Trade Organization s

Prime Minister John Briceño convened the full Cabinet and chief executive officers for a special meeting on public procurement this week as the government continues to face scrutiny over procurement practices involving the Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence. The session was designed to review procurement best practices, legislative requirements and recurring weaknesses identified through government audits. The meeting featured presentations from the Financial Secretary, C

Belizeans will now have to pay more for chicken after the Belize Poultry Association (BPA) announced an immediate increase in poultry prices. According to a press release issued by the association, the price of whole chicken has increased by 12 cents per pound, effective immediately. The BPA also said that prices for other poultry products, including different chicken cuts and processed items, will also increase, with the amount depending on the specific product. The associat

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. July 2, 2026 — Average monthly income in Belize has risen 13.3 percent over the past four years, outpacing headline inflation of nearly 11 percent, but the sharper 18 percent increase in food prices suggests many lower-income households may have seen little improvement in their purchasing power. The latest Labour Force Survey released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) shows that employed persons earned an average of $1,525 per month in April 202

The Elections and Boundaries Commission says Belize's Freedom of Information Act cannot compel it to release redistricting records, arguing the Constitution places the Commission beyond the direction or control of outside authorities. In a response to public interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez, the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) rejected an expansive Freedom of Information request seeking records relating to Belize's long-delayed electoral redistricting exercise. The

Belize City, June 25, 2026 — Belize's unemployment rate has fallen to a record-low 1.9 percent but so has the number of Belizeans with jobs.

Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar-Panton on Tuesday cited activist Jerry Enriquez's ongoing pursuit of government records as evidence of what she described as declining transparency under the Briceño administration, insisting that Enriquez has a right to information requested under the Freedom of Information Act. Speaking during a United Democratic Party press conference, Panton argued that Belizeans increasingly have to resort to Freedom of Information requests to obtain

Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar-Panton says Belize's oversight institutions must be allowed to function independently and effectively, warning that public trust in those institutions is eroding amid growing concerns about accountability and transparency in government. Panton made the remarks Tuesday when asked to comment on a constitutional claim filed by former Ombudsman Major Gilbert Swaso against the Government of Belize. "The truth of the matter is the oversight mec

The Opposition has formally requested an urgent meeting with Prime Minister John Briceño to discuss escalating crime, national security concerns and allegations of corruption, warning that public confidence in Belize's institutions is being undermined. In a June 15 letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar-Panton called for discussions on what she described as two matters of significant national concern: rising crime and violence, and allegations

Belize has launched a new nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening inclusive education and improving support for students with special needs. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST), in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) through the Skills for the Future Program, has begun training teachers in Inclusive Education practices and the development of Individual Education Plans (I

Former Ombudsman Retired Major Gilbert Swaso has filed a constitutional claim against the Government of Belize, alleging that the non-renewal of his appointment and actions taken against him violated the constitutional independence of the Ombudsman’s Office. Court documents filed this week contend that Swaso was subjected to retaliation after issuing a Freedom of Information ruling involving a request for disclosure of legal fees paid by government to private attorneys engage

As former Ombudsman Major Gilbert Swaso pursues a constitutional challenge against the Government of Belize that includes allegations relating to compensation during his tenure, Parliament is also considering legislation that would alter the remuneration provisions governing another key oversight office: the Contractor-General. The proposed Contractor-General (Amendment) Act, 2026--tabled virtually simultaneously with the Ombudsman amendment--would repeal and replace Section

Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar Panton is urging Belizeans to pay close attention to what she describes as growing concerns surrounding constitutional rights, government accountability and the independence of oversight institutions, placing particular emphasis on the ongoing vacancy in the Office of the Ombudsman and the legal challenge brought by former Ombudsman Major Gilbert Swaso. In a series of public statements issued over recent days, Panton argued that the issues raise

The National Kriol Council (NKC) has issued a formal statement reaffirming what it describes as the Indigenous identity, ancestral rights, and historical presence of the Kriol people in Belize. In the declaration, the Council argues that Kriols are among the country's foundational peoples and should be recognized for their long-standing contributions to Belize's development, governance, economy, and culture. The statement stresses that the Kriol people are not a recent popula