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"A licensee shall not enter into or give effect to any agreement, arrangement or understanding which has the purpose or has, or is likely to have, the effect of significantly lessening competition in any market for the supply of telecommunication services or of any product used in connection with telecommunication services." — Section 42(4), Belize Telecommunications Act. The approval by Belize Telemedia Limited's (BTL) Board of Directors this week of a proposed acquisition o

The investigation into procurement at Belize's Ministry of Defence has largely focused on whether taxpayers paid too much for imported military boots. Jaime Marin, proprietor of the local manufacturer Umbraland, argues that the larger question is whether the Government is failing to use its own purchasing power to develop domestic industry. Mr. Marin points to Section 19 of the Fiscal Incentives Act, 2023, which provides that 20% of all government stores purchased and contrac

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

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

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

Transportation costs surged 8 percent over the past year and 4.2 percent in a single month, helping push Belize's inflation rate to 2.9 percent in April as motorists and consumers absorbed sharp increases in fuel prices. New figures released by the Statistical Institute of Belize show that transportation was the largest contributor to inflation during the month, outpacing all other major spending categories. The increase was driven by higher prices for diesel, regular gasolin

Opposition Leader Tracy Taegar Panton on Tuesday accused the government of rushing a flawed National Health Insurance Authority Bill that could eventually burden Belizeans with additional contributions; however, Prime Minister John Briceño insisted the proposed framework does not introduce immediate taxes and instead seeks to expand affordable healthcare access over time. Speaking during a United Democratic Party press conference on Tuesday, Panton said the opposition support

Belize has gone 135 days without an Ombudsman, stalling a Freedom of Information appeal case and prompting Opposition Leader Tracy Panton to warn that the prolonged vacancy is weakening government accountability and public oversight. In comments provided to *The Reporter*, Panton said the continued absence of an Ombudsman is “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” arguing that the office serves as one of Belize’s key independent mechanisms for investigating abuse of power, malad

The United States has formally notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a new 10 percent import surcharge on goods from nearly all trading partners, marking a notable shift after months of unilateral tariff actions that drew legal and international scrutiny. At a May 5 meeting of the WTO Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions, the United States said the surcharge was necessary to address “fundamental international payment problems” and balance-of-payments deficit

Oral contraceptives will remain available to existing users who already had prescriptions; however, labor groups warn that the policy could restrict access and strain Belize’s already burdened healthcare system. The Pharmacists Association of Belize (PAB), in a three-page press release on Wednesday, April 15, announced that it has agreed with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) on a twelve-month phased implementation to enforce prescription requirements across general

Belize’s Opposition is urging immediate government intervention as fuel prices climb sharply; however, no relief measures have been announced despite global oil shocks pushing costs higher and intensifying pressure on households and businesses. Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton, in two statements issued this week, criticized the government for failing to respond as fuel prices rose during the Easter period, a peak travel season. Premium gasoline increased by 86 cents per

“It’s frustrating and inexcusable—10 years behind,” said Kevin Herrera, as the 2026 budget debate concludes and moves toward implementation without audited public accounts for more than a decade. Herrera’s remarks come as the Government advances into the 2026/27 fiscal year, following parliamentary approval of the national budget in the absence of up-to-date audited financial statements detailing revenues and expenditures. Under the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, audited acc

Per-capita analysis of Belize’s Constituency Development Fund shows sharp disparities tied to unequal voter rolls, with smaller urban seats receiving more dollars per resident than larger rural constituencies, based on calculations by public-interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez. The figures, derived from data disclosed under a Freedom of Information request, compare each constituency’s monthly CDF allocation against its number of registered voters. The results indicate that fund

Public-interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez says the Government’s disclosure under his Freedom of Information (FOIA) request for Constituency Development Fund (CDF) records falls short of what was requested and what the Office of the Prime Minister previously indicated would be provided. Enriquez told The Reporter this week that the agreed timeline for disclosure has lapsed and that he has only received limited information from the Cabinet Secretary—specifically a schedule show

Opposition Leader Hon. Tracy Panton on Tuesday condemned the Government’s handling of the proposed BTL transaction, arguing it risks restoring telecom consolidation under secrecy while positioning the state as buyer, regulator, and beneficiary without public disclosure. Panton, speaking at a United Democratic Party press conference, framed the proposed BTL transaction—widely discussed as involving SMART/Speednet—as a governance issue, not simply a commercial matter. She argue

Belize’s leading business lobby is urging a pause on any Belize Telemedia Limited move to acquire SpeedNet/SMART; however, global telecom analysts argue regulators are increasingly permitting consolidation—provided strict competition safeguards and enforceable consumer protections are in place. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) this week issued a public statement warning that a BTL acquisition of SMART would reshape the national telecommunications landscape,

The Leader of the Opposition says Belizeans are hearing credible reports that Belize Telemedia Limited has quietly finalized acquisitions involving SMART, Centaur and NexGen, raising concerns that the public is being excluded from decisions with national consequences. Opposition Leader Hon. Tracy Taegar Panton said the reported developments suggest a pattern in which major transactions are handled without openness or public accountability. She contended that what is unfolding

Homeowners in Belize City are preparing for higher property tax payments in 2026 after the Belize City Council approved an 18 percent increase under a revised property valuation framework. Municipal officials say the adjustment addresses long-standing discrepancies in property assessments that no longer reflect present-day values, while also helping City Hall cope with increasing operational expenses. According to the council, outdated valuations had created funding gaps that