News

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

Hon. Tracy Panton, newly confirmed Leader of the Opposition and UDP Party Leader, outlined three urgent national priorities she plans to drive under her leadership: addressing the high cost of living, restoring transparency in governance, and strengthening citizen security. Panton said economic pressures remain the most widespread concern she encountered throughout her campaign for leadership. She noted that while the administration reports that the economy is performing well

The Government and FOIA applicant Jeremy Enriquez have arrived at a mutually workable timeline for the release of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) records, following the Cabinet Secretary’s written confirmation that the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) will grant access and adopt the extended deadline proposed by the requester. The agreement marks a shift from last week’s procedural standoff, which centred on whether administrative constraints could delay the statutory r

Global sugar markets have shifted abruptly from the multi-year lows recorded in late September and early November, with benchmark prices now climbing as production shortfalls across major exporters tighten supply. The reversal follows months of expectations for continued weakness through 2026—forecasts that likely influenced Belize’s recent discussions on domestic price adjustments for plantation white and brown sugar. The rally comes as severe drought conditions constrain ou

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has begun mobilizing its affiliates in response to the Attorney General Ministry’s appeal of the Ombudsman’s decision on a Freedom of Information request; the move signals a hardening stance by the country’s leading labor body on governance issues. A ranking member of the NTUCB confirmed that the Congress convened an emergency meeting on Sunday, where member unions were instructed to canvass their memberships for mandates on

The Attorney General has appealed an Ombudsman decision ordering disclosure of government payments to private law firms under the Freedom of Information Act, filing a High Court notice on October 28, 2025. The Notice of Appeal names the Attorney General of Belize as appellant and the Ombudsman as respondent and asks the court to set aside the Ombudsman’s October 10th decision on grounds of legal error. The filing cites Part V of the FOIA, the Inferior Appeals Rules 2021, and

Leader of the Opposition Hon. Tracy Panton has voiced firm support for civic activist Jeremy Enriquez’s ongoing effort to secure transparency from the Government of Belize through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Panton described the government’s persistent withholding of information as symptomatic of a broader failure to uphold its commitments to accountability and good governance. Speaking to The Reporter on October 23, Panton stressed that transparency is not optiona

The Office of the Ombudsman has advised the Attorney General—Belize’s chief legal adviser and custodian of the Rule of Law—to comply with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) after determining that his refusal to disclose certain government contracts breached the transparency standards established by the Act. The directive stems from a review requested by civic activist Jeremy Enriquez, who challenged the Attorney General’s September denial of his FOIA application seeking de

Residents of Caye Caulker have firmly voted against establishing a regulated cannabis industry; the result, certified by the Elections...

Church leaders say Caye Caulker’s cannabis referendum does not breach their 2022 pact with Government; they deem it a local poll, adding...

Belize’s economy grew modestly in the second quarter of 2025, expanding by 0.8 percent to $1.375 billion; however, gains in agriculture...