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Belize Electricity Limited has asked the Public Utilities Commission to approve a 5.55-cent increase in the average electricity rate; however, the proposal aims to recover nearly three years of uncollected energy costs and prepare the grid for higher demand. The company’s application outlines an accumulated BZ$87.5 million in supply costs from July 2023 to October 2025 that were not recovered under existing tariffs. An additional BZ$20.9 million in projected energy costs betw

Belize’s parliamentary democracy has long depended on an Opposition that is capable, coherent, and willing to scrutinize those who govern. Over the past several years, that pillar weakened. The United Democratic Party’s internal fractures, prolonged leadership battles, and shifting allegiances created a vacuum at a time when the country faced mounting social and economic pressures. The effect was unmistakable: a diminished counterweight to executive authority and a weakened s

When people write about the history of this moment, the name Tracy Panton will be etched into Belize’s political zeitgeist as the first woman to ever lead a mass political party in the 77 years of the ruling People’s United Party (PUP) and the 52 years of the United Democratic Party (UDP). At the UDP National Leadership Convention on Sunday, November 30, at Bird’s Isle, before thousands of supporters, delegates, and caretakers, she got the nod from her party. She was uncontes

Belizeans may soon feel a pinch when preparing the national dish, rice and beans, as bean prices continue to climb. In recent weeks, a sack of beans that once sold for $190 has risen sharply to $230. Shoppers purchasing smaller quantities at market stalls are paying even more—up to $260 per sack. The increase means that one of the country’s most beloved comfort foods could now cost around $3.00 per pound at retail. Vendors say the price jump has been gradual but consistent, c

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

The Inter-national Court of Justice (ICJ) has finished three days of hearings on Guatemala’s bid to intervene in the sovereignty case between Belize and Honduras over the Sapodilla Cayes, a move that could reshape the Court’s handling of two parallel territorial disputes in the region. The hearings were held at the Peace Palace in The Hague from November 24 to 26. Guatemala asked the Court for permission to participate as a non-party, arguing that its long-standing claim agai

The public rarely sees the Belizeans who carry the country’s most complex responsibilities. This past week’s hearings at the International Court of Justice offered a reminder that some of the nation’s most consequential work is done far from cameras, headlines, or political rallies. Figures such as Ambassador H.E. Assad Shoman and the small team supporting Belize’s ICJ cases operate in deliberate quiet—advancing national interests through research, preparation, legal coordina

The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) says Belize’s drinking water remains safe, even as early results from the new Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 7 (MICS7) show high levels of E. coli contamination in many household water samples across the country. The Ministry says its own long-term testing from many sites continues to show that the national water supply is safe for consumption. MICS7 is an international survey developed by UNICEF and carried out in more than 120 c

Hon. Marconi Leal, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, led Belize’s delegation and chaired the 61st Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), held on November 20–21, 2025, in Georgetown, Guyana. The meeting focused on advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and addressing several major trade and economic issues affecting the region. One key topic was the ongoing work toward full free movement of nationals among Barbados, Belize

The Government of Belize, in partnership with the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) and UNICEF, has launched the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7), a key tool that helps the country understand how children and families are living. MICS7 is used in more than 120 countries, it provides detailed information on key issues such as health, education, child protection, water and sanitation, mental health, and gender equality. In Belize, the survey offers 126 indicators,

Bowen & Bowen has introduced KICK Energy, a locally made energy drink designed to power consumers through every moment of their day. Targeted at youth and young adults, KICK combines great taste, solid performance, and strong value in every can. “KICK Energy is made for people who are always on the move,” said Alexander Ellis, Beverage Brands Manager at Bowen & Bowen. “Our goal is to offer premium energy, locally made, that keeps up with the pace of everyday life.” Crafted to

Water prices in Belize are set to rise as early as next year. The Public Utilities Commission has released its Initial Decision on Belize Water Services Limited’s 2026 Full Tariff Review. The new rates and upgrades are planned to start on April 1, 2026, after months of studies and meetings. The PUC approved a 13.5 percent increase to the Mean Water Rate. This is lower than the 20 percent increase BWSL wanted. The change is expected to raise the average customer’s bill by abou

Only two audit years—2011 - 2012 and 2015/2016—appear on the Auditor General’s official website; the absence of all other annual reports has forced citizens to rely on the Freedom of Information Act to obtain basic public-finance records. Under Belize’s Westminster-style governance model, the Auditor General plays a central role in safeguarding public account-ability. The office is responsible for examining the Government’s annual financial statements, verifying whether publi

The Office of the Prime Minister asked for additional time to process a sweeping FOIA request on Constituency Development Fund allocations; however, the applicant insists that the law still requires an access decision within fourteen days. The Government’s November 13th letter to public-interest litigant Jeremy Enriquez confirmed its willingness to provide the extensive CDF records he requested, but noted that retrieving multi-year budget allocations, disbursement records, vo

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

Belizeans are earning less on their bank deposits today than at any point over the past 15 years. Recent Central Bank figures show that the weighted average deposit rate slipped to 0.9 percent in September 2025, marking a continued decline in what banks pay customers for keeping money in savings and time-deposit accounts. The biggest drivers behind this fall are savings deposits and time deposits. Savings accounts currently earn between 2.6 and 2.7 percent, while time deposit

Belize’s ports are cost-effective gateways for goods bound for southern Mexico, Quintana Roo officials shared during a cross-border meeting that focused on investment coordination, trade access, and strengthened cooperation between both jurisdictions. Quintana Roo’s delegation outlined how Belize’s geographic location and regional trade agreements can support wider access to CARICOM and other markets. Their assessment guided targeted discussions on coordinated investment prom

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

Global Sugar prices are forecasted to decline, with leading sources such as World Bank estimating a 15% decline per pound from between 2025 and 2026. According to the World Bank's Commodity prices report, last year, world sugar fetched approximately USD$0.20 per pound. However, forecasts for 2026 place this figure closer to $0.17 per pound. Data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that in September prices for this key commodity hit its lowest point in th

The Public Service Union (PSU) has formally initiated industrial action procedures in opposition to the government’s transition of the Tax Service Department into a Semi-Autonomous Revenue Authority (SARA), citing risks to job security and employee benefits. The Ministry of Labour confirmed that the notice was received on Wednesday and is under review. Chief Executive Officer Valentino Shal said the ministry is preparing an official response and will hold internal discussions