2 weeks ago
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The United Democratic Party (UDP) convened a press conference earlier today to address a wide array of national concerns, including tourism, inflation, and the proposed 13th Amendment. During the meeting, Leader of the Opposition, Tracy Taegar Panton, dedicated a significant portion of her address to the challenges facing Belize’s agricultural sector, with a particular focus on the struggling sugar industry. She emphasized the urgent need for sustainable solutions to protect the livelihoods of thousands of cane farmers and called on the government to implement policies that support fair pricing, improve infrastructure, and strengthen export opportunities. Panton also noted that agriculture remains the backbone of the Belizean economy and must be treated as a national priority in both policy and investment.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition: “The agriculture sector is in crisis. Just last night on the news the Minister of Agriculture spoke to the fact that in this crop season we will yield 120,000 tons less than we did in the crop season a year ago which represents $53 million dollars in lost revenue from sugar production. Global sugar prices have also plummeted from $87 a ton to $54 dollars per ton. And cane farmers my friends are bearing the brunt of this. The Minister responsible for sugar is notably absent and farmers are left in despair.”
Newcomer Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative for Mesopotamia, centered his remarks on the tourism industry, highlighting a noticeable decline in 2025 that, he warned, could have ripple effects across the broader economy. Chang noted that as tourism falters, so too will the many small businesses and service sectors that rely heavily on visitor spending. He pointed out that countless Belizeans have invested in tourism-adjacent ventures such as restaurants, tour operations, and cultural attractions, all of which are now at risk. Chang urged the government to take swift, targeted action to revitalize the industry and protect the livelihoods of those who depend on it.
Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia: “The 2025 tourism decline. Occupancy in San Pedro, Belize’s tourism jewel has plummeted from 20% occupancy in May to a mere 15% occupancy in June to date. Overnight stays have sharply declined since 2024. The US and Canadian market accounts for 77% of our tourism market and it is that very market that is pulling back. We need to diversify new tourism markets for Belize. The tourism decline will have an impact on the Belizean economy and its workforce. A decline in tourism does not only affect the tourism sector. The ripple effect affects the entire country of Belize. Hotels across the country, many of which are financed through local banks or international investors are struggling to meet financial obligations. Hotel employees, many who have personal loans face layoffs or reduced working hours. Tour operators who invest heavily in vans, buses, boats, and licenses now find it difficult to meet payments. Taxi and water taxis are not immune from tourism pinch. Less tourism means less movement.”
Opposition Senator Sheena Pitts directed her remarks toward the Thirteenth Amendment, zeroing in on the implications it may have for the calling of States of Emergency. Pitts expressed concern that the proposed changes could potentially erode civil liberties by lowering the threshold for government to enact such measures. She warned that without clear checks and balances, the amendment could give rise to overreach or misuse, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. Emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability, Pitts called for deeper public consultation and legal scrutiny before any constitutional changes are finalized.
Sheena Pitts, Senator: “I’ve said before, government is talentless. They cannot solve the crime problem. Instead they are codifying the ability to suspend fundamental rights and freedoms guised as prevention and control of crime. You hear that ? Two, they openly through this amendment, through legislation, accept that the state of emergencies that they imposed on Belizean people were unlawful and not consistent with the constitution. So since the court ruling they hurrying to go change the constitution. They say the two rulings are uncertain. You know what you do when you’re unhappy about a decision from the court ? You appeal. Go through the process that we have for appeal. But what does this bill intent to achieve ? Because information is power. The Belizean public needs to know what is in this bill. They are creating new and lower thresholds for what constitutes a state of emergency. That is now the Governor General will need to be satisfied on advice from a national security council on reasonable grounds that for public safety or public order in a specified area and for preventing, detecting or controlling crime in that area a state of emergency exists. Now what this bill is saying is that when that is declared it will be declared for one month in the first instance by the GG but that it can be extended by resolution of the National Assembly for up to twelve months. Now think of this. It takes a national security council to determine whether or not a state of emergency exists, go to the GG and present that to her so that she can be satisfied to make such a declaration but to extend it ? The National Assembly and the super majority could just say yeah it still exists we’ll extend it another month, another three months, another six months, up to a year.”
We will have more from today’s press conference in subsequent newscasts./
English (US) ·