March, 2024 - Greater Belize Media

S.I.B. Reports 3.9% Inflation for February 2024

The Consumer Price Index shows that Belize experienced a three-point, nine percent increase in the cost of basic goods in February 2024. As observed throughout 2023 and into early 2024, higher food prices were the primary contributor to the overall inflation rate, followed by prices for restaurant services and home rental costs. The effects of the increase were slightly offset by the price of motor vehicle fuels, liquified petroleum gas, and international airfares, which were all lower than they were in February 2023. Statistician Melvin Perez explains.

Melvin Perez, Statistician II, S.I.B.

“So now looking at the major categories affecting the cumulative inflation rate of four point one percent. First, we have the food and non-alcoholic beverages category with prices increasing by seven point five percent and I must mention that this was the main contributor to the overall increase. It was followed by the restaurant and accommodational services, with prices increasing by twelve point six percent. Then we had the hosting water, electricity, gas, and other fuel, with prices increasing by two point one percent. Now looking at the last category in our list, we have the transport category, which recorded a decrease of eight point one percent. So now that we have identified the major categories affecting the cumulative inflation rate, now we will break down each one of them to see what contributed to the increase or decrease within the category. So first let’s look at the food and non-alcoholic beverages category with prices increasing by seven point five percent. The food subcategory alone was the main contributor in the category increasing. As prices rose across all types of food items, such as cereal products, fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, and cooking oil. Looking at the table, we can see that most of the items went up by almost more than ten percent. Specifically, natural milk, evaporated milk, powder milk, orange, celery, cilantro, onion, green corn, sweet potatoes, cassava, plantain, black beans, and sugar. Nonetheless, there were lower prices recorded for some items, such as flour, lime, cucumber, and sweet pepper. Now looking at the first two months of the year 2024, we can observe how food prices decreased from January to February. While looking at the same period in the year 2023, we can observe an upward trend in food prices, but when we compare the cumulative inflation rate averaging both January and February of 2024 to the same period of the year of 2023, food prices for the year of 2024 are still higher compared to the same period of the year 2023.”

FCD says Road in Chiquibul Built by Wealthy Guatemalans

On Tuesday, we told you about the illegal road built in the Chiquibul Forest by Guatemalans. That road originated from a town across the border and is believed to have been used for cattle ranching. It’s a serious problem that Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) continues to face as the co-manager of the Chiquibul National Park. FCD’s Executive Director, Rafael Manzanero told News Five that heavy machinery was used to build this road, indicating that ‘big players’ are involved. He says that Belizean law enforcement authorities need to have a permanent presence on the grounds to prevent these types of illegal activities.

Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, F.C.D.

“It is the first time that we are really documenting a road, you know, in terms of that magnitude. So it is one of our high concern to us. And so, it has already been validated, it is in the park, it is within Belize. It is by Guatemalans. And so now the point is what to do with that so in. I am glad that in some of the recommendations that we put forward are probably going to be pursued and that is good for us.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Seeing the road, that, that means that heavy machinery was used to construct the road, which means that as we always suspected, we have bigger or wealthier persons behind these things happening in Chiquibul.”

Rafael Manzanero

“Yes, that’s correct. So we see that with heavy machinery, of course, those are more investments and these are not really done by poor people along the adjacency zone, but More than likely, we believe they are by cattle ranchers in terms of trying to find an area where to get water. We need to provide more for the cattle ranching activities in that southern zone of the Rio Blanco. So this is in the extreme south of the Chiquibu National Park.”

Hipolito Novelo

“Is it getting worse?”

Rafael Manzanero

“I think, I mean, if we start to look at in terms of the mobilization of people along the area it is not as extensive as before during the xatero days. But what we see is now a different kind of individuals involved in the territory. So these are more heavy investors, and I will say the cattle ranching activity is still within the 1 to 1. 5 kilometers of the western flank of the Chiquibul National Park and Caracol.”

Hipolito Novelo

“How soon is it expected for that road to be destroyed?”

Rafael Manzanero

“Well, we are going to continue on of course, along with the patrols on the ground, but I tend to think, you know, Hipolito that the destruction of the road, either by using dynamite or explosives, it will basically serve to show the kind of the action being done by Belizean authorities. So that is positive because you bet that I mean, I’ve known in Guatemala, people can go back again and fill it in back again and use it once over. So I tend to think that the 1st action, yes, it’s really to find a way how to destroy that and then to have a presence on the ground to ensure that people are coming back again to refill it or to use it otherwise.”

Columbia Forest Reserve Under Threat

We also broke the news that Belize Defence Force soldiers destroyed two wooden bridges built by Guatemalans inside the Columbia Forest Reserve. Those bridges were used to facilitate the entry of trucks to extract timber such as rosewood and other precious woods. FCD reported that the illegal activity appeared recent, with amounts of timber stacked up. Manzanero says these activities are found dangerously close to the Machaquilha Conservation Post.

Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, F.C.D.

“It was shocking to the extent of the area being used and occupied. We do know that illegal logging has been ongoing in the Columbia River way from the early 2000s. So, we do know there has been extraction of rosewood and other hardwoods from that area there, but basically looking at the construction of wooden bridges in the area, it really means that it’s not only forces that are coming in to extract the timber and moving it to Guatemala, but basically it’s also really truckloads that are using that kind of territory for the extraction of timber. More than likely it is Rosewood. If there’s any left around that particular zone there and then also Sapodilla that would be used because these are really more primary woods that are being used in Guatemala these days.”

Cabinet Ministers Flyover Chiquibul

According to Manzanero, two Cabinet ministers participated in a flyover of the Chiquibul Forest. Minister of Defence and Border Security, Florencio Marin Junior, and Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, saw firsthand the devastation happening in the Chiquibul. Manzanero hopes that with this information, the government can act more appropriately.

Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director, F.C.D.

“We had the opportunity of taking the Minister of Sustainable Development Honorable Habet and also Honorable Marin from Border Security, we had the opportunity of playing them over the area of Chiquibul and Columbia River. And so they do have the firsthand information in terms of what is happening along that area, which you know, for me, I would just hope then that by themselves seeing it firsthand, they certainly do know the gravity and the magnitude of these problems. And that it really should be, you know, of course, at the governmental level, really to address, you know, these boundary issues. We have noticed that it does take that footwork’s, it does take the patrols, it does take to have a presence in the area. For But it needs to have a presence that is, and the key word is a person that is assertive. That is important because you can have men there, but if you are not really assertive, then you’re still cannot really be able to do the work. So, my feeling is that in the Columbia River, it has to be boosted up with that assertive move. We have documented from early this year that Columbia River really has a lot of other issues beyond the Chiquibul. So we feel that there is now a movement of more people, human footprint. Expansion in the Columbia River Forest Reserve and frankly, by seeing the kind of the bridges, that means that they have really felt a level of comfort. They have felt a level of confidence that they can be able to do an extraction of timber in truckloads from that area there.”

Belize Peace Movement Concerned

In December of last year, the Belize Peace Movement got the High Court to issue a consent order, requiring the Elections and Boundaries Commission to submit to the claimants a report with recommendations. Those recommendations have to do with how the redistricting process will be carried out. But the report has not yet been tabled for debate at the National Assembly, and today the Belize Peace Movement’s attorney, Arthur Saldivar, said they are concerned.

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney for Belize Peace Movement

“In terms of whether or not that proposal is one capable of addressing the malapportionment that was originally sought to be addressed, it falls woefully short. It is a joke. And I do believe that this is why the government is even embarrassed to even bring it to a debate because it will be thoroughly exposed for what it is – 100% exercise in gerrymandering where you’re talking about bringing people from Caye Caulker and making them a part of a constituency in Belize City, when you’re talking about leaving all of these constituencies in Belize City that are now obsolete, obscure in relation to their numbers, it is certainly something to be said in terms of seriousness or the lack thereof, of the administration in doing what is necessary to ensure that the democracy is given a fair chance of operating the way it should, but not only that. It is telling every person in this country who is of a mind to do things against the law, that you have a government that supports you. The Order was negotiated in good faith between both parties and it was signed off on. Where it has signed off on, there is a legitimate expectation that what was agreed upon will be carried through. In the least, you can debate that nonsense that is tabled before the National Assembly, vote it down and let the Elections and Boundaries be put back to do a proper job. But doing nothing is basically signing off on an unconstitutional state of affairs which will not bring about a legitimate government if an election is called. And I’m hearing this nonsense that there needs to be this census done before we get to do..”

Reporter

“It would have been better to have the data from that available.”

Arthur Saldivar

“Nonsense. You have already done a re-registration exercise. When it comes to the electorate and the re-divisioning of constituencies, it has nothing to do with the general population, It has everything to do with the voting population.”

Belize Has New Gender Policy

Belize now has a gender policy, after thirteen years. The 2024-2030 gender policy was approved and adopted by the Cabinet on Monday. Consultations were held with the various stakeholders over the past three years and according to the chairperson of the National Women’s Commission, Thea Garcia-Ramirez, the policy is an overarching one that addresses marginalized groups.

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Chair, National Women’s Commission

“What it does for people who are marginalized, and I know that this is a point of contention, but this is from the government’s point of view and the government has is duty bound to ensure that it does the same for all citizens. And so in areas of discrimination, it speaks to how we can true social and behavioral change. And there’s a whole strategy that we are implementing now to ensure true education to advocacy that those incidences are certainly minimized we’re going to use education, we’re going to use advocacy and sensitization really live and let live. The feedback from the Council of Churches and other groups, I’m happy to say the consultations were extensive over three years of consultations with various groups. Even the media was invited, was sent the draft and were given an opportunity to peruse it, to ask questions. We also consulted withwomen in leadership positions in churches, and so they are definitely what this policy speaks to in terms of even, women within very conservative communities like Christian and church. And they also supported unanimously as a group. They supported the national gender policy.”

Women Leaders in the Church Support the Gender Policy

Women in leadership roles in the church were also a part of the consultative process and while the church has its stance on certain groups on gender issues, Garcia-Ramirez says the women leaders in the church gave their support to the policy.

Thea Garcia Ramirez, Chair, National Women’s Commission

“What it does for people who are marginalized, and I know that this is a point of contention, but this is from the government’s point of view and the government has is duty bound to ensure that it does the same for all citizens. And so in areas of discrimination, it speaks to how we can true social and behavioral change. And there’s a whole strategy that we are implementing now to ensure true education to advocacy that those incidences are certainly minimized we’re going to use education, we’re going to use advocacy and sensitization really live and let live. The feedback from the Council of Churches and other groups, I’m happy to say the consultations were extensive over three years of consultations with various groups. Even the media was invited, was sent the draft and were given an opportunity to peruse it, to ask questions. We also consulted with women in leadership positions in churches, and so they are definitely what this policy speaks to in terms of even, women within very conservative communities like Christian and church. And they also supported unanimously as a group. They supported the national gender policy.”

Senator Chanona Addresses Spate of Violence Against Women in Belize

At the adjournment of Tuesday’s Senate meeting, NGO Senator Janelle Chanona ended the session on a sombre note. She rose to speak on the numerous incidents of violence against women that have occurred over the last four weeks. Chanona spoke directly to her Senate colleagues, urging them to contemplate the gravity of these events and to deliberate meaningful solutions.

Janelle Chanona, NGO Senator

“It is not your daughter who is grasping their cellphones, trebling fingers, trying to send a text to your wife to tell them that your intimate partner has just dealt you a death blow and they are trying to get a message out for you save the baby, your grandchild. It is not your grandchild. It is not your daughter who is in a car being chased by her ex-partner only to end up in a car accident and to have your daughter’s ex-partner come up to the car and tell you, if I can’t have you no one can have you. It is not your daughter or sister who has been killed by her intimate partner only to have him turn the weapon n himself and commit suicide. Details resembling those cases have happened in the last four weeks right here in Belize that is the situation we are facing. Last week I heard mention that there was a woman who was facilitated. The reality is that if we are not providing opportunities for equity and equality and addressing gender-based violence wherever it starts, in language in the streets, in the workplace, in parliament, we are setting the tone for how our women and girls will continue to be treated. I call this out as a matter of urgent importance because we cannot have high functioning damaged people trying to help damaged people. We must make sure we are able to be healthy, fulfilled and feel safe.”

Bill to Expunge Specified Convictions from Criminal Records

The Briceño Administration continues to make efforts to reform Belize’s criminal justice system. On Tuesday, Eamon Courtenay, the Lead Senator for Government Business, introduced three legislative reforms to the Senate. These bills are intended to expunge certain convictions from an individual’s criminal records so long as they have served their time. It also aims to provide a mechanism for alternative sentencing for individuals who are convicted of crimes that are not of a serious nature. Senator Courtenay explained further.

Eamon Courtenay, Lead Senator, Government Business

“The idea is to recognize that the people who have been rehabilitated, people who have paid their debt to society should be allowed to be reincorporated into society and the criminal record against them be expunged. Having a criminal record as you know affects many people applying for jobs, visas and other services when an application form requires you to say, have you been found guilty of a criminal offense. The purpose here is to in the limited number of offenses listed in the act, is to expunge those convictions in the circumstance established in the act by the board that will be established by the act. The purpose is to allow those persons who have served their time and have been rehabilitated to have their record expunged, therefore the stigma of their conviction would be removed. There is a provision that precludes that a person’s conviction after their record has been expunged. The second piece of legislation is the alternative sentencing bill. This bill is designed to repeal the existing legislation. What the judiciary reported was that between 2016 and 2022 over sixty percent of the five thousand three hundred and eighty-eight persons serving custodial sentences were convicted and imprisoned for immigration offenses and other nonviolent and serious offense such as nonpayment of debts, fines and maintenance orders. The prison is filled with people who have not committed serious offenses. Important offense, yes violations of law, but the judiciary has no tool to provide alternatives modes of sentencing.”

CABEI Talks Hospitals and Port of Belize Expansions

Belize received approval for the Korean Economic Development Corporation Fund, and under that eligibility, a team of consultants from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, CABEI, visited the country last week. The purpose of the visit was to conduct feasibility studies for proposed projects. These studies focused on the rehabilitation and possible expansion of three hospitals across the country, as well as a study to address the need for modernizing the Port of Belize and the feasibility of a bulk port in the country to encourage exportation. We spoke with the Minister of Economic Development, Doctor Osmond Martinez, to learn how these consultations went.

Dr. Osmond Martinez, Minister of Economic Development

“The preliminary findings from Punta Gorda Hospital and the preliminary results are saying that Punta Gorda needs new equipment, they need more medical presence, medical doctors there, but also a facility where to host the medical experts, in this case, for example, to build apartments for them or a housing system where they can stay. As it comes to KHMH, they are working very closely with the CEO of KHMH. And in or in as well they’re the preliminary results are not so far, but, Punta Gorda is the one who is a little bit ahead is a priority for the government to work in Punta Gorda and to strengthen the health system there as soon as possible. The Port of Belize, they’re just looking at the TOR, and so they are having discussions with the different stakeholders and developing the TOR for feasibility studies, but there have been a lot of studies on the port and so one of the things that we don’t want is more studies, we want solutions and to help solve whatever problem can come out from there, but more important is to have a bulk port in the future where we can position ourself as a regional hub because Belize is in very good position in terms of serving the south of Mexico, especially Quintanaroo and the Yucatan peninsula. And at the same time, we can easily become. The hope for the Caribbean in certain products, especially when it comes with the movement of products that comes from Mexico or even from Guatemala. In addition to that there is a very strangling right now in terms of economic, regional economic integration, and Belize has to position itself well. And geographically, we are well positioned to be part of the development that it will happen in the Pacific corridor, which will be connecting the Atlantic Ocean, which means that Belize can easily serve as a hope for a cargo distribution into the Caribbean, but also serve the southern part of Mexico.”