PM Urges Prudence as Fuel Prices Climb

Fuel prices are once again squeezing Belizeans, and now the pressure has landed squarely at the feet of the Briceño administration. Just yesterday, the Leader of the Opposition publicly urged the government to cut its tax take on fuel, arguing that motorists need immediate relief at the pumps. But today, Prime Minister John Briceño pushed back on the criticism, saying his administration will make the decisions it must, while also calling on Belizeans to use their vehicles more wisely as global fuel costs remain unpredictable.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“The leader of the opposition would refuse to acknowledge that during that time the then Prime Minister had Petro Caribe with them. They had the monies from the oil, the revenues they were getting. They were getting combined over a billion dollars, a part from the taxes. So, they could have probably do some of that. We are going to do what is necessary to help our people. We are committed to our people and committed to the economy. And so, we have to find that balancing act as to how best to be able to manage these high prices coming to Belize.”

 

Paul Lopez

“What must people do in the meantime while they look for ease at the pumps?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We have to be more prudent in how we use our vehicles.

 

Paul Lopez

And can they expect a decrease in prices in terms of government’s intervention?

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We have to take a look at it in terms of balance. Like I said, the pie is the pie and when we set up the 2026/2027 pie it is set and we already projected the among of revues that we are going to collect from fuel and if we were to cut that then we will either have to collect from somewhere else or cut from some other program. So, it is too early to say. We have to be able to take a look and act prudently and not hastily as if we are in a panic.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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