PM Briceño Responds to LOO Moses Barrow 

In an exclusive interview with News 5, Prime Minister John Briceño responded to claims made by Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow, during his State of the Nation address. Barrow said that Belize’s economy is in trouble, pointing to the closure of businesses like Renco, Smiling Meats, Hofius, and Bottom Dollar to challenge Prime Minister Briceño’s claim of a six-billion-dollar GDP. Barrow also raised concerns about a teacher shortage and recommended reducing the 120 CPD hour requirement for educators. Additionally, he highlighted a 40% increase in homicides, though he acknowledged that crime figures had improved in recent months, as noted by the Commissioner of Police.

When asked about the LOO’s statements, PM Briceño told News 5, “I would just smile and leave him as it is. I think he lives in his own world… It takes two to tango, or, you know, but so it’s best to leave him there by himself.”

He added, “I think people have seen the work. People are feeling the work that the tremendous work that our government has been doing.” According to the Prime Minister, more people are working and less are living in poverty. He said, “With the changes in the income tax regime, we’re allowing even more people to go into the middle class. The increase of the minimum wage to go to five dollars, you know. That in itself. Like you said, a tide rises our ship, so raising up to 5, the people that were working at 5, their salaries have gone up.”

“We are living in a much better place than we were in November of 2020.”