Bread Gone Up, L.O.O. Says Briceno Betrayed Belizeans

As of Monday, the control price of a sixteen-ounce loaf of bread increased by thirty-five cents. Consumers are now paying two dollars and ten cents for the product. As we reported, the increase came by way of a request from bakers across the country. They contend that the price has not been adjusted since 2008, while their expenses have increased significantly since then. It is one of the issues raised by Leader of the Opposition Moses “Shyne” Barrow, during his press conference today. Barrow describes it as another betrayal of the many promises that the Briceño administration made to the Belizean people.

 

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“Pack bread that used to be dollar and change is now two dollars and change under the Briceño administration and they have no shame. Wait until after the municipal elections and raise the price of bread and we’ll take it. And this is another betrayal of the promises that the Briceno administration made to the Belizean people to be a government that was compassionate, a government that was understanding of the plight of the day-to-day Belizeans. This increase in bread does not reflect a government that understands that. And we understand that this is driven by the highest energy prices ever. Energy prices which have stabilized globally because Ukraine and Russia have become, a matter of fact that globally, at least in the Americas, the prices have gone down. But we’re certainly not at the crisis peak that we were when the war in first started. But here in Belize, the prices remain as high as ever and especially in the districts in Toledo in Corozal. The cost of living is exponentially higher than here in the city and places where the goods you know come central, so imagine we pay an exorbitant amount here in the city then it goes to Toledo. I’m telling you people are starving, people are suffering. And while in most instances, literally the PUP is not killing the people, but figuratively, they are. People are, their quality of life has died. Their hope in Belize has died. People, and the punishment, it’s not getting any better. There is no alleviation. The municipal’s done. Let’s make it worse.”