Opposition Leader Criticizes Government’s Budget Delay Amid Rising Living Costs

It’s been eight weeks since the 2025 General Election, and the government still hasn’t debated Belize’s national budget. Earlier this month, the Briceño Administration faced heavy criticism for approving salary increases for CEOs and the Cabinet Secretary, especially with no budget presentation in sight. Today, at the U.D.P. press conference, Tracy Taegar-Panton slammed the government for the delay, highlighting how the cost of living continues to rise while the budget remains unaddressed.

 

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“ What is also very telling and troubling and speaks to the blatant disregard this administration has for Belizean people is that we still have no idea what the budget estimates. For the financial year are and what will be the government’s priorities. This from a government who won, knew when the elections would be called, and two who started the budget exercise in October of last year. Yet while the budget remains missing. They somehow found it quite urgent to quietly push through massive salary increases for the cabinet’s secretary and for CEOs. This at the time when food prices are rising, when fuel prices are climbing, when we are on the brink. Of an energy crisis and when our Belizean families are struggling to survive, not withstanding the cries of the teachers for salary adjustments and long overdue increments, notwithstanding the please of our public health, public health professionals. For pension considerations after years of service, not withstanding demands of our law enforcement officers for better working conditions, not standing the cries of our stevedores, who are now considered essential workers, not withstandin they express concerns of public servants for more accountability, more transparency, and more consultation in our decision-making process.”